Chapter 27

A Decade Under the Influence

"Sad, small, sure in porcelain/You're skin and bones, I'm a nervous wreck/I got a bad feeling about this/I got a bad feeling about this/You kept still until the long drive home/You slept safe and close to the window/I got a bad feeling about this/I got a bad feeling about this." A Decade Under the Influence-Taking Back Sunday

BPOV

"My circle, Bella, Edward, Alice, we're going to cast a protective shield around the house. I want everyone else either casting the protective spell around the perimeter or casting cleansing spells around the area. Go go," Zoey started barking orders, taking on the leader role. Or should I say, High Priestess role.

"You're going to love this," Jack mused excitedly. I noticed his mark was golden and was in shapes of lightning bolts. "We haven't properly been introduced," Jack realized with horror. "My name is Jack, Damien's mate," he held out his arm and I grabbed his forearm in the Dark Daughter formal handshake.

"Bella," I smiled.

Jack winked, "I know. You are Edward," they shook hands. I noticed Jack's eyes had lit up when he said Edward's name. Figures, "and you must be the beautiful Alice," Jack finished.

Alice grinned, "Nice to meet you," she said, shaking his forearm.

"Ready to go ya'll?" Stevie Rae asked, adjusting the load in her arms so nothing would fall. "Jack, why don't ya take some of this and go with Aphrodite and her group? They're casting cleansing spells over at the clearing. So here is some white sage," Stevie Rae started handing different bottles and ingredients to Jack, listing them off as she did so. I turned my attention to Zoey.

"Bella," she called me over. I gladly obliged, making my way through the group that was around her. "Okay, for the protective ritual, we're going to need your affinity to make it stronger. So I want you to go out back and practice for a few minutes, see how much it has grown since the change."

"Yes Priestess," I agreed and went to the backyard. Ethan was sitting on the back porch looking bored, and in a new shirt, when I stepped outside.

"Bella," How many times was my name going to be called this today?

I turned to face him, "I can't talk right now Ethan. I have to practice my affinity before they're ready to cast the circle." With that I headed to the center of the backyard.

"And just how are you going to do that with no help?" Ethan questioned with a smirk. Goddess, why was he so hot? Whoa Bella, Edward. Edward Cullen. Remember, your fiancé Edward? Since when did I have to remind myself that I loved Edward?

And since when did Ethan get under my skin? Oh, that's right. When I first met him.

"Ethan, I honestly don't know. But I have to practice. You don't have an affinity that could help me, so go find someone who can." I shooed him away and concentrated on the film that covered my mind. I let it expand. The film grew till it covered my entire body. My eyes were closed during this.

"Oh my," Ethan gasped. I peaked from under a lid at him. He was staring at me with a dazed expression.

"What?" I asked slightly confused.

Ethan shook himself. "Look at yourself," he gestured to my body in a whole. I looked down myself. A thin wisp, much like the film I had imagined that had spread throughout my body looked, covered my body.

"Whoa," I commented. Ethan reached a hand out to touch my arm, but pulled it back when it touched my arm.

"Ow," he shook his hand back and forth as if to stop the sting of a burn.

I looked at him curiously. "What happened?"

He just looked at me. "You can't just stand there and pretend you didn't feel that or cause it?" Ethan looked at me with an incredulous expression. I just shook my head 'no'.

"Hm," he muttered quietly. "Try expanding it further. Like passed your body," Ethan suggested.

My eyes closed in concentration. I directed my shield out, pushing it away from my body. Ethan's 'whoa' told me I had achieved my goal. I peaked and my eyes flew up in astonishment. A film, like a shield, trapped me in a cell that had curved walls. There were only a few feet in the shield compartment and it was only a few inches taller than me.

"Ethan, try to walk through this." I instructed, not even looking at him. My hands were feeling along the shield, but all the while concentrating on keeping it in place. It wasn't hard to direct a specific part of my brain to focus on keeping the shield up. My hands passed through the shield as I touched it. I reached for Ethan's hand.

"Wait a minute," he protested, backing up. "When I tried to touch you, the shield shocked me. What would happen if I did that with my entire body?" Ethan asked.

"Just try, please, for me," I begged quietly.

Ethan sighed heavily, "Fine." Ethan took a deep breath and started walking towards me. When he reached the shield, his step faltered. But he pushed on anyways.

As soon as he made the move to pass through it, his body connecting with the film, Ethan went soaring back. "ETHAN!" I cried out, my shield falling as I ran for him. The connection had sent him flying all the way into the tree line.

I found him lying on the forest's floor a few feet from the edge of my backyard. He groaned and sat up, rubbing his head. "What the hell?" he muttered.

"Oh Ethan, are you okay? I didn't mean to. I didn't know it would do that. Are you okay?" I asked again, checking for any damages. My hands moved frantically over him, not knowing where to touch.

"Bella," Ethan said firmly, grabbing my wrists. "I'm a vampire. I'm fine. That was just a shock for me flying thirty feet." I realized how close our faces were, so I leaned away, sitting down across from him.

"I'm so sorry. If I wouldn't have asked," I rambled guiltily.

Ethan placed a finger to my lips. "Bella, I'm fine. And at least now we know what your shield can do. I'm glad to say I was the crash course dummy and the first to try it." A proud smile was on his beautiful features.

