The Secret Pool

I sat on the fringe of the couch in the living room with Edward's black leather jacket folded neatly across my lap. Whenever a car drove by I stirred, anxiously, and scouted out the window. The night before had been restless; I was far too nervous to sleep.

Edward prohibited me from asking anymore questions after his invitation. I accepted to stroll along to his "secret pool" which as far as I understood was hidden somewhere in the woods. Momentarily I petitioned for a breath of sanity that might have me deviate from going into the forest with a vampire, alone. Edward never fully conceded my accusation. Yet, this sudden epiphany he dictated affixed by fact's I hadn't even inquired about cleared a new path for the both of us to travel.

Once the car stopped in front of the house, he looked graciously at me, and told me to keep the jacket until tomorrow. I slipped through the sleeves and rolled up the parka to my chest. After securing the plastic bag with a book that had suddenly become futile I subsequently returned his amiable gesture.

"When will you be here tomorrow?"

"Exactly at noon," he said and reached over attuning the collar. I watched his bronze fingers fiddling with the leather, and he observed my reaction.

"I'm elated to have such an impact," proudly he lifted his strong chin and leaned back in the seat, grinning.

My brows knit together, "I thought you couldn't read my mind?" I cocked my head to the side, inquisitively.

"Now that the temper has receded, well, your eyes reflect a most fascinating narrative. And besides, the scarlet blush filling your cheeks is validation enough."

I knew that wicked curse would come to haunt me one day, and I deterred noticing the blue beam of neon signaling me home like a lighthouse on the shore. Charlie was watching TV, and hopefully not worrying about me.

"Luca?" I looked back at him, the sunflowers in his eyes more engaging than ever. "Would you terribly mind if I asked a few questions tomorrow?"

I cleared my throat, "About?"

Edward flashed the full force of his radiant smile, unleashing the alabaster gleam of his teeth, "Everything."

Suddenly his attention diverted to the double windows of the living room which were being penetrated by the flare of the television. I yo-yoed my head thrice to see what had caught his consideration. At first I thought Charlie had come to the window but it was vacant.

Edward fastened his perfect eyebrows dazed, "What a strange family you have…" he muttered; idling over the steering wheel.

"Why do you say that? What's Charlie thinking?" What could my father possibly be thinking about that jostled Edward? Fishing? Hunting? Mountain lions?

"That's just the crux; like yours the mind of your father is mute." He shook his head in disbelief. I called into the question the authenticity of his ability but Edward reassured me that Charlie and I were the only humans who have ever rebuked his talent.

"Oh well, tomorrow awaits its birth so you better get some rest. I might then just deduce why your mind consistently thwarts me."

Edward aligned his index and middle finger raising them to my face. They briefly hovered in midair, his expression elicited all the concentration it could and was stern. When I felt his tender touch on my cheek the coolness of his skin blended with the torrid heat in my core that he had aroused. My hormones devoured the spark of his touch like frenzied sharks, and turned my throat dry. A tingle crept across my chest, and the heart thrashing beneath demanded more.

"Vigilance is what I'll need to exercise with you, Little Devil. You're like a refined sonata. If I play one wrong key the entire delicate rhythm of the composition will be thrown into utter entropy."

My cheek's felt sunburned by his genteel comment, "Because you're so strong?"

Edward withdrew and I yearned for his touch to return to soothe my searing skin. It was such a familiar sensation like I had felt it before, maybe in a dream; before I lost them.

"No more tonight. I will see you tomorrow, Luca." Edward's long reach crossed over me gripping the door handle, the scent his dark auburn curls emitted was spellbinding, and opened the door for me. The rainfall had lessened to a comfortable mist.

"Okay, sleep goo-… Err, do you sleep? I mean from what I've rea-… Do you sleep?"

Edward grunted a low laugh, "No, no I do not."

"Ever?" I asked him astonished.

"Tomorrow Luca," I was disappointed but accepted Edward's choice to be prudent.

I stood and watched him speeding off into the night. I didn't wave, and neither did he. When his car vanished I edged my nose closer to the collar of the jacket, consuming the verdant perfume of lavender burning beneath the lambent rays of the sun. I didn't notice until I sauntered to the door that I was smiling. The jury was still out whether I smiled because of our dat-… appointment tomorrow or my victory, and of course the lucidity that relieved my mental stability.

