Chapter 46~ Sounds Of Silence

Edward and I triumphantly walked out of the Castle hand in hand. The sound of cracking concrete and oppressed stone being the only sounds to fill the air. As we meandered in our bittersweet emotions toward the courtyard we quickly noticed the maddening war cries being replaced with vivacious victory cheers. 

Emmett was doing some sort of dancing around a flag pole that had a lifeless Marcus strung up on it. Rosalie was showing an odd happiness as well. All around us was happiness, relief, and freedom.

" Where's Esme?" Rose asked.

" She went back to the compound, she needed to get back to Carlisle." I said.

She smiled and placed her hand on my shoulder. " I never thought I would ever say this Bella, but here it goes." She took an unneeded steadying breath. " We couldn't have ever ended this war with out you."

I didn't hesitate I grabbed her and hugged her. " And I could have never done it without all of you." I said.

After awhile things began to quiet down and Edward and I decided to return to the compound to Jake, Mara, and Carlisle. We opened the doors and again the sounds had me almost frozen.... silence.

" HELLO" I shouted knowing that I could even be heard with a mere whisper but the silence was jarring. Edward squeezed my hand before letting go.

" Mara? Jake? Esme? Carlisle?" He said.

We slowly made our way down to the training center and when we opened the doors we were greeted with serine peace, Mara was asleep laying across Jake's chest, who was also asleep. She was clasping his shirt with one hand and her other was on his cheek. Jake had both arms protectively around her, and was snoring louder then a nuclear bomb.

Quietly we walked over and kneel ed, it only took a light brush of my finger on Jake's arm to wake him. " Bella?" He said in his sleepy voice.

I smiled and let the crimson tears of joy stream down my cheeks. Guilt for what I am had no invitation here. Here in this place, with these vampires, wolves, and creatures, I was perfect, I was me. 

" Hey Jake."

" Mara has been sleeping awhile if you want I can wake her?"

I shook my head, " No, let her rest, we have forever."

I got up taking Edward's hand again we strolled out of the training center toward our room. We were about to enter when Carlisle stopped us.

" Edward, Bella?"

We turned, his eyes were grateful, free. " Hey Carlisle." Edward said.

He ran to us and enveloped us in a three way hug. " Thank you, for all of it."

Words made no sense, apologize, thank you's, it was mind boggling. We all wanted this to end. We all did this. But Carlisle need to be told he was welcome, he needed to show someone his happiness in a way that made sense. " You're welcome." was all I said.

" I spoke to Emmett, he and the rest of them are cleaning up, tomorrow we can head down there blow the place up or do whatever you want Bella." Carlisle said.

" Whatever I want, why?" I asked completely confused.

Edward turned to me and took my face in his hands, " My lovely Bella, the reason it is your choice and no one else is because it's all yours."

I furrowed my brow, I was speechless. " Mine?"

He nodded, " Aro owned not just the castle but the 200 acres beyond that, obviously he never intended to fail therefore only leaving himself responsible for the property, YOU are his only child, making it all yours."

I wanted to be happy, I wanted to act like I just won some lottery but I wasn't I was angry. " I don't want it."

" Bella, you don't have to decide today..." Carlisle began, I interrupted.

" That castle has been a beacon that stands for fear, torment, and demise. I will not allow it to stay you want a castle? Fine have a castle, but rebuild it. Use the land for our kind, Jake's kind whatever you want. But how it is right now is not OK." I stated.

Carlisle smiled, gave a quick nod and rushed down the hallway, clearly to get back to Esme. Edward and I went into our room and we laid across our bed and just stared at each other. He couldn't read my mind right now, but he would again when I had something for only him. By right now all we needed was, us and the sounds of silence.

Chapter 45 ~ Dismantle

I turned instantly and caught Edward's eyes on mine. A wicked grin spread across his face and all I could do was mirror his reaction. Caius was dead, the end was so close.

" We need to find Esme." I said. He nodded and grabbed my hand and we ran through the corridors. I could feel the power fading I knew the potion wasn't going to last much longer and if I didn't find her before it wore off it was going to make it difficult for me to locate her. " Faster Edward we are running out of time."

We heard a blood curdling scream come from behind us and we back tracked. We came to a set of gold doors. Edward didn't hesitate he rammed that door with all his strength.

