Chapter 3 – Jacques

I awoke in my tent, snuggled up in my sleeping bag. If it weren't for the swiping sound of the acrylic, I would have thought I was in my inn bed. Everything was quiet, too quiet. Lifting my head up, I looked around for my watch to find the time. My eyes were still blurry as I made out the images on the face. I blinked out the sleep in my eyes and made out the arms as they pointed out to after 10 in the morning. Sitting up, I looked around my tent, sighing heavily. I made it through the night in one piece. Getting out of my sleeping bag and putting on my boots, I went out into the morning air. It was too dark outside for the afternoon.

The sky was a dark gray, with threatening clouds. My shoulders slumped, "Oh great, a storm's coming." Shaking off my fatigue and changing my clothes, I began to pack up the campsite. The tent collapsed in front of me. I watched as it fell to a mass of cloth. More dark clouds rolled through the sky, casting shadows over everything. While packing, I remembered my hand. I took off the bandage and clumps of dirt fell away, leaving my palm completely healed. I laughed out loud, echoing off the trees; it worked.

I glanced around, feeling momentarily embarrassed. I rolled my eyes, realizing no one else was around. Tucking my hair into a bun, I continued to pack up everything. Thunder rolled above, making me move faster to pack everything. I didn't want to be caught in the rain. Forks was one thing, but this place was something completely different. I loved it here, but I didn't know it yet.

Before leaving the site, I took one last look at the horizon, wanting to commit it to memory. The hike down the mountain was taking longer than expected. Looking around, I didn't recognizing where I was. Taking out my compass, I tried to find the right way to go. A gust of wind blew; its strength almost knocked me down. Steadying myself on a low tree branch, I started walking again.

The trees were getting closer together; a sign that I was walking further into the forest, rather than out of it. I stopped and groaned, "Wake up, Bella!" Taking a minute to sit, I set my backpack down and took out my map again. Stronger winds were blowing, making me shudder. The cold air was nipping at my skin, almost stinging. The storm was getting closer. The clouds even looked strange; almost not natural. I took up my backpack and started walking again. After clearing another mile, the trees started to open up. That was a good sign.

Walking through the opening, there was something in the distance. Pass the trees, there was a high dark structure. Thunder crashed loudly above, making me walk faster. I got through the trees to find a tower. The worn stones were held together by thinning cement. Mold and moss spread across the exterior walls. More thunder crashed directly above, followed by misting rain. It was like the evening out here, rather than the late morning.

I need to get to ground. Too weak.

I blinked, there was someone was inside the tower and it sounded like he was hurt. Pushing the limits of my mind and scanning, there was no one else nearby. Without thinking about it, which is something I really should do, I walked toward the tower, searching for a door. There was someone inside and he needed help. I couldn't leave this person here alone.

The moss was thick, covering the base of the building. I walked around, looking for an entrance. Turning the last bend, an old arch door appeared. The wood was covered with the same moss. My hands brushed away at the green residue, looking for the handle. Is someone out there? The voice was panicked. Yes, I'm coming to help you. The mental voice returned, in a frantic tone, No, don't come in here. They'll kill you. I found the lock on the wooden door. The wood was worn and aged, but the lock was new.

I had to move fast. From the stranger's voice, I could tell he was in a lot of pain. I fished my penknife out of my pocket and remembering what Charlie taught me, I got the lock open. The heavy piece of metal fell to the ground and the door creaked open. The creaking reminded me of a horror movie. I had to be the one to find this place; classic danger magnet. I would make Emmett proud.

Inside the tower, everything was dull and the floor was made of cobblestones. A table with two chairs stood by the wooden hearth. The scent of burning wood lingered in the air. Embers were slowly burning in the fireplace. Whoever was here hasn't been gone long. I had to move fast, before they got back. Why would they leave someone in this place? I had to find whoever was trapped in here. Where are you? There was a groan coming from up the stairs, I'm not sure. I blinked slowly, steadying myself. Get in, get out. Taking a deep breath, I moved up the stairs. Each step creaked with age. Taking a chance and praying that they didn't collapse, I moved quickly to the second floor.

