Chapter Fifty
Billy
When the phone rang I was expecting one of the other guardian tribes to be telling us they would help but it was Johnny H again and he sounded less than thrilled.
"Billy I've just had a very interesting conversation with Major Whitlock and it troubles me. Could you call the Elders together and put me on speaker phone. I think I need to talk to you collectively. I'd like Charlie Swan present too."
"Very well but I don't know what you expect to hear."
"The truth Billy Black, just the truth."
I sent for the others worried now, if Jasper had told Johnny H a different version of events we could be in trouble. Our actions had been justified as far as we were concerned but I could see how he might not see it that way. After all we had left the tribe virtually unguarded to chase after Charlie's daughter who had the most nebulous relationship with the tribe. I just hoped Charlie and Paul put the best spin on the story, enough at least to satisfy Johnny or it would be over, we couldn't take the vampires on alone but none of the other guardian tribes would help once they knew he had refused, he was about the closest thing to a leader the guardians had.
Johnny H
I was very uneasy about this request from the Quileutes, especially when I heard Major Whitlock was involved, not only was he deadly but he was also an honorable man so why had he allowed a group of vampires to wipe out an entire group of guardians for very little reason or gain? If I had to I would stand against him but he was the only vampire I feared, as my equal. After hearing his mate's story some things that had been puzzling me were suddenly clearer and I did not like the idea that I had been manipulated to help the Quileutes with their revenge when we as a race were not being threatened. I waited until I heard the voices of Old Quil and Harry before speaking,
"Harry, Quil, thank you for making time to speak to me. I understand Bella Swan's father is also present, could he introduce himself please"
I heard an unfamiliar voice,
"So Chief Swan, perhaps you could tell me what happened to lead to the slaughter of the Quileute wolf pack."
I listened to his story which was similar to Harry and Billy but not the same, they hadn't mentioned that a vampire was involved on their side. He had indeed asked for the help of the pack to retrieve his daughter but he admitted she did not want to leave The Major so it was a kidnap attempt not a rescue bid as I had been led to believe. Interesting, where there was one lie, even of omission, there were bound to be more and I listened carefully.
"Tell me about the second fight? There was a second fight I understand."
Charlie
I looked at Billy, hadn't they told this man that I'd fired at one of the vampires? My accident which sparked the fight to the death? He shook his head slightly but I wasn't going to lie to make myself seem less culpable,
"Yes, there was. While my daughter was transforming into a vampire she screamed and I flinched, I had my finger on the trigger and fired a burst which hit one of the vampires. After that it all went to hell. The wolves put up a good fight but they were outmatched."
"And you?"
"Me? I just stayed where I was, in shock."
"Is your daughter awake now?"
"Yes."
"Did you speak to her?"
"Yes I did."
"What did she say Chief Swan?"
He sounded like a judge at a trial,
"She said she never wanted to see me again."
"Why?"
"Because I tried to shoot her mate then shot her friend. She blames me for all the deaths."
"And you? Who do you blame? The vampire, the wolves, or yourself?"
Much as I wanted to blame another I couldn't even though Billy looked at me beseechingly, he wanted revenge for his son but I'd been down that route and it only led to more deaths.
"Myself for not listening to my daughter in the first place. Myself for asking the Quileutes to help knowing that at least one of them was in love with her"
"Oh, who?"
I shrugged at Billy,
"Jacob Black"
"Your son Billy?"
"He was in love with Charlies daughter yes, but that's not why we went"
"Then why did you go?"
The vampires had taken Charlies daughter, a human girl, and we protect the humans. Its our job"
"No Billy your job is to protect your tribe first, and this human girl hadn't been taken, she had gone of her own free will, it's not the same at all. I don't think you had any just cause or reason to go after the vampires or your friend's daughter. We are here to protect our tribes from attack by the vampires, were these vampires threatening to attack? Did Major Whitlock make one threat to the tribe? To the village, even to the town of Forks?"
"No, but..."
"No buts Billy. You were wrong and it cost your tribe its young men and a girl I understand. Are there any wolves left on the reservation?"
"Only one who refused to go"
"One wolf with sense. I'll be coming to the reservation and I expect him to be ready to go with me. Any others who feel unsafe in the village are welcome to join him but I will not sanction a war against the vampires because you got involved in a family matter outside your jurisdiction. I will be contacting the other tribes to give them my decision so I think you will find you have no allies. I'm very disappointed in the Quileutes, you have been less than honest with me, and with the others you requested help from. I just hope for your sake that no nomads hear of your vulnerability or you may be fighting for your own survival. It is a bad business Billy Black, a very bad business."
"What about me?"
"Chief Swan? You are no concern of mine, your thirst for revenge blinded you to everything else and now you are left with the pieces. I think your loneliness will be punishment enough."
As the call ended I looked at Billy,
"Is that it them? It's over?"
"Yes Charlie. We have no one to fight, they are all dead and no one will cross Johnny H. I think you should leave the reservation and go home. You are no longer welcome here."
I walked out of the cabin unable to believe things had gone from bad to worse so fast. I had lost Bella and my friends and all because I was too stubborn to listen to her. I walked slowly to my car then heard my name called. Turning I saw Sue Clearwater standing by the cabin a gun in her hand and as she walked forward she spoke,
"Don't think you are going to walk away with the blood of the pack, my son and my daughter, on your hands."
She fired twice and I felt two punches to the chest and a red-hot pain as I was knocked to my knees. Sue walked closer still, holding the gun and stood over me as the others rushed out, Harry putting his hand out for the gun,
"Sue please, this is not the way"
"Yes it is Harry. It's the only way for me."
As I fell on my face feeling the blood pump from my body I knew she was right. An eye for an eye, but only one death for the loss of all the young men of the tribe and Leah, it wasn't nearly enough but I had no more to offer. I hoped she heard my apology as everything darkened before my eyes.