[Bella]

Dave was still alive and well when I arrived at the reservation, and even if he should've been more worried than me – his dead girlfriend was out to kill him, after all – he had the courage to laugh at my face. Or at least that what was going to do before I shot him a really scary death glare.

"Jesus, Bells! You worry too much. It's barely a day you're here and you've already given us a lot of answers. Do you remember we had no idea of what was hunting us until today?"

"My father knew better than follow a ghost in the forest, but he did it anyway. It could be something you're compelled to do, even against your will, so I wouldn't be so cheerful if I were you!"

"How do you know this?"

Right, Bella, how do you know this? I mentally slapped myself.

"There might be another person with me…" I said. "Two, actually."

"Vampires or humans?"

"Both. I'm helping a human friend and my brother came with me."

"So you, Emmett and a friend of yours are here. What's the problem? It's not like we never saw a Cullen before."

"Dave, it's not Emmett. It's Edward. He's…"

"E-Edward? Your mom's Edward?"

Not many things caused me to stare at someone open-mouthed these days… but this one did.

"I never mentioned Edward to you. I was already a vampire when I met him!"

"When we are in wolf form… we share thoughts. And Jacob… well, he still thinks of your mother sometimes. That makes Leah go ballistic all the time. And sometimes, when he thinks of Bella…"

"He thinks of Edward, too. Damn it."

"'Think'might not be the right word.'Hate', on the other hand… Bells, if he's here, it's better Jacob doesn't find out."

"Not exactly a problem, right now."

"And your friend?"

"It's the one that phoned me earlier."

"Liz, right?"

"Liz has some problems, I'm helping her sorting things out. She has a gift… she can see things when she reads tarots. Elizabeth saw my father disappearing near the treaty line."

"She saw Julie there?"

"She didn't see it clearly… and I don't know what to think. Jacob would've never followed Julie in the woods. Charlie, maybe. Today Jacob asked for my forgiveness..."

"It's not Jacob the one that should apologize to Charlie, but the other way around."

"I don't know. I really don't know. Listen, do you mind if I check my email? I'm waiting for a friend to send me some information on cases like these.Ifanything like this has ever happened before. Ghosts, magic and god knows what else…"

"Sure. Take my laptop. Grace? Have you seen it?"

Grace's head emerged from the kitchen. "Try in the bedroom, love. Hi, Bella."

Grace was doing her best to sound like her usual self, but I knew how worried she was. Guilty, even. She felt like that for years, for stealing her best friend's boyfriend and her tragic death. And now Julie was back, and ready to take everything back. The other unfaithful men were just foreplay, a twisted display of justice. There was a reason why Dave was still alive and well, and that was she wanted him to know exactly what was coming for him. She didn't expect that I would interfere with her plan, though. By now, I was sure she already knew I was there, and the witch as well. Not that I'm that famous or anything, but Whisperers – so we're called – are rare, and people talk.

I really wanted to console Grace, but I honestly didn't know what to say, and we never were that close to begin with. She never joined the 'We hate Bella Black' club, though, and she made Dave happier than I had ever seen him. Maybe if we survived this thing we could become good friends.

Dave came back from the bedroom with his computer, and two seconds later I was already logged into my email account and checking my messages. Eamonn, efficient as always, had sent me not one email but three. One was a long update on Abby, with many pictures of my sweet, little baby (he must've thought I was missing Abby madly) I immediately and proudly showed Dave and Grace. The other two were all business, and the gist of both was that cases like mine were very rare and very keen to end up badly. I already suspected Dark magic was involved, but according to my friend and his sources, the spell could only be cast by someone trained in the Dark Arts. So, no amateur. Great. I was going to go outside and kill myself, when at the bottom of the third email Eamonn told me he found a spell that might keep Dave safe from the ghosts. He wasn't a witch and his interest for magic was purely academic, so he couldn't be certain of the result, but it was better than nothing and he knew I'd already successfully cast a couple spells in the past. There was also a list of the things required for the spell, and I was relieved to see it was nothing I couldn't find in the house.

My newfound good mood was promptly ruined by Eamonn's post-scriptum.

PS: Bella, I know it's been years and I don't have any proof, but… Couldn't Elissa be responsible of this?

