Chapter Twenty Eight
Rose
I saw Bella staring at Emmett and touched his shoulder,
"She's awake"
He turned and she moved swiftly to crouch, unsure of her surroundings.
"Its OK Bella. I know things seem very strange but you'll soon learn to control your senses. Are you thirsty? There are elk in the woods at the back of the motel, I can take you hunting."
She looked at me then shook her head glancing round the room before speaking,
"Where's Jazz?"
"I think you'd better speak to Peter"
"Ring him."
She looked at Emmett who shrugged and rang Peter back then passed the phone to Bella who took it very carefully, trying her hardest not to crush it with her new-found strength,
Bella
I remembered what had happened until we escaped and I needed to know what was going on now,
"Peter where is he?"
"Bella? Thank god! In Volterra with Charlotte. Aro wants you"
"No he doesn't"
"Sorry but he does, he'll kill them if you don't arrive within the next forty-eight hours."
"Fine, but he really doesn't want me there, he just thinks he does. What about your hand?"
"How did you know about that?"
"I heard part of your earlier call. Where are you?"
"Still at the house. I have no idea how to find you so I'm waiting for you to decide what you're going to do."
I turned to Emmett
"Where are we?"
"Underwood, North Dakota but don't forget Peter could tell Aro where you are"
"He won't deceive us, I trust Peter,"
I spoke to Peter,
"Meet me at Grand Forks International as soon as you can, we'll fly out"
"Bella you can't go on a commercial flight, it's essentially a can of food for you."
"Well what do you suggest Peter?"
"Do you really intend to go to Italy?"
"Is Jazz there?"
"Well yes but..."
"No buts. Just a minute Peter"
Roses phone was buzzing insistently and I had the strangest feeling that this call was important and connected.
"Alice?"
"Rose, tell Bella Marcus sent the Volturi jet for her. Its waiting at Grand Forks."
I passed on the info to Peter then looked at Em.
"I need to get to the airport Em but I need to hunt first."
Emmett
I had no idea how Bella was coping and keeping so calm but Rose and I took her hunting and then drove to the airport.
"What are you going to do when you get to Italy Bella? You can't fight the entire Volturi."
She turned ruby eyes to me and I saw Satan staring back,
"Really Emmett? Do you know that for a fact? Aro has my mate and I want him back"
"But Bella, Aro has Jane, Felix, and the whole guard. How are you going to get through all of them?"
She turned to Rose,
"The same way I intend getting Charlotte back. With force."
"What force Bella? There's only us and Peter, it's hardly a force."
As Bella turned to look out of the window at the scenery flashing past Rose's phone rang again,
"I need to speak to Bella"
"Alice? OK"
Bella took the phone from Rose and smiled,
"Alice?"
"You feel it don't you?"
"Yes, can they stop me?"
"No, no ones gift can reach you but you need to think about Jasper and Charlotte. They don't have your shield. Aro will threaten them to stop you."
"I don't think so Alice, I can feel it bursting to get out. I can screen them too can't I?"
"You feel it already? Bella you really are freaky. Just remember Marcus and I wont you?"
"Yes Alice I will, if it all goes well you will have your freedom I promise. Where are the others being held?"
"They're in a side chamber at the moment still under Alec's spell but when you arrive Aro will have them brought in so you know he means business. Be careful Bella, remember Chelsea, don't let her get her claws into any of them."
"Can I do it or not?"
"Yes you can."
"Then I'll see you soon Alice. Thank you"
Rose
"So we're going to Volterra then?"
"Not you Rose, or Emmett, if I can't do this I won't have your deaths on my conscience too. I want you to go back to Forks, let Carlisle and Esme know what's going on and that you are safe. When we get back I'll ring you but I need to know that you are out of harms way"
"Bella we want to help, you need more than just Peter if you intend taking on the Volturi."
"You're wrong Emmett, if I can't win alone it wont matter how many I take with me, we'll all be dead. Thank you for everything but now I need you to be safe."
Emmett was angry and hurt but it seemed Alice had faith in Bella's ability and I thought we should do as she asked much as I too wanted to be there at her side.
Peter
I got to the airport about the same time as the others having run cross-country and was amazed at Bella's cool air, she wasn't like a new-born at all. She smiled briefly,
"Peter I'm sorry about Charlotte and your hand, well get them both back I promise. Marcus sent the Volturi jet for us."
"Oh so we just walk into the trap?"
"What trap?"
She radiated confidence as she took my hand and I turned to the others,
"Ready guys?
"They aren't coming Peter. It's just you and I, it's the way I want things."
I could see Emmett at least wasn't happy but it seemed Bella was getting her way as we walked through passport control, just the two of us, to see two Volturi guard waiting at the steps of the jet.
"You sure about this Bella?"
"Just remember the invisible knights Peter, we have them with us."
I looked at her trying to understand what she was getting at and she winked. Giving up on the cryptic words I got aboard and we sat together but Bella closed her eyes as if she were on a holiday flight, her attitude gave me the shivers. It was as if she'd jumped over the newborn phase straight to seasoned warrior, that was it, she reminded me of The Major in the zone, utterly confident in his abilities. Bella knew something the rest of us didn't and I hoped it was enough or we were all dead. I tried to speak to her but she just ignored me and I got the strangest feeling she was busy with some mental exercise. The Volturi guard glanced over uneasily, they knew she was a new vampire and were expecting trouble at any moment but she never spoke for the entire flight and only opened her eyes as we started to descend ready to land. Then she took my hand and smiled,
"I think its time Peter."
"Time for what? Any chance of me getting a clue as to what the fuck is going on Bella because you left me behind after hello Peter."
"Just stick close and watch Peter. Alice knew a lot more than she let on, she and Marcus want out and this will give them that if I can keep my side of the bargain"
"What fucking bargain? And what invisible knights?"
"You'll see Peter, very soon."
Bella
Alice had seen all this a very long time ago, she knew Marcus was her mate and that he had no way of getting free of Aro unless he had help, some way of breaking Chelsea's spell over him. I was the hammer that would do the job or at least we both thought so. I could feel the power flowing through me, almost like static and I expected to crackle as I walked but the only noise when we got off the plane was the wind and cars on a highway in the distance. The Volturi had a car waiting but whether sent by Aro, Caius, or Marcus, I neither knew nor cared. It would get me swiftly to Volterra and that was all that mattered now. Peter was apprehensive as he got in the Mercedes and sat tensely watching the scenery and shooting glances my way but I needed to concentrate for the confrontation ahead. My throat was burning more now but it would have to wait and feed on the blood still in my body from my human life. My own needs came low on my list of priorities at present and I felt the icy ache in my chest easing the closer I got to the city. Jazz was there and alive, safe too I hoped or Aro would be finding out just what a woman's wrath felt like.
We passed through the city gates and drove up to the main entrance in the clock tower. It had been a while since I saw the square but the only difference was the absence of red cloaked figures, this time only two black clothed ones like birds of prey hovered close to the doors and followed us inside to stand guard by the exit. If only they knew how redundant they were. I had no intention of backing out, I wanted the confrontation that was coming so badly I could taste it and I knew my eyes showed some of my longing because the guard who had come to escort us to Aro took a few steps back from me. You can run as far and fast as you like but if I want you I will have you I thought and smiled at his wary glance. Peters face showed nothing, he was ready for a fight to the death if necessary but I wouldn't let him be harmed. I would be his invisible knight this time.