Every footstep that I took on the hard, wooden floorboards resounded in my ears, like stone slamming into stone. The rope I held in my hands felt heavy, despite my supernatural strength. I walked slowly towards the large living room, feeling as though I was carrying a noose. And in some ways I was.
The guilt that I had felt previously still flowed through me now, searing my insides like a branding iron. My mind would not allow me to feel any other emotion. Somewhere, deep inside me, was the belief that I was to blame for all that had befallen Bella. I'd always had some measure of self-loathing inside of me, and all this did was increased that loathing further.
I knew that my exaggerated guilt was stupid. Esme had tried to convince me of this many times, and, deep down I knew it was true. It was not I that was to blame for Bella's possession; it was Wyndam. Wyndam and his evil agenda. There were hundreds, thousands more women out there that were a magnitude of times more sinful than Bella. Why did he not choose to consume their souls instead?
I grimaced as I realised that they probably already were. If one were to glimpse their souls, they would probably see hundreds of deep, gaping holes covering their souls. The evil inside them would flow through their veins, black as tar, poisoning them until they became nothing more than a monster. They would be lifeless, dead, completely consumed by the malevolence they held inside them; all brought on by their own treachery.
But Bella was not one of them. She was not cold and spiteful like all the others. Indeed, she had committed an act of sin, but even in her wrongdoings she held good intentions. Not that Wyndam had cared, of course. He hadn't cared that she was an innocent, righteous person. He hadn't cared that she still had good in her heart, that she'd never intended any harm on anyone. Wyndam was merciless, only thinking of possessing Bella for his own wicked purposes. He'd thought only of taking advantage of her and using her for further treason.
I grimaced again. Bella had never wanted this. She never imagined that anything like this would happen. All she'd wanted was to alleviate the stress on her deprived, struggling parents for a time.
And now she was being punished for it.
My hand clenched tighter around the rope, the rough fibres pressing against my palms and leaving indents in my skin. The sudden rush of anger I felt was, no doubt, due to thoughts of Wyndam and all his wretched doings. I loathed that man for all that he'd done to Bella, and I struggled to remain calm as I thought of all the pain and woe he'd brought upon us all – especially Bella.
I realised that I was taking my anger out on the rope in my hand. I was now holding it so tight that it was almost breaking – I slowly loosened my hold on the object. My tendons relaxed and I flexed my hand, glancing at the imprints the rope had left. I tried to breathe normally, evenly, focusing on the heaving of my chest as I inhaled and exhaled.
Now was not the time to lose my temper. There were more pressing matters to consider; Bella's looming exorcism, for instance. She was about to have her soul ripped apart, have a demon be extracted from her body – and here I was, having an emotional breakdown.
I inhaled deeply again, hearing only the soft whoosh of air flowing in and out of my body. Every breath I took that was not accompanied by the pounding of a heart only reminded me even more of the monster that I was. Guilt combined with my venom, and together they coursed through my body, blazing a scorching trail of self-loathing through my veins. I knew I was not to blame for all that had befallen Bella – Wyndam was the one to blame for everything – but I still couldn't help the thoughts that rushed through my mind.
They were thoughts of guilt, of pain, and of the firm belief that I was a selfish, horrible being. They were irrational, of course, and even though both Esme and Bella had told me repeatedly that I was not an awful, loathsome creature – I couldn't help it.
Perhaps it was Wyndam that had brought on these sudden, intense feelings of self-hatred? It must be him. I'd always thought I was horrible, but these feelings had, of late, a tendency to increase whenever Wyndam was thrown into the mix.
I cursed his name internally again, thinking it with all of the hate and bitterness I could muster. If he had not possessed Bella in the first place then I wouldn't be focusing on hating myself – and him – so much; instead centring my attention on Bella and the impending exorcism.
God. I was wretched.
I shook my head to clear it and walked faster towards the living room. I tried not to think of Wyndam as I walked across the floor towards Carlisle, the rope hanging loosely from my hands. I still did not know what its purpose was. Carlisle had only instructed me to go and get him a length of rope while he took care of other unknown business downstairs.
As soon was I entered the living room, I knew something was different. Though I could not pinpoint it, there was definitely something. I scanned the room. The walls were the same creamy colour, the couches and armchairs still against them as usual. The white, lace curtains still hung limply, framing the windows.