"I was about to send a search and rescue," Charlie greeted me after I entered the hall.

"Sorry, took a little longer than expected." I took off Edward's coat, and Charlie eyeballed it.

"That yours?" I hadn't the time to conjure up an excuse. I couldn't say I'd forgotten mine in a hurry since the parka was hanging over my other arm, damn. "Honest as always," I decided.

"It belongs to a friend I ran into in Port Angeles. We grabbed a bite to eat and I left mine in the car so he was polite enough to offer his." I had forgotten all about my truck. I scurried along into the kitchen asking Charlie random questions about his day, and thankfully he followed. I hope Edward stays true to his word and I'll see that black monster tomorrow morning otherwise Charlie might just ask questions.

While mixing some hot chocolate Charlie disclosed a string of obscure animal mutilations. Apparently the tip of the string was ignited in Olympia, and had trekked all the way to Forks. The regularity of the attacks was currently a heated topic amongst the local police stations, and center for animal control. Olympia has had four, five more identical episodes along the way, and Forks reported its second death yesterday.

Charlie didn't believe mountain lions were behind the assaults. The corpses of the vertebrate's bore profound incisions on their surfaces, and didn't appear entirely mauled but instead maliciously shred to pieces.

I shuddered, and warmed myself with the succulent confection.

He continued saying he had contracted a small force of local hunters today, and would go see if they could find a trail early tomorrow.

I was so absorbed in the events of the previous night that I didn't notice the shiny silver car until a knock on the door made me bounce.

I stood like a pillar, and quickly scrubbed off any dirt, hairs or other imperfections on my clothes. This morning I nearly wore everything I owned until finally choosing my attire. I wore basic ebony jeans, and a silky button up shirt lush with the color green. I shampooed my hair twice since the first two attempts at style were a failure. The only accessory I had was the tawny armband I purchased in Seattle.

I tripped on the carpet but caught myself, again brushing off imaginary dirt on the jeans before taking hold of the door knob.

Edward accosted me with a crooked grin painted on his bronzed skin, "Good afternoon." Quickly his eyes scanned my meek posture, and the grin blossomed to a smile. "You look nice."

I looked down at my outfit, saving the black sneakers for last and timidly looked back into his welcoming face. "Thank you, you do too." Edward wore a vermillion red V-neck, the two buttons on his chest open, showcasing the crease in his chest. The black jeans were like mine, but appeared better tailored.

"We're in luck, my sources say today will be the last mild day of the year."

I snorted, "Your sources? You mean the weather forecast?"

"No, something with superior precision in lieu of CNN," I matted my hair, and scratched my cheek confused.

"Are you ready?" Edward stepped to the side and cordially offered me to take the lead. Coyly I proceeded and absentmindedly glanced towards the cloud covered sky. It wasn't warm but neither cold. Would he leave once the sun came out, if at all?

He surprised me when he opened the door to the car and patiently awaited my entry. There was a slight breath of heat blowing from the heater inside the car. I held my breath when the door to the driver's side opened not even a second after he shut me in.

"The hell," I caught his attention. The crooked grin reappeared, and some of that ostentatious smile as he turned on the Volvo. I shook it off.

"Here's your coat," I offered it to him. Edward didn't bother looking at it.

"It's yours." Wordlessly I stammered for a moment, "Don't fret it. It looks good on you, and I rarely wear it as is."

Nonetheless, Edward plundered it and placed it on the backseat with a spread of his long arm. I buckled up and self-consciously tangled up my fingers as he raced down the road.

"So, are yo-," Edward drew his hand, silencing me.

"Have you abandoned your pledge already, Little Devil?"

"Oh…" was all I managed. I recoiled into the seat. I wasn't exactly an open book I feared. Outside of Renee, Charlie, and Phil I can't recall ever having a prolonged conversation with anyone that wasn't in some way related to me. Most people I ever knew were weary with my diffident type, and the inability to make interesting conversation warded them off altogether.

