AN:
Chapter 4 has arrived!
I own nothing
Natura valde simplex est et sibi consona
Nature is exceedingly simple and harmonious with itself – Sir Isaac newton
. • Ellipsis • .
Bella stared at the mess of fabric that sat on her bed. Which should she pick? There were too many options! She nervously bit at her nail buds as she lifted a simple navy dress embroidered with small silver leaves and flowers that curved at the neckline in her left hand, and shifted the off white chiffon dress with off-the-shoulder cupped sleeves and a shimmery flowy-like skirt next in her right in comparison. Both ended at the knees which only left her arms and calves' exposed for inspection. Was the blue dress elegant enough for the occasion, or was the chiffon too flirty? She was going to an event with her potential boss for Pete's sake! She needed to impress but at the same time didn't want to some off as some hussy. Her stomach curled inside of itself. The thought alone made her want to vomit. She tossed the offending garments back down on her comforter and sat unceremoniously on the tangle of hangers with a frustrated groan. Bella buried her face in the palms of her hands and half yelled-half grunted in defeat, her nerves shot and constantly beating herself for considering the opportunity in the first place.
Her phone rang in the back ground, prompting her to crumble into her mattress trying to hide away from the little demon under the disorganized contents that lived in her closet.
The phone rang again and she let it go to about the third ring before a hand fished its way through the pile, feeling around the small nightstand until it grasped around the rectangular device. She brought the screen up to her face reading the Contact ID, making a face as she pressed down the green button.
"What do you want?"
The words muttered in a deep growl were muffled under several different blouses and pencil skirts, and to anyone else it would have sounded akin to something closer to their dishwasher rather than a distinguished young lady.
This individual, however, used to such treatment.
"How come you haven't been answering my calls?" They accused. There was an echo in the background, and she narrowed her eyes in the darkness that surrounded her; the damn bastard had her speaker. So Annoying.
"I answered you didn't I?" she bit back, she wasn't in the mood to reprimanded by a kid. You could measure the difference in maturity between the two in lightyears.
"Yeah, like on the hundredth try! I haven't been able to talk to you since Angela and Emily dumped Sebastian and Jamie on me last weekend for some vacation down in San Diego. They got back yesterday blabbing on about some punk band they were stalking or something. Happy Birthday by the way. Not like you care that I care anyway. Did you hit up any fancy European clubs and find some creepy European guy to shag in a dark corner?" As they said this she could hear metal hitting metal really close to the phone, and she guessed he was in the garage fixing something. When she still lived in the States, nine times out of ten that's where she would find him covered head to toe in grease. His current tone was mocking and completely unapologetic, making her seethe further in anger.
And so sometimes Bella would trip and fall down to his level. "What I do in dark corners with creepy men is my business!" she growled out flashing her canines at the sequined skirt laying over the left side of her mouth. She spat out the threads as they constricted her source of oxygen. Stupid skirt. Why do I even own any clothing?
She reflected on her thinking for a moment. I swear I can hear my brain cells dying. She groaned and rubbed her forehead in mental exhaustion.
"Uh huh. And one day, Angela is going to force me to read one of your books about all your pent-up sexual virgin frustration when you lived in Transylvania."
"I live in Budapest. It's like, in a totally different country moron."
"Whatever. I'm still right about the other thing. You need to get laid."
Bella scoffed as she escaped from her enclosure and began putting away various articles of clothing. She left out the blue dress with a nice cropped suit jacket made of intricate black lace patterns and two-inch closed-toed glossy black heels. She walked over to her vanity in her bath room and shuffled through her very small collection of jewelry. "Seriously Jake, you better not have called for details about my sex life. I'm not discussing it with you- it's private for a reason." She settled on an ornate silver Turkish Nott she bought for herself on her first birthday away from home and small hooped earrings; something very simple but that also slightly elevated her outfit into the realm of formal dinner wear. It was actually a favorite piece of hers, and she was saddened when she couldn't wear the piece more regularly due to her work and school.
"Geeze, take a chill pill. Just wanted to check up on you Loca. Charlie said you were getting buried under your school work, and I know that my voice is heaven to your ears since you probably haven't had any human contact in that fancy school of yours."
"Don't delude yourself. Angela will come crying to me when your head mysteriously falls off its shoulders due to its added weight."
The familiar roar of an engine cut off both speakers as Jacob revved it a few times listening closely for any kinks. The sound was shut off quickly, so Bella assumed he was satisfied with his work as she listened to him exiting the old garage.
"Was that your old bike I was hearing" she inquired, the sound was unmistakable to her ears as she hung out around Jake enough after her stint in Italy, abet at a safe distance as he refused to let her near anything with moving parts. No amount of the pouting she'd attempted seemed to change the shifter's mind about her own suicidal-thrill seeking behavior.
"Yeah, Quill and Paul wanted to take them out for a spin, and one of the fuckers decided to play chicken as a fucking wolf. They brought back my baby in pieces." He sounded as if he had lost his first born, but Bella didn't mention it as she preferred not to be witness to another speech on the relationship between a mechanic and his bike.
"Aw poor Paul. I'm assuming he was the genius behind the operation?"
"That dick didn't even have a fucking scratch on him." The words were laced with so much venom Bella was worried that the werewolf would end up crushing the phone in his hand. Eager to change the subject, Bella tried to lure her short tempered friend to a lighter conversation.
"So how's Ang' doing? She's about to graduate soon right?"
Bella's eyes almost rolled into the back of her head as she could practically hear the sunshine pour out of her best friend's ass when he talked about his fiancé. The smile that split across her face at the action was another matter entirely.
"She's great! She's been helping out around the Rez' preschool after one of the caretakers broke a leg or something. We think she wants to take up an official teaching position there with the first graders to avoid her loans. She's stressing out over taking the classes way over in Port Angeles or whatever, but she still finds time with me and Seb. I don't know how she does it. I mean it's just… She's Amazing!" Bella laughed at his moonstruck attitude, inside feeling that small curb of envy that she stomped down until it was a nonexistent pile of mush. She didn't have time to pursue such feelings.
"You guys sure do sound like you're happy." Dammit that came out wrong. Jake quickly picked up on her tone.
"Are you okay Bella? Do I need to drag you back home?"
