Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, but not Merged Souls: Trying for Normal

Author's Note:

Chapter 14

CarPOV

Donna handed me the book it was actually a very old journal the pages were yellow and cracked but still of the best quality vellum. It was the binding that was very unusual the leathers texture was strange and when I sniffed it I knew why, it was human. Actually it was the skin of a young child. It was hand written in a combination of languages including Latin, Old French in the Norman dialect and English but it abruptly stopped at about 1790 when it was passed onto Eric Godard. So was this when the tome was lost, stolen or did Eric have nothing to add?

I looked across the room and all the participants in this strange adventure everyone seemed to be very deep in thought everyone except Edward was obviously struggling with trying to keep his hands off his wife. "Edward, I think you need a break, both you and Bella need to go now." They rose to leave but looked at the kids. Emmett started to laugh and the triplets giggled. I frowned at Emmett, as the children were only following his lead. "Okay Emmett your on sitter detail, try and keep yourself and the kids out of trouble please and keep them away from Kincaid."

Bella looked at me with a horrified expression. "It's alright Bella they bet against him and won but he hasn't paid up yet and Masen has been threatening him a little bit. We'll talk later about it, just go take care of Edward before he bursts." Edward hadn't heard a thing I said." Rosalie got up and started to go with Emmett and the kids I opened my mouth to say she should stay but I knew she loved any opportunity to watch over the kids, and Emmett would need as much supervision as the kids. Bella and Edward hugged the kids and kissed them saying they'd be back before they sat down to dinner which gave them a few hours for close contact.

Before the kids left Anthony came up to me."Grandpa, Donna knows more about the Godards than she's letting on. She's read the whole book and understands it, her Dad was a linguist and he taught her everything he knew."

"How do you know that, Anthony?"

"Dad would have picked up on it but he's been a little wrapped up in Mom. Uncle Jazz says he's been thinking with his other head whatever that means." I gave Jasper a quick disapproving look and he had the good sense to duck. Anthony continued, "So I've been trying to pay closer attention and Aunt Alice hasn't picked up on anything because Donna hasn't even debated telling anyone. She's ashamed for some reason and it's to do with her mother. Ah grandpa what's up with Mom and Dad?"

I loved my grandchildren and they never ceased to amaze me how inquisitive they are. "Thank you Anthony for the information about Donna it definitely helps. And as for your parents well they're just very much in love. They never got to take a honeymoon after they got married because they got the best wedding present ever, you, Masen and Beth."

"Well I think we need to fix that don't you? Maybe they could go away for a while before we move."

Out of the mouths of babes I smiled down and nodded at him as he left with his siblings. He was right Bella and Edward deserved a good long honeymoon. Esme and I could take the pressure off of them by watching the kids, organize the move and send them off to Isle Esme. Bella would love that, no prying eyes or ears. Well I'll discuss that later with Esme and the kids. So I turned my attention back to Donna if she could save us time then we needed to cut to the chase and see what she had to offer.

"Donna you said the book was evil and that it was a chronicle of the Godard family. So I was hoping that rather than wasting time translating it all over again if you could review with us the essentials of the book and answer our questions. Donna looked disheartened. "The little boy Anthony, he told you that I knew more didn't he."

"Yes my grandson is talented just like his father in that respect. So I suggest that we get to work. It would be of benefit if we all sat in on this. I understand from Anthony that some of this may be embarrassing to you or your family but please understand our only desire is to eliminate any threat to you and the people in this region.

Gideon looked through the first few pages of the book and then gasped saying. "Oh my God! The wolf family the Godard's married into are the de la Barthe family! "

No one seemed taken aback by this revelation, so he looked around at all of us. "They are a family that has long been associated with the practises of devil worship, and witchcraft even in my time. Donna, you were aware of this?"

Donna leaned forward, "Yes I know. My father was a linguist, he taught me all the old languages and I've read the book. That's why I said it's evil and disgusting. The de la Barthe family made a fortune from the black arts and married into families only to increase their wealth and power."