It was only when I looked at the floor did I discover the abnormality. The patterned rugs had been taken away, replaced by a huge, white symbol. It was a five pointed star inside a circle, with a pentagon in the middle of it. Inside each triangular section of the star was a different word, which I presumed was written in Latin. It was huge, covering most of the floor.
My gaze lingered on the chalky white lines of the symbol. I was still trying to figure out what the words meant when Carlisle cleared his throat.
"Edward?"
My head snapped up. Carlisle was looking at me expectantly and with a raised eyebrow. A smile played along the edges of his lips.
"The rope, Edward," he said, holding out his hand to receive it.
I looked down at my hand and remembered that I was indeed holding a rope.
"Oh…sorry," I muttered, and handed him the rope.
Carlisle smiled and took it. I frowned slightly.
"Are you going to tell me what it's for?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.
I had, of course, tried to read his mind to divulge this information myself, but his thoughts were so jumbled I could not distinguish them without getting a severe headache.
Carlisle was about to answer when Esme came into the room, Bella in tow. Esme was carrying a wooden chair, though the way she was holding it was similar to that of how one would hold a bomb. She held it out at arm's length in front of her, as if it was diseased or something. She – and Bella – looked upon it with wary eyes.
Esme continued to walk until she was standing on the strange symbol on the floor. She then set the chair down precisely in the middle of the star and walked away so that she was outside of the markings on the floor. Bella, however, stayed.
I watched in utter confusion and – for some reason – dread as Bella sat on the chair, placing her arms on the two wooden armrests, and looking at Carlisle with expectant eyes.
I had no idea what was going on. Clearly, Carlisle had said something to Bella and Esme, also giving them instructions in my absence, but precisely what words had been exchanged I did not know. I now set out to find the answer.
"Carlisle," I began in a tone of immense curiosity, "what's going on?"
Carlisle looked up from the exorcism book he held in his hands to look at me with anxious eyes.
"Well, we're preparing for the exorcism," he replied slowly.
I was aghast.
"You're going to do it now?" I asked, horrified. I hadn't been given any warning as to the circumstances of the exorcism. How could Carlisle do it now, when I hadn't even gotten a chance to talk to Bella, to assemble my thoughts, to – I swallowed hard – say goodbye? Quickly, my eyes flashed to my angel. I tried to memorise everything about her – her pale face, her hair, her chocolate brown eyes that were now tinged with anxiety and worry.
Carlisle noticed my distress and immediately set out to try and calm me.
"No, no, of course we're not going to perform it right this very minute, Edward," he said soothingly. My eyes returned to Carlisle. "I still need some time to prepare the incantations, of course, and Bella will need to be restrained." He walked towards the staircase while he spoke. "Esme, if you will…" He gestured to Esme and together they ascended the scarlet carpeted stairs.
One word in particular had me rooted to the spot. I stared after Carlisle, trying to register exactly what he had said. I had ceased to breathe – such was the effect of the statement – and I now inhaled sharply, struggling to reassemble my jumbled thoughts.
"Restrained?" My voice had a note of hysteria to it, and at this I was surprised. I tried to compose myself.
Carlisle stopped and turned slowly, as did Esme. Carlisle's ochre eyes were anxious, and he took a deep breath as if to also try and calm himself.
"Yes, er…restrained," he said in a voice so low only audible to the ears of vampires. Then he sighed and took one step down. "The extraction of the demon will, in addition to the pain it inflicts on the carrier," – I flinched – "cause him to thrash wildly as it is being drawn from the body. It's vital that Bella is kept on that chair, so that she does not attempt to harm herself or others during the exorcism," he said in a rush.
I flinched again as the image of Bella thrashing in pain entered my mind. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath – and realised something.
"Is that what the rope is for?" I asked, laughing internally at my own stupidity.
"Yes," Carlisle replied, nodding. He descended the steps completely now and walked towards me, holding out the rope. "You will need to restrain her, Edward. Tie both of her hands to the armrests, and ensure that she is secure. I shudder to think what would happen if she were not tied down properly." His eyes were anxious. "Make sure she's safe, Edward."
I nodded and took the rope from him.
"I will," I vowed.
Carlisle gave me a small smile and ascended the stairs again. Esme looked at me anxiously over her shoulder as she and Carlisle turned a corner and disappeared.
I sighed, clutching the rope tightly.
