A/N: I apologize this chapter is quite a bit shorter than usual. This chapter clarifies who the hunters are and sets things in motion. So, enjoy! A much longer chapter will be up very soon. Please don't forget to review :) PS: I italicized the beginning because it's a vision so it's easier to differentiate. I won't italicize all of her visions, but considering this one opens the chapter I just thought it'd be easier and you'd know it's a vision.
11. The Hunters and the Hunted
I was alone in the living room. I sat down on the sofa and cleared my thoughts, concentrating on the future. I was back at the Cullen house and the vision I had on the plane was repeating itself, except Edward didn't take me out this time. He stood next to Bella with Renesmee between them. I noticed something that I hadn't noticed before in the window that overlooked the driveway. Frank was standing outside in front of his car, a gun visible from behind his belt. It didn't make sense, though, because a gun could do no harm to a vampire.
And then I saw myself trapped in Frank's car, struggling to find a way out. I returned to the living room to Jeff and Tim.
"Jeff, it's okay. Honestly, I'm happy now. I found the love of my life and I'm happy. You have to let this grudge go, man. I'm alive, so to speak. You don't need to do this." Tim told Jeff.
"Tim...why didn't you come to me to let me know?" Jeff said, still in shock.
"The thirst was undeniable at first. It would have been too risky. But I've got it under control now, Irina and the rest of the Denali coven have helped me in tremendous ways."
"What's it like?" Jeff asked.
"Now it's incredible. I'm strong and healthy. I've got eternity to do whatever I want. It's really something, bro." Tim smiled, proud of what he was. "It's like this was meant for me. I've never been happier."
"Tim, I'm so sorry." Jeff said, tears began to fall from his eyes.
"For what? You haven't done anything." Tim said, confused.
"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.
I returned outside to where I was being held captive and was stunned at the sight outside the Cullen house. Black cars and a couple of SUVs surrounded the house. Large men dressed in black slacks and black t-shirts held gasoline and large boxes of matches. I looked over to myself screaming in the car. My hands were cuffed and my ankles were tied up. I still kicked and screamed, hoping someone would hear me. I returned to the house where the Cullens, Jeff and Tim tried to come up with a plan to escape. They could make a run for it, but it would only prolong the chase. Jeff stopped them as they all prepared to run out from the back door.
"They have Elina! They'll kill her if you run." He said.
"No!" Edward shouted. He refused to leave without me.
"Edward, we have to." Bella pleaded.
A gunshot went off outside and I returned to see what had happened. Frank had shot Jacob in his wolf form right outside the door from the car I was in. The window was smashed and pieces of glass glistened in Jacob's fur. Frank gathered the men at the front of the house to a nearby SUV. I saw myself crying over Jacob. I suddenly stopped as I wiggled out the window on to Jacob's back. Jacob got up and ran. Gunshots followed us until we were too far away for them to reach us. The Cullens saw us and made a run for it.
I opened my eyes and a tear escaped my right eye. No matter what, even if we find Tim, we'll all still be in danger. There are more men than Jeff and Frank after us. I sat there and cried. This was all my fault. I'm to blame for the massacre of the entire vampire species. Edward tore through his bedroom door and stood before me. Bella followed and took her place beside him. I looked up at them as tears streamed down my face.
"I'm so sorry." I sobbed.
"Don't cry. We'll find a way out of this." Edward said, although I didn't entirely believe him. He looked to enraged.
"There's a whole gang of them, Edward. There is no way out." I sobbed as I buried my face into my hands.
"Call Jeff." Edward ordered.
"What?"
"Call him and tell him what you know about his brother. Then find out everything you can about what he knows about these hunters. The more we know about them, the better we can come up with a plan to defeat them." Edward said, pulling out his cell phone.
I dialled Jeff's number, nervous and afraid. What would I say to him? How would he react? Is there even any hope at all that we can come out of this unscathed?
"Hello?" Jeff asked, answering the call. I felt myself tense at the sound of his voice.
"H-hi" I managed to say.
"Elina, is that you?"
"Yes."
