Chapter 10 – Confessions

Tonight, Chelsea and I were going hunting in Sicily. She wanted to have fun after our last mission. A vampire was exposing secrets to the people of his village, claiming he could protect them. "The way you took his arm off was unforgettable." I smiled at her, "Thank you. At least it's settled."

The villagers fell to their knees as our procession stood. Chelsea, Demetri, Alec, Felix & I found the vampire, praising himself as a god. For their sake, the villagers believed the vampire was the one they worshipped. "They seek to destroy us. The gods have blessed me with the strength to protect our home." Chelsea rolled her eyes dramatically, "This is ridiculous." The village was surrounded by a ravenous forest, far inland in Europe. The homes were small and there were few people in the village.

Chelsea began to use her influence on the villagers. She severed their ties from the lone vampire. Seeing his followers run away in fear, he knew he stood alone. Sunlight broke through the clouds and rainbows glinted on the ground. Alec stepped forward, "You are not a god. No god found you and made you like him. Come with us peacefully or suffer the consequences." Alec was being kind to offer him a choice.

The deluded one hissed, "You cannot kill m…." Alec cut off his senses, "This is why I don't offer them chances." Alec was more merciful than his sister, but that only went but so far. The light, sweet fog covered the paranoid one. Chelsea folded her arms, shifting her weight to her other leg, "They're getting more delusional." Felix shook his head as he stood behind the false god, "Release him, Alec."

The fog faded and the vampire blinked slowly. Surprisingly, his voice was admiring, rather than fearful, "You are like me?" He smiled, seeming jubilant, "Help me protect my home. We do not have to be enemies." Felix arched an eyebrow, "No, thank you. We already have our own protectorate." His dark red eyes looked at me and nodded once. The others broke formation, letting me walk ahead of them.

The man watched me glide over to him. His lips moved, not letting a sound escape. "So beautiful," he mouthed. A smile curved my lips as I got closer to him. He smiled in return, reaching out his arm to me. Fingers brushed my face and Felix snarled, frightening our target. He turned back to look at Felix, pure fear in his eyes. I touched the vampire's arm and pulled it from his body. The high keening came from the stretched skin, rattling through the trees. Felix finished the job, viciously tearing the man apart. He didn't need to say it, but it was very obvious. Death to any man that dared to touch me.

Chelsea was anxious to get out of the tower. She was one of the few members who didn't enjoy the indoors too much. Tonight, I wore a black leather pants and corset. My hair draped down my shoulders, over my Volturi necklace. Chelsea found me in front of a mirror, "Are you ready?" I brushed my hair back behind my shoulder when a loud noise came from above our heads. Chelsea and I looked up, where dust was falling from the ceiling. Someone yelled and feet ran across the ceiling. A loud commotion knocked dust from the ceiling fixtures.

Rosalie and Esme stepped out of their bedchambers, looking up; their expressions confused. Rosalie looked at me and smirked, "Well, someone grew up." Esme was still looking up, "What is going on?" The four of us went up to the roof. The sun was setting in the distance, leaving the sky a hue of reddish pink. Two white blurs flew across the floor. Esme stood by Carlisle, "What's going on?" "Felix and Emmett are fighting." My eyes popped, "Oh no." Rosalie was standing with Esme and Carlisle, with Chelsea. I stood in shock, unable to move, "Felix, Emmett, stop it!" Neither of them listened.

I looked away from the fight, not wanting to see it. As I turned to leave, something hard hit my back, knocking me to the floor. "Bella!" "Ow," I said frustrated, as Emmett had pinned me. "Emmett, get off me," I spoke the words slowly. He was quickly moved and Felix's hand took hold of my waist and pulled me up, "Are you all right?" I sighed, "Did you have to throw him so hard?" Felix's thumb caressed my cheek as the damage to my skin healed itself. "Why are you fighting with Emmett?" Felix stood me up, "It was a wager."

I turned my neck to the side, shaking out the stiffness. If felt like being his by a truck. "Oh," I said in an annoyed tone. The impact would have killed a human, but it merely made me stiff. "Chelsea and I are going out. Have fun knocking each other around." He didn't let me go, "I am sorry. It was my fault. Emmett wasn't putting up much of a fight." My eyes widened at him; why did he say that? Emmett took my hand, "Sorry about that, Bell. And I was holding back." He added that for Felix, but he only chuckled, "I'm sure." I made a face, "Felix, please don't antagonize him."

