A Darker Secret
Chapter 1
"Bella, at last," Alice sighed in longing relief. I smiled weakly in reply as I made my way over to Edward's welcoming arms. "What took you so long? Did the fitters hold you up?" she questioned.
"No," I mumbled feebly. I snuggled deeper into Edward's arms.
"So? Do I get to see?" Edward asked, his eyes a light butterscotch after the days hunting. I hesitated.
"Maybe later," I replied just a little too late.
"Why not now?" Alice complained, thick disappointment layering her voice. "By the way, where did you get that jacket? The neck line is all wrong for you... I 'm certain I never bought that... Anyway show Edward the dress, I've been dying to see you in it as well!"
"It's too cold..." I mumbled for lack of a better excuse. Both of them stared at me in disbelief. I now realised how stupid an excuse I had put forth.
"Bella, we don't feel the cold. Just show us the dress!" Alice demanded.
"No!" I was on my feet now, backing towards the glass doors.
"Bella, what's wrong love?" Edward looked at me anxiously. He too was off the couch, walking towards me, his arms extended.
"Nothing's wrong!" i screamed to my now rapidly appearing audience. Carlisle, Esme, Rose, Emmett, Jasper...all their beautiful faces creased with worry. Out of the corner of my eye i saw Jasper wince in pain from the sudden high in emotion emanating around the room.
"Come on Bella, don't be a baby!" Emmett joked. In a flash he was behind me, tearing the stolen jacket from my shoulders.
"No Emmett! Emmett, stop! STOP!" I screamed, but it was too late; the long line button up slide off my arms and onto the floor.
"Oh Bella," Edward gasped, not quite managing to hide his fury and pain at seeing me like this. He cradled me up against his broad chest just as my first violent sobs erupted. "It's alright Bella. It's alright," he whispered soothingly into my hair. "You're safe now. I'm here." As my hopeless sobs continued, our family began to encircle us. The torrent of questions began:
"What happened?"
"Who did this to you?"
"Do they hurt much?"
"When did this happen?"
"Where did this happen?"
Edward silenced them all with a dark glare. He promptly restarted comforting me, until my sobs began to subside. He lightly pushed two fingers under my chin; bring my face level with his own. His mesmerising butterscotch eyes bore into mine, asking all the questions he was too much of a gentle man to voice.
"I'm ready..." I whispered. I twisted in his arms, turning to face my family. I explained swiftly my fearful attack, not wishing to linger on the details. While retelling the story, I remembered the message I was to relay...or else.
"The leader," I sniffed turning to Edward, "He said he knew you." He stared at me, bewildered. "He told me to tell you 'I'll be true to my word'. Does that mean anything to you?" I stared up at his face. His brow's farrowed in concentration.
"No... It couldn't be..." he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
"Travis wouldn't do this... He isn't capable..."
"Travis? Your old poker buddy?" Emmett chuckled.
"Well I wouldn't really call him a buddy..." Edward retorted absent-mindedly.
"Last I heard he hated you," Jasper summarised.
"Sounds about right," he smiled weakly, "Alright. I'll put you all out of your miseries. Travis used to play poker with us, and I sort of coned him out of all his money."
"Then he found out Edward could read minds. Man did he flip out!" Emmett chuckled.
"Swore his revenge." Jasper added.
"I haven't heard from him in months... Oh Bella," he turned to look at me, regret and guilt plastering his face, "This is all my fault."
