Insert standard ideas are mine, characters are hers statement here.

We do remember this is an M rated story, don't we, folks? Yes? Then carry on.

~EE~

Chapter 24: Winds of change

Edward mentally kicked himself for making the wrong decision when it came to revealing L's enchantment and how every human at Evermore thought it was 1827 when it was truly 2010. He had wanted to spare Bella the information overload, and had made the unilateral decision to not reveal that detail. Now it had crashed down upon him.

Bella had already come to grips with that he was a vampire and that there were others like him in the world. She had accepted this with her usual logical aplomb. Facing the facts, she understood what had happened and after contemplating for a few moments, asking supplemental questions to flush out the details, Bella had come to the conclusion that Edward was a vampire who used animals rather than humans to feed upon and was not a threat to her safety. While not entirely accurate, it was far better than her running screaming into the night and possibly James' clutches. Then something had clicked in her brain, and she realized Evermore was not all she had believed. As a result, he had only succeeded in filling her with feelings of betrayal.

"Hello, pretty girl."

Edward paused slightly upon hearing a voice through the walls of the manor house. In his self-flagellation, Edward had not realized another mind working nearby. A sense of dread had flowed over him upon hearing someone other than Bella in the house, but he instantly recognized who it was and relaxed significantly. Then the regret hit him full on. Growling at himself for not paying attention to anything other than his need to find Bella, Edward bolted to the library. He would never forgive himself if something happened to her because of his own negligence.

Edward found Bella backed against a bookcase, clutching her nightgown to her breast, staring wide eyed at a young woman sitting atop the rolling ladder. The guest wore a traditional Irish linen dress in a neutral wheat color without any adornment bar a single band of embroidery around the hem.

"Fuckin' A, Edward, she's a pretty one," the girl grinned, lightly rocking one crossed leg back and forth as if she did not have a care in the world.

Bella continued to gaze warily at the woman, internally battling between attempting to flee for her life or to run to the safety of Edward's arms. The interloper had an innocent air to her youthful features which instantly put Bella on the alert. She had trusted Edward and look what it had brought her—feelings of utter humiliation and betrayal. Bella was not about to be fooled again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

"Maggie," Edward stated flatly, nodding lightly.

Maggie giggled and leaped off the top of the ladder, landing lightly a foot in front of Bella, causing her release a high-pitched shriek and to jump back even further into the bookshelf. Maggie tilted her head to the side, her bright red curls bouncing from the impact of the leap as she studied Bella's face.

"No reason to scare her, Maggie," Edward warned with a low growl.

"Ya'd think ya'd be a bit more receptive to my presence, Edweird," Maggie grinned, taking an exaggerated step back. "Alice thought you might need some reinforcements. Carlisle put out the all call, and since we're just a hop and a skip away, here I am! Ma and Da are helpin' to find L."

Edward glared at Maggie, causing her to giggle even more.

"Maggie's the name," she announced, holding one hand out to Bella in greeting. "Most pleased to meet the woman to tame the emobeast."

"Maggie…" Edward growled.

"Shush. You're in enough trouble as it is with Miss Bella here. Alice filled us all in to what's going on here. You don't need to have me peeved as well. Might try to bring the pretty girl over to the vag…"

"Don't finish," he ordered, running one hand through his hair in frustration.

There were times Edward truly hated being a vampire and the lack of privacy was the number one characteristic he loathed. No more than half an hour from consummating his relationship with Bella and his entire family probably knew in excruciating detail what had happened between them.

"Itarian way," Maggie giggled, sticking her tongue out at Edward.

Bella continued to stare at the two of them, her heart about to pound out of her chest. Who was this person? Why was she here? To what purpose did her presence serve?

"Best explain it all before she goes thermonuclear," Maggie smiled, showing a mouthful of sharp, white teeth. "Be a dear and fix her some tea or whatever, E-boy. Oh, wait. You're not a boy anymore, are you?"

Edward's head dropped to his chest. Hell was now located in the library of Masen Manor, and he was listening to Satan's angels giggle.

"I won't hurt her. You know that," Maggie insisted.

"Are you in need of anything, Bella?" Edward asked softly.

Bella's head jerked from staring at Maggie to gaze at him, her eyes wide and unblinking. Edward seemed almost hesitant, as if he was deferring to her will. The sincerity in his eyes and entire demeanor softened her stance, just slightly. Maybe he had told her the truth.

"Tea. Tea would be great," Bella stuttered.

"Bella?" Edward inquired gently.

"Hmmm?"

"Maggie's okay."

"He speaks the truth!" Maggie announced self-importantly before bursting into giggles. "Now, shoo, Emo-weird. Shoo!"

