Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.
All plotlines, characterizations, and details in Eternally Intertwined belong to the author: Bronzehyperion. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without the author's authorization. ©2009-2011 Bronzehyperion.All rights reserved worldwide.
What happened previously:
Daggett was home.
I waited casually –though internally I was ready to rip him apart – until I heard footsteps on the gravel path outside and the unlocking of the front door.
I could hear him walk in, his shoes squeaking on the wooden floor. The click of locking the front door behind him. The soft padding of footsteps going up the stairs.
They echoed every second I had to lose.
I turned to the window and looked outside, acting like it was completely normal to be in Daggett's office with him about to step in.
When he did, I expected some kind of physical reaction, some sort of shock.
But his heart remained steady and there was no shaky intake of air indicating he was surprised or frightened.
Because he wasn't.
"Edward Cullen. I have been expecting you."
CHAPTER 48: FRIENDS AND FOES
(EDWARD POV)
"Nice ride."
"Thank you."
"It's a BMW 5 Sedan, right."
"It is."
"Good mileage?"
"Very."
"Good."
There was nothing like an imaginary conversation to pass the time.
We were in Mark Daggett's car and he was going to take me to Bella.
My fingers were drumming impatiently on my leg as I kept my eyes on the man next to me. His jaw was tight and his eyes never left the road stretching in front of us. I could hear his steady breathing and the equal beating of his heart. My presence clearly did not unnerve him.
Still, the atmosphere was tense and there was definitely no talk of cars and mileage; that was all in my head.
Daggett remained quiet; he only focused on the road.
Now I wasn't naïve enough to believe that Daggett would take me to Bella because he was such a good man. But it wasn't like he had much of a choice. He knew what I would do if he didn't oblige.
We had barely exchanged words since he had found me in his office.
The ones he had uttered were simple and expected on both sides.
"Edward Cullen. I have been expecting you."
After that, he had simply turned around to walk down the stairs where he'd waited for me to follow him.
"I can't read your mind very well," I had offered before he had walked out the front door. "You might want to talk."
"I know," was all he had said before gesturing towards the BMW parked in front of the house.
(BELLA POV)
Kill me. Just kill me now. Please.
Shut up Bella, you'll get what you wish for soon enough.
There was one thing worse than the risk of being slaughtered by vampires.
It was hearing them chat about girly stuff, which consisted of clothing, makeup and – much to my annoyance – MY boyfriend.
"Edward is so dreamy," Sapphire told her mother.
Gag me.
"It's too bad he is distracted with that" – she pointed at me – "but I am sure that'll be rectified soon enough."
Okay, gag her.
The only reason I didn't utter any complaints aloud was because I knew this was buying me time.
As long as Sapphire was making whiny noises and her mother was soothing her with equally whiny noises then time had not run out yet.
The other vampires hadn't come back and the sky was now dark – pitch black. I estimated it to be close to 8.00 or 9.00 PM and I was hungry and tired. I wondered if Sapphire didn't feel the same way. She was still human after all, despite her desire to join the immortal world.
Maybe she wasn't hungry. She did look a little tired though and as her mother stroked her hair and shoulders soothingly, she shivered against the coolness of her mother's skin.
Yes, she was still human.
(EDWARD POV)
"Will you kill me?"
The question was simple and adequate and the only words shared between us since we had left Daggett's house.
My answer was just as simple. Of course I would.
"If something happens to Bella; yes."
"There is a possibility she has killed her already; my wife I mean."
Daggett didn't even sound malicious as he spoke the words. He stated them as a fact. And of course he was right. There was a possibility. Just not one I allowed myself to think about.
If I did, I would lose focus. The idea of Bella being gone was too much and would be met with severe consequences. An eye for an eye and all that.
"If she is dead" – I practically choked on the words - "than your daughter will die too," I hissed.
"And your other daughter as well," I added, knowing I would kill both daughters if I had to.
"Would you feel better if you killed innocent humans?"
I snorted. "I think we both know your daughter is far from innocent."
"Or human."
"Nonetheless, you would still be taking human lives. I don't think that's how your father raised you."
