"How many ways can you break my spirit down...again
And how many times have I peeled my face up off the ground... for you
In case that you're starting to think you can run my life... I'd think again
Or cripple my faith, when you judge and criticize me... but I'm still standing
I don't know if I can say
I've lived through everything
but I've walked this earth alone
with bare feet broken in the snow
and my father said to me
it never seems to be
a simple walk down an icy cold broken road"
-Broken Road; Sully Erna
Day Five.
Being forced to walk was new. Eva had never went to a destination against her will though she supposed her abuse was well-rounded now. She can now add 'Hostage' to her list of regrets. She could practically feel the invisible shackles locked around her ankles as she pushed herself forward. It was both horrifying and humiliating. To her left was a beautiful wolf that had to be twice the size of any natural wolf she had ever seen and one followed closely to Bella on her right. She'd take the time to marvel at their size and beauty were they not also her captors. No matter what scenario came to her tired mind, Eva couldn't fathom a way out of this. She prayed and tried to stay optimistic but each step seemed to drain more and more of her hope.
How long they had been travelling, Eva was unsure. It had to be hours because her legs felt like they were on fire and she had the displeasure of watching the sun rise on the horizon. It was almost 1:30 when she reached the forest, so for the sun to be rising now, it had to be around 6:00. So soon, they'd have been walking for almost five hours at the very least. Between the random short bursts where she was made to run, combined with Edward's supernatural speed while he effortlessly carried her further down the path if he felt she was being too slow; she wasn't even sure if she was in Forks at all anymore. She was miles and miles away by now wasn't she? Eva couldn't see Charlie or her home ever again would she?
It would probably be another few hours before her kings would even attempt to call her. When she wouldn't be there to answer, she knew they would begin their journey to Forks but Eva knew in her heart they would be much too late. If what Edward said was true, they couldn't even track her properly. So was it really as hopeless as it felt? Though she told herself not to, she kept imaging her kings' reaction when they found out she was missing. It was heartbreaking. She didn't know what she could do. Edward could read her mind thus he could predict her movements. She was trapped in the worst ways possible.
If her anxiety had gotten to her before, it was all consuming now. She found herself having difficulty breathing which could have been a symptom of her exhaustion as well. Or maybe it was the bond hurting her again? It could be a number of things but despite this, the agony couldn't have arrived at a worse time. In moments like this, she'd need a distraction to get her mind back on track but how could she find one when she was surrounded by the sources of her anxiety? Her mind took her to places she didn't want to go. She imagined the absolute worst possibilities from this cold, heartless, hostage situation. In a way, Eva would have welcomed death over this. For which would hurt more? Endlessly searching for your beloved or knowing she had found some form of peace in the afterlife? They wouldn't worry about her being hurt or neglected, that was kind of a positive right?
All this time…and she never told them. She never told them just how much joy they had brought to her cold and lonely existence. That every time her phone rang; her heart sped up in hopes it was one of them. That she couldn't recall smiling so much in her entire life as she had in their short time together. None of it was even face to face and they still managed to light up her world. Any doubt she had about not 'belonging' to her mates was gone and forgotten. She thought the idea to be possessive and unnatural but with them, it didn't feel that way. It felt…like home. It felt like she was always where she was meant to be. Belonging was something to take comfort in, instead of her previous thoughts of it being a type of imprisonment.
Now, in the midst of all this madness, Eva's strong but tortured mind betrayed her as did her body. She began hyperventilating and just to add to the horror of the moment; that incredible pain in her chest returned. This time it was nowhere near as sharp as it was before but it was still horrendous and the unexpectedness of it caused her to drop to the ground. The pain was nothing compared to her inability to catch her breath which made her unable to soothe herself. This was hell. It had to be. Eva was shown the promise land, the happiness, stability and love of her mates but because she didn't appreciate her gift; she was smacked back down to the depths of oblivion. All she could feel was pain, panic, fear and loss. If this was her fate, let her die here. Let this torment end!
Through half squinted eyes she saw Bella and Edward hovering over her. Eva must have been delirious because she could have sworn that she saw the same panic that was on her face, reflected on her selfish cousin's.
"Is she alright?" Bella asked Edward, as if the brat would know.
"I don't know. She seems to think the loss of her mates is what put her in this state." Bastard. His patronizing tone was aggravating but she couldn't think properly in order to tell him what a piece of shit he was. She felt like she was in a dizzy spiral that led only to her doom. Which probably wasn't far from the truth.
"Well…maybe…we should take her back." Bella opted. Eva must have misheard her while in her little ball of pain and woe because there was no way in hell Bella would go against Edward's wishes. It just wasn't her.
"It's just a bit of panic, that's all." Edward assured Bella who had long ago stopped looking at Eva. "She's been tortured most of her life, she's just having an episode. The unknown factors are probably what set her off. Don't fret my love, she'll pull through. We'll just have to take a break for a little while, so it seems." Edward said and his bored tone hurt Eva more than angered her. If she could calm her breathing, she'd have a snarky remark but it was getting dangerous now. She felt like she would puke any second and the moment she did; she'd pass out. Which was probably last on the list of things Eva needed right now!
When the wolves approached her in addition to Edward and herself, Bella stood up and ordered them away from her.
"Stay back, give her some air!" Delirious indeed. She watched Bella rummage through the backpack she had brought with her in disbelief, thinking whatever it was she was after couldn't be for her. When Bella pulled out a paper bag and emptied it back into her backpack, she helped Eva sit up and urged her to breathe into it.
"Here, Eva, use this!"
Eva grabbed the bag from her and started to breathe into it as requested. Bella's soft voice counted for her so that she'd know to remove the bag from her lips after the twelfth breath. How Bella knew such details on how to calm someone hyperventilating was unknown to her but she was grateful for the assistance. She repeated this a couple of times until finally, her breathing returned to normal. If only the ache in her chest and all her dread had disappeared with it; she'd probably feel like a human being again.
She looked up at Bella with confusion dancing gracefully in her eyes. She didn't understand where Bella's kindness was coming from nor did she expect her to ask Edward to give her and Eva a few moments alone. When Edward begrudgingly complied and the wolves moved to their separate guarding posts, Bella sighed and looked down at Eva who remained on the ground.
"Are you okay?"
"What's it matter? You've seen me in this position before by your own hand if you don't recall." Eva snapped. It would take a lot more than handing her a paper bag if she was seeking forgiveness. It may be a small role but Bella still had a part in this.
"Just because we fight all the time doesn't mean that I ever want to see you like that. You scared me. I know…I know you have been through some stuff but I've never seen you hyperventilate before." Bella said weakly, her dark eyes asking for an understanding that Eva just wouldn't permit. Not when she literally felt like she was dying while knowing that if Edward had it his way; she'd never see her mates again. Eva pushed herself up and onto her elbows while keeping her eyes on Bella's.
"Actually, it's a fairly common symptom I have if I get too anxious. You would know that if you spent more than maybe a week's worth of time with me the total three months I've been here."
"You're right…I would have. It's just…" She paused and looked away but Eva wasn't about to let her stop there. Something had caused Bella to keep away from her all this time and Eva wanted to know what that something could have possibly been!
"It's just what Bella?"
