I stared back into Edward's honest and worried gaze. Lestat was here… and I had a feeling that he was beckoning me to come to him. But I didn't dare tell Edward, not now anyways.
"Why didn't Alice see him coming?" I demanded, although, not with as much authority as I had hoped.
His brow crinkled in frustration, " I'm not sure. This has never happened before…another vampire being here…unnoticed."
He uncomfortably shifted his gaze to the now swollen, black and blue print of Lestat's slender hand on my throat. I took his chin in my hand to lift his gaze, now looking into my eyes, his skin like an icy burn on my hand.
"I'm okay." I reassured.
And then he did something I have only seen him do once before. He was sobbing dry tears, choking on his manic breaths, laying his head in my lap. My arms instinctively circled around his head, hugging it to my chest. I whispered loving words into his ears, to ease his thoughts and calm him down. His hands on my arms now, holding them tight as if I were trying to run somewhere. After a few more gasps and almost in audible moans, his face was level to mine. His eyes were puffy, but no ruminants of tear streaks obstructed his perfect face. He looked almost angelic now…my sad vampire angel.
"Bella, you don't understand." he began, choking out the last sobs, " he is exactly like James, once he knows what he wants, he will do anything to get it. And what he wants…" horror and bewilderment twisting his features, "is you."
My voice came out calm and unshaken " I won't let him have me. I belong to you, always."
With this Edward pulled me closer, now we were laying on his couch, face to face. I breathed in the short breath he let escape his lips, and forgot there was even another world out there. All that mattered to me was Edward.
But…Lestat….
I forced the thought out of my head. I didn't really love Lestat, he was just using his gift on me, influencing me. How could I love a stranger? I cringed at the thought, and Edward noticed.
"What are you thinking?" he questioned, worried.
"I was thinking about you, and how we are going to be together forever." that seemed to satisfy him, the lie stuck in my throat.
We lay like that for what seemed like eternity, gazing into each others eyes, hands laced together in a love embrace. I broke the silence.
"Edward… how did Lestat know I was here?" the mention of his name brought back the worried crinkle to his brow.
"you were thinking of Lestat?" he was hurt.
"No, I just wondered… I thought he lived in France. Why would he come to Forks?" curiosity flooded my thoughts.
Edward looked angry, pained, but answered my question.
"You willed him here."
"What?" I asked, a little too loud and an octave higher than my normal voice.
"You called to him…when you were thinking of him. And he responded." he let out a frustrated sigh.
I sat up, confused, shaking my head in bewilderment.
I brought this upon myself?
"But how-" I tried to argue.
"he told me."
"WHAT!" I screamed, angry and jealous at the same time, "you were with him? When?" I interrogated. The fire of anger and pain that he had lied to me again, creeping into my veins.
"It was when you thought I went hunting. I met with him because Alice saw someone was coming, someone with power. I asked him why he was here, and he said that 'someone called to me'. I instantly thought of you and your silly vampire books, your thoughts running amuck, so I told him that he should stay away from here, If he wanted to live. And he left, I watched him leave! Later I asked Alice if it was safe, if he was actually gone, but he must have deceived her. Because she had the vision of him leaving, and no longer felt his power…." he sighed, exasperated from his speech, "I wanted to tell you…I'm so sorry."
All that anger melted away to pity, for my Edward. Always looking out for me, constantly worrying. If he was human, I'm sure he would have had a heart attack my now.
I felt tears well up in my eyes, and let a sigh pass through my lips. The warmth of the tears now running down my face made me self conscious, and I blushed deeply. Edward trailed the tear streaks with kisses, once I thought I saw him lick my tears off his lips.
"Edward, I'm so sorry…I didn't know, I would have never read those books if I knew…" I trailed off, not wanting to say his name, knowing memories of my dream would engulf me.
"Of coarse you didn't know. It's not your fault Bella." his words rang pure to my ears. But guilt twisted his face, and fury.
"It's not your fault either." I said, reasoning with him. He had to blame himself for everything I did wrong.
Edward only nodded. There was a slight tap on the door, and seconds later, the whole Cullen clan was in Edward's room. I shifted uncomfortably, to sit up, but Edward wrapped his cool iron arms around me and sat me on his lap.
