Chapter Thirty Two

Bella

I knew Jasper was eyeing me cautiously but the others looked amazed when we walked in and I didn't go crazy. I remembered what they had told me about new vampires and realized they were expecting me to act just as unpredictably and violent but I didn't feel that way. I was angry certainly, and frustrated, and worried sick, but it was all bundled together and I held it deep inside. Somehow I knew that the only way to get the children and Charlie back safely was to act rationally and listen to Jasper, he knew how to fight, I didn't. The realization had come as I finished the mountain lion, a small voice inside told me that to continue to act so rashly and with such rage could well get my son and the others killed and that's what helped me to confine all my negative feelings. With Jasper's help I would continue to be so until Caden, Charity, and Charlie were safely home, then I would allow it all full range and God help anyone who was in my way and I thought responsible!

Rosalie looked terrible and I could see the misery and helplessness in her eyes as she clutched Emmett's hand. He too was deeply unhappy and feeling helpless but there had to be something we could do, surely? I wanted to confront the Quileute elders but Rosalie and Emmett had already done so with no result,

"They didn't know what the pack had planned, Edward listened to their conversations and thoughts and found nothing. They don't know where the pack took the children or even if they are still alive Bella."

I ran to Rosalie and threw my arms around her trying to ease her despair although my own was almost more than I could bear.

"They won't kill them Rose, if that's what they wanted the children would already be dead and you would have felt that, you have grown so close to your daughter you couldn't fail to feel her death and I know inside that Caden is alive too. Darius is hunting for clues now and he will find something we can work with, we just have to be patient however hard that might be."

I was thinking about the Quileutes and the pack,

"If the elders didn't give permission for the pack's actions then where did they go? Wouldn't any other tribe that was approached for shelter contact them?"

"There is nothing to suggest the pack took the children to another tribe and that's probably why. They knew if the elders found out where they were then it would put them in danger from us."

"Do you think they know what's happened to their village Jasper? That we have their elders in custody?"

"We have no way of knowing but I doubt it."

Jasper

Carlisle broke in then,

"Actually they probably do if Emily is with them. She wasn't at her cabin and Charlie's scent was in the garage. The car is missing so either Emily was involved all along or she was dragged into it when Charlie was discovered on his way to, or in, the village. Either way I sent her a text giving her a deadline for contact with the children. If she can, she'll pass the message on."

"If she gets it. She didn't answer I take it?"

"No Jasper she didn't but I'm hopeful she will receive the text."

I glanced at Peter who nodded and disappeared taking out his own phone. He would give Darius Emily's name, it was somewhere to start the hunt.

Bella

I still wanted to see the elders, I had to speak to them and seeing I wasn't to be discouraged Jasper agreed, taking Emmett along with us probably more for their protection than anything else. Esme sat outside the door to one of the garages and got up when she saw me.

"Bella? Are you feeling better?"

I could see she thought Emmett was along to watch over me but I smiled tensely,

"Thank you for everything Esme. I'll be OK once the children and Charlie are back."

"Have you heard anything interesting Esme?"

"No, they aren't speaking much according to Edward, I only just took over so he could hunt. He said he couldn't read anything interesting but the elders are upset that the pack acted as they did. Apparently it was agreed the pack could watch Charlie and us but they had no authority to act."

Without waiting any longer I unlocked the door and walked inside to see the Quileutes seated on the floor in a circle, heads bowed, were they praying for a miracle? Or preparing themselves for death? Sue Clearwater raised her head and stared at me. For a moment she didn't notice the difference but then she gasped and I nodded,

"Yes. The pack's action has resulted in yet another new vampire being created. It was one of your wolves who ripped me open and left me to bleed to death so you see I have plenty of reasons for wanting you all dead and if I don't get the children and Charlie back unharmed that's exactly what will happen. I'll show you exactly how dangerous a vampire can really be."

Her husband took her hand,

"You were always going to become one of them Bella, you were mated to one and had a child with him, another abomination to nature. The pack will not harm the children, not the girl anyway, but Charlie stuck his nose in where it was not wanted. If he had known what you were perhaps he would have sat and watched it happen but they couldn't take any chances. The pack were acting for the good of those children."

"Well, the pack are going to die for their actions, you too if we don't hear from them and I will take personal responsibility for making sure you suffer like I have Harry Clearwater and then I'm going after that bitch of a daughter of yours and I'll kill her too."

I could feel my rage rising despite my best efforts to clamp down on it and Jasper took my hand, his calming effect enabling me to keep my temper, but only just.

Once outside I vented my anger and frustration on some nearby trees and noticed others had done the same thing, we were all just waiting for one lead and then hell would rain down on the Quileute pack and anyone who sheltered them. Once I finished venting my angerJasper accompanied me back to the house but as we were about to go inside we heard a whistle and turned to see a small group approaching. I recognized Alice first and then Justin and held firmly by him, limping on a damaged leg and looking as if he'd been mauled by a large cat was the vampire who had killed my parents.

I stopped, still as a statue, as they approached and again my rage began to build.

"Bella, calm down. We need to speak to him first, ensure he knows nothing about where the children were taken."

"How could he Jasper? The pack don't work with leeches."

"It's always better to be sure. Let's see what James has to say first."

I whirled to stare at Jasper,

"You know him?"

"No. but Justin does. The vampire who killed your parents is his brother James.

I felt as if someone had hit me with a sledge hammer, had Justin recognized me? Had he been there when his brother killed my mom and dad? No, I wouldn't believe that, he was too calm and comfortable around me to have been involved.

As they reached us James eyes fixed on me and I saw that he recognized I was one of them now. Still he managed a smile,

"So, who changed you little girl? I was right to spare your life, you make a stunning vampire Bella."

I hissed in anger and clenched my fists but Jasper squeezed my arm,

"Patience Bella."

"Ask your questions Jasper but then he's mine."

Justin stood looking down, unable to meet my eyes but was it guilt that his brother had been the monster of my childhood? Or because he had known and not told me? I just wasn't sure.

I listened as Jasper questioned him, but he had little to say. He found it amusing to slaughter adults and the idea of leaving a child witness intrigued him.

"She was so full of courage. The little bitch even swung for me with an ax! There was such fire in her eyes that I just couldn't snuff it out. Of course I never expected to see her again so when my dear brother told me why he had hunted me down I was surprised. My little girl became friends with our kind and even married that savage warrior The Major. Now that I hadn't expected. So, I guess you intend killing me Bella? Maybe you'll have better luck this time and you certainly won't need an ax."

I indicated for Justin and Alice to stand aside, this was my fight, no one else's, and that bastard was going to pay for all the misery he had put me through as well as the death of my parents.