Edward sighed unnecessarily, having seen in Maggie's mind the conversation between her and Alice and how important it was for Maggie to talk with Bella if they were to move beyond her feelings of betrayal.

"Jay-sus, boy. I'm not going to hurt her. You've done a right fine job o' doin' that on your own. Shoo!" Maggie brushed Edward away and took a step toward Bella.

With a huff and a sigh, Edward disappeared down the hall. Bella blinked in amazement. They had discussed vampire traits, and she knew he could run fast, but seeing it in action was an incredible event in itself. No matter how many times he dashed about, she was certain she would never get used to the experience.

"You certainly have him all in a confuzzled bluster, don't you, Miss Isabella Swan?" Maggie grinned.

"The feeling is quite mutual," Bella murmured, not moving from her place pressed back against the stacks.

"Okay, let's get the niceties over before Emo-man returns. You know I'm a vampire."

Bella nodded mutely.

"You know some of us have special talents."

Again, a nod.

"You know this is going to be a real long night if you just nod like a frickin' bobbie bird."

Bella nodded again, earning a light sigh of exasperation. Maggie circled the room and flopped down sideways into an overstuffed red velvet armchair, her legs dangling over the armrest.

"My talent is I'm a bullshit meter."

Bella's eyes widened, and her heart picked up speed. Suddenly, it became perfectly clear as to why Maggie had proclaimed Edward telling the truth. All she would have to do is ask him a question, and Maggie would tell her if he was truthful or not. Her heart soared for a moment at that idea but the niggling notion that if she could not believe him without an outside source crept into her mind. How strong would a relationship be if she always wanted external confirmation of his intentions, words and deeds?

"So, Alice figured I was needed here rather than helping find L. You can ask Eddie-boy any question, and I will let you know if he's shittin' ya or not."

"I appreciate the offer, Maggie, but…"

"I know what you're going to say. Alice thought you might argue. Be all noble and the like. But I'm here to get you over the hump." Maggie giggled like the early teenager she appeared to be.

Bella felt herself blush deeply as she rolled her eyes. Edward had been right that there would be no secrets in a vampire household.

As soon as she thought of Edward, he appeared at the door with a small tray with a teapot, cup and saucer, spoon, sugar, cream and lemon. Bella felt her heart skip as she took in his subdued demeanor. He seemed truly remorseful over the turn of events. Edward's eyes flashed over to hers upon hearing her heartbeat stutter and felt the hope grow within him. Surely if she were through with him, her physiology would not change upon seeing him.

Bella watched in rapt silence as Edward prepared a perfect cup of tea and presented it to her while Maggie lay back in her chair, her eyes closed as she hummed a cheerful tune.

"Please," Edward pled softly as Bella took the cup and crossed to the davenport.

Bella sat primly on the edge of the sofa before taking a small sip of her tea. She closed her eyes as the gentle flavors ran over her palate, sighing peacefully as she began to relax. After several minutes and an empty cup, Bella took a deep breath. Edward's eyes shot over to meet hers.

"Dark things," she murmured.

"Hmmm?" Edward mused, looking at her hopefully.

"This is what Will warned me about. For me to hear everything without jumping to conclusions."

Edward nodded slowly.

"Truth!" Maggie exclaimed loudly before turning back to her internal musings.

"How?" demanded Bella, her brow furrowing as she tried to figure out this mass hypnosis.

"I'm not sure…"

"How does everyone believe it is 1827?"

"L would be better to…" Edward began gently.

"She's not here right now, is she?" Bella quietly snarled, her anger returning. As quickly as her emotions exploded, she gathered them in, putting on a calm face before turning to face Edward.

"Oohh…I like this one. She doesn't put up with your bullshit," Maggie giggled, obviously pleased that Edward had met his match. There were only so many decades of tenderfooting a vampire could take, after all.

"L's talent is to the ability to make anyone…any human…believe anything she wants them to believe," Edward stated flatly.

"C'est vrai!" Maggie giggled.

"Anything? Like my feelings for you?"

"No. She doesn't deal in emotions. A personality is completely taken from the present to any time she so chooses. Any feelings you may have had for me were real." Edward dipped his head, fully expecting that Bella's affection for him had been blown away and irreparable.

"Veritas!" Maggie interjected, wagging her eyebrows at Bella who returned the expression with her own faint smile.

At least her heart was immune to this enchantment, even if her mind had not been.

"And her talent doesn't work on vampires?"

"Not that we know of."

"Verdad," Maggie muttered in a bored tone.

