The next two weeks blurred right by for Adley, the end of March was there before she knew it. Charlie had more questions than answers on his cases, it was beginning to consume more of his focus. It took him across state and away from home. Especially a lead in Seattle. He had a trip planned soon.
Adley sat staring at her stack of midterms she'd finally finished marking for her Advance seniors. She'd have them passed out over the next day or so. She flopped down onto her desk with a deep sigh of relief.
"Finally. I'm finally done." She grumbled.
She didn't even look up as she heard Bella's laughter.
"You find this amusing, but I'm seriously contemplating booking the computer labs for the next exam and just having virtual exams. I'll build the website myself if I need to. I hate paper. My hand is killing me. I have over one hundred and fifty tests now completed and marked by hand. Why did I do the scantrons first?"
"You could've asked for help." Bella quipped.
"I'll burn your exam now. I'm not allowed to used students for marking exams. Quizzes sure, unit tests maybe. Midterm and finals are up to me. I have state exams for grade nines this year at least." She sighed sitting up, pushing her bangs out of her face.
"So, you know how you've been up on the trails more?" Bella questioned.
"Yes?" Adley raised her brow to her student.
"Jake said it's best you don't travel alone on the trails currently…" She came up to her desk as she was speaking.
"Why?"
"I kind of ran into another vampire…"
Adley stiffened, the word still had her on edge. Supernatural still wasn't sitting well with her. Hypocritical she knew, but still. The whole horror movies and religion thing…
"Were you hurt?"
"I'm alive, thanks to Jake."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"It only happened yesterday afternoon." Bella held her hands up.
"Still Bella it's the end of the day. I thought you went to hang with Jake yesterday that's why you missed study group."
"I was with Jake. Until the pack called him back… I went for a walk. This vampire, he was one of the ones with James last year…" she hedged keeping an eye on the still open door to Adley's classroom.
"Ah, what occurred?"
"He taunted me a bit. He was supposed to be in Alaska, not here. He however said he'd help Victoria. She's after me. Because of what happened to James…" Belle explained in hushed words. "He said he'd make it quick."
Adley sat back and watched the aura around Bella flare up. There was some pulsing from the hole. Fear trickled into her aura as well. A given when finding out a vampire is after you.
"Make what quick?"
"Death, he was going to kill me. Jake got to the meadow before he could do anything. It's just… with Victoria after me… She killed you…"
"Wait that red headed demon? That was Victoria?"
"Yes. Jake also confirmed that. I should've known. She's after me… The pack said they would try to protect me as best they could. They were already working to protect the rest of the tribe and town."
"A noble idea and effort. I hope they can catch her then." Adley murmured while she got up from her desk. "I forgot I've got the unit booklets left on the printer in the teacher's lounge to get together and get some supplies for Tuesday's presentations and experiments from the other labs put together. Are you alright to wait it might be a while, or are you headed out?"
"I'll be okay, I want to get dinner on. I'll be alright to head home. Are you coming over tonight?"
"If you'd like." Adley agreed.
"Okay, I'll see you later."
Adley got her things from downstairs off the printer and began stapling the many assignments together for the following week. She knew she had a few labs set up for the multiple classes. Hands on learning she tried to allow as much as possible. Also dropping a watermelon off the school, she'd already been told no to. She had to settle for the rockets and other less messy options.
The time passed quickly, and she finished up around five forty in the evening. Her last class had been done almost three hours ago. She was just finishing packing her bags up to head home when her cell phone rang.
"Oma," she greeted.
"Addie, my dear. I was just calling to check in on you. I haven't heard from you in a week." Oma answered not even hiding her guilt trip.
Adley shook her head but sat back. "Oma, I've been busy, I told you midterms were being graded."
"Yes, and you've been avoiding my calls. I know you. Now did you get the journals yet?"
"I will try to do better, Oma." She sighed. "Yes, I did get them, thank you for sending them. All are back at home. I was planning on reading them this weekend."
"A good idea, how goes your efforts with the Swan girl?" Oma asked.
"She is no longer the zombie she was almost two months ago. The hole though, it remains. Times where it randomly flares up, affecting her over all aura. It's like she is coasting. That this is as best as it gets."
