A/N: This chapter kind of gets the ball rolling for the next chapter which I'm very excited to share with you :) For now, enjoy this along with the teaser to the next chapter at the end. And please don't forget to review!
12. Revenge
I monitored my thoughts throughout the morning. I had a plan but thinking about it was not an option. I would go to the airport with Edward, Jacob, Bella and the others and board a plane with them. That's all I allowed myself to think and when a thought would slip, I covered it up with melodies and images. That was the plus side to having strange thoughts; Edward would think nothing of it.
I realized Jacob was keeping a distance from me. I think it hurt him that I got so distraught over Jeff. I don't think he understands what I had with Jeff. Jeff saved me when I felt like I couldn't breathe, when I wanted to run further than I've ever wanted to before. He made me happy. Even though he had ulterior motives, it didn't cloud the way we felt about each other or the way he made me feel. He took me in. I was damaged goods and he took me anyway. I wouldn't let what Jeff did for me and what he meant to me go unappreciated. In a lot of ways, Jeff was my best friend. I had to do this in order to show that I loved him. It's all he ever wanted.
I studied Jacob's pained face and it killed me to see him like that. But once this is all over I can be with him and he can have all of me. Not Jeff or even Edward can come between us once this is all taken care of.
"We have to go." Bella whispered to me. It was odd how kind she was being now. I was glad that she and Edward were back to their old, madly-in-love selves. I nodded and followed her out the door. Strangely enough, Bella was the one person who I felt comfortable around. It was the way she composed herself with me, as if she knew how I felt. We all boarded the plane and Bella took my hand and led me to a seat next to hers.
"I know Jeff meant a lot to you. It reminds me of what Jacob means to me." She said, glancing over to Jacob who sat alone in a window seat. "You should do whatever you feel you need to do for Jeff." She smiled.
"Thank you." I said, feeling empowered by her words. Finally, someone understood that I had to go to Washington to find the hunters and get rid of them for good. I took a deep breath and then shot out of my seat and into the isle. Edward stood up in an instant, blocking the isle.
"Sit." He said, nodding to the seat I had just gotten up from.
"I need to use the bathroom." I said as I looked Edward directly in the eye. Edward stared back for a moment. It was one of those 'I mean business' stares. He did them well. But so did I. I challenged him and he eventually stepped aside. I walked to the bathroom door and looked back to Bella. I nodded to her and then waited as she beckoned Edward to her. He obliged, like we knew he would. The second their lips met, I turned to the exit and ran as fast as I could off of the plane and back into the airport.
A plane to Washington was almost done boarding, with two people standing before me. I tapped my foot vigorously against the glossy, tiled floor as I waited for their tickets to be checked. I had purchased one by phone in the middle of the night while Edward and Bella were occupied in their bedroom last night.
My heart began pounding as I watched the seconds tick away on a clock on the wall, knowing that every one that passed meant one more second closer to Edward finding me. I had looked over the bathroom as I waited for Bella to give me the signal to leave so that I could replay those images in my mind as I waited. But I could only show the sink or the roll of toilet paper in my thoughts for so long before it seemed suspicious. My ticket was finally checked and I boarded the plane to Washington. We were instructed to put on our seatbelts and the plane took off. I watched as it passed the plane to Italy on the runway. I couldn't even imagine Edward's reaction. He would no doubt be outraged.
During the flight my thoughts were filled with mental pictures of Jeff. I wanted to see him, to be close to him again. I had no safe haven anymore. Although Jacob took that role, he was halfway to Italy by now. I was on my own. The thought of being alone in a battle against hunters and vampires who want me dead was scary. I didn't know what I'd do, just that I was going to do it. If I were to die it would be a consequence I'd take graciously. At least I'd die doing something good for someone I loved.
Being back in Port Angeles felt awry and I began to feel paranoid. I ran into the forest to hunt so that I could gain enough strength to fight. I stood over my last kill, wiping the blood from my lips as I stared off into the dark. I had no idea where to start. I decided to go to Jeff's apartment to look for clues.
