This chapter rated 'M' for violence, death, and dark themes.
Previously: Bella got answers from newborn Edward, and Jasper warned Bella of what could happen if Maria found out too much about her.
Bella's P.O.V. (3037 words):
"We fight to live, we live to fight, and tonight you'll hear my battle cry." ~Frontline by Pillar
.:!*!:.
"I feel guilty for giving baby Edward hope." I said, pursing my lips, a habit I had picked up from Riley.
"He wasn't feelin' hopeful. He was nervous and slightly afraid. I don't think he wants to live anymore now that he's committed treason." He replied, and I nodded in understanding. I'd want someone to kill me if I ever betrayed those I had given my loyalties to.
"Time to finish this." I muttered, leading Jasper back to the 'playroom'. The screams of Chris and Lucy rang in my ears as I walked to the small chest in the back. I opened it, grabbing a jar of venom. I closed the trunk and went over to where little Edward was still on the floor. I removed the lid of the jar and poured the venom over his torn body swiftly. "Hand me one of his arms, and place the other limbs on his stomach, Major."
One of his arms was in my hand in the next second. I pulled my Zippo out of my pocket. Little Edward sighed and closed his eyes at the sight of it.
"Is the venom to make me burn more quickly?" He asked, sounding completely at ease.
"It is." I said, keeping my voice detached.
"Thank you." He whispered, and I wouldn't have known he'd said it if I hadn't read his lips.
"Of course." I whispered right back. "A los brazos de Dios."
"Into the arms of God." He echoed in a wistful tone. I lit his arm where it had been severed and let it fall onto him. He burst majestically into flames, and he was actually sparking and turning blue with heat. He was ash in less than fifteen seconds. Not once did he scream or make noise of any kind.
"Deo volente, obliviscere delictorum meorum." I whispered in Latin. It was a prayer I said everytime I killed. It meant 'By God's will, forget my sins.' I simply spoke it in a hope that it would save some part of my wretched soul. The tortured screams of Chris and Lucy seemed to laugh in my face. "Let's go back to the surface, Major. I'm done here."
He said nothing as we both left the room. He stayed silent as we went back through the titanium door and bookcase, and he did not speak as we passed through the map room or as we exited the basement altogether. I walked straight out into the backyard. Riley was standing in front of me before I could blink.
"He talked." Riley said knowingly, recognizing the glazed look on my face that I always got after I killed. "Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine." I replied. "He was sent here by Maria to find out our next plan of action, and to find out as much about the second-in-command as possible. It brings me comfort that she, like the rest of them, thinks I am only a rumor."
"You're right. She is more in the dark than we were even hoping. It's good news." Riley agreed, still watching me carefully.
"Do they all have that move down?" I asked, changing the subject and shifting my attention to the newborns.
"Yes. They got it down exceptionally fast. You'll also be pleased to hear that they've already taken to Jean as a commander. The moment I told them that you had added her personally, they were listening to her as if they had been all along." Riley said, a smile appearing on his face. It was then that I noticed that it was dark. Glancing at my watch, I saw that it was five minutes 'til midnight. Sighing, I let out my high-pitched screech. The army halted all movement right away and got into their lines in front of me. Riley and Jean took up my flanks. I noticed that Jasper stood just to the side of everything and was watching me. I let my eyes move over the army and drew in a deep breath.
"I look at all of you, and most of what I see is unsurprising. I see blood-lust and longing, which is to be expected with me in your presence. I see restraint and self-discipline, which is also far from shocking since your general, for all intents and purposes, forces you to fight against your very nature daily by simply being near. I also see newborns, vampires, and southerners. All these things are not surprising in the least. There is something, however, that I see when I gaze out on you that never fails to astonish me... loyalty, respect, and a fierce determination that I rarely get to witness anymore." I spoke my words as strongly as I could, pacing back and forth before them slowly, with my hands grasped behind me. "This half-life that we are all stuck living does not encourage such things. Loyalty and respect towards a human 'commander'? Others would laugh at such a notion, yet you feel it. I know you do, and it makes me proud. I know you respect me and are more loyal to me than to your own creator, and I feel honored. My own emotions towards you would be scoffed upon. Second-in-commands, like myself, do not care for those in the army they command, yet I do. I know that you know that our fierce determination to ensure not only personal survival, but the survival of our comrades, makes us a joke in the eyes of others. I want you all to know now that these things do not make us weak, as they would lead us to believe. These things make us stronger. These things bring us together in a way they could never dream of. They unite us in a way that they could never even begin to imagine. As a united front we will fight, as a united front we will conquer, as a united front we will achieve victory, and if it should happen that we are overcome and overpowered... it is as a united front that we shall enter the fires of hell!
