Chapter Eighty Two

Carlisle

I decided there was no point in delaying the inevitable any longer, especially now I had something that might help me so I rang Volterra and was soon put through to Aro.

"Carlisle, how wonderful to hear from you, I hope you have good news for us. How is the young girl now? I hope you understand that it will not be possible to grant another extension, we have been more than accommodating as it is."

"I have several things to discuss with you actually and I wondered if it might not be better if we were to talk on a video link, its more personal."

"Oh? I'm intrigued but certainly. Let me call Marcus, he usually organizes such things."

"Yes, it might be as well if I spoke to all three of you in any case. I'll be standing by."

I had decided I could probably rely on Marcus to stand with me, Caius was the wild card but like the others he owed me and I would be calling in the markers if it became necessary to do so.

It wasn't long before I heard the chime on my computer and switched the camera on to see Aro, Marcus, and Caius sitting together at Aro's desk.

"Well, we are eager to hear your news Carlisle."

"I have several favors to ask but something to offer in return. As you know Jasper's mate Bella went missing but has now been found in a rather fragile state of mind."

"We already know this Carlisle, it's why Aro gave you the extension."

"Yes Caius but I fear it is still too soon to change her, she needs time to heal mentally before the shock of transformation."

"Aro already told you no more extensions, let her change and then you can spend as much time as you like with her, nursing her back to health mentally. What else did you want?"

Caius was reacting just as I had feared but I didn't let him get to me.

"I think it's worth pointing out that to change her in her present mental state may lead to a newborn with extra problems, ungovernable, illogical, and unstable, and I'm sure the Volturi wouldn't want that."

"True, then kill her and let him find another."

Marcus jumped in at this,

"Caius you know as well as I do that you find your mate and stay with her, there are no second chances. If we kill Bella then The Major loses his mate and we gain a dangerous enemy. One the Volturi really doesn't need. I think we should listen to what Carlisle has to say before we start making any decisions."

Caius scowled at Marcus but Aro just nodded,

"Please Carlisle, carry on."

I waited a few seconds until Caius subsided still looking angry.

"Along with Bella we found two children, a teenager and a baby both of whom are with the family now."

Caius leaped from his seat furious,

"They should have been left behind or destroyed, what do you mean by putting us in danger dragging children into our world. Do you not remember the Immortal Children and all the trouble that caused?"

"Of course I do but I have no intention of changing them, not until they are adults in any case."

"And you think you can keep your secret from then until such time?"

This was the question I had been waiting for and I saw something click in Aro's head,

"I think perhaps there is something Carlisle has yet to tell us, possibly about these children. Go on Carlisle."

"It will be impossible to keep our secret from the youngest, she already knows."

"But you said she was a baby, how could she possibly know about us?"

"Skye, the baby, has a gift. Eleazar spotted it, she recognizes our true nature and also will have the ability to tell if someone is been less than honest. In other words a walking talking lie and Guardian detector. A gift the Volturi might find…..useful perhaps."

Aro's eyes were shining with excitement and avarice,

"I see, how fortunate that you saved her then Carlisle. Is the other child equally as gifted?"

"Eleazar thought so although perhaps not a gift the Volturi would value so much as Skye's. She has the ability to protect herself and possibly others from traumatic experiences."

I could see I had already lost their interest in Kat but I continued,

"What I propose it that the two children are brought up in our family until they are old enough to be safely changed. At that point they can decide if they will join the Volturi or not. Until that time they will be raised as human children, it might be a good thing, especially for Skye."

"And what makes you think she will keep her mouth shut about you and your family Carlisle?"

"Love Caius although I understand that is an alien emotion to you most of the time. Skye will be brought up as my daughter and Kat with Peter and Charlotte Whitlock."

Caius burst out laughing and even Aro had to smile,

"The Whitlocks? Do you really think that will be successful, he's something of a loose cannon himself after all.

"Perhaps if they were to stay with the Cullens, under Carlisle's influence it would work. Besides it would be good for the older child who must already have a bond with the younger."

I wasn't going to disabuse Marcus of that thought, not while it helped my cause.

"Precisely, the two girls should be kept together and I know Peter and Charlotte agree with that. The place we have just bought is big enough for us all. Bella too."

Aro smiled and Caius snorted,

"Ah yes Bella. I take it you wish for more time?"

"Yes I do."

"No, I think she's been given long enough Aro. Turn her or lose her, that's the message for The Major."

Aro shrugged raising his hands in a gesture of helplessness,

"You see what I am up against my friend."

"I see and you Marcus?"

It was a little unfair to ask Marcus but I needed to know if he would agree with Caius or back Aro who was more ambivalent on the subject.

"Oh I don't see the harm in giving the girl a little longer, after all there is no question of her refusing is there?"

"No, its just that her mental state is too fragile for now."

Caius banged the desk top,

"Excuses Carlisle, always excuses, get it done now."

I shook my head slowly as I began to answer him,

"I was hoping I wouldn't be forced to call in a favor but you should remember that you owe me Caius, in fact you owe me your life and I am only asking for more time, that's all."

I could see Marcus nodding and Aro looked at me keenly, he knew from my words that this was important to me. They all remembered the day an assassin from the Romanians got inside the citadel and prepared to kill the three brothers in their meeting chamber. He had the Greek fire ready and if I hadn't been suspicious of the newcomer and confronted him in the ante chamber all three brothers would have died that day.

There was an angry murmur from Caius and the picture was replaced by static, the brothers were "discussing" my proposal. It could go either way and if it went against me then all Jasper could do was take Bella and run. I thought I had won a reprieve for the girls but Bella might be the sticking point here.

The longer the static continued the more nervous I became, would Caius sway the others? Not Marcus I thought, he understood fair play but Aro could be persuaded by Caius to turn me down. I picked up a textbook on mental trauma and began to read knowing I could be in for a long wait but the screen cleared very quickly and I saw Caius was missing from the small group.

We have decided that your proposal regarding the children is a sound one. You will be responsible for them until they reach adulthood so if there are any slips it is for you to control and deal with them."

"Naturally. And Bella?"

He hesitated,

"This girl means a lot to you?"

"She's Jasper's mate so of course she does."

"Very well, as you pointed out we owe you so she has another three months but Carlisle….do not push us too far."

I heaved a sigh of relief,

"Of course not, Thank you Aro, Marcus, I appreciate your leniency."