The Earth May Crumble // for cinnamon_kisses
For: cinnamon_kisses
Title: The Earth May Crumble
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer, I just use her work to live out my delusional fantasies.
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 6,558
Summary: Immortality has suited her far better than I’d ever imagined, far better than I’d ever dreamed. It was almost enough to make the guilt of what I’d done to her disappear. Almost. Post-change, AU, no BD Spoilers
Warnings: None
Author’s Note: Written for cinnamon_kisses at heroinexchange. Beta’d by the lovely saskaia.
Rain fell softly on the other side of the glass as I stared out into the damp, foggy day. I leaned my forehead against the cool pane and smiled as I watched her run through the gray misted forest. Her long, auburn hair twisted in the wind behind her and the expression on her face was one of ecstasy. Even moving at high speed and from such a distance, her eyes caught sight of my shadow in the window and she beamed for me. I smiled back though I knew she couldn’t see it through the reflection in the glass. Her lean body leaped and ran with unparalleled grace. It was unbelievable to watch her now, especially with the knowledge that she had lacked grace and control before the change. Immortality suited her far better than I’d ever imagined, far better than I’d ever dreamed. It was almost enough to make the guilt of what I’d done to her disappear. Almost.
It had been difficult at first. For two days she’d writhed in agony, and it was unbearable. For a day she’d lain still while her heart feebly battled to its inevitable end. I knew that this period of time was beyond writhing, beyond screaming, beyond any physical expression of pain. That was excruciating - for both of us. I had refused to leave her side, apologizing for what I’d done, promising it would be over soon. To see a loved one - your true love - in pain and utterly helpless was even more intolerable than feeling the pain firsthand.
When she awoke she had been wild-eyed and panicked. She’d run from the house in a burst of energy and fear; she was completely overwhelmed. When I had caught up to her, she sat huddled deep within the forest, her knees clutched tightly to her chest, and she shivered even though she could no longer feel the cold. Her eyes carved at my heart as she stared at me, unseeing and without recognition. I felt cold inside, dead, until at last she blinked in realization and her eyes warmed to me, a smile curling up the corners of her mouth.
Although her self control was better than most newborns, there was the occasional close-call. She had not yet shed the blood of an innocent life, I was there to protect her from herself, but she had come alarmingly close. Hikers lost deep within the woods, victims of a car accident whose blood spilled out onto the highway, a fisherman who had sliced his hand open while gutting a fish - all threatened to expose us and nearly did. Only a combination of love, carefully chosen words and brute force had ceased her from acting on her bloodlust. The car accident had been the hardest for her. When we retreated back to the house tearless sobs had wracked her body as she realized the fine line between how we see ourselves and the monsters we truly are beneath it all - how easy it would be to give in to the madness. She was disgusted with herself. She had had the opportunity to save their lives but instead had nearly taken them all. With reasonable quickness, she had learned to deny her cravings. No matter how enticing the smell of human blood may be, it was not worth it for her to compromise her soul, or what remained of her humanity, to satisfy her wanton desires.
As she had learned to deny her instincts, she had also learned to control them and to live truly as an immortal. She could run nearly as fast as me, she was as graceful as Alice and just slightly stronger than Emmett - for now. It was difficult to tell what she would eventually become, she was still so new, but whatever she would be was going to be magnificent.
I watched her now as her smile shifted slightly and she turned towards the house. It had been nearly a month since the change but still her beauty captivated me as I watched long strides bring her closer. Her pale white skin seemed to glow even in the dim light of the day.
“Edward!” she called out as she ran into the house but I was already by the door waiting for her.
She jogged gracefully towards me as the door slammed shut behind her causing the windows to rattle.
“Oops,” she murmured in embarrassment. “I’ll be more careful next time.”
I only rolled my eyes at her. This was not the first time she had forgotten her new strength and I was almost certain it would happen again. Esme was just waiting for the day the door would splinter under the force. She didn’t seem to mind if the images of door samples strewn across her desk were any indication.
She smiled at me shyly and I was almost sure she would have blushed if she could have.
“What?” I questioned, shuffling slightly closer to her.
“Nothing,” she said too quickly. “It’s just… you’re looking at me strangely.” Her hands flew up to pat down her hair and face. “Do I have something in my hair? It’s not a snake is it?”
Reaching out, I grabbed her hands in my own and pulled them close, kissing her slender fingers. I knew she was stronger than I was and yet I couldn’t help but feel that she was still fragile. Her hands seemed so much smaller than my own. I grinned as the familiar electricity that seemed to spark to life when we touched could be felt in my fingertips. She was my one and only - my other half. I let my thumb gently caress the ring on her left hand. She was mine.
“Your hands feel soft,” she murmured. Her expression was puzzled as she gazed down at our joined hands, squeezing them experimentally. “They’re not cold. They’re not stone.”
“No, they’re not,” was all I answered as I moved closer to her now. Only a few inches separated our bodies now.
“I didn’t notice… before,” she mumbled, her voice apologetic. “How did I not notice?”
I didn’t answer her. We both knew why she hadn’t noticed. We had barely been able to touch each other since she had changed. At least, not in a way that was affectionate.
In the beginning, her mind had raced with all the new things to deal with. She was stronger than she’d ever been, faster, stronger… deadlier. It was all we could do to keep her focused. I had only been able to touch her when restraining her and I had not been gentle. Then she had wanted to explore the reaches of her new abilities. In the struggle to control her own mind and body, it had seemed as though she had forgotten about me completely, or us, or why she had changed in the first place.
Carlisle had explained to me that it wasn’t my fault; it was to be expected. I had witnessed it first hand when he had created Esme and Emmett. They had adapted to vampire life much the same way Bella had. Still, the doubt nagged at the back of my mind. Of course, they had acted like Bella. They hadn’t had any connection to Carlisle or Rosalie before the change, they hadn’t fallen in love yet. They hadn’t been married.
Bella had said that she loved me. She had agreed to be mine and swore to be my wife and love me for as long as we both lived. She had given herself to me as a human, body and soul, and then she had sacrificed her life so that we could have eternity. Then, at the beginning of our eternity, she seemed to turn her back to me. She didn’t seem to remember the love we shared.
I had pretended not to notice the change in our relationship but the façade kept slipping. If my smile fell, even for a half a second, Carlisle and Esme would share glances of concern. Emmett would place a firm hand on my shoulder and hint that things would heat up soon enough and then leave with a wink. Rosalie smiled sympathetically but her thoughts were smug.
I told you it was the wrong thing to do. This is what happens when you go against nature.
I couldn’t hide from Jasper and Alice and I began to avoid them as often as possible. Alice could see our future together, she could see that the flames were cold. Bella had no plans for us to be intimate and so my future remained cold. Jasper would raise a curious eyebrow at my smiles when he could read the emptiness and fear that must have radiated from me in waves.
This was the first time since the change that Bella had reacted to my touch in a way that wasn’t like a child reacting to being scolded. This was the first time she had noticed that the icy chill of my flesh no longer lingered. Our skin was neutral now. It was still cool to the touch but no longer felt like stone that had been sitting in the snow. Her mouth opened in surprise as her fingers actually moved my skin unlike before when her weak human hands only grazed the surface as they would if she had touched a marble countertop.
“You feel…”
“Human?” I finished as her voice trailed off in awe.
“Yeah,” she answered, her muddy brown eyes gazed up at me curiously. It was nice to see that the topaz colouring was starting to appear though a frightening ring of crimson still lingered at the edge of her irises.
