Author's Note- Seriously guys… I've had people continuously adding me to their alerts, but no reviews? I thought after that lemon, (which btw was one of the 3 longest chapters yet) y'all would be telling me how much you loved it… Apparently y'all don't appreciate my work. I've been really thinking about it lately, and I'm not so sure I want to finish this fic anymore. I'm that fed up.
So the song in this chapter is 'Inside the Fire' by Disturbed, and I'm warning you now, if you skip the lyrics, you will not understand what is going on. The words of the song are actually spoken as a prophecy, so you best pay attention! (Link will be on my profile.)
-A very annoyed Reese
Disclaimer- I do not own any part of the Twilight Saga. I only own my original characters.
Chapter 26 – Release Your Life
I awoke the next morning wrapped in my comforter, still wearing my lingerie. I glanced at the clock on the table, groaning when I realized it was still only 8:37 in the morning. I was too hung-over to be conscious at this hour. I rolled over and snuggled into Shane's chest and started my descent back into dreamland.
Suddenly, a shrill ringing sounded through the room. I jerked, waking up Shane. He lifted his head, opening one eye fractionally to look down at me.
"Fuck, stupid phone." He grumbled, rolling me off of him to get up and search around the room for the source of the noise. When he stumbled across my purse next to the stereo, he ripped out the small device and growled at it. From my perch on the bed, I giggled, beckoning him to come forth. He dragged his feet back to the bed and flopped down, narrowly missing my knee as he collided with the mattress with a thump. His hand shot up to shove the buzzing cell in my face. Laughing, I took it from him. A number I didn't recognize was on the caller ID. With a sigh I flipped it open, feeling generous that I was accepting strange calls at such a god-forsaken hour.
"Hello?" I said with a yawn.
"Yeah, hi, um, I'm looking for Shane…" A female voice sounded. I looked down at Shane, who made a questioning grunt in his half-asleep state.
"It's for you, playboy." I told him amused, handing the phone to him. He pushed himself up to prop on one elbow and grab the phone.
"Hello?" I heard him croak. His face lit up a moment later, and his tone became excited. "Oh my God, how are you? No, it's like quarter to 9 over here. No, it's ok, don't worry about it. For you? It's worth it. So what's up? Oh yeah? Shut up! No way! Congratulations! I had no idea it was that serious! No, I'm really happy for you. Of course I'll come! Oh, wow, you're right, that is rather short notice. Hey, that's right after my birthday. Oh, har har. Hey, can I bring a guest? Yeah, that one. I'll tell you about it later. Haha. No, definitely. I'll be there. Ok. Yeah, I'll give you a call right after I work out all the details. Ok, I miss you too. Bye love." He hung up the phone and smiled up at me.
"Who was that?" I asked with my eyebrows raised. He grinned and leaned in for a quick kiss.
"That was Yami. She's getting married in December. Oh, I guess that's next month. Yeah, what, today's November first? Yeah, she's getting married on December 7th. She just invited me to the wedding."
I couldn't help but feel a little jealous knowing he had just talked to her, but I reasoned with myself that she's not a threat. "Wow, that's great. So you're going to go?" I asked curiously.
"Only if you'll go with me."
Whoa. What? "I beg your pardon?"
"Oh, come on, LeLe baby, it's a month away. Come with me. It's going to be in Orlando, and I want you to be there with me." He practically whined. I was nearly speechless. He wanted to take me to a wedding? Then I'd be meeting all his friends from Florida, and- fuck. His friends. Yami and Reese. No doubt a few of the guys. Shit.
"Shane, I don't know… That's a big step." I replied uneasily. He pulled me down on to his chest and kissed my temple.
"Please baby-girl? It would mean so much to me. I really want you to meet the girls and possibly the guys. I don't think they'll ever get a chance to make it out here. Leah, please?" He looked deep into my eyes, staring me down with his wide emerald orbs. I turned and sighed loudly before surrendering.