She shook her head even though he could see, "No-no. I'm just pretty tired lately. I haven't gotten a lot of sleep the last couple of days because of work and stuff." The excuse sounded lame even to her.
Jake was quiet for a moment considering his next words in deep thought.
"Did they contact you? Do we need to come over there Bella?" his tone was completely serious this time with the low undercurrent of worry and protectiveness.
"WHAT? NO! No, no it's not them. Trust me, I-I haven't heard from them in years." Her heart jumped into the ball of her throat and pounded thunderously. Her mind stupidly flashed back to the fiasco with her laptop, but she shoved the thought away. She tried to calm herself down by running her hand through her hair several times and taking a few deep breaths. The mere mention of them out loud tore down her walls faster than she was expecting. She was supposed to be over this. Bella took a couple quick breaths through her nose and out her mouth with her hand over the receiver. Jacob could still hear her reaction over the phone and grew more concerned. Maybe Bella shouldn't be alone right now, he thought.
"Bella, maybe you should fly back for a bit-"
She interrupted him, "No Jake. I'm fine. Everything's fine."
He sighed deeply on his end.
"Just come back as soon as you see anything alright? We can't protect you over there." Bella was a little frustrated with his answer, but she could also understand where he was coming from. When she told everyone about her plans to go to Europe for a second time, there were a lot of outbursts and raised concerns.
"I know how to be safe Jake, but I'll let you know the minute if anything happens. I promise."
"Just look out for yourself Bella." He insisted a little chidingly.
She was touched by his concern. But really, she was fine.
"I always do."
. • Ellipsis • .
Alice stood on the terrace that over looked a small outcropping of the city in the distance. The dry cool night air blew softly against her unfeeling cold skin and ruffled the fashionable scarf she wore over her hair. The night was young with the last rays of the warm sun setting over the hot sand. The sky, although blotted out by blinding lights to human eyes, was filled with a myriad of colors and a scattering of infinite dead stars that could only be witnessed in the desolate desert climate. She turned her head as her mate entered the sandstone paved roof and closed his arms around her waist. He gripped her gently as he hummed contently in the material that covered her hair, both quietly enjoying this brief intimacy with another. As of late, these moments were few and far between, and both individuals craved the other's presence almost desperately. The only sound between the two was littered in the streets below as the notes floated upwards from the evening crowds and late night bars.
As the last ray of light vanished from sight, Alice turned in the arms of her mate and hooked her arms behind his neck, his own hands re-positioning themselves on the small area of her back.
She leaned into his neck and inhaled deeply, cherishing the way his scent wafted off the column of his throat. Jasper's lips tilted up slightly as he pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead. A few moments later his deep southern drawl broke the silence.
"Kebi and Amun took Benjamin out to hunt. They said they'd be back soon." He spoke in low, dulcet tones.
"Yes. I saw him speaking with one of his sources about news of Carlisle." Alice responded, already having seen the probable progression of the evening.
Jasper's worried gaze morphed into one of defeat and sadness, is internal concern for their coven leader weighing on the both of them.
"Still can't see his decision's clearly?" he mused and she nodded as she laid her head on his shoulder. There was no question as to the man of whom he spoke.
"He knows how to evade my visions, I can't even see Carlisle's future anymore." She said clearly distraught but also resigned. The first vision she had of Carlisle after his capture caused her to lock herself in a room alone for twelve whole days. She wouldn't let Rose or himself into the room, and so he stood-by helpless, feeling everything he wished his mate would never feel again.
"And Esme?"
She sighed, "The wives are treating her well enough. They bring her game every few days since she can't go outside. I think they consider it impolite to treat a guest with anything but the best care." She huffed out that last part. She knew better because every time she saw Esme's face filled with pain and longing for her mate, she knew that no amount of civility and politeness could erase those feelings. The only concession was Corin's drugging powers over her targets senses. It was the lesser of two evils she considered, rather than letting Esme suffer the same fate as Carlisle. But under this terrible façade, that was all it was- a cheap trick. A bargaining chip to entice the remaining members of their coven into the Devil's Nest to rescue their leader. "She's copping as much as she can, but I think it's wearing her down more than I'm allowed to see."
Jasper tightened his arms around her middle until there wasn't any space left between them.
"We have hope. Everything will turn out fine."
She knew that he didn't believe his own lie, only trying to reassure her as much as he could with words. A wave of contentment and love washed over her, and she stole away as much of the feelings as she could get from him. With his ability, there was no need for words because they were so intimately twined at the core of their feelings that they could spend hours of silence in each other's arms.
They stood there in the cold dusk of night as statues locked in an embrace, their figures looking as if carved from the same slab of stone. It wasn't until sometime later when their hosts returned from their outing that the pair regrettably separated themselves, only their fingers remaining entwined as they descended into the central apex of the compound. Walking through a series of open aired halls and archways, all decorated with beautifully painted tiles of various shapes and sizes, they were met with three figures standing by a small indoor pool surrounded by many great columns made of marble gilded with veins of gold. The water in the pool wavered back to and fro in delicate patterns and designs, its curious movement only caused by the mere presence of a certain vampire was almost enchanting in itself. The lad smiled teasingly at them as he reached down and played with floating orbs of water between his fingertips. He sat a distance away from the party, only idly listening with half an ear as his maker greeted the incoming couple.
"You have been expecting us."
Amun spoke up as he guided the duo across the atrium, away from his family.
Alice's feet danced across the floor with fae-like dance movements, Jasper diligently following her lead with his arms tucked behind his back, ever the soldier. Once they stopped, Amun stood between them and his coven mates. Both were exceptionally powerfully gifted vampires that he greatly coveted from a distance, sometimes wishing he had sired them himself; but even as his esteemed guests, he regarded the two mostly with suspicion and paranoia, despite his fealty to Carlisle.
Alice immediately broached the topic at hand.
