Chapter twenty-one

"They're coming for you."

For an immeasurable amount of time – it could have been minutes or days, I wasn't sure – these were the only words I could hear in my head. I was frozen, unable to move or think or even see. They're coming… They're coming… They're coming…

"Bella?" I could hear the same voice now calling my name, but I still couldn't make myself move.

Then more voices.

"Is she alright?"

"Is she going to faint?"

"Bella!"

"She's just in shock, I think."

Then the first voice again. "Bella, come back to me, please."

I blinked several times and finally I was able to see Edward's worried face just inches from mine. "Edward," I whispered, and his expression relaxed a bit. I looked around and saw that someone had seated me on a sofa. Edward was sitting right next to me and standing around us were Amelia, Angela, and a man I'd never seen before. He was slightly overweight, and his dark brown hair was thinning.

I blinked again and everything began coming slowly back to me. The shopping trip with Angela, me stepping out of the fireplace and finally Edward's shocking words.

"How?" I managed to choke out. "How did the Death Eaters find me?"

Edward and Amelia exchanged looks.

"What?"

"Not Death Eaters, Bella," said Amelia slowly. The man, who I'd understood was Mr. Weber, handed me a glass of water. I thanked him and grasped the glass tightly with both hands. Then I realised what Amelia had said.

"What?" I asked again, confused. "But who else would come for me?"

Edward took a deep breath and said, "Vampires."

I gaped at him. "What? But… who? I… I don't understand. Why me?" I really didn't understand why any vampire would want to target me specifically. Before I'd met the Cullens, I had nothing to do with vampires. I hadn't even spoken to the one at the Christmas party last year.

"We don't know," he admitted. "Alice had a vision of three unknown vampires heading for your house." He avoided my eyes when he said it, so I knew he wasn't telling me everything. I decided not to push the matter right now.

"What are we going to do?" I asked in a slightly higher voice than usual.

"We need a plan," said Amelia firmly and then she looked at Edward. "I suggest we go to your house and discuss it with your family."

Edward nodded and stood up, pulling me up with him. He was holding me around my waist, probably afraid I would faint or something. I still felt a little weak, so I was grateful for his support.

Angela wanted to come with us, but Amelia asked her to stay with her father and the twins at home and make them dinner. "You know I wouldn't trust your father with making anything more than tea," she said with a wink at Mr. Weber, who chuckled and put an arm around Angela's shoulders. She at least made her mother promise to tell her everything when she got home.

We all got in Edward's Volvo, since it was definitely faster than my old truck. Edward had said he would send someone to get my truck later. Even though Amelia could have simply apparated, she had chosen to ride with us instead. We drove in silence, but I could see Edward's knuckles go even whiter on the steering wheel, gripping it so hard that I was surprised he didn't crush it.

When we got out of the car in front of the Cullen house, I could hear angry voices coming from inside. I looked at Edward and saw he was frowning. I raised my eyebrows, but he shortly shook his head and led us inside.

Everyone was in the living room. Most of the vampires were sitting on the sofa or in the armchairs, the only two standing were Carlisle and Rosalie. They were facing each other and were apparently in a middle of a heated argument.

"We are family, Rosalie, and we act like it," Carlisle was saying calmly but his expression was hard.

Rosalie looked like she wanted to say something but was interrupted by Edward's growl. She threw him a glare and strode toward the back door.

"You will stay here," said Carlisle firmly.

Rosalie stopped, turned around and without a word walked a few steps back into the living room. She stayed by the door though, leaning against the wall with her arms across her chest. There was a flicker of satisfaction on her face before she composed it back into an angry expression. She then threw another murderous glare at Edward, who rolled his eyes. I lifted my eyebrows, silently asking him what was all that about, but he just shook his head and turned his attention to Amelia and Carlisle.

Amelia had taken a seat in an armchair previously occupied by Alice, who had stood up and went to sit on the floor with Jasper, leaning against his chest. Edward then sat into the other armchair, pulling me onto his lap. He shifted me slightly so I would feel more comfortable and then looked questioningly at Alice. Her usual cheerful demeanour was now replaced by tenseness, and she was frowning. They exchanged a long look which was interrupted by Emmett's impatient grunt.

"So," Amelia started, interrupting the long silence, "I think it would be best, if someone told us exactly what happened."