The sight before us almost brought me to my knees. Esme was tied to a chair, she was dressed in a wedding gown. Edward went to run to her but I gripped his arm. " No!"

He was confused so I pointed up. Two large flame throwers were aimed to where Esme sat. " Its a trap." I said.

Esme's eyes held no fear, that was why I stopped feeling it. She didn't care if she perished today only that this ended with the dismantling of this castle and this empire.

" Hey Esme," I whispered. " We are going to get you out of here, I made a promise."

She simply shook her head. " Bella, there is no one here, we can break her out of here." Edward's voice was desperate.

" If you go to her you both die, just wait."

" Wait for what exactly?" He asked.

Just when I was about to answer a voice broke through, " For us most likely."

We turned and saw Aro and Moriana standing in the doorway directly behind us. Instinctively I jumped in front of Edward.

" Oh how sweet." Moriana said, her voice filled with disdain.

" Oh don't be jealous mother, just because the man I open my legs for actually loves me doesn't mean there isn't hope for you." I began laughing. " Well I guess there really is no hope for you, after today you'll be the devils bitch."

Her eyes narrowed and her mouth widened, " How dare you speak to me like that you...." 

Aro cut her off. " Now now my dear our daughter is clearly experiencing some anger issues. Can you blame her, you HAVE monopolized her emotions quite a lot."

Were they serious, I looked at Edward who had the same confused look on his face. " Can't you read their minds Edward?" I asked.

He shook his head, " Their blocking me somehow."

Moriana was quick she placed her hand on Edward's shoulder, " Don't even try to pry, it is useless." Her voice was like nails on a chalk board to me.

" Remove your hand from my shoulder." He said in a feral growl.

She menacingly chuckled, " You can do nothing to me," She looked over to me. " But she might have found her darkness after all."

" Let Esme go." I looked at Aro. " You have me and Edward here now let her go." I didn't want to but I was desperate, I had to free her from here, there was no guarantee I could spare her if she was too close to this, so I added.. " Please father."

I felt Edward's grip on my hand tighten.

" Oh my darling Isabella, I do love when you call that." He approached me slowly and slipped his hand into my free one and brought it to his lips. " I would give you the world if you would let me my daughter."

" I don't want the world, unlike you I just want peace, so I am asking you as my father, please let her go." I didn't let my gaze fall from his. I needed him to see that no matter what was agreed upon today that was non negotiable. 

He let out an unnecessary but annoyed breath. " Isabella, you have brought an army to my door step, they have killed a majority of my own army, this will never end peacefully so tell me why is Esme's life of any importance?"

" I don't plan on losing Aro, I am hopeful to get out with high numbers on my side, her life." I pointed to Esme. " Is not up for negotiation, she goes or we stop talking."

He looked over my shoulder to Esme, " Very well, she may go." With that two guards entered and began untying her. She leaps up and runs to me.

" Bella, Edward you should have left me I am not a bargaining tool." Esme said in a pleading voice.

" Get out of here Esme, go to Carlise, do it now." I looked at Moriana, " She gets out alive." She simply shrugged.

" Esme, Leave." I yelled at her, she growled angrily but quickly bolted for the door and with in seconds was racing back to Carlise.

After Esme left, Edward and I took a few steps back. It was the four of us, face to face. " Finally" I whispered.

" My sweet Isabella, I am not sure what things we need to iron out, you have what I need, there is nothing else to discuss." Aro stated.

I shook my head, " Mara is safe, and you can't have a drop of my blood, game over father, all that is left is the THE END in this twisted bed time story." 

He laughed, " You are so certain?"

I nodded, " Yes."

" So what you want to fight it out?" Moriana asked.

Edward shrugged, " Fight or you could surrender and die peacefully."

With that Moriana was laughing hysterically, " Oh my heavens, you are a comedian aren't you?"

I kept my eyes locked on Aro, I was enraged. His gaze didn't leave my own either. Edward and Moriana were simply prolonging the inevitable. Aro and I knew this. We weren't all leaving this room.

I clasped my hands together, and spoke, " I have made an Executive Decision, due to a fall in the financial uprising of this here establishment, the board of directors, namely me and Edward have decided your services are no longer required."

I saw a grim smile play on Aro's lips, " You are firing us?" He asked playfully.

" In a manner of speaking." I said as I again took a few more steps back.

" And what does the termination agreement state?" He asked clearly amused my show.

