19
I should have all kinds of questions regarding the vampire lifestyle but I was fixated on one thing, and if it was Edward who did this to me. I couldn't explain why it was so important, but it seemed to be the only thing that mattered.
Emmett found every way imaginable to avoid the question. At first I thought he was big and dumb, now I realized Emmett was pretty smart and an expert at handling people. Jasper had his power to help him; Emmett used charm to get you to forget the matter at hand.
He was standing in the middle of the room explaining how the family came together. He was so animated and goofy that he held me spellbound.
"And then I said, 'Bear, you don't get to be the end of Emmett McCarty.' I attacked with a vengeance as he ripped my flesh. Rose was watching and I guess these muscles impressed her," he told me, as he flexed proudly. "She saved me."
"How, by killing you anyway?" I asked.
He looked at me with a serene face and said in a gentle voice, uncommon for Emmett. "She brought love into my life. It was worth dying for."
I never had a love I could depend on. I wasn't sure what it felt like, but I was certain I wouldn't know as a vampire. This life was not normal and I wasn't convinced I would remain this way. I understood for the first time how much effort it took for Edward to make it for over one hundred years.
"Have you killed anyone?" I asked him outright.
"Sure, I've had blood sing to me, like yours did for Edward. I wasn't strong enough to resist," he admitted.
"You killed children?" I gasped, realizing there was still a teacher inside of me.
"No," he said with irritation. "It was an elderly man and a whore." I hissed at him and he quickly tried to explain. "Seriously, she was a hooker on the street. I told her I wanted to bite her and she made me pay her up front."
The earnestness on his face caused me to double over in laughter. I had to find out and asked, "Did you pay her?"
"Yeah," he shrugged, "but I took my money back after I killed her."
I had no idea why I found something so brutal as funny. I should be grateful Edward had much more control than Emmett. I was now one of them and I wondered how I would react if someone's blood called to me. I hoped I would be strong and think about their families and loved ones, but I couldn't be sure.
"When do you think they'll return with Edward?" I asked.
Emmett only shrugged and reached over for a remote to watch a game. I sat in silence as he yelled and cheered for his team. I tried to decide what I was going to say to Edward. Would I scream at him for doing this to me, or for running off like a coward after he did?
The day passed with no sign of the others. I finally headed out in the night with Emmett to hunt. He remained close to my side the entire time and when we came across a bear the sight of him drinking kept me spellbound. It was like a dance and bordered on beautiful. Surely I wouldn't feel the same way if I were still human.
Emmett and I headed back to the house and he was growing restless. He finally said, "Do you feel like doing something, maybe hit a club or something?"
"Can I be around people?" I asked in shock.
He smiled widely and said, "That's what I'm along for."
I nodded in agreement and we headed into a small mountain town where loud music came from a small dark building. The room was smoky but it didn't bother me. I could smell the sweetness of blood mixed with the sour smell from earlier.
A young woman approached and looked at Emmett only when she asked if we wanted anything to drink. Emmett ordered beers and I asked if we actually had to drink them.
"You can, you just won't like the taste. And food is edible if you chew for a long time and let the venom change it into liquid. But again, it tastes nasty."
I realized for the first time how easily they would blend in if they had to. Not that anyone would believe in vampires to begin with. I took a sip of my beer and gagged instantly. Emmett laughed loudly before taking a gulp of his.
"Let's dance," he suggested, and stood to offer me his hand.
He was quite coordinated for a big guy and had some pretty impressive moves. When the music changed to a slow song he took a step away from me. "What?" I asked.
"We better sit this one out," he said, and headed to the table.
"Seriously?" I asked, as I followed him. "Rose won't let you slow dance with another woman. Is she that jealous?"
He ran his hand through his short hair and shook his head, "No, not Rose."
"Who?" I asked.
