"Edward! We discussed this, you were sent away to learn that it is not your right to hear other's thoughts. I think you need to return after the holidays, it appears you along with Alice and Rose have learned nothing!" Carlisle's voice rang out in censure,
I smiled at Tanya and squeezed Garrett's hand before saying,
"Merry Christmas everyone, this is my gift to you for the entirety of the Tournament!"
The sighs of relief and a couple of cheers said everything Carlisle and Esme needed to know and they were mortified. No wonder they never got invited anywhere but the Denali's. One of their coven spied on people and the other ran roughshod through their thoughts and then told everyone else what they had never meant to be heard. The front door opened and a voice I recognised said,
"Paybacks a bitch Eddie. You reap what you sow and all that crap! What did the pixie bitch do now?"
"Well, turns out she's been spying on us all for years. Bella knew in college, but wrongly assumed we knew too. She was giving us credit for brains none of us had. She had this house and ours wired for the Tournament. That's how she knew everything, not because of bloody visions!" Emmett replied angrily,
"Fuckin' hell!" was Jasper's reply and no one dared reprimand him for it.
As Garrett and I once more joined the other guests after depositing our things in a far nicer room. Yeah, Tanya showed me the hideous pink room, all heads turned to us. I hate that, I hate being the centre of attention. I had some presents in my arms and turned to Tanya,
"This is for you all, as a thank you for having us in your home. Can I put Athenodora's under your tree until she gets here? Mum and dad, I'll give you yours later okay" I say trying to keep my voice low, but I heard Rose snort,
"Thank You Miss ...?" Eleazar says and I reply,
"It's Bella, Bella Swan"
"What? I thought you were supposed to be married? His name not good enough for you? Typical Isabella!"
Rose spat at me from across the room, told you she'd put her big feet in it. There were many grumbles and a couple of growls directed at her for this callous statement. Especially as most knew she went by her maiden name wherever they lived. Esme and Emmett both gave off exasperated sighs.
"Actually Rosalie! It's Mrs Bella Swan, unlike you, Garrett didn't have witnesses to his former life. He has no memory of who he was before and so he asked if we could take my surname instead!" I replied my voice dripping with condescension,
"Oh!" she moaned before fleeing the house having made herself out to be a vapid bitch, which she is!
"Belly?" Emmett whispered,
"I know Emmy" I replied as he left, giving his wife chase.
"Bella dear, we're so sorry. We warned them all to be on their best behaviour and still, they didn't listen" Carlisle said hanging his head in humiliation,
"It's okay dad, that was their best behaviour, remember I've seen their worst!" I replied giving him a hug,
All around the room, vampires were making their thoughts known to the attitude of the Cullen children and yes they were all called children, except funnily enough Emmett. I could feel Edward watching me at all times and it was a little creepy, I knew he would eventually make a faux pas too. Jasper decided now would be a good time to approach us and brought his family with him.
"First, I want to apologise again, to you both. I have no excuse for my previous behaviour and have been taken to task by my sister repeatedly. May I introduce Peter and Charlotte Whitlock to you, Bella? Garrett, they already know" he said and I nodded,
We would never be close again, I don't think I could ever trust him again and I know he could feel this. He was saddened by it, but I refuse to be anything but honest with them now. Pity they couldn't have extended me the same courtesy.
"That's the thing I'll hate the most. Knowin', I caused the loss of the friendship and respect of one of the most genuine people I ever knew" Jasper said gravely and I knew he meant it,
"I wish we could have been friends suga', but I'll understand if you can't," Charlotte said hugging me,
"You and Peter are Garrett's friends and I could always do with a few more myself, you know," I told her and she beamed at me, I wasn't holding them responsible for other's mistakes.
"I told you, Char, Bella is a good person. She would never hold my failin's against you darlin'. Are you ready for the Tournament Garrett?" Jasper asked,
"I'm ready to see you square off with Caius, Major. It's been a long time coming, but no matter what I'll still be in the top five, just!" Garrett explained and I wandered off with Char as she asked me to call her,
I was introduced to some of the other nomads like Mary and Randall, Makenna and Charles. They also stayed with the Denali's on and off throughout the year. Everyone else would arrive tomorrow and they just gathered around a huge campfire to shoot the breeze and get the gossip. Caius and Athenodora would stay in the main cabin, of course, once they got here tomorrow. It was strange that the event took place on Christmas, but then vampires didn't really bother with human things. I was still so new to this life I found it harder to let go. I didn't feel so bad the next day and everyone was smiling at me. I had automatically soundproofed the bedrooms. Well the top floor and prying ears who stayed to listen, heard nothing from any room.
Yes, I meant Edward the immature child. What good would it do him to hear Garrett and I having sex because that's why he stayed and didn't leave with Esme and Carlisle. Was he hoping to critique Garrett's style, how would he the eternal virgin know what was good or bad? I'd been here less than twenty-four hours and I was sick of the Cullens already.
