Chapter 16 ~ The Ties That Bind

As the sun begins to dip behind the mountains we all begin to travel, and by all I mean everyone Not one wolf or vampire strayed. We were a united front, I could feel how we were all connecting, and we were melding together. I was feeling everyone’s emotions, I knew where everyone was at every second, waves of cold would brush my cheeks when a vampire was near, but each with their own scent. A rush of warmth for the wolves, their scents a little bit more difficult to place but still each was linked to their own aroma. I was learning to connect with the darkness, but in a way where I could stay in control with it. My lips curl with amusement, Edward mimics my happiness, “What has you so content my love?” I shrug slightly, “I think I am getting this power thing under control, I can control it better I think.”  He shakes his head, “That’s great, we will need it.”

“I wonder what Aro would think of all of this?” Edward pulls my arm under his, gently kisses the top of my head. “He would be proud of you, you are amazing Bella.” I let my mind wander as we travel, letting Edward guide me.  I begin remembering when Aro would try to teach me how control my blood lust, but how the unchartered territory of me being part witch would throw him off guard. Once he put a boy no older than eleven in front of me, after I had not fed for days and told me not to drink from him. I circled the boy, inhaling his succulent fragrance, lightly growling as I wouldn’t dare disobey Aro’s rule not to drink. I sat across from the boy for what seemed like hours, Aro stood against the wall watching me, I knew he was trying to figure out what I was thinking. The boy was sweating, which made concentrating even harder.  That was when the darkness whispered to me, telling me how to get relief from my burning without drinking from him. I hopped off the stool, smiled at Aro, walked over to the boy, and placed my hand on his head. The boy leaped back, but my grip was fierce, he didn’t go far. I closed my eyes, and just breathed. The fire in my throat slowly began to diminish, relief was washing through me. I could feel strength empower every inch of my being, I was beaming with excitement and comfort. When I felt fulfilled I leisurely opened my eyes. The boy was hollow, his eyes caved in, his skin was the color of ash, he was dead.  I dropped him in shock of his sight, and turned to Aro, his face showed only amazement and wonder. Then I remembered, him telling me how I lifted the boys souls from his body and took it inside my own vessel.

I stopped walking, Edward turned to me, “What is it Bella?” I looked at him, “Souls,” He looked at the others, and put his face an inch from mine. “You don’t need them, you know that, you learned to deny yourself that, if you are hungry I will find you something.” I gingerly took Edwards hands, “No, I mean I remember what the witch in me ate, when I had asked Maggie, she shuddered and dropped the conversation, now I know why.” He lifted his head, “Yeah, some think it was that day in the basement when Aro gave you that boy that woke up the darkness, others think I did that.”  He smirks, and begins walking again.

I wish my mother were still around, so I can ask her what it all means, you are here to help with parts, but she knew so much that was unchartered territory.”

“Yes, Bella but you are doing outstanding on your own; don’t diminish what you have already accomplished.”

I kiss the palm of his hand, “You amaze me just as much.” Just then Jake runs to my side. “Bells, we have a situation up ahead.”

My eyes search the forest, a slight blockade was a good twenty miles up. “It looks like a few of Caius’s army, Jake.”  He nods. 

“Can you tell if any of them are gypsies Bells?” I scope them out one at a time, Edward interrupts, “They are all vampires, I am sure of it.” I shake my head in agreement.

“ I think Caius is setting these little blockades up all over, trying to figure out our path, as each gets destroyed he will be able to where we are going.” 

“So then we need to split up then Bells,” I look at Jake. “That could be dangerous, other blockades might have gypsies.” Jake rolls his eyes.

“What if we split up but here’s how it will need to work, “Edward kneels down and begins drawing in the dirt. “ about twenty  of us go up the mountain this way and see who the spotters are, the rest head for the blockade after the spotters have been identified and captured.” I turn to Edward,” Ok I will help with the spotters.” He shakes his head. “Too Bad Edward, you all don’t stand a chance if there are gypsies for spotters.” 