"Soul wounds for a lot, your grandmother used to say were fatal. The soul is a particular thing, Addie. It can endure a lot, soulmates parting is not one of them. They are not made to be apart. If it is as you suspect, a soulmate did this, Bella may be living on borrowed time." Oma advised.
"I will read into the journals, see if there is any way to help her. It is unfair for her to be at risk, all because of a soulmate." Adley huffed.
She had a growing anger in her stomach as she thought more on the pain Bella suffered. She finished piling her stuff together and stormed to the door. She shut it with more force than she meant to.
"Calm yourself Addie, no need to get too angry. Do not influence others due to your burst of emotion."
"Sorry Oma, it's just difficult not to."
"The one who angers you is not present. Go home and relax for now. Read up and see if there is a way to save her. Besides the obvious of reuniting the two."
"I don't think that will be easy."
"Nothing ever is."
"Alright Oma, I'll talk with you later I am just about to drive home. I love you."
"Love you too."
Adley snapped her phone shut and put it in her pocket. She paused to zip her coat up as she realized she was already at the door to head out to the parking lot. She had her purse and bag of exams over her shoulder. She made her way out towards the parking lot. The empty staff parking lot besides Mr. Green's GMC SUV, and Mrs. Cope's Buick. She made her way to her Jeep that stood out. She looked out over the empty student parking lot.
Almost empty.
There, the bright red beast of a truck –barely qualifying the word –sat alone. The two-seater was facing her still off.
Bella's truck was empty.
Her stomach flipped. She was supposed to head straight home. Did she end up waiting for her? Adley unlocked her Jeep and tossed her things into the back seat. She grabbed her cell phone and called Bella. The thing rang out multiple times before hitting voicemail. She ventured over to Bella's truck.
She kept calling as she walked.
The closer she got to it, a ringing echoed out. The ring tone. Bella's phone. She hurried. She went to the driver's side seeing the door was ajar. Her heart beat picked up as she tossed the door open. There her backpack was spilt out onto the bench seat and she zeroed in on the ringing cell phone. She stuffed hers away and grabbed Bella's. her keys were on the floor of the driver's seat.
Her gut churned, she flipped Bella's phone open and dialed the last person she'd texted. Jacob Black. It rang twice.
"Hello, Bella?" Jacob asked.
"Jacob it's Adley, we met. I'm at her truck in the school parking lot. Long story I need you and your pack to come here urgently. Bella's missing." She urged.
"How'd you—"
"I know a lot of things, but someone we both care for is missing and you're the best bet to find her." Adley interrupted.
"I'll be there in five."
The line went dead.
Adley ran a hand through her loose long locks searching the vicinity. Where was she? How long? Her teeth imbedded in her bottom lip as she looked around the parking lot and buildings around. The forested back towards the sport fields faced her. Bella would never leave her phone and keys.
It wasn't long before a boy without a shirt came jogging into view. She recognized Jacob right away. He took deep breath eyes going wide. He made it a few feet from Adley.
"Shit," he seethed before running off.
Adley saw him go behind some bushes and a large russet wolf took off to the trees behind the school zone. She sighed. He had to have a scent. He could scent things, right? She had absolutely no idea as she got to busying herself. She cleaned up the cab of Bella's truck putting her stuff away properly and eventually locking the doors to the truck with her keys. The cool air was beginning to redden her cheeks and bite harshly at her nose. She made her way back to her truck with Bella's phone and keys. What else could she do?
She needed to call Charlie.
That call would break him. Hadn't this family been through enough shit? She groaned and took deep breaths trying to get her wild emotions under control.
She had no choice.
Bella needed to be found. The first four hours are critical, and it's already been two since Adley had last seen the teen. Would she need to wait twenty-four hours, since the girl was technically an adult? This isn't like Bella. She wouldn't just disappear without a trace. The Arizona thing was an exception, surely Charlie would she that? She reached for her pocket.
Bella's phone rang first.
Jake.
"Hello?"
Her heart raced.
"We've got her. Meet us at the half way point of to La Push."
She sped off not caring if Chief Swan pulled her over. The ten-minute drive flashed by and she saw someone carrying a shaking form. She tossed her vehicle into park. Her back door opened. Jacob Black was holding tightly to Bella.
"Is she okay?"
Jacob looked up to her panting. "It was a close call. A few of the pack was already hunting her. We got Bella in time before any harm could happen."
