A/N: Wow, truly cannot believe the reviews I got for the last chapter - you guys are amazing! I've enjoyed hearing from all of you so much. This chapter is dedicated to my two new favourite people; heavyinfinity and Nissa-Cullen who fixed this up for me and made it beautiful - you guys are the best :)
Anyway, to reiterate, I'm not SM, and now, on with the show!
7. Perdita
Bella
I had set my phone to vibrate at quarter past twelve so I ready to leave when Jake arrived to pick me up at half past. Unfortunately I had slept through it. It was sheer luck that I opened my eyes at the correct moment and took in the bright light of my digital alarm clock saying 12:29. I jumped out of bed quickly, forgetting Charlie in the next room and had to stop when I heard him move distinctly in his sleep.
I glanced down at myself and shuddered. My horrendous purple jogging pants and Muse hoodie were not appropriate clothes for chaperoning a meeting between mortal enemies and of course I had forgotten to get anything out earlier.
I glanced into my cupboard, not looking as I pulled out the first pair of jeans I could find, slipped my shoes on, and added the thickest jumper and jacket I could find.
Getting down the stairs turned out to be harder than I expected; the first one I stepped on creaked loudly and when I tried to compensate by leaning against the railing it did the same thing. I moved down slowly, wincing and listening for Charlie at each squeak but he did not stir. Eventually I got to the bottom and lightly jumping the last three steps and practically running to the door. I carefully unlatched it and then slipped it closed silently behind me. I turned, fingering the key in my pocket reassuringly – there was also a spare one under hidden above the door, since the last thing I wanted was to get locked out and have Charlie figure out what had happened.
Jake was already waiting for me and I crossed the street quickly doing a double take when I saw the bike behind him.
"Just one?" I asked disapprovingly.
"Yes just one. There is no way I am letting you ride alone after dark. You'll kill yourself." He grinned down at me and I punched him lightly in the arm, but he barely seemed to notice. It was like punching a tree. "Hurry up and put this on", he ordered, pulling a sleek black helmet off of the seat.
"Where's yours?" I asked suspiciously.
"I think I'll be ok" he answered as he passed it to me. "Hard head, remember?"
I nodded and slipped the helmet on my head, my ponytail digging uncomfortably into my skull. I lifted the visor to see him stepping over to the bike and motioning me over. I slipped on behind him and held on tight to his waist while he kicked off.
Riding with Jake was like nothing I had ever experienced. I couldn't help but compare it to Edward's driving. The speed was incredible but despite his carefully movements I was still terrified.
"If I didn't know better, I would think you were trying to impress me", I leaned forward and shouted in the direction of his ears. I wasn't sure he would hear me over the sound of the wind whipping past us.
"Maybe I am... I didn't realise bikers did it for you, Bella", he answered jovially, obviously enjoying the speed considerably more than me.
"Maybe it would if you weren't driving like a maniac."
"What, you don't like it fast, Bells?" he laughed again.
"You boys are all the same. What is it with guys and speed? Edward would always..." the words slipped out before I could even think of it and I felt Jake stiffened beneath me.
"I am nothing like that stinking leech!" His voice was overpowering and I shrank back as far as I could without removing my hands from his waist. I could feel him shaking; and it was affecting the whole bike.
"I didn't mean..."
"Just be quiet a minute Bella. We'll be there soon; I need a minute to collect my thoughts."
He stopped shaking but he was still stiff with tension. I didn't say anything, instead looking into the forest. The moon was high and the sky was shockingly clear, I could see thousands of tiny stars lighting the trees so that they glittered. It was beautiful.
Too soon, for I was so wrapped up in the landscape, we pulled off the side of the road and I quickly jumped off the back of the bike. Jake didn't look at me as he slipped it behind a large tree and out of sight of the road.
"I'm sorry Jake, I wasn't trying to compare you to him." He winced and then turned towards me.
"I'd rather just not talk about it Bella. I know you didn't think comparing me to him would be offensive to me. Hell from you it's probably a massive compliment, but that doesn't mean I have to like it." His voice was hard but his face gave him away, he looked upset and I yearned to go over and comfort him and explain that I had not meant to offend him, but he spoke again before I had the chance. "Let's just forget about it, okay?"
I nodded and walked towards him.
"So where is it we're meeting everyone?" I looked warily into the trees. What had seemed so beautiful and filled with starlight looked dark and quite scary now.
"They're waiting for us just away from the Cullen's territory. Sam figured it was better if you introduced everyone." His face was still angry.
