Chapter 128

Carlisle

I had been elected to speak to Charlie after his announcement last night that he and Chloe were leaving, Volterra, and the council and had no idea when or even if he would be returning. Things had been tense since Bella left with Darius for which I was initially blamed because Charlie knew he was my friend.

Eventually however I was able to explain that although Darius and I were friends he had become attached to Bella and was probably doing this for her, especially as he had warned us against keeping Charlie's wedding from her. Everyone felt bad when they saw how she reacted but it was too late and she wouldn't even speak to any of us so we could apologize.

All we could do was wait and hope once she calmed down she would find it in her heart to understand and forgive. Personally I thought Charlie had been right, Bella had enough on her plate struggling with her new life and to add more tension would have been folly but I was now shouted down by the girls if I so much as approached the subject.

Charlie

I knew why Carlisle wanted to see me and I tried to save him from wasting his and my time, but he insisted so while Chloe said goodbye to Athenadora I waited for Carlisle to appear which he did, right on time as always.

"Carlisle, sit down. Look I can save you a lot of time if I just say we're leaving, end of story. Our flight leaves in four hours and we will be on it."

"Don't you think you should stay? At least until you get a chance to speak to Bella. After all if you leave how will she contact you?"

"Carlisle, I don't think she'll be contacting me. I know my daughter and she's stubborn. She's also extremely hurt and that's my fault for not standing up and saying to hell with what anyone else says I want my daughter here. I didn't and I've got to live with the consequences."

"Where are you going?"

"No idea yet but I'm leaving my cell phone behind. This is a clean break, it'll give all of us a chance to think about things, decide what's best for the future and then when we've done that I'll contact you."

"What about the council Charlie? We are going to see your absence as temporary."

"You see it, however, you like Carlisle, I told you I'm no longer interested in serving on it. I don't think I'm fit to tell others how they should act do you?"

"I think you'll feel differently after a while so your place will be held open."

I got up and grabbed my bags,

"Right, I have to go Carlisle. If you should hear from Bella just tell her I'm sorry."

Carlisle

There was nothing I could say or do that would change Charlie's mind, but I wasn't happy about him just disappearing. His gift gave us the edge here in Volterra, but then again no one need know about that, we hadn't broadcast his gift and we still had Jane and Alec plus Felix and Graeson if necessary.

He and Alice were in Milan at the moment and had promised to keep in touch although they too were extremely unhappy at the way Bella had been treated. They hadn't known until Esme explained and then were immediately on Bella's side which I think had surprised her as much as me. I went back to the audience chamber where the rest of the council were waiting for news.

Everyone was upset at losing Charlie especially as now we had to elect a new chair and although everyone denied wanting the position everyone was really interested and hopeful. For this reason, we decided to open up the vote to everyone in the citadel, everyone except the members of the council themselves. A flyer which had already been printed in anticipation of Charlie's resignation was now readied for distribution giving all the potential voters a week in which to make their mind up before the voting began. We were not going to do any canvassing, everyone knew all of us now and could make up their own minds, but we would be available if anyone had any questions.

Volturi Guard

So Chief Swan had really left, his absence had been anticipated, but I could say nothing until I knew it was really true. Now however my masters would be extremely interested and would pay me well for the information. I was off duty the next day so I took a copy of the flyer and went into town to use one of the internet cafes to send a message and a copy of the flyer. I didn't have to wait long for a reply, I was to go back to work as if nothing had changed but watch out for any more information that might be of interest.

I would be warned if and when any action was going to be taken. My fee was put straight into my bank account and left me a rich man. Rich enough to leave Volterra for good after this, along with my mate Gina. I walked back across the square and went back into the citadel with some friends who were just going back after a hunting trip in Pisa. Unlike them, I preferred to have my meals provided than to have to work for it.

Athenadora

It was election day and I could feel the excitement in the air as the guard and other members of the Volturi made their selection. We on the council were anticipating a close run thing between Carlisle and Felix who had surprised us all with the easy way he fit in and the quick way he had of not only picking things up but seeing beyond the mundane day to day minutiae of our work but the wider picture.

He seemed to think that we should be looking out for trouble from the wider vampire community although personally I couldn't see it. After all the brothers may be gone but the Volturi endured, only the names changed. He had some of the council members nervous but I knew better, we still had the gifts that every other vampire feared. They had been Aro's most effective weapon and threat and that hadn't changed. Still there was a hushed expectancy as the ballot boxes were brought in and unsealed by two of the human receptionists who then withdrew nervously from the room.

We all stepped forward as Chelsea who had been chosen to count the ballots began her work. It didn't take long, but even so there was a tension in the air as she finished and put the papers back in one of the boxes before speaking.

"Right well we have an overall winner, almost unanimous. The winner of the election and new chair of the committee is...Darius."

There was a noisy outburst at this news, Darius wasn't even in Volterra and certainly not a member of the present council.

"How come? His name wasn't even on the ballot papers?"

She shrugged in answer to Carmen's question,

"It's been penciled in by almost everyone who voted and I guess I can understand why."

"Really well perhaps you could enlighten the rest of us."

"Sure, the way I see it Darius is neutral, he's a good fighter and tactician and if there are any threats to us he's in the best position to know about them quickly."

"I think Chelsea's right. We should ask Darius if he will accept the position if he refuses then we'll take the name with the next highest vote."

Carlisle nodded gravely at Felix words and I guess the rest of us saw that he was talking sense.

"So who is going to approach Darius?"

"Perhaps I should, after all I'm the only one not involved in the problems between Charlie and Bella."

I smiled, trust Felix to see the problem we had with this choice. It would be interesting to hear that conversation although I knew we wouldn't.