149Chapter 15
I didn't waste any time, and instinctively slashed at thin air with my hand half a second later. Jacob's head jerked to the side as he tumbled down backwards, and blood spurted from a gash on his muzzle. I had willed my shield to take a very thin edge, like a knife, and it had responded perfectly. I wanted it to be a lesson. I knew Jacob would heal in the next two minutes.
"Sam," I told the black wolf who was standing too, "I'm sorry to have to defend us against one of your pack. But it would be nice if Jacob could stop attacking us, and finally understand that I'm not his, never was and never will be. I will become a vampire, whether he likes it or not. And if he can't be reasonable, I suggest that he stays back at La Push on Saturday. I don't want to hurt him, but I'll protect my family at all costs and I won't tolerate his jerky behaviour."
Sam nodded and snapped his jaws at Jacob who was rising, his wound already closing. The russet wolf growled at me, and I growled back. I could feel my heart slowing considerably and my body temperature plummeting, but I stayed focused on Jacob. I was ready for anything. The wolves yowled lowly, looking at me with wide eyes, and Sam barked again, silencing them. He then looked at Jacob, and I knew that they were speaking through their wolves' links. Edward had gripped my hand and was squeezing it, but I wanted to know what Sam would decide.
At last Sam turned towards Edward while Jacob and four wolves departed towards La Push with angry yelps, and Edward repeated the words of the Quileute leader aloud. "I'm sorry for Jake's inexcusable behaviour. He attacked you twice, and you've had enough restraint and respect to just defend yourself and not wound him too badly. Thank you for that, Bella. I've ordered Jacob to stay at La Push with Leah on Saturday, so there won't be any incident. Thank you for tonight, and take care, Bella."
"Take care, Sam," I said with a sigh, "and please watch over Jake. He'll come around someday, I hope. And say hello to Emily for me, please."
The black wolf nodded, and Edward spoke for him again. "I will. Thank you, Cullens. If you need to reach us, you can contact me or Emily, or even Billy Black."
"We will," Carlisle said with a smile. "Thank you, Sam."
Sam nodded again, and he left, flanked by Paul and Jared. Edward caught me as my knees buckled, and Esme was in front of me again, handing me the thermos. "Drink, Bella."
I emptied the thermos, and felt a jolt of energy course through me. But I desperately needed sleep by now. Edward took me in his arms, bridal-style again, and after a few words with Carlisle and Eleazar he started to run. "I told Eleazar that we would talk tomorrow," he told me calmly. "I'm bringing you home."
"Thank you, my love," I murmured, falling fast into oblivion.
The loud voices of angry vampires woke me up with a start, and I sat up in my bed, a little bit disoriented. It was a quarter past five in the morning, and I would've liked a little more sleep, but things were getting ugly downstairs, it seemed. So I hastily put a sweater of Edward's on top of my pajamas, put some sneakers on, and made my way to the living room. I heard Irina's screech from my landing. "I can't believe that you would betray me and Laurent's memory like this! We must kill those mutts!"
"The werewolves will help us against Victoria and her newborn army, Irina!" Edward shouted, clearly furious. "And they killed Laurent because he wanted to kill Bella! So no, we won't kill our allies! They protect innocent people!"
"Irina," Carmen said seriously as I reached the living room, "please calm down. You're not thinking rationally."
"It's her fault!" she shrieked, spotting me, hair disheveled and eyes bulging. "It's all her fault!" She made her way towards me, no doubt wanting to kill me, but in a flash Jasper and Emmett, who were nearest, jumped in front of me, crouching and snarling menacingly. Eleazar and Edward grabbed Irina's arms, and she thrashed uselessly in their grip, still screaming obscenities at me. Carlisle, dismayed, shot a significant look at Jasper as Esme and Tanya appeared next to me.
"Come on, Bella," Esme said, leading me to the kitchen, "you must be hungry." She and Tanya escorted me, making a wide berth around a flailing Irina who was trying to resist Jasper's touch and the waves of lethargy he was sending her, and soon I was seated at the table, a large cup of elk blood and a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon in front of me. Esme, Tanya, Alice and Rosalie were standing guard around me, and my heart sank.
"I'm sorry about Irina," I muttered, toying with my food, not really hungry. "It is my fault."
"No, Bella," Tanya shook her head, locking eyes with me. "Don't listen to Irina. She's wrong. It's Laurent's own fault that he's dead. Irina only wants a scapegoat, an outlet to her grief. And I won't let her blame you."
