BPOV
Once the nomads were out of range of Edward's mind-reading Edward hurriedly slung me on is back and the whole family raced home. The run was different from how we were on the way to the playing field only a few hours ago. Gone was the carefree chatter, the taunting and the jokes. Instead, the air was now filled with a palpable amount of tension. "What are we going to do?" Alice whispered.
"He's a tracker," Edward said, his voice had an underlying tone of panic in it, "I saw it in his mind. He wants Bella, and my reaction to him only made him want her more." His words confirmed what I had already known- James wouldn't give up until he found me.
I noticed Jasper had remained quiet, and was looking thoughtful. I could practically see his mind running over the best possible strategies. "Well we could always turn around and hunt him," I suggested. I always figured that the best defence was a good offense.
Only Emmett approved of my plan. "I'm in," he said, actual enthusiasm in his voice.
"No," Edward said firmly, "He would only lead us into a trap."
I sighed, "Either way, I can't go home until I know he's not tracking me anymore. I don't want to lead him to Charlie," I explained.
The others agreed. "Alice, can you call him and make up some story about a big sale in Seattle that you just have to drag Rose and I to, and tell him we'll be staying there for the night since it's a public holiday tomorrow?" I asked. "That should at least buy us some more time, and we can always come up with another excuse later if we need to extend our stay."
Alice nodded, and as soon as we reached the house she pulled out her phone and rang my house. "Hi Charlie," she said, her voice full of excitement, "Guess what? There's a big sale happening in Seattle, and I just have to go. Do you mind me stealing Bella- it's a school holiday tomorrow remember, and I'm going to need all of that time to shop properly," she paused for a bit, listening to his answer, "Oh we'll be fine Charlie- don't worry, it's just us girls," she reassured him. No doubt he was worried about me spending so much time with Edward unchaperoned. Suddenly she screeched, "Oh thank you Charlie!" before ending the call. She turned to me, "All done Bella, Charlie says to have fun."
I smiled gratefully, "Thanks Alice."
The whole family congregated in the lounge room. Edward wouldn't leave my side. Jasper cleared his throat. "I think the best way to approach this is to split up. "Alice and I will take Bella away, while the rest of you lay a false trail for him to follow and hope that he either gives up once it reaches a dead end, or that you can catch him and kill him. I think Esme and Rosalie should then go and watch over Charlie- just in case one of the vampires tries to get to him if the smell Bella's scent in the area." He continued to explain his plan- and I had to admit that it was a good strategy. I knew a false trail wouldn't fool a tracker of James' calibre for long, and I was grateful for it. I wanted him to come after me so that I would have a chance to get whatever information he knew about Alice out of him.
"I think it would be best to go to Phoenix," I announced. "It's sunny there nearly all the time, so while Alice and Jasper would have to stay inside- at least if he found me it would limit his activities to night time." I explained part of my reasoning. The other reason I had- which I couldn't tell them was that it was likely that James would managed to get hold of some of my personal information, and he would know I was from Phoenix. Demetri had explained to me that most beings tracked by trackers, especially humans, tended to go somewhere where they felt safe, comforted and at home. My records showed that I had lived in Phoenix for a long time, and I knew that that would be the first place James would look for me. I would be waiting.
Edward of course protested violently when he heard the part of the plan where he wouldn't be going with me, and I was also pained at the thought. But once Jasper explained his reasoning, I couldn't fault it, "Edward, James knows you would never leave Bella. We need you to help lay the false trail otherwise it will never work." Edward thought about it and gave in, giving Jasper a reluctant nod.
Jasper was cut off from explaining the finer details of the plan by Edward's menacing snarl. When we looked at him questioningly he explained, "Laurent's here."
Sure enough there was soon a knock on the door. Carlisle let Laurent in, and whatever was on his mind caused Edward to relax slightly. "I've only come to warn you," he explained, "I don't approve of what James is doing, and I've left his coven. I intend to go up to Denali and find out more about your way of life from the other coven. But before I go I thought it was only fair to give you a warning." He said, "James is absolutely lethal, his senses are unparalleled and he has never failed at a hunt since I've been in his coven. I only joined it because of how strong he is." His revelation that James was actually the leader of the coven surprised everyone but Edward, Jasper and I- I wasn't surprised that Jasper had also noticed the real hierarchy.
Laurent left soon after, with Carlisle giving him directions on how to find the other coven. We decided that it was time to leave. Alice ran me upstairs and into Rosalie's room, where I switched clothes with her so that Rosalie could lay a false trail with my scent. They carried me back down stairs and into the garage- where the others were already waiting. Alice tensed suddenly, and then turned to us. "They're watching us," she told us, "They're waiting for our next move." It was time to set our plan into action.
Edward gave me a kiss goodbye. It was different, desperate somehow, and I poured all of my passion and love into it- realising that I had no idea how long I would have to be away from Edward. It pained me to see him go somewhere without me.
