*Taps mic* Is this thing on? Is anyone still out there? To those amazing people who are still on this ride with me, you have my heartfelt thanks. I don't want to bore you with my RL B.S., but suffice to say that I was given a monumental task of rewriting 30 years of manuals and a deadline to get it done. My for fun writing time has been sorely infringed upon and will continue until I get those manuals done. I cannot promise when my updates will occur. I'm truly sorry and I hope you will continue to give me a chance to entertain you.
I have so much gratitude to Sazzledazzled and Edwardsfirstkiss for lending their talents and support to my cause. This fandom owes so much to our prereader and beta volunteers. They don't get enough accolades for their work and they deserve it!
Disclaimer: Stephenie owns the real Twilight universe, but this bizzaro world is mine. All Mine!
The Devil's Plan
Chapter 27
Chink in the Armor
"What did you d-"
"What did I do to Isabella?" The Devil repeated with a sneer. "Nothing, yet."
Edward felt an overwhelmingly urge to vomit.
Why would the Devil say that? Why would he do anything to Bella? Edward asked himself, beginning to realize just how horrible the implications of what he'd done were.
"Leave her alone!" Edward shouted into the darkness. He had to protect the ones he loved. Even if he had to fight the Devil to do it.
"Ooh, sorry. No can do. My Swan is the key to everything." The Devil replied, moving towards Edward's closet and grabbing the Burberry wool jacket he'd received last Christmas from his grandmother. "This is nice, very nice." He commented, sliding the jacket on and admired his image in the mirror. "I can see that I'll need to update your wardrobe but this will do for now." The Devil said as he continued going through Edward's closet.
"The key to what?!" Edward demanded as loudly as he could, ignoring the sounds of disapproval made over his wardrobe. "She's not your Swan!" Edward added. She's mine. He told himself.
"What did I tell you about screaming?" Edward felt his arm move up to the side of his head.
Edward ignored the Devil. "Tell me!"
"Stop!"
"No! No! " Edward repeated loudly.
Suddenly, his face appeared before him in his bathroom mirror. "You listen to me you insignificant little pest! You will stop screaming or I'll make a visit to your mother!" Edward could barely recognize his own face as it twisted and sneered with the Devil's threat.
"Leave her alone." Edward lowered his voice. "You promised not to hurt my mother."
"I did, and I will keep that promise as long as you stop the fucking screaming!" Spittle ran from his chin as he glared into the mirror. "Ba'al! I need healing!"
Edward watched Jasper appear in the mirror. "What is it Sire?" He asked.
Sire? Who was Ba'al? What the hell was Jasper doing in his room and how did he know Satan?
"My head." The Devil complained through gritted teeth. "The boy is screaming! It feels as if a hot poker has been rammed into my fucking eyeball!"
"You can feel him?" Jasper asked with wide eyes. The Devil nodded with a grimace.
"Yes, and when he screams it fucking hurts! He shouldn't be this strong. Usually the host's influence lasts mere hours, but this boy has proven to be more persistent than usual. I cannot concentrate when he's screaming!"
Jasper immediately began going through Edward's cabinet and drawers until he found a bottle of Alieve.
Edward silently observed the two in his mirror.
"These will work." Jasper shook two into the Devil's out stretched hand. The Devil looked suspiciously at the small blue pills.
"How are these supposed to work? Bring me wine and a poultice."
Edward heard Jasper sigh.
"These will work. Swallow them." He ordered.
Satan glared at Jasper, lifting an eyebrow at the authoritative tone his minion had used but put the pills into his mouth. "Here," Jasper said, handing him a small glass of water. "This will help."
Satan swallowed the pills and handed the glass back to Jasper. "I'm still in pain."
"You must give it a few moments to work." Jasper chuckled, only to have Satan glare at him again.
"It better." Edward watched as Jasper swallowed quickly, lowering his head in supplication at Satan's thinly veiled threat. It was becoming clear that somehow Jasper, Ba'al whatever his name was, was subservient to the Devil. Edward remembered back to the ill-fated Halloween party. It was Jasper who had introduced Satan to the group, calling him Lucian. Edward's mind raced, Rose and Emmett hadn't been at his party but surely if Jasper worked for Satan, so did Rose. The fact that his brother was dating one of Satan's demons, flew to the forefront of his mind.
"Is Emmett in danger? Edward wondered.
"Not unless he tries to intervene." Satan answered Edward's unspoken question.
Intervene in what? Edward couldn't think of anything that his brother would consider important enough to interfere with, especially if it had anything to do with Edward.
"Sire?" Jasper asked, confused by Satan's seemingly random statement.
