Sight Unseen 39

“Where is Victoria?”Tanya asked Bella as her daughter followed Irina down the stairs. Looking Bella over Tanya frowned seeing the smudge of dirt on Bella’s face and the various stains on her white shirt. Tanya knew without a doubt Bella was perfectly clean when she went upstairs. That meant that Bella had been close enough to Victoria for the grime to transfer from Victoria’s body to Bella’s body. Knowing that Tanya held back a growl at the thought of her daughter being physical with the red head. Bella was underage and none of them including Bella knew Victoria. It was not appropriate for them to even hug let alone do anything else. Tanya knew she shouldn’t have let Bella be alone with Victoria. The coven leader should have expected something to happen as it was obvious that Victoria had a lot of real world experience. A lot more experience than Bella had. Tanya was going to have to pull Victoria aside and speak to her about what was allowed where Bella was concerned.

“She is taking a shower. I gave her some of my clothes so she can finally be clean after so long.”Bella was never going to let Victoria be without access to the things she needed to be clean ever again.

“What do you mean after so long?”Edward asked. He was not happy about any of the visitors in his home but Carlisle told him it would be a good idea to try to befriend Victoria along with Bella. The pair each were powerful in their own rights and Edward agreed it would be nice to have them in their coven. He didn’t have to like though.

“None of your business.”Bella wasn’t going to tell Edward anything.

“The woman is in my house everything to do with her is my business.”Edward growled out.

“Watch your tone with me boy or more than one current occupant of your house will happily take your head.”Bella threatened.

“You think you can threaten me?!”Edward was outraged a human would threaten him.

“Edward calm down and be more respectful to Bella. If we want to know about Victoria we will ask her ourselves.”Carlisle didn’t want to fight with Bella or Victoria. He wanted to convince them to be in his coven.

“Bella are you hungry?”Esme was onboard with having Bella as a member of the coven. It would officially make Esme her mother.

Bella ignored Esme and turned her attention to Irina.”Mom I’m going to have the Chinese food in the refrigerator for dinner. Would you please heat it up for me like you did for me at lunch?”

“Of course darling. Do you want the rest of it?”Irina was loving the frustrated look on Esme’s face because of Bella completely ignoring her and not only asking Irina to make her food but calling her mom as well.

“Yes please.”Bella said as she made her way over to where Rosalie was sitting by herself on a couch and gave her a hug.”Hi.”

Rosalie pulled Bella on her lap and snuggled her close. She missed her mate and hated when Bella was away from her. They had been with each other constantly for the past few days and Rosalie had gotten used to it.”Hi.”

“So Bella what are we up to tonight. Going on any missions?”Kate wanted to go on another adventure.

“I need to prepare the evidence for Ralph’s case. Do you guys have a scanner, printer and some document size envelopes?”Bella wanted to send everything out the next day.

“I have a scanner and a printer in my room you can use.”Rosalie would use the time to speak to Bella in private.

“How many envelopes do you need?”Carlisle asked.

“Ten.”Bella told him.

“I don’t have that many.”Carlisle said.

“We can go buy some tomorrow then mail them.”Tanya wanted the Ralph situation to be done with.

“We will have to talk to Victoria because she needs to buy some clothes and I was hoping to go tomorrow.”Bella wanted Victoria to have the things she needed to live a normal lifestyle.

“If you are buying clothes I’m going with you.”Alice couldn’t let herself miss out of clothes shopping.

“We will all go.”Kate didn’t want to miss out on any ghosts visiting Bella.

“It will be up to Victoria and what she is comfortable with.”Bella didn’t want everyone to go.

“You aren’t going without me.”Rosalie wouldn’t be left behind.

“We will talk to Victoria.”Bella wasn’t going to promise anything until Victoria was there.

“Speaking of Victoria.”Carlisle perked up when he saw the red head freshly showed and clean walking down the stairs and joining them in the living room.

Bella stood up and took a seat next to Rosalie on the couch holding out her hand for Victoria to sit with them.”Did you enjoy the shower?”

“It was a little slice of heaven. Thank you for the clothes as well. They fit perfectly. The shoes are a little big but they work just fine for now.”Victoria happily took the seat next to Bella. It put her in the perfect spot to protect her mate from the three threats in the room who were sitting on the furniture across from where Victoria, Bella and Rosalie were sitting.

“Why is it you arrived so dirty and without any belongings?”Edward was going to get answers out of Victoria. He didn’t care if she was good for the coven. Edward needed to know what kind of threat she was and how to put her down if needed.

“I don’t believe that is any of your business.”Victoria smirked at Edward when he scowled at her. She knew that Bella refused to say anything and with all their minds shielded Edward wasn’t getting the limited information the others knew from anyone else.

