Alice missed a catch with a faraway look on her face. Bella was surprised when all the Cullens suddenly surrounded her. Edward tucked her into his side protectively.
"Three minutes" Alice spoke confusing Bella.
"How many?" Jasper asked. No one answered but he seemed satisfied like he had his answer.
Bella tuned her face to Edward who had his eyes locked with Carlisle in a staring contest. As soon as Edward felt her eyes on him he read the confusion on her face.
"There are three vampires coming this way. They heard us play. We don't know them. Please, stand with mother." He told her. Bella read the tense stance of all the Cullens. She knew the meeting would not be pleasant.
"Thirty seconds," Alice announced. All the Cullen men stepped forward to face the coming visitors. Rosalie and Alice stood directly behind Emmett and Jasper. Esme stood with Bella a few feet back directly behind Carlisle and Edward.
"Remember to stay calm Bella, whatever happens." Esme reminded. Bella was hyperventilating. She worked hard to calm her pounding heart. Esme shot her a concerned look just as Edward appeared in front of her.
"Calm my Bella," He whispered staring deep in her eyes. Her body obeyed.
He took his place next to Carlisle again a second before the awaited visitors appeared at the other end of the field. They didn't approach immediately. They were unkept in tattered clothes. There was a red-haired woman with two men. One was a dark skinned and the other pale with dirty blond hair. Bella watched them approach slowly. The dark skinned man took point and the woman followed closely behind the blond man. They stopped halfway through the field. She calmly watched the strangers who were studying their large coven wearily. The leader smiled widely and started speaking to Carlisle. Bella couldn't hear what was said. After greetings the nomad introduced his companions. Carlisle introduced his family in return. The nomads were intrigued by the size of the Cullen family and their eyes which indicated they fed off animals. The leader asked if the three could join the game.
"No, unfortunately we were on our way home." Carlisle declined as deep thunder reverberated around them. Bella thought the Cullens missed out on good play time.
"It's our loss then. It would have been most interesting." The nomad replied. His guard was up. It was clear Carlisle refused them to join.
Edward suddenly let out a menacing growl in warning. "She is with me." The family was alerted to his defensive stance against the blond male who looked crazed with thirst. They understood immediately what he wanted. Esme covered Bella's mouth and carried her a few feet back from the group by her waist. The Cullen men were crouched and ready to attack. Alice and Rosalie stood their ground guarding Bella and Esme.
The dark skinned man had his arms raised with palms forward seeking peace. The red haired woman had stepped further back. Her eyes were focused on the blond male who was still crouched against Edward. While they waited Edward straightened out his crouch calmly.
Bella's scream died in her throat as the nomad tried to find a way around Edward to her. He was mingled with Edward in a blur of colour and loud thuds. Jasper joined the fight and deafening sounds of screeching metal filled the clearing as the blond was torn to pieces.
The red-haired woman who had since tried to move closer was blocked by Carlisle. She wailed in a high pitch scream and ran. Jasper chased after her. Alice rolled on the soles of her feet eager to follow him.
"Go Alice," Esme released her.
She shot like a bullet after Jasper and the woman. Bella noticed Emmett had torn the other man to pieces which were thrown on top of the blond man's. She was horrified. Edward gave her a quick once over before following Jasper and Alice. Carlisle took out a lighter and burnt the pile of body parts. Purple smoke rose up the air turning the forest scent foul. Bella hid her nose under Esme's hand which still covered her mouth. Her scent was sweeter and pleasant.
Rosalie hugged Emmett and kissed him soundly on the lips. She ran her hand in the short curls of his hair. Bella understood she had been as afraid as she was for Edward. Rosalie hadn't moved, screamed or interfered while he fought. 'Was that how she should behave?' It didn't feel natural to her. Her eyes strayed to the burning pile again. She was going into shock.
Edward, Alice and Jasper returned after the body parts had burnt to ash.
"We lost her father," Jasper informed.
