Chapter Thirty Six.
Jasper
Charlie leaned against the wall looking at me challengingly, he really thought that whatever I was about to say would be an anticlimax after the revelations he had already heard so I decided to give it to him straight.
"I am a vampire. I was born in Texas in 1844 and became a vampire when I was 19 years old. I've been that age ever since."
Charlie looked at me stroking his chin then shook his head,
"A vampire? You drink blood? You kill people, and you are in love with my daughter?"
"Actually I only drink animal blood although humans are my natural food source."
"Oh well that makes all the difference. And you've been 19 ever since you were changed. Does Carlisle know about this?"
"Yes, all the Cullens are vampires, all living on animal blood, that's why the Quileutes hate us, we are their natural enemy."
"Billy? Harry? They all know what you are and they never said anything to me?"
"No, because to do so they would have to tell you their secret too."
Charlie closed his eyes and groaned,
"Something tells me I'm not going to like this either."
"Some of the tribe, the young men, are shape shifters too. They become wolves to protect the tribe from vampires. My kind."
"I guess you're going to tell me Jake is one of them?"
"Yes, not when he left Forks, he hadn't transformed then but he has since reaching France, he used his wolf senses to track down Bella to the tunnels, you owe him a debt of gratitude."
Charlie sank down onto his haunches and scratched his head,
"What the hell have I got myself into here?"
Bella
Jake stayed with me telling me how he found out about the wolf pack in the village and how he'd listened in to Billy and Harry talking.
"I knew I had to try to find you Bella. You know how I feel about you but its pretty clear you have someone else in your heart."
I looked at him then away quickly because he was right, I liked Jake very much but I didn't love him, not enough and not as much as he loved me.
"It is Jasper isn't it?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Because he and I had a conversation during the flight, put our cards on the table and when I told him I loved you he admitted he did too, I guess he's already told you so I'm not telling any tales out of school."
"Yes he has but I haven't had a chance to talk to him about my feelings. Is that why he came?"
"Sure. Look I'm leaving with Maudit, sorry Beni soon, but I want you to promise me if you ever need a friend you'll call me."
"You're going away with Maudit?"
"Yeah he and I can communicate even in wolf form so I guess that makes us pack brothers. It's a good way to see France and there are less hunters here than in Washington state."
"Have you told your dad yet?"
"No, I've been putting that off but I guess I'll have to soon."
We were interrupted by the sound of a rifle shot,
"Is Maudit out there still?"
Jake turned to the window.
"I don't know but I have to go see. Just don't speak to anyone until eith0er I get back or Jasper turns up OK?"
As I nodded he took a running leap out of the window and as he dropped from sight I saw a wolfs tail, my friend really was a shape shifter like poor Maudit.
Deciding I was sick of being a caged bird I carefully pulled out the needle from the back of my hand and held a tissue to the puncture wound until it stopped bleeding then carefully I got to my feet. I felt a little dizzy but nothing that would stop me so I held on to the bedside cabinet as I slowly pulled on my dressing gown and slipped my feet into a pair of slippers left under the chair by Renee I guessed. I took a few deep breaths and walked to the door, I was very weak and tired but determined to get out of here. I decided to go downstairs to find Renee, if Jean wanted me to sign anything he could explain it to her, she spoke and understood French flawlessly. From the landing the stairs seemed never-ending and steep but I grabbed the rail and started making my way slowly down. The door to the salon opened and I drew back against the wall in the shadows as Simms headed to the kitchen. If Jean were out hunting wolves with the game keeper then Renee would be alone in the salon hopefully, which meant I could talk to her in private.
Renee
I was scared for Jean as he went out with his rifle but Simms came in a few minutes later,
"The Master said you might want some company Madame."
"I'd like some coffee and some of the cooks delicious chocolate cake thank you Simms."
I knew he hated being used as a gopher but I didn't like Jeans personal assistant one bit, he was creepy and superior looking. When the door opened again a few minutes later I thought the coffee must have been on already but it was Bella who staggered in and I rushed over to catch her before she fell.
"Isabella Swan what are you doing out of bed? Did you take that drip out?"
I helped her to the couch where she lay down gratefully,
"I needed to talk to you mum."
"You could have told anyone, I'd have come to see you."
"No. I wanted to talk to you alone."
I wondered what she wanted but before I could ask Simms was back with a tray. He started seeing Bella with me and hurried to put the tray on the table beside the couch.
"Should I help Mademoiselle back to bed? The Master would be angry that she was straining herself like this."
Bella shook her head and scowled at him.
"I think my daughter is comfortable enough Simms. That will be all."
"Perhaps I should stay with you ladies until the Master returns."
"No need, we'll be fine thank you. You can go Simms."
He looked at me thunderously then reluctantly left, closing the door very softly. I waited a few seconds then tiptoed over and opened it quickly. There he was standing like a rabbit caught in the headlights,
"Were you eavesdropping Simms?"
"No Madame. Merely deciding whether to join the Master outside or not."
"Good idea, you go."
I waited until he disappeared into the kitchen hallway then came back in making sure the door was firmly shut behind me.
Bella
I couldn't help smiling at the way Renee handled Simms, neither of us liked his supercilious manner.
"Right, now what did you want to talk about?"
I spoke very low just in case he came back and told Renee exactly what Jasper and Jake had told me. I could see she was shocked and deeply upset although I was very sure to tell her what Jasper had said about Jean loving her.
"So you see I want to go back to Forks. If the paperwork is OK as far as you are concerned I'll sign it. You and Jean can own the château jointly, I just want to go home with dad."
She smiled a little and there was a hint of a sparkle in her eye,
"Not to mention Mr Hale."
I tried to refute that but she over rode my words,
"Isabella I've seen the way that boy looks at you and the way you look at him. I may be old but I'm neither deaf, blind, nor stupid. Now you tell him you're leaving with Charlie and let me deal with my husband."
At this the door opened again and this time Charlie came in looking a bit shell-shocked and followed by Jasper and Darius who was grinning slightly.
"Charlie? What happened to you?"
She looked at Jasper then nodded,
"I guess they told you about the shape shifters, you know you aren't in Kansas any more Toto."
Charlie sat down then looked at me,
"What are you doing out of bed Bells? You look terrible."
"She certainly does Chief. Shall I help her back to bed Madame Chastel?"
"That would be good Jasper and mind you stay with her, your friend acting as chaperone of course."
Darius smiled wider and held open the door while I struggled to my feet.
"I think it would be quicker and better for your recovery if I carried you. May I?"
I nodded and felt myself swung up into Jasper's strong arms. I closed my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder as he carried me slowly upstairs.
"I bet you can go much faster than this Jasper"
He stiffened and I giggled,
"Too late, your secret is out. Jake spilled the beans."
"And you're still happy for me to be this close to you? What is it with the Swan women?"
"We attract the strange and wonderful"
I mumbled as I felt myself slipping into sleep,
"Can I have a good night kiss?"
The last thing I remember was Jaspers cool lips on my forehead, then I was lost in the velvet darkness of true sleep.