Chapter Thirty Four

Edward

I needed Bella and Jasper dead and quickly but I knew I was no match for them, especially without my gift and I was sure that only Bella's death would allow me to hear thoughts again. The Volturi were out which left me only one other option and not one I was entirely comfortable with but it was that or spend what little time I had left running from my brother and locked inside my own head. I would need to be careful how I approached them of course, I wasn't exactly on their visitors welcome list but I thought I had a piece of information that just might get me a meeting with the elders.

I made my way to the treaty border with the Quileutes being careful not to leave my trail where the family might come across it. Luckily it was one of Carlisle's strictest injunctions that we stay well clear of the reservation border so I could be pretty certain no one would cross my trail. Then I had to wait, I doubted it would take long for the pack to discover a vampire waiting on their very border and I knew they had orders not to attack unless we crossed the treaty line so I made sure to keep just inside of the invisible line.

I was right of course, the first wolf turned up within the hour prowling back and forth at the edge of the tree line just in sight. It seemed more curious than threatening and soon it was joined by three others. Then and only then did they approach me stopping short of crossing the line. Hackles up and canines showing in snarls warning me to stay where I was.

I had no wish to become involved in an altercation so I sat nonchalantly on a fallen tree trunk I had dragged over for just this purpose. The wolves stopped dead observing me and then slink back into the trees. A minute or two later three young men approached from the exact spot the wolves had disappeared wearing shorts and tee shirts.

Sam Uley led them as the Alpha followed closely by Jacob Black and another I didn't know. The fourth was obviously watching from the shadows ready to attack if I crossed over. Sam came to a halt facing me his face a mask of overt distaste while Jake and the other scowled.

"Why are you here Cullen? What do you want?"

"I have some information I think you are going to want to hear."

"You've got nothing we want to hear, fuck off."

I gazed for a moment at the unknown boy then turned back to Sam.

"It's about Bella Swan."

"She's dead, her father too. Are you admitting to being the murderer?"

I smiled,

"The way I hear it a wolf was to blame."

Jake took a few steps forward but stopped abruptly when Sam snapped "Jake, stand down."

"A sensible move. Bella isn't dead, she was saved."

"Liar! We saw her body."

I stared contemptuously at Jake once more,

"Really? Well, I just saw her up the mountain and she looked pretty healthy to me. Of course, she isn't human any more but….."

All three snarled at my words,

"What do you mean no longer human?"

"Just what you think, she's a vampire now."

"A leech? Who did it?"

I ignored Jake although I could sense he was over the treaty line now.

"Not me, it's against the treaty to bite a human."

"Who broke the treaty Cullen?"

"Jasper of course, he's in love with her and wasn't about to let her die. He had the blessing of the family of course, all except me. I think Charlie was murdered because he tried to stop Jasper although he'll never admit as much to Bella. It was a nice touch laying the blame at the paws of the wolves, leaves him free to get the girl."

Sam's eyes narrowed suspiciously,

"Why are you telling us this? You know it paints a target on the back of all your family?"

"I know but if I didn't tell you, you would have found out eventually anyway and I don't want to spend my time watching over my shoulder for a wolf to come kill me. It was purely a case of self defence, them or me."

I could see that they didn't entirely believe me but they could hardly just ignore my story and I knew that some of the wolves had been praying for a reason to drive us out or kill us. This way I hoped to be spared and I planned on warning Carlisle as soon as I knew the Quileutes would act. He should be able to get the others out quickly enough to save them. Of course the same couldn't be said for Bella and Jasper but that's the way I planned it. Once Bella was dead I would have my gift back and I was sure I could find a way to spin my story and be allowed back in the family. Of course, they could never know I was the one who informed the Quileutes but I could deal with that too. In fact, Jasper had given me the perfect fall guy in the nomad he had allowed to live. Who would know he hadn't been captured by the wolves and given them up in a futile act to save his life, he was never going to show his face around here again. He could have heard Bella's story as he lay in wait to ambush her. No one would survive to tell a different tale.

Even if Emmett left before the wolves attacked, and I had no feelings on that either way, it would be his word against mine and he had no idea how long the nomad had been sniffing around. Besides, everyone thought I was on the run, trying to put as much distance between Jasper, Bella, and myself as I possibly could.

"If we find out you have lied to us we will hunt you down and kill you, Cullen."

I nodded,

"You won't but I'd be quick if I were you, I don't think they reckon on hanging around long. Maybe they are scared you'll find out the truth."

I backed away from them slowly, I didn't trust them any more than they trusted me and only when I was in the shelter of the trees did I turn and begin to run.

I pulled out my phone and called Carlisle hoping he would be in a position to answer quickly and thankfully he was.

"Carlisle, it's me."

"Edward? Where are you? I understand you have trouble with your gift?"

So, he'd been in contact with Jasper or Emmett,

"Yes but I'll get it back. I wanted to warn you, I overheard the Quileutes talking before I left Forks, they don't believe it was a wolf who killed Charlie and they think Bella may still be alive. They suspect Jasper of biting her and I think they are going to be coming for you if they get any proof. They'll be scouring the area for signs of Bella, you should get out now."

There was a long pause before he spoke again and I heard suspicion in his tone,

"Why should they suspect that Edward? Jake and some of the others were at the funeral, they never appeared suspicious then and how do you know this?"

He was getting dangerously close to accusing me of telling them. Maybe I wouldn't be able to go back, well so be it, as long as I got my gift back I could make a new life for myself. I disconnected, I'd warned them, the rest was down to him. All I had to do now was to stay well clear of Forks and wait. I would know once the wolves had killed Bella, I would once more hear the thoughts of those around me, I would be whole again.