I reached the landing to be surrounded by a circle of doors, with very little light for me to see where I was going. My flashlight was already in my hand, providing the light I need. Mice scurried across the hall, ducking underneath the doors. The smell mold and mildew was strong up here and the creaks in the floor was even louder. My heart was sprinting in my chest and every fiber of my being was telling me to run.

Can you describe the room you're in?

I'm shackled to a chair. It's dark and there's a door in the floor. A large shutter is behind me; they use to torture me.

There was another pained groan that echoed through the empty rooms. I walked toward the noise, trying to find which room he was in. How bad are you hurt? He groaned again and it came from above my head. I've been stabbed and burned. I gasped, Ok, I'm almost there. Turning the beam of light up to the ceiling, there was a door above me. Something moved upstairs; rattling chains. I should run, but I couldn't. I was this man's only hope. Dropping my backpack to the floor, I went through the rooms looking for something to help me get up there.

Each room was empty. Not so much as a chair. In the last empty room, there was an unsteady stool and I prayed that it held my weight. Nothing in this place seemed sturdy, not even the tower itself. The stool wobbled a bit as I set it on the floor beneath the door. Let luck be with me, please. My arms rose to push against the door and it was heavy. Oh, come on, there was another lock. My temper was spring up and I pulled at the lock. The latch to the door was rusted, so I pull harder and the latch fell off, clattering to the floor below. I cough as sprinkling of wood caught in my nose. Is that you? The door swung up easily now, Yes.

I lifted myself in the room and got my knees on the floor. There was a huge metal chair with a muscular man sitting in it. His wrists were manacled to the armrests. His head was drooped forward, with long black hair hanging around his face. My heart seized in my chest. Danger, danger; get out now. Of course I didn't listen to the better part of my judgment. "Hello?" My voice was shaky, seeing this poor man. He lifted his head slowly and stared with black, hard eyes. His eyes were as cold as ice, like a predator. His features were half-crazed, similar to a caged animal.

His teeth bared at me, Come here. The voice was a command. My feet planted themselves in their place, "Hey, I came here to help you." He snarled again, making his muscles tense, Then what's taking you so long? I shook my head, ignoring his angry remarks, "When I get you out of here, I'm going to demand an apology." I should leave, but I knew I wouldn't.

The wild man sighed deeply, letting his muscles relax, I apologize. It's been so long since I've been in here. I walked toward him slowly, afraid to set him off again. There was a large shutter window in the opposite wall and it was open, but the storm clouds outside blocked out the sun. Seeing him better, there were several deep gashes in his torso, "Oh, my God, what did they do to you?" Blood flowed from the deep cuts, "Try not to move." The wounds looked really bad. He must have been in here a long time. I could smell the infections from his wounds.

I took my pen knife out, ready to open his locks. Seeing the blade, the man jerked toward me, his teeth bared again. My feet stumbled back, "No, no, no," realizing the blade shocked him, "I'm going to use this to break the locks." His dark eyes glared at me. "Please, I really want to help you get out of here."

"Oh, no, you're not," the knife disappeared from my hand and I was pushed across the room, falling against the wall. The torturers were back. My head made a sudden impact against the stone wall. "Don't you touch her," the chained man snarled. "Shut up, monster!" Two men stood in the room, How did she find this place? My defenses were done and the thoughts of the three men pounded into my brain. I couldn't think straight. I got to my feet, my back hard against the wall, "Just leave him alone. He's injured and needs help." My head was spinning, trying to see past the blinding white light that came from the impact. A man with grey hair came over to me, clutching the back of my neck. The man in the chair struggled against his bindings, "Leave her alone! It's me you want!"

