Chapter 11 — Lost

BPOV

There was only one place where Edward would hide a journal — in plain sight. I couldn't remember much yet about the time I spent with him in the past, but I did know he was an avid reader even then. It was only fitting that he would keep Maribella's journal near him and that meant it was in present-day Forks. The challenge would be getting in the Cullen house without being noticed. Carlisle might be able to help me out.

An oak desk faced the door with a computer on the right side. There was a dark brown leather chair behind it. There were four oak filing cabinets on the left side of the room with pictures of the family, there was even one of Edward and me. I felt honored when Carlisle asked if he could put the photo in his office. The picture had been taken in Scotland during Christmas. Edward and I were wrapped up in each other's arms as we danced. The photographer had called out to us and snapped it. There was a huge, loving smile on both of our faces. Back to Carlisle's office. On the left wall was his medical school diploma, of course, it was doctored as was the medical school's records. Carlisle had joked that with the age of everything being digital, it was easier for him to hack the various medical schools and update his qualifications. A couch was under the framed diploma.

With Carlisle's office firmly set in my mind and the date I wanted to travel, I mentally snapped my fingers. I appeared exactly where I had planned and it thrilled me

Carlisle walked through the door two heartbeats later. A file folder in his hand. Files might be digital, but he preferred having paper in his hands. He said it was easier and could be transcribed into the computer later.

"Carlisle," I called out.

He looked up from the file. Surprise colored his features. He'd clearly not be expecting me. "Bella," he exclaimed, closing the door and locking it.

His actions confused me. "What's with the door?" I asked.

He didn't answer but pointed to the ceiling. I got his message and put a silencing spell on the room.

"Edward has been coming to the hospital frequently. He hides out here. I think he does it to escape memories of you at home." He blew out a breath. "What do I owe this unexpected visit to?"

Without pretense, I dove into what I had learned since I last saw Carlisle, which was tons. I even showed him my journal and Edward's message. "I need to find Maribella's journal," I concluded. "And I believe it is hidden in plain sight in Edward's room."

Carlisle was leaning against his desk and I had taken a seat on the couch. "How do you plan on getting into the house?" he asked.

A long sigh left me. "I don't know exactly. Alice will see or Jasper will sense me when I enter. Either would call Edward, and I can't have that yet."

Carlisle nodded. "He won't let you disappear again if he sees you. And hiding out here is not a good idea. Edward should be here anytime now." He glanced at his watch as he said that. "Which leaves…" he trailed off, picking up the phone. "What's on the agenda for tonight, Alice?" he asked a few moments later. "Hunting. Is that the whole family, minus me and Edward?" He was silent. "Edward, too." Another silent. "No reason, I was just curious." He grimaced. "You didn't call Edward, did you? Bella needs some information and then has to complete her mission."

My jaw dropped. "Alice knew I was back."

"Good. Don't call him and keep the knowledge to yourself," Carlisle said, hanging up. "You're in the clear."

It was my turn to nod. "Alice?"

"Won't say a word. She saw and knows how important the information Edward has is to your task." Carlisle laughed. "She wishes she knew what the journal looked like so she could have looked for it."

"It's probably magically protected," I remarked. "Thanks for checking with Alice. I better go. The faster I retrieve the journal the sooner I'll be home for good."

Edward's room hadn't changed in the weeks I'd been gone. The only thing that changed was his desk calendar. According to it, I have been gone two and a half months. Wow! It felt a hell of a lot longer. I couldn't focus on that. First things first, I needed a few things from the bathroom. The door was locked. What in the world? I turned back to the calendar and flipped it back to March, hoping it would contain answers. It did. In Edward's flowing script were the words: "Locked bathroom and threw the key away."

"Edward," I whispered with a shake of my head. With a snap of my fingers, I was in the bathroom. The towel from my last shower still laid on the floor, stiff from drying. I didn't mess with anything. One day, Edward might enter the room again and I wanted no visible trace that I had been back. With care, I opened a drawer and pulled out ChapStick, a new toothbrush, and toothpaste. I had done my best with my teeth in the time I was gone but I could feel the grime on them. Again, I snapped my fingers and was back in Edward's room. I started with the bookshelves above his desk where he kept his recent journals. And he had hundreds, maybe thousands. Maribella's book wasn't among them. I pursued the rest of the shelves on the opposite wall. Nothing.

Okay. It was an important book, maybe plain sight wasn't a good idea. He didn't have a bed, a futon. I checked underneath it. There was a somewhat large box under it. Luckily it was unlocked. It was inside that I found jewelry, but something about the box and its depth made me pull out the contents. The bottom came out. The instance I saw the book, I knew it was Maribella's. How I couldn't begin to explain?

I didn't know how much time I had. All I did know was that I couldn't take the journal with me, so I opened it. I was no spells were protecting it. The first line I read was: "Isabella, glad you found this."

Holy cow! Maribella knew I would need this.

I put no spells on this book, knowing a vampire was the best protection for it as the mages would not look for it in his hands.

By now you know you must find the crown, the problem is no one but Edward Cullen knows where it is and yet he doesn't. It is thanks to you. No need to worry you'll find it as I am sure Edward wrote about where he put it, as I highly suggested he do. Look to his journals, not mine. Maribella.

Crud! What journal of his did I start with? I needed Alice.

"I'm not even going to ask," someone said behind me.

I pivoted. Alice. "Help me," I pleaded, pointing to the various shelves of Edward's journals.

Alice smiled. "What are you needing to know?" she asked.

"The location of a tiara."

She didn't ask anything more and started pulling down journals. An hour into reading, she spoke. "We don't have much time left. The family is heading back."

"Crap!" I exclaimed. I didn't stop reading. Five minutes later, I found an entry that was promising but cryptic.

Dotted with lavender you will find a crown hidden where only one can unearth it. It's closer than you know and moves when I leave whatever area I live.

Edward moves the tiara. How? He shouldn't remember about it.

I have no idea why I feel compelled to dig up a treasure chest whenever the family moves. I don't even know what the treasure chest contains. Maybe one day, I will find out until then I will let compulsion guide my actions.

The "dotted with lavender" line drew my attention again. Instantly, I knew where the tiara was.

"I've got to go, Alice," I said. "Don't let Edward lose hope."

With a snap of my fingers, I vanished appearing seconds later in the meadow. Turning in a slow circle, I hoped a beacon would guide me to the buried chest. Nothing called out to me. Memories however entered my mind of Edward's and my first date. A watery smile lit my face and I moved forward to the spot where the platform we sat on had been. There was a lump in that area. Could it be? Conjuring a shovel, I started digging. About two or three feet down was a brown and brass chest. Holding my breath, I opened it.