Chapter Five
The sound of Tanya's voice echoed throughout the house, anger obviously present. I shuddered against Edward at the sound of her voice.
"She took the human back, she is supposed to return," Esme replied calmly.
"She will pay," Kate growled.
"I think maybe you two should try to calm down before you go after her," Alice spoke.
"We are perfectly calm," Kate replied her voice still cracking with anger. I could only imagine the sight of these two lovely vampires angry. Even in thought, it was quite scary.
"I really think that's going overboard," Alice's voice squeaked. Edward tightened his arms around me, obviously seeing Alice's vision of what they had planned.
"What are they going to do?" I asked in a whisper.
"You don't want to know."
"Edward, please tell me," I begged.
"They plan on killing her," he replied.
"No!" I cried. Though she had tormented me in the worst of ways, I couldn't stand the thought of her dying. I couldn't allow it. I had to stop it before it got to that.
"Bella, love what is it?" Edward asked frantically.
"I can't let them do it, they can't kill her," I sobbed. Ending someone's life, at least to me, was never the answer.
"Bella, you can't be serious after what she did to you," he growled angrily.
"Edward, no one deserves to die," I sobbed. I pushed against his arms, trying to get up. I had to stop this before it got out of hand.
"Does it really mean that much to you?" he asked letting go of me. I stood from the bed and looked down at him.
"Yes it does. I won't stand back and allow anyone to be killed because of me," I said calmly as I looked down at him. A surprised expression crossed his face. Was it really hard to believe that I didn't want to see her die?
"You honestly mean to say that after what she did to you, you still don't want to see her pay?"
"I want her to pay, but the price is hardly high enough to claim her life."
"What would you have done?"
"I don't know, but I definitely would not take anyone's life away from them."
"Let's go before they can get to her," he said as he rose from the bed.
"Thank you, Edward."
"Anything for you," he sighed as he took my hand and led me down stairs. Tanya and Kate were no where to be seen. Alice and Esme were sitting on the couch, looking at each other gravely.
"What is it?" I asked, looking at their expressions.
"They plan on killing her," Alice muttered echoing Edward words.
"Where did they go?" Edward interrupted as we stopped in front of the door.
"Out looking for her," Esme replied.
"We have to go find them Edward," I replied giving his arm a gentle tug towards the door.
"What do you mean Bella?" Esme asked as she stood from the couch.
"I can't let Tanya and Kate kill her," I replied as I opened the door and pulled Edward out it with me. I saw Esme shaking her head in what I could only guess to be shock as Edward and I ran to the forest.
"Bella, love, what if she has that man with her?"
"Let's just hope she doesn't," I sighed. The scent was still lingering in the air, but it was weak enough for me to fight.
"Maybe we should bring Emmett and Jasper along in case," he sad coming to a stop. I eyed him warily for a moment and nodded my head in agreement. If the man was indeed there, it would take all my resolve not to pounce on sight. He took his cell phone from his pocket, which I was surprised to see that he had grabbed, and called them.
"Jasper, bring Emmett and meet me in the forest."
"We're going to stop Tanya and Kate from killing her."
"I know, but Bella doesn't want her to be killed."
"Thanks," he replied as he snapped the phone shut.
"Are they coming?" I asked as he put he phone back in his pocket. We were standing in the middle of the dim forest, and I was listening intently to any signs of Irina, Kate, or Tanya.
"Yes."
"I'd wish they would hurry," I sighed before they came pummeling through the trees.
"We came as fast as we could," Emmett laughed. I rolled my eyes and pulled on Edward's arm to get him to move. We needed to find them quickly. I just couldn't allow that to happen to her.
"Bella, why won't you just let those two snap her neck?" Emmett asked as we raced through the forest scanning it for them. Dodging low hanging branches and whole trees, I tried desperately to scout them out.
"Death is hardly a price to pay for what she did," I sighed. Did none of them understand that life was a precious thing, that it was not to be wasted or destroyed?
"Seriously Bella, she deserves it," he replied.
"No, no one deserves to die Emmett."
"Bella, you truly confuse me," Jasper chuckled as we slowed down.
"What is it?" I asked Edward as he came to a halt.
"They are just behind those trees," he whispered in my ear. Slowly we edged further, and I could hear their exchange.
"Irina! What did you think you were doing?" Kate growled.
"She took everything away from me!" Irina screeched. I felt chills run down my spin at their exchange.
