The Witch Bearer

Disclaimer: Twilight and all it's characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.

No copyright infringement of any other books or related media is intended.

Chapter 5.

I've seen this creature before, in my dreams. His name is, well, I know him as Naberius. He's been in…hibernation…for a century or so.

Naberius was chosen to be my burden. I started to dream about him as a child. He knows his purpose. He'll be seeking me out soon, once he's reached full strength."

"What burden?" Edward asked.

Bella pursed her lips faintly, debating how much to tell. Carlisle, who still shared her mind, staying in the shadowy recesses, waiting, using the connection as a lie detector, watched and filtered through her memories, her thoughts, as they came to her mind.

"Every so often, a member of the Swan family is burdened with a task, an enemy to face, to destroy. The one whose turn it is to face this burden knows it by the dreams they receive. My dreams started at the age of ten. My parents then took me away and hid me, as well as begun my training."

"The Swan family is a well known family among the supernatural and paranormal population," Carlisle said calmly, "They're known to increase their bloodline by breeding with psychic, magic, or otherwise among their line."

Bella looked at Carlisle.

"Even among the vampires, we keep tabs on those who need to be kept watched. Your family has been under scrutiny by my kind for many generations."

She frowned.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there an altercation between a Swan and one my kind not too long ago?"

Bella bristled, "One of your people killed my aunt."

Carlisle waved it off as though it was insignificant, "It happens."

Bella surged to her feet, furious, "He was trying to enslave my aunt! Better off dead than a mindless slave of a leech!"

Alice gasped softly, Jasper's hand tightened slightly on her shoulder. Edward moved closer to Carlisle.

Carlisle' lips twitched, as though trying to contain the smile, but his words were calm and without trace of amusement.

"Your heart beats faster and your blood surges with the added adrenaline, Bella. I would not have thought you would tempt me."

Bella's eyes flared wide when the words connected and she glared at him before turning away.

"I need to meet with my coven sisters. We need to make plans."

Carlisle gave in to his amusement and chuckled softly before standing and walking to his desk, "It would be unwise of me to allow a coven of witches roaming around my estate, doing who knows what."

Bella turned and gave him a level look, "Who said anything about meeting here?"

"Ahh, then you assume I'm going to let you go."

"Keeping me here won't solve anything. Naberius will still be out there, causing havoc. He'll eventually find me here, and then what?"

"Perhaps I'll hand you over to him in exchange for leaving my city."

Alice stiffened. Bella's eyes narrowed on Carlisle.

"Even you're no match for Naberius, Mr. Cullen. You're lower on the food chain than he is."

He smiled dangerously, "You think?"

There was a warning in his smile, but Bella was tired of being pushed around by this vampire.

"Don't assume that because you're a vampire prince, you're stronger or smarter than your adversary."

He lifted a brow, "Now I see why your family was cursed."

Bella paled at his words, and then went red, fury swirling in her mind. Her amber eyes glowed hot like the sun, glittering angrily. The antique globe that sat on his desk began to spin, until it wobbled from side to side.

"Bella," Alice said softly, trying to calm her friend.

Eyes went to the globe; none saw the silver letter opener on Carlisle' desk shoot off, aimed at Carlisle' heart until it was too late, not even Carlisle himself.

Except Carlisle's connection with her mind allowed him to see what was to happen. It wasn't a planned act, deliberate. It was a heat of the moment, split second act.

Carlisle was able to twist his body to one side, avoiding taking the knife to the chest, but it did manage to stick him in the upper arm.

Carlisle snarled, flashing his teeth at the pain, Alice jerked back in shock and fear, gasping. Jasper quickly put himself between her and Carlisle. Alice didn't protest.

Edward however did not think about what he was doing. He quickly put himself between Carlisle and Bella, then struck out at Bella, catching her cheek with the back of his hand, knocking her out of her fury and down to the Oriental rug clad floor, where she remained, panting. When he saw her incapacitated, he turned to help Carlisle, who waved him off then pulled the letter opener from his shoulder. Blood bloomed on his clothing, where the wound was and there was some blood on the letter opener.

Both Jasper and Edward went still, their eyes on the blood. There was an odd tenseness in the air that caused Alice to shudder and Bella to look up in wariness.

Then, it was gone and they were in motion once more. They hovered near their wounded employer and Alice moved over to Bella, helping her up.

"I'm fine, it's healed," Carlisle said.

Bella and Alice moved toward the door.

"Leaving?" Carlisle asked.

Bella and Alice glanced back to him, Edward and Jasper looked away from Carlisle, to the women.

"I think we'd like to retire now," Bella said.

Bella's cheek was reddened from Edward's striking her. Edward felt guilty for having done so, but his first responsibility was to Carlisle and protecting him. If he must, he would kill Bella to preserve Carlisle' life and safety.

"You haven't finished your evening meal." Carlisle stated.

"I think we're done here." Alice said.

Alice could feel Bella's muscles tensing, tightening, but she didn't want Bella to get hurt again, or punished for what she had done. So she spoke up.

