Hey guys, here's chapter 49!

A little late I know but just a few announcements and you can go read the chapter, I promise. :)

1) I've been meaning to mention that I have a Twitter account, I got one just to see what all the fuss was about so if you want to know what I'm doing for some reason look me up. www[dot]twitter[com]/MimiLove4Ever.

2) Have you seen the music video for Meet Me On The Equinox by Death Cab for Cutie?!

3) Have you heard that the New Moon Soundtrack is going to be released tomorrow instead of next Tuesday due to popular demand?

4) Some of you have been asking how many more chapters there's going to be and the answer right now is "I don't know". I have the story planned out all the way towards the end and I'm not sure how many chapters it's gonna be.

That's all people.

I dedicate this chapter to Kathie (katmom), girl you know what for. Thanks a million! :P

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight . . . although I'll be owning the New Moon soundtrack tomorrow. Woot woot.


Bella POV

"Missy!"

I don't know what possessed me to yell out my mentor, and friend's, name, it might have been out of desperation or relief, but I did. My body jerked in its place and with the strange presence I felt from my family only minutes before I pulled down on the silver chains holding me, ignoring the burning everywhere on me. There were rapid footsteps slapping against the floor before Katheryne shouted something, I wasn't paying attention to her, the chains came loose, unwrapped around my wrists, and sent me reeling into the wall. I collided head on and most likely acquired a concussion from the force of the impact. I brushed away the pain and regained my footing and surroundings.

Under the doorway stood . . . Evelyn, I hissed in her direction by instinct, with her menacing blood red eyes and not the blue ones I had last seen her with. I saw the vampire that she was as her gaze washed over me the same resentful glare she had given me before pierced through. Her animosity towards me was one I didn't comprehend even though I had analyzed it over and over again, every answer made no sense to me. Could it have possible been that years before I became an angel I had known her and we'd shared some type of relationship, perhaps she had been a friend of mine's. I didn't think so though for I would have surely remembered because you don't forget things like that. Her appearance caught my attention for her thick, long black hair was in disarray and knotted in a way that made me think she rolled around on the floor for quite some time. The clothes she had on, a simple bright red shirt and jeans, hung off her body in the same way as her hair, ruffled and dirt-filled. It wasn't normal.

That's when I noticed the pale hand on her neck and the person behind her, keeping her in place. It was indeed Missy. From where I stood I could see the fierce expression in her eyes laced with another I had never seen on her face. Truthfully it scared me to see it there in her gentle eyes. Her appearance was much like Evelyn's, except she was wearing the usual white dress and traditional - for mentors - light purple cloak. Her wings were slightly spread behind her; ready to spring into action, and her stance was that of a prepared fighter. Missy was keeping her still and as she glanced at me reassuringly her attention went back to Katheryne. My mentor's strength gave me what I needed to numb the aching of my body; this was the chance to get back to the Cullens and to Edward.

"Missy I suggest you go back the way you came from and settle yourself with the other Council members," Katheryne said in a cold tone that sent shivers down my spine.

"You mean the ones being held captive in their cells!" shouted Missy tightening her hold on Evelyn.

I gasped at the revelation and turned on Katheryne, "What have you done?"

"Like I told you Isabella, I didn't plan for all of this to happen but if I see my chance I will take it no matter what stands in my way," she replied.

"You planned for all this Katheryne," Missy spat her name, "You are the farthest thing from innocent in all this, the only one innocent here is Bella and you know it."

"You're right," cackled Katheryne focusing her gaze on me, "You're the innocent here."

The way she looked at me sent my instincts in a frenzy and me backing against the wall. Who was this woman? I didn't know the person I thought she had been never was. No wonder William was the way he was.

"I wouldn't try that," hissed Missy, "You threatened me before and I was young then, powerless, but now I'm not letting you control me."

"I still control you!" yelled Katheryne.

I blinked slowly and watched, unable to move, as she threw herself on me at the same time Missy kicked Evelyn away from her. A scream caught in my throat when Katheryne's body collided against mine and knocked the breath right out of me. My wings sprouted from my back in reaction, a wrong move indeed, and pushed my body away from the wall. A crazed look entered Katheryne's eyes as her hands locked on my shoulders and pushed me away from her. I twisted out of her hands and landed a kick on her stomach hard enough to stop her for a few moments then searched the room for Missy and Evelyn. I found them across the room both in a half crouch and glaring at each other, the intent to kill was clear on their faces. I couldn't let that happen, couldn't leave Missy with that burden.

