XIX.
Self Destruct
You have got to be kidding me! Those words filled inside my head as Jane jumped. Her dainty feet landed squarely on my chest and I was thrown back to the wall. I heard a loud crack as the plaster and concrete broke, creating large ridges. The air was knocked out of me but that was still nothing. I realized that she was preparing to spring out once more but this time she was going to attack Renesmee. I could not let the mother of the future Alpha be jeopardized. But the look of terror in Nessie's face was gone and it was replaced by eagerness. She was prepared to fight Jane. I still could not let that happen. I jumped between her and the monster, just as she pounced to her. I pushed Nessie in the back wall. Punching as hard as I could, I sent Jane flying back, disappearing from sight. Hopefully that gave me some time.
"Renesmee, listen to me, do you have your cellphone with you?" I asked her urgently as I straightened out to help her up.
She nodded, brushing plaster off her hair.
"I want you to run away as far as you could. When you're far enough from the house, I want you to call Jacob to pick you up, understand? Then tell him that Jane's here. Before you come back here, I want you to get your family, all right?" I instructed her. I could hear Jane straightening herself up from the debris that caused her impact.
"But what about you? I am not leaving without you, Leah!" she complained.
"Come on! This is not the time to be stubborn!" I hissed. "If I leave, she'll terrorize the town and maybe even kill humans to build up an army for herself. If she needs to be at least wounded, I have to do it since I am here. I can't let you die! You're carrying the future of my pack."
She looked as if she wouldn't move but with one hard look, she sprint to the door and left into the night. I turned and saw Jane standing there ready to sprint again. I needed to stall her until the others get here. If I die without damaging her much, she would go after the rest. If I inflict a large damage on her, the others could defeat her easily if I die. I gulped. I didn't want to die but I will just to do my duty as a wolf and to protect those that I love the most.
"God, Jane, don't you ever get tired of coming here to fight me? I mean, you know you're going to lose," I said, trying to sound so much braver than I actually felt. "I'm getting tired of seeing you."
She growled but said in an amused voice,"Well, my persistence is one of my charming qualities, bitch."
"Funny, I never thought of you as charming. Heartless, cold, envious, annoying, psychotic, yes but charming would be at the bottom of the list with kindness and compassion."
"You have a smart mouth, don't you?"
"Smart mouth equals smart brain but of course you wouldn't know that, would you?"
"Oh, child, you are arrogant considering you are still a hatchling in this world. How much you try, you will never defeat me."
"Well, why don't we test that?" I asked and I sprang out to her, phasing in the middle of the air. She stepped aside, like she did when I first fought her but this time I was prepared. I feinted and changed my direction towards her. I immediately grabbed a portion of her arm and tore it with one strong swift of my jaw. She let out a blood-curling scream. Since I have a keen sense of hearing, the sound almost deafened me. Stupid vampires.
I needed to start a fire to burn her but I couldn't do it in the living room. If I could just get her to go outside. I pushed her towards the kitchen, hoping for any chance to get outside. She back-flipped and landed gracefully. Stupid Jane. I realized I couldn't push her away. Maybe if I let myself get pushed. But it's too risky. I looked around quickly. I had to burn the house down. So much for having a home to call our own.
I phased back into human to taunt her some more. I still want to try if she was going to throw me out of the window or something so I moved towards them. She cautiously moved away from me just in case I was planning to attack her suddenly. This way, she had her back on the stove while my back was against the cool surface of the large windows. Hopefully no one was staring out their window. I didn't want anyone to see my naked back.
"You are so weak."
"Have you forgotten that we only die through fire?"
I lifted an eyebrow. "Well, if you want your end to be like that, I would be more than happy to comply."
I quickly climbed the table as she jumped. We battled in mid air, throwing punches high from the ground. Lucky she was small so I used my weight to push her back to the stove. She landed, denting the steel kitchen equipment. I turned the fire on and pushed her face towards it. She frantically grabbed any part of my body to stop me but it was no use. I could see her right side frying. Finally, she placed her remaining hand in my stomach. The touch was unexpected and I automatically recoiled, jumping backwards. She seized the quick opportunity and grabbed my neck before throwing me up and then punching me.
