Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer, my OCs belong to me
This chapter is dedicated to Alphabloodwolf, WriterNMomma, maggiepie123, M-Bianca94, Asherah Isa, Anonymous Guest, Taylor eaglebear, Fadewind and Noble
Seren
"Now everyone has gone we can discuss our strategy a little more." Jane said as the door closed on the last person.
There was only Carlisle, Esme, Jane, Fred, Rea, Holly, Layla, Masen, Rupert and me left in the conference room.
"What's the plan?" Carlisle asked.
"You are leaving immediately." Jane said without preamble.
"Surely we're not the distraction?" Carlisle asked in shock.
"Of course not. That would be foolish. You're not really fighters and to waste our medics in such a way would be reprehensible." Jane replied. "No. It is merely the fact that it will be difficult to smuggle all the medical supplies across the border. I have arranged papers that will make it look as if you're taking medical supplies across the border for humanitarian work down in South America. That's why Layla and Masen are here. They will provide you with all the relevant documentation, but they will need new photos. If you would all take turns sitting in this chair Holly will ensure you look right for passport photos and I will explain all to you while this takes place."
Carlisle and Esme looked at each other and then toward Rupert and me.
"I will go first." Carlisle volunteered before he sat in the chair and immediately Holly began brushing his hair and surprisingly applying makeup that gave him a more human complexion. I couldn't question this though because Jane was launching into the plan at hand.
"As I said, you will be leaving tonight. There's no need for you to pack a bag, we will provide one for each of you that will reflect the type of thing aid workers would carry with them. Seren and Rupert, after you have your photos taken there will be a chance for you both to shower and dress in the clothes we will provide for you so that you will be setting out fresh. As for the fact that you will be travelling through the night, there will be a bed for you. Since we can not trust technology at the moment, a SAT-NAV is out of the question, therefore we will provide you with maps and directions."
"It will be just like old times." Esme mused as she switched places with Carlisle.
"I know no better navigator than you." Carlisle said fondly, and squeezed Esme's hand briefly before he was ushered over to where Layla and Masen had set up a grey screen that looked like the type of background you got in photo booths.
"I knew I could trust you." Jane said with a nod of approval. "There's also a list of your stop offs along the way. We know these rest areas are safe for you to toilet and feed as well as refuel the bus. You should arrive at the rendezvous point around the same time as the rest of us. However, if you arrive early there's a place where you can hide the bus in order to wait for us."
"Very well." Carlisle said a moment after Masen had taken all the shots he needed.
"Seren." Holly prompted and I sat in the chair as Esme went to have her photos taken.
"All the information you require will be provided in your pack. You have an hour to get ready and then I will come see you off." Jane said with a nod before she left the room with Fred.
Rea moved to the door as if to guard it.
When I went to have my photos taken, some of them from the side for some reason, Holly got Rupert ready for his photos. I smiled when he sat down for his photo and tried not to laugh. Holly had given him a side parting and brushed his hair into a neat gelled down style that made me think of Mormon missionaries. Of course that might be what Holly was going for. Maybe that was our cover for our humanitarian work down in South America.
"Taffy. Wolf boy. You're with me." Rea said as soon as Rupert was done.
"Ok." I replied and I wrapped my arm through his so we could follow Rea.
She led us through a twisting maze of corridors. I vaguely recognised it as the way I'd come with Zoë, Leda and my parents when Addie was missing. This was the inner bowls of the Ranch house, the true HQ of the vampire coalition. Rea seemed to know he way and stopped in front of a door that looked like all the other doors we'd passed. She opened it and motioned for us to go in.
I stepped in ahead of Rupert and the lights came on. It looked, well how I'd imagine a dressing room to look. There was a counter in front of a mirror that was surrounded by lights. There were a lot of makeup and hair products lined up neatly and on a hook there were two garment bags. In the corner was a shower next to a screen, that's about all the privacy within the room. That was, well I guess it was a good job me and Rupert had cleared the air or this would have been a whole new level of awkward.
"Don't worry about the make up and stuff, just dress in what's in the garment bag and see that box there." Rea said as she pointed to a strong box on the counter. "Put any of your valuables, especially your phones, in there and I can put em away safe in the vault for you until we get back."
