Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter Five
They were out in the car park when they all heard it. A cry of a wolf in the middle of industrial San Diego and one glance up at the full moon told them all what that meant.
"Run" Jasper whispered.
None argued with him, as three speed off and away from the warehouse. There was multiple sounds of poundings paws on the pavement behind, made even more terrifying was the follow up beastly breaths and growls.
They were never going to make it.
"Up here" Gaius pointed up to his left before taking a flying leap on top of a factory with Isabella and Jasper just a second behind him.
Isabella had never ran and jumped so hard. She had no time to even think on more of what happened back in the warehouse and did not know if that was a blessing or not.
She could still feel him all over her shield and did not know which situation was better. The wolves snipping at their heels or the vampire who thought he had some claim on her, as if that was some justification to his mental rape of both her mind and body.
Another call of wolves upon the air, though this time coming from the east. Course adjusted and they were running at full speed towards the city.
"Gaius, we can not lead them into the city, it will be a blood bath!." Jasper called on the wind.
Gaius kept on running "We have no choice, our only chance of losing them is out to sea."
Isabella frankly did not care about what course they were taking, she just wanted away. However, even as she thought that. Something happened so quickly that had them turning tail and running towards the eastern front.
Vampires
Many, many vampires.
"Isabella, your shield!" screamed Jasper, even us he threw out a massive amount of lethargic power. Slowing done the masses after them.
"No Isabella, don't! If you give out too much at once, you are going to weaken and he will surely find his way back in to your mind" Gaius countered Jasper. "Just focus on keeping your shield on yourself."
Isabella didn't think she could use her shields at the moment anyway.
Soon they were racing along the city streets, heading straight towards SeaWorld! Isabella suddenly realised, bringing a childhood memory of a visit to the place with Renee upon arriving and settling in Arizona.
They rushed through the tourist attraction and was just about to jump onto the pier when both Jasper and Gaius grabbed their heads, falling to the ground.
'Clap, Clap, Clap' sounded behind Isabella.
She whipped herself around into a crouch as a single row of seven vampires came forward. The woman in the middle stepped forward still clapping. She was a tall and thin brunette who wore an outfit similar to that of the first early settlers to America. Still her prudish face and scent could not hide her age. She was much older then her dress wear suggested.
Isabella was tightly bound as she faced off against this ancient being.
"Tut tut Isa, you loose again" she whispered menacingly with a great smirk on her pale narrow face.
"What do you want?" Isabella asked hoping to buy sometime to work out what happened to the men.
"What I want does not matter. You are pathetic in this state, do you know that Isa? I have never understood my Masters need for you" she paused briefly and looked at Isabella with such disgust and scoffed "Without him your powerless, you always have been and for that I can hardly see why the most powerful master in the world is attracted to such a weakness as you.
She laughed with cruelty and spat out. "Cursed to be born again and again and yet your still so predictable. The only fun I get out of it these days, is the killing of your mate. Why, what was the name of this one – Edward?" She giggled nastily "The man baby, crying out for his father. Carlisle, Carlisle." She called out dramatically while finishing with laughter.
Isabella couldn't believe what she was hearing, but the mention of Edward and her family brought a fire deep into her belly, she left off a growl of hatred at this insane women.
"Oh, don't be such a spoil sport Isa. A girl has to get her kicks somewhere and your lovely bronzed haired lover fit the bill, so to say. Why! I even gave his head a decorative spot on my wall. He was such a pretty boy".
"Who the hell are you?" Isabella spoke with disgust, even as she located the vamp hurting her brother and Gaius.
"Why Isa, the Lady Meredith. But of course you don't remember. Death would do that to you I suppose, which makes it all the more fun to torment you when you are in this half state of being. Unfortunately for me though, the Master demands for your safe return to him promptly and so pretty Isa we cannot play this little game of ours, Yet!."
Isabella didn't care for anymore of the insane Vampire words and used her time to keep her shield around herself as she searched for the vampire hurting Jasper and Gaius.
"You talk too much" Isabella finally replied only after locating the vampire she wanted and flew into action, unleashing her physical shield to wrap around the vampires and joisting them high above, before throwing the lot of them all the way towards the Alpines on the outskirts of the city and beyond.
By the time she was done, the men had recovered from their fall. "Let's go before they get back" was her tired reply even as she thought maybe that Gaius was right about letting out her shield as it was costly on her, making it difficult to hold off this Jeremiah and his oil like power that she could still feel clinging to her shield.
