Heart of Darkness – Part Forty-Three – Fair Game, Rare Medium, Not So Well Done
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot of the Twilight Saga are the property of its author. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended, nor will I ever make a dime from this. But Starched Shirt Edward, Jugurtha, the O'Sheas, Sister Claire, Hezekiah, Jenny, Horatio, Paula, Grace, Jericho, Skeevy, Violet Gorgon, Eve, Jethro, Molly, Phoenix, FitzCarrion, FitzCorpse, FitzCadaver, FitzSinister, FitzLuck, Young To Me Old Power, Merrisol du Pre, The Telecles Clan, the Fake Canadians, and Aaron are mine. So there.
If you like harmless snark, please feel free to follow me on Twitter at bookishqua
Many thanks to vjgm for being my senior validating beta.
Thanks to Fantasy Mother and LJ Summers for betaing. This is the twentieth draft of this chapter - and they have, without complaint, looked at and edited, I think, three different versions. They are awesome, and I could not do this story without them.
Thanks to WTVOC for making my I heart Snark Avie. She spoils me so. She hangs out at ADifferentForest(dot)com. You should, too.
Shout outs to my muses: anniebme, cavriola, sariedee, Silly Sad Sarah Twilighted, pclo, Disney Vampire, antipyro, TwiSentinel, MnROSES, TwilightMomofTwo, M Logan, twifam1, Kristin Hazzard, Alicia ZA, Squarepancake, Fleuritup, jenejes, Msessa, Merrisol, Cindy Windy, sexysadie13, Kaydence, smiles, pomme_de_terre, TraceyJ, summerc79, JaJiTaXx, Rgwmnks, Rogue, Elphabacy35, fanficreader83, Rogue, blueschicka, redsoxlove, Emmettballeermine4evr, Robs_Muse, Cullen Concession, blue2185, nanny t, Notmyself, Malachite Flames, solenoidbelle, Lily Forth, Islan the Island, TheBrunetteDevil, Twi-hard-girl, Fitten, lovelifeX2, codelina, lady dragona, Mutt N. Feathers, avidreader69, Dawn Stimson, favludo, dellatwi, prettiflour, Treya, mamato, Momma Laurie, Purple Mad Dragon, Luv4edwardcullen, Angelbach, TheRavyn, jmolly, PJAustin, Cullen Pearl, Siouxchef, Iceangel7, and Mizra
AN: Sorry it took a while to get this up. Had a pesky virus - but am feeling better now. I'm giving you two chapters in one with this. Thanks for your support, for reading, and generally being amazing readers. You should know that all dialog that takes place between vampires in this chapter does so at vampire pitch and speed. And all movement is also at vampire speed - save for conversations with humans. They are in the cold and don't really want to be there too long.
Songs for this section:
Lenny Welch – Since I fell for you
http://www (dot) youtube (dot) com/watch?v=OBDfju1F76M&feature=related
The Platters – Smoke gets in your eyes
http://www (dot) youtube (dot) com/watch?v=mOcU40jqToQ
Meet Grace in her true form:
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Douglas has missed you all!
Snarky Summary:
I'm so glad we had this time together, just to ….oh, sorry. My bad. So where were we? Last chapter Edward chomped at the bit as he saw his family take turns bitch slapping Arria in a new revolutionary form of tag-team Cullenary Coupling. And there was no group sex involved, thank you very much. Our dear Edward learned a bit more about the fine art of patience, thanks to Marcus' newfound desire to take a ruthless roadtrip through Romania. Edward had to all but sit on his hands when they attacked the monastery.
http://www (dot) artline (dot) ro/files/gItems/image/5/Monasteries-Tismana-Romania (dot) jpg
And then, after witnessing the Telecles family hacking apart that oh-so-surprised coven, and liberating their idiot relation who hung out with his kidnappers for a century or ten, one would think that would be a bold enough statement proclaiming their return to the snobs of the Vampverse. But no. Poor Edward, it's not enough that he is frantic at watching his poor little bottle cap wheeze, freaking at Jasper cheering the slaughter, and listening to Merrisol-the-newly-bitten-because-of-his-pointing-her-out-Canadian-school-teacher scream. No, despite all that growing up business he's been doing, our favorite 104 year old boy wonder STILL has to take out the trash. So says Marcus. Life is so unfair. And then you don't die. And then, Marcus had to go window shopping in Transylvania and raid this place on principle.
http://mw2 (dot) google (dot) com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/24846006 (dot) jpg
(For my Romanian readers, I do promise that I had Marcus attack your world heritage religious sites only in fiction. They weren't really hurt in the writing of this story. Much. Thanks for letting me metaphorically borrow them.)
It was a remarkable feat of self-control that Edward didn't blurt out, "Pardon me, but my not-speaking-to-me-for-the foreseeable-future bride is emitting phenomenal smelling blood every time she exhales. Further, her heart appears to be in distress. I'd rather her blood be inside her. Really. Would you mind terribly if we took her to a hospital in between hacking apart Romanian enclaves that will still be there tomorrow to kill? Pretty please?" See, the boy has learned something about the fine art of discretion and self-control in the past few months. *wipes away venom tear* But he still has a ways to go. Had he just said, "Her ovaries are dying!" I suspect he would have had everyone's undivided attention.
Things you need to know from past chapters to understand this one are as follows. The whole freaking story. Kidding. Not. You might find reading HOD pt. 21 and pt. 29 helpful. Leah kinda sorta had a major crush on Sam, got knocked up, engaged, and disengaged painfully due to that whole imprinting snafu. Her late cousins' last thoughts were of terror; as Leah misunderstood the situation and raged at Emily for cheating on her with Sam, sparking him to accidentally kill her cousins. When we last left Leah, she had not quite understood her role in that tragedy, and was most definitely of the opinion that Bella would be better off away from those vampires. And Sam is so off her Christmas card list.
Arria showed Edward a different vision of his nightmare of Bella running through the woods. In this one, Bella was considerably thinner, in fateful death vision attire, and being chased by her guards as she escaped to the reservation in Emmett's hot-wired jeep for a not-so-hot lunch date with Victoria. One of her goons - I mean guards - mentioned that they had better find Sergei to aid Bella. This disturbs Edward, as he has no such knowledge of any Sergei in or around Bella's life. (And there isn't a love triangle in this story involving Sergei, either.) We also saw that Grace helped Jacob, Seth, Arria, and Skeevy save Bella. Grace is asking that I convey to you that no one harms "sweet girl". She's taking names. Oh, and she scared the unlife out of a few vampires in manta ray form, but in her true form? Grace is even scarier. She is the Quileute legendary thunderbird who protects the tribe when summoned. More on that later.
The Cullens and Eleazar and Carmen traveled on their own to Italy wearing religious habits as disguises. Either that or they picked up a new fetish. Kidding. The rest of the vampires have been kind enough not to mock their peculiar taste in clothing, or their alleged fetish. In the beginning of HOD 38, Eleazar explained the Vivinna came from a blue-venomed line that was considered to be the royalist of them all, and that if her family survived – and we now know her brother and nephew did – that could change the power dynamic of the Vampverse. Vivinna's father, Eleazar said, was the closest thing the squabbling clans could agree upon who was worthy of being called king. Did I mention the Gorgon's Dad kinda-sorta made Machiavelli seem un-ambitious and misinformed, and Alexander the Great a simpleton? Oh, my bad. It raises the legitimate issue of who is in charge, who could be in charge, and what the aforementioned who's might do in order to ensure being in charge. Also, it makes the drooling pizza-faced Vel all sorts of scary now, and a target. Speaking of drooling…
Bella's dog was rescued from the evil clutch(es) of Phoenix, only to slink from this mortal coil in an appropriately dramatic fashion. Biting-the–Hand-that-Wheezes-For-You Bastard. So Edward went and cheated on Bella. Sorta. Edward, in an act of heroic so-not-animal-husbandry-self-sacrifice, locked lips with Genghis to save him on behalf of his battered befuddled little bottle cap. Seriously, that's probably the closest thing that man will get to action for the near distant future. Arria showed everyone a memory that had Bella and Charlie finding Paula's blood-splattered house sans the corpus directi, I mean delecti. Bella is totally not speaking to anyone. At all. Lips of steel, channeling that vampsickle from a few chapters back. Sort of. Rosalie diagnoses that Bella is suffering from trauma. Gee. Ya think? Can't sneak anything past that Rose now can we? Aside from the fact her big brother has been deeply traumatized for the past seven decades, and lying to the family. But still.
Right before Edward confessed that whole, "I totally faked loving you . . .*sniff* *sniff*," brouhaha, Bella had recently learned that Charlie and Renee had lied to her about that pesky head injury. She discovered that her Not-Really Grandparents and Fake-Great-Uncle had participated in the deception. The Cullens, after welcoming her into the family, promised they'd be back in three days. Methinks the girl is going to have trust issues. *sniff* *peers down nose through glasses.* Common sense says so. And seeing as during the time she was around Edward, Bella never once confronted Charlie or behaved rudely towards him for lying to her for 15 or so years? Edward and the Cullens are toast if they think she wants to have a chat with them, even when she can. And the Cullens have no idea about Edward confessing to that pesky plan of Jasper, oops, I mean the pesky perfidious plans that Jasper, and Rosalie, and even he constructed to off his little bottle cap. Not that kind of off. Ew. Or the bug spray.
Jugurtha is tapping me on the shoulder. He has composed a haiku to explain his current advice to Main Edward regarding Bella's behavior:
Stay the patient course
Of little worth is your ire
Your bottle cap is mute.
Marcus was the paternal piper with the longest-grudgefest-of-them-all leading a merry crew around the wilds of Romania to chat and reconnect with old friends. He even had a roaring 'let's invite all the neighbors' bar-ba-que to celebrate old times. What a prince. And after a one thousand year separation, mere words cannot express his joy at being reunited with his long-dead-and-decapitated-possibly-dunce-like sons and his prized legions of doom. And the wife part. Seriously. So he had to go and celebrate by having a family night out playing board games of a different type to spread the word about their reuniting and raise a ruckus in a way that does not….never mind.
Arria is in the doghouse. Esme and Carlisle have made it clear that Bella is their daughter, and the pop quizzes by the Telecles clan are to cease and desist pronto. Marcus loses nothing by Carlisle's claim that "Our daughter cannot take more," Seeing as since Bella is married – ergo part of Carlisle's family, and evidently catatonic – Marcus' not fighting Carlisle's use of the word 'our' works fine for him. It appears like Marcus conceded something, when in fact, he did not. Don't think Carlisle doesn't know that. Watch that f….sucker. I technically can't call Marcus a fornicator-without-the-consent-of-the-king since he clearly has not had marital relations in a coon's age, which makes him totally beat Main Edward in the repressed category, manly parts down. I don't even want to contemplate the wild reunion monkey sex between Marcus and the Gorgon. Just think of the terror they could spawn if Vivinna decided to give IVF a go. Thank G(g)od(s) Marcus is sterile due to that whole "bite me" business that Caius started. On the neck. And the chest, too. But that was it. And neither one was aroused. Seriously. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But still.
Edward has been living in a delusional world for over seven decades, one he created as a response to that whole figuring that he really WAS a serial killer business and not a vamp-venger saving poor humans from evil men. So Edward scurried back a few weeks later to Carlisle and Esme, let them think he might possibly have almost slipped oh, once, and had lived as the perfect vampire son ever since. His siblings have no clue he ever killed a soul because Carlisle and Esme don't think it is anyone's business but Edward's. And since they never grilled Edward about it, they can't tell what they don't know. Edward in the beginning of the HOD arc had forgotten what the emotion "love" felt like. In the "Fine" chapter, Edward got his human memories back, and he most definitely understands that he loves the Cullens. Oops. And he also fervently believes with the fire of the newly converted that he loves Bella. Oops oops. He has said in the past that if the Cullens ever found out what he did, they'd ask him to leave, and he truly believed that if Bella really knew who he was, she'd never really love him. He felt she cared about the Dream Edward act that he used. So now he's totally screwed, metaphorically speaking, alas. His knee-jerk reaction is to make sure no one in his family knows about what he told Bella. Ever. And he has the engagement ring and locket in his pocket and plans on putting them back on Bella just as soon as he can get her alone and speaking. Preferably breathing without bleeding, too. With a normal heart rate. He doesn't want much. Pfft. Delusional dimwitted dunderhead.
When the whole crew manages to reach Washington State, thousands of hacked-to- pieces-and-sent-to-the-great-dustbowl-in-the-sky immortal corpses later, they arrive in the back country of the Olympic National Park to find the welcome wagon burning, well, part of it, during a snow storm. Realizing the need for speed, they begin to converse at that pesky supersonic vampire rate, which in my mind sounds like the Chipmunks on helium, but ten times as fast. And so we begin.
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Heart of Darkness – Part Forty-Three – Fair Game, Rare Medium, Not So Well Done
The distant blaze belching black fumes contrasted to the pristine glacial air of Nature's majesty around us. Thick drifts of snow decorated the ground in loose powder, and the moon's luminescence revealed the pattern of crevices carved by the wind across its shining surface. Thanks to winter's kiss, the trunks of the trees in the forest to our right resembled white columns from a Greek temple. And the small Douglas Firs to the left appeared like trussed captives, silver boughs weighed down by the bondage of the snow.
We stood in the rugged part of the Olympic National Park with nary a human except the ones we brought with us around. I marveled at the stealth abilities of the lost covens. Golden eagles, orange-crowned warblers, western bluebirds, Roosevelt elk, and evening grosbeaks were all in the area and oblivious to our presence. The fire had not touched the forest. Douglas, when I searched to ensure his welfare, was minding his own business in his tree with his mate. Never mind. My apologies.
Jasper thought, "Edward looks mortified, feels it, too," as he called out to me privately, "Hang in there, Edward. You are doing so much better." He blocked his thoughts and pointed to the left, "We have some supplies stored up in that tree over there. I think the twins, Merrisol, and Bella all would benefit from them."
My tactician brother added, "Edward, I'm sure you would have included something for Bella. Do you have supplies nearby?"
I wondered if I should be offended that he had guessed correctly, grateful that his words offered me an opportunity to save face, or complimented that he took into account my consideration in regards to all things involving my Bella. Yet, I had packed supplies for the family, too. To do otherwise would have been thoughtless. Since we had sedated her with a strong enough dose to knock her sideways, I held my dear little mute one's unresisting form in my guilty-as-sin arms. The drugs, not my abilities, had left her in a half-drowsing state. It took every reserve of willpower I possessed not to leave my family behind and sprint for the house to run every medical test I could think of on her. Twice.
"One thing at a time, grasshopper. You need those supplies from the tree, first. Bella is not dressed for this weather," Jugurtha cautioned.
I answered my sibling, "Yes, two trees to the left. I stored extra supplies for all of us." I did not have to add, "Please hurry," as we could all see her body temperature fall, accompanied by the visual reminder of the frozen clouds that emerged with each breath she exhaled.
Emmett handed his son to Mother and attempted not to laugh, using a vampire speed half-grin aimed at me instead, "Knowing your attention to detail, OCDWard, this should be good. I'll get it." To the outsiders, he appeared the perfect teasing brother. Internally, he couldn't believe I hadn't started barking orders about Bella's medical treatment, or pitched a hissy fit at the amount of time that had passed as she lay silently and stared blankly into space.
I'd like to think Emmett ran so fast to escape my burgeoning wrath at his newest insulting nickname. In truth, he was more afraid of Mother and Father. Sigh. Mother and Father might be able to make Emmett feel like the Earth might swallow him while administering a tongue-lashing. But I and I alone, could do it in truth. What did it take to earn some respect from this family? And my perfectly reasonable behavior did not manifest the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder. Some people were envious of my ability to think and plan for every occasion. I could not help it if I possess a vivid imagination.
Three soldiers trailed behind as Emmet sprinted. Now my perfectly-able-to-take-care-of- himself brother required company to climb an icy tree or three. That was going to amuse him to no end at first. He dashed up the broad trunk with his feet like a runner and then used his arms to scurry like King Kong to the area where we had secreted an emergency stash. His companions were not experienced in climbing ice-coated branches, although they learned quickly. Including mine, there were three other trees similarly adorned. They returned with four bulging backpacks.
Jasper took the one I had provisioned from Emmett, and whistled. "This is heavy. What's in it that we can use?"
He studiously ignored the frosted smoke that emerged from my mouth. Our kind did not require respiration – except me when my heart beat. And although we did, if we elected to breathe in cold temperatures such as these, produce frozen vapor, the venom in our system did not create as much condensation as humans did. So every vampire stared with morbid fascination at Bella and me, listening to the noise of our Jeckyl and Hyde heartbeats. And hang it all, I could not help it if I had larger clouds of air emitting from me than ordinary vampires. Now, even my breathing was the subject of scrutiny.
