Chapter Twenty Three
Bella
I was washed, dressed, and eating breakfast when Jazz and Peter returned both smiling broadly but it was soon to be wiped from their faces when the phone rang. Jazz answered and I saw Peter prick up his ears. Being the only one who couldn't hear the conversation put me at something of a disadvantage but I heard Emmett's name mentioned. When Jazz finished talking he looked at me,
"As you heard that was Emmett, he, Rose, Esme, and Carlisle are on their way here"
"Why?"
"Just to piss us off Bella."
Jasper cut him off,
"We tell Bella the truth, she deserves to know. Not only is Demetri looking for you but some of the Volturi guard, Alice rang Emmett to ask him to help keep you safe"
"Yeah what makes her think that Man mountain can do any better than us?"
"I'll take all the help I can get Peter, Bella is my top priority and if it meant sleeping with a wolf I'd do it to keep her safe"
"Please, just a mental picture of that makes me feel sick, I get your point. When will they arrive?"
"Tonight, and before you ask no Edward isn't with them"
"Thank fuck for that. I can't stand the arrogant prick."
"Why are the guard coming?"
"I think it's a case of fighting over you Bella. Not only Aro but Caius too would like to get his hands on you and your gift."
"And they're coming to help me? Carlisle? I thought he was on Edward's side."
"Carlisle is a fair man and he won't let that get in the way of protecting you, as for Emmett, well you know how he feels about you."
"And Rose? She's just coming because he is?"
"I think Rose has come to terms with your decisions Bella, you might find her more friendly and without Edward she wont be so tense, he always winds her up."
"Yeah I can empathise with that!"
"We know Peter but just for now let's try a little charity shall we? You get on with the Cullens and I promise not to beat you to a pulp."
"OK, I'll behave but only because they're helping Bella. I want it clearly understood as far as I am concerned they are a bunch of ass holes, Emmett excepted."
"Understood"
I had no idea what was going on but everyone was suddenly worried about my safety and I had half the Volturi out for me. Having Jasper beside me was the only reason I wasn't a bumbling wreck. He pulled me close and breathed in deeply,
"You know I'm going to miss your warmth, your human scent, when you become a vampire."
"But you'll love me anyway?"
"Nothing could stop me loving you Bella. You're my mate and nothing can break that bond. We're in it together for all time now."
"Good"
I stretched up and kissed, him hungry for more, but aware of Peter watching with a grin.
"Hey leave something to fight girl. You look like you're trying to eat him."
Jazz stiffened but I just laughed and he relaxed again,
"Don't worry about motor mouth, I'm just going to ignore him"
"Many have tried Bella but thus far none have been successful. I happen to have a degree with honours in driving people crazy."
Jasper
I had hoped for a peaceful time here with just Bella and I but that had sunk without trace the moment Peter opened the door, now the Cullens were coming, but I couldn't complain at their motives. Bella got more nervous as the day wore on although she made a good pretence of reading and then Peter challenged her to a game of chess.
"I didn't know you played chess Peter"
"Well Major its all I could find and how difficult can it be? I can play draughts."
Bella laughed but she'd never played Peter at anything so it could be interesting. He sat listening as she outlined the moves of all the pieces and the general idea of the game then he rubbed his hands together,
"Right, game on"
Charlotte and I watched intrigued as to how long Peter would stick to the rules of the game, about ten minutes was his record, and I didn't think he'd last that long. Sure enough he moved his knight diagonally across the board over various chess pieces and knocked her king over,
"Checkmate"
"Peter, your knight only moves a certain way, I explained that to you."
"Yeah"
"He can't move the way you just did"
"Hey, my knight's still on his square, he just sent his horse to attack."
"The horse is the knight"
"Don't be daft Bella, how can a horse be a knight? It doesn't make sense. I think you're making it up."
"Peter, they are the rules."
"Bloody silly rules. Who made them up? They need their heads examining. I mean look"
He picked up the bishop,
"He's dead for a start, he's got a bloody great axe wound to the head and these"
He picked up the rooks,
"Why the fuck would you call them rooks? Even an ignorant ass hole like me knows they look nothing like birds. They're castles, see, battlements. And we all know castles can't move so they're out"
He took the four rooks and threw them into the corner,
"Now we can play properly, just remember Bella the horses go where they like, unless the knight is sitting on them. Where are the knights anyway?"
"They're invisible Peter"
"Oh right, that makes things a bit more interesting. Good thought Bella."
Charlotte and I watched a few minutes more becoming ever more baffled by the new rules of engagement. It didn't resemble chess at all but Bella seemed to be enjoying herself and after a few rows about whose horse was riderless we left them to it and went to stand outside to discuss what we knew.
Charlotte
"So Alice is sending reinforcements. She really is expecting trouble. What about Bella? Have you two discussed changing her? You know it's the only way to keep her safe and didn't Alice imply she would be safer once you changed her? I'm glad you found your mate at last, let's try to keep her alive for you shall we?"
"We've discussed it but I hate having to rush. I wanted time to get to know her better, for her to understand me Char. I'm scared she wont feel the same way when she's changed."
"I understand what you're saying but I think you have to act soon. If the Volturi get hold of her then you've lost for all time. You can't hope to win a fight with the Volturi to get her back."
"I know"
He gazed out into the distance and for a second I thought he looked vulnerable but when he turned back he had come to a decision.
"I'm going to speak to Alice, while Bella is occupied."
"Why? You think she'll be jealous?"
He grinned boyishly,
"Oh I know she will Char."
Jasper
I walked into the trees and rang Alice's number hoping she would speak to me,
"Jazz, about time. How are you?"
"Fine thanks Alice, no, better than fine, but you already know that. What's going on? Why have you sent Emmett and the others?"
"Bella has the ability to protect herself as a human she already proved that and Aro is very interested in this as yet untested gift. Caius also knows and there's a struggle for power between them. Neither wants the other to hold Bella just in case. She won't be safe in Volterra as a human and neither will you or anyone else who tries to rescue her. You have to change her Jasper. She's your mate so don't hold back. Once changed she will be able to stretch her gift, make her use it Jazz and you'll find there is nothing that can harm her."
"How long do we have Alice and why isn't Marcus joining in the hunt?"
"Marcus doesn't want power Jasper, any more than he wants to be here, but for now he has no choice. As for time, with the family there to help protect her I think you should consider doing it quickly, if you delay too long you may lose her, her ability won't be fully formed until she is changed and she's too fragile. Do it Jazz, I promise you she will still love you just a much. Don't make Edwards mistake and dither."