Chapter 5: Change Is Crazy Thanks To Special Swan
Ephraim is in Italics.
Bella's POV
The phone felt like a dead weight in her hand as it continued to ring and ring. What happened to super-fast vampire reflexes? Unless... Alice has seen something, she has to.
With a heavy sigh, Bella had her finger hovering just over the end button on the phone when it finally picked up.
''Bella, dear. This is a surprise, is something wrong?'' Esme's melodic voice sounded through the phone, sounding surprised but kind of off in a way that she couldn't put her finger on.
''Everything's fine, Esme. I was calling to see if Edward was back from hunting'' Bella replied, something about Esme's tone and words set alarm bells ringing in her head. She knew something wasn't right, her instincts screaming at her to do the complete opposite of what she planned.
''Oh good, sweetie. Alice was a little concerned about you earlier but she didn't mention what it was about. Edward said he was coming to your house to spend some time with you but that was about 2 hours ago. He probably got sidetracked, distractions and all. I'll let him know you've called'' Esme replied quickly before hanging up the phone.
''You know she's full of shit, right?'' a voice questioned as she turned round to see Ephraim lounging on the couch. She glared at the spirit who in turn chuckled as he rose from the couch.
''Did you listen to my whole conversation with her? Is there a particular reason that you're here?'' Bella questioned, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at Ephraim.
''The answer is yes to both questions, Swan. At least blood-suckers give you a straight answer and aren't lying through their teeth. Animal-suckers, the loving term gave to the Cullens and Co, are a waste of space'' Ephraim replied, mimicking Bella's position.
''And you know a lot of blood-suckers, being a Quileute spirit guide and all? Honestly, you can't just show up whenever you feel like it. There needs to be a reason for these sporadic appearances'' Bella sarcastically snapped, glaring at Ephraim yet again who simply shrugged and walked past her into the kitchen.
Bella followed behind him, silently seething as Ephraim seated himself at the table and pointed to a chair, indicating for her to sit down. ''Calm down, little one. I'm here to give you a heads up on your darling fiancee who will be here in about 10 minutes so shut up and listen, alright?'' Ephraim said with a nonsense look thrown in.
''The reason Pixie is all up in your business is because she can't see your future. That aside, it brings me onto my next point. Have you ever heard of compelling?'' Ephraim questioned as Bella shook her head, frowning slightly but otherwise remaining silent and still.
''Bloodsuckers are vain creatures of habit, they'll go on and on about the ways in which they naturally attract humans' attention but always leave out the part where they use compulsion. Your fiancee walks all over you with the help of compulsion which is the reason I'm here- since I've restarted your life from a point, it doesn't come without consequences''
Ephraim explained before briefly glancing at the clock and then at Bella.
''Can I guess that a consequence is having some kind of immunity to compulsion now? Doesn't that make everything a whole lot more dangerous?'' Bella asked, biting her lip nervously as she stared at Ephraim.
''Have no fear, my dear child. If you survived hanging around with bloodsuckers for the last 18 months and a bloodsucker attacking you, I'm sure this is just like a norm-'' Ephraim started to reply before being cut off mid-sentence by a screech from Bella.
''This is far from normal. I wish I'd never met the Cullens or moved back to Forks. Life would be so much easier'' Bella screeched, standing up and pacing around the small kitchen.
''I could have done that, you know. It just means you lose all the progress you've made with people in this time'' Ephraim pointed out before sighing loudly and standing up. ''Look, Cullen is going to be here in a minute. Just tell him the truth- that your feelings have changed. I'll be nearby, keeping an eye on you. Don't stress.''
Bella simply nodded and watched as Ephraim faded away. Before she had any chance to think over anything Ephraim had said, there was a gust of wind and she turned to find Edward leaning against the wall, gazing at her.
''Edward'' Bella shouted, jumping back in mock-surprise as he chuckled and pushed off the wall. ''I didn't mean to scare you, love'' Edward said, placing a gently kiss to her forehead before sitting down at the table.
''Is everything okay?'' Bella questioned, her instincts screaming at her that something wasn't right here. She couldn't put her finger on what was wrong through. Edward wouldn't hurt her,right?
''That's part of the reason I'm here. Alice is worried about you and how you're coping. If something isn't right, you need to let me know so we can deal with it'' Edward pressed, holding her eyes hostage with his own as he gazed deeply at her before frowning.
''He's confused, wondering why he can't compel away your fears and concerns'' Ephraim's voice whispered in her head as she felt herself begin to panic. ''Calm yourself and focus. You'll be able to feel how much effort he's putting in.''
Bella took a deep sigh and looked down at her hands before letting herself relax. As soon as she'd fully relaxed, she was hit with the most horrific pain ever. She couldn't help the small gasp as she took in as much air as she could, her entire body choking as she struggled to rid herself of the pain that radiated through her body.
