Thank you for the reviews. They mean a lot, and it's encouraging to hear you're intrigued. PTB Betas for this chapter: sweetishbubble and MrsDazzled. Thanks, ladies!


Chapter Two

The Unknown Name

JACOB BLACK

No. No. NO! I exploded. It helped very little since my legs—well, hind legs now—were broken. Sure, I heal fast but not that fucking fast.

I howled as I painfully tried to swim toward Bella and the bitch.

"Jake, we'll be right there!" I heard in my head. I then heard Seth's howl in the distance, calling for the others.

"Hurry! I can't go anywhere! The red headed bitch has Bella out of the water and my ass is draggin'. That fuckin' leech made sure I landed on her stinky, marble ass when I hit the water."

In my peripheral, I saw a head bob above the water and did a double take. The pain in my legs flew out of my mind as soon as I realized that it wasn't someone just swimming around—it was another fucking bloodsucker. He was about 75 yards away, looking straight at Bells and the bitch.

"You guys recognize this leech?" I asked. Only Embry and Seth had phased so far.

"Nope. We'll be there soon!"

Then, the bloodsucker whispered in a commanding tone while smirking at the bitch. "She's under the eye of the Volturi. Release her."

Victoria ran.

I growled at him. Good fuckin' job, you fucktwat.

"Oh shit, he's lookin' at yah now," thought Seth as he propelled himself past Embry.

This bloodsucker was actually scary. He was huge, as big as the largest Cullen, if not bigger. He had dark hair, a goofy, yet somehow still menacing smile, and he definitely was not a veggie vamp. The leech had sharp, blood red eyes.

He swam over to me slowly and began to speak. "Hello, Jacob. I mean you no harm. I only need you to phase back so that I can carry you out of the water. Or perhaps you can call the others to help you?"

"What the fuck?" the entire pack thought now that we were all phased.

I growled at him again. If I wasn't hurt, he'd have already attended his funeral pyre.

"You're Ephraim Black's great-grandson and Billy Black's son, correct?"

I snarled this time and heard the echoing growls of the pack. Who the fuck does this guy think he is? How in the hell does he know that about me?

The pack was just getting to the cliff and jumping down into the water when he confounded us all. He spoke in our native language with his head bowed. "Spirit warriors, I give you my word in the name of the great Chief and the first Spirit ManWarrior Taha Aki, his third wife, Akane, and those who sent me here, that I mean you no harm and will protect you when I must."

Oh, shit. I gaped at him and then phased back along with the others, except for Paul.

No one but the most trusted in the tribe knew the third wife's name. When Taha Aki left the tribe, he left that name to the tribe elders, along with specific instructions to use it as a safe word only. It was supposed to be used between the pack and someone we didn't really know. It was so we would know who we could trust. The name Akane was only said aloud during a couple ceremonies—not even uttered when the legends were told—and only the council elders were able to give it to someone to use.

We saw no need for it, really. But why give it to a bloodsucker?

I didn't trust the leech. I wanted to know how he got it, because that name being spoken was simply a prayer in complete reverence to the woman who saved her tribe. It could generate respect between us and the person who used it. Some would think the name means 'sanctuary' or that it was an homage to the woman in ceremonies, but the pack knew it was much, much more than that. Its power was close to the Alpha edict.

Goddamn, how did he know that name?

Not even Bella knew that name; while she had no need to, she would've been the only person we would've told, and she still knew nothing of it. I didn't recognize this bloodsucker's scent, so I knew he was never close enough to hear anyone say it during a ceremony. We hadn't had one for a while anyway.

Moreover, we had never had that name used on us as a tribe before. Shit.

I needed answers. I didn't trust fucking parasites.

"How do you know that name? Not only that but our language?" I asked forcefully.

At last, my legs were getting better. If this came to a fight, I wouldn't be completely handicapped.

The leech explained himself. "It is not my place to tell you. I was sworn to secrecy until I talk to the elders of tribe: Mr. Black, Mrs. Clearwater, and Mr. Ateara Sr.. The other vampire with me, Demetri, is probably already talking to them. He can actually track Isabella easily. You might want to send someone over there, and then they can relay that you are safe with me. We must hurry. We need to find Bella before that vampire kills her or maybe does worse."

Jesus. What the fuck is going on?

He was right though, we did need to get a move on. Bells was fucking family!

Sam turned to Seth. "Go. Find out what you can and let us know. We'll be ten miles south of the border. We'll come to you when you're ready. Stay phased."

Seth was already gone.

Sam turned to the bloodsucker. "If you're lying, holding even one little detail, and tricking us, you're even deader than you already are."

I could tell Sam wanted to add an offending name, but he really was trying to show the respect that the name Akane demanded.

Damn.

"So, what's your name?" I asked begrudgingly.

"Felix," he replied. He even gave another bow. Well, isn't this the Twilight Zone?

"Felix," Sam said while studying him. "Please head south, but away from the beach. Stay in the forest. We will be beside and behind you. We will phase. Keep a good distance from us. Though we will not harm you yet, or maybe never, we do not trust you or your kind. Harm a human and you're gone."