She looked down at her feet while wringing her hands. "In the 1400's they married into a wealthy family of Venetian salt merchants the Barbaro family. The Barbaro are my mother's ancestors. All these connections just get more and more confusing. But other than genealogy there were only two things that stood out in the book. Charles Godard's first wife Medee de la Barthe was a practising witch and werewolf and perhaps the most powerful ever in the family's history. But her marriage to Godard was considered a misalliance and made for the unforgiveable reason of, if you can imagine love."

Donna began to tear up but caught herself and leaned into Alger. "Medee was very cunning and set about to increase her husband's wealth and power. She used all her charms on King William after the Battle of Hastings to secure favour for her husband and their son Eric. It was rumoured that she even seduced her own son and had a daughter by him. But there are no records to confirm that. It's said that the child's skin that was used to bind this book. But that's ancient gossip, in can' be human skin...can it?"

I thought of my grandchildren and wondered how anyone could bring a child into this world just to slaughter it. It's unfathomable and I'm glad that Bella wasn't here to hear this. Donna is right the book is filthy and disgusting.

"Medee was apparently the only de la Barthe that ever successfully created the Elixir of Immortality and its recipe resides within those pages. But it is heinous and I will not recite its ingredients. The Godard's have been trying to recover this book for years. It was apparently lost to them in the mid 19th century when a fire ripped through their London town home after it had been broken into. Originally it was thought to have perished in the fire but the binding will not allow that to happen, as my father discovered when he tried to burn it once. Apparently the book was scavenged from the ruins of the Godard's home and sold to a dealer who specialized in less than legally acquired merchandise. My great, great, grandfather purchased it from him when he realized what it was and it has been sitting in our library ever since until my father came across it."

Donna was getting noticeable upset this tale seemed to be getting closer to her reasons for distress, so I suggested that we break. While she turned to cuddle into Alger's chest I got up to look out onto the courtyard to see the children playing with Emmett and Rose. Beth looked up and waved giving me her best smile and blowing me a kiss that I pretended to catch. I looked across at the other side of the castle and saw Bella and Edward at their bedroom window also looking down on their children smiling and holding each other close. They were dressed again and Edward looked more at peace then he had recently, perhaps his Event was winding down.

I chuckled to myself as Esme came up and pressed herself against me, "A Penny for your thoughts?"

I shook my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts, "Just thinking of how truly blessed we are as a family and..." I paused not sure what I wanted to say.

Esme prodded "And that makes you laugh."

"No love it's just Bella's knack for simplifying things." Esme raised an eyebrow "Her decision to call this intense time with Edward 'The Event' it just touched my funny bone for some reason." Esme leaned in to me, chuckled and kissed me on the cheek before she drifted away.

Seth came to stand at my side. "Carlisle did you notice that Donna doesn't have a scent?" I nodded that I had noticed but let him continue. "Well you know how you guys stink and you say that I smell like a wet dog. I don't get a thing off of her, not even a human scent. Why is that?"

"I have no idea Seth perhaps it's a defence mechanism that has built up over the years. The Quileute wolfs are huge but you need to be in order to defend yourself against vampires and you have large tracts of uninhabited land that you patrol. Donna's people lived in England which over the centuries has become increasingly populated with fewer tracts of well forested or uninhabited land. And fox hunting was a popular sport and is still in some areas, and they use dogs that tract by scent. But that's just a hypothesis and since Donna knows little if anything about her family legacy I doubt we'll ever find out. Without knowing her family I really can't say one way or the other. But I distinctly get the impression that her father was hoping the shapeshifting trait would die out or be bred out of the family eventually. But I don't think Donna's lack of scent is a reason to mistrust her Seth, why don't you go talk to her." I pointed over to Alger and Donna. "Or I should say talk to them I doubt she'll stray very far from Alger's side at this point." Seth nodded and walked cautiously towards them.

Ester approached me and offered to make sure the kitchens prepared and delivered a meal here for all those that would need to eat. The Franks stepped in when they heard the kitchens mentioned and volunteered to go instead since it really was their job now. And they were anxious to make a good impression on the new boss. So Ester stayed to sit with Alger, Seth and Donna and get to know them better. "Alger, Donna. Seth may be able to answer some shapeshifter questions you both have and I think he has a few of his own for you, Donna. "They agreed and went off to the alcove where I had examined Donna.

