Chapter 20
Obviously I'm not Stephenie Meyer. All things in the Twilight Universe still belong to her and I'm stuck here, smacking my head, wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?" Ha, ha, but in all seriousness no infringement is intended on my part.
This is going to be my last update for a little while. I warned everyone that I really don't write all that fast. I'm too picky. I'm nearly done with Chapter 21. I'm hoping to post it no later that Sunday evening. I'm anticipating one or two more chapters after that. Then I have to decide which story I want to finish next, along with EPOV for this Story. I couldn't really start EPOV until I was done with this story. I'm doing his POV in order, because lets face it, it was just insane to write this story this way. Maybe I'll post a few chapters of different stories I've started and let you all decide what I do next. The most reviews wins. Hmmm… Happy Reading.
Before: June 3, 2009
My sight blurred, nails digging into my palms, my chest was on fire. I tried to hold it in, but the pain was too much. Humiliation, confusion, stress, anger, helplessness, raw emotion, pent up and ready to detonate. I couldn't do this. I couldn't have this conversation with her. Then again, who was I going to tell? Who could possibly understand what was happening to me? How did I get this way? How could I stop myself from hurting someone? All these questions and more swam out in the forefront of my mind. So many things to consider. One thing for certain, shoved front and center, my one dream, gone. I would never be a teacher. My life as I new it was now over.
Hands, warm, soft, gentle, caressing my hair, brushing the tears from my cheeks, holding me together. I could hear a soft murmuring, loving, gentle, comforting. The smell of fresh homemade bread and strawberry preserves, my favorite, permeated my senses. Soft lips firm against my forehead. The smell of vanilla beans, her shampoo, washed over me as silken strands of raven black hair caressed my cheek. Arms, thin and familiar pulled me into a healing embrace.
"Isabella, look at me. I know what happened. I know what you're going through." Her words got my attention.
My father dropped me off at home after my brief visit to the hospital. He left me alone with my mother, stating that a girl needs her mom at a time like this. He decided to go back to where he found me in the woods to look for clues, determined to find out who had attacked me.
I didn't believe her. How could she know? I'd turned into a monster and I didn't even understand how. How could she understand what was happening to me?
"I was there the day you met your wolf. Your father was at work, I was pregnant with Seth at the time. It was just us three girls, so I packed us a picnic lunch."
She continued the story of her taking us to La Push Beach for a picnic and how she was attending Leah, who had just fallen and skinned her knees.
"I heard you giggle. I turned my head to check on you and you weren't alone. It was her. Your wolf. Leah had met her wolf just six months prier, I was prepared for the possibility that she may meet her wolf, but you…"
"I'm a half-breed…" I whispered, barely audible, Leah reminded me of this almost daily. After all, how could the stuff of legends and fairy tales come true for a mere half Quileute daughter of a pale-face.
It was given that I new of the Quileute legends. All the tribe's children were taught our histories and legends in our school, even the crazy ones no one believed in anymore. The truth was that it wasn't as if the adults didn't believe it, they just didn't want the children that remained unaffected by this, I hesitate to use the term gift, to take it too seriously.
I shuttered, remembering our tribes need for such magic. "The Cold Ones?" I whispered, fearfully.
"Yes, unfortunately, they do exist."
I stared wide-eyed at my mother. "Oh…" I knew my fate and it wasn't pretty. I was to become one of the tribes protectors. When our soul merged with that of a wolf it could only mean one thing. Vampires were close by.
Quileute legend speaks of wolves being psychic, in the sense that they could foresee the future. They always knew when our people would need their protection from the Cold Ones. In a way, by merging our souls together we were able to protect each other from our mutual enemy.
"And Leah?"
"Yes, sweetie. Leah is a wolf too."
"Is that why you put me in Seth's room?"
"Yes, and I'm so sorry. I know how much that upset you, but you have to understand how volatile she was."
"I guess I do. Does this mean you'll have to move me back in with Leah so I don't hurt Seth."
"You and Seth are so good for each other though. You're so close and I really can't see you hurting him. Leah on the other hand… You're the volatile one now, not that I think you'd hurt Leah either, it's just that she has a tendency to get under your skin."
Tears welled up in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. I hated self pity. It always turned to self loathing. "I'm a monster," I whispered against my mother's neck as she held me to her.
"No, baby girl. You're a protector. This is a gift, Isabella."
"It's a gift to turn into a hairy beast and destroy, maim and murder?"
"It's not like that, sweetheart. I promise it will be okay."
"Mom, I was covered in blood."
"It was the blood of a deer. You didn't murder anyone."
"I DEER! I don't even like venison."
I fresh round of tears came spilling out of my eyes. I was truly horrified, unable to fathom what I'd become.
"I don't even remember exactly what happened to me, only flashes, mostly of the blood. How can you call this a gift when I'm out of control. I could hurt someone. I am a monster. How can you tell me otherwise?"
"It's going to get better, sweetheart. I can promise you that. Please believe me." Mom pulled away from me, turning to a tray of food setting on my nightstand. "Here, you need to eat something." She'd brought me my favorite. Her homemade bread with her special strawberry preserves. I took a bite unable to resist. My mom, God love her, knew exactly how to soothe the savage beast.
After: October 16, 2010
The confusion, the fear, the pain, of that day; the embarrassment of my father finding me naked and alone, hiding under a bush. Edward bravely took it all in, but that didn't stop the strangled sob, he cried for me. I remembered that moment with perfect clarity.
The intimacy of our embrace, minds, hearts, spirits, the soul of us intertwined, laid bare for each other's scrutiny. We shared so much of each other. Life, love, and loss, struggles, hunger and pain, it was there, the dirt, blood and grit of it all. Every memory, every emotion, time passed swiftly through us, a kaleidoscope of retentive dream-like thought. All of it, so surreal, to know someone as well, if not better than I know myself.
