Chapter 21 - Shielding

EPOV

'Can I join you?' Tanya asked Bella timidly. I looked at them for a moment, but then turned back to my conversation with Jasper, Bella would be fine. And it was her choice whether she allowed Tanya to go with them or not.

Tanya had pulled me aside earlier and had apologized to me for her past behaviour. She had seen that Bella and I were truly together and although she did admit that she felt a bit jealous at first, she had realized that what we shared was indeed a mate bond. She promised me to back off from now on and respect my choice. I had thanked her for that. She had also asked if I'd minded if she got closer to Bella. I had been suspicious at first, but her thoughts had been genuine. It seemed Bella's charm had quickly won over her as well. I had no problem with them spending time together of course. So I had told her to simply ask Bella to spend some time with her. It seemed she was making quick work of it.

The three of them set off through the woods and I looked after them, hoping that bella would be fine with Tanya wanting to become her friend.

'They'll be fine.' Alice said, noticing my distraction. I shook myself.

'I know.' I answered, not because Alice showed me the proof in her visions, but because I trusted Tanya and Rosalie to look after Bella.

'So do you think she'll be able to push it out more?' I asked Eleazar.

He nodded. 'I think she will. She's already figured out what her shield feels like after just one try. I think it'll grow in strength. I'm not sure what it might develop into, but it will be something to behold.'

'Powers do usually become stronger over time.' Jasper nodded in agreement. 'The first fifty years or so I struggled with influencing the emotions of others, but now it takes no effort at all.'

'I think I'm able to hear over greater distances now, but only if someone is familiar to me.' I nodded.

But then Eleazar turned serious. 'I'm worried she might become a weapon.' He said solemly.

'What do you mean?' Carlisle asked.

'The entire guard of the Volturi with the exception of Felix have mental abilities; Jane, Alec, Dimitri, even Aro himself.' Eleazar explained. 'Bella completely neurtralizes their most important guards.'

I sucked in a shaky breath. I hadn't even thought about the threat the Volturi could pose.

'I think it's in your best interests to stay well under their radars.' Eleazar said looking at Carlisle with a meaningful look. 'Your coven is growing and the members in it are strong and gifted. Aro would give anything to collect your children.' He warned Carlisle. Esme gasped quietly.

'But they wouldn't force us to join them, right?' I asked.

Eleazar shrugged. 'Usually they use Chelsea. She can strengthen or break bonds. Anything weaker than a matebond and she can undo it. Chelsea would break the ties of a coven and make it easier for Aro to persuade them to join him instead. She replaced the loyalty to their own coven with loyalty to the Volturi.'

'But Bella would nullify Chelsea, right?' I asked.

Eleazar nodded. 'I would think so. It seems to be a mental ability. But I'm not entirely certain. I never spent much time with Chelsea, so I don't know exactly how her gift works. If it works like Jasper's, then you will all be vulnerable to it.'

I let out a heavy sigh. 'We'll just have to make sure we don't attract their attention.' Carlisle said. His thoughts were scrabled. He didn't want to believe this side of his old friends. He knew the Volturi was at times a bit volatile. He knew Aro could be a bit power hungry, but Carlisle always believed the best of people and that included Aro.

'I'll keep my eye on them.' Alice piped up. I nodded my thanks at her. I'd only just found Bella again. I wasn't going to let anything take her away from me again.

We spent a few hours sitting in the garden and watching the sunset. When night had fallen the stars shun brightly and I gazed up at them, remembering the week I'd spent here after the first day I had met Bella. I'd gazed up at the stars then too, but her face had haunted me even then. I smiled to myself. How blind I had been. The door to the house opened and I gazed over to see Irina stepping outside. Everyone turned towards Irina expectantly.

'Edward.' She greeted me. I nodded back. 'Can we talk?'

I got up from my chair and walked over to her. 'Sure.' I agreed easily.