The other man smiled, "You're right." He moved and the one in the chair screamed out. Pain rippled through me, feeling it in my side. The chained man was stabbed again. How did I feel his pain? The pain ripped through me, making me scream, "Stop it! What did he do?" My head was pulled back as the captor held my hair bun. Something cold and hard was held underneath my chin, "How did you get here?" The feel of the cold metal was pressed against the underside of my chin, "I was hiking." A roar that rang through the room, "I will kill you all!" A deafening bang made me jump and shriek. The gunshot rang in my ears. The gun was then pressed against my chin again; the metal now hot, "Now, the truth! Did he call you?" My teeth gritted from the pain of the hot metal.

My head was turned toward the back of the chair. Gushes of blood came out of the new wound. On the skin of his back, there were burns and scalds. They were torturing this man, but for what reason? Don't tell them you're psychic, they'll hurt you for it, believing you're something else. Please, don't let them hurt you. My cries shook through me, "No, no one called me. I was hiking and came inside to get out of the storm." "She's lying," the other captor said. "Bring her here." I was pulled across the room, not able to get my feet under myself in time.

The other one stared at me, holding the collar of my jacket, "Now, how did you get here? You're far from the trails." My eyes met with the chained man. My eyes narrowed, feeling anger entering me and I turned to the man holding my jacket, "It's called 'camping,' you idiot. I'm studying abroad." The anger was coming from the chained man. Hazel eyes raked over my body as his hand caught my neck, Well, it would seem a waste to just let this one go. My eyes narrowed into slits, hearing his perverse thoughts, "Just get off me!" He ignored me, Feisty, she could be fun. His arm wrapped around my neck, making it difficult to breathe, "Darren, take care of him and I'll take care of her." An arm came cross my body, his hand moving up my torso.

Rage pulsated from the chained man and the ground shook, making the tower tremble, knocking stones out of their place. It stopped immediately as the other stabbed at the captured man. He groaned loudly and I gasped. "Tomorrow you're going to be in your coffin. And she," he looked at me, "may be right next to you." A cruel smile came across his face, "It's obvious she's like you. You're fighting way too much to protect her."

The chained man's dark eyes looked at me, "No, she's not. She's like you." His fists clinched as he tried to get out of the manacles. The metal was straining against his strength. Darren made a disgusted noise, "Bill, just leave her. She's a vampiress anyway. She's good as dead once we're done with her." Darren took my arm and pulled me to the right side of the room, away from the one in the chair. I struggled against him, "Let go of me!" He stopped trying to pull me. Instead, he lifted me off the floor, tossing my body over his shoulder. I gasped, "Put me down!"

There were chains along the floor. My body was thrown down and handcuffs closed around my wrists. "You just wait until tomorrow, but for now," I didn't see it until I felt the pain as he dug a knife into my side. The blade cut deeply passed my skin, making me scream out in pain. "No!" The wind howled outside. Darren stood over me, "Try to recover from that."

My pained cries were drowned out by the men's laughter as they locked the room. "She must be one of them. She got the lock off." Tears streamed down my face as I held my side. My breathing was wild as I tried to calm down. Lifting my trembling hand, it was coated with blood. Steadying my shuddering breath, I tried to sit up. The pain was too much for me to get sick from the blood. The last thing on my mind was my mental blocks. I had to get us out of here. These people were insane.

Where are you? Another voice came to me. It was a woman, her voice was terrified, but she was the only one reaching for me. I'm in a tower somewhere in the woods. I'm with a man and he's hurt badly. He says he's been here for a long time.

The voice gasped, Describe him.

Dark hair, down to his shoulders, black eyes and angular chin. He's really hurt and I think his wounds are infected.

You have to look at him. Study his face, please.

Enduring the pain, I moved into a sitting position. I groaned as pain flared sickeningly at my side. You've had worse, I reminded myself. The chains rattled as I lifted my hands. I cried out again from the intense pain, but I was able to pull another pin from my hairbun. My hair fell loose around my shoulders. The wild man tried to turn to see me, Don't, you're hurting yourself.

I have to. We have got to get out of here.

No, those men will hurt you again.

