When Angels Cry
by wizardtho
Chapter 10: Waiting
Over the next couple of hours, Esme and Rose dutifully followed Alice’s instruction as they altered as many of my tops as they could. Meanwhile, Emmett, Jasper, and Carlisle seemed to be going through a bunch of scenarios and how to prepare for them with Dad. My Edward was by my side the entire time, while I was able to calmly sit and talk with Kate, now that my mate was claimed so thoroughly. It was nice to finally get to know her, after hearing of the Denali clan all this time.
Now, whether the pattern held when I was confronted with the succubus sisters was another story, entirely. I only hoped that if they did come onto him, I would have the patience not to rip their hair out of their heads while dragging them away from my Edward.
Time slipped by, and before I knew it, Kate was pulling her phone from her pocket while offering as she looked at the screen, “I don’t mean to cut this conversation short, but Carmen says they are 5 minutes out. She wanted me to warn you since we are on high alert.”
I nodded, thanking her silently, then let out a breath as I looked at my Edward. “That means we have, what… an hour or so before we need to leave for the airport?”
He didn’t even look at his watch before replying, “Just over an hour, yes. Everything will be fine, Love. You’ll see.”
I kissed his neck lightly, then got up to look out the back windows. A sigh left my lips as my arms folded over my ribs. Even though I was expecting it, the sound of the doorbell still made me jump slightly when it rang. My eyes instantly sought my Edward’s, who was coming to me as Jasper went to answer the door.
Edward gently wrapped his arms around me as the door opened, and my nerve endings all tingled as Jasper allowed not only 4 strangers access to my home, but someone I thought I’d never see again.
My mouth spoke before my brain could kick in, “Laurant. I have to say, I didn’t expect to ever cross your path again. As you arrived with trusted friends, if you tell me your intentions are pure, I will believe you… but you will look me in the eyes to do so.”
Though I heard Esme gasp slightly, Laurant did take a single step into the great room, a platinum blonde on his arm, then his amber eyes met my brown ones, “Bella Swan. I also did not expect us to cross paths again when I left Forks the last time. I took Carlisle’s suggestion of seeking out the Denali coven, curious about being able to feed from animals. In doing so, I also found my mate in Irina.”
He paused to smile down at the platinum blonde, then continued as his eyes again met mine, “So yes. My intentions are pure. I just want to live out my eternity peacefully with my mate.”
I couldn’t help but let out a pitiful chuckle, “In case you haven’t heard, Laurant, I’m pretty much #1 on the Volturi’s top ten most wanted list, just for being me. Going with me won’t get you that peaceful life with Irina anytime soon. Shit’s about to get crazy, and it might be that way for a good while before things finally settle down. The two of you can back out right now, and I would wish you nothing but the very best of eternity.”
Irina looked up at Laurant, who immediately patted her hand on his arm, “Thank you for the thought, but the only true path to our peace is by helping you and Edward, Bella.”
I let out a breath, nodding seriously to both Laurant and Irina, “Alright, then. Jasper is heading up security until we reach our destination, so you might want to speak to him before we leave. Irina, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
She chuckled and stuck her hand out, so I shook it politely. “Bella, it is nice to finally meet you, even if the circumstances aren’t the best.” Her hand then went to Edward’s, which she gently squeezed as she offered, “Congratulations on your mating, cousin.”
Once Irina and Laurant stepped further into the room, Tanya looked between the two of us. Though I felt like wrapping my arms tighter around Edward, I stood my ground, and was surprised when Tanya pulled me into a hug. She released me and took both my hands, saying, “Welcome to the family, Bella. When you get a chance, I’d really like to sit down with you… get to know my newest cousin.”
I could only nod as I replied, “Thank you, Tanya. Of course, I’d like that.”
She gently squeezed both my hands, let them go, then patted Edward’s shoulder before joining Irina and Laurant near my dad and Jasper.
My eyes landed on the final two, and their entire demeanor put me at ease instantly. I smiled, then hugged Edward to me as I said happily, “Eleazar, Carmen. It’s so good to finally meet you. I’m sorry it had to happen under these circumstances.”