"Please, Mr. Cullen…" her tone was pleading; her eyes bespoke the plea, the need for his permission to be excused, to leave this room.

Carlisle glanced at Alice, someone he hadn't really paid much attention to since Bella was present. He debated with himself before he gave a curt nod.

"Jasper, see them back to their quarters. Put Miss Brandon in a room next to Bella's."

Bella wanted to protest, her eyes narrowed, but Alice squeezed her arm in warning.

"Thank you, Mr. Cullen," Alice said.

He nodded and looked away. Jasper turned and escorted the women towards the bedrooms.

"She is a hellion," Carlisle said simply.

Edward nodded and offered his wrist to Carlisle, "My lord?"

Carlisle waved him off, "It was just a scratch, Edward. Stop worrying. She didn't deliberately do it or I'd have stopped her before she could."

Edward dropped his wrist, torn between disappointment from Carlisle not drinking, and relief that Carlisle was fine.

"What did you see?" Edward asked.

"Her family was cursed to bear the battle of a great evil. You should remember the rumors of the Swan family."

Edward frowned a bit as he thought back through the centuries. Living as long as he had, there was a lot to sift through.

"The Witch Bearers?"

Carlisle nodded and sat down, his fingers twirling the bloodied letter opener, "Our Bella is of that Swan family. She is also a descendant of the Italian witches."

Edward nodded faintly, "No wonder she's so strong."

"She believes that she must be the one to defeat this evil, this Naberius."

"Did you see what he was? Not vampire, I hope."

"If he was, then he would have to be an Ancient."

Edward's phone rang and he checked the number. He then answered it, "Masen."

He listened, his brow furrowing. Carlisle could hear a female voice in the background but could not make out the words. Edward then walked over to a wall of bookcases and picked out a book. He tilted the book, triggering the bookcase to rotate over, revealing a flat panel television screen.

Edward turned on the TV and adjusted the volume before thanking the caller and hanging up.

"That was Winter. She said you might want to see the news."

Edward stepped back to allow Carlisle to see the screen the two of them watched as a female reporter gave the news of a family slaughtered in their own home. Husband, wife, and their children horribly murdered, their bodies mutilated to the point where visual identification was difficult. Neighbors had heard the screams and called the police. The investigation was just starting, they have not been given any further details.

A witness did say that he saw a man dressed in black leaving the house, but he couldn't describe him.

The camera panned on the police and CSI team, all looked pale and sickly, horrified by what they had seen, the knowledge that there was someone out there in their small city capable of such a crime.

No doubt, there would be many who would be suffering nightmares

and needing therapy after what they had seen.

"And Bella saw what had happened," Carlisle said.

Edward shut off the TV and reset the shelf before turning to Carlisle, "Should we allow her to meet with her coven?"

Carlisle tapped the letter opener against the top of his desk, pondering the question. He really did not want a coven of witches in his home. The Magi were not to be trusted. One or two, he could handle. Having a coven here would create a stronger enemy, one he might have to battle, and he did not relish the thought of losing any of his people because of him.

Strength in numbers and he wasn't going to hand that strength over to Bella and her Sisters by allowing them to meet here.

"Not here. Provide an escort for Bella and her friend to meet with their coven. Hungry Mother would work, far enough from here, secluded enough for their dealings."

Edward nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Alice can be released, but I want Bella back here."

"Carlisle?"

Carlisle looked at Edward, "She's intriguing."

He watched as Edward's face betrayed the emotions he struggled to keep hidden. Edward was jealous and angry.

Carlisle smiled faintly, "She's determined to defeat this creature, whatever it may be. Even if it means her death."

Edward frowned, "We should help. She may know magic, but what does she know about battle?"

"Do you think she can be trained in the use of weapons in such a short time?"

"I could put her through a quick and dirty course, pistol would be easier."

Carlisle nodded, "All right then."

He stood and made his way to the door, "Go enjoy the evening. I will be staying in."

Edward watched his employer stroll out the door, before he too left the study.

Jasper escorted the women back to Bella's room first, but he did make it a point to stop by a door and open it up.

"Your room, Alice."

Alice nodded and barely looked inside before she and Bella continued on to Bella's room. Jasper followed them.

"No need to follow us," Alice said, "I'm just going to sit and talk with Bella until I'm ready to go to my room."

Jasper shook his head, "Carlisle doesn't want the two of you alone together."

Alice smirked at him, "Carlisle and go sit and spin for all I care. My friend needs me."

Bella opened her door and stepped in. As Alice went to follow, Jasper reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

Alice spun on Jasper, glaring, "Let go of me, you…you…wannabe vampire reject!"

Bella looked a bit taken aback by that, glancing back to the door, only to catch Jasper stepping up to Alice, bodily pinning her to the door frame.

"Want to run that by me again?" he asked drawled.

Alice tried to push him away, but he was not to be budged. She tried to knee him, but he easily blocked her, his body pushing against hers. Her eyes widened in shock when she realized he was getting aroused.

