Chapter Thirty Four

Aro

The report came through from Felix to say that Nathan was still in charge in Maria's compound and things hadn't changed very much except for a rumour not yet confirmed that she was expecting The Major to return at any moment.

"Rubbish he'd never go back to her. He's got a life with the Cullens"

"Never the less Caius that's the word in the camp and Nathan is acting like a bear with a sore head so there's something going on"

"Do we know who these rumours originated Felix?"

"That's the strange thing. My informant tells me he heard it from some of Maria's closest commanders. She seems convinced that he will be back very soon and that's why Nathan is throwing his weight around and trying to impress her."

"I fancy he's left that a little late don't you brothers?"

Caius and I couldn't help a chortle at Marcus dry words.

"We have been waiting for a reason to close Maria down for some time now, she's got too big for her boots. This seems to good to pass up on. I think we should act. What do you think Felix?"

"If you want Maria shutting down then give me the order now. If you leave it any longer and The Major does return it will be twice as difficult and dangerous."

"You sound afraid of facing The Major Felix"

I scowled at Caius who couldn't help baiting our best guard but Felix merely laughed his words off,

"Then perhaps you should come and face him yourself Caius, I'm sure there's time for you to take control of the guard here."

"Enough Caius, Felix is right, if we wait then we lose our easiest opportunity to destroy the Mexican bitch and her army."

Jasper

I knew I was being watched, being followed, and all I could do was continue to ride back towards a border I had hoped never to cross again. Maria would be waiting but whether to greet me or kill me I had no idea. Why would she want me back? She knew I couldn't be trusted, that I no longer loved or even liked her and she had taken Nathan to her bed, replacing me long before I escaped from her. If she'd wanted me dead then why hadn't she just got her men or her friends who were watching me to kill me where I was? Whatever her reasons I knew I had no choice, I wouldn't let Maria taint Bella's life, she'd seen too much cruelty already in her short existence. No, I would return and do whatever Maria asked of me so long as she left Bella alone but I would insist on evidence, a photograph, or a phone call, anything to prove that my sweet Bella was alive and safe in Forks. Why had Maria chosen now to re-enter my life? When I finally had happiness in the palm of my hand? By forcing me to rejoin her she was breaking the law but I didn't think that would concern her much, she had never bothered with the Volturi rules while I had been with her, we just skirted them most of the time. Had Nathan finally made such a monumental cock up that she needed me to dig them out? For two pins I would bury the pair of them but I was sure Maria would have contingency plans, she may be mad but she was not stupid.

I crossed over into Mexico with a heavy heart then tried to force all feelings and memories of Bella deep into my sub conscious. To live in Maria's world I couldn't afford any distractions, none at all, but although I pushed Bella to the back of my mind I could do nothing about the ache in my chest and I recognised that I would be of no use to Maria long term. The mating pull, the pain of being separated from Bella would eventually incapacitate me completely so whatever she needed doing it had better be both immediate and short lived. I would probably die in Mexico without ever seeing Bella again because even if I proved useless to Maria there was no way she would let me go, allow me happiness with my mate. No, her final act of revenge would be to keep me away from Bella until the pain was so bad I couldn't function and then probably slaughter me as a lesson to her army. This is what happens when you double cross me, it may take months or years but I will always get my revenge eventually.

Having no idea whether Maria's camp had moved I made my way towards the site of the old one and as I got closer I saw evidence of a recent raid, sloppily executed and poorly hidden, this just had to be Nathan's work, he never could tidy up after him self and he would get his mistress killed if she didn't dispose of him first. That's why she wanted me, because she couldn't trust Nathan to keep her safe, he had become even more sloppy and undisciplined than when I had known him. A mile from the camp I knew she was still there, I saw the signs of groups entering and leaving the area, they weren't taking different paths each time but had made a track straight to the camp, yet another sign of Nathan's neglect of his duties. I left my bike among some thick bushes and stripping off my leathers and helmet I put them in the panniers and locked it up.

The sun was setting, just the time to see how disorganised Maria's compound really was. The noise was almost deafening as I approached the high wooden walls built to keep prying human eyes away and waited listening as Nathan screamed at the newborns to shut up. I couldn't help a smile, he really was a fool. Taking my time I sauntered slowly to the gates as if I didn't have a care in the world although every fibre in my body was screaming for me to run, get away while I still could. The sentries noticed me at the same time and I heard loud cries of alarm which became more vociferous the closer I got until suddenly one of them recognised me and I heard a cry of "The Major"

Jasper

There was a short pause and then one of the gates opened slowly and Nathan strode out not sure whether to be happy or angry to see me.

"So, back with your tail between your legs Major? Come"

I didn't wait for him to turn merely pushed past him and into the compound, a place I had hoped never to see again but I had no choice. There was a noise, a whisper going round the assembled newborns watching nervously as I walked up to Maria.

"I'm here, now I want proof Bella is safe"

Her smile didn't reach her eyes which tightened at my words,

"Don't you trust me Major? I'm insulted."

"I know you Maria."

She turned her gaze on Nathan and I felt a terrible pain in my back as he hit me from behind with something hard but I kept my footing and continued to look at Maria.

"Proof?"

She clicked her fingers and one of her commanders handed over a photograph which she threw at my feet.

I picked it up slowly and looked at it, a picture of Bella outside the store in Forks and beside her a news stand with today's date and nodded.

"So, what do you want of me?"

"Only what you owe me, your allegiance. I made you Major and your place is at my side not with some stupid human girl. We were great together once and we will be great again. You do exactly as I say and Bella will remain safe in Forks, if you defy me or do any less than your very best I will have her captured and brought here where I will give her as a gift to Nathan here. I'm sure he will have great fun with the little virgin."

Nathan laughed loudly grasping his crotch but I ignored him, he was trying to bait me but I wasn't going to let him get to me me, he wasn't important but Maria was, she never made idle threats.

"For now I think you need to learn a lesson in loyalty and if you raise a hand to defend yourself Major I will ensure that your pretty little human loses someone very close to her, perhaps her father or her mother"