Chapter 5: Confessions

Last Chapter Recap: When Worlds Collide…

"You two," I said, "Right this way."

I didn't bother wait for a response. I went into my chambers, keeping the door open for them to enter. With hesitancy on Jasper's part, the two entered the room. I crossed my arms.

"So…what's up?" Jasper asked, voice slightly cracking. Alice looked at him with amusement.

"Anything you feel like mentioning?" I asked. "Anything you've shared that perhaps you should not have shared?"

"Nope," he said quickly. "What could I possible have to share that I shouldn't have shared? That would imply I know something I'm not supposed to know, right?" He was borderline hysterical.

"Alice, anything you'd like to share?" I addressed her.

"Like?" she met my stare, not backing down. Jasper looked scared, unsure what I would do.

"Happy hunting? Go to Chihuly Garden and Glass today…I would find what I was looking for…. Care to share how you knew that?"

"Oh, so you did go check it out? Did you like it?" Alice smiled.

"Alice…" Jasper almost warned in caution.

"I'm far too tired and old for games," I said, undeterred by her attempt at a distraction. "You know something."

"About what?" Alice asked, feigning innocence. I walked over to my chest at the edge of the bed and opened it. No longer intending on hiding its contents. Waving my hand in a circular motion to uncloak the enchantment, the weapons and ancient books appeared. Jasper tried to not act like this freaked him out...Alice seemed unphased, which further lead to confirming she knew something long before I stepped foot into these quarters.

"You don't seem surprised," I sat down across from her. "Why don't we start there?"

She smiled at me. "Ok, let's start there." She replied in agreement.

The glimmer in her eye was not lost on me.

~~WWC~~~

We sat in an awkward silence for some time, neither myself nor Alice volunteering to begin where we implied we would.

"Alice..."I warned. Was she intentionally playing games with me? She knew something. I could sense something from her but it was clouded. Blocking me in some way I was not accustomed to.

"Isabella…" she replied, utilizing my same intonation and tone. She was messing with me and I was growing impatient.

"This isn't a game…" I sighed, shaking my head in exasperation.

"I know, I'm sorry," Alice apologized, hands up in mock surrender. Jasper looked nervous. "You're right, I'm not surprised to see any of that…" she pointed to the chest. "or that you made it appear with a wave of your hand. Surprised…no. But I don't know the why behind it, truly I don't."

"Then how…?" Jasper started to ask before I could. She shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know…I just know that I've always had a sense with some things. You know that Jasper." She started, looking at him as he nodded in agreement. A silent acknowledgement to her truth. "Sometimes it's a feeling. Sometimes a flash here or there. It's never distinct or clear. It's never clear."

"How long have you exhibited these abilities?" I asked.

"For as long as I can remember…there's not a distinct moment where I recall NOT being able to do this." She shrugged her shoulders.

We sat once more in silence as I thought of a rational explanation to this. Empaths, precognizant…. all abilities and types of fae creatures. Fae creatures were of Eoglemond. The Spring Sanctum. But according to Amira, the breach came soley from Allovar. Nothing of the other realms. So what was truth here? Unless…

I stood up… Jasper just as quickly and getting in front of Alice.

"Now hold on…" Jasper said, standing his ground. "I've seen what you can do….and I'm not afraid to admit I'm a bit afraid of you. But over my dead body will I allow any harm to come to Alice."

"She won't hurt me Jasper," Alice assured him. And she was right. I would never hurt her.

"She speaks the truth Jasper," I assured him. "No harm will come to Alice or any of you for that matter, so long as I am here. Your devotion and loyalty to your match is admirable."

He sat back down, releasing a breath he had been evidently holding.

"I want to try something Alice. I meant what I said. No harm will come to you." I told her. "Do you trust me?"

"Absolutely," Alice said with no doubts and sat up straight. I approached her slowly looking into her eyes to make sure she truly was comfortable with my approach. She smiled at me, nodding.

I brought my hands up and brought them to either side of her head, hovering. I ignored Jasper's tangible nervousness. It was coming off him in waves.

"Close your eyes for me." I instructed. She did not miss a beat in doing as I requested. I took a breath and did the same, focusing on finding an origin to the source behind Alice's abilities. A vibrant white light emanated from my hands as I began to concentrate.

