In The World of Blood And Magic

(9)

Bianca's POV

Edward paced, frustrated. Alice was stressed. Reyna, Ally, and Renae tried to track their fast-paced conversation with Rosalie, Carlisle, and Esme. The rest of them were cradling the children.

"Who was it? Someone we know?" Esme asked.

"Could Bella be working with a vampire?" I suggested.

"I can't see her future if it is her." Alice answered. "I should be able to since her shield's down."

"Her shield?" Xenia asked. "A simple human can have a gift?"

"Vampires develop gifts from a particular strong trait from their human life." Carlisle explained. "Her mind, at one point, was able to repel psychic gifts."

"Like Edward and Alice's gifts?" Ally asked.

"Yes." Edward confirmed. "Her shield began to deteriorate the moment she found out about her adoption. We were able to see mind and future."

"She also knew about Alice's blindspots." Cameron suggested.

"Could she have interacted with Victoria?" I asked.

Alice shook her head no.

"She must have been able to keep her decisions safe." She answered. "But I never saw the intruder before. Maybe she knows him."

"Anyway, it's just a stranger." Edward replied. "I didn't recognize his scent. He doesn't have any traces of Bella's scent."

"A nomad passing through?" Esme asked.

"A passer-by wouldn't let Lyra live if he was in the house moments before they came inside." Rosalie replied.

I was chilled at the thought of Lyra almost being attacked by a nomad vampire. Then, Jasper and Emmett came through the door.

"Their scent disappeared about five miles south of their house." Jasper announced.

"Someone's orchestrating this." Edward deduced.

"Victoria?" Amanda asked.

"I would've seen her deciding." Alice replied.

"It has to be the Volturi." Edward added. "I'm sure they'll stop at nothing to know more about the witches."

"I don't think it's the Volturi either. I've been watching Aro's decisions too." Alice responded.

"Why would the Volturi want to do this?" Sabrina asked.

"Aro has a tendency to collect those with rare and powerful gifts." Carlisle spoke up. "He was asking to meet you guys."

"Not happening." Edward argued. "He'll not get to them."

"Either way, we keep looking." Emmett spoke up.

The doorbell rang. Esme went to go answer the door when Bella stormed in. She walked up to me and raise her hand to slap me, but Lyra stopped her as Edward snarled at her.

"What the hell are you doing, Bella?" He demanded.

"She got my house burglarizing into." Bella sneered, breaking free from Lyra's grip.

"Why would I want to break into your house?" I shot back. " I was with Jacob all day. The others with were us as well."

"Then who took my shorts?" Bella argued.

"Shorts? What kind of shorts?" Salem asked.

"My..." Bella trailed off, seeing the sleeping children. "My booty shorts."