Chapter 23~ The Great Escape

The wolves began to circle the perimeter to keep an eye out for anything or anyone that might disturb me while I desperately tried to focus and concentrate on Zafrina. I tried closing my eyes, I remembered being roommates, the stupid shows we watched, everything. I lay down, stood up, paced I tried everything but I couldn’t grasp her location. Frustrated I pounded my foot into the ground, making an earth shattering quake. Edward walked to me and gingerly took my hand in his. “Bella, you are too tense, you can’t focus with a clock ticking in your head.”

“Well I have to Edward, we need to find Zafrina, and no matter how much anyone tells me to relax, it just won’t happen until I know our daughter is safe.”

I heard rushing water from a distance and began walking towards it. The static like sound it made was overshadowing all the voices in my head, and I felt at peace. I sat on a rock and dangled my hand in the crystal blue stream, using my finger I made circles repeatedly, almost hypnotizing myself. My mind began wandering to the time Zafrina tried to take me white water rafting. No matter how hard she tried I couldn’t grasp the concept to save my life. At one point my butt fell through the hole in the center and I got stuck. Zafrina laughed at me for a while and snapped a few pictures then leisurely grabbed my hand and effortlessly pulled me out. 

I began giggling remembering the look on her face, I suddenly became aware that Edward was close by, but I didn’t budge. I kept digging further and further into my memory. I remembered moving into the apartment. I had two bags to my name and she laughed at how poverty stricken I was. At the time it didn’t seem as humorous as it does now. She knew my past and all I had but played along to keep me safe. Even now I am boggled by it, I knew I killed her family yet she shielded me from so much.

I took my hand out of the water and watched as the drips danced down my hand and along my arm, the sun hit it just right and for a brief moment it blinded me. It was then in that moment I saw her, she was tied against the wall, it looked like chains but she couldn’t pull away, when she did she screamed in pain.  I kept my eyes shut and focused, she was covered in dirt, and her perfect skin had tears in them it was so odd seeing as vampires heal incredibly fast. Moriana was obviously keeping her in pain. I tried very carefully, to scan the room, all I could see was stone walls, a cement floor, and no windows. “Come on Zaf where are you?” I whispered

Zafrina’s head whipped up, “Bella?” 

She could hear me, oh my god, “Zaf you can hear me?”

She just nodded, “ Zaf where are you, we will get you out of there, we know what happens if you miss that phone call.”

She shook her head, “Bella, you can’t come; you can’t save me, please.”

“It’s not about you Zaf remember?” 

She was clenching her mouth shut, trying to hold back painful screams, I tried focusing on the tears, and slowly they began to heal,” Zaf, those are wounds made by magic, Moriana won’t stop until you have broken, she will find Mara through you and if that means taking it from your thoughts she will do it, she isn’t safe, not from your memories, so please Zaf where are you?”

“She took me to Volterra Bella, I am in the castle, and it is too heavily guarded, leave me, go get Mara.”

Volterra did present a problem for all of us, we didn’t have the man power for a rescue, “If I concentrate on Mara then Moriana will see and get to her first, you know that.”

Her face was covered in anger and remorse, “I don’t know. Bella, I am so sorry.”

“I know Zaf, just hang on a little longer please.” I opened my eyes; Edward was sitting in front of me staring at me.

“You found her, where is she?”

I slowly stood up, I paced back in forth a bit, thinking, Edward was watching my every step, finally I turned to him, “I need to go get her alone.”

He furrowed his brow, and shook his head, “No, why where is she?”

“Volterra” He was frozen, not sure if he was really frozen or just in shock, I gave him a little nudge.

“Why are you poking me?”

“Sorry you froze, the last time that happened my mother appeared.”

“Right, OK look Bella you can’t go alone, we go with you, that’s final.”

I gave a slight smirk, “Are you giving me orders?”

He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me close to him, “I am not going to sit here waiting, wondering if you are dead, not again I just can’t.”

