Undisclosed Information
"I'm driving." Edward stated, marching over to his car.
"Piss off! You drove the Ferrari two nights ago. It's my turn." I argued, making a grab for his keys.
"Kali, this is the Vanquish. No-one but me gets to drive it."
"You sound like a fucking child. Now give me the keys." I held my hand out for them patiently. He would give them up or he was getting nothing from me. No information on the hunt or the confrontation with the wolves or...
"What confrontation with the wolves?" Oh crap. Damn it! Wait, I could use this...
"Give me the keys and you will find out." I challenged, still holding my hand steady.
"Kali..."
"Oh for God sake Edward. Give me the damn keys so we can get out of here." I yelled, taking a step forward so that my hand was directly below his face. His face ran through about ten different emotions before strong determination settled into his features.
"If you so much as adjust the seat..." he threatened, putting the keys into my waiting hand.
"Yeah, yeah, Kali jigsaw. Hop in, big boy!" I heard a deep laugh from the house as Emmett finally lost control of himself. "Stop pouting, Edward."
He was sitting with his arms folded in the passenger seat of the Vanquish, staring at the steering wheel with longing in his eyes.
"Tell you what, we will go for a drive to my house and when we get there, you can pick a car to drive back here for me." I reasoned. He thought about it for a good ten seconds before he held his hand out for me to shake. The deal was struck and I floored it out of the garage while Edward had an almost pained expression on his face. We had been driving towards my home for about five minutes. We hadn't actually said anything to each other and I wanted to wait until I knew we were far enough away from the wolf-border that he couldn't make a dive for it and rip apart some wolves for himself.
"I am going to show you what happened now, Edward." I said suddenly. I hadn't thought about it. It just sort of slipped out and I think I preferred it that way. At least he didn't get a head's up of anything. "It's important that you see everything for yourself. Also, remember what car you are in. You do not want to break anything. Okay?" He nodded once and motioned for me to continue. I allowed thoughts of the hunt flood my mind.
I showed him how we flew through the forest like ghosts chasing smoke. Victoria weaving across the boundary line and rocketting into the tree. My hands wrapped around her hair and the feel of her being hurtled to the ground at high speed. Jasper shoving his shoulder so far into her ribcage I was positive he had broken something inside of her. My near miss and her consequent escape across the quileute border. Emmett nearly crashing into the grey wolf and the almost fight that ensued. Edward let out a low hiss when I replayed the wolves thoughts and their reactions. He got his back up particularly high when he saw the response from one of the wolves when Bella's name was mentioned. I showed him Carlisle asking for permission to hunt Victoria on their lands, but the wall of 'Fuck No's' prohibited us.
"We spent a lot of time arguing. By the time they had caught up with her, she was already in the Sound and heading for the shore." I said quietly. Edward shook his head, sort of smiling. "What the hell are you smiling about? We didn't catch her. She got away."
"Kali, you got closer than any of the wolves of Cullens ever had before. I can still smell her scent on you."
"Oh, that's because I have a small present for you in my pocket." I said cryptically. I flooded my mind with images of wildflowers and trees as I fished the small bag out of my pocket. I hadn't shown this to any of the others. I wanted it to be a surprise, just for him. He looked less than impressed that both of my hands weren't on the steering wheel of his precious car, but accepted the little bag when I handed it to him. I stole sidewards glances as he sniffed the bag and hissed involuntarily.
"This has Victoria's scent all over it." He growled, holding it between two of his fingers, utterly disgusted.
"Just open the damn bag, will you?" I challenged. "I thought you would like to see it before I burned it." He untied the drawstrings on the bag and pulled the opening wide. He peaked into the bag and let out the most ridiculous booming laughter. After he turned the bag upside down over his hand, the clump of flame red hair fell out and began to permeate the air with its scent. When I had threw Victoria out of the tree by her hair, clumps of it had caught around my fingers, causing it to rip clean out of her head. I hadn't noticed until I got home that it was wraped around my hands, but I figured it would be the best gift I could give Edward to let him know we had at least made a good effort.
"You want to know the good bit... she will have a bald spot above her right ear now. That won't grow back." I said, thoroughly enjoying Edward's mirth.
"Oh my. I think we should show this to Bella before we burn it." He suggested, placing the hair back into the little bag and shoving it into his pocket. "And I am sorry for how I reacted back at the house. She really does mean everything to me and I will be forever grateful to all of you for what you are doing to protect Bella. The failed hunt this weekend just means that I have a chance to finish this myself." His face turned deadly and I could only assume that he was thinking of a thousand different ways to rip Victoria apart. I couldn't blame him really- I had thought the same thing myself as the family and I hunted her. I was just disappointed that I couldn't finish the job before she escaped.
