The clearing loomed ahead, shrouded in an eerie quiet that seemed unnatural for the dense forest surrounding Forks. Bella stepped forward, her boots sinking slightly into the damp earth. Her heart raced, each step echoing in her ears like a drumbeat. The faint glow of twilight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows that seemed to dance in the periphery of her vision.
She forced herself to breathe evenly, keeping her magic steady. The wards she had trained to maintain within herself now hummed faintly, like a shield wrapped around her thoughts and emotions. They can't see me panic, she reminded herself. They can't know what I'm feeling.
The clearing was empty at first glance, but Bella knew better. She could feel them—dark, watchful presences lingering just out of sight. Somewhere in the shadows, her father was being held, and every instinct screamed at her to run to him. But she knew this wasn't just about Charlie; this was a test, a trap carefully laid for her.
"Bella Swan," a voice drawled, low and dripping with malice.
She froze, her head snapping toward the sound. From the far edge of the clearing, a figure emerged, cloaked and hooded. The voice belonged to a woman—sharp, mocking, and unmistakably confident. More figures followed, stepping out of the shadows one by one until a half-circle of Death Eaters surrounded her.
Bella clenched her jaw, forcing herself to remain calm. "Where's my dad?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the fear twisting in her chest.
The woman pulled back her hood, revealing sharp features and wild, dark hair that framed a cruel smile. Bella recognized her instantly—Bellatrix Lestrange. Her stomach churned at the sight.
"Oh, he's quite safe… for now," Bellatrix purred, gesturing lazily with her wand. "But whether he stays that way depends entirely on you, darling."
Bella took another step forward, her fists clenched at her sides. "If you've hurt him—"
Bellatrix cut her off with a shrill laugh. "Oh, so much fire! I can see why the Dark Lord is so intrigued by you." Her smile widened, her eyes glinting with wicked glee. "Don't worry, little Swan. He's unharmed. See for yourself."
At her signal, two Death Eaters stepped aside, dragging Charlie into view. Bella's breath caught as she saw him—disheveled, bruised, but alive. His hands were bound in front of him, and a faint trace of blood stained his temple. Despite his state, his eyes were sharp, defiant even.
"Dad," Bella breathed, her voice breaking.
Charlie's gaze locked on hers, and for a moment, she saw the fear he tried to mask. "Bella," he rasped. "Don't do anything stupid."
Bellatrix's laugh sliced through the air. "Oh, but that's exactly what we're counting on, isn't it?" She flicked her wand, and Charlie was forced to his knees, a grunt of pain escaping him. "You see, Bella, the Dark Lord has no interest in your father. He's merely… an incentive."
Bella's pulse pounded, her hands itching to release the magic simmering beneath her skin. She wanted to lash out, to knock Bellatrix and her cronies into the dirt, but she forced herself to stay still. She couldn't risk Charlie's life.
"What do you want?" Bella demanded, her voice trembling with both anger and desperation.
Bellatrix tilted her head, feigning innocence. "We want you, of course. Or rather, your power. You've been hiding it, haven't you? Pretending you're just a frightened little girl. But we know better."
Bella swallowed hard, her mind racing. Keep them talking, she thought, buying time for Ron, Narcissa, and the gray-haired ally to spring their ambush. "You're wasting your time. I don't know how to control it."
"Oh, but you will," Bellatrix said, her tone turning cold. "The Dark Lord will teach you. He'll mold you into the weapon you were meant to be."
Bella shook her head, taking another step forward. "I'm not a weapon. And I'm not going with you."
Bellatrix's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, I think you will. Unless you'd prefer to watch your father die."
Bella's breath hitched, and for a moment, she felt the wall she'd built around her emotions begin to crack. She glanced at Charlie, whose gaze was locked on hers. His lips moved, forming the faintest of whispers: Don't.
The tension in the clearing was suffocating. Bella's heart raced as she scanned the shadows, searching for a sign of her allies. Where are they?
Bellatrix raised her wand, her smile turning cruel. "Last chance, dear. Surrender yourself, or he dies."
A faint sound caught Bella's attention—the rustle of leaves, so subtle it might have been missed. Relief surged through her. They're here.
She straightened, her voice firm. "I said no."
Bellatrix's smile twisted into a snarl. "Then watch him—"
Before she could finish, a bolt of red light streaked through the air, striking one of the Death Eaters holding Charlie. The man crumpled to the ground, and chaos erupted.
Ron emerged from the shadows, firing spell after spell at the circle of Death Eaters. Narcissa followed, her wand moving with deadly precision as she targeted Bellatrix. The gray-haired ally flanked them, his movements quick and calculated.
"Bella, get your dad!" Ron shouted, deflecting a curse that sizzled inches from his shoulder.
Bella didn't hesitate. She surged forward, her magic blazing to life in her chest. A Death Eater moved to block her path, but she raised her hand, sending a burst of energy that knocked him off his feet. She reached Charlie in seconds, kneeling to untie his bindings.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her hands trembling as she worked.
Charlie nodded, his voice hoarse. "I've been worse. Get me out of here, kid."
Bella helped him to his feet, her magic crackling around her like a shield. She turned just in time to see Bellatrix dueling Narcissa, their wands clashing in a dazzling display of light and power. The remaining Death Eaters were falling back under the relentless assault from Ron and the gray-haired ally.
"Go!" Ron shouted, his voice strained but strong. "Get out of here!"
Bella hesitated, torn between staying to help and getting her father to safety. But the fear in Charlie's eyes made the decision for her. She tightened her grip on his arm and pulled him toward the forest, her magic flaring to deflect the stray curses that flew their way.
As they reached the tree line, Bella glanced back. The clearing was a battlefield, filled with shouts and flashes of light. Her chest tightened with both fear and fury.
"This isn't over," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Not by a long shot."