Make sure she's safe…
Carlisle's words were repeated over and over in my head. Again I felt the feeling of guilt and self-loathing creep up on me, telling me with a pang that if I had been there for Bella in the first place, she would not be in this mess now…
No. I would not let my own emotions engulf me; not now, when the time was so crucial. I pushed the hatred down and reminded myself of the promise I had made; I would keep Bella safe. I simply refused for this demon to grasp her in its clutches, dragging her away as she drifted slowly into death. I would keep her alive. Safe.
I turned around so that I was now facing Bella. She still sat, silent and unmoving in the wooden chair; staring at me. Her eyes followed me as I walked towards her, the rope dragging along the floor behind me. I stopped and stood in front of her, wondering how best to tie her hands down without hurting her.
"Bella, I have to res–"
"I know," she interjected. She stretched her arms so that they were lying upon the armrests, looking at me expectantly.
I hesitated, dazed by her reaction. Never had I imagined that she would willingly offer her arms to be tied down, treating it as if it was simply a nonchalant action. But quickly I snapped out of my trance, getting down on my knees to tie her arms to the chair.
It felt exceedingly blasphemous, tying her to the chair. I fumbled with the rope, cursing myself with every twist and knot that I made in it. I did not want to tie it too tightly, for fear of hurting Bella, and so I went about the process slowly, taking care not to cut off her circulation.
What sort of a situation is this? I thought to myself bitterly. This is not how it should be done. I, Edward – the wicked, undeserving one – tying Bella – the goddess to rule all goddesses – to a chair? Ridiculous. I continued tying the rope, trying to press the rough fibres into my own skin and take the pain off Bella.
Her legs, too, Edward.
Carlisle's sudden thought made me jump, and my fingers fumbled with the rope. I stopped, trying to process this latest instruction. After a moment's hesitation, and with my feelings of self-hatred increasing, I began to tie her legs to the chair.
When I was finished I stood up to get a better look at Bella. She had not said a word the whole time I had been tying her to the chair, and the atmosphere was now rather tense.
Bella simply stared at the ropes tied around her wrists with melancholy eyes, still not saying a word. Again – for what seemed like the millionth time – I sincerely wished that I could read her mind. But, this time, instead of just cursing myself and trying futilely to read her thoughts, I decided to assume.
"You're going to be okay, Bella," I said softly, though whether to convince her or myself I did not know.
Bella did not respond. She continued to stare down at the ropes, clenching and unclenching her fists repeatedly. After several minutes, she spoke.
"What if I'm not?" Her voice was small, but I was still able to pick up the nuance of terror and despair that hid behind her tone. She looked down at her hands when she spoke.
"You will be," I replied, pronouncing each word carefully. Every syllable rang with the promise I had made earlier – to keep her safe. She would be okay. She would survive – no, she will survive. She will.
I repeated this affirmation in my mind, over and over. I was definite in my promise, but I could still recognise the awful contradictions and uncertainties that I had tried to dispel creeping up on me.
What if she's not okay? I shuddered as the thought entered my mind. I tried not to exercise such horrible notions; I forced them out of my mind with great difficulty, and again said the only thing that I had been trying to convince myself of.
"You will be, Bella," I repeated, this time more firmly. I lifted her chin to look in her eyes, and I saw that she was struggling to hold back tears.
She shook her head.
"You don't know that." Still shaking her head and now blinking away tears, she continued in a terrified whisper. "You don't know if everything will be okay, if I'll survive…" She broke off, for her lower lip was trembling severely and she was now focused on containing her tears.
I said nothing. I simply couldn't form words to respond to what she had just said, couldn't find any way to console her without going against what I, deep down, also knew was true. So I stood there, one hand still underneath her chin, the other clenched by my side, feeling considerably helpless.
Bella inhaled sharply and swallowed hard, her voice cracking when she spoke next.
"I could die, Edward."
She seemed to have given up on controlling her tears, for they now flowed down her cheeks, stemming only when they collided with my hand that was still under Bella's chin.
I shook my head, refusing to consider what I was hearing.
"Don't say that," I said, my shaky voice belying all that I had tried to convince myself of for hours.
Did she think I hadn't thought of that? That I had agreed to go ahead with the exorcism with the certainty that all would be well? Of course I knew that she could die. Though it made me shudder to think of it, and every time I did think of it I pushed it away, I knew. Despite all of my reassurances that Bella would survive, somewhere in the back of my mind was always the knowledge that she might not. Refusing to think of it, I would force it out of my mind and make an attempt at an optimistic façade – in vain.
