Chapter Forty Five

(Six Months Later.)

Jasper

I suppose it was inevitable that the Volturi would hear of what happened with the guardians and send an envoy to discover the details but when Aro appeared in person along with Felix and Jane we were all nervous. We hadn't broken any laws although Charity's presence here was a gray area but a visit from the Volturi was always worrying. First Aro insisted on being introduced to Charlie and Caden then he asked Charlie and me to join him with Carlisle in Carlisle's study. As expected, he wanted to know all the details and listened closely as Caden explained what had happened in Denali and then to my conversations with Johnny H.

When we finished he sat back thoughtfully then smiled at Caden,

"You were very brave and resourceful young man. Perhaps when you are older you might consider a place in the guard. We are always looking for new members of your quality."

Caden regarded him for a few seconds before answering,

"I haven't really thought about what I will do when I grow up but thank you for the offer."

"Well mannered too. I think I have taken up enough of your time Caden, you may rejoin the others now, thank you."

Caden said goodbye and left us, now the serious stuff would be thrashed out and Aro was giving nothing away in his expression.

"As you are aware the Volturi were occupied crushing a rebellion fomented by the Fraternidad while your adventure was underway but I am pleased with the way you handled it, Carlisle, you too Major. It would seem we came close to a war which no one wants but you were able to come to an arrangement with the guardian leader which did not harm our kind in any way. I take it the destruction of the Quileute village has been covered? What excuse did they use for the human authorities?"

"A fire started in one cabin which rapidly spread and the rest was done to put the fire out. No one is going to argue with them and I believe they are already in the process of rebuilding. The loss of the young men is being put down to their desire to travel and the authorities have very little to do with the day to day running of the Native American lands."

"Yes Carlisle, so we have noticed. Now, there is one serious matter still to be discussed, the human child living under your roof with Rosalie and Emmett. What are the plans for her? It is most unwise to keep a human in your midst. It could prove dangerous to all of us."

"I will guarantee the child Aro. She will be brought up among us and when she is old enough she will have the choice to stay or leave but I can tell you now that she is so close to her adoptive parents that she will become one of us when the law allows."

He didn't look convinced or happy but he did owe us for averting a war so he nodded slowly,

"Very well Carlisle but we shall be watching and if there is the slightest hint of danger steps will be taken."

"I understand Aro and thank you."

He started to rise but there was something I wanted to speak to him about.

"I too have a debt to pay Aro and it is not one you will be pleased about but I have to ask anyway. I understand Caius never leaves Volterra for fear of Darius. Is that still the position?"

He regarded me gravely,

"I hope you are not asking me to betray my brother Major?"

"No, I was merely asking a simple question."

"I see, then yes it is true as a rule. however he has made several visits abroad over the past few years, especially after hearing a rumor of Darius' death at the hand of a nomad."

"So, he believes that rumor?"

"Let's just say he feels more at ease these days. Why? Do you have information about Darius?"

"Nothing I wish to share."

"I see, well my brother has acted rather unwisely of late. I truly think he was debating whether to join the Romanians if the Fraternidad were successful in raising a rebellion. Such disloyalty is most disturbing. You need to know who you can trust, especially when they are so close to you."

So, the rumors were true! I had heard from Darius that word was going around Caius had approached Stephan regarding an alliance. It was exactly what I needed to get the information I wanted.

"So, Caius is abroad once more."

"Indeed and Athenodora is most pleased. Especially as it means trips to Rome for the opera. Her favorite La Boheme is on over the next few months I believe and he has tickets. I couldn't tell you more of course."

"Of course."

Darius

I had the information I needed and it didn't take long to discover when my enemy would be in Rome although he used an alias to purchase the tickets. Did he really think I wouldn't do my homework thoroughly and know that his mother's name had been Megalos. I made sure I was in place a week before the date on the tickets and using my laptop was able to trace the hotel they had booked for the same night. Of course, only the penthouse would be good enough for Caius, especially as this was a treat for his mate who loved to shop when she got the opportunity and the designer boutiques in the city were a magnet to her. There was no way she was going to travel to Rome, attend the opera and travel straight back to Volterra.

I could have blasted him from the face of the earth but that meant possible human casualties and I wanted this to be clear cut. He should know who was killing him and why so I made my preparations carefully and by the time they arrived I was ready. I let Athenodora enjoy her evening at the opera, after all, she was the innocent party in this affair. The next morning she went out with Jane and Demetri for security and company to scour the boutiques while Caius relaxed in his suite having arranged for a female companion to visit while Athenodora was out, a leopard never changes his spots, and I was relying on that.

My companion, Sabrina, was a high-class escort, Caius' companion for the morning or so he thought. All she had to do was to join him in his suite and ensure the door was left unlocked, I would do the rest. I gave him a few minutes, his last on this earth then looking at the time on my laptop hoped that Sabrina remembered what she had to do I sat, my finger hovering over the button and when the signal came from her that she was at a safe distance I hit it. First there was the voice message I had rigged to play for him.

"Caius, you shouldn't believe everything you hear. Rumors of my death have been widely exaggerated. This is for Sara."

The blast was directed upwards away from the rooms containing any humans still in their rooms this morning and I watched as the plume of dark smoke curled up into the Rome skyline with a satisfied smile.

Jasper

Bella, Caden, and I were on a beach in Florida along with Charlie and Kate when the news came through of Caius' death. Carlisle rang to tell us as soon as he had heard from Aro.

"He is most upset at the death of his beloved brother of course. It seems there was a major gas explosion in the hotel Caius and Athenodora were staying at. Luckily she was out at the time but Caius was killed. The fire took three hours to extinguish."

Bella was delighted for Darius' sake,

"Maybe now he can stop mourning Sara and open his heart to another woman."

"Maybe, I'm not sure Darius will know what to do now, revenge has driven him for centuries."

"Then we should invite him to stay and the Denali girls at the same time."

I shook my head,

"I'm not sure he's ready for the man-eaters just yet Bella."

Caden called at that moment and she turned to kiss me,

"You promised me a beach holiday when we first got together and now

here we are along with our son, life couldn't be more perfect, I love you, Jasper Whitlock."

"I love you too Bella, with all my heart."

THE END.

Thanks to everyone who has read and those who have reviewed this story. I will be starting a new one at the weekend so I hope to meet you all there then. Love Jules xx