Chapter 81 – Discovery

A/N – I'm back! Thanks for all the reviews/messages while I was away; I had a great time thanks and would recommend Spain to anyone who fancies a trip away. And now, back to the story! Sorry for leaving you all on another cliff hanger… I would promise not to do that again, but if I did, I'd be fibbing ;)

And thanks to Aussie Royal for her much needed and appreciated 'helping hand' – you rock ;)

APOV

I had watched Antara with interest as soon as she had entered the room. Yes, I was marginally acquainted with her already thanks to my vision, but no vision could prepare me for the social contact I was about to experience.

Like the rest of my family, I knew next to nothing about her save a few sporadic comments Jasper had made since first mentioning her. Jasper's intermittent and isolated annotations about his past were not a surprise to me, or the rest of our family. We all had skeletons in our closets; the difference was I could barely recall what mine truly were. Jasper was, in essence, a private person. Always discreet, I felt privileged when he had opened up to me about elements of his past, yet he had never mentioned Antara until recently. She was an enigma to me, someone whose existence had remained hidden. Initially I had felt confused and a little upset that Jasper had never mentioned her to me before, but after witnessing how Bella had reacted to Antara's past…

I knew the concealment was probably at Antara's request.

Clearly, her life had not been an easy one… the way Bella had responded was still lodged in my mind. I hated seeing her in any kind of pain, yet Antara's words seemed to calm her. I had witnessed her reactions to both Emmet and Esme's past. Both had tortured her, turbulent and frenzied, I had never wanted her to experience anything like that again. When Antara had taken her hand, I had felt anguish and distress once more. Casting my eyes across to Rosalie and Esme, I could see that they too were worried.

And yet…

Bella had seemed to respond to Antara and her words as she witnessed firsthand elements of her past…

Yes, she had seemed confused and grief stricken initially, and the temptation to interrupt and remove their connection had been an overwhelming one… yet as Antara's words had floated around the room, I too found I had gained solace in her wisdom as Bella seemed to.

And now?

Now it appeared to be my turn…

As Antara reached out I found her long fingers curl around mine as I placed my hand in hers. I had often held Bella's hand in a similar way and each time our skin had come into contact I felt mini waves of electrical charges run along my fingers, creating a feeling of excitement and anticipation. As Antara shifted her hold slightly, a similar current seemed to pass along to the tips of my fingers but this time it felt different.

Unlike the positive charge of electricity Bella always provided, this felt negative…

And I knew why.

I felt tense… because for some reason I feared what Antara may see…

"You must let go of your emotional tension Alice"

Antara's words resembled an arrow, hitting its target…

How did she do that?

Suddenly I felt someone else take my free hand in theirs, giving it a small reassuring squeeze.

Bella.

My eyes darted to her, as my lips broke out into a smile.

Always there.

She was always there for me. How had I existed before her?

Bella returned my smile as she absentmindedly began to run her thumb across my palm. The negative tension inside me seemed to evaporate with each stroke as Bella's positive charge seemed to interact with my very soul, causing an electromagnetic field around me.

I felt safe.

Bella made me feel safe.

I continued to look at my beloved as Antara's grip seemed to tighten a little before she finally let go.

"I admire you Alice; it can't be easy perceiving elements of the future in your mind"

I looked back at her as Bella continued to hold my hand.

Slowly I nodded, "I have learned to control my mental images, but it wasn't an easy task" I replied honestly, as Antara's eyes seemed to blaze into my own.

"I often get lost in my thoughts Alice, I suppose one might say I cogitate… if I had your gift, I am not sure I would be able to control it as effortlessly as you seem to"

I felt myself smile, "I ruminate over some visions Antara, and it does depends on their nature".

Antara returned my smile.

"Did you see me coming?" she asked gently, as I nodded.

"Do you have any control over what you do see?" she asked again, as I found myself shaking my head.

"Sometimes, if I muse or meditate over a particular subject, I can see elements of its future but each vision is based on decisions that are made, often the pictures I see are unclear and hazy".

Antara nodded again.

"And the energy that exists in your mind and body Alice, the same energy that somehow endows others with a gift after some form of deep physical contact, how do you control that?"

I felt Bella's hand tighten on mine as I felt my head tilt suddenly.

