Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 14:

Bella POV

I sat on the couch next to Rose. Of course she couldn’t see me. People are never so forthcoming as when they think you aren’t in the room.

“I think we should talk about Bella and her attitude.” Alice said.

“There was nothing wrong with her attitude. Maybe you shouldn’t be so pushy and she might respond to you better. We all hurt her but you and Edward hurt her the most. Edward is respecting her feelings. You are not.” Esme replied.

She had a point.

“If we don’t discuss what to do about the dangers facing all of us, Bella included, her attitude may be a moot point.” Jasper told them both.

“What do we know Jasper?” Carlisle asked.

“Victoria is somewhere in Seattle, building an army. She will use that army soon…”

Uh… not really. Unless they are giving her foot rubs in hell.

“We also have this unknown force killing on an unprecedented scale. Conspiracy message boards and radio shows are already suggesting a supernatural explanation. It won’t be long before main stream media picks up on this as well. Two small towns in the past two weeks. The last one had 500 bodies left behind in the street, drained of blood. 174 people are still missing. Want to guess what they are now?”

I have a pretty good idea Jasper.

“Have you been able to contact any of our friends Emmett?” Carlisle asked, turning to the big guy.

“Nope. None near the mass murders. No nomads seem to be around that area. At least the ones we know. No covens either. The army or whatever this is, passes near a coven or a nomad feeding ground and it’s like the coven doesn’t exist.”

“Why would a vampire create an army simply to destroy other covens?” Carlisle whispered.

“What makes you so sure the army destroyed the covens?” Jasper asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You mean they are recruiting the covens?” Rose suggested.

“Possible. At this point the only way to know for sure is to look for ourselves.”

“It’s too dangerous.” Edward said.

“Of course it is. But I have a feeling we will find out what is behind this sooner or later. The killings started in Europe, crossed over and have worked their way across the States in a Northwest direction. I for one would like to know what we are dealing with before it lands on our doorstep.” Jasper said. Alice was right. He wasn’t afraid. He was a warrior. Definite high priority target.

“We can take Bella and go.” Edward suggested.

As if.

“Go where? Has it occurred to you that these killings started in Europe and the Volturi are not answering their phone? The Volturi could very well be gone. We need more information. We have Victoria on one side, an unknown enemy that it not afraid of mass murder on the other and we, along with Bella could easily get caught in the crossfire while we sit and hope for the best! Oh and by the way if we try to take Bella and run we are going to have a pack of wolves who will not just stop running at the border. Jacob is the Alpha. He will hunt us for the rest of his days if we take her. She has to come willingly, or not at all. No matter what you… or you Alice, feels.” Jasper sent a pointed look at his wife.

I needed to make a note to ask about the Volturi.

“I agree with everything you said Jasper but if there is a threat to Bella we take her and leave. The wolves can go to hell.” Alice responded with a big smile.

“She’s a crazy little fucker isn’t she?”

I metaphysically jumped backwards, almost through Rose. How the hell?

“Quil?”

“Yes.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I was bored. I hadn’t heard from you today. Chris is fishing with Charlie so I thought I would see what was going on.”

Okay…

“How are you here?” I asked.

“I taught you how to do this. You honestly think I couldn’t do this? Me? I’m a Medicine Man. My people invented this.”

“If I don’t have to be near here then why am I spending time with these things?” I asked. I could be with Jake right now.

“Because you have to get them to want you to be around. You can’t kill Irkalla in this form. Besides I am close. I took a nap about four hundred yards from here. I figured since they would be busy with the shiny toy they got back, I would be undisturbed.”

“That was stupid. Your body is just out there lying on the ground. How the hell could you even relax enough on the ground to do this?”

“I am a Medicine Man. I am at complete peace with my land…” he shrugged.

“You got high didn’t you?” I grinned.

“I may have partaken of some completely natural herbs this morning. Besides the point. Have they said anything interesting?”

“Yeah. They talked about killing the wolves and taking out their old decrepit medicine man first.” I told him.

“These ancient fuckers called me decrepit?” he asked, offended. I laughed.

“Fuck you Swan. Listen.”

“So what do you want to do Carlisle?” Jasper asked.

“Seattle? Attack Victoria? Go after the one target we know of?” Carlisle half answered and half asked Jasper. They really would be fucked without him.

“We can’t defeat her alone. We would have casualties.” Jasper answered.

“Then what?” Edward asked.

