A/N-- Ignore any errors, like always. It's too hard to edit without an editing tool. ;) And sorry, its a bit longer than usual. :D Enjoy!!!!
CHAPTER 10: THE UNEXPECTED ARIVAL AND THE GUEST
Edward's Pov:
I sat at the far end of the field where the impact on my new life began. This was where I had first seen Bella. Where love crashed into my life like a meteor, blinding me from all else that existed.
"Again!" Bella urged, frustrated with her lack of improvement. Again, Jasper had tackled her to the floor.
"Maybe you should rest and think for a bit," Jasper said. "Concentrate on what you have to do, the choices you have to make. Forget speed and strength. Let your sense's guide you."
"No. Now," she urged again.
Bella sat up and wiped the dirt and mud from her hair and clothes before leaning into her defense crouch. Jasper mirrored her.
And then Jasper began to move. Slowly at first, moving from side to side, looking for an opening, and then faster, darting here and there around her. Bella began to twitch with adrenaline as she watched my brother fly around her. And then once more, Bella was on her stomach. Jasper had pinned her to the ground, her arms tied helplessly behind her back. I couldn't help but laugh at this. She was so small, and looked so fragile. I wondered idly, when she would alas come out victorious in this match.
"Shut up!" Bella yelled to me as Jasper let her up.
This time she was to chase him.
My back against the thick tree, i sat with my arms crossed and a smirk on my face as I watched my beloved wrestle my brother. For the past two hours, Bella wore a look of complete concentration as they chased each other around the entire field. Now, Bella was trying to get her arms around Jasper. But he wasn't having it. Jasper was quick, lethal and talented. He'd done this many times of course, and so I wasn't surprised to see she couldn't catch him. Jasper had a gift. Not only with his ability to control emotions, but Jasper was the only one in my family who had tasted various amounts of vampire death. He killed many of our kind when he belonged to Maria's coven in Mexico city. Maria was a vicious vampire who created new born vapires to help her fight over territory she thought she needed. Jasper was the one who had to kill the new born's when Maria no longer needed them.
And then something clicked in my head. New born's. Death's. Murder's.
As I got up from my seat, I saw Jasper from the side of my eye as he halted mid run. I met his gaze. He was looking at me; confused by my suddenly anxiety. He raised an eyebrow at me.
"I'll be back in a half hour, at the most," I said, my eyes mainly on Bella. "You two carry on. I'll send Alice to accompany you."
Bella nodded, her face glum. I was barley aware of Jasper next to her. I already had a lot on my mind.
I turned away from the pair standing confused at the center of the clearing and darted into the trees towards my home. The run home took only a few minutes before I was through the front door with today's news paper in my grip. I had picked it up during my run home.
"Bella and Jasper are in the clear--" I began, but Alice suddenly cut me off.
Images flowed through her mind like water. Blurry but clear enough for me to comprehend. Face's, many face's with red eyes and pale faces. Vicious and standing hunched in groups. Immediately I knew my assumptions were correct. James was building up an army.
Alice came to and stared at me horror stricken.
"I had just figured the plan out too, Alice," I said.
I ran to her with the news paper already opened in front of me. I laid it on the table for her to view as well.
"See?" I said. "Five people have gone missing and seven have been found dead. James is creating an army. He's creating new born vampires to fight us. I knew I'd seen something like this in the paper a few days ago, but I didn't pay much attention. But now I understand. I see it. It all fits."
Alice had her hand placed on her mouth as she listened. I was vaguely aware of my words echoing in her head.
"What do we do?" Alice said.
"We fight," came Carlisle's voice from behind me.
I turned to see him standing in the kitchen doorway, his arms crossed over his chest and a strange stern look on his face.
"We keep calling for help," he continued. "We practice our fighting skills. We prepare... and we pray."
I could feel the horror begin to rack up my arms and legs, building deep in my gut.
"Have you heard any news?" I asked.
...no, he thought.
"Tell the other's," I said to Carlisle. "Tell Rosalie, Esme, and Emmett. Alice and I will go back to the clearing and tell Jasper and Bella."
Carlisle nodded and darted out of the back door. Esme, Rose and Emmett were in the middle of their hunt.
Alice gave me a stern look before darting out of the front door and I followed her.
"I'm so sorry, Alice," I said as we ran silently together.
"You have nothing to be sorry about Edward. Bella is my family now. My sister. I'd fight to the death for her."
I felt a shiver go up my spine as I thought about what Jasper's expression might look like when we told him.
"Edward!" I heard Bella scream in a musical, happy tone.
She had Jasper pinned on his stomach, her arms wrapped tightly around his torso. She heard me coming and knew I'd hear her too.
"She got me," he chuckled as Alice and I came into view. And then his chuckle died instantly when he felt our presence.