Edward and Bella re-entered the room and Edward nodded he was back to himself again. But my darling daughter Bella looked a little wistful. I smiled over at her. She loved my son with such passion and with all her heart and soul for which I will ever be thankful. I should reassure her that while 'The Event' is very special, this one wouldn't be their last. But even without 'The Event' their love was still very deep and passionate.

I brought them quickly up to speed about the book leaving out the bit about the binding. Edward heard my thoughts and nodded in agreement. But Bella caught on and opened her mind to Edward. I was right she was upset of the thought of the books binding being the skin of a child but she was glad that her children hadn't been here to find out. With that thought my grandchildren came tumbling into the room with Rose, Emmett and Brian Godard. Emmett did the honours. "Everyone this is Brian Godard and he's here to lend us a hand."Emmett raised his eyebrows and added. "Apparently."

Alger and Donna were out of their seats first "NO!"

I stepped in front of them with Edward behind them. Godard looked like an arrogant self indulgent dolt. There was little if any intelligence that I could see behind his eyes "Mr. Godard won't you please sit down and tell us what brings you to castle Volturi?"

Godard looked around the room like he was taking an inventory then he shrugged and sat down. He crossed his legs and leaned back into the chair like he was about to impart some astounding news. "That's simple the book. I will renounce my claim to Donna in exchange for the book."

Donna gasped and turned her head towards Alger he held her close and glared at Godard. I jumped in before Alger could say anything. "I'm sorry sir but you have no legal or moral claim over Mrs. Belleme."

Godard looked like I had shot him. "Married? She's married? "

Yes she is and quiet happily I might add, it would seem that you sir are here on a fool's errand."

Godard looked sick. "But her mother assured me that she would be mine after her death she said she saw it, it was our destiny. Donna you must know that your mother is descended from a line of very powerful witches she couldn't have been wrong."

Donna sat up and turned to look at him, "The de la Barthe witches?" and then she laughed. "Brian this is the 21st century witches just don't have that kind of power in his day and age. My mother was lousy at practicing her family's craft. She had no mentor and none of the spell books that her branch of the de la Barthe family had apparently possessed at one time. Aunt Alizeea literally took them to the grave with her. My mother used sex to get what she wanted not magic you moron. She believed your lies that I had tried to seduce you. That's why she said I would be yours. She couldn't believe that I didn't want you or that I wouldn't use sex to get what I want. I am my father's daughter, not my mother's. Apparently Brian you hale from the shallow end of the Godard gene pool if you believed her."

I tried not to smirk but Alger, Edward, Wales and Jasper all did. While Seth, Emmett, Gideon and Aldrich all laughed out loud. He looked utterly defeated. He moaned into his hands. "I never waned to be part of a great supernatural family but father wouldn't leave me alone. Yet he's all but written Jason off. I wish I could be like Jason just leave and be on my own. We both have money that our mother left us in trust I could live comfortably if it wasn't for this damn transformation crap and the rules I have to live by."

"Mr. Godard if you are like our friends in the States it is possible for you to give up the transformation after you've gained sufficient control of its triggers. As far as rules go I believe you may have been duped by your father and older half brother. Tell me what do you know of the family history?"

Once he started to talk we found out that he believed that Dad and older brother were the same as him. He was in denial when we told him their age and their circumstances. He thought we were all mad and was about to storm off in a temper. Wales and Aldrich stopped him and slapped a set of handcuffs on him convincing him that the cuffs would prevent him from changing. And he believed them. It would seem that the man really was a moron as Donna had said. Emmett and Aldrich escorted him out with Alastair as the guide to of all places the dungeons. That was Alastair's suggestion, Emmett was having the time of his life and Penny went along to supervise.

"Is he truly that dense?" I looked to Edward and Donna. Both of them nodded. Edward spoke up and said "To be fair his mother died shortly after Jason was born and both were raised by a series of nannies none that stayed more than a year and then they went to boarding schools. Jason excelled in school and Brian did not." Hmm this seems to be another argument for nature versus nurture.

Emmett came back with Penny and Aldrich. "Well one down and one to go." "Donna what do you know about Eric?"