"Fine, I'll go." He hugged me tight and I giggled. "Oh shit, this means I'll get to go to Florida! I've always wanted to go."
"I'll take you anywhere you want to go, Leah. Your wish is my command."
I looked up at him dryly. "Please don't be lame. That's just pathetic. I refuse to allow you to become like every other imprinted boy in this part of Washington." Like Jacob, I thought with a slight tinge of guilt. I slept with Shane last night, but I still love Jake. Well, only part of me, and every day I get closer to Shane, that part of me gets smaller and smaller, making more room for the gorgeous man laying beside me. His hand came up to cup my cheek and he peered into my guilt-ridden eyes.
"Leah…" He said softly, his thumb rubbing over my bottom lip as it trembled. "Baby, I'm not like Jacob, I swear to you."
"I know you're not. You didn't grow up in this God-forsaken place. You're immune to all the Quileute bullshit." I sighed heavily, wiping at the corners of my eyes where a bit of moisture had pooled. Shane clucked his tongue and kissed one cheek slowly before pulling my face towards him and kissing the other. I let out a breathy sigh and wrapped my arms around his neck. His hand ran down my side, leaving a trail of fire behind. I tightened my arms and pulled him down for a kiss. His tongue darted out and flicked at my lower lip. I opened my lips for him with a small content moan.
Then that damned phone rang, again. I really wanted to kill that little fucking thing. I shot an arm out past Shane, searching the bed for the device until my fingers curled around it. I switched hands and flipped the phone open angrily, speaking between kisses.
"What?" I snarled.
"Leah? Leah, its Bella-" A nervous voice said. I broke the kiss with Shane to cut her off.
"Bella? What's wrong, what happened?" Bella would never call just to talk about the weather.
"Look, you need to get over here. Bring the pack. Shit, bring Sam's pack too. This-"
"Why, what's going on?" I shot up, knocking Shane back to the bed. She huffed a sigh.
"Just get here fast, okay? I don't know how long we're going to be able to hold together."
"Bella, what- Fuck, ok, we'll be there in 10 minutes." I hung up, looking over at Shane. "Go wake up the guys, find out where Quil is, and somehow contact the other pack. I have to get to the Cullens right away. Meet me there." I told him, scrambling up and ripping off my lingerie.
Thankfully, Shane didn't ask questions. He pulled on a pair of spare boxers I usually use to sleep in and left the room. I walked over to my closet and grabbed some shorts and a shirt, throwing them in a small knapsack along with a hair-tie. I ran out the door still naked and flew down the stairs, yelling out to the house that I was leaving. I rushed out the back door, through the construction, and thanked my lucky stars that the contractors didn't show up until 10 on Saturdays. By the time I had hurdled myself through the back door, I had the knapsack in my mouth, and I ran towards the trees, phasing midair.
As I ran through the forest, my paws thumping rhythmically against the soft floor, my mind raced at the possibilities. Hold together? What the fuck did that mean? I growled and pushed forward, splashing through a stream angrily. I heard the sounds of the rest of my pack phasing, and instantly I was thrown into their questions. I let them replay the conversation, and they stayed quiet, pushing themselves harder in their panic. Moments later, I felt Quil phase, and he informed me that Sam's pack was rounding up. Tori filled Quil in so I wouldn't have to, which I appreciated, because I had just crossed into Cullen territory.
I passed the scene of last night's rendezvous with Shane and sighed. How had things gotten so fucked up in less than eight hours? I slowed, coming to a full stop right at the last line of trees, and phased back, throwing on my clothes. I sprinted up to the porch and threw the door open without knocking. Nose in the air, I followed the scent of a struggle through the living room and towards the hospital wing. I turned down the long corridor and heard the movement of feet from a room down the hall. I came to it, knocked once on the door, and walked in. The Cullens sat in a large circle around an unfamiliar man lying in the bed.
