Devils Tongue- Jacob Black

14

Charlie sat at his kitchen table, skimming through the Seattle times. He was still dressed in his uniform from a day at the station. His brow furrowed in concern as he read through the articles.

"Murders, Disappearances, Possible Work of Serial Killer..."

Just as the worried father glances at his watch, the front floor swings open. Bella enters the room, throwing down her bookbag as she stood by him, reading the article over his shoulder

"Four o'clock on the dot" Charlie mused, still observing his watch. He glanced up at Bella, raising an eyebrow "What, does he have a stopwatch or something

"He has a name. And now he's too punctual for you?" She began making her way towards the stairs, clearly wanting to avoid the conversation. Yet, Charlie persists.

"Wait a sec, will you?" He calls, before gesturing to the chair in front of him "Sit down."

She does as she is asked, and Charlie sets down the paper, turning his full attention to her as he began

"Okay... You understand why you're being punished, right?"

"I know," she responded with a nod "I put you through hell."

He nodded, confirming "Yes, you did. But I have other reasons, for grounding you. Like... I just want you to get some separation from him" he spoke to her in an almost pleading tone, trying to get her to see this from his perspective.

Bella still shook her head, stubborn as ever "Dad, there is nothing you can say. Edward is in my life."

"Yeah, I'm gathering that" he mumbled with a sigh, before clearing his throat and speaking again "So, alright. How about this? I'll make you a deal. You're not grounded anymore, if... You use your new found freedom... to see some of your other friends too, Like... Like Jacob."

Bella's expression darkened, yet she didn't argue. Charlie took this as possibly a good sign, so continued

"He's going through a really tough time right now, His Dad's really worried about him. It's to the point that he's getting sick now"

Bella looked down at her hands, guilt seeming to eat her up inside

"I remember when that was you. You needed a friend, Jake was there." He paused for a moment, before adding "And his sister still has to chaperone you two. I like that kid, she's sweet" he seemed willing to drop the subject, picking up his newspaper and letting her leave

**********

Bella pondered over the notes Jacob had left her, as well as the voicemails she had tried to send him. She finally gave up on trying to reach him, deciding to go see the boy himself. She got into her truck, cranking the key- nothing. She tried again, only to come to the conclusion that it was dead. With a slight gust of wind, she looks to see Edward beside her, as well as Delphine.

"Uou know you don't actually have to chaperone us" Bella said halfheartedly. Delphine only shook her head with a soft smile.

"I take my promise to Charlie very seriously" she responded in a soft tone, before looking at Edward " Anyways, lover boy here wanted to visit"

The female vampire was almost sickly looking, though it was still in a beautiful way. Her skin seemed paler than usual, almost the color of marble, and her eyes were highlighted by the dark purple circles that rested under them. She was clearly ailing from something, though Bella had no idea what could make a vampire sick. She had only seen a similar look when she found Edward in Italy, though he was able to recover.

Delphine watched as the two spoke, occasionally glancing back at the house to make sure Charlie didn't see them. She only listened partially, wanting to give the couple their privacy

"You scared me." Bella told Edward, turning to him

"You're going now to the reservation" was his only reply

She watched him for a moment, before asking "How'd you --?" She cut herself off "Alice had a vision" She paused for a moment, then added "Hey, did you do this to my truck?"

He tried to reason with her "Bella, you have to understand. Your safety is everything to me-"

Delphine looked at him like he was insane "You messed with her truck?!" She turned to Bella "Give me a few minutes. I'll have it fixed up by tomorrow morning" she disappeared into the night, clearly getting the tools to fix her truck

"Jacob is not gonna hurt me." Bella insisted once she left.

"Not intentionally, but the wolves have no control..." He struggled to reason with her

She shook her head, explaining to him angrily "Edward. I have... Until graduation, to see him. And I'll be one of you, and he'll hate me forever."

"I'm sorry" Was all he said. Bella watched him, before letting the anger take over, getting out of the car and slamming her truck door.

Delphine returned soon after, assuming the couple was back in Bella's room. She got to work on the truck, making quick work of fixing the damage her brother had caused.

Delphine watched the window before she left, a slight smile on her face. She knew the two had everything she had ever wanted- love, happiness, and loyalty. She shook her head, her thoughts drifting back to her mate

She knew why she was feeling ill. It was a side effect from being from her mate. Edward had experienced a similar sickness while being seperated from Bella, and Delphine cringed at the though of how Jacob must feel. All she wanted was to jump across the ravine that seperated their land, but she knew she would be ripped to shreds before she got there.

As usual, she spent her night by the ravine, watching the flowing water and bathing in the moonlight, letting it illuminate her skin, much as the sun does to her fellow coven.

**********

Delphine sat with her family at a table with all of Bella's friends, her chin propped up on her hand as Edward rubbed her back gently. She had only been feeling worse each day, to the point that being around humans made her nauseous. Edward explained it away to the others as a simple stomach bug, but it was clear the Cullens were worried

She barely listened to the conversation, though picked up Jessica and Mike planning her valedictorian speech

Delphine looked up as Alice and Jasper joined the group, giving the couple a week smile, watching them set down the trays of food they had no intention of eating

"I decided to throw a party." Alice declares happily, looking over the table

Jasper nods, a small smile on his face "After all, how many times we gonna graduate high school?"

"A party?" Mike asked incredulously "At your place?"

"I've never seen your house." Jessica muttered in shock. Eric rolled his eyes

"No one's ever seen their house." He replied

"Another party, Alice?" Edward tells her in a skeptical tone

"It'll be fun." She insists with a smile

Bella rolled her eyes, playfully commenting "Yeah. That's what you said last time."

Alice froze suddenly, her eyes glazed over. It was clear she was having a vision, though the humans at the table were oblivious.

"Well cool, that's really uh... normal of you. What time?" At her silence, he asked "Dress code?" She still remained silent, so her continued to ask questions "Bring anything? Cheetos?"

Her gaze remained in the distance, clearly not hearing his words. Delphine took her sister's hand, telling the others softly "I don't think Alice is feeling too well either. We're not sure what time yet, but party casual, you don't need to bring anything"

Edward nodded and laughed, calling to Alice "Wake up"

Jasper looked across the table apologetically "She hasn't been getting much sleep lately, she must have caught whatever Delphie has"

The others nod it off like it's nothing, but the Cullens all exchange worried glances

(1327 words)