I landed heavily on the oak table. The sudden extreme pressure destroyed it. Splinters enter my bare back, making it bleed freely. As it heal quickly, I could feel the splinters remaining embedded on my skin. The room was spinning and I felt groggy. Jane jumped in my arms so I could not stand up. In her small hand was a sharp knife from one of my shelves. She held it high as she decide where the knife could land best. She then gave me a doze of her powers. I lay there screaming and writhing under her weight. I wasn't sure if it was just the trick of the light because at that moment, shock and scorching hatred filled her eyes as she looked at me. She screamed as she slashed the knife in the air. She was aiming for my stomach. I screamed with her but it was not because of hatred, not even fear. It was because of frustration. I couldn't beat her and now, I'll die because of my incompetence. But hopefully I had done enough for the others to easily kill her.
As the tip of the knife made contact to my skin, it bended, only scraping my stomach. I wasn't the only one who was surprised. Jane kept hitting me with the bended blade but it was no use. It was as if the knife was made of paper instead of steel. She threw the knife in frustration and grabbed my neck instead.
"I've always wanted to kill you using my own two hands anyways!"
I could feel her crushing my throat, blocking my airway. I was starting to get dizzy again and the colors seem to fade. I kicked the back of her head but she did not let go. If I couldn't breathe, I know for sure I'll die. I looked to my side and saw that one of the splinters had a rusty nail sticking out. I tried to reach for it as weird sparks lighted in the sides of my eyes. When my hands made contact with the wood, with all the strength that I had left, I pierced the side of her head and sliced it as wide as I could despite the fact that she had her feet in my arms. She recoiled and finally let go. I rolled the opposite way, coughing up blood. I took that opportunity and phased back to a wolf. I realized that I wasn't alone.
Leah! All the boys screamed inside my head at the same time. Then they badgered me on.
Are you all right?
Are you hurt?
Where's Jane?
I'll take to you guys later! I didn't mean to scream but I didn't want to lose the chance to finally destroy Jane.
I jumped in her shoulders and ripped her other arm off. Then I ran back to the living room and placed the sofa's weight in it. Jane wobbled after me. She looked like a mess. I was sure that I was going to finally defeat her. I jumped again at her and used my weight once more to force her back to the kitchen. Then I bit a handful of her hair and parted her head from her neck. She let out another earsplitting scream but I ignored it. Her body fell dully in the kitchen floor as I ran upstairs to the master's bedroom. I figured the cabinet was heavy enough so I placed its weight on her head. It didn't break but it still screamed bloody murder. I tore the other limbs and placed them under the weight of other furniture before sprinting up the master's bedroom once again. As I grabbed clothes, I phased back to human form and looked at Jane's head once more.
"You shouldn't have come here. Why don't you listen?" I asked slyly.
"Wait 'till I get out of here then we'll continue our fight!" she snarled.
"It is over, sweetie. You lost, I won. Now you wouldn't be able to come back. I'll see you in hell you heartless monster," I said as I kicked her head as hard as I could. She screamed again.
Once I was downstairs, I poured medical alcohol all over the floor and the furniture. I took a piece of wood from the broken table and set it on fire. I threw it in the living room and within seconds fire licked every part of the house. I could still hear Jane screaming as I headed out to the backyard. I quickly got dressed. I knew that even if our house was pretty far from civilization, the fire would attract the attention of everyone. I didn't want to be seen naked. I thought of a lie to explain why my house was burning as fast as I could.
Thirty seconds later, the Cullens and the wolves came running at by my side. Nessie, since being about only four feet, was riding Jacob, a look of worry in her beautiful face. The pack huddled itself against me and Seth placed his huge head in my shoulder, sniffing my ear.
"Yeah, Seth, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I don't need you slobbering all over me," I said amused. Seth was panting in my ear, his breath was hot against my cheeks. I looked around. "What took you so long?"
"Jane murdered four hikers and caused a car accident that led to three more murders," Carlisle explained. "She led the police to a man hunt in the forest that leads to here so we couldn't get here right away. Then we couldn't use any of our cars because the roads are all blocked. I guess she planned this."
"She waited for Jacob to go before she attacked you, thinking you were alone," Edward continued.
"Thanks for not letting anything happen to Nessie, Leah," Bella added.
I nodded,"I can't let anything happen to our future Alpha."
"You make it sound like Jacob is going to be replaced or something," she replied.
I looked at Carlisle,"What about the Volturi?"
They all looked at Alice. "The Volturi had not decided yet if they're going to avenge Jane's death," she informed us.
"Do they know that she's dead?"
"Yeah. Aro could hear the thoughts of everyone. I'm guessing he already knows since he cannot hear Jane any longer."
"What if they decide to fight?" Bella asked Carlisle, worried. I was thinking the same thing. Whatever the reason why Aro and the other Volturi allowed Jane to come here may be, I know they'd want to avenge her death.
