Well folks Happy 2015, its back to business again now. Many thanks to everyone who read my stories and those who took time to review in 2014. I may not answer the reviews in person, I don't get much time with writing!, but I assure you I read every one. Jules x
Chapter Fifty Three
Carlisle
Much as I thought Edward needed punishing for his stupidity and the crime of kidnapping Katherine I couldn't leave him for the police so I grabbed him and pulled him with me out of the motel and into the shelter of the dark trees behind. He looked stunned more than anything,
"How did you find me?"
"That's not important now Edward, getting you out of here is. Did you give your real name to the motel manager?"
"No, I used a fake and he didn't see the child either"
"Good, well come on quickly."
I manoeuvred him away from the motel and to a spot I knew of where we could cross the border into Canada as vampires although it was impossible for humans as the sea was patrolled constantly and the water temperature much too cold.
"We're going to cross over into Canada Edward under water, are you ready?"
"But why? I have to get Katherine back first, I can't leave her with him"
I pulled him round roughly to look at me,
"If you want to live you do as I say Edward. If Jasper comes looking for you then you will die. Do you understand? I'm trying to keep you safe so do as I say."
He hesitated then nodded and we waded silently into the water then swam beneath the waves until I thought we were at the point I'd been looking for when I indicated for him to surface and we pulled ourselves out of the water and onto Canadian soil.
"I knew you would understand Carlisle, I knew you would come to help me. I have to get back for my daughter before they take her away."
"First we need to get dry, get some new clothes and decide on a plan Edward. You can't go around dripping wet or with crumpled clothes, people might start asking awkward questions, we need to blend in"
"Very well but where?"
"I know someone who lives close by, she will help us, help you Edward, so come on and be quiet, we don't want to wake any humans."
He followed me silently as I made my way to a house I'd only been to once before when I still did small tasks for the Volturi and I wondered if Sabine would remember me. The house looked the same, it was a very old timber cabin, built by a trapper in the early part of the nineteenth century and inhabited by Sabine and her brother since the 1840's when they fled Romania, Stefan, and Vladimir. They refused an invitation to work for the Volturi and for some reason Aro didn't push the matter which was most unlike him but made her potentially safe.
When Sabine answered the door I saw by her slightly guarded smiled that she recognised me and then she spoke,
"Carlisle its been a very long time. I never expected to see you again"
"I'm sorry to arrive unannounced but as you can see we had a little trouble and I wondered if Edward and I might come in."
She stepped back,
"Of course, please enter"
I followed Edward inside watched by Sabine who shut the door then escorted us into the sitting room which hadn't changed much since my last visit.
"I always liked this room Sabine. I'm glad you kept it like this"
"Ah yes, a man who feels comfortable in the old and the new. I understand your wife's business is interior design"
I was surprised she'd kept abreast with my life and it showed,
"I always knew you were different from others of our species, you made me curious so I keep up with your work in medicine and your coven. I even know Edward, your first changeling. So, I can see you've been swimming, not to be encouraged this time of year or so the humans tell us. If you like there's plenty of hot water for a shower and I'm sure Rafe can find you some dry clothes, he's about your size Edward."
Edward looked at her gratefully,
"Thank you I would like to clean up."
"Then follow me while Carlisle makes himself comfortable. I'll be back soon."
I sat by the fire on the stone hearth watching as my clothes steamed and fighting my instinct to keep Edward safe. This time he had to be stopped before he put us all in danger but the only person I knew who could help me was here in this very house. I had struggled to make sure Edward didn't read my thoughts although he seemed too distracted to notice and now I had to ensure he didn't get any warning from Sabine either. She was soon back and shut the door to the stairs turning the music up louder all the while looking at me a little suspiciously.
"I think you would like to talk so we cannot be overheard. Don't worry, the walls are very thick and the shower noisy. Why are you here Carlisle, I don't believe in such coincidences."
"I need Rafes help Sabine. Is he here?"
"Of course, he's always here, but what do you need?"
I explained as quickly as I could what had happened and my predicament,
"So you don't trust Edward to control himself?"
"No, not where Bella and her daughter are concerned and I wont put the rest of my family in danger."
"How do you know you can trust us?"
"Because you refused the Volturi offer and Aro never pushed it. I think there are secrets between you but my only concern is my family's safety. Do you think Rafe will help?"
"I think so but you should understand Carlisle that the longer Edward stays under Rafes control the more difficult it will be to bring him back, it could prove impossible."
"I understand but I see no alternative."
"You could just kill Edward, that would solve your problem but no, you feel for him like a father and you are at heart a pacifist. A strange combination for a vampire."
I nodded unable to speak at the thought of killing Edward, no, this was a much better alternative.
"I'll ask Rafe to speak to you while you go to shower, Edward wont hear then and don't worry, you know that no one hears my thoughts."
"Ah yes, the other shield, that's why Aro was so eager to engage you. Can you tell me why he didn't insist?"
"How could he? No one can influence me to do anything and he knew he could never trust me. Besides as his brothers sister he couldn't afford to start a war."
"So you are...whose sister?"
She smiled at me,
"Lets just say I have a connection in the Volturi ruling family shall we? I think I can hear Edward coming back"
Edward came in looking more his usual self and smiling,
"Thank you Sabine, the clothes fit perfectly. You must thank your brother for me"
"Oh I think you can thank him yourself, he should be back soon. Now please sit down and tell me all about your adventure while Carlisle cleans up."
Edward looked at her puzzled,
"Don't you know its rude to read your hostesses mind?"
"I can't though."
"That's right, you can't, now please tell me what led you to swimming in the sea this time of the year"
I went upstairs and found Rafe waiting in the bathroom with the shower running,
"Carlisle, I understand you are looking for my help. Sabine filled me in on the details and I'd say its a pretty little predicament. She did explain that I cannot guarantee to bring Edward back?"
"Yes she did but as you can see I have no alternative I am willing to consider."
"And you are sure about this? I understand Edward is very precious to you."
"Yes but so is my mate and the rest of my family as well as the girl and her child."
"Well I can see why you wouldn't want Edwards actions to bring you to the attention of the Volturi. Very well but I do ask a fee for my help."
"How much?"
"Oh nothing so vulgar as money, we have all that we need. No I would like an opportunity to join your family sometime, for a short while. Your way of life fascinates me."
"Very well, when?"
"Not for a while, I need to be here to make sure Edward is truly trapped in my alternate world as I like to call it. You do understand that he will not be leaving the house? Once in the trance I will move him to a suitable place in the cellar and he will know nothing about it. His own mind will furnish the life he continues to live and it will feel real to him. We will make sure he gets adequate supplies of blood to keep him comfortable although I have never attempted this with anyone who is not a human blood drinker. Still that will serve to make it more interesting. Well I think it might be as well to begin while you shower. I've left some clothes on the bed for you."
