Breakdown Chapter 18- Choices (ARC 3), a twilight fanfic

Tomas is a dick, a super-dick. Someone kill this evil jerk please.

Ya'll! I got no reviews last chapter! I'm so bummed about it.

TRIGGERS: REALLY VIOLENT AND DARK IMAGERY. LOTS OF IT.

Dedicated to the artists who speak to me

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Leave My Body

Edward really should've known better than to leave Bella on her own the next day. Bella had slept until almost mid-day; but could avoid her duties no longer.

Lizzie had apologized profusely when she woke her Queen. Josephat had taken the day for himself, sending word for Bella to please take care of herself, and he would return tomorrow morning and had better find her in one piece. Marcos had taken sadistic glee in delivering Jo's message to Isa in great detail; apparently, he was still a little sore about having to deal with his own rowdy men. When Edward had said as much, Marcos had laughed.

"Well of course I'm ornery! You try dealing with those idiot first-years and their foolishness. They are so preoccupied with physical strength; they neglect their own character. Your brother is fairly refreshing to work with. I guess all that life makes you guys more experienced with dealing with your flaws. You know, if vampires could do magick, you guys would be unstoppable."

Edward nodded, pleased by Marcos' unexpectedly easy manner with him for once. Marcos had grown suddenly serious though, looking at Edward with expectation in his eyes. "With a little training, you might actually be a pretty good defender for Isa. You certainly care enough."

"Wow, Marcos, coming from you; that's saying something." Kaedra stood in the doorway of the attic. "That's his way of saying you're a little weakling and he's dying to whip you into shape, Edward."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'd let Alex whip him first."

So, Edward had kissed Bella softly and gone to the training grounds, hoping he could learn something to help him protect his love from her enemies. He had forgotten Bella's biggest enemy was herself.

After he had learned to overcome the freezing spell that held him hostage in dangerous situations and got ground into the dirt by a few of the warriors in Bella's service, Edward called it quits for the day. Alex promised him he could return whenever he had time and she would help him.

Edward was proud and determined as he headed to Bella's office. He met up with Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, and Esme on the way, who were headed to drop off medical reports, budgets, and a status update on the first years; they all wanted to check on Bella after her rough night, see how her day was going.

When Edward opened the door to Bella's office, he thought for just a moment that his lover was meditating. Her lotus pose had grown familiar over his time in Havana. Then Bella's body shuddered, echoes of her past self and a glowing white figure wrapped in chains shaking and flashing around her unsteadily.

She convulsed, and Edward ran to kneel at her side, Carlisle close behind, already telling Jasper to find Josephat. Bella did not acknowledge their presence in any way, it's like they weren't even there. Edward's senses suddenly processed the smell of Bella's blood and followed it. Her blood coated a small knife lying innocently on the floor next to her, and Edward found an orderly set of lacerations over the brand on his lover's left shoulder. "Carlisle." He revealed the knife and the self-inflicted wounds to his father, only to hear Alice gasp from behind him, clutching at Esme's hand.

"That's an iobairt. The Seers use them to make sacrifices and improve their Sight. Bella's forcing a vision." His sister shuddered, her mind filled with images of what Fae Seers did to reveal the past, present, and future. Edward couldn't focus on the images, they frightened him. "How do we stop it, Alice?"

"An iobairt throws you far away from your body. But the blood sacrifice is still new. Maybe if-"

Bella shuddered again, and the white silhouette jerked on the chains that connected it to Bella's physical form, disconnecting all but the biggest one. When Bella stilled and opened her eyes, they were blinded white.

I'm gonna be released from behind these lines
And don't care whether I live or die
And I'm losing blood, I'm gonna leave my bones
And I don't want your heart it leaves me cold

"It's too late now!" Alice cried. "The white thing, it's Bella's spirit form, her mental presence. I've never seen one in chains before. Wherever she's gone, she's stuck there until the iobairt releases her from her sacrifice. Jo—Thank God."

