Chapter 6 – Irina

BPOV

Edward flew out of the room, leaving me alone. I stared after him, my body remaining motionless. Irina? I knew who she was. Tanya and Kate's other sister. Laurent mentioned her when he found me in the field. Laurent said he was fond of Irina. But how fond was she of him?

My limbs wouldn't move as fear took over. I sat there, thinking about Laurent. He lived here, in this house. I had forgotten about that. He said he took on the vegetarian lifestyle, but he cheated.

He still hunted humans while he was here. I wonder if any of them knew that. Slowly, I got up from the couch and walked into the living room. I stood in the doorway and looked at the silvery blond vampire.


EPOV

I watched her while she watched the movie. I knew the movie so well, so I didn't need to pay attention. The movie ended and I hugged her to me, letting her scent fill my head. Irina. Is that really her? Kate's thoughts hit me. The front door opened and, through Kate's mind, Irina was home. My body stiffened. She was back and angry. She wanted to know what happened to Laurent and she would kill any that had a hand in his death.

Bella was the cause for Laurent being in Forks. Irina wouldn't listen if she learned that. I left Bella in the television room and went into the living room. Irina, Kate and Tanya were hugging; they haven't seen there sister in a long time. Irina looked to Carlisle. "I'm happy to see you all, but I need to ask you something."

Carlisle hugged Irina, "What is it?" Irina sighed, "Which one did it? Which one of those wolves killed Laurent? I know he was heading back to see you, but he never came back. I went to Forks and I smelled them. Which one?"

I had to control myself from growling at her question. He lied to her. Laurent headed back to Forks to find Bella, to find her for Victoria. Carlisle looked to me, Remain calm. I'll explain it to her. He looked back to her and told her about Laurent's true intent.

Irina stared back at him, almost glaring. She opened her mouth to speak, but didn't when she saw Bella. Who is the human? Bella stared up at Irina, meeting her gaze. "Is this her?" Irina said, pointing at Bella. "Is she the one that caused him to die? Is she the reason Laurent is gone?" Irina was starting to snarl, "Is she your precious human?" Bella stepped back. I moved to stand next to her and held her at my side. She looked up at me with remorse in her eyes.

I looked away from her fearful eyes, "Irina, this is Bella. She is the one he went looking for, but she isn't the reason he's gone. Victoria is. Laurent went back to Forks, to find Bella for her." Irina glard at Bella, thinking about how to get to her. With that, I pushed Bella behind me, away from Irina. "I won't let you hurt her," I said through still lips. My voice was becoming strained as I tried to keep it low.

Bella was just starting to feel better and I won't allow Irina to make her upset. I want her gone. She loves those damn wolves so much, she should go back to them, she thought, acidly. I felt Bella's heart flutter as Irina glared at her. "Irina, there's no reason for you to bare any animosity towards Bella. Laurent made his choice and, I'm sorry to say, suffered the consequences," Carmen said. I was suddenly grateful towards her for defending Bella. Irina glared at her, "Carmen, he was torn apart by those things. He was doing a favor for his old friend."

"A malicious favor," she pointed out, "He knew what Victoria wanted to do to Bella. He found her and he was going to kill her. He told Bella he was doing her a favor by killing her himself. Victoria was planning on doing far worse," Alice interjected. "What did this innocent girl do to deserve this Victoria's wrath?" Eleazar asked. Eyes fell on Bella, who was still half hidden, "I killed James, who was Victoria's mate and she wants revenge against me, by killing Bella for that. As Laurent put it, a mate for a mate."

"That's horrible," Kate came over and held Bella's hand, "She's just a girl. But you did what you had to do." Tanya looked around the room, "Well, then its better she's here." Tanya spoke in a voice of authority over her coven, "We're much larger and stronger for Victoria to even think about coming after Bella." Tanya smiled at me, "Don't worry, if she even comes here, we will all help with taking care of her."

Irina looked at her sister, then to Bella and me. Her eyes rang with betrayal from her family, "I want to avenge Laurent. It's what I can do for him now. Are you still bound under that treaty with the wolves?" she asked. Bella gasped, making Carlisle look to me, "No. The treaty is broken." A curt smile came across Irina's face, "Good. I'll hunt those wolves and kill them all. For Laurent." Irina declared.


BPOV

Listening to Irina's declaration, my heart pounded. Some eyes turned to look at me. A sense of calm came over me. It was relaxing. Relaxing me enough to speak for myself, "No. They were just protecting their home. You shouldn't do that. It's reckless." Irina dashed across the room, to stop right in Bella's face. All she did was blink slowly at Irina. "Why should I listen to you?" Irina stared Bella down, but she just stared back, "Because of you, Laurent is dead."

