Chapter Ninety Six
Darius
Well it wasn't going to be easy, first of all I traced the cell phone he had answered which was in Houston Texas or rather outside and I nodded. I knew The Major's history or at least enough to understand he had returned home although why was still a mystery. As I was scanning for any clues I heard something that had me listening in carefully, a hand up to my ear piece to blank out the voices of the others. When I turned back Carlisle saw my expression and hushed Charlie who was still scowling at Charlotte while Peter flatly refused to leave her.
"HEY SHUT UP AND LISTEN"
It suddenly went very quiet as everyone looked at me.
"We aren't the only ones looking for The Major and bad news folks the Volturi are close behind. We don't have time to mess around so let's just try and beat them to him, bearing in mind Bella is there and as far as we know still human."
Charlie's head whipped round at that,
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean? You think that bastard might have bitten her?"
"If they are mates then it's inevitable Charlie and it's probably her best chance of staying alive."
"And if not I guess he'll finish the job he started with me and drain her."
He reached over and almost dragged Peter through the gap,
"You know where they are going and one way or another you will tell me."
"Peter I think you should, Darius is right, we need to get there before the Volturi."
I was relieved Charlotte saw it my way and after a few seconds Peter nodded,
"OK but only if he agrees to listen to his daughter before trying anything with The Major."
"Oh I'll speak to my daughter don't you worry about that. I guess she hasn't be able to speak to me before, let me know she was OK."
"I told you Charlie we couldn't. It was safer for Bella if everyone thought she was dead."
"And you think I would have put her in danger Charlotte? My own daughter?"
"Well you did fucking kill her the first time Charlie."
Carlisle grabbed Peter and I restrained Charlie.
"Right, no more. We are fast running out of time which means so is Bella. Peter where are they heading?"
"I don't know for sure but the best bet would be the cabin in Western Wyoming up in the Wind River Mountains."
"Right well luckily we are already on the road while the Volturi haven't landed yet, still its gonna be a close run thing."
We hit the road once more in an awkward silence, the hostility in the air was almost thick enough to cut with a knife and I wished we had Emmett with us, we were going to need to be vigilant when we arrived or there could well be venom spilled on both sides.
"A few ground rules for everyone. No one starts anything until Charlie has spoken to Bella and that includes you Charlie. Bear in mind if Bella is still human any moves you make could put her in danger."
Peters whispered, "again" almost ignited the spark once more but Charlie restrained himself with difficulty.
"Any more cracks from you Peter and I will personally rip your tongue out now shut it. We need this van and all its equipment if we are going to reach The Major and Bella before the Volturi."
I kept a listening watch on the frequency used by Felix to contact the Volturi and I knew if we had no hold ups we would only be about an hour ahead of them. Not really enough time to sort out the problems between Peter, The Major and Charlie so everyone had to keep a cool head. I told Carlisle to put his foot down,
"I'll warn you of any speed traps or cops lying in wait so keep your foot to the floor."
We hit a small hold up, the aftermath of a car wreck on the highway which cut down our lead still further and when I heard the Volturi jet had landed I knew it was going to be really fucking tight.
Bella
The cabin was beautiful and the surroundings breathtaking once I recovered from the trip up in Jasper's arms. The truck went so far and then it was on foot the rest of the way. If I had been left to my own devices we would never have made it but Jasper carried both me and my meagre stock of drinks and snacks. What we would do once they ran out I had no idea but as long as I was with Jasper I didn't care.
The cabin was in the center of an alpine meadow although most of the wild flowers had gone over. As we approached I saw an elk and a couple of moose although they were spooked by my cries of delight.
"Oh, I frightened them."
"Good job because there are wolves close by, you may just have saved their lives."
Inside the cabin was spartan, there were no drapes at the windows only shutters and the hearth looked as if it hadn't seen a fire in a really long while. The air was crisp and fresh and I could imagine how cold it would be once the sun dropped below the mountains. I sat drinking a soda while Jasper collected some old blankets from the wooden couch frame and handed them to me.
"I can't risk lighting you a fire, the smoke would give our position away but I think these will keep you warm enough."
"If you change me we don't need to worry about the cold."
He nodded,
"I know but give me a little while to come to terms with finding my mate. I want to enjoy your company for a time. If the cold gets too much then we'll talk about it again."
I could see I wasn't going to get any further so I went to explore. There was no bathroom but I could see a ram shackled outhouse and groaned at the thought of using that dreading what might have made it home over the years.
There were only two rooms, one used as a living room and kitchen with an old log burning stove at one end and the hearth at the other. The other which served as a bedroom with a washstand, tin jug, and basin. It looked like something out of the Men of the Mountains books. Peering out of the glassless window frame I saw a wolf slink across the meadow following a small herd of deer and hoped they knew it was around. The deer reminded me of our situation, being tracked by the Volturi wolves and I shivered. Suddenly he was behind me wrapping a blanket around me and pulling me close.
"Come on I made you a little nest to sleep in."
I followed him out of the bedroom smiling to see a nest of blankets and old dusty coverlets.
"I'm sorry Bella I never really thought this through. I've never had to consider a humans needs before. This isn't going to work but it's too late to drag you back down today, it will be dark soon and the temperature is dropping like a stone."
He was right, I could see my breath and my nose was already going numb.
"Don't worry, I'll live, just stay close."
"If I cuddle you with this body you'll freeze even quicker."
"I don't care, I can't sleep unless you hold me and if I start to freeze you'll just have to change me."
He smiled,
"You are determined to join me aren't you?"
"I already have Jasper."
He kissed me and we settled down in my nest as the light faded away completely.