The Prophecy

Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.

James Allen

EDWARD'S POV

My mood was somewhat better by the end of the second movie, though I hadn't relaxed. Bella was too close and smelled way too delicious. I still didn't like the fact that I was a member of the cantata but there was little I could do about it, and Bella wasn't to blame either… Alice was. It was her dare, after all. On the other hand, seeing Bella again made it hard to be mad at Alice.

Bella got up without a word to me and walked toward a group of girls. I sat there for a few moments. As I walked over to where my siblings waited for me, a wave of panic hit me and almost brought me and Jasper to our knees.

"Who?" I asked in a low voice, looking at my brother.

"Bella,"he answered in a whisper.

Turning, I scanned the room for her… not finding her with the girls she had joined. Without a second thought, I started searching the minds of my classmates for her.

"If I can just get her alone, I can have my way with her." I got from Mike's mind, and I saw Bella's fear through his eyes.

A low growl left me. Turning back to Jasper, I asked, "How is she?"

"Man, she's really panicking and could break down at any minute."

I listened, trying to pick out the sound of her heart and breathing from the rest of the room. There was one beating a frantic cadence, and I had to agree with Jasper. If Bella didn't calm down, she was going to end up in the emergency room.

"Edward," Alice said. "You need to offer her a ride. I have played out the scenarios." She showed me, the images flashed in my mind like a movie being watched in fast forward. "As you can see, they all end with her breaking down save the last one where you intervene. Go quickly."

The decision had been made for me not that I would have done nothing. I still felt like I had to protect Bella. So I headed over to where Mike had Bella literally cornered. Mike didn't seem to notice the panicked look on Bella's face. I wanted to grab him by the collar and throttle him, but I reined in the instinct to instead play the shining knight.

"There you are, Bella," I said, hoping I looked relieved at having found her. "Are you ready to go?"

Mike peered at me over his shoulder, a predatorial look one his face. Baring my teeth, I hissed low in my throat. Mike wasn't fazed and turned his attention back to Bella. Bella luckily nodded in response to my question as if I had really offered her a ride home afterward. Mike backed up, letting her pass. Bella moved fast around him and continued toward the front door with me following.

"Thanks, Edward," she said once we were outside, blushing slightly.

Even though Bella said I didn't have to give her a ride home, I told her that I didn't mind. Once Bella was in my car, I asked her trivial questions, and she politely answered each one until I asked her why she was being homeschooled. She declined to answer. I must have hit a nerve.

All too soon, we arrived at the front gate, and I still had questions. She was confused and looked between the gate and me before answering my final question. Bidding me goodnight she went to exit the car. I quickly stopped her and, before she could protest, got out of the car. If anything, I was gentleman.

I watched as she walked to the guard shack. Running a hand over my face, I got back into my car and drove away.

BELLA'S POV

After I retrieved my mother of pearl pendant, the magical key to the library, I snapped my fingers while concentrating on where I wanted to go—the hidden, magical library at McCullough Castle. Luckily, I didn't overshoot and appeared inside the room and next to the keypad. The alarm went off, and I quickly punched in the code, effectively shutting it off. Picking up the phone, I rang my grandfather's room.

"Good morning, Grandfather. I wanted to let you know that I'm here."

"Isabella, lassie, what a surprise," he said on the other end of the line. "How long will you be here?"

"Until early afternoon, I think. I need some answers and hope the library holds them."

"You know it will, lass. Come and see me before you leave." Grandfather knew better than to ask what knowledge I was seeking.

I promised him I would before setting the receiver back down in the cradle. He and Charlie were the only constants I had in life, and both knew of my magical powers but not the extents of them.

Sighing, I went to the center of the room where the altar was located. I placed my hand over the ancient tome, my family's grimoire, and commanded it to open. The book opened to the prophecy… the prophecy about me.

The familiar picture of runes stared up at me. I ran my hand over the image, knowing the runes translated to roughly say a "Great power is coming to save all."

