The Guard
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 05
"Felix! What the fuck are you doing?!"
His head snapped up and he whirled around, a vicious snarl tearing its way out of him at the interruption.
Demetri's eyes widened, his hands rising to placate the feral, black-eyed vampire facing him. "Whoa, hey, it's me brother. Not a threat," he said, his tone calm but cautious as Felix continued growling lowly. He scented the air, his eyes darting quickly to the whimpering girl in Felix's hold. "Is she changing?"
Using all his formidable discipline, Felix willed himself back in control before rising from his semi-crouch and giving a curt nod. "She is. It was the only way to save her. The mind reader had nearly drained her."
Demetri nodded. "I figured as much. I smelled her blood back at the other house. Aro will be pleased you saved her."
Before Felix could stop it, another snarl ripped from him. "She's mine!"
Demetri's brows shot up and he couldn't help it; an incredulous laugh gusted from him. "I can't believe it. My suave, laid-back, ladies-man of a brother is finally mated."
Felix shifted where he stood, pulling Bella's changing body closer as he eyed his grinning best friend. He felt decidedly out-of-sorts and he wasn't quite sure what to say, so he kept silent, even as he leaned down to nuzzle the whimpering girl in his arms.
The purr kicked up in his chest again and his gaze darted back to his smugly smirking brother, whom he promptly gave the finger.
"Aw, you're a big teddy bear after all, Fix. Who would'a thought?"
Felix scowled. "I will kick your ass if need be, Demi."
His grin only grew and he clapped his hands together. "Okay then, what to do? Since you let the mind-reader go to play knight in shining armor, and we now have a changeling on our hands, I say the logical choice is to haul ass to the Cullen's before she starts screaming."
Felix's lip curled. "I didn't exactly let the asshole go. It was a split-second command decision and I chose to save the girl."
"Your mate," Demetri muttered with an arched brow and Felix sighed.
"Yes Demi, my…mate." It still hadn't quite sunk in, at least not with his more human side. His vampire however, didn't seem to have that problem as that rather embarrassing purr still vibrated his chest, especially when the girl snuggled herself into it. His vampire positively ate that shit up, much to Demi's shameless amusement.
"It's decided then. Plant your big ass somewhere comfortable and I'll go get the car. Be back in a flash," he said before taking off back the way he came.
~o0o~
"Finally? Finally what, Rose?"
The venom froze in the beautiful blonde's veins and her gaze whipped to her right just as Emmett emerged from the trees. Her mouth dropped open and she searched for what to say, but at the thunderous look on her husband's face, words failed her. "Finally what?" he repeated as he leaned against a tree, his massive arms crossing over his equally impressive chest.
"I…" she floundered nervously before frowning. "What did you hear?" she asked, something like lead settling in the pit of her stomach at the unsettling way he stared at her.
"Plenty," he finally answered, his tone ice cold, matching perfectly with the flinty look in his eyes.
"Emmett, you have to understand…"
He cocked a dark brow. "Yeah Rose, about that… Why don't you explain it to your simple-minded husband?" he spat, the pain in his eyes deep and undeniable. "Explain why you just spent the last several minutes begging Edward to go ahead and kill Bella—a girl we've taken into our family, a girl I—not to mention Alice and Jasper—love as a sister and Carlisle and Esme love as a daughter. Why don't you go ahead and explain that, because I'd love to hear it." When she simply stared at him for moments, he rolled a hand in the air. "Go ahead. I'm waiting."
Her mouth snapped shut and she rubbed her temples before looking back at him. "Why should I even try? It's obvious you've already passed judgement."
"All these years…" he murmured, looking tortured. "I've loved you, given my everything to you, and none of it was ever enough, was it? I was never enough." He looked down and slowly shook his head. "I even overlooked how you always treated me like some kind of half-wit, too stupid to put together what really made you tick.
"Well, guess what baby? I did put it together, a long time ago, but you know what? And stick with me 'cause here's where it gets pathetic," he said, his voice husky with bitter emotion. "I loved you so much that it didn't matter, because that's what people do when they love someone with their whole heart, Rose. They see their flaws, and love them anyway."
She heard his words and latched onto them, turning to face him fully as her hands twisted together in her lap. "Exactly! So, you'll forgive me?" His silent stare was her only answer so she rushed on. "Say you'll forgive me, Em. We can pack up and go somewhere—Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Hawaii even—just you and me. We can leave all the drama behind and just be."
He snorted in disgust. "Not this time, Rosie-posie, 'cause this simple-minded country ass," he pointed to his chest, "has reached his limit. I'm finding it hard to even look at you right now, much less go anywhere with you for some romantic reawakening. You're self-centered, cold and heartless, and me? I'm done. At this point, I wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire." He turned to leave but then paused. "Oh, and were I you, I would pack my shit and get outta dodge, baby, 'cause I'm not staying quiet about what I know."
~o0o~
Alice disconnected the last call they'd had to make to patch up the mess that was supposed to be Edward's wedding. "God, what a nightmare," she muttered while rubbing her brow. Could vampires get headaches? It sure felt like it at the moment.
Jasper stood and began rubbing her shoulders, drawing a groan and grateful smile from her as she laid her hand over his. "Thank you Jay."
"Anything for my girl," he answered with a smile before his features twisted with a sudden influx of sorrow, loss, pain, betrayal. "Jesus, Ali," he gasped while sinking back into his seat as he struggled to block the negative emotions.
"What?! What is it, baby?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Emmett, on his way home," he muttered while holding his head in his hands. "Hurtin' so damn much…"
"Emmett? But, why?" At that moment, her eyes went glassy and she watched as Rosalie hastily packed her things and left. "Oh god! Rosalie's leaving!" She looked at her mate who was frowning at her. "That must be why Em's hurting. She's leaving…without him."
