HellCat: Guardian Of The Gate
by wizardtho
Chapter 5:
I didn't understand why Peter was so upset, but I knew his beast had taken over, so I waited patiently for him to come back. He did come back, about 15 minutes later, dusting off his clothing. His eyes were red again, and he sat down on the balcony near me as he said, "The reason I was pissed was because the nomad wasn't alone. He had others with him, didn't he?"
I nodded, thinking back, "Two. A male with an accent and dreadlocks, as well as a fiery red-headed female with a creepy childlike voice. The Cullens were playing baseball in a clearing during a thunderstorm. I was helping Esme referee. The nomads were on their way out of the area, but they heard the game… changed course too fast for the Cullens to get me away. I was seeing Edward at the time. When he got protective of me, the leader -James- thought I was the best game ever. He was a tracker, a sadistic bastard who liked to torture his victims before he killed them. Ali and Jazz ran me to Phoenix as Edward helped the rest planted a decoy to take James down. Laurant... the other male... warned us about James, saying he wanted no part of his sick game. Carlisle directed him to the Denali coven, so that was the last I knew of Laurant. Carlisle said he was interested in the veggie-vamp lifestyle, along with how peaceful it seemed."
I steadied myself, then continued, "James caught onto the rouse, though. He ended up tracking me to Phoenix. He called my cell... convinced me he had Renee. He told me he would release her if I took her place. I had to find a way to get past the coven to meet him at my old ballet studio... said he'd kill her if he scented that I wasn't alone. While we were waiting at the airport for the rest to meet us, I made a split decision, saying I needed the restroom. I went in one side and right out the other, actually managing to slip away. When I got to the ballet studio, I realised he never had Renee. It was just an old video tape of her being frantic when I fell and ran off stage during a recital. He video taped my torture, saying he was going to leave it for the coven to see once he drained me. He threw me against the mirrored wall, broke a few of my ribs, fractured my wrist, and stomped on my leg, snapping it like a twig. The mirror glass cut me all up, too... almost severed my femoral artery."
I laid my head on my knees for a minute, then sat up to look at him, "Edward pulled him off of me and started fighting him, but he didn’t arrive until just as James got a bite in. It all gets blurry after that, but I remember Ali yanking his arms off as a black-eyed Jasper separated his head from his shoulders with a roar. By that time, Carlisle was trying to stop my bleeding, and the burn had started. Edward didn't want me to change, so he sucked the venom out. The problem was, between my femoral artery being cut and me being Edward's singer, I had lost too much blood, so they had to hospitalize me. I had to have ¾ of my body's blood volume transfused, plus stay in the hospital for a month before I could go home, to make sure all my injuries were healing properly. They burned the ballet studio to the ground, setting up a cover at the hotel, to make it look like I fell down the stairs and through a window. Everything was quiet after that until my birthday, but I need to go in. It's getting a bit chilly out here for the human in shorts. Come on... I'll tell you the rest inside over a couple of shots of Jack. I'm gonna need a few to get through it."
He nodded, then went directly to the butler's pantry, where I had made a little mini bar. He pulled down two shot glasses, along with the brand new bottle of Jack Daniels. "Why doncha go get changed into somethin' warmer, Sugar. I'll light a fire for ya." I nodded, and when I returned five minutes later, he had the fire lit. Two shots were also poured, waiting on the coffee table. I downed my shot, refilled my glass, then curled up on the other end of the couch facing him.
Taking his cue from me, Peter downed his shot, refilled his glass, then sat back. I giggled, "That's gotta taste like shit, right? You don't have to pretend with me."
His eyes lit up as he smirked, "Not pretendin', Isabella. Looks like there's a lot ya still don't know ‘bout vampires. We can drink, but only if it's straight. It takes a shit-ton more to get drunk, though." I nodded, then said, "I'd pay to see that... a drunk vampire."
After another round for each of us, I said, "I never liked being the focus of attention, and I had made myself clear that I didn't want my birthday to be something to make a fuss over. I just wanted it to go by like any other day. I had made my feelings known about wanting to be changed, but with Edward going against my wishes to suck the venom out, I hated the fact that I was turning a year older. Ali had planned a lavish party with a huge cake, crystal plates and glasses, decorated the house with balloons and things, plus presents for me to open. I caved, trying to be a good sport when she explained that they never got to celebrate birthdays anymore, so it was a rare occasion for them."
