Princess sana - Thank you, but isn't foaming at the mouth a sign of rabies? ;) -Sends Edward off to protect me- LOL
aLwaysEdwardsLOVE - LOL, Yeah I know the ending was a tease. That was the point. LOL. Here's the next chapter, though. Thank you :)
(Some Time Later)
I really had to stop waking up in unknown places with people talking over me. Really. It was annoying and confusing.
The first thing I really took notice of, when I finally pulled out of the dark cocoon of sleep, was that my head felt like someone took a baseball bat to it. My head pounded, and my body felt like lead. Then I noticed the voices speaking over me. Well, I noticed them before, but now I could actually focus on them.
"She's been unconscious for almost a week!" That was Edward's voice, a little hoarse and full of worry. "What's wrong with her?"
My heart picked up at the sound of his voice, and I took a deep breath, wincing when my chest felt congested and tight. I struggled to open my eyes, but they felt so heavy!
"She's awake now." Alice stated calmly. "She's also weak, but she'll be fine."
"Finally! I was getting worried!" What was Emmett doing here? When I heard the familiar smack-and-groan, I added Rosalie's name to the list. And Rose?
The whole family's here? I wondered as I fought with my stubborn eyelids and managed to get them to flutter a bit. With a ragged groan that hurt my throat, I managed to get them open, squinting against the light. What happened? The last thing I remembered was Jane attacking Edward. When I concentrated -cue the massive headache- I could still see the auras slash flames and still see and feel my shield.
The only difference was that blinding pain shot through me any time I tried to move the shield, so I didn't really bother to try.
"At least now maybe we can get some answers." Rosalie's voice was quiet, but I still heard her clear as day.
The room seemed far too bright, despite it raining out. I could hear the pitter patter of the rain on the ceiling high above our heads, but as I looked around, I took more notice of the worried faces of the Cullens who surrounded me.
Edward growled, his eyes black as night. He had dark circles under his eyes, showing his worry and lack of feeding, and I groaned again, this time out of irritation. When he sat up sharply, his eyes widening in terror, I rolled my eyes and closed them for a moment.
Jasper chuckled. "She's irritated, Edward."
"When was...the last time...you fed?" My voice was raspy and I winced as it burned my dry throat.
There was a series of chuckles, but when I opened my eyes, Edward wasn't one of the ones laughing. He clutched his naked, bandaged shoulder and leaned over me to press his lips to my forehead. "I couldn't leave you." He pulled his good arm down and took my hand in his own.
"What happened?" I frowned. "No, scratch that... How...?"
"We don't even know what happened, Bella." Alice was kneeling at my other side, a small smile on her paler than usual face. "While we were talking, your future flickered and I knew it was a bad sign. I said bye so early because I already had Jazz getting us tickets down." She looked sheepish. "I didn't want to take any chances."
I nodded, though my entire body felt like it was on fire. "Thanks for that."
"What happened, Bella? Your future disappeared, then re-appeared and then flickered again. I couldn't make heads or tails of anything."
"I don't....really know." I admitted, struggling for a moment to sit up, before giving up and falling back on the soft bed. Upon closer inspection, I found I was laying in the smaller room of the mansion on Isle Esme.
"Bella?" Carlisle came over with a couple of white pills and a glass of water. I took the Tylenol and relaxed again. He briefly explained I'd overtaxed my body, and would probably be in pain for a while. "When we arrived, we found Edward missing an arm, yelling about how he was going to track and kill Jane, and you were barely breathing."
I winced sharply, recalling how she'd so calously ripped off his arm. Turning to him, I took in the bandaged shoulder and freed my hand from his to trace the bandages gently. His arm was re-attached, but was still bandaged. At least I could relax, knowing he would be alright.
"I.." Edward looked down, his expression speaking volumes. "I almost...bit you. I thought I was going to lose you, and I almost changed you." The words were whispered with shame. "I'm so sorry!"
"I saw that you still had a good chance, and let Edward see the visions." Alice explained, when I mentally wondered why he hadn't bitten me. "I don't think it's time for you to be changed yet, I keep seeing you as a human bride." Now she smiled.
"I saw...Jane. She was hurting Edward. I felt horrible because I knew she was doing it because of me. I just... I-I wanted her to stop." I felt hot painful tears building up in my eyes and sucked in a ragged breath. "All I could think about was that she could kill Edward. I....just snapped. I wanted her to stop so badly. Then I got a migraine and I could..." I struggled to explain it.
It took some careful wording and about a dozen questions. How exactly was I supposed to say I could sense people's flames? It turned out, Carlisle thinks the flames were Jane's and Edward's minds. It wasn't how it was for Edward, but then, we were two very different people. He thought I was so desperate to stop her hurting Edward, that I somehow accessed my ability, and that got some shocked looks from the others. When I explained I could still see them but that it hurt to move the amethyst shield around me, Edward freaked right out.
"I don't want you pulling something like that ever again!" He yelled, squeezing my hand tightly. "Don't you get how terrified we were? I almost lost you!" His eyes were wide and black, and filled with unbridled terror.
"And I almost lost you." I whispered back, finally letting the tears flow. "I couldn't. If it were to happen again... I wouldn't do anything different." I shook my head, staring at Edward with determination. "I can't lose you. I need you."
He sighed and took my hand back in his, raising it to his cold mouth to kiss the back of it gently. "You're my only reason to stay alive." He chuckled dryly. "If that's what this is."
