Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Atonement

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 07:

BPOV

Fucker had a sword. Shit. Sword just caught on fire. A flaming sword. My sword doesn’t catch on fire. Why the hell doesn’t my sword catch on fire?

Wings? The son of a bitch has wings. He can fly. Neglected to mention that Garrett. Would have been good to know.

“Sure you don’t want to run little vampire?”

“Yep.”

“Last chance.” He smiled. Sort of. The whole demon face thing made it hard to tell.

“No. I’m good.”

“So be it.”

Oh shit, he charged me.

He was like a damn flaming avalanche. I saw his sword come crashing down. I threw mine up and met him. I blocked his strike and fell on my ass from the blow. He swung again and I rolled out of the way to the side, his sword barely missing my head. Damn it was hot. I was able to see the priest though. I moved in front of him quickly.

“Stay back Father!”

“No problem. I was wondering, where is Garrett?” He didn’t sound confident.

“Uh… looking for this guy?”

“Who are you?”

“Bella Swan.” The demon roared and charged again. I grabbed Father Francis with one arm and dodged to the side, running to the other side of the Church.

“Let him be and leave. You are too beautiful to burn. But I will if I must.” Ugly offered.

“Are you kidding? I’m pretty sure I’m winning.” I told him with false bravado.

He swung at my head and I ducked. I swung at his mid section and he jumped back. He stepped forward and before I could get my guard up I felt the blow to my head. I crashed through wooden pews and looked up from my back. He was coming. Slowly. Toying with me.

I lay there until he stood over me.

And kicked him in his balls. He doubled over and I hit him in his jaw. Grabbing my sword from the ground. I jumped around his body and jumped on his back. My plan was to cut off his head from behind with my sword. It was a good plan. Until he grabbed my hair and tossed me over his head into a wall.

I looked up and saw Father Francis kneeling next to me.

“I was wondering, have you fought many demons?” he asked.

“Uh he’s actually my first.” Maybe my last if I didn’t get it together.

“Oh. Okay. You have probably trained for this though, right?”

“Sure.” He looked relieved. “I trained for like 24 hours last week on only demons.”

“Well we have that going for us.” He murmured.

The demon roared and came at me again.

“Run!” I yelled at the priest.

I swung my sword and hit air. He hovered above me.

I jumped towards him and his fist hit my face.

I could feel the burn on my face where he struck me. Damn. That hurt. My face was healing. I could feel the venom repairing me. But he hurt me.

“Demon!” I heard Father Francis yell. We both turned towards him.

Father Francis threw something at the demon’s face. A glass vial. It broke and the demon yelled. I looked at the Priest in confusion.

“Holy water.” He offered as an explanation.

“You’re just now telling me this? Get more!”

“I don’t exactly keep it on me in bulk.” He said shrugging his shoulders. Still it was the distraction I needed. While the demon wiped his burning face I ran and drove my sword through his stomach. I suppose he expected me to go for his head. I brought the sword up through his stomach before his hand caught it. He swung his body with my sword lodged in it and tossed me aside. I hit the ground but was up in time to see him pulling my sword out of his body.

He snapped my sword. Damn it. It was my first sword.

He roared and ran at me, flaming sword above his head. I remember this. Ty showed me.

“Father move!”

His sword came down. I grabbed his wrists, twisted out of the way to the left and pulled. His grip broke and his sword was in my hand. I continued twisting, letting my left hand arc the sword towards him. I felt a slight resistance then the sword was free. I turned to see him standing. He was shaking.

Then his head fell off. I realized my hand felt very hot. I looked down and saw the burning sword was still in my hand. I dropped it and it hit the ground the same time his body did.

“You may want to step away.” Father Francis said quietly. I was confused until the demon’s body blew up into a cloud of sulfur and ash, leaving me covered in it.

“Because that happens sometimes.” The good Father finished.

“Thanks for the warning.” As I spoke ash sputtered from my mouth.

