Chapter Forty

Caden

When Annie told us that she was taking us to the border to meet some friends who would take us back home Charity beamed shouting mommy, daddy, home. But I couldn't be as excited knowing I was leaving Uncle Charlie behind, that I'd failed him although I was happy to be going home, away from these strange people. She drove us to the border and there waiting for us was Carmen. I remembered her from a visit she and Eleazar made to our house awhile back and she opened her arms smiling when she saw Charity and I. She and Annie never spoke to each other, Annie just told us to go to Carmen who would take us home and to be good. She had always been nice to us so I said thank you and goodbye while Charity waited, looking warily at Carmen, she was too young to remember the visit.

I took Charity's hand and we walked across to where Carmen waited then I turned to watch Annie return to her car and drive back the way we had come.

"Caden, Charity, are you OK? Did they treat you right? Everyone is so looking forward to having you home. Come along now, it's a long drive and I want to get started but first you must ring your parents and let them know you are safe and with me. Oh, are you hungry? I forgot to ask, we can get something to eat once you have spoken to them and then home."

Jasper

True to his word Johnny was back on the phone within the hour to tell us that our friends from Denali were picking the children up at the Canadian border and would be delivering them safely to us.

"I hope you will take my word for it and release the Quileute elders although I am sure your friends will get the children to ring you as soon as they are safe."

"I'll speak to the elders and then release them."

"I understand that the village has been destroyed?"

"Yes and they should think themselves fortunate it was only the village we destroyed."

"I understand. You had a treaty with the Quileutes, is it possible to renew it if the pack are no longer there?"

I looked at the others and saw Carlisle's pleading eyes, he wanted an end to the violence and the treaty did give him that.

"Provided the elders agree to abide by it and there are none of the original pack remaining there, then yes."

"Thank you for that concession. As for the pack they are on their way back to Forks if you wish to engage them but I will admit that I have warned them that I would be telling you of their whereabouts. It is for them to decide whether to stand and fight or flee and make their home somewhere else."

"There isn't a place on the planet they can hide which will be safe from me I assure you. Not even Denali."

"There is no need for threats Major. They know there will be no sanctuary for them here, they broke our sacred code."

Bella

When Jasper's phone rang a few minutes later I froze, was it the children? Were they finally free? Eleazar had rung to tell us that Carmen was going to the border at the request of the guardian's leader to pick up the children but I could hardly believe it had really happened. My urge to kill was tempered by hope and mother's instinct and when I heard Jasper speak Caden's name I could have cried. He spoke for a few seconds then handed the phone to me while Rosalie waited impatiently.

"Caden?"

"Mom? Mom, I'm really sorry about Uncle Charlie. I tried to save him I really did."

"It's OK Caden, you were a little boy faced with lots of adults you couldn't do any more. You'll be home soon, I missed you so much and mom has something to tell you but it can wait. Aunt Rose needs to talk to Charity, can you put her on, baby?"

I handed the phone to Rosalie and saw her relax when she heard Charity's voice,

"Hi Mommy, we're coming home. I missed you."

"Daddy and I missed you too sweetie but we'll see each other real soon. Were they nice to you?"

"They were OK but I wanted to go home. Daisy did too."

"Well Aunt Carmen will get you something to eat then she'll drive you home and if you close your eyes and take a nap the time will go much faster. I love you darling."

"Love you too mommy. Is Daddy there?"

"No, but I'll tell him I spoke to you and he'll be here waiting for you when you get home."

"Promise?"

"Of course darling we can't wait to hug you."

Caden

It was great to hear mom and dad's voices and Charity had a beaming smile on her face now, we would be home in a few hours and everything would be over. At least I hope it would but I couldn't see daddy or Uncle Emmett letting the dogs get away with this. I wished I was old enough to join in when they hunted the Quileute dogs down. Mom hadn't sounded upset with me about Uncle Charlie but I still felt guilty, it seemed I wasn't one thing or the other, I didn't quite fit into either world and that was upsetting and frustrating. I almost wished I was like Charity, she fitted in perfectly to her world even if she did live with vampires.

I wasn't hungry but Charity always was so we went into a diner and she had chicken nuggets and fries with a strawberry milkshake while I forced down a hamburger I didn't really want and a few sips of my Dr Pepper. Carmen must have noticed my mood because she smiled and touched my hand,

"It's OK now Caden, you're both safe and I promise to get you home . We'll leave as soon as your cousin finishes eating."

I nodded then swallowing back the sobs I told her that Uncle Charlie was dead.

"I heard and I am so sorry Caden. I never met him but I know how happy your mom was when she discovered she had some human family. Were you close to him?"

I nodded,

"He taught me to fish and he bought me my first remote controlled car. He was always telling me stories and now..."

I stopped unable to go on and Carmen fell silent too as if she didn't know what to say to make me feel better, then seeing Charity yawning she nodded,

"Right, let's get going. Charity I'll make you a bed in the back seat and Caden can ride up front with me to give you more room."

Once in the car Charity soon fell asleep, she was still not properly well after her chill and as I didn't want to talk any more I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep too. I knew it would take a few hours and I wished we were flying so we'd be home quicker although I hated the thought of facing my mom knowing I hadn't been able to save her uncle, her only human relative.

Jasper

"Are you going to allow the elders to leave now you know the children are on their way son?"

I released Bella who had clung to me in relief after hearing our son's voice and nodded,

"I'll keep my word Carlisle but I want to speak to them first. Rose you'd better call Emmett and get him back here. Now we know the pack are headed this way..."

"We don't know that Jasper. They might decide to run."

Esme had cut in but I shook my head

"No, if they did that they would lose all respect. As it is they are outcasts from the guardians for their actions. If they flee from us they will never be allowed on guardian reservations and then they would be at the mercy of any of us who decide to hunt them down. They'll come Esme, they have no choice."

Bella and Carlisle accompanied me to speak to the elders who were being watched by Alice.

"They're very quiet. Was that the children?"

She had heard the call and I nodded,

"Yes, Carmen has them and in a few hours they'll be home."

"So, you're letting the elders go?"

"I made a deal with Johnny H."

She unlocked the door and all heads turned to me as I walked in.

"You are free to go but before you do understand this. The pack is exiled and soon they'll all be dead. The treaty is back in place provided you stay on your side and leave us be, especially the children. If I see a Quileute or hear Caden or Charity's name on any of your lips it's broken and this time I won't be taking prisoners. Do you understand?"

They didn't answer but slowly nodded their heads,

"Then get the hell back to your reservation and pass on the message to Quil Ateara. Oh yes, by the way, Chief Swan is dead, and the blame for that lies with you too."