Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 41:

Bella POV

I woke up with Jacob’s arms around me. They felt so good. His warmth, his biceps curling against my…

“Jake where are the babies?!”

“Wha… calm down Bella. They are sleeping in their room. The monitor is on.”

I practically ran to their nursery next to our room and saw them sleeping in their beds. They looked so peaceful. They had been up off and on every night since they were born. I usually woke at 3 to feed them both. Actually Jake and I were supposed to take turns but the other always woke up to watch. Since they slept in our room it wasn’t a long trip. We slept when they slept, which wasn’t much despite being newborns. Anya said not to worry so I wasn’t worrying. Yet.

“What are they doing in here?” I asked Jake quietly as he walked behind me and rubbed my shoulders.

“You said last night we needed to start letting them sleep in their own rooms. You feel asleep so I brought you to bed and then put them in bed. You all slept through the night.” He explained.

“Jake when I said we needed to start letting them sleep in their own room I meant later. Not last night. I can’t believe we let them…”

“Stop Bella. I heard everything going on in here. I didn’t need a monitor to do it either.”

“Jake she could have…”

“No. She couldn’t. Stop it.”

I turned and he was glaring. I could do that too.

“They are going to be hungry. Let me get their bottle ready and then after I feed them I need to pump.”

I had been pumping as much as possible. I didn’t know how long I would be able to breastfeed them but I wanted to do it as long as possible. I loved feeding them from me, but I could stock up more if I placed the milk in bottles.

“Maybe we should think about trying out formula.” Jake suggested quietly. Not quietly enough. I heard.

“I’m the mother. Let me worry about how to feed them.” I snapped.

God I felt irritated this morning. He put our babies in another room and Irkalla knows who I am. Surely she can figure out where I live.

“Okay. How about I get you some breakfast ready?”

“I’m not hungry. Too much to do. Once they wake up start changing their diapers. I’m going to the kitchen to get their bottles with my breast milk in them.” I said pointedly.

Of course he followed.

“Bella why don’t you find out if you can heal yourself quicker? If you are so worried about…”

“Shut the fuck up Jake.”

“Bella we need to…”

“Jake the moment I wrap that armor around me I become a witch again instead of a mother.” I told him without thinking.

He said nothing for a few moments. He looked… sad.

“I’m sorry Jake. I shouldn’t have snapped. I just… I’m used to seeing them when I wake up. It freaked me out.”

“Bella you are their mother. It doesn’t matter what they are fed.” He caressed my cheek while he spoke in his smooth, calm tone.

I was irritated again.

“Let’s get to work.”

I walked into the kitchen when it hit me. The smell of sour milk. The bottles from last night. They were empty. Jake didn’t wash them.

“Jake! You didn’t put the bottles in the dishwasher!”

He of course came strolling around the corner with his lovely grin.

“Wow that stinks. My bad Bella. I’ll get that right now.”

“Your bad? Your bad Jake? You know what? Screw it. I’ll handle everything. The next time I fall asleep do not put me in bed. Wake me up so I can clean the kitchen and make sure my babies are asleep where they are supposed to be.”

“Your babies? I thought they were our babies?”

“Then start fucking acting like it. If Irkalla came in through a window you would have to go through a wall. Boards, Jake. You could hit them with a board. Think about that? I know you like to phase in the air and jump in front of vampires but flying debris in the nursery is not something we need. Use your fucking head!”

I swear I was the only one who understood the danger. Probably because I was the only one who got my body crushed by her.

“Maybe you should go see Theresa this morning. I can handle things here Bella.” He said quietly.

Oh my God. He just asked me to see my therapist. That caused me to take a step back. What the hell was wrong with me? I get that he’s a slob but I knew that when I married him.

“No. I’m sorry. I’m fine. I’m just not ready for them to sleep in another room. Not until she is dead. For good this time. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

He pulled me into his arms and I let him.

“I’m going to get these bottles washed and decontaminated. I’ll get some bottles ready for the kids. Just relax. You slept for 6 hours last night. You need more though. I got this Bells. I can handle a Pack, I can handle our children.”

I kissed him on his cheek and smiled.

“You really can’t, but I appreciate the optimism.”

I felt it. Thunder. She was hurting.