"I've always envied you, Eva." Bella said flatly without meeting her eye. Okay...that was strange and unexpected. Eva found it rather difficult to envy an unemployed, sloppy and socially awkward dweeb.
"Envied me?" Eva repeated in disbelief. Perhaps she was confusing her for a different cousin on her mother's side or something. Eva wasn't exactly something to be coveted or envied.
"Yes. You're beautiful, intelligent and talented. Even while we were growing up it was obvious that you'd be the one to make something of your life instead of me. You always learned things quicker than me, you always seemed to get the most attention when we played with other kids in the park. The one time we went to the store together a month or so ago, every guy there had their eyes on you. I couldn't get them to look at me if I set myself on fire with you around. And to top it off, I couldn't even stay angry with you about it because you were always so nice to me." Bella smiled weakly at her and Eva scowled at her in confusion. If this was headed where she thought it was, the last thing it would provide was comfort or understanding.
"That's why I didn't want you meeting Jake. I knew his jaw would drop the moment he saw you and I just couldn't see it happen again. If you had taken him from me too, I'd have nothing. No one would be there to distract me from thinking of Edward or stop me from putting myself into dangerous situations just to feel close to him. Then I would be nothing. But you are perfect. You have everything going for you and I'm just…me. I have nothing unique or special about me. Then I meet Edward and suddenly I can thwart the gifts of ageless vampires without trying. Edward can't read my thoughts and neither can Aro, a ruler of their kind. I felt special with all these beautiful people giving me the attention that no one else would. Then you come along without knowing a thing about the vampire world and suddenly you're ruling it. I have one beautiful vampire; you have three. It almost felt like it was intentional, like you were just reminding me that I can't compete with you. I've always idolized you, even when we weren't speaking. Having something like this that was mine felt like I finally crawled out of your shadow." Bella explained with a sigh. Eva tried to listen, tried to be understanding but Bella's so called plea made that unrelenting rage to boil in her veins once more. Her already blurred vision worsened and she felt her hand tighten around the wet leaves on the ground.
"I'm sorry, was that supposed to inspire sympathy?" Eva said coldly. She hoped to the stars that her eyes were blank and empty so that Bella might see her foolish self within them. Why did she give her chance after chance? It was pointless. Bella looked offended yet if Eva had to opportunity, she'd go back in time to slap the paper bag out of Bella's hand just so she would pass out and save herself the agony of that godawful speech.
"I was a villain to you long before I ever went to Italy, wasn't I? Dammit Bella, I didn't come to Forks to steal your spotlight or take your friends from you! Why you, Jacob and I couldn't have all hung out together is beyond me but I guess in your head; because I'm blonde and wear makeup occasionally means I'm a shallow bitch, right? All you basically just told me is that you're superficial and even more paranoid than I am. Did my dumb blonde cuteness win me my mates, Bella? Was it my appearance that created the mating bond? I have everything going for me do I? If that were true I wouldn't currently be forced away from the only source of happiness I've had in years! I'm not out to steal your friends or attention, Bella! Nor did I ask for my kings, none of this was my doing. Yet you begrudge me because you think I'm prettier than you? If you boil everything that you said down to the simplest of terms; that's what you just told me. I have low self-esteem, sure, but you're something else entirely! Unlike you, I do not determine my worth based on the opinions of others! Look at me now and tell me you envy me!"
Bella looked away from her and for once that reigning guilt was off of Eva's shoulders and latched it's self onto a new host. Eva calmed herself and put Bella's continued selfish thoughts to the side. It was as though she was trying to reconnect with her and the sincerity in her worry gave Eva hope. If she could get through to her, maybe this wasn't a lost cause.
"I can forgive all your assumptions concerning me if you fix this now. Convince Edward to let me go and in return I will convince my mates to spare your life for everything that's happened the past few days. Aro will see that you made the right decision in the end and if I talk to the kings I should be able to manage something. Think about it Bella, running is only going to do so much! Just let me go, please, I can't stand the thought of being away from them forever; it's tearing me apart!" Eva pleaded. Whatever it took at this point was just fine with her! If she had to lose her integrity and sway her kings to her side, so be it. At least it meant being in their arms again. Bella could sway Edward in the same way if she would just try.
"He said this was the only way we could be together…" Bella replied weakly and Eva was having trouble keeping her words coherent since she was attacked again and again by the rippling pain in her chest. She was also certain that she had cracked a tooth in this process because any time she wasn't speaking she was clenching her jaw tightly in agony.
"There is always another way, Bella. As much as I disagree with your choices, at least now I get why you gave me the cold shoulder even if it was all in your head. And I'm not going to act as though I was completely innocent in this, I could have controlled my own anger better. We cannot undo what's been done but let's part on good terms. I'll do everything within my power to keep you alive but you have to trust me. No one wins this way, Bella. Edward still has no intention to make you a vampire and if something happens to my kings, he will have no reason to. Deep down you know this too. Is this really what you want? Do you want to be responsible for ruining my happiness only to have a lukewarm ending of your own?"
Bella looked at her and her brown eyes centered on the way that Eva's hand clenched her chest; just above where her heart resided. The conflict was visible on her face and no matter how Eva tried to urge her to comply…she knew she wouldn't. Bella was too invested in Edward, too invested in this beautiful, immortal world to give up now. Even with the voice of reason still ringing in her ears.
"He has to change me…he loves me."
"Yes, I don't doubt that but he loves the human you. He's a self-hating vampire, Bella. If he cannot cope with his own immortality, what makes you think he will give it to you too?"
Bella seemed to consider this as if it was the first time it occurred to her. Eva attempted to get up on her own but ended up slamming her fist on the ground in frustration. The more she moved, the more it hurt. Though her darling cousin seemed too wrapped up in her thoughts to notice her struggling.
"If we're mates then we have to be together. He'd suffer too if I died just like your mates are meant to. As a human, I'll die eventually so the only way to avoid that is by turning me."
"He's already attempted suicide once, Bella. He has proven that death means little to him. It's probably preferred to his immortal life in his eyes." Finally Eva managed to stand but she instantly regretted it because Bella had filled the gap between them in seconds. While she did not push her or hit her as she normally did in this situation, she was still extremely loud in her panicked state and Eva's already over stimulated body had a hard time processing her volume as well as sudden closeness. She had to force herself to be still instead of swaying backward from these unwanted sensations.
"Don't say that, Eva! We can still be together, he's doing all this to save my life and protect me from the murderers you fight so hard to defend!" People really needed to stop throwing that in her face!
"Yes, save your life, Bella. Come what may, I promise you that if you follow Edward and his plan succeeds you will never become a vampire. I am offering you and your bastard boyfriend a full pardon from all the bullshit you've put me through and you still choose to keep me away from my kings! Hate me all you want but you know everything I've told you is true! Go back to the original plan and you know you will become a vampire. This way; all you have is Edward's word. Help me and I'll help you, okay? We promised that we would always look out for each other and I can uphold my end of that bargain. Can you uphold yours? Please, Bella. You are the only chance I have to return home." Each word got weaker and weaker but even with her breathing under control Eva felt like she could pass out at any moment. She needed to eat, sleep…or hold one of her mates. Probably all three in order to feel better.