With a shake of my head, I continued, "I ended up cutting my finger on the wrapping paper to one of the presents. It all went downhill from there. I watched all of their eyes turn, heard Edward growl behind me, saw Jasper's eyes go black as he watched Edward. Jasper launched himself at Edward, but Edward yelled 'No!', throwing me out of the way. Out of the way just happened to be directly into the glass table that held the cake and all of the crystal. This... is the birthday present I can never give back. Everyone thought Jasper was going for me, to attack, but he was never focused on me. It was always Edward. They held them apart, got them both outside, then Carlisle was able to get all of the shards out to fix my arm up."
I shook my head as a tear fell, whispering, "That was the last time I saw any of the family besides Edward. None of them said goodbye or fuck you or anything. I asked Carlisle to tell Jasper that I knew, that I didn't blame him, but I don't know if he ever did. Three days later was the next time I saw Edward. He was waiting for me at the edge of the woods when I got home from school. He asked me to walk with him, but it was a short walk inside the treeline, because we were still on the clear path. He told me he was tired of pretending, that he didn't love me, and I wasn't good enough. The family had left already; he had only stayed to make a clean break. I got pissed after he just left me there, ranting about him being a bottom-feeding piece of shit -along with a deer-licking something or other- as I came out of the woods. That was when I was met with yet more supernatural."
I smiled as I remembered that day, explaining, "I was under the protection of the Quileute wolf pack from that day on, because they took me in as one of their own. The alpha, Sam, had stopped by to see about a job Charlie wanted his company to do on the house. He heard my rant as I stepped out of the trees. He was frantic as he asked if I was bitten. That's how we started the 'I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours' game. Once we both came clean, he took me to meet the pack and their imprints... or mates. When I wasn't in school, working, or sleeping from then on, I was with at least one of the pack members or imprints."
I downed another two shots before I could continue. When I did, I was choked up. "It was right after graduation when I received the phone call. Renee and Phil had bought this place. They were coming out to assess everything. A Jacksonville police officer called to tell me that their plane went down right after it took off, and they didn't..."
I cleared my throat, then said softly, "Charlie flew out with me the next morning to help me handle everything with the wills, lawyer, and funeral. They left me literally everything, but I was having a hard time accepting it when I just wanted them back. Charlie helped me see that they were just trying to make sure I had a secure future, so that I didn't have to struggle."
I downed another shot, then said, "After a two week ordeal, we closed up the Jacksonville house and went back to Forks. I spent a week there planning, then Paul, one of the pack members, came out here with me to look everything over. We stayed for two days, then flew back out the third morning. All of the furniture you see, plus the two bedrooms on this level, were gotten while he was here. We went back, then I was there for another week to pack and get things in order to move out here. All of the vehicles were shipped from Jacksonville, because I knew I would be making use of the H3 here, with the rougher terrain. I just flew back in yesterday, placed the ad, then set up applicants to interview today."
He let out a breath, then was silent for a few minutes before he spoke. When he did, he said seriously, "I'm sorry ya had to lose two people ya loved, Isabella. Ya don't have to worry about me leavin' ya like the Cullens did, 'cuz I can promise ya I won't. I know it'll take ya a while to believe that, but like I said before... I have all the time in the world. All I can do is prove through my actions that I mean what I say. Now, ya look mighty tired, so if ya'd like to direct me to the cabin, I'll get outta your hair for the night."
I shook my head, "It's not livable yet, so you can take the guest room that's ready upstairs until it is. If you feel like starting on some work, I'd like clear paths wide enough for two horses to be ridden side-by-side, from the stable to the clearings around the property, plus any downed limbs to be cleared. The path from the house to the stable should be wide enough to fit a truck on. Anything large enough to be split into firewood, can be, since it'll definitely get used. There are enough damn fireplaces in this house that I might not need to run the heat much. You can also make up a list of materials needed to start work on the buildings and cabin, then we'll go out first thing in the morning to get what you need."
He nodded, then stood and took the bottle back to the bar, washed and dried the shot glasses, then returned them to the bar, too. I asked after a yawn, "Is it going to be okay to leave the fire going, or no?"
He nodded, "Yeah, it'll be fine. These fireplaces are pretty deep, but I'll still set the screen in front of it, so it'll die down on its own without a problem. I'll get to work on the pathways and list, then see ya in the mornin'."
I nodded then said, "If I'm not up by 7, please knock on my door. I haven't found my alarm clock yet, but I don't want to get a late start."
He gave me a nodding smile, so I said, "The rest of the house will be locked up, but I'll leave the gathering room french doors unlocked for you. Oh, and here's the current gate code. We'll have to change mine and input one for you soon, so don't let me forget."
He chuckled as I pulled out the slip from my pocket, handing it to him, "You're stallin', Sugar. Go on and rest. I promise I'll still be here when ya wake. I'll even have coffee made."