Leaving Jake behind I rushed out the front of our house and around back where the stable was. Thunder was in her pin. We really didn’t need it. She wouldn’t go anywhere, but it would look strange to the tribe if a horse just stayed in our backyard without wandering. They already treated me… differently. I wondered once if I would ever be fully accepted by the Tribe. That was not a problem it seems. Blow hordes of undead to pieces and you are in.

Claire.

“Claire what the hell are you doing?!” I ran to her, lifting her off Thunder and feeling a sharp prick in my sides as one of her little feet hit me.

“I’m playing rodeo.” She explained calmly. Thank God Thunder didn’t react. She would have killed Claire.

“Where did you get those?” I asked her pointing to the worn but still shiny spurs haphazardly taped to her pink sneakers with Duct Tape.

“Old Quil’s closet.”

“Why were you looking… what were you doing… what the… Claire where is Emily? Quil? You can’t just walk into people’s houses and take things.”

“Quil won’t jump when he is a wolf and neither will Thunder. Lane said half a score comes from a bull jumping. How am I going to be a bull rider if nobody will jump? So I got spurs. Chris won’t mind.”

“What did you say? About Chris?”

Claire looked at the ground.

“Claire what do you know about Chris?” I pressed.

“Nothin. He saved me though? Lane said he saved me.”

I took a deep breath. This had to stop.

“Claire where is Lane?”

“Behind you.” Figures.

“Claire put these spurs back exactly where you got them. You are not allowed to use them on any animals. It hurts animals when you do this. You don’t want to hurt Thunder do you?”

“No.” she whimpered, eyes watering and nose beginning to sniffle.

“Take off the spurs, take them back to Quil’s closet and then come over to my house. Have you eaten?”

She nodded her head.

“Does Emily know where you are?”

She shook her head.

Go home and tell Emily you are going to come help me feed the babies. Okay? But first put those spurs up. Got me little cowgirl?”

She wiped her eyes, wiped her nose, nodded, hugged me and ran off towards Quil’s. I took another deep breath and turned around. I didn’t see him.

“Lane?”

Nothing.

“Lane!” I yelled.

“Ma’am?”

There he was. Stroking Thunder’s mane.

“Lane she could have been hurt.”

“I know. I told her not to. Kids huh?” he grinned.

“Lane…”

“I know. I promise I will talk to her.”

“Why did you tell her where to find Chris’s spurs?”

“I didn’t. Swear.”

Then how… she was such a nosey kid. I loved her so much but damn.

“Lane can I ask you a question? Why are you still here? Why haven’t you moved on?”

His face dropped a bit. I didn’t want to offend him. I just wanted to know.

“I’m sorry Bell…”

“No I am. I just want to know. I don’t mean to offend you.”

“I’m waitin’ on Kellie. My wife. And then with what’s goin’ on in the world I knew you would be important. So I watched. Then when Little Claire there got attacked her gift became active. Her sight. Bella a kid her age… there are spirits out there who prey on kids like that. So I stay around. Keep them away. Least till she is old enough to do it for herself.”

Sad to say that never occurred to me. That Claire could see others. Maybe those whose intentions were to harm her. Maybe not physically but mentally and emotionally.

“Thanks Lane. But no more…”

“No problem Bella. I promise, no more rodeo stories. By the way those babies are beautiful. Congratulations.”

Lane was gone.

Too much had happened and it was early. I hadn’t been up thirty minutes. Jake was right. I needed more sleep. But first my babies needed to be fed.

Jake POV

After the mega ass chewing I received I figured it would be best not to follow. Instead I cleaned out the bottles I left out and pulled two new ones from the fridge and turned on the bottle warmer. I could hear both babies shuffling around. They would be awake soon. With luck I could get the diapers changed and have them both with bottles in my arms when the bit… my loving wife returns. I mean damn. Try to do her a favor. Try to express a fucking opinion…

“Morning son.”

Dad walked in with a grin. He loved to watch the babies feed. Not so much on the diaper changes. I admit it was pretty rough but I got used to it quickly.

“Morning Dad.”

“My babies up?”

“No not yet. They actually slept through the night for the first… Dad?”

Dad was gone. I ran to the room and he already had Serena in his arms and was moving towards Chris’s bed.

