A/N – A very quick thanks to everyone who continues to read/review my story. Sorry if Reuben is creeping you all out! Chuckle. What can I say; he's the only character I own so I'm having fun with him!
Chapter 56 - Ability
Alice's POV
He was playing with us.
With Bella.
My Bella.
I knew my grip on her hand was tight, but I couldn't comprehend letting go.
Her face was white, and I could see dark circles under her eyes. She was biting at her bottom lip, her gaze seemingly a million miles away.
She looked anxious and apprehensive as her hand clutched at mine.
And the rose…
The single red rose he had left behind that was now sitting on my lap with its prickly stem, pinnately compound leaves and sweet fragrance…
Its very presence was disturbing. Though not as disturbing as thenote he left with it…
Remember Me…
Oh, he was definitely playing a game, but I was still trying to determine why.
Why was he doing this to us?
To Bella.
My Bella.
Because of you.
I swallowed hard as Bella's head seemed to drop to the side, her gaze now on the rose…
Because he is intrigued by her association with you.
Still my mind reeled.
Because he's been watching you and Bella… and he knows how intimate you are.
Bella continued to stare at the rose.
Because, for some reason, he finds it amusing that a vampire and a human could have a partnership…
"The first rose I ever receive and it's from someone who hell bent on making my life a living hell, how ironic" Bella whispered, as she gripped at my hand, her knuckles now white.
And he likes to play games…
"He likes to play games" she continued, as she finally looked up at me.
I watched as she pointed to the rose that was still sitting on my lap.
"He likes to win" she finished, as she visibly shuddered.
My arm was around her within seconds as I pulled her in close.
"Am I his prize?" she asked, her voice now shaking, "or is the prize my ultimate demise?"
I didn't know…
Bella lifted her head, her eyes now resting on mine, almost pleading for an answer…
"What the hell does he want Alice?"
I cupped the side of her face with my hand.
"I don't know, Bella. But mark my words, he won't be claiming any prize" I answered.
Emmet's voice boomed from the front of the car.
"He won't win against the Cullen's Bella"
Bella seemed to settle slightly at Emmet's words, as she lent her head against my shoulder and closed her eyes.
Reuben was… different.
We couldn't sense him… he had been inside Bella's room and I hadn't even detected it, until my vision had appeared… but by then it was too late…
What would Edward and Jasper find?
I needed to speak to Carlisle. He had known Reuben, perhaps he would be able to shed some light on his ability to appear and disappear undetected.
I watched Carlisle's face as I finished telling him what happened.
Esme was immediately at Bella's side, as she embraced her and then ushered her towards the sofa.
"Carlisle… does he… did he have a gift when you knew him before?"
Carlisle shook his head, "I honestly don't know Alice. I didn't have a great deal to do with him before but the Volturi were loathed to let him go, which makes me suspect they knew he had abilities..."
"Do many have abilities" Bella questioned, as Esme placed a protective arm around her. Her voice was firmer now, as though entering my home had somehow calmed her.
Carlisle nodded, "The Volturi have many powerful vampires in their coven, each one owning a particular power or skill"
Bella nodded as Carlisle continued.
"I stayed with them as a guest, but it soon became apparent that we were very different – my desire to avoid harming humans fascinated them, but in the end I think they were relieved when I left to form my own coven, I left with their blessing"
All eyes were now on Carlisle as he steadily continued his story.
"During my time with them, I met many 'special' vampires. One of the Volturi leaders, Aro, could read every thought a person has ever experienced once he has a physical connection to that person. Another could create an illusion of pain… but Reuben? I never heard of him possessing any ability…."
His voice trailed off as Bella shifted in her seat.
"Was his departure from the Volturi amicable?" Rosalie asked, as Carlisle shook his head.
"He was a danger to the Coven and a danger to the rules they lived by. They feared his would expose them all, so he was forcefully removed… I don't think he will ever forgive them for that…"
"But none of this has anything to do with us" I whispered, "We didn't take part in any of that…."
Carlisle nodded, "And neither did I, Alice, but for some reason he seems to be taken with Bella"
Bella sighed as Esme held her close.
"And it doesn't explain why we can't sense him" I carried on, as Emmet nodded.
"The dude is fast, Carlisle, faster than Edward; we can never locate him…" he replied, as Rosalie stepped forward.
"I'm not sure he is Emmet, it's more than that. We can't sense him, at all. It's almost as though he can camouflage his very presence"
Carlisle looked… perturbed, which made me feel even worse.
I watched as Esme rubbed her hand up and down Bella's back, soothing words escaping her lips. Both had stopped paying any attention to the rest of us, for that I was thankful.
I handed Carlisle the rose, and as he took it from my fingers I felt relief. Relief that I no longer had to hold it, or hold what it represented…
Hand someone a red rose, and it signifies love…
Not in this case; it signified the complete opposite…
Carlisle read the message as Rosalie joined Bella and Esme on the sofa.
Emmet mussed my hair again, "We'll get him Al" he softly spoke, adding "I'll head outside and wait for Edward and Jasper"
I watched as Emmet left the room.
"Alice, we need to talk"
My head snapped back as Carlisle placed a hand on my arm and pulled me gently into the kitchen.
"Bella…" my voice trailed off as I glanced back at her. Rosalie was now holding Bella's other hand, as Esme continued to sooth her.
"Bella will be safe with Esme and Rosalie, Alice. I promise" Carlisle answered, as I nodded slowly.