I didn't understand why Peter was so upset, but I knew his beast had taken over, so I waited patiently for him to come back. He did come back, about 15 minutes later, dusting off his clothing. His eyes were red again, and he sat down on the balcony near me as he said, "The reason I was pissed was because the nomad wasn't alone. He had others with him, didn't he?"
I nodded, thinking back, "Two. A male with an accent and dreadlocks, as well as a fiery red-headed female with a creepy childlike voice. The Cullens were playing baseball in a clearing during a thunderstorm. I was helping Esme referee. The nomads were on their way out of the area, but they heard the game… changed course too fast for the Cullens to get me away. I was seeing Edward at the time. When he got protective of me, the leader -James- thought I was the best game ever. He was a tracker, a sadistic bastard who liked to torture his victims before he killed them. Ali and Jazz ran me to Phoenix as Edward helped the rest planted a decoy to take James down. Laurant... the other male... warned us about James, saying he wanted no part of his sick game. Carlisle directed him to the Denali coven, so that was the last I knew of Laurant. Carlisle said he was interested in the veggie-vamp lifestyle, along with how peaceful it seemed."
I steadied myself, then continued, "James caught onto the rouse, though. He ended up tracking me to Phoenix. He called my cell... convinced me he had Renee. He told me he would release her if I took her place. I had to find a way to get past the coven to meet him at my old ballet studio... said he'd kill her if he scented that I wasn't alone. While we were waiting at the airport for the rest to meet us, I made a split decision, saying I needed the restroom. I went in one side and right out the other, actually managing to slip away. When I got to the ballet studio, I realised he never had Renee. It was just an old video tape of her being frantic when I fell and ran off stage during a recital. He video taped my torture, saying he was going to leave it for the coven to see once he drained me. He threw me against the mirrored wall, broke a few of my ribs, fractured my wrist, and stomped on my leg, snapping it like a twig. The mirror glass cut me all up, too... almost severed my femoral artery."
I laid my head on my knees for a minute, then sat up to look at him, "Edward pulled him off of me and started fighting him, but he didn’t arrive until just as James got a bite in. It all gets blurry after that, but I remember Ali yanking his arms off as a black-eyed Jasper separated his head from his shoulders with a roar. By that time, Carlisle was trying to stop my bleeding, and the burn had started. Edward didn't want me to change, so he sucked the venom out. The problem was, between my femoral artery being cut and me being Edward's singer, I had lost too much blood, so they had to hospitalize me. I had to have ¾ of my body's blood volume transfused, plus stay in the hospital for a month before I could go home, to make sure all my injuries were healing properly. They burned the ballet studio to the ground, setting up a cover at the hotel, to make it look like I fell down the stairs and through a window. Everything was quiet after that until my birthday, but I need to go in. It's getting a bit chilly out here for the human in shorts. Come on... I'll tell you the rest inside over a couple of shots of Jack. I'm gonna need a few to get through it."
He nodded, then went directly to the butler's pantry, where I had made a little mini bar. He pulled down two shot glasses, along with the brand new bottle of Jack Daniels. "Why doncha go get changed into somethin' warmer, Sugar. I'll light a fire for ya." I nodded, and when I returned five minutes later, he had the fire lit. Two shots were also poured, waiting on the coffee table. I downed my shot, refilled my glass, then curled up on the other end of the couch facing him.
Taking his cue from me, Peter downed his shot, refilled his glass, then sat back. I giggled, "That's gotta taste like shit, right? You don't have to pretend with me."
His eyes lit up as he smirked, "Not pretendin', Isabella. Looks like there's a lot ya still don't know ‘bout vampires. We can drink, but only if it's straight. It takes a shit-ton more to get drunk, though." I nodded, then said, "I'd pay to see that... a drunk vampire."
After another round for each of us, I said, "I never liked being the focus of attention, and I had made myself clear that I didn't want my birthday to be something to make a fuss over. I just wanted it to go by like any other day. I had made my feelings known about wanting to be changed, but with Edward going against my wishes to suck the venom out, I hated the fact that I was turning a year older. Ali had planned a lavish party with a huge cake, crystal plates and glasses, decorated the house with balloons and things, plus presents for me to open. I caved, trying to be a good sport when she explained that they never got to celebrate birthdays anymore, so it was a rare occasion for them."