Serena started crying. Chris heard and started crying.

“Oh no. Don’t do that. It’s just grandpa, princess.” Dad said quietly with a smug grin on his face

“They like to wake up on their own Dad. But since you started both of them crying you can change Serena’s diaper and I’ll get Chris.”

“Diaper?”

“Yeah. Diaper.” I reiterated.

“Can I change Chris? Please?”

“You had two daughters Dad. What is the problem?”

“No problem. Just wondering.” He mumbled. “So what are they doing in here? Bella finally give in and let them sleep in their own beds?”

I may have growled a bit, but I stuffed it down for the most part so I could try to calm Chris whose diaper weighed about ten pounds and was probably very hungry.

“Not exactly. She fell asleep about two and I put them all to bed.”

“Uh oh.”

“Don’t start.” I grumbled. “They are fine. I could hear everything that went on in here and around the house.

Dad didn’t say anything. Instead he laid Serena down on the changing table.

“So how is Bella doing?”

“She’s a bitch.” I said before I could bring it back to my mouth. I cringed but Dad laughed. Still I felt bad immediately.

“She’s been great. She has. She just jumped my ass this morning because they slept in here and I’m not in the best mood.”

“Should have just put them in your bed.” Dad said under his breath.

“She also refuses to consider formula even though we have no way of knowing when she will have to make a move. I have no problem with her staying back, quitting this whole thing. But she won’t. Instead she will ignore the problem until she can’t anymore and then jump into action. She wants to plan for her death but she won’t plan for the possibility of having to actually fight and kill Irkalla soon.”

I was a bit frustrated. I was a lot frustrated.

“Plus she is paranoid. We patrol La Push constantly. We won’t be surprised. But she is sure vampires are going to be jumping through the twins windows to grab them in the night.”

“Son, being new parents is stressful for anyone. But the two of you are newlyweds, young, neither of you even graduated high school. Add in all the death and terror and tragedy we have all faced over the last year… give her a break. Be strong for her.”

I nodded my head. She was my life. When she was in a bad mood so was I. When she was happy, so was I.

I finished Chris’s diaper and took him to the kitchen, Dad following. Bella was pulling out the bottles from the warmer and greeted Dad with a smile. Her hair was a mess and she was wearing one of my old t-shirts that hung to her knees.

She never looked more beautiful. Even if she was being a bitch.

Dad and I sat down and Bella handed us bottles, kissing me on the cheek in the process.

“Sorry for being a bitch. I love you. I’ll start breakfast.” She whispered. I winked back and instantly felt better.

Quil must have been drawn by the smell of eggs being fried. He walked in without knocking of course.

“Mornin’ Blacks.”

“Morning Quil. What brings you here?” I asked, already knowing.

“Just finished Breakfast at Sam’s and thought I would see what you guys had to eat… holy shit what’s wrong with their bellybuttons!?”

“No cursing in front of my babies Quil!” Bella yelled from the kitchen.

“Nothing is wrong with their belly buttons Quil. All babies look like this.”

“Bulls…”

“Quil!” Bella yelled again.

“Bullstuff. They look like aliens are trying to burrow in and the tails are still hanging out.”

“Quil, go in the kitchen. Where is Claire at?”

“She’s pouting. Mumbling about not gonna get a good score. Whatever the hell she’s talking about. Emily is seeing Anya later with Sam so I’m gonna take her to the playground. You want to come? See what the kids can do?”

“They are a week old Quil. They can’t do anything.” I responded.

“You think? Maybe they got some of Bella…”

“Shut the fuck up!” I whispered sharply.

“Whoa. Sorry. Forgot. Bella sensitive. Got it.” Quil whispered.

Bella came in and tried to take Chris.

“Eat.” I told her.

“You first. I’m not…”

“Eat.” I told her again. Her shoulders sagged indicating surrender and she walked back into the kitchen. By the time she returned, both children had finished their bottles. Bella picked up Serena from Dad’s arms and motioned for me to bring her Chris once she sat down. I grabbed a plate and came back to the living room, enjoying the smiles she was giving her children.

Eventually the smiles turned to more thoughtful gazes. This meant she was thinking deeply about some topic.

“Jake?”

“Yeah Bells?”