Feleech nodded in acceptance. We surrounded him with a wide berth and phased. Sam placed an alpha order not to attack him until his command, on top of the power of the name. Paul and I were on the bloodsucker's left with Sam and Jared to his right. Quil and Embry were behind him. We all headed southeast.

Our minds were working overtime, mostly worrying about Bells, but everyone was also paying close attention to the big leech and his every move. We knew Leah was on the Rez, keeping watch, and she was now heading toward my house to meet up with Seth.

Five miles in, Sam interrupted everyone's thoughts. "Jake, Jared, the two of you phase back when we get there. The rest of us will stay phased, just in case he does something stupid. You need to see if he'll tell us anything about knowing the name. Jake, he seems to know you and maybe that'll help him open up. I know you're all worried about Bella, but I don't want you going off by yourself looking for her yet. We don't know anything, and I don't want to split us up. There could be an attack waiting for us here or maybe the red head has help with her. We will not be going into that without as much info as we can get and the best chance of all of us surviving. Yes, that includes Bella. That bitch might just kill her if we're not prepared when we go to get her back. As soon as Seth gives us the word, we will talk to the elders. I still don't trust this guy and I probably never will. No matter what the elders say. I know you guys have questions, but I don't have any answers to them. Stick together and we'll get Bella back soon enough. We will not give up until we find her.

"Leah, stop growling at that . . . vampire; Billy and Old Quil are trying to talk to him. You do not attack him unless I give you the command."

There weren't any arguments from Leah, even though she hated being ordered.

Sam barked and the big leech knew to stop. We formed a complete circle to surround him in order to watch each other's backs.

Shit, I forgot about pants. Looks like all of us except Embry didn't have pants on us.

"Jared, you can have them. I'll be happy to show the leech real manhood." I laughed through my thoughts and didn't hear his comeback as I phased back.

"Okay. Sorry, don't have clothes on me—obviously and literally. Anyway, Felix," God, I can't even really say it with the hate I want. "What can you tell us? Let's start with why are you here. It seemed like you were watchin' Bella. Why?"

"Ah, I can tell you this stuff," he said with a grin and then lazily sat down.

Jeez, he's comfortable around us.

"My masters wanted me and Demetri to check on Bella—to watch her. It seems the Cullens," he sneered, "left her with our secret, and in our world, that is a huge no, no. Punishment is only death—for both parties involved. However, the Masters knew Carlisle and they wanted answers before doing something . . . permanent. We came to see what she did with the information."

"How long have you been watching her?" Jared asked.

"I haven't been watching her, though Demetri has for almost six months."

I wonder why we never smelled the other leech . . . wait . . .

"How did you ever find out about Bella and those . . . motherfuckers? They wouldn't have told you if they were goin' to get in trouble."

"No, the Cullens," he sneered that name again, "did not tell us and that will be used against them. We received the information from a close acquaintance of that coven and the person did not like Bella or the Quileute wolves."

I nodded. We'll have to get back to that later. Someone wasn't only a traitor, but the person didn't like us.

"Why didn't you kill her? You said punishment was only death. Or at the very least, why didn't take her from us?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, daring him to lie.

"Because one of my masters was intrigued, and she was under your protection," he replied simply.

Hmm . . .

"Why were they intrigued?"

He took a sharp breath and seemed apprehensive.

Ah, he didn't want to tell us all of it, but it looks like he will.

"They are intrigued for many reasons. One, because you protected her and we didn't know why. We know you protect humans, but you seemed to go out of your way with her. Two, she is human and can block Edward's gift. That is not only rare in the vampire world, but also unheard of with a human. Three, Master Aro wondered why they left her or did not change her."

They were growls all around. We all concluded that same thing: this Aro guy wanted her.

"So that's it? Your master, Aro, wants to use her!" I stood and began to shake.

"Honestly, yes and no. He does want her to join us, but only if she agrees. We cannot disrespect your tribe with those you protect, and given that you are not the ones who told her of our world, we cannot hold you responsible."

Shit. I did pretty much tell her. I'm not admittin' that though.

"How are you affiliated with our tribe and people?" I asked. "You know more than the average Quileute and respect us much more than any vamps we know." I wasn't really expecting an answer, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

"I am not at liberty to say. I am sorry, but that is for your elders to tell you and just how much. It is to their discretion who they tell and what to tell—especially when it is pertaining to your tribe and our agreement with them. It was an order from both sides of authority—your superiors and mine. I do not know why. I take orders and the agreement was written that way. Therefore, I did not ask questions." He bowed his head to show his apologies.

God, this is infuriatin' and complete lunacy! Why would elders make an agreement with them?

"I heard you say the Volturi to Victoria. What is that or who is that?" I asked next. I had an idea, but I didn't want to get Bells in trouble by telling us.

"It is the vampire justice and peace system. It is similar to the government. We enforce our one important law: do not expose our kind in any way by telling someone, showing our abilities and weaknesses, or drawing attention with the deaths from feeding. Vampires cannot do anything to show humans that we exist."