“Not quite,” I smiled, stepping closer still, our bodies were nearly touching now - only millimeters apart.
She pulled her hand back from mine and hesitantly placed it on my face, taking care to move slowly and carefully. Her fingertips grazed my cheeks leaving a tingle that was both cold and hot where she touched. She ran her fingers through my hair, along the outer curve of my ear, down my neck.
“I didn’t know,” she whispered, her eyes were wide with surprise but twinkling with delight. “You never told me.”
“You didn’t say it would feel like this,” she accused as she continued to touch me, her fingers traveling down my neck to my chest and my shoulders.
I moved closer to her now so our bodies were touching. I circled my arms around her and pulled her close, finally able to embrace her tightly. I had ached to hold her like this and for the first time I could. I knew my skin was ice cold to human touch but right now I felt like it burned wherever her body pressed against me.
I pressed my lips against hers roughly. The burning was too much. I had waited so long, I had been so patient. I needed her now more than I had ever needed anything.
She hadn’t reacted at first. She stood frozen in my arms as my lips crushed themselves to her and my body molded itself around her. Then, finally the pieces fit into place and she threw her body into mine. Her arms wrapped tightly around my neck and her lips began to work passionately against my own.
She parted her lips invitingly and I was all too eager to accept as our tongues entwined and battled. My hands worked their way over her body, needing to touch her everywhere, needing more. Her hands clenched my shirt tightly in her small fists and with one small twist the fabric ripped to shreds in her hands. I felt her breasts, firm and flawless. They fit perfectly into my cupped hands as I caressed them, my thumbs teasing the erect nipples separated only by a thin layer of clothing.
She let out a small whimper of protest as my lips parted from her, but her whimper quickly turned into a moan of pleasure as they worked their way down her neck to her collarbone. She wore only a navy blue cotton dress now, the jersey material soft to the touch. It was in my way. I let my teeth gently rake across her collarbone until they contacted cloth and I bit down and tore the fabric away from her skin. The right top half of her dress fell away and exposed the small but exquisitely shaped breast beneath, just the right size to fill the palm of my hand.
“Alice will kill you for ruining my dress,” she whispered distractedly.
“She can buy you a new one,” I murmured as I took her erect nipple into my mouth, flickering the tip of it with my tongue and sucking gently. I couldn’t help but smile as she groaned in pleasure beneath my touch. I pushed the other strap of her dress off her shoulder and the dress crumpled to the ground, leaving Bella bare before me. A scanty piece of pale blue lace was all that separated us now.
She stepped backwards a few paces as she stepped out of the fallen dress and I noted we were in the living room with a quick glance to the surroundings. A small part of me noted that the living room was a very public place and that we should move to our bedroom but that very small concern was easily silenced. There were more important matters at hand.
Our breathing was ragged now and my senses were overwhelmed with the scent of her arousal. I felt myself grow hard as my hips ground into hers. We staggered backwards as she fumbled behind her for something stable to hold on to. Soon we came to a stop and I lifted her up to sit on the surface and she wrapped her legs tightly around me.
The friction building between us as she ground against my hardness was maddening. I needed more. I don’t know how I removed them but I kicked my jeans away as they tangled around my feet. Bella giggled into my kiss as she realized that I wore nothing beneath my jeans.
“Bella,” I groaned as I ground myself against the now damp light blue lace. “I need you. Now.”
Hooking a finger into the elastic band of the scanty lingerie, I removed the scrap of lace with a simple flick of the wrist and I could now feel her body pressed moist and inviting against my own sensitive flesh. I moaned as the electric tingle of our contact spread across my body, heightening my desire.
With a single movement of my hips I thrust deep within her, shuddering with pleasure at the contact as her tightness surrounded me, clenching as she adjusted to my size, gasping into my mouth at the suddenness.
She bit playfully at my bottom lip and wrapped her legs around me so that her heels dug into the backs of my upper thighs. She dug in with her heels, spurring me to thrust again, deeper this time. She leaned back so I could go deeper and I thrust again, slowly this time, savoring the touch as I slid back into her inch by inch.
“Oh,” she gasped in a breathy whisper and I smiled. I continued to move slowly to the point that it was almost painful. Her hips rocked fiercely against me as she tried to build the friction she so desperately craved. Her fingers clutched my shoulders as she tried to force herself against me, making sounds of frustration as I continued to work slowly against her.
As her movements became more and more frantic, I allowed myself to give in. Our bodies crashed together as we found our primal rhythm and my body began to jerk and shudder in anticipation as she tightened around me, thrusting harder.
“Edward!” she moaned, her legs twitching with the spasms of her climax. I felt the walls of her core clamp down around me and with a final thrust I felt myself come to my own climax. My fingers dug into the wooden surface as my body shook with my arrival. Our chests heaved as we lay tangled together, finally still after a last buck of my hips.
“Sorry,” I heard her whisper, and it took me a few seconds to realize why. I was suddenly aware of a sharp sting on my left shoulder. She had bitten down just as she reached the height of her orgasm.
“Don’t worry about it,” I chuckled as I worked up the strength and will to detangle myself from her body. I pulled her up with me, gently caressing the soft skin of her body.
“I love you, Edward.” Her voice was quiet but musical.
“I love you too, Bella,” I replied, satisfied with the deep husky quality to my voice now.
I reached down to try to grab the tattered shreds that remained of her clothing and saw exactly what surface Bella had found to steady herself.
“My piano,” I groaned, the pain in my voice caused Bella to whirl around to see for herself.
The beautiful white piano was damaged beyond repair. Entire chunks had crumbled to dust beneath hands of stone and there were scratches that looked like the claw marks of wild animals along the surfaces that remained standing. The piano sat crookedly and I quick glanced confirmed that one of the legs had all but crumpled under the force of our love.
“Oops,” Bella muttered sheepishly. I heard a small sound behind me and whirled around to face it as I heard Bella struggle to cover herself with her hands just then.
Emmett stood at the entrance to the living room, a hand clamped tightly over his eyes and a huge grin plastered over his face. “Obviously, you two are very busy right now, but Alice has called a meeting and says that everyone has to come… er, attend I should say.”
He chuckled as his own lame joke but kept his hands over his eyes so he could not see the scowl on my face.
“Oh, and maybe next time, you kids should try the bedroom.” He laughed as a large chunk of my broken piano sailed across the room, shattering to splinters as it hit his broad chest. “Just saying, is all! Have a little modesty!” He chuckled as he backed away from the entrance and turned towards the hallway.
“Great,” Bella muttered as she clutched the shreds that remained of her dress. “Why did it have to be Emmett?”
“Because it makes him feel better to be on the interrupting side of things,” I replied. “He and Rosalie took a while to pay any attention to location.”
“Understandable,” she replied with a sly grin. She looked dejectedly at the scrap of fabric I had ravished and I looked at the remains of my own clothing. Obviously they were not going to work. We ran up to my room and dressed quickly, very nearly tearing our clothes off again, before forcing ourselves to return to the first floor where the others patiently awaited our arrival in the dining room.
“Finally!” Alice said with exasperation as we sheepishly entered the dining room and Bella’s hand clutched tighter around my own as we quickly took our seats. Alice paced nervously and wrung her hands together and I felt the ice form in the pit of my stomach.
“Tell them,” Jasper said quietly and I felt my jaw tighten in concern as I saw the tension in his body.
