Old Soul Imprint
by Wizardtho
Chapter 11:
After looking at me for only a few moments, Levi looked to Sam, saying, “The pack I had you place somewhere around here after leaving the meeting hall… get it please.”
Sam was quick to dash off to the northwestern edge of the clearing, then came back with the strap of a large pack between his teeth. Levi patted his head twice, took the pack from him, then pulled a large blanket from inside.
It was only minutes later that I was leaning comfortably back against Levi, with Sam protectively watching next to us. The Cullens sat in their mated pairs on the other side of the mystical borderline, Edward taking place next to their leader.
Carlisle looked at me for a second, but I couldn’t get something out of my head, so I said, “You were subtle about it, but I noticed you looking to Edward, then Alice and Jasper. Will you explain what that was about, please? I can only assume it had something to do with me, as you asked me to be here in the first place.”
His eyes widened slightly, then he chuckled, “Your mate is refreshingly forthright, Levi, and quite attentive, it seems. As for your question, Bella, it has to do with why I feared for Levi’s wellbeing. To understand, I will have to explain a bit about our leadership.”
I shook my head, needing him to get to the point, “I’m sure you could tell me more than necessary, but Levi has already filled me in on what was told to him. You have a ruling coven, the Vultures, or something. They have several of what you call gifted vampires. This coven deals with your rule breakers and things, and you stayed with them for a while after you were turned.”
Carlisle nodded seriously before correcting my mistake, “Of course, Bella. The Volturi. Since our departure from Forks, it has become very apparent that the Volturi are power-hungry, and will use any means available to keep a stranglehold on the supernatural world. They have decimated several covens to near extinction, with false accusations of rule-breaking, all in the name of forcing the gifted in those covens to serve them. Once in their hold, a vampire named Chelsea uses her power to cut the ties between the gifted vampire and anyone they cared about, tying him or her to the Volturi, instead.”
I winced in disgust, but Carlisle continued, “It has gone beyond that in recent years, though. The Volturi released a male named Eleazar a very long time ago when he met his mate. He happened to have a very special gift. They tried many times to have Eleazar return with his mate willingly, but were unsuccessful in their attempts. Ten years ago, Eleazar’s mate, Carmen, was kidnapped by the Volturi. They threatened to torture and kill her if Eleazar refused to do as they said. This is where you come in, Bella. Eleazar’s power was sensing the gifts of other vampires, as well as special humans. Eleazar’s task was to find these special humans with valuable gifts, then report to the Volturi of their personal information and whereabouts.”
Levi held me tighter as Carlisle’s words sunk in, causing me to say sadly, “He found me, didn’t he? He found me and told them to keep his mate safe.”
Carlisle shook his head with a small smile, “No, my dear. He did find you, but he was somehow able to keep the knowledge hidden from them. In fact, if he didn’t offer information on someone in Washington state willingly, it was as if the information didn’t exist at all. See, he knew you were the key… the key to stopping a corrupt supernatural leadership. You only needed time to grow into adulthood and strengthen your power. He knew that if they got their hands on you, not only would his mate never be truly safe again, but they would kill or turn you for their own uses.”
I nodded, but Edward said, “No, Sam. We have no intention of allowing the Volturi anywhere near Bella. Your other question will be answered in the rest of Carlisle’s explanation.”
Carlisle continued as if Edward hadn’t just interrupted him, “A year ago, the Volturi thought Eleazar needed help. They were no longer satisfied with Eleazar’s rate of acquisition, especially in Washington. They used three of their recently forced members, in the beginning. The first was a male by the name of Laurant. He was skilled at gaining intel and easily figuring out what people were hiding. When the Volturi had not heard from him in a few months, they sent out the couple close to him, in hopes of finding out what happened. The male, James, was a physical tracker, while his mate, Victoria, had an uncanny ability to get out of sticky situations. When they failed to report within a certain time frame, Felix was sent out to retrieve them. He was reported to have the combined strength of several vampires, and by this point, the Volturi believed the three had somehow escaped the grasp of Chelsea’s binding gift. The last was a mental wavelength tracker named Demetri, who left Italy only two weeks ago.”
Levi shook his head before growling menacingly, “Jesus Christ, Carlisle! When? When did you know? You just... what?! Decided to sit on your ass and let me or Bella die at the hands of these bastards?”
I turned to my mate, kissed his lips, then softly pressed my hand to his vibrating chest while reminding him, “You told me yourself how different they were, Levi. You told me how much they revered human life, and how they only feed on animals because they each choose not to kill. Think rationally, please, and allow Carlisle to finish. I’m sure he called you as soon as he put the pieces together, or why would they have even come?”
