Disclaimer: Twilight is a time of day that I didn't invent. Huffs.
Author's note: Short chapter this time around. Please read and review!
Family Tree
Chapter 18
I fell asleep in his arms, completely content. I knew that I couldn't sleep for long; I had to be at school by 8, but still, it was nice while it lasted. It seemed that as soon as I closed my eyes I was being shaken awake gently. I grumbled in his general direction and got up. I headed to the bathroom and took a hot shower. When I emerged, I noticed an unfamiliar small box sitting on the sink, next to the soap. I hadn't heard the door open but vampires could be quite sneaky. I dried myself off and wrapped the towel around me. I lifted the small, innocent looking black box and opened it.
I gasped.
A pendant sat on crushed red velvet inside. It was made of hundreds of little crystals, entwined together in the shape of a four leaf clover. I instantly understood the irony. Though I was very uncomfortable receiving gifts from him, I somehow knew I would make an exception for this one. I took the pendent out carefully and found that it hung on a dainty silver chain. I wiped the steam from the mirror and held it up to my neck. It was pretty but not ostentacious. I could live with that. I fastened it and then proceeded to continue with my morning routine. By the time I was finished in the bathroom I knew I was going to be late for school.
I ran down the stairs two at a time and predictably went sprawling toward the end. I groaned and picked myself back up, then grabbed my backpack off of the floor. I flung it over my shoulder and walked outside.
It was raining buckets. I stared at the sky, cringing. Through the torrential water I could see that Edward's car was parked in the driveway. Before I'd taken a step in that direction, he was suddenly beside me, holding an umbrella over my head.
"Thanks."
He smiled in return and walked me to the car, opening the door for me. I slid inside and pulled the door shut. He slid into the seat next to me and tossed the now bundled umbrella on the backseat.
"You smell amazing," he looked over at me, a crooked grin on his face.
"Er, thanks. I think." I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe it was both.
He started the engine and pulled out of the driveway. We began the relatively short drive to Forks High School.
"So, only two more weeks left," he said in a conversational tone.
"I know, I can't wait to graduate. I'm so tired of school."
"Well, it may be the end of high school but you have plenty of schooling ahead of you."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "Spoilsport," I whispered under my breath.
He glanced over at me. "You're actually wearing it," he sounded amazed.
"It's pretty," I said, defensively, placing my hand over the pendent, running my finger over it.
His grin grew bigger, if that was possible. He shook his head and laughed.
"What?"
"I lost a bet."
"What bet? With who?"
"Alice. She said you'd wear it. I thought she was kidding. We made a wager."
"When will you learn not to bet against her Edward?" I said in a very disapproving tone of voice, even though I thought the whole situation was funny.
He shrugged. "Beaten again by the little pixie. Speaking of Alice…she feels really badly about last night. She'll be over later to apologize in person."
"She isn't coming to school?"
"No. She had something to take care of."
The way he said it made it sound like someone, not something. I knew she was pissed at Julian but she wouldn't really hurt him or anything, would she? I contemplated that.
"What are you thinking about?" Edward asked after a few minutes of silence, frustrated.
"Huh? Oh…just wondering about Alice. She was so mad last night. I'd never seen her look like that. It was…scary," I decided to go with the truth this time. She had been terrifying.
"He's lucky it was Alice and not me," his voice dropped into a silky whisper.
"I don't understand why you both are so upset. He didn't try to hurt me. He was trying to warn me."
"About what?" Edward looked over at me, his face like stone.
"He said I was in danger and shouldn't remain a human for very much longer. He told me to trust him and that if none of you would help me, he would."
The instant the words were out of my mouth I knew I should have kept my mouth closed.
Edward's jaw tensed and he looked straight ahead, gunning the engine as we sped over the wet roads. The car was filled with something invisible, like electricity. I was suddenly afraid.
"Don't."
"What?" I asked, feigning ignorance.
"Don't you dare believe him."
"Why?"
"He has a gift, Bella. He's using it on you. I thought maybe your immunity would extend to him as well…but no matter. You are not to talk to him again."
"What is his gift?"
"It's something along the lines of manipulation. He can warp your feelings. I don't care what he said, you are not to trust him. I want you to promise me."