“The Volturi are coming here. Today,” she spoke rapidly, her brows knitted together as she continued to pace. “They were investigating a possible outing of an unusually large clan of nomads on the west coast of Mexico. That’s why I didn’t see them earlier. It didn’t seem like a big deal because they’re still so far away and all. But they realized that they didn’t see how Bella had turned out. They wanted to know what she had become because she had been so intriguing to them as a human and they want to know what being a vampire would do to her power. They’re already so close and they’re coming in fast. Too fast. We can’t run. They’ll still be able to follow us.”
Her words tumbled out so rapidly that even with my improved vampire hearing and comprehension abilities I still had difficulty following her. It seemed we all did as we sat in silence for a moment to digest all the new information. All of us, that is, except for Jasper, who sat in silence and waited for us to speak with him. He began to talk with an encouraging nod from Carlisle.
“It’s too late to run,” he said gravely, “But we’re hoping we won’t have to. From what Alice sees so far, they’re just curious. Still, we need to remain cautious. We don’t know what will happen once they arrive. They don’t know what Bella is like and we don’t know what they’re plans will be once they evaluate her.”
“Edward, call Seth and warn the people of La Push of the Volturi’s arrival.” Carlisle said solemnly, turning to Edward, “Explain as quickly as possible the seriousness of the situation and urge them to stay in human form and within their boundaries. We don’t want their involvement. We don’t yet know what the Volturi think of them and we want them to remain as ignorant as possible to our ties with the werewolves.”
“You know they’ll discover everything as soon as they get a glimpse into any one of our minds,” Edward reminded Carlisle, “They’ll know everything anyways.”
“Then make sure they are prepared for what’s coming,” Jasper replied darkly. “Regardless of what happens, they need to know.”
Bella shifted awkwardly in her seat beside me. La Push was rarely mentioned in the house these days. It caused her pain at every reminder that Jacob had finally returned to La Push after running away months before the wedding and he had not yet made any effort to contact her. She smiled at me guiltily as she noticed my concerned gaze, but the worry remained on her face. Even though she had chosen me, she still had deep feelings and binding ties to Jacob.
“I’ll call them, let them know.” Her voice was grave and her face was set into the blank expression she wore as a mask when she was upset.
“Thank you, Bella,” Carlisle said.
“So the plan is to wait it out and just see what happens?” Rosalie asked, a sharp edge of concern in her voice.
“I’m afraid that’s all we can do, for the moment,” Jasper replied solemnly. “It will look too suspicious if they find out we made plans of action against them. They’ve killed for less. It’s better to see what they want and then go from there.”
“Better to wait and see when they’ve killed for less? Great.” Rosalie stomped out of the room, Emmett following behind in concern a few seconds later.
Bella seemed to wilt beside me and I knew it was because she put all the blame of this on herself. I squeezed her hand in reassurance. The Volturi had been looking for a reason to check up on us for a long time now, and her change was only a catalyst for a series of events. I was the one who had started this with my stunt in Volterra. A fact I could not forgive myself for.
Bella walked slowly up to my room where she picked my cell phone up from the bedside table. I sat down on the bed, watching her stand completely still as she waited for Seth to pick up.
Hello?
“Hi Seth. It’s Bella.”
Hey Bella! What’s happening? How’s Edward doing?
Bella bit her lip and I watched as she searched for an answer as she debated whether to tell him straight out or ease him into the situation.
Bella? Is everything okay?
“Umm, not really Seth. There is a powerful group of vampires, the Volturi, and they’re coming to pay us a visit. They could be dangerous so we wanted to let you know, so you’re prepared.”
Do you need us to come help? I can get Sam right now and the pack can be up there in about twenty minutes.
“No Seth, we want you to stay out of this. The Volturi are very dangerous. Please, stay home. We just want you to be warned and to be careful.”
“Five minutes!” Alice’s voice called out from downstairs and I heard everyone shuffle around as they tried to decide whether to play it cool or approach on the defensive. Carlisle said something about sitting in the living room and Emmett said a derogatory comment about me and then something about the piano. Carlisle then decided that everyone should remain in the dining room once again.
Are you sure, Bella? Let me talk to Edward, I can help, I swear.
“Sorry Seth, you need to keep your nose out of this one. Trust me. I gotta go now. Tell Sam.”
She shut the phone and looked at me for guidance and comfort, her face strained with tension. I could offer her none but took her hand in my own once more as we made our way back to the dining room.
Everyone sat stiffly as we mentally counted down the remaining five minutes until the arrival of the Volturi.
Aro and Caius coming… and Jane…
Alice’s eyes flashed open as her vision abruptly disappeared.
“Oh no,” she gasped, but I had already leaped up from my seat and ran towards the back door to the woods beyond.
Bella was on my heels a minute later and I could hear the rapid footsteps of the others not far behind her.
“Edward, what’s happening?” she called to me as I raced towards the woods beyond. It was growing dark quickly as what little sun there was began to sink into the horizon but my eyes still saw as clearly as if the sun were out.
“Alice saw them arriving and then it disappeared,” I explained without slowing. I had recognized the area where the vision disappeared and ran towards it as fast as I could now, not knowing what to expect when I got there.
“Seth!” Bella spoke his name as though it were a curse.
As we drew nearer the sounds of battle were evident but the sight we saw was not what we expected.
“Jacob!” Bella cried as the russet wolf was thrown into a tree, crumpling at the base.
Tell her to stay back.
“Bella, he wants you to stay back,” I translated as I grabbed hold of her arm, holding her back from running towards Jacob as he struggled to get to his feet.
“No!” Bella screamed, tearing forward from my arms, but Jacob bounded into her, knocking her back towards me.
Keep her away from them!
“Bella, stay back!” I shouted and grabbed hold of her arms again, pulling her back from the scene of battle. She didn’t know what she was doing, she hadn’t been trained yet. Sending her in against the Volturi would mean death.
She struggled against me but I managed to keep my grip. I listened to the surrounding woods but I still couldn’t hear my family’s footsteps or thoughts.
“Edward! Let me go! I have to help!” She cried out as Jacob crumpled mid-leap. Jane smiled cruelly at his form as it writhed in agony on the ground. It was a haunting picture to see her angelic child’s face taking such pleasure from his pain.
“No!” Bella screeched, breaking out of my grip. I grasped to catch hold of her but she was already gone.
I cursed under my breath and ran behind her, keeping an eye on Jane to ensure she remained focused on Jacob. Jacob lay still on the ground as she turned her wide, crimson eyes towards Bella and me. She narrowed her eyes, focusing on Bella but she kept running, her immunity to Jane’s power thankfully carrying through the change.
Bella leaped at Jane but the smaller girl dodged her, snarling at her attacker. Bella landed, instantly turned and crouched in one smooth, swift movement. I raced towards Jane intent to stop her from hurting Bella. Bella was so new and inexperienced; she couldn’t battle yet.
I was nearly on Jane when the skull-splitting pain seared through my brain, dropping me to my knees, my hands clutching at my skull. Waves of nausea washed over me as the pain intensified. I looked up wildly as the pain faltered for just a second - just in time to see Jane snap Jacob’s neck mid-lunge. He fell limp and lifeless to the ground and with a last shivering spasm phased back to his human form. I felt sick to see his dark eyes staring unseeing at the evil creature who had ended his life so suddenly.
Bella shrieked in anger and lunged for Jane’s neck, tearing off a large chunk. Jane made a gurgling sound of surprise but was soon silent as Jasper entered the clearing then and ran straight to Bella’s side, helping her tear apart the tiny monstrosity piece by piece. She shredded her way through the childlike body with frightening ferocity, stopping only when Jasper and I pulled her away from the tattered remains.