Josephat rushed into the office, looking more exhausted than Edward had ever seen him. "What has she done? Oh." Josephat took in the iobart on the floor. "Oh shit. Why? What could she possibly want to See so badly? Kaedra told me she had a vision yesterday, could this be related?"' He rolled his sleeves to his elbows, approaching with haste. "Where did she cut, Carlisle? Edward, Alice, watch her mental form, make sure nothing harms it. Goddammit, I'm gonna kill her."

I don't want your future
I don't need your past
One grand moment
Is all I ask

Bella convulsed, and suddenly her glowing spirit was holding Rockabye.

I'm gonna leave my body (Moving up to higher ground)
I'm gonna lose my mind (History keeps pulling me down)
Said I'm gonna leave my body (Moving up to higher ground)
I'm gonna lose my mind (History keeps pulling me, pulling me down)

When they called Josephat's attention to the change, the healer's hands stilled, still glowing with healing magick. "She's looking for her. My daughter. Isabella is looking for my daughter." The magick faded from his hands. "I- I can't. I won't lose one precious person to find another. I won't." Josephat's hands lit up again, pouring blue-magick into Bella, whose eyes flashed black, her form stiffening and jerking choppily. She looked like she was having a seizure, but her lotus position did not change. Josephat distractedly passed a strand of magick to Carlisle. "Stop the bleeding. It will help break her from the vision. Stupid, selfless girl. I'm gonna kill her."

I don't need a husband, don't need no wife
And I don't need the day, I don't need the night, the night
Don't need the birds let them fly away
And I don't want the clouds, they never seem to stay

A dark shadow appeared behind Bella's spirit, grabbing her in a chokehold and licking the silhouette's face obscenely. Alice cried out in warning. Bella fell from her stiff form, convulsing on the floor as her eyes were consumed with black, only occasional flashes of white and weak gold. Carlisle couldn't get the lacerations over Bella's brand to close and told Josephat so. Edward could smell burning flesh.

"NO. You come back, Isabella. You come back right now." Josephat was panicking.

I don't want no future (Want your future)
I don't need no past (Need no past)
One grand moment (One grand moment)
Is all I ask

With one last convulsion that arched Bella's spine off the floor, the white form flared brightly, and the shadow that had held her captive disappeared.

I'm gonna leave my body (Moving up to higher ground)
I'm gonna lose my mind (History keeps pulling me down)
Said I'm gonna leave my body (Moving up to higher ground)
I'm gonna lose my, lose my mind (History keeps pulling me, pulling me down)

Bella was still for a long second as the cast echoed around them, the song powerful, building from far away.

Pulling me down (And it's pulling me down)
Pulling me down (And it's pulling me down)
Pulling me down (And it's pulling, pulling me down)
Pulling me, pulling me down

An image appeared. A young, dark-skinned girl, no older than two or three, with a red cloth wrapped around her hair and exceptional hazel eyes. The girl was gazing at them as though she could see them, before dissolving away slowly.

Said I'm gonna leave my body (Moving up to higher ground)
Gonna lose my mind (History keeps pulling me down)
(Moving up to higher ground, history keeps pulling me, pulling me down)

Bella's form stilled. She blinked her eyes until they were doe-brown once more, but there was no quip, no "Hi guys, when did you get here?". One second Bella was convulsing on the floor, and the next she was shimmering into her battle-dress with a snarl, pushing up from the floor and headed towards the door. "Esme, get Marcos and Keadra. Now. We're going to get her, Jo. I'm gonna kill that bastard."

My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark

Ooh oh oh oh, ooh oh oh oh
Be careful making wishes in the dark
Can't be sure when they've hit their mark
And besides in the meantime I'm just dreaming of tearing you apart

Jasper took in Bella's emotional state with shock. His Fae-sister was furious, enraged, murderous. He heard himself hiss at her instinctually as she approached him and Emmett in the hall outside her office. Bella threw him into the wall telekinetically, not even looking at him as she stalked towards the council chamber.

