Chapter Twenty-Two

Edward startled awake, taking a few seconds to remember he was in Bella's bedroom. Groggily, he looked around as he stretched and realized he couldn't remember made him wake up. He usually slept like the dead after such a long day. No pun intended, but it just took something considerable to even make him stir in his sleep. Was it a noise? Awareness of another presence? It wouldn't be the first time he'd open his eyes and found a ghost standing over him.

This time however, upon opening his eyes, the view was better.

Bella sat at the foot of the bed, completely naked, with her legs crossed in front of her, and her hands placed on her knees, palms up. She was meditating. A glow or something internal made her appear almost ethereal, though maybe he was still dreaming. Careful not to disturb her, he moved off the bed. He knew how important it was for her to do this, because the longer she managed to mediate would help prepare herself spiritually, physically and mentally for what lay ahead.

The night before he had offered to stay in one of the other bedrooms, but she insisted she'd rest better with him beside her. She even stated having him close made her feel safe. He hadn't been able to refuse her, especially after spending hours worshiping her body. Everything that happened the nigher before threatened to surface, filling his mind with cock hardening memories. He pushed them back, determined to make some breakfast for Bella.

After a quick stop in the bathroom to relieve himself and freshen up, he walked back into the bedroom to find Bella hadn't moved at all. It was hard to believe she was likely unaware of his presence. He'd seen her in action and knew she was always aware of her surroundings, but she told him she'd be pretty deep under when he woke up. She had to feel comfortable and safe to mediate so deeply, which made him feel better. She trusted him.

How does one prepare for something like this? In all the years since his mind opened up to the supernatural and spiritual world, he realized he never felt prepared for any of it. Most of the time he was flying by the seat of his pants, he always learned something new after each hunt or crossover. Shortly after he had awoken in the hospital, finding not one, but three ghosts attached to him, he hadn't handled it well. Along with feeling responsible and a healthy dose of survivor's guilt over James, he had turned to drinking. He had pushed everyone away, all in an attempt to forget what happened. It had taken his uncle, and three ghosts to knock some sense in him. It wasn't easy, even after five years since the accident. His memories of that night were cloudy, most leading up to the accident and after were gone, but he'd never forget James died because of him.

"Stop it," Bella whispered, startling him enough for him to bang his knee on the dresser.

"Fucking hell, Bella. Make a noise or something, you almost gave me a heart attack." He took a few breaths and cleared his throat, watching her roll her shoulders. It was hard to take his eyes off her, she was still naked. Hadn't she said something? "What did you say?"

"I said to 'stop it'." She cracked one eye open, cocking a slim eyebrow. "You're stuck in your head, and right now, where your thoughts are going could be used against you where we're heading. Vengeful spirits like those we'll encounter can and will use your fears and your guilt to manipulate and hurt you. Try to not to dwell on something right now. I know it's hard, but try to clear your mind as much as you can before we go."

Another deep breath and he nodded. She was right, going into a situation feeling out of sorts was not a good idea. They needed to have clear heads, it was hard to let go, but he would to ensure their safety. "A shower would help." It came out more like a question than a statement, in a way asking her to join him. She offered a smile, rose from bed, taking his hand and leading him to the bathroom. There was no better way to take his mind off things he had no control over than being with someone he cared for, especially a wet Bella.

Cared for, riiight. He wouldn't dwell on his feelings yet either.

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Jasper tapped his fingers on the steering wheel of his truck, feeling both impatient and wary of the situation. He was waiting for the others to arrive at the appointed place, less than a mile down the road from the Lexington property. The land was a forty-three-acre lot once belonging to a well-known serial killer.

What the public didn't know yet, was that series of grisly murders weren't the first on the property.

As usual, he was the first to arrive, his truck idling near the mouth of the driveway leading to the main building. It wasn't his first time there and he was positive he'd visit it several hundred times over the rest of his existence. There was a reason why the property had become so notorious through the centuries, things most people knew nothing about. There had been events that happened there, way before records were kept.

It was curse sometimes to live with such a burden, to live for so long.

His thoughts turned away from his own problems and focused on two of the people joining him soon. Bella and Edward, it was remarkable how many times their souls had crossed paths with his long life. He could no longer believe it was a coincidence. Would it be different this time? Or are they destined to repeat the same mistakes over and over again? Something was different this time around, someone was helping Bella.