She turned towards Jacob but I pulled her head into my chest. She shouldn’t have to see him like this, naked and broken on the forest floor, the warmth and life drained from him by Jane’s small cold hands.
You’ll regret this, boy.
Keeping Bella pressed firmly to my chest, I glanced up to see Aro and Caius standing at the edge of the small clearing. They seemed to be alone but I knew a small guard would be lingering just out of range, ready to leap into battle when called upon.
“This was not a visit with violent intentions,” Aro spoke clearly, addressing the members of my family who appeared around the clearing now, crouched and ready to defend themselves. I saw Jasper narrow his eyes cynically and felt his suspicion echoed within myself.
“What were your intentions then,” Carlisle demanded, somehow maintaining his calm demeanor. “You have murdered a friend of our family before we even became aware of your presence here.”
“You knew of our presence here, do not be coy with us Carlisle,” Aro replied, enraged. “We know of your Alice and your Edward. We know that they can see and hear us coming. We knew you sent this monstrous infant to do us harm.”
“We did no such thing, Aro,” Carlisle replied, forcing his voice to remain restrained and calm.
“You have killed my dearest Jane,” the ancient vampire spat, his façade of emotionless power slipping to reveal his true self. “You murdered one of our best. You will all suffer the consequences for the actions of these few. Her life was so much more valuable than any of yours.”
He made a motion with his hand and I tensed, ready for the ambush but nothing happened.
Sorry we’re late, bro. We had to take care of a few things a little further in the woods before we could come back for you.
My eyes flickered to Emmett but he wasn’t looking at me anymore. He was making minuscule motions with his head to Jasper, Alice and Rosalie, and they were moving slightly, step by step, to surround the ancient vampires while focusing on Carlisle, Bella and me.
I pulled Bella with me as I stepped a few paces back, joining into the large circle formation around the two ancients. Making an effort not to look in Jacob’s direction, she pulled away from me just enough to peer out at the surroundings through the veil of her hair. Understanding what was happening she backed slowly into the circle with me.
Move closer, now.
I nodded towards Jasper and made eye contact with Bella and Rosalie, while Jasper made eye contact with Alice and Emmett and with a flicker of the eyes we began to advance. Aro and Caius were obviously in on our plan and began to shuffle nervously as they realized their guards were not going to be rushing to save them.
“If you stop now, we might spare your lives,” Caius threatened, his voice thin and icy. We stepped closer still with low growls rumbling in our chests.
“Lies!” Rosalie hissed, her eyes dark.
“If you do this the whole power of Volterra will descend upon you. Don’t be stupid, Carlisle. If you do this you’ll condemn your entire family to death.” Aro threatened Carlisle but his voice had lost the power of authority it usually contained.
“No. If we do this, you will be condemned to death,” Jasper snarled, leaping at Aro. Emmett jumped towards Caius at the same time and the rest of us followed behind. They struggled against us but they had grown fragile with their easy life in Volterra. They no longer moved as quickly, no longer possessed great strength in their limbs. They tore to shreds like paper.
Their screams rang out through the forest but no one came to save them. The thick, sweet smelling smoke choked me as it rolled off of their burning bodies and we stood solemnly watching until the last embers faded away leaving only ashes behind.
As we stood and watched the vampires burn, Sam and his pack arrived on the outskirts of the small clearing. They howled mournfully at the sight of their fallen brother and Bella finally allowed herself to mourn for her lost friend.
She fell to her knees beside him, delicately straightening out his limp body into a more natural position. She steadied his head and then arranged his hair to cover the odd angle of his neck and her shoulders were racked with tearless sobs as she closed his eyes for the final time.
Alice and Esme fashioned a makeshift stretcher out of branches and gently placed Jacob’s body upon it. Bella stumbled towards me, falling into my arms and she sobbed in grief.
“We’ll carry the stretcher into La Push for you so you can give him proper burial,” Jasper said gruffly and the large black wolf nodded, turning away slowly and disappearing into the dark woods.
Jasper and Emmett picked up the ends of the stretcher and followed solemnly behind the packed.
We’ll leave you two alone for a while.
I nodded thankfully to Carlisle who ushered the remainder of his family back towards the house, their faces fallen and ashen as they wondered what tonight’s actions would lead to. Cradling Bella in my arms, I held her tight and rocked her slowly as she sobbed and cried herself out though no tears could fall from her eyes again.
“It’s all my fault,” she gasped between sobs. “He wouldn’t have been here if it weren’t for me. This wouldn’t have happened.”
“Hush,” I whispered, looking down into her pained eyes. Brushing her hair back behind her ear, I stroked her soft cheek gently, the back of my hand brushing down the slender curve of her throat. “It’s not anyone’s fault. We all choose our own actions.”
“But…” she protested feebly, her eyes closing as my thumb grazed the pout of her bottom lip.
“Hush,” I repeated softly, holding her closer.
Her faced leaned closer to mine and tentatively kissed me. I scooted myself back so that I was leaning against a tree and pulled her closer so she could kiss me deeper. Her mouth moved hungrily with increasing intensity and she clutched my thin sweater in her fists. She straddled me, forcefully kissing me now. The hem of her soft dress, the colour of the midnight sky with silver accents, hitched up around her hips and I groaned as I let my hands slide of the length of her firm thighs.
“I need to feel you. Now,” Bella whispered clutching me tightly and rolling her hips suggestively against my own.
I pulled her back to me, crushing my lips against hers, deepening the kiss and exploring her mouth. She tasted so sweet, I could do this forever. Taking my actions as a yes she wedged her hand between us and quickly undid my jeans, freeing my growing erection from its denim restraints.
I slipped my hands beneath her dress and smiled in surprise as I realized she wore nothing beneath it.
“There was no time,” she murmured before crushing herself against my lips again.
I guided myself into her slick, wet folds and she eased her self down on me slowly. My hands caressed her back at first and then rested on her hips as she moved slowly along my length. Gripping her hips tightly I pushed her down harder and faster, increasing the pace as my need to fill her and feel her clench around me increased. She groaned my name as she pounded her body against mine, searching for a physical release for her pain that I was all too willing to supply her.
Needing more, I picked her up, making sure we stayed joined and pushed her back into the tree that stood behind me. She wrapped her arms and legs tightly around me as I crashed into her again and again, urging her with my body to feel the way she made me feel now.
The tree creaked and shook beneath the force of our rough love but it held, even with the final driving thrust as I finished, my body shuddering in her grasp.
She lowered her legs down so that she stood on tip toe, slipping off of me. I backed up, doing the button on my pants up as I stepped backwards and allowed her to straighten out her dress.
The fabric of our clothes was wrinkled beyond what a quick adjustment of cloth could fix and our hair was wild, tangled with debris that had rained down on us from the tree.
She watched me carefully, studying my expression as I picked the leaves and twigs from her tangled hair.
“What now?” She asked softly, searching my eyes for answers I didn’t have.
“We wait and see,” I whispered, kissing her on the forehead. I entwined my fingers within her own and began to walk with her back to the house where the others would be waiting for us.
Things were going to get worse before they got better; that much was for certain. All we could do was wait for the remainder of the Volturi to react to our actions. It could take days, it could take decades, but it was bound to happen. All we could do is live our lives and wait.
I clutched her hand tighter and she squeezed back as we made our way through the dark forest. Whether the future brought death and destruction or this all faded to nothing no longer mattered to me. All that mattered was that I had my Bella and that we could remain together until our dying day.
I hummed her lullaby softly, wrapping my arm around her waist as we walked towards an uncertain future. The earth may crumble around me but I could survive anything as long as she was at my side.
