Disclaimer: We only own the plot for this story. All characters are property of Stephenie Meyer.
A/N: A lot of you seemed to be confused as to whether or not Edward knew Bella was lying in the last update. Well, he does of course. But we're sort of exploring with the 'trust' part of their relationship. Hopefully, this update will answer some of your questions. Of course, if you have more don't hesitate to ask. :)
"Bella," he said pulling back, "What's going on?" "I'll call you when I get home. Angela's having a crisis." "Well I can drive you to her house." "No, that's okay. I have to pick up groceries after. It's just easier if I go by myself. I'll call you when I'm home." I kissed him quickly and ran to my truck. I turned it on and pulled out of the driveway heading toward Angela's house where I would make a quick turn to get on the highway to La Push.
Chapter Nine
Edward's POV:
It was late. The sun threw off red and orange lights to dance around the room. My skin sparkled as they passed over me. It wasn't to the intensity as it normally was, but it was there. I held up my hand before my face, studying each inch of the pale, translucent skin. Bella wanted to be like this. Like me. A snarl curled my lips back at the thought. My eyes flickered towards the window, watching the tops of the trees sway back and forth against the tangerine sky.
Twilight.
Bella had left so quickly when I dropped her off hours ago. She said she was going to Angela's but I knew better. Silly, girl. I could hear Billy's voice on the other line. It was obvious that she couldn't trust me enough to tell me the truth. And as if that weren't enough, I could smell her scent. I knew when she changed directions. She was apart of me. She was my heart. And I forever knew the sound of those beautiful beats. I knew where they went. Was she really that forgetful of my senses?
My fingers curled around the arms of the leather chair as I sat alone in my room. I could feel the frustration crawling through me, igniting a fire that burned beneath my dead flesh. Why would she lie to me? What could she possibly be doing? Jacob wasn't around so I saw no need in her going to La Push for that reason, but… what if…
I shook my head furiously at the thought. No. It wouldn't happen. She'd tell me if he came back. She would tell me. Wouldn't she? Billy hadn't said anything to that effect but what if Jacob was there?
Anger flooded my mind. Pools of crimson blood swept across my gaze, swimming before my eyes. She was hiding something from me. A secret.
But how could I blame her? Maybe she meant to keep things from me, especially when it came to Jacob. My mind reeled with the possibilities. What if he was back? What if she went back on our engagement? On our love? While I would never hold her to it, it would literally tear me apart inside. I could already see my self-inflicted death happening in my mind if she were to leave me. What would Aro think if I paid them a visit so soon? I smiled ruefully at the thought.
My grip tightened around the black leather as a soft knock echoed from the door. I could already hear my sister's thoughts as she danced up the stairs.
"Edward?" she sing-songed, pushing my door open. Her pixy like features seemed so innocent as she glided across the wooden floor. "There's a storm coming!" she yelled delightfully. "Ready for a game?"
"No," I replied curtly, my snarl growing, baring my white teeth. "I'm not." My right hand dug further into the arm of the chair, ripping it off in its strength. Shards of black leather scattered to the floor around me.
I blinked and in seconds, Alice was kneeling before me, her liquid topaz eyes staring into mine intently. What's wrong?
I glared at her, my chest suddenly heaving with unnecessary air. "It's Bella."
Alice continued to watch me, her porcelain features unwavering. And after what felt like hours, she smirked. "What'd she do this time?"
"This isn't a joke, Alice," I ground out through clenched teeth.
This time, she leaned closer as concern masked her pale face. Her eyes glittered brilliantly beneath me. "Edward, what do you mean? What happened?"
I felt my heart shattering at the thoughts that ran through my head. The memory of my Bella kissing Jacob Black flashed before my eyes and if I were capable of producing tears, I would have in that moment. "I don't know," I whispered lowly, only loud enough for her to hear.
She seemed thoughtful for a second and I knew that she was concerned for Bella as well. She was her best friend after all. It also appeared that she hadn't seen Bella's lie and that troubled her greatly. I would have to ask her about that later it seemed...
"It's probably nothing, though," I said, shaking it off and standing suddenly, tossing the torn leather to the side. It thudded loudly as it hit the floor and immediately the thoughts and voices of my family drifted to my ears.
Alice kept her distance as she watched me pace the length of my room. "Edward, I don't think you need to worry."
I rolled my eyes, a sardonic smile gracing my lips. "Yes, always the optimistic one, aren't you, Alice?"