He paused and looked like he had stuck his foot in his mouth before finally sighing loudly. "Look, Edward is…emotional…and he…"
"Wait," I said, and held up my hand. "You won't dance with me because Edward will be mad?" I was ready to use my vamp strength and drag Emmett back onto the dance floor. Edward was not going to dictate how I behaved when he ran off and left me this way.
"It isn't that he'll be mad," Emmett tried to explain. "I just think certain things should be his prerogative. I'm sure he wants to dance with you first."
My anger softened a bit and Emmett could tell by my expression. He leaned in and spoke with emotion. "Bella, he loves you, get that through your thick head."
"Is that why he changed me?" I asked, hoping my new approach would get me some information.
"It is why he wants to die. He doesn't want to spend eternity without you."
It told me Edward changed me out of hope I would love him. I sat back and looked around the room. Several men were staring at me and one wink as another blew me a kiss. I laughed and looked away. I had no interest in them, and not because they were human, but because they were men and I was pretty pissed at the men in my life right now.
We went home when the club closed and Emmett and I watched a movie and played video games until the sun rose. I was growing anxious for the others to return, since things were getting boring quickly.
Around evening time of the following day I could hear the sound of feet pounding in the distance. Emmett walked to a window and announced. "They're back. It sounds like they found Edward."
I strained my ears and could make out six distinct sounds of people running. Within minutes they all came into view. Edward was in front and his clothes were a mess. Alice was right behind him and I could hear her chastising Edward to remain calm. I moved to the far side of the room and waited for the door to fly open.
Edward's eyes locked with mine and he froze to his spot in the doorway. Alice had to push him forward so he would enter the room fully. I narrowed my eyes in accusation but his expression was mixed. He almost looked like he was going to cry.
"Isn't this what you expected?" I demanded, "Isn't this why you followed me all those years?"
"I told you she remembers," Alice said in just a whisper that I could hear clearly.
"Are you thirsty?" Edward asked with a strained voice.
I laughed and glanced at Emmett, "No, I've been hunting and hitting the town with Emmett."
Emmett quickly spoke up to explain. "She doesn't crave human blood. She has no reaction at all."
Edward looked back at me in confusion so I shrugged and acted like it was no big deal. Rose came into the house and walked over to Emmett to give him a very passionate kiss in front of the entire family. I felt a bit sad that Edward wasn't greeted in the same manner. He must have been thinking the same thing because we both looked at each other and then quickly looked away.
Esme walked over to put her arms around me and suggested we all sit to talk. I patted her kindly and then pulled from her hold. "First I want to ask Edward a question. Did you change me?"
His head shot up to look at me and then he glanced around the room before asking, "You don't remember?"
"It is the only thing I can't recall," I said forcefully.
He glanced at his family again and then nodded to me in shame. I walked closer to him and Emmett took a step toward me too. I held up my hand to keep him back and continued toward Edward. I got right into his face and said, "Even after I told you I didn't want to be a vampire, you did this to me?"
"You were injured," he said sadly.
"So," I yelled.
I finally saw a glimpse of the old Mr. Masen. His face changed to one of rage and he yelled loudly at me. "You expected me to let you die, to look at your broken body and walk away? Are you insane? Jake doesn't get to destroy you."
"I decided to jump, Edward. It was my choice to do it. And then you ran off like a coward and I'm supposed to fall in love with you? You left me," I screamed.
"Bella," Alice said softly and Edward quickly hushed her.
"I wanted you to have time to adjust. I never expected you would have memories," he said, as if it made everything better.
"So tell me exactly what you had planned. Your family would teach me to hunt and I would be so thrilled with the vamp life that when you returned I would fall madly in love with you? Was that the plan Edward?"
We were both raising our voices loudly and I felt an overwhelming need to attack him. Alice was trying to tell me to calm down as the men moved closer to me. Edward yelled even louder when he said, "I wasn't even planning to live, I didn't make any decisions about your future."
"Aside from making me a monster," I yelled, as my entire body shook.
"If you hate it so much end it," he screamed.
