Bloodtrance

Chapter Ten

Disclaimer: I am-unfortunately- not the owner of the Twilight Series, and am therefore not Stephanie Meyer. I am merely using her characters to write a fanfic of my own. The plot is of course mine, and Karl the evil vampire. It's a shame; he's such a hot character. :)

A/N: Hello again chums! OMG thank so much for the reviews. Booster to carry on or WHAT?! :). I will take your opinions on board! Here is the tenth chapter. It leads straight on from the last one; I just had to split it up a bit so it left you in suspense for a few days. :) Sorry, won't happen often.

Oh and to the question about what the creatures were at the end of EPOV… I can't tell you. ;P Sorry, but you'll find out soon enough what they are! Tee hee I love giving surprises.

Enjoy chapter ten. :P

BPOV

"Bella? Honey, are you okay?" I blinked furiously, trying to focus again. Alice and I had been walking round the garden for some time now; she had shown me all the different orchards around the river, her mother's flowerbeds of rhododendrons, pansies, roses and lilies. It was a beautiful garden of course, packed with wildlife and nature, but my mind was elsewhere. I was still thinking out about what had happened with Edward. Surely he must have seen me approaching. It had happened so fast, that I doubt he even had time to catch me. Maybe I had been too harsh by yelling at him like that…

"Bella?" I jumped and looked up at Alice, who was ahead of me, standing by the river, the house just ahead. We were underneath a veil of the trees branches; they had been grown in such a way that the opposite trees created a long arch above my head, shielding me. Alice looked back at me, her eyes filled with concern. I wonder, what she was thinking about me?

"C-coming," I mumbled as I made towards her, folding my arms. She smiled warmly as I approached, looking down at my stiletto boots.

"Are your heels sinking into the soil?" she asked me softly. I looked down at my boots, raising the heel. They weren't that covered in mud, but it wasn't exactly easy to walk along soil in stiletto boots. Luckily the path underneath the trees was concrete, so I was okay where I was. I shook my head in reply.

Alice pouted. "Mine are, I hate it when they do. We should go inside soon." She took my arm just as I stood beside her. We walked in silence, the sound of the gentle river in the background. I could tell she knew I was pissed off, but I wasn't going to speak. The less I said, the calmer I would be. Edward had gone and ruined my mood. Again.

"Ah hell! You've cut yourself!" Alice suddenly squealed, and her hands flew to my cheek. I felt a slight stinging as she pocked around my cheek with her finger. When had I cut myself?

"Guess he must have bumped into me pretty hard," I said simply, shrugging my shoulders. "Is it big?"

"Not at all," Alice assured me, linking her arm with mine again. "It's almost dried up now."

I sighed deeply, my shoulders slumped. "Bastard," I murmured under my breath. Alice must have heard me; she giggled slightly, shaking her head.

"He's not doing very well with you is he?" she sighed. I could do nothing but snort softly in reply. What could I say? Her brother was a dick. Full stop.

I stared down at my feet as she led me across the garden, being very cautious with her actions, as though I would strike her if she moved too quickly. I heard take a breath in beside me and I braced myself for a sister-supporting-brother's-idiotic-behaviour talk.

"Bella," she began, her voice turning soft and sympathetic. "I know you must be really confused right now with everything going on, and with Edward acting…strange towards you…"

"You mean he doesn't act like that all the time?" I interrupted her, genuinely curious. So it was only me he acted so weird to. Was it the way I smelt?

"No not really, I've never seen him act so…nervous before," Alice told me. Looking at her from the corner of my eye, I could see she was frowning with somewhat confusion. "I guess he must really like you." She glanced down at me, smiling warmly. I looked away, caught off my guard. Why was she being so warm towards him? She must have seen what had happened; he didn't even bother helping me up for Christ's sakes!

"How's your back?" she asked me after an awkward few seconds of silence.

"Tender," I replied gloomily. She laughed softly at the tone of my voice, and I could hear her shake her head in wonder. Before I could prepare myself, Alice and I were suddenly indoors again, and she was gently leading me through the kitchen - which was huge by the way - towards the corridor under the stairs. I brought myself back to my senses and held firmly still. Alice jolted to a stop in shock.