"Jane came here without Aro's permission. He just let her go to teach her a lesson. I could here him arguing with himself. It was Jane's doing that led her to her death but she is still his favorite," Edward said before Carlisle could open his mouth.
"But we still should be ready for their sudden arrival. Alice, keep a weathered eye in the future. You too, Edward. Read their thoughts in random times so we would know if they're thinking of an attack," Carlisle instructed. In my peripheral vision, I saw Edward nodding at something, agreeing to something that he alone could hear.
"Jacob wants the younger pups to be trained in combat. He wants them to be as prepared as we are," he told Carlisle. Carlisle automatically looked at Jasper that was one of those who were hovering in the background.
"Don't worry, I'll help them train," he agreed.
"Jacob also said that he wants Leah to help along. He thinks that the pups might think it's offensive that a vampire would teach them. If Leah was there, they'd feel more comfortable and ease the tensions," Edward added again. I looked at Jacob and he gave me a slight nod.
"Why can't Jasper teach them?" Rosalie suddenly hissed at the background. We all looked at her. "I don't think we need her help. It was Jasper who taught them how to fight when the Volturi first came here. Why can't he teach the pups again?"
"Rosalie," Esme said warningly but she shook her head.
"No. I just don't get it. Why does everything have to have their interference?"
"Look, Rosalie, Leah could teach them too in the way that only a wolf could understand. Jasper's fighting style is for vampires. Maybe Leah could help them translate it to something that they could use," Bella reasoned calmly but I could tell her patience was running low. She usually gets along with Barbie doll here but I knew she was getting frustrated with her.
An awkward pause settled in while Rosalie looked at me with such scorn before Carlisle suddenly said,"Well that's settled. I am going to contact as much witness that I could. I am sure new borns were created and we could contact them. Then we could contact the other clans as well. Jasper, could you get a hold of your friends once more?"
He nodded. "I have a general idea where they're traveling right now."
"Good. Now, Ethan, what about you? Do you know any vampires that would be willing to fight with us when you were with the Volturi?" he asked looking at Ethan. Ever since they got here, he did not even say a word. He just stared at the house. I was afraid that he was mad at me for destroying the house that he bought. I was even more afraid that he was being overwhelmed by disbelief because Jane's gone.
"No. The fools all agreed with the Volturi but maybe the have changed their minds. I know some of them whose loyalties wavered when they saw the fear in the Volturi's eyes. There were talks and rumors flying around those who had the courage to go back to camp. They started to be amazed that you could influence such a large group, vampires and wolves alike. But no one took the courage to join your side. No one, except for me."
"Could you persuade them? With your special ability in tracking, you could find them and influence them to join our side," Carlisle asked seriously.
Ethan frowned, still keeping his eyes on the burning house. "Carlisle, tracking is not a special ability. It is just...a skill, not something special."
"Ethan, the only tracker that could match your skill is Demetri, who needs to have the tenor of the mind to be able to track someone. But you, you only need their smell," Carlilse pointed out. He didn't say anything but just nodded.
Silence enveloped in the small circle. Everyone was wrapped in their own thoughts. If I could just read Ethan's mind to know what's wrong with him. I wish wolves could also hear other's thought like we could in our pack when we're wolves. Sirence coming from the distance woke us up. Of course, the authorities would be notified that the beautiful house that over looked the beach was burning. In a way, our house was a tourist attraction. They wouldn't want such a beautiful house be burnt to ashes.
Within minutes our backyard and even the forest that surrounded our house was filled with police and firemen. In the distance, the Cullens were talking to a police officer. Jacob was still in his wolf form and was pretending that he was a pet. I was sure that he did not want that but he did not have time to phase back and get dressed. If he found a spot to transform, the police would be suspicious. He did not exactly look innocent. It would be just too risky.
I was still sitting in the same spot where I was when the Cullens and the pack came. Quil, Alex, and Stephen all hid in the forest to avoid being seen. I told Seth to go along them but he dug his paws in the ground and refused to move one more inch. Ethan still stood at the same spot too, still looking at the house that was being extinguished now. Seth's head was resting in my leg, refusing to take his eyes off me for a minute.
I couldn't take the silence between us any longer. "I'm sorry. I could not save the house. I tried but there was no other option." I couldn't say anything that might point that the house was intentionally burnt. He still stayed silent. "I wish you would talk. You're driving me mad!"
"What do you mean?" he asked absent mindedly, still keeping his gaze fixed on the house.
"That! What you're doing right there! I wish you would let me know what you think! I wish you would tell me if you're mad! Just tell me what you think," I couldn't help it. The words just poured out. Everyone stopped and looked around us. Finally he took his eyes off the house. I was shocked.