She blinked and had just turned to look out the window when her eyes glazed over again and this vision she whimpered through.
"Ali, what is it? What else did you see?" Jasper asked, his tone urgent due to the emotions pouring off his mate.
"Oh god, it's Bella. Felix got to her, but it seems he wasn't in time." She met Jasper's pained gaze. "She's weak but changing, Jay, and they're bringing her here."
She grasped her head and shook it. "What else did I miss by dealing with all this wedding shit?! God, what a nightmare!"
"What about Edward? Can you see what's going on with him?" he coaxed and she bowed her head while concentrating.
"I see him running. He has blood all over his shirt and his eyes—fuck Jay," she whispered, "he looks unhinged, but I can't tell where he is. It's just forest." She looked up at him and he cupped her cheek as she continued. "It could be any forested area. I couldn't see any landmarks."
He nodded and brushed his lips over hers. "Try not to stress, darlin'. Let the visions happen when they will. You get the best information that way, we know this."
With a nod, she climbed into his lap and held him as the emotional storms of Emmett and then Bella descended on the house.
When they heard the entrance door downstairs close for the final time, and heard Bella's pained whimpers, Jasper placed a kiss on Alice's head and picked up his phone. "I think I should call Carlisle. I'm pretty sure he'd want to be here since the shit's hit the fan."
She nodded and got up, a sad smile curving her lips as she ran her fingers through his curls. "I'm gonna go help get Bella settled. See you in a bit."
She met a very wary Felix at the top of the stairs and they eyed each other for a beat before Alice smiled sadly. "I'll show you to the room she usually uses."
With a grateful nod, he followed as Demetri trailed behind. "Just put her on the bed," Alice said while taking fresh clothes out of the closet to change her into. She took a step toward the bed but Demetri stopped her with a hand on her arm.
"You shouldn't go any closer," he said, his tone quiet and she raised a brow as her gaze darted between the tracker and the bed.
"What's…going on?" she asked while watching the imposing Volturi guard cradle Bella against him while gently purring for her. To her shock, her changing friend snuggled up to the massive guard's body while her pained whimpers tapered off. She shot a startled look at Demetri who smirked. "Are they…?!"
His brow crept up. "You need ask?"
She blinked, then blinked again. "Well, I didn't see this coming—at all." Her shoulders drooped and she tossed the clothes in a chair before rubbing her temples. "Jesus, I really wish I could drink."
With a quiet laugh, Demetri offered his arm. "Come, I'll escort you to your mate. We'll give these two a day or two before we disturb them, si?"
"Yeah, okay," she agreed.
As the door closed quietly behind them, Demetri glanced at her. "By the way," he said while heading for the stairs. "if you mix equal parts blood and wine, you can drink," he grinned as she gaped at him, "and it's delicious."
"Well shit," she muttered. "Where the hell are my keys?"
He chuckled and they descended the stairs.
Jasper met her at the landing and with a bow, Demetri handed her over to her mate. "Why ya need your keys, Ali?"
They walked into the living room and she eyed Emmett sadly before flopping onto the sofa with Jasper. Demetri draped himself into an arm-chair and she sighed as she motioned to him. "Our resident tracker says that we can drink wine as long as it's mixed with blood."
Jasper's brows rose. "Really? Interesting."
She nodded. "Yeah, so I wanted to go get some, because frankly, I've had it with all the fuckery and getting shit-faced sounds pretty damn good."
"Hear, hear," Emmett agreed flatly.
Jasper pursed his lips and pulled out his phone. "Carlisle is on his way. I'll tell him to stop and grab a case." He looked over at Demetri. "Any particular type?"
The tracker pulled out his phone. "I have to call Aro anyway, so I'll just call Carlisle myself."
"Fair enough,"Jasper conceded with a nod while tucking his phone away.
When Demi ended his calls, he tucked his phone away and looked at Alice. "Have you, by any chance, had any useful visions of your mind-reader?"
She shook her head before leaning against Jasper. "No, just him running through the forest, his clothes bloody and looking like an absolute nutter."
Demetri nodded and pulled out a regal looking pack of cigarettes. "May I?"
Alice waved a hand. "Oh hell, why not. Just open a window first."
He stood and slid open the nearest window as Alice handed him a cut crystal dish. "Grazie," he said as she resumed her seat.
He lit the cigarette, drawing deeply from it and exhaling with a sigh before commenting, "He is still in the state, although he seems to be heading for Alaska."
Jasper leaned forward. "I'm surprised you didn't go after him."
Demi waved a hand while blowing out a plume of blue-grey smoke. "My brother needs me. When his situation is stable, I shall return to the hunt. There is nowhere on this planet he can hide from me. It's only a matter of time and travel."
"Rose helped him," Emmett muttered but they all heard him loud and clear.
Alice looked shocked, but Jasper only nodded. Emmett cocked a brow at his wife's pseudo-twin. "You don't seem surprised, Jay."
"I'm not," he stated baldly. "She's always hated Bella, and that never changed, even though she did her best to be civil these last few months. She was full of jealousy too and anytime Bella was in danger, she was filled with anticipation." He shook his head. "Nope, I'm not surprised at all that she helped Edward do what he did."
Demetri cocked a brow while knocking ash into the dish. "Why didn't you say anything?"
Jasper laughed ruefully. "She didn't exactly keep her feelings a secret. She felt the way she felt from the very beginning and was even quite vocal about it at first. She never acted on those feelings though, so I didn't see a need to say anything because it was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Same deal with Edward; he never really loved Bella as a mate should. There was love there, but it was obsessive, possessive and all wrapped up in a constant fuck-ton of bloodlust. It was damn hard to be around the two of them, let me tell ya."
Alice eyed Emmett who sat staring at a patch on the floor. "Did something happen, Em? Is that why Rose left?"