“I will go find the threat coming towards us. Alone. Determine what we are up against. Continue to try to catch Victoria. Do whatever…”

Jasper stopped as he stared at Alice. I looked over as well. She was in a daze. Seen those before. Could it be now? Could the bitch be coming in moments?

“Two weeks.” She whispered.

“What is in two weeks Alice?” Esme asked.

“Two weeks and the Volturi will be here. At our house. I don’t see Aro but I see Caius… Jane and Alec… they are coming.”

“Coming to what?” Edward asked.

“I… I don’t know. I only see a vampire… he must be a new member… no another female vampire… I don’t know her. She asks why Bella has not been turned…”

‘What happens?” Esme asked.

Alice focused.

“I don’t know. My vision stops.”

“We wait.” Esme said, drawing everyone’s attention, including mine.

“What dear?”

“We wait Carlisle. If the Volturi arrive and wish to know why Isabella has not been changed, we can point out the danger with the wolves. Caius hates wolves. Bella will voluntarily turn to save us and the Volturi can destroy the wolves if they cause any problems. Maybe even help us with Victoria. This could work in our favor.” Esme said to the shock of everyone in the room.

“Wow. I thought she was the nice one. Just goes to show you. Never trust a woman. They are all devious.” Quil said, grinning.

“Are you saying I am devious Quil? You don’t trust me?”

“I’m not talking about you…”

“I’m a woman.” I pointed out.

“You think you are.” He replied.

“You’re gonna pay for that old man.” I growled.

“Whatever. When you come to La Push you have other things on your mind and apparently on your f…”

“Shut it Quil!”

“Shutting it. I have to get back to my body anyway.”

“I hope a cougar is gnawing on you.” I told him.

“I came to keep you company. You can play with the leeches yourselves next time. I’m going to tell Jake the news. Two weeks. Time to spread some discontent wouldn’t you think?”

“Already?” I asked. I really didn’t want to do that.

“We have to move fast.”

“Fine. Let Jake know.”

“Will do. Be strong. Later.” Quil gave me a peace sign and was gone.

Quil was gone. Suppose I had heard enough as well. I opened my eyes and took a deep breath to center myself.

Sitting up I saw I was indeed alone. But he was near. He must have hear me sit up because he knocked on the door seconds later.

I stood up and opened the door. He was grinning.

“Good nap? You feeling better, I hope?”

“It was good Edward. Perhaps I should go.”

“Esme is cooking you dinner though. Please? Stay just a bit longer.”

I rolled my eyes and then grinned. “Okay. But not too late. Jake…”

“Yes. Jake.” Edward agreed.

Two hours of awkward conversation and horrible pasta later and I managed to make my goodbyes. I was going to really hate this.

“Edward? You think you could give me a ride home. I don’t want to drive my bike since I nearly passed out.”

“Of course Bella. I can bring you back tomorrow to pick up your bike of course. I think that would be a very wise decision.”

We said our goodbyes. To Edward’s credit he shut up on the way to my house. I stared out the window and thought about the last time I had been in this car. It seemed like ten years ago. It wasn’t.

I was a different person back then though. Shy to a point. I had thought I was strong. Independent. I was until I met Edward. I never could get enough of him. He was beautiful no doubt. But it was more. He was a mystery I had to solve.

Solve it I did. Still I was proud of who I was before then. Because once I figured out what he was, once he let me in his life, I did as I was told. Anything to stay in his life. Dress a certain way? No problem sir. You want me to wear this? Anything to make you happy sir.

I was so fucking stupid.

We pulled up to the front of my house and he was there. He wasn’t happy. I knew he wouldn’t be. We had talked about this.

“Stay here Bella.” Edward whispered. I stepped out of the car.

“Hey Jake.”

He was standing on my front porch leaning against a post, arms crossed, only wearing a pair of cut offs. He ran here.

“What the fuck are you doing with him Bella?”

‘Don’t talk…”

“Shut up Edward. Stay out of this. Just leave.” I told him, staring at Jake.

“I’m not leaving you with an out of control werewolf Bella.” Edward said, stepping between Jake and I. Jake growled and walked off the porch.

“You will leave her alone. She is mine!” Jake said inches from Edward’s face.

“I don’t belong to anyone Jake!” I screamed. Edward smiled. Damn I hope Jake could keep his cool somewhat.

“Hear that dog? She isn’t yours.” Edward whispered.

My bracelet was humming. It would be so easy to cut him in half right now…

“That’s not what she said when she was underneath me yesterday leech. Do you want to know what she said to me? Do you want to know what she does for me?”

