Chapter Thirty Seven

Bella

The Cullens were nice enough and Garrett very attentive but I could feel the tension in the atmosphere so when I went hunting with Esme again, I still hated killing animals but she had been so upset at the idea of my trying human blood that I felt I had to keep trying, I asked her what the matter was.

"Carlisle has friends in the Volturi, our leaders and they are hearing rumours that the guardian tribes are readying to make a decision to hunt us down for the death of the Quileute pack"

"Can they do that? It wasn't your fault."

"Who knows what they have been told and yes they could if they were given permission to hunt us off the reservation lands."

"You say that as if they wouldn't normally"

"They wouldn't. The guardians are created to keep the tribes they serve safe from nomadic vampires mostly but only when threatened. To allow them to hunt elsewhere would be a terrible escalation. It would make most of the world too dangerous for us."

"The world?"

"Yes there are vampires worldwide so there are guardians too."

"What will you do?"

"We could try to find a safe haven abroad somewhere although I have no idea where or we could ask the Volturi for shelter. The guardians wouldn't attack Volterra, it would start a war that would kill hundreds on both sides."

"So why don't you go to Volterra?"

"That's not as simple as it sounds Bella. The Volturi are our leaders but they are not without their dark side. Hunting animals would be almost impossible, besides which once in Aro's grip we would never be free again. He wants Edward and Alice for their gifts and Carlisle for his keen mind. My husband escaped them once, 'I'm not sure he would be able to a second time. It means we would be prisoners within the citadel, never safe if we left. There has to be another way"

I thought about this as we hunted taking down an elk but I was barely able to drink from it,

"What will Carlisle decide? He'll have to speak to the others first wont he? I haven't seen Rose and Emmett in days".

"Rose has fits of depression and seeing you lose your human life she feels guilty, she'll be back once she gets over it"

"But it wasn't her fault."

"I know and so does she but Rose feels responsible."

"I don't think Edward and Alice like me much either,"

"My son is rather self-centred and I think he sees this danger as your fault. Edward would hate to go to Italy, he likes his freedom too much. As for Alice, I think she's a little jealous of you."

"Of me? Why?"

"Well you are the only one whose future she can't see and Alice sets a lot of store by her visions. It gives her a sense of security to be able to see what's coming."

"So what does she see coming with the guardian tribes?"

"Again, Alice sees the future of humans and vampires but not other supernatural beings. The guardians are a blank to her and until they make a decision she wont see anything. By then it might be too late to warn us so we will have to act as if they get the go ahead I'm afraid."

"Garrett told me that Edward reads minds, can he read mine?"

Esme shook her head and I couldn't help a smile, I hated the idea of him walking through my head at will.

"No and Alice thinks its for the same reason, either that or you may have guardian blood in you somewhere back in time. That is another possibility I suppose."

That took me aback, guardian blood in my ancestors! Now that would be ironic.

"I'm finished here, Can we go back?"

"Are you sure? You haven't drunk enough."

"I'm sure. Garrett is taking me out later. He wants to show me the town by night and I'm sick of staying in the house."

"You really should be careful Bella, Garrett isn't the best role model and he can be a little reckless at times."

"I like him, he's fun and I'm not sure Edward or Alice are any better role models... Sorry that was rude."

"No Bella you're right of course but I do worry about you. After all your father left you in our care, which reminds me, you should ring him."

"I will later today"

I turned and started back for the Cullen house enjoying my new coordination, no more slips or trips for me. It was one of the good things about being a vampire.

Carlisle

When Esme and Bella got back I could see my wife's concern so when Bella went outside to find Garrett who was swimming in the river at the end of our rented property although why he felt the need in the snow I had no idea.

"Is something wrong Esme?"

"Its Garrett. I think he's a bad influence on Bella. He's taking her to town this evening."

"Well that's hardly a crime and she has been under strict curfew until now. I'm amazed how well-adjusted she is and you took her hunting so I'm sure she'll be fine".

"What if Garrett hunts while they are out? What if he encourages her to join him?"

"Then that will be my choice Esme not yours."

I swung round, we hadn't heard Bella come back in,

"I'm sorry if you worry about me but its my life and I will choose how to live it. Garrett can't make me do anything I don't want to do."

"I know Bella but he does seem to have some influence over your choices."

"I want to thank you for all you've done for me, I appreciate it but if I choose to listen to Garrett then that's my decision, he likes me and I like him so what's wrong with us doing things together? Would you prefer it if I moved out?"

"No. Bella how could you think such a thing? I'm just concerned for your well-being and you don't seem to be comfortable as a vampire yet. I'd hate for you to make the wrong choices."

"Esme I think we must respect Bella's decisions. We can only offer her advice and now is not the time to be pushing her away. Bella please understand that Esme sees you as another daughter and she worries about you."

"I understand that Carlisle, I do, but I have to discover myself in my own way."

"Of course you do but would you do something for me before you go out?"

"Of course."

"Ring your father and let him know how you are. It's been almost a week since you spoke"

"A week? I didn't realise it had been so long Carlisle"

"Time means little to us Bella, night and day are the same in our lives and that takes some getting used to"

"I will, I'll do it now and thank you for your understanding"

Bella

I used the phone in my room taking a deep breath before dialling. It took some time for Charlie to answer which was unusual but he sounded pleased to hear my voice.

"Bella where have you been? Are you OK?"

"I'm fine dad, just getting used to the new me. How about you?"

"Fine, doing a little research you could say."

"Research?"

"Yeah, I thought maybe I should find out more about the guardian tribes it seems I didn't know them like I thought I did."

"Why? It doesn't matter any more. They lost."

"It pays to know your enemy."

"But they aren't your enemy and I don't want you mixed up in this, its dangerous."

"Dangerous? How much do you know Bella?"

I explained the situation as Esme had explained it to me.

"No decision has been made yet Bella so hold tight."

"How do you know that Dad?"

I horrible suspicion crept across my mind,

"Where are you Dad?"

"Don't you worry about me I'm fine and I'm in no danger. As soon as I know anything I'll let you know. I have to go now honey but you stay safe and listen to Esme and Carlisle"

He rang off without answering my question which meant whatever he was doing and wherever he was he knew I wouldn't be happy. Surely he hadn't gone to speak to the guardians?