Chapter Twenty-Three
Jasper
The ride back to uncle Carlisle’s was a somber one as we would be coming home empty handed. It was difficult and heartbreaking but we all knew going in that there was a very slim chance at success.
It was like a dark cloud had descended over the Cullen home as we pulled onto the long drive where such a short time ago was bursting with happiness and vitality.
The only the thing holding me together now was the promise from Demetri that Aro could be of help to us. It was a half-hearted hope and I could only have faith in Demetri and that this proof he claimed to have was valid. If not we would die.
My conversation with Edward had gone surprisingly well and he had whole-heartedly agreed to help us without argument. It, of course, had me nervous in itself but I had no choice to rely in him and pray that he didn’t get us killed.
It was like a dark cloud had descended over the Cullen home as we pulled onto the long drive where such a short time ago was bursting with happiness and vitality.
The only the thing holding me together now was the promise from Demetri that Aro could be of help to us. It was a half-hearted hope and I could only have faith in Demetri and that this proof he claimed to have was valid. If not we would die.
My conversation with Edward had gone surprisingly well and he had whole-heartedly agreed to help us without argument. It, of course, had me nervous in itself but I had no choice to rely in him and pray that he didn’t get us killed.
It still remained to be seen if Edward was helping us for his benefit or ours. Was he genuinely concerned about Bella welfare? Or was this another depraved idea that he would use hoping to woo Bella back to him? I prayed that the latter wasn’t the case but I had no time to worry over such trivial things. He was helping and that was all that mattered right now.
Edward would be meeting us at a small privately owned air strip just outside of the Boston city limits. Owned by the Volturi as was our jet and it momentarily occurred to me that Edward had a lot more clout than I gave the dirty bastard credit for.
Emmett didn’t like the fact that we would be using any means from the Volturi, neither did I for that matter but I had conceded seeing that we could not fly commercially due to our cargo and our jet was not capable of carrying the large amount of people that would be coming along on this excursion.
Pulling up at the house had never felt so wrong. The whole family had made their way out onto the porch greet us; anticipation thick in the air. My heart broke as we exited the vehicles and I watched the hopeful smiles fall from their faces one by one.
Edward would be meeting us at a small privately owned air strip just outside of the Boston city limits. Owned by the Volturi as was our jet and it momentarily occurred to me that Edward had a lot more clout than I gave the dirty bastard credit for.
Emmett didn’t like the fact that we would be using any means from the Volturi, neither did I for that matter but I had conceded seeing that we could not fly commercially due to our cargo and our jet was not capable of carrying the large amount of people that would be coming along on this excursion.
Pulling up at the house had never felt so wrong. The whole family had made their way out onto the porch greet us; anticipation thick in the air. My heart broke as we exited the vehicles and I watched the hopeful smiles fall from their faces one by one.
Esme was the first to ask and I could help but join in her tears as I shook my head to confirm that we had not found her daughter. For whatever reason she embraced me anyways and then Emmett and so on.
Alice sobbed quietly in Garrett’s arms as he cooed to her that all was not lost. Alice had done so well up until that point to keep herself together but I knew everyone had their breaking point.
Rosalie was still angry with me, I could tell that much by her expression alone but she did hug me. I guess that we had to start somewhere at building our relationship back to what it was. I knew I had lost the majority of her trust when Bella was taken right from under our noses but I could only hope to repair the damage once Bella was safe and sound at home.
Carlisle stood by quietly seeming to take everything in with a expecting look. How he knew we were planning something was a mystery to me. Carlisle had always been a very cunning man so I didn’t know why it surprised me so much. Carlisle had taken this different than the rest of us. On the outside not much had changed he was still quiet and reserved for the most part but I could tell on the inside lingered a beast thirsty for retribution.
Alice sobbed quietly in Garrett’s arms as he cooed to her that all was not lost. Alice had done so well up until that point to keep herself together but I knew everyone had their breaking point.
Rosalie was still angry with me, I could tell that much by her expression alone but she did hug me. I guess that we had to start somewhere at building our relationship back to what it was. I knew I had lost the majority of her trust when Bella was taken right from under our noses but I could only hope to repair the damage once Bella was safe and sound at home.