"Your source has new information." She stated plainly. This caused Amun's gaze to shoot away from Jasper's intimidating stance and immediately towards this waif like creature. Out of the two, her gift unnerved him the most. His instincts screamed caution around the Major, but this woman could easily sneak up and catch anyone unaware. Her gift was almost as powerful as Benjamin's, and he himself for a time lusted after such power to add to his small collection. Such a jewel to hoard inside his hidden oasis. But upon being introduced to her shadow, that dream was almost killed instantaneously, when he felt the promise of killing intent underneath the other's golden stare. He had kept his distance since their arrival, bequeathing the pair the southernmost wing of his estate away from the main household. He only talked to them when the need was demanded, and in full view of his family so that he could protect them if need be. At present, Tia was missing; but Benjamin's insufferable companion spent her time engaging in trivial activities as it soon became apparent that their newest guests could not accompany her on her little outings, she grew bored. Kebi, as always, obediently followed his orders and kept an eye on Benjamin during these proceedings, making sure the boy was thoroughly distracted away from the two potentially dangerous immortals.
He met her too wide eyes with subtle hesitation, choosing his words carefully in disquiet. "There is no news or knowledge of the whereabouts concerning the mind reader of your coven. It seems he as quite successfully hidden himself away, even from my Demetri's tracking gifts." He gave great pause in thought to consider this possibility, "But now however, the three Masters have turned their eye on another matter that may or may not be related to the fate of your coven." He spoke slowly. The pair secreted a glance at one another, communicating something beyond his knowledge, only aggravating him further.
Jasper spoke up and stole away is attention from his little mate, "What are they after?"
Amun considered the pair for a moment before continuing, "There have been Rumors of increased newborn activity spanning across the European continent and parts of Russia, that have raised concern in most vampire circles, even outside the walls of Volterra. Mass-murders, disappearances, un-paralleled destruction…" he left off and took in Jasper's widened gaze, the other almost dropping his guard in shock before the emotion was once more wiped from his features.
"A few others sensed the Volturi's hesitation to handle the matter themselves and are beginning to question their authority. My informant inside Volterra has informed me of quite the opposite, and that Aro has personally invested himself in his investigation. His reasons, however, remain unknown." Both vampires looked dismayed at the lack of intel they received, confused as to how newborns could be related to their dilemma.
"Was there anything else?" Alice queried beseechingly.
"The bulk of the activity has most recently occurred in the Romanian's territory. There are whispers that Vladimir and Stephan are building an army, but they are only speculative. Beyond this I cannot help you. I have done all I can before this matter endangers my family." He bowed and left the duo to return to his mate and progeny.
Alice and Jasper stayed behind looking to one another for answers that neither possessed. In a matter of moments the other Vampires left the room, leaving the pair behind to process the information they just had learnt.
Alice paced about the edge of the pool while Jasper observed the now frozen mirrored surface.
"Do you think it could be-"
"No I would have seen it."
Both knew better than to saying any specifics in such an open area with four eager ears listening in. Outside of the previous Olympic Coven, only a handful of vampires knew of her existence, and Alice wanted to keep it that way.
"What about the Romanian coven? There could be some merit."
Alice shook her head, her mind sifting through other people's decisions and futures picture by picture. Nothing made sense.
"I don't think so, both Vladimir and Stephan in their age while arrogant, are not stupid. They wouldn't risk using an inexperienced newborn army against the Volturi's forces. They prefer to cower and hide behind other disputing covens."
Jasper's frustration leaked over them both and Alice threw him a pleading look, causing him to apologize under his breath as he cleared the air between them. Alice paused in her pacing for a moment before she turned to him and asked, "Aren't Rose and Emmett staying in London?" He could see the gears slowly spinning in her head.
"Yes I believe so. And?"
"If we don't know what we're looking for then maybe we need somebody who can find it for us."
. • Ellipsis • .
Rosalie Hale was sitting outside a little café in the heart of London pretending to sip at her cinnamon soy-bean latte, reading back and forth between a battered copy of Jane Eyre and a wedding editorial in Vogue magazine. Other patrons looked at her oddly as she flipped inhumanly fast through the different reading material, yet also managing to play with a game app on her phone on the side. She shifted often in her dusty brown leather trench coat and royal blue Louboutin stilettos to 'appear' more human, also adjusting the very dark sunglasses on the bridge of her nose every now and again. No one dared to approach the life-like goddess, not even the waitress, as she enjoyed her mid-morning outing in the dreary English weather.
She was forced to set her book down when her phone began to ring, still idly flipping through the gloss covered pages as she brought the speaker up to her ear like a normal human. Nothing in her demeanor changed as she listened intently to the serious voice on the other end, only outwardly portraying only a vague interest in the one-sided conversation as she examined her perfect nails. The only words that escaped her mouth at the end of the call were "I'll see what I can do," before she ended it with a press of a red button. She neatly tucked away her belongings in the inner workings of her jacket and called for the waiter to pick up her card. She left the establishment, quickly dialing away a very private number, puzzling one of the staff members as they picked her untouched coffee cup and raspberry scone.
. • Ellipsis • .
Bella closed her apartment door and descended down the hallway with very carefully measured steps in her one-inch heels to a pair of old looking, faded orange elevator doors. It was probably partially the reason they broke down so much, despite Bella being only one of two occupants who used them. Once stepping inside, Bella observed the old-fashioned iron work that laid behind the 'newer' outer layers. The recess lighting peeking out just barely between the bars that crossed the ceiling. A cage inside of a cage. Her current train of thought on the matter ended early when the doors reopened to the lobby leading outside. Around the corner on the left she would find the landlady's door tucked away from sight, with the faint smell of cat hair and the sound of old forties jazz swaying out from underneath the wood panels.
Exiting the deathtrap, Bella's steps slowed to a stop as she gazed into the downpour through the only window above the door. The light outside cast an eerie luminescent glow on the yellowed-peeling wallpaper, the shadows of running water dripping down Bella's shocked face. Quickly foregoing the elevator all together, she raced up the back stairs to her apartment in search of her only umbrella. Tearing apart her living room and checking underneath her bed, she still could not find the damn thing. Glancing at the clock on the stove, she cursed when she saw she was running late. Going back to her closet, she tried to find an appropriate jacket for the weather that didn't clash too badly with her current ensemble, worry growing more and more in her features when she couldn't find her go-to protector, where is it!? All she could find was an ugly eighties teal, purple, and lime green combination rain coat with puffed shoulders, that long-ago belonged to one of her terrible parents (she couldn't remember which), who gave her said jacket in hopes to hide their shame for ever buying such a monstrosity. Shrugging out of her original sheer outerwear, she tugged the offensive material over her shoulders, and cried out when the zipper jammed not even one quarter up the front. It was also missing its detachable hoodie, and she fumbled with the material as she made her way back down stairs, ending up tugging the coat halfway over her head so that she could at least protect the effort she put in her hair.
