"Never Let Me Go"
Chapter 10
"I'm sorry but are you telling me that you let her leave here with just one wolf?" Klaus asked angrily.
Damon and Klaus had returned to the house a few hours after Bella and Leah had left and Klaus was furious.
"What possessed you to do this?" Klaus asked, "Has our mother gotten into your head again?"
Rebekah rolled her eyes, "You're one to talk," she replied, "Conspiring with Damon to keep her out of this fight. You had no right to do that Niklaus. This is her fight just as much as it is ours or theirs." She said while pointing to Stefan and the others.
"She isn't prepared for this." Klaus argued, "She is weak."
"She's stronger than all of us." Elijah interrupted as he walked in. "If Bella wanted to go then who are we to stop her?"
"Elijah she can't take on all the Cullens'." Klaus snarled.
"She's not," Elijah said, "You need to have more faith in her brother just as she did you when she took that stake to the heart."
Klaus was quiet.
"Now that that is settled, can we all please get to bed and get some rest." Elijah left the room followed by the others.
Damon and Klaus stayed behind and poured out some drinks.
"Brilliant plan," Damon scoffed, "Oh distract her, nothing bad could happen." He mocked the hybrid.
"If for one second I had known what was happening do you think I would have asked you to do that?" Klaus asked angrily. "Perhaps you knew and were just waiting for the opportunity to swoop in."
"Oh yeah Klaus, let me tell you that I knew she was sired to both of us. Just like how I knew that she would wake up and dig herself out of her own grave six months after we buried her." Damon yelled. "I'm an asshole Klaus, I will readily admit that, but I would never intentionally hurt Bella like this."
Klaus clenched his jaw, exhaled and then slumped into a chair.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this." Klaus rubbed his hand over his face. "We have to find a way to break it."
Damon sat down as well, "If you've got any ideas, I'm all ears."
Klaus looked at Damon, "You do care for her, but in what capacity? Do you even know?"
Damon shook his head, "Admittedly at first I wanted to get her to get back at you, but the more I got to know her… the more that idea drifted away."
"She has that effect on people." Klaus chuckled. "You know if she finds out she will hate us both and we would deserve it."
"That we would," Damon said. "She won't stay out of this."
"No she won't," Klaus agreed. "Guess it's time for a new plan."
"What do you purpose?" Damon asked.
"As much as I don't want to do this, I know I can't keep her out of this fight and if I do try to keep her from this, I know that she will be harmed." Klaus said.
Damon sighed, "Trouble follows her."
"No," Klaus said, "Trouble follows us. She is just attracted to it."
"So how do you want to do this?" Damon asked. "The whole sire thing."
"I don't know," Klaus replied, "But maybe after some sleep I will have the answer. Goodnight Damon."
Klaus left Damon alone to drink and ponder. What had he gotten himself into now?
.*.*.*.*.*.
Damon woke up in the morning and stumbled into the kitchen.
"Morning," Stefan said.
"Where is everyone?" Damon asked.
"The wolves went to stay at Bella's house." Stefan said, "Klaus and the others went out to follow some leads. I'm about to head to school to meet the others."
Damon nodded, "Watch your backs."
"You too," Stefan said, "Meet you at the Grill after school?"
Damon nodded and Stefan headed off.
Damon sat around the house until about two and then he headed for the Grill.
When he arrived he saw Leah and Bella talking at the bar. Bella looked up in mid laugh and saw him. He saw her tense and that she was fighting to keep her anger in check. Leah squeezed her hand and tilted her head. Bella left, heading to the back, and Leah got behind the bar.
Damon headed to the bar and sat down.
"Hey Leah," Damon said, "I see you and Bella are all good."
"Shut it vamp," Leah snapped, "I heard about the whole romp in the woods deal." She said and pointed her finger at Damon, "I don't know what your little plan is or if you are just using her, but so help me God Damon if you hurt her I will rip you to shreds."
"Whoa easy," Damon threw his hands up in surrender, "I am not using her."
