Chapter 12
I swallowed one last time, and sighed. I could almost feel my eyes brightening to a warm gold instead of their previous black. I gently picked up the hollow animal in my hands and buried it nearby.
Once we had all fed, everyone was in a decidedly better mood, especially with the news that we would get the chance to "kick some angel ass", as Emmett had so delicately put it.
On the way to the forest we were currently in, Edward and Jasper had given me some tips about fighting. I didn't feel comfortable practicing with either one of them; at least not yet. Obviously, since none of us had fought any creature of this kind before, we had no idea what their attacking style would be like. We would all just have to brace ourselves and concentrate.
After running back to the city centre, it was almost dawn. We met most of the wolves, thoroughly exhausted, by an entrance to one of the underground stations. Most of them were in human form now at risk of being spotted.
Emmett, trying to make an effort to be civil to our natural enemies, punched a hugely yawning Jacob playfully on the shoulder. "Bet you're looking forward to the brawl, right?" he questioned, smiling. No prizes for guessing which of us was most excited about the fight…
"Yeah, it should be fun," Jacob grinned back. "I haven't fought anything but curious humans and other wolves since twelve years ago," he admitted. I could tell by the sparkle in his sleepy eye that he really was looking forward to it. I shuddered; was I the only one not excited by the thought of ridiculous violence?
Apparently, I was. The other wolves were just as hyped-up as Jake, and most of them didn't want to sleep. We continued patrolling the city together until the sun finally rose up in the sky.
The sky was clear, and as soon as the sun appeared, it blinded me with its brightness. Considering the day was so light, all the Cullens were banished to underground. Attracting unwanted human attention at this point would certainly not be advised.
Or would it..?
I placed a cold hand on Alice's shoulder. She had seen it at the same time as me, of course; attracting human attention is exactly what we needed to do! She smiled in my direction, and gave a nod of approval.
Edward, seeing Alice's vision containing my idea, approached me with a solemn look. "Just wait while I explain," I shushed him. "This could really work!"
"Guys," I addressed my family. I should really expand my vocabulary a little; I had just got so used to speaking like an eternal teenager. "I think maybe we're taking things a little too far going underground whenever it's light."
Jasper spoke first. "What do you mean, Bella? If we were out in the sun, there's no doubt people would notice we're not… ordinary." He seemed uncomfortable admitting we could not pass for human in the sunlight.
"But that's just it, Jazz," Alice chirped. "If we attract human attention, we can also attract inhuman attention!"
"Make them come to us," I concluded. Alice raised her hand for a high-five, but Edward interrupted.
"Surely there are less… obvious ways to attract their attention, girls," he said almost patronisingly. "It's too risky; what if we get caught? Or the Volturi find out?"
"We'll just have to be subtle about it then, won't we?" I retorted.
"Obvious and subtle at the same time. It might take some luck, but I think we can do it," Emmett decided. "I'm in." Rosalie took his hand. "Me too."
I glanced at Jasper, silently asking his approval. "I'm not sure… I'm tempted to agree with Edward." Alice pouted, and fluttered her eyelashes at him. "However… I also trust my wife's decisions, especially as she can see what's going to happen and all. I'm in," he agreed. I flashed a grin at Alice, commending her.
Esme nodded her head. "I'm happy to try your idea, Bella, and I'm sure Carlisle will be too." I made a note to ask at a more appropriate time where Carlisle was; he was missing again today.
Edward, being the only one not having agreed to my idea, shook his head in anguish. "Fine. I'm in too. But don't say I didn't warn you," he muttered. I squeezed his hand gently, understandingly, and he sighed in response.
"This needs planning," Alice decided. "Let's get to work."