Standing in front of the red door with the number 23 staring back at me was almost surreal. I held my fist up, about to knock when I realized there would be no need because Jeff wouldn't be there to answer the door. Not now and not ever. I turned the knob slowly and opened the door, taking a step inside cautiously. I flicked on the light and closed the door behind me. It was empty. I breathed in deeply, taking in the smell of his cologne that filled his apartment. I walked over to the counter searching for anything that could help me. Jeff's cell phone was on its charger on the counter. I hesitated to pick it up, thinking that this was the last thing that connected me to him. I picked it up and looked through the numbers on his phone. Frank's was among the list of numbers and I decided to start with him. I cringed at the thought of hearing that scum's voice again. The phone rang once, twice, three times...
"Hello." He said, as if expecting a call from Jeff's phone.
"Is this Frank?" I asked.
"Yes it is, and who might you be?"
"This is Elina."
"Oh, even better. Where's your vampire friend?"
"I'm alone. I have some information your little group will be very interested, Frank." I said, sticking to business.
"Is that so? Well, I'm listening."
"No, Frank I don't play it that way. I want to talk to your boss."
"Ha, that's not gonna happen." Frank chuckled.
"Then I'm afraid I can't help you."
"Wait. I'll see what I can do."
"Call Jeff's phone back when you've figured it out." I said, hanging up on Frank.
My plan was working. I would speak to whoever is responsible for the hunters, find them and destroy them. I searched the drawers and cabinets in the kitchen for matches, finding three boxes. I placed them in the pockets of my black hoodie. I would burn them the same way they planned on burning us. I waited anxiously by Jeff's phone, staring at it as if that would make it ring. After a while I gave up and started walking around Jeff's small apartment. I placed my hands on his bedroom door, afraid to open it. I turned away and gazed at his wall of pictures. Jeff had so much going for him. He would have been an incredible doctor.
Jeff's ringtone startled me. I ran to the kitchen and answered the phone. My heart pounded.
"Hello?" I asked, expecting to hear Frank's raspy, gross voice.
"Elina." My heart just about stopped. Jeff said my name in a weak, shaky voice.
"Jeff? You're alive?" I inquired in disbelief.
"Listen to me, you have to tell them what you know. If you don't they'll kill me. They want you to meet them at the Cullen house. You have to go there." Jeff explained. Before I could reply, he breathed a faint "don't" before another voice came through the phone, one I wasn't familiar with.
"Do you understand the consequences if you do not comply?" He said. His voice sounded older and sophisticated. He spoke as if he was from a different time.
"Yes." I said, trembling. "Don't hurt him." I whispered. I heard a click and scooped the phone from the counter as I charged out the door. I ran to the Cullen house, unsure of what to expect. This was happening too fast, I wasn't prepared for this. I slowed my pace as I walked up the road that led to the Cullen house, noticing two black SUVs parked in front of the house. They were the same SUVs I saw in my vision of Jeff meeting his brother. I began breathing heavily as my heart pounded through my chest. The feeling was uncomfortable. I walked up the steps, noticing Frank, two large men and another, most likely Jeff, tied to a chair through the window. I opened the door and Frank turned to meet me.
"Glad you could join our little party." He called out to me. I remained silent. I walked around Frank and stood in front of Jeff's limp body. It wasn't a sight I was strong enough to see. My legs almost gave out underneath me. His shirt was shredded, with dried blood staining every rip. A line of blood trailed from his lip to his chin. It was a good thing I fed before this or else I'd be the one killing Jeff. His head hung from his neck like a rag doll. I placed my hand on his cheek, examining the damage. Jeff looked up at me, his light blue eyes piercing into me. That was enough to fuel the anger in me. I would not let them get away with this. My eyes shot up to Frank in a fury, as I licked my lips and examined the two men, presumably body guards, that would have to get through in order to sink my teeth into Frank. Jeff grunted and shook his head at me. It was like he knew what I was planning.
"Let's settle down, now. You give us what we want, we get you what you want; it'll be an easy compromise." Frank said, stepping towards me.
