Chapter Twenty Nine

Peter

We followed the guard who had come to escort us down the long stone corridor to halt in front of two huge iron-bound doors. He swung one of them open and Bella pushed him aside to enter and I followed, I had no idea what she was up to but I got the distinct impression that she was supremely confident. .Arro and Caius were waiting in the centre of the room and Aro smiled when he saw us, an avaricious gleam in his eye.

"Bella and Captain Whitlock how good of you to come"

"Did we have any choice Aro? I would have preferred a less confrontational invitation but it had the desired effect and here I am"

Aro's smile became a little fixed and Caius looked downright surprised. Either she knew something the rest of us didn't or she was playing one hell of a bluff! Aro recovered himself fast,

"Bella, we were so eager to see you and I apologise for separating you from your mate temporarily but I assure you he is alive and well."

"Oh I know Aro and that's the only thing keeping me from ripping you and your smug brother to tiny pieces and feeding them into a furnace"

She smiled brightly as she finished speaking and I saw Aro struggling for a response.

Aro

I had no idea what was happening, this wasn't the way it was supposed to go, I held her mate and her friend she should be working hard to keep them alive but she seemed to be under the impression that she held the upper hand, perhaps she needed a small reminder of my power here in Volterra.

"Jane"

I motioned to Captain Whitlock and she concentrated on him but nothing happened and I saw her become perturbed before finally looking at me and shaking her head. So he was immune to her gift, but how? I looked at Bella and saw the smile on her lips, was she responsible for his immunity?"

"Are we going to talk now or do you want to continue with the pissing contest?"

"Are you looking for a confrontation Isabella?"

"No, I just came here to get Jasper and Charlotte back...oh yes and Peter's hand, if you don't mind Aro.

"I'm not sure you understand your position Isabella, I hold the winning hand here and you are meant to be finding a way to placate me, keep them alive."

Bella

Aro was struggling to understand what was going on while Caius was happy to stand back and allow him. Neither of them expected me to be confrontational, neither did they expect me to be calm and controlled. What they had expected was a rabid newborn they could take control of while keeping Jasper, Charlotte, and probably Peter here as additions to the guard but it wasn't working out quite the way they expected.

"I'd like to see Jasper and my friend please"

Aro smiled, I knew what he was thinking, if I saw Jasper under Chelsea's thrall I would realise I could never get him back unless I too joined the guard.

"Very well Bella but you should know that they are now members of the Volturi guard and loyal to me...us"

He added the last at a glare from Caius.

"Really?"

He gestured to the huge Felix who went out with a swish of his cloak and was back almost immediately, followed by Charlotte and Jasper neither of who made any sign they were aware of us and I heard Peters intake of breath. I took his hand in mine,

"Invisible knights move I think Peter."

He looked at me confused and I glanced at our mates briefly before turning back to Aro,

"Thank you Aro. I think the only outstanding item now is Peter's hand. If you could produce that we would be very grateful."

Aro

Somehow Bella Swan had taken control of this confrontation, I was missing something and that disturbed me,

"I'm not sure you understand your position Bella, I have control, of your mate, your friend, and the captains hand. Would you like to rethink your position?"

She appeared to be weighing things up but then she smiled and shook her head,

"No I don't think so Aro. I tell you what, you return Peter's missing hand and I'll overlook the threats."

"Threats? Bella my dear there are no threats. I own your mate, work for me and continue with him or stand against me and watch as I destroy him."

Captain Whitlock looked at Bella then me,

"I think that was a mistake Aro, Bella hates threats and losing puts her in a really bad fucking mood"

Caius moved forward and addressed her,

"Bella perhaps you could tell us what exactly you intend to do if we refuse to release The Major and Charlotte Whitlock?"

"Hey don't forget my hand."

Bella

It was time for show and tell so I smiled at Jasper and held out my hand and he walked across the room to my side and took it, lifting it to his lips and kissing it before turning to face Aro.

"Charlotte?"

She too walked over watched in amazement by Aro, Caius, Peter, and the Volturi guard.

"Well now, the gangs all here. Your move Aro"

I could see Aro's mind trying to compute what he was seeing and coming up blank.

"Let me help you out Aro. I have my mate and Peter has his, if you could return his hand we will leave peacefully. If however you want to see who has the larger dick then I'm quite ready to show you."

"Bella please, that sounds remarkably like a threat"

"No Aro, a promise. I am sick and tired of people dictating to me so I decided to try a little of my own. If you don't return Peters appendage I will start tearing down your power base piece by piece until you do."

"Brother perhaps we should take a little time to consider Bella's words."

"That's the most sensible thing I've heard today, about fucking time too"

Aro and Caius both glared at Peter but he stood nonchalantly holding Charlotte's hand.

There was silence for a few seconds then Aro smiled,

"I think perhaps you are bluffing Isabella. You may have a certain gift that helped you shield your mate and friend, stronger now you are one of us. We saw the glimmering of it when you were human after all but I doubt you have the ability to nullify all the gifts the Volturi guard have in their arsenal"

"If you think so, why don't you try me Aro."

He glanced at Caius who shook his head slightly then turned back and smiled,

"Very well, I'll call your bluff. Alec, Jane, Felix"

The trio moved forward attacking together and I felt Jazz tense but squeezed his hand,

"No, let me"

He relaxed willing to trust me while Peter just shrugged,

"Not much I can do without my hand so its your party Bella."

I smiled at Aro,

"Well its your funeral Aro. For the last time I want Peters hand back please."

He shook his head sadly,

"This is my territory Isabella and we play by my rules"

He motioned to his guard and I reacted.