Chapter 121

Bella

The building seemed empty, we saw no one as we passed along the corridors following Peter and then he stopped us with a hand raised in warning. We were about to follow Peter looking for Jasper when the doors ahead opened and first Carlisle being manhandled by a guard and then Jasper came out. I cried out in relief to see him alive and well until that is he turned his head to look at me. There was no recognition in those eyes, just a cold hatred, very much like the first time I had seen him.

"Fuck, Aro's got him under Chelsea's control Emmett come on help me stop him before he kills Bella."

They ran forward while Rose and Charlotte tried to drag me away, but I refused to go, stubbornly hanging on to the edge of a door frame. I saw first Peter and then Emmett go flying and Carlisle struggle with the huge guard who was trying to rip his head off. As he cried out Rose turned and after a seconds hesitation went to help her father.

Jasper came running down the corridor headed straight for me and I pushed Charlotte away,

"It's me he wants not you. Go help Peter. He won't hurt me."

Again I knew without knowing although as he stopped in front of me, his eyes dark and blank, one arm only just attached to his shoulder I shuddered.

"Bella step aside."

I looked over his shoulder to see Charlie standing there and I knew he was going to use his shield to stop Jasper even if it meant killing him.

"No, I can get through to him wait, dad, please."

Working on instinct I held out my hand and touched his injured arm,

"Jasper, it's me, Bella. Whatever this is, fight it, please. If you don't they'll kill you. I love you, Jasper, please."

For a second I thought I had lost but then something flickered in those beautiful golden eyes, recognition, and he whispered my name,

"Bella?"

"Yes it's me. I know you told me to stay in Portland, but I couldn't, I had to come and find you. I love you, Jasper."

His jaw worked as if he were trying to break free of something very strong and then he held out his arms,

"Bella? Thank god you're here."

He almost collapsed into my arms and we slid down the wall together. Seeing that Charlie was still ready to act I twisted to put my back to him shielding Jasper from harm as he clung to me like a drowning man.

Jasper

Everything went suddenly black like my life switch had been thrown and I existed no more. When I came to again I wasn't the man I wanted to be. Jasper Whitlock was trapped inside while The Major held sway, answerable only to Aro Volturi. When he sent me to kill Bella I screamed in my head hoping it would get through to the entity in control of my limbs, my movement, and then I saw her and suddenly I broke through the rage and anger and found myself in her arms, The Major nothing but a distant memory although how she came to be here, to save me, I had no idea.

For now all I needed was to be right here in those tender sweet arms listening to her voice sooth my fears and calm my soul. Turn me back into the man I remembered, the human who had fought for what he believed in only to see everything snatched away from him. This time, no one would snatch what was mine. I would defend Bella to the death, even The Major couldn't beat my need to protect my mate and I knew this time he was defeated for good.

Charlie came towards us cautiously and I turned to reassure him,

"We're OK dad, you go back I'll stay with Jasper."

He nodded and went back the way he had come while Charlotte squatted down at my side,

"I think it might be best if we got out of the building Bella. There are too many vampires around and at present no strong leader to give them orders."

I understood and pulled on Jasper's arm,

"Come on you need to heal and Charlotte's right."

He didn't argue with me just stood up and wrapped an arm comfortingly around me.

"Don't worry Bella, I won't let anything happen to you but we'll leave, your dad seems to have everything under control here."

Charlie

I walked back into the audience chamber to see Carlisle barring the only other exit to Marcus who instead of fighting him merely stood looking at the spot I had burned his companion.

"So Chief Swan am I next on your kill list after all?"

"No, I told you that you were free to leave and I stand by that but it's your decision. Which of these is Chelsea?"

He motioned to a tall willowy brunette who stepped forward cautiously.

"I'm Chelsea."

"Then I want you to set Marcus free."

"He already is, the moment Aro died the bond dissolved."

"So Marcus?"

He nodded,

"Thank you, Chief Swan, for freeing me. I will leave but are you sure you can trust me?"

"You don't want to be here. From what Carlisle tells me you've been a prisoner for centuries, why would you want to stay. Unless of course you think you could do a better job of ruling than Aro?"

"That goes without saying, but I have no wish to rule our world, I'm weary and I would like to go home."

"Where would that be?"

"With my dearest mate Didyme and I shall find a way to join her, you have no need to fear me."

We all watched as he left the room, his shoulders rounded and his step slow.

The guard still stood watching as Emmett, Carlisle, and the others joined me making a formidable group but one they would attack at the slightest hint they might be in danger.

"Chelsea, I want you to free anyone who was tied to the Volturi using your gift."

"Like I said they are all free already now Aro is dead. They were all loyal to him through my gift."

"Right, anyone who wants to go may leave Volterra now or stay as you choose. If you stay you will remain in the employ of the new Volturi council and pledge your allegiance to it."

Felix stepped forward, their spokesman,

"Who will be on the new council? Do we have any say?"

"The interim council will comprise those you see here plus Eleazar..."

There was a murmur of recognition at his name,

"Esme my mate, and Rosalie from my family. We will run things until a new council can be sworn in and a representative from the old guard who remain would be welcome to join us but we will not tolerate any gift being used inside these walls without the agreement of the council. So Chelsea, Jane, Alec, and anyone else with a special gift must come forward now and agree to this."

Carlisle

Charlie had their full attention and it was obvious that he would be an excellent choice for council leader, commanding men was his specialty without his own gift even being taken into consideration. I left him talking and went to find the others and tell them to join us, but I had been beaten by Bella who had already told them the good news. Esme had gone to the wives tower to speak to Athenadora and Sulpicia and I waited on the steps of the clock tower for her thinking about the death of my old friend, he had tried to do right by me but it hadn't been enough to save him. There had just been too much bad in him to outweigh the good.

I heard my name and turned to see Athenadora had joined me and I hadn't even noticed.

"Is it true? Is Aro dead? Sulpicia said she felt it. She locked herself in her private chamber and I fear she might join him. It must be wonderful to love someone so much that you can't live without them."

"You don't miss Caius?"

"No but then we were never mates as I am sure you knew and now I'm free to start again."

She hesitated,

"Go on."

"Do you think there is a chance I could serve on any new council?"

"Would you want to?"

"Yes, I've been locked up in that damn tower for far too long. I'm educated and not a fool. I could do as well, no better, than my husband and Aro."

"Then I see no reason why not. Chief Swan would welcome your input."

Still she hesitated then it came out in a rush.

"Would Edward be safe here now? I ask because he and I have...become close. He is...Edward is my mate Carlisle."

The words rang loud in my ear, but I could hardly credit them even so.