"Thanks, Tanya," I said truthfully, happy to notice that the head of the Denali coven could be fair and nice.
"Did you sleep well, Bella?" Alice inquired, taking the seat beside me.
"Yes, but not nearly enough," I said, finally starting to eat.
"You can go back to sleep afterwards, Bella dear," Esme told me gently, ignoring the shrieks still coming from the living room and the raised voices of the vampires there. "You have two hours before school."
"No, Esme, thank you," I shook my head. "I won't be able to fall asleep again. And I believe that Eleazar wanted to talk to Edward and me."
The shouts decreased, then stopped. I could feel Jasper's waves of calm seeping through me, and I relaxed. Irina's attack had rattled me, and I couldn't wait to be in Edward's arms again. I emptied my plate and my cup, and Alice refilled the latter without a word. I drained it again, then uttered a satisfied sigh. "Thank you for breakfast, Esme. Thanks, Alice."
"It's a pleasure, Bella dear," Esme said as Alice hugged me. I could hear several footsteps ascending the stairs, and Edward, Carlisle and Eleazar entered the kitchen.
"How's Irina?" Tanya asked, concern written on her gracious features.
"Comatose," Edward answered, sitting next to me and taking my hand tenderly. "Well, as comatose as a vampire can be, of course. Carmen and Kate will watch over her."
Tanya nodded, and I noticed that all the vampires' eyes were on me. I blushed a little.
"Bella?" Eleazar's barytone voice rose, as he and Carlisle took seats across from me. "Could we talk about your gift?"
"I'm not a vampire yet," I said, unsure of myself and feeling very self-conscious in my pajamas and Edward's sweater.
"Yet you already have a very powerful shield," he told me kindly, looking impressed. "I wonder what you'll be able to do once you're changed."
"What can you tell us about Bella's shield for now, Eleazar?" Edward asked eagerly.
"Well, from what I've seen and what I sense," the black-haired vampire said, watching me intently, "Bella has a double shield. Or rather two superposed shields. A purely mental one and a physical one."
"Two shields?" I repeated incredulously. "I only sense one."
"That's because you're still human," Eleazar told me gently. "But once you're a vampire you'll be able to dissociate the two, and maybe even use them differently."
"So the physical one we know about," Carlisle said. "What about the mental one, then?"
"It's what prevents Aro, Jane, Alec and Edward from reaching Bella's mind," Eleazar explained patiently. "When her shield is up, which is at all times, nobody can attack her mind. She has to consciously make the effort of lowering her shield to grant access to her mind."
"I only did it once, with Edward," I said calmly. "And it lasted about twenty seconds. It's very difficult."
"I don't doubt it," Eleazar said admiratively, "and it's obvious that you're very powerful, Bella. To be able to stop Jasper and push him back like you did while being human is mind-blowing. And even more with what you did to the werewolf. From what I could see, you manipulated your shield to make it sharp like a knife, didn't you?" I nodded. "That's very impressive. If you can use your shield that way, like swords, then you could easily sever vampire limbs, Bella. That would be a true means of protection."
I thought about that. Maybe I could train my shield to become razor-sharp blades. "I like this idea," I said at last, and Edward squeezed my hand. "I'll try after school."
"Do you think that changing into a vampire will increase her gift?" Edward asked Eleazar. "It's pretty powerful, as it is."
"I think so, yes," Eleazar acknowledged. "That, and her control over it. I think that in time, she'll be able to use both of her shields independantly, to answer any threats."
"What about my mental one?" I frowned, a little lost. "I can only shield myself, can't I?"
"I think that you'll be able to project it, Bella," he said softly, his amber eyes glinting in the rising dawn. "For now your mental shield surrounds you at all times, defending only you. My guess is that when you're a vampire, you'll be able to shield more people around you."
"Kind of like an invisible dome?" I ventured, trying to picture it. He nodded with a smile. "Okay, I'll work on it, but..."
"I think you should concentrate on your physical one, love," Edward suggested, his voice calm but his eyes pleading. "You're still human, and your body is strained enough as it is."
"Edward is right," Carlisle put his two cents in, eyeing me gravely. "Better not push yourself too far, Bella. If your body don't withstand the power..."
His voice trailed off, but I got it, and so did every vampire around me. My body wouldn't be able to cope, and I would die. All the vampires around me started to talk about my abilities, but I tuned them off. I needed a hug from my husband, so I leaned into him and put my arms around him. He reciprocated, gently rubbing my back with his hands, and I sighed contentedly. After a few minutes I pulled away regretfully. "I'll go take a shower."
