Chapter Seventy Six
Carlisle
My phone rang minutes after the others had left, Rose to tell me that Esme was feeling somewhat better and Alice and Emily were both safe.
"How did Esme get injured? I told them to stay locked in the attic until you got there."
"Alice saw something and thought the wolves would get in so Esme went down to distract them. Alice was right by the way, a wolf was almost inside when Emmett stopped it. She was prepared to sacrifice herself for us Carlisle"
"That's your mother for you, I'm proud of you all. Tell her I'll be home soon, the others should be back and then we'll fly home, I'll ring when I know more."
"Why aren't you with them Carlisle? Has something happened?"
"Yes I'm afraid so. I lied to Jasper and the others about the wolves surviving, I was trying to ensure they survived but I see I was wrong. It rather upset them when they heard the truth."
"You should have been honest Carlisle, its what you tell us is best. You know you've probably lost their trust completely."
"Yes I know. Please don't tell Esme, I'll explain everything when I get back."
"Have you seen Stuart? Alice is frantic."
"No, I've no ideas where he is, can't she see?"
"I think she's so frightened its clouding her sight. I have to go Emmett's calling."
"OK Rose, I'll ring Esme in a little while and be home as soon as I can."
Darius
None of us moved until we were sure the guardians had really left then we crowded around Bella to congratulate her on her kick ass gift. Only Peter stood back eyeing the rest of us warily before calling Charlotte to join him and walking off in the snow without a word to anyone. The only person who noticed his disappearance was me so I went after him calling his name which he ignored so I put on a spurt of speed which always pissed the hell out of me because it made my limp appear worse and grabbed his arm swinging him around to face me.
"What the fuck is your problem Peter? Did you really want to take on Johnny H and the guardian elite? Risk someone? A friend even, getting killed?"
"Get your hand off me Darius before I forget we are friends."
"Friends? That's a laugh. You've done nothing but bitch since The Major turned up with Bella. Are you afraid she's going to put your nose out of joint? Jealous are you?"
"Jealous? Of that scrawny human? Fuck off Darius. Its because of her that stand off took place. He never could find a decent woman. There are plenty in our world to choose from, enough that he doesn't need to scrabble about in the dirt of the human world for one."
"Isn't that his choice Peter? Or do you think you know better than he does? You really are a stupid fucker. She's good for him and she's just shown her loyalty to her friends. Its a lesson you could do with a refresher course on. Still never mind, you go, run off with your tail between your legs like a whipped cur. But just remember this, you walk out on him now and you can never walk back. He and Bella are together for good, either get yourself back there and try with her or go for good. Walk away from us when we need every body we can get to fulfil the demands. What about you Charlotte? You gonna let your stubborn, brain dead mate throw away a friendship that's been strong, the strongest I'd ever seen, over something like this?"
I turned and walked away unsure if my words would have any effect but glad I'd tried.
Peter
I watched him limp back to the others, his words echoing in my head and making my stomach clench then noticed Charlotte who was gazing back longingly.
"You think he's right? That I'm being unreasonable? If not her then what did cause this shit storm?"
"How about Aro Volturi's Changeling? Aro's heavy Stuart? Or did I just imagine them?"
"Yeah but they're both dead and the shit is still hitting the fan or didn't you see that?"
"See what Peter?"
I turned to see The Major standing there, his arm around Bella but his eyes fixed on me,
"Well go on I'm fascinated to hear what it is you saw and the rest of us missed."
"Are you going to spend your whole life fighting other people's battles for them? Maria's, Aro's? Who else? Its gonna get you killed Major and you just don't see it".
"You think I was wrong to try preventing a war? You think I should have waited for Aro to do something? We'd be in the middle of it by now if I had. Someone had try being the peacemaker."
"Why you though? You have a mate now but you're still ready to put yourself in the firing line. If Johnny H had decided differently she'd be standing over your pyre or laying on it beside you. Major you have a responsibility to her if no one else. That's what pisses me off most. You have to stop feeling you're invincible because you aren't, not any longer. Once you make the commitment to a mate you become vulnerable and I don't think you're ready to accept that. She's gonna get you killed and for what? She's still human, she can walk away any time from this life, you can't, you could try but you have enemies, enemies who even now are hearing about her and rubbing their hands in glee, The Majors Achilles heel. That trick with the shield, who knows how powerful it is? Maybe she could protect herself, maybe she could protect you, but for how long? How long do you think she could maintain it? And what do you think will happen when you march into Volterra with her by your side?"
Bella
I watched and listened but I couldn't keep quiet any longer, there had been far too much water under the bridge to allow this friendship to dissolve. Besides I was tired of losing important people in my life. I pulled free of Jasper and walked over to Peter.
"You think I'm a bad influence on your friend? You think I put him in danger?"
"Yes Bella I do."
"You're a liar."
He stiffened and I saw his eyes narrow,
"Hey, mind your mouth girl, that's a serious accusation."
Jasper stepped towards us but I knew what I was doing and I put a hand up to stop him. I think he must have felt my confidence because he stopped and Peter smiled,
"I rest my case, castrated already"
"Hey Peter, I'm talking to you so do me the courtesy of concentrating."
I waited until he looked back at me again.
"You are a liar, if you care about your friend, Jasper, The Major, whatever you want to call him, then you wouldn't be bitching and walking out on him like a spoilt brat. Especially with the danger he's facing now. So don't use me as an excuse."
"Oh really? So what do you suggest I do? Kill you?"
"Its one way out I guess but I have another suggestion if you are interested."
He smiled and folded his arms casually
"I'm all ears girlie. This is going to be good!"
"If you cared at all you'd stay. Stay and watch his back just like you've always done. If Alice Cullen or I can send you off in a huff then you aren't much of a friend. Friends watch each others backs and that's what Jasper just did. He put himself in a dangerous position trying saving you and all your kind. Now he has to try and meet Johnny H's demands and you are walking away like a spoiled brat. If you can't see that then I have one thing to say to you."
"Oh really, more words of wisdom from the human?"
"Yes just two...Fuck off."
His eyes went wide and he looked astonished for a moment before laughing out loud and clapping his hands.
"You know something Bella Swan, you aren't the girl I thought you were. I've decided I like you."
He threw his arms around me and pulled me into a hug then whispered low in my ear,
"You've got guts girl I'll give you that but if you ever hurt him then your words will come back to haunt you. I'll remind you of them as I personally rip you into tiny pieces and burn them with great glee."
"That's a date Peter but for now can we be friends?"
He nodded thoughtfully,
"We can give it a try."
"Then I think you need to apologise to your friend."
His eyes narrowed again but then he sighed and resigned he nodded, looking over at Jasper,
"It seems I owe you and your brave little Amazon here an apology. I was wrong."
"No Peter you were right about a lot of things. I'll remember them and let you take over as the point man."
"No fucking way. I'm with the Royal Stand Backs, right at the fucking back."
We both laughed at that then I shrugged,
"What the hell, we'll stand together like always, its just now we both have someone to live for. So where do we start? I really must be out of my fucking skull to be walking into Volterra beside you and trying to persuade Aro to come out for a stroll with us."