Chapter 21
Two days before we were expecting the Cullen's to arrive back with us, we received a phone call.
Carlisle had two main pieces of news. He had spoken to Eleazar who had found out that little was known about human pets apart from if they were left they died a painful death that dragged out for about a month. Eleazar had only heard the pain they suffered was worse than the burn of the change. He had never heard of anyone surviving longer than that.
The other news was from Aro. The attacks against vampires had increased. Larger covens were now being targeted and the guard had been attacked. They had lost guard members. They were calling all allies to seek refuge in Volterra for their own safety. Carlisle surmised Aro wanted to bulk their own numbers, the loss of some guard members had them shaken. Carlisle had agreed to travel to Volterra once he heard Edward was part of the guard that had suffered attack. The Denali's were travelling with them. They had travelled to join the Cullen's after hearing Aro's first warnings and finding unknown vampire scents crossing their territory.
Carlisle tried to encourage us to go to Volterra but Jasper had declined using my newborn status as a reason to delay travelling.
We had all sat listening in to Jasper's conversation with Carlisle.
The mood was sombre but determined.
Peter broke the silence after Jasper hung up, "We have to act".
Jasper nodded, "Yes, but I'm not going over there to line up for target practice".
"Can we pick off the recruiters and maybe disrupt them and feed them some false information to get them fighting between themselves?" I don't know much but I would prefer the job of sniper to that of target, "With my shield and your fighting skills I think we may just give them a run for their money".
Malicious smiles spread through the room. Peter's eyes were dancing, "Ooh, I love the way that diabolical mind of yours works".
The others nodded their agreement.
The Major came out to play as they discussed tactics and strategies. They talked backwards and forwards only coming to the conclusion there was very little we could plan until we got more information. The only thing decided was we would lock down the houses and leave as soon as we could.
Jasper and I went to lock up my house while Peter and Charlotte took care of theirs. Garrett went to move all the vehicles into garages and lock those down.
My first job was to update Charlie and the wolves on the latest news regarding the threat and what we were doing about it. I knew Charlie wouldn't like me putting myself at the front line but I knew he would grudgingly agree that a proactive approach is better than hiding our heads in the sand. He will want me safe but in this case I think we are safer acting rather than hiding.
Jasper had been busy, anticipating possible outcomes. He had ordered back up passports and paperwork for us all. Garrett and I had watched over his shoulder to ensure we were both able to create our own if needed.
I gained a brother, Garrett Wolfe. We looked sufficiently alike to pass as siblings, his hair is a few shades lighter than mine but he has a look of Charlie about him. That may be one of the reasons I took to him so easily. Jasper and Peter were Whitlock brothers, with Charlotte as Peter's wife. Jasper had a couple of passports missing only photos. Nothing like being prepared.
We packed light, a single change of clothes, cash, credit cards, passport and mobile phone with wind up chargers, solar chargers don't suit vampires that need to hide from the sun! The only extra thing I added was the vampire pepper spray and a dry version I thought might travel better. I came up with a 'web shooter' version. It straps to the wrist with a button on the back of the thumb. It is easy to use one handed but doesn't get in the way when fighting. Oh, and lighters, plenty of lighters. The load was split evenly so if any bags got mislaid en-route we would still have resources.
The plan of action was simple. Many of Peter's contacts were only available to contact by word of mouth. We were going to head for last known locations to warn any that may still be unaware of current events or find any new leads they may have. Nomads aren't known for their sedentary lifestyles so we expected to cover considerable ground. We intended staying alert and follow up any scent trails we cross.
Jasper pulled me into a hug as we reached the door ready to leave. Cupping my face in both hands he tilted my face to his. He gave me a tender kiss then broke away, "We won't have much time for ourselves while we are travelling. I want to move forward with you but I think it will have to wait until this is over. Are you... can you..?"
I knew what he wanted to ask, would we be okay, so I cut him off, "As long as we are together I think we can cope with anything. I want to be with you. Our time will come".
He closed his eyes and breathed me in as he hugged me even closer.
This house had only been my home for a few short months but so much had changed for the better in that time. I took one last look back at the house with a huge sense of loss and longing. Jasper hugged me closer, "We will be back. We will make more good memories in that house".
I nodded and hugged him tighter before turning to catch up with the others.
Running over new territory opened the senses. It made it much easier to stay at full alert but all the new inputs became overwhelming if I let them.
I found I was much calmer and at ease when I ran with Jasper. When I was running alone or with one of the others I found it harder to deal with all the new stimuli.
The others were amused to point out that Jasper put out waves of discontent and unease when he ran alone but calm when we ran together. I didn't feel so bad about my weakness after that.
We ran in a diamond formation. I messed things up by having to run with Jasper regardless of if he ran at the front or back. Peter and Jasper alternated front and back. Charlotte and Garrett took the sides.
Night and day now just changed our levels of awareness. During the day we had to avoid the sun and humans. We were okay in wildness areas but we were increasingly in areas of higher human populations in an effort to find Peter's acquaintances, they tend to stay close to their food source. We usually hid out in empty houses, barns or in wooded areas. The worst hiding place was having to bury ourselves in the sandy earth. All the senses impaired by the sand.
