XV. Of Patriots, Blackmail, and Rubber Bands

My first thought was rather sardonic. This was short-lived―nice going, Azmon. And though I was familiar with death, it didn't keep my heartbeat from picking up, pounding against my ribcage; didn't keep the adrenaline from rushing through my veins; sure as hell didn't keep me from thinking, I don't want to die. Not again.

My brain short-circuited when, instead of sinking his teeth into my throat, the towering vampire leaned down with a curious gaze. "Tell me, love," he asked, fanning his cloying breath across my face, "Who's the vampire keeping you around as a pet?"

I gazed up at him, stupefied. As usual, I panicked and blabbed my first thought, "I'm nobody's pet! We're dating."

Laughter rumbled in his chest. A few strands of chin-length, sandy blond hair escaped his hair-tie to frame eager eyes. "I hate to break it to you missy, but I doubt it will be a lasting relationship―you're mouthwatering."

"What's your name?" I blurted out. Keep him talking! Edward, where the fuck are you?! Shit.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he indulged me, "Name's Garrett, miss."

My eyes brightened. "G-Garrett? The same Garrett who fought in the Revolutionary War?" I eagerly asked.

The arm braced against me eased as bewilderment rolled across his face.

My hair fluttered, a small breeze marking a motion too fast for my weak eyes―but I could guess. Chunks of brick scattered with a plumb of dust at Garrett's feet, where Edward had flung him across the alley.

"Oh good, you made it," I gasped, clutching Edward's sleeve and peeking around to watch Garrett shoot back to his feet in a blur and dust himself off.

As soon as he met Edward's gaze, he tilted his head curiously.

"You know my father?" Edward hissed.

"Ah. So you are with Carlisle," Garrett confirmed, "It's been a long time since I've seen eyes like yours…and I certainly haven't seen the likes of such a gift since Aro."

"Then let it be a warning," Edward growled, "Come anywhere near her, and I'll rip you to pieces―friendship with Carlisle be damned."

Garrett held his hands up in a peaceful gesture. "If you can see my thoughts, then you know of my sincerity when I say I was only curious. Even more so now, when she knew who I was, but you didn't."

"Speak with my father, if you must," Edward conceded, "But not her."

"Okay, cool it, Edward," I huffed, ignoring the thundering of my heart and stepping to the side so I could better look at Garrett. "I don't mind talking to Garrett―although this probably isn't the best setting."

Edward shot me a frustrated look. "He's not like my family, Isabella," he seethed.

"Yeah, the eyes kind of gave it away," I said dryly.

"How about you point me in the direction of your father," Garrett offered, hands still up, "And I can get out of your hair."

Edward's face twisted further into a glower. "Northwest," he spat, "A small town called Forks. Don't make a spectacle of yourself."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Garrett chuckled and then jumped up, scaling the building and vanishing over the roof in a flash.

"Fuck," I gasped, sinking to knees, clutching my chest.

"Isabella?! Are you hurt?!" Edward demanded, gripping my arms and slowing my descent.

"No, I'm fine," I squeaked and cleared my throat. "I just nearly died and I need a moment."

Almost reluctantly, Edward admitted, "You didn't." My scowl prompted him to elaborate, "He wasn't lying when he said he was only curious. My scent was all over you―it's what attracted him to you."

"Damn it, Edward, why did you disappear like that?" I glared.

His remorseful gaze simmered me down. "I picked up on his scent―I was trying to track him down before he found us first."

Fat load of good that did. But I didn't voice the thought. Going by his contrite expression, he was probably thinking along the same lines. "Fine, fine," I grumbled and allowed him to help me to my feet, "Let's go before the others freak out about our disappearance."

"Wait, Isabella," Edward frowned, "You can't be serious about speaking to Garrett―he hunts humans. It's not safe."

"I'm aware," I huffed. "But Garrett isn't an unruly newborn. If it's fine with Carlisle, and if Garrett can control himself, then I don't see the issue."

"Even though a moment ago you thought he nearly killed you?" Edward reminded me, expression dark.