"You see, when I was at your house for dinner – how unpleasant that must have been to you – I noticed how human your family acts, even if it's a charade; a show."
"And your father –the good doctor- he is a very sensitive man. How he would feel if his son would start killing humans. He would be so very disappointed, don't you think?"
I didn't say a word. After all; what could I say? This man was right. Carlisle would be disappointed if I killed a human. But the alternative meant I would lose Bella and that was unacceptable. Even Carlisle would understand my need for revenge if something were to happen to Bella.
"If Bella stays unharmed than there is no need for killing 'innocents' – human or otherwise."
Admittedly I wasn't certain if that was a promise to be kept. It was unacceptable to allow a vampire to stay on the loose.
"I can't guarantee we'll make it in time."
"Then I can't guarantee your daughter will remain safe."
(ANGELA POV)
"Angela?"
The voice was soft and enticing. Like a purr that was trying to lure me in.
The redhead Victoria had always been good at that. Her burgundy eyes were pleading but I knew better. She was excellent at manipulating the ones around her and those pleading eyes had glared at me in vicious anger plenty of times when I'd been in her and James' company.
"You poor thing. James and I were so worried. You must have been so frightened."
I heard someone snort in front of me; I think it was Emmett. Like the head of a tribe he stood broad and tall and most of all: unafraid. Jasper and Alice were flanking him and the three of them were like a wall of protection blocking Jacob and me.
As the Cullens stood there – ready for a face off - Jacob held onto me, gently rubbing my hand. It was soothing as much as it made me feel trapped. If he held me in place like this, it would be hard to run.
And I really wanted to run.
"Angela," James whispered seductively. "Come here. Don't let them get to you. They are playing mind tricks."
"Come here baby," he cooed, like I was an infant, or a dog that had to obey him.
Jacob's hand curled itself around mine tighter. "They are messing with your head, Angie. Don't listen."
Angie.
He had called me that a few times and while it was probably nothing more but a sweet nickname to Jacob, a wave of emotion crashed into me at hearing the term of endearment. It reminded me of my father and how he used to call me that. For a moment I was just a seventeen year old stuck in the middle of a very bad nightmare. I could wake up at any moment and then everything would go back to normal; Jessica would still be alive, Bella wouldn't be missing and I would be me. Not a vampire.
But nothing changed as I closed and reopened my eyes.
There were still two angry vampires beckoning for me.
"Listen!" Emmett said his voice booming as it bounced off the trees and the wide spaced open field. "I don't know what the hell you two want, but Angela belongs with us. So why don't you move along before you start something you definitely won't be finishing alive!"
He smirked at James and Victoria and while she looked slightly scared, he looked less than impressed.
"Big words."
"I talk as big as I act," Emmett grinned.
"Bring it!" James encouraged.
"Wait!" Victoria said. "We're just here to take Angela home. We mean no harm."
Jacob grew even tenser next to me as angry shudders rippled through him and I gently rubbed his overheated skin to calm him.
"No harm," Alice scoffed. "Please. You are the ones who made her."
Jams growled at Alice but made no attempt to get closer. "This does not concern you. Now, Angela come on," he said impatiently.
Emmett stepped forward, flexing his muscles as he moved. "I said; she belongs with us!"
"So move or die."
"We had no choice. We made a mistake," Victoria cackled, her voice nervous. She tried to back away a little but James grabbed her arm to pull her back.
"Shut up, Vic. They don't need to know."
"Mistake?"
"What Victoria means is that Angela is our responsibility. We won't stay in town long. We'll leave soon," James said, but it didn't sound like a promise.
Alice rolled her eyes. "I know you are lying. Your actions are very transparent. I see you stick around the area for at least a few more weeks. Unless we finish this now."
"Well," James smirked. "Let's finish it then."
(EDWARD POV)
"I am surprised that you haven't asked me how I know you are a vampire."
I rolled my eyes visibly, so he could see. "Your wife is one, your daughter is one. I am sure you are able to recognize our kind."
"You are different though. You interact with humans. You feed on animals."
"It's Carlisle's philosophy. We have all adapted," I shrugged.