I'm in the details with the devil
So now the world can never get me on my level
I just got to get you out of the cage
I'm a young lovers rage
Gonna need a spark to ignite
My songs know what you did in the dark

"Kaedra better get her pretty little ass down here. I'll need to give her my signet before we leave. Marcos- There you are. We need access to the badlands. You need to convince the portal guard to look the other way. Hurry. Come to council when you're done."

So light em up up up, light em up up up,
light em up up up, I'm on fire
So light em up up up, light em up up up,
light em up up up, I'm on fire

"Isa, this is insane, what's-" Bella grabbed Marcos by his vest and pulled him in close, her eyes narrowed.

Ooh oh oh oh (In the dark, in the dark)
Ooh oh oh oh (In the dark, in the dark)

"Someone is going to die tonight, Marcos. One way or another. Unless you want it to be you, I would suggest you follow my orders. Am I your Queen or not?" She shoved her commander away violently. "Jo, Edward, Alice, Carlisle, you're staying here. Jasper and Emmett, you are part of the Core. I will not order you to stay, but I would certainly recommend it."

All the writers keep writing what they write
Somewhere another pretty vein just dies
I've got the scars from tomorrow and I wish you could see
That you're the antidote to everything except for me

Those she was leaving behind yowled protests, but Bella's eyes flashed black and then flaming gold, and she whirled to face them in front of the doors to the council chamber. "Be quiet. This is not a debate. If you want to fight about it, throw a punch. Otherwise, shut the fuck up and get out of my way." Her aura was gold fire, and her face dared them to try her.

A constellation of tears on your lashes
Burn everything you love
Then burn the ashes
In the end everything collides

Jasper's head was spinning with the emotions in the room, but he took up position on one side of his sister silently, Emmett took the other, with Marcos re-joining them from wherever he had flashed to, taking his position protecting Bella's flank. Kaedra threw open the council doors, looking upset; and Bella tossed her a small jewel before she could speak a word.

My childhood spat back the monster that you see
My songs know what you did in the dark

So light em up up up, light em up up up,
light em up up up, I'm on fire
So light em up up up, light em up up up,
light em up up up, I'm on fire

She clapped her hands, and the room disappeared.

Cowboy Casanova

It was night, that strange time of day when the sun has set but the stars have not come out. The smell of smoke and something worse burned in Jasper's nostrils. The city was cloaked in malevolent firelight from pyres burning in random intervals along the street, some burning high; others were already burnt out, with ashy forms of half-burnt corpses throwing long shadows that danced uncontrollably with the flames, making the light change around them constantly.

Around the pyres, women danced madly to jeers and slurs from the crowds of men, some of them engaged in depraved acts with bound others. Screams and shouts echoed in the air around them. Jasper's eyes rested briefly on a girl held captive with a chain around her neck, her face submissive and blank, even once she saw him. Bella wasted no time, not even looking around her as she grabbed another of the filthy women near them. "Where is he?"

The teen shook, tears pooling in her eyes; she pointed meekly down the street to a gothic castle that towered over the others, cast in black stone. Bella cast her aside gently, walking quickly towards the imposing towers. Jasper and Emmett drew nearer to her, and Jasper felt the fear and disgust rolling off Emmett in waves. He bolstered his brother with a shot of confidence and protectiveness, turning his head to track Marcos as they entered the castle's gates.

When Jasper turned back, Bella's flooded golden gaze was on him. Jasper noticed the strange gothic black that bled from where it was painted around her eyes.

You better take it from me
That boy is like a disease
You're runnin' and tryin' and tryin' to hide
And you're wondering why you can't get free

As they entered the courtyard in front of the towers, the level of violent hedonism around them increased, becoming more than depraved; it was evil in its purest form. A young girl in the corner of his eye was feasting on a bloody organ that's scent was human, as black-clad soldiers placed bets. Jasper couldn't stop a shudder from wracking him.

Bella lifted a glass of champagne from a plate borne by a panicked-looking boy, snatching the silver platter from the boy's hands and throwing it hard at Tomas' head in an unseen motion. It struck the evil man who sat near the bonfire with his back to them.