"Ok." I agreed.
"I'll be back in forty minuets to take you to the bus." Rea said with a nod and stepped out of the room.
"Well this is cosy." Rupert joked.
"There's a curtain." I pointed out.
"Yeah. Um, do you wanna go first again so you'll have time to dry your hair?" he suggested.
"Thanks." I said with a smile and I kissed his cheek before I went to the box and put my phone, purse and all my jewellery into the strong box since I wouldn't have to worry about forgetting to later.
I stepped up to the garment bags and found they had our names on them. I grabbed my one and carried it behind the screen. It was tall enough to completely cover me. I hung up the bag and unzipped it before inspecting the content. It was comfortable sweats and polo shirt. Something one would wear when travelling. I nodded in approval before I went to start the shower and made sure the curtain was in place so I didn't give Rupert a panic attack. I was sure that seeing me naked right now might push us back to square one, or if I had my way would mean we wouldn't be leaving this dressing room for a good long while.
I showered and dressed without any of those scenarios happening, then went to dry my hair while I resisted the urge to spy on Rupert showering. You know if I made the curtain move a little I could maybe pretend it was the wind.
I chickened out.
Ten minuets later Rupert was sat beside me combing his hair into place while I finished drying mine. I chuckled when I noticed he was styling it into the same Mormon-esqu style Holly had combed it into earlier.
"What?" He asked, although judging by the fact that he was holding back a laugh himself he knew.
"It's just weird seeing you with your hair combed out like that. You're always so rugged looking." I mused.
"Rugged?" Rupert questioned.
"Rugged." I repeated wistfully.
He looked at me like he thought I was crazy but loved me for it anyway before he grinned and leaned toward me.
"I guess you don't fancy me now." He teased.
"Oh, I think I can put up with it for the time being." I replied as I leaned closer and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Rupert asked in a whisper.
"It's a little late to pull out now." I said.
"Not really." He said with a shrug.
"I know. But we may as well have stayed in La Push if we don't go through with it. And at least we have a comfy bus to travel in. I don't even know if the others are going in vehicles or on foot." I stated.
"I guess that's one way to look at it." He mused as he stroked my cheek. "Ok. I guess we're in this until the end. As long as we have each other's backs we'll get through this."
"We will." I said firmly. "After all, we're the medical team and with your swift legs and my shield they won't even get to us."
"Yeah." He agreed and he leaned in close to me and when he kissed me this time it turned into a proper snog.
I grinned when we broke apart. It was so great that we could just kiss now, no dancing about our wants, just going with them. I couldn't wait until he came away to school with me and we'd be even more free to pursue our wants. As it was, well Rea turned back up and it was time for us to leave.
She didn't lead us to the Ranch house car park, but along a series of corridors and for a brief jog through the woods until we came to a small clearing where a touring bus was parked. It was smaller than I thought it would be, since inside there was only one fold down bed, but I could see the panels where the sides and roof could be pushed out to make it into a bigger hospital space. I guess with only having one bed we could say we were taking it in turns to sleep. I hoped they wouldn't make me and Rupert do that. We needed a full night sleep and we could both easily fit on that one bed.
Carlisle and Esme were already checking the inventory in the storage compartment under the floor of the bus. I thought they were alone until we got nearer and Jane stepped out of Fred's shield to greet us.
It took about five minutes to make sure everything was ok, and then we were setting off on the road. Since it was only half eight, Rupert and I sat in the seats at the front of the bus as Carlisle drove, Esme sitting beside him.
We sat there until around ten when Carlisle suggested we go and try to sleep. I thought that maybe they'd suggest that we should take it in turns, but Carlisle and Esme didn't say anything as I led Rupert into the back. Not even when I suggested that Rupert lie down first so I could squeeze in with him so he was spooning me again. They just let us get on with it, even when I pulled the curtain across for a little privacy.
We didn't whisper to each other or anything, I mean Carlisle and Esme are vampires, it's not like they wouldn't hear. Instead we settled down together to sleep.
It was light when Carlisle pulled the curtain aside.
"It's seven in the morning." Carlisle said in a whisper. "We're an hour outside the border and this is our last stop. We have to freshen up here and perhaps you would both like some breakfast?"
