Chapter 10
Edward's body stiffened, pulling me closer to him "Jacob, go!" he hissed between clenched teeth.
"What?" Jacob replied disgusted.
"No, I mean you have to go, now," His tone inflecting true concern.
Edward pulled us toward Jacob and Leah "We have visitors, you have to go." Edward turned to face Carlisle who was now flanked by Emmett, Rosalie and Esme "Denali" was the only phrase that left his lips.
Carlisle froze, his expression blank and smooth "Jacob, the back door." he whispered.
"Explain!" Jacob insisted, pulling Leah behind his back. His body language shifted from caring to protective and stubborn. His posture told me he was not going to move without an explanation.
"There is not time. Trust me; you do not want to be here."
"Bella, what's he talking about?" his eyes narrowed.
"You have to go Jake." I pulled myself from Edward's arms, closing the distance between us. My eyes were pleading as I placed my hand on Jacob's arm. "We will meet you later, right now," My eyes met Leah's, "Right now you have to get out of here, both of you have to get out of here."
"No, I want to know why," Jacob grumbled, folding his arms in front of his burly chest.
"Now is not the time to be stubborn Jacob."
"Four minutes at the best." Alice informed us. "Apparently you are gone before they get here or I wouldn't be able to see it."
Placing both hands on Jacob's chest I used all of my strength, trying to force his body in the direction of the back door. I knew it was pointless but I had to try. "They want the pack." I explained, my voice urgent, eyes pleading.
"What?" He roared, his eyes falling on Edward.
"Just, please," I begged, my voice full of urgency. "Leah, please?" Our eyes met, she nodded acknowledging the fear in my voice and the tears in my eyes. "Jake, she is scared, can't you smell it?" she questioned him, searching his expression with her big brown eyes for his answer.
"Fine," he snorted, Taking Leah's hand in his he turned toward the door, stopping abruptly before they entered the kitchen "You will tell me! We will not be kept in the dark."
"Sucks doesn't it?" Alice snickered in a condescending tone.
Silence filled the room for a short moment, but was quickly broken by Carlisle "Compose." Suddenly there was a perfect smile across his face, his voice velvet and welcoming.
"You owe me, us, an explanation." Edward hissed between clenched teeth.
"I assure you that this is not the time or the place." Carlisle responded.
"No, it isn't. I just wanted you to be aware I am not going to let it go."
"I didn't expect you to."
Just as instantaneously his expression softened into a warm and inviting mask of hospitality. The constant and quick changing emotions in the room had my head swimming. Jasper, taking Alice's hand, walked to the middle of the room. I felt the familiar blanket of calm fall over me. In an instant Edward was at my side again, his eyes meeting mine "Calm Bella, you have to stay calm." I nodded my head in understanding. His voice alone was still enough to get my blood boiling, which made it no easier to be calm. I could not think about this right now, I had to imagine myself as a Cullen, play the part.
Two minutes had passed as I watched my family, prepared for the visit. Jasper, Alice, Edward and I sat quietly in front of the T.V., not actually watching, but pretending to be interested in a re-run of I Love Lucy. Emmett, Rosalie and Esme set the chess board and positioned the pieces to look as if the game were about to end.
Carlisle sat alone, in a chair beside the piano, pretending to read a copy of North and South. I was not sure, but thought I detected a faint hint of sadness in his guarded, smooth mask. Edward's tone had been harsh. I couldn't fathom what explanation Carlisle was going to have to flesh out. I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to know but that didn't stop my curiosity.
A light rapping at the door made me jump "Calm," Edward whispered in my ear. His cool breath flowed down my neck, making goose bumps rise. Not now, I told myself. This was certainly not the right time to get flustered.
Esme rose from the spot where she pretended to watch Rosalie and Emmett's pretend chess match. I tried my best to keep my eyes on the T.V. and I watched as Lucy drudged ungracefully in a vat of grapes. Normally I would have found this funny as it was one of my favorites, but it could not hold my interest. Alice let out a small giggle and then a chiming laugh, pretending to be amused with Lucy's crazy antics, I assumed.
Just as Esme reached the door I realized that I was staring directly at her, my heart pounding. I didn't have much time to go over it in my head, but I was sure I was more afraid of my insecurities about Edward then actual fear of any harm coming to me. Then there was the fear for the Pack. I turned my head to refocus on Lucy, but it was no use. Before I realized it I was staring into the topaz eyes of an amazingly beautiful strawberry blonde. I always considered Rosalie a perfect 10, but this creature was something different. I was not sure that there were a number for her. Rosalie quickly rose from her seat and ran toward the female vampire in the doorway "Tanya," her voice warm as they embraced.
I could not take my eyes off of her. Her skin was the same silky, smooth alabaster as the rest of the Cullen's, but it seemed more translucent somehow. Long tendrils of strawberry blonde waves cascaded over her shoulders, ending at the small of her back. I felt a pang of jealously rush through me as my eyes took in her frame. She was just as statuesque as Rosalie, but with a more sultry gate. Her body screamed sexuality every time she moved. She did not have the youth of a teenager; she was more of a woman. She had to have been at least twenty when she was changed. How could he have ever turned her away? They would have looked right together, more equal. She did not meet my gaze though, and I was glad.
