The Right Way To Turn
by wizardtho
Chapter 10:
My dreams were chaotic and fragmented, feeling like visions... only cut into pieces before being mixed all up. When I finally had all of the pieces, I bolted straight up. Noticing I had been moved to our bed, I panted, “That's it. He's the key. Call a meeting for ten minutes from now, please. We have work to get done.”
Jasper and Peter were looking at me questioningly, so I said as I had Peter carry me to the bathroom, “Em, Jasper. He's the key to getting the Cullens here, and I know why it won't be hard to get them here. I'll explain when we're all together, so that we can make a plan.”
Once Jasper had everyone alert, he joined Peter and I in the shower; we were all dressed by the ten minute mark. With my men in distressed jeans, graphic tees and rugged boots, I truly hoped this meeting wouldn't take long, because I was seriously wanting to pounce them both. I think I had their attention, too, because I chose a banded-bottom top with open shoulders and feather chain detail, distressed jeans, and an awesome pair of harness boots with wooden heels. Not wearing a bra with my top had their eyes practically glued to my tits, but I was feeling a bit frisky today, so I definitely wasn't minding.
I heard everyone starting to converge down in the lounge, so I hopped into Jasper's arms after I finished pulling my boots on. I kissed his neck, then offered, “It's time, Baby. You two ready?”
He gave me the most beautiful smile, kissed the mark on my neck, then held my ass with one hand as he held the other out to Peter. As soon as we reached the downstairs, I saw that everyone was gathered either on bar stools, lounge furniture, or the chairs to the poker tables. I smiled when Jasper sat me on the center of the bar top.
They walked around to the inside of the bar, then I called out as soon as they were both touching me, “Listen up, please. It seems as if Alice's visions come to me in different forms... not only through sketching, but last night through my dreams, too. My dream last night wasn’t a complete vision, but segmented with the pieces all jumbled up. The point is, I know how to get the Cullens here without the Volturi -or Edward and Alice- getting wind of it.”
Seeing that everyone was listening intently, I continued. “Peter's going to call Emmett's cell number, since the bitch can't see anything to do with him, and put it on speaker. Apparently, after Jasper left, all hell broke loose. Edward and Alice were banned from Forks by the wolves. From what I saw in my dream, they didn't show their full deck, but did show their true colors. Of course, once Edward and Alice were no longer considered Cullens, the treaty no longer applied to them.”
I looked to Jasper, who offered, “That would make sense, Sugar. They would no longer be protected in the treaty if Carlisle denounced them.”
I agreed, then said to the room, “The rest of the Cullens decided to leave Forks for another house, but when they got to Alaska two days ago, Eleazar told them to go underground, because he had heard from one of his contacts in the Volturi. The order was already put out on the Cullens when we took out Demitri. They put the order out without actually having a reason to, since the one who escaped from Victoria's army has yet to go to the Volturi. This is our chance... not only to get the Cullens here to safety, but to take that son-of-a-bitch out, so that he never reaches those Italian bastards.”
I heard a cacophony of ‘hell, yeah’ and back slapping going through the room, so I let out a whistle. “Don't celebrate yet. How this goes down depends on you. Major and the mated couples will be staying here, for my protection. I am in no condition yet to be leaving the property, especially since I can feel that my change will be complete within the next 24 hours. Ang, Coop and Dom? You guys are key in this. You'll be tree-bound and hidden. Will all of your powers work if you aren't within a few feet of the target?”
Dom shook his head, then offered, “My range is two miles, as long as I have clear sight. Coop can siphon successfully at a mile, but Ang has to be within 30 feet of the target.”
I smiled, then said with a smirk, “Perfect. That lines up with exactly how my dream played out. The Cullens will pass all three of you on their way toward this direction. Captain will be meeting them in the clearing 3/4 mile away, to the north west. You three will be on the western edge of the clearing. Ang, you'll be 1/4 mile into the trees from the clearing. If you place yourselves in a V at 3/4 mile intervals from each other, you'll have the perfect vantage points when the target is in front of Ang. At that point, both of you boys need to work your mojo. Dom, you need to make a wall of fire only long enough to get him to stop. Coop, you drain his energy, and Ang? You get to drop down, get a hold on him, and teleport his ass to the exact spot that we tortured Demitri. Backup will be in place for when you port in. Boys, when she pops out with the target, you head up the rear to help the Cullens get here safely.”