Japser stopped moving and stood unmoving on the ground with Bella, so small, on top of him.
"We have some news," Alice said.
She was stronger than I. She knew she'd be able to explain this easier than I could. I ran to Bella's side and pulled her into my arms.
"What's going on, Alice?" Jasper asked as he looked between us.
Instantly, I felt a wave of calm wash threw me as Jasper tried to control our, or my, anxiety. Bella noticed the change in her mood as well and looked at me wide eyed.
"Jasper, Victoria and Laurent are creating an army," Alice said clearly. "They want a fight and they don't want to loose. They're creating new born's and are using them to fight. Carlisle is sending word to his friends; anyone who is willing to help."
I felt Bella's arms tighten around my waist. Jasper took hold of Alice's hands and held them to his chest.
"When will they be here?" Jasper asked.
"In five days," Alice said.
Suddenly, another person's thought crashed through my head ...the Cullen's trail... but it wasn't from a mind around me. It was a males vice. It was a voice I couldn't place with a face, but somehow it sounded strangely familiar, like I had heard it before.
Instantly, my body tensed as I pushed Bella behind me.
"Someone's coming," I hissed.
And then I heard it again, the voice coming from the trees in front of me.
"He's here," I warned the others.
In milliseconds, I was crouched low, my muscles tight and ready to attack. No I couldn't hear anything but Bella's uneven breathing behind me and the feathery light footsteps growing closer before me...
And then Laurent appeared through the thick ferns.
I growled menacingly as his face came into view, and I head Jasper growl beside me.
"Wait!" I heard Bella and Laurent yell in union.
"I do not wish to harm you... any of you!" Laurent said urgently.
His mind didn't speak a word different than what came through his mouth, and so I knew he was telling the truth.
"Why have you come?" I growled.
"I've come to warn you..." ...and fight beside you, he finished in his mind.
Slowly, I raised out of my protective stance, but I didn't break my concentration.
"Warn us?" I asked.
"Yes," Laurnet began in the same urgent tone. "James and Victoria are building a small army of new born vampires to attack you..." ... and kill you. "I've come to help. To fight along you, Bella."
Finally, I relaxed and pulled Bella to my side. Laurent noticed my obvious acceptance and strode quickly to face all four of us.
"I am sorry for what has been released here. I never thought James would go this far... of course," Laurent turned to look at Bella, "with the help of Victoria and her constant suggestions."
Bella smirked, knowingly at him.
"Well, Laurent," I heard Jasper address him from beside me. "You don't happen to know of any vampires who might be able to help us, do you?"
"I'm afraid I don't," Laurent said apologetically.
"Of course not," Jasper commented bitterly.
"Let's go home," I suggested. "No need to stand around here any longer. We need a plan."
--
Bella's Pov:
I couldn't believe James and Victoria were really creating new born vampires to come kill me, the Cullen's and Laurent too. What had I done? I was ruining the lives of the people I cared about most. I was a monster for bringing such a burden to this family. For creating such a disaster. The thoughts running through my head made me uncomfortable, but not dizzy. Oh, how I wished for a headache, something to give me pain and let me grieve.
Annoyed with myself, I turned and glanced at each of the serious faces surrounding me. Laurent, sitting in the only single seat at the far corner of the room, alone but comfortable with the quiet. My only friend that had been good to me since before my new life. Esme, so beautiful and caring. She was the only one who seemed so desperate to do whatever she could to save her forever-young children. And Carlisle, so strong and determined to find help and a way out of this mess. Rosalie, gorgeous and Godly, sitting casually next to the strong and fierce Emmett who had his large muscular arms wrapped around her. They both seemed somewhat content and undisturbed by the immediate tension as they sat in each other's arms. I couldn't bear the idea of breaking that love. And Alice, the only one who wore a small smile as she played with Jasper's long hair. She slowly and carefully caressed his cheek and nose as she twisted golden locks away from his eyes. Jasper, solum and stiff as he held the petit Alice on his lap and gazed into her eyes, full of pure love. I couldn't bear to watch him, watching her.
And Edward. My Edward, sitting beside me with one hand draped around my waist and the other playing idly with my fingers on my left hand. I turned and gazed up into his face. He wasn't looking at me. Instead he was distracted as he played and caressed my hand. His face was calm, strangely too calm, but serious. The perfect line of his nose, the round soft pout of his lips, high cheek bones and a defined jaw, straight full eyebrows and round, deep, smoldering golden eyes. He was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen.
And then he looked at me. He felt my gaze on him and turned to stare at me, starring at him. He smiled crookedly at the longing in my eyes and leaned down slowly to kiss me fully on the lips.
I low echoing whistle from across the living room told me we had an audience. I smiled and broke the kiss in time to see Emmett wiggling his eyebrows. Now really wasn't the time to make jokes.