Hey. I said make it good but let’s not go too far Jake.

“There isn’t an inch of her perfect skin I haven’t claimed. Isn’t that right Bells?” Jake turned to me with a grin.

“Jake…”

“Show him where I bit you Bella.”

“Fuck you Jake!”

“You bit her? Have you lost your damn mind? You bit her?!” Edward screamed.

“Keep it down guys. I do have neighbors.” I reminded them. I could feel the window blinds of houses on the block rising.

“Jake… I can talk to who I want to talk to. I don’t give a damn if you bit me or whatever it is you do. You do not own me.”

“Either he leaves or I do Bella.”

“He was invited over by me. You weren’t!” I yelled.

“You fucking bitch. You fuck me for days and then today you bring him home and I can leave? You think I’m a damn plaything? Something for you to use and throw away?” Jake asked quietly. He was good at acting. He had to be. He had to focus all his thoughts on jealousy and hurt. He had to immerse himself in the part so his thoughts could fool Edward.

This still hurt.

“You aren’t a play thing Jake. I love you. But I am not one of your wolf girls who does as she is told.”

“No. You just do what leeches tell you to do, right? At least this one. You going to let the short leech dress you again? If you think I am risking my pack to protect you, so the leeches can have you…”

“Jake that is not what I am doing! He is a friend and I invited him over as a friend.”

“His scent is all over you. He touched you.” Jake said. Oh yeah.

“I took a nap on his couch Jacob.” Probably should have told Quil about that so Jake would know…

“Is that what you call it? Were you napping for three hours on my bed yesterday Bells? Did she have six orgasms napping on your couch Cullen?”

Edward just pushed Jake. Jake took a step back and then pushed Edward back. Edward fell to the ground. He looked so shocked I barely kept in a laugh.

He was up in less than a heartbeat though and moved to attack Jacob. Not yet Jake. You can’t kill him yet.

I threw myself in front of Jacob and started hitting his chest. Not as hard as I could of course. This caused Edward to stop since I was between them.

“Get out of here now Jacob! Now! Leave! Go!” I screamed while hitting his chest.

Jake backed up.

“No problem. I’ll let you visit with this dead piece of shit. But I’m not done with you. I will be here in the morning and we will deal with this.” Jake stepped aside and bumped Edward’s shoulder. Edward pushed back. Damn it Jake.

“Edward stop! Please. Just come inside with me.”

“You threatened her? You expect me to let you live after you threaten her?” Edward asked quietly. Too quietly. Things were escalating. I needed to let Jake know to back off.

“You want to know who she belongs to leech? That’s my bite mark on her skin.” Jake said with a sneer.

Okay. So that probably…

“Bite marks can be erased. Vampires have perfect skin. She deserves that. Not skin marred by you.”

‘Well I wasn’t the first to bite her. Great job protecting her.”

“I didn’t protect her. But I will never let her be hurt again. Not by you and not by anything or anyone.” Edward approached Jake slowly.

“She’s mine. I see you around her again I will kill you.” Jake told Edward but looked at me.

“Jake…” I started.

“Shut the fuck up Bella. I will see you tomorrow. Come to La Push in the morning. Be at my house. I will deal with you then.”

Jake walked over to his bike and the roar of his engine caused me to jump. I knew we planned this. But I wanted to vomit right now.

I watched him drive off. I was not a very good actress but the tears in my eyes weren’t hard to come by. Edward moved to touch my back. I jerked away.

“Don’t touch me.” I whispered.

“Perhaps I could come back tomorrow Bella? Or should I stay tonight? Protect you?”

“You really think that’s a good idea Edward?”

“I… I won’t let him hurt you.”

“He’s my boyfriend. I knew this would happen if I socialized with your family. I got what I deserved.” I whispered.

“No. you didn’t. You deserve so much more than him.”

“That right Edward? Do I deserve you? You abandoned me.” I reminded him.

“Bel…”

“Just leave. Okay? Just go.”

“Well you… can I see you tomorrow?” He asked.

“I don’t know. I need to go to La Push tomorrow.”

“You’re going to see him?! He will hurt you Bella!”

“No he won’t. He loves me. I just… I have to check on my horse and visit my Dad.”

“You have a horse?” he asked, surprised.

“Yeah. Can you have someone bring my bike by tonight?”

“Yes… will you call me when you come back from La Push? So I know you are okay?”

“Yeah. I can do that. Good night Edward.”