"He said he was protecting me and that we'd be together. I trust him…"
"More than me." Eva finished Bella's sentence for her and felt her heart drop back to her stomach. Reasoning with her cousin seemed to be the only out she had. She wanted to keep fighting for her kings but it was extremely hard to do so when her body was giving out on her. Eva could possibly have a rather impressive amount of will power but it failed her when she needed it most. No matter how she tried, she couldn't calm the tremors of her body. She extended her hand to visibly see how much her body shook without order and it was terrifying to witness. Jasper was right…she should have called her mates a long time ago. When she looked up, she saw her captor heading their way and from Edward's quickened but visible pace towards her; he had done a bit of eavesdropping.
"That's enough!" Edward snarled and before Eva could object he roughly took her by the arm and pulled her away from Bella. "I'll return in a moment, Bella." He said softly to her, before throwing Eva onto his back and racing away to a far off clearing where they would be alone. Which was just lovely! Edward let her drop carelessly to the ground once he stopped and Eva bit her tongue to stifle the yelp that wanted to escape her. Another twinge of pain, now up her spine was so very wonderful!
"Stop trying to weasel your way out of this! I don't need you poisoning Bella's mind."
"She has thoughts of her own, bastard. Just because you cannot hear them, doesn't mean they are nonexistent." Eva shot back and attempted to stand up but Edward gripped her by her jacket and hoisted her to her feet before she could. His hand snaked around to the back of her neck where it remained so he could keep her in place. This gesture must be a vampire habit that she was sure was meant to be even more threatening than it was already.
"Foolish girl, I am trying to help you! Stop fighting me and accept that your lovers were only going to be your doom in the end! The sooner you come to terms with that; the sooner you will find contentment."
"Does it look like you're helping me?" Eva hissed. Her body continued to shake uncontrollably but luckily her hatred for Edward served as a wonderful outlet to clear her head. The worry and anxiety was burned away by the eternal fires of revulsion.
"Once the bond is broken you won't feel this way. If you'd simply let me lead you to safety, you'd see that."
"To speak of my safety while your hand is clenched around my neck is laughable, brat." Eva smirked. "And what about Bella? Do you think she will be content to remain mortal when you aren't? Do you even think about the future? You were willing to throw yourself to the Volturi when you thought you lost her, are you going to do so again when she dies of old age? Why do this to yourself; to her? If you were willing to make her a vampire when all of this began, you wouldn't be in this situation!"
"How can I think about the future when I know the only outcome for Bella is death thanks to your mates?!" Edward argued.
"That fate lies in your hands just as easily!" Eva argued through her teeth. "Do you live in a fantasy world where mortals live as long as your kind does? If you keep her a human you are condemning her to die just as the kings are! A week, a year, ten years, fifty years; it's all the same Edward! Bella is still going to die if you keep her mortal! At least the Volturi way gave you a chance at happiness and you threw it all away for your self-righteous beliefs!"
"You know nothing about being a vampire! Damn your black heart for believing that the thirst for human blood makes you anything except a beast! I am sparing Bella that monstrosity! The Volturi aren't your beloveds or your happiness, Eva! They are ruthless, soulless monsters that delight in pain and fear! Is that what you want to be associated with for all eternity? Do you want to be feared all your life?" Edward argued and Eva thought about this but only briefly. For someone who could read her thoughts, he didn't seem to know her very well. Every aspect of this had raced through her mind at least a dozen times already. It was just how her brain operated.
"If the price for love comes with a little fear, it's one I'm willing to pay. It would be a welcome change since I am usually the one living in fear." Eva said proudly but wasn't ready to end it there. "And maybe my kings are everything you claim them to be. But I'd take brutality over deception any day. You've deceived me and you are deceiving Bella, the woman you claim to love. You speak so poorly of the Volturi kings but at least I can say they've never lied to me. Not even when the truth displayed them in an unflattering light. Say you do succeed in keeping me from my mates, all of this will catch up to you in time. I just pray that I'm there to see you get crushed by your own cross."
Edward kept her in his grip for a few more minutes before releasing her and letting her fall back to the cold, wet ground. Damn it! Her legs couldn't fucking hold her up again! And it was making her look like a weak little kitten in front of this bastard! How Eva hated this feeling. It was as though Edward was going out of his way to ensure that she felt the same humiliation she always did any time she showed an ounce of weakness. He went to speak to her but before he could, they both heard some rustling from the overgrown bushes nearby. Edward backed up to face the unseen threat headed their way and Eva hated how she held her breath in hope. Had they found her after all?
When a tall, russet skinned boy burst through the bushes, Eva could have sobbed. No? Back to the hopeless pit then. Yet when Eva tried to focus her vision…she knew it was Jacob. She never really got a decent look at him in the past; having only seen that back of his head as he stomped away in anger. She didn't notice before that he was ungodly built for a guy his age nor that he had a pretty detailed tattoo on his left forearm that Eva admired. She'd be happy to see someone else with a tattoo besides herself…you know, if she wasn't absolutely miserable currently. But she wasn't sure exactly who this new arrival was. Something in her mind just kept assuring her that this boy was the elusive Jacob which made her a little curious. Wasn't he supposed to be a shape-shifter too? Was he here to help imprison her?
"There you are!" Jacob huffed as he stepped towards Edward. "Things aren't exactly going off without a hitch. I've come here to collect Embry and Jared for reinforcements."
"What do you mean, what's happening?" Edward asked and Eva watched him shift uncomfortably. It was strange…seeing the two of them merely standing in each other's presence seemed to be a battle all in itself. Edward sending an icy stare into Jacob's black eyes while Jacob returned his gaze with fierce fire.
"Your vamp friend Victoria keeps slipping out of our grasp and every time we regroup, her little newborn minions ambush us. It's hard to track where they are all coming from but I have never sensed so many bloodsuckers this close to Forks."
"Has there been any casualties? Has Carlisle rejoined you?"
"None yet but far too many close calls for my liking. And the Doc and his wife returned but they can't make heads or tails of this either. They are too concerned with giving you enough time to escape to see the real danger before them." Jacob all but snarled.
"I need to keep these two with me until further notice, this was what we agreed upon, Jacob. I can send Jared and Embry back to you once we know that Bella is safe." Edward said calmly. He was going out of his way to keep Jacob calm which was a little odd to Eva. Were the shifters truly superior to vampires? That was a rather scary thought, actually.
"I know but I have very little choice, we need all hands on deck if these leeches are going to keep escaping us. Really, you should come with us so that we know Bella's safe. What's going to happen if Victoria finds you and it's only you and two wolves to protect her from the redhead and her group of newborns?"
"I do not fear Victoria." Edward said calmly and it made Eva's skin crawl. Almost anything he said sounded smarmy and conceited. "But I do fear what the Volturi will do if they catch up to us. That's why we have to place this as our first priority. My family and yours can handle themselves."
"I have never been afraid of any vampire." Jacob countered angrily. Great, now Eva was supposed to sit back and witness a clash of egos while precious time ticked down for both of them. Men.
"That is where you are foolish, Jacob. You do not understand the pure might of the Volturi coven and their corrupt leaders. They would destroy you and the entire pack just for your involvement if they found us." Edward said urgently but Eva was very much liking the idea of the wolves leaving with Jacob. It would give her at least a small glimmer of hope! Maybe they could pick up the trail once these shape-shifters were no longer in her presence?
