Chapter 7

Bella' POV

I couldn't understand why that feeling of having my heart ripped out of my chest had come back. After I was turned that feeling had become a dull ache. But then my memories had started to grow sharper and the pain increased, only for it to disappear when I found Jasper. What was going on? Why would it disappear when I met up with Jasper and then return the moment I tried to run from him?

"Bella? Are you OK?"

I come to a stop and look at him. Was he trying to be funny?

"You're the empath last I checked. You tell me."

He lets out an irritated sigh before closing his eyes and taking a very unnecessary breath in an effort to calm himself down. Another tuck at my un-beating heart. What the hell was that one for? Eventually Jasper opens his eyes again, his red eyes burning in the darkness.

"With you, that used to be true, but not anymore. Now, now it's as though you're not walking next to me. If it weren't for your scent and the sound of you breathing, it's like you're really dead Bella."

Really, huh. I'll have to test that out at some point; sounds like a useful talent to have. To be virtually invisible to an enemy vampire, ooh how many I could sneak up on and take out before they realise I was there.

"Guess however it is you're doing it is also the reason why Alice hasn't had any visions of you since we...well. You remember I'm sure."

I'm pretty sure my narrowed eyes confirmed that I do in fact remember that day well. How could I not? The old rage and sting of betrayal begins to burn through my otherwise cold body like a poison stronger than my own venom. From everything that I have heard about the vampire in front of me, I would have thought that he'd pick up something as strong and easy as deceit. Then again he was married to the so called all seeing slut for about sixty years. So maybe he isn't all that intelligent after all.

"Yeah, real puzzler. Let's get back before I actually rot, shall we."

Making sure to 'bump' into his shoulder, I pass Jasper as I silently seethe. Some contact Jedi1900's, seriously what kind of handle is that? I hear Jasper following behind me before he falls into step next to me, as a result I can almost feel the burning glances of curiosity he shoots my way. All in good time soldier boy, all in good time.

"Rosalie and Emmett are here."

I glance to Jasper before breathing in through my nose, catching two different scents. One was of the finest perfume and roses, if that weren't Rosalie in a nutshell then Emmett has some serious explaining to do. The other was the smell you get from freshly cut grass and some kind of fruit. Wow, who'd have thought it, Emmett all fruity, free and loose? Jasper and I turn round the last set of trees and find Rosalie and Emmett standing in front of the steps of the porch, which was understandable, really, seeing as how the front door has miraculously disappeared and all.

"Hated the varnished look on that door anyway."

Jasper's statement gets his siblings attention effectively enough, and by association their attention befalls on me. Still find being the centre of attention annoying, in case anyone is wondering, especially with how both of them are looking at me.

"I can't believe it. My baby sister is a vampire now, and we didn't even know."

Emmett's whispered words of shock are heard loud and clear, that is a both a good and bad thing about being a vampire. You'd be surprised at the amount of vulgar so called compliments a vampire chick listens to these days. Suddenly Emmett gets a look of anger on his face.

"I FUCKING KNEW WE SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT! BUT NO! PENNYHEAD THINKS HE KNOWS BEST BECAUSE HE CAN READ MINDS! SEEMED TO FORGET THAT HE COULDN'T READ MY BABY SISTER'S MIND THOUGH DIDN'T HE? DUMB FUCK, I SHOULD GO BACK UP THERE AND RIP HIS THIN DICK OUT OF HIS THROAT. SPINE TOO WHILE I'M AT IT!"

"Not happy to have me as a vamp, brother bear?"

I pout at him, breaking out the big doe eyes. Emmett looks at me crushed before appearing in front of me and hugging me, I have to admit despite still being a little pissed with him, I did miss Em's hugs.

"Of course I'm happy you're a vampire baby bear, I just hate that I wasn't there for you. I should have been teaching you how to hunt; I am your big brother after all. It's my duty to take care of you and I let you down, and I h-hate myself for it."

Next thing I know Emmett is dry sobbing on my shoulder, good thing I'm a vampire now or else Emmett's weight would have crushed me, and despite best efforts not to I end up dry sobbing myself. Looking over Emmett's shoulder I see Rosalie looking at us with a heartbreaking look on her face, and had this been when I first met her I'd wonder if it were possible for her to know how to wear that look.

It was ten minutes before either of us stopped. I honestly thought I was past that pathetic stage.

"Em, I missed you too but you want to get off me now?"

Emmett reluctantly pulls back with a bashful look on his face, I dare say that he would be blushing if he had the blood flowing. I simply smirk at him.

"Pity you can't blush Emmett, I'd kill for the chance to torment you for it."

Emmett's lips twitch.

"Come on, I'm not storytelling out here."

By the time the three of them enter Jasper's living room, I am already sitting on one of his couches. It doesn't fail my attention that Rosalie and Emmett seem fixed on my eyes, and looking nothing short of tense.

"What? I always thought red was my colour."

Both of them seem under able to stop a chuckle. Jasper is the only one that gives a smile that reaches his eyes.

