Chapter Fifty Seven
Jasper
Half way into the flight I noticed Alice watching Charlie.
"He's going to wake soon but don't worry he won't be like any newborn you're used to Jazz, Charlie is going to be remarkable. The only thing you need to remember is that he will recognise Tanya as his mate but he will be suspicious of us, his memories will take some time to come back so I suggest you let Tanya do the talking. If there's anything you need him to know talk to her about it before he wakes up because he's going to be very protective and possessive for a while, we'll all need to keep our distance."
Deciding that Alice was probably right I called Tanya over although she seemed reluctant to leave him even for a short while. Seeing my amusement she tried to explain.
"For the first time I've found a man I can give everything to, not just my body. I know you all laugh at us, that my sisters and I are a joke to you but imagine what it must be like for us. spending our whole existence attracted to every male and not finding any satisfaction with any of them then suddenly someone comes along who fulfils every need, every dream I have ever had. I don't feel the need to keep looking, there's no huge hole in my chest that constantly aches. Charlie is the one and I'll do anything to keep him safe and make him happy so just don't get between us."
She was deadly serious and it suddenly hit me how miserable their lives really must be having every man looking at them and wanting them yet never finding the one who made them whole. I wondered what Bella would make of all this though. Not only was her father now a vampire but he was also mated to a young beauty who wouldn't stand for any interference from her. I just hoped Bella and Tanya would get along, if not there was likely to be fireworks. BUt for now my main concern was getting Bella away and if Charlie were the key to this then I needed Tanya on side. I told her what Aro had said,
"So Bella has a gift too? Maybe she won't need Charlie's help to get free."
"I don't think she's strong enough to protect herself physically yet Tanya, not as a human. We need Charlie and as soon as he wakes up; I need you to work with him, find out what his gift is and how he can use it to help his daughter."
"And what if he can't? What if Alice is wrong? What if Eleazer got it wrong and Aro ends up killing him or taking him for the Volturi guard?"
"He won't, Charlie can do this Tanya, with your help"
Tanys threw a suspicious look at Alice.
"You would say that wouldn't you? Ironic really when you spent your life looking down your nose at me and my sisters. Now all of a sudden we're all friendly."
She looked back at me seriously,
"I will tell you one thing Jasper. If I think you or your sister are lying to me or putting Charlie's life in danger I'll get him out of there."
I understood and nodded,
"Fair enough Tanya."
At that moment Charlie groaned and sat up opening red eyes to look around the plane's unfamiliar interior.
"What the hell happened and where am I?"
"I'm sorry Charlie but there was an accident, you were bitten."
He shot to his feet looking at Tanya and ready to defend himself when he understood it was too late for that.
"I'm a vampire? Who are you?"
He was ignoring Alice and myself,he focused instead on Tanya and stepped over to her taking her hand in his. She smiled at him a little shyly,
"Hello Charlie, Im Tanya and I am sorry I attacked you, I didn't mean to hurt you but I'm glad I changed you all the same"
His free hand came up to touch her cheek his eyes wide with wonder,
"You are so beautiful. I forgive you but I'm not sure what to think, I feel confused and my throat hurts"
Carlisle cleared his throat,
"That's thirst Charlie, now you're a vampire your body craves blood."
He glanced at Carlisle recognising him but didn't answer instead he turned back to TAnya as if she were the only one he trusted.
"Blood? Is that what I want? Why are we here Tanya? Where are we going?"
"We're going to Italy, Alice thinks you can help save your daughter, rescue her from the Volturi."
"Daughter? Oh…...yes I remember her. She was taken to Italy, to the Volturi. Yes we have to get her away from them."
He turned on me suddenly and in two steps he was looming over me a hand on my throat squeezing tightly,
"It's your fault, I remember now. You brought her into this world, you brought her to the interest of the Volturi. I should kill you right now"
Tanya put a hand on his arm and spoke to him gently,
"You can't do that Charlie, Jasper is Bella's mate, they love each other and if you kill him you kill her too."
He shook his head unwilling to believe her words but hearing the truth in them. Then he dropped his hand and I looked up at him,
"I let you have that one as Bella's father but don't ever try it again Charlie or I'll rip your arm clean off."
He snarled in his throat and Tanya frowned at me and turned him to look into her eyes,
"Charlie listen to me, the only thing that matters is getting to Volterra and saving Bella from a life trapped in the Volturi guard. Ignore Jasper's words for now."
Charlie shot me another look, his lip curled in a sneer but he allowed her to lead him away from me to a seat at the other end of the cabin.
"Good move Jazz, you manage to make an enemy of Bella's father in one threat. Remember he's a newborn and although he might appear controlled he still has the temper and strength of one."
Carlisle nodded sagely,
"I have to agree with Alice on this occasion Jasper, perhaps you should have let it go."
"You forget Carlisle, I know all about newborns and if I'd let him get away with that it would have escalated later."
"And you think it won't now?"
"No, I think it will but at least I warned him, if he decides to ignore the warning that's not my fault. Remember I'm a vampire too and I won't be threatened by anyone, least of all a newborn"
Tanya kept Charlie occupied for the rest of the flight reminding him of everything that had happened and what Eleazer had said of him while I closed my eyes and thought about my own mate, alone in Volterra probably terrified, stressed, and most certainly friendless.
When we landed it was to find Rose and Emmett waiting with a car. Edward had phoned them with the flight details and they had a message from Darius who had been inside the citadel.
"He's located Bella and she's still human but Aro is very nervous about your return especially with her father, another newborn. He said to tell, you he thinks the thought of newborns frightens the crap out of Aro. He always keeps his distance from them so this should be quite a meeting all round." He said he'll try to make contact with her but the brothers are trying their hardest to persuade her to join them, the pressure is piling on and she's well guarded."
"We rented another car as well, we weren't sure how stable Chief Swan would be."
Rose looked at him warily as he stood with Tanya holding her hand tightly,
"So its true? Tanya and The Chief?"
"It certainly is but lets head out. You take Alice and Carlisle with you and I'll travel with Emmett, Tanya, and Charlie."