With Edward's fingers entwined with mine I opened a link, "Ready for a trip?" I winked at him.
Keeping the link open to Edward so he could listen in, I opened a link to Jake, "Hi Jake, You at home?"
"Yes, just sat in front of the box with Quil and Embry," a lazy thought answered.
"Do Edward and I need permission to call in?" I asked back.
"Bells, it's you, a bit of a heads up is nice but not necessary," his thoughts so relaxed.
"So you ready for visitors..." I asked as we popped into his living room between them and the television.
Shock, no thoughts or words just shock then the "What?" "Where?" "How?" filtered though.
Edward and I just cracked up laughing. "Hi, hope you don't mind we thought we would pop in for a minute," I giggled out loud.
I took a few minutes for them to calm down. Fortunately they saw the funny side and the shock didn't trigger the phase. I may have pushed a bit of calm into the room just to make sure.
"Before anything else, I just wanted to apologise to you," I knelt down in front of Jake.
"What for making us jump with your arrival?" he laughingly asked.
"Well that too, but I was thinking more about the crab earlier," I sunk my head, my shoulders lifting in preparation for the anger.
"You, you..." then he laughed shaking his head, "How?"
"Do you mind if I get everyone together so they can see for themselves and I don't have to repeat myself?" Okay I'll be honest, I wasn't giving them a choice just trying to sound polite.
Their nods and eye rolls left me in no doubt that they realised it too.
Sam and Emily had warning as I wanted to confirm calling a meeting was okay. I contacted Billy and Old Quil giving them both warning of their abrupt new form of transport. I checked where the other wolves were before 'blinking' them out. A couple had a heads up of 'can you come outside' but most just appeared in the meeting clearing on the boundary line with the rest of us. When I bought Paul in I threw a shield around him just in case, it turns out he did need it; that temper of his is on such a knife edge.
I helped him by repairing some of the scars on his aura from his past and tried to stretch his patience and control so hopefully it will help for next time.
With auras it feels like I can heal and enhance but I can't create something something out of nothing and change them beyond recognition. I can't take away the negative traits but I can help diminish them; a bit like a dimmer switch I can turn it up or down but not on and off. They still have the final choice in their actions.
"Hi all, sorry for the new mode of transportation. I seem to have come into some new powers and wanted to keep everyone informed." I wanted to let the shock to settle before throwing too much more at them. "Would it be all right if I bring the Denali's and Peter and Charlotte here so I can get everyone updated at once?"
Sam looked to Billy and Old Quil. No words were spoken between them but the nods of agreement were enough.
"I'll open a mental link then bring them in, I'll throw up a shield in case they don't take the surprise as well as you all did!" I mentally checked everyone was available and invited them to the meeting before pulling them in.
I love surprising vampires. The wolves got a kick out of it too.
The best was Edward, since healing his aura he is seeing the fun and enjoyment in everything rather than getting so uptight and over thinking everything. Having him stood next to me in giggles bought a lightness to my heart.
Another round of "What?" "Where?" "How?" etc. went round the clearing again.
"I thought I would bring everyone together and give you an update of 'a day in the life of Bella Swan', it's been quite eventful!" I started so tongue in cheek before giving a run down and a demonstration.
Amazement, shock, fear and disbelief were the strongest emotions as the story unfolded. The vampires were shaken to hear about the Volturi but it didn't have much of an impact on the wolves. The wolves know about the Volturi but the impact isn't the same when you have only heard stories about others. The wolves thought it hilarious that little old me was me could be the leader of all Vampires. Pride and relief for me seeped into them as the knowledge settled in, they were all worried how my long awaited trip to Volterra would work out. The vampires had a similar reaction but Eleazar was hit the hardest by events.
Eleazar kept glancing at me fearfully, his ability to see powers combined with his past made Marcus's gifts a scary sight.
"I know, it's quite disconcerting seeing all the new powers. I have triggered many of the powers but the remaining seeds are still far too numerous for my liking. My shield appears to be effective at containing them. I think I have learnt only to let through what I want to use, blocking the unknowns. I lowered the shield when I was clear of everyone and let them spill into my consciousness," I tried to ease his fears.
"So it is my power I can see in there too, it's blended so much already I wasn't sure," of course he picked his own out from the many.
"Yes, Marcus has a lot to answer for. It's been an over-whelming day," I sighed.
Peter piped up, "So a road trip for us all then?"
"Yes," I look at the others confused faces. "Sorry, did I forget to mention the meeting in Volterra at 10 am their time for the vampires. Peter has forewarned many nomads and friends, but all vampires will be in attendance. Once the initial meeting is over I was hoping to have some Quileute representation; human and shifter. Sam, I know you don't want Emily or Billy to go but their presence will help. I can guarantee their safety,"
Sam just looked at me, "Vision?"
"Yes, well it's more than that now, but..! So I have everyone's agreement to pull you all over when I need you. It will be in about a week, I'll update you on times as soon as I finalise them. A few wolves should stay here for protection, I have all the population of this area shielded but still. I see you leaving Paul in charge now his temper is less volatile," shock and amazement is all I can see in the faces of the wolves.