A Holiday To Remember
Edward was just about to have a dig at Jasper as he ascended the stairs laughing at something Garrett said. He'd slipped off with Kate late last night. They were two consenting adults, who cares what they did in her room. Nobody else even looked in their direction, apart from the prudish prig. He just couldn't help himself; the sickening part was his puffed-up persona and air of righteous indignation. Who did he think he was? I couldn't for the life of me remember what I ever saw in him!
"Shut it, virgin boy! I'm not a Cullen or your brother anymore, I'm Major Jasper Whitlock to you now. I'll take you apart if you say a word about my lifestyle, which has fuck all to do with you or anyone else!" Jasper growled,
That stopped Edward in his tracks, not used to not having his barbs not only miss their mark but also never see the light of day. He stood agog, his mouth opening and shutting but nothing came out. Tanya chose that moment to wish us all a Merry Christmas and hand out small presents, all handmade by the Inuit who can be found all around these northern regions. We, Garrett and I had his and hers matching moccasins, not too practical for vampires. But I would put them by the front door at home, for show if nothing else. The intricate beadwork was amazing and the fact it was done by hand was awesome. Emmett appeared sometime later alone and Esme asked where Rose was. Everyone was actually surprised to find Emmett had ordered her to stay at their own house, for the duration of the Tournament.
This was something new; he usually does as she says. But I get the feeling her stunt with me as a human, soured his trust and respect for his mate severely. Well, she only has herself to blame, nobody forced her to be a bitch to me then or now. Back then she just showed her true colours. Emmett hovered near me but was unsure whether to approach and I relented by calling him over,
"Where's my Christmas hug Emmy-bear?" I asked and he rushed at me,
Edward, I saw bristled with indignation. I grabbed Emmett and swung him around like he used to do to me. He was laughing uproariously and everyone else turned to see me manhandling him for once. I suppose it looked crazy as he was more than a foot taller and a lot heavier, but I'm a vampire now. He whispered how sorry he was and I nodded and kissed his cheek. Of them all, he held the least blame and I knew he would never have done it without Rose's input. I even saw out of the corner of my eye Jasper sighing, he too knew Emmett was fooled by them all and he regretted his part in that I'm sure, but that doesn't undo the hurt done to me.
"So, not as much has changed at Casa Cullen, as Carlisle was trying to sell me then?" I asked as we stood off to one side, moving every time Edward edged closer, being unable to read Emmett's mind he needed to stoop to snooping on other's conversations with me,
"Oh those three are always on their best behaviour around him it's sickening he can't see how false they are! But this event just proved they aren't capable of behaving in company of any sort. Carlisle has no control over them because there is no real deterrent! He should have cut their access to the money ages ago and things would have changed drastically.
That's why I have finally taken Rose to task and told her she has humiliated me in public for the last time, after attacking you with her petty nastiness and her jealous behaviour because you are outshining her, without even trying" he explains and I shake my head, he must have that wrong,
"You're amazing Bella, you just don't see it, little sister. Anyway, I have threatened her that we will leave the family forever. In the meantime I have insisted on us having separate rooms until she can act like an adult, how's that for a turnaround! I'm also telling Carlisle no more school for either of us, that was Alice's stupid idea and has done so much damage to us all.
Rose will be getting a job or doing without, as I'm stopping her taking his handouts too. We have our own money and we are not children and should never have been treated like we were. Only Edward is actually a child and he still acts like one on a daily basis!" Emmett said quietly,
Nodding over to him trying to listen into someone else's conversation. I could see Carlisle's face over his shoulder, it was stunned and he had heard every word no doubt. Let's hope he actually listens for once to a sane, sensible argument. I was really the only one who needed parenting back then, the rest should have been out working and helping to sustain the coven. It turns out that now Emmett and I are the grown-ups and the other three the naughty children. But if Rose wants to have her husband and mate's respect once more, she will need to learn to keep her mouth shut. I was so ready to go home and the Tournament hadn't even started yet. My thoughts seemed to signal the arrival of more vampires and the Royal couple themselves along with their guard.
Santiago, Afton and Heidi got out of one vehicle and Felix, Caius and Athenodora another. The three men were here for the Tournament obviously and Heidi, like the Queen for the gossip and fashion. I was standing back between Garrett and Emmett, but I caught Heidi's eye. Well my boots did, they were peep-toe black mock lace with black ribbon lacings up the front.
"Mia cara, dove hai preso quegli stivali fantastici? (My dear, wherever did you get those amazing boots?)"
She shouted across the driveway and everyone turned to me,
"Grazie, ho trovato un ottimo sito web che vende solo stivali (Thanks, I found a great website that sells nothing but boots)" I replied in Italian and both women smiled at me warmly,
I had learned Italian during my newborn year to entertain myself and because I have Italian ancestry, way back on Charlie's side. Hence the brown hair and eyes we both had. I, unfortunately, had my mother's skin tone, white, albino-white. Whereas Charlie had an olive complexion and tanned well no matter how little sun he saw. Athenodora signalled for me to come over and that's how I became her unofficial guide and translator for this visit. Why do I always end right up in the middle of things? I don't even try and still, it seems to happen to me all the time. It took Caius Volturi five minutes to ask why Alice Cullen was floating in the lake. Upon hearing what she'd done he sneered at her from a distance and asked loudly,
"Was our room bugged?"