Adley let out a large exhale fanning herself as her own tears pricked in her eyes. She heard Bella grumbled as she came to. Adley focused in on the teen.
"Jake..." she croaked.
"It's alright Bella, you're safe." He replied pushing her matted locks out of her face.
"Does she need a hospital?" Adley asked.
"Not that I'm aware. No bite marks or broken limbs." He replied.
"Let's get her home then."
The drive to Bella's house wasn't too long. Adley was shaking her left leg as she hurried through town. She parked the vehicle in the drive way. It was empty of the cruiser. She looked back to Jacob.
"Where's Chief Swan? He said he didn't leave for Seattle until Monday." She asked.
"Up at the reserve, my Dad invited him over... they were supposed to go fishing. Then Harry Clearwater had a heart attack this afternoon. They're planning the funeral." He responded with a frown.
Adley was vaguely familiar with the name, Charlie mentioned his friends in passing. In the cafe. She turned back to Bella seeing the girl was shaking in her seat. Adley kept her emotional wall up from the girl not wanting to feel the full force of the aura surrounding Bella. She was shaken and petrified. She didn't need her abilities to see that. Adley tossed open the door.
"Wait."
Jake ordered hand on her shoulder. Adley turned to look at the boy taking deep breaths, pupils blown wide. His face twisted up in repulse as if something stunk. She leant over her arm sniffing, was it her?
"Get back in the car." He ordered.
"Why?"
Adley moved to pull the door shut of the Jeep, despite her questions she didn't want to come face to face with Victoria again. Death isn't pleasant even if she comes back.
"I smell Vampire. It could be her. She got away." He responded.
Bella sat up at the word Vampire. She began looking out the front windshield. Adley followed her gaze. The road was relatively empty of a few parked cars she saw now and then. One however did not belong. It wasn't familiar at all. She'd remember a car like that.
"Wait!" Bella croaked. She scrambled from the backseat, hopping into the front passenger seat.
She was intently focused on the Mercedes S class with extreme tinted windows. It was beautiful vehicle but didn't come at a cheap price. Not the vehicle of someone who lived in Forks. Bella moved around to go for the door. Adley raised her brow as Jake tossed himself across her back seat got out and blocked Bella in.
"What're you doing?" Bella demanded. "That's Carlisle's car."
"If a Cullen is back, it means I can't protect you here." Jacob warned.
He was taking deep breaths. Adley's heart spiked, he was terrified, but also irritated. His aura spiked around him like flames, she couldn't ignore. Her hand landed on Bella's shoulder.
"Get away now Jacob Black." Adley ordered.
She locked gazes with the boy. He was becoming dangerous. The aura danced with the irritation and fear. It wasn't human. Adley did not break her glare. Blood rushing in her ears blocked out sound as the seconds ticked by.
He was the first to back down.
"Carlisle would never hurt anyone!" Bella found her voice first, as she protested his orders.
"She is a grown adult Jacob back down." Adley warned, her words cold.
Jacob held his hands upwards pushing away from the vehicle. His fear increased to a deep blue the irritation ebbed away. He was desperate now. He pleaded with them. "This is their territory I can't protect you if they are back. Bella we should return to La Push."
"This is her choice, the Cullen family don't drink from humans. I will be her shield if you will not." Adley decided.
She pulled out Bella's keys and took the house key from the truck key ring.
"Be useful in the meantime and go get her truck." She tossed the key at Jacob, who caught it without effort.
She got out after shutting the vehicle off. She locked the doors once Bella slid out of the vehicle behind her. Adley motioned for Bella to follow her. She remained in Adley's shadow. Her heart hammered in her chest, hairs standing on edge as she walked towards the door. She reached the door and unlocked it. She threw the door inside and turned on the lights. She scanned the living room and went towards the kitchen. Something moved in her peripheral.
"Gah!" She flinched.
There on the steps was a petite girl. Her black hair was choppy and styled well. Her features were like something a fairy would possess. Small nose and perfect lips. She wore a trench coat and an impressive under layer. Her eyes were golden.
Adley straightened but pulled her arms to her chest. Bella pushed by her.
"Alice!" She cried.
Alice stood from the stairs in a flash and stared while Bella launched herself at the frozen statue of a woman.
"How are you alive?" Alice choked out.
