Author's note:
Drum Roll Please...
Chapter 12
Bella's POV
"Edward what's going on?" I asked, unwanted panic edging into my voice.
"If someone would just think clearly for one second I'd-" Edward grimaced after letting out on exasperated sigh.
"It's Victoria. She's dead. Apparently a vampire broke into her cell and… Oh for heavens sake! I wish the humans would just calm down so I can find out what's going on," he growled frustrated. His eyes were darting around as if following each individual thought.
I couldn't believe what he had just told me. Victoria was dead?!? I mean how is that even possible? She's a monster, barbaric and to be quite honest terrifying. The police are just as human as me so how could they have done this? Unless it was suicide which is also practically impossible for a vampire and that was something I unfortunately had too much experience with. Edward's expression became stern and very serious. Unfortunately it too was something that I was all too familiar with. Charlie came back in and confirmed Edward's revelation. I think it secretly frustrated him that we already knew. I wouldn't be surprised if Edward's mind reading was aspect of his powers he wouldn't like very much. Then again it would probably drive me up the wall if he could read my mind too.
"It's the Volturi, Demetri is here. He knocked a few guards unconscious before one saw him break Victoria's neck then that guard was knocked out by him too. I'm surprised an awful creature like him left the humans alive. He's even broken the signal of all the security cameras, that's why all the humans are panicking so much. I guess they decided to punish Victoria just like Al-" he paused. He jumped to his feet and snarled.
"Demetri is on his way here now!" he yelled as he purposely broke his new confining handcuffs with little effort.
"Cullen! Christ! I just gave you those!" Frank complained.
"Frank, stand behind me now!" Edward ordered. Frank looked to him confused yet slightly offended, probably because Edward roared at him.
"Bella you too," Edward added as he grabbed my hand, hurting me a little and pulled me from my seat and behind him. He had a firm grip on my hands as I stood behind him. My face was practically pressing into the space in-between his shoulder blades. He locked my arms around his stomach. I was going nowhere. Not that I'm complaining, Edward was just trying to protect me but its just that I would liked to have been able to at least see what was going on.
"Charlie and Frank get behind me now!" Edward demanded one last time before I heard something slam, it sounded like it could have been the cell door. I could tell Edward was trying to force himself to breath evenly, calmly.
"Hello Edward, its been a while," I heard Demetri say and I could practically hear the smug smirk in his voice.
"Hiding Bella like a child I see. Oh my, I've forgotten how delectable she is," Demetri continued. Edward snarled.
"Don't be offended Cullen. There is no need to worry about your little pet. I was ordered only to kill Victoria and give you a message. And you know where my loyalty lies and that I always follow his order's," Demetri added.
Edward loosened his grip on me and tugged me to his side and wrapped his arms securely around my waist. I could finally see who we were talking too. I had forgotten how tall and thin Demetri was, his skin as chalky as any red eyed vamp.
"Nice to finally see you again too Bella," Demetri said as we both laid eyes on each other. The police officers were totally flustered. If anyone even took a step towards Demetri he would just scare them away. Many just stood staring while others ran screaming. There was one armed guard that was covered in riot gear who was in Edward's cell the entire time that I had been here and however long he had been guarding my boyfriend before that but he was sweating profusely, shaking with fear, terrified.
"What do you want to tell me Demetri? As you can imagine due to recent events I don't have much patience for your coven," Edward insisted. That's when I noticed that the were purposefully avoiding any directed reference to the Volturi. Right now Charlie wasn't the only one who was frustrated with Edward's mind reading.
"Oh just that Victoria has received her punishment for well the obvious and that my masters stand by there actions in taking Alice's life, that you Cullen's aren't above the law just because your to quote a colleague of mine "civilised." Also I've been told to tell you that this stunt of you locking your self up in here is quite entertaining but just be careful as we'll be watching. Just because the world knows about us vampires now does not diminish my covens power but we are enjoying you playing with the food. However since the world knows of vampires and your coven we are not going to punish you for your actions as well that's all irrelevant now," he answered. He said his farewell and was about to leave when he remembered something.
"Oh one last thing. One particular leader of my coven is still very interested it seeing how our little deal will play out," he said as he glanced at me. Edward snapped his teeth and the dull clunking sound echoed through the cell.