"That would be good." I said as I climbed off the bed and went to grab the bag Rea had assigned to me.
Once Rupert was up, the four of us made our way to the services building so we could use the toilets to freshen up. Esme applied makeup, which I thought was a little strange, but it was thick mask foundation, the type that people with skin discoloration or similar conditions used. Esme made sure that any skin that was on show was covered in the foundation. We didn't change our clothes though. Esme thought it would look better if we looked at least a little travel worn because we were travelling so far. We had breakfast and then we were back on the road.
I now knew why Esme had put on that foundation, and Carlisle had as well. As we crossed the car park in the morning light there wasn't the hint of a glimmer from their skin. That was cool, although I guess it wouldn't work all the time because since vampire skin was smooth and impervious stuff like foundation rubbed off easily.
Rupert and I sat in the seats at the front of the bus again and we all had our passports and papers at the ready.
It took a while at customs, they even inspected the bus, but apparently everything was in order and we were waved through. Now we were in Mexico and it would have been a lot better if this was a holiday, but no, it was business. We still had hours of travelling ahead of us too. Almost another whole day.
We arrived at the rendezvous point the next morning and we were about two hours early. Carlisle parked up in a small stand of trees and we had to just wait until the others arrived.
Rea arrived first with a good handful of vamps, her chosen soldiers. She told us to hold tight, Jane would be here shortly, but for now Rea had work to do. She was the commander of the forward team, the ones who were going to draw out the League. I hoped she'd be ok. Nah, I knew she'd be ok; there was no better fighter than Rea.
It was ten minuets later when Jane arrived and she told us to follow her and she'd show us where to set up the hospital. It was far back from what would be the battlefield and set down in a ditch. This was so it wouldn't be immediately obvious from down on the field. Hopefully the League vamps wouldn't notice at all and wouldn't make a beeline for the hospital.
We had a big tent and ten camp beds to set up. I wasn't sure if we'd need all of them, but I guess it was better safe than sorry. That took us about ten minuets. Then when Carlisle was preparing his crash packs I packed a medic bag with all the things I might need for first response.
There was nothing left to do now, but for Rupert to change into a wolf. He did so and I climbed up on his back. He moved easily up out of the ditch and found a spot where we had a good view of the field but would have a little cover from a bush.
I watched as lines were formed down below us. Jane was moving back and fore, moving a few people here and there, but it was all just fidgeting really. They were all waiting for Rea and her team to draw out the League members. It didn't take long before Rea and her soldiers came tearing onto the field, and there was a group of vamps right on their tail.
The League vamps surged onto the field hoping to cut down Rea and her small group and they didn't notice our vamps moving in around them until it was too late. The battle had begun.
I wasn't sure what to expect from the battle. I'd never really pictured a vampire battle before, and I guess I would have thought about it more like a movie battle. But that was stupid, vampires didn't use guns so it was nothing like a World War movie and it wasn't even like a medieval movie with swords and spears and other pokey weapons designed to ensure you skewered the enemy while you hoped they didn't skewer you. I really wouldn't have thought about it as something like fighting animals, milling around, coming together as they looked for openings and ripping off bits of their opponent. I couldn't even tell whether we were winning or not, well apart from the wolves. Mags came in as a surprise flank about two minuets in and took out a big chunk of the League's fighting forces. Of course the wolves then became prime targets, but they were holding their own for the time being.
There was a group of dhampir fighting three on one with the vamps and that's the group I was keeping the most of my eye on. Sure enough one of the dhampir was knocked down by a vampire. I directed Rupert that way and he started running.
We cut easily through the fighting masses, my shield pushing everyone out of the way. I used enough of my power to flick the vamp away from the dhampir while still keeping the shield around Rupert and me. The vamp had decided to make a mid-fight meal out of the poor kid, which was lucky for him since it meant that the vamp hadn't gone straight in for the kill and it was a chance he could be saved.
I slid down off Rupert's back and pulled my medic bag around ready in case I needed to bandage anything. He had a huge gash on the top of his head, but that was already healing. I was more concerned with the hole that appeared to be in his chest. I tore away his top and, well the vamp must have punched his way through to get to the boy's heart. I patched it up as best I could before I took him in my arms and leapt back onto Rupert's back and we were away, speeding over the battlefield toward the field hospital.