"We are taking on Nathaniel's army tonight, soldiers. Do not let me down." At that, I turned on my heal and marched into the house. Riley began assembling them into ranks and regiments. I went upstairs to change into my black outfit. When I was finished, I walked back downstairs to see Jasper waiting beside the stairs for me.
"You go to the battles, even though you are only human?" Jasper asked, sounding amazed and horrified at the same time.
"Of course. I meant what I told them. If we lose and are to die, we die together." I replied. "I stay on the outskirts, but I am always there."
"Well, I'm goin' to stay with you then, Swan." He said with a smile.
"It would either be that, or you would be leading the army yourself." I told him with a smile of my own.
"I'll take up that offer when you go against Maria. She won't know what hit her." Jasper said darkly, causing me to shake my head and roll my eyes.
"I sent Jean ahead to scout our approach, and she came back with some bad news!" Riley shouted. "They're already halfway here! A third of their army is missing, and Jean thinks they might be coming at our weak right flank!"
"Crap." I said under my breath, running outside. I started ordering the army around right away. "Change of plans, soldiers! We're activating the stronghold! Jessie, take your group to Point A. Danny and Kyle, I want your regiment to split up and cover Points B and D at our face and right. Evelina, I need you stationed at Point C. Gabriela, I want you to wait in the shadows. If you suddenly feel amused, I want you to lead your team east as fast as you can to head them off. We've practiced this plenty of times. You guys know what to do. Move, move, move! Riley and Jean, stand in front of Kyle and Evelina between Points B and C. I want it to be obvious that we knew they were coming!"
I waved for Jasper to follow me as I pulled a rope that was hanging on the side of a house, and a ladder fell to hover just above the ground. I began to climb, and I saw as Jasper simply jumped onto the roof. It didn't take me long to reach the top, and I went to stand on the far side right away. I looked out on the army. They were already stationed and waiting.
"The main army is crossin' the highway now." Jasper informed me.
"I should be able to see them soon then." I replied, watching the east closely. I trusted Jean's judgment, and I was just waiting for that blur on the horizon.
The third of the army that was coming from the east arrived first, and I signaled Jasper to send out a wave of amusement. Gabriela, and the three newborns with her, darted silently east like ghosts. The second that I saw Riseborrugh, Nathaniel's second-in-command, charging with the army, I let out my screech Riley raised his right hand, and they all entered defensive crouches.
Riseborrugh came to a stop a respectful distance away and began spouting lies of surrender to Riley. Riley laughed and yelled that he knew better. We all knew that Riseborrugh wouldn't have brought the army if he was going to surrender. Gabriela and the three newborns that had gone with her returned with Riseborrugh's second's head. They threw it to them, and I saw the purple smoke rising in the east. I couldn't help but smile.
"Are you ready to make our appearance, Major?" I asked too quietly for those below to hear. He nodded, and he lifted me into his arms. He leapt from the roof, and I'm sure he felt my confusion. I was just planning on drawing their attention to the roof, but apparently Jasper had other ideas.
"Trust me." He whispered to me.
"You know I do." I whispered back, and by this time, we were next to Riley. Jasper set me down in my place in front of Riley and Jean, but instead of leaving, he stayed there and stood next to me.
"Who might you be? I always thought the battlefield was no place for a meal." Riseborrugh said, chuckling slightly. I smiled sweetly.
"I see that your second-in-command healed from his burns on time for the battle, not that he lasted much longer anyway." I replied, ignoring his question. "Did you get my message?"