My intent was to capture each individual spiritual layer of the body. Each layer represents something very different and associates equally with a person's aura. My intent was to focus on Alice's third eye, the intuitional layer which grants me access to the celestial plane. It was here I hoped to gauge insights to her roots. Was she fae who escaped? A human anomaly, so to speak, who coincidently could tap into forces humans were not said to be able to breach? Was she a hybrid? A product of a create from another realm and a human? A rarity but not impossible.

It didn't take long to zero in to the third eye. And what I found was surprising. I gasped in shock and took a step back.

"What is it?" Alice asked, seeming nervous to my reaction.

"Alice, what can you tell me of your parents?" I questioned, curious.

"I don't talk about them much," she admitted. "My father passed away several years ago and when we lost him, my mother sort of…went away." She shrugged. Jasper rubbed Alice's back in a soothing manner.

"Went away?" I repeated.

"She left a note saying it was time for her to go home after my father passed," she shrugged "I haven't heard from her since. She didn't leave any information of how to contact her or anything."

"She abandoned you." I stated firmly in disapproval.

"I don't dwell on it," she said, matter of factly. "I figure I can sit around and mope about it or I can live my life, surrounding myself with those I love and who love me back."

"You're very strong Alice," I smiled at her.

"Well thanks," she said. "Find anything good in there?" she joked, pointing at her head.

"Ah," I nodded and sat back down. "I did, actually. I'm genuinely surprised as I've never encountered this type of situation before. I'm not quite sure how relay this to you …but your abilities stem from your non-human side. I can surmise it comes from your mother."

"Sorry…" Alice interrupted. "But…non-human?"

I took a deep breath.

"I told Jasper the night we met there is much humans cannot fathom. That to try to understand this takes throwing all rational and preconceived notions quite literally out the window." I started.

"Well you've got my attention," she said. And it seemed I did. She did not seem nervous or scared. She seemed genuinely interested in knowing her roots.

"I'll try to keep be open minded," Jasper added. "I've seen it to believe something otherworldly exists. I may not understand it or think it rational…but you have definitely piqued my interest."

"There really is no easy place to begin, you understand," I started. "But I can begin with this…. Earth is one of many, many realms. Your mother, from what it seems, comes from Eoglemond: The Spring Sanctum where creatures such as mermaids, nymphs and fairies live in peace among their kind. They're referred to as fae. And fae possess unique abilities similar to your own."

"So I'm part fae?" Alice asked.

"Appears that way," I told her. "Your father, was human. It's why your abilities manifest without full clarity."

"So, humans and creatures from other realms can procreate?" Jasper asked.

"If they are matched, yes, they can." I told them. "It's never been a set rule that creatures cannot intermix among different kind. But the realms were created to maintain peace and allow creatures and species to live in harmony but separately from one another. Reduce the chaos and destruction particular creatures are capable of."

"What kind of other creatures?" Alice asked.

"There are realms in which witches, warlocks, vampires and werewolves live among their kind," I started, but Jasper interrupted.

"Vampires and werewolves?" he exclaimed. "They're real?!

"Yes," I replied as though it was the most obvious thing. "They're real. As are demons, gremlins, imps and black eyes beings….the creatures I saved you from at the gas station several weeks ago. That's why I'm here. The realm where those creatures exist has been breached and they've escaped here to Earth."

"But why you?" Jasper asked.

"It's what I am tasked with as a warrior. I come from a realm called Aezarant: the Ancient Realm. Warriors are tasked with maintaining the created peace among all realms I am known as Isa."

"So your name isn't Isabella…" Jasper said.

"It is," I told them. "Isabella is my given name. Isa was ceremoniously chosen for me when I became a warrior."

"So evil creatures escaped to Earth…and you're going to capture them and bring them back?" Alice confirmed.

"Yes," I assured.

"And then what?" Alice asked.

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"When you've completed this mission of yours…then what?" She clarified. "What happens then?"

"Then I return to Aezarant," I told them, it seemed obvious and I grew confused when Alice's face looked displeased and genuinely upset.

"Just like that," she said, standing up placing her hands on her hips. "You move in, we get close to you…and you up and leave too? What about Edward?" I glared at her.

"What's Edward have to do with any of this?" Jasper asked.

"Don't pretend I don't know or can't see the obvious," Alice ignored Jasper's question. "It may not be clear…but I'm right about what I've sensed from you two since the night you met, aren't I?"