"What do you plan on doing when we find Bella?" I was extremely worried about this issue. We'd find her alive; I didn't want to think about if we didn't, and I had to know what they planned to do to her.

"We will not harm any of you, especially Bella. She has options and we will ask her to decide what she wants. Our masters have wanted to meet her and that is an option. If she agrees and comes to visit, I know that if your elders allow it you are welcome to accompany her. I can promise you that no harm will come to her by us, particularly there. She will have even more protection."

"And where is that?" I inquired. I was pretty sure Bella had said Italy.

"Italy."

Sam barked twice and pointed his nose toward home.

Jared phased for twenty seconds and then phased back. "We're going home. He's coming with us . . . onto the Rez."

Well, this should be interesting, I mused.

"Let's go." I phased and the pack resumed formation around the big, smelly leech and guided him to our home. Seth and Leah had already phased back, so they couldn't tell us anything inadvertently.

"We're going to the tribe summit," announced Sam.

Wow! Leeches to the tribal meeting place is unheard ofa definite first. Okay . . . maybe not. The bloodsucker seemed to know where he was going by taking the long way around the Rez and houses to the tribe summit. The day was getting even more bizarre and I couldn't wait until we could get on the road and find Bella. She was probably being tortured! I was getting even more agitated to leave.

Sam glanced at me. "Don't worry Jake, we'll get her back."

We arrived at the top of summit. Everyone else was sitting around the dead bonfire. My dad, Sue, and Old Quil were sitting next to each other on folding chairs. Parked to the right of his mom was Seth. Leah was standing away from everyone, shaking on the opposite side of the bloodsucker, Demetri, and glaring at him.

I noted that he had no smell, which was both disconcerting and interesting. Even more interesting was that he and the elders looked somewhat comfortable, or at least familiar with each other, because they were talking to one another softly. Jesus.

We all ran up and grabbed a pair of pants, while keeping an eye on the new bloodsucker that Feleech was now sitting next to. The new, good-looking leech was in a submissive position—head bowed down lowly and his hands up with palms forward. The pack wanted to turn around to put our pants on to respect the ladies present, but we didn't turn our backs toward an enemy. Sue and Leah would have to forgive us.

We phased, dressed, and all took a seat. I took the seat closest to the bloodsuckers, in between them and my dad. No fucking way was I leaving my dad wide open like that. I sat as far away from dad as I could, but still far enough away from the parasites to be comfortable. I didn't want to hurt my dad and I didn't mind phasing on top of the bloodsuckers.

Just as I sat down, I thought of something.

I turned to Feleech and tried to word it so that I wouldn't give anything I knew away. He'd have to tell me more than he already did, as well. "You said earlier that Bella will be even more protected in Italy than here. Why did you say that? Why does she have such importance to all of you, other than her supposed 'blocking' of Edward? Don't get me wrong, I'll tell her not to go, but she's stubborn. If she wants to go, she will. I'm grateful she'll be heavily protected and we can accompany her, but I want to know. You made it seem like she's the most important person to everyone there."

Feleech and the other bloodsucker looked at each other. They both nodded.

Feleech answered, "One of our masters believe that she is one of his descendants. He likes to keep track of them and check on them every century. He is confident they are related, and that in itself makes her more important than any of The Guard to the Masters; especially if she decides she wants to become one of us. She intrigues one master and is related to another—nothing will happen to her if we have any say in it." He actually looked proud and determined.

We were speechless, especially me. What the hell do you say to that?

Then the other said, "Bella is important to our Masters, therefore important to us. I should also explain that I could only track someone if I have met the person before. Victoria did not return to Washington after you killed Laurent—that is, until this afternoon. Victoria's scent was faint and all over the place, yet that is not how I track. I am usually the one that watches over Bella because I can get close enough without detection. However, late this morning I ran into three newborn vampires, and they were scouting this area for Victoria. It seems she has at least a dozen more and they move from place to place. Felix could only watch Bella from afar; therefore, the situation she is in now could not be helped by any of us.

"I called for reinforcements. Fourteen total, plus us. I have already discussed this with your elders. We will assess the danger and only bring what is needed to rescue Bella and capture Victoria. There is no need to draw unwanted attention to Washington, or wherever we are going, which is currently north. I assumed some of you would want to come, which can be discussed later among yourselves. You wanted answers from your elders, you are about to get some."

My dad started, "You all know nothing leaves this meeting." He looked around and we all nodded.

"Let me introduce you to Taha Aki, the first Spirit Man, also known as the Great Wolf."

Demetri and Feleech stood up slowly and bowed their heads.

The rest of us . . . uh . . . holy fuckin' shit.


Reviews are "oh, shit" moments. They're the best.

Akane — the pronunciation is an é at the end. Like touché, A-ka-né.

Reference: Taha Aki and the third wife legend Eclipse, pages 244-259, hardcover. The relevant tidbit: "Taha Aki never rejoined the tribe. He never changed back to man again. He lay for one day beside the body of the thirds wife, growling whenever anyone tried to touch her, and then he went into the forest and never returned." (Eclipse, page 258, hardcover) More about the Quileute legends will be in the next chapter.