A/N's: Many thanks to Tanya aka AcrossTheSkyInStars for being a lovely beta and always helping me with my chapters. Love you babe
Ch23 The caves
I awoke curled close to Edward, my shoulder tucked under his arm and my cheek against his chest. He felt cool but not cold to me, and I relished the opportunity to touch him as long as possible. At first, it never occurred to me to question why his body temperature was almost neutral with mine. But as the minutes ticked by and I still felt comfortable, I started to think about the significant yet small changes I had started to notice over the past few days.
The first was that food had become secondary to me. My body still craved nutrition because I felt hungry at times, but the taste of actual food was bland and unsatisfactory; I would go as far as saying that dust held more appeal.
The second was how my body had once been dramatically warmer than Edward's, and each time he had touched me, I'd felt the difference immediately, shivering under the contact and eventually withdrawing from him. But not now, now I snuggled closer, feeling content at remaining close to him. Oh how I had longed for such simple things. The reality far surpassed the fantasy.
Did this mean I was I changing? Had the consistently small amounts of venom Edward exposed me to, finally taken affect?
I had drunk from him, and he from me. He had licked my wounds, literally, and healed me. We'd made love over and over again, and each time he had been inside me in some way. As Edward no longer produced the human body fluids such as saliva and semen, what my body accepted from him was basically venom, in its purest form. Could I truly be exposed to so much and yet remain unchanged? Yes, it was true I was not a mere human, but a witch with immortality and a strange resistance to the usually fast acting effects of venom. But changes were occurring and I had no answers, just too many questions.
I thought back to Irina and the scar she had shown me. She, too, had been bitten by a Vampire, by her own admission, but yet she was not changed. Was this a flaw? Could vampires and witches exist immune to each other's craft? I hadn't tried a spell on Edward; therefore I had no idea if I could affect him.
I thought back to the possibility of my slow change, but was reminded that Edward had said he couldn't change me, not wouldn't. Was it possible he wasn't able to do something that was already happening? And if so, why didn't he just tell me? Each time I'd asked, begged him in fact, to make me just like him, his replies had been cryptic at times and blunt at others.
I decided to ask him outright.
"Edward, when you said I would heal quicker next time, is that because I'm changing?" I pushed myself up onto my elbow and looked down at his face. His eyes were closed and I felt the urge to press my lips to his; they looked pillow soft and so very tempting. I resisted and asked him more.
"I don't really know the specifics, but from what you told me about Marcus, Didyme, and your change, I expected pain, lots of it, yet I feel – ok. But I'm not ok because things are different. I've noticed I'm hungry but food is the last thing I want. I can be near you but don't feel so cold anymore. Why is that? And if I am changing why is it taking so long? Why with me, is it slow? And if I'm not changing, then why don't I want food, and –"
Edward silenced me with a finger to my lips. "Shush," he murmured, "so many questions."
"Then let me just ask one."
He nodded and moved his finger from my mouth, resting it on the curve of my jaw.
"Am I changing?" I chose what I considered the most important question; if the answer was 'yes' it could explain the rest.
"The truth?" He asked softly.
"Yes."
"I don't know." He opened his eyes and looked at me. "I considered the possibility, but I don't know, not for sure."
"What do you mean you don't know for sure?"
"I was ashamed to admit to you that it was an experiment. I didn't want you to think I was – toying with you. I want you with me, Bella, always, but to change you in an instant goes beyond what I've taught myself to believe. I struggle with my desires to have you, in every way, but then I remind myself that you are mine after all." I smiled at his possessive phrasing. I loved it. Edward continued, "And I struggle with my humanity. I like to think that because of you, I have found that part of myself again, but if I act on my desires, am I being selfish? Am I behaving just like the monster I run away from?"
"You're not a monster, Edward," I told him, placing my hand on his cheek. There was no warmth or pillow-like swell under the palm of my hand. It was cool, but not unbearable to my ever adapting temperature, and hard, like stone; un-giving. But it was soft, smooth – unmarred by life. I stroked my thumb near the corner of his mouth and watched with lustful fascination as his lips parted slightly under my touch. His sweet breath fanned across my face and I sighed, almost instinctively. I could never get enough of his scent. He consumed my senses.