“Your right. Maybe we should start getting them used to formula.”

I had wanted her to agree to that. So why did I feel a bit sad?

“If you think its best Bells. Want me to go talk to Anya later and see what kind she thinks we should use?”

“Yeah we can go together…”

Our conversation was interrupted by the phone.

I looked at Caller ID and was instantly alert. A feeling of dread overcoming me. I took one last look at Bella and the babies, babbling to each other on the couch. I wanted to memorize this moment. I had a feeling it would soon be over.

“Hello Dave.”

“Jake. We need to talk. Is Bella there?”

“Yep. Let me put you on speakerphone.”

I walked the phone over to the coffee table in front of Bella and hit speakerphone.

“Bella, Jacob, how are the babies?”

“Great Dave, let’s get to the point.” I grumped. Bella kicked my leg.

“Sorry. Look I have some good news and bad.”

“Good news. Please?” Bella asked quickly.

“We found the box. At least we found a box in a cave on an altar with satanic carvings and skeletons on the ground and weapons and other weird shit. If this isn’t the box, I give up.”

Holy shit.

“Great. Bring me that box Dave. Also could you take pictures of the chamber you found it in? It may give me clues…” Bella began.

“That’s the bad news Bella. We can’t move it.”

Oh. Wait. Hell no…

“No Bella. I’ll go.”

“Calm down Jake. Dave why can’t it be moved?”

“We don’t know. I’ve had scientists there for the past 24 hours. Nothing about it makes it appear special. A solid black box made of an unknown stone. It must be incredibly dense though. Nothing we have used has been able to lift it. We can’t even budge it, although it doesn’t appear to be anchored down.”

“I have to go.” Bella whispered.

“No. I can lift it.” I argued.

“No you can’t Jake. You don’t have the bracelet.”

I gazed in her eyes and saw they were watering.

“I’m sorry Bella. We can leave it there. Maybe draw her to Iraq somehow?” Dave suggested.

“No. No it’s okay. I have a job to do. I guess maternity leave is over. I need the coordinates of the site Dave. I need video. I have to visualize this. I’ve never…”

“I can arrange transportation. You don’t have to do that.”

“No time Dave. Give me what I need and I will be there within the hour. Time is important. I don’t know how I know but I do.”

“Okay. I have a Delta Force Unit guarding it. The guy in charge of the security and site is Major William Whitlock. I’ll let him know not to be surprised by… whatever it is you plan to do.”

“Thanks Dave.”

“Bella, I’m sorry.”

“We have to win Dave. Don’t be sorry. Be glad you found it. We have a chance now.”

“Bella she is hiding. It could be years…”

“I won’t be. She isn’t attacking me personally to wait for years. Send me what I need. I will be there in an hour or two.”

I ended the call and sat back. Dad or Quil didn’t say a word. I waited for her to speak.

“Jake you have to stay with the babies…”

“No. I go with you.”

“Jake…”

“They stay with Rachel and Paul. The entire Pack will be here. If something happens Dad can call me and we can be back…”

“You really think we are going to get signals out there? I don’t even know where there is! I’m still surprised I got to the Whitehouse. I could open up a portal under the Persian Gulf.”

“Then you will open another one. I’m going with you.”

“Jake I need you to protect…”

“Bella?” Dad spoke softly. He took a knee in front of her.

“Yeah Billy?”

“I swear on my ancestors honor. No harm will come to these children while I and any one of the Pack live.”

Bella pulled the children closer to her, looked my Dad in the eyes and dropped her head.

“Okay. Jake, take them from me. I need to get ready. Quil will you go and get your grandfather? I need him to come to.”

“You want Old Quil to come?” I asked a bit surprised.

“Yes. I’m going to need him to see this chamber.” Bella replied.

Bella POV

I walked to the beach. I really could have done this anywhere. I could have done it at home. But I wanted to be alone.

The truth of the matter was I wanted to armor up the day after I gave birth. I was so sore and I wanted it to go away. But the feeling of being able to nurse my children let me feel… normal for a while. As normal as I could anyway. When I nursed them or changed their diapers or bathed them. Held them swaddled in my arms I could forget everything. I could forget the world outside. Forget an ancient evil vampire was killing my old friends. That she had my mother doing God knows what to her. But it was avoidance. I knew I couldn’t sit back for long. I knew she was coming. I felt it in my heart. Taking off my clothes I briefly wondered if anyone was in the trees watching. I hadn’t seen anyone. It didn’t matter. This wouldn’t take long.