"Where are you? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" He asked, worried.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I said, turning to Edward for support. "Listen, there are some things we need to talk about, starting with your brother. It might be unbelievable or unbearable to hear but I need you to listen, okay?" I instructed. Jeff hesitated.
"Okay" He said.
"Jeff, your brother wasn't killed." I began, I could hear Jeff about to contradict me. "Let me explain." I said before he could say anything. "When he was attacked, the blood wasn't entirely drained from him. The venom released by the vampires when they bit him turned him into a vampire. He exists out there. We've even tracked him down." I said, pausing so that Jeff could take it all in.
"I don't know if I believe you, Elina." He said, sounding confused.
"I've seen him. I can see into the future, sort of...it's hard to explain but I looked into the future and saw him. He was at the Cullen house and so were you. You will meet your brother again, Jeff. The problem is that it can't happen the way that it did in my vision because if it does we'll all be killed." I explained.
"You're serious" He said, realizing that I was telling him the truth.
"Yes. Jeff all of our lives are in danger. You have to tell us about the hunters." I insisted.
"The hunters are kind of like a hate group. They want vampires gone, like a genocide. Their main goal is to get to this group in Italy called the Volturi. Apparently they hold a lot of power in the vampire world. They think that by destroying them they destroy the entire vampire race. It's a tough group, Elina. They'll stop at nothing to get what they want." He explained.
Edward held his hand out for the phone. I hesitated, knowing that Jeff doesn't really like Edward.
"Jeff, Edward wants to talk to you." I said.
"Hell no" He said angrily.
"Jeff, please. Edward knows everything about the Volturi and you know everything about the hunters. Together you guys can figure all this out and we can fight it. Just be cooperative, okay?"
"Fine." He finally gave in. I put the phone on speaker so that we could all hear what was going on.
"The Volturi are very powerful, a group of humans won't defeat them." Edward stated.
"The hunters are powerful. They've been hunting for years to find a way to get rid of the Volturi. It's just a rumour, but I've heard that two vampires are the ones who came up with the group in the first place. I don't know much else, I'm new to it and they don't tell me much." Jeff said.
"Who would know that information?" Edward asked.
"Frankie, but he won't tell you. He's hardcore and very loyal to the group."
"Jeff, if the Volturi get any hint that anyone is trying to take them down they will destroy those responsible and anyone affiliated with them. They do not take threats lightly. If Frank knew this, do you think he would still be as loyal?" Edward asked.
"Frank hates vampires, so yeah he would. He'd stop at nothing to get rid of them."
"Here's what I need you to do, Jeff. Find Frank, call us back and get him on the phone. I'll take it from there." Edward said, ending the call before Jeff could decline.
We sat in silence. I watched Edward's hard expression as he sat, deep in thought. I wanted to get into his head, but Edward shot me a look when I thought that and therefore decided against it. I heard a door close and looked up to see Jacob walk out half-naked and sat down next to me. Bella sighed and shook her head. I looked at her confused, like this was some inside joke that I wasn't getting.
"It doesn't bother me, Jacob Black." Bella said. Jacob laughed.
"Not anymore, it doesn't." Jacob said, mid-laugh. Edward cleared his through, interrupting the banter.
"What is it, Edward?" I whispered.
"I'm trying to figure out what vampires would even consider going up against the Volturi. No one could be that stupid, we all know the consequence of that." Edward said. The silence returned as Edward searched his mind for the answer.
"The Romanians!" Bella shouted through the silence. "Edward, they would bend over backwards for the chance to defeat the Volturi."
Edward shot up from his seat and kissed Bella on the forehead. "I love you." He smiled. "Of course, Stefan and Vladimir must be the vampires Jeff was referring to. Now I just need proof. Once we have the proof we can take it to the Volturi and they will take care of everything else." Edward said.
I smiled. Would everything really work out so easily?
The phone rang and for a moment my heart stopped. Edward picked up the phone and answered it, putting it on speaker again.
"Hello?" He said.
"Edward Cullen?" the man asked.
"Yes. This must be Frank."