Evelyn let out a threatening growl that matched her menacing bright red eyes and the sound set off a chain reaction. I hissed and didn't think twice as I jumped at her, knocking her away from Missy. I didn't realize I had left myself unguarded until Missy jumped in front of me and tumbled into Katheryne. A stream of curses were muttered under my breath. My mentor and William's mother were in a dangerous fight, both had the power to end the other's life easily and now that Katheryne had imprisoned the Council things could be much worse.

"We meet again, Bella," Evelyn snapped.

What I felt in the next second brought me to my knees from the sheer pain on my back. The rusty smell of my blood permeated the room thickly and had my senses spinning out of focus. Shots of adrenaline were pumping through my body ready to spring my body into action but my breathing became shallow and my vision blurred from the tears spilling down my cheeks. Out of the corner of my eye Evelyn entered my line of sight; the fingers on her left hand were bloody from where her nails had scratched me. Her eyes turned a deep onyx color and like our last encounter she licked the blood right off her fingers.

"Who knew angel's blood tasted so sweet," smirked Evelyn, "If only I could be there as your precious family is being torn apart."

My body froze with her words. "You're lying."

"No, my dear parents are paying a visit and they took some friends with them," she laughed, "Personally, I hope they go for Edward, his death would weigh down on your conscious pretty heavily."

"You bitch," I growled. I knew exactly what she meant by that.

My vision blurred once again only this time there were no tears, I was furious, and a red haze set in. I could have been an inch away from death and it still wouldn't be enough to hold me. This just went too far, I wasn't going to allow her to threaten my family and Edward. I promised my beloved I would give my life defending them and I had no problem doing it except that if that meant there was a chance I was not going to see Edward again I will follow through. At least my heartbreak would go away . . . .

I was vaguely aware of sending Evelyn crashing back into the wall before she circled me, snarling, and pouncing. I stepped to the side and missed her by a few centimeters and managed to draw enough strength from my wings to hurl her across the room. As soon as she landed on the cobblestone floor I stood over her and caught the silver flash of the chains that had been binding me. I was about to reach for them to put them on her when a pair of strong hands stopped me. One settled over my mouth and the other around my stomach. Whoever was holding me pulled me back against them and rubbed against my wings and back harshly drawing more blood out of me.

"Mother, what is the meaning of this?"

That voice was from the one and only; William.

He turned both of us around and seeing Katheryne holding Missy by the throat added wood to the intense fire raging already. It was clear that they had had a ferocious battle and burned to continue until one of them fell. I tried communicating with Missy with my eyes to let her know I was so sorry for bringing her into this mess. Her eyes flickered and softened before giving me a look that told me not to give up; there was a way out of this. Suddenly I realized that I was ready to give up and just let them kill me instead of having to fight one more battle and ending the war. The realization scared me more than anything at this moment because I felt like I was betraying those I loved and I was the sole cause of this situation. If I let things crash around me then I was not going to be the only pulled down under, everyone would be too. That meant Edward as well.

Edward.

"Not now, William. Take Isabella and wait for me outside the Foreseer's chambers," Katheryne ordered, "I need to finish with this one."

"That vampire," William nodded his head in Evelyn's direction, who had now stood up and watched the scene with guarded eyes.

"Leave," commanded Katheryne once more.

"Whatever you say, mother," William said and dragged me away from the room.

Missy gave me one last glance before she was out of sight. My body slumped in Will's hands involuntarily as every injury, scratch, and ache caught up with me. I began to feel the blood loss draining what energy I had left and the pounding in my head made it worse. The hallways were devoid of any sound besides my labored pants and slithering frost etched around the corners. I couldn't help but ask myself where all the other angels were. It was strange to see everything so still when I knew it wasn't like this. Once we were outside the chambers of the Foreseers there was a subtle charge of energy in the air that meant there were angels around and taping into the lower levels of ancient strength. William seemed to have taken no note of it and for that I was glad.

"I apologize for my mother's behavior," he began whispering in my ear, "She has her reasons for doing the things she does and I am but her son, the only thing she has from my father. You must understand my dear."

"I'm not your dear," I muttered as best I could with his hand still clamped over my mouth.

The force of his pulling increased and if he didn't stop I was surely going to pass out. There was only so much I could take and I was tired.

"His scent is all over you," William remarked, "There isn't one place where his hands or lips haven't touched you. That vampire has claimed you and by that ring on your finger you've claimed him."

I remained silent, more from trying to save my strength than wanting to punch him in the face again.

"What I wonder is why you're trying hard to escape your home when he doesn't even want you back," he continued, "I saw the refusal in his eyes while we were taking you away from him, he didn't want to you to stay."

"That's not true," I murmured not letting my insecurities show.