After several seconds, Sam nudged Levi in the shoulder, then placed his muzzle against my hand. Levi closed his eyes tightly, then said in a controlled voice as the vibrating of his chest slowed, “Go on. I’m listening.”
Carlisle quickly assured Levi, “I swear to you, Levi, I called the moment we knew. Alice had only seen confusing flashes until yesterday, which was when Edward happened to hear the thoughts of two female guards near our home in Ithaca. They were coming to do a ‘courtesy check’ on our coven, as they called it. While there, Edward saw much in their thoughts. Alice went into a vision shortly after their departure while Edward was explaining everything to us. In that vision, Alice saw you dying by the hands of the witch twins. Aro, the main leader of the Volturi, is planning on coming here with his two favorite pets.”
Carlisle turned his attention to me, then said, “Hearing about the guards' failed attempts, Eleazar feared that his thoughts were no longer safe, so he put his plan of fleeing with Carmen in place. They called me as soon as they fled from the castle, in hopes that my family would be able to keep you safe. That just happened to be the same time Alice was having the vision. The pieces all fell into place, at which time we made a flight plan here. I called you while in the air, Levi, knowing the only right decision was to help you. That was always the only right decision, from the moment we first gained trust in each other.”
After only a second of pause, he explained, “As to your earlier question, Bella. I looked to Edward, Alice, and Jasper to find out if their gifts worked on you. Alice can ‘see you’ in her visions, Jasper can feel and influence your emotions, but Edward can not hear your thoughts. Him not hearing them is a very good thing for you, because it means that your gift is strong. You have a mental shield, my dear.”
Sam cocked his head to the side for a second, causing Edward to chuckle, “Yes, Sam. It does mean she can block mental gifts from affecting her. Eleazar also believed that it allowed potential Washington acquisitions to be invisible when his thoughts were being read. It’s the only reason he could come up with, as to why Aro only recently became so interested in this state.”
Sam’s eyes widened, causing Edward to nod before he continued, “It also means that once she is fully mated to Levi, the protection may automatically extend to the pack. As Eleazar was talking to Carlisle, he mentioned that it looked like Bella would also be able to expand her shield to cover others willingly, with time and practice, since she somehow unknowingly protected other special humans in Washington without knowing it.”
I let out a breath in relief, then asked, “So that means I could protect Dad? And what other mental gifts are there? Why can’t I block Alice and Jasper?”
Rosalie actually answered me, her smooth voice explaining calmly, “Edward’s gift is mentally based because it deals with hearing your inner thoughts. Alice and Jasper’s gifts are both physical in nature. Alice can see your physical being in her visions, as well as the physical outcomes of your decisions. Jasper can influence you to... stay calm, for instance… because emotions are tied to your physical state of being. As for other gifts, we’ll use the witch twins Carlisle mentioned as examples. Both of their gifts are mental. The female can make your brain think you’re being tortured with a pain so horrific that even vampires have gone insane from, while the male can make your brain think every one of your senses is gone. No sense of sight, smell, touch, hearing, or taste… his gift is literally a terrifying nothingness.
Carlisle nodded, then I put the pieces together, “Missing one sense, the others could possibly compensate for, but missing them all at once? His victim would be totally defenseless. The pack would be slaughtered. Levi would…”
I choked up at my last thought, causing Levi to turn me to straddle his lap, cooing softly while holding me tight to his chest, “We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen, Sweetheart. Listen, I think I understand why my wolf didn’t feel earlier was the right time. Edward was able to read my thoughts when I was Ephraim’s beta, but if he wasn’t able to tonight, we would never know for sure if it was your gift or something else that was the cause. He can hear me now, I’m sure, but can’t hear you, so we know you are the one Eleazar was talking about… the one he was trying to protect. Once I mark you, we can meet again with the Cullens to see if you are automatically able to protect me. If not, we can work on strengthening your ability, expanding it to cover me.”
I nodded as I inhaled his woodsy scent, then asked without moving, “Edward, do you think that since the pack is mind linked, that they will all be protected if Levi is?”
I could see him grin in response from my peripheral vision, “Very perceptive, Bella. Yes, that is precisely what I believe. I spoke to Carlisle about it on the way here, and he agreed. You are the alpha’s mate, the -for lack of a better term- den mother. Levi leads the pack, protects them and teaches them. It would not be a far reach to think that if you protect him, it will extend automatically to them.”
