Isabella sighed as she typed furiously on the computer, black framed glasses leaning on the tip of her nose as she looked through papers and tapped the keys on the keyboard without pausing. It has been a month since the danger of the Volturi had passed but they had never let their guard down. She had kept tabs on her state, the twins, and her 'mate'. The Cullen's were long thrown out of Washington after she mailed them their limbs back. They were not to come back at all like the Italian vampires or they would be destroyed as well. As she thought about Jasper, she pondered over their interaction. They had gone on dates and he wanted to make her happy. She could see in his eyes that he was still possessive over her but it mellowed when he finally saw that she would not change her ways for an over-egotistical male vampire. Sure, she knew males were dominate but she was not someone who would submit to one's will completely. Been there, done that.
A knock on a door didn't stop her from her work. "Come in." She called, not taking her eyes off the screen as three blurry forms bounced around her. She shook her head as they chanted her name over and over. Sighing, she pushed away from the keyboard and looked down as Jamie, his mate and Envy all jumped on her lap. Envy was smaller now. He transformed into a small boy with his height as Jamie's and hadn't turn back since. His violet feline eyes were still huge. And he still contained the wicked grin. She smiled gently and stroked his green hair. He had gotten better and she loved it. Though he still came into her room at night and slept beside her. Jasper hadn't like that Envy was doing this but she could care less. Envy is herbaby and noonewas going to change that, not even a jealous mate.
"Mama, can we go on a trip to Texas with Uncle Peter, Aunt Char and Auntie Maria?" They pleaded with wide eyes. She sat back and pretended to think slowly as she rubbed her chin. They started to whine and she chuckled.
"Yes yes, sure but I will be coming to. We need to get out to other countries and sight see."
Peter was in the room, laying back on the chair with his arms crossed being his head. "We're going to as place that people rarely go since the factory there shut down ages ago. I've always wanted to go there. Like this niggling feeling but do not bring any humans there. It won't be safe for them." Peter said gravely and she frowned on not taking her other babies with her but sighed and nodded.
"Fine and if they ask why, I'll tell them it was you're fault." She smiled widely as the children jumped from her lap unto Peter. Peter curled his arms around all of them and ran out of the room. She sat back and thought over his words. She stood up and flashed to her room and grabbed her book bag. Filling it with money, fake philosopher stones in a pill bottle for Envy, her ID, some clothes, and went downstairs putting warm thermoses in them.
She met up with her traveling group and spotted Jasper in the Van. She wasn't surprised that he was coming too. She sat right by him and kept her bag between them respectively, raising an eyebrow at his pout. Everyone filed in and waved bye at the people that gathered outside. Envy sat on her lap and played with her hair. Peter was driving so fast and took detours that they ended up in Texas half the time it was suppose to take. But time didn't really matter to them as they talked about many different things. It was well into the evening and Peter suddenly became quiet as they slowed and pulled up into a lone broken down but still working gas station. Everyone became solemn and Charlotte handed out contacts and Envy transformed to become a teenager with some of Bella's features.
He stood slightly behind her as she took Kat and Jamie's hands walking towards the small store. Her senses on high alert. The place felt ominous. Jasper was next to her and opened the door. His blue eyes staring into her brown ones as she smiled and nodded to him. She felt a presence so she made herself jump as if she was in fright when they spoke out.
"Such a gentleman, we don't see most men like this these days." An old raspy feminine murmured. She turned her head to look at the old women with wide eyes for show. But what she felt inside was a looming darkness around the woman. She was chubby cute and her smiled contrasted with her coffee stained teeth. Her hair pulled back into a neat bun. She looked harmless but Isabella knew better apparently so did her children and Jasper because they stiffened.
She answered to break the tension. " Yes, yes he is." She looked back at Jasper, thinking over the month they spent together.
"And are these children yours?" The woman's eyes ran over them. She felt Envy move more towards her, hand tightly gripping her shirt.
"Yes, these are my lovely little ones." She didn't let go of their hands as she introduced them. "Jamie," He stared at the woman with an expressionless face. "Kaytlyn," Kat nodded her head in a small bow. "And Envy," She smiled gently at her son behind her. She heard the woman suck a breath behind her and say...
"That child must be a sinner if he's named after one of the deadly sins."
Pete, Maria, and Charlotte appeared at the door worriedly and Jasper put a hand on Isabella's back. He was sending her calming waves but it was bouncing back. Isabella slowly but sharply turned her now ice cold eyes to the woman in front of her. A snarl threatening to burst from her chest.
"How dare you?!" She hissed at the now frightened woman but she didn't show it. "My baby is FARfrom a SINNER! I took him from his last family that gave him nothing but torture and pain! You don't know how many times he's cried himself to sleep or woke up screaming from the nightmares! He didn't deserve to be brought into the world like this and I'll be damnedif I had another person basically call him a freak!" She nearly shrieked at the end. She had let go of Jamie and Kat's hand and was moving closer and closer to the woman but she didn't get far because a couple pair of hands wrapped around her. Growls poured out of her chest like a raging animal. She snapped her teeth and hissed. Hands were pulled away and she went to leap at the woman and drain her if a set of warm hands didn't stop her.
