Chapter Eight:
BPOV:
"Peter . . ." I have never been so relieved to see his sparkly ass in my entire life. Sparkly ass, this could cause us some problems. When the damn sun was out, he would expose himself and most certainly bring unwanted attention to our . . . umm . . . delicate situation. The sun was certainly going to be an issue.
Damn it, Jasper was right. There was too much we didn't know about the gypsy magic, and now . . .
I sighed, wondering when this asshole was going to be done. If he just loosened his hold, I could knee pervert two in the crotch and then elbow pervie one in the nose.
Yep, those self defense techniques I learned during my year of Cullen free living was going to come into good use right about now. Thank you Charlie! If only I had my trusty pepper spray, I could take them out!
"Unhand her . . ." I heard the low menacing tone in his voice.
"Find your own southern whore," pervert one growled.
Seriously did this jerk have a death wish? Did he really just growl at Peter, certainly, I was a little scared of my granddad right now.
As I predicted, Peter growled back flashing his pearly whites at them.
Thank God I was related to a vampire right now.
"Nope, we like this one. There should be more whores around. Jezebell was in the bar, and she is always a good fuck. There are two of us and one of you, I think we can take you."
"Peter," I gasped out, trying to get out of pervert two's hold on me. The jerk just tightened instead of loosen his hold. I could smell the alcohol on his breath and the smell of tobacco permeating his clothes. It made me want to puke. My wrist hurt and my head was spinning.
Time travel was taking it out of me. Now was not the fucking time to faint. I needed to focus and fast.
Worse of all, Peter's eyes were pitch black, both from anger and from lack of hunting. His control could snap at any moment and we really didn't need exposure right now.
Malia just had to show up at the worst time. I thought we were prepared, that Alice's gift could pinpoint how much longer we had. But now wasn't the time to think about what went wrong. I had to do something, and quick. Peter's control was tenuous at best.
Peter growled again, moving into a strike position.
Where the hell was Jasper when you needed his freaking gift?
"I believe the gentleman asked you to unhand her, and I am pretty sure that she doesn't want to be associated with the likes of you Yankee scum. I suggest you get back to where you belong. You may occupy the harbor, but you don't have the city."
I whipped around at the sound of the voice. A very human Jasper Whitlock was strolling out of the bar, brushing invisible lint off his uniform. Another gentleman was with him who bore a striking resemblance to him.
Think of the devil and he shall come.
I now knew why Jasper was an empath in his vampire life. He was very charismatic and the smoothness of his voice had me wanting to follow him no matter what.
Shit, we were in Texas.
At the time of the Civil War.
Maria was around these parts.
Too much information was clicking and I was getting ready to panic.
"I need you to breathe Darlin, I know it is hard having to breathe around this Yankee scum, they stink like nothing else, but I am going to ask you to try," Jasper said smoothly and evenly.
Jasper walked slowly up to us, flashing a gun, which was tucked securely against his hip. "It's loaded, I'm tired from travelling back from battle, and I'm not opposed to killing you men tonight."
"This isn't your fight," pervert one said.
"But you see it is. It's apparent that this lady doesn't want to be bothered by you, and I cannot stand by ideally while you harass her and her . . ."
"Brother," Peter replied quickly. "Peter Granger." He introduced himself while pervert one began to look unsure of the situation.
"Major Jasper Whitlock. This is my brother Sergeant Caleb Whitlock." Jasper sounded lethal, deadly almost. I could easily see why he had been promoted so quickly.
Caleb pulled out a gun and I heard the unmistakable sound of the hammer being pulled back. I saw pervert one flinch when Jasper introduced himself.
Could it be that he was just as lethal in his human life as he was in his vampire life?
"Please just let me go, there is no need for violence," I whispered. I was scared that if Caleb shot one of these assholes then Peter would lose control of his thirst. He had switched to the "vegetarian" lifestyle just a month ago . . .
"We haven't had a good little whore in awhile."
Peter let out a low growl, which I knew wasn't human like in any way.
Jasper, to my surprise, let one out as well. I could have sworn he was a vampire at that moment if it wasn't for his crystal clear blue eyes.
"I appreciate your help with this matter. My sister and I were riding by night hoping to avoid this kind of situation when we got separated. Isabella has always been a magnet for trouble. But I think I can handle this," Peter told them out as I attempted to twist out of his grasp. Peter knew he had tenuous hold on his control, and he couldn't harm Jasper as he was his sire. This could get bad and fast.
