We made our dazed way to Fiumicino Airport. Couldn't wrap my head around the idea of the photo, though. If Bella was still alive, it would mean hell for us.
No matter how many times Emmett assured me he had seen her body smoldering in the Volterra rubble, I doubted him.
"Did you really watch her burn?" I whispered as I rubbed my thumb against my leather jacket.
"I made sure she was nothing but ashes," Emmett said through gritted teeth, his big paw patting my shoulder. "Why don't you ask him?" He cocked his head at Edward, who was talking to the captain of the private jet.
"I trust you, Em… you're the one who kept his head around her." Tilted down my chin to stare at the tarmac of the runway, and stuck my hands in the pockets of my jacket.
Glanced at the gleaming jet that would take us home, and then I shook my head. I needed Dad's advice; most of all, I missed the pack. Sure, there was a lot of tension - mainly with Sam - but I missed the easy friendships with Quil, Embry, and Seth. Even rubbing shoulders with Paul.
In the moment I was leaving Italy behind, I felt homesick. Wanted to smell the forest, the rich loam back at the edge of the woods, the point where they were kissed by the sea and sun.
Emmett leaned down to whisper in my ear, the lapel of his jacket brushing against my collarbone. "I know, wolf. You two were like babes around her, but I assure you she was properly burned."
The man Edward was talking to found our conversation ominous, because he pushed the passports at Edward and mumbled into a walkie-talkie.
"What a way to end your birthday, huh?" Emmett shot me his trademark sexy grin, and I nudged his elbow.
"Was the best ever, thanks to you and Edward."
"The captain is just checking with the air controller, Jacob." Edward's soft touch on the nape of my neck calmed me down. He gently pushed me towards the stairs that led to the airplane and the three of us strolled across the runway, the setting sun glinting off the hangar reserved for corporate jets. "And to further reassure you, Emmet and I made sure there was nothing left of her."
We didn't have much chance to talk as we boarded the plane. I whistled at the leather couch opposite the big seats.
Emmett made his way to the seat that had a video console. "Plenty of leg room, Jacob."
"That's for sure, man." I sat down in front of him, pushing away the stalks of the carnations that peeked out of the vase on the table. The grey laptop to my left gleamed in the soft overhead light.
Edward splayed himself on the leather seat behind Emmett, pulling a black laptop towards him.
Wondered what he wanted with it.
"I'm going to research the provenance of that photo, Jacob," he said, his fingers dancing over the keyboard.
The rumbling of the plane taking off caused the seats to wobble, and Emmett fished out the headphones to start playing the video game on the screen.
"Pass me your phone, will you, Emmett?" Edward said, his gaze intent on the screen.
"Sure thing, man." Emmett turned around and threw him the phone like it was a baseball. If it had hit the fuselage it would've made a hole, but Edward caught it easily.
"Thanks."
"No problem, I've a spare one."
I raised my eyebrows at Edward. 'Noticed you had your phone in the car.'
"I'm a bit paranoid, Jacob." He shrugged. "With this situation, I don't want anyone tracing the number."
"Guess that's understandable."
The plane rolled down the jetway and lurched as its wings grabbed purchase, and then it began to bank sharply upwards. Glanced out of the window and saw the red and green lights along the runway falling away from us as we rushed towards the dark sea.
I was too wired up, so I fidgeted on the seat. For once, the presence of my mates wasn't soothing; the wolf felt a threat in the air and chafed at being trapped inside this metal coffin full of strange scents. I knew the full moon, plus all the jumbled thoughts inside my head, had him worked up.
Tried hard to relax and calm myself so my wolf would be a source of strength and not confusion.
As we flew over the Mediterranean coast, slicing upwards through the thick cloud cover like a knife, I sighed in weariness and my gaze fell on the moon. Leaned forward and raised my hand, opening my palm as I pressed it against the cold glass. The moon looked so near, just a mere step away. Wondered what Ephraim Black would say if he were here.
I muttered a prayer to Q'wati so he would protect my loved ones as I glanced at Emmet, who was intent on killing monsters, and Edward's mop of unruly hair as he bent over the machine.
The big guy obviously was keeping an eye on me, for he said, "Sexy wolf, calm down!"
Emmett stood up and reached his arm, the headphones dangling from his waistline as he brushed his fingers through my hair. "I'm tempted to strip you bare and let you ride my lap. I'm sure that will calm you down!"
