Everything following the kings' ruling had been blur, Edward and Alice started arguing over what to tell the others and whether they should move back publicly or not, how to explain my absence to Charlie, what to do once I graduate, how to try and get out of being changed and yadda yadda yadda.
I chose to ignore them and as if she knew I was through with dumb and dumber Jane slung me over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes once more and ran us to the jet for take off. I napped partway and woke up on the flight in a bed with Edward in the corner brooding silently.
"Love –" he started approaching the bed until I stood up.
"Don't love me! I meant what I said and you heard what Marcus said! We're not mates! Once we touch down in the US don't bother waiting around, the Volturi guards will protect me and then take me back after graduation and change me. End. Of. Story." I crossed my arms and stalked towards the main area of the jet only to be stopped by Demandingward.
"Bella" he signed pinching the bridge of his nose as if he were trying to explain walking to a toddler for the hundredth time, "they were just manipulating you, Marcus didn't see anything, I can read their minds remember! Aro just wants you for your potential gift, he believes once you've changed you'll be some sort of super mental shield he can use however he wants! Please love, don't let them poison you against us. We love you, the whole family loves you." He really is pulling out all the stops, even trying to dazzle me by standing extra close so his breath wafts into my nose. Too bad for him I'm too damn annoyed to get fogged up.
"The whole family left me. If you want to prove yourselves, go right ahead but I'm telling you even though I know you don't need to breathe – don't hold your breath because I'm done being pushed around."
With that, I stormed off to the main area and plopped down into one of the comfy plane seats. Upon realizing I'd been too caught up the Cullen drama to scrutinize our other companions I looked up sharply at the three sets of red eyes pointed my way.
First we have Jane, possible ally, not much of a talker, supposedly has a cool gift, but also the sack of potatoes thing has definitely given me some major bruising. She looks to about five feet (a few inches shorter than me) with blond hair pulled into a sleek ponytail. I have a feeling we could end up forming a decent bond, she's less chatty than Alice and the robes don't leave much room for fashion choices so I know she won't force me to go shopping.
Next we have either Felix or Demetri, brown hair that's cropped fairly short, sharp features, he looks like he may have been slightly tan as a human if that makes sense but honestly they're all different shades of paint; egg shell, off-white, alabaster, etc. Let's just call him MV1 (male vamp 1). He's lean too and looks fairly lethal, even for a vampire. That's probably why they chose him to come along, he's definitely the brains of the operation.
Moving on to peruse MV2 –
Damn. Okay, we like MV2, MV2 is well, unfairly attractive and looking at me. Right at me. Look away Bella, look away. No! Don't look back. I keep finding my eyes drawn to the hulking man, vampire, whatever sitting behind MV1 and Jane. I can tell he's bigger than Emmett because his legs stick out from the window seat to the aisle even casually crossed at the ankles. It looks weird, he's way too relaxed, vampires are normally more stiff like MV1, always borderline murdery.
But not MV2, no MV2 is stretched out across half the width of the jet, elbow on the arm rest, ruby eyes fixed on me. Shit. Look away! Messy but short black hair, strong features, and a hulking figure is all I could make out over MV1's head. If I were a little but taller, I could just see…. shit abort! Okay I will have to find more discrete ways to continue my gawking later.
I try to nap, to relax, but I swear I can feel those knowing eyes on me, almost teasing, daring me to look up again. I can't help the urge; my eyes opened almost against my own will and snapped to his face where I can just make out a full upper lip lilted in what is definitely a smirk. I'm screwed.
I hear a growl and turn around to see Edward in the doorway with a far away look in his eyes while Alice whispers furiously in his ear. I thought I heard a rumble come from where the guards were sitting but I couldn't be sure and didn't want to risk getting caught staring again.
I decided to raise the arm rest beside me and lay across the two plush seats to get some rest.
Not long after I felt a cold hand on my shoulder waking me up only to abruptly pull away. Looking up blearily I saw Alice frowning towards the guards before turning back to me.
"Bella!" she started, "thank god you're finally awake, we need to brief you on what you're going to tell Charlie when we get you back to Forks."