“You okay?” I asked him.

“Yep. Great. You did wonderful. I never doubted you for a second.” He smiled.

“I thought Priests couldn’t lie?”

“Oh no we certainly can. You want honesty? I was a bit concerned when I saw you get knocked down while blocking one swing of his sword. Then when he hit you and threw you thirty feet or so. Then when he grabbed your hair I thought you were done for. And then…”

“I get it Father.” I threw my hands up.

“But you did it. You saved me. You sent a demon back to hell. So thank you. I will never doubt you again.”

---

“Uh… thanks? And thanks for the Holy Water grenade. That helped.”

“Anytime. I shall have to begin keeping it in bulk. Perhaps water balloons?” he suggested, making me laugh.

“So you are Bella?”

“Yes. Bella Swan. I would shake your hand but my grip control isn’t exactly where it needs to be and I’m a little jacked up right now.”

“You are a new vampire?” he asked. He didn’t seem scared.

“Yeah.” I also noticed that his smell didn’t bother me as much. Maybe I was becoming accustomed to the smell of humans. I mean I smelt it in my room all the time.

“How long?”

“Little over a year.”

“Wow. And you are working with Garrett? How did you meet him?”

“Long story.” I mumbled.

“I have time.”

I didn’t want to tell him this story. He had a favorable opinion of me right now.

“Well… okay.” It would be good to talk to someone who I didn’t live with.

An hour later I was still in a pew that wasn’t knocked over finishing the story of my life to a Priest I had barely met.

“Impressive. You came to turn yourself in to help humans. Then Garrett finds you and gives you an opportunity to help humans. Sounds to me like the Lord is guiding your life Bella. Keep following his path and you will do well.”

“I’m not religious Father.”

“No one said you had to be. God has a plan for you anyway.”

“Did God plan for me to kill those people?” I asked somewhat sarcastically.

“Most likely. People are killed by predators, vampires and otherwise. It happens. I am sorry it happened to be you who was the predator but we all have a time to go. Is it tragic? Yes. But if you hadn’t gone through what you did, you never would have wanted to turn yourself in, so to speak. You never would have met Garrett and you wouldn’t have been here while he was out on a blind goose chase. I would be dead. Apparently it wasn’t my time. Because you decided you had enough of the life you had and wanted it to end, I am now alive. Don’t you see Bella? We are all part of a greater plan. God does not force people to do his bidding nor does the devil. We have free will. That doesn’t mean God doesn’t put the people in places where they have the opportunity to do his will. It is up to the person to decide their actions. You have decided to help Garrett protect others. I for one am very glad.”

“I’m glad I was here too Father. I mean not while I was getting my ass kicked but I am glad I could save you. Next time you should really run.” I pointed out.

“It wouldn’t have done me much good. Demons hardly ever come alone. I’m surprised this one did.”

Oh… wait…

“What do you mean they hardly ever come alone?” I whispered.

“Just that they usually have familiars with them or lesser demons. No big…”

We both heard the creek of the church doors as they opened but saw no one walk in. I looked out in the aisle and saw them.

Dogs. Black dogs. Big black dogs.

“Oh dear.” Father Francis whispered.

“What? Why are we oh dearing? They’re dogs.” Ugly dogs but I could handle dogs.

“Do you have that sword from the demon?”

“No. It melted.”

I heard growling. I looked back at the dogs and saw they were getting bigger. Within seconds they were solid black five foot tall dogs with large fanged teeth set in very large mouths.

“Hellhounds.” Father Francis whispered.

I stepped out in the aisle.

“Run.” I whispered.

“No.”

“Yes!” Men.

The dogs began running towards me. I braced myself for impact. I had to knock them both down. I didn’t hear Father Francis running. Instead he was praying. Great. Can’t you do that while running?

