A/N: Thanks everyone for the great response to the start of this story xx Alexis
Eleazar
No, Edward and Alice would glamour Isabella and I think they have tried, but not very successfully. Otherwise, she would not be avoiding eye contact or being within their breathing range! How can Carlisle condone such a thing? Oh, because if it's his golden boy doing it, then, of course, that's okay. Every time we visit the Cullens, Carlisle becomes less and less recognisable as the vampire he once was. He was strong and idealistic all those years ago, but since he changed Edward he has become little more than a puppet to that boy's whims. Doing that child's bidding no matter how wrong or dangerous it is. It's ridiculous; he is supposed to be the leader of his coven, not a sycophant to that child! What does Edward hold over Carlisle that could bring about this travesty?
I wonder if it isn't something from his past, his past with the Volturi, they forget I was there too! Anyway, their family dynamics are irrelevant to me. Like every coven, there will always be problems, but they seem to revel in the drama! None of them knows exactly how my gift works and I like to keep it that way. I see a fine coloured aura-like haze around the gifted, which gives me the chance to dig deeper and seek out the exact nuance of said gift. Different colours classify them mostly into groups. Like for instance, Jasper's aura is Yellow, all emotional based gifts are. Jane's is deep ochre or dark Mustard Yellow, denoting its darker intention, but it's the emotional gift of pain. But because Jasper is an empath his rolls through many shades on a loop, light and dark are all on show to me.
Physical gifts like Kate's are Red, but it's the shade of colour that denotes the category of the said gift. Jane's brother Alec's one is physical because it produces a fog, so red, deep dark red. Whereas mind gifts are Green, again shade denotes a type, like Alice and Edward. His is pale because it's quite weak, hers is darker but not by much because she's a decision-based seer. Jasper's brother Peter has a strong dark green aura because he is rarely wrong. Isabella has a Blue shimmering aura; a bubble would be the exact likeness. She like all other shields has this. The top half of her aura is strong and defined, meaning she's a mental shield. The bottom is more nebulous. Meaning she hasn't used her physical shield yet, although it is most assuredly there.
But I also can see when a vampire uses their gift as it pulses slightly and she has used it several times today. Most are when dealing with blocking Edward and Alice too I see, but not once was she blocking Jasper. So it at present can tell an attack from a friendly gesture. If he turned his full attention towards trying to hurt her emotionally, I'm sure she could block him without much effort. Also, she used it while she looked at Carmen, what did that mean; I'm at a loss to understand? Carmen does not have a gift, she is a delicate soul who needed saving so long ago and I did. She needed to be out of the clutches of Caius and I was beyond sickened with Aro's behaviour. So we agreed and with Marcus' help escaped that place steeped in evil wrongdoings. We are not mates, but were in love and so became each other's saviour.
I say were, because things changed along the way. We travelled for many years and met many humans and vampires, some even became friends. Some hers and some mine, Carmen had a soft spot for humans back then. But after one visit to Volterra in eighteen-seventy-five I returned to her and she had changed. I could never put my finger on what it was that had changed but I no longer felt any love for her at all. As I sadly withdrew my affections, she became much more clingy. So from then on our relationship went from lovers to friends. Which she hated, I know this! But I couldn't find it within myself to lie. It's as if she has forgotten all the things we talked about at the beginning, which is ridiculous vampires forget nothing. In a strange way, it's as if she truly believed the lie, that we are mates!
I have been recalled on several occasions to Volterra, Carmen never returns with me, for her safety she says. Aro still asks me for advice on the gifted, especially with young vampires who need training to bring out said gift's full potential. But Carmen and I did discuss what would happen if we ever found our mates, all that time ago. We promised to not stand in each other's way, I hope that is the truth. Because I sense a great change coming for me, it's almost a tangible feeling in the air! I almost crave it and I believe Isabella is the key!
