I was somewhat disturbed by the thought that had struck my mind, it was just foreign to me. I watched intently as Bella let out a breezy laugh at something Eleazar said. Tanya tugged my arm, trying to get my attention; I turned to her.
"Edward, your family haven't gotten any extra attention from the Volturi recently, have they?" She asked her brows furrowed. I frowned at the question.
"No, not that I'm aware of; why would you ask?"
Tanya shook her head. "I was just wondering, due to the fact that Bella is among you. I assume the Volturi wouldn't want another added to your coven; especially one as special as Bella."
Everyone was now looking at us. Bella looked weary. "The Volturi do not know of my existence."
This caused the Denali coven's interest to spike. Ours as well, even though we already knew about that we never were given many details. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how little we really knew about Bella. She always had a way of closing the conversation or distracting you before you could ask too many questions.
Irena studied Bella's face suspiciously. "And how is that?"
Bella just offered a radiant smile. "I have my ways."
I could tell that the Denali coven didn't like the vague answer she gave them. Admittedly even I was getting agitated by the way Bella always held out on us.
"Care to explain further?" Tanya said.
Bella stayed silent for a moment, leisurely sipping the coffee she had somehow gotten hold of during the conversation. "I know they're out there and would consider me as a… threat. So I purposely avoid crossing paths with them."
A smile threatened to break out on her face as she seemed to be enjoying some private joke. Tanya nodded, satisfied with the answer. I was briefly curious as to whether or not Aro would be able to read Bella's mind or not. And then there was also the factor that we didn't really know the full extent of Bella's powers; would they be enough to take the Volturi down? I was lost in my own thoughts as we got into the cars. I ground my teeth over the fact that I still didn't get into the Bugatti. The tense atmosphere was completely gone and it was obvious that Bella had charmed the entire Alaskan coven. Even Irena, who was normally a very private person, had linked her arms with Bella's and was chatting with her as though they knew each other for years. I was pleased when Tanya decided to give me a break and went to talk with Bella.
We stopped at the nearby mall, due to Alice's constant pleading. All the girls linked arms and were stopping at a few shops. Emmett, Jasper, and I ended up pointlessly following them while Esme, Carlisle, Eleazar, and Carmen were just talking while sitting down at the tables and chairs that were near the food court.
We were currently in a shop and Alice and Rosalie were giving clothes for Tanya, Irena, Kate, and Bella to try on. They three came out of the dressing room, all sporting different dresses when a cell phone rang. I wasn't surprised when Bella held up a finger to us and grabbed her cell phone; people always seemed to call Bella and interrupt something, important or not. I didn't listen to the conversation, instead I looked at the decorations of the store, so I was surprised when I saw Bella's jaw clench as she hastily stuffed the cell in her bag and quickly changed clothes. The three sisters promptly followed Bella's lead and changed back to their normal clothing as well. Emmett and Jasper's interest spiked as Bella hurriedly rushed out of the store with out a word. We were about to pass the adults when Esme stopped us.
"Where are you going?"
All our eyes went to Bella due to the fact that we actually didn't have a clue. "They were just coming to sit with you guys while I quickly go and pick something up."
Kate, Irena, and Tanya looked at each other before sitting down. Rose, Alice, Jasper, Emmett and I stayed standing, not giving in so easily.
"Well why don't you take them with you?" Eleazar suggested. Bella kept a perfectly serene expression and nodded before sending an apologetic look to the three sisters, as there was no room for them. They didn't seem to notice because they were about as bewildered as my siblings and myself. Bella walked quickly our the main entrance, her facial features becoming tense again as soon as she was out of view of the others.
"What's going on?" Rosalie demanded. Bella didn't spare a second to answer she made her way over to her car and we quickly had to work out a way to fit all of us in there. Emmett ended up sitting shotgun while Alice sat on Jasper's lap next to Rosalie and I. As soon as we shut the door Bella backed out of the parking spot her tires squealing as she made a sharp turn. I barely took a glance at the car, although under different circumstances I would've been thrilled to ride in the car that I'd heard so much about.
