Atonement
By BetterInTexas
Chapter 24:
Bella POV
It was too beautiful here for the nightmare that was happening. The nightmare I stood by and let happen.
Garrett was right though. It was their decision. I would be here to support them. To help them. Eleven men who had become friends and then my family. Eleven men who woke up this morning as vampires. Garrett wanted no one else around other than he and Jasper. The newborns would be calmer with less vampires around. None of us knew what they would remember, how they would go through the change. Nothing. We were clueless. Ty turned five of them and Garrett turned six. Ty had venom pooling in his eyes for hours after he bit them and wouldn’t speak for even longer. That was saying something for Ty.
We had been at a hanger at the edge of the property. This property was gorgeous. One hundred thousand acres of territory in the Appalachian Mountains. My parents were with the President of the United States at an undisclosed location with the nickname of Area 52. According to Garrett this is where the U.S. keeps strange objects that have come into the Country’s possession. Scientist there attempt to reverse engineer the technology. Area 51 is a PR blind apparently. Nothing really going on there but aerodynamic research and testing. Area 52 was underground in Idaho. Still trying to wrap my head around that.
The President was using the recent terrorist attacks as the official reason he was not making public appearances. The populace thought he was at Camp David. Instead he was in Idaho. With my parents. At a base with alien technology. Directing a vampire war against Italy.
What a fucking life.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I smiled. I knew he was near. He had told me to be in the valley in thirty minutes. I came early hoping to see him sooner. He had been busy.
“My thoughts aren’t worth a penny right now. I missed you.” I told Garrett honestly, grabbing his hand. He pulled me into his arms.
“They are doing fine.” He murmured in my ear.
“All of them?” I asked, surprised.
“Yes. Jasper is keeping them calm but I’m not really sure his help is needed. You have to understand Bella, these men have been highly trained to be prepared for any type of situation. They are extremely disciplined and knew what they were getting into. They will learn quickly.”
“So they have all woken up? Nobody still turning?”
“No. They all woke up at the same time. It was freaky. Each sat up, looked around, and then stood still. Jack took a few minutes to come to himself. Then he simply told them to feed. All ten and Jack walked over to the bagged blood we had hanging in front of their beds and drank. It was messy as hell for a few moments. Bags ripped and such. Jasper and I replaced them quickly. They fed. I talked to each of them. They all know exactly what happened. They have all their memories. They remember the mission. They are ready.” Garrett told me confidently.
“How bad were the screams?” I asked quietly.
“They didn’t scream.” Garrett replied, shocking the hell out of me.
“How…?”
“Bella these men are trained to withstand pain and keep their heads. They have had years of training. But these men Bella, they do not scream.”
“Wow.” I honestly couldn’t think of anything else to say. They were certainly handling things better than I did.
“You didn’t have their advantages Bella. Don’t compare yourself.” Garrett told me.
“I didn’t say I was.”
“I know you.” He told me. He was right. He did know me. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my head in his chest.
“Garrett when this is over can we find a new base? A new home? I don’t want to be underground anymore. I want to see the sun out my window.”
“Of course. Actually with a team of vampires now, I am thinking this area will be our new home. Plenty of room to train, plenty of room to build residences. Maybe we could have our own place.”
“Without…”
“What about me?!” Ty’s voice came from out of nowhere. How does he do that?
“You can be our neighbor Ty.” Garrett told him. As he ran up.
“That’s cool. Those little mewling sounds Bella makes when she bout to blast freak me out anyway. I could just imagine the face that goes with that sound. Can’t be pretty. You a pretty girl Bella. Wouldn’t want to see your O face though. That shit gotta be out there. You close your eyes, Garrett? Or you got a fucked up O face too? I can just see ya’ll with little scrunched up faces staring at each other…”
“Ty would you shut the fuck up?!” I nearly screamed.
I have a cute O face. Garrett said so.
“Don’t get your thong twisted Bell. Just makin conversation. Let’s go see our Clone troopers.”
