CHAPTER 13

Previously: Benjamin turns to Leah, startling her again. His eyes are steel determination, and for the third time that day, he grabs her arms, "Leah." His voice comes out strong, "Do you believe in reincarnation?"

Leah blanches and knocks his hands away. She finds herself across the clearing, practically spitting fire, "What the fuck is your problem?"

Leah's thoughts are so loud that it takes a few minutes for her pack brother's voices to fade in. They wash over her like the waves of a calming seal, it's like a breath of fresh air, and different from how she is usually greeted.

Leah, what's wrong? Jacob's voice breaks through first; his had to fights it's way through the storm inside her brain. She knows that they are being hit in the face with everything that is going on inside her.

Nothing. She answers, which is easier than saying everything. Besides, if they manage to sort out her thoughts (which even she cannot do) they can get the full picture.

Leah, Seth whines, his voice coming through as well. Leah growls, she hates it when Seth whines at her. You okay?

Yeah, She manages, Benjamin just freak me out.

Embry is there next, his presence slightly dimmer than Jacob and Seth's, Want us to beat him up? He jokes.

Leah concentrates on the way her feet are moving in front of her, on the way the trees blur and how she instinctively knows how to avoid them. Her body twists left then right, then left again, bending, moving with the Earth. No wonder she moves so fast when she runs, she's practically apart of the forest.

Slow down, Seth whines, how are you moving so fast?

The world blurs around her, and slowly, her vision does too, morphing into something else, until suddenly, her feet are no longer against the forest floor.

There is an arm around her, browner than her Quileute brothers, but practically glowing against the sun.

She turns her head and sees…Benjamin. Smiling widely to reveal two deeply set dimples and a row of perfect teeth. Leah is intrigued before she is cautious; he looks so much younger despite the fact that he has to be the exact same age as he is now.

His eyes are a deep chestnut brown that are just light enough that she can see his pupils, not the frightening red she is so used to seeing.

He just looks…so carefree, so open.

But why is she here? What is this? Why is his arm around her shoulders? Leah wants to move from his grip but instead, her body moves closer. She feels her lips smile, she feels her mouth moving, "I have to leave soon."

Benjamin drops his arm and Leah feels a loss of warmth, she pouts against her will. "When will you return?"

"Soon," Leah finds herself replying, but feels something unsettling in the pit of her stomach. Like she's lying. "I promise."

"How long?"

"A few days." Leah says. The feeling persists. "Father says we will stay in Turkey for only three days."

"Leila," The name sounds familiar but… His hands are back on her waist and she hates to like it, "I know when you're lying."

Her mouth moves, "But I'm not—"

"It's going to be ok, Leila" He says the name likes it's a sigh; a wave of calm over her ever frantic lies. He has big hands, and they ghost over her hips, massaging calm into her skin. "It's going to be okay."

Leila. Leah frowns. Leila.

Something else twists in her naval. And suddenly, like a switch has been turned on, she is no longer Leah, she is Leila.

Leila grips his fingers where they rest on his waist, "Can't we talk about something else?"

"Like what?" He humors her. Leila pouts again as she stares up at him, his dimples have disappeared into his face, there is a slight worry line forming between his eyebrows. She uses her fingers to wipe it away. She's always touching him; she likes touching him. He is so warm and inviting, and he is hers.

"Anything but Turkey and Adelet, please," Leila answers. "Anything in the world."

The world stops spinning and Leah finds herself resting against a tree. Her head pounds, even more so now, and she has no idea what the fuck just happened.

She waits a few seconds for her eyes to adjust; everything seems dizzy and blurry then…

What the fuck was that?! Embry's voice is first this time.

Was that Ben? Seth comes next, and some girl…

Leah wants to die, her head is pounding. The rain begins to weigh her fur down.

What the fuck guys, Quil is there too, I just got here and wha—

Yo, I'm fucked up, that was fucked up, Embry continues

Leah, are you okay? That's Seth.

Who's head did that come from? Quil.

Dude, shut up. Seth. Leah, you all right?

Is this what an aneurysm is like? Embry.

Leah? That's Seth again.

EVERYBODY SHUT UP. That's Jacob. We need to figure out just what happ-

Guys please—Leah begins, before her world warps all over again.

A hand comes and tucks her hair behind her neck.

"Act like lady," A woman with the same thick hair commands, "For once, Leila."

"What does acting like a lady consist of, exactly?" Leah finds herself replying tersely. "Adelet should see the true monster I am."

The woman beside her gasps, clicking her tongue, "Leila! My child, why would you speak of yourself in such a way?"

"It was a joke," She tries, "Mother, please. I'll be a good girl for Adelet, just like I always am."