Metaphorically undying of curiosity, Emmett wondered what I could possibly have packed that was that large, aside from medical supplies. I ignored that unspoken jest about a portable CAT scan. There was no way to hang one from a tree. And the two I had purchased had not stood up to my tests of the elements. How ridiculous.
Months ago, to avoid arousing the attention of nosy passersby in Forks, I had utilized the Internet, to equip my family in the event of an emergency that required we take a human with us. The nice salesperson from REI had been only too happy to sell me their mountain hardware tango four tent for a paltry sum of $750.00. A two person shelter had seemed improper.
Jasper whistled, "Good tent choice, Edward. What else do you have?" He continued to burrow through the bag.
Jasper removed two white sleeping bags: U.S. Army issue. The U.S. Army Research Institute would never miss a sleeping bag or two of their latest invention to provide warmth for their soldiers. If their contemporary technology, about which I had personally read the research reports, was good enough for them, it was good enough for my Bella. And, I hated to admit it, but I now felt the cold. I had packed the extra bag, just in case I had to pretend to be human for my human. Ironically, in my inhumanity, I now really required its use. Thermal undergarments, sweaters, and woolen socks had never been more welcome.
Shaking his head my brother proclaimed, "I don't even want to know how you acquired this, seeing as I've never heard of it."
Father stared, which made me shift from foot to foot. What was wrong with a little bribery of a federally employed scientist or five? Yeesh. And how was he helping me look good in front of an audience by implying I was a thief? Ten years from now, you would be able to easily purchase the bag at any surplus store. I had merely sped the clock up a bit with honest commerce.
"I paid good coin for them," I spluttered, "I only wanted the best for Bella."
"Then why did you need two?" Emmett thought to me, genuinely curious. This notion was followed by a long pause and an appalled, "Oh man, geez, Eddie please tell me you aren't feeling the cold when your heart beats."
The white fabric of the bags became the focus of my scrutiny, and I made no response. He called me Eddie, and my given name was not Eddie. At the sound of that hated nickname, a vivid human memory of me socking a school yard bully for calling me that moniker flittered into view behind my closed eyelids.
"Buddy, I'm sorry." Emmett sounded sincere, and I shrugged my shoulders infinitesimally, and examined the frozen forest. I did not deserve his kindness or pity, not when I could hear every whimper and wail from that poor school teacher, Merrisol. And not when my poor bride did not so much as even drool as she wilted in my embrace . . .
Mother waded into the fray with a glint in her eye towards my siblings, as the same notion raced through all of their minds, "I'm sure you did, dear. My goodness Edward, how thoughtful of you to include water bottles and a first aid kit. Since we need to go into town to inquire about the fire, I think you would blend in better if you changed into that outfit. We'll change our clothing as well." I had the greatest vampire mother of them all. She covered for my immortal frailties. And attempted to make excuses for me. Not that it would work, as I was attired in clothing similar to the other soldiers.
Marcus said, "This would be a good plan if we encounter humans. Our odd dress can be explained away." With a sword strike or two. "Yours would be more difficult. Your Mother is wise."
Moving at vampire velocity, the Fake Canadians handily erected the tent, and only the tent, while I watched Jasper unpack the rest of the bag. Helpfully, he draped a clean outfit of clothing across my shoulders, "Why don't you go see to Bella's welfare and change?" I turned and entered the tent, carrying my bride over the thresh hold.
The world as I knew it had just ended. Jasper had actually suggested I disrobe in front of my child-bride. I'd never bothered to explain my extended abilities to my family – letting them think the ones I admitted to were merely Grace communicating with me. Therefore, since I had my back to them I definitely did not see Mary Alice sign to Emmett that he was going to spook me if he did not stop pestering me with questions and couldn't he see how fragile I was?
And I most certainly did not see Rosalie hand her daughter to Carmen to sign at vampire speed that the family needed to keep a close eye on both of us and that I had clearly experienced some kind of psychotic break. They kept their thoughts to mundane things like the trees and the glowing clouds. But they couldn't fool me. I could not have them thinking I was insane. They'd try to keep me from Bella. And I could not have that, either.
Jugurtha pondered me, cupping his chin in his hand. "I think this actually plays in your favor."
"Insane people are not allowed to play with sharp objects. They are not left in peace to plot. I wanted to take her back to my house so she could recover in peace and serenity."
"You don't need sharp objects. You're remembering your mortal glory days of being a fencer and feeling naked without a blade. We've shown over and over again that we do not need a blade to take a life, mortal or immortal. And you have two handy birds that would most assuredly defend you if your back was against a wall." Fine. That was totally true.
Starched Shirt Edward said, "There is no way our immortal family will permit us to take our dear little one away. She's too ill. And they are too worried about us."
"There are clothes toward the middle that you might find useful," I called over my shoulder to my brothers. My family stayed away and ostensibly offered me privacy, while moving hands at blinding rates of speed. With all due care, I placed Bella on the cold hard ground and slipped her wrapped body inside the insulated sleeping bag. She always went to sleep on her left side, so I arranged her, careful of her wounded shoulder, with trembling hands. She lay there like shards of shattered glass, and I had no idea where to even begin to repair the damage. I only knew I had to.
Jugurtha cautioned, "Your body temperature is dropping. You must change into warmer attire."
I kept my back to Bella, a useless gesture; because she faced the opposite direction, and stared blankly at the tent wall the entire time, I'm sorry to say. This was our wedding night. And this most definitely had not been one of my fantasies about it – dragging my beloved from battle to battle while delaying her medical attention. Also, I had not imagined removing my clothing before my bride for the first time in such piteous circumstances. Truth be told, I hadn't envisioned that part at all, I had focused solely on removing her clothing. Lovingly. Longingly. As quickly as I possibly could without tearing them from her like a marauding beast, and sending her screaming from my side with bruised flesh and broken bones. But still. Bella coughed as I removed what passed for a shirt and dropped it to the floor. I spun around at the sound as I smelled more traces of her blood. Forget keeping my back to her. I watched her like a hawk as I pulled the thermal undershirt over me. I must have made an error, because this appeared to be baggy. The shirt too. And the pants only fit because I had a thick pair of thermal undergarments adding bulk along with a good leather belt. Simply seeing her there, I tried to look on the bright side. She lived. And she was mine. Marcus said so.
How curious that out of all things in my miserable world, a simple smell designed by Nature for me had sprung a love so sacred and pure. As soon as I finished zipping the insulated coat I donned, I crouched in my stocking feet by her side like a gargoyle, condemned to watch from the rafters but never speak.
So I used a wee bit of that ability to create a ring around the two of us, and had the good sense to warn Father so he and the family would not become distressed when the sound of Bella's and my heartbeats simply vanished. I knew I couldn't tarry, as I studied her. She looked exhausted, with purple shadows under her empty eyes.
"Bella, I apologize that you had to endure the past eight months. I'm sorry you had to see that butchery in the throne room, that you inherited the coldest mother-daughter duo on the planet as grasping relatives," the words stumbled and flailed from my serpent's tongue, "I am so very sorry that I did not appreciate you sooner. I thought I knew everything, more fool I." The silence that used to be so comfortable stretched out painfully as I stroked her cheekbone, too craven to look her in the eye.
I would never understand why the simple act of holding her in my arms took away my pain and gave me strength. But it did. Selfishly, I needed to touch her, to have her against me if only for a few moments, to remind me of what I fought for – and possibly keep my head on my shoulders. I curled up next to her and pulled her against me.
It felt so strange, her being all bundled up in a sleeping bag, and gracious, the ground felt bitterly cold. "Somehow, Bella, I will find a way to make this right." I trailed a finger along her skull running it through her tresses. "I know my word is not worth a fig to you, but I offer it regardless. I swear on both of my Mothers that I will do my best to win your trust. I swear I will spend every second God gives me showing you my regard, and protecting you from harm."
"Ahem," Starched Shirt Edward said, impatiently tapping his foot.
"What could you possibly want at this precise moment?"
"Forks is burning. Now that you have seen to her comfort, we must stop it."
Forks could burn to the last matchstick for all I cared. Quality Bella Time, on the other hand, truly was irreplaceable. Then I remembered my human Father giving me his pocket watch and telling me that I was now a man with honor. I suppose with my current priorities, it only proved how much I had fallen. I did not want to leave the tent, which made me a treaty-breaking bastard. Marcus had enough troops. They did not need me.
"You're not even remotely scary, Edward Cullen." I heard her dulcet tones and joyfully leaned over her. My voice cracked, "Bella?"
For a flicker of time, our eyes locked. And then it seemed as if she and I were hanging on the edge of a cliff, me holding onto her hand pulling her to safety. Inexplicably, she simply let go of mine. Bella's eyes once again became sightless.
Staring at her micro-expressions, I had seen brief recognition and then absolutely nothing. I pressed my forehead to hers, fruitless tears dropping on her face as I remembered the last time I had really seen her fall and perish, before I regained control. I was never letting her near a cliff again. Ever. Heck, I wasn't letting her near a stepping stool. We were going to have to move to a single story house.
"She said that phrase to us, months ago, right before we went to sleep. She's not quite back," solemn Jugurtha said.
I used my shirt sleeve to dab at her face, carefully cleaning it of the tangible signs of my weakness.
"Bella, please come back. I'll do anything. Please."
Even to me that sounded piteous. So I tried to look upon the bright side. There. Like the gentleman my human Parents raised me to be, I had sincerely and heartfully apologized. Again. In private, to preserve my neck and her reputation. And by Bella's silence, I interpreted that to mean that I was forgiven. She did not glare at me once. Hearing approaching feet, I lowered the shield, reluctantly rolled away from her. The second I lost contact, the pounding began at my temples. And at wolfpyre speed, I began lacing my shoes, the picture of innocence.
I turned, and Skeevy carried writhing-like-Medusa's-hair Merrisol inside the tent, apologizing for interrupting. The sight of her only encouraged me to don my boots faster. Besides, we had another audience of sorts.
Arria's soldiers gathered around and marveled over the tent's construction, which drew the fascinated attention of the legionnaires. As I passed through the egress and returned to my backpack, I realized I now had a fan club simply because I possessed the ability to think ahead. Mother, Mary Alice, Rosalie and Carmen entered the tent to change, shooing out a reluctant Skeevy.
The rest of the family went to the forest and used the screen of the trees to change - seeing as dressing like clergy in Forks might raise an eyebrow or ninety. Understandably, my veteran of the Southern Wars sibling had not wanted the other immortals to see all those venom scars that covered his frame, so disrobing out of sight had been fine by him.
When he walked from the forest, he took one look at me as I stood by our rucksacks and frowned. As did the rest of my family.
"Edward," Mother said, "You . . . you . . . "
Father took over for her, "Son, how long did you go without nourishment?"
"I do not know."
Jasper rustled through one of the packs left by the family and took out a pair of pants that were clearly his size. He might have been taller than me, but he also had a wiry frame, and smaller waist size. "Edward, go in the woods and change into these."
"The pants I have on are fine."
"You can't fight if they fall around your ankles, boyo. All the enemy has to do is cut your belt to distract you."
Jugurtha weighed in on the issue, "He's right and arguing with your brother only hurts your cause. They are very upset. Humor them. This is not a battle worth fighting."
"Thank you, Jasper." I took the attire from him as I passed and pretended that I did not have hundreds of thousands of gobsmacked immortals pondering how long they could have gone without nourishment and thinking that real vampires did not lose weight.
Aro pondered the peculiarity of that notion, considering he had plenty of data to support it, having starved more than a vampire or ten in the bowels of the crypts in Italy.
My family frantically signed how they had knew all along that I was weak and had looked awful and so forth and so on. Wonderful. Even after the indignity of being cleaned and shorn by the Gorgon, I still managed to appall my relations. Father and Arria had a painfully obvious discussion for all to hear in Oscan about the calorie count of the sludge the Fake Canadians relied upon for nutrition. For now, they decided I would be gorging on both. And a group of the Fake Canadians at Arria's direction ran out into the wilderness and entertained me greatly by chasing after a startled Elk or five. They returned with all of them still alive. This brought entirely new meaning to the term competitive eating.
"Ignore the cretins," Starched Shirt Edward said, "Dress faster." Right. I returned to stand by Mother, who wordlessly took the clothing from me and began folding it. She placed it back in one of their packs.
"You look better, dear. And I want you to go have a quick snack. Our friends at Arria's coven were kind enough to fetch these for you."
We both ignored that I had to cuff the pants to make up for the length problem, Jasper being several inches taller than me. They needed to have their attention diverted and I knew just what would do it.
Skeevy gave me a large flagon of that godawful brew. I drank it as politely as I could, seeing as I had an avid audience. And then I did the vegetarian vampire walk of shame by sauntering over to the wriggling wildlife and acting as if I did not have a care in the world.
The boorish one held the largest and gave me the wary eye. He thought at me with a tone of 'this is what you deserve' thrown in on the side, "If you don't mind me saying so, you look pathetic."
"Oh I agree with you completely." I answered. His bewildered expression egged me on. The devil made me do it.
I moved so fast, he didn't have time to blink, as I snatched the elk from his hands, snapped its neck with a practiced gesture, and drank as quickly and might I add, politely, as I could. Which was considerably faster than he could move. With every pull of blood I took in at a supersonic speed, I prayed to the Quileute spirits to give me strength to show this bloodsucker a lesson. For good old time's sake, they decided to assist, even though one or forty of them told me the last time they had seen me in the area I had behaved like a jerk. But I was their jerk. So they'd help. And they also realized since they knew I never ate in front of an audience that helping me would also be punishing me as well, that made them all the more eager. Carlisle and Jacob Black were the only two beings I had permitted to watch me drink blood from an animal. As I moved from sample to sample, after the last drop had been drained, I placed the body as delicately as I could at the feet of the immortal and thanked him graciously. And then I moved on and did it again. When I was finished frightening the fifth Fake Canadian, the spirits made the Earth rumble and moan. It appeared like the old growth trees with their massive trunks shook off some snow and reached out and inhaled the corpses. They disappeared within like a person thrown into a pond of water. And they, not I, decided to make it look like sets of ghostly green branches pulled the elks into the tree, cackling with glee.
"Jesus-something I will not repeat-Christ," Emmett breathed, as the five guards said the equivalent of "By Jupiter's thunderbolt," or "By Athena's Owl," in filthier language. Affecting boredom, and trying to look manly about it, I wiped my mouth with a handkerchief. And Jasper might have decided to get in on the joke by amping up their fear just a wee bit. Not enough for the others to notice. But I appreciated the gesture.
The boorish one quickly regained his composure. It's not like I would kill him in front of an audience, seeing as I was a malnourished weakling and all.
"If I did this malnourished, and wrecked such havoc so handily at the headquarters of the Volturi, just think of what I can accomplish when fed."
Since public humiliation would gain me nothing, I stopped the lesson at that nodded at them in thanks and returned to my family of the blank faces. Arria almost cracked a smile. Marcus and Vivinna managed to maintain slightly curious expressions and a stone cold calm demeanor.
"The tree was a nice touch," Marcus praised.
Jugurtha laughed and said, "We cannot touch the boorish one because he protected our dear little one. We can drive him insane by acting scrupulously polite at all times and thank him graciously in public at an appropriate time for guarding Bella. I'll have to think of the perfect gift for him and the others." I was glad Jugurtha worked for me. "Pay attention to your family now or they will continue to think you lacking in wits." Oh. Good idea.
Father said to my mind, "Edward, I want you feeding every three hours. Five deer or elk. And a large flagon of algae every hour."
"I do not know that I can ever gain the weight back Father. Did you lose weight when you. . . ." I did not like asking him about his newborn days. He had told me that he had attempted to starve himself.
"No I did not. That is why I am concerned. Nothing about you these days is normal, son." He said that with a kind voice. I did not respond because his words were accurate.
I brought a beatific smile to Jasper's face when I withdrew two laptop computers, encased in plastic and insulated containers to protect them from the elements. "I assume these are already loaded with software and capable of accessing the Internet?"
"Of course."
"Way to go, Edward!"
I retrieved a package that held eight cell phones with extra batteries. The model that I had selected for Bella went right back into the sack. Many on looking legionnaires were confused as they watched my family begin to program their phones. Jasper admired my selection in technology as the phones I had included had been better than the ones that he had packed in the other caches.
Marcus said to the legionnaires, "This is a box that allows humans to speak to each other across distances. That," he pointed at the computers, "is what scribes use. And most everyone knows how to write in this time."