"Bella?"
All of us Cullen's, with the exception of the twins, Carlie and Riley, had boarded a private plane to Italy on our quest to rid the world of the corrupt vampire monarchy. Our babies were left in the care of my parents and Seth.
Edward's holding me protectively against his chest; our last moments of safety, before the fight of our lives. I'm feeling the conflict, overwhelming, gripping his soul.
"Everything will be fine. We have a solid plan of attack," I'm trying to reassure him.
"You don't know them the way I do."
I'm staring up at him incredulously. Through our connection he knows as well as I do that's not true.
"Okay, I'm sorry for insulting your intelligence," he's relenting.
I'm smiling kissing his jaw. "They won't know what hit them."
"I'm glad you're feeling confident about it."
"I know you, Edward. If not for me and the twins you wouldn't even consider backing down."
"It's just the idea of you in combat. If anything happens to you…"
"What's going to happen to me? All my gifts are locked up, safe, in my mind. Who can penetrate that? Which one of them can stop me from flattening the whole damn place to the ground?"
"That's the million dollar question. We don't know if any of them can. If Alec can stop you all of this will be for not. Alice's visions are useless lately."
"I'm sorry. I'm trying," Alice cries quietly. It seems that's all she can do since we got on the plane. "I haven't seen anything. I even tried to get a few miles away from you and the twins to see if I could see anything at all. It was useless. I'm useless. You're right, Edward."
Instantly I'm feeling the remorse that washes over Edward at his careless words. "I'm so sorry, Alice. I didn't mean it that way. I don't think you're useless. Somehow we will find a way to get your visions back, but for now, please know that I'm not blaming you. None of this is your fault," Edward's trying to reassure her.
"What's your problem, Allie Cat? This is going to be great!" Emmett's been practically thumping his chest the whole trip. If we'd let him he'd jump out head first over Volterra to be the first one to storm the Volturi's castle.
"Okay we're almost there. Everyone knows what to do, so lets get prepped," Jasper, our strategist, started issuing orders. It was only natural to let him take command of this mission. With his charismatic nature and strong military prowess he was easily the best choice.
"Yep. Rosy and I know exactly where to go. Arty was such a good boy when we interrogated him. Don't you think so, Edward?" I'm looking, my nose wrinkled in disgust, at Edward. He's laughing kissing it. I could have gone my entire existence happily oblivious to the inner sanctum of Emmett's man cave. This was one of the downfalls of being so connected to Edward's mind; all of his memories were now mine.
"Gross, I need brain bleach. Why didn't we insist he bring Art to us. That was just nasty."
My poor husband had to stand by, listening to Art's mind to make sure he didn't lie, while Emmett questioned him.
"Your wife's a little prudish, Edward."
To this, everyone on the plane is throwing random things at Emmett's head.
"Okay, people. We've had our fun," Jasper's calling us to order. "We all have our orders. Now, get into your cloaks as soon as you make it inside the castle. And be careful. It's dark out, the Volturi guard could be anywhere lurking anywhere in the city."
We're finally landing. Most of us are off the plane before Carlisle can make a complete stop. Jasper, Alice, Emmett and Rosalie are running ahead to procure us transportation while Edward and I wait for Carlisle and Esme to exit the plane.
In record time Edward's siblings are back with our transportation, Carlisle and Esme are standing next to us, having put the plane in it's appropriate spot or whatever pilots were required to do. Now the fun is about to begin. Each one of us has a cloak to wear, all but Jasper and Alice who are wearing clothes immersed in Edward's and my scent. They're playing decoy and are now currently rubbing themselves on Edward and I for a touchup.
"Guys, that's enough!" Edward's complaining. I'm only laughing at the absurdity of it.
"I think it's a great idea. I still think we should have brought Arty. We could of used him to rub all over the rest of us," Emmett's pouting."
"There's no way I'm getting anywhere near your pervy man-art. You just keep those THINGS in your cave. It's bad enough we have to put up with your pervy ass on a daily basis," I'm snarling at him.
"Aw. You know you love me, Belly."
"Shut it!" he knows that I hate that nickname.
"She's not pregnant anymore, Nimrod. Which makes your nickname for her stupid," Jasper is informing him in a no nonsense kind of tone.
Edward and I climb into the back of one of the cars and I've decided to tune them all out for the rest of our short trip to the Volturi's hidden lair, beneath their castle. Instead I'm snuggling into Edward. He's struggling to hide his fear from me.
The car's stopping. We all file out; the castle is in sight. I twine my fingers with Edwards. This will truly be the day our lives change for the better. After we eradicate these evil beings today. my babies nor any of my tribes children, will have to grow up in fear for their lives. I'm going to get my sister back. She'll be broken inside from loosing her beloved and from the torture she's had to endure, but I was going to do my best to help her through the worst of her recovery.
"Bella," Edward's pulling me from my thoughts. His fear is gut wrenching. I'm not sure how to console him. I pull him into my arms, squeezing him with all my might.
"Promise me, Bella. Promise me you can do this."
I'm pulling back to gaze up into his worried eyes. I'm cradling his face in my hands.
"I promise. I can do this. I WILL do this, all of us will."
A small smile is playing on his lips because he's feeling my confidence. No trace of fear or doubt is in me.
"In that case, lets go kick some Volturi ass."
Thank you for your patience in advance. I will get those last few chapters to you as soon as I'm able to pull them from my brain. In the mean time, don't forget to watch for my other stories. The most reviews wins. Thank you for you support.