"Bella?" she looked genuinely confused as to why I didn't want to go through there. The memory was still very clear on my mind- so was the pain for that matter, both physical and mental. I shook my head slowly and exaggeratedly, as to emphasise my point. She understood then, and her shoulders slumped down with a large sigh of mild frustration. She released me and pushed herself up on a worktop table in the middle of the spacious kitchen. She moved up, and gestured for me to sit next to her. I hesitated at first, wondering whether it was a trick to get me closer to the door, but then remembering Alice's character, or what I knew of it anyway; she would never do that. I moved towards her and hoisted myself onto the space beside her. Her hand was on my almost instantly. Do you know how much I despise awkward silences? They leave you on the spot, and make you feel so small and stupid; worse than having the principal stare at you through his or her spectacles when you're in trouble. I peered down at the floor, feeling more uncomfortable than ever, since Alice was probably about to tell me I was a chicken and to get over it.

"Bella, do you love Edward?" she asked me. My heart missed at least three beats. I wasn't expecting that at all. I looked over at Alice, unable to cover my shock at the question. She lifted her hands up, palms forwards. "I didn't mean to ask you so openly Bella," she defended herself. "I just want to know how you feel about him. Did it hurt you when he shouted at you at the party- I mean like right here-" she pressed her hand over my heart. "-when he didn't help you up from the ground before?"

She had somehow gotten a wet cloth and was dabbing at the cut on my cheek. I couldn't feel much, so it obviously wasn't that bad. I was speechless for a moment or so, hardly believing what was being asked of me. Then the emotions took over me again. I felt the anger and sorrow surge through me so fast; it was like venom in my veins.

"I thought so differently about him before," I started off, my voice barely a whisper. "He looked so handsome, so calm and collected. And when he rescued me…that just improved my opinion of him. And what pains me the most Alice is I-" I fought back the emerging tears, my voice so quiet now, I wondered how Alice was managing to hear me. "I…I…I seriously thought he could be the one."

A single tear betrayed me of my emotions, trickling down my cheek and resting on my hand. Alice nodded once, her frown emerging again. She was thinking of something. Oh god, what had I done?

"Right…" she said thoughtfully, looking out into the garden, her thin brow puckered. "Right…" she repeated and then leapt down from the counter, pulling me with her. I yelped at her sudden action, and before I could stop her she was hauling me down the corridor towards the living room. I fought back a little too late.

"Bella, this is what you guys need!" Alice cried urgently, smiling so widely I could just about see the corners. What the hell did that mean- 'this is what we need'? Alice suddenly stopped just underneath the grand stairs in the main hall. Her hazelnut eyes were lit with excitement. Had I missed something?

"Bella, you've just told me quite blatantly that you absolutely adore him—"

"I said no such—!" I began.

She interrupted me. "AND he's told me already that he wanted to set things right between you two…so… whether you like it or not, I'm going to park both your backsides down on that sofa to set things straight! You're just not getting it, neither of you are! You like each other, so what's all this frickin' fuss about! Just get it sorted!"

I gaped at her for a moment, wondering what the hell that outburst was for. She looked almost out of breath from saying it. But as her words, began to sink in, I began to realise that she was actually the one talking sense. I liked him, I mean really liked him, at the point that I was almost in love with him, and by the sounds of it, he liked me too- despite the way he'd been acting towards me. This was my chance to question him and set things straight between us. Hell, she was right! What the hell was I doing?

I sped past Alice, my fists clenched at my sides with pure determination. Edward had a lot of explaining to do. Alice was right behind me, and by the sounds of it, very excited; I could hear her clapping her hands together behind me, like a young child awaiting a surprise. I closed my eyes and grabbed for the door handle. Set things right…he did wrong, but this is the time to set things right…

I pulled down the handle and pushed it open, walking inside…

And Edward Cullen was sitting at the sofa, his hands in his face. As soon as I opened the door, his head shot up in shock. His eyes- if shocked at first- turned almost frightened… and nervous, an emotion I had never imagined could grace his face before. Jasper was sitting opposite him in an armchair, looking back and forth at his brother and myself, his expression excited. I guess he and Alice share a similar trait. Yet another awkward silence came upon us, at which I stared over at Edward, somewhat embarrassed at seeing him so suddenly. His stare back at me was confusing; I couldn't tell whether he was trying to tell me something, or trying to read my own expressions.