He glanced up. "Yeah. I noticed her sneaking out earlier and followed her. She made a call to Edward and I had to stand there and listen as she pretty much begged him to kill Bella. He eventually agreed, and…god, you should've seen the content smile on her face. It sickens me to think about it."
"I'm sorry Em," Alice murmured and he nodded.
"I'll survive, Alice." He smiled sadly. "Who knows? I might even be truly happy someday. Won't that be a novelty?"
"If it's any consolation, I don't believe she's your mate," Jasper said.
Emmett shrugged. "There was a time I would've argued with you on that, but now? I wouldn't doubt it. I mean, now that I look back, she spent decades treating me like shit and that's not how you and Alice are or Carlisle and Esme, and right now? It hurts, yeah, because I spent so many years loving her, but does it feel like I'll die without her? No. It doesn't. I'm sad, but at the same time…oddly relieved."
"You realize, now that I know, she will have to be brought in to stand trial with the mind-reader?" Demetri interjected.
All of the Cullens present nodded and he inclined his head. "Good, I just wanted that point to be understood."
Carlisle and Esme walked in then, carrying four cases of wine and a huge cooler full of bagged human blood. "We come bearing gifts," he said as Alice shot from the couch.
"Oh, thank god," she said while pulling out a bottle.
Jasper left and walked in moments later with a host of sparkling wine glasses and a cork-screw on a tray which he placed on the table.
Carlisle turned to Demetri. "Before we get started, was there enough blood evidence at the house to convince the humans of Bella's death?"
Demetri nodded. "Yes, I believe so. There was plenty on the floor inside as well as a trail that led into the woods, so I did a bit of damage inside to make it seem like an animal attack, scratched the door up and left it hanging by one hinge. I also obscured any footprints. There should be no questions," he said with a wave of his hand before lighting another cigarette.
Alice walked in with a carafe of animal blood from the supply they kept in the fridge. "Want to try it?" she offered Demitri who scrunched his face.
"I would prefer not," he said and Carlisle chuckled.
"Prepare our guest's from the supply in the cooler, Alice. He and Felix are why I brought it."
He settled onto the other sofa with Esme and sighed heavily. "I must apologize for Edward's actions, Demetri. I had no idea he was…so far gone, although I do admit, he hasn't been the same since his return from Volterra."
Emmett snorted and met Carlisle's gaze. "He hasn't been the same since meeting Bella."
Carlisle inclined his head. "True enough, but he didn't seem unstable until after what he pulled in Volterra."
Jasper scoffed. "Yeah, like sneaking into a room to watch a human sleep night after night isn't weird at all."
Carlisle frowned and then shook his head. "You're right. Perhaps I saw only what I wanted to see. It's something I deeply regret and will definitely learn from."
Demetri raised a brow. "He attempted to subvert our laws and Aro's direct ruling. In light of this, you realize your concern is entirely too late?"
Esme clutched Carlisle's arm and ducked her head against his shoulder as he patted her hand and nodded. "Yes, I realize."
"Good, because I would hate to see your entire coven suffer because of what two of your number have done."
Carlisle's gaze darted to Emmett. "Yes," he murmured. "Rose. I was shocked to hear of her part in this mess. Emmett, son, I'm very sorry."
Emmett smiled sadly. "No sweat, Pops. I'm a big boy. I'll get over it…eventually."
"So, it's true? She's gone?" Esme asked and Emmett nodded.
Demetri stubbed out his cigarette and muttered, "For now. I will catch up with her as well as the mind-reader, rest assured."
Esme frowned at him. "That's hardly reassuring to me."
"Esme," Carlisle said in a warning tone. "What she and Edward did was wrong and something they must answer for. It's out of our hands now. We mustn't interfere."
She looked down and nodded. "It's just so hard. We've all been together for so long. I know they're in the wrong, but I can't just stop loving them overnight because of it." She looked up at Demetri who watched her carefully. "My apologies though, Demetri, for being sharp with you."
He inclined his head. "Accepted." He pocketed his smokes and motioned to the cooler. "I would deliver some blood to Felix now. It's been a while since he's fed. I'm sure he needs it."
Alice hopped up and went to the cooler. "I'll help you prepare it. I'm sure he'd prefer it warm," she said as she grabbed two bags.
Demetri smiled. "That would be appreciated. Thank you."
"This way," she said as she led him to the kitchen.
~o0o~
Felix stared out at the waning light of day as his fingers absently carded through the girl's mahogany hued hair. It felt like silk slipping over his fingers and he was finding he enjoyed the sensation tremendously.
He glanced down where she was curled against him, a small crease in his brow as he studied her. Could she really be his mate, this small slip of a girl—young woman?
He spent a few moments studying her features—her pouty lips and full, dark lashes. What of her eyes? he wondered. He'd gotten the barest glimpse of her human eyes and could recall them being brown, but that would be lost to the burn of the venom, turning them the notorious bright red of a newborn soon enough. He found he both regretted and anticipated that eventuality in equal measure.
His gaze then traveled to her neck, taking in how the cut was healed completely. It would not scar, he knew, while the mark from his bite would be there for all eternity. At just the thought of that, his purr increased in volume and he nearly rolled his eyes in exasperation. In all his many years, he'd never made such a sound, and it was a bit disconcerting to deal with now, especially when he knew Demi was only going to give him hell over it at every opportunity—the ass.
The girl seemed to like it though, and she snuggled closer still, rubbing her cheek against the wide expanse of his chest and just like that, a smile curved his lips as his thumb brushed over the delicate apple of her cheek. If that was the response he got for making such an unmanly noise—he decided there and then—Demi could just kiss his ass. "You enjoy such an undignified noise, dolcezza?" he murmured while placing a kiss on her head. "Then I will make it for you, bella regazza, whenever you want and wherever you want."
