XIX. Mama Just Killed a Man

It was Garrett who turned the odds in our favor. With Alice and Jasper in Biloxi, and Esme and Carlisle still nowhere in sight, Emmett, Rosalie, and Garrett were able to take on the nomads. Emmett tore across the field before anyone could say a word, bulldozing right into James' smaller figure.

"James!" Victoria shrieked, but was tossed down by Rosalie before she could come to his rescue.

Laurent, the coward, held his hands up in a placating gesture. But Garrett's friendly demeanor was nowhere in sight. The two danced over the terrain in a blur, fists swinging, teeth bared, and snarls resounding throughout the field.

In a split second, Edward leaped back, avoiding a mangled limb tearing through the grass, launched from the direction of Emmett and James.

"Isabella, hold on," Edward hissed, flashing back towards the forest behind us. Quicker than my eyes could keep track of, he jumped up and ripped branch after branch from the surrounding trees, before dropping down and racing back, dumping the pile where James' arm was dragging itself through the dirt. He arranged the branches in time for Carlisle and Esme to arrive.

On the other side of the field, Victoria evaded Rosalie's grasp. "She's getting away," I seethed. I swear, if I have to deal with a damn newborn army―

"I don't think so," Edward snarled, unlocking my arms and tossing me into Carlisle's grasp before he blazed through the field, cutting across Victoria's path.

Beside us, Esme hissed, "Take care of her, Carlisle." And then, she also became a blur, until she reappeared beside Garrett and ganged up on Laurent.

"Go to her," I said when I caught Carlisle's conflicted gaze.

"No. You're our priority," he immediately assured me, gently setting me down onto the grass. "Are you injured?"

"Uh, no. Maybe you should take care of that first," I stammered, pointing towards the multiple limbs Emmett had launched near the pile of branches, where they were trying to piece themselves together like a macabre jigsaw puzzle.

"Of course," Carlisle agreed, but kept an eye on me while he lit a lighter and tossed it into the branches. As soon as the fire caught, he blurred around the grass, tossing in limb after limb. I coughed as a plumb of deep, purple smoke burst from the fire, the cloying scent so overpowering, I grew dizzy once more.

Emmett appeared at my side with a triumphant grin, holding up James' decapitated head in one hand, and his torso in the other, before launching both of them into the fire, causing the flames to roar and the smoke to thicken. My wheezing cough caught his attention and he swiftly picked me up, placing me a safer distance away. "Where's Rose?"

When I glanced up, I realized that her, as well as Edward and Victoria had disappeared. I frantically gestured towards the treeline way on the other side. "They're after Victoria. She has a gift of evasion."

"Gift or no, she's dead," Emmett grinned wickedly and vanished from my side.

When I turned to check on Laurent's status, I was shocked to catch sight of Garrett holding him back by his arms while Esme tore his head with a sharp crack.

I can't believe I was worried about her―she's fuckin' terrifying.

Within a few seconds, Esme and Garrett joined us, tossing Laurent's remains into the fire. Immediately after, Esme was crouching at my side, her lovely face twisted with concern. "Sweetheart, are you alright?"

I nodded, my smile shaky. "As alright as can be," I laughed nervously, before whispering, "I think I'm in shock."

In a split second, Carlisle was on my other side. "Lay her down," he quickly instructed. Before I knew it, my head had sunk into the damp grass, and my legs were elevated across Esme's lap.

"It's okay, I'm okay," I tried to reassure them, but Carlisle hushed me, ordering me to focus on my breathing.

I closed my eyes, allowing my chest to expand fully for the first time. I tried to breathe in as much as possible, but Carlisle halted me and told me to slow down. It was hard to get a good rhythm going, but once I did, the nauseous feeling subsided. Even then, my hands still trembled and my heart stuttered in my ribcage.

"Isabella?! What's wrong with her?!" Edward's voice cut across Esme's soothing reassurances.

I fluttered my eyes open to find him kneeling at my side, a cool palm pressed against my forehead. "Did you get her?" I asked, despair creeping its way into my chest.

