Chapter Seventy

Darius

I thought the Major was crazy to risk Bella's life but it was his decision so I waited until Peter got back, he would perhaps have more luck talking sense to our friend, at least I hoped so. He went back to Bella who murmured in her sleep at the same time the door buzzer went and I made sure to check who was there before allowing them through pleased to see not only Peter and Charlotte but Garrett too. The sounds of their voices roused Bella from her induced sleep and she sat up rubbing her sore eyes as she looked around unsure for a moment exactly where she was, then seeing me she smiled acknowledgement. Charlotte went straight to her and I saw her take out a bottle of soda which Bella took gratefully. Neither The Major nor myself had thought about the fact she might be dry, we needed to get supplies in for the human but for now there were more important things to discuss. After greetings, cold in Peters case, we sat round and The Major told the others what had happened from the time Peter and Charlotte left to date.

"What are you proposing to do Major?"

He looked at Garrett and sighed,

"Go to the meeting with Bella which is why I need you with me. If things turn ugly I want you to get her away safely."

"No Jasper. What about you? You can't fight off an entire tribe."

"It wont be an entire tribe Bella, just a few of the elders."

"Johnny H?"

I listened with interest, I'd heard of the legendary figure, overall leader of the guardian tribes but no one I had spoken to had ever seen or spoken to him and I wondered if that's all he was, a legend.

"I'm hoping so. He's the only one who can stop a slaughter."

"Why take Bella though?"

"They asked to meet her."

"Fuck 'em."

"Yeah Peter that'll be a good start to negotiations wont it?"

"Hey Garrett would you leave your human mate, your vulnerable human mate swinging in the wind with a group of bears or wolves or whatever the fuck they turn into? She'll be dead in seconds."

"I'm not afraid and they gave Jasper their word."

"Bella you know fuck all about the guardians so don't presume you do. They are as bloodthirsty as any vampire, they killed hundreds of us protecting their tribes people or so they said. If you think for one second they will leave you become another of the enemy you're more stupid than I thought and it's about time The Major got his head out of his ass and smelled the rotten truth. You got him so twisted around he isn't thinking straight. Fuck me, talk about being led by the dick..."

"Enough Peter. Not one more word. Are you in or out?"

Peter looked at his friend, his eyes flashing in anger but as I watched the flashing faded and slowly a grin crept across his face,

"You know Major I wondered how long it would take you to get your shit together. Of course I'm in, its about time the furry fuckers got a taste of a real fighting force."

"We fight only if diplomacy fails."

"And it will, they're more hot-headed than me."

"Now that is shit Peter. No one could be more hot-headed than you."

Peter smiled and bowed to Garrett,

"It's nice to know my strengths are recognised by someone. So when do we leave?"

Bella

I was glad to see Jasper's friends around him, if it came to a fight I thought the guardians, whatever form they took would find it hard to beat these obviously seasoned warriors. I wasn't scared, that was true, I trusted Jasper not to put me in unnecessary danger but I knew the guardians wanted to see the human who had fallen in love with the vampire. If they thought they could persuade me I was wrong then they were the ones who had it wrong and I wanted a chance to speak in my father's defence. He had killed Quileutes yes, but not wantonly or without a good reason. In his place I hoped I would have the same courage. If I were gifted as Eleazer suspected then I would do all I could to protect Jasper and the rest of our tiny force and if we survived that I want to speak to Aro Volturi. He needed to be told that what he'd done was not only wrong but dangerous to his kind, the very beings he was supposed to safeguard.

Charlotte sat with me as the guys talked about the upcoming meeting but I couldn't take my eyes from Jasper, he was all I had now Charlie was dead. I wondered if Renee knew yet and if so how she felt about it? I knew the love between therm had died many years ago but he had been her husband and they had been in love at one time and had a child together, surely that counted for something? When they finished and while Darius organised the transport Jasper came over to me and held me close as if getting some kind of strength from our nearness before kissing me and sitting down,

"Bella you have a choice, you don't have to come with us, you can stay here in safety until we get back,"

"Do you really think I'm going to stay here worrying and wondering if you are OK? My place is at your side and that's where I will be when you meet these guardians. The ones who killed my father and Tanya. I want to see them pay for what happened."