“ Edward, I know how hard this is for you, but I think if I concentrate I can teleport myself to Zaf and get her out before Moriana or any of them know I was even there.”

“Fine, then you take me with you.”

“I don’t even know if I can do it, I am not going to turn you to ash trying Edward.”

“I am not negotiating here Bella, I go with you or on my own but I will be there.”

“There is no time to fight about this; we need to talk to the others.”

We walk back up to where the others are waiting, I immediately see Maggie, she gives me her usual motherly smile, Alice is sitting on a broken tree, twirling her bracelet, Rose and Emmett are whispering off to the side, and the wolves are circulating, I clear my throat to get everyone’s attention.

“I have located Zafrina, but no one is coming with me to retrieve her, she is in Volterra.”

Alice hops off the tree, “Oh I am going Bella, and you promised me.”

“You will get your chance Alice; I am going to teleport in grab her and be back here before you even know I am gone.”

Jake appears from behind a tree, adjusting his shirt, “You can do that?”

“I am going to try.”

“Bella, look I am not sure we can save Zafrina, you might need to locate Mara,” Maggie added

“I wouldn’t leave any of you behind if it could be helped; I am not leaving her to be tortured by that bitch!”

Emmett stepped forward, “Then we all go with you.”

“I can’t worry about all of you and Zafrina and getting us out of there without further casualty.”

Rose chuckled, “You don’t have to worry about us we are capable.”

“Alright well, I can’t teleport you all with me, and we don’t have enough time to travel there.”

Alice stood at my side, “Ok how many do you think you can take?”

I shrugged, “I have never done this before I don’t even know if I can take myself, and I have no time for practice.”

“Take, Me, Edward and Emmett across the river, if you can teleport us across that, then we go with you.”

It wasn’t a terrible idea, “Fine, but if I can’t then I go alone.”

“Deal” she held her hand out to shake. I rolled my eyes and shook it. We all walked to the river, everyone else followed closely behind. Edward, Alice, Emmett and I took each other’s hands, everyone was silent, and all you could hear was the rushing water once again. I concentrated until I felt all four of us connect, every fiber in our beings were one, I took a deep breath, I bent my knees, they bent theirs with me, and I lifted up, it was like vapor, in a flash we were on the other side.

I opened my eyes, turned and saw it was a success. But it was Emmett’s boisterous laughs and pats on my back that brought me back to reality. “You did it Bella, see I knew you could, Alice said with a sound of elation in her tone. 

“ Alright Alice, you win, but if we are all going to do this, then you all need to listen to me and always stay close.”

Edward took my hand, “We stay together, get Zafrina and we are out of there, Emmett you cover Bella, Alice you focus on where Moriana is at all times, I will help free Zaf with Bella.”

I squeeze his hand, “That is a perfect plan.”

“He smiled, “Thank you.”

“Now everyone take my hand, and be very quiet, I need to locate Zafrina again” We were all hand in hand again, I closed my eyes, remembered Volterra, and the room she was in, the chains, the cold, I inhaled her scent, her voice, and like a deep sleep she stood before me, hanging limply on the chains, fresh tears where the others had healed were present.  I bent my knees, and like before the others followed, we lifted and were instantly in the dungeon of Volterra with Zafrina. 

Zafrina lifted her head, she looked at us in bewilderment, not sure if what stood before her was real or an illusion I am sure, I reached for her face, and she instantly smiled, “You came for me.”

“The fact that you doubted me is insulting,” I gave her a smile in return. 

“Oh Bella, I am so sorry, please forgive me.”

“I told you it’s OK, now let’s get you out of here, you have to call Emily.”

“NO please leave me let me die.”

“Shut up you are being ridiculous now.”

Edward grabbed my hands and fiercely growled at Zafrina. “Edward what is it?”

“She broke!”

I looked at Zafrina,” NO WHY?”

She didn’t speak, she hung her head,” It was too much, I am not strong like you, you have to find Mara.”

“Where is she?”