All three of them nodded seriously to me, then I turned to see the pride on the faces of my mates. They both gave me a light kiss, so I said seriously, “We don't have much time left, so I'll finish quickly. They're using the burn phones you supplied them. Only you know the numbers, so you need to input it into Peter's contacts. Peter, when you dial the number, you need to have it on speaker, so that Em can hear me while talking to you. That's the only way this will work.”
Just then, I got a feeling in the pit of my stomach. Peter and I both whipped our heads toward the three going. Peter said with authority, “Go, now,” then I added, “Plant yourselves on the highest branch you can get to with full cover, but make damn sure you all have a clear visual on the ground in front of the tree Ang is in. Go.”
They dashed out the door as soon as the last word was out of my mouth, then Jasper started hurriedly putting the number into Peter's contacts.
It was less than five full minutes later, after Major and Captain took control, that I said, “Char, Aaron, Faith and Jade. You four stay here with Major and me. The rest need to get to the spot where we interrogated Demitri as soon as Emmett picks up his phone. Captain, dial now.”
He dialed, making sure to put the phone on speaker, then suddenly I heard Em say in a rush, “Jazz? Man, please tell me you're safe.”
Captain looked at me, so I said seriously, “We're safe, Em. Both of us are. I know you met Peter once, so you know about his know-shit meter. Listen to him, and he'll bring you to me and Jazz.”
I looked to Major, who offered, “Emmett, we know what's going on, and we're offering you, Rose, Carlisle and Esme safe haven. There's more to it all than you know yet, so listen to Peter.”
Em let a breath out, then I heard him say, “Oh, thank God. Okay, got it. Carlisle heard you, and we're all in. Just lay out what you need us to do.”
I nodded to Captain, then the door, so he got up to walk out as he said, “Head directly east for two miles. Your tail isn't Volturi. It's the male that got away from Victoria's army, who will end up going to Volterra when he can’t get through our barriers. Do not let him know you know about him. He's within sight distance right now, but not hearing distance... so he can't hear me talking to you. We have a take-out team in position to deal with him, so he has no chance to reach Italy. You'll be passing them, so do not alert the male of their presence. The clearing you'll meet me in will be two miles directly east from your current location. You'll be safe once you reach that location. I'll bring you to the safe house. Start running now.”
He reached the back door as he flipped his phone shut, then blew me a kiss before dashing out of sight.
I let a whooshed breath out as Major surrounded me in a comforting embrace, then kissed the mark on my neck. He whispered after a second, “Within the next 24 hours?”
I nodded, “Yeah. I can feel myself steadily gaining strength, plus my senses are all extremely sensitive. I hope you realise that I'm not giving any of them leeway once they get here. Em's the only one I can't blame in this. He was starting to realise the truth right as Rosalie pulled him out of the guest room that night. That's how I knew he was the key. Once Edward and Alice made their true colors known, Em jumped the rest of their asses about letting those two dictate everything, as well as not believing us when we tried to tell them.”
Major cupped my cheek as he looked into my eyes, then said seriously, “I understand, Isabella. This is our home, and I'll not stand for any of them disrespecting you. I'll stand behind whatever decision you make concerning them, no questions asked.”
I nodded as I rested my head against his chest for a minute, then felt a slight disturbance in the air just before Ang called out, “All clear, Major.”
Seconds later, Major's phone buzzed. He showed me a text, stating, “+4 are looking a bit rough but stable. On our way in.”
I nodded, so Major picked me up by the backs of my thighs to carry me out back. When I heard Captain incoming with our take-ins, I insisted Major go deal with the threat on our land. He bristled slightly, so I assured him, “I’m fine for now, and Captain will be here in seconds. I can handle the Cullens while you deal with the threat to our immediate safety. Go. Captain won’t leave my side until you come back, and you know it.”
Less than a split second later, I felt arms wrap around me as Captain promised, “No, I won’t. We got this, Major. Go do your thing, and we’ll be right here when you get back.”
Major nodded and dashed off toward Ang’s location as I let my eyes land on the perplexed Cullens. Carlisle went to speak, but I shook my head as I cut him off. “Don’t speak… any of you. I have a few things to say. First, Rosalie... if you so much as say one snide thing to me while here, I’ll have your ass strung up so quick, you won’t know what happened. This is my home you’re staying in, my plan that got you here safely. Fuck with me, and I’ll let the crew have you for a snack. See, they consider my safety trop priority, so they aren’t likely to let your attitude toward me go unpunished. Believe me when I tell you that they will quickly rid you of any bitchiness you possess in some very painful ways.”