They were nearly on me. They seemed bigger up close. A few more steps…

Garrett flew on one dog’s back and Ty flew on the other from nowhere. The dogs flattened on the floor and both of my guys buried swords into their brains. A couple slices and the heads were off. Ty and Garrett jumped off. This time I backed up before I could be covered in a cloud of soot.

I found myself in Garrett’s arms so fast I nearly lost the breath I had.

“Bella, tell me you are okay.” He sounded so worried. I was flattened against him and his head was buried in my hair. Damn he smelled so good.

“I’m good. I’m okay.”

“You’re scratched.” He said finally stepping back to look at me.

“It’s better.”

“The demon?” he asked, already nodding.

“Yeah. He was here when I got here.”

“Why didn’t you call me Bella?” he looked so sad. I tried… oh yeah.

“Yeah about that. I need a new phone. I got a little excited in my hurry to call you.” He at least smiled. Then he turned to Father Francis.

“You couldn’t have called me while she was fighting?”

“She had it. I have a feeling she needed that.” He smiled at Garrett.

“Hey Ty? That move you showed me worked. Cut his head off with his own sword.” I winked.

“Look at you shortie. Goin all Conan on his ass. Good job.” Ty said smiling. He looked a little jacked up though. I don’t know why. I was the one who was fighting.

“You okay Ty?”

He nodded then looked away. “Thought we may have lost you Bella. Fightin a demon on your own ain’t no way to get experience.” He said quietly.

“How did you guys know he was here?”

“I tried to call you. You didn’t answer. I panicked.” Garrett answered.

“That’s too bad. I was about to kick those puppies back to Hell.” I told him dishonestly. I had no idea what I was going to do.

GPOV

Bravado. I saw the look on her face when those demon mutts were coming at her. A bit of fear and a whole lot of determination. She was not letting those dogs by.

I was very frightened when I saw her in that situation. I should have checked the Church. Ty was right. That was no way to break her in.

Still she survived. Father Francis was probably right. She needed that.

“A word Garrett?” Francis asked. I nodded and then looked at Ty. He saw my look and understood. He wouldn’t leave her side. He was as shook up as I was.

I followed the Father back to his office while Bella gave Ty a play by play of her fight.

“Have a seat old friend. I have an important question to ask you.”

I sat down and looked at Father Francis behind his desk.

“Yes?”

“Have you lost your damn mind? I wouldn’t have asked for your help if I knew you were sending an inexperienced girl to help me!”

He seemed upset.

“You’re alive, aren’t you?”

“She could have been torn to pieces! One week Garrett? One week? 24 hours of training to fight demons? Have you lost your damn mind?”

“You’re alive aren’t you?!” So he was starting to annoy me.

“Yes. Great job finding the demon. Thankfully she is very resourceful. For a moment I was concerned though.”

“You know I am a vampire. You should watch how you talk to me.”

“I work for God. I win. Now tell me about her.”

So I did. She had already told him her life story. I told him my impressions.

“Strong, large heart, good soul stained by death. Beautiful, caring, sensitive, ready to die for others.”

“So you have already fallen in love with her?”

“I have not!” I countered. This guy was worse than an old lady in a sewing circle.

“Like hell. I’ve known you for twenty years Garrett. You have been a good friend and you are a good man. I recognize the face of a man who was worried the woman he was in love with could be injured. That was your face when you grabbed her and held her like a lifeline.”

“She is young. She is in an emotionally difficult time. I am trying to help her.”

Francis shut up at least. For a moment.

“Queen to Queen’s Knight 6.” He said.

Interesting.

“Bishop to King’s Rook 4.” The two of us have been playing chess without a board for ten years. We have managed to complete 22 games. I won eleven. So far.

“So she will be seeing her parents?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

“Good. What about closure?”

“She doesn’t need closure. Are you getting deaf in your old age? She will continue to talk to and see them.”

“That wasn’t the closure I was speaking of. And I’m not old. You’re old. I’m in my prime.”

I had thought of this. But I wouldn’t push the issue.

