Chapter 134

Charlie

I could hardly believe what I was hearing, but Chloe's expression convinced me it was the truth. My mate was also an enemy of the new Volturi and she had lured me away from Italy to make it easy for her friends and the Romanians to destroy my friends on the council and take control.

"What I don't understand is why you are telling me this. Is it too late? Are they all dead or prisoners?"

"No, the attack hasn't started yet but they are in position and ready."

"How did you find that out?"

"I have a cell phone with me and I've kept in contact with my sisters."

"I want that phone. I'm going to contact the council, warn them what's coming and you are going to tell me their plan."

"I'll tell you gladly, but you can't warn them."

"You mean you won't give me the phone?"

She took a small silver phone from her pocket and handed it to me,

"Here, it won't do you any good, they've disrupted all communications between Volterra and the outside world as part of the run-up to the attack."

I ignored the outstretched hand,

"Then I have to get back."

She nodded,

"I know, I made arrangements for a flight back to Italy already. Charlie, I'm sorry, I never meant for you to get involved or Bella, that's why I wanted her to be angry with you, so she would stay away from Volterra."

I shook my head,

"You engineered our wedding to upset Bella?"

"No I love you, I wanted to get married, we are mates, even you can't deny that I just thought the easiest way to keep Bella safe was to make sure she wouldn't visit again. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked and that's why we have to get back."

"What do you mean it hasn't worked?"

"The last message I received told me that Darius, who took over your spot on the council, called the Major for help and if he goes to Italy Bella will go too."

She was right of course and I saw the car was packed ready for the drive to the airport. I didn't even ask if she was coming just grabbed the keys from the table and strode off.

We didn't speak on the drive, I was too conflicted to say anything. It was true that Chloe was my mate and she had tried to keep Bella safe while leaving the rest of the council to fight for their survival, but she had caused the rift between my daughter and myself. How was I going to forgive her that? Could I make things right with Bella by telling her? No, because not telling her was ultimately my decision not Chloe's or anyone else's.

I returned the car, grabbed our bags and went to find Chloe who was picking up our tickets and even though I was angry and confused I was still relieved when I saw her again. She was right, she was my mate and I loved her, somehow we would get through this although for now all I could concentrate on was getting back to Volterra. She handed me the tickets without speaking, but I managed a quiet thank you in return and we sat in silence until our flight was called, luckily she'd found a flight with only one stop and once in the air knowing there was nothing I could do about Volterra I decided to see what I could salvage of our relationship.

"Are you sure you want to Charlie? I'd understand if you never wanted to see me again."

"Well it was my first inclination but you were right, you're still my ma...wife."

I was conscious that parts of our conversation might be overheard even though everyone seemed to have headphones on.

"I couldn't see Bella in danger, not if there was a chance we could save her."

"What about your loyalty to your sisters?"

She smiled a little sadly,

"I guess my loyalty to you came top of the list and much as I wanted to keep you away from Volterra I know the only way to ensure Bella's safety is if you get there in time to shield her."

I thought about this, Chloe had lived with her sisters for centuries waiting a chance to rule their own world which had always been dominated by three men, the Volturi brothers. Now they saw their opportunity and because she had met me, her mate, she was betraying her sisters for the life of my daughter. It must have been a difficult decision for her and I should be grateful I came first. I was angry sure, I felt I'd been hoodwinked to an extent, but she had proved her loyalty to me and I knew I would forgive her, so long as we were in time to save Bella although she had done her best to keep Bella away and safe. Darius was the one unknowingly bringing her into danger again.

"You know we're going to need to talk about this later don't you?"

She nodded her head biting her lip just as Bella did when she was nervous or upset.

"But I love you Chloe and I always will."

"Thank you, Charlie, I love you too."

"Yeah you just proved that."

I took her hand and she gripped mine tightly as we sat caught up in our own thoughts and fears drawing comfort from the touch.

Chloe

I was praying we would be in time although I knew that meant my sisters would lose their only chance at power. I wasn't worried about the Romanians, they were almost as bad as the old Volturi and we were going to be forced to keep a very sharp eye on them not to be betrayed if we had helped them to grab the crowns. I had worked out the schedule time and time again and each time we only just beat my sisters to the citadel. If the flight were delayed at all or the car wasn't waiting when we reached the other end then we could walk into the mother of all battles and possibly find it was too late for Bella.

The new Volturi would be at quite a disadvantage with Savannah on the Romanians team, it meant Alec and Jane would be useless and defending them might even take badly needed manpower. There was Bella to think of too, she might be strong and controlled now, but she was inexperienced and, therefore, vulnerable, we just had to get there or the Volturi may well lose this battle.

"What makes you so sure we can't win without me? The Volturi still have other gifts."

"I know but so do the Romanians. They have a girl called Savannah with a dangerous gift, or at least in this case. She prevents mental gifts from working so the twins will be useless. I doubt either of them know how to fight, they've never needed to use physical force."

"Right, but there are fighters in the guard plus The major and now Darius."

"The Romanians have also picked up some seasoned fighters Charlie, fighters who don't care why they're fighting or what they do in order to win. It's like having The Major in triplet form and our Major can only be in one place at a time. If we don't reach Volterra before the attack it will be brutal."

"Well, let's just hope we make it before they do then but either way I'm going in."

"We are going in. I got you into this mess and I intend to be there helping to get everyone safely out."

"You keep a good look out, I have no intention of losing you Chloe, or Bella, not if I have anything to do with it."

I felt a thrill at his words, I hadn't lost my mate after all and I would prove my love for him by fighting at his side.