'Do you mind going inside?' she asked softly. I nodded again gesturing for her to lead the way. She did.

Her thoughts were carefully blank as she walked back into the house. I followed after her and closed the door behind us. She walked over to the furthest corner of the room next to one of the bookcases and sat down in one of the plush armcharis and held her head in her hands.
I sat down in the one next to her.

'I'm sorry.' she whispered. I waited. Her thoughts were scrambling around, trying to find the words she wanted to say to me. 'I'm sorry I blamed you and Bella for what happened. I shouldn't have done that.'

I nodded.

She took a deep breath. 'My sisters told me that Laurent was a bit of an asshole. They pointed out that he kept slipping, that he wasn't trying and just stringing me along.'

God I was such a fool. I can't believe I let him do this to me.

'I just want to apologize that I believed someone I knew for a few months over you, who I view as family.'

'Thank you, Irina.' I told her gently. I didn't blame her anymore. She had thought she'd found someone to share her life with. I couldn't really blame her for wanting it to be real. I could understand her reaction perfectly.

'I'll apologize to Bella later, if you don't mind.' She looked up at me.

I shook my head. 'Of course not.'

'And I'm sorry for what happened. I'm sorry he turned her.' she whispered. 'I'm sorry I didn't stop him from going.'

'It's not your fault Irina.' I assured her. 'I don't blame you.'

A relieved sigh made her shoulders slump as if a weight was suddenly lifted off of her.

'Thank you for that.' She said.

'Come on, let's go join to others.' I said, helping her from her chair. 'You're still family Irina. Nothing has changed.'

She gave me a small smile and nodded gratefully.

We joined the rest of the family outside again and I was glad to see Bella had returned. She'd taken my seat and I walked over to stand behind her. I gave her shoulder a soft squeeze, before leaning back against the wall and just looking at her, taking her in.
She was engrossed in conversation with Jasper. I smiled at that. Those two had really become fast friends and I was glad of it.

'Bella?' Irina asked softly. Bella winced but then turned to look at Irina.

'Yes?' she asked.

'Can we talk?'
Bella bit her lip, hesitant for a moment. Tanya reached over and squeezed Bella's hand supportively nodding at her in encouragement.

'Okay.' Bella said. She got up and together they headed inside again. Tanya smiled over at me and I returned it.

'She's amazing.' Tanya breathed. Kate nudged Tanya playfully. And they shared a smile.

'She is.' I affirmed.

'So, have you two made things official?' Tanya asked.

I rolled my eyes. 'Not yet.'

'not for lack of trying.' Alice piped up helpfully. I glared at her. Tanya of course was intrigued now.

'What?'

'I hurt her.' I explained. 'She's been traumatically changed, against her will… She feels out of control most of the time. This is the one place where she can retake her control. So we're doing this at her pace. When she's ready she'll let me know.'

'What did you do?' Tanya asked her brow furrowed.

I sighed heavily. I wasn't proud of the biggest mistake of my life. I also wasn't sure I wanted to share that with the rest of the Denali's.

'He tried to force her into a human life. Without him.' Rosalie supplied helpfully.

I threw her a glare. She stuck her tongue out at me and I rolled my eyes.
It was silent all around for a beat. Then I was hit by a barrage of angry and incredulous thoughts.

'You're an idiot.' Tanya stated out loud.

'Yes, I am aware of that.' I muttered dryly. 'Trust me it's a mistake I won't be repeating ever again.'

'Definitely not. Otherwise we'll kick his ass for good measure.' Emmett said laughing as I rolled my eyes at him.

'Alright. Enough.' I said tersely, crossing my arms over my chest. I stared up at the sky and tried to drown out the thoughts around me. Thankfully the others continued their conversations and their thoughts stopped focussing on me.

'Edward.' Kate said, I looked at her. 'I had an idea.'

'Yes?' I enquired after she stopped talking.

'I think it might help if you practice with us, instead of Emmett.'

