Chapter 2: Defensive?
Hi! I'm glad you guys seemed to like the first chapter. I wrote this one right after I wrote the first, but wanted to wait a day before posting it so I could edit it fully and give people time to get into it.
Yes, this story is set after BD, hence Bella's vampirism, the existance of Renesmee, yada yada. I figured that it would be easier to focus on this one event without Bella's human needs in the way (;
Well, thanks again for all your wonderful reveiws! I'm really glad some people like this. I enjoy it too. Hope you like this chapter as well!
Jasper's POV.
It was about twenty eight minutes after Alice had had her first vision, and the storm outside had intensified. The entire family stood in the entryway, peering out into the darkness, waiting.
Usually, is was quite easy for us to see in the dark, but the lack of moonlight mixed with the terrible rain outside made it somewhat difficult even for us. Carlisle stood closest to the door, stiff but calm, waiting. Esme stood a few feet behind him, at his request, protected by his fit frame. Edward stood at the entryway to the living room, both arms around Bella, whose eyes were wide with worry, darting to Alice often. Edward looked and felt determined, protective, and quite angry.
I knew that most of this was for Bella; like with me and Alice, (though weaker, I'm sure), he wanted nothing more than to protect his wife. But I knew that, if Bella was safe, and Renesmee was with her, he would jump to Alice's defense without a second thought. I couldn't blame him for counting his sister third, since I knew I would do the same thing. Alice was, simply put, my life. The only thing that mattered.
Rosalie sat near us in the tufted chair set between the entryway and the stairs, Emmett leaning against it, holding her hand. To humans, they probably looked like they were modeling for a catalog or something. Alice and I stood the furthest from the door, next to the stairs, I clutching her with all my might, my eyes focusing on nothing but her. Suddenly, she shook, gasping, and I felt terror crash into me.
You see, Alice's emotions are decidedly the most intense I have ever felt, even of my own family. This always intrigued me; how could one feel such high levels of excitement and pure joy and also those of such low sorrow and fear in the same existence? I knew some of this was due to my love for her, just like how she was able to see my future clearly even when she tried not to, but I also knew that this was one of the extraordinary things about my Alice that set her apart from the rest.
This is important to know if one was to want to understand how I feel whenever Alice has a vision. When she leaves me physically, as with the Volturi, it is as if I am gone. Not even just part of me, because, as far as I am concerned, she is me. She is my everything, my life, or, more exactly, my existence. When she is not there, nothing is there. But when she leaves me- emotionally, mentally, spiritually- it is another thing entirely. It is a loss of hope, a loss of love, of will to go on. Like being thrown in a lightless hell for all of eternity.
Her fear entering a vision is automatic, I know, and she has told me many a time how bad she feels for making me feel that. But I know that, if I had the choice, which, as far as I am concerned, I do not, I would never leave her side. I would go through that every minute of forever if it meant having her with me.
Alice sighed as she returned to the present, her gold eyes refocusing, but her fear and apprehension remaining. "He's coming," she whispered, but we all heard.
Suddenly, Edward stiffened. I was aware of his heightened rage as his head snapped towards us, eyes boring into Alice. "Never, Alice, ever think that again." he growled.
"What did she think?" I said out loud, feeling her sadness wash over me.
"She's thinking that we should all just let her face this…thing….on her op\wn, and let this man do as he pleases with her. Even take her, if it means not causing us the trouble." Edward seethed, emphasizing every word. I gasped, spinning Alice around to face me, leaning down to her so my face was only inches above her own.
"What? Alice. Alice, never, just…" I was so stricken, I could not even speak. "Never think that, Alice. I will never let you. Without you….there's nothing for me. If you're gone, I'm gone. I need you, Alice, and there is no me without you. I will never let you go, do you hear me?" I said, and her eyes looked down.
"Yes, Jazz," she said softly, "I-" but I cut her off, kissing her quickly.
"He's here," Carlisle said, his voice measured and even.
I peered out into the night and saw the figure, very much like Alice (and, later, Edward,) had detailed him. He was tall, about my height, and thin as Alice, but the lack of muscle clinging to his bones made him look positively skeletal. His skin was not a normal white, it had a grayish tint to it, but was illuminated by the light of the house all the same. He was dressed oddly in a black trench coat and black top hat with a silver band about it, tufts of thin black hair sticking out underneath the brim. He looked to be about thirty in human time, which was quite old for most vampires, but the way he carried himself made it obvious he was really much older than that. His face was angular, but his thinness made his sharp, large features protrude even further from his sullen face, the hollows beneath his eyes seeming endlessly deep, his features taught, his eyes dark, appearing black from a distance.