"Two against one doesn't seem quite fair, doncha think?" Caleb drawled out, never lowering his gun which was still trained on pervert two. I prayed he was a good shot, if he was going to take a shot.
"Let the whore go Micah, we can go find another one."
With that, I was shoved hard and I felt my ankle twist in an unnatural way. I fell quickly, and Jasper caught me before I could great the ground. Immediately I was assaulted with the woodsy smell mixed in with the sweet smell of magnolia.
It seemed so long ago that I was riding on Jasper's back in the woods.
"Are you alright?" Peter asked.
I nodded, not able to trust my voice at that moment. What was up with me and attracting the scum of the earth, no matter what time I was in?
"Are you sure, can you put weight through you ankle?" Peter's voice was laced with concern.
Jasper's arm was still securely around my waist supporting the bulk of my weight, and honestly I had no idea if I could put weight through it. Truly it hurt like a mother fucker.
"You sure Darlin?" Jasper's southern accent was much more pronounced now then what I was accustomed to.
Of course his accent was more pronounced, he isn't over a hundred years old here. How old is he now, and more importantly what the hell happened.
"That ass of a Yank sure pushed ya hard," Jasper said, concerned.
"Pretty sure."
Jasper loosened his grip and I started to lean on my left ankle. It just happened to be one of the worst ideas ever. The injury was much worse than I thought it was and the minute weight went through my ankle I went down. Jasper caught me again as the pain seared up my leg. He picked me up bridal style and carried me over to the steps of the dress shop.
He took off the boot and began to prod at my ankle gently. A familiar jolt of electricity coursed through my body, and I gasped, locking eyes with Jasper. He held my gaze for a couple of minutes, like he was trying to get a read on me when I broke his gaze.
"Those are weird boots, and you sure are dressed funny. Where'd ya from again?"
I blinked a couple times trying to figure out what I was going to say to him. I knew I couldn't lie worth shit.
"My sister and I were working on a ranch further south, Isabella is great with the horses and cattle. Wearing dresses just would not have worked for her. A woman from Mexico brought this up for her to wear." Peter explained, lying smoothly. Thank God he was here and used to lying his ass off. "We were just passing through when we got separated fleeing from some stragglers."
Caleb nodded. "Those Yanks run around the city thinking that they own the joint, but we will take it back. Where were y'all headin to?"
"To our father's place a couple weeks north of here. He has a homestead and it hasn't been touched by the war," Peter answered quickly. "We don't want Isabella to be surrounded by all of this war and death. Trying to protect her and all . . ."
"I understand completely. I sent my wife and child out of Galveston, west to our winter home," Caleb told us.
"I think you broke it," Jasper said quietly. "And your wrist is bruised from where he grabbed you. Are you sure you don't want us to finish him off, I'm sure I can teach that Yankee scum a couple of things or two about handling women . . ."
"Hattie can look at this and be sure," Caleb cut off Jasper's tirade. "Why don't you guys follow us back? Where are your horses?"
"Got stolen by them damn Yankees, along with all of our possessions." Peter told them boisterously, obviously laying his disdain for the north on really thick. "Put up a good fight before they over took me. I need to stay in town and procure some possessions for us, obviously Isabella can't go around dressed like that, she already attracts unwanted attention. We sure appreciate the offer."
I remembered Edward telling me that animals instinctively knew that they were dangerous creatures which would make it difficult, if not impossible, for them to keep pets. Horseback riding was definitely out.
"We need to get our carriage looked at, which is why we brought it in. Lucky to, with all these damn Yankees running around. John won't be able to look at it till morning, so I will stay with Peter and Jasper can ride back with Isabella," Caleb told us, effectively taking care of any issues we had with travel. "It's not safe to stay in town anyway, especially for Isabella."
"Bella," I said, finally speaking up. "Most people call me Bella. And thank you very much for your kindness."
"Don't thank us yet. It is a day ride back to Casa Whitlock. And you will probably be in a lot of pain with all the bouncing on the horse," Jasper stated, his voice sounded cold, not warm and inviting like it was previously. "You might want to wait until morning, when you can freshen up and dress more presentable."
Caleb cut Jasper a dirty look.
"I can wait it out with Peter," I stated.
Peter just raised his eyebrows at me, then turned to Jasper and Caleb. "I need a minute with my sister alone."
"That's fine, I need to speak with my younger brother."
Jasper and Caleb headed back into the salon and Peter crouched down in front of me.
"There has to be a hotel or boarding house somewhere . . ."
