Chapter Fifty Four
Bella
When I saw Edward standing with Jake the serpent hissed loudly like he had on the deck when the bear seemed to fly apart, and I saw red. There was a terrible scream and for a second I thought Jazz had caught fire but looking to him I saw he was fine. It was Edward who was screaming, he looked like a flaming torch and I knew the remains of the lighter fluid had exploded catching fire as some vaporised close to the burning logs. Turning to Jake I managed to unclench my jaw to speak,
"You tried to kill my husband and for that you will die. All you had to do was leave me alone but you just couldn't do it could you Jake? Well now its too late"
The red mist descended again and I heard another scream, this time when my vision cleared Jake lay dead at my feet looking like a joint of meat at a butchers counter. I heard a faint cry and turned to see Alice, hands over her face, standing huddled next to Esme.
"As for you Alice, get out of my sight now before I send you to join your mate."
Esme looked at me pleadingly but I shook my head.
"I'm sorry Esme but this is it, I've had all I'm taking for myself and my husband. Anyone who tries to threaten or hurt him will answer to me."
Jasper
I had no idea how Bella had done what she had but I could see she was on the edge of losing control so I took her in my arms wrapping her in my love and carried her through to the bedroom which was much warmer and lay with her on the bed talking quietly to her and calming her slowly. At first she was rigid then started to shake and finally she calmed and wrapped herself around me rubbing her face against my chest like a contented cat.
"You OK now darlin'?"
"Yes. I'm OK now, I'm with you. What happened Jazz?"
"I don't know darlin but you certainly finished things."
"I killed Edward and Jake didn't I?"
"Yes you did but I don't know how you did it."
"Me neither. I was just so angry, so tired of being frightened, of seeing you have to fight. I felt something strange in my head and then it was over. I'm scared Jazz, I'm scared of losing you."
"You won't lose me Bella. I'm staying right here with you but I think our isolated little love nest has acquired a few extra guests"
"I don't care as long as you are here with me, the rest doesn't matter. Just stay here with me and hold me."
"Let me take off this shirt first it stinks of lighter fluid"
Stripping off my shirt I held her close until she fell asleep exhausted from all the emotions, terror, anger, and fear, all draining her. I didn't leave until I knew she was deeply asleep and I didn't figure on being away very long.
Peter
Once the bears were a funeral pyre and the air thick with the stench of burning fur we walked back to the cabin just in time to see Carlisle and Esme supporting Alice down the steps to a waiting boat.
"You leaving Doc?"
"Just escorting Esme and Alice to the plane then I'll be back. Alice is very upset"
"Oh right, I hope that means Edward the ass hole is dead."
He scowled at me but I was past being diplomatic although thinking about it, diplomacy had never been my strong point. We went up the steps to the decking where the boards were stained with blood, so something else had happened. As Rose and Tanya helped the rain wash away the gore Garrett, Charlie, and I went inside. The smell of burned vampire flesh was thick in the air, had The Major killed Edward? What the hell happened here?
The door to the bedroom opened and The Major stepped out closing the door quietly behind him and came over to us,
"They dead?"
"Yep, all gone although I have to tell you burning bear carcasses in this downpour isn't easy Major. How's Bella?"
"Asleep, she's exhausted."
"Sorry to spoil your honeymoon"
"Thanks for coming, all of you."
"So what happened here and where's the mangy mutt?"
"Bella killed Jake and Edward."
"Bella did? How the fuck did she manage that?"
"No idea but there's something really strange going on. Its like she has a gift, a strong offensive gift but I'm not asking her about it and I don't want anyone else to either."
"Fair enough. You want to take her back home?"
"Home where? We don't have anywhere to call home yet. No, I think we'll stay here"
"You think that's a good idea? We just killed eight bears and a wolf I think you might be top of someone's shit list. Could be dangerous."
Rose tapped me on the shoulder,
"I think you should get Bella away from here, too many bad memories. I've made you a reservation in a hotel in Duluth, its quiet, outside the city, a private cabin in the grounds. She's asleep now, keep her under with your gift and take her straight there. Carlisle has spoken to the pilot and he'll take you two first alone. I'll grab her stuff and Em and I will stay here with Garrett and Tanya for a couple of days, tidy up and check no one is looking for the dead bears."
"Rose I don't know"
"Don't worry, just go Jazz"
I nodded and going back into the bedroom aimed a heavy dose of sleep at Bella as I found a clean shirt and jacket then picked up her limp form and carried her through to the lounge where Emmett waited with a huge umbrella he'd scrounged from somewhere and holding our case he sheltered Bella as we made our way to the boat where the skipper waited, eyes averted, and I thought a certain amount of cash had changed hands to keep him silent. The pilot just nodded as I carried Bella onto the plane then took off. The weather was still wild but he kept the plane steady and when he landed a limo was waiting to take us straight to the hotel. I booked in leaving Bella in the car for just a few minutes then he drove us round to the cabin which sat alone in the huge gardens and waving off a tip drove off leaving us finally alone again. Once in the cabin I put Bella back to bed and climbed in beside her making sure the heating was up high and taking her in my arms waiting for her to wake up naturally.
Bella
The first thing I was conscious of was Jaspers body close to mine, his arms wrapped around me and the warmth of the room. I listened but I couldn't hear anyone else close by. Where were all the others? Had I dreamed it all? I opened my eyes and he smiled kissing me gently.
"Hello sleepyhead. How are you feeling?"
I thought about that,
"Fine I think."
I looked round but everything was different, this wasn't the cabin on the lake!
"Where are we? What happened?"
"We thought you'd prefer a fresh start so Rose arranged this for us."
"Where's this?"
"A cabin in the grounds of a rather nice hotel in Duluth but if you don't like it we can find somewhere else"
"Does it have access to food?"
"Yes"
"A bathroom with a tub?"
"Yes"
"Well I can see its got a big enough bed so I guess I'm happy if you are"
"I'm with you Bella what more could I want?"
"Just one thing though"
"Yes?"
"Did I dream what happened?"
"No"
"I thought not. Well one day well have to talk about it but for now I need a bath, food, and sex, but not necessarily in that order."
I slid my hand down across his belly until it found its target and he groaned,
"You have no idea how good that feels."
"Well, why don't you show me husband."
As he made love to me very tenderly I realized just how lucky I was and I never wanted this moment to end, well maybe as long as it started again very soon!