Alice… her ex's sister. One who she was also the closest too besides her boyfriend, Edward. Adley bit her lip… the psychic one. What had she seen? She poked around the vampire's aura. The pure white aura shone with relief the worry died down the longer Bella held onto her. She didn't say anything as the dark hole in her chest flared. This girl brought Bella pain.
The door closed. Adley looked over seeing Jacob's arms crossed as he huffed silently brooding while he watched the two girls. She checked her watch.
"Jacob, are you staying for dinner?" Adley asked the boy who lingered in the door way with a screwed-up face.
Her emotional wall was taking a beating the longer she remained. She needed to eat to get some energy if she was going to survive the next few hours without breaking down.t. Jacob met her gaze nodding slowly. She checked her mental list and went to the kitchen.
She knew teen boys ate a lot, her brother proved that years ago. So, a supernatural werewolf had to possibly eat more? She decided better to have left overs than not enough. Charlie was never wasting food when there was left overs. His cases had him taking it out than not lately. She got her wok up and the stove going.
She didn't check the teens in the other room in their whispers beyond the sizzling meat. She was sure they would figure it out. As to why a Cullen was back and why she thought Bella shouldn't be alive. Adley was too caught up on that part still mentally. She'd witnessed Bella gone. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she chopped up some sweet onion and green onion, knowing fully well it wasn't them that was causing it.
By the time she had three plates set she realized she still had a good amount left over. So, she shoved some more onto Jacob's plate and made her way to the living room with the two plates for the humans... well the not undead one. Vampires didn't eat, did they? Surely, they only drank blood.
"I do only drink blood." Alice interrupted standing from the couch.
Jacob was in Charlie's chair as she handed him his plate. He smiled and mumbled his thanks. Bella took the food with shaky hands. Adley quickly got her own food from the kitchen.
"I'll be back in a bit." Alice announced.
"You'll be back right?" Bella demanded her eyes wide with fear.
Adley waited patiently to hear as she took a seat beside Bella. Yes, what state was this Alice Cullen willing to put Bella through? She questioned mentally, about to take a bite. If she left now, her gut told her Bella may become ketonic again. Two full months' worth of help would be thrown down the drain. Now is not the time to scream at the Cullen. She berated herself stabbing a piece of lamb.
"Yes, once you put the dog out. I also need to get something myself it's been a while since I've hunted." Alice gulped before disappearing. Adley snorted but covered it quickly.
"I'm not a dog." Jacob scowled around his lamb.
Adley chuckled getting her own plate while the two bickered. Bella was pushing around the beans sprouts and meat on her plate.
"Eat up." Adley scolded automatically.
Bella snapped her head up looking up to Adley with a raised brow.
"Sorry, habit." She shrugged. "Seriously though. You need to eat. You need your strength if you plan to stay up longer tonight. You've been through a lot today."
"So, who are you? How do you know about the pack?" Jacob asked.
"Adley Choi, friend to Bella and her physics teacher. I am also her neighbor a few homes down. I know about the pack because I saw you. I also know you all saved me from a vampire." She smiled. "I was declared dead."
"What?"
So Adley explained her story quickly while they finished up. She then went and served some ice cream to the two of them and some for herself of course. She was glad to see some food still left for Chief Swan. He loved this stuff.
"Are the Cullen's moving back permanently?" Adley asked.
Bella shrugged. "Alice didn't say."
Adley could see clear as day Bella was trying to put up a front. The hole near her chest was flaring it was threatening to consume her. She put her empty dish and Bella's on the coffee table and put her hand on hers.
"Can you handle her being back right now?" Adley asked locking in on her brown eyes.
Tears poured down Bella's cheeks, small sobs began to erupt from her quivering lips. Adley pulled the teen close, not caring much to allow her own aura to influence Bella. The teen sobbed into her shoulder for the next few moments. She watched on with her own tears trickling down her cheeks. She didn't know what to say.
The heart break once from these people had hurt her. The fragility of her soul couldn't take another hit. It'd kill her. Surely this time if this girl decided to disappear. She needed her soulmate. Her brow creased trying to mull over how exactly does she get them together?
It was half an hour later Bella had fallen asleep, she leant the girl back onto the couch. She shuddered in her sleep, sobs still falling from her.
