I've got a plan for these two. A good plan. At least, I think it's a good plan. We'll see. Thanks for sticking with me on this one. Too many plot bunnies, not enough hours in the day…I tell ya! I do apologize for the sporadic updates for Angels and Monsters. Not enough time in the day and too many ideas floating around in my head. Ya know?
Up next will be Bella's take on what happened between her and Edward, his groveling, the plan for the takedown of James and some makeup lemons. Sweet, loving, therapeutic lemons. Just sayin…
Chapter Twenty-One
BPOV
"Everywhere we turn, something is ripping us apart. First, it's Emmett with his hatred of you due to the person who changed him. Then, it's the monster who tried to abduct me on our wedding night. Then, it's this situation in Chicago. Our injuries and now, James is forcing you to join his band of evil for his own enjoyment? I DON'T FUCKING THINK SO!" Edward screamed. "I will take you and run away, hiding you from that sadistic mother fucking prick if it's the last thing I do on this miserable little planet. You are not going to him."
"You don't have a choice," I said, narrowing my eyes at my mate. "Edward, I love you with my whole heart and soul, but all of this is because of me and my meddling in Victoria's hunt. In some strange way, I feel responsible. It's the only way I can rectify this situation, Edward."
He roared and stared at me angrily before hopping up out of the chaise lounge. He gave me a parting sneer before taking off into the night. A low boom indicated he went supersonic, running away from me. My heart lurched and I collapsed onto the ground, sobbing brokenly.
He was gone.
He was gone and I had pushed him away.
Despite being surrounded by my family, I felt alone.
Alone.
Again, I was alone and this time it was all my fault.
Edward was gone.
I collapsed onto the ground, my body just giving out. I whimpered quietly, the emptiness stifling me. The sounds of my angry family erupted all around me. Alice was hissing to Emmett and Jasper was trying to get to me, but my shield was firmly planted around me. Tears tracked down my face, falling onto the patio, melting the brick.
"Bella, let me in," Jasper pleaded. "Please, baby girl!"
I shook my head, not wanting him to get near me. His arms were not the ones I wanted. I needed Edward. Apparently, though, he didn't need me. I curled further into myself, pressing my cheek to the ground and losing it completely. My sobs echoed through the backyard. Jasper fell to his knees, lying next to me. "Bells, please? Let me help you."
"He doesn't want me," I sobbed brokenly. "Why doesn't he want me?"
"Bells, he does want you. He doesn't want to lose you," Jasper explained. "His fear was crippling."
"Like mine isn't?" I asked, glaring at my brother. "I have to go back to the man who raped me. The man who took everything away from me." I sat up, darting away from my family. My heart constricted and I felt sick, empty, hollow. Reaching a cliff, I curled up and lost it again, sobbing brokenly. I kept my shield around me. I didn't want to be comforted. I didn't want to be coddled. At that moment, I hated Edward. I had finally opened my heart, allowed myself to feel again and I had it thrown back in my face. We were mated. Why did he run?
I knew that Alice's suggestion of the two of us going to James would not be received lightly. It was the only thing that would ensure our survival. The visions that Alice had after we received that letter from James were gruesome. None of us survived. James would take me once more, brutally before Tanya wrenched my head from my body. Edward would willingly walk into flames, to try and save me, but both of us would perish. That seemed almost pleasant compared to the emptiness I felt. My chest ached and I hated it.
"Bella, I know you're here," called Carlisle. "Your shield doesn't block your scent." He walked through the clearing and sat down next to me. He didn't say anything. I just sat on my boulder, urging the ache away. An hour of just sitting, Carlisle shifted. "I can't imagine what you're feeling, Bella."
"Then, don't," I said coldly. "The one person who…" I stopped, whimpering quietly. The pain radiated from my chest and spread to my whole body.
"Edward…"
"Don't. Say. His. Name," I spat, glaring at Carlisle.
"I'm sorry. He is so new to this life, just surviving a brutal attack from the vampire you are going to," Carlisle offered. "He is terrified of losing you. His entire life has been turned upside down, inside out and backwards. The one person, his sire, his soul mate, is going to fight for our lives in enemy territory. If it were Esme, I would feel the same way."
"But, would you have run?" I asked.