"The boy has realized Astarte's and your connection to me." Satan answered, waiving a dismissive hand, still grimacing in pain.
"Alice?" Edward asked fearfully. He didn't know the girl very well but knew how much she meant to Bella. He didn't want her to be hurt any more than he did his brother.
"She was assigned to Ba'al," Satan said pointing to the still confused looking Jasper. "He gained her confidence in order to influence Isabella." Edward didn't miss the softening on Jasper's face when Alice was mentioned. He also noticed that Jasper hid his reaction almost immediately.
Edward felt his anger swell at Satan's mention of Bella. Hearing that vile creature say her name, even in his own voice, rattled him beyond measure. There was something truly terrible going on. He knew now that Hell's Keeper showing up at his darkest hour was not by accident. But why him? And why Bella? And why did Satan keep referring to her as his Swan? Edward waited for Satan's answers. But he was ignored as Satan returned his attention to Ba'al. He then realized that the Devil could only hear him when he actually spoke. He didn't have access to all of Edward's thoughts.
"Sire," Jasper uttered softly. "How much of an influence does the host have in these instances?"
"Usually none. Their body is but a vessel for me to occupy completely. There is the odd moment of recognition here and there but they usually cannot alter or effect anything I do." Satan said, while rubbing his head. The pain was beginning to lessen. It was now a dull throb compared to the intensely sharp pain he had experienced earlier. "This is the worst I've ever been affected, and it's happened twice." He admitted with a frown.
Jasper nodded thoughtfully for a moment, opening his mouth, closing it and then opening it again as if he was trying to get words out but none would obey him.
Satan noticed his predicament. "What?!" He demanded, crossly.
"You said usually. Is there something different about this possession? Do you think the boy could somehow interfere with your plans?" Jasper finished quickly before taking a deep breath, steeling himself for the wrath he was afraid he would soon experience, but he felt the information was necessary.
As predicted, Satan was not happy with his questions, but he stood still with narrowed eyes as he appeared to ponder what Jasper had said. "There is nothing wrong with how I performed the incantation! I do not make mistakes!" He bellowed causing Jasper to pitch backward on the bed.
"Fuck!" Satan exclaimed grasping his head. He took several heaving breaths, willing the pain to subside. The Devil did not make mistakes. But he couldn't deny that there was something wrong. He could feel the boy's soul rattling around like a tin can that had been caught in the wind. Once the souls he'd previously borrowed gave up, they would fade completely, allowing him to use their bodies in any way he chose with no input or hassle. However, Edward wasn't conforming to the norm. He was somewhat cognizant of what was happening and actively trying to interfere. The boy should have faded away hours ago. The pain in Devilward's head had been so consuming he hadn't noticed there was also a faint burning pain where Edward's heart resided. Satan grasped his chest, rubbing absently at the spot before sitting down on the edge of the bed. He suddenly felt weak and tired. He knew that as a human he would have to deal with their emotions and physical weaknesses but this was different. Edward's emotions were draining his entire body making it very difficult for Satan to keep the upper hand. He continued to rub his chest while ignoring Ba'al's questioning look, unwilling to admit to his underling that there may indeed be a problem.
As Satan and Jasper spoke, Edward saved and catalogued this new information. He wasn't sure how to use it to his advantage but the hope that he could interfere or even stop whatever it was Satan was planning was a tiny comfort. His biggest problem was fatigue. Even now Edward felt himself begin to tire. His ability to pay attention to what Satan was saying or doing, was beginning to fail. The darkness surrounding him grew closer and more stifling. He could barely follow the conversation that Satan and Jasper were having. Edward tried in vain to stay alert, but soon succumbed to the darkness.
"Now, let us get back to the most important task. What can be done to smooth my swan's ruffled feathers?" Satan asked Ba'al, expecting his minion to come up with a satisfying fix for his current predicament.
"Um, I suppose you should start with a phone call?" Ba'al asked.
"So far that has not worked."
"Sire, it's normal for human girls to ignore their boyfriends after a fight. And the hour is very late. She may have turned her phone off to avoid your calls." Ba'al instantly regretted his words. Satan's eyes blazed and his nostrils flared in anger.
"Ignore me?! She thinks she can ignore me?!" The absurdity of Ba'als statement incensed the Devil.
Ba'al moved forward, gesturing calmly towards his angry master. "Sire, to her you are just, Edward. The boyfriend that has hurt her with his harsh words and attitude. She doesn't yet know that you are her master." Satan huffed in defiance. It was unfathomable to him that she not understand who he was.
"Sire, perhaps we should let her sleep and in the morning we'll be able to make her understand." Ba'al was grasping at straws. He really needed Astarte's input. After all, she was a woman. Damn her for scurrying away like a cockroach caught in the light.
