Deadly Weapon 10

“I don’t think it’s appropriate that Isabella and Rosalie be present for this trial.Neither one of them are members of the guard.”Aro said from his seat on his throne in-between both of his brothers.The kings were about to begin the Cullen’s trial and Aro really didn’t want Isabella and Rosalie there when it happened.He definitely didn’t want Athenodora there and found the queen’s presence very suspicious.It made Aro wonder if they knew about his plan to gain an alliance with the Cullens.He quickly dismissed the very idea.There was no way they could know as he hadn’t told anyone about it.The problem was for his plan to work he needed Edward to read his mind to make the offer.That wouldn’t happen if Isabella was in the room because she would be using her gift to shield everyone.He wasn’t sure how to go about getting her to leave without pissing everyone off.

“Rosalie is a witness to the Cullen’s crimes.She is needed for her testimony.As for Isabella she may not be a member of the guard but she is the Volturi Princess and it is her right to attend any court proceeding she wishes.Also she would never make her mate go through this alone.”Caius wasn’t surprised that Aro wanted Isabella and Rosalie to leave.Rosalie was the proof they needed to find the Cullens guilty.If Aro was planning to form an alliance like they predicted he wouldn’t want her to be able to discredit him.He didn’t want Isabella there because he was afraid she was going kill him and her very existence made him nervous.

“But she isn’t a guard member.”Aro tried to argue but was cut off by Marcus.

“You would dare force Isabella to leave her mate alone while she is in danger of her sire taking control over her?”Marcus asked.

“No, no of course.”Aro quickly backtracked.He didn’t want to upset Marcus and the easiest way to do that was to interfere with a bond.

“Then both girls stay.”Marcus said.

“Why are you here Athenodora?”Aro asked.

“What I do is none of your business.”Athenodora told him.

”Still it is unlike you to attend court.”Aro wasn’t going to let it go.He wanted to know why the queen was there so he could rearrange his plans around it.

“I have decided that it is important to have more of an input on how things are done around here.”Athenodora wasn’t going to tell him the real reason.Aro didn’t need to know that she was really attending because she didn’t trust him not to attack her mate.

“What a wonderful idea.”Aro took this as more proof that Athenodora and Caius were planning on killing him and Marcus and taking the throne for themselves.The queen never cared about politics before.The fact that she did now that it was discovered how powerful Isabella was was no coincidence in his mind.

“Your majesties, I present the Cullen coven.”A guard announced as he led the Cullens minus Rosalie into the throne room.

“Carlisle and family welcome to Italy.”Aro greeted the group.

“Thank you for the invitation Aro.”Carlisle replied.He scanned the room feeling relieved when he noticed Rosalie standing next to Isabella holding hands.It was a guarantee they would be getting out of this alive with those two present.

“Enough with the pleasantries.Let’s deal with the reason you are here.”Caius was trying to rile up Aro to keep him off his game.The best way to do that was to take control of the meeting.

“Now now brother.There is no need to be rude.”Aro scolded.

“I am not being rude.I am simply treating them like any other law breakers.”Caius told him.

“My lord if I may, we have have broken no laws.”Carlisle said.

”How can you claim you have broken no laws when we have a witness to your crimes?”Athenodora asked.

“The witness is not only wrong but is biased against my coven.”Carlisle knew this was his chance to get the Volturi on his side.He just had to prove Rosalie was a liar.

“How so?”Marcus was very interested in hearing why Rosalie would lie to not only her mate but the royals as well.

“Rosalie has never hid the fact that she is unhappy being a member of our coven.It all started after Edward refused her advances after she was turned.”Carlisle took a step back when Isabella growled.

Rosalie wrapped her arms around Isabella to stop her from advancing on Carlisle.”Shh.It’s alright.He will get what’s coming to him.”

“He dare say you would want some weak willed, sissy, man child!”Isabella was appalled that Carlisle would claim such a lie.

“I am not a weak willed, silly, man child!!”Edward screeched in outrage.

“You aren’t helping your case right now.”Athenodora said.

Rosalie gave Isabella a soft kiss.”Just remember if you kill him now you will miss out on the chance to torture him.”

“You are right.”Isabella knew Rosalie was right.It was just hard to stop herself with all the things that Carlisle had done.

