TITLE: The Madness of Jacob Black
CHAPTER THREE
AUTHOR: Helen Taft
GENRES: Action/Adventure/Romance
PAIRING: Jacob Black/OC
SUMMARY: Would fate do this to me? I'd already suffered through several levels of hell with Bella, and now I might have imprinted on a crazy person. Come on! How is that fair?
DISCLAIMER: The Twilight saga belongs to Stephanie Meyer, as do all the characters. I'm just playing a little while. There is no infringement intended and no profit made.
CHAPTER THREE
I'd never heard a scream like it in my life: it sounded ripped from her throat. Anna's shoulders were half lifted off the floor. I called her name and moved up to her hip. I didn't know what was wrong or what the hell to do to help. I couldn't sit back and do nothing, though. I tried to gently ease her down with the flat of my hand on her belly. It worked too well: her back slapped the floor and the scream choked off, along with her breathing. Her eyes rolled back in her head until only white was showing.
Panic froze me. Was she dying? My recently changed world axis shifted again, tipping me straight into a nightmare. I didn't have a clue what to do. Was this some weird fit?
I heard Sam say in a strained voice, "She's not breathing, Jacob!"
I fricking know! I ignored them all, concentrating on Anna. The damned dress was too tight. Desperate enough to try anything, I ripped the thin fabric with my hands, all the way down the bodice and on to the seam at the waist. Nothing changed. The panic clawed and squirmed in my gut. I couldn't do mouth-to-mouth because she'd inhaled and then stopped breathing—her lungs were full. I almost shook her. "Damn it—Anna, exhale. Breathe!" My throat felt on fire as the panic spread. I'd only just met her. I'd imprinted only hours ago. How could this be happening!
Billy shouted, "Jake, push her chest down; get the air out that way!"
I followed his advice. Air wheezed out from between her lips and then nothing else happened for two beats. I was about ready to rethink mouth-to-mouth when her eyes rolled back and she come to, gasping and coughing.
With my left arm under her shoulders I lifted her up, supporting her. My relief was so staggering I wanted to crush her to me. I couldn't remember ever being so scared. I was shaking in reaction. I sat right there on the floor and scooped her up into my lap, resting her head in the curve of my shoulder, and then buried my face in her hair to whisper. "What the hell happened, Anna?"
"Jacob," she breathed my name against my neck, making me shiver at the wash of warm air over sensitive skin. Instead of answering, she gripped a fistful of my t-shirt, curling even more definitely into me with a barely audible moan. That was all the invitation I needed to wrap both arms around her. She was shaking a lot more than I was.
"What happened?" I repeated, this time over Anna's head, speaking to Sam and Emily. My gaze locked on Emily's face, shocked again to see her scar-free. They really were gone. Sam had her pulled firmly into his arms too and his strained expression was probably matched by mine.
It made my belly quiver to realise I had a girl of my own now—finally, one hand-picked by fate. The idea settled more easily in my mind, I was getting used to it. I just hoped fate knew what it was doing this time.
"We knocked and she let us inside. We wanted to be friendly. Emily introduced us and held out her hand." Sam shook his head, his fierce-featured face pale and frowning. "I'm not sure what happened after that. Everything happened very quickly."
Emily took over from Sam. "When she took my hand I felt such a strange pain. It was like my face and my arm were being pricked with a thousand needles all at the same time." She touched her face with questing fingers. "The pain came only where I'm scarred." Her dark eyes were glassy with shock. "I can't feel them anymore. Why?"
"Take a look in the mirror," I suggested.
"How is she?" asked Sam, nodding at Anna.
I looked down, thankful my jacket kept her decently covered. The dress had been tight enough that the sides hadn't draped open when I'd ripped the bodice open. She was as pale as a ghost, but her gaze was aware. She was still shaking. Actually, I realised with a frown, she was shaking harder and her jaw was clenched to stop her teeth shattering.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
She was as stiff as a board. "I'm-m fre-ee-zing, Jac-ob." Her voice was a slurred stutter. Her cheek was like ice under my hand when I checked. I wasn't the only one panicking. Her eyes were almost wheeling in her skull with fear and confusion. It hit me then, she didn't know what was happening either. In her place, I'd be scared out of my mind too.