I raise my eyebrows and hold my ground. “Bella, you can’t fight off a group of Gypsies.” I reach out and place my hand on Edwards Cheek. “I don’t know what it is I can do, but vampires you can all take those no problem.” Edward stands, “I go where you go Bella, that’s one rule I won’t let anyone break.” I nod. “Fine, Alice and Zaf go with the wolves, You, Jas, Maggie and a few others stay with me.” We all agree and Jake heads to the others to go over the plan. 

Edward intertwines his fingers with mine, “I just don’t want to lose you again Bella.” I look at him, his face full of worry. “Edward, I don’t know what will happen, but I know we won’t all survive this, but I know we will all fight harder than anyone and anything in this world, and I know you love me so that right there gives us points.” My humor is wasted on him, he is determined to protect me, I see this. If he tries I know Caius will destroy him, I can’t let that happen. 

The group divides, Edward, Maggie, Jasper, me and a few others trek up the mountain, Jake watches us intensely, and a few wolves are behind us just to give word to Jake and the others when the spotters have been taken out. We reach a peak, a tent rests atop it. Two figures facing the blockade paying no attention to us. I signal to Jas and Maggie to grab the one on the left, she nods. Just as I am about to jump on the other figure, my body becomes completely limp and I fall to the ground. The figures are unmoving, I try to look at Edward but in the corner of my eye they look to be frozen. Just then another body steps out of the tent, smiles and kneels in front of me. She was tall and beautiful, her hair was black like mine, her lips were as red as blood, her eyes were like clear crystals and her skin was as white as the moon.

I try fighting but it is no use, she reaches for me, hushing my struggles, “Don’t fight my dear, it’s useless.” I try and speak but my voice is gone. “Do not fret, your friends are OK just still at the moment, as are the two figures you came to destroy.” My mind was spinning; I couldn’t even hear the darkness. “You are wondering who I am yes?” She laughs, stands and circles Edwards’s statuesque body, she slides her finger along his arm. “He is a radiant creature; I can see why you are drawn to him.” I can feel the anger boiling inside me, I knew I couldn’t stop her I knew she could decimate us all. She walks toward Maggie, “The ginger is still following you around I see, and the mood ring,” as she rustles Jaspers hair. I can feel my face again and I am able to speak.  “What are you?”

She turns abruptly, “You are getting stronger I see, “She lifts me up, and searches my face for a long time. “ You look so much like him, it sickens me.”

“I will take your word on it, seeing as I have never seen my mother.” She grips the side of my face and pushes my face closer to hers, “Well take a good look my child, I am right here, mommy dearest.” I push my face from hers and drop to the ground. 

“My mother is dead, you are a liar!” She just laughs more. “Why, because that’s what Aro told you, or was it Alice?” She grabs Maggie’s hair and lifts her two feet off the ground. “No wait; it was the Nanny, in the study, with the rope.”

“LET HER GO!” I stumble but eventually am able to stand. She turns toward me still holding Maggie, “You are a foolish, naive child, you live in a world where you believe who you are told to believe, but deep inside, you can hear it, the darkness, she sings to you and you shut your ears to her melody.” 

“No I listen, I can’t understand everything, it gets mixed up, just please let my friends go and you can take me to Caius whatever you want.”

She screams at the top of her lungs, “I DON’T WANT TO TAKE YOU TO CAIUS YOU STUPID GIRL.” 

“Tell me then what do you want I will do it, anything.” Her glare would set me on fire if she wanted it to. I knew it. I tried to see the mother she was to me but found nothing.

“What did they do to you?” She drags Maggie by her hair as she stand before me. “Beat me, lit me on fire, drowned me, quartered me, you name it sweet child of mine and they did it.”

There was great anguish in her face; I knew she spoke the truth, “But why?”

“For you of course, Bella, they wanted to find your daughter, which they could only do if they had you.” 

“Mara, she is innocent she is nothing, and I don’t know where she is.” 