Carlisle stood by quietly seeming to take everything in with a expecting look. How he knew we were planning something was a mystery to me. Carlisle had always been a very cunning man so I didn’t know why it surprised me so much. Carlisle had taken this different than the rest of us. On the outside not much had changed he was still quiet and reserved for the most part but I could tell on the inside lingered a beast thirsty for retribution.
Walking into that house felt like a march to the gallows. I had never dealt with anything like this before. I have experience loss and death and I had been in many situations where my own demise may have been waiting for me. This was different though, Bella’s life hung in the balance and if I were to fall she would die.
I gave a brief overview of our plans and asked that the women round us up some supplies for our trip and nicer attire as we would be meeting with a head of the Volturi family. It was needless to say that no one was particularly fond of that idea but as it was a must it was non negotiable.
When the women had gone about their business Carlisle stood from his desk. “Garrett, Demetri, I wonder if you would be so helpful as to make sure all the vehicles are fueled and ready to depart?”
They looked just as perplexed as I felt but nodded and went to their task without question. Carlisle turned to the rest left standing in the room and with a jerk of his head asked us to follow him.
Emmett, Randell, Conner and I followed him befuddled as we stopped in front of Carlisle bookcase. It was a section of priceless first editions and family heirlooms dating back almost to the beginning of the Cullen clan. I should have noticed the out of place book right away but the distressed copy of modern literature was well disguised to the naked eye. When Carlisle removed the book from his place among the others a soft click was heard and a portion of the bookcase parted from the rest.
A secret door.
Emmett chuckled next to me as he crudely stated. “I feel like I’m in a fuckin’ episode of Scooby-Doo.” Which was followed shortly by Esme’s soft call of “Language Emmett.”
I gave a brief overview of our plans and asked that the women round us up some supplies for our trip and nicer attire as we would be meeting with a head of the Volturi family. It was needless to say that no one was particularly fond of that idea but as it was a must it was non negotiable.
When the women had gone about their business Carlisle stood from his desk. “Garrett, Demetri, I wonder if you would be so helpful as to make sure all the vehicles are fueled and ready to depart?”
They looked just as perplexed as I felt but nodded and went to their task without question. Carlisle turned to the rest left standing in the room and with a jerk of his head asked us to follow him.
Emmett, Randell, Conner and I followed him befuddled as we stopped in front of Carlisle bookcase. It was a section of priceless first editions and family heirlooms dating back almost to the beginning of the Cullen clan. I should have noticed the out of place book right away but the distressed copy of modern literature was well disguised to the naked eye. When Carlisle removed the book from his place among the others a soft click was heard and a portion of the bookcase parted from the rest.
A secret door.
Emmett chuckled next to me as he crudely stated. “I feel like I’m in a fuckin’ episode of Scooby-Doo.” Which was followed shortly by Esme’s soft call of “Language Emmett.”
I had to laugh at that. The woman must have the ears of a dog to have heard us from her distance. Emmett’s expression had to have mirrored my own.
How the fuck does she do that?
I looked at Carlisle and I had to comment. “Vivacious, isn’t see?” Carlisle just shook his head and muttered under his gentle snigger. “You have no idea.”
I’m sure I didn’t, nor did I want to.
The doorway led to a tight downward stairwell. We had only made it a few steps when Carlisle flipped a switch from somewhere and the block room was bathed in light. I stood agape and something akin to a child in Toys R’ Us for the first time. The room was filled wall to wall with guns of every caliber and model. I would even go so far to say it was the museum of Gun’s and Ammo. Carlisle had absolutely everything and they were all of top quality.
Emmett’s thinking must have been along the same lines as mine as we drooled like horny teenage boys over the fuckin’ prom queen. He was rubbing his hands together and licking his chops in anticipation and Carlisle just smiled at us.
He waved us on in a sweeping gesture. “Well, go ahead boys. Take anything you need.”
That was all he needed to tell us and we were off like a shot. Emmett was giggling like a child over the fully-automatic weapons as I salivated picking up my first weapon of choice; the Barrett .50 caliber fully loaded with a thermal scope. It was as beautiful as a piece of machinery could ever be in my eyes.
How the fuck does she do that?
