Disclaimer: These are not Stephanie's vampires.
Chapter Twenty Three
Isabella Swan
Helicopters, by trade, are loud machines. This one is no exception. The quick tattoo of the rotating wings pushing against air beat in my ears, a numbingly loud sound that reached my eardrums through the headphones on my head – I'm sure I have Alice to thank for these.
I blink, my eyes first landing on the stunning geography of Canadian land passing underneath me at an alarming rate. But I was supposed to be here, right? This was part of Jasper's plan – ferry, helicopter, Edward.
All in order.
Oh.
But the ferry…
No, that didn't go as planned. Certainly not. Who could have predicted those events? The vampire ferry operator had seemed innocent, kind enough – and he apparently had a Master. A Master who wanted to harm Edward or me or had some kind of agenda and now, since Jasper killed that vampire, we had no way of knowing who this Master was.
Irritation flashes through me, but I quell it; that particular vampire's death was a good thing, in a certain light, at least. And besides, something good had come from the altercation.
My…what? My gift? Curse?
I know exactly what it is.
It finally makes sense.
My entire life, people avoided my eyes and, when they did catch my gaze, odd things happened; they walked away or forgot what they were going to say or gave me things for free.
And now it makes sense.
They walked away because I wanted them to leave.
They forgot what they were going to say because I didn't want to listen to them.
They gave me things simply because I wanted them.
Isobell's part of my soul remembers this.
Mind control.
I feel a giddy burst of nerves bloom in my chest – mind control?
But…it was a solid truth that my very soul – that my past life, Isobell – knew.
Something tangible.
A knowledge that I can fully understand and grasp, even though I feel trouble articulating exactly what it is.
The third eye, a convenient, reliable chakra centered in the middle of the forehead; the third eye was the center of consciousness, the sheer force of living intelligence and control. And I had unlimited access to it and it's aura.
Total control is what is really is.
Not just control of the mind.
From Isobell's memories, the one's her portion of our soul passed down to me, I knew that the mind control far out reached just the mind – and, if I wished, my influence would not be fleeting.
Total control – mind, body and soul.
Ultimate power.
Something to be careful of.
Something to treat with the respect it deserved.
And, apparently, something that even vampires were susceptible to.
Up until now, all my minor experiences with mind control were just that – minor. Fleeting. Weak in all aspects.
It was never something I was aware of. But now…now I knew how to use it. And how to not use it.
Ironically, the first thing that flashes through my mind after this realization is the fact that I can now look Edward in the eyes without having to worry.
I smile, a faint pulling at the sides of my mouth.
"Oh! My Lady! You're awake!"
I draw my gaze to Alice, who is sitting beside me, her body tense but her face relaxed, almost relieved. "How far away are we?"
"Nearly fifteen minutes, my Lady," Jasper answers in a smooth shout. He's sitting across from me, one eye on the vampire pilot and the other on Alice and me. Unlike myself, he is not buckled in and is not wearing headphones; his body is also tense, his eyes roving.
I allow myself to take a good look at both Alice and Jasper, checking their third eyes and smiling a bit to myself when I don't see the chakra aura.
Good. Then I'm in control of the gift.
"Do you need a refreshment, my Lady?" Alice inquires.
"No, thank you, Alice. I'm fine right now."
She frowns and a pucker forms on her brow. "Is there anything I can get you?"
I pointedly glance out the window. "I don't think you can at the moment."
"Oh," she says in realization. Then she does something I thought I would never see from her – she rolls her eyes, almost as if saying a silent "duh, Alice".
I try not to let the surprise show on my face.
As far as I'm concerned, this is progress.
Eventually, while looking out the window, I spot a large, sprawling building – it's structure is almost in the shape of a crab, with a massive center and four or six buildings on either side that connect to the main mass. The land surrounding the building is dusted in heavy white snow, with tall trees looming and creating a forest to hide the stone building. A maze-like garden meets the thick of trees towards the back. On top of the center building, a helicopter pad made of neon yellow and black sits proudly in the center.
I blink, taking in the picturesque landscape, the gleaming grey-silver stones, the snow. "Is this…"
"Welcome home, my Lady," Jasper answers, bowing his head towards me.