"We did," he assured me.

I gaped and then threw my hands across my face, hysterical laughter bubbling from my throat. "Oh, thank God," I gasped.

"Love?"

I lowered my hands and met his concerned gaze. "Help me sit up?"

Once Carlisle gave him the go-ahead, Edward slipped an arm beneath my shoulders and pulled me up until I sat, leaning into his side. For a brief moment, I caught a glimpse of brilliant red curls, before they were completely obscured by the heavy smoke, and the weight in my chest dispersed. "How did you catch her?" I wondered, faintly recalling the way she'd effortlessly evaded both the Cullen's and the wolf pack in the story.

"We almost didn't," Edward confessed, brow pinched.

"It was all thanks to me, of course!" Emmett boasted, turning towards us with a broad grin.

Beside him, Rosalie was removing the leaves and twigs tangled in her hair with a disgruntled frown. "I think that man Emmett was fighting was her mate. The moment Emmett showed up, she hesitated. That's when I grabbed her."

"Yes, he was," I confirmed. "She must've ran before she saw Emmett decapitate him." I shuddered. The visceral image of James' butchered limbs wouldn't be leaving me any time soon.

Rosalie's gaze snapped towards me. "This is the coven you foresaw? I thought they weren't supposed to cross through for another month."

I shook my head. "No, I said the confrontation wouldn't happen for another month." I heaved a sigh and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Edward and I weren't supposed to be at the meadow today, which is why I didn't know they'd catch my scent."

"Hey, it's fine with me," Emmett cheered, "You're my new favorite sister! When's the next fight?"

Rosalie smacked his arm, the resulting sound not unlike the thunderous clap of boulders colliding. But it did nothing to diminish his eager expression.

I pursed my lips. "Unless you want the Volturi or the wolf pack on your doorstep, then I wouldn't count on any more fights Emmett."

Somehow, his grin widened. "Oh, hell yeah."

Carlisle thankfully intervened, joining us and snapping his phone shut. "Jasper and Alice are on the next flight back. And no, Emmett. We are not breaking the treaty, and we are not getting involved with the Volturi."

"Aw, dad," he complained, looking like a petulant teenager rather than a grown man.

"Emmett," Esme warned, still sitting beside me, before turning to me again, "Do you foresee any more trouble, honey? You can be honest. We'll protect you."

I smiled at her. "Not necessarily. I am sorry about this, though. I would've spoken up sooner if I had realized they were already in the vicinity."

"Not necessarily?" Rosalie repeated flatly.

I faltered, thoughts straying towards the events of New Moon. Fortunately, Carlisle stepped in. "I'd rather we wait for Jasper and Alice before we ask more questions. Is tomorrow adequate for you?"

"Yeah, that's perfect. It'll give me some time to gather my thoughts," I agreed, solaced by the offered reprieve.

"You can ask her," Edward suddenly spoke up, snapping his gaze towards the figure standing back, near the crackling fire and billowing smoke.

If Garrett was startled by Edward picking at his thoughts, he didn't show it. Instead, he cautiously joined our little circle, standing furthest from me.

"Thank you, Edward," he offered before turning curious, red eyes towards me. "I've been hearing very interesting stories about you. Isabella, was it?"

I grimaced. "That's me," I lied.

He clicked his tongue and tilted his head, expression thoughtful. "You recognized me that day in Seattle. What do you know of my future?"

"Um, nothing really," I shrugged, shifting through the events of the last book, before settling on, "Unless you're interested in joining your mate?"

Garratt gaped, and then chuckled. "Amazing," he marveled, rubbing at his chin. "It's not the adventure I was looking for, but how can I say no? Where to, miss?"

"Carlisle can probably give you better directions," I shrugged. "She's up north, with the Denali coven."

"Oh damn, is it Tanya?" Emmett's boisterous laugh resounded.

