Bloodtrance
Chapter Twenty-seven
Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyer. I do not own any of the Twilight Characters. I am the owner of PLANET ALSTANIA and the plot of both Truelight and Bloodtrance. Long live the prodigies…
A/N: Thank you for your patience guys! Apologies for the lateness, but people doing A Levels out there right now should understand why this was delayed. Younger people, the time will come for you soon enough ¬_¬
Thanks for the reviews guys, keep them coming. I won't banter on because I'm sure you just wanna read, so yeah here goes.
Enjoy fellow fanfiction readers!
"Bella…" a cold voice suddenly whispered, right at my ear. My blood ran cold. I let out an ear-splitting scream and bolted away, yelling in pain as I ran straight into another mirror. I fell to the ground with a loud thud and I immediately felt the sickening pain run down my spine. My eyes watered with the pain and I hastily rubbed them dry, my eyes darting from side to side…
…And then Karl's face was staring at me from all directions, his mouth spread into a feral smile. His eyes were already transforming into the deadly blood red glow, twinkling with excitement…with thirst. My heart missed a beat and I had to bite down hard to stop the wail of despair from escaping my lips. Why now?
"Hello there Bella," he purred softly. I couldn't bring myself to scream again as his lips parted, revealing the sharp, deadly fangs behind them. "I've missed you sweetie."
BPOV
I froze completely, sprawled across the icy cold ground, hardly daring to move in fear of causing the predator to strike. Karl was smirking widely, his fangs longer and sharper than ever. There were so many of him in different directions…which one the real Karl?
Karl chuckled softly, causing a shudder to creep across me like a sharp gust of wind. "Aren't you going to greet me, Bella? It's terribly impolite of you to just lie there and say nothing."
I shuddered repulsively and forced myself to tear away from his gaze. "What are you doing here?" I managed to choke out. There were so many things that were still a mystery to me…it couldn't all be over already could it? Surely my time wasn't up quite yet?
The many Karls threw their heads back as he laughed, his voice echoing around me. "Relax Bella, I'm not here to take you. It's not that time yet." The way he said it both reassured me and made me worry just a little bit more. It meant that it wasn't too late to run, but it also meant he was here to entertain himself, which was almost definitely not a good thing for me.
"Then why are you here Karl?" I asked him, slowly pushing myself up and leaning back against my elbows. "Surely your master would not be pleased that you are here?"
The mention of his master made him unfocused for a split second, his eyes flashing in a slight hint of anger before he managed to compose himself. "The Master is never displeased with me. Everything I have done is for Master and Master alone. I have The Master's full trust." He caught my gaze again, his eyes gleaming and entrancing. I forced myself to look away, desperate to remain in control with myself.
"You haven't answered my question Karl," I snarled at him, standing up. "Why are you here? What do you want?"
Karl's lips curved into a perfectly seductive smile, his voice deep and silky. "Why Bella baby, I'm here to see you. I missed you." Fuck. I forced on a calm façade, desperate to seem impassive, but my heart was saying differently, beating uncontrollably at my chest. I could tell my acting had failed because his grin widened and he cocked his head to the side, as though listening out for something.
"Your heart is racing Bella honey," he whispered. "Would you like me to calm it down?"
That did it.
I spun round and bolted off, turning this way and that in desperation to get as far away as I could. Almost at the same time I opened my mouth to scream. "EDWARD! ED-" An icy cold hand clamped around my mouth and held me fast. My heart raced harder than ever as I struggled to get out his grasp, but it was no use. I was no match for any vampire, let alone a member of the Casadores.
Then his lips were at my ear. "Now now Bella," he whispered. "You mustn't try and run away, otherwise we can't have fun." His hands trailed down my neck and across my chest, pulling aside my coat to stroke at my bare skin. Oh God. Oh God, someone please help me.
I screamed helplessly into his hand as he began to drag me back with him, knowing there was nothing I could do to stop him. I was completely at his mercy. I couldn't hold back the tears as I continued to struggle against his grip…tears of pure anger, not sorrow. I was angry with the Casadores, for acting so mercilessly to Edward, for playing with him like he was their pet. I was angry with Karl for treating me like I wasn't worth anything, but most of all I was angry with myself, for letting him get away with it so easily.
Grasping firmly to his arms wrapped around me, I hauled myself up and kicked back into his groin with all the strength I could muster. He groaned in pain and pulled away. I made to run for it and he grabbed for my coat, pulling with such force that it came right off, the buttons splaying everywhere. I sprinted off without hesitation screaming for Edward again. I skidded across the floor several times, cursing my footwear. Why the hell was I wearing fucking stiletto boots?
I didn't see Karl coming till he was right in front of me, his eyes livid. His hand was a blur and he struck my face. I let out a yell as the pain registered and I fell to the ground with the force of the hit. My cheek was ablaze as I pushed myself up onto my elbows. Karl chuckled darkly, running a hand through his auburn hair. His eyes had dimmed back to their mysterious sapphire blue and even from where I was I could see the light purple streak in his right eye. It hadn't looked so prominent before, but I guessed that was because I had been slightly more in a trance back then, before I knew what he was intending to do to me.