I honestly had no idea. And I hoped it was just Eamonn being paranoid. It had been 20 years, after all, and I couldn't believe for a second it would take so long to a Volturi sorceress to find me and plan revenge. And unfortunately, in my world there were plenty of evil people versed in the Dark arts. But Eamonn's suggestion made me think. I always assumed the ghosts were the only one with a grudge against the reservation… but someone didn't go through all that for a bunch of ghosts just out of kindness of heart. The witch had a grudge against the reservation too. A grudge big enough to work as an anchor for the ghosts, to give them the opportunity to get their revenge. But still, I had no idea of who could be behind this.

I was so concentrated that Dave had to tell me my phone already rang twice. I sighed, and answered the call.

"Edward, hi. Why are you calling me, something's wrong?"

I almost let the phone fall from my hand when Edward told me what happened. I shivered, and slowly sat back on my chair. I was… I didn't even know what to feel. Shocked, probably. Distraught. Angry. And most of all, guilty. I took Elizabeth here to protect her… and I couldn't.

"Was it… Was it her heart?" I whispered when I found the strength to speak again.

"I don't know. Maybe. There was nothing I could do, everything happened so fast…"

My brother sounded devastated. Again, I wondered what I didn't know about Edward and Elizabeth, why all of sudden they got from hate to a mutual understanding of each other.

Pity I would've never had the chance to ask Liz. She would've laughed at my face, probably, and told me I was seeing things because Edward and she would've never been friends…

"I'm coming straight home, Edward. Hold on. Please," I said, ending the call.

"Bella?"

"Elizabeth… my friend… she died a few moments ago."

"Go home, Bells. We can do it tomorrow."

"No way," I said. "We're doing it now."

"But you just said…"

"I know what I said! She's not alive anymore, but you are. And I want to keep things this way, cause I couldn't bear to lose someone else!"

It came out harsher and colder than anticipated, but I didn't care. I would've saved his life. Liz was dead, my father was going to die. I wouldn't add my best friend to this list!

Luckily for me, the spell was also easy to cast. Once I rounded all the things I needed – rock salt, a personal object and a few drops of Dave's blood – in a bowl, I just had to mutter some words in Gaelic (more than some, actually, I had to chant for more than an hour) and then put everything in a small fabric bag Dave had to wear all the time. Before I gave it to him, though, he must know what this spell really did.

"Dave, Grace, listen carefully now. Here how this thing works: once you wear this, you will be completely invisible to ghosts and people who can see them. This includes me. The text is not clear whether or not this spell will hide you from humans and supernatural creatures as well, but if it does… well, no one will be able to find you or do anything to you, while you will still be able to see everyone."

"And the ghosts? Will I see them?"

"I can't tell for sure, but I think it's possible. You're going to be something in between, so it wouldn't surprise me. Have you understood everything I said?"

Dave nodded, and after a second Grace did too.

"Thanks, Bella," said Grace. "You're our savior."

"Thank Eamonn and his mad research skills," I said, trying to smile, but what came out was just a sad grimace. I couldn't stay there any longer, not if I wanted to keep a little dignity. I just wanted to scream, and cry, and mourn my friend. I couldn't keep a straight face any longer, and Dave, that knew all my faces from food intoxication to nervous breakdown, recognized the symptoms and hugged me.

"I'm sorry for your friend," he whispered, and I tried not to start sobbing against his shoulder. I just nodded with my head, and enjoyed the closeness and his warmth. How could that be possible? She was fine! The doctors said her heart was fine and she didn't do anything to jeopardize her condition! And why wasn't her ghost here with me? I couldn't find a reason, thus I refused to accept it. Death can seem random, but after years spent looking after ghosts I realized there was always some kind of hidden logic in it. Call it a professional hazard, if you like. I couldn't see logic in that… and I had to run home to Edward in order to find it.

"Go home, Bells. We'll be fine. I'm safe now, thanks to you and your friend. Go to her."

I nodded again, and kissed Dave on his cheek.

"Thanks. See you."

"Don't think so," he said with a smirk. Right, the spell. I told Dave and Grace goodbye, and I ran through the forest as fast as I could. When I got home, I didn't hear any sound coming from inside, and I instantly got worried. Did something happen to Edward too?

When I got inside, I realized that yes, something had indeed happened to Edward. He was sitting on the floor by the stairs, holding Elizabeth in his arms. He was looking at the void with a sad, blank expression. I felt my heart break in that instant.

[Edward]

I didn't move a muscle after Elizabeth stopped breathing. I couldn't bring myself to. I kept holding her in my arms, looking at her face from time to time. She looked asleep, like she would wake up any moment…

In a corner of my mind I knew I should've taken her to her room, but that would've meant accepting that she was…

I felt Bella's hand on my shoulder. I didn't turn to look at her.

