A/N: I'm sorry this chapter is really long. I wanted to split it up like I've done to longer chapters before but there wasn't really a spot where I could cut it off without it being too short or confusing. So, I decided to just post the whole thing. There's also a teaser to the next chapter at the end of this chapter. I hope you're liking it so far! :)
10. Run
Suddenly, Edward stopped playing with my hair. The strand he was holding dropped and his hand lay flat on my back. His whole body tensed. I looked up at his face and he looked like he was concentrating on something, listening intently. Edward's jaw clenched and his hands curled into fists slowly.
"Edward, what's wrong?"
"He was using you." He whispered to himself.
"What? Who?"
"Elina, we need to get out of here. Now!" Edward said, pushing me towards the front seat. "I'll drive." He said. I crawled into the passenger's seat in the front and Edward went into the driver's seat. Edward sped out of the parking lot. Smoke emerged from behind us as the tires burned against the pavement.
"What's going on?" I questioned him.
"I knew something wasn't right with him. He was using you to get to us." He mumbled.
"Who are you talking about?"
"Jeff, he lied to you. I knew it. He always changed his thoughts quickly and thought about nonsense. He knew I could hear him. He worked at the hospital with my father to get close to him and to us."
"How do you know this?"
"He was on the phone with someone. He told them that he was close to exposing us, that he needed more time to get in further. The fight he had with you set him back. He's trying to expose vampires to the world, to destroy us."
"Oh my God. He knows I'm a vampire?" I said in disbelief.
"No, but he knows that you know us. I don't know how, but he's known since the moment he met you. He stopped monitoring his thoughts when you left, assuming you came to me. He realized you were still here and was about to come out to talk to you, to reconcile." Edward explained in anger as he drove.
I just sat there in shock. I always knew Jeff was too good to be true. His escapade with Kendra was miniscule compared to this. I felt like someone had just stabbed me and I was losing blood slowly, dying. A shiver ran down my spine. Jeff never loved me. He lied to me. He's a liar just like everyone else.
"Is he even in med school?"
"He is. I don't know everything exactly but I'm going to find out. Right now I need to tell my family and to get you somewhere safe. He will track you down, Elina. He won't stop. You have to get out of Port Angeles now, you can't wait."
The only thing I wanted was to get out of Port Angeles. Who knew it would happen like this? I didn't want this to be the reason for my leaving. Edward's life is in danger because of me. His entire family, the entire vampire race is at risk right now, all because of me. I was foolish to ever trust Jeff.
"There was no way for you to know." Edward said, replying to my thoughts.
"I could have put myself in his head, or looked into his past, but I didn't."
"Don't blame yourself for something you have no control over. We can fight this. I just have to make you safe."
"Me? What about you and your family? Edward, you're all in danger because of me!" I said, as he swerved into the side street leading to his house.
"We can defend ourselves. As long as he's away from you, everything will be fine." The car screeched to a halt and we ran inside. Edward called out to Carlisle and Esme. They appeared before us in an instant.
"What's happened?" Carlisle asked, noticing the urgency in Edward's tone.
"Jeff is working with someone to expose us as vampires. He was using Elina and his internship with you to get an insider's advantage."
"Are you sure?" Carlisle asked.
"Yes. I heard him on the phone with someone. He told them that he was close. He's trying to get to Elina." Edward explained.
"I'll gather the others. We'll leave tonight." Carlisle said.
"Leave? Where?" I asked anxiously.
"To Paris. Alice and Bella are already there. I need to call Alice. She should have seen this coming." Edward said angrily. Esme walked over to me and rubbed my back to comfort me. It wasn't really helping me. I was afraid and frantic. There had to be something I could do to stop Jeff. If I can get him to call of this mission of his then everything can go back to normal. I hurried to the door, hoping to get to my car before Edward could stop me. I turned the knob, opening the door. Edward ran in between me and the door, slamming the door shut so hard the glass jiggled.
"No!" Edward shouted. "Please, just do as I say and stay put." Edward pleaded, pulling out his cell phone to call Alice. Esme took my hand and walked me to the sofa. I sat down and fidgeted with my hands as I waited.
Edward came back in the room with a fury of anger.
"That damn mongrel!" He growled.
"What does Jacob have to do with this?"
"Alice didn't see anything because you were always with Jeff and Jacob has been following you around like a sick puppy. She can't see the werewolves or anyone with them. Damn it." He said through his teeth.
"I'll try to see where he is. Maybe I can get some information." I said, about to place myself in Jeff's head like I did with Edward before.
"Be careful." Edward warned. I smiled.
