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Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, its characters, or the Wizard of Oz, which I just quoted up there in 'Reminders'
Chapter Fourteen: TroubleCarlisle:
Laurent strolled along the side wall of my study, examining my collection of art as he passed, and - just as I had expected - stopped when he reached the Waggoner.
"London, 1640's, right?" he asked. "Ah, the era of the vampire hunters. That sounds like fun."
"To you, maybe," I said. "Actually, thinking back on it now, I can't believe how ignorant we all were!" I laughed.
"We?" Laurent repeated. "You were one of them, then?"
"Yes."
He gave a low whistle, impressed, and returned his attention to the art. The next one to make him hesitate was the picture of Aro, Marcus, Caius and I, standing like gods over a realm of chaos. If only the world of artistry knew just how close they came to capturing the truth...
"I see you've had your fair share of interesting company, Carlisle," Laurent remarked. "I've heard a lot about you, but I never imagined this." He stepped out of the study and scanned the house again, clearly impressed by our standard of living. Suddenly, he and I both jumped, realising at the same moment that the house was empty.
Esme and Rosalie ran in then, flustered.
"They got away," Esme said, shaking her head and scolding herself for being so careless.
"Oh, dear," Laurent said, his cheerful expression suddenly gone. "You may want to call your family back in, Carlisle: James is not one to be messed with." Suddenly, Emmett burst through the door with Bella in his arms. Edward and Alice were only a split second behind them.
"He's tracking us," Edward announced, glaring at Laurent, who swallowed nervously.
"I was afraid of that."
...
Alice and Jasper disappeared upstairs a moment later, and Rosalie shifted to Emmett's side. Bella was still flustered and petrified.
"What will he do?" I asked Laurent, desperately trying not to sound as panicked as I felt. Outright attack? Stealthy ambush? We hadn't been under attack like this for a very long time, and from the sound of things, we'd never faced an opponent like James.
"I'm sorry," Laurent replied sincerely. "I was afraid, when your boy there defended her, that it would set him off."
"Can you stop him?" I asked, refraining the urge to shake him by the shoulders. Laurent shook his head.
"Nothing stops James when he gets started."
Esme's breathing stopped. Her hand flew into mine, and though she didn't speak I could almost hear her concern.
"We'll stop him," Emmett promised. Stop him…kill him: it seemed the only option left now. Even if we were willing to let him get Bella, there was too much of a risk to other humans who would try and defend her or who witnessed the attack – or the aftermath.
"You can't bring him down." Laurent was almost begging us to run. I wished we could take him up on his request, but running wouldn't last us long. "I've never seen anything like him in my three hundred years. He's absolutely lethal. That's why I joined his coven."
His coven? All this time he'd been pretending…Laurent flashed me an embarrassed, apologetic look.
"Are you sure it's worth it?" he asked, looking at Bella for a moment, then turning back to me. Esme's grasp on my hand tightened, and Edward roared wordlessly.
"I'm afraid you're going to make a choice," I said, my eyes boring into my guest's as I tried to ignore Esme's panicked grip on my hand. Laurent looked around at all our faces, then again passed his eyes over the rest of the house.
"I am intrigued by the life you've created here, but I won't get in the middle of this," he said. "I bear none of you any enmity, but I won't go up against James. I think I will head north – to that clan in Denali." He hesitated for a moment, and then more urgency came into his tone. "Don't underestimate James. He's got a brilliant mind and unparallelled senses. He's every bit as comfortable in the human world as you seem to be, and he won't come at you head on…I'm sorry for what's been unleashed here. Truly sorry."
Laurent bowed his head.
"Go in peace," I said. Laurent looked around himself once more, then disappeared out the door. Now that Laurent was dealt with, it was time for the issue of James. I turned to Edward.
Esme pulled away from me and headed to the glass wall, brushing her fingers over the hidden keypad. Bella gaped as metal shutters began lowering themselves over the glass. The thick steel made me feel slightly better, but with an enemy I couldn't see, it was torturous not knowing where the next attack would be coming from.
"How close?" I asked.
"About three miles out past the river," Edward replied. "He's circling around to meet up with the female."
"What's the plan?"
"We'll lead him off, and then Jasper and Alice will run her south." Edward didn't sound at all happy with that plan. It made my mouth go bitterly dry, thinking of our family so widely spread.
"And then?"
"As soon as Bella is clear, we hunt him."
It sounded so final. So much like the only way out.
"I guess there's no other choice," I had to agree.
"Get her upstairs and trade clothes," Edward demanded of Rosalie. She glared at him spitefully.
"Why should I? What is she to me – except a menace, a danger you've chosen to inflict on all of us?"
"Rose…" Emmett murmured, reaching forward to put a hand on his mate's shoulder. She shook it off. Edward acted as if she hadn't spoken.
"Esme?" he asked calmly.
"Of course," she replied, disappearing up the stairs with Bella. For a moment, I was flushed with anger at Edward for deliberately putting Esme in danger, but I could see his plan, and I knew it was for the best. Esme would have much more of a chance than Bella if it came to a fight.
I ran into my study, and pulled out a backpack full of emergency supplies - - that is, a fresh stock of blood bags and a collection fire-lighting implements from across the ages. Emmett took it from me when I arrived back in the main room.
"Carlisle, you don't have to-" Edward started.
"I'm not letting you do this yourselves." I tried to ignore the fact that my tiny golden crucifix was burning red-hot at my neck.
"You should stay with Esme."
"She'll be safe with Rosalie." It killed me to say that. It absolutely killed me, even though it was true. But I knew Esme would never forgive me if something happened to any of the family just because I felt the need to hover over her instead of them. "You need as much help as you can get."
Esme, Alice and Bella arrived at that moment; Esme dressed in Bella's outfit and Bella in one of Esme's. The pants were too long for Bella, but they were a thick material that offered protection as well as a retinue of scents it had retained. Esme's eyes were determined but at the same time concerned as I handed her a small silver cell phone. I gave Alice another. It was time to split up.
"Esme and Rosalie will be taking your truck, Bella," I told her. She nodded, but she was looking at Rosalie, who was glowering at me with dark eyes.
"Alice, Jasper; take the Mercedes. You'll need the dark tint in the south," I continued. They nodded in recognition.
"We're taking the Jeep."
Esme and Bella drew breath in simultaneously when they realised I intended to go with Edward; with the hunting party.
"Carlisle…" Esme murmured. She could see the sense in it, though, and reluctantly backed down.
"Alice, will they take the bait?" I asked. Alice closed her eyes, and after a torturously long moment of stillness, replied:
"He'll track you. The woman will follow the truck. We should be able to leave after that."
"Let's go," I said, starting towards the kitchen with new confidence. Edward flashed to Bella's side, and drew her into a hug. He pressed his lips against hers for a second, oblivious to the eyes of the rest of us, and then he put her down. He lingered for a moment, his eyes dark and empty. Behind those eyes, though, was the promise of love and protection that made me determined to do whatever it took to make Bella safe. She was now a part of Edward's life, of our lives: whether she knew it or not, she was a part of the family.
"I love you," Esme breathed. Her soft voice echoed in my ears.
"I love you," I replied, even softer.
Edward touched my shoulder, and a moment later, we were out the door.