Thank you for all of your interest in this story. Thank you for the reviews.
Stephanie Myers owns it... I own my Monstress.
~Extraction~
BPOV
Peter handed me a communication device as we took off.
Technology had come a long way over the years, I thought, as I put in the small device in my ear. Between Peter and our tech guys they created some pretty ingenious devices aiding the vampire world. At least the one we lived in.
Our adventures demanded creative ways to communicate when silence was of utmost importance. The receiver/ microphone was a tiny, flat, 3-centimeter metallic circle fitting right inside the my ear cavity with an extremely hard tiny wire looping down through the small piercing in my earlobe, clamping it in into place. To the outside world it looked like a funky earring. To a vampire, if they were paying attention, they would wonder how I got a hole in my skin, but no one ever guessed it was a communication device. No one other than me could hear the voice feeding information to me. Though, me talking to the air might look strange.
The plan was pretty simple really.
Cut all communication off. We couldn't let any of them contact their sources.
Herd them. Take them off guard, separate, contain, extract.
Get in. Get out.
Round up and take who we needed to headquarters. After we got Jasper up to date and on board with our future plans, give back means of communication and let them make contact with their counterparts. It would set the ball rolling for our next leg of this journey. It had been so long in coming, I needed to stay focused on one step at a time and the over-all goal to keep myself in check.
Making this all about Edward and Alice was our rouse for now.
Act as if we didn't see Carlisle as a threat, or someone for us to keep a hawk eye on. Carlisle was another problem for another day. First thing was first. monitoring his phone calls when communication was re-established, we could contain that situation separately while we dealt with Edward and Alice.
The hairy of it was having Nevell with us. It would be interesting to see Carlisle's reaction to him. Nevell never met Carlisle per say. But Carlisle knew what Nevell was. Nevell knew who Carlisle was. Carlisle's lies, fervor to experiment, and Nevell's existence, were directly intertwined.
Communication would be cut off to the Cullen's abode when we were about 20 miles from the Cullen estate. With no communication they couldn't tell anyone they were in trouble.
Six units were set around the perimeter on standby, waiting to commence behind us as back up and then as guards to those left behind. They'd come in after we restrained Edward and Alice.
Simple.
But there was always Alice. We were a little surprised she allowed them to move so close to what I can only imagine to be a black hole in her vision. My lot of talismans surrounded our headquarters along with the compound next to us. From what Victoria told us before her death, Alice had a few flaws in her visions. Jacob guaranteed those flaws could be taken advantage of when it came to me. So far it worked. We tested it a couple of times.
I reached up and touched my own talisman strung around my neck for the last 18 years. Even through my newborn years, it never came off. Survival instinct kept it in place.
The closer we came to the Cullen house the more affect we would have on Alice's visions. Eventually her visions would go black. Sucked into a black hole with no reprieve of coming out. No matter how much we didn't think where we were going at present time, it was unavoidable. A large black hole coming at you is kinda hard to miss, even if we merely passed over them, her sight would be hindered.
The evil genius of it; we picked a place in the US to do all our planning and strategy work. We pretended the Cullens were in Ohio at all times and were merely a development we were working on. We picked Ohio simply because they didn't have any known owned property there, never thinking of our plan in lines to where they truly were. We picked a time frame, years from now, to formulate and execute. The times would change, the places would change and we never made concrete plans.
Them moving right up the block from us, sorta speak, couldn't be more perfect. A little ahead of schedule, but we weren't waiting anymore.
There were only 6 of us who knew why we were going today where we were going. The recon unit teams thought we were doing a training exercise for something else entirely and weren't aware of the nature of the beast yet.
Were all our bases covered? We didn't know. How soon would Alice pick up on us? Didn't know that either.
Would they attack us? Hoped not. That would be worst-case scenario. We were prepared for it. Everything in me feared the outcome of what that fiasco would be like. What would Alice or Edward try to do to Jasper when they realized it was me? What lengths would they go to keep Jasper and I apart? What damage would we incur trying not to hurt him if we missed our marks? What extent was Edward willing to go to for Alice? What extent was Alice willing to go to?
They were loose cannons.
Carlisle and Esme were too passive to be believed to be a physical threat.
Emmett and Rosalie were a risk. We were positive they would try to protect their family. Back up could contain the four of them easily enough, however.
With Alice and Edward? There were too many unknowns. We didn't know the answers to our questions and no matter how hard we dug we came up dry on their relationship. They were good at what they did or there was something we were missing. No matter how many times we listened to their conversations, Edwards's ability to read Alice's mind thwarted our efforts in finding the right places to look for those secrets. The only thing we were positive about, their interaction was not one of physical contact. That one nugget of information that would make sense or lead us down the correct path, eluded us.