"I don't know," he answered. I huffed. "I honestly don't because I'm not Edward."
"What did I say?" I snarled, my anger spiking. Carlisle looked up at me sheepishly. I growled lowly, tightening myself into a smaller ball. "Why, Carlisle?"
"I can't answer that, Bella. I'm not Edward. All I know is that my two daughters are going into an impossibly awful situation, facing a man…a monster…who preys on the weak and innocent, stealing their virtues and goodness. James is the epitome of evil in this world and I do not want you and Alice to be subjected to that, Bella. I don't have a choice, though. My only choice is to support you in what you decide to do," Carlisle said, moving so he was seated next to me. "Don't be too hard on Edward. He's only three months old. If I had been presented with the same issue with my mate at the same age, I would have had a bigger bitch fit."
"Did you just say bitch fit?" I snorted as my shield dissipated.
"I did. And I don't blame him," Carlisle said, running his hand through my hair. My face crumpled and I fell into Carlisle's arms. He held me tightly as I lost all control. He didn't say anything, just swayed us back and forth on the boulder. "You and Edward just joined our family, Bella. We don't want to lose you. It's the only way, though."
"I'm afraid, Carlisle," I muttered against his shoulder. "I don't know if I can handle being near James. What if he…"
"You're as strong, if not stronger than him now, Bella," Carlisle said, moving so he was crouching in front of me. "Alice said that you both wanted to keep your gifts a secret, but you are well within your rights to always shield yourself from him. Keep it as tight as possible around your body. He won't be able to get close enough. He knows about that, right?'
"Yeah," I nodded. "He doesn't know about the mind reading, mind control, or my zinger. The last time I saw him, though, I was petrified and all of my faculties melted. I was caught in his stare."
"You were shocked and surprised, Bella. Going into this situation, you will be aware that James will be there. You can prepare yourself properly," Carlisle explained, taking my hands. "It's a lot of inner self-talk. James will not hurt you. He can't. Unless he breaks your shield, James can't touch you."
"What if he makes me drink from a human?" I choked out. "I don't want to go back to that. I don't feel like I'm a monster if I drink from animals, Carlisle."
"I understand, Bella. Hopefully, you won't have to," Carlisle sighed. "Why don't we hunt while we're out? Gorge yourself on carnivores. They make you feel strong, almost like humans, but minus the conscience." Carlisle got up and held out his hand. I sniffled, taking it and being pulled to my feet. "The first one to drain a carnivore has to clean up the mess," Carlisle snickered, his face brightening, making him look younger. With a wink, he took off like a shot.
I glutted myself on two bears and a handful of deer. Carlisle did make the first kill in a bobcat and so he had to dispose of our carcasses. Though, despite all of my feeding, I was feeling worse and worse. I should have felt like I could dismantle the Statue of Liberty, but I felt week and dizzy. As I finished my last deer, I collapsed onto the ground. My heart was aching in my chest and every inch of my body felt like it was drained of all its energy. "Bella?" Carlisle shouted as he ran toward me in a blur. "What is it?"
"I can't…" I breathed, feeling more and more of my strength leave me. The blood had the opposite effect on me, draining me of the one thing I needed more than anything. Carlisle didn't even blink before he scooped me up into his arms and darted back towards the house in Whitefish Bay. For the first time since I woke up as an immortal, I felt like I could sleep.
"Bella, do not close your eyes," Carlisle growled. "We can't have you drift off into that trance-like state." I pried my eyes open and forced myself to remain 'awake.' He deposited me into the Ferrari, hot wiring it and driving away from the house. I barely caught a glimpse of everyone else packing into the remaining cars, including Edward's Volvo. Carlisle flew down the interstate. As we got closer and closer to the city, I felt my strength return. It wasn't a hundred percent, but at least I was drifting off.
Are you feeling better? Carlisle asked mentally, expertly navigating the roads.
"Not as weak," I said, my voice betraying my answer. I sounded breathy.
Your body is not as emaciated as when I picked you up. It's like the blood…or something caused you to begin to wither away, Carlisle frowned, his mind showing me what I looked like. I suspect that your connection between Edward must have been pushed to the limit, affecting you physically.
