Disclaimer: Well, I obviously don't own Twilight and if you thought I did, then start a petition about free mental health care, 'cause you need it.
Bella POV
I ineffectually flung my fists towards my niece, failing to connect with her. I was given a mighty thump in the stomach in return. Hearing a movement on the gravel road near me, loose rocks shifting, I recalled Edward's presence.
I spun around, searching in the nightmarish night for Edward's reassuring ochre eyes, trying to assure myself, to see that the blaze of life still resided within their crystalline depths. Seeing no more than a golden spark to belie my fear, I yelled out to Edward, enforcing my words with the faint residual of power that remained for my use:
"Run Edward, get away from here!"
I saw him leap over the dead body of his assailant, running away against his will. His resistance took more energy away from me than it would have if he had let it take him away peacefully, but I watched vigilantly as he dashed, albeit unwillingly, to safety – for the moment.
My niece watched as Edward ran away, knowing that she could round him up – and the rest of the Cullens – anytime she wanted.
My strength left me and I sagged onto the soft grass beside the road, spent from saving Edward's life.
"Thank you," I sighed, grateful to Edward for brightening my life, if only for a moment in the dark path that trailed behind me, receding just past even my perfect eyesight. Unfortunately, it seemed that the coiling ribbon was to be cut short before me, leaving me to fall from my path into the black abyss that had waited ominously for me to stumble off and into its' bottomless void.
My niece smiled malevolently at me, showing her white teeth, shining with a coating of venom. She flung her wild, mahogany hair over her shoulder in the way that I so often did, her vivid scarlet eyes flaring like embers in the dark. She smoothed down the clinging, black outfit that covered all off her body – from her throat to the tips of her fingers and her toes, protected by boots – leaving only her face exposed. She flexed her fingers in their satin casing of gloves and put her hands on her narrow hips.
He voice was high. "It's nice to see you again, Auntie Bella. It's been a while since we met, and I must say, the last get-together wasn't very...pleasant."
Well, I suppose that could be said. The last time we met was when I killed her maker, referred to by her fledglings as 'Mother' – very quaint. At the same time, around five hundred years ago, I had disposed of all of the vampires in her all-female coven that I could get my hands on, usually around their throats. Although vampires have no need to breathe, I have found that cranial decapitation with my bare hands is fun. Trust me, once you reach my age you get your thrills in weird ways.
Anyway, this certain vampire had been the second-in-command under my sister, an extremely high position, and at only a couple of hundred years old. She had only just escaped destruction by fleeing while her underlings died to delay my pursuit. I never bothered to hunt her down, a bad mistake, it seemed.
"I don't know, it was good value – the entertainment was free per head," I snidely replied. I recalled from memory that this certain vampire was a total nutcase, a maniac. I christened her in my mind. Crazy may not be a very fashionable name at the moment, but it was perfect, reflecting her true nature. You might call me immature, calling my niece names, but I was now on death row, was I not? May as well be led to the gallows laughing.
The grin on Crazy's face faded.
"Let me reassure you that this time will be much more enjoyable," she whispered venomously. Leaving me slumped on the ground, knowing that I had no energy left to move my body and fight back; she hopped into the battered Volvo. I hissed as she swung into Edward's seat, tainting his tantalising scent with the sour odour of her own.
"Sure, Crazy," I weakly called out. She definitely heard me.
The usual purr of the Volvo was mutilated into a roar of anger as Crazy moved the car down the road, hiding it from any passerby's. I was tempted to strike out at her with any one of my more nasty abilities, but if I used any more of my powers I wouldn't have the energy to keep my body running. The ever-present rain fell onto my face, splashing into my unblinking eyes as I gazed up at the stars in the fractured velvet sky, divided by overhanging branches.
I laid back like this for a few minutes, before I heard the light step of a vampire and an unfamiliar face leant over me. Bright, flaming hair framed the face, matched by the dull red eyes that glimmered wickedly, set in a pale feline face. Crazy's face loomed next to the new female, and my stone arms were grabbed and lifted easily. I could see the likeness in the two, and I assumed that the stranger was Crazy's newest pet vampire, about the same age that Crazy had been when I saw her last.