Mac began updating us as we traveled; speaking into our earpieces we all wore.
Mac was our 'eye in the sky'. Satellite imagery, LAN line, cell phone, finance and property tracker, eavesdropper, and all around information extraordinaire. That was our Mac.
Our headquarters were state of the art. We'd been watching the Cullens for 9 years. It took awhile to find the right trusted resources to get everything up, running, and ahead of the game. We thought we were doing ok, until we met Mac and Cheese.
Charlotte, Peter and I had been in Russia investigating and tracking leads when we ran into the two marvels. Devan and William were brothers on the run… literally… when we ran smack into them. Peter didn't know why but we needed to help them. His all knowing shit spoke to him.
So we did.
We took care of their would be executioners. Devan and William were Americans looking for clues and leads for their own reasons when they were captured and then tortured by the very people we were tracking. We were in the right place at the right time when they escaped their captors; helping to rid them of their assailants, made them loyal and fast allies to us. We had common denominators and began exchanging Intel.
Finding out what they could actually do, we put them to work 5 years ago. Anything the Cullen's had done since, we knew about. Phone calls, shopping, hunting habits, mating habits, (more than I wanted to know) spending habits, finance tracking, secret rendezvous. We listened to conversations inside and outside of their house when we were able to. Everything, anything and then some.
Devan liked to be called Mac for reasons I didn't know. I didn't ask.
William was a genius. Like, Einstein genius. He loved computers and knew his way around anything electrical and computerized better than anyone. He also had a secret love for ladies. Being a genius and secluded in his own head a lot however didn't help him in that department. He clams up. Gets all shy and nervous and shakes like a terrier wanting a bone. Unbeknown to Charlotte and I, Peter thought it would be fun to help him out by giving him one-liners to use. Of course it was a practical joke, which had turned violent on occasions. Anything you let Peter talk you into usually does. William used a couple of those one-liners on a few women and got slapped and one even tried to beat him up. One told him he was the cheesiest moron she had ever met.
And thus… He became our Cheese.
Mac and Cheese.
Cheese never allowed Peter to talk him into cheesy one-liners again; he did find his firecracker, however, Steffania, a couple of years ago. The French goddess was his equal in everyway. She rivaled his intellect, has a sharp quick wit and puts Peter in his place on a regular basis. She's the cracker to his cheese.
Throughout the places we ventured and battled, we've found an assortment of combatants who make up our compound. We're a pretty diverse bunch.
As we traveled the world looking for answers. The more we dug the deeper we got into a world none of us could fathom. It was mind blowing even for a vampire. We became connected to a world hidden away in the underground and belly of our own vampire society.
Mac voice informed us the Cullens hadn't moved yet. Our backups were surrounding the outer perimeters behind us waiting for our instructions.
At 20 miles to our mark, Mac let us know they disconnected communication. This would be the first part of our venture that would be about timing. We didn't feel we could get any closer without sending up flags. The risk out-weighed the consequences. We just made our first choice directly affecting them.
We only got another 5 miles before our ear buds went off.
"4 on the move, 3 stationary in house. They split. 2 headed east, 2 west. Over."
"Fuck!" we all exclaimed in unison. Monstress was front and center in my eyes, her attention sharp.
Oui.
"Can you see which group is which?" Peter asked.
"No ground visual. Over."
"Have 2 teams surround the house. Don't enter. Just keep watch. Over." Peter chirped.
Charlotte and Peter were looking at me, a question in both their eyes.
Choices. Fuck.
"Last 3 moving now, straight for you. Over" came Mac's voice before I could decide.
Both Peter and my face wore 'Oh, fuck can you believe this' scowls.' It was a given, in my mind, that one of the pairs to first leave was Jasper and Alice. The three coming for us would be easy to contain, but I wanted to chase the first runners.
Damn it.
"Have 2 units track the 3 heading South. Take them to camp and secure them in the bunkers. Over." Peter and I were on the same wave length.
"East." I chose.
He nodded and we took off, Nevell and I sprinting to the east.
I asked Mac, "Coordinates? Over."
"About 6 miles now to the east, they seem to be zigzagging, hold on… by calculations at your current speed and their pattern you need to deviate your course 10 degrees southeast you'll run into them in 9 minutes. Over."
"That's why I pay you big bucks, Mac, you're smarter than Cheese."
A quiet chuckle, "was that flattery?"
"Just don't tell Cheese I said that." I snickered.
"It's our secret."