"What's going on?" I asked nervously, reading the looks of anguish on their faces. I noticed Jasper and Emmett were missing. "Where's Em and Jasper?" My question came out rushed, and I watched Rose's face fall farther. I ran over to her and threw my arms around her as she heaved a painful, dry sob. Not Emmett. Anyone but Emmett. I heard Edward's sharp intake of breath and glanced at him over Rose's shoulder. He shook his head. Anyone hurt? He shook his head again. I sighed in relief. Rose relinquished her hold on me as the door opened and the rest of my pack filed in.
"What happened? Who is he?" Seth demanded. I turned to look at Carlisle, who sighed audibly.
"This is an old friend of mine, Alberto. He's come to warn us about the Volturi."
I heard the pack gasp and mumble as my mouth dropped. For the first time since I walked in, I noticed Alice sitting in a small chair looking out the window. I walked over to her and dropped to my knees. She turned towards me, her irises black as pitch.
"Ally, sweetie, what did you see? What happened?" I asked her. She opened her mouth to speak, and her lip quivered.
"Alberto was coming from the airport when it happened. His rental car's door was ripped open and he was pulled out. He never saw it coming. The assailant was ordered not to stop until Alberto was dead. We got there just in time to pull him away. Emmett and Jasper are downstairs with the creature." She finished, returning her gaze out the window. I followed suit, but noticed nothing other than the trees of the Cullen land.
I straightened, walking over to the pack. Shane wrapped his arm around me and I twisted to face Carlisle. "So now what?"
He shook his head slightly, and Edward groaned. "Carlisle, it's the only way." Edward chided.
"I know, Edward. I just wish it wasn't."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Tori piped from beside me. Edward released Bella and walked over to us.
"Leah, will you please come with me?"
"If I go, my pack comes with." I told him. He glared at me.
"Leah, I don't th-"
"You heard what she said. We go with." Shane snarled from beside me. Internally, I shivered at the authoritative tone to his voice, but I promised myself I would explore that later.
Edward threw his hands up slightly. "Fine... Follow me." We walked out of the room and down the long corridor. Right before the end, Edward turned and made his way down a small staircase to a dimly lit basement. We followed him, Shane's hand finding purchase in mine as we stepped off the last step. Edward was standing in front of a steel door, and shrill shrieks could be heard from the other side.
"What the fuck?" Embry gasped when we got closer. Edward turned, looking at me, and jerked his head. I stepped forward, waving the pack back with a motion of my hand. Whatever I needed to do, I had to do it alone.
"Leah," Edward's tone was grim, "I don't like doing this to you, but it's really the only way. I have faith that this will work. I know you're strong enough."
"Edward, cut the shit. I can handle anything you throw at me." I told him. He sighed and opened the door.
The squeals and shrieks amplified to ear-splitting levels when I stepped into the concrete-walled room. The only thing in the large room was a stainless steel chair bolted to the floor. A rabid-looking vampire was chained to the chair, and Emmett and Jasper stood on either side of it holding electric cattle prods. They were jabbing at the creature, which in turn emitted an animalistic howl. Edward quickly closed the door behind us with a thud, and all three vampires in front of us turned our way.
"Leah, so glad you could make it." Jasper said rather pleasantly as he stabbed the writhing vermin before him.
"Yes, thanks for taking your time." Emmett said dryly, whipping the butt end of his prod against the back of the creature's head. I was too stunned to say anything in response. What the hell am I doing here? It looks like they've got it under control.
"Leah, we can't get through to it. I can't read his thoughts, Alice can't see his future, and Jasper can't control his emotions. He's been trained to be immune to our gifts. It's so damn frustrating." I watched Edward clench and unclench his fists.
