Chapter 8
None of these characters are mine... they belong to Stephenie Meyer, L. J. Smith and Charlaine Harris.
I rushed things along a bit last chapter, but I was in a hurry to get to this. I'm changing history a bit to fit my story. Plus this whole chapter will be from Bella's POV. Edward gets the museum.
For those of you who were commenting about this being Bella and Damon, there are quite a few parts in it that are just them. He's a little obsessed over her. I've got a total Damon/Bella fanfic in mind if anyone is interested let me know and I'll start it. It's sort of a prequel to this, much like my other stories.
BPOV
I went through my closet from top to bottom twice and still can't find anything appropriate for my date with Edward. Damon whistled, holding up a black leather mini dress by the straps with his thumbs.
"That would be more for a date with you, Damon, not Edward."
"Mmmmm… Does that mean you won't wear it? For me?" He tried his best innocent face, but I ignored him.
"You know I'm not that kind of girl, Damon." I told him.
"Oh, but dearest Isabella, I know you can be." He folded the dress over his arm and leaned against the door frame to watch me.
After a few minutes he pulled a pair of black skinny jeans out of my closet and held them up.
"These show off your assets very nicely and I think something blue for your top. It is by far your best color."
"Damon, how would you know about fashion? All you wear is black?" I asked, pulling out a royal blue sweater with a swooping neck that I hadn't worn in a while.
When I turned, Damon was only an inch away from me, "I know what I like. Stefan may see you as a possession to be protected until his final death, but I still see you as a healthy, beautiful and needful woman, my Isabella." He leaned forward, breathing softly on my neck as he whispered, "Never forget that."
I wanted to hit him, but his words had frozen me.
"Let me go, Damon," I said finally.
"Never," he looked deep in my eyes, bending to kiss me on the cheek. "If this Edward boy hurts you in any way, I promise that I will kill him, Isabella."
"He won't hurt me, Damon," I whispered.
He reached up and touched my cheek, closing his eyes and turning into a raven and flying out the window. While standing at the mirror, putting the final touches on my makeup I heard Stefan at the door.
"What am I to you, Stefan?" I asked him without turning around.
"Damon making you doubt again, I see." Having heard our conversation, I could see he was ready for my question. "You are my mother, my sister, and my daughter. You saved me when I was dying before you even knew me. You and Damon are the only family I have in this world and you, my dear, are the only connection I have with being human. Without your guidance I would have turned savage and been killed long ago. I want to be near you and protect you always."
"And love?"
"I do love you, Isabella. If you ever wished it I would become your lover, but I will never force that on you. You mean too much to me for me to do that."
After a long paused, I turned away from him. "Thank you, Stefan, for telling me. Please go."
He nodded and left. As he did, I sank in my chair, letting his words sink in. What was I thinking? If I went on a date with Edward it would hurt both of the men that I loved, yet both are encouraging it. Was it Edward's smell that attracted me? That was part of it, that's certain. There was the way his half smile lit his face and those green eyes. Ah yes, those eyes. When he talks it us like he has read too many romance novels and knows just what to say and how to say it. He makes me feel human again.
When the doorbell rang, Stefan answered the door and let Edward in, letting him know I'd be right down. I could no longer hear Damon anywhere in the house, but he was still close.
"Almost ready," I yelled, finishing my hair and slipping on my sandals.
As I came down the stairs, Edward met my eyes as I turned the corner. He looked amazing in his jeans and sweater. With a laugh I realized that we matched and said so. He laughed lightly at that. Edward offered me his arm.
"Shall we go, my lady?" Edward bowed slightly to me as I took his arm.
I laughed at him since he didn't know the irony of what he just said. We drove into Dallas for dinner at a fantastic Italian restaurant. The food was quite excellent. Stefan was quiet all through dinner, but spoke up once we had finished.
"You said you needed to talk to me, Bella. What would you like to talk about?" He asked curiosity plain on his face.
I looked around nervously, "Not here. This is something I'd like to share in private."
"As you wish," he looked over to me, with his chin on one elbow. We sat and talked quietly about his family for a while before he looked at his watch. "We should go, the movie starts soon."
I nodded, standing without taking his hand. We walked over to where the movie was, since it was only a few blocks away. On the way I felt someone watching me. Searching out with my emotions I found someone with extreme hatred, but I also found Stefan very close. Damon was nowhere to be found. The movie was wonderful, but I paid more attention to Edward's nearness. At some point in the movie, he put his hand out for me. At first I avoided his hand like he had the plague, but finally unable stand it anymore, I took his hand. When our hands met, I felt like I had been energized with electricity. As his body went rigid I knew that he felt it too.
I have to tell him.
"Tell me what, Bella?" he asked, answering my thought.
Instantly I put my shields up. I hadn't been thinking about them at all since they usually worked no matter what, but with Edward touching me, I let him in unknowingly.
"After the movie, I promise." I whispered, dreading that moment, but knew I had to tell him if we were to go forward.