I looked at the sky and closed my eyes to center myself. My bracelet hummed. I opened myself up to it and immediately felt the armor sliding over my body, craving around my legs, my arms. My waist. My neck was covered. My face.

A jolt hit my body. I briefly wondered if I had been hit with a bolt of lightning from out of nowhere. Instead the armor receded. I stood naked on the beach once again. The rain had begun to fall lightly.

Remembering that this wasn’t a nude beach I reached down for my clothes and instantly noticed it. My abs were cut and tight. Not a sign that I had given birth. My breasts were back to my pre pregnancy size. My legs were strong. I wasn’t sore. I felt like I could run miles.

I should have been happy. No woman get a chance to do this. It was amazing. Instant. Like the last nine months never happened.

With that thought I fell to the sand and curled up in the sand and cried. I kept crying. I hoped no one saw me. The naked pale body on the beach, lying in a fetal position while it rained. I wanted to get up but I couldn’t. Not yet.

Instead I felt arms that radiated heat wrapping me up and lifting me from the ground. It seemed like Jake did that a lot.

“You are going to nurse again Bella. Next time I swear you will have time to heal naturally. I swear baby.”

I said nothing, just nodding my head. Knowing he couldn’t keep that promise. Actually if anyone could it would be Jake.

He helped me dress and we walked back to the house. I put on the outfit we had acquired when we were filming staged battle scenes of vampire parts. Jake put his on as well. I reviewed what Dave sent us, and a chill went down my spine looking at that chamber. As much as I wanted Jake here protecting our children, at that moment I was glad he would be with me as well.

I kissed my children. Jake handed Chris to Paul. I wouldn’t hand Serena to Rachel. They both had Jacob’s eyes and hers were staring directly into mine. I didn’t want to stop looking at them. Rachel touched my cheek.

“They will be here and be safe. I swear it. Let Aunt Rachel have her time Bella. Just a few hours.”

I nodded and let Rachel take her.

“You have her bottles right? And don’t forget the powder after you change Chris especially. And they haven’t bathed. I should be back to do that but if I’m not, the shampoo is in the bag. Don’t use a lot…”

“Bella? I got this. Trust me.”

I hugged Rachel then Paul and turned to go outside. I was a bit surprised to see Eric, Billy, Ricky, Quil and Sam, phased in front of the house in broad daylight. Residents up the street were standing outside staring. Old Quil walked up, hair in a ponytail, carrying his staff, dressed in black BDUs like Jake and I were.

“Council made a decision. Fuck it. Whole tribe knows anyway. They can keep a secret. Wolves will be surrounding this house until we return. Jared and Rebecca are patrolling tight around the border.”

“Thank you Quil.” Jake told him. Charlie ran towards the house and didn’t stop until he had me in a hug.

“Get back soon. I love you.”

“I love you too Daddy.”

“Jake, bring her back the way she is leaving. Understand?”

“I got this Charlie. She won’t be hurt.”

“Worry about yourself.” I laughed. “I can handle this.”

“Yeah but you really haven’ done anything besides get huge for the past several months. Let’s hope you have some skill still left.” Old Quil cracked. Bastard. I should drop him in the Persian Gulf.

I turned around and rolled up my sleeve. If I looked at my children any longer in Rachel and Paul’s arms I would lose it. My glove appeared instantly.

“Let’s see if I have any skill left old man.”

Focus. Whispering the familiar chant I said a silent prayer that this would get me where I needed to be. A burst of light appeared and I stepped inside. Jake and Old Quil by my side.

We saw the light and then darkness. We were in a desert. That much was certain judging by the sand beneath our feet and the absolute lack of features. Shit. We would never be able to find this place. It was ten PM local time. Quiet.

“You guys see anything?” I whispered.

“Dirt.” Quil replied.

We should have looked behind us.

“Identify yourself!”

The three of us turned and made out a rock structure twenty feet away. In front of the feature were man made barriers.

Behind those barriers were men pointing guns at us.