“I don’t know, Moriana did what you said she went in my mind, I don’t know how she found her, but she just smiled and that was it she left.”

I put my face to Zafrina’s, “You come with us, you call Emily and you warn her, you tell her to run, when we are safe we will go to her.”

Edward tears off the chains, Emmett turns,” Hurry they are coming.”

I concentrate on the river, where we were, it wasn’t as difficult to get back, the next thing we knew, we were all in front of Maggie, Rose and the wolves.  I looked at them, “Moriana knows where Mara is.”

I took Zafrina’s phone from my pocket and threw it at her, “Call, it better not me too late.”

She quickly dials, “Emily, its Zaf, listen take Mara, and run just keep running don’t stop….”

I stared at Zaf as she spoke, “She is coming for her, don’t ask run, I will call you in…” I grabbed the phone.

“ Emily, its Bella, you will go you will keep Mara safe, stop with the questions, run or die its simple, run North, I will catch up, go to the house Maggie took us to when you were five, remember it?”

All she said was a simple yes, but the sound of her voice brought tears to my eyes, “I love you sister, protect my baby.” I shut the phone, and we all just began running, everyone followed behind me and Edward, Emily’s voice was music to me, and just what I needed to get to them.

Chapter 22~ Zafrina

We ran back to the castle as fast as we could, grabbed everything we could or that we would need. Jake was explaining everything to Maggie and the others. I glanced over at Alice; she was sitting on the couch, her hands still in fists, jaspers ashes remained in her grasp. I could feel her pain, it was overbearing. I just wanted to run from the room.  Maggie gently caressed my hair, “Sweetheart, I am not sure that Alice will be able to go any further.”

I nodded and was about to speak when Alice’s tiny voice broke through the chaos, “No Maggie, I will go.” 

Edward’s face was pierced in confusion, like her thoughts were all jumbled and he couldn’t make them out. “Alice, no one will blame you if you stay.” 

She lifted from the couch slowly, raised her arms and opened her hands; she just stared as Jaspers ashes slid through her fingers onto the floor. Then she turned to me. “Your mother will die Bella, I have seen it, but she is unpredictable, it’s how I couldn’t see she was going to kill Jasper before it was too late, you need my gift.”

“I am not going to stop you, you have every right to see this through, and I just want to say…” Alice raised one hand in silence. “Please Bella don’t say you’re sorry, I just don’t think my heart can take anymore today.”

I complied with my silence. Stephanie met us at the front door. “I can go no further Bella, I must do a lot of work here and make this place safe again.”

We exchanged smiles, I had no intention of inviting her, and the list people I could trust was dwindling and I didn’t need the distraction of wondering where her loyalties lied baring down on me also.  Rose and Emmett joined us. After what Alice went through they, well we all felt we owed her at least every ounce of fight we had in us to avenge Jasper. 

“Edward, I can’t figure out why Moriana would take Zafrina, out of everyone she was far from my closest friend.”  His gaze was distant, but finally he answered, “I can’t say for certain but I think Zafrina is more valuable to her then you know.”

“How so?” Every one huddled closer as we walked, to hear Edward’s thoughts.

“ Clearly Moriana knows you and Zafrina had a falling out, but your mother would also know if Zafrina was truly against you or die hard with you.”

Jake interrupted, “So you think that she saw Zafrina as a possible ally?”

Edward shrugged, “it’s hard to say, either that, or she thinks Zafrina can lure you in.”

I could hear Rose grunt, but I agreed with her, I wouldn’t go out of my way to help Zaf, not after her serious lack of trust we had for each other, “I lean toward foe Edward, and she would rather die than help me.”

He placed his hand on my arm, stopping me from walking, I turned and looked at him, “What is it Edward?”

“Bella, I listen to everyone’s thoughts here, and Zaf’s are the most difficult for me to decipher.”

“That’s, weird Edward, I would think all you would hear is, I hate Bella, die die die!”