Bella
I have made a major decision, from now on I refuse to placate those foolish morons. Why should I, what gives them the right to be relaxed or comfortable about what they've done to me? I refuse to lie anymore and let them make out everything is okay, because it is not and never will be again. I'm just waiting for someone to ask me a direct question, so I can blow them, well the four idiots, out of the water. Why I ever pretended to be okay with this charade is beyond me? I'm too nice for my own good, obviously! Aha! Here it comes, from the fake Carmen; I saw her trying to talk to Esme and her concerns were brushed aside, if Edward isn't complaining they will do nothing, of course. I wish I'd seen all of this before, this sycophantic behaviour is in a word, disgusting!
"My dear, I am so sorry for Tanya's behaviour towards your fiancé! Do you wish us to depart and leave you in peace?" she enquires with her slight Spanish accent,
"Not at all Carmen. It's a pleasure to have new people to talk to.
People who can actually hold a conversation with me, without lying to my face or seeking Edward's approval first!
But you seem to be under some sort of misconception; Edward and I are not engaged!
We have never been engaged and we never will be married, thank God!" I punctuate every sentence with a pause and then hold up my bare hand showing no ring before continuing,
"I will one day be a vampire, like each of you, nothing more. Not even Edward's coven mate, as I will never be a Cullen by choice! This is no love-match or fairytale romance, I have been ordered to be changed or die by the Volturi brothers! This all due to Edward's total ineptitude at behaving like a grown-up, or even a vampire actually, nothing more!" I reply slightly louder than needed,
Several voices ring out with varying reactions to my heartfelt speech,
"NO!" from a despondent Alice,
She falls to the floor, is it even a vision, looks like a bad case of the vapours to me!
"What? You have lied to me, to our coven Carlisle!" from Eleazar, Carmen flinches at his disgust of being lied to,
"Isabella!" a definite note of censure from Esme, which I ignore,
"Why?" a pathetic plea from Edward,
"Way to go Belly!" from a jubilant Emmett,
"At last, you've found your backbone, my little sis" from Rose as she kisses me on the cheek,
"Good, no more pretendin'!" from Jasper as he backs up towards the door,
Chaos ran around the room, as they all talk about me and not to me as per usual. I could see Jasper wincing, God, they were all so selfish, only interested in themselves and what they wanted regardless of who they hurt. I let out an ear-piercing shrill whistle, one my dad taught me long ago. Most unladylike I assume, with two fingers in my mouth, but I don't care. It has the desired effect and the room falls silent.
"Be quiet you ignorant, selfish fools, show some respect for Jasper's gift! If you want to talk about this it will be with me, one at a time and at my leisure! But it will be with me because you have no say in anything I do anymore!" I say before walking out the door to my truck,
"But love?" Edward says quietly,
This is from his position in the doorway and I just lift my hand up once again. But this time I give him the middle finger, which sends Jasper, Emmett, Rose and Kate into peals of laughter and makes Eleazar clear his throat unnecessarily. Thankfully, hopefully, this will put a stop to all Alice's plans and all the shit they have been shovelling at me. I for once have taken back control of my life and it feels good. Yes, I have to become a vampire but on my terms, not Edward's, not Carlisle's, mine! But once I'm changed I'm having nothing to do with them, I can barely look some in the face. I wonder if Rose and Emmett would join me. I'll have to make sure everyone knows and I will not be letting either Edward or Carlisle be my sire now! Maybe Jasper or maybe even Eleazar would do the honours for me.
Then I wouldn't ever have to stay here, Denali might be a nice place to go through the change.
"We should leave!" Eleazar says now turning to Carlisle and I speak first,
"Please don't. I obviously need witnesses to stop them from trying to railroad me. You can see the way I'm treated here! It's as if my opinion is of no importance, because how could a mere human know her own mind! I'm nothing but Edward's pet to them!