The Devil moved to the large bed and laid down, pulling the warm comforter up to his neck as he seemed to snuggle into the bed. Ba'al wasn't sure 'snuggle' fit the devil, but it appeared to be exactly what he was doing. "Perhaps, you are right. I find the need to rest since taking over this body is quite irritating." He said, stifling a yawn with a grimace before turning away from Ba'al.
Ba'al crept over to the doorway and turned out the light. He was unsure as to what was expected of him as Satan slept. He eyed Edward's couch and settled into the supple leather seat. He would just lay his head down for a moment lest Satan awoke and needed him. A stiff neck would be much less painful than whatever punishment awaited him if he were not available when needed. Cursing Astarte and her aptitude for hiding, he wrapped his arms around his torso and settled into an uneasy rest.
~~~TDP~~~
Bright sunshine greeted Bella as she opened her eyes. Dust motes danced in the beams, highlighting the fact that her room was in dire need of a dusting. Not willing to leave her warm bed, she pulled her shiny lavender comforter up closer to her face and rolled away from the window. Bella wasn't ready to face the task that awaited her. She didn't have homework to do and despite the telltale dust motes, the Swan home was not in horrible disarray. She was avoiding having to confront Edward. His attitude last night had both surprised and angered her.
Sighing, she reluctantly pulled herself out from under her warm cocoon. The sunlight streaming through her window was deceiving. Her floor was ice cold. She shivered as she hurried to the bathroom for a warm shower.
Bella relaxed under the steamy spray, allowing the Moen adjustable shower head do its job on her tense muscles. Charlie had balked at the steep price tag, but she'd found him sneaking into her bathroom after a rough day at work, his appreciation for the item clearly seen on his face.
As the warm water cascaded over her shoulders, Bella leaned up against the shower wall reveling in the warmth. Silently she went over what she wanted to say to Edward. She was going to tell him in no uncertain terms that Bella Swan was an understanding and forgiving person but she was not a push over and she was not going to allow him to speak to her in the manner he did last night. She was also going to remind him that as a couple they were supposed to work together through their problems. His disappearing acts were done. Not that she was going to demand that she knows where he was at all times, but she was not going to put up with him ignoring her for days.
Bella dried off in the still warm bathroom. She and dried her hair as it was too cold to allow it to air dry as she usually did. After blowing her hair dry and attending to the rest of her morning routine, she left her steamy oasis and ventured downstairs for something to eat.
After a quick breakfast of instant oatmeal and hot cocoa, Bella found herself once again weighing the options of how to handle Edward. She took her phone out of her pocket, wincing slightly as she saw he'd called eight more times after she'd turned it off.
"Ugh." She uttered to no one. Remembering the pep talk she'd given herself in the shower, she dialed his number.
"My love, I've been anticipating your telephone call." Edward's voice sounded weirder to her now than it had last night. "Are you well?" He asked quickly.
"Um, yeah." She answered taken aback by his strange manner of speaking, although she was quite pleased that his attitude appeared to have changed.
"Excellent. That pleases me. Would it be appropriate for me to call on you today?"
"Why are you talking like that?" She asked, confused by his formal language. Edward wasn't too keen on a lot of shortcuts in language. He always insisted on using proper words when texting, but this manner of speaking was way over the top and not what she was used to hearing.
"What do you mean? Am I not using the proper words and tone?" Bella heard another voice in the background and wondered who he was speaking to, as it sounded as if Edward was asking whomever is was for advice.
"Your tone is fine," she said with a roll of her eyes. "Why do you sound like someone that was born a hundred years ago?"
Devilward chuckled, finding her estimation of his vast age amusing. "I will do my best to adapt my speech to a more pleasing vernacular."
"You know what, forget it. Let's start over. Good morning, Edward." Bella sighed. She was losing patience with his joke.
"Good morning, Isabella. May I see you today?" Devileward continued in an even tone as Ba'al nodded in encouragement from across the room, understanding that his part in this scheme had changed from a more reconnaissance mode to now having to instruct and encourage Satan on proper human behavior in the twenty-first century.
Bella ignored the fact he'd used her full name. "Yes. I think it would be a good idea to talk face to face. Would you like to come over here or should I-"
"Wonderful! I will come to you as soon as I conclude the day's first meal." he said quickly, interrupting her statement and abruptly disconnected the call.
Bella stared at her phone. She ran her hand through her head and sighed. Something was going on with that boy and she was going to get to the bottom of it.
~~~TDP~~~
Thoughts? Questions? Concerns?
Until next time,
RuinedbyRob