"I won't speak to anyone but the person you work for. Bring me to him and I'll sing like a canary." I said, challenging him with a raised brow.
"Not just yet. We need to know you'll be loyal first."
"What do you want?"
"Where are the Cullens?" He asked swiftly.
"Last time I saw them, they were in Paris, France."
"Jeff says his brother is a vampire now, that you told him. How did you know that?"
"I saw him."
"Where?"
"Here." A voice emerged from behind me. I turned and there stood Tim, emerging from the darkness. My jaw dropped.
"Who are you?" Frank yelled, the two larger men taking on a defensive stance.
"I'm Jeff's brother, Tim."
"You weren't told you could bring company." Frank said to me angrily.
"She didn't bring me, I was already here." He said, standing next me. I gulped. Jeff lifted his head slowly and looked up at Tim. His mouth opened as he stared, in awe of his vampire brother.
"It seems as though we have an unexpected number of guests tonight. Some of the Denali coven is outside. I'm disappointed, Frank." A faceless voice echoed. Strong, loud taps replaced the voice. Whoever spoke was stepping down the stairs slowly. "I'll have to take care of this myself."
"I'm sorry. I thought I was clear that she was to come alone." Frank said, the fear radiating from his voice. The steps stopped.
"I liked you, Frank. But, you know who won't be too happy about this. We've got to clean this up, starting with you." Another voice said, this time the man was visible.
"Vladimir please! I've been loyal for years. Stefan, have mercy!" Frank begged as he dropped to his knees. The Romanians Bella mentioned earlier were now in clear view, hovering over Frank. One of them had dark hair, the other blonde. Stefan and Vladimir looked at each other then at Frank. Vladimir gripped Frank's neck with one hand, lifting him off the ground and slammed him into a wall, tilting his head to the side. Frank's screams were excruciating to hear as the vampires tore into him and drained him completely of his blood. They each pulled out a handkerchief, wiping away the remnants of life from their lips and turned to me.
"You." They both said in unison. I held my breath, taking a step back. "Don't be afraid, we aren't going to hurt you." Stefan said. "We only need to know what you know and we'll leave you alone." Vladimir finished.
I had to stall, to do anything to buy me some time to come up with a plan. I couldn't take these two on my own.
"Do you mind answering some questions first?" I asked, trying not to quiver.
"I suppose." They answered in unison again.
"Why are you going after your own kind? By destroying all vampires, don't you destroy yourselves?" I asked. They snickered.
"We aren't against our own kind. It's what we tell the humans who join. They hate vampires, we claim to hate ourselves and they do our bidding. What we want is to defeat the Volturi. They are the most powerful vampires and we are sick of their rules. We've waited a millennium and a half to defeat them. When that failed to happen last year, we joined the hunters." They explained. They were surprisingly cooperative.
"You joined the hunters? You didn't create it?" I asked, confused.
"Create it?" They laughed.
"If you didn't, who did?" I asked. They both looked at each other and then looked to me.
"A vampire even older and wiser than Stefan and I. He, on the other hand, despises our kind. His motives are true to the incentives of the group."
"Then why would you join?"
"Well, we have motives of our own. That is enough with the questions. What is it that you know?"
"I want to join." I blurted. I really didn't know anything and this way I could get to the real creator of the hunters.
"You? What makes you think you'd be an investment to us?"
"I want to help you. I can link you to humans and vampires because I'm both."
"Both?" They said, looking at each other in confusion.
"I'm a hybrid. My father was a vampire, my mother was human."
"Is that so?" Vladimir said as he pondered my offer. "Do you have an ability?"
"Yes. I can see the past, present and future. I can place myself anywhere, even in minds to hear thoughts." I explained hastily.
"Hm...a seer" Stefan said as he turned to look at Vladimir.
"Very well, we'll take you to Alexandru and initiate you." Vladimir announced.
"Great!" I said, taking a step towards them.
"Not so fast. We'll contact you when he is ready." Stefan said. They both turned and disappeared into the forest. The two large men that stood over Jeff walked out the door and drove off in the SUVs.