I saw Carlisle's shoulders sag and knew it was and that felt like very bad news for Alice. Bugging the others was a gross invasion of privacy, but to bug the room of one of the rulers of our world was, well treason I suppose! I can't see her getting away with it this time. But going by the looks on the faces of the Volturi they had a dilemma. Send her to Volterra and Aro not only find's out about the Tournament, but also any of the secrets she knows. Most likely he'd want to keep her as part of the guard even though her visions aren't as good as she's made out. I don't think Caius would be happy with that; she has committed a serious crime against him personally. I had the possible answer but was terrified to say anything. Garrett by my side was as always in tune with me and he held me close,
"It's up to you Liberty. If you want to tell Caius, do. But make it clear you will not allow yourself to be used as a weapon and if they try, you will fight back with deadly force!" He whispered to me and I nodded,
"Maestro Caius, possiamo avere una parola privata? (Master Caius, can we have a private word?)" I said quietly,
And mostly only the Volturi, the Cullens and the Denali's understood me, the Whitlocks too I believe,
Italian although the language of our rulers was not widespread here in America and for that I was thankful.
"Walk with me children," he said,
But not in a condescending manner, it was more fatherly. This surprised me; I had been led to believe he was a much harsher man. But then that had been what Edward told me and well, everything he said could be taken with a pinch of salt! Once we were further away and with another shield up I explained my gift to him.
"I didn't know I was a shield until I used it the first time and it had devastating results! Garrett and I were testing out boundaries, how far apart and for how long we could be, what we were comfortable with. During one of these sessions, a nomad came to our home and thought he could assault me.
He had a gift and my shield felt it attacking me or what I thought as a six-month-old newborn, was attacking me! He was trying to compel me to submit to him physically and he expected it to work! I reacted instinctively and sent my shield into his mind, then in a panic, I could not withdraw it even though he was disabled.
It took Garrett an hour to calm me down and when I eventually withdrew it he was a blank sheet. He could walk, talk and do everything normally, except he had no memories of himself and no discernible gift. I had basically wiped him clean back to the day he first woke as a vampire.
If he hadn't been a rapist we might have let him live and retrained him, but I could not, would not, do it! So Garrett killed him and I was terrified I would hurt my mate after that. He made me test out my shield on our meals.
They were going to die anyway and I slowly worked out I needed to wrap my shield around their minds, not put it inside!" I told the silent vampire before me,
"You did nothing wrong, my dear. It is not a crime to defend yourself nor is it a crime to use a gift. Especially one you didn't know you had!" he said patting my hand,
"I understand your reluctance to mention this. My brother would want you for his guard, of course, but the fool would not see you would be a Trojan horse in our midst! You could decimate Volterra from within and I believe you would, given the right provocation.
So this will be our little secret and to preserve your secret I will send for a vampire nobody knows and it will look like he and not you did this. You will wipe Alice Cullen clean and Carlisle will redeem his coven by retraining her to be a more functioning member of our society!
Now while we wait for Andreas to arrive let's get the Tournament underway, that'll take their minds off Alice Cullen for now" He said before bending to kiss my hand and patting Garrett on the back.
I let out the breath I didn't realise I was holding, I didn't relish this, but it had to be better than being dead. I never wished that on any of them, well maybe a little, but not for real.
"Are you sure about this Liberty?" was all Garrett asked and I nodded,
"It's a second chance and better than being dead. She can't miss what she doesn't remember! I'll have to remind Caius to warn the Cullens, they shouldn't go into too much detail about her previous gift. No, I'll rephrase that Edward and Rose can't explain it to her!" I said knowing if anyone might ruin this for them, all it would be those two,
"She might be learning her lesson, but that boy never will. It will have to be the threat of him also losing his gift if he does. It's going to be a delicate balance for them to tread, telling her about their shared past but not the in's and out's of her old gift" he muttered as we rejoined the throng of people.
Caius made a speech, welcoming one and all to the Tournament and going over the rules for those who had never been before. How they would fight in groups and the winner and two runners-up of each group would advance to the next level from the first round. The second round would be nine groups of four and the winner and runner-up would advance only to the third round. That round would be six groups of three and once more the winner and the runner-up advance to the next round. Round four would be four groups of three and only the winner goes forward, but if two strong fighters were to draw in that round, both would go forward to the fifth and final round. Where they would have to battle it out until only one remained, although the top five would be recorded.
I could hear Edward whining somewhere behind us, that without his gift everyone else would have an unfair advantage over him! Is that fool actually serious?
"Oh do shut up Eddie, you're embarrassing yourself," Emmett said slapping him on the back so hard he sent him sprawling into the dirt; you could hear the sniggering all around the field,
"Well I'll just not bother then," he said walking away once on his feet again, only to be accosted by Felix and Santiago,
"Everyone fights no exceptions!" Felix spat at him in disgust,
"The reason for this Tournament is to ascertain the fighting skills of all the covens and nomads of the America's. I just made it more fun, for you and for us. We love a challenge in Volterra. This is no place for personal differences; anyone going for a kill strike will be terminated. By kill strike, I mean unnecessary head removal.