"Edward, son... I'd like to talk to Bella more about her gift, but for now..." Carlisle looked pensive. "We had an agreement. You've seen Bella awake and she's alright. You need to hunt. You won't heal otherwise."
"Edward!" I groaned, rolling my eyes and earning the laughter of his family. Why wasn't I surprised? "Go." Turning, I smiled at him. "I promise I'll rest if you go hunt." He could be so stubborn, but I loved it. As sometimes annoying as it could be, I still loved him.
Alice's eyes went blank and Edward groaned. When she snapped out of it, I could see old perky Alice was back. "And Bella and I will go over wedding plans while you're out." She was bouncing excitedly, a huge grin on her face. "She won't be tired for a while. I've seen it."
I knew I was trapped. Unable to get up from the bed, and being an aweful actress, there was no getting out of Alice's plans. And with Edward going hunting, I had no one to turn to, to help me get away.
Then a question hit me.
"What about Jane? What if she comes back?"
"She won't." Alice was grinning like a madman. "I know Aro values Edward and myself for our abilities and he looks forward to finding out what you'll be capable of as a vampire. Once Jane ran off, I called him to let him know what she'd done. I'd conveniently left out about your part in it, but I'm sure he'll pick up that you did something." Her grin grew and turned positively evil. "But let's just say, he wasn't pleased about Jane's decision, and I've seen him taking care of it."
Edward raised an eyebrow, but after a moment he smirked. "Serves her right." He muttered, getting up hesitantly. Kissing my forehead, he sighed. He breathed deeply and smiled at me. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"
"Not as much as I love you." I shot back with a smile, watching as his gorgeous, full lips turned up and he stared at me incredulously.
"Ok, enough lovey dovey. Time to let the girls get to wedding planning. We-" Emmett wrapped a hand around Edward's neck. "Have a bachelor's party to get to." Edward paled, and Jasper and Emmett laughed heartily.
"As long as there's no strippers..." I muttered, getting a laugh from the boys, before they set eyes on three other equally as jealous and possessive women and swallowed nervously.
Once they'd managed to squeak out that there were no strippers, all four men left us women to get to planning the wedding. I tried to insist to Alice that I really didn't care, but she insisted on getting my measurements and opinions anyways. By the time the boys got back, I was already deep asleep.
(Edward's POV)
Bella finally woke up! I was beginning to doubt my family's words saying she would, but then, most of them hadn't even been there when she...did whatever she did. I don't even know what she did.
All I remember was incredible pain that blocked out everything. Jane was smirking down over me, thinking how pathetic and weak I was. Then Bella's name crossed her mind. She was thinking how this was the perfect way to get to Bella, since her powers were all but useless against her. Then she ripped off my arm.
Somewhere, in the back of my mind, under all the agony, I could sense Bella approaching. I could hear her screaming and practically feel her pain. I wanted nothing more than to get up and run to her, but the agony was too overwhelming.
Then, Alice and Jasper arrived. Jane was momentarily stunned by it.
Flashback
Hang on Edward! We're coming! Alice's thoughts were furious. We need to watch out for Bella, too! Be- Her voice disappeared, and I was hit with numerous images I could barely make out. Bella glaring, Bella in agony, and then Bella collapsing and everything turning black. Oh, no!
Before anyone could do anything, Jane was smirking again. Perfect! More to play with!
My family's screams tore at me, and I writhed on the ground, trying to find some sort of foot hold to block out the pain coursing through me. Never would I have imagined that relief to come from another source.
It happened as minds going blank from me. First Jasper's then Alice's. I managed to look, and I could see them slowly standing up, looking confused. Then the pallid, pained expresion on Bella's face caught my attention. Then their thoughts came back, and it was Jane's power that no longer seemed to affect me.
My arm burned visciously from where she tore it off, but her power was no longer affecting me. I barely paid heed as she screamed in outrage, only to be tackled by my brother. Alice was in front of me, holding my severed arm and bracing it against my shoulder, where it had been torn, before using her sweater to securely tie it in place. Bella needs you.
Her worried thoughts once again brought me back to my beloved, and turning, I caught sight of her eyes closed tightly in an expression of agonized concentration. Without even thinking about it, I grasped my arm, holding it in place as I felt it began to reattach itself, and ran over to Bella, even as Jasper tore at Jane, and Alice followed me.
The others are on their way. Alice informed me, holding on to my limp arm as I took hold of Bella with my good one.
I called to my beloved, but saw the glassy, far away look in her eyes. Her face was pale white, and ice cold to the touch. Her heart stuttered unevenly in her chest, and she barely breathed. Her gaze locked on me, and I could see something relax a little within her.
Then she collapsed.
End Flashback
It hadn't taken the others too long to arrive. Or maybe I was so caught up in Bella's unhealthy condition, I simply hadn't noticed the passage of time. They'd refrained asking a ton of questions, first deeming Bella's safety top priority.
Even now, after hearing her explanation, I couldn't help but wonder how she'd tapped into this ability. Also, if she could do this as a human, what else could she do? What kind of force would she be as a vampire?
Shaking my head, I followed after my brothers and father, who were thinking of feeding, Bella's safety, worries about the Volturi, and my condition. Right now, I would feed as I agreed to, and then I would return to my soon-to-be-bride's side. No matter what, her safety and happiness were all that mattered to me.
Hope you like it.
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Tenshi
