A/N Heeeeeey guys! I'm soooo sorry, I know it's been forever since I last updated but I swear I had my reasons: AP testing and finals fried my brain. I really truly am sorry for making you wait, but here I bring you the latest chapter. Hope you like it.
Chapter 22
Their jaws became unhinged; I stared at the guys sitting on the couch, immobile. It was the first time I'd seen Emmett stay still and quiet for more than 2 minutes. It was really rather comical, seeing Jasper, a cool headed guy, seem flabbergasted. Edward walked to my side wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Well aren't you going to say anything? What happened to telling the new leader off, and kicking him out and what not?" I asked smiling.
"Holy crap!" Emmett gasped. I blinked, and Edward was on the floor with Alice on top of him.
"Sheesh cuz, how come you're not this good on the field huh?" Edward laughed shaking Alice with him.
She clung to his neck, sobbing. He rubbed her back soothingly. "Edward!" Rosalie snapped out of her trance and joined Alice on top of the pinned down Edward.
"Cuz!" Emmett joined. He was probably crushing Alice and Rose. I winced imagining being in Edward's place.
"Not going to join the party, Jasper?" Edward asked, muffled through Emmett's thick body.
"Aren't you already carrying too much weight?" He calmly asked.
"Yeah, but who cares?! I missed you guys! Come on!" He urged. Jasper chuckled, slowly and carefully laid on top of Emmett, and grasped onto Edward's hand.
"Nice to have you back, man. We missed you." He stated softly.
"Same here." Edward chuckled.
I grabbed my phone, and snapped a couple of pictures, feeling happy and complete. They were so adorable.
"I hate to be that guy, but we have some things to talk about. Urgently." Edward spoke after five minutes of lying on the ground. "Also, blood has stopped circulating to most of my body." He added. Everybody piled off, returned to their seat, and sat down listening attentively.
I went to sit on the counter, reaching over for my coffee, waiting for him to enlighten us on what the hell happened over the course of the past three months. I blew on the still hot drink and ignored Alice's glare. I simply crossed my legs and intently listened.
"Okay, so first let's just have a quick walk-through, making sure what I have in here," he tapped the side of his head, "didn't get messed up in the flood." Edward started off.
"Wait, what flood?" Emmett asked, expressing the confusion in the eyes of the others.
"Why don't I explain how you got here in the first place, and then you can tell us your side of the story?" I suggested.
Edward nodded okay, taking a seat in a chair at the table.
"I had just woken up, realizing what you guys did after reading Jasper's note," they adverted their eyes from me. "Then I heard a creak in the living room. I thought he was here to finish me off, or to steal from me. Either way I wasn't going to let that happen, so I came down with a gun and knife-"
"Wait," Rose interrupted, "you planned on using a gun? What were you trying to do? Kill yourself?" She chastised.
"I wasn't going to shoot. I just wanted to scare him." I mumbled sheepishly. "Anyway, I get down here, and he attacks me-"
"Woah, woah, attacked you? Who flung the knife at me?!" Edward interrupted me.
"Whose side of the story is this?! Mine or yours?!" I retorted. He rested his head on his hand, and grumbled. "Like I was saying," I glared at him, "he attacked me. Then after a quick stand-off, we both dropped our guns. I did have my blade with me and threw it at him, but I missed on purpose! I'd like to point that out, I wasn't actually going to hurt him. I just needed to get to the lights, so I could see my intruder."
"That wouldn't be necessary had you gotten the clap on lights." Alice pointed out.
"Do you want to hear the rest of the story or not!?" I asked irritated. She looked down sheepishly. I cleared my throat and continued, "We struggled on the ground for a bit, then I finally turned on the lights. When I realized who he was, I just about passed out. Then he asked me who he was, and I knew the reason he was gone for so long was because he didn't know he was gone. He had lost his memory. After a bit of talking, it seems that his amnesia retracted. I'm still not sure how much he restored, but he's got the basics down." I finished, sipping my coffee.
"Now, you can tell us what happened." I answered pointedly at Edward.
He smiled, then his expression hardened. "I think I've been working with the Donovan clan all these months."
"What?!" We all shouted in unison.
"Yeah, hold on let me explain. They sent me to mess up the wiring of a building downtown, and if I remember that building is HQ." He explained.