"Fascinating."
"If you say so."
The road was narrowing and trees were lining up on the side of it, growing closer together -creating a blanket of green and brown: bark and leafs, which meant we were close to the thick fringe of the woods.
Which meant Bella was somewhere in those woods.
"And what about the fact your gift is useless with me," Daggett said, his eyes still on the road. "You don't want to know how it's possible?"
His question was casual and again it surprised me there was no mean undertone. He seemed genuinely curious.
"I am sure you have some sort of mind trick going. I just don't care."
"Now, now, that's not entirely true, now is it?" Daggett chided me. "Don't lie Edward."
"I think we both know you care very much. After all, if you could read my mind now, you wouldn't need me to take you to your precious Bella."
There was definite malice in his voice now. It made my fingers twitch.
"Instead, you need me. Not knowing if I am a friend or foe. I control you."
The smirk on his lips was enough to smash his head through the windshield.
(ANGELA POV)
I'd never liked violence. In fact, I had always detested it. But as a vampire and a new one at it, I felt a strange sense of blood spiked adrenaline course through me; it was instinctual to bend and twist my muscles into a defensive crouch; ready to fight.
I planted my feet firmly on the ground, looking for balance and stability. I wasn't ready to actually fight, I knew this, but it felt good to learn the basics of this new body.
James narrowed his eyes at me while Victoria looked pleading. I knew she was begging me to come along peacefully because she was smart enough to know James and she were outnumbered.
But I wasn't going to go with them. I was part of the Cullens now, no matter how strange that felt. And if they were going to fight, I had to fight along with them.
"Bring it!" Emmett boomed as he lunged at James, tackling him without effort.
Victoria hissed as James and Emmett took turns to slam each other to the ground. She wanted to protect her mate and tried to circle the two vampires who were wrestling on the ground.
Her eyes moved rapidly between Emmett and James – it was like she was watching a tennis match with a supersonic ball. I could see that she wanted to jump in but hesitated to do so.
Emmett was bigger and stronger than James and it seemed like he had the upper hand as he pounded on him and grabbed his arm only to tear it off like James was no more than a rag doll being ripped to shreds by a dog.
I blanched at the sight of James' arm remaining limp at his side. It looked very painful and James verbalized loudly how agonizing it was.
He roared in pain and anger which set Victoria off. She jumped on Emmett and tried to twist is neck.
But compared to James, Victoria was nothing more but an annoying bug Emmett shook off with ease.
She went flying and landed right in front of Jasper, who grabbed her from behind before she could get back to Emmett. Pulling her back by her fiery red hair, he dragged her away. She hissed and fought but Alice helped Jasper as she jumped on Victoria's back.
It seemed like an easy win until James finally got an opening as Emmett took a miniscule second to stand up and flex his muscles.
James lunged at Emmett, trying to bite his neck, leaving Emmett wincing in pain when he managed to sink his teeth into Emmett's shoulder instead.
This gave James momentary advantage and he grabbed Emmett's leg and swirled him around. It looked weird to see the strong-muscled guy being handled by James who was much smaller.
But Emmett didn't tolerate James' abuse for long. James kicked him to the ground but Emmett grabbed his leg and managed to bring him down too. James, fighting with one arm now, did not tolerate that as he flung himself at Emmett and tried to get a firm grip of his leg. Pulling at it, Emmett tried to free himself and managed to do so, kicking James a few feet away before getting up and jumping on him again.
Meanwhile, Jasper and Alice were dealing with Victoria who seemed to be getting mad with rage. She was attacking Alice who easily ducked her moves with a grace and fluency that stunned me. If I could be like that, I would be quite formidable. I briefly thought about how painful gym glass used to have been, because I'd never been an athlete. Now, I could do anything if I put the wide spaces of my mind to it.
Jacob was still holding my hand and I welcomed his touch because it kept me grounded. A part of me wanted to jump Victoria or lunge at James but I knew I would only be a distraction to Emmett, Jasper and Alice if I did. So I allowed Jacob to keep me in my place, rooted to the ground as I observed James with one arm and Victoria screeching with anger – they were the opposite of the Cullens who remained composed and calm.
