Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 03:

Jake POV

“Why can’t you tell me where she is?” I was getting angry again. The love of my life disappeared. I had just been told that she was supposed to be my soul mate. I didn’t need to be told that. I knew. I have always known. She got lost on the path to us being together for a while. She got bit by a damn rotting vampire. But Dad said she would be better.

She would be mine.

I just had to figure out who to beat to get her location.

“Your thoughts aren’t safe. Before Bella left she told us that Edward Cullen can read minds. Every mind but hers. If we tell you where she is he will find out. She is not ready for that yet.” Dad explained.

“I’m not going to be around Edward Cullen. He left. He won’t be back.”

“Yes. He will. We believe the Cullens may have been keeping track of Bella. She knew too much. Too much for them to leave her alone. Another Cullen. The small girl. She sees the future. Once Bella disappears from her sight there is the possibility that she will be back.”

“So if they come back I will stay away.”

“You cannot stay away. You are the future alpha of this pack. You are the current Beta. You must be there.” Sam said, beginning to piss me off.

“I didn’t ask for this! I don’t want to lead a damn pack!”

“Bella is being strong and taking her destiny, not shying away from it! Is she going to come back to see you shirking your responsibilities?” Sam growled. I wanted to hit him. Hard.

“What exactly is Bella doing?” I asked through gritted teeth once again.

“We can’t tell you.” Dad said once again.

“Because the Cullen’s might read it in my thoughts.” I slightly groaned.

“Yep. Now you’re getting it Jake.” Sam grinned.

I hit him. He was a big guy. He went down like a big guy. Hard.

Now he was up. Snarling. No. That was me snarling.

“Jake please calm down son!”

“Tell me where she is Dad!”

“This is bigger than the two of you! You have destinies. You have responsibilities to the entire human race! Get it together! She is becoming strong. Why don’t you concentrate on being as strong as she is so when she comes back you are worthy of her and not acting like a stubborn child?”

---

Damn. But…

“Dad… a year?”

“Charlie can do it. He has had her less than a year. Yet he knows and understands what she needs to do. He is supporting her. You need to do the same.”

“Can I… can I call her?”

“In a few months.” Sam answered. “Once we have a better read on what the Cullen’s are going to do. If they are staying away or will be satisfied that she isn’t here.”

“She will be back eventually right? What happens when they find her here then? She can’t hide on the reservation forever.” I argued.

Sam smiled.

“Hide out? No. When she comes back they may be hiding from her. She will not hide from anyone. Neither will you.”

Edward POV

“What have you found Alice?” I asked over the bad connection.

“Nothing Edward. I can’t see her future anymore.”

“You think she is… dead?” Please God no.

“I don’t know Edward. I had a vision of her being very sick. It just came to me. I have tried to force a vision of her but I can’t. I have to go there Edward. I have to find out if she is okay. If she… Edward she looked very, very sick. Almost like she…”

“Like she what, Alice?” I knew though.

“Like she was dying Edward.”

“Please stay in the shadows, Alice. We have hurt her. Being around her will only make it worse.”

“If she is sick? If she needs Carlisle?”

“We will take it from there.”

“What if he can’t help her Edward?”

“Alice…”

“I’ll change her to keep her alive Edward. I swear I will. I don’t give a damn what you think.”

I wanted to scream at her. I hurt Bella. I abandoned her. I did it so she could stay human. I couldn’t do it again. If I came back into her life she would be turned. Turned into this.

Still the selfish part of my soul hoped Alice did find her and change her. No responsibility, beg her forgiveness, try to win her back.

I was truly a bastard.

I wanted her with me. I wanted her to have a life free of me. Like she deserved. I was torn. I knew she would be better off without me. Even taking out the vampire part of the equation. Time away meant nothing. My thoughts were still consumed by her.