I dug myself in right next to Jasper. I held his hand but the sandy soil crushing my face and body, preventing me from breathing and impairing my senses had my panic building. Even Jasper pushing waves of calm at me and his very presence were insufficient to stop the bubbling hysteria. I lost it and started trying to claw my way out. Jasper pulled me towards him. My shield burst out, pushing the earth from myself and Jasper. Jasper wrapped himself around me, cooing and soothing me as he stroked my hair. Jasper and space were enough to bring me back from the brink.
The days hiding from the sun underground became much more pleasant in my mini bunker. We still hid in silence listening and feeling for any vibrations of intruders to the vicinity.
Peter staying true to form came up with some off the wall ideas. He wanted me to create a periscope with the shield so we could keep watch but no amount of attempts on my behalf could create any more than a tube which gave a view of the sky. The tube had a use, it brought fresh air into our underground space. We don't need to breathe but with the fresh air comes any scents or odours in the air. Our enhanced sense of smell became our best early warning of encroaching threats.
At night we were more likely to run in to other vampires. The further south we travelled the more vampires live up to their reputation of being creatures of the night.
We ran in formation far enough apart that if we came across anyone they assumed we were alone or just two of us. We come across less threatening that way. If they were trying to recruit they were cockier if they thought they had the advantage of numbers. According to the others, vampires were conspicuous by their absence. Many must have gone to ground, been taken out or recruited.
We had little time for conversation. We had some whispered conversations as we hid from the sun but in an effort to remain aware and undetected we tended to stay silent so we could hear any potential threat.
Peter left written requests in drop off points to request meetings with all his different contacts. We spent a few weeks just running in circles on the off chance one of them picking up their post!
While keeping a discrete distance as we waited for Peter to deliver yet another message, Jasper taught the rest of us hand signals and other ways we could communicate between ourselves if we were uncertain about the trustworthiness of company. I recognised the one he had used when we met Garrett. Garrett told us of other signals he had seen used over his long life. The more we knew the less likely to get caught out.
Jasper and I were both used to seeing the signs of hidden conversations after dealing with a mind reader but many of the clues were down to knowledge of the individuals.
We were discussing these small signs when Garrett asked, "It sounds like you are talking about two vampires with powers. What powers did they have?"
Jasper responded, "Edward is a mind reader. Alice a seer. Alice's visions are dependant on decisions."
"Bel, How do you know them?" Garrett asked.
I shot Jasper a concerned look as he did the same to me.
That opened a potential can of worms when we realised Belinda shouldn't have known the other two Cullen's. We had made no mention of them as Cullen's but Garrett realised I knew Jasper, Edward and Alice as a human.
If Garrett was travelling with us, things like this were likely to come up more often. I think Jasper must have read my fluctuating emotions and guessed my decision.
"The story we told you of my past is the truth as far as it goes. I am withholding details of my past for good reason. Belinda is the alias I was living under when Peter and Charlotte came across me in the woods. These three all know of my past but others outside the family only know the story we told you. If the wrong people find out all the details it would put the safety of at least two communities in jeopardy.
Edward and Alice are with the Volturi now. I knew them before but I would appreciate that remaining between us".
Garrett's eyes widened as he put the pieces together but he asked no more questions. Jasper informed me later he was understanding and appreciative that we remained honest with him even without full disclosure.
The conversation changed direction. Garrett spent time giving me Vampire 101 from his perspective.
"Bel, how much do you know about vampires?" Garrett asked me.
I thought for a moment about how to answer but not give any more away, "I suppose I know a basic overview about the advantages and disadvantages of vampires over humans but I learned of the exceptions not the rule".
Garrett looked like he expected an answer like that, "Nomads tend to be loners. They may run in groups of two or three but they rarely stay together for more than a couple of decades. True mated vampires are rare but never even mess with vampire couples. With the loss of a partner they can go to extreme measures to get revenge."
I snorted with wry laughter, Garrett shot me a sharp look but with a shake of my head I let him know I wasn't going to explain.
He continued, "Covens tend to stay within a territory. They usually comprise of between three and five vampires. The only two groups known today to successfully manage a greater number of members in peace are the Volturi and the Cullen's. It is widely believed it is only Chelsea's power for creating bonds is the reason the Volturi can operate in the way it currently does".
Jasper filled Garrett in on the Cullen's, "The diet of animal blood allowed the Cullen's to live the lifestyle they maintained, the animal blood seems to bring out the human side rather than the more animalistic tendencies of our vampire side. The Cullen's live as a family not a coven".
Garrett took the expected conclusion, he looked at Jasper, "You lived with the Cullen's, I'm assuming Edward and Alice were part of the coven".
Jasper nodded and Garrett continued, "Why the split?"
Jasper glanced at me only for an instant but Garrett noticed, "A contested individual decision with unexpected and far reaching consequences. I ended up here and Edward and Alice ended up in Volturi".
Jasper's tone stopped any more of that line of questions.
Garrett glanced back at me but he took the hint and went back to his version of vampire 101, "Active powers are the exception not the rule. I believe the Volturi can be quite determined when it comes to getting vampires with powers to join them." I could see the question floating in his head but he didn't push to know more about why three vampires with powers had left the coven.
Peter's return put an end to that conversation.
Thinking about Garrett's comment about powers, having met the Cullen's I mistakenly believed powers were quite common. It made me realise how much more the Cullen's were at risk now they no longer had any active powers among them. I better understood Carlisle's decision to accept Volturi protection.