Her shivering turned almost violent and her muscles went rigid, then lax, then rigid again in a recognisable cycle. You don't grow up on the edge of the wettest state in the country without learning how to recognise hypothermia, and that's what this looked like. What the hell!
I got to my feet, easily hefting her in my arms. I bypassed Billy on my way to the privacy of my room. "Get Carlisle," I tossed over my shoulder just before disappearing through the door into the tiny corridor beyond.
"Jacob, what's going on?" The slurring of her speech scared the crap out of me.
I shouldered open the door and placed her on my bed. "Shush. I'm going to warm you up, but I have strip us both."
"W-why?" She watched me sweep my t-shirt up and then over my head to drop it on the floor.
My boots joined the t-shirt and I unsnapped and pushed my jeans down my thighs. The good thing with stripping on a regular basis is you get immune to embarrassment. "Body heat. I'm hot, you're cold, together we'll manage warm."
Her eyes were huge in her pale, pinched face. Her shivers were convulsive now. "O-kay."
Once I was done, I tugged my jacket off her, and swiftly stripped away the rest of the dress. I tried not to notice the details of what she looked like mostly naked, and picked up the duvet I'd left on the floor. The bed was a single, not even big enough for me to sprawl out on, but I pulled her half under me and wrapped us both up in the navy cotton-covered duvet. She was a shivering block of ice all along my left side. I wrapped my arms around her, entangling our legs and pushed her face once again into the curve of my shoulder. She could breathe fine, but the rest of her was swaddled in the duvet and me.
While she quaked and shuddered I kept her locked to my heat. Her hands were like frozen birds trembling on my flanks. Eventually, the shakes became shivers and finally, after a few minutes, the break between the tremors got longer. I didn't mind, there was a lot to say for just being able to hold someone. It felt like a lifetime since I'd been able to do that. I hadn't even realised how much I missed it. I'd once been an affectionate kid, always touching the people that mattered to me.
She mattered to me.
"Are you feeling better?" I asked, rubbing slow circles into her back. The stiffness in her muscles was gone, leaving her relaxed and boneless in my arms.
She nodded, and then cracked a yawn that made me chuckle. She tilted her head back and I met dazed, sleepy golden eyes. "Thanks for helping me again, Jacob."
I quirked a brow. "That's all right. It's a habit I don't mind keeping." I finger-combed thick, dark red hair out of her face, enjoying the excuse to touch her some more, and aimed for gentle and non-threatening, when I asked softly, "What's going on Anna?"
I recognised frustration as it tightened her face, but it couldn't dislodge the exhaustion. "I honestly don't know. I was going to ask you the same thing"
I sighed. "Damn. I was afraid you were going to say that."
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"I know," I said, closing my eyes. Goosebumps rose on my skin as her words caused her breath to feather my bare chest.
"So what did happen? Why did it hurt to touch your friend?"
"You don't remember?"
She rolled her eyes. "My attention was otherwise engaged."
Right. "You healed Emily. She used to have really deep scars on her face and arm, but now they're gone."
Anna frowned and tipped back her head so she could see my face. "Can other people do things like that?"
"No," I qualified my answer further, "not like you did it. Doctors can help, but it takes months of surgery and healing. You did in an instant. It was pretty cool, actually," I finished lightly.
"Oh," her face fell. "I was hoping it was normal."
I didn't plan it, because, hello, not a great position to be in when you need to resist temptation, but I couldn't help myself: she looked so unhappy. I lowered my head and brushed my lips over hers, seeking permission. I felt rather than heard my own groan when she opened her mouth and kissed me.
I sank into that kiss like a starving man, and yeah, my toes curled. Wow. And that was the most tepid part of my reaction. Thanks to werewolf super-senses, I could hear her heartbeat pick up and start beating a rapid tattoo, and smell the rise of heat on her skin so that her scent wrapped around me. Everything about her called to me. Jeez, as if I needed more reasons to keep kissing her. She was every bit as wrapped up in the kiss as I was, and I needed that reassurance more than I'd ever dreamed.