"I'll come with you," he said simply, standing with me. I knew we wouldn't go crazy, but the fact that he wanted to be with me warmed my heart. I needed him so much.
"And no sweaters of Edward's today!" Alice warned me behind us.
We chuckled. "We'll see," I said, winking at my handsome vampire. She growled, and we laughed.
Edward and I took our shower together, only washing and caressing each other, but we needed the intimacy and the contact. More than once he put his hand over my stuttering heart, his golden eyes full of worry. I tried not to think about it. My change was looming closer, and I couldn't wait. "How do you want to do it?" I asked Edward quietly. He quirked an eyebrow. "My change," I added.
He averted his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't really know. I'm... I'm still undecided."
"Could you think about it?" I implored him, grabbing his hips and snuggling into his chest under the warm water. "I... I need to know, Edward... to be prepared."
"I understand, love," he said quietly, caressing me lovingly. "We'll talk about it soon, I promise."
I nodded, then he led me out of the shower stall and enveloped me in a big towel. We dried ourselves, then got dressed together in my bedroom. It was so natural to share those private moments now. Sometimes I couldn't believe that my century-old vampire could behave so modernly, but I wasn't going to complain.
To please Alice I put on one of the new outfits that she had bought me, a deep-blue v-neck blouse and a black skirt, with a matching cardigan, and flats on my feet. Edward licked his lips while watching me, his eyes darkening, and I blushed, feeling aroused. He wasn't too bad looking in his forest-green shirt, black jeans and cream sweater, and I really wanted to skip school once more. But Edward sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We should go downstairs or we'll start our honeymoon here and now, and that would be quite awkward with all the family in the house."
"Thanks for your consideration, Ed!" Jasper said loudly from his room, a floor below, making me giggle in embarrassment. We went to the living room, where Alice was waiting for us.
"Perfect, Bella!" she beamed at me. She handed me a phone. "Your new one," she explained patiently, seeing my puzzlement. "I put your sim card in it. You destroyed the old one, remember?"
"Oh, yeah." I had completely forgotten, and truth be told, I hadn't missed my phone. Alice gave another one to Edward too, and we thanked her.
"We still have an hour before going to school," Edward told me. "What do you want to do?"
"Could you..." I bit my lip, and he gave me an encouraging look. "Could you play for me, please?"
He gave me his crooked smile and led me to the piano bench, where we sat. Then he played, and I lost myself in his music. He played all my favorites, plus Esme's song and my lullaby, and I was feeling good and relaxed. Until Alice gasped, and my new phone rang.
"It's Renee," I muttered unhappily, looking at the caller ID. I shot a look at Alice who eyed me with commiseration.
"She'll just ring you until you pick up," she said softly.
I sighed and reluctantly took the call. "Renee?"
"Bella?" my mom shouted in my ear, and I winced, putting on the loudspeaker. "Is it true? Charlie told me you got married!"
"Yes, it's true," I said, aggravated. "And thanks for your congratulations, Renee. Not that Charlie gave them to me either."
"I can't believe that you've made this mistake," she sighed, and anger shot in hot waves in me again. "What were you thinking? Bella, I told you..."
"Shut the fuck up!" I roared, jumping on my feet and banging on the lid of the piano, and actually breaking it! "It's my life, Renee! Mine! Not yours! And I told you I would marry Edward! Well, it happened, and it was the very best day of my life! And I told you not to call me again! I'm leaving soon, and I'm changing my phone number! Don't call, Renee! I don't want to see or hear from you ever again!"
And I hung up, and tossed my brand new phone against the wall again, where it predictably shattered. "Thanks, Alice, but don't waste your money," I spat, still seething. "I'll buy another phone someday, with another number."
I took a deep breath, and took in the broken lid of Edward's baby grand. "I'm so sorry, Edward," I said, starting to tremble from head to toe. "I can't believe I broke your piano. I'm so sorry."
Edward was holding me in his embrace and kissing my hand, examining it carefully. "I don't care about my piano, Bella," he told me earnestly, love and understanding shining in his gorgeous golden eyes. "It's fixable. You're not, at least not entirely. How's your hand?"
"It hurts," I confessed bitterly.
"Come to my study, Bella," Carlisle said, appearing next to me. I heaved another sigh and let Edward carry me upstairs. Carlisle X-rayed my hand. "Only the knuckles of your little finger are broken," he told me, putting out the machine back in its closet. "No need for a cast, but you do need a brace."
