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.

Chapter 11 ~ Loss

I peer down from the roof and see Edward, Jasper, Alice and Zafrina’s eyes meeting my gaze.  Edward’s face is covered in a fading determination. I leap off the roof and slam Jane to the ground. “What’s his plan?” Jane giggles, I slam the heel of my foot into her stomach, “I was talking to Edward.” She hisses quietly, “You can read Jane’s mind right?” He nods “Of course I can” I smirk with great satisfaction. “Fantastic, so what is the hemorrhoid thinking?” Edward circles Jane’s fiercely coiled up body, digging deep into that warped mind no doubt. She growls and hisses but Edward doesn’t falter or backtalk, he just concentrates then quickly turns to me. “He is going to fire bomb the entire area, he knows you would likely survive it but with all of us destroyed he feels he can hone in on you and destroy you.” I take in every syllable, then turn my attention back to the direction Caius is. “That’s good news.” Zafrina grabs my arm spins me to face her, “How the fuck do you see that as good news?”  I brush her hand off my shoulder. “Because Caius knows Edward can read minds, so he would read Jane’s and Alec’s, therefore he planted a plan in their minds.” Zafrina stubbornly crosses her arms, “or he expected Jane and Alec to have killed all of us before Edward could extract anything important.” I smile, “sure that is a possibility, but a stupid one and I think we can all agree Caius is far from stupid.” She raises her eyebrows, irritatingly purses her lips and walks back toward Jasper. “So here is what I think we should do, we run.” Jasper laughs, “That’s a pointless plan.”

“He has Gypsies, he knows he can’t beat me, he knows you can only fight magic with magic therefore I have to assume those Gypsies will know how to kill me.” Jas just nods and Edward glides next to me and grabs my hand, “Bella, even if we run he will still find you, and I am just not sure that is our best option.” I turn to face him, “Edward, it’s our only option.”  He gives me his perfect crooked smile; it gives me a slight quiver in my legs. “Actually, there is another way.” His eyes shift to Alice, she is frowning, “Edward I am not sure we can find them all, they scattered many years ago.” I squeeze Edwards’s hand, “What is she talking about?” 

“ After the war ended and we went to the Gypsy to wipe your mind, she gave us some contacts of some voodoo people, other Gypsies and secret gifted vampires, it was her hope we would find them and protect them, she said in return they would help us with the magical element of all this.”  I can see Zafrina roll her eyes. “Did you ever find them?” He nods, “Some of them and sure they helped, they cloaked Alice and Jasper, and you to a certain extent, but not me.” I can hear Jane’s amused laughter. “Why wouldn’t they help you Edward?” He is gently rubbing the palms of my hand with his thumbs, “Because a high priestess said I caused the darkness within you to rise, and I was a cancer that spread through you, she said my link to you would cause you much pain, that I deserved death.” My hands begin to shake with anger, but Edward grips them tighter, and pushes me closer to him. “Edward, you don’t believe any of that crap do you?” He shrugs, “Asking me to not believe in magic would be like you asking me not to believe in you Bella.”