"Hmph, I don't see why you don't just let us tear these bloodsuckers apart. It would save a whole lot of trouble, don't ya think?"
"If I believed the pack was strong enough to face them, sure. But if Victoria and a handful of newborns are you giving you this much trouble, you don't stand a chance. We have to work together if we want what's best for Bella."
"We're all still alive aren't we?" Jacob said through his teeth. It was clear that Edward got on Jacob's nerves just as easily as he did hers. "All of my kind are at the very least."
"Is Jasper okay?" Eva asked pathetically as she forced herself to her feet at last, her arm gripping her chest all the while. She knew that Jasper could take care of himself but she still worried over him. Especially when Jacob went out of his way to say his kind, referencing that something may have happened to one of the Cullens. She prayed and prayed that Jasper was as innocent in this as she imagined he was. That even now he had no idea what had happened to Eva or that his so called 'brother' had intentionally used his friendship with her to lure her away from safety. Or Eva could just be a fool for placing that much faith in him…
Jacob stepped back in surprise at Eva's voice, as if he had just realized that she was there. The way he looked from her to Edward was a little concerning until she heard the shape-shifter snap at Edward in fury.
"What is she doing here?" Jacob asked and Eva hoped that his obvious outrage was placed with Edward and not herself.
"I had to take her, Jacob. If we can keep her away from the Volturi; it guarantee's both hers and Bella's humanity. The only vampires that enforce the law is the Volturi and since Eva is the three rulers of that coven's true mate; they'll perish if they are away from her for a long enough period of time. Worst case scenario being that if we do get caught, we can easily offer Eva's life in exchange for Bella's. Don't you see, I had to take her with us? It's the best way to ensure that Bella comes out of this alive. If the worst happened."
Jacob shook his head furiously and chuckled in disbelief. Oh gods…was he going to help her?! Finally! Was she free from this fucking mad man?!
"You said nothing about Eva being involved in this. All you told me is that this Volturi bunch was coming to take Bella's life and that you needed us to get her out of Forks without them tracking her down! Are you trying to tell me that this girl is here against her will?!" Jacob said while pointing at Eva. She was thrilled to have some support but still narrowed her eyes when he summed her up as 'girl'. The guy had to be maybe sixteen at the oldest. Take it easy there kid.
"She's with the bad guy's Jacob. She's under their enchantment, she doesn't realize that she's been corrupted. Keep things into perspective." Edward said in a condescending tone.
"Fuck you." Eva managed to mumble out and she wished she had her clever tongue and quick wit back but the pain was starting to turn her brain into mush. At least she had gotten her feelings across about the situation even if it wasn't exactly eloquent. She had said it before, but she sincerely thought she'd croak at any moment. Eva let her eyes show her desperation as she looked into Jacob's coal black eyes.
"The vampires that pursue her may be the enemy but I won't let you use my pack to transport a hostage! That crime is on your hands, not mine." He reached out for Eva and she quickly took the hand that was extended to her.
She almost sobbed again in happiness once more but refrained considering her company. Oh praise Shakespeare, Harper Lee, Hemingway, Ray Bradbury and J.R.R. Tolkien; she was saved! Now that she knew she could be ripped apart from her kings, she was going to somehow grab ahold of all three of them and never let go! She could kiss Jacob if that wasn't wildly inappropriate and he didn't look to be about 12 years old! Jacob pulled her to stand behind him and Edward wasn't about to let his insurance card go without a fight.
"You'll damn us all if you let that girl run free." Edward warned while stepping dangerously close to Jacob.
"Yeah? Well I'd be damning myself if I let her remain a hostage. You forget, Edward; what happens to you bloodsuckers means nothing to me! If these big baddie vamps show up to destroy you all, it's fine by me. My only concern is Bella and the humans that live here." Jacob said strongly. Good enough for Eva!
"You don't understand! If we don't have Eva with us, the Volturi Kings will remain in full power! That gives them the means to track down myself and Bella for the rest of eternity if need be. And I assure you, they will. I thought you loved Bella? Why would you risk her safety for a girl you don't even know?" Edward taunted.
"Because it's the right thing to do! I'm not going to stand here and let another human girl suffer because of you!"
Now Eva gulped nervously when she saw the proximity of the two supernatural creatures. If they were about to come to blows, she wasn't sure what she could do. Hobbling away probably wouldn't get her very far fast enough. No, damn it! Just leave her alone, Edward!
"Stop it you two!" Eva heard the voice of Bella call out. She swung her limp body towards the source of the voice to see Bella running towards them with the two wolves at her side. Eva could only hope that Bella had come to her senses in their brief time apart but so far, hope seemed that be a thing Eva had simply ran out of.
"Jacob, he's right. You can't take Eva. No matter what we do now, the Volturi are going to be after us. All of us. If they have Eva, they are going to be extremely difficult to defeat. At least with her gone, they are weakened. It's the only thing we can do to slow them down. I know it's hard to tell but Eva is too corrupted by the mating bond to see what's good for her. If we can keep her away from the Volturi, it will break her from their spell. It's what's best in the long run, Edward wouldn't do anything like this unless it was absolutely necessary." Bella explained to Jacob in a soothing tone, sending Eva an apologetic look in the process. Eva could physically feel the knife in her back twisting that extra bit further and she couldn't see straight due to her unhinged anger. It looked like Bella had made her choice…even when she was going to fight tooth and nail to save her worthless ass. In desperation, she gripped Jacob by the shoulder and turned him to look at her. He was her only chance. She had to break through to him!
"Jacob, they are deceiving you! Edward has a personal grudge against me and my mates so he's willing to do whatever it takes to get vengeance, it's the only thing on his mind! Listen to me, I am perfectly sane, nothing is clouding my mind, nothing is influencing me! Please, I just want to go home, that's all I want. I even offered to keep my mates and their coven at bay if they'd just let me go and they still refused! I'm not out to hurt anyone! Please, you have to get me out of here! There is no peaceful solution if my mates do find me after I've been drug here against my will! You, the Cullens, your shape-shifter friends, all of you are in danger if this continues. Do the right thing and take me home! Please! I won't tell them that you or pack had any part in this! Trust me, this is the best way to keep everyone safe even if it doesn't seem like it!" Eva pleaded and Jacob looked at her sympathetically which gave her some hope. Until Bella intervened again.
"Jacob, why did you find us, is everything okay?" She said sweetly, ignoring everything Eva had just blurted out as if she wasn't even there.
"Yes, for now, but I need Embry and Jared's help to make sure Victoria and her newborns don't escape and wreak havoc."
"Take them. Tell the Cullens that if any of them want to follow us to find us in an hour we'll wait for them. Alice knows where to meet us. And once Victoria is defeated bring Jared and Embry back to us. I'd like it if you joined us as well. With you, I know I'd be safe. You did say that you'd always be there for me, didn't you?" Bella asked softly and went as far as to place a gentle hand on Jacob's chest. Eva narrowed her eyes and she greatly considered killing Bella with her bare hands.
"You want me to go with you?" Jacob asked in uncertainty, his eyes quickly looking up to Edward who looked extremely uncomfortable but kept his mouth shut the entire time.
