AN- Sorry about the late update! Its been a crazy week XD I tried to make up for it by making this chap longer. Hope you don't mind. Thanks everyone for the really encouraging reviews! I'm having lots of fun writing this and as embarrassing as it is I must admit, I wrote the toffee episode from personal experience. Although it was my mum that found me not a shockingly gorges vampire (dammit xP) I lover you all! Please keep reviewing
Standard Disclaimer Applies Chapter 6. Battle Tactics"Victoria?" I felt myself go limp in his arms. Grateful for his support I leaned into his chest and inhaled deeply. Edward's sweet scent soothed my aching lungs, as I concentrated on my breathing, keeping it slow and deep. I was not going to let myself hyperventilate again.
"How…soon?" I whispered disjointedly, trying to keep my thoughts processing logically rather than letting the terror that was welling up inside me consume me. Her feline-like features and hair the colour of fire were all I could see, and I found myself clinging to Edwards light, tan, wool jumper for support. I was focusing so hard on my breathing that I barely realized how hard my body had began to shake. My knees crumbled and I felt myself fall for just a moment before Edwards stone arms caught me, but even as he lifted me like a child - with one arm under my knees and the other supporting my back – and held me closely to him, I could feel myself falling apart.
"Bella, it's all right. I wont let her hurt you I promise," Edward soothed, resting his cheek on my head. "If she sticks to her latest decision we have two weeks maybe more to prepare," he continued to comfort me.
"But we cant really rely on that," I muttered cynically.
"No," he agreed darkly. "We cant. Although she is a fair distance from here so we'll have a bit more time to figure out a plan regardless of what she decides. But I don't care what you say, this time I'm not leaving your side for a second."
I threw my arms around his neck feeling idiotic and child like.
"No don't leave me, please stay," I whimpered.
He sat on the bed with me in his lap, stroking my hair.
"Isn't that what I just said?" He teased, trying to lighten the mood.
We sat there for a few more minutes as I marveled at Edwards self control. Last time I had been threatened by a sadistic vampire Edward had transformed into a terrifying, lion-like predator. Yet here he was comforting me softly. My wonder was interrupted as Alice burst into the room, eyes wide and wild with terror. I felt Edward nod - presumably in response to something Alice had thought - and he stood up, helping me gently to my feet. He kept his arm firmly around my waist, reluctant to let me go as he could feel the tremors of fear still pulsing through me.
We followed Alice as she turned swiftly to prance elegantly down the stairs. I stumbled and staggered along behind her, my movements jerky as I fought to repress my fear. Edward supported me patiently and after what seemed like an eternity we reached what you would call the "dining room", although it was just a conventional prop, as the Cullen's never ate in the house. My future family sat somberly around the large, polished, oval table. Carlisle sat at the head and greeted our entry with a nod, before gesturing for us to sit down. Alice scurried over to sit beside Jasper as Edward held a chair out for me gentlemen like. I flopped into the chair just moments before Edward was sitting beside me. He took my hand under the table, rubbing soothing circles with his thumb, trying to calm me.
"Alright, now that we are all present let's talk," he began formally. "As you are all aware Victoria has made a decision that will lead her to Forks in two weeks. I don't recommend splitting up as it did us no good last time…however Victoria is working unaccompanied this time. Does anyone have any suggestions?" he queried hopefully. It didn't surprise me that Emmet was the first to speak.
"Well if she's anything like James she's an incredible tracker. She'll find us no matter what we do. I reckon the best bet would be to just stay here."
I felt Edward freeze beside me.
"And just sit here? Do nothing?" he exclaimed wildly.
"Yeah. Its not like we're going to leave her unprotected, calm down. Just hear me out ok?" He was laughing slightly as he spoke. This was all a big game for him. I wondered if he had ever tried his hand at tracking. Edward seethed beside me but didn't interrupt again.
"We have plenty of advantages on our side. We know her moves before she makes them; we have time to figure out a plan and as far as I can tell Victoria has no enhanced capabilities besides the ability to track people?" he looked to Edward for conformation. Edward nodded slowly, still unhappy as to where this was heading. "That's what I thought," he was grinning by this stage. "So I say we stay here. We can't hide forever and this sadist needs to be dealt with. So why not confront her head on. Go in for the kill."
I shuddered beside Edward, gripping his hand tightly.
"No, I don't like it. I don't think we should just sit here and use Bella for bait," Alice spoke before Edward's rage could erupt. "You're right, we do have time as an advantage, but we should use that wisely rather than waste it waiting. We should find a way to meet her halfway, find her before she finds Bella. If Victoria finds Bella its more likely that she will get hurt, or one of us will be hurt trying to protect her," Alice pointed out wisely. Edward threw her a grateful glance before agreeing.
"She's right. We have to find her before she finds Bella. Victoria is working alone which means splitting up wont be as dangerous. Even so we should only split into two roughly even groups."
I spoke up for the first time.
"Charlie…?"
Edward released my hand and put his arm around me trying to ease the panic he heard clearly in my voice.
"From what Alice saw Victoria doesn't plan to get anyone else involved. Charlie will be safe."
I felt an uncharacteristic confidence swell inside me. This was my future; my well being that was being discussed. I would not just sit here and let my fate be decided for me. I nodded as I processed that fact. Charlie was safe.
"Well as long as he's safe I'd like to keep it that way. I'll tell Charlie you're taking me on one of your famous camping trips and stay with you until this has all... finished. I don't want him to be involved or be worried over any extended absence this ordeal may incur. Besides staying with you is probably the safest place for me right now, if that's all right with you," I tagged on unsurely. I realized how rude I was being, inviting myself over. I was ninety-nine percent sure they would welcome me with open arms, but I felt impolite all the same.