Down once more in the lobby, Bella hobbled over to the front exit in a rather good impersonation of a multicolored Troll doll, and grasped the handle trying to cover as much of her exposed form as possible. But before she could unlock the latch, another form burst inside bringing in half the tide with them, nearly causing Bella to fall back ungracefully to the floor. Her yelp of shock and fear informed the intruder of her presence, and they reached out slippery hands to help steady her shoulders lest she stumble and fall. Her right-side one again blossomed in pain and she gasped out loud at the dull throbbing in her shoulder and ribs.
"Hey are you hurt?"
Her head snapped up at the familiar voice, she flinched when she met the gaze of none other than Dr. Michael Corvin. Needless to say she was absolutely embarrassed and no doubt her face flushing at maximum potential. What was he doing here? She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut-off as he pushed her over to the lone chaise lounge in the corner of the room. He began to rattle off standard medical questions, and she pushed away his efforts with an annoyed huff of air.
Bella looked him directly in the eye, ignoring the way both of his widened in recognition, and snapped. "I'm fine really. Just had a bad exercising accident a few days ago."
He looked increasing bashful at his mistake of not immediately recognizing someone from his work. "I'm really sorry Ms. Swan. I wasn't paying much attention to where I was going and could have caused you further injury." He did look really remorseful and Bella, despite avoiding humans in general, could give the guy a break for an honest accident.
"Don't worry. Neither of us got hurt, so I would call this situation a success." She gave him a lame thumbs up, quickly standing up and staring at the door. Lightning flashed outside and a few seconds later thunder followed. She swallowed some spit, not exactly thrilled about traveling in the raking storm outside. Michael went to the elevator and pressed the button, and as he waited he covertly stared at the girl's shrunken form. That coat is pretty… vintage, he thought before something else came to mind- She's going to be soaked through in seconds! He debated on his next course of action before following up with another question.
"Are you waiting for a ride?" he assumed it would have been the sensible thing to do himself that night, but unfortunately he'd left his wallet and ID at home.
Bella briefly glance over at him, then turned her head back to the window, "No, I was kinda hoping for it to calm down some before heading out." At this the wind howled and pelted the rain harder against the building. They both winced. Great. Now I'm definitely going to be late. Bella let out a long drawn out sigh and shifted her weight to the other hip and tugged her coat closer to her shivering body. It was cooler in the lobby, and when she and Michael collided some of the colder water droplets landed on her bare legs, now dripping uncomfortably into her shoes. He curiously analyzed her again before asking;
"Do you have an umbrella?"
It was Bella's turn to look down at her feet in embarrassment and admitted that she lost the article somewhere in her apartment in her rush to leave. He stared at her with new understanding as he took in her formal dress wear and clean makeup. Right, wasn't she invited to that convention?
Priding himself on being ever the gentlemen, Michael held the elevator door and said, "I hope I don't come off the wrong way, but there's no way you were gonna make it in just that… coat," he started off. She turned to him indignantly, probably ready to spout some nonsense about how her plan to go there and walk in that Hell storm was a sane idea, and he stopped her right there, "I can call you a cab? It would make me feel better for almost barreling you over a second ago."
Bella opened her word trap again to politely refuse is his offer, never have been one to accept charity- "You don't have to. I wouldn't want to impose-,"
He insisted, "I can't let you go out there in good conscience," Suddenly his face brightened just a little as a lightbulb turned on in his head. "How about this; you let me call a taxi, and I'll convince Adam to stop following you around at the hospital?" he lifted his brows almost teasingly and Bella turned her blushing face in another direction. She really didn't want to do this, but what he offered sounded very enticing. She weighed the pros and cons, then begrudgingly nodded her head ignoring the victory on his face as he held the door for her.
They both climbed into the elevator, comfortable silence between the two as they ascended the floors. Michael made sure to stand a respectable distance away while Bella's stiff form betrayed her emotions at the moment. The doors binged before they opened, and Michael led Bella down the to the last door on the left, the numbers 510 engraved in a circle of jaded brass.
It took him a minute to fumble with the old set of locks, the door creaked loudly as the pair entered the apartment. Michael switched on a lamp in the corner and shrugged off his leather jacket, and Bella glanced around the living area. It wasn't too different than her apartment, the size was a little bit bigger, but everything looked to be in the same place. When Bella looked up the building's history after she moved in, she curiously found out that in the early 1600s it was used as an old mining factory for Mercury and Silver that supplied the surrounding villages, then was later converted into a Hotel in the 1800s to accommodate the growing population. The over-all style of the rooms carried roughly the same layout and theme, although updated throughout the years between different owners. It was located in one of the older districts populated with less people, but also saw a higher raise in crime in its seclusion. Bella knew how to take care of herself, no longer jumping on random strangers bikes, and didn't mind being alone. It was quite the coincidence that someone she knew would move into her building, of all places. Surely a doctor would have better means to pick somewhere less- edgy, than this place. Bella looked over at Michael as he swept through a yellowpages and dialed a number on a land line that no one else beyond the elderly had anymore. Strange. He noticed her look and smirked lightly, the laughter not quite reaching his eyes. He lifted the wireless to his ear and said, "My grandfather willed me the place, and I haven't had the time to buy a cell phone here."