The color leached from her eyes within a nanosecond, orbs of flat black in their place. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to, little human? I’ll have you kno…”
My vision went red as my beast forced her way to the forefront. I didn’t give her the chance to continue, instead letting them all feel the pain I felt for the months before my arrival here, asking menacingly, “I don’t think… I know. I’m Major and Captain’s mate… the one who was changing cell-by-fucking-cell, right before your eyes, without you caring one iota. How does that pain feel to you? Does it feel worse than when you were each changed with a mouthful of venom? I bet it does… yet I suffered through every fucking bit of that silently.”
Their screams filled the air around me, but I didn’t let up until I heard Emmett begging me, “God, Bella, please. Whatever you’re doing, STOP already! Please, please, just stop already.”
I released them from the emotional onslaught, but it took several minutes for Rosalie to choke out, “We didn’t know. I swear we didn’t know.”
I shook my head, “It would have only taken one good look at me from any of you, Rosalie, so don’t try that shitty excuse with me. Carlisle, I loved your whole family dearly, but you need to grow a set of balls and lead what’s left of your family as a coven leader should. You let Edward and Alice rule your family, blind you to everything other than what they wanted. I tried to tell you, after Phoenix, that it didn’t work. When Edward threw a fit, you instantly sided with him, saying there was no way any venom was left in my system. I lived for months with the pain you just felt for only a few minutes. Months, Carlisle, before it got worse. Not better. Right after I arrived here, it literally felt 1000 times worse than what you just felt, because it finally reached my spine.”
Their eyes all widened, but I shook my head, “Thankfully, someone in the family actually believed I wasn’t lying. Jasper. He knew before the night of my accident. He tried to get you to see more than once, to understand that you were wrong, but again you didn’t listen. He promised me that he’d take me away and change me the right way. He wasn’t going to let me suffer for then next however long before the pain finally killed me. For Christ sake, we had to make you think I was dead, just so none of you would try to stop my change from happening the right way! How fucked up is that, when you claimed I was ‘family’? So, no… I’m not happy with any of you right now. That doesn’t mean I want to relive you being torn apart by Edward and Alice while on trial in Volterra, or that I want my mates being killed so Aro can have me as a twisted sort of pet. What that means is that you stay within the safety of this property until I deem otherwise.”
Carlisle looked confused at first, then something must have come to him, because his expression changed to awe. I nodded, “I’m the Power Duplicator Aro has been searching for all this time. The Volturi put out the capture order on you before having a reason to, but the one who was tailing you today would have given them the perfect out, should their motives have been questioned down the road. He would have gone to the Volturi when he couldn’t get passed the crew today.”
A slight look of disbelief crossed his face for the smallest moment, so I promised him in a steely calm voice, “I won’t be taken, Carlisle, nor will I stand back and watch my mates be tortured and killed in order to subdue me. Aro will die by my hand before this is over. I need you to know that for fact. I’m not asking for your help, and I’m damn sure not asking for your permission. I’m telling you this ends on my terms, with my mates and I making sure Aro can never continue his power-hungry ways.”
Edward’s gift tickled my mind, so I listened in on Carlisle’s thoughts. They were full of shock and disbelief, with him unable to grasp that Aro really would kill one mate to subdue the other, just for sole use of the gifted one’s power. I shook my head sadly, “He’s been doing it all along, Carlisle. How do you think he has so many gifted vampires loyal to him? Whether it’s a mate, maker, or blood sibling, he uses them all against the gifted person. How many times has a gifted person actually come to Volterra willingly, asking Aro to have their power used for the Volturi’s whims? How many were forced to do his bidding as some kind of punishment?”
I could see Carlisle’s eyes widen in shock again, then he sighed as his shoulders slumped. I continued, though, “That’s only for powers that are a hell of a lot more common than mine. Christ, Carlisle, I’m not even finished with my transition, yet I’ve already got the powers of telepathy, precognition, mental tracking, omnilingualism, teleportation, energy depletion, and pyrokinesis. That’s not even including whatever you call Peter’s gift, my own shielding ability, or Jasper’s empathy. Do you really think Aro is above killing anyone in his path for the prospect of having my powers all to himself? For the ability to have me as his ultimate power source? Of those ten -really think about that number- powers, Aro has only been able to get his hands on three of those, and is now without his only tracker.”