"It's nothing to be concerned with," I told her, matching her stare.

"What am I missing?" Jasper asked.

"Nothing." I stated but Alice ignored me.

"They're matched," she said. "I could sense their connection the night they met."

"I still don't get this matched thing," Jasper said.

"As Isabella explained that first night," Alice started. "It's quite literally when you've met the person your meant to be with. Your true other half."

"Can you even match with someone from a different realm?" Jasper asked.

"Apparently they can," Alice answered for me. "My parents matched. And even had me!"

"I didn't know it could be a thing, until this discovery of your parents Alice," I told them. "Until this breach, I had never been to the Earth Realm to hear of this. I thought it a fluke with Edward."

"It's not," Alice said with confidence. "So, what happens to him if you leave?"

"If I continue to maintain my distance from him and not solidify the match, he will be fine with my leaving. It would not cause any disruption to his life. Simply being in proximity to someone who is meant to be your match does not make it so. It's more involved."

"You said Alice and I were matched," Jasper said.

"You two are," I assured. "It's been ensured by the two of you. Your aura confirms it. It's very particular with a matched pair."

"How did we ensure the match?" he asked. I looked back and forth between him and Alice, not sure how comfortable they would be with the information.

"It's a mutual expression…of verbal promises and physical consummation." I told them.

"In other words…"Jasper replied.

"You've expressed your feelings of love for one another and consummated your relationship. Willingly accepting the other mind, body and soul." I said simply. They looked at each other not sure what to make of it but then a smile emerged on their faces.

"I can live with that," Alice laughed. "But you and Edward…"

"No," I told her. "I'm not from here Alice. I can't offer him anything. My presence here is only as long as the creatures roam free. It's not safe."

"Why can't it be both…protect Earth and be with Edward," Alice pouted. Yes, she pouted.

"I'm a warrior Alice. There are expectations I have to live up to and getting emotionally involved will place not just you at risk, but everyone. It shouldn't be taking this long to recapture all these creatures."

"Why is it?" Alice asked.

"I wasn't sure until earlier tonight when I went to the Chihuly Garden and Glass. I captured an imp when I went there." I told them.

"An imp?" Jasper's voice cracked a bit. Chicken.

"They're demon like creatures known for their pranks on innocent bystanders. They're usually tricksters unless they're being controlled to intentionally cause harm."

"Controlled?" Alice asked, concerned.

"Yes, controlled. Some may be captured and be ordered by their master to do their masters bidding. Today I was left with the impression that the events surrounding Seattle may be coming from powerful dark force intended to cause harm."

"Is that force the reason you had that mark on your cheek? "Alice asked, looking at my face. "Your nearly healed scratch…" Jasper looked at my face in surprise.

"Really, this surprises you?" I laughed him.

"I suppose it really shouldn't," he chuckled as well.

"I'm not sure yet Alice. But I need a new strategy to track these things." I told sat down, folding my arms.

"How'd you find it today?" she asked.

"I used my scry," I answered. "It's a crystal-like ball that can be enchanted to find just about anything."

"So why not use that and employ that within a digital footprint?" Jasper offered.

"Digital footprint?" I asked, confused.

"Yes, that's a great idea!" Alice exclaimed. "It'll certainly save you time doing whatever it is you do through the day trying to find these things."

"There are digital maps on the computer of the entire city. You can enchant it to work the same as your scry and notify you whenever something specific that you're looking for appears…" Jasper explained.

"That's…."I was trying to find the words. I'd been here some time now and never once did the thought occur to me to enchant a map within a computer to find these creatures for me. Certainly, this would be more efficient than standing on rooftops trying to find creatures actively engaged in mischief. "Brilliant. That is brilliant."

"Yea?" Jasper asked, surprised.

"Yes. Absolutely," I confirmed. "Tomorrow I will procure a computer."

"Just use my laptop," Alice offered.

"You're sure?" I asked.

"What's the point of getting your own if you don't intend to stay, right?" there was a bitterness to her tone.

"Alice.." I started but she put her hand up.

"Don't, I'm sorry." She said. "It's a completely separate issue to all of this and you are right. Priorities."

Jasper and I looked at her in shock.

"Just like that?" I asked in disbelief.

"Well no," she admitted. "I'm not going to give up on the notion of you staying and your match with Edward. But right now, let's help you figure out what's going on."

"You want to help?" I asked.