Her hand tightened its hold on his shirt and she released a little sigh drawing a fond chuckle from him.
A light knock sounded on the door, drawing a growl from him before he could stifle it. Bella whimpered and he nuzzled the still-warm skin of her neck, instantly soothing her, before calling in a low tone, "Enter."
The door opened cautiously and Demetri slipped in carrying a small serving tray bearing a carafe and glass. "I thought you may be thirsty. Dr. Cullen was kind enough to obtain some donated human blood and Alice warmed it," he murmured while setting the tray on the night-stand.
"That would be most welcome," he said while gently moving Bella to lie at his side. As soon as he'd lost contact with her however, she began to whimper and then cry out, so he pulled her close again while cutting an apologetic glance at his best friend.
Demetri's brows rose as a smile curved his lips. "I guess I'll pour, then?"
Felix narrowed his eyes. "If it's not too much trouble, that would be fantastic, yes."
"I live to serve," he muttered through a smirk as he filled the glass. He handed it over and took a seat in a nearby armchair.
Felix drained the glass quickly and set it to the side. "Have you spoken to Aro?"
"I have. He was not pleased, however he understood our situation and is grateful you saved the girl."
Felix's lip curled but he managed to stifle a growl. Demetri smirked. "I have also explained your unanticipated connection with the girl."
"And?"
Demetri flipped a hand. "He is delighted."
Felix glanced out the window, a small frown creasing his brow.
"What troubles you?" Demetri questioned.
He looked back at his best friend. "I only hope the girl's reaction is favorable."
Demetri arched a brow. "I don't believe you need worry." He gestured toward the girl whose hand was fisted tightly in Felix's shirt. "Even in the throes of her change, she clings to you."
"She seeks comfort from her burning, that is all," Felix dismissed.
Demetri smirked. "We shall see, but I believe I'm right." He rose, refilling Felix's glass and handing it to him before resuming his seat.
Felix drained the second glass and set it aside. "Why aren't you after the mind-reader? You're wasting time here."
"I hardly consider supporting my brother and his changing mate a waste of time," he dismissed. "Besides, no matter the distance he gains, he will not escape me, you know this."
Felix grunted and shifted the girl to lie more comfortably against him. "And Aro? What does he have to say about it?"
"He fully agrees with me and has agreed to wait. He is, however, asking that we return home at the soonest opportunity upon her waking."
Felix frowned. "That might prove difficult with a newborn."
Demetri inclined his head. "It may. We'll just have to wait and see what she's like."
At yet another light knock, Felix growled and gathered the girl to him as Demetri flashed to the door to answer. He opened it to see Alice and Esme, both with slight smiles in place. "We came to see if it's all right to get Bella cleaned up and dressed in fresh clothes. She shouldn't be left to wake with dried blood all over her."
Demetri arched a brow and looked back at Felix who released a resigned sigh while nodding. "Come, prepare a bath. When it's ready, I'll carry her in."
They entered and thanked him before disappearing into the attached bath as Demetri resumed his seat. Minutes later, Alice poked her head out. "We're ready for her."
Leaning down, Felix whispered in Bella's ear, "Dolcezza, Alice and Esme Cullen are going to bathe and dress you, but I shall be here when you are done, si?" He placed a kiss on her head and scooped her up.
Striding to the bath, he beat back his instincts and handed her still form to the Cullen matriarch, but as soon as she took her, Bella began whimpering, then screaming as her body began to thrash. Esme's eyes went wide as she clutched the distressed girl. "Oh my! Bella! Bella, sweetheart, it's me, Esme. Honey, we're going to bathe you and then we'll take you right back to Felix."
Together, she and Alice began to undress her, but her screams and struggles continued while Felix paced outside the door.
Demetri watched his brother with interest. This was a side of him he'd never seen in all his centuries of knowing him. Felix was never agitated, and rarely lost his cool, even in the heat of battle, but this little slip of a girl had his brother pacing and growling like a caged lion. He smirked. "You know," he drawled, no longer able to resist commenting, "this pacing gains you nothing."
He laughed as Felix sneered at him, but a particularly piercing scream caught the massive guard's attention completely and he rushed into the bathroom.
The girl was in the tub, her thrashing body sending water everywhere as the two females struggled to bathe the dried blood from her hair and shoulder. "Felix!" Esme shrieked as he hit his knees at the side of the massive tub, his hands reaching to touch and soothe the girl.
"Shh, bella regazza, I am here. I will not leave you. Shh," he soothed, one hand supporting her in the water while the other carded her hair, as Alice poured water to rinse shampoo from the heavy strands.
Esme finished bathing the blood from her skin and held a towel as he lifted her from the water. Alice quickly wrapped Bella's hair in another towel and held her briefly as Felix slipped from his saturated overcoat, letting it land with a wet splat on the floor. "Thank you," he murmured as he gathered Bella back against his chest.
"Take her to the bed and I'll help you dress her," Alice said as Esme began to clean up the mess.
With a nod, Felix stepped from the bathroom but froze at the sight of Demetri. In any other situation, his presence wouldn't have bothered him in the least, but now? He was just another male in the presence of his vulnerable, unclothed and unclaimed mate. Despite his better reasoning, an instinctive growl clawed its way out of his chest as his eyes went flat black.
Alice smirked at the shocked looking tracker. "You may want to leave for a bit, until they're both…settled."
At the sight of his brother, Demetri was in no mood to argue and rose slowly from his seat, both hands raised as he inched his way backwards toward the door. "I'm leaving, brother. I'll see you…later."
A feral snarl was Felix's only answer and he wasted no time gaining the relative safety of the hallway.
"Jesus," Demetri whispered before smirking. "I almost pity the mind-reader." His smirk stretched into a malicious grin. "Almost…"
"Felix! What the fuck are you doing?!"
