Chapter Forty
Carlisle
Bella may have a point about Jake but Rose, Emmett, and Esme were there too so I thought we had the numbers if it came to a fight with Jacob Black. Raven would probably side with us too if it meant getting revenge on Jasper, something Bella may not have taken into consideration and she was as strong as Jake and just as deadly. I turned to walk back,
"I'll leave you to discuss the situation with your friends Bella, just remember Charlie's safety depends on your decision and I wouldn't rely on Jacob Black to be an ally, remember his disabled father is also in the house and quite helpless."
I heard her intake of breath and heard Peters oath as I walked slowly back to the house and shut the door. Charlie looked up,
"Bella and the others not coming in?"
"I think they were just discussing what they want to do Charlie but I'm sure Bella will be in soon."
He looked at me suspiciously but didn't say anything.
Jake
I was uncomfortable here in the leeches house but I'd agreed to come with Raven to see if there was anything Carlisle could do to help her in her quest for justice. Esme who had been watching the proceedings through the window looked perturbed about something. What had she seen or heard? While I had been willing to come here with Raven to see if Carlisle would help us against Jasper Whitlock I felt that with the arrival of Billy and Charlie we were now at a substantial disadvantage. If it came to a fight then Raven and I could phase and protect Billy and possibly Charlie too, but I couldn't rely on Raven to work with me. If she saw that the leeches had a possibility of winning against Jasper she would side with them leaving Billy and Charlie to their fate and I couldn't protect both of them. I thought a strategic retreat might be the best idea although I wasn't even sure Carlisle would allow us to leave. I looked at Billy and saw my concerns mirrored in his own face. As I watched he shook his head very slowly, was he telling me to calm down? Stand down? I wasn't sure.
Carlisle
I sent Esme to fetch Emmett and Rose from the garage, there was safety in numbers especially as we had a wolf and a bear in the midst of us. The other two had been a welcome surprise and they were vulnerable, weak enough to need protection but would the Whitlocks be willing to make the compromise and leave to ensure their safety? Jasper and the other two, no, they would fight and be damned but Bella was different. Did she think enough of her father and Billy to try to save their lives? I thought she did but I had to factor in that she was a newborn with unpredictable moods which Jasper might try to influence. He had to want Raven dead, who wouldn't knowing she was a dangerous adversary? And he was a military man, never leave an enemy alive to stab you in the back. As Em and Rose came in I could see Esme had been talking to them, explaining I hoped because it would be impossible for me to tell them exactly what was going on without warning our guests.
Jake
Emmett and Rose looked uncomfortable as they came in, shooting anxious glances at Carlisle but trying to lighten the mood by asking me about my latest car project. Something was very wrong and I was suddenly glad that Angie wasn't with me, I felt there was danger in the air and my hands started to shake very slightly. Billy moved his chair uneasily and I looked over at him,
"You OK dad?"
"My legs are aching Jake. I think I'd like to go home and rest them. Thank you for your hospitality but if you have other guests arriving maybe we should leave."
"I wouldn't hear of it Billy. They are hardly strangers after all, just Jasper, Bella and their two friends. I think you've met them Charlie haven't you?"
Charlie looked at Carlisle questioningly,
"Now how do you know that Carlisle? I never mentioned meeting Jaspers friends to you. I get the feeling there's something going on here and it concerns us. What exactly has Raven told you and what is it she wants from you?
Carlisle
I had hoped to keep the atmosphere light for a while longer but Charlie and Billy were forcing my hand.
"Charlie, Raven came to me because she felt she wasn't getting the help she hoped for from her brother tribe. You know about Jaspers history I take it?"
"Yes, he never hid it from me"
"Then you understand there are many crimes he committed and now finally someone has come looking for justice. These things happen."
"Justice? It was a war, people died on both sides, they always do. It's a risk you take when you go to fight."
"My grandfather never went to fight. He went to protect his fellow tribesmen from the vampire army of Maria and died trying."
"Then he took the risk, would you feel the same if it were the other way round? If your grandfather had killed Jasper?"
"He's a leech, our ancient foe. That would have been justice."
"I see, but it's not the same the other way round? And you think it's perfectly OK to seek help from your ancient foe?"
"Yes. I would make a pact with the devil in order to avenge my ancestor"
"Oh I think that's just what you are doing Raven."
I looked at Charlie astounded,
"Well I've been called some names in my time Charlie but never the devil before"
"I guess I've just been closer to you for longer than most humans Carlisle. What did you tell Bella out there?"
I smiled,
"I just invited them to join us Charlie, as a good host should."
"Really, then why are they still out there and why are you so keen that Billy and I stay awhile longer?"
Jake
Charlie had a point, what had Carlisle said to Bella and her "friend" Jasper? Much as I hated him I didn't want to see any harm befall Bella, or Charlie, or my dad, and he was the most vulnerable of us all in that wheel chair. I got up and walked over to him,
"I think I'd like to take my dad home now Carlisle."
The gauntlet had been thrown down and it was his move. He smiled and nodded,
"Of course Jake feel free to leave just as soon as your friend Bella assures me that we are all safe from her unreasonable fears. Why don't you go out and talk to her."
So I could leave but Billy had to stay and he thought that one would fly!
"I'm not leaving my dad in here alone."
"Alone? He's among friends Jake."
I didn't like the look on Carlisle's face although I could see that Emmett and Rose looked totally confused and Esme disappointed and angry.