Carlisle seemed… serious.
"What's wrong Carlisle" I asked, as he held out the card that was attached to the rose.
"I don't think this is just about Reuben playing mind games with Bella, Alice"
I frowned, I didn't understand…
Carlisle stepped closer, "Alice, this rose? I think it was meant for you, not Bella. This game he is playing? It involves you as well"
Me?
"I don't understand" I answered, as I glanced down at the words.
"I'm not sure I do at the moment either" he answered, "but the rose was left on your car and the words he has used… I can't help but think they are directed at you… he has chosen his method of delivering this message for a reason…"
I watched as he turned to look at the words again.
"Why would he leave the rose for me? I haven't even met him…" my voice trailed off as Carlisle looked back up at me.
"Memories, they'll reappear" he read out from the card, before looking back at me, adding "Each vision, yes, will very soon reveal your destiny"
I shook my head, nothing was making sense…
Carlisle continued "It's all about finding lost memories, Alice. And a vision that will reveal everything…"
I felt myself shudder.
"Memories from when?" I heard myself whisper, as Carlisle placed string hands on my shoulders.
"Alice, you remember very little about your life as a human, even your early life as a vampire… but until we can work this out, we should keep this to ourselves"
I merely nodded, confusion clouding my brain…
"I promise we will work this out Alice" he continued, as he lent forward and kissed my forehead.
Memories?
Why was Reuben making reference to memories… my memories, and not Bella's, if Carlisle's assumption was correct?
And Remember Me… I had assumed it was a statement, telling Bella to remember him, their last encounter… but perhaps it was a question instead, Remember Me?
Do you remember Reuben, Alice? My mind questioned…
"Carlisle"
It was Edward.
We both walked back into the living room as Edward and Jasper appeared.
Jasper was holding a rose…
No… please… not another…
"You found that in my room?" Bella questioned, as she suddenly stood.
I immediately joined Bella's side, as she looked at Jasper.
"We found it on… yes" Edward replied, as he handed it to Carlisle.
"What does it say?" Bella asked, breathlessly, as she linked her arm through mine.
What was going on? My brain questioned.
Was this another message, for me? Or was it for Bella this time… he had left it in her room…
Carlisle read the card, and then looked back up.
Esme and Rosalie were now also standing, a frown appearing on Rosalie's face as Esme looked on, concern sweeping across her.
What does it say Edward, my mind questioned, as Edward looked at me, uncertainty in his eyes.
"It doesn't matter, it's…."
Before Edward could finish, Bella interrupted, her voice now shrill.
"It matters to me, what does it say?"
Edward looked directly at me, his eyes now darker.
Whatever it said, he really didn't want Bella to know…
I brought her closer to me, "Bella, he's just playing games, we don't need to know what it says" I whispered in her ear, as she turned to face me.
The look in her eyes made me want to pick her up and never, ever let her go.
It made me want to hunt down Reuben and show him exactly what pain felt like, memories be damned.
It made me ache inside, the affliction and agony tearing me up as the fear in her eyes screamed out to me…
Fear of him, and fear of not knowing…
"Please, I need to know"
And I knew then that I couldn't deny her anything.
"Tell us" I whispered, as her hand reached out around my waist.
Carlisle read out the words.
Lo and behold,
Eternal truth,
Time will unfold.
The beating till,
High pulse slows and,
Ending gets its fill.
Forevermore,
Unity is mine,
Now keeping score.
Before, desire,
Everything new,
Gold flames in fire.
I play my game, and
Nothing will ever be the same…
Bella started to tremble in my arms...
Venom.
I could feel it again, coating my throat, as my senses welcomed and acknowledged its presence…
Find him, ravage him, I'll do your bidding it sang…
Rip him apart, and I'll do what's needed…
Cut, sever and lacerate…let me, please…
I watched as Bella's head shot up, reaching out she tore the card from Carlisle's grasp and looked down…
"Let…The…Fun…Begin" she whispered…
Let the fun begin the venom shouted…
Edward appeared at my side, reading me venomous thoughts that were taunting me to take action…
"Calm down, Alice… you need to calm down…."
Easier said than done…
At that moment I could hear a sound… where was it coming from…
Bella…
"It's Jake" she whispered, as she handed the phone to me.
I read out the text message.
"Hi Bella. If its okay with everyone, I'll come over to the Cullen's tonight with Sam – we'll wait outside though – say 8pm?" Jx
As I finished the text, Bella's head suddenly shot up.
"Jake…" she whispered, as we all looked at her.
"Remember, Alice? In the woods, before….he could sense Reuben… you couldn't, and you thought you had overlooked his presence… but now we know, none of you can detect him… but Jake, Alice – Jake DID! He thought it was Edward…."
The realisation of Bella's words hit me.
Of course!
I allowed myself a slight smile…
"She's right… Jake knew… Jake knew…." I heard myself repeat, as Carlisle stepped closer to me and Bella.
"Are you certain, absolutely certain" he asked.
Bella nodded, "If I were playing a game, Carlisle, I'd bet on Jake's senses…."
As I reached out and took Bella's hand it mine, I turned to face her.
"And if I were playing a game, Bella, I'd bet Reuben has no idea…."
We both smiled.
"Looks like the stakes are now in our favour" Carlisle answered, smiling for the first time that afternoon.
With Jakes help, I'm going to find you and kill you the venom chimed, as it finally withdrew…
For now…