Last came money, credit cards, and forged passports which the Telecles clan and the Fake Canadians most definitely did not need to see should we need to make a hasty exit. They vanished into Father's pockets. The clothes that Jane had provided for my dear little Grandmaster were adequate, but not for cold weather of this nature.
Thank goodness the spirits had consented to quieting Merrisol's screams so that only Father and I could hear them, they would have echoed off the mountains.
"No they wouldn't. Remember the Lost Covens have some way of hiding their scent and sound," Jugurtha corrected me.
"You put considerable thought into this, Edward," Mary Alice praised, "I think we might be able to use a pair of the pants you saved for me on Bella." The soul of discretion, my sibling left unspoken that although Bella stood several inches taller, Mary Alice currently outweighed my dear little wasted-away one. The snow pants I had included had a drawstring waist, my sister showed me. Morosely, I conceded her point.
"The knee high winter boots were brilliant, because the hemline won't matter, Edward. We won't need to undress her. We'll simply add more clothing."
Arria took the remainder of the attire that I had packed for Bella. She and Mother arrived at some kind of mental truce as they both entered the tent to aid their daughter. My mate, did not struggle as much this time when they dressed her.
Arria said to Mother, "The clothing is suitable."
Politely, Mother responded, "Thank you, Arria. I did not buy these. Edward did all on his own." Vampires doing double-takes astounded me every time, especially when they were high born aristocrats who affected that nothing in the world deserved their semi-precious notice.
"Her hands are white, and look like my mother's." Arria complained, holding one delicately. She stilled as Bella wrapped her fingers around her own.
"Not for long," Mother consoled her, "It's how humans react when they are cold. Edward bought goose down gloves for her," Mother handed one to Aria and placed the other on Bella's hand, "And a hat."
She held out the balaclava I had purchased in the only color the merchant offered: black. Mother had never seen them worn in person. I always see the terrorists in those films that Emmett and Jasper watch wearing these, I don't know that it will keep her warm. She put it aside as they cautiously wrapped my little Grandmaster in the blankets with the batteries and then put her inside the sleeping bag, new coat, boots, gloves, and all. The sleeping twins went into the other one wrapped in sweaters and coats. Merrisol, although she kept up her screaming, had ceased thrashing about for now, so we left her inside the tent with Carmen watching over her transformation. Eleazar and his mate were delighted because I had thought to pack a set of clothes for them as well. And they thought it sweet that I had included provisions for the curiously absent Denali sisters. And the newborns. Although putting all of them in a room with thousands of soldiers . . . I shuddered at the chaos that would ensue.
I asked Father, "Where are the Denali sisters? And the newborns? And Peter and Charlotte?"
"They are currently resting and recovering. A few of them were wounded and need time to heal – nothing permanent, Edward. We left them with Arria's people."
A whooshing noise from miles away caught us all off guard as a gasoline station exploded sending the greedy flames soaring into the snowflakes.
As we took in the view of the fire raging in the distance to the west, I gleaned from Marcus' thoughts of an entirely other raging inferno. He already had Demetri set up in another tent retrieved from my family's supply. Demetri searched through computer files frantically scouring for any relative left alive that could be linked to Bella or Mary Alice.
"Jasper is phenomenal with a computer," I thought to Marcus.
Becoming the focus of his regard made me belatedly appreciate my intrusiveness. I might be able to read minds, but perhaps I should have asked for permission before clomping into his with the silence of a Clydesdale. Marcus noted my hesitation and answered in kind, "An excellent suggestion."
Marcus said aloud, "The second I declared Mary Alice and Bella as family all their relatives that are human became targets. We have to find as many as we can that are alive. Jasper, I'm told you are good with finding people."
Jasper stood up straighter at the request. He already had the computer tucked under his arm.
Vivinna said, "Most of it we already accomplished Marcus. Arria has been working on it for months." That implied that she had known all along that Mary Alice was related and had never bothered to share such knowledge. Which was so typical.
"Thank you for your foresight, Vivinna," Marcus' voice held warmth as he smiled, genuinely smiled at his mate. And eight milliseconds later, his face returned to its regular demeanor.
No fool he, Jasper did not feel like trusting his newfound Whatever-in-law and gave his wife a glance. She nodded in Cullen body-language agreement.
Demetri's fingers tapped away at his laptop. He had been joined by minions, some utilizing computers, others jabbering in cell phones in a Tower of Babel cacophony.
Mary Alice walked a good distance away from me, accompanied by her husband. She cast her gift out to the winds and returned with a stiff carriage, "I see a group attacking a house full of mortals, though, and I'm not sure why. I do not see any sign of immortals wearing your tattoo."
Vivinna hesitated, "Could you draw their faces?" None of the relatives that her soldiers had found had been her missing son, Rasce.
"As soon as I have supplies, I'd be happy to," Mary Alice answered. She refrained from asking if any of her relatives had been found because she was too busy seething that they had apparently had information about her all along and had not shared.
Jasper had no such problem, "My wife had a sister. Did you find any trace of her?"
Vivinna slowly answered. "We found her grave. And that of your brother and parents."
Mary Alice asked, "Do you know if my sister had children?"
"No." My sister's face fell, "That does not mean she did not." Vivinna said, "Knowing of your gift we brought their bones to see if you could use them." Ew. Two men emerged from the crowd at her wave carrying a wooden chest.
My sister managed to hold onto her composure only due to the direct application of a considerable dose of Jasper's gift. The idea that they would desecrate her human family's graves was disgusting, and, of course, brilliant. Even Jasper thought so.
Aro decided to offer his aid in calming my sister. Not that she needed it. He said, "May I see your vision, dear Alice? Perhaps I can be of assistance."
During my mortal life, I might not have grown up with a sister, but I had always wanted one, seeing how Horatio St. James, my human best friend, had interacted with his. And I most assuredly had not been a good sibling to Mary Alice, who had kept my secrets to my shock. So I wanted to return the favor. And in the name of fraternal love, the second her skin made contact with Aro, I sent her vision to play in his mind in an endless loop. Then, like any good brother would, I blocked off portions of her mind that were none of his business. Like, the rest of it. I'd never endeavored to accomplish that before. It sounded like something the Quileute spirits would agree to, guarding the privacy of my family from greedy beings. Mary Alice stared straight ahead and never gave a sign as she felt the wolf power's touch on her mind. Aro slowly withdrew his hand back from hers, befuddled like a small child told, 'No' for the first time.
Jasper benignly said, "What are you doing to my wife?"
That mild tone did not fool me for a second, "Blocking all but the vision from Aro. I thought you would appreciate the privacy."
My sister's history was private, and meant to stay that way. Someone had to stand up to Aro for his 'give a moment, take entire decades' approach to frolicking through people's minds. Which was wrong. And something I dearly wished I could do. And I most definitely did not want Aro having access to any of my conversations with Alice. So there. A two for one win.
"Brilliant!" Jasper showed no outward sign of his approval, and managed to keep a rein on those emo-abilities. I couldn't have Aro seeing Jasper confessing his involvement in the Southern Wars, either. Marcus might have offered him amnesty a little while ago, but I knew Jasper would not want others to know the particulars of his life back then.
Aro said, "The streets resemble those of Munich, and the immortals in her vision are a nasty lot from Scotland, who seem to think they have a claim to rightfully lead."
Marcus took the vision and sent it to a group selected by Skeevy. "Find these humans, and bring them unharmed to me. Kill those immortals." They left and blinked out of the Park. I had not figured out how they did that and it was, for the record, driving me insane as it looked completely chilling seeing people simply vanish before my eyes. And the mere idea that Aro could have access to things like that unfortunate incident of inadvertent venom leakage. I shuddered. I was going to have to find a way to permanently block Mary Alice's mind from that weasel. Knowing him, he'd leap upon her the first opportunity he saw. Aro might have been polite, but deep down inside he was addicted to wanting to know everything about everyone. The smart immortal version of Mrs. Stanley. Jasper appeared to have figured this out, which offered me small comfort.
Father's voice interrupted my rant concerning my, I mean my sister's privacy, "Marcus, if you permit me to gather DNA samples, I might be able to discover how Mary Alice is related to you all."
Vivinna said, "I do not understand. What do you want to do with the bones?"
Why, if she did not know who Satan was, would she understand Watson and Crick's ground-breaking research in human chromosomes? My poor Grandmother-in-law was socially stunted in modern times. And I suspected a lecture on DNA from my Father, since slaughter and political machinations were not involved, would bore her.
He explained, "Oh, I'll study those, too. First I would need to take some of your venom and test it. Think of it like another way of identifying relatives without using scent or powers." He hesitated.
"Edward please construct a barrier like you did earlier that affords us privacy."
My head and entire body already hurt from my past efforts and recent ones exercising new abilities regarding Mary Alice.
Jugurtha noted, "Over the past few days, you tapped into powers you never realized you had. And it has made you stronger, but you require time to recover. Eating helps. But you need to sleep with Bella." Not that kind of sleep.
"That is one resource we do not have," bleakly, I responded while staring at the fire. Time. But you could add sleeping with my wife to that list. Life was so unfair.
Marcus put his arm around my shoulder like one would to his own child. I only just managed not to stiffen like the startled-into-silence idiot that I was. "You must be tired, and I suspect your Father wants another barrier. Let me aid you."
His gift mixed with mine made the shield function and his arm kept me from falling to the ground. But he could not offer the succor I gained from Bella.
Father baldly asked Marcus, "What measures are you willing to take to ensure the safety of Bella and Alice?"
"How are they threatened beyond the political means?" Emmett asked.
Curious, I gazed over at Marcus because I wanted to know the answer to that as well. There was no limit to the number of immortals I was willing to put aside my pristine principles to decimate on behalf of my sister and mate.
Father explicated to the family, "Aro and Caius have been funding research for generations seeking to find a way for vampires to reproduce. Other immortals have tried to appropriate that data for centuries."
Mother inquired, "What about the legend of the incubus?"
Forlornly, drooping like a wilted plant, Aro sulked, "Unfortunately, my experiments with hybrids have all failed. They have abnormal growth rates, short life spans, and they cannot reproduce. Most could barely speak."
"Why you?" Jasper asked Marcus.
Marcus recounted, "When I was but a child, a drunken seer pronounced at a feast that the Telecles line would produce great vampires, and change the world forever. The man promptly fell to the ground dead."
Based on the gory spectacle that Marcus revealed to us, I suspect the man had tuberculosis - a disease that had mercilessly claimed victims from King Tutkankhamen to Chopin. After his dramatic declaration before a silent as a tomb chamber, the poor soul had expired spewing fountains of blood.
How inconvenient. Dramatic, too.
Jugurtha mused, "What an exit! The spectacular gore and dropping dead part after the announcement is what made people start talking, I would bet. I can envision people whispering over fires ages ago that the gods killed the seer for speaking out of turn."
"Because of that prophecy," Marcus voice took on a bitter edge, "my brothers were assassinated one by one. My sisters both died in childbed along with their babes. Their living children were put to the sword." What Marcus had done in response to each incident had been ghastly, each deed more pronounced than the next. "And after Vivinna and I married, our children became targets. We did everything we could to protect them, and I grew overconfident that my reprisals had sent the appropriate message. We paid a dear price when we failed to protect our family."
Despite the sacrifice of a thousand years, some of Marcus and Vivinna's children remained dead. I was not sure why he was able to bring back his four sons, and thought it imprudent to inquire. And I avoided staring at those newly born ones that stood off to the side included in the circle and watching like foxes, silent as the grave.
Father's face was grim, "Arria, Mary Alice, and Bella could be snatched and put into breeding programs by any immortal with enough power."
"IVF is common these days," Father added, "It cannot be a simple manner when performed on vampires, because I have never heard of any other immortal using the procedure to have a human child."
"We tried for decades to make it work without success," Aro said.
"Genevieve mentioned that the procedure was complicated. I saved her records," Arria continued to pull out tricks from her sleeve, "And I told no one but my cousin." She could have exponentially increased her coven's size had she used the knowledge.
Starched Shirt Edward said, "Not without risking Bella."
Marcus insisted, "You acted in Bella's best interest."
I seriously doubted she regretted for a second not giving that knowledge to anyone else in her own coven, much less the others.
Marcus insisted, "Arria has done an excellent job protecting herself. And Vivinna will not be leaving my side. I will not have my family trifled with by any immortal, and I do not make the same mistake twice. Bella and Mary Alice will be guarded forever. We can undo the shield now."
Together, we tore down the barrier, and I stepped to the side away from Marcus' grasp.
My gracious, Marcus seemed to mean those words. Arria almost smiled at the praise. I noticed that Marcus had not complimented his daughter on her ability to currently protect Bella. Could he add a puny ignominious bastard to that list of people he wanted to annihilate seeing as he was so efficient at it?
Starched Shirt Edward yelled from his prayer bench, "No more trying to kill yourself!"
Duly inspired by the clueless quibbler, I said to Jugurtha, "Well, it's time for Billy Black to have a convenient accident. Pencil it in to our schedule."
The leather bound book remained closed in his hand. "No. He'll suffer more living."
"True." Drat.
The thought of anyone coming after Bella, especially in the shape she was in, concerned me, Mary Alice, as well. Marcus was right, Arria could look after herself. Anyone who kidnapped her would need a copy of The Ransom of Red Chief. It might assist them seeing kidnappers tormented by their alleged victim. And the King James edition of the Bible couldn't hurt.
I wondered why Jasper's eyes flickered to the tent every few seconds. His thoughts seemed to be occupied with the human children that Emmett and Rosalie had adopted. Jasper's mind drifted to the haunting last words of his late wife, as she had declared that she had given birth to a daughter. I had looked all over his old homestead. Her family's, too. And every graveyard in the area. But I had found no trace of their child.
Jugurtha said, "Give it to him."
Starched Shirt Edward blinked, "Give what? To whom?"
They had not made sense at the time, Victoria's tangled thoughts, but I had found a few glimpses of Jasper's child. I feared if I showed it to him, it would only hurt him more.
"That's his choice, not yours. And he is stronger than you give him credit. Offer it to him privately. We have to build up good will." Right. That.
"Jasper?" His mind had drifted to wondering what children with Mary Alice would look like. "I can show you Annie's thoughts. They were jumbled and might mean something to you. I think I have an image of your child."
Calling upon the spirits I leaned against my brother as I sent him all the curious ramblings that his late wife had mused. One image stood out more than any other, a small child, and a young woman. They seemed to be the same person. She had Jasper's hair, dimples, and her mother's eyes. And no name. But Victoria's thoughts had indicated she had loved her.
Jasper took in the images like a starving man given a feast. I studiously refused to read his mind. It was his business. I owed him privacy. Something jerked my shoulder. Oh. Jasper. "Thank you. Heads up. The terrible twins approach."
Jane obtained my undivided attention by the sheer act of walking and standing beside me as if taking in the view of the fire, one I knew she instinctively hated. Her brother Alec took position on her left. Jasper stilled, and watched them both like prey. Privately, Alec said to me, "Aro is deeply distressed at your human's condition. Marcus is beside himself with worry for her. Considering he hasn't shown a flicker of emotion in over a thousand years, that should tell you something." I was not sure why he felt the need to explain the painfully obvious to me. I was not stupid. And Marcus did not seem beside himself over anything except battle.
Jane chimed in, "One last thing, cousin. If you leave her again to suffer like that, you self-righteous prig, you better hope I get to you before Marcus does."
She surreptitiously zapped me slightly with her gift for emphasis - just enough to remind me of what she could do. The harpy aimed all of her power at a certain delicate part of my anatomy, one that I could not mention in front of polite company due to my proper breeding and all. A part I wanted to be able to use with my mate at some point in the future. Repeatedly. Religiously. Reverently. Not that Jane's blast actually hit it –er me, because I had shields. Huge ones. That worked. The mere idea revolted me and sparked my consternation.
Jane apparently didn't care that I had nearly destroyed the Volturi's fortress in Italy, and that told me something as well. Jane was scary, and possibly mentally unhinged. And what was wrong with her brother not preventing her from making such a risky move? They appeared to love one another. She did not realize that she could not impact me. And distant blood relation or not, I was going to have to shield my manly parts from her forevermore.
I maintained a placid expression as I took a page from Marcus' behavior and said, "It was due to my power as well as Bella's that you are the age that you currently are. Don't make me have to alter it. I could goof and make you even younger." Which was sort of true, something I had no idea how I could recreate, but sounded impressively awful. It most definitely made an impression on the twins.
Jane attempted to disguise her unease as she bluffed, "That would require an awful lot of explaining to Marcus. And you have not built up enough good will with him that he would tolerate you trying."
"He could not stop me. He lacks the power. And if he kills me, then you definitely would have a problem."