"Alice had a vision of three unknown vampires heading our direction," Carlisle repeated what Edward had said before. "That alone wouldn't usually be of much importance but one of them seems to be determined to get to Bella's house. Unless we do something about it, he will succeed, and it would end in a massacre." His last words were nearly drowned by Edward's growl.

"But why would they go after me?" I asked again in a shaking voice, hoping for better answer than last time. I looked at Alice who shook her head sadly.

"I don't know, Bella. I can only see what will happen, not why."

"But the future is not as clear now," Edward stated, still looking at Alice.

"No, it changed when we decided to intervene," she said, nodding. "It's not clear now, because we still haven't agreed on a plan."

"So, what are we going to do?" asked Jasper, who was now gently rubbing Alice's shoulders in an attempt to calm her down. He was probably using his Gift too because her face relaxed and she gave him a slight grateful smile.

"It's simple," said Emmett, shrugging. "We'll fight. There is seven of us and only three of them. It should be a piece of cake." He sounded pretty confident and even excited.

"I would very much like to avoid that," said Carlisle firmly. "I think we should try to talk to them first to see if we can manage to convince them to give up their pursuit."

Alice was shaking her head. "I don't think that will work." All heads turned to her. She was staring ahead, her eyes glazed. She was clearly having another vision. "I can still see him trying to get to her." She fell quiet, concentrating on her vision. Edward hissed in frustration and right then Alice snapped back to present. "But fighting wouldn't be wise either." She said that with a shudder.

"How long do we have?" I asked, leaning into Edward's chest, afraid of the answer.

"At least a couple of days," said Alice, frowning. "There is going to be a thunderstorm and it will be at night. I can see no thunderstorms for at least two more days."

I relaxed slightly and so did everyone else. We still had some time to think of a plan.

"We should have invited Toby for the meeting," Esme piped up, but Amelia shook her head.

"No, he needs his time off," she said and then she looked at me. "But I think we should inform your father, Bella."

My eyes popped out and I could feel Edward's body stiffen. "Inform… about… what?" I stammered out stupidly.

"About everything he still doesn't know," she answered calmly. "Whatever we decide to do, it will affect him as well. We need to protect him, too. He would ask too many questions and we would have to create more and more lies. It would be waste of our time and energy which we're now going to need. And I think he deserves the whole truth."

"You mean to tell him about our family," said Edward through gritted teeth. The others started murmuring amongst themselves though it was too low for me to understand. I could clearly hear an angry hiss from where Rosalie was standing.

"He's human," she said angrily, taking a few steps toward us and stopping right behind Emmett who was sitting on the couch next to Esme and Carlisle. "If someone finds out that he knows, we will have the Volturi on us in no time."

"He already knows about the existence of vampires," I admitted sheepishly, earning surprised looks from the others. "I mentioned it when I told him about other magical beings a couple years ago. Of course he doesn't know how to recognize a vampire or that there is a whole coven right under his nose," I added with a grimace.

"I wouldn't worry about the Volturi," said Amelia, still quite calm despite the circumstances. "He's part of this world through Bella, which gives him our protection. Though I agree that it would be for the best if they never found out, or at least until the situation in Britain is dealt with. We certainly don't want too many people to know about Bella's hiding place, do we?"

"But how do we tell him?" I asked, worried. I was sure he wouldn't be thrilled to find out that his daughter had been hanging out with vampires.

Alice closed her eyes in concentration, trying to see Charlie's reaction. After a few seconds she opened her eyes again and sighed. "It depends on who will tell him." Both her and Edward's head turned to Carlisle. "You and Esme would be the best choice, I think. And Bella, of course," she continued, nodding to herself. "But I, Jasper and Amelia should be near, just in case."

"I will be near, too," said Edward resolutely, squeezing my hand.

I swallowed nervously and looked around. "When do you want to do it?"

"Well," said Amelia and stood up, "now is as good a time as any."

I was a nervous wreck. I was sitting in Carlisle's car on our way to Charlie's together with Carlisle, Esme and Amelia who had decided to be with us inside rather than wait outside the house. All three of them were discussing the best way to tell Charlie that the Cullens are vampires and that three other vampires were after his only daughter.

We had decided to put Charlie into good mood, so Carlisle brought with him a bottle of a very expensive French cognac, which Alice had bought following an inexplicable hunch about a week ago.

Carlisle parked his car right next to my truck. Emmett had picked it up from the Webers before he went hunting with Rosalie. He'd complained a bit that he would "miss the fun" but Rosalie was his top priority especially since she was still angry about the fact that we'd decided to tell my father about her family.