"Not much I was never left me alone with him and my mother never talked about him. I did get the impression that she was afraid of him. He always referred to her as the witless pretender or the Italian whore. And he never gave Brian the time of day."

"Do you know anything about Charles Godard?"

"He hasn't left their country estate in years, I've never met him. And no one I know ever talked about him."

"Well everyone I think our original idea is still our best bet, to research werewolves and the Godard's specifically. We broke off in pairs to track different myths, branches of the family and any connection with the Volturi. Even the triplets got involved Anthony and Edward monitored what everyone was reading looking for links or common threads. Beth and Masen got on the computers chasing down modern day information about werewolves and the Godard's. Once the triplets had fallen asleep, Edward and Bella took them back to their rooms and tucked them in. Then spent a few more hours alone with each other, but I was right The Event was winding down. They were still newlyweds and should have more alone time then they've had. Anthony was right they needed to get way, perhaps to Isle Esme for a few weeks.

Emmett and Penny took their turn on the computers. Emmett came up with something very interesting. Within the last year Eric Godard has been trying to sell off family assets. But his father is incapacitated and Eric doesn't have a power of attorney. The old man is supposed to be in a near vegetative state at his country estate according servants and local gossips; but no one has actually seen him for about fourteen months. Alastair said he had to make a quick call and would be back shortly.

It was Penny who about an hour later that said. "Bingo! Aro had apparently acquired a supply of the elixir of immortality from one Jason Godard opportunist and purveyor of the occult. He even has a website god it looks like he's ripped off JK Rowling's Borgen and Burke's inventory. This family is unbelievable. Aro said that he had the elixir analysed and it had many unidentifiable properties. He contacted the Godard's and was willing to sell them back portions of the elixir at regular intervals for services rendered, one of them is too dispose of the Cullen family. What if Godard doesn't know that Aro is dead, if he's desperate enough I bet he'll still try?"

Edward and Bella returned and Alastair came back with some old parchments and a wax sealed bottle. "I've been trying to get a hold of Marcus for an age since I came across this stuff before you got here. Anyway I finally got through. Oh by the way Esme he approved the construction of a hot tub and sauna on your property. He thought it would be fun for the kids.

Bella put her head in her hands and groaned and Alastair gave her and awkward pat on the back not having a clue why she was upset. Anyway Marcus remembered the Godard's as opportunistic muscle for hire. He thought that Aro had something over them since they almost grovelled t his feet whenever they came to Volterra which wasn't often. He did tell me that Aro kept a bottle with the de la Barthe label on it in the store house with his private collection of poisons. And here it is and this is the documentation that went with it. He waved the bottle around and passed it over to me with the parchments.

Our researched hadn't progressed any further. It appeared that we had gathered all the available information about the Godard's. Except that the original wife Medee had lived an exceptionally long life of 120 years and then she just suddenly disappeared there was no record of her death. Over the centuries Charles Godard married again a total of four more times from what we could find in the records only the last marriage produced any offspring.

We finally decided that we'd all had enough of the Godard's for one day. Seth and I took, Gideon, Ester Alger and Donna aside to talk with them about what to expect as a married couple and about the possibility of children of course this was based on information from Sam and Emily. With Alger being a hybrid this offered a whole new set of possibilities and opened up choices for Donna that would require careful consideration. They all asked Seth a ton of questions and consulted me on the implications of pregnancy and asked if I would be their OB/Gyn since they couldn't go to a regular doctor.

The others drifted off and formed little pockets about the library discussing whatever came to mind. Suddenly there was a blood curdling scream coming from across the courtyard. Edward, Wales, Seth, Aldrich, Emmett, Jasper and Gideon were gone out the doors and windows before the scream was cut off abruptly. Bella stood looking like she was in the worst possible pain and rushed to follow Edward screaming "BETH!" I grabbed her by the shoulders "No Bella let him and the others go, if they need us we'll know."

I held Bella close to me. She was sobbing into my chest and shaking. Every now and then she would wrench free and try to sprint towards the window and someone would grab her and return her to my arms. "Give him time Bella. Edward is a fierce fighter he won't let harm come to the children you know this. Try opening your mind to him so you can see what he sees, but you must calm down in order to do it Bella."