And they're going to kill you. Either way, we're both dead unless we get out of here. The pin twirled in the lock, moving the tumblers. Luck was on my side when the manacle fell off my wrist, Got it. The other manacle came off and I dragged myself across the floor. My body convulsed, almost to the point of pure sickness, but I pushed it away. No, little one, don't strain yourself. Ignoring his pleads, I tried to help him. His wounds were really bad. The fresh stab wound bled harshly. The men were below, plotting on what to do next. The thoughts of stakes and more stabbing were running through their minds. I didn't know what I was doing as I looked over his wounds. He needed more help than I did, but there must be something I could do for him. I looked up to study his face. His eyes were as black as onyx, his jaw line was strong and taut and his mouth was in a hard line as he looked back at me. We're coming, the woman said to me.

My teeth gritted tightly and tears silently streamed from my eyes as I pulled my sweater off. I was too scared for us to be embarrassed of standing in front of a complete stranger in my bra. Little one, stop; it was a command this time. My body halted and I looked at him, I have to help you. His dark eyes looked up my body, stopping at my face, seeing the tears fall down my face. I stared back, Please, let me help you. I think someone is coming. His eyes brighten infinitesimally, You heard someone else?

Silver glinted in his eyes. I nodded, A woman. She asked where we were and what you looked like. I pressed the sweater against his wounds, What can I do? His blood stained my sweater to the point of ruin, but that wasn't important. His eyes watched me as I tended to his wound. There was something in his eyes that made move closer to him. Ignoring my pain, I leaned closer until I was inches away from touching him. His head tilted toward my wound, Move your hand. My hand lowered, revealing the damage from the stabbing. Blood covered my palm as I was holding pressure there.

Come closer, little one. I moved towards him and he brushed his lips over the damage. I flinched, feeling his tongue moving along the gash. Don't move. He leaned away, licking his lips and staring at his work. I looked down and the bleeding stopped, "That's impossible." He looked up at me, Come closer to me. I looked at him, going down on my knees, How were you able to do that?

I am a Carpathian man and my saliva has curative properties.

Like the soil?

He looked up at me in wonder, Yes.

I looked down at my side. With his help, it seemed the blood clotted in the gash, stopping the bleeding. We still have to get out of here. What can I do to help you?

I need blood.

My head jerked, not believing what I just heard, Wait, what?

I need blood to restore my strength, then I can get us out of here. I won't stand for those men to hurt you again. My heart stuttered from what I just heard. He needed blood, which was obvious and I knew how he needed it. This was all unreal. If he was a vampire, he wouldn't be hurt like this? The blade of a knife would not be able to cut into him and he wouldn't be bleeding. When I leaned close to him, I felt heat coming off his body, rather than the coldness. How could blood help him, but he was serious. I glanced down at the bite mark left by James. I've had sharp teeth penetrate my skin and the burn of venom in my veins. This man clearly wasn't human, but he wasn't a vampire. My eyes glanced at his teeth and they were no different than mine, but sharper somehow. Could I do this again? Let another bite me, then he could save my life. Anything to get us out of here.

I leaned toward him, tilting my head to the side, tightening the skin of my neck, Take mine.

No, I can't.

You have to, please. I'll be fine.

His lips brushed my skin and my eyes shut tightly, waiting for the pain. His lips pressed against my skin, sending an emotion of gratitude through me. Blazing pain rushed through me as his teeth sank in, pulling at my blood. It burned through my throat, like the flames of the venom in my veins. Little one, it is almost over. The pain was beginning to fade and change. It became so that I wanted him to drink from me. The feeling changed to the point that I wanted him to hold me while he drank from me. I thank you for this. I couldn't respond, as I tried to hold onto consciousness. Hold on, the woman's voice came back, We're almost there.

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JPOV

This brave woman offered her life's blood to help me. Her mind reached mine when all hope was lost. She braved the dark and unknown to come to me. Her brown eyes were trusting as she looked at me. Even in this horrid place, an angel had found me. Brown, I could see that her eyes were chocolate brown. As brown as the rich soil of my homeland. My incisors pulled out of her neck, taking all that I needed from her. My tongue stopped the bleeding on her neck, but leaving the pinpricks on her skin to show my mark; she was mine. Her blood was intoxicating; unlike anything I've ever tasted. I felt her concern when she was pulled away from me. The dark haired angel struggled to get to her feet, Please rest, brave one.

