Chapter 124

Bella

When we landed Charlie was waiting with a car to drive us to Volterra and seeing him was wonderful, he looked so good and I couldn't help running to him and hugging him tightly, just a little too tightly I guess as he groaned.

"Never thought I'd be saying this to my own daughter but please let go you're gonna crush my ribs."

I giggled standing back and twirling around in my excitement like a little girl showing off her new party frock.

"See dad, don't I look good too and I haven't had a drop of human blood."

"Good on you but from what I hear you've drawn enough venom."

I had the grace to look embarrassed as Jasper rubbed his shoulder, my favourite target when I got stressed out.

On the drive to Volterra, Charlie filled us in on all the gossip almost as if he didn't want us to have time to ask any questions. Marcus had disappeared and they all believed he had killed himself to be reunited with his mate, Jane had formed an attachment with a newcomer to the guard much to everyone else's amusement as he was twice her height and three times as big. The council weren't having many problems once the teething period had passed, in fact more vampires were now visiting their spiritual home to ask for help in sorting out problems rather than fighting to the death to retain a small area as private hunting grounds and to use the archives. Edward it appeared was extremely useful in weeding out anyone who was more interested in spying out the lay of the land than researching and anyone he pointed out was watched until the council were satisfied it was just idle curiosity and not something more sinister.

"How are Carlisle and Esme coping having him around as a reminder?"

"They largely ignore him if he is around, but he pretty well keeps to himself in the archives or the tower with Athenadora. She is good for him, she doesn't stand for any nonsense and she insisted he got new fingers transplanted. The rest of us are still pretty busy untangling the mess that was Aro's private accounts and books in a code. He ran his own show beneath the exterior and had a network of spies we are still trying to identify and contact. We found a huge bank account in the Cayman Islands that we are going to use to set up a foundation for anyone who wants to change their diet or further their education. There are a lot of vampires who would prefer a more settled life than they have as nomads so we are buying up property all around the world that can be used by any of our kind at any time. The nomads are our weakest link and anything we can do to strengthen their self-control and civilise them the better and safer for our kind in general."

It sounded more like a philanthropic foundation than the ruling council of a potentially lethal species, but I was glad because it gave everyone purpose. When we got to Volterra the others were there to greet us and I was whisked away by Esme and Athenadora to hear all the latest gossip, far more interesting tidbits than Charlie had. It included all the latest scandal like Jane's companion Robert, an English vampire and friend if anyone could say that, to Carlisle's friend Alistair. He was huge, very much like Felix yet she led him around like a puppy on a lead.

"Mind I think she'll find it's a different matter once he decides enough is enough. He adores her and we all know she is struggling not to admit they are mates and losing that battle rapidly."

Athenadora tapped Esme on the shoulder with a knowing smile,

"Don't forget about Chloe."

Esme threw her a warning glance which, of course, had me in bloodhound mode immediately,

"Chloe? Who's she?"

"No, one Bella. Just another newcomer to the place. Really"

I glanced over at Athenadora who was trying and failing miserably, to pretend Esme was right.

"Esme, spill, now."

She sighed frowning at her companion,

"We really should leave it to Charlie to break the news, he's nervous enough as it is and I'm dying to hear all about your experiences as a newborn."

She wouldn't be deflected and asked question after question until Jasper finally found and rescued me.

We walked arm in arm to the suite of rooms allotted to us and as we did so he began to tell me about all the old laws the new council had repealed and the few they either amended or toughened up.

"Who's Chloe?"

He stopped talking at my sudden interruption and frowned,

"Chloe? Should I recognize that name?"

"Apparently."

I told him of the strange conversation I had with Esme and Athenadora and he just shrugged.

"I have no idea, no one mentioned her to me but no doubt we'll find out soon enough."

Our suite looked out onto the main square one of only three with such a view, the rest all looked inward onto one of the three courtyards that formed the center of the complex. We avoided going out until after dark not because it was sunny, inside the citadel that didn't matter but because we had been warned that Heidi was due back with a group of humans that afternoon and though I was still curious about the taste of human blood we both decided it would be better if I wasn't tempted too much. Instead, we spent the afternoon with Carlisle and Esme who were still animal hunters I was pleased to see and were having some success in persuading a few of the guard to try their diet.

"We don't push it on anyone we just explain our ideology to them. Several of the guard, the newest member which is only to be expected, are the most interested, it's much harder for those who have been on a vampire's natural diet for decades if not centuries."

That evening we went to a party that was being held in the largest of the courtyards and as we walked in I saw Edward at the piano playing softly as couples danced or stood talking, crystal goblets in their hands filled with what smelled a lot like cold blood. I stiffened and looked at Jasper,

"What is that?"

"Human blood, maybe we should leave."

"No I'm not being pushed around by the thought of human blood, does it smell odd because it's cold?"

"Yes, it's cool, not cold, a favorite of Athenadora's I fancy, you'll notice no one is actually tasting it. That would be like drinking from a corpse."

"Ew, gross."

That put me right of tasting some myself although the color of the liquid in the goblets was beautiful when caught by the moonlight and candles.

Jasper nudged me and I turned to see my dad walk into the room, however, he wasn't alone. On his arm was a statuesque redhead with the strangest amber eyes, wearing a floor-length gown that shimmered as she walked. It was bad enough seeing Charlie with a woman, let alone one who looked as if she belonged on a Paris catwalk!

"I'm just guessing here of course, but I'd say that's probably the Chloe we've heard about. It looks like you dad found himself a mate although I don't recognize her."

I was shocked rigid, why hadn't he mentioned Chloe to us on the drive to Volterra earlier?

"Well let's see what he has to say for himself now shall we."

I could feel the tension rising in my body as I felt every pair of eyes on my face waiting avidly for my reaction. They all knew, of course, but no one had said a word to me.

I headed straight for him and seeing me he said something to the woman who looked over and smiled warmly. As soon as we were close enough she held out her hand, a diamond sparkling on her engagement finger.

"Bella, it's wonderful to meet you at last, I've heard so much about you and you too Jasper."

I touched hands with her swiftly then gave my dad a challenging look and he was gracious enough to look a little embarrassed.

"Bella, Jasper allow me to introduce you to Chloe, my mate and wife."

Wife? When did that happen and why didn't he tell me before instead of dropping it on me like this?

"I said we should have told you but I think Charlie was a little worried you might react badly as you were still tackling being a newborn."

So they had got married without inviting us? Without even letting me know?

"Sorry Bells it just happened so quickly and suddenly, we didn't want to wait and I know you'll wish us all the best."