All characters from Vampire Diaries belong to L.J. Smith as well as all characters from Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I own nothing except my version of events.
Chapter 45 A Painful Decision
A shrilling noise woke me from my peaceful slumber, I reached over the nightstand to make the noise stop and realized it was my phone, I pressed the answer button and heard Kol's voice filter in.
"Bella! Aro read the werewolves and found what the witches have been using. He drew pictures of all the plants he saw in their minds but we're having trouble identifying them all. Get your pretty little ass over here now." then proceeded to hang up on me.
I was still half asleep and processed about half of what he said but understood the urgent tone in his voice and groaned. I really didn't want to leave, I was so warm in bed with my mates naked body wrapped around me. It was one of my favorite places to be.
I begrudgingly got out of bed slowly and as quietly as possible to not disturb Nik. Once I was free, I quickly got ready and left a note on my pillow apologizing for leaving without warning. I teleported to our witch's lab and found it in complete chaos, everyone running around holding herbs and plants arguing about who was right.
"Bella!" Kol exclaimed, running over to me. "You've got to get everyone in line. It's mayhem in here, no one will listen and there is no order whatsoever. You need to take the reins."
"Fuck. Ok." I grabbed my phone and found an incredibly annoying tune playing it on loud and then amplifying it with my powers. In less than a second everyone froze covering their ears from the intense noise. I turned it off and seized the opportunity. "Alright, listen up everyone! We need to keep our head on and chill the fuck out! I know this is the news we've all been waiting for but we won't accomplish anything if everyone keeps running around aimlessly. We need to focus and join our cumulative knowledge to find the solution." Everyone silently nodded in agreement, thank god because I wasn't ready to get any louder as I was still trying to shake off my own sleep.
I guided them through our next steps, first identifying the herbs drawn by Aro making them raise their hands when they had an answer. That's right, we'd reverted back to being in grade school but so far it was working. We had compiled a list of possible answers and we were nearing towards the end when I saw a timid little hand raised in the back of the crowd.
"Yes, Amelie?" I asked. I understood her lack of confidence, she was one of our younger witches with only sixteen years of age.
"Umm, well, I think I saw that particular plant in one of my oldest family grimoires. They called it Cingulum Sancti Johannis."
"Did it say what it was used for?" I asked her.
"Umm, no, but they did mention it dated back to the middle ages just not what it was used for exactly."
"Ok, has anyone else heard of that name before?" I asked the masses. They all silently shook their heads in denial but for some reason it stuck with me. My powers were kicking in and telling me it was the key.
"Kol. Can you ask Marcus for me? You know how ancient he is, he might have some in his historical greenhouse."
He nodded and disappeared from sight.
I looked back to Amelie and smiled, "Don't ever doubt yourself again, you might be surrounded by experienced witches but that doesn't mean young witches don't also have a right to input their own thoughts and ideas." It was true, I myself was young but that didn't mean I was too young to lead an army as I currently was. Age was the least of our worries a time like this.
She gave me a shy smile and silently nodded.
While Kol was gone I decided to move on to the next drawings, we managed to identify the rest and I was pleased with the outcome. All we needed was to remain calm and focused.
"Bella!" I heard Kol call out for me, I turned in his direction and found Marcus there standing with a plant in his hand.
"It is known as Mugwort these days, it is obviously not the original but it is a similar variation of Cingulum Sancti Johannis. Lucky for you I am as ancient as you think I am and had some of the original planted in my greenhouse." He said with a smile.
"Marcus! You are amazing!" I exclaimed excitedly as I reached up and planted a smacking kiss on his cheek. "You've just given us the key ingredient for the potion!" I took it from his hands and moved over to my table and immediately got to work.
"There are more humans missing in countries that separate us and the werewolves. The humans are getting suspicious and we need to do something quickly." Aro said with worry.
We were all watching the news, I didn't understand exactly what they were saying but I could see picture after picture playing on the screen. Images of missing humans alerting everyone to keep an eye open if they were spotted, asking their people to immediately inform their local authorities. This was getting bigger and bigger each and every day… and completely out of control, Aro was right, we had to do something. Unfortunately I hadn't had a feeling yet and I refused to verbally agree to anything when I didn't know what the right course of action was. They were all looking to me for the next step and I couldn't lead them wrong. I wasn't sure what we were supposed to do now and I was frustrated with my powers. They'd gone eerily silent and I was worried.
I looked to my left and caught the eyes of Peter. We had gotten a chance to speak to each other earlier and he admitted his powers hadn't given him anything since his arrival. I confided in him that neither had I. He looked back at me and gave me a slight shake of his head, indicating he still hadn't had a feeling either. We were both worried and I wondered what was happening with the werewolves that had our powers suddenly going radio silent.