"To bite you for the sole purpose of changing you also breaks the treaty with the tribe, but to think of you as vulnerable – well it just kills me – if that's at all possible. So I thought about it, for days and days, from after we first met, and again after I helped with your back." He swallowed and I remembered the straps of leather stinging my skin and ripping my flesh open. "Your body accepted the venom so easily, so much more than any other human should. Your reactions were minimal. I thought then this may be an option."
"When you bite me for – pleasure," I blushed, "doesn't that break the treaty?"
Edward paused before answering. "I bite you to feed and for pleasure," he lifted my chin and smiled at my shyness, "so yes, I believe in every possible way, I've already broken the treaty."
"What will happen, with Jacob?"
"I guess we'll find out when I tell him."
"You should've told me," I said softly, referring to the experiment. I wasn't mad at him, I didn't even care that he had tried his theory on me. What hurt was that he hadn't shared, even though he knew how much it meant to me.
"Bella." He sat up and leant on his elbow too, his face level with mine. "What if I had told you and it didn't work? You'd be so upset, my love, and I would feel compelled then to turn you. Guilt - shouldn't be the reason." It was his turn to stroke his thumb close to my lips, his touch so soft it tickled. It reminded how he was always holding back, and while I appreciated his consideration, a part of me just wanted him to let go and be himself, be who and what he was. It was just another reason why I wanted to be like him in every way.
"It should never be from guilt," he whispered, moving closer, his lips replaced his thumb, sweeping gently over mine, his breath lulling me. I half closed my eyes and watched his face, only a fraction of space between us. "Only for love," he murmured, "my love."
I nodded, understanding his justification. I felt dizzy, under a spell and I hazily recalled Irina's words about Vampire glamour. I shook my head and put some space between us. "Other vampires change people for greed, Edward, not love."
He smiled and rubbed the tip of his nose against mine. "I was referring to us. I couldn't give a damn what others do."
I put some extra space between us. I needed to think and he clouded my judgement. I pressed my back against the wall, and placing my hand on his chest, I stopped him from leaning in. He looked down at my hand and smiled, then bending closer, he breathed on the back of it. The air was cool as it brushed over my skin, and I watched him purse his lips and blow again before looking back up at me, his eyes aglow with desire. I swallowed and tried again to talk to him about my thoughts and concerns.
"How much longer do you think it will take? Will I wake up and desire blood? Should we do more to help move it along?" I rambled, so many questions forming in my head again that I couldn't hold them in. I needed to keep talking, to shake off the fuzzy haze that had descended over me. The possibility that Edward was trying to use his wiles to stop me from going to the caves crossed my mind.
"I don't know, Bella. This is not something I've ever heard of before. I know not of any other like you. But I think we've managed quite well so far without any advice or help. Maybe we should let nature take its course," he suggested.
"Can we still do what we've been doing?" I asked feeling a little shy. He smiled and nodded at my question. I reached out and touched his hair. It was an array of bronze, some curling, some just standing wild atop his head, but it made him look so alluring. I tugged the hair at the nape of his neck. "Are you trying to mind faze me, Edward Cullen?" I asked.
He reached out for a tendril of mine, brushing it lightly between his fingers as if relishing in the texture. "Did it work?" He smiled.
I shook my head, returning his affection, "No."
"You always did astound me," he sighed, "always unique."
I sat up fully and glanced out the window. The sun was rising, the day would soon begin; it was almost time.
Edward moved behind me and lifted my hair aside and kissed the exposed skin of my neck, his lips moving across my shoulder and the sensitive nape, making me shiver and my nipples tighten with anticipation.
"Can I ask you once more to stay here and be safe?" He murmured.
"Can I ask you once more to change me, make me like you?" I asked.
He shook his head slowly. "No," he replied, his smile a little sad as if denying me actually hurt him.
"No," I answered him, staring into his darkened eyes, falling into the onyx abyss as he stared back at me.
"Edward, you're thirsty, you should hunt before we leave."