"Lucky it's my left hand," I said dejectedly. "I can't believe I had enough strength to break the lid of the piano." Edward only kissed me lovingly on top of my head.
"You're lucky you're so tired," Carlisle countered me grimly, setting the brace delicately on my hand. "With your power surges, you could've completely destroyed Edward's piano, not just the lid, and shattered all the bones in your hand and arm, had you been at your peek form."
"Wonderful," I muttered sarcastically. "Thank you, Carlisle. Again."
"I won't say 'It's my pleasure', but I'm here for you, dear child," he smiled at me.
Edward led me downstairs, and I plopped into our couch, he sitting gracefully next to me. I leaned my head on his shoulder immediately. Only Alice was here, still on her computers, doing last minute shopping before school. "How are you feeling, love?" Edward asked me softly, putting an arm around me.
"Tired, sad, angry, aching, disgusted," I answered tonelessly. He pressed me against him and kissed my hair. I loved that.
"Lucky Jasper is away hunting," Alice commented evenly from her corner. "You would've given him a headache." I shrugged, not in the mood for joking.
"I should say you were pretty clear with your mother," Edward simply said between kisses. "Maybe she'll take the hint."
"Maybe not," I disagreed, "but I don't want to use my old phone number again. I'll delete my mail account, and I forbid anyone here to answer her calls to the house. Same for Charlie. I'm dead for them from this second."
My heart wrenching in pain was contradicting my cold voice, and I knew that the erratic heartbeat in my chest didn't fool my husband or my sister. However they didn't point it out, thankfully. I fought the sobs rattling my chest, but I knew I was doing a poor job. Edward held me against him, staying silent but giving me love and reassurance through his presence. I inhaled his scent deeply, letting it soothe me, and soon my tears dried out. I even dozed off, because I woke up when Edward nudged me very gently. "Time to go, love."
The day at school was uneventful, for once, and I welcomed the novelty. I spent every available free time with Angela, as I knew that I wouldn't be able to see her again very soon, and Edward stayed by my side, talking to Ben. Alice was with us too, and did her best to cheer me up. Lauren was still missing, but Mike and Jessica were back, and oddly enough they were making out behind the gym when school ended. I couldn't help a snort.
"Looks like they'll soon get married too," Edward snickered when we passed them.
"Really?" I asked in astonishment. "They love each other so much?"
"Oh no," he shook his head with a chuckle, and Alice smiled evilly when getting into the backseat of the Volvo. "They want to have sex, but they're quite careless in regards to... protecting themselves."
"He'll knock her up, and they'll have a shotgun wedding," I deduced with a smirk.
"Very probably," Edward agreed, and Alice cackled, followed by us. "So you see, love, we won't be the most scandalous couple in Forks anymore."
"Aw, and here I thought we wouldn't have our title stolen," I said sarcastically. Edward and Alice laughed.
When we parked in the garage, Alice disappeared almost instantly, but Edward turned towards me, a serious expression back on his handsome features. "Bella, I wanted to talk to you... about your change."
"Yes?" I said neutrally, only waiting. I wouldn't push him in any way, I knew how hard it would be for him to do it. He took a deep breath.
"Bella, love, I want to do it on Sunday, when you're rested after the attack of the newborn army. I don't want to wait for the last moment, I don't want to cut it too close of your heart stopping. So, if it's okay with you, we'll make love, and then I'll bite you."
I looked into his troubled but mesmerizing golden eyes, and put my free hand on his cheek. He leaned into my touch but his gaze was still on me. "It sounds perfect, my Edward," I simply said, pouring out my love in my words. He didn't smile, he didn't rejoice. He couldn't be happy about the end of my human life, I knew it. But he would save me. He would make me his equal, his mate, for all eternity. And that gave him hope, that much I could see. "I love you," I said.
"I love you," he murmured, then leaned over me. We kissed for a few minutes, then he pulled away reluctantly. "And about... after, if you still want to go to Alaska, we can go," he told me evenly. "We have a large house there. We can go with Rose and Emmett right after your change and your first hunt, and Esme will tell the school that we'll be homeschooled until graduation. And after graduating, Alice and Jasper will join us. Carlisle must give his notice to the hospital, but he and Esme will join us in June too."
"Perfect," I repeated with a genuine smile on my lips. I wanted to be away from humans, away from people, and far away from my parents and old friends. I needed a clean break, to start anew. And I was happy that Rosalie and Emmett would accompany us, it meant a lot to me.
"So, what do you want to do now, Bella?" Edward asked me as he opened my door.
"I want to train," I said calmly. "Can we go to the garden?"
