Note: This is the fourth chapter of In the Grip of Twilight. All previous chapters can be found on this site as follows: 1: In the Grip of Twilight 2: Daggers 3: Old Paths. I'm very sorry for the inconvenience, but I can't seem to add new chapters to the story so I have to post the chapters as new stories. I've contacted the help desk but haven't received help yet.

---Olivia

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In the Grip of Twilight

Chapter Four:

Nemesis

By: Olivia Tannis Moore

It was both easier and harder once I knew Edward was no longer on campus. Easier simply because I wasn't tormented by the sight of him escorting Elena from class to class; harder because I never felt lonelier than when apart from him. This rift between us was becoming more excruciating as time went on.

Jessica saved me the pain of talking about unpleasant things at lunch when she announced to the group sitting at the table that the topic of Edward and I was off limits. And if anyone spoke of Elena, it was hushed so that I wouldn't hear. Those were small mercies that I was grateful for.

The lunchroom was crowded. Upon entering I had looked for Alice and Jasper, but they were strangely absent; even though I had seen Alice's Subaru parked outside, fairly close to my truck. I preferred their company, and I had hoped to get some answers to why Edward had left school so early in the day.

I found myself sitting there, sulking and picking at my food. I tried to think of better times. Times when the touch of his hand against my face sent my senses reeling, or when I awoke from sleep in my cramped little bedroom to find Edward sitting there in the rocking chair, rocking and watching over me. My lethal guardian angel.

I just couldn't understand why he'd go to any length to protect me from the Hunters of the world, yet stand by while Elena squeezed the life out of me. Didn't he realize that she was just a different kind of hunter? Was he oblivious to the fact that given the chance she would relish leaving me broken and drained in some dark alley or woods?

The burger on my plate had grown cold and rubbery. It had all the taste of a small stack of cardboard—the way I imagined how food tasted to Edward. I sighed inwardly. There was no getting away from him, yet that is exactly what I had said I wanted. You're such a fool, I told myself. Only an idiot would kiss away what I had—what I never should have had in the first place. And Jessica was right. I had practically gift-wrapped Edward and handed him over to her unwittingly.

I must have been scowling, for Jessica leaned forward across the table and plucked a French fry from my plate. "I don't want to know what you're thinking, but there has to be happier thoughts in there somewhere."

I attempted to smile. "I think I'm going to go get some fresh air."

"Might do you good," she replied.

I returned my lunch tray and wandered outside. The fog had burned away, but it was still dreary and damp. I had just sat down on the curb when I felt something cold brush against my side. When I turned, Alice's impish face was there. For a moment she said nothing, just searched my face as if it were a riddle she must solve.

"So you two had a bad one yesterday…" she said.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

Alice slipped her arm through mine. Even through the sleeve of her raincoat I could feel the iciness of her skin. It was soothing in an Edward kind of way.

"There's a letter from Edward on the seat in your truck," she told me. And of course I started to jump up and run to the parking lot. But Alice restrained me lovingly. "Maybe you should read it later…when you get home."

"Is it that bad?" I asked.

"I don't know what he wrote in the letter. Those are personal words between the two of you. But I do know that he's terribly hurt," Alice said sadly. "As you are."

I swallowed hard. "I didn't mean it. I don't know why I said such things to him… Frustration, I guess."

"I told him as much—that it was just the anger talking. But he's taken your words to heart. He truly believes he's doing what's best for you by staying away."

Shaking my head, I groaned, "Well, I can't bear it. I'm so miserable, Alice."

She squeezed my arm gently. "I'll let you in on a little secret…he's just as miserable as you are, if not more. He's driving us all crazy." She paused for a long moment. "Edward has an iron-will, but if anyone can bend that will, it's you, Bella…keep trying to get through to him."

"It's hard when Elena is hanging all over him," I said, unable to keep the disgust from my voice. "And she hates me with a passion. You know, she's practically marked him for her own."

"Yeah. Be careful with that one; she's a pit viper. What a credit to our species," she said sarcastically. "As far as I'm concerned, she's an unwelcome guest. But our hands are tied; we don't dare turn her away."

"Vampire Rules of Hospitality," I tried to joke.

"Well, it's not just that…I guess you couldn't know…" Alice said cryptically.

"Know what?"

Alice looked into my eyes. I thought I saw a slight flicker of wariness there, as if she was taking care not to say too much.

"Know what?" I asked again. A cold knot was forming in my chest. And Alice was hesitating much too long…

"We're all walking around on eggshells. Handling the little princess with velvet gloves… It's her father, really," Alice said slowly. "Or rather who her father is."

I still had no idea what she was talking about. I shrugged at Alice. "Yeah?"

Alice huffed, and then said, "Elena is a Volturi."