Chapter Ten
Carlisle
When Billy rang the next evening I was ready, Emmett and Rose accompanied me. I thought to bring Edward might be pushing things a little too far, he wasn't liked by the Quileutes, especially Jacob Black who might well be at the meeting. He would soon know what had transpired when we got back, reading minds was quite handy that way. We drove to the Treaty Line where we were met by Sam and some of the pack, showing us their numbers as a silent threat which we ignored. We went the rest of the way on foot, the wolves following us closely until we reached Billy's cabin when they melted away into the trees leaving just Sam in human form to continue into the cabin with us. Billy introduced us to the other Elders and I in turn introduced my son and daughter. After that we sat down to listen to their spokesman, Old Quil Ateara.
"Billy tells us that you want to bring Chief Swan into our world, tell him our secrets"
"Yes. I think if we don't then he will bring in Tracker Dogs and others and put us both at risk."
"I think telling him about yourselves will put him at risk by itself."
"True but if the Volturi don't know then he will remain safe"
"And you can guarantee this?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what he will do with the information?"
"No but if he knows that what we tell him must remain a secret to keep his life and Bella's safe I think he will understand."
"I must ask you Dr Cullen. Do you have any knowledge of Bella Swans whereabouts? Any suspicions?"
"No I do not. We are as mystified as you by her disappearance"
"Very well then. I suggest we arrange to speak to Chief Swan together. You, me, Harry, Billy, and another representative from your own family."
"Thank you"
We stood to go, noticing the scowl on Jake and Sam's faces.
"I know you don't trust or believe us but we are as upset as you by what has happened. Bella was under your care when this happened, not ours. This isn't a criticism merely an observation."
When we got back to the house I told Esme and the others what had been decided,
"Now we wait."
The phone rang and Rose answered it,
"Carlisle its Carmen. She wants to talk to you"
I took the phone and spoke to her,
"Carmen how lovely to hear from you."
"Carlisle, Eleazor and I would like to visit if that is possible?"
"Of course. We do have a slight situation here at present but you are more than welcome, as always"
Esme looked at me puzzled as I put the phone down,
"What was all that about?"
"I have no idea but we'll soon find out. They are arriving in a couple of days."
"Lets hope Bella turns up before then. I'm worried about the girl Carlisle."
I looked at Edward,
"We all are Esme but I'm sure we know everything that is pertinent to this mystery don't we Edward?"
He glared at me,
"Of course. Why do you look at me like that? I didn't make her vanish, I was here with you."
The next day Billy rang to say they had asked Charlie to meet with them this evening after his shift finished. The man was going crazy with no word on Bella from anywhere. I took Emmett and Rose with me again much to Edwards disgust.
"It would be too inflammatory to take you"
He stomped up the stairs in a temper and Rose rolled her eyes,
"God he gets worse, like a spoiled brat."
Esme frowned at her but I thought she was right, since Bella had broken up with him he was acting like a spoilt child. I tried to ring Alice but her phone was still switched off which concerned me, she knew something but she wasn't willing to talk to me about it any longer.
Charlie
I had no idea what this meeting was supposed to be about, Billy said there was no news on Bella but I hoped anyway. When I got there I was surprised to see Dr Cullen and two of his children also in attendance, I thought Billy and the Quileutes hated the Cullens but it seemed I was wrong. Billy handed me a beer and I slumped down in the armchair left vacant for me then looked at him expectantly but he just gazed into my face.
"OK I'm here but I'm tired and depressed and really hungry so can we get this over with so I can go home have a shower, eat, and get on the internet, see if there's any news from out of State."
"Charlie. I think its down to me to start this conversation"
I turned to Carlisle,
"OK I'm listening. Is it to do with Bella?"
"Indirectly Charlie. Its a little complicated"
"Great, just what I want after a long day at work."
I took a swig of beer and waited.
"As you know Bella has been involved in a couple of disappearances since becoming involved with our family. Both of which were as a direct result of knowing us but this time is different. As far as we are aware this has nothing to do with her knowing about us."
"Wait a minute, the other times were down to you but not this time?"
"That's right Charlie. In order to understand this I am going to make you privy to some very secret information, very dangerous information which it is vital you keep to yourself or your life may be in jeopardy."
"You're losing me Carlisle, I guess I'm just tired. You are going to tell me something its dangerous for me to know so I understand why Bella went missing before but its got nothing to do with this time?"
"Yes"
"Then why the hell are you telling me? Shouldn't you have told me at the time?"
"Possibly but we tried to keep you safe Charlie."
"Safe? Me? And my daughter comes back in pieces? Good call Dr Cullen"
"I'm sorry Charlie. Its very difficult to explain"
"Try"
"There are stranger creatures in this part of the world than you imagine."
"Are you trying to tell me Bella's been abducted by Aliens or Big Foot or something? I'm tired and I just want to go home so spit it out."
"What Carlisle is trying to tell you in a round about way is that we are vampires Charlie, the whole Cullen family including Edward and yes, Bella knows this"
I looked at Rosalie stunned then turned to Billy
"Did you hear this shit? Vampires? I'm going home"
Rose put a hand on my shoulder and I couldn't move,
"I'm sorry Charlie, maybe that was a little blunt but its the truth. We are vampires but we live on animal blood. At the moment we are being tolerated on this Reservation for your sake. The Quileutes are our enemies"
"Enemies? Vampires have enemies? So what are you Billy? A Big Foot in disguise? A little green man from Mars?"
"No Charlie just a man. You should be asking that question of Sam or Jake."
I turned to look at the two young men who stood against the wall.
"OK I'll buy it, what are you two?"
"Shape Shifters Charlie. That's why we don't want you calling in Tracker Dogs. It will draw unwanted attention to us all"
"Shape Shifters? What in the Sam Hill are they?"
"Akin to Werewolves but we only kill vampires"
I looked round the room and rubbed my face, noting that needed a shave,
"So I'm surrounded by vampires and werewolves. Great, well in that case you guys should be able to find Bella pretty damn quick. Pups get your noses to the ground and you bats fly around and find My DAUGHTER."
I couldn't help the increase in volume, I was really pissed now.
"I drove here after work because I thought you might have something to tell me but all I get are kids horror stories. I'm going home before I lose my cool and shoot the damn lot of you."
As I turned to put my beer down I heard a low growl and turned back to face the biggest wolf I had ever seen. It stood where Jake had been seconds before but no one else seemed very concerned. It took two steps towards me and I sank back in my chair then its shape quivered and shook and Jake was standing there in its place.
"Now do you believe me?"
I looked at Carlisle's face,
"Werewolves?"
"And vampires Charlie. I'm afraid so."