Chapter 18 – Unbearable
BPOV
My eyes snapped open and the earth exploded above me. Oh no, no, he did not do this to me again. I looked to my side and saw that I wasn't alone. Alice and Emmett were lying next to me, with my arms stretched over the both of them. On their other side, Raven was laying with Savannah resting on her chest. Savannah was old enough to rest in the earth. Looking over our still bodies, I saw that not one of us was wearing a scrap of clothing. I looked up to see that the five of us were placed in the earth and the strong, ancient door was closed above us. My eyes narrowed and the door opened to show the lowest chamber room in the castle.
Raven moaned slowly and sat up, cradling Savannah to her chest and looked around herself. Her eyes met mine, They did this to us again! Her anger matched my own. It was years ago when our family was in a great deal of danger and our lifemates locked myself and Raven in the earth, apparently for our own protection. This time, they had no right. It was our children who were in danger and they lock us away to get us out of the way. Jacques was going to catch such hell.
I swear, if it is Esme who comes in here to see if we're awake because those two are gone, heads are gonna roll!, I hissed venomously.
Raven nodded in agreement. The both of us looked down to the twins who weren't moving. With a thought, clothes wrapped themselves around myself, Raven and the children.
I moved and leaned closer to Alice and Emmett's heads, Hey, my little babies, time to wake up.
Alice was the first to move and lift her head, "Mommy?" She groaned and sat up. Alice looked around, "Auntie? What's going on? What are we doing down here?" Alice wasn't as averse to sleeping in the ground as Raven and I were. She was born to this lifestyle and knew the customs. Alice was looking over Savannah, who was still sleeping. My heart, even though I felt it beating, felt more like it was gone. Emmett remained motionless. There was no air in my lungs and not even a conscious thought in my head.
Emmett, honey, wake up. He was a stubborn as I was when it came to being woken up, but this was something more. He wasn't responding to my command.
Emmett Jacques Dubrinsky, you listen to your mother and wake up! I wanted to be mad, but I couldn't be mad at him.
Jacques! I cried out in a struggled cry. The door to the chamber opened and Jacques stood above us. He took in where we sat; Alice and Savannah in Raven's arms and me leaning over our son trying to make him wake.
He won't open his eyes. Help him, I pleaded. No one moved as Emmett's body floated into the air, up into his father's arms. Wordlessly, Jacques took Emmett and carried him out of the room. Alice stood up, trying to see out of the earth to where Jacques was taking her brother, but she couldn't reach the opening. It was at least a foot over her head. Alice looked back at me and I couldn't even lift my gaze to look at her. "Mommy, come on, we have to go find Emmett," Alice's voice was breaking. She kneeled in front of me and her hands grabbed my shoulders, "Mom, come on, he is waiting for us."
I knew she was right, but I couldn't make my body move. Something was wrong with one of my children and I was sitting her like a mindless idiot. Footsteps echoed from the hall and came into the chamber. Mikhail looked down, "Come, let's get you ladies out of there." Alice was the first to move and took her uncle's outstretched hand. He lifted her effortlessly, but I only saw her feet lifting out of the corner of my eye. Raven stood and gave Savannah to Mikhail, then came to sit next to me. She wrapped her arm around my shoulder, Come on, Bell, let's go see Emmett. He does need you.
My head turned slowly, looking at my sister. Her eyes were said, framed with tears. She was worried about Emmett. She wanted to go check on him as well. I nodded slowly and stood up with her. The rich scent of the earth did nothing to comfort me. It wasn't familiar or home, but foreign and not welcomed. I took Mikhail's hand and he lifted me out of our resting place. Raven was right behind me and she hugged Mikhail and leaned her head on his chest.
Alice stood next to me, holding Savannah in her arms. She was looking up at me and I offered her a slight smile, Go on, honey.
Alice turned and left the room. Esme, Rosalie and Alice were in Mikhail's study, waiting for us. Our home was safe enough for Alice to go to the study on her own. Mikhail took my hand in his, "Come on, *sisar, you and Raven need to feed." I let Mikhail guide me from the room and up the stairs to where our bedchambers were. I wanted to run into the room and cry, but I knew he wasn't going to let me and neither would Raven. What would crying serve me? Emmett needed me and I was no good to him curled up in my head, being scared for him.
I walked with Mikhail and Raven up the stairs, heading to his study. This wasn't where Emmett was. Where was my son? He is with his father, Gregori and Aidan. They are working together to heal him. It is best to leave them to it.
My eyes narrowed at him, Leave them to it? He's my son, Mikhail. I want to see my son.
Mikhail looked at me, his eyes as dark as obsidian, I know, Bella, but it is best for them to leave. Emmett is well looked after.
These men were unbelievable. So I wasn't allowed to see my son because I would be an emotional wreck and distract them? Being angry was the only thing I could manage since I woke up, but I would play along for now. Very well, my Prince.
Mikhail cringed like he had a bad taste in his mouth. He hated it when Raven or I referred to him as 'my Prince.' That meant he was in serious trouble with us. Mikhail knew that I wasn't going to let this go, but now wasn't the time for he and I to argue and debate this right now.
