Disclaimer: Not mine. Go figure.
A/N: I have just officially found my all time favorite part of all the books. Eclipse, Page 377.
Jasper appeared quite literally out of nowhere. One second it was just Alice and me against the wall Jacob blocking our exit, and then Jasper was standing on the other side of Jake's arm, his expression terrifying.
Jacob slowly pulled his arm back. It seemed like the best move, going with the assumption that he wanted to keep that arm. –Okay, that last bit right there. I just love Bella being witty in her head. It totally makes the story.
Chapter 10
Stand Off
I looked around and noticed that Nathan had fled. I turned back to the Cullens and Demetri. They were down one member. My face instantly turned grave.
"Wait… where is Emmett?"
"Oh, don't worry about him, Bella," Carlisle assured me. "He can take care of himself. I'm sure Nathan won't even see him."
"No damn it," I yelled out. "Nathan was after Emmett the entire time."
And before I gave them the chance to process the words, I ripped myself out of Edward's arms and took off into the forest. I could hear the Cullens yelling at me as I tore through the forest, but I ignored them.
I came to a halt in a small clearing, calming myself to try and find their scent, or hear their voices or movements. Nathan may be built for stealth, but Emmett most definitely was not.
Someone came to a fast stop next to me. I moved without thinking, crouching down and spinning my leg at their feet to knock them over. Just as my foot moved, the person jumped.
"Jesus Isabella, chill out."
"Don't sneak up on me like that Demetri," I scolded him. "And shut up. I'm trying to listen." Demetri obediently shut his mouth and stopped breathing, enabling me to listen clearly.
There were leaves rustling just a few hundred yards north of here… but that sounds like it's just wind. Laughter. It sounds quiet… but it sounds far away. If I were a few miles closer, I was almost positive the quiet laughter would turn into Emmett's familiar booming laughter. Without a word to Demetri – his reflexes were fast enough to follow me – I shot through the woods heading east.
Demetri's almost silent footsteps trailed very closely behind me, just as I knew they would.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Emmett's voice boomed through the forest.
There was no response, but something made Emmett laugh again. "Oh, come on. You can't hurt me." That stupid cocky attitude of his was going to get him killed. Nathan can hurt him.
But his voice was loud, and I knew that meant he couldn't be very far away.
There they were. Demetri and I came to a stop near the edge of the woods. Just a few hundred feet and I could see the tree line end.
"Nathan!" I said loudly. He turned and looked at me, smirking. "Was that all a show back there then?"
He rose out of his crouched position and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I must admit I was hoping for at least a little action," he said coyly. "Mainly, I was just hoping to drive your pet insane with jealously."
"My pet?" she scoffed.
"Yes, I believe you call him Edward," he responded. "Don't worry, after I finish with this one, I'll move onto him next."
"You. Won't. Touch. Edward," I hissed. Threatening Edward was crossing the line. "Leave him out of this. You want me, that's fine, just leave the Cullens alone."
"Huh-uh," Demetri interjected. "It's not fine if he wants you. If you think you're going to pull this stupid sacrificial hero thing, forget it. You're not giving yourself up to him. I'm not about to get my ass kicked when I return to the Cullens without you. Or to Aro for that matter."
I smiled. This was Demetri's way of telling me he cared too much about me to let me leave.
"Touching, really." Nathan sounded annoyed. "Can we get back to business? I have vampires to kill."
Emmett scoffed. "Dude, I've already told you, you're not going to kill me."
"Emmett, shut up," I snapped. I know I sounded angry, and I could see the hurt look cross Emmett's face when I yelled at him. However, I couldn't pause to say sorry. I would apologize later. I had more pressing matters at the moment.
The adrenaline pumped through my veins, and all clumsiness was forgotten as I leapt effortlessly from my spot in the air and did a front flip over Nathan's head. I landed directly in front of Emmett, facing Nathan again.
"Wow, where the hell did you learn to do that?" Emmett was awestruck, probably at the fact that I could complete something so complex without tripping or falling.
Nathan was slowly clapping his hands with a smirk on his face. "Now that was impressive. You've been training."
"Of course I have," I said, crouching down and glaring at him. I don't think I've ever looked more like a vampire in my life. "I have to practice to kill you."
He mirrored my position. "I'm touched that you went through all that trouble. I regret to inform you, however, that it was all a waste. You can't kill me."
"I'm sure as hell gonna try," I growled. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Demetri step forward.
"No!" I shouted. "Stay back unless I say otherwise Demetri. I'm sure you understand; this is something I need to finish on my own."
Demetri nodded in understanding. "God, I love watching this."
I leapt at Nathan, attacking. He grabbed my arm in mid air and swung me into a tree. It broke on impact and I jumped back up, the hit not even fazing me.
I executed another impressive front flip and landed behind him. I grabbed one of his arms and twisted it painfully behind his back, forcing his body to the ground.
"Too bad I couldn't be Buffy the Vampire Slayer, eh?" I quipped. "It would be so much easier if I could just stick a stake through your heart. That is, if you even have a heart. I personally don't think you do."
Edward and the rest of the Cullens burst through the trees, coming to a halt behind Demetri. I looked up. Nathan took advantage of the distraction and threw me off of him and ran.
I knocked into Edward, the force throwing us both to the ground. We groaned as we helped each other up.
"Ugh," I complained. "I really, really hate him."
"Are you alright?" Edward asked hastily, his eyes searching over my body for any sign that I was hurt.
"I'm fine, Edward," I assured him. "I'm perfectly fine. Really."
"We should get back," Demetri intruded. "I need to call Aro – tell him about your new power. He'll be thrilled."
I couldn't resist rolling my eyes. "Oh yes, Wanna-Be Daddy will be ecstatic."
AN: Okay, so this is the second to last chapter. Next one will be the last. I had big plans for this story, but I just completely lost my Twilight Muse. Maybe I'll be inspired again when Breaking Dawn comes out in August.
However, if anyone likes Buffy the Vampire Slayer, stick around a bit because soon I may be posting a Buffy the Vampire Story. That is my new obsession.
What can I say, I love me some vampires.
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