I looked at Carlisle and I had to comment. “Vivacious, isn’t see?” Carlisle just shook his head and muttered under his gentle snigger. “You have no idea.”
I’m sure I didn’t, nor did I want to.
The doorway led to a tight downward stairwell. We had only made it a few steps when Carlisle flipped a switch from somewhere and the block room was bathed in light. I stood agape and something akin to a child in Toys R’ Us for the first time. The room was filled wall to wall with guns of every caliber and model. I would even go so far to say it was the museum of Gun’s and Ammo. Carlisle had absolutely everything and they were all of top quality.
Emmett’s thinking must have been along the same lines as mine as we drooled like horny teenage boys over the fuckin’ prom queen. He was rubbing his hands together and licking his chops in anticipation and Carlisle just smiled at us.
He waved us on in a sweeping gesture. “Well, go ahead boys. Take anything you need.”
That was all he needed to tell us and we were off like a shot. Emmett was giggling like a child over the fully-automatic weapons as I salivated picking up my first weapon of choice; the Barrett .50 caliber fully loaded with a thermal scope. It was as beautiful as a piece of machinery could ever be in my eyes.
Emmett grinned at me from across the room. “Carlisle’s secret stash.”
I just shook my head at him.
Emmett checked the safety on a nice Desert Eagle before stuffing in a chest holster. He looked at me with concern in his eyes. “You ready for this?”
I chuckled and though it was amusing I’m sure my laugh came out more like an insane cackle. “Ready to what? To walk into a Volturi stronghold and tell Aro his brother has been betraying him for more than thirty years? Yeah, about as ready as I’ll ever be.”
At least he had the decency to look sheepish as he wrapped one burly arm around my shoulder. “Jazz, you’re my brother and if something should happen you tell Rosie and Bean-”
I cut him off. “Don’t! Don’t… just don’t do that. Not yet.”
He conceded but I could tell he wanted to say more but honestly, I didn’t want to hear it. I knew everything he could ever want to tell me and I had no use for goodbyes. I may nothing more but an ignorant hick from Texas but I’m far from stupid.
I just shook my head at him.
Emmett checked the safety on a nice Desert Eagle before stuffing in a chest holster. He looked at me with concern in his eyes. “You ready for this?”
I chuckled and though it was amusing I’m sure my laugh came out more like an insane cackle. “Ready to what? To walk into a Volturi stronghold and tell Aro his brother has been betraying him for more than thirty years? Yeah, about as ready as I’ll ever be.”
At least he had the decency to look sheepish as he wrapped one burly arm around my shoulder. “Jazz, you’re my brother and if something should happen you tell Rosie and Bean-”
I cut him off. “Don’t! Don’t… just don’t do that. Not yet.”
He conceded but I could tell he wanted to say more but honestly, I didn’t want to hear it. I knew everything he could ever want to tell me and I had no use for goodbyes. I may nothing more but an ignorant hick from Texas but I’m far from stupid.
I hugged him once and kissed his cheek. “Love ya, Em.”
“Yeah, fuck you, bro.” Was his reply.
We smiled at each other and I knew that the stupidity that was about to come out of his mouth didn’t matter anymore. We would be okay. We would survive and we would get Bella back.
“Let’s go.”
We made our way out to the kitchen to say out goodbyes to the family as the men loaded our gear into the backs of our vehicles.
We tried to keep it short and sweet and I had to practically look Carlisle in the basement to keep him there. He wanted to come with us but I couldn’t let him. It was the first order as the new head of this family I had to use on our former leader.
It was a strange feeling; a strong sensation you get when the student surpasses the teacher and yet I couldn’t fully enjoy it because it was not an order I wanted to give. It was a must. If something were to happen to Em and I, Carlisle would be all that’s left. Hell would freeze over before I ever turned over power to Edward and so I had no choice. Carlisle must remain.
“Yeah, fuck you, bro.” Was his reply.
We smiled at each other and I knew that the stupidity that was about to come out of his mouth didn’t matter anymore. We would be okay. We would survive and we would get Bella back.
“Let’s go.”
We made our way out to the kitchen to say out goodbyes to the family as the men loaded our gear into the backs of our vehicles.