I groaned and looked at the window to hide my blush, my entrance twitching at his words.
"Emmett!" Edward called out sharply. "We don't have time for that. I'm busy tracking the origins of the photo!"
"There you go again, Edward," Emmett said in a tight voice.
"We have to face this threat, Emmett!" Edward stabbed his finger on the keyboard, groaning.
I glanced up at Emmett and saw him grimace in disgust. Was this what Marcus had hinted at? Triangles are unstable and it fell on me to play the peacemaker? I didn't know what to say though.
Stood up and draped my arm around Em's shoulder, my fingers brushing his cotton shirt. Actually, Edward's words gave me pause because I had been thinking along the same lines; we were too busy having sex to take care of the dangers that appeared to crop up out of nowhere.
"Don't listen to him, Jacob." Emmett stepped towards the couch and sat down, yanking my arm to pull me towards him. I leaned down, laying my torso on his lap. The position was a bit uncomfortable. Emmett must have noticed because he hooked his arm around my knees and pulled up my legs. Ended up cuddling along his big body, my head nestled on the crook of his arm. Grinned up at him as my fingers traced his wicked dimples. "Big guy, I'm tired right now."
Yanked the wire and pushed the headphone jack onto his big chest. "Later, man."
"It's your loss, Jake." He shrugged and rubbed his thumb against my palm as he took out his phone with his other hand.
"What are you doing?" I said, raising my hand to cover my yawn.
The swaying of vehicles had always lulled me to sleep. Dad said I usually fell asleep on mom's lap when he drove to visit his friends at the Quinault Rez.
"Playing a game, Jacob," Emmett said softly, his fingers gently rubbing my scalp.
Edward grumbled occasionally, in counterpoint to the soft humming of the engines; Emmett jiggled his arm as he kept on playing the app on his phone. Almost as effective as a lullaby. Tilted up my chin and gazed out the window at the moon, hardly visible through the ghostly shroud of the clouds. Yawned widely and rubbed my cheek against Emmett's taut chest, and then I fell asleep.
oOoOo
I knew I was dreaming from the start. Felt surreal because I was rushing madly through the forest with a small child on my back, my paws kicking up a flurry of snow. The occasional brown bark was a dash of color against the snow-covered tree canopies as the child clutched my withers, her small hands trembling with fear. My wolf urged me to run faster, for the child was in danger: her welfare came before mine, the knowledge rising from deep inside.
I knew then that the child was my imprint. She was everything to me, and the wolf inside huffed his approval at protecting her.
In the logic of dreams, I felt warm and happy under the imprint - the thing I loathed most of all. Part of another world, my dream-self had forgotten about Edward and Emmett.
My hackles rose when I scented the sickly-sweet smell of vampire. They were coming for her, but I wouldn't allow them to touch her!
Sensed the vampire right upon us and on my next step, my hind paws grabbed purchase in the exposed roots of a tree, and I leaped high on the air, turning sideways to meet the intruder as my jaws closed with a snap on the dreadful enemy.
Landed with a thud near a tall pine as momentum pulled me forward, my back striking the rough bark and spilling the child on the ground. The dislodged snow from the canopy fell on us. I squinted down at the man whose shoulders were caught between my jaws, and my heart lurched painfully in my chest when I realized it was Edward!
"Hísta álita, Jacob, I'm dying," he said as a thin crack spread down from his collarbone.
Sat up with a start and my head bumped hard against the window. Felt strong arms wrap around my shoulders as Edwards's cold fingers rubbed my chin. "It was just a dream, Jacob, just a dream."
"Ayáso-cha?" My fingers gripped his arm, and in my worry I didn't notice I had spoken Quileute until I looked up and saw Emmett's frown. "How are you, Edward?"
"I'm fine, mutt," he said, his fingers cupping my chin and tilting it up so I could look into his handsome face. "You are no match for me, even in dreams."
His scent and touch comforted me as I let out a deep sigh, my hand snaking up so I could touch his face.
"Why didn't you wake him up, Emmett?"
"Excuse me; I don't have your awesome powers!" Emmett huffed and threw the phone across the aisle.
Cradling my head, Edward snarled, "I trust you with him, but you're stuck up in your games!"