"Jake can you run upstairs and get the weighted blanket from her bed?" Adley requested.
The teen nodded and put his empty dish on hers. He was back within seconds. He laid it over Bella. She calmed a bit once it was on her. Adley sighed shaking her head as she grabbed the bowls.
"That blanket…" He nodded at it.
"Is meant for panic attacks and anxiety. It helps a lot of people with mental illnesses. I got it for myself five years ago when I started having panic attacks." She replied quietly.
"Your friend?"
"Her death was harder than my own." Adley admitted making her way to the kitchen.
She began pulling the dishes into the sink and getting them into the dishwasher to clean them. Jacob helped her as she went about.
"Thanks for dinner by the way. You're cooking is amazing." Jake complimented.
"I've been told." Adley smiled, knowing it didn't touch her eyes. Her body felt heavy. "Do you mind going and getting Bella's truck? I'm sure she'll need it eventually."
"Yeah of course." He left with that.
Adley stared off through the back window holding onto the kitchen sink. The sun had set and the darkness was only illuminated by the back porch light. Shadows surrounded the home from the tree line that hid the neighbors.
Today not only had been traumatic for Bella. The girl was battling the opened hole in her heart. A band-aid ripped off that Adley had worked to put in place. The fact this vampire. Victoria was hunting Bella. The girl had almost been killed. The demonic woman had almost succeeded in ending Bella. Her heart hammered while tears silently increased down her cheeks.
Another friend she could've lost. Death followed Adley like some sick joke at times. She felt like she was the cause to it all sometimes. She did her best to remain quiet. Bella was still a child with a long life ahead of her. She sniffed wiping at her eyes. This whole Empath ability was really shitty at times. Despite her best efforts to keep it from impacting her, it was a tidal wave coming in over her walls. Her best attempts to keep the other emotions out, was moot.
She dried her hands hand face when the phone rang. She hurried to grab the phone, so it didn't wake Bella.
"Hello?" Adley answered wiping her eyes while she sniffled.
"Is Chief Swan there?" A smooth voice asked.
"No, he's out at the moment." She replied.
"Doing what?"
"Planning a funeral—"
The dead air beeping interrupted her. She scrunched her nose up confused. She hung up. She turned walking back into the living room. Bella was still laying on the couch, little whimpers fell now and then.
She sat back down on the free chair and sighed.
Her peaceful silence wasn't left long. The front door shot open. Adley jumped up.
Alice was back standing in front of her, amber eyes shot wide being swallowed by her pupils. She was shaking.
"Could you be any louder? Bella is sleeping." She spat low enough to not disturb the girl.
"We have to go. Now, it's urgent." She blabbered.
Adley scrunched her face up. She was really starting to dislike this Cullen.
"She needs to rest."
"Edward, he's in trouble." Alice pleaded voice getting too loud.
Bella shot up from the couch. "What?"
"Edward. He's going to the Volturi."
"What? When, why?"
"He thinks you are dead. He called here." Alice explained.
"What? He did? Adley did you answer the call?" Bella questioned.
She threw her hands up. "I answered the phone, the person didn't say who they were. He asked for Charlie I said he was planning a funeral. I was going to continue it was for his best friend when the line went dead. I didn't get to finish."
"Fuck." Bella groaned running a hand through her hair. "What do we do?"
"He's going to request to be killed." Alice whimpered. "You remember the Volturi right?"
"Yeah, your worlds version of Royalty? Why would he go there?"
Adley focused in on Bella, she was taking deep breaths. Her words cracked through her discussions with Alice. The hole. It was spiking, deep purple panic over took the girl. Blue sparks adding to it. They were flaring out of the hole.
Bella ran from the room and headed upstairs. Adley shook her head seeing the vampire too was gone. She headed up to the teens room. Bella was tossing papers into a duffle bag and putting over things in it.
Adley groaned. "What are you doing Bella?!"
"Saving Edward!" She cried pausing momentarily.
"Where is he?" Adley pinched her nose. This hole in her chest, wasn't going to go away.
"Italy."
"Seriously? You're flying to Italy, to deal with a suicidal vampire?" Adley hissed to herself. "Do not leave without me! I'll be back."
"No! You can't risk yourself! The Volturi Laws, you shouldn't know!" Bella yelled with shaking hands as the bag fell to the floor.
