Edward's Point of View
It felt like an eternity of running, as I followed Casey through the woods. I was beginning to second guess the direction we appeared to be heading in. There was no way that Bella and Tidus went this far away, just to have a conversation. I attempted to sneak a peek into her thoughts, but millions of different pieces of useless information was all I could hear. I couldn't pick anything out of the noise. But I knew something wasn't right. I couldn't pick up on Bella's scent anywhere.
Finally Casey stopped, just as we made it nearly twenty miles away from our community. She paused, looking around with a look of confusion on her face.
"This doesn't make any sense, Tidus told me that this would be where he would be taking Bella, to talk."
I narrowed my eyes at her. "They aren't here. Not even a hint of either one of their scents is here."
She didn't make eye contact with me. "I'm really sorry Edward, I don't know where they are." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Anger boiled hot inside me. "What do you mean by that Casey." Without thinking I grabbed a hold of her shoulders and forced her to make eye contact with me. I glared daggers into her eyes. "This was on purpose… wasn't it?" I accused.
She visibly swallowed, tears started to stream down her cheeks. "Y-yes, but none of this was my idea. I promise." She stuttered. "This was all Tidus' idea."
My hold on her shoulders tightened, causing her to let out a whimper of pain. "Tell me where they are."
"I'm telling you… I don't know. Tidus only said to keep you and the others distracted, while he takes Bella away." She cried.
I let out an enraged growl as I shifted my hold to around her wrist. The contact brought on the sound of a crack and I felt the bones in her wrist give. She screamed in shock and agony as I pulled her along. We would run back home to the others, and she would answer for her betrayal. But first, we needed to find out where Tidus was taking Bella. The run back home was much shorter, I didn't have to follow Casey's speed. We made it back under ten minutes.
Darius was sitting on the porch, tears in his eyes. He looked up to meet my angered expression. "What's going on? Where is mom?"
"Tidus kidnapped her, with Casey's help here." I sneered down at Casey.
Darius shook his head slowly, walking over to us. "No, no way. Casey wouldn't do something like that." His eyes darted between me and her.
Casey was weeping quietly, not making eye contact with Darius, sorrow was thick in her voice. "It's the truth Darius."
Darius' expression became unreadable as I drug Casey along, back inside the house where Carlisle and Alice were patiently waiting.
Upon entering the room, I noticed Avery laying on the couch, completely still, pale and a sheet covering her body. I couldn't hear her heart beating.
"She… didn't make it." Carlisle said with the sigh, a sad look on his face. "I even tried to give her my blood. But her body rejected it."
Alice spoke up now with a glare in Casey's direction. "You had something to do with this. Didn't you?"
Casey's body trembled, fear dancing in her eyes as she looked between everyone in the room. "T-Tidus told me that I had to create a big enough distraction to keep everyone busy… so he could take Bella. I figured… Avery getting sick would cause everyone to focus on saving her life."
Darius flew forward, raising a hand out, as if to strike Casey, but Alice moved in between them, and stopped Darius' hand before it made contact.
"You witch! You killed her."Darius pointed in Avery's direction. "She is dead because of you. And you helped get my mother kidnapped."
"I-I'm so sorry Daius, I didn't… want to hurt anyone." She muttered, tears sliding heavily down her cheeks.
Alice quickly pulled Darius in for a hug, which seemed to almost instantly calm him down. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in close to his chest.
"How did you harm Avery?" Carlisle asked, with a frown.
"It's a special tonic that Tidus created years ago. It's a fast acting poison, it attacks the bloodstream. Venom would have no effect. That's why… you couldn't save her."
"More importantly, where is my mother." Darius demanded, but didn't make a move from Alice's arms.
Casey winced, as I gave her wrist a slight squeeze. "I don't know. Tidus wouldn't tell me anything. He didn't want there to be a chance that you all would follow him."
Carlisle frowned at me now. "Could you release her wrist? I think that it may be broken Edward.
I stared at Carlisle, unwilling to let the wretch go. "You would show her kindness? After what she did to Avery? Avery's son will now grow up without his mother."