She's attached to you the most. I think that will give her the best incentive to really work on her shielding.

I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. 'Sure. If you think it will help her.'

Kate squealed excitedly and sprung up from her chair. She grabbed my arm and hauled me over to the grass before darting inside.
I wanted to stop her from bothering Irina and Bella, but there was no need. As soon as kate pulled open the door, they came walking through. They were timid smiles, but Bella seemed a lot more relaxed.

She's amazing, she just accepted my apology and she apologized to me! I just can't understand how her head works. She's not a normal newborn vampire Irina thought as she joined Tanya.

I wanted to agree with her, but kept my mouth shut. I knew irina hadn't meant for me to hear that. And I always tried to keep their privacy intact as much as I could.

'Bella!' Kate singsonged. Bella stopped in her tracks as she spotted me standing on the grass.

'What?' She asked slightly apprehensive. Kate linked her arm through Bella's and pulled her over to the grass.

'Let's continue practicing!' Kate said dragging bella over to where I was standing. 'I've found another subject to experiment on.'

Bella's eyes grew wide. 'No!' she said in a horrified tone. 'Absolutely not!'

'It's okay, Bella. I'm happy to help.' I assured her.

'But… but… I can't!' Bella wailed. I blinked for a moment, surprised by her reaction. Did she not want my help? Or was there something else she was worried about?

'Sure you can, Bella.' Kate assured her. She stretched out her hand towards me and I braced myself. I hoped she was using a low voltage, I wasn't exactly keen on being electrocuted.

'No!' bella grabbed hold of me and tried to shield me with her body. She wrapped her arms tightly around me, and her breath was coming out in fast pants. She was trying to get her shied around me.

'It's alright, Bella.' I assured her. I stretched my own hand out towards Kate.

Kate smiled at me and touched my hand. I shuddered. Unpleasant.

'No! stop it!' Bella cried out.

Her emotions are getting wild. Jasper noticed. He stepped closer slowly, not wanting to freak Bella out more, but getting a bit concerned.

'I'm fine Bella. It's the low setting, remember?' I assured her. She grit her teeth and looked at my face. Her brow was furrowed in concentration. For a brief moment the pulse stopped. I let out a sigh.

I smiled down at Bella. 'I don't feel anything.'

Then I jolted. I didn't hear anything either. For a brief second everything was quiet. I blinked. It was unsettling. Like suddenly the world had gone silent. A slow grin spread across my face, but then the shield snapped back. The noise of everone's thoughts slammed back into me and Kate's electric voltage ran through me again. I shuddered again. She'd upped the ante a bit it seemed.

'Bit lower, please, Kate?' I asked her my jaw clenching.

'Oops, sorry.' Kate dialled it back down and I sighed in relief. I pulled my hand away, giving Bella a rest.

She was panting hard. I put both of my hands on her shoulders.

'You're doing great Bella.' I assured her. 'It worked just now.'

'but I still can't keep it up.' She said dejectedly.

'You did great bella.' Jasper assured her as well. 'it just takes time.'

Bella growled in frustration. She straightened up and then barked to kate: 'again!'

BPOV

I sat down thoroughly frustrated. Edward wrapped his arms around me gently. We were both panting hard by now.

'I'm sorry' I muttered into his chest. He chuckled, but the sound was a bit breathless.

'I told you I wanted to help you. you don't have to apologise.'

'But she keeps hurting you' I wailed, realizing I sounded like a child as I did.

'Bella, you're doing great. You're already getting stronger. You can keep it up for a minte already. The more you practice the easier it will get.'

'But it's just so slippery.' I whined.

'You'll get there.' He assured me, rubbing my back soothingly.

'Come on, Bella. One more time and then you can call it a night.' Kate said, smiling at me.

I took a deep breath and got to my feet again. Edward did too.

'Alright.' I squared my shoulders. 'Do it.'

