Nightmare
I have realized that the past and future are real illusions that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is.
Alan Watts
EDWARD'S POV
I walked slowly up the stairs and my jostling steps revealed Bella's ankles and my mother's anklet. A smile spread across my face. It thrilled me that she was wearing it. The door to her room was open and a soft glow of light emanated into the hall.
A maid greeted me with a nod as I entered the room and motioned to the bed. I placed Bella on it and motioned the maid over.
Pointing to the anklet, I said, "Leave it on."
I hoped she would understand. She grinned and said in broken English that she would.
I made my way to my room, pulling out my cell at the same time and dialed Carlisle. He didn't pick up, which meant he was either at the hospital and not able to pick-up or out hunting. So, I left a message.
"Carlisle, I need you to call me back as soon as you can. Something strange has happened to me, and I desperately need your thoughts on it."
Tossing my phone of the bed, I started pacing the room.
Carlisle called me back five minutes later. "What's wrong, Edward?"
I proceeded to tell him about my unique gift being blocked and not being able to hear anyone's thoughts or conversations.
"Have you ever heard of this happening?" I asked when I was done.
There was a long pause.
"No. And don't get me wrong, Edward. I do believe you. Like you said, it's a bit strange. Has this happened before? I know you said you can't hear Bella's thoughts. Is that still true?"
"I would have told you if it had. And yes, I still can't hear Bella's thoughts," I said, running my free hand through my hair. "I don't like the feeling it gives me, Carlisle." I sat heavily on the bed. "It makes me feel defenseless."
"I wish I could tell you that you'll be fine, Edward. But you'll only been in Scotland for a few more days," Carlisle said.
I didn't know where he was going.
"Perhaps this was an isolated incident. Let me know if it happens again."
"Thanks, Carlisle," I said before hanging up and pulling at my tie, taking it off. I changed into some lounge pants and ruffled the bed up. Sitting, I tried to read, but it proved fruitless. My mind was still on what had happened.
When had I stopped hearing everything going on around me?
Up until Bella started singing, and then it was as if all else just vanished, leaving only me and her. I had been drawn to her, yes, but there was something else, almost… magical.
I hadn't been sitting down long when an urgent, frantic knock came on the door.
BELLA'S POV
I didn't know what was going on. I was still in the Great Hall but everyone had vanished.
The image before me slowly dissolved, and I was on stage singing as Edward played accompaniment. Thunderous applause reverberated throughout the small auditorium, and I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. Edward got up from the piano bench and walked toward me, but before he could reach me the scene swirled again, and I found myself once again in the Great Hall with Edward. He was standing in front of me, trying to tell me something; I couldn't make out what he was saying. All I could see was Jacob coming up behind Edward with a knife in his hand.
I bolted straight up, fear washing over me.
"My lady," a maid cried. "Is thaur somethin' wrang?"
I looked at her confused.
"What time is it?"
"It is a wee efter eleven in th' forenicht," she answered. "Ah was drawin' th' covers ower ye when ye sat up."
"So, I haven't been in bed long."
It wasn't really question, and she didn't answer. I got out of bed and ran to the door. The urge to make sure Edward was all right, guiding my flight. The cold, stone floor didn't faze me as I rounded the corner. Only a few more doors and I would be outside Edward's room. Not waiting to catch my breath, I raised my hand and knocked.
Come on, Edward.
I was about to knock again, when the door opened. Relief washed over me as I threw my arms around him.
EDWARD'S POV
When I opened the door, Bella was on the other side out of breath and her fist raised ready to knock again. She immediately threw her arms around my waist.
"Bella?" I said, wrapping my arms around her.
Was she in danger?
I checked the hall, but I saw no one. I gazed down at her as she looked up at me. I was concerned, seeing unshed tears in her eyes. She was the first to turn away, burying her head in my shoulder. I drew her into the room. After closing the door, I led her to the bed and sat down, holding her close.
Minutes passed by, and we remained silent. Ten minutes after she arrived, another knock sounded on the door.