"Hey, wait, that was you?!" Rose asked angrily.
"Calm down Rosie, he didn't know." Emmett tried to soothe her.
"Sorry about that by the way," Edward nodded guiltily, "but anyway, while I was there, they told me that I was in an accident; and that I had been working with them since you guys had murdered my parents—leaving me an orphan."
"What?! How could they?!" We all shouted in a unified angry outburst.
"I knew something was wrong from their story but didn't ask them because I didn't trust them, and for a good reason too. Now that most of my memory is back, you won't believe who the Donovan clan consists of." He continued.
"What we know of them?" I asked confused.
"Worse," he shook his head, "you know them."
We all blinked in unison, it was silent like the moment before the wave's crash.
"What do you mean we know them?" Jasper asked leaning forward.
"I mean we have a mole within our agency," he elaborated, "actually its more than one."
"What? Who?!" I questioned. Although I had a pretty good idea as to who one of them was, call me biased but I knew all along she was no good.
"Aro Volturri." He said. Wait, what?
"What? Are you sure?" Jasper asked him. Edward nodded solemnly.
"Positive, I spoke with him, and that's when part of my memories started appearing. I recognized him, and knew he was a traitor."
"Aro is one of the heads here right? Like the second in command or what not." I asked trying to get my bearings.
"Yeah, an advisor to Carlisle. That son of a bitch." Emmett mumbled.
"But why would he be working with the Donovan clan?" Alice asked.
"I think I know why." I mumbled.
Edward's head whipped in my direction. "What, how?"
I closed my eyes, resting my head in my hands, "The memory is...faint. But it's still there." I began my bedtime story, "When I was growing up with Nana, I never met anybody, other than the few friends I had at school, and some of our neighbors. 99.9% of the population were strangers. But I vaguely remember the one day a stranger was in our home, and the reason I still remember it was because no one ever entered our house. We went everywhere, but no one ever came in. It was like Nana was trying to keep me a secret. I guess that makes sense now, but that one day, I was about 6. I had come home from school. There was a man arguing furiously with my grandmother. I can't remember about what, but they stopped when I walked in. My Nana told me to go to my room, before I could the man kneeled I'm front of me. His eyes were such a deep maroon, they almost looked blood red." I could still feel the fear I felt when the man was a few inches away.
"He studied me for a minute or so, starting to get frustrated, I crossed my arms and stomped over to my grandmother's side. If I could remember anything he said at all, it was, 'She has her mother's spirit, I can tell; too bad she looks like her father.' Then he left, that was the only time he came. Once he was gone, I had asked Nana who he was. She responded by telling me that he was a bad man who said he came here with a message from my mother. I thought she was talking about those psychic people, you know who say that they can talk to the dead but just scam you." I opened my eyes to look at my closest friends.
"I guess this means Nana knew my mother was alive and never told me." I sighed and hugged myself. What else had she been hiding from me? I silently wondered. "Anyway getting to the point, when I was held captive in Arizona, Renee said she was approached by some people who were seeking revenge against the agency as well. If that man was Aro, then he was the one who approached Renee, and helped her get away." My mind started running so many theories, and no way to prove them.
"Okay but why would Aro want revenge?" Rosalie asked.
"Oh right," my mind snapped back to the present, "because long ago, Carlisle killed his father." I concluded.
"Uh, no, he didn't." Edward stated.
"Yes, well that's what Aro believes anyway. You see Aro's mother was an agent, but nobody ever knew about his father: who he was, where they met, or what happened in general. But if you listen carefully, sometimes the wind blows and tells the story of a young woman who fell in love with a married man. That woman ended up pregnant, and hid the whole thing." I stated dramatically.
"Why hide it?" Alice wondered.
"Because Aro wasn't the only result of the affair." Edward mumbled. I looked at him, he had his eyebrows knit together, I could see the wheels spinning in his head. "So you just found out the love of your life is your number one enemy, what do you do? Hide it and forget it right? But you see when I was over in their headquarters, there were two other brothers. One older than Aro by a couple of years, and one younger by at least 2 years. My guess is that the relationship went on much longer than anybody could ever have guessed. She had Marcus, the oldest, but she left him with the dad. Then years passed and she got pregnant with Aro, this time unable to hide it. She played it off as the side effect of an affair. She knew she couldn't tell them she was in love with one of the most wanted criminals. She kept Aro, but continued with the relationship, and had Caius. He, too, remained with the father, then the years passed, Aro's father dies, shortly after his mother dies, and Aro believing it was all Carlisle's fault, wants revenge and being part of the agency knows what happened with Renee, seeks her out. Then they plan everything out." He finished, taking in a deep breath.