Bella mutely nodded and turned to observe some of the old frames hanging on the walls, feeling a little embarrassed at her rude behavior. She could hear him give the service the address and the receiver ask for his card information, causing Bella to bite the inside of her cheek to avoid another argument. Perhaps she could buy him a weeks' worth of lunch in the future? She turned back and focused on the painting in front of her; it was older piece, obviously poorly taken care of by the paint chipping away here and there, and she guessed it was probably pre-renaissance but couldn't place the exact era with the lack of appreciation for such art. It depicted a dark forest surrounding small villages aflame in the back ground, riddled with dark shadowy forms dragging the habitants by their neck or limbs into the tree line. Down in the right corner showed a lone creature standing on two legs with an elongated snout and fur much like a wolf, baying to the moon with black streams of blood running down its maw and claws. Under the cliff-face that the creature stood, was a small army of knights in glittery silver armor and giant swords impaling the monsters and villagers alike, she leaned in closer and took note that the knight's eyes almost shone in the dark. The yellows and silvers glaring out at her in what she could only describe as contempt. In the middle of the painting stood a monastery with Jesuit priests digging graves for the dead and singing prayers over those possessed by demons. It was a grueling painting for sure, and Bella was swept away in the terrified faces and horrific situations drawn in explicit detail. It wasn't until Michael coughed awkwardly that she jolted from her stupor and backed away from the wall. She rubbed her arm in discomfort, unable to forget the images that raced through her brain. Michael one again distracted her from her increasingly disturbing thoughts.
"Uh, it should be here in about 15 minutes. They said there'd be a delay because of the rain."
Bella turned just as awkwardly back to him, giving him apologetic smile as she stated she was grateful he was helping her out. He waved her off and said it was nothing. He looked back at the painting she was observing previously, and took in the frightening landscape with a small look of disinterest and melancholy. He didn't look at her when he began speaking, "I'm sorry about the painting. I inherited this along with everything else my grandfather left me. When I came to visit as a kid, he liked to scare me with stories about the paintings around the place. Said they were passed down from father and son in the family for centuries, so I can't rid myself of them without a guilty conscience." He finally turned back to her with sad eyes, and Bella felt a pang of empathy in her chest.
"My condolences." There wasn't much else she could say, she wasn't as close to her own grandparents to feel the same loss he did.
He just shrugged nonchalantly, "It was a long time ago."
The silence that followed could be cut with a knife, and Bella was desperate to change the mood.
"So when did you move here? I haven't seen any other tenants in this place since I'd moved-in…" Like, at all. Bella was curious about the new arrival so to speak as she had almost no human contact outside of school and work. She wasn't lonely. Nope. Just curious.
He shifted around in his spot, choosing to lean against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Almost two-weeks ago, I think. I chose to come here a little early to clear the place before the position became available." His mouth went into a straight line and Bella could tell there was something else he didn't want to say. She understood that look, wearing it herself for a few years herself after the incident. She nodded mutely without giving away that she guessed that he was running away from something too. "The eye is a faithful interpreter…" she couldn't remember where she heard the quote, but it rang true. Some scars are only visible to those who also possess them.
Bella turned to the window, noting that the rain had lessened considerably into a light drizzle.
"It looks like it's finally clearing up…"she stated abruptly. He twisted his body to face the window before nodding and disappeared in the kitchen. He came back with a small water bottle and threw a friendly smile in her general direction.
"Well, I take it you have a party to get to –Isabella…?
She accepted the offering with some poise and gave him a tentative smile in return, "I prefer just Bella. And thank you, tonight would have been a disaster if I had gone out in that mess like this." His tanned skin contrasted with hers so drastically it was almost comical as their finger brushed against each other.
"No problem, Bella. Just knock on my door if you ever need anything. If I'm not home, then I'm probably at the hospital…" he stated, his face heating up at the small bit of information he gave of not having a personal life. Bella just took it in stride knowing she was just as pathetic, at least he had the excuse of just moving to the area.
"Same. I'll see you later?"
He gave her a little wave as she walked out of his apartment, "Yeah, later!"
. • Ellipsis • .
The cab stopped in park at the front entrance of the Pesti Vigadó, Bella bidding the driver farewell as she stepped out of the vehicle onto the wet brick-work. She carried a small clutch and her jacket under her arm and walked around the fountain area outside the doors. Bella rubbed her bare shoulders, but stiffly withstood the chilled night air as she made her way inside. A valet held the door for her, and once inside she was immediately greeted with a warm cloud of soft chatter underlined with a beautiful combination of classical music. Another worker politely retrieved her coat and disposed of it in one of the offshoot rooms' on the first floor, handing her a ticket with her name and an eight-digit number. She stood in awe inside the entrance hall, overwhelmed by the grand staircase and opulence of the architectural work that lined the walls and ceiling. A few couples and other strays from the party monopolized the steps and hidden corners only dimly lit by intricately designed globe sconces', the golden glow ethereally reflecting across the shadows of their faces. She took in the state of their attire, tossing a careful glance at her own; she almost wished she had been properly informed of the dress code for this particular event. While dressed in one of the nicest articles of clothing she owned, Bella's outfit could not even be compared to the extravagant evening gowns donned by the wives for their rich husbands. She almost felt naked in their presence in the gap of social etiquette.
Her nerves fluttered around her stomach as she followed the banister to the second level, walking around the balcony to a small outcropping of guests hoarding around a set of double doors. She squeezed her way through as quietly as she could, earning a few disgruntled and angry glares thrown her way, before emerging on the other side, finally arriving in the main ballroom. The open area was crowded with deep red round tables with six chairs each, littered with small candles and large floral centerpieces with bleached looking branches, red amaranths, and white roses. To the side of the room in the gallery were a few tables packed to the brim with fruit and refreshments, an intimidating tower of champagne glasses stacked in the center, and a chocolate fountain on the far end, enticing Bella with its rich familiar scent. The center of the room was left clear for couples as they span in circles to a waltz, standing parallel to the long stage at the far end of the room with a lone standing podium.
Bella stood awkwardly in the mingling crowd, signaling a waiter with a tray of sparkling champagne over to her, gratuitously sipping down the contents to calm down the sudden fluttering in her stomach. Sounds of small discussion and the unexpected boom of laughter built up around her senses and made her feel uneasy. Taking another sip, she cast several looks around the surrounding flock for a familiar face. Most Bella did not recognize, guessing from their expensive clothes and company that she never would have if she hadn't decided to show up tonight. A few, Bella noted, looked foreign, but not in the usual way; although some were fair, they were unusually pale and grey looking. They traveled in packs, the partners and couples clinging to each other in an almost carnal way, kissing the inside of their companions' wrists with tender touches- wait was that tongue? What the hell…? This is a public space for crying out loud! Bella couldn't tear her gaze away from the way a brunette man licked up the vein of the gentleman beside him, almost hungrily, and watched the others mouth fall open just slightly, letting out an inaudible moan to Bella's ears. The act was too scandalous for such a public setting, and Bella shifted her arms around herself uncomfortably as she felt her face flush at the erotic display of affection.
