Thank you to everyone who has been patient. It has been difficult trying to write this particular section of the story. But I think I have it figured out now and should post more often. Thanks again for all comments, favorites, and everything else! You guys are great! More stories to come in the future.
Bella POV
I have watched Edward tangle with the werewolves from time to time over the years and I have watched him hunt countless times. Still, those were cases of irritation and survival. This fight was completely different. I watched in shock and fear as he fought with Demetri; as every bit of the lethal vampire he had repeatedly tried to convince me that he was.
It was the same with Emmett. It was hard to imagine that the huge angry frame of my brother-in-law was a fun-loving bear any other time.
And the wolves. I had watched them chase after Laurent all those years ago, but hadn't witnessed the actual quarrel. They truly looked and acted like wild animals, while still showing the intelligence of a different being within. The instruction they received from fighting with the newborns was paying off yet again.
The wound on my shoulder where Demetri got close enough to bite me was throbbing in pain, but I didn't move a centimeter from my crouch. Part of me wanted to run back to where Nessie and Jake were. Part of me wanted to stay and finish off Demetri myself. Another part was transfixed and awed by watching Edward. And another, smaller part, a human characteristic that I carried with me, just wanted to run as far away from it all as I possibly could.
I watched with a guilty sense of satisfaction as my family gained a slight advantage over the lone vampire. There was no doubt in my mind that Demetri would meet his end here. The odds were simply against him. The question I feared the most was, what would it cost our side? How many of my loved ones would Demetri manage to drag down with him?
With this wave of uncertain questions came a wave of bitter hatred and anger. I was suddenly resolutely determined that my happily-ever-after wasn't going to be ruined by the likes of the Voltouri.
I hadn't been trained very much. Edward wasn't too happy with me wanting or needing to learn in the first place. However, that didn't seem to matter right now, I was fighting for my family; my happy forever that was just getting started.
Instinctively my face twisted into a snarl and I growled. Deep inside, a tiny voice tried to remind me of what Edward would have to say about me jumping unnecessarily into the middle of the fight.
It is precisely for Edward, and Nessie, and the Cullens, and the wolves that I do just that. I argued back in my head. Then I ignored the pleading voice, letting my primal instincts take over. I zeroed in on my target and leapt for the kill.
Edward POV
I was shocked and terrified when I realized that it was Bella on Demetri's back, going for his neck.
Demetri was too distracted to do anything about his mount immediately, but it wouldn't take him but a few seconds. He was aptly skilled enough from the centuries of training to break my Bella right in two.
I had to do something, anything.
Something in the back of my mind found this situation ironic. It reminded me of the Quilulete legend of the third wife. The very same that Bella tried to imitate when Victoria found us. Now the roles were reversed. Bella was rushing into the fray and I was trying to find a way to save her.
Although there really wasn't enough room for two on Demetri's back, I leapt up there as well.
Bella was already biting him and trying to snap his neck at the same time. Demetri was at least able to struggle his way out of that one. In that I could help her. I have been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this anyway. I secured a grip around Demetri's neck, carefully not to get Bella's head as well, and quickly tugged with all my might. Demetri's head promptly snapped off and soared in the other direction.
Bella, in a moment of humanity, tumbled to the ground, but she quickly regained herself and was in another crouch ready to spring in a matter of a few seconds.
I knew Emmett and the werewolves would make short order of Demetri's remains, my priority at the moment was Bella.
I followed her to the ground but stood warily away from her.
"Bella, love?" I worked to make my voice as smooth as possible. She relaxed but only marginally. "It's over, Bella." I continued. I walked slowly towards her. She stood completely up to meet me.
"Demetri is really…dead?" She asked skeptically looking into my eyes for her answer.
"Yes." I assured her. "It's all over. We can go find Renesemee now." This news didn't seem to effect her as much as I thought it would.
"Did I…kill him?" Bella asked, a slight hysteric edge creeping into her melodic voice.
For a moment, I thought about lying to her about it, but that would probably get me in trouble and make her feel even worse later on. So I told her the truth…
"You helped, yes." I was careful to make it sound like we were discussing everyday chores rather than beheading a sadistic vampire. Nonetheless, shock spread across Bella's face. Perhaps she just now got it…what I was trying to tell her all along. "Bella, love, I know it is a shock at first, but I tried to warn you against all that we are and you didn't listen to me. Instead, you chose to become a monster like me. I'm sorry, Bella, so sorry. But there is no going back. If there were any way at all, I would find it for you, but there isn't."
Bella looked confused. She lifted her shield out of her mind so I could hear her thoughts.
"What are you babbling about?"
"Aren't you upset because you finally realized what we truly are, and what you have willingly become?" Now I was confused.
"Of course not!"
"Then…why…?"
Bella stopped me before I could form a coherent question.
"I was only surprised that I helped kill one of the Volturi."
I was so relieved I laughed out loud. "Bella, you never cease to amaze me." Her face brightened at me as if that were all she needed to hear. I crossed the distance between us and took her hand in mine. It sent a thrill through me like it always did. "I suggest we go find our daughter, then meet up with the others back at the house."