"Then you better figure this shit out Damon because she has enough going on with her return and now with the Cullen's and Klaus' mom back, without adding 'be toyed with' to the list." Leah said, "I would suggest you go sit at a booth and not up here. Otherwise I am not responsible if she rips your throat out."
"I'll take my chances," Damon said.
Leah rolled her eyes, "Your funeral." She said and walked to the back.
Damon drummed his fingers on the bar top while looking around until suddenly someone grabbed his hand and started crushing the bones. Damon looked up and saw Bella glaring at him.
"You have some nerve," she growled.
"I promise I won't be attacking you anytime soon." Damon said, "I was drunk and…"
Bella started crushing his hand more, "You were drunk. So you kissed me and made all those innuendos because you were drunk." She said angrily. "You didn't mean any of it."
"No," Damon said, "Look I did it's just… it's complicated."
"Complicated is my life." Bella said and released Damon's hand, "Get out."
"Bella," Damon said, "Please can we just talk."
"I don't want to talk. I am all talked out between you and Klaus. Just leave me alone." Bella said.
Damon saw her head to the office and followed her.
"You know I can't do that." Damon said and shut the door, "You've got a target on your back Bella. None of us are going to leave you alone."
"Why do you care Damon?" Bella asked. "I mean seriously you don't know me so don't say you care about me."
"I do," Damon said, "I do care about you," he moved to grab her hand, "I just don't know in what capacity. When I did what I did, I wasn't thinking and I should have. Not to mention I crossed a line…you're with Klaus."
"Yes she is," Klaus interrupted after opening the door.
"Oh god," Bella groaned.
"What's going on?" Klaus asked.
Bella looked between the two and growled. She couldn't keep this quiet and as she was about to yell at them for their scheme, Leah busted in.
"Both of you out," Leah said and pushed the boys out the door. She closed it and looked at Bella, who shook her head.
Bella listened as she waited to hear the boys head back to the noisy bar and once she knew they were in the bar, she sat down.
"I can't do this." Bella placed her head in her hands.
"You have got to hold it together," Leah said, "The moment they even think that you know, they are going to bombard you and they are going to be all over you." Leah knelt down by her friend, "Bella you have to just keep going, not for them, but for yourself. You need to figure this out on your own without them influencing any decision you make. This is your life, not theirs, and while they may mean well, let's face it, they aren't exactly known for thinking things through before they act."
Bella laughed, "I'm glad you're here Leah."
Leah smiled, "I'm always gonna have your back even when I'm mad as hell at you." She said, "Come on, let's go take a couple shots to take the edge off."
.*.*.*.*.*.
"What were you doing?" Klaus asked.
"I was checking up on her," Damon replied, "Did you find anything?"
"My mother is cloaking the Cullen's very well, but Elijah did get in touch with Carlisle and Esme," Klaus said, "They should be here this evening."
"Are you going to tell her?" Damon asked.
"If he knows what's good for him he will," Kol interrupted before plopping down in the booth next to them, "What scheme are you two hatching now?"
"None," Klaus replied.
"Oh, still kicking yourselves I see." Kol laughed.
"Shut up Kol," Klaus growled.
Kol looked over and saw Bella returning to the bar, "I think I'll go chat with her."
Before they could stop him Kol was at the bar and sat down.
"Hello little swan," Kol said sweetly.
"I really hate being called that," Bella mumbled.
"Most people would think it was endearing." Kol replied.
"She's not most people," Leah said as she sat down next to him.
"Hello she-wolf," Kol said, "I see you two have made up."
"Someone has to have her back and save her from herself," Leah said before winking at Bella. "So what did you guys find out?"
Kol sighed, "Always down to business," Kol said and looked at Bella, "I really wish I had known you better when you were human. I hear you were fun and danced on bar tops."
Bella laughed, "Don't believe everything you hear."
"A man can dream though," Kol said, "Anyways Mother is covering your ex very well."
Bella tensed at the news.