"That gave you no right to do what you just did! You know as well as I that he was trying to attack her!"
"She was a human! He drank from humans! Why should he die because of her?" she yelled. Slowly, we made our way into the clearing. Irina was being held against a large tree by Kate as Tanya paced back and forth madly. Edward held tightly to my hand was we watched the exchange between the three sisters.
"You, my dear sister," Tanya spat, "have involved yourself in the most horrid of acts. You have used your power to seduce a poor innocent man and have tempted a newborn with his blood. As a member of my clan, you have vowed not to drink from humans or harm them--"
"He's fine," she pled.
"But he would have been killed if not for Edward's interruption."
"Tanya," I spoke for the first time. Words had not escaped me before then.
"Yes Bella?" she said, turning her attention to me.
"Don't kill her."
"But Bella, she deserves it," Tanya said, a shocked expression crossing her face. I scanned the other two to see their expressions were the same.
"No one deserves death," I replied.
"You mean, after what I did, you would not see me dead?" Irina asked, still being held against the tree.
"No. I think you deserve some type of punishment. But taking a life is no answer," I answered calmly. I was surprised at my own demeanor. I thought that I wouldn't be able to face this vile creature, not to mention talk to her. She had almost managed to do the worst to me, and yet I felt sorry for her.
"What would you have done to her Bella?" Kate asked as she tightened her grip on Irina, who seemed to no longer be fighting.
"I don't know, just not death." I replied. I had never thought of ways to torture or punish others. I never had a reason until now to even think of it.
"Bella, you are a truly amazing individual," Tanya spoke as she came near us.
"Bella, I'm sorry," Irina sobbed.
"Tanya, I will leave whatever punishment you find necessary to you, just, please, not death," I sighed as I looked at a now sorry Irina. Letting go of Edward's hand, I walked past Tanya and stopped a foot away from Irina and Kate.
"Irina, what you did to me is unforgivable, for certain. To deceive someone in that manner, is by far the most ridiculous and hurtful thing someone has ever tried to do to me. I understand you miss Laurent and that you loved him. But, I must inform you that he did not return the sentiment. He was in love with Victoria and was acting on her orders. If the wolves had not interrupted, he would have killed me for her," I told her. An angry look flashed on her face as she looked up at me.
"You bitch! Don't ever mar his name with such lies," she screamed. I no longer felt sorry for her. Did she not understand that he was deceiving her, that he was vile? Before I could calculate my actions, I had slapped her across the face. A loud cracking noise echoed throughout the forest with the contact.
"I'm, I'm sorry," I sputtered as I looked at her shocked expression. Taking two steps back to put more distance between us, I glared at her. I couldn't believe the words that came from her mouth.
"I will get you!" she said squirming against Kate.
"No, no you won't," Edward said as he came to my side taking my hand once again in his.
"Irina, while I may not see you dead today, I can promise you that if you try to attack my family or me, I will not show mercy," I growled. I didn't know from where these words came, but they were true. If she came after me again I would kill her.
"You don't scare me," she laughed.
"But you should be afraid," Emmett growled as he took his position beside us.
"We will not let anything happen to Bella," Jasper added, standing beside us.
"Irina, while if I had my way I would snap you neck this instant, I have decided to go with Bella's wishes and spare your life. You are to return with us to Denali, pack your belongings, and leave. You are no longer welcome among us, and I denounce you as ever being a sister of mine," Tanya spat. Anger was present in all her words, yet she remained calm in appearance.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way Irina. I wish we could have met under better circumstances," I replied. Her head was hanging lowly. After Tanya's last speech, she seemed to disconnect with the world.
"Irina, I'm done with you," Kate said finally. Irina looked up at her and began to sob. I turned my face to Edward and saw an angered look on his face. He was glaring at Irina, as were Jasper and Emmett. I felt proud to be able to call them my husband and brothers. They truly cared for me and this incident just showcased how much they did.
"Let's go home," I said. I had more than enough drama for a lifetime, and it was all packed into one afternoon.
"Please tell Carlisle we thank him for the visit and that we are sorry to cause your family such trouble," Tanya said as we turned to leave.
"Are you not going to come in and tell him yourself?" Edward asked.
"No, we will get in our vehicle and leave, we have caused your family too much trouble as is," Kate said, as she allowed Irina's feet to touch the ground.
"I will relay the message," Edward said.
"Sorry Bella," Kate added.