"Oh Jake, please don't be mad at me... I just wasn't thinking, and I didn't even realise how you would take it. Can you forgive me?" the words were rushing out of my mouth before I knew what was happening.
"I know Bells, I really do. Being compared to anyone that someone loves is always a compliment from the person who gives it. I just... I just don't want you to think I am like him."
I looked up at him and moved slowly forward until I could reach up and touch his cheek.
"You are nothing like Edward, not where it really matters", I couldn't help but feel proud of myself as I said his name without the customary stab of pain. "Even if I did love him I should have known to take your feelings into consideration."
His hand came up to mine and pulled it away from his face, but he kept his eyes on mine.
"C'mon, we better go. We're already late because of you. Jump on my back and I'll run us there, it'll be a lot quicker than you walking."
He turned round and bent down slightly. I still had to stand on my tiptoes to put my arms round his neck, and before I knew it he stood up and I had my legs wrapped round his waist.
The heat coming off him surprised me. I knew he had been warmer than usual recently but it felt like the front half of my body was on fire and it was not pleasant. I could feel myself starting to sweat moments after he began running through the forest, the heat radiating off him increasing the faster he moved. I wished I hadn't worn so many clothes.
It was impressive. Even in his human form he was incredibly fast, although not nearly as fast as the Cullen's. I could remember Carlisle saying they would be a couple of miles from the road and I wondered how long it would take Jake to run it. Would I even have time to collect my thoughts? I had no idea what I was going to say when I got there, or really what was expected of me at all.
Only minutes later, Jake slowed down and knelt down so I could jump off his back.
"Thank you for coming Bella", Sam's voice came from beside me but I couldn't see him, since we were still deep in the forest. He seemed to sense my discomfort. "Don't worry, we are meeting in a clearing not far from here. You should be able to see far better when we get there."
"Oh, great. So, uh, when do we go?" I tried not to sound too enthusiastic but the darkness in here was really beginning to freak me out.
"Come on, they are waiting for us. Jacob, will you carry her again?"
I felt two arms come around me but instead of putting me on his back again, he held me almost as though I was a baby, cradling me to his chest. I could just hear Sam and someone else behind us as we moved, far slower than before, until we reached the edge of the trees and walked into a clearing I had not seen before. I jumped down as we entered but Jake tried to pull me back to him and kept one arm around me, as though he was holding me back.
The light from the stars and moon flooded the space between the trees and reflected off a thin brook that meandered down one side. However its beauty was eclipsed by the three people standing at the opposite end of the clearing.
My eyes immediately went to Carlisle, who was standing in the centre and just forward from the others. His posture was welcoming, arms outstretched towards us, but at the same time careful. His thick blond hair was flying backwards with the wind and I couldn't help but feel the same sense of security that I had always associated with him. He was wearing khaki pants with a large hand knitted jumper. I couldn't help but suspect the look was intentional, since with the "granddad jumper" he looked far older than anyone else here. Sneaky vampire; I knew Jake and Sam would be appraising him carefully behind me.
Esme was to his right, slightly further back than Carlisle but she stepped forward when I caught her eyes, a delicate smile lifting her face. She looked more beautiful every time I saw her. Her long thick hair was tied back and her golden eyes danced in the light. She wore a large bag on her back.
I moved my vision to the lone figure - standing a small distance from them, and I couldn't help the gasp that came from my mouth. Jasper was further back, partially obscured by the shade of the trees. His head held high, and he was facing away from us and staring hard at the night sky. His loose blond hair was flying around his face, and the movement of the trees made patterns of shade on his skin, while other areas lit up wherever the starlight hit it. The whole image was beautiful. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up and I could see the definition of his muscles, his perfectly still posture giving me time to examine him without interruption.
Suddenly his sleeves were quickly pulled down and I looked up, embarrassed to be caught staring at him. His golden eyes caught my brown ones and I inhaled sharply, feeling the tell tale heat of a blush cover my face.
"Bella," Carlisle's clear voice pulled me out of my distraction and I looked back at him, a warm smile on his face. Without thinking, I pushed myself away from Jake and began running across the clearing to reach them. I could hear Jake shout behind me but, I didn't pay any attention.
I stopped a couple of metres away from them, nearly falling when I put on the brakes.
"Carlisle." My voice was nervous but the look of relief on his face instantly relaxed me. He crossed the distance between us swiftly and pulled me close to him. I could hear Jake growl behind me but I didn't pull away. Instead I put my arms around his hard body and held him as tight as I could.
"You really are okay," he whispered in my ear before pulling back slightly and looking at me carefully. Esme coughed lightly beside me.