I was sliding down off Rupert's back as soon as we reached the tent and I carried the boy inside.
"He's got half his chest missing." I informed Carlisle as I placed the kid on one of the beds.
"Very well. I will see what I can do. Did you administer any painkillers?" Carlisle asked.
"No. I thought it would be best to leave that to you since you got the stronger stuff here. Me and Rupert are heading back out to look for more casualties." I replied.
The next five minuets were a blur in which we whisked about twenty dhampir to the field hospital. Some of the first to be taken back were already on their feet and itching to rejoin the battle, although Carlisle was strongly against this. Anyway, it looked like the battle was winding down and we were winning.
I spoke too soon, a shed load of vamps took the field, targeting the wolves and the dhampir first, but our vamps closed in around them easily and it looked like Mags and her pack were on top of it anyway. She was really laying into some vamps that had tried to sneak attack Zeke. At least that's how it looked from where I was sitting.
Seren? Are you and Rupert still doing the ambulance thing? Loki asked and I could see him running toward us with Leda on his back.
Yeah. I replied.
Can you meet us and give us cover. I think I might… No I know I'm definitely sensing Billie. Loki said and without me having to say anything Rupert started running to intercept Loki.
Loki changed course and Rupert caught up with him. I threw my shield around Loki and Leda as soon as we were close enough. Rupert and Loki started running in formation, with Loki at point. We ran about three miles, up and over a hill to where a van was hidden. It was one of them security type vans and it was being guarded by two vampires.
Are there any other vamps around here? I asked Loki.
There was a pause before he said there wasn't, the League could only spare two vamps.
Leda, can you put your whammy on them from here? I asked.
I had meant for Loki to pass the message on but after a brief moment of what felt like feedback in my mind Leda replied directly.
I can, but I won't be able to hold them for long from here. She replied.
And they might start flailing around anyway. Rupert warned and it felt weird but also right to hear his mind voice.
Ok. Here's the plan. I said as I removed my socks and shoes for what I had in mind. We're going to run as fast as we can. Leda as soon as we reach the front of the van lay your whammy on them, unless they turn before then. As soon as they're disorientated I'll throw my shield around them and hold them in place. Then Rupert and Loki, you can start ripping them up. Me and Leda will help you finish them off once I'm sure they can't fight back. But be aware, when I'm holding them we won't be protected by my shield. Are you sure there's nobody else guarding here?
No. Loki assured me. There's those two vamps outside and then three minds in the van. One of them is Billie, and then there's a dhampir, but he's a scared kid really, and a wolf.
A wolf? Rupert asked. Anyone go missing?
I'm trying not to read too much, I don't want to alert those vamps if any of them are a little bit telepathic. Loki explained. I just know she's not one of them and we're not gonna find anything out hanging around here. Lee you ready?
Yes. Leda confirmed as she sat up straight, looking like a general.
Seren? Loki prompted.
I'm ready. I said firmly, getting my mind ready to throw out my power to hold the vamps as soon as we got near.
Rupert?
Yeah Boss. Rupert replied, and it was strange getting this small glimpse into the pack mind.
Then let's go.
The wolves started running and I lay low on Rupert's back, reaching my hand forward ready. We'd reached the nose of the van when the vamp on the right side, the side we were coming in on, turned around, but he was already fumbling around before he was looking at us. I dropped off Rupert's back so I could feel through the floor; this was why I'd dumped my shoes and socks. I got the location of the two vamps and reached up through the ground itself to hold them in place.
Leda landed beside me as Loki and Rupert surged forward. Loki took out the nearest vamp. Rupert went after the other. As soon as they two vamps were decapitated I nodded to Leda then ran around to help Rupert while Leda helped Loki. After we searched the clothes for keys, there weren't any, obviously this was a precaution for something like this, we started a fire to throw all the bits on before we went to the van.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I put my hand to the lock on the door and felt it out before I cranked the lock open. The door popped open and I stepped inside. There were two cages, Billie was in the one on the right and she was just sat there, in a chair, staring at nothing. I felt out the cage and tripped the lock before I yanked the door across and fell down in front of Billie.