The courtyard fell dead silent, the only sound the crackling of the bonfire and the sound of faraway violence.

"Hello, honey. Having a good night?" Bella sneered, and Tomas turned slowly, standing as he twisted to face them and casting aside a young woman with dark hair, who spat fluid onto the floor as he threw her off him. He tucked himself back into his pants lazily, his face transforming from boredom to sick excitement.

He's like a curse; he's like a drug
You get addicted to his love
You wanna get out, but he's holding ya down
'Cause you can't live without one more touch

"Isssssssabella, how nice of you to join us. We're celebrating. I'd ask if you wanted a drink, but I see you've already acquired one. Perhaps something a bit stronger?" A glowing blue vial materialized in Tomas' outstretched hand, and he ran it across his knuckles, twirling it so it caught the firelight. Bella laughed, but the sound contained no mirth—only hatred. "Where's your worm: Erik? I do hope you didn't kill him for letting me pass. Staff changes create so many weak points."

"I know why you're heeee-eere." Tomas sing-songed, his mood turning gleeful. "Come closer baby, stay awhile. The girl-child will be brought out soon enough. I can see why you saved her, she's very gifted. Why, I had to convince the Master not to absorb her Sight, so I could set up our little date."

He's a good time cowboy Casanova
Leaning up against the record machine
He looks like a cool drink of water
But he's candy-coated misery

Bella paused, shocked, before reigning in her emotions and glancing back at her soldiers. Then, she drank heavily from her champagne glass, before handing it to Marcos and walking toward Tomas with a deliberate sway in her hips. Her voice was calm and collected as she insulted Tomas, her emotions distant. "Did wittle-Tomas have a fight with daddy? Poor pet."

"Careful, you're in my territory. And I'd love to have you kiss it better."

Bella's face remained blank at the clear threat; but Emmett growled, bloodlust welling in his brother. Jasper smothered him with calm, leaning on his experience with newborns heavily.

"So rude of you not to introduce your new friends, Isabella. Strange company you keep."

"Emmett; Marcos. And I believe you already know Jasper." Bella's smile was wicked. "Tell me, how are your guards? Jasper certainly dealt them a fair blow at our last meeting, I hope the Master was kind to them."

Tomas' emotions darkened, and he snapped his fingers; a dead-face steward appeared, carrying a platter filled with lines of cocaine. Tomas took a long snort, rubbing the powder across his teeth as Bella stretched out languidly on a loveseat cattycorner to him. She took on a bored affect, leaning her head against her hand and propping herself on one elbow. Jasper and Marcos shared a loaded look as they took up position on either side of her, forcing Emmett to stand behind Bella.

He's the devil in disguise
A snake with blue eyes
And he only comes out at night
Gives you feelings that you don't wanna fight
You better run for your life

"I can admit you thrashed me quite thoroughly at our last encounter. Did you enjoy my gift? Your mortal father's face was ecstatic as I crushed him."

Bella's face was dangerous: her eyes golden, voice soft. "Don't think I'll forgive you what you did, Tomas."

"What I did, my dear? You brought it on yourself, you always do. Why, like little Rockabye. You killed her mother, and she will die because of you. It took me so long to find her, wherever did you find that clever guard?"

"I hope Jason tore your forces to shreds, babe."

Dark satisfaction rose in Bella as Tomas' glared, showing his emotions on his face. He clapped his hands together, and the crowd began to part in a long path.

I see that look on your face
You ain't hearing what I say
So I'll say it again 'cause I been where ya been
And I know how it ends, you can't get away
Don't even look in his eyes
He'll tell you nothing but lies
And you wanna believe that you won't be deceived
If you listen to me and take my advice

Erik was approaching them through the crowd, his face hard and cruel. He was missing his left hand, and the stump was filled with foul infection. With him, —Jasper flinched as he felt his own emotions grow dangerous, the tang of bloodlust in the back of his throat. Walking next to Erik was the tan girl from Bella's vision in the office, her face painted into a vivid skull and a chain around her neck. Rockabye.