"Oh technically we can't punish you for not holding up your side of the deal anymore but he would still like the change to be carried out. Also he wants to inquire whether you or Bella would like to join us?"
"I'd rather stay here and play with the food, thanks," Edward replied snidely.
"Very well, but just so you know both you and your pet are welcome any time," he responded and before I could blink he was gone. It was as if I could finally breath easily. The tense atmosphere had lifted. Unfortunately this sense of relief was short lived
"Here we go again!" Edward groaned almost sarcastic. He was about to say something else put he paused taking my hands in his and untying me from his hold.
"Bella I'm sorry for dragging you into this. I really am," he apologized quickly. He dropped my hands before stepping away from me and it was as if he was bracing himself for something.
Before I could say or do anything there was a gush of heavily armed police officers pounding in the cell door. They separated Edward and I as a female officer grabbed me by my arms and practically dragged me across the room. She was holding me down as if any second her grip faltered I'd run riot. I knew I wasn't going anywhere but I still struggled like mad as she tried to keep me away from Edward. I suddenly felt cold and empty and his touch had only left me for a second. However what was happening to me was only a fraction of the awfulness that was happening to Edward. The guards were grabbing him from every angle and unlike with me they weren't being gentle. Also unlike with me he wasn't struggling. Even for a vampire he looked dead and pale, an empty vessel. He was shoved to the ground. His cheek pressed against the gray concrete floor. I knew they couldn't hurt him but that didn't mean I didn't hate the way he was being treated.
"Who was that vampire and what did he do to Victoria?!" A dark, intimidating man yelled at Edward, he was practically spitting in his face with rage.
"Let go of him!" I screamed as tears of anger and all the overwhelming emotions once again came rushing out.
"Bella, its okay… I'm okay," Edward whispered as we gave each other undivided eye contact. I was surprised I could hear what he was saying over the raucous the guards were making. I hesitated as Edward was pulled by the scruff of his neck, face to face with the tall, overbearing policeman.
"I'm sorry ma'am but its for your own good. We don't want you to get hurt," the female officer told me as she pulled me further away from Edward. That was rich coming someone who was covering me in bruises in comparison to Edward who treats me like I'm made of the most valuable, delicate material in the world.
"Hey! Back off," I heard Charlie say as he stormed towards me and the rough female officer. I tried and tried to break free as I kicked my way towards my father but it was no use, I wasn't going anywhere.
"You have no authority here Chief Swan," the police officer who was also yelling at Edward said.
"She's my daughter!" he shouted back.
"That may be but while your on these premises and off duty you are classed as visitors," the officer responded.
"Well If we're visitors let us visit and interrogate him later!" Charlie retorted.
"He's right. Let them be. We have a lot of other things to be worried about since we've just been broken into. One of our prisoners has just been killed and we shouldn't be taking it out on another," John agreed. He didn't give me the best first impression but at least he was being professional about all of this.
The female officer loosened her grip on me and Charlie pulled me away from her as simultaneously Edward was freed and the surplus guards began to file out of the cell. The armed guards that were already watching Edward stayed behind. John left, giving orders to his numerous employees and Frank removed the latest pair of victimised handcuffs from around Edward's wrists. Before I could register anything else I was in Edward's arms again.
"Are you okay," I asked Edward as a few loose tears escaped.
"I'm fine. We won't get through this if you keep worrying about me Bella, love," he murmured as he pecked the top of my head.
"Sorry to break you two up but…" I heard Frank say and I turned to see him dangle a new pair of handcuffs. Edward groaned.
"Sorry, but rules are rules," Frank stated as he locked Edward up again and directed him to his chair. I fowled suit and sat down in the seat I occupied earlier and asked Charlie to join us. Soon my hands were in Edward's confined ones once more.
"Speaking of worry, Esme told me to tell you that your family love you and that they hope your okay. Also that they understand why your doing this but that they need you with them too. That after what happened at Volterra-"
"Shush," Edward scolded, interrupting me. He surprised me.