"As much as we can without quite literally jumping in harm's way, yes." Alice said. "Please let us."

I looked at both of them, searching their eyes to see if this is truly what they wanted to do. I would not allow them to stand by my side fighting these creatures but their insights may prove valuable. They know this realm far better than I did.

"If you're sure," I said.

"We are," Jasper agreed.

Before we could continue our conversation, the front door burst open. We could hear the commotion from my quarters vividly.

"Alice where did we leave that damn first aid kit?" Rose's voice called into the apartment. First aid kit? The three of us exchanged a look before rushing out of the room to investigate the commotion. Rose was looking through the drawers with on hand while the other was holding a rag to her upper left shoulder. It was covered in blood. A frantic Emmett was just running into the apartment calling after her. His knuckles bloody.

"Rosie we need to get you to a damn hospital," he frantically ran over to her.

"No, what I need is a damn first aid kit," she rolled her eyes. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine!" he shouted. "Jasper, call the police!" She slammed the drawer shut.

"Do not do that!" she pointed her finger at Jasper.

"What do you mean 'do no do that'" Emmett said in disbelief. "Some creep attacked you on the street and you don't see it necessary to report it?"

"What exactly am I going to tell the police when they ask for the description of the guy who attempted to attack me?" She exclaimed in frustration. "They're not going to take me seriously at all when I tell him the creep had eyes black as night and looked more beast than man. Please. And he wasn't successful. I fought back and he ran with his tail between his legs like a little bitch."

"Not before he cut you," Emmett argued back. "You might need stitches. Not a damn first aid kit."

Rose continued to ignore him as Alice, Jasper and I exchanged looks.

"Damn it, Rose, take this seriously!" Emmett shouted.

"Ok enough." I interjected. They both stopped and looked at me. I walked over to Rose, gently taking her by the arm and bringing her to the couch to sit. "Rose, take a breath."

She did as I instructed and looked into my eyes. The tough façade was slightly fading and I could see the effect this attack had on her. She was in shock and the adrenaline was keeping her going until now.

"Rose, let me see your arm," I requested gently, not making any sudden movements so as to not startle her. She searched my eyes before taking another breath and moving her hand out of the way. "Can we remove the jacket?" She nodded and gently attempted to remove her denim jacket. Two deep gashes were on the top of arm following a diagonal pattern, parallel to each other.

"Try to tell me that doesn't need stitches," Emmett spat, hovering close by. "What kind of knife leaves a cut like that anyway?' He asked more to himself.

"A knife doesn't." I spoke. "Rose, you said it looked more beast than man? Eyes dark as night?"

"She doesn't know what she saw," Emmett interrupted. "It was dark."

"I know what I fucking saw Emmett!" She all but screamed. "I'm not crazy."

"Emmett, if you have any cloths over at your place, go grab some so I can help control the bleeding," I told him. "It's not up for discussion. Go before you end up needing medical assistance." I stared at him.

"Come on Emmett," Jasper said. "I'll go with you." Emmett started to protest but Jasper gave him a shove to get him moving.

"Isabella, can I get anything to help the wound?" Alice asked, sitting on the other side of Rose trying to offer comfort.

"Rose," I started, she looked at me. "This is too deep for simple first aid. It does require stitches. But you're right. It'll raise a lot of questions that people here are too narrow minded to pay enough attention to in order to take it seriously."

"But surely we need to go to a hospital?' Alice asked.

"Ugh, please," Rose whispered. "No hospitals."

"What's the alternative?" Alice countered to Rose.

"I can take care of this without the need of a hospital," I gave a pointed look to Alice. "Is that ok with you Rose?"

"Will it hurt?" she asked.

"The opposite," I assured her. "It'll erase any reminders from this night."

"Then do it," Rose said.

"Rose, look at me," I told her. "I assure you…what happened tonight and what's about to happen, you are not crazy. What you saw was real." I just had to determine if the attack on Rose was a coincidence. I was starting to think whatever this figure was I had seen earlier followed me and knew who to target to get to me. I took a deep breath and put my hand over her wound. A warm glow came from my hand emerged for a moment before Rose gasped in surprise. She moved her hand away a moment later, examining her arm trying to find the marks that marred her skin. They were gone.

"It's gone!" she gasped in surprise and looked up at me in wonder.

Emmett in that moment barged in with Jasper hot on his heals with towels and a brown looking bottle.