He smirks, “No on the contrary, there are times when you will be practicing, or talking and I will catch her off guard and she will be thinking the most gracious things about you, but if I catch her, she will think vile things, it is as if she is trying to make you think she hates you, but I don’t think she does.”

“Edward, I killed her family, maybe the sincere thoughts are the planted ones.”

“I thought about that, so I stole her cell phone the other night.”

Maggie smacked Edwards arm, “Shame on you child.”

“Sorry Maggie, I promise I did return it but not after I had a chance to go through it.”

Rose stepped up, “Why are you spying on everyone?”

“Because Bella feels there is someone untrustworthy here, and with Zafrina’s thoughts being so erratic, I had to check.”

“So tell us what did you find?” Alice asked

“She had been keeping a bit of a journal entry in her notes, and in it were maps, numbers, and what she called, when we are fucked plan.”

Jake and the rest of the wolves were chuckling, but I was once again confused, “So what was this fuckery plan?”

“OK now Bella you can’t get mad or freak out alright?” He looked at Alice, she nodded

“What is it Edward?”

“I don’t know how but part of the plan had involved Emily.”

Everyone’s heads perked up, but it was Jake who asked the question we were all thinking, “Does she know where Emily is?”

“It looked as though they were talking, but I don’t know how they got each other’s contact information. But my bet is Moriana figured out that Zafrina was talking to her.”

I was motionless, my mind was spinning, all this time Zafrina knew where my daughter was, she had this dangerous secret she was walking around with and now my mother has her and is likely getting every bit of information out her, my daughter, my Mara, I had to find her. The rage poured out of me, I screamed so loudly that Edward and the others grabbed their ears and ducked to the ground as the trees around us shattered and collapsed.

When quiet befell the forest, Edward took my face in his hands, “We need to find Zafrina”

I glared into his eyes, “I need to find our daughter.”

“No Bella, because if Zafrina is truly there for you , then she isn’t telling your mother anything, if you use your power to search for Mara, you will lead Moriana right to her, and Jasper and Aro will have died for nothing, and Zafrina will be killed.” 

I calmed myself, sat down, “How do we find Zafrina?”

“Well Bella, you are going to have to use your powers for that.”

“She will know we are looking for her then.”

“ Yes, she will know, and she will resist, and force you out of her mind, you need to focus, you need to find her, I know you can do this, it’s the only way.”

“Wait,” Jake knelt down, “What was Zafrina’s plan, can’t we use that?”

Hope spread across my face, “Yes of course, you never told us the plan.”

Edward couldn’t make eye contact with me, “Bella we can’t use that plan.”

“Why not, call her tell her to run go somewhere else, that way if Zafrina does tell Moriana, they will have moved by then.”

“Bella, I said we can’t use Zafrina’s plan, let’s just leave it alone, now concentrate.”

I stood up, “No, you tell me the plan we all have a right to know.”

He sighed, knowing there was no way out of it, “ Her plan was if everything else failed, because the power in the wrong hands would be too great, if Moriana was to ever get her hands on Mara, humanity would cease to exist, the plan was if we all died and all hope was lost.”

His words were going in a direction I didn’t much like,” What was it Edward?”

He stood up, took my hands, “ If we die, if we don’t win this fight, Mara’s life would be strictly as a blood source, until there was nothing left of her, Moriana would torture her.”

I grasped Edward’s hands tighter, “The plan is to kill Mara if we fail?”

“Only Emily would be able to do it.”

“But how would Emily know if we failed before my mother showed up to claim her?” 

There was a long silence,” That’s the tricky part, and why finding Zafrina is so vital Bella.”

I could see he was clenching his teeth, I could feel anguish and pain all around him, and I knew I wasn’t going to like the next words that came out of his mouth. 

“If Zafrina doesn’t call her every evening by seven PM and every morning by seven AM, Emily is to be made to think we have failed, and is to kill Mara.”

I looked at the sun, it was noon, and we had seven hours to find her, “Holy Fuck Edward.”