Jasper aware of more coming upon them quickly lead the way down the pier and soon all of them were speeding under the water up state and beyond. Gaius motioned to take the lead. Vampires could run under water but they could not talk.
So with blind faith, so unlike the two of them these past years. They followed Gaius great miles up past the east coast, to a very familiar territory.
Rising from the depths, Isabella was hit with the breeze of the Olympic National Park. It burned her to be this close to everything in her past, her still alive father, the place she was born and where she had died, only to rise to her new life as a vampire, a mother and a wife.
For the first time truly in five years Isabella was hit painfully with many emotions all at once. To feel the lost of what was taken from them so very harshly and with such brutality.
Edward, her mate she could no longer feel.
Alice, lost to them and still no new answers.
Esme, her beautiful mother.
Carlisle and his warm smile full of pride as he gazed upon them.
Rosalie whose perfection was only matched to the warmth in her heart.
Emmett her big brother in every way.
Billy, loyal man and brilliant father.
La Push and every lost soul she both knew and the ones she did not.
And most of all, her daughter.
It was too much!
Isabella fell upon the beach with a devastating wail, gripping her stomach in pain, gasping for breath and wishing the venom in her eyes would drop. For no one deserved it more than her family, both Cullen and Quileute.
A weight slumped beside her and pulled her into his arms. She looked up to those broken golden eyes, suffering just as much as she and so Isabella gripped onto Jasper with all her might.
Gaius moved away with the deepest sympathy etched onto his face. He would give them this moment to clearly mourn their shared sadness. But they couldn't stay out too long without protection, especially Isabella.
Gaius knew no good way to come out and tell the duo that he knew their faces and names before ever meeting them. 'But, that could all wait' Gaius thought. What was more an issue was getting to his compound and ripping that changeling sack of filth masquerading around with his face.
Oh the utter hatred he felt for his once friend Darius, knew no bounds!. Gaius felt like a fool, for how could he of thought for even one moment, that he was out deceiving the master of illusions. When did that bastard turn his friend?. Had he infiltrated his coven from the very beginning, knowing that Gaius would never let go of the past.
The death of Theron, his brother in venom and greatest confident.
Ripped from him centuries ago all because the bastard illusionist could not let her go. Gaius's painful eyes drifted to Isabella. He could never hate this magnificent being, for how could he when he loved her so. His sister and mate of his brother, in another life.
Watching her now, even his perfect recall could not come close to the real thing, for she was as beautiful as her name, his Bel, their Isabella, our Bella , the monster's Isa.
Whichever variation she was in the timeline did not matter for she was essentially the same. The brightest of them all and Gaius had centuries ago sworn on her ashes to protect her. Thought that with his power he was doing exactly that. What a fool he has been, trapped in illusions only to be set free by the very person he was trying to save. 'What a spectacular failure' Gaius thought to himself, as he watched her mourn with her brother.
His mind went back to Theron instantly, knowing even though he failed to keep Isabella safe from having her mate murdered. There was still a chance to protect her from Jeremiah. With what he witness from her this past hour. Of course he knew the key to keeping him out, but even Gaius was in awe on how much of her true power was shining through at this stage. 'She is beyond anything I expected, magnificent' Gaius thought with rapture.
Isabella and Jasper were getting back to their feet, breaking off Gaius's thought process as they walked over to him hand in hand.
"Our apologies Gaius, we did not expect to be back here so soon." Jasper spoke softly.
"Where are you taking us?" Isabella cut in with some bite, even if she knew the vampire could not of possibly known what bringing them here would do to them. He was nice enough to give them some space, so Isabella thought it was probably why she hadn't exploded at him.
"Seattle" Gaius spoke with a smooth tenor. "I have a residence just out of Seattle but first we need to go into the city and get Isabella more blood".
"The Olympic National Park is right here" this time Isabella did snap, not at all liking that suggestion.
Gaius suddenly rubbed his face. "Look I get that you have some ethical reasons or whatever about drinking from a human. But, I hate to break it to you sweetheart. You can either purge the animal blood and replace it with true strength or you can let the bastard back in."
Jasper slowly nodded as if not to spook her and squeezed her hand. "Sugar, if there was any other way you know I would say it. But darling, it took fifty litres of human blood to get that fucker out of your mind.