"You know you don't have to be so cruel Bella," he said softly, completely calm and content as he paced slowly around me. "You could just let yourself go and enjoy yourself. I'm not here to kill you. I'm not here to kidnap you. I'm here to have you." I didn't even have time to blink and then he was over me, leaning down towards me. Like hell this was gonna happen. I lunged forwards in attempt to escape his grasp and out of nowhere his hand struck my face again. My head hit the ground with a loud thud and I couldn't do anything but groan in pain.
Karl chuckled again, his hands roaming around my waist. "You are a naughty one aren't you? No no, this won't do Bella. Behave yourself." He clamped my hands above my head, pressing his knee down hard against my legs to stop me kicking.
"Bella? Bella! Where are you?" Edward's cry made me start. He sounded close as well, which was bonus. I managed to let a sharp screech before Karl's hand clamped down hard against my mouth. I stared back evenly into his eyes, hating him more than ever. If I had a silver stake right now…
Then Karl said softly, "Utter one more syllable and I'll slit your throat." He sounded so serious that I obeyed straight away, my mouth clamping firmly shut. When he was satisfied that I wasn't going to scream, he released my mouth, his hand trailing along my cheek. He froze in mid-action and I held my breath. Oh God, what now? "Well now, look what you've done, you've cut yourself." Shit. Shit, shit, shit. I knew perfectly well what happened once vampires smelt blood. They're held in a bloodtrance and everything else ceases to exist. Even Edward, who wasn't even a full vampire yet, had struggled to compose himself when he'd smelt my blood. I stared up in mute horror as Karl's eyes morphed into fiery red orbs, maddened by the smell of my blood. Edward had told me many times before what a bloodtrance was like.
Once they smell the blood, everything else stops. It's just the victim in their eyes.
"Damn Bella, your blood smells good," Karl said roughly, his breaths becoming frantic and sharp. I shook my head back and forth helplessly, too afraid to speak.
"Bella! Bella!" Edward cried, his voice sounding even closer. Karl snarled and turned his head round fractionally towards the sound. I hauled my head forwards and smacked it right into Karl's side. He didn't even flinch. His bloodtrance had completely consumed him. He was over me in seconds, smashing my head back down against the ground. I let out an ear-splitting scream as his tongue snaked along my neck. Edward's lips had done exactly the same thing minutes before, but I felt pleasure. Now all I felt was fear. I knew for a fact I wouldn't be left unscarred…literally. No, no please no…
"Don't…" I begged, tears streaking freely down my cheeks. I knew I shouldn't have cried, but I couldn't help myself any longer. I was more desperate than ever for someone to save me from what was about to happen. Karl's laugh was cold and senseless as his cold hand reached the hem of my dress, travelling up and along my thigh.
"I am sorry Bella," he purred softly and I whimpered as one of his fangs traced my bare skin. "But I'm afraid I can't hold back any longer."
"Oh God…" I couldn't bear another second. I stiffened up and held my breath, squeezing my eyes tightly shut. He couldn't kill me and he wasn't going to take me away. He would say that was generous enough. If he wanted to have his fun, I would have to endure it. If anything, the more I struggled, the worse it would be for me. Edward would find me soon enough anyway. Maybe he would get here before anything worse happened.
I shuddered as I felt his tongue lap at the graze along my cheek. I had never felt so disgusting. Just get on with it…have your fun and go…
"HEY! YOU FUCKING COCKSUCKER!" A voice roared furiously. There was a colossal bang followed by Karl's agonized scream and then suddenly he was gone from on top of me. I lay completely still, hardly daring to believe I'd been saved just in time. The sound of continuous gunshots filled my ears, the angry booming voice yelling curses into the night, Karl's repetitive snarls and hisses…and then silence. Shit. What was happening? Where was Edward?
My ears were ringing mercilessly as I hauled myself up slowly, struggling to focus my vision. There was no sign of Karl, but he could have been hiding anywhere, I wouldn't know until he struck. I made to push myself up, only to hiss as the throbbing sensation across the back of my head came to attention. Karl had smacked me to the ground pretty hard. The world began to spin and I hurriedly lay back down on the cold floor, not wanting to pass out. The roaring voice, the person that had saved me, it could only have been Edward…so where was he?
An arm wrapped around me from behind, and I let out a shrill scream of fright, louder than ever, half expecting for a sharp nail to slice across my throat and silence me.
"Nonono Bella, it's me!" Edward cried, pulling me up gently into his lap. I didn't need to be told twice; I was up in his arms without a moment's hesitation, wailing into his shirt. He stroked my back gently, murmuring softly at my ear. "Bella baby, I'm so sorry. I should have known they would follow us. I shouldn't have left you alone."
