Chapter Eighty Three

Darius

Charlotte came back alone assuring me Peter would return when he'd pulled his shit together. I hoped so because he was one of our best fighters and I needed him on the ball, this may be an ambush but that wasn't to say it would be a walk in the park, far from it.

Caius would fight and he had the backing of at least a part of his army trained by The Major, and the Romanians who would understand this was their Alamo, win or die. Edward had turned out to be a better than average fighter and with his gift he could hold his own, but he needed protecting, and we needed his gift to give us the edge to get this over with quickly.

The longer it dragged on the more the risk of us losing people. I had a sneaky feeling that Caius would be as eager to rid himself of the Romanians as Aro and that might work to our advantage too. As to who would strike the killing blow, finishing the Volturi brother off that too was at question. We all wanted him dead and Aro would be eager to do the deed himself but I had my money on The Major after all Caius had put both his mate Bella and family member Jay through. It would likely be payback time.

Sure enough Peter returned eventually silent and morose not commenting when I sent Edward to guide the Cullens into our camp. He didn't even speak when they arrived just watched carefully as Bella climbed out of the car with Jay at her side. Did he think Jay might be trying to move in on her? It seemed highly unlikely as Alice was next to appear but I understood he was just looking out for his friend. There was no time for the niceties, we were on a deadline so the training had to begin straight away.

Peter and Charlotte took the Cullens, minus Carlisle, away with Hunter to see how good they were like while I stayed at the computer, watching for any movement in the enemy camp and the imminent arrival of the Volturi contingent. That left Carlisle and Bella with me.

"So tell me about this gift Bella."

She explained what they had discovered and when she finished I could see why Carlisle had deemed it safe enough to bring her.

"We need to practice, find the limitations of the gift though. Bella has only protected a few at a time, I'd like to see how she does with larger numbers."

I agreed and when Peter and the others returned we decided to experiment. First I asked him outright how they were.

"They'll do, not bad for greenhorns."

Which was some praise coming from him and that eased my worries too, taking untested fighters into battle was always a risk and one we couldn't afford now.

Bella was nervous and tense but she did her part and slowly as we increased the number and distance and she understood just how strong and useful her gift was she relaxed. As soon as she did that everything became easier and we found she could send her shield out at least a hundred yards and still protect everyone within it. This even impressed Peter who had finally thawed a little as he understood she was our more potent secret weapon.

Aro

Our force along with Marcus flew straight to the United States and were met by Darius and Carlisle who explained the situation as we ran.

"Its better to go in on foot, we don't want to leave a paper trail Caius might be able to trace."

"Which is exactly why we did not use the Volturi jet. That will be leaving as soon as my brother makes his play and he will be comforted by the thought we are on our way to help him. We have no idea how long that will be but hopefully long enough for you to fill us in on the details and meet the rest of our supporters. I'm glad you decided to join us Carlisle, I must admit I had my reservations when you voiced your initial reluctance about your family coming along."

After that we ran in silence for some time and it took me back to my early days before the Volturi became the most powerful force in our world, days I did not miss at all.

Darius

Carlisle ignored Aro's words, we all knew he'd been left with no choice although I was sure he would have come anyway, if only in an attempt to aid The Major.

Once back at our camp the guard fell to talking to Maria's soldiers who had arrived shortly before, while I introduced Aro to the rest of our group. He was staggered at the resemblance between Jay and The Major.

"If I were a gambling man I would be prepared to put money in this being The Major himself."

"Your brother Caius did."

"Yes and look where that's likely to get him. I would be happier if I could….."

He stretched out his hand a little wanting to read Jay's thoughts to see for himself this really was a double and not The Major although what he thought we had to gain by lying I couldn't tell.

I think it was just ingrained scepticism on his part. Jay looked at Aro's hand then at me and I shrugged, this was his decision to make not mine. Alice squeezed his hand reassuringly so slowly he reached out to clasp Aro's and waited. It didn't take long for Aro to understand this really was who we said he was and he let go of Jay's hand and nodded.

"Thank you for putting my mind at rest. You understand I have been told so many lies, so many tales in the past that I find it difficult to believe the more fanciful even now."

Marcus had been more interested in Hunter and went straight to speak to him, probably about the surveillance he was conducting over Caius compound and after this encounter Aro joined him.

Carlisle

I had been watching Bella closely since Maria arrived and I could see the signs only too clearly. Bella was ready to rip Maria into tiny pieces for all the harm she had done Jay and her mate. Now was not the time and this was most certainly not the place so after explaining to Emmett what I felt it necessary to do I approached Bella who was slowly making her way over to where the Mexican woman stood watching Jay and Alice.

I took her arm and guided her away from the others, Emmett escorting her on the other side.

"What Carlisle?"

"Just a word Bella please."

She cast another look over her shoulder then shrugged free of my grip.

"OK, what's your problem?"

I could see her rage was already building and I needed to act fast.

"Bella think. Maria has been a great help to us, she's on our side and while I accept your hatred for her I must point out that most of what she did was many years ago. If you feel you must confront her then wait until the battle is over, we need all the allies we can get right now and there is also the matter of your promise."

She scowled and I heard a rumble of anger in her chest

"What promise?"

"That you could and would control yourself. We need allies like Maria who can command a unit of men."

"Yeah, it seems she's particularly good at controlling men Carlisle!"

"I spoke up for you and your self control. Do not make me a liar to my friends. Just control your rage until after this is over and if you still feel the need to prove you are superior in skill to Maria, then will be the time."

She didn't like it but she did see my point and after some deliberation she nodded unhappily, the crisis was averted, at least for now!

Once everyone had been introduced Bella gave a small demonstration of what she could do and with a greater group than ever before. We decided to match Maria's men against Aro's with our group mixed in between the two. Bella was given the larger of the group, Aro's, to protect. It was much larger than she had covered so far and I just crossed my fingers it wouldn't be a total disaster. At first it looked that way because they got a lot closer than before when she had protected our smaller groups but just when I thought it was going to be a failure Maria's soldiers crashed into something that we couldn't see, about five feet from their target and were unable to get any closer.

At this point Aro's eyes lit up and I decided it might be best to lay down the rules.

"I know you would like to "invite" Bella to join you once this is over Aro but please remember she is The Major's mate and he is helping you with this matter. I think we should be clear that the price for her help and his will be their freedom from any form of coercion."

"Accepted."

Marcus spoke before Aro could form any words and although I could see he would love to get his hands on Bella's gift he did accept the stipulation grudgingly.

"Of course, although if Bella were to wish to join us in Italy at any time she would be most welcome, The Major too but of course we would never put pressure on such loyal servants of our democracy."

I thought Peter was going to laugh out loud at that but he was able to turn it into a loud cough just in time.