AN: THANKS TO ALL MY AMZING READERS AND REVIEWERS!! The time is upon us and many secrets will be revealed this chapter that my reviewers got a special preview to. There is a battle brewing and chapter 56 is promising an all out war.
AN2: Thanks again to my amazing Beta and partner in crime ACEMCKEAN, who although she is busy with LIFE managed to beta this chapter quickly. We should have a new chapter of Interview With a Vampire by next week. Sorry if it hasn't been as fast as we had initially planned.... darn kids, jobs, school, etc. keep getting in the way. If you haven't had a chance to do so yet, read her three amazing stories; The Cullen Brothers, Marital Bliss, and The Protectors.
Chapter 55
BPOV
I couldn't take anymore. I just couldn't sit by and do nothing while my father was in the hands of a maniac. I pulled myself out of Edward's arms and started to make my way outside. I had no plan where to go or what to do, but I couldn't just sit.
As soon as I opened the door, I heard a voice, "Bella?"
It was Leah.
"Hey, Leah, I'm just going for some fresh air," I said to her, knowing everyone could hear.
"Well you guys don't smell so great either," she said quietly.
I turned around then ready to deny her reasoning, to see her give me a small smile.
"Just kidding, Bella. Actually I wanted to talk to you. Can we go for a little walk, just to get some distance from this lot?" she said.
"We could do that," I answered.
After letting everyone know that we were going to walk down to the beach, we took off at a gentle walk. We walked in a comfortable silence, side by side. As we approached the water, her eyes started to tear up again.
"Paul loved the beach," she said quietly.
"I'm so sorry, Leah. I can't even imagine how I would take it if Edward was in Paul's place," I said, cringing from the physical pain that the very idea caused.
"I feel like a half of me is gone. I feel like my reason to breath, to even be, is gone. I don't know how to exist without him," she said.
"What are you going to do about the battle?" I asked her.
"You know, you're the first one that even asked me that. All my brothers tried to dictate, or suggest what I should do. They want me here, to stay with my parents and the other elders," she said.
"And what do you want to do?" I asked her.
"I want to rip someone apart. I want to kill the ones that took him from me. I can't sit back and let the others do it. I can't," she said, the tears flowing freely down her cheeks.
"Then you go," I said, certain that I would hate to be left behind against my wishes.
"Sam will order me to stay. As soon as I phase, he will use his status as our Alpha to make sure I stay away," she sobbed.
"Shhh," I comforted. "You can't know that."
"I do know it. Sam has always seen me as a liability. This will just make it worse," she said.
"Leah, how can you know that?" I asked her.
"When we phase, we see everything. We are a collective conscience and each of our individual memories are shared with the group. There isn't a single thought that I have ever had that is my own and it's the same for the others. That's why the pack has so many issues with you. That's why I hated you before I even met you," she ranted.
"I don't understand," I told her.
"Jacob," she answered, as if that was supposed to tell me everything.
"What about him?" I asked.
"He loved you, while you were human. He wanted you, but you never even looked twice at him. You were so caught up in Edward that you never gave Jacob a chance," she explained.
"Jake was my friend. Never anything more," I said.
"He wanted more, he just couldn't compete with your Edward. It's all okay now though, now that he has imprinted," she continued.
"Imprinted?" I asked.
"It's how we wolves find our mates. It's how Paul and I felt about each other. It's love multiplied by a million. It's knowing that there is someone in this world that you would give anything for. In our case, since we were both wolves, it was doubled. It was returned with the same force. The same both ways," she explained.
"It sounds incredible. Knowing that he was your one true love, that your feelings were returned with the same force. Imprinting sounds... wonderful," I said.
"The earth revolves around your imprint. The only thing that is keeping me breathing is my need to destroy his killers. He would want me to do that and if Sam takes it from me I'll die," she vowed.
"Leah, I will do what I can. I don't even know what they'll let me do. I have a feeling that I won't be fighting much, if at all. Edward is pretty protective, and he'll probably insist that I stay with the babies somewhere out of harms way," I told her.
"How right you are, my Love," Edward said, as he came out of the trees towards us on the beach.
I looked at him and smiled, "How much did you hear?"
"Everything from 'I have a feeling'," he said smiling at us.
"Eavesdropping is unattractive, Mr. Cullen," I told him.
"I came to tell you that our children are awake, and you are being summoned," he told me.
"Good, maybe Arriel can help after she gets fed," I said.
"That's exactly what I was hoping," he replied. "Rose already tried, but she wouldn't show us anything but me coming to get you from the beach here. She is one determined little girl."
Leah laughed and muttered something under her breath. I couldn't be entirely sure, but it sounded like she said, "Jakes gonna have his hands full." I'd have to remember to ask her about that after.
The trip back was much quicker, and Leah's spirits seem to have been lifted some. She knew I was on her team and that I'd help her however I could. When we entered the house, there were significantly fewer bodies. I looked to Edward for an explanation.
"They've gone to search for more information," he explained.
