I stood at the window and watched the sun rise over the roof tops. Its rays desperately tried to shine through the gloom of a dismal sky, but finally gave up, defeated.
Another dawn of another brand new day.
I smiled inwardly, today marked an event for me.
Today i will have been dead for one hundred and fifty years...exactly.
I grimaced...I, Isabella Swan...an immortal vampire.
I turned away from the window and sat down at my dressing table, studying the face in front of me.
A less likely looking vampire you would be hard pushed to find, i realised.
I had very long, thick blonde hair; the colour of corn on a hot summers day, large green eyes, a straight nose and a full mouth. My skin was pale unblemished alabaster,with high cheekbones and eyes framed with black lashes. I knew i was beautiful, it would have been futile to deny it, after all this is what immortality gave you. It took a little percentage of what you had before and honed and magnified a thousandfold.
The body was something to behold too, as i took in the high, full breasts, nipped in waist and legs that went on forever. At 5 foot 9 inches tall, i looked down on most people once the heels were in place! In reality i was 24 years old, but that was my previous life and this was my eternal life. My eternal damnation, i thought with a wry smile
As i pondered my reflection in the mirror, i realised a frown had marred the perfect symmetry of my forehead. Why was i so uneasy lately? I kept having a vague edgy feeling that was half fear and half expectant excitement. For what i didn't know. What i did know was that it was very unsettling, and i didn't like the feeling.
I felt the air shimmer slightly behind me and without looking around, i said " Hello Jacob"
He was beside me in the blink of an eye, wrapping me in a bear hug and planting kisses down my cheek. "Hello back! And how is my favourite girl?"
"I'm fine" i replied, kissing him back. Jacob Black was my dearest friend, and back in the day, one time lover. Time had diminished the sexual side of our relationship, although i sometimes thought that given half the chance, he would have liked us to become sexually involved once more.
Unfortunately, at least for him, i had become to think of him as a dear friend, and could never go back to what we once were.
Watching him in the reflection of my mirror as he stretched out on my bed, i sadly realised that it had only been lust anyway; love had played no part in the frantic coupling that we had shared. It had merely been a release from pent up emotions that had hid the dreadful loneliness that can strike at any time when you have been existing for so many years, exiled from humanity.
What was love anyway? I had never had the chance to experience it in my human life, and as a vampire, lust played too high a part in our existence. I had never even come close to knowing what love would be like. Would i recognise it if it happened? I had no answer to this.
I stared at Jacob, smiling fondly, and appraised his appearance as i had done recently to my own.
He too was tall but in a lanky way and was the epitome of what a film vampire should look like. Longish jet black hair swept back, arched eyebrows and eyes so dark they were almost black. Of course, handsome, but in a slightly sinister way; the amount of ladies that had fallen by the wayside was proof of that. He had a way of drawing them in without them understanding why.
There again, all vampires had this ability. The power we had over humans was so deliciously easy, but i had long given up that way of life. It had sickened me that i had had to take life to exist, so i turned "vegetarian" as i liked to call it and only killed animals.
I will admit, i have on various occasions, hastily broken into a blood bank or local hospital when i have left the craving to fester too long, but what's a vampire to do? I only took what i needed and left the humans still alive.
"Bella!..."Earth to Bella!" I jolted out of my reverie when i realised Jacob was calling me.
"Where did you go then? You were miles away!" he asked, staring at me in consternation.
"Sorry, Jacob, i seem to be in a funny mood today! I've been feeling...oh, i don't know...
"You've been feeling what?"
"Nothing" i replied, "Its nothing" "Just me being fanciful"
"O...kay, so what are we doing tonight?" he asked, playfully jumping off the bed and admiring himself in the mirror.
"We?" i said, looking at him with an arched eyebrow. "What's with the we?" "I was going out with Rose tonight. There is a group playing at Eclipse tonight and i wanted to see what they were like."
"Sounds fun!" I imagine there will be lots of pretty girls there" he said rubbing his hands together like melodramatic villain.