At that point, all four of them looked sufficiently scolded. That’s when Major slid to a stop in front of me, taking my face gently in his hands, even though Captain was still holding me from behind. “You’re losing energy again.”
He immediately turned, then growled at the four Cullens, “Isabella’s word is law. I don’t care if she told you to knock down trees and make your own cabins to stay in. If she said it, that’s what’ll fucking happen. My mate will not be disrespected in her own home. The one who attempts anything stupid will be meeting a blazing pyre. Am. I. Clear?”
As soon as I saw four sets of eyes glued to the ground as each head nodded, saying, “Yes, Major,” I pulled my mate’s face back to mine. “I’m fine. Just had to give them a taste of my pain from before to get them to see the light. Now, how about you carry your mate inside, so I can feed.”
Major looked deep into my eyes for a long moment, then nodded before smirking, “Your eyes are changing, my li’l beauty. The wine slowly taking over your natural brown is quite sexy.”
I chuckled in response as Captain lifted me from behind to wrap my legs around Major, “Well, maybe later we can see just how dark you and Captain can make them, but right now it’s time for me to feed a bit. Are the crew dealing with cleanup?”
Major walked me back in through the french doors on the lower level, offering, “I’ve got some cleaning up, but a couple of them are doing a thorough sweep.”
I noticed the Cullens trailing behind slowly as Captain dashed off toward the blood cooler. Once Major sat with me on his lap at one of the bar stools, I turned myself around, holding out the sketchpad from the bar while saying, “You’re in his path, Carlisle… all of you. Your prior association with me, as well as being an annoyance to him with your diet, is enough to nullify any friendship you thought you held with him. He wants me, and will kill all of you without a thought to have me under this thumb. See for yourself what the use of Alice’s power made me see.”
No one moved for several moments, except for Major, who kissed my neck in comfort. It was Emmett who finally cautiously took the pad from my hand. He flipped back and forth between the sketched pages several times before dropping it with a menacing growl, immediately wrapping Rosalie in his arms in a protective manner. At Carlisle’s worried question, Emmett growled, “Look for yourself. See who your precious progeny really is. Really take a look at who you’ve been letting make the decisions for our so-called family.”
Carlisle reluctantly bent to pick up the sketchpad. He stood close to his mate, as well as Rose, as he opened the pad. A shocked cry left both females after a second, while a look of complete horror crossed Carlisle’s features. This was my chance to really make them see.
It took a few seconds of me calling his name before Carlisle’s horror-filled eyes met mine. “That is what would have happened, if I hadn’t made the plan to capture your tail today, and bring you here to keep you safe. It’s time to take off the rose-colored glasses, Carlisle. I’m sorry it had to be done this way, but you needed to see the truth. If you had been leading as a true coven leader, instead of a doting father, you’d have seen the signs the moment Edward returned to you from hunting humans… because he never really returned to you. During his ‘rebellious period’ was when he joined the Volturi… but you would’ve known that, or at least that something was seriously amiss, had you made him tell you about that time.”
With a shake of my head, since I could clearly see everyone’s thoughts were turning over and over in their minds, I said, “I’m done talking about it for now. All the bedrooms are taken. No, I’m not making you log and build your own cabins somewhere on the property, but you will be helping to finish the addition, which is where your rooms will be. The area is more than large enough to accommodate two bedroom and bathroom suites, a sitting area, and a library wall.”
Major nodded at my statement. He smiled at Captain, who was now handing me my heated blood, then said seriously to the Cullens as I bit gently into the corner of the bag, “Take time to think about what’s been said. Whether you agree or not, Isabella’s told you nothing but truth. Rosalie, I heard what you started to say earlier... felt the emotions you were radiating. Understand that the only reason your severed head isn’t on a spike watching as your body turns to ash, is because I’m letting Isabella have her say. I’m saying this only once. Watch yourself around my mate. Next time I feel or hear you disrespecting her, I’ll take my time ripping you apart, piece by little piece as you watch. The only reason you’re even here is because of the brotherly affection Isabella holds for your mate. If it weren’t for Isabella, you’d be left out there without protection, for the Volturi to find. Think about that the next time you want to consider my mate or her attachments an annoyance.”