I turned to look at Kate, but she had a thoughtful look on her face.

Edward was frowning. 'I'd rather not, kate.' He said, sounding like he was choosing his words carefully.

I looked between them. 'what?'

'I think it will help her.'

Edward looked at me for a moment, then back at kate. 'She's doing well enough.' He said. I frowned.

'What's going on?' I asked.

'I just think I've been going a bit easy on you.' she said, smiling at me.

I frowned. 'Not really. We've been at it for hours.'

'Exactly, and you're still only one minute further.'

'She's doing fine, Kate.' Jasper said, coming to my defense.

'I'm not saying she's not doing fine. I'm saying that I think she can do better.'

'How?' I asked suspiciously.

Kate held up her hand. 'I think you just need a bit more incentive to protect Edward.'

My eyes grew wide as I glanced between Edward and Kate. No… she wouldn't… would she? Kate started advancing on Edward. Who backed up a step automatically.

'Full power, Bella.' Kate said tauntingly. 'Here's your chance.'

'No!' I yelled. I threw myself in front of Edward growling at Kate.

'Protect him then!' Kate yelled back.

'I can't!' I brought out.

'Then, he's going to feel it.' Kate said, shrugging. 'A lot.'

She reached around me easily and I snapped at her. She dodged and laughed, but kept advancing on us. I tried to defend Edward, but my fighting was no match for Kate. She'd had a few hundred years' worth of practice under her belt. I just had a few measly months.

'Please!' I pleaded. 'Stop!'

'Protect him, Bella.' Kate said again.

'Kate.' Jasper warned from the sidelines. I was getting out of control, I could feel it. I was getting wild. 'Give her a moment.'

'Nope. Now or never Bella.' Kate said again. I backed Edward and myself up another step. Then Kate lunged. Edward's arms wrapped around me and he turned us around, so that he was in between me and Kate.

'No!' I yelled, realizing that this would bring him in contact with Kate's electrical charge.

I flung out my hands towards Edwards face and suddenly my shield was there. It engulfed him completely. There was no elastic recoil now. And I realized with a shock that I had been the cause of the slipperiness of my own shield. I had been clinging to my shield in self-defence, subconsciously afraid to let it go. But now as I released it in one fell burst, I realized it was like a muscle. I could expand it, take it back, form it how I wanted and it cost me hardly any energy at all.
Kate hand touched the middle of Edwards back and I felt him go rigid for a second, bracing for the pain. But it never came. A second passed and everyone stared at us.

'I did it.' I whispered. I pulled myself out of his arms. I saw Edward twitch for a moment, but then relax as my shield stayed firmly in its place.

'You're doing it!' Alice whooped excitedly. Edward smiled down at me proudly.

'Can you keep it up?' Kate asked. I nodded.

'It's like a muscle, not an elastic.' I said, smiling at Kate.

She smiled back and pulled her hand back from Edward.

'This is amazing.' Eleazar remarked. 'this much progress so suddenly. You are one powerful vampire, Bella.'

I looked down at my feet, embarrassed. Edwards arms wrapped around me tightly and he spun me around in a circle laughing. I giggled as well.

'You did it!' he whooped. I laughed and placed a kiss on his cheek. After a few more spins he set me down on my feet again.

'I'm so proud of you.' he said, his eyes shining with love as he looked at me. I smiled back. I couldn't believe I had done it. our moment of high was rudely interrupted however, when suddenly Edward was knocked to the ground. I took a startled step back and for a moment silence reigned in the garden. Then everyone burst out laughing.

Emmett it seemed had finally taken advantage of the fact that Edward's ability had been nullified. As soon as he realized my shield was in place and he was not checking his surroundings, he had pounced. He'd tackled Edward to the floor and was now sitting triumphantly on top of him.
Edward stared up at his brother chagrined.

'Alright, alright. Get off now.' He muttered.

'Not until you say it.' Emmett said tauntingly.