His head snapped up and he whirled around, a vicious snarl tearing its way out of him at the interruption.
Demetri's eyes widened, his hands rising to placate the feral, black-eyed vampire facing him. "Whoa, hey, it's me brother. Not a threat," he said, his tone calm but cautious as Felix continued growling lowly. He scented the air, his eyes darting quickly to the whimpering girl in Felix's hold. "Is she changing?"
Using all his formidable discipline, Felix willed himself back in control before rising from his semi-crouch and giving a curt nod. "She is. It was the only way to save her. The mind reader had nearly drained her."
Demetri nodded. "I figured as much. I smelled her blood back at the other house. Aro will be pleased you saved her."
Before Felix could stop it, another snarl ripped from him. "She's mine!"
Demetri's brows shot up and he couldn't help it; an incredulous laugh gusted from him. "I can't believe it. My suave, laid-back, ladies-man of a brother is finally mated."
Felix shifted where he stood, pulling Bella's changing body closer as he eyed his grinning best friend. He felt decidedly out-of-sorts and he wasn't quite sure what to say, so he kept silent, even as he leaned down to nuzzle the whimpering girl in his arms.
The purr kicked up in his chest again and his gaze darted back to his smugly smirking brother, whom he promptly gave the finger.
"Aw, you're a big teddy bear after all, Fix. Who would'a thought?"
Felix scowled. "I will kick your ass if need be, Demi."
His grin only grew and he clapped his hands together. "Okay then, what to do? Since you let the mind-reader go to play knight in shining armor, and we now have a changeling on our hands, I say the logical choice is to haul ass to the Cullen's before she starts screaming."
Felix's lip curled. "I didn't exactly let the asshole go. It was a split-second command decision and I chose to save the girl."
"Your mate," Demetri muttered with an arched brow and Felix sighed.
"Yes Demi, my…mate." It still hadn't quite sunk in, at least not with his more human side. His vampire however, didn't seem to have that problem as that rather embarrassing purr still vibrated his chest, especially when the girl snuggled herself into it. His vampire positively ate that shit up, much to Demi's shameless amusement.
"It's decided then. Plant your big ass somewhere comfortable and I'll go get the car. Be back in a flash," he said before taking off back the way he came.
~o0o~
"Finally? Finally what, Rose?"
The venom froze in the beautiful blonde's veins and her gaze whipped to her right just as Emmett emerged from the trees. Her mouth dropped open and she searched for what to say, but at the thunderous look on her husband's face, words failed her. "Finally what?" he repeated as he leaned against a tree, his massive arms crossing over his equally impressive chest.
"I…" she floundered nervously before frowning. "What did you hear?" she asked, something like lead settling in the pit of her stomach at the unsettling way he stared at her.
"Plenty," he finally answered, his tone ice cold, matching perfectly with the flinty look in his eyes.
"Emmett, you have to understand…"
He cocked a dark brow. "Yeah Rose, about that… Why don't you explain it to your simple-minded husband?" he spat, the pain in his eyes deep and undeniable. "Explain why you just spent the last several minutes begging Edward to go ahead and kill Bella—a girl we've taken into our family, a girl I—not to mention Alice and Jasper—love as a sister and Carlisle and Esme love as a daughter. Why don't you go ahead and explain that, because I'd love to hear it." When she simply stared at him for moments, he rolled a hand in the air. "Go ahead. I'm waiting."
Her mouth snapped shut and she rubbed her temples before looking back at him. "Why should I even try? It's obvious you've already passed judgement."
"All these years…" he murmured, looking tortured. "I've loved you, given my everything to you, and none of it was ever enough, was it? I was never enough." He looked down and slowly shook his head. "I even overlooked how you always treated me like some kind of half-wit, too stupid to put together what really made you tick.
"Well, guess what baby? I did put it together, a long time ago, but you know what? And stick with me 'cause here's where it gets pathetic," he said, his voice husky with bitter emotion. "I loved you so much that it didn't matter, because that's what people do when they love someone with their whole heart, Rose. They see their flaws, and love them anyway."
She heard his words and latched onto them, turning to face him fully as her hands twisted together in her lap. "Exactly! So, you'll forgive me?" His silent stare was her only answer so she rushed on. "Say you'll forgive me, Em. We can pack up and go somewhere—Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Hawaii even—just you and me. We can leave all the drama behind and just be."
He snorted in disgust. "Not this time, Rosie-posie, 'cause this simple-minded country ass," he pointed to his chest, "has reached his limit. I'm finding it hard to even look at you right now, much less go anywhere with you for some romantic reawakening. You're self-centered, cold and heartless, and me? I'm done. At this point, I wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire." He turned to leave but then paused. "Oh, and were I you, I would pack my shit and get outta dodge, baby, 'cause I'm not staying quiet about what I know."
~o0o~
Alice disconnected the last call they'd had to make to patch up the mess that was supposed to be Edward's wedding. "God, what a nightmare," she muttered while rubbing her brow. Could vampires get headaches? It sure felt like it at the moment.
Jasper stood and began rubbing her shoulders, drawing a groan and grateful smile from her as she laid her hand over his. "Thank you Jay."
"Anything for my girl," he answered with a smile before his features twisted with a sudden influx of sorrow, loss, pain, betrayal. "Jesus, Ali," he gasped while sinking back into his seat as he struggled to block the negative emotions.
"What?! What is it, baby?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Emmett, on his way home," he muttered while holding his head in his hands. "Hurtin' so damn much…"
"Emmett? But, why?" At that moment, her eyes went glassy and she watched as Rosalie hastily packed her things and left. "Oh god! Rosalie's leaving!" She looked at her mate who was frowning at her. "That must be why Em's hurting. She's leaving…without him."