"I'm not a coward like you. Don't bother looking for a nomad, Edward. I'll do the honor myself."
His jaw rose in defiance and I was unable to control my body any further. I sprang forward, catching him by the throat with my hands and lifting him off the floor. A loud growl erupted from my chest and I slammed him into the wall, denting the drywall in the outline of his body.
The others jumped onto me and pulled me away from Edward as he growled from his own instincts. I fought to free myself, but Emmett's arms were locked around my middle. Edward pointed at me and yelled until the walls shook. "I would never hurt you. I'm not Jake."
His words took the wind from my sails and I stopped struggling. Just the mention of Jake's habit of hurting me changed the course of my anger. The family slowly loosened their hold and I assured them I was fine. I walked to the door and looked back at Edward.
"You're right," I said softly. "I'm sorry I attacked you."
"Where are you going?" he replied.
I gave my best effort at a smile and held my hands out in front of me as I said, "I'm going to have a chat with Jake." Then I ran from the doorway and into the forest.
20
I ran at full speed heading southwest but Edward was suddenly in front of me. I dodged him several times but he always managed to beat me to the next path. I finally stopped and he gave me one of his gorgeous smiles.
"I'm fast, you can't outrun me," he announced.
I noticed how he stayed out of my reach, knowing I was much stronger than he was. I tried to reason with him.
"Edward, go home. I have some things to take care of," I said with a gentle voice.
"You're not a killer, Bella."
I shook my head and said, "Now I am. You made me one."
"Come away with me until you have time to adjust to this life. If you still insist on seeing Jake, I won't protest," he bargained.
"Where?" I asked.
"We could go back to Alaska or to Brazil, anywhere," he begged.
I worried Edward would certainly get himself killed if we spent time together and I still didn't want to be his wife. I decided to force him back to a place he could connect with. "I want to go to Chicago," I announced.
His eyes darted around as he struggled with an excuse so I added, "It is the only place I'll go with you. And I'm only promising a few days."
He swallowed the venom in his mouth and nodded in agreement. I smiled at the victory and we both changed direction. We hunted often as we made our way across Canada, many times fighting over the big cats we both loved. It was less than a week when we snuck into the city under the cover of darkness.
Edward appeared nervous as he pulled a key from a lock box and opened the door to the grand estate. He didn't turn on the lights but we didn't need any. I walked through the place and gasped at the opulent furnishings. When I reached one door on the second level Edward grabbed my hand and said, "Don't go in there. It was my childhood room."
He sounded so sad. I nodded and moved to the next room. After seeing the whole house we settled in the music room. Edward began telling me the story we would use. "We can stay in an area ten years tops and that is with the use of makeup and hair color. It is usually only three years before we move on."
"Yeah, Emmett filled me in," I told him, and he looked saddened by the announcement. "He wouldn't dance with me though," I added to cheer him.
Edward stood and walked over to a radio and turned it on before holding out his hand for mine. He felt soft and warm and I couldn't stop myself from rising and letting him pull me into his arms. His hands folded around my back and I let mine wrap around his neck. His unneeded breath felt warm against my neck as he spoke softly. "Remind me to thank Emmett," he said and then kissed my neck.
I was a strong immortal, a killing machine, a demon who could spread destruction far and wide, but the feeling of being in Edward's arms reduced me to a trembling woman. It didn't matter how strong I became, men could still weaken me.
I tried to think of a pithy comeback, but I knew he would be able to hear my voice shaking with the built up passion I was feeling. I remained quiet as my arms tightened around him. When the song ended and the voice on the radio moved to a commercial Edward raised his head to look at me. His molten eyes bore into mine and his mouth lowered onto mine.
It wasn't anything close to how he had kissed me before. This was unrestrained and his warm mouth devoured mine. I didn't have to worry about his teeth or his venom, and when my hand fisted his hair and pulled sharply it only intensified his kiss.
