Chapter Thirty One
Jasper
This fool may look like me but there was only one Major and that was me, if he needed that pointing out to him I was ready to supply the necessary lesson. As his lip curled in a sneer Peter hissed in anger and moved forward to my side,
"Captain stand down."
Maria's eyes flashed to Peter then back to me,
"So, I see you still keep your lap dog around, his manners haven't improved any over the years, still ready to snap at anyone who comes along. I hope he's grateful for the sacrifices you made to save his mate."
I heard her words but they no longer registered, the only person that interested me stood before me like my mirror image. He too was scarred but I doubted he could match me, nor in speed or strength even if he was a newborn. I'd fought too many of those to be taken down by one.
"So you are the man who called me a coward? Would you care to make the same statement to my face?"
The stranger moved closer and I saw his muscles tense ready to attack,
"I should warn you I don't fight for fun, only to destroy my enemies."
"And I'm an enemy? I didn't ask for this face or this fate. I blame you for both, despite what Bella Swan may have said in your favor."
My fists clenched. How dare he mention my mate.
"Bella has nothing to do with this imposter, you'd do well to remember that. Do you still call me a coward?"
I expected him to attack as any newborn would instinctively would but he just stood there looking at me insolently.
Alice
I could see what would happen if someone didn't act and we needed Jasper alive, I needed Jasper alive so I did the only thing I could think of and put myself between them turning my back with difficulty on Jasper and addressing Jazz.
"We need him Jazz and Maria's intelligence, whatever it is. Jasper is a newborn and he's my mate so please for me, back off this one time. Bella wouldn't want this, to hear you killed her friend. Not after she came to us for help."
There was a silence that seemed to stretch on for a lifetime, everyone tense and waiting for the fight to start but I knew my ex husband and the power of a mate. He wouldn't kill Jasper, for Bella's sake if not mine. Slowly he lowered his eyes to me,
"Watch him, if he goes near Bella or tries anything at all I will kill him."
I nodded and heaved a sigh of relief, all I had to do now was get Jasper out of here and away from the others.
"Jasper, my name is Alice and I think you recognize me don't you?"
His eyes swiveled from Jazz's to me and a frown creased his brow,
"Alice? No I don't know any Alice, yet you feel so familiar."
I held out a hand and Jazz tensed once more but I just smiled,
"Why don't you come talk to me, maybe I can explain some things to you."
He came over to me looking confused and nervous and I held my hand out for him to take waiting very still so as not to startle him, I remembered Jazz telling me how easily spooked newborns could be which was one of the things that made them so dangerous. He glanced over at Maria who was watching us with narrowed eyes as if this wasn't something she had taken into account and if she decided to attack she could no longer count on his loyalty, not with his mate on the opposition's side.
She eventually nodded and he took my hand so I drew him to one side talking to him in a low tone to get his full attention, Jazz would sort out the rest, I only cared about my mate. It was no wonder he had fooled Bella at college. To a human eye he looked an almost perfect replica of Jazz but to a vampire's eye there were subtle differences. This man wasn't a seasoned warrior, he didn't hold himself right, he didn't have the probing gaze Jazz possessed and I had no doubt in a fight Jazz could beat him but it wouldn't be a pushover, this newborn knew how to look after himself, the scars on his hands and neck proved that.
Darius
Hunter, Peter, and I were on the lookout for any ambush but Maria seemed on the level which wasn't like her reputation at all but I got the impression there was something about her that had changed and it worried and concerned The Major.
"Well now the children are settled I think you and I need to talk Major. You want to know what is going on and I can tell you."
"What's the catch?"
"No catch Major, call it a debt repaid. All I want is my safety."
Maria had the advantage, she knew what was going on and we didn't. Had she given the guy back as some kind of gesture of goodwill? If so it too was treated with suspicion and Charlotte and Emmett positioned themselves so they could aid Alice if things went wrong although I thought Charlotte had been correct about him being Alice's mate, He certainly looked at her as if he were. The Major stepped forward glowering at Maria,
"So tell, me, what is this all about and what was your part in it? I assume you had your price."
"Of course, you know me well enough to know I would do nothing without payment... until today that is, except for you."
Jasper
I knew better than to believe anything that came from Maria's mouth, ninety five per cent was lies and the other five per cent are out right lies.
"Go on."
"I was approached and asked if I could train a newborn to fool others into believing he was you. I laughed but then I saw the photograph. It could have been you but I knew it wasn't, I could recognize my Major and that was not you. My fee was dominion over the southern covens, I grow weary of constant fighting, its no fun without you Major."
"So you agreed and turned him into a vampire. How much have you taught him? Do you think he could fool anyone who knew me? He's a pale imitation, Maria you didn't do your work well.
"Oh I think a few more months and I could fool anyone who had only seen you and never had dealings with you and that was all that was required of me."
"So why are you here now? Handing your paycheck over to the enemy?"
She glanced over at the imposter,
"I learned certain things and I no longer wish to work for the enemy.
"I don't believe you."
I couldn't help saying it even as I knew she was telling the truth. If only I had understood my gift all those years ago I would have known Maria didn't really love me and things might have worked out differently.
"Then don't, just listen to what I say and go, take Jasper with you, I've survived attacks before and I can do so again."
She wasn't acting like the Maria I had known but then I was no longer the Major she had created.
"I warn you though that you are all at risk if they find out what has happened, they will stop at nothing to reach their goal."
"Who?"
"I had a second task too. My employers wanted you dead and they thought I would be the ideal person to perform that task too, do you think they were wrong?"
I sensed everyone tense again and she laughed throatily,
"Oh please, if I wanted to kill you I wouldn't be here now talking, you know that Major."
She was right of course but none of her behavior was making any sense right now.
"And not only you but I was to arrange for the death of a possible loose end, a human girl by the name of Bella Swan."
I felt a snarl build in my chest and it broke free making even Maria step back,
"I refused, on the grounds I didn't work in the United States. You should be aware however that there will be assassins on their way and I think this Bella Swan means something to you Major. Am I wrong?"
My hand snaked out and grabbed her by the throat and I pulled her up close to me spitting in her face with anger,
"You touch Bella and I will make sure you take an eternity to die."
Dropping her I turned to the others,
"We need to get back fast. Emmett ring Rose and warn her, tell them to get out of the motel and keep moving until we get back, speak to no one except you."
Maria had recovered herself massaging her throat as she spoke,
"I'm on your side Major strange as that may seem. That's why I came to find you and hand over my charge. I am willing to cover for you, tell my employer I have Jasper with me and we are still training. Give you time to work out a plan of action. You need to know your enemy Major but I can give you only one name, the only one I have…... Caius Volturi."