I closed my eyes, concentrating on an image of Jeff in my mind. I opened my eyes and could see a road before me. I was in a car and it was moving. I looked to my left and Jeff was driving frantically as he dialled a number on his cell phone. I listened.
"Yeah, I'm trying to track down Elina. She's with him, I know it." He said, pausing.
"I'm so close, Frank, I can practically smell the fire those parasites are going to burn in. They'll pay, just like my brother did with his life." He said angrily.
"No, they aren't on to me. Elina doesn't have a clue." He paused. "Yeah she knows what they are. The blonde one ran into the restaurant and dragged her out at that dinner. He wouldn't have done that if she didn't know." He paused again. "All I have to do is find her and get her to tell me what they are and we'll have them." He said, gripping the steering wheel tighter. He began to laugh. "What a stupid idea to hold a dinner when they don't even eat." I could hear Frank, the man he was talking to, laugh loudly through the phone. "She won't try to save them when she sees the monsters they truly are. Elina isn't stupid, she wouldn't risk her life for them." He said with a chuckle. "It won't come to that, Frankie! Even if it does come to that, no one is allowed to lay a finger on her. Understand?" He said defensively. I listened closer to hear Frank's response.
"You love her, don't you? You fell for her." Frank said.
"Nah man...what if I did? Does it matter? Forget this, Frank. I need to concentrate on the road." Jeff said, throwing his phone on the dashboard.
I returned to Edward to report what I heard. A single tear rolled down my cheek when I opened my eyes. Even though I knew Jeff lied to me, hearing it from his mouth hurt me more than anything else. I cleared my throat and looked up at Edward who was waiting anxiously for what I had to say.
"It's true. He's trying to expose you. He wants vampires dead because a vampire killed his brother. He's driving right now, looking for me." I said in monotone, still shocked over it.
"I need to get you out of here. If he finds you here, it's all over." Edward said, grabbing my hand and rushing me out to my car. He pulled my duffle bag out and then led me to the garage. He threw my bad into the trunk of his Volvo. Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper met us in the garage. Edward told them what was going on and what I heard from Jeff. Rosalie shot a nasty look my way.
"Every time Edward finds himself a human our lives are put at risk." She said as she stomped over to Carlisle's Mercedes.
"Sorry about that." Edward whispered to me. I smiled. Rosalie was right, anyway. I was putting their lives at risk. Edward opened the passenger door to the Volvo and I sat inside. Before I blinked he was next to me, revving the engine of his car. We sped to the William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles.
Edward and Carlisle went to the desk to get us tickets. As I waited with the rest of the Cullens, I had this itching feeling like I shouldn't be running this time. I should stay and do something. Jeff wants me right now, not the Cullens. If they go to Paris, everything will be fine. All I have to do is keep Jeff away from them.
"I need to call my parents, to tell them I won't be coming home." I whispered to Esme. She nodded and I went to the payphone that was straight ahead from where we were standing, behind a pillar. I put a quarter in and dialled the number to Jeff's cell phone. It only rang once and then Jeff answered.
"Elina! Where are you? I've been looking all over for you, I miss you. We need to talk." He said quickly, a bit pushy even.
"I know. I love you." I lied. I realized I had to choose my words carefully. If I so much as thought about the letter J, Edward would hear it and stop me.
"Where are you, I'll come and meet you?" He asked. I tried to confuse the sound of his voice in my mind.
"Uh, " I paused trying to think of anything around the airport that was close enough to run to, without being too close to the airport. And then it dawned on me: The Quileute Marina. Not only was it perfect, but Jacob would be there. "The Quileute Marina, okay?"
"No!" I heard a harsh whisper behind me. I turned to see Jacob standing behind me. I put my hand over the receiver.
"Jake! What are you doing here?"
"You can't go on the res, Elina. Vampires can't go there, it's a part of the treaty the Cullens have with our tribe. Don't meet this guy. Just go with Edward, do what he says." Jacob pleaded. This would give me away to Edward for sure.
"Jake, I have to try. They'll all die if I don't. It'll start with the Cullens and then every vampire will be in danger." I whispered, trying to think of something other than what I was saying. I could hear Jeff call my name through the phone.
"Hang on, Edward is here." I lied.
"Elina, you'll be in danger if you go to him."
"Jacob, what don't you understand? ALL of them will die. Edward, Bella –" Jacob interrupted me.
" Bella? Renesmee!" Jacob whispered, realizing the risks and dangers the Cullens truly faced.
"Yes. Please, help me." I pleaded.
"Okay" Jacob agreed reluctantly. "Tell him to meet you at the boat yard."
"Sorry, meet me at the boat yard." I said.
"I'm on my way." He said before hanging up.
I hugged Jacob. I was happy to see him after all of this time without him. Jacob smiled.