She slid her finger along my cheek, “That is where you are wrong, she is everything, she is the key my dear, she is the first bred of a hybrid, her blood it will give Caius the power to be like you, as powerful as a vampire but with the strength of a witch.” 

“Why not just take my blood then?” She sighs in frustration. “Your blood is too potent it would kill him, but Mara’s is perfect, if his drinks her dry he will be unstoppable.”

She drops Maggie, “ I must go Bella, but you need to open your eyes, they cannot be trusted, you were right not to trust Alice, when I am gone, the figures will be dead, you are to say you did it, whatever you must, no one can know I live, run Bella, protect Mara, Kill Caius!”

A massive dark cloud of dust engulfed my body and she vanished. Everyone was moving again the figures were on the ground, dead, all eyes were on me. “I killed them, the darkness it took over, I don’t understand it.”

Edward took my head in his hands, “Are you OK, It was strange like time froze.”

“Yes I am fine I swear, we have to go now.” He looked at me strangely and we all hurried down the mountain toward the blockade, when we reached it all of Caius’s army was destroyed. Alice grinned, and folded her arms. “All in a day’s work.” I just smirked back at her, the witch’s words echoing in my ears, I knew I had to kill Alice.

Chapter 15 ~ Shock, Dismay, Worry, Revenge

 I am fairly certain I had turned to stone and any chance of speech had run from me.  Edward wasn’t moving either, except for the slight flicker in his brow every minute or so.  Finally Jake broke the silence. “Bella, you still with us?” His words were full of worry, and genuine concern. “Um, I think, maybe,” I slide my hand from Edward’s cheek, but my gaze remained on his golden eyes. “Did you say sister, and our baby, yours and my child?” Edwards lip almost quivered, tears would never find his perfect eyes, but pain was a constant resident in his soulful heart. I could actually feel the torture he endures; I don’t know if it’s part of my power or that I just know him so well. “Edward, please, speak.” His eyes drop, he stumbles over his words for a while. “Bella you have every right to be angry with me, I would understand, I just couldn’t lose you or them, you are all I have, without you and our daughter my purpose on this earth is pointless.”  My heart was racing, I knew it wasn’t your average heart, but the feeling was amazing. It was as if someone was telling me my child was alive, only after thinking she was dead for many years. I felt elated. Edward was killing himself over a secret, a secret that kept our family alive. I could never fault him for such a sacrifice. I knew he had this knowledge, but no way of knowing where exactly they were.

“You don’t know where they are Edward do you?” He shook his head lightly, “I never wanted to, you see before you went to the Gypsy you took your sister and our daughter to a safe place, well hidden, you told no one because you knew that Caius would stop at nothing until he found them, and after you met us in Athens where the Gypsy erased everything, and planted a fake life.”  A single crimson droplet fell from my eye. “But I can’t remember Edward, and I desperately want to.” He cupped my face with in his perfect alabaster hands. “I know Bella, part of me wants you to remember to, I miss her so much, it’s as if I have no arms without her.” My tears begin to flow freely now. “I don’t even know her name Edward, if I am not with them how can I keep them safe, how do we know they are still alive?”  He pressed his forehead to mine, we close our eyes, I sobbed like a child, and I knew he would if he could. “My dear Bella, because Caius seeks you only means he has not found them, trust that you did right by them, walking away from them was the hardest thing anyone could do.” I was begging the darkness to shine the light for me, to show me where my baby was, I was making silent deals left and right, but nothing, was the dark trying to keep them safe to? “Your sister’s name is Emily, and our daughter, her name is Mara, you named her after your mother, Emily is not gifted in anyway, she was a failed creation of Aro’s but loved all the same.” 