He's a good time cowboy Casanova
Leaning up against the record machine
He looks like a cool drink of water
But he's candy-coated misery
He's the devil in disguise
A snake with blue eyes
And he only comes out at night
Gives you feelings that you don't wanna fight
You better run for your life

Jasper looked back to Bella, who had kept her eyes on her enemy, watching as Tomas' eyes were consumed with hateful black. She had known the Master would not miss this particular show, and Jasper felt primal fear begin to rise within the Fae Queen, though her eyes remained flames of gold that eerily reflected the light of the bonfire.

Run, run away, don't let him mess with your mind
He'll tell you anything you wanna hear
He'll break your heart; it's just a matter of time
But just remember

Marcos suddenly moved, striking out at Erik's stump, his weak point. As Erik dropped the chain and clutched at his wound, gasping, Marcos grabbed the girl-child away from him. Tomas flashed to the loveseat, reaching for Bella's neck; but Emmett anticipated him, throwing him away before he could touch her and leaping over the barrier of Bella to strike at him. Jasper rushed to contain the crowd already swelling to attack Marcos where he protected the precious child, throwing punches and baring his teeth. He managed to subdue the crowd before things could get out of control, sending a massive wave of lethargy towards them. Silent tears were pouring from Josephat's daughter, but she did not struggle or put up a fight when Marcos threw her over his shoulder. Bella smirked with bloodlust in her smile, sitting up and stretching languidly before she flashed to break Tomas' fingers where he had thrown them out to form a fireball against Emmett. She tutted, her long fingers closing around Tomas' windpipe.

"So much effort, and you disadvantaged your own guard before the climax. Honestly, Tomas, I don't envy you this evening. Be nice, and I might even kill you before the Master arrives. Always a day late and a dollar short, honey."

It was Tomas' turn to smile. "Oh baby, the Dark has always been so hot on you. But it is not me who is at a disadvantage." A soldier in a dark cloak levitated above the bonfire, slitting his own throat in such a way that the blood sprayed over the crowd. Jasper saw Bella's eyes widen and she cursed, turning from Tomas to Emmett; before multiple members of Tomas' forces followed the soldier's example: cutting into the bound women or inflicting wounds on themselves, coating the ground with fresh blood that formed pools. Jasper unwillingly dropped his guard for just a second, enticed by the sweet scent of the red around him.

Oh, you better run for your life

Just like that, it was over. Jasper was pinned, frozen to the ground, and bound in iron chains that burned through him. He heard Emmett scream as similar chains wrapped his brother. Marcos was overwhelmed by the crowd, still struggling to hold on to the toddler as he was shoved to his knees. Erik struck him in the ribs with a low punch and kicked him repeatedly. Bella still had her hands around Tomas' neck, but the man's face was stretched in pleasure as a soldier brought Rockabye to where he and Bella stood.

Oh, you better run for your life

Too Good at Goodbyes

Emmett looked up from where his guard had thrown him at Tomas' feet, in line now with Jasper and Marcos, who was in rough shape. Tomas' eyes were still coated in black, though the blue of his irises glowed through. He removed Bella's lax hands from his neck, kissing each palm softly as though in comfort.

"So close, Isabella. I'm quite impressed by your loved ones." His tone turned dirty and seductive. "They will always be nothing but a weakness. When will you learn that?"

He shook his head indulgently. "It's no fun when you're predictable, babe." He turned Bella so her back was to him, and Bella did not fight him as the sonofabitch put his hands on her hips, rubbing his thumbs over her dress with his triumphant gaze on Emmett.

"Let's play a game, honey. I'll issue an order and count to five. If you follow it, I'll let one of them go, let them run back to your pathetic little hole in the wall for help. If you don't, well..." Tomas motioned to the guard with a boot on Jasper's back, and suddenly the soldier was holding a ball of fire. "Vampires are so flammable, aren't they? I'm sure your wild friend would burn as well, though maybe not quite so quickly." Tomas looked pensive for a moment, his eyes flashing blue before they were consumed once more. Bella couldn't hold back a shudder, and Tomas took a deep breath, dipping one hand inwards along her pelvis while he brought the other one up to Bella's face, sliding it up her body lewdly.