“Are you alright?”Caius asked Isabella.

“Yes, father.”Isabella replied.

“Father?”Sara mumbled.

“Yes, Isabella is my and Caius’ bond child.”It didn’t matter that they were in the middle of a trial Athenodora would never miss the chance to claim Isabella.

“So it’s true.A child really was raised in the castle.”Carlisle was now trying to think of a way to use this to his advantage.If Isabella had such a relationship with the royals he could use his sire bond with Rosalie to not only control Isabella but the king and queen as well.

“Regardless let’s get back to the reason you are here.”Aro desperately wanted to get back on track.His plan wouldn’t work if he lost control of the room.

“Yes, you were telling us why Rosalie who is mated to the Volturi Princess and identifies as a lesbian would lie to her mate and the rulers of the vampire world.”Caius didn’t actually know if Rosalie considered herself a lesbian but assumed if she was mated to a woman she did.Not that it mattered to him he just wanted to point out how stupid Carlisle’s excuse was.

“She would do it to gain favor with you.”Carlisle told him.

“Why would lying about your coven gain favor with us?”Marcus asked.

Carlisle tried to think about what to say that wouldn’t upset the kings.”It is well known you like recruiting gifted vampires into the guard.By giving evidence against us Rosalie is making it so that you could sentence some of my coven members to a term of service as a sort of punishment.”

“You think we would want unwilling vampires to serve in the guard?”Caius had never heard of anything so stupid.

“Well I mean isn’t that how you get most of your guard members?”Carlisle and most other vampires he had spoke to had all assumed that the kings forced vampires to be part of the guard.

Athenodora laughed.”Why would we trust our lives to someone who has more to gain from us dying than from us living.”

“Why does anyone join you then?”Edward asked.

“I get the impression that you don’t have a very high opinion of us.”Marcus said.

“It’s not that your majesty. We are simply so isolated from the vampire world we know little of how politics work.”Carlisle hoped that making them seem like they didn’t have much contact with other vampires would help them explain why they didn’t follow the laws.

“Which is what is to be expected from a coven such as yours.”Aro jumped on the excuse.It would fit in with the narrative that the Cullens were innocent.

Caius stopped himself from rolling his eyes at Aro’s blatant attempt at excusing the Cullens crimes.”Regardless you know the laws.”

“What laws do you claim we have broken?”Carlisle asked.

“Actually before we get into that we have some other business to take care of.”Athenodora said.

“What would that be?”Aro wasn’t informed of any other business that needed to be attended to.

“Rosalie has requested that her sire bond be severed by Chelsea.”Athenodora smirked at the look of shock on Aro’s face.

“You can’t do that.”Carlisle couldn’t allow that to happen.He needed Rosalie on his side.

“Thank you for bringing that up darling.I had forgotten in all the excitement.”Caius was happy his mate brought it up.He was so focused on messing with Aro he had forgotten about it.

“Now we don’t need to be hasty.Breaking a sire bond is a very painful thing.Not only that once it’s broken it can never be repaired.”Aro didn’t want Chelsea breaking Rosalie’s bond because he knew that it would make Carlisle less likely to work with him.

“I’m counting on it.”Rosalie said.

“Chelsea you can begin.”Caius ordered.

“Don’t do this.Rosalie I have always treated you well.I will give you what ever you want just don’t do this.”Carlisle pleaded.

“What I want is to be free of you and your pitiful excuse for a family.”Rosalie told him.

“My lord?”Chelsea looked to Aro for permission.

Aro couldn’t think of a valid reason to stop this from happening.If he refused it make him look suspicious in the other’s eyes.Searching his mind he found nothing that would help.He was going to have to allow it.”Do it.”

“Please don’t do this.Aro my friend you know how serious breaking a sire bond is.Please put a stop to this.”Carlisle’s ramblings were cut off by his screams of pain.He whole body felt like it was tearing itself in two and the world around him ceased to exist.Just when he thought he would go mad from the pain it stopped leaving him with a hollowness that he felt in his very soul.

“Are you alright?”Isabella asked Rosalie.She was very proud of her mate because while Carlisle was screaming and trashing on the floor Rosalie quietly went through the ordeal cradled in Isabella’s arms.She twitched a few times but made no sound.