"It's not safe in Galveston," Peter all but shouted. He softened his tone and put a cold hand on my cheek. "You were out here for a grand total of 10 minutes before you attracted the scum of the Earth . . ."
"But . . . we just met them."
The argument sounded weak even to my own ears. Was it so wrong that I didn't want to be separated from Peter?
Peter smirked. "I have known Jasper for years," he whispered.
"You knew vampire Jasper . . ." I countered.
"Trust me, vampire Jasper was a major ass, a cold-hearted bastard during his first seventy years of existence. Human Jasper doesn't seem all that bad, a little hot under the collar at times, but so was 2011 Jasper. I need to get us supplies, make arrangements so we can get back to 2011 . . . Some of the ingredients needed for the magic landed in the Atlantic during the time shift. I have to run up to Maine and Canada to start collecting some of the herbs. Bella, I can't do that with you tripping over yourself and slowing me down."
"Just leave me at the hotel," I knew that that would happen like a snowball would have a chance in hell. But I had to try.
"This place is overrun by soldiers, both North and South alike. Many men haven't been with a woman since they started fighting, you came very close to being raped today already! What would you have done if I hadn't found you, if the Whitlocks hadn't stepped in?"
"I planned to knee pervie two in the crotch and elbow number one in the face . . ."
"And I would have paid money to see that," Peter smiled at me. "But Bella, please, I know that the Whitlocks will protect you, and I need to have that peace of mind. If something were to happen to you, I would lose myself and walk into the pyre. These are dangerous times . . ."
I subconsciously rubbed the pendant. Peter reached around my neck and unclasped it, handing it to me. "You can't wear this right now, not with Ivy Whitlock owning the same exact one."
I closed my eyes, wanting to snap at Peter, but I knew he was right. I would just slow him down. We needed to figure out what went wrong, and get back to 2011 quick.
JPOV:
I looked over at Bella, watching the way she moved, putting back on those moccasin looking boots over her broken ankle.
"I splinted the ankle the best I could, but her ankle is going to slow us down. We are here to protect the city and the people of Galveston . . . I shouldn't be going back to Casa Whitlock just so you and Ma can play boarding house to strangers. I'm a Major in the confederate Army, and I should be here protecting the people!"
"And that is exactly what you would be doing with Bella," Caleb placated his little brother. By sending Bella to Casa Whitlock, Bella would be safe and I would be out of harm's way. "Ma, Sis, Hattie, Bella, they all need to be protected, and the surrounding farms. There are no men out there what so ever. You know that they are sitting ducks out there is the Yanks decide to raid the plantations. You are the best there is right now . . ."
"And this isn't about you wanting to get me out of direct harm's way? You are always trying to protect me."
"You are my younger brother, indulge me, but honestly, you are the best shot the plantations have for defense right now. All the other sons are dead or still in the thick of battle."
I sighed, running my hands through my hair. The stories of Georgia and South Carolina were heard in the battlefields. Plantations were raided and homes were burned to the ground. Women were left to have to defend themselves. I knew that Caleb wanted to keep me safe, but he did have a point about the plantations being raided and the women being left vulnerable.
Galveston was normally a pretty bustling, harbor front town. The activity had picked up a lot since the Yankees had invaded and won the waterfront. But life continued on in Galveston as much as normal.
We wanted to protect this way of life, which is why Caleb and I enlisted, and to protect his way of life was to protect the plantations and our women. Damn Caleb for being right.
I looked over at Isabella . . . Bella, as she preferred to be called.
Her hair was in disarray, pointing to the struggle she had just been in. I knew right there that I wanted to protect her, that it was my job to protect her. Caleb was right, and I hated to have to leave him there. Yankees were crawling all around Galveston, however no major battles were running around, it certainly wasn't like Atlanta.
I sighed, walking over to Bella.
"Thank you," Peter said, watching me walk up to them.
I nodded. "I will keep her safe."
"I know you will. Good luck, you will certainly need it with her. Bella attracts trouble . . ."
"I kinda figured," I drawled out. "I will protect your sister, as if she were my own."
Peter nodded, accepting my offer of protection. He walked back over to his sister, giving her a hug.
"Bella be good," He warned her. She stuck her tongue out at him and jumped back into his arms (as well as she could, with her hurt ankle), hugging him tightly.
"Just come back Pete, I can't lose you too."
"You won't Baby Bell, I promise you."
She nodded, closing her eyes, accepting her fate. She was nervous, I could tell. Call it a gift, but I can always tell what someone is feeling. It's what helped me in the Army, and it's what helped me get through some of the battles that we fought.
