9
A NEW DAWNChapter 12
Secrets
As I walked away from Kate and Edward, I caught a look of curiosity and confusion from little Maggie. I just winked at her and put my finger to my lips. She shrugged, smiled and turned back toward her coven.
I hoped she wouldn't ask any questions, I certainly didn't expect to have a vampire around that could sense honesty; her skill was one that I certainly wouldn't need, the ability to read minds was enough to know whether or not someone was telling the truth.
That night I got into an intense discussion about politics with the Romanians, the intensity seemed to drive poor Alistair even battier. Benjamin spent most of the night staring at me, his thoughts full of lurid and extremely vivid images, definitely things not fit for mainstream publication.
The next day, which seems odd to say because it felt more like the previous day had never ended. It was bizarre not sleeping, not even feeling the least bit tired at night. I was still trying to come to terms with all of that when Seth bounded into the room, stirring me from the introspection.
"Hey sexy," I said without thinking, "you're up early," trying to distract him from my comment.
He just smiled at me excitedly, not alarmed by my comment. "Hey there...what was that you just called me—oh yeah—sexy." His smile became impish.
"If you say so," I said, shaking my head. "So have you and Jacob resolved your differences?"
"Oh yeah, we're fine now—now that he realizes I was right," Seth said, trying his best to hold back a mock laugh.
"I'm glad that things are ok again, I don't want you getting into trouble because of me," I said. "I have enough things to deal with; I don't need that on my conscience too."
"Don't worry about it; I can take care of myself. This wasn't just about you remember, it really bothered me that Jake didn't seem to trust me," he said. His hands were beginning to tremble as he remembered the previous day's events.
"Calm down Seth, if you keep this up, the Cullens will bar you from the house," I warned.
Seth sighed. "Yeah... calm." He then inhaled deeply, and slowly let the breath out.
Benjamin was still staring at me from across the room; his thoughts were tinged with jealousy now. I laughed.
"What's so funny?" Seth asked.
"I was just thinking about how strange the interactions are between all of the people in this household, and how we're all interconnected somehow. It is, quite bizarre, to say the least." My thoughts shifted to Bella and how much she hates me, how much Edward likes me, how much Jacob was entwined with the Cullens given their past, and how I was becoming so entwined with the Cullens and Seth. A vampire and a werewolf, what was I thinking? I realized at that moment that I was definitely not headed for a happily-ever-after anymore.
"Anyway, I just wanted to stop by for a few minutes, Jake has me on patrol down at La Push today," Seth said. "I'll stop back when I can; I'm just not sure when that will be. I frowned.
"I know, it sucks, but you need time to yourself anyway, to get ready for the Volturi," Seth said. "Speaking of, have you figured anything out, like how you're going to save me?" He was smiling at me sarcastically now.
"Sorry Seth, the world doesn't revolve around you," I said, while affirming to myself that, no, the entire world didn't revolve around him, just me. "I haven't figured anything out yet, but I haven't had much time to try either," I continued.
"That's what I mean, you need time to yourself," Seth said, and then shot a look over at Benjamin. It was obvious now that Seth was quite aware of Benjamin's interest in me.
Benjamin finally looked away, turning his attention to Tia.
When Seth left, I began to realize that there wasn't much time left before the Volturi would arrive, maybe a couple of days at the most. I had come to understand what my vampire ability was, but I still hadn't had much opportunity to practice with the various aspects of it. I had to work fast, yet, I also had to be discreet about it.
Reluctantly, I accepted the painful realization that I was going to need Bella's help. I had been piecing together a plan throughout the night, but much of that was dependent on Bella's cooperation. That wouldn't be easy, considering how we felt about each other, but surely she would do it to increase the odds of saving her family. If not for that, then maybe she would be willing to do it to protect her own secret. Blackmail if I had to, my plan was that important.
As I was about to head out the door, I was cornered by Carlisle, who insisted that I tell him everything, every detail, about my transformation. I obliged him, I owed him that much at least, although my answers were extremely edited; that conversation unexpectedly led down another path.
"I know you've only been a part of this family for one day now, but there is something I want to talk to you about," Carlisle said in a serious tone.
"Sure, what is it?" I asked. I could see what was coming, by it still caught me off guard.
He reached out and put his hands on my shoulders. "I know that we barely know each other, but I already have come to think of you as a son. Therefore it is only right, well, that is, I was wondering if you would be willing to accept the Cullen name, if you would permit me to adopt you, like I have done for the others."
My mind went completely blank, I felt this sudden spiraling of thoughts, and it caused me to feel dizzy.
"Are you alright?" Carlisle asked.
"You just caught me by surprise," I said. "I don't know how to answer that right now, I'll have to think about it."
"That's understandable. Even if you decide not to accept my name, I will always consider you a son, and will always welcome you into this family and all that that offers," he said.