Title: The Earth May Crumble
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer, I just use her work to live out my delusional fantasies.
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 6,558
Summary: Immortality has suited her far better than I’d ever imagined, far better than I’d ever dreamed. It was almost enough to make the guilt of what I’d done to her disappear. Almost. Post-change, AU, no BD Spoilers
Warnings: None
Author’s Note: Written for cinnamon_kisses at heroinexchange. Beta’d by the lovely saskaia.
Rain fell softly on the other side of the glass as I stared out into the damp, foggy day. I leaned my forehead against the cool pane and smiled as I watched her run through the gray misted forest. Her long, auburn hair twisted in the wind behind her and the expression on her face was one of ecstasy. Even moving at high speed and from such a distance, her eyes caught sight of my shadow in the window and she beamed for me. I smiled back though I knew she couldn’t see it through the reflection in the glass. Her lean body leaped and ran with unparalleled grace. It was unbelievable to watch her now, especially with the knowledge that she had lacked grace and control before the change. Immortality suited her far better than I’d ever imagined, far better than I’d ever dreamed. It was almost enough to make the guilt of what I’d done to her disappear. Almost.
It had been difficult at first. For two days she’d writhed in agony, and it was unbearable. For a day she’d lain still while her heart feebly battled to its inevitable end. I knew that this period of time was beyond writhing, beyond screaming, beyond any physical expression of pain. That was excruciating - for both of us. I had refused to leave her side, apologizing for what I’d done, promising it would be over soon. To see a loved one - your true love - in pain and utterly helpless was even more intolerable than feeling the pain firsthand.
When she awoke she had been wild-eyed and panicked. She’d run from the house in a burst of energy and fear; she was completely overwhelmed. When I had caught up to her, she sat huddled deep within the forest, her knees clutched tightly to her chest, and she shivered even though she could no longer feel the cold. Her eyes carved at my heart as she stared at me, unseeing and without recognition. I felt cold inside, dead, until at last she blinked in realization and her eyes warmed to me, a smile curling up the corners of her mouth.
Although her self control was better than most newborns, there was the occasional close-call. She had not yet shed the blood of an innocent life, I was there to protect her from herself, but she had come alarmingly close. Hikers lost deep within the woods, victims of a car accident whose blood spilled out onto the highway, a fisherman who had sliced his hand open while gutting a fish - all threatened to expose us and nearly did. Only a combination of love, carefully chosen words and brute force had ceased her from acting on her bloodlust. The car accident had been the hardest for her. When we retreated back to the house tearless sobs had wracked her body as she realized the fine line between how we see ourselves and the monsters we truly are beneath it all - how easy it would be to give in to the madness. She was disgusted with herself. She had had the opportunity to save their lives but instead had nearly taken them all. With reasonable quickness, she had learned to deny her cravings. No matter how enticing the smell of human blood may be, it was not worth it for her to compromise her soul, or what remained of her humanity, to satisfy her wanton desires.
As she had learned to deny her instincts, she had also learned to control them and to live truly as an immortal. She could run nearly as fast as me, she was as graceful as Alice and just slightly stronger than Emmett - for now. It was difficult to tell what she would eventually become, she was still so new, but whatever she would be was going to be magnificent.
I watched her now as her smile shifted slightly and she turned towards the house. It had been nearly a month since the change but still her beauty captivated me as I watched long strides bring her closer. Her pale white skin seemed to glow even in the dim light of the day.
“Edward!” she called out as she ran into the house but I was already by the door waiting for her.
She jogged gracefully towards me as the door slammed shut behind her causing the windows to rattle.
“Oops,” she murmured in embarrassment. “I’ll be more careful next time.”
I only rolled my eyes at her. This was not the first time she had forgotten her new strength and I was almost certain it would happen again. Esme was just waiting for the day the door would splinter under the force. She didn’t seem to mind if the images of door samples strewn across her desk were any indication.
She smiled at me shyly and I was almost sure she would have blushed if she could have.
“What?” I questioned, shuffling slightly closer to her.
“Nothing,” she said too quickly. “It’s just… you’re looking at me strangely.” Her hands flew up to pat down her hair and face. “Do I have something in my hair? It’s not a snake is it?”
Reaching out, I grabbed her hands in my own and pulled them close, kissing her slender fingers. I knew she was stronger than I was and yet I couldn’t help but feel that she was still fragile. Her hands seemed so much smaller than my own. I grinned as the familiar electricity that seemed to spark to life when we touched could be felt in my fingertips. She was my one and only - my other half. I let my thumb gently caress the ring on her left hand. She was mine.
“Your hands feel soft,” she murmured. Her expression was puzzled as she gazed down at our joined hands, squeezing them experimentally. “They’re not cold. They’re not stone.”
“No, they’re not,” was all I answered as I moved closer to her now. Only a few inches separated our bodies now.
“I didn’t notice… before,” she mumbled, her voice apologetic. “How did I not notice?”
I didn’t answer her. We both knew why she hadn’t noticed. We had barely been able to touch each other since she had changed. At least, not in a way that was affectionate.
In the beginning, her mind had raced with all the new things to deal with. She was stronger than she’d ever been, faster, stronger… deadlier. It was all we could do to keep her focused. I had only been able to touch her when restraining her and I had not been gentle. Then she had wanted to explore the reaches of her new abilities. In the struggle to control her own mind and body, it had seemed as though she had forgotten about me completely, or us, or why she had changed in the first place.
Carlisle had explained to me that it wasn’t my fault; it was to be expected. I had witnessed it first hand when he had created Esme and Emmett. They had adapted to vampire life much the same way Bella had. Still, the doubt nagged at the back of my mind. Of course, they had acted like Bella. They hadn’t had any connection to Carlisle or Rosalie before the change, they hadn’t fallen in love yet. They hadn’t been married.
Bella had said that she loved me. She had agreed to be mine and swore to be my wife and love me for as long as we both lived. She had given herself to me as a human, body and soul, and then she had sacrificed her life so that we could have eternity. Then, at the beginning of our eternity, she seemed to turn her back to me. She didn’t seem to remember the love we shared.
I had pretended not to notice the change in our relationship but the façade kept slipping. If my smile fell, even for a half a second, Carlisle and Esme would share glances of concern. Emmett would place a firm hand on my shoulder and hint that things would heat up soon enough and then leave with a wink. Rosalie smiled sympathetically but her thoughts were smug.
I told you it was the wrong thing to do. This is what happens when you go against nature.
I couldn’t hide from Jasper and Alice and I began to avoid them as often as possible. Alice could see our future together, she could see that the flames were cold. Bella had no plans for us to be intimate and so my future remained cold. Jasper would raise a curious eyebrow at my smiles when he could read the emptiness and fear that must have radiated from me in waves.
This was the first time since the change that Bella had reacted to my touch in a way that wasn’t like a child reacting to being scolded. This was the first time she had noticed that the icy chill of my flesh no longer lingered. Our skin was neutral now. It was still cool to the touch but no longer felt like stone that had been sitting in the snow. Her mouth opened in surprise as her fingers actually moved my skin unlike before when her weak human hands only grazed the surface as they would if she had touched a marble countertop.
“You feel…”
“Human?” I finished as her voice trailed off in awe.
“Yeah,” she answered, her muddy brown eyes gazed up at me curiously. It was nice to see that the topaz colouring was starting to appear though a frightening ring of crimson still lingered at the edge of her irises.
“Not quite,” I smiled, stepping closer still, our bodies were nearly touching now - only millimeters apart.