She smirked as my nose started bleeding. And that irritated me, which explained why I threw my normal standards of cruelty aside, "As it stands, I do not know if I or Bella died, if you would revert back to your original appearance," I said sanctimoniously. Now, I had two most fervent bodyguards. Jane took a handkerchief from her twin's hand and offered it to me, waving the white flag of peace, "Cousin," she said, sincerely troubled.
Women! Capricious every last one of them. Except for Mother. Speaking of whom, I had a lot of apologizing to do to one.
We had only been in Forks for about five minutes, as we had moved and had conversed at vampire speed. I reached out for Grace, who tentatively responded to my compunctious, 'Fine. I'm flat-out-groveling,' greeting; and 'Incidentally, I'm offering you my eternal thanks for saving, "Sweet Girl.'"
Grace was disturbed at my bleeding. Father made me stand with my head bent back, which appeared all kinds of idiotic.
He said, "Edward, I think we have enough resources so that you can rest."
"I have mental contact with Grace. She is giving me information Marcus can use."
People around did not need to know what I was doing in the event I failed.
With Grace's assistance, I used my gift to find the enemy. The Quileute spirits were all in a tizzy and tripping over another to keep me standing, blazing headache and nosebleed be damned. I told Marcus, "Phoenix is headed towards the Quileute reservation. We have about twenty minutes before he gets there."
"How do you know this?" Vivinna asked.
"The Quileute spirits tell me." That sounded better than, 'I have voices in my head that I occasionally invite to invade my body.' That made me sound like a spiritual strumpet. Which I most definitely was not. Strumpets charged.
"I have never seen anything quite like it, Marcus, and he is generally accurate," Eleazar sprang to my defense. Generally? Gee whillikins, I would have to show more effort around him. Or he had developed amnesia during his time in Alaska, which seemed to be the case as every time his mind wandered to it, he'd flick away to something else.
Marcus sighed, "Edward, how impressive is his mighty force this time?" He barely avoided sarcasm, but made his disdain clear.
"Can you please order your men to hold their arms?"
"Plan on taking them on yourself?" he teased, staring at the red handkerchief. As if. Their weapons wouldn't work on me. I smiled in return around the cloth because it was the polite thing to do. And my Mothers both raised me right.
The bleeding mercifully ceased, "No, I want you to meet someone and her appearance might cause sharp objects to be flung in the sky or blades of all sizes to be handled improperly. And I'd hate to see you lose a large percentage of your men needlessly. Arria can confirm this." Now I had captured his attention.
Arria guessed my intent and said, "Father, he speaks the truth." It's not like I had lied to her. Much. In any way she'd ever know. What a wonderful impression of my character.
"Hold your arms, no matter what you see." Marcus ordered his troops using that remarkable supernatural telegraph of his.
"Grace," I called out. "Please show yourself to our army."
Majestically, she appeared in her original form of a pterosaur. I approached her while all the other immortals backed away to give her a healthy distance. She picked the right being to scare them. Grace was bigger than FitzCadaver and his cronies. Her wingspan was well over twenty feet. I didn't even need to wax eloquent over the ferocity of her maw. Her claws were razor sharp and I now appreciated how she had tried to carry Bella without hurting her. It seems we all had taken a turn at harming her in some way. And Grace's head and the way she glared at everyone had a manner that overpowered even Marcus in the fright department. Then again, Marcus didn't glare quite like that, which is perhaps what accounted for people's terror of him. He always seemed eerily calm. I wondered if Bella had inherited that tendency from him.
Holding out her arm to nervous Lost Coven troops to stay movement, Arria said, "She helped save Bella's life. She answers to Edward." She left unsaid, "And my Father will kill you painfully if you disregard his orders."
The soldiers were confused and Marcus firmly ordered those that contemplated reaching for their swords or bows, "Do not engage."
I could tell from their minds that Grace terrified them, and they were having trouble quieting the instinctual desire to avoid being chomped to bits or torn asunder by her. Well, most of them. The Legionnaires followed Marcus' orders precisely and maintained bored expressions. Maybe they were still partly dead? His five sons did not so much as twitch, although Skeevy had the advantage of his brothers having already dealt with Grace and lived to tell the tale.
I did not care about dignity at this point. I threw my arms around her and said, "Thank you."
"Sweet girl sick."
"I know. We need to go and defend the tribe. Can you come with me?"
Grace liked that idea. She showed me that Phoenix; at least in his boast, had not been kidding. And she did something with her power that dulled the pain and gave me a feeling like I actually might be able to survive the next hour using the gifts. I opened my closed eyes to find Hezekiah's walking stick lying before me radiating power.
"My thanks," I bowed to Grace. As my hand went around the carved wood, I couldn't help but see his face, and now I could hear the geezers who still guarded Bella's spirit much better.
"Suck it up, boyo, it's time to kill some leeches," one called.
Gee, Thanks. I had managed to singlehandedly invade the most feared coven in the immortal world and they called at me like I was an amateur, which I technically was. But still. I definitely was not an amateur at that killing business. I just hadn't killed all that many immortals. Yet. But I had every intention of gaining practice. I couldn't wait to get my spiritual hands on that bastard Phoenix. Besides him attacking my family and me earlier, I totally owed him for failing to immediately kill, I mean, attacking Genghis. Bella adored that irritating ill-mannered dog. Unfortunately. Now I'd have to avenge him, too.
Staring off to the fire in the west, I said, "I estimate eight thousand, Marcus, from what Grace says."
Marcus scoffed, "Surely you jest."
"No. Edward doesn't have a sense of humor," Emmett said. Thank you very much. I did, too. Wasn't sarcasm considered humor? And how would he know? I barely spoke.
"Is that all?" Marcus sounded genuinely offended, militarily speaking, of course.
Jasper explained, "Legatus, by the Southern War standards, an army of that size was considered gargantuan. He thinks he is going to crush you."
Not that Jasper would admit to having personal knowledge of those Southern War activities, that being illegal and all, despite those pesky venom scars he had all over his body. And the fact that Marcus had correctly identified him as Rafael. No sirree, Jasper was watching out for our family by worshiping at the feet of his new iron age rock star idol. He was even calling him by his rank.
Marcus tsked at Jasper as if his vampire childhood had been positively deprived. Which it had been. But still.
And Phoenix acted awfully cranky there with his one arm and a new set of pipes, with an empty sleeve hanging limply from his right shoulder. He had constructed an unusual harness so he did not have to hold the instrument. It made him look like a lost circus clown who had stumbled into an insane orthodontist's office. With Grace's assistance, I showed that view to Marcus.
He conveyed it to others, who scoffed, snorted, tittered, and otherwise produced immortal mocking noises galore. Marcus sighed, "I think we only need eight thousand, my dear," to his wife.
She waved an arm. "Why not take an extra five thousand from the Newfoundland and Chilean covens? Both are still green and require practice."
Skeevy added, "Those two thousand from the Pyrenees coven would do well."
Marcus suspired, as if asked to bring on a pesky younger sibling or thousand on a trip, "This time, Bella remains behind. Carlisle, see to her medical care. And you will personally ensure it happens without her suffering a scratch," he ordered his daughter.
Wasn't it a bit illogical for him to be castigating his daughter for her irresponsible parental behavior when his own mate had misplaced their children for a millennium? Not that I was going to point that out to anyone. Yet. I had manners. Occasionally.
"Those words will never depart your tongue. Both Vivinna and Marcus paid dearly for their errors. They suffered torment that crumpled us to sand in a few months without complaint for a millennium," Jugurtha said.
"It does not seem polite," Starched Shirt Edward called from within the library as he rustled through dusty volumes conducting some kind of research. Not that kind. His hands were on the books at all times.
"Yes, Father," Arria nodded in agreement, mentally moping about not being able to go to the battle with the other soldiers, to kill the ones who had hurt her coven and child -- because she had to look after her ailing progeny. Fine. She didn't think that. She had locked me out of her mind. But she sure appeared that way.
So Marcus sent a clear message to his daughter about good old-fashioned parental responsibility by denying her the opportunity to go maim other immortals, and forcing her to watch others parent her mortal daughter. Clearly, he had figured out his daughter's mind, although he'd only been around her a few hours. She was positively beside herself. By Jugurtha's count, she came close to frowning three times as she saw her family start to walk side-by-side off to fight. Arria, a thousand year old immortal, had just been grounded by her sire. How awesome was that?
Jasper said, "We need to find out how extensive the fire is."
Tilting his head to one side, Marcus extended his gift and permitted me to accompany him on the journey, interrupting my attempts to glean that data. I did not bother to tell him that I already knew, thanks to Grace. Connecting simultaneously with thousands of individual brains and communicating separately with each made me want to spew all those vats of blood; my head throbbed so much in reaction. Without the staff – sometimes even with it, I had difficulty making a roomful of people consistently receive my thoughts when I attempted to simply send them. Marcus performed this task with the ease of a human breathing to mobs of his soldiers. To him, it literally was effortless as he not only sent but lodged into every single mind he touched. And the vision he received from his troops and resulting conversation, proved illuminating. I could tell from their responses these men were all too willing to die again for him. I had no idea how one garnered that amount of loyalty from another being, much less masses of them.
Marcus turned to Carlisle, "My men have encountered forces on the east side of Forks."
Father's face remained calm, "How large of an army do they face on that front?"
"And how are ours doing?" Eleazar asked.
With a scoff, Marcus said, "They're complaining that I brought them back to life to be bored to death because they're only combating ten thousand enemies, who clearly cannot fight. This strategy of leaping for bodies and trying to gnaw your opponent to death has my men amused. Oh, Tiberius said we started the fires. Well, most of them."
He sounded like a fond parent who approved of that tactic as a mischievous maniacal child went around destroying everything in sight. Tiberius had used it to trap the enemy on two sides and he used his men to attack from the others. Clever.
"Did they start the fire at the reservation?" Jasper asked and cleared his throat, "That would be difficult . . .in light of our treaty."
Closing his eyes, Marcus consulted the MarcusVine.
Which really made my head hurt. It was an honor that he invited me and all, but I was beginning to feel like I had taken one of those hallucinogenic mushrooms I had learned about in that slowly unraveling Quileute tribal knowledge. Grace offered me a boost of power with a croon through our connection, and I thanked Hezekiah for the loan of his staff. Not that staff. The wooden one. I mean. Never mind.
Blocking Marcus from this part of my mind, I turned to Jugurtha, "Please schedule a hunt for hallucinogenic fungi. Young Mr. Black deserves a special treat, I think."
"Hmmmm" Jugurtha flipped through pages and said, "You're booked for the immediate present between slaying, scheming, and groveling. I'm sorry, but you simply do not have time to drug a minor. You are a doctor. Twice. Be professional."
"But –"
"Bella and her health," he interrupted, "outweigh picking on an obnoxious child in terms of priorities. And considering you are over a hundred years old, drugging him would be tacky."
"He put his lips on her wounded mouth," I argued recalling the sight of her biting through her lip and blood trailing down her chin when Victoria had attacked her.
"Only to give her CPR and he did not appear to be having a stimulating time doing it. And it did not seem to cause her discomfort." Exactly.
"We drugged Billy," I countered.
"Yes, who is significantly older, a multiple murderer, and collector of sperm samples that made it appear we were doing the Quileutes a public service. We wanted to avoid giving the Quileutes the impression that we were inhumane – although we technically are – Castrating Billy Black without benefit of anesthesia, while possibly diverting, would have distressed our allies. If you single young Mister Black out for negative attention after he helped save Bella's life before his peers, you will look like a deranged bully."
"Fine. I can still change him back into a human. Our treaty says so."
"Yes, but for right now, he's better off as a wolf. From what I gather, the tribe needs every fighter it can beg, borrow, or steal. Jacob's advantage as a wolf is his sheer brawn and ability to fight in the face of opposition."
Perhaps a harrumph or two emitted from me at that ludicrous notion.
"You have to admit young wolf Mister Black was remarkably brave to take on several older immortals. He defended Seth and Bella without a qualm for his own hide. And when Seth started becoming emotional, Jacob remained calm. Bella is alive partly because he was too foolish to be afraid, or too brave to show his fear. If you transform Jacob into a 'not-so-helpful' human during a war, you will appear to be a petty tyrant. And insecure. It sends the wrong signal. Keeping him as a wolf with Bella at your side? Now that conveys the appropriate message."
"So when are we turning him back into the marginal moron that he is?" I all but wailed. This was so wrong. My predator. My voice of all my desires was telling me I could not do what logically must be done. Just . . . gah!
"If he does not mature into a decent descendent of Ephraim, we are going to hope Jacob dies a noble death in battle due to his unending reserve of stupidity in terms of long range planning. Past that, we will have to wait until the immediate danger is over, and we also will have to find out what possibly could have made Paula break her word and transform him. She knew he'd make a terrible wolf. Our political position is tricky at present and we cannot afford to have the Quileutes irritated at us as well. I cannot foresee scheduling time for this task. Sorry. Now pay attention to Marcus. You are the only person who has ever been able to keep up with him. He's delighted, grasshopper. You have no idea of what an honor this is. Arria and her brothers are green with envy, although Skeevy thinks it's all kinds of cool that you can do this."
Marcus and I landed into the mind of one soldier who viewed the fire from the distance at the reservation, but claimed that they were not responsible. From his view, it appeared almost the entire reservation burned merrily. And there was not a fire truck in sight. Or a news van.
Marcus said out loud, "Edward, you will accompany us since you know these people." He turned to his four sons – the recently-reanimated-wearing-heads ones - and said, "Meet Tiberius, who is fighting on the outskirts of the east side of Forks. Kill every immortal on the other side that resists you. Take fifteen thousand soldiers, and look to your Mother to decide which ones. No mercy. Avoid killing humans or leaving a sign of our presence."
The four brightened at the thought and marched to their matriarch. She stunned us all by actually taking each by the hands and greeting them misty-eyed and individually by name. Couldn't that woman see we had priorities? She could do her reunion later, for the love of God. She had waited a millennium. What was a few more hours going to do? I had needs. I mean - Bella had needs.
Marcus did not have to say that Bella stayed here. And I knew better than to argue. It was the first time she would be out of my sight since we had been reunited.
"We'll need to call Harry Clearwater and warn him," I said to Father.
Marcus said, "Who is he?"
"Harry Clearwater is the leader of the Quileute tribe. He and his wife Sue are close to Bella."
Arria morosely stated, "You cannot warn him." When did she become the micromanager of my dealings with the tribe? And why would she suggest violating the treaty? Had she snapped and lost touch with reality?
Jugurtha poked my side with a sharp elbow, "Say something. Our dear little one's cold lady Mother just addressed you."
"Why?"
"Victoria butchered him at his office and left a note pinned to his chest the week after you left town." From her mind, she was not jesting, and she did not like offering up the information. Victoria had not been gentle. But ew. What a creative use of butcher paper. She had left a large blood splattered origami Swan beside his body. Jasper sure knew how to pick them.
"Oh, dear God," Mother exclaimed, hand over her heart, "I need to call Sue. That poor family. They must be devastated." She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and began dialing at vampire speed. The phone rang and rang and rang. I recalled the Clearwaters had not believed in answering machines for their land line. Mother then tried Sue's cell phone which went immediately to her mail box.
Arria's demeritorious silence and mashed lips condemned her as she watched Mother move. I stared until Arria finally caved and muttered, "Sue died days ago."
Mother dropped the phone, and Father caught it before it landed in a pile of snow.
Arria decided to share this information with us now? We all delivered that very message accurately, via the time-honored tradition of Cullen nonverbal communication.
Jasper mildly, which meant she was in trouble, inquired, "How did it happen?" instead of "How badly did you screw up?" which is totally what he meant. And she knew it.
With an edge to her voice, Arria grumbled, "Victoria shot Sue with an arrow. It was a remarkable feat at the distance the arrow traveled. The Clearwater children still live." Ah, she throws in some professional courtesy, praising the enemy to keep her from looking inept. And tries to distract by dangling the survivors for sentimentality's sake.
Starched Shirt Edward said, "Who put Arria personally in charge of the Clearwaters' safety? We've laid enough sins at her door. I think this one is uncalled for, because I doubt the wolves ever asked her coven for assistance as mandated by the treaty," as he emerged from the library with a stack of dusty tomes precariously swaying under his nose. "And I will offer up prayers for them for the next decade."
Trying to be within Marcus' blindingly fast brain, my own, and focus on the present conversation hurt, but I still managed to accomplish it. Barely. 'Hezekiah, help me,' might have ran through my mind a time or five.
Eleazar also used that soothing tone oh so well, "What are you not telling us, Arria? We need to be prepared."
Arria sighed, "Victoria did it in front of the Clearwater children. And Bella."
Now, I was disturbed. My poor dear little one had been so upset at seeing strangers slaughtered in Italy. I could only imagine, unfortunately, what it was like for her to see Sue perish.
