AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here we go...
CHAPTER FOUR
I left Jacqueline with the biggest hug I ever gave a person. For the first time I felt a tad drunk with power. Imagine all of these secrets at your fingertips. The problem was I wasn't sure where I could read it. I didn't want to go anyplace exposed and I sure as hell wasn't taking this book home. I sat in my car driving around for a good ten minutes. I kept picturing men in black coats showing up everywhere I went and wrestling the book from hands. I finally made the decision to go home and sneak into the guest house out back.
We hadn't been using it for anything. Mostly we would just use it after we got out of the pool and needed to dry off. I was pretty sure I was secure at the moment on the forgotten property. I placed a large fluffy blanket on the ground and brought a pillow down with me. I felt like the kid from the Never Ending Story.
I had just opened the front cover and started reading the Sacred Oath when my phone shrilly rang out scaring me half to death. It took me a minute to calm myself to be able to answer. It was Edward. Did he already know? I stupidly looked up to see if there were cameras in here but there weren't. At least Edward hadn't gotten around to that.
"Hello."
"Hey, baby. Whatcha up to?"
"Uh…just reading. I wanted to relax a little. Nothing much." I cringed.
"That sounds good, sweetheart. I just wanted to let you know that I set up a meeting with WMG first thing Monday morning, okay?"
"Great. Thank you. What time are you planning on being home?" Might as well see how long I had.
"I should be home no later than six-thirty. Why don't I stop by Spago so we don't have to cook." He replied.
"Sounds good to me. I'll just have my usual. I'll text you with Becky's order."
"Okay, baby. I love you."
"I love you too."
Finally back to business.
Declaration of Intendment.
Tria Fata was founded on the principle to create a fulfilling, safe and loving environment for Guards and their families. To take the Scared Oath and join the brotherhood is an honor that will reap benefits for all Guards and their Mates. A soul mate is the absolute highest privilege from God and she should be rewarded with love, safety and peace. It is our job to ensure that our Mates are given every chance to succeed with a long and gratifying life.
Okay. What the hell is a Guard? I flipped through a couple of pages. Oh here it is.
Guard.
After one takes the Scared Oath, he will no longer be just a man. He will have become a Guard for the Tria Fata. The Guard after selected by the seven Alpha's will be become a Beta along with his six Beta brothers. The Guard will swear to look after his Mate and the Mates of his fellow brothers.
Now I'm starting to get lost. This book needs to come with some sort of a guide. What do they mean Alpha and Beta? So then I abandoned that section to try to locate Alpha's.
Alpha.
There are seven Alpha's to make up a branch. Once the Alpha reaches the designated age, he must search for a Beta. When the Alpha nominates a man for Beta, the remaining Alpha's must agree on the nomination. It is the Alpha's work to guide the Beta up until his demise. Once the Alpha has passed on, the Beta will become the new Alpha.
All I could think was that some man somewhere a long time ago, had far too much time on his hands to create this society. Wasn't there some kind of revolution going on a couple hundred years ago when this was started that should have taken precedence?
I scanned over a couple of pages trying to locate the section on punishments thinking I could redefine what those Alpha Beta Guards boys of mine seem to think. That was until my eyes landed on the words:
Virgin Bride.
Virginity is of the highest integrity. To have the honor of being the first to accept the sacred gift is to be celebrated. A virgin Mate is fragile in mind and soul. As a Guard when a virgin Mate in selected, she not only gives her body but her soul. To ensure that her fragile state of mind and soul is taken care of after her Guard passes and the Mate has had no other previous relations before the time of marriage it is imperative to initiate the Rule of the Second. A Guard needs to protect his virgin Mate/bride above all else and ensure that she lives a long fulfilling life, even if it means to protect her from herself...
Okay what the hell is the Rule of the Second? Am I considered a Virgin Bride? I mean with all the sex that Edward and I have had that hardly constitutes a Virgin Bride right? I reread the line again, having no other previous relations before the time of marriage.
What is the Rule of the Second? I thumbed through the pages trying to locate the title. And by the way I take offense to them stating that I have a fragile mind just because I didn't sleep around with every non Guard member before Edward doesn't make me fragile, dammit.
The Second.
