Chapter 135
Darius
I was relieved when The Major arrived in Volterra although a little worried about Bella's presence after all she was an unknown quantity when it came to fighting. I called everyone together and explained all that we knew and divided the groups up. The Major would lead one, Felix another and Peter the other now we knew there were only three teams attacking.
Meantime I would be their eyes and ears as I'd wired the whole place so I could see where everyone was at any time. There were no arguments from any of the council, I guessed they were bitched out if not a little nervous at the thought that our adversaries had good fighters amongst them.
"Major, you'll have Emmett, Rose, Bella, Graeson, Alice, and Edward.
Peter, you take Charlotte, Demetri, Heidi, Carlisle, Esme, Eleazar, and Carmen. Felix, you'll have Jane, Corin, Athenadora, and Chelsea.
The rest of the guard will be split between you and just remember Graeson you cannot use your gift although we're glad you got back here in time to fight, you too Alice. Savannah will prevent any mental gifts from being deployed and I think you'll find she's pretty well guarded as their ace in the hole. The Major will hold back until we see where the unknown group will break in.
Peter take your group ready for the frontal assault, Felix your group will wait at the tunnel entrance by the wives tower. Michael has been dealt with so there will be no need to watch our backs."
"Dealt with? I don't remember discussing what to do with the Romanian sleeper in our midst."
"That Eleazar is probably because we didn't. Felix took him for a short walk and came back alone. Do you have a problem with that?"
He did, but he wasn't going to say anything,
"I thought not, you will be so relieved when this is all over and you see the back of me I know but just for now, like it or not you need me and these other fighters so lets keep our mouths closed shall we?"
The meeting broke up then, but I kept the commanders back to tell them what else we knew, again at Carlisle's disapproval. He and I were fast falling out as I became more and more annoyed with his attitude in a time of extreme danger. I was beginning to think he'd rather we all joined hands and ran down to welcome the Romanians singing a welcome song and carrying flowers for them! Maybe even put up a banner and fucking balloons!
"He's a fucking idiot and his friend from Denali isn't much better."
"True Peter but they are our allies."
"Can we swap them for some of the Romanians? They'd be a sight more fucking useful."
"Sorry no. You'll all want one of these earphones, I didn't have time to get enough for everyone so I'm sure there will be complaints but it means you will hear me and I'll guide you in wherever you are needed most. Especially you Major because we have no idea where the third group will make their entrance."
"Any ideas Felix?"
The huge guard looked at The Major and shrugged,
"If it were me and I had any knowledge of the citadel which I imagine they have then I'd be looking at the old tunnels beneath us, it's honeycombed with them and while some of the entrances are impassable and some blocked off there are others we have no idea of. But I'd be looking for one that would deposit me close to the center of the citadel, under the audience chamber somewhere.
So I would keep close to the old wine cellars, they are directly below it. I'd have Savannah in this group too, she would cover the place easily with her gift that way."
We agreed to follow his ideas and knowing we only had a few hours everyone went off to make last minute arrangements while I set up my monitor screens and checked everything was working.
"You staying here Darius? You're right in the middle of it. This room is only a few yards from the audience chamber and you are alone."
"Yeah I know Major but it was the best place to set up. Besides I'm relying on you to cover my back. Remember I'll see them coming before you do."
The Major
I was ready for war and confident that in a fight I was the better man but I was concerned about Bella. Leaving her behind hadn't been an option, she'd already proved that once! I just didn't want her close to the fighting but couldn't bear the thought of her out of my sight. Leaving her with Darius had seemed a good plan but he was far too close to danger so I would just keep her close to me.
At least that way, despite the fact she would be in the thick of the battle, I could see what she was doing and if she got into difficulties. She was nervous, even a little afraid which was healthy but she was also excited and keen to get started which was the vampire side of her nature coming to the fore. We spent the hour before taking up our positions watching the sun drop down over the back of the town holding hands in quiet companionship.
"One day I'd like to do this at our own home."
She turned to me and smiled,
"We will, don't worry... Or are you worried?"
"I'd be a fool if I wasn't a little concerned before a battle, especially now I have a mate to worry about as well."
"Don't worry about me, I promise to stay close and I've still a little extra strength from the last of my human blood."
"Just promise me when this is over you'll tell me why you are so reluctant to find a home for us."
Her smile dimmed a little,
"Is that what you think Jasper? I'm so sorry that's..."
Her sentence was interrupted by a voice in my ear,
"Major they've brought the schedule forward, Felix has already made contact and Peter can hear movement ahead, you should get your asses down here before I find myself knee deep in Romanians."
I grabbed Bella's arm and ran to join the others calling for them to follow me,
"We're up folks. Edward if you hear anything I want to know so stay close."
"I hear you."
"Darius you see anything yet? We're headed down the stairs now."
"Nope...Oh, wait..."
There was a second's pause
"Got you. Major, the second of the two stores, the wine racks are moving, either we've got huge fucking rats or you have unwanted visitors arriving."
We ran into the wine cellars just as the Romanian guards streamed through from the tunnel now revealed and at their head was Stefan followed by a tall blonde who could only be Savannah but she was surrounded by several other black-clad females, the Sisters of Death.
As we clashed Edward stayed close,
"There are about fifteen of them and their goal is the audience chamber and Darius. They know he is monitoring what's happening and they want us blind and deaf."
Just as I had suspected, well I could see my team were making a good account of themselves and even Bella was holding her own against one of the women, but then I saw Stefan and Savannah had made their way behind us to the stairs and were disappearing up them. With a curse, I grabbed Edward,
"Watch Bella, make sure she stays safe."
He nodded and I followed them, two figures rushing up the stairs at the same time hearing Darius voice in my ear.
"There are more than we expected, I sent the reserves to help Felix Major so it's just my favorite Romanian and us."
"I'm right behind them."
"Yep got ya. Oh, by the way, there's a car coming hell for leather up the road towards the town. No idea who it is but I doubt they are friendly."
"They'll hit the guards on the town gate if they are still alive."
"Right yeah of course. Sorry, I forgot them for a minute."
I hit the top of the stairs as I heard a crashing sound, a door being pulled from its hinges then Darius again.
"Stefan, good to see you and the delectable Savannah. I don't remember adding you to the invitation list, Still now you're here shall we dance?"