"Thought. Turns out I was wrong. But I can't say the same for you, can I?" I pointed out, vividly recalling out the first day I'd seen him.

Edward recoiled and guilt churned in my gut.

"Let's go," I muttered, turning my back to him and stalking off.

I could only imagine the kind of attention Edward and I would attract if our current frustration with each other became public knowledge. As soon as we were in the vicinity of our classmates again, I slipped my hand into Edward's and eased my expression into something softer. I didn't look to see if Edward did something similar and instead casually browsed through clothing selections until the chaperones rounded us back up and herded us back to the buses.

Without prompting, Edward handed me my mp3 player as we settled into our bus seats.

"Thanks," I said, unwinding the earbuds, sticking one in and offering him the other one.

His expression softened and he accepted it, nudging it into his ear, before pulling me close. I settled against him and scrolled through the available songs, not really seeing them.

I couldn't blame Edward for flipping out―if Garrett hadn't been so curious, I definitely would've been dead. At the same time, I didn't know what he expected. If we were going to be involved, he couldn't just hide me away every time a friend or relative showed up to town.

Then again...our relationship has an expiration date. What's the point of forcing the issue? The thought made me incredibly sad. Was Edward worth giving up my humanity? I didn't know, but Edward's opinion was clear, and I wasn't sure I wanted to fight it.

Ultimately, I settled on playing something softer. The acoustic music quietly thrummed in my ear and I relaxed. At some point Edward began fiddling with my hair, until he finally asked, "What are you thinking?"

I glanced towards him from my peripherals. "Uncertainties," I answered vaguely. Edward brooded enough as it was―voicing my thoughts would do nothing but enable him. "What are you thinking about?" I think that was the first time I'd ever asked that question. I always figured he was filled with questions, and doubts, and a lot of angst, but I guess that was a little unfair. Edward was more than just his problems.

"I was thinking of you," he confessed, gently tugging at my hair, "I find that nowadays, I always am."

My chest burned with a storm of emotions I couldn't quite pin down―but if he hadn't been holding me, I was sure I would have floated away.

I cleared my throat.

In the quietest voice I could manage, I confided, "I think about you too. Ever since Azmon showed me the truth, you've kept me grounded. I know it's not fair to you, but thank you―for keeping me steady."

Edward absorbed my words for a quiet moment, and then ventured, "Do you think you'll ever tell me what happened to you?" He wasn't demanding, merely curious and a little sad.

But I struggled with thinking about that memory too deeply. The thought of saying the words aloud lodged a lump in my throat so large, it left me struggling for breath.

I shook my head and eventually managed to answer in a hoarse whisper, "Maybe."

Edward hummed in acknowledgement.

We drifted into a comfortable silence and I struggled not to fall asleep. Unlike this morning, I wasn't on the brink of exhaustion. The thought of choking awake in front of my classmates made me want to shrivel up in humiliation.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked when I fidgeted for the umpteenth time.

"I don't want to fall asleep," I admitted, rubbing at my drowsy eyes. I reluctantly sat up and blinked rapidly in an attempt to rouse myself. "Talk with me? Otherwise I'll doze off," I grumbled, taking Edward's hand and pressing the pads of his fingers against my eyelids. The cool temperature soothed my burning eyes.

"Better?" Edward chuckled with an entertained grin.

"Yes, thanks," I said, but kept his frigid palm pressed against my cheek.

"What do you want to talk about?" he indulged me.

I settled against my seat, holding his hand up until the side of my face became numb. "Tell me another question on your list," I requested, curious as to whether I'd be willing to answer it or not.

"Do you...happen to have any blackmail on my brothers?" Edward's grin was cheeky.

I snorted, settling our hands in my lap. "Wow, okay, I see where your priorities lay," I laughed, fidgeting with his fingers as I wracked my brain for any incriminating information on Jasper and Emmett. "I got nothing," I shrugged, "I only know their pasts and how they joined the family. Sorry."

"It was worth a shot," he chuckled. "Nothing about me, I hope?"

I snickered. "Nah. I only know about that little fling with Tanya."