We pulled up onto the highway and Bella increased in speed, her speedometer slowly inching past 100 mph. We weren't prepared for the gold flash that briefly filled the car as Bella changed form. She now had blond waves cascading down her back, and athletic looking body that was perfectly tanned, and mesmerizing blue eyes. Basically, she looked like the stereotypical Californian. I was as to why she changed form but we all kept quiet. Bella swerved of the road into a small path at the side.
Her voice was tight when she finally spoke. "You guys are going to stay in the car while I'm gone and you will not stay a word. Do you understand?"
She waited for each one of us to nod before she looked at the road again. We ventured further and further down the path and then a smell hit my nose. My eyes widened. "Werewolves?!"
Emmett looked at Bella accusingly. "What are you doing with company like them?"
"We're almost there. Be quiet they might hear you." Her tone made it clear that the conversation was over. I pressed my lips together, ignoring the millions of questions that were itching to be spoken.
Bella slowed down in front of a beat down house and carefully composed a smile on her lips. She gave us all a hard look before getting out of the car. I watched as she yanked open the door revealing a tall man, probably taller than Emmett, whose skin was a russet color. His hair was cut short and he was wearing cut off jeans and nothing else. Bella angled herself in front of the door so that she blocked his view of the car.
"Elizabeth," the man at the door greeted warmly.
Bella's eyes sparkled as she hugged him. "Shane."
I saw Shane try to get a look at the car but Bella, or Elizabeth, skillfully shifted blocking his view while ushering him into the little shack. The movement was so subtle that I barely caught it.
Inside I heard Bella greeting some more people, some of which called her "Liz". A serious mood seemed to settle as someone mentioned something about a recent sighting. I had no idea what they were talking about but the tone in Bella's voice made me nervous. There was a few seconds silence and I impatiently waited for them to continue. Then I heard the sound of a pen scratching on paper. Abruptly a chair was pulled back as someone stood up.
"We'll be able to do it." A voice said. They sounded young and determined. I figured Bella nodded at that point because I then heard the clacking of her heels as she walked out. Before any of the werewolves came out she quickly got into the car and turned on the ignition. She went down another path that I hadn't noticed and as soon as we were out of their view she stepped on the gas. Emmett looked ready to speak but Bella put her finger to her lips. She waited a few seconds before letting out a breath.
"Go ahead, you can talk now."
We all looked at her. Jasper spoke up. "Who are those people?"
"They're werewolves that are currently helping me with something."
Rosalie arched an eyebrow. "The matter that was being discussed seemed pretty serious."
Bella ran her hand through her hair and I could tell she was reluctant to address the subject.
"It is about a…person I know who saw something they weren't supposed to see and wants to do something about it that would basically put everyone who has had any association with me in danger."
A silence settled over the car. Emmett let his shoulders fall. "Oh."
Alice looked somewhat upset. "Is there anything we need to do about it? Because if there is I probably wouldn't even be able to see anything because it involves you."
"No, you guys don't need to do anything. The matter will be settles very shortly. Don't worry, it is under control." An amused smile formed on Bella's face.
Everyone seemed to relax and then Bella bit her lip, she seemed to hesitate. "But, just for… safety precautions we're probably going to have to cut our little 'vacation' short."
I shrugged. "I figured that much."
Bella stared straight ahead and didn't say anything. I studied her face intently. "There is more to it, isn't there?"
"Well… if this person does somehow get lucky enough to get an amount of information out to someone who they hold at high respects then you guys are in trouble because this person happens to know you and so you guys might just have to spend a few days at my house to make sure things don't go wrong."
"I thought you said you had it under control." Jasper said.
Bella looked at him through the rearview mirror and gave him a sharp look. "I do, but how do you think I've gotten around all these years; I'm extra cautious. Especially because these people that might be told are the Volturi and that wouldn't end good for any of us."
Alice's eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell us?"
Bella let out a laugh. "It really doesn't matter. The chances of this person getting to the Volturi are one in a million and even then, the chances of the Volturi finding any of you guys afterwards would be impossible because you would be at my house. It's not me I'm worried about, what I'm worried about it showing you guys my place."
The confidence in her voice seemed to soothe all of our worries. I wondered what Bella's house looked like. We'd never seen it. "What's so special about us going to your house?"
"You'll see when we go there." Bella smiled.
Alice looked confused. "But how will going to your house make it impossible for them to find us?"