Alice- as I kinda predicted she would- broke the silence with a frustrated snort. "Oh for pities sake you two!" she cried, giving me a hard push further into the room. "Get it sorted! You'll be great together!"

Edward looked slightly uncomfortable, his hands held tightly together on his lap. God he looked amazing! Alice surprised me by grabbing hold of my arm firmly and hauling me forwards. Jasper leapt up from the armchair- his expression amused- to allow Alice to dump me in it. She squeezed my arm with assurance.

"Have fun," she told me before releasing me and turning away. WHAT? She was leaving me?!

"Wh—?" was all I managed to say, before she and Jasper left the room, closed the door behind them. I held completely still, half-risen from my seat, in attempt to follow after Alice, my hands shaking uncontrollably. I was on my own in a room with the one guy who had made me cry for nights on end; who made me have nightmares of vampires and creatures of the dark, and made me remember the night with Karl, clear as the day. I was so tempted to leap up and punch him, it was unbearable.

"Bella," his velvety voice suddenly spoke to me, breaking the silence with its deadly chill. I shuddered slightly, the anger surging in. I hope he was ready for a lashing, verbal or otherwise.

"Bella, won't you sit down?"

I took a deep breath, remembering Alice's words, and slumped back down on the armchair, peering down at the floor. Silence again, man how awkward this was! I had never felt so uncomfortable in my life! I heard Edward take a breath, as though he were about to speak. The anger surged.

"Tell me Edward," I began, my voice putrid. "What exactly are you trying to do to me?" I looked up, my anger burning strongly in my heart, the fury taking over me. Edward opened his mouth, his face pleading. He then closed it again, not knowing how to reply. Good, more chance for me to have my say.

"The moment I saw you," I continued, this time looking right at him, wanting him to know exactly how I felt. "In the woods on the way home, I felt something special for you. Not like the other guys I have met. It took a while with those people, and even then, I didn't end up with them. But you, oh no, there was almost an instant captivation. You had me from the very beginning."

I paused, allowing him to take it all in, watching his eyes light up with a mixture of emotions. Horror, confusion, realisation, pain.

"I met your brother Jasper on the day I joined Alaska High," I carried on, my eyes fixed on him, watching his every move. "He looked so much like you, and I was scared. I was scared that you were in my high school, because I knew if you were, you'd interrupt my entire focus on school. I was nervous to meet you again, not an emotion you can easily extract from me, but you did.

"I guess on the night of the welcoming party, you were all I was thinking of. I couldn't wait to see you again. It was all that was on my mind, not the performance. I hadn't prepared for—you." Edward was looking more and more traumatised as I spoke. He still didn't speak though. I persisted.

"I stayed close to Victoria, she had promised she'd tell me when you'd arrived, apparently she knows you quite well because you used to go to our high school. I was desperate to see you, talk to you, get to know you I suppose…"

Edward's mouth began to quiver slightly, as though he were about to cry. That triggered my own tears. I fought them back, and carried on speaking.

"When I saw you, I was suddenly nervous, and I wasn't feeling too well anyway, the last thing I wanted to do was puke on you. So I asked Victoria to stay with you whilst I went to get a bit of fresh air. I hadn't meant to stray off too far, but I seriously wasn't up for noise. So I went into the woods. There's I spot I like to go where the moonlight seems in through a large gap in the trees. Never for the life of me, did I even think anyone else knew of it. Then Karl came, he appeared out of nowhere! I had been curious from the very beginning. Then he started to touch me; that triggered a warning flag inside me. I called for help, pretty sure no one would hear me…"

I watched as Edwards' expression darkened as I spoke of Karl, his eyes narrowing to fine slits of pure fury. I chose to ignore that and carried on. I was getting to the best part anyway.