To take the Second Oath is great honor. Alpha's and Beta's should treat Seconds with the highest respect. The Rule of Second is in regards to a Guard wishing to take a Virgin Bride as his forever Mate and wife. The Guard should inform his fellow Alpha's and Beta's when the Rule of the Second is required. The Guard will choose a Second. If the Guard is unable to fulfill his duties to his Mate or if the Guard passes before his Mate, the Second will take the Guard's place and fulfill his duties. The Second will take the oath and promise to marry and love the Guard's wife as the Guard loved and married his Mate.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" I shouted.
I must be in shock, my hands were trembling. What the fuck did I just read? If this was true and in some fucked up imagination I was supposed to have a predetermined "Second" then we had way more problems to deal with then just acts of chastisement.
I reread the last line again, hoping it would clarify my current thoughts but the more and more I read it, the more I became disgruntled. I closed the book, I couldn't continue reading. I felt that at any moment I could have coronary. I looked over at my phone it was five-thirty. I really needed to set up a meeting with these boys; I hadn't even cracked the surface of this book and already I had just a couple of things that needed to be discussed with them.
I had to come up with a plan of action; there was no way that I would be heading into the lion's den without the upper hand. First I needed to figure out how to get the Alpha, Betas, Guards whatever the hell they call themselves all in a room. I needed the element of surprise. The only thought that flashed through my mind was seeing Garrett's face when I showed up holding this book. That alone drove me.
There was no doubt about it; I had to open that book again. I started thumbing through the pages, there had to be something about calling a meeting. I mean I'm sure the Tria Fata who thought of everything including the intact hymen that once rested between my legs would have some form of a bat signal. I scanned through each page until I found it.
Parcae.
If an Alpha calls for a Parcae, then all other Alphas are required to be present unless a Guard in the case of extreme circumstances is unable to attend. The same goes for Beta's. Parcae can be called to nominate, initiate or to handle any dispute among Guards.
That doesn't tell me anything. How the hell do they send out the stress call? I needed to get Edward's phone, there had to be answers on there. Unless he emailed everyone. I doubt he'd have a secret Facebook group set up for this type of thing.
I slammed the book shut and stuffed it into my purse. It was almost six o'clock if I was going to get on Edward's computer I needed to do it now.
I was just entering Edward's office when Becky scared the shit out of me.
"Hey Bella." She said.
"Holy shit!" I screamed and nearly fell over.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you. I've been waiting for you. My brother called and he said he'll be home later this evening like around midnight."
It wasn't her fault that I was a little unhinged at the moment. The poor girl probably thought I was just another casualty of the Hollywood crowd.
"It's okay Becky, you're just so quite sometimes. That's great about Jacob. By the way Edward is going to Spago, can you text him your order. You can find a menu online."
"Sure. Thank you." She skipped off towards the living room.
When she was out of sight I rushed over to Edward's computer. Password. I started typing in "Bellalove1." You can imagine the look on my face the first time I asked Edward for his password.
Everything started up and I started to scan his desktop. It had to be email or text. I doubt in this day in age the Tria Fata would resort to the old-fashioned phone tree.
I started looking over his emails. Mostly standard film stuff. However I finally found one email labeled Parcae. Harmless if you didn't know about the secret society. Parcae was in reference to the Tria Fata roman or greek gods. One might think the email was in reference to that. In that moment I was never more happy to have accidentally been shoved into that mythology course when I was in my third year at the University.
The email was sent from G77 at gmail. G77 sent it to G73, G74, G75, G76, G78 and G79. Edward, I ascertained from hitting replay, popped up that his email was being sent from G75. The original email that was sent out from G77 only said.
NOW G75.
I looked at the date it was sent. The same day we came back from New York and all those guys showed up at the door. The time coincides with around the time I called Emmett to let him know of our arrival. Emmett must be G77. He sent out an email stating they needed to arrive now at G75. Meaning our home or Guard G75's home. So all I needed to do was send out an email that states Parcae with the time and place I wanted them to show up. But how was I going to get Edward there? Since it was his email sending out the Parcae S.O.S., I would need to figure out how to send him an email from another Tria Fata member's computer.
Who could I ask for help? Alice and I were still on the outs. I didn't really know Charlotte and Kate very well…ROSALIE. She would definitely help me. I could go over in the morning and send out the communiqué first thing. Damn I was a regular Sydney Bristow.