"I thought…I thought…" I choked, clinging to his jacket. I honestly had no idea what I'd thought. Only that it was the end.
"I know Bella, I know," he whispered softly, his hands stroking at my hair. "I'm so sorry…God…I can't believe I let it get that close. Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" He pushed me back gently but firmly so he could inspect me. "Oh God your face!" he cried, gently pressing at my cheek. I winced a little as the stinging pain registered again. "Does it hurt?"
I shook me head, "It's just a scratch, I'll be fine." It could have been far worse if Karl had been given just a few seconds more…
Edward cursed loudly in obvious frustration, slamming his pistol down on the ground. "Jesus Christ…I swear, if I ever get my hands on that creature again…"
"He got away?" Of course he did. Why was I even asking? Even Edward was no match for him alone.
"Yeah, I had to be sure you were okay Bella," he said, pulling me closer still to him. "Christ you're shaking…let's get you out of here." He stood up slowly, pulling me with him, his touch light as a feather. I let him guide me through the maze, wrapping an arm tightly around him. I couldn't help but feel uncertain that Karl had left yet. Then I remembered the guy at the entrance to the mirror maze. "How come that man didn't hear my screams? I was yelling my face off."
"Karl was quick to silence him," Edward said gravely, and I shuddered. The poor man had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. We passed through the funfair, pausing only briefly to buy some more candyfloss; no way would Emmett forgive me if I didn't bring anything back for him, and I'd left the stuff somewhere in the maze.
By the time we'd reached the forest pathway, my knees had gone completely. I didn't complain when Edward effortlessly pulled me up into his arms. Only then did I notice the tattered remains of Alice's white duffle coat. Edward must have gone back for it; it was completely ruined, with all the buttons ripped off. "Well shit, Alice is going to kill me."
"If Alice gives you grief for the coat, I'll be the first to shut her up," Edward promised as we finally reached the car. I smiled and sat back into the leather seat of the Porsche. The shaky feeling had pretty much subsided now that we were in the car. I closed my eyes as Edward turned the heating up to full blast, rubbing my arm soothingly as he drove off at once. "Well, out of ten, how do you think the date went?"
I laughed, running a shaky hand through my hair. "Well asides from the unwanted visitor, it was the best time I've ever had."
Edward sighed, pressing hardly still on the pedal. "Shit. I had wanted this date to be perfect." I glanced up at him and read his expression. His frown was deep, creasing up his perfect skin, his teeth bared slightly. I swear I could see the fangs beginning to emerge. He was seriously pissed off.
"Hey…" I reached over and stroked at his flawless skin, over the creases of his forehead, till he relaxed at my touch. "Don't be upset. I really did enjoy myself. What happened just now wasn't your fault. I don't even think he was supposed to be there. He wasn't there to kidnap me, or to kill me. He was purely there for me."
"The sick fuck," he snarled, his forehead creasing up again.
"I wasn't your fault," I said firmly. "If anything it was myfault for suggesting to go into the bloody maze in the first place. I got too excited that everything was normal."
He chuckled at that, shaking his head. "Everything's far from normal."
"Exactly," I said with a smile. "I was the stupid one for thinking that for a few minutes everything could be normal for us." I mean who was I kidding? Even before the date had even begun, I had been worried that something would happen. So why the hell had I chosen to delve in the vacant places, where danger was bound to be lurking? It was sheer stupidity.
"Mom just sent me a text," Edward told me, chucking his phone over to me. I read the message with a suspicious frown.
We've just come across something on Bella's family tree. Get back here as soon as you can. I need Bella to see this and I need your opinion on it too. Mom xx
"What the hell do you think she means by that?" I asked him, handing his phone back. I mean, I seriously wasn't in the mood for a lesson on the history of my family tree unless it meant something, however Esme wouldn't have wanted to show me unless it was important.
"I haven't got a clue, but we'll find out soon enough," Edward replied, flicking through his Ipod. "Get some rest Bella, I'll wake you up when we get there."
I frowned at him. "Are you sure you're okay?" I didn't want him having some sort of mental breakdown while I was asleep. He nodded reassuringly, pulling me over towards him. I rested my head against his shoulder, sighing heavily. My heart melted as I felt him stroke my grazed cheek ever so gently, his lips at my ear. "Sleep Bella, sleep baby."
I smiled contently, snuggling into his shoulder. He could make every pain go away in a flash. Just by his touch, his voice, his smell…it soothed my very core. I kicked off my boots and practically sat on his lap as he drove smoothly, his free hand tracing my skin with the lightest of touches. As I drifted off to sleep, I vowed that from then on I would be the one to decide my attire. Next time I was going on an outing, I was choosing the footwear. Tanya and Kate could whine and groan as much as they wanted. I was never wearing stiletto boots again.
A/N: END OF CHAPTERRR. WOOP that was a shorter one than usual, but I hope you enjoyed it. :)
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Cherry xx