He nodded, and without a word, he reached for my wrist and turned it so the tender skin of my underarm lay open to him. I watched with morbid curiosity as his lips parted, curling back over his teeth and then he bit down. I gasped and tried to yank my arm away as his teeth penetrated my flesh, but the searing pain lasted only seconds. As he started to drink, my entire body reacted to him. My nipples puckered, my legs shook, and my sex flowed with wetness as I maintained eye contact, mesmerised as he fed from me. His hold on me was tighter than usual, but it added to the moment and I lost myself in it.
It was entirely erotic, and I shuddered under the cocktail of venomous sting and his sweet suckle. His eyes dimly changed from black to maroon; so dark it would be hard to distinguish if stood at a distance.
But I was close and I could see them changing. My mouth opened as I felt the pull of blood from my veins, saw it nourish him as he swallowed, hungry but not yet sated.
I felt myself tremble as the blue tinge of his pallor, under his eyes the most dominant, faded until his skin looked replenished again.
"Edward," I whispered, the familiar stirrings of sexual release creeping slowly from my core, and with a growl, he tore his mouth away from my arm, licked the puncture wounds to seal them and captured my lips with his own. I could taste my blood, mingled with his venom, layered over his tongue as it swept across mine, but rather than be repulsed, I kissed him back with fervour, gripping his shoulders as wave after wave of pleasure consumed me.
His bite had aroused me, his kiss had satisfied. But the taste of my blood had awoken something in me and the residue on his tongue was not enough.
"More," I gasped as he pulled his face away. He continued to hold my shaking body against his, the aftermath of my passion still tainting the air. Edward breathed harder, and I could imagine it was the scent of my arousal that affected him.
Without hesitation, he swept his razor like nail over the skin at his throat, just under his ear. The wound remained open but un-bleeding.
He didn't need to instruct me, we'd been here before. I moved towards him, licking at the cut and then fastening my lips either side, and I sucked lightly. Edward hissed as a trickle of blood rushed forth and spilt over my tongue. I swallowed tentatively, scared I would suddenly find the repulsion I was sure I should be feeling, but the liquid gold that ran down my throat, quenching my own thirst, spurred me on, and grabbing onto his arms for support, I sucked harder.
He tasted so good.
Edward started to tremble beneath my mouth; the satisfaction I derived from his blood fuelled the pleasure he was feeling, and as I drank him down, it was Edward's turn to be consumed by me.
"Enough," he finally whispered, pulling me away from him. He lay down on the sheets as I remained sitting, panting a little from the exertion of my meal. I felt energised, like a rush of sugar had replenished my body, but he looked exhausted, and I suddenly grew concerned that I had fed too much.
"Edward?" I brushed his arm, worried.
"I need a moment," he said and I lay next to him, concern marred my brow.
"Did I – drink too much?"
He shook his head. "No, but you have rendered me useless with your womanly wiles."
I laughed at his absurd words and the way he used my own against me. I lay my head on his chest and watched the sun rise through the window. The gentle pink of the early morning sky brightened to a golden hue, its light penetrating the room and bouncing off Edward's skin. The glimmer of a thousand tiny lights shot prisms all over him and I watched his almost majestic beauty, with awe.
"You're beautiful," I told him.
"As are you," he said softly, "look." He ran his finger over my shoulder, down my arm and across the back of my hand, and I as I followed the trail, I noticed a glistening shine shimmering off my own skin. It was not the transcendent glory of Edward's sparkle but merely a dusting; however, it was just as pretty.
"Oh Edward," I murmured and we smiled at each other, the obvious evidence of my slow transformation brightening our hopes after all.
"It's time to go," he said and I nodded.
We dressed and entered the kitchen. My father and Irina had arrived but as she spotted Edward and I emerging from the bedroom, she refused to come inside. I knew her reluctance was because of Edward and I felt a knot of unease sit heavy in my stomach. They both meant so much to me and I so desperately needed Irina to see that he was good. I looked at her as the door slowly closed but she refused to meet my eyes.
"Edward, what happened to Irina?" I asked.
He looked to the door, catching a glimpse of her before it closed entirely and then back at me. "It's not my place to tell you."
"Will she ever trust you?"
"She feels I am not the monster she first believed but she struggles with her experience with my kind. I have faith she'll come round." He told me.
"I hope so," I mused, I needed them both in my life but I was sure if she made me choose, it would always be Edward. The decision was born of my heart but it still hurt none the less and I prayed she would never force it on me.