It all seemed to go smoothly, because James was soon missing two arms and his dead limbs didn't crawl on their own like they did in the movies; they remained dead at his sides until Emmett kicked him down and tore both arms off completely.
I watched with fascination as the limbs seemed like porcelain, half shattered, half intact. James groaned and growled in pain but Emmett was relentless.
Now that James had no arms to defend himself, it seemed like an easy kill for Emmett.
The moment he went for James' throat I swallowed in reflex. I knew that one or two bites would be enough to finish James off.
Emmett gave him a head butt and then used his entire upper body to pin James down before leaning in and biting a piece of flesh off the side of his shoulder.
James' cries became louder and Victoria howled with him, unable to shake Alice off, who was biting away pieces of flesh herself, while Jasper kept Victoria down.
It would have been slightly comedic, had it not been so bizarre. It was like a bad horror flick coming to life and I realized that in the movies the good guys always won but never without a twist.
And soon a twist came.
It was the wind that alerted me, ruffling the leafs on the branches of the trees surrounding the open field, and the breeze stirred the scent towards me.
A musky but familiar scent was pushed my way, a scent that reminded me of that night.
The night I'd been taken from the prom and had been turned into a vampire.
Everything stopped. I no longer had the desire to watch what was unfolding in front of me. I only wanted to run. Maybe it was weird because a vampire's natural instinct was to protect itself against these dangers by fighting; not run from them. And earlier I had felt that adrenaline rush, the eagerness that was seeping into my bones and muscles; the awareness that had been telling me to fight.
But now I was a coward again and my body locked down; maybe to preserve itself as well. Maybe this was my way of dealing; I was young and inexperienced with this whole thing after all.
I stood there, fearing what was to come as my new friends tried to destroy the ones that had held me captive.
I wondered if they knew. If they could smell what I smelled. I gave Jacob a sideway glance but he remained stoic as he watched vampires being ripped to shreds.
He noticed me looking at him and his dark eyes met mine.
"You alright?" He murmured softly. "I know it looks brutal."
I shook my hand and clung to his hand, emphasizing that I was in fact not alright.
"Angie?" Jacob asked his voice grim but laced with worry. "What's wrong?"
"He is coming," was all I said.
(ANGELA POV)
"Who's coming?"
Jacob looked at me, his body tensing beside me.
"The one who took me."
Jacob understood immediately.
"Is he close?"
"Can't you smell him?" I asked.
Jacob shook his head. "Too many leeches around for me to smell anything distinguished."
Despite my worry I gave him a skeptical look.
"Leeches?"
"Sorry, bad habit," Jacob shrugged before he zeroed in on some moving branches in the distance.
"Looks like more company is coming."
"Garrett," I said as I tried to control the shakes that were crippling my muscles.
"We can deal with one more," Jacob said convincingly.
"Garrett is strong," I whispered. "And the Cullens are distracted still..."
While James and Victoria were both down, they were still fighting, especially Victoria. The Cullens didn't seem to have noticed the arrival of Garrett yet.
"Guess I need to help," Jacob muttered. "Emmett can't take on the armless idiot and the other one at the same time. And Red over there seems like a mean bitch, even if she is missing half her face and neck..."
"You're going to phase?"
I knew that would be the only way for him to fight. He would get hurt in his human form. Of course from what I had heard doctor Carlisle explain, he could get hurt in his wolf form as well.
He just nodded before dashing into the woods behind us, leaving me to fend for myself.
Garrett approached slowly, as if he were trying to reach a wounded animal. He looked at Victoria and James, watching them fight for their immortal lives. I thought he would jump right in to try and save them. But he didn't. Instead he headed straight towards me.
"Angela," he called his voice almost kind.
But I remembered how he had grabbed my breakable human body without remorse before handing me over to James and Victoria. This man was not here for me. I was just leverage.
I was bait.
Before I could speak or move, something furry dashed past me, leaving the fleeting feeling of a wet nose pressed against the back of my hand.
Jacob.
