La Tua Cantante

1. Not the First Time

My head ached and my stomach churned. If there had been anything in my stomach, it would surely have been on the floor by now. I sat at the table in the classroom with my brother, my fists clenched and my jaw taut. Of course, Gregory Roman wasn't really my brother, and Aine Roman was not my sister, but they truly were my family in so many ways, it wasn't hard to pretend. Our story was that we were all adopted and moved here from Alaska, which was true enough. Ever since we left our "home" with Tanya in Denali, Alaska in order to experience modern high school life, we had looked out for one another. But I'm willing to bed there was nothing my family could do for me now.

Gregory put a hand firmly on my shoulder, plainly asking if I was okay as well as keeping me from sliding out of my chair. I hadn't heard a single word Mrs. Burnhill had said about molecular theory. Not that it mattered- I had read so many books that it was all practically hardwired into my DNA. All my thoughts were on the boy at the table behind me; the sweet smell that was slowly permeating the entire classroom made my mouth water with an excess flow of deadly venom. I knew Gregory could clearly tell I was suffering, but he obviously had no idea how badly. If it was him, I would have had to tackle him to keep him off all the poor innocent humans in the room. I had always had a little more self-control than he had.

In all my years of being what I was-a vampire- I had never experienced such torture. Of course, the thirst for human blood was always there, in the back of my mind, every day. But never had I wanted it so bad as I wanted his. I was sure this had never happened to another vampire before. No sane person could endure such agony. No, wait-it had happened before! A few years back, Edward had visited Denali, claiming he just wanted to get away from dismal, rainy Forks, Washington for a few days. But I had known better. Of course, with my enhanced powers of persuasion, I had been able to coax the truth from my long-time friend...

Flashback

We sat in the mountains, overlooking the river and vast expanse of trees that surrounded my home. I gazed at Edward Cullen's intense, beautiful face as he watched an eagle swoop and circle in graceful patterns high above our heads. How I wanted him to be here always, with me. I knew Tanya had created my not only to "save my life," but to be the one for Edward, who had been alone for so many years.

I paused my thoughts as soon as I realized they had strayed down that path once more. Edward had of course "heard" the whole thing, and now he glanced at me with an apologetic smile. I silently cursed. Sometimes it was all too easy to forget Edward could hear my thoughts. Obviously he heard me swear as well and laughed that sweet, musical laugh that I so loved. I couldn't help laughing as well.

Despite Tanya's intentions, in all the fifty-three years since my "rebirth," Edward and I had become no more than very close friends. That was why I could tell he was lying when he had smiled and told Tanya he just simply wanted to get out of the rain for a few days. It was also why right then I wanted to help Edward so badly. I could see that something was bothering him- terribly. I didn't need to be able to read minds to know that. He looked as though he were ready to hurl himself from the rock facing we were perched on and into the sea of pines below. As if that could hurt him.

"Edward," I said, and he turned. His golden eyes mirrored my own, though his were darker and troubled. I almost lost my nerve right then, but I knew that I had to find out what was wrong with him. "Talk to me, Edward. Tell me what's bothering you so I can help."

He knew what I was up to, of course, but he was looking into my eyes as I spoke, and I knew he would comply. I had the uncanny talent of making people do what I wanted.

"You can't help me," Edward breathed, rubbing the back of his neck. I almost thought I had lost him, but then he sighed and went on. "Melody, I don't know what to do. I'm shaking all over, my head is aching. I can't get the scent out of my mind, the taste from my mouth. I can't stay there. I'll wind up going insane, or worse, if I do. I think if I try to resist it, I'll lose control. I...I'm afraid, Mel." And I could clearly see in his eyes that he was.

"But, you've never been like this before. Why crave it now, after all these years? Those are the same humans you've been near since your family moved to Forks." I was confused. Next to Carlisle, Edward was the most self-controlled vampire I had ever met. I knew he sensed my thoughts, and he shook his head fiercely.

"No, it's not them! It's her."

"Who?"

