Chapter Forty Three

Johnny H

Trouble was coming that much I knew. How soon it would get here, I had no idea but I knew I needed to get through this other business first. Before me stood Paul and Jake who had turned up only an hour ago. I had heard a disturbing story from Sam Uley and wanted to get to the bottom of it quickly.

"Paul, you will remain here until I decide you are ready to be sent back to Forks. You would do better in the meantime to focus on your anger-management problems than waste time harassing me. I am not going to change my mind."

"What about Jake then?"

I sighed, "What about Jacob?"

Paul's eyes narrowed and a nasty smile twisted his lips which concerned me.

"Surely you know what happened? How he helped the Cullen leech kidnap Bella Swan? Our pack helped the leech escape, how is that right? We're here to kill vampires, not help them. And don't tell me they were helping Bella escape because she was with two vampires when I came across her. She almost killed me and that makes her as big a threat as the leeches. Why aren't we going after her?"

"Are you questioning my authority, Paul? If so, I hope you have a really good reason."

"I just told you. We're supposed to be the great protectors so why aren't we protecting? You know there are leeches in Denali, you know Bella's out there too and trust me, she hates us as much as she hates them."

"The guardians exist to protect our people. We are not the police or saviors of humanity. You need to learn the difference. Besides, have Bella or her companions attacked anyone recently? I haven't heard any news of our settlements being troubled or of any vampires for that matter.

The last attack was near Forks and the hunters who were with Bella were looking to kill a nomad. The same nomad who was responsible for killing her father. Do you think that was wrong? Did she or her companions harm anyone from the Quileute village? Did the vampires who came looking for her harm any of our people?"

Paul laughed derisively, "From what I hear they just scrapped among themselves. The hunters took the hit which just shows the humans should leave the leeches to us."

I sighed, "So, you want to protect the whole of humanity with just a few guardians? Paul, you are more ignorant and arrogant than I thought."

He didn't like that and I saw he was struggling not to phase. Did he really think he could take me? Thinking about it he probably did.

"Don't even think about it, Paul. If you do, I will kill you."

His shape wavered and I saw the wolf beginning to coalesce but then his human form solidified once more.

Jake who had braced himself to take Paul if he lost control relaxed too.

"Well, Jake? What have you to say to Paul's accusations?"

"I protected Bella. I believed Jasper Hale when he said she was in danger. It's my fault the pack just watched his back. She's suffered enough as a result of Guardian actions. We owed her."

Paul sneered, "You mean I owe her. I regret what happened but it was her fault. She accused me of murdering Charlie."

"Enough, Paul. Leave us."

He opened his mouth to protest then shut it again and slunk off darting a murderous look at Jake.

"You should watch your back, Jacob."

"I can take care of myself."

"So it would appear. Why did you come here? Were you looking for Bella?"

He shook his head, "No. I just wanted you to know why I acted as I did. I'm not a traitor. I still hate vampires and I'll still hunt them down if they threaten any of our people even if Sam did exile me."

"So?"

"We owed Bella something and I helped a vampire save her. In return, he or his friend saved my life. I think we're even."

I listened as he explained waking up surrounded by a ring of scorched earth after losing Bella to the vampires.

"I see. Well, I could talk to Sam on your behalf, explain the situation or you could stay here and work with me."

He shook his head, "Thanks but I'd rather go my own way. The pack would never accept me back and I'm not sure I want to return to them. Are you going to speak to Bella? I take it she's coming here for some reason."

"Bella and I have unfinished business, Jake, and don't ask questions because I won't tell you any more than that. Nor will I allow you to be at my side when I do meet her again. Can I trust you to give your word to stay away from her in the future?"

He hesitated and then nodded, "sure. She doesn't want anything to do with me anyhow. She chose her side a long time ago."

"Bella didn't choose anything, Jake. Her destiny was mapped out centuries ago. For now, I'd like you to stay close to Paul and in the village. OK?"

Again he hesitated.

"I could make it an Alpha command if you insist."

"No need. Just tell her that I'm sorry."