In one easy move I ripped his shirt from his body. He quickly grabbed my hands and pushed me away. Words fell from my mouth without thought, causing him to laugh. "I'm stronger," I announced.
"Are you going to rape me, Bella?" he teased.
I was so close to saying yes and following through with the threat. Was he a freaking monk or something? "You owe me," I said instead.
His hand moved to my jaw and he caressed my cheek lovingly. "I don't owe you," he corrected. "I love you."
"Show me," I begged with a pleading voice.
He let his thumb run softly over my lips and finally nodded, "Okay," he said as a whisper, and then instantly picked me up off the ground and carried me upstairs. We entered a huge master suite with a large thick framed walnut bed.
I didn't need the comfort, but I knew he was trying his best to be romantic, so I didn't complain when he placed me on the bed. He lay over me and smiled down at my face as I ran my fingers over his bare chest. "You're here in my home; do you have any idea what it means to me?"
I placed my finger over his mouth to make him stop talking. I wanted him, not his words, but his body. I pulled him to my mouth and within an instant my clothing was removed. My ice-cold body felt like it was on fire as I rolled in the bed, placing Edward beneath me. I glanced down and notice the look of fear on his face, bringing me back to reality.
"Are you okay?" I asked, as I tried to slow down.
"I don't want you to regret this," he said, making me smile.
I shook my head and held his hand to my cheek. "Never," I promised.
He smiled back and then said, "We don't tire…ever."
"Perfect," I said, and made full contact with him. He hissed loudly and his eyes closed as his body took over on instinct. The bed was ripped apart and most of the furniture toppled by the time we felt satisfied enough to stop. We were both laughing in ecstasy and I hoped he wasn't going to leave after getting what he wanted.
His smile was wide as he looked at me and said, "Marry me, Bella. Spend eternity with me."
I was certain I would pull away and be angry for his attempt to spoil the moment, but I couldn't find it anywhere within me to be the slightest bit upset. I kissed him again, starting the whole process over from the beginning. It was how we spent the entire night.
Right before the sun raised Edward asked if I was thirsty. My throat felt raw, but it was tolerable. I looked out the window at the dense city and asked, "How do you hunt here?"
"There are some areas outside of the city," he said. "Not a lot of variety but it is doable."
"I guess we should wait until dark," I said and he smiled mischievously.
He put on some jeans and tossed me a long shirt that I wore as a dress. I followed him to his garage and stared in awe at his collection of cars. He headed to a fast black sports car and opened the door for me. "My lady," he teased.
I got in and we drove toward Wisconsin where we found a couple of mountain lions to drink. He stopped at a mall on the way home and bought me an entire wardrobe. He seemed to have an unlimited supply of cash. Everything I looked at he bought for me.
I headed into a posh lingerie store and Edward stopped before entering. "I'll wait out here," he said. I reached out for his hand and pulled him inside with me. The depth of his prudishness amazed me.
I took some sexy items into the dressing room and when I was completely undressed I looked in the mirror. All my scars and evidence of Jake's cruelty were gone. I was fresh again. I stood there staring at my body until I heard Edward knock on the door. "Are you okay?" he asked.
I opened the door and faced him, still totally nude, so he stepped into the small space and closed the door. "My scars are gone," I told him.
He ran his finger lightly down my body and said, "The venom fixes you during the change."
"You fixed me," I whispered, meaning his venom made me new again. He let his eyes drop to the ground and he told me to bring everything I wanted to the register. I dressed again and picked out the pieces I thought Edward would like the most. When we left the store I reached out and took hold of his hand, walking like every other couple in the mall.
A group of people passed us and I covered my mouth with my hand. "Oh God, what is that smell?" I asked and glanced behind me. Two young native boys looked back and glared angrily at me before turning back to their group.
I stopped walking and looked at Edward. "It is always native people, why do they smell that way?" I asked.
Edward looked over at the boys and then back at me. "I don't know, I've never really noticed. They always have such violent thoughts," he said.