I would like you to be my outside mediator if you don't mind. Because they never listen to my friends, their own family's voices" I say, indicating to Rose, Emmett and Jasper who are standing to one side away from the other four,
He nods kindly, with a gentle look in his eyes and I sigh with a little welcome relief and climb into my truck. I don't know why Eleazar makes me feel safer than I have been lately, but he does and that's something I need very much right now. I roll down my window and add,
"Don't come to my house again, Edward! From now on my father's home is out of bounds to the four of you! The others, of course, are welcome to visit anytime. Oh and ladies, you venture into my father's town you put some bloody clothes on!"
Rose
"She'll be back later, it's time for her to see to her father's needs and spend some time with him. At least while she still can, since Edward has sentenced her to this life or death!" I said waving her off scowling at him,
"Yeah, Bella doesn't take her responsibilities lightly. She a rare thing in our world, a truly honest person. She has no hidden agenda like Edward, no ulterior motives like Alice and gives her time and love freely without expectations. It's a pity there weren't more vampires like her! Honesty and respect are apparently unnecessary in this coven!
But once you lose her trust it's gone forever! I know just how she feels these days; therefore I will stay only for her. When Bella no longer needs me I will be leaving for good!" Jasper drawls, Alice gasps, she obviously didn't see that coming and Esme starts to sob loudly,
Turning I link arms with my husband and brother and we walk back into the house and will face whatever drama these four fools can think up next. I thank God Eleazar is here, he will stave off most of the stupid plans they will try to cook up and we won't be helping them with any more of their lies, that's for sure.
"That goes double for us!" Emmett added and I smiled up at him,
"Yes, we stay for her and her alone! When she leaves so do we!" I add, not even glancing over my shoulder at them,
The sound of Esme's sobbing and wailing is annoying; it's too late for that crap. They didn't just spill the milk they kicked over the whole damned vat! But of course, this will all be blamed on Bella; the Golden Child can do no wrong! When they are at death's door because of him, maybe they'll finally see the light. But I won't, as the humans say, hold my breath, just in case!
Teresa
No, No, No! This can't be happening; we're going to be stuck here while Eleazar mediates for that human. What if she gives me away, describes me to Eleazar? She could blab to him and I will die! Maybe I should just ..., not think about anything around Edward!
"I'm going for a hunt; this has been quite the shocking revelation! Please excuse me" I say flitting away before anyone can stop me,
I barely get outside of their hearing range when I hear a southern drawl tell me,
"If you try to hurt Bella to protect your own secret, whatever it is. I will kill you!" and I drop my head in resignation,
"I don't want to hurt her! Please believe me, I don't! But if she gives me away I'll die and I don't want to die, but I do want to be free!" I say sobbing,
I wonder if this is karma, punishing me for my sins of greed and coveting Eleazar. That I will now be brought down by a human woman, just like I technically still am. I rush away from him and am relieved that he is happy to just give me a warning. What is it about this girl that makes everyone, no not everyone, just good vampires, defend her? Why can't I have that?
Bella
I spent a couple of hours at home just chilling out and feeding dad. I was absentmindedly tidying up and just generally killing time before his next shift. I told him I was going back to the Cullens because they had guests visiting from Alaska.
"You seem distracted, is there a cute boy amongst them?" dad teased,
"Man dad, he's no boy like Edward!" I quipped and he looked shocked,
"You and Edwin having problems? You're still young you've got time, don't settle kiddo!" he advises as he heads out,
I like that about my dad, he rarely tells me what to do. But he does hand out advice or points you towards a solution. He has no idea how bad things really are for me and I intend to keep it that way. But I have to start dropping hints about colleges, ones far enough away from here, so he knows I'm not going to be living in Forks forever. Strangely the University of Alaska doesn't seem quite so bad nowadays, since I won't be going with Edward. Fairbanks is the furthest away campus, so that sounds plausible. In fact, I'll insist they, the Cullens don't live in Alaska for several years if I end up there! I intend to make life as awkward as hell for them, let's see how they like it! They think they are so damn special, well not to me they aren't!