"Mom, it's okay." Envy pleaded as he struggled to keep her in his hold. "Mama! Please!" Isabella snapped out of it as Envy's plea finally broke through her red haze. She stopped struggling and calmed down. Envy tightened his arms around her waist and buried his head in her hair. "It's okay Mama please. Don't be mad." She had her bangs cover her eyes and took a deep breath. Envy tugged her backwards. With the help of Jamie, Kat, Maria, and Charlotte, they escorted Isabella out while Peter and Jasper let out calming breaths. The woman was radiating fear and regret but did not show her fear but only her regret as she kept her eyes on the young woman with long luscious hair.
Peter and Jasper looked at each other. Peter spoke up but not in his usual fun voice. "Sorry about that. My sister is still touchy about that subject and there wasn't any pleasant memories for them. She loves him like he was borne from her own womb."
"No." The woman shook her head. "It is my fault. She reminds me of myself when it comes to my son. I shouldn't have judged him if I didn't want my own to have the same treatment. I must apologize to her and for my rudeness. My name is Luda Mae. "
Jasper and Peter tipped an imaginary hat. "Jasper Whitlock, ma'am." Jasper said quietly and turned back to look outside towards his mate as she held Envy close, looking around for some kind of escape. They were talking but he could not hear them. His mate's shield must have been up again.
"Peter Whitlock, miss." Peter said before changing the subject. "Is there any place round' here we can stay for a couple nights. Family vacation."
Luda Mae patted her dress. "Well there isn't any place around these parts since everyone but the Hewitt family moved away. I'll be happy to let you and the family stay at my house with my family."
Peter shook his head as if he was denying it but of course, he didn't mean it. "No ma'am, we can't possibly intrude on ya'll."
Luda Mae waved her hand to deplete his worries. "No it's my treat."
Isabella sat with Envy, clutching his hand, glaring at the truck that was escorting them towards the place they were staying. 'If looks could kill' Peter murmured moments ago and she gave him a swift slap on the back of his head, causing him to whine. She was also clutching Jasper with her other hand. His touch keeping her grounded as well as Envy.
They looked onwards at the two story home in front of them. Eyeing the ominous house. Not only did it look old and run down. It reeked heavily of old stale blood and fresh ones. A faint scream came from the house and the vampires cocked their head to the side. Another rang out but more quiet. To humans, you wouldn't have heard it. Envy's hearing is slightly better but not as good as theirs. She let the guys stand in front of them as they led their group up to the house. When Luda Mae opened the door, the overwhelming scent that built up inside the house, blasted in their faces. The scent of fear, sweat, tears, and blood. She tightened her hold on Envy and held him slightly behind her. The same scents she came across when she first encountered him. Her need to pick him up and run all the way back to safety left shouted at her. Her instinct to take all the children and bring them back to Washington left her shaking. She had an excellent control on her instincts. But this was pushing it.
Jasper reached behind him and held a hand on her torso. She leaned towards him as the vibrations simmered down. His calming touch bursting through her mind and it helped her relax.
"And this is my sister, Isabella."
She looked up at Peter then looked at the human family gathered in front of them. She nodded her head at them and moved Envy behind her more, slightly. If the scent didn't scream it. Either someone in the family was a murderer or they all were. And they were vampires so they were safe from harm. But Envy wasn'tand that made her more skittish.
"Would you like some dinner?" Luda Mae asked politely. They all denied politely. Isabella sat on the large couch with Envy and Jasper on either side of her. She dug through her bag and took out the bottle of stones. Taking out two and handing them to her son, who chewed on them happily. She smiled and put the bag back. She felt her ponytail being tugged and looked behind her to see nothing there but the fast-beating heartbeat. Peering over the couch, she spotted a dog pulling at the ends of her hair. She moved her body and stretched her hands out, snatching the small dog up and setting it on her lap. She didn't immediately pet him on the head but moved her hand from behind, showing she meant no harm and gave its' fur a small pull, scratching behind its' ear.
The dog started panting in her grasp and she giggled. After a few minutes she watched as Jamie and Kat played with him. They tuned the humans out and spoke to each other quickly.
"She wants to hold us here and gain our trust before trying anything." Peter said, putting his arm around Charlotte's waist as she was sitting on one of his knees.
"So they..?" Isabella trailed off. Peter nodded.
"Yes ma,am. But here's the thing sweet pea. They're cannibals as well. They are taking innocent and some not so innocent lives so they can live on meals."
"Will En be safe?" Maria's accent was more heavy as her voice was grave with worry.
"Yes, he'll be fine." Peter hesitated a little. Isabella squinted her eyes at him before sighing. Knowing her cryptic brother wouldn't say another peep unless he had to. She heard thudding footsteps as she went to remove her hair from its prison. She shook her head out and combed her fingers through her hair when an arm snuck out and snagged her hip on the opposite side. She look at Jasper before following his gaze as a rumble bubbled in his chest. She cocked head to the side as she watched a large man with a mask wearing a bloody apron stare at her. She pushed her bangs back and put a hand on Jaspers', reassuring him that she was still here.