We pulled into the school parking lot and Edward swung easily into a tight space between Angela's car and a red Corvair that belonged to a sophomore girl.
Edward killed the engine and looked at me, his eyes earnest now. "I love you. I wouldn't steer you wrong. I'm telling you this for your own good. I need you to trust me on this Isabella."
His use of my first name sent a strange trill down my spine. I knew he was serious. I honestly didn't think that I had anything to worry about but I didn't want to upset him. "Ok, Edward."
He narrowed his eyes and then leaned in and kissed me. His breath caused me to gasp. He pulled my head forward and plundered my mouth. I was dizzy, and deliriously happy.
"Promise me…" he whispered into my mouth.
My body was melting. I was barely coherent but my angel was asking so very little… "I promise."
He pulled back then, suddenly. I realized that he'd dazzled me on purpose but found that I didn't even care.
Without acknowledging what he'd done he opened his door and hurried around and opened mine. We went to class and luckily for us there was a substitute teacher. She didn't notice as we snuck in and found two empty seats near the back.
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Julian's POV
I left Bella's home with more assurance than I thought possible or likely. Against all odds, my talent was able to extend to her. I only hoped that I'd gotten through to her. It was absolutely vital that I gained her trust.
I ran through the forest, the dark green moss and lichen nearly glowing with health. The trees were sodden but fertile and the place smelled of life…and death. The thick foliage rotting on the forest floor was a subtle reminder that existence was temporary; well, for most things anyway. I ran through the undergrowth with no problem. The air was laden with moisture and seemed to coat the itching at the back of my throat. I knew that I needed to feed, and soon.
I decided to head back to the Addison place, though it was probably pointless. I had no idea when Dahlia would be back, or if she would be. Though I'd been with her for over a century, I still didn't know her that well. All I knew for sure was that there was more to her than anyone could hope to understand. She had an array of gifts, most of them deadly, and had no qualms using them at her slightest whim. Though she didn't say anything, I knew she took pleasure in confusing the Cullen's, Edward especially. I'd seen the look on her face once before, that look of obsession, as though she'd finally found a toy worth playing with. I only wished that she hadn't gained such interest in him; I was hesitant to make true enemies with such a large clan. We needed to focus on the larger picture, on convincing them to join us.
The more time I spent with any of the Cullen's, the more I was aware of the challenge that was laid before me. Never before had I been faced with such an unpredictable and volatile obstacle. I was especially wary of Alice. Her unique ability was more worrisome than any of the others. She could see.
She knew why we were here.
And she didn't like it.
Not one bit.
I shrugged to myself. If it became necessary to dispatch her…well, that might be something we would need to do. Although it would be an awful waste and I was hesitant to even muse on that for too long. I didn't need her to see me executing her demise.
Perhaps I needed to give her more time, a little push in the right direction. Surely she would see that it was in the best interest of everyone that we proceed the way we had intended to. Above all else, I knew I had to focus on the mission here. Yet it was more difficult than I'd ever thought. I couldn't let myself get caught up in the fount of foreign feelings I was beginning to have for the human girl.
No, not human girl; but woman. Bella Swan.
My lips curve into a smile. She was not what I had been expecting at all. I'd heard of her, of course. All it took was a little persuasion and Jane sang for me like a tiny angel.
How she hated Bella.
While I could understand the hatred, I could feel none of it myself. No, I found a kindred spirit in Bella. She was alluring in a natural way, interesting, engaging. She was genuine, unlike most of the females I'd spent time with. She was wholesome; beautiful even, for a human. She would be unparalleled when she was turned. Her loveliness would move mountains; of that I was certain.
I swallow. My throat is extremely irritated. I stand and begin to pace, waiting for Dahlia. I wonder if she's trapped Edward yet, or if she was still toying with him. One thing was for certain, Edward didn't stand a chance against her. She would distract him while she wanted him and then…he would be gone.
But Bella…she would live on. She was destined for greatness.
Oh yes, she had a destiny to fulfill. I would see to it that nothing got in the way of her true path.
I would protect her and mold her; shape her into the perfect instrument, and then, I would play her.
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