"Is that why you are taking me back to Chicago?" I asked, looking at the approaching Chicago skyline.
"Since you can't be with him, the nearness may help," Carlisle replied, slowing down the car as we exited to get to my condo. "Based on your appearance, my hypothesis was correct. You don't look nearly as gaunt. Your eyes are hollow, but I think you won't truly heal until you reconnect with Edward." I nodded as he pulled into the garage, parking my car into its assigned slot. I was able to walk to the elevator, using my code to let us in. Riding up, I leaned heavily on Carlisle's shoulder.
Inside of my condo, I called down to the doorman, informing them of my guests and allowing them easy entry. I didn't have my keys and I had to break into my home. Thankfully, I was able to disable the alarm without any issue. I felt better. I could sense Edward was nearby. The sun was rising and I wanted nothing more than to find him. Just so I could kick his ass and then beg for forgiveness.
"Bella, your cell phone is chirping," Carlisle said, handing me my phone. I took it, seeing a few new texts. One was from Emmett and the rest were from Alice.
I found him. He was destroying his parents' old brownstone. We're at his condo in Trump Tower. He's torn up, Bella. He still loves you, but he can't lose you ~ Emmett
Bella! Change in plans. We're going to have a partner in crime when we go to James ~ Alice
It will be perfect! An ideal ruse! ~ Alice
You'll never guess who?! ~ Alice
I bit my lip, thinking for a moment. Who would be the perfect ruse? Someone who would blend in with the motley crew of James' horde of evil? Is it Emmett? ~ Bella
Yes! We'll discuss as soon as we arrive. We're about five minutes away and will join you soon. We need to plan ~ Alice
Strategize ~ Jasper
And I know that you need to reconnect with Edward. I can feel your pain from here. Tonight, Bells. Alice said it's supposed to be sunny all day ~ Jasper
I sniffled, placing my phone onto the cocktail table. "They're almost here," I said. "We have a new plan."
"Does still include you going back to James?" Carlisle asked, his eyes narrowing.
"It does, but we're going to have an ally," I smirked. "Emmett."
xx A&M xx
"The sun is taking forever to go down," I grumbled, watching as it crept along the horizon.
"It'll be down completely in seven and a half minutes," Alice said while she rummaged through my closet. Apparently, I had a keen eye for fashion. Most of what I bought was at estate sales or at various boutiques. I bought what I liked. Alice must have had the same taste in clothing as me. "This is a vintage Chanel! Bella…"
"It's yours," I snickered, waving my hand dismissively. "I wore it once, I think. I was hunting in New York and it was New Year's Eve. I had to look the part of a reveler."
"Really?" Alice squeaked, holding the dress up to her body. "This is gorgeous, Bella. I love you!" She hung the dress up and tackled me onto the bed, hugging me tightly. "I'll wear this when we go out after all of this is done. We're going to have a party, officially welcoming you to the family!"
"We already did that, Alice. It was my wedding," I snorted, twisting my wedding rings on my fingers. Frowning, my heart sputtered in my chest, missing my mate, my husband. Alice walked over to me, taking my hands into hers. "What if he realizes that I'm not worth it?"
"Bull shit," Alice spat. "I've seen you two get your happily ever after. It's happening tonight, woman."
"It won't be a complete happily ever after since we have to go to meet our 'maker,'" I snarled.
"Perhaps, but at least, you'll both come to an understanding. Bells, he loves you so much. Like Jasper, he doesn't want to see his mate be hurt. Us going back to be with James, while not ideal, is the only way a majority of us survives this attack and James' plans to rule the city. With Emmett with us, the probability of all of us surviving increases tenfold! It will work out. I promise."
"Show me," I whispered, looking into my sister's golden orbs. Alice nodded and she showed me the final battle. We were standing on the same side as James, Victoria, Tanya and Laurent. I could see my family along with a few other vampires that didn't recognize, but their robes indicated that they were with the Volturi. Alice's visions didn't have sound, but I could see the mouths of James and Carlisle moving. I couldn't discern what they were saying, but based on the ire in James' scarlet eyes, it wasn't what he wanted to hear. James attacked Carlisle and the battle ensues. With my gift, I stun each of the leaders and they fall to their knees. Shielding my family, they quickly end everyone. "And that's held true since we received James' threat?"