"No, I need you to come with me." Bella smiled up at him and if Eva had the ability currently, she'd growl in outrage. "Do you think I would want to be away from you all that time? I chose to remain mortal, like both you and Edward wanted. Seeing how I'm not obsessed with becoming a vampire like Eva is; that just proves that Edward isn't my mate so…" She stopped and suddenly the pain subsided and Eva was feeling much, much better. Well enough to push past Jacob to rush towards Bella. Seriously…she may kill her.
"You fucking liar! How dare you make me out to be an incompetent slave when you are the one that-" Eva had much more to say but Edward had snatched her and pulled her to him with his hand clasped firmly across her mouth. Eva struggled with all her might but the more she fought, the tighter Edward held her to him. Eventually it hurt too much to move or even breath at the force he was putting her body under.
"You see," Bella said sadly. She gestured towards Eva with a frown before looking up at Jacob again. "She's out of control. It's not her fault though, poor thing. Three very strong vampires have her under their enchantment and it's just too much for her to fight. We're taking her away for her own good, so she can clear her head. The last thing I want to see is my cousin in the clutches of those man-killing vampires. I can't imagine what they would put her through if they found her. Come with us and see that we're keeping her safe and happy. She wants to go home to see Charlie that's all, they have become close during her time here. It's okay, sweetie, you'll see your Uncle Charlie as soon as you are well! Just hang in there, Eva." Bella added while turning to look at her and speaking in a patronizing tone like it was a straightjacket that was keeping her back and not her boyfriend's loving arms.
Eva screamed out in frustration, anguish and every other emotion she was feeling in that moment but it was muffled by Edward's hand. If Jacob bought this charade, then it was over. She was doomed. Her kings were doomed. Jacob sighed while looking at Eva. She tried to convey what she was feeling with her eyes but it didn't seem to be enough.
"She seemed pretty together to me…" Jacob said unsurely but Bella wrapped her arms around his neck and brought herself close to him. She even let her lips graze his while she spoke.
"I know, she's already pretty smart and she just doesn't realize that she's been manipulated. I bet she doesn't even realize that her life is in just as much danger as mine. I know she would want to stay a human too if she was given the choice. So, will you help us, Jake? I don't know if Eva and I will make it without you."
Jacob sighed and looked to be contemplating his choice but when he gestured his head for the two wolves to follow him, Eva felt her heart break yet again. No…
"I'll be back as soon as I know it's safe. Stay in the area until I can find you." Jacob said to Bella who nodded in response. And in just as impressive supernatural speed, they were gone. Eva let her body go limp, all the fight now successfully drained from her. It was one thing for Bella to twist the situation to suit her but to use what she assumed was Jacob's feelings for her to get him to agree to this insanity was another. Selfish wasn't even fitting for her anymore. Bella was a different type of monster in comparison to her mates but a monster all the same. Bella looked over to Edward with a frown as if to apologize for blatantly flirting with another man in front of him.
"I had to do something. He wouldn't have let Eva go otherwise." Bella explained to her actual interest and Eva felt her stomach churn. It was just as she thought. To manipulate someone like that…she regretted ever showing Bella any sympathy even in her desperation. Now Eva was forced to watch her salvation race away from her.
"I know, it's alright, Bella. He's a capable fighter, he should prove to be useful. We all have to do what we must in these dark times. I know you have no intentions with him. Thank you for your trust, my love. You'll see it wasn't misplaced." As soon as he was finished speaking, he let Eva drop back to the ground as he did earlier. She didn't try to get up this time. It was hopeless. These bastards were going to win in the end and there wasn't a thing she could do about it.
"You make me fucking sick." Eva whispered harshly to Bella. Yeah, sure, she was technically in a relationship with three men but it wasn't at all like what Bella had just done. She even felt sorry for Jacob. Edward and Bella seemed to ignore her words entirely.
"But we must get going. If the Volturi search for Eva here, they may be able to pick up the trail from this point since the shifters are gone. We'll have to make the best of it." Edward explained and he and Bella continued about their lovey dovey conversation as a part of Eva died on the forest floor. If they truly couldn't find her, then she hoped they didn't look for very long. She really didn't want them to. The heartache of searching would surely be awful. Eva knew she would be devastated if she looked for her mates and not have them turn up anywhere she went. The very thought caused a new pain to center where her heart resided. It hurt just to think about them so upset. She didn't even have a chance. Edward on his own was still so much stronger than she was. It's not like any human could…
Eva quickly buried her thoughts with sporadic, random ones to hide her idea from Edward, hoping he was too engrossed with his conversation with Bella to hear it. It was a long shot…it was probably the most insane thought to ever enter her mind…but it was all she had.
As a new, fresh tremor of pain returned to her, she cried out in agony and curled up in a ball on the ground. Hoping against hope that Edward would take the bait.
"I can't walk anymore you guys, I need Jasper! He's the only one that can help me!" She cried and remained on the forest floor. She kept her eyes shut tight but heard Edward sigh in annoyance.
"I'll have to carry her then. We'll have to walk at your pace for a while." He said to Bella.
Eva remained perfectly still until she felt Edward grab her arms to hoist her back to her feet and in that process, Eva let her instincts take over. The rest happened too fast for even her mind to register. She let her hand drop to her jacket pocket, grabbed the knife Charlie had given her, tapped the button and blindly swung towards her target. When she fell to the ground and heard an earsplitting roar of pain fill her ears, she knew she had miraculously succeeded! The former memory of her and Jasper's conversation had crossed her mind while she was lying in the mud and grass; his mention of vampires' eyes still being sensitive in comparison to their diamond hard skin. After that, she mimicked the moments of a scene she had watched from a movie with Charlie where a man had made a similar attack when he was grabbed from behind except with a broken glass bottle instead of a knife. Imaging the scene and not herself must have been enough to throw Edward off, either that or she had finally found a small batch of luck!
She turned around long enough to see the knife still stuck in Edward's eye and Bella knelt at his side to check on him before bolting. She couldn't outrun him, she couldn't overpower him, but maybe she could hide! It's all she could do at this point in time! Eva couldn't recall a time she had moved this quickly but she wasn't about to stop. She had to put as much distance between herself and those two maniacs as she could! The memory of her kings' faces pushed her forward and if she had to run until her legs fell off or her heart exploded she would. She knew she had to see them; Aro, Marcus and Caius again and she would if she had to die trying!
She halted when she saw that she had made a deadly error. Eva had almost blindly ran off a ravine! She had the displeasure of watching a rock plummet towards the icy looking river below and she knew there was no way she could survive jumping from it nor was she graceful enough to climb down to safety. She had to go a different route. She must be deep into the wilderness indeed if she already found a gorge, she may not even be able to find her way back to Forks on her own. But she would try.
When she spun back around to run a different direction she saw Edward standing there waiting for her. He hadn't yet recovered from her clever attack, the proof of that being a disgusting silvery liquid oozing out of his right eye socket. He growled lowly and bore his teeth for her to witness. Eva cursed but wasn't going back. She couldn't. He'd have to kill her if he wanted to continue to drag her all across the state!
"You'll pay for that…" Edward warned and Eva found the courage to smirk.
"You should have let me go." She fired back. She took a few steps backwards but now she was dangerously close to the edge of the ravine. One false step and she would fall to her death. The height alone would kill her despite the water from the raging river to catch her. She'd most likely, die on impact.
