Chapter Thirty

Jasper

The wait seemed endless while Charlotte spoke to Alice soothingly and I felt the start of an ache in my own chest but I knew my mate was safe back in the motel with Rose and waiting for my return which eased it considerably. Alice had no such comfort and I could see she was drowning in the pain and worry. In my mirror I caught sight of Peter coming towards us and waved him back, he would only make matters worse harassing Alice in her present condition. Half an hour passed before she opened her eyes to look at me,

"We need to go south I think."

I nodded and we set off driving fairly slowly to give Alice time to feel her way.

Alice

I felt so hopeless, I sent us south but I wasn't sure I had been right and only Charlotte's calm voice kept me from screaming out in confusion and retreating into myself. The ache was maddening now, it filled my body and echoed in my brain making thoughts fuzzy and difficult to pin down. As the hours passed my thirst grew until I couldn't think of anything but blood and Jazz called a halt to the search for the night. He explained to the others and we split up to hunt. Charlotte and I went with Emmett and Jazz while the others went off to find a town that would supply their needs but they had to be careful. Mexico was a dangerous place to be a vampire with the southern covens running everything.

Jasper

This delay got to everybody but without feeding Alice would be useless to us and she was our only hope. In the event we ended up waiting for the others who had to forage much further afield, Charlotte had been forced to feed on animals within us and although I could see she hated it she gritted her teeth knowing Alice needed her more. When they finally got back it was beginning to get dark again, we'd lost a whole day but no one complained, not even Peter, we were all on edge and knew we needed to keep our cool with each other.

Alice

I felt better for feeding and could cope a little easier with the pain even though it was still there and stronger than ever. I had spent the time waiting for the others to return concentrating and I thought I knew where my mate was, or at least the vicinity. We set off again but this time under my direct instructions. Jazz took the directions I gave him as often and quickly as he could but some of the roads were little more than tracks and often we were forced to detour.

Slowly I felt the pull becoming stronger yet the pain diminish and Charlotte told me it was because we were getting close. I wondered what would I feel when I finally saw him? Would I see a stranger? Jasper? Or someone who recognized me for what I was to him? I was apprehensive and the closer we got the more nervous I became, my hands shaking in my lap.

"He's close. very close."

Jazz pulled up and we got out cautiously he and Emmett closing ranks with me which felt good. I couldn't concentrate on my surroundings and the pull and my mind was swirling with thoughts of finding my true mate at last. I called Darius with an update,

"We stopped, Alice says he's close by. There's no sign of newborns around and it's quiet enough so I think you should close up."

It wasn't long before the others joined us keen to be where the action was likely to be. We re-figured with Darius and I walking ahead, Alice's small figure between us, while Charlotte and Peter took the rear, they knew Maria better than the others who remained in the center watching and listening keenly.

Darius put a hand up and we stopped turning to watch the undergrowth around us for an ambush. It was very quiet, too quiet in fact, there were vampires in the area and not only us, the birds and animals had sensed it.

He was close by and I knew he sensed me too, I could feel the flow between us, mates about to be joined at last. This was the feeling I had missed with Jasper, we were in love, we were comfortable with each other and happy but the strange sensation that rushed through my body now was something else entirely. I turned and put my hands on Emmett and Jazze's arms to halt them,

"Let me."

Jasper shook his head and for a second I felt a flicker of rage at this but then it dimmed, he was trying to keep me safe and I must try to remember that. I felt the ache replaced by a warmth flooding my whole body and my hands trembled in anticipation.

There was a movement ahead among the bushes and suddenly a female stepped out, a female I had never seen before but recognized all the same. She smiled, showing bright white teeth, and looked from Jazz to Emmett,

"Well Major it would appear you have a new captain and this one is certainly more handsome."

Jazz moved a few paces forward shielding me from view,

"Maria, I never expected to see you again this side of hell."

"Oh Major don't be so bitter. I made you what you are today."

"Yes and you think that makes me like you any more?"

"No I don't."

I thought I detected a hint of sadness in her voice but Jasper's face remained hard and angry.

"Where is he Maria?"

He? Who?"

He growled low in his chest and everyone tensed but then she laughed a little sadly,

"I jest. I know you blame me for your life. I know a lot of things now that I didn't before and I am here to offer you a deal."

Jasper

"You think I'd trust you with a deal?"

"Maybe not but you have no idea what is happening and in order to survive you need intelligence. I have that intelligence or at least enough to get you started and I'm willing to share."

"You can bet your sweet ass the bitch wants something in return, why don't we just burn her lying fucking ass and grab the clone?"

I put a hand out to stop him but Maria didn't seem to hear him, she was busy watching me with a strange expression on her face, almost wistful and it didn't sit right with my memories of her.

"Why would you help me? You tried to kill me."

She shrugged,

"People change, don't ask for answers because I am not opening my heart to you Major. Now do you want to deal or not?"

I had to know what was going on and she knew something, enough for me to work on so I had little choice.

"Where is he?"

"Oh not far, it was quite a shock when I first saw him but first I need this deal."

"What do you want in return for this information?"

"I would say you but I know too well that I lost you many years back. What I want is my safety guaranteed. The people I am about to betray have long memories and an even longer reach."

"Can you give me names and reasons?"

"I can if you give me the guarantee."

"Don't trust her Major, remember what a two faced bitch she is?"

Again I waved Peter to silence,

"If you play dirty with me Maria I swear I will hunt you down and rip you into tiny pieces before feeding your black rotted heart to the flames."

"I know and I'm willing to take the chance. As a gesture of goodwill I offer you the man whom you came looking for. Jasper you can come out now."

There was movement to her back and suddenly a figure stepped out from the bushes to stand staring at me and it was like looking into a mirror. I heard gasps from behind me but my eyes were locked on his and a snarl built in my chest as rage grew inside me.