Limb removal is allowed; more than two will be frowned upon and could lose you your bout. If an arm is removed in three parts that still is only one limb etc, etc. Afton has everyone's name in a bag and Lady Athenodora will draw the first name for the twelve groups, then Tanya, Esme, Heidi, Carmen and finally Isabella. That makes seventy-two this year instead of the previous sixty-eight. Dora if you will my dear" Caius said loudly cutting off Edward's protestations,
So it began, the woman stayed for the first round, it was less likely anyone would be really hurt and everyone wanted to see Edward Cullen getting his ass kicked multiple times. Because in each round you had to fight everyone in your group. That meant he would be trounced five times, sounds good to me. It was pathetic; he was by far the worst fighter here, never having had to use his brawn before. His group only had one decent fighter and that unfortunately for Edward, was Peter Whitlock who hated him. This was the bit where he lost several parts. No full limbs were removed, but he gained some unsightly scars to remind him he was a shit fighter that nobody liked or respected. The ground was covered in leaked venom and Peter constantly threw his fingers, his ear and his whole hand at one point into other vampire's venom, knowing it would scar once reattached.
This should be a serious learning curve for Edward, if he heeds it, though I doubt he will. He will wallow and whine and cause Carlisle and Esme so much hurt because he will refuse to see it was and is all his own fault. His penchant for telling what he hears in others' heads has gained him many enemies. I remember Garrett telling me he met Edward only once and that was once too often. Before that, he had gotten together with Carlisle on a regular basis. But after one visit to them before Jasper and Alice appeared, he met the four new members and found them all pleasant, except Edward. Then after a stray thought that Rose would be a really nice girl if she wasn't such a bitch was repeated! He never returned to visit again, but much to Edward's chagrin Esme and Carlisle often visited him instead.
He wasn't the last friend pissed off by the child, but Carlisle never did anything to curb him. When round two started, Emmett, Carlisle, Eleazar, Jasper, Peter and Garrett were still in there with the main Volturi and others I didn't really know. We the women wandered inside to discuss Edward's defeat amongst other things. When the third round started without Carlisle but at least he fared better than Edward and had no scars, we were knee-deep in fashion magazines and searching each other's favourite websites. Emmett was ousted in that round and as the others prepared for round four, he set up Tanya's laptop to show on the massive flat-screen TV they had. I was actually enjoying this, it didn't need me to go into a shop or try anything on and I'm all for that.
The cheer went up to signal the end of round four and Eleazar appeared with a few leaking cracks but no major damage. He told me that Felix and Garrett were tied this year and therefore there were five not four in the final group. So in actuality, they were the top five, but in what order? Looks like it's Peter in third and the other four need to sort their places. Jasper being present has pushed the others down a place so Eleazar is no longer fifth. Still, top ten though, which is to be expected of a former Volturi guard. Being vampires, the event had been running all day and halfway into the night. It really makes no difference to us but the final round won't be until tomorrow. That way all parties can hunt and be at their best. Only Jasper will be hunting animals, the others are all traditional vampires.
I can see this having an effect if he wins, proving animal blood doesn't weaken you, but it's not for everyone that's for sure. So tonight all the men will be spending time with their significant others and I assume Jasper and Kate will too. This time I'm making sure the weirdo is taken home, he just loves to cause dissension. Although I haven't seen him since his humiliating defeat, so maybe he's hiding out. I knew Caius' man would arrive tomorrow and I would have to deal with Alice. In a way I feel bad for her, having had no human memories, now she will have no vampire ones either. That's, of course, is if she was even telling the truth and I'm really not that sure, knowing all we know about her now!
So it's going to be a big day for me and also for Garrett who is determined to beat Felix this time around. Before the final round, Caius called everyone to attention and explained,
"I had sent for a vampire you will know nothing about. He has the ability to remove a gift from almost all individuals. But often the side effect is the loss of memories too; this will be Alice Cullen's punishment. We do this only out of respect for Carlisle; normally I would have her killed for spying on the Volturi! Isabella would you thin your shield so she can hear my ruling"
So it was a sobbing, pleading wreak of a vampire I escorted along with the guard to the Cullen's house. There Caius called them all together and told them they were not to divulge in great detail how her gift had worked. Because it could cause her to go crazy if she tried and failed to access it. It's like people with amnesia, you tell them not to force it. But they always do and can make themselves ill, mentally and physically. With a vampire, it would all be mental stress and eventually, something would snap. Caius then looked directly at Edward and told him he would lose his gift too if he didn't comply with this Volturi ruling. Of course, Edward huffed and demanded to know why he was singled out.
"Because you are a small-minded petty child of a vampire, with a mediocre gift. You have no respect for others or the rules and frankly Edward you are a waste of space! I would have you terminated if not for your sire; therefore you are on the Volturi watch list. Not because you're dangerous or clever, but due to you being most likely to expose our world. Your innate stupidity and inability to grow and mature is hazardous to us all!" Caius replied disdainfully at the stunned boy and his family.