Carlisle took a moment to give Garrett a quick run-down on the members of the Denali coven. When they all turned towards me expectantly, I met Garrett's eyes once more and said, "I could tell you who she is. Or, you could figure it out."

"Oh! I like you!" Garrett chortled. "Yes, yes. I think I'd like to figure it out for myself."

While Garrett and Carlisle exchanged their goodbyes, Edward looked to me with a fond smile. "You're incredible."

I snorted. More like a liar. "Thanks, babe," I said, shifting over to stand. Grasping my forearms in his cold grip, Edward pulled me up. Fortunately, I was no longer trembling like a leaf. I groaned. "Shit. I'm going to feel that in the morning," I grumbled, rubbing at my sore back. Everything hurt. Clutching onto Edward's stone body for dear life had strained every ligament and muscle in my body.

"What's wrong?" Edward fretted, hands hovering over me.

"Nothing," I reassured him, rolling my shoulders back and rotating my neck experimentally. "The chase through the forest put my body under strain. It was worse than being jerked around by a rollercoaster, I tell you."

"Carlisle?" Edward inquired.

Turning from Garrett, he suggested, "An ice bath should help relieve your sore muscles."

"Oh, let me take care of that, sweetheart," Esme jumped in, also fretting by my side. "Bring her back to the house, Edward, and I'll have it ready."

Before I could finish my protest, she vanished from my side in a blur of white. "You don't need to...do that," I finished belatedly.

Edward chuckled. "Let her take her care of you," he asked, words mumbled against the top of my head.

"It was a pleasure to meet you all," Garrett flashed the rest of us a smile, and directed his parting words towards me, "Thank you for your guidance, Isabella."

He too, disappeared. Emmett shouted after him, "Don't forget the wedding invites!" He then turned back to me, "It's Tanya. Definitely. Who wants to bet against me?" He looked expectantly between Rosalie and Edward.

Rosalie pursed her lips in thought, settling on, "Kate."

"Irina?" Edward didn't sound so sure. I ignored the twinge of remorse, briefly recalling her relationship with Laurent. She deserves better than that coward.

When their eyes fell on me, I shrugged, "Rosalie's got it in the bag."

Her triumphant beam was so breathtaking, Emmett didn't pout for long.

"You're going back?" Edward looked to Carlisle.

"Yes, there's still work to be done. I expect there's no more trouble brewing?"

I sent him a sheepish thumbs-up. "Nope. You're all good to go, doc. Sorry about that."

"We'll continue our hunt nearby, just in case," Emmett offered. Rosalie nodded in agreement.

"Thank you." I knew with a pang of regret, that my words were insufficient

"Don't sweat it, sis! You're part of the family now!" Emmett grinned, before he and Rosalie vanished.

"Yes. You are very important to us, Isabella," Carlisle agreed, voice thick with sincerity, before vanishing as well.

And then, it was just me, Edward, and a pile of ashes.

Fuck. What do I say after that shitastrophy?

"Sorry I ruined our date."

Edward quirked an eyebrow and then scowled. "Isabella, you are absurd."

I wrinkled my nose. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go. Esme is waiting."

Fortunately for my aching muscles, I didn't have to cling to his back again. Instead, he cradled me in his arms before taking off.

"Ow ow ow, crap," I hissed, sinking into the frigid water, a mass of ice cubes bobbing and shifting around me as I settled into the wide, porcelain bathtub with a pained groan. I tried to relax, but the water was so cold, my skin burned with discomfort.

I held back a whimper, knowing Edward and Esme could hear every one of my complaints. Instead, I grit my teeth and slumped further down until my chin dipped into the water. I'd wrapped my hair into a loose bun and it cushioned my head against the lip of the tub. Suck it up, buttercup!

With a huff, I pointedly turned my thoughts from the scalding ice, and focused on relaxing. Just knowing that James' coven was no longer a threat was a huge weight of my shoulders, even if I was a bit miffed that they had to be an issue at all. In the book, they met the Cullen's by pure chance. But when I made plans to avoid them, they happened to "coincidentally" come across Edward and I? I call bullshit. What kind of fate fuckery is this?