Emmett stood behind me, "You think you can really beat me?" Felix looked at Emmett. I recognized the glare; he was ready for a real fight. I only hope the tower can withstand the damage. "Emmett, don't antagonize Felix!" The towering men stared each down, leaving me vulnerable between them. My eyes fell on Jasper and I looked at him. Calmness fell over the two men standing over me. I stepped out from them, thanking Jasper. He nodded, as I went to stand with him and Edward, who was silent. He looked at me, "Hello, Bella." I glanced at him, "Hey, Edward."

The fight continued and I grew uninterested. I've seen Emmett fighting countess of times before. But now, I could see every detail and every move. The sun was low enough for me to leave. I looked over the edge of the building and no one was on the ground. My body hurled itself through the air. Falling was a wonderful feeling. Nothing underneath my feet or above me. The balls of my feet landed on the ground with a quiet thud. Edward followed, landing a few feet away from where I landed. I looked at him curiously, but he didn't look at me, "I'm just going hunting." Strange, because his eyes were honey gold. That and he went hunting with Emmett just two days ago.

"Bella?" I looked up and Felix was looking over the edge of the building, "I'm right here." He stared down, "Have fun, cara." Still looking up at the building, I called, "Chelsea, are you coming?" Her voice flowed down the building, "I'll meet you there." One of the cars was waiting for me at the front of the building; a sleek red sports car, with the name Ferrari etched into the back of it. The engine roared as I drove it out of the city. Driving fast was fun, now that I can handle it. It was an indulgence for the need of speed.

When the care passed through the city gates, the passenger door opened and Edward was in the seat. I stared in shock, "What are you doing?" I snorted; I knew he was lying. He looked at me, "I need to talk to you, alone." I huffed, "This wasn't necessary. You could have just asked me." My foot inched to the brake. He watched me, as if trying to convey an obvious message. "Felix," he said his name as an expletive. My eyebrows shot up, "Oh." It was true. Felix didn't like me being around Edward, especially being alone with him.

He tried to be subtle about it, but subtly wasn't Felix's strong point. "What is it then?" His fingers ran through my hair and my eyes closed from his touch. It was gentle, but I felt it down to my bones. His palm curved the line of my jaw, "Bella, I'm so sorry that I lied. I should have been there to protect you. I don't know what I was thinking." His hand dropped and my head turned woodenly back to the road. "What's done is done. No point of dwelling in the past." He moved to hold a lock of my hair, "I just thought you should know the truth."

I tried to remain indifferent. To fall apart would be very bad. "I already knew the truth. You wanted to keep me safe. You told me that before. 'I wouldn't have to make that choice.' That you would hurt yourself, if it meant keeping me safe."

He sighed deeply, "Bella, I wanted…." This was getting to be too much. I sighed in exasperation, "To have a normal human life. Well, that's long gone now, Edward. I'm a vampire, just like you." I took my hair from his hand, "And you have to remember that I'm also married. I know you're not happy about that, but it's true." His eyes glared straight ahead, watching the city fade into the countryside, "Yes." His voice was low and angry. "Bella, this is something I have to know. Why? Why him?" I looked at him out the corner of my eye; a fair question. "Because he asked," I answered sarcastically. "Felix knew what he wanted and didn't hesitated."

"But Bella, he doesn't love you." My eyes rolled, "And I don't love him, but love could always come later." Edward's brow furrowed, "You can't be serious, Bella. This isn't you." I groaned even louder, "Well, you know, this is my life and I actually enjoy being married to him." His arms folded tight over his chest, "But this marriage is a mistake."

The tires screeched as I slammed the brake. My food almost went through the floor of the car. My head turned slowly, "Excuse me?" His expression was shocked, "That…." My eyes narrowed, my breathing deepened and slowed, "What did you just say?" My frame was shaking and my fingers were crushing the steering wheel, "My marriage… is a mistake?" He was speechless seeing my anger. Had he forgotten about my temper? "How dare you?" My muscles were bunching and tightening. My angry was growing and it was getting difficult to control. I wanted to hurt him. To throw him from the car.