Jasper pointed at Gaius, but kept his eyes locked upon Isabella's. "His right, you can't shield against him just on animal blood. I watched that fail and if it was not for Gaius, I would never of thought human blood would strengthen your shield. Please Isabella, don't make me watch that again."
Isabella frowned "But, humans Jasper?. Are we to raid every hospital of their reserves?."
"No Isabella" Gaius shook his head. "Bag blood is weakened, stronger then animal but nowhere near strong enough as the true source. For our enemy is powerful, ancient and will be waiting vigorously for the cracks in your armour. He will expect it now, given your current diet. So only a full conversion to the traditional diet will give you the strength to keep him out."
Isabella flinched at the thought of letting that monster back in for even a second. But at the cost of human life. Carlisle would be so disappointed, not to mention her memory of Edward.
"We need to survive this night Isabella" Gaius spoke again. "I can tell you now, that their search for us has only just begun. We don't have the time to despair on moralistic opinions."
Isabella glared at him.
"I won't let you go through it alone" Jasper spoke from her side softly.
"You wouldn't be able to control yourself" Isabella shook her head. "You would be a killer again".
"Then so be it" Jasper spoke tensely "I will not lose you" he grabbed her other hand pulling her into him. "You are all I have, I would sacrifice much to keep it that way and I know deep down, so would you".
It was those words that she knew she would cave. For how could she possibly forget the desperate search for her daughter and sister Alice. She could never throw away that for all of the humanity she realised.
She raised her head to Gaius and severely spoke. "So be it then."
Gaius smiled at her satisfied. "Good, then we should go right now".
"Agreed" Jasper spoke for the both of them.
They reached the city at half past ten on a Saturday night. It was a cloudy night but that didn't stop the thrum of people out on the town. Jasper took her hand and lead her towards an area he knew Peter and Charlotte used once when visiting their home in Forks.
If either were going to take to this diet, then there was no way Jasper would let her go through this by herself. They would hunt only those whose crimes deserved it.
It didn't take Jasper long to pick up on the gang rape two blocks away. He would be lying to say he didn't feel as nervous about this as Isabella and so he gripped her hand a little tighter for comfort, pulled her along just wanting to get it done.
There was five of them. Two were holding her down with one arm while the other hand was fondling their own cocks. Three of the men had a cock rammed into each hole. The poor girl couldn't have been more then eighteen.
Isabella let go of his hand and growled softly. If this was who Jasper was intending for their meals, then she perhaps could do this with only a little guilt.
Gaius stood up next to her. "Do you mind if I join you?"
Isabella gave a tense nod. "There is more then enough" she turned to Jasper and tried to smile. "Thank you for making this easier".
"No problems darling" he waved off his imaginary hat to which brought a unexpected giggle out Isabella, glad the he was making this easier.
"I will take the girl" Gaius spoke softly "if that will make it more bearable?".
"Yes, Thank you" Isabella spoke before allowing her instincts to carry her forward. She was on the first one in a heartbeat, wrenching his head back to gain access and only had a moment of hesitation when she looked for Jasper who had taken up her opposite.
"Together" he spoked softly with reassurance and care.
It was all she needed and her teeth slipped like butter through the neck. It was like coming home to a warm cherry pie. Isabella moaned in surprise and lost herself to the pull of the blood.
Time slowed, the shouts of the other humans did not matter. Carlisle or her father did not matter. It was better then anything she had ever tasted, and she wondered as she pulled her lips from the dead human. Why did she ever deny herself this for so long, the greatest gift to a vampire.
The rapist's blood was warm in her belly but she did not mind latching onto the next man. These criminals deserved it. His frantic yell only pleased her as it heighten his heart rate. This one tasted a little tangy she thought.
Jasper controlled himself somewhat, keeping his eyes on Isabella but he needed not for she fell into the hunt so easily. He just hope for the both of them they could get through this change without falling apart.
Once they were done disposing of the bodies, did Gaius speak again. "I have a coven, that is where we are going" he looked at them. "There is one little problem though and that is there is someone masquerading around as me. We will need to remove him and Isabella; I would ask of you to run your shield over the rest of my coven, for I fear due much to my capture that they are all under the bastards illusions."
Isabella suddenly had a thousand questions. Who was this man with a similar name and features to Caius. Why does he feel more familiar with her then he should.
"We will come with you and do this. But, you owe us some answers. I can tell by your emotions, there is much you hide" Jasper spoke with authority.
