Many apologies for the stupid spelling mistake in the last Chapter, quarterizing instead of cauterizing. I let the Proofreading machine have its way, Thanks to the guest who pointed it out to me. Jules x
Chapter Forty Seven
Bella
Even the ends of my hair were burning now and I knew I'd done it, saved myself for Jasper although when I heard his scream of pain I almost chickened out. I wondered how long I had been like this and how much longer I had to endure but as I thought about this I felt the heat drawing back until it was centred in my chest, my heart struggling as it was devoured by the flames but I could hear and taste all new sensations. I tried to concentrate on these rather than the fire. I sensed three people in the room with me and the closest was my mate, my Jasper. I could smell his scent which sent my emotions spinning out of control for a second. One of the other scents was familiar but I'd never smelled it so strongly, it was a male but I couldn't put a name to it. The third was far more interesting, a human, I could hear the heartbeat and smell the aroma of the blood it was pumping round the body. My mouth filled with venom and I swallowed it down with difficulty. I didn't want to start killing humans and I wondered why Jasper had allowed one in the room with me ready to wake any second. Wake any second? Yes I would, I felt my heart lurch once more before giving up the fight and stopping for ever. There was no human left now, I was a vampire and although I had wanted this it still scared me. I had grown into a human a little at a time as I grew from baby to adult but this time I was being thrown in the deep end. Everything was new to me and I had no idea how I would feel, what I would see or how to act like a vampire. I could only hope it was all instinctual. Taking another breath to taste the air for danger I opened my eyes very slowly.
Holding my hand, sitting beside me, was my angel, my Jasper, even more beautiful now I saw him properly. The other vampire was Garrett, yes I remembered him too, a friend. The human was more difficult to identify because rage and thirst built up so quickly it confused me. I sat up not wanting to feel vulnerable, afraid of this human although he couldn't hurt me now, I was immortal. Pain? This human had hurt me, I remembered the punch in my shoulder and put my hand to the spot but my skin felt unblemished. Had I dreamed the hurt? No, he'd shot me, he'd been trying to shoot Jasper and had shot me instead when I got in his way.
"Jasper?"
I felt panic rising then his hand on my face,
"Its OK Bella, don't be scared, it's all new for you, just take your time."
I nodded, never taking my eyes off the human male who stood by the door, a strange longing on his face. I sorted through my dim human memories to put a name to the face, Charlie! It was my dad standing there, my dad who had tried to hurt, to kill my mate. The snarl that erupted from my chest scared even me and my dad tensed while Jasper stroked my cheek and attempted to calm me. I got up so swiftly it seemed to happen before I decided on the move.
"You. You tried to kill Jasper. You were going to shoot him, harm my mate. How could you do that? You knew I loved him and you tried to take him away."
Charlie shook his head,
"I was trying to get you back Bella. I'm sorry you got hurt, I wouldn't hurt you for anything, I love you"
"NO"
My scream cut him off and I walked to him, cold rage replacing the hot anger in my chest.
"I should kill you for what you did. You tried to kill Jasper."
He shrank back against the wall and I knew it would be so easy to put my hands around his throat and strangle him, pull his head from his shoulders, rip his limbs from his body. A big part of me wanted to do just that but a small voice urged me to be careful, did I really want to kill my dad? Whatever he'd done he was still my father. I held back with difficulty and looked at Jasper for support. He came to my side and I grabbed his hand feeling more peaceful straight away. I took another deep breath to put my thoughts in order then looked at Charlie once more,
"You are lucky because I recognize you as my father and for that reason I won't kill you but it's what you deserve. If I see you again I'm not sure I'll be able to stop myself. I have no father any more, I want you to go now. Go and never come back."
"Bella's please, let me explain. Let me try to make this right."
I shook my head firmly, the venom threatening to choke me,
"No. There's nothing you can say that will make me feel any differently, just go"
He opened his mouth but both Garrett and Jasper shook their heads,
"Charlie you should go now. Before Bella loses control because I won't stop her".
He looked at me appealingly for a few more seconds then hung his head and walked out through the open door. I peered into the other room and saw more figures.
"Who are they?"
"Friends Bella. Remember?"
I thought about this, friends? Then I remembered the battle and their names came back to me. I nodded a little insure of myself.
"I don't think I want to meet anyone yet."
"That's fine Bella. They just wanted to know you had survived. They are going now, see?"
As I watched they raised their hands in farewell and drifted away in the snow, avoiding Charlie as if he had the plague,
"Why don't they attack?"
"They know he is your father and that you let him live so they won't hurt him out of respect for you."
That sounded logical to me but I was distracted by another figure who was closing in on us and tensed. His face held a smile and it was familiar,
"I know him"
"Yes you do. Its Peter."
"Peter? Yes I remember. I like Peter"
"I'm pleased to hear that Bella or I'd have to remind you just how wonderful I really am."
I noticed his shirt was full of holes,
"What happened to you?"
"Your dad tried turning me into a sieve."
"Charlie shot you too?"
"I think it was an accident Bella"
"How do you accidentally shoot someone six times?"
"Seven actually"
Jasper rolled his eyes and I giggled,
"Hey I have to milk this for all its worth Major. I don't get sympathy too often."
I went over and put my arms around him
"Thanks for everything Peter. I wouldn't have found Jasper if not for your help"
"True"
I looked at him,
"Well Bella, modesty never was my strong suit."
I laughed along with him, I was alive and so were my mate and friends, life didn't get any better than that, at least for now.