"Sorry Esme, I'm forgetting about you," I disentangled myself from Carlisle to hug his wife, who had walked over to join us.
"I can't express how good it is to see you, Bella," Carlisle said as I slipped back from Esme. I noticed the large camping bag behind her again and raised my eyebrows.
"I wasn't sure if anyone would be hungry," she whispered low into my ear. "There are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and hot chocolate for anyone who wants it," she glanced at the wolves and I quickly promised to relay the offer, although I doubted they would accept.
"I'm glad to see you too Carlisle," I said, turning back to him and smiling up at him. "For a while, I wasn't sure I would see any of you ever again," A stabbing pain went through my heart but almost as soon as it appeared it was gone, replaced with a strange calm, I immediately turned to glare at Jasper, who was apparently messing with my emotions.
I had expected him to have join us but he had remained where he was, absolutely still since I had moved. I realised with disappointment that he may still blame himself for what had happened at my birthday, despite the message I had sent with Esme. I knew I had to do something to make him realise I did not blame him and that, despite what had happened, I was not afraid of him.
I faltered slightly, but without looking backwards to either the wolves or Esme and Carlisle, I started making my way forward. I saw him stiffen as I crossed the distance between us and I tried desperately to think of what to do, what to say.
"It's good to see you, Jasper." I was nearly next to him now and he turned towards me, his jaw clenched, his golden eyes staring hard into my brown ones. My nerves were close to getting the best of me. In a moment of rashness, instead of sticking out my hand as I had planned, I began to move closer and slowly lifted my arms so they met around the back of his neck, hugging him lightly.
"It's good to see you again," I reassured him.
I looked into his face again after my blush subsided and nearly laughed at his expression. He looked flabbergasted, his mouth slightly open, and his nostrils flared slightly, but when I looked into his eyes I could not look away. They were like nothing I had ever seen before... While the rest of the Cullens had very similar golden eyes when they were fed, fading to black only with hunger, his were something else completely. The depth and variety in them was amazing; flecks of gold mixed with flecks of amber, orange and even the occasional red swept like a storm into the pitch black of his iris. He blinked and I tried to hide my shock.
His mouth closed lightly and his arms moved around me, not quite touching. Then I felt him take a slow breathe in. I didn't move, allowing him to become used to my scent. Maybe I should have thought about how my plan would affect his bloodlust before I went through with it, but it was the only way I could think to prove of to him I had no hard feelings about my birthday.
"Hello, Bella, it's good to see you too." I smiled up at him and saw his pale mouth mirror mine, pulling up slightly at the corners.
He stepped back from me but continued to smile, his eyes probing me as I walked away.
I looked towards the wolves as I moved back towards Carlisle and Esme and could see that Sam, Jake, and Jared had moved into the middle of the clearing - Jake was scowling at me. I took Esme's outstretched hand as I reached her, and then began to lead the three vampires towards the three werewolves in front of them.
"Carlisle Cullen, I would like to introduce you to Sam Uley," Sam nodded his head politely but did not say anything, so I continued with the introductions. "Jacob Black and Jared Geyer," I motioned to the two of them in turn and then moved myself over to stand by Sam.
"Sam, this is Doctor Carlisle Cullen, his wife Esme and his son Jasper."
The two men looked at each other carefully and then Sam spoke.
"Well, now that the introductions are over I would suggest we get down to business," he said sternly.
Carlisle nodded. "I have one issue I would like to address immediately, simply to assuage my worries. The treaty..."
"The treaty is still in effect. You have nothing to worry about when it comes to that." Carlisle nodded in relief but Sam continued. "Even if it were not for your relationship with Bella, who is like family to Jake, you have done nothing to give us any reason to distrust you."
"Thank you," Carlisle smiled and I could see Jasper relax his body and waves of calm filled everyone. Jake glanced at me, one eyebrow raised at the obvious change in the mood, but I tapped my nose and turned back to the conversation between Carlisle and Sam, unwilling to miss anything. I was in charge of this meeting, in a way, and there was no way I was going to let it go wrong.
"There are a few changes we would like to make though."
Carlisle's smile faltered but did not fade. "While you were away, we extended our range to encompass Forks and other areas of the Peninsula, to ensure the safety of the population. We would appreciate knowing when you are here and when you are away so we can alter the range as necessary. We would also appreciate knowing when any new members join you," Sam finished, glancing at Jasper. I remembered with a start that he had not been with the Cullen's when they had visited here originally. I couldn't help but wonder what his life had been like before he found Alice and the Cullens.
