A/N: Hey, Sorry about wait but now it's the summer hols so bring on the updates. Enjoy. Reviewers will be rewarded with sneak peeks!
Chapter 10
The Cullen's have been patrolling Forks for the past week in hopes of catching James. Edward was intent on catching him, worried about what he'd say or do with what he'd found out about me. I had asked Carlisle about witches but he couldn't be any help. He'd told me that he'd never encountered one himself but had heard rumours during his time with the Volturi. He'd told me how they'd killed anyone accused in fear for what they could do to them.
Of course anything I found on the internet was futile, just like my research into the cold ones. It was either made up of legends or fiction. I'd even done more research into mermaids however I wasn't pleased with what I found.
Mermaids are claimed to be the sirens of the sea, luring sailors into the sea where they would drown, in hopes to find a compatible mate. I obviously missed that scene in the little mermaid. Of course like many 'myths' there have been many sightings however they could not be backed up. It's so frustrating not being about to find anything that could help me. It's not like there's a mermaid crisis hotline for me to ring, however after I find out everything I could, I will make one.
Today, Carlisle and Esme were out on a hunting trip, leaving Edward, Emmett, Alice and Jasper to babysit me. Of course Rosalie wouldn't agree to be a 'guard dog for a human' so she went with them. I decided to keep myself occupied by taking advantage of Carlisle's personal library. Carlisle had pointed me towards the books on creatures he'd collected over the centuries.
I found a couple of references on mermaids, one being of a god damning herself to the sea after killing her human lover. Another of a creature found on a beach in Australia by a fisherman, reported to be half female half fish and having razor sharp fangs that bit him. The man was called a lunatic and placed in an asylum a few years later. Not really promising.
I run into the bathroom in Edward's room, opening my mouth wide as I poked at my teeth in the mirror. I know I shouldn't listen to some of the folk lore but it's all I had and they had to have some truth behind em, right?
I heard a chuckle from behind me, in the mirror I saw Edward leaning against the door frame, watching me curiously with a wide smile pulling at his lips.
"What?" I asked as I turned to face him shyly.
"What are you doing?" he asked as he stepped away from the doorframe to place his hands on my shoulders, gazing at me through the mirror.
"Checking for fangs." I replied in a whisper.
"What? Why?" Edward asked, trying to hold back his laughter.
"Because in Carlisle's book it said a man was attacked by a half fish half female creature with razor sharp fangs that bit him." Edward finally couldn't hold it in any more and burst into laughter.
"You really think this is funny? Didn't you ever check for fangs when you were turned?" I spat back, not pleased with his amusement.
"No because Carlisle told me that that was a myth." I sighed as I folded my arms across my chest.
"It's not funny. I still don't know half of what I'm capable of. What if I am dangerous like that Australian said. What if I haven't got fangs because I haven't grown into them yet? I've only been a mermaid for one and a half years and…" Edward placed his hand over my mouth to halt my rambling.
"Bella, I love you no matter what but if you continue to consider yourself dangerous I will willingly hand you to Alice for a day of torture." I shivered at the imagery, no thank you.
"Ok." I said as I rested my head against Edward's chest.
"I know you're worried but I've called Eleazer and he will be happy to help. He'll arrive tonight." My heart fluttered nervously at the thought of the Cullen's Alaskan 'cousins'. I know the Cullen's considered them family but that didn't mean I trusted them. Especially not someone who worked for the Volturi.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" I felt Edward's shoulders shrug against my cheek.
"No but there's a chance it might. If he can't read you like I can't then we carry on as we are now." I nodded in agreement but I couldn't stop the nervousness that bubbled inside me.
Eleazer arrived with his coven at sundown, appearing on the Cullen's doorstep like magicians. Beside Eleazer stood four strikingly beautiful women, three had long strawberry blond locks but one had long dark hair like Eleazer. It definitely didn't make a girl feel good about herself. I would love to see an ugly vampire, it just isn't fair.
"Hello Carlisle, it's nice to see you again." Eleazer said as he took a step forward to shake hands with Carlisle. Edward and I had agreed to have the whole family present while the Denali's were here, for my safety. Edward had warned me of Tanya, who had 'affections' for him; which is Edward speak for a crush.
"It's great to see you and I am pleased you agreed to help our Bella." 'Our Bella'; I wanted to cry. That was so sweet. Edward squeezed my hand.
"Anything for you Carlisle, you're family."Eleazer said as he took a step through the doorway into the entry way. "I see you've decorated, it's lovely as always Esme." Esme replied with her thanks from her position behind me. He seems nice enough, not what I expected from a previous member of the Volturi. The rest of the coven followed Eleazer in, their golden eyes running over the Cullen members before landing on me.
"So, this is your chosen mate Edward?" One asked, her voice flooded with disdain.
"Yes Tanya, this is my Bella." Ah Tanya. To say I didn't feel intimidated would be a lie because it was obvious from the tightness of her jaw that she was unhappy.