"Isabella Swan." He said the girl's name with such longing it pained me. I found jealousy creeping into my mind, but thankfully Edward was distracted. He was still talking. "She just got there, she's the police chief's daughter. She walked into the school cafeteria, and I couldn't hear her thoughts." He seemed to be talking to himself now. "Then she walked by me, and I nearly lost it. It was impossible not to jump up in that room full of humans and take her right then. The only thing that stopped me was the horror I saw in her eyes when she looked at me. I had become a monster! She sat beside me, and I almost went mad again. Her scent...I..." He shook his head sadly, ashamed. "But I thought of Carlisle and Esme, and the rest of my family. I can't destroy what Carlisle has built for us in Forks...I can't go back." Defeat was in his voice and his face, and it hurt me to see it.

Part of me wanted to agree with him, wanted him to stay there forever with me and my family. But as much as I wanted Edward to be mine, I knew that the love he had for his own family far exceeded the bond that he and I shared. Besides, it would kill Esme if he left. Even I knew that. I hadn't quite noticed that Edward had stopped talking and was looking at me now. Of course he knew every thought that had just crossed my mind. I was surprised when I looked up to find him smiling at me. The hurt was still there in his eyes, but so was a hint of determination.

"You're right," he said to me. "I have to go back to Forks."

I smiled back stupidly and nodded a little. Edward grinned at me sideways and leaned closer to me.

"Thanks, Mel," he whispered in my ear, then softly kissed my cheek.

I knew that if it had been possible I would have been blushing scarlet. I looked back up at Edward, somewhat dumbfounded. He smiled at me once more, then was gone.

End Flashback

I was acutely aware of everything going on in the classroom now. Mrs. Burnhill's mindless droning, Gregory's steady hand on my forearm as I held my clenched fists against the table, some kids whispering about football in the back of the room...But most of all I was aware of him. That demon who was threatening my very sanity, my very existence, by being there. The sound of his steady breathing, his heartbeat, the smell of his breath and his blood swirled around me and clouded my mind.

I was a ravenous beast whose prey was just out of reach. But what was stopping me, really? Could anything honestly keep me from sinking my razor-sharp teeth into the tender flesh of his throat? From gorging myself on the sweet, hot blood pulsing through his veins? It was too much to think about.

I shuddered involuntarily and Gregory's grip on my arm grew tighter. I shot him a "Lay off" glance and could tell from the look on his pale face, worried and a little scared, that my eyes must have been black as night by now. He knew I was dangerous, and so did I.

I think what saved my during that next half hour was Edward. Knowing that he had faced this same overwhelming insanity, and overcome it, somehow let me know that I could, too. I suppose he was in some way returning my favor of giving him the confidence to stay in Forks. After all, Bella was one of us now. I had met her before her transformation at her and Edward's wedding, which had been at midnight in a meadow in Forks, so that Bella's family could be there and avoid the sight of several vampires glittering, as we tend to do in the sunlight. Much to my dismay and to Edward's amusement, I had been unable to persuade Bella to run from the altar. It seemed she was immuned to all of our little gifts, and I had heard that her own talent had only escalated since she was reborn as one of us.

The bell rang to signal the end of class and I sprang to my feet with more speed and grace than any human could achieve. I didn't bother grabbing my textbooks as I turned for the door; Gregory would get them for me. I was about to make a mad dash for the exit when some invisible force slammed into me and I stopped dead in my tracks, no pun intended.

The scent alone had been enough to stop me. And now I was standing there, looking into the face of this villain who haunted my every thought. It was only the first day of my junior year of high school, but I knew that it could very well be the last. The boy stood before me, and I could see that he was only an inch or two taller than me- I was five-nine. He had a tanned face with a few freckles dotted along his nose and under his bright blue eyes. His hair was dark brown, like Gregory's, but shaggy and hanging in his eyes, whereas Greg's was cropped short. He looked like an athlete, I thought, from his well-muscled arms and chest. He smiled down at me, flashing straight white teeth. Then he held out a hand and spoke in a soft, deep voice.

"Hi, I'm Ian Grey."

That was when I snapped.