Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 17:

Irkalla POV

“Where is the next Coven, Caius?”

“Forks Washington will be the closest coven.”

“Oh yes. The animal feeders of Washington and then Alaska correct? My how far my people have fallen. I am glad I didn’t wait another decade. What do you think Nergal? Should we kill them or use them?”

My lover looked up from the ground where Heidi was servicing him.

“It would be amusing to make them kill humans.” He grinned.

Yes. I suppose it would.

“Fine. We can keep them. I have a few more feeding stops I want to make before we get there. Caius how are our battalions doing? Staying hidden? I do not want the authorities to find them until it is time for us to strike.”

“They are hidden in the wilds of this Country and Europe exactly where you told them to be. All is well.” Caius replied. He really was a good boy. So eager to please.

“You may be interested to know Mistress that the Cullen’s are a gifted clan. One can read minds, another can see the future and another can read and influence emotions.”

“I could care less, Caius. I have no interest in what others think. I know the future and all humans will feel is fear. Now where is the master of this domain?” I was a bit hungry. I could feel the growing numbers of my children. I could draw on their power, and draw I did. My lust for blood grew as well but I was fine with that. I was not wanting for sources of food.

The large idiot, Felix, brought the man and his family in. A lovely human unit. A pretty blonde wife and two teenage daughters who looked nearly identical to her. The man was tall and strong. Dark hair and in fairly good shape. He should taste so wonderful. Fear makes the blood sweeter.

The poor thing was so frightened.

“Relax.” I told him, stroking his cheek.

“Please let my wife and daughters go?” the poor thing whimpered.

“You are frightened about the possibility of me harming them, aren’t you? You are right to be so. But you must remain strong for them. It will be over soon enough. If they see you panicking it will be worse for them. Relax.”

I walked to the one who looked the youngest and smiled at her. She didn’t smile back.

The screams of the humans while I drained her of life were so sweet.

The next one nearly passed out from hyperventilating. I drained her more slowly. No reason to rush a meal.

I looked at Nergal giving him permission to take the wife.

While he fed I spoke to the husband.

“You really should have told them that it would be okay. That you loved them. All you could do was scream? Pathetic. Felix let him go. Take him to the city limits and break his feet. He is not to be killed or injured further. Let him live.”

“No!”

“Yes!” I laughed at his outrage. “Kill yourself if you wish. I have no time.”

Felix took the struggling human away while I pondered my next move. Relax a few days. Enjoy myself. Maybe feed a few more times before Washington, then Alaska.

Once we had Alaska taken care of I would announce our presence to the world. I had my children positioned all over the country. Some in hiding. Some in plain sight, much like this Dr. Cullen I would be visiting. Yes… the time is soon. I have been waiting. Biding my time. My minions tracked down and killed the last witch over two decades ago. I could have struck then… perhaps I should have.

I was not ready. The World was so isolated. Now the world is connected in a way I never could have dreamed of. Technology. The internet. Satellites. It makes it so much easier to control the world without having to be everywhere at once.

So I waited. I sat in my cave and did not move. My servants, my worshippers brought me blood. They kept me appraised of the outside world. They killed the witch.

They failed in one task though. The bracelet was never found. I wanted that bracelet. I would find it. Once my plan came into place and the humans were made to understand their role in the new world, I would search under every rock on Earth to find that bracelet.

For now though, it could wait. Without a witch the bracelet was just a piece of jewelry. The witches time was over. This was my time. The world will bow down at my feet as it should have done since the day I was born. I was destined to be the Queen of this world. No one and nothing would stop me now. I will take what is mine.

Speaking of…

“Jane? Alec?”

“Yes Mistress?” Jane replied immediately. The poor little thing was so afraid of me. Aro turned them too soon. They really were no more than eternal scared children.

“The two of you are to go to the Master Bedroom. Undress and prepare the room for me. I will be up in five minutes.”

“Yes Mistress.” The little girl whispered. Her brother followed mutely, like always.

What act of depravity shall I make them commit tonight? I’m sure I can think of something.

Narrator POV

Edward was worried. Deeply worried. After he had left Bella at her house, after being threatened by Jacob Black, she had then been visited by his brother who decided to take matters into his own hands and investigate the homicidal force that seemed to have Forks set in its sights.

