Twilight owned by S. Meyer. Beta'd by Midnight Cougar.


Chapter 8

Her legs dangling freely in the air, Bella enjoyed the view from her precarious perch atop the mountainside. Both she and Edward sat there for a while in companionable silence, Bella's earlier blood rage long since worn off with her last kill.

The mountain lion certainly quenched her thirst much better than the deer. And having both of them within a short time didn't hurt either.

"It's absolutely breathtaking up here," she spoke quietly, her eyes taking in the forest trees as far as she could see. The sun was starting to set, filling the sky with hues of orange and red.

"It really is," Edward replied back. "It's nice to get away from the city life for a while and satisfy your thirst at the same time."

Edward had never been to Demetri's before, but he had come to this forest to hunt. It was the nearest secluded area with the best game and he often came here for a quick meal.

"So those other two men are vampires too?" Bella asked in disbelief; her mind starting to put all of the pieces together as she came to grips with this new species. "Even the old guy? How is that possible?"

Edward nodded his head and continued, "It seems Demetri was turned very late in life. Of his own choosing actually, which is quite rare, but he asked for it and Carlisle accepted."

"Why would anyone ask for this?" Bella questioned incredulously. She couldn't fathom any scenario where she would want to become a monster.

Edward stole a glance at Bella, and even though her voice held a tint of disgust, her stature was poised, curiosity flooding her face. He looked back out to the horizon as he spoke.

"He was dying, which isn't unusual to turn on your deathbed, but Demetri's lifespan was uncertain. You see, Demetri had cancer and it was spreading quickly. He begged Carlisle to change him."

"But I don't understand how becoming a vampire would help?"

"When a vampire transformation takes place the venom that fills the body not only marbleizes your skin and crystallizes it for immortality, but it also heals your wounds…inside and out. Demetri took a huge chance that it would heal the cancer which would eventually kill him anyway, and came out of it completely cured."

Bella was in shock as she heard this tragic story with a somewhat happy ending. She still couldn't imagine choosing this life, but if there was no other choice apart from death, then maybe she would have. But there was no reason to dwell on such thoughts, she hadn't chosen and would never get the opportunity to do so.

She let out a small sigh. "I'm glad it worked out for him. It must be pretty amazing to know you will never be sick again."

"For Demetri it was an easy choice, and he continues to live his life pretty much exactly how he did before becoming a vampire. He just doesn't cook the meat of the animals he kills anymore."

Bella was deep in thought for several minutes, the two of them watching the sun set and the sky darken with the sharpest of eyes. It was incredible to listen to the forest coming alive with the night life. Animals settling in their homes, owls hooting in the distance, and bats flying low over head.

"Why me?" Bella asked Edward quietly. "If you don't usually drink human blood, why did you drink mine?"

It was Edward's turn to sit in silence for a moment, trying to think of the easiest way to explain it. Until the other day, it was all but a myth, even to him. He never had the desire to drink someone's blood so intensely before meeting Bella.

"At first I wasn't sure," Edward spoke slowly; he didn't want to scare her away any more. "I felt drawn to you in a physical sense; even though I knew it was dangerous. I had human interactions in the past, but they were few and far between. I was always careful not to go too far, physically or otherwise. "

Something about Edward's tone made Bella intrigued. He was so calm, yet passionate as he spoke.

"But with you," he glanced briefly in her direction, "it was different. It was as if your blood and your body were calling to me. I had no control over it, your blood was the sweetest scent I had ever smelled and I longed to consume it."

He paused for a moment, remembering the night that changed both of their lives forever. Her, with her undesired transformation. Him, with the guilt that came with it and the hope that she would someday forgive him.

"My people call it 'la tua cantante' and I, for one, never believed it existed. Until now, that is."

"What does it mean?" she whispered softly.

"It means, 'your singer' and it is said that the human's blood calls only to you. I thought it was merely a fairy tale told to bring hope of love to vampires. But Carlisle and I both agree that is the reason I lost control that night. I was powerless."

Against her will, Bella started to feel her insides soften toward this man. She looked down at her lap, unable to make eye contact as she spoke. "I know what you mean."

Edward's eyes flashed to hers, but all he could see were her eyelashes covering her beautiful alabaster cheeks. Dare her words bring the hope he so much desired? He knew she was meant to be his mate, the only person he would share his life with for all eternity. But would she feel the same? Would she want to stay with him? He still wasn't sure how well she was handling all of this change. Her mood swings were practically giving him whiplash.

Finally, she looked up into his searing, yellow eyes. "I feel the same way about you. You are my singer."


Le sigh. I love these guys! And I love you guys reading and reviewing too! And I really love Midnight Cougar who encourages me and makes me smile with her notes.

Only a couple chapters left!