I heard everyone speaking amongst each other, discussing the pros and cons of attacking first but I shook my head, that would definitely be the wrong move. That much I knew with absolute certainty.
"We can't do that. We can't separate our own forces to attack in two different places. We'll be left weak and vulnerable and under their territory where we would already be at a disadvantage. We don't know if they've set up traps for us and we can't go in blind, it would be suicide." I argued.
"She's right, it seems like a trap. They're hoping the increase in human disappearances will make us desperate enough to attack first. We have to wait them out." Caius quickly added. I was thankful I had one of the Kings on my side. It would make a great difference in leading the Volturi guard.
"Wait them out?! Are you insane?!"Aro asked angrily as he slammed his hand on the table. "We have spent our entire lives preventing humans from knowing of our existence. We cannot let that happen now!" He exclaimed.
"We know what's at stake, Aro, but I don't think you are." I argued back, "You're only worried about exposure of your own kind while I am worried about the lives of unprotected humans and our supernatural communities. There's more at stake here than your fucking secret!" I exclaimed, becoming frustrated with the argument and my lack of activity in my powers.
Nik grasped onto my back and squeezed, trying to quietly diffuse my temper. I sighed out, disappointed in my reaction. I was supposed to be the calmest one of us all and I was clearly doing a shitty job at it. "Look. We need to wait. The world depends on us and if we make the wrong move now we won't be coming back from it. It will be the end… not just for humans but for all of us as well. We've already made the potions to stop werewolf phasing outside of the full moon, and another to break the mind control. We already have the upper hand. All we need to do now is to remain in control, wait them out and hope they make a mistake we can capitalize on." I said firmly.
Everyone nodded quietly, except Aro, who angrily stormed out of the conference room. He wasn't used to people deferring to someone other than himself and I could tell that was partly the problem here, but there was no way I would let his pride get in the way of saving the world.
"Pay him no mind." Caius said angrily. "He is behaving like a spoiled child, Bella, just let him pout on his own." I could see he had deduced the real problem here just as I had.
"We have to convince him that we're right Bella, he seems insistent on taking immediate action. What if he decides to send his own Volturi army? It would destroy them and our plans." Jasper said in worry.
"We will wait them out just as you have said Bella. Do not worry about the guard, Aro believes he has complete control over them but it is only because we have allowed him to be. When they see Caius and I united against him, they will not act against our orders." Marcus added reassuringly.
Fuck I hoped he was right, or else our entire plans could be potentially ruined by an impulsive king who was used to having his way. "Ok, so how about we make a compromise? We haven't sent any scouts out since we discovered where the wolves were hiding. We can send two groups to take a quick look, remaining away from imminent danger. That way Aro will feel as though we are not simply waiting around, twiddling our thumbs and doing nothing while our enemies deliberately taunt us."
"That's an excellent idea. We need to make sure we're not missing any more details as we don't want to be caught by surprise. Unfortunately, they will have people watching Volterra to notify them of any movements. They are expecting us to react." Jasper interjected.
Fuck, I hadn't thought about that but he was right. The wolves would be on alert, waiting for any sign from us making a move outside of these walls. Suddenly a lightbulb went off on my head. "There's only one way to make sure we are not seen by the wolves. I'll have to go with them, I can shield everyone and remain out of sight."
As soon as those words left my mouth there was an enormous amount of head shakes in the room. No one liked my idea, I was going to have to fight to get my way.
"It's the only way and you all know it. We can't lose anyone, nor can we risk anyone being used as a bargaining chip to win this war. I have to go with them. I can take one team to scout both areas while keeping myself and my team shielded and safe. There is zero risk of exposure and you all know it." I reasoned calmly.
"No way, Bella. You're our leader, there is no way you can just leave like that. It's still too dangerous, you are our most powerful weapon and need to remain as hidden as possible." Jasper argued.
"You aren't being reasonable right now, you're worried about me but I can promise you that nothing will happen to me. We could all be standing next to the leader of our enemies and he wouldn't be the wiser. I can get us close… really close."
"Then I will go in your stead." Niklaus said firmly.
My head swiveled over to look at him, faster than I had ever done before. "Nik…" I started to say but he cut me off before I could continue.
"If you think it's not dangerous then you shouldn't have a problem with me going in your place. We share the same powers Bella." He argued.
I frowned up at him in worry. "But you're not as experienced as I am. What if something goes wrong and your energy is drained, then what?" I asked. His power wasn't as unlimited as mine was and I worried about it. He wasn't as strong as me.
