AN. No Royal Wedding is going to stop me getting this to you, my loyal readers! I hope you enjoy this and fully understand the magic that the electricity turned out to be.
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Much kudos to EvilPumpkin and Angel Eyes1 UK for dotting my I's and crossing my T's. When you're not sending me round the twist, you girls keep me sane.
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Disclaimer. They still don't belong to me. Folds arms and pouts.
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Healing
Edward's POV
I was playing the piano, trying to ignore Esme's worried thoughts that Carlisle should be home by now. It was not unusual for him to stay later at the hospital, but he always managed to call Esme. She refused to disturb him, trying to convince herself that he must be dealing with a major incident, and scanning TV channels for news. I didn't need more worry, I was barely keeping my shit together sick with worry for Bella.
My cell vibrated in my pocket—Carlisle. Why was he ringing me, not Esme?
"Carlisle, where are you? Esme's so worried."
Of course, she'd heard me and tried to take the phone. "If that's Carlisle, Edward, let me speak to him."
"Esme, honey, I'm sorry I didn't call. I've been in a meeting and will be for a while yet. I have to talk to Edward. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Oh, alright," she sighed, and walked off.
I put the cell back to my ear."I'm here, Carlisle."
"Don't freak out or anything, Edward, but I'm with the Quileutes on the reservation."
"You're what?…How?…Why?…Obviously you're still alive. What do they want?" My brain was struggling to compute this information. Did this mean the treaty was broken?
"Edward, I want you to stay very calm. Bella is here." Bella? She's alive? She's alive!
"Is she alright? Are you bringing her home?"
"She's…okay." Carlisle was hesitant.
"Okay? What does that mean?"
"Edward, I need you to come to the reservation."
"Are you mad?" Maybe Bella's in trouble. "Should I bring Emmett and Jasper?"
"No. Absolutely not." How I wished I could read minds over the phone.
"If we need to rescue her then—"
Carlisle cut me off. "Bella is being cared for here. She's unconscious and we need you to help bring her round."
"But the treaty?"
"Is unbroken. I am here at Chief Billy Black's request, and you will be, too." I was relieved to hear that, though I would have gone for Bella, regardless.
"I'm on my way," I told Carlisle.
"Sam Uley will meet you on the treaty line." I closed the cell.
"Edward!" I clutched my head as Alice's mind and voice pierced my brain in stereo.
"I'm here, Alice. Please don't shout." Alice flew down the stairs.
"What did you just decide?" she demanded in an accusatory voice.
"Nothing of any consequence," I lied.
"Before she disappeared, Bella had been getting fainter in my visions."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't realise. I thought it was just we vampires that were too bright in comparison. Then as you know, after that last vision, I've not seen her again,"
"Don't worry about that, Alice. Carlisle has found Bella and I'm going to fetch her."
"Oh! That's good. I can stop dodging Esme now. I've been avoiding her since Carlisle disappeared from my sight, too, and now you've disappeared from my visions. Where are you going?"
"To the reservation."
Alice gave a nervous laugh. "You're not serious?" I nodded. "No wonder you disappeared. What about the treaty?"
"We won't let you go alone." Jasper spoke from behind me.
"The three of us should take them all out easy," Emmett added, walking in the door. Of course, my brothers had heard.
"I'm not going to fight," I said, turning to face them. Emmett was shadow boxing.
"But without the treaty…" Jasper began to argue.
"The treaty stands. Carlisle is there with the chief's permission."
"Carlisle's there?" they exclaimed together. I ignored their outburst.
"I will be met by one of them."
"We'll go with you."
"No." They argued with me and I became irritated, wasting time when I needed to get to Bella. "Alright! Come with me, but stay out of sight and whatever you do, don't break the treaty!"
"We can listen from the treaty line, ready to help if you need us."
"Thank you, Jasper. Okay, Emmett?" Emmett reluctantly agreed, and off we ran.
When I heard Sam's thoughts, I instructed Emmett and Jasper to stay hidden, and slowed to a more human pace as I left the trees.