"A kiss, Isabella. One."

Bella was frozen, her eyes on her captive friends as the gold faded from them.

"Two."

She shifted her gaze to Rockabye, taking in the child's form, the tear-tracks on her young face. Her eyes faded further, a hazy white sheen falling over them, and the girl-child's eyes turned white too.

Tomas struck out like a snake, flashing between Bella and the girl and slapping Bella hard across the face, knocking her to the ground. Emmett struggled helplessly against the iron that bound him, and the soldier with the fireball watched him, allowing the fire he held to flare.

"Three, and four. I don't like your clever tricks, honey. Shall I keep counting? Your Jasper would burn quickly."

Bella's gaze turned doe-brown once more, but Rockabye had stopped crying, looking at Bella with new affection and protective worry.

Bella slinked up from the floor in a fluid motion, and granted Tomas his request, touching her lips to his reluctantly and standing perfectly still as Tomas licked into her mouth obscenely. The evil man moaned before he shot Emmett a wicked grin, and Emmett moved him to the top of the kill-list in his mind.

Bloodlust still raged in him, made even worse by the scent that surrounded him and Tomas' provocative actions, Bella's subservience. Hopelessness welled in Emmett as he flexed again, the iron burning hotter and tightening on his wrists.

"Emmett." Bella's voice was full of warning, authoritative. "Be still."

"Ba-abe, you never let me have my fun. I love watching you watch them squirm."

Tomas had not backed away from Emmett's Fae-sister, and he reached for her again, digging his nails into Bella's shoulders and pulling her stiff form closer. "Too bad this isn't the good ole' days. I'd have given you a hell of a show, Emmett. Fuck, I might have let you participate. I can be very persuasive."

Emmett growled, not liking the implications of that statement one bit, and pissed that the asshole had addressed him directly. "Burn in hell, bastard. I look forward to your lifeblood on my tongue."

"Your friend's snark has just earned you a demerit, Isabella. I think a restraint will be proper punishment."

Bella didn't do anything but shoot Tomas an annoyed glare as three black-clad soldiers bound her arms behind her back, tying her tightly from shoulder blades to wrist with complicated knots and chanting under their breath. Emmett stilled his struggles and shut up.

"I must say, I had almost forgotten how pretty you looked all trussed up. I like the dress. It'd look good on my floor. Knees, Isabella."

Bella knelt on the ground at Tomas' feet, bending over awkwardly because of the way her hands were tied, but with the ease of long practice. Tomas tapped his chin thoughtfully. "This game isn't as much fun as I expected from you. Where's all that passion, fire, defiance? No, wait, I see. It's far too simple. We've played this way too many times before. Let's skip to the final level. Always time for the fun stuff after."

Sudden alarm flared on Bella's face, panic briefly filling her gaze as she looked at her brothers desperately.

"You know how this goes, Isabella. Time to repay your debt. I'll be generous here, since the girl is still young. I'll give you a full minute to decide. Your new friends and your guard? Or the child?"

Bella's face was frantic now, her binds beginning to smoke. She remained pointedly silent as her emotions betrayed her.

Jasper felt a moment, not even a full second, of uncertainty from her. Then, there was only blankness, colored with Bella's determination. Jasper sent a prayer to a God he didn't really believe in that Bella would choose him and her other protectors to die, eyeing the soldier with the dagger in his hand behind the toddler. He committed the man's face to memory, just in case. Bella could be very stubborn.

"Thirty seconds, Isabella. Don't be droll."

Bella snapped her bonds, struggling to her feet. Her tear-filled eyes flashed white for just a second as her hair swung in front of her face, hiding it from Tomas.

When only five seconds were left in her allotted time, Bella raised her hand, silently pointing towards Rockabye with her eyes beginning to flash rapidly between gold and blinded white.