"So when you said…" started Bella, her eyes wide in fear of the emotional pain she was opening herself up to by asking Edward's feelings for her.

"When I said I had fallen in love with you, it was the absolute truth." Edward stared at her, his eyes unblinking, willing her to believe him.

Bella furiously waved off Maggie as she opened her mouth to announce the veracity of Edward's profession.

"I believe you," she whispered, earning a hopeful smile from Edward which she cautiously returned. Bella thought back over the day.

"You growled at Will," Bella softly inquired.

"He had an errant thought. He was sorry the second it happened."

"Mostly true," Maggie announced in a bored voice.

"He held you responsible for L's kidnapping," Edward continued apologetically.

"I see. And this other vampire?"

"James."

"What does he want with me?"

"We don't entirely know. Perhaps it's revenge for killing his mate or the challenge of taking down a family or…" Edward paused as Bella yawned loudly.

"So if I left, he'd release L?" Bella murmured.

"No!" shouted Maggie and Edward in unison.

"Okay, okay. It was just an idea." Bella threw up her hands in defeat. She sat back on the sofa, closing her eyes in an attempt to process all of the new information.

The carriage clock struck five in the morning.

"Bella?" Edward whispered as Maggie discretely exited the room.

"Hmmm?" she murmured, feeling the heaviness of sleep weigh down upon her. Bella felt herself being picked up and snuggled into the cool, hard flesh of Edward's chest. She lightly ran her fingertips over the skin, smiling softly at the low purr she felt more than heard.

"So you do love me?" she whispered.

"More than anything, Bella," he replied softly, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

"Very true," a soft lilting voice floated through the hall.

Bella nodded as she completely gave over to the sleep that she so desperately needed.

~EE~

Just before sunrise, L found herself roused from a fitful sleep by a petulant Bree.

"Move it," Bree curtly ordered, kicking at L's ankles and throwing a crumpled McDonalds bag at her.

"What's this?" L muttered, rubbing her eyes and peering into the sack.

"Breakfast. Get up. We're moving."

"I hate eggs," L griped more to herself than to anyone else as she pulled out the Egg McMuffin and removed the egg from the sandwich. "Well, scrambled, at least. A good over easy with some wheat toast and buttered just right, that's pretty good." She grasped the perfect circle of overdone protein between her fingertips gently and wiggled it back and forth, shuddering and giggling at the same time. "I am so losing any grasp on reality," she muttered before tossing the rubber-like egg portion into the dust.

"Well, Princess, you forgot to fill out the room service card last night so you'll just have to do with chef's choice."

L gazed up at her young captor and took a bite of the breakfast sandwich. She chewed thoughtfully for a moment and gave a slight smile.

"What are you smiling about?" Bree muttered, glancing out the door to see if anyone was approaching. James had left a half-hour before to scope out yet another location in the countryside surrounding Evermore for them to move to and had given explicit orders on when and how to follow.

"You know, if circumstances were different, you and I could have been the best of friends," L replied, choking down the next bite of her meal.

"Fucking doubt that."

"Really? Whatever for? We're both snarky as hell. Quick witted. Fairly attractive, as well. I think we'd get along quite well. Did you happen to get me a drink, by the way? Those things are always drier than the Sahara."

"Fuck off."

"You sure are enamored by that word. What would your parents say?"

"Fuck you."

"Sorry, sweetie, I'm married."

"Not for long…"

L glared at the standing woman and tossed the balled up paper bag into the corner. Bree did not even flinch, though she did eye L carefully. Already, the young vampire was learning to temper her urges; however, L knew Bree did not have complete control.

"James has promised your husband to me when all this is done," Bree announced proudly.

L felt the anger well up in her. How dare that bastard… Suddenly, L realized James was making promises to placate Bree. He had not bothered explaining the intricacies of vampire, or in her case, vampire-hybrid, relationships. This could be interesting.

"He did?" L murmured, trying to make her voice sound sad. "Now what would you want with an old man like my Will? You're what? Fourteen? He's over two hundred."

"Fifteen. Now, I'm immortal. Might as well have someone to spend it with, and he's handsome enough. Let's go," Bree ordered, tossing her brown curls over her shoulder.

"Fifteen? Oh, dear sweet lord…" L's heart sank as she realized James had changed this child and quite possibly done more.

"I said get up. We're supposed to meet James in ten minutes."

"Why do you do everything he says?"

"Why wouldn't I? Now get up."

L slowly stood and brushed off the dust as best she could.

"Free will, for one," L murmured gently, adjusting the oversized shirt. "Everyone has a choice."

Bree spun around angrily, her eyes flashing garnet red.