No one had ever spoken to him like that before; everyone left him for Carlisle to deal with. But the Volturi King had no qualms about putting Edward firmly in his place at the bottom of the vampire hierarchy. Rose was shaking next to Emmett, her world had changed so much and she now saw how little importance they were in the grand scheme of things. They were jumped up nobody's that others barely tolerated for Carlisle's sake.
"This is your last chance, Carlisle, even our patience is waning; turn them into vampires, not humans!" Caius said finally before nodding to me and Andreas,
He laid his hand on her shoulder and I projected my shield directly into her mind. She keeled over and was caught and then laid down by Andreas. It should be just a few minutes this time and then she will awake as the new Alice Cullen. Let's hope she's a nicer, better vampire. But I don't intend to be here to find out. I turn and leave before her eyes open. I have no interest in most of the Cullens, just Esme, Carlisle and Emmett. I had a horrible sense of 'déjà vu', imagine if she woke saw me and decided we would be best friends. I'd kill her myself! I have to admit of all the women I've met in the last couple of days, Char is by far the nicest and most normal. We even have similar tastes; her mate's fetish isn't boots though. Peter likes to take a particular interest in her lingerie, well, I suppose so do most men.
Both he and she have taken to calling me just 'Bell', most likely because Garrett always calls me 'Liberty'. I like it; I really am not Bella anymore that Bella died so long ago. Now to find my mate and wish him luck. He just wants to beat Felix once and doesn't want to wait for another twenty years to do it. As expected Caius and Jasper beat the other three and Peter beat Garrett and Felix. So the main events were for first and second place as well as fourth and fifth. Felix and Garrett would fight first and leaving the Caius and Jasper fight as the main event. I was on tenterhooks and it was a close-run thing. But after forty long minutes, Garrett managed to get the upper hand as well as Felix's actual hand and won the match. I was jumping up and down cheering as loud as I could.
I knew Emmett was nearby and wasn't surprised when he grabbed me and hoisted me into the air so Garrett could see me.
"Way to go, Soldier that was awesome" I shouted and heard the tutting sound beside me,
"You used to be a lady" Edward commented and I laughed,
"No, I was never a lady Edward; I was a seventeen-year-old girl. You just know nothing about people if you can't read their minds!" I replied caustically, annoyed that he was spoiling this moment for me,
"Well, you would never have reacted that way, when you were with me," he said smugly,
"True, because you never did anything that would be considered as, exciting, daring or even fun!" I said back,
Loud enough for those all around us to hear and Emmett laughed in agreement. Edward huffed and just couldn't help himself by saying,
"Well at least you dressed better, more circumspect back then and your footwear was more appropriate!"
"Did he just dis my boots? Did you just dis my fucking boots, Eddie? Who the fuck do you think you are to comment on my mode of dress? What would a virgin child like you understand about women in general, far less their clothing choices? These boots were custom-made for me from my own design because that's what I wanted. Not Garrett, not the cobbler and definitely not you, asshole!" I yelled lividly at him, how dare he, that son of a bitch,
"Uh-oh!" was all Garrett said from nearby and I just reacted,
Without my shield being used I threw Edward across the field and proceeded to kick the ever-living shit out of the obnoxious turd. I showed him just how lethal the heels of my boots were once the caps were removed. Venom infused titanium, for durability which can pierce the skin of any vampire. I stomped down on his unused groin, twice. Put a hole through his neck and also one where his nonexistent heart used to beat. Just as I was about to put my heel down through his eyeball, Garrett gently said,
"Enough Liberty" I growled, but stopped and kicked him so hard in the side he flew into the lake and sunk out of sight.
"Nobody helps him!" I order,
As every man had his hands in front of his groin except for Garrett and Emmett they all agreed wholeheartedly. Emmett has his phone in his hand and is typing quickly; I shake my head and turn towards Garrett. All the women are there and start applauding me, so I do the only thing I can. I recap my heels and take a bow. Well, it looks like this Christmas wasn't so bad after all. I got to do something I've wanted to for a few years and that was to kick that self-righteous moron's ass.
"Damn woman, that'll leave a few nasty scars. Your venom in the heels?" Emmett guessed,
"Nope, Garrett's," I said laughing and Caius cleared his throat,
"My apologies, Master Caius, I'm sorry for the unplanned entertainment," I said smirking and he winked at me,
"Major if you're ready?" he asked turning to Jasper, who nodded,
"Fight!" Felix signalled and the last bout started,
This fight lasted the longest out of them all. After ten hours they were both leaking venom, but neither was seriously hurt. Caius was tenacious and Jasper was fast and deadly. When they did get a hold of each other, neither could pin the other down long enough, to place their teeth at the loser's throat. Four more hours and Caius made the error of goading Jasper. His eyes turned black and everyone who didn't know him drew in a breath. Within five minutes he had Caius on his knees before him with his teeth poised above his neck.