Paul came in defense of Nik at that moment. "He's been practicing and I've seen it, Bella. He's just as good as you are with his shield, worst case scenario if they're in danger he can teleport everyone back here." He said reassuringly. He knew I was less likely to argue against him. I trusted Paul with my own life and knew he would protect my mate just as equally as he protected me. He wouldn't risk me losing my mate if he weren't sure… still the idea terrified me.
I closed my eyes and rubbed my face, feeling no way out of this. I couldn't lose my mate, I would never survive if I did. I felt Nik's body move in front of me as he pulled my hands down from my face. Staring deeply into my eyes.
I can do this. I have promised to be by your side for all eternity and I would never do anything to jeopardize that. Trust me, Angel. Trust me just as much as I trust you. He said sincerely into my head.
I love you, Niklaus. If you die, I die… Do you understand me? I said, communicating the severity of my words. There was no me if he ceased to exist.
I promise, Angel, I will come back to you.
I closed my eyes one last time and released a long suffering breath. When I opened my eyes again I nodded and pulled away from him. "New plan." I announced. "Niklaus will be going in my place. Jasper and Felix will decide which group to send and they will leave as soon as they are ready."
Sensing I was done they all nodded at me and started filtering out. Jasper approached Nik and I and spoke, "Sorry Darlin', we need Klaus to come with us. We have an idea of who to send with him but we want to make sure they're a good fit before they leave."
I quietly nodded, fearing if I spoke I would beg Nik to stay with me and cancel the scouting. Nik turned to me and kissed me sweetly on my forehead before leaving with Jasper and Felix.
Paul sensing my emotional state made his way over to me and pulled me into his arms. "He will be ok, Bella. I know he's your mate and worrying comes with the territory but he can do this. I never would have vouched for him if I didn't think he was ready." He said reassuringly, as he brushed my hair with his fingers.
I tucked my face into his chest and breathed him in, enveloping myself in his scent. Paul had the power to calm me down just as much as my mate did, it was like a gift. He was meant to be my best friend, to guide me and center me when I needed him the most and right now was one of those times.
"I know. I just can't help it." I admitted, squeezing him like he was the anchor holding me down on earth. "Thank you for being here."
He chuckled at my words, he always told me never to thank him for these things but I always ended up doing it anyways. He had come to accept it as it came but still thought it was funny I still bothered to do so. "Always, B. Now let's go get you some food before you starve yourself with worry while Klaus is away." He said as he pulled away but left his arm wrapped around my shoulders as we walked out of the conference room.
"You know me too well." I said sadly, still upset with how this had all turned out but Nik was right. I always did dangerous things and not once did he ever try to stop me. He trusted me, knowing I knew better than to risk my own life and it was my turn to trust him now. Our mating had gifted him with most of my powers and I needed to have faith that there was a reason for that. There had to be.
I ate slowly as Paul sat next to me in quiet support. Knowing how upset I was he didn't try to make needless conversation. He had requested for dinner to be sent up to his room so that we could have some privacy. He knew I hated people to see me at my weakest. I was usually good at pretending I was ok but it was an impossibility now, not when I was terrified of losing my mate.
I was sitting on top of Paul's lap as he soothingly brushed my hair with his fingers when I heard Nik's voice in my head.
It's time, Angel. Meet me in the garden.
At his request I got up from my seat, grasping onto Paul's hand to pull him up with me. "Come on, they're leaving now. We're meeting them at the garden. We can teleport there since it's far." I warned him before I did it, teleporting was still the one thing he could never get used to. If the situation weren't as dire as it were at the moment, I would've probably laughed at the look on his face.
I teleported us to the garden and found a group of four, comprised of a mixture of witches, cold ones and vampires. Emmett was standing nearby with a laptop in hand, I'm assuming he had found areas near the werewolves where Niklaus and his group could teleport to safely.
"We decided not to send any wolves as they need more human upkeep than the rest of them. We don't know how long they will be gone for and it felt better this way."
I silently nodded at him and Nik stepped forward to embrace me. Don't be sad, Angel. I promise to come back to you, always. I love you… until the very end.
I pulled his face down to me and kissed him, praying this wouldn't be the last time. He cupped my face and kissed me tenderly but firmly. It wasn't a desperate kiss, it was a reassuring one. Silently communicating that everything would be ok and I would see him once again. He pulled away from me and kissed me one last time on my nose, smiling lovingly at me.
Be careful. As soon as you get a hint of danger you teleport your ass and everyone else back here. No excuses. You got me? I ordered him.
He pinched my chin lightly but nodded in understanding, turning away from me but I quickly pulled him back to me. He arched an eyebrow in question and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I can't deny I wanted to beg him not to go but I also knew this was a necessary evil. I reached back to unclasp my necklace that prevented my powers from depleting my energy from around my neck and gave it to Nik.