In the background I could here Peter getting coordinates for his interception from Cheese. I picked up speed when I caught their scents as we hit one of their zigzags.
"Nooot MMAaaattTE." Monstress hissed. She tried to get me to turn around.
"How do you know?" I asked her.
"Smeells wroonng." As she gave me a leather and spice scent, which filled my head and made me a bit dizzy with want and need. "Maaattte".
Monstress growled and gave me a scent in my head that matched the one we were chasing "Carrrlisllle".
I raged as she took away the leather and spice, but it did help to clear my head a bit.
"Scent sensory from memory? Yours or mine?" silence "We'll have to talk about that later." I told her dryly.
Monstress made no reply.
"How did… where did you get that from? Is that…?"
"Memoorriiiees deeep." She growled.
I growled back.
"Fuck! We can't turn around! We'll lose them! All of them. Deviating is not negotiable!" feeling her anxiety on top of my own I almost turned around anyway. Damn it. We risked everything if we tried switching with one of the other teams now.
"Youuuu chose." Monstress reminded in a snarl.
"I didn't hear you speaking up!" I griped back.
"nnuuufffftttt" she sneezed at me and was met with a feel of anger and frustration.
"I know how you feel." I murmured to her.
We both felt the ache as we continued on our path. The need to yowl in rage was so strong I clamped my lips together and bit them to stay shut. What she just made me smell confused me and set my pheromones into overdrive. I had questions now more than ever.
Had it been another thing I never acknowledged as human? Or just didn't remember? Something I didn't remember being aware of? I know humans have individual smells, but unless it's foul or overwhelming humans don't pay as much attention to what each other smell like, they mainly rely on sight. Maybe those smells were somewhere in my subconscious. Just like the snapshots. I had no time to contemplate it right now though.
Nevell was falling behind little by little but I didn't slow down. I couldn't, even though their cell phones were shut down they could pick up a LAN phone at any time and make one call. We should have shut all the phones damn it!
"Mac, shut the areas Landlines down." I ordered.
"3 miles to target…Landlines down." Mac updated me. "Change your line 5 degrees south to intersect. Over"
"Copy, over." The ground flew under my feet in a blur. I sensed wildlife fleeing in chaos that was thunder in my ears. What hadn't left when Carlisle and Esme ran through, were in a hurry to do so now.
"How close are Peter and Charlotte? Over. "
…
"7 miles to intersect. Over"
"Tell Peter pick up the pace damn it! Over"
….
"He says fuck you. His words not mine. Over" Mac said.
I chuckled. Fucker better run faster!
"The last 3 split again at your last stand still… they forked and one is running Southeast, 2 running southwest, units 3 and 4 split with them for interception. Over." Mac updated.
"Baby Jesus on toast!" I all but growled out as I heard Peter swear from his headset through the communication room at the same time. They all couldn't split up anymore.
"Cell phones still down? Over." I asked.
"Yes. Over." Mac's quick response garnered no alleviation from my nerves. I could detect a hint of exasperation in his voice. I couldn't help it. If any of them split again we would be in trouble. We would have to shut all cell phone service and Landlines down in Canada. That would bring attention to our area and us. Not good. I couldn't help but be paranoid.
I hit their scents again; I was almost on top of them. I could decipher each of their footfalls. I blinked switching to inferred and easily found my blue vampire targets through the trees.
Nevell was only fifty yards behind me.
As we broke through the trees it confirmed what Monstress told me, Carlisle and Esme, just clearing the field we were now sprinting across, heading back into the trees. Seeing them brought all kinds of feelings and emotions to the surface, I forced them down and pushed my legs to pump faster. I felt like I was flying.
I hit the other side of the field plunging into the undergrowth trying to think my way through this.
They didn't know it was me. I'm sure they knew someone was on their asses, but they couldn't possibly know who. I blinked again switching to normal vision.
"ESSME!" I yelled; taking a chance she maybe would recognize something in my voice. It was huskier now than when I was human, but who knows. Besides, knowing your being chased by someone who knows your name… who wouldn't give a slight hesitation? That would be all I needed.
And it worked. I saw Esme's form slow and start to turn, but Carlisle reached out and grabbed her making her face forward again. He glanced back quickly, turning back to run only to stop dead in his tracks. Esme ran a few more feet before getting yanked back by Carlisle's hold. Esme jerked her head to look at Carlisle, then at me.
Both their mouths popped open staring at me in open awe.
I came to a stop about 15 feet from them and stared back. I'm sure I was a sight. Dressed in tight black clothing to run in so I be less likely to snag my clothes, my once braided hair was coming out, the scars on my face… my being a vampire...