I sigh in frustration, “Well they can call you a Cancer to my face.” Edward smiles, wraps his arms around my waist. “I doubt anyone would challenge the almighty Bella the brave.” We are both laughing, feeling hidden in our little happy embrace, when we hear someone clear their throat.  “So Edward you are going to go take my daughter to the bowels of the earth in search of these creatures that hate you?” We both turn to Aro , I smugly answer, “ Yep, it sounds like a great adventure, I will bring snacks.” He shakes his head, “Bella I have spent years keeping you safe, I won’t have you running off and get yourself killed just because of him.” I walk toward Aro, and reach my hand out to him. “I think because I want you to that it will work, go ahead father dear, take my hand and tell me what you see?” Aro hesitantly takes my hand, places the other over top, and closes his eyes.  I watch as he sees my life through my own eyes, feels the anguish, fear, loneliness, empty existence I have had. Based on his facial expressions I can tell where he is in my life. I knew only with Edward would he see how happy, safe and loved I was. He releases me, opens his eyes and looks at me. “I never wanted a bad life for you Bella, I knew Moriana loved you, but when you were first born I didn’t care much for feelings, and connections, just power.” He places his hand on my cheek, “You must be an amazing witch to change someone like me, I would hold you for hours drawn away from the rest of the world, but when I heard others conspiring against you, well sweet child that is when I felt.” Aro’s face was full of sadness, and pity, but his eyes looked at me adoringly. “I know you did what you thought was best, I guess you did what any father would do.” He smiles and nods, “Yes, Bella, and I will do you one more thing.” Confusion lightly sweeps my face. “What would that be?” He leans in kissing each of my cheeks, I can hear Edward step forward, “Aro no, it’s suicide.” I turn to Edward, and back to Aro, who has a content smile, “You better keep her alive Edward, or I swear I will find a way to hunt you down.” My mind begins to make sense of the cryptic banter. “Aro you are coming with us, right?” He shakes his head, “No Bella, My final job is one of sacrifice, if you want to buy yourselves time, you will need a diversion.”  I grab Aro’s arms, “No that is not at all what I want, you need to come with me, I need you.” He reaches for me, wraps his arms tightly around me, “It means everything to me to hear you say that my child that is why I must do this for you.” My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces, I tried not to cry, but no magic could stop the overwhelming emotion that engulfed me, and I sobbed into my father’s chest. Aro lightly caressed my head and tried calming me down with light hushes.” Now my beautiful Bella, you leave these wretched twins with me and you run, and don’t stop, and don’t look back, no matter what you hear you must promise me.” My shoulders slump as he gently pulls me from his embrace. “Do you hear me Bella?” I did hear him, but no words could form, just cries.” Edward, you must take her, and follow what I say, get her far from here, do not come back, don’t let this be for nothing.” I can feel Edward’s hands on my shoulders, “I promise Aro, I will protect her, with my own life.”  Aro brushes my cheek once more, and then I could no longer feel him. My body is numb, I think I stopped crying, but my vision was hazy, Edward was carrying me I could tell, and I knew we were running, and right as we disappeared through some brush, I could hear Aro’s last words, “I love you my Bella.”

Chapter 10~ The Twins

Maggie’s back was in the shape of a perfect arch, her eyes were squeezed so tightly I thought they might shatter, she was no longer screaming, the pain had her in a torturous silence. There was no darkness in Maggie that could come to the surface to save her, no power that could match the twins. Everyone was either looking away from Maggie and the twins, or staring at her, sympathetic to her plight. I knew this was not the first time I had seen these twins use their gifts on others; they were masters of their craft, manipulators to the elements that encompassed them. No one in this cabin was budging, if vampires could sweat they would all be doing so. 

I wasn’t sure what to do but deep within myself the darkness can feel my anguish and it whispers its blissful melodic tune.  Warmth overcomes me as my hands spread before Maggie’s bedeviled vessel.  I inhale her suffering, and lift the ache from inside her. The twins notice their powers being challenged, I can tell by the stomping of the foot the little girl gives.  I stare at the boy as he tenderly places his hand on his sister’s shoulder and curls his lips in an unmerciful smile, and adjusts his sights onto me. I can see him release his gift, knowing others see nothing. I quickly glance at Edward, as he stands close beside me, his eyes carry much worry, but not for him, I know he fears what will happen to me. 

 The boy’s gift is rather remarkable and through my eyes looks like a black veil pouring out from within him, slow moving, searching for its victim. Beautiful if it was not so terrifying.  A paralyzing mist, leaving its prey helpless to whatever madness that should be ordered upon it. You can’t run from it, you cannot yell for help, there is no bright light to be seen or reassuring words to be heard. If it gets you the only thing you know for sure is that your time on this earth has come to an end. That is the power this boy possesses, a rare, debilitating, threatening gift.