The only thing I couldn't help but ponder was the fact there were seven different email addresses. If Emmett was G77 and Edward was G75. Let's just assume for a minute that Carlisle could be G73, Peter could be G74, Garrett could be G76 and Jasper could be G78. I had seven email addresses but only six guys and the handbook said that there should be seven Alpha's or Beta's. Who belonged to email G79? Who was the seventh Tria Fata member that Edward had failed to introduce me to? It wouldn't be Jacqueline's grandfather because he passed away and I'm sure they would have filled his spot by now. Maybe the mystery person was unable to come to the previous Parcae due to extreme circumstances. Something about this mystery G79 really stirred up my stomach.
I closed up the computer and tried to sweep away any evidence that I was ever there. Just as I was coming out of the office I heard Edward at the door. Okay it's show time.
"Hi baby." I greeted way too enthusiastically.
"Hi…uh…you seem to be in a good mood." He replied.
"Surprising…trust me." I went and helped him with a bag of take out before he could question any further. This was going to be harder than I thought. How was I going to keep my cool until tomorrow? I mean what if Edward really did evoke the Rule of the Second. I could potentially have a homicide on my plate to deal with tomorrow.
I went through the motions of getting plates out while Becky and Edward talked. Did Edward already pick a Second? What if he did? Who did he choose? I mean everyone we know is already with a Mate.
You don't know G79. Oh shut up Bella, G79 is probably some sad little Alpha who's ready to be put out to pasture.
"Bella. Is something wrong?" Edward broke me out of my thoughts of cows and grazing fields.
I shook my head.
"You look like you're disturbed?" he said.
Boy was I ever.
"I think I'm constipated. Excuse me." I took off running toward my bathroom upstairs, grabbing my purse on the way.
I think I am constipated? I couldn't come up with a better excuse?
I made it to the bathroom and locked myself inside. I pulled the book out. There must be more explanation to this whole Second thing. I flipped to the back cover and there written were the original seven founding fathers. A few names caught my eye, wow…
I'm sure you'd love to hear who was on that list but I think the least I can do is try to maintain some secrecy. I started back at the Second portion where I had last stopped my reading. I read through the oath which essentially states that if a person takes the Second Oath they can never marry or look for a Mate. Of course they couldn't. It wouldn't do well to tell your wife someday that your Beta bro passed on and now you had to run off to his mate and fulfill his duties.
A Second Union.
Before the marriage of the Guard and Mate; a Second Union can be created. During this time it is vital that an emotional and physical union is created between the Mate and her Second. When her Guard passes she will have the emotional and physical attachment to her Second. The Guard must allow a time for his Mate to become familiar with her Second, to help with the transition later on.
Oh sweet Jesus, I'm going to vomit. What the fuck were they smoking back then? An emotional and physical attachment. That better not mean what I think it means.
I pulled out my phone and fired off a text as fast as I could to Rose.
Need to see you ASAP in the morning. When will Emmett be gone?
I heard a knock on the door. "Bella, are you okay?"
NO I'm not okay. I am the very fucking opposite of the definition of okay.
"I'm gravy, Edward." I needed to keep myself in control; I would have all my answers tomorrow. "I'm not feeling too well. I think I'm going to go to bed."
"Are you sure you don't want to eat something, sweetheart?"
"No. I…I…just want to go to bed."
"All right baby. Please let me know if you need anything." He replied. Yeah, how about an alibi. If this shit was true then I could very well be digging some graves tomorrow.
Emmett has an early day he should be gone by seven, what's happening?
Good. I told Rose I would see her at seven and I would tell her then.
I crawled into bed and tried to sleep but my stomach was in knots. Edward finally came up after eating and asked how I was doing. I told him I had a stomach ache so he nestled up behind me and rubbed my tummy. If I wasn't so mad at him at the moment I would have appreciated the gesture but I couldn't stop thinking about that damn book. I think our relationship could very well come down to a decision he was going to have to make. Tria Fata or Isabella.
I set my alarm the next morning for six am. Edward was still passed out beside me as I crept into the bathroom and started to get ready. I was pretty sure I was ready to set my plan into motion. Thankfully Edward did not rouse from sleep and I was able to make it out to my car without incident. I arrived at Emmett's and Rose's house at seven sharp. Emmett was already gone.
"Okay, what the hell is going on that I had to disrupt a rem cycle?" Rose greeted me.
"You have no idea just how twisted my mind is right now. I need access to Emmett's computer."