He smiled.

Seeing his amusement infuriated her.

"You're sick! You're getting off from me fighting you!"

"Au contraire, Alice," he said softly, "I'm not getting off at all, but I will later."

She gasped in outrage, "Let go of me!"

"And what will you give me in exchange?"

Her eyes narrowed on him, "I know what I WON'T give you if you let me go."

"And what's that?"

"I won't kick your ass."

He laughed, finding her words vastly amusing.

"Alice," Bella said.

"Get him off of me, Bella, or else."

Bella sighed, "I really don't have the energy or the patience for this."

Jasper reached out and grabbed the doorknob to the door, and with a wicked smile, closed the door.

Alice gasped and pushed at the immovable Jasper.

He returned his attention to the young woman he had pinned, smiling.

Alice couldn't help but to shiver at the smile. It was a triumphant smile, one that knew he had what he wanted, that he had won. It irked her beyond measure, as much as it made her go breathless.

He leaned in and brushed his lips against her cheek, murmuring softly, "Your room is next door."

Alice tensed, tried to ignore what he was making her feel. He smelled so good though; masculine, spicy. He used incense, she could tell.

"I need to be with Bella, she's upset and shouldn't be alone," she

whispered breathlessly.

He brushed his lips against hers, "I think she'll be fine."

Alice crushed the moan that rose up. She was not about to let him seduce her, weaken her. Jasper didn't relent, he pushed his luck and captured her lips with his, kissing her hungrily, his body pressing against hers, holding her against the door jam.

The man not only smelled good, but tasted good, and he could kiss! Alice was duly impressed, impressed by his kissing, impressed by the strength of his body. Hands that had been pushing at him became hands that held onto him, her fingers curling until she was gripping his shirt, as though for support. Their tongues dueled with one another. Jasper's hands moved over her, one moving up to grip the back of her head, holding her by the hair, the other caressing her breast, his body shifting to one side to give him access.

Alice loved it. She wasn't so much a submissive in the bedroom, or out of it, but she did love a man who could take control.

What the hell was she doing? He was one of her captors! She started to push against him again, pulling her head back, trying to break the kiss.

He lifted his head a bit to look at her, his brown eyes looked dark and dangerous, predatory. She shivered.

"Stop."

He lifted a brow at her, "What's wrong?"

"I'm not going to have sex with you, so stop trying to seduce me."

"Is that what I'm doing? Seducing you?"

She tried to push at him again, to put some breathing space between them, but he refused to budge.

"You're the enemy right now. You're holding us captive."

He growled softly, his expression turning hard. Stepping back, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from the door jam, pulling her to the room appointed to her. With efficiency and all business like, he

pushed her through the doorway and before she could gasp and turn toward him, the door was firmly closed between them.

Alice heard his footsteps fade off as he walked away.

Naberius knew what he was here for, what his mission was. He had to find her, to battle her, destroy her.

He was a soul eater, a witch killer. Destroying her meant a promotion among the ranks of demons. She was a Swan.

He took to the dark sky, his wings of black silent in movement. His senses flared outward to search for her. He knew she was in the city.

He snarled angrily. She was hiding in the city but until he was stronger, until his own abilities had time to awaken from their slumber, he wasn't able to utilize them.

He knew that during her time here, before he awoke, she was at the convent. He had picked these things out from dreams.

They were connected, Naberius and Bella. From the moment she began dreaming of him, he also began dreaming, of her. They shared tidbits of information.

Just as he was her curse to bear, she was his weakness, his overriding goal, a thorn in his side, the danger of his downfall.

Their souls were connected by a curse.

He would find her, break her, destroy her, consume her soul, and finish it.

He flew to the convent, the dark night concealing him from mortal eyes.

Bella woke up screaming. She was drenched in sweat, gasping for air.

Oh my God he's murdering innocent people. Please, let it be just a nightmare, she pleaded as she sat up, shaking violently. It was the same nightmare she had before, but this one was so real so vivid, she could almost feel his presence near.

So much blood, it covered everything. Naberius, the room, the walls and the floor. He had reveled in it, in the pain he caused, the terror, drank the blood that spilled from the wounds he rendered in tender flesh.

He had laughed.

The room had looked familiar to her, but she wasn't seeing it as an observer. Snippets of visual clues were the only way she was seeing anything.

When Naberius looked into a mirror hanging on the wall, she could see his face, and he could see hers. He roared with anger, seeing her, the one being who could be his triumph or his downfall, the one being he could not find…yet.

Bella stared into the face of her curse and trembled. He was already so strong and would only get stronger. How was she suppose to defeat him?

"Bella Swan," he had said to the mirror, "Where are you?"

He held up the body of the nun, her dying expression one of horror, her clothing ripped from her body, her midsection eviscerated and internals exposed.

"You aren't here." Then he laughed.

Bella vomited all over her bed. She didn't make it to the bathroom this time....