Energy?

Endowing gifts to others?

"I don't understand". As I spoke, I realised I barely recognised my own voice as Antara's eyes seemed to glance around the room, before resting on Bella.

"When you were human Bella, you were able to shield Edward from reading your mind. That gift was always one you were born with"

As Antara spoke, I found my mind wandering.

The energy that exists in my mind and body? What did she mean…?

"Alice"

Bella's voice infiltrated my mind as my head shot up to look at her. She was still holding my hand in hers, and as my eyes met hers I could see confusion.

I could see her confusion, and I could feel my own…

"When you turned Bella, your core energy almost seeped into her Alice, in the aftermath you bestowed Bella with her second gift… I have never seen this before; it's almost a chain reaction…" Her words trailed off as Carlisle appeared by my side.

"And you are certain of this Antara? Absolutely certain?" he questioned almost urgently as Antara turned to face him.

"Carlisle, I am never wrong" she replied a little indignantly, before she then turned to face me, bewilderment now appearing across her attractive face.

"You didn't know?" she asked, as I slowly shook my head.

My energy could present others with a gift?

"This doesn't make any sense" I whispered, as Antara's puzzled look remained on her face.

"Alice, may I ask… have you… turned anyone else?"

Before I could answer, Carlisle cleared his throat.

"Bella is the only person" he answered, as my eyes found Antara's.

"And she will remain so" I replied huskily, as Antara nodded.

"Please, forgive my… question… I was merely wondering if you had bestowed a gift on any other… whether that gift was the same, or different"

I could bestow gifts with my own energy? This was impossible…

Edward stepped beside Antara.

"Antara, we appreciate you can sense the gifts that other vampires possess, but this… this information is new to us, and a little confusing"

Antara shrugged.

"I can sense the gifts of others Edward, I can't necessarily explain them. All I know is this; Alice can see snippets of the future based on the paths people choose and decisions people make in her visions. And, somehow, when she connect to someone physically, her energy penetrates that person and saturates them, providing them with a gift… in Bella's case, the gift of perceiving the pasts of others"

I could… provide others with a gift? No… that wasn't possible…

"And now you're thinking that's impossible"

Antara's voice continued as my eyes darted to meet her own.

Are you sure you're not reading my mind Antara?

I watched as she raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"No, I can't read minds Alice, I am however extremely perceptive"

Slowly she continued.

"There are some people that would say Vampires are impossible…. yet here we all are…" she flicked her hand around the room.

Here we all are…

"I think we all need a little time to… digest this Antara, I am sure you will understand it has come as a shock to us…" I could vaguely hear Carlisle as my eyes now rested on Bella.

Bella.

Bella who could now witness the past of others… because of me…

"Well, thankfully we have all the time in the world" Antara finished as she turned to look at me again.

I needed to think…

"Alice, lets go for a walk?". My head shot up at Bella's suggestion.

Slowly I nodded.

I needed to think… and I needed time with Bella…

To apologise… because of me she could now witness past lives, and the pain that went with them… because of me…

"I'm… sorry…." I head myself mumble as she pulled me out of the room, and away from everyone else.

Bella stopped, one hand resting on the door handle.

"Please don't be sorry. At first, I was daunted by my new gift… but now I am beginning to understand it. As Antara said, with time I will be able to control it"

Always so understanding…

"Besides, it's almost ironic… I can see the past, you can see the future… and together we exist in the present"

I found myself smile as she opened the door. As we stepped outside I noticed a large, red, motorbike parked on the gravel.

Emmet's going to love that…

Bella placed her hand on my cheek and smiled.

"It's a lot to take in" I almost whispered as she then took my hand and pulled me towards the small gate that led to a clearing at the side of the house.

"Antara is a lot to take in" I finished, as Bella nodded.

"I was unsure of her at first but after witnessing her past… I understand why she acts the way she does…"

We stopped and turned to face each other.

"Bella… have you ever…" my voice trailed off again as I felt a lump appear in my throat. I felt her squeeze both of my hands.

"Not yet Alice, but our bond is so intense I know it won't be long… one day I will witness your past and one day I will be able to tell you what you are unable to remember"

I smiled…

… and hoped… one day soon…

"I'm sorry if my interpretations have left anybody feeling uncomfortable" Antara responded as Alice and Bella quietly left the room.