I sat at the table as Carlisle finished eating breakfast with Mary Alice and Ava. Hale had gone outside with his men. He'd been appointed Captain in the absence of their other, and unlike the previous master, I trusted Hale and it was obvious the men did too. I could hear their chatter through the door, the sound only muffled by the wood. I listened intently and caught moments of excitement in their conversation, but mostly there was trepidation. It tainted the air yet no one addressed it. They're endless chat remained jovial.
No one knew where James was and no one knew if he had survived Laurent's bite. He could be as dangerous as any other supernatural being in this world, or he could be rotting in the forest somewhere nearby.
The idea of him feeding the wildlife pleased me and I didn't feel guilt for being so morbid.
The door opened and Charlie stepped inside. His bruises were faded and some completely gone, the cuts and wounds were hardly visible and for the first time in a very long time, he looked happy. I pondered on the cause and decided it was a mixture of finding me, Irina and the excitement pending. I had never seen Charlie fight, he was a labourer and provider for his family, not a soldier, yet I had no doubt he was ready to battle, and watching him prepare as the others did made me so incredibly proud of him.
Carlisle finished eating and approached Mary Alice. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. Mary Alice wrapped her arms around his waist and they embraced each other tightly. "Sweetheart, I know you're all grown up now and have a beau to look after you, but you're still my baby girl. Be careful out there, take no chances but also –" Carlisle paused. Mary Alice pulled out of his arms and looked up at him. Carlisle shuffled his feet.
"Daddy," she spoke softly, placing her hand on his arm. "I won't let you down."
Carlisle nodded, and patting her hand once more, he swallowed, sniffed twice then opened the door to go outside and join the group. I watched as numerous young men either sat on the grass and finished their preparations or stood in groups, talking and trying to ignore the impending mission.
"What was that about?" I asked her.
"He's worried I'll forget the way," she replied, turning back to her chores.
"Are you?"
She didn't answer immediately. She just continued to stoke the flames of the fire with her back to me. Finally she turned but kept her eyes down. "Yes," she whispered. "I am afraid. My mother is there and my father misses her a thousand times more than I do. There's pressure and I'm so scared of so many things."
I walked over to her and placed my arm around her shoulder. "What if we're too late?" This was a constant thought plaguing us all. Nobody spoke until Edward finally stepped forward and whispered to Hale. He nodded, and winking at Mary Alice, he clapped Edward on the shoulder then moved outside to address the men before him.
"Guards." Each one in turn stopped what they were doing and stood to listen. Hale continued. His voice loud and clear as it reached every one of them. "I stand before you as your new Captain. We all know that a new threat has descended, and soon the black-hearted enemy will attack. It is time to free our kin and fight for our freedom. I was once your brother, so hear my truth when I say I will not abandon my duties. I will not give you orders then watch you from afar. We are in this together and so I will fight beside you, I will bleed with you and," Hale raised his sword as he spoke his final words, "we are one in this battle and united, we will triumph."
The guards raised their swords too and standing tall, sounding proud, each chanted their vow back to him. "Triumph. Triumph. Triumph!"
I felt a lump form in my throat and Mary Alice clutch at my arm. "I love him," she whispered, and as I watched the light shining in her eyes, I had no doubts that she did. I smiled and patted her hand.
"Are you ready?"
Mary Alice looked at me and nodded.
"Do you have a weapon?" I asked her.
She nodded again, and lifting the hem of her skirts, she showed me a small dagger tied to her ankle with a yellow ribbon. Before I could question it, she dropped her skirts and reached behind her back to pull a wooden stake out. It had been whittled from a tree branch, with a small twig and leaf still attached to the base, what she would use as a handle. I stared at her with wide eyes.
"What?" she asked. "It makes me feel safer. You have your magic!"
I covered my mouth and stifled a chuckle and after a moment she laughed with me. I waited as she handed Ava over to an elderly female neighbour. We said our goodbyes to the baby and walked outside to join the guard. Irina waited and then holding her hand out to me, she smiled as I placed mine in hers, accepting the gesture. She was scared for me and I had to understand that and be patient, proving to her I had made the right choice in Edward.