I said I wanted her to have a human life. I took her away from nearly all things human. I kept her away from other humans, subtly. I didn’t mean to. Maybe I did. I had been so lonely for so long I grabbed her and kept her for myself. I was so obsessed I watched her sleep. I talked about growing up in a different time and how old fashioned I was. My mother would be ashamed if she knew I was watching a young woman sleep.

I never listened to her opinion. She wanted to be a vampire. I didn’t. She didn’t understand. The curse this was. But I never told her why. I just told her no. I could have told her the real reasons for my leaving. I didn’t. I thought I knew best. I crushed her self-confidence. I lied to her. Not only lied but said the things she was most afraid to hear. I didn’t deserve her. I needed to stay away.

That said if I ever had the chance I would fall at her feet and beg forgiveness. I left her and she became sick. Not a cold or flu. Sick enough to trigger a vision.

“Alice just check on her and let me know the status. We will take it from there.” I sighed.

“Okay Edward. Have you had any luck?”

“Yes. I was about an hour behind yesterday but she hit the shore and I lost the scent. She must know I am after her.”

“Catch the bitch Edward. Catch her and burn her.”

“I will Alice. What about Laurent? Has Tanya seen any suspicious behavior?”

“No. He is still wrapped up in Irina. Literally.”

“I don’t trust him Alice. Once Victoria is dead I will make a stop by Denali and visit for a few days.”

“Okay. I have to go. I have to pack for Forks.”

“Alice…”

“I’ll stay in the shadows unless I absolutely can’t.”

“Thank you.” I whispered. The call ended I turned my attention to one of the two vampires who exist in this world who had knowledge of Bella.

First Victoria. Then Laurent. I hurt her. I could do my best to make sure no one else does.

Bella POV

Wow. Thousands and thousands of years old, full of power and wonder, and all I can think is wow. It’s pretty.

It was silver. Shiny. It was only about two inches wide. Strips of silver wrapped around it meeting on top to surround a beautiful blue gemstone. I wasn’t sure what the gemstone was. It was beautiful though. It seemed if you stared at it too long it would captivate you. Not let you go. On the bottom was an opening for me to slip my wrist in. The strands were thick enough to cover the teeth marks on my wrist.

“Once it goes on it will wrap around your wrist. I don’t know what will happen at that point. I understand it has been different for all witches.” Chris mentioned.

Witches? It seemed to strange. I was trying to wrap my head around sweet Jacob being a werewolf or shape shifter. Still thought there wasn’t much difference but Quil was big on semantics.

“Okay.”

“Once it’s on it won’t come off until you are dead.” Chris added on.

“You said some witches in the past gave it up when they found a successor.” I know I heard that.

“There may not be a successor.” Chris said softly.

“What do you mean?”

“You are probably the end of the line Bella. This bracelet and you live or die together. My wife told me once that the next witch would be the last. She said the bracelet told her. She was looking for a successor at the time. Hoping the bracelet would lead her to one.”

Okay.

“Will as long as there is no pressure…” I mumbled. Old Quil laughed.

“Only the fate of the human race little Swan. You got this. Now hurry up and put the thing on.”

“Why the hurry?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I want to see if you have a seizure or something. Just put the damn thing on.”

Old bastard.

“You want a stick?” Quil asked.

“For what?”

“In case you have a seizure? You can bite down on it.”

“I’m not going to have a seizure!”

I looked at Chris.

“Am I?”

“Of course not Bella.” He didn’t sound confident.

I took a deep breath.

“How do I put it on?” I asked while holding the bracelet with my left hand and placing it over my right wrist. Before anyone could answer, the damn silver started moving. The strands were weaving in and out. Oh damn.

It wrapped around my right wrist and a bright light filled my vision. I felt something reaching into my body through my wrist. A connection, almost like the bracelet was sending its beautiful strands deep into my soul. It felt nice. If only I could see. I heard Chris ask if I was alright but his voice sounded like it was at the far end of a tunnel. Then it was gone. I realized I was standing but the room was gone. Instead I was surrounded by white light. A room of light with no end. No sound. Not one.