"Do you have a second name?" Edward kept his eyes on the road, thankfully. The speedometer complimented the speed limit as well.

"Joseph," and I wondered if anyone apart from my parents ever knew. No one ever asked me.

I snuck a peek, and a habit I'd already noticed with Edward was that he'd wrap his chin between his thumb and index finger whenever he was deep in thought.

"Do you like the color green?" Swiftly he peered at my short sleeve dress shirt.

"Well, yes and no I suppose. I guess I like all colors. Each one has unique elements, and emotions you know. You can tell someone's mood by the clothes they wear or what sort of people they are."

"Then what does green imply in your mind?" Edward ignored the road, nonchalantly, trapping my eyes in his.

I shrugged, the scarlet blush he mentioned undoubtedly broiling my face, "Growth, harmony, spring, revival…" I finished, whispering.

Edward asserted by slowly, and deliberately nodding, "Yes, I can agree with that."

The road to the forest passage seemed long. Edward charged at me with one question after the other ranging from favorite foods, books, music, cinema, artists, and shifting to other topics like my childhood, where I was born, where I grew up, Phoenix, Renee, friends, and even grandma Swan.

"Why did your grandmother migrate to the United States?"

"She met my grandfather who was backpacking through Europe, and I guess they hit it off right away." Edward turned onto a dirt road, leading to the outskirt of the woods.

"Where exactly in Malta does your ancestry lie?"

"I think Valletta but I'm not sure. I recently wrote a letter to an uncle there. I'm hoping for a reply."

I thought of Uncle Luca again. The thought had already toyed with me; it was part of the restlessness I experienced the night before. Uncle Luca visibly displayed qualities almost identical to the Cullen's aside his skin which seemed much more papery than theirs. Was it a coincidence? Surely there were people out in the big wide world with similar characteristics and who didn't share Edward's preternatural disposition. I needed to think this over some more but not now. Edward's caliber for interrogation was perpetual.

"I'm optimistic your uncle will respond to your plea." Edward put the car in park.

"Thank you," I smiled at him.

"You are welcome," he eyed me, and grinned again.

"Are you ready to hike?"

I attested by climbing out of the car, and mentally prepared for how many scrapes I'd collect along the way. The sylvan perfume of the forest was invigorating though. Whatever alliance the woodlands had with the precipitation produced a galore of greenery that shrouded every piece of plain brown bark. Instantly I thought of Tolkien and the quests his protagonists shared in his bewitching trilogy. This seemed like a suitable abode for his elves – alien, magical, august even.

Edward looked down over my shoulder at me, suddenly tense. He parted his lips to speak but I cut him off.

"There is just one thing I need to know before we go," I spoke as resolute as I could. It had been weighing heavily on my mind ever since he forbade me from asking anymore questions. I had to know, if the answer was as unequivocal as I judged then I wasn't sure if I could tolerate our rapport.

"As you wish," Edward said solemnly.

I took a deep breath, "You confirmed that you feed on blood, correct?"

"Yes," his voice was brittle. My knees felt like jelly, lightly shaking.

"Does it, I mean, does that uphold the legends of vampires killing humans to survive?"

Edward blinked, the frailty diminished and he relaxed. He looked away to the woods, and shut his eyelids for a minor moment. Folding his arms behind his back, gentlemanly, the intense liquid gold of his eyes shone back down on me.

"The legends are indubitably true, however, and please allow me to paraphrase properly," I bit my lip but nodded.

"Understand this – a sizeable fraction of the immortal populous feeds on human blood by harvesting it from those residing on the streets like beggars or vagabonds. It applies to our anonymity to only take those whom society would rather not reintroduce to its denizens. It might sound vulgar but humanity presents them with an endless buffet of sustenance.

As demoralizing as it seems, please, do not condemn them. I myself cannot condone such a diet but they only take what is crucial to their survival. I have monitored humanity closely, and what vampires do is no better than farming, raising, and feeding a pig for slaughter.

As for my family, I included, we have flourished by enduring off of animals and can abstain from human blood entirely. Carlisle pioneered this philosophy, and all of us chose to follow him willingly. It might be a ghastly antic but we refer to ourselves as vegetarians which made your sudden debut all the more ironic."