His voice was nonchalant, but his thoughts were much more direct. He was offering me full access to everything, houses, money, connections, everything they had.
"Thank you Carlisle," I said. "It's not that I don't want to take the Cullen name, it's just that my last name is the only connection I still have to my human parents. Since they died, that has been the one constant that always reminds me of them."
Carlisle smiled. "Then you should keep their name, because they were the ones who raised you to become the man you are, not me. It makes much more sense for you to keep your name, to honor them."
"Maybe we can see about doing both, I think the name Brady Cullen-Dawn sounds good," I said. "What do you think?"
"I think it sounds perfect," Carlisle said, his expression thoughtful.
It took me awhile to get my thoughts back in order after that; I was feeling both honored and sick to my stomach. I certainly never expected this from Carlisle, and knowing that I had to lie to all of them made me feel even sicker. I knew it was for the right reasons, and I knew they would forgive me for it later- that is, if everything I was planning worked out. Even so, I still felt awful about lying.
I escaped over the river and made my way upstream a few miles. I then found this immensely tall pine tree that was overlooking a valley where the river flowed through. I climbed to the very top and relaxed back onto a sturdy limb. There was a slight breeze, which made the trees below sway and dance in perfect rhythm. For the longest time I sat mesmerized by the beautiful scenery, it was like nothing I had ever seen before. I had been to many parks, spent a lot of time in the forest, but none of those experiences could compare to this.
I then began to concentrate, focusing my mind. Slowly the wind began to mirror my thoughts, swirling and shifting, creating multiple vortexes, causing the leaves to lift into the air. The river developed spinning whirlpools, and jetting geysers erupted up from them. The wind sliced through the geysers, carrying the water droplets across the river like bullets, riddling several trees with tiny holes. I smiled.
Eventually I made my way back home, knowing that I had to talk to Bella, if I could get her away from Edward that is. That would be the problem since she was so obsessed with him; she couldn't stand being away from him. I had to shake my head to clear of those annoying thoughts; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to put on a good show.
As I was approaching the house, I luckily happened across another of Bella's training sessions. There were several vampires watching, so I made my way to stand beside them. Zafrina, the wild woman from the Amazon, was working with Bella, Kate and Edward. I hadn't realized that she was using her powers until I reached the group of vampires and noticed they were standing their in uncomfortable postures, their eyes staring blankly at nothing. It was at that exact time, that I felt the increasingly familiar jolt flow through my body.
Bella was trying to stretch out her shield to envelope the different vampires, thereby making them immune to Zafrina's power. She had the gift of mental illusion, she could either force images you're your head, or take your sight away completely, replacing it with complete darkness.
As they practiced, suddenly Zafrina shrieked, and immediately the blinded vampire's eyes fluttered back to normal.
Everyone was now staring at Zafrina, who looked bewildered. She was kneeled down and rocking back and forth, like she was trying to overcome an anxiety attack.
"What is it?" Kate asked, rushing to her side. The other Amazon, Senna, was already rubbing Zafrina's back trying to console her.
"I don't know," said Zafrina. "One minute I was projecting darkness out to everyone, and then suddenly I was consumed by darkness myself. I just don't understand, that has never happened to me before."
As the vampires swarmed around Zafrina to comfort her, I continued to search for a way to get Bella away from Edward.
Then an idea came to mind, but I didn't know if it would work.
"Bella," I said. "Let's go get Carlisle, maybe he can help her."
Both Bella and Edward stared at me; their minds were trying to figure out why I was asking Bella, and why I needed someone to go with me.
"Just in case, Renesmee, you know," I said, attempting to answer their questions.
"Then maybe I should go with you," Edward demanded.
"She's stronger than you, remember," I said, replying to Edward's objection.
Finally, he nodded to her, and the next instant Bella and I were headed off toward the house. Just as we got out Edward's hearing range, I spoke.
"Zafrina doesn't need Carlisle's help, she'll be fine. The reason I asked you to go with me, was because I need to talk to you alone."
Bella stopped suddenly and stared at me in irritation.
"How do you know that Zafrina will be ok?" She asked.
"That is part of what I need to talk to you about," I said cryptically. "However, everything I tell you must remain a secret from everyone, because it is of the utmost importance that this secret is kept from Edward."
Bella glared at me. "I do not keep secrets from my husband, how dare you ask me to do that."
"Well then, apparently your dealings with Mr. J. Jenks don't count then, huh?" I said sarcastically, resorting to the blackmail option.
Her mouth dropped open, a whoosh of air gushed out of her mouth.
"How...how do you know about that?" She demanded.
"Then I guess this means you'd like to correct your earlier statement regarding not lying to your husband?"
"There is a difference, I'm doing that to protect my daughter," she snarled. "Now tell me how you know about that."
"The secret I'm asking you to keep, also involves protecting your daughter. In fact, it involves protecting our entire family," I said. "How I know, is part of the secret. So is that worth your silence?"