Well, it's about time I returned and see which one puts their foot in it first. My money's on Edward, he won't be able to help himself!
Esme
I can't believe what's happening; for once I'm not listening to Edward and Alice or even Carlisle. I'm looking, really looking at everyone else and they all are appalled, with us! It's not as Edward says, Rose, Emmett and Jasper who are being sneered at by them. No, it's us! Even Irina, Tanya and Carmen can't believe how childish and immature Edward is acting, or how dismissive I was of Carmen's concerns. Nor can they understand why Carlisle needed to lie to them, about Bella and Edward. There is no Bella and Edward, it is over and has been since we returned, but I just went along with Alice's fantasy of it all going back to the way it was. That too is frowned upon, our as they see it, inability to do anything without Alice's input, and they are right we can't!
Bella thinks we see her as a pet, a toy for Edward to play with and she's also right. As long as he was happy, we were too, but why? I've been so weak; I knew we were in the wrong all along. But I just pretended everything was fine and wrapped myself up in all Alice's visions and Edward's orders that I didn't see what was being destroyed in front of me, all this time. It's been happening for so long, only it's out in the open now because we involved a human in our lives and she is far more intelligent than most of us. Definitely me, Alice and Edward, but if not more intelligent than Carlisle she's far more mature and sensible. He has been behaving ridiculously lately. Bella now dislikes us intently, well; just we four and I don't blame her one little bit.
We were wrong, we were being cruel and demeaning towards not only Bella but the other three too. Why have I let those idiots destroy my family, why is Carlisle prepared to lose everyone else, for just one member? What is it that Edward holds over Carlisle, that would make him lie to me? Because I know now that he has been for a very long time. Edward's head turns towards me and I see the nasty malicious child for what he really is, a manipulator, a narcissist, a spoiled brat! How have I just stood by and allowed this travesty to happen, can the others ever forgive me for not hearing them out. For not defending them against Edward and Alice! I have just allowed this to go on and pretended it wasn't as bad as they were making out. I need to apologise to everyone and do something to stop this chaos!
What the hell, Edward's spoiling for a fight. It looks like it will be Bella first, he really thinks he's more superior than her, maybe once but not anymore. She has just returned, but I see him eyeing up Eleazar and Kate too, as they are now on Bella's side. Is he that stupid? Yes, I fear he is!
Kate
I have decided that I like this little human; she's strong, not physically, but mentally. She has no fear of us and she is very perceptive. Tanya and Irina's faces, when she told them to put some clothes on, was priceless! Even I feel drawn towards protecting her and usually, I don't care one way or another about humans. Well, the males I have bedded over the centuries, I cared for in my own way, but never women. We succubae see them as competition, even though that's not possible. I have found myself lately hoping I could find my mate, he has to be out there by now. Eleazar is being rather attentive to her, I see or am I reading more into it? Only time will tell, but Carmen doesn't appear to like her at all. She had to know he might meet his other half one day.
I remember when they moved in with us and he explained their relationship to my sisters and I. Carmen seemed surprised, which was odd! Eleazar didn't notice, but I saw the shock on her face before she could hide it! It was like she was hearing it for the first time, but he had just told us they discussed it all before they left the Volturi. Oh, here we go, Edward barely waited until Bella had gotten her coat off. Dear merciful heavens he's so pompous and arrogant, but she ignores him until he has to clear his throat to get her attention.
"Isabella, you have to understand. I was only doing what I knew was best for you. I didn't want to damn your soul!" Edward whinged at Bella, not a very manly sound,
"You have an overinflated opinion of yourself, Edward. You couldn't begin to know what was best for me, because only I would know that. Also, only God can damn my soul!" she says raising her voice,
It was in response to the disgust we all felt at his arrogance. Before she continued with,
"Because you little boy are not God!" Bella practically spat that reply at him,
"What do you mean little boy, I am older than you by a far greater margin?" he demands pompously, he really is a child,
"In vampire years, yes I'll grant you that! But not in human developmental terms, in that department, you are just over seventeen and extremely immature. I, if you remember, will be nineteen in a couple of months. It's basic maths Edward and genetics, of course. Ask your so-called father if you don't believe me!" she explains to the fool, before walking away from him,
He looked like he intended to forcefully grab her arm. But before I could move Eleazar had blocked him and actually spun Edward away from Bella.