She glanced away for a moment of reprieve before looking back only to meet the brunette's striking yellow-green gaze. The color shocked her out of her previous state when she was suddenly tapped on the shoulder.
Bella turned around too quickly to fully hide the rose in her cheeks and she met the quizzical gaze of the Hospital chairman, accompanied by a young handsome couple. She discreetly tried to right herself and cast a small smile at the chairman praying to any god who might be listening that they didn't catch her oogling the other guests. She stole a quick cursory look of the couple standing opposite her, and could not believe her luck of meeting people who crushed any sense of self-confidence she possessed. The woman was beautiful with her light-gold hair pulled away from her face, pinned down with a very expensive jeweled ornament that matched her diamond earrings. She very thin in stature in a way that even most supermodels would be jealous of, wearing a very see-through lace gown that clung to her curves in a mermaid fashion, and extenuated her waist almost to the point of anorexia. She clung very closely to the male at her side, not paying attention at all to either her or the Chairman's presence quite rudely, only casting lustful adoring gazes at her escort. Her companion towered over Bella, his dark hair and light blue eyes a stark contrast to his pale, almost glowing, skin. He wore an expensive dark tailored suit with edges so finely pressed that looked sharp enough to cut if she ran her finger over them. He stood with a studied air of poise and self-importance with his nose far up in the air, but also with an almost threatening undertone and something else she could not quite put her finger on…
The chairman approached her with a small wave of his silver embossed cane and an eager smile.
"Miss Swan, you are a vision this evening! I am glad to finally catch you. I would like to introduce you to a few of the hospital's investors- I present Lord Kraven of Ördögház; this is Miss Isabella Swan, the young one I mentioned before…" he gestured to the tall imposing male, failing to mention the pretty blonde hanging off his arm almost intentionally as both males only had eyes for Bella. The blonde seethed with anger, digging her claws into the material of Lord Kraven's jacket. She opened her rosy lips to teach the humans some manners when her master cast her a deathly glare that did not go unnoticed by Bella. She lowered her head like a rebuffed child, and remained quiet and docile with clenched fists, as Kraven removed himself from her clinging grip to gift a dry kiss to the back of Bella's hand.
"It's my pleasure to finally meet the woman Vladimir has spoken so highly of." She shivered at his touch, the feeling rising bile from her stomach to the back of her throat as she studied the greed in his eyes that entered his eyes at their contact. He seemed almost reluctant to let her hand go as he stepped away as he smirked almost lasciviously in her direction. As soon as her hand was surrendered, Bella discreetly slid her palm across the back of her dress, trying to erase the evidence left behind.
"The pleasure's mine." What lies. Bella hoped that her smile was convincing. Was this the person he so desperately wanted her to meet? How disappointing. She tried to ignore his stare as Vladimir directed the conversation back to its original purpose, eyeing Bella like some prize he wanted to flaunt.
"Miss Swan's research is at the forefront of breaking through the barriers of genetic evolution, isn't that quite right Isabella?"
The defensive mechanisms in Bella's brain lit up like a Christmas tree at the mention, but she stuffed down the fight or flight instincts she felt since the beginning of the conversation as she tried to come up with a vague answer to her future boss.
"Y-You give me too much credit Sir. I'm hardly the best example- I myself have only theories whilst others have been studying the field for years." She tried to push some of the spotlight off of her and lead the conversation to other well-known scientists.
The Chairman shook his head, swinging the hand that wasn't holding the cane over her shoulders, pushing her ahead of him and closer the Lord Kraven.
"You underestimate yourself Isabella. I have never seen such promise from one of our students! Do you not agree Lord Kraven?"
Kraven's gaze weighed heavily on Bella for a few moments, as if assessing her value more like a marketable object rather than a human being, looking her up and down. Bella frowned slightly and met his disinterested glare with one of her own, but when her chocolate orbs met his frozen azure ones, Bella felt the tell-tale sensation of the hairs on the back of her neck raising. For a second she couldn't move, almost frozen in his icy stare as her heart beat wildly in her chest before falling to the bottom of her stomach. The moment was over when he suddenly smirked down at her as if he witnessed something funny and he straightened his back to stand back upright. She felt the air in her lungs give way in a rush and felt the weight fall of her shoulders. What was that? When did he lean down? Whilst Bella recovered, Kraven eyed the human with mild interest- the fear she felt when she met his gaze was only a small taste of what most humans would endure if they crossed him. When Vladimir brought up the subject of a new rising star, he only listened with half an ear until he was greeted with this small delicate morsel. He eyed her unimpressive dress and her subtle curves with little interest, but when she challenged him her heartbeat sped up dramatically sending little torrents of her scent to his nostrils. As soon as he inhaled, he was bombarded with one of the most unique and intoxicating scents he's come across in decades. Only very few humans that some covens bred in secret as pets could compare to this delicious creature. He smirked in satisfaction when her pupils began to dilate and the panic reached her eyes. A brand new toy, he thought. He would humor his compatriot with his schemes for power and wealth, but the human girl would only be his in the end. For as long as she would last, it seemed.
"It would be a very pleasurable opportunity for all parties Miss Swan. I'm sure my fellow owners at Ziodex would also agree to any projects in your heart's desire when you decide to join us in the future." He curved his thin lips just so into a borderline lascivious grin and she shivered in revulsion.
Bella leaned further back into the hand that held her in place, determined to get as far away from these individuals as much as possible. She simply nodded back to any other comments thrown her way as the two gentlemen parried words. The blonde at the dark predator's side kept throwing her non-discreet glares her way that spoke volumes of jealously and hate. She looked as if she was ready to end Bella's life right there. Her head was still swimming from other perceived threats that she blankly shrugged it off. Thankfully soon after, one of the curators stood on stage and announced the dinner would commence in a few moments and advised the other patrons be led to their tables. Vladimir and Bella finally splintered away from Kraven and his vicious pet to their own table filled with two older couples that leaped into friendly conversation with Chairman. Bella sat back quietly nursing a small glass of water as she let her eyes cruise the room once more. They were closer to the stage, on the left hand side and out of the way, giving her a clear view of the other tables. The Room quieted as the announcer introduced a few speakers and other charities, in between the waiters brought out their meals on silver trays with others filled with crystal flutes of champagne. Bella meagerly tip-toed around her lobster with greens no longer feeling quite hungry in her appetite, her stomach twisting and turning with fear and apprehension.
