Defective - Jacob Black {1}

Chapter 57: Close Relations

I felt cold as I saw where his mind was going. "And Alec can incapacitate us all at the same time?" I whispered, but with the way it came out of my mouth it was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes," he said and Bella shivered. "If he uses his gift against us, we will all stand blind and deaf until they get around to killing us - maybe they'll simply burn us without bothering to tear us apart first. Oh, we could try to fight, but we'll be more likely to hurt one another than we would be to hurt one of them."

We continued in silence for a few seconds as I watched Jacob imagine watching all of us turn into motionless, unaware zombies as the Volturi went through us, one by one, tearing us limb from limb. I winced when he got to me inside his head, he whimpered slightly but a fierce growl rumbled through his chest as his hatred and anger for the Volturi only increased.

"Do you think Alec is a very good fighter?" Bella asked suddenly. "Aside from what he can do, I mean. If he had to fight without his gift. I wonder if he's ever even tried..."

Edward glanced at Bella sharply. "What are you thinking?"

And then it clicked inside my head as Bella began to explain what she was getting at. "Well, he probably can't do that to Aria and I, can he? If what he does is like Aro and Jane and you. Maybe... if he's never really had to defend himself... and I learned a few tricks and with Aria's expertise--"

"He's been with the Volturi for centuries," Edward cut her off, his voice abruptly panicked. He was seeing the same image in his head that I was: the Cullens standing helpless, senseless pillars on the killing field - all but Bella and myself. We'd be the only ones who could fight. "Yes, you're both surely immune to his power, but, Bella, you are still a newborn. I can't make you that strong a fighter in a few weeks. I'm sure he's had training. And Aria, don't you dare even think about it."

It was too late I already was. I was faster than any other vampire on the planet. If I could just get to Jane or Alec and take one of them out, maybe with Bella's help the rest of the family would stand a chance.

"He's right." Jacob voiced. "No one will let you sacrifice yourself."

"That's not the point Jake, Bella and I could make this an even fight for us. And it might be the only thing we can do." I explained, refraining from rolling my eyes as I looked at the warning portrayed in his own.

"Maybe he has experience, maybe not. It's the one thing we can do that no one else can. Even if we can just distract him for a while--" Bella went on but, again, Edward interrupted her.

It was strange how this sudden urgency for survival had seemed to merge Bella and I's brains into one. We thought the same, held the same secrets, if only I could read her mind to understand better... and use my gift like Renesmee's on her. Renesmee could get through and I couldn't.

"Please, Bella," Edward said through his teeth. "Let's not talk about this."

"Be reasonable Edward, it would be a good tactic." I argued in place of Bella, ignoring Jacob's mind protests purposely.

"I will try to teach Bella what I can, with your help, but please don't make me think about you both sacrificing yourself as a diversion--" He choked, and didn't finish.

Bella nodded and sunk back into the ocean of her mind. We would have to talk in private concerning this as well. If we took Jane and Alec out I could read the rest of their minds to decipher who else was an extreme danger to the family. Bella and I could work together surprisingly well if this happened. 

"I have to learn everything. As much as you can possibly cram into my head in the next month. Aria you even beat Jasper, please you have to help me." Bella murmured grasping my wrist in her free hand.