She blinked and had just turned to look out the window when her eyes glazed over again and this vision she whimpered through.
"Ali, what is it? What else did you see?" Jasper asked, his tone urgent due to the emotions pouring off his mate.
"Oh god, it's Bella. Felix got to her, but it seems he wasn't in time." She met Jasper's pained gaze. "She's weak but changing, Jay, and they're bringing her here."
She grasped her head and shook it. "What else did I miss by dealing with all this wedding shit?! God, what a nightmare!"
"What about Edward? Can you see what's going on with him?" he coaxed and she bowed her head while concentrating.
"I see him running. He has blood all over his shirt and his eyes—fuck Jay," she whispered, "he looks unhinged, but I can't tell where he is. It's just forest." She looked up at him and he cupped her cheek as she continued. "It could be any forested area. I couldn't see any landmarks."
He nodded and brushed his lips over hers. "Try not to stress, darlin'. Let the visions happen when they will. You get the best information that way, we know this."
With a nod, she climbed into his lap and held him as the emotional storms of Emmett and then Bella descended on the house.
When they heard the entrance door downstairs close for the final time, and heard Bella's pained whimpers, Jasper placed a kiss on Alice's head and picked up his phone. "I think I should call Carlisle. I'm pretty sure he'd want to be here since the shit's hit the fan."
She nodded and got up, a sad smile curving her lips as she ran her fingers through his curls. "I'm gonna go help get Bella settled. See you in a bit."
She met a very wary Felix at the top of the stairs and they eyed each other for a beat before Alice smiled sadly. "I'll show you to the room she usually uses."
With a grateful nod, he followed as Demetri trailed behind. "Just put her on the bed," Alice said while taking fresh clothes out of the closet to change her into. She took a step toward the bed but Demetri stopped her with a hand on her arm.
"You shouldn't go any closer," he said, his tone quiet and she raised a brow as her gaze darted between the tracker and the bed.
"What's…going on?" she asked while watching the imposing Volturi guard cradle Bella against him while gently purring for her. To her shock, her changing friend snuggled up to the massive guard's body while her pained whimpers tapered off. She shot a startled look at Demetri who smirked. "Are they…?!"
His brow crept up. "You need ask?"
She blinked, then blinked again. "Well, I didn't see this coming—at all." Her shoulders drooped and she tossed the clothes in a chair before rubbing her temples. "Jesus, I really wish I could drink."
With a quiet laugh, Demetri offered his arm. "Come, I'll escort you to your mate. We'll give these two a day or two before we disturb them, si?"
"Yeah, okay," she agreed.
As the door closed quietly behind them, Demetri glanced at her. "By the way," he said while heading for the stairs. "if you mix equal parts blood and wine, you can drink," he grinned as she gaped at him, "and it's delicious."
"Well shit," she muttered. "Where the hell are my keys?"
He chuckled and they descended the stairs.
Jasper met her at the landing and with a bow, Demetri handed her over to her mate. "Why ya need your keys, Ali?"
They walked into the living room and she eyed Emmett sadly before flopping onto the sofa with Jasper. Demetri draped himself into an arm-chair and she sighed as she motioned to him. "Our resident tracker says that we can drink wine as long as it's mixed with blood."
Jasper's brows rose. "Really? Interesting."
She nodded. "Yeah, so I wanted to go get some, because frankly, I've had it with all the fuckery and getting shit-faced sounds pretty damn good."
"Hear, hear," Emmett agreed flatly.
Jasper pursed his lips and pulled out his phone. "Carlisle is on his way. I'll tell him to stop and grab a case." He looked over at Demetri. "Any particular type?"
The tracker pulled out his phone. "I have to call Aro anyway, so I'll just call Carlisle myself."
"Fair enough,"Jasper conceded with a nod while tucking his phone away.
When Demi ended his calls, he tucked his phone away and looked at Alice. "Have you, by any chance, had any useful visions of your mind-reader?"
She shook her head before leaning against Jasper. "No, just him running through the forest, his clothes bloody and looking like an absolute nutter."
Demetri nodded and pulled out a regal looking pack of cigarettes. "May I?"
Alice waved a hand. "Oh hell, why not. Just open a window first."
He stood and slid open the nearest window as Alice handed him a cut crystal dish. "Grazie," he said as she resumed her seat.
He lit the cigarette, drawing deeply from it and exhaling with a sigh before commenting, "He is still in the state, although he seems to be heading for Alaska."
Jasper leaned forward. "I'm surprised you didn't go after him."
Demi waved a hand while blowing out a plume of blue-grey smoke. "My brother needs me. When his situation is stable, I shall return to the hunt. There is nowhere on this planet he can hide from me. It's only a matter of time and travel."
"Rose helped him," Emmett muttered but they all heard him loud and clear.
Alice looked shocked, but Jasper only nodded. Emmett cocked a brow at his wife's pseudo-twin. "You don't seem surprised, Jay."
"I'm not," he stated baldly. "She's always hated Bella, and that never changed, even though she did her best to be civil these last few months. She was full of jealousy too and anytime Bella was in danger, she was filled with anticipation." He shook his head. "Nope, I'm not surprised at all that she helped Edward do what he did."
Demetri cocked a brow while knocking ash into the dish. "Why didn't you say anything?"
Jasper laughed ruefully. "She didn't exactly keep her feelings a secret. She felt the way she felt from the very beginning and was even quite vocal about it at first. She never acted on those feelings though, so I didn't see a need to say anything because it was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Same deal with Edward; he never really loved Bella as a mate should. There was love there, but it was obsessive, possessive and all wrapped up in a constant fuck-ton of bloodlust. It was damn hard to be around the two of them, let me tell ya."
Alice eyed Emmett who sat staring at a patch on the floor. "Did something happen, Em? Is that why Rose left?"