"I'm not sure you'll get what you want Bella. I want to clear this up without any more deaths if possible. Once the war starts it wont finish until we are all dead, on one side or the other and I don't want that Bella, for any of us. There's been too many deaths already."

I nodded but I still wanted revenge for Charlie and Tanya and found it hard to see his point of view.

Carlisle

I saw Stuart coming with Emily slung over his shoulder and went out to meet him.

"I know what's happened, Edward rang to tell me."

"That'll save me the job then, thank him for me won't you only I have another job to do so I can't hang around to talk to him myself."

"I don't think he's coming back Stuart. I don't think he can live with what he's been party to."

"Let's just get one thing clear Carlisle, it was his idea to attack, not mine. I went along because it suited my purpose but he pointed out the targets."

"What do you intend to do with Emily?"

"Oh is that her name? I just thought it would be a pleasant irony if the wife of the Alpha wolf spent eternity as one of those he had tried so hard to destroy. Besides it will give her back her beauty. Do you have somewhere secure I can leave her while she changes? I'd take her with me but it would be too inconvenient."

"I'll take responsibility for her Stuart."

I took her from him noticing he'd tied a gag around her face to stop her screams from being heard.

"What about Alice? Are you taking her with you?"

"I don't think so, it's too dangerous. I still have one last task to fulfil and she might hamper my efforts. I'll come back for her though when it's all over, I do love her Carlisle. You may not like me or what I do but we all have our path to travel, yours is just a different one from mine."

"You'll take her back to Volterra I suppose, I'm sure Aro would be only too happy if you turned up with her."

"Oh I'm not going to Italy Carlisle. In fact I've never been to Volterra although I hear it's a fascinating place. No, I'm always travelling, looking out for trouble, it's what I do, I watch and listen and any problems get solved before they become a nuisance to the Volturi."

Alice

I'd heard Stuart's conversation with Carlisle and cursed myself for being so blind. Why didn't I look forward enough to see what he would do, what he was, yet I still loved him for all that and I waited nervously to hear his plans for us, if indeed there was an us. He smiled widely and came over to take me in his arms.

"Alice, see I told you everything would be fine. I have just one more task and then I'll take you wherever you want to go. I will be yours to command."

"Stuart I wish I'd looked now, now its too late. How could you do what you've done, you killed the whole village."

"I know you don't hold with violence but I had a task to perform and I did it to the best of my ability. It's what I do Alice, what I am, I had no choice in the matter any more than Josie did."

"If you go to Denali you'll die."

He stepped back and put a finger under my chin, lifting my head to look into my eyes.

"Is that something you've seen or wishful thinking? Do you want me to stay here?"

"I want you to do what's right."

"Then I have to go, that's what's right, it's what I get paid for but I will come back for you my darling and I know you'll wait because you love me too."

I nodded because he was right, despite all I knew, all I'd heard, I did love him.

"Look after Emily for me will you. She's a gift for Caius."

I shook my head,

"I wont allow that, she deserves better."

"Alice, she's a vampire now, she will have forgotten about her mate in the burning. When she wakes up she'll be thirsty, and angry, and ready to fight. A strong newborn warrior, what else would you do with her?"

"Leave her with us, with Carlisle. He knows how to handle newborns and he will help her adjust."

He patted my cheek,

"If it makes you happy then certainly, I gift her to you, her future is now in your hands but I must go. Take care my love till I return."

He pulled me close for a kiss and I felt my body responding even through my unhappiness then he turned and walked back outside as we heard a helicopter fly in. He walked to the meadow as the helicopter hovered and jumped inside waving and blowing me kisses as he flew away, going to Denali once more.