Damn you, ever-nagging plot bunnies … I just can't get this one out of my head. I am focusing on one story, but I wanted to get a foundation on this new one. So, here we go … This will be similar to Buying Love, Friends with Benefits, Mafia Princess and The One That Got Away, with shorter chapters and weekly updates: Sundays with teasers on Thursday.
Training begins in earnest in the next chapter.
Chapter Twelve
EPOV
"Why are you scared?" Bella asked, her hand sliding into mine.
"We're out in the open," I said. "We're not exactly human right now. We stick out."
"This place is protected, camouflaged by magic," Carmen explained. "Now, let's begin."
Emmett walked out and he rolled his head. He gave me a smirk, dragging me to a large padded set of mats in the middle of the yard. I didn't know the first thing about how to fight. I looked at Emmett's massive form and I knew that I was going to squashed like a bug. "Be kind to me, Em. I'm a nerd who can win your court case with some sort of technicality. I don't know how to fight."
"You think I'm going to just go at you, feeding you to the wolves?" Emmett chuckled. "I'm going to show you how to fight and then I'm going to kick your ass."
"Thanks, Emmett. I appreciate it," I deadpanned. "Just don't break anything."
"Don't freeze off my nuts. I want to be able to use them. Rosie and me? Damn …" he growled. He picked up some athletic tape. "Hands. I don't want you to rip open your knuckles." He made quick work of taping my hands and then picking up some pads, placing them on his hands. He worked with me, teaching me various hitting techniques and putting them into combinations, effectively incapacitating an attacker.
An hour into our training session, I took a slug of water. "Emmett, this is great for fighting humans, but we're not fighting humans. We're fighting werewolves, vampires, dark elves. They're not going to use these fighting techniques. They're going to come at us with magic and manipulations."
Emmett's eyes darkened and he flew out at me. Using my instincts, I held up my hands, creating an impenetrable wall of ice. Emmett snarled, jumping it easily and dropping the practice pads. I froze my hands, blocking him and watching as his skin turn a sickly gray from frost bite with each hit. Emmett twisted and flipped out of my line of fire. He held up his hands in surrender. I panted, glaring at him. "What's your point, Emmett?"
"You used your instincts and combined with your magic, you are a force to be reckoned with," Emmett said. "Damn, though. Ice block hands? I think my ribs are frozen solid." Rose darted over, healing him easily and kissing his lips. "Thanks, babe."
"No problem," Rose said. "Don't break my boyfriend."
"Sorry, Rose," I replied, relaxing and letting my body heat up. My 'ice block hands' melted. Carmen walked over to me, Bella following close behind. "You knew that was going to happen."
"No, I didn't," Carmen said. "However, I knew that you would be a formidable warrior. Just like your father."
"I'm not a warrior. I followed my instincts," I snorted. I blinked over to Carmen and she had a brow arched. "What? Don't look at me in that tone of voice." I gulped, fidgeting slightly and dancing on my feet. "What powers did my father have?"
"The same as you, Edward. He could freeze things … and time, too," Carmen explained.
"Whoa," Bella breathed. "Can Edward do that?"
"It's an evolution of his powers," Carmen said. "It requires a great deal of concentration, power, discipline and mental strength. With you just coming into your own with your magic, it will take time for you to hone that. You don't just freeze time locally, but globally."
"Again, whoa," Bella chuckled. "You can freeze the entire world."
"Even myself?" I asked.
"No. That would be counterproductive," Carmen snickered. "You can unfreeze certain people with a touch of your hand. But, the whole planet would be frozen."
"Can any of those creatures counteract that power?" I questioned. "Other than those who I touch?"
"The more powerful the creature, the more likely they can break the freeze," Carmen said. "My guess is that Jacob, your ex-husband, could break the freeze. He's an Alpha wolf and is quite powerful. Aro, as well. I do not know who else is amongst his inner-circle. Like us, the dark creatures do not broadcast their powers."
"We need to know their weaknesses, as well as their strengths," Bella muttered. "These dark creatures, they are dangerous and we know nothing about them."
"We're working on that. For now, you both need to continue your training. Edward, you're still with working with Emmett. You're going to learn about magical weaponry. Bella, we're going to work on honing your magical powers," Carmen smiled.
"Shouldn't I learn how to fight?" Bella asked. "I may be a woman, but I should know the same things that Edward does. I am just as capable of fighting. That's awfully sexist, Carmen."
"It's not our way. Women do not fight," Carmen sputtered. "They never have."
