Chapter Thirty One

Jake

I looked at the dead receiver puzzled, what the hell was going on? Bella wanted me to ask the Whitlocks to come get her but she sounded panicked and definitely in trouble. Edward was keeping her prisoner by the sound of things. Grabbing the keys I ran to the garage and got my bike out making my way to the Cullen house, to hell with the treaty this was more important. Esme opened the door to my hammering, looking very surprised to see me,

"Jake?"

"I need to speak to the Whitlocks"

"Well they aren't here"

"Someone is"

She looked at me then opened the door wider,

"You'd better come in"

I walked in a little apprehensively, the thought of being in a house full of vampires didn't exactly fill me with glee. There was a conversation going on but it stopped as I appeared,

"What's he doing here?" snapped the blonde.

"Rosalie" the older woman rebuked her.

"Sorry Esme, but really."

"Listen I didn't come here to be insulted"

"Why did you come then dog?"

"Fuck you Blondie. I just had a strange call from Bella"

"Bella? Where is she?"

I turned hearing the pain in the voice.

Jasper Hale stood there, although if I hadn't known him from where he was I wouldn't have recognised him. He was hunched over as if in pain or sick, his hair was tangled and his eyes were dark but burning as if he had a fever.

"She asked me to get a message to the Whitlocks. She wants them to go and get her."

Esme took my arm,

"We don't know where she is, only that she's with Edward",

"So go find him"

"How Jake? We have no idea where they are. We traced them for a while but he's hopping around the globe. Peter and Charlotte are always a few steps behind. Didn't she tell you anything?"

"Yeah she told me where she is but I don't think Edward is looking after her, more like holding her prisoner. I'd go myself but I don't have the resources you do."

I looked at the wreck that had been Jasper Hale

"So, you going to get her Hale?"

Esme pulled me outside as Jasper staggered,

"Ease up on Jasper, he's in a bad way. Bella's abduction hit him really hard, he's tried everything, called in favours all around the world but no joy. Her continued absence is killing him Jake. She's taken the important part of him with her."

"Well tell him to stop feeling sorry for himself and go get her. She sounded scared and really upset."

Jasper

I heard what Jake was saying and I knew he was right. I should be going to fetch her but it was so hard to move, the terrible pain in my chest was just getting worse and worse as the weeks went on and there was no word from her. Why hadn't she rung here? Why not try to contact me? Surely she knew I would come for her? Didn't she know how I felt? But then why should she when even I hadn't known until she'd gone? If she was ringing Jake she must be getting scared, which meant that Edward was moving in for the kill and I needed to get to her before he did something. I rang Peter to tell him we'd finally heard from Bella and he sounded ecstatic until I told him where she was.

"Iceland! What the fuck is she doing there? Never mind We're coming back Major. You hang on in there, We'll go get her."

She didn't have time for that from what Jake said and I told him so.

Jake

I heard Jasper arranging a flight to Iceland as I walked back in to the house with Esme.

"I'm going with you."

It wasn't a request but a demand. We went through to the garage and he threw me the car keys.

"You drive"

He was still bent over clutching his chest.

"You gonna be OK? You look like shit."

"I'll make it, just drive."

I shrugged, tossing the keys in my hand, I'd always wanted to drive a Porche 911 and now I was getting the chance.

It went like shit off a hot shovel and we were out of Forks before I thought to ask Jasper where we were going.

"Airport."

A man of few words, and that was all I was going to get so I concentrated on driving this beautiful car.

At the airport I was ready to find a long-term car parking space when he came to life and directed me to the side of the airport reserved for private jets.

"A private jet?"

"It's quicker" was all he said,

And I looked over to see him clutching his chest,

"Are you going to be OK?"

"Worry about yourself Jake"

"Hey, lets not be so hostile. We're on the same side. I'm trying to help but you look like shit. You sure you're up to this?"

"I'll be fine when we find her Jake. Till then I'll manage."

"So what's up with you anyway? Not serious I hope. Flying with a stiff isn't my idea of a good time"

He laughed bitterly,

"I'm sure you'll find this amusing Jake but you might as well know. I very stupidly fell in love with Bella."

"So you're pining? Shit that's sick"

"I wish it were that simple Jake. Bella is my other half, my mate and I need her with me."

"So you are pining? She's gonna get a real kick out of that!"

"No Jake, I'm dying."

"What? You're immortal leech, remember?"

He just stared at me, one hand rubbing his chest unconsciously,

"Just because she's missing?"

"You have no idea what its like when we find our mate."

"Yeah I do. We imprint and I know how I'd feel if I'd imprinted and she disappeared. You can't function and I guess its similar"

He nodded,

"I guess you do then. Now you know why I need to find her Jake, as quickly as I can before I can't do it any longer. Before it all gets too much."

I felt sorry for him then. Something I never thought I'd do for a leech but I could see it was the truth. Being away from Bella was quite literally killing him.