Jamie tugged on her arm and she moved her gaze from the hulking man to him. "Mama, I'm thirsty." He whispered. She smiled and stood up, scooping him up in her arms.
"I'll be right back," She said, taking her bag. Jasper kept his eyes on the male who was still staring at his mate with a scowl. Peter warned him him to not mess things up. The male himself was watching the short woman, walk out of his house with the child in her hands. The family in his living room all let her go. They themselves look like models. Beautiful people. He wanted their face. But that little beauty was getting away. And he couldn't let it happen. Isabella heard the same footsteps move to go out the front door and follow her, she looked behind her as she stepped by the woods, staring at the male and zoomed in on his face. His eyes were widened. Making sure the bag was secure, she stepped into the forest. Once she made sure she was out of his view, she booked it. Running at vampire speed and jumped on the most sturdy tree.
The male himself ran after her. No one ever escaped his home and if they did, they were always caught. He was confused when he heard no scream. He set up the traps. How did she not trigger one? Jamie finished half the thermos and gave it back to his mom before looking down at the male who walked past them, growling slightly and whining. Isabella fixed her hair with a black headband, keeping her bangs back and let her hair fall more. Chuckling, she stood on the branch and leaned on the tree. 'Humans are bad at playing hide and seek with vampires, cause we always cheat!' Making sure the coast was clear, they both jumped down quietly and ran back towards the home.
Yelling around the house caught her attention and she held Jamie's hand but kept her behind him as she opened the door and stared at the Hewitt family.
"Where is she?!" She stared at the drunk male officer. Snorting, she walked through the threshold keeping her son behind him. She knew fully well that Jamie can take care of himself. But if someone threatened her, he would get angry and use his gift, which wasn't good in a presence of humans who don'tknow the secret. Kat ran towards her and smothered Jamie in an embrace. Everyone seemed to turn to them and things got louder with the man while the others seemed relieved. "Bitch! No one leaves this house!" He ran up and went to punch her but she caught his fist and used his momentum to throw him unto his back. Jasper materialized in front of her and let out a growl. Blue eyes getting darker. She placed a calming hand on his back, letting her head rest between his shoulders.
He calmed down some before pulling her around him and holding her close. His head bent sniffing around her neck before letting out a purr. She giggled and playfully pushed him. He smirked down at her and nipped her nose. Her beast purred inside her, feeling like she was going to melt. He'schanged, Isabella. Whencanwefinallymakehimours? Her beast purred.
WellinafewweeksisChristmas, right? HowboutthenightofChristmasEve? Isabella asked, thinking of something special to give to her mate. He really bucked up for her, but was still the same. A clatter of breaking glass broke them apart, keeping her from hearing a response. She looked over her should to see Envy in front of her, the smell of blood and the man she knocked down was holding a half drunk bottle, right arm poised in a throw that was leaving its position. She jumped out of Jasper's arms and ran around Envy to gather his face in her hands, glass crunching under her shoes, eyes zeroing in on the small cut and bruise on him. Maria, Charlotte, and Peter were frozen in place. They looked to be getting up to do something. She hated being here, they could not do anything at vampire speed.
She turned and glared over her shoulder at the man who started laughing drunkenly. Hoyt his name was? The man in the wheelchair as his legs were amputated was scolding him along with the woman she didn't bother wanting to know her name. Then the door busted open and the male that followed her and Jamie came in looking mad. He stopped in place when he spotted her then looked around before staring back at her in surprise.
The noise was deafening. Maria was asking if they could go to their room. Jamie was picked up by Jasper and she looked at Envy sadly, rubbing his cheek and ushering him to Charlotte. He was unusually silent and she knew what was coming. She bent and picked up Kat, giving the man in the wheelchair a soft smile and good night, the dog on his lap a little head rub and the rest a cold chilling glare. Her eyes traveled around the hallway, picking up and mapping out the interior.
She sat by the window, staring out towards the sky. Jasper was beside her rubbing his hands up and down her arms. She began to rethink back to when she pulled off the Cullen's limbs off.
She snapped out of her musings when she heard a cry of pain. It twisted her heart when she turned sharply to see Envy curled up in a ball. Peter and the rest were looking at him sadly while she pulled him on her lap, rocking him in her arms. She shushed him and gently shook him to wake him. Apparently his loud cry woke the others because the door crashed open. She paid no mind to the humans and lightly slapped Envy's cheek. His eyes snapped open quickly and his tears ran down his eyes in giant waves. She pulled his face towards his neck and held him close.
"Don't let her take me," He whispered hoarsely, wrapping his arms around her.
"Never," She shushed. "I won't let you go without a fight." Her eyes looked up and pierced the Hewitt's at the door. "No one will get you, they'll have to get through me first. And I guarantee that they never will."