13. Conspiracy

     I awoke hearing Edward, Jasper and Alice. They were talking, talking about me. I should have told them I was awake, but I could not speak; I was too miserable. Miserable for what I had said to Edward, and because my presence was still putting those I loved in danger. So I stayed quiet and just listened. Their voices were low, almost whispers, but loud enough for me to hear.

“Edward,” I heard Jasper say, “We can’t stay static, we have to move, and move soon, tomorrow morning the latest.”

“I know that,” Edward replied “but look at her, look at the state she’s in. I’ve never seen her like that; I don’t know how much more she can take.”

“We don’t have any choice Edward, Its move tomorrow or we may be facing the Volturi here.”

It sounded like someone sat down, and I heard Edward moan “What have I done? How could I have been so selfish? I’ve put everyone in danger.”

“Edward Cullen!” Alice scolded. “We all agreed to your marrying Bella, we wanted it. We wanted to see you happy. Don’t start drowning in recriminations now!”

There was silence for a few moments, and Jasper spoke again “Ok, so this is where we are; none of us stand any kind of chance alone against the Volturi. Eleazar and I have agreed they need to come with us. Will the plane take that many?” “Yes” Edward answered, “It’s rated to take up to twenty passengers.”

“Good. We have a couple of problems though, one, Tanya isn’t back from hunting, and the others are worried about her. Kate says she has been staying out longer than usual lately, but never this long: they want to go and find her.

“The Volturi?” Edward asked.

Jasper looked over at Alice, “Alice?”

There was another moment of silence.

“No,” Alice said, “Not yet, Jane is still waiting for something; but soon I think.”

“Ok,” Jasper continued. “The second problem, is we all need to feed, but what about Bella?”

“No!” Edward said in a desperate voice, “We can’t leave her alone, there’s no telling what she’d do! And I promised her I would never leave her again!”

“Edward, if we have to fight, it will take every one of us to win. We all need to feed to be at full strength, even you! Grizzly would be the best choice for all of us right now.”