But Bella continued. She shook her head and frowned, clearly angry, her breathing coming faster as she burst into an emotional tirade.
"How can you tell me not to say that? How can you tell me not to say what you yourself know is true?" She stopped, still frowning at me and breathing heavily. She was right. I knew it was true. Before I could say anything, she resumed her rant.
"I could die, Edward," she repeated, the words stinging me to the very core. "Die. And here you are, telling me not to speak of such things when you know that it is very well a possibility…" Her voice shook as she spoke, but her current state of anger prevented her from bursting into depressed sobs. She narrowed her eyes at me, still shaking her head.
"How can you be so calm?" she demanded, stopping her diatribe to blink away more tears.
I was incredulous.
"Oh, believe me, Bella, I'm far from calm," I replied, my voice shaking from the disbelief I felt at her statement; I was almost bitter. I absolutely could not understand how she believed that I was calm right now. Never in my life had I been so stressed.
Bella's disbelief was also evident.
"Well, Edward, you have an odd way of showing it!" She was almost hysterical. "You don't seem distressed at all! You just stand there, telling me not to speak of my possible death" – I flinched – "and showing no emotion at all…and here I am, in tears and frightened, while you remain stoic!" She tried to lift her hands – whether to seize her head again or to slap me I did not know – but as she was bound by ropes, movement was out of the question. Incensed, she sighed heavily and frowned.
"Can't you do something?" she asked, half crying, half maddened. "Something to display just a fraction of emotion? Soon Carlisle will perform the exorcism and my soul will be ripped apart and my life endangered…and still you do nothing!" I still said nothing as Bella proceeded to talk faster and louder as her infuriation increased. "Why aren't you panicking? Why aren't you pulling fistfuls of hair from your head in anger, or…or throwing furniture around the room? She demanded. "Please, Edward, just panic! Nothing in the world would satisfy me more than to see you react, in one way or another! Please, just–"
Suddenly and before she could say another word, I crushed her lips with mine. I took my hand away from her chin to hold the back of her neck, the other entwining her fingers with mine. Though I kissed her on impulse, I was still conscious of the fact that she was still human, still very fragile; I exercised extreme control in order not to harm her.
At first, Bella's lips were unyielding against mine – perhaps she was shocked by my unexpected action. But soon they softened, and she began to respond subserviently. However, before she could get carried away and, consequently, drive me to insanity, I broke the kiss.
Still bracing her neck with my hand, I pulled away to study her face. All traces of anger and irritation were gone, replaced by surprise and slight confusion. She blinked rapidly and inhaled deeply, as if trying to resume a normal heart rate.
"Wh-what are you doing?" she asked, sounding rather dazed.
The corners of my mouth flicked up into a smile, and I bent my head to move closer to Bella.
"I'm panicking."
At first Bella looked even more surprised than before, but then her own lips curled upwards into a grin.
"Finally," she said teasingly, rolling her eyes.
I grinned again, and was about to continue with the inane banter when Carlisle's thoughts interrupted my own.
Edward. It's time.
I froze, the smile slowly fading from my face. The time had come for Bella to be exorcised. I didn't think Carlisle would get prepared so quickly; the time I'd spent with Bella in his absence was not nearly enough to say everything I wanted to say – to say goodbye. My anxiety must have been evident on my face, because Bella fixed me with a worried stare, trying to rouse me from my reverie.
"Edward?" Her voice was worried. "Edward, what's wrong?" She continued to prompt me in this manner.
I snapped out of my daze and looked back at Bella, whose eyes were wide and her brow was creased. Fervently, I seized her again and pressed my lips to hers, the knowledge that I might never see her again fuelling my vehemence and causing all of my emotions to tumble out in this one, ardent action.
This time, Bella pulled away.
I was surprised, to say the least. My eyes narrowed with confusion as I searched Bella's eyes to find the cause of her…indifference. She was exactly as confused as I was, though her eyes held astonishment and what seemed like anger, whereas mine still burned with desire and desperation.
Bella shook her head, frowning.
"Edward, what are you–"
But my lips were upon hers again, this time with even more fervour – if that was possible. My enthusiasm was marred with the shock I felt at myself and what I was doing. This was very unlike me. Never, under any circumstances, would I ever dare to cross the boundary line that was so dominant in our relationship.
