Disclaimer: None of this is mine, nor will it ever be (sigh). I like to play with the characters that Stephenie Meyers created and make them do pervy things or become angels with a bad attitude.
Bella's starting to notice Edward's eccentricities. But, will it be too late? Up next will be Edward and more of them getting to know each other. Plus, avoiding the skank brigade.
Chapter Nine
EPOV
"Alice, please?" I begged as I paced the length of the building next to Bella's. "Felix already hates me for not being there. Can you take him out?"
"What on Earth made you think that getting a dog was a good idea, Edward?" Alice chided. "You're never home."
"Up until now, I was home. Every night. Now, I'm protecting," I said, shooting a glance over my shoulder. Bella was resting, sleeping comfortably. It had been almost three weeks since her wrist was broken and a week since we last saw Riley. He hadn't shown up to work, claiming a 'family emergency.' Bella also quit working for Rose at the café/deli. It meant that Bella's rent would go up, but I used my computer skills to help with the payment, without Bella knowing.
But, that's neither here nor there. I wanted her to be with me, twenty-four/seven. Bella was stubborn, not wanting to put me out and be a burden. I was offering my hospitality.
Just saying.
"You're stalking," Alice giggled, breaking my reverie. Over the phone line, I could hear Felix barking. "Hey, boy! Edward, your dog is pissed at you."
"What did he do?" I asked.
"Your couch is no longer a couch, but a mess of leather, stuffing, wood and springs," Alice retorted. "Come home. Bella will be fine for the night without you hovering."
"But, what if Riley, Lucifer … whatever his name is, what if he comes back?!" I growled. "If I can track her, so can he."
"No. He can't. She's not his mate," Alice said. "You have a deeper connection to Bella. If you leave, you'll be able to defrost. There's an icicle growing on your nose, Edward." I swatted it away, growling lowly. "You can be back to your new home on the roof, crouched like the gargoyle you are, within a few moments. You're still the fastest flyer of all of us."
"Okay, okay. Even though the cold doesn't bother me, I would like to see Felix," I said.
"I'll take care of the sofa," she chirped, ending the call. I looked down at Bella's sleeping form and closed my eyes. She was rested comfortably, not assaulted by her usual nightmares, probably due to her pain killers. With a sigh, I unfurled my wings and took off. I landed in my backyard. Felix ran to me, barking up a storm, his tail wagging. "You're awfully forgiving, pup."
I crouched down, scrubbing behind his ears as Felix slobbered on my face. "I missed you, too, Felix," I said. He barked happily, pushing me onto the ground and plopping in my lap. "He ate the couch?"
"More like destroyed it," Alice snickered. "I ordered one just like it and it'll be delivered the day after tomorrow between three and five in the evening." She pressed her hand onto my chest, frowning slightly. "You're still in pain, Edward."
"I'm okay. It's not so bad when I'm around Bella," I said, standing and picking up Felix with me. He let me carry him like a baby, his tongue lolling out of his head. "Could it be due to our being mated?"
"You're not mated yet," Alice responded. "You're mates, but you have to make that commitment before you're mated."
"What if we don't?" I asked. "She won't die, will she?"
"No. She recognizes a connection to you, but you'll both be fine. However, you will never be able to mate with another but Bella. She's your other half," Alice said. "We all have one."
"You, too?"
"Yep. And we've made that commitment. After you were exiled, I met him … my Jasper … while trying to clean up the mess left over from World War II. Jasper was in a POW camp, near death. He saw me for who I was and I nursed him back to health, giving him the option to become one of us," Alice said. "He said he couldn't live without me. I was with him as he transitioned from being human to an angel and he's my partner in everything."
"How come I haven't met him?" I asked.
"Because he's pissed at you," Alice answered. "He blames you for his injuries and pain while in the POW camp. He knows how the war started."
"I was fucking tricked," I growled. "Tricked!"
"I know that and I've explained that, explaining Lucifer's devious nature, but Jasper still blames you. He's coming around," Alice shrugged. "He may come around. Eventually. Maybe in a hundred years, or so." She leaned down, kissing my cheek. "Defrost, Edward. You're blue."
"Are sure that Jasper doesn't hate me for stealing you away?" I asked, irked at Alice's mate.