Starched Shirt Edward stared, gobsmacked, and said absolutely nothing, hands around his waist, slightly leaning forward.
"She cared for the Clearwaters probably more than she did her own parents," Jugurtha noted, patting him on the back a time or ten.
"Where did the arrow hit?" Marcus asked.
"Her eye. It was a good death. Quick."
Jasper said, "We need to know what we are facing. Please show us what happened."
His late first wife had never picked up an arrow that he could remember. And during the Southern Wars, they hadn't bothered using weapons on humans, so no one trained with them. It was pointless.
"I cannot. I was not there."
"What can you tell us?" Jasper asked.
"Bella and the Clearwaters went to visit Harry's grave to leave cut plants. Sue leaned over to pat Bella's back when Bella's force field was activated around her."
"Are you telling me that the arrow was intended for Bella and ricocheted and killed Sue instead?" My voice rose. That woman really had been bonkers.
"No, it clearly was aimed at Sue from what my men saw. But you'd have to have battle experience to know. Leah and Seth were caught off guard by the lights, and Seth missed the arrow." Summoning them, she waved an arm at a collection of Fake Canadians.
Ten of her men emerged from the crowd and Marcus linked minds with them. Their memories positively disturbed us all. I could not see Bella's face, just her back as the arrow pierced Sue's body and robbed her of life instantaneously. She crumpled to the ground, the arrow protruding hideously. Seth immediately phased and Leah caught her mother and screamed.
Bella never made a noise as she dragged the taller Leah like a twig, who in turn hauled her Mother, behind Harry's tall tombstone for cover. Seth hesitated for a moment before throwing out a mournful howl. I could tell he wanted to give chase. Instead he used his bulk to crouch in front of his remaining family. As the image faded to black, I could hear Seth's angry pants, Leah's furious screams, and nothing but the uneven patter of Bella's heart.
Arria's mind then flashed to a vision of what appeared to be Sue's funeral. The Quileutes held it defiantly on a sunny day. Bella and Chief Swan stood among the jittery mourners. As men from the tribe lowered Sue's casket into the Earth beside her husband, Leah casually picked up a clod of dirt. I expected her to toss it ceremoniously on top of the casket, like I remembered from human funerals of my youth. Instead, she threw the wet earth at Bella, hitting her square on the force field, splattering the people around. To the mortal eye, Leah had simply missed.
Leah shrieked, " If it weren't for you I would have my baby. If it weren't for you I would have Sam. If it weren't for you I would have my Father. If it weren't for you, my Mother would be here. You ruined our lives and my family because your parents didn't love you. This is your entire fault, Swan! You brought this on us."
That woman had gone mad. Absolutely barking in more ways than one mad. She was shaking and her face turned a rather unattractive shade of - puce? No, that wasn't the right word. Ugly?
John Quill thundered, "Leah, silence!"
Tears coursed down her cheeks, eyes red and squinted in rage, Leah acted like she wanted to launch at Bella and physically rip her to shreds. She had her fingers curled and almost crouched. Seth had her firmly by an arm, and appeared to be struggling as he too, trembled.
I heard the boorish guard from that day in the forest at vampire pitch snarl to John, "If she so much as twitches at Bella, she'll join her mother in that grave. And I might like her kid brother, but the same goes for junior."
John answered at wolf pitch. "I'm handling it. I won't let her touch Bella. And I'm embarrassed at Leah's behavior. You have my apology on behalf of the pack. She's lost both her parents, is immature, and over-emotional."
The boor said, "We killed ten of Victoria's party today, and learned from one that the redhead shot the arrow. She is still at large."
Charlie dusted the dirt from his silent and still daughter's coat, then his own, and cleared his throat. His hands were shaking, as he reached out and put his arm around Bella.
"Leah, your parents and I had an agreement that if anything happened to either one of us; we would take the other's children. Kiddo, I know this is hard. We'll get through it. You cannot blame Bells for your mother tripping and hitting her head on a gravestone. Come home when you've had time to cool off."
Bella remained composed. She did not shed a single tear. I could see from her ramrod posture the blending of Genevieve and Vivinna.
"Home? I don't have one left thanks to her," Leah lamented, "And I'm eighteen. You can't tell me what to do."
Way to go acting like it. Caustic Calumniator.
"Then start acting like it. Stop shaming your mother and your father's good name. You were raised better. And it's a damn shame that instead of celebrating your mother's life, people will walk away remembering this." Charlie seemed to channel his mother right then and there. Leah actually shrank from him.
With a sniff, she pivoted and stomped off in the opposite direction, so Seth let her loose. Ten feet away, she called at her brother. "We're leaving."
Seth did not even face her. He whispered to Leah in a tone I'd never heard the young man employ, "You will stay to watch our mother buried, you will cease dishonoring her memory, and shaming what is left of our family. I don't want to hear another word from your mouth. You've said enough."
For a moment, I swear I saw Ephraim. Leah snapped her mouth shut.
Seth remained fixed in place, his back to his seething sibling, and signaled for the men to continue. He picked up a shovel himself and helped scoop the soil. It appeared like he tucked his mother in for the night.
Bella had stared at the open grave throughout Leah's fit. She whispered to Seth, "Go after her. She needs you." Her gaze remained on the grave as the soil was poured over it.
From fifteen feet away, Leah watched until the grave was full. The second they smoothed the ground and started to lay the sod, she pivoted on her heel and marched from the graveyard.
Seth sighed, "I'm sorry, Swan. She's wrong, you know." He walked away after his sister.
Charlie awkwardly pulled his daughter closer and said, "She'll come around. You know Leah's always had a devil of a temper. Let's get you home."
Bella did not say a word as they left the staring crowd. Their scrutiny had to have distressed her more, seeing as she loathed being the center of attention. I had never seen a single thing about Charles Swan that evoked anything but disdain. Until then. I caught a glimpse of Sam standing far off in the background well away from the crowd with a guilty face. The vision ended as Chief Swan opened the cruiser door for his daughter, helped her in like a gentleman, and ignored the still stunned and whispering crowd, and drove away.
As I returned to the present rage sprang into being. Oh, was I going to have words with Miss Clearwater. I didn't care that she had lost both her parents. I knew what that felt like, and that didn't entitle me. . .Bella had suffered too, and Leah was not going to have the blue ribbon in the 'winning on woe' contest she seemed to believe she had entered. When I got my hands on that shrew, I'd show her what happened to people who disrespected my wife.
Jugurtha said, "The sooner you re-establish your shaman link with the tribe, the sooner we can get to business." Right. That.
Not bothering to hide the use of power, green fire sparked in my eyes as I summoned power from the Earth.
Emmett thought, "Jeez, I am never going to get used to him going all still like a predator and tilting his head like that. He doesn't even look like my brother when he uses those freaky powers. Uh, Sorry Eddie."
Ignoring him, I reached out for the pack and found more than sixty clear minds – John Quill being the loudest. "John, it's Edward. I am back with reinforcements to help you. You have another group headed your way."
John sounded, and from Grace's view looked, exhausted. "How many are we facing? Where have you been?"
"Long story. Eight thousand."
"Immortals or werewolves?" his voice grew loud and panicked.
"I beg your pardon?" Had members of the tribe gone rogue?
"We have been attacked by vampires that also have werewolves of a different kind. It has caused chaos. Edward, they're bigger than us, and their bite . . . it drives the pack member insane. They have killed over forty wolves."
I gleaned from his mind images of a European werewolf picking up one wolf I had never known, a female named Joan and breaking her like a twig in half across his knee, snapping her spinal column and then tearing her in half. The beast ate the part in his right hand before the horrified, repulsed, and now enraged tribe as he tossed her twitching torso at another wolf. When I had studied the size of their force, I hadn't bothered to examine it for another species.
"That ends tonight. We are on our way." I was so going to kill lots of whatever the heck those things were. I already started ranting, I mean chanting in Quileute requesting all the aid they could procure, and had informed Marcus. Everyone started as the ground around me began to melt – the snow on it actually - and fire surrounded my frame. Like a marionette being jerked to attention, waves of Quileute spirits bombarded me, and a few others I didn't recognize, but were equally as welcome so long as they minded their manners. I couldn't risk Bella's life by dragging her to a battlefield. I would have to do this the new fashioned way. Supernaturally. And boy, were those spirits mad.
"How many is 'we' Edward?" John asked, pulling me away from my mental gymnastics.
"Oh, pardon me."
So I sent him the mental image of the hundreds of thousands of vampires that inhabited a quiet nook of the park. Who stared at the green fire that now really raged around me. I had become, supernaturally speaking the gloomy-green-burning-slightly-taller-than-average demon.
"Holy Christ!" John breathed, once my message reached him. Well, something like that.
"We are on our way. You will not be alone." I felt a group of the pack nearby come baying. Marcus' men did not so much as twitch in reaction, and they already were armed.
I stopped speaking to John as I turned to face the pack of seven snarling Quileute wolves that burst from the tree line and leapt in surprise. I held out my hand and put a green ring around them before they did something stupid, like die.
"Are those the Shapeshifters?" Marcus murmured in my mind. With a jerk, I nodded, 'yes,' trying to focus on being in Marcus' brain, being connected with John and the entire pack, monitoring the well-being of my dear little mute one, tracking Phoenix's progress, and dealing with these poor simpleton souls who seemed to think it was a grand idea to burst into a clearing filled with 100,000 immortals for a quick bite or two. It did not occur to them that they had not scented or heard a peep from us. Which totally explained why the tribe struggled. Paula had somehow turned idiots. Jacob and this lot were living proof.
The Legionaries moved at that freakish velocity and had the wolves completely surrounded, arrows, swords, and spears at the ready should Marcus give the command. They anticipated a felicitous fracas. Detecting that perhaps they had wandered into the wrong clearing, the young wolves froze.
"I have made it so they cannot harm your men," I said through the mental link to Marcus.
"My men could easily kill them, but you have my thanks." He sounded almost amused.
They gawped, well as much as wolves can, as five furry frames smacked into the green walls I constructed around each of them, which left them unable to leave, confused, too. And my, they were all kinds of vocal about their plight. From reading their minds, they had no idea how to fight vampires. They hadn't bothered to listen to John, thinking instincts would take over.
"Who the Hell is he?" one of them wailed through the wolf link, staring at me as I glowed in their distinctive color. And they thought my eyes were odd because they were the same shade theirs turned when they phased. Except theirs didn't look that cool.
I said aloud, "My apologies for my manners. I am Edward Cullen. I have brought reinforcements for the tribe. It would be rather ill-mannered to cause them distress, considering they traveled across the globe to aid you. And it does not seem a fair fight, the lot of you against," I spread my arms to encompass the irritated throngs of armed and all kinds of dangerous vampires who were sharpening blades or swinging them in practice. The blades, not the wolves, although that could have been arranged by the murmur from the mobs, "them."
"That's the shaman-finder-dude that John mentioned." One, named Kurt, said to the other.
How eloquent. When did we start turning cowboys? I was not wearing a ten gallon hat. Dude, indeed. Scanning their minds, they lacked a full connection to the pack and did not have the memories of the other members. How curious. They appeared to consider John their alpha, though.
John barked for them to treat us as allies and to obey me. Oddly, they could only catch about every third word of his perfectly-clear-to-me-message. Thank goodness English is a redundant language and they could figure out what he wanted. Their muzzles dropped as they stared around the clearing and saw vampires. Mobs and mobs of them. Fortunately, the winds carried the stench of the wolves out of the clearing. It finally occurred to these genius wolves that they could not smell a single vampire. Sadly, they had no idea what Grace was.
Grace was in agreement on their ineptitude.
"About those European werewolves," I started. She snarled. Since I had not been there to advise her and no one else had summoned her until now, she had watched powerless and angry. None of the European wolves had ever crossed Quileute soil. They had done all the fighting away from her sanctified territory.
Arria said, "Oh, Edward I have something for you to take." She handed me her own quiver of arrows. Each held a silver tip. And they smelled citrusy. "Poison." I felt like she had given me a sack lunch for school as she beamed for a moment before schooling her face into its usual expressionless state.
I handed them to Jasper. "My thanks, Madam. He's far better with a bow than I." Seeing as I had never used one, this was an easy decision. I recalled from my human life years of fencing practice. I had not been the best in my class, but I had been quick. Still was, when it mattered.
Arria advised, "You cannot let them bite you. And they are stronger than the Quileute wolves. They cannot mentally communicate like the wolves can though, which helps. When they are in battle frenzy, they often lose the ability to think rationally."
The images she sent of them to me from battle were some of the most disturbing things I had ever witnessed. Mere words cannot even begin to describe the carnage they caused. Oh, the poor tribe.
"How did you learn so much about their weaknesses?" Jasper asked.
A new group of the largest humans I have ever seen appeared out of the mist.
Emmett thought, "Man, they look like a cross between a linebacker and a basketball center."
They smelled like any other normal human. Arria introduced them, "This is Sergei and his family, our European werewolf consultants, and friends of Liam O'Shea." In my mind she said, "You will be very nice to Sergei because he has a temper."
I nodded at Sergei and he had the coldest light eyes I have ever seen. Fine, he was second to Marcus. But yeesh. I believe it was loathing at first sight. Bounding behind them, making a beeline for Bella, was a dog.
Since shouting, "For Heavens' sake, why aren't you dead?" could have been misinterpreted as rude, and worse, honest, I said, "How is Genghis healed so quickly?" The astonishment came naturally to my words.
Arria answered, "You said Bella loved the dog."
"I did, and she does." Well, she did the last time I saw them, and she was not the type to change her affections . . . never mind.
"My father ordered him to be bitten."
Jasper's eyebrows rose, "I have never seen vampire venom heal an animal." He should know. Particularly in the case of domesticated ones.
"He was not bit by a vampire," Arria said. She gestured at Genghis. "We had him bitten by a European werewolf."
The devil you say. I stared at Genghis, who completely ignored me despite my whole saving his mangy hide business. The ring I had around Bella's tent at present prevented him from encroaching upon her space. Mentally, I dared the dog to try and urinate on me now.
"What will happen to him?" I could not have him going berserk on Bella. Then I really would, alas, much to my distress, have to kill him.
"He'll grow like anyone else. He might phase. We do not know. This has not been done for centuries." She left off the word, "successfully."
"He's still a puppy. What would he look like if he phased?"
"That's hard to say since he hasn't, which is unusual." She pointed at the full moon.
Sergei said, "European wolves are compelled to change with the full moon, but ones who learn control are able to avoid that instinct." His voice was as cold as our winter in Siberia.
Marcus had fond memories of slaughtering Sergei's kind, but also had developed a healthy respect for them. He said, "We should be moving."
Genghis barked as he pounded a paw against the barrier. Of course, I ignored him.
I walked to my mate's side and crouched down beside her as she lay in Esme's arms.
"Bella, I am going to go to the reservation. I will be back as soon as I can."
"Good dog," she said. I grimaced and stroked Bella's hair in the manner that she had enjoyed as a child. Grace approached us and the immortal legionnaires began to become awfully twitchy with their blades. And I interpreted Bella's comment to mean she wanted that cur Genghis nearby. Drat.
"Genghis is here to guard you, my sweet." I waved at the beast and for once he actually obeyed as he approached Bella and curled into a ball at her side.
"Grace, my companion, wants to greet my mate." I said that in proper Oscan with a tone that implied I would be cross if they interfered.
Grace, unfortunately, did not understand the concept of a tent. She poked her beak right through one side of it, and when it fell, she destroyed the offending fabric out of concern for Sweet Girl.
"It's okay," I said. "She did not know what a tent was.
Grace crooned to Bella a sound soft, like a mother's lullaby. The surrounding vampires found it disturbing because they all relaxed as if swept away by a dose of Jasper-calm-it itis. Genghis ruined the sound by adding a mournful howl.
Following the tune, Bella turned her head. She blinked. And for half a second, she appeared alert before she melted back into the silence. Grace backed away after bowing to Bella and Mother, snorted a puff of air in approval at my recent haircut.
"You don't have a choice but to let the dog remain near her. She is clearly responding to him," Jugurtha advised.
"He's a newborn were-whatever. Lord only knows what could happen to my mate," I countered.
Starched Shirt Edward said, "She has those birds which were quite handy in Italy. I vote we order them to destroy the mongrel if it threatens her. She gains joy from Genghis. She should have him near." Good points all. Drat.
Father said, "Edward, we've been in this cold about as long as is advisable, and now definitely should be on the move. Can you ask Grace if the house is intact?"
Marcus said, "I have men surrounding it at present. They've already scouted the area and found it to be free of immortals."