I try to ignore the boy’s gift until I know the girl has released Maggie from her grasp. His frightening fog lingers, as if waiting for me to give it the attention it deserves. I can see Maggie opening her eyes, and focus them onto my face. I give her a comforting smile and lift her up, “Edward please help her to the couch?” He takes Maggie in his arms and places her on the plush sofa. Seeing Maggie is alright, I turn my attention to the boy, “I suppose you want a go?” He nods, folds his arms behind his back, tilts his chin up a look of satisfaction is painted all over his face. “Remember, there is always a bigger fish Alec, I hope you can swim fast.” He gives a slight chuckle, and his veil rushes toward me, spinning around me like whirlwind, but never touching, the scent was like burning lavender, his gift did not threaten me, nor could it penetrate what I am. He knew this by the wide grin on his face. All he wanted to do was distract me, give him enough time to keep me preoccupied so his sister could get Edward in a shell of misery. “Release him Bitch!” She ignores me pushing her pain upon him further, his screams tear through me like shards of glass, and the darkness reacts. It peels through every layer with amazing stride, I can feel its potency, and how little control I had over it. It had a mind all its own, knowing what it had to do, all I did was will it and open the gate.  It shredded the veil, freeing me. My skin was on fire, I could hear the darkness shrill, and suddenly I was afraid of myself. It was as if I was standing over myself, watching. My body charged the girl, slamming her to the ground; Alec was immediately on my back trying to rip my arms off.  Suddenly Alec was being tossed over my body, and out of the cabin. Like a stampede others chased after him. I tightened my hands around Jane’s neck, she was clawing at my face, and I jolt her up crashing her through the ceiling. I rush out side, leaped to the roof and caught her before she fell.. Pulling her arms behind her, staring in to her eyes, “Either you are a stupid girl, or you have amnesia, how do you not realize what I can do to you?” 

She growls, and uselessly tries to break free of my grasp, “You had to know Caius was going to send for you Bella.” His name sends waves of anger up my spine, “But to send two worthless little children to capture me, he is losing his touch.” She begins, to giggle, “Oh Bella, I guess you don’t have ALL your memories back do you?”  I clench my jaw, readying to squeeze her head right off, when her giggling turns to full blown laughter. “What about this moment is funny to you Jane?” She simply lifts her arm, and extends her pointer finger, directing it behind me. I turn to see through the forest, beyond the trees and past a river, at least five hundred vampires and gypsies all in a perfect line, and in its center on raven colored war horse, the fair haired TriLord himself. “Caius!” Jane stops laughing, “You didn’t think he would send us to retrieve you alone do you?” A hiss slips through my lips. “What was that you said to my brother Bella?” She smiles, “Oh yeah, I remember, there is always a bigger fish, so can you swim?”

Chapter 9 ~ The Plot Thickens

The darkness doesn’t frighten me this time.  It feels welcoming, like an old friend taking me home. All the anguish and pain I felt moments ago begins to diminish. I roll on my back, staring at the ceiling slightly giggling as it tickles my senses.  I breath in a sigh of well needed relief, push my hair out of my face, I feel the darkness trying to pull me deeper. It whispers the most amazing things, gives me promises I know it can fulfill. I was about to surrender to it completely when a knock on the door interrupts my perfect moment. 