"Bella, it's just that…." The growl was growing inside me, "Get out of this car!" "Bella, please?" My voice got higher with anger, "Out!" The door flew open and he disappeared. My muscles were beyond tight that my body was shaking. I was too dangerous to be around humans or vampires. The car stood on the side of the road, as I dashed out into the night.

My feet carried me to the sea, but that wasn't far enough. The sounds of the waves were calming, but the anger was still there. I walked along the sand, feeling the water break on my feet. The smell of the brine and salt water was nice. The water was inviting. No one was around and it was dark enough to blind human's distant eyesight. I left my clothes on the sand and lowered myself in the sea. All marine life swam away from me as I went deeper into the cold water.

The marine life was beautiful, even in their frightened state. Animals avoided us, knowing we weren't human, but predators. My body floated in the waves, making my hair ripple as they rolled. It almost looked black in the moonlight. My skin was pure white against the dark water. My fingers gently touched the surface of the water, making small ripples.

Seeing these small changes in the water was dulling my anger. He was upset. Edward is upset. He doesn't like to see me with another man. It's the hardest thing in the world to see the one you love in the arms of another. A man that cared about me, compared to a man that loved me. There was no comparison, but this is my life. I'm Felix's wife and Edward's ex-girlfriend. I will not turn my back on my husband. I've pushed my feelings for Edward away behind an unbreakable wall. Even with him here, my wall will stand. Felix helped me build it and its going to stay.

The evening was still early, but I was no longer in the mood to hunt. My frustration was dull, but anything could sharpen it. Running helped. The feel of the sand reminded me of India. There were a few voices inside, but I ignored them. Gianna was leaving for the day as she bowed her head when I passed by, "Good night, Gianna." The voices were clearing as the door to the main antechamber opened. The Cullens stood and Aro was shaking Carlisle's hand, "This is wonderful news. Your lovely family will be staying with us." My eyes popped and my anger exploded. It would have been better if they left.

Rosalie and Alice looked back to where I was standing. Alice pleaded with her eyes. Smiling reassuringly, I pushed my shield into her mind. My shield didn't only protect others; it could look into other's minds. I never told anyone about it. If Aro knew this, he would use it to his advantage at all time. I extended it to Rosalie, Esme, Emmett and Edward.

They spoke together on where they should move next. Carlisle stated that Aro had extended an invitation to them and Edward was for it. Coming out of the others' minds, my shield focused on Edward's mind alone. He was bound and determined to get me back. I will not lose her. Not again, not to him. I left the room, trying not to touch anything. It would be mashed to dust from the simplest touch.

The furnishing trembled from every step I took. My shoes left divots in the floor as I walked to Felix's door. Using all the force in my body, the door shattered to splinters. The doorknob clinked as it landed on the floor, among the splinters scatter across the room. I paced the room, moving faster and faster. Nothing was making sense to me. "Bella?" My feet still moved, going back and forth across the room.

Hands held my shoulders and crimson eyes looked into mine, "Bella." I huffed out in a long breath, feeling Felix's touch. My eyes closed, as the anger still welled up inside me. "What happened?" Felix couldn't know. He can't know. I had a temper, but Felix's was far worse. He would kill Edward without hesitation. I was mad at him, but I didn't want Edward to die. Felix was one of the most dangerous vampires in the world. I turned away from him, needing some distance.

"Bella, what's going on? When you left, you were fine." He paused for a moment, "It's Edward, isn't it? He made you mad." The fury was becoming predominated in his voice, "What did he say?" My fingers were curving into claws. My body was still tense.

My shoulders were locked and I exhaled deeply, "Nothing of importance." Felix held my shoulders, "If it wasn't that important, you wouldn't be so upset. What did he say?" I looked up at him, "It'll just make you mad, too." He held my face, "Just tell me." "Promise me you won't get mad." He was motionless.

"He apologized for lying when he left. That this wasn't the life he wanted for me. And…." My teeth gritted, "He said our marriage was a mistake." His body tensed and tightened. "He said… what?" his tone dropped. Felix's hands tightened against my face, "Ow!" His hands dropped quickly and he turned away. I caught his wrist and my feet were dragged, "You promised." He looked at me and smiled; the smile was frightening. He leaned down to kiss me, "I'm calm. There is something that he needs to know and I think you should hear it."