Ch. 7

Revelations

Bella:

A storm was coming in. I hated rain, but I especially hated storms. Being cooped up in a house all day long was not my idea of fun. So Jake had driven me into town to the nearest bookstore. I hadn't thought to bring a book with me, but it didn't really matter, because all mine had been read through so much that they were falling apart.

As I was walking into the store, Jake had mumbled something about calling his father and took off toward the payphone. I let him go. He was acting so weird today. Ever since breakfast when the new guest had arrived, he hadn't spoken much, and his face was troubled and grave. I couldn't blame him . . . The stranger was unsettling. He was probably just as freaked out as I was. We would just have to avoid going to the main house as much as possible. That would also get me out of dealing with Walker and his mischievous antics.

I wandered aimlessly through the rows of books, contemplating which ones I should buy. I considered just getting something I'd already read—I liked consistency—but I figured something new was better. Yes, change was good. Change was especially needed in my life. I decided on Julius Caesar and East of Eden. Shakespeare and Steinbeck . . . two favorites. I know I had decided on new books, but it didn't count when I'd read them once for school . . . I barely remembered them, other than that they were sad. I wondered why I was so fond of depressing, gloomy books, rather than the upbeat ones, but I couldn't figure it out. I loved Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and Romeo and Juliet . . . All stories which end sadly or are predominantly a sad read. Maybe there was something wrong with my mind? Or maybe I was just naturally drawn to the miserable . . . I mean, I did exile myself to Forks after Renee remarried. And I had done that when I knew I would be miserable. That was pretty messed up. So there was a huge possibility that I was depressed and didn't know it.

I heard the bell on the door chime loudly and looked up over the shelf to see a familiar figure looming in the doorway. Quickly, I crouched down, hoping he hadn't seen me. It wasn't Jake; it was the strange man from the inn. Now I was worried. This was just too much of a coincidence. Too weird. I knew he had followed us here, but why? I wanted to know the answer, but didn't care to stick around and find out. I eased down on my hands and knees, crawling toward the end of the aisle. Other customers were looking at me strangely, but I didn't care. They would be doing the same thing if they had a killer after them too. I was almost to the end, when a large shadow appeared, blocking my path. My head jerked up. I was staring straight into the black eyes of the stranger. He smirked, offering me a hand, but I didn't accept it. I was pretty sure it was okay to be impolite when you were about to be murdered.

"My apologies. I did not intend to frighten you, Bella. You do remember me, right?" He spoke in a soft, musical voice, and it reminded me of my dream. That beautiful god had the same pleasant voice; it lured you to him, just like this stranger's voice was doing now. I frowned, considering the similarities between my fabricated illusion and this person. Both were impossibly beautiful, pale white, and had that alluring voice. Could it be possible that I'm imagining him too? Maybe I should add hallucinations to my list of mental health problems.

"Yes. What are you doing here?" I blurted out.

"Maybe we should talk somewhere more private . . . We have issues to discuss." He suggested quietly, his eyes shifting toward the curious shoppers who were lingering on our row.

I was confused. And scared. "This is private enough for me. I like being in the midst of people. And what exactly do we have to discuss? I've only just met you."

"Very well, if you will not come with me, then we'll just have to talk right here . . . Edward sent me, Bella. He is quite distraught over you leaving him and wishes you back. He has sent for you; I am to deliver you to him. So, if you will. . ." He motioned with his hand towards the back exit, placing his other on my back. A chill ran down my spine; his hand was hard and ice-cold, even through my thick shirt. I pulled away from his reach.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know any Edwards, and I don't care to. Please stay away from me. I have pepper spray . . . And I'll use it." I started backing away towards the front of the store. I reached the counter and tossed a twenty at the guy behind the register, darting out the door before he could say anything. I didn't care about my change. I just wanted to find Jacob.

Without stopping, I continued running down the sidewalk, looking frantically for the payphone. I glanced back once and saw my assailant standing beneath the awning of the bookstore, staring directly at me with cold, black eyes. I turned back around and ran straight into something large and warm. Two strong hands gripped my shoulders as my gaze met Jacob's. He looked distressed, anxious. He pulled me toward the car forcefully.

"We have to get out of here now," he whispered harshly in my ear as he shoved me in the front seat. He slammed the door and took off in a sprint, sliding across the hood of the car. I could see beads of sweat forming on his face as he started the engine, racing out of the parking spot.

"Jacob, what's wrong?" I did my best to calm my voice, but it was shaking badly. He was scaring me.

I waited for a response and then repeated myself, searching his face. But he wouldn't answer me. He kept his eyes on the rearview mirror.

