Chapter Two

APOV

Her skin was deathly pale against her frail body, her long brown hair white at the scalp. Isabella's veins stood out against the vampire-white of her angular face, a purple web that contrasted horribly with the red of her wide eyes.

I gasped. "What happened?" I whispered as she replaced her sunglasses quickly.

She sighed and shook her head. "Why do you think I need help Alice? I wouldn't be asking vampires for help if it wasn't serious."

She knew what we were? How had I not seen any of this? How come I don't know if she will survive or not? Whether we'll help her?

"I realise that. I want to know why and how you found me specifically though. Our world is a dangerous place, Isabella." I stated firmly.

Her dainty fingers traced the rim of her glass and I watched the abnormally translucent material of her nails that looked far too thin to be healthy.

"You have a gift Alice Cullen, one that our dimension can't explain. I have gifts too that you should know of, but I cannot tell you here. It's too risky." She looked up at me.

"I'm sure you understand."

I nodded, taking in the information. She hadn't quite answered my question. I couldn't rely on my gift currently, and it left me unsettled. I felt strangely disturbed without the knowledge of when danger could strike.

How was I to make a decision about the sick girl? I'd seen her before, she'd thought about requesting a meeting, as if she knew we'd meet and I'd gone.

I went with the feelings in my heart. The girl needed protection. She needed Edward and me, if she had gifts that needed explaining. Carlisle was probably the only one who could help her medically too and Esme, Rosalie and Emmett needed to be people she could rely on to help her think, laugh and be cared for.

Isabella's mouth twitched at the sides, as if she wanted to smile. She had been watching my face carefully as I'd contemplated her speech.

"Edward and I will help you with your gifts Isabella, and my father Carlisle can help you medically." I smiled and stood.

"Come with me now?" I asked. Her eyes widened slightly and glittered.

"Of course." She paused, standing and grabbing her purse. I then noticed her clothing- a long maxi dress in black, a cardigan around her shoulders and ankle boots on her feet. Her body was completely covered up.

She looked me in the eye seriously.

"By the way, I don't need Edward so I can figure out my gifts. I need him because I love him." She smiled widely.

"Call me Bella."