Chapter 20 – The Mages' Fear

BPOV

I watched through the pane of the window as Edward left the room. My eyes closed as few more tears spilled over. It was overwhelmed the grief I felt. Carlisle had told me I might experience heightened emotions but that hadn't happened yet. I was feeling now was no different than I had when others I loved passed.

Pushing outward with my powers, I listened to the conversation coming through the partially open door.

"I can't tell you what Bella is feeling if that is what you are after," Jasper said.

"Monitor her all the same. If she's about to break down, let me know."

"Maidie, I need Edward," I said, not turning from the window.

She left the room and Alice, after giving me a concerned glance, soon followed.

Moments later, Edward wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me back against him. "What's wrong?" he asked, bringing a hand up to brush a tear from my cheek.

I had to try and let him in.

Yes, Isabella, let him in and tell him more of what you learned. Start with the night he escorted Maribella to the church and what happened after he and Carlisle left, Grandmother instructed me.

"I don't know how to let you in," I said, turning into his arms. I would do as Grandmother said shortly.

He surprised me by kissing me. "You are by letting me be here."

"I miss him," I said and then buried my head in his neck.

He rubbed my back. "You always will."

Those words, shockingly, were a great comfort to me. "There's more you need to know."

"Should the others be here?" he asked, drawing me up until his arms.

He moved to the small sitting area and sat.

"No. The night you escort Maribella to the church, I was there and saw what transpired after you left," I started and dove into what had happened before he arrived and after he left.

The eldest mage pushed back his impatience as the seconds turned into minutes and finally into hours. The message he had received from the laird said all would arrive before the moon was set high in the sky. As he listened to the woods surrounding the small chapel, he could hear voices in the distance. He hoped the ceremony would be over before long, as there was much to do yet this night to pave the way for a new era of magical reign.

The signs they had been reading for centuries all pointed to Maribella being the most powerful witch. She must be wed to Iain McGregor tonight to stop an abomination from being created. His face fell when he saw Doctor Cullen, shortly followed by his son with Maribella on his arm. This was not part of the plan. What had gone wrong? But when the good doctor sat and his son followed suit the mage breathed a sigh of relief. They were not here to stop the ceremony from taking place.

The laird dragged Maribella to stand before him and Iain joined them kneeling as he took Maribella's hand. In a language that the mage didn't even know, Iain spoke.

"Maribella, look at me. All will be fine and go right."

Maribella just shook her head in denial, the tiara glittering atop her head.

"Stop anyone who tries to enter," the laird instructed the guard. "None shall pass."

Before long, Iain leaned in and kissed Maribella as tears streamed down her face. "Forgive me, Ewan," she whispered, "I had no other recourse."

"You and Carlisle got up, leaving once the ceremony was over," I said, explaining what I witnessed next.

"Now, my good daughter, take this dagger and kill thyself," the laird said. "Your sacrifice will be a symbol of great magic and led me and the mages on."

With a slight flick of his wrist, Iain had the dagger in his hand. "No," he said with a roaring authority that echoed in the small chapel. "Run, my dear. Run to Ewan and keep running," he said.

He faced the Laird. "As long as Maribella is in my care, you'll not control her."

McGregor roared, drawing his sword and charging toward Ewan.

Maribella had just reached Ewan and they vanished. That infuriated McGregor and he turned his sword on Iain.

Iain turned and peered at me where I still sat in the shadows. It was as if he was trying to tell me something. A second later, he doubled over after he plunged the dagger into his side.

"You'll never find your daughter now," Iain croaked.

My hand flew to my lips to prevent me from crying out.

"Once the rest left the chapel, I went to Iain. He was so near death," I said as my stomach made itself known.

Edward pulled a bowl of fruit toward us. "You should eat something," he said.

I shook my head and went on. "I healed him, telling him to find Maribella and Ewan and flee to McCullough lands."

Edward was silent a long time after I finished. At length, he spoke again. "Did you curse Iain by healing him?"

It wasn't something I had thought about. "No… I don't know… I believe it was the mage's."

EPOV

What Bella said silenced me. I asked the only question I needed an answer for right away, not that I thought Bella would have cursed Iain. I was relieved when she told me no.

"So, what do we do now?"

"I wish I could answer that, Edward," she said, slipping from my lap.

I watched as she went back to the window. The sun was appearing on the eastern horizon. At this time during Christmas, there had been a flurry of activity in the courtyard. There was no one. I placed my hands on her waist, wondering what she was thinking about.

"I know each member of the clan will mourn in their own way today," she said. "I would like to go where we were headed before Emmett stopped us."

"Will it be safe?"

"More so than if we had gone while it was dark out." She stepped away from me.

I turned as she waved her hand two outfits appeared on the bed. "I'm going to have to get used to that," I said, going over to the bed changing into what she — I'm not sure what she did.

"I summoned the clothing," she said, answering my unspoken question.

"How?" I asked.