"Auntie Billie?" I said, but there was no response.
Rupert knelt down next to me and touched her cheek as I looked into her eyes. It showed how worried I was in that moment that I didn't even think that Rupert was completely naked beside me. Or that Loki was naked too as he made his way to open the other cage with Leda's help. I couldn't pay them any more attention though; I was really worried about Billie. There was no response when I shone the light in her eyes. Was she catatonic?
"Auntie Billie?" I tried again. "Auntie Billie can you hear me?"
Billie blinked and managed to focus on me for moment, reaching her hand up to pat my cheek. Like she was making sure I was there. I felt, I felt a little bit of my energy drain away before she took her hand away.
I reached into my medic bag and pulled out a pair of disposable gloves. Meanwhile Billie had turned her head toward Loki and Leda who were talking to a girl and a boy who were in the other cage.
"Great. I'm hallucinating now." She said with a chuckle and she was not with us.
"Auntie Billie, I need to put these gloves on your hands." I said as I reached out toward her left hand to slip the glove on.
"You bitch! Are you trying to hurt me?" Billie demanded as she surged to her feet and suddenly she had her hand around my throat and had me held up against the cage. The chain link cut into my back.
She was draining me, and she didn't even realise. I was clawing at her hands, but I couldn't get her to let go. Suddenly Billie was forced back into the chair and I felt the static charge of telekinesis as I dropped to the floor. As I tried to get my breath back I tried to figure it out. That hadn't been my power because I was too drained. I gasped in deep breaths as Rupert knelt down beside me and inspected my throat, brushing his fingers against it gently, and that hurt a little. But I wasn't important right now. I coughed until I could find my voice.
"We need to get her back to Carlisle ASAP." I said, grabbing onto Rupert's wrist to stop him inspecting my throat further. "But I need to get these gloves on her so she can't drain anyone. I don't think she knows what she's doing."
Rupert looked toward Billie, then back to me. He didn't want me to risk it again, but then, well, Billie was family. She was sick right now and she needed our help.
"Can you hold her for me?" I asked, looking deep into Rupert's brown eyes and I begged him not to deny his gift right now. Especially after he'd just used it to push Billie away from me. I needed him to help me because I was drained and I needed to conserve what I had left to protect us when we hurried back to the field hospital.
Rupert looked solemn as he nodded his head.
"Thank you." I said, and he turned back to Billie, frowning in concentration as I sensed the telekinetic field extend out from him.
"Now I have to figure out how to get these gloves on her. I have no idea what triggered her." I whispered.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and I looked around into the grubby face of the girl who'd been in the cage. There were tear tracks in the grime on her cheeks and her eyes were still red rimmed. Her clothes didn't fit her either, but I had a sense that this wasn't the normal state of affairs for this girl.
"I don't know if this helps, but Billie's thinks those kehole cut her hands off. I've been trying to tell her for two days it's not true, but she thinks I'm a ghost." The girl said on the brink of tears, and the way she looked at Billie, there was a lot of love there. I mean family love, not anything more.
"That's why she…" I whispered back as I mimed putting my hand to my throat.
The girl nodded, and I smiled and stroked her cheek gently.
"Don't worry. We'll get out of here." I promised and I got to my feet. "Auntie Billie? Can you hear me?"
"Seren?" Billie called.
"Yeah. I'm here Auntie Billie. I'm going to take you to Carlisle but…but your stumps are weeping and I don't want them infecting or something." I invented quickly.
"I'm a half vamp. I can't get infected." Billie said, sounding on the edge of hysteria.
"Not usually, but they've drained you right down Auntie Billie, and when we get drained right down our immune system stops working and since we've never been ill to build up antibodies it's worse than for humans. This is why I want to bind up your stumps before I take you out on Rupert's back. We're in the middle of a field and there's dust everywhere. You definitely don't want to contract e-coli or something just as nasty."
"I… I don't really care. They killed Kekipi. Isla is safe now. I don't care." Billie said, and she started to cry.
"Well I do care Auntie Billie and if I don't do my best to help you then the family will never forgive me. So stop feeling sorry for yourself like a little sissy-girl and be the big brave Auntie Billie I know and let me bind up your stumps." I said firmly.