(EDWARD POV)
It had been a bad move to slam Daggett's head in. I mean, I knew he had driven me in the general area of where Bella would be, because her fragrance lingered here, albeit faintly.
This indicated it must have been a while since she had been in the area I was currently passing. '
But she had been here.
All I could do was follow her scent and hope it would bring me to her.
I had no idea of Daggett was alright or if he would come after me. There were plenty of questions I had for him but none of them mattered now that I was close to finding Bella on my own.
The woods were getting thicker and darker and the night sky wasn't visible through the dark fringe of leafs anymore. Bella's scent however was getting more dominant and if I focused hard enough I could follow her scent directly towards the place she was being kept.
I was almost there.
(BELLA POV)
My hands were hurting and itchy and I was exhausted. Try standing up for half a day without food, water or pee breaks and see how you like it. It sucked beyond any doubt.
As time progressed and my body threatened to succumb under the pressure, the fear and the general tiredness I just wanted it to be over with.
I mean, I obviously didn't want to die but the endless waiting was draining m worse than a blood lusting vampire could.
Also, I missed Edward and my soul ached to see him. I wanted to be in the comfort and protection of his arms. It had been hours but it felt like days. And I had no idea of knowing if Edward was close to finding me.
I looked over to see Sapphire leaning against a tree, not too far from me. She looked almost as tired as I felt.
Watching her intently for a minute made me feel a little sorry for her. She was so naïve. She begged her mother to be a vampire but she had no idea what it entailed to be one.
I thought of Angela and how she had dealt with the unexpected hand she'd been given. It had been involuntary and very painful.
It made no sense that Sapphire would desire such a thing and yet she did. I supposed she wanted to be close to her mother and sister.
And Edward.
She turned her head and our eyes met. Then she looked back at her mother who was scattering about a few feet away, humming to herself like a small child hiding in the bliss of a make belief world.
"You're going to die," Sapphire taunted me.
My sympathy immediately dropped a couple of notches. If she wanted to play this game, I would join and beat her.
"So are you," I countered with a shrug.
Kate turned to look at us but decided not to intervene.
"I'll be a vampire," Sapphire assured me with a smug smile.
I snorted, which made her frown.
"What's funny?" she grumbled.
"You say it like it is a good thing."
"It will be," Sapphire vowed.
"Really? It doesn't seem like it is so great."
"Well, you will never find out how exciting it'll be to be beautiful and powerful."
I rolled my eyes which aggravated Sapphire.
This gave me small satisfaction.
"Beautiful and powerful? Wow, you sure have priorities."
I continued before she could say another word.
"Ask you mom what it is like to be writhing in excruciating pain. To feel your hart stop. To have such a craving for blood you become a murderer."
I remembered the stories Edward had told me about what it had felt like to be changed. It would hurt and that was an understatement. And after the transformation there was a time of doubt and confusion. There would be a choice between becoming a monster or fighting against the supernatural and maintain a sense of humanity.
It wasn't an experience you would want your teenage daughter to go through.
Sapphire's face fell and she turned her head to look at her mother.
"Mom?"
"Don't tell me you want that, Sapphire." I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. Maybe if I could get through to her, it would make a difference. At the very least I was buying more time. "Don't tell me you want to be become a monster. There is nothing beautiful or powerful about it."
"Mom?" she asked again, her voice uncertain.
Kate turned and gave her daughter a lazy smile. I wondered if she had even been paying attention to our conversation.
"Don't listen to her, sweetheart."
"She is jealous."
Kate Daggett moved over to her daughter and cupped her face before her crimson eyes focused on me. I knew she was trying to intimidate me as she slowly approached me.
I pushed the sense to scream away.
"Tsk," I mocked. "You think I am jealous?" I hated how my voice faltered.
"Poor girl, so close to death," Kate Daggett breathed and she slid to me.
Her cool breath caressed my face with a freezing burn that seemed to cut my skin. It scared me as much as it disgusted me.
I could die. I could actually die.
Edward where are you?
"You can kill me," I whispered. "But what kind of mother would kill her own daughter in the process and put her through the horror of becoming an immortal?"