My dreams were chaotic and fragmented, feeling like visions... only cut into pieces before being mixed all up. When I finally had all of the pieces, I bolted straight up. Noticing I had been moved to our bed, I panted, “That's it. He's the key. Call a meeting for ten minutes from now, please. We have work to get done.”
Jasper and Peter were looking at me questioningly, so I said as I had Peter carry me to the bathroom, “Em, Jasper. He's the key to getting the Cullens here, and I know why it won't be hard to get them here. I'll explain when we're all together, so that we can make a plan.”
Once Jasper had everyone alert, he joined Peter and I in the shower; we were all dressed by the ten minute mark. With my men in distressed jeans, graphic tees and rugged boots, I truly hoped this meeting wouldn't take long, because I was seriously wanting to pounce them both. I think I had their attention, too, because I chose a banded-bottom top with open shoulders and feather chain detail, distressed jeans, and an awesome pair of harness boots with wooden heels. Not wearing a bra with my top had their eyes practically glued to my tits, but I was feeling a bit frisky today, so I definitely wasn't minding.
I heard everyone starting to converge down in the lounge, so I hopped into Jasper's arms after I finished pulling my boots on. I kissed his neck, then offered, “It's time, Baby. You two ready?”
He gave me the most beautiful smile, kissed the mark on my neck, then held my ass with one hand as he held the other out to Peter. As soon as we reached the downstairs, I saw that everyone was gathered either on bar stools, lounge furniture, or the chairs to the poker tables. I smiled when Jasper sat me on the center of the bar top.
They walked around to the inside of the bar, then I called out as soon as they were both touching me, “Listen up, please. It seems as if Alice's visions come to me in different forms... not only through sketching, but last night through my dreams, too. My dream last night wasn’t a complete vision, but segmented with the pieces all jumbled up. The point is, I know how to get the Cullens here without the Volturi -or Edward and Alice- getting wind of it.”
Seeing that everyone was listening intently, I continued. “Peter's going to call Emmett's cell number, since the bitch can't see anything to do with him, and put it on speaker. Apparently, after Jasper left, all hell broke loose. Edward and Alice were banned from Forks by the wolves. From what I saw in my dream, they didn't show their full deck, but did show their true colors. Of course, once Edward and Alice were no longer considered Cullens, the treaty no longer applied to them.”
I looked to Jasper, who offered, “That would make sense, Sugar. They would no longer be protected in the treaty if Carlisle denounced them.”
I agreed, then said to the room, “The rest of the Cullens decided to leave Forks for another house, but when they got to Alaska two days ago, Eleazar told them to go underground, because he had heard from one of his contacts in the Volturi. The order was already put out on the Cullens when we took out Demitri. They put the order out without actually having a reason to, since the one who escaped from Victoria's army has yet to go to the Volturi. This is our chance... not only to get the Cullens here to safety, but to take that son-of-a-bitch out, so that he never reaches those Italian bastards.”
I heard a cacophony of ‘hell, yeah’ and back slapping going through the room, so I let out a whistle. “Don't celebrate yet. How this goes down depends on you. Major and the mated couples will be staying here, for my protection. I am in no condition yet to be leaving the property, especially since I can feel that my change will be complete within the next 24 hours. Ang, Coop and Dom? You guys are key in this. You'll be tree-bound and hidden. Will all of your powers work if you aren't within a few feet of the target?”
Dom shook his head, then offered, “My range is two miles, as long as I have clear sight. Coop can siphon successfully at a mile, but Ang has to be within 30 feet of the target.”
I smiled, then said with a smirk, “Perfect. That lines up with exactly how my dream played out. The Cullens will pass all three of you on their way toward this direction. Captain will be meeting them in the clearing 3/4 mile away, to the north west. You three will be on the western edge of the clearing. Ang, you'll be 1/4 mile into the trees from the clearing. If you place yourselves in a V at 3/4 mile intervals from each other, you'll have the perfect vantage points when the target is in front of Ang. At that point, both of you boys need to work your mojo. Dom, you need to make a wall of fire only long enough to get him to stop. Coop, you drain his energy, and Ang? You get to drop down, get a hold on him, and teleport his ass to the exact spot that we tortured Demitri. Backup will be in place for when you port in. Boys, when she pops out with the target, you head up the rear to help the Cullens get here safely.”
