Fate's Tricks

After receiving my troubling news from Alice, I sent her away to ponder what to do. It didn't trouble me so much that he was after my new servant girl; if she smelled that enticing to me, she must smell almost as good to another one of us. No, that wasn't what troubled me. My troubled thoughts lay at the remembrance of the two new vampires we disposed of just a few weeks before this. Where were they coming from? I banished the thought as I saw the girl stir in her sleep. I touched the skin of her shoulder and pulled my hand away as I saw her body shift again. She was such a delicate thing, so much like a bird or butterfly; one accidental touch from me could crush her, yet this only made me want to more. She sat up and looked about, eyes glazed.

"What.. I shouldn't be sleeping here."

"Forgive me for not letting you sleep in the proper quarters. Your clothes were wet from the rain and I laid you in front of the fire to get warm. I must've fallen asleep discussing something with Lady Alice, I apologize."

I had to stop myself from smiling as I saw her confused look only grow stronger as she tried to process that I was apologizing to her. She bowed her head and curtsied, voice quiet as well as thoughtful.

"There is no need to apologize to me sir. I should have realized you had a good reason to let me sleep in front of the fire."

"No matter. We have something else to deal with now."

"What task may I do sir?"

"My room, it needs to be cleaned. I would like it finished by tonight, I have some business in town to take care of with Lady Alice. Do you think you can manage this?"

"Yes sir. Shall I prepare your dinner as well?"

"There is no need. Although, if you would like to prepare a small meal for another member of my family, you may."

She curtsied again, and then she was gone. Alice crept out from the shadows and looked at me with a curious smile.

The trees are quite lovely today. I think I might take a walk tonight.

I wasn't so easily fooled.

"What are you hiding Alice?"

"You will find out soon enough.

I tried to penetrate her thoughts, but she was concentrating much too hard on the foliage outside. I scowled and left to gather my weapons when she made a curious comment.

"There is so much pain buried there Edward. Surely you must see that."

"What?"

"Be careful, this vampire is very new... and very troubling."

"Alice what do you mean?"

"Just be careful Edward."

I scowled again, but I knew it was pointless to try to make her tell me. I gathered my weapons and looked in my room before leaving. I saw the servant girl staring at the embroidered curtain that served as my changing quarters. Emblazoned was a lion who held a heart in it's mouth. It was not eating it, but rather, saving it from the fiery flames below. I saw her touch the fabric with her fingertips, bumps all over her arms.

"I believe you are supposed to be cleaning."

She jumped in the air with a surprised yelp and immediately curtsied low, eyes downcast the the ground.

"Forgive me sir, I was intrigued by the picture."

"You are forgiven; however I would ask that you not stray from your task."

She nodded and started to stand when I couldn't help but bend the rules so carefully laid down.

"What is your name?"

"Whatever you call me, I shall respond to."

I smiled softly and shook my head, pinning her with my gaze.

"What are you called by your friend, the other slave I purchased?"

Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink and she averted her gaze away from my eyes.

"He calls me Bella sir, but surely it isn't proper for a master to address his slave by their name."

"It will be a secret between us; although, you must promise not to tell anyone, not even your friend."

She nodded, an angelic smile glowing on her face.

"I will be sure to not speak about it to anyone but you sir."

She curtsied again and turned away from me, brushing dust off the fabric she had been so intrigued by earlier.

"Oh and Bella?"

"Yes sir?"

"I would like you to wait for me in here. I have many things I wish you ask you."

"What about sir? If it's about Jacob-"

"It has nothing to do with the other servants. I wish to know more about you and perhaps, get some advice on how to deal with Lady Rosalie. I noticed your "Caretaker" has some of her... sharp qualities."

She bit her cheek to keep from grinning and nodded, laughter dancing in her eyes.

"Of course sir. It would be my pleasure to help you in any way I can."

I smiled and turned, walking out of my room. As I went outside our home and into the forest to look for this new vampire, I couldn't stop myself from thinking of Bella's smile, and the way her eyes were so expressive when she allowed them to be. She was pleasantly surprising, and yet... I knew I had to stop myself from learning more about her. She was only temporary, as all our slaves were. I tried to free myself from the thought, yet it haunted me. This girl, she was so very mysterious. A part of me wanted to keep her, and yet another part wanted me to send her away for her own safety. I thought back to her angelic smile and sighed. Perhaps I would keep her after all, if only for a bit longer than the rest of the slaves stayed.

----------------------------------------------Bella's Point of View--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why on earth was I so giddy? I had been bubbling around for the past few hours, cleaning his room with joy. I smelled his sheets before washing them, even crushing sweet smelling flowers in, in hopes that he would somehow notice. I made sure everything was perfectly clean before standing at the foot of his bed, wondering how I should sit until he arrived. A small cough interrupted my mental dilema and I saw Jacob standing in his doorway, arms crossed.

"You look happy."

"Do I? It's been an easy day I suppose."

"This man, you seem to be quite fond of him."

I let my face turn cold and stared at him, silent.

"He seems to be fond of you too."

"You're being ridiculous Jacob. You know I wouldn't be nearly stupid enough to like any of my masters. As for him being fond of me, it's nothing. I'm sure he's fond of me the same way all my other masters were. He'll soon be tired of me."

Jacob sighed and turned on his heel as he heard calls of "Boy!" coming from down the corridor.

"Be careful Bella. He seems dangerous."

I stopped myself from scoffing and nodded instead, setting for a place on the ground next to his doorway.

"I promise to be careful."

He left and I sighed, resting my cheek on my knee. I felt uncomfortable with the heat pressed around me and it seemed to be almost too much to bear. I glanced to the door way and pulled my dress over my knees after I was sure he hadn't yet returned. The cold feeling of my bare legs escaped as a sigh of happiness. I returned my cheek to its original placement and closed my eyes, thinking of Jacob's words. He'd said to be careful, yet I felt I had no need to. Something made me feel like this master would be different than the rest. I ignored the feeling though; I had learned by now that feelings were something you hid, something you were better off without. Still, as I felt myself drift from conciousness, one thought remained. Why was my new master so kind to me?