Once outside the theater, I was overwhelmed with emotions of hatred and anger. Most of the thoughts were to hunger, capture and destroy.
"No," I whispered, "Edward, I have to get you out of here. Now!"
"Bella, what's going on?" he asked me.
It was totally dark now. I should have known better than to be out here after dark. What was I thinking? Every vampire in town will be attracted to me.
"Not now, Edward, I've got to get you out of here now before it's too late."
He pulled me back to a stop, "Bella, there's nothing out there. There's nothing to be afraid…. Wait, what is that?"
As he was talking I could hear the growls growing all around me. They were getting closer and closer as he spoke.
"That is what I wanted to tell you, but not this way." I said quietly, then added even quieter, "Not this way."
A flash of red and she was there, "Aro sends his regards, my lady. He wishes for you to rejoin him or suffer the consequences."
"Who are you?" Edward asked, not too nicely either.
"They call me Victoria. I scout the areas that my masters tell me to. That is how I found Isabella here and told them where to find her. I have been looking for her for over a hundred years now."
"No." I whispered, then louder, "I already told Aro no and I do not intend on going back. Too many people have been hurt already."
"He said you would not come quietly, but heed my words, princess, you will join him one way or another." She tapped her fingers together, "How about we get rid of your human friend here before we discuss this further. I hate having such an audience."
I growled low in my throat, standing before Edward, "You leave him alone!"
She laughed, "Protective of a mere human. Oh, my dear Isabella, you have changed. Out of my way!"
When she lunged at Edward, I caught her midair and tackled her to the ground. She barred her fangs at me, hissing and biting my arm before we landed hard. Spinning out of her reach, ignoring my arm, I stood protectively in front of Edward.
"Bella! You're bleeding!" He yelled from behind me.
I growled at the advancing vampires who were now hunting me for my smell. Twelves of them all jumped on me at once, biting into separate parts of me in bloodlust. I screamed and fell back, lost in the pain.
"Bella!!" Edward yelled, running forward, but I could hear Stefan finally arrive with Damon not too far behind.
"You idiots!! We need her alive!!" I heard Victoria somewhere beyond the others.
"Don't move," I heard Stefan tell Edward as I heard a snap and one of the vampires let go of me. Slowly Damon and Stefan made their way through the vampires, killing them as they were pulled from me; even Victoria pulled one off of me and killed it.
"Stupid newborns," she growled, but when she saw only Damon and Stefan standing over me, both looking deadly as could be, she ran with Damon at her heels.
I felt Stefan leaning next to me and Edward on the other side, but I couldn't move. I had lost too much blood.
"Stefan…" I looked up at him pleadingly.
Without biting it, he offered his arm to me. I took a gently bite and felt instantly better as his blood hit my tongue. As my eyes came into focus I realized how close Edward was to me and saw the shock on his face. He didn't run from me though, which was even more of a surprise. Stefan put his hand behind my head, pulling me so I could sit up against him while his body cradled mine; one arm wrapped around my waist while the other fed me. I could see the bite marks closing before my eyes and let out a sigh of relief as the last ones closed.
"I'm so sorry." I told them both. This was all my fault. I should have known better… especially with Aro knowing where I am. How could I have been so stupid?!? I wanted to scream at myself but a soft voice brought me up short.
"Bella."
I looked up at Edward, his eyes full of wonder.
"Bella, are you going to be okay?" His voice was shaky, but I could feel only worry from him. There was no panic and no hate.
"She needs Damon's blood to heal properly." Stefan answered him.
"I'm here. She went north out of the city." Damon stepped out of the shadows behind Edward, "Here, let me have her." He said, taking me from Stefan and sitting, holding me in much the same position. "Bite, my love."
I wanted to hit Damon for his words, but I was still weak and needed him. I bit into him hard instead, growling into his arm as he hissed at the pain. "That's it, Isabella. Heal."
When I had had enough, I threw my head back and licked my lips, wiping the blood from my lips. It took a few minutes until my head cleared enough for me to stand.
"Bella," Edward only looked at me in wonder, his eyes never leaving me. "Is this what you wanted to tell me?"
I nodded, "Yes. I am so sorry for putting you through this, Edward. We should leave now before she comes back."
Damon and Stefan helped me stand, but I still leaned on Damon heavily for a few moments before I gained my balance. Damon put me in the back seat with Edward, while he and Stefan took the front. They drove back to the boarding house and went inside, leaving me a few minutes with Edward alone.
"You're not afraid of me?" I asked Edward, not really believing the emotions I received from him.
"Should I be? All I saw was the most beautiful woman in the world trying to protect me from being attacked by a bunch of bloodthirsty vampires. Sure, the blood part is a bit gross, but from what I've read there are now ways around it. I knew you were different from other people, Bella. Ever since I noticed I couldn't read your mind, I knew. But you knew about that part too? Did you do that to me?"
