Chapter Twenty

Bella

We drove pretty much in silence the rest of the way, using my new passport when we crossed the Canadian border into North Dakota. It was peaceful sitting here with Darius and I found myself stroking his hair whether to comfort him or myself I didn't know and I wasn't going there just yet. Neither of the guys said anything they just drove in silence and I thought about Darius, he had taken me in as a stranger and tried his best to keep me safe. He had been kind in his own way and I knew he was very fond of me, whether it would go anywhere if we survived I didn't know. My track record with guys was so bad that I couldn't even think of it for long.

I must have fallen asleep eventually because when I woke up we were pulling into a gas station and Peter looked over at me,

"Bella you look like shit. Get yourself in the rest room and clean yourself up then I'll take you in to eat. Darius you strong enough to hunt?"

Darius sat up and twisted his neck back and forth experimentally.

"I think so Peter. I'll take Emmett with me, he can help."

Emmett didn't look pleased but I knew it was that or stay in the restaurant with us and I looked waiting for his decision.

"Sure Darius."

As we walked over to the restaurant I looked back and saw Darius was doing the same. He smiled and lifted a hand before loping into the trees with Emmett.

"Do you think Darius will be OK with Emmett?"

"We don't have any choice. I can't watch you and him at the same time but I don't trust the fucker. All the same Darius may be weak but I'd bet him against Cullen any night. He's a sneaky fucker when he needs to be."

I was starving so I went through to the rest room and looked in the mirror then groaned. I looked like a refugee from a horror movie! Splashing cold water on my face helped a little and I managed to brush my hair thankful that Peter had collected Alice's car while I was in the cabin so I had my wash bag with me. My clothes looked OK if a little creased and deciding I'd done all I could I went back out to find Peter sitting at one of the booths looking at the menu with great interest. When he saw me he smiled, the first real smile I'd seen from him and he stood up as I joined him, reminding me of Edwards impeccable manners. Was it true of all vampires or was it just a sign of their real age?

"I take it there's something on this menu that appeals to you?"

I took it from him and looked,

"Yes, I can find something there. Do I get to eat here or do I have to take it with me again?"

He shrugged,

"I guess it will be OK to eat here, after all I think we're safe enough for now, excepting Emmett of course."

The waitress came over and I ordered the quickest thing on the menu, a garden burger and fries. If Peter changed his mind I could always grab it to go. AS I waited I turned from the window to Peter,

Where are we going?"

"The Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, The Major and I spent some time in a cabin there once, when Charlotte was away visiting friends and before he got caught up with the Poison Dwarf."

"Charlotte? Oh yes your mate. Have you spoken to her yet?"

"Yes. I told her to keep the hell away until I know what's happening but as usual she takes no notice of me!"

He looked at his watch,

"She'll be flying in soon.

"I look forward to meeting her."

"I'd reserve judgement until you've spoken to her. You think I'm abrasive? I'm a kitten compared to Charlotte."

Emmett

Darius and I were waiting when they got back to the truck, He'd found prey easily enough and although I hated the very thought of hunting humans these days I'd seen it often enough in the guard to switch off to the horrors. Bella looked a lot better for the stop but Peter's eyes were almost black.

"You need to hunt Peter."

Bella turned his head to look into his eyes,

"Emmett's right, you do. Why don't you go now? We can wait for you."

"I don't think so. I want to get you to the cabin ASAP Bella. That way I know you'll be OK. I can stand a few more hours. If you think I'm leaving you and a half healed Darius with Emmett Volturi you're very much mistaken."

I rolled my eyes still believing that Emmett wouldn't hurt me personally but I did understand and I was grateful for the protection.

Emmett just nodded and got back in,

"Its OK Bella I understand Peter's reluctance to trust me and I'd feel the same way if the roles were reversed."

"Yeah but they wouldn't because I'd never work for the Volturi. That's the difference between us Cullen."

"Wait until you're in my position before making that call Peter."

"Hey, I wouldn't get into your position. You do as Dr Death says, that's what got you into this mess and my guess is that you'll be expecting us, The Major, to extricate your mate and the rest of your family."

Bella

I was tired of the bickering and feeling full so when Peter turned the heater up seeing me shiver I lay down putting my head in Darius lap for a change and closed my eyes enjoying the feeling of warmth, comfort, and safety. I wondered how much further out the cabin was but the guys had gone quiet and I didn't want to start another row so I held my questions back. I'd find out soon enough when we pulled up, it was dark outside so I wouldn't see the cabin anyway unless the moon came out from behind the thick clouds that obscured them at the moment. Peter was driving without lights too, so outside the window it was pitch black and I hoped it wasn't hiding any nasty surprises from us. As I fell asleep I felt Darius cool hand on my cheek stroking it gently and smiled at the feeling of contentment it gave me.

Peter

The cabin looked the same as it had done all those years ago, if a little more ramshackle but we'd had good times here, talking, hunting, swimming in the creek, deciding what to do with our lives, him away from Maria and me no longer trying to persuade him to leave the Mexican bitch. I checked the area on foot before allowing Emmett to drive up, there were no new scents except animals in the area so I was happy. Inside the furniture, rough homespun stuff, was covered with old sheets so I dragged a couple off and wrapped them round Bella as Darius led her to the chair closest to the ash filled hearth. Should we light a fire or not? Smoke could be seen or smelled but I thought at night especially a moonless night like this it was fairly safe so I went out back and collected enough wood to keep the fire alight till dawn. When I got back in Emmett had stripped off his jacket and was offering it to Bella but she shook her head preferring Darius arm instead, I thought my friend had found himself a possible replacement for Sara at last.

"Soon have you warm Bella"

She smiled at me and I noticed how pretty she could be if she wasn't so tired and scared, in short I could see what Darius was drawn to.

Jasper

I got a cancellation so flew straight to Williston arriving in the early hours of the morning and rented a car from the Hertz desk, waking the attendant to do so. As I drove to the Lostwood Refuge my thoughts turned to Bella Swan. It was good to know she was still alive, I didn't feel quite so guilty knowing she'd survived again although what had happened I didn't know yet but sad at the news she brought, Alice was dead. We had parted soon after leaving Forks but remained friends although I hadn't heard from her in several months. I thought it meant she had nothing to tell me but it turned out she was just running and keeping me out of the loop to ensure my safety. If she'd contacted me perhaps I could have kept her safe, was hers another death to add to my load? I wasn't sure but I was looking forward to finding out what she had seen and told Bella.