Gold jewelry hangs from her wrists and her ears. She grimaces uncomfortably as her mother fits a red scarf over her hair; it's tight and constricting nature sending pangs of annoyance through her body. Her mother is a whispering mess beside her, because Leila isn't just engaged to Adelet, she's engaged to the Sultan's son, a detail she likes to forget.

She has never really mentioned that little fact to Benjamin; she's too scared that he'll freak out and react drastically. She had let him believe that Adelet was just a random governor's son, not the heir to the entire Ottoman Empire.

Her stomach boils with guilt as she plays with the bangles around her wrist. She should've told him the truth all along.

Minutes later, two men stroll in. One, her father the other…Adelet. He stands tall, with dark hair and fair skin, he is dressed in long robes, and his self-satisfied smirk makes Leila's skin crawl.

He strides over to her, tucking a loose curl behind her scarf, "Hello again, fiancé."

He likes calling her that; something like a brand or label. She has no guess that she will become 'wife' and then 'child bearer' and eventually 'object that occasionally speaks but doesn't have a right to an opinion.' These thoughts leave a sour taste in her mouth; she doesn't even try to smile when his hands touch her.

His hands are always touching her. It's a territorial thing, she knows. Her own father does it with her mother, and it is gross, not romantic or loving at all. Adelet taps under her chin, "Did you miss me?"

Her lips twists something mean, but she controls herself before anyone can see. She lets an almost-smile be her answer.

Something flashes in his eyes that Leila doesn't like. The grip he has around her shoulders becomes uncomfortable.

"Your wedding," Her father announces from a few feet away, "Is scheduled for two months from now. We have lots of planning to do."

Leila feels her stomach twist. She cannot marry him. She feels sick to her stomach; she does not want to marry him.

She wants Benjamin. She needs Benjamin.

Her vision dims and her ears are ringing. She can hear her brothers' voices fading in from the background, more confused than panicked. She tries to tune them out but their voices are just as abrasive as the visions.

Leah phases out as quickly as possible. She can't think and she can barely feel the rest of her body. She had destroyed her clothing minutes before when she had angrily stormed away from the leech, now she's naked, alone, and in the rain.

This is like, a fucked up Lifetime movie or something, She thinks idly, leaning against a large oak tree behind her. Her head is killing her, and she doesn't want to get up until it stops. Besides, she'd have to phase again, and like she wants the boys back in her head after that. They're probably trying to find her anyway, it'll only take a dew minutes anyway, as all they'll have to do is find and follow her scent.

She tries to connect the pieces but all she can think is that Benjamin did something to her and cause all this crazy head stuff. He had spoken of someone named Leila…. but that's not…that has nothing to do with her.

She rubs her temples, and then her hair, almost feeling shocked that it is straight instead of curly and messy. She squeezes her eyes shut and takes a deep breath trying to center herself.

And then she is knocked off balance all over again, her world flips upside down.

"Don't be so off-putting when you meet my parents," Adelet says, "They are under the impression that you are a nice obedient girl, and I'm sure your father would like to keep it that way."

"Do you want to keep it that way?" She challenges, her eyes like steel. What does she care what his parents think? Besides, she wants to know his response; she wants to know what kind of husband he will be.

"Yes." He replies curtly, "My parents and the public. You represent me, now."

So, that kind. Leila frowns at him, "We're separate entities, I represent myself."

"Look," Adelet's eyes shine with annoyance, "You're very pretty, but you're very annoying, and frankly, stupid. I don't know who taught these things, but here, you speak when spoken too, you remain behind me, and you will represent me, and represent me well."

Leila goes silent, her lips trembling with anger. There are so many words that want to slip past her lips. She bites her tongue.

Her mother had once been as free and open as the sky, she'd told stories of women pharaohs and Goddesses of ancient times who spoke of wisdom and bravery, why now, should they ever come second? Her mother had wanted her to be a strong leader one day.

Her mother was vocal and then she was silent. She faded and became the sand on the ground. Under the feet of her father, no longer advocating for the voices of women.

Leila does not know what happened to her mother, but it will surely not happen to her.

Adelet takes her silence as acceptance, he puts and arm around her shoulders, "Do not worry, all you will have to do for the rest of your life here is stand beside me and look pretty, and when you're old and moldy you can stand behind my son and I and look proud."

She thinks her eye twitches. What a witless idiot. Her thoughts become violent as his hand slides to the small of her back. They move towards the dinning room together, she thinking of ways to kill him in his sleep and make it look like an accident.

"Smile," He demands, "My mother doesn't like it when women look miserable in pubic."

Wellll excuse me, her face turns sour, she shoots him a burning death glare, no longer scared of what he will do.