"Would I lie about that, really, during those few minutes no was holding him back," chuckled William, "The field keeping them at bay was gone and yet he stayed where he was."

"No," I cried softly, "No."

"Yes."

He laughed and his hand lifted from my lips but no words came out just my cries and fresh tears pouring down. My heart fought to keep the information away since there was no reason why I should believe him yet my head reasoned that it must be the truth. I was stuck at a crossroads between misery and despair. What was I supposed to do now?

"You!" William gasped behind me then his presence was no longer behind me. I had not the will to turn around.

Gentle hands pulled me in a new direction and I let them. Soft words were spoken in an attempt to raise my spirit and get me to move; stubborn as I was I let them brush past. I raised my head to see the person caring for me and rejoiced a little when I saw it was Missy. She had her arms wrapped protectively, yet carefully, around me and keeping alert. A deep sigh of relief escaped her and she turned to me.

"I'm taking you back to the Cullens, little one, there isn't much time left before the path between Earth and here is closed," she said, "I will deal with things up here and I know your family will keep you safe."

I nodded my head in response and the sensation that I was falling engulfed my senses.

_______________________________________________________________________

Jasper POV

Various piles of ashes were burning around the field and thick purple smoke rose up in the air. The rain had stopped not a couple of seconds ago which led me to believe this was over in a sense besides the occasional rumble of thunder. I let Emmett take over for me while I searched for Alice; I was in need of her comforting touch to chase away the bad memories of my past. That and I needed a distraction from the new stinging bite marks on my arms and leg. Not to mention the strange and powerful bursts of pain I had experienced that had not been caused by the newborns. I hadn't been the only one that had felt them. Every single person around me was emotionally exhausted and weak from having to end another thing's life. Underneath it all there was a hint of peace at having this threat behind us.

For now at least since the woman, Victoria, did not show up with the newborns. She was here, that I knew, but now she had disappeared. Good thing too, for her, if I had encountered her she would have suffered because of the things she had done and for what her partner had wanted to do to my wife.

Carlisle was tending to the wolves that were hurt and hovering over Esme, examining the injuries that would fade away once we went hunting, didn't matter to him though. Rosalie was keeping a hawk eye on each of us and remained tense, the aftermath of the fight ruling her. A few feet away from where James' pile of ashes burned were Edward and my little Alice with her arms around him. I neared them slowly because of Edward's emotions or lack of I should say. Like I told him once I wasn't an expert on my gift just because I had it but through the shield he was trying to hide in the feelings fighting to course through his body were greater. He was aware and at the same time unaware, shifting in and out of focus.

Alice caught my gaze and pleaded for my help. I simply nodded and placed my hand on my brother's shoulder then letting the numbness slip away little by little, enough for his mind to find some peace. Through the many emotions coursing through, I noticed a great deal of anger that had me flinching; it was directed to all of us, himself, and Bella. Edward's eyes snapped open and pitch black orbs rounded on me; he was out of Alice's embrace and pushed my hand away.

Edward, let me help, please, I pleaded with him.

"Get away from me," he growled in a way that made me edgy. I didn't fail to notice the way he had sunk into a crouch.

"Edward," Alice whispered hurt by his rejection, "Please."

His eyes lost a little of their fury but not nearly enough. It was like he was loosing control of himself. "Don't ask anything of me, just don't."

"I know this is hard and your mind is trying to process everything that has happened, Edward, do not close yourself," I warned him concerned.

It's okay to be confused and hurt, I added silently.

A small hiss escaped his mouth and then he was uprooting a tree, "Stop manipulating my emotions. If I want to be numb then let me!"

The large tree went flying quite a distance before crashing near where the wolves were talking with Carlisle. Automatic snarls erupted from them, once they saw it was Edward they stopped and their sympathy hit me; they knew then. Alice and I watched silently as Edward uprooted another tree and sent it flying in a different direction. The only thing we heard was the whooshing sound and the thump of it landing somewhere. I took a step in his direction to see if I could at least help him in some other way when I suddenly stumbled. My instincts sprang into action and I was running into the forest frantically, away from the baseball field. I faintly heard Alice shout my name in the background then all I was focused on was on the direction in front of me.

I might be going crazy or my mind was playing tricks on me but I swear I picked up Bella's scent! My sister's unique angel and floral scent. It was hers and I had nothing to loose by checking it out. The short bursts of wind coming in my direction increased the smell. Exactly one minute later her faint heartbeat was like music to my ears and that's when I skidded to a stop unwillingly. There was someone else with her, for one, and the smell of her blood wafted through the air. It hung heavily around the trees which had me panicking. The vampire side of me wanted to feel the blood running down my throat to rid the burn I had put away for so long and another side of me was telling me to make a decision because my sister was in serious trouble and I needed to help not make the situation worse. The choice was made for me as Bella's state of emotions collided with mine. She needed help.