'That's enough, Ed!'
My fingers rubbed Emmett's abs. "I'm ok, big guy."
Guessed the strain of the new revelation caused them to snipe at each other. I worried my bottom lip, noting Emmett's tight expression. I knew he cared about stuff as much as Edward, but Emmett just laughed at the world and shot a sarcastic remark while Edward brooded endlessly.
"I'll have you know I do not brood, wolf."
"Ouch!" My head plopped down on the armrest as he stood up.
Edward took out his phone and glanced at it. "They should bring your food any minute now, Jacob. I told them to fix you an Italian meal."
"Thanks, man." I patted my stomach
Recalling Edward's words in the weird dream, I shuddered. Then a guy opened the cabin door, holding up a tray. The odor of the spices wafting down across the cabin made me recall Mara's home.
Where was she? I had the feeling there was a whole lot more to her story, like her apparently symbiotic relationship with the Volturi.
I shrugged as I fell to, wolfing down the pasta.
Just before I started on the grilled fish, I leaned down and held up Emmett's wrist to glance at his watch. "Huh, so I was out for six hours."
"Gave me time enough to play several games, Jacob." Emmett shot me one of his devilish grins, but I could tell it was forced. The corner of his lips just weren't curled up enough.
Forked up a piece of the fish and swiped it on the sauce before swallowing, my tongue sneaking out to lick the creamy stuff on my lips.
"Could you eat more formally, Jacob?" Emmett groaned. "Your wicked tongue does things to my dick."
"Sorry, man," I said, and then took a sip of the white wine. I pointed my fork at Edward. "Any luck with the photo?" I leaned back on the couch, my fingers drumming against the smooth white leather.
"The picture is very recent, I emailed the agency but they haven't answered back." He shrugged wearily. "I phoned Carlisle and let him know how things stood. He has contacts in Brazil from the island he bought for Esme, so I'm hoping one of them knows the magazine owner."
I stood up and made my way to the restroom. Having finished my business, I washed my hands while I listened to the comforting thrum of the plane engines.
Walked softly on the carpet and glanced out the window, noticing it was almost dawn. "So, when are we arriving?"
"In two hours. We're going to be late," Edward said. "The pilot had to change the route slightly. There's a cold weather front heading towards Tulsa, Oklahoma."
"What did you say?" I sat down across from him, shaking my head. Edward's words reminded me of something.
"The pilot was concerned about turbulences," Edward said slowly.
"No, you said Tulsa."
"So what?" Emmett pursed his eyebrows in thought.
"I swear I've heard that before." I cocked my eyebrows at Emmett. "Matter of fact, it was Aro who said it."
"I don't exactly recall him saying that, Jake."
"It was in the same dream that you said…"
"What?" Emmett crossed his arms, drawing my eyes to his biceps and his bulging chest. "Spit it out, Jacob; don't just stare at me!"
"Give him time, Emmett," said Edward.
I tilted up my chin to gaze at the window as I gathered my thoughts. "It may sound weird, but the reason I picked up that magazine in Rome? It's because I heard you say the word in the title."
Emmett leaned forward to rub his thumb on my forehead. "All this sex is making you dizzy, Jake. Don't recall saying that."
I caught his hand, my fingers brushing his wrist before letting him go. "You spoke the word in my dream, and that was the reason I noticed the magazine. Our Elders have told us dreams are almost as important as visions."
"That's fine, Jacob," Edward said. "But what is about Tulsa that spikes your interest?"
I shrugged in defeat. "Heard it before in a dream, but I don't remember much. Guess it had to do with Bella."
Edward shook his head. "I'm sure your mind heard it in another context which lacks the emotions you associate with her."
"Shock and awe," Emmett quipped.
I elbowed him hard. Didn't faze him and it only caused me a sharp ache.
Edward snorted at us. "You two behave like kids." His cold fingers massaged my brow and I closed my eyes, slouching down on the couch. "Now, Jacob, relax and think of the dream. Don't try to grasp it in your hands, just let it flow."
I took a deep breath and then another, recalling my anxiety about Emmett and Edward leaving me. I was caught up in the recollection when I heard Edward's gasp.
"Tulpa. Is that the word Aro said to you in the dream?"
"Yeah, that's it." I shrugged. "Don't know what it means."