The men filed forward, standing in pairs, filling the garden, and Mary Alice, Irina and I found our place at the back of the line. Edward walked over to me and Irina looked away, dropping my hand as Edward took it, holding it softly in his. "I have to lead the group, to search out any possible predator, but I'm not far from you, Bella, I promise."
"Go do your duty," I told him and he kissed my forehead gently before moving with the speed of a vampire, to the front of the line.
Hale was with Edward as he led the group. Carlisle was close to the centre and I noticed that we were not the only females. Others walked ahead of us, their shoulders squared, walking tall and holding a multitude of weapons ranging from guns to swords, small blades and even a bow and arrows. All five women marched in time with the guard.
We were all ready to fight for our town, for our families and for good over evil. Even if he was never a vampire, James was the Devil's spawn. Albeit our band was a mixture of trained and strong young men to small, unskilled women, but even though we were certainly obscure we were not without the same goal. It was what drove us forth.
The sun was high above us, its morning rays warm but not yet hot. The sky was unusually clear, showing speckles of blue through dotted swarms of cloud. I felt the dew from the grass dampen my skirts as we entered the forest. The leaves left wet kisses across our faces as we swept aside branches and made our way through.
The woods around us were abundant with wildlife, but as we headed deeper in, and Edward's predatory presence was sensed, the birds stopped mid-song and the grasshopper ceased his call. Deathly quiet descended and a feeling of unease crept over me. The forest was usually as alive as the men who traipsed through. It was unnatural to hear no natures call.
Edward departed from the group and disappeared into the trees. I watched him leave and prayed he found nothing to intimidate us up ahead. I knew he was capable of defending himself but I also knew a new born vampire was stronger and more feral than the distinguished years Edward carried with him. This was as much a hindrance to a new born as a benefit, their temper, bloodlust and confusion made them sloppy at the very least. Edward had patience and skill on his side.
But even so, all of this made James so much more dangerous than anything else we could possibly face. The Laurent's of this world didn't hold the same menace as the man who once killed his sister, his lover and held innocents prisoner. I was not ashamed to admit that each time I thought of James as a new born, I was absolutely terrified.
Hale handed the lead over to my father and another guard and made his way down the line to join Mary Alice. He took her hand and squeezed gently as we continued walking.
"The end of the trail is 200 metres ahead. I need you up front with me from here on in," he told her. "We'll take a break for a short while but then we'll move on. Take your time and lead the way. I'll be with you every step."
Mary Alice nodded, and rubbing my arm, she stepped out of line and followed Hale to the front. He then halted the group and the men began to relax, sitting and taking out snacks whilst others wandered off into the trees for bladder relief.
I watched as Edward walked back to me. "Walk with me?" He asked and I took his hand as we headed East, away from the others. I glanced back at Irina who watched us, concern marring her brow. Charlie approached her and placing his hand on her shoulder I saw him whisper to her but couldn't hear the words. I wondered at what he said to make her relax her stance and turn away.
"I'm sorry I left you alone for a while." Edward apologised, his voice low and sultry.
"I understand," I told him. There was no reason for him to feel so for leaving me, even momentarily. "How do you do that?" I asked him with interest.
"Scents are very vivid to me, even ones that are days old. I can tell how long it's been since a possible threat was near here and if they are still in the vicinity."
"And we're safe?" I asked him.
"For now," he replied.
"Do you smell something?"
"I can smell the tribe and other animals such as coyote and bear. A few squirrels, but of course, they're no threat unless the men carry nuts," he smiled to ease my tension and I returned it, trying to relax and to remind myself as long as I was near him, I was safe.
"Did you hear what my father said to Irina just now?" I probed.
"You're very inquisitive," he mused.
"I know, it's not a very attractive trait, I'm sure but I just worry about her."
"He told her to breath, relax and trust him if not me." I smiled and promised myself to hug Charlie when we re-joined the group.
"Edward, do you think you're immune to my spells?"
He considered my words carefully, then pulling me with him to sit beneath a tree, he held me close to his chest before replying. "I don't think so."
"But you're not sure?"
"No, I guess I'm not."
"So, a witch has never tried to cast a spell on you?"
"I've never met a witch before you, and now your aunt too," he told me.