"To look for any trace of Charlie," I filled in.
He nodded silently in response. I walked into the living room to see Esme, who had her hands full with my wriggling little angels. I dashed to their sides and Esme gladly handed them to me.
"When they want something, patience just goes out the window," Esme said, smiling at her grand-babies.
"They get that from their dad!" I told her, giggling slightly, now that my children were in my arms.
"Hey!" he exclaimed, but then shrugged. He knew he didn't have a leg to stand on in this argument.
I smiled at him sweetly and looked around for a place to nurse the babies comfortably.
"There's a second bedroom, if you need privacy," Leah said, seeming to read my mind.
"Thank you," I responded and let Leah lead me down the hall.
"Do you need me, Love? Or can I stay here to talk with Eleazar and Jasper?" Edward asked.
"I'm fine," I said.
Leah led me to a small room with a single bed and as I sat on the bed she asked, "Do you mind if I stay?"
"Leah, you can stay as long as you like," I told her.
I sat down and set myself up so the babies could nurse. As soon as they were in place and started to eat, I looked up at Leah, who seemed to be particularly interested in the babies.
"You okay?" I asked.
"Under the circumstances," she said, nodding yes.
We sat in silence for a little longer before Leah decided she needed to share some information with me.
"I'm late," she whispered.
"You mean...?" I asked, knowing exactly what every woman means when they say that.
"Paul never even knew... and if my brothers find out, there's no way they'll let me go," Leah said.
"Shall we check in with Miss Arriel to see if she know anything? She has visions and.... well it's hard to explain," I said.
"Arriel," I said, addressing my little daughter. "Can you show Mommy and Leah what our roles are for this battle?"
Arriel showed me a vision of Leah holding her hand.
"She wants you to hold her hand.... just watch," I said.
Leah looked uncertain but reached out and took my little girl's hand. As soon as she had Leah's finger firmly in her hand, she showed me the battle. There was fighting but it was clouded. I could only see, Esme, Leah and myself, standing together, obviously in the center of everyone. I was holding the babies and Esme and Leah each had a hand on my shoulder. Suddenly one area became clear. Emmett had a newborn female by the neck and was coming in our direction, hauling the struggling female along. Leah stepped to the side and ripped out of her clothes into wolf form as Emmett launched the newborn towards her. She pounced and had the small vampire under her in seconds... then the vision stopped.
Leah looked at me, her eyes glistening with tears, a smile on her lips. She needed this as much as I needed to kill Riley and Bobby.
"You stay with me, in human form, and we'll make it happen, Leah," I told her.
"So Arriel," I whispered in my tiny daughter's ear. "Is Leah going to be a mommy?"
Leah was still holding Arriel's hand and she guided us both into a vision. Leah, looking rather tired, was holding a tiny baby in a pink blanket, with me at her side. "Gabriella Paulette..." she whispered before we were brought back into the present and Leah burst into tears and ran from the room. I heard her enter the other bedroom, where Paul's body rested. She needed her mate, who could no longer be there for her. I would though, even without Arriel's vision. Nobody deserves to be pregnant and alone.
"What about Grandpa Charlie?" I asked my daughter. "Is he okay?"
Arriel brought me into her vision again. I could see Charlie, he had a black eye and a bruise that covered the whole left side of his face. He looked like he was asleep or unconscious... at least I could see that he was still breathing.
"Edward!" I called.
He was in the room in a second, followed by everyone else, except Leah.
"Charlie is alive," I cried. "I don't know where he is, but he's hurt. We need to find him Edward!"
"The gang out searching has found something, Bella. I don't think it's good. They took him towards the clearing. Your human father will likely be in the middle of this thing."
"No, Edward! Please!!" I begged as the tears ran down my cheeks. Edward was at my side in an instant, wrapping me and our children in his arms. The others, realizing that this was a private moment, left and I buried my head in his neck, crying.
I didn't see how Charlie could survive this.
VPOV
I smiled to myself as I watched my army fighting amongst themselves. Charlie was safely out of the way and my father would be here momentarily. The Cullens wouldn't stand a chance.
I heard movement in the woods and called my troops to stand at attention. My twenty five newborns were perfect bait. Nobody would be prepared for the full onslaught that my father would bring.
"Hello, my daughter," he called, as he lead ten men onto the field.
"Greetings, Father," I called back.
"Are all the preparations made?" he asked.
"Yes, Father," I replied.
"Where is the new Cullen woman and the half breed babies that you told me about?" he asked.
"Unfortunately Riley and Bobby were not up to the task that you charged them with, Father. She managed to escape and kill them both," I said, bowing my head.
"But she is just a newborn. How is it that she defeated them?" he asked, obviously incensed that Bella had destroyed two of his favorite playthings.
"I can't be sure, Father. It happened while I was readying the army and contacting you," I told him, bowing my head in respect. With a man like my father, you never looked him in the eye.
"I am most vexed! How can we be sure of the fight now, Daughter? Carlisle and his coven will have no reason to fight us without the girl and her bastard half breeds," he seethed.