Now that I caught them, I didn't have anything to say, yet wanted to say so much. I wanted to scream, tie them up and run them back to their house to leave them, going after what I really wanted.
I remained silent.
"Bella?" they said in unison. A whisper taken away in the breeze.
"Uh, no. Call me Izzy. Or just B." Bella died a long time ago. No one called me that since I woke up. Nevell called my Izzy ironically until I could remember my name. He started out calling me Tizzy Izzy for my acts of craziness. He loved saying Izzy is having a tizzy, then it became just Izzy as my episodes wore down. Once I remembered my name, Izzy was more comfortable and it fit.
Carlisle's face scrunched and Esme looked as if she was about to burst into venom tears.
"But… you…-" Carlisle started and I cut him off.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, you thought I was dead. If you want to get technical though, I am, my existence was just upgraded a little." I tried to laugh it off. Awkward much? I didn't want to go through this song and dance with them.
You're alive.
Yes.
How?
Long story.
Cry, cry, cry.
Oh, I'm so happy we found you.
You didn't find me I found you. Yeah, and really I've known where you were, actually, for the last 9 years. Oh, and thanks for leaving me, it took me awhile to realize it, but it was the best thing that could have happened given the circumstances.
Really? Wow! Why did you not come til' now?
Yadah yadah yadah.
Let's move on.
"I think we should go back. With everyone together I can tell you all at once," Liar, liar. I tried cutting to the chase. I really wanted to get back. Needed to go back.
Nevell approached then. Oh, no. More delays.
"Who… is that? … How… But… What's going on?" Carlisle finally managed. I think he was a little flustered. I wanted to laugh but did manage to keep my snicker to myself. Just barely.
"While I certainly would love to answer your questions, 'cause I'm sure you have a few, I think doing it only once would be beneficial." Come on, let's go. Follow us like good little sheep.
"Oh, Bella! I've missed you so much!" and Esme launched herself at me. I patted her on the back in what I hoped seemed a reassuring manner. I saw Carlisle over her shoulder still looking a little shell-shocked. He kept glancing at Nevell.
I'm sure Alice told them to run and for whatever reason he did thinking it was for their lives. You could see the wheels turning in that head of his trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Why Alice would think such a thing when it was just me. Throw Nevell in the mix and I can't imagine the chaos that was Carlisle's brain right about now.
Esme pulled back from me and held my face like a grandmother would do to a 3 year old.
"I can't believe you're here! You look so beautiful! When we found out…" she trailed off and her eyes fill up again. "How are you alive? She said… How—"
"I know," cutting her off, " it was probably a shock then, and I can't imagine what you must be thinking now." Was there sarcasm leaking out? I needed to try to pull that in a little. It wasn't her fault. "But like I said we can go back and I can explain everything to you." Just not right away, cause I have a date.
"MmaaaAtttTTe! Yeeeesssssss." Monstress growled and poked sharply at me with her claws.
Esme turned to Carlisle, who had since walked to us, and held his wife by her shoulders. Probably consoling her from my rudeness.
"Who is this with you, Bella?" Carlisle inquired now staring at Nevell.
"It's Izzy. And this is Nevell." I said shortly. I know vampires have better memories than that. Was he trying to delay? I slowly reached behind me circling my fingers gently around the Vampire bindings from my belt loop preparing to contain them.
"Izzy." Carlisle said slowly. "That will take some getting used to. And Nevell." He reached out his hand to shake Nevell's. Nevell accepted. I could imagine right about now Nevell had a few choice words for Carlisle himself. I could smell the blood from him biting his tongue to keep his mouth shut.
Carlisle chose to start in on his "Science-guy" routine.
"You're hand is warm! And you have a heartbeat, yet…. you're-" he hesitated.
"Yes." Nevell replied a little dryly, "We can talk as we run." Glancing at me from the corner of his eye. Way to distract and hold the carrot Nevell.
"Yes, of course." Carlisle readily agreed, appeasing him, I let go of the bindings.
We took off back the way we had come. Carlisle started in on Nevell asking questions. I tuned them out. Nevell played his part up for Carlisle. His answers short and clipped. All of this was just show on Carlisle's part I'm sure. It had to be a shock for him to see one of his creations in front of him. I was proud of Nevell for not ripping into Carlisle and calling 'bullshit'.
"Peter caught his marks. Jasper and Alice. He's leading them back to camp. Over." Mac whispered in my ear.