"Not once in your one hundred years?"
He shook his head and I felt the motion rather than saw it.
"Did you want to try?" He asked me.
"I thought you couldn't read my mind?" I teased.
"I can't, but you're curious and I think I'd like for you to try."
I sat up and turned to face him. "Why?"
"James," was all he said in response. I nodded, he really didn't need to say anymore.
"What should I do?"
"Do you know of any protection spells?"
I frowned and shook my head. "I don't really know of any spells, I'm still learning."
"Are there any in your mother's book?"
I shrugged and pulled it from my backpack. I flipped through the pages but it was too slow for Edward. "Here, let me," he suggested, taking it from my hands. In the blink of an eye, he riffled through the entire book, his eyes scanning each page. It took him two seconds to finish the 500 pages.
"Page 475," he smiled at me, handing the book back.
"You never cease to amaze me," I told him, loving being witness to his abilities.
I found the page and read through the spell. "Edward, this requires you to attack me," I told him.
"Would you like to try?" He asked.
"What if it doesn't work?"
"I won't hurt you," he promised.
"But what if you lose control?"
"I no longer struggle like I did when we first met."
I thought about it for a moment then conceded. Nodding, I stood and brushed off my skirts. "Ok, Edward, attack!"
"Let me get ready," he laughed, turning and walking away from me till he stood in shadows at the edge of the trees.
I checked the book again, re-reading the spell and committing it to memory. Before I could tell him I was ready, Edward lunged at me, knocking me off my feet and onto the forest floor. I lay beneath him, winded and laughing. "I wasn't ready."
"You will never be ready," he told me, his tone serious. "There are many opportunities for a vampire to attack and you will be unprepared every single time. Do you think they'll wait for you to prepare? They have no mercy, Bella."
"You speak as if you're of a different breed."
"You need to be aware at the very least, Bella." He sounded angry and it hurt my feelings to have him so upset with me. "This is important. You are important. Try again!"
Edward helped me to my feet and before I could speak he moved away from me again, this time, he wasn't visible even at the edge of the trees.
I listened for any sounds around me, but the forest was silent and Edward was stealthy. I waited for what seemed an eternity, but finally he attacked, this time from behind and once again, he knocked me off my feet.
"Try again!" He hissed and was gone, leaving me lying in the grass. I pushed myself up and waited, listening for anything. There was nothing. I closed my eyes and tried to use another sense to aid me, but I felt more vulnerable rather than aware, which was ridiculous, I knew Edward wouldn't hurt me.
More time passed and he made no move. Suddenly a twig snapping to my left had me spinning round, ready to reach out my hand and cast him back and away from me but it wasn't Edward stood at the edge of the trees. The figure was shorter than Edward and although I couldn't see a face, I felt a shiver of fear run down my spine.
Another figure moved so fast in my peripheral, they were nothing more than a blur and before I could react, it was appeared at my right then quickly shifted behind me and then suddenly in front. I spun with it, trying desperately to follow the movements but it was too quick for me and I felt sick no longer enjoying the game. I was convinced it was not Edward toying with me.
I chanted in my head the five sentence spell, over and over again. I opened my lips and mouthed it too, quietly reminding myself the words and their order. I spun around to try to locate the figures new position but once again, it was fast and I was bumbling. Time was running out.
Where was Edward? I tried to tell myself if I was truly in danger then Edward would be here and I had nothing to fear.
I saw a movement closer this time, and spinning as quickly as I could, I held out my hand and shouted the spell, closing my eyes, expecting the force of a body to push me to the ground once more.
But nothing hit, and all I heard was a thud and I stood still, shaking and holding my hand in front of me. A groan escaped him and finally I felt curious and brave enough to open my eyes. Irina was lying in the grass at my feet, her back was arched and her hands clawed in the air as she gasped and writhed as if in pain.
"Irina," I called out, throwing myself to the ground next to her. She didn't answer, she couldn't. She just lay there and I waited with tears filling my eyes and guilt making me sick to my stomach. "Irina," I whispered, waiting for her to recover.
Edward rushed to my side. "She's ok, just give her a moment."
"But I hurt her!" Tears escaped and I gripped her hands trying to offer comfort.