I made her heartbeat faster, not someone else. As for what she did for mine…halleluiah. I think even my blood sizzled. I was a micro-second away from losing my head completely when the knock came.
I didn't know whether to relieved or furious. If Anna hadn't been so utterly clueless about men, she might have already smacked my face and leapt out of the bed. She'd have been right to do so. As it was, she had both arms around my neck, happy for more kissing. She was a teenage boy's fantasy all wrapped up in a mystery. I was already hooked.
"Jacob," called out Sam's voice when I didn't answer.
"We're fine," I called back. "Anna's better. Is Carlisle on the way?"
"Yes, I've sent Paul off to warn the others that Carlisle has permission to enter our land."
"Good idea." I grimaced. Damn, I was slipping. I should have thought of that. "We'll be out in a minute."
I looked at Anna, all rumpled hair and pink-cheeks now, and kissed the tip of her nose, and then those full, rosy lips for a final time with definite regret. "Feel like going back out to reassure everyone you haven't turned into a popsicle?"
"If I must." She nearly cracked her jaw on another huge yawn. Her eyes were slumberous now, almost molten. Our making-out had heated her up just as effectively as my body heat.
I grinned. "Okay, shut your eyes."
She blinked at me. "Why?"
Good question, and one I wasn't going to answer, or demonstrate. Knowing Anna, she'd ask what it was. I was surprised she hadn't already. I made my voice firm. "Just because."
"All right," she slid her eyes shut and sank back into the mattress as I disentangled the duvet from my legs and rolled off the bed.
It took me a moment to spot the jeans I'd kicked under the bed. "Don't open them until I say so."
"I don't plan on opening them until I have to," she mumbled. She was already drifting off.
I didn't know if I should let her sleep. "You don't think you could have a concussion do you?" I pulled on the jeans and hurriedly fastened the snap, locating and dragging on a longer t-shirt to hide the lingering evidence. "You can look now."
"Doctor Cullen said I didn't." She managed to crack open one eye. "Did that man say he's coming here?"
"Yep, I asked them to get a hold of him. I was worried sick about you."
"Sorry," she repeated. "What are you doing?" she queried when I started rummaging through drawers.
"Finding you something to wear since I wrecked your dress." I looked back at her and pulled a face. "Where did you get it anyway, it was practically sprayed on."
"I found it hanging up outside a house. I wanted to not be naked anymore. I didn't care about comfort."
"Makes sense." I pulled out a white cotton shirt and a pair of denim jeans that I'd outgrown over a year ago and forgotten to throw out. "These should be okay and I have a belt you can use for the jeans. You'll have to roll up the legs, though."
Gusting out a sigh, Anna dragged herself up to a sitting position, and held out a hand for the clothes. "Should I be asking you to close your eyes?"
I smiled. "You should, but you don't have to. I'll turn my back." I suited actions to words. "No more fits or mysterious attacks of hypothermia though, okay?"
She slid me a wry look. "I'll give it my best shot."
"That's all I ask. Yell if you need me to help."
~0~
Anna looked much better in my old clothes than the dress. The white shirt was tucked in and the belt just about kept the jeans on her hips. Her feet were back in the sneakers under the rolled jeans cuffs. There was definite colour riding those cheekbones and her hair was a mass of dark fire tumbling around her shoulders and back. She took my breath away. I took her hand and led the way back to the living room. Billy, Sam and Emily looked relieved to see her.
"You look a little peaky, Anna." Billy patted the arm of the couch. "Come and sit with Jake on the couch. Doctor Cullen won't be long."
Billy saw our clasped hands and flicked his gaze up to mine. I saw approval there and wondered at it. He'd changed his tune.
"I'm fine now," said Anna, adding innocently, "Jacob is a very hot person."
"Better safe than sorry," added Sam. There was an intensity in his eyes I recognised as bone-deep gratitude. Anna had healed both Emily's and his pain due to those scars. I knew his psyche, Sam would be bursting to return the favour. He was in Anna's debt.
