THE CONVERTATION
I do not own Twilight or it's characters.
Okay, just so you know I don't write three or four and then post. I write chapter for chapter. I like the feedback from each chapter so I know what and what not to change. This is a story I came up with a while ago but have started it over about four times. It is a difficult one to write and I need time to analyze as I go. Please be patient and review critically as I will need everyone's help so I know if the story is making sense to someone who doesn't know the plot. Thank you. Enjoy.
Bell stood still and scanned the room. She needed to find a way to get her and her mother out of here. She needed to keep them both safe.
She gave the vampires the once over. One was a bleach blond who had an English type aura to him. He stood as if he knew all and saw all. He was tall. He wasn't skinny just framed well with some muscular tone. His eyes were different from the trackers that had chased her in the past. They were a bright gold that shone like the sun. His eyes were like her father's. Something was different with this situation. They weren't trackers.
She looked to the next one. He was taller than the first man. He would tower over many people and with his heavy stature he was quite intimidating. He was strong that much was obvious which made him someone to be careful around. He was filled out in muscle compared to the first. Both were strong but his structure showed more. He had a childish face with dimples and slightly curly dark hair. There was something about his stance. He was itching for a fight and seemed to be enjoying the idea. Again, the eyes. His eyes were a golden color but with a black edge to them. Something was definitely wrong here.
The third was a smaller more wiry creature. He seemed to be constantly scanning the room. He didn't seem to be as strong but something about him made him just as dangerous. His blond hair was beautiful which came in contrast to the crescent-shaped bite scars that adorned his body. He was a fighter but something about his look screamed that he was analyzing the situation. His eyes were almost black but there was still some gold showing through. This one needed to feed.
The last one was the one from the classroom earlier in the day. He was definitely the most dangerous. He could read thoughts. He had tried to reach inside her head twice already since she had entered the room. He was trying to work out this situation and how to control it and win power over it. He stood nearly the same height as the heavy set one, which was nearly more than a foot above her. His facial features were perfectly square. His jaw, his cheekbones and his nose. This all seemed to match with the slender muscular build of his body. Long and lean. His eyes were darker and he had purple bruises beneath his eyes. This contrasted with his facial features. But there was something further that made Bell stop. He wouldn't stop staring at her. She wasn't sure what it was but it was confusing.
She need more time to assess the situation. She glanced again around the room and let out a low growl. She needed to gain control. She needed the power.
Edward crouched preparing to pounce. His muscles tighten and flexed with precise accuracy.
"Wait. Stop. Carlisle, please tell your men to relax." Bell's mom said softly. Everyone in the room could hear her and became confused at the obvious knowledge between them.
"Mom, what the hell? You know these trackers."
"Bella, they're not trackers and you know it. Please calm down." Funny coming from a highly emotional woman such as her mother. "I think we may be safe. Carlisle's an old friend of your father's or at least was a friend."
"Mom,please. Let me do this." Bell answered in a definite tone. Her mother knew what she wanted to do. She loved her mother but sometimes the woman could be too trusting. Her mother held her ground and moved to stand between Bella and the men.
"Who's your husband?" Carlisle said eying Bell's mother.
"Carlisle, tell me that your memory isn't fading. I thought that was impossible for a vampire. I'm Renee. You weren't formally introduced to me but I know you know Charles."
"Charles......Renee......but the last time I saw you......I thought.....you should be dead." Carlisle was at a loss for words. He definitely knew her.
"I would have been if I wasn't what I am. Come. We need to sit and talk. Bella, I want you to go and sweep the area. I want you to make sure that all this commotion hasn't attracted unneeded attention."
"Mom, I don't trust them."
Renee walked gracefully over to her daughter. "Please, Bella, trust me. We're safe. I promise. If we're not safe here then there is nowhere in the world we would be. You may not trust them but I trust Carlisle because your father does. Please."
Why? How can she trust them so easily? If this man and my father met in Volterra then that makes him so very dangerous to our safety. But she looks so convinced. She knows something I don't. What is it? What would make this emotional woman calm down so quickly? Trust. I trust her but them I don't. She wants me to run. She doesn't fully trust them. She's trying to tell me to find Dad. Is that it, Mom? Do you want me to find Dad?