"You know nothing about me!" she hissed, taking a step toward L, her entire body tense and threatening. L's eyes widened slightly as she watched the diminutive girl warily. "Not all of us have silver spoons thrown at us. Some have had to work since they were ten. Not all of us grow up in the lap of luxury. Some have no roof over our heads to go home to every night. Not all of us are Cullens!" Bree spat the last word angrily.

L tilted her head in confusion, her brow creasing in thought, wondering just what false information James had told this young woman. She remained silent as she picked up the purple laptop bag and pulled it over her shoulder.

"Seems we have more in common than you think, Bree," L murmured gently, ignoring the scoffing noise from Bree as the younger woman shoved her out the door.

L looked up at the sky as the sun began to rise, smiling a little to herself as she made out the dark blue tinged with pink. She then gave a little sad sigh as she realized there was not a cloud above. L wistfully wondered where Will was and if he was close. She knew he was searching for her but hoped and prayed he would be careful and not make a rash judgment. L then laughed at herself. Will had been a soldier for over two hundred years. He probably knew a thing or two about how to find an enemy and the proper way to approach once you found him.

"I lived alone for a long time before Carlisle found me," L stated flatly, crunching through the underbrush gingerly. She hated walking in the woods without shoes and grimaced with every step. "The woman that raised me that didn't want me around for the first part; it wasn't pretty."

"What, she wouldn't buy you Gucci?" Bree sneered, shoving L in the back to push her to go a little faster.

"I've never worn Gucci," L replied softly. "I spent the first seventy years of my life in homespun."

"Oh, cry me a river."

"The first forty-some-odd as a sideshow freak. I've been shot, poisoned, cut, and drowned."

"Shut up!"

"No, really."

"No, really. Shut! Up! God! I cannot believe how much you talk, talk, talk!" Bree punched at an oak tree, splintering it in half and sending several blackbirds crying into the air.

L smiled wanly as she watched the birds disappear, wondering if any of her family saw them, and continued telling Bree her entire life story, the good and the bad, from birth until she met Carlisle Cullen, leaving out none of the gory details. While Bree huffed and tried to ignore her charge, L could tell the younger woman was listening and thinking so she moved on to talk about the years alone in a little cabin between Maggie Valley and Valle Crucis.

"'Bout fucking time you got her here," James announced, appearing suddenly and snatching the laptop case from L's shoulder. "Take her inside the house."

L could not believe they were at the Newton home. She shuddered to think of what had happened to Mike and Jessica, praying quickly that all of the Evermore students had been somehow removed from town.

"A please wouldn't kill you," L muttered as Bree glared at James but moved to follow his orders.

"If she doesn't please, I will kill her," James replied with an evil grin, earning a shudder from L and a wide-eyed gawk from Bree.

"But…" Bree began to whine before a loud crack cut her off.

L stared in silent shock as Bree flew through the air and crashed into the brick wall surrounding the garden, shattering it into rubble. Bree slowly stood, rubbing her jaw while glaring at James.

"Take her in the house, Pet," James ordered in a soft voice that brooked no disobedience. "It won't be long before the one I want gets close, and I want to be prepared." He pulled the laptop out of its case and turned it on.

"You heard the man," Bree gritted, still fuming at James' treatment of her. She grabbed L by the arm and roughly dragged her into the house and up the stairs.

L remained silent as she found herself pulled into Mrs. Newton's shocking pink bedroom. She looked around at the walls and shuddered.

"Bit offensive, isn't it?" L muttered, holding back the retch she felt in the pit of her stomach.

Bree remained silent, staring out the window as she blocked the doorway.

L looked around the bedroom before hesitantly approaching the armoire.

"Do you mind?" she asked, motioning toward the piece of furniture.

"Mind what?"

"I want something else to wear unless you want to take me by my store to get something?" L inquired hopefully, not really expecting Bree to acquiesce.

"Suit yourself," Bree muttered, still not moving from her post. She continued to think and stare out the window.

L remained silent as she scrounged through the shelves. As she searched, she continued to steal concerned glances over at Bree only to be ignored by the girl. L's eyes landed on a very familiar piece of clothing, and she slowly pulled out the royal blue dress. It was the same dress she had worn when Will proposed. Quite unconsciously, L glanced around the room, half expecting the entire Cullen clan to burst through the windows and door like a crack military team. She could almost hear the dramatic John Williams music in the background. But nothing happened.

L quietly pulled the required undergarments from the shelves and folded them in her arms.