"He was tryin' to fight you fair and square as himself, you fool. But if it was me you wanted all you had to do was ask. Though it would have been a very short fight!" the Major whispered in his ear.
Caius hung his head admitting defeat, he will never know if he could have beaten Jasper. But he now knew he could not beat the Major. Heidi who had been avoiding all the male participants for the last two days, due to the sickening amount of fawning over her they always did. Her allure always attracted them and nothing she could do stopped it. She looked up now and met the black eyes of Major Jasper Whitlock. He made a growling rumble deep in his chest and everyone but her stepped away, including Caius.
"Well, damn darlin', I wasn't expectin' to meet you here," he said as his eyes let the gold bleed back through,
That was most unexpected and I don't know what they'll tell Aro, but I'm guessing Jasper will not be letting his mate return to Volterra. I hope they've got a spare fisher; otherwise, they are going to be hungry very soon. But that was of no real interest to me, I was hoping we could get away as soon as possible. All the drama and all the crap that came with the Cullens was wearing. I wanted to go home to where it was just me and Garrett, miles from anyone else. Maybe for the next twenty years!
The Tournament Once Again
Bella
It's now June the first and I have out of the blue received a missive, but not in the mail. Oh no, it was actually a highly ornate hand-delivered one. Brought here to America by a very pleasant Volturi guard called Simon. He stayed for more than a couple of hours chatting to Garrett, before heading to New York to pick up something for Sulpicia Volturi. Killing two birds with one stone, type of thing. Athenodora herself had written to me and damn it, it was about this year's upcoming Tournament. I hadn't realised that it had been twenty years already and she wanted me to host it! Me! Shit, shit, shit! Where would we put everyone, what a nightmare? I didn't want loads of people trampling through my house, my things! What will we do? Where do we put them? I can feel myself starting to panic and I don't like the feeling at all.
"Calm down Liberty, I could feel you from the barn! What's wrong?" Garrett asked wrapping his arms around me and calming me just with his touch alone,
I hand over the letter and he nods once, just nods before picking me up and sitting down on the sofa with me in his lap.
"Well okay, we were going to build a bigger place anyway. So I'll get started with that tomorrow and make sure it's big enough for everyone. Who will stay do you think?" he asks as calm as all get out,
That's when I realise I'm being silly, this is doable and I'm a damned vampire so it can be done at speed.
"So you and I in the new master suite in the attic, all alone, no exceptions. I want that area to be strictly no access to anyone but us. How about a lift system for our use only to the top floor, behind the main staircase, I'll leave that up to you. It wouldn't cut off much from the other floors below us.
On the floor underneath us, on the left side, put two large separate one-bedroom suites for Caius and Dora and Carmen and Eleazar. On the right how about a large double suite for the Whitlocks, Jasper projects too much, so make him take the one furthest away from our room. I hate when he's too close to us!" I explain and bristle just saying his name,
I know Garrett sees it but he makes no comment, so I continue.
"Carlisle and Esme and their brood can share a large four-bedroom suite on the right side of the floor below that. Put the singles for Alice and Edward furthest away from the centre. I don't want Edward anywhere near us either. And finally, the three Denali sisters can go in one large three-bedroom suite on the left side of that floor" I muse and he nods along with my ideas,
"Here could be used for the Volturi entourage and then any nomads wanting to freshen up, instead of fighting for a shower in the main house, can use the mudroom in the barn. Plus the loft can accommodate at least two couples or whatever configuration. How does that sound?" I say in a rush as it all comes to me,
"Sounds like you were panicking for nothing Liberty!" he says with a smirk and I swat him,
"Soundproofing between each floor and no huge plate-glass windows. I want it to be warm and cosy like the Denali's was, not all open-plan and cold like I remember the Forks' house being" I remind him,
"Your wish is my command, my lady," he says tugging his forelock cheekily,
"So can I call in some help, I could do it in six months, but we'd get no time together!" he continues by enquiring and I reluctantly agree,
"I'm still getting my stained glass oval dome right?" I ask purring at him,
"Yes, my angel. You'll get your dome" he replies kissing me passionately,
I so desperately wanted a glass dome on our attic-bedroom ceiling. A stained glass one like on the Titanic, it'll be all gold paint and leaded glass and so romantic. Our suite will be the only thing up there; the only other room will be the en-suite with a closet come storage bit to one side. That way we'll get uninterrupted views from all four sides of the suite and light being diffused by the dome, it will be just perfect. But as I said, no large windows, they are unnecessary and to me a little tacky.
"So who are you calling to come and help you?" I ask, but kinda know,
"The Whitlocks! Peter and the Major can help me and you can bounce ideas off, Char and Heidi. Take them shopping for all the things we'll need, you know I'm useless at that kind of stuff Liberty! They'll maybe spot things you missed, especially Heidi she knows what's expected by Dora" Garrett says very slightly nervously,
Over the last twenty years, we've seen them all, but Jasper and I have had a very cool relationship. Okay, it's frosty on my end; I just can't seem to let it go. To me, his deception was worse than everyone else's, except Alice's. They were children playing at being grownups, but he should have known better. He was the empath, surely he knew how I felt, how insecure I was, how out of my depth I really was. But instead of being my brother, my rock, he played with my emotions for his own gain. Not that his plan actually worked, because I the oblivious virgin, wasn't aware of his hidden agenda! We're at that strange acquaintance stage, you know the one! He asks how I am and I say good. Then I ask how are you and he says great and that's about it really.