Charlie was surprised by the unexpected visitors but invited them inside with a friendly smile on his face. He looked curious and even a bit suspicious and kept throwing glances in my direction. He frowned, clearly noticing that I was nervous. Thanking Carlisle for the cognac, he motioned his free hand toward the kitchen table, and we all sat down. I fought the urge to look at the window since I knew Edward, Alice and Jasper were outside, monitoring the situation. I wished Edward could be here to keep me calm but I knew that Charlie might react worse to the news had he been present.

"Alright," said Charlie when he sat down on a chair, he'd brought from the living room. "Not saying I'm not glad to see you all but I suppose this is not an ordinary get-to-know-you visit, is it?"

"No, Charlie, it's not," said Amelia.

"What is it about then?" He glanced at me again and then at Carlisle and Esme who were holding hands and wearing grave expressions.

"Your daughter is in danger," said Carlisle, looking directly in my father's eyes.

Charlie went pale, his eyes wide. "They… they found her."

"Not exactly," said Amelia and then she looked at me, expecting me to continue. I avoided her eyes, looking at my hands instead. I couldn't make myself say it.

"Bella?" I heard Charlie say in a low voice. "What happened?"

"We believe that three vampires are trying to get to your daughter," said Amelia bluntly. She'd apparently had enough of my evasive behaviour. I looked up and saw my dad staring at Amelia with wide eyes and mouth hanging open.

Then he suddenly started laughing so hard that he leaned back against the back rest of his chair, hands on his thighs. I looked nervously at Amelia who pressed her lips into a tight line, waiting for Charlie to stop laughing. Carlisle and Esme exchanged nervous glances and Esme then gently squeezed my hand.

After a few moments Charlie's laughter suddenly stopped and he looked carefully at the four of us, studying our expressions. "Please, tell me you were joking."

"I already told you vampires existed, remember?" I said, finally mustering the courage to speak up. "I told you about vampires, werewolves, unicorns, dragons… They all exist."

"Yes, but… in your world. Not… not here in Forks," he stammered, shaking his head as if to wake up from a bad dream.

I took a deep breath and moved closer to him, placing my hand over his. "I'm a witch, Dad. Here in Forks. There are magical beings and creatures everywhere around us, only hidden from you. They exist, you just don't know about them."

"There have been vampires in Forks for some time now, Charlie," said Carlisle sombrely. "You've even met them."

"Nonsense," said Charlie, shaking his head again. "I would've known if I saw a vampire."

"Vampires don't look the same way you've seen in movies, Dad," I said with a sigh. "They don't have fangs, for example. They are pale, their skin is ice cold, and they are very attractive. Most of them have red eyes but they are some whose eyes are gold." I'd been watching him the whole time I spoke. His face went pale again as his eyes flitted from me to Amelia and then remained on Carlisle and Esme.

"No," he gasped, and his hand fell on his chest.

"Dad!"

"Charlie, you need to calm down," said Carlisle urgently. "Your pulse is too high."

Esme stood up and quickly went to get a glass of water. When she placed it in front of Charlie, he pulled away from her as far as he could. Carlisle continued to watch him with worried expression. Suddenly Charlie's face and body started to relax. Carlisle exhaled in relief, muttering something under his breath.

Charlie grasped the glass of water but didn't drink of it. He stared into the glass for several moments, then looked up, his eyes fixated on Carlisle. "You're vampires."

"Yes."

Charlie inhaled with a hiss and then looked at me. "You'll stay away from them," he said firmly, his eyes full of anger, determination, and fear.

I groaned, closing my eyes for a second in an attempt to calm myself. "I won't."

"Listen to me, young lady…"

"No, you listen to me, Dad!" I stood up, but Esme touched my arm to restrain me, so I sat down again. Before I could continue arguing with my father, Carlisle started to speak in a measured, calm voice.

"It's true that I and my family are vampires. But we are different from others of our kind. We don't harm humans, we feed on animal blood." Charlie's eyes went wide at that. "Bella's become very much part of my family in the past few weeks, and we would do anything to protect her and you as well. That's why we decided to tell you our secret. She's in danger and so are you."

Charlie stared at Carlisle after his speech, clearly thinking about everything Carlisle had just said. "You don't hurt people?"

"No, we don't."

"Well, you should've started with that," he said gruffly but I sighed in relief. The worst was over. "The other… vampires, I take it they're not animal drinkers."