My cries, taper off slightly, “Did my mother give birth to Emily?” Edward rubs my head, “No, he tried to mate with one of the children of the moon, it went horribly wrong, Aro debated killing Emily for some time.”  I wipe my blood strewn face with my sleeve, and then Maggie hands me a handkerchief, I smile,” Thanks Maggie.” She kisses the top of my head and steps back. “What made Aro change his mind?” Edward’s lips crack a halfhearted smile. “You of course Bella, you wanted a sister so badly, it was the only reason Aro agreed to it in the first place, you and Emily were inseparable.” My eyes searched over the crowd of people watching Edward and me, most of them sympathetic to our loss, only a few showing no emotion at all. “When Aro came to you and said that Emily had to go, you gave him one hell of a temper tantrum; you said you would never forgive him and never talk to him again, so she stayed.” I released a single chuckle, “I sound like a brat.” A few giggles were heard from everyone.

“On the contrary,” Maggie chimed in, “You were made with the best parts of your mother and your father, and you were born a fighter, live as a protector, and will be remembered as a savior to many, no matter what the outcome may be.” I slowly stand, and face the many people, wolves, and vampires before me. Edward stands beside me grasps my hand. We look into each other’s eyes for a moment, he didn’t have to read my mind, and he knew me like no other.

 “Emily is my sister, and she is yours as well, her mother was of this tribe no doubt that is why you joined this fight to begin with, we are linked and we fight for the same purpose, we fight to be free, to live, we fight for the fallen, together we can end this, but I no longer will ask you for your sacrifices, from this point forward if you follow it is a choice you make, but know this, if you run, that will change nothing, many have died and I will be in your debt forever, if  you need me I will come, I will protect any of you until there is no life left in this vessel.”  Edward squeezes my hand, like he was sending me strength through touch. “I will not force myself to remember where Emily or Mara are, if it comes to me than only I will know, I will not endanger anyone further, I will go to them, and hide them once more, and if I must, I will wipe my mind a hundred times until Caius and Marcus and that hoard of sadistic savages are dead, and they will die, at that point we will be avenged, and we will breathe the air of freedom.” 

I look over the crowd, many smiling, others standing taller more confident, a few still suffocated in fear. I didn’t know how many would fight with us, but for the first time I knew what the goal was, I knew I wasn’t alone and I felt loved that love was worth dying for.

Chapter 14~ The Game Changer

Edward and I enter the clearing to see grills, tents, bonfires and a mingling crowd. “Wow they set up really fast.” Edward takes my hand in his, “They are used to running Bella, fast set ups have become a talent for them.” I just shrug. “I suppose,” We go and sit by Maggie, “So Maggie tell me what’s on the menu for this evening?”  She lightly giggles; well for the vampire in you might I suggest the raw bar to the left of the oak tree, and for the human in you there are hot dogs and burgers on the grill.” I smile and give her arm a squeeze, “OK and what about for the witch in me?”  I wasn’t sure what I said but Maggie’s whole face turned solemn.  “I am afraid we can’t do anything about that my dear.” She got up and walked toward Alice. “Edward did I say something wrong?”  He wraps his arm around me, “No you’re fine.”  I elbow him in the side, “No lies Edward now tell me what’s up?” He rolls his eyes, “You are so damn stubborn, just let it go for now and go get something to eat.”

“No Edward, you go get something to eat,” I angrily get up and start walking toward the river that cradled the clearing.  Suddenly I feel a poke on my shoulder, “Hey Bells, where you going?” I turn to see Jake, smiling wide. “Hi Jake I’m just going to the river.”  He takes a bite of his burger, “Great do you mind if I join you?”  I slip my hands in my pockets, “Sure do what you want.”

We reach the river I take a seat on a large boulder, Jake sits next to me. “So Zaf told me what’s been going on, I am really sorry to hear about your father.” I take a deep breath in, trying so hard to focus on keeping my emotions in check.  “Thanks Jake and I am sorry that Caius and Marcus are raging another war.” He laughs, “Oh the delinquent duo are always upset about something I guess it was only a matter of time until they decided to check up on you again.” I shake my head, “The way I see it Jake is that there really doesn’t need to be a war, if all they want is me then it’s really very simple, I go.” He shifts toward me, “It’s not that simple Bella, you can’t just go up to him and say Hey Cai what’s up here I am for my death.” 