"Unless something changes, that should be the outcome, Bella," Alice said, squeezing my hands. She licked her lips, her eyes glassing over. Edward's face drifted in her mind. "Your mate is on his way over. We're going to do some reconnaissance and then go to Edward's condo so you two can talk."
"Be safe, Alice," I said, hugging her tightly.
"We will," she vowed, hugging me back and smiling softly. "Don't break anything while we're gone." She smirked as she showed me the damage to that hotel in Milwaukee after our capture the flag game.
"Oh, God!" I laughed.
"Have fun," she giggled, dancing out of the room with her Chanel dress trailing behind her. Within a few moments, my condo was empty and I could hear the thoughts of my family dissipate as they went their separate ways. I was sitting in my bedroom when I heard Edward's mind. His thoughts were repentant and sad, but determined. The doorman let him upstairs and I opened the front door. I curled up on the couch, resting my head on my knees. Edward reached the door, gently pushing it open. Closing it and locking it, he found me in the living room. He was dressed in a pair of loose fitting pajama pants and a t-shirt, with a fleece over the top. His hair was an unruly mess atop his head and his eyes were so unbelievably sad.
You must hate me, he said mentally, standing near the kitchen. His posture was defeated and he looked so small.
"I don't hate you, but right now, I don't like you very much," I said, glaring at him. I felt better. The weakness from before was gone and I wanted to run into his arms, feeling his body around me. "You saw Alice's vision. You knew what would happen if we didn't join James. I cannot let that happen, Edward. I do not want to see the city overrun with newborns and our family dead."
"I don't either," he said, shooting me a pitiful look. Can I come closer?
"Of course you can," I retorted.
"No, I can't. Your shield is up," Edward said, poking at it. I brought it in, feeling stupid that I needed to protect myself from my mate. "Were you afraid of me, Bella?"
"Of course not. I'm just hurt at how you ran," I answered, my voice sounding petulant and ornery. I glared at him. "Why?"
"I don't know. Newborn temper tantrum?" he replied, sitting down on the cocktail table. "Fear of what could happen. Anger at your willingness to go to him."
"I'm not willingly going anywhere. This really isn't my choice, Edward. I don't want to go. That monster took everything away from me. It makes me sick to even be on the same planet as him, let alone in the same city," I shuddered, tears welling up in my eyes. "I can't do it, though, without you. Without your support. Edward, I need to know that I can count on you and that you won't turn your back on me again. I hated that you ran. I hated you because you left me."
"Bella, Angel, I hated that I ran. I'm so sorry," he whimpered, taking my hands in his. "No amount of apologies will make what I did right. I'm a fucking moron."
You can say that again, I snarked mentally.
"I am. The biggest fucking moron on the planet," he said, his eyes pained. "I'm an asshole and I don't deserve you. I don't deserve your forgiveness. I mean it when I say that I love you more than my own life. I didn't show it with my behavior but I do, Angel. I will do everything in my power to make it up to you."
"I crumbled, Edward. When you left, I felt like my entire purpose for remaining on this planet…" I trailed off, showing him my perception of what happened when he dashed away. I also showed him what happened when I hunted, the weakness I endured and the physical change through Carlisle's eyes.
You weakened? Because of me? Edward asked, his orange/red orbs filled with terror.
"I don't know what happened," I explained. "I fed and I should have been stronger, but instead, I felt like a newborn kitten, no energy and emaciated. It was Carlisle who thought that if we got closer to you, my symptoms would fade. They did as soon as we got closer to Chicago. I'm a hundred times better than before, but I'm still weak." Did you feel that?
"No," he answered, picking me up and placing me on his lap. His arms banded around me and he buried his nose into my hair. I was…preoccupied. I was so angry, Bella. I still am. I know what you have to do. I get it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. It's like the cosmos is out to get us, keep us separated, even though we share this unique, special bond that needs us to be together to work. Was I in pain while I was having my temper tantrum? Yes. Excruciating pain. Did I need to run? Yes. I didn't want my anger to hurt anyone in our family.
I glared at him. Too late. Your running hurt me.
