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.

Chapter 19~ The Castle In The Sky

We gathered our belongings and continued walking; I was slightly distracted by Jasper’s whispering on his phone. “Edward who is Jasper talking to?”

Edward looks back quickly a reassuring smile beams across his flawless face, “Stephanie, she is the keeper of the house we are going to.”

I nod realizing I am clueless but Edward is so in sync with every one of my movements and feelings, “ It’s OK Bella, she is very kind, I met her a few years back in Prague she takes care of a lot of us when we need a place to stay or in most cases hide.”

“How does she hide people so well?” 

Edward clasps my hand and secures my arm close to his chest as we walk, “She was a fairly gifted little girl who was amazing at hide and go seek,” he chuckled as if he remembered.  “But many years ago her village was attacked by my kind, women, children and men were murdered their homes burned, but what these vampires did not know is that the trilords, more specifically Aro, was observing Stephanie, he was intrigued at her ability to simply vanish in a crowd, he felt she would make an exceptional vampire, but he wanted her to age, so he rescued her from the village and watched over her until her eighteenth birthday, and then he changed her.”

“And she was just OK with that?”

He shrugs, “She knew she owed him a great deal, but she also fell in love with the idea of immortality.”

“But to become the thing that killed your family and friends?”

“ She didn’t know better Bella, and Aro took care of her, especially after his predictions were right, when she turned she had the ability to become invisible completely, and as time progressed she was able to expand on it, first it was rooms, and cars, then it was whole houses and then towns.”

I raise my eyebrows amazed by what I heard, “Wow, so where we are going is invisible?”

He smiled in amusement, “It will look like nothingness, or amazing, you see she gets to decide what you see until she raises the veil, it’s quite remarkable, and I think you will enjoy her gift.”

Jasper came up beside us, “ Alright so Stephanie said if we keep going straight about another two miles she will see us and let us through.”

We simply smile and shake our heads, I found myself filling with excitement, Edward face was a reflection of my own, I got the feeling he very much enjoyed her company which made it easy to adore this woman I had never met. 

As Jasper had told us we went the two miles and right before my eyes the landscape began to pixilate like a mixed up television screen, the pieces turned into tiny drops of water and lifted up to the sky, and before my very eyes was an amazing castle resting on the most perfectly white fluffy cloud, a laugh of excitement escaped my lips, “Oh my God”

“Almost Bella, just keep walking.”

It looked like I was just walking on the sky but it was solid, my feet kept moving I was void of fear, I imagine Jasper had something to do with the emotions since everyone was beaming. A large golden door about 50 feet high was before us, it opened slowly and a woman stood before us with the most gracious smile, refreshing after the last few days. 

“Greetings everyone, please come in.” her voice was warm and inviting, so without hesitation we entered.  The foyer was gray marble, with large pillars and gold trim; it was out of a dream. My eyes couldn’t take it all in without feeling overwhelmed. 

“You must be Bella?” I turned to her, she was still smiling, her hair was blonde cut to her shoulders, her eyes sparkled a beautiful copper color, her hands folded neatly in front of her, and she was wearing a simple black dress with remarkable black and silver shoes. I was in awe of her simplicity and grace.

“uhm yes I am Bella, I am speechless to be honest this place is amazing.” 

“You are too kind, but thank you I am glad it is to your liking.”

Edward had a large grin on his face, “It’s totally to my loving!”

“Fantastic, Aro knew you would be pleased, he has been working on this place for a very long time.”

“He was?” My smile faded slightly, he never ceased to amaze me, my heart ached at how I could never thank him for all he has done for me.

“Well was, is what’s the difference, he always finds reason to call and ask to see something and rearrange something, where is he by the way?”

I looked at Edward quickly who in turn looked at Jasper, jas stepped forward, “I didn’t think over the phone would be best.”

Zafrina rolled her eyes, “Well isn’t this just fucking perfect.” She walked down a hallway and slammed a door that went to God only knows. Stephanie was looking at us a questionable look on her face.

“What is going on?”

I stepped forward and extended my hands to her, “Why don’t we go inside and sit and we can talk about it.”

Without question or hesitation she complied, and we followed her to the living room, she had tea waiting and before another word was spoken she poured us all a cup, she sat in a red velvet chair, took a few sips, and a deep breath and waited for one of us to speak. 

I had no idea how to explain this to her but I had a feeling they were all waiting on me, so I placed my tea cup down, “ I wish I could tell you that he will be arriving later but, well Stephanie…” My words were getting all caught up in my throat and I was finding it hard to grasp the most comforting words, Edward clearly realized my struggle and stepped in.

“We were at the cabin, the twins cornered us you see, then Caius showed with an army we couldn’t take them because he had gypsies and Bella’s power is still a bit questionable, they would have demolished all of us, Aro would not let that happen, so he stayed behind in hopes that we would at least get a far enough lead to disappear from harm, at least for a time.”

Stephanie showed no emotion, her face was placid she just stared at Edward as he spoke, not even a blink, so he continued. “We got through the woods until we jumped onto a train, but Aro didn’t survive, Caius had him killed, but we were able to get far enough away that Caius did not follow.”

She remained frozen for just a moment more, then she took another sip of her tea and placed it onto the table, “I see, and you know he is dead how?”

I looked at Edward as I answered, “We heard the screams.” My eyes filled, and rested on the floor, unable to look at anyone as the words were like fire coursing through my body.

“But how do you know they were his and not the twins or the others?” Her voice was not faltering she was in complete control, or was it denial. I realized I did not have an answer; I looked up slightly to Edward who was biting his lips, his face was covered in pain, and that was when I knew he couldn’t hide from the truth that his gift made him experience Aro’s last moments. 

“Oh My god Edward,” I grabbed his hands, kissed them, “You felt it all didn’t you, and all you did was console me I am so selfish I am sorry.”

Stephanie’s voice broke through, “So it’s true then?” 

Edward just nodded,” then you will tell me how?”

He looked up at her, almost outraged by her question, “No I will not.”

She took her tea cup, again she sipped, “Later then, if you will excuse me.” She rose and walked down the corridor and disappeared right before my eyes.

“Edward, I really am so sorry.”

“Our gifts are also our curse Bella, it’s the way it will always be, it is OK, I am glad you didn’t see it or feel it.

I gently stroked his cheek and softly kissed his lips, we slinked low onto the couch, I hugged his head onto my bosom, scarlet tears flowed from my eyes, it was true, I couldn’t feel the pain or hurt Aro did as he died, but my gift or my curse could feel the anguish that was suffocating Edward. We sat nestled into each other for a long while; everyone else seemed to find a room to meander to. I didn’t know what we were waiting for but it was the first time we could all just breathe, morn, and rest.