4. Fire

I do not recall my human life very well. But I recall the fire that tore through my body. I remember it as clearly as any of my other vampire memories. There is nothing that could make me forget such pain. Not even death. Was that why I was burning now? Fire ripped across my skull. I could feel something familiar buzzing in the seemingly empty dome. It took me so long to pinpoint what it was.

Carlisle's thoughts. But when filtered through the fire's haze, I couldn't pinpoint the words. I don't know how long I stayed like that, caught in limbo. But eventually, I woke to the scent of wisteria.

Two chocolate-colored feline eyes bore into my own.

"Oh, you woke up," Bella said, "Carlisle said you were taking a nap." Her scent coated me. My throat demanded drink, and here she was. I began to sit up. Her boiling hand rested on my chest.

"Oh, no you don't," she insisted, pushing me down, "You're still sick from that attack."

"What attack?" I demanded.

"You got attacked by some beast out in the woods. Your whole family was pretty torn up about it."

I looked around. It was my house all right, but why was the girl here? I could hear her father in the other room. Drats, foiled again.

"Really?" I asked, ribbing my head. A very worried Alice collided with me, knocking me off the couch were I was laid. Her salutations were not verbal, but mental, and LOUD.

I MISSED YOU! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD! EDWARD!!!! she screeched. I pushed her off and stumbled to the kitchen where the adults were. Emse and Carlisle greeted me and I symbolically opened the fridge.

"Not before dinner," Esme chastised. In her mind, she said, You've been asleep for almost a week. Since Bella is the only new thing in the routine, we thought inviting her over would help things. What happened?

I shrugged as I shut the fridge. We all made idle conversation.

"So, how did you wake Edward up?" Carlisle asked. Bella looked up from her cup of broth.

"Family medicinal practices from my mother's side. It's all about circulation and streatching and such. Really, it's nothing. Any chiropractor could do the same thing," she murmured shyly. No, she was lying. No one could wake me from that Hell.

"Really? Why did you stick a wisteria blossom in his mouth?" Alice asked.

"It's just a superstition," Bella answered, turning bright red. "My Nana taught me most of what I know. There's a lot of...spiritual practice involved with it. It's a weird blend of European superstitions, Native American practices, and Buddism."

The topic of religeon was brought up and a huge debate broke out between Emmett and Jasper. Emmett was just egging Jasper on for a fight.

"We should get going. It's still a schoolnight," Charlie announced. He got to his feet, and Bella stood, too. My parents and I escorted to them to the door. I could hear Jasper and Emmett slipping out the back, both revved for a good fight. Rosalie and Alice sat at the table and sulked.

Before we got into the entranceway, I pulled Bella aside.

"You saved me," I stated, gazing deeply into her eyes.

"Yes, and I expect for you to do the same should a time arise," she said.

"How? How did you save me from that?"

Realization flared in her eyes. She turned her face from me, "It's nothing. I just made your blood circulate through your body better. You know, you should think about yoga. It's very calming and-"

I nearly slammed my fist against the wall.

"How did you save me," I hissed. She peeked at the arm.

"Are you trying to be sexy? Or are you being serious? I honestly can't tell," she said with all conviction.

"I'm serious."

She thought it over for a moment. Then, she decided, "In ledgend, I create the world. In reality, I create a world of my own. I pray my hourglass never runs out."

"I don't want riddles."

"A riddle that describes your kind well would be something like 'In stories, I am sexy and cold. In reality, I eat your lovers. I never have to worry about time cuz I have it all'. Am I right or what?"

I jerked away from her. She skipped out the door with her father.

Carlisle and Esme turned to me with haunted gazes.

"What sort of riddle is that?" Rosalie spat, "And she knows about us!"

"And we know about her," I said, "What stories have mythical creatures create the world?" My fire, determination and curiosity, were purning like twin pillars of light. I wouldn't stop at anything to find out what she was.