"Good news everyone," said Carlisle as he put down the phone. "The Denali coven are coming. All five of them."
So that was why Edward seemed so calm. He heard Carlisle's mind. He knew they were coming. Edward smiled at me.
"When will they be here?" Esme asked as she bounce happily in her seat.
"Tomorrow," Alice said. "I just saw them leave."
Esme ran to Carlisle and kissed him squarely on the lips. it was the first time I'd seen them show such affection in public. I giggled lightly, my mood immediately brightened by our new alliance.
"Now, for the Amazon coven," Carlisle said, slightly breathless as he began flipping through his opened address book.
I was happy to know that more were coming, but I was still unnerved at the thought of losing a member of the coven. I guess I was only able to hope for the best.
"Come," Edward whispered in my ear as he sat up.
I didn't ask him where we were going. Instead, I took his hand and allowed him to lead me out of the back door. Together we walked, hand in hand, into the cool rainless air. Reaching the large Willow tree, I realized Edward wanted some alone time. Somewhere familiar where we could be alone. I smiled as I prepared myself to jump.
Kicking off from the ground I grabbed the branch closest to me. And without a moments hesitation, I heard Edward's hand grip the nearest branch beside me. Quickly we made our way up high into the tree, and once at the top we sat side by side in the gloom of the night. Fortunately, my eyes worked well enough to see Edward completely, even in the dark.
"You look beautiful in this lighting," Edward said, his voice a mere hum in my ear.
Immediately, I had somewhat of an idea of what he saw, for Edward truly looked beautiful in the glorious moonlight.
"You should see yourself," I said.
"Seeing you, Bella, is the only beauty I'd ever want to see."
I smiled sheepishly, glad I was unable to blush.
"You seem to be in a lighter mood," I whispered.
"Yes. Because there is hope."
"You doubted that hope, before?"
"I did. Knowing what is coming for us, I couldn't imagine a chance at winning this fight without a... few... victims."
"And how do you feel now?"
"Confident. I know it frighteneds you to think about what the outcome may be, but promise me one thing, Bella," he said. His voice was deep and serious now. It alone told me the story of his age and power. I couldn't deny him.
"Okay," I muttered.
"Promise me, no matter what happens, you'll keep yourself safe," he said in a deep and fierce voice. "If you have to run, you run."
"Why are you saying this?" I asked, horror stricken.
"Just promise me," he urged.
"No."
"Please, Bella."
"Why?"
"Because... Because I love you too much. I just want to be sure... I want to be positive that nothing will happen to you."
"Edward, I--"
"Please," he pleaded. "Please, Bella." He wasn't asking me to promise anymore.
"Alright," I said defeated. "I promise."
We stayed in that tree all night and even after early dawn. Just talking, whispering words of love and longing, caressing each others cheeks and lips. I couldn't stop thinking about the determined voice Edward used when he asked me for my promise. It frightened me to no end and it left me with questions I didn't want real answer's for. Was I going to die? Was he, my one and only, going to die? And what about the others? Were their lives in grave danger?
And at approximately noon, a strange twinkling voice interrupted my thoughts.
"And where is Edward?" I heard her say. "Surely he hasn't run off at a time like this?"'
Immediately, by the way she said his name, with such clarity as if she'd said it a thousand times, I knew it was Tanya.
From the sound of her voice, and possibly her thoughts, Edward adjusted from beside me. And together we jumped from the tree and landed with a soft thud. Hand in hand once again, we made our way to the house.
And there she was. Tanya. Standing tall and beautiful in the doorway at the back of the house. Her hair was strawberry blonde and her eyes were bright topaz, healthily fed. She had long limbs and moved elegantly, but still sexy as she made her way towards Edward and I. She had a face to die for and somehow, she strangely reminded me of Rosalie. Almost too beautiful, even for a vampire. Immediately, I felt my self-esteem drop. I didn't quite size up.
"Edward!" she cheered, throwing her arms out for a hug.
"Tanya," he greeted politely.
Edward kept my hand firmly in his as he hugger her. I didn't miss the fact that Tanya ignored me completely.
"And who may this be?" she asked, surprising me.
"This is my Bella," Edward introduced me. "Bella, this is Tanya, a dear friend of the families. I've known Tanya most of my life."
I smiled politely at Tanya.
"I'ts a pleasure to meet you," I said.
"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine," she said in a wispy voice.
Again Tanya turned her attention to only Edward as she studied him for another moment, too long. And then with a last smile, she turned and glided through the back door.
I didn't meet Edward's gaze. Instead, I turned and followed Tanya into the house, prepared for a long, uncomfortable evening.
A/N -- Don't forget. I LOVE LOVE reviews... just like any other fanfic writer. :)