I untied Jeff immediately and knelt down in front of him, running my fingertips over every bruise and bloodstain.
"I'm so sorry" I whispered. Jeff looked into my eyes and a smile slowly spread across his face.
"Tim" He coughed, turning his head to the left. Tim stood behind Jeff.
"Hey, bro. Hang in there, help is coming." Tim reassured.
"How did you know we were here?" I asked.
"Your friend Edward called Tanya and let her know Elina here had gotten on a plane to Washington. We ran down as soon as we could."
I looked up and saw two women walk into the room.
"Carlisle should be here shortly." One said.
"This is Tanya." Tim said, pointing to the woman who spoke. "That's Kate." He said, pointing to the other.
"Did they get to the Volturi?" I asked.
"Yes, Jasper and Alice continued the journey to Volterra and let the Volturi know about the hunters." Kate said.
I cradled Jeff's head in my hands and stared into his light blue eyes. He coughed, about to speak.
"Sh, save your energy. We can talk later." I said, noticing Carlisle step through the door. I gulped when I saw Edward blow through the doorway. I could feel a lecture coming on. He glared at me and walked past me. I followed him. He stopped when we were alone and turned to me. He shook his head furiously, as if words could not express his anger.
"You never listen to direction!" Edward yelled. I twitched, startled by the volume and intensity of his voice.
"Edward, I –"
"I told you to stay put! The Volturi will take care of it. You just refuse to listen. Do you enjoy putting your life in danger?" He said, his face inches from mine.
"I have a plan and it's working." I said.
"Is it? When they find out what you really want to do they'll kill you. Do you understand that?" Edward argued.
"They won't find out. I can do this!"
"Jeff is alive, you don't need to do anything. Please, listen to me this time and just let the Volturi take care of this. They will take care of the Romanians and the hunters. I beg of you, Elina don't do anything." Edward pleaded.
"Fine." I whispered, defeated.
Edward walked away, leaving me alone. I thought about what he said and I knew he was right but I couldn't help but feel like I should be doing more. I was so close to finding this vampire responsible for the hunters. I could have been the one to destroy him. I sighed, trying to accept the fact that I would have to stand by and wait as the Volturi took down the hunters.
I returned to Jeff's side as Carlisle finished cleaning him up. All of the Cullens were back, except for Jasper and Alice who were still in Italy. I noticed one more face missing from the group.
"Where's Jake?" I asked.
"He's around. He just went for a run." Bella replied. "He understands." Bella whispered to me as she walked to Edward's side.
I turned to Jeff, who was reconnecting with Tim. Tim was telling Jeff how it felt to be a vampire, like he had in my vision. Tanya stood by him, her arm intertwined with his as he spoke to Jeff. The room was filled with couples in love. I was the only one missing my other half. I fled the room and stood at the forest's edge. I closed my eyes and placed myself into Jake's head. At first, his thoughts were clear and a bit animalistic. But every so often he would speak a word in his thoughts. My name recurred often.
'Jake, I need you here.' I thought, hoping he would hear it.
'Elina? I'm coming.' He said, changing direction. I ran into the woods on impulse. I wanted to run into his arms. Well, I suppose it would be his paws at this point. I didn't care, I just wanted my Jacob. I could almost see him until everything blacked out and I was pulled in the opposite direction. I could hear sets of feet pound against the ground quickly. The cold embrace around my waist gave away that whoever carried me was a vampire. That, and the pace he or she was running at was too fast for human feet.
The teaser may be a tad bit confusing, but all will make sense with the next chapter.
"Oh my..." I whispered, covering my mouth with my hand. He turned his face away abruptly, realizing that I recognized him. "Don't turn away." I said, walking over to him. I had to see his face, to prove that this was real and that he was who I thought he was. He stepped off of the platform and ran away from me, hiding his face under his hand. I caught up to him, grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand away from his face. My touch angered him as he pulled away, letting out a growl from the base of his throat.
"It is you." I whispered