Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. If I did, Midnight Sun would not be on hold indefinitely.

A/N: I decided to put some Muse in this story starting next chapter. The Volturi in this fic are based on the novels, but I fleshed them out as I saw fit. Because the character of Corin was not spoken of much in the books, I am assuming the sex is male. I hope everyone will forgive the error if Corin turns out to be female. If you see any other inconsistencies that upset you, let me know and I will try to correct them. Thanks.

"The lie, as a virtue, a principle, is eternal;

The lie, as a recreation, a solace, a refuge in time of need, the fourth Grace, the tenth Muse,

Man's best and surest friend is immortal."

-Mark Twain

Bella

It felt as if it had been an eternity since I had last seen the sun. I approached the clearing slowly, apprehensively. Slipping off a pair of extravagant shoes, I closed my eyes and pressed my bare feet softly into the grass. Reaching up, I unclasped the shawl that draped my shoulders, let loose the hair that was fastened flawlessly into place. Shaking out the perfect ringlets I had taken more time with than necessary, I folded the beautifully woven cloth and placed it over the shoes along with the diamond encrusted hair pins.

One foot followed the other obediently, an anxious feeling flooding my chest as I ventured further. Someone was watching, lingering in the shadows. He knew I could feel his stare, could envision the ethereal beauty of his smile as he waited. I wondered haphazardly if he thought me ridiculous, but I quickly pushed the notion away. In this moment I did not care what he saw, pretended that I could not hear the absent minded chuckle that escaped his lips.

I considered speaking to him before going into the sunlight, whispering sweet words that would have his eyes softening in a way I knew only few had ever seen. In the end I settled with nodding in his direction, smile widening as I let the complete and utter happiness of the moment wash over me. He showed himself, obviously taking my thank you as an invitation. Holding my hand out delicately, a motion I did not believe myself capable of, it only took him an instant to appear at my side. Placing my arm in his, he faced forward regally, leading me towards the bright patch that lay before us. I wished with all of my heart that he could understand what it meant to me that he was there, that I was cared for by someone who was willing to go through the right of passage I had made this trivial incidence into.

Stopping just short of the light, he allowed me to travel the rest of the way alone, somehow knowing how important an occasion I considered this. Glancing back just once at his face, the extraordinarily sincere expression that graced his unearthly features, I sighed. Such a human action, I knew. Then I closed my eyes once more and allowed myself to be bathed in the light of day.

...Two Months Earlier...

I was drunk. I was lost. And, even more apparent, was the fact that I was completely and utterly hopeless. Mike Newton had vanished in the night, leaving me at the party I agreed to accompany him to. My fault, really. Upon feeling his lips press awkwardly against my own, only one name came flooding from me in a rush of unwanted memories and foolish hopes.

"Edward…"

Opening my eyes wide, horror struck at the realization of what I had just done, I felt his arms roughly pushing me away before he slammed the door shut and left me alone to my thoughts. The world was spinning, and I followed him clumsily through the crowded cabin and out into the clearing where all of the vehicles were parked. He was already pulling away, mad and totally hammered. I shook my head, hoping his pride didn't end up costing him his life- or, worse, someone else's- as he sped away into the darkness.

Swaying a little in the middle of the field, I glanced over my shoulder at the line of bordering trees. Rambling through the woods, I had a case of déjà vu and felt more than a little absurd. Months and months had passed since that fateful night when Edward left me to wallow in my misery, yet there I was in the same predicament as before. Lost without him. Feeble. Powerless.

I glared at the brush and crackling twigs beneath my feet. That was when I felt it, the rising of the hairs along the back of my neck. The sudden cold that swept through my being alerted me of another's presence. Someone- no, something- was stalking me in the shadows. Not human. Not wolf.

Vampire.

I let an alcohol induced calm wash over me. Never before had I even tasted liquor. It seemed poetic that now that I was in an entirely inebriated state of mind one of their kind would appear. It wasn't one of the Cullens; I would not allow myself even that small hope as I turned to face whoever it was that was about to decide my fate. Unconsciously I raised my head higher, thankful that I did not trip on a rock or tree root as I attempted to keep at least some dignity.

He was just as beautiful as the others. Long, dark hair descended to his shoulders in waves, red eyes examining me from beneath thick lashes. Somehow in the back of my mind I knew that in comparison to Edward and Carlisle and the rest of them, this one was different. Older. When I momentarily conjured an image of Edward racing out from oblivion, stepping between me and my possible killer, I felt uneasy. Because I knew that when faced with this hunter, the odds would not have been in Edwards favor. For the first time since his disappearance, I was grateful. It meant I would not have to watch him die.

"Isabella Swan." he spoke clearly, purposefully. Creeping towards me until he was only a hairsbreadth away, his lean form towered over my small frame. I dropped my head, not wanting to search his eyes in an attempt to understand why he had so far spared me any pain. A low growl sounded from within his chest, so close that I could feel the reverberations. His left hand trailed up my waist lightly, over my chest, fingers splaying as he reached my throat until finally he gently lifted my chin with his index finger. Even with my resolve, I could not choke back a faint whimper.

"Not even Afton could blame me for keeping you alive," he let out a melodic laugh that pierced through me, "Marcus will either love me or end me for this. I wonder if you are worth the risk of making such a dangerous wager." I remembered Jasper's words from so long ago, when James was still alive. You are worth it. You are worth it…

What had made him so sure, back then? Before the madness that was my eighteenth birthday, what had made him believe I was worth their lives? Me, an insignificant human. Plain, silly, clumsy Bella who has nothing left to live for.

In a flash the vampire wrapped his right arm around me, closing the space between us as he pulled me against his hard, cold body. I shivered at the contact, not because of the hormonal reaction a teenage girl would have to someone as awe-inspiring as him, but because the cloth of my jacket was not apt enough to keep out the icy temperature his skin provided. Lowering his head and lifting me slightly, he pressed his cheek against mine as he took in a deep breath.

Shaking his head, he said smoothly, "I can see why you kept the young one's attention for so long. A few weeks with you and I doubt even I would not grow attached." Releasing me from his grasp, he retreated a few paces before bowing swiftly. "My name is Corin. I was sent to kill you, milady, by my masters whom I serve most loyally. However, I fear I am not up to the task. Come with me," he offered his hand, "I have someone I wish for you to meet."

My head swam. I stared motionlessly as I considered his words. I had no real option, that much was apparent, but there was no will in me to fight. Screaming would only prove the existence of my more masochistic side, ending in pain with the same result as my compliance. He seemed to sense my inner turmoil and softened.

"You will die, Bella Swan, whether it be here in the forest with me or later by the hands of another. What I am offering you now is an opportunity to keep your heart beating for a few more precious moments. It is one I will not give twice." His eyes bore into mine with absolute sincerity until I had no other alternative but to look away.

Logically speaking, I had lived for far longer than I should have already. My ticket was up when I arrived in Forks, when I stepped into biology class and gave Edward his first taste of my scent. Every minute since then has been borrowed time. Edward always told me my responses were always the worst possible; at this moment mine was to follow the stranger into whatever perilous circumstances he wished to steer me. It was this inability to make the correct choice that drew me to Edward in the first place. So far, it had never lead me astray.

Taking in a deep breath, I steadied myself as best I could and reached out to take his hand…

A/N: Please send a review my way. This is my first Twilight fic, and I really want to know what you guys think!