Lost
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews. I really appreciate it. Nikki
Chapter Sixteen
It had been ages since Jacob had left with Old Quil, Bella was getting worried. Charlie had sat with her for a while until Emily paid her an unexpected visit. Jacob had told Bella that Sam's imprint had asked to see her, but nothing had been arranged. She wasn't feeling that great or up for any company at all, but Bella felt obliged to see Emily, especially as she was offering the hand of friendship. Bella knew that her coming back to the reservation had caused friction between Jacob and Sam again and felt very guilty about that. If Emily was on side then it could help to repair the guy's fractured relationship.
"It's good to see you again, Bella." Emily sat on the chair next to the bed and took Bella's hand. She was having difficulty hiding her shock at how ill Bella really was. The girl looked on the point of collapse. "Are you okay?" She asked anxiously.
"I've been better." Bella tried to make light of it. Seeing Emily's horrified expression only compounded her despair at how bad she must look. "How are you?" She continued politely. As usual Emily was hiding her scarred cheek behind a swathe of hair.
"I've been good." Emily tried to smile but it faltered. Now she was here she was having trouble making conversation. She wished Jacob and Sam had made it clearer about how bad Bella really was. She felt awful for intruding. "Um…I brought you some of my muffins." She said desperate for something to say. Emily released Bella's hand and began to fumble with the plastic container she had brought with her. "Jake said you didn't have much of an appetite but you always seemed to love my muffins…so…" Emily's voice tailed off as she passed the plastic container to Bella.
Did she really expect her to eat these? Bella recoiled straight away. She couldn't help it. The muffins smelt awful. She couldn't imagine what they would taste like. But Bella didn't want to upset Emily, who was clearly feeling uncomfortable. She leaned forward and pretended to smell them. "Lovely."
Emily's face brightened. "That's good. Maybe you can eat one." She suggested hopefully.
"Yes." Bella said faintly. Her fingers shook as she picked up one of the smaller muffins and placed it near her lips. Emily was staring at her so Bella had no choice but to take a bite. She gulped, her eyes watering as the muffin touched her tongue. It was awful, it was so rank. Bella wanted to heave. But instead her nose began to bleed. The droplets of red blood splattered onto the back of her hand and she screamed in horror.
Emily was rooted in place, her hand flying to her mouth as she continued to stare at Bella in shock. The door to Jacob's bedroom was flung open and Charlie appeared. Billy was right behind him. Charlie assessed the situation within seconds. He ushered Emily out of the room so he could concentrate on Bella.
"It's alright, kiddo." Charlie cradled the back of Bella's head and gently pushed her forward. Billy passed him a clean handkerchief. Charlie dabbed at his daughter's face, trying to slow the stream of blood. Bella was hyperventilating with fear. "Easy now, Bells." Charlie soothed her. "Your old man will make this right. Just try and breathe, slowly."
Bella kept gulping in lungful's of air. Billy had been forced to leave the room to deal with Emily, who was having a meltdown of her own. Charlie kept talking to Bella like he would a wild animal. Slowly she began to calm down as the bleeding slowed. Charlie had removed the muffins and without their nauseating aroma Bella's sickness faded. "It's alright now, kiddo. It's alright."
"She's dying. Look at her." Emily's sobs came through the partially opened door. "She should be in a hospital."
"Be quiet." Billy scolded her.
Bella was shaking like a leaf. She gazed at her Charlie, stricken. "I'm scared, dad. I'm scared."
Charlie kicked the door closed in order to drown out Emily's cries. He pulled his daughter into his arms. "There is no need to be scared, Bells. I've got you. Alright, I'll keep you safe."
Moments later Bella slumped in his arms as her emotions became too much for her to handle and she slipped into unconsciousness.
Quil was absolutely devastated. Once he had learned through the pack mind link that the man he had thought of his grandfather was not Old Quil at all, he fell apart. As soon as Jacob had left the Cullens residence he had phased. He had called a warning to his pack. Some were already patrolling like Jared and Leah; they were the first ones to learn the truth about Taha Aki and his old enemy Utlapa. The others slowly phased in, with Sam Uley being the last. He had held back, feeling resentful that Jacob was trying to assert his authority again. But once he realised the reason behind the sudden call to arms his resentment faded away.
"Where's my grandfather?" Quil cried in anguish.
Jacob felt his brother's pain. He wished he could go to his friend and offer his unconditional support but he had a desperate mission of his own. He needed to get to Bella. Instead he showed Quil where his grandfather's truck was parked. Old Quil's body should still be inside.
"I'll go with him to retrieve the body." Leah offered unexpectedly.
This was a surprise to Jacob. Quil and Leah Clearwater were not particularly close in that regard. But he understood when he felt the rush of sympathy from the she-wolf. It had only been a year or so since she had lost her own beloved father, Harry. Even though the circumstances were not the same, Old Quil had been like a father to young Quil after the loss of his own. Jacob was glad that his old friend would have some much needed support that he couldn't give him right now.