“Where is it you are from Victoria?”Carlisle would try to get the information another way.

“I’m not here to answer your questions.”Victoria wanted to make it clear she wasn’t going to tell them anything about herself.

“Surely you can understand our concerns about having you in our home without knowing anything about you?”Carlisle wouldn’t rest until he found out about Victoria’s background. That way he knew what her fighting abilities were and if she had a gift of some kind. Carlisle hadn’t gotten a chance to ask Eleazar before he and Carmen went hunting.

“Bella knows everything about me and I will be staying with her the entire time I am here. That being the case the only one who’s concerns matter to me are Bella’s.”Victoria wasn’t leaving Bella’s side unless forced to ever again.

“Bella is not the owner of this house. She doesn’t even live here. That means you are going to answer our questions.”Edward told her.

“If you keep up with this twenty questions bullshit both myself and Victoria will go back to my father’s house and you will never see us again.”As Bella predicted that got the others involved.

“Edward shut the hell up.”Rosalie didn’t want Bella to leave.

“Carlisle control your coven member and the both of you leave Victoria alone.”Tanya like Rosalie didn’t want Bella to leave.

“Edward if you don’t leave Victoria alone I’ll take your limbs and throw your torso in a lake.”Kate didn’t want Bella to leave either.

“Calm down everyone. No-one needs to leave. We will refrain from asking Victoria questions.”Carlisle couldn’t let the pair leave because it would ruin his chance to have them in his coven.

“Good choice.”Bella was still going to go back to her father’s house the next day but didn’t plan on mentioning it just yet.

“Bella your food is ready.”Irina called out from the kitchen.

“Coming.”Bella stood from her seat and walked towards the dinning room not at all surprised that most of the room followed her. She sat down in the middle on one side of the table with Rosalie and Victoria on either side of her. Emmet, Kate and Alice sat across from them with Tanya at one end of the table and Irina at the other end. Garret stayed in the living room. Carlisle, Esme and Edward were standing in different spots in the room. Bella wasn’t sure where Eleazar and Carmen were. Not that it mattered she just ignored all of them and began eating her dinner.

“Victoria Bella said you needed to buy some clothes. Would you be against some of us coming with you and Bella when you go?”Tanya didn’t want to be away from her daughter. Like Rosalie Tanya had gotten used to having Bella constantly around and didn’t want to lose the unlimited access she had to Bella since they left for their trip.

“I’m only buying a couple things so it won’t be a huge shopping trip. If some of you want to go that’s fine but it’s not going to take long.”Victoria knew she had to play nice with the coven but she really didn’t want to waste her day shopping.

“We still want to go.”Alice wouldn’t miss shopping for anything.

“Since you are now without your companions do you have the resources to take of yourself or do you need help?”Carlisle was hoping Victoria would need help and it would make her beholden of him.

“That is a very rude inappropriate thing to ask someone you don’t know.”Bella found herself insulted Carlisle would ask Victoria that.

“You are right Bella it was rude and very inappropriate. To answer your question Carlisle it’s none of your concern if I can take care of myself and even if I couldn’t I wouldn’t ask you for help.”Victoria thought that question proved Bella was right about Carlisle’s character.

“I wasn’t being rude. It was a legitimate concern and I am the perfect person to ask for help.”Carlisle would have asked anyone if they needed help. Especially if they would bring value to his coven.

“That’s the thing it’s not your concern nor will it ever be and the reason I wouldn’t ask you is because Bella already told me all about you. That being the case I know if I asked you for help you would have tried to hold it over my head for the rest of my life using it to make me do things for you. Not that I need help that is I just know better than to ask you if I did.”Victoria thought Carlisle was just like Laurent. Both men used a fake good guy image to screw people over.

“Bella doesn’t know anything about me and I would never take advantage of a vulnerable person that way.”Carlisle lied. It was exactly what he was planning to do.

“Please Carlisle stop talking. I really can’t handle your father showing up screaming at you again. The man promised he would come back if you pissed him off more.”Bella didn’t want to listen to Gerold.

“You didn’t talk to my father.”Carlisle didn’t believe for a second Bella spoke to his father.

“Believe what you want just stop being an asshole in my presence. After I’m no longer near you you can shout all your lies and nonsense at the top of your lungs for all I care but for the love of god keep your mouth shut when I am around.”Bella went back to her food wanting to finish it quickly so she could get away from Carlisle.

“Don’t you speak to Carlisle like that!”Edward would not allow a human to disrespect his sire in such a way.

“Edward keep your mouth shut.”Tanya could tell that Bella was very close to leaving and Tanya doubted she would come back.