"Jasper!" Carlisle and Alice called from behind a couple of trees.

"It's Bella!" I yelled back and took off once more.

I let the sound of her heart beats guide me instead of the blood, just in case. I brushed past trees and finally came upon a meadow. This must be the meadow Edward and Bella went to on many occasions; the sight I took in shocked me though. An eerie sense of Déjà Vu washed over me. There was Bella, unconscious, with her back turned to me and her wings lying limp on the ground. A lot of blood was pooled on the ground and staining the white dress she had on.

Dammit, it was exactly like the sketch I had seen in Evelyn's notebook when she had been disguised as Audra and she had accidentally bumped into me. It was real!

A second heart beat and emotions entered the meadow, a whiff of their scent let me know they were an angel too. If it was one of the angels that had taken her away I would have no hesitation in bringing them down not after what they had done to Bella. A woman stepped out of the trees and, much quicker than I had time to blink, stood in front of Bella protectively, wings expanded. Her strong intentions of defending stopped me from attacking. I recognized the woman as the one that had been kept from moving; she wasn't here to do wrong.

"I'm not a threat to you," she established clearly. "I need your help, please."

Her words echoed sincerely and left no room for doubt.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Rosalie snapped stopping on one side of me. "Haven't you done enough!"

The silence was broken by a series of growls behind us which announced the arrival of the rest of the family. Even Carlisle and Esme were prepared for another if it became necessary. What surprised me the most was seeing Edward standing there and glaring at the angel. He took two steps forward when I shot my hand out and stopped him in his tracks.

"No, Edward," I told him, "Look behind her, she's here for our help."

Edward wasn't the only look to by the gasps erupting. I fought the onslaught of emotions and managed to keep everyone calm if only for a few minutes.

"I only have a few minutes to explain," she spoke hurriedly, "The woman you saw chaining Bella, her name is Katheryne, has turned against us and is planning to overturn our world as she sees fit. It is such a long story the one you and Bella need to know and there simply isn't enough time to tell it all. Katheryne holds a grudge against Bella for something her parents didn't do. What Bella knows is a lie and it's not her fault she doesn't know what really happened before she was conceived, I'm the only one that does besides Katheryne herself.

"Please, I need to know you will take care of her, now especially?"

"What happened to her?" asked a shaken Esme.

"Katheryne. I'm ashamed to say I didn't have the power to stop her from torturing Bella but I can feel the unbreakable bond she has developed for each and every one of you. Bella has kept you safe from dangers she didn't even know and I'm asking if you will protect her now?"

"With our lives," were our responses.

"I need to leave before the travel between our worlds is frozen. I will do everything I can to fix this and not only are there angels involved but vampires as well," she informed us, "Your house will be unspottable and no other angel will find you and Bella won't be able to go up there either. Keep her safe."

Her wings flapped and in the next second she was gone. We made a circle around Bella immediately and the sight of her up close was heartbreaking. I was grateful vampires couldn't cry. Carlisle began examining her and from the expression on his face things weren't good. Edward's feelings spurred voraciously to life, I got up from my spot and stopped him by sending him powerful waves of calm. Emmett caught my actions and helped by taking a good hold on him to prevent him from moving if I slipped up.

"She needs to go to the hospital right now," Carlisle said, "Bella's not looking good."

"We can't, Carlisle. How would we explain the mysterious pair of wings on her back?" Alice spoke up, "We need to get her home."

Carlisle nodded and asked Esme to help him. Between the both of them and Alice and Rosalie's help they lifted Bella from the ground. They headed for the house. I looked straight into Edward's eyes and spoke.

"I will personally rip you to pieces if you do anything to hurt Bella or our family members," I warned him, "I'm not fooling around, Edward. Do you understand?"

"Yes. Please, let me go to her," he cried. For the first time his emotions returned to normal and the dire need to be by his mate took over. He was Edward again. Emmett let him go and the three of us ran home.

_______________________________________________________________________

Edward POV

1,080,000,000,000 shakes.

10,800,000 milliseconds.

10,800 seconds.

180 minutes.

3 hours.

That's how long I've been glued to my spot on the floor right outside Bella's room. I counted each movement of time passing and still I remained frozen staring at nothing in particular with only my heartache for company. I watched as my family brought in Bella and lay her on her side due to the wings and injured back. The deep, serene beating of her heart I had grown so accustomed to was out of place and irregular. In the twisted corners of my mind I kept expecting it to fade away and never return and with that alert there I made a decision. If Bella died then I would not be far behind. Alice's audible gasp from inside the room let me know she saw what I had planned but I was set, nothing they could do or say would keep me from following through.