" Just that you go out in a blaze of glory really, and who am I to disappoint."

I saw as his eyes flicker to Moriana, she was slowly inching towards me. 

" I wouldn't come any further if I were you mother." She just gave me a pleasing smile.

" Very well." I took Edward's hand more firmly and pulled him close to me, " Trust me?" I whispered to him.

" of course." It was simple and all I needed to hear.

" OK, remember the arena?" He nodded. " Good so you remember, don't move!"

I gave my parent's one last look and right as realization hit Moriana's face I knew I won, it was too late for them, she knew it. " Rot in Hell!"

I raised my finger towards the flamethrowers mounted on the ceiling with all the power I could muster I pointed and shot the flames directly at them.

They engulfed us all but I was able to protect Edward and me, I shielded us in the happiness of my mind. It was always where my power found its greatest strength. It was something Moriana never had, she was darkness, I was light, she was evil I was good. The good outweighed the bad. 

Edward had his eyes slammed shut, I turned to my parents, their screams were glass shattering, they were frozen and burning all at the same time. I didn't know why they thought they could defeat me, or where their gypsies were with all their amazing powers of protection. Perhaps they assumed they were invincible.

It was sweet justice watching them crumble to ash by their own weapons, they sealed their own fate and never even knew it.

Thousands of years and finally they dismantled, they had lost!

Chapter 44~ War Cries

Edward and I stand atop that hill for what seems like an eternity, I need to get inside I need to get to Esme, I can feel her fear. Fortunately she hasn't been touched or hurt. " Edward I can't wait much longer."

" I know, they are close only a few more minutes, we will charge them Bella, we are ending this tonight!"

He is so confident, " God, I hope so, I'm so scared."

He wraps his arms around me, " I know its going to be alright. I won't leave you."

I lift my head and smash my lips into his. I kiss him with everything I have. I connect him with me, A goodbye, a new beginning, an End? I have no idea, but I know where he goes I follow. " I love you Edward."

" I love you so much more then any words can describe Bella." Our arms wrap each other up. I bite hard on his lips breaking skin. He gasps slightly.

" Bite me Edward." He looks at me confused. " Do you trust me?" He nods. " Then Bite me!"

He touches his lips with mine again and bites down. Our blood intertwines, I hear his breath hitch. I know in this moment he can hear inside my head. 

" I know you hear me Edward, and feel me, let my blood connect us, use my strength, let my gift power through you."

" Bella?" He lifts his head, his eyes gazing at me with intensity.

" My blood is a gift Edward, we all know this but they." I point to the castle, " Want to use it as a curse, don't let them, you can feel me now in here." I place my hand on his heart. " My power is inside of you, it lasts only a short while, I didn't give you enough for forever, but at least I know you can fight them."

" I can hear your thoughts."

I chuckle, " Yes, so you know how much I love you."

He kisses me one last time. Suddenly we feel the ground shake below our feet, we turn and see the army, our army. Wolves, and vampires alike, together. 

" Lets end this!" I say as we all charge down the hill.

Edward clasps my hand with his, the army splits half go toward the North Entrance and the rest follow Edward and I to the south. " Stay with me Bella." Edward whispers it but I hear him loudly.

" Always my love." 

As we reach the courtyard all the red capes turn toward us, they tear their robes from their bodies and like volcano meeting a tornado it is a storm of chaos and destruction. I keep close to Edward, I watch as he shatters vampire after vampire to pieces. Thank God I gave him the power I yield. 

" Isabella!" I turn to see Caius standing a few feet from my face.

" Asshole." I say sarcastically and curtsey.

" Such language, didn't mummsie or daddy teach you manners?"

" You talk too much, how about we pretend you gave me a lame ass monologue about how you are going to drain every last drop of blood from my pathetic body and  make the world bow down to your craptastic godliness!"

" You are severely outnumbered, not JUST by what you see before you but by what lies within those castle walls." His eyes gleam with fire. He is angry but confident.

" I assume you are referring to Alice? or My wonderful parents?"

He shrugs. " Sorry to break it to you but your crystal ball was set ablaze right along side your GPS marine." His face fell, it was thrilling.

" Alice, and Demetri?" I simply nodded.

His eyes scanned around, looking for what I assume was help. But everyone was busy defending themselves, we were winning out here, he could see it. " I am sure good old mom and pop will be just as easy to defeat, UNCLE C!"