Eleazar tilted his head the slightest bit, his smile widened, and I could feel the whole room still as Eleazar continued his assessment. It must have been a full minute of complete silence in the house before he finally offered, “You are hiding much from the world, Isabella Swan. Yes… I see your true strength, your true form. It’s glorious.”
I ducked my head into Edward’s chest as I blushed wildly, but Eleazar touched my shoulder in apology, “Forgive me, Dear. Sometimes my gift is difficult to ignore.”
I shook my head, “It’s fine. Honestly. Everything is still so new, and I haven’t really had time to adjust or learn much. I’m really hoping between you, Carlisle, my dad, and our hosts at our new destination, I’ll be able to learn enough to defend myself.”
Though we talked for a bit, all too soon it was time to leave. I started to panic as I rushed toward the bedroom, thinking my most precious pieces were going to be left, but Alice stopped me with a knowing smile. “I have it packed already, Bella.” I shook my head and made to go around her, but she hugged me while saying, “And them… and that, too. I know how special they are to you. I wouldn’t leave them behind.”
I looked into her eyes, looking for any sign that we weren’t on the same page, but she promised me in a breath against my ear, “Dress… earrings… locket. All safely packed to make the journey with us.”
With a nod as we separated, I let out a breath, “Okay. We can go now.”
We split up into 3 SUVs. Carlisle, Esme, Rose, Emmett, and Dad were in the back. Jasper, Alice, Edward, me, and Kate were in the middle one. Then Carmen, Eleazar, Laurant, Irina, and Tanya were in the front. Jasper had planned our route to be using mostly back roads, and set it up so that our vehicles were playing leapfrog at certain points. I didn’t understand why until we got outside. All 3 SUVs were practically identical, and they were trying to keep a would-be attacker confused as to which vehicle I would be in. It was a good plan.
As all 3 vehicle engines started, I watched Dad get into his SUV between Rose and Emmett. I said a little prayer under my breath as I got into mine between Kate and Edward, “Please keep them all safe.”
Edward followed behind me, and soon we were off down the drive. I took one last look at the house before we were out of sight. My voice was a whisper, but my Edward held me a little closer as the words came out, “Goodbye, Forks.”
Over the next couple of hours, Esme and Rose dutifully followed Alice’s instruction as they altered as many of my tops as they could. Meanwhile, Emmett, Jasper, and Carlisle seemed to be going through a bunch of scenarios and how to prepare for them with Dad. My Edward was by my side the entire time, while I was able to calmly sit and talk with Kate, now that my mate was claimed so thoroughly. It was nice to finally get to know her, after hearing of the Denali clan all this time.
Now, whether the pattern held when I was confronted with the succubus sisters was another story, entirely. I only hoped that if they did come onto him, I would have the patience not to rip their hair out of their heads while dragging them away from my Edward.
Time slipped by, and before I knew it, Kate was pulling her phone from her pocket while offering as she looked at the screen, “I don’t mean to cut this conversation short, but Carmen says they are 5 minutes out. She wanted me to warn you since we are on high alert.”
I nodded, thanking her silently, then let out a breath as I looked at my Edward. “That means we have, what… an hour or so before we need to leave for the airport?”
He didn’t even look at his watch before replying, “Just over an hour, yes. Everything will be fine, Love. You’ll see.”
I kissed his neck lightly, then got up to look out the back windows. A sigh left my lips as my arms folded over my ribs. Even though I was expecting it, the sound of the doorbell still made me jump slightly when it rang. My eyes instantly sought my Edward’s, who was coming to me as Jasper went to answer the door.
Edward gently wrapped his arms around me as the door opened, and my nerve endings all tingled as Jasper allowed not only 4 strangers access to my home, but someone I thought I’d never see again.
My mouth spoke before my brain could kick in, “Laurant. I have to say, I didn’t expect to ever cross your path again. As you arrived with trusted friends, if you tell me your intentions are pure, I will believe you… but you will look me in the eyes to do so.”
Though I heard Esme gasp slightly, Laurant did take a single step into the great room, a platinum blonde on his arm, then his amber eyes met my brown ones, “Bella Swan. I also did not expect us to cross paths again when I left Forks the last time. I took Carlisle’s suggestion of seeking out the Denali coven, curious about being able to feed from animals. In doing so, I also found my mate in Irina.”