Edward balked. "What? Isabella, there was no―" He cut himself short as soon as he met my amused gaze. "You're taunting me."

I pressed a palm to my mouth, muffling a gasp. "Edward! I would never!" I sniffed, tilting my head up in a haughty manner.

He tugged at my hair. "Of course not. You're incapable of such rotten behavior. Will you forgive me?"

I peeked at Edward through my peripherals―a mistake on my part. His charming smile was breathtaking. I swiftly turned back, though I'm sure he'd already noticed my flushed cheeks. "Very well," I heaved a reluctant sigh, "I accept your apology."

"You're too kind," he murmured, cold lips pressed against the top of my head.

"No," I clarified, "I just can't hold a grudge to save my life."

Edward hummed, peering down at me while I pinned his cold fingers to my tired eyes again. "Should I be relieved?"

"Probably," I chortled, "My mom―"

Edward gently tugged away his hand from where I had it pressed against my face, attempting to meet my eyes. "You don't like to talk about your mom?"

I shook my head, lips pressed into a thin line, keeping my gaze cast aside.

Edward didn't know Renée wasn't my mom―and I didn't want to pretend she was.

"Alright. Then, let's talk about my mom instead," he suggested, wrapping his fingers around my own. "Did you know about the time she hosed Emmett and I down, firefighter style?"

My head shot up. "What?" I snorted. Sweet and kind Esme? No way!

Somehow, Edward managed to distract me through the long drive, whispering funny little anecdotes about his family into my ear. It was difficult keeping my laughter muffled. And for a short while, I pretended I belonged here―that this was all somehow meant for me.

Charlie and I had a late dinner of pizza on the couch, the flat screen bright in the dim lighting―spring training had just begun.

I was chewing on a bite when it occurred to me that Charlie had no knowledge of Edward―in such a small town, I would've assumed he'd heard by now. Well, there's no time like the present. I swallowed and said, "Hey, chief? Quick update. I have a boyfriend."

"Hm? That's nice, Bells―wait. Hold it, missy," he spluttered, setting his beer down on the coffee table and dismissing the game. "Since when?!"

"Uh, since yesterday?" I shrugged, setting the paper plate back on my lap. "I fell asleep before you came home last night, so I didn't get a chance to bring it up then."

I was trying my hardest not to make it a big deal. As much as I understood Charlie's plight as a father, he wasn't my dad. And even if he didn't know it, I was an adult.

"Is it that Edwin kid you mentioned before?" he groused.

"The very one," I confirmed and snickered, "His name's actually Edward."

"Last name?"

"Cullen."

He shot up and twisted in his seat, facing me as he fumed, "Edward Cullen?! Isn't he too old for you?"

Probably. But unlike him, I matured to the age of twenty-five, so am I too old for him? Semantics. Instead, I rolled my eyes and explained, "No, you're thinking of Emmett, his older brother. Edward's the younger one."

"Oh," Charlie deflated, "When are you going to introduce him?" He sounded resigned.

Probably the best I could expect. I patted his shoulder sympathetically, "Whenever you'd like. I'll even let you have the boyfriend talk with him if it bothers you so much." Edward was bulletproof―he'd be fine. I stood up and began to stack up our trash of plates, napkins, and pizza boxes.

"How generous of you, Bells," Charlie grumbled and hoisted himself to his feet. "Go on up. I can throw this out."

"Thanks, chief! Night!" I cheered and bounded over to the stairs.

Fortunately, field trip day meant no homework. I was exhausted, which I was hoping would translate to a full night's sleep.

Of course, I couldn't be so lucky.

It was around three in the morning when I woke up with a strangled gasp. Clutching at my sheets, I heaved myself up, coughing and spluttering, chest heaving desperately. I gulped for air frantically, sobbing in relief.

"Fuck this," I cursed, collapsing back into my tangle of sheets, palms scrubbing my face dry.

A small ping rang from my new phone. I tossed a hand out, blindly striking my nightstand until I grappled the small device. I flipped it open and squinted at the bright screen until I could make out a text from Edward.

Are you alright?