“I’m not going to let some weak, pathetic.”Edward grunted when he was slammed by a hand around his throat onto the floor. Looking to his attacker he found the furious face of Victoria hovering over him.

“Bella is not weak or pathetic. Those are words that describe you little boy.”Victoria wasn’t going to let anyone disrespect Bella. She was very unimpressed that Rosalie hadn’t made a move to attack Edward at all. It left a bad impression on Victoria that Rosalie wasn’t defending her mate verbally or physically.

“Let him go. He was defending me after hearing Bella’s crassly worded insults.”Carlisle made a move to remove Victoria from Edward but instead of his hands grabbing her shoulders to pull her off his son Carlisle somehow found himself flying into the fridge.

Bella finished chewing the last bite of food and drank the last of her drink.”Vic I’m done eating let’s get out of here.”

“Do you want me to take his head?”Victoria was more than happy to leave.

“No it’s not the right time yet.”Bella wished it was.

“Bella you don’t have to go.”Rosalie couldn’t let her mate leave. Especially because her other mate got to go with her.

“I actually think I do. Ever since I have entered this house it has been complete chaos. I admit some of that chaos was my own fault but it has still been complete chaos. That and Victoria’s gift is going haywire because of Edward, Carlisle and Esme. That tells me neither of us are safe here.”Bella sure as hell didn’t feel safe.

“Bella we can easily protect you and keep the three of them away from you.”Irina really didn’t want her daughter leaving.

“This is our home! You can’t make us do anything!”Edward choked out.

“I hate saying this but Edward is right. This is his home and I really don’t feel comfortable here. Not with the three of them under the same roof. Victoria isn’t comfortable here either. The best thing for us to do is go to my father’s.”Bella felt good about the decision. She really didn’t feel comfortable staying at the Cullen’s.

“What can we do to change your mind?”Tanya was desperate to keep Bella at the house.

Bella shook her head and stood from her seat.”I’m not going to change my mind. Even saying I’m going back to my father’s feels like a weight has been lifted off of me. I have felt stressed since I entered the front door. I thought it was because of Victoria but it’s not. It’s because of this house and it’s occupants.”

“Bella you just need a chance to get to know us better. Why don’t you and I go to the kitchen to make some brownies alone together? That way we can talk without interruptions.”Esme definitely did not want Bella to go. It would ruin any chance of her bonding with the human.

Victoria growled as she pointed as Esme.”You are a despicable. Trying to steal Bella away from her bond mates so you can finally properly mother a child that actually needs you. Know this Esme if you come to Bella again and try to force her to spend time with you or ask her if you can do things for her I will slowly torture you and kill you when I am done. Something that I have the right to do because you are trying to steal a person from their bond mates. That being a crime punishable by death.”

“Now wait a second. There is no need for threats. Esme wasn’t trying to steal anybody. She was just trying to get to know Rosalie’s mate.”Carlisle was not happy that Victoria caught on to Esme’s motives. He was also not happy that Victoria knew the laws because she was right. She would be allowed to kill Esme without getting into trouble.

“It doesn’t matter what Esme has been doing. I have two mothers that I would never consider giving them up for someone else. Especially Esme who is the fakest person I ever met.”Bella didn’t think Esme even knew who the real her was she had been pretending for so long.

“We wouldn’t trade you for anything either sweetheart.”Irina loved hearing Bella claim them.”That being said how can we get you to stay?”

Bella sighed.”You can’t. I’m going to take my personal items. Is it ok to leave the stuff I got from Ralph’s here tonight? I can get it sorted tomorrow.”

“That’s fine.”Alice told her.

“Vic I’m going to go pack can you hold him until I’m done so he doesn’t try anything?”Bella expected Edward to act out once he was released.

“Of course. I’ll make sure he doesn’t move.”Victoria agreed with Bella. Edward was going to act out.

“I’ll help you pack.”Rosalie was going to use the time to convince her mate to let her stay at Bella’s house as well.

“It’s not much stuff.”Bella made her way out of the dining room with Rosalie, Tanya, Irina and Kate trailing behind her. Walking into her room she grabbed her bag and began filling it.

“Are you sure we can’t do something to make you stay?”Kate didn’t want Bella to leave.

“I’m sure. I hate it here. I just thought that the bad feeling I got when we came here had to do with Victoria. Now I know it’s the home itself and the people who live in it. Even if they left I wouldn’t be comfortable here with the knowledge they could come back at any time.”Bella also didn’t want to be around so many people. She liked her privacy.

“Maybe we can rent a house close by for all of us to stay in.”Irina suggested.