"I know!" Edward whimpered, holding me impossibly closer. "I hate myself for hurting you." I was just so angry. I needed to… His mind opened up and he showed me what he did, how he took his aggressions out on his parents' demolished brownstone. "I imagined that was James, but it didn't really work since it wasn't a vampire, but a piano and some high-end appliances. Plus, the neighbors called the cops and we had to book it out of there. Emmett practically had to carry me out since I was so pissed." He looked at me, his eyes filled with remorse. "I'm so sorry, Bella." Angel…please, PLEASE forgive me. I love you so much and I can't lose you.
He held me to his body, trying to wrap his entire form around me. I was stiff, wanting to comfort my mate but my pain of being separated from him because he chose to run was overriding my need to placate him. I still loved him. He was my mate and my soul. His actions hurt me, almost to the point where I withered away. Even though he was right next to me, I could feel the pain in my chest.
That's because you're shutting him out, Bella. Marriages, mates, they take work and right now, you're not working.
"Edward…" I whispered, wrapping my arms around him. My shield enfolded us, squeezing us together. The pain in my chest dissipated. He looked up at me, his eyes brimming with tears. His hand cupped my face and I mirrored his stance. Slowly, we moved together until our lips were millimeters apart.
"I'm so sorry," Edward murmured before he closed the gap between our mouths. Once our lips touched, my shield latched around us and we were inseparable. Edward lifted me from the couch, carrying me to the bedroom. Our clothes were shredded and within moments, he was sheathed inside of me. Tendrils of my shield moved us closer together. This our way of reclaiming each other, reconnecting.
We made love until the sun came up. Edward never left my body as we reconnected. We were so intertwined, that you couldn't tell where one of us ended and the other began. Pressing my ear to his chest, I held onto him. "I forgive you, Edward. Can you forgive me for doing what needs to be done for our family?"
"There is no reason to forgive you," he whispered, his fingers gliding over my skin. "You are so brave for wanting to surrender over to James. I'm proud of you. Will it hurt? Yes. But, I know in the long run, I get to keep you. For eternity."
xx A&M xx
Our family stayed away the rest of the day. Edward and I made love and talked about what had happened. We also worked out a plan, keeping him close by while I was undercover in James lair. It felt better knowing that he was supporting me in this decision. By nightfall, we were dressed and our family had returned. Jasper was very clingy with Alice, but he was also trying to come to grips with our pending separation.
"We had a powwow at Edward's condo. We discussed our plans," Carlisle said. He shot a look to me, smiling softly. You and Edward look much better. I'm glad that you worked out your differences. I rolled my eyes, snuggling closer onto Edward's lap.
"Yes. Alice contacted James. Due to the weather, we couldn't meet up. He was just as stranded in his headquarters as we were in the respective condos," Eleazar explained. "Additionally, Kate and Garrett made contact with the Volturi."
"What did they say?" I asked.
"Nothing," Carmen frowned. "They waved them off like they were unimportant and that this situation was none of their concern."
"And that concerns me," Carlisle snarled. "This is type of thing that Volturi discourage. I don't understand."
"We don't either. But it appears that we are the ones who need to put an end to this," Eleazar said, nodding grimly. "For the transfer of Alice, Bella and Emmett, it's going to happen on the steps of the Art Institute of Chicago. Tentatively, it's scheduled for tomorrow night."
"I'm surprised that James and his minions want to wait that long," I snorted humorlessly.
"There was something happening with the newest set of newborns he created. There was one who had no control and was slaughtering humans and vampires. It was like the new vampire was turned into a monster, enraged without even knowing what was going on," Alice explained. "James is taking him away to dispose of him. He's proving to be difficult to move since he's barely a month into this life and very strong. All of James' best newborns are going with him to destroy this loose cannon. They're just leaving the city now, heading to Iowa to do the deed." Alice smirked. He's not happy about it either. He covets us, Bella.
"Does he know about Emmett?" Rose asked, her eyes narrowing at me.
"Yes, he does and he's none too thrilled about it, either," Alice replied. "Emmett is an unknown. James doesn't trust him. Victoria did explain that Emmett was her creation and that hold some merit in his eyes, but he won't make a decision regarding Emmett until they meet."
What if he doesn't accept Emmett? Edward thought.