I nodded, saying a thank you, then yawned unexpectedly. Levi looked down at me, but I turned my head toward Carlisle, asking, “My dad. He told me tonight he wouldn’t fuss about protection from your family, as long as you stuck to the treaty and it didn’t become intrusive. Please, Carlisle, will your family help keep him safe while in Forks?”
Carlisle nodded, humming, “Jasper would be best, I think… he knows the current human laws backward and forward. He was even a Major in the army before his turning. If it were possible, I’d say to have Jasper pose as a new recruit to the force.”
Alice nodded, “We can make it look like he’s had a few months of training on a force in another town, but we transferred. Charlie can take him under his wing, allowing Jasper to help protect him and keep his eyes open around town. Bella, when would be the best time to pose this to Charlie?”
I smiled, “Tomorrow -nope, it’s after midnight. This morning, call Levi’s number at around 9:30. The new pups will be there, and so will Dad. Two are close to phasing already.”
Carlisle nodded sadly, “I’m sorry it has come to this, Levi. I know you wished not to have to force your tribe members’ spirit wolves out in this manner. We will handle this as delicately as possible while trying to help you achieve the outcome needed. As it is, it looks like your mate has had a long day. We can speak more later this morning if you find you have unanswered questions. Thank you for speaking with us tonight.”
Levi nodded, standing with me still in his arms, then gently set me down on my feet next to Sam. With a kiss to my lips, he picked up the blanket and packed up, then walked up to the invisible boundary line with his hand out to Carlisle. Carlisle smiled widely, taking the offered hand while Levi said, “Thank you… and… I apologize for my reaction a bit ago. It was unwarranted, given our previous relationship.”
Carlisle shook his head, shook Levi’s hand one more time, then offered easily, “Apologies are unneeded, Levi, but appreciated all the same. Were the situation reversed, I have no doubt I would have lept to the same conclusion as you. Retire with your mate for the night, and we will start our planning for the young ones during the morning phone call. My family and I will stay on alert tonight, and notify you immediately if something happens.”
We were quick to go our separate ways after that, with Sam keeping watch over me as Levi shifted for me to mount his back again. The ride home was just as fast, but my thoughts and worries seemed to swirl just as quickly as wolf paws thudded against the ground.
I saw Sam turn his head toward Levi for a second at one point, then Sam split away in a different direction while we continued on to the house.
After looking at me for only a few moments, Levi looked to Sam, saying, “The pack I had you place somewhere around here after leaving the meeting hall… get it please.”
Sam was quick to dash off to the northwestern edge of the clearing, then came back with the strap of a large pack between his teeth. Levi patted his head twice, took the pack from him, then pulled a large blanket from inside.
It was only minutes later that I was leaning comfortably back against Levi, with Sam protectively watching next to us. The Cullens sat in their mated pairs on the other side of the mystical borderline, Edward taking place next to their leader.
Carlisle looked at me for a second, but I couldn’t get something out of my head, so I said, “You were subtle about it, but I noticed you looking to Edward, then Alice and Jasper. Will you explain what that was about, please? I can only assume it had something to do with me, as you asked me to be here in the first place.”
His eyes widened slightly, then he chuckled, “Your mate is refreshingly forthright, Levi, and quite attentive, it seems. As for your question, Bella, it has to do with why I feared for Levi’s wellbeing. To understand, I will have to explain a bit about our leadership.”
I shook my head, needing him to get to the point, “I’m sure you could tell me more than necessary, but Levi has already filled me in on what was told to him. You have a ruling coven, the Vultures, or something. They have several of what you call gifted vampires. This coven deals with your rule breakers and things, and you stayed with them for a while after you were turned.”
Carlisle nodded seriously before correcting my mistake, “Of course, Bella. The Volturi. Since our departure from Forks, it has become very apparent that the Volturi are power-hungry, and will use any means available to keep a stranglehold on the supernatural world. They have decimated several covens to near extinction, with false accusations of rule-breaking, all in the name of forcing the gifted in those covens to serve them. Once in their hold, a vampire named Chelsea uses her power to cut the ties between the gifted vampire and anyone they cared about, tying him or her to the Volturi, instead.”
I winced in disgust, but Carlisle continued, “It has gone beyond that in recent years, though. The Volturi released a male named Eleazar a very long time ago when he met his mate. He happened to have a very special gift. They tried many times to have Eleazar return with his mate willingly, but were unsuccessful in their attempts. Ten years ago, Eleazar’s mate, Carmen, was kidnapped by the Volturi. They threatened to torture and kill her if Eleazar refused to do as they said. This is where you come in, Bella. Eleazar’s power was sensing the gifts of other vampires, as well as special humans. Eleazar’s task was to find these special humans with valuable gifts, then report to the Volturi of their personal information and whereabouts.”