"This is the home of the North American Royal Vampires," Alice adds, leaning towards me so I can hear her better. "The central building is a headquarters of sorts, where the King and the Princes work. The Queen often hosts the balls in the grand room. But it is that building that you need concern yourself with, my Lady," she continues, pointing to one of the narrow wings that is situated to the side of the central building. Now that we're closer, I can see that the buildings themselves are not connected; instead, garden lined paths connect the outer structures to the inner. "That is Prince Edward's residence, Violet Hall."
"Violet Hall?" I ask, turning to look at Alica.
She nods eagerly, smiling widely. "Of course my Lady. I was not part of the court when the Prince renamed his home, but from what I hear, he renamed and restructured the entire building around two hundred years ago."
I listen to the words that Alice doesn't say and my eyes well up with stunned tears – he renamed his home after Isobell's death…after our eye color.
Easily, this is the sweetest thing I have ever heard in my life.
The pilot lands the helicopter with practiced ease, the touchdown hardly jarring at all. Alice works quickly to unbuckle me, her fingers nimble as she takes the headset away from my ears; Jasper exits first and helps Alice and myself out.
I thank him quietly, turning to look at the dusty snow and the landscape before me, marveled by it's pristine perfection.
A door slams open behind me.
I spin around.
My heart pounds. My face flushes.
Finally.
It feels like such a gift to be able to look into his eyes and not be wary of odd reactions. His mint eyes are scorching, burning through my own, leaving a hot wake on my flesh – like he can see my skin beneath my clothes, even though that's impossible.
He doesn't hesitate for a second more, pulling me into his cold embrace with a fierceness that makes me breathless. His nose is buried in the crook of my shoulder, the tip cold and enticing shivers from my body. "Bella," he rasps, his words ending with a growl.
I feel my body melt into his; every ounce of tension in my muscles instantly disappears as Edward supports the weight of my body easily in his strong grasp. My nose is pressed against his chest, his musky sweet scent invading my senses; his chest vibrates in a loud growl, a single deep, endless sound of warning.
"What happened?" he demands, drawing me impossibly closer.
"Sire," Jasper answers, hardly alarmed at Edward's behavior. "Perhaps there is a better place to speak."
Edward must agree since he swings me up in his hold, my knees over one elbow. I can't help myself; my arms twine around his neck, my fingers twisting into his soft nape of dark hair while my lips press against his exposed skin.
Edward hisses at me.
I look up – his mint eyes are nearly all pupil, it seems.
I shiver, feeling a wave of aroused intensity shoot through my body.
He purrs at me, leering at the exposed skin of my neck, drawing his eyes down the subtle curves of my body, his gaze resting at the apex of my thighs.
In his gaze, I read the word that he does not speak – soon.
So distracted by Edward's instant seduction, I don't notice that we are in a warm office until Edward seats himself behind a large black and chrome desk – a very modern choice for a 500 year old vampire. A sleek laptop is closed in the center of the desk, with a cell phone and silver ballpoint pens on either side, along with stark white pieces of paper, scribbled on in hasty foreign writing. The rest of the room is decorated in varying shades of deep plum and cobalt and an astounding amount of green-tinted glass.
Jasper locks the door behind him, motioning for Alice to seat herself in a straight-backed black leather chair near the door. He moves to stand in front of the desk, feet braced apart and his body relaxed.
"Speak," Edward orders.
Jasper doesn't hesitate, diving right into every second of what has happened since Edward left. There are points in the story where Edward grips me harder – like when Jasper describes me fainting.
"He's dead, correct?" Edward growls, moving his hand to hold my face against his neck, hid long fingers cold against my scalp. My fingers grip his shoulders as I shiver again – this time, in sheer want.
Jasper and Alice need to leave.
Now.
As I have been sitting in Edward's lap, my entire being – my very blood – has been reacting to his close proximity. My heart has sped up and the only sound I can hear above the pounding of my heart is Edward's low growls and his slow, steady pulse. My skin feels oversensitive and there is a growing ache that needs to be remedied.
"He's dust, sire," Jasper answers.
"Good. Now leave."
I hear footsteps and then the definitive slam and lock of the door.
And then Edward's lips are heavy and hard on mine, his elongated fangs scraping against my lips, his tongue plunging into my mouth. He's taking me and I've giving myself.
Growling, Edward pulls away, nipping at my chin, sucking the skin under my ear as I catch my breath. One of his hands moves to my breast, kneading the pliant flesh, trying to pluck at my nipple through my coat and sweater. Frustrated, he pulls away and literally rips my coat in half, throwing the pieces over his shoulder and across his desk. And then his cold hand is under my sweater, feeling for the sensitive points of my breasts, growling against my throat as I gasp and wiggle on his lap.