"He knows about our history," Alice replied. "My unrequited crush."
"Alice, I love you, but …" I blushed.
"I get it, Edward. We're not mates. We never were, even though I thought you were gorgeous," Alice snickered. "The fact that I helped create you and guide you in your new life; there was some transference. I love you, as a brother, and Jasper must realize that you're a part of my family. I'll do anything to help you." Ruffling my hair and rubbing Felix's tummy, she walked toward the door. "I'll talk to you later, Edward. Get some rest. Your body is fighting whatever is inside you because of what Riley did to you. You're weaker than you let on."
"Okay," I said. She waved, leaving me in my house. It was too quiet. Felix was breathing, his loud doggy breathing, but it wasn't a substitute for Bella's thoughts. Putting Felix on his feet, I darted to the bathroom and spent almost two hours in the shower. I was shocked at how cold I truly was. When I was done, I changed into a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, leaving my wings out. I picked up my journal and turned to the latest page. Inside was a sketch of Bella, but there was something missing. Felix whimpered, putting his paw on my lap. "I know, but I want to get this right. Then, you can curl up in my lap, you pussy."
"Grrrr," Felix growled.
I scrubbed behind his ears and worked on the sketch until I fixed the missing link … Bella's eyes. Biting my lip, just like she did, I closed the journal and Felix hopped up. He plopped his butt between my legs and placed his head on my chest. "You're so cute," I deadpanned. "You're not who I want in my lap." Felix's tail wagged and he burrowed closer. Rolling my eyes, I set the alarm on my cell phone and let my body relax and drift into a deep, much needed slumber.
The next morning, I was grateful it was Friday. On top of that, it was the Friday before the holiday break. The students were taking a few tests and finishing their oral presentations for their animal projects. Then, in the afternoon, the parents were coming in and having the classroom parties, complete with games, candy and a holiday movie. I dressed in an ugly holiday sweater and a pair of dark-wash jeans, with a pair of boots. Tugging on a jacket, I drove to school and parked next to Bella's car. I also noticed an old pick up in the parking lot. Bella was glaring at it. "You okay, Bella?"
"Riley's back," she hissed.
"That's his truck?" I asked, barely able to contain my ire. Bella nodded jerkily, slinging her work bag over her shoulder. I followed her and she was seething inside. She was stealing herself to avoid Riley, but he was in her classroom, replacing a fluorescent bulb that had been flickering for the past week.
"Hey, Bells," he said, a smile spreading over his face.
But, it was creepy.
Dark.
Evil.
A promise of death.
I could feel the darkness within him, churning to claim Bella.
"I'm going to drop this off," Bella said, gesturing to her lunch bag. Eyeing Riley, she left. I could feel her fear of him.
"You're still with my girl," Riley chuckled, but his voice was deeper. It wasn't Riley speaking. It was Lucifer. "You won't get her, Edward. She's the key to my reign. Though, I want to thank you for serving her up on a platter for me. You got me this close before and now, it's within my grasp. Perhaps, there's a place for you among my trusted advisors. You're strong, too and gifted."
"Never," I snarled, my wings itching to break free. "I was tricked before. Now? I see you for what you truly are."
"I know," Riley said, his creepy smile widening. He looked at me, twisting his hand. I felt a vice around my heart and I gasped. "I can bring you down, Edward. No one can save you, except maybe that human." He released the vice, but the emptiness remained. Twisting the lightbulb, he stepped off the ladder and walked past me. I was panting, trying to regulate the pain. "I will succeed. Mark my words." He blinked and the vice returned, causing me to collapse against the door jamb.
Bella returned, sighing with relief when she saw Riley gone. However, I was trying to stay upright. "Edward? Are you okay?" She ran to me, taking my hand. The pain quelled, momentarily. "Did he do something to you?"
"Stubbed my toe," I said, using the pause in the pain to stand straight. "Make sure you're never alone with him. Find me, okay?"
"Okay," she murmured, rubbing her hand over mine. "Are you sure you're alright?" I nodded, squeezing her hand before heading to my classroom. I got through the morning, making sure that Riley stayed away through Bella's thoughts, as well as the thoughts of the rest of the staff. During lunch, it was a pot luck set up in the media center. Bella and I sat with the fifth-grade team and the music teacher. The kids went outside, playing in the snow as the parents set up the classrooms.