Angrily I rush up and whip the door open readying to scream at whoever was behind the door, but he was always an exception.  “Edward, I will be down in a moment.” I go to shut the door when he abruptly stops it with his foot.  “I’m sorry Bella, but I think its best someone stay with you, if not me perhaps Alice or Maggie?” I roll my eyes, tired of feeling like a child that needs babysitting, “Whatever Edward come in, but I can’t deal with all those,” squinting my eyes, “What are they anyway?”  He takes a seat on the end of the bed, “You know what they, I, and to a certain extent you are Bella. “I bite my lip, and nod, “Vampires right?” He doesn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to I knew I was right. “Every night I have these dreams, but something tells me they aren’t just dreams because they feel like memories, am I right?” His eyes shift ever so slightly but are back on me in a second,” Most likely, would you like to tell me about your dreams?” I shrug, “sure, I guess if it will help.” He pats the bed beside himself, “have a seat, relax and tell me what you can, hopefully we can make sense of it.” Without over analyzing it like I so often do I just sat, dangled one foot off the bed and tucked the other under me. “Usually they just start out in a field of sunflowers, I am running through them arms wide touching every flower  I possibly can, I am so happy, never felt so happy, but as I get further in the field the flowers begin to die, and suddenly as I run they crumble and turn to ash.” I glance up at him, he is watching me intensely, and I have to look at the comforter to keep myself focused. “When I finally stop and turn to see what has happened, I notice the entire field is ablaze, and there are screams in the distance, but I am frozen unable to move to search any further, on  the top of a hill far from where I am I see the shadows of what looks like a hundred people standing in a line, and one by one they shatter like broken mirrors, I yell but there is no sound, nothing, I am a silent paralyzed vessel unable to undo the wrong.”  This time when I look at Edward he doesn’t meet my gaze, he is far from this room, like he is remembering something, “You know what it means don’t you?”  He places his hand on my knee and when he speaks its calm, collected, it’s like the lullabies Maggie hums to me. “You need to understand that no matter what you remember it is in the past, never changing alright?” I shake my head,” OK, but please tell me what it means.” He brings his face closer to mine and is staring into my eyes, looking for what though? As he pulls away his face tells me that what he was looking for was me. “You are summoning the darkness Bella, Why?” I shift back further from him, “Why would I do that, I hate it I don’t want it, I want none of this.” He stands up paces for a moment, “You didn’t do it on purpose, but I remember the way you were then, I know what the darkness looks like and I see it peeking through.”  Angrily I stand and push Edward; shockingly he slams against the wall leaving a large hole. “Oh my God Edward I am so sorry.” 

In seconds Jasper, Zafrina and Alice are all in the doorway, at first they look at Edward then me. “I didn’t mean it Alice I will pay for it.” Alice doesn’t move she doesn’t smile she is emotionless, “Bella, you are strong again.” Zafrina pushes past Jasper grabs my neck crashing me into the bed and the frame collapses. “You fucking bitch, why would you summon it back?” Without thinking I kick Zafrina off me she fly’s across the room, out of the door and through the wall at the end of the hallway. I stand bracing myself for Jasper or Alice to attack, when Edward is suddenly between them and me. “Enough, the more angry you make her the worse it will be, Alice call Aro, Jasper go do crowd control, we are fine here.” They just stare at Edward unmoving. “I said Go, NOW!” Jasper and Alice slowly exit the room, keeping their eyes on me until we are no longer in each other’s sites.

 I go to leave the room when Edward grabs my arm. “Let go Edward, I am leaving, this isn’t working.” Pulling my arm away Edward grabs it again, “ No Bella, not again, not ever if you go I go, but believe me or not they want to help you.” I turn to face him, “Why Edward, why do you claim you love me, you are married to Tanya, happily ever after in your Executive mansion, lifestyles of the rich and famous existence.” He places both hands on my arms, intensifying his grip. “Bella, I have been doing just that, existing, waiting, the only time I ever lived was when I was with you.” His words are full of passion, but I can’t believe what I am hearing, “When were we together?” He shoots me his crooked smile, “Many years ago, we had what Maggie likes to call a forbidden love, you and I are like fire and gasoline Bella, but we never cared what anyone thought.” He releases one of his hands, and brushes the hair from my eyes. “ I worked for Ciaus, My gift of reading minds was to help him keep an eye on Aro, who was no longer sharing with Marcus or Caius anything about you, He himself wouldn’t go near you in fear, so he made me watch you, read your mind, but I can’t read your mind Bella, and the more and more I watched you the more I fell in love with life, and so I lied to Caius and told him what I knew he wanted to hear. “ I swallow, grasping every word Edward spoke. “ I told him you were not this evil he thought you were, that you would bring great power to this family, an so he asked me to get even closer to you, to watch you when you turned eighteen to see if what Alice saw was still in the cards.” I inch closer as he speaks, magnetically drawn to him. “ We would just talk for hours in the garden, nothing really fascinating, and we fell in love, you were two weeks from your eighteenth birthday and because I had no idea what that would mean I told you how much I loved you, you reciprocated every feeling, word, and thought, I was never so happy, we were never so happy.” His eyes fall slightly. “What happened Edward?” He places his hands in mine, stares at them.  “The night before your eighteenth birthday we made love, for the first time in a hundred years I felt truly alive.” He lifts my hand to his lips, and gently kisses my palm. “That sounds amazing Edward, why is that bad?” His grip is stronger, like he is trying to stop me from pulling away. “The next morning, on your birthday guards came to your room, they pulled me from your bed, tore off my arms, Felix one of the head guards, told me I was sentenced to die, but you Bella, it was a sight, you rose from the bed, your hair turned into night, your eyes were an inferno, you shredded Felix into pieces and with a touch liquefied him.” 

