Chapter 6: The Pawn

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.

The sky turned the most beautiful shades of purple, pink, coral and apricot. Twilight never looked so inviting to Felix, even peering out from behind the irritating, but entirely necessary brown contact lenses. They did their job: concealing his crimson orbs.

The trio arrived at Peninsula College ten full minutes prior to the start of class. Demitri latched onto his target's scent quickly. They moved nonchalantly, following in the scholar's footsteps. He was walking toward the English building with a tall sandy haired boy. Another student yelled out, "Hey, Deveraux, wait up!"

Jane immediately went into action. These male animals were so absurdly predictable. Put an attractive female in their sights and even the most intelligent of them transforms into a slavering imbecile.

The bait was in readiness. She was adorned in tight fitting jeans and black suede boots. Her bright red blouse was cut just low enough to entice this naïve human. Her normally severe hair style was now a honey blonde river cascading down her back. Her lips glistened with pink gloss, and mascara accented her already big eyes.

She ran up to Chad, and shuffling books to her left arm, pulled on the sleeve of his shirt. "Excuse me ... I just transferred here. I'm looking for the fine arts building? Can you help me please?" She gave him her most winning smile.

As expected, Chad displayed a row of perfect white teeth, grinning at her like the fool that he was. "Why, I am always ready to be of service to a little lady such as yourself. Would you excuse me gentlemen, while I escort Miss ..."

She looked up at him from beneath her long eyelashes. "It's Jane ... Jane Sauer."

"Jane, what a sweet name for such a sweet lady. But Sauer ... that is a direct contradiction to your nature, sugar. My name is Chad Deveraux. It is my honor to meet you."

Jane heard the other two students muttering about how Chad seemed to draw the girls to him like a magnet. She did admit he had a certain charm about him. Her thoughts even dabbled in what this creature would look like in the event that he might be turned. After all she was still a woman, and had yet to find a mate. And he certainly was a good looking specimen, even by vampire standards. She could get used to gazing at his face every day for eternity, and never tire of it. It would be a shame however, to see those lovely ice blue eyes exchanged for a flaming red hue. Maybe she could invest in some blue contacts.

Jane smiled again as Chad offered her his arm. "Shall we?" he nodded to her, returning the smile.

Felix went to the backside of the science building facing away from the college of fine arts. Jane pretended to trip as they rounded the corner of that building, scattering the books on the grass. "Allow me," Chad drawled.

As he stooped down to retrieve the books, Felix whipped around from his hiding place. Like a strike of lightning, he had one hand clamped over Chad's mouth, muffling his shouts for help. His other arm hoisted Chad up as if he were a bag of feathers. In minutes, he was carted away to a seldom seen area high in the mountains. The vampire set him down on his feet. The only sound Chad heard was the rustling of the pine trees as the wind gently roamed through the branches. He was dizzy and very disoriented. Did he fall when he bent over to pick up Jane's books? Did he hit his head? That was unlikely. Maybe he wasn't awake—maybe this was a dream, and he was still in bed, safe at home. He shook his head, trying to clear it.

"I know what you are thinking," Jane said. "I assure you that you are not dreaming, Master Deveraux. I am afraid this situation is quite real. I will cut to the chase, so to speak. I am here along with my associates to seek out a person by the name of Isabella Swan. It is imperative that I find her as quickly as possible. I understand you are acquainted with her."

"What's it to you?" he answered. His southern accent was curiously absent.

"Do not presume to use that insolent tone with me. I will repeat this just once. It would behoove you to answer. I am aware that this is cliché, but I do have the means to make you talk. Do you know Miss Isabella Swan?"

"Yes, I know her—so what?" His tone was rather condescending. Jane was beginning to get a little annoyed, but reined in her temper for the moment.

"Thank you for your honesty. So what, indeed! You will lead us to her place of residence. That is all that is required of you."

Chad tilted his head, and raised an eyebrow arrogantly. "And if I don't?"

Jane looked at the tall young man, her eyes narrowing in irritation. "You will suffer some rather nasty consequences."

"Nasty is an understatement, dear boy," Demitri smirked. "You had best think carefully before you act."

"This is unbelievable. I don't have to do a thing you say. My father is a powerful lawyer. He will have you jailed for this outrage. Kidnapping is a capital offence."

Jane's lips twisted into an ugly sneer. "So is murder. But who will ever know when your body is torn into so many little pieces. They will resemble bits of confetti strewn about this mountain top."

"Is that a threat?"

"Oh, no, that is an undeniable fact," Felix quipped. When Jane puts her mind to it ... well let us just say, she has a definite gift for gaining one's cooperation."

"What could you possibly want with Bella anyway? She never hurt anybody."

"You are so right, and we would like it to remain that way. But what we want with her is our concern—not yours."

"Yeah, well y'all are barking up the wrong Magnolia tree, ma'am. I will not do it. I have hurt Isabella enough already. Whatever it is that y'all want with her—it can not be good. So I would say this conversation is over."

"I think not," Jane hissed. She glared at Chad and instantly he was writhing in pain on a bed of pine needles covering the ground. His body jerked in spasms of agony; his eyes rolled up into his head. His screams reverberated among the treetops, scaring the birds from their nests, and sending them fluttering into the night sky.

"Stop—please stop," he cried out. "I'll do anything you want—anything!"