He paused to smile down at the platinum blonde, then continued as his eyes again met mine, “So yes. My intentions are pure. I just want to live out my eternity peacefully with my mate.”
I couldn’t help but let out a pitiful chuckle, “In case you haven’t heard, Laurant, I’m pretty much #1 on the Volturi’s top ten most wanted list, just for being me. Going with me won’t get you that peaceful life with Irina anytime soon. Shit’s about to get crazy, and it might be that way for a good while before things finally settle down. The two of you can back out right now, and I would wish you nothing but the very best of eternity.”
Irina looked up at Laurant, who immediately patted her hand on his arm, “Thank you for the thought, but the only true path to our peace is by helping you and Edward, Bella.”
I let out a breath, nodding seriously to both Laurant and Irina, “Alright, then. Jasper is heading up security until we reach our destination, so you might want to speak to him before we leave. Irina, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
She chuckled and stuck her hand out, so I shook it politely. “Bella, it is nice to finally meet you, even if the circumstances aren’t the best.” Her hand then went to Edward’s, which she gently squeezed as she offered, “Congratulations on your mating, cousin.”
Once Irina and Laurant stepped further into the room, Tanya looked between the two of us. Though I felt like wrapping my arms tighter around Edward, I stood my ground, and was surprised when Tanya pulled me into a hug. She released me and took both my hands, saying, “Welcome to the family, Bella. When you get a chance, I’d really like to sit down with you… get to know my newest cousin.”
I could only nod as I replied, “Thank you, Tanya. Of course, I’d like that.”
She gently squeezed both my hands, let them go, then patted Edward’s shoulder before joining Irina and Laurant near my dad and Jasper.
My eyes landed on the final two, and their entire demeanor put me at ease instantly. I smiled, then hugged Edward to me as I said happily, “Eleazar, Carmen. It’s so good to finally meet you. I’m sorry it had to happen under these circumstances.”
Eleazar tilted his head the slightest bit, his smile widened, and I could feel the whole room still as Eleazar continued his assessment. It must have been a full minute of complete silence in the house before he finally offered, “You are hiding much from the world, Isabella Swan. Yes… I see your true strength, your true form. It’s glorious.”
I ducked my head into Edward’s chest as I blushed wildly, but Eleazar touched my shoulder in apology, “Forgive me, Dear. Sometimes my gift is difficult to ignore.”
I shook my head, “It’s fine. Honestly. Everything is still so new, and I haven’t really had time to adjust or learn much. I’m really hoping between you, Carlisle, my dad, and our hosts at our new destination, I’ll be able to learn enough to defend myself.”
Though we talked for a bit, all too soon it was time to leave. I started to panic as I rushed toward the bedroom, thinking my most precious pieces were going to be left, but Alice stopped me with a knowing smile. “I have it packed already, Bella.” I shook my head and made to go around her, but she hugged me while saying, “And them… and that, too. I know how special they are to you. I wouldn’t leave them behind.”
I looked into her eyes, looking for any sign that we weren’t on the same page, but she promised me in a breath against my ear, “Dress… earrings… locket. All safely packed to make the journey with us.”
With a nod as we separated, I let out a breath, “Okay. We can go now.”
We split up into 3 SUVs. Carlisle, Esme, Rose, Emmett, and Dad were in the back. Jasper, Alice, Edward, me, and Kate were in the middle one. Then Carmen, Eleazar, Laurant, Irina, and Tanya were in the front. Jasper had planned our route to be using mostly back roads, and set it up so that our vehicles were playing leapfrog at certain points. I didn’t understand why until we got outside. All 3 SUVs were practically identical, and they were trying to keep a would-be attacker confused as to which vehicle I would be in. It was a good plan.
As all 3 vehicle engines started, I watched Dad get into his SUV between Rose and Emmett. I said a little prayer under my breath as I got into mine between Kate and Edward, “Please keep them all safe.”
Edward followed behind me, and soon we were off down the drive. I took one last look at the house before we were out of sight. My voice was a whisper, but my Edward held me a little closer as the words came out, “Goodbye, Forks.”