"We didn't find anything to track them with, but we did get in touch with Carlisle and Esme. They will be arriving here tonight," Kol continued.
Bella broke the glass she held in her hand and started shaking.
"Bells keep it together," Leah said while looking around.
Bella closed her eyes and started taking deep breaths. She could feel her fangs trying to descend.
"Miss Swan," Reverend Young said while coming to the bar.
Bella opened her eyes which were normal, and said, "How are you Reverend?"
"I'm doing alright," he replied, "You left early the other night and we haven't seen you in a bit."
"Yeah," Bella said, "Had some issues with an ex popping up."
"Are you alright?" Reverend Young asked, concerned.
"Nothing I can't handle," Bella replied.
The reverend nodded, "Well the council is here to help if you need it. We stick together."
"Thank you Reverend," Bella smiled for the offer.
"I did want to talk to you about something else," the reverend continued.
"What's up?" Bella asked.
"Well there have been some attacks," he said before looking at Kol and Leah, "Animal ones."
"What type of animals?" Bella asked.
"Deer mostly a few bears and cougars, but not many." The reverend said.
"Where have they been at?" Bella asked.
"Around Old Mill Road, near the condemned logging plant." The reverend said and tilted his head, "Do you know who it is?"
"It's not any of them," Bella said, implying Klaus and the others. "But I have an idea. Reverend if I asked you and the council to allow us to deal with it, would you?"
"Bella, the council can deal with these things." The Reverend said seriously.
"Not these things you can't," Bella replied, "There are more things out there than what you know and sometimes it is better for you to stay in the dark."
"Bella's right, Reverend," Kol said, "Some things are better left in the void."
The reverend looked at Bella, who nodded.
"Very well. We will give you time, but not much. Please handle this quickly," The reverend said, "If you need anything let us know."
Bella nodded, "Thank you Reverend Young. Can I get you anything?"
"No I have a meeting to get to, but I might take you up on that offer another time." The Reverend said and left.
"What are you thinking?" Kol asked.
"Normally Edward and the others would hunt far away as to not draw attention." Bella said, "They aren't doing that."
"You think they're somewhere around Old Mill Road," Leah said.
Bella nodded, "It's worth checking out." She said, "Tori will be here in a few and we can go."
"No," Klaus interrupted as he came over.
Bella glared at him, "I'll do what I want," she placed her hands flat on the bar.
"I'll have her back," Leah said, turning to face him.
"It's not exactly the best idea," Damon said after joining them, "For all we know they could be laying a trap."
"So what do you guys suggest?" Bella asked.
"Wait until Carlisle gets here." Klaus said.
"As much as I don't want to agree with my brother," Kol said, "He's right."
"Fine," Bella said through clenched teeth. "You wait until Carlisle gets here, but keep them away from me."
Bella tended to her customers as Kol, Klaus and Damon left to meet Carlisle. Tori was a no-call-no-show and Bella figured that her sister had gotten sick or something again. Bella looked over to Leah who was falling asleep at the bar and nudged her.
"Go home," Bella said.
"I am on duty." Leah replied groggily.
"You are in no shape to be on duty," Bella said, "Besides I'm here with a bunch of humans. They won't risk a scene here."
"Bells," Leah said.
"No," Bella said sternly. "You said they need to let me stand on my own two feet so take your own advice and go get some sleep. If they give you any shit, tell them I compelled you."
"Can you do that?" Leah asked.
"I don't know and neither do they," Bella laughed before she winked. "Go Leah."
Leah headed out and Bella soon got hit with the dinner rush.
A few hours later it had calmed down and Bella was restocking when she tensed.
"Well, well, surprised you're here." She said not turning around, "What do you want Emmett?"
"Come with us," Emmett pleaded, "I don't want to watch you go through that again."
"You put me through that," Bella hissed and whipped around, "You here to ambush me again?"
"No," Emmett said hurt, "Please Bella we can be a family."
"We can't ever be a family…we never will be." Bella replied. "Not as long as Esther is controlling you."