"What was that for?" he asked.
"I miss you."
"You do?" he said, his eyes lit up. "Elina I'm so sorry for – "
"Sh" I placed my finger over his lips. "It's okay. Let's go!" I said, looking over to the Cullens. They were turned in the other direction. Edward was talking to a receptionist, but every so often would tense and turn his head slightly, as if he had a headache. My plan was working and he was confused by my thoughts. This was our chance. I looked up at Jacob, grabbed his hand and made a run for it.
Poor Jacob was practically floating behind me as I ran. But, I had to have him with me and he couldn't exactly phase into a wolf in the middle of the airport. We couldn't stop now. He would phase when I got to the boat yard so that he could protect me if necessary. I noticed Jeff's car parked in the lot down Boathaven Drive and Jeff standing outside it, leaning against the driver's seat door. My hands began to shake, my entire body quivered in fear. Jake stopped me and pulled me behind piles of wood. He held my face in his warm hands and just stared at me. He kissed my forehead lightly and reassured me that he would be here. I took a deep breath and walked over to Jeff, my hands in fists at my sides.
"Elina I'm so happy to see you!" Jeff said, walking towards me.
"Don't. Just stay there." I said, holding my hands out in front of me to stop him from coming closer.
"Okay...are you alright? It's just me"
"I know...I just don't want you to come any closer, okay? I might...look into your eyes and forget why I'm here." I said, lying through my teeth. I didn't want him closer in fear he'd try to take me somewhere or hurt me. I had to take every precaution I could, I had to do this right. Jeff smiled.
"Okay, I'll stay by my car then." He said, backing up and leaning against his car again. "Elina, I love you. I'm sorry about Kendra, that was a stupid mistake. I want you. But you need to be honest with me. I've been honest with you since the beginning. You have to trust me for this to go anywhere. I can only go on pretending for so long. I feel like I don't know you." He rambled.
"Well, lately I've felt like I don't know you."
"What? How can you say that?"
"You've changed. You were so sweet when I first met you. Now you're so...aggressive. It's like you want something from me all the time."
"Yeah, I want you to love me like I love you."
"But I do, you know that." I said. Jeff was getting restless. "What more do you want?"
"I want the truth. I want to know everything about you and your past. Like this ex-boyfriend of yours. I want to know that stuff, to get to know you."
"Why are you so interested in Edward?" I asked.
"I'm just curious, can't a guy be curious?"
"He's Carlisle's son, what more could you want to know? He's not much different from Carlisle."
"How so?"
"What's with these questions? Are you digging for information or something? Tell me what you need to know and if I know it I'll tell you."
"Really?"
"Yes." I lied. Like I would expose the Cullens. Nope, not in a million years.
"Okay...look there's something about the Cullens, they're different."
"I wouldn't call a family with adopted children different. It's pretty common." I said, just to mess with Jeff's head.
"No, not that. Well, it plays into that but it's besides the point. They aren't... normal" He said, whispering.
"I don't know what you're getting at." I said. Jeff slammed his fist into the side of his car. I jumped back.
"Yes you do! You know! Please, just make this easier for the both of us and tell me." He said.
"Jeff, you're scaring me." I admitted, hoping he would calm down and let it go.
"I'm sorry, it's just frustrating that you won't be honest with me. I can't be with you if you aren't honest." He said.
"Why is it so important to you that you know whatever it is you want to know? If you told me, maybe it will narrow it down for me." I said, my voice trembling.
"Look, my older brother was killed a couple of years ago. He was murdered." He said, his expression softening as he spoke about his brother. "I was there when it happened, I saw everything. We were at a convenience store and Tim went out to the car to get his wallet. He was attacked and dragged into an alley behind the shop. There was a small window in the bathroom that looked out to the alley and I ran there to see what happened. These two people were feeding off of Tim. They were gnawing at his neck." He explained, taking steps closer as he spoke. I stepped back for every step he took towards me. I was getting closer to the wood Jacob was behind. "Vampires killed my brother, Elina. They killed him. He did nothing and they killed him." He said angrily. "Now, tell me about the Cullens." He said, teeth clenched together.
"I...I'm sorry. But, vampires?" I said, as if to question his sanity.
"Damn it, Elina just say it! Tell me what they are!" He yelled. An old, black car swerved into the lot and stopped next to Jeff's car, sandwiching me in. I began to step backwards, gripping the wood and reaching behind it for Jacob. He wasn't there.
"Look, we just want you to tell us what you know and we'll leave you alone." The man who stepped out of the car said to me.
"Elina, please. I don't want this to end badly." Jeff pleaded.