Levi held me tighter as Carlisle’s words sunk in, causing me to say sadly, “He found me, didn’t he? He found me and told them to keep his mate safe.”
Carlisle shook his head with a small smile, “No, my dear. He did find you, but he was somehow able to keep the knowledge hidden from them. In fact, if he didn’t offer information on someone in Washington state willingly, it was as if the information didn’t exist at all. See, he knew you were the key… the key to stopping a corrupt supernatural leadership. You only needed time to grow into adulthood and strengthen your power. He knew that if they got their hands on you, not only would his mate never be truly safe again, but they would kill or turn you for their own uses.”
I nodded, but Edward said, “No, Sam. We have no intention of allowing the Volturi anywhere near Bella. Your other question will be answered in the rest of Carlisle’s explanation.”
Carlisle continued as if Edward hadn’t just interrupted him, “A year ago, the Volturi thought Eleazar needed help. They were no longer satisfied with Eleazar’s rate of acquisition, especially in Washington. They used three of their recently forced members, in the beginning. The first was a male by the name of Laurant. He was skilled at gaining intel and easily figuring out what people were hiding. When the Volturi had not heard from him in a few months, they sent out the couple close to him, in hopes of finding out what happened. The male, James, was a physical tracker, while his mate, Victoria, had an uncanny ability to get out of sticky situations. When they failed to report within a certain time frame, Felix was sent out to retrieve them. He was reported to have the combined strength of several vampires, and by this point, the Volturi believed the three had somehow escaped the grasp of Chelsea’s binding gift. The last was a mental wavelength tracker named Demetri, who left Italy only two weeks ago.”
Levi shook his head before growling menacingly, “Jesus Christ, Carlisle! When? When did you know? You just... what?! Decided to sit on your ass and let me or Bella die at the hands of these bastards?”
I turned to my mate, kissed his lips, then softly pressed my hand to his vibrating chest while reminding him, “You told me yourself how different they were, Levi. You told me how much they revered human life, and how they only feed on animals because they each choose not to kill. Think rationally, please, and allow Carlisle to finish. I’m sure he called you as soon as he put the pieces together, or why would they have even come?”
After several seconds, Sam nudged Levi in the shoulder, then placed his muzzle against my hand. Levi closed his eyes tightly, then said in a controlled voice as the vibrating of his chest slowed, “Go on. I’m listening.”
Carlisle quickly assured Levi, “I swear to you, Levi, I called the moment we knew. Alice had only seen confusing flashes until yesterday, which was when Edward happened to hear the thoughts of two female guards near our home in Ithaca. They were coming to do a ‘courtesy check’ on our coven, as they called it. While there, Edward saw much in their thoughts. Alice went into a vision shortly after their departure while Edward was explaining everything to us. In that vision, Alice saw you dying by the hands of the witch twins. Aro, the main leader of the Volturi, is planning on coming here with his two favorite pets.”
Carlisle turned his attention to me, then said, “Hearing about the guards' failed attempts, Eleazar feared that his thoughts were no longer safe, so he put his plan of fleeing with Carmen in place. They called me as soon as they fled from the castle, in hopes that my family would be able to keep you safe. That just happened to be the same time Alice was having the vision. The pieces all fell into place, at which time we made a flight plan here. I called you while in the air, Levi, knowing the only right decision was to help you. That was always the only right decision, from the moment we first gained trust in each other.”
After only a second of pause, he explained, “As to your earlier question, Bella. I looked to Edward, Alice, and Jasper to find out if their gifts worked on you. Alice can ‘see you’ in her visions, Jasper can feel and influence your emotions, but Edward can not hear your thoughts. Him not hearing them is a very good thing for you, because it means that your gift is strong. You have a mental shield, my dear.”
Sam cocked his head to the side for a second, causing Edward to chuckle, “Yes, Sam. It does mean she can block mental gifts from affecting her. Eleazar also believed that it allowed potential Washington acquisitions to be invisible when his thoughts were being read. It’s the only reason he could come up with, as to why Aro only recently became so interested in this state.”
Sam’s eyes widened, causing Edward to nod before he continued, “It also means that once she is fully mated to Levi, the protection may automatically extend to the pack. As Eleazar was talking to Carlisle, he mentioned that it looked like Bella would also be able to expand her shield to cover others willingly, with time and practice, since she somehow unknowingly protected other special humans in Washington without knowing it.”
