Chapter Thirty Nine

Carlisle

As we boarded the jet for the flight to Italy I wondered if I would ever see the States again. For now I was just relieved I was still alive and with Edward. He sat down beside me looking concerned,

"Are you OK Carlisle? I met Esme at the airport. She told me she knows about us. Did you tell her?"

"No Edward, she overheard Alice talking to me."

"She mentioned Bella too. Is she alive? I thought she died in the crash."

"Apparently not. I think Alice was involved in her disappearance, I've seen her Edward, she's with Jasper."

"I knew it, I knew he was involved somehow. Does he think he can keep her from me? She's my wife Carlisle, mine."

"No Edward she isn't. Bella is Jaspers mate and he's changed her. That's why we were in Alaska, to find her for Aro."

"What does he want with her?"

"She has a gift, a very powerful one it turns out. I saw a demonstration of it, she destroyed three Volturi guards just like that. Chelsea included."

"How? I thought she was simply a shield"

"Its much more powerful than a simple shield Edward and if you try to take her back from Jasper she might well kill you. You have to accept that Bella Swan, Bella Cullen, is dead. She's no use to you in any case Edward, now she's a vampire she can't give you what you wanted but Aro is willing to offer you a safe refuge and a place in the Volturi."

"As what?"

"As a valuable member, high in the guard Edward, along with your mate Carlisle. I've long yearned to have him back in Volterra with me and to have both of you would be even better"

Edward turned to look at Aro and nodded,

"If the position is high enough I could be persuaded."

"Ambitious as always Edward. There is a slight hurdle to overcome first though. I need to be sure of your loyalty."

"And how do I show you that?"

"Marcus is plotting against me Edward and I want to know exactly what his plans are. I need you to read his mind and tell me exactly what he proposes to do."

I knew how dangerous that commission could be but I didn't say anything, Edward could read it in my mind in any case. He turned and smiled as Aro walked away,

"Don't worry Carlisle, I'll keep us safe."

The arrogance of youth!

Marcus

I heard via my own spies about the confrontation between the Romanians and Aro, it seemed his small party was getting steadily smaller but he was coming back and bringing Edward and Carlisle with him. Alec would be the greatest danger to Caius and I, unless he came over to our side, we could perhaps offer him the opportunity to avenge his sister, after all it was Aro who sent her on the mission that resulted in her death and I didn't think he stood any chance of defeating the new improved Bella or The Major so it would be his only opportunity. I went to see Caius and filled him in on what had occurred,

"So the Romanians weren't quite powerful enough Marcus?"

"No but he only had Renata truly loyal to him"

"And Alec?"

"I thought we might influence him in our favour brother, unless you intend to stay at Aro's side."

"With Edward on his way? I'm not sure that would be a very safe position to hold. I thought carefully about what you told me earlier and I think it's about time we showed Aro just how powerful we are."

"Good, I was hoping you might feel that way. Shall we speak to Alec?"

"Yes I think we must, its time for him to state his allegiance too"

Aro

I didn't trust my good brothers to remain loyal once they heard of the losses I'd sustained but what could they do? I was safe with Renata at my side and in bringing Edward and Carlisle back I was starting the process of rebuilding the guard. My spies had gone very quiet and I wondered if that was because they had nothing to tell me or if they had been silenced. I doubted Caius would act alone but if Marcus had decided to make a play for power or revenge then Caius might be weighing up his options. Would he side with Marcus? I doubted it, he knew I had more support both inside and beyond the stronghold of Volterra but there was always a slight chance and even that made me nervous. If Edward could read the minds of the guard as soon as we landed I would be forearmed, always the best way to be. As the plane came in to land I saw Edward touch Carlisle's hand in reassurance, such a pity that his sire wasn't as ambitious as Edward himself. I saw great things in Edwards future if he played his cards right and stayed loyal to me. The car was waiting at the terminal along with Gregor, not our usual driver but I glanced at Edward who seemed perfectly at ease so there was no plot, at least yet.

Edward

We drove the long winding roads from the airport to Volterra in virtual silence after Aro had enquired about his brothers. It seemed they were pursuing their usual routines, nothing unusual to report. Although the driver seemed a little ill at ease, his thoughts were innocuous enough but I had the feeling he was uneasy. If Aro was in trouble in Volterra then it would be easy to switch allegiance, after all my talent was valued by more than just Aro. As long as Carlisle and I were safe I didn't much care who we followed. Caius was probably my choice if Aro fell, he would understand my thirst for power and domination and I might yet get the opportunity to sire a child of my own, plenty of humans came to Volterra and although hunting in the town was forbidden no one said anything about capturing a human, inside or outside the town walls. If I could have a child of my own I could bring it up to be loyal to me alone and if it was gifted...well anything was possible. It would be hard on Carlisle as it was when I explained why I was courting and marrying Bella but he would stand with me as always.

Carlisle

I didn't like the emotions I saw flickering across Edwards face, I knew he would never give up on his plan to sire a child but to watch him with another human would be torture, I had borne the pain of seeing him with Bella because I knew he wanted this so badly but she was gone to another and her gift lost to him. How long would it take to find another gifted human to provide what he wanted. What was I supposed to do in the meantime? I could continue my studies and research but work wasn't an option. Aro would be very unhappy at the thought of my leaving Volterra, I was a hostage to Edwards continued allegiance to Aro. In my own right I meant nothing to Aro, our friendship was like most of his, a convenience, nothing more, especially as the years moved on and he became more ambitious and power-hungry.