Chapter 118

The Major

I hated leaving Bella behind but it was for the best and I knew Peter would keep her safe, now it was time to push her to the back of my mind as much as I could and concentrate on what to do when we arrived. Darius was flying the private jet but listened in to the conversation on his headphones. The others sat around the huge boardroom table waiting expectantly for me to speak.

"This is Charlies party so let's hear from him first."

Charlie nodded and drummed his fingers on the polished wood as he collected his thoughts.

"Its good of all you to join me. Carlisle tells me he spoke to Eleazar who has promised to join us as quickly as he can. You all know why I want Aro Volturi and I intend to kill him and free Marcus from Chelsea's influence. It leaves a power vacuum which we have to fill quickly or risk our world falling to pieces. After talking to you all, it became abundantly clear that certain people were considered to be perfect for the job. Once Aro is dead I'll leave it to Carlisle and Eleazar to work with the remaining Volturi and decide who to put forward and how to work out the mechanics. So I'll pass the floor to Carlisle."

Carlisle sat forward,

"As Charlie said it's important to get a new governing body up and running as quickly as possible and to that end I thought we could make an interim council from among us and then ask the rest of the Volturi and any of our kind who want to become involved to do so and decide on a permanent council."

"Who were you thinking of for this interim council?"

The voice was Darius from the cockpit,

"You can count me out."

"Very well Darius if you prefer that. Is there anyone else who does not want to be considered?

I put my hand up,

"I just got out from under the Volturi and no disrespect, but I have no wish to work for a new council. I have more important things to worry about now."

Carlisle nodded,

"We thought as much which just leaves the rest of us along with Eleazar."

"Hey, I don't know anything about politics Carlisle."

"Maybe Emmett but you would soon learn unless you and Rose decide against it."

Eventually after much discussion the council comprised the following, Carlisle, Esme, Charlie, Eleazar, Alice, Graeson and Rose, Emmett Cullen deciding that he preferred to stay behind the scenes, at least for now.

"Next on the agenda is our method of entry to the citadel. The Major agreed to head the deputation along with Chief Swan. The rest of us can wait until they are inside before joining them or go en mass. Does anyone have anything to say regarding this?"

"It would be better if we all stayed together. That way Chief Swan can shield us all from the Volturi gifts. It would be better for the guard to see we have the numbers too. If they think it's just the two they aren't likely to consider swapping allegiance."

"I disagree Graeson, it would have far more impact if Chief Swan and The Major went in alone, showing their disregard for the might of the Volturi. The guard would appreciate that. Once Chief Swan takes out Aro then will be the time for the rest of us to join them."

There were plenty of murmurs at Darius words but then it was agreed that Charlie and I should go in alone after all Charlie could easily shield both of us.

By the time we landed transport had been laid on by Darius, three cars to take us to the foot of the hill Volterra sat on, there two cars would stay ready to move when the signal was given. A signal that I thought mere whimsy but everyone else liked, a pirate flag flying from the clock tower. I wondered what the citizens of Volterra would make of that? Charlie, Carlisle, and I took the first car, Alice, Graeson, and Esme the second and Emmett, Rose, and Darius the third, It was about now I began to miss Peter. I was used to having him by my side and now he wasn't there. Thinking about him brought Bella to the front of my mind again and I decided to ring and find out how she was if she was still speaking to me that was. She had been extremely upset at being left behind.

"Jasper? Are you there yet? What's happening? Are you OK?"

I smiled to myself, it seemed I had been forgiven after all.

"We're on our way to Volterra now, we had a hold up at the airport, a fuel leak but it was soon fixed. Are you OK? I hope you aren't giving Peter too hard a time."

"No, we sorted things out between us. You will be careful won't you?"

"Of course, I'll be back soon, this shouldn't take long. I love you, Bella."

"I love you too."

She seemed brighter and I put that down to Charlotte's influence because Peter would still be bitching about being left behind and I had no doubt he would make my life a misery for a few months when we got back, but then I remembered, I had no idea what Peter would decide to do. He might have decided on a new life away from any reminders, a life with his mate, I couldn't blame him although the idea of never seeing him again did send a sharp pain through my chest, we had been a team for so long now.

At the foot of the hill the other two cars pulled up and Carlisle went to join Esme while we carried on up to the gates of town and drove slowly along the winding streets to the central square parking outside the clock tower, the main entrance to the citadel. Getting out we strode up to the double glass doors and pushed our way through coming face to face with one of the receptionists, vampire groupies as Peter called them. She smiled nervously at Charlie then turned her attention to me,

"Major we weren't expecting you."

"That's OK you rarely are. I know my way around. Come on Chief."

She knew better than to try stopping me, but I saw her scurrying for the phone as we went through to the inner hallway of the building.

"Follow me and keep your eyes peeled, we won't be alone for long."

"Got ya."

We were about a hundred yards from the main audience chamber when Jane appeared suddenly and I called a warning to Charlie as Felix reached out from a doorway and yanked me inside slamming the door. I cursed my own stupidity. I had been so focused on keeping Charlie up to speed that I had neglected my own security and before I could fight him off I felt everything dissolve to gray and then black.

Charlie

I recognized the girl and threw my shield out only to find I was alone, I turned but there was no sign of Jasper and I cursed. Deciding all I could do was to carry on with our mission, I pushed past the girl who was staring at me as if wishing she could kill me with a look.

"I'd give up if I were you, your gift doesn't work on me, girl."

I could tell she was following me as I walked on faster, the quicker I disposed of Aro the quicker I could look for Jasper and the shorter the time he was in the hands of the present Volturi. Throwing the two guards who flanked the doors away with the doors themselves I marched into the chamber to find Aro and another large black cloaked figure standing together talking.

"Sorry to interrupt folks but you and I have something to talk about Aro. Who are you?"

The other man bowed his head slightly,

"Marcus Volturi at your service and you must be the girls, father. I'm surprised The major allowed you to come alone or did he?"

He looked around at the guards who stood waiting for new orders,

"I don't see Alec or Felix, so perhaps The Major has problems of his own, how interesting."

"Marcus get away from Aro, he's the one I have the quarrel with not you. Unless of course you want to join him that is."

Just to let you know I will be away for two weeks from tomorrow so postings will be as and when I am able. Thanks, Jules xx