Our house had new rings surrounding the ones that I had constructed and had strengthened prior to my departure. From her thoughts that she sent to me, Arria had placed additional barriers around it that had kept it from being raided. Aside - it appeared - from Emmett's jeep, which was still in possession of an inventive new wiring system, nothing was out of place.
Grace and I flipped over to the Forks Hospital, which was currently overwhelmed with casualties from the reservation and surrounding areas. The official story the Quileutes told anyone that asked was that a gang of thieves with huge dogs had been preying upon the populace with home invasions, but that they had scared them away with shotguns. And an artfully arranged car accident far away from the action had the attention of Chief Swan and his men. I'd have to have Father examine Charlie, who appeared absolutely haggard.
"Father, the house is well. Arria put up extra measures." I had to earn points where I could.
"Thank you." He said to her. She gave him a fractional movement of her head which I interpreted to mean, 'you're welcome' in haughty Oscan speak.
I glared at FitzCadaver, FitzCorpse, and FitzCarrion and the other marks I hadn't bothered to baptize with a name that lurked on my love's spirit, "I expect better guard duty from you all. I am going to have to let that mongrel near Bella. You have my full blessing to do anything you like to him should he act threatening towards her."
Grouchy Gargoyles. They nodded at me and craned their silver necks to gaze in adoration at Vivinna, Arria and Bella. My mate had minions. Mean ones, too, with silver makeovers, supernaturally speaking, of course, that were the deadliest courtiers of them all as they paid tribute. Aside from Bella's mother, that is. And her grandmother.
A significant number of the Telecles-commanded troops had never seen my personal birds of prey - not those birds of prey - the gyrfalcons. Word spread like a lit fuse. Marcus implemented that enchanting gift of his and informed them of the soul scars on Bella, deadly advertisements that promised pain if any attempted to harm so much as a hair on her head. He ordered his troops if they wanted to remain in one piece, not to anger the birds. No one argued. The birds surrounded her and my family and glared at the immortal crowds.
"Emmett," I called to my brother as he took his leave of Rose.
"Yeah, buddy?"
I pointed to one lurking soldier from the Irish coven, "Remind me to help you maim that one when I return."
The Irishman smiled at me, amused. What a block head.
"Um, Edward, the guy's just standing there," Emmett said, "What did he do?"
I sent him the thoughts the man had about his bride, in glowing detail . . .
Emmett's eyes almost exploded from his skull and he said, "Man, I know I have a filthy mind. But Jeez. That's disgusting. You ever think about my mate like that again, oh Hell." He punched the man into a crowd of legionnaires. "Have fun, guys. Keep him in one piece, and play nice." Indeed. They did.
As my family prepared to depart for the house, I heard the screaming from the Irish Vampire harmonizing with Merrisol du Pre, the Canadian School teacher, all the way into the forest. I could not help but try to think of happier times.
My dear little one lay curled against me in our bed, wearing her nightgown of baby roses. Marcia, the clothing consultant, had been right, of course. The brushed cotton cloth did indeed feel smooth against the skin. I had my arms wrapped around my singer and stroked her temple with the reverence she deserved. Not that temple, her head. Degenerate.
Her gyrfalcons grumbled at me, but left me in peace as my fingers appeared to be aiding her in sleeping, as they were appropriately confined to stroking . . . her temple and hair. Only. It's not that they did not desire to wander further; it's that I had standards. Rigid . . . ones. Standards, that is. We had been discussing the murder of her Grandparents earlier and Billy Black's role in it.
"It must have been so hard to know that all on your own and not be able to tell anyone," I blurted.
"Mmm, I've never felt deprived. It's just the way life worked out."
"Why did you not tell the Clearwaters?"
I felt her stiffen. The seconds dragged by like weights had been attached to the hands of time. Seven interminable minutes later, she susurrated, "Well, I had no proof. I thought if I did tell them, they'd go looking for evidence and then get killed because of me. And I couldn't bear that."
"Billy will not ever harm them. You have my word on that." By Jove! I had upset her.
She made no answer. Nervously, I continued. And drat it all, my voice cracked as I said, "Your Father. . ." I hoped to get her to talk about her intentions towards the man. And I did not mind fueling the fire of her anger at him. That benefited me. And her. Mendacious moron. I could not believe he lied to her like that for all of that time. It was wrong. Simply criminal.
"He won't interfere." I was not sure what she meant. Interfere with what? Us?
So, I prodded, "How do you know that? Have you talked to him about it?"
I stayed vague.
"No."
"Why?"
"There's no point. He lied, and he knows it, and he knows I know it. What is there to talk about?"
Oh. That.
"He needs to apologize to you."
"He's not sorry he did it. He's only sorry he got caught."
"What about your Mother?"
"I'm not talking to her." My dear little algae lover's voice quavered and she shifted. I pulled her closer against me.
"You sound like you mean that forever."
"Maybe I do. There are some things you just don't get over, Edward."
"I've seen you speak to your Father."
"He," she stressed, "respects my silence." I definitely noticed the uneasiness in her voice. She did not want to discuss the topic further, and I was capable of taking a hint on occasion.
She twisted so that she rested with her head further down on my chest than was usual. I did not like her so far away and could not help that my hands pulled her to me. I definitely pretended not to notice her momentary smile. Her fingers started rubbing my temple, which actually, felt fantastic. So I recompensed by stroking her back ever so gingerly.
"Go to sleep, Grumpzilla." My hands froze.
"I object to that appellation. Last time I checked, mine was 'Edward.'"
"You signed a card to me with that name. Or did I have another admirer?" she teased.
"So I did, my Queen. And no, you do not. You have your hands full at present with me." Well, she did. Greedy soulless bastard that I was, I envisioned her ultimately having her hands full with another part of me, after marriage, of course. But I could be patient and wait. I pushed those future plans aside before Starched Shirt Edward's head exploded and dangled visions of Bella and me kneeling before a priest in wedding attire. He quietly returned to his nightly prayers at his bench.
And with that, I followed her wise counsel and surrendered to the sensation of her fingers serenading the pain right out of my mind. Only she could make me feel this way. We'd have to do this more often.
A hoarfrost encrusted branch of a Douglas fir smacked into my face like any icy catapult, and jolted me from memories of happier days. They say that becoming a vampire increased distinctive traits a person already exhibited during his or her mortal life; which is one reason I was grateful that no one had bothered to bite Leah Clearwater a few months back. Fine. Two had tried, albeit without success, and had scurried into the night in shame as soon as they realized the sheer stupidity of their actions. Aside from Leah's love and loyalty to her family, the self-involved shrew seemed to be a waste of mortal flesh.
Imagine my indignation as we entered the forest to join the battle, when I found myself face-to-face with the simpleton. In wolf form. Her. Not me. And seriously? She stank. For the record, she did not sneak up on me. I merely had a plethora of items on the agenda of things that needed fixing in Bella Cullen's existence to worry about the self-absorbed sucking vortex that Leah was, and the five other new wolves I did not recognize, and I most definitely did not create.
Besides, it's not like the spiteful Miss Clearwater could hurt me. Seriously. She'd probably take one swipe at the enemy, miss, hit a tree instead, and yowl about cracking a claw, before stomping away and frightening more innocent wildlife.
Three vampires near Leah and her companions vomited immediately with cries that translated to, "My gracious what could possibly be the source of that rank odor?" along with appeals to various ancient deities. Several made the sign of the evil eye at her and them. The wolves were stunned as they literally had not heard or smelled our presence. And I must confess it amused me to catch Leah flabbergasted.
It must have been the fifth sign of the apocalypse that someone had been desperate enough to change both Jacob and Leah. Seriously, the last time I saw her, I had saved her scrawny-still-mortal neck from lunging leeches, as she had dubbed them. So it irritated me when she threw herself at me gaping jaws extended with definitely rude intentions. Where were her manners?
Interpreting my pause for not wanting to kill a female, Marcus whipped out his sword with a fluid grace the fencer in me envied. Duly inspired, I moved at wolfpyre speed to intercept Leah Clearwater as she attempted to rip off my skull, and save her worthless noisome pelt. Again. My poor wife had horrid taste. In friends. In this case only. Gracious. Someone had anger issues. Perhaps I should let Marcus get in a teensy stab or two?
"She definitely deserved a spanking," so said Starched Shirt Edward.
Jugurtha shivered, "No. Even I would not be tempted. Her personality, or lack thereof, would ruin everything."
Seth exploded into view dashing around the enormous tree trunks and struggling in vain to catch up with his demented sibling. Once again, we were treated to the sight of shapeshifter astonishment as he appreciated our scentless and noiseless state. I caught Leah in my right hand by her throat, pinned her to the ground, and erected a shield around the others that arrived with her to prevent them from so much as twitching.
"Leah, it's been so long." Not long enough if I had a vote in it. But no, Fate detested me, and never tired of showing her ill regard. "Bella's going to be fine, thank you for asking." I shook her with each last word.
Twisting my hold so that Leah's muzzle faced Marcus and Vivinna, I decided now was the ideal opportunity to introduce everyone since we were all one big happy family with the most twisted tree in the universe. Even better, thanks to those shaman powers, Leah could not move a millimeter without my say so.
"This is Leah Clearwater, whom Bella considers to be a sister. The tall white wolf right over there," I tilted my head, "is Seth Clearwater, whom Bella considers to be her brother. Young shapeshifters possess temper problems. Pay her no mind. She is harmless. She will not attack your men."
In Quileute, I announced in the polite tones rigorously drilled into me in almost all matters of social comportment by my human Mother oh so many years past, "This is Bella's Grandfather Marcus and Grandmother Vivinna, and the army they brought to save the tribe."
The Gorgon twirled thin blades in each hand, maliciously, and, might I add, dexterously. No knitting needles for that one. The only way she'd ever use a crochet hook would be to impale someone or gouge out an eyeball or five. For a fleeting moment, I imagined how Vivinna and Leah would have been received in my human Parents' drawing room. We had not covered how to converse with noble-born immortals, or foul-smelling shrewish shapeshifters.
Starched Shirt Edward said, "Our dear human Mother would have pretended she could not see the weapons and would doubtlessly have asked her about her taste in music. And she certainly would not have acknowledged the odor. That would hurt Leah's feelings."
Once in a full moon, he was dead-on accurate in his pontifications. And this was one of them. It would stun my human Mother if I pointed out the rank odor Leah contaminated the air with, her disreputable dim-witted associates, too. Couldn't they have the imagination to think if the Lost Covens stayed lost all these years that perhaps it might be due to that "can't be heard or smelled" issue? It was an ingeniously simple way to drive Aro and Caius and the rest of the clans under their domain absolutely barking mad. If you cannot be smelled, and cannot be heard, and do not utilize blood from any source, you can stay hidden forever. They had proved it time and again.
And of course, both Vivinna and Marcus acted immune to the odor of the wolves. One of the pinned new pack members, a fourteen-year old named Simon, said through the wolf link, "I know she's like disgusting smelling and all, but damn she's hot for a bloodsucker."
I said to him through the link which made all the wolves jump, "She's over a thousand years old, heartless," which was absolutely true, "and mean as a snake," that part, especially so. "And you should thank you lucky stars she cannot read your mind."
"Hey man, you're a leech, how can you do that?" one protested indignantly.
"Your spiritual forefathers chose me to find your shaman."
"Oh, and that worked out so well," Leah snarled from beneath my hand.
The gloves came off at her defiance. I forced Leah to phase into human form, Seth followed, not wanting the world to see his sister's tattoo of Sam's name emblazoned upon her posterior. Four vampires threw cloaks at her. Because they did not want to see her naked, either. She and Seth both looked like the first century equivalent of perverted men who lurked on street corners offending decent women. I remember hearing Emmett think, "Dang, I never thought I'd say this about someone, but she's cuter with clothes on. Her sour manner makes her all kinds of ugly."
A point in her favor, she felt mortified at being seen naked before God and country. Leah spat, "Bella's Grandparents are dead. What kind of sick joke is this?" Leah clutched at her neck. Then, because she did not want to appear weak, she crossed her arms across her chest. Beyond that, she could not take a single step as I had her pushed her into the same ring of power that held the others.
I maintained an even demeanor, "The story is long and involved. Bella is biologically the daughter of Arria Telecles and Liam O'Shea."
Both Seth and Leah remembered Arria quite vividly, from her visit to their house and leaping for their throats with blood in her eye. Both Clearwaters also remembered Liam O'Shea. And both were now officially - what was that term - creeped out. Seth said so.
"So she's adopted. Why should I believe a word that comes out of your stinking mouth?" Leah said. By searching her present mind, I decided that Bella must have never told her a thing about me. Leah, therefore, had no idea of my past lies, nor did she have any clue that we had temporarily broken up. It was but a small setback that I would remedy as soon as inhumanly possible. Who knew I could count on my dear little one's discretion at a time like this? I'd have to praise her later.
I couldn't very well ask Leah, "Have I ever lied to you?" Although frankly, I had never even addressed her. But still.
Jugurtha whispered directions in my ear.
"Does Arria strike you as the type who would deign to claim a mortal child as her own? One who is brain-damaged and not as perfect-looking as she seems to believe she is?" I struck home with that one, thankfully spoken silently in Quileute to her mind and that of her brother.
Seth conceded, "No. And Liam always spent time with her."
"Can you think of any other reason why hundreds of thousands of vampires would show up to defend the reservation which has eight hundred recorded members and three hundred and seventy one occupants?" I showed her and Seth the mental picture of the crowds of soldiers that they could not see with their senses.
Seth's mind flashed to the algae cave at Liam's farm. He had no idea that it was used for food, simply that it was guarded. I said to his mind alone, "That has been protected all along. And never - under any circumstance - mention that cave aloud; or even think it to the pack. You could get every last one of them all killed before they could so much as blink." I used the equivalent of an alpha tone on him. My emphatic manner made him stare. Thank goodness he had not managed to master linking minds with the tribe in my absence.
Aloud I said in English, "Seth, the tribe requires a shaman-in-training." For that I most certainly did not implement supernatural wheedling powers. Really.
"Are you selecting him?" Leah nearly shrieked.
"He volunteered to serve the spirits in any way they asked. So yes, I believe I am."
"On what criteria?" she snarled, images of Paula's bloody house echoing in her mind at fast feed followed by her father, then her mother, then Bella. Then. . .
"He sacrificed everything for the tribe's welfare out of love for his sisters."
"As charming as this reunion is," Marcus' voice rang out, "we are behind schedule, and Bella and the children are growing cold." He did not even bother to look at Leah. And Bella's body temperature had remained constant thanks to our attempts to keep her alive. It was mine that was dropping.
"This is important," I pressed, "It concerns Bella, and Phoenix is not at the reservation yet, according to Grace."
"Three minutes, then, Edward."
I took the Clearwaters by the shoulders and pushed them into the clearing where they could see their sibling, and let nature take its course. Both sprinted for their sister. Grace for some reason changed into her manta ray form and hovered over Bella, protecting her.
Curious, I reminded Grace, "They are almost her brother and sister."
Grace said, "Tall girl cruel."
I answered, "Oh, I quite agree. But sweet girl loves her. And everyone deserves a chance to apologize wouldn't you say?"
Grace grumbled and backed up a bit. Bella's hand shot out and made contact with Grace as she crooned to her. The clearing stilled as they watched. Seth and Leah knelt on the ground beside Bella, who lay in Mother's arms. Even Genghis placed his head on her legs and whined.
Seth touched her forehead, "Bella?" She did not answer. "What is wrong with her?"
Rosalie explained while clutching her children, "She is suffering the effects of her ordeal. She has retreated within her mind. Seth, she is not in danger of dying, but her heart is damaged." Both siblings could hear its unsteady beat.
Jasper detected the waves of guilt pouring from Leah. And love, I'm sorry to say. It would have been so much easier to loathe her if she hated Bella.
Seth rubbed his right temple, "Swan's heart has been off for months, and no one can figure out why."
Visits to doctor's offices sitting at her side holding her sometimes shaking hand flashed through his mind as in each successive one, Bella seemed to shrink, and Charlie who was in each one as well seemed to become more distressed. Memories of my dear little algae lover eating like a wolf in front of him and Leah flowed as well. I kept seeing them both encouraging her to eat more. Leah even hugged her once. It seemed like I watched some trick photography.
My sister said in a gentle tone she usually reserved for my dear little one, "We will make Bella well. I promise you."
Leah snarled and waved a fist, "You said you'd be gone three days. Either you can't count or you can't be trusted to keep your word. Which is it?"
Rosalie said at vampire pitch, "You will watch your tone of voice around Bella and my children. Bella is not to be distressed."