"Of course, Sam. That seems quite reasonable. If I might, I would also ask that we be allowed to know of changes within the pack. We were not aware any of you had the ability to turn when we left."
"Yes, well, it was quite a surprise to me too. None of us believed the old legends, not even when you returned. It was only a year ago that I went through the change, and since then five others have joined me."
"Five?" Carlisle's voice was surprised but Sam nodded. Jake was frowning at the two of them, obviously unhappy with how much information was being exchanged, but Sam did not seem worried.
"That's very interesting. There were only three the last time. I wonder what caused the increase."
"We suspect it is something to do with your numbers," Sam's voice was bleak and Carlisle looked suitably ashamed.
"I did not realise we would cause that kind of problem for you, Sam, I apologise sincerely", Carlisle replied, whole body portraying his regret.
"It's not so bad", Jared spoke out, "And it's come in useful." his eyes were bright and he glanced at me.
Carlisle looked concerned once more and Jasper moved closer, as though he was trying to hear better.
"You've had problems since we left?" His voice was laced with concern and he looked at me carefully.
My voice was sticky, "Victoria..." Jasper moved forward further and Esme winced, "And Laurent," I thought back to the nomad's words in the clearing before the wolves arrived.
"Laurent?" Esme's voice was full of concern, "He left a couple of weeks after we arrived in Denali - Irina has been frantic trying to locate him."
"She won't have much luck," Jake's voice rumbled and I winced. Carlisle and Esme looked shocked, but Jasper merely nodded, looking at the wolves with what appeared to be respect.
"What happened?" Carlisle looked to Sam and then me.
"Laurent was going to kill me." Esme shuddered and moved towards me, but I held my hand out to stop her. Jasper nodded, urging me to continue. "He said he had come on Victoria's orders, but he bumped into me in the forest and..." I shuddered at the memory, seeing him walking towards me, knowing that it was going to end. I felt a wave of disgust at the relief I had thought it would bring. "The wolves arrived just in time. They knew what he was going to do..."
"We would do it again." Sam's voice was filled with authority. "Anyone who threatens human life around here will meet the same fate," he said, looking over the Cullen's assembled in front of him. Carlisle nodded at him.
"He would have met the same fate had we been here," he assured him, Sam nodded in agreement. "But what of Victoria?" Carlisle asked.
I shuddered at the mention of her name, but Jake stepped forward, staring angrily at Jasper.
"She has been trying to get past our defences for several weeks now."
"But you haven't got her?" Jasper's eyes were alive now and he was evaluating Jake carefully, his posture aggressive.
"If you think it's so easy, leech, why don't you do it?" Jake bustled forward and Jasper followed suit, mirroring his movements.
"If she was still here, I would have had it done by now." Jasper's voice was cruel and unsettlingly confident. For some reason I didn't doubt what he said was true – my memories of James' death were blurry, but I knew Jasper had a lot to do with it.
"It's not a simple case of just taking her down; we've got people to protect as well. Why don't you take care of it, if you think it is so easy?" Jake's voice had risen slightly and he was shaking slightly. Sam glared at him but did not say anything. I was getting worried he was going to snap at any second. He had that look on his face that usually meant I didn't want to be near him. I was glad not to be on the receiving end of it. Jasper either didn't realise or didn't care because he kept poking at Jake who was now going a strange shade of beetroot.
"Maybe I would be able to if you had just contacted us when she got here instead of taking on something so obviously over your head. She could be halfway around the world by now. Who knows when it will cross her mind to come back?"
"You're the ones you just left her! If you think you can do then off you go!"
I couldn't understand what Jasper was doing, but he kept going, the two of them arguing back and forth about who would kill Victoria first. It was truly, it was like watching two five year olds fight. To be honest I had always thought he was more mature than that. "For god's sake, just whip them out and we can measure them already", the words came out under my breath before I even thought of it and suddenly there was silence as everyone turned to look at me. Even the freaking wind stopped.
No one moved until I saw Jasper's lip begin to curl slightly into a smirk. A moment later Jake began to smile too, closely followed by the other two wolves. Carlisle still had a vague look of surprise on his face. At least he did until Esme fell into giggles behind him, her light laughter echoing round the clearing.
I couldn't help but suspect Jasper's little ability had more than a little to do with it but it had certainly broken any tension within the group, Carlisle, Jake and Jared were grinning and even the corners of Sam's mouth were twitching as everyone waited for Esme to stop laughing.
"So," Carlisle's voice brought us all back to the issue at hand as Jasper and Jake backed away so they were in their respective groups again. "It would be fair to say you are having some problems with Victoria, and I assume Bella is the target."