Instinctively, I growled, tightening my hands around Alice.
He walked towards the house slowly, at about a running pace for humans, gliding over the rocks and grass of the cleared yard area in front of the house that sloped down into green wood. He reached the driveway, making it to the doorway in a few moments.
I held my breath as he loosened a bony white hand from his pockets and wrapped upon the door. It was clear as Carlisle opened it that this was all a charade; clearly, he knew we were vampires, was here for a reason, and knew we were waiting for him. Fear washed over me as I realized that he must have known about Alice's power, and, since he hadn't done anything to avoid her seeing it beforehand, his plans were decided, no matter what we did.
"Hello," Carlisle exclaimed companionably, standing away from the door but still in front of Esme as the figure walked in. "My name is Dr. Carlisle Cullen. How do you do?"
"Hello, Doctor," the man said, removing his coat and rubbing his boots across the rug before the door, smiling at Esme. She gave a feeble smile back. Yes, he knew more about us than we had predicted.
"May I ask who you are, and maybe why you've come here, or where you're from?" Carlisle asked, taking the man's coat and handing it to Esme to put in the hall closet. I let my glance drift to Edward, not bothering with Emmett and Rosalie. His eyes were fixed on the man, his face unreadable, but his emotions were slightly horror stricken, suspicious.
"I am here to speak to a member of your coven in particular," the man said, never removing his tophat. "My name is Daniel." Gracisouly, Carlisle ignored the unanswered questions the man had left, and smiled at him.
"We prefer to think of ourselves as…well, a kind of family."
"Ah?" The man asked, but his face made it clear this was no suprise. "That is certainly not typical of vampires, you know. Very uncommon."
"Yes, well, we all are…quiet bonded, protective of one another. Allow me to introduce my family to you," Carlisle said, gesturing to each family member as he spoke. "This is Edward, my first son, and Bella, his wife. Over there is Rosalie, my first daughter, and Emmett, also my son, and her husband. There's Jasper, my newest son, and Alice, his wife and my daughter, and here, of course, is Esme, my lovely wife." He drew an arm around her, hugging her as he ended.
The man sucked in a breath, looking to each member of our clan. He showed no preference or recognition. I noticed how Carlisle had conveniently left out Bella's former human state, not to mention Renesmee.
"Very lovely," the man said curtly, before turning his attention to something else. "I noticed a peculiar, strong scent outside your house," he moved closer to us as he spoke. I quelled the anger inside of me, using all my might not to leap for him and crack his neck. "Do you share the area with any other….predators?"
If Carlisle was surprised by this topic, he didn't show it. "Well, not exactly. You see, there is a preserve nearby where some werewolves live, but we've had a treaty with them for a long time. Our lands are separate."
"Interesting," the man looked down to his clothes, an old looking black suit, which, despite its age, was perfectly pressed and free of wear. "I hope I am not making you uncomfortable with my…formal wear. You see, I'm off to meet someone after this. I wish to chat with a member of your family in particular." His emotions told me that he cared little of our comfort; he was only here for one thing, though I had no idea what it was. "Alice?" he asked, looking directly at my little pixie. This time, I couldn't help it. A hiss, low but audible, found its way into the room. David did not seem to notice.
"Hello," she said, her voice not one bit subdued.
To my surprise, David smiled at her. "I wish to speak with you…perhaps, in private?"
That did it. There was no way he would have my Alice alone. I sunk into a defensive position in front of Alice, this time, letting my roar wrip forth.
"Ah, I see someone is a little…defensive? Don't worry, lad, I won't harm your mate." His voice had an Irish edge to it, which he'd let slip through. I sneered at him.
"Jasper," Carlisle said softly. I waited a few more moments before relaxing, but still standing in front of Alice, refusing to move. Carlisle gently came over and took Alice by the arm, leading her away from me before letting her go a few feet away. I felt my dead heart drop.
"If you don't mind, I would like to be there while you speak with my daughter," Carlisle said. Alice looked calm and collected, but did not meet David's eyes, only looked intently at Carlisle as he led the two of them into the dining room. I watched as they left, feeling my hope and light leave.
Turning to Edward, I finally saw him let go of his sturdy expression, his face dropping into a mask of horror before he managed to speak.
"He has a power, too."
This was gonna be one long night.
