Chapter Eight.

Bella

Nathan seemed to sense his comrade without looking round,

"So you caught up. Good, let's get it over and go home."

Jasper moved to his side and his gaze washed over us again causing goosebumps of fear to rise on my skin. I knew instinctively that he was about to attack so I did the only thing I could and taking a step forward I spoke his name,

"Jasper, its Bella, Bella Swan, remember me?"

The cold red eyes focused in on me,

"You know this human? She survived an encounter with you? You're slipping Major"

Jasper looked at Nathan for the first time.

"Shut up"

"Or?"

"Do you really need me to answer that?"

Nathan suddenly looked nervous,

"Let's just get it done and go back to camp. Tell Maria we sorted her problem and she'll probably reward us, well me since you don't seem to be able to satisfy her any more. Can't you get it up these days Major?"

Peter

Nathan was doing our job for us, if he baited The Major any more he was going to be on the receiving end of his wrath, not us. I gestured to Emmett and we moved to cover the girls with Bella in the centre. Nathan was busy smirking at The Major but he'd seen our move and I saw him searching for something. I moved slightly and his eyes fixed on Bella once more. He recognised something in her but would it be enough to halt his attack and save us? All I could do was wait. I really didn't want to fight the Major but I would to save Bella, and him really because if he ever found out he'd succeeded in finally killing her it would be the end of him too.

Bella

Jaspers red eyes were roaming over my face and I knew he felt some kind of familiarity.

"Jasper its Bella, I need to talk to you please"

Nathan roared with laughter at my words.

"The Major doesn't talk much, he thinks actions speak louder than words but I'll talk to you if you like. as I drain your body of its heavenly juices. I'll even show you how a real man takes a woman."

My body shivered in disgust at that thought and both Peter and Emmett closed ranks in front of me but Peter left enough room for me to see Jaspers face.

"It was my fault not yours. You did nothing wrong, the Cullens should never have said the things they did, please listen to me Jasper."

His eyes widened fractionally and his lips mouthed my name silently. I nodded and saw him flash a glance at Peter who stiffened still more.

Peter

I got the unvoiced message and tensed, ready to act,

"Leave the girl to me."

Nathan looked at The Major,

"No chance, but I'm willing to share."

That was it, as The Major attacked Nathan I shouted to Rose and Charlotte to take Bella and run. She didn't need to see what was coming next. She struggled, not wanting to leave for some reason but strength prevailed, Char and Rose taking an arm each ran out of sight, they wouldn't go far, just far enough to be out of ear and eye shot for now. The sound as the two men collided was Earth shattering and the snarls blood curdling. I felt a frisson of fear myself at watching two apex predators engage.

Nathan was slightly faster but The Major topped him with experience and it showed. The first injury was sustained by Nathan when the major took a chunk out of his shoulder trying for a decapitation blow. Nathan struck back almost immediately leaving The Major with a bite of his own. The two men circled but much as Emmett wanted to join in I knew his help wasn't needed, there was no way Nathan was going to win, he just wasn't good enough. He got in a few more bites but they weren't disabling while The Major took more chunks with each engagement. Then Nathan made the fatal mistake, he got close without a good grip and The Major grabbed him by the throat, with a roar of triumph he pulled Nathan's head from his body. He didn't speak or look at us as he collected up the pieces and set fire to them. Now was the most dangerous time for us, he was still fired up and we were, in his eyes, the enemy. Taking Emmett's arm I backed away slowly until we were out of sight.

"What happened? I thought he was going to take us on then suddenly he just turned on Nathan.

"It was Bella. I think he recognised her. We need to be very careful though, he could just as easily turn on us. Walk slowly and don't say anything, he's following us."

Emmett looked round at my words,

"You sure Peter? I don't see anything"

The answering snarl made a reply unnecessary.

Bella

As we waited Rose and Char discussed what had happened to Jasper. Neither seemed worried any more.

"Would someone fill me in on the secret. A few minutes ago I was in fear for my life, now you're acting like we're having a picnic."

"He didn't attack...us I mean. That's a good indication that he recognized you. It doesn't mean you aren't in danger, just that if The Major wins, and he will, its one enemy down. Then its down to you"

"Me"

"He reacted to you so maybe you will get your chance to talk to him."

She was right, I had seen something in his eyes, not exactly recognition but something. My heart broke to see what our actions had done to him, mine, but even more Alice and the rest of the Cullens. Rose and Emmett were trying to make up for their part in it but I didn't know if it would be enough to make a difference.

The girls stood up suddenly and I followed their gaze to where Emmett and Peter were walking slowly from the trees. Peter held up his hand in a warning gesture and the girls sat down again, Rose pulling me closer to her.

"What's the matter?" I whispered,

There came a deafening snarl from the trees, either Nathan or Jasper was out there watching and listening and my money was on Jasper. Peter and Emmett joined us and in whispers told us what had happened. If the voices got too loud the snarls recommenced.

"Now what?"

"We wait Rose, until he decides his next move"

This was stupid, he was here because of me, I knew that so I got to my feet again. Rose grabbed my leg to stop me moving and the snarls got closer and more menacing.

"Drop your hand Rose or he'll attack."

Peters voice was urgent and she did as he instructed. I nodded to him in gratitude.

"I just hope you know what you're doing Bella"

"We can't just sit here Peter. I have to talk to him and I know he won't hurt me"

"Just how do you work that one out?" Rose hissed.

"Because we'd all be dead now otherwise."

I was right and she knew it, we all did. The only thing that was stopping him from attacking our little group was me, and his shame at what he'd done to me.