"Huh." Riseborrugh huffed, watching me with questioning eyes. I winked at him, and he burst out laughing. "The stories are true then! Nathaniel, you've got to see this! It's Boss Swan!" Nathaniel came from the trees with his eyebrow raised. He froze when his eyes landed on Jasper, and I felt Jasper shake with silent laughter beside me.
"I feel like I'm missing something." I mumbled, my own eyebrows rising expectantly.
"Nathaniel here, was under my command when I left. How did you get out of there, soldier?" Jasper's smile was truly sinister, and if I wasn't so close to him personally, I might have been afraid.
"We're leaving, Riseborrugh." Nathaniel ordered, only taking his eyes off of Jasper to glance at me.
"Even missing a third of our army, we outnumber them, sir." Riseborrugh argued, looking at Nathaniel as if he had lost his mind.
"Fine. Do whatever you want Riseborrugh, but know that if you stay, it's the last mistake you'll ever make. I'm leaving." Nathaniel said, his eyes flashing between Jasper and I again. "I apologize that my army will be an inconvenience to you, Major."
"Oh, it's nothin'." Jasper replied, laying the accent on thick. I saw Nathaniel shudder as he started backing up.
"Boss Swan, I'll spread your legacy." He said, still retreating slowly. "Soon, all will know of your return, Major J. Whitlock."
"Go in peace, Nathaniel, but go quickly." I replied, making sure my face was cold and hard.
"I know where you'll run off to. Tell Maria I said hello." Jasper said, and I felt him send out some fear. Nathaniel was gone before I could blink. "So, Riseborrugh's your name, is it?"
"Woah, you're the Major J. Whitlock?" Riseborrugh asked, his eyes wide.
"I wasn't aware that there was another." Jasper replied, smiling in a way that suggested he was highly amused.
"You can't be the Major. The Major would never go anywhere without his second and third." Riseborrugh challenged, seeming quite proud of himself. I rolled my eyes.
"Like I'd let the Major wander out in the world alone! He'd get you killed!" I heard a familiar voice shout from next to me. I noticed as Jasper sighed from my other side. "How ya doin', Swan? It's good to see ya again." He slung him arm around my shoulder, and I took a look at his face. I burst out laughing and shaking my head. It was the strange vampire that had found me alongside the highway 77. To find that I'd already met Peter, Jasper's infamous right-hand, was priceless. Ignoring Jasper's look of disbelief, I twisted to give Peter a hug.
"Well Captain, you just can't stay away." I teased, unable to keep the humored smile off my face.
"From a beauty like you, over 24 hours would have been torture." Peter replied, inhaling and kissing my hair as his arms pulled me against him.
"Alright, alright." I laughed, pulling back and looking around. "Where's your pretty lady?"
"Always near." A female voice replied, suddenly next to Peter.
"I'm Boss Swan. It's a pleasure." I introduced, and next thing I knew, I was in a hug.
"I'm Charlotte, dear, and the pleasure is all mine." She said, and her voice was like a purr. She looked at Riseborrugh with false innocence. "Major, who's this?"
"This is Riseborrugh. He's Nathaniel's second-in-command, or he was. Nathaniel took off like a bat out of hell when he saw me here." Jasper replied.
"It's not surprisin'." Peter shrugged, looking Riseborrugh up and down as if considering a purchase. "Why didn't you leave, Riseborrugh?"
"I outnumber you." Riseborrugh replied as if it were obvious.
"He's a bit hopeless." I stage whispered. "I'm beginning to wonder if Nathaniel used enough venom."
"I'd say." Peter replied, still looking at Riseborrugh like a for sale item. "What do you think, Major? We keepin' him?"
"This is Boss Swan's fight, Peter." Jasper told him, sending out a combination of emotions that made me feel like backing down. I fought it, of course, but Peter took a step back.
"Welcome back to the South, Major." Peter said, smiling hugely.
"Riseborrugh, this is my final word. Leave, or you condemn your army to death and yourself to eight days of flame." I stated, retaking control of the situation. "Since Nathaniel has surrendered, his territory is ours anyway." It was silent for a long time before his gaze landed on the severed head of his second.
"We'll leave." He announced, picking the head up and ordering his army to follow. They were gone in no time.