" YOU FOOLISH CHILD!" He ran at me, clueless, desperate, and soon to be a memory.

I raised my hands and sent a rush of air at him, he flew back along with anyone else in his path and slammed against a stone wall. I saw his arms and face fracture slightly, I couldn't help but smile. " Not looking so good there C."

" Do your worst witch, you will fail, Aro knows I am here, in moments the courtyard will be filled with even more hell!"

I started laughing as I slowly walked toward him, " Well I imagine my army on the north end is keeping them very busy."

" Army?"

" mmhmmm, I think its something in the hundreds." I shrug. " No matter, you have the honor of my undivided attention right now."

He put his hands up in defense, " Bella, lets work something out."

I shook my head, " tsk tsk tsk, sorry I am having way too much fun making you my bitch!"

He stumbled up onto his feet, " Be reasonable, I can help you."

I cock my head to the side, " Are you going to cry?" I ask

" Bella, Isabella, listen, this isn't what you want!"

Now I was full on hysterical, " Oh this is exactly what I want... and now I am bored."

I get an inch from his face, " Any last words?"

He slammed his eyes shut, I felt  his hands grip my shirt and weakly try to push me from him. I took my hands and squeezed around his wrists crumbling them before his eyes... That made him cry.

" You should have tried to bargain with me years ago, I lost so much because of you and my parents."

" Pleeassse" he whimpered

" No!" I gripped his neck and lifted him, I squeezed, slowly, forcefully, " You get nothing but death from me!" With one last push his entire body crystallized and shattered before me.

I stared at the tiny facets, I felt a little lighter in that moment, and realized, I can do this!

Chapter 43~ See No Evil

We are standing a few miles from the castle. I look at everyone's faces. I can see fear, devotion, determination, but mostly I see tired. This has been a fight, a battle of good verses evil plain and simple. A war between the ones who want to rule the world against the ones who just want to live in it. " Everyone ready?"

I keep my voice steady, I am not worried about myself I am worried about everyone else. I can feel the pain pulling me toward Mara. She is my beacon, that is where I need to be. " Edward and I are going that way." I point

" Everyone else knows their jobs, drink, wait and go." They all nod. There aren't words, we are fresh out. " Good luck everyone." I grab Edwards hand and head down the hill toward the eastern part of the castle where Mara is. Jake isn't far behind. He needs to stick with us to stay with Mara. Seth will stay on the hill and make sure no one starts to charge toward Carlisle's.

The grounds are fairly empty, normally I would welcome it but its too quiet. " Keep your eyes open, ears to this isn't right." I whisper.

" Do you think they know we are here?" Jake asks.

I shrug, " They DO have Alice, let's just hope for the best."

We reach the large iron door, naturally its locked. But that ridiculous lock is no match for me and we are inside in seconds. I close my eyes and halt for a moment. Taking in every sound, every vibration and feeling. But its pointless, Mara's energy is grabbing me. " This way." 

We rush stealthily down the corridors. Edward focuses on thoughts, I focus on Mara. Jake is bringing in the rear.

Pull, Tug, yank... its strong, its painful, my heart is suffocating in anguish... Mara.

We stop in front of a door, " She is in here." I say barely a whisper.

" Wait." Jake says, " You said there were guards."

" I hear nothing." Edward answers.

" Yeah doesn't that seem a bit odd that we are meeting no resistance?" Jake has a point.

" Everyone else is on the grounds and meeting no retaliation either, lets hope its just coincidence." I know I am fooling myself I am sure it will be a war zone the second we try to head out.

I place my hand on the knob, take a deep breath and open the door. Mara is still laying on the bed, pink and plush. " Baby?"

No movement. Edward and I slowly enter. We don't rush her we are cautious. Every slow step is killing us. Closer.... I can hear her breathe... closer.... her chest raises and falls, repeat....closer... whimpers are released from her tiny mouth. We reach her, I sit on one side, Edward on the other. " Mara?" He whispers in her ear.

Her eyes flutter open, and fall, she repeats this several times till her eyes lay upon Edward, " Daddy." Her voice is low, tired, painful. She shifts her head to me. 

"Mommy."

" Hey baby, I told you we would be here before you wake." I feel the lone tear slide down my cheek. Mara tries to lift her hand to my face only to realize she has no strength. 

" She can't move." Edward says in an angry whisper.