Damn it! Did I have a seizure? That old man would never let me live it down.

“Hello?”

I spun around and nearly fell on my ass. Instead I regained my balance. That was new.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

I looked closely at her. She had long dark red hair and pale skin. She was slender. Smaller than I was. Shorted by a couple inches. Very petite. Green eyes. So small. But she looked fierce.

“This place is huge. There are no doors. Couldn’t you have walked in front of me?”

She laughed.

“You got me. I was trying to sneak up on you. My name is Ursalla.”

“I know. I don’t know how I know, but I know.”

“Of course you do. We are sisters now. You are the baby sister. The last of us.”

“So it’s true? I’m the last?”

“Yes.”

“What is this place?”

“This is our place. We are one with the weapon now. It is a weapon. It is darkness and light. It will be what you choose it to be. This is the place where we commune. Those who have come before you. After me. When you need us you can find us here. We will know.”

“So why am I here now?”

“I wanted to say hello. Face to face.”

“Oh… hi?”

“The weapon will show you a good many things. Many abilities. Many powers. When you are threatened it will defend you. When you need to attack it will be whatever you need. A sword. A knife. A burst of energy strong enough to break marble. Or marble like bodies like vampires. You are the weapon now. It is a part of you and you are a part of us. I will leave you. But know I and your sisters are always here. Whenever you need us. Our souls are in paradise but our essence, our power lives in this weapon. Wield it well Isabella.”

“I prefer Bella.”

“Of course you do sweetie. I have to go.”

“Where are you going?”

“Did you miss the part about souls residing in paradise?” she grinned.

“Oh. Right. Don’t want to keep you.” I murmured. Paradise? I got Wyoming, an old Indian and an old cowboy. She gets paradise.

“Listen to Chris. Listen to Quil. They are your guides. I will always be here. Now chin up. You are going to kill vampires in many spectacular ways. It will be fun.”

“Okay…”

“Oh, one heads up the guys probably won’t tell you. When you are ready for battle the silver wraps around your body, especially in sensitive areas. Some areas get thicker coverage than others which could cause your clothes to tear off. The silver will cover other areas to give you some modesty but…”

“But what?”

“But not much. Don’t sweat it kid. You have a great body. Jacob will love it. Have fun.”

With a smile, a wave and a flash of light she was gone.

Modesty?

I closed my eyes not even wanting to think about that. Before I could open my eyes I felt the hand slap my face.

“Swan! Swan!”

Quil was bent over me, slapping my face.

“Would you stop?”

“Oh sorry.” He at least looked sheepish. “I got worried. You passed smooth out.”

“Did you catch me?” My head hurt.

“No. You just put an ancient weapon on your wrist. I wasn’t touching you.” Quil explained.

“I tried to catch you Miss Bella but Sitting on his ass Bull wouldn’t get out of the way.” Chris said quietly, helping me up.

“What happened?” Quil asked, He seemed nervous. I wonder what that was about? He knew something would happen.

“I talked to Ursalla.”

“Good. How do you feel?” He asked.

“Fine. Did I have a seizure?”

“No. Unfortunately not.” Quil actually laughed but he still looked worried. “I will get you some water.”

The old man walked to the kitchen quickly.

“What is up with him?” I asked Chris.

“You scared the hell out of him. To his tribe the wolf pack is held in the highest esteem. You are the mate of the Alpha. In addition he is your guide. That puts him in a fatherly type role towards you. Plus he doesn’t want to go back and explain to the Alpha of the pack and your police chief father that he let something happen to you.”

“Oh.” Nice to know he cares.

“I was scared to. First time I ever saw someone put it on. It wrapped around your arm like a damn snake, then you were on the ground. How do you feel? Really?”

Quil brought me a glass of water back. I took a sip and thought about it.

“I feel good.” I looked at the ornament on my wrist. Pretty. Kind of classy. You wouldn’t expect it to be what it is.

What was it?