“Jacob and Bella Black. I believe the President told you to expect us.” Jacob said in a calmer voice than I was feeling.

“Behind the barriers now! We have incoming. We thought the light was an explosive. Get over here!”

Incoming?

The question in my mind was answered clearly when gunfire broke out behind us. The men in front of us ducked. My armor instantly covered my body ripping my boots. Damn it.

Jake picked me up and threw me over his shoulders and then we were diving over a barrier. Old Quil screamed and landed next to us.

“I’m hit!”

Oh shit.

“Stay down you three. Follow me on your hands and knees to the cave behind us. Do not pop your head up.”

I saw a man in desert camo. He resembled Jasper a bit. Of course. Major Whitlock. Descendant of Jasper Whitlock’s family. Why not? Everything else about my life was surreal.

“I’m really hurting here.” Old Quil whispered.

“Let me get you into the cave opening. I’ll get a medic.” The good Major instructed us.

Jake grabbed Quil by the shoulder and we crawled behind the Whitlock to the opening of a cave. Even in the dark I could see the rock structure jutting out seven feet high.

“Where is the box?” I asked immediately.

“Through that hole in the back.”

“I’m hit here Bella. It hurts. I don’t think this is going to heal.” Quil said once again.

My heart stopped when I turned and looked at Old Quil on the ground. He really was hit.

“Where are you hit Quil?” I whispered.

“I don’t know. I hurt everywhere. I can feel the bullet inside me. I’m getting cold, Bella.” He whispered.

Jake rolled him over. There was a bit of blood on the ground but not much. It must be inside him still. Filling him with blood.

“Jake find the entrance. We have to get the bullet out or he won’t heal.” I admit I was beginning to panic.

“I’m lookin’ Bells.” Jake ripped open the back of his jacket and shirt. His back was clean. No entrance wounds.

We rolled him over together while Old Quil moaned. Taking off the remainder of his shirt to examine his front.

Nothing.

“Quil are you sure you are shot?” I whispered. Major Whitlock had gone to the cave entrance and began returning fire to cover a medic who crawled in.

“Yes I’m sure. I’m dying here! I can feel my organs shutting down!”

“Let me take a look.” The medic ordered. He began examining Quil’s body quickly. Rolling him back over he dropped his…

“Quil you got shot in the ass.” Jake told him.

“What?”

“Yeah. Left cheek. You’ll be fine sir. When we are secure outside I can get you to a hospital so they can dig the bullet out but you aren’t in any danger. Going to be sore for a while. I really have to get back.”

The medic left, rifle in hand. I noticed the gunfire had lessened. Only occasional shots. Whitlock was back.

“We good here? They seem to be pulling back, what’s left of them. But they could be heading back with reinforcements. Our backup is twenty minutes out.”

“What the hell are they doing out here?” Jake asked.

“Our translator disappeared. He was a local. We think he let slip we found something big. They want it. Simple as that.” The Major explained.

“Let’s move then so you guys can clear out. Quil get on your feet.” I told him sternly.

“I’m wounded!”

“Move damn it. The longer we are here the longer those guys are in danger.”

That seemed to be proper motivation for Quil. He rose with Jake’s help and we crawled through the hole into…

Oh fuck.

This room had such a feeling of dread I nearly dropped to my knees.

“Quil?”

Old Quil POV

I can’t believe I got shot in the ass. It hurt. I honestly thought it entered my lungs or kidney or something equally important to continued life. I could feel the bullet in there. Trying to work it’s way out but it wasn’t happening. It was stuck good.

Anya would have to get it out. That’s going to be embarrassing. I heard Bella catch her breath and when I crawled painfully through the hole in the stone I did as well. Spotlights had been set up, showering this room in lights.

In the middle was the black box. It was a simple thing. Nothing about it indicated anything special. On closer examination of the stone I could see this was not the case. This stone was not black from age. It was just black. Not obsidian. To rough. Granite perhaps Black granite. Engraved in the stone were small markings. Letter perhaps. Ancient Sumerian? I didn’t know. It would take quite a bit of research for me to tell. I doubt anyone would ever know.

“Our linguistic expert was here earlier today. He says the markings appear to be a form of Afroasiatic language that predates 1000 BC found in mostly North Africa. He wrote out a rough translation.”