"Looks like you need to be unconscious for the remainder of our trip? Be grateful that you're more valuable to me alive, Eva. That little stunt has earned you actual misery when I was trying to be pleasant. You brought this on yourself." Edward whispered to her and it sent an uncomfortable shiver up her spine. He wasn't going to take her away. If she couldn't earn her freedom…if her mates were going to die after all of this…well…she'd just have to be the first to go. She wanted to live more than anything but what kind of life was she giving her kings if they were destined to lead a fruitless search for her? At least a corpse would tell them something…
Eva didn't jump or even move really. She simply ceased holding herself up. As she started falling backwards, she saw Edward's arm reach out to grab her but he was a few seconds too late. It was a new kind of horror watching someone grab for you as you fell to your death but that worry was behind her. It was over. It wouldn't hurt. It would be quick. That's what Eva told herself at least as she made her dissent towards the river. Maybe this would send her kings' one last message? Would they find Edward…would Aro see what she did? That life without them was no life at all to her? She hoped so. It might be one last pleasant memory of her. A gesture that spoke for her when she couldn't.
When she felt her body collide with the ground, she was surprised at how much it didn't hurt. She was also surprised that she could still move...think and breathe. She didn't feel the icy embrace of the river, so had she hit the forest floor instead? A rock formation maybe? Eva was much too afraid to open her eyes in fear of seeing the pearly gates or even a fiery prison but when she finally got the guts to do so, she did in fact see heaven. And the angel that held her had snowy hair and crimson eyes…
"Caius?" She whispered with tears rolling effortlessly from her eyes and down her cheeks. It couldn't be. It was impossible. She must've died. If so, her afterlife wasn't too horrible thus far. She could live with it.
"Hold on tightly, amare." He whispered to her and Eva did as she was instructed. Once her world stopped spinning, she felt Caius place her on the ground and he dropped to his knees with her to be on her level. When she felt his hand cup her face she knew this was real. His loving gesture harbored the same unheard of gentleness it had before, the shock of which was enough to bring her back to reality. He had saved her…somehow, some way he had saved her; protected her just as they always vowed that they would.
Caius was speaking very sharp and quick words to her in Italian, the speed of which Eva doubted she could keep up with even if she knew the language. When she felt the hand that held her face tremble, she grasped it in an attempt to calm him. He was…afraid?
"Sshh, slow down darling, I don't understand the language you're using." Eva said very softly to him. He gulped and when he managed to get out three words in comparison to the slew of ones he had previously used; the simplicity warmed Eva's heart.
"Are you okay?"
"I am now." Eva said without thought then Caius brought her to him and she wrapped her arms tightly around him in return. She didn't know if she could let go of him even if she wanted to and Caius seemed just as content to keep her in his arms. She thought she would never see him again…hell, she thought she was going to die mere minutes ago. And now, somehow she was reunited with him. It was too good to be true and a part of her still deeply considered the notion that she was in her blissful afterlife compared to the real world.
"You didn't answer…Demetri couldn't sense your presence…I thought I had lost you, dearest. Fear clenched my heart so tightly; I was certain that it would shatter to pieces. Were I to require breath in my body; I'd have found myself without. All words escaped me and the only sensation that visited me was dread. I never thought I would know such terror in all my existence. I cursed my own ignorance for not coming to you sooner! Did they hurt you, amare? Name who is responsible for this and see their heads removed from their shoulders in penance!" Caius said a little frantically still and Eva would have gladly answered him until she remembered…he shouldn't be here. She was thrilled that he was of course but it didn't seem to fit her current scenario.
"Caius…I don't think I've ever been so happy to see anyone in my entire life, but how did you get here, babe? I thought you weren't going to be in Forks until Sunday?" He couldn't have called her any sooner than he normally did, especially after Aro had informed him that he had awoken her the last time he called unexpectedly early in the morning. So it wasn't her lack of response that brought him here, not so soon at least.
"Forgive me for not giving you your solitude as you requested, Eva. Once I learned that you suffered so significantly under the pull of the mating bond, I had to see you." Caius explained and Eva teared up again when she saw how pained his expression continued to be. He kept caressing her face or stroking her hair, almost in desperation. She knew his warrior hands were accustomed to bruising instead of healing but to see his frustration with himself for not uplifting her instantly in addition to the kind look in his eyes was truly a sight to behold. She could cry from seeing him so befuddled but with pure intentions in his mind and heart. How one so fearsome as he could be so attentive and tender was an oddity Eva enjoyed thoroughly. She took the hand that was on her cheek then calmly found his opposite one and held them in hers to keep him still as well as to assure him she was okay.
Wait, learned that she was suffering? Well how could he know that? She hadn't mentioned it to any of the kings and the only other person that knew about her condition was Jasper. It's not like he could have contacted him…
Then it hit her and her friend's strange apology finally made sense. When they were shopping together and he disappeared with her purse, he must have called Caius. Jasper knew she didn't want to inform her mates of her pain and out of fear for her, he did it in her stead. By doing so…he unknowingly saved her life. The reason he apologized was because he too had deceived her but dear lord how happy she was that he had!
"Did Jasper call you?" She had to be sure. If he had and if he was just as fooled by this charade as she was; Eva had to let Caius and the others know. If the Cullens were to meet a horrible fate, she'd make sure Jasper didn't share in it!
"I did not inquire a name. The moment he told me how much pain you were in and that he was fairly certain it stemmed from our distance apart, I left immediately. Truth is, I already had one foot through the door when I received his call. I missed you so desperately, I had to see you. My bags were packed and half the guard was ready to journey with me but it was his phone call that drove me to continue my plans. I didn't even inform my brothers of my departure and I'm certain they are immensely furious with me for not only breaking my vow but taking a few members of the guard with me without their knowledge. Or they would be if they didn't know already that you had gone missing." A faint smile showed on his face after he finished speaking. That alone made Eva feel back to her old self. It must have been the mating bond after all. She wasn't feeling an ounce of pain now. In her chest at least, Edward's bruises still stung a bit.
"It must have been Jasper…Caius, you can't harm him! He had nothing to do with this!"
"And who did? Exactly how many heads do I need to collect this day?" Caius asked as patiently as he could. Eva could tell he was anxious to receive his list of victims but with Edward and Bella possibly getting away she didn't know if she had the time to get into the whole story. Forgive her if she wanted a little vengeance herself.
"You have to search the forest or they might escape! Edward lured me away from my house under false pretenses. From there he planned to kidnap me so that we'd always be apart. His theory being that you and the other kings would perish if he kept me from you long enough. Be careful, they have these huge wolves with them and I don't know if that's a threat to you or not." Caius seemed greatly disturbed by this and lightly squeezed her arms to express his urgency.
"Wolves…what kind of wolves?" His voice was cool and collected but Eva assumed that the answer to his question would determine if he stayed that way or not.
"I dunno…big ones?" Eva responded. She loathed herself, she really did.
"Did they walk as man does or did they walk as common wolves do?" Well that was a strange question.
"They walked on all fours." Caius seemed relieved to hear this.
"Ah, the little band of shifters then. Aro briefly warned me of them. As long as they aren't Children of the Moon, I assure you my love, I can handle the situation on my own." Caius explained then lightly helped her to her feet. Eva wished her anxiety would calm but amongst all this havoc, she wondered if it ever would. Could he though? Could he handle this on his own? They had a guard after all…maybe since they were thousands of years old they couldn't fight like the younger vampires? She didn't want Caius to be in any danger even when she was confidant in his abilities despite all the unknown factors. Should they just run?