"But Father, I have devised another plan, and found another complication," I said, trying to placate him.
"What is this plan, Daughter?" he asked, and I found myself getting slightly miffed at his refusal to use my name.
"I have captured her father, the human. He is tied to a tree off to the side of the battle. If we seem to be having difficulties, then I shall release some of his blood. The Cullens will be so busy trying to stop the bloodlust of my newborns that Bella will have a clear shot. It will destroy her when she drinks from her own father, killing him," I said, grinning from ear to ear.
"Very cunning, My Dear, very cunning. You've a brain in your head after all. Not too much like your mother," he said.
The ass just criticized me and my mother in one go. I knew there was a reason that I only visited once every couple of hundred years.
"And what of this complication?" he asked.
"I found a werewolf in company of the human. But by the scent, I think there may be more nearby," I said.
"A werewolf, are you certain?" my father asked, fear showing in his eyes.
"Yes, Father. Two young ones in my company took him down. He was so distracted trying to attack the human that he wasn't much of a fight," I said proudly. "But I am worried about more wolves. I think..."
"I am sure no more wolves will come into play. After all when there is more than one wolf in an area, they usually fight each other before all else," he said, firmly, cutting me off. I was not going to be deterred easily.
"But, Father, I know the scent. I think there are more out there," I said, looking between him and his followers, who stood behind him, wearing a mixture of grey and black cloaks.
"Daughter! I have centuries more experience than you. I have hunted the wolves to near extinction. Do you seriously question me?" he asked.
"Of course not, Father. I must be confused," I said. Stupid man! So proud! Damn it! I know there are more wolves but now I can't say a thing because of my father and his stupid pride!
"There, now who else did you find? Is that other one coming? The one that stayed with you and James, Laurent?" he asked.
"No, Father. He has allied himself to another coven of vegetarians," I said, sneering the word vegetarians.
"Eleazar's coven?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes, Father," I replied.
"Maybe, when we are done here, we should pay a little visit to Denali. It seems their coven may be getting a little too large too," he said.
"Laurent has mated with Irina but Kate and Tanya have also found mates in two other nomads, Connor and Garrett," I filled in. God, I loved knowing more than my arrogant, self-righteous father.
"There will be three other nomads joining us. Maria, my friend from Texas, who helped me train these newborns. She has an issue with the Cullens stealing one of her own, as well as Charles and McKenna. They know the truth of my words and are willing to fight with us," I proclaimed, smiling widely. "Now, who did you bring, Father?"
"Your mother is here, of course," he said, as the small black cloaked figure stepped forward. I couldn't believe he had brought her.
"Mother," I squealed, as I ran towards her.
"My child," she said, throwing off her hood and grabbing me in a huge hug. "My little Victoria. How I have missed you, Child." At least my mother acknowledges that I have a name.
"Oh, Mama!" I said, hugging her fiercely. "I have missed you, too."
"Now, now, Daughter! We are in public. Do not embarrass your mother so," he scolded.
"Yes, Father," I replied. You great big pompous ass!
"I also brought my personal shield Mathilda, of course. As well as, Felix, Santiago, Corin, and Lorenzo. From the Russian coven I brought Alexi, Rasputen, Igor, Yvegeni, and Vasilli," he said proudly.
"Very good. Lots of extra talents!" I said enthusiastically.
It was true, my father chose the best and brightest.... at least those who were not too loyal to my crazy uncle. Mathilda was a physical shield, nobody could physically touch either him or her. Felix and Santiago, while not talented were very strong and very fierce fighters. Corin had a talent like Alec's. He could cut off all senses of any one vampire, though only for a few seconds. It was always enough for him to get the upper hand. Lorenzo had a stunning power. You touch his skin, and are momentarily stunned, allowing him to gain the upper hand. The five Russians were all extremely strong. Alexi had the gift of persuasion. He could convince anyone of anything. I didn't believe it was possible until I he proved it by having James act like a kitten. Seriously, he was meowing and purring. Good times! Yvegeni sensed attacks. He could forewarn us of any sneak attacks. And Vasilli could weaken or strengthen the bonds between vampires, much like Chelsea. All in all, the Cullens were going down. Their eight measly fighters couldn't touch us.
"When do they come?" my father asked.
"Soon, my scouts saw two Cullens following Charlie's trail. I imagine it will be within the next hour," I guessed.
"Good Carlisle and his coven of misfits won't know what hit them," he sneered. "Come, Athenodora, let us find you a seat where you can watch the battle."
REVIEW PLEASE!!!
So do you know who Vicki's daddy dearest is? I bet you do!!
Silly Daddy for not listening to his little princess. He has underestimated the wolves role in this. But will the wolves and the Denalis be enough to fight off 25 newborns, 3 tough rogue vampires and 10 of daddy's best and brightest? I am in the thick of writing 56... and if my kids cooperate and/or I forgo sleep it will be up Friday... or early next week!
Battle preview for my reviewers!!!