I frowned. Wasn't Alice supposed to be in Mississippi? How did he know? A second text appeared.

Alice called.

I rubbed away the spots in my vision and sat up. It took me a minute to remember how to type on the number keypad, and even when I did, I struggled.

I'm fine. Just a nightmare.

Although I suspected that Edward had used Alice as an excuse to get me a cellphone, I was kind of glad now. If he'd popped up by my window, I would've either died of a heart attack or killed him.

I'm speaking with Carlisle about getting you sleeping medication. Do you have any allergies?

I was ready to send a quick 'no,' until I realized―this wasn't my body. Damn it.

My reply was a bit embarrassing.

No idea.

Carlisle is amenable to doing a scratch test.

I shifted on my bed until I was comfortably leaning against the headboard.

It's fine. I can just ask Charlie in the morning.

That one took a lot longer to type out, but I was starting to get the hang of it. It was no wonder textspeak had become so popular!

Would you like me to come over?

I stared at the screen, chewing on the inside of my cheek. I'd been around Edward so much the past few days, I was surprised I hadn't tired of his constant presence. But I wanted him to show up―to feel safe.

I didn't tell him that.

No, it's okay. I'm working on a project.

His answer was near instant.

Project?

I smiled.

If you pick me up for school, I'll tell you about it.

I flipped the phone close with a satisfying snap and set it back on the nightstand. I was tempted to take a shower, but didn't want to wake Charlie up, so instead I washed my face, scrubbing away the tear residue, and brushed the tangles out of my hair.

Once I was back in my room, I settled onto the bed with my legs crossed and closed my eyes.

In the books, Bella had likened her mental shield to a rubber band. Supposedly, I should be able to take it and stretch it, until it encompassed anyone I deemed fit. Of course, this was only theory. Putting this into practice was awkward and made me feel silly.

But also, I'm pretty sure my brain wasn't supposed to do that.

I'm not sure how long I spent furrowing my brow in a physical attempt to push against the shield enclosing my mind, but it was long enough to ensue a small headache. And then, I seemingly stumbled into a wall―obviously, not a literal wall, but one that felt quite solid around my brain.

As soon as I came across it, I eagerly nudged it. Nothing. So, I shoved against it with more force. No dice. I rammed into it with all the mental capacity I possessed. Not a single dent.

Who the hell do you think are? The Great Wall of China?! As if!

Not surprisingly, insults were just as ineffective.

I collapsed back into my bed in a tangle of limbs, exhausted. Briefly, I wondered if I was wasting my time. Perhaps, it was impossible without the venom to augment the gift.

I pursed my lips and rubbed my fingers against my aching temple. "No way. I can totally do this," I groused. "Your not the fuckin' Great Wall of China. You're a dumb rubber band. You hear that, mental shield, you're a rubber band."

I huffed. Talking to a shield―maybe I'm finally going off the deep end.

I moped for a while longer, suffering under the weight of my failure―but mainly just impaired by the acute pounding in my head. I didn't realize how much time had passed until I heard the crashing spray of the shower down the hall. I sat up in surprise.

Knowing Charlie wouldn't take very long, I dragged myself out of bed once more, grabbed Bella's toiletry bag, and dug around the closet, picking out my clothes for the day.

As usual, Charlie took about ten minutes in the shower.

"Morning, chief," I greeted him around a wide yawn

"Are you alright, Isabella? You keep waking up earlier and earlier…" He eyed me with concern.

You've no idea. I waved him off. "I love my morning showers," I chirped. And then, before I could lock myself in the bathroom, I called, "Wait, chief! Before you go, you know if I've got any allergies?"

A/N: There, no cliffhanger this time! Are y'all happy? xD Anyway, Garrett shall be making his return in a few chapters. He's not just here for shits and giggles. I do need him in Forks for a reason. Any guesses? x)

Also, if you haven't seen it, I published a companion story to this one called The Sea in Between which consists of spinoffs for A Body of Water and Bones. Just wanted to announce it on here in case anyone was interested!

Next chapter, y'all can expect some Rosalie, more Jessica, and a secret letter. Thanks for reading! :D