Chapter 137

The Major

I could have screamed in rage when Charlie decided to save me and not Bella. She was his daughter and there should have been no choice, no decision to make yet he turned his back on her and sent his shield to protect me. The scream of terror and agony when it came cut me like a dagger to the heart but almost immediately I knew it wasn't Bella. I could still feel the connection between us and it would have been severed if she had died.

Charlie and I both turned at the same time to see the girl who had been holding the match was burning while Bella was safe in Darius' arms across the room. As the fighting resumed I saw Darius nod and take Bella away while Charlie joined me releasing our foe and we started a clean up operation defeating or killing Romanian and Sister alike until there were only our own group standing. We hadn't lost a single person although we had several badly wounded comrades to attend to.

"I'll stay here, you find Bella."

I nodded in reply and called for Edward to check on the state of play with the other groups. If they had done as well as us then it would be over.

I found Bella with Darius in his command center and noticed for the first time he was injured, venom pouring down his leg from a deep bite wound that had taken a chunk of flesh with it. Bella was tending to it while Darius punched keys and checked his monitors before sitting back wincing as she wrapped a ripped chair throw around it.

"You need to hunt or it won't stop, its really deep Darius."

He dismissed her concerns turning to give a report.

"It looks like we won Major and without too many casualties. Mainly walking wounded."

"Did we lose anyone?"

He nodded,

"Yeah, a couple of the guard and Corin, she got caught up in a fight and Athenadora burned them without realizing. They're just mopping up now and then they'll bring the prisoners back here for sentence. I assume we are executing the survivors?"

"Let the council decide, I'm sick of all the killing Darius."

I had swept Bella from her knees and held her tight,

"I'm just looking for some peace now."

Charlie

It was good to see almost everyone had survived and that many of the opposition also lived to be marched into the audience chamber. The badly dismembered Romanians were burned in a bonfire in the courtyard while the few Sisters were fed enough to heal and then kept separately. When Darius limped up to join me watching the prisoners I wondered what he would have to say, bearing in mind he was the new council, leader.

"Glad to see you back Charlie, I don't think I'll be missed."

"Trouble with Carlisle and Eleazar?"

"I have no idea how you put up with those two, or their mates, they drove me nearly crazy. I am relieved to say they are all yours again, I'm stepping down."

"I left my post what makes you think they'll want me back any more than you?"

"Trust me, Charlie, the flags will be out when I leave."

Felix and Athenadora brought in the council table and chairs setting them up in the center of the room while the prisoners were huddled together, guarded by the Volturi soldiers, watching apprehensively. As the last of the council took their places headed by Darius I stood to one side watching Bella who was standing with Jasper across the way from me. Darius called the council to order and silence fell in the room.

"Before we get to the business of the day I am asking that you release me from my position and agree to Chief Swan retaking the chair. Are there any objections?"

As expected Carlisle stood up,

"Personally I think we should hold an open vote for a new leader. Chief Swan abandoned his position and you took over during a crisis. Now that's all over I feel we should make a fresh start."

"I see, is that motion seconded?"

Eleazar stood up to second Carlisle's motion.

"Very well, I think we should do that right now, an open vote for the leadership of the council. Everyone here except the prisoners has a vote, after all you all fought for us so you should be involved in the decision-making."

There was a rumble of assent and many nodding heads, this could be interesting!

Darius smiled at Carlisle,

"Would you object to a simple question to be voted on?"

"Such as?"

"All those in favor of Chief Swan retaking his place as leader of the council raise their hand. Short and sweet but extremely democratic."

Carlisle was seething but Darius was right and there was very little he could do about it. Looking round I saw that everyone with the exception of Carlisle, Carmen, and Eleazar, had already voted and I was back on the council as the leader.

I made a short acceptance speech thanking everyone for fighting against the Romanians and the Sisters and ensuring them that justice would be seen to be done where the rebels were concerned. I asked for any thoughts on how the rebels should be dealt with and the overwhelming majority of the council and the spectators was that they are executed as a danger to the stability of the Volturi. Carlisle shot to his feet to object followed by Carmen and Eleazar although Esme interestingly enough remained seated.

"Yes, Carlisle?"

"This council was set up to rule our world more fairly and mercifully than before and executing rebels is not the way to show that."

"I'm sorry Carlisle, Eleazar, you are outvoted."

"Most of those voting are not even members of the council."

"And you think that makes it less acceptable? I would have thought you would be only too happy to see the council including the people we are supposed to be representing."

Eleazar looked at his mate and she nodded at him,

"Chief Swan, my wife and I would like to resign from the council and leave Volterra. We cannot in all honesty remain here when our beliefs are so alien to the rest of the council."

I looked around and the rest of the council nodded,

"Very well, you are free to leave..."

As they got to their feet I added,

"After this meeting. As you joined us at the beginning I think you should stay until the end, after all you can register your complaints that way."

They wanted to argue but with The Major, Bella, and Darius watching not to mention the guard I think they felt a little intimidated and resumed their seats.

"Thank you. At the end of this meeting, we will take nominations for new council members to take the places of Eleazar and Carmen. In the meantime, we should get back to the main object of this meeting, the fate of the rebels. I think we should follow the example of most great commanders through history and execute only the leaders of the rebellion. The foot soldiers are usually allowed to join the winning side or leave. Does anyone object to this?"

Of course Carlisle had something to say,

"Who exactly do you consider to be the leaders Chief?"

"I would have thought that was pretty obvious even to a peace-loving man like you. Stefan, Vladimir although it seems he's already received the ultimate justice, and the leader of the sisters Alexa."

"Really? So few? Are you sure that will be enough to quench your thirst for revenge?"

There was uproar at his words and I'd had about a bellyful of Cullen myself but before I could say anything Felix stood up glaring at Carlisle,

"I for one object to your tone and your insinuations. These rebels would have killed us all given the opportunity. We fought because we had to, for our lives, and the losers pay with theirs, now sit down and shut the fuck up before I add your name to my personal shit list Cullen."