"No, they're not," said Carlisle and he glanced up at the ceiling. "But I think it would be better if the rest of my family joined us, if you don't mind, Charlie."

Charlie's eyes narrowed but then he looked at something behind my back. I turned around to see Edward and Alice standing in the kitchen doorframe. I could glimpse Jasper's hair a few steps behind them. "You've been here all the time," said Charlie suspiciously.

"Yes, Sir," said Edward apologetically. Then he took a few steps and stopped right behind my chair.

"We didn't want to overwhelm you, Charlie," piped up Alice, beaming brightly at my father. She and Jasper stayed in the doorframe.

Charlie grumbled something in response, but his eyes stayed fixated on Edward.

Amelia cleared her throat and we all turned to her. "There will be time for Charlie's questions later. Now we need to discuss what we are going to do."

"We need to watch this house and ours," said Edward, gripping tightly the back of my chair. "We will take turns – "

"I can protect her," Charlie cut in. When he saw our incredulous looks, he added more hesitantly, "There are ways to kill a vampire, aren't there? Wooden stakes or…"

"No, Charlie," said Carlisle quietly. "I'm afraid they're all myths."

"There are a very few ways to kill a vampire," said Amelia. "One of them is another vampire."

"Isn't there a magical way to do it?"

Amelia sighed. "Yes, there is. But the spell is dangerous and only highly trained wizards can do it. We don't usually cross paths with vampires, we tend to avoid each other."

Charlie was quiet for a few moments, looking lost in thoughts. I could feel Edward's fingers gently gripping my shoulder, which didn't escape Charlie's notice because he snapped out of his thoughts and frowned. Then he turned his head to Carlisle. "How do you know about the danger anyway?"

It was Alice who answered.

"I saw it," she said simply, taking a few steps into the kitchen, leaving Jasper standing by the door. Seeing Charlie's perplexed expression, she smiled slightly. "You know, some of us have special talents. We call it "Gifts". For example I can see the future, Jasper can feel and manipulate emotions and Edward can read minds."

Charlie's eyes nearly fell out of their sockets. "Read minds?!"

I could hear Edward chuckle behind me. "Don't worry, Sir. I can't read you or your daughter." I could hear a hint of frustration in his voice, and I had to smile.

"He can't read magical people, we have some sort of protection in us that prevents it," I explained more clearly.

"But… I'm not magical," Charlie pointed out.

"Well, it seems that you have some magic in you after all," I said with a shrug.

Charlie seemed somewhat pleased with himself and leaned back in his chair. He looked more relaxed now though I wasn't sure if it wasn't thanks to Jasper's calming influence. Either way we could continue making some plans and it seemed the others came to the same conclusion.

"So as I said before, we need to watch over Bella and Charlie constantly now," Edward resumed his talk from before Charlie had interrupted him. "We should stay home next week so Bella wouldn't be left alone. Some of us should – " He stopped, and I looked up at him to see that he was now watching Carlisle with a frown. "Why not?"

"It would look suspicious if all of you stayed home and we can't afford it. Not now, when Bella is leaving the school. We need you there more than ever, you know that."

"I don't care about school!" Edward nearly growled, and I could feel a wave of calm spreading across the room. Edward turned to glare at Jasper, who just shrugged. I reached to his hand on my shoulder which had clenched into a fist. I placed my hand over his, trying to smooth it. His fingers relaxed but I could feel the rage rolling off of him despite Jasper's influence.

"Carlisle's right," said Amelia. "Until Alice sees anything new, we have to go on with our lives." Edward's hand clenched into a fist again, but Amelia went on before he could interrupt her. "It doesn't mean that Bella should be left alone, you're right about that."

"We've already agreed that she would stay with me," said Esme. "She won't be alone."

"What about my Dad?" I asked anxiously, biting my lower lip.

"I will be at work, I can take care of myself," huffed Charlie.

"Yes. I don't think we should worry about you while you're at work," agreed Carlisle. "They wouldn't go near the town in the daytime. They have to remain inconspicuous."

"And I still see them coming at night," Alice put in.

"Alright, I think we should go now," said Carlisle and stood up. "We need to discuss more detailed strategy later but at least two of us will stay outside of your house tonight."

"I'm staying," said Edward firmly. He'd calmed down a bit but when I looked up at him, his expression was hidden behind a blank mask.

Charlie opened his mouth to protest but then he saw something in Edward's expression that changed his mind. He just grumbled something, then shrugged, and stood up to walk the others to the front door.