Gaius looked at Isabella to answer. "Once we are safe. I promise you will get no lie from me or mine."
Isabella thought he was being sincere and was pleased when Jasper gave a little nod.
"Okay, we will settle this for you, but first before that. I am dying to know why you look so much like Caius of the Volturi" Isabella spoke.
Gaius gave off a booming laugh.
"I think you will find Isabella, that it is Caius who looks like me. After all, I am his great great grandfather by blood and sire by venom."
Both Isabella and Jasper gave flummoxed expressions sending Gaius off into a fit of laughter again.
"Wait..What?" Isabella and Jasper spoke at once.
Gaius just kept on laughing.
"Anymore questions will have to wait, I am afraid. For we have to get this done quickly before the traitor realises I am coming for him". Gaius finished, no longer laughing. "I will brief you on the way". He turned and started running, knowing they both would follow.
As Gaius run he went through his plan. "Darius was one of my friend since the Persian Empire attack Greece. He was turned by my makers venom brother, we traveled together on and off. Darius's power is to take appearances of vampire and people alike while stealing there features and scent once he has meet them. I never thought someone so close to me be a traitor, especially after all we have been through".
"Unfortunately for me I was captured on his information, while he one of my oldest friends! took my appearance and has been acting on my coven and given information to the Illusionist to save his own head".
Jasper and Isabella looked at each other as they run, both thinking the same. Who was this Illusionist?
Gaius continued "My coven is very powerful and so we will have to be quick. Isabella your shield of mentality will bring Darius's power down. But first and foremost we will need your physical shield to stop him from leaving. Can you use both at the same time?".
Isabella frowned. 'How does he know my power, I have hardly shown him' She thought but decided after getting a nod from Jasper to answer. "If you give me the target I should be able to block him and bring his power down at the same time".
Gaius turned his head to her and smiled, pulling to a stop on the border of suburbia and the beginning of the woods.
"Thank you for your trust, I know how hard this may be for the both of you. I can only say that I have the best intentions for you. We need my coven and their power if I am able to help you hide away".
Jasper walked towards the edge of the woods scanning with a sigh before turning back."How many are in your coven? How are you so certain that none of them are on this Darius's side?".
Gaius laughed again. "Only the never ending spill the Illusionist gave me to break me down. They had my coven under the very person who took my face, none have known since. As for how many? Jonathan, Selene and Roman, all are gifted but Isabella's shield should protect us".
"I thought you said you wanted to lessen my shield extension? If I am to shield the property, Darius and you both. How am I going to keep out Jeremiah?" Isabella interrupted.
"It is a risk we will have to take Isabella and one quickly followed up by another feed, if and when it is needed. We do not know how quickly human blood will burn when using your shields. But, we will need Jonathan who can turn anyone invisible and Roman can hide a scent from the very best tracker. Do you think after this feed your strong enough?".
Isabella thought hard as she checked her shields. They felt strong and no longer full of oil. "This will be a good assessment either way. I don't like the idea of more human life to protect you two from your old coven".
"If it is any consolation, I believe you have the strength! You took on the vampires at the pier and also released us without giving into him. I would not ask Isabella, if I didn't already believe in you!".
"Alright then lead the way. The sooner we get this done the better, I have a horrible feeling that this is just the beginning of our night".
"Without a doubt Isabella" Gaius agreed with a twinkle in his eyes. "Just follow my lead, both of you! It would not surprise me if Darius has already been contacted by his master about my disappearance. Stay alert and try not to hurt my coven, even if they attack us".
Isabella and Jasper both agreed and followed Gaius with little else to say. Isabella kept checking her shield all the way through the mountains, keeping her senses out for that oil like infection. She was scared that as soon as she let her shield expand, he would trap her once more.
That chilling thought kept her company all the way to the immense concrete walls of a military compound. Jasper tensing beside her as Gaius brought them to a halt, out of site and downwind from the high reaching outer wall.
This suddenly didn't look as easy as Isabella once thought. How was she going to shield this monstrosity and protect Jasper and their new allies. 'Don't think about it and just do it' she half criticised herself even as she got to work.
Only time would tell if this was to be successful.
A/N: well that was a lot bigger then I wanted this chapter to be, I couldn't find a good spot to finish. Updates from here on out may be slower as I get back into work. My muse though is going strong. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, more chaos to come I assure you! Scarlett Woman x