''You'll be okay, I promise. You feel pain because your body is rejecting his attempts at compulsion, normal humans would never have this problem but when have you ever been a normal human?'' Ephraim's voice washed over her and as the pain began to recede, Bella knew that Ephraim had taken the edge somehow.
Bella gazed up at Edward, wondering why he hadn't noticed the pain she was in when she realized his eyes were glued to the door with occasional glances at her front garden through the kitchen window.
''Edward?'' Bella asked, watching as his attention immediately snapped to her. ''I should have put a stop this earlier and I'm sorry for that and this. I can't marry you and I don't want to marry you'' Bella whispered, trying to fit back tears that wanted to run down her cheeks despite the fact that she wasn't sorry for hurting him.
If this hadn't have been such a serious situation, Bella would have laughed at his face. He obviously wasn't expecting her to call off the wedding and had a look of pure shock adorning his face.
''Bella, where has this come from? You've never mentioned anything about not getting married, I thought you wanted this as much as me. What on earth could have brought this on? Was it Black? I'll wring his neck if he's forcing you into this'' Edward had started to rant, bringing to pinch his nose before he stood up and headed towards the door.
''Where are you going?'' Bella shouted, racing after him. ''STOP IT'' Bella screamed, shocking both herself and Edward who stopped inches from the front door and turned to face her, disbelief covering his face.
''You're so convinced that Jacob has said something to me that you never gave me chance to explain why I'm calling off this wedding. I am calling this wedding off because I don't love you anymore and marrying you because I got myself into one hell of mess is no sort of a life. Don't you see? I was a stupid teenager who'd had one hell of a messed up childhood and I latched onto the first stable thing in my life. That's not right, Edward and you deserve better then that'' Bella started to explain.
Edward walked past her and slumped back down into a kitchen chair as she continued trying to explain. '' You always told me that this is not the life you want for me. You can't get angry at anybody but me, I've made some horrible choices the last 18 months and I wish I could take them back.''
''Bella, what on earth has brought this on? You've always insisted you wanted this life, this existence'' Edward questioned, seemingly calmer as she shrugged and replied'' I woke up, Edward and realized that I don't want to die, that it's wrong of me to wish my life away. I thought it would be easy, to give my human life up but there are people who I'm not ready to lose, people who I want to live out my human life with.''
''You mean, Jacob?'' Edward sneered, his expression filled with disgust as he mentioned her best friend.
''Not just Jacob, Edward. My dad, Billy, Angela, the Pack. Hell, even my mom. How would my dad feel if I just disappeared and he never knew what had happened to me? I'm his only daughter, Edward. It would kill him- I cannot and will not do that to my Dad. He's been here for years, silently waiting for me to come to him and I didn't. I never made any attempt to know him and I have to live with that, knowing that I will spend as long as I can possibly have with him trying to learn about him and catching up on the things I missed with him'' Bella said, feeling the tears she'd tried to hold back fall down her cheeks as she thought back.
She thought back to the memories of last time. How Charlie's constant angst about her was her fault and how she'd destroyed Jacob's life as well as everybody else's that she'd touched.
Bella was awoken from her memories by the feel of Edward's hand on her own. She looked up gazing at her first love as he swallowed deeply and his eyes filled with tears that would never fall.
''I don't have any right to be jealous of Jacob and the connection you've had your entire life with him. I know things haven't been right between us for months and I've forced you to stay in this relationship, doing everything in my power to keep you. That was wrong of me and I'm sorry for that'' Edward admitted as Bella stared at him in horror.
''You know he's full of shit,right? He wants to kill Jacob and he's only telling you this because he couldn't compel you. Pretty boy's also lying to you. Ask him about Tanya, his 'cousin' because I'd sure love to know how he'll get himself out of this mess'' Ephraim sounded in her head yet again but she was thankful he was with me.
''I don't believe you when you say you're sorry. You don't mean it and I won't accept something as fake as what you being. My biggest mistakes have been not letting go of you after you left me in the woods alone and allowing you the amount of control you've had over me. You don't get to have control over me or get to lie to me anymore. I deserve better then that if you love me'' Bella snapped, throwing Edward's hand away from hers while he was in shock from her words.
''You are making it out like this is all my fault. I'm not the one who kissed somebody else and told them that they're in love with them. Really? Who's the bad guy here? Because I don't see anybody coming to your defense, Bella'' Edward snarled, pushing the table a few inches towards Bella as he jumped up.
''Don't put this all on me, Edward. I have one question for you and then I want you to get out of my house and my life. What is Tanya to you?'' Bella cried back, throwing her hands in the air with exasperation.