“Is it heavy?” Quil asked.

“No. I don’t even notice it.”

Quil looked at Chris and shrugged his shoulders.

“Tell me about Edward Cullen, Bella.” Quil asked out of nowhere.

“Edward? What does Edward have to do…”

I stopped cold. The pain that usually occurred when I said his name was not there. There was no hole in my chest. I didn’t feel empty. What the hell?

/He no longer has a hold child./ A female’s voice popped into my head.

“What the fuck was that?” I jumped.

“What?” Chris looked panicked. These were my guides? They didn’t know anymore than I did.

“A voice just popped into my head. It wasn’t mine.”

“What did it say?” Quil was asking peering closely into my eyes.

“What are you looking at? Are you trying to look into my head. Personal space Quil!”

“Oh sorry. Doubt there was anything there worth looking at anyway.” He remarked but did wink.

“She said he no longer has a hold of you, then called me child.”

“Edward Cullen?” Quil asked again.

“Yeah…” What happened. Memories flooded my mind. Seeing him in Biology and thinking how beautiful he was. Being fascinated by him. His scent… his fucking scent. Watching me sleep. What the hell? He broke into my house and watched me sleep. I was okay with that? Why was I okay with that?

After James it became worse. We were always together. Never apart. I couldn’t stand to be away from him. Minutes not having him near felt like eternity.

“What did I let him do?”

“He enthralled you Bella. A trick vampires can do. Draw humans in to make them do whatever they want.” Chris answered.

I remembered the way Edward was with others. How they always seemed to bend over backwards to make him happy. Teachers at school. Waitresses where I ate.

“Why?” I asked myself.

“Why what child?” Old Quil was back in my personal space.

“If he enthralled me why did he leave?” I whispered.

“Quil and I have talked about this a bit Bella. We don’t… don’t think he meant to do it. He may not have known he was doing it to you. If he had left you it would have been bad. Leaving you while having his venom in you…”

“It wasn’t his venom. It was James.” I countered.

“He sucked the venom out. Think of it as backwash.” Quil added on.

“I had Edward Cullen’s backwash in my skin?” Ewww.

“Yep.”

“Do you still feel connected to him?” Chris asked.

No. I didn’t. I honestly couldn’t figure out why I reacted as badly as I did. Had he been any other guy that broke up with me it wouldn’t have been a big deal. But why…

“No. I don’t feel like I am missing him anymore. I’m wondering what the hell I was doing to begin with. Enthrallment? Really?”

“Perhaps a dash of stupid teenage girl thrown in for good measure.” Quil helpfully added.

We stood in silence while I sipped my water and stared at the bracelet. It felt so natural. I suspected it was embedded in my body. It was never coming off. I was good with that. I didn’t want it to. I found myself feeling very possessive of it. It was mine.

“So what now?” I asked.

I looked at my two guides. They… didn’t seem to have a clue.

“My wife used to turn it into this big armored glove thing when she was angry at me. Maybe you could get angry at Quil and do that to him?”

That did remind me of something Ursalla said.

“Chris, Ursulla told me about some issues with modesty? Anything I need to know about?”

“Yes Chris. You mentioned those to me. Why don’t you let Bella know?” Old Quil was smiling.

“Uh… it’s not really a big deal. I mean, its just… if you are attacked suddenly and are wearing long sleeves shirts or something like that… its just the armor flows over your skin. It never has a steady form. Sometimes the shoulders are more armored. Sometimes other area. Whatever is needed at the time. But at times, the armor can cause portions of clothes to tear.”

“I’m going to fight naked?!” You have to be kidding.

“No! God No! But… will it covers your lady parts but…”

“But?” This was definitely things that should have been covered before. Die or walk around wearing nothing but skimpy metal armor molded to my skin.

“But not much.” Chris admitted. He was blushing.

“Chris used to tell me how hot his wife was in that armor Bella.” Quil winked. Great. Now I was blushing.

