Happy Holiday everyone! I finally got a chance to catch my breath and update this. It's coming to an end on the New Moon side, and I feel that I may continue it on into the next movie. For now, I want to thank everyone for the feedback and for the continued support. I am always looking to improve. Please leave constructive criticism should you feel the need.
Chapter 12
In that moment, Jacob was suddenly out of the house, Bella was frantically packing for Italy, Jasper was somehow keeping Alice calm, and I was pacing in the living room. My essentials (passport included) were always packed along with clothes for emergency situations, so I was waiting for her. She asked that I go with her. I felt it only fair to call Uncle Charlie as a note wasn't sufficient. I left out the majority- though I think a part of me justified that given it was his voicemail. I told him everything was fine and not to worry, but some friends needed our help with something and we would be back soon.
Jasper kept glancing my way, seeming torn between calming me and keeping the pixie at ease. I didn't know their history, but they were definitely close. I almost felt like a third wheel- or that I may have feelings of jealousy that were completely unfair to have. Feelings such as those would need to be analyzed when we weren't about to risk our lives though. Bella raced down the stairs before I had too much time to mull over anything, and she placed a note hastily on the table by the remote.
"Let's go!"
How we all managed to get a flight last minute was by pure luck. I had already texted Uncle Brian to let him know everything was going to be fine and that spur of the moment trips to Volterra were totally okay and normal even. That led to a mess of a phone call. I told him that details were irrelevant, and I would let him know as soon as I was able to privately. He understood the gist and asked that we all be safe. He, like my mother, knew a lot about the world beneath the surface- and had been one of the ones to help clean up the body count left in the aftermath of last year. For whatever reason, there were only two first class and two coach seats. Bella felt more comfortable with Alice, so Jasper was stuck with me.
"I'm not sure why, but I get distinct impression your girlfriend wanted to force us together." Jasper's low short laughter ended far faster than I had wished for it to- that was a sound I could listen to for ages.
"Alice and I aren't mates. We just happen to be two lonely souls who found comfort and a new life together. Does the history bother you?"
"Perhaps more than it should, but ultimately that makes sense. Though I can't say I get the whole mating thing. That doesn't make sense no matter what species you are- I mean, how do you really know who that one person is? And can we not have multiple soulmates throughout our lives for different reasons?" I mused thoughtfully. It took a minute for him to respond.
"Now I think I need the explanation." Cue open a new can of worms.
"Ah… okay. How do I go about this? Umm... Well I had this friend. His name was Jim. He and I were like magnets. We clung together as yin and yang. Some say he was my twin flame, for lack of a better phrase. His passing still to this day, makes me feel as though I lost a part of myself. He nodded and didn't press for any details.
"I see. You cared deeply for them. This is the first time I have been able to get a clear read on your emotions. Pain is most common to express." His words clicked-
"Ahhhh… you're an empath then. I've read about being able to feel and influence the emotions of others, though it isn't something I have actively attempted to master. Something about compelling anyone to twist their sense of reality seems like its best left to those with the ability to begin with." He was again surprised.
"Beauty and Brains. No wonder Alice wants us to get closer. Full of mystery and wonder, who's sharp as a tack and insightful as hell. She said a woman like that existed out there somewhere. She's seen you coming- though not quite as clearly as she'd prefer."
I couldn't manage anything coherent after that. So we just finished the right in silence. I knew vampires didn't sleep and Bella was more than likely far too keyed up, but I definitely took advantage of it.
Next thing I knew when I was gently shaken awake, we were in Italy and suddenly hijacking nice sports cars. Alice said she had a vision that the Volturi refused to kill Edward. Personally, I felt that he was being far too overdramatic, but again, I didn't exactly know the guy. Volterra was beautiful though. Bella was tense, understandably so. We eventually were halted by policeman, with only 5 minutes to spare.
Bella ran and while I knew logically following her wasn't the best of ideas, my cousin's sense of direction was poor at best. Alice convinced Jasper to let me go, and I was grateful that I had kept up with my exercise. Every person we came near was pushed gently aside and I prayed she didn't fall on her face. She barely made it to the clock tower at the stroke of noon, and managed to push him inside, somehow convincing him that she was, indeed, alive. I knew Alice and Jasper wouldn't be far behind us.
Disturbing their moment seemed almost cruel.
"You're here…" Edward whispered gently in astonishment. I cleared my throat.
"Yes. She's here. She's really alive. Now can we please get out of here before she and I die for real?" He turned his head sharply noticing me for the first time. I fixed him with a hard stare, willing the urgency to be conveyed.
"Introductions are irrelevant. I really have a bad feeling about this that I can't seem to shake. Death wasn't exactly on my to do list dear Edward." Too late. Guards walked up to us; their crimson eyes predatory as they landed on us all.
"Your services are no longer needed gentlemen, as you can see, no laws were broken."
"Aro wants to speak with you again, nonetheless. In a quieter place." I noted the lack of Italian accent. Edward was arguing to go alone when Alice and Jasper came in.
"Come on guys; it's a festival. You wouldn't want to make a scene." Alice says, striding in with Jasper in tow. A new vampire named Jane came forth just then. "Enough! Aro sent me to see what was taking so long." Her face was porcelain, though boredom was expressed plainly. She was a manipulative and cunning vampire- that was clear in the way she sized me up to determine if I was a threat.
She was hardly a fool. I felt her icy glare bore into my own. It made me stand straighter, though a low growl emitted from both Edward and Jasper as they moved protectively around us. She swiftly turned on her heels; expecting us to follow.
We began our descent further from the light and the world above. I had no way to mentally prepare myself for what I may find. All I knew was to be ready for anything, and know that it still may not be enough to make it out unscathed…