I wanted to keep her close. "The couch is a good idea. Come on, let's grab some seats before the others get here and we're stuck with the floor." Once we were seated on the sagging cushions, Billy handed me a throw and I tucked it around us both, keeping my body curved for her to rest against with my left arm around her shoulders.
I wasn't far off about the timing. I smelled leech and Leah, Seth, Quil and Embry before the knock came on the door. They'd accompanied Carlisle here, making sure he wasn't messed with. Sam went to let them in. Only Carlisle and Leah came inside.
Curiosity, suspicion and wariness were clear on Leah's face. I understood. After suffering being part of Sam's pack for months, she'd be worried how imprinting would affect me as her alpha. I smiled at her grimly. She'd get over it. Those dark eyes flickered at my seeing so much, and scowling she turned her attention to Emily, only to stare in shock at the unmarred skin of her cousin.
Carlisle didn't waste any time. He came straight to Anna, assessing her colour and alertness.
He got out his pen-light again, saying, "Billy said Anna was having a fit," he said to me with that odd bell-like ring of his bloodsucker voice. "Tell me what happened."
I watched him check Anna's pupil responses again. "We came home," I said. "We don't have room here for her to stay, so I asked my dad to see if Emily could put Anna up until I could work something out. I gave her some food and was talking to my dad when Emily and Sam arrived. We heard yelling and screaming and came running in here."
Carlisle stuck a thermometer in her mouth. "What did you find?"
I told him what had happened with Emily and Anna and Sam. With helpful additions from the others; between us we gave him a detailed description of all that had gone on. Anna just listened, submitting to the doc's examination, taking it all in. She'd been too far gone to know much detail herself. I told him about the hypothermia bit and what I'd done to fix it.
"What do you think it means?" asked Billy, concerned.
"I'm not sure," Carlisle confessed. "I did scans and x-rays at the hospital, they all appear fine, as do the blood tests I did. I've just rechecked her temperature and pupil responses and both are fine. I can find no evidence of injury or virus. She could be an epileptic, but that wouldn't explain the amnesia."
"In other words, you're clueless?" I said, frustrated and annoyed.
He ignored me. "Her ability to heal is a power I've never even heard of before, never mind come across. She's human so such an ability must take an enormous toll on her body. I would suggest that the recent episode is related to that rather than an illness. Her system suffered a tremendous shock and reacted accordingly."
"That makes sense," said Billy, nodding his head. "It all happened after she'd healed Emily's scars."
Carlisle looked over at Sam. "Would you let me examine Emily's skin?"
"I don't mind," said Emily, jumping in. Sam nodded, visibly reluctant.
Emily took a seat next to Anna on her other side from me with a shy smile and pulled up her sleeve so the doctor could examine her smooth hand and forearm. Carlisle lifted her arm, looking closely and seeing a lot more than any human doctor could do. He did the same to the left side of her face. When he'd finished, he said with a smile, "I'm impressed. The skin is perfect. I can detect no flaw or evidence of their having ever been any injury, never mind heavy scarring." He turned to Anna and inclined his head. "You have a wonderful gift. I envy you."
"Don't," Anna returned dryly. "It wasn't a barrel of laughs, believe me." She held a hand out to Emily, "Can we try this again, just to see what happens?"
Sam and I both tried to object, but Anna and Emily didn't wait. They clasped hands and we all held our breaths. Nothing. Three heavy beats past without any sign of…anything.
"I think I'm already healed," said Emily with a grin.
"Perhaps she healed someone really sick, even dying, and the power it took wiped her memory," suggested Billy. He was on the ball tonight. I was glad someone was.
"Wouldn't they know she'd healed them and help her, though. How could anyone leave her alone to suffer?" Emily was clearly outraged at the idea.
"Ms Young has a point," said Carlisle. "From what you've said, Anna has to be physically present to heal someone. I would expect them to notice her and try to help. Not leave her naked and alone in the forest."
"People can be evil" stated Leah, speaking for the first time.
"They're easy to spot though," said Anna. "I'd hope to have more sense."
"How are they easy to spot?" I asked, confused.