FitzCarrion, bless his soul, leaned down and made baleful eye contact with Leah. He managed to capture her undivided attention. His beady little mind was fondly remembering disemboweling a vampire or three back in Italy. Leah did not have to be a mind reader to detect the nauseating combination of menace and nostalgia.
"We were trapped in Alaska for eight months fighting other vampires every single second. I am sorry we only came now." Jasper was not above using his gifts ruthlessly as he mined the vast reserves of guilt he detected in Leah. Nor did he have any problem taking a dig at Arria. "We thought we left you well-protected given we had signed a new treaty, you had combat-trained wolves in charge, and there was a coven nearby watching over Bella."
Grace continued to croon, and the birds joined in a chorus, harmonizing as all sprang to life. Bella's hand stroked Grace tentatively.
Sergei and his family stepped forward and Grace did nothing to stop them, nor did the birds. Sergei crouched down by Bella and rumbled, "Little one, Liam would not want to see you like this. You must come back. Life is not meant to be spent this way." He spoke Russian to her. How was that going to help?
Now I had to say something, "Bella, your family needs you. I need you. Please come back to us." I did not like uttering such private comments in front of others, but it had to be done. She was my mate; she just didn't know it yet.
Leah had seen enough. She fell to her knees beside Bella, "Jesus, Swan, you look like death warmed over. This is no time to play a drama queen. Wake the Hell up. We're kind of having a crisis here." She sounded so compassionate when she snarled that. Then she took Bella's free hand and raised it to her own cheek. "You and Seth are all I have. You cannot go out like this. You have to come back. Please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said. Please."
I wanted to join her in a Greek chorus, as I struggled to maintain my composure. I meant every word of her plea, too. Tears I refused to shed in public rained from Leah's blotchy face onto Bella's hand. Leah's voice cracked before resuming its usual demanding mien. "Besides, I have to yell at you for scaring us all to death."
From Leah's tormented thoughts, she had lost her temper at the funeral because she was a new unphased wolf. Seth's thoughts were similar, as was the rest of the pack. As much as I hated to say it, I sincerely understood.
Jugurtha said, "My research indicates most women have a committee who aids them in making major decisions."
"Like ours?"
"Yes, but in physical form. I believe it's called the femnet. You would do well to smooth the way for Bella and Leah's reconciliation because then Leah will owe you."
Right. Good point. Although that was a tough call, considering she blamed us for every wrong thing that had happened in her life. But still. Leah could serve a useful purpose if properly inspired.
Jugurtha said, "All you have to do is force her to experience Sam's thoughts from that night."
"That would be needlessly cruel. He murdered her cousins."
"Yes, but Leah needs to understand she had a role in it, and that Sam alone cannot shoulder the blame. Besides, she has it coming for screaming at our dear little one like that. And this time we have morality on our side. We are enlightening her."
"She already emits waves of guilt. And she's distressed."
"So?" We need her to get our mate back. And she needs to learn. And Jasper and Grace can calm her.
Starched Shirt Edward liked to read about trials of heretics in his spare time, so he waved an airy, "yes" and continued praying at his bench.
I did not even need to glance at my brother Jasper as he already was pondering working his wonders on the Clearwater siblings to prevent them from causing chaos. I mentally said to him, "I need to show Leah something that will disturb her. She needs to feel the emotion and it will be intense. You might want to stand back."
"Are you going to be rude to her?" He actually sounded hopeful.
"Decidedly so," I vowed.
"I'm fine, Edward. Proceed."
A vision flickered in Leah that showed she had seen Bella jump. I had to block her because it hurt too much to see from her mind, as she screamed futilely at Bella to stop. I knew I'd play it back later to torment myself. The feed I took from the wolf collective mind showed Leah sprinting with a notebook in her hand. She phased and roared and barreled her way to the cliff as scraps of fabric and the papers fluttered through the mist. The notebook rested forlornly nestled against the trunk of a Sitka spruce and a shattered tennis shoe. John quietly ordered Leah to fight the vampires that leapt in front of her. She had to obey him, and she most certainly wanted to ignore him, dodge the leeches and get to her sister.
In the vision, John said, "Seth and Jacob are going after Bella. You must focus now." Leah's bark from the memories I saw, truly was not as bad as her bite. Actually, it exceeded it in strength. She was an absolutely vicious opponent as she fought her way towards the beach where her sister lay, desperate to aid her. But I'd expected nothing less. I stumbled from that stream of thought into the present.
"Leah," I mentally addressed her, causing her to jerk, "Because of a lie started by Gregory Clearwater years ago, you seem to blame vampires for things we had no part in. I'm afraid this is going to be unpleasant for you."
Fine. I lied through my teeth. I wasn't afraid at all. And then I reached into the collective wolf pack, the back corners of it that new members could not access and pulled out the tribe's shame. I asked the spirits to show her that fateful night from Sam's perspective, the night he had destroyed their lives. I showed them how he had instantly fallen for Emily much to his confusion. I then let it play to its fruition so Leah could see how she had turned on her cousins, red-faced and screaming at them, priming Sam to want to defend Emily. And I did not stop the vision as Leah shrieked that she hated her cousin, and how she wanted her dead.
We saw through Sam's eyes the bloodlust followed by the numb sight of the devastation he had wrought. Then Sam's anguish stabbed against them as he flung himself at the barrier Paula had created around Leah half a second too late. We felt his hate. We felt his love. We felt his agony at the sight of Leah, his love, the mother of his child – his children he hoped. The last thing I had them see was the headless bodies of her cousins as their faces were frozen in eternal soundless screams. Leah maintained her human form only through the judicious application of my, Grace's, and Jasper's gifts. Seth, too. She appeared gutted. Even the birds sang to her.
Grace noted that Phoenix and his army were approaching. I said to Marcus. "We are so close. Would you mind buying us some time with Phoenix?" He and his wife, and their five sons all linked minds and created a portal with a scrap of fabric saved from Phoenix's clothing.
Phoenix did not march in the midst of his army, he pugnaciously waddled.
"My, all this for me?" Marcus said aloud, startling the mighty mouse – I mean fearsome immortal who had slain so many. The diminutive troll ducked close to the ground and peered about suspiciously.
Belatedly, he realized his crouch did not offer the brave visage expected of a general and rose to his feet, all five-foot-two of him.
"It takes more than a little tussle with you to stop me," he spat. "I'm coming for you, asshole."
"Stupendous! Let's meet at the Quileute reservation in an hour shall we? Just east of it."
"Fine! I'm definitely going to leave you something to remember me by."
I think he called Marcus a stupid trucker.
I could hear the geezers in the background rubbing their hands together in glee. Phoenix's soldiers to a last one had stopped breathing in order to avoid the new scent we'd baptized him with. Eue de fecal-coated skunk.
"Oh and message-boy?" Marcus called.
"My name is Phoenix."
"You clearly need to have another chat with Antigone. Do tell her that I've seen the size of her and your armies and that I am sincerely embarrassed for her. Here, I'll offer you inspiration."
Marcus reached through the portal and sliced off Phoenix's left foot at the ankle. He moved so fast, neither Phoenix nor his soldiers even detected it. One second Phoenix stood there shouting at the sky, and the next he howled furiously as he hobbled on his stump.
"Bastard! Now you're just pissing me off." He shook his one remaining fist at the sky, and then turned to his confused associates, "Bah, it's just a flesh wound. Stop staring!" He bellowed at his troops.
Emmett and Jasper had been made privy to the circle's antics and laughed, slapping their sides. "Christ, he's even quoting Monty Python!" When did my brothers start speaking to mountebank snakes? Oh, never mind. I had more important things to ponder.
Seth stroked Bella's forehead and said, "C'mon Swan, for your baby brother?" He placed his head against her chest, and listened to her uneven heart. Leah wept without a noise, a singular quality I admired about her, aside from her good taste in siblings. Her tears rolled down Bella's hand and wrist. Held in my Mother's arms, surrounded by the Clearwater children, and mountainous European werewolves, serenaded by Grace and Genghis, and her flock of birds of prey, with me standing there like a simpleton, Bella returned to the living.
"Hey. What?"
I noticed her eyes skimmed right past me without registering an expression. And she spoke in a rusty voice to no one in particular. "We have got to stop doing this."
Briefly, she glanced at me on the last word. I tried to pour all my love for her into a single glance. She had no reaction to my unspoken plea, as her eyes slid to Seth and Leah.
The Clearwaters forgot about that whole "I don't like to be touched," issue Bella had, and wrapped her in their embrace, Mother, too, as I mentally yelped at them about Bella's shoulder injury. Genghis somehow managed to wriggle in there as well with a happy woof, the cur. I wanted to tear them all, except Mother, of course, away. Especially the damn dog.
Mother said, "Bella, sweetheart, you have had us all so worried. Thank you, God," Mother directed that last part to the Almighty as she rubbed Bella's hair in the manner that she had preferred as a young child.
Jugurtha said, "If you pounce on Bella to show your affection, she will most likely be traumatized and create a scene. You cannot afford that in public. You have to be the stoic mate off to battle now that he's ensured her welfare. Everyone will expect that of you." I'd show him stoic.
Starched Shirt Edward clapped his hands, "Our prayers are answered! Our dear little one has returned. I must offer psalms in thanks."
I smiled happily at Arria and internally seethed, "If you try to block me, I'm afraid I'll have to fight you, and considering I beat your Mother with little effort, you had better consider your chances. Bella needs to sleep, and seeing herself surrounded by thousands of immortals right now will terrify her."
I refrained from telling Arria that I'd tell on her to her Father if she did not comply. Which was low. But I would do it in a heartbeat. Miss Precious-raised-as-an-only-child did not know a thing about sibling warfare and parents. I could run supersonic rings around her in that department.
Making her sleep ensured that any conversing Bella had to do could be done in private, not in front of thousands of prying ears. And after what I had told her about my family on the day I had left, this was going to be all kinds of awkward. Not that I'd admit anything to anyone.
For the record, if she spoke out of turn, Bella was still recovering from shock and trauma and confused. Her present silence only proved that point. I was going to have to go handle our enemies, and then start groveling later. The ring and necklace blazed in my pocket like a guilty conscience.
Rosalie said, "Bella, welcome back, we are taking you to the house for treatment for your heart." My wife's eyes softened as they landed upon the sleeping children. "They are safe, thanks to you." Rosalie said. "You were so very brave. Now, you need to focus on getting better, and of course we'll be with you every step of the way. We missed you so much."
The mulish expression that crossed my little Grandmaster's face caused me to worry that she would fight. It changed when she locked eyes with Sergei, his wife, and I presumed four sons, who resembled lost tree trunks from the old growth forest. She relaxed as both Sergei and Arria inclined their brows in assent.
One of Sergei's sons walked and stood by Bella's side. This was entirely unacceptable. He hurled figurative daggers with his icy eyes right back at me. I did not have to be a mind reader to detect those lucky for him subtle sibling-like thoughts he felt towards my mate. He had no idea that Bella and I had temporarily set aside our betrothal. His rage stemmed at me for leaving her vulnerable without a word of comfort for all that time. And he was, in that regard, absolutely right.
Then his entire family blocked me with ease. Which was wrong. I would have to worry about them later. I told Jugurtha to add them to our list. With a wave I sent Bella to sleep. And nothing happened.
Arria walked over, and knelt on the ground by a wary Bella. She reached out and caressed her daughter's forehead. "Sleep child. I will be here when you awaken. You are safe, and you must rest for the sake of your heart." And so she did. What was that?
My chest began to pain me. Arria had not attempted to block my power in any manner that I could discern. My ability to send Bella to sleep simply did not work. This merited further testing. And Arria totally stole my line. I was the one who was supposed to tell Bella that she was safe.
"Don't panic," Jugurtha soothed. "Bella's actually speaking now. This is a wonderful sign."
Arria said to me mentally, "Your powers, I can only assume, no longer work on Bella because while you were gone she has mentally grown in strength. Then there are the biting words you said to her that damaged your bond. You and your family think I blocked you, but I did not."
"I accept my part in this. My wolf powers turned me into a newborn again, but with double the problems. I lost my temper with Bella because of it months ago. And I will spend every second of forever trying to make it up to her. You did not send her to sleep when you know you should have. And it was horrifyingly cruel. She is like that because of both of us."
Arria stunned me by offering remorseful eyes. "I made a promise to Liam, one I cannot break, that she would not be turned until she was at least nineteen. When she was with your family, she was so eager to become one of you. I showed her that scene because I feared she would again start to want to be changed. Liam was convinced she would die and was researching if it was even possible when he passed. Bella had not said a word on the way to Italy, and I have seen her be silent for long periods of time before."
"You wanted her human to carry the next Telecles heir."
"Edward, you and I both know her heart is too weak. I would never put her through the strain of carrying a child."
"Are you telling me you were willing to defy your family, and let her die human without passing on the family line?"
"Why would I put her through that, when I could simply have another child? Now, thanks to my mother's unceasing ambition, my daughter has been revealed to the world." Arria did not sound pleased.
Jugurtha said, "Remember she only met her mother months ago. They do not appear to have much of a bond. This is interesting. And we can use it. Provided she speaks the truth and is not testing us."
"Excellent point. Well, do you think she speaks the truth?" I asked my predator.
"Actually, I do," he and Starched Shirt Edward said at the same time.
"She did not defend herself earlier because she did not want to reveal her defiance to her relations. If I had to guess, there is no way on Earth she would allow anyone to touch her daughter. She seems to feel true remorse and anger at what Bella experienced."
"So why did she bring her to the caves?"
"She couldn't leave her and she had to bring her troops personally to fetch her Father. And Bella was silent, but calm from her description. Apparently, Arria did not realize how damaged Bella was. Remember she thought the necklace would heal any physical damage on Bella. Arria has little experience with humans, let alone her own daughter. If I had to guess, I'd say she stayed away from the tiny human line they had because it reminded her of her daughter." I'd have to ponder that idea later. My sister drew me from my conversation with Arria.
Mary Alice said to the surviving Clearwaters, "We were so sorry to hear about your parents. Bella is sleeping now, and she is speaking, thanks to you. When the fighting is done, please come to the house. You are welcome to live with us as long as you like." Leah stiffened, Mary Alice added, "Your sister needs you, and we have plenty of guest cottages." That made Leah's mouth snap shut.
Leah opened her mouth to argue and I groused at her, "We're about ready to head into battle. You have a choice. You can face the enemy in wolf form or as a naked human. Which is it? I will not tolerate you being rude to my family because they were ambushed in Alaska for months fighting for their lives. Silly them, they thought she was safe with the pack and Arria. And I don't think Bella's most- powerful- immortals- in- the- world grandparents like you very much. Way to go making a first impression. They'd kill you without a second thought, and tell Bella you fell bravely in battle. And in case you haven't noticed, you are surrounded by thousands upon thousands of immortals that are hanging on your every word. Bella, to them, is literally royalty. Insult her at the risk of your life. If you cannot control your temper I will have no choice but to change you back into a human."
"You can really do that?" Her quiet demeanor caught me off guard. She sounded like a frightened child. Which. . .damn it all, she was. The poor girl acted awfully immature for her age.
"The spirits taught me how to make wolves and how to unmake them as well. I would only do it to protect the tribe." I left out saying, "Because the idea of you harming me is laughable, but I suspect she received that message. I continued, "Leah, if you died, it would cause all sorts of problems for not only the tribe, but for Seth and Bella. So yes, I would turn you back to a mortal without hesitation if you cannot control yourself. Bella needs you. Seth, too."
Leah said nothing but glared at me, and the ground. She perused an icicle hanging like a shark's tooth from a distant tree limb. Capriciously, she moved from fright to indignation. "You have some gall marching in here acting like you care. Making me see that with Sam. Where were you, oh great shaman, all this time?"
"Obtaining over a hundred thousand reinforcements to protect the tribe. You?"
Mentally, I said to Marcus and my family, "Bella does not understand the concept of a vampire mate. I do not want her unnecessarily stressed until such a time as she is strong enough."
Rosalie surprised me by saying, "I agree. She is too fragile. We still need to test her heart. She cannot deal with any more stress."
Father and Mother's silence indicated their assent.
Marcus inquired, "What is it you want, Edward?"
"Please order your men that they are to never speak of Bella around the wolves. In any way."
If I asked him to order his men not to refer to her as my mate, that would send even more bachelors flying towards Bella with outstretched arms and posies. Marcus appreciated my position.
Marcus said, "That seems a prudent course of action, and only a small portion of my men even speak English. Bella should be informed at a time when she is strong. I will not, however, lie to her." The odds of her turning to Marcus and chirping, "Hey Grandfather, by any chance did I mate with anyone recently?" were slim.
Jugurtha said, "He is supporting you, but also giving you enough rope to hang yourself with. He'll hold his silence, but if she asks later, he'll tell her you asked him to. Clever."