Tomas nodded at the soldier behind the child, motioning for him to pause and looking surprised as he took in Bella's blank, dead face. "What are you-" Before Tomas could finish his sentence, the world exploded.

Stand My Ground

The earth shook violently, and Jasper felt the soldier's boot on his back fall away. Jasper leapt up, prepared to engage the soldier despite his binds, but the man's fireball had already grown to consume his form, burning him alive as he panicked and flailed.

Rockabye was halfway to where Bella and Tomas stood, sprinting hard; and Bella punched Tomas in the gut hard before she turned to gather the child in her arms, balancing her on one hip as she pointed at the three of them and uttered a word Jasper didn't understand. The enchanted iron that had held him fell to them ground uselessly, and the relief that encompassed Bella was almost hysterical in its strength. She tossed Rockabye to Emmett and turned back to Tomas. Throughout the entirety of the courtyard, men were hanging in midair, struggling to breathe against Bella telekinetic hold on their necks. "So close, Tomas."

Bella parroted the man's words back to him as he caught his breath, straightening from his bent position to take in his soldiers hanging suspended in midair. "Impossible."

"You would be amazed at what's possible in the name of love. Too bad you'll never know. Your turn to choose. You can let us leave peacefully, or I can start with your soldiers and end with you. They're nothing but a weakness, honey. When will you learn that?"

I can see
When you stay low, nothing happens
Does it feel right?

Late at night
Things I thought, I put behind me
Haunt my mind

"Master is going to kill you."

"He's not my Master, Tomas. He is yours though, so I would recommend a wise choice."

I just know there's no escape now
Once it sets its eyes on you
But I won't run, have to stare it in the eye

Stand my ground, I won't give in
No more denying, I got to face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will stand my ground

For just a moment, Bella's eyes were as consumed with black as Tomas' were, and Jasper felt unreasonable fear at the mirror image.

It's all around
Getting stronger, coming closer
Into my world
(My world)

I can feel
That it's time for me to face it
Can I take it?

"Thirty seconds, baby. No rush."

Though this might just be the ending
Of the life I held so dear
But I won't run, there's no turning back from here

The time passed, Tomas stony face did not change, he did not decide. "So hypocritical. You constantly underestimate me, and I have no doubt you will pay for it in blood. Have it your way."

Stand my ground, I won't give in
No more denying, I got to face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will stand my ground

The suspended soldiers were panicking, betrayed and frantic because of their leader's indecision. Jasper heard the snap of neck bones, and the soldiers who had wounded themselves to distract he and Emmett fell to the ground, limp and unseeing.

All I know for sure is I'm trying
I will always stand my ground

Anger and rage painted the faces of Tomas' suspended forces now, and Tomas' eyes faded back to their natural blue. "Clever. Very clever."

Stand my ground, I won't give in
(I won't give in)
I won't give up
(I won't give up)
No more denying, I got to face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will

Bella's nose began to bleed from the effort of the magick she was casting. Tomas realized she couldn't hold it for much longer and began to circle her in the battle dance Jasper had seen before, stretching time to see how long Bella could last. Bella did not return the circle, a wicked grin painting her gothic painted face in the firelight as an unnaturally amplified and terrifying scream rang through the badlands.

"Enjoy your evening, baby. See you soon." Bella blew Tomas a kiss, and the wicked man lunged for her just as a portal opened, sweeping Bella, Jasper, Emmet,Marcos, and Rockabye back to safety.

Stand my ground, I won't give in
No more denying, I got to face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will stand my ground

Zydrate Anatomy (Repo!)

Emmett took a moment to process the last three minutes of his life before he turned to Bella in the massive dining hall of Castle HQ, already moving to sweep his sister into a celebratory spin.

He stopped in his tracks the moment he saw Bella's face. "Mar-cos." Bella's word was halting as she called her commander's attention to her. She spat blood on to the floor, pulling something from the side of her neck before she stumbled and fell, eyes turning an electric neon blue.

An empty needle clinked as it landed on the tile.