"She isn't controlling me," Emmett said. "Please Bella…for Edward."
Bella grabbed Emmett's shirt and yanked him towards her, "Emmett, I did a lot of things for Edward. I lost myself for him…not again…never again. Get out of my town."
"Not without you," Emmett replied.
Bella was about to go off on him again when she saw something waiver in his eyes. It was slight, a quick flash of resistance perhaps? Esther's magic was powerful, but maybe just maybe….Bella's eyes dilated.
"Emmett tell me the absolute truth…do you want to do this? Do you want to make me do this?" Bella asked softly.
"No," Emmett said robotically, "None of us do, but we have no choice…she wants you away from Klaus…she sees you as a threat."
"Does anyone know you came here?" Bella asked.
"No," Emmett said, "I wasn't supposed to, but I had to."
"Emmett," Bella said, "Fight her control now."
Once again the flash of resistance crossed over in his eyes.
"Come with me Emmett," Bella said and led him to the office and sat him down.
"Jeff, watch the bar," she called out before she shut and locked the door.
She paced back and forth for a while. Eventually she sat down in front of him.
"This isn't going to be easy," Bella said and looked deep into his eyes again, "Fight her Emmett."
"She's pushing me," Emmett said.
"Ignore her," Bella commanded.
"I can't," Emmett said as he grasped his head.
Bella grabbed the sides of his head and forced him to look at her, "Let me in," she said quietly, "Let me in Emmett and let me help you."
Suddenly Bella was pulled in and she found herself in a rundown house.
"Bella," Emmett said in a slight panic, "You have to get out."
"This is where she keeps you?" Bella said, "You're locked away in here."
"I'm sorry Bella I didn't want to do that to you." Emmett choked up a bit.
"Clever little girl," Esther said before appearing, "You're resourceful…perhaps it is worth keeping you around."
"Screw you bitch," Bella said, "You can't control me and you know it."
"Yes," Esther said annoyed, "Your mind is a hard one to penetrate."
"Leave her alone," Emmett said.
"Quiet," Esther said and flung her hand out.
Emmett crumbled in pain.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Bella screamed, her vampire face appearing.
The house shook, Esther stumbled back, and Emmett was released.
"How did you do that?" Esther asked angrily. "You can't do that."
Bella looked at her and smirked, "I tend to underestimate people."
"Get out," Esther said and flung her hand out at Bella.
Nothing.
"This can't be," Esther said and looked at Emmett, "Wake up and attack her."
Again nothing happened; they were still in Emmett's mind.
"I think you're time is up here Esther," Bella said and the house started shaking, "You're being evicted so GET THE HELL OUT OF HIS MIND NOW!"
Esther screamed and Bella came back to reality panting. She was exhausted and looked across to Emmett, who was looking around frantically.
"What the hell was that?" Emmett asked. "Rose," He whispered before he tried to leave.
Bella blurred in front of him and stopped him, "No," she said and pushed him back. "You go back there and she could turn you back."
"I have to get Rose," Emmett argued.
"Emmett you go back there and you won't be able to help her. Esther got you once, she will get you again." Bella said and then she felt a wave of nausea.
She quickly moved to the trashcan and puked up everything in her system…alcohol and blood.
"Bells," Emmett said and pulled her hair back, "Shit you gotta get home."
Bella shook her head.
"Bella," Matt called out as he banged on the door, "Bells are you okay?"
Again Bella threw up.
Matt started ramming the door until it finally busted open.
"Get away from her!" Matt yelled at Emmett.
"Matt it's fine," Bella said and sat down, "He's fine, he's in control now."
"Bella you don't look good," Emmett said as he kneeled down next to her.
Matt looked over and saw that Bella was pale.
"What happened?" Matt asked.
"Long story," Bella said and she started to feel sleepy. "I just need to lay down for a few minutes."
"No," Matt said and came over next to her and looked at Emmett, "Help me get her up."
"I got her," Emmett said before he picked up Bella by himself.
"We gotta get her to the house," Matt said.