"Edward, not to put a dampener on the mirth and vengeance... but Victoria has a talent. You know that right?"
He shook his head. "What is it?"
"Her brain works so fast that it can process things a lot faster than we normally can. She thinks through information so fast, it allows her to react quicker than most. It allows her to escape near death situations. It's astonishing to watch her mind when it is in action. The only benifit is that you will be able to hear and keep up with her thoughts when you catch up to her next time."
"We thought she had a talent, but we didn't know what." Edward stated.
"Thanks for the heads up then."
"You didn't need the help, Kali. Like I said, you have gotten closer to her than anyone else has."
"Stop trying to butter me up. It won't work." I mused, knowing full well that it would work spectacularly. I headed for the turn off to my driveway. Once I turned off the highway, just outside Seattle, I slowed down just a little. "Edward, welcome to my house."
Everything was just as I left it. It was dark now, so the house was all lit up again. There wasn't any real need for it to be, seeing as I hadn't been here in nearly eight weeks, but it stopped people breaking in and stealing stuff. I pulled up to the house and climbed out of the fabulous machine that I had driven here. I ran my hand gently over the bonnet and promised myself I would buy one of these.
"This one was a limited edition when it was new." Edward informed me, getting out of the car and stroking the opposite side of the bonnet. "You should be able to get a hold of one, but they are more expensive now." Gloating little shit. Time for him to see my babies.
"Edward, I am going to show you my garage. Once I have led you in, I am going to grab some things from the house and then come back and make sure you are alright." The garage was actually a converted, two-story barn that could hold up to twenty-four cars... and hold twenty-four cars, it did. He nodded once, motioning for me to lead the way. When we reached the padlocked door of the barn, I paused.
"Now, remember, try not to drool on anything. I'm not sure how the paintwork would cope with the venom and some of these are vintage." He nodded once to me, indicating that he understood. I took the padlock into my had and squeezed it gently until the metal gave way and came loose into my hand. I tossed the now hand-shaped lump into the trees and slid open the barn door, reaching for the light-switch just next to the entrance. Edward was holding his breath. I turned to find out why he had stopped, but his face told me everything I needed to know. His eyes were as wide as saucers and a smile was beginning to break out across his face. This was highly undignified behavior on his part. When Rosalie saw this, she just nodded and began quizzing me on the models and modifications and such. Edward's reaction, this stare and gawp and almost drip-venom-down-my-chin behavior, was slightly embarrassing.
"I am going to nip to the house and grab a few things. Will you be alright?" The only response he could muster was a single, stiff nod. I laughed as I ran to the house. I wanted to grab my iPod and some books. Also some normal clothes were a must. I was getting fed up of the designer crap Alice insisted I was to wear. Plus, I needed sturdy items like my running and hiking boots. I needed to pick up some credit cards and money as well. It took me about five minutes to get everything I wanted together and into two bags. I took then downstairs and placed them by the Vanquish. I walked slowly over to my garage and leaned against the still open door. Edward had finally moved from his standing position and was now weaving his way through my cars on the ground floor.
"Edward? You alright?" I asked quietly, not wanting to intrude upon his 'moment' with the Porsche he was currently next to.
"There are so many..."
"I know. You know that this is just the ground floor right? I keep the good ones upstairs." I stated, pointing towards the spiral staircase in the corner. His eyes flitted to the stairs and back to me with a slight longing. "Follow me." I said, making my way towards the staircase. Once upstairs, Edward became stock-still again. "Edward, it's okay. Just pick one."
"How? They are all just..." Words seemed to fail him as he moved, almost unconsciously, towards my Aston Martin Vantage. "The body work on this is slightly prettier than the Vanquish, but the engine that your baby has downstairs just about turned me to butter." I told him, walking forwards to stand by his side. "You can drive this one if you like."
"Shh, I'm not done shopping yet."
"Oh good. You have enough of your faculties back to start making jokes. I was getting worried there." I teased, poking him in the side.