“Why isn’t it that simple?” He furrows his brow. “Seriously Bella, don’t you think if your death would end everything that Zaf would have killed you by now?” Confusion had found me once again. “What do you mean Jake?”  I can see by the look on his face he knew more than me and was upset I had not been informed about something. “Were they relying on you to just know Bella?” I slam my fist down, making a huge hole in the boulder, “For fuck sake I am so tired of the cryptic talk and the rubix cube that is my life!” Jake pays no mind to my emotional irruption, kind of like Edward. “ I am not sure why they keep information from you Bella, but it could be something Alice sees, I mean think about it what if the knowledge changes the course of how things should be, maybe you being in the dark is for the best.” I snap my head at Jake, “I am being consumed by the dark already Jake, maybe I should surrender to it because something tells me she will tell me.” Worry paints Jake’s face. “Don’t say that Bella, if you did that we would for sure lose you forever.” I put my head in my hands, “I can’t take it anymore Jake, I don’t understand anything, and if the reason I am being kept information about myself is because Alice says so, then I question her motives.” 

I hear a branch snap and turn to see Alice standing behind me, “What have I done to make you think my motives aren’t pure?”  Jake and I stand in unison. “Tell me something Alice, what would happen if I killed myself?” She crosses her arms, “Then you would die Bella, is that a trick question?” I smirk, “ Oh yeah you already know what I am going to ask before I say it, so you are prepared, but what would happen if I killed you Alice?” Jake takes a step toward Alice. “Then I would die Bella, and you would lose a huge advantage.”  I can see everyone in the clearing turning in our direction. “Why does my death not end all of this?”  Behind Jakes shoulder I can see Edward, his face in massive shock, almost mortified in a sense. “All these years we protected you, and you are so ungrateful, here you are questioning us and all we want if for you to be free.” 

“Ungrateful? You watched my mother die to bring me into this world, you tell me I pretty much poisoned her and that is why she died, Ungrateful is not a word for how I feel Alice!” And it was as if my own words presented clarity. Jakes face became placid. “Oh sweet Jesus, you did tell me Alice, I wasn’t paying any attention.” Alice unfolded her arms, and took a few steps toward me. “Your blood is very powerful Bella, in the wrong hands millions of witches, vampires, humans and wolves could be decimated in seconds, that is true but there is something else you need to know.” My head was spinning, Alice’s words were foggy, But I heard Edwards voice, “No Alice, Don’t you dare, it’s not your place.” I lift my head he is at my side, holding me up. “Tell me what Edward?” 

“Fine Edward than you tell her, but if she doesn’t know everything her poking will get us all killed.” Alice shifts her heels and walks toward the crowd, who are all engrossed in Edward and me. “Please Edward; tell me what I am missing.” He takes my hands in his, looks lovingly into my eyes. “Bella I didn’t keep anything from you to hurt you, it was only to protect you.” I crack a small smile, “I know Edward, I don’t blame you for what I can’t remember, but make it right.” The crowd begins to close in an inch or so. “Ignore them, they are worried about what I am about to tell you and what you’ll do.” I turn my head to them and then quickly back to Edward.  “There are massive gaps in your memory, and there is also parts that were replaced, this you know, and you have diligently been trying to figure it all out, and you probably will soon enough.” He inches even closer to me; his eyes are fierce like they are almost going through me. “The gaps are what Caius wants.” I shake my head, “Why what would he find?”  His face is full of pain; I can’t help but reach for his cheek. He puts one of his hands on top of the hand that is trying desperately to comfort him. He opens his mouth, his voice cracks slightly, he fails to get the words out, but a second later he just blurts out the words, the words that would change everything “He would find your sister, and our baby Bella.”