Rosalie took stock of herself.She had never felt so good.“I feel like a weight have been lifted off of me.Like I am finally free.”

“That’s because you are.”Isabella told her.She kissed Rosalie gently but it became more intense when Rosalie’s tongue pushed against her lips.Isabella was seconds away from carrying Rosalie off to the closest empty room when a throat clearing caught both their attention and they pulled away from each other.

Athenodora smirked at the looks of embarrassment on both Isabella and Rosalie’s faces.Not that the pair had anything to be embarrassed about.They were a newly mated couple.The queen was actually surprised with how in control of their instincts they were.When the queen had been first mated to Caius they didn’t leave the bedroom for over a month and that was only because they needed to feed.”If you two are done we have a trial to continue.”

“Sorry mother.”Isabella mumbled.

Rosalie laughed at how cute Isabella was and gave her a kiss on the cheek.”Later.”

“Now that that’s out the way let’s get back to the reason you were called here.”Marcus was pleased that Rosalie was able to get the sire bond broken like she requested.It wasn’t something most vampires would volunteer to do so he knew for her request it to be done Carlisle had to have treated her horribly.

“Your majesties may we request a recess so that Carlisle has a chance to recover.”Edward did want Carlisle to have a chance to get better but he mostly wanted them to have some privacy to make a new plan now that using Rosalie and Isabella was no longer an option.

“That’s a good idea.”Aro agreed.

“If Rosalie who isn’t even a century year old vampire doesn’t need time to recover than Carlisle who is over 400 years old doesn’t.”Caius wasn’t going to let them get a chance to regroup.

“It seems to have effected him more than Rosalie.”Edward really needed them to take a break.

“Or Rosalie felt the same pain and is showing that she is worthy of her new title of Volturi Princess Consort and refuses to show weakness in front of those inferior to her.”Athenodora countered.She was positive Rosalie felt the pain but refused to give her former coven the pleasure of watching it.It was just one of the many things that made Athenodora proud that Rosalie was mated to Isabella.

“Then we should take a break to give Rosalie a chance to recover.”Aro suggested.

“There is no need your majesty.I am perfectly able to continue on.”Rosalie knew that Aro was just trying to get out of the trial for some reason and she wasn’t going to help him do it.Even if it did sound nice to go have some time alone with Isabella.

“There you have it Aro.We don’t need to take a break.”Caius had to hold back a smirk seeing the look of defeat on Aro’s face that he was trying hard to cover up.

“Well then let us continue.”Aro was not happy with this.None of this was going as planned and he wasn’t sure how to get things to fall in his favor.”Let’s talk about the crimes you are being accused of.”

“You majesties please have mercy on Carlisle.He is obviously unwell.”Edward tried again.

“The trial will continue.”Athenodora told him.

Edward ignored Athenodora.She wasn’t the one with the power.The kings were.“My kings you see how much pain he is in.”

“You dare disrespect my mate by asking us to side with you after she has already decided that the trial will continue?”The only thing stopping Caius from going after Edward for his insult was Athenodora’s hand on his shoulder keeping him in place.

“She is only a queen.It is your word that has more weight.”Edward said.

Caius struggled against his mate’s hold.”Let me kill him.”

“My love you will have your chance to show your displeasure with him repeatedly with your fist once the trial is over.”That would be after Athenodora got Caius alone for a few hours.There was nothing that made her hotter than Caius fighting for her honor.

“Very true.”Caius would get more pleasure from waiting.

“The trial will continue.Cullens you are being accused of three crimes.”Marcus decided to take over because it seemed if he didn’t this would take all day and he had gotten a couple of old tomes in the mail that he was looking forward to try to translate.”The first being you left the mate of a vampire you killed alive driving the poor woman to create a newborn army to get her revenge.How do you plead?”

“We plead not guilty your majesty.”Carlisle still wasn’t feeling well but knew he had to focus or his family had no way of making it out this alive.

“How do you explain the vampire Victoria creating an army to specifically target your coven?”Athenodora asked.

“While its true she was left alive we are not responsible because the woman was a nomad and she fled before she could be dealt with.”Carlisle told them.

“What actions did you take to try and find her?”Caius knew from Rosalie that they didn’t do anything to find the red head.