“She hasn’t mentioned anything about them. I offered her the chance to go to them and she turned it down. Why would I bring it up?”

“The family still searches?”

“Not that it’s any of your business but yes.”

“What happens when they run into her one day?” Francis asked.

“What about it?” I asked defensively.

“You were adamant that she needed to speak to her parents but do not care if she ever has closure with the family that dragged her into this world?”

“You’re right. I don’t care.”

“Jealous?” He grinned.

“Nope.” I countered.

“Liar.”

“I hope you realize this is the last time I ever send a bodyguard to protect you.” I told him with all sincerity.

“I hope it’s the last time I need you too.”

“So what did the demon want with you?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.

“In due time. She needs to get closure.”

“What did the demon want with you?” I asked again.

“I imagine to kill me and take my place. I am scheduled to hear the Governor’s confession this Saturday.”

“That could take a while.” I pointed out.

“Sensitive information. Gather the information and take the Governors spot.”

“Why?” I asked more to myself.

“He wanted to be Governor?” Francis offered.

“Bullshit. Governor? What would a demon care about being a politician? If he wants to be in the Governor’s mansion it was because he needed control of something. He was sent here. Demons don’t plan. Not often. They are more trouble makers. Destruction for the sake of destruction. This was a planned attack.”

Francis shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m sure you will figure it out. You are a bright guy. By the way, Kings bishop to Queen’s Knight 8. King’s bishop takes Kings Knight.”

“I didn’t need that piece anyway. I have to go. We never did gather enough intelligence and I want to show the city to Bella. So unless you need your ass saved again?”

“I will pray if I do.” Francis smiled.

“Excellent. You may want to call me as well. See you later Father.”

“God go with you, friend.”

BPOV

“I can’t believe you have never been to New York City Bella! That’s crazy.”

“It’s really not Ty. A lot of people have never been to New York.” I told him.

“Not my people. You’re my people now and we got to educate you. Where we heading first Gar?”

Garrett was staring at his smart phone screen. He told me he could get the satellite feed from home on his screen. He was looking for vampires in the city. Not to kill, he said, but to gather information.

“No one important seems to be around. At least no one I want to talk to. The choice is yours Ty. Lead the way.”

“Oh hell yeah.”

“Just please no people Ty.” I begged. The smells were starting to drive me crazy and I was outside.

“Nah. I’ll stay by your side. You ain’t gonna hurt nobody. We got this. But this is NYC. There are gonna be people.”

“I have an idea of where we could go first. The same place I took you the first time you came here. Remember Ty?” Garrett asked. Ty’s face became solemn.

“Yeah. Let’s do that. Then we have some fun. Alright?”

Where the hell were they taking me now? Garrett hailed a cab and forty five minutes of traffic later we stopped. I saw Wall Street. I saw… two large beams of blue light shooting straight up into the sky. It was beautiful.

This must be…

“Is this?”

“Yes.” Garrett answered. “The place where 2751 people died. This is Ground Zero. This is why we do what we do Bella. We fight demons and vampires and other creatures of the supernatural world to protect humans. But we are always involved in foreign affairs. Even affairs of humans. We do what we do to keep this from ever happening here again.”

Nothing else was said. I stood there looking at the construction going on to build the memorial. No one was working as it was night. I could picture it though. The sites where the buildings stood were marked by the blue lights brightening the sky.

I don’t know how long I stood there. I remembered though. I was only 6 when the towers were struck. I remember my Mom crying. I watched the footage and even at 6 years old I understood. I remember seeing people jumping from the buildings to escape fire. I remember Mom screaming when the second plane hit the tower live on television. I remember seeing the towers fall. I asked my Mom what happened to the people who went inside. I saw a lot of firemen and police officers running towards the buildings. I had assumed they must have gotten out until my mother wouldn’t answer me.

I watched with her all day. It never occurred to her that maybe I shouldn’t be watching. I remembered the Pentagon being hit. But there was not much coverage. I would have to ask Garrett where it happened when we returned. The report of the plane crashing in the field shook my Mom up as well.