"Of course Bella you're always welcome! It's probably better that we keep you close," Esme gushed lovingly. I was warmed and flattered by her loving words. Esme would be like my mother in so many ways when I joined the Cullen family. Fittingly enough I already thought of her as one.
"Thank you," I smiled at her. "And the Quileutes must be informed."
I had definitely shocked them with my last request. The room was enveloped in utter silence for a moment before Jasper voiced his confusion.
"What?"
I laughed slightly hysterical by this point.
"The werewolves have been hunting Victoria since spring break. They might have useful information that you could use. Besides, the packs main objective is to bring down vampires, they may be able to help us."
"Help us?" Rosalie scoffed. "They loathe us!"
As if I needed reminding.
"Which brings me to my next point," I stated simply.
"What?"
"We need to communicate with the Quileutes. They have already quite passionately displayed their desire to tear Victoria to shreds, and in relation to the treaty they are entitled to hunt her as she did kill on their territory. We must inform them of Victoria's plan and maintain a way to work together with the werewolves to kill her or else you may end up battling more mythical creatures than you bargained for." I realized how true the words were as I spoke them.
"What do you mean?" Jasper asked confused.
"I mean that you'll end up hunting one vampire and end up in the middle of a war between yourselves and the Quileutes. Victoria will take advantage of the chaos and achieve what she set out to do."
Carlisle nodded.
"She's right, the Quileutes must be informed," he agreed.
"Besides," I continued eagerly gushing. A new surge of confidence filled me now that I had Carlisle's reassurance. "If you want to attack her head on the way Emmet suggested-" Edwards disapproving snarl cut me off and I glared at him. "This is purely hypothetical at this stage. I did say if you decide on that plan. Hear me out." Edward looked angry but nodded for me to continue. Where was I?
"If you chose Emmett's strategy then you would have to ask the Quileutes to stand down their guard. If they let Victoria slip through their line of defense maybe they could herd her from behind as she moves towards us. She'd be trapped between you and them. Then you'd have a better chance of taking her down. Of course Victoria has attempted to get to me before so they would have to make it look as though they were trying to block her entry without actually doing so…" I trailed off realizing the impossibility of my plan. It sounded as though I were choreographing troops in a world war rather than suggesting strategies to take down a lone vampire. Emmett's laugh distracted me.
"I like it," he chortled.
"Of course you do, it's an elaboration on your plan," Edward hissed.
"But Emmett's right. Victoria worked with James, who managed to corner me effortlessly. In fact he brought me to him. There's no point in running or hiding. She will find me. You may as well stick with Emmett's suggestion. If you try to hunt her she can elude you, but if you have what she's after, if you stick with me, you'll have her trapped before she's even realized that your on her trail and you can end this. Once and for all."
It was obvious that Edward was not going down without a fight.
"Do you remember what happened last time we followed your suggestions?"
I shuddered recalling only too well the horrible time I had fled from James.
"Edward!" Esme exclaimed horrified. "Don't be cruel!"
Edwards's hard eyes turned apologetic instantly.
" I know! I'm sorry! I just don't want you to get hurt Bella! The idea of using you for bait just…just…" He ran his fingers through his hair as he spoke before trailing off. " I love you," he explained, looking deep into my eyes. I entwined my fingers with his, staring back intensely, begging for him to understand.
"I love you too. But as long as Victoria is alive she is a threat to our survival. We have to stick to a plan that is guaranteed to destroy her or we'll be living in fear for the rest of our…existence."
"Your plan depends on a lot of things Bells. Do you honestly think the Quileutes will cooperate with us?" he asked, though his voice rang with defeat.
"I know that it would be in our best interest to try and acquire the werewolves allegiance. If we can't communicate with them we have already lost," I pointed out quietly. He sighed. Every eye at table focused on Carlisle's calculating expression. His approval was crucial at this point.
"Well," he began thoughtfully. "Its obvious that we should deal with Victoria while we have the chance. And your strategy does seem rather thorough…. We have two weeks and whilst we shouldn't waste our time we shouldn't rush into a plan that may prove faulty either. We should all begin making preparations now and meet again tomorrow when we have organized all that we can. Bella, I want you to go home to Charlie for tonight, though of course Edward will stay with you."
Edward nodded.
"We can't steal you away at this late hour, but you should return as soon as possible, say early tomorrow morning? I'll call Charlie tonight and convince him to let you come. In the meantime I suggest you contact the Quileutes. Explain the situation and your plan. And take note of anything they points out, object to or suggest. When we have you safely here with us tomorrow we will continue planning with the Quileutes before reconvening to refine our plan. Any questions?"
Everyone shook their head before sinking into an awkward silence. It was obvious that they were all unsure as to how they should excuse themselves. Finally, Edward sighed and stood to his feet. Still holding my hand he helped me up.
"Come on, let's get you home," he suggested, his voice was strained as he considered the imminent danger before us. I thanked everybody for their support and Esme appeared beside me in a flash. She hugged me fiercely as I turned to leave.
"Take care Bella dear," she almost pleaded, pecking my cheek lightly, and with that Edward whisked me to his car and began going through the motions of driving me home. He seemed almost absent, and I attempted to coax him from his withdrawn silence, asking for details I desperately needed to know. Needed, but didn't want.
"Why did Victoria make her decision two weeks in advance? Why isn't she starting her hunt right away?" I asked quietly. He sighed as he contemplated his response.
"She's making…preparations," he said awkwardly. My intuition flared. He was keeping something from me.
"Preparations?" I probed.
Edward dissected my expression before exhaling loudly. Evidently he had decided to be honest.
"Let's just say quick and painless isn't the kind of death Victoria has planned for you," he explained darkly.
I gulped down the sudden lump in my throat and reconsidered my further questioning. Did I really want to know?