"You're frustrated? We've been down here for five hours with this thing. I feel like my damn eardrums are gonna fall out." Emmett roared before bringing his weapon down over the thing's knees. It howled in pain and smiled sadistically. I examined it closely for the first time. Its skin was pasty and splotchy, covered in yellow and red abrasions that looked too old to be from the Cullens. It had thin, stringy hair and decayed teeth covered in green-tinted venom. The eyes seemed hollow and satanic, a pale grey that surrounded a pinprick iris. All in all, it sort of looked like a modern day Gollum.
"So what do you need me to do?" I asked when I was finished with my analysis. Jasper sighed heavily, stepping back and walking over to me. He stood in front of me and put a hand on my cheek.
"Torture it."
I was taken by surprise, which I realized is why he was touching me. He created a direct connection to my emotions, and before I had time to think why I was surprised, I was calm. Still curious though, I spoke up.
"How?"
"Phase. Intimidate him. Bite him. Rip into him. We need something- anything." Edward said softly. I could hear Emmett still beating the savage. I peered around Jasper's shoulder to watch it squirm against its shackles. I knew this had to be done.
"Alright. Will you send Tori up to get me new clothes? It seems I'll be shredding these."
Edward stuttered a bit. "Oh, uh, you don't have to pha-"
"It's better for effects when you don't stop to strip first, Sparkles. And believe you me, I plan on terrifying him."
I stepped out from around Jas, and Emmett poked the vampire once more before backing away. Curiously, the creature turned its face towards me, smiling maliciously and making an awful breathing noise. I approached it, crouching over to peer into its face. He lurched towards me in his restraints, but I didn't flinch. Instead, I smiled at him until he growled. A split second later, I towered over him in wolf form, effectively earning a gasp-like sound from the hellion. I circled the chair, letting my tail graze against his naked form.
The hiss that followed pleased me immensely. I saw Jasper twitch out of the corner of my eye, probably the inner general in him itching for a battle. Without warning, I sunk my teeth into the left leg of the small shriveled vampire, tearing the kneecap and a good deal of flesh off and spitting it across the room to Jasper's feet. The creature emitted a loud, painful noise, but I kept circling. Jasper inched forwards, talking to it and demanding answers, but it spit at his feet. I swiped at his back with my paw, drawing blood. I leaned in to rub my snout in it, and snarled at him as I came to show him his own blood. It hissed at me but remained silent otherwise.
Emmett came forth now, holding both his and Jasper's cattle prods. He handed one back to Jas, and they situated themselves on either side of the room, closer than they had been before. Edward remained by the door, preventing my pack from gaining entrance.
I reared back and put my paws on its chest, toppling the chair over. I landed on top of him and bit down purposefully at his shoulder. When I ripped away, the right arm detached with the shoulder blade and it shrieked demonically. A jumbled group of words escaped his mouth and I pulled back. I hadn't realized it was even capable of speech. I assumed when they demanded answers, it would be mental, and that was why Edward, who was typically opposed to such animalistic behavior, was here.
"Leah, more force. He's crumbling!" Jasper demanded as the thing's blood spewed from the gaping wound. I leaned in and pressed a paw down on its chest, scraping into the raw flesh. It screamed more, thrashing against me, and only catching a few words, I looked to Jasper for instruction. He glanced at Edward before giving me a nod. I dipped my head to its neck and bit in, ripping out the throat and blood vessels. The creature stopped its flailing. I backed off, wiping the blood off with my front paw. Jasper and Emmett swooped in to grab the body, and Edward came forward with an old tarp. I phased back to my human form, covered in blood. I sank to the floor, watching as the boys wrapped it up and tied the bundle together. Edward walked over to the door and opened it a fraction, grabbing a small stack of towels.
He walked over to me where I sat curled up in the corner. He handed me a towel and gave me a weak smile.
"You did a hella good job, Leah. There wasn't anything else to get from it. We extracted the only information it could provide, and it was because of you. Thank you, Leah. We couldn't have done it without you." He laid a hand on my blood covered knee in a supportive gesture. He straightened, holding out a hand for me. I took it and he pulled me up. I wrapped the towel around myself and looked down. I was covered in the vampire's blood from head to toe. Shit, I just ruined Esme's towel.
