Chapter 7 Sleeping beauties
Alice's head snapped up, but she stayed in her seat, against her will, or so I gathered.
"Why do you care?" She sneered, glaring at me. Her eyes were pitch-black from what I hoped was only anger and not hunger. Either way, it was the first time I was scared of the little vampire who used to call herself my best friend. I've never seen her like this … all feral and dangerous, ready to strike.
Her beautiful face was contorted in fury, and something I interpreted as hatred. What had happened to her, to us, to our friendship?
One thing was for sure. This girl, this vampire wasn't my friend, not anymore, not after everything she had done. Yes, only two days ago things had been different. I had been ready to forgive her (and the rest of her family) for leaving me behind all those months ago, just because I was so damn happy to have her back in my life. And of course I hadn't thought twice about it, when she'd asked me to go with her to Italy in order to save her brother, and my first love, from doing something stupid. Because despite the heartbreak he'd inflicted I'd still cared about him. I'd trusted Alice and she had taken advantage of me and my good heart, luring me here, to my certain death, under false pretenses. She had betrayed me and that was something I simply couldn't overlook.
As far as I was concerned, Alice and I were done.
But why was she mad at me, when I should be the one ripping her spiky hair out … slowly strand by strand? Quite obviously Edward along with the rest of her family (minus Jasper) was doing just fine, sitting here together in this luxurious room, completely safe and sound.
Well sort of anyway. They didn't seem to be tremendously happy to be here, but at least as I could tell they weren't injured. They were just as perfect and beautiful as I remembered them. And even if there was something wrong with them, why should I care any longer?
"This all your fault, you stupid, worthless b …" Alice didn't manage to finish her sentence, although it was pretty clear what she'd wanted to say.
'Bitch … yeah, right back at you …'
All of a sudden she froze, from top to bottom, like someone who just took a good look into Medusa's eyes, with her mouth hanging slightly open and her eyes narrowed. She looked ridiculous. I heard someone snigger and I would have laughed too, but I was simply too stunned.
'What the hell is going on here?'
Sure I've seen them motionless before, but this time the reaction seemed involuntary. Someone was doing this to her, prevented her from speaking, from moving … but not just her, all of the Cullens actually, including the strange woman next to Edward, were frozen stiff. At least for the most part. Their eyes were moving, but their tongues seemed to be tied. I could see the struggle in their eyes. They clearly wanted to move, to say something, but simply couldn't.
'Curious … and kinda fascinating …'
It seemed to be working rather selectively though. Only the Cullens and the pretty blond next to Edward seemed to be affected. I was still able to move all my toes and fingers. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see Alec smirking at me, as I checked the mobility of my extremities. And I thought I was being inconspicuous, but nothing gets by those vampires.
Jane strolled over to the couch, and sat down next to Emmett and Rose. I couldn't quite interpret her expression. But for the most part she seemed rather bored.
"Cool, isn't it?" An unfamiliar voice from behind me startled me out of my musing and observation. I sprung around, only to find myself trapped in the gaze of the strange, thin vampire. The color of his eyes was closer to black than red, reminding me of the burgundy wine.
'Danger, Will Robinson … danger …'
The tall vampire who had been playing video games with the burly one when I'd entered the room was now standing a few feet away from me. He was as beautiful as any other vampire I've met so far, but somehow he seemed to be more fragile. He was very thin, looking almost starved. And the color of his eyes warned me that he might be indeed a little thirsty.
But just like before with Alec or Aro, I got the strange feeling that he didn't mean me any harm. I still wasn't sure if I could trust those feelings, but what choice did I have? Fortunately, he kept his distance, just giving me a quick once-over-glance, ending at my eyes. He smiled warmly.
"I'm sorry, Miss Isabella. I didn't mean to startle you." He apologized. His voice was smooth, but it still had a certain roughness. I liked it. This little imperfection made him seem more ordinary, not as otherworldly perfect. He had no accent per se, making it hard for me to pinpoint his origin. Maybe he was European, but he could as easily be from the States like me.