"Okay, so Aro. You said it was more than one, who else is it?" Rosalie asked.
He sighed, "Tanya." He mumbled.
"I KNEW IT!" I blurted out. Edward gave me a look, like I was being childish. "I mean what? That's impossible! She would never do that!" I mocked. Okay maybe I was being a little childish, but still I know when I'm right, and I was right. I probably should have been very upset at the moment. You know with the whole lying to my face thing, but I was rather relieved. At least now I knew for sure something was wrong, and I wasn't going paranoid.
"So what are we going to do?" Jasper asked leaning forward. Already ready to take orders from his leader.
"Aro is supposedly on a trip and won't be back until tomorrow, but Tanya is supposed to return this evening along with the rest of us." Alice chipped in.
"Oh crap! That's right! I'm so sorry guys, you're supposed to be resting right now. You're probably exhausted. Go, get some rest. We'll figure out what to do and fill you in later." I apologized.
"Whoa, no way! I'm not leaving!"
"Are you crazy?!"
"I'm not going anywhere!" The angry protests began.
"Guys, you need to rest. I'll still be here when you get back." Edward assured them.
"That's what you said last time!" Alice pouted, "Besides I couldn't possibly rest now!"
"Alice." I frowned disapprovingly.
"She's right though; we can't leave now." Jasper agreed
"Alright. How about we do this," I raised my hands in defeat, "you guys can have my bed and sleep in my room. Meanwhile, I'll cook something, and think of what to do next. Deal?"
"Deal." They agreed. I nodded and they slowly got up, and climbed the steps.
Edward stood up and walked over to me, "So," I cleared my throat, running my hands through his hair, he closed his eyes enjoying it. "What exactly did they tell you over there, about who you were?"
"Can we just let it go? Let's focus on right now." He answered burying his face in the side of my neck.
"Edward." I pleaded.
He sighed, taking his face out of its hiding place, "I was Mason Anthony, their best agent. An orphan thanks to you guys, mortal enemies with just about everybody they didn't like, and...yeah." He stopped his rambling abruptly.
"And what?" I prompted. He looked down avoiding my gaze, "I was Tanya's boyfriend." He mumbled.
My body froze, "What was that?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"Bella." He pleaded not to repeat it.
"She...she was your girlfriend?" I spat. My jaw locked, and I shoved Edward away. I jumped down from the counter and stalked over to where gun was lying on the table. "That bitch." I muttered.
"Whoa! Easy there." Edward grabbed me around the waist before I could reach it.
"Edward let me go." I fought against him. He wrapped both arms around me and brought me down to the floor, pinning me down.
"Bella, you can't even shoot." He protested.
"Fine." I huffed. He eyed me warily, then loosened his grip. I crawled out from under him and headed for where the knife was still sticking out of the wall. He tackled me once more once he realized where I was headed.
"Bella, there's a more rational approach to this."
"Rational my ass! She had the nerve to smile at my face when she was over there with you the whole time!" I growled. "I'm going to carve that same smile into her face, see if she's so happy then! Now let me go!" I wiggled against his grip.
"Bella, it doesn't matter. I'm with you now." He kissed my neck. I stopped fighting. My body immediately relaxed. I hated him for doing this to me; it wasn't fair.
"What exactly...happened between you two over there?" I asked, apparently I wasn't done torturing myself.
"Nothing." He promised. "She tried to get close to me, saying like how we were, but I never felt comfortable around her, so I evaded her whenever I could."
I looked away, unable to look into his huge green eyes. He nuzzled my neck. I sighed, completely letting go of my anger. He let me go.I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his neck.
...
"Are you sure of what you're going to do?" Emmett asked with a mouth full chicken.
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Rose smacked him in the back of the head.
I chuckled, "Yes, I don't necessarily like it, but I know what I have to do." I sighed poking at my mashed potatoes. It was nearing 6 o'clock, and we had to be at the office by 6:30. I couldn't help but feel anxious. If I screw up, the enemy could know we were on to them.