He glanced up. "Yeah. I noticed her sneaking out earlier and followed her. She made a call to Edward and I had to stand there and listen as she pretty much begged him to kill Bella. He eventually agreed, and…god, you should've seen the content smile on her face. It sickens me to think about it."
"I'm sorry Em," Alice murmured and he nodded.
"I'll survive, Alice." He smiled sadly. "Who knows? I might even be truly happy someday. Won't that be a novelty?"
"If it's any consolation, I don't believe she's your mate," Jasper said.
Emmett shrugged. "There was a time I would've argued with you on that, but now? I wouldn't doubt it. I mean, now that I look back, she spent decades treating me like shit and that's not how you and Alice are or Carlisle and Esme, and right now? It hurts, yeah, because I spent so many years loving her, but does it feel like I'll die without her? No. It doesn't. I'm sad, but at the same time…oddly relieved."
"You realize, now that I know, she will have to be brought in to stand trial with the mind-reader?" Demetri interjected.
All of the Cullens present nodded and he inclined his head. "Good, I just wanted that point to be understood."
Carlisle and Esme walked in then, carrying four cases of wine and a huge cooler full of bagged human blood. "We come bearing gifts," he said as Alice shot from the couch.
"Oh, thank god," she said while pulling out a bottle.
Jasper left and walked in moments later with a host of sparkling wine glasses and a cork-screw on a tray which he placed on the table.
Carlisle turned to Demetri. "Before we get started, was there enough blood evidence at the house to convince the humans of Bella's death?"
Demetri nodded. "Yes, I believe so. There was plenty on the floor inside as well as a trail that led into the woods, so I did a bit of damage inside to make it seem like an animal attack, scratched the door up and left it hanging by one hinge. I also obscured any footprints. There should be no questions," he said with a wave of his hand before lighting another cigarette.
Alice walked in with a carafe of animal blood from the supply they kept in the fridge. "Want to try it?" she offered Demitri who scrunched his face.
"I would prefer not," he said and Carlisle chuckled.
"Prepare our guest's from the supply in the cooler, Alice. He and Felix are why I brought it."
He settled onto the other sofa with Esme and sighed heavily. "I must apologize for Edward's actions, Demetri. I had no idea he was…so far gone, although I do admit, he hasn't been the same since his return from Volterra."
Emmett snorted and met Carlisle's gaze. "He hasn't been the same since meeting Bella."
Carlisle inclined his head. "True enough, but he didn't seem unstable until after what he pulled in Volterra."
Jasper scoffed. "Yeah, like sneaking into a room to watch a human sleep night after night isn't weird at all."
Carlisle frowned and then shook his head. "You're right. Perhaps I saw only what I wanted to see. It's something I deeply regret and will definitely learn from."
Demetri raised a brow. "He attempted to subvert our laws and Aro's direct ruling. In light of this, you realize your concern is entirely too late?"
Esme clutched Carlisle's arm and ducked her head against his shoulder as he patted her hand and nodded. "Yes, I realize."
"Good, because I would hate to see your entire coven suffer because of what two of your number have done."
Carlisle's gaze darted to Emmett. "Yes," he murmured. "Rose. I was shocked to hear of her part in this mess. Emmett, son, I'm very sorry."
Emmett smiled sadly. "No sweat, Pops. I'm a big boy. I'll get over it…eventually."
"So, it's true? She's gone?" Esme asked and Emmett nodded.
Demetri stubbed out his cigarette and muttered, "For now. I will catch up with her as well as the mind-reader, rest assured."
Esme frowned at him. "That's hardly reassuring to me."
"Esme," Carlisle said in a warning tone. "What she and Edward did was wrong and something they must answer for. It's out of our hands now. We mustn't interfere."
She looked down and nodded. "It's just so hard. We've all been together for so long. I know they're in the wrong, but I can't just stop loving them overnight because of it." She looked up at Demetri who watched her carefully. "My apologies though, Demetri, for being sharp with you."
He inclined his head. "Accepted." He pocketed his smokes and motioned to the cooler. "I would deliver some blood to Felix now. It's been a while since he's fed. I'm sure he needs it."
Alice hopped up and went to the cooler. "I'll help you prepare it. I'm sure he'd prefer it warm," she said as she grabbed two bags.
Demetri smiled. "That would be appreciated. Thank you."
"This way," she said as she led him to the kitchen.
~o0o~
Felix stared out at the waning light of day as his fingers absently carded through the girl's mahogany hued hair. It felt like silk slipping over his fingers and he was finding he enjoyed the sensation tremendously.
He glanced down where she was curled against him, a small crease in his brow as he studied her. Could she really be his mate, this small slip of a girl—young woman?
He spent a few moments studying her features—her pouty lips and full, dark lashes. What of her eyes? he wondered. He'd gotten the barest glimpse of her human eyes and could recall them being brown, but that would be lost to the burn of the venom, turning them the notorious bright red of a newborn soon enough. He found he both regretted and anticipated that eventuality in equal measure.
His gaze then traveled to her neck, taking in how the cut was healed completely. It would not scar, he knew, while the mark from his bite would be there for all eternity. At just the thought of that, his purr increased in volume and he nearly rolled his eyes in exasperation. In all his many years, he'd never made such a sound, and it was a bit disconcerting to deal with now, especially when he knew Demi was only going to give him hell over it at every opportunity—the ass.
The girl seemed to like it though, and she snuggled closer still, rubbing her cheek against the wide expanse of his chest and just like that, a smile curved his lips as his thumb brushed over the delicate apple of her cheek. If that was the response he got for making such an unmanly noise—he decided there and then—Demi could just kiss his ass. "You enjoy such an undignified noise, dolcezza?" he murmured while placing a kiss on her head. "Then I will make it for you, bella regazza, whenever you want and wherever you want."
