Recently I've been getting comments about the formatting- I am trying something new in hope that it will be more reader friendly this round- I do this story in a word doc. I've noticed ffn has weird inconsistencies in format presentations… But anyway! Thanks all who are still sticking with this story! I probably will not update this again until around Thanksgiving, but there are still many more chapters to come! Let me know what you think about it at the end!
I don't own Twilight or it's affiliated content- Only my OC's
Chapter 11
Jasper looked at the door with a reluctant hesitation and I got the sense that he really didn't want to remove his hand. Perplexing still was how I also wished he hadn't. Every fiber of my being was screaming to grab his hand again. I ignored the urge for now.
"Right then. We should probably head downstairs now. Alice is starting to wonder where we are."
"Yeah...and I want to knock some sense into my cousin too. She never ceases to amaze me with the trouble she manages to get into." I shook my head. Jasper's face contorted as shame and guilt washed over his features.
"I'm sorry for that. I promise it was an accident. I never meant for-" I cut him off.
"I didn't just mean you. But maybe we should clear the air a bit here. For what it's worth, I know that she doesn't blame you. And it isn't my place to judge you. I wasn't there. So long as you don't hold it against me that I carry a lighter around at all times, we're golden."
"A lighter? What would you have that around for?" Jasper crossed his arms over his chest; his long sleeve riding up slightly to reveal a few old wounds that I tried not to notice. I looked past him and ran my fingers through my hair.
"I thought you've seen a few people like me before." I quipped.
"I have, but none quite like you. Care to explain further?" He drawled, looking at me expectantly.
"Backstory time. I got involved with basic witchcraft and spellcasting when some friends and I got into alchemy. I learned a few tricks, nothing fancy, but enough to keep myself and my friends safe. This was one of them." I allowed the lighter to fall from my sweater sleeve and flicked it open.
I gently allowed that familiar glowing feeling wash through me and I lit the flame. Jasper's dark honey colored eyes followed my movements as I willed the fire to transfer to the palm of my hand. I held the flame for a moment, and it grew slightly. It became linear then circled around him- just enough to feel the heat. I let it drop then, feeling lightheaded. It had been awhile since I focused on wielding fire.
"Well are you going to say anything?"
"Huh. So that's what an alchemist is capable of. I thought you were a myth. I know people use witchcraft, but I've never seen a human use magic like that." I frowned at the term. There it was again.
"I hate that term. It's like Lolita. Few think of Victorian era inspired Japanese fashion."
"My apologies ma'am." He had the decency to look contrite, so I shrugged it off.
"C'mon, we should see probably go down there soon. Jacob was with Bella so I've no doubt he'll try to come inside. He's got a bit of a crush on my cousin and he really despises your family especially. The treaty won't hold up if he attacks you guys."
We went downstairs and I found that Jacob had just burst in. Cue more drama. I heard distinct raised voices and leaned against the stairs for support. Jasper seemed very concerned and I reassured him I was good.
"It's just lack of sleep and stress. Come on. I'd rather make sure that no one breaks anything. As you've seen first-hand, my cousin Bella tends to be a magnet for sticky situations. And she's fragile." He nodded, the worry off his face, but it never quite left his eyes.
I wondered if perhaps my comment had hurt him again, but I didn't have long to dwell on it. Jacob charged at us in anger, shifting his attention from Alice and Bella to me. His words weren't overly comprehensible and without thinking I made a shield around us. It held the low hum of electricity as I had been taught. As Jacob reached toward us just below the stairs, he jerked his hand back and yelped in surprise.
"Would everyone just shut up for two seconds? Maybe calm down and not charge at the person wielding magic?" I glared at Jacob and waited a moment to speak again. Focusing my entire attention on him, I said:
"The most important person here is Bella. We love her. These people, for whatever reason, are her friends and she cares for them. So until they do something new, we have zero reason for the hostility."
"But they did hurt her! And you look like you're about to die- you're almost as pale as they are!"
"Because I'm wielding magic shortly after having caffeine, which counters the effectiveness and ease of what I do, not because of him. For the last time, Will you please chill the fuck out?"
He glared but turned towards the kitchen with a gruff "Fine". Dropping the shield, I tripped down the last few stairs straight into Alice, who had opened her arms in anticipation.
"That's why I can't see you very well, isn't it? You can do things." Alice stated in wonder. Bella cut in, looking astonished.
"You never said you could do that!"
"You never asked." I leaned against the wall, using it for support until I got my bearings back.
"Next time I will be more specific. Does um, dad know?"
"He lived with my mom for years, so I am fairly sure he has an idea at least. He was especially interested in a few of the runes I had laid out along the windowsill." Bella looked at me in bewilderment and shook her head. I began to laugh lightly.
"Vampires, giant wolves, and powers from the supernatural don't bother you- yet human magic weirds you out."
Alice's bell like voice echoed my laughter. My cousin couldn't deny it or find it humorless any longer. Her laughter soon joined ours.
"So you're laughing and smiling with those bloodsuckers as if nothing happened? Really Bella? I didn't know you or Lily were that stupid." Jacob sneered and she glared at him. His face became terrifying as her glare fixed on him.
"I think it'd be best if you leave." Jasper growled out, stepping in front of both Bella and me but remaining a healthy distance. The phone rang in the distance, distracting us all.
Of course, Jacob would take it upon himself to answer the phone. Whomever was on the other line hung up rather quickly. Suddenly, Alice was freaking out which sent Bella into a panic. She began yelling at Jacob and demanding to know why he didn't allow her to speak to the caller. Everything was a bit of a blur after that. Bella was scrambling to gather items, Alice was helping, and Jasper asked if I would like help as well. Jacob hadn't yet phased, but his rage was steadily rising.
I couldn't say what happened in those moments in detail. All I knew was in that one instant, nothing would ever be the same…