"Of course, love," he nodded. He ran inside to put our bags in his room, then we made our way to the back of the house. I noticed that Emmett and Jasper were wrestling, under the amused stare of Kate and Tanya, Eleazar watching from afar. And just as Jasper pinned Emmett down, the vampires acknowledged our presence.
"Edward, Bella," Tanya smiled, keeping her distance, for which I was grateful. I assumed that Edward had spoken to her sometime during the last days, and she was respectful and gracious. Maybe at some point we could even become friends. Maybe. Someday.
"Hello," I said shyly, grasping Edward's hand.
"So, you want to train with your shield, Bella?" Kate asked me with a wide grin. I nodded, and Edward growled.
"Not with you, Kate," he spat, leaning protectively over me and shooting daggers at her.
"Why?" I wondered curiously.
"Edward doesn't want me to hurt you," Kate explained, still smiling and wriggling her fingers. "I can shock people, Bella. It's like a bolt of electricity. I can incapacitate vampires, so I assume I could easily kill a human like you."
"Which is why she won't train with you," Edward repeated adamantly, scowling. I ran my free hand along his chest, nuzzling him, and he relaxed after a few seconds.
"I won't train with anybody," I said calmly when he was completely cool. "I don't want to hurt anybody. I'll train on trees and boulders, Edward."
I led him to the edge of the garden, where the forest was starting, and dropped his hand. I didn't acknowledge the other vampires coming closer to us. I simply concentrated, using my anger and my grief over my parents' behaviour to spot my shield and manipulate it. I made it shoot ten yards away in front of me, hitting a large spruce tree. The tree exploded, showering us with bits of wood, and I instinctively expanded it to protect every vampire around me. It worked, but I couldn't keep it away from me for more than ten seconds. I was panting when the film snapped back around me, but Eleazar's voice rose. "Very impressive, Bella. Your physical shield is very strong, and you can project it already. Now can you modify its shape?"
I focused again, this time aiming for a fir tree seven yards away. I visualized the film around me and willed it to form two blades, and hurled them at the tree, making slashing movements with my hands. Amazingly, the shield obeyed, and the fir tree, cut very neatly in two places, toppled over. It fell right towards me, and Edward grabbed me around the waist, ready to shove me aside.
"Wait!" I yelled at him. In slow motion, I watched the tree coming upon me, and willed my shield to come between the trunk and me. The tree, stopped by my shield, was hovering over us. I groaned, but gritted my teeth, holding the fir tree by sheer willpower.
"Bella, you could be crushed," Edward said anxiously, still holding me tightly.
I ignored him and growled, gathering my vampiric strength, then released it on the tree. The trunk shot out from the shield and toppled to the other side, landing with an almighty crash on the ground, cutting a lot of other branches on its way down. Silence reigned for a few seconds, then several things happened at once. Tanya, Kate, Eleazar, Jasper and Emmett all spoke up at once, their words jumbled and not making any sense. I crumpled on myself and was only prevented from hitting the ground by Edward's strong arms coming around me, and from the house Alice shrieked in anger. "They're coming!"
Edward gasped next to my ear, but I didn't react. My eardrums were pounding, a red haze was clouding my vision, and I was having trouble breathing. I was so cold. "Bella!" Edward called me from far away, his frozen hands making me shiver.
In a daze, I vaguely registered that we weren't in the garden anymore but in the living room. I was buried in a thick blanket and he was holding me tightly while Esme was trying to make me drink blood. I gulped down a few sips, but I was exhausted. I wanted to sleep. I was so cold. "Don't fall asleep, Bella!" Edward ordered me, slapping me lightly, jolting me awake. "Don't close your eyes! Drink!"
I somehow knew that if I fell asleep I wouldn't wake up. My heart was beating so very slowly, and my breathing was shallow. I had made a mistake. I had taxed my strength without drinking blood first. I just hoped it wouldn't be my last mistake. "Drink, Bella!" Edward demanded again, anguish filling his voice. "Drink, love, come on!"
I forced myself to swallow the small mouthfuls Esme was giving me, and very slowly my senses sharpened. My heartbeat picked up speed, and my lungs stopped hurting me. My eyes focused back on my surroundings, and I spotted Edward's distraught face above me. I had to reassure him. "I'm okay, my love," I whispered, all my energy drained.
"Oh, Bella," he said, leaning his forehead against mine, his arms squeezing me almost painfully. "I thought you were dying, love. Your heart nearly stopped."