"I don't like it either. I say we throw her in the basement and beat the information out of her." Alice offered. I nodded, stabbing my fork in her direction.
"See now that sounds like an effective plan." I agreed.
"But we're going with the one we have," Edward stated. I rolled my eyes, focusing back on my food.
"Do you know why they wanted Stephanie, or Seth?" Jasper asked, all our eyes turned to Edward.
"I don't know, they never really gave you a motive, just a mission. But I do know that Seth had something in his car that they wanted." He answered.
Something in Seth's car, what on earth did Seth have in his car? "Can you be more specific as to what they wanted from Seth's car?"
Edward frowned pensively, "I think they wanted to use it to get to a certain destination. I guess they figured if they arrived in the car of an agent, things would be less suspicious, but also they needed the GPS coordinates programmed into the car." He paused, "Where was Seth headed?" He asked, cocking his head.
"To his mom's." Alice answered. I looked at her, my thoughts racing.
"No, Tanya said that he was delivering a package to a head of CSIS?" Edward shook his head confused. Without having time to react, my fork dropped from my hand, clattering to my plate.
"Bella?" Edward asked alarmed. My hand shook. I placed it in my lap, hoping to calm down, hoping I was wrong.
"I...I spoke with Seth before we had left for the ball. He told me he would like to check up on his mom. I said fine, he could go as soon as we came back from this. But I asked him for a favor, I needed something to get dropped off where my dad was staying. Seth was on his way to deliver that." I wronged my hands together, Renee wouldn't dare hurt Charlie. Would she?
"I don't understand. Tanya and Aro both know where Charlie lives. They wouldn't need to get the location from anybody." Jasper pointed out.
I pushed away my plate, resting my arms on the table. "I know, but even though Charlie is temporarily living in his residence in Forks, he's not there at the moment. Only a select few know where he is. You see in two days it will be March 27th." I grabbed a strand of my hair, tugging and playing with it.
"Oooooh." The Cullens all answered in unison.
"Are we missing something?" Rose stared at them confused.
"Don't you guys remember? March 27th is the anniversary of the agency." Alice informed them.
"Oh right," Jasper caught on, "and that's also when all the heads of our different sections meet up—make decisions for the upcoming year."
"Right," I answered, "so Charlie has spent this whole week at the location of this year's meeting, preparing for the incoming guests-"
"What guests?" Rose interrupted.
"Usually, at these meetings, some important people of the world—you know government officials, ambassadors and what not, show up. They're there to catch us up on anything we may missed in the reports we receive. The latest threats, attacks, and anything else we need to know for the year." Edward explained.
"And Aro doesn't know where this meeting is happening? I thought he was one of the leaders? Shouldn't he attend?" Rose asked.
"Aro is only an advisor. He does have high status, but Charlie is the second in command. So only he and Dad are the ones attending from the Seattle section." Emmett explained.
"Well mom too, but that's because the meetings would be disastrous were she not there to calm things down when the arguments start." Alice added.
"Wait, so then how do you know where it is?" Rose asked what I hope nobody would notice.
"Because I've been invited to attend." I mumbled.
"What?" They all asked.
"Some of the leaders have been starting to ask more frequently about me, they're both curious and concerned. I've climbed up rather quickly, so Carlisle asked me to attend—to show my abilities, show them I belong here. So tomorrow night, I'm supposed to leave for the meeting place." I paused biting my lip.
"So you're invited to a top secret meeting and you reveal the location to someone?" Emmett questioned me, my eyes snapped in his direction.
"No! I'd never do that, Seth is my company. I don't know what it is exactly, but I heard he was getting a promotion. So we were supposed to leave together, then he asked if he could leave earlier to check on his mom, then meet up with me at the meeting. I agreed, gave him some reports Charlie asked for, and told him where to meet him." I defended. "Back to the problem at hand, if they find out where that meeting will take place, they can wipe out not just CSIS leaders, but country leaders as well. The world would break into chaos. Foreign ambassadors, dignitaries, and political leaders assassinated on American soil? It would start World War Three!"
"And that's why we have to make sure they don't find out where they are. Who else knows the location?" Edward asked.