"Well, our way needs to change," Bella snapped. "I do not want to rely on anyone else to protect me. I want to be able to fight my own battles. From what I'm gathering, I'm going to see Jacob again. I do not want to be quaking in my boots when I come face-to-face with my abuser. The man who used me as his punching bag and who …" She trailed off, her already pale face becoming paler, almost a deathly white. I darted next to her, wrapping in a tight hug. She gripped my shirt and pressed her hot cheek against my chest. "I don't want … I have to be able to put him down, like the rabid dog he is."
"I understand, sih'rena," I said. I looked at Carmen, who was standing submissively, her head bowed. "She trains with me and with Emmett. You have to understand why she has to do this."
"The human in me does, but the fae does not," Carmen whispered. "Women do not fight. They never have. We use our powers."
"What if I use up all of my powers? Like Eleazar?" Bella snarled. "I do not want to be helpless and hopeless." She pushed away, stomping deeper into the backyard and her crying breaking my heart. Rose went off after her.
"Are you happy?" I growled. "You saw what that animal did to her and now you want her to stay defenseless. Her magic is fucking powerful, but she should know how to fight. I'm the leader of the magical creatures, right?"
"Yes, sir," Carmen said, shifting uncomfortably.
"And my first order of business is to make sure that all women are giving the same opportunities as men," I explained. "I don't want anyone, man, woman or child, to live in fear. That archaic belief needs to disappear. I mean, Alice gets to fight! She's a woman!"
"It's just that women are revered amongst the fae," Carmen argued. "And Alice is an elf. They have different beliefs."
I glowered at her, growling lowly. Scrubbing my face, I continued. "And they can still be revered and kick ass," I snapped. "Do whatever you need to do to spread the word to …" I waved my hand.
"You'll have to do it, Edward," Carmen sighed. "We can record your statement, introducing you as the leader and calling the elves, shapeshifters and other fae to arms."
"Record? Huh?"
"I'll explain later. You go to your mate," Carmen said, bowing and heading into the house.
I turned on my heel, disappearing into the wooded area behind the castle. I could hear Bella's cries and feel her dejected pain. Arriving at a flowing creek, I saw Bella and Rose sitting on the edge. Rose was rubbing Bella's back, calmly giving her support. She blinked up at me, her face impassive. "Don't, Rose. He understands. You heard him argue for me."
"I did, but still," Rose said.
"He's also your leader," Bella growled. "My mate … I know you're protective. I get that and I love you for it, but Edward's on my side. Our side. You want to fight just as badly as I do." Rose sighed, nodding and hugging her. "Can you give us a moment? Or two?"
"I will. I'm going to get Emmett to show me those combinations he taught you, Edward," Rose said, skirting past me.
Once she was gone, I moved so I sat down next to Bella on a fallen tree. "The rules are changing, Bella," I whispered, taking her hand. I stretched my wings, almost protecting her, protecting us from the outside world. "I have to make some sort of announcement, but …"
"Thank you for sticking up for me," she said, leaning her cheek against my shoulder. "It just makes me sick that I could face Jacob and not have any sort of training. He's this giant wolf or whatever. I'm surprised that he hasn't done more damage to me. More than he's already done." She sniffled. "Carmen must hate me."
"Her opinion means nothing, sih'rena," I said, holding her closer to me. "You have the same right to learn how to fight as I do."
"You don't think I'm any less of a woman?" she asked, blinking up to me.
"What?! No!" I said, moving so I could crouch in front of her. "I think that it's sexy that you want to learn how to fight. Besides, I think that if we work together, it will be so much more effective. Will I freak out, seeing you being attacked by Emmett or Rose or whomever? Fuck, yes. But, I support you in your need to learn all of this."
"It killed me to see you in that fight with Emmett," Bella said, her eyes glowing angrily. "I know he's your sworn protector, but …" I leaned forward, kissing her and calming her instantly. She melted, her fingers tugging at my bronze-colored locks. She giggled against my lips, pulling back and pressing her forehead to mine. "You're very distracting, m'aarenne."
"Focus your anger on Aro, Jacob and the dark creatures. Not at Emmett or Carmen," I said.
"You're right," she nodded, tracing the tattoos around my eye.
"Do you want to start your training, Bella?" I asked, standing up and offering her my hand. She took my hand, twining our fingers together. I gently pulled her to her feet and kissing her tenderly. "We're a team."
"More than a team," she smiled. "Now, let's go learn how to kick ass."
A/N: The training will continue next chapter. Emmett will work with them and they will learn that collaborating as a team is the best way to fight these dark, evil creatures. Carmen will see that … and well, let's just say she'll get a nice serving of crow. She is their biggest advocate, but she's old school. Also, Edward will be introduced to the magical community as their leader. How will that impact everything?
And what about the darkness? The evil? Jacob? Aro and their compatriots. Leave me your thoughts.
I have the climax of the story figured out. I do need to how to get there. Thank you for reading and I'll see you in a week! ;-)