"It isn't my time yet," I murmured, looking around us. Esme was still kneeling in front of me, offering me more blood, which I greedily accepted. She was watching me with worry, upset by my weakened state.
"Carlisle is on his way," she told me, gently caressing my cheek when I emptied the cup. "He has finished his shift, and he should be here in five minutes."
Farther around us I saw all my family plus the Denalis, even sullen Irina, conversing gravely with each other and shooting furtive glances at me. I tried to sit up, and Edward helped me, easing me on his lap. "What happened, Alice?" I whispered, remembering her shout. "Who's coming?"
I saw her small form next to Jasper's protective one, and she gave me a determined look. "Victoria and her army," she said somberly. "They'll be here tomorrow morning."
"I called the pack," Jasper added, eyebrows furrowed. "They'll hide in the woods while we wait for the army, then as soon as we start the fight, they'll jump in."
"We must go to the baseball field as soon as possible," Edward said, still anxious. "Alice's time frame isn't very specific, because Victoria keeps changing her mind. Laurent probably told her about Alice's gift. We must be prepared. But, Bella..."
I cut him. "Then we must go, Edward. I'm okay, I promise you. I won't do anything this tiring again. I was wrong to push myself with the trunk. I know better now, and I know my limits. We must go."
I thanked Esme, and stood up, Edward supporting me. Emmett disappeared for two seconds then was back, a huge backpack on his shoulders. "I have the tent and the supplies," he said, coming beside me. "Don't worry, little sis, we've got you. You'll sleep in the best tent Newton's store could provide." I smiled faintly, and he gave me a dimpled grin. "We'll watch over you, Bella."
I gripped his wrist and squeezed it, then leaned into Edward again. I was really tired. "We're just waiting for Carlisle, love," Edward said, still supporting most of my weight.
Alice ran to us, tore the blanket away from me, then put a very thick winter parka on me. Afterwards she grabbed the blanket and folded it. "I'm taking this, you'll need it," she said, shaking her head back and forth. "Esme will carry your blood supply, so we're good."
"She'll endanger us all," Irina scoffed from her corner, and I turned to look at her. She was eyeing me malevolently. "We could all die because of this worthless, insignificant human. And we have to unite with our arch-enemies because of her."
"Bella isn't worthless or insignificant," Rosalie said, voice raised, defending me. I couldn't help a smile. "She's family, Irina, and she's Edward's mate. She's his life, and we'll protect her just like we protect any member of this family. But if you don't want to be here, the door is just behind you. However, if you leave, don't ever come back."
Rosalie's ominous tone was still ringing, but Irina dropped her gaze. I knew then that, as resentful and angry as she was towards me, she was more attached to her family. She would fight with us, even if she didn't want to fight for me or along with the werewolves. Carlisle arrived, then, and took in the scene in front of him. "Is it time, then?" he asked simply.
"Yes," Alice nodded, exchanging a significant look with Jasper. Carlisle's gaze came to rest on me, and a second later he was in front of me.
"Bella, what happened?" he inquired, examining me quickly.
"She used her shield," Edward spoke for me. "She used too much energy. It nearly killed her," he added with a low, anguished voice, and I turned and grabbed him around the waist, hugging him as hard as I could.
"I won't die on you, Edward," I told him fiercely. "We'll fight Victoria and her army, you'll protect me, then you'll change me. I won't die before that. I'll be a vampire in a few days, my love. I won't die before that."
"God, I hope so," he whispered brokenly in my ear, and we hugged each other tightly.
I took deep breaths in his arms and felt myself relaxing after a few minutes. He relaxed too, and soon we were breathing in sync, bonding again, feeling our love vibrating around us. Nothing and no one would keep us apart, not even death. I was his and he was mine, and together we were one.
"We should go," Jasper said at last, breaking the silence around us, and I exhaled slowly. I needed more time with Edward. I looked into his eyes, and I saw that he knew. "I'll stay with you at all times, love," he promised me, taking my head between his hands. We kissed gently, but this kiss was charged with all our emotions and feelings, and I wanted to dissolve into tears. I loved him so much.
"Let's go, my Bella," he said at last, releasing me. "We'll take care of you."
We followed our family outside, and Edward took me on his back. Then we ran. The sun was lowering on the horizon, and I ducked into Edward's shoulder blades, wanting to be as close to him as possible. When he stopped and helped me back on my feet, Emmett and Rosalie were already erecting the tent at the western edge of the baseball field, and the Denalis ran into the woods, soon reappearing with heaps of dry wood. They stocked it a few yards away, and I knew that this was the fuel for next day's bonfire.