"Shall we move this to the living room?" Carlisle suggested as he and Eleazer led the way, Edward and I taking up the rear. Once all the Cullen's were seated and the Denali's had made themselves comfortable, my nerves grew.
I decided not to sit like the others, but walked over to the glass wall, taking in the surroundings. My heart needed to calm down before it pumped out of my chest. Edward came up behind me, his reflection barely visible through the glass as he placed his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my head.
"We have asked you here today Eleazer because Bella has a few questions about her origin that you may be able to answer." Carlisle said, his voice calm but much like his doctor voice, professional.
"Of course, I'll help as much as I am able." That was my cue. Turning I faced Eleazer, taking in a deep breath.
"Edward can't read my mind but he is convinced your gift will be able to tell us what I am. I suspect what I am and know some of what I'm capable of but I don't know for sure what I am. Research is useless." I sighed. Eleazer looked at me with a curious look.
"I've never met anyone like you before." He mumbled before he stood to come closer to me. Edward instantly reacted by stepping to my side, obviously stating his territory. "Water. You're a child of the water. I've only heard legends." His awe was obvious in his voice.
"What legends?" I asked curious as to what he knew.
"I've never met one of your kind but I've heard of them from the Volturi. They were said to have been girls who had fell in the water when the moon was at its most full and most magical. The moon's powers gave them control of water and made them at one with the water. The only sightings of them were from sailors who were struck by their beauty." Which is how the mermaid legends began.
"Is it true?" Eleazar asked. I looked at the rest of our 'audience' to find their eyes bugging out of their head, everyone's eyes fixed on me.
"Yes, it's true." I replied.
"Fascinating." Eleazar said.
"Wait so you're saying Bella is a mermaid?" Emmett commented, stating the obvious.
"Only Edward would find a mermaid and be its mate." Rosalie mumbled.
"I am gobsmacked. I didn't know such beings existed." Carlisle said. I can see his mind working as he went over everything I've done or said around him since he met me.
"Please tell me you have a tail!" Emmett exclaimed excitedly. Esme smacked his arm but that didn't stop the huge grin on his face.
"Emmett don't start." Edward warned from beside me, being his usual protective self. I was surprised the Denali coven hadn't yet had their say however I guess they didn't want to face Edward's wrath.
"Come on Edward you can't say this isn't cool." Emmett said, practically bouncing in his seat. Edward glanced at me, his eyes glowing with love as his beautiful lips pulled into a smile.
"Of course it's cool but I'm a little upset that you didn't trust me enough to tell me this Bella. I consider you one of my best friend." Alice's words cut me like a knife. I never intended to hurt her. I just wanted to know more before I shared myself with my friends.
"Alice that's not fair, you know what it's like to have to hide what you are." Edward defended me.
"You knew?" Rosalie's voice growled. "You knew that she was a mermaid and you didn't share with your family and now we have a tracker on our ass because she used some of her 'powers' to fight him off." Wow, she really hates me.
"You think I wanted to tell anyone? I have never told a soul about what I am because I didn't know what I am or how it happened. So what could I tell you exactly? 'I think I'm a mermaid because for the last year and a half when I come into contact with water I have ten seconds before my legs morph into a tail. Oh and I have this ability to control water.' I've tried that with my mum and she told me to write a children's book. When you were turned you had Carlisle. I had no one. So I'm sorry if it takes me a while to trust people." I let out a deep breath to calm myself. I felt Edward's arms wrap around me and squeeze me tight.
"Oh Bella." Esme said as she came towards me. "You poor thing, having to deal with this on your own." Her slim cold fingers reached out and interlocked with mine, giving me her motherly comfort.
"Bella, I didn't mean to be so harsh. It's just, I've been so frustrated because sometimes I can't see you and I've been worried that I was broken and all this time you've held the answer." Oh, Alice.
"Alice, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. Any of you but let's face it, if I hadn't have figured it out you would never have told me." I was only telling the truth.
"Can I see your tail?" Emmett finally burst. I was wondering how long he was going to hold out. He may look like a bear but he was still a kid inside. "Please. Pretty please." I had prepared myself for the show and tell but now that I was confronted with it, I was suddenly very self conscious. To be honest I felt like a piece in a museum with everyone staring at me. I glanced at Edward to see how he felt about it but of course he was leaving it up to me. I took in the room of vampires again and felt my heart beat speed up.
The dark haired vampire stood from her seat next to Tanya; she locked eyes with Eleazar before turning to the three blonds.
"Shall we go for a hunt?"She said loudly, most likely for my benefit. Two of the blonds stood and followed the dark haired one to the doorway. "Tanya?" She enquired as Tanya remained seated. Tanya's eyes were locked with mine but her face showed no emotions making it near impossible to guess what she was thinking.
"Leave with your sisters Tanya before you cause a scene." Edward said; his voice low and commanding. What had he seen in her thoughts? Tanya huffed before she stood in her five inch heels to follow her sisters.
Once the room was cleared of the main Denali's, I felt more comfortable. I looked up at Edward for courage, this is going to be the hardest thing I'll ever do.