“By the time we were done with her mate the trail was cold.I reached out to some acquaintances and no one had any information about her.”Carlisle had done no such thing but he wasn’t going to tell them that.

“What acquaintances?”Caius asked.

“Excuse me?”Carlisle wasn’t expecting to be asked that.

“Who did you reach out to to get information?”Caius could easily tell Carlisle was lying and wanted to catch him.

“It was so long ago I don’t remember.”Carlisle said.

“That’s reasonable.You probably didn’t think Victoria was much of threat as it is unusual for a female to act the way she did.”Aro thought it was completely believable that Carlisle wouldn’t put much thought in who he reached out to.

“Exactly.”Carlisle was happy it seemed Aro was on his side.

“That’s not true at all.Women act just the same as men when their mate is killed.If anything I would say they are more vindictive with their revenge.Victoria was very much a threat.”Marcus was an expert on bonds as he dedicated most of his life to trying to understand them.

“You can’t know that for sure.”Aro argued.

“I have many eye witness accounts that I am more than happy to share with you about the phenomena.Women are in no way different from men when it comes to bonds.They feel them the same and have the same instincts as men.”Marcus had many books of eye witness accounts he had put together in his research.

“Well I wasn’t aware of this so I didn’t believe she was much of a threat.”Carlisle said.

“Did anyone in your coven bring up the subject of Victoria coming after you?”Athenodora asked.

“No we all thought we didn’t have to worry about her.”Carlisle told her.

“I see.”Athenodora knew that Carlisle was lying.She wasn’t going to say anything yet.She was going to follow the plan Rosalie had come up with.Let Carlisle tells his lies then Aro go along with him and once done expose both of them.

“Let’s move on to the next crime.”Aro didn’t want to dwell on it.It would just convince the others to find Carlisle guilty and make it harder for Aro to get him let go.”Why did you not inform us of the newborn army that was being created in your territory?”

“Usually Alice would have a vision of any danger coming our way but she lost her gift.She no longer has any visions.We didn’t know that until the army was at our doorstep.”Carlisle explained.

“You are claiming that you didn’t know the army existed until the day they were set to attack you?”Caius couldn’t wait to hear what lie Carlisle came up with for his.

“No that’s not what I’m claiming.I’m saying that we didn’t have much warning and when we did find out we were afraid to contact you.”Carlisle told him.

“Why would you be afraid to contact us?”Marcus asked.

Carlisle called on all his acting skills and spoke.“You see we have been friends with the wolf shifters on the reservation next to our home ever since we settled in the area over a century ago.We were afraid if you came you would kill them because of your known hatred of children of the moon.A warranted fear as Isabella killed off the entire pack.”

“So you didn’t follow the laws because you were worried about a group of shifters?”Athenodora wanted to make sure she understood exactly what Carlisle was saying.

“Yes, we have known the tribe for generations and have done all we can to help them over the decades.We consider them family.”Carlisle had to try hard not to smirk at how easy the royals were believing him.

“And obviously that’s why you didn’t report their existence to us.”Aro concluded.

“Exactly.”Carlisle was happy that the lie was working.

“One thing I don’t understand is the fact that you did specific training tailored to prominent members of the guard.You said Alice lost her gift.How did you know we were coming?”Caius asked.

Carlisle tried to think of what to say.”We didn’t we just wanted to be prepared in case you did.”

“What was your plan if Isabella hadn’t come.Would you have tried to kill our guards?”Athenodora knew the answer but wanted to see if Carlisle was stupid enough to admit it.

“We were just going to defend ourselves.”Carlisle said.

“By killing our guards.”Athenodora replied.

Carlisle shook his head.”No we wouldn’t have killed anyone.”

“Then you would have come peacefully to be tried for your crimes?”Caius asked.

“Well of course we would have.”Carlisle told him.

“Then why were you doing specialized training to target the guards?”Athenodora wasn’t going to let Carlisle off the hook.

“Well…we..it’s just…I.”Carlisle stuttered out.

Athenodora smirked.”It’s just what?”

“I’m sure Carlisle was only concerned with keeping his family alive.”Aro wasn’t sure how he was going to get Carlisle out of this situation but he would try.

“Yes, I was concerned for my family.”Carlisle once again latched on to the excuse Aro provided.