All three of them nodded seriously to me, then I turned to see the pride on the faces of my mates. They both gave me a light kiss, so I said seriously, “We don't have much time left, so I'll finish quickly. They're using the burn phones you supplied them. Only you know the numbers, so you need to input it into Peter's contacts. Peter, when you dial the number, you need to have it on speaker, so that Em can hear me while talking to you. That's the only way this will work.”
Just then, I got a feeling in the pit of my stomach. Peter and I both whipped our heads toward the three going. Peter said with authority, “Go, now,” then I added, “Plant yourselves on the highest branch you can get to with full cover, but make damn sure you all have a clear visual on the ground in front of the tree Ang is in. Go.”
They dashed out the door as soon as the last word was out of my mouth, then Jasper started hurriedly putting the number into Peter's contacts.
It was less than five full minutes later, after Major and Captain took control, that I said, “Char, Aaron, Faith and Jade. You four stay here with Major and me. The rest need to get to the spot where we interrogated Demitri as soon as Emmett picks up his phone. Captain, dial now.”
He dialed, making sure to put the phone on speaker, then suddenly I heard Em say in a rush, “Jazz? Man, please tell me you're safe.”
Captain looked at me, so I said seriously, “We're safe, Em. Both of us are. I know you met Peter once, so you know about his know-shit meter. Listen to him, and he'll bring you to me and Jazz.”
I looked to Major, who offered, “Emmett, we know what's going on, and we're offering you, Rose, Carlisle and Esme safe haven. There's more to it all than you know yet, so listen to Peter.”
Em let a breath out, then I heard him say, “Oh, thank God. Okay, got it. Carlisle heard you, and we're all in. Just lay out what you need us to do.”
I nodded to Captain, then the door, so he got up to walk out as he said, “Head directly east for two miles. Your tail isn't Volturi. It's the male that got away from Victoria's army, who will end up going to Volterra when he can’t get through our barriers. Do not let him know you know about him. He's within sight distance right now, but not hearing distance... so he can't hear me talking to you. We have a take-out team in position to deal with him, so he has no chance to reach Italy. You'll be passing them, so do not alert the male of their presence. The clearing you'll meet me in will be two miles directly east from your current location. You'll be safe once you reach that location. I'll bring you to the safe house. Start running now.”
He reached the back door as he flipped his phone shut, then blew me a kiss before dashing out of sight.
I let a whooshed breath out as Major surrounded me in a comforting embrace, then kissed the mark on my neck. He whispered after a second, “Within the next 24 hours?”
I nodded, “Yeah. I can feel myself steadily gaining strength, plus my senses are all extremely sensitive. I hope you realise that I'm not giving any of them leeway once they get here. Em's the only one I can't blame in this. He was starting to realise the truth right as Rosalie pulled him out of the guest room that night. That's how I knew he was the key. Once Edward and Alice made their true colors known, Em jumped the rest of their asses about letting those two dictate everything, as well as not believing us when we tried to tell them.”
Major cupped my cheek as he looked into my eyes, then said seriously, “I understand, Isabella. This is our home, and I'll not stand for any of them disrespecting you. I'll stand behind whatever decision you make concerning them, no questions asked.”
I nodded as I rested my head against his chest for a minute, then felt a slight disturbance in the air just before Ang called out, “All clear, Major.”
Seconds later, Major's phone buzzed. He showed me a text, stating, “+4 are looking a bit rough but stable. On our way in.”
I nodded, so Major picked me up by the backs of my thighs to carry me out back. When I heard Captain incoming with our take-ins, I insisted Major go deal with the threat on our land. He bristled slightly, so I assured him, “I’m fine for now, and Captain will be here in seconds. I can handle the Cullens while you deal with the threat to our immediate safety. Go. Captain won’t leave my side until you come back, and you know it.”
Less than a split second later, I felt arms wrap around me as Captain promised, “No, I won’t. We got this, Major. Go do your thing, and we’ll be right here when you get back.”
Major nodded and dashed off toward Ang’s location as I let my eyes land on the perplexed Cullens. Carlisle went to speak, but I shook my head as I cut him off. “Don’t speak… any of you. I have a few things to say. First, Rosalie... if you so much as say one snide thing to me while here, I’ll have your ass strung up so quick, you won’t know what happened. This is my home you’re staying in, my plan that got you here safely. Fuck with me, and I’ll let the crew have you for a snack. See, they consider my safety trop priority, so they aren’t likely to let your attitude toward me go unpunished. Believe me when I tell you that they will quickly rid you of any bitchiness you possess in some very painful ways.”