*****

Jacob:

My nose and my eyes were burning. I felt like I had lit a match and was holding it up to my skin. Everything tingled and stung, and it took all the self-control I had to stay in my human state. My mind was screaming only one thing—vampire. But it wasn't the usual revolting sweet smell I was accustomed to with the Cullens. That stench had been bearable compared to this. No, this was overpowering. Pungent. It literally made me sick to my stomach. My instincts were demanding I change, to fight off this foe, but I couldn't. I didn't dare risk alerting everyone to my secret, including—and most particularly—Bella. My duty now was to protect her, and I had almost failed by leaving her alone in the store. I had needed to call home; it was important I talked to Billy about this. I thought she would be fine since the leech had stayed at the inn, and I was only supposed to be gone for a few minutes. As soon as the foul smell had reached me, I'd dropped the phone and ran. I'd even knocked down a few innocent bystanders while I ran for the bookstore, which I felt guilty about, but it couldn't be avoided. They should have just moved. Fortunately, I had collided with Bella on the sidewalk. I had been so relieved. I had no idea how she had gotten away from him, but I loved her for it. She'd been knocking on death's door and was unaware. I cringed to think what he would have done to her.

I knew a few things about this visitor now, thanks to my phone calls. I let the details of the conversations play over in my head as I drove.

"Dad? It's me . . . I need to ask you a few questions. . ." I had rushed into the conversation without giving him a chance for nonchalant banter. I didn't have time.

"Uh, sure, son . . . What's wrong?" He sounded worried, and I could hear as the game was cut off in the background.

"I need to know . . . Did you tell the Cullens where I was?"

"Course not . . . because I don't know where you are, Jake. Edward called over here asking about you though. But I didn't tell him anything . . . Humph, the few details I do know wouldn't give anything away." My heart stopped beating. He had called. . .

"Shit . . . Please tell me you didn't think about what I did. I mean, you hid your thoughts, right? Edward can't know about Bella."

"I'm sorry, Jake. I slipped. It's not as easy as it seems. He asked me where you went, and well, I think he probably has a few ideas now."

"Which is. . .? Dad, what did you think about?!"

"Well, I've been thinking that you might've taken her to visit her mom. Then, there's the possibility that you went to stay with your mom's sister, but I'm not sure you would take her there when it's so close to home. And then I figured Phoenix." Great. He had just given Edward three credible hints. I breathed in slowly, and the vibrations stopped. I had to control myself.

"Thanks, Billy. You've just made this a heck of a lot easier for me," I muttered bitterly.

"Hey . . . Don't you get angry with me, Jake. This is all your plan, your fault. I don't condone what you've done, so I'm staying out of it. You're gonna have to fix this mess on your own." He had hung up then, and I could tell he was seething. I wasn't going to get anything out of him, so I picked up the phone again, dialing a different number.

"Hello?"

"Em . . . It's Jake. Is Sam there? I really need to speak to him now." I could hear her hesitate and then mumble something in the background. I could sense she wasn't too happy with me either at the moment. But who was?

"Jake? Where are you? You end this little stunt of yours and come home now!" His voice held all the authority of an alpha, but it held no power over me in this state. I ignored his rhetorical question and his useless command.

"Sam, you have to tell me what's been going on with the Cullens. There's someone here—a leech—and I need to know everything you know. I think he's connected with the Cullens—he seems to know Bella. And I'm pretty sure he's after her . . . I just need to know why."

"Slow down, Jacob. What do you mean there's a vamp there? Where the hell are you? You can't fight one of them on your own! This is an order, Jake . . . You bring her back here before she gets killed!"

"Sam, just tell me what you know. I don't have much time. He's staying at the hotel we're at, and I had to get Bella away from there. We're in town right now, but he might follow us." I was pleading with him now, desperate for his knowledge.

He groaned. "I'm going to kill you myself, Kid . . . Okay, this is what I know. We've been doing our patrols, and we came across a new smell and some tracks. Paul knew it wasn't one of the Cullens—this smell is rank, ten times worse than the usual. He about passed out when he discovered it." I thought about this morning at breakfast when I'd had the same sickening feeling. It had to be the same vamp. "It's awful; there's no mistaking it. It's putrid. I figured there was a group of them traveling together, with that much smell and all. So I went to see Carlisle to confirm my suspicions and make sure they upheld the treaty. But I was wrong. He said not to worry, that his visitor was just passing through, that he'd been checking up on them . . . Jake, you need to come home right away. I don't think this vamp is someone to mess with—Carlisle made it clear that he's dangerous and spiteful. He wouldn't give me all the details about why he was there, but he looked worried. Whatever it is, it can't be good. I have a feeling that's who is after you, Jake. . ." His voice had trailed off.

At that very moment, the wind had blown, sending a whiff of the pungent aroma in my direction. I doubled over, my stomach recoiling and gasped for fresh air, but it was tainted with the rotten stench. It was so strong and so close. Not diluted in the least bit. He was here.

