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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

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A/N:- Banner by FatesLoveQueen /oed60p

I own nothing. Boydblog helped me with this and I'll be forever thankful.

She fixed. I fiddled. Any mistakes that remain are on me.

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~ EDWARD CULLEN ~

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I was back by Bella's side when she woke, yet she still hadn't returned to me. I tried not to panic about her condition, but the truth was I couldn't help but worry. I didn't want to leave her alone; she seemed too vulnerable. I made the decision to run home to retrieve my car. While Charlie was still in the house, I knew Bella would be safe. I could then return and offer to drive her to school.

Through the morning and as I said goodbye, Bella nodded in all the right places and answered when she should, but not how I wanted her to. I wanted sincerity, not automation. I needed to come up with a solution because despite my desire to be there for her, I wasn't sure how I would cope if my Bella never returned. If I had to live with just a shadow of the woman I loved I knew it would slowly destroy me.

I called out for Alice as soon as I got home. I wanted to know whether she'd seen Kieran. I wasn't content to wait him out any more. I was sure Bella was being held in her own mind against her will. She wouldn't have left me after such an important conversation and she certainly wouldn't have stayed away. The worst part was that I had no way to determine whether she was happy where she was. When she'd told me about her other world, it had seemed filled with pain. I couldn't bear to think of her in agony especially as I was unable to help her.

'I haven't seen him.' Alice scrunched up her nose. 'I've even tried looking for him, but it's almost like he's not making any decisions.'

It just didn't seem right and I needed to know more.

"I'm going to try to find him," I said.

Alice nodded. "You'll need me."

"I'm coming too," Jasper said.

Emmett raced down the stairs. "There's no way you're leaving me behind this time."

All of my family volunteered to help me find Kieran. Almost as soon as they'd all spoken, Alice had a vision.

The other vampire, the stranger, was close to Forks and would track the scents of my family when he crossed them. I didn't want to risk him catching Bella's scent mingled with mine. I had the idea to help fate along and provide a welcoming party for him.

It was soon decided that Carlisle, Esme and Rosalie would meet the stranger. If we'd sent Emmett the other vampire could have viewed him as a threat, and I needed Alice and Jasper with me.

Bella will be unprotected.

I realized I needed to call in another favor from the wolves—specifically Jacob Black. It was a favor I was sure he would be happy to oblige.

With the plan set, I grabbed the keys to my Volvo that my family had returned. The rest of our possessions had been swiftly reestablished in the house.

It's as if we never left.

On the way to collect Bella, I pulled the car to a stop close to the forest so I could find the wolves. I knew they were still patrolling near her house.

"I need to speak with Jacob," I said in a volume just loud enough that those with supernatural hearing would be able to hear me.

A minute later, I saw Jacob phase to human form and pull on a pair of cut-off shorts. As he walked closer to me, I took a moment to assess his appearance. There were black shadows under his eyes, his frame seemed slightly buckled and he looked as worried as I felt.

'What's he looking at?'

"I apologize. I just…you look tired."

"Aw, are you worried about me, bloodsucker?"

"I'm worried that you're run down."

'He doesn't think I can protect Bella.' "Did you want something specific or are you just checking in on my health?"

"I need to ask you for another favor."

He stared at me and waited for me to ask.

"I need you to talk to Bella. She needs a friend right now, and I think talking with you will help."

I was lying. I didn't think that he would be able to fix her any more than I could, but I didn't want her to be alone; especially with a stranger in the area and Kieran AWOL.

"What makes you think she'll talk to me?"

I remembered how nonchalant she'd been towards me on my return to Forks, when she'd been 'trapped' in her other world. I was certain she'd be just as apathetic to Jacob. "She's not the type to hold a grudge."

"Fine."

"I have to warn you though, she doesn't need another suitor. She just needs a friend."

'She was just a friend.'

"But you want more," I stated. "Put that aside, for her sake."

'What does he know? And what am I supposed to just let her run off with a leech while I stand by applauding her stupidity?' "I'll pick her up after school and take her back to La Push." 'She'll be safe there, away from the bloodsuckers.'

I ignored his thoughts and thanked him before walking back to my car. I knew the school day was going to be torturous, but at least I knew Bella would be safe with me so close.

I wanted to get it over and done with as quickly as possible; the sooner I was done with school the sooner I could find Kieran and get my Bella back.

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As soon as Bella and Jacob left in his car to drive to La Push, I rushed home. Anxiousness consumed me because I was no longer at her side. I had to focus. We were tracking a scent that was over twenty four hours old, it wasn't an easy task and would be even harder if I continued worrying about Bella at the same time.

Unfortunately, the cold lead was the only one we had. Alice, Jasper, Emmett and I ran to Bella's house and tried to find the trail that lead away from there.