"What you heard wasn't all what Demetri actually said to me. He said his coven still have their anonymity when it comes to the humans and they want to keep it. Which is understandable enough but he said that if we let it slip to the public then they'll break our necks too and that includes you Bella and you too Charlie," Edward explained. I knew there was something more going on in that conversation and it was obvious in not only how the way talked but also in the way the looked at each other.
"You know me and secrets, you can consider it kept," I replied and Charlie agreed. Edward took a deep unnecessary breath and relaxed into his cold metal chair. Ironically Edward was probably a few degrees cooler then it anyway where as mine was uncomfortable to say the least. I don't know how Edward puts up with sitting in them for so long.
"I just can't believe that this has all just happened, Victoria and everything," I divulged.
"Neither can I," Edward responded with a hint of melancholy. I squeezed his hands. I could tell that he wasn't taking about Demetri's surprise visit any more. He was so fond of his sister it practically hurt.
"I apologise for interrupting," Edward began politely.
"Continue telling me what Esme told you to say."
"Well just that she wants you home. She's so devastated over everything that's happened. Rosalie and Emmett are heartbroken too," I answered.
"When did you see them?" Edward Inquired with genuine interest.
"Last night, they snuck into my house, even past the stupid paparazzi," I complained and not about the Cullen's but those pests of photographers.
"Paparazzi?" Edward wondered surprised yet confused.
"Unfortunately so. We're all over the news, well you are. I haven't seen any papers yet but I wouldn't be surprised if we're all over them too. There are even photographers waiting outside this prison," I stated as Charlie shared my annoyance over this fact.
"I'm sorry, this whole awful, stupid mess is because of me," he apologised.
"Don't blame yourself," Charlie added. Edward just shook his handcuffs sarcastically to prove the point.
Our conversation continued like this for a number of minutes. We talked about what the news was saying about us, Edward's family, Alice, what the people at home must be thinking. Edward even asked me about my mother and I explained the whole Renée fiasco to him. He was supportive as ever and said he'll make sure as soon as he's out that we will call her together and explain that we're truly serious about this. Edward also talked about how he wished his cell had a bed, not because he wants to sleep which he can't anyway but because he just wanted to be able to lie down while waiting for the time to pass. Soon however John came in and told us it was time for us to leave.
"I don't want to go," I confessed.
"I don't want you to leave either but rules are rules," Edward agreed mimicking Frank in the process. I sighed.
"I'll come visit you tomorrow," I suggested.
"No," Edward said which was the last thing I expected his reaction to be.
"I mean I'm being interviewed for Channel Six tomorrow anyway and I don't want you to come all the way here to Seattle especially for me and also since there is so much paparazzi everywhere. Look I'll be out by Thursday night no matter what happens. I don't care if my plan has worked by then or not but I'll break out not only for you but to meet Carlisle and the others in New York. He's my best friend and God only knows what he's going through right now," Edward explained.
"Okay but you have to come home to me as soon as you can. I can't survive that long without you," I divulged. Edward smiled softly.
"I waited decades for you so a couple of days should be survivable. At least you can see me on TV. I've always secretly wanted to be on TV though I never thought I would be in prison. I always saw myself as a tragic romantic hero, in a Hollywood blockbuster perhaps. I can actually remember the first time a TV show was ever broadcast in colour very clearly so who knew one day vampires would dawn peoples TV screens," Edward said lightly, practically joking as Charlie's eyes narrowed with a mix of confusion and suspicion.
"Exactly how old are you Edward?" Charlie questioned. My heart began to race. How was he going to react to this one? Edward noticed the increased tempo of my heartbeat and was being very cautious with what he said.
"I'm 109. I was born on the 20th June 1901 in Chicago. I became a vampire when I was 17 years old," Edward confessed gauging his reaction. Charlie raised his eyebrows, accenting the wrinkles on his forehead. He was lost for words, stunned.
"Oh okay, I'll be just outside the cell to give the both of you some privacy as you say your goodbyes," Charlie told us quickly before he left. He seemedshocked more then anything else.
"Is he angry?" I asked Edward worried. Hopefully he picked up something in his mind.
"No, not really but don't be surprised if you walk into your kitchen tonight and you see your father carving wooden stakes out of the table legs," he joked. I laughed in response but soon our expressions were serious with a hint of angst once more.
