Fated
Chapter 21
"Before I go over the strategy for taking down the Sjorginy, Alice needs to tell you, Edward, what she saw in her vision," Jasper says as we all sit in Alice's living room planning our attack on the Sjorginy and Drajor.
"You're not going to like it, Edward," Alice warns. Edward takes a deep breath.
"Alright. Let's hear it, Alice. What did you see in your vision."
"I saw Bella pretending she was hypnotized and going to Drajor. You and I stay hidden and follow her..."
"Absolutely not!" Edward commands and he stands up. The room grows quiet as everyone looks to me. They know I am the only one with a chance of making Edward see reason.
"Edward, Alice saw in her vision that I'm able to get the amulet away from Drajor. That must mean everything works out. As soon as the amulet is away from him, all the special abilities granted to the Sjorginy should be revoked. At that time you and Alice can kill him."
"I'm not putting you in danger, Bella," Edward's voice softens and is pleading. I stand up and walk up to him and look him in the eyes. I place my hands around his waist pulling him closer to me.
"It's the only way. We have no other options and we can't defeat the Sjorginy without getting that amulet away from Drajor. After we attacked them it's only a matter of time before they find where we are and come after us. With all their special powers we don't stand a chance." Edward glances at Carlisle, who nods his head in agreement. "They've found your weakness now and will continue to use that vampire who breaths ice against you," I say. Edward is quiet for a long time as he runs his finger and thumb along his jaw line, deep in thought.
"She's right, Edward. In my vision, I saw the ice vampire with Drajor. He's there just to make sure you get taken out. Bella has to get the amulet to revoke his powers before you can show your face. If you get frozen again, we're all in trouble. Bella, once you get the amulet away from Drajor you have to use your ability to mind-call to Edward and let him know so we can move in. If that doesn't work, scream. This is the only time you can use any of your special abilities. We can't take the chance of you getting drained and sick. Too many things can happen that you are not prepared for." I nod my head in agreement with Alice and continue watching Edward's face, waiting for his reply.
"Did you see anything else, Alice?" Edward asks. His voice almost sounds frightened and desperate. He truly does not want me to go there but we have no choice.
"My visions are always in bits and pieces so I can't give you all the details of what happens but I did see Bella remove the amulet from around Drajor's neck. That's all I saw. I'm hoping everything else goes smoothly and removing the amulet breaks all special abilities of the vampires so we're able to kill them all. If not, we'll have to retreat and come up with another plan."
"Alright, but Bella's safety is our main concern. If anything goes wrong or looks like he may hurt you, Bella, call out to me and we attack right away! Let's hear the rest of the plan," Edward says as we both sit down once again. Jasper stands up and walks to the middle of the room. He looks at each of us as he gives instructions.
"As we have already said, Bella is going to pretend to be hypnotized and go to Drajor." Jasper turns to look at me. "When you are hypnotized you concentrate upon only the task you are hypnotized for, so walk like you have a purpose and act like you are sleep-walking. No emotions. Walk straight up to Drajor and only speak when he speaks to you to answer his questions. He is using the amulet to hypnotize so if he waves his hand in front of it or takes it off or interacts with it in any way he is most likely removing the spell so you can act normal then. You will have to use your judgment as to when that may be. Take your time and wait until you are close to him before you try to take the amulet off of his neck. You only have one shot at this. The good news is he wants your special abilities so he isn't going to quickly jump on you and drain your blood. He's not going to want to waste a drop of it so he will have a bucket or something to drain it into before he attacks you. Keep your eyes open for any signs of his attacking you and call out to Edward if it looks like he is going to attack. If Edward does not respond to your mind-call, then scream. There is a good chance Drajor can read your mind as you get closer to him so do not think about our plan. Only think of him and make everything else in your mind go blank. If you don't get the amulet and Edward and Alice need to come in to save you, forget the amulet and Drajor and just get out!"
Jasper looks around at everyone again. "The priority is to get Bella out safely. We don't know how many vampires are going to be with Drajor, so Edward and Alice, you may have to fight a lot. If Bella cannot get the amulet, just take her and run. Don't try to fight them."
"That's why I want to go with them. They may need more help," says Jacob as he looks at Jasper.