Casting a glance over her shoulder, she peered around the room but did not see Kraven or any of the unusual guests she discovered when she arrived. The seats were filled with the same ilk as hers, ordinary people dressed in extravagant clothing listening idly to the speaker whilst enjoying their own quiet conversations.
Her phone began to buzz in the pocket of her small clutch, and Bella tried to discreetly examine the small lit screen under the table.
"I'm sorry I have to take this…?" she politely asked her escort, and he waved her away turning back to the man at his side, speaking low giddy tones about some vacation or another.
Bella clung to the shadows feeling for a door until her hand grasped a handle, and she dove out the side exit. She passed a few workers who threw several strange looks her way until she turned down another vacant hall, only lit with bright moonbeams chasing through the floor to ceiling windows. She cursed when she realized she'd already missed the call by the time she got away, and quickly pressed (+1) and redial. It rang a couple of times before going to voicemail and Bella grumbled under her breath. Ending the call, Bella was sent back to the home menu when she saw she had a voicemail and immediately opened it up. Charlie's voice echoes in her ears statically in a far off manner as if he was in a small room with a lot of echo.
"Hey Bells. I didn't want to ruin your weekend or anything, but I just wanted to let you know I'm gonna be in the hospital for a couple of days. There was a small accident, Sue's fine, but I busted my leg and they want to keep me in for observation for a couple of days. I didn't want you to worry about me, but Billy and Sue insisted I call you. I'm fine. Just a few bumps and scratches besides the cast. So keep on studying or whatever you're doing over there and call either Sue or Billy if you want to talk to me. I love you, catch you later."
Bella hung up and dialed Sue's number, anxiously biting her nails as it rang out in the dark corridor.
Dammit voicemail.
She tried several times before switching to Billy's number hoping that someone would answer. She paced back and forth on her third try until on her final turn she unexpectedly bumped into a sold body mass.
Unable to catch herself this time, Bella crashed to the floor at an awkward angle, her ankle twisting itself painfully. She gasped aloud and reached for the injured area and looked up at the looming figure towering over her. He didn't move to help her and stood rather menacingly a few feet away as she reached for her cell phone.
"Can I help you?" Bella ordered. He remained quiet as he stared down at her and the sense of panic Bella felt earlier began to build up in her stomach. She tried getting a good look at him again and couldn't recall seeing him at the party, nor would he have belonged there with the way he was dressed; a long trench coat and raggedy clothes underneath accompanied by an awful stench. She couldn't see his face but tried to memorize his height and the muted features she could observe in the dark. Tall. Over six feet. Light skin. Short dark hair. Smells like a sewer. Behind her at the end of the hall she heard a door close and looked over her shoulder to see another man in a dark suit turn the lock before looking towards the pair. Or more accurately her.
Her blood ran cold.
Bella hurriedly scooted back on the floor to the wall to stand up and run, but halfway there the brute slammed his forearm against her stomach, knocking the air out of her lungs before she could scream out for help. The action was followed by another blow to the head against the ornate filigree on the wall's wooden panels and Bella let out a soundless gasp as tears flooded her vision.
Her head was spinning and she could feel wet blood run down her face as she tried clawing at her attackers face in full survival mode when she herd the click of a gun against her temple. She helplessly hanged frozen in the brute's arms as his partner held the gun pointed at her head.
Her eyes desperately searched the hall for her phone or her purse which held a can of pepper spray her father bought her, but couldn't move her head enough to see the ground in the man's grip. A few seconds passed as they maneuvered her in their arms, making sure as they opened a secret side panel that she couldn't run and that no one else witnessed her abduction. They dragged her down the dark passage and she could hear as they passed the ballroom still filled with music and mindless chatter.
They jerked her as they turned around another corner and she stumbled on the invisible ground, one of her shoes coming loose. The brute hauled her back up and pushed her roughly forwards as the trio continued their path down the narrow corridor, her heel left behind in the fray.
…
Up ahead Bella couldn't anything past the shorter of the two assailants but the dark, and was blinded when a door was opened to a back alley brightly it by a floodlight over the door. They pushed her onto the cobblestone street, the lone sole of her barefoot harshly grating against the wet rock. A heavy fog rolled over the roads giving her kidnappers a convenient cover in the misty night air. The brute behind her guided her to the alley's opening near a parked car. The smaller one quickly hopped into the driver's seat as Bella struggled against the other's hold as he tried to push her into the vehicle. With a new bout of strength Bella flailed and wiggled her free limbs violently, kicking her legs back blindly against her captor and hitting anything she could. As his insistence to push her into the vehicle grew, so did her anger, and she threw back her head as hard as she could into his face until the soft tissue around her skull made contact with his nose. Lights clouded her vision and pain blossomed in her brain rendering her immobile. He angrily shoved her face down into the back seat and slammed the car door loudly behind her. As she was getting her wits about her, she could hear him curse loudly as he rounded the vehicle to the passenger side door. The metal groaned when he opened it and he bent down to get inside, but stiffened when a call rang out in the cool night air. A figure approached the car armed with a flashlight and their hand resting over something on their waist. Was it a policeman!? Thank god! Bella perked up considerably and tried slowly sitting up in the back seat to gain his attention, but the driver barked at her to stay down on the floor with his right hand over his pistol. She obeyed and cowered behind the passenger seat shaking in fear, praying that the other individual would notice something amiss.
She could her the brute's heavy footfalls against the wet pavement as he approached the other man and said something too low for her to hear. The other man sounded more suspicious and speculative in his rebuttal, and she could see the beams of his flashlight bounce off the vinyl material of the seat cushions. She stayed down listening to the quiet conversation outside, her last hope fading faster and faster from her future and leaving a sickening twist inside her gut. She had to choke down a sob when she heard the brute coming closer to her side of the car and opening the door. The light from the street lamp flooded the vehicle and illuminated Bella's shivering form in the seat. The man outside shouted something and pointed the flashlight into her eyes and reveled her bloodied face. The driver barked orders to his partner, and the other man jumped out of his seat and lunged towards the officer. The man raised something, a baton? And tried to swing at the madman, but was too late as he was grabbed by the neck with sharp claws and the brute leaned down to his shoulder.