Edward leaned forward across the metal table and began to kiss me on the lips. I knew this meant goodbye but I savoured the moment. It felt like an type of ecstasy until someone cleared they're throat and we stopped.
"Miss Sawn, I'm sorry but you really have to leave now," I heard John say. I turned and nodded in acceptance to him.
"I love you so much," Edward murmured softly.
"I love you too. More then you'll ever know," I responded genuinely.
"Be safe for me Bella, Iwant to return to Forks with you being in one piece okay?" he mocked but i could see the emotion in his eyes, he truly meant it.
I began to pull away from Edward. Our hands lingered together until our hold on each other began to brake away finger by finger. I took a step away from the table and my newly free hands felt colder then they were when they were wrapped up in his ice cold hands. I bid Edward farewell and began to leave the cell. I didn't want to look back, No… I couldn't look back because one: if I did I would never leave and two: it would break my heart.
I made my way to Charlie as Frank began to lock up Edwards enormous cell door. A wave of emotion hit me and tears began to stream down my face. I knew I did want to come and see Edward today but I don't know if it just made thing worse instead of better. I was sure of one thing though that I had enough drama for one day.
Charlie could tell I was an emotionally drained wreck so he began to lead me to our car. He told me he had collected our belongings as he carried my bag for me.
We finally made it out of the God forsaken prison and Charlie opened my car door for me before we sat in and began to make our way back home. The paparazzi were still waiting outside the gate but the number of them must have tripled as no doubt they must have heard of Victoria's death. They practically mauled Charlie's squad car as we drove by.
We stopped at a service station on the outskirts of Seattle to get something to eat. Neither of us thought we could handle a restaurant as people stars that we were getting right now- though we were just walking in and out of a shop- were a traumatic enough experience.
Soon we were on the open road and making good time home. Charlie was relatively quite and I was falling in and out of sleep. I was all over the place and I need to get myself and my sleeping habits together If I was going to survive the next couple of days.
I woke up to the pleasant sight of giant, rain soaked evergreens as we finally made it to Forks. Unfortunately as we made it to our house we noticed the paparazzi and camera crews had gone nowhere. There were even police officers keeping control of the situation. Then we noticed two cars in our drive way. A handyman van and a taxi. I noticed two large, over stuffed suitcases on our porch. Then the last person I actually expected or perhaps even wanted to see right now stepped out from the backseat of the taxi. Charlie gasped, his face became paler then when he was told Edward and I had a bit of an age difference. He parked his car in a tight space as that was all that was left and as soon as it was safe I practically leaped from my seat.
"Mom!" I complained.
"What are you doing here! I told you not to come!"
Authors note:
Well I hope that rubbish was okay. I am a bit rusty after all. It really has been a long time since I updated with a chapter. I don't know when I'll post my next one but I won't be that long I promise.
Those of you familiar withmy stories know I haven't written much about Renée so I'm looking forward to getting into the mind of this loving, erratic, harebrained mother also good old Jacob Black will soon be making his welcome return too and of course Carlisle returning home from Italy etc. So there is lots more to come. I tried to guesstimate how many chapters this story will be and to be honest God only knows! The story spans over a few years so this will be going on for a very long time lol. Just bare withme please.
On the topic of PM's and reviews I want to thank everyone for the ones I've received over the past months while I wasn't updating. Unfortunately due to the sheer amount and not knowing whether I've replied to them our not I'm just going to start a fresh and only reply to the ones I get from this moment on. Its not that I don't appreciate your feedback, I really do its just it takes me so long to respond to everyone that I just want to spend my time writing fan fic instead of trying to sort my inbox out. So if you wanted me to answer a particular question or anything just PM/Review me again. Once again I'm sorry about this. Also to those who's stories I'm supposed to be reviewing, I'll try and catch up over my summer.
One last thing: I'm trying to come up with an offensive term the humans to use when referring to vampires such as 'Mudblood' in Harry Potter or 'Fangbanger' in True Blood or 'Cacti' in Doctor Who (Sorry lol but I had to include that one ha ha) but I can't think of anything. So if you have any ideas please let me know.
Áine Xxxxxxxxxxxxx