Tracking the old scent proved to be as difficult as I thought it would. The four of us fanned out in a wide arc, moving slowly to detect even the smallest shift in his direction. We remained as quiet as possible; I listened to everyone's thoughts and directed them with hand signals. There hadn't been too many times we'd needed to exercise our tracking skills to find a vampire, but we had honed our method over the years while hunting.

We followed the trail for miles, slowly, but feeling like we had to be getting closer. I was certain Kieran wouldn't have left the state, not while he had Bella within his mental grasp. I wasn't sure whether Kieran had experimented with the reach of his gift but I was certain he wouldn't risk being too far away from Bella.

The trail of Kieran's scent stopped at the river and I felt my hope fade. He was still outside my range and we had no way of tracking him further.

"It's okay, Edward. Bella's safe and when he tries to contact her again, we can make him wake her then." Alice's words were hollow when matched with her thoughts. She was just as upset as I was that we hadn't been able to find Kieran.

We were just about to give up completely and return home when a vision stilled Alice.

"Something's happening with Carlisle, Esme and Rosalie," she said, dictating her vision for everyone else's benefit. "Their futures disappear before they get to their meeting. It might just be the wolf pack, but I don't know why they'd be there."

Emmett immediately turned in the direction that the other three had taken when they'd left the house. Alice and Jasper followed him without giving Kieran much further thought. I was torn; I didn't want to see any of my family hurt, but I wasn't willing to give up finding Kieran.

I stood stationary. I'd never felt such uncertainty.

Alice is right, Kieran will want to see Bella again soon.

Reluctantly, I turned to follow my siblings.

Kieran's not an immediate threat.

I just hoped my instincts were right.

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Although I focused on the thoughts of my family, as they raced to find Carlisle and Esme as quickly as possible, I kept searching for Kieran's scent too. I realized it was unlikely that I would randomly find a recent trail, but I held out hope that some greater force would guide me to him.

I slowed my run when I heard Carlisle's thoughts. There was nothing to indicate he, Esme or Rosalie faced any immediate danger. In fact, they'd encountered unexpected visitors in the forest and were talking fondly with them.

"Irina and Laurent are with them," I stated for my siblings.

I recalled my last conversation with Irina and felt remorse over what I'd said to her and how I'd acted.

At least I'll get a chance to apologize.

Everyone except Emmett slowed a little when they realized there was no imminent threat.

In amongst the now animated thoughts around me, I heard other's thoughts. The separate and combined minds could only belong to the wolves. I tried to focus on how many individuals I could hear, but it was too difficult. They were focused so intently on their hunt.

"The wolves are coming," I said. "They're tracking Irina and Laurent."

"Why? Did they…?" Alice trailed off, but her thoughts showed me what she didn't vocalize. She was worried that one of them had tried to take a human life.

It was unthinkable to everyone that Irina would have slipped, she was as determined to protect human life as any of us.

Unfortunately, no one had the same faith in Laurent.

"I don't know," I said truthfully.

The wolves weren't thinking about the crime they were avenging, just the desire for justice.

Urgency increased our speed. I managed to reach the small gathering before anyone else.

'Edward, what's happening?' Carlisle asked. 'I thought you were tracking Kieran?'

I shook my head. "Change of plans."

'Why?'

"The wolves are on their way." I turned to Laurent and Irina. "What have you done?"

Before I'd even had a chance to hear their thoughts, the sound of the approaching wolves filled the air. Laurent's mind filled with images of fleeing from the great beasts as their teeth and claws reached for him. He reached a cliff and was able to dive deep under the water to escape.

"You've met them before," I stated.

"Once," Laurent said.

The fear in his voice was palpable, but it didn't make me feel sympathy for him. Only one thought was in my mind—he might know how to find Kieran. I was determined to resolve this situation as quickly as possible and press him for answers.

"I was drawn to a small village but I found it protected."

"Did you hurt anyone there?" I asked.

'Why does that matter?' he wondered.

"It matters because I need to know whether to hand you over to them."

Shocked gasps erupted around the small group at my words and Carlisle walked over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder to calm me.

"If you only encroached on their territory, we might be able to reason with them," I explained. "If you hurt, or killed, one of their tribe we won't be able to save you. I won't allow my family to suffer for your crimes."

He shook his head and his thoughts seemed to confirm his denial.

"Edward, we should talk to the wolves," Carlisle said.

I nodded.

"Just us though," I said. I didn't want the wolves to think it was an ambush; as much as it pained me, I needed them on our side to help protect Bella.

Carlisle and I ran toward the wolves, in an effort to increase the distance between us and everyone else.

"Stop, please!" Carlisle said in his authoritative 'doctor' tone.

'It's the Cullens.'

'Why are they here?'

'What's going on?'

"Please, we just want to talk," I said.

'Is it a trick?'

'What can they possibly have to say that's more important than catching the leech?'

"He's with our family," I said. "He didn't know about the treaty. We will explain it to him. He won't trespass on your land again."

'He tried to hunt in La Push, he needs to be punished.'