"Riley, scent our new borders!" I shouted my command, causing the rest of the newborns to explode into cheers. "Upon Riley's return, we'll begin the celebrations!" Their screams and cheers increased.
"Any orders?" Jean asked me as Riley took off into the night. I noticed the newborns all had darker eyes than normal.
"Why don't you take the army to Dallas to check out the cuisine?" I replied, smiling. She let out a tinkling laugh.
"Sure thing, boss." Jean said through her giggles. She went skipping over to the army, told them the plan, and they all went north.
"You let them all just go?" Charlotte asked me, looking shocked. "Alone?"
"It's a bit different for them than it is for normal newborns. They have exceptional control over their instincts, and they respect me enough to behave themselves." I replied.
"I'm amazed with your trust in them." Charlotte said, walking with Jasper into the farmhouse. He looked at Peter right before he went in through the front door, and Peter nodded in answer to some silent question. Peter took my hand and dragged me a good distance away before speaking.
"I know you remember what I told you when we met, but you can't tell him. He can't know yet." Peter whispered. I figured he was taking about the fact that Charlotte knew I'd be Jasper's mate. I shook my head.
"I remember what you told me, but I can't bring myself to believe it." I told him truthfully. He nodded.
"That's why you can't tell him yet. He would believe without pause." Peter replied, shocking me. "Why do you think he followed me from Maria's camp without second thoughts? He trusts Charlotte and I implicitly. If we say the two of you are mates, he'll believe it. Plus, he suspects a bond between the two of you already, but he thinks it's one of comradeship."
"That's what I think it is as well." I said, nodding. My next question was rhetorical, but he answered it anyway. "What is there to say there's more?"
"He was out for vengeance against Victoria when he heard your story." He pointed out before looking towards the house. "When you meet Maria, you will understand."
"I've wanted her dead for quite a while." I countered.
"And that want will become a need the moment she threatens the Major in front of you." Peter said, glancing at the house again. "Speakin' of the Major, he's gettin' restless. Come on."
"Now I understand why you didn't tell me your name before. You're right. I would have flipped out. Being on Maria's land at the time, I would've thought you'd gone back to her after the Major disappeared." I said.
"For the record, I want her baked as much as the next person." He replied, smirking lightly. I smiled back as we entered the front door. Peter went right over to where Charlotte was standing and planted a giant kiss on her, pulling her to him by her lower back. I looked away, laughing quietly to myself.
"Is your good mood due to your victory?" Jasper asked, bringing my attention to him. He looked expressionless, and I realized that he hadn't said a word since he'd had Peter back down.
"No. I'm just happy." I replied with a smile.
"I see." He said, his gaze unwavering.
"Are you alright?" I asked, concerned by the way he was acting.
"Fine." He answered, but he blinked, alerting me to his lie.
"Sure you are." I replied, my own face going dark at his deception. I hated lies. I hated them more than anything. "A better answer would have been 'I'm not okay, and I'd rather not talk about it'. Whatever though. I'm used to being lied to. Just know that I won't have the shade pulled over my eyes again. I'm not blind any longer."
"There's no reason to get angry." He drawled slowly, looking completely at ease. It only made my anger grow. I saw Peter out of the corner of my eye, and his eyes were wide with some emotion I couldn't decipher.
"I'm not going to discuss this with you." I replied, turning away.
"Listen here, Swan-" He began, and his tone implied nothing but superiority. I didn't even turn around as I interrupted him.
"I said I was done. You've been dismissed, Major." I said in my coldest tone before heading up the stairs. I knew he wouldn't follow me. It's not like he cared. No one ever did.
A.N.: Sorry to leave you with such a downer, but I really wanted to give you another chapter. I won't be updating until around the 20th of January, so I thought you guys would want more than usual. You're welcome.
This chapter is huge to the plot, even if it isn't totally obvious at first glance. I hope it gave you a deeper understanding of Bella's internal struggle. She might have a good amount of darkness in her, but she doesn't necessarily like it. She's more like the Major than she thinks. This also sets up her side of the mating bond. She's pretty blind to it at this point.
Tell me what you think, and let me know if you have any questions! I'll see you in a week and a half!