Never, Edward, do you hear me? I will never let you do that. Alice whispered through her thoughts and kept quiet.

Once Carlisle started accessing the injuries on Bella's body I turned away and tried like hell to block him out because each observation sent my little regained self out of control. I stood the side and let the blood that tormented me before wash over my senses to let me now this was real. Too many thoughts and doubts were parading around my head to make sense of things and the added weight of those around me was adding to my confusion. For a moment my present state reminded me of my early years as a vampire when I lived conflicted with myself over wanting to stay with Carlisle and Esme and wanting to leave because I saw myself as knowing best.

Edward, I need your help son, Carlisle's sudden controlled thoughts snapped me out of my stupor.

I took a deep unnecessary breath and stepped into Bella's room. My heart ached and dropped into my stomach at the sight of my love, she was still unconscious but her expression was twisted in pain. Unsure of how to act I waited for Carlisle to acknowledge me and tell me what he needed. Rosalie, who had been standing by the window, gave me a once over and left the room quietly even her thoughts stopped.

"I've been trying to bring her out of her unconscious state," Carlisle informed, "She's not responding to me. I think she'll respond to you."

"Carlisle, I-I don't-"

"Edward, if Bella doesn't wake soon she may die," he interrupted, "and she will not be coming back to life like before."

His harsh words had me flinching, mostly from the truth in them. My steps brought me closer to the bed and then I was kneeling on the ground next to Carlisle. Bella's lips were turning a faint blue color and her face was pale enough to rival ours. Dark smudges under her eyes contrasted shockingly with her skin and dried blood clung to her hair around her face. Esme had tried to wash her face as best she could with a damp towel and didn't get very far. I reached out my hand to touch her face hesitantly and backed away touching her hand instead. It was a wrong move though for I noticed her wrists were bloodied and held signs of abuse, from the cuffs that were put on her I'm sure. I swallowed my nervousness and brushed my thumb across her bruised cheek with the gentlest touch I could muster.

At first there was no reaction but when I caressed her cheek again there was a quickened pace to her heart and then it went back to normal. Her eyes twitched ever so slightly then her dry lips parted and a small moan escaped her. Unexpected hope filled me entirely and I let it while I watched Bella respond to my touch. Carlisle placed a hand on my shoulder and encouraged me all the while calling Esme to bring some water, towels, bandages, and ointment. Bella moved her head a few centimeters, leaning into my hand and then slowly one of her hands rose from the bed to touch mine. The strength with which she gripped me was astoundingly weak. There was a soft sigh before Bella opened her eyes slowly and her brown eyes met mine. The eyes I could always read so well flooded my system with words not needing to be spoken. She was an open book to me, although her thoughts remained a mystery, and what I saw in them sent yet another pang of hurt into my heart. I was unable to look away from her as I began to sob. The fact that I had no tears to shed made me feel powerless.

"Are you real?"

"Yes, love, I'm real," I cried leaning over to place a gossamer kiss on her hand.

"I've seen you before," she whispered, "then you disappeared . . ."

"This is real," I assured her, "I'm here."

"My back . . . hurts," panted Bella, her eyes clenching shut, ". . . Edward."

"What did they do to you, Bella?" Carlisle asked gently.

"They . . . whipped me," Bella replied.

"Oh my God," Esme gasped from the doorway. The rest of the family was behind her staring wide-eyed at Bella.

"How many times did they . . . hurt . . . you?" asked Alice.

"I lost count."

"Those angels are gonna pay," Emmett hissed angrily.

"Wait, where's Missy?" asked Bella sitting up rapidly, "Ah!"

I reacted without thinking and got up on the bed securing Bella with my arms in a tender embrace. She locked her fingers on my shirt and muffled a scream into my chest. Jasper grunted and worked to lessen the pain coming from Bella.

"She left right after we found you," I answered her, "Stay still, you're badly hurt."

"Hold on," said Bella and pushed away from me. A second later her wings disappeared from her back and another scream erupted from her mouth. She fell limp against me and breathing hard.

"Carlisle, she's in too much pain," Jasper spoke up alarmed, "She's about ready to pass out again."

"Bella, look at me, please," I intervened before Carlisle. Bella's head lifted with heaviness until our eyes connected again, "Just focus on me."

"That's how I kept myself alive," Bella said before falling into unconsciousness.


What do you guys think? I hope you liked it.

Thanks for reading. Heart U Guys! :D

Until next chapter,

~*~Mimi-Love-4Ever