I could feel her anger, similar to how Jasper might feel it. She wanted to hurt the pack, my friends because of Laurent. I felt my anger building and I was going to explode. "He got what he deserved." Edward tugged at my hand, but I would let him move me, "If it weren't for the pack, I would be dead. He was going to kill me. Laurent said he tried to take on our lifestyle, but he cheated. He still killed people."

Irina's lips twitched, "That's not excuse to murder him." Rosalie and Emmett moved closer, as did everyone. "I'm not saying it is, but he was going to kill me. The wolves were protecting me." "Bella's right," Emmett said, trying to diffuse the situation, "He was going to kill her. She's part of our family. And if you really consider yourself, Irina, our family, then she's your family too."

Irina's head slowly turned away, but her eyes were fixed on me to the last moment, "She is nothing to me. She has caused me a great deal of pain. If Victoria wants her so badly," she turned back to look at me, "I hope she gets the damn girl." Edward, Rosalie and Emmett roared at the lovely vampire. Their roars spent a chill down my spine.

Irina smiled slightly, "Fine, defend her. Turn your back on your true family." Wind whipped across my face as she dashed out of the house. All of us stood there in silence. I wanted to copy Irina, to fly out of the room. I wanted to lead Victoria away from all of them. "Don't worry about Irina." Tanya said, looking the door, "She's angry, but she'll find a way to cope. And don't take to heart what she said. You are our family, including Bella. If Victoria really wants her, she'll have to come through all of us." Tanya closed the door and looked back to every one in the room.

"I won't speak for Kate, Carmen or Eleazar, but I will not let anyone hurt her. She's with Edward," her voice a bit petulant, "so we protect her." My body was still locked in place from my confrontation with Irina. Kate went to stand with her sister, "I agree."

Carmen and Eleazar nodded in agreement. "I like Bella and it would pain me if something happened to her. Victoria will have to go through me." Carmen said. "I can see you all love her and she is family. No one is getting to her." Eleazar said. Edward simply smiled, "Thank you. Not just for Bella, but for all of us. For understanding. As for Victoria… she is mine. I'm not going to tolerate her living anymore."

I looked at his face while he spoke, trying to break away from my pose. I didn't want him to hurt himself. I bit my tongue, "You don't have to do this. Don't turn your back on your sister because of me." Kate walked over to me, "Bella, she turned her back on us. She'll come around. We've faced hardships before and we'll get through this." Kate hugged me, "Trust me. She won't be mad forever. She is, after all, our sister."

Rosalie squeezed my hand and Emmett nudged me. "But I didn't know you had it in you," Emmett chuckled, "you didn't even blink when she was in your face." Rosalie scoffed and I smiled. I wanted to go to my room. My heart was ringing in my ears as adrenaline coursed through my veins. I needed to talk to Jacob. I had to know if they encountered Victoria again.

Edward walked with me in silence, upstairs. He held the bedroom door open for me. I sat on the bench by the bed and my head fell into my hands. There was no sound, except my breathing. Cool hands held my waist and I was pulled onto the bed. Edward and I laid together, with my head on his chest. His fingers lightly caressed my cheek. I felt so many different things; anger at Irina for wanting to hurt the pack, regret for bringing my trouble into Tanya's home, sorrow for Irina for losing Laurent.

She really cared for him and now he was gone. Above all, I felt concern. Concern for my families; my human, vampire and werewolf families. Tanya, Kate, Carmen and Eleazar declared that they considered me family, considering they just met me a few days ago. I didn't want Victoria anywhere near any of them. I sighed and sat up, hiding my face from Edward.

His fingers moved my face to look at him. "What are you thinking about?" he asked, while his fingers moved along my jaw. I closed my eyes and a tear fell down my cheek. Edward sat up and took me in his arms.

"Please don't be upset. Victoria isn't going to hurt you. And don't worry about any of us. She will be dealt with and none of us will be harmed."

"I knew you were going to say that, for me to not worry. But you know I will," I said into his chest. Edward lifted my face so that I would look him in the eyes. He gazed at my face, then pressed his lips to mine. He held me there and I almost forgot everything else. When he pulled back, he laid us back down. I stayed in his arms, thinking about what I have to do next.

How can be calm? I thought about Irina's words, "If Victoria wants her so badly…." I couldn't finish the thought. Soon, I remembered what I needed to do. I needed to call Jacob. "Do you mind if I call Jacob? I want to know if they found Victoria." Edward stroked my neck, "Yes, call him. We could use an update on the matter any way." He sat us up, but his arms were still around me. I took my phone up and dialed Jacob's number.