Sam was all business. Jacob had replayed everything that had happened to him including his conversation with Carlisle Cullen. Uley knew that hindering Jacob in his quest to save Bella would only cause heartache for all involved. It was time to offer his support and get over his resentment toward Jacob. This fight wasn't just about the vampires anymore, or Bella's past choices. Now it involved their own. Taha Aki and his old rivalry with Utlapa was the focus of this battle.
"Go and get Bella." Sam said to Jacob. It wasn't an order. It was a simple statement. "I'll take the others and we'll keep guard over the Cullen's. We'll make sure that Carlisle Cullen keeps his word."
"Thank you." Jacob said simply. He looked at each wolf in turn with dark eyes full of gratitude. No more needed to be said. The pack separated into three groups. Sam led one toward the Cullens mansion, while Quil and Leah went to find Old Quil's truck. Jacob was the only one who headed back to the reservation as he hurried home to fetch Bella.
It was a hysterical scene that greeted Jacob when he returned home. He could hear Emily's cries and frantic sobbing. Billy was trying to quieten her down. Jacob's heart rate ramped up as he realised something had happened to Bella in his absence. He burst into the house, nearly skidding down the narrow hall in his haste to get to his love. His sudden appearance had one good effect. It shut Emily up. Her cries lessened when she saw him sprint past her and into his room. Jacob found Charlie cradling Bella's limp body in his arms. Her head lolled on her father's shoulder, while Charlie stroked her thick hair back from her face. Bella's body was caked in a cold sweat.
"She passed out a few seconds ago." Charlie said in despair. "I can't delay anymore, Jake. I am going to take her to the hospital."
Jacob hunkered down next to Charlie. He tried to appear calm even though he felt far from it. He could smell the metallic aroma of the blood. His keen hearing caught Bella's heart rate spiking. It beat sluggishly in her chest. She was weakening. He hid his own rising panic and spoke to Charlie steadily.
"I'm going to get Bella some help."
"How?" Charlie clutched Bella closer.
"You have to trust me, Charlie." Jacob gazed at the older man earnestly, begging him silently to place his faith in him once again. This was a big ask. Charlie was dealing with things he didn't understand and had no knowledge of. He had been letting Jacob take the lead all along.
"Charlie, please." Billy added his pleas to his son's. "There is so much you don't understand." He took in a quavering breath. It was now or never. Jacob hadn't had time to fill his father in on the latest turn of events, but Billy knew it was time he told Charlie the whole truth.
Charlie was in an agony of indecision. He looked between Billy and his son. Bella felt so light and fragile in his arms. She was his only child. He had just gotten her back. His head was telling him to race her to hospital right now while his heart was telling him the opposite. "I can't lose her." He whispered hoarsely.
"I won't let that happen." Jacob vowed as he reached out and gently eased a comatose Bella out of Charlie's arms.
Charlie finally relinquished his hold. He watched with frightened eyes as Jacob cradled Bella against his chest and hurried out of the room. Billy rolled his chair further into the room and placed his hand over Charlie's. "Come on Chief, we need to talk." He said huskily.
The sweet fragrant smell of burning greeted Jacob as he approached the Cullen mansion cautiously. Even though he wasn't phased he could sense his brothers nearby. He was thankful for their solid presence because inside his heart was breaking. Jacob was being forced to place his faith in his arch enemies, again. He was second guessing himself at every turn. His promise to Charlie weighed heavily on his mind, as well his grief over Bella. He loved her so much. He couldn't lose her. Not now. He found Carlisle Cullen waiting for him on the grandiose steps leading up to the front entrance. The coven leader's face was grim. Jacob could guess why. His eyes travelled to the rising smoke coming from the back of the large property. He didn't comment on it. Edward Cullen was far from his mind as he greeted Carlisle curtly and carried Bella inside.
Esme Cullen was fluffing up some feather pillows she had laid on the opulent leather sofa which resided in the open plan lounge area. Like Carlisle her expression was downcast, her eyes heavy with sadness. She motioned for Jacob to lay Bella on the soft couch. He did so very carefully, and then knelt beside her, holding onto her hand.
"Can I offer you a drink?" Esme asked politely.
"No." Jacob scowled.
Carlisle saw his mate's face fall. He touched her cheek gently before gesturing for her to leave him and Jacob alone. Esme lowered her eyes and immediately complied. There was nothing more she could do here. Carlisle returned his attention to Jacob. "I have been going back through my…his research." His jaw flexed as he spoke about it. "A lot of it is the ravings of a mad man."
"Did you have no comprehension of what you were doing to Bella?" Jacob demanded as he kept his gaze trained on her beautiful face. She was so deathly pale and still hadn't awoken from her latest collapse.
"No." Carlisle flinched. "I cannot describe what it was like to be possessed by him. He was so powerful. I couldn't…." He swallowed thickly as shame washed over him. "I don't think I will ever be able to forgive myself for what transpired while he was in possession of me, or what he put Bella through. As for my…Edward…."
"Don't mention his name." Jacob growled hotly.