At least now I knew what spooked the mountain lions a week ago. I remained analytical, and sized him up eventually settling back on his eyes. Edward's expression had become grim, almost sad.

"Luca?"

"Good God, are you like…" I wandered off. Edward grimaced, something like disappointment reflected off of his candescent face.

"I am sorry if you can't…"

"Are you like British or something? I mean at school your glossary was almost normal but now I feel like I'm in the middle of Oliver Twist or something." I threw my hands up in the air before they came down on either side of my hips.

Edward's eyes grew large, and he was flabbergasted. I scrutinized him waiting for an answer. He studied my attitude; my entire structure was on exhibition for his brisk evaluation. At first I thought he sneered when he gaped at the ground but suddenly the crooked grin reemerged, and widened into an open mouth smile.

I covered my ears completely taken aback by his startling reaction. Edward burst into a tempest of laughter. He held his stomach and bent over while the rumbles of amusement continued. I couldn't help but cover my mouth. Edward's laughter was infectious.

I felt relieved but still curious by his summary and vindication about vampiric nature. I also finally understood Esme's reaction by my proclamation of being a vegetarian that day in Thriftway. But I was also content. Somehow what he said made sense. If they intended to hide why walk amongst us? Why would Carlisle work at a hospital? Admittedly I could have speculated him smuggling blood but that didn't seem right.

Edward recovered and took a step closer to me, brightly pulling Cupid's bow up on either side of his face. "You are a unique little thing you know that?"

"Whatever happened to Devil? Are you promoting me?" I teased.

"You are mistaken. If anything it would be a demotion, you cunning Devil you."

I rolled my eyes and answered squawking a noticeable smug laugh. I crossed my arms staring up at him. Edward looked down, and there was a sparkle in his eyes – something shrewd. For sake of comedy I took a step back, and held up my hands defensively. "You know I was joking right?"

The sudden dazzling glare swelling on his bronze mask was making me feel slightly concerned.

"I'd like to test myself," he announced.

"How?"

"I formerly intended to coordinate with you but I think there is a much more appropriate way to reach our destination."

"And how does that play into testing yourself?" It was my turn to be perplexed.

Edward spun around, his broad shoulders fully facing me. He stooped bowing before me on one knee, and twisted his arms backwards to receive me. The open palms of his hands were inviting but it made me feel silly. He looked over his shoulder as the breeze brushed his billowing dark curls pleasantly like roses swaying to the gentle rhyme of a gale.

"Are you coming?"

I scratched my cheek, and climbed onto his shoulders. I felt the cool but smooth muscles through the fabric of his shirt. I mewed his neck as I mounted him, and felt a surge of electricity when he docked on the hollows of my knee's. Steadily Edward rose like a soldier who was just knighted. I didn't feel fully secure so I slipped one of my arms beneath his armpit and clamped down on my wrist. A shudder rocked him by my unexpected move, and he turned to look at me.

Our faces were close, and the furnace had been lit. The aromatic bouquet of his cold body infiltrated my skin transforming my blood to liquid fervor. Edward smashed his lips together. The one hand that was fully poised over his left breast felt no motion. A dusty-like shadow appeared beneath his eyes that shortly darkened. The sunflowers I treasured were engulfed by an eclipse.

"Breathe," I smiled weakly. "It's just me."

The slits his eyes barricaded themselves behind drew back like curtains on Christmas morning. The eclipse was banished and freed the sunflowers to unveil their magnificent luster. The bronze of his cherubic face won out and the dark scorch marks above his cheek bones crumbled away. Edward leaned in, his nose perhaps an inch from my face and raked up a deep breath.

"Almond?"

I couldn't speak so instead I speedily bopped my head like a nitwit.

"It helps…" Edward looked away.

"How do you mean?"

"It dilutes your natural scent," baffled he shook his head.

"And that's a bad thing?" My mouth was close to his ear, and a lock of his hair tickled my forehead.

"All in time," he hoisted me up a little more, securing his arms around my legs. "Hold on tight my wee fiend."

"You're not going to turn into a bat are you?" I joked but unclear. Edward laughed hardily, and met my gaze again.

"Better," his voice was dark, and his smile sly.

