Chapter Seventy Seven
Carlisle
I waited impatiently for the others, it was terrible not knowing what was going on. While I understood their annoyance with me I thought I could have been some help at the meeting, after all I had more experience than any of them except Eleazer. I thought it had been a mistake to take Bella with them too, she could be a liability as a vulnerable human despite what Eleazer kept telling her. By the time they got back I was pacing the hanger anxiously and pleased to see that they were all safe although they didn't look equally pleased to see me. I could tell from their attitude that things hadn't gone as well as they had hoped.
Bella
The others avoided Carlisle, filing past him to take their seats in the plane without a word but when I tried to pass he took my arm to stop me. Jasper at my side looked at him coldly but I nodded,
"Its OK Jazz, I'll only be a couple of minutes."
He carried on up the steps and I walked to one side with Carlisle,
"What happened Bella? Is it over? Did you see Stuart? I spoke to Rose and Alice is frantic about his safety."
"He's dead Carlisle, killed by Johnny H."
"He was there? They certainly took this seriously."
"Why wouldn't they Carlisle? He lost a wolf pack, a whole tribe, doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"Of course it does why do you think I lied about the wolves who survived?"
"I don't know but it's not over Carlisle, not by a long way."
"Are they declaring war?"
Jasper
I'd heard enough and came back down to Bella's side.
"Why don't you ask me?"
He turned and shrugged,
"I didn't think you wanted to tell me anything Jasper. I haven't exactly covered myself in glory have I?"
"No, you haven't and I wont forget that Carlisle. There's a temporary truce for now but he made certain stipulations."
"What does he want? Emily I suppose?"
"It's one of the stipulations."
"And the others? Can I help?"
"I think I'd rather keep those to myself for now. Come on Bella."
"You don't trust me do you Jasper?"
"No Carlisle I don't."
Bella
The flight back was rather uncomfortable because no one was prepared to talk in Carlisle's hearing and as a result we were all impatient for the flight to end. We were all leaving in Denali, Carlisle had the flight to himself to Forks and I knew he wasn't looking forward to telling Alice about Stuart or Esme how he'd become an outcast by lying. I didn't think she'd be happy about his conduct.
"I'll keep Emily safe until you need her. Any idea how long that will be?"
"Just keep her alive Carlisle. We'll let you know when we'll need to pick her up."
He nodded unhappily as we left him and as soon as we were out of the airport we relaxed.
"So, we have twenty nine days to get to Italy, snatch Aro and get him back to Alaska. Anyone got any ideas how we do that?"
"Not yet Darius but I'm sure we'll think of something."
"We'd better or we're all gonna be fucking charcoal this time next month!"
Eleazer went to hunt with Carmen and the girls and we all knew he would be filling them in on the details of the truce but he had given his word that they wouldn't be telling the Cullens anything. None of us trusted Carlisle not to warn Aro or try something of his own. If he could keep Alice from going crazy it would be all he could do.
Jasper
We set up our control centre in the huge attic of Eleazers house and Darius soon had his computers up and running. He was trying to work out if the brothers had anything going on in Volterra or if they had any reason to be leaving the city in the next couple of weeks, so far with little success. Peter was calling everyone we could think of who might help and be able to keep their mouths shut. Unfortunately this confined his choices somewhat. After a week we were no closer to a plan then Bella came over to drop into my lap as I sat staring at the map of Volterra and its surroundings looking for inspiration.
"Any luck?"
"Not yet. We need something to lure Aro out without him getting suspicious. He'll have Renata with him as it is."
"Renata?"
"His shield. As long as she's touching him he can't be harmed."
"Which just makes things even more fucking difficult Bella."
She turned and smiled at Peter,
"I think I might have an idea."
Darius came over leaving his computers which was most unusual,
"An idea? Lets hear it then Bella, it's the first and we're getting desperate."
Bella
I wanted the others here when I mooted my idea because I knew if I told Jasper alone he would veto the whole thing straight off.
"I know Aro is always looking for gifts, he collects them doesn't he?"
"Yeah, he's a real collector why?"
"Well...I"
"NO"
Jasper's single word was almost shouted and I jumped even though I expected this response.
"Look we need a way to lure him out and my gift is as good a way as any."
Darius and Peter looked at each other then nodded,
"Major she's got a point.
"We are not using Bella as a lure to get Aro Volturi out of Volterra, no way. Besides he won't come, he'll send the guard for you."
"Then you just have to phrase the invitation in such a way that he can't resist doing a personal inspection."
Jasper
I could see the others were thinking seriously about Bella's suggestion but something occurred to me.
"We're assuming Aro wont be interested in a new treaty with the remaining guardians but he will know about the spirit warriors and the danger they pose to our world. Maybe we should just invite him to attend."
Peter and Darius looked at me as if I were mad,
"Do you really think Aro's gonna put his skinny fucking butt in the firing line without being forced? He'll know by now that his precious Stuart is dead and don't forget he was involved in sending Stuart and Josie here in the first place."
"Or Caius did it without his knowledge Peter."
"What fucking difference does that make Darius? He knew or he didn't at the time but he does now. He might send Caius to do homage or whatever the fucking hell Johnny H has planned for him but he's hardly going to put his own head in the bears mouth now is he or do you know a different Aro Volturi?
"I still think The Major has something there. What do we lose by contacting him and giving him the invitation?"
"For a start he's then warned. If he says thanks but no thanks I'm washing my hair that night he knows we'll try to get him and he'll hunker down in Volterra."
"Well I think its worth a try Peter"
Peter glared at Bella
"You know I was just beginning to like you Bella, don't make me re-evaluate."
Bella
Jasper had a valid point and despite vociferous arguments from Peter he asked Darius to get him a line to Aro.
"This is going to blow up in our faces Major"
"Well Peter look on the good side, if it does yours is so ugly already no one will notice the difference now stop bitching and rally some support just in case."
Peter scowled at Darius insult but went off mumbling, his phone in his hand. I sat with Jasper who was very quiet, working out the best way to put the proposition to the Volturi while Darius set to work but a couple of minutes late he was cursing too.
"I think a little birdie has already whispered in Aro's ear, he's trying to contact you Major. Now I wonder who that could be?"
The only person I could think of was Carlisle who was a friend of Aro Volturi but how did he know the terms of the truce? None of us had spoken about it within his earshot. Maybe Alice had seen it or did he have a spy in our midst? Peter or Charlotte? Darius? Garrett? I couldn't see any of them talking to Carlisle but then I didn't know them that well.