"Are you alright young Alice?" Carlisle ignored him, choosing to address Alice.
"Yes father I am." Alice answered with her eyes glued to the ground like a scolded child.
Bella was confused. She understood why Alice had to follow after Jasper. 'Didn't Carlisle?'
Jasper towered over Alice protectively facing off with Carlisle. Bella decided she would ask Edward about that later. She had missed the on-going discussion. Emmett and Rosalie led the run home followed by Esme and Carlisle. Jasper with Alice followed at the back of the group.
"The female will cause trouble for us. We must find her." Carlisle started soon as they had all filled in the Cullen living room.
"She has a gift of evasion. She didn't think about her steps. Her body guided her. It will be challenging." Edward informed sitting Bella on his lap.
"Then we find a way around it." Jasper piped in. "Will Bella stay here Edward?" He asked. Jasper was upset with the way his father dismissed him and eager to run out again and find the red-head.
"No husband. She can't." Alice answered quietly from her spot hidden behind Jasper.
"Why is that Alice?" Jasper took the words out of Carlisle's mouth.
"I see her somewhere sunny with her mother. She'll return a week from now." Alice answered with her eyes locked on Edward's. Jasper knew she was showing him a vision she wasn't comfortable telling everyone in the family.
"Edward, you have not marked Bella yet. Will you let her go without protection?" Carlisle asked with a disapproving tone. He knew to trust Alice's advice first and ask questions later.
"She is safer without my scent and mark on her if she is hunted father." Edward replied.
Alice had shown him they would go and search for the red-head without success. If Bella stayed the red-head would find a way past them to her. It was safer for her to leave. She would also be easily traceable if he marked her now like he planned to do after he killed the blond male that wanted her. He wouldn't even take her to the airport. Edward was not happy with the vision but placed Bella's safety first.
"Are you sure brother?" Emmett asked in shock. He was upset Edward hadn't listened to him and marked Bella sooner. He thought it might have prevented the attack on her life.
"Yes, I'm certain. Bella was the blond male's singer. He fought instinct and his mate's warning to leave her be. He was beyond reason with need for her blood." Everyone was shocked to hear the detail of the random attack. Bella was more confused than shocked.
"Then why did you stand from the defensive stance?" Jasper asked
"I reacted without thinking at first. He suspected I had a gift to know his intention. I was giving him a false sense of hope that I was peaceful and had no wish to engage him. He acted stupidly." Edward explained.
Alice brought Bella a jug of juice and a glass. "Drink, you need it sister Bella."
"You will help Bella with her arrangements. Jasper and I will go first." Carlisle instructed already making his way out the door. Jasper kissed the top of Alice's head and followed his father.
Edward ran Bella to their room studying her for the first time. "I apologize for what you had to see love. It couldn't be avoided. He wanted your blood. There was no other way to deny him." He explained himself willing her to understand.
"You need to leave Forks for a few days while we hunt the woman. I'd send you to Chicago but you might be uncomfortable in a strange home. Alice sees you with your mother. Please call so she knows to expect you. I'll make arrangements for your trip and pack for you."
Bella nodded but made no move to do anything. Edward noted she was in shock. Her mind was still at the field watching vampires torn to pieces and burnt.
"Look at me Bella," He commanded gently. "You are safe. I will let nothing harm you. In our world that means killing any and all who pose a threat to your well-being. I will do it because I cannot fail you. That is never an option. Do you understand love?" He asked and waited. Bella took deep breaths before she spoke. Her body was under Edward's control.
"I-I was so scared for you – and the sounds – the smell" her words rolled over each other
"Hush now, it's over. I am fine my love, not even a scratch. My family would have never allowed it." He assured. Bella wanted to ask about what happened and Carlisle's reaction to Alice and Jasper but Edward stood abruptly after a warning from Alice. Bella needed to make the last flight that night.
"We must hurry Bella. Please call your mother." He passed her his phone.
