Esme
We had been trapped in Volterra for a year now. Carlisle and Edward were jailed and Jasper had joined the monsters of the Volturi.
In public, we put up a united front but in private cracks were forming that I didn't think could be mended.
Tonight was our last night of vampire education. I had to admit I'd learned a lot. Carlisle's dedication to making us a family was faulty. We were vampires, and no matter how much he wanted, there was no way back to be human.
I wasn't angry at Bella I just wanted out of here. I wanted to get back to feeding on animals. I wanted to live in my own home. I wanted to be able to set my own schedule. I called Jenks and got a new ID for our new home in Maine. I thought Alice was likely to join me, not so much because she wanted to but because she really had no where else to go. Rose and Emmett were going on vacation. I didn't expect we would ever live with them again but I hoped they would come to visit on occasion.
Our last session with Marcus was informative. He told us in detail what we should be doing to manage our coven on a daily basis. We all payed close attention and I felt ready to start my new life when he dismissed us.
We packed and left quietly, going our separate ways, not bothering to say goodbye to Jasper or Bella. They were in the past.
Jasper
I had settled in nicely to the Elite guard and felt like I was doing something worthwhile with my time. It was so much better than endless high school.
I was in charge of training the Elites in combat. Except for Bella. She was being coached privately by Demetri.
Court was interesting, and it taught me the way laws could be interpreted. Felix was in charge of the Elites in the courtroom while Demetri worked to manage all of the guard in the office.
After the day was through most of us found ourselves in the recreation room, relaxing, letting of steam, and enjoying each other's company. I was playing poker with Felix, Alec, and Demetri tonight. We had become good friends.
The girls were watching a romantic comedy to entertain themselves while the men were busy. I heard Bella and Jane sniffing at a sad part in the movie and my lips twitched. Demetri's head swung to Bella and he focused intently on her till she turned her head and smiled widely at him. I hoped I found that someday.
Demetri's phone rang and I got a sour feeling. I didn't think they were interrupting our night for good news and as far as I knew, all of Demetri's friends were in the room.
He rose and took the call out in the hallway. My sour feeling increased. I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation without being exceptionally rude, so I paid attention to my cards.
"I'm sorry, gentlemen. The Master's need me," he said formally. Everyone was watching him closely. He gave no answers, and just exited the room quickly. Bella stayed where she was, looking shocked that Demetri hadn't told her goodbye. It was an oddity. They were always kissing, and where kissing wasn't appropriate they were touching. This time he didn't even look her way.
Demetri
It couldn't be true. We couldn't have been that blind. Were we influenced by a gifted vampire? We must have been. Marcus would have never left Didyme. I entered the throne room to find Master Marcus sobbing. There was a lot of damage to the room. He must have flown into a rage when he learned the truth.
"I need you to prepare your team, Demetri. We had one of the Romanians try to join us. As I told you when I read him I found that Didi has been kept prisoner there for centuries. This is a rescue mission. You must rescue my beloved sister from those monsters."
"A small team will do better. Perhaps we can sneak in. I don't want to risk my Didi being killed before you can get to her." Marcus suggested.
"Alec can take out more than one. So can Jasper. It's possible they would be able to infiltrate the castle with very little fighting."
"You'll need to take Bella," Caius said. "Didi doesn't know how to fight. She'll need someone to protect her on the way out."
"Bella isn't going without me. So the four of us will train together and find the limits of our gifts. We'll bring Felix along too in case there is actual fighting." I said. "It's going to take a bit before we are ready to go. This is a dangerous endeavor."
"Please don't take too long, Captain. My Didi has been with these monsters for far too many centuries." Marcus said.
"We'll get started immediately," I said.
Turning on his heel Demetri rushed up the stairs.
Whatever expression was on my face caused Bella to rush into my arms. "Felix, Bella, Jasper, and Alec, we have an urgent mission that's going to require some additional training before we depart. Please report to the training room immediately."