"I'm sorry you can't. You are still a newborn and Drajor will be able to smell you coming a mile away. Edward and Alice have already mastered how to conceal their smell to other vampires. What you can do is stay at least 1 mile away and keep available if Edward, Alice or Bella should need you they can call you and you can run there. If you came with us, the boat ride back would slow you down so just hide out somewhere and wait until you are called."
Jacob nods his head in agreement. "Sounds good."
"All the rest of us will be hiding nearby the rest of the vampires waiting for Edward to call and give us the signal to attack. We have already borrowed Charlie's boat again and are ready to go. Bella, I want you to show us all exactly where Drajor is. We should all know the location just in case," Jasper says as he points to a map lying on the coffee table. We all gather around and I point out the approximate area of where I believe Drajor is. Jasper marks it with a red marker and asks everyone to look at it and memorize it.
I didn't realize it would be this difficult to not think about our plan while I'm walking alone in the woods, heading towards Drajor. I'm trying to keep my mind blank but at the same time, I have to look around to recognize the layout of the trees to determine which way Drajor is. I'm trying to not think about my mission or Edward and Alice following behind me.
My heart is beating fast in my chest and I feel like my adrenaline pumping through my veins has me on high alert. I see a large weeping willow tree coming up on my right. In my vision, I saw Drajor just beyond that. I try to calm my breathing as I pass the willow tree and head toward a clearing in the trees. I spot Drajor standing in the middle of the clearing with the sun shining brightly upon him, his skin sparkles like diamonds in the sunlight. He is quite a remarkable and beautiful sight. He starts walking toward me.
"Bella, you did well," Drajor says as he takes my hand and leads me to the middle of the clearing. I'm quiet and acting hypnotized. He turns to face me, still holding my right hand in his. "I could just take your blood while you are hypnotized but what fun would that be," he says and then grasps the amulet that hangs from a leather strap around his neck, in his right hand and holds it up toward my face. Purple light shines out from its center and hits me in the middle of my forehead, between my eyes. I feel a tingling sensation on my skin and realize this may be the only opportunity I have of getting that amulet from him. I reach out and grab the amulet in both hands and tug hard. The thin leather strap breaks from around his neck and I pull the amulet free from his hand. I know if I run he will chase me and catch me quick so I face him and slowly back away with the amulet in my hand, trying to stall him while I concentrate on mind-calling Edward. It's not happening as fast as I hoped and realize I should have practiced. Drajor takes a few steps toward me.
"Now what do you think you are going to do with that? You are really in no position to disobey me. Hand it over, now!" Drajor says as he slowly walks toward me. I am taking steps backward while screaming in my head for Edward. I cannot find a connection to him.
"You are going to give me very powerful abilities, Bella. For that I am thankful, but running from me is pointless."
"Edward!" I scream out loud. Drajor throws his head back and laughs maniacally.
"Did you think I was going to allow Edward and Alice to just follow you into the woods to save you and steal my amulet?"
"What have you done to them?" I scream while still walking backward. I've walked out of the clearing and am backing into the woods. I trip on a tree root and fall onto my back. Drajor steps up close and looks down at me, laughing. He holds his finger out as I watch his nail suddenly grow into a large, sharp point. He takes a small metal bowl out of his jacket pocket.
"This will only hurt for a moment," he says as he begins to bend down over top of me. I hear the clang of metal and a sloshing sound and Drajor's head rolls off of his body and onto the ground by my feet. Then his body falls to the ground and Craig is in his place, standing with a bloody, long sword in his hand. He holds his other hand out to me. I take it and he helps me rise.
"Craig. What are you doing here?" I'm confused and am not sure if I should be happy or worried that Craig just saved my life.
"No time for questions, Bella. There are other vampires from that coven around here. We have to move fast. Do I have your permission to pick you up so I can run fast with you to get us far from here?"
"I. I...don't know. Edward and Alice are supposed to be following me. I don't know where they are." I am looking around for Edward and Alice and wondering what happened to them.
"I don't know where they are, Bella, but we have to get out of here. We can figure out what happened to them later after we get somewhere safe. Can I hold that to keep it safe while we run?" Craig says and motions to the amulet in my hand. I hesitate and then hand it over to him. He picks me up and starts running. He is moving so fast I cannot make sense of anything I see going by me and have to close my eyes to keep from getting dizzy.