"No need to be sorry," I laughed as I tugged Edward to come on. I needed to get home. My mind was flooded with emotions, and even though Jasper was sending me waves of calm, I was extremely overwhelmed.
"Bella, you are an amazing person. If you ever need a place to go, you have a place in our home," Tanya said.
"Thank you," I sighed as Edward, Jasper, Emmett, and I continued our way back home.
"Hey Edward, Jasper and me are going to go hunt," Emmett said after we had been walking a few moments.
"Do you need to hunt love?" Edward asked as we stopped in the middle of a grouping of large pines.
"No, I just need to go home," I sighed. My mind was racing. I couldn't help but think of the events that had just taken place. Would I ever get peace? Would I be doomed of an existence of crazy vampires, werewolves, and other forces trying to kill me? Was that what my life was to be?
"Fine, go on ahead Emmett, Jasper," he replied. We continued our way to the house, parting ways with the two of them.
A small sigh of relief escaped me as the house came into view. I needed nothing more than to lie on our huge bed and sob.
Entering the house, I saw that Alice and Esme remained on the couch.
"Are you ok Bella?" Alice asked as she stepped forward.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Could you come up to my room?" she asked a wicked little grin crossing her face.
"Not right now Alice, I need to go lay down," I replied.
"Oh, well ok then," she shrugged, a hurt expression crossing her face.
"Can I later?" I asked. Edward remained silent beside me.
"Sure," she smiled. I nodded my head and continued up the stairs, with Edward in tow.
We entered our room and I went straight for the bed. I lay down and pulled my knees up to my chest. Silent sobs erupted as I thought of all that had happened.
"It's ok love, everything is ok," Edward said, wrapping his arms around me for comfort.
"Edward, is it always going to be like this?" I cried.
"What do you mean?" he asked, a hurt tone in his voice.
"Am I to be forever plagued by creatures trying to harm me?" I cried.
"Bella, no one is ever going to harm you." he sighed.
"I'm just tired of it Edward."
"I know love, I know," Edward sighed as he started to rub soothing circles on my back. Slowly my sobbing ceased. When I had regained my composure, I turned to face Edward.
"Sorry Edward," I sighed, looking up at him.
"You have nothing to apologize for," he stated, looking down at me through his thick lashes.
"But I'm always bringing you trouble."
"Don't ever say that Bella. You have brought me more happiness than you will ever know."
"But--"I started, but was silenced as he placed his finger on my lips.
"No, don't say it. You, my dear Bella, have brought joy to my life, and have fulfilled me in every way. If we are to be periodically tormented, I feel that it is worth it. I will never let anything happen to you."
"I know you won't let anyone hurt me," I sighed, his finger still against my lips.
"Bella, you are an amazing person and I'm proud to call you my wife. Today, I witnessed yet again what a wonderful person you truly are. I love you with all my being," he said as he removed his finger and placed his lips on my mine. The kiss was sweet and filled with love. It did, however, end too soon to my dismay.
"I love you too, Edward," I sighed against his chest, as I hugged myself even closer to him.
"Alice," Edward growled at the door. I laughed as I imagined her stopping dead in her tracks.
"Bella, come on," she giggled. I looked up at Edward and sighed loudly.
"I better go," I had a feeling Alice had some interesting news to share with me.
"Are you sure?" he asked as his face turned to an adorable pout.
"Yes, I'll be back soon," I laughed at him.
"Ok," he relied as he let me out of his embrace. I could tell that he wanted me to be with him. But, little did he know, Alice and I had plans. I knew the instant she asked me to come to her room she had news concerning the hot tub, and I was dying to find out what. I opened the door to see a giddy Alice jumping up and down.
"Come on!" she laughed as she tugged me to her room. I couldn't wait to see what she had in store!
(A/N: I hope everyone has enjoyed this chapter. I know some of you wanted to see Irina burn, but I just can't imagine Bella allowing anyone to be killed for her. She is just way too forgiving. So, what news does Alice have? Would it happen to deal with a certain hot tub? Was she able to obtain one, even though her shopping trip was severely shortened? Please review and tell me what you think. Did you like this chapter? Thanks to all who have reviewed!! I enjoy reading them all! And thanks go out to my beta xedwardxloverx! Oh, and if you haven't yet voted on the poll on my profile page please do. Jacob can burn seems to be the favorite, lol. The poll will close this Friday and results will be shown! Thanks for to all voters as well!)