Sorry for the cliffhangers guys! I guess since I have the story in my head, to me, it feels like I'm just trying to find interesting places to stop. I'll try to keep my drama vibes in check. ;-)

Thanks again for everyone's encouragement. I really appreciate all the comments, and hope that the story fulfills your expectations. Here we go again…

I thought I was going to tear my hair out – or rather John's. Edward began stroking my back, and I closed my eyes to concentrate on that sensation. I knew he must be as anxious as I was, but he was doing his best to help me stay calm.

"You were spying on us," Edward accused in a low voice.

"It was the only way to be sure." John confirmed.

"But I didn't see you before. Today, when you were here with Bella, I saw you and I knew what you were. But I didn't see you before today," Alice said with frustration.

"And you wouldn't have seen me today if I hadn't let you," John said, "Although I admit, I didn't expect you to get here quite so quickly."

"So you see, we can protect Bella quite well on our own," Edward said with satisfaction.

"Actually, that's what I have been counting on. But it may not be as easy as you think. The Council is convinced that Bella is the key to wiping out vampires forever."

"John, stop it! You're driving me crazy! I'm going to attack you myself!" I cried.

"Sorry, Bella, really. I told you I was no good at this. I just wanted to make sure you understood where I was…"

"Just get on with it!"

"Okay, okay. Look, I told you that it all started with Phoenix. The Council tries to track all possible vampire attacks, as consistent activity is the surest way to find a coven. When we got the report on what happened in Phoenix, that's when the elders started to notice you."

"Why?"

"Bella, don't you see? You should have died! Anyone else would have died! And look at you now, only a few months have passed and you're ready to attack a werewolf!"

"You can't be serious…"

"Wait a minute, John," Edward said, "Bella certainly has a way of attracting trouble, I'll give you that…"

"It's more than that. She has no fear for herself."

"I've been afraid many times!" I said, unable to believe John. He was clearly out of his mind.

" Bella, it's not just any fear. Aaah, how do I explain this? When you're in danger, really in danger, are you afraid?"

I shook my head in frustration, unable to understand what he was trying to tell me.

"Bella," Edward said slowly, "I think he may have a point. You have no sense of when you are in danger. It's always scared the hell out of me. You have no idea of how fragile you are, how easily hurt."

"Actually, she's not," John contradicted, "She heals remarkably fast, both mentally and physically. Even when she was small, and would get hurt, she would be up and about in no time at all, no crying or fussing. I was always amazed at how she could bounce back so quickly."

John took my hands in his, "Think about it, Bella - your natural lack of fear in the face of danger, your ability to heal quickly. If those traits were enhanced and combined with those of a werewolf, you would be a virtually unstoppable soldier."

"So that's what your Council is after – a way to change Bella into a werewolf so she can join an army intent on killing vampires?" Edward asked, the anger slipping back into his voice.

"No, its worse. They don't want Bella changed at all. They want her just the way she is, so that they can have her blood."

"Her blood?" thundered Edward murderously.

"You see, one of the newer ways our kind has been able to combat vampires has been to find humans with special abilities and genetically isolate the source of their abilities. It turns out, they key is in the blood."

"And you expect us to believe that you've done that – isolated the genes that are the source of a person's power?"

"Not only have we done it, but we've been also able to isolate the component in vampire venom that enhances those abilities. Furthermore, we've been able to develop a protocol that will combine the two elements into a type of serum that can then be given to all the members of the pack. That's how I can block you from my mind, Edward. There is a serum that enhances our ability to hide our thoughts."

"And there's a serum you take that keeps me from seeing the future?" Alice asked incredulously.

"Actually," John replied, "it's the same serum. Think about it, the future depends upon the decisions of the people who they are about. Basically, you couldn't see me, because I was able to block you from seeing the possible decisions I was making. It doesn't always work – the future is too complex for this to be a full-proof system. But it does make things vague enough that we usually enjoy the element of surprise."

Edward was not taking this news well. He stood up and paced around the room, his muscles tense. "Are you trying to tell me that the Council of werewolves, or whatever the hell it is, wants to turn Bella into a guinea pig?"

"More or less. There are those who oppose the plan, of course, like Billy Black."

"Billy is a werewolf?" I asked stunned.

"No, no, no. He is one of the human elders. But he and his family have always been respected members of the Council."

Emmett laughed humorlessly, "Well, this should be fun. I've always wanted to take on a pack of werewolves."

Edward grabbed John by the shoulders, "This can't be it. There's more, I can feel it. Tell me all of it now."

John sighed. "I never thought much about what happened in the Council, I just wanted to avenge my parents by killing as many vampires as I could. I mean, they had it coming, you know? But I guess I should have been paying more attention. They said, here's a serum that can boost your strength, or help you protect your mind, or fight a vampire's magnetism, and I thought, great! I never worried about how it happened. Even now, if it wasn't about Bella, I'm not sure I would care, so long as I was able to kill as many vampires as possible. There are those who have been against the testing from the beginning, preferring to fight in the old ways, like Billy. There are others who care nothing for the battle, but want only to strengthen their own powers. But I've always believed that all vampires were evil and that I was meant to be a soldier in the war against them. It was my destiny. But then the Council wanted to use you, Bella, and I knew that I couldn't let that happen."

"It's not going to happen, John," Edward promised as he pulled me into his arms. "I won't let it."

I squeezed Edward, and felt the tears rise at the unfairness of it all. "It's not true. It can't be! I'm the biggest klutz in the world. Your soldiers would be tripping all over themselves. Some army that would be!"

"Bella, they know that, and they think they can work around it. Chances are, the vampire venom would neutralize those tendencies, anyway. At the very least, they're willing to give it a try. To them, you are a means to an end, and they believe the odds are strongly in their favor. I mean, you dangle the possibility of a nearly invincible army in front of someone, chances are they're going to bite."

"Interesting choice of words," Emmett said as he rose, carefully stalking John.

"Emmett, please," I said, stepping between him and John.

"You said that Billy Black was against the plan," Edward started, "is there any chance he will be able to sway the Council."

"Personally, I think it is unlikely. I guess it could happen. But I think the best chance Bella has is with you."

Edward nodded purposefully. "We'd better get back home and talk with Carlisle and Esme. We'll need everyone together to plan for Bella's safety."

I shook my head, "I will not keep putting you and your family in danger, Edward. You're seriously considering fighting who know how many werewolves with super enhanced abilities? I don't think so!"

Emmett laughed, "Just what I've always wanted, Bella."

Edward looked into my eyes, mesmerizing me, "Bella, we will protect you. There is no other option."

John gave a small cough, "Actually, there is. That's why I'm here, talking to all of you. You see, they want Bella for her blood. But, if she didn't have any…"

As the meaning of John's words hit home, Edward let out a growl of rage.