‘Good night Bella.” I heard him say as I closed my door. I ran up the staircase and barely made it to the toilet before I vomited.

I stayed on my knees, forehead on the toilet ring crying until I didn’t have tears anymore. It was necessary to make the Cullen’s believe I was pulling away from Jake. But damn did it hurt.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Billy. Oh God what if something happened…

“Hello.” I sniffled.

“If you are half as bad as Jake is right now I know you are feeling terrible. Maybe this isn’t worth it. Maybe we can find another way. This game we are playing…”

“Two weeks Billy. Two weeks and they will be here. Irkalla will be with some coven called the Volturi. I have to find out about them. Found out what they can do. It’s too late to back off now Billy.”

“I know Bella. It’s just…”

“Is he okay?” I asked.

“He had to say hurtful things to you tonight. That hurt him. He is in the forest. Alone. He wanted to call you but I asked him to calm down first. I could barely make out his words through the tears.”

“Tell him I love him Billy. Please tell him to call me when he gets back.”

“I will Bella. I love you too.”

That caused a few more tears.

“I know Billy. But thank you. I needed to hear it. I love you too.”

I ended the call, walked to my bedroom, lay down face first and found new tears.

Narrator POV

Chris had not had any luck all day. Neither had Charlie, despite knowing these waters. Chris had a feeling this invitation was more of a get to know you kind of deal rather than a serious fishing expedition. That was fine with him. A girl he thought of as a daughter he never had was having to socialize all day with vampires. He wasn’t in the mood for small talk.

Fortunately he had something he needed to talk to Charlie about that wasn’t small.

“Charlie we need to talk about Bella.”

Charlie half turned from his perch on the boat but did not look at Chris. He had wanted to talk about Bella as well. But he wasn’t sure how to bring it up.

“What about her?” Charlie asked casually.

“Do you know what I am to her Charlie?”

Charlie instantly became defensive.

“Why don’t you tell me Chris?” he said perhaps too quickly.

“I’m her guide. Charlie I need to tell you a little history about the warrior witches that you don’t know. But you need to know it.”

Charlie was cautious but nodded anyway.

“Go ahead.”

“Charlie the order Bella now belongs to, the legacy she carries on has been around for thousands of years. These women, these warriors in the beginning were given gifts by the villagers they saved. Tokens of appreciation. As the years went on these gifts grew in value. Soon the witches during times of relative peace began working jobs, taking jobs guarding villages. This money was saved as well. It began to grow. It grew to be too much for a witch to handle alone. Various funds were set up. The first bank the witches dealt with was one established by the Knights Templar. It goes back that far. Eventually a witch named Sera decided to find someone she trusted. This person would learn her secrets, handle her money and be able to guide the next witch should she die. A witch picked a person, male or female to be a guide and a helper. Should the witch live longer than the guide, the witch would choose a new guide on the old guide’s death. The person had to be someone she trusted completely. Someone who always had her best interest at heart. Whose loyalty could never be questioned. In short the person she was closest too.”

“And that’s you huh?” Charlie asked sarcastically.

“No. I was the guide for my wife. I am here for your daughter. But she is your daughter. It is time you became her guide.”

Charlie was speechless for a minute.

“Me? Why can’t you keep doing it?”

“Charlie I plan to fight with Bella. So does Quil. We aren’t guides anymore. We are active participants. We can’t work behind the scenes from the front. Since my wife died I have learned whatever magic I could hoping to be some small part in the upcoming battle. Bella needs someone she can trust. Someone who can handle being the overseer of over a hundred billion dollars accumulated over the long history of the witches. There is only one man I know of who can handle that. Her Daddy.”

“Did you say a billion dollars?” Charlie choked out.

“No I said a hundred billion. She don’t know it but your little girl is probably the richest woman on the planet. That money is there because she won’t ever be able to have a normal job, a normal life. Even after Irkalla is gone there will always be vampires to kill. People will always need defending. That’s her job. Your job is to make sure she has everything she needs.”

Charlie could not believe what he was hearing. He had prepared to fight for his place in his daughter’s life. He never expected that he could play a large part in it.

“Of course I will Chris.”

“I know. After we get tired of not catching a damn thing we can head back to Quil’s. I need to go over everything with you. The accounts, the access codes, the tax attorney information we have working on the money, the accountants, the dummy corporations. You are going to learn everything. Then it will be yours and I will be free.”

“Free to what?”