Monstress hissed and gave me a hard "nnnuuuufffft" sneeze to the brain as way to say what she thought about it. Jasper being in the vicinity of Alice didn't make either of us too happy, besides the fact we chose the wrong way. Her relief was mine as well knowing Jasper was safe and on his way. She wanted to detour our course, but I held firm.
"Good to know," I said. Carlisle and Esme gave me funny looks and I just shrugged. Maybe they would think I was crazy. Neither asked for me to elaborated on what I just blurted out into thin air. Carlisle and Nevell continued their conversation while Esme hadn't taken her eyes off me. I picked up the pace gradually and soon the conversation came to a stop as we dodged underbrush, branches and jumped over rocks speeding back to the Cullen's house.
I wanted to know what I was going to be walking into. Asking out loud would look strange and add to my oddness to Carlisle and Esme, but you must do what you must do. I sped up again getting in front of them a ways.
"Update." I whispered.
"House secure. No activity... You guys look to be… 2.5 miles from Cullen's house. Units on standby for go. Peter coming in slow; current pace… ETA 7 hours from west side. Unit 6 in wait for interception and containment 15 miles out. Over." Macs reply made me dizzy with nerves and need. Monstress made herself settle down. We would have to wait for camp.
The others picked up their pace, but none seemed to make a move they heard me.
Oui.
"Contained 2 in southeast, continued pursuit of single Southwest." Oh, boy. That would be Edward. His Jedi mind reading would give him advantage, but my guys were good. "Communication demanded from Peter by 2 contained in southeast. Situation calmer now. Took a bit of convincing with those not had to restrain. over" I bet Rosalie in her snotty prime.
There didn't seem to be any hesitation anymore on Carlisle and Esme's part. They gave no indication of being uncomfortable with going back on the rouse to meet everyone else.
Getting to the house I spotted the other units in the trees. As we passed by them, they would follow us in. I could hear Mac giving them instructions as we came into the yard.
"Ok. Well, it was a nice reunion and all, but I have some business to attend. These nice people behind you will be your companions for the next few days." I said turning to Carlisle and Esme. As I spoke 6 guys in camo jumped into the yard surrounding us.
"What is the meaning… what the hell is going on?" Carlisle demanded. He wrapped his arms around Esme in protection and glared at me and the guys now surrounding us.
"All in due time, Carlisle, right now all you need to know is that Alice and Edward have played us all for fools, Nevell and I need to help contain them. We'll have to explain later, as we are needed elsewhere, you will be safer here until we can get back. I do applogize for leaving you like this. I'll be in touch as soon as I can to let you know what's going on. I promise." With that, Nevell and I took off as our forces took our now crazed prisoners into the house. I suppose I didn't explain and make them very comfortable, but I did tell them it was about Alice and Edward. Give me at least a little credit.
"Who… what the hell are you guys?" was the last thing I heard Carlisle exclaim as I dove into the tree line headed back to base.
It took us 6.5 hrs to get up here. Straight line, no stops, at vampire speed. Going back would take around 5.5. It would leave Nevell a bit behind, but he would understand, I couldn't keep his pace if my life depended on it.
"I've got the chopper waiting for you 2 miles from your location now. Stay on course. Over" As Mac said the words I could hear the chopper setting down.
Did he read my mind?
"Perfect, you think of everything!" I exclaimed.
"Sending chopper to 2 southeast apprehensions. Closing on single runner in Southwest as we speak. Transport on way to rendezvous with them. Letting Peter and company foot it in, one unit with them at a distance for back up. Over" Good. If we tried to pick Jasper up it would more than likely turn ugly, sending warning bells off to Alice and confuse Jasper even more.
"Copy. Good work. Over."
I slowed to let Nevell catch up to me and we both boarded the chopper putting headgear on as it lifted in the air and headed home.
This would mean I would have to spend some time with Emmett and Rosalie before anyone else made it back. Although our plans had been scrambled, everything was falling into place. This would work out.
We got back to camp and Nevell went to wait for Edward's arrival. He would contain him until we were ready for him. I went to ready myself for Emmett and Rosalie. Having them all run made for compromises to be made. On the way here I talked to Mac about getting a place ready for them. I was going to put them in the heart of the other compound. There was plenty of room and more available to occupy them while we moved our next pieces into place.
Bringing them here meant I would have to explain a few things about our camp. It couldn't be helped and they would have questions. They could get some of the answers now. The chopper ride took no time at all. It would help to be busy while Jasper and the others footed it in.