"No one, Seth should be there by now. I'm still here. Charlie is over there. Carlisle and Esme are the only ones left." I counted off.
"We should make sure Seth actually made it." Rose suggested.
I nodded pulling out my phone, I dialed Seth's number, then put the phone on speaker. The phone vibrated slightly in my hand as it rang, I bit my lip anxious. Had I jeopardized the entire thing for being so careless?
"Hello?" Seth's voice rang from the speaker, a huge breath of relief escaped my mouth.
"Seth are you alright?!" I asked louder than intended.
"Yeah, I guess you heard about what happened to me, huh?" I looked at Edward, "Yeah." I answered.
"I'm at my mom's. I called Charlie and asked him to come here, that way if anyone was following me, I won't lead them to the conference. Just tell me when you're on your way so I can head over."
I sighed in relief, "Alright, I'll see you later." He hung up and I stared at my dark screen, realizing how close I was to losing my father...again.
"Alright, well, that's done. We need to move. We can't let them figure out where that conference is. We have to get to the Volturri before they find out where it is taking place." Edward got us back on track. He slipped into his role as leader so smoothly, he was made for this. It was like he never left.
We all nodded, "Everybody knows what they're doing?" Edward asked.
We all nodded again, "Then let's go." He ordered. The sound of chairs scrapping against the floor rang as we all stood to leave. I ran upstairs to change into something more decent, then after grabbing my jacket, made my way to the door with the rest of them.
As we filed out, someone grabbed my arm. I turned to look into Edwards eyes. "Be careful." He pleaded. I bit my lip, nodding slowly. Nobody wanted to stay as much as I did. I never wanted him out of my sight again, and here I was walking away.
Impulsively, we both pulled ourselves into each other at the same time. Our lips collided, it was only a few seconds, but everything that needed to be said was felt in those few seconds. I sighed as we pulled apart, "Okay." I whispered.
"Okay." He whispered, with a quick peck on the forehead, he let go; and I left.
I watched her walk away. My heart sinking deeper with her every step. I ran my hands through my hair. I stared at the keys in the bowl next the door, contemplating on using them. I sighed and grabbed them. It was a small ring with 2 keys on it. I opened the door, stepped out, and turned to the right. The door was locked, I slid the key into the knob, twisted it and opened the door after the click.
Inside was my apartment, although you couldn't tell it was mine. The walls were all white, few if no decorations hung on the white walls. There wasn't any pictures on the coffee tables or along the walls. The place looked pretty much uninhabited, even while I was here. The only thing that linked me to the place was the big black piano in the middle of the room; it was grand.
It was pretty much the only thing I had gotten from my parents. Other than leaving behind a pair of shoes that are impossible to fill, and the family riches. They had left me my mother's grand piano. I studied and practiced the heck out of that thing. I vowed I would play a piece so perfect and beautiful, that my mother would smile down at me. It made me feel closer to her, like we had something in common.
I walked over, lifted the cover on the keys, and lightly ran my fingertips across the keys. I sat down on the bench, closed my eyes, and let my hands do the rest. The light sounds floated out of the piano into the air. I felt myself smile. I recognized the soft melody. Yiruma's River Floats In You filled the room, after a few minutes, the song was coming to an end. I played the last few notes, but before I had struck the last note with my right hand. My left started a new melody. One I had never heard before, but it reminded me of Bella. It was simple and elegant. It was graceful and beautiful. I kept going, developing the lullaby as I went.
By the end I was smiling ear to ear, the last notes were struck, and it was done. I opened my eyes and looked out the window. It was still raining, but I didn't mind. At least the city was being cleaned.
I got up and walked into my bedroom, my bed was made, not a wrinkle in view. Next to my bed was the night stand were two frames stood. One of them had three sections, one of my parents, another of Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, and Alice, and the third section of Rose and Jasper. The second frame held a picture of Bella, she was lying down on a blanket. It was from a picnic we had on New Year's Eve. Who wants to watch the ball drop when you could watch her smile?
I went to shower and change into some of my own clothes. The feeling was odd, as I put on my old leather jacket I felt a small tug in my stomach. The jacket itself meant little to me. It just was one of my favorites. I've had it for a long time, so why on earth would I get sentimental putting on a piece of clothing? I was positive I had gone crazy, the hit to the head was harder than I had initially thought.