His eyes were burning with hurt. "I can't forgive myself for letting you fight her alone. If I just got here quicker... I would have..." he trailed off.
"What?! You're still trying to protect me?!" I could not believe what he was trying to say. Wouldn't this prove that I don't need protecting?
"What if you were hurt, Leah?! What if you were burnt inside?!"
I stood up, facing him directly. Seth leaped and started growling. I lowered my voice in a deadly growl that matched Seth's. "Well, I wasn't. I could protect myself."
"Ehem, excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, I would like to ask you several questions," a young officer interrupted us. He had short waves of blonde hair. His blue eyes were a bit embarrassed but I could see the confidence burning insed them too.
"Fire away then," I hissed, trying to calm myself down.
"Mr. Cullen, did you know anyone who would want to burn your house down?"
"No. Not that I'm aware of."
"And Mrs. Cullen, what were you doing when the house burnt?"
"I was inside the house, asleep. I woke up in fire and started screaming. I wasn't sure where to go or what to do. Thankfully I found the back door right away and got out just in time," I lied perfectly. This was the lie that Carlilse came up with.
"Where were you when that happen, Mr. Cullen?"
"I was with my family," he said rigidly.
"You were not anywhere near the house?"
"No."
"Are you some kind of lawyer? Are we being trialed?" I asked a little irritated at the young man.
"I'm sorry but I'm part of the investigation team here. Mr. Cullen, how could you prove that you did not have anything to do with the burning of your home while your wife is still inside?"
"Stane!" a voice from behind the officer suddenly barked and the young man froze. It was Charlie. "Are you accusing my son-in-law of trying to burn his own home and attempt murder of Leah?!" he asked coldly.
"S-sir I-I," he stuttered but Charlie didn't let him finish.
"You are swimming in dangerous waters right now, Stane. My son-in-law had nothing to do with this. If I were you, stop trying to get something out of him when you know that he's as innocent as I am, you got that?" he said rigidly.
"Yes, sir," he said, his voice small.
"Get out of here," Charlie dismissed and the young officer walked away as much dignity as he had left. Charlie turned to us. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah," I nodded.
"You're mom was worried sick when she found out your house was burning."
"I'm fine, Charlie," I said distracted.
"You could come and stay at your old house until you could find a new home."
I looked at Ethan. I knew he would want to stay at the Cullens'. But he surprised me. "We would love to. Thanks, Charlie."
"All right then. I have to leave. They want me to investigate further about the other murders. Damn, this night is just busy, it's exhausting," he waved and walked away.
I looked away from Ethan but he wrapped his arms around me. "I'm glad that you're safe. That's all I wanted to say," he said as if our conversation a while ago was not interrupted.
Edward approached us along with Bella, Nessie, and Jacob. "You're always welcome at our house. I mean you could stay there until you guys have a place on your own," Bella invited.
"Sorry, but it looks like we're going back to Charlie's," I replied.
Suddenly, Edward laughed out of nowhere. We all looked around him, wondering what it was that was so hilarious. I was a bit irritated. "I don't find anything funny in what I said."
"No, but, it's just....amusing," he said breathless.
"What is? Edward this kind of behavior is something I would expect from Jacob, but not you, no offense Jake," Bella said, an arched eyebrow raising up.
"On our way here, I kept track of the Volturi's thoughts. That's why I found out that Jane came here on her own. She's enraged with the Volturi for not helping her. She came here with a mission but she was turned down. She did not use her powers because she wants you, Leah, to suffer for real. Not just illusion. But when she was getting desperate, she did used her powers anyways. She then found out something that...didn't please her at all. She caused you pain but there was something not right. A part of your body was not affected by the illusion," he paused, letting the suspence sink in.
"What? Could you just tell us?" I asked him irritated.
"What happened when Jane tried to stab you in the stomach with that knife?" he asked seriously.
"What? What does that have to do with-"
"Answer me, Leah."
"It bent."
"You know why?"
"Why?"
"When Bella was pregnant with Nessie, the womb was so thick that nothing can penetrate it and get to the infant. That's why her belly got so swollen that time. The same thing is going on with you. It must be because of a vampire's skin."
"What are you saying, Edward?" Ethan asked in disbelief.
"You're pregnant with Ethan's child, Leah. That's why Jane got so mad at you. That's why Rosalie is so bitter towards you. Since you are a wolf, you wouldn't experience any suffering that Bella experienced when she was carrying my child. You have enough strength to carry that child as normal as you possibly could."