"And then, you came," I sighed, looking over at him with hidden passion. His eyes widened at the tone of my voice, and his expression lightened. He was under my gaze. "I had been so scared, but you saved me. I felt so grateful, so touched by your appearance; I didn't know what to say to you."

Edward blinked frantically, his mouth slightly open. "Bella—," he whispered. But I had to finish first, have my say.

I interrupted him. "And then you shouted at me, yelled so forcefully at me, as though you had totally forgotten what I had just gone through. I was so shocked, it hurt me so much. I thought that all I had thought of you was false. A lie."

"I didn't know you lived there Bella!" Edward cried, his voice pained and desperate. I stared him, my breathing becoming uneven. "I had no idea you were a host of the party—"

"I'm not really sure how that would have made a difference Edward!" I cried, lifting my hands in the air with frustration. "If you cared for me, you wouldn't have done it anyway—!"

"It was extremely foolish of you to go out in the dark like that!" Edward shouted back, his voice turning firmly, more like the Edward I knew. "If you had any common sense, you wouldn't have gone out there in the first place—"

"How was I to know there was a godforsaken vampire in my front garden?!" I yelled indignantly, my fists clenched. Edward opened his mouth, but nothing came out. I waited, slightly breathless. What did he have to say to that then?

He sighed, shaking his head slowly. I began to grow impatient. "Did you not consider that anyone as well as anything could be out there in the woods, in the dark?" he asked me softly. It was mine turn to open and close my mouth like a fish. I had no idea what to say to that. It had never crossed my mind at all. Not once that night. There were so many people there already.

"I thought not," I heard him murmur under his breath quietly. That touched a nerve.

"So what about earlier on today then, Cullen?" I hissed softly, hoping to sound cold. He looked taken aback, so perhaps it worked. I continued. "What about the incident a moment ago, when you knocked me to the ground, then didn't bother helping me up?"

Edward looked almost embarrassed, which surprised me slightly. He looked away at the carpeted floor, guiltily. So he knew he was at fault!

"Oh, so you know you were in the wrong then?" I cried, looking right at him, my blood boiling. He looked up, his eyes pained. I ignored them. That look wasn't going to stop me. It only served as fuel to carry on.

"So why didn't you then Edward?" I asked him, my voice rising with every syllable. "Why couldn't you be fucked to help me up—"

"I already told you I had meant to catch you—" Edward said through clenched teeth. That did it.

"But you DIDN'T!" I screamed, standing straight faster than I thought I could without getting a head rush. Edward up at me in shock, his eyes wide and worried. Why did he have to be so beautiful?!

"YOU DIDN'T, DID YOU EDWARD!" I yelled down at him, my eyes burning with approaching tears. "YOU DIDN'T CATCH ME, AND YOU DIDN'T HELP ME UP EITHER! WHY IS THAT EDWARD? WHAT THE HELL HAVE I EVER DONE TO YOU?"

"Nothing. NOTHING!" Edward suddenly roared and he stood up too. I fell back into the armchair in horror. He was suddenly so terrifying, as though he were going to attack me. I watched as slowly, his face composed itself, and his eyes calmed to a lighter green. He sighed deeply and sunk into the sofa.

"I'm sorry Bella," his voice was barely a whisper; I had to strain my ears to hear him. "I'm really sorry I hurt you so much. I hadn't meant to scare you at the party, I truly didn't I was just… angry and myself, for not getting there quick enough. Any later, and he would have killed you, and maybe done something worse before that."

I shuddered at the memory of his touch, his penetrating eyes, and his silky voice. I had been so scared. I waited for Edward to continue, too worn out to argue back. I wanted him to have his say anyway.

"I had shouted at you because it had been so close," Edward explained, his eyes pleading with me to understand. "I was so glad you were safe, but at the same time angry that you had been so…naïve of what's out there. I hadn't meant to scare you, I was just trying to emphasise how I felt about you. Obviously… it, er, didn't work." He smiled softly at me, and I felt my mouth immediately stretch into a small, nervous smile. I had thought so differently about what he thought of me. What was this feeling I could suddenly sense?

"And as for today…" Edward sighed, shaking his head in what I thought was shame. "It was a very unmanly thing to do, hell, it was a very unhumanly thing to do!"

