I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl, Noles, and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Ch. 10
I imagine when most witches found out they were more powerful than they thought, they'd be excited. But not me. It was freaking me the hell out. I wanted my spells to be helpful or protective, but not to control anyone like a puppet. I was now second guessing every spell I had ever done.
"Are you ready, Kitten?" Edward asked me.
"Yes," I told him, even though I was feeling sick inside.
"Perhaps, you should mask your appearance again," he suggested.
I nodded. "Right."
"By the way, what happened to the real Stephanie?" Emmett asked.
"Alice called her and gave her the night off," I explained.
"I'm going to head out first and walk straight to the walk-in freezer in the kitchen. I want you to follow a few feet behind me. Jasper and Emmett would bring up the rear. Don't stop to talk to anyone," Edward ordered.
I thought ahead to make sure his plan would work. Then I remember the other vampire, Heidi, I met earlier. If she had only had a relationship with my mate before I was born, I could have forgiven everything. But there was more than desire behind her motives, and I knew for sure now that Edward was unaware.
"Kitten, forget it and go home. We'll—"
"No, it's not that. Who is Aro and the Volturi?" I asked. I was concerned about something I saw before Edward arrived.
All three's posture immediately became rigid, and they exchanged glances. It was then I knew that the Volturi was the family that wanted me.
Edward growled, sending a shiver through me. "Did Alice mention him?"
"Alice wouldn't," Jasper defended her.
I shook my head. "It's Heidi. She has been feeding information to him."
Watching the expression on Edward's face, I thought he would explode with fury. "Has she told him about you yet? Right now, her mind is blocking me with other mundane things."
I took a step back. I knew he wouldn't hurt me, but I didn't like seeing him this angry. Maybe I should've waited to say something. "No. She's heard rumors but wanted to make sure before passing on the information. Something about her dying if she was wrong."
"Well, she's about to fucking die for turning on the family. How the fuck did she get past me and Alice?" Edward hissed.
"Because she was low on our radar for threats. And she knows both of your skills. I've suspected she was up to something, but I always thought…" Jasper frowned, glancing at me.
"How do you know this, and they don't?" Emmett asked.
"Unlike Edward, I can search the mind like a book. Not just current thoughts. She's very careful to hide her mind around him, which is why she hasn't planned her next course of action since he's here," I answered.
"Well, that won't last long. Emmett, stay here and keep an eye on her. Call Rose to get here so she sticks close too. We will deal with her after Leah," Edward ordered. "Let's get this next part over with."
The club was busier than when I arrived. A bunch of guys were hooting and hollering over the girls dancing without a stitch of clothes on stage. I was passing a table of drunken men, there to celebrate a bachelor's night, when one of the men tried to smack me on the butt. Simultaneously, Edward turned around sharply, looking pissed, just as I zapped the man before he could make contact.
"What the fuck, bitch!" he slurred, trying to stand.
I eyed him carefully, contemplating if I would have to use magic again. Before I could decide how to handle it, Emmett stepped in between us and shoved him back into his seat.
"Sit your ass down. There's no touching of the waitresses," Emmett growled.
"She electrocuted me," the drunk whined.
"If you'd have been electrocuted you wouldn't be talking. Now shut your trap before I do it for you and then kick your entire group out." Emmett glared at him until he shrunk in his seat.
"Stop, Steve, I don't want to leave." One of the other guys elbowed him hard. "Sir, I heard this place had girls do things. You know like happy endings," he asked Emmett.
"Well, you heard wrong," Emmett answered him then glanced at me. "Move along to the kitchen."
I nodded, knowing he was only playing a part then fled, noticing that Edward and Jasper had already left the area. I entered the kitchen and walked straight to the walk in fridge without stopping to talk to anyone. From the fridge there was another door to the freezer to where Edward and Jasper were waiting. Inside was subzero temperatures, and I instantly shivered. I changed myself into a pair of sweats and a thick jacket.
Edward and Jasper were standing next to a hole in the floor. I glanced down into it, but it was nothing but darkness. I was very curious as to where it led.
"You want me to jump?" I glared at Edward. "What's down there?"
"The sewer," Emmett cheerfully said, joining us.
"The sewer?" A dozen scenarios played in my mind all based from movies and television.
"It's not that bad. Think of it as an underground tunnel, there's no rivers of sewage." Edward smirked. "I'll even jump first and catch you."
I nodded and watched Edward disappear down the hole. I took a deep breath and jumped, trusting Edward's word. He caught me easily and set me on my feet.
"See, not that bad," he commented.
"Speak for yourself, I'm literally blind here," I mumbled. I conjured a ball of purple glowing wisps that omitted a light. The tunnel around us lit up and I could see the bricks and pipes. Thankfully, there was no sign of rats or other unwelcome creatures. Jasper landed next to us and nodded to Edward. Above us the hole was covered.
