Total eclipse of a heart (Embry Call)

17. Protect me

In that frozen second between stand off and fighting I see their eyes flick from me to him - to Jacob. Our faces are unreadable, no fear, no invitational smirk. I am banking on them making the mistake of underestimating us because the Cullens are vulnerable as are we, but we're also the side that has nothing left to lose. That makes us more dangerous and unpredictable.

"We are outnumbered." Jasper states, allowing his amber like eyes to glide over the growling pack that have no intention of retreating. They want to rip us to shreds, even without the baby as a possible threat.

"By a lot." Alice adds, making me toss my crossbow to the ground and take out my trusted daggers instead. This will be an 'up close and personal' fight, not allowing me to use my best weapon. This will require blood to flow, friends killing friends...lovers killing their other halves.

I allow myself the momentary lapse in judgement of looking at Embry's wolf once more, hating the fact he's got his teeth barred and the foamy drool dripping from his mouth. His eyes are on Jasper, his body closer to me than any of the wolves. It only means he'll be my first obstacle if he doesn't step back.

Can I truly hurt him?

"I won't let them hurt my family." Edward growls out and as if on que, the wolves leap forward and at us.

Neither of them go for me, each jumping at a vampire of their own and at Jacob who had turned in the same moment, his clothes ripping in the process.

Wide eyed, I stand to the side as my rage grows for their attempt of keeping me out the fight. With a throaty battle cry, I grip my daggers and feel the hunter start its take over. They expect it to be five on one, over in a bloody flash and then they go back to their reserve.

When it comes to the fight there's no honour, no code. All that matters is the win and we take nothing for granted. The wolves have the exits covered, there's nowhere to run. I'll offer them peace first, a chance to surrender on my terms, something they will of course refuse.

"Stop!" I jump before Sam, recognizing his black form instantly in the night. Both daggers pointed at him, I hold my position between him and Jacob with my head held high and face void of emotions.

Surprised by my outburst, everyone stops in their place. The silence befalls us only to be broken by a weak wail - a baby's cry.

"That's a baby! Not a monster!" I shout, slightly moving forward only to have a rather big dog's head move beside me. A russet wolf follows my every footstep. Another one nears, but remains at a certain distance - Embry.

"Bella's dead, but the baby is innocent! It's human!" I'm lying. I have no idea what that baby is, mostly because I didn't even bother to see it. My fight was outside, not next to a woman who clearly had a death wish.

"If you want to kill her...or any of the Cullens." I pause, taking in a deep breath as my heart feels calmer instead of wild. That is how I know I am doing the right thing. That is how I know this is a cause worth dying for.

"You'll have to go through me." I finish my statement, the boldest one I've ever given. My bravery is certain to be rewarded with death, but I don't care. I'm doing what I've been taught. Maybe saving a few vamps isn't a part of that, but they are good...people. They are. As much as it pains me to even think it.

If Embry isn't going to protect me or the rest of those I swore to protect, I'll go down swinging - like all the hunters do.

Like my mother did.

"Get under the bed and hide under the floorboards." I am rushed under the bed, the dusty floorboards moving as I push against them, allowing me to crawl under them and cover myself. I can hear my mother's heels clicking on them, a little further away but in the same room. A gun cocks and the door slams and I hear a second pair of footsteps enter.