“Relax kid. The bigger the threat the more the armor reacts. Just make sure if you get in a fight it’s a good one.” Quil finished patting me on the back and walking away.

I need to start working out. I was not walking around in skin tight silver armor looking like I was. Speaking of I looked like hell. I wondered if I weighed 90 pounds.

“We will work it out kid.” Chris smiled, blush finally gone.

“So what do I do now?”

“Live. Eat. Get strong.”

“How do I get strong?” I used to not have to think about it. It came naturally. Before Edward Cullen.

“Tomorrow morning you get up at sun up and we start. You eat, and you learn your magic. You learn to fight. You learn to defend. You learn to love yourself. When you are ready the bracelet will tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

“That it’s time to begin. That will be time to go back to Forks.”

“This all takes place in Forks?”

The battle happens in Forks? Really?

“No. It’s where it starts. Relax. We are your guides. Let us guide you. Now let’s get something to eat. I cook a mean Chili.”

I nodded. I felt better than I had since I could remember. It would be good to eat. Sleep. Take a shower…

Hey Swan, catch!”

I heard Old Quil’s voice when I turned. But all I saw was the knife he threw coming at me in slow motion. It was flipping end over end. It seemed to be moving slowly and quickly at once. I grabbed it out of the air in front of my face. Only the hand that grabbed it was covered by a huge silver glove with pointed tips and grooves running down it. It almost looked alive with the grooves curving in and out. It was my hand. It should have felt heavy but it didn’t. The blue gemstone that had been in my bracelet was on top of my glove, glowing brightly. Humming. Alive.

I squeezed the glove and the knife bent in two and snapped.

“Are you fucking crazy!?” I yelled. I walked towards Quil and he backed away smiling.

“Look at yourself?” He laughed.

He pulled in a stand up mirror from the living room while I stood there seething.

Oh damn.

Silver armor wrapped around my eyes and under my jaw. My shirt had been loose but I could still see the areas the silver had covered. My breasts from the shoulders wrapped to between my legs and down to the ground where my feet were protected in armored boots that rose to my knees. Metal strands seemed to be swirling around my body. It was a living organism.

My left hand was completely covered in silver metal but it was flexible. I lost no dexterity. It was like a second skin. Soft and hard at the same time. My right hand with the broken knife still clutched in it was huge. A huge claw like glove. I felt like I could make it do things. I didn’t know what yet but…

I pointed my hand at Old Quil.

“Hey! Put that damn thing away! You can’t just point that at anyone!”

“You threw a fucking knife at me!” I was still a little pissed. “You could have killed me!”

“It was a butter spreading knife. The worst that could have happened is a slight nick! Stop being a damn drama queen.”

“You did throw a knife at her Quil.” Chris agreed. My glove remained leveled at him.

“Seriously. Put your hand down. I just wanted to see if it would work. Don’t make me get my staff little Swan.”

“Your staff? You mean your stick? Bring it here. Let’s see what it can do against the big sliver claw I have attached to my arm! You threw a knife at me!”

“He won’t do it again Bella. Will you Quil?”

“Not if she is going to fucking point her new toy at me for throwing a butter knife!”

I dropped my hand. It was a butter knife and I really didn’t want to accidentally hurt him. Still.

“Look on the bright side little Swan. You now know that every time you use the weapon it won’t shred your clothes.” He grinned.

“That’s what you wanted to see?”

“No. I wanted to see it work. All these stories and its true. I threw a knife at you as hard as I could. You snapped it out of the air and broke it. You moved like I have heard vampires move. Just as fast.”

I looked back at the mirror. I did look pretty awesome.

I am so glad my clothes didn’t tear off.

“Okay guides. Now the big question. How do I turn this off?”

Hearing nothing I tore my gaze away from the mirror and looked at Chris and Quil. Both looked worried.

Chris shrugged his shoulders.

“We were hoping maybe you might know?”

“I could try my staff?” Quil offered.

These were my guides. Great.