"It was a test, she knew the threat."
"What?" I looked with blurry eyes between them. Irina seemed to be in less pain and lay panting in the grass, clutching my hand to her chest.
"She suggested you weren't taking it seriously, we wanted you prepared."
I felt anger replace guilt and snatched my hand away. "The test was to see if I could affect a vampire, not another witch! What purpose did this serve?"
Irina groaned and Edward helped her sit up. "I'm fine," she gasped. "Bella, again,"
I shook my head. "No, not again. I couldn't!"
"You need to practise."
"No."
"Bella –"
"I said no. I can't do that to you again." Standing, I strode off in the direction I thought the guards were waiting. Edward caught up with me, and grabbing my arm, he turned me to face him.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I'm just concerned about you and want you to be prepared."
"You both scared me."
"We needed to scare you."
"You scared me," I repeated.
"It worked," he said pulling me close and holding me.
"How did it work, we still don't know if vampires can be spellbound."
"Irina is confident we can,"
"Since when did you two start to trust each other?"
"Let's save this conversation for another time," he said. "We need to get back to the others."
Irina walked slowly through the trees and stopped at my side. "I'm proud of you, do you know that?"
"Well, I'm not," I told her. "I don't like hurting you." I shuddered and Edward pulled me close, holding me for a moment longer.
"Yes, but you learn fast and that makes me proud," I watched as she patted Edward's arm as she passed him and moved on to re-join the group. We followed behind.
Finally, he pulled away so we could rejoin the group. The people sitting stood upon Edward's arrival and soon we were ready to go again, this time led by Mary Alice. Edward and Hale walked close behind and I remained near the centre of the group, feeling safe next to Carlisle. Charlie and Irina kept near the front.
A light drizzle started to fall and a collective groan rose from the troops. I waited for the rain to fall heavier before I whispered under my breath for the weather to brighten. I wanted it to stop but expected it to continue. I had, after all, muttered the spell rather than command it. I didn't want to take free reign in front of all these witnesses. I knew we were seeking a supernatural being with another one just like him leading us, but I had no idea what their extreme was. Would a witch casting spells against the elements upset them? I didn't want to find out.
But to my surprise and delight, the rain did stop and we were able to walk on, through the trees with only a light dampness touching our clothes. Irina glanced behind at me and winked. I couldn't resist grinning back at her.
The walk went on for what seemed like miles, in truth it was merely an hour after our break but with each step we took, we acknowledged the danger that awaited us. It was like walking towards our very own death sentence.
The chatter amongst the group had faded to silence and as the forest was still too, the deathly quiet seemed to hum in my ear, building in volume with each unspoken anxiety and each step forward.
The tension was building like a crescendo.
Mary Alice finally signalled for us to stop and a murmur rose from us as we looked at the rocky wall ahead of us. Visible through the trees was the base of a mountain, the craggy boulders climbing higher than the canopy of branches and towering above. Directly in front of us, was an opening, the tunnel inside was black and gloomy and I grew more and more fearful at the possibility of what lay in wait for us. I could barely move.
Edward came over and took my hand. Carlisle went to Mary Alice and stood beside her, both looking into the gloomy mouth of the cave.
"We're here," she told him, unable to think of anything else to say. Carlisle unhooked the bayonet from over his shoulder and steadied it in his hands, then stepped into the mouth of the cave.
"Carlisle, wait!" Edward hissed.
Carlisle shook his head and continued on. "I'm done with waiting, Edward. I've waited long enough for this day."
Edward rushed past Carlisle, blocking his way, crouching and facing the tunnel. He growled and curled back his teeth. "I said stay back."
The guards moved to surround the cave as well as me, Irina, Charlie and Mary Alice. We all gripped each other's hand and watched as Hale silently instructed a small team of six soldiers to move on into the tunnel, whilst the rest faced the forest and covered us from behind.
Finally Hale asked, "What is it?" his voice low but heard by all, the silence from the woods making him sound louder.
Edward glanced back at us, his eyes taking in each person watching his every move. "They're not alone," he told us.
End A/N's: I'm beta'ing a new fic called 'The taste of Blood' it's in my favourites so go check it out. It's like nothing you've ever read before.
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