Sign to me, Mom. Find Dad. Yes, find Dad and bring him back. I'm so glad we worked out this signing between us a long time ago. It has saved us a few times. What? They're not dangerous. They are our allies but only if we can find Dad in time to prove everything she's been telling Carlisle. Fine. I'll find Dad. Be safe, Mom. I'll be back.
Bell turned and ran out the door with a quick glare back.
Renee turned and walked back over to Carlisle. "Carlisle. I have a favor to ask of you. I'm very thirsty. I need blood, Carlisle. Not much but I need it none the less."
"Maybe we should all feed before we talk. The tension seems to be a little high and that will force a situation unless we all feed. You, of course, will you hunt with us. At least until your daughter returns." Carlisle said instead of asking. He wasn't planning to let this woman out of his sight. There was something about her that made her different. Her daughter too but he couldn't quite figure it out.
"Carlisle, I'm sorry but I don't hunt the way you do."
Carlisle eyed the woman carefully. "What way do you hunt?"
"I don't hunt at all. I need blood to sustain myself but I need human blood. I have tried animal blood but it's like a poison to me."
"We don't allow human killings around here." Edward spoke up, crouching again. He was still waiting for the fight. His senses were suddenly screaming a warning.
"I refuse to kill humans. I could never do that." Renee reeled in horror at the thought. "Most times I travel and find a blood bank. I take enough to sustain me for a few months, even though fresh tastes better, but I haven't been able to in a while. Being on the run sometimes limits those options."
"On the run? What are you running from?" Jasper asked in a serious tone. Jasper being the strategist that he was needed to understand what danger may be coming their way.
"I should wait and let Charles explain the whole situation to everyone. Please, I need to feed." Renee calmly said. She needed to buy Bell time to find Charles.
"I'll find you blood, Renee. Emmett will stay here with you till I get back." Carlisle stated and turned to Edward and Jasper. "You two, go hunt. Make it a quick trip. I think we'll all need to be here for this story."
Edward and Jasper looked at each other. They spoke briefly and raced out the door. This was going to be the shortest hunting trip ever.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I can smell him. Where is he? That awful smell. Deer. Dad, how can you hunt them? I bet they taste worse than they smell. The wind is coming from the north and his smell is with it. He is about two miles away.
Who are these vampires and why is Mom so unsure of them? She obviously knows the one named Carlisle. She trusts him enough with her life but not enough to chance my life too. Is Carlisle still with the Volturi? Could he cause our capture? No. If he was that dangerous Mom wouldn't have allowed herself to be surrounded like she did. Something is different about this. Something from the past. Something I haven't been told. I could see that in her eyes. What is she hiding? What is she not telling me? She's trusting them but not enough to lower her guard. She needs Dad. She wants him there for some reason. I hate the not knowing.
I can smell Dad. He's much closer. Just past the big oak tree. The heartbeat of a deer. He hasn't made the kill yet. Great. I don't like seeing him do this. Fuck. Dad, why can't you be like Mom and just drink tap blood?
Bell came through the trees and stopped. As silent as she was, she'd still announced her arrival. Her father looked back for a small moment in time and acknowledged her. She turned away has he sunk his teeth into the neck of the deer he was holding beneath him.
Moments later he walked towards her. "Bella, what are you doing out here?"
"Dad, stay down wind would you? You stink." Bell stopped breathing.
"You haven't answered my question." Charles said in a defiant tone.
Bell looked up as he walked around her taking away the horrible smell. He was a tall man, hair like her and her mother. His eyes were the golden color as the strangers. But this didn't make him look weak like it did with them. But he did look just as dangerous. He had a strong character. A strong presence. He was very loyal and very protective of his family. He would die to protect them.
"Mom and I were found by some vampires. They claim they're not trackers. Mom says they're not but I don't know what to think."
"What??? We need to go. Wait. Where is your mother?" Charles stated. He was very impatient for a vampire. One second seemed like eternity to him.
"Dad, shut up. Fuck, you're impossible after a fresh kill." Bell hissed at his agitation.