"She was at first, although we didn't know it, but she has also appeared at the Reservation a number of times as well. We're kind of at a loss. She was making almost daily attempts to get past our defences but for the past week, she has entirely disappeared."
"She's changing her tactics," Jasper interjected, serious once again. His whole posture changed as he took control of the situation, and even Sam turned towards him. "Whatever she was doing before obviously wasn't working, so you must have been doing something right," he said, glancing at Jake who puffed his chest out proudly.
"She'll have gone somewhere to regroup. Unfortunately, there is no way to know what she has planned. She could be trying to reach out to other nomads or covens to join her – in which case we are going to have to do the same thing at some point. Or she might be going after Edward instead, although I doubt she's that good."
His face was stoic as he mentioned his wife and brother's disappearance and I wondered how he managed it. I was still perfecting my game face but Jasper was obviously comfortable with what he was talking about. His whole body exuded confidence in everything he was saying. I had never seen this side of him before, and I couldn't help but feel I had underestimated the man in front of me.
I suddenly realized I was so totally immersed in my thoughts that I had not heard a word he had said for at least a minute.
"...We are going to have to be hyper-vigilant until she reappears," he ended, stepping back slightly, to allow someone else to take the floor.
As soon as Jasper finished the conversation quickly turned into a complicated discussion of tactics between all the men. Reassured that they were probably not going to start fighting, at least for a couple of hours, I let myself sink to my knees onto the cold earth. Like a flash Esme was beside me and had slipped a blanket underneath me. As soon as I was settled, she grabbed her backpack and started throwing sandwiches at me. I opened them greedily and registered her offering them to the pack but they all refused. As soon as I had finished, it a huge thermos of hot chocolate was placed in my hands and I took a deep gulp. My eyes started to close and I felt Esme take the thermos before sitting down next to me and letting me lean against her. It was like leaning on a rock, but she tried to fold herself in the most comfortable position for me.
The sounds of the forest entered my dreams, as did the voices of people talking around me. Occasionally Esme's soft voice would whisper sweet nothings in my ear, urging me to sleep but I felt as though I couldn't quite get there. My mind would just not switch off entirely. Eventually the talking died down and I felt myself being picked up by cold, hard arms and kissed lightly on the cheek before the cold arms changed to a set of very warm ones and I curled into them, thankful for the warmth surrounding my cold body.
What felt like seconds later, I heard a soft voice, "Bella, Bella baby you need to wake up." I turned myself roughly and fell, crushing myself between two solid walls. I opened my eyes and immediately began to struggle.
"Bella!" Jake's voice stopped my movement and I looked up. I realised I was in the back of a car, stuck between the front and rear seats. We were parked twenty metres from my house in a truck I did not recognise.
Jake leant forward and offered me his hand, which I gladly accepted. He quickly yanked me out of the car, nearly dislocating my shoulder and propelling me into a tree behind him. I fell and caught the side of my shoe on the pavement, scuffing it badly.
"For god's sake Bells!" Jake looked down at me, clearly unimpressed before slipping his arms under me and lifting me up. "I hope you left your window open, because it is going to be difficult enough getting you in there without it being locked." With that, he began running softly down the street, carrying me tightly against him as though I weighed nothing.
"What happened?" I murmured into him, disappointed at myself for having missed the majority of the conversation between them. "After I fell asleep I mean..."
"Don't worry, you didn't miss much", Jake's voice was barely a whisper as we approached the back of the house and I closed my eyes unwilling to watch our ascent. "We talked shop for a while, throwing around ideas about what Victoria could be doing, and where she could be hiding but we had to stop. You were completely gone and the lee-... vamps wanted to get back before sunrise. Typical. Sam took the bike back and then came with the truck for me to bring you home," My eyes were still shut but I had the suspicion we had stopped moving. I didn't want to risk it though so I screwed them up tighter. "We're here, by the way, Bella."
I opened up in relief and realized he was standing in the middle of my room. He walked over and dropped me lightly on to the bed.
"Get some sleep Bells. Paul is on his way here now to keep an eye on you. I'm gonna go join Sam. He's talking to Billy. I'll speak to you later."
"Get some sleep. Thanks Jake," I managed to murmur before he disappeared out the window and I quickly fell asleep again.
A/N: I'm so nervous to hear what you guys think of this chapter - seriously considering hiding from my inbox for the next couple of days if it doesn't go down well. Next chapter should be up next weekend, once again, leave me a review and I will send you a little teaser. Thanks for reading :)