We tried to keep it short and sweet and I had to practically look Carlisle in the basement to keep him there. He wanted to come with us but I couldn’t let him. It was the first order as the new head of this family I had to use on our former leader.
It was a strange feeling; a strong sensation you get when the student surpasses the teacher and yet I couldn’t fully enjoy it because it was not an order I wanted to give. It was a must. If something were to happen to Em and I, Carlisle would be all that’s left. Hell would freeze over before I ever turned over power to Edward and so I had no choice. Carlisle must remain.
*Italian Swans and Irish Guns*
“So, just how did you get us an audience with the great Aro Volturi?” I asked Edward if not a little grudgingly as he led us through the halls of Aro‘s home. I hated being here on Edward’s terms and if the little bastard was setting us up there’d be nothing we could do.
The flight was short but rollicking as everyone was pumped and ready for anything. I tried to keep myself calm as possible as I did not need to have a sit down with a Volturi leader with an attitude. It was easier said than done. The men seemed to have adrenaline pouring out of their bodies and it was hard not to soak it up.
The flight was short but rollicking as everyone was pumped and ready for anything. I tried to keep myself calm as possible as I did not need to have a sit down with a Volturi leader with an attitude. It was easier said than done. The men seemed to have adrenaline pouring out of their bodies and it was hard not to soak it up.
I knew we would be disarmed as soon as we arrived in Volturi territory and we were. That didn’t mean I liked it. It made me twitchy and grouchy and everyone including Edward were well aware of my mood the entire ride.
The mansion was huge as expected but I was surprised that Aro had asked to meet with us there. I guess he felt safe enough in his own home.
If you had asked me even four weeks ago if I ever saw myself walking through the home of Aro Volturi, unarmed, I would have probably shot you. But here I was fixin’ to see the man himself with out even a pair of shoes on my feet.
Yes, our shoes were taken at the door. Don’t ask me what that shit was about. I may be good but I’m no James bond and I highly doubt I could ever get close enough to Aro in his own home to kill the fucker with my shoelaces.
The mansion was huge as expected but I was surprised that Aro had asked to meet with us there. I guess he felt safe enough in his own home.
If you had asked me even four weeks ago if I ever saw myself walking through the home of Aro Volturi, unarmed, I would have probably shot you. But here I was fixin’ to see the man himself with out even a pair of shoes on my feet.
Yes, our shoes were taken at the door. Don’t ask me what that shit was about. I may be good but I’m no James bond and I highly doubt I could ever get close enough to Aro in his own home to kill the fucker with my shoelaces.
Edward half turned his head to regard me with one eyes as he smiled. “Carmen.”
Ah, Carmen Volturi, the woman Edward was using in his stupid plot to make Bella need him. Of all the ridiculous bullshit I’ve heard over the years that had to take the fuckin’ cake, but such is the insanity that is Edward.
My face must have said what my mouth did not because Edward paused and his face immediately screwed up as he murmured, “I’m settling.”
Well that defiantly changed the way I felt about her. I could give a fuck less if she was the Queen of Pigs covered in shit. If she got Edward to leave Bella alone I’d kiss her fuckin’ feet.
“That’s nice.” I told him with a casual, sarcastic smile. His response was to flip me the bird.
Hey, at least we’re communicating. That’s gotta be worth somthin’, right?
Emmett who had been quiet since we landed in Boston, as always picked the most inopportune time to lose his shit. He started laughing long and hard and the sound only seemed to grow as it echoed off the stark white marble walls of hall. I face palmed but didn’t jump his ass. I’d rather him lose it by laughing than to go postal.
I think it was the shock of seeing Demetri’s proof himself on the ride from the airstrip to here. I think we were all a little in shock over it, Edward included. It did however, make me feel more secure that Aro would help us. Demetri’s story was legitimate and he had documentation that spanned over the whole of Bella’s life to prove it.
Now I just had to get Emmett under control before the rest of the Volturi guard thought we were insane. I did the only thing I knew worked. The Rosalie special (I popped the shit out of the back of his head). The loud thwack that left my hand stinging reverberated off the walls and sounded like thunder. It silence Emmett but as I silenced one dumb-ass it cause the other idiot to lose it. Edward braced himself to the wall giggling like a thirteen year old girl.