Chapter 13~ Too Many Lies

My eyes blink open, the sun creeps through the cabin window. I can feel Edward gently rub my arm. “Good Morning my love.” I smile contently at his words. “You are the best to wake up to.” He leans down and kisses my lips, I reach behind his head and grasp a fistful of hair and push him closer to me. He growls through closed occupied lips. His hand slides across my stomach, a pleased shiver dances up my spine. I lift up and straddle myself on his lap, separating from his kiss for just a moment. His arms wrap completely around me, I glide my fingers along his jawbone and back up through his hair. He fiercely grips my thighs and lifts me up and back down onto the cabin floor. I wrap my legs around him, his lips caress my neck, and his tongue follows the path of his kisses, his fingers travel over my body with intense fervor.  I am over powered with pleasure, a whisper, flees my mouth, the windows shatter, my hand pounds the ground crushing the floor of the train. The screech of the brakes has Edward on his feet in a second, “Bella, you are too strong.” I look around quickly realizing I am covered in shards of glass, I just laugh. Zafrina and the others come rushing into the cabin, “What the fuck you two, can’t you just wait until we get to a bomb shelter or something?” Zafrina says with a chime of humor in her voice.  Maggie is tapping her foot impatiently and unimpressed behind Zaf. “I am, well we are very sorry, it looks like we are going to have to get off the train now, come on Bella lets head to the back of the train.” Edward spoke so fast and we were out of the cabin before anyone else could get in their two sense.

We jump right off and quickly head into the forest before the conductor can spot us. Soon enough the train begins moving again. I can hear Zaf on her cell phone, talking to Jake and giving him our location. She is keeping out the reason we had to change our previous plans. Maggie comes up beside me, “ My sweet Bella, I understand you and Edward are eager to, well, that you need to, oh you know what I am saying, but can you just hold off just for a little while?” I wrap my arm around Maggie’s shoulder, “Sure thing Mags” Edward just chuckles.

Suddenly it felt as though the earth was shaking, I quickly looked at Edward, he just shakes his head, “It’s just Jake and his Pack, don’t worry.” We stop and turn in the direction of the thunderous sounds. Clearing over a large hill a pack of what seemed to be fifty or so wolves come charging at us. “Edward, they are going to stop right?” He steps in front of me, and Zafrina just walks toward the stampede, as they shift behind a cluster of trees. The ground stops shaking and moments later Jake and a few others come out. Zaf walks to Jake and they hug, it was so weird because I thought they were brother and sister for so long, but in truth they were no such thing. Jakes laugh is boisterous and full of nothing but happiness. It makes me realize how little he knows of the current developments. I whisper to Edward. “Did Zaf tell him anything of what’s been going on in the last little while?”  He shakes his head, “Just that you are remembering.” So many lies, and half-truths floating around, and the secrets it becomes suffocating, I clench my fists. I see red and just ram into Zaf throwing her a hundred feet and smashing into a tree. Suddenly at least ten pairs of hands are pulling me back. Jake grabs my arms, “What the hell are you doing, are you that much out of control Bella?” I grind my teeth and shake him off. “Honestly Jake, I think I am the only one in control, you all know the truth and I am learning it all over the place.” Jake turns and sees Zafrina dusting herself off and laughing. “She doesn’t seem hurt, but seriously Bells you can’t be attacking everyone who offends you.”

I growl angrily and storm off into the forest hearing Zaf’s low whispers to Jake, “It’s been a whirlwind for her, let’s go talk I will bring you up to speed.” I begin kicking rocks, realizing I didn’t care who or what they hit. “Bella are you alright?” Of course Edward would be with me no matter what psychotic behavior I manifested upon anyone.  “The secrets Edward, they never help anything they sure as hell didn’t keep me oblivious or safe for that matter.” He quickens his pace and steps in front of my path. “Bella, I wish I could explain it all in a way that made you feel better, but I can’t, what I can do is just ask you to trust me.” I roll my eyes, “I do trust you, that isn’t the issue here.” He raises his eyebrows, “OK then tell me what is the issue?” I put my hands on each side of his face, “You can read minds, and it’s beginning to make me wonder how and who has been playing with your gift.” Confusion washes over him, “What do you mean, you know that’s impossible.” 