Her hand tightened its hold on his shirt and she released a little sigh drawing a fond chuckle from him.
A light knock sounded on the door, drawing a growl from him before he could stifle it. Bella whimpered and he nuzzled the still-warm skin of her neck, instantly soothing her, before calling in a low tone, "Enter."
The door opened cautiously and Demetri slipped in carrying a small serving tray bearing a carafe and glass. "I thought you may be thirsty. Dr. Cullen was kind enough to obtain some donated human blood and Alice warmed it," he murmured while setting the tray on the night-stand.
"That would be most welcome," he said while gently moving Bella to lie at his side. As soon as he'd lost contact with her however, she began to whimper and then cry out, so he pulled her close again while cutting an apologetic glance at his best friend.
Demetri's brows rose as a smile curved his lips. "I guess I'll pour, then?"
Felix narrowed his eyes. "If it's not too much trouble, that would be fantastic, yes."
"I live to serve," he muttered through a smirk as he filled the glass. He handed it over and took a seat in a nearby armchair.
Felix drained the glass quickly and set it to the side. "Have you spoken to Aro?"
"I have. He was not pleased, however he understood our situation and is grateful you saved the girl."
Felix's lip curled but he managed to stifle a growl. Demetri smirked. "I have also explained your unanticipated connection with the girl."
"And?"
Demetri flipped a hand. "He is delighted."
Felix glanced out the window, a small frown creasing his brow.
"What troubles you?" Demetri questioned.
He looked back at his best friend. "I only hope the girl's reaction is favorable."
Demetri arched a brow. "I don't believe you need worry." He gestured toward the girl whose hand was fisted tightly in Felix's shirt. "Even in the throes of her change, she clings to you."
"She seeks comfort from her burning, that is all," Felix dismissed.
Demetri smirked. "We shall see, but I believe I'm right." He rose, refilling Felix's glass and handing it to him before resuming his seat.
Felix drained the second glass and set it aside. "Why aren't you after the mind-reader? You're wasting time here."
"I hardly consider supporting my brother and his changing mate a waste of time," he dismissed. "Besides, no matter the distance he gains, he will not escape me, you know this."
Felix grunted and shifted the girl to lie more comfortably against him. "And Aro? What does he have to say about it?"
"He fully agrees with me and has agreed to wait. He is, however, asking that we return home at the soonest opportunity upon her waking."
Felix frowned. "That might prove difficult with a newborn."
Demetri inclined his head. "It may. We'll just have to wait and see what she's like."
At yet another light knock, Felix growled and gathered the girl to him as Demetri flashed to the door to answer. He opened it to see Alice and Esme, both with slight smiles in place. "We came to see if it's all right to get Bella cleaned up and dressed in fresh clothes. She shouldn't be left to wake with dried blood all over her."
Demetri arched a brow and looked back at Felix who released a resigned sigh while nodding. "Come, prepare a bath. When it's ready, I'll carry her in."
They entered and thanked him before disappearing into the attached bath as Demetri resumed his seat. Minutes later, Alice poked her head out. "We're ready for her."
Leaning down, Felix whispered in Bella's ear, "Dolcezza, Alice and Esme Cullen are going to bathe and dress you, but I shall be here when you are done, si?" He placed a kiss on her head and scooped her up.
Striding to the bath, he beat back his instincts and handed her still form to the Cullen matriarch, but as soon as she took her, Bella began whimpering, then screaming as her body began to thrash. Esme's eyes went wide as she clutched the distressed girl. "Oh my! Bella! Bella, sweetheart, it's me, Esme. Honey, we're going to bathe you and then we'll take you right back to Felix."
Together, she and Alice began to undress her, but her screams and struggles continued while Felix paced outside the door.
Demetri watched his brother with interest. This was a side of him he'd never seen in all his centuries of knowing him. Felix was never agitated, and rarely lost his cool, even in the heat of battle, but this little slip of a girl had his brother pacing and growling like a caged lion. He smirked. "You know," he drawled, no longer able to resist commenting, "this pacing gains you nothing."
He laughed as Felix sneered at him, but a particularly piercing scream caught the massive guard's attention completely and he rushed into the bathroom.
The girl was in the tub, her thrashing body sending water everywhere as the two females struggled to bathe the dried blood from her hair and shoulder. "Felix!" Esme shrieked as he hit his knees at the side of the massive tub, his hands reaching to touch and soothe the girl.
"Shh, bella regazza, I am here. I will not leave you. Shh," he soothed, one hand supporting her in the water while the other carded her hair, as Alice poured water to rinse shampoo from the heavy strands.
Esme finished bathing the blood from her skin and held a towel as he lifted her from the water. Alice quickly wrapped Bella's hair in another towel and held her briefly as Felix slipped from his saturated overcoat, letting it land with a wet splat on the floor. "Thank you," he murmured as he gathered Bella back against his chest.
"Take her to the bed and I'll help you dress her," Alice said as Esme began to clean up the mess.
With a nod, Felix stepped from the bathroom but froze at the sight of Demetri. In any other situation, his presence wouldn't have bothered him in the least, but now? He was just another male in the presence of his vulnerable, unclothed and unclaimed mate. Despite his better reasoning, an instinctive growl clawed its way out of his chest as his eyes went flat black.
Alice smirked at the shocked looking tracker. "You may want to leave for a bit, until they're both…settled."
At the sight of his brother, Demetri was in no mood to argue and rose slowly from his seat, both hands raised as he inched his way backwards toward the door. "I'm leaving, brother. I'll see you…later."
A feral snarl was Felix's only answer and he wasted no time gaining the relative safety of the hallway.
"Jesus," Demetri whispered before smirking. "I almost pity the mind-reader." His smirk stretched into a malicious grin. "Almost…"
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.