The screaming was instantly halted as fast as it begun and quickly turned to a rough gurgle as the brute bit down into his victim's neck and ripped apart the shiny tissue. Bella looked on in horror as the stranger's life was quickly drained out of him, spraying onto the slick pavement. The driver began shouting something, shocking Bella out of her daze and she crawled towards the other end of the backseat, away from the horrific scene playing out before her. A sudden idea hit Bella square in the chest as she observed the driver and the brute outside in terror as they argued over the corpse. Bella squirmed out of the seat, waiting for the perfect moment, and watched in slow motion as the man in the front seat take his hand off the gun.
In a split second, she opened the door and bolted.
She raced down the street, kicking off her remaining shoe, and turned down a dark corner as soon as she heard them running after her.
Running off of adrenaline, she willed her body to jump over crates and knocked-over trashcans in the dark, the sound of her heavy breathing and her bare feet slapping against the concrete ringing in her ears.
She went around another corner and ran into a dead end. Turning around she back tracked and found a tall wire fence separating the street and the alley. She tried to free climb the barrier, but her ankle throbbed painfully at her. Panicking, Bella looked around, not bothering to look behind her, and found an old wooden crate. She began to push it through the mud close to the fence before she ambled on top, exhaustion quickly rushing back to her muscles. The damp wood creaked and bent inwards when she pushed herself over the fence, pieces splintering off into the battered skin and rubbing against the metal as she climbed, before she turned her body around and climbed down. The last foot, Bella accidently let go- her dress snagging on one of the chain-links, and she fell hard on her backside. Groaning in pain, she pushed herself up and ran to the street, briefly leaning against a cold brick building as she decided which way she would go. In the distance she spotted a small neighborhood up ahead and quickly walked towards it, trying to avoid street lamps and stuck towards the shadows.
She passed silently as she could through what she guessed was an undeveloped area that had been cleared beforehand, but the local wildlife and overgrowth had slowly claimed it back, leaving tall grasses and rotting fences in its wake. Bella ignored the cold wind and small drizzle as soon it began to start, only trudging on closer and closer to civilization. She could no longer hear if the men were still stalking her, and she didn't know whether or not she should be relieved at the fact. The further she traveled in the dark, the more lost and helpless she felt, but she stubbornly kept up the punishing pace on her tired and weak body.
In the distance she could her dogs barking, and she tried to walk faster down the dirt path. A loud whine cried out sharply to her right in the grass and she froze when she heard the sound of movement. Breathing hard she willed her body to move, but it wouldn't respond.
The quiet that followed was almost deafening to her ears. The wind blew the dark shadows of the leaves, the moon painting everything in a surreal black and white greyscape. Even the blood in her veins seemed to pause in this perfect still picture, her face darkly contorted in terror.
The wind shifted, blowing her matted tresses across her temple, and her heart stopped when she heard a low rumble raise up from the brambles just a few feet in front of her.
Bella as hard as she could, screaming out in a raspy voice when she spotted a huge monster tumble out onto the road where she just was standing. It bounded behind her, closing the gap quickly on four feet and then two, as it reached out with long claws towards her. Coming upon an abandoned building, she tried to run faster through the yard and ducked under a broken window.
Halfway through it grabbed her leg, yanking her to the ground as it tried to drag her into the night. She turned and kicked its blackened skin with her other foot, aiming carelessly for its snout and sharp teeth as she pulled and pulled for her leg free.
She made the mistake of looking into its glass orbs and lost six inches of ground. It snarled back at her and swung its other claw at her head, missing only by a short breath's distance.
It let out a deafening roar and tightened the grip on her leg, its long talons cleaving the soft flesh and letting out small rivers of blood. Bella cried out in agony. She desperately thrashed and wiggled, the slippery liquid running down to her swollen ankle giving way to the monster's bruising hold.
With one final kick, she slipped away into the darkness of the empty house, trying to find somewhere to hide. She tripped on pulled up floorboards and broken glass and looked around blindly for some cover and spotted a cupboard under the stairs, hoping by some chance it would lead to a basement.
She slid and shut the door behind her, holding a hand over her mouth to mute her cries- breathing too hard through her nose to quiet her exhales. The pain in her leg distracted her, and she grasped the wound with white knuckles to try and stop the bleeding. A soft sound of creaking wood stilled her movements, and she sat frozen on the floor between boxes as a shadow passed over the door. She waited with baited breath as the shadow lingered, her brain going dizzy from the lack of oxygen. It waited there for what seemed like forever, Bella crying internally wishing this hellish nightmare was over, before the shape began to shrink back away into nothing. Powerlessly, her breath unevenly hitched, and the shadow returned. She cursed herself. She tried scooting back further into the corner as the door was wrenched open and she screamed when a pair of hands reached out to grab her.
Bella fought valiantly against their hold, but lost when she felt a sharp prick in the back of her neck and caught the faint glimmer of dark eyes before she passed out.
…
AN:
I was totally excited to write this chapter! So many characters finally came into play.
That last scene was really long, and I'll probably go back and re-edit it at some point.
I don't know why, but I really like writing Alice and Jasper. Not enough for their own standalone story, but still.
Rosalie is a Bad Bitch. And I mean that in a good way.
And more Michael! Just for you Corvin Fans who shall remain anonymous.
I have no idea if Sam and Emily had any kids canonically, and if they did, what their names would be. I looked it up and found nada, so I kinda pulled Jamie out of a hat and BAM- there it was. Sebastian, however, was a well thought-out thought baby and sounds like something Angela Webber-nee-Black would name her kid. That's just my opinion. Jacob has terrible taste in baby names *cough* and is so head over heels for her he'd agree to anything; it's so cute it's disgusting. Just ask Bella.
But you can't. Because she's unconscious. Too bad.
The reviews are fucking awesome you guys. I can't speak for other authors, but sometimes I cheat and look at this story's review history for motivation. All forms of support are appreciated!
Next chapter is already in the works, but I hope you enjoyed this one enough to quench your bloodthirst.
TBC…