"Fine…why?" she narrowed her eyes.
I pulled out the book and held it up, "This is why."
"What is that?" Rose asked taking it from me.
"It's the Tria Fata handbook to one really fucked up world."
I made my way toward Emmett's office; Rose was trailing me with her nose in the book.
"Wow you're really pissed. What did it say to piss you off this much?" she asked.
"Remember how I told you I was a virgin?" she nodded. "Well just flip to the page regarding "Virgin Bride" and then if that doesn't creep you out enough, locate the section entitled "The Second." But oh wait there's more, if that doesn't completely make you want to vomit, turn to the next page and locate "The Second Union.""
I huffed as I sat down and fired up G77's computer. I left Rosalie in silence so she could read.
She huffed, "I don't know this all reads like gibberish."
Always impatient.
"It means that since I was virgin when Edward and I came together in holy Tria Fata matrimony. He made a vow to appoint a person to take over his duties if he should die. And not only will this person marry me but according to this, it states that he will get to take a ride and sample the goods before Edward and I get married."
"WHAT?" Rose exclaimed and threw herself back into the book.
"Thank you, I was pretty sure my thoughts were valid." I located the emails and made sure that I was correct in assuming that Emmett was G77. Okay now for the email. Here we go Bella, there's no turning back now.
"What are you going to do?" Rose asked.
"I'm going to initiate Parcae."
"What are Parcae?" Rosalie questioned.
"They have to initiate Parcae when they have an issue to discuss, like when Edward came back and they wanted to discuss with him his actions when he whipped me."
Rose came over to stand behind me. There was a folder on Emmett's email that already captured all the Tria Fata members. I deleted them all except for G75's email.
"Who is G75?" Rose asked.
"They all have code names I was able to deduce that Emmett is G77 and Edward is G75. I had to send this from Emmett's computer because Edward would see that I sent it from his email to himself and that wouldn't work."
"Why couldn't Emmett be G69." Rose laughed.
"Rose, you're just as bad as Emmett." I scolded.
"Birds of a feather." She shrugged.
1PM G75.
I looked through some of the prior emails that Emmett had and saw how they worded it. I hit send.
"Tsk Tsk Emmett, just because you have a firewall doesn't mean you should allow your email to automatically sign in because you're using your home computer." I turned to Rosalie, "Wish me luck?"
"What I would give to be in that room when shit starts flying. Knock'em dead, girl."
I left Rose's and head for home; I was going to have to be stealth and get into Edward's office again and send out the message to the other members. When I turned on Edward's email the email from Emmett had arrived but I made sure not to click on it.
Once it was done I snuck back upstairs. It was only eight a.m. Edward wasn't in bed, when I arrived he was in the shower.
"Bella is that you?" he asked.
"Yep." I replied.
"You were up early."
"Yea, going to bed early does that to you. But I think I might try to lay back down for a little bit."
I flopped back down on the bed and started to think about just what I was going to say to these gentlemen. As the time passed, I became more nervous. Edward would be downstairs reading the email in his study. Would he know something was up?
At twelve-fifty p.m. I felt absolutely sick. Come on Bella, pull it together. Pull out ass kicking Bella; you know she's in there. I could hear the door opening and the guys greeting one another. I slowly crept down the staircase and I could see the sliding door start to close. I walked over to the door and pushed my ear up against it.
"Should we wait?" Jasper asked.
"No. Let's just get started." Edward replied.
"So what did you want to discuss?" Garrett asked.
"What do you mean? I didn't call this meeting." Edward answered. "I received the email from Emmett."
"Don't look at me; I received the email from you." Emmett said.
"Okay, who sent the email out?" Carlisle asked.
No one answered. I have to admit this was all kind of funny. I could imagine their faces right now, clouded in bafflement.
"How did this happen? If you didn't send the email and you didn't send the email. Then who did?" Garrett asked.
That was my cue.
I opened the door. Everyone looked over to me.
"Baby, did you need something. I'll be out in a minute." Edward said.
"Yes. I would like an explanation." Edward furrowed his brow. "I initiated the Parcae."
AN: Unfortunately I will be unable to update Crossfade this week. I have been trying to write the hell out of this story so when I go to Comic Con in a couple of weeks, I will still be able to update while on vacation and have enough chapters so when I get back there should be no disruption in posting. Thank you as always for reading and reviewing.