"Of course, I'm sorry." Carlisle apologised. He sat down on a vacant chair and sighed. "Did Bella ever tell you about her time in Italy? Or mention the Volturi."
"I said I didn't want to talk about fucking E…"
"This is relevant." Carlisle interrupted him.
Jacob's eyes darkened. Just thinking about the time Bella had abandoned him to go to Italy to save the bloodsucker's ass still hurt like an open wound. "She told me the gist of it." He muttered.
"They were lucky to escape at all. Aro, Caius and Marcus are not known for their mercy so to speak." Carlisle continued bitterly. "It was their past association with me that swayed Aro and persuaded him to allow Edward, Alice and Bella to leave unharmed."
"Not without the bastards trying to use their powers on Bella." Jacob snapped.
"But they didn't work on her." Carlisle sat forward in his chair as he tried to get his point across. "It took me a while to understand why this was the case but after some research I came to the conclusion that Bella is a shield. That is why Edward could never read her mind either."
"A shield." Jacob echoed him, confused.
"Yes, it gives Bella an inordinate amount of protection. As a human it can only do so much. As a vampire…." Carlisle left the rest unsaid.
Jacob kept his gaze focused on Bella. Her chest was rising and falling slowly as she breathed. He longed for her to wake up so he could see her eyes, so he could hear her voice. "What has this shield got to do with anything?" He said thickly.
"It's the reason Cassiopeia hasn't been able to control Bella like Utlapa did with me. Your ancestor, Taha Aki, inhabited a body whose soul had already left. No human body is able to withstand the strain of two souls residing within, not for as long as Bella has. Not only that but she has been forced to endure unspeakable experiments, damaging her already fragile health." Carlisle's handsome face was pained. He paused for a few seconds. "Utlapa was doping Bella with a strong opiate. It was to keep Cassiopeia from using Bella to flee. But what he failed to understand was that Bella was always in control of who she was, though with her failing health it was a struggle. I assumed her loss of memories would have been due to the opiate, but I think it was because Cassiopeia was using Bella's fragility to batter down her shields so she could take over."
"I always told Bells she was strong. She would never believe me." Jacob caressed Bella's face with gentle fingers. He was sickened by what he was hearing. It wasn't only vampires that had abused the girl he loved but his own ancestors had played their part. He took a deep shuddering breath before he looked at Carlisle. "How are you going to treat her?"
"I can't." Carlisle's voice was full of sorrow. "I cannot do anything until we get Cassiopeia to relinquish her hold on Bella's body. Whatever treatments I devise will be worthless while she continues to drain Bella's energy reserves."
Jacob's eyes narrowed. "I'll get her out." He snarled angrily.
"Bella is not you or I, Jacob." Carlisle cautioned him. "We are supernatural creatures, Bella is not. Despite the venom and shifter blood that has been pumped into her body, she is all human. None of it remains. Her immune system recognised it for what it was and expelled the poisonous mixture through the pores of her skin. I think that was as a result of James' venom acting much like a vaccine would. Bella's immune system recognised it as poison like the first time and it reacted straight away to get rid of it." Carlisle couldn't hide his fascination with the science behind what had happened to Bella. He saw Jacob's eyes darken again and he apologised profusely.
"Then how do we get Cassiopeia out."
"I don't know. Appeal to her perhaps." Carlisle had run out of suggestions.
"That really worked with Taha Aki." Jacob growled. "He turned it back on me."
"Cassiopeia may prove more reasonable now she knows that her lover is back in the spiritual realm." Carlisle pointed out.
Jacob was disbelieving. "I highly doubt that. For all I know he could have taken possession of someone else."
"Your ancestors are powerful indeed." Carlisle said in wonder. He looked at Jacob keenly. "Perhaps they have become too powerful." He mused.
Jacob scowled. He didn't like what Carlisle was inferring considering the family of gifted vampires he had created for himself. "Remind you of anyone." He accused.
Carlisle flinched. "I get your point." He agreed stiffly.
Bella was beginning to stir. She leaned into Jacob's touch. He watched the blood pool into her face. For a moment her skin returned to its former creaminess. Jacob noticed Carlisle studying the phenomenon with interest. "It does that all the time when I touch her." He told the vamp doctor.
"Intriguing." Carlisle agreed. His expression turned serious as he watched Bella's skin return to its former translucency. "There isn't much time, Jacob. We have to get Cassiopeia to leave Bella's body."
To their surprise a cat like smile crossed Bella's face. She yawned, her eyes fluttering open as she stretched. She looked between Carlisle and Jacob as laughter bubbled in her throat. "It's a bit late for that." The voice that came out of Bella's mouth had a more sultry tone. "I won't be leaving anytime soon." She struggled to rise, her brow furrowing as her weak body refused to obey. "Your girl finally gave up the fight. This is my body now." She looked directly at Jacob. "I have already sacrificed myself and for what. I'm owed this life. It won't be long before Taha Aki comes back and claims me. You're too late, Jacob Black. This is our time to live."
A/N-thanks for reading!