"Ok, I wasn't sure what to grab," he started in a frenzy. "I have gauze, towels, antiseptic." He looked up and stopped in his tracks, seeing Rose's arm was completely unmarked. "What in the hell?"

Jasper peered over Emmett shoulder to see what caused Emmett to finally stop talking. He looked at me in understanding. "That'll come in handy." He laughed.

"No seriously," Emmett started. "What in the hell?"

"Let's not focus on that right now," I waved off. I'd get them up to speed soon enough. "What happened tonight?"

"We were at the club," Rose started before Emmett could circle back. "Emmett ditched me for some chick who was all over his junk. So I left." She gave a pointed glare at him as if to challenge her representation the evenings events. "I was a block away from the building when something pushed me into the alley from behind, it was growling in my ear. I don't care what or who it thought it was, elbowed it to fight it off and managed to turn around to get a look what whatever it was. I could barely make out a face. It didn't look human. Its eyes were dark as night. I punched it to get away when it attempted to lunge for me again…that's when its hand went up and got me. I heard it growl. Fucking growl. I fell and then Emmett and Edward appeared out of nowhere and went after it."

"Emmett and Edward?" I asked. I tried not to let my panic show. Emmett and Rose were safe and sound inside this apartment. But where the hell was Edward?

"Edward and I went after it," Emmett added. "I landed some punches but it was like hitting concrete. It ran off but Edward told me to take care of Rose. And for the record, that chick was not on my junk and I didn't ditch Rose." Rose rolled her eyes at him.

I stood up quickly. "Emmett, where is Edward?" I didn't give Rose a moment to start an argument over what did or did not transpire between an insignificant conquest. Edward was involved and was not here. He was not here, safe where he needed to be to give me peace of mind.

"I don't know," Emmett said…."He wasn't at the apartment when I went to get the supplies. Let me call him." He turned around with his phone in hand.

"Isabella, he could be home and alright," Alice came to my side, whispering in my ear.

"He's not picking up," Emmett said, looking worried. I didn't give it a thought. I went to my quarters to the trunk, everyone hot on my heals.

"What the hell!?" Emmett exclaimed, seeing the contents of my trunk.

"Don't ask Emmett," Jasper said, shaking his head.

I grabbed what I needed and left, not giving them, another thought or an explanation.

"Isabella, wait…how are you going to find it?" Alice asked.

"Find it?" Emmett asked. "You can't be going after whatever that thing was! That's crazy!"

"If you'd just insisted Edward, come back with you, I wouldn't have to go out there to find it." I snapped at him.

"I had to make sure Rose was safe," Emmett bit back.

"You both could have done that," I rebutted.

"Forget that for a moment. Rose is safe and that's important to remember." Jasper interjected.

"Isabella, how do you plan on finding Edward. What can we do to help you?" I took a breath. It was dark out. Seeing the cities energy would be hard but the night sky also worked to my advantage. I'd never been senseless to risk taking flight before but this was Edward. The need to find and ensure Edward was safe was overwhelming. I'd never felt this emotion before. I looked out to the balcony seeing that as my fastest way to gain the access I needed. We were high enough where people would not see me take flight and I was wearing dark enough attire that I knew I could blend.

"Do you have anything of Edward's on hand?" I asked them. I could use something of his to enchant to lead me to him but I knew. Somehow, I knew I would not need an object. The pull I felt whenever I'd close my eyes and think of him was overwhelming. It was drawing me to him.

"He left his hat here," Alice shrugged and handed it to me. "Will this work?"

"It'll have to." I put the hat in my satchel, fully trusting in my ability to find him without it and went to the balcony. I climbed up to the rail, initiating new panic from Rose and Emmett. Alice and Jasper may not know of my abilities but few things were starting to surprise them.

"Get down from there!" Emmett exclaiming, trying to reach for my hand to pull me down. Jasper stopped him. "Dude, what are you doing! She can fall and get herself killed. What is going on with all of you!"

"I'll explain later," I told him. "Just don't freak out."

"Freak out over what?" he asked, looking around to everyone. I shook my head and closed my eyes. Focusing on Edward and the connection I felt with him. The pull was strong.

I didn't waste another minute before leaping into the air and taking flight. All I can hear as I put distance between myself and the apartment in search of Edward was Emmett screaming in the background.

"What the hell!"