He shot a fleeting look over my shoulder, before looking back at me. "I could say that I'm sorry about cutting your little conversation short with the gnome over there, but that would be a lie. I really can't stand her voice. In fact, it makes my toenails curl and my stomach lurch. And it didn't look like she was going to answer your question anyway, so …" He trailed off, shrugging.
I was too overwhelmed by all this information to laugh at his words, or the mirth in his voice.
"So you are doing this?" I asked, already knowing the answer, but still seeking confirmation.
"Guilty as charged." He chuckled, adding with a wink and a fake whisper, "… and you're welcome."
This time I cracked, sniggering at his antics, and his facial expression. And I was sort of grateful. Seeing Alice incapacitated like this was very funny, and utterly satisfying. Too bad I wasn't able to put her in her place myself. That would have been even more enjoyable.
'Maybe someday … no don't get your hopes up … hopes? … no … more like fears … I don't want to become a vampire … not like this … not now, when I have no reason ….'
Before I could get lost in my thoughts completely, Alec grabbed my hand again, pulling me closer to his side. I didn't mind the intimacy, the skin on skin contact. Actually I did like it a lot more than I probably should have. But hey, who could blame me? After all I was a teenager with raging hormones, and it's been a while since anyone has made feel this way. And he was kinda cute and …
'Oh no … I don't like where this is going … focus, Bella, you need to focus … I'm so glad Jasper isn't here …'
Even though no one had confirmed it yet, I knew that Alec was acting as my bodyguard … bodyguard, not jealous boyfriend. We weren't an item, not in the romantic kind of way. I really wanted to believe that it was just my imagination running wild under all this pressure, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was acting a little territorial.
"Bella meet Adam, also known as 'Freeze'. And of course you've already met Felix." Alec's introduction was short, very formal, kinda awkward … sort of like girlfriend meets boyfriend's best buddies. Whatever, at least his overprotective behavior was sending a clear message. I was off limits … in more ways than one.
But apparently Felix didn't get the memo.
"Howdy, sweetness." He drawled, stepping around Adam, but still keeping some distance. Although his eyes were bright red, like Alec's and Jane's, indicating that he had just fed, he looked at me like I was something to eat. Like desert maybe … or something else he wanted to sample.
"Nice to meet you." I replied. Lame response on my part, but I didn't know what else to say. But at least I was polite and somewhat sincere. Adam seemed to be a nice guy, but this Felix character was giving me the creeps. Although his physique reminded me of Emmett, they were nothing alike. To Emmett I was a sister, but the twinkle in Felix's eyes told me that he was interested in something else.
'Oh God, I hope I'm wrong … because this would be just … Yuk …'
"Likewise." Adam replied cheerfully. It looked like he yearned to step closer, maybe even taking my hand and laying a kiss on it. He certainly seemed like the type. But he stayed put and looked at Alec instead. "Cutting off my sense of smell upon your arrival was a wise step, Alec, but I can still hear her blood pumping through her veins. Unless you're going to cut off the rest of my senses, I think I'll better take my leave, before I do something I will most certainly regret."
I wasn't the tiniest bit alarmed by Adam's words. I found his bluntness rather refreshing. And he obviously was concerned about safety. But my protector wasn't taking any risks, shifting his position so that I was slightly behind him. "Yeah, I think that is a good idea." Alec said, a bit strained.
"Isabella, it was a pleasure to meet you, and I sincerely hope that we will have more time later to get to know each other. Come on, Felix. With any luck there is still some AB negative in the fridge. I'm famished. I'm sure Alec and Jane can handle it from here." Adam spared me a last, significant look, and then he and Felix left the room.
I looked straight at Alec, cocking an eyebrow. "You keep blood in the fridge?"
"Only for Adam." Alec explained, with a sour look on his face. Cold blood, that couldn't taste very good. But I wasn't a vampire, and not very fond of blood in general, so what did I know. To each his own, and all that. "His power is very draining … for a better lack of terms. He needs to feed more frequently than any of us, especially when he is using his gift on so many people." He gestured to Alice and the rest of her family.
I followed his gaze. "What's going to happen to them now that he'd left?" I asked, not truly worried, just wondering.