Edward laughed and tugged at my arm. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."
He walked me to the door, leaving Emmett and Jasper behind as they started to clean the puddle of blood with the remaining towels. When we walked out of the room, my pack scrambled up from the floor where they sat, gasping and gawking as they took in the sight of me. I saw fury in a few eyes and concern in the others.
"Relax, guys. The blood's not mine." This seemed to cool them all down. All… except Shane. He stared at Edward furiously and Edward's hand left my arm as he backed away.
"Fine. You take her, get her cleaned up." Edward said nonchalantly. "I'll go fill everyone in." He turned towards the stairs. I looked back to Shane, who, had he been a cartoon, would've had steam blowing out from his ears from the look on his face.
"Leah," he said stiffly, trying to control his rage, "come on, I'll take you upstairs."
Too stunned and exhausted to argue, I allowed him to lead me upstairs to the second floor, via the kitchen stairwell, so as not to get blood all through Esme's white living room. We turned into the first bathroom, which happened to belong to Rosalie and Emmett. Shane led me to the mirror-walled shower and sat me down on the vanity stool while he started the spray. When it was the right temperature, he motioned for me to get in, so I stood up and dropped the towel. Shane's eyes narrowed when he saw more blood. I stepped into the spray and looked into the mirrored wall at my reflection. No wonder everyone was concerned. Blood was smeared across my face and matted in my hair. There was blood covering nearly every inch of my body.
I allowed the water to wash away any signs of the incident, and after I had scrubbed at every inch of skin, I turned off the stream. When I turned, Shane was holding a large fluffy towel out. I stepped into it, closing my eyes as he wrapped the towel around me. I grabbed the ends from him and tucked them in, turning to wrap my arms around Shane. His arms encircled me, and he inched me backwards to scoot me onto the counter.
"What happened baby? I could see it on your face when you stepped out of that room. Something shook you."
It was amazing that in such a short time, he could read me better than I could read myself.
I sighed. "It was hard. I've killed vampires before, but this one… He was different. It's like his soul still existed after he was changed or something, and someone didn't like that. I could feel his pain and anguish from years of torment fill the room through Jasper. Jas tried to control it, but it was overwhelming. The first bite into his flesh, and my mind was spinning. It went quickly after that, Edward giving us the signal that he had gotten the information, so I killed him." I choked on a dry sob, not really sad, but more tormented by the creature's appearance. "He was so vile, so ugly. Someone turned him that way."
Shane pulled me close, kissing my temple. I turned in search of his lips. When they brushed across mine, I relaxed. His kiss broke the numb feeling I had from the moment I had phased back. I sighed and pushed him away. I jumped down from the counter and walked towards Rose's closet. I pulled out some shorts and a tank and motioned for Shane.
We walked back to the hospital wing hand in hand. Upon entrance, we were greeted by a few smiles as Carlisle announced that Alberto had awoken.
"Alberto, its Dr. Carlisle Cullen. Can you tell us what happened to you?" Carlisle asked the frail man in the bed. He looked around, searchingly, and locked his glazed eyes with Alice before he spoke almost ominously.
"Devon, won't go to heaven
She's just another lost soul about to be mine again
Leave her, we will receive her
It is beyond your control, will you ever meet again
Devon, no longer living
Who had been rendered unwhole as a little child
She was taken and then forsaken
You will remember it all, let it blow your mind again
Devon lies beyond this portal
Take the word of one immortal"
When he had spoken, we all stood back in shock as we digested this bit of information. His eyes cleared and he shook his head. Alice inched towards him.
"Devon? That's really her name?"
Alberto sighed audibly as our heads whipped towards Alice. When Alberto spoke up, the heads whipped back in his direction.
"Yes. She's one very troubled girl. What I just recited is the prophecy from right before she was turned."