I have observed that vampire's often take on little details that reflect their creator. I could see faint lines of Carlisle's personality in Edward: his patience, calm and wisdom. The thoughtfulness in Edward's tawny eyes matched that of Carlisle's.
In Crazy's 'daughter', I saw a faint reflection of the maker's fervour, cunning and viciousness. Their pupils swam in identical blood-pools of malice and hate. A match made in hell, where the flames matched the hue of their crimson orbs.
The newcomer spoke. Her voice was high and girlie, at odds with her appearance, inflicted with a trace of panic, concern and apprehension. "Where is James, Mistress?"
Mistress? It seemed that Crazy had taken a name after her former station in her previous coven hierarchy. None of my sister's coven had really taken a name, instead, being called by their station. The example was set by my sister herself – or Mother – as the mother of them all. I wondered if this new vampire knew that she was the one of the second descendants of one of the originals. Still, knowing a bit about Crazy, I assumed that her powers were few; Crazy would have made quite a few vampires in her quest to kill me.
"Bella here killed him. I'm sorry, but you could have a trade off – a mate for a mate. Bella here has fallen head-over-heels for a local vampire by the name of Edward Cullen. I'm sure that you'd have fun with him and his family, Victoria."
Victoria's dull eyes flared into life, two rubies sparking with anger. Well, James had been killing Edward. She turned and the pair started walking, dragging me behind them.
"Surely you'll stay for my execution, Victoria. Can I call you Vicky?" Without waiting for a no doubt blistering reply, I continued. "Anyway Vicky, you have plenty of time to pick off Edward. But my death, well, who would want to miss such a momentous occasion? No doubt you'd raise millions if you sold tickets to all my enemies and other vampires I've widowed, orphaned or left 'childless' and made them pay an entrance fee.
"Think of all the cute shoes you could buy, or maybe buy some hair products to get all that blood out of your hair. I can see why James would be so eager to get away from you, the blood must dry out and flake off all the time. By the way, Vicky darling, your clothes are so, like, last century. Not even a name brand! How will you ever pick anyone new up in them? Get with the times, Vic's."
Her hair was the colour of fresh blood and her clothes did look like they were picked out of a charity bin. A low snarl ripped from Victoria's chest, my chattering taunts annoying her, as well as the death of her mate, although I felt that that was a deeper ache.
I didn't have enough reserves to use any manipulating gifts, but the power of words was, as always, astounding. I didn't let my grin show, but if I could just get her to convince Crazy to let her stay, I'd still had a chance to save Edward and the rest of the Cullen family.
The world would be a much darker place without them, the Cullens. No Carlisle to save thousands of humans with his vampiric gifts, no loving Esme, no calming Jasper, no bubbly Alice, no beautiful Rosalie, no happy-go-lucky Emmett.
And no Edward. There were no words that I could express, I who know all dialects as perfectly, to adequately describe Edward's perfection.
Although I couldn't see Victoria's eyes any longer, I could imagine them, swirling portals of anger.
"So, Crazy, Vicky, is it revenge, then? I mean, as long as the entertainment cost is tax deductible, I'm in."
Twin hisses echoed slightly, bouncing off the trees. My clothes were soaked by the damp grass, but luckily there were only a few rocks, so my clothes remained mostly intact.
As the forest gradually became darker, I saw bigger gaps appear between the trees, before I was hauled into a clearing. There was only one sign of inhabitation, a small fire, smoke invisible in the dark.
I sniffed, detecting the scent of human blood among the woodsy smell of burning logs. Looking around, I saw a slumped body beneath a bush. Seeing my occupation, Crazy laughed lightly.
"It's no fun fighting a weak opponent, Bell's."
The implications of what Crazy was saying hit me, and I shook my head, disgust in my jet-black eyes.
"Sorry, Crazy. No can do," I told her. I'd never tasted human blood, and I intended to die that way.
"What do you think Edward would prefer: a dead, golden eyed Bella and a living me, or a living, crimson eyed Bella? Of course, you'd have to join me. I have a position available for Edward, too, if he wants to be with you."
"Well, I'm pretty damn sure that an alive, golden eyed Bella and a dead and burning you would look much prettier. Anyway, I'm a bit peeved now, so my eyes are black, but they'll be glinting golden in the light of your funeral pyre. Also, officially, you're already dead. I, on the other hand, was born this way and therefore, technically, alive."