I nodded, "I will should the opportunity arise. Now go find Paul and try to make your peace with him."

I watched him go with a heavy heart. Occasionally I came across a guardian who reminded me of myself as a youth, Jake was that guardian. Sometimes I came across one too dangerous to live and Paul was shaping up to be another of those that had to be destroyed to protect us all. It was a part of my role that I disliked the most but after all this time I had made my peace with its necessity.

Maybe Jake could calm Paul's savage side. It was worth a try although I doubted his chances of success.

For now, however, I had something more immediate to concern me.

A short while later Nicholas who had been keeping watch appeared with the news I had been expecting.

"The girl and her vampire companion were seen at the coven base a few hours ago. The male, Eleazar, wasn't alone. Two other vampires had arrived before them. One was Volturi, the other I recognized from earlier observations. He was one of the Cullens. Edward."

"What happened?"

"It was strange. Edward warned Eleazar that The Major had discovered he was the one responsible for the Major's death or becoming a vampire. They were offering him protection in Volterra but Eleazar refused. It's a shame really, it would have cleared Denali of their stench."

"Eleazar was a good indicator of who was around. He was useful. So, what happened next?"

"The other Cullen vampire turned up with the girl. Did you know he was The Major?"

"Yes, of course, but go on."

"Well, they had some words and then the girl did something. I couldn't make out what exactly but it seems Edward found it impossible to read minds afterwards. Is that even possible, sir?"

"I've found there is very little in this world that is truly impossible. What about Eleazar?"

He grinned, "I was honored to be there to see that in person. I've heard about The Major and his fighting abilities but not so much about his gift. He had Eleazar screaming and rolling around on the ground. He was still lying there when they left. Holding his head and trembling all over. It was awesome."

I nodded, ignoring his enthusiasm. So The Major had finally gotten his revenge and a much more satisfying one than just killing his betrayer. He was already high in my estimation and had just taken another step up. Men like that were a rare breed. It was just a pity he was one of the enemy.

"Which way did they go when they left?"

"Back onto the highway. You don't think they'd try to get inside the village, do you? Should I call out the rest of the pack?"

"I know they are coming and I will meet with them, but not in the village. Fetch Tikaani and tell him to bring his brother and the snowmobiles."

"You're going out to meet them? Shouldn't you take all of us with you? They are both dangerous, they've already demonstrated that."

"And you think I'm not? Do you have such little faith in me?"

He shook his head looking a little shamefaced, "No, I'm sorry."

"Go. Fetch the others as I asked you to then keep an eye on our Quileute guests, but from a discreet distance."

Whatever their reasons for confronting me I wanted it on neutral territory and with my most loyal friends at my side. My brothers would watch my back and not make any stupid moves. They were also deaf and dumb when it came to guardian business and I wasn't taking any chances with these particular 'visitors'.

It was ironic that the vampire Caius had sent out to hunt down Bella was known to her and even more so that he had become her guide and protector, not that she needed the latter. Were the two of them just friends or was there more to it? The mysteries were still not solved, not all of them anyhow.

Bella

As we walked back to the car I couldn't rid myself of the sight of Eleazar writhing on the ground in agony. It made me wonder just how much pain Jasper had endured since Maria changed him. I was curious to hear more about his life both as a human and a vampire but didn't feel that I had the right to pry. Besides, now was hardly the place or time.

His voice brought me back to the present and looking up I saw the car ahead of us.

"Sorry?"

He smiled but it was pensive, "I said are you OK? You've been miles away ever since we left Eleazar's place. Are you having second thoughts about letting Edward live?"

I blinked in surprise, "Second thoughts? No. Not at all. I think taking his gift away will hurt him far more and certainly for longer. Death would have been too easy for him. I just hope it's permanent."

"Then what is it?"

There was genuine concern in his tone now and it occurred to me he might think that seeing Edward again may change the way I felt about him.

I stopped, took his hand in mine, and smiled.

"I think I had a very lucky escape where he's concerned even if I do have him to thank for it. I thought he was someone very special, the love of my life, my one true love. Oh God, that sounds pathetic, but you know what I mean.

