Chapter Forty Six

Alice

He stood arms folded looking out at the square so I sighed and started,

"I saw what happened with Billy. I'm sorry about that, he didn't deserve to die."

"No, and Bella didn't deserve to be forcibly changed but there you go, life's a bitch sometimes, rather like you."

"Sticks and stones Jazz. I thought you might like to know a little more about Carlisle seeing as you've silenced him. He was Volturi but you knew that didn't you?"

"I suspected as much, especially when I found out it was he who told Aro about Bella's gift."

"Yes well, he's done a lot of that over the years. Some of Aro's best acquisitions came via Carlisle. But do you know who his successor is?"

"Aro's dead"

"I know that but it doesn't mean that someone isn't interested in talented vampires and humans."

"Who wants to know Alice? And why should I care anyway?"

"Well speaking hypothetically of course, it could mean the difference between winning or losing control of the vampire world."

"You're telling me that the Romanians are looking for talent? I thought they'd given up hope of taking over again"

"Would you? We all like power however much we deny it, besides I never mentioned the Romanians did I?"

"And in return for this name you want what?"

"My safety guaranteed and not only in Volterra. I have no intention of staying in this backwater any longer than necessary."

"Too high a price Alice."

"Oh I don't think so, because I know what comes next"

"You always do Alice. It's why you are interested in dealing with me, with us, rather than the other side that interests me most. Wont they give you what you want or can't they?"

Bella

I turned to see Jazz and Alice Cullen standing in a window talking, she was way too close for my liking and I growled softly but Peter smiled at me,

"There's nothing to worry about kitten, he's holding his own there."

"What does she want?"

"Protection from his anger"

"What's she offering in return?"

"Information"

"What kind of information?"

"The only kind that's worth anything, who is doing what, where, and why."

"Is it worth the price"

"I think we're about to find out."

Alice spun on her heel and left as Jasper smiled over at me and walked slowly back.

"What did she say?"

"I think she was trying to tell me there's going to be a take over bid for control of the Volturi and she can tell us when, where, and how."

"Fuck! Bella, I'm so good I even amaze myself sometimes."

I couldn't help laughing at Peters words but he was right, he'd nailed it.

Jasper

I didn't want to say too much until I could speak to everyone so Bella and I went to speak to Renee, to ask her to convene a meeting of the Volturi to discuss Alice's news before she was allowed to address them. I was startled by Renee's control but then she was Bella's mother and they were both unusual people.

"Very well Jasper. I'll ask Caius and Marcus if they would join us."

It seemed that although the Volturi had no head Renee was nominally in charge. Felix went off to speak to them while Bella and I followed her into the meeting room to be faced by a huge round table. Bella grinned,

"No power chair then?"

"Nope. At least this way I have some control over the bickering."

I smiled to myself at the thought of Renee scolding Caius and Marcus like naughty school boys. When they came in they even looked slightly cowed as they took their seats.

"Well Bella its good to see you again, and you Major. I trust you concluded your business in America?"

"Yes thank you Marcus. You might like to know that Carlisle is dead, killed by his mate."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"We saw it."

"Such a pity, he was a remarkable man."

"Also a procurer for Aro it would seem"

Caius looked at me with a small grin,

"I believe so and very successful too."

"And now he's gone?"

"Carlisle? Oh I'm sure someone will pop up to take his place Major, someone always does."

"You know why Alice Cullen is here Caius?"

"No but I can guess. I would assume she knows you are unhappy with her and hopes we can protect her. Of course that would be possible if the vote went against you."

"And is it likely to?"

"That depends on what she has to offer us. Do you know?"

"Some of it. But I think someone in Volterra knows more than me."

"Really? We have someone else Alice is passing information to? I do hope you aren't accusing me Major?"

"Enough Caius. We shouldn't be arguing among ourselves. Jasper please tell us what Alice had to say to you."

Caius went quiet at Renee's words and I could see the fire of determination in her eyes, this woman was not taking any crap from anyone.

"Alice told me that Carlisle had been Aro's procurer although I'd already guessed as much. She says there is a new one but this new person could be persuaded to talk to another party who are interested in overthrowing the Volturi."

Marcus groaned,

"Not the Romanians again? They rear their ugly heads every so often and have to be put in their place. They aren't really a threat to us Major, they don't have a large enough following and even with the likes of Carlisle Cullen it would take them centuries to build up a powerful enough force to take us on."

"I think Alice was thinking of something more imminent than the Romanians."

"Like who?"

"Well lets ask her shall we?"

Renee cut across us again and Bella smiled.

"Felix would you ask Alice Cullen to join us."

He went out and she turned to me,

"I know how much you want Alice but we need to know if her information is worth anything before handing her over."

I nodded, I was prepared to wait, but Alice and I would be having words before this was over.

The door opened again a few minutes later and Alice walked nonchalantly into the room smiling around at everyone before her eyes settled on me.

"So Jasper, have you told them what I said?"

"Some of it but I'm sure you'll explain fully."

She beamed and pulled a chair out, sitting down between Renee and Charlotte and smiling at both of them before looking at me again.

"I know Aro is dead but the information he paid so handsomely for is still out there and there is someone willing to step into his shoes for the same deal"

"You?" I snapped

"Unfortunately no, my gift isn't capable of seeing other talents, only their consequences and that's too late to be really good intelligence"

"Then who?"

"Ah, now that's the million dollar question. Are you prepared to buy the answer?"