The words got caught in my throat when a ferocious turbulence smacked me against the face. I tightened my hold around Edward but couldn't keep my eyes open at first. I heard the wind, bustling by with extreme velocity. It was like poking your head out the window of a speeding car. But this was faster. I pressed my lips firmly together, and felt the electric sensation of Edward's cool neck when I buried my face in it.

The lewd howling of the current as it pressured my ears was deafening. My body was safe in his grip but the pummeling of the tenuous jounce turned my stomach upside down. I finally risked opening my eyes. I hoped I wasn't choking him when my clutch became even denser. It was like fast forwarding a DVD while watching actors in their roles and various scenarios move at lightning speed.

It was difficult keeping my eyes open but I managed a squint. My heart took several leaps whenever a gigantic tree, branch, or a log blocked our path and I thought we would crash but magically jumped, dodged, and ducked. These blockades didn't slow Edward's momentum. In fact whenever he flew over a barrier and plunged back on solid ground his tempo seemed to accelerate.

"Hmph," gushed out of my mouth, automatically, when everything around me was silenced – like with a snap of a finger. Edward came to a dead stop, and my chest bumped his stone-hard back.

"We have arrived," he released his hold of my thighs but I was stuck like glue.

"Luca?" Edward was unable to look at me directly. My face was attached alongside his head, and I was intoxicated by the sudden trance caused by the adrenalin rush. I felt chilled too; I would expect our body temperatures to match now.

"Luca, are you alright? Answer me," the worry in his voice was evident.

I revitalizing my lungs and tasted a flowery kernel on my tongue. As I exhaled my woozy mind regained some measure of clarity. I couldn't see much of anything other than the shady auburn strains of Edward's hair.

"T-that… wa-as…" I stuttered.

"I'm so sorry. I should have warned you-,"

"AWESOME," I yelled. The giddiness came naturally. With both hands pushing down on Edward's shoulders I lifted and turned to look straight into his pondering orbs of gold, chafing against his back.

"Can we do that again?" He didn't say anything.

"Why bother driving?" I was mildly wired about the trip.

Spiraling his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose Edward sighed, perhaps irritated?

"Why does nothing about me dismay you…"

Dislodging my knotted legs from around his waist, he softly placed me on the ground. I'd been varnished by his perfume and could easily savor its floral richness radiating off my clothes.

The soil beneath my feet was mushy and embellished by a waning silvery mist. The lavish of the perennial flowers sprouting through its metallic blanket awed me given that winter was upon us. I slumped and enveloped the silky white face of a daisy in my hand. I stroked its auric core, and felt the velvet tingle of its petals. It had cohorts, an entire empire of them.

I rose back to my feet and gawked at the clearing. The garden was ornamented by legions of daisies. The florets bloomed wherever I chose to look, and the iridescence twinkling off of their wings was glorious. The metallic mist complemented their fair carriage by dusting them with volumes of glitter.

I traced a trail where the mist was hulking and hiccupped, amazed to discover a radiant lake the size of a football field at the heart of the clearing. The garden of daisies garnished its perimeters and unfolded the powerful azure aura of the water – it was glistening. The diaphanous makeup of the lake presented a perfect mirror image of the Olympic Peninsula looming above the leafy crowns on the opposite border.

"What are you thinking?" His voice was right in my ear, his body shadowing mine.

"I think it's beautiful," I said too quickly and whirled around surprising him. Edward took a step back but mimicked my gesture.

"I found this place decades ago. It isn't well travelled. Whenever it's sunny I'll delight myself with a swift swim, and absorb as much light as I can." He passed me as he spoke and led the way to the shining lake.

I pursued him, listening, "I have resolved a profuse amount of problems here, and whenever I graze across the meadow my mind feels cleansed."

We paused at the ledge of the water, and I noticed a bulging object jutting from its profile somewhere in the medial stage. I think it was a large rock.

"Unless you care for a swim which might leave you ill, and I can't allow that, I would encourage you to hold on one final time."

Edward offered his arm, and I trustingly fell into it. Like a serpent it coiled around my waist, and reclined its hand above my stomach. I shuddered but swung an arm around his neck as his eyes peered deeply into mine. Hesitantly I circled his chest with my other arm and felt anew the lack of respiratory activity.

