Hey Guys! Sorry for the late update but here is chapter 31. Thanks for all the reviews, they are much appreciated. This chapter will reveal who the mystery person is and well done to those who guessed it right :) Have fun reading and I'll see you at the bottom :)
I was so comfortable laying on Edward's bed. I was warmly wrapped in a cocoon of silken sheets. I was so relaxed that I never wanted to move, I was in hibernation. I knew that I did, in fact, needed to get up as Edward and I had a long drive ahead of us. I didn't really know how he planned on driving all the way to Forks in one day though. Emmett and I drove down from Forks to Los Angles over two days and it nearly killed us. It's roughly a 19-hour drive to Forks so hopefully Edward booked us into a hotel at the halfway mark as there is no way I would make a trip like this in one day. I took one more minute to enjoy my comfy silken cocoon before I had to open my eyes and go back to reality. I slowly opened my eyes knowing that I can't stay in bed for the day. My eyes were met by a digital alarm clock angrily flashing, informing me that it is 9:00 am.
Crap, I vaguely remembered Edward telling me a few days ago that we needed to get up at five in the morning. I overslept and I was screwed. I shot up in bed and frantically looked around for Edward, but he was nowhere to be found. I untangled myself from the covers and walked into the bathroom to try and find Edward and I really needed to toilet. The bathroom was empty and I was still at a loss as to where Edward was. I still haven't had time to replace my phone so I couldn't even call him. I decided to take a shower and get dressed for the day while I waited for Edward to come back.
The shower was hot enough to quickly steam up the bathroom. I closed my eyes and let the spray of water gently massage my back and relax my muscles. This has by far been the most relaxing morning I have had in a long time. For a change, I was fully rested and have time to enjoy a soothing shower. After a few minutes under the hot water, I decided to finish up and get ready. As much as I was enjoying my relaxing morning, I knew it couldn't last and that there was a task to get back to. I finished up in the shower and got dressed.
As I knew I was most likely to spend most of the stuck in a car I decided on wearing a pair of comfortable shorts and a black v-neck t-shirt that made my boobs look great. I threw on a red cardigan and matching ballet flat. I went make-up free as I had no dark circles lurking under my eyes. I have to admit that I looked refreshed and not like a tired old hag like I've been feeling all week. I heard the main door open as I finished up in the bathroom. I quickly walked back into the bedroom as Edward walked in with two cups of coffee and a paper bag.
"Where have you been?" I asked as I eyed the cup of coffee with lustful eyes. Edward raised to coffees and the paper bag with a smirk plastered on his beautiful face. I just rolled my eyes, refusing to admit that I asked a stupid question when my answer was clear as day. I moved over to him and grabbed a coffee. I sat on the chaise as I sipped my liquid heaven, enjoy how it heated up my body and awoke every cell in my body. I could live on coffee and yes I am aware that I'm addicted, but I don't care. Edward joined me on the chaise and removed two poppy seed bagels from the paper bag. The bagel was freshly baked and still warm, it was delicious.
"So what's the plan for today? It's rather late to be driving all the way to Forks in one day, don't you think?" I asked Edward as I munched on my bagel.
"Yes it is. Until last night, I didn't actually know the exact location of Forks. I always thought it was near the south border of Washington State, but I was wrong. The drive would be too long so I took the liberty to book us flights to Seattle. I have a rented car waiting for us at the airport in Seattle. We should arrive in Seattle by 5 this afternoon and then we will drive up to Forks." Edward explained as he brushed the bagel crumbs from his lap. Oh, thank the heavens. I was honestly not looking forward to such a long road trip.
"That's brilliant. I don't think I would have been able to handle making the drive up to Forks in one day." I said relievedly.
"Yeah, I never realised just how far Forks was from here. We need to be at the airport in an hour. We should be arriving in Seattle around five o'clock and then we can head to Forks." Edward said as he finished off his bagel.
"That sounds good. If we get out of the airport around five then we should be able to make it to Forks before ten. It would still be pretty late getting there, so do you just want to stay in Forks for the night? " I asked as I threw away my empty cup.
"If you felt comfortable staying in Forks for the night we can stay there and just head up to Seattle in the morning," Edward said with worry evident on his face.
"I'll be fine going home Edward.
I know with everything that has come to light it would be hard but I can handle it." I said bravely. I knew going back to Forks is going to bring back a lot of memories that I have tried very hard to bury. It will be hard and I knew that all those memories will be remembered with the new knowledge of my mother betrayal. Edward stood up and wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into a comforting hug.
"If things get too hard for you, we can leave immediate. One word and we get back in the car and head to Seattle, ok." Edward said and kissed the top of my head lovingly.
"Thank you for caring so much. I really appreciate it." I said softly as I placed my head on his chest. We stood there, in the middle of his room, in an embrace for what could have been hours, but I wouldn't have noticed the time pass. I listened to the beat of his heart and tried to commit it to memory.