Matt had Jeff cover the rest of Bella's shift.
Emmett drove while Matt sat in the back with Bella.
"What did you do?" Matt asked as Bella started to shake.
"I got in his mind," Bella said, "God it's cold."
"You did what?" Matt asked, trying to distract her.
"I got into his head. He's been trying to resist this whole time." Bella replied.
"I'm right here," Emmett said while looking back in the mirror, "She's thrown up whatever she's eaten. When did she eat last?"
"Last night," Bella replied.
"How did you do it though?" Matt asked.
Bella didn't respond…she had passed out.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"She is not going to be happy," Elena whispered.
"Don't blame her," Bonnie replied.
"Will you two cut it out," Rebekah said annoyed, "Remind me why they are here?"
"Because everyone is needed on this," Elijah said and tensed, "They've arrived."
Jake growled.
"Easy bro," Paul said.
Carlisle and Esme walked into the house and were visibly tense.
"Elijah," Carlisle said.
"Hello Carlisle," Elijah said and extended his hand to shake Carlisle's, "Thank you for coming."
"Our children are involved, of course we will come," Carlisle replied.
"Have you heard from them?" Esme asked hopefully.
"Yeah," Damon said, "They roasted Bella to a crisp in order for her to turn like you."
Esme gasped in horror, "Is Bella alright?"
"What do you care leech?" Jake snapped.
"We do care about her," Esme defended.
"Sure," Quil said, "That's why you destroyed her life in the first place."
"Everyone stop it," Elijah commanded, "If we continue to exchange blows nothing will be solved or discussed. The past is not important," Elijah looked at Carlisle, "For now at least. Right now we need to focus on how to deal with your children."
"Simple," Klaus said, "Kill them."
"I second that motion," Damon said while raising his hand.
"You know we're in," Jake added.
"No," Esme cried out, "Please they are not in control."
"Yes we know that," Elijah said, "We are hoping you might be able to break our mother's control on them. Carlisle we want to end this peacefully because that is what Bella wants, but if we cannot then we will be forced to kill them."
Before anything else was said Elena's phone rang and she answered it.
"Hello?" Elena asked.
The vampires listened in.
"Elena it's Matt where are you?" Matt asked.
"Meeting with Carlisle and Esme what's wrong?" Elena asked.
"You guys need to get over to Bella's now," Matt said, "She's bad Elena…really bad."
"Did Edward get to her?" Damon asked after taking the phone from Elena.
"Not exactly," Matt said uneasily, "Just get here." He hung up.
"Leah was supposed to be with her," Paul said.
"Leah is upstairs asleep," Rebekah said, "I assumed one of you were with her."
"We're all here," Jake snapped.
"There are too many of you to count," Rebekah snapped at him.
"Will all of you shut up!" Kol yelled. "We will deal with this crap later. For now can we please go and see what's going on with Bella?"
"Klaus and Damon are already on their way," Jeremy said.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"I knew we shouldn't have left her alone," Klaus growled as the two ran.
"Never listen to wolves," Damon mumbled.
The two arrived at the house and stopped as soon as they entered.
"Where is she?" Klaus asked.
"Upstairs in bed," Matt said, "She's gonna need blood."
"What happened?" Damon asked.
"Well that's the thing I don't exactly know," Matt said and then pointed to the library, "But he can tell you."
The two moved to the library and saw Emmett standing there.
"What did you do to her?" Damon growled and blurred to him before throwing him into a wall.
"Did you try to take her like your brother?" Klaus growled after appearing before him.
Klaus reached to grab Emmett, but was thrown away by Carlisle. He and Esme stood protectively in front of Emmett.
"Don't touch him," Carlisle warned.
"What did he do?" Klaus snapped.
"Nothing," Bella announced as she slowly walked in with the help of Matt. "He's not under her control anymore."
"Oh my god Bella," Rebekah said as she came in with the others, "You look dreadful."
"Yeah I kind of puked up everything in my system." Bella said and sat down in a chair.