He will, Alice answered. Victoria will use the power of sex to convince him that Emmett is trustworthy. And it's quite, um, public. Edward and I shuddered at Alice's vision. It would forever be burned in my memory. Sorry, but James is quite amenable after orgasms.
"I didn't need to see that, Alice," I groaned, burying my face into Edward's shoulder.
"No amount of brain bleach can make me unsee that," Edward shuddered. "That's worse than walking in on my mom and Richard going at it on the living room sofa."
"I'm so happy that I'm not a mind reader," Emmett snickered.
"You'll see it when it happens, Emmett," Alice snapped. "Be grateful you have to see it once. This is the third time. Ugh!"
"And the fourth time will be in the flesh," I cringed. Alice glared at me before turning into Jasper's arms, whimpering quietly. "So, we meet him tomorrow night?"
"At two in the morning," Alice said.
"How long until…?" Esme asked, trailing off. Until we all face James?
"Still around Halloween," Alice replied, her eyes glazed over. "A couple of weeks. And from what I can see, Bella's powers remain a secret until that fight."
"And the results? Are they still the same?" Carlisle asked, looking at everyone in the room.
"We still are victorious but we do lose someone. I don't know who," Alice said. "I just see us grieving."
"So, let's go over the plan. Again," Eleazar muttered. "We meet up with James at two."
"No, just Carlisle, Jasper and us," Alice explained. "Edward cannot be there, nor can the Denalis. James and Victoria would use this as an opportunity to strike and we'd all be toast. They accept Carlisle since he's the leader of our coven and Jasper since he's my mate. Edward, in Victoria's eyes, is her mate. They see him and Victoria will go apeshit."
"But Victoria is James' mate," Emmett said, his brows furrowed. "Isn't it mutual when vampires mate?"
"Yes," Carlisle affirmed. "Victoria may be fighting her feelings or she's so deranged that she doesn't recognize the mating call."
"Do you think whoever sired James sired Victoria?" Edward asked. "And that's the reason why they're both so awful?" And mated?
"According to the Volturi database, their sire is not listed. He or she is unknown," Eleazar answered, reading from a laptop. "I wonder if their sire is still around because I want them to pay for creating these two monsters."
"Wouldn't it be ironic that it was one of the Volturi who sired them?" Esme pondered.
"As far as we know, the Volturi brothers never created any vampires," Carlisle said. "Their Guard were created by others, not the brothers themselves. The Volturi offer vampires with certain gifts a lot of incentives to join the company. But, they have certain rules that you need to abide by to join the Guard."
"I refused to join the Guard because of those reasons. One of them is giving up the diet," Alice snarled. "You can only drink from humans. You have to live in Volterra and…give up your family, your previous coven. I can't do that. I refuse to do that. I love my family and I would never give them up for any incentive."
"Nor would I," Jasper growled.
"I was asked more than once," I muttered. "Even though I didn't have a coven and I still fed off of humans, I did not want to join the Guard. The incentives felt more like bribes, a deal with the devil. It wasn't worth it so I repeatedly declined."
"Back to the plan," Alice said somberly. "Jasper and Carlisle will be there when we meet up with James, Victoria and Laurent."
"No Tanya?" Edward asked.
"She is proving to be a hassle. She will babysit some of the newer vampires," Alice smirked. "After we meet up with James, things are fuzzy since so much is up in the air. The only thing that is for certain is that there will be a positive outcome."
"Should we hunt again?" Emmett asked.
"We should be fine," I replied. I finally felt a hundred percent after bonding, mating with my husband. Edward wrapped his arms around me, nuzzling my neck. "We just need to prepare for this…whatever this is. James, Victoria, they will meet their end."
"They will," Alice agreed, her voice cold as ice. "I vow it."
A/N: So, my goal is to have this story finished by January 1st. Fingers are crossed that will happen. Anyhow, I hope you all haven't lost faith in me. I know that I have let this story slide, not updating in over a year. I do apologize, but I couldn't get the swing of this story. I have a plan. I think it will work out.
Anyhow, there is one picture with this chapter and it's posted on my tumblr and blog. Links for both of those are on my profile. You can also find me on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation and on twitter: tufano79. I'd appreciate some loving for the story…
I hope to have the next update in the next couple of days. Scouts honor!