Seismic Shift Chapter 11

Tell me the story

about how the sun

loved the moon so much

he died every night

to let her breathe

~ Anonymous

When I got home, I paced. In front of the house, then inside the house after phasing back. I was nervous, and sweaty, and shaking. I didn't know what their punishment would be; I didn't know why Sam couldn't force me to stay when he spoke of vampires, but still had control over me coming home.

Since I’d shredded my other outfit, I pulled on fresh clothes as I worried. I was out of options. I wouldn't put Edward in danger by naming him, and I wouldn't be subjected to hiding in my house because a handful of tribe members disapproved of who I loved. I still couldn't understand how Paul had found out about us.

With my heart in my gut, I tried to portray serenity as I walked into the community center for the meeting. I took the lone seat without being told, feeling guiltier than the criminal they wanted me to resemble. I took measured breaths to avoid hyperventilating. There were three vacant seats at the long table; Billy wasn't present, and Harry and Sue had gone out for the day and wouldn't know what was happening. Ironic, considering that they were my sole supporters. I stared at the room, large with a high ceiling, intended for bigger gatherings like weddings. There were a handful of windows on the South facing wall, covered in vertical blinds. The other tables were folded against the back wall, leaving the one that made me think of a dais at the other end.

My hands wanted to tremble, and that was not allowed. I folded them together tightly and held onto myself, trying to give the only comfort I could. I would leave. I would move out and leave all of them behind, live my life with Edward and be happy. My family would visit me if I was never allowed back, and so what if they forbade me from coming back onto their lands? There was nothing left for me here besides the Clearwaters.

Time passed until the waiting became unbearable. I shifted in my seat and glanced again at the clock. Sam stared directly at me, as though he was willing me to break, or maybe to run. Sweat beaded on my forehead and lower back, and I desperately wanted something to drink. I felt like the suspect in an interrogation room.

Eventually the double metal doors complained as one was yanked open, the echo of footsteps sounding before the automatic slamming of the door. Billy came into view, his limp more pronounced than I remembered it being when I first came here. He spoke in low tones to Sam, who tilted his head in acknowledgement but remained staring at me. Old Quil cleared his throat, and Billy moved down to whisper in his ear. I was rapidly moving past guilt and starting to feeling anger instead. What the fuck was going on?

“Now that the majority of the council is here, we can begin this emergency hearing. Billy?” Sam spoke, still looking at me with what I was positive was disdain.

Billy picked up the torch Sam passed him. “After speaking with Carlisle Cullen-”

“What?” I was on my feet in an instant, realizing a second too late that I’d handed Sam his smoking gun.

“-it appears that Isabella was the one to leave the treaty lands first, and the young vampire claimed to have been bringing her to safety from the storm when he crossed onto our lands.”

My heart slammed against my ribs and I sank back into my seat. They all knew. Every last disgusting, voyeuristic one of them knew what had transpired between us.

“The agreement stands that the vampire has been sent to an undisclosed location for an undetermined amount of time, and we have agreed that Isabella is to be banished from the reservation lands. This is the only solution to keep the treaty intact.”

Sam stood, his hands on his hips as he looked down at me. “Do you understand that you have embarrassed us? Our people have lost pride over your indiscretions.”

I stood as well, absolutely fuming. “You are completely ridiculous if you think that! If you had shut Paul up and not felt the need to snoop into my business, nobody would have known or cared where I was. You exacerbated the situation by going to the Cullens and demanding something be done! The embarrassment is yours! All I’ve asked for months is to be allowed to leave the reservation, and this is the punishment you dole out?”

Sam continued as if I had not spoken. “Out of respect for Harry and Sue, you will be given thirty days to move, with house arrest until that time has expired. Adjourned.”

“You wouldn't know what respect was if it slapped you in your smug face! You disgust me!” I turned and fled the room, running full tilt to the meadow in hopes that it was all a lie. Edward couldn't be gone.

It was empty, lifeless. There was no sense of recognition, no feeling of being home. The grass was tall and blowing lazily, not even bent where we had lain. Worst of all, my chest constricted painfully at what was left behind.

In the very center, nestled into the rain soaked wildflowers, there was a manila envelope on top of a rock. I opened it, looking through the contents with tears falling. A fierce gust of wind kicked up, blowing strands of hair into my face. I threw back my head and screamed my agony, watching as it was carried away on the current of air.

“You can't just touch my soul and leave!”

CPOV

It was certainly unusual to have a Quileute tribal leader pop up on our doorstep. The agreement has always been for them to call before coming, considering the detailed rules outlined in the treaty. Several of us smelled him before he arrived, of course. It was the mixture of wet dog and his illness that tipped me off to the fact that it was William Black. By the time he knocked, I’d already had a disconcerting conversation with Edward about the previous night.

I opened the door as he climbed the porch steps, a gracious smile plastered on my face. “William,” I greeted him cordially. Emmett and Jasper stood immediately to my left, and if they looked imposing it was no fault of mine.

Billy rocked back a step at the sight of the three of us standing in unity. “I need to speak to you,” he grunted in my direction.

“I assumed as much. Would you like to come in?” I gestured as I opened the door wider, and noted that his pupils dilated as they darted to my boys and back to me.

“No, I’ll be quick. One of the vampires in your charge was on our land last night,” he began.

“I have been informed of such, but I would like to point out that he was with your charge, who was off your lands. He merely escorted her out of the thunderstorm and into a shelter.”

If I was correctly deciphering his facial expressions, this new information did not make him happy. “She's no charge of mine,” he snarled hatefully. I schooled my features to avoid scowling at his tone.

“I see. Is that the point we have been discussing?” It thrilled me to antagonize him, after coming here and speaking about my son in that manner.

“Of course not.” Billy narrowed his eyes at me, then flinched when Emmett shifted onto the balls of his feet. “But something needs to be done.”

“I concur. My son has been spoken to, and he will leave today to spend time with extended family.” I noted the frown at the mention of family. “What will you do with your charge- forgive me, what will you do with the young lady?”

“She’s leaving, too. As soon as we kick her out.” His smile was a touch too malevolent for my comfort, making me frown.

“‘Kick her out’? Does she have a place to live? What do her parents have to say about this?” The idea that Isabella would be evicted was distressing, to say the least.

“Her parents will deal with finding her a place. Sorry to disturb you,” he sneered before walking off the porch and getting back in his vehicle.

“What is wrong with them?” Emmett exploded as soon as the door was closed.

“The treaty is ancient, Emmett, and most definitely needs updating. But the fact is, they could have made it worse for us if they’d chosen.”

“Edward is going to be miserable,” Jasper said. “He’d finally stopped moping around here, and now this.”

“I understand your concern for your brother,” I replied with a hand on Jasper’s shoulder. “It will all work out.” It appeared that I would be seeing to that.