“Clone troopers?” I asked Garrett, watching Ty’s ass run away.
“Star Wars. We will work on watching that when this mess is over.” He told me. I wonder if Star Wars characters are smart enough to save time and fly eagles instead of walking to the enemy.
“You think Jason is okay?”
“He may be dead Bella. That may be a fact that we have to come to terms with. We can mourn him later. He would want us to kill the Volturi, not cry over him.”
I nodded in agreement. I knew he was right. But I couldn’t help missing him. The guy who raided a 747 with a young vampire. The guy who stayed behind with three vampires to fight a super werewolf. The guy who sat with me while I fed and didn’t make me feel self-conscious about it. The guy who trusted me to hold a clip on a bleeding artery of one of his friends. If he is dead I swear I will be the one to rip Aro’s head off. Garrett and Ty won’t get to him before I do.
“We better go. Jasper is there. I think Peter Whitlock is as well.” Garrett said.
Yeah. Ty probably shouldn’t be left alone with those two for long.
Garrett POV
Bella and I ran hand in hand into one of the many valleys in this area. The terrain was ideal for hiding young vampires. So long as no hikers figured out a way to get past the electric fences and motion detectors humans should be safe. I wasn’t sure how this would work. Much would depend on Connolly’s team and how they quickly they could adjust. So far everything was well but they were only hours old as vampires. I saw Ty speaking rather loudly to Jasper. Peter was standing back at a distance hiding a smile.
“What’s wrong Ty?” Before he answered I noticed we were missing a large part of the vampire contingent who were supposed to be here.
“Where is the team?” I whispered.
“That’s what I asked! Duke here, lost them. How the fuck do lose a team of newborn vampires dumbass?!”
I noticed Jasper was smiling. He wasn’t worried so I wouldn’t be either. I would be calm.
“Jasper where the fuck are my Seals?”
“You don’t see them Garrett?” Jasper asked.
“Where are the guys Jasper?” Bella asked impatiently.
“Take a whiff. Can’t you smell them?” Jasper grinned.
“No I can’t Jasper. Tell me before I hurt you.” I growled.
“They are all around you.” Jasper said quietly.
That even shut Ty up. We listened. We sniffed. We looked.
“Light em up boys.” Jasper said.
Suddenly we were surrounded by eleven grinning vampires. Toby grabbed Bella, threw her over his shoulder and took off. I followed for a few steps… until she disappeared.
I looked at the other Seals. They were laughing.
“Where did he take Bella?”
I felt a push and suddenly Bella was in my arms, giggling.
Toby appeared in front of me.
“What the fuck is this?” I whispered.
“Toby can blend in the environment at will. He can’t be seen, heard or smelt. He can turn into a ghost and can turn anyone he wants into the same.”
“Amazing. He already figured this out? How?”
“We are fast learners Garrett. You know that.” Toby replied.
“Any other gifts?” Ty asked quietly. I think he was a bit freaked out. Ty has a thing about ghosts.
“Not that we have figured out yet. But it’s early.” Jasper answered.
“Well it’s a hell of a gift, Toby. Keep your hands off my woman.” I winked at him.
“Are you kidding? I’ve been trying to figure out a way to run off with her since I first saw her in the Pentagon. Now that I have the ability, you better keep a close eye on her.”
“How did your power work on her?” I asked more to myself. Jasper answered me though
“I don’t think Toby’s power works on anyone. Not in a physical sense. He didn’t do anything to change Bella. He changes the environment around her. Blocks sound, sight and smell from emitting from her area. Had he tried to change her physiologically it would not have worked. Now if Bella tried to emit her gift towards Toby directly, she could interfere with his ability, I believe. We will need to work more to find out.”
“We don’t have time for experiments. I will stay clear of Toby to make sure I don’t interfere accidentally.”
“We have time Bella.”
“We really don’t Garrett.” She argued. She gave me the look. The look that said she dared me to disagree with her in front of others.