"I couldn't do anything."

"I know. It's not your fault."

"I should've protected her."

"You can't protect someone from fate. Still, it's so… unfair. Wrong. Bit rich coming from a Whisperer, huh?" she said with a sad smile, kneeling next to me to move a streak of hair from Elizabeth's face.

"Edward, we should take her upstairs. I can do it if you…"

"I'll do it," I whispered, finally finding the strength to get up, with Elizabeth in my arms. I couldn't help but think of the first time I held her like that. She was still able to fight with me, even if she was severely wounded and in pain. Not even that could tame her spirit.

I instinctively held her closer while I climbed the stairs, and I pushed those thoughts out of my head. It was too sad a thought. I felt like I was carrying a doll broken beyond repair, and it was something that hurt me inside in ways I would've never imagined.

Without a word, Bella opened the door of her former room for me, and I walked inside. I gently laid down Elizabeth on the bed, and I sat next to her. Bella came closer, and put her hand on Elizabeth's arm.

"We have to tell Carlisle and the others," I said.

Bella nodded, moving her hand so that she could hold Elizabeth's in hers. I saw her frowning slightly, and she began looking attentively at Elizabeth's arms and elbows.

"Bella… what are you doing?"

"Edward, can you tell me what time it is?"

I looked at my sister with a confused expression, but I answered her question.

"It's almost eight."

"It took me one hour and half to cast the spell, and I began after you called me," she said in a weird voice. "One hour and half is enough time for a cadaver to start showing signs of death. Rigidity in the articulations, blood settling in the lower part of the body, change of temperature, discoloration of the skin…"

"Bella, what are you saying?"

She shook her head, shocked. I never saw my sister like that.

"It can't be… It's impossible…"

"Bella, talk to me. What is impossible?"

She turned to look straight at my face.

"Everything! Edward… she doesn't show any of those signs!"

"Maybe it's too early…"

"You can't cheat with Death. It's the only thing we all share, the tie that binds us all. It's the same for everyone, Edward, and I've seen plenty of dead bodies in the last twenty years, so I know what I'm saying!"

"But I saw her die."

"I'm not saying it didn't happen. But there has to be more to this. This body might look dead, but it's not. Not yet, anyway. Something is preventing it from dying."

I couldn't believe my sister's words. I didn't dare to hope that was the truth. But I also never saw my sister so upset, and she was the one used to walk the thin line between life and death.

I couldn't keep my secret any longer.

"Bella… there's something you need to know."

"What, exactly?"

"We thought… Elizabeth and I… it was better not to tell you. And then she decided to keep going, even if someone, a woman, threatened in her own mind. Twice."

"What you didn't want to tell me? Edward, for God's sake, speak!"

"We both saw your mother in the woods. She was the ghost that took your father away."

"No."

"Bella."

"I said no!" she said, shaking her head. "It can't be. Not my mother. She crossed over. I was there."

"She said she would come back. Maybe she really did."

"No, no, no! It's all wrong! You don't come back the way you left, Edward!"

"I thought you never saw it happen."

"Doesn't mean it didn't happen. Magic. You can do everything with it… but you have to deal with the consequences of your actions. Bring someone back, and you'll condemn that poor soul to live a half-life forever. And souls just don't come back like that, on their own. Mom couldn't know that."

"Elizabeth thought… well, that a woman scorned could even come back from there to get her revenge."

"But my mother already confronted my father on this! I was there. I heard her. She didn't have other unfinished business here. I'm telling you, whoever, whatever that thing is, one thing's for sure: it's not my mother. I have no doubt."

"So you're really sure?"

"You read minds, I deal with the underworld, that's my thing."

Bella stayed silent for a while, but I knew she wasn't finished yet.

"And you should all stop with this absurd idea I need protection! You have no idea of what I've dealt with since everything started! Black magic! Half demons! Elissa! Name it! I've learned how to defend myself the hard way, and don't believe for one second I will ever be to scared or fragile to do it! So next time something weird happens, Edward, in the name of all that is sacred, tell me! Preferably before someone ends up dead!"

How could I reply to that? She was right. She wasn't a helpless creature, and only now I finally started to see it. And like she said… I was the sole responsible of Elizabeth's death. I should've done more, obliged her to tell Bella about the voice… I sat on the bed again, and hid my face in my hands. My fault…

"Edward…" said Bella. "Oh God, I'm sorry, I can't believe I've said… words just came out of my mind! I didn't mean to accuse you or …"

"But you told the truth. And now I'll never have the chance to tell her how sorry I am."