" I know, but mommy will make the pain go away." I smile at Mara, she understands. We are linked, my blood heals, everyone. But right now its only for her. I lift my wrist to my mouth and bite, streams of crimson dance along my arms. I lower it to her lips. I see them quiver, wanting, needing. Her cotton soft lips rest weakly on my skin.

I watch her raw arm, the bite marks, slowly begin to heal, her color returns, her hair begins to glisten. " Amazing." I hear Jake's voice from behind me. " You are saving her Bella, here in this room." I look at him and give him a smile. " I see no evil in this body Bella, you are an angel." 

" Thank you Jake, I would give her every drop to save her." I would!

After a while, Mara releases my arm and beams, " I feel much better." Edward scoops her up and pushes her into his embrace. 

" I love you baby."

" I love you to daddy."

My perfect family, here we are in a vortex of horror and uncertainty clinging to just one moment of perfection. 

" OK Jake head out the way we came, Edward and I will follow you out, and make sure you make it to the hill. But I can't go back till I know everyone is safe." He nods.

" When you return make sure Carlisle releases everyone." 

" I know my job Bella." Edward turns and hands Mara off to Jake. He takes her in his massive arms. The second he grabs her I can feel the protective vibe pour out of him. His arms are shielding her from everything, I know in that moment he too would die for her.

We cautiously but quickly make our way out of the room and down the corridor. We turn the corner toward the exit and finally are met with the resistance we dreaded. 

" Well well well, how rude, are you leaving with out even a fair thee well?" Demetri quips. But its the one standing next to him that has my attention. Alice!

Edward and I fan out our arms, protecting Mara and Jake, " You are going to let us go Demetri, you know it, I know it." I turn my head to Alice, " She sure as fuck knows it." I snap back.

Alice's tinkering laugh echoes off the stone walls, " Bella, sure we can let you walk out of here, but lets be honest here do you think behind that door isn't a hundred murder hungry vampires?"

I'm getting angry, I am about to speak when I feel a twinge of pain, then another same spot, someone's in trouble. I look at Edward, he is shooting mental daggers at Alice and Demetri, " Edward?"

" What?" He says it without dropping his eyes.

" We need to get Mara out of here, NOW!"

The urgency in my voice has grasped his undivided attention, he nods.

" Alice," He begins, " I can hear the conflict in your head, you don't really want to be here, so tell me why you are?"

What is he doing? She looks at Demetri who is wearing a rather bored look on his face.

" I do want to be here Edward, it was hanging around you fools that made me realize how clueless, and powerless you all were." 

I watch Edward begin to inch closer to her, he is distracting her. " We were always good to you Alice, Jasper loved you and you just LET Moriana take the only good thing in your life, and then you played the most perfect actress didn't you?"

I can see her agitation, I can feel her hatred, its working. Demetri is totally focusing on this altercation between Alice and Edward, he's entertained. Perfect.

Using my hand I gesture to Jake to take a few steps back. He does. 

" I admit losing Jasper was unfortunate, he was an amazing fuck, but he was weak, pathetic!" Alice yells.

Demetri's head falls back and laughter is filling the corridor now. and that would be opportunity knocking.

It only took a moment, it was fast, fierce. I grabbed Edward's arm and pulled him back toward  Jake and Mara. With my other hand I extended it toward Alice and Demetri, I let a triumphant smile play on my lips before saying the word that will erase their existence," Fire."

The last thing I see is the terror, and finality on their faces before the are engulfed in flames. I can hear them scream, beg, shrill. I stand before them, I will the fire stronger, harder, hotter. I wait until they are nothing but ash.

Finally the fire is extinguished, I turn to Jake and Edward, Jake is horrified but amazed, Edward is proud, but sad. " Don't dwell on it, we need to go, I have to get to Esme, she is in trouble." They both look at me. 

Edward races out the door and we rush to the hill where we see Seth waiting. " Go Jake, don't say anything to Carlisle." He nods and they run. Edward and I turn back to the castle, we see hundreds of red caped figures pouring out of the entry ways. " They know we are here now." I say

Chapter 42~ No Rest For The Weary

" So we just drink this green bubbly disgusting crap and we become you?" Seth asks with his fingers pinching his nose.

" Well its a little more complicated than that Seth, you drink it sure but it only will last a few hours, however if we are all fairly close to each other I will be able to sense  when its wearing off before it happens. So if anyone is trapped hopefully I can get to you fast enough."