His eyes, said more than anything else would, “Let’s get to work then, we are running out of time.”

Chapter 21~ Never Ending

Alice was frozen; staring into the ashes of what was once Jasper. My heart shattered, I would have collapsed beside her if anger wasn’t forcing me forward. I had no idea how to stop my mother but I knew I was feeling stronger, and for just a moment she was afraid of me. I felt responsible for everything. It made it worse that no one was yelling at me. 

Maggie came down the corridor immediately kneeling beside Alice, embracing her in comfort. Alice didn’t even budge. You could hear a pin drop; it was Emmett who broke the silence. “ We are going to have to get her out of here and deal with this situation.”

Rose looked at Emmett only a tiny bit of anguish on her face, the rest was relentless anger, “ This isn’t a situation, this is a fucking catastrophe, we have a witch who can’t stand up to mommy, and an army of gifted vampires that are useless, we are fucked!”

“You all take this nonsense outside this instant, Alice doesn’t need to hear your hateful tone Rose,” Maggie said curtly.

I shook my head and stormed out the front door, Edward followed behind me. “Bella, wait please this isn’t your fault.” I got to the front door slammed it shut and fell to the ground, head in hands and sobbed like a baby.  Edward scooped me up in his arms and cradled me to his chest and ran. He ran fast, and far until he found the tallest tree in the forest, and then he climbed all the way to the top.  He just hummed and stroked my hair until my cries subsided. When I lifted my head and looked into his eyes, he just smiled, “You about done?”

I was confused at his tone; I expected sweet but got the opposite. “Excuse me?”

“ Bella, everything you are feeling is exactly what Moriana wants, she needs you to feel defeated, she knows if you forge forward you will inevitably destroy her, you need to get it together, I promise when this is over you can fall apart, and I promise I will pick up the pieces.”

I knew Edward was right, I just didn’t know what everyone expected from me, “I am so scared Edward, what if I can’t do it, what if I kill us all and she gets Mara and tortures her, I won’t be there for her.”

He caressed my cheek with his finger, gingerly kissed my lips, and looked deep into my eyes, “I have seen what you are capable of,  Moriana can feel it to she is going to do everything she can to try and stop you.”

I wiped my eyes, I stared at the blood on my fingers, I could see my reflection in the crimson sheen, I looked at myself and found myself desperately thinking of Mara. I looked for a while till I swore I could see her running through a field of wild flowers, it put a smile on my face and warmth consumed me. “Why are you smiling Bella?”

The second Edwards words brought me back to reality I clasped my hand closed and let the blood stream down my arm, “I saw her, Oh no was I using magic?”

“I don’t know; tell me what did you feel?”

“I felt her Edward, I could smell her and hear her, and she is so beautiful.”

“Yes Bella she is so amazing, just like her mother, Moriana knows where you are right now, but was there anything in your vision that gave away where Mara is?”

I tried to think, “Just wild flowers.”

“That shouldn’t be enough to help Moriana, but try and be careful she cannot find her before we do.”

Edward’s face was full of concern,” Edward, if Moriana could feel me through my magic, do you think Mara can to?”

His gaze was distant; his silence gave me my answer. “I think I can find her, but we need to be faster than her, and we need to….” Edward cut me off.

“No Bella, until you can control your powers, don’t put her in danger.”

“ But I can warn her.”

His tone became more urgent,” If Moriana can feel you then she can feel Mara, so if Mara tries to respond to you your mother will get to her, we need to wait.”

I sounded desperate, I wanted Mara in my arms, I needed her I wasn’t thinking straight, “You’re right, I’m sorry.”

He kissed the top of my head, “I miss her to Bella.”

Suddenly I heard footsteps, I looked down and saw Jacob and five other pack members, “Bella, Edward get down here we got a problem.” 

We leaped down, “ Whats up Jake?”

“Its Zafrina, she is gone, we can’t find her anywhere.”

I looked at Edward; I could see he was trying to hear for her, “Jake can you track her?”