Bella didn't say anything, instead she grinned. A flash of golden light filled the car and she was back in her form with hazel eyes and brown hair. I was pleased by the way her mood had lifted considerably.
"Are we going to leave as soon as we get back to the others?" Jasper questioned.
"Yup," Bella answered, popping the p. We pulled into a parking space near the main entrance of the mall. We were only gone for a grand total of 20 minutes, due to Bella's crazy driving. The entire ride the speedometer never went below the hundreds. Not that I was complaining or anything.
As we stepped into the mall we immediately spotted everyone and walked over to them.
"So sorry I kept all of you guys waiting but I had to pick something up but afterwards figured out that I had forgotten to take care of something back in Forks, which I first needed to do before I picked the item up, and so I'm going to have to cut this lovely get together short. It was great meeting all of you and I hope to see you soon." Bella said as we stopped in front of them. She left no time for anyone to question it and they seemed to swallow the excuse anyway. There was a chorus of goodbyes and Bella hugged all the members of the Denali coven before waving at them as the left.
We quickly headed to our own cars and on the way Bella explained the situation with Carlisle and Esme. They seemed to trust her judgment and agreed to go and stay at her house for a while. We got into the cars. I felt childishly excited because I got to sit in Bella's car, this time without some mysterious situation going on. I had all but sprinted, human speed of course, to the passenger seat. Alice had argued with Jasper until he finally gave up his seat for her. I caught Bella shooting Jasper a smug smile.
"Oh stop it." Jasper mumbled lamely.
Bella let out a laugh. "Stop what, Major?"
Jasper shook his head and just got into the Volvo with Rosalie and Emmett, Esme and Carlisle joined us in the Bugatti. Under normal circumstances I would never let anyone touch my Volvo but I decided I could just this once. I tossed Rosalie the keys and she stuck them in the ignition. Bella backed out and then waited a few seconds for Rosalie to do the same. Once we got onto the freeway Bella started to speed up.
I looked at the inside of the car and admired the leather seats. I looked at the window and it startled me as they seemed to be getting darker.
"Your windows are suddenly way darker!" I exclaimed.
Bella smiled from the front. "I know, I installed a special feature were I can control the tint of the window. I figured it would be necessary to darken the windows due to the fact that the sun is coming out from the clouds right now."
I looked in awe at the windows. Then I turned my attention to the dashboard, eager to see if there were any other cool features. Too my disappointment there wasn't but even without being customized the car was amazing. We kept up a pleasant conversation throughout the car ride and before I knew it we were parked in front of our house.
"I thought we were going to your house." I said. Alice rolled her eyes.
"We need to pack some clothes."
It then dawned on me that we had left all of our items in Seattle. Bella had convinced us that she could go back and get them without us. I felt a bit stupid afterwards.
We got inside the house and immediately everyone began to pack. It ended up getting dark by the time we were finished because Alice insisted that we pack a lot of things, because we didn't know how long we were staying and then all of us went on a quick hunt. Finally once we got everything loaded into the cars we were off. Bella in the lead as she took us down a dark narrow path through the trees. Bella finally began to slow down and then came to a full halt. I didn't have to be Jasper to feel everyone's confusion; there was nothing there.
"And welcome to le château perdit." Bella said, with a flourish of her hand.
Emmett looked at Bella like she was crazy. "Umm, sorry to burst your bubble but there isn't anything there."
Bella let out a laugh. "Look again."
And then the air around us seemed to ripple and for a second, the stars glow brighter. Suddenly an enormous castle was in front of us. All of our mouths dropped at the sight. Ivy wrapped around some places giving it an almost fairytale look. The grey stones looked old and almost glowing as the moon's beams shone upon it.
"Le château perdit," Carlisle breathed, "The Lost Castle."
Bella smiled. "Although, no one other than us know of its existence."
Ok so what did you think? I promise to get more chapters out once winter break starts (I have been really busy for the last few weeks and will be this week because of finals) because hopefully then I'll have some time on my hands. Anyway, some reviews would be nice :) I hope this chapter was good. I was having major writers block that only started to clear up once I got to the very very end of the chapter. So unti next time, Au Revior!
*Le chateau perdit is French. (and as Carlisle obviously stated, it means The Lost Castle)