New Year's Eve here in Australia and very hot! 36°c! Hope you all have a wonderful 2017 xx Thanks for your support and I hope you continue to love my future stories

Chapter 13

Bella

The urge to bind myself to Edward over powered me. I was scared earlier, rather than unwilling, but giving myself to Edward only strengthened the need for him. As our wrists joined together white hot light radiated behind my eyelids, as if I was literally seeing his soul caressing mine.

We lay back together in each other's arms, completely consumed by the love we shared. I was curious to see what, if any, impact it would have on our abilities or our feelings towards one another, but for now, I remained blissfully still next to my soulmate.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Edward shot up defensively, and stalked toward the door, easing as he reached it.

I quickly threw some clothes on and passed Edward some pants.

"Jas," he said, before opening the door to let his friend in.

The look on Jasper's face, however, was anything but friendly. It was fearful.

"Jas…what is going on?" Edward asked slowly.

"Alice…..it's Alice…." Jasper replied, head in his hands.

"Victoria." I spoke her name so low, only immortal ears were able to hear it.

"It won't be Victoria, Bella, please don't worry…" Edward trailed off when he met Jasper's eyes.

Victoria has her Edward, and she's coming for Bella.

"Noooo!" I collapsed to the ground.

"How did you…I only spoke to…"

"Did you just hear Jasper?" Edward asked me, gently brushing my hair from my wet eyes.

"I….did I? How could I?" Realisation hit me. "Oh."

"Does someone want to fill me in?"

"We performed the soulmating Jas. It's only just happened. I'm assuming we are more connected now than before."

Can you hear me now, my love?

I nodded at Edward. Wow. This was going to take some getting used to. But right now I needed to focus on finding Alice, and turning my evil maker into a pile of vampire dust.

"Jasper. Tell me exactly what happened."

Alice was meeting a potential buyer for her latest line in Seattle. I wanted to go with her, but she was only going to be gone half a day and would drive back afterwards. And she wanted me to stay behind to see if either of you returned home. She let me know she arrived in Seattle and promised to ring after her meeting. A few hours passed and I hadn't heard from her, so I tried her cell.

He paused, and took a deep breath before continuing.

She told me Victoria was coming for you next, Bella. I'm going to Seattle to track her from the place Alice had her meeting. I wanted to come here first to let you know.

Jasper looked at me sadly.

"I'm so sorry Bella, I didn't know."

"Jas. How could you? I don't blame you at all, if anything, I blame myself. If I was at home still, you would have gone with Alice and she would have had protection."

It was true. I was the reason Alice was left vulnerable, and I was sure as hell going to fix it.

All of a sudden, Edward's head shot up, followed my mine and Jasper's. There was an immortal nearby. Was Victoria here already? That bitch was going to pay for what she did – for today and for decades of torture.

Crash!

The front door was charged down by a burly vampire with eyes full of anger.

"I have come on behalf of Victoria," he growled.

"And she will be coming with me!" he pointed in my direction.

Edward and Jasper crouched defensively in front of me.

I can take care of myself, Edward!

I know you can Bella. But he will need to get through me first!

Without hesitating, the big vamp launched himself at Edward. Sadly for him, he didn't realise the silent plan Jas and Edward had formulated without his knowledge. As he had Edward pinned down, snapping and snarling at him, Jasper tackled him off Edward, knocking over the couch and smashing into the fireplace. Not good. The flames jumped and the rug caught fire.

That didn't stop the brute, as he caught hold of Jaspers arms and launched him into a wall. Jasper lay motionless on the floor. His focus shifted back to Edward. They ran at each other, fire starting to spread behind them, and collided with each other mid-air. He flipped Edward and pinned him stomach down, head starting to pull from his neck. The stranger was too distracted with finishing Edward, to realise Jasper had picked up a broken curtain rod from the ground next to him. He flew up into the air, and slammed the rod through the burly immortal's chest. He started to rot, than his body turned into a pile of dust on top of Edward.

I rushed to Edward to see if he needed healing, but his body was quickly recovering on its own.

"One down," Jasper remarked. "Although the fire is taking over this cabin. We best leave now."

I was sad to see the cabin start to perish, as it held a few special memories for Edward and I. But there was nothing that could be done now. And besides, we couldn't waste any time. Alice was in serious danger.

"Jasper, can you lead us to Alice's last known…"

Ring, ring.

"Carlisle?" Jasper answered.

"Jas there's no time to explain in depth. I'm in Aro's compound. I have Alice. She's safe, for now. Aro and his guards have left. I may be myself or Demetri. Come immediately."

Click.

"Jas..?" I begin to ask.

How fast can you run to Seattle Bella?

My last run to Seattle was exactly seven minutes and twenty-three seconds. Not full speed, but fairly close. I needed to give it everything I had in me. I hit the half-way point in two and a half minutes, the boys kept up easily, just as determined to get to Alice and Carlisle as I was. We made it to Aro's mansion in under five minutes.

There were no guards on duty, as Carlisle had said, so Edward led the way in. I cringed remembering why Edward knew the route so easily. His last visit was under similar circumstances, except now, hopefully, we had the upper hand. He led us through a large medieval archway and through enormous wooden doors, into an entry hall. We continued along a number of corridors, until we reached a solid iron door, with intricate metal scrolling decorating it.

Carlisle, we're here. Jasper spoke to his maker.

After a couple of minutes, the door creaked open and a petite pixie-like vampire stood there.

I wanted to move, but my knees buckled and I fell to the floor.

"Bella, shhh, everything is going to be okay."

Alice fell beside me, pulling me into her arms.

Sister, I thought we were too late. All of the things I imagined….I will never forgive myself for leaving you.

You couldn't have known Bella. You have always protected me, kept me safe. Even when we were under her control. I love you my darling. We are together now. Don't cry.

Alice, my darling Alice. If it was possible for an immortal to have a heart, she would be the only one. Her compassion for others above herself was like no other.

Where's Victoria?

We rose to our feet and she led me into the chamber.

"You must be Bella," smiled a handsome, blonde haired immortal, who I assumed to be Carlisle.

I nodded, and smiled in return.

"Where is she?" I asked, through gritted teeth.

"Victoria has been silvered and is being held down in her own dungeon for now. Fortunately for us, Aro built her a custom vampire cell, lined with silver, and rigged with other nasty surprises in case of escape. She's secure."

I didn't want her secure. I wanted that bitch suffering, just like we and many others had.

"I understand how you must be feeling, Bella. But first, I have some things to explain to you all. I'm sure there are questions."

As much as I wanted to exact my revenge, I was intrigued. So I welcomed Edward's open arms and waited for Carlisle to speak.