"Jake could smell you on me. It is like they are the only ones who can smell vampires," I said, and looked at the boys who were arguing with some other boys. "And they get angry when vampires are around," I realized. I looked at Edward and my eyes widened. "You were in Forks whenever Jake would change. You were following me and affecting him somehow."
"That's absurd," Edward said, and pulled me toward the parking lot. I was certain I was right, but I didn't want to ruin our day after all of Edward's generosity. I let the subject drop and concentrated on the kind man driving much too fast.
I scooted over to the middle console and began nibbling on Edward's neck. A rumbling deep in his chest caused me to laugh and he began driving even faster. I had to admit I was having so much fun with him. He was kind, and sexy, and generous. Maybe there was something to love about him after all.
We made it to his house in record time and kept the lights off as we brought in all the bags and took them upstairs. I rushed into the bathroom and changed into something I thought Edward would like. I emerged to find him removing tags and hanging up my new clothes. I leaned against the closet door and said, "I can think of something better to do."
His eyes darkened and he let the hanger drop from his hand. "Wow," he exclaimed, "Look at you."
I spun around in a circle feeling confident in my new and improved body. The nightgown clung to me, accentuating my snow white skin against the dark blue material. Edward ran his hand down the satin and said, "I love this color on you."
"Don't tear this one, I like it," I said with a grin.
He moved to his knees and took the hem lightly in his grasp before standing and pulling it over my head. I jumped onto him and wrapped my legs around his body as he dropped the gown and began running his hands all over me.
I was holding his face tightly with my hands and didn't notice when he tried to pull away. He finally spoke against my mouth and said, "Bella, stop."
I had no idea why he would suddenly want this to end, but if he brought up marriage I was going to be so angry. I dropped my legs and he instantly pushed me away.
"Someone's in the house," he said and tossed me some clothes.
I could smell something very slightly that had an earthy scent, and could hear quiet, almost silent, steps toward the stairs. I quickly pulled on my clothing and Edward leaned against my ear and whispered. "Jump from the window and run to the south."
I shook my head adamantly and his face grew angry. At that moment a voice echoed through the house. "She won't get far, Edward."
21
I heard two other sets of footsteps and Edward closed his eyes tightly and cursed under his breath. I found myself holding onto him tightly in fear. I could tell by the smell it was vampires in the house and I didn't understand why Edward would be wary of them.
"She has nothing to do with this," he said, as he took my hand and we exited the closet.
A man with long blond hair, pulled into a ponytail was standing in the doorway of the room. His clothes were tattered and dirty and he was without shoes. He slowly looked me up and down and then said to Edward, "I think she has everything to do with this."
"Laurent," Edward screamed, "The deal is off."
A black man entered the room. He was much better dressed but still dirty and without shoes. A red haired woman followed behind him and hissed at the sight of me.
"I'm afraid I don't make deals," the black man said with a thick accent.
"What's going on?" I asked softly.
"She's a newborn," Edward said as a threat.
The blonde man only laughed and waved his arms. "There are three of us," he pointed out.
I was realizing they were talking about fighting us and asked, "Aren't they vampire's too?"
"They're nomads," Edward said, with disgust.
The black man shook his head and chastised Edward for his tone. "Is that any way to speak of us when it was you soliciting our services? I promised you a swift death, and we are here to deliver," Laurent said.
My hands tightened around Edward and I looked at the smiling woman as anger boiled up inside of me. "Don't touch him," I growled.
The woman smirked and said, "James, I think she would make a great toy after you kill her mate."
"James isn't killing anyone," I yelled, trying to sound as certain as I felt. "If he comes near Edward, I'm ripping off your head and roasting marshmallows over it."
The three looked at each other in confusion. I couldn't fight all three of them, but I could take on the female and that caused James to reconsider. I knew she was his one weakness. Edward quickly offered a solution. "I'll pay you for your trouble."
James laughed and said, "I have no need of money. I take what I want."
"You sought out us, when your whore refused you," Laurent said, and Edward tensed.