And yet I continued to kiss her. I no longer cared that Bella was not responding to my affections. All I cared about was trying to savour these last few minutes before Carlisle and Esme would come downstairs, dismiss me from Bella's side, and then proceed to tear her soul apart. This, I decided, was the cause of my ardency.
I pulled away for a brief second, and was about to move my lips to her neck, when Bella pushed me roughly away.
"Edward!" She was definitely angry now.
Though she was not nearly strong enough to hurt me physically, I still stumbled when she pushed me. Her eyes burned into mine and mirrored my own shock; though hers were tinged with anger.
"What on Earth are you doing?" she asked, almost hissing. Though her voice was gentler than before, I still could not mistake her incense.
I did not reply.
"Edward, this isn't like you at all," she continued, shaking her head. Then her voice became softer. "Edward, what's going on?"
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.
"Bella…you have to…I mean, Carlisle says that, very soon…" I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to compose myself enough to form a coherent sentence. "It's time for the–" I broke off, unable to say the word. The sound of Carlisle and Esme's approaching footsteps didn't help my misery. I sighed again, and tried once more. "The–"
"– exorcism?" Bella finished the sentence for me in a whisper.
I looked up. "Yes."
She looked down at the ropes tying her hands to the chair and nodded slowly.
"Bella…"
I closed the space that had been created when Bella had pushed me away, to hold her face gently in my hands. I pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, and Bella's eyes closed at my touch; a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I love you, Bella," I whispered, placing a single, gentle kiss on her hand.
"Edward…"
Bella's tone was almost pleading, though for what reason I had no idea. Her eyes opened and they sparkled with tears, however Bella seemed determined to contain them.
"Edward," she repeated, her voice miniscule. "If I don't get through this, then–"
"You will, Bella," I interjected firmly, though my voice was still low. Bella shook her head.
"No, Edward, please listen to me." Her lower lip trembled, but still no tears came. "If I don't get through this, then I want you to know something. I want you to know that I love you."
I was puzzled as to why Bella was being so deathly serious about this. I already knew that she loved me.
"I know that, Bella," I said, echoing my thoughts. My brow furrowed in confusion. "And I love you," I added.
Bella took a deep, shaky breath and exhaled slowly. Her attempt at containing her tears was beginning to fail.
"Then will you promise me something?" she asked, looking me straight in the eyes.
"Of course," I replied, nodding. I would do anything she asked of me. If she desired I get down on the floor and lick her shoes clean, I would happily obey.
"Promise me, Edward," she said, now on the verge of tears, "that you'll love again."
I'm sure my heart would have sunk if it could. Bella was asking me to love again? After everything we'd been through; Bella's suicide attempt, the revelation of her possession, how my affections and sentiments had amassed over time, the countless moments I'd wanted to kill her but refused most austerely. After all this, she wanted me to love again. Impossible.
"I can't do that, Bella," I said, looking into her eyes.
"Why not?" she countered in a whisper.
Something very akin to shock washed over me.
"What do you mean, 'why not'?" I asked, my voice rising slightly. My free hand moved to hold her other one. "Bella, I can tell you now that I will never, ever, love another as I've loved you."
"But that doesn't mean you won't, does it?" Bella inquired. She sounded almost hopeful.
I shook my head.
"It does," I said simply, firmly. "Why are you stressing this so much, Bella? One would think you actually want me to love another, the way you speak," I added, my eyes narrowing slightly with suspicion.
Bella's own eyes widened and she opened her mouth in annoyance.
"Well, maybe I do!" she cried, frowning.
"What? Why?" I responded, shocked.
"Do you think, for a second, I would want you to spend the rest of eternity alone and miserable, refusing to love again, when I'm gone?" she demanded in a whisper.
"No, of course not, Bella, but–"
"Because I don't!" Bella cried, shaking her head. Despite her infuriation, tears were beginning to fall down her cheeks against her will; she blinked them away. Then, her voice became softer. "I don't want you to be alone, Edward. I don't want you to be horrible and depressed when I die."
I looked down at the ropes that bound Bella to the chair, my mouth pressed into a line.
"But I do," I said, my voice so low that I wondered if Bella had heard it. I looked up at her face and, sure enough, she'd heard it. Her mouth was open in astonishment and disbelief.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Bella, that if you do die, there's every certainty that I will become horrible and taciturn for the rest of eternity. I guarantee you that." I brushed my fingers along her jaw line, focusing on that instead of her eyes. "How can you expect me to love another when I can't even exist when you don't?" It wasn't quite a rhetorical question.