Before she could jump down my throat with some bullshit story I sat up and groaned "damn it Alice I don't care, whatever plan you have just shove it. I'm going to tell him the truth." Every vampire on the jet froze if that were at all possible.
"I mean" I started again, "I am going to tell him Edward thought something had happened to me and went insane, so you begged me to talk him out of a psychotic break. I was successful, he's now in therapy, ta-da!" I even wiggled my fingers for effect.
"Bella, love, please –" Whineward appeared in front of me and knelt down like I was a toddler.
"Edward shhhh" I (stupidly) pressed a finger over his lips, "it's okay, now you have time to go get your feelings out, maybe revisit the whole eternal virgin thing, Jasper's probably a good stand-in psychologist with his gift and all, so maybe go bother him instead of watching me sleep." I made sure to finish my sentence in a tone that made it very clear he was no longer or ever again invited into my bedroom, especially when I'm sleeping.
Not to be deterred he sighed, "Alright love, I will give you some space when we return, I know I have a lot of grovelling to do and I must regain your trust so—"
"Oh, my god." Jane's voice broke in filled with distain, "if you love her like you so claim, just leave her the hell alone. Let the human come to you, and if she doesn't, go torture someone else" she rolled her eyes and sat back, and I didn't miss the subtle fist bump MV1 offered that she accepted with a smirk.
Looking out the window I could the forests and even First Beach as we approached Forks. The beauty of using the Volturi's private jet was landing wherever they deemed acceptable which meant somewhere like Forks with minimal humans around.
Alice turned to the guard members as we landed, "don't forget about the—"
"Yeah yeah Tinkerbelle" MV2 spoke up for the first time, his deep voice rumbling over Alice's shrill one, "we're not here to play fetch with the dogs, we'll find somewhere off the grid to grab some grub. You just worry about your own coven, more specifically those who want to be a part of it." He flashed her a lazy smile that was anything but inviting as she huffed and turned towards the doors.
Once out of the plane Jane raised her eyebrows at me, and my shoulders dropped, potato time. But just as she reached me, I felt a large stone hand clamp my shoulder gently.
"Alright little demon, if you're going to be the official human transporter, you've got to start treating her like a peach because I'm sure she's already bruised like one from the way you sling her around" I couldn't see MV2's expression, but something in it made Jane purse her lips, and then turn her back to me and crouch so I could hop onto her back.
It felt weird to do considering she's so small but hey, my bruised legs could get me home eventually, as long as I had a GPS, food, water, and maybe accommodation for 2 nights.
The ride to Charlie's was much more comfortable than my previous Jane chartered trips. She set me down in the trees a couple houses down and the whole group gathered as MV1 spoke up.
"Alright here's what's going to happen: Lil B here is going to march on up and tell her dad whatever she wants, as long as you don't break our laws, I really don't give a shit. Cullens you are no longer needed; we will guard the human, and make sure she stays out of supernatural danger, so unless she asks to see you please go away. If we catch you stalking Jane will fry you, I will pummel you, or Felix will crush you. Powwow adjourned."
I kind of liked calling them MV1 and 2, but I also liked being able to know their names in case maybe I ever need a big strong vampire's help to open a jar, get something from the top shelf, go…shit. No Bella, no vampires in the house anymore. Maybe Jane. Jane is cool and her carrying style has massively improved and apparently, she can fry people.
As I strolled up to Charlie's I had to stop mentally dithering about Felix, I mean he's a Volturi guard who's here to potentially kill me or drag me back to Volterra if I disobey his masters. He definitely has a mate too, or a hoard of vampiresses or something. Okay, enough. Showtime.
I snatched the key from the top of the doorframe and let myself in while knocking on the door.
"Dad?" I called out, hearing the sound of a can of PBR rolling to the floor and then heavy steps rushing from the living room.
"Bells!" he seemed equal parts relieved and angry so this could go either way.
"Where the HELL have you been young lady!? I've been worried sick, the Blacks have been worried, your mother just about cancelled Phil's season to come find you, and the school called saying if you're not back by next week you'll have to repeat the year." By the end of his angry rant he was huffing and puffing and red, no purple.
"Dad, I'm so so sorry…"