He doesn't push and I don't try at all. Garrett thinks I should rise above it and forgive him, but I can't seem to do it. Was it because he played with my emotions, my psyche, that inner part that no one has the right to know? I hate not knowing if any of my feelings were my own and not manufactured by him? How long did he have me living a lie? This is what I can't get passed and haven't even told Garrett! It's the did I feel that or did he make me conundrum, that has been driving me insane! Oh, Garrett knows there is more to it than I have ever said, but he didn't push me or dig away at it like a sore. No, it's like he knew that would have been the final blow to my delicate sensibilities back then. That's one of the things I love about him, he respects me above all else.
I suppose I should tell him, I just couldn't before, but it's been over twenty years and maybe a problem shared will be a problem halved. Maybe later, it might give him an insight into what I think and believe. I better say something before they arrive, that's for sure. Why do I have to do this? What about all the others? Hell, I expected Heidi to be doing it next, not me! I feel as if the world is conspiring against me. I know it's not, but I get to feel that way. Why? Because at least I know these are my feelings and not some fake manufactured ones! The bottom line is I don't trust Jasper and I would never put mine or Garrett's life in his hands, ever! He may be the great Major in other's eyes, but to me, he was just a sneaky guy trying to use me to get his rocks off and I'm having trouble forgiving or forgetting!
Garrett
I really hope Liberty isn't too angry with me. I know she needs to get this all off her chest; it's been far too long! That's why I've suggested the Whitlocks come and help me out. I want her to tell me what's really been bothering her all this time. It's time the Major got his head out of his ass, he did far more damage than he believes, they all did! I know her enough to see she has been second-guessing and overthinking it for years. She doesn't need to tell me, but I love her and understand how her mind works. She doesn't know what was real or contrived and it is eating away at her, more and more as each year passes. Her self-confidence was zero when we first got together. For fucks sake she asked for my permission for everything when I first turned her, that's so wrong!
At first, I was angry with Carlisle, but it became apparent neither he nor Esme was aware of this; they were so upset for her when I explain everything. But I know now Edward, Alice and Rose were the cause of that and neither Emmett nor the Major did anything to stop it from happening. So it's beyond high time he cleaned up his mess and made some amends for allowing the others to treat her like a pet. From what little I've gathered over the years from Emmett, Esme and Carlisle it was a cluster-fuck of epic proportions. He, Emmett that is, has tried to talk to her, but even he wasn't aware of most of what was going on back then. The same for Esme ad Carlisle, so it's up to the Major because Alice can't and I doubt Rose or Edward would ever admit to half of what they did!
As it is, Edward is sailing so close to the sun, I'm surprised he hasn't burst into flames. Esme ripped out his tongue when he started to tell Alice about her real past. Even threatened by Caius Volturi himself hadn't stopped the asshole. She kept it for five years, well I did and he didn't dare come looking for it. Has it helped, who knows? We never see him; Esme and Carlisle visit us alone. While Emmett watches over Alice and keeps Edward under control. He also visits alone, not wishing to inflict Rose on Liberty at all. Apparently, she has changed somewhat, but I doubt it's much more than to appease her mate. If they would all just own up to their part in this it would have been dealt with long ago. But no, they all just pussyfoot around, only taking the blame for their own parts and never considering the whole thing.
Never thinking how it all played on the mind of the then-human Liberty. But I've had enough, this time, this tournament. It gets sorted once and for all! Because if it doesn't I'm prepared to stop talking, seeing having anything to do with them all for eternity for my mate's sanity! They all, except Alice need to realise what damage they did and have the decency to apologise for it. Because she is the injured party here and I will defend her with my life.
Peter
Fuck! Fuck and double fuck! I didn't need all that information, I just got an idea Garrett would be askin' us for help. They're holdin' the Tournament this year, as requested by Athenodora Volturi herself. Then I'm bombarded with an influx of wrongs to be righted and I'm with Garrett on this one, the Major has been shirkin' his duty. He probably don't realise just how much damage he did to that poor girl! I still can't believe he had stooped so low! Playin' with the mind and emotions of a human girl, a girl who was supposed to be his family, his future sister! Maybe it's time for him to confess his sins to Heidi and see what she has to say! Because I know he just skirted over it and like the rest of them, he don't see how bad his part was. When in truth he did the worst amount of damage!
They played on her insecurities and self-esteem; he went deeper and played around with her fragile psyche and with her body's reactions! Not cool, not nice at all and not right by any standards. If he was that scunnered with Alice and the Cullens he should have left, not taken out his frustrations on a child! Because back then that's all she was compared to him a human child! He could have really fucked up her head and maybe if she'd come gunnin' for him he'd see the damage he caused. Time for his mate to find out why Bella doesn't care for him at all. He doesn't understand because he's never had someone control his mind, his body yes for years, but his thoughts and feelings were his own. Unlike Bell, she had no idea which were her own and which were purposely made up by him!
