Chapter Ninety Four

Aro

We had been waiting for word from The Major or word of his whereabouts and finally we caught a break, Felix had been watching and listening and overheard part of a conversation between The Captain and The Major so they had split up which was extremely unusual and somewhat worrying, especially as the Captain was with Charlotte and said she may have betrayed them, to who I wondered? They were headed towards Texas and The Major's hiding place. Charlotte was a Cullen so chances were she had something to do with the human girl who had been murdered by The Major as ordered. So maybe Carlisle was looking for revenge, it was a fascinating idea and not one I had thought him capable of before Edward had betrayed him. Perhaps his vampire nature was making itself felt at last.

Edward was certainly petrified although from what we could glean from the "fire" at the hotel he was staying at Carlisle was no longer alone, he had another vampire, a newborn with him and even more curious yet Darius. Now why would he still be helping out? He was only interested in working against us, or against Caius to be specific.

Maybe he thought he might get a sniff of his quarry, after all Carlisle would have told him Caius was responsible for what had happened although that would have been less than truthful as my dear brother along with Marcus simply took advantage of Edward's actions to have a little fun of their own. Of course I would have to watch Marcus more carefully after this but in a way Edward had done me a favor, I knew that he was a little less influenced by Chelsea's gift than I had imagined.

I told Caius what Felix had overheard,

"So?"

"I thought you might be interested in meeting Darius again as well as The Major dear brother. After all we have the advantage, we know where they were, he and the human girl who started all this. He went back where he started, the family farm, how touching, and Felix is tracking them so we will know where they are headed before anyone else. You can take Jane and Alec with you."

"And do what? You want The Major back or dead?"

"He may have gone underground but once we get him back here Chelsea can work her magic, after all can we really afford to lose such a useful member of the Volturi? Think of all the unrest he quashes just by his existence and the number of rebels who are no more because of his actions."

"How do we know he hasn't been subverted by an enemy? He could be more dangerous to us than to our enemies."

"Use your intelligence Caius, It shouldn't be difficult to find out where his loyalties lie. Perhaps you should take Chelsea with you as well. In fact I think I might accompany you myself brother. We can leave Marcus in control here with Felix to help."

Caius laughed harshly,

"I'd trust Felix before I trusted Marcus."

"Tut, tut, and after he let you in on his little rebellion Caius, that isn't very friendly."

We arranged for the Volturi jet to be made ready and I spoke to Marcus who had slipped back into his usual lethargy now Chelsea was working her magic on him more strongly. Felix would track The Major to his destination and we would be close behind ready to call on them and remind him just who he worked for.

"Don't you think it will be interesting to meet the human girl who has such power over The Major?"

"Power?"

"Caius think, The Major kills for fun yet he has kept a human girl alive and not only that he travels with her. Doesn't it make you think?"

"Maybe he wants fresh blood on tap."

"He can get that anywhere, no this girl is important to him."

"A descendant? A girl who amuses him? Keeps him warm in bed so to speak?"

"I doubt that but you may be right. It will be interesting to meet her in any case."

Felix contacted us before we landed to tell us The Major was making for the Wind River Mountain range, a remote place and a strange place to be taking a human.

"See Aro, I told you. He wanted a fresh supply of blood, up in the mountains he won't find many humans to feed on but he thinks he will be safe there."

"No, I think the answer is much more intriguing. You think The major would consider hiding? Who does he fear? Not us surely? In any case he would be safer among a crowd of humans no, he has another reason for hiding away. Also he is being pursued by Carlisle and his merry band whose only reason for hunting him can be the girl. I wonder what is so interesting about her."

"Do you think he recognized a gift in her? Perhaps that's why he has taken her and Carlisle and the others want to rescue her. How noble of them."

"We will see soon enough. Alec when we get close I want you to start building your gift, we may not have time to wait and your sister can give you a little advantage."

Alec scowled at his twin sister, he hated the thought I might think he needed her help but while her gift was instantaneous his wasn't although it was the more powerful in the long run.

The Major

When we finally left the cellar, much later than we should have Bella slept at my side, her head in my lap and I stroked her hair with one hand steering with the other. What had happened to me? I wasn't the same man who had ducked and caused her death such a short time ago, this was a new me, or rather a very old me who had been suppressed for so long. I couldn't think about all the terrible things I had done as The Major, things that shamed me. I wanted no part of him any more but I knew with the Volturi on our trail I had no choice.

Only The Major's skills gave us a chance to beat the odds but I promised myself I would find a way to keep my sweet Bella safe, even if to do so I had to surrender my own life. I thought back to the conversation we had before leaving, as we lay together naked, not exactly as I had wanted. It was hardly the most romantic of places but for now it was all we had and need had overridden any such considerations.

She pulled me close and kissed me as if we might never have another moment like this and when she finally broke away I saw a soft, loving, satisfied look in her eyes. Then she broke the silence,

"How long does it take to become a vampire?"

"About three days but it's extremely painful."

"But once it's over I won't feel pain ever again so I guess that's a small price to pay."

"There's time to talk about that later Bella. There's no rush."

"Yes there is Jasper. Once I'm a vampire we can stand together against the Volturi and they'd have no reason to want me dead, I wouldn't be a threat any longer. It's the best, the only way."

Before I could answer her my phone went and I picked it up looking at the caller ID. It came back as unknown, was this Charlotte with an update? Decided I had to answer I hushed Bella with a warning finger and spoke,

"Yes?"

"Major? This is Darius, I'm sure you've heard my name. In fact I'm amazed the Volturi haven't sent you after me yet."

"Maybe I have your name and just haven't gotten round to you yet."

"I look forward to that meeting but in the meantime I'm with Charlotte and Bella's father. I understand she's with you."

"I have no idea what you are talking about and as for Bella, I assume you are referring to Bella Swan, she's dead."

So Peter had been right, Charlotte had betrayed us!

"Peter is with us too although both he and Charlotte are unharmed. Charlie Swan just wants to speak to his daughter, we know she's alive and with you."

If they knew then there was a good chance that the Volturi did too or soon would, I didn't trust anyone. Our only hope now was to run.

"Sorry no idea who the fuck you are or what you're talking about."

I snapped my phone shut and cursed,

"You were wrong, Charlotte told them you are alive. The good news is that so is Charlie. He's with Darius which means he's probably with the Cullens. I've heard they're friends. We have to move quickly, they may already be on their way here."

After that we had dressed hurriedly and jumping in the truck took off hoping we had a good enough head start that they wouldn't catch us or be able to track us.