"Very funny..." he grumbled as he moved away from the Vantage and towards my Maserati Quattroporte. I focused on him and got into his head which was, quite frankly, a mess of cars and automotive lust. His hand skimmed the roof of the car and he inhaled through his nose, breathing in the scent of the paintwork and the engine. His eyes roamed the room and zeroed in on one car. It was like gravity didn't effect him anymore as he got to the side of his target. My pride and joy. I loved this car as much as Edward loved the Vanquish and the thought of anyone else touching it was almost painful to me. The Pagani Zonda before us both stood on a slightly raised plinth- indicating it's elevated status of 'My favourite'. It's shimmering, metallic red paint danced under the lights in the garage and begged to be touched.
"My, how the tables have turned...?" Edward mused, never taking his eyes off of my car. "Can I drive this one?" I stopped breathing. He wanted to drive the Zonda. He wanted to touch my Zonda... That was unacceptable.
"Do you see where I am coming from now, Sister?" He asked, finally tearing his eyes away from my baby. I could do nothing but nod once. I still had the keys to the Vanquish in my hands so I knew he wouldn't hurt my car. Time for another deal to be struck.
"I will allow you to drive this car, Edward. If you so much as pull the seat-belt too hard, I swear I will kill you slowly and painfully." I threatened. I would do it if I was pushed to it.
"I could say the same thing to you, dear." He teased, holding his hands out for the keys. Smug git was copying my actions from earlier in the evening. I huffed once before moving over to the west wall where the keys for my cars hung on hooks. I quickly located the correct key and took them gingerly into my hand. I looked at them longingly before placing them into his hand. I was in the passenger seat before he had a chance to turn around.
The only word to come out of his mouth when he got in was "What?"
"I have to show you how to get out of here with this." I stated, opening the glove-box and pulling out a small remote. I pressed the top button on it and replaced it back into the glove-box before gently closing it. The plinth that the car was sitting on lowered so that it became flush with the floor. I pointed to the open ramp at the far end of the room, indicating to him how to get out. He started up my baby and she purred to life like a contented lion. Just the sound of her engine thrumming was enough to set my dead heart fluttering. He eased my car down the ramp and around the back of the garage towards the front of the house.
"There, no damage done." He teased, pulling a strand of my hair.
"I swear to God, Cullen, if you hurt this car I will beat you into chipping stones." I warned him, pointing one, very stressed out finger into his face. He raised his right hand into the boy scout salute and placed the other over his heart.
"I promise not to hurt your baby as long as you don't hurt mines." His voice was even as he held out his hand, offering to shake mines. I narrowed my eyes and got out of my car while I was still sure I had the ability to. I didn't even look back as I strode to the Vanquish and tossed my two bags inside. I got into the drivers seat and instantly felt better about the 'swapping cars for the trip home' thing. The soft leather caressed my stone skin as I settled into the seat. The smell from the car mixed with Edward's unique honey and lilac scent was intoxicating. I couldn't help the low moan that sounded from my throat. This was automotive heaven. I carefully adjusted the seat, being careful not to break anything. Edward had, by this time, swung the Zonda around so that we were parked next to each other. He buzzed the window down and I was met with the biggest shit-eating grin I had seen on his face.
"You alright there, Kali? Do you need a moment alone with the car?" His eyebrows raised as he teased me.
"You should talk. You should have seen your face when you got into that thing." I retorted, jerking my head towards him and my car. "I thought you were going to make a mess of the front of your trousers."
"I did not."
"You did."
"I didn't!"
"You know, right now, we sound like Alice and Emmett when they argue." I noted as I turned the Vanquish's engine over. As the gorgeous machine purred into life, another soft moan escaped from my lips, causing Edward to chuckle heartily. I glared at him and revved the Aston's engine, suppressing the low growl of pleasure that was trying to bubble up from my throat. I heard the Zonda engine sound in response and I turned to my brother incredulously.
"Do you want a race, Cullen?"
"Probably not in these cars, Kali. they are too precious." He was deadly serious as he surveyed the exterior of his car and the interior of mines. I wholeheartedly agreed with him.
"We should talk to Esme about extending the garage in Forks to accommodate some of your cars." He mused thoughtfully.
"Edward, I have three cars there just now. This one will make three and I have two more coming in the next two weeks. You don't have enough space for all of my cars."
"You have six cars there, Kali. We could make the room."
"Edward, how many cars do you think I have?" I raised an eyebrow and filled my head with trivia on the great battleship Bismark.
"I don't know." He conceded.
"I have seventy-eight cars, Edward. That's not including the 'disposable' ones."
"Really? Where do you keep them?"
"Garages like that one all over the place. The one in London holds my classic cars. I think two of my Bentley's are currently on display at the Glasgow Transport Museum in Scotland."