Once again I was reminded of how plain I was in comparison to Edward. I could feel the insecurities building up inside of me, threatening to boil over in the form of tears. Edward laced his fingers in mine, squeezing them softly. I turned to meet his warm eyes to find that crooked smile, he only whispered "There is no comparison," and turned back to watch the T.V.. I wondered then if he were waiting to see her to confirm this or if he was just reassuring me?
Once in the doorway another dark haired, pale skinned angel entered the room. "Irina," Carlisle said as he moved blindingly to the door. He placed a kiss on either side of her face. Her beauty was not comparable to Tanya's or Rosalie's, but none the less she was attractive beyond measure. Thin, barely curvy. I guessed she was around 15 when she was turned.
"Hello." Irina's voice rang out like chimes.
"It is wonderful to see you girls," Esme broke in "Won't you please come in and join us?" she added sweetly.
"You took my chess partner," Emmett snorted out.
"As if you ever had a chance," Irina said mockingly.
"Well, I was winning."
Rosalie shot Emmett a warning glance, she knew he had set it up that way "You thought you were winning." she smiled at him. "You know you have to let them win every once in a while," She said to the guests.
Tanya and Irina laughed, filling the room with what sounded like angels singing. Their beauty mixed with their demeanor made me envious.
"Hello, Edward," Tanya's voice now more sultry.
Nonchalantly, Edward turned his head to meet her gaze "Hello, Tanya. It is a pleasure to see you again."
A pleasure? What exactly did he mean by that? Was this just a pleasantry or did his voice have a ring of true pleasure when he said the words, I couldn't tell. I was letting my jealously get the best of me. We are married, he loves me; I had to remind myself. He had already told me that he did not return the interest that she had shown him in Denali. It didn't make it any easier to believe with this goddess standing here before us.
"Alice, Jasper," Tanya's greeted them warmly.
Alice did not turn to acknowledge that her name had been called, she only replied "Tanya," cold and callous, rolling her eyes but not taking them off of the T.V., Jasper elbowed her "Oh, I am sorry. Hello Tanya," her voice mocking.
"Hello." Jasper turned to greet them with a smile.
Was this distain that Alice was emitting, I wondered. I had never heard Alice mention not liking either of these girls, but it would be just fine in my book if she didn't. At least I wouldn't have to watch all of the Cullens pour over them like good hosts for however long they would be here.
"What do we owe the honor of your visit?" Carlisle questioned.
Here it comes. Would this be the truth or would it be a lie? They knew Edward would be able to tell if they were lying. So it should be the truth.
"There is a concert in Seattle tomorrow night. We thought we would come early and pay you a visit." Irina said.
"We hope you don't mind us hanging about for a few days?" she smiled.
"Of course we don't mind. We are always happy to have you." Esme replied.
"Oh, who are you going to see?" Rosalie's voice was chipper. From what I could tell she seemed honestly interested.
"Muse." Tanya squealed. "I just love them. If I was to ever drink human blood again, it would have to be the lead singer." she giggled.
I winced at the thought. The poor lead singer wouldn't know what hit him. He would be subdued, locked in the trance of that sultry monster. He would not be so lucky as to be turned. She would likely sink her teeth in and drink until the blood had run cold. What's wrong with me? The jealously was dementing me. My stomach was flipping out of control, I wanted nothing more than to grab Edward, run from the room and never come back. Not possible.
"You must be Bella?"
I turned in the direction the voice had originated from to find Tanya smiling at me. I was not sure how to respond. I thought about doing what Alice had done, roll my eyes and just say her name. I thought about throwing up. Instead I forced a smile "Yes." was all I could force out.
"Edward, are you just going to continue to be rude? You didn't even introduce us to your…" her eyes fell to an end table near the couch where a wedding announcement sat. She picked it up and stood quietly for a moment. I assumed she was taking in the words on the page. "Your wife." The way she said the words, your wife, shocked me. The disgust was not disguised in the least. I followed her gaze as she examined the Cullens' home "And from the look of things it seems to be your NEW wife," her voice exaggerated the word "new" with such distain.
"Yes, too bad you missed it." Edward replied with mock sadness.
"I'm sure there wasn't much to miss, weddings are so overrated." Tanya smiled.
Any moment I was going to jump out of my own skin, I could not take the tension building in the room. Even with Jasper in such close proximity it was unbearable. Just as I thought I was going to break Carlisle stepped to the middle of the room "Girls, why don't you let Emmett and I help you with your belongings," ushering them toward the door. Rosalie excitedly agreed "Yes I want to see what you are wearing to the concert."
"Thank you Carlisle, I think I have had enough of all this wedding bliss," Tanya retorted.
I watched as the two girls sauntered out the front door, Emmett and Carlisle following. Their thin graceful bodies disappeared and I could feel the moisture filling behind my eyelids. Before Edward had a chance to gauge my demeanor I wrenched my hand out of his and headed toward the staircase. Before I could reach the top he reclaimed my hand in his "Bella?" he questioned.
"Just give me a moment to be human," I protested. I was embarrassed to be so insecure.
"Are you angry?" he questioned.
"No." I lied. "Just give me a moment." I was angry, angry with myself for letting this get out of control when I knew Edward loved me. I pulled my hand out of his again and headed toward his room. Closing the door behind me I took in a deep breath, holding it inside until my chest felt as if it were going to explode. When my lungs finally gave in I let out a sigh so loud that it sounded more like a grunt. I deserved this, but wasn't enjoying it. After all that I had put Jacob and Edward through I completely deserved every wretched minute of agony I was feeling.