Bella dialled the number and Renee answered. She was happy to hear Bella was on her way that she forgot to ask about school. Edward passed her the details of her flight so she could tell Renee when to pick her up.
"Oh dear, Bella we're driving from Jacksonville. We won't be in Phoenix by then. Will you wait at the airport or take a taxi home sweetheart?" Renee asked.
Edward was not happy about that. He decided to book Bella at a hotel for the few hours her parents will be travelling to Phoenix. He hired her a car too. Bella calmed her mother. She was used to being alone when living with Renee. This would be no different.
She gasped when she took note of the clothes Edward was packing.
"Edward, those will shock Renee. She'll ask questions I can't answer about where and how I got them." She protested. Edward looked at the items thoughtfully and took a few back in the closet only to return with others.
"These should do then." He stated. The clothes were no less expensive or beautiful, only less formal than the dresses she wore at the Cullen home. Bella pressed her lips in a thin line. She was not looking forward to Renee's questions about her wardrobe.
"Bella love, you are my mate and a Cullen. You represent all of us anywhere you go. Your mannerism and appearance speak for the family, especially me. I will not have you looking less than proper. Tell your mother the truth if she asks. What's the worst she will do?" He asked
"Lock me up in my room and take away the phone. She'll never let me come back to Forks Edward." She warned.
"And you want to come back?" He teased with one eyebrow raised in question.
"Well, yes. You're already hunting one woman too many." Bella's cheeky answer amused him. She truly had no intention to stay away or run from Edward. The temptation was not there.
Bella was ready to leave in an hour. She was surprised Edward was not driving her to the airport and refused her to stop by her father to say goodbye.
"I'll run alongside you until I meet up with father and Jasper. You'll expose yourself if you stop by your father's home. Call him from the airport. You'll make it on time for your flight by a few minutes. Take this, it's your credit card. Use it for anything you need. It has no limit." He gave her a black card. Bella stared at it as though it would burn her. "Please Bella," he made her agreeable to take it.
"How-"
"Take the Vanquish. My scent is not strong in it. It will be hard for anyone to track you in it.
Bella's jaw dropped to the floor. She knew from the family Edward never let anyone drive his cars, or get close to the Vanquish. She took the keys with a shaking hand. Esme led the family in wishing her a safe trip and return home. Emmett watched in shock as Edward stood by and watched Bella drive away with his car. Just as he was about to say something about it, Edward shot off in a run following Bella. Emmett fell over in fits of laughter.
Bella drove straight to Seattle airport. She called Charlie on her way inside as she rushed to board. Charlie hardly got in a word and she put the phone down. Of all her three parents, Charlie was easier to deal with. Now she had to face Renee and Phil for eight days. Edward had booked her in first class. She had her own seat next to the small window. The plane doors closed immediately after she boarded and she was off to Phoenix.
Edward followed her halfway to Seattle. It was hard to make himself stop and let her go. He had to trust Alice's vision that Bella would be back with him soon.
'There you are, Alice was afraid you'd run all the way to Seattle,' Jasper's thoughts reached him before he heard his footsteps. Alice had called him.
"Your wife is dangerous," Edward stated - half-joking, half serious.
"I know." Jasper agreed. "The female ran into Quileute lands towards the ocean. Perhaps the wolves will hunt her. We didn't follow."
"Alice does not expect we will catch her," Edward informed.
"I suspected such. We should still try." Jasper stated. He understood their job was to keep the female from suspecting Bella was away from Forks. Alice would tell them if anything changed in her plans to get to Bella. He read a text received on his phone.
"Alice deleted Bella's school records." He told Edward.
"She would have known where to find her." Edward was shocked the red-head would try to get to Bella's school records. He was grateful for Alice's foresight.
Suddenly he felt nervous about anything in Bella's house that could provide the same information. Jasper followed him to Bella's house where they would erase any trace of Phoenix or Bella's mother while Charlie was at work.