The walk to the study seemed never-ending, but we finally made it. Esme was holding Savannah, while she drank from her bottle. Alice was sandwiched between her aunts. Their golden eyes were watching the door as we came in. My Alice was biting her fingertips, looking exactly like me when she did that. Rosalie offered a smile, but I couldn't give her one in return. I knew they wanted to offer their comfort, but I wasn't in the mood to accept it. Where was Emmett? He was inside the castle, but where? Raven took my hand and we stood by the glass French doors. Mikhail said little, watching the two of us, "Give me a moment and I will provide for you both." Raven smiled at him and they spoke on their private path.
Goosebumps formed all over my body as I recalled Emmett laying still and quiet beside me. Was he that badly hurt? What did the vampire do to him? For that matter, where were the Cullens when all of this was happening? I had to be rational. I knew they were out even further in the mountains, looking for big game to hunt. I wanted to hurt someone, smack them so that they would feel as bad as I did. Raven said nothing to me. She knew I needed to clear my mind. The sound of Chopin played while we were in the study. Alice was leaning against Rosalie, waiting for Mikhail to return. He was collecting her mixture for her to feed on. My own sustenance meant very little to me, until I knew how Emmett was.
Mikhail returned with Alice's mixture and a bottle of blood for myself and Raven. The Cullens instantly held their breaths and averted their eyes from the crimson liquid. I sloshed wetly in the bottle as Mikhail filled two tumbler glasses. Raven took hers and he gave me mine, Please, Bella, you need to drink. You need your strength.
I will, after you tell me where Emmett is. Give me that and I will consume all you want me to.
Mikhail nodded slowly, He is in the deepest chamber beneath the house, where the richest soil deposit is. The vampire has left a mark on Emmett's skin. Gregori is working to decipher it. I will admit this to you, dear sister, Emmett is a lucky boy. The vampire left him alive, but I fear it for some ulterior motive.
A harsh breath escaped me, Thank you, Mikhail.
He was more honest than I could handle. The vampire marked Emmett, but for what reason. Mikhail hugged my shoulders, Drink, *sisar.
I took the glass tumbler and downed the contents in a rush. There was no sensation of the blood revitalizing my body, I'm going to see him and you can't stop me.
I wouldn't think of it. Go. If Jacques should become concern for your presence…
He's going to deal with me, I finished his sentence.
Mikhail laughed, God help him then.
The air in the room was hard to breathe. This is the pain my mother felt whenever I was hurt and had to go to the hospital. No matter how many times it happened, she could cope with her child being hurt. I get it now. This was my son and my lifemate hard the nerve to keep him from me. We weren't done talking about this. Alice poked her head over the back of the couch, turning to see me. She wanted to see Emmett. Esme offered Savannah to Raven, "She's all done." Savannah was jumping up and down on Esme's lap, the only one laughing in the room. Raven took up Savannah, who nuzzled her mother's neck.
I remembered when I held Emmett that way. He would push Jacques away, so he could have me all to himself. Alice placed her hand in mine, bringing me out of my memory, Mommy, let's go see Emmett.
I looked down at her large eyes and smiled, Ok, honey. He needs you too.
Raven and I looked at each other; Let me know how he is. I don't like any of this.
That makes two of us.
Alice and I left the room, with every pair of eyes in the room following us. I knew where Emmett and Jacques were and I wanted to get to them, but I was scared. I couldn't bear to see my active, vital son lying unconscious and not moving. It was not like him. Emmett loved to run around and make trouble; he lived up to his name. Alice and I walked to the lower healing chambers. The halls seemed to stretch on and on. The walls of our home did not bring me comfort, but fear. Fear that I wouldn't hear my son's laughter bouncing off these walls. It felt like I wasn't walking, but being pulled. I just wanted to see my son.
Alice began to tremble even more as we passed through the safeguards. They radiated with strength and power, warding off people. These guards were Gregori's; I knew his layered patterns well. My heart began to race with fear; not because of his safeguard, but why he wanted to keep others out. Alice suddenly shrieked as if something scared her, Mommy! I kneeled down next to her, taking her face into my hands. We stared at each other as I helped her control her breathing. The effects of the safeguard were weighing on me, but they were worse on Alice. She wasn't used to these guards, "Just breathe and focus on your brother."
Alice nodded slowly, "Ok." Alice tugged my hand and we kept walking. It was so much easier to soothe Alice than face what was going on. Why Emmett? Why was this happening? There had to be another reason why Emmett and I were attacked? Alice was almost harmed and so was Savannah. If Raven was with us, I'm sure should would have been part of the trap. Emmett was attacked as well, but he was left Alice. The vines moved as if they were alive, moving to get Alice, but she was safe on top of the boulder.
I walked into the chamber and my heart stopped. Gregori and Aidan were working over Emmett's still form, while Jacques was leaning his head to Emmett's. I gasped loudly and Alice tore her hand out of mine, "Emmett!" She ran to her brother's side and leaned over him. Gregori and Aidan moved aside. Jacques stood up and looked at me, Angel?