"How did I summon them? Or, how did I know what you were thinking?"

"Both," I answered.

"Much like I did when Alice hid my wand months ago, I saw in my mind what I wanted and it appeared. Carlisle, under my direction, had Alice discreetly pack for you. She didn't know the reason."

I laughed. "Alice always packs for me."

"I know but with you knowing." She had me there. "To answer the second question," she said, looking up at me, pausing while trying to reach the zipper of the dark silver dress she slipped on. "I can hear your thoughts but not all the time."

BPOV

Edward looked at me in shock. Didn't I tell him I had the same ability to read minds as he did? "I don't like invading minds."

"You only told me, well everyone, that you shared the abilities of the sisters, the wizards, Alice, and Jasper. You said nothing about my ability." He didn't sound mad or look it either. "Did you know after we all became your protectors?"

"Yes and no," I answered honestly, hanging my head. "I had my suspicions and the talent only became active."

"How long ago?" he asked, coming around the bed having finished dressing. I turned and he slowly pulled the zipper up, placing tantalizing kisses on my back as he did so.

"After you changed," I replied with a slight shiver coursing through me. "Before then, I was just as lost as you."

"Why didn't you mention this to the others?"

He helped me with my amulet as I ponder how to answer this question.

"I wanted you to be the first to know."

"How do you manage, hearing the voices all the time?"

"I don't, Edward."

His eyes widened.

"I believe I have to open my mind in order to hear. There is really no way for me to test this belief."

Yes, Isabella, there is. You told everyone, yourself, that the reason Edward can't hear your thoughts is because you're shielding yourself, preventing him from evading. Think about what that means and how you can test your theory.

Edward still hadn't said anything and seemed to be staring off into space. I opened myself up. "If what you're saying is true, you can control whose thoughts you invade or not invade, then let's have a little fun."

"What do you have in mind?" I asked him with a smile.

"Later," he answered. "I want to think about it some more, making no decisions."

"Alice would make things more interesting if she knew you were up to something."

"I'll not make any decisions," he said. "Where is it you wanted to go?"

I held up a finger and waited. Soon a knock came at the door. When I opened the door, Emmett was outside.

"The guard will be waiting at the stables," Emmett said. "Are you sure you don't want me to shadow? You both are in danger until…" he stopped suddenly when Edward put a hand on his shoulder.

"What with Edward's abilities," I laughed sadly, reaching up to wipe tears that had started falling again. Edward had been able to distract me from my grief for a time.

EPOV

Shut him up, Edward, Jasper's silent warning came to me as he approached. She's near to breaking down.

I glared at Emmett my eyes saying don't finish. Couldn't he see Bella was silently crying again? I had expected her to cry.

Has she eaten since the feast? Emmett asked silently as he clamped his mouth shut.

I put a hand on her back, shaking my head.

Not good, Jasper's thoughts entered my mind again. If she collapses in grief, Carlisle will not be able to help. Alice has told me that much but won't tell me what she and Maidie saw.

Bella stiffened at my side. Had she been invading my, Emmett's, or Jasper's mind?

"An enemy approaches," she whispered.

Emmett moved closer to the both of us and wrapped an arm around Bella's shoulders.

I even moved closer to Bella, slipping my arm behind her back. "Slouch against us," I whispered against her ear.

It won't work, Edward. Alice's voice came into my mind. The only thing that will work is for you to carry her. Tell Emmett and Jasper you need to get her to Carlisle.

I trusted Alice and made quick work of doing what she advised, hoping Bella had heard. I wish I thought to asked more questions. I knocked Emmett's hand off Bella's shoulder and before she could say a word had her up in my arms.

"Carlisle, get us to him now," I said as she went slack in my arms feigning a faint.

We rounded a corner right before I sensed and we heard a whispered conversation. "The guard on the room should be relaxed now. With luck, they'll still be asleep and we can end their lives. It was good that Malcolm died yesterday…"

Bella buried her head against me. "Do you recognize the voice?" I asked her.

It was a strange, yet heady, hearing Bella's voice in my head. "I don't know, maybe. Get us to the hidden library."

I didn't have time to ask how to get there, but a detailed map had appeared in my mind an instant after her thoughts.

"This isn't the way to the stables," Emmett whispered. "Where are you going?"

"Somewhere safe," I threw over my shoulder.

"Get Carlisle and the others then follow Edward's trail," Bella added.

Soon I was standing, Bella still cradled in my arms, in front of a wall with no door. Confusion crossed my face.

"You need to put me down," Bella said, caressing my face, "and I'll open the door."

"There is no door," I said, setting her down. She pulled out the amulet and pressed it to the wall revealing a door. An alarm went off and she quickly punched in the code before picking up an ancient phone. "Double the guard and send a team up to the newlywed suite," she instructed.

Bella collapsed to her knees soon after we were inside. Tears were coursing freely down her face. I tried to wrap my arms around her but she pushed me away. I didn't know what to do and started pacing the room.