Seeing it in person, the final resting place of many bodies that had burned and simply never been recovered brought everything home to me. After an unknown amount of time Garrett finally spoke. When I looked at him his eyes had venom pooling in them.

“Do you see Bella? Do you see why?”

I nodded.

“It’s not about me, you, or Ty. It’s not about our past and what we may have done. This is what we have dedicated our lives to Bella. Freedom. Many have died because others hate our freedom. We as a Country have had to fight for our freedom since the Declaration of Independence was signed. We have had to fight for the freedom of others. Men and women have given their lives to defend this country. These men and women died because our freedom was hated by evil men. The fire fighters and police who died here had dedicated their lives to protecting others. They raced into certain death on the hope that if they could save even one person they would trade their lives for that one person.

This is what we do Bella. We protect those who cannot protect themselves. We protect our country. We protect the people in it and we help those who wish to have the same freedoms as we do. You are a part of this now. Do you understand?”

I had venom in my eyes now.

“Yes. I understand.” I whispered.

“It’s time to let the past go Bella.”

“Yes. It is.” I agreed. I realized I meant it. I would never forget the lives I took. But I would dedicate my life to making sure more life was not lost if I could stop it. It was time for me to move forward. To live. Not just for the next mission. To really live.

“Good. Ty, where would you like to go?” Garrett asked.

“Actually could I have a few more moments alone? Here? Please?” I asked.

“Of course Bella.” Garrett smiled.

They left me alone. I got on two knees and prayed. I had never really prayed before. But I talked to God. I asked for forgiveness and strength. I asked for the rest of the souls of those whose lives I ended. I made peace with my actions. I made peace with myself. It was time. Time I stopped wallowing in the past. I had been given gifts. First to be found by wonderful men who cared for me. The second was that I could still have my parents. Not many vampires, if any get this opportunity. I would not waste it. Third I had been given a purpose, not just an existence. Had things worked out differently I may have spent my life going to high school over and over again. I was not meant for that. I was meant for more. For that I was very grateful.

It was time to move on and embrace the future. I would always look back. Always remember those who died but as a warning to me. A reminder to keep the monster inside me under control. I could not say I would never kill again. I knew I would kill to protect this country, to protect others. I understood I probably would have to. But I would never drink from another human. Even an enemy.

It was also time to say goodbye. Goodbye to what could have been. They had been looking for me. They shouldn’t be. I needed to let them know I was okay and it was time for them to stop.

I walked off from Ground Zero a changed person. No longer would I feel sorry for myself. No longer would I try to search for death. I would search for life and wherever I could save it.

I found Garrett on a nearby rooftop.

“Where is Ty?” I asked.

Garrett nodded back to Ground Zero.

“He needed a little time alone as well.”

I nodded.

“Garrett?”

“Yes Bella?”

“They are still searching, aren’t they?”

He didn’t ask who they were. He knew.

“Yes.” He whispered.

“I won’t ever join them. I am yours now. Yours and Ty’s. I mean… you know what I mean. I want to save lives. I am a part of this and nothing will change that. But… I need to say goodbye.”

Garrett nodded. He understood. I knew he would.

“When?” he whispered without looking at me.

“Sooner the better I suppose. I’m sure we have work to do. I need to get this done.”

“You know you will have to go alone. With Edward being able to read minds and your power still not under control…”

“I know. It’s okay. You will be nearby right?”

“Always.”

“Good.”

Garrett turned and stared into my eyes. I stared into his. The feelings this man brought out in me were confusing. Feelings I never really had to deal with before, even with Edward. Even with Jake. But I knew I could not be far away from him. The thought scared the hell out of me. I gave him a little smile.

“Tomorrow we go back to Washington. I will find their exact location. We can get this over with and move on.”

I nodded and agreed with him.

“Moving on seems like a really good idea.”