“Bella, the Volturi can’t find us here. Not with you here. I doubt Demetri could find us…” Ty started.
“Toby’s powers can work around me. Why not his? We aren’t always right next to each other. He could easily be…”
“Aro would not be stupid enough to attack us on our own ground. He will try to find us on ground that gives him an advantage.” I explained.
“They have Jason.” Bella said quietly.
“Uh… hey… Garrett?”
I turned toward’s Peter’s voice. The two of us didn’t know each other well but he had always seemed a decent fellow. I would be taking advantage of his gift. I had always wondered how it worked. This should be fascinating.
“Yes Peter?”
“I think you are about to get a call. Just a feelin I got.”
I pulled my phone out of my coat pocket. Before I raised it to waist level it buzzed.
Yes. I would definitely find out more about this gift of his.
“I don’t recognize the number.” I mumbled.
“Try answering it and saying hi.” Bella told me and grabbed my phone.
“Hello?”
“Bella? Is Garrett there? I really need a ride out of Italy. ASAP.”
“Jason?” Bella whispered. I took the phone.
“What is your situation?”
“The norm.”
“That bad?”
“Could be better. I’ve been in worse.”
“What do you need?” I asked.
“Directions to an air force base and a jet that I am checked out on waiting there. I really, really do not need to be around humans right now buddy.”
Connolly POV
I woke up three days ago surrounded by these grinning bastards. I have been stuck in this room with Chelsea the entire time. Except for feeding. Feeding time happened in front of the fucking brothers thrones. I have killed two people since I have been here. I felt bad about that but they weren’t offering bagged blood. I figure these poor people were going to die anyway. Sucks that I had to be the one to do it, but that shit smelled too good. I can’t believe Bella was able to do the things I saw her do. I held out for 48 hours in a room with a very scared man named Barry. But I lost that fight. I promised myself I would get that motherfucker Aro for this. All these fuckers.
“Come sit by me lover.” Chelsea said, beckoning me to the bed. She is supposed to have the power to bend people’s loyalties. Their bonds to others. Aro thought she would make me loyal to his ass.
“I’m fine here.”
“I’m lonely. I need to feel you. I want you. Come to me. Please?” she begged quietly.
Okay. I fucked her. She’s hot. But that has nothing to do with loyalty.
I was bored though. It wasn’t time. Not yet. I would give it a few hours. I heard enough from listening around feeding time and to hallway chatter that a couple of coven heads were coming to Volterra to visit the assholes tonight. That would be my time to attack. With more vampires in the castle it would be more difficult. That is why they would never expect it.
Having nothing better to do I walked over to Chelsea and began undressing her. Gotta pass the time somehow.
Three hours later I was summoned to the throne room. Aro was waiting on my progress report. His guests were there as well. Japanese coven. I had read about them. They won’t become involved. He wanted to show off his new pet. I would definitely put on a show.
“Mr. Connolly, what a pleasure it is to see you becoming so acclimated to your surroundings. I understand you and Chelsea have been getting to know one another? It is good to see you have such a strong bond with your sire.”
“Yeah. I bonded the hell out of her.” I told him honestly. I haven’t just been bonding her though. I’ve been getting my touch right. My movement’s right. It was hard to tell without any humans around except that secretary they keep hidden, but I think I could do a passable job at pretending to be a regular guy.
“I am glad to hear it. So I take it you are beginning to see that we not the monsters you may have once thought we were.”
“Oh I definitely see things differently now.” I agreed. These guys were bigger pussies than even I believed.
“And yet you have absolutely no bond to us.” Marcus said quietly, looking off in the distance.
Aro narrowed his eyes.
“Chelsea?”
“Master Marcus?” she asked him doubtfully.
“Would you mind Jason?” Aro reached his hand out towards me.
“Actually I don’t think that will be necessary.” I pulled Chelsea close to me. Tilting her head up, I looked deeply into her eyes.
“Chelsea, you are honestly the healthiest relationship I have ever had.”
She smiled as I moved to kiss her. Too bad I wasn’t kissing her.