Bella kneeled in front of me, and forced me to raise the head and look at her in the eyes.

"Edward, I know how this might sound crazy, but this body defying all the basic rules of death… Elizabeth's ghost nowhere to be found… I can see death's inner logic even when it seems there's no logic at all, and believe me… there's no logic here. It's all artificial."

"What do you mean?"

"Like I said… if the body is not dying, then the soul is not free to wander. But if the soul is not here, it means that someone is keeping it away. Eamonn told me that whoever is doing this is no amateur and it's an expert in this field. More expert than me. I never dealt with Black magic or Necromancy, I never wanted to. It's dangerous and scary like hell… but this witch clearly doesn't have any problem with it."

"Maybe you should call your friend. He could come…"

"Eamonn's an academic. And he has a daughter. No way in hell I'm dragging him into this. But until he stays in Ireland, he can give me all the help he wants," she said, getting up. Bella started dialing his number on her way out of the room, and I could hear her talking to Eamonn about Elizabeth. From what I could gather, she was almost certain Elizabeth was still alive, her soul trapped somewhere.

But where?

[Elizabeth]

O-kay. I thought there was nothing left in this world to scare me, but clearly I was mistaken. And petrified in fear. Or at least I would be if I still had a body… which I didn't.

I had some heavy chains on my wrists and around my body, though. How can it even be possible to chain a ghost? Because of that I was sure, I was a ghost. I remembered the accident on the stairs. The heart attack, or whatever that was. Edward holding me up to the very last moment. Everything went black… And then I appeared there, covered in thin, silvery chains that prevented me to move.

Where the hell was I? It looked like a cabin. A normal, ordinary cabin, with old furniture and hundreds of books everywhere. On the table, inside a basket, there were many crystal globes and some pictures. I would've loved to get closer, but the chains were too heavy for me to move. I could just stand still and watch what was around me…

"Well, at last we meet," said a girl, appeared out of nowhere along with a twenty-something boy. Both Quileutes, judging by their appearances. And both were looking at me with an annoying smug smile.

"Let me guess. Julie Ateara and Charlie Black."

"Bella clearly did her homework," said Julie. "And here I was guessing she would just go after my friend here."

"You did the only thing you shouldn't have done. Bella and I will bury you. Again."

"Funny, darling… you talking about burials. That's exactly what's going to happen to you. You should've minded your own business… what's your name?"

"Go to hell."

"In a century or two, you'll wish she had sent you there. You made her angry… challenge her like that, after she warned you… You asked for it."

"Who is she? What the hell does she want from Bella and the Quileutes?"

"Justice," said a voice Elizabeth knew very well. It was the last sound she heard before dying. Elizabeth could see it belonged to a woman around in her sixties, with dark skin and gray hair. She emerged from a door hidden by some tapestry decorated with runes. Magical signs were all over it… I wondered what was in that room that needed such protection. The woman walked until she was exactly in front of me, and even if I was scared to death I didn't give her the satisfaction of showing fear or lowering my eyes. Proud even in the afterlife, that was me.

"My incorporeal friends tell me your name is Elizabeth. Tell me, Elizabeth…was it worth it? You didn't stop me. Quite the opposite… and now your soul is mine. Mine to do whatever I please with it."

"Bella will find you. And when that moment comes… well, may God help you."

The woman laughed, clearly amused by my words. "God? I don't care about God! He took away my husband, my daughter, my life! But now I have the chance to make them all learn what's like to lose the people you love without being able to do a thing to save them… And they will all learn. Especially Dave and that little whore he chose over my daughter!"

Daughter? I couldn't help but look at Julie, and then back at the older woman. So that had to be Claire Ateara… Bella told me a few things about her, but I would've never imagined she would be capable of that. How could a Quileute housewife become… whatever she was now?

"Your friend will learn her lesson too," she said with an evil smile, "when she finds her father on First Beach."

"Bella did nothing to you!" I screamed, trying to fight against my restraints.

"Not to me, no… but our little princess here is too much of a wild card. She needs to learn her place… and I'll make sure of that."

I had no idea of what she was talking about, but one thing I knew. Bella was alone, with no idea of who her enemy really was and that she was one of the targets like her friend Dave, if not even more so.

And I was stuck there, chained up like an animal.

I never felt more enraged and helpless in my entire life.