Felix, Jasper, and Alec all stood. We made our way to the training room and I closed the door, leaving us in a large soundproof chamber.
"What's so urgent, Boss," Felix asked.
"Didyme isn't dead," I stated plainly.
Mouths dropped and Bella asked, "Marcus's mate?"
"Yes, Marcus's mate. One of theirs tried to join us and Aro saw her in his mind. We're launching a rescue mission consisting of us. It has to be small or it will be a full-out war and Didyme could be killed before we can reach her. "Jasper, Alec," Demetri said. "Your job will be to influence the entire castle. I need to know if you can do it."
"I would need to see the castle. I can't guarantee but I can project about two hundred and fifty feet." Jasper said.
"Bella your job is to guard Didyme after we retrieve her. You're there in case there is fighting despite our best efforts." Demetri said.
"I don't know how long I can hold it yet. I will need to test myself." Bella admitted quietly.
"We're all going to have to push our gifts to the very limit for this. We have some time for training before we go." Demetri said. "I'm there to scan the castle and see how many there are and for fighting if it's necessary. Felix, you know you're job. Jasper, how long can you hold your gift at its maximum range?"
"I don't know. I guess I'll have to push myself and find out. I don't know If I've ever pushed my gift to maximum distance and power." Jasper admitted.
"Felix have Heidi make sure we have more blood than usual. I think we're going to all be pushing our limits this next week."
"Demetri, I'm going to need to simulate rescuing Didyme, moving with my shield up for as long as I can. Could you find someone who would be willing to play the part of Didyme to work with me?"
"Is Jane acceptable to you?" Demetri asked.
"Of course, Demetri, I just...I want to do as much as I can to make sure I can do this right." Bella said.
I called Jane to join us and she was quickly informed of the situation we found ourselves in. I ordered her to work with Bella, they would be traversing the castle with Bella's shield surrounding them. They wanted to get started immediately, but I instructed everyone to go feed and return to the training room.
"Major," I said, getting ready to ask about his choice of diet. He intuited what I wanted to know and said, "I've decided to join you for feeding time. It's too time-consuming to feed on animals. I have to travel too far out to find a wooded area."
"Good call, Major," Demetri said, "Let me show you where to go so you can feed then,"
"Thank you, Demetri," Jasper said.
Bella
I went to my feeding chamber and made quick work of the task of feeding. There was no need for a shower anymore. I had mastered the art of feeding and it was important to get back to Demetri as soon as possible.
I almost ran into Jane in my rush to get back to the training chamber. We oriented ourselves and ran side by side, zipping up the stairs as fast as possible.
The rest joined us quickly. Jasper said, "I think we should take out the Romanians. Rescuing Didyme first makes sense, but why are we leaving them free to retaliate?"
I called the Masters. I agreed with Jasper. They agreed as well.
I texted every vampire in Volterra. We gathered in the throne room. When everyone was gathered, Marcus stood. "My Didi isn't dead my friends and we have a battle ahead of us. It is time for the Romanians to die once and for all and all of you are going to play a part in the coming days."
"Demetri, Felix, Alec, Bella, and Jasper are going to rescue Didyme. We will break you up into teams. We are going to wait till the rescue is successful then we're going to take them out. There is no need to take prisoners. Vladamir and Stephan need to die." Aro said.
"As Demetri will be busy with the most important part of the mission, I will be leading the guard on this mission. Demetri, take your team and begin your preparations." Caius said. "We have a week to train and prepare before we go in. Does anyone have any questions?"
"I have some army buddies that would be of use. I think they would assist us. Should we call in allies to assist us?" Jasper said.
"I will call in trusted allies," Aro said. "Major, could you stay and talk to me about who you would call to assist us after this meeting ends?"
"Yes, Master," Jasper said stepping back into line with the others.
"This is the most important mission we have set ourselves in many centuries. I trust that each of you understands the importance of doing your part." Marcus said.
"Dismissed," Aro said.
"Masters," every vampire in the room said.
The exit from the room was orderly.