"Watch your language, child." Her father snarled. He could handle anything she did but there was no way he would listen to his child swear at him.
"Technically I'm older than you." Bell said with a straight face. "Dad, Mom recognized one of these vampires. She claims that you and he are old friends. She doesn't completely trust them and sent me to find you. I don't know what to think or what's going on but she wants you back. Now."
"Is there a name related to this vampire?" Charles asked ignoring the comment about age. He didn't like talking about that particular issue.
"Carlisle."
Charles' jaw dropped and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Carlisle's here. Come on, we need to move fast."
Bell started back towards the house with no hesitation. Her immediate thought was danger. Her father never behaved like this unless it was a bad situation. She would have to watch for any signs that it was time to run.
As they approached the house, Charles slowed before Bell. Her father was confusing her with his actions. Why would he slow down if we were in danger? Unless he is being cautious but he wouldn't be heading for the front door if he was. I don't understand this. What is going on? Why is whatever this is happening now? Never leave anything to chance. Never let down your guard. I've always been told this and these were always the rules. Why now?
Charles moved in front of Bell and shielded her. He threw up the shield. Why? Is he trying to protect me or hide me? Are these his friends or his foes? The signs. He is signing to me.
Be careful, they may be able to help us but it's been years since I've seen Carlisle. This may be a trap. Be ready.
Dad, be ready for what? I can make myself vanish but how will I get Mom out. Damn, look at me. I can't sign if your back is turned. FUCKING LOOK AT ME!!!!!!!
Charles walked casually into the house. They both knew where everyone was gathered. Renee was feeding. Emmett was standing behind the couch within reaching distance of Renee. He was ready to strike if he needed to.
Carlisle rose as Charles stepped into the room. "It is you. Charles, my old friend, what brings you to this part of the world?"
"Carlisle. I might ask you the same question." Charles asked with a slight formality. The tension in the room was impossible to miss.
"Well, ever since I left Volterra I have been leading a wonderful life in North America. I have a family now as I can see you do."
"I am sure my family defers from yours." Charles said looking at his wife making sure she was still okay.
"I'll surely agree to that comment." Carlisle said as he look at the bag of blood Renee was sipping on. "We haven't harmed her. We came to find you because we live in the area on a permanent basis and need to be sure of those who come here. I think we need to talk. I would like to know if you're still a friend or not."
"I could say the same of you, Carlisle. If you wouldn't mind I would like my wife and child to leave. You understand, I wouldn't want to endanger them in any way if this is a deception on your part."
"And what's that suppose to mean?" a voice came from behind Bell and Charles.
Bell turned and saw Edward and Jasper coming back through the door. She instinctively crouched and a growl formed from deep inside her chest.
Without even turning, Charles replied, "I have been dealing with the Volturi for many years, boy. I know how they work better than you know yourself. This is an old trick sending a friend to capture the wanted." Then adding without pausing, "Bella. Stop that growl."
Bella immediately stopped but didn't take her eyes off of Jasper and Edward. She was feeling trapped and wasn't comfortable with it.
"Charles, I assure you I haven't been sent by the Volturi. But if they have you on a wanted list then we have much to discuss."
"Can my family go so I feel safer speaking with you?" Charles asked quickly.
"Dad, no. I will not leave and let you get torn to shreds. I can't lose you." Bell snarled at her father.
"Bella, you will listen to me. I know what is best for you. I need to keep you safe. For once in your life listen and do as I say and I warn you child, stop growling at me."
"I'm not a child and I'll growl anytime I want. I deserve to be here. This is my life in danger too. I'm the one they want. Remember that, dad? They want me and mom more than you. All you did was betray them. If they get us back......" Bella couldn't even form the words.
"Back????" Carlisle eyed Bell.
"Yes, Carlisle, back. The Volturi not only had Renee but once managed to capture Bella. They nearly killed her before her escape. I swore my daughter would never be put in danger like that ever again. I will die in a ball of flames before I would allow it." Charles said softly.
Edward stared at the lovely creature crouched in front of him. What was so important about her that the Volturi would want her so bad? This man would sacrifice himself for her? What was it that continued to attract him to her? What was the connection that made them such a tight group?