Edward squeezes my arm, " Bella and I will be together, so one of us will find you, right now we need to enter the castle as close to Mara as possible." 

Carlisle pulls up the blue print with all the lights. Mara is still resting, Moriana and Aro seem to be a fair distance away from her. There are few guards outside of her room. " Rose and I can totally take those fuckers outside her room." Emmett confidently exclaims.

I smile and nod, " That sounds like a perfect place to start then, but you have to enter unseen, the second they see two Bella's then the whole thing is a wash."

"Where should I be?" Esme whispers

" You are going to watch out for Aro, if you see him I will know it, My guess will be that he will attempt to touch you, DON'T LET HIM!" She nods. " Then just keep him distracted, don't let yourself get cornered or taken."

" How can I evade capture Bella?"

" Like I said I will know when he is near you, I can sense all of you especially since you are all carrying a little bit of myself in you, so I can be at your side in seconds Esme, its just vital you don't let him touch you."

" Ok, alright I can do that."

"And what about Moriana?" Zaf asks

" She is mine and no one else, she is far too powerful, but with in the castle walls her powers are severely weakened so I stand a good chance of taking her."

Jake and Seth step forward, " And us?"

Edward takes a black bag and hands it to Jake, " In this bag is a small blow torch, two actually, when we get Mara Bella and I are counting on the two of you to keep her safe, with your own lives if you have to."

Jake just glares at Edward, but as soon as he realizes his duty he softened, " I won't let anyone hurt Mara, but what are the two of you going to do?"

" Edward and I have to make sure the others stay safe, as soon as Mara is safe here, Carlisle will order the rest of everyone here to the castle."

" And then what?" Seth asks

" Then we end this!" I snap

" Thats very noble of you and all Bella, but I think as soon as Mara is back here Seth can take care of her, you need me in this fight!" Jake argued

Edward pounded his fist on the table cracking it in half,we all turned to him stunned, " We are never going to get this organized if everyone is going to argue what their jobs are, Jake the second Moriana or Aro figure out that Mara is gone they will unleash holy hell to get her back, so either stay and protect my daughter or get the fuck out of here!"

" Alright everyone lets just calm down." Seth hold up his hands and looks from Jake to Edward trying to defuse the situation. " Everything we do has a purpose, let's just do it alright Jake?"

Jake and Edward's eyes were locked, both maddening angry looks on their faces. Jake finally takes a deep breath and shifts his gaze to me, " This what you really want Bella?"

" Jake, honestly I don't want any of this but if Edward and I can't be the ones to protect Mara, then I can't think of anyone else who could protect her better than you... and Seth of course."

He just nodded

" OK great moving on..." Emmett says trying to end the great stare down. 

" So we wait until we get close to the castle before you all drink, we need it to last as long as possible, it will take seconds and its totally painless, Edward will not be drinking it." I turn to him, " SO don't you leave my fucking side!"

He smiles, " Not a chance."

"Alright then, everyone get your shit, meet us in the front in ten minutes." Everyone nods and starts organizing, I turn to Carlisle. " When Jake and Seth return release the others."

" What if they don't return?" It was a question I wish I wouldn't have to answer.

" If they don't return, if you see their light fade, send the reinforcements anyway, we need to get Mara out of there!"

He looks at me in understanding, " Please Bella, Esme is all I have."

I put my hand on his shoulder, " I promise I will watch over her, I will do everything in my power to keep her safe."

I grab my bag, Edward takes my hand and we head out of the training room to the front. 

We step outside, the breeze is cool, it dances gently through our hair. The sunflowers are giving off an amazing aroma. I feel Edward's hand slip from my grasp, I turn to him. His eyes are on fire. Every emotion is weighing on his features. He cups my face in his hands and crashes his lips to mine.

He whispers into my lips, " I love you Bella."

I close my eyes and breathe in his scent, storing it to memory, I kiss him again my tongue invading his mouth capturing his taste. " I love you Edward."

Everything we had to say to each other could never be spoken ,only felt. We love each other, we live for each other, and I knew if I died today he wouldn't be far behind. I had to keep him and everyone else safe. I could only pray that if it came down to it and I perished he would stay alive for Mara.

Our blissful embrace was abruptly severed by Emmett's booming voice, " OK fuckers lets get this show on the road, there is no rest for the weary!"