"Inhumane," I corrected him automatically. "It's…it was a very inhumane thing to do."

"Right," he laughed, his perfect pearly teeth flashing as his smiled. I couldn't help but smile back. It was like a trigger to my own emotions. Then all of a sudden, we were both laughing, whether it was at him, or myself, I didn't know, or care for that matter. The fact was I had forgiven him, and it felt good to finally laugh with him, rather than yell at him. It felt very good indeed.

Edward leapt up from his seat and came over towards me. I was taken aback at first, but that turned to shock when he bent on one knee beside me.

"Steady on," I began, but Edward shook his head, smiling warmly.

"It's not what you think," he assured. "Don't worry, I'm not going to rush you." I blushed at that. I'd only just forgiven him!

"Watch it pal," I warned him, playfully narrowing my eyes. He laughed loudly, his voice pure and delicate, almost like music.

"So can you forgive me then?" he asked me, his eyes glinting brilliantly. We had never been this close before-ah okay maybe not; I had been lying across him once before. "I'm not sure how this works but once you forgive me, do I ask you out on a date?" He said the word as though he didn't understand it. I held back a laugh.

"No idea," I replied, smiling down at him. "But yes, I forgive you." Edward smile turned warm and silky, and I gasped as he pulled into an embrace on his chest. He smelled just like he did before, sweet and delicious. I was so tempted to stay there forever.

"YAY!" Alice squealed suddenly. Edward and I broke apart in shock. Alice was practically bouncing up and down in excitement, clapping her hands together like a small child. I found it hard to believe she was older than me. Jasper was beside her, leaning against the doorframe, his smile amused. Alice ran forwards and hugged us both in turn, giving me kiss on the cheek.

"I told you, didn't I!" she cried triumphantly. "I told you you'd forgive each other! It's meant be!" Edward and I glanced over at each other, smiling slightly. I felt the connection just within the way we looked at each other. I really truly was starting to fall in love. It felt strange, like I wanted nothing more than to stay in his arms, and the rest of the world, just to be with him. Strange. I noticed the small grandfather clock on the mantelpiece of the fire. Shit. I needed to meet mom. At half one she had said. I had just under ten minutes.

"Shit, I gotta go!" I yelled and leapt up from the armchair with a smile. Edward rose with me, his expression shocked. Jasper looked confused. Alice, on the other hand, looked horrified.

"But… but," she began. I shook my head, shaking her off.

"Either that, or my mom grounds me," I told her as I stepped out of the living room.

"I'll see you another time," she conceded. I laughed and gave Jasper a one armed hug. I hauled on my leather jacket as I headed for the front door. Edward was there before me somehow, opening it for me, his eyes gazing at me with sadness. It was a very pitiful, adorable face, I have to admit.

"Do you really have to go?" he asked me sadly, his lips slightly pouted. I fought back the laughter.

"I'm afraid so," I told him, smiling warmly. "Could you open the gates for me?"

He nodded, but didn't move, looking at me thoughtfully. I waited patiently.

"I'll drive you home," he said finally.

"No," I told him firmly. He was slightly taken aback by that comment. I laughed at him, shaking my head. Always quick to assume the worst.

"I'm meeting my mother just down the road," I explained to him. "She said she was coming back from a set that way so she would pick me up. I'll be fine."

I leaned over and kissed his cheek softly. It was so soft against my lips, yet cold as ice. I walked away, smiling triumphantly; his eyes widened with shock at my action.

"Do I get to see you soon?" he called out to me. The gates began to screech open.

"Maybe," I yelled over the groan of the metal. "Bye Edward!"

I walked straight through the gates without looking back, feeling so good and warm inside. I had finally forgiven him; it felt great to know all the anger had gone. I had told him everything. It was over, and I seriously hoped, as Alice had said moments before that it were true.

That we were meant to be.

EPOV

The spot where her lips had touched my skin was still warm and sensitive. It was over; she had forgiven me. For that, I was gratified. Now, it was only the beginning for the relationship of my life.

Bella.

Wahay! Bella and Edward are finally together! Sorry for the delay with the relationship, I just wanted it to grow slowly!