"What others do you have?" I had a fleeting idea that all vampires were 'Autophiles'. I hadn't met any from this era that didn't have a great love of speed.
"I'll compile a list for you, dear. Right now, we should get back home. We have been gone about two hours now and Bella will be waiting for you."
This seemed to spur him on as he nodded once and sped out of the driveway and onto the motorway with my hot on his heels. As we drove, as long as we were about fifty feet apart, we could hear each perfectly, both talking and communicating in thoughts. After we exhausted all the boring topics, we travelled in companionable silence. We were on our way home. I loved even thinking that. I had a home with my new family. My mother and father and my brothers and sisters and Bella. That fabulous little human who trusted us all so completely. I was shocked with how well she had taken to me. I was midway through reciting all the things I loved about her in my head when I screamed out in agony.I barely managed to get the car to the hard shoulder before driving became impossible. It felt like my head was on fire.
Images whirled through my head of Bella, in her room, unpacking after her trip to Florida. She looked thoughtfully at a scrap of paper she had pulled from a drawer before everything went black. Nothing.
"EDWARD!" I screamed. He was parked behind me instantly, out of the car and next to my driver's side holding my head in his hands.
"Kali! What happened? What's wrong?" His voice was distant and urgent. He was terrified.
"Her whole future, everything just disappeared." I managed to choke out. My head was pounding and I was finding it difficult to think in straight lines.
"Who's future?" He pressed.
"Bella's. She is going to see the mutt." I felt suddenly furious. We had spent all fucking weekend trying to take care of things that were a danger to her and she was just going to stroll across the treaty line to spend time with some of the most volatile and unpredictable creatures on the planet.
"Edward, we are twenty minutes from home and her future goes blank in twenty two. Move your arse and stop her!"
"Will you be alright?" I'll be fine, take my car and go!" I jerked my head out of his hands and shoved against his chest, making him move. "GO!" I yelled before leaning my throbbing skull against the headrest of the seat. I barely registered the Zonda ricocheting forward and out of sight when my mobile phone rang.
"Carlisle?" I asked, noting the name on the screen before I answered.
"Alice is on the phone with Edward right now and demanded that I phone you and make sure you are alright. What happened?"
"I'm fine. Unexpected side-affect of spending so much time around Alice." I said, hoping to placate him. I really wasn't feeling up for a long discussion about why my brain was currently trying to vacate my head in a very painful manner.
"Would you like someone to come and get you? Alice knows where you are." He offered. I considered it, then realised what car I was in.
"I'm in the Vanquish, Carlisle. I'm not sure that's the best idea."
"He let you drive it? How?"
"I offered him a Pagani Zonda. Don't tell Emmett." I said evenly. "I'll be home soon. Maybe half an hour or so. I'll see you soon." I said, hanging up the phone and throwing it into the passenger seat.
I got home about thirty minutes later, just like I had planned and walked into the front room, only to be faced by a whole line of vampires with questions.
"What happened?" Carlisle asked, coming to stand by my side.
"Nothing. I was concentrating on Bella, Alice's gift kicked in and I got a headache. Edward has gone to deal with Bella just now." I explained.
"Is Bella alright?" Esme urged.
"She will be fine now. She was planning a little trip to wolf-land, as I am sure Alice has informed you. I saw her future black out so Edward went to stop her." I shrugged and went to move past Alice to get upstairs.
"Hold on, short-stack!" Emmett called "How the hell did you get him to give you the Vanquish?" I couldn't control the laughter that burgeoned out of me. His indignation was hilarious.
"Em, We only swapped cars for the ride home. He was more than happy to take mines." I said, trying to remain aloof, dragging out his agony.
"What did you give him?" he demanded.
"I gave him a 2006 Pagani Zonda." I stated simply before heading upstairs. A nice, lour roar of "For fuck sake!" rattled the house and then an earsplitting crash shook the windows as Esme slapped her son in the head for his language again. I decided to finish off some neglected essay that was due for the next day for school. My whole life was surreal now. By day, I was a student at Forks High School, worrying about homework, unwanted male attention and fitting in. By night, I was driving super-cars worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and chasing psycho vampires and battling with horse-sized wolves. Yes, my life was completely bizarre now. I shook my head, giggling to myself and focused on my work. Assuming Edward didn't lock Bella up in a cupboard, she would be at school tomorrow and I would have to have a little word with her about her choice of friends. If I was risking my life to keep her safe, the bloody nuisance could at least help us.
Author Note: For a look at some of Kali's vehicles, check out my profile.