Chapter Fourteen

Jasper

I was slightly surprised to find a normal town within the walls until I thought about it, what better cover for these creatures than to live among humans but how did they do it? Those I had come in contact with seemed unable to control themselves among humans and there had to be people who cut themselves, kids who fell over and scraped their knees, not to mention the ladies of the town and their particular monthly problem. The wagon rumbled through the streets until it came into a large square with a fountain in the center. Directly opposite was a tall clock tower and it was at the steps of this that the wagon stopped. I could hear people walking around and chatting gaily and knew they had no idea of the monsters that lived among them.

We waited as the sun set, the heat in the covered wagon growing more and more intense until I could feel myself becoming light headed but when I called out a hand came through the rent in the canvas and grabbed me by the throat and then I heard a quiet menacing voice,

"You make another sound and I'll rip your tongue out, you don't need to talk for the job Aro has in mind for you."

Then I was released coughing and choking and I collapsed onto the floor heaving great gulps of hot stifling air and hoping I would be out of here soon. A little later there was movement at the back of the wagon and I tensed moving back but it was only Peter and he handed me a tin cup of tepid water,

"I'm sorry, its all I could chance Major."

Then he was gone again and I was left in this oven to bake alone.

By the time the cover was opened and I was dragged out of the cage I was only semi conscious, heat stroke having done its best to overtake me but as the huge vampire Felix dragged me up the steps and through the enormous doors of the clock tower I tried to shrug him off wanting to enter on my own, unaided. He let go and I almost fell but stopped myself in time and staggered dazed behind him down cool stone corridors that seemed to ripple as I looked. He stopped outside a pair of huge oak doors banded by iron and turned back to look at me,

"If you want to make a good impression now would be a good time... Major."

I didn't know if he were baitin' me but I pulled myself upright and brushed the dust of the wagon off my clothes as best I could before he nodded and opened the door which led into a huge chamber half filled with what I assumed were creatures although I could only see those closest to me, the light wasn't too good.

In the center of the chamber sat three individuals, seated on a raised platform, who could only be the Volturi Peter had told me about and they watched narrow eyed as I walked forward to stand before them.

"This is the famous Vampire Hunter? He doesn't look very dangerous to me."

The creature who spoke wore a dismissive scowl which really got my goat,

"You come down here and ya'll find out just how true the stories are."

It was crazy talk, I could hardly stand let alone fight but pride made me speak. The center creature put up a silencing hand and stood before stepping down to face, me,

"Major Whitlock, your fame precedes you. I understand you have destroyed many of our kind."

I looked around,

"Not enough quite obviously, y'all still round."

"We applaud your courage Major but it will do you no good here, we are superior to you in every way, you cannot fight us."

"Then why am I here? Why didn't ya just kill me along with the rest?"

"Very simply because we can use your talents."

"Talents? You call killin' scum like you a talent?"

"Of course, because you were so good at it. You were in point of fact doing us a service Major. But I see you are confused, would you like to sit down? Some refreshment?

I shook my head although I could feel the strength draining from my body with every minute that passed.

Aro

So this was the infamous Major, Caius was right he didn't look much right now at least physically, but there was a courage and determination in his eyes that told me I had made the right choice.

"Very well, we have a proposition for you."

"Go to hell."

"Oh, we are already here Major but you...well, you could help us considerably. Just now we are preoccupied with various uprisings and it has made us see that we need men like you, men who can control and command, men who can bring malcontents to justice, bring order."

"Malcontents? What in tarnation is that? I'm just a farm boy and don't know any fancy big words like ya'll use. And what makes you think I'd work for you?"

"Oh you will, once you are changed and motivated. Its amazing what blood lust will do to a man. You'll find yourself only too happy to pursue those we ask you to. Our own kind who become a problem, humans who see or discover too much. Not so different from the task you set yourself to accomplish."

"No, I won't hunt down my own kind, not for ya or anyone."

"Oh but you will Major because WE will be your own kind and humans a source of danger and sustenance but don't worry, you won't even think about it for at least a couple of years, until the blood fever abates."

Jasper

He gestured with his hand and the huge Felix came over gripping my arms tightly to my sides although I tried to struggle and at one point almost broke free but then he grunted something and wrenched and I felt the bones in my arms snap. I screamed and would have fallen to the ground had he not continued to hold me up.

"It's never wise to annoy Felix, he has such a short fuse, still the pain you are feeling now is nothing to that you will be feeling in a few moments Major."

He looked over my head and nodded and I felt sharp teeth slice into my neck. I thought at first I was about to die at the hands of the blood drinkers but then he lifted his mouth from my throat and for a second the pain abated somewhat. Then I felt it, liquid fire racing through my veins, the heat building until it was unbearable and I began to scream as Felix let go and I dropped to the stone floor writhing in agony.

Aro

I nodded and Felix picked up the Major and took him out, there was a room prepared for him in the catacombs until his transformation was over and then his training would commence although I thought he might surprise us all.

"Do you really think its wise to use that human as an enforcer? He didn't look anything special."

"No he didn't Caius but did you see the way he met my eyes without flinching, he will make a remarkable vampire and I think we will find him invaluable."

"Really brother? I hope you don't live to regret your decision."

I turned to Caius with a smile,

"Really? I would think you would be only too pleased to see me regret my decision but don't worry dear brother...I won't. The Major is going to save us much trouble in the future, he will be another Felix although I hope not so cerebral."

"Felix cerebral?"

"Oh yes Caius, Felix is much more intelligent than you give him credit for and I can see The Major being his greatest rival."

I turned to Marcus who had remained silent throughout the introduction,

"What do you think Marcus?"

"I think you are creating a terrible destructive weapon, one that will work admirably for us, so long as you maintain control of it."

"Yes, so do I dear brother, so we will ensure ourselves of his loyalty before we send him out."