Edward took me by the hand and led me down the corridor. My mind started to think ahead about what would be expected of me. Deep down I knew I had to play with Leah's memory for my own safety as well as my new family. I was concerned the spell wouldn't last and Leah would remember only to tell the wolves later. There were so many factors.
I was suddenly struck with a vision of Leah in a chair being taunted by Charlotte.
When Leah struggles against the chain she'll start to bleed, Charlotte will charge at her, not being able to contain herself. That's when Leah will burst into a wolf like Jacob. Then all hell will break loose.
"No." I dropped Edward's hand and rushed forward.
"What's wrong, Kitten?" Edward caught up to me easily.
"Leah is about to turn into a wolf, and it won't end well," I told him.
"Kitten, are you sure? It's usually only the men from the tribe," Edward questioned.
"I'm sure. If she changes, she'll have an automatic link to Sam," I explained.
Edward swept me into his arms and started to run at vampire speed.
"Can you freeze time?" Jasper asked.
"No, but maybe…" I said a spell in my head to put Leah asleep, hoping I wasn't too far away. I breathed a sigh of relief when it worked.
"Maybe…" Edward prompted.
"I was able to put her asleep. I wasn't sure my magic could work without being in the same room," I explained.
"We're closer than you think." Edward rounded a corner a moment later.
The room opened into a large area. Leah sat slumped and strapped in a chair over a drain. Charlotte and Peter stood close by with their arms crossed staring at Leah in confusion and disappointment. They looked up when we entered.
Charlotte scowled at Edward. "Want to tell me why you ruined my fun? And why are you carrying her?"
I realized I still looked like Stephanie. Charlotte had mistrusted me ever since I stepped into the backroom at the club. She had a feeling something was off about me but couldn't put her finger on it.
Edward set me on my feet. "Go ahead, Kitten. We will want Peter and Charlotte on our side."
I took the disguise off of me, but still remained cautious of the other two. I had seen in their minds how brutal they could be. They would put horror movies to shame. Their eyes widened and they stepped back from me cautiously.
"So, it is true, your mate is here and is a witch." Peter looked astonished.
Charlotte was less than pleased though. "What was with the act back there?"
"It was actually Alice's idea. She suggested testing my magic, to see if I could disguise myself well enough to fool even Edward. The only one that caught on was Jasper," I explained.
"Hmmm, I might actually like you if you can fool this one." She smirked, looking at Edward. "And the girl?"
"As for Leah, she was about to change into a wolf and attack you so I put her to sleep before she could."
"I could've handled myself," Charlotte huffed.
"Absolutely, love," Peter said with assurance.
"It was more than that. Once changed, Leah would have an instant connection with their leader. It would end with a war," I told them.
"It's been a while since our last good fight." Peter looked enthused.
"There would be many lives lost on both sides. Including one of you," I told them.
They exchanged a look and Charlotte stepped closer to Leah. She grabbed her jaw roughly. "Then if we kill her now the war won't happen."
I shook my head. "You're wrong. If they don't hear back from her, they'll investigate and that too would lead to a fight."
Charlotte dropped Leah's face in disappointment. It was disturbing how much she liked to kill and was looking forward to it tonight.
Edward sighed and then gave her a smirk. "I know I took a toy from you; I'll make it up to you. We just found out Heidi is a rat. This time no take backs and you can torture her as much as you please. I only want one thing, find out how long she's been feeding information to Aro."
"Done. Do you need us to stick around?" Charlotte asked.
"No. And while you're at it, take care of Riley too. I don't need him going rogue," Edward stated.
"With pleasure." Peter flashed a grin.
Once they were gone, I focused in on Leah. She didn't even want to be here. She had been mostly on my side since she was pissed about how the whole wolf thing ruined her relationship with Sam. But she was worried what Sam would do to Seth if she didn't come here.
I concentrated in on her mind and deleted the early part of the night. I supplied the information that Peter and Charlotte were the new owners of the club and the Cullen family moved to Volterra a month ago like Carlisle told Billy. When I was done, I looked into the future a week, then a month and a few months from now.
I glanced at Edward, and he was looking at Leah with an awed expression. Apparently, even though he couldn't read my mind, he could see everything I did with Leah's. He stepped forward and kissed my forehead.
"Well done, kitten." It felt good when he praised me.
"I take it that worked?" Jasper asked. I had forgotten he was here.
I nodded. "It did. All that's left is to make sure there are no bruises on her and send her back to her hotel room where she'll sleep until morning."
A/N: If you are wondering why Bella didn't just use her magic to get to Leah and Charlotte, it's because she was so caught up at the moment about altering Leah's mind, and if it would work that it didn't occur to her. Remember she's still a novice and not used to her magic, even if she is powerful.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.