"It is. I hear you have some information for me. Any help reaching the Volturi is greatly appreciated, especially coming from one of your kind." Frank said smugly.
"Yes, but I'd like you to answer some questions for me first."
"I suppose I could do that."
"Are vampires the creators of this hunting group?"
"It's possible." Frank replied. Edward's expression changed as he sat in silence. It seemed as though he was listening intently to Frank. Of course, Edward wasn't listening to Frank's words. Edward shook his head in frustration. Frank must know, like Jeff did, that Edward can read minds. Edward put his hand to the phone and turned to me.
"Elina, I need you to get inside Frank's head. Only you can find out for sure." Edward said.
I nodded and concentrated as Edward asked Frank pointless questions about the hunters. I searched among the nonsense and hatred in Frank's mind. He completely despised speaking to Edward, that was quite clear. Frank had been a loyal member of the hunters since the beginning. And there it was, in a corner of Frank's mind, that would solve everything. It showed itself to me in the form of a vision. There was Frank, speaking to two pale, statuesque men, obviously vampires, and shook hands with them. The beginning of the hunters. The moment Frank uttered their names, I returned to reality, placing my hand abruptly on Edward's shoulder.
"Thank you for your cooperation Frank, unfortunately I've forgotten the information I had for you." Edward lied as he hit the end button on his cell phone.
"We'll go to Italy first thing in the morning." Edward announced, smiling.
Edward's phone rang, interrupting our little celebration of victory. I watched as Edward answered the phone. His smile disappeared slowly. He handed me the phone.
"Hello?" I asked, my voice shook.
"Elina, I love you. No matter what happens to me, I want you to know that I love you, I always have." Jeff said, as if he were in a rush.
"Jeff, what's going on?" I asked, worried.
"It doesn't matter. Just stay safe for me, okay? Stay safe. I love you!" He said. The phone went dead and a single tear rolled off my cheek.
"El –" I pulled away from Edward, stood up and walked away. I felt numb. I didn't want him to say my name, I didn't want to hear it ever again. I wanted to remember it the way Jeff said it. I used to melt when he spoke my name. I didn't want to forget it. Something is happening to Jeff and it's my fault. He could be dead...he probably is. I clutched my stomach at the thought of Jeff lifeless. I felt sick. Edward, Bella and Jacob stood behind me, hesitant to approach me. My sadness turned into rage. My hands curled into fists at my sides as I plotted to find the creator of the hunters and thought of ways to destroy him. I would get them all. I would drain Frank with pleasure, knowing it was he who turned Jeff in for helping us. I wanted to get out of Paris at that moment.
"Be rational. Just let the Volturi take care of it." Edward said. I turned to him in anger.
"No! I want to see them burn. I want to watch them suffer. I want to be the one to make them suffer." I said through my teeth. "Tomorrow morning when you all go to Italy, I'll be going back to Washington." I declared.
"No, you will not go back there alone I won't allow it." Edward said sternly.
"You don't own me." I snarled.
"Jeff wants you safe. Are you going to go against his wishes?" Edward counteracted.
I couldn't think of anything to say, to fight back. I was powerless and defenceless. I fell to the ground and sobbed. Jacob crouched down in front of me, yet kept a distance.
"I just want to be alone." I whispered through my sobs. Jacob stood and went back into the bedroom. Bella and Edward returned to their bedroom.
I pressed my face against the carpet, drenching it as I cried. Eventually I fell asleep, curled up in a ball on the floor.
I felt cold hands lift me and place me on the sofa. My eyelids fluttered as I awoke and saw his topaz eyes staring back at me. He was like an angel. Light shone through a crack in the curtains and his face sparkled slightly. I lifted my hand and ran my fingertips down his cheek. He closed his eyes and pressed my hand flat on his cheek. The corner of his lip pulled a bit, like my touch was killing him, yet he couldn't get enough. Then he pulled away. I heard a door close and noticed Bella walk up behind Edward. She tilted her head to the side and stared at me. She had a comforting smile on her face. I took in a deep breath and sighed, knowing today would be the day I avenge Jeff's death.