As I was backed into a corner, I recalled the fact that Jeff was in love with me, even though when he met me it was to get to the Cullens. He had fallen for me, shared his life with me and wanted to be with me. If he knew what I was, maybe he would call this off. It was a chance I had to take.
"Okay, Jeff. But I have to talk to you alone. And I can't do it here. Edward has probably already realized I'm gone. I'll go with you. I need to tell you something, but only you." I explained, aware that if I said it now, I could be killed by his friend. Jeff looked over to the other man there and nodded his head.
"Frank, it's okay. Let me do this on my own." Jeff told him. Frank got back in his car and drove away.
I followed Jeff into his car and waited for him to get in. Once he was in he locked the doors. I tensed. Fear came over me in an instant. I looked over at Jeff and was terrified of him. It was an odd feeling. Jeff had been my safe haven for over a month and now he's the one hanging my life, and the lives of the ones I love, in the balance. I looked out the window and noticed a large wolf standing behind the wood. Jacob had been there, he was just phasing. If I had waited a minute longer, I could have been saved by him. I pressed my fingertips on the window as we sped away. This would be one predicament I had to save myself from. I would end this now.
"So...Talk." Jeff said as he drove.
"It's...difficult. I don't know where to begin." I said, staring down at my feet.
"How about you tell me what the Cullens really are."
"No. This has nothing to do with them. What I'm about to tell you has to do with me."
"Look, I'm sure whatever it is can wait." Jeff said, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.
"No, it can't. You wanted honesty and I'm going to give it to you. But first I want you to answer a couple of questions honestly for me." I instructed.
"I don't have time for 20 questions."
"Do you want honesty or not?"
"Fine" Jeff said as he clenched his jaw.
"Do you think vampires exist?" I asked.
"I know they do." He said defensively.
"What do you know about them?"
"They're blood thirsty scum who don't deserve to live, that's what I know." Jeff said angrily.
"What if you met one who wasn't blood thirsty. One who could live among people and be normal?"
"It's only a matter of time before they kill someone. I would never associate with them willingly. They are all the same."
"Do you think the Cullens are vampires?"
"You tell me." He said. Jeff was getting impatient. "Are we done with the questions or what?"
I gulped. I still wasn't sure about telling him what I was, although I knew I had to.
"You love me, right? That's the truth. Despite everything else, are your feelings for me real?" I asked. Jeff placed his hand over mine.
"Elina, I do love you. I'll admit, I never meant to fall for you but I did. I fell hard. You are the perfect girl to me. I could spend forever with you. And I hope that, even if you believe nothing else that I tell you, please believe how I feel about you. Nothing can change that, okay? Nothing." Jeff was sincere. He would look me in the eye when he could, but would quickly return to the road. Despite everything he's done and despite the huge threat he posed to me and those I cared about, I believed him. I began to feel safe again. He wouldn't hurt me, even if he had to.
"I have a secret I've been keeping from everyone, not just you. It's not something I'm particularly proud of and not something I can really share. But I feel safe with you and like I can trust you. I've been afraid to tell you because I thought you would hate me or be afraid and stop loving me." I babbled.
"Elina, honey what is it?" Jeff asked. Suddenly the tone of his voice changed. He was rubbing my knee, trying to be comforting but he seemed anxious. He thought I was going to tell him about the Cullens. He was unbelievable, a true con-artist.
"You can tell me." He pushed. I looked out the window and watched as trees past by in the darkness. I stared down at the lock. If I could just lift the lock without him noticing, I could jump and run. I was such an idiot. Even if I got away, it wouldn't stop him from coming after me and the Cullens.
"What if I were a vampire?" I blurted out.
"What?"
"What if I told you I was a vampire? Would you still love me?"
"What kind of question is that?" He said, as if disgusted by the idea of me being a vampire. Well, tough luck.
"Just answer it." I persisted.
"I don't know." He said, defeated.
"Let's make this more realistic...I'm a vampire Jeff."
"No you're not. Your skin is warm, I've listened to your heart beat. You had an injury, so you have blood running through you. You are human." He said sternly.
"I'm half vampire. I have their speed, a special ability and their thirst." I said, still keeping it 'hypothetical'.
"Their thirst?" He said.
"That bothers you the most, doesn't it? Well, I feed on animals."
"Enough with these questions. You aren't a vampire. You don't know what they are like. Don't joke around like that."
"What if I'm not joking?" I said seriously. Jeff looked at me. "What if my father was a vampire and impregnated my human mother?" I said quietly.
"Elina stop it."
"Why?"
"Because I can't be in love with something I despise. If you are what you hypothetically say you are, then you're one of them."
"But I'm still me." I sad, hurt that despite everything, he would see me as a vampire and not as who he fell in love with.
