Disclaimer: None of this is mine, nor will it ever be (sigh). I like to play with the characters that Stephenie Meyers created and make them do pervy things or become angels with a bad attitude.
We're going back to Edward this chappie … what will happen with Riley? Will he be at work?
Chapter Seventeen
EPOV
I hated leaving her. She was still asleep as I got dressed for work. Her dreams were brutal and her rest was anything but restful. I pulled out a feather from my wing, placing it under the pillow. "Felix, up." My dog hopped onto the bed, snuggling close to Bella. His tale thumped. I ruffled his fur before kissing her temple and ducking out of my bedroom. Jasper was already seated at the kitchen counter, reading the newspaper. "None of that bullshit from yesterday, Jasper. She's my mate. Treat her with respect."
"I'm sorry," Jasper said, putting down the paper. "She is a good person and no one should have to deal with this. I was so wrong about her and wrong with my actions."
"Is this you talking or Alice ripping you a new asshole?" I spat.
"Both," he answered, arching a brow. "I get that we may never be friends, Edward." He sighed heavily and continued. "But, your mate is important to us. Which makes you important. This comes from the big guy upstairs. This is your chance at redemption."
I looked at him, his sour expression and crossed arms. "You don't think I'm capable of being redeemed, do you?"
"That's not my decision to make," Jasper shrugged.
"I was tricked. Tricked! He hid his true identity in Hitler," I growled. "I thought that I was helping someone in immense pain. I've been down here, living amongst humans. I've tried to do good."
"And He's noticed," Jasper muttered. "I don't think it's enough. With your help, the largest genocide in the modern world happened during World War II. I was held as a prisoner of war in one of those concentration camps. I was this close to being sent to a gas chamber, Edward. It's your fault!"
"What's going on?" Bella asked, her hair disheveled and her eyes bleary.
"Nothing," Jasper grunted.
"Bullshit," she snapped. "I heard you yelling. If you're going to be that way, I'll take my chances with Felix as my protector. Whatever resentment you have toward Edward needs to fucking stop."
Jasper's eyes swirled with anger and he clenched his fists. Bella flinched, taking a step back. I glared at Jasper. He must have seen Bella's fear and he calmed down. "I'm sorry, Miss Bella," Jasper said contritely. "I would never hurt you. Please believe that."
"Regardless, I'll take my chances with Felix," she said, moving next to me and snuggling up to my side. "I'm sorry, Edward. I don't trust him."
"And you have no one to blame but yourself," I hissed, glowering at Jasper. He hung his head in shame, getting up and leaving us in the kitchen. "I'm calling Mrs. Cope. I don't want to leave you alone, Bella."
"Edward, I'm okay," she said, but the waver in her voice and her uncontrollable shaking told me otherwise.
I caught a glimpse of something on my deck. I turned to see Carlisle, one of the Lordships in Heaven. He took my side and was one of the deciding votes to not recycle me. He wore modern clothing but looked otherworldly, a glow surrounding his body and his wings a bright white, almost blinding. He glided into my kitchen, his eyes soft with concern and fear for the woman clinging to me. "Edward, it's been too long, son," he said, his voice deep and resonant. His accent was very proper, almost sounding like music.
"Carlisle, what are you doing here?" I asked.
"You called for me," he replied. "Your heart did. As did hers."
I blinked slowly, knowing that I was at my wits end, but it would make sense. "Thank you for coming," I said. "I never thought I'd see you again."
"I knew we would be together," he said, reaching forward and clasping my arm. I felt the warmth from being amongst my own people and I shuddered. "You're in pain, son. Both of you."
"Who is this guy?" Bella asked.
"My apologies, young one. I'm Carlisle. It's rare I walk and move around in the human world. I'm a Dominion, or Lordship. I keep the lower angels in check. Alice, Jasper and Edward, when he was an angel …"
"He's still an angel," Bella said, her brows furrowed.
"You are correct," Carlisle said, nodding formerly. "He is still an angel, but no longer lives amongst us due to his exile. Regardless, he used to be under my command. He was one of my strongest, most talented angels and I knew he'd find a mate who was just as talented."
"I have no talents," Bella snorted under her breath.
Carlisle blinked to me, narrowing his eyes. You do not trust Jasper with your mate and honestly, neither do I. It's why I answered your call. I will stay with Bella. You need to go to the human school and make sure that Riley is no longer there.
My eyes widened. Am I back at work? For you?
Yes. Trust me with your mate. She will not be harmed and I will tell her everything, Carlisle thought to me, nodding his head reverently.
"It's against the rules, Carlisle," I whispered. "She knows too much already."
Not when she's destined to be one of us, he countered. "Bella, Edward does need to get to school. Why don't I make you dinner?"
"Dinner?" Bella giggled. "That's usually during the evening."
"My apologies. I'm a bit rusty with human interaction," Carlisle chuckled. "What's the first meal called?"
"Breakfast," Bella blushed. "I can make my own meal."
"Nonsense," Carlisle said, offering his arm. Go, Edward. You're going to have to fly if you want to get to work on time. I have one of those cell phone things since I'll be out of hearing range. It's limited when I'm on the surface. Alice has my number.
I nodded, tugging on Bella's hand. I guided her into the library. "Are you okay with Carlisle? I can assure you that he's one of the best men I've ever met," I whispered, cupping her face.