"You'll need it more. It's girly but it will save your life… and don't you dare take it off for a single second. Am I clear?" I asked him.
"Crystal." He affirmed as he clasped it onto his own neck and suddenly turned to look at Paul who was standing nearby. "I need you to take my place while I am away. You are the only one I trust enough to leave her with. Do not fail me." He odered Paul.
He nodded in understanding, "I will protect her with my life." Paul vowed.
Nik nodded and silently turned back to his group. Before disappearing he looked back at me one last time.
I love you. He whispered into my mind.
I love you more. I whispered back.
He chuckled lightly at me and shook his head in disbelief as he whispered Impossible into my mind and disappeared from my sight.
"He'll be ok, B. He'll be back in no time." Paul said reassuringly but I simply nodded and turned away, unable to continue to bear the empty space my mate once occupied.
I decided to keep myself busy and headed for the witch's lab. Now that we'd completed the potions it was time to assemble them. Making as many as we possibly could before the time came to use them. It was tedious work but I figured it would be the perfect task to get my mind off of my mate.
I don't know how long it had been when my fingers started to get tired. I turned to my right and found Paul still there, cutting the stems off the herbs we needed.
Sensing my eyes on him he turned to look at me. "Hey… care for some dinner? I'm kind of starving." He gently asked, making it sound like it was more for him than me but I knew better.
I shrugged a shoulder and said, "sure."
He gently pulled me away from my work and spoke quietly to Kol as we walked away but I didn't bother to pay attention to what was said. Paul grabbed me by the hand and led me through the maze of the castle as I followed blindly behind him. We made it to his room and I heard him order our food while I quietly sat on his couch.
I heard him sigh and I turned to look at him reflexively.
"Klaus wouldn't want you this way, B. You're acting like he's not coming back and you know that's not true. There's nothing on this earth that would stop him from returning to your side." He reminded me.
I dropped my face onto my hands and spoke through my fingers. "I know. I just can't help it... It's like a piece of me is missing. We've never been this far away from each other and knowing he is heading straight towards danger doesn't help." I admitted, feeling the emptiness in my heart with his absence.
He walked over to me and picked me up out of my seat and sat me down on his lap, soothingly brushing my hair with his fingers. I closed my eyes and attempted to relax as I felt the vibrations from his chest as he spoke.
"But he's not gone forever, Bella. He will be here before you know it. We need you strong, we need you to continue to lead us. I know it's a lot to ask for but it's the truth… we can't let bratty little Aro get his own way now can we?" He asked teasingly.
I smiled slightly at the last part. He was right, Aro was being a spoiled brat, because of him we had sent my mate into danger. Ok, I know it's not the only reason but it's easier to find someone to blame at a time like this.
Paul turned his tv on and put on a horror movie. Chucky this time.
"Remember back when Vicky used to be our biggest threat?" He asked.
"Mmhmm… I miss those fucking days." I commented and it was the truth. I was the only one in danger at the time but I knew I could take her. I was confident in my own ability and new I would be victorious, there was no question about it. This was different though. This time it wasn't just me but my mate, the one person who could gift me with great happiness or break my soul and spirit.
I felt his quiet chuckle at my words but he remained quiet.
Our dinner came and we ate as we watched, it almost felt like old times. We used to do this all the time back in Forks. Our lives had changed so much since then that it had been a while since we were able to do this again.
"I'm sorry for keeping you here with me while you could be doing something more important." I said sadly.
He turned my face to the side and spoke, "You are important, B. More than anything. Don't ever think being with you is considered work for me. I love you and I'll always be here with you, no matter what." He finished his speech with a kiss to my forehead.
I smiled and turned back to the tv.
A few minutes later the door opened and in came Jacob. He pulled my feet off the couch and sat occupying the space they once hel and placing my feet on his lap. Sometime later Embry and Sam walked in quietly and sat on the floor in front of me.
Without even realizing it, by the end of the movie the entire room was filled with the pack, my dad, and some of my family from Mystic Falls. I'm not quite sure how we all fit but they managed. They all started to argue about which movie to watch next and I quietly watched. Enjoying their banter and immersing myself in the love and peace my family provided. This was why I was here, this was what I fought every day to protect and what I would continue to fight for my whole existence. I would forever be grateful that they loved me enough to stop what they were doing to come to me in my time of need. Paul was right, I needed to lead them and it was my job to stay strong, not only for them but for myself as well
… but not until tomorrow, I decided, as I surrendered to the quiet nothingness sleep provided.