My eyelids were drooping by the time Rosalie emerged from the tent and said a few words to Edward, and I dimly registered my husband carrying me inside. He lowered me onto a thick mattress, took off my shoes and coat, put me in a sleeping bag, then tucked Alice's blanket around me. I felt warm and loved and good. I grabbed his hand and kissed it, before sinking into sleep.
"Bella, love, time to wake up," Edward's urgent voice shook me from my deep slumber. I opened my eyes and shot a look around me. The sun hadn't risen yet, and it was chilly outside of my warm covers.
"What time is it?" I asked him, rubbing my eyes and yawning.
"Five past six," he told me, listening intently outside. "They will be here in half an hour."
I nodded, pushed the blanket away and zipped down the sleeping bag. I put on my thick parka, for which I was very grateful, and the boots Carlisle and Esme had bought for me, then Edward gave me the thermos. "Mountain lion," he smiled at me. "My treat."
I kissed him senseless then, and he had to stop me from shedding my clothes. "When this is over..." I said ominously. He chuckled, eyes dark and greedy, and nodded wordlessly. I drank the whole thermos, earning a satisfied sigh from him, then the two of us made our way outside of the tent. Dawn was about to break, and the air was foggy and damp. I shivered a little. Edward accompanied me into the woods, where I took care of nature business, then we went back to our family.
"I can't see anything," Alice muttered unhappily. "The wolves are on their way."
"How much time?" Carlisle asked, looking towards the east.
"The wolves will be here in four minutes," Edward said, keeping me close to him.
"The newborn army will attack in ten minutes," Alice said, eyeing me with interest. "Sleep well, Bella?"
"Very well," I nodded, shooting a grateful smile around me. "Thank you all."
"Don't worry, Bella," Emmett grinned, always on the bright side of things. "They won't put one finger on you."
"No, indeed," Edward growled lowly.
Jasper organized our ranks, and soon we were forming loose lines at the center of the field. I was behind everyone, Edward next to me, Esme and Alice flanking us. In front of me, Carmen and Carlisle were standing guard, Tanya and Rosalie on either side of them. And forming a second line of more offensive vampires in front of us all, Jasper, Emmett, Eleazar, Kate and Irina were the first fighters. I could dimly hear the giant paws of the wolves on the dried leaves in the woods behind us, but I knew that the pack would stay hidden for now. I clutched Edward's hand, never wanting to let go. Time was running out, and I was fighting down my fear. But I would protect him. I would protect my family. At all costs. "I love you," I murmured to Edward, and we kissed urgently but passionately.
"I love you too," he murmured back, putting an arm around me. All around us the couples whispered their love, and it strengthened my resolve. No way would any member of my family be hurt on my behalf.
"Here they come," Edward whispered under his breath, and he looked towards a patch of spruce trees a hundred yards away from us. "Sam, get ready."
We waited for another minute, then all hell broke loose. Wild vampires with bright red eyes and frenzied faces bolted out of the trees, straight towards us, their beady eyes on me, the juicy meal. The first line jumped into action, and so did the wolves behind us. Soon the first vampires were dismembered, limbs and heads flying, but it didn't faze me. I was watching anxiously, surveying the battle, praying that everyone on our side would be okay.
The wolves looked delighted to be able to fight, and I watched as Sam and a smaller sandy-haired wolf tore apart a beefy newborn, making him screech right before his head was severed from his torso. From what I could see only a dozen newborns were attacking, and their numbers were dwindling fast. Jasper and Emmett in particular were intent on killing, and I admired them. But I had a nagging fear nudging me at the back of my head. "Where is Victoria?"
Edward's head jerked to the right, and he growled, crouching in front of me, Esme and Alice turning too. From the south we saw nine vampires emerge, and of course the female leader was the one starring in my nightmares. Victoria bared her teeth, her vicious smile sending shivers down my spine. Next to her another vampire had burgundy eyes, and I guessed he was her year-old vampire accomplice. In front of them, seven newborns were chafing, ready to run to kill me.
"Bring her to me," Victoria ordered, and the vampires ran. Edward immediately put me behind him, snarling, and I saw Rosalie, Kate and Tanya jump in front of us. Jacob and Quil came too, and soon the fight started. The newborns were providing enough distraction, I noticed with dismay, as Victoria and her sidekick ran unopposed to Edward and me.
"Riley," Edward said rather calmly, stopping the blonde guy in his tracks. "Don't die for her. She's using you. She doesn't love you."