"Love, we need to head off to the airport," Edward said quietly. I reluctantly let go of him and grabbed my bag. Edward went into the closet to retrieve his bag and I quickly made the bed as I didn't want to leave the room looking like a mess.
Edward guided me through the university and out to the courtyard where a black car was waiting for us. Edward grabbed my back and placed in the trunk as I slid into the back seat of the fancy car. The seats were black leather and surprising cool considering it is California and hot. I assumed the cool seats were due to a mix of the tinted windows and the cool breeze coming from the air conditioner. Edward joined me in the back of the car and held my hand firmly as the car sped away to the airport. The drive to the airport went past faster than I anticipated as I was lost in my own thoughts. Edward pulled on my hand when we had arrived outside of the airport.
We grabbed our bags and checked in. We had made it just in time for our flight and had to run to the boarding gate. Edward had booked us business class seats as there were no last minute first-class ones available. I told him that it is fine and I wouldn't have cared if we were crammed up in economy class. Edward graciously allowed me to take the window seat. We got lucky as there were only two seats in each aisle and we wouldn't need to deal with a stranger on our flight.
I grabbed a book from my bag and settled in as the seatbelt sign flashed. The flight attendant informed us that we would be taking off shortly. Edward did the same as me and got stuck into a book. It felt perfectly normal and comfortable sitting next to him in silence as we read. I loved books and read as much as I could and was very happy that it is a passion I shared with Edward. Half way into our flight we were served a questionable meal that I took a few bites of and pushed the rest to the side. Edward didn't seem to enjoy his meal any more than I did mine.
After our meal was cleared away we went back to our books. I was lost in the classical love story of Jane Eyre when the fasten seatbelt side started flashing once more, indicating ours descend to Seattle. The flight had been smooth and we managed to get through security and baggage claim in record time. Edward led me out of the airport, holding onto my hand tightly. Edward had organised us a beautiful, shiny black Audi A4. I was always partial to Audis but I still prefer my cute little mini cooper. I slipped into the car while Edward placed out bags in the back. I started fiddling with the radio trying to find a good station as Edward got in the driver's seat.
"You ok love?" Edward asked and started the car. I took a minute to think about whether I am really ok. I was about to head back to a town that I grew up in. The small town of Forks where I was born, where I went to school. It was also the town where my parents died, where my Nana got sick and where my mother betrayed me.
Was I really ready to face the demons of my past that is trapped in Forks? Will I be able to cope with whatever secret we find hidden in my mother's grimoires? I took a deep cleansing breath and reminded myself of everything I have gone through and survived. I'm a fighter and I have fought a tough battle so far and I refuse to let anything or anyone keep me down. Whether or not I am ready to know my mother's dark secrets is irrelevant. I need to know them and other people's lives depended on what is hidden within her grimoires and that is all that was important.
"I'm fine. I just need to get this out of the way. I need to find a way to make peace with what happened and let go of the pain and anger." I said softly.
"Bella, there is nothing wrong with being upset about going back to Forks," Edward said sternly.
"I know there is nothing wrong with being upset but I can't continue holding on to the pain and anger Edward. It's time for me to let it go and accept the past for what it is. I won't let my past hold me back from my future." I said.
"Don't rush it Bella. It takes time to accept and let go of your past, trust me I know." Edward said solemnly. I could see the pain still clearly behind Edward's eyes. I wonder if he will ever be able to let go of his sister's death.
"I'm not rushing Edward. I just feel it is time to let the past be and move on." I said quietly. I truly was ready to move on from my past. It's time for me to deal with the pain of losing my parents and the betrayal of my mother.
"Ok. Just know that if you what to talk about it I'm here ready to listen." Edward as he placed his hand on my knee and gave it a small squeeze.
"Thank you," I said gratefully as I placed my hand over his and entwined our fingers.
Edward entered my address in Forks into the fancy looking GPS system. He sped off in the direction of Forks and we listen to soothing classical music, once more caught up in our own thoughts. Half way to Forks we stopped at a small coffee shop to grab a bite to eat as neither of us ate our food on the plane. We got delicious freshly made lasagne and chunky chips. We grabbed some pastries and fresh coffee for the road. I sipped on my coffee and listen to the calming classic music as I watched the green scenery pass by. I had forgotten just how overgrown and green the place was.
I watched as we sped past the vast spread of forest and thought back to how much time Emmett and I had spent down in the forest practising control over our Marks. I looked down at my hands resting on my lap. I watched as my mark moved down to my wrist. To an outsider, it simply looked like an intricate tattoo of a scorpion but to a witch it meant so much more. It was a mark, a mark of power. It's also the mark that is responsible for the death of my parents. It is the mark that is capable of resurrecting the world's evilest bitch. It is the mark that has the power to start a war and cost many more innocent lives. For the first time in my life, I looked down at my mark with disdain and wish I wasn't burdened with its power.