The moment I made to get up, Bella's grip became a little tighter. I rubbed soothing circles on her back, calling for whomever it was to come in. When I looked over at the door, I was met with Malcolm's questioning stare.
I shook my head, and he seemed to understand.
"Isabella, lassie, what happened?" he asked.
I felt her shake her head and stiffened slightly.
What happened to her?
"Tell us?" he urged.
We waited patiently for her answer. She pulled away spoke, and I didn't understand what she was saying. All I did know was it had something to do with Jacob and me.
BELLA'S POV
Did I want to tell Edward? No, but I didn't want to leave Edward and Grandfather needed to know. I started speaking in Gaelic. Knowing Edward wouldn't know exactly what I was saying.
"I was woken from a nightmare. It started out in the Great Hall and moved to an unknown stage in which I was singing being accompanied by Edward. Then the dream changed again, and I was back in the Great Hall with Edward. Jacob was coming up behind him with a knife. It felt so real," I said, feeling the hot tears roll down my face. "I had to make sure it wasn't and ran here."
I again buried my face against Edward's neck.
"Is Jacob close?" Grandfather asked.
I pulled back from Edward, looking up at him. Confusion was written on his face. I hated that he was clueless again.
"I feel he is closer than we know," I replied, peering at Grandfather a moment before sinking back into Edward's embrace.
Grandfather cursed. "Dooble th' guard," he said a few moments later.
It wasn't surprising he called the guard.
"An' send fower guards tae patrol th' halls ootwith Isabella an' Edward's rooms."
I wasn't quite prepared for what happened next.
"Come, baith ay ye," Grandfather said, opening the secret panel in Edward's room.
"What's going on?" Edward asked, well more like demanded, not getting up nor allowing me to stand.
"Isabella's is in danger and"—Grandfather caught my eye momentarily, and I nodded—"so are you."
Edward stood and helped me up before going over to his bags get a sweatshirt. Once he donned the garment, he reached back into a bag and took something else out, putting it into his pocket before grabbing his cell from the nightstand.
Once we were inside the passage and Grandfather had closed the panel, I used my powers to light a torch. I made sure it sound like I had struck a match.
In Gaelic, Grandfather said, "You must tell him, lass. And tell him how know you about the danger coming, and who you are."
"I don't know," I remarked.
"Isabella, you can trust him. I wouldn't have delivered the anklet you still wear if I did trust him with your safety."
"Why did you give to me and not him?" I asked.
Grandfather sighed. "He didn't believe you would accept it from him."
Grandfather and I fell silent after that. I had a lot to think about. We continued to walk deeper. I knew the passage well, but I haven't been in it in years. When we were at stairs that would lead us down under the keep to the safe rooms, the impending doom I was escaping hit me full force. I collapsed in a fit of tears. Immediately, Edward was kneeling beside me and pulling me to him.
EDWARD'S POV
I was only a few paces behind when Bella fell to her knees. A loud sob left her.
"Bella, it will be okay. Everything will be okay," I said, needing to believe that as much as her. "I'll keep you safe… keep us both safe."
I gathered her into my arms. After standing, I nodded at Malcolm and we continued down the stairs. It wasn't much longer until he ushered me into a concrete room.
"You two will safe here. I will return when the danger is neutralized." He left closing the door, and I heard the latch slide into place.
Silence engulfed us.
There were three military-style bunk beds against the far wall, two long tables, and eight wood chairs in the rooms. An air vent was cut into the wall on the right side of the room, and on the left, a series of shelves with books and games on them.
Heading to the one of the bunks, I laid Bella done and began pacing.
Why hadn't Alice called me?
BELLA'S POV
I watched as Edward walked back and forth. When his hands moved to his hair and tugged, I had to say something… no, I had to explain.
Seizing my necklace, I asked in a barely audible whisper, "Will he believe me?"
Opening my hand, I saw the stone was a blue-green hue.
"Can I trust him?"
Again, when I open my hand, the stone was still blue-green.
I wasn't exactly sure what the color meant, but I knew green meant yes and blue… it's meaning wasn't coming to me.