“Yes, I received it from the President along with the other information about the cave.” Bella responded.

Okay. So maybe some people knew. Languages aren’t my thing.

I walked around and gazed at the walls. Gazed at the face carved above the box. Everything about this place was wrong. I could tell the carvings on the wall told a story. That was interesting.

“Bella look.”

She walked up to me and saw it immediately.

“Vampires existed before Irkalla.”

“One existed.” I corrected her. “Looks like he went on a rampage.” As I followed the carvings around the room the story became clear. One existed and was stopped.

“The magician drew the venom back into the box. He and his disciples undertook a trip to return the box to this cave. It wouldn’t burn so they hid it far from home.”

A small carving showed man shaped figures burning the body but not the venom. The venom was alive. The magician… and another. Two bodies were lying side by side. The vampire identified by the fangs and a…

“It can be done Quil. It can be done and it has been done. Not even Irkalla knows this. She can’t. There was one. He didn’t pass on venom to others. This tribe… this tribe took him on. They won.”

“But who is the second body?” I wondered out loud. “Satan never said anything about a vampire before Irkalla, did he?”

I saw a sparkle in her eyes.

“Why would he? Why would the devil admit his creation was defeated before?” Bella asked. “I know how to beat her Quil. I think it can be done. I think it can be done.”

“Bella I can’t lift the damn thing.”

I looked at Jake who was straining to pick up the granite box.

“I got it Jake. We need to go home and find a place to keep this.”

“We will take it to my home. I need to examine it carefully. Go over the rough translations. I have to be sure.”

That second body…

“Bella…” I started.

“Quil do you trust me?”

“With the fate of the human race.” I told her honestly.

“Then relax. We have work to do. We know how to beat her.” Bella lifted the box up with ease, causing Jake to roll his eyes in humor. He wouldn’t be so humorous if he knew what was coming.

Once we had left the chamber, Bella told Major Whitlock to blow it up. The box was the only thing of importance and we would not be bringing it back here.

“Yes ma’am. Best idea I have heard. I will have to wait to get clearance from…”

“You will have it as soon as I contact the President.” Bella assured him.

“Sir?!” A Delta Force soldier ran to the mouth of the cave and stopped. He looked scared. These guys didn’t scare from what I understood. This could not be good.

“Yes?”

“Vampires.” Bella whispered. I looked at her wrist and the blue gem was practically emitting flames. She sat down the box and walked outside, Jake by her side. I limped.

Damn bullet still hurt.

Narrattor POV

Four vampires stood in front of the American soldiers. The very frightened American soldiers. The weapons in their hands had bent at a glance from one of the vampires. Sand swirled in small twisters around the gathering.

The vampires expected to see a commanding officer. Instead they saw a flash of light in the cave and then…

Two shirtless men flanked a female covered in some sort of silver body suit. Metal. Benjamin reached out with his mind to feel the type of element he would be dealing with and immediately stopped, a sharp pain striking his head. That had never happened before.

Amun stepped up and spoke to the strange trio.

“You will be placing that box back where it came from.” He instructed her in perfect English.

Bella sat the box down behind her.

“Major, take your team and leave the area. I will handle the destruction of this cave.”

“These men are going nowhere…” Amun started, until a burst of pure energy struck him in the chest, throwing him into his mate behind him and knocking them both to the ground.

“Major?” Bella asked. Major Whitlock issued the order and the men ran for the trucks. Whatever battle was about to occur was a bit above his pay grade.

As the men drove off hurriedly, Major Whitlock was struck with one realization. He never understood why more anti vampire weapons weren’t made and passed out to more soldiers. He understood now. There were no weapons. She was the weapon. Her and the two men with her. He hoped she was enough.

Amun picked himself off the ground as the soldiers left for base. His chest was cracked and venom leaked.

“What…? You have one of those weapons?”

Spikes grew from Bella’s shoulders and her wings spread. A very large sword formed in her right hand.

“I am the fucking weapon you asshole.”

“Stop!” Benjamin yelled. “You are not allowed to attack us. We are official agents of the Egyptian Government. To attack us is an act of war!”