"You know you're sorta beautiful," I mumbled thoughtlessly. Oh my Goddess, did I just say that out loud? The filter from my brain to my mouth was shut off! Oh my Goddess, did I really say that?

Ethan swallowed and just stared at me. Then a shaky laugh escaped his lips and his face was guarded again. "Bella, are you sure you didn't do nothing to yourself?"

"Positive," I said without a second's hesitation. Yep, my filter was shut off. Goddess help me.

Ethan's hand crept up to move a strand of hair from my face. "You know why I haven't found a mate yet?" he asked randomly. I shook my head. "I was hoping one day you would show up on my doorstep, willing to forgive me, and ask for me back." I gulped and just looked into his fathomless red eyes. Something about the color of his eyes just seemed to fit him. It had never really bothered me what his diet was. Yes, I tried many times to convert him to vegetarianism, but he couldn't keep up with the strict diet plan.

"But when you did show up on my doorstep, it wasn't to forgive me." Ethan continued, his hand caressing my cheek. "That guy was with you."

"That guy has a name," I muttered, but my thoughts were anywhere but Edward. They were all centered on Ethan.

"Well, I like calling him 'that guy'." Ethan chuckled. "But I never stopped loving you Bella."

Ethan's red eyes were trained on my lips as he leaned forward. I couldn't stop my eyes from flickering to his either. But just as our lips were about to meet, I heard several footsteps leaving the house and heading this way. I jerked back and flew myself into a nearby tree across from where Ethan sat.

"No," my voice was shaky. Ethan looked a little dazed as well. "I can't Ethan. Edward is my mate. You had your chance and you blew it. I'm sorry." With that I stood and turned to leave, but something caught my wrist.

"No, I'm sorry." I was spun around and shoved into a tree. Two hands placed themselves on either side of my head. Ethan was looking at me with so much love and desire, but I also saw pain in his eyes. "I am sorry." He repeated and leaned in closer.

ZPOV (Zoey)

"Looks like Bella is following in your footsteps," Shaunee said as we watched Bella fly into the forest after her ex.

"Agreed twin," Erin nodded.

I rolled my eyes and sat back in my chair. "If it is true, Nyx has chosen Bella for very special reasons, my time has come." I said this with faith and confidence. If it was my time, it was my time. I would be welcomed by Nyx into the afterlife with open arms and a warm smile that would make me feel at home. I would see my Grandma who I hadn't seen in centuries. I would see everyone I had ever loved who had passed. Maybe even my mother, although I wouldn't be too disappointed if that didn't happen.

"Zoey," Erin scolded.

"Redbird," her twin finished.

"Z, come on," Stevie Rae pleaded, grasping my hand.

I looked around the table at my closest friends. "You know it's true. Nyx has prepared for another to take my place. Show her the ropes while I'm gone. She doesn't have much training as a High Priestess. She has much potential to be something extraordinary. She already is," I sighed as I gazed out the glass windows. Stark wrapped an arm around me and pulled me to his chest.

"I will protect you, Zoeybird," he mumbled into my hair. I shook my head in his chest.

"I don't want to be protected. I want these innocent, young, kind people to be protected. Stark, don't you worry an ounce about me tomorrow," I said.

Stark shook his own head. "I swore I would serve you, I'm not going anywhere. You are the one I will protect at all costs tomorrow," Stark looked lovingly into my eyes. I felt my dead heart swell. Oh Goddess, you aren't making this easy, I wanted to say.

"Ah hell," I muttered.

JPOV (Jack)

"Zoey, I'm going to miss you," I squealed into her shoulder as I jumped from my seat and practically leaped onto Stark where he held her.

"Ah Z, look what you've done, ya got Aphrodite sobbing," Stevie Rae repressed a laugh poorly. Aphrodite was clutching Darius' side.

"Shut it, hillbilly," she threatened.

"Twin, the hag from hell has feelings," Shaunee gasped. I let go of Zoey and slipped back into my seat, grabbing Damien's hand in the process.

"Twin, I do agree, that is crazy," Erin smiled.

Aphrodite's head shot up. "Dorkamese twins, shut the hell up! I don't know why I am sitting here with the nerd herd." Aphrodite shook her head, standing.

"Because you're one of us," Damien interjected with a sly smile.

"Priestess," Darius spoke firmly, getting everyone's full attention in the process. "If that is what you think is to come, then I must say ahead of time that it has been an honor serving you. I am very proud of you and all that you have accomplished. May Nyx bless you," Darius fisted, everyone following his lead. We all stood, I quickly mimicked, and fisted, bowing.

"Poo, this stinks." Zoey muttered. "I'm really going to miss you guys," she admitted with a shaky voice.

A/N: I really had wanted to stop this where I switched POV's from Bella to Zoey. Then again when ZPOV was finished, but it was super short. I know this is short too. But this is just where I wanted to leave it.

Sorry guys. So, what is everyone's thoughts on the New Moon sneak peeks? I absolutely loved them! Especially the shirt stripping parts! Ha-ha. So is everyone ready for Nov 20th? I think that's when it comes out… Lol. I forgot.

Lyrics game: BloodSilverThorns for guessing Sink Into Me by Taking Back Sunday. I guess not many people are fans of them… Whatever, they're great!

This chapter lyric excerpt:

They say I move to quick but we can't let this moment pass us.

Let the hour glass pass right into ashes.

Let the wind blow the ash right before my glasses.

So I wrote this love letter right before my classes.