He does move to do something, his hand slips from her back to grab something else, but before he can lay a grimy finger on her, the doors to the dinning room open. A maid greets them with a bow, and Adelet drops his arm back to her waist. "The Sultan awaits."

He pushes her forward, his hand hard against her skin, leaving burn marks; a fresh wound full of hate.

.

"Lei—"

"Leah!"

Her eyes snap open, and she sits up, confused and finding her fingers digging into the earth around her. Her head is spinning, and for a moment, she thinks she is going to puke.

"Go away," She manages to mutter, fuck, her stomach rolls around inside her, she feels sweat begin to gather on her forehead, fuck this is weird.

"Guys, fall back." Leah can hear Jacob order. "I'll make sure she's okay."

Leah can hear Seth whine behind him, still in wolf form, but after a while the three others pad away, obeying their alpha.

"Here," Jacob mutters. Leah doesn't look up, too afraid that the world will spin and her head will explode with image and sound again. A piece of fabric lands on her and she realizes that it's an oversized shirt that Jacob carries around (and never actually wears.)

She keeps her eyes closed as she shrugs it on. Slowly going through the movements. It falls to her thighs and she tugs it down as she stands on wobbly legs. Her head pounds with the movement so she puts an arm around Jacob's shoulders.

"What was that?" Jacob pulls her forward, "Are you alright?"

"Peachy," Leah answers sarcastically. "Walk slow or I'll puke on you."

"Okay," He obeys quickly, taking slow and deliberate steps through the forest. Leah feels two wolves come behind her. Seth walks forward and nudges her hand with his nose, whining again. Embry trails behind them and Leah assumes that Quil is the only one doing what he's supposed to be doing-patrolling the Cullen's land. She sighs and runs her fingers over his fur, scratching behind his ears. Seth continues to nudge her legs, concerned. He really does make the best dog out of all of them.

"Aren't you boys supposed to be patrolling or something?" She says.

Seth makes a weird noise and Embry walks in front of them, shrugging in the only way a wolf can. He jerks his head back and looks at his back as if to say 'hey want a ride?'

Leah declines, "I can walk better now." She's still dizzy, and she's scared that that vision thing will happen again. "I just have a headache."

Jacob doesn't let go of her. "Do you know what's happening? Those visions…they were—"

"—Were impressed, you did well." Adelet's lips curl in a way that isn't a smile. His fingers encircle her wrist, pulling her forward, "You didn't speak much."

Leila feels herself being pulled forward. She distracts herself with the lavishness of the castle instead of the callousness of his grip. She enjoys the deep reds and bright gold's around the place, and to her right is an archway, opening towards a garden in full bloom.

"Like I said," His smile his wide, he exposes all of his sparkling teeth, "You represent me, from the moment we meet. My father expects me to keep you under control, so the first meeting was more important for me than it was for you."

She keeps her eyes on the garden, just past the gold and blue tile, towards the dirt and green. She traces the plants with her eyes, wanting to sit there with Benjamin instead of being here with Adelet.

"Why was I chosen?" She asks, finally. His fingers are still pulling her along to some unknown destination. He does not want to learn about her, he doesn't want to know who she is. Why did he choose her of all the noble girls in the empire?

"I picked you." Adelet answers, his smile worse than the last, "My father gave me a list of all possible brides. You were the underdog and I figured you'd be fun. You turned out to be more tame than I imagined."

She frowns and rips her hand out his grip, her eyes narrowing dangerously "I'm a human being, not some stupid toy you can play with."

He grabs her arm and shoves her against the wall. Her back presses into the edge of a picture frame, shooting pain up her spine. "You're exactly that." He says, "Do you know how many wives my father has had?" His eyes bored into hers, full of amusement, "The woman you just met is my mother, but my father has taken others after her."

"And she just lets him treat her like that?" She can no longer bite her tongue, even under his glare, even against the wall. "That pathetic."

"You'll learn." Adelet's lips curve in something she doesn't want to call a smile. He moves his face towards hers, his lips at her ear. His right hand pushes her back against the wall again, and the expanse of his body traps her there. Leila feels panic rise in the back of her throat. The picture frame is digging into her spine his nails are digging into her skin.

"Get off of me!" She shakes, but he easily overpowers her. "Get off."

His left hand ghosts down her face and to her neck, touching gently. She can feel his body over her as he touches her. "You'll learn." He says into her ear.

Her eyes go out of focus and she looks towards at the garden again, taking in a beautiful red rose, in full bloom.

.

His lips crash on top of hers and her hands are on his chest, giving warmth with her palms. They can't breathe, they can't breathe, they can only gasp and kiss again. This type of love can only be sinful.

