A/N: The long awaited chapter is here, dun dun...(crickets play in the background) well, its here anyways.
A special thanks to: Bright Green Eyes, twilightgal, javajunkie101, Hannah, TwilightSnowStar, flonshoe, MissShakespeareJr., E2Bella, angelalways17, fane, Krista, professionaldooropener, LovingEveryMinuteOfTwiligh, ridiculouskopec, Jacobblacklover, pinkfroggy, anonymus, and Betrayed Innocence. A big thank you to all those that reviewed, you guys means SO much. I can't tell you enough. Without your guys' support, this story would have ended a long time ago because I would have become frustrated with it. But since you have stuck by it, we have got to see this story grow and thrive. Thank you so much.
A special SPECIAL thanks to: darkraven0, twilightgal, flonshoe, E.CxL.D, rippedskies, CJHayes, .sTrAwBeRrY.vEnOm., ForeverBitten, DarkyDearest, TwilightSnowStar, only as a muse, Jacobblacklover, anonymus, and Betrayed Innocence. Thanks guys for showing concern for me and my family/friends it means a lot. I can't express to you my gratitude for what you have done, by just emailing or reviewing and letting me know it was ok and that we were in your thoughts/prayers. And for all of those on this list, or those to whom emailed me (I won't put names since I don't know which ones would reach which story) this story is dedicated to you. if anyone does not appear on this list that sent me a review for this, then let me know, I did not intentionally skip you.
Disclaimer: All characters used in this story and major plot belongs to the talented author Stephenie Meyer.
Category: Books: Twilight
Genre: Romance/Drama
Summary: It was only natural in the end when he broke his promise, that I broke mine.
Dedication: To all whom have showed and expressed concern for my recent trials, this is for you.
Til We Meet Again
By: Dark Huntress
Chapter 6
"Carmen! Where did you put my CD's!" I yelled, hissing between clinched teeth as I rummaged through my sock drawer once more.
"I put them back where I was supposed to," she replied, stepping in through the doorway calmly and with the upmost grace.
"No, they're not, I don't see them," I cried, throwing the drawer from the dresser in a huff, scattering my unmentionables all over the floor.
"Yes they are, see?" she answered, walking over to my long-forgotten CD case that lay in the corner of the room gathering dust.
I looked where she was and gleefully shrieked as I saw my music collection displayed before my vision. Snatching them out of her grasp, I quickly flipped through them, naming off the titles of each one. Each one gleamed and sparkled, and reminded me of something most cherished in my life.
"Now you've got them all out of order, and in the wrong place," I whined, already starting to unload the large amount of plastic circles.
"What are you talking about? They are in the CD CASE, you know, where they're supposed to go," she pronounced, her words coming forth as if speaking to a small child.
"No, they go in my book case," I answered, pointing over to the empty shelves that had once stored my lovely music.
"And where does your books go?" she asked, staring at me as if I had two heads instead of one.
"Duh, by my bed," I said, pointing to the large towering stacks that lined my bed on each side and on the bedside tables.
Shaking her head, she sat on the floor beside me, watching as I took out each round disk and placed them before me. Ever since I had moved in here, I had picked up several odd little habits and organizational skills that were completely out of tune to normal anything. But living with two eccentrics, nosy best friend, and an over protective guy was rather difficult at times. I had a method to my madness.
Done with my CDs, I leaned back on the bed, staring up at the white ceiling, smiling faintly as I did so. Rosalie and Alice had left to go shopping in the local town a few miles away. Tanya and Irina were somewhere in the house, probably plotting my demise, note why I was staying hidden away in my room.
As for the guys, well, they were off doing guy things. I didn't know what, and didn't really care to tell anyone the truth, maybe Eleazar had talked them into fixing up some new car.
Stretching my legs, I looked at Carmen who in turn was looking around the room as if there was something interesting about it. It was a very quiet day, one I hoped wouldn't be disturbed by a couple hot headed vampiresses that thought they needed to seek revenge. Oh joy.
Speaking of which...
"Carmen, have you noticed how its been really quiet downstairs for awhile now?" I asked, looking at my closed door curiously.
"Now that you mentioned it, yeah," she answered, standing and slowly opening the door to peek out curiously.
Several slow seconds passed as she stood with her body on one side, and her head on the next, listening or watching, I'm not sure which. Maybe both.
"Bella..."Carmen whispered, her body going strangely tense and still as her long elegant fingers left indentions on my doorknob.
"What?" I questioned, standing up and slightly fretting behind her, unsure on what was going on and how to react.
"Run," she answered simply, and I took off, jumping through my window and into the sprawling timber behind the mansion.