Panicked I crushed myself to him when he pounced, and I watched the shrinkage of the pool as we escalated up high yet seemed hastily on transit for the moderate rock I noticed moments ago. I didn't even register a tap when his foot landed gracefully on its smooth surface.

After releasing me I surveyed the rock which was definitely large enough for three. There was a powdery substance clasping its hem.

"That was me," Edward professed, "I visited early this morning and filed its sharp texture so it would be comfortable for you to sit." Maybe to some degree flustered himself he took another glance at his work.

"Thank you." I crouched, pulled my legs to my chest and encased them in my arms. Edward allied himself to my side, resting his forearms above his kneecaps.

I looked up to the sky that was covered by a thinning cloud bank. I tried speculating how far up the peninsula we were, and if the sun would really appear. I heard something rattling, and descried a small sterling pocket watch forged of silver. I listened to its ticking as Edward took a quick glimpse at it.

"That's a nice watch," I complimented. When he unclasped the hatch I noticed the delicate template. The finely engraved lines shot out from four tiny rubies. They chased each other, and painted a red M accompanied by a looping pattern behind it.

"Are we in a hurry?"

"I'm only ascertaining as to better prepare you before the sun strike's us."

Vampires were often depicted as nocturnal and susceptible to injury via exposure to sunlight but he wasn't unsettled at all, and returned the watch to his pocket.

"What does the M stand for?" Repeatedly he blinked, seemingly stunned by the question but still grinned – pleased.

"Masen," he revealed.

"What does that mean?"

"It is my given surname. The watch belonged to my father."

I considered for a moment, and shuffled through all of his dialogue from last night.

"So, it's over two hundred years old?" The grin lessened but lost none of its charm.

"You remembered," he mused.

"Well, I've been wondering where you were born, where you grew up, and-" Edward disrupted my palaver before I could continue. There was some incredulity in his expression. He folded one of his legs beneath him, and leaned in closer to me.

"So you're meaning to have me understand, that you are interested to learn who I am rather than what I am?" He didn't give me a chance to answer.

"This is all wrong. I've brought you here to convey the imminent danger you might be facing by consorting with me. And here you desire my personal rendition of David Copperfield."

"If by danger you're referring to yourself then why even bother bringing me here?" My voice plummeted, revealing a slim cut by his sentiment.

"I've fought with myself, for days. I intended to leave on that first day we met."

"Why were you so angry?" A sad smile shaded his face.

"I wasn't angry Luca, not at the slightest. I was afraid."

"Afraid?" I blurted out. "Why?"

"Even though my family thrives off of animal blood, it never fully cures the lust for human blood. We have groomed ourselves to resist temptation and only ever so often does the song of the elixir entice us. Some individuals are certainly more appealing than others but it hasn't had an effect on me in years. I'm glad that five nights before our first meeting I fed otherwise you might no longer be alive."

"Then why am I?"

"When I inhaled your sweet odor I felt a primordial sense overpowering my faculties. The hunter or perhaps my actual nature within demanded to be satiated. Your heat, like incense deriving from your pores ensnared me, and saliva amassed inside my mouth. I emptied my thoughts and directed all attention to ebb away from breathing. I knew that if I tasted your heat on my tongue, that I could not withstand its glamor. I concentrated on the monotonous class but the lullaby of your blood refused to finish its melody.

But luckily I found distraction. You can't even marginally conceive the surprise I experienced when yours was the one voice I couldn't hear. I focused trying to read your thoughts or procure images of whatever spiel you envisioned. It was a fruitless attempt. Despite the titanic flood of energy I invested whatever mental armor you possess grants you complete immunity to my power."

"Then how did you make it through?"

Edward smirked, "Because you began to speak."

"You mean when I confronted you?"

"It isn't traditional for human's to test us. However, when I heard your voice it made me relive all Carlisle ever taught me about compassion. The revelation could not have come sooner. I forgot you were a person, someone with a voice of his own. I saw you as prey, something to gorge on for fleeting moments only to mourn your death for years to come after."

"That's what changed your mind?"