Adley shook her head. "Bella, you aren't thinking clearly. You know I can't die. Do not leave with out me. Alice if you're still here, and try and leave without me I will personally hunt you until the end of my days."
She didn't stick around for a reply. Time was of the essence. Adley ran outside in the dark of night and headed to her house. She pulled a duffle bag out stuffing a few necessities inside. She got her emergency funds. Her camera. Along with a few other things. Her head hammered as she practically turned her home upside down for her passport.
She pulled her phone out then. Chief Swan was about to come home to no daughter if not tonight tomorrow. He couldn't be left worrying about her. He'd done that enough.
"Chief Swan," she tried to calm her racing head.
"Hi Chief Swan, I was wondering if you would mind Bella and I going to Seattle this weekend?"
"Bit of short notice isn't it Adley?"
"There is this festival I thought she would enjoy is all... She did so good on her midterms… she could use to let loose."
"Alright you have my permission. It's a long weekend so why not. Be safe if she costs much let me know. I appreciate you doing all of this, you've come to mean a lot to her."
"I told you already, breakfast is fine. See you Tuesday Charlie." Adley tried to remain happy on the phone with him. He didn't need to be dragged into this.
"Have fun,"
She hung up with that heading back to the Swan residence. She saw Bella and Alice getting into the Mercedes. Did they actively try to ignore her orders? She kept it to herself as she climbed into the back of the vehicle. She could explode on them after.
If Adley thought the trip between Seattle and Forks could be cut in half, she'd scoffed at the person who told her. She swore when they pulled into the Seattle airport departure VIP parking lot, she was going grey. Her youthful face had sunken in dark bags under her almond mono lidded eyes. She would have double eyelids at this point if the speed demon took her in another car.
"How long do we have?" Bella asked not even grabbing her bags out of the trunk of the vehicle.
Adley grabbed both duffle bags, realizing there was a small suit case, that Alice already grabbed. She got out her passport and Bella's from her hands. She all but kept a hold of Bella's arm. She was too busy responding to her emotions and hanging off of Alice's words to pay attention to her feet.
"I don't know, he hasn't approached them yet." Alice replied.
Adley found herself needing to be the one to do the talking and interacting. Alice handed her a black American express card. She said nothing at the exclusive card. She was swift in avoiding the crowd despite the lateness of the time.
"Tickets for Florence italy." Alice spoke to the flight attendant.
Adley did the transaction only allowing Alice to sign for the transaction. Business class. The flight left in two hours. She sighed setting back as they were rushed to their gate. There would be a layover in New York to board the bigger plane. There they would land in Heathrow airport in London, before being sent to Florence.
Bella sat with her leg shaking constantly. Adley had a headache coming on from the close contact of Bella's fingers digging into her left arm. Sure she had her sweater on still but her nails were sharp and uncut. You'd think a girl with anxiety would chew them. Adley mentally grumbled. She pinched her nose bridge with her free hand, taking deep breaths. She needed to get calm. Bella's panic flooded her and seemed to be amplified by her.
"Bella you need to hold onto Alice for a bit." She murmured.
Big brown eyes filled with tears zeroed in. "Why?"
"I'm going to have this airport on their knees if you don't break contact with me. I need calm myself." She replied.
"You won't leave, will you?"
"No Bella, when have I ever left?" Adley questioned taking and squeezing Bella's hand before putting it on the stone-cold girl.
Alice met her gaze with a raised dainty brow.
"Watch her, I'm going to grab some neck pillows. I need some gravol."
Adley found the airport bodega, and quickly got some of the Benedryl after seeing they didn't have any Gravol. It was a trick she'd learnt to knock her siblings out when they wouldn't sleep. It didn't rely on her needing to be influencing anyone. It only amplified her drowsy state, causing those around her to sleep. She had a small inkling Bella would not sleep at all with her current state.
She got some water and slipped it into her carry one and took hold of the three neck pillows. She returned feeling a bit clearer headed and sat beside Bella once more.
"Take it once we're in New York, she'll need to be carried if you knock her out now." Alice replied loud enough for only them to hear.
The six-hour flight was absolute torture. Adley had done what she could to distract Bella who was bouncing her legs constantly. She'd brushed her locks back into a French braid to make sure she was somewhat presentable. The girl wouldn't care for herself until they reached Italy. She barely relieved herself in the New York airport until Adley all but locked her in the stall not caring if they missed the flight.
