Chapter 17: Wrong
When we reached my house Edward moved fast enough to open all our door and then stood to help me out. He was taking this servant thing way to far. He held out his arm for me to take then escorted me to the door, holding it open for us.
"You don't have to do this," I looked at him pleadingly. He smiled reassuringly at me.
"Don't worry," he whispered before brushing his lips against mine. How could he be so calm about this?
Charlie walked in wearing a black tux. "Edward what are you doing here?" he looked a bit panicked.
As my brothers explained I made my way to my room to change. You always had to dress up if Marleen called on you, as if she was the queen of all the world.
I searched through my closet for a dress I could not find. Maybe a dress will magically appear for me. A tap at my window made me turn to see Alice sitting on the sill, holding a small box.
"I knew you'd need something," she said when the window was opened. "I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen tonight. Things keep changing. Sorry, I saw a visitor but I didn't know she would put us all in a frenzy. I have to go. Here." She handed me the box and in a blink of an eye she was gone.
I stood there stunned for a second before opening the box. Inside was a knee length cocktail dress with spaghetti straps. It was brown with a black lace over lay. A rhinestone buckle around the waist. Man, Alice had style. There was also a pair of black slip-ons that matched.
I quickly changed and wiggled into the dress. To lazy to do anything with my hair I merely brushed it and left it down. I looked at myself in the mirror to make sure I looked presentable before heading downstairs.
Both Mitch and Simon were in black tuxes now too. Edward got the benefit of the doubt to stay in his normal clothes. His eyes wandered up and down my body when I entered. Even under the circumstances he still made my heart beat erratically. He came over and brushed his lips against the hollow of my throat sending shivers through me.
"Don't worry," he whispered against my skin. "Everything is going to be fine." For a moment I almost believed him.
I turned to Charlie who was sitting in an arm chair looking calm. "When are they suppose to arrive?"
Before he could answer we heard the sound of a car pull up. One could only guess who it could be.
"Why didn't she fly?" Mitch looked at us confused.
"Because she brought some servants with her," Edward spoke between clenched teeth. "Plus she didn't want to have to get dressed and everything here." That sounded like Marleen.
Edward opened the door when our 'guests' reached the porch, not needing them to knock. The door opened to reveal an attractive woman; not as attractive as Rosalie, however. She looked around late forties, but I knew she was centuries older than that. she had straight black hair flowing down her back. She wore a very ostentatious gowned, that revealed to much chest. I inwardly groaned. Marleen always enjoyed the spot light.
Flanking Marleen was three other Goras. Two were Elders and the third was Marleen's youngest son, James, who I didn't know very well. Behind them stood two vampires, the one I recognized as Thomas, one of Marleen's servants. The other one I figures was one of the Elder's but I didn't know her name.
Edward bowed the shocked looking people in. Marleen quickly arranged her face into a blank expression before entering with her chin held high. As she faced us my father and brothers twisted their hands as they bowed; a sign of respect. I curtsied until I was practically sitting down on the floor and stayed there until told other whys.
Just as my legs began to cramp Marlean ordered us to rise. Marleen's crisp voice brought back memories of a past life. A life that I don't want to be a part of any more.
"Mr. Swan," I didn't need Edward's mind reading ability to know Marleen was not happy. "You remember my youngest, James." James nodded at us and gave me a too friendly of smile. "And Hugo and Elliot. They are here to assist me." Both Elders came up and shook my fathers and brothers hand and kissed mine politely.
I noticed Edward stiffen and knew the reason. It wasn't something you ever got used to, seeing someone else touch your meleth. To you your meleth was yours and no one else should be allowed to touch them. You got defensive if others are even near them. I knew the feeling well.
"Please be seated." Charlie motioned to the many chairs in the living room. Everyone but the vampires sat. Thomas stood behind Marleen while the female stood behind Hugo.
Within seconds Edward brought out tea and biscuits that I didn't even know we had. Without a word he poured the tea, and with a bow gave the cups to everyone sitting. No one said thanks, but I gave him a small smile when he gave me a cup, to which he winked.
Marleen allowed an awkward silence to drag before starting. "What is with the slave?" Could she be any more blunt? It took all my will power not to slap her for what she called Edward.
Charlie stayed cool and answered her in a calm voice. "We realized that we did not know the human world that great so we captured a vampire to help us."
"You captured it," James sneer. Now I knew why I didn't know him well. He was an ass.