I was surprised at how calm he was about this, "You were able to do it before I ever touched you, Edward. I just made it so you were stronger. It's part of my power and why people want me so much. I'm sure by now you've noticed I don't exactly smell like a regular person either, but not like Damon or Stefan either."
"You smell like flowers almost, very sweet. I thought it was a perfume or a shampoo or something. It's intoxicating."
I nodded, "To a vampire, that smell is irresistible unless the vampire is very old. Newborns often attack before they realize what they smell. Usually I could hold off many vampires, but they took me by surprise before I could act. I was a fool to come into town and I'm sorry to put you through this, Edward."
"How old are you?" he asked quietly.
"Seventeen," I answered automatically.
"How long have you been seventeen?" he responded.
It's time… I thought, taking an unnecessary breath before beginning.
"I was born in Italy in 385. My father was Theodosius and my mother Aelia Pulcheria. When I was born my parents hid me away from the world, thinking something was evil in me when things started happening around me. Monsters would attack at night and try to take me even as an infant. The palace guards were sent to protect me even in broad daylight. As I grew older I began to understand the emotions of others around me and in some causes influence how they felt. In many cases that aided in lessening the creature attacks. When I turned seventeen, I snuck out of the palace and into a deserted street. That's where I met a man who was no ally to the Empire. He ran me through with a sword and left me for dead, claiming my likeness with the Emperor made me part of the Empire. I never found out who it was that turned me or why, nor do I know if he knew my true identity."
Edward nodded quietly to let me know he was still listening.
"Years later I found out that man had been executed my by father for treason."
"So that's why you laughed when I called you my lady. That is your title, is it not, princess."
"My family's rule has been over for centuries, Edward. I don't think I qualify anymore."
He laughed, "You're kidding right? Have you seen how everyone acts around you? It's almost as if they can't function without your leadership. You may not be a princess of Italy anymore, but you most certainly are the queen of the school."
I looked at him carefully, taking in his emotions, "You're taking this well, Edward. I think you may be in shock."
"Not exactly shock, Bella, or should I call you Isabella?"
"I think we should stick to Bella. I wouldn't be comfortable with Caroline or Matt calling me Isabella."
He laughed again, "How about when we're alone?" He reached up to touch my face, but I pulled back. "Why do you do that?"
I bit my lip and decided truth would be best, "When we're alone I think I'd like for you to call me Isabella. As for this," I held up my hand, "When I touch people it's like opening a window to them. I feel everything they feel and something things happen to them. Powerful and magical things."
He offered his hand, "I'm willing to take that chance if it means I could touch you. Are you willing to let me?"
When I reached out and took his hand tentatively I shivered at the shock that coursed through my body. I could read Edward as clear is if he had opened his mind to me. There was no anger, no confusion and no doubt, only wonder, curiosity and love. I turned my head, not daring to believe it, but it was there. I opened my shields, so Damon and Stefan wouldn't hear my question.
Do you love me, Edward?
"With all that I am, Isabella," he responded to my thought automatically.
Even though I am… this?
He laughed lightly, "I guess I have a thing for older women."
That sent me into a fit of laughter. He laughed with me until he caught a stray thought.
"Your secret is safe with me, Isabella. If you like I will swear it on my blood."
I closed my mind off to him, regretting that thought instantly, knowing he wouldn't tell anyone. The thought of him revealing my secret did scare me, but tomorrow it wouldn't matter either way.
"I insist," he touched my chin, raising my eyes to meet his. "Please, Isabella, let me do this."
My only response was to open my mouth slightly as Edward's fingers grazed my lips. My fangs extended slowly as his fingers touched them, carefully slicing the side of his finger open. Only one drop of blood touched my lips, but it was enough. My face transformed and I pulled back from him.
"No more. Please." I pulled back from him as far as the car would allow.
"What did I do?" he asked me.
"I haven't had human blood since Stefan and Damon were turned. I don't think I could hold back if I had more than just a drop. I'm sorry, Edward."
"Don't be sorry, Isabella." He kissed my hand. "I better go. We have a long day tomorrow. One last thing… how do you go out in the daylight?"
I reached up to touch my necklace, gasping when it wasn't there. In panic, I searched all around me.
"My necklace, where is it?" I asked him in panic. Damon appeared at the door, "Damon, please go search the attack area for my necklace. And hurry."
He only nodded, disappearing into the night.
"Your necklace is what makes you walk in the daylight? What will happen without it?" he asked me curiously.
"You really don't want to know, Edward. Go home. We'll take care of this. "
I got out of his car and stood on the porch waiting for Damon with Stefan right next to me, hand in mine. Edward stayed for a few more minutes watching us and then drove away. I knew he didn't want to leave, but this was something I wasn't ready to share with him. When Damon appeared, he was empty handed.
"It wasn't there, Bella." He took off his ring, placing it on my hand, "Take this for tomorrow. Then we'll hunt her down and take it back." He closed my fingers over the ring.
Please remember the green button… updates may slow down a little after this one.