"I've heard it before." Edward stood up and walked to and fro in the narrow space between the seats, and then he glanced at Emmett. "We both have."
"I don't remember, Edward."
"It was in the Sixties. Do you remember there was a commune near Port Angeles? One day two guys talked to us. They even wanted you to join."
I snickered at the mental picture of Emmett with long flowing hair and a headband, wearing one of those weird floral shirts completely unbuttoned, showing his ripped abs and toned chest.
"Hey, wolf." Emmett poked my chest. "I wanted to join them, you know? Those hippies looked real cute."
"Whatever," I said through gritted teeth.
"Anyway, they gave you the Tibetan Book of the Dead, which you didn't even read," Edward said.
Emmett sat back, smirking at me while I shot him a glare. So the big guy was trotting his stuff in the Sixties; bet he had those hippies on the palm of his hand!
"Will you two listen to me?" Edward said exasperatedly. "You haven't realized the danger posed by this picture. I'm trying to solve the riddle and all you can do is be jealous."
"Hey, don't blow your top, man!" I lifted my hands in surrender.
"Fine, we're listening, Edward," Emmett huffed, crossing his long legs. "So what's up with this tulpa thing?"
"The book described it as a thoughtform which you can create through inner discipline."
Emmett shrugged. "I don't get it."
"Neither do I."
Edward brushed his fingers through his tousled hair as he said slowly, "The book said it was some kind of materialized thought. I just browsed it; I didn't think it was that interesting and unfortunately, the book was lost during one of our moves."
Emmett waved his hand. "So let's forget about this tulpa and concentrate on what's important. Where the hell did the pic come from?"
"I would gladly do that," Edward said, glancing at me. "But it is clear from the weft of Jacob's mind that it is important."
I patted Emmett's shoulder. "Man, your dream-self gave me the clue to pick up that mag and find out about Bella. Dreams are important." I shrugged in resignation.
"I get it that they are important, wolf." Emmet lifted his eyebrow. "What do they have to do with the spoiled princess though?"
"Good point, Em," I said, and turned to face Edward. "I still don't see the connection."
"It all ties in with her powers." Edward's eyes strayed towards the cockpit. "I've mulled some ideas about what it all means, nothing concrete though. What is imperative is that we gather all the information we can if it turns out she isn't dead."
He stood up and made his way to the seat across the aisle, fast as lightning.
"What are you doing, man?"
"That book I told you about?" Edward's fingers drummed nervously against the laptop. "It may have the information we need."
"So with your memory, what do you need that for?" I motioned at the machine.
"There were other concerns in my mind." Edward shrugged and bent over the keyboard, his fingers moving fast as he opened a browser window and started searching. "It was published by a small firm that specialized in Oriental philosophy. They went bankrupt a few years ago."
"So, you're looking for a book handler?" Emmett said.
"Exactly." Edward's lips tilted up in a small smile, and then he frowned. "I guess Carlisle has news."
Edward fished out his mobile and took the call. He nearly dropped the phone at the voice that answered, though.
"Hello, Edward." Alice's tinny voice over the phone gave me the shivers.
Emmett sprang up and dashed towards Edward, his hand reaching out for the phone. Edward snarled at him and clutched the phone to his chest. In his distraction it was easy for me to make my way towards them, snaking my hand between my lovers to grab the phone.
"What do you want?" I snarled at her, hardly recognizing my voice.
Edward's fingers stole over mine and he whispered in my ear. "I want to hear what she wants to say, ok?"
I nodded reluctantly, pushing the mobile onto his palm.
"Alice, how did you get this number?"
"It doesn't matter at the moment, Edward!" The pixie sounded angry and in a hurry. Edward glanced at Emmett and cocked his head toward the front of the jet. Emmett nodded and nonchalantly made his way there.
"Answer me, dammit!" growled Edward, his fingers searching blindly for my arm.
I glanced at Emmett, who appeared ready to break through the cabin door and storm the cockpit. So Edward suspected a trap.
"Edward, if you must know, I had a vision."
"You can't see Jacob; he's out of your reach!"
"Of course he is," she snorted. "The Government, however, lacks that ability...yet."
"What do you mean?"
"Time's running out, so I'll just say my piece," Alice said wearily. "To assuage your nerves and those of the dog…"
"Don't call him that!"