The thought was nerve wracking. If I happened to stay with Edward, I wanted it to be by choice, not because someone out there decided I would stay with him.

On the bright side―no vengeful Irina and no newborn army.

The Volturi's involvement was questionable. It was Edward's suicide attempt that had knocked over that particular set of dominos. But even if Edward didn't go that route, there was always the chance that someone would report my involvement with the Cullen's.

Aw poo. This is too stressful to think about.

I think I endured about fifteen minutes in the tub, before I gave up and extracted myself from the glacial bath. Shivering, I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel, damp feet sinking into the soft rug. Esme had been kind enough to let me borrow a pair of comfy sweats and matching sweatshirt.

I quickly dried myself off and changed into the warm, dry clothes with a relieved sigh. As soon as I gathered my earlier attire and padded out into the hall, Esme appeared at my side, taking the clothes from my arms.

"I'll put these through the wash, dear," Esme said, smile sweet as ever. "Go on over to Edward's room. I left something there for you." She pecked my cheek and vanished once more.

Knowing she would hear me, I said with an affectionate smile, "Thank you, Esme."

I padded over to Edward's room down the hall. He sat on the sleek couch, a book in hand. Next to him was a tray of food.

"From Esme?" I asked, plopping down on the thick carpet beside the couch, using it as a makeshift table.

"Yes," Edward answered, snapping his book shut. "How are you feeling?"

Blowing on a spoonful of hot broccoli cheddar soup, I shrugged and said, "Shaken, but mostly relieved. Let's just say we avoided a greater disaster. Emmett will be disappointed." Pressing the warm spoonful into my mouth, I hummed happily and swallowed. "Delicious as ever, Esme!"

Edward chuckled, "She says thank you."

I smiled and continued to eat, the warm soup thawing the tremors in my chest. "What were you reading?"

"Hm?" Edward picked up the book and passed it over. "It's called The Great Divorce. It's about a man who finds himself in purgatory and makes the journey up to heaven."

"Wow," I whispered, thumbing the pages of the small book. Bit of a different perspective when you've already died. "Can I borrow it?"

"Of course," Edward said.

I ate the rest of my food in comfortable silence, watching the gentle drizzle of rain tapping against the glass wall behind the couch. My thoughts drifted back to events of this morning, and I couldn't help but wonder what would've happened in the meadow, if James' coven hadn't found us. The longer I stayed with Edward the more my affections for him grew, straining against my chest in a mass of simmering emotions that threatened to consume me if I allowed them to. And I knew―he cared more for me than I did for him. Not because I was incapable of loving him to the same depths, but because I wouldn't allow myself the vulnerability. I wasn't stupid―I suddenly hadn't forgotten the events of New Moon.

Mostly, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

As soon as I set my spoon down, the tray vanished before me, Edward along with it. In the next second, he reappeared and was met with my unamused gaze.

"Was that really necessary? I can take it down myself," I frowned.

He tweaked my nose. "Too slow."

"Ugh, whatever," I wrinkled my nose, batting his hand away. "But thanks." Unfolding my aching limbs from beneath me with a wince, I stood and plopped myself down on the couch beside him, leaning back and sliding towards him, until my cheek smooshed against his cold arm.

"You're welcome," he murmured, reaching over and brushing aside the tangled strands of hair escaping my bun. "Do you want to do anything else today?"

"No," I mumbled against his arm, "Everything hurts and I'm sleepy." Tomorrow, I would have questions to answer, but for now, I wanted to forget it all.

"Get some rest."

The last thing I remember was the weight of a fuzzy blanket falling on me before I drifted off.

A/N: Hopefully y'all aren't disappointed. I just didn't feel like rehashing the whole Victoria thing. So, I got rid of them lmao. Will there be another antagonist? Sure. Not for a bit though.

Let me know if there's anything specific you want Isabella to reveal!

P.S. Garrett will be back :)