The afternoon dragged and the pain in my chest became almost unbearable. When the bell rang, we all escorted our classes out to their buses or parents, waving as they left for two weeks off. "We're done," sang Bella, holding her arms up. "The only thing I have planned is binge-watching Game of Thrones and Orange is the New Black. Oh, and get this cast off."
"Ugh, I have to travel all over the Pacific Northwest," grumbled Mr. Molina, one of the fifth-grade teachers. "Spending Christmas Eve with my parents in Tacoma and then Christmas Day with my wife's parents in Portland. After that, we're going to Eugene to celebrate with my sister and her family."
"Drive safe, Miguel," Bella said.
"What about you, Mr. Cullen?" Mr. Molina asked. "Spending the holidays with family?"
"It'll be quiet," I answered. "Probably, like Bella, I'll binge-watch some shows." Riley walked past, shoveling some snow off the sidewalk. He narrowed his eyes and I bit back a groan. My wings twitched, almost exploding from my back. Bella noticed my pain, supporting me with her body.
"You okay, man?" Mr. Molina asked.
I nodded. "Just overtired and probably coming down with something. These kids … they're walking germs," I chuckled.
"Come on, Edward," Bella frowned, tugging me inside. We went into her room and she pushed me onto the table. Removing her glove, she used her good hand and felt my forehead. "You're warm. Do you have a fever?"
I took her hand and smiled at her. "I'm okay, pretty Bella," I breathed.
"Then, why are you pale and sweaty, feeling like you're running a temperature?" Bella asked, arching a brow. "Are you having a heart attack?"
Probably. "No," I snorted. "Healthy as a horse."
The speaker blared and Mrs. Cope's voice reverberated over the intercom. "Go home, everyone! You all deserve this much-needed break. See you next year!"
Bella frowned. I captured her hand, kissing her palm. Her cheeks reddened and she took a step back. Standing up, we walked to our cars. "Edward, you have my cell phone number. If you start feeling worse, please, call me," Bella said, lingering by her car. "I'll take you to the hospital."
"Thank you, Bella," I said. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Edward," she smiled shyly. Blushing, she reached into her bag and took out a small gift. She scurried over to me, thrusting it into my hand. "A small token … thank you." She kissed my cheek and took off before I could say thank you. I leaned against my car, opening the present and seeing another journal, personalize with my name. I ran my fingers along the gold-embossed personalization.
"How sweet," Riley cooed. "Your human girlfriend got you something. Too bad it'll be the last something you ever receive. Did you know that humans smell differently than demons or angels? They smell almost cloyingly sweet. Bella is particularly sweet and tempting. You? You smell like horse manure."
"That would be you," I said, glaring at him. "Are you really going to expose yourself to these humans?"
"Are you?" he asked tauntingly. "I can sense your control is waning." Riley reached forward, almost grasping inside my chest, but not and twisting my heart. I moaned, grabbing ahold of the car. "While you're fighting for your life, I'll be taking Bella's. She'll see me for who I really am and her devotion will make me strong." He reared his hand back and I screamed, feeling like my heart had been pulled from my chest. The pain was agonizing. The last time I felt this much torture was when I was transitioning from a human to an angel, getting my wings. I fell to my knees and whimpered. "She'll feel so good, wrapped around me. I can taste her blood as I take her."
"Don't," I pleaded. Riley smirked, waving his hand with a flourish and making the pain intensify. He disappeared. I looked down and I saw, piercing my chest, a poisonous arrow. Only I could see it. Mortals could not. I tried to pull it from my chest, but gasping in agony.
This arrow, it was lethal to angels. I was going to die.
Well, that sucks.
I took out my phone and dialed Alice. "I need you," I whispered, my body becoming weaker and weaker. "Riley …"
"I'm on my way, Edward, but this is beyond my power. You need your mate," she said. "You need her love."
"Alice …" I moaned, slumping against the concrete and darkness washing over me. How can Bella love me when she doesn't know what I truly am?
Fuck my life.
A/N: Riley … yeah … do you think he'll get to Bella? And what about Edward?
Leave me some!