Property of an Obsessive Vampire


Chap 7

Edward had a sister? For some reason the thought never occurred to her, as if he were some mystical being that came about when the world was created. She always saw him miserable and alone. If this girl was related to Edward, Bella was sure she was every bit as beautiful and mysterious and thought provoking as her brother.

"He has your sister?" The obvious horror was etched across her face. "How? Why?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Of course it matters!" she shouted. "And all this time I thought you were a gambler or serial killer. I'm so sorry."

"You're sorry?" Edward stared at her incredibly. "You have no reason to apologize, Bella. I kidnapped you. There is no way this is acceptable. You have every right to hate me."

Bella's chin jutted out stubbornly. She thought she hated Edward. She wanted to from the moment he took her, but now she realized she would never hate this infuriatingly beautiful man. Edward wasn't the monster she imagined. He was the good guy; a knight in shining armor just trying to save his sister. Technically it wasn't even kidnap because she wanted this. She wanted this, right?

Of course she did. She had to confront this man. Not only was he responsible for Renee's pain, but he took Edward's sister. This was a sick, twisted criminal who would pay.

Edward groaned and Bella looked up at him, surprised he was glaring at her.

"That's really frustrating, you know."

Bella felt herself shrink under his penetrating gaze. "What is?"

"Not knowing what you're thinking."

She flushed and crossed her arms, suddenly self-conscious. "I can't imagine why that would be frustrating." She had a feeling he wouldn't want to read her thoughts. They were now filled with revenge and loathing. It worried her. Did she want to become this person? Someone filled with such rage and darkness?

She knew she couldn't turn back though. She was here and that was what mattered.

"I'll help you," Bella murmured after some time. "I'll help you get your sister back."

Edward didn't answer, but from the troubled look in his eyes, she imagined he was too concerned for his sibling's life.


She was running.

She wasn't sure to where or how she got there, but she knew someone was behind her, chasing her. Her mother's voice was calling out to her. Bella? Bella! Where are you? And then she could see it. The man that stalked her mother, that killed her.

The darkness closed in around her. She screamed and fell forward, turning to meet the monster.

It was Edward who stood behind her. He smiled, a wicked, haunting grin, before attacking.

Bella sat up right in bed. The room swayed around her; an unfamiliar place that immediately made her toes curl in fear. Her breathing was fast and the sweat trickled down her neck. At last her eyes found the golden ones across the room, watching from the shadows.

Bella swallowed. "My mother..." She didn't know how to explain herself. Renee had been violently ripped out of her life before her very eyes. Pulling her knees to her chest, Bella cried. She and her mother were best friends. How could she not have noticed Renee needed help?

"It's my fault," the words tumbled out of her mouth.

Edward, who had been still as stone moments before, groaned. "It isn't anyone's fault," he said softly. "Your mother was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Bella glared at him past the watery tears. "So I'm just supposed to be okay that he killed her? Should I be happy that destiny deems it appropriate? What would you do, Edward, if he killed your sister?"

He didn't even flinch. "Then it was her time to go."

Bella gasped and Edward looked to the wall. "I understand that you want revenge, but I wish you wouldn't tempt fate."

"He's a monster. He deserves what's coming at him."

Edward's eyes seemed to spark at her words, though she wasn't sure why.

"You're right." he sighed. "People like us are only dangerous."

"I didn't mean..." Bella's voice faltered. She suddenly remembered the dream. Edward was the one who was ready to finish her off, not her mother's stalker. Goosebumps crawled up her arms, but she ignored what her instincts told her. She knew Edward's soul and he was anything, but heartless. "You're not a monster, Edward."

"You wouldn't be saying that if you knew the truth."

His mysterious past was brought up again, but she completely ignored the fact. "I'm not afraid of you anymore. I thought maybe you were bad at first, but that was because I didn't understand." Bella stood up and walked over to him. He flinched slightly when she sat up and didn't meet her eyes. "You are doing this for your sister. That doesn't make you the bad guy."

Edward had enough courage to look her in the eye. "Then what does that make me?"

"Human."

Edward was silent and then laughed without humor. He shook his head. "Oh, Bella. If only you knew the irony of that." She listened as his musical laughter died down.

The room was suddenly very small. Bella was just a sliver away from touching Edward. She didn't notice until he backed away that she had been reaching her hand out toward him.

"I-I'm sorry," she looked to the ground, blushing profusely. "I didn't mean-"

Edward's head turned to the door and he glared at it. Confused, Bella watched as the doorway opened.

The woman in the hall gave her a pleasant smile. "Hello, Bella."

She gasped. "...Mom?"