"As you remember, sir, that was once my occupation." Charlie answered calmly.
I snuck a guilty glance at Edward. Something I chose not to tell him and his family was that, before he met Renee, Charlie was one of the Goras who would find and capture vampires that would become servants. Edward kept his face blank and emotionless.
Marleen raised an eyebrow. "You haven't lost your skill?" She seemed generally curious. Not a good sign. Charlie merely inclined his head in answer.
Accepting this answer Marleen turned her gaze on my brothers. I felt sorry for Simon who was trying, and failing, to look not guilty. Mitch's face looked bored.
"I'm sure you are aware of why I have arrived." She waited for both my brothers to nod before continuing. "I did not exile you just so you could run rebelliously around."
Not entirely wanting to here any more I excused myself saying I needed the rest room. Edward held the door opened as I reached it. I moved close enough to brush my fingers discreetly against his one hand, needing the feel of his cold, familiar skin against mine. At the corner of my eye I saw him give a small smile, probably hearing my nervous heart.
I stood in the washroom staring at my mirror reflection, hoping no one got suspicious of my absence. I thought of only wanting this day to end so I could go to sleep in Edward's arms. Sighing I exited the washroom reluctantly.
As I turned to head to the living room I came face to face with James. Remembering my manners I gave a quick curtsy.
"Nice to see you again Bella." James smiled at me.
"Thank you," I mumbled uncomfortably. He was standing so I couldn't get around him to keep going to the living room. I sighed impatiently. "Can you move please, sir?"
He took a step closer to me. "Aren't you glad to see me?" he asked innocently.
"I hardly know you," I confessed. I really wanted him to move out of my way.
He took another step, but this time I retreated. "It's a shame we never spent more time together," he purred. Chills went through me.
I felt a wall at my back. I was trapped. "We should head back." I tried to make my voice steady.
James stopped right in front of me, his eyes traveling up and down my body. My mind screamed for Edward.
"I'd like to get to know you now." He caressed my bare arm. This was wrong. I knew the meaning behind his words and touch.
"You're not my meleth." I was starting to shake. This was wrong.
James merely smiled. "No one else needs to know that."
Before I could yell for Edward or even move James' lips were on mine. I completely froze. This was wrong. It was bad to even touch someone else's meleth, but to kiss them was taboo. I started to cry as I felt James' lips move against mine. I felt violated, unclean. This wasn't right, only Edward should be allowed to kiss me.
As quickly as James' kiss came it ended and a deafening growl broke through my ears. My tearful eyes strained to see James sprawled on the ground looking shocked and scared, and Edward crouched in front of me protectively, the growl still emanating from him. I couldn't see his face, but I knew his stone cold face was intent on ripping James apart.
Foot steps could be heard and the living room door opened. Marleen and Charlie stepped out first and surveyed the scene. Marleen stopped in her tracks and looked at me and Edward with wide eyes. Like Charlie did when he first saw me and Edward together, Marleen must have sensed our bond. Anyone could be able to sense it at the moment.
"This is your meleth." She spoke slowly and only to me.
I met her eyes and lifted my chin in defiance. I rested my hand on Edward's back to show the truth of her words. I didn't look at the Elders' shocked and curious faces, nor Simon and Mitch's worried ones. I looked only at Marleen's eyes that were filled with disgust.
She turned away from me and whispered something harshly to Charlie. I couldn't hear it, and Charlie's face showed nothing.
"James get up," Marleen ordered and with that swept out of the room and house, followed by everyone who had entered with her.
As soon as they were gone Edward brought me into his arms. I couldn't help but cry, my body shaking with what had just happened. Edward whispered words of love and apologies to me will he stroked my hair. He kissed every inch of me he could reach. I moved my head and captured his lips in a desperate kiss. I need his lips. I needed something that was right.
When I broke away to breath I looked at my family. Mitch and Simon looked like they had no clue what was going on, while Charlie looked at me with a pained expression.
"What's wrong, dad," I whispered. What else could go wrong today?
Taking a deep breath Charlie turned his gaze to Edward. "You should prepare your family Edward." He paused before continuing. "It seems the Swans are now at war with the rest of the Goras."
Hey. Website for Bella's dress is on my profile. I wasn't sure what to name Marleen's son, so I thought what the hell. The son is creepy, so is James from Twilight. They're a perfect match. Tell me your thoughts. Review please :)