I see now why Edward was gripping me so tightly I was crumbling inside hearing what I was. “You saved me, but the trilords felt that our love was a cancer, and ordered us to separate, Caius wanted you destroyed but Aro would not have it, so Aro took you and ran, and Caius told me to stay by his side and if I strayed he would kill you slowly.” My head began to spin, I felt nauseous, “I remember Edward, I searched for you for a lifetime, tore apart towns, I killed thousands to find you.” He nods, “Yes and your dream was in Tuscany, it was toward the end of the war, when Caius cornered you, destroyed most of your army atop a hill, knowing you would see it.” I close my eyes picturing it all, “He wanted me to come to him, hoping when I saw you that I would falter and he would be able to kill me.” I look into Edward’s eyes, “But I never went to you, I knew he would kill you before I got there, that was when the darkness began to slip and Aro was able to drag me away, we went to Spain, and I remember Alice was there and she told me that I wouldn’t be in pain anymore.” Now Edward was clinging to every word I was speaking. “They took me to a Gypsy I can’t remember her name, she made me forget didn’t she?” He shakes his head, “Yes, and she planted memories for you, Bella, you can only fight magic with magic it was our only way to save you.” 

“What did Caius do to you?” He just shrugs, “Forced me to marry his sister Tanya, so she could watch me and make sure we never saw each other again.” He chuckles, “But two years ago this squirrely little intern comes in to her company looking for a job, So Aro planted Zafrina there, Tanya hired you most likely to torture me, and we waited, but you never faltered you were perfection Bella, so Caius let you live.” 

“Then who tried to kill me that night on the bridge?” He raises his brow, “We don’t know but we suspect it was one of Caius’s idiots.” I smile at Edward, “Thank you for this, I am remembering, and even if it’s bad I am glad I know.” Edward goes to speak but is interrupted. “Edward, why must you corrupt my daughter repeatedly?”  I turn to see Aro glowering at Edward, “He only did what I asked Aro, you will leave him be.” Aro laughs boisterously, “Or what my child?” I smirk in slight satisfaction, “Or I will destroy you.” He stares at me for a long moment, throws his hands in the air and storms down the stairs. I look at Edward; he is suppressing a laugh, “Bella, perhaps that wasn’t the best thing to say?”

 “It would have been uncomfortable for all parties if he were here for what I am about to do.” He has a genuine look of confusion on his face, I chuckle and pull him to me, crashing our lips together, Edward grabs my lower back pushing me closer to him, and we fall on the bed. At the same time we land a huge explosion tears the side of the cabin apart, we rush to the window to see every car ignited in a tornado of fire. “What the hell?” Edward grabs me, “We need to get downstairs now!”  We rush down the stairs everyone backed against the wall staring at a withering Maggie on the floor screaming in pain but there is nothing I can see that indicates she had been harmed; I immediately rush to her side, “Maggie!” 

Then two figures stepped closer, a small blonde girl and a brown haired boy, no older than twelve I would say, I remembered them, they were known as the twins, and they possessed amazing powers.