Anna didn't answer straight away. Six faces were looking at her expectantly. I could see fresh fear in her eyes. Jeez, what now! I squeezed her arm. "What's wrong?"
With a sigh she asked a question of her own. "Is it usual to be able to see people's souls as well as they're bodies?"
"No, that definitely isn't normal," I answered, feeling a little numb. No freaking way…
I'd already spotted the bombshell, but it didn't make it any less shocking when she said, "I can. I can see your soul; I can see all your souls. I can tell good people and bad people apart. I don't understand this, why am I so different from you?"
Carlisle reached over and patted her knee. "We'll work it out. Don't worry." He turned to me. "I have a suggestion for you both to consider."
"What?" I asked, suspicious.
"Alice has more than the ability to see possible futures, she also has a gift for hypnosis. Anna may know more than her subconscious is letting her remember. Hypnosis is one way of accessing that information."
"You want me to take Anna to your place so Alice and perform some leech mojo on her. Is that right?"
Leah snorted, amused at my choice of words. Carlisle just nodded. "You know we would never—"
I cut him off. "I know that, but what about Bella, she's a newborn?"
"Bella was born a vampire with outstanding self-control. In the weeks since, she has become even more so. I can faithfully promise you that Bella will not attack Anna."
"I want to do it," said Anna. "I trust you."
I slid her annoyed look for taking the decision out of my hands and she said pointedly, "I need to know who I am, Jacob, and if hypnosis, whatever it is, can help me, then I want to try. I can't live forever in a fog."
~0~
Carlisle drove his car back and I followed in my Rabbit with Anna in the passenger seat. Leah and Seth both phased and would rendezvous with us at the Cullen house. When we pulled up at the familiar white and glass house, I parked on the drive and got out to open Anna's door. I stopped her from moving to the house, waiting to see Leah and Seth move out of the surrounding woods, still in wolf-shape. Seth yipped an encouragement and Leah bumped her shoulder to his to shut him up. I was damned glad they were there.
When I turned back to Anna, she was staring at the house with a puzzled frown on her face. "Are you okay?" I asked.
She started at my voice, coming out of her mini trance. "Yes, I'm fine."
Carlisle held the glass entrance door open and Esme was standing at his side. They made a beautiful couple with identical kind topaz eyes and an equal welcome. I nodded at Esme as we climbed the steps onto the wrap-around porch. "Sorry to be interrupting your night."
"We don't mind at all. We're very happy to help." She smiled at Anna. "Welcome, dear. I'm Esme Cullen and I'm so glad to meet you."
Anna stopped and stared. "Thanks. Wow. You have a lovely soul."
Esme blinked and glanced questioning at Carlisle before saying hesitantly, "Thank you. I'm sorry, I'm confused. You can see my soul?"
There was a pause. "Am I being weird again?" Anna asked me, sotto-voice.
"Just a little bit. It's okay, I'm getting used it."
"It's a long story," I said, herding Anna through the door. "And we're hoping Alice can fill in some of the blanks."
"So Carlisle told us. Alice is waiting for you in the top floor library with the rest of the family," said Esme. "We'll show you the way."
Carlisle gave his wife a one-armed hug, murmuring, "I told you you still have a soul." Then smiled and gestured for us to follow him up the stairs.
I did wonder if Bella would be there, but sort of absently. I'd lost my craving to see her. I was more worried about Edward. He'd already have read my mind and most likely Anna's too. That pissed me off. I didn't want him in her head when I couldn't go there.
"What's the matter?" asked Anna, squeezing my hand.
I shot her a surprised look. How the hell had she caught my change of mood? "Nothing important. How did you know?"
"Emotions are not just reflected in your face and body language, which can be disguised, but in your soul, which can't. I know your soul, Jacob, and it just darkened—which means you're feeling angry or defensive."
I was a bit of one and a lot of the other. I pulled a face, not pleased. "Great, between you and Edward Cullen I'll never have any privacy. Talk about an open book."
"I'm sorry," she said stiffly. "Would you rather I'd lied?"