"You are incorrigible! But keep those teeth sheathed" i warned. "Of course" he retorted. You know i will behave, just let me have a little fun." All those human smells, it gets me all excited!" he said with relish.
The last thing i wanted was any trouble as i enjoyed living in one place for a lengthy time, or at least until someone started to notice i wasn't ageing. Jacob usually abided by my rules when he was staying in my vicinity. Luckily he was a nomad, travelling from casino to casino. His other great love, besides blood and women was gambling. He had an uncanny knack for playing the right cards and had amassed a large bank balance because of it. This was probably due to the sixth sense all vampires seemed to have.
I had the same luck on the stock exchange and my fortune easily overtook his. I "sensed" when to buy and sell and enjoyed the thrill of the ups and downs of the money market..It allowed me the freedom to move from place to place, and to be honest i loved to buy beautiful things.
Suddenly, there was a loud bang downstairs as a door crashed open and then "bollocks!" could be heard coming from a girlish high voice.
"Rose" Jacob and i both said together, sharing a smile.
Heavy footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs and then the bedroom door burst open and Rose stood there, hands on hips and a deep scowl on her face.
We both burst out laughing at the spectacle she presented. Her blonde hair was tied up with a scarf but an errant curl had escaped over her forehead. There was clay and dust over her pretty face and her dungarees were ripped and mud spattered.
"I have been working 4 long fucking weeks on that statue and it is not fucking working!" she exclaimed as with each expletive, the errant curl blew upwards. " I had to get outta that studio before i threw the goddamn thing on the fire!"
Rose was my flatmate, my confidante, my best friend. Without her i would have gone insane long ago. She was blonde too but shorter than me and much more voluptuous. With her short blonde curls and big dark blue eyes, she turned men's heads without trying. Especially when they heard the soft throaty way she spoke. Unfortunately, her girlish voice also came with a mouth that could floor a sailor.
She was a celebrated sculptor and i went through the agony of creation with her until the finished product was produced with a flair and a look that said;what was all the fuss about? Her pale face that mirrored mine was the only indication of her vampire condition. She had found me when i needed help and had been my mentor and friend ever since. I loved her unconditionally.
"Calm down Rose" "You know it will all work out in the end as it always does" I smoothed the curl away and gave her a hug.
"Jacob and i were talking about going to see that new group playing at Eclipse tonight" " That will take your mind off things and maybe give you some inspiration."
" At this moment in time, i can't think of anything i'd like better" " Musical inspiration" she sang, whipping off the scarf and doing a twirl. Luckily for us her moods were mercurial and usually ended on an upswing. "I'm off to get out of these clothes and into a hot shower. Then i will feel fucking human again!" With that, she put a hand up to her mouth and giggled like a child "Oops, guess not!" then she was out of the door and running down the stairs, calling up as she went "What are you wearing Bella?"" Do we need to go shopping?"
I sighed. Rose was such a...girl. I chuckled at the thought. We weren't going out until tonight and she was already discussing clothes and shopping, which besides creating beautiful works of art was her other love.
I shooed Jacob out of my bedroom with instructions to find something to do that wouldn't involve me or staying in, so he left muttering "women!" under his breath.
I wandered over to the window again. The sky was still grey and seemed to match my mood.
Shaking my head, i thought "snap out of it Bella, perhaps tonight will bring an end to this ...expectation."
Chapter 2
As we stepped out of the taxi, i could hear the thump, thump thump of the music blaring out of Eclipse nightclub doorway. I grinned at Rose and she returned my grin. We both felt that frisson of excitement at the expectation of a good night to be had by all. Jacob held the door open for us and we stepped into the foyer where the music blared even louder.
I handed my entrance fee to the girl at the counter and followed Jacob and Rose through the doorway into the main room itself. At least i went to walk through the door but was met with an almighty slam against my chest. I looked around, stunned, expecting to see someone holding a baseball bat, such was the force i had felt.
Rose looked over her shoulder and came up to me,seeing as i had stopped dead.