"Do you remember that day I used your bathroom and I came out and I had a stain on my lip?"
"Yeah"
"The stain was blood. I was thirsty and went outside to hunt."
"Don't" Jeff interrupted. I continued speaking.
"And at that party, I felt thirsty again and had to get out of there to feed."
"Stop it."
"The thirst is new to me. I didn't know what I was until recently. I found out who my real parents were and realized what I could do. But with that, I unlocked the thirst that I had suppressed my entire life."
"Enough." Jeff said angrily. I had to keep going, to tell him the entire truth and to make him believe me.
"At the restaurant when I saw the blood trickle down that man's hand I practically lunged over the table at him. My instincts take over when I smell blood. I tried to control myself and I held my breath until I couldn't anymore. That's when Edward saved me. He took me outside so that I could compose myself and then we went into the woods to hunt."
"Elina." He said in agony. "No." He whispered.
"I'm sorry. It's part of who I am. I'm still me, it's just I'm a bit special, that's all. If you can love me, Jeff, if you can see that I'm harmless...can't you see that in other vampires?"
"No, vampires are evil, bloodsucking murderers." Jeff said angrily, with a hint of sorrow in his voice.
"If you expose vampires they will be destroyed. If you expose them, you expose me. I'll be killed."
Jeff sat in silence.
"I've never killed a human being and I don't intend to. There are vampires who don't feed off of human blood. You risk them all and for what? I'm sorry about your brother, Jeff, I really am but think about this, please." I pleaded.
"You aren't a vampire." Jeff said sternly, as if to convince himself.
"Please." I pleaded again.
Jeff was about to speak when a body slammed into my door. It was Edward. He pounded on the window so hard it broke. Jeff stabbed the keys into the ignition in a hurry to start the car.
"Elina get out! Now!" Edward yelled. I unlocked the door and took his hand. Jeff was about to step on the gas pedal when he saw me get out of the car with Edward, a full out vampire. Jeff stepped out of the car, slamming his door.
"Edward wait." I said, tugging on his arm. Edward stood in front of me protectively.
"Leave her alone." Jeff said.
"Don't you ever come near her again. If you so much as hurt a hair on her head –"Edward threatened.
"I would never hurt her." He said defensively. "It's you and your kind I hate." Jeff said through his teeth. "Elina is our kind." Edward snarled.
"Edward" I whispered. He turned his head slightly towards me and then returned his gaze to Jeff.
"I know what you are! When I get the proof, you'll all pay." Jeff yelled.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Edward said. "Let's go." Edward took my hand and led me down the road. We couldn't run into the woods with Jeff there. Was he going to walk back to the airport? Jeff got back in his car and I was jerked into the woods by Edward. I was afraid as we ran. I knew Edward was angry and it was only a matter of time before he confronted me about it.
When we reached the airport Edward gave me a plane ticket and we boarded a plane to Paris, France. I could see his family seated together near the front of the plane and was walking towards them when Edward grabbed hold of my hand. He pointed to two seats towards the back of the plane and I obliged reluctantly. I'm in so much trouble right now. As I sat there, staring out my window I remembered Jacob at the boat yard.
"Jacob!" I whispered
"He's coming, don't worry." Edward said, clearly angry.
"Edward, I –"
"How could you be so reckless? I told you to stay put and what do you do? You run right to the danger itself. He could have killed you, Elina. He wouldn't hesitate to do it if he needed to." Edward said, trying not to yell to loudly. His hand gripped the headrest of the seat in front of him. The tension in his hand made it tremble, as if he wanted to rip the seat apart.
"I'm sorry. I had to try. He knows I'm a vampire, Edward. He'll think about what he's doing and realize it's a mistake."
Edward's nostrils flared as he exhaled deeply. He didn't believe me. He was too angry to be reasonable and consider that what I did was helpful.
"It wasn't helpful. You practically exposed us all. He'll never stop, Elina. Don't you understand that? He wants to avenge his brother's death, nothing will stop him. Not even you."
"Edward, he loves me. It's a shock to him now but when he accepts that I am a vampire he won't risk my life."
"No, he'd spare you."
I closed my eyes to see into the future and to show Edward that my plan would work. I focused on Jeff, yet my vision brought me to the Cullen house. I was in the living room with Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Emmett and Edward. There was a sixth vampire with us, a man, that I wasn't familiar with. His back was turned to me, so I couldn't see exactly what he looked like.
"No." I heard. It sounded like Jeff. I looked past the vampire standing before me and saw Jeff with an expression of shock on his face. "Tim...no" He repeated. I stepped out from behind the vampire that stood before me and looked at his face. His features were similar to Jeff's, except he was a bit taller than Jeff. His hair was short and jet black, his eyes were golden. He wore a light blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and black slacks.