"Jacob?! Jacob . . . tell me what happened! What do you know?! Is it about that guy . . . Frank or whatever?" Bella was staring at me, trying to get my attention. Her frantic voice had wrenched me away from my thoughts, but it didn't matter. I had already repeated that conversation in my mind over and over . . . I had it memorized.

I didn't know what to do for once. Bella's safety was my main priority, but I didn't feel like we should run again. What if he only followed us? Then I'd have two vampires hot on my trail, both seeking my blood, her blood. No, I couldn't put her in that danger. As long as we stayed at the inn and I kept my eyes on her at all times, we should be okay. I needed time to think, to mull it over, but time I didn't have.

"Bella, calm down. Everything's fine. Please just give me a minute. I need to think." I forced my words to sound comforting. I knew I had frightened her, and I regretted that, but I hadn't been able to control myself. I had been so scared, so relieved to find her unharmed.

She continued to stare at me, but stopped with the twenty questions. For that, I was most grateful. I debated in my mind what would be the best decision for Bella's safety. And then finally, I made up my mind. I swung the car toward the right, veering off towards the ocean and the road that would take us back to the inn.

*****

Edward:

Felix came for a visit today. Not good. The brute barely even tried to hide his thoughts from me. They were so transparent, sitting there on the surface, begging for me to snoop. He was checking up on us of his own accord. And he had been quite astonished to find that Bella had deserted me. I credit Rosalie and her careless, big mouth for that one. The minute Felix had registered the thought in his mind, he had futilely attempted to conceal it, but I'd already witnessed it. The thought that had troubled me so, even after he'd left—With Bella gone, stricken Edward would be easier to coerce into joining the Volturi. Aro would gain what he most desired—Edward's unique talent for his use. And I, being the primary reason for Edward's surrender, would certainly rise up in power. Oh, the benefits that would come my way. . . I shuddered again as his inner voice played once more in my mind. I didn't like how he'd said, 'with Bella gone." I felt ill, and for the first time, I felt more human than ever. So many new, different emotions swirling around inside me—feelings I had never experienced while I was a vampire. I didn't know how to deal with them. I was queasy, but I had to focus on the recent revelation. Felix was greedy and power hungry, and he would do anything to look good in the eyes of Aro. I had to find her before he did.

*****

Jacob:

I was finally calm enough to think straight. And I needed answers. Now.

"Bella, what happened in the store?" I was finally paying attention to her, and she looked surprised.

"Um . . . Well, he followed me in there. I tried to sneak out, but he saw me I guess, because he came and blocked my path. Then, he said he wanted to talk to me about something . . . It was weird—the way he talked, it was too formal, not how you would expect a guy like him to speak. He said something like 'we have things, no . . . issues, to discuss.' He wanted to take me somewhere more private. I refused, so he said we could just talk right there. That's when it got even weirder . . . He mentioned someone . . . An Edward? He kept saying how he was upset I had left him and wanted me back. He claimed he had to deliver me to this guy . . . Those were his exact words. Then, he put his arm around me; he was so strong, forcing me to go with him, but I was creating a public scene, so it was easy to slip away. I knew he wasn't going to do anything with all those people around."

I felt my stomach tightening back up, the shivers starting again, multiplying in their intensity. Not now. I have to control myself. Not here. With her so close.

"Was that it? Anything else happen?"

"No. I ran out of the store to find you. I was scared. That's it. Please, Jake . . . Tell me what's going on!"

"I don't know, Bells. But I do know that I don't want him anywhere near you. I'm sorry I scared you back there . . . I saw him go in the store, and I panicked. I was just so furious at him for following you, that I overreacted. It's really hard for me to control my temper sometimes. But really, I'm as confused as you are." I hated lying to her, but even if I told her the truth, she wouldn't believe me. If I was to tell her what I assumed—Bella, your fiancé has sent one of his bloodthirsty leeches to kill me and take you back, so you can marry him, and he can suck the life out of you, forever ending your mortality; although before he has a chance to do that, his messenger will most likely kill you due to poor self-control—she would laugh in my face. And I didn't blame her . . . If I wasn't a part of these surreal myths and legends, then I wouldn't think they were true either. And I hadn't, only a short time ago. I wished I could just turn back time, to when everything was simpler. But that wasn't possible. No. Even though there were immortal monsters roaming the earth with humans, unbeknownst to them, some scientist still couldn't figure out how to turn back time . . . Didn't make sense to me.

I glanced back over to Bella. She had her legs drawn up in the seat with her and was clutching them, a hopeful and frightened look in her eyes. I knew she was still waiting on my response, the one where I tell her what exactly was happening.

"Bells, that's all I know. . ."

She twisted her body away from me. "Fine," she snapped coldly.

The rest of the car ride was silent. I didn't even bother to turn on the radio. It seemed too weird to listen to music when you had two vampires intent on ending your life. How had I let things get so out of hand all of a sudden?