Jasper had not answered the phone since Edward talked to him. The last call according to Emmett bounced off a tower in Forks. Since then his phone has disappeared. No calls would go through and no calls were made.

Despite this worry Edward did not try to interfere with Bella seeing her father the next day. He hoped she would visit her father, break up with Jacob Black and return to Forks. But Bella did not return. He waited for her call but it never came. He stayed outside her house for hours, waiting for her, thinking the worst. Visions of Bella’s scarred face ran through his mind. Visions of her ravaged body with a wolf hunched over her clouded all reasonable thought.

He would not break the treaty. He would stay off Quileute land.

Which led him to the ocean. One hundred feet from the shore of First Beach. He knew from previous thoughts he had seen in Jacob Black’s head that he considered First Beach their special place.

If he would bring her anywhere he would bring her here.

Edward had been in the surf since sun up. Bella was still on this reservation somewhere. If he could not find evidence that she was alive and well by the end of the day he entered La Push tonight. It didn’t matter if he had to kill every wolf here. He would make sure she was okay.

I never should have let her come here, Edward thought to himself. He had been trying to give her space. Trying to not be so dominating.

Although Bella was very different in some ways to the girl he left she was also very much the same in others. She was stubborn. Edward assumed it was a product of her times. In his times when a gentlemen protected a lady from danger the lady did as she was told. If she was told to stay in the car, she stayed in the car. She did not get in between her protector and the animal he was protecting her from. She did not live alone, unmarried, at her age.

Edward would make sure Bella was alright. He would then be having a conversation about her behavior. She nearly died once. He would not see it happen again. He had played it as he thought best. He knew she still loved him. She was stubborn and independent when she first met him as well. Because of those traits she discovered what he was. But the more their relationship grew, she also grew into her role. Bella walked on his arm, sat by him in class, at lunch, was driven everywhere by him. If he didn’t like a color on her she didn’t wear it. If he didn’t want her in La Push she would not go there.

Perhaps if her were more aggressive like Black, she would fall back in line. It was apparent she listened to him. Bella must need a controlling partner. Despite her bravado, she must be still unsure of herself, especially after Edward left her. He was making a mistake in being lenient. Letting her come to him on her own terms and her own time. That stopped after today. Assuming she was still alive.

He stood in the surf for an hour, eyes barely out of the water, when his patience was rewarded by the sound of her laughter.

His relief turned quickly to jealousy when he saw her. Black had her in his arms. He was whispering something in her ear and she giggled more. She looked so tiny in his massive arms. He was dressed in only a pair of shorts. She appeared to have on nothing but a large button down shirt that he would guess belonged to Black.

Edward did not believe Bella stayed at her father’s house last night.

The dog dropped her on the ground and she screamed false outrage and laughed again. He stood over her and leered. Bending down to help her up, Bella threw mud on his face and climbed on his back wrapping her legs around his waist.

Edward stood as still as a rock in the water, watching the intimate playfulness of the two. Although he did not move so much an inch, inside his rage was rolling out of control.

Bella for her part was having a much better morning than the previous two. Due to her shoulder taking longer to heal, rather than making love all night, as had been the norm for when she slept with Jake, she had simply fallen asleep on top of him and woken up in the same position, Jake’s hands playing with her hair.

The two had made love softly in bed. Quietly. Slowly. None of the frenzied love making that marked their usual time together. Instead Jake simply entered Bella while she lay on top of him and laid back as she moved her hips back and forth slowly. When they had both had their fill of each other they rose and decided to take a swim. Bella had grabbed a bikini from Old Quil’s and the two found themselves at their place. The place that even when others were around, they were completely alone with each other.

Bella slipped Jake’s shirt off.

“That looks so hot.” Jake whispered, looking at the tattoo on her shoulder.

“Yeah? I always liked yours.” Bella told him honestly.

“So you want to swim?” Jacob asked her. Bella shrugged her shoulders.

“Whatever. I could just sit here with my ass in the sand and stare at you.”

“You think so? I don’t mind seeing you with your ass in the sand either. But if we are going to just look at each other we could go back to my room. Relax. Take off our clothes and stare at each other all day.” Jake suggested.

“No. You are not keeping me locked away like some sort of harem girl. I need to be romanced, not just ravaged.”