Anyhow, when I saw him again it was obvious how shallow, selfish and petty he really is. True I have him to thank for saving my life, but he never really loved me."

Jasper smiled again and this time it was warm with relief, so I'd been right.

"You thought…"

He stopped my words with his lips and we kissed passionately under the trees oblivious of the rain now falling.

Once back in the car Jasper turned the heater up and I tried, largely unsuccessfully, to dry my dripping hair with Jasper's jacket which he insisted on handing over.

"Ugh, I feel like a drowned rat."

"Well, you look like a very beautiful drowned rat. So, Johnny H next I take it?"

A part of me wanted to go straight to the guardian leader and demand some answers, but a larger part feared that once our quest for revenge was over so our romance would end. I couldn't see beyond the next few hours and it frightened me.

"Would you think any less of me if I put it off for one more night? I don't want to face him looking like this. It would put me at a disadvantage and we are bearding him in his own den."

He kissed my cheek and headed back the way we had come, "Bella, I will never think any less of you and another night alone together sounds pretty good to me."

I found myself blushing, somehow he always knew the right thing to say. A small part of me still rebelled against my relationship with a vampire. I had been through so much, my whole line had been hunted to near extinction by them, yet here I was contemplating with delight the prospect of another night in Jasper's arms.

Somehow I had to come to terms with this inner conflict, I knew that. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life in turmoil nor did I want to spend it alone. I was so scared at the knowledge that if Jasper left me I would sink into the morass of hatred and self-loathing that had thus far led me on towards self-destruction.

We followed our usual pattern, a meal at a diner, Jasper toying with his food then swapping plates so I could help myself to any tidbits.

My appetite had returned with a vengeance even though I often felt nauseous for some time after a meal. It led me to wonder if perhaps a part of my digestive problems had been in my head rather than as a result of my injuries. Maybe it had been a subconscious desire on my part to end it all.

Once settled in another motel room Jasper left me to hunt. I always missed him while he was gone on one of these short trips but considering the amount of energy he had expended recently it was only practical.

It was strange. When I had been with Edward I had always known when he was thirsty. It changed his behavior quite markedly. He became irritable and withdrawn. He had told me that this was just because he feared what he might do by accident. That he loved me too much to risk hurting me inadvertently.

With Jasper, the only hint I got was the deepening of the bruising under his eyes. I never felt in any danger and he acted no differently towards me. It was as if he had total confidence in his ability to control his thirst and his actions.

Was this because he loved me? Or was he just so much better at controlling his urges? In my heart, I knew it was the former but a small voice in my head urged caution. It tired me out but for tonight I would relax and leave all my worries for another day.

Tomorrow I would confront Johnny H and question him about why he hadn't warned me that each time I used my gift I was killing myself. Was he so callous that he didn't care? Or had he seen my own self-destructive spiral and decided to make use of it for his own ends?

In some ways he and Jasper were similar. Not in looks although both were lean and handsome. It was more in their attitude to life. Both had complete confidence in their abilities and neither was frightened of anything. Darius had been the same. None of them needed others to acknowledge their strengths and capabilities, they accepted their place in this world and just got on with it.

Darius. Had he finally been reunited with his wife? I hoped that he was finally happy and at peace. Although we had never been friends and he was one of the enemy I had understood his motives and even applauded his unwavering obsession to gain revenge for the death of the woman he loved. Such dedication was what all women dreamed of, a man who would let nothing stop him from keeping her safe or avenging her death. She must have felt his deep love and reciprocated it. Their story was a real tragedy, Romeo and Juliet with a vampire twist.

I pulled myself out of my reverie and decided to shower and then try to sleep until Jasper returned. I knew I was quite capable of looking after myself yet I still felt vulnerable when he wasn't around. I guess it was a sign, if I needed one, that I no longer wanted to fight the world.

I had just gotten out of the shower and pulled on some sweat pants and a tee-shirt to curl up in when there was a knock at the door. Knowing it couldn't be Jasper as he did not need to knock, I tensed. Moving slowly to the window I tweaked the blind so I could see who was outside and froze.