Ah, Carmen Volturi, the woman Edward was using in his stupid plot to make Bella need him. Of all the ridiculous bullshit I’ve heard over the years that had to take the fuckin’ cake, but such is the insanity that is Edward.
My face must have said what my mouth did not because Edward paused and his face immediately screwed up as he murmured, “I’m settling.”
Well that defiantly changed the way I felt about her. I could give a fuck less if she was the Queen of Pigs covered in shit. If she got Edward to leave Bella alone I’d kiss her fuckin’ feet.
“That’s nice.” I told him with a casual, sarcastic smile. His response was to flip me the bird.
Hey, at least we’re communicating. That’s gotta be worth somthin’, right?
Emmett who had been quiet since we landed in Boston, as always picked the most inopportune time to lose his shit. He started laughing long and hard and the sound only seemed to grow as it echoed off the stark white marble walls of hall. I face palmed but didn’t jump his ass. I’d rather him lose it by laughing than to go postal.
I think it was the shock of seeing Demetri’s proof himself on the ride from the airstrip to here. I think we were all a little in shock over it, Edward included. It did however, make me feel more secure that Aro would help us. Demetri’s story was legitimate and he had documentation that spanned over the whole of Bella’s life to prove it.
Now I just had to get Emmett under control before the rest of the Volturi guard thought we were insane. I did the only thing I knew worked. The Rosalie special (I popped the shit out of the back of his head). The loud thwack that left my hand stinging reverberated off the walls and sounded like thunder. It silence Emmett but as I silenced one dumb-ass it cause the other idiot to lose it. Edward braced himself to the wall giggling like a thirteen year old girl.
I groaned again rubbing my hand over my face. I truly was surrounded by morons.
We came to a large set of heavily decorated oak doors as Edward - who was still chuckling - knocked in what seemed to me like a code.
Not a second later the doors swung open with ease and I could finally see the man who could bring my love home or kill us were we stood.
He was not as tall as I expected him to be or as intimidating. In fact he rather reminded me of an English school teacher I had in the fourth grade. He had a pleasant smile on his face and wore a gentleman’s jacket of gray tweed. What kind of mobster wears tweed?
I knew my balls were in hot seat coming here to ask for help and if Bella knew were I was right now, she’d help. But it was this or let her suffer the whims of an ancient gnome and his twisted younger sibling. I chose the former.
“Gentleman, this is something of an amusing situation.” Aro said kindly as he rose from his huge marble desk to shake Edward’s hand. “Edward, when you called this meeting this,” he said gesturing to the rest of us. “was not what I was expecting.”
We came to a large set of heavily decorated oak doors as Edward - who was still chuckling - knocked in what seemed to me like a code.
Not a second later the doors swung open with ease and I could finally see the man who could bring my love home or kill us were we stood.
He was not as tall as I expected him to be or as intimidating. In fact he rather reminded me of an English school teacher I had in the fourth grade. He had a pleasant smile on his face and wore a gentleman’s jacket of gray tweed. What kind of mobster wears tweed?
I knew my balls were in hot seat coming here to ask for help and if Bella knew were I was right now, she’d help. But it was this or let her suffer the whims of an ancient gnome and his twisted younger sibling. I chose the former.
“Gentleman, this is something of an amusing situation.” Aro said kindly as he rose from his huge marble desk to shake Edward’s hand. “Edward, when you called this meeting this,” he said gesturing to the rest of us. “was not what I was expecting.”
Edward shook his hand firmly as he told him, “It is under the most dire of circumstances, I assure you.”
As Aro’s eyes scanned the room he seemed surprised to see Demetri among us.
“Well,” Aro said joyfully as clapped his hands together. “You called this meeting. What is it I can help you with?”
Edward took a step back as I approached with the manila file in my hand.
I threw it on his desk as I looked him in the eye and let the chip fall where they may.
“I need your help saving your daughter.”
As Aro’s eyes scanned the room he seemed surprised to see Demetri among us.
“Well,” Aro said joyfully as clapped his hands together. “You called this meeting. What is it I can help you with?”
Edward took a step back as I approached with the manila file in my hand.
I threw it on his desk as I looked him in the eye and let the chip fall where they may.
“I need your help saving your daughter.”
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