Taking a deep breath, I said, "Edward, I think I should explain."
He turned and sat on the bunk, facing me, not saying anything.
"Jacob is near and could be in the Keep," I said, not delaying.
Leaning forward, he took my hands in his. "How do you know?"
"You might not believe me," I said, staring at our joined hands. It was a comfort.
He freed one of his hands and brought it up, raising my chin with his fingers.
"Try me," he said simply, letting his hand rest on my jaw, keeping me from looking away.
I didn't know how I am going to explain, and then an idea came to me. I smiled. I hoped he wouldn't freak out.
"Okay, let me dim the lights some."
Without getting up, in my mind I commanded the lights to dim, and they did.
He looked around but said nothing.
Interesting. Let's see how he handles this.
Without uttering a word, I called for one of the books. It floated over and landed in my lap. Still, he said nothing. I probed his mind.
What is she trying to tell me? And who dimmed the lights? The book, I can't explain that one.
"Edward, honestly? Do you really think there is someone else in here besides the two of us? I dimmed the lights and called for the book."
He had been looking around, and his eyes snapped back to me.
"You dimmed the lights and called for the book?" he repeated in question.
"Yes, I did, Edward. I saw in a nightmare Jacob coming for you."
He was silent for a few moments.
"What are you saying? Can you see the future?" he asked.
How in the world did he come to that conclusion? It doesn't matter.
"Not always. And it's a bit more than that," I said.
I was still waiting for him to react.
"I only see what could happen when it involves me or someone I really care about."
"Isabella, tell him more. Tell him about yourself. Tell him your secret," Grandmother advised, echoing Grandfather's earlier advice.
"I should have told this earlier, when we had talked after the council's ruling. I couldn't."
I looked away from him, collecting myself.
"Do you know why I asked to speak to the council in the first place?" I asked.
"You didn't want what they arranged for you," he answered.
"That's one reason."
I blew out a breath, turning my gaze back to him.
"You were the other reason."
"You faced the council because of me?" he asked, astonished.
Raising my hand, I caressed his face. "Yes. I really care about you, Edward. There are some things that I want—" I couldn't finish.
EDWARD'S POV
Bella cared about me, and I cared about her. Words failed me, but I wanted to tell her in some way. So, I leaned in and kissed her, not thinking about all the ways I could hurt her. It was then and there I knew I could never hurt her. Everything I was feeling for her was put into the kiss. When I pulled back, she was breathless.
"I care so much about you, Bella. Words cannot express how much," I said before kissing her again.
She melted into me kissing me back while wrapping her arms around my neck. Holding Bella in my arms felt right, so right.
Slowly, I broke the kiss, leaving her breathless once again. I rested my forehead against hers.
"Sorry," I said. "You were saying there were some things you want to tell me."
She was dazed and just stared, blinking at me.
I chuckled. "Earth to Bella, you were saying there were things you should have told me."
"Right."
I gave her a crooked smile. "Like?"
"I'm a magical being," she said.
It was my turn to stare at her.
"I can think of a place and with a snap of my fingers be there in an instant. I can summon things, like the book, and no matter how far the object is it will come to me. I see things before the happen and, sometimes, I'm able to prevent them. I can wave a wand and change anything to something else at a whim."
"What are you trying to say?" I asked.
"I'm a witch and a wizard… a hybrid, Edward," she said, biting her lip.
"Who you are, what you are doesn't change how I feel about you," I said, prizing her lip from between her teeth.
I decided that I wanted to tell Bella what I was. Instantly, my phone rang.
Alice.
"I need to take this, Bella, but I promise to make it quick. There's something I want to tell you," I said.
"Wait," she said before I accepted the call. "You deserve a little privacy for that call, and I can give you that. Tell Alice I miss her. And tell your family what I told you. I trust them."
My phone had stopped ringing, but I knew Alice wouldn't give up.
"Here," Bella said, taking off her necklace. "Just say my name and I will return. There is one other room I will be safe in."
She kissed me once more, snapped her fingers, and disappeared as my phone started ringing again.