“Then let’s go on a date.” Jake suggested.

“We will. As soon as this is over.” Bella told him.

Over? Edward wondered what would be over? The threat of Victoria? He had hoped that the fight the two had would have driven a wedge between Jacob and Bella. Instead they seemed closer than even he imagined they were. Then Edward’s rage rose to a new level.

He saw her small pale body nearly nude in the bathing suit. Her perfect skin had indeed been marred by that dog’s bite mark. Her skin was scarred where her neck met her shoulder with a set of teeth marks.

He also saw the tribal tattoo on her shoulder.

Great self-control kept Edward from rising from the surf and killing Jacob Black at that moment.

He did slide closer to the beach. Jacob turned to throw a rock into the water and Edward saw something that confused him.

Wolves could heal, much like vampires. No marks, no lasting wounds. So how did Jacob Black get a smaller set of teeth marks on his neck? They were the size he imagined Bella’s to be. But that would be impossible. A human could not possibly injure a wolf to that extent.

Bella decided Jacob’s back looked to inviting a target. She jumped on his back and grabbed his nipples twisting. He squealed and ran into the water. When he was knee deep he dropped sending them both under the shallow water.

Bella felt it underwater.

She rose quickly from the surf water rolling off her body, while Jake stood next to her with a smile.

“Bella?” Jake asked, noticing Bella was now peering intently at the ocean.

“Shhh.” She told him, placing a finger to her lips.

Edward was momentarily distracted by the site of her dripping body barely clad but quickly recovered to see the change in her countenance. She was looking across the water. A wave crashed over his forehead before her eyes could land on him. He stayed under.

Had she seen him? Impossible. No. It was possible she saw his hair floating. If he stayed under she would imagine it was seaweed. He took one last look at her body underwater. She waded out deeper and was in the surf up to her neck, thirty feet or so away. Edward saw… even underwater the jewel on her bracelet seemed to glow. It seemed on fire now. A blue flame even in the dark waters.

Edward retreated deeper into the water. He had seen she was safe. The mystery of the bracelet, Jacob Black’s domination of her life… biting, tattoos… these were issues he would address with her. He just had to make sure she was there when the Volturi arrived. She would change to save the family. Then Black could have no claim on her. Until then, Edward would have to rethink how he behaved around her. She fell in love with him before. Why would he act any differently now. She wanted him to take charge like Black.

He would be waiting for her when she returned home. In her room.

BPOV

“What’s wrong Bella?” Jake whispered.

“Vampire.” I whispered back.

Knowing one was out there, I began wading deeper into the surf. Jake grabbed my hand. I turned and raised an eyebrow. He let go of my hand and stepped back. I took a deep breath and looked underwater.

That was dumb.

Washington State isn’t exactly known for crystal clear waters. I did see mud and shadows before saltwater flooded my eyes turning them instantly red.

I stood up wiping my eyes and cursing. Jake was laughing.

“So I guess an armored scuba mask doesn’t come standard?”

“Jake there is a vampire in the water somewhere. Why don’t we go back to the shore so I don’t have to watch your back while you doggy paddle to land when it attacks?”

“Ouch. Dog jokes Bella? Old Quil is rubbing off on you.”

Still though he backed up. I followed, never taking my eyes off the surf. My bracelet was no longer humming. Whatever leech it had sensed was gone now.

“Let’s go see Dad. Then I need to check on Thunder and probably head back.” I suggested/ordered.

“Why do you have to go back?”

I turned and saw reality crashing in on him. It sucked for me too.

“You know Jake. You know.”

“Yeah. How about we go for a run? You and your four legs and me and mine?” he grinned.

“Really? You won’t cry when I win?” I asked challengingly.

“So long as you don’t cry when your horse has a heart attack caused by a giant wolf overrunning him”

“It’s her, and my horse has never seen a wolf’s ass and never will.”

“Let’s go Cowgirl.” I didn’t bother to change at Quil’s. No point in putting on clothes that could get ripped. We walked towards the forest and as soon as we were under cover, Jake phased quickly, no doubt hoping to scare Thunder. She didn’t budge.

I hopped on and felt the bracelet come alive and attach me with Thunder. The power radiated through her. Her eyes glowed bright blue. Her muscles felt electric. I lead over to her ear and whispered.