"We aren't monsters. We don't bring harm to people. We help when we can. Even if we are wronged. We don't have to trust her, but we can in the very least show her some compassion. We haven't heard her whole story." Carlisle said gently.
Carlisle's words couldn't sink in. I couldn't focus on anything, other than the fact that my mate was missing and possibly in danger. Regardless, I opened my hand, letting Casey's wrist go.
Casey sprang away from me and instantly went towards the door, but Alice had beat her there and stood between Casey and the door.
"Not so fast. We have some questions for you. And if you want to live, you better start being honest with us." Alice said with a cold look on her face.
To be honest, I think that Alice was finally treating Casey how she always wanted to treat her. Alice never liked Casey, but it was purely because of how much Darius liked her.
Casey sniffed, wiping at her tears. "I don't know anything. I'm just doing what was asked of me."
Carlisle now made his way over to Casey and Alice, and began to tend to Casey's wrist. "Your wrist is broken, I will have to set it and wrap it for now."
"Where has Tidus taken my mother. You must have some idea of where they went." Darius glared towards Casey with anger.
Casey was silent, watching as Carlisle gently wrapped her wrist. "Well… if I was to guess… I think Tidus is taking Bella to Italy… to Caius."
"Let's not waste any time. We need to get to Bella, now." I said, as I began to pace the room. My hands were clenched into fists now. All I wanted to do was hit something… or someone. I eyed Casey closely.
"Patience Edward, we need to be smart about this. If Tidus has taken Bella to Caius, I'm sure he will be on high alert. We need to plan a strategy." Carlisle said with a look of concern on his face.
"We can't afford waiting around to plan out something. Caius could… he could kill my mother… or worse. We can't just sit around and wait." Darius said, tears coming to his eyes.
Alice took Darius' hand and quietly led him out of the room. Most likely to calm him down.
"Call the others, we need to have a meeting and figure out the next plan of action." Carlisle said nodding in my direction. "In the meantime, Casey will stay by my side. Just to ensure her safety."
Darius' Point of View
Carlisle called a meeting to decide our next move, now that my mother had been kidnapped. I couldn't stand waiting around. I knew that Edward couldn't either. That's why Edward decided to strike out on his own. I put my faith in him, to find my mother.
I was thrilled that I am part of the front lines to this battle, but I worried about leaving all my siblings behind. We didn't want to fill them in completely on what was happening. That would only scare them and make it harder to keep them calm and cooperative.
Grandpa Charlie, Jada, and Rose would stay behind to protect the kids and grandma Rene. The rest of us was split into teams of three. Each of us would be traveling to Italy from several different directions. I was paired with Alice and Casey. I played a huge part in this strategy. I was supposed to keep everyone safe behind my wall. Since Alice can see the future and Casey is used as our hostage negotiation, those two needed my protection the most.
I can't say that I was thrilled being stuck with Casey. To be honest, I was still on board with killing her. There is nothing I detest worse, than a liar. But I couldn't focus on that at the moment. I was worried about my mom. What was Caius doing to her? Was she already dead? The suspense of this situation was driving me insane.
Alice, who was curled into my side, resting her head on my shoulder, looked up at me with concern. She has been giving me that look since we boarded the plane and took our seats. Her petite body fit so perfectly to my side, I didn't dare move a muscle away from her. Instead I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer.
"I can see your mom's future. She is still alive." She whispered quietly in my ear.
Her words comforted me, only slightly. "But for how long? What if we don't make it in time to save her?"
"We will make it in time. I promise you." Alice said, closing her eyes with a smile. "There isn't a future without Bella in it."
I was relieved to hear that. But I am still worried. Maybe they wouldn't kill her. However in my opinion there are worse things that you could do to someone other then kill them.
"I-I really am sorry about all of this." Casey whispered from the other side of me.
I didn't even glance in her direction. "Whatever happens to my mom, I'm holding you responsible. If your manic father touches her, I'll be sure to make you suffer for it."
I didn't turn to see her reaction to my words, I could hear her heartbeat start to quicken and her breathing pattern change.
I would never forgive her. Every time I looked at her, I saw Avery. Pale and lifeless. In agony until the last seconds of her life. And for what? Just for a distraction, so Tidus could kidnap my mother and deliver her to Caius. Casey was a monster.