Bella had – remarkably – been able to contain her tears the whole time I'd been speaking. I hated to see her so forlorn, so I set out with the single goal of cheering her up.
"But hey," I began, forcing a smile and tucking another lock of hair behind her ear. "It's not certain that you'll even die in this exorcism, so let's not talk of such things unnecessarily."
Carlisle and Esme entered the room suddenly, talking quietly amongst themselves and both with grave looks on their faces. I turned my head and saw Carlisle brandishing his exorcism book, flipping through pages as he spoke to Esme. He looked up and our eyes met; we both nodded.
Sighing, I stood up and turned to face Bella.
"I love you," I said softly, kissing her forehead gently.
"I love you, Edward," she replied, and her hand grasped mine tightly.
I kissed her forehead again and pulled away to look her in the eyes.
"You'll be okay, Bella. You will." I said softly. I tried to smile.
Bella took a deep breath and looked up at me, determined more than ever not to cry. She smiled, but it did not touch her eyes.
"I know I will, Edward. I'll be fine," she said, though whether to convince me or herself I did not know.
I could see her struggling to remain composed. I stroked her face gently with one finger and said, "I'll be here, Bella."
"I know," Bella replied, her voice shaking slightly. When I opened my mouth to reassure her again of her survival, she interrupted quickly. "I'll be fine, Edward. Really, I'm braver than I look." She smiled again, this time a little more genuinely.
I smiled and nodded once.
Attagirl, Bella. I thought.
I pressed my lips to hers very softly, knowing that this was probably the last time I would. I brushed my fingers across her cheek, drank in the sight of her one last time, and then walked to Carlisle's side.
He looked up from his book and gave me a sad smile.
"Everything is ready, Edward," he said in a tone of extreme sincerity.
I nodded and said, with great difficulty, "Whenever you're ready."
Carlisle put a comforting hand on my shoulder, and kept it there as his warm voice floated through my head in a rush of sudden thought.
The exorcism will last for one day, Edward. This time tomorrow evening, Wyndam will be gone from Bella's soul, if not from the face of the Earth. I'm sorry to return to this subject, but, there are a few things you need to know about the pain involved.
I shook my head.
"Its okay, Carlisle. Continue." I said.
Carlisle flashed another sad smile and thought: It is said that the pain involved in an exorcism is similar to the pain associated with the change from human to vampire. Not quite the same, but very similar. He paused. You need to stay with her, Edward. If she survives then your presence will be crucial during her recovery. You may feel a little helpless, seeing her in such a state and unable to do anything, but just by being there you help her. Do you understand?
I nodded.
"I understand."
Carlisle's butterscotch eyes turned sympathetic.
I know you love her, Edward.
I inhaled deeply and nodded. "I do."
Carlisle gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze, and then went to Bella's side in half a second. He spoke to her in a low voice, basically recounting everything he had told me to her. He smiled warmly and wished her good luck, then walked backwards away from Bella until he was just outside of the circle.
He met my eyes and nodded, and then sent a nod in Bella's direction. The atmosphere was unbearably tense as he looked back down at his book and began to chant the unfamiliar Latin.
The lights flickered weakly, and then went out.
I stared, mesmerised, as the incantations immediately began to take effect. Bella's eyes widened and her jaw clenched, a faint snarl rumbling deep in her throat. Her hands clutched the arms of the chair, her knuckles white. Every part of her body tensed. Carlisle began to pace around the circle, still reading the complex Latin in a loud, ominous voice.
Bella's head jerked to the side in a blindingly fast movement, returning to the centre for a brief second, before wrenching to the other side. Her jaw remained clenched and the tendons in her neck were prominent against her pale skin. I watched in awe as her head continued to jolt this way and that, a low snarl ripping through her chest occasionally as the demon inside consumed her.
She finally stopped jerking, and now threw her head back in another inhumanly rapid movement, her mouth open and her eyes bloodshot. Her hands were still gripping the fronts of the armrests, and every tendon and bone in her body stood out as she tried to contain the pain ripping through her. Carlisle's chanting became louder, his pacing faster; the lights flickered on and off repeatedly as Bella's body trembled violently. Still with her head and eyes pointed towards the ceiling, she grasped the chair so tight now that I feared her bones would break. She gave another snarl.
And then she screamed.