Do not 'angel' me right now.
Jacques came over to me, but I pushed his hands away. I couldn't focus on Jacques right now. "Emmett, sweetheart, wake up." He didn't move. His fingers were woven and resting on his stomach. He was too still. No, this wasn't right. I brushed my hands over his head, struggling to hold back tears. Gregori and Aidan slipped out of the room, leaving us to worry about Emmett. They were trying to heal him, but nothing was working. Jacques placed his hand on my waist and I wanted to push him away, but I couldn't. I needed Jacques to help me, to take this away. This wasn't happening to our son. Jacques made me face him and I hid my face in his shoulder, What are we going to do?
Alice leaned over Emmett, begging him, You promised me. You said we would always be together. Please, Emmett, my twin, *ekäm.
Jacques and I looked at each other as she spoke in the Carpathian language. She was very young but knew what she was saying. I wanted to cry as I watched them. Born together, but now separated. It wasn't fair. It should be me, not Emmett laying there. It would be Jacques leaning over my body, pleading with me to wake up. I could handle that, but not seeing my children in this much pain. Emmett lay still not moving at all. Alice was rocking his body, "Daddy, he won't wake up!" Alice's face was turning red as she cried, "Emmett Jacques Dubrinsky, stop being stubborn! Wake up!" Her hands smacked down on his chest. Emmett gasped heavily from the impact. My head whirled to see him laying his head back down. He groaned from Alice hitting him, "What was that for?"
Emmett opened his eyes and looked at Alice. She started to cry as her brother woke up, only hearing her pleas. That was the secret of twins I never understood but was so happy that they had such a close bond. Jacques and I held each other as we watched in disbelief. Our son was waking up. Emmett looked around the room, his eyes settling on myself and his father, "What's going on? How'd we get home?" Alice threw her arms around his neck, "I was so scared." Emmett looked over Alice's arm, perplexed, "Why? What happened? Mom, Dad, what is going on?" My own tears spilled as Jacques held me closer. Alice helped Emmett off the table and the both of them walked into our embrace. Jacques held us all close, happy that we were together again.
Emmett hugged my waist and leaned his head against my stomach, "Did I do something wrong?" I fell to my knees and held his cheek, "No, honey, you didn't. You don't remember anything?" Emmett looked at me, his eyebrows furrowing. His mind was trying to recall the river, but the memory was fragmented. There was a pang of pain that hit his head and he winced. Jacques kneeled down, "I know it hurts, Emmett, but you have to try to remember." We needed to know what happened to him. Alice took Emmett's hand and that helped him to move past the pain. The pain was getting stronger as he thought about what happened to him.
Emmett shared all that he remembered between all of us. He remembered being on the river bank, watching the grasshopper leapt through the grass. "Such a sweet little boy," a woman's voice was behind him. He turned to see a woman with flowing dark hair smiling at him. He looked at her, studied her face. She reached for him, but he back away, "Who are you?" The woman's beauty melted away and her smile was no longer sweet, but horrible. Her jagged teeth bore as she caught his arm, "I've been looking for you and here you are." Emmett fought her hold. In the distance he picked up the sound of Alice screaming. He wanted to find his sister but the woman was holding him tightly. Emmett remembered his arms burning from her touch.
Emmett wanted to scream but she covered his mouth, "I will come back for you." He remembered her biting into his neck. The pain of the bite cut through his neck, cutting off his ability to call for help. The bite was clouding his mind, leaving a shadow. The shadow was still there in his mind.
Emmett blinked and rubbed his temples, "At first I thought it was Mom. She looked like her, but then she turned ugly. And she smelled wrong, almost rotting. Really nasty, like she was dead and buried. Who was she?"
None of us moved. I tore my eyes from Emmett's face to look at Jacques. He reached for Emmett's arm and he offered it. Jacques brushed his finger over his skin, the same place the woman held him roughly. Judging by her grip, Emmett should have a bruise. Jacques was muttering words I didn't understand and Emmett winced. A brand appeared on his skin. I couldn't make it out but it was very red, like he was just burned. "Jacques?" I asked. He knew something but he wasn't telling me. Emmett and Alice were breathing quickly, waiting for him to say something but he said nothing. Jacques blinked, "Go find Gregori, Emmett. Show him what you showed us and let him see this. Your mother and I will be along in a moment."
Jacques and I stood up. He pulled me into his arms and watched the doors. It opened on his command, "Get going," is all he said. I nodded to Alice and she went with Emmett. The both of them looked back at myself and Jacques, then left the room. There was something going on and I wasn't going to be left in the dark.
I was not going to leave you in the dark, but this is something of great concern. I need Gregori and Mikhail to confirm my thoughts. If I am right, this is the greatest danger our people will face.
I looked up at Jacques as he held me, What? What is it?
His obsidian eyes looked into mine, I believe our son was marked by a vampiress.
*Carpathian Language Guide
sisar – sister
Ekäm – brother