"You need to eat," Rebekah said.
Klaus moved towards Bella, but she shook her head. She still felt his and Damon's betrayal and she didn't want to feed from either of them.
"I'm still too nauseous," She replied.
"How did you break the control?" Carlisle asked as he faced his son.
"I didn't," Emmett said, "Bella did."
All eyes turned to Bella, who just shrugged.
"Bells?" Jake asked.
"I got into his mind like Klaus showed me and I pushed her out." Bella replied.
"Her shield," Emmett said "Whatever it was that kept Edward out pushed Esther right out too. I came to and I couldn't feel her controlling me anymore."
"This makes you more dangerous to her now," Kol stated.
"But it gives us an edge," Bella said, "If I can get to the others do the same thing we don't have to kill them."
"That might be far too risky," Elijah said and all eyes turned to him, "That use of your shield; you shielded Emmett, pushed our mother out, but it drained you. You look deathly pale…like a Cold One."
Bella looked to the mirror and saw that Elijah was right. She was pale and she felt…cold.
"You need to feed," Elijah continued.
"Here," Leah said and handed Bella her wrist.
Bella quickly bit down and immediately felt herself warm up as the blood went down her throat. She pulled away and looked in the mirror. Bella saw the color had returned to her and she felt relieved.
"Problem solved," Bella said.
"No," Klaus stated. "We will find another way to beat our mother, but you will not do this again."
"You don't control me," Bella said.
"I forbid it Isabella," Klaus growled.
Bella felt a twinge inside of her…like it was trying to bend her to Klaus' will.
"No," Bella snapped back.
"It's a bad idea Bella," Damon said angrily. "You're not doing it."
There the twinge went again only this time it was stronger.
"Stop it!" Rebekah said and pushed the two men back, "Both of you outside now…GO!" Rebekah turned to the others, "Excuse us for a moment. Bella, why don't you go and rest."
"I'll join you guys," Jake said before walking out to join them.
"Come on," Leah said to Bella before she took the vampire up the stairs.
"I am not going to be told what to do," Bella said when they reached the room.
"I know," Leah said.
"I felt the bond Leah and they knew it! They knew they were trying to control me!" Bella growled and threw a vase against the wall.
"I know," Leah said, "But I have to agree with them…it's too dangerous. When we walked in, I was sure you were one of them Bella. Get some rest."
Leah left and Bella plopped down the bed. She ran her hand through her hair a few times and then pulled out her cell phone and texted;
Get up here now don't tell anyone~ B
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Bella said and looked up. "You want to make our relationship better? You want me to forgive you Elena?"
Elena nodded, "Yes."
"Then I need your help. I need you to help me and to trust me like I asked you before. Can you do that this time?" Bella asked.
"I can try." Elena said.
"There is no try Elena." Bella said.
"Okay I can," Elena said, "What do you need?"
Bella looked at Elena, "I need you to help me get to Rosalie, then Jasper, then Alice, and then Edward."
"What are you planning?" Elena asked even though she knew.
"I'm taking Esther on…head to head, but first I'm getting them free." Bella said.
"Bella that's gonna piss her off and it could kill you." Elena argued.
"I'm already dead Elena," Bella said, "I am not going to sit around and do nothing when I know I can do something. You of all people can understand that, can't you? Please Elena I need your help on this." Bella begged.
Elena paced the floor for a few minutes and then sighed, "What do you need me to do?"
Bella smiled.
A/N: Hey everyone! Hope you enjoyed the chapter sorry for the long update. Life kind of got very hectic and it still is. I am working on the next chapter as we speak, but it's the end of my semester so I'm studying and finishing up projects. If I can write during my Thanksgiving break I will, but no guarantees. Hopefully I will have something ready mid-December.
Thank you to my wonderful beta Dark~Supernatural~Angel for all her hard work.
I know this chapter is very mixed and there's a reason for that which I will explain next chapter. Just bear with me though because there is a rhyme and a reason.
Review everyone let me know what you think!