"Don't be afraid." The vampire said. His voice was deep and a little raspy. I felt a cold hand grasp my arm and turned to see Edward, holding on to me.
I opened my eyes and looked down. Edward's hand was gripping my arm, just as he was in my vision. It was odd that he could do that; control himself within a vision. I dismissed it and returned to my thoughts to what we had just witnessed. The new vampire at the Cullen's house was the key to everything.
"Edward, did you see him?" I asked, eager for his response.
"Yes."
"He's the answer to all of this. We have to find him."
"It'll be difficult to track him down." Edward said.
"I know, but we'll find a way. There has to be someone who's seen him or knows of a Tim Dobson."
"I have to speak to Carlisle." Edward said as he rose from his seat, taking one next to Carlisle.
I stared out the window and watched rain drops as they trickled down the glass. I felt warmth radiate from someone who had plopped down beside me and knew instantly who it was. I smiled to myself and turned to see Jacob's warm, inviting face. I placed my hand on his cheek and smiled. We looked into each other's eyes adoringly. Jacob's smile spread across his face and I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of it. I loved him. I forgot about everything else. I forgot about the imprinting, his attack on Edward resulting in what is now the large scar at my side, Jeff and his vendetta against vampires...all of it was erased at the sight of Jacob's smile. I was so lost in Jacob's eyes that I hadn't noticed Edward standing in the aisle watching us. I could feel his eyes burn into me and turned to look at him, my hand moving down to Jacob's and my fingers intertwined with his. Edward looked like he was in pure agony. I looked at Jacob and he understood that he had to move to another seat. He sat in the seat in front of me, turning his body towards me and reaching his hand in between the seat and the window so that he could hold mine. Edward sat down next to me
"Hi" I said quietly. Edward nodded. "Are you alright?" I asked, placing my free hand over Edward's. It was strange, the contrast between Edward's ice cold hand and Jacob's extremely warm hand. The feel of both of them at the same time was awkward. I loved them both. I loved the icy cold of Edward's touch when it sent shivers jolting through me. I loved Jacob's touch and how his warmth made me tingle. Both intensities at the same time was like taking a drug and falling into an abyss of ecstasy.
"I miss my Bella." He said bluntly. " As similar as you are to her, you don't compare to her. No offence. All of this time away from her has been difficult. I need her." Edward said, his voice gut-wrenching.
"I know. You'll be with her soon Edward." I reassured him.
"Carlisle thinks we can find this brother of Jeff's. If he was turned like you saw in your vision then he may have run into friends of ours at one point or another. He's going to contact the Denali clan first. You may have found a way to save us, Elina." Edward said, looking at me. Hearing those words come out of Edward's mouth was comforting, yet surreal. I was the one to save the entire vampire race. It was mind boggling. I loved it. Finally, I saved myself from a problem. I didn't need a knight in shining armour, this one was all me. I smiled at the thought of that.
"You should be proud, you know. If you hadn't been reckless and gone to see Jeff, none of this would be possible. While I still think you should have at least taken me with you for protection, I'm glad you didn't listen, even if it did put you in extreme danger." Edward rambled.
"You're welcome." I giggled.
"But you must remember the future is subjective. If Jeff's plans change or if something goes wrong, what you saw will change. We aren't safe just yet." Edward warned.
"I know. But I have faith in this. We can do this." I said, squeezing both Edward's and Jacob's hands.
The plane took off a few minutes later. The flight was mostly silent. Jacob and I stared at each other through the crack of space between the seats and the windows, still holding hands. I smiled, happy to have him back. This big, strong and extremely hot, Indian wolf-boy was all mine. Edward chuckled next to me when he heard that thought. I shook my head. I forgot: privacy doesn't exist when Edward Cullen is around.
We landed in Paris and were ready for business. When we all walked through the doors of the airport I felt like I was in some kind of movie. We all walked in a line, like a united front. All that was needed was bass-booming music and the mood would be set. There were amazing cars waiting for us at the curb. Rosalie and Emmett got into a burnt orange Lamborghini Murcielago, Jasper got into a grey Aston Martin Vanquish and Carlisle and Esme got into a black Saleen S7. Edward led Jacob and I to a silver BMW 5 series car. Each car was beautiful and unbelievably expensive. It amazed me how they were able to get their hands on these luxury cars with such short notice. I sat in the front passenger's seat, Edward drove and Jacob sat in the back. I would have gotten in the back with him, but something about leaving Edward alone in the front didn't seem right. I didn't want to make him miss Bella more than he already had.