“We tried it’s like she vanished out of thin air.”

Edward shot a look at me, “Your mother has her.”

Chapter 20 ~ The Long Kiss Goodbye

The sun streamed in through the windows in the living room. Edward and I had just laid there drowning in the pain that had pushed us this far. We would have stayed just like that but the front door crashed open,  a loud sigh of disgust echoed through the corridors , Edward lifted his head peering over the top of the couch, “ Oh shit, I cannot believe Stephanie called her.”

I lifted and turned slightly seeing a stunning woman with long blond hair, blood red lips, the same copper eyes Edward has. She was like a goddess; she wore a burgundy dress and matching shoes. Behind her was an enormously muscular and rather threating looking man. He plopped down four suitcases with a thunderous bang. Suddenly the familiar clicking sound of Stephanie’s shoes were heard before she even appeared before them. “You didn’t have any trouble finding the place did you Rose?” She chimed with laughter.

“Very funny Stephanie, why have you called me here to this dreadful place?”

I couldn’t understand why she would think this castle of amazing magic was awful, I look at Edward confused. He just rolled his eyes and shook his head as if to dismiss her ramblings. “It’s far from dreadful Rose,” The masculine one spoke.

“Yes yes Emmett but you are happy in a cave so your opinion isn’t important, now please don’t prolong this, why are we here?”

Her bitchy attitude was angering me, Edward placed his hand over top of mine and just gave me that look, it was the ‘don’t do anything’ look. I just nodded. “Well Rose I called you here because as turns out Aro has been killed, Bella is regaining memory and this war that we hoped would fade into the dark has seen some light.” Rose immediately perked up, and anxiously began looking around until her eyes locked with mine. 

“Well sweet Jesus, this is a fucking disaster, did she mention where Mara is or Emily, anything?”

I slid my hand from Edwards gentle grasp and stood, “She is standing right here, Rose you can talk to it” I said with a hint of anger.

“Oh please don’t give me attitude sweetheart, you might be able to turn me to mush in a blink of an eye but when it come to the art of bitchiness, I dominate,” and she flicked her hand at me and turned her attention to Stephanie.

“You might find a lot of things have changed since we last met,” I had not remembered ever meeting her or Emmett but I had assumed she would just think I had.

Her cocky laughter made me just want to slap her,” Met?” she just went on laughing. “We never met, we never even spoke, Aro never felt I was worthy of your company I fought from a distance, which was fine by me.”

Edward stood, “That’s enough Rosalie, obviously Stephanie feels you can be of some use to us. So let’s get it done with.”

Stephanie chimed in, “Yes, I figured Emmett would be good protection for you and Rose could convince you to talk of Aro’s final moments.”

Her persistence was ridiculous, why was she so hell bent on having Edward relive that, “ I don’t know how Rose can convince him to do anything, but she will do no such thing or I swear Stephanie I will turn into something not even your gift can hide you from.”

I felt the anger seething through my being, I tried to keep it under control but it was too powerful and the chandelier above our head exploded and crashed to the ground right before us.  I immediately felt Edward’s hands on my arms, “breathe Bella, please calm down.” I took a few breathes and began to relax.

“You weren’t kidding Stephanie she is remembering, and regaining, she reminds me of her mother.” I whipped my head around and glared at Rose.

“You better hope I am better than her, because if she finds this place she will tear you all apart.” All four of them stared at me, and I realized they too had no idea my mother was still alive. “Yeah that’s right she is still alive and skulking around.”

Rose stepped forward and starred me down, “And you used your power, are you an idiot?” I had no idea what that had to do with anything.

“Yes, did you miss it Rose, want me to break something else to show you, your face perhaps?” Rose looks at Edward and fast approaches him slamming him against the wall.

“You are stupid just the same Edward, if you knew Moriana was alive, you ALL OF YOU should have told her never to use her magic.” Edward pushed off against the wall.

“I didn’t tell her because it wouldn’t matter Rose, she can’t help herself, she has little if any control over it, and don’t you ever push me again.”