Trees streaked by me, twigs hitting my marble flesh without hurting me in the least. Mud caked my shoes, dead leaves sticking in my hair as I ran. I could hear the silent crashing of others behind me, gaining distance as the forest blurred before my vision. How I was ever going to get away was beyond me!
A sickening crack sounded in my ears as I fell to the ground, rolling over and then jumping back onto my feat in one fluid motion. I watched as both Tanya and Irina stepped through the trees, their eyes black and loathsome as the former one tossed a rock with one hand. I could only guess that earlier their had been another stone in her hand.
Digging my feet into the ground, I wondered silently where Carmen was, but I knew I would have no help either way. No matter the friendship I held with her, she was still part of their clan, and I was leaving, she was not. She would stay in Alaska, I would move on with the Cullens when they felt it was time to take their life somewhere else. I hoped that was very soon.
"So, you think you can just come here and take away what we have worked so hard for," Irina sneered, her hand throwing the rock towards my face at amazing speeds.
I quickly sidestepped, hearing the small object hit a tree behind me, wood splintering in the air as it gave way under the huge force. Leaves fell in small tornadoes to the wet land below, landing silently as their lives ended slowly. It was rather sad if you thought about it in a poetic voice.
"We don't allow others to take what is rightfully our's," Tanya hissed, her black eyes flashing slightly as she opened her mouth in a feral snarl.
Looking between the two, I felt my stomach drop, I didn't want to fight, especially these two whom were much older and stronger than myself. They had been around for several centuries, gaining knowledge and strength that I could only dream about, I didn't stand a chance. I was alone fighting to women who were so filled with jealousy that sanity had left the moment they realized I knew their infatuation.
Stepping back, I felt the rough bark come in contact with my shirt, tearing it slightly, fraying the tiny threads. Taking a deep breath of useless air, I looked about, completely wrapped up in my own terror. I had just meant Edward once more, was I about to face certain death to have him ripped from my grasp again? Now that I had everything I ever wanted, was I to loose it all to these two?
Chewing my bottom lip, I watched in silent horror as they stalked forward, as if I were their prey to which they would feed. Moving to the right slightly, just far enough to get passed the trunk, I took off, racing through the trees hurriedly to escape their wrath. I was much faster than them, speed being a little perk that I took great joy in. I never had understood Edward's fascination with running til I had been turned as well, the freedom was exhilarating.
Trees blurred in my vision, yet I was in no danger of hitting one or of even making a solitary sound as I flew over the ground. Leaves didn't move, twigs did not snap, the only thing that seemed to acknowledge my presence was the crisp air that filled my lungs and blew my umber locks.
Looking over my shoulder, I watched for any sign of my pursuers, yet found no trace, or scent of their whereabouts. Skidding to a stop, I let the wind carry to me the scents of this lavish land, the scent of cedar, maple, grasses, and cold. It was quiet, the note of the forest a silent reassurance that sent me into a panic.
A bird sang sweetly, swooping from branch to branch as its tiny black eyes beadily stared at me with interest. As if sensing my predatory nature, took flight, spreading out his wings and soaring on the currents of his birth. The white world opened up before him, leaving me on the ground immobile with a haunting reality of what I was. I was stuck, and unlike him, I could not take flight from my enemies; he was free, I was not.
I fell to the ground, gagging as I tried to regain my senses and the breath within my cold lungs, momentarily disabling my nose. Looking around, I shuttered as I spotted Irina smiling an animalistic grin as she perched on a branch above my head. I stood slowly, looking up at her warily as I gently started moving backwards, never breaking eye contact. That is, until I hit what felt like a brick wall.
Two vice like arms wrapped around me, holding me in place as the vampiress from the tree jumped down before me. Her dark eyes glittered ferally as her pearl white, razor sharp, teeth gleamed happily. The pale flesh of her face shadowed by her hair as she stalked forward, reaching out at alarming rates to my neck. Grinning stupidly, she started squeezing, letting her manicured nails dig deep into my rock skin. Venom that would have been used on my prey, slipped out from the deep tears.
Hissing in pain, I glared daggers at her face, wishing I was free to tear apart that carefully dolled up facade of her's. A deep hole formed in my stomach before I realized what was actually happening, her hand painfully taking away the flesh that was almost un-penetrable. Gasping, I let a silent scream fill my throat, and escape in a great rush of unused air. I bit down harshly almost immediately after that, forcing myself to remain quiet and not give into the satisfaction of my captors.