Carlisle shook his head. "We needed to know, again thank you for taking the time to come. Perhaps you would like to stay a few days with us? I am sure Jasper has told you about Reuben and his messages"

Antara nodded. "Yes, Jasper has told me everything. Reuben sounds delirious, demented and deranged, you all need to be careful"

Carlisle nodded as he left the room with Esme.

Emmet snorted.

"He's a crazed cuckoo, we can take him"

Antara laughed, "Perhaps"

"You can store your bike in the garage" Jasper continued, as Edward tilted his head.

"You own a bike?" he questioned, as Antara turned.

Yes Eddy, I own a bike…

Rosalie watched the silent exchange with interest.

"Its Edward" Edward replied dryly, as Rosalie smirked.

"I prefer Eddy" Antara responded, as Emmet started to laugh.

"How cool is that, she owns a bike" Emmet continued, as Edward frowned.

"I was merely wondering" he finished, as Antara now tilted her head.

"How else would I get here? Fly?" she finished, as Rosalie now joined in with Emmet's laughter.

Edward's lips wavered as they turned into a reluctant smile.

"Touché" he replied, as Antara winked.

"Can I ride your bike?" Emmet asked, as Rosalie sighed.

Antara grinned.

"Well… let me see now… I love my bike… and I don't let anybody ride it… so you do the maths"

Rosalie smiled as Emmet groaned.

"So that's a no?" he almost whined as Antara bit at her lip.

"It's not a yes" she replied again, as Emmet clasped both his hands together in a mock prayer.

"Please?" he asked, as Antara continued to smile.

"No amount of praying will change my mind Emmet. You are not riding my bike. Ever" she finished, as Jasper placed his hand on Emmets shoulder.

"Don't take it personally Emmet, she never lets me ride it either"

Emmet shrugged.

"You'll soon fall under my charm and change your mind, or you'll take me out for a spin on it" he replied, winking back at Antara.

Rosalie shook her head, "I severely doubt that Emmet" she retorted, as Emmet turned.

"Your disputing I have charm?" he challenged, with a goofy grin.

"I'm disputing your ability to change Antara's mind" Rosalie finished, as Antara started to laugh.

"I like the way you think Rosalie" she answered, as Emmet started to laugh.

"Yeah, well be thankful Rose never asked to ride your bike, if she rides it like the bike on the computer game, she'd crash it in seconds"

Edward and Jasper started to laugh as Antara raised her eyebrow.

"Really?" she asked, as Rosalie sighed.

"They exaggerate" she muttered, glaring at Emmet.

Antara watched as Edward, Jasper and Emmet continued to poke fun at Rosalie.

"Erm, Rose, you never got past the first check point" Jasper answered.

"And you managed to hit three pedestrians" Edward continued.

"And then you forgot to hit the breaks, and crashed the Kawasaki into a brick wall…." Emmet finished, as all three started to laugh again.

Antara smiled.

"Hey, Rosalie, want me to take you for a spin?" she asked lightly, as the laughing ceased and four pairs of eyes darted to Antara.

"What?" Emmet interrupted, as Rosalie smiled.

"I would love it" she answered, as Antara motioned towards her parked bike outside.

"Then lets do it" she responded, as she turned to face Emmet, Jasper and Edward.

"I don't need checkpoints to have fun on my bike" she replied, adding "And not once have I hit any pedestrians, I drive so fast, they don't even see me… who needs breaks anyway?" she finished sweetly.

Rosalie smiled, "Catch you later boys"

Emmet's mouth fell open.

"But I wanted a ride…" he answered, as Jasper started to grin.

"She… I can't believe she is getting to ride on the back of that beauty before me…" he continued, as Edward smiled.

"By beauty, I assume you do mean the bike Emmet…."

Emmet sighed dramatically.

"Of course I meant the bike… I can't believe…." Emmets voice trailed off as Antara's voice floated into the room.

"That'll teach you to tease"

Jasper and Edward started to laugh as Emmet shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Ah hell" he muttered, "Rose will never let me live this down"

Jasper smiled, "Neither will Antara"