She pulled her hand back from mine and hesitantly placed it on my face, taking care to move slowly and carefully. Her fingertips grazed my cheeks leaving a tingle that was both cold and hot where she touched. She ran her fingers through my hair, along the outer curve of my ear, down my neck.
“I didn’t know,” she whispered, her eyes were wide with surprise but twinkling with delight. “You never told me.”
“You didn’t say it would feel like this,” she accused as she continued to touch me, her fingers traveling down my neck to my chest and my shoulders.
I moved closer to her now so our bodies were touching. I circled my arms around her and pulled her close, finally able to embrace her tightly. I had ached to hold her like this and for the first time I could. I knew my skin was ice cold to human touch but right now I felt like it burned wherever her body pressed against me.
I pressed my lips against hers roughly. The burning was too much. I had waited so long, I had been so patient. I needed her now more than I had ever needed anything.
She hadn’t reacted at first. She stood frozen in my arms as my lips crushed themselves to her and my body molded itself around her. Then, finally the pieces fit into place and she threw her body into mine. Her arms wrapped tightly around my neck and her lips began to work passionately against my own.
She parted her lips invitingly and I was all too eager to accept as our tongues entwined and battled. My hands worked their way over her body, needing to touch her everywhere, needing more. Her hands clenched my shirt tightly in her small fists and with one small twist the fabric ripped to shreds in her hands. I felt her breasts, firm and flawless. They fit perfectly into my cupped hands as I caressed them, my thumbs teasing the erect nipples separated only by a thin layer of clothing.
She let out a small whimper of protest as my lips parted from her, but her whimper quickly turned into a moan of pleasure as they worked their way down her neck to her collarbone. She wore only a navy blue cotton dress now, the jersey material soft to the touch. It was in my way. I let my teeth gently rake across her collarbone until they contacted cloth and I bit down and tore the fabric away from her skin. The right top half of her dress fell away and exposed the small but exquisitely shaped breast beneath, just the right size to fill the palm of my hand.
“Alice will kill you for ruining my dress,” she whispered distractedly.
“She can buy you a new one,” I murmured as I took her erect nipple into my mouth, flickering the tip of it with my tongue and sucking gently. I couldn’t help but smile as she groaned in pleasure beneath my touch. I pushed the other strap of her dress off her shoulder and the dress crumpled to the ground, leaving Bella bare before me. A scanty piece of pale blue lace was all that separated us now.
She stepped backwards a few paces as she stepped out of the fallen dress and I noted we were in the living room with a quick glance to the surroundings. A small part of me noted that the living room was a very public place and that we should move to our bedroom but that very small concern was easily silenced. There were more important matters at hand.
Our breathing was ragged now and my senses were overwhelmed with the scent of her arousal. I felt myself grow hard as my hips ground into hers. We staggered backwards as she fumbled behind her for something stable to hold on to. Soon we came to a stop and I lifted her up to sit on the surface and she wrapped her legs tightly around me.
The friction building between us as she ground against my hardness was maddening. I needed more. I don’t know how I removed them but I kicked my jeans away as they tangled around my feet. Bella giggled into my kiss as she realized that I wore nothing beneath my jeans.
“Bella,” I groaned as I ground myself against the now damp light blue lace. “I need you. Now.”
Hooking a finger into the elastic band of the scanty lingerie, I removed the scrap of lace with a simple flick of the wrist and I could now feel her body pressed moist and inviting against my own sensitive flesh. I moaned as the electric tingle of our contact spread across my body, heightening my desire.
With a single movement of my hips I thrust deep within her, shuddering with pleasure at the contact as her tightness surrounded me, clenching as she adjusted to my size, gasping into my mouth at the suddenness.
She bit playfully at my bottom lip and wrapped her legs around me so that her heels dug into the backs of my upper thighs. She dug in with her heels, spurring me to thrust again, deeper this time. She leaned back so I could go deeper and I thrust again, slowly this time, savoring the touch as I slid back into her inch by inch.
“Oh,” she gasped in a breathy whisper and I smiled. I continued to move slowly to the point that it was almost painful. Her hips rocked fiercely against me as she tried to build the friction she so desperately craved. Her fingers clutched my shoulders as she tried to force herself against me, making sounds of frustration as I continued to work slowly against her.
As her movements became more and more frantic, I allowed myself to give in. Our bodies crashed together as we found our primal rhythm and my body began to jerk and shudder in anticipation as she tightened around me, thrusting harder.
“Edward!” she moaned, her legs twitching with the spasms of her climax. I felt the walls of her core clamp down around me and with a final thrust I felt myself come to my own climax. My fingers dug into the wooden surface as my body shook with my arrival. Our chests heaved as we lay tangled together, finally still after a last buck of my hips.
“Sorry,” I heard her whisper, and it took me a few seconds to realize why. I was suddenly aware of a sharp sting on my left shoulder. She had bitten down just as she reached the height of her orgasm.
“Don’t worry about it,” I chuckled as I worked up the strength and will to detangle myself from her body. I pulled her up with me, gently caressing the soft skin of her body.
“I love you, Edward.” Her voice was quiet but musical.
“I love you too, Bella,” I replied, satisfied with the deep husky quality to my voice now.
I reached down to try to grab the tattered shreds that remained of her clothing and saw exactly what surface Bella had found to steady herself.
“My piano,” I groaned, the pain in my voice caused Bella to whirl around to see for herself.
The beautiful white piano was damaged beyond repair. Entire chunks had crumbled to dust beneath hands of stone and there were scratches that looked like the claw marks of wild animals along the surfaces that remained standing. The piano sat crookedly and I quick glanced confirmed that one of the legs had all but crumpled under the force of our love.
“Oops,” Bella muttered sheepishly. I heard a small sound behind me and whirled around to face it as I heard Bella struggle to cover herself with her hands just then.
Emmett stood at the entrance to the living room, a hand clamped tightly over his eyes and a huge grin plastered over his face. “Obviously, you two are very busy right now, but Alice has called a meeting and says that everyone has to come… er, attend I should say.”
He chuckled as his own lame joke but kept his hands over his eyes so he could not see the scowl on my face.
“Oh, and maybe next time, you kids should try the bedroom.” He laughed as a large chunk of my broken piano sailed across the room, shattering to splinters as it hit his broad chest. “Just saying, is all! Have a little modesty!” He chuckled as he backed away from the entrance and turned towards the hallway.
“Great,” Bella muttered as she clutched the shreds that remained of her dress. “Why did it have to be Emmett?”
“Because it makes him feel better to be on the interrupting side of things,” I replied. “He and Rosalie took a while to pay any attention to location.”
“Understandable,” she replied with a sly grin. She looked dejectedly at the scrap of fabric I had ravished and I looked at the remains of my own clothing. Obviously they were not going to work. We ran up to my room and dressed quickly, very nearly tearing our clothes off again, before forcing ourselves to return to the first floor where the others patiently awaited our arrival in the dining room.
“Finally!” Alice said with exasperation as we sheepishly entered the dining room and Bella’s hand clutched tighter around my own as we quickly took our seats. Alice paced nervously and wrung her hands together and I felt the ice form in the pit of my stomach.
“Tell them,” Jasper said quietly and I felt my jaw tighten in concern as I saw the tension in his body.
