Chapter Ninety Eight
Aro
Edward Cullen rang once more, he was becoming tedious, to tell us what we already knew, that Bella Swan was still alive and with The Major. When he heard what he had to say wasn't news he sounded quite deflated and even more so when I cut off his plea for a safe sanctuary.
"Edward there is no safe place for you in our world or in the human world I would hazard a guess. I suggest you just keep running and please don't call me again."
Caius was stunned by the news the girl was The Major's mate although I had all but told him the same thing.
"Well at least we know his Achilles heel at last, all we need to do is to lay hands on the girl and he will fall meekly into line again."
I wasn't quite so optimistic, laying hands on The Major's mate might be a little more tricky than my dear brother envisaged but I decided to let him wallow in his dreams for now.
The next call was far more interesting, Felix had pinned down The Major's position and told us that Darius and his two "prisoners" were beyond the ridge and out of sight of the cabin while Carlisle and The Major were facing off. Bella's father, the newborn had disappeared into the cabin so presumably Bella was in there.
Luckily we were approaching from the opposite side so wouldn't be in view of Darius and his "prisoners" and if Alec used his gift on them and allowed it to spread out to envelop The Major and Carlisle while Jane and Caius dealt with The Major, without killing him I could take the other two guards and Santiago with me and speak to the girl and her father. The fact he was already a vampire would make it easy for her to choose the same rather than losing her life and we would take her from the scene before The major could do anything about it.
Alec, Jane, and Caius slipped from us and made their way behind the unsuspecting group while we waited for his gift to start working before making our way down the other side of the ridge. There wasn't a sound from anyone except a low murmur from inside the cabin and a slightly louder one from Carlisle and The Major but that was becoming fainter as Alec worked his magic. Santiago burst in through the back door of the cabin and I followed to find the girl and her father in the middle of a confrontation.
They turned hearing the noise and I could tell the girl recognized who I was because she let out a cry and then called for Jasper. Jasper? It had been many decades since The Major carried that name, so he and the girl were close, very close.
"Greetings Bella and you must be chief Swan. It is a pleasure to meet you. Bella, I believe you understand our laws so you will also understand the ultimatum I am about to give you."
Her father stepped forward to come between us and I smiled,
"As a newborn you don't understand the way things work. Either Bella becomes a vampire or she dies, that's the law."
"Its OK dad I already decided, Jasper will change me."
"Over my dead body. You stay human rather than shack up with that killer."
"Dad I love him and he loves me, we want to be together."
"I'll bet you do right now but once you get the hell away from him you'll change your mind and no one is threatening you. Not even the Volturi."
I signaled with my hand and Santiago stepped forward grinning at the opportunity to get his hands on a newborn, but three things happened at once. Santiago and the other two guards were propelled backward at such a speed they crashed straight through the cabin wall, The Major screamed and Bella rushed for the front door.
She almost made it before running into an apparently invisible wall while the guards were finding it impossible to reach us again. There was a shield around Bella and her father and I stretched out my hand to touch him but found it impossible, well this was interesting, a shield this strong could be very useful. Bella turned back glaring at me as The Major screamed again.
"What are you doing to him? Let me go. Dad help me."
"So she thought I was the one who was stopping her from going to her mate. Looking out the window we could see him writhing on the ground while Carlisle looked on white faced and Alec stood at the top of the ridge. He had disobeyed my orders to allow his sister some fun. He must have Darius and the others under his "spell" and was watching with glee as Jane tortured her subject.
"Leave him be, he hasn't done anything. He was going to change me."
I looked at her in innocent wonder,
"Me? Oh, I'm afraid you are pointing the finger at the wrong person Bella. My shield only protects me."
I gestured to Renata who stood at my shoulder then glanced at her father,
"I think you should be looking elsewhere."
As another scream rent the air she clenched her fists,
"Just stop it, please."
"Shall we go out and meet the others, I think I see Caius escorting them over the ridge."
Chief Swan peered out then opened the front door and Bella ran outside trying to get to her mate who was now laying sightless and unaware covered by Alec's gift once more. He had pulled it back just enough to get his prisoners to walk rather like zombies I would imagine and they stopped about twenty feet from The Major and Carlisle, the other side from our small party.
I rubbed my hands together in glee,
"Well, it seems we are all here at last so let's conclude our business. Caius, I think you have business with Darius so once Alec frees him you can carry on. Carlisle and his "family member" Charlotte can be released to return home which just leaves The Major, the Captain, Bella and her father."
Bella was being held back by her father although she struggled hard.
"What will you do with them? With Jasper and Peter?
"Oh, first name terms, how sweet. Unfortunately, we have no need of renegades and The major became one when he cut off contact with us so I fear he and his "friend" will be subject to Volturi law and justice. Such a shame really but it always comes down to the love of a woman. You on the other hand can join us and continue with your new life, you and your father that is although I rather think it would be best if the two of you came to Volterra for a while..."
I looked knowingly at her father,
"Away from bad influences."
He looked over at the seemingly unconscious Major,
"I'm looking for a certain traitor, I can't find him in Volterra so I don't think so."
"You mean Edward Cullen? I'm sure a leave of absence could be arranged for you Chief Swan, under the circumstances."
Bella glanced at him horrified,
"You are going to kill Edward?"
Her father stared her coldly and nodded,
"He betrayed you in the first place and once I destroy him I'd like the chance to do the same to that bastard."
He gestured at The Major, oh this was getting better and better.
"No dad you can't, I love him."
Now that didn't go down at all well with her father and I wanted him more than The Major so I gestured to his prostrate body,
"Why not end it now, be done with this silliness. Once in Volterra Bella will forget all about him. She can change safely and I am sure she will find someone more suitable to be her mate, in time. But, of course Bella would never forgive you if you were to kill The Major personally so allow us to do it for you, Bella can blame us instead."