We drove to the Hotel de Crillon and I was in absolute amazement at the beauty of this hotel as we drove up to it. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine staying at such a magnificent place. It had a historical feel to it, which I loved. We went up to the suite Bella and Alice were staying at. I was nervous to see Bella in fear of what she might say or do. We opened the door and Edward practically ran to her, holding her in his arms like on those shows where long lost relatives are reunited. He kissed her and she clung to his golden hair. Renesmee ran over to them, wiggling herself in between her parents. I smiled. It was a beautiful sight. Alice and Jasper were reunited as well. They both held each other and looked at each other dotingly. I felt Jacob's warm hand on my back and turned to him.
"These reunions are nice, huh?" I whispered. Jacob wrapped his arms around me.
"Yeah" He whispered back.
The mood changed drastically when Bella saw me. The look in her eyes was deadly, the golden color flickered in the light with a fury. I clung to Jacob in fear. Edward drew Bella's attention back to him and led her to the bedroom.
"I love you forever." He whispered to her as they passed Jacob and I.
"Forever." She repeated, turning to look back at me with a devilish smile.
The rest of the Cullens excused themselves and went down to the front desk to see about getting more rooms so that we could each have our own for the night. At first I was confused as to why they'd even need to get rooms considering they don't sleep. Carlisle explained that it would be suspicious if ten people stayed in one room. Plus, some of the couples wanted to be alone.
I looked to the balcony and walked over to the glass doors, opening them and stepping outside. It was a crisp evening. It was chilly enough to shiver a bit, but not bone-chillingly cold. I was wearing a light sweater, too light for this cold, yet it didn't bother me. I liked the too-cold feeling as it took over the warmth on my skin. For a moment, I felt like a real vampire. I loved the way my skin felt ice-cold. Jacob wrapped his arm around me, burning me as his warm skin came into contact with my now cold skin. He lifted my chin and pressed his lips against mine lightly. I turned, pressing my body against his chest and tugging on his hair as I kissed him passionately. It was such a perfect moment, the best I've ever experienced. Here I was kissing a guy, who is quite possibly the love of my life, on a balcony in Paris. It is the city of love indeed.
The moment was interrupted by Carlisle's abrupt entrance. He called out to Edward in urgency. Jacob and I returned inside to see what was happening. Edward emerged, bare-chested, from the bedroom with Bella, who's hair was tousled. One could only imagine what was going on in there. I smiled to myself. Things must be getting close to what it used to be for them.
"What's the matter?" Edward asked.
"I think we've found Timothy. The Denali's took in a nomad a few months ago. Tanya found him wandering and made him a part of their coven."
"That's excellent. Elina's vision will come true then."
"Edward, we don't know what will happen. Alice can't see anything because of Jacob. Elina has to go back and stay in the vision longer. We don't know how Jeff will react." Carlisle whispered to Edward. Edward's eyes flashed over to me.
"I can do it." I reassured them. Carlisle turned to me and smiled.
"We were only able to get three more rooms, two couples will have to share." Carlisle announced.
"Alice and Jasper will probably want to be alone." Bella said.
"Rosalie is adamant about having a room for herself and Emmett." Esme said.
"Jacob can stay here." Bella said, smiling at Jacob.
It's an understatement to say this moment was awkward. I wasn't wanted anywhere. I cleared my throat, breaking the silence. Edward looked at me apologetically, but he didn't say anything. Jacob wrapped his arm around my waist.
"I'm not going to leave Elina." Jacob told Bella.
"You both should stay." Edward said. Bella flashed a look of disgust to Edward.
"It's settled then. Elina, let us know what you see in the morning, alright?" Carlisle said.
I nodded and watched as they left the room. The tension in the room was almost unbearable. This hatred Bella has of me has to stop. I would not go on with her plotting my death any longer.
"Bella, can we talk?" I asked.
"Go ahead." She nodded.
"The balcony?" I suggested. Bella led the way.
"What do you want?" She asked, annoyed.
"Why do you hate me so much?" I asked, somewhat knowing the answer. I had to hear it from her, to know the exact reason so that I could clear up this mess.
"Because Edward is mine and he's drawn to you. He is my life and you took him away from me. Everything that I was to him, you replaced and did better than I ever could. He was even drawn to your scent. I was his brand of heroine. Just me. Then you show up and the desire is even stronger. He took you to our meadow. He was falling in love with you. You can give him what I can't. You're still human, but you can still be with him as a vampire. You have it all. I had to choose this to be with Edward and what did you have to do? You just strolled right in." Bella went on. I stood there and listened to her. Her words nipped at my heart. I hated that I made her feel that way. I wished I could take it all back.