I was the great power, at least that's what my grandmother believed. The powers I had… no other in the clan had them, so I believe her when she told me the runes spoke of me.

Turning the page, my grandmother's handwriting brought tears to my eyes. She had received a vision in the days after my birth. It held the key to who I was and what I was. I began to read.

Isabella Marie Swan: born on the September 13, 2214. She is a unique little girl and will be the key to bringing together three worlds. Those worlds will appear in this prophecy as she grows and learns. As her grandmother, I can only hope that she will receive all the gifts that are rightfully hers…

There was nothing really new after this statement of facts. The prophecy went on to list the gifts that are rightfully mine, many of which I haven't been blessed with yet, and really not worth reviewing. I continued reading, coming across something new.

Isabella has gone through some trying times and, at the moment, she is confused. She is beginning to question the clan, though she may not recognize she is doing that, and the future they have arranged for her. As her grandmother, I fought against this, knowing the hidden secrets of this prophecy. The council knows the hidden secrets, too, but they don't believe they will come to pass. In time, she will learn what is hidden and will fight the council to reverse what they have done. Plus, she will have powerful proof to support her in this feat—what that proof will be is unclear.

Isabella, I know that you are confused right now, and I wish I could tell you what is hidden within, but I cannot. The only advice I can give you is to seek out this prophecy often and trust yourself. New and exciting abilities are about to be sent your way. Oh, and don't let the council assign you a new temporary protector. I trust Charlie has already fought them on this matter. You will understand soon, I promise.

I swallowed. The prophecy added to itself for the first time. I knew it was possibility... but still... and it addressed me directly. There was nothing else added, and I stopped reading. I wondered what new abilities I would have to keep secret. My eyes were growing heavy and a yawn escaped me, but my one of my questions was answered. I would have to go along with the clan's wishes a little longer where my future marriage was concerned. After making a mental note to check the prophecy again when Charlie and I came for the four day break at the end of November, I went to the small cot and fell into a deep slumber, dreaming of Edward and me singing together.

Music filled the air, and I was happy for the first time in months. Edward was standing behind me as we started to sing "Baby it's Cold Outside." He slowly wrapped his arms around me, and I laid my head back against his shoulder, suppressing the urge to sigh. Stepping out of his embrace, I turned slightly to face him when I sang "This evening has been" and just as he sang "Been hoping that you'd drop in" and looked lovingly into his golden eyes.

Facing the audience at the conclusion of the song, I made eye contact with Garret, anger and heartache filled me. I couldn't be in the same room with him any longer. I had to get out of here. "But what about the rest of the show," a part of me asked. "Can you really runaway?"

I knew the answer was a resounding no. I had sucked it up this far, and I had to see this performance through to the end. I lifted the microphone up as a song popped into my head…

I woke with a start to find it was evening.

"What was that?" I asked the room.

The dream was running through my mind on a loop, and it was then I heard my grandmother's soothing voice.

"Isabella, my dear child, you need to write your dream down."

I felt like I was losing my mind. My grandmother has been deceased for two years. "Grandmother, is that you?" I asked the air.

"Yes, my child. Has no one ever told you about the mystery of this library?"

I shook my head as if she were in the room with me.

"Ah, then allow me. Only you and your protector can enter this room, along with the historian. Here you can speak with me face-to-face, though I am with you always."

I jumped when I felt a hand brush my hair. Looking over I saw my grandmother. "Impossible."

"No, Isabella, not impossible. As I said, this room is a mystery. In time, you will learn how much of a mystery. Now you must write down your dream, and here, these books will help you understand your new powers."

A book floated toward me and landed in my lap. Two other books also found a home on my lap.

"You can take them from the library, and when you need them no longer, they will return. Wonderful, yet, confusing times are coming. Trust yourself and talk to those who love you, even me."