"What's the matter?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
I looked at her with amazement ; "Didn't you just feel that?
"Feel what?
"Some force just pushed me!"
"Pushed You?" "Actually pushed you?" disbelief in her voice.
"You haven't forgotten what you are, have you?" "Remember?" she said in a sarcastic tone as though speaking to a child "You can't be pushed?" " Anyway, there is no-one near you"
"Come on" exasperation colouring her tone, "we are supposed to be here for a good time."
"I don't know what's wrong with you lately" she added.
She grinned; "If i didn't know better, I would say it was fucking hormones!"
" Now move that cute ass of yours and get the drinks in!"
I moved slowly expecting to feel it again but this time nothing happened and i was able to weave my way through the crowds without difficulty.
We bought drinks even though we wouldn't drink them. Keeping up a human appearance had become second nature to us now. I tapped my foot in time to the music as the next song came blasting out of the speakers.
"This DJ is good" i yelled at Jacob as the music all but drowned out my words. He just nodded in agreement, eyes scanning the crowd. His eyes honed in on some young thing and signalling with his finger he pointed to where he was headed. I just rolled my eyes and waved my hand to usher him away. He really was a lost cause where women were concerned. He enjoyed the chase, the flirting, the power but at least no girls would lose their lives tonight. He had promised and would soon be moving on to fresh pastures.
I had tried to convert him to the "vegetarian" way of life and he had given it a go but it wasn't something he could enforce with any conviction. Only when he was visiting me did he agree to this condition.
Rose and i danced to a few songs, creating an audience of lusting young men all wanting a piece of the action. We were a sight to behold, two gorgeous blondes, one tall, one short, both moving to the music with a sexual sway in a ritual practised by all, since time began.
The DJ announced in nasal tones that the group Obsidian would be playing shortly.
Rose and i wandered back to the bar, picked up our drinks and waited for the group to come on.
I had that weird feeling again, but put it down to anticipation. As i looked up, so the band filtered onto the stage on by one.
The first was a big guy, and i mean a BIG guy; he stood about 6 foot tall but was as broad as a barn door. His huge muscles could be seen through the tight tee shirt he was wearing. He moved behind the drum kit, altering the seat for his large frame and then picked up the sticks.
Next was a fair, long haired guy, who bent over and picked up the bass guitar, shrugging the strap over his shoulder.
A young girl came next, petite, with short black spiky hair who immediately went to the microphone stand and adjusted it to her height.
Lastly a tall guy loped in. Immediately my throat tightened without any warning. I felt i was choking, which was silly because i didn't need air to breathe.
I stared at him and something shifted in me. Something off kilter.
I couldn't understand what was happening to me.
I looked around and everything was as it should be. Rose was standing beside me, oblivious to my
discomfort.
I stared up at the stage again and realised this had happened when the last guy had walked on.
By now he had slung his guitar over his shoulder and was busy adjusting it, tuning the strings.
He was tall, very tall, at least 6 foot 2inches and had broad shoulders and long, long legs.
His hair was a brown/bronze mix, thick and tousled, hanging over his forehead and the back of the collar on his leather jacket.
He looked up then and scanned the crowd and my body stilled.
He was, without question, the most beautiful man i had ever seen in my life.
My choking sensation eased off slowly as i stared up at him, raking my eyes over his body.
I couldn't make out the colour of his eyes as it was too dark in the club, but his mouth was wanted by women the world over and a cosmetic surgeons dream. Full bottom lip and a top lip that a dozen bees had landed on to give it that up-turned pouted lift.
They started playing and i left Rose's side and made my way slowly through the throng of swaying bodies to stand at the front of the stage.
The people loved them as they went through a couple of Bon Jovi covers, slung in a few Guns n' Roses for good measure and finished with some good old rock and roll.
The rest of the group went off for a break, leaving HIM standing there. He moved to the centre of the stage, dragging a stool behind him. Settling on it, steadying himself with one long leg out front he started to play his guitar and sing;
His voice was low, clear, sexy and soulful, the guitar notes mournful, and as he began to sing, his eyes closed and he was lost in the music, just him and his guitar alone on stage.