She let her body rest on the floor, I will. This beautiful woman was a psychic like Raven. She claimed to have heard another's thoughts; a woman. I could feel her blood coursing through me, strengthening every part of me. My mind reached out to any of my people, calling them to me. Jacques, my brother's voice came. After, what seemed like an eternity, I heard my brother, Mikhail. They were close, Mikhail, you must come quickly. A woman's injured. Struggling against the restraints, I tried to get to the woman on the floor. The capturers were still below, drinking to their own arrogance. The sun was climbing behind the thick clouds, leaving me at my weakest. No, I had to get this angel out of hell.

Dense fog wafted into the high room. The scent of it was from my home. Gregori and Byron appeared from the fog, looking over the room. Mikhail followed after them, his mind concerned about the condition he would find me in. He rushed to my side, seeing how badly I was hurt. Not me, the woman! He looked down at the dark haired angel, Who is she? Mikhail looked at me, curious as to why she laid unconscious, I don't know. She allowed me to feed on her, but I took too much. She offered to help. Fog continued to spill into the room, surrounding Mikhail and the woman. Raven materialized next to them, Jacques! Her hands cradled my face, tears wetting her eyelashes.

I shook my head and my eyes looked down at Mikhail, who was leaning over my rescuer. He needed to get away from her. Raven's eyes widened as she saw Mikhail holding the woman to his chest, Oh my. There was no jealousy in her voice, only worry.

Byron tore away the manacles that held me down. I got to my feet instantly, ignoring my own pain and I went over to the mysterious woman. Her dark hair hung over Mikhail's arm as he and Raven assessed how badly she was hurt. Mikhail noticed my mark on her neck and knew what it meant. He moved aside, allowing me to pull her to my chest. Gregori was looking over my wounds; You need to go to ground immediately. The woman's blood helped, but you need more.

Raven brushed the woman's neck, seeing the two red spots my bite left, She needs blood. Raven raised her arm, ready to feed the woman, but I stopped her, Let me. Raven's blue eyes watched as I bit into my wrist and let my blood flow into the woman's mouth. Byron tried to stop me, You're not strong enough. Gregori stepped forward, Let me feed her. My teeth bore at them, my incisors lengthening in a second, No, no one nourishes her but me. She is mine. Byron and Gregori looked at each other for a long moment, then backed away. The tenor was there in my voice; I've declared this woman as mine.

Footsteps of the assailants came from below, rushing underneath the door. "What's going on up there?" I didn't allow my wrist to move from her mouth. Her lips were tight against my skin, sending fire through my veins. Her mouth was so soft, that I could only imagine how it would feel against my own. Mikhail's eyes turned to the door, Raven, stay with Jacques and his woman. Byron, come with me. Raven nodded, resting the woman's head in her lap as she drank from me. Byron moved with Mikhail, going down to face my torturers.

Gregori kneeled next to me, extending his arm, Take what I offer. My teeth bit into his wrist, feeling the power of his blood. It strengthened my own and it went into the angel. Terrified screams came from below. My brother and Byron's rage left them merciless and vengeful. Mikhail became an animal, tearing at the men who held me captive. We had already lost our brother and sister. He wasn't going to lose another sibling. From Raven's mind, I learned that I was missing for months. They couldn't find me, but never gave up the search. My brother wouldn't allow Raven to leave our home unaccompanied. In this, she didn't disagree with him. She feared for me as much as my brother did. Now, her focus was on the woman who found me. She smiled a bit, He was kind of a dictator for a while. I laughed, Like he was before? Her smile grew, Worse. If I left the room, he would question where I was going. Even in this darkest of places, Raven could make me smile. Once she was fed enough, I closed the wound on my wrist with the sweep of my tongue. My skin was warm to the touch from being in her mouth.