I shook my head hoping to clear my thoughts, staring at myself in the mirror. I caught a flash in the top left corner. I whipped around in time to see the lightning strike again. Oh perfect, a storm.
Rain pounded against the large windows, creating a steady rhythm, then the smallest of irregularities in the rhythm alerted me, a small click, like that of a lock, echoed through the silent room. With stealth speed, I pressed myself against the wall. Gun out and at the ready. Slowly, the door to my bedroom opened, I pressed myself further into the wall, to the point where it looked like I wanted to be part of the wall.
The intruder finished opening the door. As soon as I saw a figure, before they could step into the room, I whacked them in the throat with the blunt end of my gun, knocking the wind and words out of them. They staggered, grasping at their throat that was slowly suffocating them. Before they could recover, I grabbed their shoulder, spun them around so that their back was pressed to my chest, and held them in a head lock.
My gun was pointed out in front of me, at the second figure in the living room. I walked out of the room, pushing my hostage in front of me.
"I told them you'd be here." A female voice answered.
"Athenodora." I growled.
"Mas-Edward." She smiled. The guy in my hold struggled, I tightened my hold, and he stopped.
"Yes, I suppose you've figured out I know who I am now." I cocked my gun taking a couple steps forward. "So tell me what brings you here. Were you here to kill me, Aro would have sent an army."
She laughed softly, "Why on earth would we want to kill you?"
"I don't know, because you've already tried and failed once?"
"Well, lucky for you we found a bigger pain in our ass. You're girlfriend, Bella, I believe, she's proved to be a bit harder to sustain."
"You mean manipulate and control." I snapped.
"Potatoe, potato" she waved it off, "Renee underestimated the girl's capabilities. She's managed to take down a couple of our biggest warehouses, killed many of our fellow colleagues, and now she knows our identities. She left, what an hour and a half ago? And already she has every agent destroying and ransacking our homes. Those who could get away have, and those who couldn't- well they've had a good run, and if they know what's good for them they'll keep quiet."
Wow, she worked faster than I remembered, "That still doesn't answer why you're here." I stated griping the guy's neck tighter.
"Yes, even though we may have not been prepared for her abilities. There still is one thing that makes her completely predictable, therefore making her vulnerable, her weakness." I arched an eyebrow, not fully understanding at what she was getting at.
"You." She stated. "She will do anything to keep what she's already lost once, even if it means giving up everything she's worked for." My eyes widen and my heart sank knowing there was truth in her words. She was willing to do anything to keep her family safe, but they don't know just how far she would go.
Within that second that I was distracted, he took the chance to escape. He jabbed his elbow into my side, escaping my grip. I doubled over, grabbing at my side. He ran away, while Athenodora ran at me. I quickly regained my balance, swung my arm out and fired. She dropped to the floor, without thinking about it I ducked and rolled, coming out into a crouch and fired at the other guy. He, too, dropped. I stood up. I had to get to Bella.
A loud thud came from my door, it lurched forward a bit. I turned and ran in the opposite direction, into my room and out into the balcony. The rain poured down on me. I had to get out of here. I leaned over the edge looking down, there was a balcony 10 feet below my own. I heard a crunch as the main door gave way, and the sound of people piling in, pushed me over the edge. I gripped on tight to the edge, dangling at least 80 feet in the air. Carefully, I swung forward and let go of the rail. I landed with a big thud in the center of the balcony. Time was precious and limited.
I opened the door and went inside, quickly exiting the empty apartment. I made way for the stairs. Once I started running down the stairs, I was thankful for my training, otherwise I would have tripped and rolled 7 flights of stairs to my death. I flew down the stairs, my legs nimble and graceful.
Finally reaching the bottom, I burst into the garage, running for my car and peeling the hell out of there. I dialed her number while swerving around a corner.
"Pick up, pick up" I mumbled. With each ring of the dialer, I became more agitated. Then it stopped, she had picked up.
"Bella! Bella where are you? Listen to me you have to comeback, they're waiting for you!" I shouted before she could answer. The line was silent; I sped up heading for the highway.
"Well, nice to hear from you again Edward." Renee answered calmly.
I slammed down on the accelerator.
A/N Soooooooo? How was it? I hope it makes up for the wait, thanks for reading and let me know what you thought.