With a shake of my head, I continued, "I ended up cutting my finger on the wrapping paper to one of the presents. It all went downhill from there. I watched all of their eyes turn, heard Edward growl behind me, saw Jasper's eyes go black as he watched Edward. Jasper launched himself at Edward, but Edward yelled 'No!', throwing me out of the way. Out of the way just happened to be directly into the glass table that held the cake and all of the crystal. This... is the birthday present I can never give back. Everyone thought Jasper was going for me, to attack, but he was never focused on me. It was always Edward. They held them apart, got them both outside, then Carlisle was able to get all of the shards out to fix my arm up."
I shook my head as a tear fell, whispering, "That was the last time I saw any of the family besides Edward. None of them said goodbye or fuck you or anything. I asked Carlisle to tell Jasper that I knew, that I didn't blame him, but I don't know if he ever did. Three days later was the next time I saw Edward. He was waiting for me at the edge of the woods when I got home from school. He asked me to walk with him, but it was a short walk inside the treeline, because we were still on the clear path. He told me he was tired of pretending, that he didn't love me, and I wasn't good enough. The family had left already; he had only stayed to make a clean break. I got pissed after he just left me there, ranting about him being a bottom-feeding piece of shit -along with a deer-licking something or other- as I came out of the woods. That was when I was met with yet more supernatural."
I smiled as I remembered that day, explaining, "I was under the protection of the Quileute wolf pack from that day on, because they took me in as one of their own. The alpha, Sam, had stopped by to see about a job Charlie wanted his company to do on the house. He heard my rant as I stepped out of the trees. He was frantic as he asked if I was bitten. That's how we started the 'I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours' game. Once we both came clean, he took me to meet the pack and their imprints... or mates. When I wasn't in school, working, or sleeping from then on, I was with at least one of the pack members or imprints."
I downed another two shots before I could continue. When I did, I was choked up. "It was right after graduation when I received the phone call. Renee and Phil had bought this place. They were coming out to assess everything. A Jacksonville police officer called to tell me that their plane went down right after it took off, and they didn't..."
I cleared my throat, then said softly, "Charlie flew out with me the next morning to help me handle everything with the wills, lawyer, and funeral. They left me literally everything, but I was having a hard time accepting it when I just wanted them back. Charlie helped me see that they were just trying to make sure I had a secure future, so that I didn't have to struggle."
I downed another shot, then said, "After a two week ordeal, we closed up the Jacksonville house and went back to Forks. I spent a week there planning, then Paul, one of the pack members, came out here with me to look everything over. We stayed for two days, then flew back out the third morning. All of the furniture you see, plus the two bedrooms on this level, were gotten while he was here. We went back, then I was there for another week to pack and get things in order to move out here. All of the vehicles were shipped from Jacksonville, because I knew I would be making use of the H3 here, with the rougher terrain. I just flew back in yesterday, placed the ad, then set up applicants to interview today."
He let out a breath, then was silent for a few minutes before he spoke. When he did, he said seriously, "I'm sorry ya had to lose two people ya loved, Isabella. Ya don't have to worry about me leavin' ya like the Cullens did, 'cuz I can promise ya I won't. I know it'll take ya a while to believe that, but like I said before... I have all the time in the world. All I can do is prove through my actions that I mean what I say. Now, ya look mighty tired, so if ya'd like to direct me to the cabin, I'll get outta your hair for the night."
I shook my head, "It's not livable yet, so you can take the guest room that's ready upstairs until it is. If you feel like starting on some work, I'd like clear paths wide enough for two horses to be ridden side-by-side, from the stable to the clearings around the property, plus any downed limbs to be cleared. The path from the house to the stable should be wide enough to fit a truck on. Anything large enough to be split into firewood, can be, since it'll definitely get used. There are enough damn fireplaces in this house that I might not need to run the heat much. You can also make up a list of materials needed to start work on the buildings and cabin, then we'll go out first thing in the morning to get what you need."
He nodded, then stood and took the bottle back to the bar, washed and dried the shot glasses, then returned them to the bar, too. I asked after a yawn, "Is it going to be okay to leave the fire going, or no?"
He nodded, "Yeah, it'll be fine. These fireplaces are pretty deep, but I'll still set the screen in front of it, so it'll die down on its own without a problem. I'll get to work on the pathways and list, then see ya in the mornin'."
I nodded then said, "If I'm not up by 7, please knock on my door. I haven't found my alarm clock yet, but I don't want to get a late start."
He gave me a nodding smile, so I said, "The rest of the house will be locked up, but I'll leave the gathering room french doors unlocked for you. Oh, and here's the current gate code. We'll have to change mine and input one for you soon, so don't let me forget."
He chuckled as I pulled out the slip from my pocket, handing it to him, "You're stallin', Sugar. Go on and rest. I promise I'll still be here when ya wake. I'll even have coffee made."