"I didn't refuse him," I yelled, letting them know I was absolutely considering Edward.
James took a step closer and Edward pushed me behind his back. He rubbed his eyes with his fists as he pretended to cry. "My one love doesn't want to be a vampire, I don't want to exist, please kill me so I don't have to see her with her husband."
"Shut up," Edward exclaimed. "Things are different now."
James looked at me and nodded, "I see, who changed her as you searched the world for us."
"What?" I asked, and looked at Edward. He refused to match my gaze and kept his attention focused on James.
"My deal was with Laurent. I want to change the agreement and I'll give you anything you want in return," Edward said.
"We came all this way," the woman said and then laughed. "We would hate to leave without someone dying."
"James, Victoria will be hurt," Edward said to reason with him. "Do you want to take that chance?"
The black man took a step back toward the door and said, "Come on James, there is no fun here."
Edward grew tenser and James looked at me for a moment before following Laurent and Victoria from the room. I listened as they left the house and headed down the street. Edward held up his finger to keep me from speaking and pulled me back into the closet. He grabbed a suitcase and motioned for me to begin filling it.
I did as he said and jumped from the second story window right behind him, running to the west. He carried the bag and still managed to remain two steps in front of me the entire time. We made it to the hills of the badlands before we found shelter in a shallow cave.
"What happened back there?" I asked, and Edward ignored my question and began stacking rocks to hide our cave. I reached out and grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop and look at me. "You didn't change me did you?"
"It isn't important, we have to make it back to the others or we're both dead," he said excitedly.
"Then why are we stopping?"
"I'm not sure where they are; I need to give Alice time to find us." His arms tried to circle around me but I pushed him away.
"You weren't even in Washington when I jumped," I said and watched him for a reaction. "Who are you covering for?"
"Listen to me very carefully. James is not giving up. He wants to kill you to hurt me and then make me beg for my own destruction. I have to protect you," he yelled.
"I'm stronger than him," I said, but not convincingly.
"Not if they can separate us," Edward pointed out. "You have strength but not experience. We need Jasper and Emmett."
It suddenly dawned on me that I no longer considered ending this existence. I had found true joy with Edward and I wanted to see where it would lead. It pissed me off that my happiness was being threatened, so I offered my own solution. "Let's get Emmett and Jasper and go after them. Rip them apart before they know what hit um."
Edward relaxed a bit and actually smiled. He held out his hand and I stepped into his waiting arms. He hugged me tightly to his chest and I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. He kissed my hair and said, "I love you more than you will ever realize."
"I think I'm beginning to understand," I replied.
Edward pulled back and looked into my eyes. "Really?" he asked.
"Do we have time to rock this cave before Alice arrives?" I asked, and found myself instantly lifted off my feet and planted against the cave wall. Our passion was intense this time and very primal. We couldn't speak but grunted and growled as we found in each other everything our bodies needed.
Edward heard his family's minds before I heard their footsteps. He jumped up and threw my clothes to me so I quickly dressed before they arrived. We moved the rocks used to hide us and Alice ran into view. She jumped onto me with a big hug and whispered. "I knew you would love him."
"Don't make me hurt you," I teased.
Edward was talking to Jasper, Emmett, and Carlisle about our encounter with James, Laurent and Victoria. Rose looked at my clothes and said, "Where did you get those?"
"Edward and I went to the mall," I said proudly.
She walked around me to get the full view and then said, "You chose to purchase that?"
I looked down at my clothes and back at hers and Alice's disappointed expressions. "What's wrong with my clothes?"
Alice looked as if she pitied my ignorance and took my hand before saying, "We'll teach you about fashion."
I pulled my hand away and decided to defend my common mall jeans. "I like my style. I'm not a high maintenance girl."
I had always been comfortable with jeans and t-shirts. I seldom wore makeup and I pulled my hair into a ponytail often. Rose and Alice wore expensive clothes fresh from the runways, it just wasn't me. I hated to think all the money Edward spent buying me new clothes would go to waste.