"Master! We have the lawbreakers!" Eva heard the faint voice of what she thought to be Demetri in the distance and Caius smiled mischievously in response.
"Excellent work, I'll be with you momentarily. Keep them bound until I arrive." It was odd to hear him raise his voice barely above his normal speaking one when Demetri sounded so far away but she assumed it was a vampire thing she'd have to somehow get used to. Her white-blond savior now dug into the pocket of his black and gray coat to pull out his cellphone. He dialed a number then held the phone to her ear. When Eva looked up at him in confusion, Caius smiled down at her. Damn her height…
"They need to hear you, beloved. I know they are just as terrified as I was." He explained and the very second he ceased speaking, she heard Aro's fearful voice on the other end of the phone. He skipped any normal greetings thinking it was Caius and immediately began his questioning.
"Caius, have you found her?" The desperation truly was heartbreaking.
"It's me, darling." Eva said weakly still unsure how to greet her mates but it was such a treasure to hear him. She heard both Aro and who she assumed to be Marcus let out an exasperated sigh in unison. It felt kinda good that she could provide them that much relief with her voice as their voices always calmed her. Though it could just be because they had thought her to be missing only seconds ago.
"At last the gods show mercy." Aro sighed again. "What happened to you, my love? Are you well?"
"I'm fine now that Caius is with me. To give you a brief explanation, Edward had the mind to kidnap me. He thought keeping me from you would lead to your destruction thus sparring Bella's life. You'll see more when we are reunited but basically her actions led him to believe you wouldn't show her or the other Cullens mercy. If you found us while I was still in his possession; he planned to barter my life for Bella's."
Eva had to remind herself that the viciousness of his tone was in no way meant for her, otherwise she would be horrified. It was the truth but she regretted being the bearer of it when she heard how quickly Aro's loving voice changed to a cold and even sinister one.
"Is that so? Well, I positively cannot wait to see what else he had planned. Is he the only one involved in your kidnapping?"
"I honestly am unsure but from the way he spoke most of the Cullen family knew of his plans but I cannot say for certain."
"Did he harm you, beloved?" Marcus this time. Ugh, how she wanted to see them so badly! Hearing her might be a comfort to them but it was a tease for her. And Eva didn't really know how to answer that question. Edward had hurt her a few times by roughly handling her but that wasn't exactly what she considered 'harm'. She was too used to it for it to even register.
"No, scared me mostly." Eva said a little humiliated.
"Ask Caius to examine you for us so that we're certain. Every little detail is astronomical concerning this injustice." Marcus added and Eva wasn't entirely sure what he meant by that but she already felt awkward. Caius, having heard Marcus' request; took the phone from her hand and spoke sweetly to her.
"Don't fret, amare, I won't be too invasive."
Eva relaxed and kept her face calm and collected but she was a nervous wreck inside. There were far too many old injuries that she'd rather hide from him to be concerned about any bruises she may have acquired in her time with Edward. Caius slowly and with careful hands pulled down the zipper of her jacket then removed it from her completely. Having only a T-shirt underneath, apparently he saw what he needed to see so Eva was relieved that her age old scars could remain a secret for another day. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the morose look on Caius' face, so she looked down at her arms and saw the cause of his sadness.
Though her complexion was darker than most of the residents of Forks, she always bruised easily. So much so, it really didn't surprise Eva when she saw the two very visible, perfect handprints on either of her arms. It must have come from one of the times Edward had gripped onto her tightly to pull her away. Eva didn't know what to think when Caius shakenly placed his own hand over the bruises and she guessed it was so he could assure himself that it wasn't his hands that caused such a bruise when he no doubt roughly caught her from falling into the abyss. When he saw that they weren't a match his relief was short-lived in comparison to the fearsome growl that echoed up his chest.
Eva shyly shifted in place but had no idea what she should do or say. She wasn't going to defend them. She had warned them, warned them all what would come if they didn't release her. She just hadn't expected this to occur so soon. Everything had already spiraled out of her control long ago so now she had to trust that her mates had the situation under control.
Caius returned his cellphone to his own ear and angrily replied to Marcus irritatingly enough in full Italian. Damn it, stop that! How was she supposed to keep up with what was going on though if he kept speaking in such a way?! Though Eva supposed he may have distinctively chosen to speak in the foreign language for that very reason. A coiling feeling in her gut told her that things were about to get intense. The feeling made her nauseous but at least she wasn't shaking anymore. And she could breathe properly. She sincerely hoped she didn't get sick currently for a wide variety of reasons. Firstly, not exactly something you wanted to do in front of literally a guy you could only dream of meeting and secondly because she hadn't eaten in going on twenty or so hours at this point, so anything she had to puke would most likely be pure bile. Even more attractive!
Caius ended his conversation with the other kings then redirected his attention to Eva. Before she could register his movements, he had straightened her jacket back for her and even zipped it. He pulled her into another embrace while Eva was tempted to cling onto him even tighter than before. Now that she could relax a bit, she realized just how exhausted she was and she had a feeling she still had quite the day before her. When Caius released her and knelt back to the ground before her she gasped aloud. The sight alone was truly exquisite because this…king of vampires so easily found himself on his knees before her, a mere mud covered mortal. Though if Eva was truly honest with herself it was his beauty that helped her breath escape her. Every single time she looked at him, it was as though she was catching something new she hadn't noticed before. Were he not currently taking her hand in his, she might begin to doubt his presence once more if not only because Eva still doubted she was worthy to be in such a presence.
"I will not make a ruling until my brothers arrive, dearest one. As fortune would have it, they are not far behind us and will be here before we know it. However, that doesn't mean I will be in the presence of the fiends that attempted to destroy the lives of myself, my brothers and my beloved in a calm and forgiving state. Had they merely had the courage to stand against me or against my coven that would be a separate issue. I've often admired witnessing that my kind continues to have a backbone even in the face of beings such as us. But the moment they decided to strike me through you, is the moment they sealed their fate. You have two options, my love. I can send you away with the guard and I will tend to the lawbreakers myself until my brothers accompany me. Or you are welcome to stay with me during that process but if you do, I cannot state for certain what will occur. You're going to see me, my beast and my entirety. A beast that I believe I cannot tame despite my greatest of efforts. I did not wish for you to see me in such a way until we had the opportunity to become closer but circumstance calls for it. You are bound to see these darker sides of us at one time or another and as long as you promise me that you will not be too repulsed by it, I'll allow you to see such things now. Wicked deeds can only be met with wicked punishment and to me; we're well past law and order. The Cullens have crossed the wrong coven." Caius said to her as firmly and as calmly as he could.
Eva wasn't sure if she wasn't exactly ready to see just how powerful or 'wicked' her mate could be but she saw that she had little options. If they were as ferocious as they claimed to be, they could hurt Jasper without realizing that he didn't deserve the same fate as the rest of his family. Eva knew now was one of those moments she couldn't stutter over her words in shyness or pure social ignorance. She had to give him a clear answer or else he'd be reluctant to keep her at his side.
"I've been too long without you already, my king. I promise I won't think any less of you. I'm willing to stand by you no matter what." Eva smiled.