"Don't worry, I don't like this any more than you do," I told Sam.
"Make sure you stay with me," he replied. "No going walkabout."
"I only want to see Bella."
"Come on, then." Sam ran pretty fast for a human, and was soon leading me into a tent. I gasped as I saw the deathly pale, insignificant looking body lying on a mattress.
"Her heart," I faltered. "It's beating too slowly." I felt a hand on my shoulder—it was Carlisle.
"But it is beating, Edward. It has been steady since I arrived, so I don't think it's a problem." I covered his hand with mine.
"Thanks, Carlisle." I hadn't taken my eyes off Bella's face, and now I leaned toward her. The Quileutes in the tent all tensed, and one in my line of vision took a step closer to me. I gave him a glare that would have made Rosalie proud, and leaning down, I pressed my lips to her forehead. Straightening up, I gently traced the contours of her face with one hand. "Wherever you are, my love, I'll find you," I promised, scanning the thoughts in the tent and gleaning the need for some kind of ritual.
"Gentlemen," I said. "Shall we begin?" Billy Black stepped forward, quickly introducing himself and the six other men present. The three youngest were only observers, and he advised them to stand silently out of the way. After brief instructions to Carlisle and myself, the ritual commenced.
Sam pushed Billy to Bella's side, and he leaned out of his chair to place his left hand on Bella's forehead with his thumb on her right temple. Billy closed his eyes, threw his head back, and called out.
"I, Billy Black, invoke the magic. I summon forth the ancestors, and all kindred spirits willing to guide this lost soul home." He looked up and nodded to Harry Clearwater. Harry stepped up and took Billy's right hand in his left, closed his eyes, and after a shifty glance to Carlisle and I, put his head back and repeated Billy's words.
Harry looked to Billy, who nodded at Carlisle. Carlisle went to take Harry's right hand in his left, and there was an arc of orange from Harry's finger to Carlisle's. Carlisle pulled his hand back and eyed Billy. I crouched, ready to spring to Carlisle's aid.
"It will be alright," Billy assured him. "The magic must pass through the circle."
I could read the doubt in Carlisle's mind and followed his train of thought as he convinced himself to go ahead. He was willing to sacrifice himself to give this a chance of working; I tensed.
"No," he said. I straightened from my crouch. Please, Edward, don't risk yourself as well. If anything happens, leave me be. Let the Quileutes tend me if they can. I stared with anguish as our eyes locked. Do not interfere. Bella needs you. I gave him the briefest nod of acquiescence.
Carlisle focused intently on Billy until he saw the trust he was searching for, and he grabbed hold of Harry's hand. He was hit with pain that forced him to his knees.
"Let it flow through you," Billy said. Carlisle began to cite the words, and the pain lessened, letting him relax, allowing the magic to travel across his body. Billy nodded to Sam, and the instant he reached across Bella's feet to clasp Carlisle's hand any residual pain was gone. Carlisle regained his feet and smiled at me. It's bearable, Edward.
After Sam, Quil joined the circle. All too quickly it was my turn. Carlisle was bombarding me with encouraging and calming thoughts, but I was studying Billy's mind to ensure I did everything correctly. I gazed at Bella, reminding myself why I was doing this, and took Quil's hand.
I expected the pain, and speedily uttered the words that appeared to dissipate it. I placed my right hand on Bella's forehead next to Billy's, linking our little fingers, making sure that my thumb was resting on her temple. Billy nodded, and we all closed our eyes, mentally calling on ancestors, spirits, and anyone or anything we thought could help.
This was the most difficult part for me, as Billy had cautioned us not to try and reach Bella or call her. It was vitally important to let the others bring her spirit close to us; we had to trust Billy to know when to reach for her. I concentrated hard on my parents and Bella's grandparents, tracing Billy's mind.
AN. Sadly, this journey is coming to an end. Next week I should be posting the last piece. If you have been along for the ride, it would be nice to hear what you thought of it.
I am not offering a teaser, as the chapter is short. I do however, promise a last glimpse of Emmett and Jasper.