"As I was saying," she went on, disregarding Edward's furious tone. "I had a vision of a government report detailing your name and your phone number."
"What? My name in a report?"
"Bella was right, dear brother, you are so naïve!"
"He isn't!" I yelled.
I couldn't help but wonder at the composure of the pixie. She who was Bella's number one fan appeared too collected. Almost made me doubt their girl bromance. I expected Alice to rant and rave at us; instead, she was calm.
"Alice, this is Emmett's phone. Even if they had my number, this one should be…"
"Voice-recognition software, Edward. The Government has a precise profile of each of us."
Emmett glided towards us.
"That can't be!" I said loudly, and then lowered my voice to a whisper, gripping Edward's arm. "They would kill you guys!"
I shuddered at the thought of losing my mates.
"The Government is really curious about vampires," Alice went on. "As long as the Volturi keep us in check, it doesn't matter to them if we kill a mortal now and then."
"You mean they know about us?" Edward said, exchanging a worried look with us.
"They've been aware of our existence for the last few years," Alice mumbled. "That's what I garnered from my vision."
"What else did you see, Alice?" Emmett said softly, his big hand patting Edward's shoulder.
"NATO satellites over Tuscany recorded the battle, you know," Alice said worriedly. "Imaging software allowed them to identify each individual. Luckily, they concluded it was a Volturi turf war and left it at that."
"So that means Jacob's cover is blown," Emmett said.
"They know about us, Emmett," Alice said. "But they don't know about the dogs."
"What do you mean?" I said.
"Their state-of-the-art software only turned up images of giant wolves, not the moment of their transformation," Alice said harshly. "It would seem your powers shield you from them, too."
"Good for you!" Emmett said.
"But not for us!" Alice's tone betrayed her agitation. "You don't know the full extent of the future, but you had to ruin it by acting against Bella!"
"You're spoiled princess tried to kill Jacob and me!" growled Emmett.
"You men are so blind!" Alice nearly wailed. "Your minds are closed! Bella acted in the grip of her newborn craze. If Edward had turned her, his love and care would have soothed the inevitable lust for blood. Instead, Bella was changed by Irina and as a result, her bloodthirstiness grew until it couldn't be contained."
"She was mad!" I said.
"Like all newborns, she would have returned to normal in the span of a year."
My heart beat madly and a stab of exquisite pain shot through my chest at that. Could Alice be right? Had it been only a matter of time until the old Bella came back, my best friend?
"Don't torture yourself, Jacob." Edward squeezed my wrist. "You have no way of knowing if that's true. We don't even know Alice's motives in helping turn Bella!"
"Don't you see that I had to do it?" Alice said forlornly. "Else Bella would have died and our future would cease to exist."
"Please, Alice!" Emmett snorted. "Don't tell me our future depended on the spoiled princess!"
"I have to go now," Alice said, "The hacking I've done will be discovered any second now and the phone number traced. The protection of your mutt is limited."
"Before you go," Edward said. "What can you tell me about…?"
"Bella was one of those manifestations you seek," Alice said simply. "Your wolf is the other, and there's a third…"
"Wait, Alice! Wait!" Edward growled in despair but the phone was dead. Alice had ended the call. His fist inexorably closed around the case until it cracked open, the parts spilling down to the carpeted floor of the plane with a soft thud.
oOoOo
We didn't say anything for a while, too stunned to form words.
Lifted up my hand to shield my eyes from the morning sun as the plane began its descent towards Forks Airport.
Alice's words had wounded me. In my rage at Bella, I never thought of walking away and just let her be. She had threatened my mates.
"And Bella herself followed us to Volterra," Edward said.
"But if I had been more grown up..." I trailed off, my fingers rubbing my forehead.
"Guys, could you stop talking about her?" Emmett said.
"What did Alice mean about her being a manifestation?" Edward mused. "I wish I had been speaking to her face to face. I would have read her mind."
"She was too calm about Bella, though. Hardly fazed at all," I said, putting on the safety belt and glancing down at the endless green of Olympic National Park. Leastways, I was home again.
"That is strange. Bella was a large part of her world." Edward nodded somberly.
"And yours too, it seems," Emmett mumbled.
The jet landed with a jolt and the seats swayed slightly as it slowed down. I sighed deeply at the copse of threes just a few yards away as the plane lurched to a stop.