Yet, there was another hindering her, them, as in every life before this one.

Who had the most to gain? Who was the enemy that always seemed to be several steps ahead of the tragic couple in every life? Did they also perish like them in each life? Or was it something other. The questions quickly outnumbered the facts he had at his current disposal. Later, he'd have to mediate and do his best to find the answers likely embedded in eon-old memories. There was so much in his mind that he had to store it away, and dig around for it when needed. It took considerable time. The mystery around Bella and Edward had gone on long enough, it was time for him to seek answers. He could find answers from the only other immortal he personally knew. Yes, it was time for a long overdue meeting with the man.

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"I don't like the detective," Edward said, watching the man in question from the passenger seat of Bella's truck. "He hovers around you, kind of creepy and he's a restraining order away from stalker." What was it about him that made Edward itch to take Bella and run?

"He called twice since yesterday," Bella said, turning off the engine. The group of people gathered near the Lexington entrance, all turned to look at them as they pulled up, but Detective Biers was on the verge of stalking toward them. It was Jasper who seemed to hold him back with whatever they were discussing. "He's harmless."

"Are you sure about that?" Edward's eyes narrowed as it seemed the detective had reached a breaking point and started toward them again. "He looks about ready to handcuff you to him to keep you close."

"It's not what you think." Bella sighed and shook her head, looking straight at the detective. He stopped and turned away, likely cursing, too. "I remind of his sister. I haven't been able to get a good read on the situation or her for that matter, but it was ugly and it is marking him in a way that scares me. I need to talk to her, find out what happened without his influence."

"Why can't you?"

"She's attached to him, so unless he's knocked out cold, I can't get a moment of privacy."

"Well fuck, that explains a few things and issues I had in the past. Remind me that soon, after our vacation of course, to have a long talk about some of the rules that seem to apply to the supernatural world. I'm a fucking beginner, I need to know what you know."

She turned to him and shrugged. "First thing you need to know, that there are no set rules, just things I've learned to make things easier. Also, rules are meant to be broken, and a spirit, if powerful enough can break them. Never rely on rules on saving you. Today, we're going in there to help some of the souls trapped there, held captive by spirits shrouded in evil, powerful ones. We may not be completely successful, but we're going to put up one hell of a fight."

The picture she painted in dark shades of gray did little to soothe his nerves. "I don't want to lose you, Bella."

"You won't." She grabbed his hand, pulling it to her chest. "You won't and vice versa. I want you around for a long time."

He released her hand and settled it on the back of her head, to pull her closer and brush her lips with his own. "In other words, we're about to kick some ass." She laughed against his mouth, her smile worth another kiss or two. Until some asshole detective in jeans and button down shirt knocked on the window. She sighed, puckering up one more time, and having no problem with a little PDA. He was willing to play along, just in case the detective's interest was more than what Bella could do to help him with his sister.

They exited the truck together, and Edward quickly circled the front of it to tuck Bella against his side. Was it territorial? Probably, but he didn't give a fuck. There was enough shit with the power to destroy them, he wasn't about to let some man with questionable links to his dead sister be one of them.

The detective and Jasper joined them, a film crew Bella had arranged for remained beside a large white van, going over their equipment. As they spoke, Edward realized Bella's eyes remained on Jasper. She appeared confused, but also slightly alarmed, too. She sent Riley, as the detective asked them to call him, to tell everyone to go up ahead to set up. They'd join them in a few minutes, leaving them alone with Jasper.

"What are you?" she asked, her lips thinning considerably.

As calm and collected as ever, Jasper replied, "Why do you ask?"

Bella shook her head. "There's something different about you today. Like a shroud or mask has been lifted." Jasper merely tipped his head to one side and smiled. "We've met before, haven't we?"

"Yes, in another life."

It wasn't the first time Jasper mentioned past lives, and Bella had, too. Edward opened his mind, he wanted to see what Bella did as she looked as his old friend. The instant he did, he stepped back from Jasper in shock. "What the fuck? You're glowing off the charts. What are you?"

"He's immortal."

Jasper slipped his hands in his pants pocket, nodding slightly. "As I believe your father is."

Bella's face twisted with obvious distrust and rose her hand, instantly sending Jasper up in the air and pinning him to the side of her truck. "What do you know about my damn father?"