"He touched you," Edward growls with menace. "Mine."
Breathlessly, I agree with him while my mind tries to catch up to what is happening to my body – he's reaffirming I'm safe, I think.
Edward pushes my sweater over my head and lowers his mouth to my breasts, sucking harshly on my nipple for a moment before unceremoniously sinking his fangs into the peak. My back arches against him, my body swirling into a flashing orgasm, my fingers locked into his hair and holding him against me.
He pulls his fangs away, languidly lapping at the beading dots of blood on my breast – leisurely reigniting the flame in my core. His hands move back to my hips and he lifts me, sitting me on the edge of his desk, his fingers easily removing my pants. My face flushes hotly as I realize that I'm nearly naked and he's still wearing clothes – but I make no move to change it, especially when I realize his intentions.
A slow rip sounds through the room and another one right after – both sides of my panties are destroyed, the cloth simply resting on my skin. I keep my knees closed tight. "Edward…you can't."
He quirks a dark brow at me. "I can't?"
My face grows hotter. "Edward, I'm still on my period-"
Edward grins roguishly. "Oh, I know, princess," he growls deeply, moving his nose to my hip bone and sliding the tip across my skin and down, pushing the fabric of my underwear away. His hands come up to my knees and force them apart, exposing me to his hungry gaze.
I close my eyes.
I want this. But at the same time, this is so embarrassing! Why would he want to be anywhere near there while I'm still – Oh!
My eyes snap open, catching site of my slender blood stained tampon in Edward's fingers. He's looking at it with something akin to jealously – but how in the world did I miss him taking it out?
"You won't be needing this, princess," he growls, dropping the tampon into a small silver trashcan.
I react instantly, my knees coming together; but Edward stops me, keeping them apart and even making my legs part wider. His cold hands adjust my position, pulling me closer to the edge of the desk and directing my hands to hold on to his shoulders. As my mind is nearly horrified by what is happening, my body is shivering with anticipation. The hungry, dark, possessive look in Edward's eyes hadn't diminished at all – if anything, the look has gotten darker.
He leans towards my core. "You are mine," he declares. "My mate. My Bella. Mine."
And then, his mouth is right there – licking, sucking, prodding, nipping – and I'm mindless, my blood singing even as pleasure takes over every corner of my mind. Why did I ever want to stop this in the first place?
Edward growls against me after my second orgasm, his hands wrapped under my thighs to hold my legs open. His dark eyes glare up at me. "Another one," he demands, lowering his mouth again.
He hasn't given me any time to recover; my core is overly sensitive, still twitching from the last time I came.
Edward ignores that, keeping a quick tongue against me, his lips suckling on my clit, his fangs scraping against my tender lips. A whimpering moan escapes my mouth as the orgasm over takes me – and just as the pleasure is peaking, Edward pulls away and sinks his fangs into my femoral artery, greedily drinking my blood, sending my body into a blinding tailspin.
A/N: Vampires are kind of weird, huh? I…have nothing to say about this last scene here. Absolutely nothing.
Shout out to the first 10 reviews of the last chapter (plus guests):
NorthmanCullen – Whoa! Last chapter threw a lot of people! It's okay! It was just a little bit of mind control ;)
Flavia Ribeiro – How was this reunion? Disappointing? Lol
Guest – I'm not half as amazing as my reviewers!
Pumpkinmykitty – Damn! She does have SKILLS! Woot woot!
Wootmoot – the ferry operator's master is…. A WOMAN!
Insanemum – Yep! Bella is part Jedi!
TwilightVirtuosa – Did your mind go "BOOM" when I blew it up? Lol
Valentine Rain – How did you think Edward's reaction was? Lol
Holidai – Nope, Bella isn't multi-gifted. There is no shield in this story!
Superspecial shout out to the last review of the last chapter…. Ahhleesaaa – LOL Yes! Bella is a badass beast Jedi person!
Anyways, I'm hungry hungry hungry – almost like those hippos, just not, you know, a hippo.
As always, be brutally honest. I can take it.
~cupcakeriot
P.S – HOW COOL IS IT THAT THIS STORY HAS 1000+ REVIEWS?! Thank you all for your constant support!