“The Volturi are coming here. Today,” she spoke rapidly, her brows knitted together as she continued to pace. “They were investigating a possible outing of an unusually large clan of nomads on the west coast of Mexico. That’s why I didn’t see them earlier. It didn’t seem like a big deal because they’re still so far away and all. But they realized that they didn’t see how Bella had turned out. They wanted to know what she had become because she had been so intriguing to them as a human and they want to know what being a vampire would do to her power. They’re already so close and they’re coming in fast. Too fast. We can’t run. They’ll still be able to follow us.”
Her words tumbled out so rapidly that even with my improved vampire hearing and comprehension abilities I still had difficulty following her. It seemed we all did as we sat in silence for a moment to digest all the new information. All of us, that is, except for Jasper, who sat in silence and waited for us to speak with him. He began to talk with an encouraging nod from Carlisle.
“It’s too late to run,” he said gravely, “But we’re hoping we won’t have to. From what Alice sees so far, they’re just curious. Still, we need to remain cautious. We don’t know what will happen once they arrive. They don’t know what Bella is like and we don’t know what they’re plans will be once they evaluate her.”
“Edward, call Seth and warn the people of La Push of the Volturi’s arrival.” Carlisle said solemnly, turning to Edward, “Explain as quickly as possible the seriousness of the situation and urge them to stay in human form and within their boundaries. We don’t want their involvement. We don’t yet know what the Volturi think of them and we want them to remain as ignorant as possible to our ties with the werewolves.”
“You know they’ll discover everything as soon as they get a glimpse into any one of our minds,” Edward reminded Carlisle, “They’ll know everything anyways.”
“Then make sure they are prepared for what’s coming,” Jasper replied darkly. “Regardless of what happens, they need to know.”
Bella shifted awkwardly in her seat beside me. La Push was rarely mentioned in the house these days. It caused her pain at every reminder that Jacob had finally returned to La Push after running away months before the wedding and he had not yet made any effort to contact her. She smiled at me guiltily as she noticed my concerned gaze, but the worry remained on her face. Even though she had chosen me, she still had deep feelings and binding ties to Jacob.
“I’ll call them, let them know.” Her voice was grave and her face was set into the blank expression she wore as a mask when she was upset.
“Thank you, Bella,” Carlisle said.
“So the plan is to wait it out and just see what happens?” Rosalie asked, a sharp edge of concern in her voice.
“I’m afraid that’s all we can do, for the moment,” Jasper replied solemnly. “It will look too suspicious if they find out we made plans of action against them. They’ve killed for less. It’s better to see what they want and then go from there.”
“Better to wait and see when they’ve killed for less? Great.” Rosalie stomped out of the room, Emmett following behind in concern a few seconds later.
Bella seemed to wilt beside me and I knew it was because she put all the blame of this on herself. I squeezed her hand in reassurance. The Volturi had been looking for a reason to check up on us for a long time now, and her change was only a catalyst for a series of events. I was the one who had started this with my stunt in Volterra. A fact I could not forgive myself for.
Bella walked slowly up to my room where she picked my cell phone up from the bedside table. I sat down on the bed, watching her stand completely still as she waited for Seth to pick up.
Hello?
“Hi Seth. It’s Bella.”
Hey Bella! What’s happening? How’s Edward doing?
Bella bit her lip and I watched as she searched for an answer as she debated whether to tell him straight out or ease him into the situation.
Bella? Is everything okay?
“Umm, not really Seth. There is a powerful group of vampires, the Volturi, and they’re coming to pay us a visit. They could be dangerous so we wanted to let you know, so you’re prepared.”
Do you need us to come help? I can get Sam right now and the pack can be up there in about twenty minutes.
“No Seth, we want you to stay out of this. The Volturi are very dangerous. Please, stay home. We just want you to be warned and to be careful.”
“Five minutes!” Alice’s voice called out from downstairs and I heard everyone shuffle around as they tried to decide whether to play it cool or approach on the defensive. Carlisle said something about sitting in the living room and Emmett said a derogatory comment about me and then something about the piano. Carlisle then decided that everyone should remain in the dining room once again.
Are you sure, Bella? Let me talk to Edward, I can help, I swear.
“Sorry Seth, you need to keep your nose out of this one. Trust me. I gotta go now. Tell Sam.”
She shut the phone and looked at me for guidance and comfort, her face strained with tension. I could offer her none but took her hand in my own once more as we made our way back to the dining room.
Everyone sat stiffly as we mentally counted down the remaining five minutes until the arrival of the Volturi.
Aro and Caius coming… and Jane…
Alice’s eyes flashed open as her vision abruptly disappeared.
“Oh no,” she gasped, but I had already leaped up from my seat and ran towards the back door to the woods beyond.
Bella was on my heels a minute later and I could hear the rapid footsteps of the others not far behind her.
“Edward, what’s happening?” she called to me as I raced towards the woods beyond. It was growing dark quickly as what little sun there was began to sink into the horizon but my eyes still saw as clearly as if the sun were out.
“Alice saw them arriving and then it disappeared,” I explained without slowing. I had recognized the area where the vision disappeared and ran towards it as fast as I could now, not knowing what to expect when I got there.
“Seth!” Bella spoke his name as though it were a curse.
As we drew nearer the sounds of battle were evident but the sight we saw was not what we expected.
“Jacob!” Bella cried as the russet wolf was thrown into a tree, crumpling at the base.
Tell her to stay back.
“Bella, he wants you to stay back,” I translated as I grabbed hold of her arm, holding her back from running towards Jacob as he struggled to get to his feet.
“No!” Bella screamed, tearing forward from my arms, but Jacob bounded into her, knocking her back towards me.
Keep her away from them!
“Bella, stay back!” I shouted and grabbed hold of her arms again, pulling her back from the scene of battle. She didn’t know what she was doing, she hadn’t been trained yet. Sending her in against the Volturi would mean death.
She struggled against me but I managed to keep my grip. I listened to the surrounding woods but I still couldn’t hear my family’s footsteps or thoughts.
“Edward! Let me go! I have to help!” She cried out as Jacob crumpled mid-leap. Jane smiled cruelly at his form as it writhed in agony on the ground. It was a haunting picture to see her angelic child’s face taking such pleasure from his pain.
“No!” Bella screeched, breaking out of my grip. I grasped to catch hold of her but she was already gone.
I cursed under my breath and ran behind her, keeping an eye on Jane to ensure she remained focused on Jacob. Jacob lay still on the ground as she turned her wide, crimson eyes towards Bella and me. She narrowed her eyes, focusing on Bella but she kept running, her immunity to Jane’s power thankfully carrying through the change.
Bella leaped at Jane but the smaller girl dodged her, snarling at her attacker. Bella landed, instantly turned and crouched in one smooth, swift movement. I raced towards Jane intent to stop her from hurting Bella. Bella was so new and inexperienced; she couldn’t battle yet.
I was nearly on Jane when the skull-splitting pain seared through my brain, dropping me to my knees, my hands clutching at my skull. Waves of nausea washed over me as the pain intensified. I looked up wildly as the pain faltered for just a second - just in time to see Jane snap Jacob’s neck mid-lunge. He fell limp and lifeless to the ground and with a last shivering spasm phased back to his human form. I felt sick to see his dark eyes staring unseeing at the evil creature who had ended his life so suddenly.
Bella shrieked in anger and lunged for Jane’s neck, tearing off a large chunk. Jane made a gurgling sound of surprise but was soon silent as Jasper entered the clearing then and ran straight to Bella’s side, helping her tear apart the tiny monstrosity piece by piece. She shredded her way through the childlike body with frightening ferocity, stopping only when Jasper and I pulled her away from the tattered remains.