"No, it's fine." We arrived at the top floor and entered the massive library area. The last time I'd been in here, Bella had been pregnant. Now she stood in all her pale glory next to her husband, Edward Cullen. Emmet and Rosalie were taking up a loveseat together with Renesmee on Blondie's lap. Jasper stood behind the armchair where Alice Cullen's was sitting.
When Nessie saw me she bounded of her aunt's lap and raced over towards me with her arms open wide. I let go of Anna's hand to catch the kid and swing her up in the air. "Jeez, Ness you get bigger every time I see you." I supported her on one arm, grinning into her perfect face. "Did you catching anything today?"
She let out her bottom lip. "Yes, but I'd rather you'd gone with us. It's more fun with you there too."
I ruffled her hair. "Sorry, Chuckles, I was busy doing other stuff."
Soft hands clasped my face and chocolate brown eyes stared solemnly into mine. "Mommy said you were upset. Were you?"
"I was sorry to miss you," I hedged, dropping her back to her mary-jane shoes.
I met Bella's red gaze head on. "Bella."
She scowled. "I wish you'd stop calling her Ness, Jacob. Her name is Renesmee. Remember, Ren-es-mee."
"So you keep saying," My grin softened the message. "This is Anna. An-na."
Bella kept it simple with a guarded, "hey."
Edward came forward with his face wreathed in a smile and one elegant hand outstretched. "Hello, Anna. I'm Edward Cullen, and this is my wife, Bella. We're very glad to meet you."
Anna shook his hand. "Back at you. Wow, you're like ice. Are all your family so cold?" She'd had the same reaction to Carlisle at the hospital. I smirked, pleased.
Edward's smile turned into a grin. "Anyone would be next to Jacob."
"True."
Rosalie looked as stony-faced as usual whenever I was around. Emmett seemed merely interested. Alice came over next, as bouncy as an Energiser Bunny. "Hey, I'm Alice, and I'll be your subconscious excavator today." She was all but rubbing her hands together in anticipation. "So, when do you want to get started?"
"Erm, now." Anna looked as flattened as most people did when first meeting Alice Cullen. "I don't see any reason to wait. Do you?" She looked at me for an opinion. I shrugged a 'whatever'.
Carlisle patted a leather armchair. "Anna, why don't you sit here and get comfortable. The rest of the family, barring Alice and myself, will be leaving now."
"Would anyone like any refreshments before we go," offered Esme. "Perhaps, Leah and Seth outside might be hungry?"
Anna looked interested and then shook her head. "I'd rather get this out the way first, perhaps later."
"We're fine," I said. "Leah and Seth have already eaten, so they'll be good for now too. Thanks anyway."
As Carlisle had said, the others drifted out of the room. I wasn't sorry to see them go. Five less vampires in the room reduced the stink a lot. Bella gave me a long, searching look just before she followed the others down the corridor. Behind me, Alice snared Anna's hand and pulled her over to the chair. "Come on. I'm impatient to get started. I haven't done a hypnotism for decades."
"You're always impatient," Carlisle told her. "No matter what it is you want to do."
Alice ignored that, probably because she couldn't deny it, and pulled a desk chair over to sit facing Anna. I took up a station nearby, popping a shoulder against one of the shelf-covered walls.
A tiny recorder was placed on the console table by Anna. "This is just in case we need to revisit anything pertinent afterwards," said Carlisle. "Is that all right with you, Anna?"
Anna shrugged. "I don't mind."
Alice bounced in her chair, living up to her impatient reputation. "Okay, we're ready to rock. This is going to be really easy, I promise. Now, Anna, I want you to look into my eyes and listen very carefully to my voice, all right?"
"Okay."
Anna took her literally and stared straight into Alice's topaz eyes. I watched Anna, only partly listening as the session began. I wanted to spot any problem the moment it began and stop this if it became necessary.
"Anna. You're in a very comfortable and safe place. I want you to relax. I want you to go as limp as if you're boneless. Relax every single muscle in your body right now. Good. You'll be in a dream-like state by the time I count to five. One-two-three-four-five."
