Chapter Fifteen

Jasper

"She's going to let Bella see what an animal I am in relation to him"
"And just how is he going to accomplish that? If he gets you two to fight Alec will be picking his head up off the floor to reattach unless he uses his gift, ah that would show her how powerful he is. Good thinking Char"
"I don't think Aro would risk Alec getting hurt even a little and Bella may be scared by his talent. A lot of vampires are don't forget."
"So what? A fashion parade? Spelling bee? Horseshoes? Come on, I'm struggling here."
"Just let her see who the savage is"
"See? No I'm still not with you"
"If you were a newborn and saw The Major for the first time what would your thoughts be?"
"Aside from fuck he's an ugly bastard? Well he's a scary mother fucker but we always used that to subdue newborns, put them in their place. If Alec tries being all sweetness and light she'll rip his fucking head off never mind The Major."

Charlotte was about to speak again when there was a knock on the door and Felix walked in,
"Major the girl is really distressed and I think you might be able to calm her again."
"Aro's asking for my help?"
"No, I am. She's got spirit and I like that. Why let her suffer if we can help? You coming?"
I followed him out leaving Peter open-mouthed to watch.
"Why are you helping Bella and more importantly me?"
"I've heard a lot about you Major and everything I've heard makes me admire you more. Especially how you changed your life around. It takes courage and a shit load of iron control to do that. As for the girl, I don't think anyone should be forced to take a mate against their will and Aro's only doing it so he can have her gift available. You have to watch him, I think he'd like to wrestle control of the Volturi from Marcus and Caius and be the sole leader of our kind. It worries me that Bella might be just what he needs to accomplish that."

"Aren't you one of Aro's creatures though?"
"I follow the leader who gives me the best option of survival. Aro did that, now I'm not so sure. If he's prepared to start a fight with you then who's next? And don't forget I'll be the one on the front line of any conflict. Fighting for survival is one thing, fighting for a Megalomaniac something else entirely. Here you go"
He unlocked the door and I passed in with a nod of thanks. He'd given me food for thought, what was Aro really up to and why would he pick a fight with me knowing he couldn't win without using his best talents, it would clear the way for him though, the rebels would be without a strong leader, I knew that much about myself. Not ego, just the straight truth.

I could hear Bella's heart struggling with the venom, wishing it had been mine, and her breathing so quiet now that I knew her lungs were ready to give up the fight. I'd always thought her pretty but now she was stunning. Her skin always pale looked like polished marble, her hair thicker and longer and her body filled out just enough to make her more desirable. Would she even look at me once she opened her vampire eyes and saw what I really was? Or would they flicker straight to Alec, the beautiful man-child who wanted her so much? I took her hand and calmed her cries of pain, taking advantage just once to put my lips to hers. They were the same temperature as mine now and I wondered how it must have felt to kiss her when she was still human. Her scent filled my lungs and started a fire deep within my chest, she was the one but would I ever get to tell her so? Not if Aro had his way. I sat beside her on the bed, smiling as I saw she was still holding the ripped section of my shirt tightly in her fist. Her hand grasped mine tightly once more and I heard her heart begin to beat wildly. The door opened a little while later and I heard Felix voice,
"Sorry Major but the others will be here in a few minutes. You have to go."
I got up nodding and touched her cheek with the back of my hand,
"Goodbye Bella."
I pulled my hand free and the warmth in my chest died almost instantly then I turned and walked away not knowing if I would ever speak to her again.

Bella

My torment grew worse over time until I felt the cool hand in mine and heard the voice of an angel talking to me. At first the words were indistinct but they grew clearer as I listened and tried to make sense of what I heard. I dimly remembered Eleazor's words about old friends being more trustworthy and this voice was warning me of danger. I would be a vampire soon and nothing could threaten me then, except something could of course, The Volturi and I was in their Citadel. In their power base, power, that's what Aro wanted, power. Me, he wanted me, he knew I had a gift...a gift...a shield...he wanted me to shield him...he wanted me with the boy who had bitten me...was he mad? All I wanted to do to the boy was rip his head off for violating me. The one I wanted to see was the man with the angels voice, the one whose touch cooled my rage and calmed me. He was the one I craved not the boy. My head started to spin with pressure and my heart burst into flame as if petrol had been poured on it. I tried to gasp but my lungs were gone. I didn't struggle to breath I just didn't need to and as my heart raced frantically I was aware I was not alone in the room. Others were coming in through the door. I tested the air but the scent I wanted wasn't there and the ones I could smell did nothing for me except to anger me. A red mist started to descend but then it was dispelled by a great beat from my heart, its final one and the pain, the noise, all stopped.

I lay, eyes closed for a few seconds, feeling vulnerable then leaped into a defensive crouch without even having to consciously decide to do so. My eyes were open taking in all of the room my brain processing the information at lightening speed. I recognised Aro and Caius along with the boy Alec whom I dismissed as a child. There was a huge hulking figure standing just inside the door arm's folded and he screamed danger but then I remembered dimly his voice associated with the angel and I stopped myself from attacking. The figures in the room were tense and expectant but I stood slowly looking at them all, one at a time. Aro who looked more fragile and dangerous with my new eyes clapped his hands in delight,
"Bella, so beautiful and not even attacking. I knew you would be exceptional. Alec isn't she beautiful, say hello to your mate"