“Run.”

Soon the trees were flashing by us. I heard Jake running beside us but I was too focused on riding. Being lost in the feeling of being out of control. God it felt good.

I opened my mind to Jakes and saw immediately that we weren’t the only ones present. Apparently the Pack was enjoying watching our race.

/I can’t believe she is beating you Jake. Your embarrassing us all./ Paul said, popping into our heads.

Jake didn’t respond but I could feel his joy. He was holding back.

He pulled up alongside me and rolled his eyes. Poor thing. He had no idea I was holding back to.

“Go Thunder.”

I wish I could have seen Jake’s eyes when we shot in front of him again but I didn’t feel like turning around.

He pulled up beside me at the top of small mountain. We came out of the cloud bank and basked in the sun. Thunder sat down and I stepped off while Jake phased.

We sat down on the ground and he held me for what must have been hours. I lost track of time because before I knew it the sun was going down. The two of us had said nothing all day. We just sat on the ground naked holding each other. It was perfect.

Unfortunately I had to go back. Maybe Billy was right. Perhaps I should just kill them or wait in La Push until Irkalla arrived at some point in two weeks.

No. The bracelet whispered. My sisters and I had talked about this. Our best chance to strike was to strike first by surprise. She would think the witches were gone. She would never imagine if there was a witch that the witch would be among a coven of vampires, hanging out. It was perfect.

Jake dropped me off. My Bike was parked in the front. I suppose Edward had brought it back after all.

I walked in, already depressed that Jake wasn’t here. Trying to sleep tonight was going to suck without his warm body under me. Or on top of me. Or holding me from behind with his arms wrapped around my waist.

Or being woken up in the middle of the night by a bout of Billy’s inhuman snoring.

We were going to need our own place.

Before I opened the door my bracelet was buzzing. Damn it. Fucking vampires. Whose death am I going to have to cover up this time?

No one was in my living room or kitchen. So whoever it is, must be in the popular vampire hang out spot known as my room. I had on jeans and a tee shirt. No bra. Good. I didn’t think I could afford to buy anymore. Call it vain but I refused to fight in a metal bra covered by a real bra. Just ugh. Like Ursulla told me I would, I overcame modesty issues quickly. I really wanted to commune with my sisters tonight. Talk to Chris’s wife about my concerns. Instead I had to placate some fucking Cullen.

Then again it may not be a Cullen.

I walked as casually as I could, trying to remember that I was not supposed to know a vampire was here.

Opening my door I couldn’t help my eyes. They traveled straight to the memento of my childhood that I planned to fucking burn one day. The damn rocking chair in the corner.

“Hello Bella.”

Edward did not look so good.

“Edward? Something wrong with my door?”

“As far as I know it is working fine. I tried to call you yesterday. To find out if you were okay? You didn’t answer.”

“Sorry. Slipped my mind. I was busy. I think my phone was dead for most of the day.”

“Of course. I just wanted to see for myself that you were fine.”

“Well I’m here and I’m fine. So… you can go?” I tried.

“No. Victoria was near the area tonight. The other family members are hunting her. I will be staying here tonight to make sure you are okay. Go ahead and sleep. I will be here. Making sure nothing happens.”

Oh fuck no.

“Edward you are not going to sit there and watch me sleep.” I told him sternly.

“It is the only way I can feel truly sure of your safety Bella. To be honest it is a burden for the family to be guarding you here. Until this Victoria situation is over I believe you should stay with us. You can have my room. I will have a bed placed in it.”

“I am not going anywhere. If you want me somewhere other than here I will move in with Jake.”

“If you go near that dog again I will never speak to you again.”

Whoa.

What has happened to Eddie Boy?

“Edward I don’t know what has gotten into you tonight but you need to leave. Now.”

“No. Get ready for bed. I can smell the dog all over you. Take a shower. Also, do I need Alice to shop for you? Apparently you have forgotten how a lady dresses. At least in regards to undergarments. Do you own any?”

Oh sweet God. Why do you tempt me like this? Why? I could literally kick his ass all over the Olympic Peninsula and he wants to turn into a controlling bastard now?

Then it hit me. He was the vampire in the water. Who else?

“Edward, do I need to call Jake?”

