la belle dame sans merci | carlisle cullen

51

Bella didn't give an inch in the cab ride. In between answering the driver's polite small talk, Minerva was trying to ask her hushed questions. The only response she got was the tightening of the vice grip on her hand.

When the car hit a stop, Minerva still wasn't sure where they were but paid the driver handsomely and they got out. She trusted that Bella knew Pheonix well enough to get them out of there.

Bella led her across the street with frantic purpose but Minerva's enthusiasm with following died away when her eyes landed on the signage over Bella's destination: Mimi's School of Dance.

"Y'know, bells." Minerva dug in her heels as she spoke, forcing Bella to pause and look at her. There was an urgency ever present in her eyes," I'm getting really tired of people saying 'trust me' and immediately making me regret it."

Her dark eyes were brimming with tears, desperation growing with every second they were stationary, "He's got my mom." Bella whispered, her lips trembling. Minerva had never been the hero type, the opposite archetype was much more her brand. Something about the look on Bella's face had her reaching for the proverbial cape.

She reached for Bella's other hand, holding them both tightly. "Then I'll have his head." Minerva promised earnestly, "Let's go."

She hoped to hell she could make good on that promise. Of all the monsters she'd crossed paths with, Vampires weren't one. Her mind was a whirlwind of weaknesses: wooden stake wasn't an option, silver would only work if she put her earrings to work, the kind of holy water she could make wasn't exactly holy, sunlight was a waiting game. Every step closer was a step she spent realizing they were shit out of luck.

She could hold him off at least, buy time for Bella and her mom to get out. It didn't matter what happened to her after that. It was a pretty good way to go in her opinion and hell, it was overdue. The fields of punishment were probably nice this time of year.

"Stay behind me." Minerva whispered severely, putting herself ahead of Bella as they approached the door. "When I say, run— run. With or without me." She added softly before she pushed the heavy door open. The pair stepped tentatively into the dark space, only cut by the moonlight reflecting off the dozens of mirrors.

Goosebumps prickled her skin as a voice cut through the eerie silence, "Bella? Bella? Bella?" The voice called frantically.

It was like Minerva's orders had gone in one ear and out the other. At the sound of her mother's voice, Bella's hand slipped from hers and the girl bolted across the room. "Mom? Mom?!"

"God damn it." Minerva whispered, keeping her head on a swivel as she followed. There was no sign of James but he was certainly there, lurking in a shadowy nook. She could feel his eyes.

"There you are." The voice coo'd much more at ease. Minerva's brows pulled together as Bella pulled the cabinet open. "What are you doing in here?" It was a recording of what looked to be a very small Bella in a tutu, hiding away from her dance obligations.

"We gotta go. Now." Minerva whispered, reaching for Bella's arm. A sardonic chuckle set her teeth on edge. He had them right where he wanted them.

"I think that's my favourite part." Minerva whirled around, keeping Bella behind her as they faced the vampire— or rather, twenty of the vampire. The mirrors reflected him in every direction but her eyes were focused on the real one. "You were a stubborn child, weren't you?"

It'd been a long time since she was in a fight. Not counting the one in the flower shop or the number of unfair fights she'd picked. This was going to be a gods' honest tooth and nail fight. If Bella wasn't standing behind her, there'd be no place for fear in any of this.