I sit on a tree stump; fold my hands over my lap, “When you all brought me to the gypsy to reboot me who all was with you?”  He sits beside me, “Aro, Alice, Jasper, Zaf, and myself, why?” I bite my lip, my eyes taking in the beautiful scenery. “How did Caius know that Gypsies possessed a power that when multiplied I could not penetrate?”  Edward was silent for a long while, no doubt searching for an answer, but having no luck. “ When I looked through the trees Caius was there with well over a hundred Gypsies Edward, he knew without them I could liquefy  his army in seconds, which begs the next question, what powers do they have?” He places his hand on my leg, “Bella, I have fought beside these trusted few for years, I would have known if one of them were deceitful.” I clutch his hand in mine. “ You asked me to trust you, and I need you to do the same, something doesn’t make sense Edward, and before we go ahead and start pushing forward we need to know if what I suspect is true or not.”  He smiles nervously, I am sure he is angry with himself for not realizing this sooner. I wish he wouldn’t punish himself. 

Maggie comes through the bushes, “Oh thank the heavens you are both fully clothed.” Edward gives her a quick smile.  “Alright no one likes a sour puss what’s the matter?” I shrug, “Nothing Mags, just all sorts of jumbled in my head is all.” She leans down and kisses the top of my head, “ Oh now my dear don’t you fret, you are doing beautifully, now no more sulking come on the wolves prepared a feast for us, yummy yummy in our tummy.” She cackles and disappears in the trees. Edward stands and takes my hand. “We will figure this out together Bella, I promise. I smile and we head toward the mouthwatering aromas.

Chapter 12 ~ Catching A Train

I couldn’t will my body to detach from Edwards embrace. The longer he ran and the further he got from Aro the heavier my heart became and the angrier I became at myself.  Why couldn’t I make my brain and body get in sync with each other and save him?  I tried to scream but there was no sound, not even a breathless cry. It was as if the darkness was trying to protect me. Forcing me from doing what the irrational insane daughter would do. I dug my fingers into Edward’s back hoping he would drop me and I would be able to run. But he didn’t slow down, or let me go. He was keeping his promise even though part of me knew it was just as hard for him to run away as it was for me.  

Suddenly the sound of crashing trees, shattering glass and painful screams jolted Edward’s head back for just a moment. I knew what it was, and who it was.  Caius wasn’t far behind us but Aro kept his promise and bought us the time we needed and he saved me, he saved all of us. Edward, Alice, Jasper, Zafrina and the rest were running again. I could hear Maggie to my left, “The train Edward, we must get on it, Caius won’t risk being seen by so many.” Our direction shifted, I could hear the sounds of the train getting louder. Edward was clearly in agreement with Maggie. He whispers into my ear, “Bella my love, we need to get onto the train, are you in control can you leap onto it by yourself?”  Still unable to form words I just nodded into his neck.  “Alright, I am going to set you down, hold my hand, don’t let go and we will jump together.” I slid to his side, gripping his hand. We reach a cliff and below us a train was just coming from behind the mountain. “Alrighty folks lets jump at the same time as to not draw attention,” Maggie sounded more like a drill sergeant then my nanny. Everyone was in a line Maggie counted off, “1, 2, and 3” We were perfectly synchronized, we barely made a noise.  Edward pulled me to his side immediately, “OK Bella we need to get into the cabin, just hold onto me and I will get you there.” I just followed in my numb state, knowing he would get me where I had to go. He was all I had, all I trusted in this shitty world.

Edward and I slipped into an empty cabin unnoticed. I was fairly certain the others found a place on the train, but I just couldn’t care. “Bella, can I get you anything?” All I did was shrug, words were still finding asylum deep inside myself. He intertwines his fingers with mine; and places his head on my shoulder. I thought he was going to start talking about how brave Aro was and how hard it was to lose him, and then go into some lecture about how time will heal all wounds. But this was Edward not your typical guy, he just began humming.  It was soft, and comforting.