Sam just laughed and nodded, "I always wanted to visit Europe!"
Eleazar was watching us like a tennis match, "I assume you will transport us too,"
"Of course, I had assumed you would all want to be there from the start," I looked at each of the Denali's as they nodded their consent.
Peter passed me an envelope filled with plastic bags, "It will make finding others quicker and easier."
I looked at Peter and he gave me a nod to explain, "We knew that there would be a meeting of all the vampires but neither of us had any idea it would play out this way. Peter and Charlotte have been travelling all this time to give warning to friends and any nomads that would listen that change is on the horizon whether we like it or not and a gathering would be coming. We had a feeling they would respond better this way. The bags each contain small items with the scents of all the vampires Peter and Charlotte have contacted and have expressed an interest in attending the meeting, not that they will have a choice but I do prefer to ask."
I opened each bag taking a quick whiff of the contents. With each bag I felt the hooks join the rest. "Thanks you two."
The new powers made this unnecessary now but at least I knew who had had some warning.
I turned to the wolves and humans, "Things are going to be very volatile for a while. Every vampire in the world gathered in a field is bad enough but when they find out I'm now calling the shots and intend to change the way of life for every one of them it won't be the best place to be. I will keep Sam, Emily and Billy up to date, if anyone else wants to listen in, you are all welcome. I'll let you know when I intend dragging you over there. No need to pack as I can send you home as needed."
Laughs and nods greeted my comments as they imagined the reactions I would be provoking. "I'll send you all home then?"
I sent them all back to their houses, checking the coast was clear first. Next..!
"Eleazar, do you want to join Carlisle and Caius in their research. Ladies do you want to return to Denali to do some packing," startled nods and agreements confirmed they okay with my suggestions. They were still coming to terms with my new gifts.
I sent Carmen and the 'girls' back home then I contacted Carlisle and Caius and warned them of Eleazar's arrival then sent him into the room with them. They were still shocked to see him arrive.
I turned to Peter and Charlotte and reached out for a hand from each of them. I closed my eyes and imagined all their scars gone. They didn't have as many as Jasper had but I knew they both found others perception of their scars aggravating. Their time with Maria had left mental as well as physical scars so I healed both. "Do you want to go to the Cullen's house in Forks to take some time for yourselves? You Whitlocks will want some time together before the meeting so I'll send you over to Jasper with an hour or so to spare."
Peter whispered, "Thank you," as I sent them on their way. Charlotte still hadn't realised the extent of what I had done. The squeals and tears of thanks she sent me minutes later left no doubt how happy she was with her new look.
I turned to Edward and leaned my head forward to his. He closed his eyes as he embraced me. I took us to his meadow, it will always be his meadow even though he shares it with me now.
"We have a couple of hours before I need to go back and get things set up but I want, no, I need time with you," the days just got longer, am I being selfish wanting to spend my time solely with the man I love.
Let's just say he used his new more relaxed attitude taking things physically between us further than we every had before. We both want to wait for marriage for the last step but we had fun!
Time flew, as it does when you're having fun! Too soon we had to move. I popped us in the middle of a herd of deer so we could have a snack before heading back. Time to get everyone together for the 'small print'.
I checked the future again. My visions no longer have the limitations of Alice's gift. The power of the visions and remote viewing have somehow linked with the route overlay. I can see which path leads to the brighter outcome. I no longer 'zoned out' when seeing the visions, I could watch them and still be aware of my surroundings. This meeting coming up had the potential to trigger all out war between vampires or even our extinction but there is a bright thread that runs through some very dark places to get the brightest outcomes.
I can see dark paths laying almost in the sun but the bleak future which would result ruled them out immediately. To get to the right outcome some awful events need to happen and I'm the one that has to do them. They aren't going to like this, I'm dreading some of the things I need to do. This gives us the greatest number of survivors and the brightest future but I'm not sure I can do what is needed. Gramps and his stitch in time saves nine, well the stitch will be painful, especially when the others can't see the hole yet.
"Bella, Bella! Are you all right? Bella," Edward's fear was building in response to the grimace on my face.
"No Edward, I'm not" he could see the hurt in my eyes, he started to speak but I cut him off, "I've seen what I need to do to get things to work out in the long term. I'm so powerful but I'm going to have to use the power in a way, well, I don't like the path I need to take but it's best hope for the future. I need your support and your trust," I closed my eyes and took a shuddering breath, "Please forgive me for the monster I must be to allow our survival."
He cupped my face so gently in his hands, "You can never be a monster, no matter what you need to do. I know you will try to do the best for everyone. I promise I'll stand by you and support you no matter how bad things get, I've seen Alice's visions over the years, I think I understand. It's darkest before the dawn," I looked up into his eyes, trust, love and concern for me shone back as he leaned in for a soft gentle kiss.
I just hope he still believes that tomorrow.