“So you thought the only way to protect your family was to kill the guards and then what?”Caius just like his mate wasn’t going to let it go.

“We weren’t going to kill the guards.”Carlisle denied.

“Then why did you train to kill them?”Athenodora asked.

“I was worried about the safety of my family.”Carlisle told her.

“You concluded the only way to save your family was to kill the guards?”Marcus didn’t understand Carlisle’s reasoning.

“We weren’t going to kill the guards.”Carlisle once again denied.

“Then why were you training to kill them?”Caius asked.

“Carlisle has already stated that he wasn’t going to kill the guards.We don’t have to keep asking him.”Aro wanted to put a stop this line of questioning.

“Out of all us I would expect you to be the most concerned learning that Carlisle a man that you have always claimed was going to overthrow us was training to kill our guards.Why are you so willing to let this go?”It was obvious to Marcus that Aro was very keen to find the Cullens not guilty.He found that odd because he had heard Aro’s many rants about how they should just kill the coven before they got the chance to overthrow them.

“Of course I’m concerned.”Aro told him.

“Then why are you stopping us from asking him important questions.Questions about him wanting to overthrow us?”Marcus asked.

“The questions were answered.You all just wouldn’t accept it.”Aro knew that he had be more careful if Marcus was getting suspicious of him.Marcus was the only ally he had he couldn’t afford to lose him.

“The questions weren’t answered.”Caius was beyond pleased with the fact that Marcus had caught on to Aro’s behavior.It would make Marcus side with him and his mate against Aro in the future.

“Yes they were.”Aro needed them to let this go if he wanted a chance to prove Carlisle was innocent.

“No he simply denied he was doing something he admitted to doing.”Athenodora corrected.

“Well if he isn’t being forthcoming with answers then I will just use my gift to get them.”Aro knew this was his moment to turn everything around.

“Wonderful idea.”Caius said.

“Perfect Carlisle give me your hand.”Aro ordered.

Carlisle hesitated for a moment before deciding that Aro had proved he was on his side.He reached out his hand.”Of course.”

“Thank you.”Aro took the hand in his own and closed his eyes.As he suspected the Cullens were guilty of all their crimes including treason but he wasn’t going to tell anyone that.”I see.”

“What is it?”Caius already knew what Aro was going to say but needed everyone else to hear it.

“Carlisle was being completely truthful.The Cullens acted in a way that proves them innocent of their crimes.”Aro said.

“Then we are free to go?”Carlisle asked hopefully.He wasn’t sure what game Aro was playing but he was more than willing to play along.

“Of course you are.”Aro was pleased that things went the way he planned.

“Not so fast.”Caius said.

“What is it brother?”Marcus asked.

“It’s just because this situation effected my family personally now that Rosalie is mated to Isabella we would like to hear the truth from Carlisle for ourselves.”Caius told them.

“There is no need I will tell you all you need to know.”Aro offered.

“Rosalie deserves to hear it for herself.”Athenodora wasn’t going to let Aro control the narrative.

“I would appreciate it your majesties.”Rosalie not only wanted to hear it but it was part of the plan.

“I don’t see why we should deny the girl the opportunity to learn what her sire claimed.It’s her right as she was a witness to the crimes but you have seen no guilt.”Marcus was curious himself to what Carlisle had to say.

“It’s settled.Send in Maggie.”Caius ordered the guard.

“Maggie?”Aro hadn’t been told Maggie was in the castle.

“Your majesties may I present Maggie, Siobhan and Liam of the Irish coven.”A guard announced as he led three vampires into the room.One of the women a short curly haired red head broke off from the trio and approached Isabella.

“Hello Maggie.”Isabella greeted her friend.

“I would give you a hug but the blond next to you is glaring daggers at me.”Maggie teased.

“This is my mate Rosalie.”Isabella told her.

Maggie held out her hand.”It’s nice to meet you.”

“You as well.”Rosalie wasn’t sure who this Maggie person was but if they were a friend of Isabella then she would give them a chance.

“After this is over we can talk.”Maggie turned her attention to the royals.”Your majesties I have come as summoned.”

“Thank you for coming Maggie.”Athenodora was very pleased that Isabella had become friends with Maggie over the years.The Irish vampire had been very taken with Isabella when she was child and visited often as Isabella grew up.