She looked hurt, her gaze drifted down to her feet and instantly I regretted the spoken words. "I'm sorry," I sighed. "I'm just… I don't know. I'm feeling things that I can't explain right now. And I just… Alice?"
The black haired beauty stood poised in grace, her face slightly cocked to the side, her golden eyes blank.
I stepped closer to her, inches from her face. She couldn't see me. Not yet anyway. "Alice?"
And as if that was the magic word that broke her spell, she blinked rapidly and stepped back. Her eyes grew wide. Terrified. I stared at her intently.
"What did you see." It wasn't a question. It was a command.
Before I could say another word she had disappeared into the hall, away from my piercing eyes.
"ALICE!" I roared, racing after her within seconds.
She flitted down the stairs towards our awaiting family, reciting Chinese proverbs in her mind to block me from her thoughts.
Instantly, fast hisses spread throughout the house as she conversed with them away from me. I stalked towards them as they gathered into the living room - six pairs of amber eyes shocked, frightened. They were speaking so quickly, their thoughts so jumbled, that I couldn't make sense of anything at all. And then one word stuck out. One word that would have sent me crashing to my knees if I hadn't been gripping the wall.
Volturi.
"WHAT?!" My voice was unrecognizable even to my own ears. The growl was practically deafening. It shattered the chandelier up above in fury as the crystal clinked together dangerously.
My eyes flashed from each stunned face to the next. "The Volturi are coming?"
Alice nodded once, keeping her sorrowful gaze locked on mine. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you upstairs, Edward. I figured it would be best if we were with everyone first."
I was practically gasping for breath - even though I didn't need it - as my fingers dug holes into the wooden wall. This was too much. The wedding wasn't far away. Why were they coming now? Why now of all times?
"Do you know when they'll be here?" Carlisle asked her urgently, his voice calm and low.
"No. I can only see them making the plans. But I have a feeling it will be soon," she breathed. "Too soon."
"So, let them come," Emmett interjected. "Let them show their red eyes here in our territory."
The energy and anticipation of a fight spread throughout the room. Everyone, myself included, wanted to take a chance at them. But they could kill us instantly. There was no way we were taking that risk. Not now.
"Bella," I gasped, understanding dawning on me. "Where's Bella?" Of course I knew where she was, but for some reason, prattling on about it seemed to postpone that shattering of my nerves.
"Don't you know?" Esme questioned me. "I thought you said she was with Angela."
I didn't want to tell them the truth. A part of me had hoped that Alice could see Bella at Angela's and that she hadn't really lied to me and gone to La Push. The look on my face answered Esme's question and she nodded in understanding. "Oh."
"Alice can you see her?" Jasper questioned, squeezing her shoulder in comfort.
Alice's gaze met his quickly before reaching mine. I, unfortunately, already knew the answer to that question. "No."
Every pair of eyes turned to me. We knew what this meant. Thunder sounded off in the distance, setting my anger on fire. A loud growl erupted through my lips as I grabbed a crystal vase and smashed it violently to the ground. I didn't care that I had startled my family. I hardly heard the hisses and throaty growls that followed me as I sped through the front door.
The fact that Bella knowingly lied to me and couldn't trust me seemed almost trivial now. The Volturi were coming and Bella – my Bella – was in La Push, with the wolves. She was in a place where I couldn't protect her. Sam and his pack wouldn't stand a chance against the Volturi if they were to come this night.
The Volvo sped down the road at dangerous speeds. I didn't care if someone saw me. They'd never be able to catch me.
Lightning struck the ground, sending a thunderous rumble through the Earth. The sky turned black as the clouds rolled in overhead, chasing me. Trapping me.
The boundary line was near. I could sense. Feel it. Taste it.
I slammed my foot on the brakes and spun the wheel in my fury, causing the car to come to a screeching halt, blocking the road either way. My hand gripped the door handle, wrenching it open with inhuman strength and speed. I knew she'd hear. They all would. The raindrops began to pelt the ground, gliding over my skin, clinging to my bronze hair. Flashes of the sky's anger glowed in my now blackened eyes. And as another hideous strike of lightning pelted the ground, I felt the force of the wind blow past me; the flaps of my leather jacket billowing in its strength. I opened my mouth, bared my teeth, and roared a deafening cry that would have matched the thunder surrounding me.
"BELLA!"
