Marionette

Ch. 13

I tapped my fingers in the air like I was playing the piano, the sea salt filled air would have stung a human, but they have softer skin.

They also have worse balance. They would have fallen off the cliff at this point. I was standing on my toes, not even an inch from the edge. I also had concentration.

“Bells?” a godlike voice called.

I jumped. The air whooshing past me felt nice, my hair flying up. I turned, aiming so that I’d land in the water at a dive, arms first. I slammed into the water and inertia did its job, I was pulled down. The waves made my tiny form tumble as they wrapped over me like a caress. It was the only time I felt close to normal. Weak, like most people. The waves, however, were just about the only things that could do that.

The ocean always made me feel small.

I could stay under forever, but Edward called me, and I didn’t want Felix or Resa to worry. I had started to care less and less of what Edward thought or felt, he was like a bug to me. A small, tiny, bug.

I surfaced and swam to shore, Edward was waiting for me, arms crossed. “Must you never listen to me?”

“Yep.” He huffed,

“Bella-”

“Ella,” I corrected.

“Pardon me princess. Ella, you’re not my boss anymore, and what I say does-”

“Not matter at all to me, Eddy. Deal with it.”

A low growl rumbled from his chest and I threw myself at him, talking him to the ground. My lips were at his throat in less than a second and his breathing sped up, “Let me make this clear Eddy, I may not me your boss, but you do have to respect me to get respect, understood? And even then it’s still my decision.”

“Yes,” he whispered.

“Good,” I lowered, and sliced a tiny cut on his neck, he winced. I don’t know why, but that tiny wince made my heart hurt. Concern filled my eyes for the briefest second for him to see and I gasped. His pain hurt me? How can that happen?

“Isabella…” He whispered.

Felix isn’t here, he’ll never know. I could try, but there was no denying it. That thought was all mine.

Tears filled my eyes at I let myself remember Edward and I. God, it felt like centuries!

“It can be that way again Bella,” he whispered gently, stroking my face, I leaned into him, “We can be together, not having to worry at all.”

My lips parted as I tried to take a breath and calm myself, it made it worse, I was so consumed by him. He leaned up and, as much as I’d like to deny it, I leaned down.

Our lips met and it was just like the first time. I lost all control and was filled with nothing but desire and utter love for Edward.

“Bella.” he groaned. That’s when I stopped trying to resist altogether.

“Well, well, well,” I heard a cocky, arrogant, biting voice, said behind us.

I jerked up, hating myself for not noticing or smelling them.

“Look what we have here, still breaking the things you love Bella?”

“Can’t hurt what didn’t love, Jacob,” I hissed.

He glared, Edward and I stood up. I crossed my arms, Edward was standing ready to fight, but not me, I haven’t had to for years, I could hop into a crouch in less than half a second if I tried, that was my record at least.

“What do you want, dog?” I snapped.

His shaking arms bristled, and he clenched his hands harder.

“What’s wrong, pup? You aren’t afraid of me? Of your best friends ‘Bells’?” I began to whisper, “You know how much time we spent together that last summer, don’t you? Nearly all of it. But,” I laughed, “You know what they say about summer love. Ours, however was just one side though. What’s wrong mutt? Am I not like the last time you saw me, weak, hurt, falling to pieces? Wait! You liked me that way, thinking you could step in on the weak girl after a self-esteem blow. And I see you still suck at the whole self control thing, huh, shaky? Why won’t you answer? SpeakFido!”

He was positively livid. He turned and ran away, I heard him transform a few feet in the woods and start to pitifully howl.

“Well, let’s go,” Edward was staring strangely at me, “What? Come on, they’ll be worried.” I started to walk the direction of the house.

He sighed, “B –“ he corrected himself, “Ella, as much as I enjoy antagonizing the dog, that was…” he trailed off.

“What?” I hissed, impatient.

“That was just… demonic. It wasn’t like you. I was actually afraid of you for him.” He muttered.

He looked at me like he was ashamed of me, which pissed me off. I huffed and ran back home.

“Res – “ I called, but stopped short.

The house was too quiet, but I heard something in the distance, Edward came running up then, “Ella, wait. I – “

“Shut up,” I hissed, and listened, was it crying? I took off, Edward following.

The Cullen’s and my family were there, Resa included. She was crying, terrified for her own life. But it wasn’t that she was bleeding around a group of vampires, it was something else.

Something far worse.