''Tanya is a friend, a friend who has been there for me since the moment I came into this life. Don't make a big deal out of nothing'' Edward snapped, pinching his nose again as he closed his eyes and turned away from Bella.
''He's lying, Bella. Tanya isn't just a friend and I'm sure you remember her role in your existence and your marriage'' Ephraim pointed out, reminding Bella of the tart who'd become part of her marriage when she'd been a fool and married him.
''Tanya isn't just your friend. I have done some awful things and made some terrible decisions but I have never lied to somebody's face even when they're asking me for the truth. I shared a kiss with Jacob and I told you as soon as it happened. Would you have ever told me that you'd been seeing Tanya behind my back or was that to be my surprise on the honeymoon?'' Bella shouted, ignoring the look of pure horror Edward shot her.
''It doesn't excuse what I have done but Tanya means nothing to me. Do you have any idea what it's like to be around you when you more or less offer yourself up constantly? Do you have any idea of the restraint it takes? Well, do you?'' Edward finished his sentence and glared at the wall.
''I'm sorry if I offend your morals but I wasn't raised in the 1900's, Edward. I don't care what excuses or reasons you have for sleeping with Tanya. Cheating is still cheating'' Bella said calmly, surprising both herself and Edward at how calm she suddenly was.
''You're not going to throw away nearly two years over some disagreement'' Edward said, chuckling until he looked over at Bella who had disgust written all over her face.
''This isn't some silly disagreement that you can brush under the rug. Do you feel bad at all about the fact that you cheated through our entire relationship? I am done with you, with our relationship. Everything we shared, every memory that we made together over the last two years has been tainted by the realization of what type of man you really are. I cannot and will not marry or love anyone who can treat someone he claims to love in such a way'' Bella coldly stated, glaring at the stunned vampire in front of her.
''You can't possibly be serious, Bella'' Edward snapped, pinching his nose again and glaring at the slip of a girl in front of him as his eyes darkened several shades in anger.
''I have caused enough damage to those I love with and without your help but you will continue to destroy the lives of everyone you encounter for an eternity. Do us both a favor and leave Forks, it'll give you time to heal. If I mean anything to you then you'll do that'' Bella quietly remarked, hoping her words would resound with the quiet vampire who stood in front of her.
Edward was silent for a couple of seconds before he laughed and sneered at the girl in front of him.
''You really think the mutt and his pack are going to want anything to do with you after everything? After all the damage you've caused? He was injured, fighting for you despite the fact that you lead him on. You repaid him by taking the first chance you had to break his heart despite the fact you claim to be such a loving and caring person. Why would the mutt want anything to do with you? You know where you'll find me when you come to your senses and realize that you have burned any chance of a life you might have had here, my love'' Edward drawled, smirking as he watched each word he spoke wash over Bella and noted the pain in her eyes.
''I don't care what you think. If I spend the rest of my life having to apologize for my mistakes then that is what I will do. I would rather be dead then to be with you. I have a life here and right now, it might not be a lot but it's a damn sight more then you'll ever have. Now if you're quite done with your mind games, I would like you to leave my house'' Bella snapped, feeling anger rush through her veins as she recalled all the previous occasions where he had made her feel worthless and dependent on him.
''If you think that you can pass me over for some flea-bitten mutt then you have a lot to learn. We are not through until I say so'' Edward snarled, his face contorting from within the well-placed facade of control to show the monster inside. The monster that was hidden so well that for the first time since she'd ever encountered any sort of supernatural creature, she was terrified to see the very beast that had given it's venom to change her into it's companion.
With one last look of anger, Edward turned towards the door and threw it open before slamming it shut behind him, rattling the very foundations of the house. Bella let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding as she slumped down into one of the chairs in the kitchen and listened as several photo frames fell and smashes around the house.
Her head was pounding from everything that had happened but she was determined to hold her head up high, regardless of what might happen next in her life.
''That won't be the last we hear of him, Bella. You saw yourself what Jacob and his brothers see every single time they look at the Cullens. I wish I could tell you that he will get over this and deal with things in the appropriate manner and in time but you know, as do I, that will not be the case.'' Ephraim warned, suddenly appearing in the chair opposite her.
'' I know and I hate that I have brought this upon myself. What happens if he kills me, either through death or his venom? '' Bella questioned, laying her head on her arms as she sighed heavily and closed her eyes.
''You cannot blame yourself, Carlisle should have known better then to change Edward when he is little more then a boy whom time has outgrown. You just need to remember that you are as strong as you feel inside. Don't let any morons, vampire or werewolf, tell you otherwise'' Ephraim praised, smiling down at the girl who truly didn't realize how strong she was.
Author Note:
It's all coming along ;)