Artemis

Disclaimer: I own too little.

Chapter Eight

Bella

As the light prodded my most unwilling eyes open, I groaned. Not that my night's rest hadn't been amazing, which it had, but the memories of the previous day came rushing in, unwelcome. My first thought was to look for Edward. He'd been a constant presence until I'd fallen asleep, but now as I looked around I didn't see him. Slowly, I climbed out of the luxurious warmth and stepped onto the cold wooden floor. It creaked slightly at my weight, which I assumed a vampire's ears would hear and Edward would come running in, and I listened hard. Nothing. Frowning, I continued my venture into the hallway, peering around the door frame to see. Again, nothing. The halls were darkly lit, eerily empty. Strange, I thought, for a ship that supposedly help so many passengers. I followed the dreary trail, my bare feet padding softly on the wood until I approached a stairway. From it, narrow streams of light filtered in. An inhibited surge of excitement rolled through me as I realized that I'd stumbled upon the way to the deck. In my excitement I rushed up the stairs and threw the door open. Glorious sunshine bore down on me and I smiled, my eyes closing as I relished the warmth. This was what I'd craved! I held out my arms, allowing the rays to set on my bare skin. A booming voice interrupted my private moment I gasped, dropping my arms by side.

"So I see you got your way?" The voice was rumbling, gentle, and sounded amused. I opened my eyes to see the large man from the dock – the one that had been speaking with Jasper.

"Well, I suppose-" He laughed, a jovial sound that pleased my ears. I couldn't help but smile when this man laughed.

"I'm Emmett," he said casually, and then with a wide gesture, "And this is Artemis!"

"I know," I said, finally taking in my surroundings. The deck looked just like any picture that I had seen. A wide berth of wooden planks, masts that swung prideful in the wind. I sighed, my smile lingering.

"You're quite special," Emmett told me, his topaz eyes sparkling. I immediately met his gaze.

"How so?" I asked. "I'm nobody." Emmett laughed again, a trait that I realized he was probably known for, and then gestured towards me.

"Do you see any other humans up on deck?" I shook my head. He nodded.

"Matter of fact, Jasper and I are usually the only ones up here. Alice, sometimes… Rose, well…" Emmett's brows furrowed and he shrugged.

"Where are the other humans?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity. Emmett smirked.

"I think I'll let Edward tell you that," he said. "I've got to get back to Rose. I'm sure she's raising hell wherever she is." Emmett gave my shoulder a large squeeze, most likely meant to be gentle, and disappeared down the passage I'd used to get on deck. Once alone, I sank back into my personal pleasure, strolling around the edge of the ship and watching the toiling waves. I was deeply immersed by the time Jasper interrupted me.

"Hello, Bella." I turned at his quiet, velvety voice. My heart fell to my stomach, but I managed a reply.

"Hi." I blanched at the predatory gaze in his eyes, but I was against the railing. I had nowhere to go.

"You look appetizing. I should say the sun suits you well," Jasper commented. I shivered at a feeling so alien that I could only say that it wasn't my own. It was something between hunger and lust.

"Leave me alone." My voice, which I had hoped would sound strong and demanding, came out a breathy plea. Jasper smiled.

"Aw, we can have fun," he said. "If you'll just be calm." He was staring at me now, waiting for something. And then I felt it – my limbs went limp, my protests fell short. Suddenly I wanted nothing more than to just sit and talk to him.

"Yes," I whispered, "But I know you'll hurt me." Jasper frowned.

"Me? I'm harmless. Just come to my room," he soothed. On their own accord, my feet began to move. A tiny, nagging feeling began to seep into my nerves. Something was telling me stop. I suppose it was my subconscious. In any case, my feet stopped. And so did Jasper. He turned to me, his eyes narrowed.

"Why are you stopping?" The fear washed over me, anew, and I gasped.

"Get away from me!" I screamed. On instinct, I turned to run. Unfortunately, there was nothing in front of me but cold, blue ocean. I tumbled over the edge and hit the icy water before I had a chance to scream.

-

Edward

The girl I held in my arms was young – just over fifteen by the sound of her thoughts. To be quick I'd snapped her neck. Many times I was not so merciful. Truthfully blood tasted better when the victim was alive. Each scream pushed the blood faster and warmer. This girl… her thoughts were bothering me. She'd been thinking of her brothers, her mother, her father… I'd had to shut her out. Perhaps it was a reminder of my inability to read Bella's mind. I didn't know. Alice had said I hated not knowing – how right she was. I'd just laid the girl's limp body to the floor and scanned the crowd of fearful eyes when Alice burst in.

"Edward, come quick!" she commanded.

"What is it?" I asked, my mind immediately picturing Bella.

"Yes, it's her, come on." Without thought I followed Alice up to the deck – a trip that took less than three seconds.

"Edward-" That was Emmett, his voice resonating a guilt I knew didn't belong to him. I found Jasper immediately, crouched over Bella's drenched, lifeless body. Jasper too, was wet, but I barely noticed as I pushed past them all. My mind was racing with murderous rage as I glared at Jasper. Only Alice's calm melodic voice reminded me my purpose.

"Not now," she said softly. "CPR." I did as she told, telling myself that the electric feel of her lips on mine was simply my anger at Jasper and fear of her death. Nerves, or something. Regardless, when I felt her slight breath on my lips I nearly shouted with joy.

"Are you all right?" I asked, once her eyes were settled on my face. She was shivering violently, of course, but she nodded. Her gaze, though slightly unfocused, finally found my eyes, and she shut her eyes.

"G-Go away!" she cried, attempting to move herself.

"What?" I was genuinely confused by her behavior, until Emmett said –

"Your eyes, man." Ah. That made sense. They were blood red with my recent feed.

"Bella," I said gently, "I'm going to take you inside to get warmed up." She didn't fight me as I lifted her frail form into my arms. I called for Alice to follow me in my thoughts and she promptly fell into step behind me. As we descended the stairs I spoke to her.

"Did you tell him to leave her alone?" I asked harshly. Alice nodded.

"Yes, of course," she answered. "I'm not a fool."

"Then you saw this coming? Saw her falling overboard?" I bit out.

"Of course." Infuriated, I turned to yell at her and she smiled at me. "Temper, Edward," she warned. "You're carrying a fragile package."

"Why didn't you warn me?" Alice giggled, much to my chagrin.

"Because, silly, I knew that Jasper would save her!" I didn't say anything as I opened my bedroom door and placed Bella on my bed. "You need to undress her," Alice told me.

"What?"

"She needs warm clothes. Go in her bag and get some and I'll undress her." Numbly, I did as I was told, being sure not to look as Alice peeled Bella's wet dress off. Once she was dry and dressed I covered her up with my blankets.

"Do you think she'll be okay?" I asked, taking a seat by the bathroom door. The bathroom was purely for show - a reminder of Esme's humor. Alice nodded.

"She'll be fine," she promised.

"Well, if you don't handle Jasper I will," I said in a hard voice. Alice sighed.

"Really, Edward, I can't control Jasper and more than I can control you," she said.

"I suppose," I said darkly, "but I am planning on having a conversation with him. I want him to stay away from her. This isn't him just slipping up – this is him on a mission. He wants her." Alice nodded.

"I know." She started out the door.

"Thanks!" I called after her. Her broad smile startled me.

"What else are sisters for?" she asked brightly.

Thanks to Romance4ever and TwilightBorn. Your ideas gave me such inspiration for this chapter. Remember to click the little button and leave a review! I'd greatly appreciate it.