She didn't answer me. Instead she hissed at me and bared her teeth in warning.
I turned away and noticed Sapphire's eyes.
She didn't look so triumphant anymore.
(EDWARD POV)
Bella.
I could sense that she was close. Very close.
I could taste her on my tongue. Freesias and strawberries; it was heavenly. It was home.
But there was something else in the air. Something harsh and better: the smell of chemicals.
Something I had smelled before when I had found pieces of Angela's prom dress near Hartzell Creek.
Victoria and/or her mother were close. I remembered that Angela had said they had unnaturally curly hair. Hair that would be curled artificially; a perm. I smelled the chemicals in their hair.
I halted and closed my eyes. There was a faint voice in the distance, penetrating my thoughts.
It was like listening to static without being able to make out all the words but still catching some.
It sounded like juvenile complaints. Hungry. Tired.
Human.
But it wasn't Bella.
There was another voice; this one was clear but unfamiliar. No one I had come across before.
"Don't listen to her, sweetheart."
I moved towards the voice, letting it lead me to the right place.
I still didn't recognize the voice belonging to the words inside my head but I knew I had to follow it.
"Poor girl, so close to death," the voice said aloud.
I opened my eyes and hissed and roared like an animal who watched its mate being wounded.
Bella was near. I could truly taste her on my tongue now. Her scent, her fear. The unique fluttering of her heart inside her chest. Her breathing which was slightly shaky but steady enough to rassure me she was still alive. I didn't smell fresh or dried blood, so it didn't look like she had been hurt.
She was so close.
I fought the urge to yell and call out for her, knowing that would get her killed much faster.
Sprinting through the woods, I listened for voices but all was quiet. Only the static in my head remained and I followed it like a lifeline that connected me to Bella.
I would find her.
The static got louder and started irritating me. The words that escaped on occasion were triumphant and malicious.
I am so bored. I hope she dies soon.
Dashing past trees, the ground light under my feet I felt like I was flying. I jumped on branches and swayed off rocks. I used the ground as a trampoline as I bounded towards the source of the static blindly.
And then, more sudden and unexpected than I had expected, I found myself in a small clearing.
And on the other side of it was a large tree with a small girl bound to it, two other female surrounding her.
One was human and mean spirited – the static with minimal words came from her.
Sapphire.
The other woman's thoughts were clear and full of desire for blood and chaos.
This must be Kate Daggett.
The third girl was quiet and I couldn't access her thoughts.
But when her dark chocolate eyes met mine I saw everything in them that I couldn't read in her mind.
Bella.
Relief was short lived as Kate Daggett turned around. Almost like in slow motion her eyes lifted to mine and excitement and a challenge lay in them.
She had been expecting me. Just like her husband.
"Edward Cullen. It sure took you long enough. And here I thought you were such a gentleman," she reprimanded me.
"Get away from her," I growled as I moved closer.
But Kate Daggett did no such thing. Instead she leaned in to her prey and inhaled deep, playing with Bella's mahogany locks as she showed her teeth close to Bella's carotid artery.
It wasn't a warning, nor a threat.
"Now now Edward…," she chided me smugly. "No need to be rude."
It was a promise.
"You'll get your nibble soon enough."
Her teeth pierced through Bella's creamy skin before I had a chance to rip her to pieces.
A/N: This story will have 1 more regular chapter and an epilogue. I'll update both of them as soon as possible.
After that I will take a small break to prepare for Volume 2. So the story as a whole is far from over but some things will be resolved by chapter 50.
- I am very proud to be a part of a New Countdown. Countdown to VDay The Misplaced love Letter: www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6618121/1/
More information on here as well: www(dot)wix(dot)com/twilightfanfics/holidaycountdowns
Check out this blog: angst-thenewfluff(dot)blogspot(dot)com/ if you want recommendations on good angsty stories, inspiring debates on fanfiction and so much more. They have interviewed me for my other story Bring On The Wonder.
As always, thanks for all the support. I truly appreciate people sticking with this story! It truly is far from over. There is so much more in store for Bella and Edward.
Have a good week and Happy Valentine's Day!