I turned back to Leah and said, "Do I have a decision?" I wanted to call her Stinkzilla. But that would have been accurate. And kinder than she deserved. But if Bella could forgive Leah, there existed hope for me. I had, as Starched Shirt Edward piously pointed out, the sin of pride hanging over my head thinking I was better than Leah. Well, I was. Better for Bella. But still.
Starched Shirt Edward said, "You have just pointed out Leah's role in the deaths of her cousins. And she feels genuine remorse about Bella. You would do well to show her compassion. She lost virtually everything. And now she realizes her part in it. Remember, she carried a babe."
Reading Leah's present thoughts, Starched Shirt Edward was dead-on accurate. That should offer her sufficient motivation on the battle field to kill the bad red-eyed people.
I spoke solely to her mind, "Leah, what happened with Sam was a ghastly tragedy, and had I been in your place I would have probably acted the same. Wolves turn because the shaman wakes them up by activating the wolf gene and the women of the tribe are collectively frightened. Vampires don't, aside from me, have that power. I have lived for over a hundred years. Never have I met a soul with as pure a heart as Bella. She will forgive you. She loves you. You are important to her. And I will offer you any aid that I can." And I truly meant every word.
Leah sniffed and wiped at her face. I handed her a fresh handkerchief supplied by Father, "Bella hasn't forgiven Charlie or Renee," she reminded me.
"Did you lie to her every day for over fifteen years about her having a disability and deny her medical attention for the aforementioned condition that could have improved her life?"
"No."
"Did you pretend nothing happened once you knew that your daughter had discovered your deception, and insist you'd do it all over again?" I asked.
She stared over at Bella guilt inscribed all over her face.
"No. I screamed horrible things at her at Mom's funeral. You have no idea how awful I was to her. I was . . . My family has been all she's had for years and I screamed that she had killed them. She's so shy and quiet, and she's been so sick. Edward, she jumped two hours later. And it was my fault." She wiped at her eyes and nose. I did not need Jasper's gift to detect the self-loathing.
"Leah, you were out of your mind with grief. Grace showed me what happened. You had never phased before. When you have untapped newborn wolf powers the slightest things can set you off." I showed her in supersonic flashes the story of Lee Quill and his family. "You could have killed Bella, her father, and half the mourners then and there, and you did not. And I understand the rages. I have felt them, too. They are like someone else has control of your mind and body. And when I'm under their power I blow things up like rocks and trees."
"But I wanted to kill her. God, why am I even telling you this?" Leah wailed.
This was the tricky part, "Because aside from Sam, I'm probably the only person who understands. Your emotions were being controlled by the nascent wolf powers. Leah, you did not make her leap from the cliff. And you can never mention her jump aloud around these immortals. You can't even think of it as some of them can read minds." I showed her which ones and what ranges they required. "The official story Arria is telling everyone is that Bella took flight, intending to use her powers to save herself and that they failed to engage in time."
"Why would they give a damn? And what powers?"
"Suicide in their culture is taboo, and they would think less of her. And because of who Bella is, she will most likely have immortals around her for the rest of her life guarding her. I'm not sure on the powers part, Arria claims she has developed some."
I sent Leah and Seth and John as many images at wolf speed as I could in order to convey the gist of the situation. I left out all that partial mate bond business. As far as they knew, I was Bella's exhausted boyfriend, and every single immortal male on the planet was going to try and separate us out of political avarice. From reading the pack mind, Bella had not uttered a word to a soul about breaking up with me. I knew, just knew, if she hadn't told Seth or Leah, then she had not breathed a word to anyone beyond what she had said to Ben and Angela on that day. And both of them would have kept silent. I had the most amazing mate in the world! She knew how to keep a secret like no one else. She spoiled me still. And I totally owed Angela and Ben. I'd have to send them to college.
Primly, I said to Jugurtha, "Schedule time for us to ensure that we muzzle the Fake Canadians from re-telling what they witnessed on that day eight months ago. Bella's privacy should be protected."
He said, "Her Mother, I would bet, has already handled that task. Did you detect that any but those who had witnessed knew aside from Arria? I did not." Good point.
There were thousands of Fake Canadians nearby and a quick scan of their thoughts indicated ignorance of the dreadful scene. I also noticed the ones that had been there were keeping well away from those that could read minds. Interesting.
Leah said, "What do you want?"
"Simply for you to be there for Bella." The picture of piety, I held my palm to my heart as I addressed the Clearwaters, "I'm asking you to do this for Bella. She is going to have vampires throwing themselves at her left and right in order to try and curry favor with her Grandparents."
"God, Swan will hate that." Seth noted the obvious.
"I know. And she'll have even more admirers if they think she is weak. We can't have that."
Speaking of weak, the sooner we obtained medical care for Bella, the sooner I'd be able to clear up that unfortunate episode of tremendously ill-timed truth telling. It was back to the Golden Rule for me. If she could forgive Leah, who had screamed abuse and had hurled dirt at her in front of a crowd, then surely she'd open her heart to me. I hadn't accused her of murder, or being responsible for any kind of crime. Although she had killed someone, but that involved special circumstances. I had lost my head and had unthinkingly blurted the truth, but had the Fake Canadians around to ensure her protection. Jugurtha and I had managed to persuade Marcus Telecles and a hundred thousand of his closest friends to come all the way to Forks.
How hard could it be to persuade one glorious human female such as Bella to marry me? It was for us. And she could not be my mate if she did not love me. So that was a bonus point in my favor. And this time, I really did love her. So that was another bonus point. Vampire physiology said so. She said, 'yes' before with little persuasion. To marriage, mind you, and I treated her with respect. Mostly. But definitely would in the future.
John interrupted my machinations and said dryly through the wolf link, "Are you telling me that Bella is now vampire bait?" As soon as those words formed in his mind, he wished he could snatch them back.
Changing the subject seemed prudent.
"How did the reservation catch fire?" I asked John.
"We bused our women and children to Canada on a sunny day with a set of wolves, and set the fire ourselves. We figured this was our last stand and we weren't leaving a stick for them to take. Now are you going to yammer all night or are you going to come and help?"
I made a mental note to anonymously pay for tattoo removal for Leah and her Sam-adorned backside. To them both I declared aloud, "Your parents were marvelous decent people. I will help you avenge them."
Leah snorted, but tellingly remained silent.
Seth kept an excellent poker face and shut his mind to me. "Why now after all these months?" he finally asked.
"The spirits could not reach me while I hunted other vampires." That was technically true. They sure tried to reach me. And I had ignored them. Teddy Roosevelt and Sitting Bull had made a distinct impression. "I sincerely had no idea until a few days ago there was anything wrong. My family could not use their cell phones as Phoenix blocked the signals."
"It did not occur to you to call my parents and check on us or Bella? Your fingers look fine," Leah observed.
Sometimes. Just sometimes, the bald truth represented the prudent course of action. Well, part of the truth. "I did not call my own family, either, because I sincerely expected to die fighting. We all have things we have done that we regret."
Marcus announced decidedly, "Time is up." He turned and began a bracing pace.
Surrounded by an army, my bride and family, save Jasper and Emmett, winked out of existence, which was all kinds of disconcerting to the panicked wolves.
"I sent them to your domicile," Marcus explained aloud in English.
"Relax, they're fine," I assured the wolves.
Father, assisted by Rosalie, took Bella to the medical room and began preparing her for tests. I would keep an eye on her. She had yet to speak again, and for some odd reason, Arria stood by her side and refused to leave the room. Not that anyone asked her. Odd. Very odd.
"She's safe for now. Focus on not tripping over that log right there." Jugurtha pointed and warned as I bounded over it in the nick of time.
Jasper picked up on my anxiety; the amount I elected to show him, and thought, "Edward, it will be okay. We have to take these fights one at a time." He looked at Emmett like I was going to explode into a demonic fury at any second. Which I totally would once we got in front of the proper audience.
"C'mon big guy. Let's go show these hooligans that they can't come to our town and disrespect it like that." Emmett slapped my back. His hand felt cold.
Finding Douglas in his tree, I managed to find him at a more convenient time, and sent him a greeting. He seemed to be happy that I had returned and wanted to schedule an appointment. And he requested that I bring Bella.
"We need to purchase more nuts. The ones at home must be stale," I told Jugurtha.
Leah and Seth ran behind. Leah snorted at Emmett's cheery comment. I'd have to educate her.
Together in theory, separated in spite, we sprinted into the forest to greet the rising sun and raging inferno. Speaking to Seth had required me to use extra power because of his mental frequency. Remembering the lesson I had learned many months ago, I used my gifts to their fullest ability and took advantage of Hezekiah's staff which focused the power. I listened as closely as I could to scan the environment, to see, of course, if Seth believed me.
"Edward?" a weak voice whispered, pulling me from my consultation.
"Paula?"
Closing Song:
Book of Love – Peter Gabriel
http://www (dot) youtube (dot) com/watch?v=6nZGv8VTBVE
Snarky Summary:
Edward gets more than an eyeful of Douglas and his mate. And he's still apologizing for it.
The family sets up temporary camp while they prepare an attack plan. Edward shows everyone the extent of his preparation. The family realize that Edward has a little weight problem. Seriously. Edward gets take out. Marcus takes Edward along on a mind trip of all mind trips. Arria and Esme stop fighting long enough to see to Bella's welfare. Edward apologizes to Bella. Again. What a guy.
Vivinna tells Alice not to worry, she's been doing some digging in her family tree. She's got her back. Make that Alice's Father's spine. Her Mom's legs, too.
Marcus= 2 Phoenix= -2
Jane= 1 Edward= 2
The very idea of Jane eyeballing Edward's package is a thought so sick and twisted that even I contemplated writing it but decided against it at the last moment. I have standards. *sniff* and she would have been in no way sexually aroused when trying to make a point to him on gentlemanly decorum. I thought the threat of the electrified penis routine was every bit as effective. She really knows how to light a guy's fire, I'll give that to her. And she did so in the name of family loyalty, after all. She can't have Edward embarrassing them now that she's officially related to the weasel. He already made a spectacle of himself in Italy, although that can be explained away as part of an ingenious scheme crafted by Marcus and Vivinna to divert everyone's attention from the real invasion. And I really liked the idea of Edward threatening to reverse puberty on her. Sue me.
Edward does the, "Honey, I'm home!" speech times two, and learns disturbing news about the pack. And Leah sure knows how to give a man a proper homecoming welcome. Someone's destined to remain celibate not-by-choice-forevermore. Why don't we just play pin the tail on the donkey since everyone in the room wants a piece of Main Edward's ass? Even his own Parents.
Leah is tapping me on the shoulder an insisting that she has better taste in men and when I write that "she wants a piece of Edward's ass," she is in no way sexually aroused. Main Edward is answering back that God has blessed him so.
Speaking of the Clearwaters, we learned that Edward is not the only one who has some apologizing to do to Bella as Leah wins the story's award for bitchiest of them all. I can't wait till she finds out what Arria did to Bella in forcing her to watch that gorefest. Arria and Leah in a room. Oh Hell, it wouldn't even be a contest, but Leah might whine something epic before being dispatched to the great stinky beyond. Edward gave her a dose of memory and emotion therapy by forcing her to relive Sam's imprinting. Leah has been schooled.
Genghis is tapping me on the shoulder and asking me to let you all know that he is currently attempted to scour the stench from his gums that Main Edward left. He was merely taking a little rest and did not require such repulsive attentions. And he most definitely is pissy about it and plans on letting Edward know.
Leah and Edward do some bonding. Not that kind. Edward promises to help her out of the goodness of his cold-hearted nature. What a prince.
Grace and Edward reconnect and she scares the beJesus out of the Lost Coven armies, except of course, for the Legionnaires of Doom. She'll have to work on that. Edward and Arria have an interesting private chat about Bella. It seems Arria has her own agenda when it comes to her daughter, one that Vivinna might not like.
Carlisle, Mary Alice, Rosalie, Esme, Arria and Carmen return to the house accompanied by their human family/guest to take care of Bella, the toddlers, and Merrisol. The rest go off to war.
Research Notes:
"Off" is a brand of bug spray sold in the United States:
http://www (dot) off (dot) com/
The Chipmunks are cartoon characters that have distinctive high squeaky fast voices. I can't help but think of Douglas when I see this film clip.
http://www (dot) chipmunks (dot) com/
The Olympic Peninsula Audobon Society is of great help in learning about the birds in the area during the time frame I've written the story:
http://www (dot) olympicpeninsulaaudubon (dot) org/shell (dot) php?page=birds_where
http://www (dot) olympicpeninsulaaudubon (dot) org/shell (dot) php?page=bird_sightings_2008_No_1
This is a Golden Eagle. They look a little scary to me:
http://www (dot) glaciermt (dot) com/golden-eagle (dot) php
The Cornell lab of Ornithology is a cool site to learn about birds. Gorgeous pictures, too.
http://www (dot) birds (dot) cornell (dot) edu/
This is the best explanation for why our breath creates fog in the cold I've ever read: http://www (dot) newton (dot) dep (dot) anl (dot) gov/askasci/gen99/gen99839 (dot) htm
REI is a chain of stores that sells outdoor equipment and camping gear:
http://www (dot) rei (dot) com/
The Ransom of Red Chief is a hilarious story by O'Henry:
http://classiclit (dot) about (dot) com/library/bl-etexts/ohenry/bl-ohenry-ransomred (dot) htm
Portable CT scanners really do exist:
http://www (dot) medpagetoday (dot) com/MeetingCoverage/RSNA/11989
Here is more about the legend of the thunderbird:
http://animal (dot) discovery (dot) com/tv/lost-tapes/thunderbird/
Scientists link the story to the pterosaur which was a flying reptile as large as a small plane.
http://animals (dot) howstuffworks (dot) com/extinct-animals/pterosaur-info (dot) htm
A Clydesdale is a really big horse.
http://www (dot) equine-world (dot) co (dot) uk/about_horses/clydesdale_horse (dot) htm
Tuberculosis took the lives of many famous people:
(dot) gov/dhss/dph/dpc/tbfamouspeople (dot) html
The U.S. Army really does have a division of scientists that test gear for soldiers, like Q (short for Quartermaster) in James Bond:
http://www (dot) arl (dot) army (dot) mil/www/default (dot) htm
And Edward says reading some of their research papers on keeping people warm is like child's play, they are so easy to find.
http://oai (dot) dtic (dot) mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA275603
This is an example of the head brace that Edward saw Phoenix wearing:
http://radiofreephoenix (dot) com/images/bob%20dylan%20-%20harmonica (dot) jpg
I had never heard of hoarfrost. This web site explains the history of words:
http://www (dot) takeourword (dot) com/TOW183/page2 (dot) html
English is a redundant language. Scholars say so.
http://docs (dot) google (dot) com/viewer?url=http://www (dot) uni-due (dot) de/~bj0063/doc/shannon_redundancy (dot) pdf&pli=1
The history of the word 'dude' is like awesome:
http://www (dot) livescience (dot) com/strangenews/dude_linguist_041208 (dot) html
Multiple nerdy scholars said so. Word. Seriously.
http://www (dot) jstor (dot) org/pss/455525
If you don't know who Monty Python is, you really should.
http://www (dot) intriguing (dot) com/mp/
The science of microexpressions is funny. John Cleese says so.
http://www (dot) wisegeek (dot) com/what-is-a-microexpression (dot) htm
Some believe you can use this to spot liars
http://www (dot) paulekman (dot) com/
http://news (dot) bbc (dot) co (dot) uk/2/hi/health/3743448 (dot) stm
Part of Jugurtha's lines were inspired by a haiku contest that Salon ran. Seriously:
http://baetzler (dot) de/humor/haiku_error (dot) var
The Quileute tribe's language is unique and they are perhaps the oldest tribe in the Pacific Northwest
http://www (dot) ihs (dot) gov/facilitiesservices/areaoffices/portland/portland-tribe-quileute (dot) asp
And they are indeed a small tribe:
http://www (dot) quileutes (dot) com/quileute-indian-reservation/the-quileute-tribe (dot) html
Origami is entertaining:
http://art-smart (dot) ci (dot) manchester (dot) ct (dot) us/how_to/ori_swan1 (dot) html
Learn more about the self-serving bias here:
http://changingminds (dot) org/explanations/theories/self-serving_bias (dot) htm
The history of DNA is a must read:
http://www (dot) ceoe (dot) udel (dot) edu/extreme2004/genomics/dnahistory (dot) html
Stay tuned for the next edition of As Phoenix Burns, and the Legionnaires Return. Oh, Main Edward is going to be learning a lesson or two at Bella's hands coming up.
Please review, Douglas says it will drive him and his mate nuts. Seriously.
