magic • j. hale [✓]

Chapter 33

Bella didn't respond to James. Ariella's breath hitched. Bella's confidence and bravado was wearing off. James was nearing the end of his gloat. "Would you mind if I left my own little letter to Edward and Ariella?"

There was a sound of shuffling feet. Ariella looked on to the scene. James was holding up a camera that had its red light flashing, a sign that it was already filming. Ariella could clearly see the horror on her sister's face. "I'm sorry, but I just don't think they'll be able to resist hunting me after they both watch this. And I wouldn't want them to miss anything. It was all for them, of course. You're simply a human, who unfortunately was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and indisputably running with the wrong crowd, I might add."

Ariella could feel and see the nausea that was dawning on her sister. It was clear that she didn't expect this. Holding herself back from attacking the feral hunter, Ariella clenched her wand even tighter, and was silently waiting for Jasper and the others.

"You see, the vampire who was so stupidly fond of this little victim made the choice that your Edward was too weak to make. When the old one knew I was after his little friend, he stole her from the asylum where he worked - I never will understand the obsession some vampires seem to form with you humans - and as soon as he freed her he made her safe. She didn't even seem to notice the pain, poor little creature. She'd been stuck in that black hole of a cell for so long. A hundred years earlier and she would have been burned at the stake for her visions. In the nineteen-twenties it was the asylum and the shock treatments. When she opened her eyes, strong with her fresh youth, it was like she'd never seen the sun before. The old vampire made her a strong new vampire, and there was no reason for me to touch her then." James sighed. "I destroyed the old one in vengeance."

Ariella nearly vomited. It was clear that he was talking about Alice. She never knew that her past was that dark, and it made her feel sympathy towards the pixie-like vampire. She listened to James. "She smells even better than you do. Sorry - I don't mean to offend. You have a very nice scent as well. Floral . . ."

As Bella ran towards the emergency exit, James ran forward to block her way. Ariella immediately sprang to action and yelled, "Protego!"

The kick that had been aimed at Bella's chest was blocked by the shield that Ariella casted. She was snarling, and never had Bella been so afraid of her sister than that moment. James looked pleasantly surprised. "It seems as though we have an unexpected visitor! Have you been here all this time?"

"Silencio!" Ariella waved her wand, sneering. James wanted to continue talking, but no sound emerged from his throat. "I've been meaning to do that ever since you babbled about your ever so vicious plans."

James sneered. The spell was wearing off since Ariella purposely didn't make it that strong. Ariella was kicked towards the mirrors, and to her horror, Bella was kicked next to her. Her sister's head was bleeding, which made it worse in this situation.

Ariella growled when she saw her sister's blood, turning to James. "You're going to regret that, you son of a bitch."