"Nothing, I swear," Jasper choked, gasping for breath, but Bella refused to back off. "It's a theory!"

Edward stepped closer, anger coursing through him. "You've known something was different about Bella since you met and you're just fucking telling us something like this. What do you mean 'in another life?'"

"This is not the first time your souls have met. I think you've been cursed to meet and die young in each and every life." As quickly as the words left his mouth, the memories rushed through their minds, sending them both Edward and Bella to their knees.

Bella was bleeding in his arms, shot by an armed robber, surrounded by people on the busy strip. His heart burned so hot, he knew he'd be dead within seconds, too.

Bella was screaming as she held his hand, the river's current too strong for either of them to fight, especially while she wore a full bustle and corset.

Bella crying for him to breathe as she removed a needle from his arm, her beautiful face framed by long hair and a crown of flowers.

Bella ran along his side, a creature who moved as stealthy as shadows chased them to the cliff's edge, and they jumped plunging into the raging ocean waters.

Bella screamed and sobbed, snapping Jasper's neck due to her pain and anger. He dropped to the ground instantly, slumping against the truck, his eyes wide open. Edward watched as she crawled toward Jasper's body, tears spilling from her eyes, as her hands fisted in his shirt. "Get up! Get up, you fucking asshole. I know you heal in only a few seconds."

Jasper's eyelashes started to flutter, a groan slipping from his lips as neck righted itself with a sickening crack. Edward watched all of this through half-lidded eyes, still lost in the memories of their past lives and deaths. They lived over a hundred lives, each one he met Bella, dying less than two years after meeting. Never more.

"I don't have the answers you want yet," Jasper whispered, groaning again. "I'm sorry for not saying something sooner."

"Who has fucking answers?" Bella hissed, pulling him closer only to smack his head against the truck. "If you don't someone out there does."

Jasper did nothing to fight back, taking every nasty word she gave him. "There's another immortal, he may have the answers."

Bella got in Jasper's face, still seething. "You picked the wrong fucking time to unveil all of this. If we survive, you will take us to him. If something happens to us, to Edward, because we're weaker after what we just learned and remembered, I will keep you locked in a basement to kill you over and over again for as long as I live. Nothing can stop me from doing it, Jasper. Not even you."

"Understood." Jasper looked over to Edward. "I'm sorry."

Disgusted, Edward looked away. "I've known you for years, you should be." They all rose to their feet, but Bella and Edward backed away from Jasper. "We can't trust you now, keep your distance from the both of us while we're here."

Longer if Edward could manage it.

Jasper nodded and offered another apology, climbing into his truck and heading down to the house. Bella turned to Edward and sobbed against his chest for a solid ten minutes, and he kept himself in control to provide her the comfort she needed. The memory of countless deaths would haunt him forever. Were they destined to die each other's arms again?

They drove up to the main house twenty minutes after the others had gone ahead, to find everyone staring at a swirling mass of dark clouds directly above the imposing structure. The rest of the sky was a bright, beautiful blue. Lighting struck the house twice as they reunited with the others.

"Where should we start?" Peter, a crew member from a local paranormal investigating team asked. His bright blue eyes were filled with excitement. Most of his crew looked the same, all hoping to catch evidence and personal experiences they could boast about with others.

If they knew what they were in store for, they'd probably run.

Bella pointed to a clearing to the right, and to a small worn path leading to the forest behind the house. "Most of the activity will be centered around the barn and the burial sites. There's mostly residual in the house, though that could change of the Lexington family decide to join us there."

Peter looked at Bella, waving a EMF reader toward her. His eyes widened to almost cartoon level as she often made such equipment go haywire. "Will they be joining us?"

Wind lashed cold and fast, carrying with it the scent of decay and a spine tingling cackle from Mr. Lexington himself. "I think that answers your question."


AN: I'm sorry if this chapter is a huge mess. I'm having huge internet issues and thought I better post while it's working. I probably just shocked a lot of you with Jasper's revelation. I did mention Bella has some memories of past lives, just not everything. I'll do my best to answer questions you may have, as long as they don't reveal any future events.

The Haunting of Bella Swan is up for Best Horror Fic for the Fanatic Fanfic Multi-Fandom Awars, a couple of my collab fics are up too Strong Foundations and Stupid Volvo Owner. You can find the link on my profile, go vote for your favorites.