"I'm just going to step behind the screen to change," L murmured, knowing Bree could hear her. L watched in concerned silence as Bree made no move to stop her. She sighed happily as she realized the pitcher of wash water was still warm and internally gave thanks to Alice and all things warm and comfortable. She had not been rescued quite yet, but she took hope from the knowledge that the others now knew where she was being held. A quick sponge bath later, L emerged barefoot but clothed in much more comfortable clothing.

"Well, I may not look any better, but I sure feel better," L sighed, flopping onto the bed and staring up into the ceiling before the idea of what might be nesting in the covers hit, causing her to flinch. Then she realized she had slept on the ground in a hut in the woods and figured it probably did not matter and relaxed into the pillows.

L had just started to drift off to sleep when she heard Bree sigh sadly. L opened one eye and peeked over at the young woman.

"You okay?" L murmured gently.

"I'm fine," Bree murmured unconvincingly.

"You sure about that?"

"Fuck off." Bree's words held none of the vitriol they had earlier in the day.

"Oh, are we at that song and dance again?" L sat up in the middle of the bed and crossed her legs, gazing silently at her guard. "I ask a question you don't like, you tell me to fuck myself which I'm pretty sure without the right toys would be pretty near impossible and frankly, I wouldn't use anything in this room if you paid me all the tea in China." She shuddered melodramatically.

"You sure talk a lot."

"Only when nervous and frankly, being held captive by two vampires is enough to make anyone nervous. I'd much rather listen."

"I don't have anything to say to you," Bree snipped, turning her back on L.

L made a rather non-committal noise and nodded. She internally began counting down from ten and made it to four before Bree spun around, a pained look in her eyes.

"It's just…"

L remained silent, waiting for Bree to continue before the door flew open and Mrs. Newton flittered in. She stopped suddenly, obviously startled by the presence of L sitting on her bed and this strangely dressed young woman.

"Oh!" Jessica squeaked, clutching her throat dramatically. "I did not realize Mr. Hunter had sent you two up here! Michael is talking with him downstairs about some sort of business deal. I just wanted to get my wrap before I head out. Mrs. Yorkie is having a surprise birthday tea for Miss Marple down the way. The entire town's been invited, and…" Her voice trailed off as she pranced over to the armoire and pulled out a lime green and hot pink fake fur wrap.

L glanced nervously over at Bree who was starting to shake, obviously fighting the newborn thirst that was tearing at her throat. As much as she did not like Mrs. Newton as a person, L could not stand to see her become vampire fodder and knew she needed to get her out of the room as quickly as possible.

"Then you don't want to be late, do you?" L said quickly, rising from the bed and putting herself between Bree and Mrs. Newton. She grabbed a confused Mrs. Newton's arm and nearly threw her out of the bedroom, slamming the door as she went. L turned back to Bree, a look of genuine concern in her eyes.

"I'm fine," Bree gritted.

"I didn't ask. And you need to work on your tells a little better. The quick blink of the eyes is completely unnecessary and sets off that you're lying."

"Fuck you."

L sighed and pretended to write on her hand. "One OED for Bree for Christmas." She made a big show of folding the imaginary notebook and shoving it into her pocket.

"I could kill you now and put me out of my misery," Bree threatened.

"You wouldn't want to do that."

"Give me one good reason."

"Then you'd be alone."

"Bullshit. I have James."

"Darling, I was born at night, but it wasn't last night. You are nothing more than a means to an end for James. Unless you two have some sort of Dom-Sub thing going on where you get off on his treatment of you, he is only going to take you along as far as he needs to and once he meets the goal he wants, you are going to be left at the side of the road or worse." L climbed back on the bed and sat up against the headboard.

"I'll have your husband," Bree muttered petulantly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Do you want him?"

"What?"

"You have said several times that you'll quote have unquote my husband. My mate. Do. You. Want. Him?"

"Well…"

"Deep subject."

"What?"

"Wells. They are deep subjects." L waved her hands in front of her as if to erase the image. "Forget it. Do you want my mate, knowing he won't want you."

"Of course he will!"

"Why?"

Bree remained silent for a moment.

"Vampires mate for life," L continued. "For their entire existence. You don't go hopping from being to being unless you just want the purely physical aspect. Once you find your one, your mate…that's it. No one else will do."

"But James said…"

"Can you really trust anything he has ever said to you?" L interrupted. "You don't have to answer that now. Just think on it."

Bree stared out the window.

~EE~

Divide and conquer, right? Next up…a return to Masen Manor.

A very, very special thank you to Najia on Twilighted who was my very 1st review and Brokende who was my 1,000th review on FFn and to each and every one between and beyond.

I'd love to know what you thought and if you were disappointed that it wasn't James in the library…it was tough not to blab in my review replies.