“It will all depend on if I have to finish school or not. That and if I don’t how long it takes you to get custody of me.”Bella really didn’t want to go to school.

Tanya shared a look with Irina and got a head nod in reply to her silent question.”We decided that you don’t have to go to school and we will come up with a plan to get custody. Once we have it are you and Victoria willing to move to Alaska?”

“Victoria and I talked about it and she is not only willing to move to Alaska with me she is going to change her diet for all of you.”Bella personally didn’t care if Victoria killed humans but would support her either way.

“That’s good to hear.”Irina had been concerned about not only Victoria being willing to live in Alaska but her wanting to feed from animals. It seemed that Bella took care of both those issue already.

“Bella if Victoria is joining you at your home do you think I could come to?”Rosalie couldn’t handle Bella being alone with her other mate.

“Is this a mate bond thing?”Bella asked.

Rosalie nodded.”It is making me physically ill thinking about you being alone with your other mate and me not being there.”

“I’m ok with it but I just have to make sure Victoria is. She has spent the last few centuries going through something very traumatic so I would like everyone to be patient with her and not overwhelm her. She has lot of healing ahead of her.”Bella was going to help Victoria heal and in return Victoria was going to help Bella heal as well.

“I wish you would tell us what happened to her so that we could help her with everything.”Tanya wanted to also know to find out what kind of skills Victoria had that would help Bella.

“It’s not my place. I mean I doubt you would appreciate it if Sasha told me everything about you even some horrible stuff and I told everyone about it.”Bella knew Tanya wouldn’t.

“I wouldn’t.”Kate would want Bella to keep her secrets.

“I understand and agree it wouldn’t be right for you to tell us anything. No matter how frustrating it is.”Tanya hated not knowing but wouldn’t push.

“I’m packed. Rosalie you should grab the things you need to stay for a few days.”Bella told her.

“Good idea.”Rosalie raced out of the room to do just that.

Irina pulled Bella into a hug.”I would prefer you stay with us but I won’t make you if you are uncomfortable here.”

“Hopefully we can be on our way to Alaska soon.”Bella gave Irina a squeeze then released her before giving Tanya a hug.

“We will start making a plan as soon as you leave. That way we can approach your father as soon as possible.”Tanya was going to work non stop until she had custody of Bella. She like Bella wanted her family and child as far away from the Cullens as they could get.

“I’m ready.”Rosalie announced when she appeared in the doorway holding two suitcases.

“Can you drive us?”Bella didn’t have a car and she doubted Victoria had a license.

“Yeah no problem.”Rosalie would rather be the driver.

Bella tightened her arms around Tanya then let go.”Alright let’s collect Victoria before she takes all three of their heads.

“Does Victoria’s gift seeing them as threats make them dangerous threats or are they just potential threats?”Kate needed to know what kind of problems the three would be so she could protect her niece.

“It means that they are an active danger to me or her physically or mentally. Like they could be a threat because they can hurt my body, my mind or they are a threat to my bonds. That’s why she sees Esme as a threat because Esme is trying to interfere with my bond with you two and indirectly the one I have with Rosalie. Her attempts to isolate me from everyone and get me to give all my attention to her is how she is doing that.”Bella explained.

“I’m glad that Victoria’s gift recognizes you.”Rosalie didn’t like that her fake mother was trying to take Bella away from her. It was just one more reason for Rosalie to leave her coven.

Bella led the group down the stairs.”I am wondering if it will recognize you as well.”

“That’s a good question. You do have a bond with Bella meaning that you are important to Bella so it might cover you.”Tanya wouldn’t be surprised if it did.

“Vic we are ready to leave.”Bella told the red head who still had Edward pinned and was glaring at Carlisle making Bella believe that he had been running his mouth.

“Good I’m sick of listening to these idiots.”Victoria squeezed Edward’s neck one last time before releasing him then standing. As she turned away from him her gift alerted her to movement so without turning around she reach over her back grabbed Edward by the shoulder and proceeded to remove all his limbs in less than a minute.

“That was wicked.”Emmet had never seen anyone that skilled before.

“Please refrain from taking his head.”Carlisle was shocked and impressed with Victoria’s actions. It made him want her for his coven even more.

Bella ignored Carlisle.”Rosalie wants to come with us are you alright with that?”

“That’s fine but just Rosalie.”Victoria only included Rosalie because of the mate bond. It would make sure that Rosalie would involve her in things in the future if Victoria didn’t leave her out.

“Thank you.”Rosalie was relieved that Victoria allowed her to come with them. She had been worried that the red head wouldn’t.

“Rosalie is driving.”Bella gave Irina and Tanya another hug.”I’ll call you guys in the morning.”