Edward licked his lips, breaking the eye contact. "I must confess no; it wasn't until Esme came home. As I told you, I was envious. It was obnoxious that she had met you whereas I mugged myself of the opportunity. A few difficult days followed. I hope you aren't cross after I tell you this but…"

I inched a little closer, straining to listen.

"It was on the following Sunday. I nimbly decided to seek you out. If it would be too difficult I'd leave but I suppose curiosity won out. Late at night I came to your house, you were asleep, and had locked the window. Fortuitously your father's was open. I slipped in like a phantom prowling the streets at night, and entered your room.

Your scent was excessive but I was still left indecisive. I thought perhaps the edification of your character through Esme apace with my own experience had lightly hushed my true nature's spirits. It was no longer insufferable. It had become tolerable because you made it so.

You are quite the artist, Luca."

"Oh," I turned away, heavily embarrassed. The sketch of Edward might as well have been a perfect representation of my feelings. I wasn't the only one caught in that explosion.

"I was stunned. The likeness you projected onto the paper was incredible. I sat in your rocking chair with the drawing, and weighed the mark I must have left that compelled you to such artistry. It was my first vision of your mind – to see me from your perspective. I was horrified but continued contemplating.

I watched you sleep for a little while; soundlessly. Why I did it I might never know but I already knew what selfish choice I wished to beget. You piqued my interest, and somehow silenced the demon within. And all you did was act out a bit of a pesky demeanor.

I've seen your distaste towards the pseudonym I've chosen for you however; it is a perfect description of events. You have muddled my proclivity to forgo human contact. Your defiance at the hospital was inspirational. I thought your courage was impeccable – you impressed Carlisle too. Rosalie's trail of thoughts might have taken a dark turn but it isn't something to be concerned about."

I picked at the fabric of the sleeves, considering everything Edward told me. The idea of him sitting in grandma Swan's rocking chair and watching me sleep was a little disturbing but at the same time oddly comforting – almost like I was being watched over. It was humiliating to think that he saw the image I drew. Part of me wanted to go bananas over his discourtesy but another told me to shut up. If Edward had left, I would be dead; just before my time.

"I don't understand Edward. You've conveyed the danger, I think, but then you tell me you couldn't stay away. What's your plan?"

Tiredly he propped himself up on the elbow, lying down on the rock.

"After getting to know you, and after that unnatural impulse which made me safe you I guess I don't know. There is far more to learn, and for you."

I consented, and mirrored his posture. "Is it tough being with me right now?" He pouted his lower lip.

"The scent is obscured by whatever lotion you've applied, and the more I get to know you the less the urge to drink your blood comes to mind. Although I am curious just how much control would be required. May I test myself again?"

There was confidence burning in his eyes, "Y-yes."

"Very well then but whatever you do; no sudden movements," he ordered, and I agreed without thinking.

Edward stood up on his kneecaps. His chest froze, not daring to take another breath. One of his legs advanced, edging closer. I looked up at him towering over me, and found a strain creating a rift between his brows. He moved his strong arms like he was going to hug me but I remained still. Like the walls of a cage both of his arms came down on either side of me, his cherubic face gaining on my own. I followed his instructions, and didn't move a muscle.

I smashed my lips together tightly when I felt his smooth face gracing the side of mine. It was his lofty perfume that paralyzed me, chaining me up and tossing the key. With his nose he descended sailing in a straight line down my jaw, and passed my ear. My mouth was dry, and my core on fire. I felt a fever, and a piling passion I'd never experienced before. His hair was feathery like satin but swollen by thickness. It bedecked the entire left side of my face.

Then I felt his nose stop by my throat. I shuddered, and looked out over his broad shoulders as he tilted over me. I could hear it when Edward drew breath. My eyes rolled over to his fingers digging into the rock when I heard the fracture. A little gravel compiled around them, complaining about their shattered home.

It was unbearable, like a volcano had just erupted within me. The lava journeyed through my body, setting everything ablaze. My breathing was irregular, and my eyelids flickered. The sensation to move was irresistible. I finally parted my lips, and a searing gush of air and reticent whimper sideswiped his frame. Edward shivered.