Grandmother disappeared, leaving me alone and very bewildered, but I did as she asked. I went over to the desk and pulled out a blank journal and started writing—starting by placing my full name and volume number on the spine and cover. Flipping to the first page, I wrote down my dream, the question that brought me to the library, and the answer I received. I also included what I felt about each. I felt a little less confused after doing so. When I finally set the pen down, my stomach growled.

Once the library was armed, I set off to find something to eat. Delicious smells filled the air as I drew nearer to the great hall. My stomach growled again with the thought of being feed. Entering the hall, I went straight for the raised dais joining my grandfather and his guests. A plate was placed in front of me before I could ever call a maid over, and I dug in. I couldn't remember the last time I was so hungry and paced myself, as not to overeat and make myself sick.

"Ah, Isabella," Grandfather said. "I didn't think we would be seeing you this evening."

The same old ruse; I smiled at grandfather. "You know what they say. The only way to beat jet lag is to go to bed with the natives."

His hearty laughter was joined by the others at the table. I again smiled, feeling at ease with the laughter instead being embarrassed as I would if had it been anyone else.

"Now, gentlemen, I must excuse myself. Many things to take care of before I go to bed, as you should know."

The men nodded, some laughing.

"Isabella, care to walk with me?" he asked, noting that I had finished.

We exited the hall with haste. Haste was the normal pace for my grandfather and for the laird of the keep. "So, did you find what you were looking for?'

"Yes," I answered. "And I need to tell you why I came. Is there a place we can speak without being overheard?" I knew there was but this was all part of the charade he and I had used for years.

He led me to his private study, allowing me to pass before him. Closing the door behind him, he secured it as I magically sealed the room, by circling my finger in the air above my head, to keep someone from overhearing. We both took a seat in front of the silent fireplace; logs had been laid and were ready to be lit, but neither of us moved to do so.

"I've begun to question the council's decision on whom I'm to marry. I believe they have betrayed not only me but the whole clan with their decision."

"Lass, you sound just like your grandmother did the day the decision was made. It went against the very vision she herself had and wrote down. However, your mother was adamant that what was written was wrong and urged the council to arrange the match."

"What exactly is in the prophecy?" I asked, leaning forward.

"I wish I could tell you, but I wasn't told or allowed to read it. What I do know is that you will learn, in time, who you are truly meant to marry and much more. It's a good sign that you're questioning, but why now? I had thought it would still many years before you questioned the council," he said.

I told my grandfather about Edward and the feelings I experienced after meeting him. "There is something about him, Grandfather, drawing me to him. I don't know what is. It feels like I have met him before, and I don't know when I would have."

Grandfather eyed me a moment. "Have you spoken to Charlie about this?" he asked, leaning forward and picking up the pipe he kept in the room. He didn't smoke, but the loved the artistry behind the crafting.

"No," I answered. "I came straight here after Edward dropped me off. But what advice could Charlie give me other than, 'Stay the course, Isabella. Do as the council wishes. Don't go and stir up something that could destroy the clan.' What kind of advice would that be? It goes against the very grain of what was just revealed to me."

"Aye, lass, it does. But see reason in it what you believe Charlie will tell you. Stay the course, for now. Do as the council wishes, for now. Don't go and stir up something that could destroy the clan until you have solid proof that the council is wrong. Talk to Charlie about what you are feeling. He just might surprise you," Grandfather advised.

Sitting back, I thought about what was just said. "When put that way, there is wisdom in the advice, and I will try to talk to him," I said with a glance at my watch. "I best get going. We have spoken for nearly four hours and there is much that I have to do at home before Monday afternoon."

"Aye, Charlie called and told me you're singing again and was named as one of the lead vocals for a cantata. I'm happy for you. He also asked me to arrange for your troupe to come and perform at the embassy next month. Would you like that?"

"It really isn't my decision. If Ms. Brandt tells us we are to perform there, then I'll try"

Grandfather nodded, standing with me. I gave him a hug and a kiss before setting in my mind where I wanted to be and snapped my fingers.