"Benjamin," Leila says his name like a sigh, "Oh my god, Benjamin."

His lips curve, his dimples show. "I love it when you say my name like that," He decides, before burying his face in her neck, racking his mouth across its expanse. She sits on top of him as he does so, her head thrown back. She locks her arms behind his neck, her fingers going to his hair. Her mouth opens wide as he bites.

They have gotten so good at this.

"I missed you so much," Leila sighs, and suddenly, she finds herself on her back, starring into pools of bronze.

Benjamin doesn't break the stare as he picks up the pace. "I've missed you more." He says, closing his eyes, "You don't know, I've missed you more."

.

His fingers dust over her arm, eyebrows drawn low and angry. His other fist is clenched tightly at his side. He withdraws his other hand, and holds both in his lap. "What happened?"

"-Nothing." She says, covering the purpled bruise with her top. "I walked into something."

"He did this," Benjamin's eyes are a storm, his once playful nature gone with the presence of bruises and tornadoes all wrapped up in his lover.

She doesn't answer.

"You're not going to marry him," Benjamin says, his eyes suddenly dangerous. His fingers gentle under her chin, "You're going to marry me. I promise."

.

Leah throws up her last two meals. She sways forward, the dizziness suddenly inhibiting her movement. Jacob catches her elbows before she can hit the ground. Seth and Embry are suddenly there under her, like cushions for her almost-fall. He yanks her back against his chest and the three wolf boys avoid the vomit as they do a 180 and walk in the opposite direction.

"I'm fine," Leah tries to say as Jacob all but carries her away, "Where are you taking me?"

"Carlisle." He says, dragging her along.

"I'm fine—"

Seth whines in protest, his form pressed against her back. Sometimes, even in human form, Leah forgets how big the shifters really are. They're great, giant creatures, and this one behind her basically wants to carry her the entire way home.

"You're burning up," Jacob says, his arms are around her waist, she's basically putting all her weight on his torso, "Even for a shifter." In fact, she's drenched in sweat. Her sickness had happened so quickly…it'd be best for Carlisle to take a look at her.

Her head spins, her vision blurs. Her throat is dry. She feels like she is burning. Then she feels nothing at all.

.

She is burning.

"Benjamin!" She is screaming, she is sure that she is screaming even though the words seem to be stuck in the back of her throat. She's not even screaming for herself, not for help, just…to protect him.

She is trapped by this unbearable heat. Her throat is closing up, and before she can yell, she is engulfed in a surge of coughs. But Leila continues to try, she can just see him from over the flames."Benjamin, watch out!"

She reaches for him, watching the flames engulfed her body. She reaches for him still, even if he seems to be so far away. "Benjamin."

.

Leah collapses in Jacob's arms. Seth barks, surprised and Embry is there in time to catch her, the other two too surprised to move. Jacob picks her up from off of Embry's back, surprised to find that she is literally burning with heat. "Shit, this can't be good."

Luckily, the Cullen mansion is in view. The loitering vampires clear the way, looking confused if not a little annoyed. Jacob ignores them and powers through, the other two following with Quil looking on from the edge of the land.

And then Leah moves, grimaces, and says "Benjamin." The three wolves stop for a moment and look down at her. She does not open her eyes.

At the entrance, Edward meets them, his face bewildered and concerned. He leads them up stairs to Bella's old makeshift hospital room. "I can hear her thoughts," He explains, "They're—it's—"

"Benjamin," Leah is saying again, she begins to moves in Jacob's grip. Seth whines again, rubbing his head into her dangling foot in some sort of form of comfort.

"She's burning," Edward finally says, his eyes wide. "She's actually burning."

There is silence. After a few seconds, the Egyptian vampire stands in the door way, his eyes tortured, the bags under them are worse than normal, "Burning?"

Seth actually growls at Benjamin, thinking that he had something to do with this. Jacob seconds this, his grip on Leah tightening, "What did you do to Leah?"

His eyes are wide, the orange-gold color quickly fading to black, "I- I don't know." He backs against the wall, running a hand through his hair, his shock making him look like a boy, "I don't know what I did…I—"

His eyes unceremoniously roll into the back of his head. They all stare as Benjamin becomes a marble statue, his form tightening and not moving and inch. Jacob's grip on Leah tightens, he looks from Benjamin to Edward to Benjamin again, "Is…is that supposed to happen to vampires?"

But Edward isn't listening. He just slowly shakes his head back and forth and says, "He is burning too."

An. Little side note, these flashbacks are not in chronological order, they happen sporadically, so if you're trying to piece together a time line...uhh good luck?

This might be my longest chapter.

Let me know what you think!11 The mysteries continue…