Chapter Eighty Six
Darius
I'd been watching for any sign of Dante's whereabouts even as Alice and I travelled. She was a breath of fresh air in my life and I found myself seeing everything through new eyes. She tried to turn me into an animal hunter but it was proving difficult to change the way I'd lived for so many centuries. I tried and that pleased her so I would keep on and when I did slip she was always there to support me. We heard from Peter that he and Charlotte had been travelling in Europe while The Major and Bella had disappeared from view but when I mentioned this to Alice she just smiled,
"They are busy discovering each other Darius don't worry, He'll be ready when you call."
Dante proved a slippery customer keeping well under the radar but finally he slipped, they always did if you were patient enough. I pinpointed his location and rang The Major.
"Grab your kit. We have a visit to make."
"Dante?"
"Yep, and believe it or not he's close to your position, perhaps he thought you wouldn't look so close to home. I'm flying in now so meet me at the airport, it wont take long. I've contacted Peter, he'll meet us there. Couldn't find Garrett but I think I may have news for you on that score when we meet up."
"I'm bringing Bella along too, after all she's the one he set his little pet on and I think she'd relish a chance at some pay back."
"Fine by me, the more the merrier. See you in a few hours Major"
Bella
When Jasper told me that Darius had located Dante I was jubilant, at last someone I could make pay for what had happened to Charlie and myself, and for trying to force Jasper to help the Romanians.
"Where is he?"
"Close by, we're meeting up with Peter, Charlotte, and Darius at the airport and he'll lead us in."
"Dante's mine Jasper. He tried to blackmail you into working for the Romanians."
"Are you sure about this Bella."
I looked at him and smiled but there was no warmth or mirth in it.
"Will the Romanians take it personally if we kill him?"
"I doubt it. They told me he was of no further use to him."
"When I finish with him he'll be of no further use to anyone, trust me."
For the first time I felt the vampire savagery I had only ever heard of and it set a cold dark flame burning in the pit of my stomach.
Jasper
I could feel the anger and determination in Bella and wondered exactly how she would feel when actually faced with Dante. Wanting to kill was one thing, actually performing the deed another thing entirely and I knew Bella still had a lot of the human girl still inside her despite the way she now felt. Still, if she baulked I would think no less of her and Dante would end his existence whether at her hands or ours. Charlotte met us just outside the airport and led us over to a pick up where Peter waited stony faced but he managed a smile for Bella.
"So, you ready to kick ass Bella?"
She nodded and he took her hands in his and gazed into her face long and hard.
"You listen to me girl. I know we all feel the same way and I've elected myself spokesman. You don't have to do this, you've never taken a life and let me tell you doing so changes you forever. If you want to stand aside we'll do it on your behalf, yours and Charlie's, Tanya's too. Don't feel you have to commit murder or execution, however you want to see it. You understand what I'm saying? None of us will think any less of you if you walk away."
He said exactly what I'd been thinking.
"Well said Peter. You listen to him Bella. Usually he spouts a load of crap but just for once the brain cell has fired up."
We all turned to greet Darius and Alice who had come up behind us.
Bella
I knew they were all trying to make it easy for me, thinking I might have spoken rashly in the heat of the moment but I hadn't. I understood that taking a life, even a vampire one. would change me but that was my decision, Charlie's murder had also changed me and that wasn't my decision.
"Thank you, all of you, but I have to do this. I understand the ramifications and accept them."
Darius nodded,
"We understand Bella. Lets go then."
We piled in and Darius drove out of town headed west,
"Its only about ten miles from here. He's only checked in a few hours ago and I don't expect him to stay long. Maybe he's hoping for a flight out."
"You gotta give him one thing. He's got balls of steel setting himself down this close to The Major."
"He's banking on us looking further afield for him, if at all. He probably thinks he's safe enough if he keeps moving and I think he's after a gift."
"How the fuck do you know that oh wise one?"
"I tapped his phone calls. He's been in touch with Stefan, trying to persuade him that this is the real thing and I think he might be right this time."
"What kind of gift?"
"He finds things. A little like Demetri but his gift works at a distance using maps."
"If the Romanians get hold of something like that it will give them the edge, well more of an edge than the Volturi on that score so no way is Stefan giving up on even a chance of a gift like that, suspicious of Dante or not."
"So, is this gifted vampire willing to be employed by the Volturi or Romanian?"
"No idea Peter you'd better ask him yourself."
Darius
I waited for Peter's question but his face suddenly wore a look of understanding and cunning,
"I take it this gifted vampire is known to us?"
"You may have heard of him Peter."
He thought for a second then the evil grin widened,
"You got Phillipe to stand Judas Goat didn't you? You sneaky little fucker!"
"Well he owed me and once he knew it was a favour for The Major he fell over himself to volunteer."
"I'll bet, he owes us too but we can never catch the slippery little fucker!"
"Now you get your chance Peter but remember he's on our side this time. Try not to kill him."
Peter nodded as Bella spoke up,
"Who is Phillipe?"
"Allow me to educate you Bella my dear. Phillipe is a greasy little weasel who works for the highest wage but he bit off more than he could chew about sixty years ago and came to us for help with his little problem. A certain Mexican had taken an interest in his particular skills and was trying to recruit him so The Major and I went down to San Diego and persuaded a certain scout of Maria's that he really wasn't worth bothering with, he was a charlatan with only a weak gift."
"And the scout believed you just like that?"
"Why not? We're very believable, besides The Major had a boot across his throat at the time and I just happened to be holding a lighter. Nasty little habit I got out of soon after that. With a little persuasion and a few threats he promised to report back as we wanted and to keep silent. Phillipe who owed us a favour in return scarpered and we never did find him but then life and Alice Cullen got in the way. It'll be nice to see him again.!
"Remember Peter, I promised him his life if he did this for us."
"Yeah well you did, I on the other hand didn't!"
"Peter cut it out. We'll keep your promise Darius."
Peter subsided muttering darkly under his breath but of course we all heard him but chose to ignore the curses aimed at Jazz and Darius, I was too focused in on getting my hands on this Dante.