I was lost in the tune, staring out the window, my mind was wandering I began remembering when I was a little girl. It was amazing how the memories were flooding back so easily now. The song Edward was humming I had heard throughout the castle many times. Aro used to sing it to me when he would push me on my swing in the garden. I shouldn’t be surprised Edward would know how the melody touched me so deeply. I gripped his hand tighter, each note reminding me of how much Aro loved me, and how he sacrificed so much for me. The arguments he would have with Caius and Marcus late at night. It would wake me and I would creep down the corridors, Aro would just tell them to talk to me, and look into my eyes, and how the love would be received just how it would be given. Caius feared it so much, and it was his fear that made his decisions. Marcus just told Aro it’s an Executive decision and cannot be challenged. That was the last night I slept at the castle.

“Bella?” I shifted my head slightly toward Edward. “We are going to meet a lot of powerful people, people who Aro trusted, but some who hated him, remember some lost whole families in that war and Aro took full blame for everything.” I smirked, “Seems like he protected me even from my own evils as well as his own.”  Edward took both my hands in his, now forcing me to look at him. “Your evils were Aro’s, because he created you, I know you don’t want to admit it Bella, but all you did was because you were made to do so.” I just shook my head, “That’s like convicting a serial killers parents because they gave birth to him.” I leaned into Edward, “Paint whatever picture you want that’s fine because I know what I am, I don’t blame Aro, I don’t blame myself either, I blame Caius and Marcus, and who chooses their fate Edward?” He places his hand on my cheek, “Something tells me you will Bella.”

A knock on our cabin door interrupts our conversation and Zafrina walks in.  “Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but we are headed toward Jake and the others location in a few hours, perhaps we should jump off at that destination?” I shake my head, “Jake, why do we need a band Zaf?” She just laughs “He is much more than a band Bella.” I roll my eyes, “Ok than why do we need your brother?” Now her laughter is even greater as is Edwards.  “Stop laughing at me why is either of those questions humorous?”  Zafrina sits across from me, “Alright, first off he isn’t my brother that was just a cover really, and even though he does play a mean guitar he doesn’t belong to any big band.” I just look at Edward in utter confusion. “You see Bella, Jake and his band, sort of speak call themselves the wolf pack because they are in fact wolves.” I begin scratching my head, “So is it like the movie The Truman Show, where the world is revolved around me but I am the last to know?”  Zafrina sits forward, “I am sure it feels that way and in some instances that’s probably true but Jake and his pack fought beside us in the war, he lost his sisters and brothers, he needs to know what is coming and make the choice to once again fight, or let sleeping dogs lie, in a matter of speaking.”  I look at Edward who is just gazing intensely at me, “I am not going to go Witchtastic Edward so relax.” He smiles, “Bella, I am not worried about you losing control; I am just worried about you in general.” I place my hand on his shoulder, “I am sure I don’t deserve you, but tough shit I will take you anyway.” Zafrina stands up, “So I will just come by when we are close then?”  Edward and I just nod in unison, and at some point Zafrina had left, but I didn’t notice. I found refuge in his eyes, the perfect line his lips made and his angelic alabaster skin that I wanted pressed against me right now.  “At some point Edward I am going to have to get you alone for more than a few minutes.” An almost nervous laughed escaped his mouth. “I would love nothing more than to show you once more how much I adore every inch of you Bella.” My heart beamed and my lips mirrored the pure joy I felt. “Soon than,” He leaned in and kissed me, gripping the side of my face, my heart raced, as difficult as it was I slowly pushed away. “Sorry Edward but I am not sharing this moment with anyone but you. “ He looks at me perplexed and I point to the cabin where Maggie has both hands on her hips. Edward and I just chuckle and wrap our arms around each other and wait for Zafrina.