The bitch’s throat tore out easily. I threw her head at Aro and kicked her body into Alec. Felix jumped in front of me. I chopped his throat and kicked his knee joint. It snapped in two. Continuing to run I hit three more people on the way down stairs. Caius was screaming. Ha. Keep cryin bitch. I heard them up ahead. I knew what they were doing. Blocking the underground exit that led to an alley behind the plaza. Unfortunately for them I had no plans to go that way. I had not seen much of this castle but I remember the satellite photos I had studied with Garrett. Some of my early childhood memories were gone but they were never great to begin with. The rest of my memories of my human life? Spot on. Taking a left I busted through a stone wall and found pay dirt.
Boiler room. The Castle had to keep heat for water to clean robes and shit. Gasoline lines ran to the pumps kept in the underground garage. Two massive boilers, that were long past their inspection dates sat at the bottom of this castle. I turned the steam valves open on the boilers way past a safe level and ran back to my hole in the wall. It was time to buy some time. They came around the corner quietly. Cautiously.
“Jason? There is no reason to be afraid. We understand newborn emotions here. Chelsea will be fine. Her head can be returned to her body.” Aro said softly.
“Stay back!” I yelled.
“Jason you cannot stay there forever. You have to come out eventually. There is no escape. You know you really don’t want to escape. Come out and talk to me. You won’t be punished. Chelsea will forgive you.”
“You think so? She won’t be mad?” I asked seriously, silently laughing. First time I ever got head from a woman like that.
“Yes. I promise.” Then he whispered Alec’s name. So he was gonna send the little shit in. I could feel the pressure. I turned and checked the gauges. Holy shit. That’s a lot of damn pressure. The cylinders were radiating heat. These shells were weak. This would be great. I backed against the far wall and ripped open a cold water pipe. Water flowed on the floor but I stifled most of the flow with my hand.
Alec walked to my hole in the wall.
“Hey Alec.”
“Jason.” He grinned. “What are you doing?”
“Having fun with physics.” I answered him. I let the water out of the pipe and pointed the flow at the boilers. Taking a chunk of rock from the wall I tossed it straight into the first boiler.
The explosion was the loudest damn thing I would ever hear. Point blank range at ground zero of two giant, overheated boilers exploding.
All I saw was red flames, everywhere. The blast took out everything. I couldn’t tell where the walls or roof were. But through the fire, I saw Alec on his ass. He wanted to kill Bella. Yeah.
He must have seen me at the last moment coming through the flames, because his eyes got very large.
I wrapped my arms around his bad hair covered head and twisted completely around. The flames consumed him quickly. His head was ash before I made a full turn.
Think Connolly. Came in that way, exit that way. This way goes to what used to be the kitchen probably. Fuck it. This whole place was wrecked. I ran towards the exit and saw vampires rolling around in the flames. Aro was on the ground, Chelsea’s hair, all that remained of her head, in his hands. He was screaming. Caius was screaming. All our clothes were on fire or gone. I kicked Aro in the head as I ran through the flames. Dropping my head, I barreled through smoke and flame out the exit to the plaza.
I saw the citizens in St. Marcus Square were in a panic. Damn they smelled good. Looking behind me I was glad to see that a MOAB could not have done a better job at leveling this place. I expected a castle to hold up better but apparently this was not the case.
Fire sirens in the distance. I was standing naked in front of what used to be a castle. Time to move.
I grabbed the first fleeing citizen I could find that looked roughly my size. I bumped him lightly on the head and dragged him to a corner alley. The sun was shining and I would be sparkling like a fucking fairy. I quickly dressed in the guy’s jeans and t shirt. I left him his boxers. Stepping out of the alley, I saw a group of naked dudes coming from the carnage. Shit. They were sparkling. They must be really pissed if they are breaking their own laws. Of course all the people had taken off, but fire trucks were arriving. A few vampires ran into the shadows. Then a very pale and very naked Aro stepped out of the fire. He pointed at me.