"When did you become such a bitch?" Billie asked as she held out her hands to me.
"When I took on the role of field medic during the battle." I replied as I slipped a glove onto each of her hands and then bandaged her wrists. I knew it was playing into the psychosis, but we didn't need her going off on one again until we were somewhere more secure.
"Battle?" She asked.
"Yep. We're taking out the League as we speak." I said proudly.
"Really? Please tell me Ritchie died horribly?" She said, looking into my face and she really, really meant that.
"Well let's go see." I offered as I helped her to her feet and led her outside.
"Look, I can't carry three people and I don't think Rupert can either." Loki was saying to the girl who I guess was the Isla Billie mentioned. "I think that you can turn into a wolf and carry your friend there. We'll do it like this ok. Seren will hold Billie on Rupert's back and they'll run point. Leda will be on my back and I'll take the right flank, and your friend can ride on your back and you take the left flank. That way Seren can cover us all with your shield. And you don't have to worry about those gross clothes you've been stewing in for the last few days, there's spare clothes in the field hospital that are more your size."
"I know you can do this Isla." The dark skinned dhampir said to her and Isla glanced at him and she pulled herself up, like an adult trying to be brave for the sake of the kid in her care, even if she was scared shitless.
"I'll do it." She said with a nod.
"Ok. Just phase, unless you don't mind stripping." Loki said with a shrug, then taking a few steps back he let the wolf take him and he phased.
Isla looked impressed and I guess she hadn't seen anyone phase before. How new to this was she?
Really new. She only found out when the vamps nabbed Billie and possibly killed her brother. Loki informed me.
"It's not that difficult." Rupert said softly and he phased too, before dropping down onto his stomach so I could get Billie up onto his back.
Which I got on with while Isla made up her mind.
"Brah." She said, and it sounded more like it was his name, rather than the Hawaiian informality, as she took hold of the guy's hand and got him to look at her. "I'm gonna turn into a wolf now. I'm a need you to climb on my back and hold on tight. Da' kine?"
Brah frowned for a moment before nodding.
"Good kid." Isla said, and tapped his cheek before she stepped away from him and then phased. Her fur was silver and shimmered in the sun.
Isla lay down just as Rupert and Loki had done so Brah could climb up on her back.
Is everyone ready? Loki prompted and Rupert got to his paws while Loki moved in on our right and Isla moved in on the left.
Seren? Loki prompted, my cue to raise the shields.
I used the last of my reserves to extend my shield around everyone and then we were running back over the battlefield, which was, well I guess we won because I could see Rea and Jane as well as a few other VCAC higher ups inspecting the field.
We reached the hospital and Carlisle looked up in surprise at the late arrivals. I saw his shocked face and then I was falling sideways as the world went black.
I could taste blood in my mouth and I opened my eyes to find that I was sucking blood from a blood bag that Rupert was holding to my mouth. I looked into his eyes feeling shocked that he was feeding me like this and he didn't even look disgusted.
"Seren you're back with us." Carlisle said and I glanced at him to see that he was smiling. "What happened?
"Billie thinks her hands have been cut off and didn't realise she was draining me. I had just enough juice to get us back here." I explained, as I felt a lot better now I'd had a boost from the blood.
"I see." Carlisle said and he looked toward Billie who was passed out on the nearest bed. "I had to sedate her."
"Where's Isla?" I asked.
"I'm right here." Isla said as she appeared wearing clothes that looked like they fitted her a lot better. "And Doc, you might want to give her plan B or something."
"Plan B?" Carlisle questioned.
"Well, they removed her coil and then, well… They didn't rape her exactly, but…" Isla trailed off looking uncomfortable.
"Perhaps you should take it from the top?" Carlisle suggested.
"Um… Ok. Where to start? Well I guess you don't need to know the about the week I spent bugging Drogo, although that's where it really started. I suppose this whole mess started on Wednesday morning. I was pissed with Drogo because he'd been ignoring me and I felt annoyed with my friends after the whole soda bomb incident, so I was moping by myself on the beach…"
And you'll get the rest next week in Isla's chapter ;-)
Thanks for reading
Reviews are welcome
Gemma x