"Hi Bella!" Alice said, perky as ever. She glided over to me, and gave me a fierce hug.
"Hey kid!" Emmet said, giving me a friendly hit on the arm.
Carlisle chimed in, "Bella, you gave us quite a scare for awhile. I'm glad to see your okay."
I had almost forgotten that none of them had seen me since I passed out from my 'nervous breakdown' nearly three days ago.
"How are you dear?" Esme walked over, feeling my forehead with her palm, although her touch only made my forehead seem cooler.
"I'm fine, really." I stated, trying to be earnest. I scanned the room, studying the faces of the ones who loved me, my family. Jasper seemed a little nervous, so I gave him a little nod, indicating I was okay. He nodded back, and smiled.
Edward caught our little gesture, and smiled too, although I must say his was stunning.
"What the hell?" Emmet roared, noticing my indiscrete handprint bruise. He motioned to Carlisle, "look at Bella's neck!"
Quickly, Carlisle stepped over, lifting up the hair around my neck. His expression changed drastically to concern. He glanced over at Edward, who was now hunched over, rubbing his temples.
"Edward, what happened." he whispered quietly, sizing up the bruise on my neck.
"It was Lestat." he gave out a frustrated sigh, still rubbing his temples, thinking I suppose. Then he inhumanly snapped his head up at an impossible speed and glared at Alice.
"Alice you didn't see anything? You didn't see Lestat coming back?" his eyes piercing into hers. She only gave a deer-in-the-headlights look and said,
"No, I didn't. I'm sorry, he must have been blocking me out…" her voice trailed off in thought.
"But how? How the hell did he get in the house without us knowing?" Emmet barked. Rosalie, who had been standing in the doorway now moved to his side, rubbing his arms to calm his anger.
"He didn't," I squeaked, "he attacked me in my dreams." my voice audibly unnaturally calm.
"ouch!" I yelped, Edward jumped. Carlisle had been examining my neck, and pressed a little too hard around the fresh bruise.
Great, now I'll have another bruise!
Edward was running his fingers through my hair, to distract me from Carlisle.
Suddenly I remembered something….Charlie!
"Oh my god, Charlie! I've been gone for three days, he must think I'm dead in a ditch somewhere!" with my random explosion of thought, I suppose the vampires thought it was time for 'laugh at silly Bella'. Each one of them cracked a smile on their worried faces, and laughed freely.
"Don't worry about it sweetheart, Carlisle called your father and explained how sick you were, and that it would be better to stay with us for the week so Carlisle could watch over you." she was a little more composed in her laughter to tell me that.
"Oh." I sighed embarrassed at my actions, warmth of the next blush flooding my cheeks. Of coarse they would let Charlie know, they take care of me so well…
A thought occurred to me.
"Edward…If Lestat can attack me in my dreams…how am I going to sleep?" I voiced with curiosity and worry, for I was already feeling my eye lids droop from all the excitement.
All eyes were on me now, simultaneously thinking, trying to answer my question. All of their heavenly faces wrinkled in concern….well except Rosalie, of coarse.
Edward grazed my face with his icy fingertips, bringing my attention to his face only. His eyes hypnotic and sad, exhausted yet wired. I could get lost in those eyes.
And then he said what the others couldn't bring themselves to.
"Bella…you can't sleep. Not until we figure out how to stop him."
"oh no…" I breathed shakily, my voice a frightened child's, "this is just like the movie!" I buried my head in my arms, taking ragged breaths, trying not to pass out.
"Bella…?" I looked up at Edward, his face amused, his eyes solemn.
"You know, that Freddy Kruger movie, where he kills everyone in their sleep!" it really did scare me, to have one of the scariest movies, one of the biggest fears of mine come true.
A tiny smile tugged at Edward's lips, as he pulled me close and held me. I remembered that everyone was still in his room, and looked up to search their faces, but they weren't there. That only made me hug Edward tighter, I felt his steady breaths of air on the top on my head, and relaxed. I was okay…I was with the one person in the world who I wanted to be with that exact moment. My muscles smoothed beneath his light touch….and I began to dose off….