Prior to this, Ben hoped to preserve a bit of Iraqi history. Egypt had heard that the American’s were pilfering a site in the desert. Iraq, having no vampires of their own to represent the government could do nothing to stop the Americans. As an Egyptian, Benjamin was very sensitive to the looting of artifacts. He hoped to scare the Americans away. Now he simply wanted to get Tia away.

“Is that right? Because the only witnesses I see just left. All you are going to be is dust in the wind, leech.” The young man by her side told him.

Then the young man and the old man then slid off their boots, dropped their pants and changed in an instant to snarling giant wolves.

Bella could not help but notice they had gold eyes. She doubted they were contacts. Not out here. She also realized they were agents of the Egyptian Government. It was why she didn’t destroy the vampire who had spoken first.

Now however…

“We have no quarrel with you! We simply didn’t want to see Iraqi artifacts be looted by the Americans. We will leave.” Ben continued, backing up.

“ What about it Bella?” Jake asked in her head.

Bella missed the simple days when she killed all vampires on sight. This was a difficult call. They knew she was the secret. But did that even matter any longer? With vampires representing the nations, fighting their own wars?

Plus his eyes. All their eyes.

Damn it. She addressed the vampire.

“You should have stayed in your own country. I promise you this box isn’t going in a museum or a private collector and it is not an Iraqi artifact. What it is doesn’t matter. What does matter is I am taking this box. Do you understand?”

Benjamin did understand. He understood that he was facing an unknown force over a trinket that he really cared nothing about.

“Tia, Kebi, take Amun and run. I will buy you time.” He whispered so only his brethren could hear. He did not know his three adversaries could hear as well. Jake and Old Quil circled and surrounded the three other vampires.

Jake and Quil stalked closer to Amun who was still on the ground. His mate was crying as best as leeches could, trying to hold the leaking venom in his chest.

“Please. We only wanted to help the… we will leave.”

“How did you do that? To their guns?” Bella asked.

“I can control elements.”

“Really? So can I.”

“I believe you.”

Bella walked up to Benjamin and looked deeply into his golden eyes. She then backed away.

“Let them go Jake. Go back to Egypt and stay there. Do not become involved in U.S. business again.”

“Of course.”

“The blast I hit your friend with? Wasn’t nearly what I am capable of. I could have disintegrated him.”

“I believe you.”

“My friends here can chew you to pieces in five seconds.” Bella continued.

“I would be most appreciative if they did not.”

“Go. I have work to do. I have business with this empty box. I would keep this to yourself if you know what is best for you. I hear about this incident getting out and I am coming for your coven. Seeing as how you are agents of the Egyptian government I don’t suppose it will be hard to find you.”

Jake and Quil stepped aside and the vampires were running.

Phasing back, Old Quil limped to Bella. His wound had closed over but the bullet remained.

“Motherhood has made you soft.” He commented with a smile.

“They had gold eyes. If they can protect Egypt more power to them. There was no need to kill them. If they meant harm, they would have slaughtered the soldiers while we were inside, not called us out. Besides, I’m ready to go home. I want my babies and my husband in bed with me.”

Old Quil approved of her answer. Her armor remained silver the entire confrontation. She used her head and did not overreact. She had grown.

Perhaps she had a chance of surviving the plan he knew she concocted in her head when she saw the carving of the magician and the two bodies.

The Pack remained around Paul and Rachel’s house. They would not leave while The Alpha and his Mate were away. Charlie stepped outside for air, holding Chris in his arms. He nearly dropped him in surprise when the blast of light erupted in the middle of the street. A doorway of light opened and Jake, Bella and Old Quil walked out. The two men were without their shirts. Bella was armored up, only parts of her arms and legs visible.

“Sue! They are back!” Charlie called into the house. He looked at little Chris and swore the kid smiled. Too early for that probably but he knew. His parents were back.

Sue, Anya, and Theresa rushed out, Rachel behind them, holding Serena and feeding her a bottle.

Bella and Jake smiled and headed straight for their children.

Old Quil headed straight for Anya.

Grabbing her hand he began pulling her away.

“C’mon Doc. Time for you to play medicine man on me.”

“What happened Quil?” she asked, stumbling along in the limping old man’s grasp.

“Usual. Need you to dig a bullet out of my ass. But first I’m getting high. Let’s go.”