Rosalie, Emmett, Edward, Carlisle and Esme jumped into the Jeep, while Jasper, Alice and I got into Carlisle's Mercedes as it was the only car in the garage that didn't have my scent in it. Besides, the dark tint on the windows was bound to be useful in sunny Phoenix. We waited silently as the Jeep roared out of the garage and sped away into the night. Alice closed her eyes for a second before opening them and smiling. "They're following the Jeep," she confirmed. "We can leave."
Jasper immediately started the car and pulled out. I took one last look back at the now empty house as we raced away. I lay down on the backseat, stretching myself out for the long ride ahead. It was only four o'clock on the afternoon, but I knew that I would need as much sleep as I could get for the coming days. Making sure that my shields were secure around all three of us, I relaxed and concentrated on falling asleep.
Ten minutes later I still couldn't sleep. I tossed for a bit, trying to get comfortable before I finally gave up. I sighed, thinking. I knew from experience that meditating and counting sheep weren't going to work. Then I remembered something. "Hey Jasper?" I asked, my voice breaking into the comfortable silence.
"Yes Bella?" he asked quietly.
"Do you think you could help me get some sleep here?" I begged.
He chuckled, although it was more strained than usual, "Sure Bella."
In no time at all a heavy wave of drowsiness overtook me. I barely managed to get out a "Thanks Jazz," before sleep completely overtook me.
I awoke to the sensation of being shaken so quickly I felt like I was vibrating. I opened my eyes to see Alice staring down at me, a tender look in her eyes as she released my shoulder. "Come on Bella, we're here, it's time to go up to our suite," she explained. I stretched out drowsily and yawned before getting out of the car and trudging along after Jasper. Alice walked beside me, making sure I didn't trip over anything in my sleepy state. I managed to get my bearings as Jasper talked to the receptionist, and I realised that we were at one of the fancier hotels close to the Phoenix Airport. I spotted the clock on the wall and realised with a start that it was 3am. Thanks to Jasper's influence I had been asleep for nearly eleven hours.
Even though it was three in the morning, after Jasper used his charm, and a large amount of cash the receptionist was only too happy to give us the keys to the hotel's best suite. She seemed a little surprised though when she saw that we had no luggage with us.
As soon as we got to the suite Alice pulled out her phone and rang Edward, letting him know that we had arrived, and asking for an update. He told us that James and Victoria had split up. Esme and Rosalie had gone back to Forks in case Victoria went for Charlie, and James was still tracking them- but always remained just outside Edward's mind-reading range. I was glad to hear that they were all okay, although I did feel slightly guilty for making them go out of their way like this- especially for me.
Jasper picked up on my guilt. "Bella, please don't feel guilty," he pleaded.
I looked at him apologetically, "How can I not Jasper? Your whole family has to go out of its way and risk getting hurt because of me."
He looked at me sternly, "Bella, out family is strong and our only fear is losing you. You have changed Edward so much since he met you. He used to be a morose, brooding vampire, all alone and barely existing. Now he has you and for the first time in almost one hundred years he's happy. Our whole family loves you, and none of us want to even think about what would happen if we lost you- I doubt Edward would have the will to survive," he explained softly.
That thought pained me, but I was grateful for Jasper's explanation. I smiled up at him, "Thanks Jasper."
The next few hours passed slowly as we sat together and watched the early morning TV shows, bored and with nothing to do but wait. When 6:30am came I ordered some breakfast from room service and tucked in. I had barely finished when Alice had a vision. James had changed his course and Alice saw him in a room full of mirrors. We were all confused when Alice described it, so she drew it for us.
I was shocked when I realised that I recognised it. Jasper felt my recognition. "Do you know where this is Bella?" he asked.
I nodded, "It's the old ballet studio I went to once," I explained. When I was ten Renee had signed me up for ballet lessons for the six months I was with her. Of course I was hopeless at it due to my clumsiness, and I didn't like the other girls and their vain mothers.
Jasper looked concerned, "Where is it Bella?"
"Just a block away from Renee's house here in Phoenix," I told him, giving him the address.
Our conversation was stopped by Alice's phone ringing. When she answered I could hear Edward on the other end. Alice relayed their news; they were in Alaska had lost James, and were worried that he might be heading here so they were already at the airport waiting for the next plane to Phoenix. I was glad- despite being away from Edward for less than a day, I missed him terribly- it felt like my heart had been ripped away from me.
Luckily, it was a finally cloudy day- a rarity in sunny Phoenix, and by the time my lunch arrived from room service, Alice had seen us picking up Edward, Carlisle and Emmett at the airport in two hours. She left to go and buy us all a change of clothes- since we hadn't bought anything with us, and Jasper headed down to the reception area to book another suite for them to stay in.