"Bella, love are you ok?" Edward asked concernedly.
"Why me?" I asked as I stared down at my mark.
"What? Bella what are you talking about?" Edward asked confused by my sudden shift in mood.
"Why was I the one born with the mark of the scorpion? Why me? Why not someone else?" I asked and I could feel my voice starting to break near the end.
"Because you are the person that is best suited to deal with the responsibility that comes with it," Edward said simply.
"Yeah, but what about the pain?! What about the sacrifices? What about the innocent lives lost because of it?" I said getting slightly hysterical. I closed my eyes and took a few breaths trying to calm down.
"Bella I know it seems unfair right now and it is unfair. You never deserved to lose your parents. Don't look at your mark as a curse, look at it like a gift. You have an amazing power that you can use to do so much good." Edward said. I thought over what Edward said and I know he is right. You can look at anything in a negative or a positive way. Right now, I need to start looking at my mark as a gift, a positive thing. I need to start focusing on the good I could do with my mark. This is why I need to let go of my past so that I can move on with my future. As long as I held on to the pain and angry I will cloud my mind and my power.
"I need to let go of the past. I can't keep letting it poisoning my thoughts and future." I said hopelessly.
"You will when you are truly ready to let go of then past. This isn't something you can force Bella." Edward reasoned.
"I know. I just wish it was simpler." I said softly.
"Just give it time love," Edward said. We fell back into silence. I closed my eyes and focused on the beautiful piano pieces. I missed my piano. I had sold it after my parents passed away as I didn't want to keep any of the furniture. I haven't indulged in my piano hobby in longer than I care to admit. I really should make time for it. It had always relaxed me and allowed me to clear my head in a way that nothing else ever did.
"We are here," Edward said as he parked outside of my old apartment. In all fairness, it was more like a small house than an apartment. It was a small gated community with small houses/apartments.
"How did you get past the security gate?" I asked confusedly. I must've dozed off in the car.
"The security guard remembered you and opened the gate for me," Edward said with a smirk.
"Oh Jackson! He is such a lovely man. He reminds me so much of Emmett." I said happily. Jackson was the security guard and it was always found strange to have a security guard in Forks but the residents insisted. He was just as tall and burly as Emmett, but he had a head of curly blonde hair instead of black. If Emmett didn't look so much like his dad I would have easily thought Jackson was his father.
"I agree he does look an awful lot like Emmett," Edward said with a smile. We sat in the car, staring at the building, neither of us making a move to get out of the car.
"You sure you want to do this?" Edward asked.
"Yes," I said and jumped out of the car before I change my mind. I took a deep breath and grabbed the key out of my purse. Edward walked by my side up to the door. I slowly opened the door and switched on the lights as we walked in. Everything was just as I left it. The furniture was still in the same position and the walls were still the same colour. Nothing looked different or out of place.
"Nice place," Edward commented as he moved around the open plan area.
"Thanks. I put the grimoires in the safe in my bedroom." I said as I walked to my bedroom. My heart was beating like crazy. This was it. This was the moment we get a little piece of the puzzle. The safe was installed into the wall behind a painting in my room. I punched in the safety code and the safe slowly opened. There they were in all their old leather glory. I took the three leather bound grimoires out of the safe, closed it, and returned to the living area where Edward was sitting on my couch. I sat the grimoires down onto the end table. I took a seat next to Edward and stared at it. I shot up of the couch and moved to the kitchen.
"Do you want a drink?" I asked Edward. Before he could answer me a loud bang rang in my ears and all the windows of my apartment shattered. A strong gust of wind blew through the apartment and then the smoke came. I watched in horror and my apartment was engulfed in flames.
"Edward!" I screamed as I started choking on the smoke. The fire was spreading and it was spreading fast. Edward looked over at me and started walking towards me. He was about half way towards me when a person wearing a dark cloak with a hood covering their face ran full speed at Edward. They were to fast for Edward to defend himself. The person shoved Edward to the floor and ran over to the end table, to the grimoires. The person grabbed the grimoires but before they could make their escape there was another loud explosion that sent them flying to the ground and scattered the grimoires to the other side of the room, straight into the fire. I moved over to Edward to try and help him. The smoke was getting too thick to breathe properly. The mystery person started to get up and I watched readily to move if they try anything. As the person stood up their hood fell from their head. All I could see was the back of the person's head.
"Who are you?!" I screamed. The person slowly turned around and it felt like everything froze. I know that face. I have seen that face in pictures before. A part of me hated that face for the pain it inflicted on Edward. Lizzie was standing a few feet away from us with a murderous expression on her face.
Dum Dum Dum...