*** This story contains some mild language, suspense, romance, and some frightening situations—13 and older, please.
In the Grip of Twilight
By:
Olivia Tannis Moore
***
Chapter Twenty Five:
Vintage Bella, 1990
We were half way to the Seattle-Tacoma airport—affectionately called 'Sea-Tac' by the locals—when the conversation finally turned and I was ambushed by the Cullens.
Jasper had leaned over and whispered something to Alice, and she in turn had turned to look at Edward.
"It's time?" Edward asked, solemnly.
"Time for what?" I asked, still oblivious to their intent, and how it involved me.
Edward sighed as Alice brought out three glass vials the length of her slender hands. They chinked and chimed as she handed them, one at a time, to Edward.
"Excuse me…what are those for?" I asked, but I already had a nauseated feeling in the pit of my stomach".
"They're for Carlisle," Edward said, his voice low. "He was too well-mannered to ask you for it himself."
My mouth went dry. Those vials were used for liquids. They always reminded me of Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde movies, or those movies where the mad-scientist chases some hapless victim around his laboratory. I cringed. "You want my blood, don't you?"
Edward nodded apologetically. "Carlisle wants to run some tests on it. He thinks maybe he can isolate some of the properties and learn more about your abilities to heal. It's a noble cause…"
"Yes," I agreed. "But three vials?"
Alice slid her sunglasses down over her eyes and pretended to watch the scenery outside the speeding car. Jasper had the excuse of keeping his eyes on the road in order to drive. It all made sense now: the reason why Jasper and Alice were accompanying us to the airport, why Edward and I were in the backseat—much easier to handle me back here where it was roomy should I become sick.
Grrrr.
He shrugged. "It's up to you…but it's not even a pint when you put them all together."
"Well, it seems like a lot," I said.
"Would you like me to pull over?" Jasper asked, though whether he asked Edward or me, I was uncertain since he had slid his dark-lens sunglasses on, too.
Edward nodded for me to answer.
"No, I'll be fine. Slow would be nice, though. And no potholes, please."
"You got it," Jasper said pleasantly. "This car handles like a dream. Although why a vampire would need the safest car in the world is beyond me…only Edward," he teased.
Edward grinned maliciously at his brother, and then he said to Alice, "You're in charge of Jasper—keep his eyes on the road—."
"There won't be any complications," she promised, staring at Jasper.
I felt Edward stretch and tie the rubber band around my arm. I kept my gaze on the front seat, Jasper in particular. He'd come a long way in his restraint as far as human blood was concerned, but I wasn't taking any chances.
Edward was remarkably fast. It didn't take long before all three vials were filled. I was clammy, swimmy-headed, but I didn't get sick.
Alice handed Edward a black leather pouch and he quickly put the vials away. "Here," he told Alice, returning the pouch and vials to her care. "Make sure Jasper doesn't get into the wine. Vintage Bella, 1990. It was a very good year."
Jasper chuckled. "Thanks brother, you make it so much easier for me," he said sarcastically.
I rolled my eyes and grinned. Alice's laughter shook the passenger seat, and then she lowered the sunglasses down the bridge of her nose and tossed me a bright red apple, winking as she did so. "I think you're supposed to eat something after giving blood, if I remember correctly."
That was correct—but I wondered if it was some kind of joke that the apple was the same color as the blood I'd just given them.
***
I was starting to see airport signs on the side of the road. We were only five miles away from the airport now.
Miraculously the clouds had thinned and the sun was beginning to peak out. Every few seconds the rays would angle into the car and streak a trail of sparkly, diamond-like facets across the Cullens' faces, and I wondered if my skin would do that once I was changed. It seemed like one of those things that in the beginning is awesome and breathtaking, but after a while would become a pain to hide, especially somewhere sunny and warm. Warmth. I was still woozy from losing three vials of blood and the mere thought of somewhere warm, other than Volterra, was a welcome thought to my chilled skin. I settled down in the comfort of the Volvo's leather seats and closed my eyes for the remainder of the trip.
***
We said our goodbyes outside the terminal.
"If you need us…" Jasper said.
"…if they need us, I'll know," finished Alice. "And we will all come to Volterra."
That reminded me; I reached into the pocket of my parka and brought out the broach Alice had given me just last week. I didn't want to take it with me to Volterra, not with things so uncertain. The beautiful crested broach must have sentimental value as well as monetary. It belonged with Alice or Esme, or even Rosalie.
But when I tried to give it back, Alice just shook her head and refused to take it. "You'll need it. I don't have all the answers, but I saw that you would need it in a dim-lighted place. It was the last vision I had that could be trusted…you know, before the virus interrupted everything."
"Okay," I smiled at her, putting the broach back in my pocket. "I wish I had something to give you in return…"
Alice grinned impishly. "Oh you did; three vials of blood, remember?"
Ah, yes. How could I forget.
***
Edward and I waved as Jasper and Alice drove away. They were barely out of site when I turned to Edward. I had been extremely patient, but now that was coming to an end. "Well? What's the surprise?" I asked eagerly.
Astoundingly quick, he flashed a small green vial before my eyes. "Like I said, no worries," he told me smugly.
***
(Thanks for all the nice comments and emails! And thanks for reading—I'll see you on Monday, when things really start to heat up.—OTM)