It was two am and Adley forced the Benedryl into Bella. She passed out before they were in the air. Alice looked across the three seats from her aisle seat seeing Bella clunked out in her chair and snoring lightly.
"You've become close to her," Alice noted.
"We've had time to bond, yes." Adley hedged eying the girl over.
"You don't like me. I understand that." She sighed amber eyes filling with tears that didn't fall. "We didn't want to leave, but he forced us to. Said she wasn't safe with us."
Adley held up her hand. "Alice, I frankly don't need your excuses for past occurrences. I am quite upset and angered by the effects your actions have had on Bella, which has made my opinion on you negative. My only request is when this is settled and all of us are level headed, you and your family come to see what you have done and not do it again."
"Bella has come to think highly of you." Alice commented. "I can see why. You're a selfless person, compassionate. If we succeed in saving Edward, I'll beat sense into him myself."
"Are you aware, of what they are?" Adley asked.
Alice tilted her head shaking it slowly.
"Soulmates. Her state is caused by what us Empaths call a soul wound. If he dies, she dies. It's already killing her. I've merely fought it off." Adley continued.
"You're an Empath." Alice's lips curved upwards. "My mate, Jasper. He's also an Empath. I don't know if he's as powerful as you seem to be. However, he holds his own."
"Then you should be aware of the impacts of soulmates and the workings of the soul if he is one." Adley crossed her arms.
She shook her head. "Jasper doesn't see soul. He can only feel and influence emotions."
"He doesn't see a person's aura?"
"Nope, never has." Alice confirmed, she paused momentarily. "Do you see one around me?"
"An aura?"
"Yes."
"I do." Adley confirmed. She was tired and her walls of her emotional self were beginning to crack. She stifled a yawn. "Your aura is really bright, most souls come in the multiple shades of white to grey. I don't know why but it usually alludes to mental states of the person. In you, you're colored with worry, sorrow, fear… it's like little sparks of flames swirling around you. There is also a small dot on your chest of a darkness. It reminds me of Bella's… you're away from your soulmate."
A sob ripped from Alice. She quickly pretended to cough but nodded. "Jasper, he's my mate. I fear I won't return to him if we face the Volturi."
"You can't see that?"
"My gift is based off decisions. They haven't decided yet on what to do with Edward. His mind reading is powerful. The future isn't set in stone. I have no way of knowing."
"Even if you were to decide to save him?"
"I can decide all I want, I see lots of flashes of futures, none are solid because of the choices of others involved."
"I see."
"Thank you though, for confirming one thing for me."
"What?"
"Vampires have souls." Alice replied, she stared off ahead. "It's been an argument in our family for decades."
"Tell me about you Alice, we've got a twenty-hour flight."
Adley had a migraine that even the Benadryl keeping her out cold could not fix. Advil in her purse did nothing to keep out the swelling of panic in both her companions. Alice kept them updated throughout on Edward's fate so far. He'd gone to them when they were across the Atlantic. By the time they landed in Florence Alice had to be dragged off the flight in the least inconspicuous way possible. Okay it wasn't hard to miss Bella and Adley practically dragging a blank faced looking statue off the plane.
"They've denied his request." She muttered.
"That's good?" Adley paused as they reached a corner of the airport waiting for their bags to come around.
Bella shook her head, taking deep breaths. Alice zeroed out momentarily. Panic ebbed higher on both women. Adley dropped their hands rubbing her temples.
"No Edward is going to provoke them to make them act." Alice whispered.
"He'll reveal himself?" Bella gaped.
Adley Sighed. If she ever got her hands on Edward Cullen. First, she would make Bella aware he is alive. Then she would get a flame thrower and chase him around the world. She'd find a way to torture him for the emotions he was putting this girl through. Let him feel the pain, the sorrow this girl witnessed. She paused. He was a mind reader. A wide grin spread across her face.
"Please stop planning ways to torture my brother… at least until we get back to Forks?" Alice pleaded making Adley pause.
"Fine but be fully aware the moment he is safe. I get a go at him." She held her hand out to her.
Alice gave a firm nod shaking her hand. "There will be a line at our place."
"I might actually like you Alice."