"You look wonderful," Esme said and hugged me.
"Thanks," I said awkwardly, knowing the others did not agree.
"I'm not leaving her," I heard Edward yell. We all looked over to see him arguing with Jasper.
I walked over to where they both stood and butted in on the conversation. "What's going on?" I asked.
The both remained quiet and I crossed my arms in anger and sighed loudly. Carlisle decided to let me in on the decisions they were making. "We were talking about Jasper and Alice taking you somewhere safe as we hunt for James and the others."
"Why would Alice and Jasper need to stay with me?" I asked.
"Jasper is great on strategy and Alice's visions would keep you safe," he explained.
"Why can't I help?"
"These nomads are extra dangerous. They are cunning and would do anything to hurt you to get back at Edward. We need to keep you out of the equation," Carlisle said, and patted my back.
I realized it wasn't my safety that had me uneasy; it was the realization I would be away from Edward. Just the thought of it made me anxious. I locked my arm with his and said, "I don't want to go."
"I told you," Alice giggled, "She loves him."
Everyone looked at me for confirmation, even Edward, so I looked at my feet and ignored them all. I didn't know what it was but something was pulling me like a magnet to him. It was now impossible for me to be angry with him, whether he changed me or not.
Edward looked into my eyes and smiled before saying, "Go to the cabin in Alaska and wait for me. I won't be gone for long."
"Then we'll go home?" I asked, meaning Chicago. The look on Edward's face was one of pure joy. He kissed me lightly and said, "Yes love, then we'll go home."
Alice tried her best to see what decisions the nomads were making. They were sure Edward would bring me back to his house and planned to catch us off guard after the others left. I traveled with Alice and Jasper toward Alaska, taking out time to hunt and bond together. Jasper was quiet but stared at me a lot. Alice talked nonstop and tried to keep me cheered up. I missed Edward terribly and it hadn't even been two days.
We were sitting in a tree as Alice tried to concentrate on the family and how their search was going. She suddenly gasped and her eyes looked at me and then flashed to Jasper with a look of horror. "What?" I asked in fear. "Is Edward okay?"
"He's fine," she said softly and then reached out for my hand. "Bella, I'm sorry, they tricked us. They understood my powers better than I thought. They kept me blind by thinking different than what they were doing."
"What were they doing?" I asked.
"They've separated. James went to Arizona," she said, and squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry, but he wanted to bring you to him by….they didn't suffer," she added.
"My mother and Phil?" I asked.
She nodded and closed her eyes. I looked at Jasper and wondered if he was keeping me calm or if my lack of a beating heart kept me from exploding. I knew Alice just told me my mother was dead, but I was focused on something else, my father. I knew James would go after him next and I had to do everything I could to stop him.
I jumped down from the tree limb and began walking slowly to the west. "Bella, where are you going?" Alice asked.
"I'm going to Forks, to kill James," I answered, and began to run.
Alice and Jasper jumped down to follow and we picked up speed as we ran. It was the first time since I became a vampire I wasn't focused on Edward. James was the only person I could concentrate on. If he was alone I was sure I could handle him by myself. I let the thought cross my mind of ditching Alice and Jasper and she yelled out from my left. "No way, we're sticking to you like glue. Edward would kill us if you got hurt."
I wasn't sure exactly how to pull this off. I couldn't walk into my father's house and tell him the good news was I came home; the bad news was I was now a vampire. I would do whatever it would take to protect him, even if it meant I had to tell him the truth.
I was suddenly hit with overwhelming fatigue. I stopped running and grabbed onto a tree to remain standing. Jasper walked up knowingly, since he caused the action. I felt my strength returning and I looked at him and yelled, "What are you doing, we have to hurry?"
"No, you need to calm down before you get your father killed," he demanded.
Just mentioning my father's life being in jeopardy caused me to take off running again.
