AN: I know that I'm not one for Bella/Vamps but just... Riley... yum. There could seriously be something between him and Bella. I will continue and finish Princess, Oh Princess but there is a lot going on in my life. I'd love it if you sent my dog a prayer, or love, or just something of the sort. He really is the most important thing in my world... okay, I'll just let you get on with the story.
All of this story is through Bella's POV
Two vampires edged slowly into the small opening of our camp, eyes intent, missing nothing. They glistened like diamonds in the sun.
My eyes are immediately drawn to the main threat to my existence; to Victoria. Her partner is in my peripheral vision, but he's nothing more than a human-seeming shape. Victoria's brilliant orange hair glows more fiercely in contrast to the white snow that blankets the landscape. Her eyes are pitch black against her porcelain skin, which barely stands out against the white and is blinding against the murky forest behind her.
Chancing a glance at Edward, I notice the hardness in his eyes. A hardness that is never there when he's with me; love and compassion has left the golden pools. They quickly dart between Victoria and the unnamed vampire with supernatural speed, leaving me to only see a grey patch where his irises are. I silently beg him to look down at me, though I know such an action would mean death for me and extreme harm for him.
The knowledge that he can be harmed causes me to move my gaze to Victoria once more. When I see her jerk her chin toward Edward and I, dread fills my stomach. This is it; I can't let Edward die for me. If it means sparing his life, I will give myself over to them.
"Riley," the word leaves Edward's mouth in a volume I can hear, meaning he, as well as Victoria, can hear it perfectly. Riley… I shake myself mentally, ordering my mind to stay focused on the task at hand.
I haven't even looked at Victoria's companion – Riley – yet. I only saw dark blonde, almost brown, hair when my gaze was zeroed in on the she-devil. Now, I move my vision to him. My knees go weak, but I chalk it up to being between a boulder and a vampire in a snow storm. He isn't looking at me, but is focused on Edward. My Edward. I'm his Bella. I remind myself, trying to keep my emotions straight.
"Riley…" his name escapes my lips as no more than a whisper, with confusion slightly evident. His gaze moves to meet mine, and I have to brace myself against the boulder for support. If my knees went weak at the sight of him, I'm sure right now I have no bones left in my body; just a mass of Jell-O. Scarlet red zeros in on me, slightly softening when our eyes meet. This makes no sense; this is crazy.
Edward moves so he's blocking me from Riley even further. No! Move! I want to yell at him, but I keep my mouth shut, not understanding the situation one bit. Maybe it is best that Edward places himself between Riley and I. It doesn't feel right, but I can't read minds, so it must be the right thing to do.
A frustrated huff sounds beside me, making me break Riley's stare to look up at Edward. His face is tightened with concern and focus; the same stare he gave me in biology the first day of school. That seems like a lifetime ago, but in reality it was only a few years. Realization hits me with full force, knocking the wind out of me. He can't read Riley's mind. I'm not sure how to take the news, so I respond to it the same way I would if it were Victoria; horror and fear.
I look back at Riley, terror evident in my eyes. He takes exaggerated breaths, holding eye contact with me. His hands subtly move up and down as he inhales and exhales. He's trying to help me. the thought makes me smile inside; a vampire, a newborn, is trying to calm me down. I follow his instructions, my terror subsiding into anxiety while looking at him. I nod my thanks, with a slight confusion in my eyes. The corner of his lips turn up, I guess that's his smile at the moment.
I move my eyes to, what seems to me, the greatest threat at the moment. She dances back and forth on her feet, obviously upset and anxious that Riley hasn't moved in for an attack. However, Edward's change of position has made a small opening between he and I, enough of a space for her to slip in and bite me. My eyes flicker back to Riley, trying not to hyperventilate at the thought of dying.
What the fuck is going on? Just minutes ago I was all gung-ho about giving myself up, but that notion doesn't hold as much comfort as it did before. I want to live!
A howl sounds in the distance, effectively distracting Victoria for a moment. That is all Edward needs. He launches himself at her in a blur and is on her in an instant. They roll in a mass of pale steel skin and gold and red. Right now, I'm not the least bit scared that Edward left me and a human drinking newborn. No matter how much I try to force myself to be afraid, it's just not possible.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Riley inching toward me cautiously. I lean back against the boulder behind me. I don't want to run, I just need support sue to one of the walls leaving me. My Jell-O legs will surely collapse under my weight. I sink into a crouch, trying to process everything that has happened.
In a flash, Victoria throws Edward off her; he plummets off the side of the mountain. She turns slowly and faces me with a smile, believing she has time to draw this out. Now, I sink back against the boulder. Now, I'm scared. Painstakingly sluggishly, she stalks toward me, her eyes never leaving my shaking form.
Riley turns to face his companion, appearing unsure. Victoria notices this and attempt to reassure him. "This is what we've been working for, Riley. All those newborns you created; they were for this. To kill her." She looks at me pointedly.
"Why? Why does she need to die?" His voice is soft, confused. Happiness fills me at the sound. I'm too scared to try and figure it out. All I know is I want to hear his voice again.
Victoria's smile falters; apparently she never told him about James. That would've been a motivational killer. "She's threatened my existence. She threatens all our existences because she knows. She knows about everything!" Her voice rises in pitch. For the record, I don't threaten her existence, the Cullen's and La Push wolves do.
I look up at the blonde, praying with my eyes that he doesn't believe her; that I'm not a threat to anyone. Please! Don't let her kill me! He glances down at me, appearing conflicted. No, Riley. Please! I stare up at him, praying harder. His decision appears to be made.
Turning to Victoria, he places himself between the two of us. Lowering himself to a defensive crouch, he growls audibly. "No," his voice is calm, a terrifying calm. He shakes, and if I don't know better I'd say he is close to phasing. I rest my hand on his back, between his shoulder blades. A spark ignites where I touched him, making a shiver run through me. A good shiver. He scoots back slightly, touching more of me.
I sigh, feeling better about this situation. Looking up at Victoria, I see surprise and confusion in her features. She didn't expect this; she thought he'd help her. Inside Bella does a fist bump. She might not attack me now! I guess Riley has a logical reason to fight. But why is he fighting for me?
Riley's arms come around behind me, touching the rock on each side. I'm surrounded by him, no way out. "Mine."
Ta da! Chapter one! Please follow, favorite, and review! I love your sexy faces! XOXO