Seeing this, Irina growled from deep within her chest, slicing my upper torso in spite at my lack of noise. Her fists tightened at her side before they firmed and she punched me across the jaw, throwing both her sister and myself backwards. Tanya hit the tree first, me following suit to only hit her. The tree groaned and fell to the ground, falling on top of us in the process.
The weight was almost unbearable, the great tree being one of the ancients that resided in the sprawling forest. Coughing, I looked at my body which was caught beneath the tree. The torn flesh in my abdomen was completely covered, my legs free as well as my arms and face. Looking around, I bared my teeth as Irina approached to look me square in the eyes.
I could see Tanya by my side, strangely calm yet I knew she was still alive. Looking at her more closely, I looked at all the different scathes she had on her body, mildly wondering where they had come from. No piece of wood could possibly penetrate any part of her body, there were very few ways to harm a vampire, even less to destroy one.
Looking at my own nails, I gasped, taking in the flesh beneath them in great surprise. At some time, when I had been hit and thrown against her, as well as when the large timber had fallen, I had somehow allowed my hand to freely tear up her form. She was in worse shape than I, how I had done so without noticing was beyond me. Of course I was more concerned with living than anything else, so it was a very possible thing.
Growling, I watched as the one still free knelt down before us, taking in her sister's appearance with mild surprise. A dark shadow passed over her eyes, her muscles bunching together as she readied herself to what seemed like to strike. She could easily destroy me as I lay so prone before her, a fear welled up in me so great, like nothing I had ever felt before this moment.
Closing my eyes, I called upon the only savior I could think of that would hear me, the only thing that I still had as an option. A great gust of wind blew through the trees hitting Irina and throwing her backwards. Lightning lit the sky that was once so clear, but now turned green with fury. A large bolt of electricity hit the trunk atop of me with such a force that the wood splintered, and I was freed.
Irina looked about wildly, her eyes wide with fear for her own safety, and yet, the danger of my own power took hold. Unlike others, who seemed to have complete control of their gifts, minus Alice, I had little once I was pushed into a situation. When it came to dangerous times, so desperate that I had to call upon the gift of the storm for protection, I no longer controlled it, it controlled me.
Fighting against the consuming wrath that encircled my heart, I fell to the ground, shaking my head back and forth as if it would dispel the terrible pressure. It did nothing, already the blackness of my heart grew, the taint of humanity disappearing to a dark and hungry roaring beast. All the sanity I still possessed was put securely behind an inner wall, keeping it out of reach of my body's actions. I was no longer in control.
It's a funny thing to be controlled like that, to see everything that is happening through your own eyes yet unable to stop anything that happens. Rain turned to hail and pounded down, shredding the leaves and twigs from the giant pines that towered above me. A feral snarl tore up my throat, leaving it bare and raw as the beast within me freed itself once more.
Chuckles of pure black poured from my lips, the thirst that was engraved in the mind of all vampires growing to desperate heights. If any mortal were to cross my path, they would be a sacrifice to the almighty monster of me.
Knuckles popping, I watched as my sharp nails seemed to feel even more deadly than ever before. My muscles tightened, my body launching itself at my former leader, her flesh giving away easily under my power. A gaping whole on her shoulder was the only thing left of her arm, the main portion thrown elsewhere in the forest.
I felt the anguish of the crimes I was committing, how could I do this to her? Even though she wanted me dead, how could I do this to Irina? A vampiress I had shared a home with for well over fifty years, a woman I had grown to cherish, even with all her annoying qualities. A person I had accepted as a sister, as a companion through the desolate years of nonexistence. What was I doing?
Thunder shook the heavens, rocking the ground til she fell on her knees, quivering before me as if I were some horrid goddess from mythology. Wind rushed pass me, pushing on her til she fell completely, laying flat and prone. The dark clouds rolled in turmoil, somehow acting unsure of their next course of action. Was I gaining back control?
Gathering as much inner strength as I could, I tried to move my arm, hoping with all my heart that the muscles would react. Deep heartache rang through me as the arm instead of doing as I wished, remained at my side, but my leg went out and struck the girl on the forest floor. My lips opened, and a chuckle fell forth, a husky one filled with malice.
Refusing to give up, I stared at Irina as she stood, leaning heavily on a tree, staring at me as if I were Armageddon itself. Rallying all the strength I possessed, I worked on gaining control, to obtain once more the body that was rightfully my own. My arms which were still at my side, remained still and silent, yet, with a renewal of hope, my finger moved without the beast's permission.
A blood rushing scream filled my throat, working its way out as I felt my eyes grow wide as if in great shock. My knees buckled beneath me, my body slamming to the ground, though I still sat upright. Head turned upwards to the heavens, I felt my skin burn with an ancient fire, the world around me crazily wreaking havoc.