"So, where would my audience like me to start?"

The three of them sit down, Rosalie and Emmett on the couch opposite, and Jasper takes a seat next to me.

"From the beginning would probably be best Bells."

Fair enough.

"OK then, well first things first." I turn to look at Jasper, allowing him to feel my brutal honesty. "I do not blame you for what happened on my eighteenth birthday, hell if it's anyone's fault it's Eddie boy's and the Seer's for forcing the damn thing down our throats. Knowing damn well I didn't want a damn party."

Jasper looked a little choked. Is that possible for a vampire?

"Thank you Bella."

"Yeah, I go by Isabella now. Back to the story though..."

I told them everything that had happened from the moment Eddie boy all but dragged me from the house, the drive home in stone cold silence, the change in his attitude towards me from then on. I made sure to tell them every little detail about how he told me it was over in the forest, this caused several growls from them.

"...I didn't snap out of my pathetic mope feast until January, and anger is definitely empowering."

Rosalie smirks at me, something tells me that she understands exactly what it is to be empowered by your rage and need for revenge.

"It got to the point, after a mere few weeks I might add, where I needed a physical outlet for my anger. Sadly for Lauren Mallory it came after I broke her eighth nose job..." I snickered evilly at the memory while my audience burst out laughing. "Anyway, I convinced Dad that taking self-defence classes was a good outlet, I just couldn't go breaking any more fake noses."

Emmett was laughing so hard you'd swear that had he been human he'd been in danger of harming his ribs. I feel my face becoming serious.

"I'll skip over the boring parts of the past and fast forward September five days before my birthday, where I got a nice visit by Laurent."

The laughter stopped, and there was nothing but silence in the room. Until Emmett speaks, well says one word any way.

"What?"

"Laurent paid me a visit, via Victoria's request. Actually seems she got possessed with the idea of using my body as her own personal voodoo doll. Nice isn't it?"

The growls seem to grow in volume rather quickly.

SNAP!

Looking around I find Jasper's hand holding splintered wood. Where did that come from? Moving forward a little I see what had been a small circular table. Fortunately all it had on there was the newspaper and a TV Guide.

"I'm gonna kill that stupid son of a bitch, and I won't be making that fucking shit quick either." Jasper's southern drawl more prominent than I've ever heard it.

"I'll help you." What the? Is Emmett southern too?

"Now, now gentlemen, ladies first. And I've been wanting to beat the shit out of that prick from the moment I met him." Good thing I've never truly been on Rosalie's bad side.

"Fantastic idea guys, really inspiring even. The story isn't over though remember, so save your plotting for afterwards as you will be rather astounded by what else I have to say. Anyway, Laurent was rather forthcoming in telling me why he was there as I said, and had a rather interesting view on your family's lack of presence. Intrigued actually, couldn't help but ask why you all left without me, seeing as how I was…how did he put it? Oh yeah, 'A Pet to you'..."

I was cut off by three voices screaming 'No' at me. Emmett looked rather beside himself with guilt as he launches himself to his knees in front of me.

"NO! No, no, no, no Bella you were NEVER a pet to us I swear."

"Emmett, I know you three didn't see me like that, hell at the time Rosalie could barely stand the smell of me and Jasper here was too scared at the thought of ripping my spine out to come within five feet of me, and you, Brother Bear are far too sweet, caring, loving, loyal and all round awesome to do anything so cruel."

Emmett while looking like he is on the verge of crying hysterically with guilt, also looks extremely relieved to know that I knew he wouldn't, couldn't do anything like that to me. Emmett manages to nod before returning to Rosalie's side on the love seat.

"So, where was I? Oh yeah, well we exchanged a few words when he confessed that he had been cheating on the animal diet and promptly stated that he was just going to kill me himself. More merciful and quicker than being handed off to Victoria, which was the original plan but..."

"But then again...it would be unfortunate to let your body go to waste."

His words came rushing back to me, it wasn't the first time I had those words replayed. I feel myself going back to the coldness that has been my constant companion since they all left. I look all three of them straight in their eyes.

"Laurent kidnapped me and proceeded to get a few human men to rape me."

Silence. Nothing but stone cold silence. Either they were too shocked to think of anything to say, or too pissed.

"Victoria, shockingly enough, didn't know about what Laurent had the men do to me. Fuck, I don't think she even knew that I had human guards. Laurent would watch too, but it wasn't until the day before I was 'found' that Victoria found out. Coming in with my Dad, who was unconscious and clearly becoming ill through stress."

Their eyes widen at the smile coming to my face, but what can I say? The fun part of this horror story had arrived.

"Originally Victoria had plans to torture and kill my dad in front of me, a span of emotional torture. All that changed though the moment she found him. Dad's health was decreasing fast and he collapsed not far from her. She couldn't do it, she couldn't harm my dad."

Confusion. Yep, their reactions are right on schedule.

"Dad is Victoria's real mate."

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed it, Bella's story isn't over yet though. Thanks again to my beta reader.