"Liar," Riley sneered, and pounced. Edward punched him away, but he couldn't engage with him for fear of leaving me unprotected. I shot a look around us. Every one of our allies was fighting for their lives. We were alone.
So I decided to tip the scales. As Victoria attacked and Edward fought her, I willed my shield to form two sharp blades, and lashed out at Riley who was getting to his feet ten yards away from us. My blades cut his arms right at the shoulders, and he bellowed in pain. Incredulity showed on Victoria's face, but she snarled and jumped towards me. Once again Edward put himself between her and me, and this time I knew that I could do better. "Kill her, Edward," I said, concentrating again, my vampiric strength tingling inside of me. "I'll take care of Riley."
He couldn't answer me, as he and Victoria started to dance a morbid dance, clashing and ripping sounds rising, and I turned towards my opponent. Riley was still disoriented, but soon his eyes focused on me, and he ran, fangs bared. I had no doubt he would tear my guts inside out if he reached me, so I hurled my shield at him again. The blade I created cut his head, and he collapsed five yards away from me. I couldn't find any compassion for him in me.
Around us the fight was dying, and the vampires and wolves closed in on us. I was exhausted again from the use of my shield, but I knew that I would be able to rest soon. The Denalis built up the bonfire, and soon every vampire was tossing limbs and bodies and heads in the roaring fire, creating a huge, heavily-scented purple smoke. Edward and Victoria were still fighting, the wolves forming a circle around us, and I could see that my vampire was gaining the upper hand. And suddenly it was over. Faster than a bullet Edward lunged at her neck, and her head rolled off, her body collapsing. Two seconds later, what remained of our powerful enemy was burning into the bonfire.
I ran to my husband and threw myself into his arms. "Edward, are you all right? Did she hurt you?" I asked frantically, roaming his body with my hands. He chuckled and stilled my hands on his chest.
"I'm fine, love, really. She didn't hurt me at all. What about you?" he inquired, looking worried. "You took care of Riley single-handedly."
"I had to," I shrugged, losing myself in his deep, smoldering golden eyes once again. "I couldn't let him hurt you."
"You're an extraordinary woman," he told me lovingly, and we kissed. An angry growl rose, followed by a snarl. We pulled away immediately, and I looked around me in alarm. Jacob was growling at us, and Irina was snarling at him.
"What is this mutt's problem?" she spat, shooting daggers at Jacob, who barked at her angrily.
"Jacob, back down!" Edward ordered him angrily. "Irina, Jacob is Bella's former friend, and he isn't fond of me. But there's no need to attack him."
"You don't tell me what to do, Edward!" Irina shouted, crouching and turning her attention back to Jacob, who crouched too. Sam barked and snapped his jaws at him, and I realized something.
"What is Jacob doing here?" I demanded to know. "He was supposed to stay at La Push."
"He ran after the pack," Edward answered me, his eyes black from fury towards Jacob. "He disobeyed Sam's orders."
"Jake, don't you start a fight!" I warned him, my voice raised. "Irina holds a grudge against the pack, so back off!"
"Irina," Carlisle said, coming next to her, "don't provoke him. We don't want to fight, and we won't. They helped us today, they are our allies."
"So cozy," she snorted, still snarling at Jacob who ignored Sam's yelps, "and soon we'll all be BFFs. So that's right, let them kill vampires! Next time they'll rip our throats out, and we won't say anything as they're our friends!"
"Irina, that's enough!" Tanya said, stepping in front of her sister and scowling at her. "Once and for all, Laurent deserved his fate, and these werewolves only protected Bella. So stop being a bitch!"
"A bitch, am I?" Irina screeched, shoving Tanya aside. "Then let's act like a bitch!"
She lunged at Jacob, hands clawed and teeth bared, and Jacob, shoving aside Sam and Embry, jumped at her too. I acted instinctively. "No!" I ran at vampire speed between them and simultaneously made my shield shoot away from me. It collided with the wolf and the vampire, sending them flying well away from each other, but I collapsed. The run and the burst of energy had emptied me, and I felt my heart stop.
"Bella!" Edward's anguished voice reached me next to him, and I felt his cold hands compressing my chest, massaging my heart. "No, no, no, Bella! Stay with me, love! Stay with me!"
"Edward, you have to do it now, or she will die!"Alice said, her voice frantic. "Now!"
"Bella, love, I'm sorry," Edward whispered in defeat. And as I fell backwards into a deep and dark well, I felt his teeth sinking into my neck, tearing at the flesh and drinking my blood.