"Oh, that, well the effects of his power will wear off in a few minutes … although it might take a little longer for the fortune-teller to unfreeze, since he'd put the whole whammy on her, but I think that might actually be for the best, wouldn't you agree?" He raised his left eyebrow, smirking gloatingly. This time I couldn't help it. I laughed out loud, grabbing his forearm to hold myself upright. It took me a few seconds to collect myself.
"Come on." Alec took my hand and guided me to the table, pulling out a chair like a gentleman. I sat down, still chuckling slightly. Alec took the right seat next to me.
"Can she still hear us?" I whispered, glanced at the Alice statue.
"Of course, she can." Jane huffed from the other side of the room, rolling her eyes. Maybe it was a stupid question, but what did I know how Adam's power worked. "They are just immobile, not deaf or blind. That would be my brother's MO." She smirked at Alec, who didn't seem to be very thrilled that his sister had just outed him to me. But as far as I was concerned she had just confirmed something I already knew. I might be just a human, but I wasn't dumb … or deaf. If anything, I might be a little too perceptive for my own good. And Adam's words had been plain and simple.
I wasn't really surprised that Alec had a special power, and not just any power, but an offensive one. It did make sense, though. Aro wouldn't put someone in charge of guarding me who had nothing but the usual vampire skills, like strength and speed to rely on. I was wondering if every vampire here possessed some sort of special gift. But my guess was that most of them did.
"So, what is it exactly that you can do?" I asked, intrigued, and actually happy to have something to pass the time until the Cullens were able to answer my questions.
"I can cut of other people's senses … hearing, smell, sight, et cetera. It works on vampires as well as humans." His answer sounded very mechanical, like reading off the instruction manual to a microwave. I couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't want me to know about his special ability. But why?
"That's impressive. Does it work on me?" I pressed, not truly interested in experiencing his gift, but rather curious if I was immune to his power as well.
"I haven't tried yet." He answered, avoiding my gaze.
"Why not?"
His eyes snapped back to mine, glowing with … resentment. What the hell? "Why should I? You are no threat to me." He shot back.
I recoiled from the malice in his voice. He was angry, and I had no clue why. Even with the whole curiosity kills the cat thing in mind, I didn't back down. "True, but I'm still curious. Unless … well … it doesn't hurt, does it?" I hadn't considered that possibility before.
Jane answered my question with a snort. "No, experiencing his gift might be uncomfortable, confusing and disorienting, but certainly not painful. Causing pain is my department." She declared, way too smugly for my taste. I might have been a little curious to experience Alec's gift, but seeing his sister's expression, and hearing the glee in her voice, I certainly didn't want to know what hers would feel like. Somehow I was sure she did get off, causing other people pain.
"Well … never mind. Forget I asked." I waved my hand dismissively.
Jane sniggered. "Don't tell me you are scared all of the sudden?" She taunted me.
Maybe I did have a death wish after all, but it was probably just my masochistic side, that took the bait. "Well okay then … bring it on." I challenged her. I was surprised how steady my voice was, despite my level of anxiety. Jane smirked at me, and I braced myself for whatever as to come.
"No." Alec roared. In a flash he was one his feet, ready to attack his sister. I reached out, placing me hand on his arm. He didn't shake it off, but didn't acknowledge it either, keeping his eyes on his sister. He was furious.
Jane held her hands up in a defense way. "Relax, dear brother … I'm not going to do anything to your precious charge." She assured him, shaking her head. "You really need to loosen up a little. Bella is completely safe. As safe as she can be amongst vampires, that is. And just so you know, my power doesn't work on her, and I'm sure yours won't either." Was it just me or did she sound a little miffed?
"You …" Alec began, but Jane cut him off. "Yes, I disregarded your and Aro's command. So, sue me." She huffed, mumbling something I couldn't quite catch. But whatever it was it seemed to appease Alec, who let out a breath of relief, retaking his seat beside me. "We will talk about this later. For now, I think we have other important things to discuss … or rather you have, Bella." He turned to me, smiling slightly, before glancing back at the people sitting at the opposite side of the table.
I had been so preoccupied, what with all the information thrown at me and the tension between Alec and his sister, that I hadn't noticed that the Cullens were free again.
'Okay, time to put my game face on …'
Thanks for reading!
Revised and reposted on 2013/12/08.