"And the funny thing is it's not even your fault." Bella continued. "You can't help who you are. It was Edward who fell for you. And when someone like Edward is right in front of you, wanting you, how could you not want him back? I hate you because you can be both human and vampire. You don't have to choose. You could give Edward what he wants, what he fell in love with me for. I can't be the human he fell in love with. I'm a vampire forever. My skin isn't warm, I can't blush when he runs his finger over my cheek. But you can. He doesn't have to be careful with you because you're just as strong as he is. I was weak when I was human. He could barely kiss me because if we went too far he could have killed me."
We stood in silence for a moment as I took in what Bella was telling me.
"Bella, I didn't mean to take Edward from you. I never wanted to do that and I still don't. I'm sorry for everything I've caused."
"Yeah, well that doesn't matter, does it? He wants you anyways, even if you didn't mean it." She retorted.
"You don't see it, do you? How much he loves you and how no one on the face of the Earth can compare to you...not even me. Edward said so himself, Bella. You are all he wants, all he needs. Edward and I are great friends and hopefully we can remain that way, but that's all. I love him as a friend. He's helped me through a lot, he's had a great impact on my life. But when it comes to you, Bella, nothing else matters to him." I reassured her. Bella looked into my eyes, but it wasn't with the fury from earlier. It was remorseful and thankful.
"I apologize for being so cruel to you. I just cannot lose Edward. I guess I just needed to hear all of that from you. My warning still stands, though." She smiled, although I'm not so sure she was kidding.
"So you and Jacob, huh?" She asked.
"Yeah...he's really something."
"He is. Take care of him. He really loves you. So if you ever hurt him, you'll have me to deal with." She warned jokingly, although serious.
"I will. How has he been this past month?" I asked, watching Jacob through the window.
"Honestly, he was pretty bad. He felt so horrible about what he did. He hated himself for a while. Then he saw you with that guy and it really hurt him, but he thought you were happy and that comforted him."
"I was so stupid." I whispered.
"We all make mistakes. Now is your chance to fix yours." Bella said, opening the door to go back inside. I watched as she sauntered over to Edward and jumped into his arms. They both returned to the bedroom.
I walked over to Jacob, who stood up when he saw me. I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck as I stood on my tip-toes and pecked his lips lightly.
"We should get some sleep." He whispered.
"I can't yet, I have to take a trip into the future first." I laughed.
"Ah, right...do you want me to wait for you?" Jacob offered.
"It's okay." I smiled. Suddenly I remembered my bag was still in the car and I didn't have any pyjamas. I hated sleeping in my clothes, but I would have to tonight.
"What is it?" Jacob asked.
"Oh, nothing it's just that my duffle bag is still in the car."
"Well, I think I can help you." Jacob said, pulling his brown t-shirt off. I was in awe of his bare chest. I couldn't help but stare. "Here you go" He smiled, handing me his shirt.
"Thanks" I said, unzipping my jeans and pulling my shirt off. It completely skipped my mind that I had a huge scar running down my side that Jacob would get a perfect view of.
"Oh my God." He mumbled. I looked at his shocked face and turned abruptly. "No, wait." He said, turning my back. He ran his fingers down the scar, closing his eyes and slowly opening them, kind of like what I did when I tried holding my tears.
"Jacob, it's okay." I said, trying to reassure him. "It doesn't matter anymore."
"Yes it does. Elina, I did this to you. Those are my teeth marks forever in your skin." He said, sounding disgusted at the fact that his teeth left scars on my body.
"I'll always have a piece of you with me." I said, trying to make light of a crummy situation. Jacob stared at the scar. I closed my eyes and placed myself in Jacob's mind to know what he was thinking in the silence.
'You disgusting dog. What did you do? I could have killed her.' Jacob thought. I opened my eyes, not wanting to hear anymore.
"Jake, stop it. You didn't kill me, I'm fine. It's just a scar. Please, let it go." I pleaded.
"I don't know if I can." He shook his head.
"Please, for me. I forgot about it already."I said.
Jacob removed his hand from my scar and turned away. I slipped his shirt on and shimmied out of my jeans. His shirt was humungous on me. The sleeves went a bit past my elbows and the shirt stopped right at my knees. He was standing with his back towards me. I wrapped my arms around him, crushing myself to his back. Jake placed his arms over mine and I kissed his shoulder.
"I love you, Jacob Black." I whispered. Jacob lifted my hands from his chest and turned to face me.
"I love you" He said, removing my hair from my face and smiled.
"I'll be in there soon, okay?" I said, not wanting to break away from Jake's embrace but knowing I had to. Jake nodded and went into the second bedroom.
Teaser:
"It's too late. They've got this place surrounded. They're going to burn it." Jeff sobbed.
"Who?" Tim asked.
"The hunters." Jeff whispered in fear.