Changing into regular clothes and freshening up before heading over I met the group who would have Emmett and Rosalie under lock down. Giving them some guidelines for our visitors as I checked what would be their accommodations trying to think of anything else they would need or want. We didn't feel Emmett and Rosalie would be much of a threat and I didn't want them to feel like complete prisoners. Giving them a little reign might ease their minds somewhat. It would also give both something to do while they waited if we let them wonder a little.
Soon we heard the chopper coming in and went to meet it.
I kept my earpiece in to know what was going on with the others and their ETA's. Edward was contained now and they were heading back. They should be here in a couple of hours having run most of the way back towards camp helped.
Coming up on the group, on the path back to camp from the landing pad, I was met with a very pissed off Rosalie and an almost violent Emmett. They were arguing and demanding answers.
Stepping out from behind trees I made myself known to them, "Welcome to camp."
Both of them snapped their heads in my direction to start to yell, scream, ask questions, I assumed, but once they saw me both their mouths stayed open, neither spoke as they got a look at me. Not only had I been turned into a vampire, I was older physically since they last saw me. I hadn't been changed until right after I turned 21. I was different. More matured. More defined even before the transformation. I was taller. No longer that little girl they used to know. My posture no longer slumped in submission, I stood tall and ramrod straight. I know I oozed confidence and defiance. Not to mention the scars on my body the few times we did battle with various beings around the world provided me, I looked more like a warrior I was meant to be. My new outfit showed off those scars many vampires tried to hide. I didn't have as many as Peter and Charlotte had, but they were very visible and intimidating.
They both stared. I merely waited. Keeping a neutral expression on my face I perfected. I gave nothing away.
Rosalie was the first to speak.
"Holy fucking shit! Who the fuck did you talk into turning you? What the hell it going on! No one will answer us! What is this place, where the fuck are we? How the hell…."
"I'll answer your questions, Rosalie, but for right now why don't I take you guys somewhere we can talk more comfortably first." I motioned behind me. "I know you're both confused, but as long as you don't run or try to attack anyone you're safe here."
"Bella? What…? I mean… we thought you were dead!" Emmett exclaimed and came running at me with a huge smile on his face. The men surrounding us started to step forward and I caught some of their eyes and minutely shook my head. Emmett grabbed me lifting me off the ground in a hug, "Not that I'm not glad to see you, but how the hell? What… I don't even know what to ask first! You're Alive!"
I laughed at his exuberance hugging him back. I was happy to see him. "Well, technically I am dead, but no, my existence is very much alive and well, I assure you."
He set me down and looked at me in awe.
"Holy shit, Bella!"
"By the way Emmett, it's Izzy or you can call me B, but the Bella part of me is long gone," I softly told him with small smile on my face to let him know it was ok.
"B." he tasted it out and nodded his head, "Ok. I think I can do that." he pronounced jovially.
"Who the hell do you think you are Bella? You can't kidnap us like this-" Rosalie sneered my name with the contention she was known for.
"Rosie, there are a lot of things you guys need to be made aware of. As for the kidnapping that wouldn't have happened if you guys wouldn't have ran." I shrugged a shoulder.
"My name is not Rosie it's Rosalie and Rose to my friends and you are not my friend. And we ran because Alice said we were all going to die. All our futures went back. So fuck you!"
"I'm not going to argue about names with you Rosalie. If you address me other than the choices I gave you, I will ignore you. I know what Alice told you, but that doesn't change anything for the here and now. You are safe trust me. Come let's get you settled. No one is dying today or in the near future, unless you provoke someone into it. Follow me."
I turned without waiting her snotty reply I saw coming and took off. They followed with their new 'friends' that would be keeping them company for a while.
As we got to their new room I went straight to the living area, stopping I turned to them and swept my arm out in indication of the room and quarters, "This bungalow, tree house, whatever you would like to call it will be yours for the time you stay here. Please make yourselves at home. There will be guards outside for now, if you need anything at all just let them know. This is one of the few tree houses that actually have modern conveniences, such as electricity. Please, let's sit so I can answer some questions for you."
"Fucking cool. What is this place?" Emmett said as he looked around the place. "You live in a tree house? How fucking cool is that? I want one!" I smiled at his enthusiasm.
Rosalie gave him a death glare but didn't remark. She turned to me and intensified her glaring stance.
"Start explaining." Rose snipped, as they both sat in the plush loveseat near the windows.
I sighed sinking into a chair opposite of them. All I wanted to do was take off running into the woods in the direction I knew Jasper would be coming in. I didn't want to put up with Rosalie's attitude. It was old already, even though I understood it, I wasn't about to take much more shit from her. I could stay calm for a bit more. Monstress was being patient and that helped me to focus on what was in front of me.