'Fine, you win. I give.' Edward muttered.

'Oh Bella, please keep the shield around him longer!' Alice said grinning mischievously. I smiled over at her and nodded. Emmett finally got off of Edward and they got to their feet. Edward glanced at Alice suspiciously.

'Whatever you're planning, Alice. Don't do it.' He warned her.

Alice only smiled at him. 'Whatever do you mean, brother dear?'

'This is going to be great.' Jasper said, smiling broadly. Edward groaned as he regarded his siblings warily. I couldn't help but chuckle. His gaze flicked over to me.

'Help me out here.' He pleaded. I shook my head.

'I think you'll be fine.' I said smiling sweetly at him.

He gazed at me for a moment and then shook his head, but a small smile was playing on his lips.

'Et tu?' he mumbled. I grinned at him. Then he looked at everyone for a moment thoughtfully. 'I have to admit though, the silence… it's nice.' A breath taking smile then spread across his face.

'So you don't hear any of us?' Carlisle asked.

Edward shook his head. 'Nothing'

I looked at him, then put Carlisle under my shield as well. 'How about now?' I asked him.

'Nothing.'

I pushed my shield around again, this time to include Kate. 'Kate, can you try to shock him?' I asked.

'Low voltage please.' Edward muttered. Kate grinned at him and nodded. She stretched out her hand and touch him briefly. No reaction.

'Intersting.' I mused. 'It seems everyone under the shield is protected individually. So even with everyone underneath my shield, the protection still lasts.'

'That's amazing.' Eleazar commented. 'It feels to you as something solid, but it manifests itself in a individual protective barrier.'

'Wait does this mean Edward will never have to listen to our thoughts again?' Emmett asked, a wicked glint to his eye.

Edward glanced at me. 'Does it tire you at all?'

I paused for a moment and checked how I felt. It felt normal. Just as if I was constantly closing my hand into a fist. It took almost nothing out of me.
'Not much. It's just like moving a muscle.' I said.

'I don't think you can always keep it up then.' Carlisle commented. 'That might fatigue you.'

I shrugged. 'It doesn't bother me now.'

'Not yet. It's only been ten minutes.' Kate said gently.

'How about I keep it up this entire night and then we'll see in the morning.'

Everyone nodded and we settled into a quiet nice evening with each other. It was a little after midnight when the first couples decided to retire. Normally Edward would have winced, judging from the expressions on some of our family's faces, but he remained unfazed as he sat beside me, holding my hand. In fact he looked happy. For the first time in his existence he was free from their thoughts, and for the first time in their existence his family was free from the knowledge he was listening in.

'God this feels good.' Edward said smiling as Carlisle and Esme made their way inside. They smiled at Edward and laughed. He laughed as well.
We remained seated for a while longer, staring at the stars and enjoying the peace and quiet of the night. Then Eward's hold on my hand tightened.

'I'm heading for a shower.' He said. He leaned over and kissed my cheek and then got up.

I stared after him. He was still respecting my space it seemed. I had been unsure what to do this entire night. I knew come nightfall it would be hard for him to see the couples go their own way. I was glad he wasn't openly pushing me to join him, or putting me on the spot by asking. He was simply giving me space to do what I wanted. I stayed seated a moment longer, but then decided to head down as well.

I opened the door to our room quietly. I heard the shower running from the ensuite and smiled to myself.

Today had been a rollorcoaster for me, my emotions had been all over the place. But Edward had been the one constant. He'd been there for me, he'd been happy to help me with my shield. he'd respected my boundaries. He'd not tried to shield my from anything - okay, he did try to shield me from Kate's full voltage blast, but I couldn't really blame him for that one. I smiled to myself and shook my head. He had proven to me over and over that he would respect me, let me make decisions...

I crept my way over to the bathroom door and slowly turned the handle.

I had realized something when Kate had tried to shock him. And it was time to share it with him.