“Bella seriously you don’t have to go. Just please give us a chance and you will find we are good people.”Esme pleaded. If Bella left Esme’s chance to have a child to take care of went with her because Esme knew another human wouldn’t enter her life.

Irina ignored Esme.“Don’t be afraid to call us or message us during the night if you need us.”

“Thanks mom.”Bella handed her bags to Victoria. With a wave she followed her mates out of the house.

Kate waited until the car had started driving away to speak.”Thank you you assholes for chasing Bella away.”

“We didn’t chase Bella away. If anything Victoria is the reason she left.”Carlisle began reattaching Edward’s limbs.

“You idiots triggered Victoria’s gift making it see all three of you as threats to her and Bella.”Tanya was not happy that Bella left and she didn’t have a set time to see her daughter again.

“We aren’t threats.”Esme wasn’t a threat.

“Edward tried to attack her, you were threatening Bella’s bonds with her mate and us. Carlisle I’m not sure how he is threat but I wouldn’t be surprised that it was for some very serious reason.”Irina had no problem seeing Carlisle as a threat.

“Victoria believed that Carlisle was offering her help so he could hold the action over her head and make her do things for him. Do you think that was how Carlisle is a threat to her?”Alice like Irina had no problem seeing Carlisle as threat after the incident with Bella talking to Gerold and all the things she said about Carlisle.

“I didn’t offer for that reason. I was just concerned because she looked like she was destitute when she showed up here and you all didn’t tell us anything about how you found her other than she was in a false mate bond. I think it’s our right to now how you came in contact with Victoria and who she is as person.”Carlisle lied. He would have held the action over Victoria’s head and forced her to be a member of his coven.

“Bella was right. It was rude to ask a stranger if they could support themselves. As to how we came in contact with Victoria is she heard us playing baseball and introduced herself and the two men she was with. It was uncovered that one of the men was claiming a false bond with her. She broke off from them and asked us if she could join the Denali coven. We agreed.”Tanya wasn’t going to tell them anything else.

“Why did you let her be alone with Bella if she is a stranger?”Edward knew that the group was lying about just meeting Victoria because they wouldn’t have trusted the human blood drinker with their human.

“Bella took a shine to Victoria and Victoria felt most comfortable with her. We trust Bella’s instincts and she felt that Victoria wouldn’t hurt her. Which was proven when Victoria didn’t lay a finger on Bella when they were alone. Bella also is the one who assured us that Victoria is trustworthy and would blend into our coven flawlessly. Victoria has even promised to no longer hunt humans without us even asking her to change diets.”Irina planned to ask Bella how she convinced Victoria to do it without a fight later.

“Not that it matters anyway. What matters is like I said before you three assholes are the reason Bella left. Now we don’t have complete access to her anymore and have to deal with her human father. So fuck all of you!”Kate didn’t wait for a reply before grabbing Garret’s hand and storming out of the house breaking the front door in her wake.

“It’s not our fault.”Carlisle wasn’t going to give up on getting Bella and Victoria into his coven. Even if Victoria asked to be a Denali Bella was still Rosalie’s mate. If Bella had sway over Victoria then Carlisle could use Bella to get Victoria to agree. He just needed to figure out how to do that without upsetting Tanya and Irina. Carlisle cursed their bond with Bella. He had been hoping that Esme would succeed in making Bella bond with her while she was human to interfere with the familiar bond when Bella was turned so that Bella would chose Esme over Tanya and Irina. Maybe he would send Esme over to Bella’s house with some baked goods to give Bella the next day when Tanya and Irina weren’t there. The human would be forced to invite Esme in for a visit if the Cullen matriarch showed up at her door with a gift.

“It is your fault but I’m not going to stand here and argue with you because you won’t ever admit you are wrong. Not to me and not to yourself. Come on love let’s go move our things into Bella’s room.”Tanya motioned for Irina to follow her. She ignored whatever the others had to say and made her way through the hall to the stairs. Tanya wanted to stay in Bella’s room so that she would be surrounded by her daughter’s scent. It wouldn’t be as good as smelling it on Bella herself but if Tanya couldn’t be around Bella she would take what she could get. Tanya really couldn’t hate Carlisle, Esme and Edward anymore than she did at the moment. They had driven Bella away with their selfishness and scheming. Tanya wondered how much trouble she would get into if she killed all three of them. It seemed Carlisle’s father would keep their ghosts from bothering Bella so the only concern would be Aro and Jasper. Although Tanya wasn’t so sure Jasper would really care. Aro would though so that put a damper on Tanya’s plans. That didn’t mean she couldn’t fantasize about killing them though.