Jane withdrew her gaze from Chad. "So, are you willing to cooperate with us then?"

"Yes, yes, just stop the pain. I can't take anymore." Jane almost had sympathy for him ... almost.

"That is most sensible, Master Deveraux. Felix, help him to his feet."

Felix assisted Chad back to an upright position. "I warned you," he chastised. "You should have heeded my advice. No one can withstand Jane's power."

"If you have these incredible powers; why do you need my help? You found me easily enough. What is stopping you from finding her?"

Demitri rolled his eyes. "Need to know basis, my dear fellow. Sufficient to say that it was necessary to seek out your assistance. Let us leave it at that."

"To demean ourselves by asking for your aid is just as disagreeable to us as it is to yourself. We would not do so, if there was any other alternative." Felix folded his arms signaling his disgust.

Chad furrowed his brow.

"You appear to be perplexed; did you have questions for us?" Jane asked.

"Yes ... you are undoubtedly ... not exactly human. What ..."

Jane interrupted his words. "Master Deveraux, have you ever entertained the notion that vampires might actually exist along side of your species?"

"I would not have believed it—not until this very moment."

"Good ... I am so glad to see that you are thinking rationally. Now—we will return you to the campus. Our expectation is that you will uncover Isabella's whereabouts within the next two days, or some unpleasantness may attend you. This episode tonight was only a small taste of how acute my displeasure can exhibit itself. Too much pain can drive one to insanity—don't you think? So, in your best interest you should seriously make this a priority." Then she added, "Do not think to evade us. Demitri has memorized your scent. He could follow you to the moon if necessary." She cocked an eyebrow, and grinned wickedly. "Farewell, Master Deveraux, do not fail us."

"Felix, you may take this boy back to Peninsula College. When that is accomplished, meet us at the rendezvous point."

Felix flung Chad over one of his shoulders like a sack of grain and sped back to the campus.

Flabbergasted by the unfolding of this chain of events, Demitri spoke up. "How can we reconcile ourselves to that fact that this human is now privy to our existence?"

"Simple ... when he has finished his task, we either drain him, or give him the opportunity to join us. You must admit Demitri, I need a mate, and he is one of the few humans that I find attractive. I could very well do worse."

Demitri blinked his eyes in amazement. Was Jane growing soft? It must have certainly been that Southern drawl which had her second guessing her own plan. His accent annoyed him to no end, but seemed to endear him to Jane. How odd!

Bella and I were back in the house, sitting on the couch. I was taking advantage of our time together. Okay—so I was kissing her face off—so what? I'm nuts about her. Can you blame me?

There was a knock on the door. I didn't want to remove my lips from the woman that I adored, so I ignored it, hoping whoever it was would go away. No such luck! Rap, rap, rap ... rap, rap, rap. Billy had already gone to bed. It was nearly ten o'clock, so I was the designated door captain.

I hauled my butt off the couch to see who the pesky culprit could be. It was Paul—Mad Dog Etcity—standing there with a serious look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry bro'; Sam sent me. Jared and I spotted those same vampires while we were on patrol tonight. There are three of them. We got just a glimpse—then they took off, and we lost them. We're aware of their scents now, so it shouldn't be too hard to track them."

Bells moved up behind me, trying to listen in on the conversation. She rested her chin on top of my shoulder, peeking at him. "What did they look like, Paul?"

"Well, one was a big fellow, with dark hair. The other guy was shorter, with medium brown hair, kind of curly. The third one appeared to be a small girl. It seemed like she was in charge though. Jared heard one of the men call her Jane."

I felt Bella stiffen slightly at the sound of the name, and then all at once, she went limp. I caught her before she slid down to the floor. I scooped Bells into my arms, and placed her on the couch. I yelled at Paul to get a wet washcloth.

"Bells ..." I uttered as I patted her cheek. I tried to control the panicked tone that was threatening to seep into my voice. Paul handed me the washrag, and I dabbed her face with it. She started to toss her head from side to side. Her eyelashes began to flutter. "That's right, honey—open your eyes. It's okay, I'm here. It's Jake."

She suddenly flinched, sat up and shuddered violently, reaching out for me. I threw the washcloth onto the floor. "Jake," she cried. "I knew this would happen one day. Jake— it's Jane. She's here for me. I'm scared, Jake, I'm so scared."

I held her tightly in my arms, trying to stop her trembling.

"Who is this Jane?" Paul asked.

"Yeah, who's Jane?" I didn't remember Bella ever mentioning her name before.

Bella began gnawing on her bottom lip. She hesitated for a split second, and then blurted out: "Jane is the Volturi's secret weapon. She's here to see if I've been changed. We don't stand a chance against her. Her specialty is inflicting pain. I don't want to see any of you getting hurt."

"Bella, I've told you before, we're made to exterminate them. Trust me, she won't get anywhere near you. Anyway her power is useless against us, remember? Werewolves are immune to vampire mind tricks."

Bells sniffled and pulled her arms up, encircling my neck. "Don't let me go, Jake.

Please ... I'm falling to pieces."

"Don't worry—I'm not letting you out of my sight." I pressed my ear against her soft hair, as she clung to me. Her trembling began to subside. "Let's get you home," I whispered.

"C'mon, Paul, I want you to walk with us to the Clearwaters'."

A/N: Poor Bella, always in the line of fire. She's lucky she has wolves to protect her.