“I assume you need me for my gift.”Maggie hand’t been told why she was needed just that Isabella needed help.

“Yes, Carlisle here is going to answer some questions.What we want you to do is tell us when he is lying.”Caius explained.

“Not a problem.”Maggie had heard of Carlisle but never met the man.She was curious of how he was involved with Isabella as her friend was very against animal drinkers.

“Then let’s begin.”Caius glared at Carlisle.”Why did you not tell us of the existence of the newborn army?”

“He already answer that question.”Aro couldn’t let this happen.If it did everyone would know he was lying.

“I want him to answer it again.”Caius told him.

Carlisle knew exactly who Maggie was but didn’t think he would have trouble tricking her gift.He just had to believe what he was saying was true.”We were worried that if you came you would kill the wolves.”

“He’s lying.”Maggie said.

“I’m not lying.We were all worried that if we called you for help you would kill the wolves.”Carlisle tried again.

“He’s lying.”Maggie repeated.

“I don’t want to question your gift Maggie but I saw in Carlisle’s thoughts that it was true.”Aro told her.

“Maggie has no knowledge of why Carlisle and the rest of his coven is here.What reason would she have to lie?”Athenodora asked him.

“I’m not saying she’s lying.”Aro tried to backtrack.

“Part of Maggie’s gift is that she can’t lie.If she says Carlisle is lying then he is lying.”Siobhan wasn’t going to stand for anyone calling Maggie a liar.Even if she could Maggie would never lie.She detested liars.

“Then that means Aro is lying or somehow Carlisle has been able to trick you.”Athenodora concluded.

“I’m not lying.”Aro was but he wasn’t going to admit it.

“Then Carlisle has done the unthinkable and has gotten around your gift.”Caius said.

“Carlisle would like a second chance to answer truthfully?”Marcus would think about this situation in detail later.It was obvious to him that Aro was lying but he didn’t know why he wanted Carlisle to be freed.When this was over he would speak to Caius and Athenodora they seemed to know more about this than he did.

“I am answering truthfully.”Carlisle wasn’t going to change his answer.

“Isabella grab Esme.”Caius ordered.

Isabella didn’t hesitate and grabbed Esme and restrained her.The woman tried to fight but her attempts were weak.”The more you struggle the more I’m going to hurt you.”

“What are you doing?Let her go!!”Carlisle tried to get to his mate but he was stopped by two guards taking hold of his arms.

“Now Carlisle I am going to ask again.Why did you not inform us of the newborn army that was formed in your territory.Think carefully before you answer because Isabella won’t hesitate to use force to get you to comply.”Caius threatened.

Carlisle tried to think of something that would get him out of this.He looked to his family but all of them were in a state a shock.It seemed he hesitated to long as Esme’s screams filled the room.Looking to his mate he watched as Isabella tore her arm off.”Wait.I’ll tell you just stop.”

“The truth Carlisle.Or we will ignore you and your mate and move on to your children.”Athenodora warned.

“We didn’t inform you because we thought we could handle it on our own.”Carlisle told them.

“He’s telling the truth.”Maggie said.

Caius felt that there was more to it than just that but would cycle back once he asked the next question.”Why were you training to kill specific guard members?”

“He already answered this.”Aro reminded everyone.

“As I told you I want to hear it come from his mouth.”Caius wasn’t surprised Aro was still trying to make his plan succeed.It just showed how desperate he was to kill Caius, Athenodora and Isabella.”Now answer me.”

Carlisle set his jaw.He wasn’t going to tell them anything because it would guarantee a death sentence.He braced himself expecting to hear Esme’s screams of pain but when Isabella released her and grabbed Alice he wasn’t sure what was going on.”What are you doing?”

“You had your chance to speak.Now it’s Jasper’s turn.”Athenodora knew that Jasper would be more than willing to tell them what they wanted to know.

“Leave my son out of this.”Carlisle didn’t want any of his children targeted because he knew they would crack easily.

“Now Jasper why were you training to fight specific guard members?”Caius asked ignoring Carlisle completely.

Jasper weighted his options.He could keep his mouth shut but that would guarantee Alice would be tortured or he could talk and condemn them all to death.”I will tell you everything you want to know if you promise that you will spare myself and my mate.”