"Could you?" I didn't need to finish because Edward nodded, knowing what I was going to ask before dashing off. He returned seconds later with a glass of water which he handed to me. "Ready." I told him, taking a deep breath as he moved behind me.
I raised the glass above my head and slowly began to tip it until I felt the entire contents of the glass empty over me, running down my hair and into my clothes. I began to count aloud. I felt the usual tingling in my legs before I began to lose my balance, falling into Edward's waiting arms. He laid me gently on the floor before taking a seat beside me, his hand clasped tightly with mine as I rested on my elbows.
I heard a collective gasp from my audience before I felt a rush of air. Glancing away from Edward I was startled to see myself surrounded by the Cullen's and Eleazar, their faces showing their obvious awe and amazement.
"Wow, it's so pretty." Alice mumbled as her eyes ran along the length of my tail.
"Edward told me that it's not just gold but made up of a rainbow of colours. He also told me my dull human eyes wouldn't be able to see it." Despite my disappointed tone, I flashed Edward a huge grin. I will never forget his reaction that night or his face.
"Can I touch it?" Typical Emmett. I felt Edward stiffen beside me, god protective much.
"Sure, just be gentle." I told him. His face light up as he placed his huge meaty paws on my tail, slowly he ran his hand up and down, taking in the texture. "This is so cool." He muttered as he continued to caress my tail. "I want one." He pulled a pout before he removed his hand.
Alice was next; she placed her hand gently to it before quickly withdrawing it with a squeak. "It's slimy." I laughed.
"What did you expect? Baby's bum soft?" I chuckled again as she tentatively placed her hand to my scales again.
"How do you wash?" Emmett asked. I again burst into laughter.
"Why is that the first question you vampires ask me?" I asked, really curious to know the answer.
"It's an obvious question Bella. When you think of water you think of bathing. And when you touch water you grow a tail. It's a completely reasonable question." Edward answered; a smile on his lips as he remembered the first time he asked me that question.
"Nosy, that's what you are." I muttered but couldn't remove the smile on my face.
"Well?" Emmett prompted.
"I wash as I am obviously. 'Magic' remember." Emmett seemed to accept that answer which made me want to chuckle.
"So, how long can you hold your breath?" He continued, obviously finding this exciting.
"Fifteen minutes but I can swim far in that time."
"How far?"
"As in here to Morocco." I saw Emmett's eyes bug out of his head.
"No way!" He exclaimed. "We've so gotta have a race one day!" I laughed, he's such a child.
"Sure." I agreed, actually looking forward to it. I'll win of course. Vampire's are land creatures.
"Do you know how you became a mermaid?" Carlisle asked, ever his curious self.
"I went to a barbeque/ party. I got stranded and decided to walk along the ravine bank in hopes that it would lead me to the road but it was too dark. I tripped over a rock and slipped, landing in the ravine. I remember the water starred to bubble but I didn't think anything of it. The next morning when I took a shower my legs had transformed into a tail."
"If that's so, then why haven't there been more mermaids made." Esme asked Eleazar who shrugged. That's actually a good question, I've never thought of that before.
"I know from the legend, the girls had to be pure of heart. I guess they have to be worthy of the gift." He answered, his gaze never moving from my tail.
"Worthy? What did I do to be worthy? I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." The pure bit I understood, I'd just turned sixteen and let's face it, not many weren't pure at that age. But worthy? I was just a kid who barely did anything but study and read.
"I don't know. It's just legends." I sighed. I know he was trying to help but he hasn't really told me anything I did know. Well apart from the pure of heart and worthy bit. I had had enough for tonight.
Thrusting out my clenched fist, I smiled as my jean covered legs became visible through steam.
"Awesome." Emmett mumbled.
"I should be heading home, Dad'll be there soon and I promised him dinner." I hadn't but I'd had enough of being the centre of attention for one day. Edward helped me up off the floor.
"Thank you for your help." I said to Eleazar before turning to the rest of the Cullen's. "I'll see you later." I mumbled. To be true, I didn't know how they were going to act around me from now on. I had after all kept something 'big' from them; they probably don't even trust me anymore. Esme came towards me and kissed my cheek.
"You're still the same Bella to us. That will never change." She whispered in my ear before stepping away, a kind motherly smile over her lips.
"Thank you." I mouthed before I headed towards the front door. I felt slightly more reassured but after all, Esme only spoke for herself, I still don't have a clue how the others feel.
"I don't have to remind you that this must not leave the confines of this family or there will be extreme consequences, family or not." Edward said to Eleazar, his voice harsh and deadly. I felt a shiver run up my spine; even I was scared of Edward in this moment.
"You have my word, Edward. I wouldn't dream of hurting you or your family." Eleazar said as he placed his hand on Edward's shoulder.
For some reason, Eleazar's reassurance didn't relieve the knot nerves in my stomach. I had a feeling this was going to come back to bite us in the ass.
Or maybe I'm just paranoid.
Either way, I knew I'd have Edward.