"Is that how you normally get people to comply, Edward, using physical coercion? Or do you use your vampire glamour on them?" he sneered at the child, calling him out on his shortcomings,
I heard Esme gasp in the background, I have a feeling she isn't as aware of what's been going on in her own coven as she should be! Edward actually had the audacity to growl at Eleazar. Well, I think that was what it was supposed to be, sounded more like Tanya had squeezed his non-existent balls to me! Not a good move on Edward's part, Eleazar is not an enemy anyone would want. The resulting roar in return would have had a human wetting themselves. But all it did was raise Bella's heart rate and not might I add in fear, very interesting. Jasper and Emmett flanked her now, just in case the fool tried anything else. But he had backed away from the greater threat and whatever Eleazar was saying to him in his mind! Things are not going quite as they had planned for this visit.
They all kept looking at Alice, but she looked panicked and confused. I'm guessing she never took what Bella would do or say into consideration, since she can no longer see her! What a bunch of fools, depending on a gift that only works off of decisions and the most important one she can't even see anymore! Carlisle I notice is ignoring Eleazar's show of dominance over his golden boy, a wise decision on his part!
Jasper
I had let her go, the fake Carmen that is, just for now with a warnin'. But I will talk to her when she returns, once I get her alone again. I need, yes need to know who she is and what is goin' on! Meanwhile, Bella has returned and I know those fools will just keep on usin' the same old tactics on her, they are so dumb! I can see clearly now that the Denali's are splittin' into two camps as well. Those on Bella's side and those against. It's really amusin' to see, the fighters of both covens are on her side and the weak are against her. Goin' by Bella's reaction to Eleazar puttin' Edward in his place, things will be changin' a lot around here very soon. His disgust at the use of glamour was most tellin', Esme didn't appear to be aware, but Carlisle knew. We had told Bella how to avoid it and she has managed very well.
But the strangest thing was Esme's emotions, they were swingin' from one extreme to another and her anger was increasin' exponentially. Dear God, I think she's suddenly seein' the light and it's not all sunshine and roses after all. I don't care what happens now anyway, I will be leavin' regardless. Time to get my affairs in order; I must get Peter to tie up my assets. So damn tight that Alice will never get her grubby little hands on it. I smile as my cell vibrates and I know it's him, yep I was right as I slip it out and check the text.
'Done! Been movin' it for months now. PW'
I can always depend on him to have my back, even when I didn't have his. As Emmett and I flanked Bella after Edward's ridiculous outburst and Eleazar puttin' the child in his place. I had to laugh when he yelled,
"Now I can't hear Eleazar or Kate either. Stop it, Isabella! These are my friends and not yours!"
Wow, Bella must have seen her move to defend her as well and dear God, did he think any of us were his friends now? I almost expected him to stamp his foot as well.
"No! I would definitely say I'm no longer your friend Eddie! I don't find children all that appealing" Kate said smirkin' at him,
Then she blatantly turned her back to him, provin' she did not fear him in the least. He couldn't leave it alone though and bein' the idiot he is he took a swing at her. What a gentleman, attackin' a woman when her backs turned, which everyone saw and so down he went under her power. He was twitchin' and convulsin' so I know Kate had it set at full-power.
"Katrina, stop this at once! How dare you attack Edward in his own home" Carlisle said before he received a solid punch in the mouth, that sent him reelin' backwards,
The fact that it was Esme that delivered it was what brought the room to a deathly standstill.
6/1/2021 No 101 AAP