"Look, I'm sorry this went the way it did, please understand, if it could have gone differently, we would have executed this another way. It was inevitable however. We had a feeling Alice would freak out once her vision went black and you all may run. We were hoping it wouldn't come to that, but…" I let the statement hang. "As for everyone else, they're being brought here as we speak with the exception of Carlisle and Esme. I caught up to them and we left them at you all's house, safe and sound. Everyone so far is safe. It's not our intention to harm either one of you."
"Why. The. Fuck. Are. We. Here?" Rosalie asked as if I was two.
"Rose, calm down. Let her talk." Emmett put his arm around Rosalie's shoulders and drew her to him.
"B, we're a little freaked out right now. We just got to our new house, getting settled. Next thing we know Alice starts screaming for everyone to run. Rosalie and I thought about not running and staying to fight. Edward stayed with us explaining what Alice had seen so we took off too, next thing we know… we're being surrounded and told Peter and Charlotte are looking for us. They put us in a helicopter and bring us here. No Peter and Charlotte but we're reunited with my dead sister turned vampire. We're a little confused." Emmett explained. I think that's the most I've ever heard him say at once.
I smiled at Emmett. "Peter and Charlotte will be here soon., I know you talked to them earlier. You're here because we've all been lied to. I won't go into great detail because it would take too long. Let me ask you both this." Making eye contact with both of them, "What do you know about Alice and Edward?"
…
…
Emmett scrunched his brows together trying to figure out where I was going with this.
Rosalie scowled at me "What difference does that make."
"Let me tell you some of what I know." I watched them closely for their reactions, "Alice is around 450 years old." Both gasped and looked at me as if I had two heads… nope that was a three-headed look if I ever saw one. I held my hand up as Rosalie and Emmett both opened their mouths to speak. "We know this as a fact. We've done extensive research on this very thing. We traveled across the globe digging into her past and chasing down leads. We have records to prove it. Alice is not who she pretends to be."
"How is that even possible? She didn't wake out of that asylum until…" Emmett began and stopped himself. Thinking. "But that would mean…" he made a strangled noise. " But when we killed James he said that stuff on that tape. She went looking for her past. Are you sure?" his eyebrows were drawn together and stared at the floor as if it would give him answers to the universe.
"Positive."
"You're lying." Rose said matter-a-factly and crossed her arms over her chest with a humph. As if she figured it all out.
"I'm not, actually. There're a lot of things you two have been lied to about. All of us were lied to about. When we go into talk to Alice I'll let you in on the initial interrogation. Maybe that will ease your fears a little, help you understand. There is a room off to the side with a two way mirror… you can draw your own conclusions from what you see and hear."
They were both quiet for the first time.
"Holy shit." Emmett sat forward putting his elbows on his knees and rubbing his face. "What else is there? Is that the only thing? Is there more? Just because she lied about her age doesn't mean anything."
"What do you guys know about Edward?" I asked them.
"What are you going to tell us? He's older too? What about me? Huh, what kind of shit are you feeding us? Who cares how OLD they are. Why are we-" Rosalie tried going off again.
"No. As far as I know you guys are who you say you are. There are those around you who are not. Have either one of you ever discussed at any length what Edward did in the 10 or so years he disappeared away from Carlisle?" I avoided and asked my own questions. I thought it would be better if they heard and saw Alice's reactions the first time they heard the answers to their questions. At least this would start the ball rolling in their heads.
They both thought about my question.
"He said he went to see what it was like to drink from humans. He wanted to see what it was like and see what he was missing." Emmett shrugged. "That's all I really know. He's never really elaborated too much on details. Why? What did he do?"
"We aren't sure. There are a few questions that need to be answered."
"He's your mate why don't you ask him?" Rosalie's snide comment did not go unnoticed by Monstress. She hissed and growled lowly at Rosalie.
I actually hissed at her. "Rosalie, he is NOT my mate. I would thank you kindly not to refer to him as such again. The fucking emotard never was and never will be any mate of mine!" I said through gritted teeth. Monstress stared through my eyes daring her to defy what I proclaimed. Monstress rising so quickly in me to add to the fervor of my statement my words came out clipped and growly. Whatever Rosalie saw as we stared at each other made her flinch and back down.
"No offense, but how is Edward not your mate?" Emmett all but whispered. As if asking would end his life. I tried to calm us and remind us it wasn't them I was furious at.
"I have a mate. It's just not him."
"But—" Emmett started.
"No." I said flatly, ending it there. Mate talk was a little too close for comfort at the moment. My body was strung like a bowstring ready to be released. I didn't want to talk about any of that.