"I wonder why the pixie wasn't in that picture with Bella." I glanced at Edward.
"That is odd." Edward nodded. "In a par with Alice's absence at the battle."
There was a thudding sound which I guessed were the stairs being connected to the fuselage. A few seconds later the captain came out of the cockpit and nodded at us, and then opened the exit.
"You would think that if she cared so much about Bella…" I said.
"Emmett, don't!" Edward's sharp tone made me look up.
Emmett was in front of us, his arms crossed. His flaring nostrils betrayed his anger.
"I'm fed up with you and your Bella!" he said.
"Em, what do you mean?"
"I get it that you're worried about her coming back. But she's all you think about!"
"Man, I don't…"
"Emmett, we really…"
"Enough!" He leaned down and stared at me, my heart thudding against my chest at the anguish stamped on his handsome features. He reached out his hand and his fingers brushed my cheek. "Do you know how hard it was for me to fall for you, knowing the bond between you two?"
"Emmett, I…"
He pressed his thumb against my lips.
"Sweet Jacob, I can deal with your feelings for Edward, for I share them," he said roughly. "Let me share my fears then. What if she comes back? What if she's the same shallow and egoist woman she was before, but saner? You two will be on her beck and call, fulfilling her every wish."
"I swear to you I won't, Em, I swear…"
Emmett strolled down the cabin towards the exit. "I need time to think over this thing between us. I'll be around."
"Come back, please!" I chocked back a sob as I wrestled with the damned safety belt. Then I stood up and stepped towards the exit, but Edward's hand around my arm held me back.
"Give him time, Jake," he said in a soft voice. "Emmett is jealous and confused. He'll come to his senses soon."
"Lemme go!" I tried to yank my arm free. Couldn't just stand there and see one of my mates walking away from me!
"I know him. When he's anxious, he seeks the solitude of the forest."
"Let me go, or I'll phase right here and now and tear this damned plane to shreds!"
Edward relented and I dashed through the cabin and down the stairs. It was useless; Emmett was nowhere in sight. I kicked the asphalt in despair, and I looked at the trees, my vision blurred by tears.
"Emmett will come back," Edward said. His cool tone grated on my nerves, and I lost my temper. It was him who kept me from following Emmett and talk him down from leaving us; it was Edward who kept antagonizing Emmett on the flight.
"Shut up, just shut up!" I shouted. "Was this your plan all along, Cullen? Wanted me for yourself and Emmett stood on your way? Since it's time to let down our masks, wanna know my fear?"
"Jacob, don't!"
"What if Bella comes back and you leave me for her?" I said hoarsely, wiping my wet cheek with the back of my hand. "What if what we have is as fleeting as moonlight, huh?"
'What if you forget about me?'
"Jacob, if your trust my love so little, I'd better leave you alone."
"What?" I gasped and turned around, but there was no trace of Edward. I saw a flicker of bronze against the trees and then, nothing.
Felt dazed, as if in a dream. This couldn't be real! I couldn't just lose my mates in the span of a few minutes. Wanted Edward to fight with me, to snarl and glare at me, to remain with me at the end like always.
What had I done?
I glanced to my left at South Forks Avenue; bereft of traffic, it was as lonely as I felt.
There was a Mercedes limousine right next to the stairs, and I walked up to it, unmindful of the curious stares of the other crew members that were checking the plane.
The driver stepped out of the car, motioning to the rear. "Sir, Mr. Cullen instructed me to drive you wherever you wanted."
I nodded dumbly, my gaze falling on the leather bag which held my clothes and stuff.
"I'll take a walk. My friends are nearby," I hastily mumbled the explanation and ran towards the forest.
Once the copse of trees shielded me from the eyes of strangers, I phased.
The cotton fibers of my slacks and shirt rained down on my fur as I ran madly towards the Rez.
When I paused in a meadow, I lifted my muzzle and saw the faint moon which was still visible amid the blue sky.
I howled my pain at the moon, wondering if she felt as lonely up there as I did down here. Recalled the night when Edward and I danced on the snow, and faraway Italy, where the moon presided over Emmett winning my heart fair and square.
And I wondered if I would ever see my lovers again.
tbc
Author's note: Hísta álita in Quileute means 'Give me food.'
Ayáso-cha? means 'How are you?'
