Chapter 7

It had been three days, since I had last seen Jasper and I was going crazy. Charlie kept me out of school, because he didn’t want to risk me going to Jasper’s, even if nothing could happen during the day. The only time I was able to leave, was when Esme asked if I could help in the bookstore from noon until four, while she made sure that I had more than enough time to get back to the house.

Every day, I’ve gotten a new present with his name on it. Each one has been more elaborate than the previous. He seemed to believe that if he sends me enough gifts, I’ll accept him for who he really is. The first present had been a bouquet of poppies, which symbolize death, and one lotus blossom which symbolizes birth and rebirth; that also came with a card, in which he told me to keep the car.

The second was a beautiful diamond choker, with what appeared to be little diamond flowers. The final present so far, and the worst, was what had arrived around lunch time, while Esme and I were at the bookstore. We were at the front counter of the store, when a delivery guy came in with a box saying that it was already paid for. We opened the to see that it was an ice cream cake in the shape of a lamb. Esme told me to stay where I was while she called Charlie, but I had to try a piece. I grabbed the knife from where Esme kept it in the drawer, in case she ordered cake or something equally tasty. As soon as I sliced into it, I screamed, alerting Esme. There was something red seeping out from the ice cream. It was grenadine, but that wasn’t the point; someone--probably Jasper--had been positive that I would cut it and see what I originally believed to be blood.

I was currently sitting in the living room, doing homework on my computer. The sound of an incoming e-mail, made me open it, only to find a song file with the name ‘Lullaby. It wasn’t from an address I recognized and even though I knew I should’ve been more cautious, I couldn’t help my curiosity. It was like with the stupid cake.

Putting earplugs in, I turned on the song and what I heard shocked me.

I will kill you in your sleep, so you better try, try and keep awake
I will kill you in your sleep, so you better try, try and keep awake
Keep your left eye open, and your right toe twitchin'
'Cause I'm in the kitchen with a knife that's itchin'
For your red blood, on those white sheets
So keep your left eye open, and your right toe twitchin'
'Cause I’m in the kitchen with a knife that's itchin'
For your red blood, on those white sheets

“What the hell do you humans listen to?” Rose asked as she leaned against the doorway, startling me. “I have never heard anything that horrid.”

“Me neither,” I admitted, closing down the web browser. “It’s nothing. Just someone from school trying to scare me.”

“Well, Em should be here soon and I need someone to invite him in.”

I followed Rose into the entryway, rolling my eyes. Charlie had been called over to the next town, to deal with some police business, which left Carlisle, Esme, Rose, and me at the house. Of course, the first two were doing the unmentionable in the guest room, which left them unable to invite Rose’s mate in.

From what I had been told about him, he was a big softy. She had told me that he was big and had muscles, but he was also a teddy bear, who was very protective of his family and wanted to help. As long as Jasper wasn’t lurking around, I wasn’t too worried about meeting him. Unless, of course, he was one of Jasper’s cronies and was just using Rose to get me to that stupid dipshit, who I never wanted to see again.

There was a knock on the door and I froze, afraid that it would be Jasper again. When I saw Rose laugh and fling open the door, I sighed in relief. However, that relief disappeared when I saw a giant standing in front of me. He had to be as tall as Jasper, but he had much more muscles.

“Hey, Babe,” he said, wrapping his arms around Rose and kissing her forehead. He grinned at me. “Hey, I’m Emmett. You must be Bella.” I nodded in agreement, feeling very unsure about this. “Well? Aren’t you gonna let me in?”

Instead of saying anything, I just backed away. “Bella.” I looked at Rose. “Don’t forget what-”

“Well, well, well.” I froze at the familiar voice that interrupted Rose. “What do we have here?” Both of them wheeled around and stared Jasper down. He just smirked at them and asked, “Yes, Bella. Aren’t you going to let me in?”

“S-stay away.” I could feel the panic beginning to rise in my chest. I clutched the pentacle hanging around my chest. “You can’t control me. I’m protected.”

“Yes, you are,” he agreed. He sounded happy about that for some reason. “Your father, on the other hand, not so much.”

“W-what did you do?” My voice was stronger than I felt at the moment. “Leave him alone.”

“Your father happens to be in the same town as my brother right now. It would just take one phone call to have him killed. No one would be surprised; he just lost control for a moment.”

“Don’t touch him! He hasn’t done anything!”

“You said that you would give her until her birthday,” Rose stated, venom dripping from her voice. “I should call them right now and let them know that you are breaking the law. You’re trying to kidnap a minor.”

His laugh sent a chill up my spine, making me shiver. “It isn’t kidnap if she comes willingly.” He turned his gaze to me. “I’ll give you two days to decide, Isabella. After that, I will take care of your father. Perhaps drowning him. Or burning him alive... show you what will happen to that witch of yours, who’s having a liaison with one of my kind.” He turned away and held up his hand in a partial wave. “I won’t hesitate to kill everyone you care about. You’re the one who holds the fate of everyone in your hands.”

“E-Emmett, come in.” He nodded and walked in, jutting out his arm protectively in front of Rose and myself.

“Bella?” I looked up to see Esme coming down the stairs, Carlisle following close behind. “What’s going on? You’re so pale, sweetheart.”

“M-my dad,” I choked.

I could feel my hands shaking in fear, but there was nothing I could do to stop it. I couldn’t remember ever having been so afraid of anything in my entire life, as right now. This wasn’t just some threat; I had looked up Jasper’s background and I knew that he could get away with killing my dad and everyone else I cared about. Esme, Rose, Angela, Jess, Mike... he could kill them all.