Chapter Thirty Nine
Aro
I was in a difficult position now, after all I hadn't told Carlisle who had rung me and I knew he would be crushed if he ever found out. If it had been merely a whim I could keep it from my brothers, after all Carlisle was a close friend and loyal to the Volturi in every other way. My problems would begin if the others found out what Carlisle had been doing.
All I could do was keep a close watch and hope for the best. At least for a few weeks it shouldn't be a problem, Caius never answered his cell phone while he was off on one of his adventures and Marcus had his nose in his books and papers, he was the last person to get a call like this. Even so when Felix got back two days later I explained the situation to him seeing his raised eyebrows when I told him what I had done.
"What is it you want me to do Aro?"
"Listen and watch. If there are any more calls to Volterra I want them routed to me, no one else, is that understood?"
"Of course, but was it wise? I know Carlisle is a friend but even so?"
I knew Felix was just worried for me so I just smiled,
"Sometimes it is necessary to bend the rules, Carlisle meant no harm and I doubt we would have ever heard anything if not for a chance of fate."
Carlisle
As the others pored over the map I took my cell phone and the piece of paper with Nathaniel's number on it and rang hoping he would answer. I wanted to know why he had betrayed our trust. What we had done to make him tell the Volturi about us and about Bella. It just didn't make sense, I thought we had parted friends, how wrong I had been. When he answered he sounded surprised but not concerned or nervous,
"Carlisle?"
"Just tell me one thing Nathaniel, why? What did we do to earn your wrath?"
"Carlisle? I'm sorry I don't follow you."
"I never thought for one second you would turn us in to the Volturi. I just want to know why you did it."
"Back up just a minute, the Volturi? You think I spoke to the Volturi? About what exactly Carlisle?"
I hesitated, he sounded genuinely puzzled and a little hurt,
"The Volturi know about Bella, about our friendship with her."
"And you think I told them? Why on earth would I do so? I thought I left as a friend with the family."
"So did I but if not you then who?"
"I don't know but I can assure you that I have spoken to no one about meeting you and if I had I certainly wouldn't be mentioning the human girl. What will you do now?"
"Leave, or rather we have already left."
"I see, well all I can do is to wish you the very best of luck although I don't fancy your chances against the Volturi guard. I am deeply sorry to hear you are in serious trouble Carlisle, I enjoyed my visit and hoped to repeat it in the future. I hope you find out who it was but I assure you it wasn't me, I have no love for the Volturi and certainly no desire to open any communication with any of them."
I apologized before ending the call and turned to the others,
"Well he sounded sincere."
"But if not him then who Carlisle?"
Esme was shaking visibly, this had terrified her,
"I don't know my love, I really thought it must be Nathaniel."
"Maybe hes lying."
"Well it's certainly a possibility Rose but he sounded genuinely shocked to hear my news."
"OK who else knew about Bella?"
Emmett was holding up one hand,
"As far as I know it was only us and Nathaniel. So if not him then it has to be one of us."
They looked at each other and I shook my head,
"No, I don't believe Edward would put our lives in jeopardy, however upset he was. Besides whoever told Aro gave him Bella's full name and put her in equal danger."
"Come to think of it Carlisle I don't remember anyone telling Nathaniel Bella's full name which brings us back to….."
"Edward, the fool, the stupid, evil, bastard."
Rose's voice was an angry hiss and I thought if he'd been here right now she might well have torn him to pieces herself.
"Well even if it was Edward the damage is limited. We just need to find somewhere new to settle and Aro will handle the rest, And once we are settled I will track down Edward if he hasn't come home by then."
"If he comes back I'll beat the truth out of him Carlisle."
"Emmett please, lets not resort to violence until we know exactly what happened."
He snorted as if to say I was an idiot for doubting their conclusion but I just couldn't bring myself to believe that Edward would be so reckless and put us all in such peril.
Eventually after much discussion we decided not to move too far until we heard from Edward. I had a funny feeling that just wouldn't go away, a feeling that this wasn't over by far, yet with Aro on our side we were surely safe, Bella too. I felt guilty that I hadn't contacted her but Alice came to me and asked to speak in private so we went for a walk. I was hoping she'd seen something to allay my fears.
"I left a message for Bella."
I looked at her in astonishment,
"I told you to get away quickly. I wasn't to know the Volturi weren't already on their way although I don't think Aro would lie to me."
"I know but I couldn't just leave her like that. I didn't tell her anything, just that we wouldn't see her again and reminded her to keep quiet about us. That wouldn't hurt surely Carlisle? Really I wanted to apologize for not seeing anything. I should have seen the danger coming. I think maybe I didn't because it was Edward. Do you think he did it?"
"I don't know Alice, I don't want to believe so but I really don't know. How's Charlotte? This must all be a shock for her. Perhaps we should suggest she leaves the family."
"Do you think we're still in danger?"
"I really don't know, possibly, I wonder if she wouldn't be better off going it alone though."
When we went back Charlotte was waiting for me,
"I know you're in trouble Carlisle, or you might be but I'd like to stay, to help. This is the first time I've felt loved and wanted and I'd like to stay. I know you must be thinking of telling me to go, to get away in case the Volturi do appear but I'd rather die than live alone again."
What could I do in the face of such an impassioned plea?
"Of course, as long as you understand the danger. I'm going to try and talk to Edward if he will answer his phone and I'd be most obliged if the rest of you held your peace. If he hears you I won't get a chance to speak to him. Have you found somewhere?"
"Yes, Bellingham, we can get to Alaska from there and visit Carmen and Eleazar."
"Do you think they'll welcome us if they know the Volturi might be after us Esme?"
Esme looked devastated, she hadn't thought about that we could possibly bring trouble to our friends.
"Do you still want to go to Bellingham my love?"
"What I want is to find out who did this to us. Get Edward on the phone and ask him Carlisle."
From her tone of voice I thought she might track him down and kill him slowly if she found out he was responsible, a mother bear protecting her cubs would be less dangerous.