"Don't move," I whispered. He became frigid; half his face nestled inside the arch of my neck. The evanescent chains he strapped me in were melted by the heat inside me. I embraced him, gingerly girdling my arm beneath his and blandly squeezing the firm muscle of his shoulder blade. The sear flashing inside was smoldering the tips of my ear's, and testosterone prickled an overwhelming wealth of excitement I never knew I had.

I soared by burrowing my nails into the soft tendons of his flawless Y-carved body. Tenderly I stroked past the bare skin of his neck, purposely whisking by his pulpy hairline, and anchored my other arm securely on the cuff of his shoulder. Mesmerized I nuzzled my temple into the subtleness of his mane, inhaling the cocktail of Edward's fragrance. Meekly I nudged my chest to his; only leaving a narrow gap in-between us stirred an incursion of static electricity. The chill of his body paled in comparison to my heat.

Edward's chin stationed beyond the crook of my neck, dangling his jaw over me. His breast expanded, inhaling, and massaged my own. I felt a spur through the fabric, a sort of jab; I knew it must be a tiny and silken panorama of hair stretching across his sculpted chest.

I trembled when the palm of his hand quivered on my lower back. The tremors shaking my hormones continued when he constricted his other arm beneath my thigh. Edward swept us up, and parted my legs. The mural of the forgotten lake reappeared before me. Cautiously he contorted me around his waist as he sat, and placed my own bum on the rocky formation.

Edward's robust but gentle touch pressured my hips to pull back, and I complied. The darkened eyes that snuggled his sockets did not alarm me. My thighs pulsed, covering his legs while my own crisscrossed around his waist with only a meager space between our crotches.

Tumbling back he braced himself on his arms, "I'm much stronger than I thought," he said.

"I'm not. I couldn't control myself, I'm sorry if that was uncomfortable for you."

"Uncomfortable? Little Devil, that was the first true intimate moment I have ever experienced."

I glanced at my legs that sluggishly dangled over his, and scratched the nail of my thumb. "Really?" Smiling, he nodded.

"Did you nev-"

"I have confided so many secrets to you, and even brought you to my secret pool. I think it is about time to learn something secretive about you. So please, regale me."

I bit my lip. Did I even have secrets? I did but there was no way I could tell him. I couldn't tell anyone. But I did remember something from two years ago I never shared because I thought it was ludicrous myself.

"Hmm, about two years ago I had an accident after school. I blacked out and woke up hours later, at least I think it was hours later. I was bleeding, and my vision was blurry. But I definitely remember someone patting my head. I saw a hazy face with long dark curly hair. I concluded later on that it must have been a woman. Her voice was kind. She kept saying that everything would be alright, and that help was on the way. For a while I thought I'd seen an angel. But I'm still not sure whether it was my imagination or reality."

I didn't tell him about the hate crime. I didn't like talking about it. But the memory of the woman with the dark hair I often suggested was a fabrication of my subconscious – so I wouldn't feel all alone.

"What do you believe it was?" Edward studied me, still leaning back. I shrugged.

"I like to entertain the notion of 'guardian angel'," I laughed.

Edward, ginning, looked up to the sky as if waiting for the clouds to finally part. They were moving rapidly towards distant horizons, and I wondered again where his certitude originated that had promised a sunny day.

"When will the sun come out?"

"In little over an hour," his face was intrusive then, almost ornery. I think there was something for me to behold.

"Oh good, that leaves plenty of time." Playfully I tapped his triceps, and mused over his big-eyed response.

"For what?"

"David Copperfield."

Edward collapsed onto the rock, crossing his arms over his eyes – his chest booming with laughter. The friction of his femurs beneath my thighs tickled. I reached behind me and poked his knee, "C'mon," I begged.

Still snickering and shaking his head he rested his weight on the cusp of his elbows.

"I'm not sure we have time for the entire bestseller so I'll be trimming and saving a few chapters for another time. Will that satisfy you Devil?"

"Who knows, try me." I was thrilled to finally learn about his past. Ever since stating 'two hundred years' I've been bursting with the intrigue of him. How many of my hunches were right? "Probably none..."

"It all started with a merchant from London en route to Venice in the year 1749."