'He's not one of them, he was hunting.'

'Enough! We need to hear them out, if only for the treaty. Besides, there are more of them here than there are of us.'

"We're not going to hurt you," I said reassuringly. "We don't want you to hurt our family."

'Are they listening?' Carlisle questioned me silently.

I nodded. My words had certainly slowed the pack and I was hopeful there wouldn't be any bloodshed. I needed answers from Laurent.

By the time the wolves reached our position they were significantly calmer.

'The trespasser, you say you know him?' the wolf I recognized as their leader, Sam, asked.

I nodded. "His name is Laurent. He is mated to our cousin from Alaska. We didn't realize they were in the area or we would have warned them about the treaty lines."

'He was going to hunt on our land, we're certain of it. Are you willing to vouch for him? Are you willing to stake the terms of the treaty on him?'

Realistically, the treaty was always more for the benefit of the wolves than us. We'd outnumbered them when we'd last lived in Washington and nothing had changed.

I looked to Carlisle. I knew his desire for protection of life over everything else. I was certain I would have his backing when I nodded. "We are. He's new to this life, but he is committed."

I could tell the wolves were reluctant to leave it at that, but a barrage of images ran through Sam's mind: Charlie and Billy's friendship, telling Jacob it was too dangerous to be around Bella when he'd first phased, Jacob's need to protect Bella.

'Very well, we'll leave him in your care for now. But be warned, if he comes onto—" His thoughts cut off when a howl pierced the air.

The wolves' minds descended into anarchy as new information flooded to them from someone back at La Push. The images and words bombarding them were confusing, yet in the cacophony I could tell something was very wrong.

I heard two words that made my stone heart sink.

'Billy's house.'

The accompanying image was of a rundown shack that looked as though it had been demolished. Huge holes had been punched into the walls, the door hung loose on its hinges and a number of the windows were shattered.

"What's happening?" I demanded.

Bella is there. Please let her be safe.

'Three bloodsuckers attacked Billy's house and Jacob is missing. Do they belong to your family too?' Sam thought, sneering the word 'family' to me.

I disregarded the new venom in his thoughts. I recognized it was a manifestation of his concern. Instead, I felt frozen by the fear and dread that suddenly weighed me down.

'He mustn't have phased. Why wouldn't he phase?'

"Is Bella still there?" I asked quietly, my voice as cold and brittle as ice as I waited for the answer I was most dreading.

Sam's mind filled with the same fear as mine. He'd forgotten Jacob had bought Bella home from school. His initial concern had only been for his missing brother.

'I'm sorry. No one was there.'

"NO!" I shouted, trying to deny the horror of his statement. "No, no, no."

Without another word, all of the pack except Sam turned as one and ran toward La Push.

"What is it, Edward?" Carlisle asked. 'Where is Bella? What's wrong?'

I ignored Carlisle for a moment. There was a greater priority.

"You have to let me track them," I said to Sam.

I was going to do it with or without his permission, but I didn't want to have to fight with the wolves as well as hunt whomever had taken my Bella.

Sam nodded his permission and showed me the way.

'I'll allow you to help us track the trespassers, but only you. I cannot allow more vampires, even safe ones, near my village.'

"All right," I said as he ran to join his pack.

I turned to Carlisle. "Three vampires attacked Billy's house. We think they've taken Jacob and Bella."

My voice broke as I said her name; once again I had failed her. I'd allowed my need for answers to hinder my obligation to keep her safe.

"Sam's agreed to bend the treaty so that I can find her, but only me."

"What can we do?" he asked.

"I don't know," I said. "Just do what you can, I have to go."

He nodded and returned to the rest of our family, leaving me to follow the path Sam had shown me in his mind.

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~ BELLA SWAN ~

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I was running through the forest with Kieran when he suddenly stopped.

"What is it?" I asked as I turned back to him.

His face was lined with worry. "I'm sorry, Bella. I thought I could make this pain free, but there's been a change of plan. Just trust me and I'll get you out of this as quickly as I can."

The whole scene faded to black as ice ran up the skin of my right arm seconds before a horrid snapping sound filled the air. A stinging sensation burned instantly through my arm. I had barely processed the feeling when it quickly morphed into a blinding agony.

Something gripped my hair and twisted my head roughly to one side. Cold breath, sweet smelling and enticing, flowed rhythmically over my face.

"You said she wouldn't get hurt." I recognized Kieran's voice; although it was filled with an anger I'd never heard.

"Oh, relax," a girlish giggle filled the space between the sing-song words. "Your way was far too boring. Besides, it'll all be fixed as she burns and she won't remember anything once you do your little mind-trick on her."

I tried to ask what was happening, but I couldn't talk around a great wad of cloth that filled my mouth. I opened my eyes and recoiled in fright when I was greeted with a mess of red curls and red eyes filled with malice.

"See, she's back with us now. This will be much more fun."

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