She glared at me; her thoughts were filled with curiosity and contempt.
"What is this about?" She said. "How can this secret protect my entire family?"
"Our family," I corrected. "I need your help, and if this works, then you'll understand how it will protect everyone."
"Fine, if this will help—our—family, then I'll help you."
I quickly explained everything to her, including my plan for the Volturi.
"That's... that's not possible," she stammered. "How can one person..."
"I don't know how, I just that it is, that's all," I said, growing annoyed at her distrusting thoughts.
"So you think you can..."
"I know I can, for once you have to trust me about something. After all, the proof should be the mere fact that I can read your thoughts," I grumbled.
She shuttered at that realization. "But if you're wrong..."
"I'm not wrong, and even if I was, would it really make a difference? Would what I have asked you to do really cause any additional chaos if it didn't work?"
She thought for a minute, running through the plan as I had described it. "I guess not, as long as you don't do something stupid until you know for sure that what you say is true."
"Honestly Bella, I already know what I say is true, just ask Zafrina," I said with a sardonic laugh.
"You did that to her?" She snarled.
"Calm down Bella, she isn't hurt; she's just a bit confused by what happened. Everyone will understand afterwards, but until then, it has to remain out of Edward's thoughts; that is the only way to keep it from Aro. You know that better than I do. If Aro were to learn my secret, then he could easily thwart my plan, which would put everyone in danger again."
"I said I would help you, I just hate lying to people."
"I agree, do you think it makes me feel good to start out like this, with Carlisle, Edward and everyone welcoming me into the family with open arms. It makes me feel horrible, but feeling horrible is the price I'm prepared to pay for saving their lives."
Bella nodded.
"Now let's hurry and get Carlisle, I'm sure everyone is wondering why we're not back yet," I said.
Bella nodded once more, and then we were sprinting toward the house.
When we returned to Zafrina with Carlisle, Edward immediately began questioning us about the delay.
"Sorry Edward, but I needed to hash some things out with Bella, so we stopped and talked along the way," I said, shrugging my shoulders.
"You what? Of all times for a chat, when you were supposed to be going for help," Edward growled.
"Clearly Zafrina was not hurt, we are all under a lot of stress, I was sure she just overexerted herself. However, part of the stress around here has been the antagonism between Bella and me, so I felt that it necessary to discuss that. Yes, right then and there, without you or anyone else around. This was between her and I, and that's how it had to be resolved," I said sharply.
"He is right, Edward. I am fine; I must have just tried to do too much. It is very strange though, never had that happen before. Stress… maybe," Zafrina said, trailing off in thought. Bella glared at me.
"Yes Edward, she is completely fine, I don't believe there is anything to worry about," Carlisle added.
"Still," Edward said, moving his face closer to mine. "You could have chosen a better time for your discussion."
"I know Edward, he could have just waited until later to ask to speak with me privately, but he insisted we talk right then while on the way to get Carlisle," Bella chimed.
I bowed my head, trying to appear shameful. "I'm sorry, if I had thought that she was in any danger..."
"Edward, don't be too hard on him, remember he is only a day old, I'm sure his thoughts aren't easy to control," Carlisle said, putting his arm around my shoulder.
I heard Bella's thoughts- "Too much thinking is more like it."
"Next time, stay focused, ok," Edward said calmly, lifting my head up. Bella suddenly glared at me again, she was watching another opportunity for putting distance between Edward and me, completely evaporate.
"I'm sorry, I was stupid, I just wanted to work things out with Bella so that our family wouldn't suffer," I said sheepishly. I should have been an actor; I was definitely delivering an Oscar winning performance.
Honestly, I still wanted to return to Bella the broken shoulder she had given Seth. This temporary alliance wouldn't last beyond the Volturi situation; she and I both knew that. The spiteful woman hated me because I was stealing her thunder, I was taking away the attention she craved, and even worse, I was gaining Edward's attention and affection. I was better at being a newborn vampire, and now, she knew that my abilities were vastly superior to hers as well. I would be surprised if she followed through with the plan, I wondered if maybe her ego and jealousies would get the best of her.
As for me, I resented her for resenting me. I hated her contemptuous attitude, and her psychotic obsession with Edward's looks. How could that even be considered love? She was constantly trying to come up with something to cause Edward to hate me, I was fully aware of their intense discussions over me after all. On top of that, how she attacked Jacob for something he had no control over, his imprinting with Renesmee, and ended up breaking Seth's shoulder in the process.
All of this was adding even more fuel to my desire to succeed with my plan. Bella now understood that if I succeeded, her family would be saved, but "I" would be the hero. Her thoughts were constantly shifting from the desire for everyone to survive, to wanting to see me fail in front of everyone. She still wasn't completely convinced that what I had told her was true; the fact was, she just didn't want to believe that there was any possible way that it could be true.