Chapter Twenty-two

Truth

Margarete's POV

After what seemed like hours, I had my vision back. I could see my surroundings clearly. Edward by my side, Carlisle and Esme standing close to Alice and Jasper. I inhaled deeply, trying to focus on everything I had seen. My eyes locked with Alice's and I knew she saw it, too.

"There still isn't much to go on," she said softly.

I lowered my head, "We know the child is Bella's."

"No. We saw her pregnant. We don't know it was her child. It didn't seem like much time had passed, there's no way a human child could grow that rapidly."

"Or do that much damage."

Everyone around us stayed in silence, letting us try to figure it out.

Alice walks over to me, "We could try putting them together. Our powers. Maybe it would be more clear."

"It's worth a shot."

She holds her hands out to me and I take them in mine, our fingers lacing together. Edward steps away from us and my eyes lock on his briefly, "We can stop whatever it is."

He nods, kissing my forehead. With that small sign of affection, I felt hope wash over me. I clear my mind, focusing on what I had seen. Alice's thumb tapped impatiently against hand. I laugh softly, "Sorry, I don't want anything to interfere."

"It's fine. I just want this to all be over with."

Our eyes focus on each other. Gold meeting crimson. It wasn't long before the images flashed before us. We slowed it all down, paying attention to the details. Things became a lot clearer now. It wasn't Bella. The similarities were there, but looking closer the girl was different. She didn't seem human but she was. The flush of her cheeks proved that.

The child was a girl. Angelic. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I wanted a closer look but I could feel Alice pulling away from that image. Trying to focus on Edward. To see if he was protecting her or the Volturi. I let her take the lead. I wanted to know, too. Edward was lowering himself in to a protective crouch and it was obvious he was protecting the girl. But why?

"Dear, Edward. There is no need for a fight. You've already lost so much in such a short time. Let us take her. Everything will be fixed, if you just give in," the voice was airy, almost coming from the wind. It was Aro speaking.

The little girl smiled and looked up at Edward, "He lies, father. Nothing will be made right."

There it was. The child was Edward's.

The girl we thought was Bella stepped out from behind Aro. She was nowhere close to human now. Her eyes darted between father and daughter, then finally falling on Edward, "She wasn't suppose to happen. She's a freak of nature. Worse than an immortal child. She has to be stopped."

My hands pulled from Alice's and regaining my focus, I stared at Edward, "The child is yours."

He stared at me, shaking his head, "That's impossible."

Alice stepped back, "She's right. She calls you father. But the girl, she isn't Bella."

Edward closed his eyes. He was relieved. I took that chance to walk away from everyone, knowing my eyes would be a very deep green. I hated how attached he still was to her.

"Who is it, then? I wouldn't bring another human in to this," he said quickly.

"It was Margarete," Alice said with a bit of hesitation.

I laugh, "Are you dense, Alice? I'm clearly not human."

Jasper growled, stepped towards me, "Watch your tongue."

Alice rests a hand on his chest, stopping him, "Could you not see it? Do you not see yourself in others minds? That was you, laying on the field. Pregnant. Bleeding."

"You can't exactly become human after being a vampire. It's not possible," I hissed.

Edward was coming towards me again, "Are you so sure? Is anyone sure? Jacob was involved in all of it, wasn't he? What if a vampire being bit-"

I cut him, "That is insane! Everyone knows their teeth are meant to kill us, not save us."

"It's never been tested. All of the vampires they've come across they've had to kill. What if one would have got away? We don't know what would have happened."

"Do you suggest I go find out then? Have Jacob bite me while he's a wolf and see what happens? Then see if I can get pregnant? Is that what you want? That girl wasn't me!" I screamed, pushing him away from me.

He grips my wrists and pulls me to him, "Margarete. I wasn't telling you to go have him bite you. I don't want you putting yourself at risk."

Carlisle cleared his throat, "Edward, though you have brought up an interesting point, I don't think it would work that way. I can't see anything making any of us human again."

"So it couldn't have been me. Female vampires can not get pregnant. If they could, Rosalie would have found a way by now."

Alice shakes her head, "But it was you! I saw you!"

"I'll prove that a bite from a wolf wouldn't do anything," I hissed before I disappeared.

In a split second, I was standing in the woods. I was staring at a very startled Jacob.

"Margarete? What are you doing here? Is everything ok?" He asks quickly.

"Stupid imprint," I mumble. I didn't factor that in when I decided to make this visit. "Everything is fine. Kind of. I just need a small favor."

He raises an eyebrow, "What?"

"Bite me?"

He laughs, shaking his head, "Did you bite an animal that had rabies or something?"

"I'm serious. Phase and bite me. It's an experiment."

"I'm not biting you."

"Do it Jacob, or I'll make you do it."

He smirks, "You can't make me."

"Oh no?" I step closer, running my hand over his chest, "You feel that? It's been months since we've seen each other and the imprint is still there."

His breath caught in his throat and he slapped away my hand, "My imprint is with Bella."

"Ours is still there. Please, just bite me."

He rolls his eyes and moves back. Before I know it his clothes are shredded on the ground and he's phased. I hold my arm up to him and he looks down at it. Slowly his mouth opens and I see his fangs. I'm not easily hurt, but I have a small feeling this is going to kill.

Closing my eyes tightly, he bites down on my arm. His teeth easily breaking through my stone skin. I scream and push him away from him. I grip my wound, gasping for air. I shake my head over and over, "This can't happen. It wasn't suppose to happen."

Jacob looks at me, confused.

"Phase back," I demand and he obeys. "Edward was thinking erratically. He said a bite from you or someone like you, could make a vampire human."

Jacob laughed, "That's insane."

I nod, then let go of my still bleeding arm, "Is it really? This should have stopped by now."