Chapter 2
Running vs. Flying
To Bella's completely surprise – and mortification – the group of vampires started laughing at her.
"Hun, excuse me. I don't think being a witch is funny at all!" said Bella, slightly insulted.
They continued laughing, but at least, the boy with the lamp – huge as bear, by the way, What's with the boys in this forest? - had at least, the courtesy of answering.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Swan! But is this the way you present yourself to people? 'Hello, I'm Isabella, The Witch'." He quoted, faking a feminine voice.
"That must be interesting" he laughed uproariously, almost letting the lamp fall. The boy beside him, not quite so tall, but equally handsome, grabbed it before the forest burned down.
Bella folded her arms across her chest, her face completely red. "No, I don't! But, if I'm invading territories today, and just the Goddess knows how I escaped from the werewolves, I think it would be better if we are all on the same page!"
The word "werewolf" had an immediate effect on the group. They stopped laughing and started growling. Bella wasn't sure if it was a good change of vibe. She could probably deal with two of the vampires, but not with five of them at the same time. She prayed for not being forced to start some struggling in a dark forest in the middle of the night with a coven of vampires!
Oh, how she HATED Forks!!
"The werewolves…" said a tiny girl in front of her "What about them? Did they hurt you?"
Bella sighed "One of them bit me. Not a big deal. They got really angry because I entered their lands. But they let me go because I'm just passing. I'm sorry for interrupting your hunt. I'll leave before dawn" When Bella finished talking; she realized how tired she was. It seemed as if she had been giving explanations to everybody since she got there. She just wanted to lean against the tree again and try getting some sleep. Maybe she could just write some kind of card and, when the hobbit owner of the lands asks her what she's doing there, she wouldn't have to talk at all.
Someone got hold of her wrist before she could reach the tree. It was the tiny girl, Alice. Bella clenched her teeth and smiled. "Yes? May I help you with anything else, Miss?" she asked, trying to be polite. Alice, noticing that Bella was irritated, just chuckled and asked, "What are you doing, Miss Swan?"
"Huh… camping?" It looked pretty obvious to Bella. Aren't vampires supposed to be smart?
"I know, silly! But you're not sleeping in this frosty ground. Pack your things. You're coming with us!"
Bella widened her eyes at her as the giant passed her and grabbed her luggage. The blond girl seemed furious.
"You can't be serious, Alice! We can't take a witch to our house! This is crazy" she shouted, as if Bella was some kind of abandoned puppy dog.
Alice just raised one eyebrow "Well, I say we can. Does anyone have something against taking Bella with us? Bella? Do you want to sleep here or in a warm house, with a comfortable bed and have a nice dinner? What do you say, dear?" asked her, fluttering her eyelashes innocently. Her eyes were in the same scotch tone of gold of the auburn boy. She had never seen vampires with that characteristic.
"Err… of course I don't want to sleep in the forest. But I don't want to be a bother" answered Bella, timidly. "If your family doesn't want me in your house, Miss Alice, I'd rather stay here. I'm leaving tomorrow, anyway."
"Another reason for you stay with us. A snow storm is coming. You'll be a snow doll before breakfast. And if you are going to our house with us, just call me Alice." replied Alice, frowning.
"Well, I don't see a problem in Bella staying in our house for a while, Rose" said Emmett with a small grin. Rosalie groaned and Bella heard her saying something like 'Someday we'll be just inviting werewolves for dinner."
"We can't just let a person die in the forest just because it's a witch, a veela or something else, Rose. This is the right thing to do. What do you say, Edward?" commented the blond boy, shrugging. He liked the idea of having a witch with them as much as Rosalie. But he knew Alice. This witch girl must be important for some reason.
"Whatever. Let's just get out of here." Said Edward, flatly, turning to the trail they took. The others started getting ready for something Bella didn't understand. Edward suddenly stopped; turning to Alice "Why are you blocking your thoughts like that?" he asked, frowning.
"No special reason" said Alice with a luminous grin "You can carry her."
"Oh, no, no, no. Hold on a second, you two!" interrupted Bella, walking to where they were "I'm not climbing anyone's back! I'll go flying!"
Everybody stared her.
"What now?" groaned Bella when Edward and Emmet tried to hide their snorts.
"Err… no offense Bella. But where is your..." asked Alice.
"Broom?" asked Bella, raising an eyebrow. She followed a little impulse and floated a little above their heads. She couldn't stop a smug smile at the Cullens' surprised and amused faces "Oh, do you believe in everything you hear, my friends?'
"Oh, this is awesome!" said Alice, clapping her small hands. She looked terribly excited, like a kid on her birthday. Bella already liked her. Then, her face got blank and she turned to Emmet who showed the same evil grin "Emmett… are you thinking the same as me?"