“Do what you must. If he comes here off his land I will fight him. You won’t stop me. You love me. I love you. I want you back. I need you safe. I have no qualms about killing him. I know you have given yourself to him. Many times, I’m sure. But I want you back. I am tired of taking a backseat and watching him have his way with you. So call him. I will hurt him.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I seethed. I was becoming angry. My right hand was twitching.

“I am the man you love. It is time you gave me a chance. If you don’t want to give me a fair chance then I and my family will leave tonight. You can stay with the other dominating asshole. Have his puppies. Be his slave. I promise you will never see or hear from us again. Your dogs can deal with Victoria on their own. They can deal with the other threat. Say the word. Say it now, Bella. Tell me to go away.”

Oh Edward, I will never tell you to go away. I will watch you burn. Whether it’s me or Jake lighting the fire, I will watch you burn.

I took a deep breath. Calm yourself Bella.

“I don’t want you to leave Edward.”

“Then get ready for bed. I was thinking tomorrow we could visit our meadow.”

“I don’t want to hike and you can’t touch me.”

“I will touch you Bella. I am tired of your games. I understand you are punishing us all for how we left you. But in doing so you are risking your life. It is time we moved on.”

Damn it. Once he touched me it was over anyway. Perhaps I should kill him now? No. I needed information tonight.

“Edward what was Jasper talking about? Who are the Volturi?”

“You don’t want to know Bella. They are my concern. Not yours.”

“You expect me to be with you, to leave Jake and you won’t tell me what is coming? You think I will put up with that? Maybe you should leave. Take your damn family with you.”

If he could bluff so could I.

Edward took a deep breath.

“Fine Isabella. I will tell you. The Volturi are the ruling coven of vampires. They are the enforcer of vampire laws. They are a very powerful coven. We believe for some reason they are responsible for the mass killings of small towns across Europe and the United States. Alice has seen them coming soon.”

“What vampire law?”

“One main law. We can never expose ourselves to humans. At least humans we don’t plan to turn into vampires.”

---

“Like me?”

“Yes.”

“So what happens when they find out about me?” I asked.

“They will kill us all.” Edward said I could tell this time he was not lying.

“You can’t defeat them?” I asked.

“No. They are very powerful…”

Edward went on to tell me what they could do. It made sense. If Irkalla wanted a ready-made army to manage large numbers of newborns then the Volturi would be her first step. The killings started near Italy.

This was bad. These gifted vampire… their gifts may not work on me but they could potentially work on the pack. I believe I could protect them but I could not fight at the same time.

“Go take a shower and come to bed.” Edward said softly. “Tomorrow I am taking you to our home. You will not be alone any longer. You will not be with him.”

“Edward you will not touch me. You may think I am punishing you…”

“Jacob touches you.”

“Jacob didn’t hurt me as badly as you did. As your family did.”

“Fine. We will talk about it later.” He told me.

“You can’t watch me sleep. I will never get any sleep.” I told him honestly.

“Fine. I will be in the hallway or your father’s old room.”

“Okay. I am going to take a shower.” Damn it.

“While you are there take the bracelet off. I don’t like it.”

“The bracelet doesn’t come off.”

“Yes. It does.” He told me.

“Edward this bracelet will come off over my dead body.” This wasn’t a lie. Actually I am pretty certain it would just disappear.

“Another issue we will discuss.”

“Again, another issue that you can simply go home and tell your family you are leaving me to my fate.”

“Take your shower Bella. Wear something with sleeves to bed. I don’t want to see that damn tattoo scarring your skin.”

I wonder if he realizes he just admitted to spying on me?

“I understand Edward.”

Turning to walk to the bathroom Edward fucking Cullen placed me in a bad position. A very bad position.

“On second thought take this damn bracelet off now.”

He grabbed my bracelet.

I jerked my hand away and turned without thinking. I should have had better control. It shouldn’t have happened. I should have had better control.

The look on his face would have been comical if it didn’t complicate so many things.

I took my phone from my back pocket and dialed Jake.

“Bella? What’s wrong?”

“Jacob I need you to call Old Quil and Chris. Then I need the three of you here. Quickly. I messed up and I don’t know what to do.”

“What happened Bella?”

“Edward Cullen’s head is on the floor of my room.”

“How?” he whispered.

“I cut it off.”

Yeah. This would complicate things.