I looked at Alice but she shook her head Bella followed my eyes and as she hiccough "Alice? ...anything at all?" Alice was sobbing now and shaking her head. "I can't see any of them, Seth is with them and I don't think I can't see Godard either if it's him." The Franks fell to their knees and prayed for my grandchildren. Bella watched them for a time then she placed her hand on Reg's shoulder and sank to her knees as well. Slowly one by one the rest of us joined them.

Gideon returned, "Donna we need you to phase, Seth needs your help tracking Godard. All eyes were on him, Bella was whimpering with a pleading look in her eyes. I'm sorry... he took the little girl."

Bella wailed in fear and fury. "NOoooo! Not my Beth... please, not my Beth! Where's Edward, where are my sons? Gideon had already turned to the door with Donna at his side "The others are chasing Godard but he got into the forest that's why they need Donna, she knows this region better than any of us."

Alger was standing now but Gideon looked at him and shook his head. "I will watch over her son."

Wales came into the room then with Masen and Anthony in his arms both of them were crying. He put them down they ran into their mother's arms, then Wales, Donna and Gideon spun around and left."

Bella pulled out her cell phone. "Bella he isn't going to answer, he has to concentrate right now he's hunting for his daughter and he can't lose focus. Try to centre yourself and reach out to Edward. I bet he's trying to reach you as well. Anthony and Masen looked into the eyes of their mother, "Mom, Dad will get Beth back. You didn't see him. I've never ever seen him like that. He's going to tear that bad man to pieces. But Grandpa's right we need to concentrate, maybe we can help Dad may be can give him a power boost. Aunt Alice can help us.

Alice moved to where they were they all sat in a circle touching, trying to regulate their breathing and clear their minds. I could hear muted crying coming from the window seat it was Elizabeth Masen and I could almost make out her silhouette. Ester looked at me and spoke up "It's the strong emotion that's why you can see her. Mr Masen went with them Carlisle. He can find Godard faster than anyone but he can't communicate with the guys unless...Elizabeth? Mrs Masen can you try to join the circle. Beth was the most sensitive to the Masen's presence but perhaps if she sits between Masen and Anthony maybe they'll be able to communicate with Mr. Masen as well."

Esme came over to me with Reagan. "Carlisle this isn't working Bella and Alice are too anxious. What if we all join the circle, we can't boost their circuit but maybe the moral support will help centre them and just like the prayers it can't hurt."

I felt sceptical that anything could calm my daughters right now but I agreed and we all joined the circle. It may have been wishful thinking or my imagination but I felt a jolt of electricity surge up my arms when I held hands with my daughters."

I could sense Bella, Alice and the children were calming and Bella spoke out loud. "I can hear them their flying like the wind through the woods. Seth and Donna can't find a scent for Godard. They're tracking by sight and sound only. He hasn't changed into a full werewolf yet but he is extremely fast and strong in a partially phased state."

She inhaled and we waited, then she let out a heart wrenching sob. "Beth can hear us! And Edward can hear us and her now. She's trying to let him know where they are going but its dark and she's trying to play possum as well. Carlisle she's so scared...my baby is scared about what's going to happen. She wants to know if Masen is okay... he tried to attack Godard and was kicked across the room". Masen spoke up. "I'm okay Beth. Just hang on Dad is going to kick his ass!"

Bella, Alice and the kids were starting to look exhausted they were shaking and the boys were sweating. "Bella you need to stop you're giving up too much, say good bye and cut the connection Bella."

"No Carlisle not while that monster has my baby, she's so scared Carlisle. NO I can't!"

"Bella you're going to make the boys ill, you need to stop." Anthony collapsed, Bella cried out and let go of the connection but not before she said. "Bring our baby home Edward, you have to bring her home." Then she pulled Anthony up and cuddled him to her chest. Masen came and sat on my lap. "My Dad is the bravest man or vampire in the world. He will get Beth back and shred that asshole Godard." I chuckled a little when Esme sucked in her breath and instead of reminding him about language she said "Your damn right Masen, he'll get that fucker and kill him."

Bella and Anthony both lifted their heads at the same time as Anthony said. "Grandma you swore!"

Esme smiled and said "Yes I did Anthony, everything has it's time and place."