"I trust him," she said, grasping my wrists. She leaned forward and I met her halfway, kissing her so sweetly. "Thank you, Edward."
"I love you, pretty Bella," I said, kissing her once more and grabbing my bag. I slung it over my body and stepped out onto the back deck. Releasing my wings, I took off and left Bella with Carlisle. I landed on the roof of the school and made my way into Angela's classroom. Alice was already in Bella's room. "Do you know? Carlisle's here."
"I felt him arrive," she said. "I'm so sorry about Jasper. I ripped into him about his behavior and apparently, he didn't take what I had to say to heart."
"Is Riley at work?" I asked. "Did you see him?"
"He's not here. Mrs. Cope was not happy," Alice said, putting her hands on her hips. "The cops are here, too."
"Trying to arrest him? Bring him in for questioning?" I retorted. She nodded. "I feel better that Carlisle is with Bella."
"Me, too."
The bell rang and the day began in earnest. I tried to be upbeat, but knowing that Riley/Lucifer was still out there and could possibly hurt my mate made it difficult to focus. One of my students asked if I was okay. I smiled and nodded, having them sit on the floor while I read to them from our class novel after we had lunch and recess. Thankfully, it was an easy afternoon. The students had music, followed by PE and then there was an all-school assembly for the rest of the school day.
Once things were done, I packed up my bag and met up with Alice. She was going to drive me home since I didn't have my car due to my tardiness. Alice seemed very upset as I slid into the passenger seat. "What's wrong, Alice?"
"I'm just mad at Jasper. We'd had our disagreements, but he never openly opposed me like this. I think it's due to you," she sighed.
"It's a fact, Alice," I shrugged. "He'll never forgive me and that blinds him."
"Carlisle spoke to me during our lunch saying that if Jasper doesn't get his act together, he'll be recycled," Alice hissed. "Angels are supposed to be forgiving, loving and protective of humans. He scared your mate. She believed that he was going to cause her harm. If he had, he would have been …" She blinked over to me, her eyes shimmering with tears. "And he was very, very close to doing so."
"I'm sorry, Alice. I don't want you to be without your mate," I frowned.
"I may have to be if he doesn't straighten up," Alice muttered. She drove us away from the elementary school and toward Forks. "Would it be okay if I take him away and try, try to make him see reason?"
"Of course," I nodded. "I'm assuming Carlisle is going to stay close by and …"
"He's going to leave once you get home, but you will have to talk to him," Alice answered. She blinked over to me. "He really, really missed you. You reminded him of his son when he was human."
"Carlisle had a child?"
"He did, but he doesn't speak of him often," Alice replied, frowning and sadness spreading over her face. "Look, I know that this whole situation is surreal. You're back among the ranks of Carlisle's angels …"
"God, that sounds like bad TV show," I snickered. "Did you remember a seventies show by the name, Charlie's Angels? All that's missing is feathered hair and bell bottom jeans."
"Wasn't it a movie, too?" Alice giggled. "I loved Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz in that movie." She maneuvered the winding roads to my hidden driveway. Parking the car, we got out and she disappeared into the woods. I heard her take off. Using my key, I let myself into my home and saw Bella and Carlisle sitting at the dining room table playing chess. From the look of it, Carlisle was losing. He smiled softly when he saw me.
She's remarkable, Edward. So strong and … she's perfect for you. And she loves you so much.
In a voice, too low for Bella to hear, I responded to him. "She hasn't said anything to me."
With her history, do you blame her? Carlisle asked. When the time is right, she will tell you how she really feels. I do know that she respects you and for the first time, ever in her life, she feels safe and protected. She also feels that way with me, but now that you're here? She's more at ease, even if she hasn't acknowledged you. Bella knocked over his king and announced 'checkmate' with a grin. "A wonderful game, Bella," he praised. He stood up and smoothed his sweater. "I do need to go, but I hope to see you again."
"Me, too, Carlisle. You're nothing like I expected," she chuckled. "For an angel, you've got quite a dry, sarcastic sense of humor."
He beamed, giving her a brief hug and stepping toward me. "Edward, I'd like to speak with you, but not tonight. I know that you want to spend time with your mate," Carlisle said. "I'll be in touch." And have further instructions for you. I've truly missed you, son. He walked over to me, hugging me tightly. With another nod to Bella, he slipped out of the back door and took off.
Once he was gone, Bella was out of her seat and in my arms. Her body relaxed completely and she snuggled to me. Her mind was reeling, wanting the safety of my wings. I let them loose, hugging her with my arms and my wings. She sighed contentedly. "Did you enjoy your time with Carlisle?"
"I did, but he's not you," she said, pressing her cheek into my chest. "How was school? Was Riley there?"
"I think you know the answer to that question," I sighed, leaning my cheek against her soft hair. She trembled and gripped my shirt. "I'll keep you safe, Bella. I promise." She didn't respond, but her mind did.
If only I could believe that promise …
A/N: So, we met Carlisle. He's a Dominion, Lordship which is the second level of angels. He pretty much takes care of the lower angels. Does he have a mate? What are his powers? Are there angels stronger than him? And what about Riley? When will he rear his ugly head again?
Leave me some loving! Thanks for reading! :-)