"I stand for you, beloved. Remember this, for you are the reason behind my every move and superfluous breath." Caius assured her and with silk like movements she found herself back into his arms, her own instinctively hooking behind his neck. "Now let's go. See the fear they placed in you returned to the proper source."
It took approximately three seconds and Eva felt her feet return to the ground, her eyes shooting open in surprise. Edward didn't seem near as fast as Caius though the distance could have been shorter. When Eva got a grasp of her surroundings, her eyes immediately found a…boy? One that surely had no business being here but when she caught the same red eyes that adorned her kings, she supposed he too was a member of their coven. He had short black hair and a chubby face that helped show his youth. Upon his neck was a silver necklace, the pendant being a V that harbored rubies. He was standing before a knelt Edward as well as…Alice? When had she gotten into the picture? Perhaps she had seen a vision of Caius' arrival and rushed to warn Edward? Well, even were that so, she was far too late. The look on Caius' now stone face was evidence of that.
Eva quickly looked around to see Bella physically held back by a dark skinned vampire with dreadlocks and next to him Eva recognized Demetri and another vampire she didn't recognize. Why the boy seemed to be standing in front of them as if he alone was the reason behind their stillness, she didn't know but now Eva briefly remembered seeing him in the throne room the last time she saw her mates. Caius was quick to address the Cullens even while Bella's loud sobs stung Eva's ears and tore away at her heart. She had to remind herself of all of Bella's hideous actions in that moment. It was natural for her to still wish to comfort her cousin when she was so obviously upset. Not this time.
"If you still wished for death, boy, you could have simply asked," Caius said venomously, his eyes only on Edward. The auburn immortal did not respond but Alice chimed in for him.
"Master Caius, Edward was only trying to protect his mate, you know what that can drive a vampire to do! Please s-"
"Any attempt to halt me is in vain!" Caius roared, cutting her off causing Alice to dry sob in fear. Eva gulped when she saw how very near Caius was to the brother and sister pair. "The only decision left in your regard is what kind of end you wish to meet. Cooperation can result in a somewhat painless one, resistance calls for further suffering. Take your pick."
Caius grabbed Edward by the hair and hoisted him to his feet.
"How many of you were involved? Where is the rest of your insolent Coven?"
When Edward didn't respond, Caius smiled kindly to him before slowly pulling his head back until the younger vampire howled in pain. Caius let him fall back to the ground in the same cruel manner Edward had done her with pure joy.
"Very well. I much prefer it this way." Caius commented as if they were having the most pleasant conversation before turning to the guard that was with him. "Spread out, find the Cullens and bring them to me."
All except the boy and one other vampire Eva didn't recognize obeyed. While the nameless vampire immediately rushed to her side to act as what she assumed to be a bodyguard, the boy remained firmly planted before the Cullens. Bella was trembling alone on the ground, no longer held captive but no one save herself seemed to give her any notice. Caius raised an eyebrow questionably at the young vampire, who bowed briefly before speaking.
"Apologies Master, but I do not wish to leave you. Once I am gone these two will recover their senses and it could be another opportunity for the missing coven members to attack you. I also fear for the Queen, master. It would be a travesty if something happened to her."
"I am aware of these possibilities, Alec." Caius said in an impatient tone. Eva was sure to pay close attention to Caius' voice because it was slightly altered compared to the brutality of his enraged one she had already witnessed. There was…care in his tone. As if he was managing the volume of his voice to benefit his underling to both express his irritation yet avoid making him fearful of him. She hadn't heard him address any of his coven mates in such a way before. The young vampire now named Alec must have been dear to him or so Eva thought.
"However, I am more than capable of defending my queen. A legion of our best warriors couldn't touch her if I am standing for her. The guard needs you if the wish to capture the Cullens smoothly and that is my first priority until my brothers are at my side. Now go, Alec. I find it fitting this way, so that they may know with or without your gift; their death and suffering was inevitable."
Alec waited for a moment before departing since Caius had abruptly turned on his heel to march back towards her, the vampire at her side making quick movements to get out of his way. Eva smiled a small smile when she saw that the love in his eyes had returned. He so swiftly changed between his emotions and always seemed to be presented to her in a fairly calm and cheerful state. He cupped the side of her face with the sincerest smile she had yet to see on his face though a bit of mischief was alight in his eyes.
"Are you responsible for our victim's current, grotesque state?" Caius whispered to her in an oddly alluring manner. He gestured slightly to Edward with his head and Eva witnessed the disturbing looking ooz drip from the auburn brat's eye socket. She sheepishly nodded and Caius' smile brightened. With his head now comfortably resting atop hers he took both of her hands in his and Eva's breath caught in her throat. She was in no way used to these little signs of affection but she was growing to adore them. As she adored his persistent speech in a beautiful language she still had no earthly clue how to translate. Regardless…it sounded pretty.
"La mia regina, come ho fatto a vivere così a lungo senza di te?" He said smoothly and Eva had no idea what he said but she wished she could respond. His pure, possibly dark delight in the situation sufficed. In some strange way it made her cheerful too. He turned to Alec and continued to speak in Italian.
"Un compito finale prima della partenza."
"Maestro?" Alec responded with another short bow.
"Avviare un incendio." Caius said firmly. A small smirk corrupted his handsome features while he walked back towards the Cullens; Alec rushing off to fulfil whatever his lord's request was and Eva had a feeling it was extremely dark in nature. The unknown to her vampire gently pulled her back so that he was standing in front of her, which seemed to be a common trait amongst the Volturi guard. Caius clapped his hands together excitedly and smiled politely to the grounded Cullens and Bella.
"Now, where do we begin?"
Translation:
La mia regina, come ho fatto a vivere così a lungo senza di te?- My Queen, how did I live so long without you?
Un compito finale prima della partenza- A final task before you depart.
Maestro-Master
Avviare un incendio- Start a fire.
Curlykisses: Regretfully, I know it took a long time to get this chapter out especially compared to my normal updates. But, not to bore or annoy anyone but I don't know how to say this without it sounding like I'm belly aching so; here it goes. Basically a couple of my "friends" found out I was writing this and gave me merciless grief over it. Said, I was wasting my time, how shameful it was to write Twilight fanfiction and that only "lousy writers" write this kind of stuff etc. All of that being said without any of them bothering to read it. I in no way believe this but they were happy to voice their opposing opinions. They know I've always wanted to become a writer and do so for a living so hearing this was hurtful. And with my self-esteem already pretty awful, hearing this gave me horrendous writers block so…I apologize for that. It was just rough being at the end of every joke for days. Hopefully, I should be back in full steam now.
Now, enough of all of that. What did you guys think of this chapter? In case it wasn't already known, Eva is a badass and no matter what occurs she left a…lasting impression on Edward. After this chapter, what do you think the Kings ruling is going to be? Or will Caius take out some of his aggressions early and leave his brothers with little to decide? This is where I wanted to know your opinion my amazing readers. I have full intention of getting pretty dark with the upcoming chapters but I don't want to put any one off, I suppose. If I go my planned route it won't go…so friendly. So, do any of the Cullens deserve to live? How do you think Aro and Marcus will take the news once Aro see's everything that transpired while his queen was away? All of that and more in the next chapter!
Review please…