She growled and looked at me, “Your power is like a calling card to those connected to you, you use it and she can locate you, it wouldn’t matter if you were on Mars, she would find you.”

Alice and Jasper entered the living room in time to hear Rose’s last words Jasper began trying to calm the room, but it wasn’t working, I turned to Edward his face was like a ghost, he looked as if he was looking at a train head on. I looked around the room everyone began falling to the ground, all but me, and I knew in that moment Rose was right, my mother had found us.

All the windows crashed, glass flew everywhere, a dark mist flew inside, it whipped around into a cyclone, spinning and spinning, I could smell her everywhere. It slowly dissipated and there she was in all her magnificence, “Well hello daughter.” My heart felt like it was going to choke me, I was trying to think hard of what I could do but I couldn’t think. I ran to Edward and stood in front of him, blocking him from whatever she tried to do, but she just laughed.

“Killing him wouldn’t really help my cause right now, however, I do want something from you and you clearly aren’t going to give it up very easily so.” She tapped her chin, slid her long black nail into her mouth slightly and glided it cross her lips; she began walking around the room. My eyes locked with each she passed. I didn’t know what I could do to stop her but I knew I would do everything I could.

I felt helpless, and full of fear, I knew she was in tuned to my emotions just as I was with her, and she was confident void of any fear. She paused behind Emmett, danced her hand across his broad shoulders, he just closed his eyes in anticipation, but again she just laughed, “This is a fun game, who will I kill to remind Bella I don’t mess around?”

“You don’t have to kill anyone mother, just take me and let’s end this please.” She raced ferociously at me, her face inches from mine.

“Oh I will have you my dear, in time but I want my granddaughter first, and I just don’t think you will ever give her to me, so let me show you what happens when I don’t get my way.” She turned faced Rosalie, “take notes bitch.”

She grabbed Jasper by the throat, Alice’s scream was piercing, I tried to muster any power I could, the fire place ignited and a wave of flame reached for Moriana, she looked at it smiled and blew it out as easy as a birthday candle. She looked at me waggled her finger, “don’t treat mommy like that child.” I felt defeat, I saw Jasper helpless, his face covered in terror.  She pulled his face to hers, “Don’t be afraid Jas, it will be fast, I always did like you.” Edward pushed past me slamming into Moriana, she grabbed him and tossed him across the room. “Why are you all being like this I was going to give him a good bye kiss first.” Whatever Rose’s gift was she was trying it, Moriana looked at her, “Sorry Princess you aren’t going to convince me to change my mind,” Stephanie was shifting the room trying to manipulate fire around Moriana but she didn’t even flinch. She pulled Jasper even closer to her. “Goodbye sweet boy.” She crashed her lips to his, black veins spider webbed across his face through his body. His body stiffened, she separated her lips from him, smiled and bit her tongue raven colored blood dripped from her chin, she danced her bloody tongue across Jaspers lips, it was the last and final blow. The kiss of death, his body seized and began to turn to ash. When it looked like his whole body was a statue, she dropped him and he crumbled into a million pieces. “There, have I gotten through to you daughter?”

I was frozen, staring at Jaspers ashes; Alice was catatonic, her hands grasping the sand that was once her beloved. “What did you think that would accomplish?”

She grinned, her blackened blood covered her teeth, “first off it was fun, but perhaps next time it will be someone who means more to you, where is Mara?”

“Even if I knew I would never tell you, you can’t have her, you are not entitled to her love, so you can just go fuck yourself.” The rage inside of me was amazing and empowering and I could see on her face she felt it to, she took a few steps back, and I knew I was stronger. “I might not be able to beat you today Mother, but I will beat you, you will fall.”

“And I will return to see that my daughter, but it will be me looking over your dead body.” With a blink she disappeared. 

We all rushed to Alice, who was huddled and rocking just grasping Jasper’s ashes, you didn’t need to have my gift to feel her pain.