The color leached from her eyes within a nanosecond, orbs of flat black in their place. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to, little human? I’ll have you kno…”
My vision went red as my beast forced her way to the forefront. I didn’t give her the chance to continue, instead letting them all feel the pain I felt for the months before my arrival here, asking menacingly, “I don’t think… I know. I’m Major and Captain’s mate… the one who was changing cell-by-fucking-cell, right before your eyes, without you caring one iota. How does that pain feel to you? Does it feel worse than when you were each changed with a mouthful of venom? I bet it does… yet I suffered through every fucking bit of that silently.”
Their screams filled the air around me, but I didn’t let up until I heard Emmett begging me, “God, Bella, please. Whatever you’re doing, STOP already! Please, please, just stop already.”
I released them from the emotional onslaught, but it took several minutes for Rosalie to choke out, “We didn’t know. I swear we didn’t know.”
I shook my head, “It would have only taken one good look at me from any of you, Rosalie, so don’t try that shitty excuse with me. Carlisle, I loved your whole family dearly, but you need to grow a set of balls and lead what’s left of your family as a coven leader should. You let Edward and Alice rule your family, blind you to everything other than what they wanted. I tried to tell you, after Phoenix, that it didn’t work. When Edward threw a fit, you instantly sided with him, saying there was no way any venom was left in my system. I lived for months with the pain you just felt for only a few minutes. Months, Carlisle, before it got worse. Not better. Right after I arrived here, it literally felt 1000 times worse than what you just felt, because it finally reached my spine.”
Their eyes all widened, but I shook my head, “Thankfully, someone in the family actually believed I wasn’t lying. Jasper. He knew before the night of my accident. He tried to get you to see more than once, to understand that you were wrong, but again you didn’t listen. He promised me that he’d take me away and change me the right way. He wasn’t going to let me suffer for then next however long before the pain finally killed me. For Christ sake, we had to make you think I was dead, just so none of you would try to stop my change from happening the right way! How fucked up is that, when you claimed I was ‘family’? So, no… I’m not happy with any of you right now. That doesn’t mean I want to relive you being torn apart by Edward and Alice while on trial in Volterra, or that I want my mates being killed so Aro can have me as a twisted sort of pet. What that means is that you stay within the safety of this property until I deem otherwise.”
Carlisle looked confused at first, then something must have come to him, because his expression changed to awe. I nodded, “I’m the Power Duplicator Aro has been searching for all this time. The Volturi put out the capture order on you before having a reason to, but the one who was tailing you today would have given them the perfect out, should their motives have been questioned down the road. He would have gone to the Volturi when he couldn’t get passed the crew today.”
A slight look of disbelief crossed his face for the smallest moment, so I promised him in a steely calm voice, “I won’t be taken, Carlisle, nor will I stand back and watch my mates be tortured and killed in order to subdue me. Aro will die by my hand before this is over. I need you to know that for fact. I’m not asking for your help, and I’m damn sure not asking for your permission. I’m telling you this ends on my terms, with my mates and I making sure Aro can never continue his power-hungry ways.”
Edward’s gift tickled my mind, so I listened in on Carlisle’s thoughts. They were full of shock and disbelief, with him unable to grasp that Aro really would kill one mate to subdue the other, just for sole use of the gifted one’s power. I shook my head sadly, “He’s been doing it all along, Carlisle. How do you think he has so many gifted vampires loyal to him? Whether it’s a mate, maker, or blood sibling, he uses them all against the gifted person. How many times has a gifted person actually come to Volterra willingly, asking Aro to have their power used for the Volturi’s whims? How many were forced to do his bidding as some kind of punishment?”
I could see Carlisle’s eyes widen in shock again, then he sighed as his shoulders slumped. I continued, though, “That’s only for powers that are a hell of a lot more common than mine. Christ, Carlisle, I’m not even finished with my transition, yet I’ve already got the powers of telepathy, precognition, mental tracking, omnilingualism, teleportation, energy depletion, and pyrokinesis. That’s not even including whatever you call Peter’s gift, my own shielding ability, or Jasper’s empathy. Do you really think Aro is above killing anyone in his path for the prospect of having my powers all to himself? For the ability to have me as his ultimate power source? Of those ten -really think about that number- powers, Aro has only been able to get his hands on three of those, and is now without his only tracker.”
