Chapter Eighty Two
Peter
As we drove back to where we'd left Darius I could see he was still sitting there but he wasn't alone and I cursed recognising his companion,
"What the fuck does she want?"
Garrett looked,
"Alice Cullen. Maybe she's decided to come and give the guardians a piece of her mind for killing Stuart."
"He was a killer for hire, what the hell did she see in him?"
"What do any of us see in each other Peter. You don't choose who you fall in love with."
"Well I can tell you that The Major wont be pleased to see her and neither I think will Bella."
"We'll soon find out look,"
Garrett was pointing to our friends who were running towards the rendezvous point and a meeting with Alice. I grinned and put my foot down.
"Now this I don't want to miss."
Jasper
I could see Darius wasn't alone and when I recognised his companion I stiffened, Bella caught that immediately and looked around anxiously then her eyes fixed on Alice.
"What's she doing here? Did you invite her?"
I yelped as her grip on my arm became vice like but she didn't ease off,
"No I didn't but I think she's probably looking for revenge."
"Oh Stuart?"
I nodded and heaved a sigh of relief as her grip loosened but she kept her eyes on Alice and I could feel her jealousy ramping up. This could be a dangerous situation with Bella's newborn emotions. We joined Darius slowly and I knew he was aware of the danger too because he moved to put himself between Alice and Bella. She popped her head over his shoulder and smiled at us,
"Hello Jazz, Bella. I'm glad he turned you, it was the only thing to do."
"Why are you here Alice?"
She turned her eyes to me,
"Revenge, what else? I want the man who killed my mate."
"Stuart was killed by his own stupidity Alice. He baited his enemy then turned his back. Besides I don't think he really was your mate. Have you tried to look ahead?"
She shook her head sadly,
"I'm not sure I trust my instincts and visions any longer. I'm not leaving before you ask, if you wont let me stay then I'll go to the house but you can't stop me turning up at the meeting."
"Alice, if you attack Johnny H you'll start a war that could wipe us all out."
"Perhaps I don't care any more Jasper did that ever occur to you?"
Bella
I was wary, this female had been my mates companion and there was no way she was getting close to him again but she seemed to understand this and kept her distance behind Darius. I noticed she clutched his arm for reassurance and I looked at his face. Darius suddenly looked different, protective even and I smiled slowly.
"What's so funny Bella?"
Jasper could feel my relaxed attitude, a sudden change from the tension and I giggled,
"Alice I think you should look for your future because its bound up with ours."
She looked thoughtful then noticed my gaze and pulled her arm back,
"Go on, look into the future for us, tell me what you see".
She shook her head slightly then turned her attention to the south, we all heard the sound of a trucks engine and saw Peter and Garrett headed our way the engine racing as Peter crushed the gas pedal down then screamed to a halt in front of us. I just knew Peter was going to start and I could see both Darius and Jasper tense up. Personally I was looking forward to Peter baiting Alice, I really didn't like her right now but...I was also sure she would end up an ally not an enemy so I was torn.
Alice
Bella seemed so certain that I would see something good in my future and I did feel much better now I was here, that could be because I had finally decided to act but I thought there was more to it than that. As Peter got out of the truck with Garrett at his side I closed my eyes against his hostile but amused stare and suddenly I was in the future but not alone, standing by my side was my mate. I turned to see him and gasped opening my eyes again as Peter spoke.
"Well, well, if it isn't Little Miss Know It All in person. What the fuck do you want?"
Bella spoke up in my defence as I was too shocked to find words.
"Peter let it go. Alice is here to help us."
"Really? Is that what she told you Bella? You want to be careful, she speaks with a forked tongue that one."
I cleared my throat and addressed Jasper,
"Aro will come along with Caius and he's the one you need to watch, he doesn't believe the spirit warriors still exist, I think he's going to need a demonstration. Johnny H wants peace as much as you do so he'll work with you to gain it if you let him. Aro will stay neutral but he wont order any action against the guardians unless they force his hand. Bella is your ace in the hole, Aro has no idea how powerful she is, no one had betrayed her gift."
"Right Mystic Meg how the hell do you know this? Talking to your buddy Aro Volturi?"
I ignored him as I continued,
"You will win Jasper because it's in the best interest of everyone at the meeting except Caius. Bella, you can use your gift to ensure he doesn't ruin the peace treaty."
"How?"
She shrugged,
"I'm afraid that's for you to discover if it becomes necessary, I don't see your future only Jaspers and that with increasing difficulty."
"How convenient."
I was about to turn on Peter when Darius leapt to my defence,
"Peter, shut it before I shut it for you. Alice is here and she's trying to help."
"So she says. I know her better than you Darius, you think a corkscrew is twisted, you should check out her mind, it's far worse."
Bella
I could see a fight looming so I threw out my shield between the two men without conscious thinking which was just as well because seconds later they both lay on the floor having hit an invisible brick wall trying to reach each other. Jasper looked at me one eyebrow raised,
"A new trick?"
"A useful one I think"
Peter and Darius got to their feet both glowering at me,
"What the fuck are you doing Bella, let me get at him."
"So you can start a fight? Save your aggression for the meeting. You might need it if things go badly and I seriously doubt that killing our communications expert will help much. As for you Darius why don't you take Alice for a walk. Cool off."
Both of them looked at me affronted by my words but then Peter shrugged,
"OK I can wait, he'll still be here when it's all over."
"Yeah mouth almighty but will you?"
Darius parting shot as he took Alice's hand and led her away pissed Peter off but there was nothing he could do about it now.
"Stand down Captain, save the fight for the enemy."
He turned and kicked the ground with a booted foot before climbing back in the truck and slamming the door.
"Sorry Major I'll speak to him."
Charlotte followed her mate with a sigh of resignation.