While I was enjoying my lunch in my room I was surprised to see my phone ringing, and even more shocked when I looked at the caller ID and found that the number was for Renee's house in Phoenix- I knew for a fact that my mother was still in LA, since I had talked to her yesterday. Therefore, the only person it could be was James. I grinned victoriously; I'd be able to put an end to his hunt faster than I'd thought. "Hello?" I answered my phone.
In the background I heard my mother's voice sobbing and calling my name. For a second my heart rate picked up as I panicked. What if he really did have my mother? Then I concentrated on what I was hearing and realised that I recognised the dialogue. It was a videotape of Renee and I one day in Volterra, on St. Marcus day, and she had lost me in the town square and panicked, she still had the camera on while she was historically calling, "Bella! Bella!" Felix and Demetri had of course brought me back to her.
Evidently James had raided our home videos. It was time for me to play along: "Mum, Mum? Where are you? Are you alright?" I asked, my voice panicky and worried.
Sure enough, the next voice I heard was that of a cold-hearted killer (Literally). "Your mother is just fine Bella," James assured me, then he hesitated, "For the moment. Be vary careful about what you say Bella, in fact don't speak until you are sure you're alone."
I stayed silent for a few seconds, "I'm alone," I whispered, deliberately making my voice quiver.
"Good, now tell me, can the others hear you?"
"No," I answered.
"Excellent," he murmured. "Now I don't really want to hurt your mother Bella, but I want you. So if you do exactly what I say she won't be harmed," he assured me. I didn't believe a word he was saying. "I have to admit Bella, I was a little disappointed to find that you mother's blood doesn't smell nearly as appealing as yours. If it had I would have almost been prepared to take her life instead of yours. Alas, we can't always have everything we want can we? So I'm willing to trade you- your life for hers."
"What do you want me to do?" I whispered.
"Well, I'm sure you're a clever girl Bella, I need you to get away from your vampire friends and come meet me. I'm sure you remember the place you use to take ballet lessons at right?" The benevolence in his voice irked me.
'Yes," I choked out, making it sound like I was on the edge of hysteria.
"Good," he purred, "We'll be waiting," he promised, and with that, he cut off out conversation, hanging up the phone.
I sat there, my lunch forgotten as I mulled over the conversation. I knew that somehow I was going to have to lose Alice and Jasper- I didn't want them getting involved, and it would be easier to get James to talk about what he knew without Alice there. I began formulating a plan, although I was careful not to make any decisions- I didn't want Alice to have any visions of me escaping from them.
Jasper soon came back, and we played a few rounds of cards until Alice arrived, toting a multitude of shopping bags. She handed me some new clothes and i went to take a shower and change.
It was then time to head to the airport- where my plan would be put into action. My only regret was that I was going to miss seeing Edward- but I consoled myself with the knowledge that once the danger was over I would be able to spend much more time with Edward.
We reached the airport and Alice immediately headed for the terminal where they would be coming in from. Once there I decided that it was time to make my move. I cleared my throat awkwardly, "Uh guys, I'm just going to the toilet," I explained. They nodded, trusting me to do exactly as I said, and knowing that if James was at the airport Alice would have seen it.
I quickly walked away from them before I could allow guilt to set in and entered the nearby toilets, walking straight through and out the other door which lead to a different side of the airport. Once I was out I ran, heading outside as fast as possible and straight into a taxi. I gave him the address for Renee's house, planning to walk from there to the studio so that if the studio ended up on the news the taxi driver wouldn't connect me to it.
I chucked a few extra bills at him and urged him to make it as fast as possible. As we pulled away I looked back furtively, half expecting to see Alice running after me, but once we were on the freeway I sat back and breathed a sigh of relief.
I was now heading to take care of James. He was my problem- not the Cullens, and I was going to handle it. I pulled out my phone and called Volterra. I had known better then to call them before it was too late for them to intervene- Felix, and especially Demetri wouldn't be happy about the idea of a tracker hunting me.
As suspected, Demetri was furious, but when I calmly explained that it was only one vampire- something I could easily handle he calmed down a little- although I could still hear the underlying rage in his voice. "You should have told us sooner Princess," he berated me; "It is Felix and my job to protect you from vampires like him." He sounded pissed.
"I know Demetri, but I want to take care of this one myself." I said firmly.
"The next time you tell us there are vampires in the area we're coming to keep you safe," he stated firmly, and I could hear murmurs of agreement in the background, "No arguments."
I sighed, "Okay," I agreed.
He let it drop after that- although I suspected that he would still be annoyed for quite some time. "And we're coming regularly to check up on you once the Cullens know about us."
"Fine," I could tell from the tone of his voice that nothing would dissuade him.
Felix was a little less worried, "Kick his arse Princess," he said.
I chuckled darkly, "I intend to Felix, believe me, I intend to," and with that thought I bid them goodbye and started mentally preparing myself for a meeting with my would-be killer.