"Yep!" they smacked their hands and turned to Edward, who sighed, but Bella could see that his eyes shone intensively as the three of them turned to her. Bella blinked. She was starting to panick a bit.
"What?"
Edward smiled, than asked "Are you up to a little bet, Miss Swan? "
Bella landed in front of him "What kind of bet?"
"My running against your flight abilities, if I can call it like that."
Bella raised an eyebrow "Okay. What do you get if you win?"
"You'll answer my questions."
Bella nodded "Fair enough. And if I win?"
"What do you want?" asked Edward, as he dismissed his brothers to clear a path for them. The rest would be next to the house, the final line. Whoever touched the porch first won the bet. Bella thought for a second. There were many things she wanted from him. That was absurd. Fifteen minutes ago she didn't even know his name, now she wanted to know about his entire life. It was ridiculous. She shook her head, then shrugged "Ok, you'll answer mine."
"Deal..." She stretched out her hand, to seal the bet. He took it, but, instead of just shaking it, he turned her wrist gently and held it to his cold lips. Bella's brain stopped functioning. When she could blink, she noticed she was completely alone!
Roaring audibly, she took an impulse and flew like an arrow to the middle of the woods. Blending into the darkness. She wasn't tired anymore. She belonged to the skies. The cold air of the forest numbed her injuries. Caressed her hair. Filled her lungs with the fragrances of the night. She was fully awake, flying her way through the trees. An owl glared at her, furious when she almost knocked down its nest. It took a while until she could hear his silent chuckle. Clenching her teeth, Bella reached Edward, who beamed at her. He was so fast!
"That was not fair!" yelled Bella, trying to get heard through the wind.
"No, Miss. It wasn't. But it was funny! You look lovely when you blush." He answered, his eyes tight like golden fends. They almost shone in the dark. Bella stopped breathing. She forgot her name. Gagging, she turned to the trail and gulped. Focus. She had to focus. "Fine, then! If you're not playing fair, neither am I!" she yelled. She moved her arms to the front of her body and spread them. The trees seemed bent to the sides of the road. And accelerate again, making the trees move back to their positions, turning into a small barrier. Edward laughed loudly and reached her again. "Impressive. Which other powers do you have?"
Bella groaned to him "I'm not answering that! You haven't won, pretty boy! "
He laughed again "Just give me time!" he murmured, overtaking her. She growled, moving her hand slightly. Thin ropes of light slipped to the ground silently, but really fast. They followed Edward from the ground. When it was almost reaching his ankles, he… disappeared!
APOV
We arrived home about ten minutes after we left Edward and Bella in the forest. I could feel everybody's excitement when we told Esme and Carlisle about the witch girl. They didn't seem to care about the fact that we will be hosting someone who was being persecuted. So, Esme went to prepare a hot bath and dinner for our guest while Carlisle waited with us in the porch.
He told us everybody in the city was aware of the fact that an Inquisitor was coming. But this also could be a way of the Church, showing power against the pastor of the protestant church of the Main Square, which was pretty popular. Not necessarily meaning that we were going to have some kind of judgment. Maybe we should spend Christmas in some place other than Forks.
"Why are they taking so long?" Asked Emmet, already impatient.
"It hasn't been five minutes, Emmet. Relax!" answered Jasper, consulting his clock.
I could see them arriving, but I didn't share my vision with them. I was much too anxious myself. We heard them before we could see anything. They were… laughing!
Bella was half carrying Edward by his arms, but it seemed she was having a hard time supporting his weight. Edward was half smiling, and half seeming angry. She dropped him onto the ground, both arguing and laughing. They seemed to have totally forgotten about us and the bet, because they walked to the porch, immersed in some kind of discussion. My vision didn't give justice to Edward's smile. I never saw him so… relaxed.
EPOV
I can't believe she almost got me. The ropes, I mean. I confess I was distracted, and then I heard a whisper behind me, so I climbed the closest tree I found on the way. That could be the witch girl planning something funny.
She seemed furious that I escaped! It was so funny! Then I jumped on her and wounded her waist – her hands are dangerous. I wasn't counting on her smell. Delicious. Floral. Her shouting woke me up pretty fast.
"What are you doing? Let me go!"
"Or what? Are you going to turn me into a frog?" I asked, amused. Her ears were really red and her body warmer. I leaned in more to sniff her hair.
"You think you are funny, don't you?" she asked "Well, you're going to have a little surprise, pretty boy!" And then she did something I wasn't expecting. That was unbelievably stupid of me. She took an impulse and we floated several inches off the ground, almost to the top of the trees.
