The Angry Swan ~ Carlisle Cullen x Reader

Chapter 56 ~ Puppets

TW: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 - Spice

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Y/N's POV

The Cullen house was silent in anticipation as Bella explained her dream. Standing at the centre of the living room with her arms across her chest.

"Jasper's story made me realise something," she spoke, sharing a glance with the blonde.

I sat at the armrest of Carlisle's chair, trying to keep my attention on the conversion but my mind was still fogged up from the shower, and Carlisle's touch on the side of my thigh did little to distract me from my thoughts.

Edward grunted quietly behind me from where he stood by the fireplace, sending me a pleading glare. I cleared my throat, suddenly remembering where I was and who was in the room. I stood, opting to stand behind Carlisle and rest my hands on his shoulders.

"Realise, what?" Jasper asked, intrigued as he leaned forward.

"That they are all her puppets..." Bella paused, looking around at all the eyes in the room that blinked in confusion.

"She means Victoria." Edward chimes.

A thoughtful silence settled over the room at the claim. Esme, Carlisle, and I shared subtle looks but pretended to be surprised.

"I've been watching her moves." Alice piped up. "I would have seen if she wanted to make an army."

"That's what I thought at first," Bella states.

"She's hiding behind them," I say, looking my sister dead in the eyes. I pretended like I had only just figured out Victoria's grand scheme, even though two days ago, I had been informed by none other than my supposed dead best friend.

"And letting someone else decide," she confirmed.

"It's a good theory," Carlisle says, patting one of my hands before he leans forward in his seat, arms resting on his knees. He looked hot. Another cough from Edward had me shamefully glazing at the floor.

"Newborns are unpredictable, driven by hunger and strength. From the news reports, they seemed to be driven by their instincts. It doesn't make sense that someone's leading them and allowing them to behave so recklessly." Carlisle summarised

Jasper hummed at what Carlisle had said. "Unless they are powering up, feeding to build strength. If she's controlling them, she's doing it from the shadows, playing with Alice's blind spots. Newborns aren't known for taking orders easily, not unless they fear who's in charge."

"Not only that, but when you think about it, none of us has ever encountered Riley, assuming he's the one she has acting as her puppet leader. What cause would he have to gather up an army to attack us?" Bella added

"He himself is also a newborn," Rosalie chimes.

"He wouldn't have the control to create an army," Esme said.

"Victoria would," I say darkly.

A moment of understanding silence passed between us; we all knew this theory to be true. I looked at Carlisle and Esme again, a look asking if I should tell them, and Esme subtly shook her head. With the message received, I stayed quiet. The only thing the rest of the family hadn't figured out was that Victoria planned to stay out of the action. Her targets are solely Bella and me. The army was a distraction, so the Cullens' strengths would be divided.

"I hate this," Emmett muttered, standing up. "If we know it's her, then why aren't we out there hunting for her. Stopping her before she gets the chance to attack us."