Anna sank into the chair with her eyes sliding shut. If it'd been anyone other than Alice I'd be surprised at how quick she'd gone under. Carlisle hadn't been kidding that his adopted daughter was good at this stuff. Great, something else to worry about.
"Are you comfortable, Anna?" asked Alice.
"Yes." The reply was breathy and insubstantial.
"Great. We'll begin. Anna, I want you to remember your last home. Where did you live before you came to Forks? Give me a name or a location. Can you do that for me?"
"No," said Anna. She shook her head, eyes still closed. "No memory. No home, there was nothing before here."
"All right. Can you remember your first home? Where were you born?"
"The woods. I was naked in the woods. So many trees, so much dirt and wet. I'm cold."
"No, Anna, that can't be where you were born. Think back, Anna. Dig deeper. Do it now."
Anna shook her head violently. "I can't. It's impossible."
"Yes, you can," cajoled Alice. "La Push forest is not your first memory. You were alive before then. Think back. Remember."
"I remember Jacob's face."
Alice looked over at me, confusion clear. "Are you saying Jacob's face is your first memory?"
Anna continued as if Alice hadn't spoken. "He's in pain and his suffering makes me suffer. I hurt just watching and I can't stand it. Someone has to help him." I stiffened. She even sounded in pain.
Alice sent me a quelling look, stopping me from interrupting. She spoke firmly, "I'm confused, Anna. Help me to understand. When did you see Jacob? Was it in the forest before he found you?"
"No, it's just a dream. In my dreams, I dream of this house too. I recognised it. This is where Jacob suffers the most."
That was a shocker. Alice asked, "When have you seen this house, Anna?"
Anna frowned and repeated herself. "In my dreams."
"Okay. Let's try this another way. What else happens in the dreams involving this house?"
"I don't like to think about it." Anna's tone was more of a snap. Her face contorted with the intensity of her emotions. "There's pain and death, and then more pain, and the nightmare goes on and on in an endless cycle that sends out ripples of even more pain. I hate seeing it. I'm afraid for Jacob. His life, everything that matters, is lost to him now. I can't stand knowing what it'll do to him. I wish I could stop it."
Alice locked eyes with Carlisle, clearly freaked. They weren't the only ones. I was struck dumb. Alice continued, "In the dream, what could you have done to stop it?"
"I can't remember." She keened, a high plaintive sound. "There's fire, the ground is burning and hurting me. I'm singing, but nobody is listening. I'm cut off—alone."
The three of us jumped when Anna started singing. For the second time in one day, she caused every tiny hair on my body to stand on end. She had a hauntingly beautiful voice. I couldn't understand any of the words, but it didn't matter. I was gripped, hooked by the lilting sounds. Her hands were lifted with the palms up, pleading for something. She was mesmerising. Jeez, I couldn't look away from her and I wanted her to never stop singing.
I didn't see where he came from. One minute, he wasn't there and the next he was standing behind Anna. He reached out a hand and touched her and the second his skin touched hers, she slumped unconscious.
Over the chair, he looked directly at me with familiar golden eyes set in a heavyset, strong-boned face the colour of good coffee. "I'm sorry, but it was necessary to stop her before she drew too much attention to herself." His voice was impossibly deep and resonated down my spine.
"Who the hell are you?" I snarled. I lunged for him. "What did you do to Anna?"
He held up a hand. I stopped, frozen in mid-step. I couldn't move a muscle. "My name is Joshua," he said, "and the woman you call Anna will be perfectly fine. I mean none of you any harm, quite the opposite in fact."
"Why are you here then?" asked Carlisle. Nice. The damned leeches weren't immobilised, just me then.
Joshua answered Carlisle, but kept his eyes on me. "I'm here to help you and to warn you." He waved a hand and I stumbled, losing my balance now I wasn't held in place.
"Help me how?" I growled, straightening back up. Who the hell was this guy?
His answer wasn't reassuring. "By helping you understand what you've let yourself in for."
TBC
Author Note: I just realised that I forgot to put a note at the bottom. D'oh! Thanks to everyone who had reviewed this story. I really, really appreciate you taking the time to post, it really does make such a difference to know folks are enjoying my efforts. Helen :-)
