Blasphemy

Part XI

Okay, so I had a problem. Ethan was trying to control me. Now, looking back, I realize how brainless I was. The solution was just so simple. But in moments of panic, I tend to overlook the obvious.

No one had noticed that he was trying to control me. Of course, it wasn't a very time consuming effort; he would be done any second now, and then move to controlling my brothers and sisters. I was shaking, trying to get a grip on myself. All I could think to myself was how idiotic I had been. I took a deep breath, and was able to think clearly. Oh, well, duh, I though to myself, and quickly put walls up in my mind. I glanced at Ethan and smirked at his shocked expression.

He quickly recovered, and turned his gaze on Edward, only to frown and shake his head. He glanced at Emmett, unsure, and let out a sigh of frustration. He glanced at Esme now, and my smile faded. She cried out in pain and fell on the ground. Dammit, I thought to myself. The family had frozen in place, staring. I wondered whose walls to take down for the time being. Obviously not mine. I decided on Emmett's, and blocked Esme's mind. She jumped up immediately, threw a fleeting, thankful smile towards me, and was off.

"This'll be a bit of a challenge," I murmured quietly to no one in particular. I examined the clearing we were fighting in for the first time. We were in a large, oval, uneven clearing with forest encircling us on all sides. Boulders of all sizes jutted out from the ground in various places, and I noticed in some trees there were giant holes. I suppressed a laugh. Victoria hadn't come running back from the last time I'd thrown her, so I guessed she was unconscious.

Now I was uncertain what to do. I was supposed to cover everyone else, but how could I do that if I could only block three minds? I weighed the options. I could stay out of all the experienced vampires' way; maybe help some of my family out from a distance. That was quickly ruled out. I could go and fight one of them; I nearly laughed at the thought. I settled with trying to put more barriers up in more peoples' minds. I can do this, I thought to myself, though a more pessimistic voice in my head objected. I ignored it.

I looked around for who I should block. I decided Carlisle seemed pretty important to stay in his own control. He was still pinning my father down, and I caught his eye. I motioned for him to move, and he obeyed. Charlie got up quickly to attack, but ran headfirst into the newly formed obstruction. I smirked as he tried to get out of his box. That would keep him out of trouble. Carlisle quickly ran off to fight; the others would need all the help they could get.

I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, trying to harness more power. I felt a bit more come to me, and I worked on setting up a blockade in Carlisle's mind. It took a little longer than usual, with me stretching my powers, but I managed to without Ethan taking over him. He must've noticed; he shot me an appreciative glance.

I choked down laughter when I saw Edward jumping up and down on Ethan. He, apparently, had been fighting with him since the first time he went invisible, though Ethan had given up on that power for now. Carlisle and Emmett were standing over them, Emmett torn between delight and anger, no doubt wanting a piece of our enemy himself. I turned halfway around to see Rosalie and Alice easily handling one of the blonde vampires; the other blonde had disappeared. Jasper and Esme were off in the distance, very violently ripping the short, auburn haired vampire. I shuddered and looked away quickly, scanning the horizon for Victoria. I assumed someone had gotten to the other blonde; that or he was merely a coward. I chuckled darkly to myself.

I ran over to Edward, not quite sure what to do now. He was still beating Ethan up, apparently enjoying himself. He didn't seem to be in any condition to control any of my family, which I was grateful to; I wasn't sure if my power could stretch anymore for the time being. Edward looked up when I approached. To my surprise, he and Ethan were laughing, just as I would have imagined they would in their human years. I looked at him quizzically. He smiled.

"Ah, Ethan, you have not changed over the decades," he said, looking at his brother now. His tone was odd, a mix between amused and bewildered.

He laughed at that. "Nor have you, little brother." I bit my lip to stop from laughing at that. Why was that so funny to me? Oh, right, because he was about a century old. Edward looked up at me now, his smile apologetic.

"Bella seems confused," he commented to his brother. I noticed neither of them was fighting, and Emmett had gone off to help Alice and Rosalie dispose of their opponent. Ethan smiled at me.

"Of course she is," he mused. "As am I, my brother." Edward nodded. I was getting really frustrated now. Of course, Edward wouldn't tell me anything yet. He was always so cryptic. He couldn't just come out and tell me.

I sighed. Edward and Ethan laughed simultaneously. My eyes narrowed. The rest of the family appeared beside us. Carlisle looked curiously at his son. He shook his head and chuckled. I glanced around me again, and noticed none of Ethan's coven was around; I saw some smoke in the distance, and I shuddered.

"Carlisle?" I asked, a thought suddenly coming into mind. "Can I let my father out?" I peered out of the corner of my eye at the clearly frustrated Charlie still pounding on the box that contained him. Carlisle nodded.

Edward eyed Ethan quickly, and he nodded. As I let down the force field, Charlie's eyes flashed oddly, and his face went blank. His frustrated look melted into confusion. Ethan had left his mind.

I turned to Carlisle immediately. "How much does he know?" I asked him frantically; I'd rather not explain to my father about vampires. Carlisle realized where my thoughts had gone. He turned to Ethan, eyebrows raised.

"Your father was changed about a day after you left," he mused. "The female came to me, saying it would be an easy way to get to you. None of us realized of your interesting talent," he muttered, amused. "I explained everything to him, but I controlled him right after, so his memory may be a little spotty." I nodded, suddenly feeling weak.

Charlie strolled over to us, looking dazed. I walked up to him, unsure. He smiled at me awkwardly, and pulled me into a one-armed hug, much like when I first arrived in Forks. He half-glared at me now, obviously wanting some explanations. Later, I mouthed. He nodded. I sighed then, and turned to Edward.

"You're not going to tell me anything, are you Edward?" I asked him in defeat. He smiled crookedly in response.

"Not yet," he said in his musical voice. "You'll all understand in due time." The whole family's faces must have mirrored my own -- anger, confusion, and skepticism. He seemed endlessly amused by this. "But I will tell you all one thing," he said, his tone serious. "Ethan is…possessed."