Crazy waved my comment off, looking eagerly into my determined night eyes, hoping to see something to dispute my rejection. Seeing my resolve, she sighed.
"Mother was right," she murmured to herself.
"Yep, I'm pretty incorruptible. I wouldn't join her and I won't join you." My sister once offered me a position, ruling her coven beside her. As the eldest of my family by about a millisecond, I was a touch stronger and she realised that. Of course, I rejected her offer, and killed her. Be warned – when I get angry I'm a bit of a bully.
"Still, you should get a little boost of energy if you intend to kill me."
How honourable.
"But red eyes are so ugly, Crazy. Currently, gold is in. It's all about the bling."
Crazy mockingly clapped her hands, and Victoria went over and grabbed the limp body in the bushes. She raised the humans face and I saw the face of the girl who had came over to my house to welcome me to the town, giving me some blood oranges that I couldn't eat. Very ironic. My mind whirred, and I connected the face to its name.
Angela Weber's blank, unseeing eyes stared at me, chest rising and falling slightly with her shallow breathing.
I shook my head frantically, touching the soft body that was dropped into my cold, marble arms. Victoria returned to Crazy's side, who was watching my reaction closely. I couldn't justify our existence if such a kind, caring soul was taken.
Ignoring the unappetising scent of human blood, I laid one finger in the middle of Angela's forehead. Breathing a blessing, I delved lightly into her mind. Luckily, humans never reacted to my prying. As I started to work, I ran into an impenetrable wall around her memory.
I looked up at Crazy. "She won't remember any of this, will she." It was a statement, as I knew that she wouldn't.
Crazy grinned again. "Nope, and even if she does she'll be too dead to care."
"And if I don't feed off her? Will you let her go back home – alive?" I asked
Crazy's lips tightened but she shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. "Sure, Bella. It can be your last request."
"You can't spare Edward's life? Or any of the Cullen's?"
"They're not in my hands."
I looked over at Victoria. "I know. Fine, save her. Hurry up and kill me if you're going to do it, I'm kind of sleepy." It was true. I felt a pang of sadness for Edward, knowing that I couldn't save him or his family – I couldn't even save myself.
Crazy's pursed lips split open into a dripping beam, venom running down her teeth in tiny rivers. Some of it overflowed in her mouth, running down her chin and dropping onto the grass, shining like oil on water. It seemed she had something else to say.
"Do you know why you are, as you say, sleepy, Bella?"
"No idea. Do you know why you are, as I say, crazy, Crazy?"
Ignoring my remark, Crazy's grin widened. "Do you remember when you let your shield down, Bella?"
"Do you remember when you last changed clothes, Crazy?" Despite my light-hearted joking, I thought on it.
Her eyes were hard, at odds with her smile. "I'll tell you why you're so tired. When you let your defences down, I had the chance to sneak inside as my mind-self. Unconsciously, you've been fighting my mind-body, draining yourself, never using as much energy as you needed to exterminate me from your mind.
"Soon your barrier came back up, as well as several sub-shields. That and the strength of your mind meant that I was always too weak to gain overall control, but I was able to influence your thoughts from far-off, getting stronger as you grew weaker. I manipulated your thoughts and emotions. When you went to probe your Edward, I had to forcefully remove you. I couldn't risk you discovering my presence."
I thought back on the past day, ever since the emotional overload had dissipated my protection, trying to disprove her theory. I came up with nothing, only evidence to strengthen her claim.
The main piece of evidence, other than the tiredness and the forceful removal of my mind-self – was overwhelming: Why had I probed Edward without more thought?
I put on a poker-face, although inside I seethed with my foolishness. I was sure that my feelings for Edward were real though, no heartless beast like the one before could have felt such intense, amazing feelings as the ones I had for Edward.
"I was always a generous person," I remark wryly.
Crazy grinned, imagining the turmoil within me. Snapping her fingers, she grabbed my hair and pulled it up, blood-tinged venom falling from her chin onto my skin as she whispered in my ear. It seemed she wasn't able to let me go without having the last word. Not very traditional at all.
"Poor Edward. He'll think it's his fault. Really, I attacked you. I drained your strength. I killed you."