She turned towards Jacob but I pulled her head into my chest. She shouldn’t have to see him like this, naked and broken on the forest floor, the warmth and life drained from him by Jane’s small cold hands.
You’ll regret this, boy.
Keeping Bella pressed firmly to my chest, I glanced up to see Aro and Caius standing at the edge of the small clearing. They seemed to be alone but I knew a small guard would be lingering just out of range, ready to leap into battle when called upon.
“This was not a visit with violent intentions,” Aro spoke clearly, addressing the members of my family who appeared around the clearing now, crouched and ready to defend themselves. I saw Jasper narrow his eyes cynically and felt his suspicion echoed within myself.
“What were your intentions then,” Carlisle demanded, somehow maintaining his calm demeanor. “You have murdered a friend of our family before we even became aware of your presence here.”
“You knew of our presence here, do not be coy with us Carlisle,” Aro replied, enraged. “We know of your Alice and your Edward. We know that they can see and hear us coming. We knew you sent this monstrous infant to do us harm.”
“We did no such thing, Aro,” Carlisle replied, forcing his voice to remain restrained and calm.
“You have killed my dearest Jane,” the ancient vampire spat, his façade of emotionless power slipping to reveal his true self. “You murdered one of our best. You will all suffer the consequences for the actions of these few. Her life was so much more valuable than any of yours.”
He made a motion with his hand and I tensed, ready for the ambush but nothing happened.
Sorry we’re late, bro. We had to take care of a few things a little further in the woods before we could come back for you.
My eyes flickered to Emmett but he wasn’t looking at me anymore. He was making minuscule motions with his head to Jasper, Alice and Rosalie, and they were moving slightly, step by step, to surround the ancient vampires while focusing on Carlisle, Bella and me.
I pulled Bella with me as I stepped a few paces back, joining into the large circle formation around the two ancients. Making an effort not to look in Jacob’s direction, she pulled away from me just enough to peer out at the surroundings through the veil of her hair. Understanding what was happening she backed slowly into the circle with me.
Move closer, now.
I nodded towards Jasper and made eye contact with Bella and Rosalie, while Jasper made eye contact with Alice and Emmett and with a flicker of the eyes we began to advance. Aro and Caius were obviously in on our plan and began to shuffle nervously as they realized their guards were not going to be rushing to save them.
“If you stop now, we might spare your lives,” Caius threatened, his voice thin and icy. We stepped closer still with low growls rumbling in our chests.
“Lies!” Rosalie hissed, her eyes dark.
“If you do this the whole power of Volterra will descend upon you. Don’t be stupid, Carlisle. If you do this you’ll condemn your entire family to death.” Aro threatened Carlisle but his voice had lost the power of authority it usually contained.
“No. If we do this, you will be condemned to death,” Jasper snarled, leaping at Aro. Emmett jumped towards Caius at the same time and the rest of us followed behind. They struggled against us but they had grown fragile with their easy life in Volterra. They no longer moved as quickly, no longer possessed great strength in their limbs. They tore to shreds like paper.
Their screams rang out through the forest but no one came to save them. The thick, sweet smelling smoke choked me as it rolled off of their burning bodies and we stood solemnly watching until the last embers faded away leaving only ashes behind.
As we stood and watched the vampires burn, Sam and his pack arrived on the outskirts of the small clearing. They howled mournfully at the sight of their fallen brother and Bella finally allowed herself to mourn for her lost friend.
She fell to her knees beside him, delicately straightening out his limp body into a more natural position. She steadied his head and then arranged his hair to cover the odd angle of his neck and her shoulders were racked with tearless sobs as she closed his eyes for the final time.
Alice and Esme fashioned a makeshift stretcher out of branches and gently placed Jacob’s body upon it. Bella stumbled towards me, falling into my arms and she sobbed in grief.
“We’ll carry the stretcher into La Push for you so you can give him proper burial,” Jasper said gruffly and the large black wolf nodded, turning away slowly and disappearing into the dark woods.
Jasper and Emmett picked up the ends of the stretcher and followed solemnly behind the packed.
We’ll leave you two alone for a while.
I nodded thankfully to Carlisle who ushered the remainder of his family back towards the house, their faces fallen and ashen as they wondered what tonight’s actions would lead to. Cradling Bella in my arms, I held her tight and rocked her slowly as she sobbed and cried herself out though no tears could fall from her eyes again.
“It’s all my fault,” she gasped between sobs. “He wouldn’t have been here if it weren’t for me. This wouldn’t have happened.”
“Hush,” I whispered, looking down into her pained eyes. Brushing her hair back behind her ear, I stroked her soft cheek gently, the back of my hand brushing down the slender curve of her throat. “It’s not anyone’s fault. We all choose our own actions.”
“But…” she protested feebly, her eyes closing as my thumb grazed the pout of her bottom lip.
“Hush,” I repeated softly, holding her closer.
Her faced leaned closer to mine and tentatively kissed me. I scooted myself back so that I was leaning against a tree and pulled her closer so she could kiss me deeper. Her mouth moved hungrily with increasing intensity and she clutched my thin sweater in her fists. She straddled me, forcefully kissing me now. The hem of her soft dress, the colour of the midnight sky with silver accents, hitched up around her hips and I groaned as I let my hands slide of the length of her firm thighs.
“I need to feel you. Now,” Bella whispered clutching me tightly and rolling her hips suggestively against my own.
I pulled her back to me, crushing my lips against hers, deepening the kiss and exploring her mouth. She tasted so sweet, I could do this forever. Taking my actions as a yes she wedged her hand between us and quickly undid my jeans, freeing my growing erection from its denim restraints.
I slipped my hands beneath her dress and smiled in surprise as I realized she wore nothing beneath it.
“There was no time,” she murmured before crushing herself against my lips again.
I guided myself into her slick, wet folds and she eased her self down on me slowly. My hands caressed her back at first and then rested on her hips as she moved slowly along my length. Gripping her hips tightly I pushed her down harder and faster, increasing the pace as my need to fill her and feel her clench around me increased. She groaned my name as she pounded her body against mine, searching for a physical release for her pain that I was all too willing to supply her.
Needing more, I picked her up, making sure we stayed joined and pushed her back into the tree that stood behind me. She wrapped her arms and legs tightly around me as I crashed into her again and again, urging her with my body to feel the way she made me feel now.
The tree creaked and shook beneath the force of our rough love but it held, even with the final driving thrust as I finished, my body shuddering in her grasp.
She lowered her legs down so that she stood on tip toe, slipping off of me. I backed up, doing the button on my pants up as I stepped backwards and allowed her to straighten out her dress.
The fabric of our clothes was wrinkled beyond what a quick adjustment of cloth could fix and our hair was wild, tangled with debris that had rained down on us from the tree.
She watched me carefully, studying my expression as I picked the leaves and twigs from her tangled hair.
“What now?” She asked softly, searching my eyes for answers I didn’t have.
“We wait and see,” I whispered, kissing her on the forehead. I entwined my fingers within her own and began to walk with her back to the house where the others would be waiting for us.
Things were going to get worse before they got better; that much was for certain. All we could do was wait for the remainder of the Volturi to react to our actions. It could take days, it could take decades, but it was bound to happen. All we could do is live our lives and wait.
I clutched her hand tighter and she squeezed back as we made our way through the dark forest. Whether the future brought death and destruction or this all faded to nothing no longer mattered to me. All that mattered was that I had my Bella and that we could remain together until our dying day.
I hummed her lullaby softly, wrapping my arm around her waist as we walked towards an uncertain future. The earth may crumble around me but I could survive anything as long as she was at my side.