"Wait, prophecy? Are you a prophet?" Seth asked. Alberto nodded.
"Have you never spoken of me, Carlisle?" Alberto joked lightly. Carlisle smiled warmly before shaking his head.
"I try not to speak of my days with the Volturi. It tends to upset my children and our allies."
Alberto looked towards my pack and beyond us, where I had seen Sam and a few of the older La Push wolves sitting. "You've allied with the dogs. I shall never understand you, Carlisle. You are truly an extraordinary man." Carlisle nodded, shooting me a glance when a low growl rose in my throat. I reined it in, but not before earning a laugh from Alberto. "Well, at least they're house-trained. I'm sorry, I just had to. My apologies." He shot my way. I made a small noise before he continued.
"I am Alberto Romani, prophet and astrologer. I've been a vampire since 1602, when a rogue vampire killed my wife and family. It attacked me, biting me, but not effectively killing me. I was turned, and I wandered the streets of Italy at night for countless years before Caius found me. I've been a member of the Volturi coven since. Caius has been like a brother to me, so no matter how much Carlisle begged, I refused to leave. Everything was going smooth until they came back from the, um, confrontation with you all last winter. Aro was furious. We were sitting in his study when the prophecy came to me. Aro became obsessed with finding Devon.
She was fifteen, and she had attempted suicide. One of our informants at the hospital told us. Her human life had been so tragic, one of eleven children. Her father had beaten her and raped her from an early age. When she got older, her father died of a heart attack one day in the middle of sex with her. She was placed in foster care, but everywhere she was placed, something bad happened. The foster parents would go insane, claiming they were seeing things, returning Devon back to the orphanage. She was in and out of doctors' offices, but she grew sadist. Sick of her life, she jumped off a four story building.
Aro changed her, taking her as his pet. When she awoke as vampire, we discovered she had talents. She could penetrate the mind, project images and influence one to believe they were crazy and such. Aro learned of this and capitalized it. He trained her to project to Alice. Little things at first, like you'd see yourself driving Emmett's jeep, or wearing different clothes. One of the other prophets or me would have to 'check' to see if the projection went through. He also learned that by having Devon project, you couldn't see him or his future. He planned another attack, allowing you to know when and where, but not why he is coming. Alice, there was nothing you could've done to change this."
He finished his recollection with a sigh, slumping back against the bed as we tried to absorb what he was telling us.
"So why is he coming? He wants Nessie?" Bella asked concerned. Alberto turned to her and shook his head.
"Alas, no. He has lost interest in Renesmee. It seems that his interests lie with the wolves."
Everyone looked towards us as I gaped. "Us? But why?"
"More specifically, the female wolves. He has a morbid curiosity with the more sexual female enemy. Another prophet saw the change of that one," he pointed at Tori, "and her path that lead back to the Cullens. Aro is attempting to… genetically engineer the perfect hybrid vampire. Did you meet Laonitus? He's the Halfling who attacked me. Ah, from the grim looks, I'm assuming he's dead."
"Yes, all we could get from him was a name. Devon. It makes sense now." Edward said softly.
"Yes, Laonitus was in love with her. From the moment he was birthed-"
"Birthed?" I choked.
Alberto turned to smile at me. "Yes. He was birthed of a vampire father and a shape-shifter mother. The mother, a Jaguar shifter, was Aro's first test. He's conducted at least four, none of the hybrids turning out the way he desires. Laonitus had too much… humanity for Aro's liking."
No wonder I was so shaken. I zoned out while other people in the room asked Alberto questions. My head was spinning with all this information. Aro wants me? And Tori? To experiment with? I started to feel light-headed, and I slumped against the wall. Shane looked over at me, silently asking if I was ok. Was I ok? No. I just found out I was the number one target Aro was aiming for. Fuck me.
Give your soul to me for eternity
Release your life to begin another time with her
End your grief with me, there's another way
Release your life, take your place inside the fire with her