"In the next couple of days you'll get to see for yourselves some of what's been going on. I'll make sure you get to hear some of it first hand. That's if you didn't know already or suspect it. I'm giving the two of you the benefit of the doubt here. If there is anything you would like to tell me in the next couple of days, feel free to find me and tell me. All you have to do is tell one of the guards you'd like to speak to me and you'll be brought to me or I'll come to you. Let me make it perfectly clear; Knowing and telling me now, will make it so much easier on both of you, but I guarantee if I find out you had any part of the shenanigans of said Cullens, there will be hell to pay."
Emmett looked at me with his brows drawn together as his face took on a sad look. Rosalie merely glared.
"Single male is being brought in now. Which facility do you want him in? Over" Mac's voice interrupted our talk.
"Put him in containment unit C." I said looking the window. That unit was far enough away from the others he wouldn't be able to hear anything, "Take Jasper to the control room quarters, and Alice to confinement A."
"What the—" both Emmett and Rosalie started in unison.
I held my finger up to cutting them off and pointed to my ear. Emmett got a funny look on his face but shut up. Rosalie rolled her eyes.
"Uh… You want Jasper in your quarters? Is that what I got from that? Over." Mac confirmed. I didn't say my quarters out loud because I didn't want to raise unnecessary questions. Mac was smart enough to pick up on it.
"Yes, have Peter take them around far enough so Edward won't mistakenly catch anything from them when they arrive. What's their ETA?"
"ETA 2 hours. over"
"Has it been established whether or not Edward can hear his companion's thoughts?"
"Reports indicate he can not. He is not happy. Transport had to restrain him. Over" Mac snickered.
I snickered too, "I bet he's not. That's really good information. Still, put him in unit C. Put guards he can't acquire knowledge from outside his room." I guess Edward out maneuvered my guys without his gift. Good to know.
"Copy, over."
Turning back to Emmett and Rosalie I told them, "As you may have caught on, Edward, Alice and Jasper were caught up to and are being brought here as well."
"Why are you containing all of them? And who is it Edward can't hear? Who were you talking to?"
"Well, Alice should be a given as to why she's being contained, she's been very naughty," understatement of the year, "Edward has some answering of his own to do. I don't want Jasper hurting himself trying to protect Alice. I was talking to the guy in my ear." I ignored the other question completely.
"nnufffft" Monstress snorted at me in a scoffing condescending sort of way at my verbiage about Jasper. I didn't reply to her. I wanted to make the same noise and she knew it.
Monstress was up and at it again hearing Jasper was so close to us.
"Soon, I promise."
"OoouuuuRRrrrssss" Monstress panted her purr to me. I wanted to join her.
Taking a deep breath I tried to center myself.
"The guy in your ear? What the hell are you talking about?" Rosalie said.
I turned slightly so they could see my ear better.
"Is that? Is that a piercing in your ear?" Rosalie asked in shock as she leaned forward to look. See I told you vampires would notice it was actually pierced. It wasn't my only one either.
"Yes. Like I said before, we've traveled around the world. We've met a lot of people, swapped Intel and information. Peter is… what is the word? Inventor is a good word to go with. He came up with a way to pierce our skin." I laughed at the looks they gave me. That got Rosalie's postive attention.
"I want a piercing! That is so fucking cool!" They both looked giddy as Emmett pronounced first he wanted a hole put in him.
"I'm sure if you ask him he would be more than happy. I need to go for now. This treetop is fully stocked with video games, magazines, I think there's some games around here somewhere, make yourselves at home. There's a training pit not too far from here I told the guys that'll be staying with you that both of you are welcome to spar if you want to. I don't know when I'll be back around. Peter and Charlotte should be here soon. I'll make sure however you can attend Alice's interrogation when we start." I let them know as I stood to leave. I was tired of sitting stationary and Monstress wanted to pace. Edward was being contained and might simmer down if he knew there were people here he actually knew. Although... leaving him to stew all tied up might be funnier and more enjoyable.
"What? But you haven't even answered any of our questions! Who are these people around here anyway? Some of heartbeats some have…" Emmett started protesting as he and Rosalie stood.
"Ask them, there are no secrets here about who they are. Who any of us are. If they don't want to tell you then they'll let you know it." Smiling at them I took off.
Och.
That should answer some questions, and raise a lot more. This story has a couple of stories within it. I've tried not to confuse you too much. If you get lost
or have a question I will try to answer and give you an explanation that doesn't give everything away or help you understand what's going on.
Jasper is coming soon! Next chapter I think. Monstress is getting impatient I believe. I have to listen to her.
See you about a week from now!