"Don't be nervous Bella," I told her as Caleb and Peter left. "Nothing will happen to you while I'm with you."
"I know," she answered quietly, still looking to where her brother had been. "I'm nervous about riding on a horse, it has never agreed with me."
"Well, just hold on to me, I will keep you from falling off." I mounted the horse with ease, pulling Bella up behind me. "Wrap your arms around me and hold tight. Jingo responds well to me and normally doesn't spook easily."
I felt her small arms go around my waist and I felt her tighten her hold slightly. She smelt like she had been outdoors all day, honey suckle, lavender, a hint of sunshine. It had been so long since the men . . . me included . . . had been with a woman. I could understand those Yankees on some level, but I would never take what wasn't willingly given.
My mother did raise a gentleman.
I felt her snuggle closer to me, getting more comfortable.
"Are your alright back there Darlin," I asked, slowing Jingo down. We were far enough from the city that I could relax a bit. The tensions were high there right now and the emotions were thick in the city.
Soon we would have to evacuate the city to keep everyone safe, but it was safe enough for them right now. I couldn't help but worry for Caleb and Peter back there.
"Yeah, just worried about Peter. I know he can hold his own, but I have never been apart from my brother."
I nodded, knowing the feeling. When Caleb and I were separated doing operations, or what-nots for the Army, I worried constantly about him. I may be his younger brother, as he likes to point out, but I am still the better fighter. I should be back there. In the thick of things.
"No need, the tension was letting up. Us Southerners will have to deal with the intrusion for now. How is your ankle?"
"It hurts, and I'm pretty tired."
"We'll set up camp here."
Jingo came to a stop and I dismounted, guiding Jingo to a patch of woods in the area. I helped Bella down, letting her rest on me.
She fell into a uneasy sleep, thrashing a times, crying out, telling some guy name James to stop. All I could do was soothe her by rubbing her back, whispering that everything would be okay. I hoped it would, something told me that something big was going to happen.
JPOV - Present Day
The salt circle just sat there mocking me. It had been three days since Peter and Bella had disappeared from the center of this circle, and hadn't been heard from since. I could still feel the pain and agony, but it was an afterthought to the pain I felt being separated from Bella.
I was going to dismember Peter for a very long time when he got back. This plan was too dangerous, too ludicrous, and now they were in a place where I couldn't protect her. Fuck Peter, that man can take care of himself.
I slumped down to the ground, just staring off in space, only vaguely aware of my surroundings. I didn't care who came to kill me know, I just knew that I couldn't survive without Bella.
"Charlotte."
I had almost forgotten she had lost her mate in all of this shit too.
The pixie had come up behind me sitting on the boulder.
"Has Alice seen anything?"
Charlotte and Alice had become pretty close during my marriage to her, almost sister-in-law like, and I knew that Alice was supporting Charlotte through all of this.
"I'm sorry, but nothing. Alice said that when they went back to the past, everything became fuzzy with the two of them. Nothing concrete is happening. How do you feel?"
"Alone . . ."
"But you aren't. They will be back, and you will be better."
I sighed, staring at the circle.
"Try to remember your human life, it might bring you some answers that you are looking for."
"I lost all my memories in the change, you know that Char," I told her stubbornly. Besides, I focused on the few months that I had with Bella, remembering her wrapped around me. I needed her and craved her, and when I got her back, I wasn't going to let her go ever again.
"Just a suggestion. I figured something must have happened for them not to be back by now. You don't feel any different?" Char asked putting her hand on my bicep.
"The underlying agony is still there, but the pain I feel by not being with Bella is overwhelming . . ."
I rested my head in my hands, scanning my not so distant past for anything different, but nothing had changed. Something happened to the two of them, I knew it - I felt it.
"I'm sorry that you are in so much pain right now, and if there is anything I can do, let me know. Peter and Bella wouldn't want us sitting here staring at some damn salt circle. We need to figure out where they are and how to get to them."
"So what now?" I heard the bitterness seeping through. There was nothing I could figure out to do now.
"You are the master strategist, and the fucking Maligno . . . You won't take this lying down anymore Jasper. You need to fight; we need them back."
She stood offering her hand to me. I pushed myself off the ground pulling Charlotte into a hug. We were going to figure out a way to get our loved ones home.
AN: Seriously, sorry about the really long wait, and I'm not going to promise I can update regularly, I have a soon to be one-year old now, and I work full time, so no promises other than the fact it will be finished. As you can tell, I rewrote all of chapter eight, the original just didn't work. Hopefully nine is on the way.