I was being precautious, little one. I couldn't lose you, Mikhail and Byron reappeared in the room. The both of them had an animalistic look about them. They had done away with the ones named Darren, Ronnie and Bill. The one that wanted to hurt this beautiful woman, I hoped suffered greatly. He did, Byron assured me. His mind showed me the fear in the man's eyes. Byron took out his own vengeance on the man. Raven looked up, "Is it over?" Mikhail nodded, brushing his hand over her hair, "For now, my love. Let's get them home."

My dear, my mind touched the dark hair angel's. She didn't open her eyes, Yes. Her voice was weak. My family and I are going to take you to our home. Do you trust me? Her face was peaceful as she rested, Yes, I trust you. Raven took off her cloak and wrapped it around the woman's shoulders. Honey, what's your name? I suddenly felt foolish for not asking that earlier. Bella. The name suited her. Raven moved, allowing me to take Bella up in my arms.

Mikhail watched me as I carried Bella to the window. I glanced at him, I can take her. She has my blood.

You're still weak. My head snapped towards him, If you think I am going to allow someone else to carry her, think again.

Mikhail rolled his eyes, Fine, I will not argue with you.

Raven turned and left the room, making Mikhail whirl to go after her. Relax, I'll be right back, she chided. She returned within a moment, carrying a large backpack, "Bella asked me to get it for her. She said her things were inside." Even in her weakened state, Bella was able to block her thoughts from me to speak only to Raven. Such strength in a small form.

Gregori took the pack from Raven, saving her from the heavy burden, "Let's go." Raven scooped up Bella's ruined sweater. I hope she wasn't too attached to this.

I wasn't, Bella reassured Raven. I looked down to see her beautiful eyes were still closed. My body, with Bella's in my arms, I took to the sky. Gregori and Byron took the form of wolves, stalking through the trees, searching for more fanatics; We'll meet you at the castle. Byron wanted to end this. This was a constant struggle of evading these murderers. Now, we had two women to keep from them.

The wind carried us away from the horrid place, deep into the mountains. No one knew these mountains as our people did. It felt good to sail through the air once again, only this time, I had her with me. I held a slight, curvaceous body with a mysterious mind that I will gladly spend my time merging with, so that I could know her. Our family home appeared in the distance. The turrets grew closer, pulling me and my woman to safety and warmth. Moving through the cold air, Bella was beginning to shiver in my arms. The night was cold and she didn't have on much clothing.

I landed quickly, ready to carry her inside. Her teeth chattered as I walked across the stone roof. The cold did nothing to me as I adjusted my body's temperature. The door opened from my command. Heat called to me. She has to do it of her free will, Mikhail reminded me. To properly claim Bella as my woman, she must enter my home of her own free will. How can she in her condition? Mikhail and Raven felt my distress in wanting to care for Bella. My strength was dwindling, but I drew on my urge to get Bella out of the cold. Bella, she was very weak and shivering, but I had to get her to answer me.

Gregori's blood helped and it healed some of my wounds, allowing me to speak. "Bella, will you enter my home of your own free will?" She forced her eyes open and her teeth chattered quietly, "It's so c…c…cold." Her body was convulsing underneath the cloak, trying to keep herself warm. She had to answer, "Bella, will you enter my home of your own free will?" Her head turned to the door, "Yes, but I'm so tired." I hugged her closer to me and whisked her inside.

Raven started the fire in my bedchambers, along with lighting all the candles, "Thank you." Bella's body rested in my bed, where, I pray, she would always be. Her breathing was moving too quickly; her body's way of trying to regain warmth. Raven moved to clean the dried blood from the large gash on Bella's waist. My saliva sealed the wound, but there was internal damage that needed to be tended to. Raven pulled a thick quilt over Bella's cold body, I hope she doesn't remember she was only in her bra. I nudged her shoulder, Then don't remind her.

Mikhail began to burn healing herbs, "Raven, let's leave them. She is well taken care of." My sister looked up reluctantly, fighting against her want to help, "Alright." Raven took Mikhail's hand, leaving me alone with an angel.