“Jasper!!”Sara gasped in shock.

“What the hell?!”Emmett exclaimed at the same time.

“You traitor.”Edward screeched.

“Don’t do this Jasper.”Carlisle pleaded.

Athenodora smirked.She could always pick out the ones that would fold the quickest.”I think that can be arraigned.”

“I see no problem with it.”Caius easily agreed.

“I don’t see the point in this.Carlisle has already answered all your questions.”Aro tried to argue.

“I will accept the deal.”Marcus hated having to kill mated pairs and from what he knew of Jasper’s history the man had been through enough.He deserved a chance to live his life away from someone controlling him because Marcus could tell that Carlisle controlled his coven’s every action.

“It’s settled.Jasper if you answer our question and tell the truth you and your mate are free to go.If you lie even once we will kill your mate in front of you.”Caius knew that was more than enough of a threat to keep Jasper from lying to them.

“I will tell the truth.”Jasper didn’t even think of lying being an option.

“Good then why were you training to fight specific guard members?”Athenodora asked.

“Carlisle had us training to fight those guards members so that we could kill them.”Jasper told them.

“He’s telling the truth.”Maggie confirmed.

“What was he planning to do after he killed them?”Caius was pleased that Jasper wasn’t trying to trick them.

“He was going to kill the guards and with the help of the wolves gather allies to overthrow you.”Jasper flinched at the many sounds of outrage that filled the room coming from not only the royals but the Cullens as well.

“Enough.”Marcus yelled to quiet everyone down.He gave them a minute to gain control of themselves.”Maggie is he being truthful?”

Maggie nodded.”He spoke the absolute truth.”

“And you didn’t see this in Carlisle’s mind?”Marcus asked Aro.

“Well I…it’s just…hidden…I didn’t see.”Aro stuttered out.

Caius sneered at Aro.”It’s just what?”

“He must have hidden it from me.I didn’t see anything about it in his mind.”Aro told him.

“He’s lying.”Maggie said.

“How dare you call me a liar!!”Aro made a move to go after the young vampire but before he could step away from his throne Athenodora’s hand was around his throat pushing him back into his chair.

“She dares because you are lying.”Athenodora squeezed her hand causing cracks to form on the skin.

“Take the all the Cullens to the dungeon except for Jasper and Alice.Those two escort to a private room.”Caius ordered the guards.

“You promised we would be let go.”Jasper said.

“You will be but we aren’t done questioning you.Until we finish you will be treated as guests.”Caius wanted to finish the questioning but now that Aro had been exposed they needed to deal with that before they dealt with the Cullen’s treachery.

“Thank you your majesty.”Jasper felt a lot better knowing they weren’t going to be put back in the dungeon.It was good show of faith by the royals.

Marcus waited until the Cullens left before speaking.”The rest of the guard is dismissed.”

“I’m going to go show Maggie what changes Rosalie wants to make to our rooms.”Isabella wanted to stay but knew this was something her parents had to deal with.

“We will come see you when we finish speaking to our brothers.”Caius wanted Isabella there as well but it would just give Aro more ammunition to fuel his belief that they were going to have Isabella kill him.

“Come on guys.”Isabella held out her hand for Rosalie to take and led her and the Irish coven out of the throne room.

“What do you think is going to happen?”Rosalie asked.

“I don’t know but it won’t be good.”Isabella said the others in the group murmuring their agreements.She was surprised by how easily Aro fell for their trap.Isabella thought he would have abandoned his plan when it became obvious that they were on to him.Marcus had called him out on it and he still pushed forward.It would make it so Marcus had proof of what Aro was up to and didn’t take her parent’s claims as just a petty squabble between them and Aro.Aro had lied about Carlisle trying to overthrow them.That meant he was just as guilty as the Cullens.Isabella wondered if Aro would admit his guilt or stick to the lie.If he did stick to it she doubted that he would be a king for much longer.Then again she had always thought he had overstayed his welcome.His subjects didn’t respect him and he had more enemies than allies.Really he was a liability to the crown.Isabella gave a metal shrug.It didn’t matter to her what happened.She would follow her parents lead even if that meant she had to kill both her aunts and uncles.