With that, Crazy stood above me, preparing to kill me the way I had her mother. Her bared teeth looked like white vampires against a blood-red sky.
First – the mental pain. Crazy knelt down and held my head between her hands. She ran all her power into my mind, sending hellish pain. She waited for my body to started convulsing, and when, unlike her mother, I resisted, making myself stay stiff, she sent an extra dose, accompanied by a command that I was too weak to resist. My shield dropped, and the full force of the pain hitting me, flinging my resistance back.
I writhed underneath her touch, my face contorting in silent screams that were forced out of me. I struggled to stay sane against the overwhelming tide. My eyes stayed open, filled with forced amusement and condensation. Victoria looked on, satisfied with my physical display of agony, unable to imagine the mental onslaught.
Second – the emotional rush. My body was forced to be still with invisible bindings, though the pain still wracked me. I shut my intake of oxygen off, lessening the pain slightly. Not breathing came naturally to me; I felt none of the discomfort that other vampires felt, probably because I wasn't born needing to breathe. A tsunami of negative feelings flooded my body: despair, fear, regret. I knew that only the last one was real, regret for Edward, and all the others were artificially implanted in me.
Still, that didn't stop me from experiencing them as if they were my own. Combined with the agony, I felt my grip on sanity beginning to slip.
Thirdly, and lastly – Crazy removed her hands from my temples. The pain and emotional onslaught lessened slightly, a physical touch always intensified a gift. Her hands went around my throat, slowly constricting. I wanted to fight back, but had no energy to do so.
I prepared myself to die, knowing that I would pass away having killed no humans, or been the cause of a human's death. That little fact, as absurd as it may sound, meant a lot to me, comforting me before my death. I looked bravely up into my killers red eyes.
I, Isabella Marie Swan, the last of the original vampires, was about to pass from this world. A sense of release from the pain flooding into me, a lovely floating feeling.
Bemused, I saw a black shape detached itself from the trees, leaping for Crazy's turned back. A sense of hope filled me, before I smelled the disgusting odour that filled the clearing. The first was followed by another and another. Victoria went to yell out a warning, but saw that it was too little and too late. She used her last option – self preservation. A total of seven blurs lunged, and I felt the hands around my neck removed as Crazy tried to run away.
Victoria slipped away unfettered, escaping amongst the trees, the attack centred on Crazy. I saw her mouth the words to me: This isn't over. But by now Edward would be with Carlisle and the rest of his family, safe from Victoria.
I fell back into an alert state, leaving my dream-like trance. I watched the fight; my mind still reeling with the lingering mark of the psychological attack, as Crazy was torn, screaming with rage and pain, to pieces. Even a seven-hundred-year-old vampire didn't stand a chance against so many of this certain type of predators.The sudden clarity of my mind as she died made me giddy, the unseen fog lifting from my thoughts, the energy that had engaged Crazy's mental attack returning like a faithful soldier.
The wolves grabbed Crazy's head with their teeth, throwing it into the fire as I had so often done with my vampiric victims. They detached themselves from her dismembered corpse and turned towards me. I gathered myself and stood up slowly, stretching my limbs, before half-crouching down in my personal fighting position.
I put all my weight on my back foot, one arm stretched forward slightly more than the other, fingers resting naturally in my palms. My body curled slightly, willowy and lethal. I prepared myself to die again, but this time at the hands – or rather paws – of werewolves.
At least this time, however inadequately, I could fight.
I finally got this up. So...now James is dead, Victoria is pissed off, the werewolves are fighting, Crazy is burning and Bella is enlightened. If anyone has any rants about the lack of updates then expend them, but here is my explanation: basically – I've been really ill. Stupid camp with its stupid rain and cold. Why did we celebrate the end of exams? I love exams – at least they don't get me sick.
Anyway, this writing effort probably deserves flames; tell me if you hate my writing/storyline/random stuff. Point out my (probably many) errors. Just please, review, I'm begging you – keep my spirits up while I'm coughing my guts out. Miss you guy's lots!
Remember - more reviews equal faster updates. I know that most of you guys are reading it, and not saying anything. Keep me motivated, please!
Ninja Spork (is totally, extremely, unwell...)
