(26) Mislead
I tried to follow Alice but she was moving too fast. Her body was pacing three times faster than any human I've seen. I followed her with my eyes for a brief minute and gave up. I could feel a small headache stirring.
"What's your plan?" Esme asked for both of us. She walked and stood next to me. Her arm automatically clutched my shoulder in support. The hand felt heavy as a brick on my shoulder blade and I bit my lip to keep from crying out.
"It will work if it is planned accordingly. The timing has to be perfect. If it isn't then we are screwed." Alice muttered. "Edward will know how to configure the locations. Emmett can be lookout and Rosalie will stay with us."
"Alice, we don't understand what you're talking about." Esme said in exasperation. Alice stared at Esme and her golden eyes widened. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"I think we can use Bella as bait. Malirosa will fall for the deception quite easily. Bella will not be harmed." Alice began. She had complete faith in her visions, which allowed her to be cocky.
"There's only one problem with that. Edward will never let you do that. He is dead set against anything that is dangerous for me." I hung my head in defeat and Alice's expression didn't change. The look of determination was set in her features. I was all but willing to be used as a thwarting device but Edward was predictable in his vehement stubbornness.
"We'll convince him. You and I will make him see that this is the only solution. You're brave Bella more so than anyone in this family gives you credit for. I know you can do this. My glimpse into the future has the odds on our side." Alice proclaimed. She raised her hand against her chest to show her allegiance.
"He won't do it Alice." Esme stated sadly. She shook her head. "He is persistent in protecting Bella. I can't see him agreeing to any of this." She lifted her hand off my shoulder and my skin tingled back to life.
Alice groaned in frustration. "There's no other way. What? Bella's Mom will be killed because Edward is stubborn? I can't let that happen." I cringed at Alice's honest prediction about my Mom's life. I brought danger to her something I will never forgive myself for. I couldn't let her die because I was prone to trouble.
Esme noticed my body quivering with fear and put her arms around me. "We won't let anything happen to your Mom." She reassured me.
"I know." I said lamely but I didn't feel any better. My hands were clenched into tight fists and my mouth was bone dry. I was beyond thirsty.
"Edward will be here in moments." Alice announced and gave me a pointed look. We both knew what that meant. An endless argument about my safety and his utter belief that he could kill Malirosa by himself. Alice and I both knew that wasn't true.
I straightened my shoulders and prepared to fight his words. I would battle for my Mom's safety and for Edward's approval.
I saw him running at a brisk pace before I noticed his strained face. He halted in front of us and I stared at him. The beautiful eyes were darkened honey and his lips were pursed. He looked at Alice then narrowed his eyes. I knew it wouldn't take him long to figure out our plan. I just hoped he could be rational.
"No! By all accounts no. Your plan is flawed and I don't want to endanger Bella's life. We will figure it out." Edward began. Okay so rational is out the window.
"Be logical Edward." Alice started. Edward cut her off with a menacing look.
"That's all I've been trying to be is logical. The plan will not work and I am not giving Malirosa anything she wants." Edward emitted with a calm sinister stare.
"She's my Mom." I whispered and could not say anymore. I ran my hands through my hair and felt chills climbing my back. Edward ran to me and put his arms around me. "I did this to her it's all my fault." I whispered sadly.
"No it's not your fault. I will go to great lengths to rescue her." He murmured and brushed my hair away from my face. His tone altered even though I felt the stiffness in his fingers.
"It's not enough." Alice demanded and Edward tilted his head towards Alice.
"Alice I'm warning you." Edward pointed a finger at his sister. Alice stood behind the direct sunlight and she was cast half in shadows and sparkling like a jewel.
"I want to Edward." I stressed and moved away from him. This was ridiculous and it was going to stop now.
"No!" Edward yelled. He moved away from me and stared. I gulped having to face the full power of his face. His features were a mask hardened by the anger he felt.
"It's not up to you. Alice will arrange the switch." I turned away from Edward's bewildered expression. I bit my lip waiting for the definite no. I saw Alice spread her lips into a triumphant smile.
"I have a plan. It's going to work." Alice reassured Edward he raised an eyebrow.
"I already know that plan." Edward dismissed.
"Not all of it. It will be successful Edward and no one will get hurt." Alice clarified.
"Famous last words." Edward muttered but didn't seem as angry as once before. Alice bent her head and closed her eyes. Her face changed into a mixture of worry and apprehension.
"Emmett and Carlisle are here." Alice announced. I saw Carlisle jumping from a cliff and I gasped for his safety. Emmett followed and landed with a loud thud. He shook the boulders opposite of us with his powerful landing.
"Jasper and Rose are following Malirosa." Edward turned and explained to me. I absorbed the information and watched as Emmett stomped to the cavern. He climbed and picked up the biggest rock I've ever seen. He carried it like a trophy up in the air. He put it on the ground beside us.
"Ammunition." He explained to me and went back for a few more. By the time he was finished he had five boulders lined in a row. What was he going to do? Hurl them at Malirosa?
Everyone gathered around Alice. "Here's the plan. Jasper and Rose are going to inform me when Malirosa gets closer to the canyon. They are instructed not to attack her. They will stay back. Edward and I will be up front with Bella when Malirosa approaches. Carlisle and Esme will stay in the back. Our secret weapon is Emmett." Emmett broadened his smile and tapped fists with Alice.
"I love it." Emmett declared. I didn't have any doubt in my mind that was the truth. He was the strongest vampire in the family. "What's my job?"
"You're our defense and you keep Malirosa from escaping. Believe me when we are done with her she will want to escape." Alice replied. "We lead her in and trap her in the canyon. There is no escape from this area. We will surround her. She will believe she is going to exchange Bella for her Mom but she won't get the chance."
"There's only one problem with that." A voice murmured from behind us. "I already know."
My body froze and every nerve tingled in alarm. I moved to hide behind Edward who was still. Uncharacteristically still. I tried to shake his arm but it was lifeless. Alice was hunched over with blank eyes staring ahead. Nobody moved.
"Where's my Mom?" I breathed completely aware that I was essentially alone with Malirosa. I didn't want to upset her too much.
"She's safe." Malirosa replied and hopped off the large boulder she was perched on. Her long wavy black hair was tied into a neat bun at the back of her neck. Her ruby eyes pierced through me with a look of hatred and loathing. Her tall lithe body was catlike ready to pounce if I decided to run. Yeah right.
"Don't hurt her. Please." I begged putting my hands behind my back. My hands were impossibly sweaty.
Malirosa chuckled and even snorted. "Same Bella I see. You know you're Mother is a stupid woman. She is so trusting I almost feel sorry for her." Malirosa walked a couple of steps with two feet separating us.
"Take me." I begged again because I couldn't help myself. I survived Malirosa the first time I could handle the consequences.
"Hmm, unfortunately the plan changed. I didn't know it would be this easy to catch you. Pathetic really. I didn't have to try very hard at all." She walked closer to me. "I think I'll keep you and your Mom. One can be my servant the other a meal."
My knees started trembling and I fought hard to control my fear. Where was Rosalie and Jasper?
"He'll never let you get away with this." I warned but it sounded weak in my ears.
"Nobody lives in this scenario. That was our mistake the first time not destroying them. They killed my family. Do you know what it's like to have your whole family taken away? How do I live my endless life? Huh, Bella?" She gave me a ruthless stare.
I cringed and noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye.