Edward! Esme's panicked exclaim rang loudly in my head.
She certainly has spirit! Emmett was surprised yet amused at the scene.
Well deserved. Rosalie's amused smirk said everything.
Alice, unprepared for Isabella's sudden reaction, was now rapidly searching the future and trying to find the best resolution, while Carlisle and Jasper prepared to intervene, knowing the difficulties of handling a newborn vampire.
I observed all of this while Isabella's vivid red eyes bored into mine, bringing the phrase 'if looks could kill' into a reality. Snarling as we hit the ground, she seemed enraged beyond words, though i found myself unable to anticipate her attacks other than relying on a newborn's instinct. I had barely enough time to block her teeth with my arm, but it wasn't enough to stop her ripping a chunk away, another growl escaping as she went back to forcefully rip through my arm completely. A reactive hiss began to escape me as the pain intensified but i held it back, not wanting her to believe i would retaliate. She barely seemed to falter before her eyes were glaring into mine again, as a slow realisation began to build in my head.
I can't hear her... I stared in stunned silence as i tried to anticipate her next move, my preservation instincts at the forefront, but another part of my mind began to think back over the few days since we'd met. During my attack i hadn't heard her react, but my focus had been elsewhere and I'd believed she was too surprised to think anything concrete. When I'd visited her in the study, I'd thought the screaming must be louder than her thoughts, then hadn't stayed to find out anything more. Seeing her for the first time as a vampire, my own thoughts had distracted me from paying attention to her reaction, leaving me with no warning to prepare myself for her attack. As i lay there on the ground, Isabella adjusting to hold me captive with her newborn strength, her mind remained silent, impenetrable. I couldn't tell what she was planning for her next move as fresh fear froze me solid. Her arms held me in place, leaving me unable to escape with my severed limb. Another hard glare at me, her face lowered towards my neck again as i found myself unable to move, closing my eyes in defeated expectancy.
The sting of her bite, another snarl and sounds of a struggle opened my eyes again. I witnessed Jasper, his hands full of the resisting vampire, using his powers to force Isabella to calm down. He looked back to me with bewilderment, wondering why i hadn't stopped her, while Carlisle helped me to sit up.
You know you had it coming, jerk. I threw an annoyed look to Rosalie's smug face, then nodded to Esme indicating i was ok, much to her relief. I then looked back towards Jasper and Isabella, who was gradually succumbing to the enforced calmness. I could hear Jasper's surprise at the intensity of her anger, needing to amp up his power further. Yet, i could hear nothing from the beautiful vampire in his grasp.
Emmett then caught my attention as he moved between us, ready to defend.
Dude, what happened? I thought you could handle her! Emmett wasn't the only one confused, well aware of my fighting abilities from his many losses. I shook my head in response, looking back to Isabella momentarily before the questions became vocal.
"What happened, son?" Carlisle's concern was understandable, glancing over to make sure Isabella was under control, before looking back to me. "For a second, i thought..."
He didn't need to say anything more; the image of my decapitated head was enough. He pulled me to my feet, my arm throbbing while my neck stung from her bite, a reminder of how close she got.
"It's an understandable reaction, after what i did." I spoke with a sigh, Carlisle hesitant to agree but nodding at my words.
Stop with the pity party, Rosalie's cutting remark was loud, but i ignored her as i continued.
"I knew her instincts would have her go for the kill, but i couldn't anticipate her actions. I... can't hear her thoughts." I looked back to Isabella, checking again as her glazed eyes caught mine, another growl rumbling through her, but still... nothing. The rest of the family all looked towards her, a mixture of surprise, interest and concern, before returning to me.
Well, this makes things a little more complicated... I nodded in agreement to Carlisle's thoughts as i caught Jasper's eyes, noting his relief at the now-contained Isabella. However, his concern began to rise as he sensed my increasing nerves.
"Jasper, let her focus, I'd like to talk to her."
Everyone behind me froze in tension, while Jasper stared at me. Are you crazy? She'll go for you again-
"It's fine, Jasper, I'm sure it's something I'll have to get used to. Plus, it's not fair on her to be contained like this."
After another moment of uncertainty, he nodded and let Isabella regain herself. She shook her head slightly and blinked a few times, as if returning from a daydream, but her glare and growls quickly returned at my cautious approach. I paused mid-step and raised my one hand to show i wouldn't harm her, keeping my voice calm.
"Isabella, i know there's nothing i can say or do that will ever be enough of an apology. I truly wish i could go back and prevent my actions and i will never forgive myself for it. I will do everything in my power to make you feel comfortable and welcome here, for as long as you'd like to stay."
Her steely eyes were lethal and, now in control of her mind, she quickly forced herself free from Jasper's hold. I shook my head as he immediately went to grab her again, indicating she should be free to say or do what she wants. She didn't sink back into a hunting crouch, but she kept her eyes on me to make sure i understood as she answered.
"I have nothing to say to you, Edward, other than leave me the hell alone."
It was amazing how much her simple, rejective words hurt, as cold and sharp as her eyes. Well, what did you expect? All is forgiven? I berated myself as i nodded, indicating i understood and would follow her request. I was surprised again as she then threw my arm straight at me, hurled with enough speed and force to make any pitcher envious, before she immediately raced off into the forest. Alice, wasting no time, jumped from the window and took off in pursuit, with Jasper following behind. Esme went to follow but, catching my sorry state back on the ground, she paused to help me. She was conflicted; she wanted to help the innocent girl, but didn't want to feel disloyal to me.
"I'd never see it that way, Esme, you know that." She looked sheepishly to me, though i stopped her as she moved to help with re-attaching my arm, watching as she instead picked up the first chunk Isabella had broken off. I applied venom to the ripped end and pushed it back in place with force, knowing the process can be painfully drawn out while it re-attached. Carlisle helped me to my feet again as we then headed for the living room, feeling the dining room may be too small and fragile if Isabella were to lose her temper at me again. Well, that was if she came back...
Rosalie and Emmett sank in the love seat together, Emmett silently amused at how easily Isabella had taken me down as he tried to avoid looking at me. Carlisle and Esme were all business as they sat on the main sofa. I went to sit in the armchair but, on hearing Esme's mental alarm at the mud i was already trekking into the house, pause d and stood by the back wall, eyes down as i kept force on my repairing arm. I could still see the hatred in her expressive, bright red eyes staring back at me.
"So, are you going to explain what happened to cause all of this, or are you planning to keep us guessing?" Rosalie, making no attempt to hide her annoyance or glee at my predicament, wasted no time in getting to the heart of the matter.
"Rosalie..." Carlisle's tone was a warning, but i knew he'd spent the last few days wondering as well. He, like the others, quietly waited for me to start, as i pondered on the right words to explain.
"When Alice got out of the car to help her, the wind brought in her scent and i lost control. No, not even that; it was as if i had no control to begin with. Something about the scent of her blood took over and i didn't even have time to think before..."
I kept my eyes to the ground, my shame obvious, which seemed to only irritate Rosalie further. Good going, Mr Self Control.
Emmett seemed to understand more, his memories taking him back to the lady hanging out her washing. "You mean like-?"
"Yes, similar to the lady by the apple trees. I'd never smelled anything like her blood before and my instincts just took over." I shuddered at the memory of her blood, both in fear and, undoubtedly, pleasure at the taste. "If Emmett hadn't stopped me, there's no doubt in my mind she wouldn't have survived."
I swallowed back the pooling venom from the memory, instead focusing on the pain from my arm as it repaired, the sensation reminiscent of our burning transformation. The others seemed unsure what to say, though i could hear Carlisle considering what the next best step would be; should we move on? Or should we stay? There were also the complications of her father, which snapped my attention back to him.
"Seriously, the chief of police?" I tried to hide the mild panic in my voice at that revelation; Carlisle's confirming nod didn't help that.
"We wouldn't normally involve ourselves with the police, what makes this situation different?" Esme, not aware of this, was confused by the one-sided conversation.
"Her father is Charlie Swan, the chief of police in Forks. He's going to search everywhere, investigate everyone. I'm concerned that moving on would draw the spotlight onto us." Carlisle's tone was somber, as he and Esme both pondered on what to do.
Emmett shook his head with a quiet chuckle. You know how to pick them, brother.
Oh, way to go, idiot! Rosalie's internal snark wasn't helping. Now you've put the entire family at even more risk!
I couldn't help snapping back. "It's not like i planned this, Rose!"
"No, instead you attack possibly the most noticeable person to go missing in this tiny town, then the family have to pick up the consequences of your actions!"
"I don't expect anyone else to handle my mistake, I've taken responsibility for-"
"Yes yes, we know you've taken responsibility for what happened, but you can hardly handle your 'mistake' when she won't let you near her, can you?"
Much to my frustration, she had a point. There weren't many rules in our world but, aside from keeping our vampire status secret, you should also take responsibility for your creations. Carlisle had done this for all of us and Marie, despite creating Jasper for more nefarious purposes, had still ensured he followed the rules as discreetly as possible. Alice was the exception to this, having never known her creator, however she had her visions to guide her. How was i to teach Isabella when she couldn't even look at me without growling?
Rosalie, taking my silence as confirmation, nodded and crossed her arms. "Exactly, so now we will need to teach her our ways and do your job."
I hissed in annoyance; i had no defence. I was more than happy to teach Isabella, help her understand her new life and do whatever possible to make things right by her, but my wounded arm was evidence that it wouldn't be so straight forward. My mind began to consider what i could do for her, while the rest of my family watched the changing light outside, waiting to see if Alice and Jasper would return with Isabella.
I hope so, i found myself thinking, anxious to see her again though not sure why.