Pain rocketed through my senses as I felt a stabbing sensation cut through me numerous times, the beast was leaving. Screaming in vain, I curled downwards, my forehead resting against my knees as my arms were crossed around my stomach. All my muscles contracted, my body feeling as if it were going to turn in on itself.
Blinking, I looked up, the lingering affects of earlier still scorching my spent and battered body. Coughing, I looked at Irina, a deep set hatred filling my veins, but not for her, for my own wretched self. I had destroyed everything, everything I had cherished for so long had fell under my hands.
Turning to where Tanya was, I felt hysteria fill me, a cry of terror and shock leaving me as I dryly sobbed. The tree was ashes, as well as her body. She had been destroyed one of the few ways a vampire could. She had been shredded by accident earlier on, and unable to free her arms to remove the tree from her torso, the tree had burnt slowly. The flames would have entered her body, eating her away. All because of me. I was a murderer.
Loud crashes filled the air, and I jumped to my feet, twirling around to face whatever was coming so rapidly this way. My legs shook, all my energy spent, if it was someone out to harm me or us, I would be of no use.
Five figures emerged from the trees, all stepping cautiously our way. Instantly I recognized the scent of Edward, my strength gave way. Falling, I found myself in his arms before I hit the ground, his cool breath unnoticeable to my equally chilled flesh. Everyone was surrounding us, faces of shock on all their facades.
"What happened?" demanded Eleazar, his dark eyes flashing as he took in Irina's appearance, whom he immediately supported once he arrived.
"Its my fault," I whispered, whimpering, I buried my face into Edward's chest, wishing that I didn't possess that power, wishing this was some horrid nightmare and that I was still a human back in Forks.
A look of dawning spread across his face, his eyes grew wide as hurt and betrayal mixed to form anger and pain. Never before had I been given such a glance, one that conveyed more than any of the hurtful phrases could. I felt my heart grow stiff with everything, it was all my fault, I would never erase the black stain of death from my hands.
He never spoke, but turned, his back towards us, leading Irina away from the aftermath of such a bout. I knew that he had come to the conclusion that Tanya would never be joining them again, that she had met a worse fate than that of her friend. He had glanced for several long agonizing moments at that fallen log right before all the pieces in his mind had come to a fit.
"You will pack your things, and leave immediately," Eleazar said, his cold words cutting me deep, deeper than any wound I had earlier been inflicted.
I let a choke come from me as I turned fully away from the three that stood, and completely to the one that knelt at my side. My home, my good friends, everything was lost because of a power I had no control over in situations such as that one.
"Bella, what happened?" Edward asked, stroking my face with love and devotion, he trusted me fully, and it broke me more than ever.
"I couldn't control it, I tried, I tried," I chanted, looking at the resting place of Tanya as if her ghost would rise from the ashes.
"Control what?" Carlisle questioned, kneeling down to gently rub a hand over my back, frowning as he took in my torn skin.
"My gift, I couldn't help it," I cried, looking at him, pleading him to understand what I wished not to say.
"Couldn't help what?" Jasper pressed, looking over his father's shoulder and deep into my eyes, his own orbs shining with guilt that was my own.
"I did that. To her and Tanya," I whispered, looking to where the two vampires had disappeared moments before.
"You couldn't have Bella, you wouldn't," Emmett disagreed, looking at me as if I had gone completely mental.
"No, I did. I was going to die, it was my only choice, I killed her," I moaned, pulling away from them all and rocking myself back and forth slowly.
"You're not making sense, tell me what happened," Edward's low commanding voice brought me to reality...partially.
"They came for me out of revenge, they were spiteful, they wanted death. I fought back, but they are old and strong, and outnumbered me. I was going to die, but the beast took over, I can't control the monster," I mumbled, hiding my face once more from their view.
"Beast? Monster?" Emmett repeated, his deep baritone shaking my already trembling frame.
"Its what happens, when the storm or weather take control of me, take over my body so I no longer have any say. My gift is too powerful for anybody, it's a curse. I call it a beast, because that's what I am," I replied, lifting my head to stare off down to a clearing where the gentle rain was washing the foliage.
"No, you're not," Edward said sternly, he pulled me to his side, tucking me away so that I felt as if we were one. "You're not a monster, you're my angel."
I didn't comment on his last statement, but I knew he was wrong. Nothing like I could ever be an angel, not with death on their hands.
A/N: Can you believe it? Only an epilogue left. Wow, it doesn't hardly seem real. Well, I stayed up really late to finish this, so please review.
Dark Huntress