I was rooted to the spot, mesmerised at the raw sexual beauty that was in front of me and as the first note caressed the air, i felt something intangible snap in my chest;
You came out from the darkness,
and you brought me into the light.
I knew by my side you'd be waiting
When daylight turns into night.
Oh why did you wait so long?
When my love for you was so strong?
You are the soul i lost,
You are the soul i lost
Stay in my arms where you belong.
The agony i have felt each night
Tore my lonely heart in two,
but now you stand before me
Endless love i want to make with you
Your cool touch takes away my pain
Don't ever leave my side again
You are the soul i lost,
You are the soul i lost,
My love for you i cannot explain
I have been waiting, yearning and waiting,
Now you are finally holding my heart
Never ever to part oh..oh..oh...
My arms are the haven you seek
In my hands your heart i'll keep
You are the soul i lost,
You are the soul i lost,
Eternally yours, a love so deep.
There was a profound silence as the last notes died away, and then the crowd exploded.
He stood and accepted the rapturous applause with a shy smile. As he looked up to thank the crowd, our eyes met.
To say time stood still was an understatement. As i stared at that glorious face, the room just faded away.
He put down his guitar and jumped off the stage and walked toward me with a feline grace.
I couldn't move if my life had depended on it as he stopped in front of me and just...stared.
I looked up and saw his eyes were the colour of a storm lashed sea, fringed with lashes so long they cast a shadow upon his cheeks.
He gently put a hand on each side of my face, his long fingers reaching into my hair.
He had a perplexed expression on his face, mixed with one of wonder.
Slowly his head came down and his lips covered my own... To be kissed by a total stranger stranger was the most erotic thing i had ever experienced.
An electric zap shot through my body as his lips moved and i found myself returning the kiss with a fervour i had never felt before.
His tongue snaked through my lips ,and i felt my mouth open wider to accommodate it, all the while chasing his tongue with my own. His kiss was long, slow and deep and i groaned with the sensuality that assaulted my body. A delicious ache started deep down in my groin and spread up my body making my nipples harden and swell with each thrust of his tongue.
There was no music, no sound, no people. Just us in an act as old as time.
I finally heard someone calling my name..." Bella? What's going on?"
Reluctantly i pulled away, only to find he had trapped my bottom lip in his mouth. He sucked then released my lip and a shudder went through me. "Sweet Jesus" i thought, as awareness returned to me.
Rose was looking at me with a question on her face ;"Do you know this guy?" she asked, looking at both of us.
I'm ashamed to say we both ignored her, still staring at each other with stupid grins on our faces.
"Hello, I'm Edward Cullen, and you are?"
"Isabella Swan...I mean Bella"...
" Bella" he said, " That is Italian for beautiful. The name was made for you"
His voice was a mixture of silk and honey, encompassing me in its warmth.
By now the rest of the band had come back and he quickly looked up at the stage and then back at me. Reaching into his jacket pocket he produced a card and said "Don't leave until i finish the next set but if i lose you, ring me,... please" he said, a sense of urgency in his voice.
I took the card he handed me and watched as he walked back to the stage.
"God" i thought,staring at his retreating back, "even his ass is stunning"
By now Rose was standing, staring at me with her arms folded and one eyebrow raised.
"Are you going to tell me what the fuck is going on?" " Who was that guy? And more to the point why didn't i see him first?" she enquired with a leery grin.
"He said his name is Edward Cullen" i stammered. I had never felt more human and less like a vampire. My thoughts were all over the place and i knew i had to get out of here fast.
I turned to Rose and said "I have to go, stay here with Jacob, there's no need to come with me. I just need to think...i really need to get out of here. Okay?"
She could see i was near breaking point and with a concerned look, nodded and said " Go, ..go on, get out of here, I'll see you later, Yes?" I nodded my head in assent, and ran out of the club with just enough restraint not to warrant questioning looks.