"Oops." I said, tightening my grip on her a bit more. That was stupid. Really stupid. Because she confused my amusement with fear and grabbed my arms, making us immerse in the woods, passing close to the trees and the ground. I never felt something like that. I think we dropped a few nests. I heard some eggs breaking. I discovered myself laughing as we passed the river, than turned back to the path. Running was a second nature, but flying was unreal. I could just feel Bella and the wind passing by us. We circulated some trees and a bear roared at us for disturbing his nap. I could see she was enjoying herself as much as me. When she landed, at the edge of the forest, I felt really sorry, not only because we weren't in the air anymore, but because of the contact with her. She was so soft. "Wow! That was awesome! Can we do it again?"
"You are heavy, you know? " she said, after a while. She seemed to be gasping for air.
"What? Don't tell me you witches don't have inhuman strength!" I asked, as we started walking again. But I didn't want to leave her, she was so warm and soft. She seemed to feel the same, because she just floated on my side, holding my hand.
She sniffed. "We can't be as strong as you and the werewolves, but we still have a couple tricks up our sleeves, my friend"
"Such as?" I asked. She glared at me. I rolled my eyes. "Please, Bella! This bet is already over. How about sharing a bit of information? I promise I'll ask your questions, ok?"
She sighed "Such as moving things with my mind. And some other things. Nothing too impressive. I'll just tell more tomorrow, ok? I'm tired. It was a long day."
"I'm sorry" I said.
"Don't be. It was funny." She said. I felt really good when she said that. Then we were almost at the house and… everybody was waiting for us. I could hear their thoughts.
"Oh, please! Don't tell me Edward has a crush on the hobbit girl!" Rosalie thought as she saw us approaching them. I groaned and tuned her off.
"Oh, and the bet, man? I really wanted to know who was going to win!" I smiled at Emmet, "Don't worry, brother. We'll try another time. She's tired" Emmet seemed pleased, then winked at Bella and entered the house behind Rose.
"Edward, you looked so happy there! I'm so glad! Do you like her? Isn't she lovely! We have to convince her to stay!" I warned Alice to calm down a bit. Yes, I liked Bella, but it was still too soon. But I couldn't think of her going away tomorrow.
"She seems tired. We should just let her rest." Jasper thought. I nodded at him, pulling Bella's hand and she landed. She seemed a bit shy next to Carlisle. He smiled at her.
"Welcome, Miss Swan. I'm Carlisle Cullen. I'm a doctor. My sons told me about you, they said you are injured. Would you mind if I examined you?"
BPOV
I was tired and thrilled at feeling Edward's hand holding mine. They were so cold, but so comforting. That was a mistake. I was leaving. I let it go to shake hands with the beautiful angel who was the doctor and the parent of all of the vampires of that house. Interesting how I was distracted by Edward's attention. But from what I could tell, the house was huge, with three stories and in Tudor style. All the windows are lighted by many candles. The warmth reached us from the porch. And something smelled delicious. The herb soup didn't make it, after all. Jasper and Alice entered first and we followed. It was a relief to be under a roof again. I turned to Carlisle and smiled.
"Actually, I'm fine. I can take care of that with my magic. I have some healing powers." I muttered. I didn't want to sound impolite. "See?" I asked. We were in the house and, after Edward and I took off our coats – I noticed Alice and Rosalie were using masculine clothes, like me. I guess it is easier to hunt with pants instead of a long skirt around their legs. I rolled up one of my sleeves and showed my bruised arm. I put my hand above the wounds and closed my eyes, concentrating on the healing. I felt the heat of the energy, the tissues healing and uniting. The purple bruises turning back to my pale white color.
"Extraordinary! " exclaimed Carlisle, impressed. "I'd love to hear about your powers, Miss Swan"
"Bella, please"
He smiled and said "And you may call me Carlisle as well. So, Alice, please, take our magical guest to the Blue Room? I believe Esme has gotten everything ready. "
"Let's go, Bella!" she linked her arm with mine. I looked Edward and he smiled at me. I felt my heart melt. I didn't want to leave and I'd be packing at dawn.
Alice showed me the other rooms, but I was too tired to pay any attention. All I got was that my room was in the third story, as Edward's was. His is at the end of the corridor.
The Blue Room was beautiful. I just had seen such luxurious accommodations in Rome. Creamy fabric dressed the walls. But all the other fabrics, as the curtains, were in a deep blue royal. The double bed seemed soft as clouds. Lots of carpets in blue and cream motives covered the wooden floor. But the best surprise was a full tub in front of the fireplace. A tanned night-dress rested next to the fire. I sighed, too happy to talk.
"I think you like it." Chuckled Alice, closing the door behind us and starting to undress me. I was too tired to feel embarrassed. She untied my corselet and left me for privacy. I entered into the tub and sighed as the hot water washed my injured body. I rinsed my hair and rested my head on the edge of the tub. Letting my powers act through the drops. I stood there for a long time, letting myself heal. I could get used to that family. Would I be able to leave Edward tomorrow? Or ever? I didn't know. I will just have to wait for the dawn.
To be continued