Chapter Eighty Seven

Aro

The others had arrived and I was taking a last look at Caius' compound along with Darius and Peter when they both stiffened and I looked where their attention had been captured to see The Major standing before a cabin in the center of the compound.

"That's where Caius is now. He's moved inside the compound. Canny little fucker, anyone would think he was expecting trouble."

I threw Darius a suspicious look, had I been taken in? Was this a plot against me? Were they in it with Caius and merely luring me to my death? What exactly did Peter Whitlock's words mean?

As if he understood my concerns he turned to me with a grin,

"Its a real fucker when you don't know who you can trust isn't it Aro?"

Darius scowled at him and held out his own hand,

"Read my thoughts if you don't trust us Aro. Although I have no idea what you imagine our end game can be."

I was tempted, very tempted, I would love to know all Darius thoughts but one thing I was sure of, this was one man who would never stand by Caius.

He had come far too close to losing his precious mate to my brother a century ago. He still blamed Caius for her accident as she fled from his advances straight into a contingent of newborns sent here from an illegal camp in Mexico. One of Maria's rivals had been causing her some trouble and she had not only eliminated him but sent us his "army" as a gift. Sara survived but she was badly disfigured by their attacks and traumatized and she had withdrawn into herself. I understood she rarely spoke or left the one person she felt safe with, her sire, a vampire called Maggie. From what I could gather Darius visited her regularly, always hopeful she might snap out of it but to date she remained trapped in her own personal hell, a place he could never reach her. I understood what is was to pray for a miracle. I regretted ordering the death of my sister Didyme, Marcus' wife, but there was no way to take back the awful crime or the burden of guilt so I bore them silently but perhaps if my brother Marcus could read my thoughts he might feel somewhat avenged and hate me just a little less even if there were still no way for him to break free of Chelsea's gift.

Peter

I guess I shouldn't have baited Aro but I hated the slimy power mad little fucker so much I couldn't help myself, besides which it was an outlet for my own tension. I knew The Major better than anyone else alive, in any world, and I was worried about him. I'd seen first hand what the life he had been forced back into had done to him the first time around. He was tense although I doubt anyone else would notice, he held himself loosely, casually even, but that was a front, inside he was like a tightly coiled spring and very soon all that energy and violence still building inside him would explode outwards and I was surely glad it wouldn't be aimed at me.

"The Major looks quite relaxed, at home even."

I looked at him condescendingly,

"Really? Shows how much you know. Let me tell you something, you don't want to be anywhere near him when the fucking floodgates open."

Darius

If we didn't get moving soon I could see Peter and Aro mixing it up and we did not need problems amongst ourselves but I was saved from the necessity of cutting in when Bella appeared beside us.

"What are we waiting for? You heard Peter, we need to get down there, get Jasper out of that place. Aro, either you give the order or I swear to God I will."

I waited with bated breathe to see what Aro would say. He turned to look at Bella and nodded,

"I think you are right, we should attack now after all they are sitting ducks. So Darius, who is to lead this valiant band?"

It was pretty obvious he wouldn't be there as a figurehead but Maria who had followed Bella looked over the ridge and smiled,

"It will be just like old times Captain. I will lead my men and the rest of you can follow at your leisure. You may find yourselves with nothing to do if you tarry too long. I may have already killed Caius by the time you get there."

Bella

I hated this woman with a vengeance, she had tortured both my mate and Jay, she seemed oblivious to the feelings of those around her. I promised myself if I saw her anywhere near my mate or Jay I would beat the crap out of her before burning her little Mexican ass! Carlisle may have been right about not causing any splits within our allies but he couldn't stop me dreaming of all the terrible things I could do to the bitch, and the things I planned on doing once we had won this battle and I had Jasper safe in my arms.

Darius

Maria gestured to her men and without waiting for any confirmation we were ready to go she led them down the slope towards the compound half hidden by the long shadows cast by the rock formations but of course her presence was soon detected and as a cry of warning went up the rest of us followed her down. There was no need for stealth any longer, we had the element of surprise and I saw men running around like ants whose nest had been stirred by a small boy with a stick.

As we reached the flat ground outside the compound she brought her men to a halt and was soon joined by Aro, myself and Jay, the others holding their positions just behind. Caius face was going to be a picture when he saw The Major standing on our side of the fight, he would be wondering who did he have in his camp? The double or the real Major? Unfortunately this strategy was dangerous for The Major within the walls of the compound as he was automatically labeled an enemy.

The gates of the compound opened slowly and we tensed expecting a rush of soldiers but it was the two Romanians followed by a small group of men who came to a halt staring at Jay as if they were seeing a ghost. They were soon followed by Caius and behind him The Major and a large fighting force who looked only too ready and willing to start a war. Caius stared from Jay to The Major unable to believe his eyes before shouting an order which sent a dozen men racing at The Major but he was ready for them, not only that but a sizable contingent of the fighting force peeled away from their positions and joined him and then the fighting began.

We threw ourselves into battle and I saw Edward and two of Maria's most trusted men hovering on the edge close to Caius listening to warn us of his impending orders but it seems there were none, everyone knew what they had to do and although surprised and heavily outnumbered, if you included the deserters, they fought valiantly. Alec stood close to Edward and Aro and I could see him building up his gift ready to deploy it at Aro's command.

Peter

I chose my opponent with care, I wanted one of those Romanian fuckers but I could see they were trying to maneuver into a position where they could make a run for it but that was going to be very difficult with all the fighting around them and as I caught up with Vladimir I saw two of the Volturi guard close in on Stefan. I took great pleasure in throwing him into the rocks and jumping on him as he staggered to keep his footing.

"Whats up Vlad? Rocks too hot for those delicate little Romanian feet? Better get used to the heat fucker, cos I'm gonna send you straight to hell."