“Free to fight Charlie. Free to die if need be. But mostly just free to fight. I’ve been waiting for a long time. I aim to cause some trouble.”

The two men grinned at each other. Then they cast one more time before heading in.

BPOV

“Hey baby.” God it felt good to hear his voice.

“Hey Jake.”

“Are you okay?”

“No.” I told him honestly.

“I’m sorry. Was it too much?” he asked softly.

“No. You did just what you were supposed to do.”

“So I guess we had our first fight huh?” he chuckled. The sound of his laugher made my heart lift a bit.

“Yeah. It was a hell of one too.” I admitted.

“Bella it will be okay. Dad says you found out two weeks huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Vultures?”

“Volturi. I don’t know enough yet. I will.”

“I know. I love you.”

“I love you too Jake. So much. I will be seeing you in the morning so get some sleep. You are going to need it.”

“You want me there now?’

‘Yes but…”

My bracelet was vibrating. Oh shit. Who the hell could this be?

Something wasn’t right. No vampires should be here. Laurent? Dead. Victoria? Dead. Cullen’s? They wouldn’t fuck with me tonight.

“Jake. I may need you and Sam. Start heading this way. Wolf form. Hurry.”

“On my way.” Jake ended the call. I sat on my bed and waited. For who I didn’t know.

My window opened behind me and a breeze blew in. So did he.

“Good evening Bella.”

I jumped, even though I heard him. What the hell was he doing here?

“Jasper. What are you doing here? Come to finish the job you started on my birthday?”

“You have turned into the sarcastic bitch, haven’t you Bella? That part of the whole near death experience?”

“Yeah. You could say that.” I backed up. He was too close.

“I want the truth and I want it now.” He said walking closer despite my backing up.

“What truth? What happened when I was sick? It’s none of your damn business. I didn’t ask you here. You need to leave.”

“I’m not going any damn place. I got threats from all around coming at my family. They all seem to revolve around you. Mysterious Bella Swan. The girl who contracted a deadly virus and returned with a new attitude, a new look, and… new jewelry.

I commend you on your improved balance. The fall you had today worried everyone. Except me. I saw you catch yourself. The old Bella would never have been able to do that. People who nearly die never fully recover. You seem to have come back better than ever. You can’t be touched? It bothers you? Bella I can’t read your emotions. At all. I have always been able to. Despite that I don’t need my gift to know you are full of shit. You were lying tonight. There was no feeling of weakness. You wanted to be alone. You didn’t want to be there today. And you sure as hell don’t still love Edward. When you thought no one was looking you had a look cross your face. Revulsion. You were sickened by our presence. I have been reading people a long time Bella Swan. I don’t need my gift to tell me something is very wrong. My family is taking a great risk over you. You are going to tell me everything.”

“Or what?” I asked quietly.

“Or one of Victoria’s newborns may have gotten through the wolves defenses and taken you. It will be a great tragedy. But my wife will be safe. Now start talking bitch, or I will finish what I started on your birthday and it won’t be quick and painless.”

Hello. Nice to meet the real Jasper Hale.

“Fine. Follow me. I need to show you something outside.”

“Where your wolves can get me? They aren’t around. I checked.”

“Then you have nothing to be afraid of Jasper. Follow me. I will show you where Edward broke up with me. If you decide to kill me I think it be ironically appropriate.”

I walked down the stairs. I knew he would follow. He really had no choice. His curiosity lead him here. It was time to satisfy that curiosity.

I continued past the back of the house towards the forest. I walked the same path Edward had taken me. I hadn’t quite reached the point where he finally left me when Jasper was in front of me.

“I think that’s far enough Isabella.”

“So what? You gonna kill me now?”

“No. Not unless I have to. I want to know what is going on. I want to know the truth. I want to know what the hell this thing is?!”

Jasper reached down to my right wrist and grabbed the bracelet. I watched his eyes turn from anger to wonder to fear as he saw my bracelet cover my hand and transform into an armored claw. He looked at my face that was now covered with armor.

I brought forth all my power and channeled it into a burst of pure energy. It didn’t go through him but did knock him back thirty yards into a tree. His shirt had burned off and his chest as smoking.

I burned my clothes off and walked up to him slowly. He jumped to his feet. He must be a huge threat. I was completely covered in armor. Only my eyes could be seen.

He watched my right hand. He saw my sword grow from my glove.

“What are you?” He whispered.

“Looks like our game is up Jasper. You want the truth? The truth is only one of us is leaving this forest alive.”

I planned to make sure it was me.