I let out a breath in relief, then asked, “So that means I could protect Dad? And what other mental gifts are there? Why can’t I block Alice and Jasper?”
Rosalie actually answered me, her smooth voice explaining calmly, “Edward’s gift is mentally based because it deals with hearing your inner thoughts. Alice and Jasper’s gifts are both physical in nature. Alice can see your physical being in her visions, as well as the physical outcomes of your decisions. Jasper can influence you to... stay calm, for instance… because emotions are tied to your physical state of being. As for other gifts, we’ll use the witch twins Carlisle mentioned as examples. Both of their gifts are mental. The female can make your brain think you’re being tortured with a pain so horrific that even vampires have gone insane from, while the male can make your brain think every one of your senses is gone. No sense of sight, smell, touch, hearing, or taste… his gift is literally a terrifying nothingness.
Carlisle nodded, then I put the pieces together, “Missing one sense, the others could possibly compensate for, but missing them all at once? His victim would be totally defenseless. The pack would be slaughtered. Levi would…”
I choked up at my last thought, causing Levi to turn me to straddle his lap, cooing softly while holding me tight to his chest, “We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen, Sweetheart. Listen, I think I understand why my wolf didn’t feel earlier was the right time. Edward was able to read my thoughts when I was Ephraim’s beta, but if he wasn’t able to tonight, we would never know for sure if it was your gift or something else that was the cause. He can hear me now, I’m sure, but can’t hear you, so we know you are the one Eleazar was talking about… the one he was trying to protect. Once I mark you, we can meet again with the Cullens to see if you are automatically able to protect me. If not, we can work on strengthening your ability, expanding it to cover me.”
I nodded as I inhaled his woodsy scent, then asked without moving, “Edward, do you think that since the pack is mind linked, that they will all be protected if Levi is?”
I could see him grin in response from my peripheral vision, “Very perceptive, Bella. Yes, that is precisely what I believe. I spoke to Carlisle about it on the way here, and he agreed. You are the alpha’s mate, the -for lack of a better term- den mother. Levi leads the pack, protects them and teaches them. It would not be a far reach to think that if you protect him, it will extend automatically to them.”
I nodded, saying a thank you, then yawned unexpectedly. Levi looked down at me, but I turned my head toward Carlisle, asking, “My dad. He told me tonight he wouldn’t fuss about protection from your family, as long as you stuck to the treaty and it didn’t become intrusive. Please, Carlisle, will your family help keep him safe while in Forks?”
Carlisle nodded, humming, “Jasper would be best, I think… he knows the current human laws backward and forward. He was even a Major in the army before his turning. If it were possible, I’d say to have Jasper pose as a new recruit to the force.”
Alice nodded, “We can make it look like he’s had a few months of training on a force in another town, but we transferred. Charlie can take him under his wing, allowing Jasper to help protect him and keep his eyes open around town. Bella, when would be the best time to pose this to Charlie?”
I smiled, “Tomorrow -nope, it’s after midnight. This morning, call Levi’s number at around 9:30. The new pups will be there, and so will Dad. Two are close to phasing already.”
Carlisle nodded sadly, “I’m sorry it has come to this, Levi. I know you wished not to have to force your tribe members’ spirit wolves out in this manner. We will handle this as delicately as possible while trying to help you achieve the outcome needed. As it is, it looks like your mate has had a long day. We can speak more later this morning if you find you have unanswered questions. Thank you for speaking with us tonight.”
Levi nodded, standing with me still in his arms, then gently set me down on my feet next to Sam. With a kiss to my lips, he picked up the blanket and packed up, then walked up to the invisible boundary line with his hand out to Carlisle. Carlisle smiled widely, taking the offered hand while Levi said, “Thank you… and… I apologize for my reaction a bit ago. It was unwarranted, given our previous relationship.”
Carlisle shook his head, shook Levi’s hand one more time, then offered easily, “Apologies are unneeded, Levi, but appreciated all the same. Were the situation reversed, I have no doubt I would have lept to the same conclusion as you. Retire with your mate for the night, and we will start our planning for the young ones during the morning phone call. My family and I will stay on alert tonight, and notify you immediately if something happens.”
We were quick to go our separate ways after that, with Sam keeping watch over me as Levi shifted for me to mount his back again. The ride home was just as fast, but my thoughts and worries seemed to swirl just as quickly as wolf paws thudded against the ground.
I saw Sam turn his head toward Levi for a second at one point, then Sam split away in a different direction while we continued on to the house.