I shot the finger at him and took off.
I had ran a few blocks, trying to stay in the shadows. Fuck it if I was seen. I could blame it on aliens. The fuckers can take the blame for everything.
I came to a throng of tourists and nearly growled when the scent hit me.
Hold your breath and keep moving.
A phone. A guy was texting on his phone. I ran by gently grabbing it. I pressed a number nad my finger went through the phone.
Three more run by phone thefts and I finally as able to dial a phone number while running. I knew they were behind me. I thought I saw Felix in a sheet along with three more behind me. I was going to have to get away from people and fight these assholes or lose them.
What would Garrett do?
Let’s ask him.
“Hello?”
There is that sweet voice.
“Bella? Is Garrett there? I really need a ride out of Italy. ASAP.”
“Jason?” Bella whispered. I took the phone.
“What is your situation?”
“The norm.”
“That bad?”
“Could be better. I’ve been in worse.”
“What do you need?” I asked.
“Directions to an air force base and a jet that I am checked out on waiting there. I really, really do not need to be around humans right now buddy.”
“You’re not human?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“Nope. I am running though and have a few of these fuckers behind me. So if you had any ideas…” I hoped.
“Hold on. I am placing your phone to a tracker. It will give us your location. Bella would you get Jason on satellite?”
I heard nothing for a few moments while I continued to run. I looked backward and saw Felix indeed was chasing me in what looked like a bathrobe along with two other guys. They were a half mile or so back. I was on the outskirts of the city and don’t believe I had been seen so far.
“Jason, up ahead of you about a quarter mile away take a left. Run two miles. There is a public park there. Many, many people. Hundreds. Steal a car.” Garrett told me.
Seems like a good idea.
Within a minute I saw it. A festival. Perfect. Car, car, car…
“Felix is catching up, Jason.” Bella said through the phone.
I turned and saw he had indeed came within a quarter mile of me.
“Holy shit Gar. Look at the satellite feed of Volturi castle.” Ty said in the background.
“Uh Jason?”
“Decided to do some remodeling Gar. Place was out of code as well. I did them a favor.”
I found a sporty little Fiat. Should do the job. I ripped the door off. Jumping inside I realized I would not be able to start this car before Felix reached me.
I had to fight this fucker and his friends.
I stepped out and waited. He grinned and rushed me. I picked up the car and swung, hitting him in the chest, sending him back to his friends. I recognized one as Demetri. I didn’t know the other.
I figured he would expect me to be defensive. So I attacked all three. I heard voices, louder, then yelling. Humans were running towards us, drawn by the sound of me hitting this fucker with a sports car. Hitting the other two, I back kicked Felix when he tried to grab me from behind. He recovered and charged. I slid down and ripped his nuts off when he ran by. Garrett was right. Newborn’s are a lot stronger than older vampires. Those tiny fuckers came off easy. He was screaming on the ground. I remembered Bella’s pain when her arm was placed back on. I bet those things were really going to hurt. His two friends checked on him.
I turned and saw hundreds running toward the parking lot. I ran to a Mercedes and ripped the door open. Popping the steering column I started the bitch and hauled ass out of there.
I took the phone out of my pocket after a safe distance.
“So, impressed?”
“Your form is horrible.” Bella replied. I could hear the laughter in her voice though.
“Least I didn’t lose an arm girl.”
“Garrett is texting you the location of an air base where you will have a F 22 waiting for you, fueled and ready to go. You can refuel in mid air. We are at the training base in the desert. You know the one?”
“Yep.” Appalachian mountain’s. “Bella, you have to keep the team away. My thirst is out of control.”
“It won’t be a problem Jason. We have plenty of bagged blood here.”
“You do?”
“Yeah… your team? They volunteered…” Bella said sadly. Volunteered for what?
“All of them?”
“Yep.”
“They up?”
“Woke up this morning. Just come home Jason. We need the family together.”
“On my way beautiful.”
Home sounded pretty damn good right now.
Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction 
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