Chapter 8: Challenge
I couldn't believe this. I knew that certain vampires, such as the Volturi, felt nothing but contempt for us humans, killing us with no attempt at compassion. To them, we were nothing but prey. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised that more 'traditional' vampires would not be pleased at the prospect of humans having romantic relationships with, and even marrying, their kind. The reason was very plain and clear: vampires who married humans were more likely to sympathize with humankind in general, and thus, would frown on drinking from them. This would very likely cause trouble, perhaps even a war, between those vampires who abhorred having to subsist by terminating human life, and those who didn't care that they had to do just that. Those who, in fact, reveled in having to do just that...
But now my future daughter's life hung in the balance. And I wasn't even married to Edward yet!
I turned to this Victor. "Just how do you think you're going to prevent my daughter from being born?" I challenged him.
Edward turned to face him, as well. "How do you think you'll accomplish that?" he sneered. "You can't alter destiny!"
"Oh, but we most certainly can," Alison said, her voice slithering over my sensitive nerves. "You have no idea what powers we possess. They are far beyond your own."
"Then why is it that Bella and I are still alive?" As he spoke, Edward quickly pushed me behind his back, just in case.
"You do not exist at all, in your world," Victor drawled arrogantly. "You are mere shadows here, as it is. Fleeting shadows, that I could blow away with my breath."
Edward and I both stared at him, wondering whether he might be exaggerating. Not even the Volturi could lay claim to such power.
"But I think there's a far better way to ensure that Renesmee is never born," Victor continued. "Yes....a far better way. Edmund is especially fond of it, aren't you, my boy?" He turned to the younger vampire. Surprisingly, Edmund looked away, and then, standing up, walked out of sight.
"Well," Victor continued, turning toward us again. "Edmund may be having second thoughts now, but he was initially quite enthusiastic about the idea."
He paused. I knew he was doing it to build up the suspense, to draw out our discomfort. He was a true vampire of the traditional type, that mercilessly drank humans dry withou any qualms.
"We will see, Edward, how very much you really love your little human," he said slowly, savoring the words. His grotesque smile turned his face into a chilling mask. "You will be tempted to kill her, and you won't be able to resist."
Edward lunged toward Victor before I could stop him.
"Edward!" I screamed. But it was too late. Yet, in the middle of his swift lunge, Edward suddenly froze, and fell limply to the ground. Victor's hand was stretched out toward him, and the expression on his face was triumphant.
"You human-loving fool........" he said, drawing out the words in his most contemptuous manner. "How could you possibly imagine that you would be a match for me?"
Edward did not answer. He could not. His entire body was immobilized. Victor allowed his hand to drop, while his smile became even more chilling.
"Please release him", I whispered, staring directly at Victor. I knew he could hear me, of course.
His look of icy contempt was almost unbearable. Yet, it hypnotized me. Had he chosen to, he could have drunk from me then. I would not have been able to stop him.
I foolishly decided to take matters into my own hands. The opportunity came when Victor glanced toward Alison momentarily, thus breaking his spell over me. I quickly walked over to Edward and tried to shake him, but it was like trying to shake a huge boulder. I could not move him.
Victor looked over at me again, and began to chortle. "You humans are so vastly amusing, after all........ Very well, I will release him now.' He slowly raised his hand in a commanding gesture. Edward moved, gasping.
I gently touched his shoulder. "Edward! Are you all right?"
He sat up, grinning at me in spite of the seriousness of the situation. "Bella.......you know I'm fine! Are you all right?"
I nodded wordlessly. We both turned to stare at Victor.
As if on cue, he said, "We are leaving now. Edward, remember this is the woman you love. Remember it well. There are no animals around for you to hunt here. There are no other humans, either. And neither of you can leave. This place is now sealed so that you cannot get back to your world, your time. The only one who can unseal it is Edmund, and he is leaving with us. You will be alone with Bella."
He paused meaningfully.
"The hours will pass, and you will get thirsty, Edward. Very thirsty... She will know when you become unbearingly so, because the color of your eyes will change... so very thirsty... and she is the only source of nourishment for miles around..."
"I never thought I would meet anyone I would hate more than Aro, but I guess I now have," Edward said bitterly.
"Good-bye, Edward," Victor said pleasantly. "Indulge yourself. You are, after all, one of us. You should never forget that. Perhaps you can be rehabilitated when we return."
"Rehabilitated?" Edward spat at him. "You sick, sadistic monster! If I do kill her, I will kill myself as well! I cannot live without her! Surely you must know that! I would never forgive myself!"
Victor smiled. "Oh, but you will, Edward. And you will most certainly not attempt to kill yourself."
With that, he turned to go. Alison followed him. A soft mist abruptly appeared, engulfing them. When it had cleared, they were gone.
I was left alone with Edward.
