Chapter 120

Charlie

I was worried about Jasper but for now all I could do was to finish what I came here to do and worry about finding him later. I doubted Aro would have him killed, he was far too valuable for that.

"So Chief Swan, I take it you feel you have some grievance with the Volturi. You were able to warn The Major and his mate of danger and everything worked out well so I am at a loss to understand just what is upsetting you."

I ignored him and turned to Marcus,

"I have no quarrel with you Marcus Volturi even though you were the one who initially put my daughter's life in jeopardy. I understand your intention was to upset Aro. You can choose to stay or leave."

"Oh, I think I'll stay if you don't mind, just to see fair play of course."

He turned and walked slowly to the raised dais taking his seat on one of the ornately carved wooden chairs that were more like thrones. They would be the first thing to go once we took charge of the Volturi.

Aro glanced at his brother before returning his attention to me looking calmly serene.

"So, now the sideshow is over perhaps you could tell me why you are here? And why you came with The Major, an employee of mine."

"Ex-employee I think but that's for later, I'm here because you broke your word to me that my daughter and he would be left in peace."

"Really? I understood it was humans who attacked them not Volturi guards. You can hardly hold me responsible for their actions."

"Actually I can because they talked before they were killed and a leader who can't be trusted to keep his word doesn't deserve to keep that position and I'm here to take it from you."

As I finished speaking I heard the sound of footfalls and knew the guard were forming up at my back but I wasn't concerned, they couldn't harm me and if they tried getting any closer they would discover as much for themselves.

"Tell your goons to stand down Aro, we both know they are useless against my shield."

"True Chief Swan but they aren't here to threaten you, no indeed. They are here for another purpose entirely. Felix."

A huge guard appeared at my side but several feet away, as close as my shield would allow him.

"Aro?"

"Has Chelsea finished her work?"

"Yes, shall I bring him in?"

"Please do."

I watched as the one called Felix walked to the door and opened it enough to allow another entrance. It was The Major although his eyes were dead looking and skimmed over me as he walked forward.

"Now Chief Swan, you said something about an ex-employee. Surely you weren't referring to my ultimate deterrent here, The Major?"

"Your weapon? If he is it's because he has no choice, but you forget I can be a weapon too. One you can never control."

Ignoring me he gazed at Jasper,

"Major, I'd like you to tear off your right hand."

I watched in horror as he did exactly what Aro asked and stood venom dripping down from his wrist and making a puddle on the floor. He had staggered slightly but recovered himself and I heard a ripple of excitement race through the crowd behind me.

"You see a weapon can always be turned on itself. Of course, you have it in your power to stop this. Just leave, promise to stay away and keep your daughter away too and we can go back to the way things were, well almost. I doubt I will get the opportunity to persuade the Captain to rejoin me and, of course, you can never be human again but you can change your daughter with our blessing and then if you like we could find her a mate from among the guard. Perhaps even Alec here."

He snapped his fingers and a young boy, not as old as my daughter stepped forward smiling cruelly.

"He looks young but I assure you he is old enough, or, of course, you can choose someone else for her. That's your decision, she is your responsibility."

I looked at Jasper ready to throw my shield over him too but as I thought this a kind of fog settled over him and he became still and blank.

"Alec here has an interesting gift, he can cut you off from the world totally and only he can bring someone back once affected so you see, if you insist on trying to shield The Major you will be shielding a statue. I suppose he might look good in a garden, but I think he'd prefer life to that don't you? And what would your Bella say if she heard you were responsible for turning her love to stone? It's a dilemma I understand that. Of course, you are asking yourself, is he lying this time? If I shield The Major will he be freed from Alec's gift? It's something of a conundrum and I can't stop you from trying, but I can say I warned you."

"If I agree to leave and stay away you'll free him from Alec?"

"Certainly but I should just tell you one more thing. Someone who has been affected by Alec is never free of the curse, it takes only a second for it to be triggered and I know you couldn't possibly keep him inside your shield for eternity, it could be awkward to say the least. Now, what would you prefer? Bearing in mind Felix there could decapitate him in the time it takes you to throw out your shield."

I was torn, Aro had me and I could see no way out. All I could do was hope Aro was lying and we could spring The Major later. He'd worked happily with Aro for years so a few more wouldn't be that bad, except for Bella, but I would explain the circumstances to her. There was more noise at the doors and I turned to see Carlisle appear.

"Carlisle old friend, I thought it was odd you not coming with Chief Swan. I was just explaining his options to him, perhaps you would like to join us."

As Carlisle stepped forward he slowed and then stopped, caught in the same trap as The Major. I turned back to send my shield out but there was another guard, similar in build to Felix, an arm around Carlisle's neck and I hesitated.

"A wise move. You see how things are Chief Swan? Let me give you one more demonstration, just to drive the message home. Felix"

I watched as Felix ripped Jasper's remaining arm from his shoulder without the slightest flicker of anything crossing his face.

"It could have been his head and next time it will be. You should leave, once you are out of Italy I will release Carlisle and he can join you."

"What about Jasper?"

"Jasper? Oh you mean The Major, well he's back where he belongs and tied to me now so tightly nothing can come between us. Yet another of the gifts I hold in my arsenal."

As I looked around at the guard who were quite content to stand and watch the proceedings like it was a piece of theater I noticed Marcus look to the door again as if startled and then I heard it, a human heartbeat and I knew without seeing her that Bella was in Volterra, was just outside the door. Aro smiled vindictively,

"It seems your daughter is as much a nuisance as you Chief Swan, well let's have a little diversion shall we? Felix, take Carlisle out and kill him, Santiago, take some men and bring our other guests in all except the human, keep her outside and out of view."

He looked at me meaningfully, knowing my shield although powerful would only work on those I could physically see. I turned my attention to Carlisle trying to screen him and seeing as he began to come round, but it had been a ruse. As I concentrated on him Aro had signaled Alec and The Major came round as he threw his right arm back to him,

"Major, kill the human girl."

I was too late to stop him, Jasper was lightening fast and all I could do was scream a warning and pray for a miracle but Aro's gloating expression was more than I could take and I lashed out with my shield throwing him backwards into the far wall then pushing him violently against the opposite wall time and time again until there was a glistening path of venom which showed his passage and he lay a crumpled wreck of smashed vampire flesh against one of the "thrones."

"Move Marcus!"

For a big man he moved remarkably fast and I threw a lighted match in the venom trail where it gutted for a second before flaring up and devouring everything in its path including Aro Volturi, or what was left of him. Not waiting to see the end I rushed past the guards who were thrown out of my way by my shield only turning it off as I raced through the doors into the corridor.