At that point, all four of them looked sufficiently scolded. That’s when Major slid to a stop in front of me, taking my face gently in his hands, even though Captain was still holding me from behind. “You’re losing energy again.”
He immediately turned, then growled at the four Cullens, “Isabella’s word is law. I don’t care if she told you to knock down trees and make your own cabins to stay in. If she said it, that’s what’ll fucking happen. My mate will not be disrespected in her own home. The one who attempts anything stupid will be meeting a blazing pyre. Am. I. Clear?”
As soon as I saw four sets of eyes glued to the ground as each head nodded, saying, “Yes, Major,” I pulled my mate’s face back to mine. “I’m fine. Just had to give them a taste of my pain from before to get them to see the light. Now, how about you carry your mate inside, so I can feed.”
Major looked deep into my eyes for a long moment, then nodded before smirking, “Your eyes are changing, my li’l beauty. The wine slowly taking over your natural brown is quite sexy.”
I chuckled in response as Captain lifted me from behind to wrap my legs around Major, “Well, maybe later we can see just how dark you and Captain can make them, but right now it’s time for me to feed a bit. Are the crew dealing with cleanup?”
Major walked me back in through the french doors on the lower level, offering, “I’ve got some cleaning up, but a couple of them are doing a thorough sweep.”
I noticed the Cullens trailing behind slowly as Captain dashed off toward the blood cooler. Once Major sat with me on his lap at one of the bar stools, I turned myself around, holding out the sketchpad from the bar while saying, “You’re in his path, Carlisle… all of you. Your prior association with me, as well as being an annoyance to him with your diet, is enough to nullify any friendship you thought you held with him. He wants me, and will kill all of you without a thought to have me under this thumb. See for yourself what the use of Alice’s power made me see.”
No one moved for several moments, except for Major, who kissed my neck in comfort. It was Emmett who finally cautiously took the pad from my hand. He flipped back and forth between the sketched pages several times before dropping it with a menacing growl, immediately wrapping Rosalie in his arms in a protective manner. At Carlisle’s worried question, Emmett growled, “Look for yourself. See who your precious progeny really is. Really take a look at who you’ve been letting make the decisions for our so-called family.”
Carlisle reluctantly bent to pick up the sketchpad. He stood close to his mate, as well as Rose, as he opened the pad. A shocked cry left both females after a second, while a look of complete horror crossed Carlisle’s features. This was my chance to really make them see.
It took a few seconds of me calling his name before Carlisle’s horror-filled eyes met mine. “That is what would have happened, if I hadn’t made the plan to capture your tail today, and bring you here to keep you safe. It’s time to take off the rose-colored glasses, Carlisle. I’m sorry it had to be done this way, but you needed to see the truth. If you had been leading as a true coven leader, instead of a doting father, you’d have seen the signs the moment Edward returned to you from hunting humans… because he never really returned to you. During his ‘rebellious period’ was when he joined the Volturi… but you would’ve known that, or at least that something was seriously amiss, had you made him tell you about that time.”
With a shake of my head, since I could clearly see everyone’s thoughts were turning over and over in their minds, I said, “I’m done talking about it for now. All the bedrooms are taken. No, I’m not making you log and build your own cabins somewhere on the property, but you will be helping to finish the addition, which is where your rooms will be. The area is more than large enough to accommodate two bedroom and bathroom suites, a sitting area, and a library wall.”
Major nodded at my statement. He smiled at Captain, who was now handing me my heated blood, then said seriously to the Cullens as I bit gently into the corner of the bag, “Take time to think about what’s been said. Whether you agree or not, Isabella’s told you nothing but truth. Rosalie, I heard what you started to say earlier... felt the emotions you were radiating. Understand that the only reason your severed head isn’t on a spike watching as your body turns to ash, is because I’m letting Isabella have her say. I’m saying this only once. Watch yourself around my mate. Next time I feel or hear you disrespecting her, I’ll take my time ripping you apart, piece by little piece as you watch. The only reason you’re even here is because of the brotherly affection Isabella holds for your mate. If it weren’t for Isabella, you’d be left out there without protection, for the Volturi to find. Think about that the next time you want to consider my mate or her attachments an annoyance.”