Jasper
I have made many mistakes in my life, but this one is the most atrocious! Not in its enormity, but because it was so beneath me to do so. Also, the fact it was against a human, no a human girl is what really grates on the nerves. I don't even know why I did it, what did I expect to happen? That the besotted virgin would turn to me for sexual relief, from the frustration I caused her? It was never goin' to happen and maybe that was why, jealousy plain and simple. She was goin' to give herself to that prude, a foolish boy who couldn't find a woman's clitoris with a map and a compass! But from all that Peter is sayin' that's not why she hates me at all. It's the fact she has conflictin' knowledge of which emotions back then were her own! I only ever played with her sexual emotions and occasionally calmed her down or boosted her confidence.
Mainly when I thought she would explode over Rose or Alice. Why for peace that's why? I was so sick of their drama and it looks like I took all my frustrations out on Bella. I really should have left long before I did, but I became complacent and lazy. I had little or nothin' to do, no one to dictate my path or any path to follow. Oh, Alice tried, she tried very hard but I only did the bare minimum of what she demanded of me. Like the clothes, they barely registered with me so it was easy. The accent now that was different, I just hardly spoke to those who looked down on it. But in my mind well that was pure Texas and guess who got to hear that? Yeah, Edward heard and Alice saw it. I did it just to bug them as much as possible. But she wanted her hands on the money too and that was a step too far for me.
So Peter took charge of it all and I thanked God for that! I have been taken to task several times by Charlotte but wasn't really graspin' the severity of it. I was just thinkin' it was Bella's hurt pride and her bein' insulted from my behaviour that night, that night she proved she was more of an adult than any of us! But once Heidi found out she was horrified and did somethin' that made it sink in a long last! She used her allure on me; because we are mates it usually doesn't affect me. But if she intentionally does it, oh it works just fine! That made me sit up and pay attention, doin' things knowingly against my will was beyond scary. It gave me a little insight into just how Bella or anyone might have felt when I manipulated their emotions. Heidi did this for a day, not the four years I had been hurtin' Bella by manipulatin' her to suit the family!
Yes, I know now I was actually hurtin' her, emotionally abusin' her. That is as bad as any other kind of abuse and I'm ashamed! Peter has told us Garret and Bella are to hold the tournament this year and I want to clear the air once and for all. I will apologise on my knees if I have to, this has gone on for far too long because of my absolute ignorance. I'm goin' to write to Bella a much more heartfelt letter than before and send her a gift I know she'll like. Beggin' her to sit down and talk with me finally. I will have to try and prove I did nothin' more than enhance the feelin's she already had for him and just boosted her confidence in the beginnin'. Later yes, I just made her feel horny all the time, causin' her extreme frustration. But I never made her feel anythin' that was manufactured by me or that she didn't already feel!
God, what a mess and I know now with every year that's passed she has become more obsessed with those emotions and that is truly my fault. She has been nitpickin' every interaction she ever had with all of them when I was around! Basically was it what she really felt or what I had made her feel but the sad part was I never actually even tried because she was human! I knew that would be too much for her to handle.
Bella
"Garrett honey, have you called them?" I asked knowing now was the time to tell him everything,
"Yup, we start in two weeks. Is that okay?" he replies watching me closely,
Dressed in denim for once, a jacket and matching shorts combo, with a red tank under the jacket. On my feet were Casadei blade stiletto denim ankle boots to finish it off. They were casual in my mind with the peep toe and chain detail. I was feeling confident and for once ready to tell him my biggest fears. I really never grasped the importance of clothes when I was human; they were something to hide behind. But now as a vampire of twenty-four years, they were so much more, an extension of myself really. Not in the obsessive way Alice used to dress or the overtly sex-driven way Rose did either. Garrett said he could tell my mood by what I wore now and I guess he's right. So today I was casual, relaxed and ready for a long overdue talk with my mate. Though I have a feeling he knows more than he ever says!
"How about a walk down by the lake? I have something I want to explain, but I'm sure you know some of this already" I say taking his arm and breathing in his scent which always centres me,
"Lead on Liberty, I'll always follow you, no matter where," he tells me and I know he's reassuring me,
If I wanted to up and leave here and never return he would go with me no questions asked. But it's time to stop running from myself and finally face my demons or should that just be one demon... Jasper Whitlock? Crazily nothing Edward did really bothered me anymore. The same with Alice, she had been dealt with and Rose's antics were below me and not worth my attention. So that just left him and his invasive gift, that was really the crux of the matter, he could get to me back then. Not now though, I never allow him to feel anything from me at all. I know he hates it and that's all the reason I need to keep it up. Am I going overboard, maybe? I just wish I knew the truth and more than that, that I could trust him to not lie about it! God, I'm a pathetic mess, how can Garrett stand it?