Grandpa Carlisle had a small funeral service for Avery before we all left for Italy. We held it on the other side of the lake, where we buried her. Alice had created a beautiful marble headstone and etched Avery's name across the marble in perfect lettering. We wanted there to be a place for everyone to go to mourn her loss. Especially when Elijah grew up. We would make it clear to him, who his mother was and how much we all cared for her.
I intertwined my fingers with Alice as we held hands. Her skin still was a little colder than mine, but I didn't mind at all. I wasn't used to the feel of her skin. But I cherished every second I had touching her. I found myself drawn in to her beauty. It's something that I had never noticed until recently. Alice was an attractive woman. I could feel my loins stirring. I wanted her. But there was so much more. I didn't just want her body. I wanted everything.
It was just how Edward had described. I just knew, in this very moment, that I wanted Alice. Forever. She was the one.
Alice went still, completely frozen in her seat for a moment. I recognized her long stare. She was having a vision.
I waited anxiously, keeping my eyes only on her. "What are you seeing Alice?" I asked, stroking her hand, that was still in mine.
It was only a few seconds before she seemed to be released from her vision. She turned to me with a vibrant smile on her face.
"Nothing bad. It has nothing to do with the battle." She said with a delicate shrug of her shoulders.
"So what was it about?" I was relieved to hear that it was nothing too bad. The last thing that we needed was Alice to see my mother's future change. Or disappear.
"It was a vision of you… and me." Alice said, her smile getting wider.
I could feel my face getting warmer now. "Oh is that right? I'd like to hear all about it."
Alice paused for a moment, searching my expression, for what felt like eternity. I slowly leaned in, mesmerized by her topaz eyes. She appeared to be leaning in as well. Our lips were only inches away. I couldn't hold myself back any longer. I leaned in the rest of the way and let my lips press into her's.
The feeling was euphoric. It was the most amazing feeling that I've ever experienced. My face was hot as our kiss deepened, into a passionate battle between our lips. I felt everything, all at once. Passion, lust, desperation and strongest of all… love for this woman.
As our kissing slowed down, I could feel my erection pressing into my pants. It was uncomfortable. I did my best to ignore it. But I watched as Alice's hand cautiously slid down my chest, all the way down my body. Her hand gently slid down over my erection. This caused my entire body to tremble at the pleasure it brought forth within me.
Alice looked innocently into my eyes, with a sly smile on her face. "As much as I'd like to help you with that… now might not be the best time." She whispered in my ear.
"Are you sure? We can just lock Casey up in the bathroom for a while?" I spoke breathlessly, watching as Alice continued to stroke the bulge in my pants.
"I'm sure, I think we should have our first time be somewhere special. Not on a day of a battle with Caius." Alice said quietly.
I was a little disappointed, but I respected Alice's wishes. She was right after all. Sex with her, should never be fast and meaningless. This woman was my world now, and she would be treated as such.
"Alright, but you are going to have to stop that." I said gently, taking her hand that was sitting on my crotch. "If you keep doing that… I think I'll explode."
Alice's eyes danced with joy, but I could also see the longing in her eyes. She wanted this just as much as I did. I could see the wildness reaching her features as she watched me. The sexual tension in the air was so thick, that neither one of us could move. It appeared that it was taking all our willpower not to pounce on each other.
Casey sighed from beside us. Her sigh sounded as though it was full of annoyance. I didn't look in her direction. I refuse to ever look her in the eyes again. She didn't deserve it. In my mind, she doesn't even deserve to exist.
"I know the both of you are about to have sex. So, I'm just going to head into the bathroom and wait for it to be over." Casey grumbled, before standing up and making her way to the back of the plane. Where the bathroom was.
Quickly I grabbed a hold of her and threw her back into her seat. "You aren't going anywhere." I glared at her for a moment, my mood drastically changed. I was livid. I didn't trust Casey. I couldn't afford getting distracted. "Stay seated, and keep your mouth shut." I grumbled at her.
Sorry Alice, our moment is going to have to wait a little while longer.
What do you think so far? Leave a review?
