Chapter 10:

A few weeks had passed since we moved here. I was doing really well with the animal blood and there was only one incident where I almost attacked some swimmers on the beach a little away from me. Apparently one of them had cut themselves on coral or something and the smell drifted across the water. I went to run over there but Jasper was beside me in an instant to stop me. Where he had come from, I still didn't know, but I was glad he was able to stop me.

But it was sometime during that day that I caught a familiar scent. It wasn't blood, it was the scent of a person, but I was having trouble telling if it was human or vampire, but I was pretty sure it was vampire, or else the scent of blood would have drove me crazy.

I had a very strong scent of smell, stronger then most vampires. I asked Alice if she smelt it too but she shook her head with a little look of worry, before making herself go blank, concentrating on her insightful visions. She shook her head when she came back saying that she didn't see any danger in our future but I knew that smell, it was so familiar. But who was it?

I let it go, for the time being, and continued sitting on the back porch in the sun with Alice, our skin sparkling. We didn't really have to worry though, about being seen, because the public beach was about two miles down the sand. The sun, which normally would have felt hot, felt cool on my skin. It was different, and I liked it. It made my skin feel sort of tingly.

That's when I heard it. The snap of a twig. There was someone close by. This time I wasn't the only one to hear it. Alice shot up in her chair and closed her eyes but couldn't see anything. That's when it hit me. There was only one person I knew that could cause visions to go blank. But to be sure I called Edward.

Edward had been in the living room with Emmett arm wrestling. He came towards me and I asked him to listen around him.

"Bella, the only thing I hear is Alice's thoughts." He then looked at her. "How long?" A bit of time passed, "But… that doesn't make any sense,"

"I know," she said. They both looked out.

"I think I know who it is," I whispered. They both looked at me. "Steve, that guy that was with James and I… he had a power to block the powers of others. At least he could stop visions and your mind reading skills Edward. That's how James was able to sneak up on you and take me,"

"Are you positive?"

"Yes," I said. I looked back out in the distance, towards the few trees that blocked in the one side of the house, where we would find deer and occasionally bears to feed on. "I can smell him… he's getting closer."

"But I can't smell anything," he said.

"Edward, remember how she was able to smell that blood all the way from the beach," Alice said, "Carlisle said she has some extra sensitive smell… even for a vampire,"

"Are you sure it's him Bella?"

"It's a familiar smell… that's for sure and the fact that you can't sense him… I'm just putting the facts together."

"Alright, we should get you inside,"

"No,"

"Bella," Edward said but I shook my head.

"This is my battle Edward; you can't keep me from Steve as well. You kept me from helping you with James. At least let me try,"

"Carlisle," Edward called into the house. Carlisle was out within a second. "We have a problem,"

"What's wrong?"

"Bella thinks Steve, James's accomplice, is coming."

"He's not coming," I said, "he's here,"

"How can you know for sure?"

"He's stopping you from finding him. I can smell him… I can sense him here, but the rest of you can't. He wants me to go out there to see him,"

"Bella," Edward said, "That's too dangerous,"

"He won't do anything,"

"How do you know?"

"He wants me as well,"

"What?" Edward asked angrily.

"No worries Edward," I said kissing him, "I don't want him; all I want is you,"

"I don't like the idea of you going out there unprotected,"

"Give me a chance,"

"I won't let you…"

"Edward," Carlisle said, "We have to let her try,"

"But Carlisle,"

"You have to trust her Edward,"

Edward looked at me and I looked right back. He stayed that way for a little while and then he nodded. "Alright… but if there's any trouble…"

"You'll be the first to know," I said kissing him once more and then turning towards the trees.

"Wait," I looked at Alice, "Be careful… if he really has the power to block powers then…"

"Don't worry Alice," I said giving her a hug. "I'll be careful," I turned to Carlisle, "Thanks for giving me a chance,"

"Just come back to us… in one piece," I grinned.

"No worries," I said and then, finally I rushed towards where Steve was waiting for me, stopping a few meters short of where I saw him standing.

"My, my, Bella, you seem to get prettier every time I see you," he said as a greeting.

"What has brought you here Steve?"

"I want you to join my ranks,"

"No deal,"

"But Bella, it'll benefit you greatly. You'll get all the blood you could ever ask for,"

"I'm fine with the animal blood, thanks,"

"C'mon," he said taking a few steps towards me, "Animal blood isn't nearly as good as the hot, sticky blood that runs through the human veins,"

"I told you," I said as my mouth started to water, "I don't want to,"

"Is this because your mate is dead?" he asked.

"My mate is very much alive," I snarled at him.

"Oh that's right, James was just like a boy toy for you. Someone to fill the gap until you returned to that Edward,"

I glared at him. Boy toy? Like I would ever use James as a boy toy, the man that tried to kill me not too long ago and that one that changed me? I don't think so. I snarled at him, growing angrier as the time passed between us. It was a scary snarl and it made Steve retreat two steps.

"Easy now Bella," he said.

"Leave," I growled, "Now,"

"You know, I don't think I will. The weather is so nice here. I think I may stay a while. Any room in your house?"

"Don't you dare come near my house," I said, "Stay away from me and my family,"

"What about your family back in Forks?" he asked mockingly.

"Don't you dare even think of touching them,"

"What do you think you can do to stop me if I did? Your nothing but a newborn vampire with very little skill and ability to handle your powers," He sneered at me, "I am a powerful vampire with a very rare gift. I've been around a lot longer then you have."

"Don't under estimate me by my age,"

"You really think you can beat me?"

"With the help of my family, I know I can,"

"Oh please," he said, "I have the power to control their powers. You see, I wasn't exactly being honest when I told you and James about what I can do. Sure, I can block their powers… but I can also control them and plant false thoughts in their heads. I can make your little friend Alice see you willingly come with me. I can make your little fiend Edward hear you want to go with me."

I was about to say that Edward can't read my thoughts when an idea hit me. I could use that, if he were to take me and plant that thought in his head, Edward would see something was wrong. It was too perfect.

"Whatever," I said, "Besides, no matter what you did, they'd come find me anyways."

"I wouldn't be so sure,"

I stared at him, I was tired of this. "Just leave Steve," I said and I turned to go. He acted quickly, grabbing me before I could get two steps. I saw him close his eyes and then shake his head towards the house before grabbing my arm and trying to get us out of their. He underestimated my strength. In a quick but swift movement I was able to get out of his grasp and I kicked him. He flew to the ground. It wasn't long after that that I heard the footsteps of my family coming. I glared at Steve who was lying on the ground glaring back at me, as Edward, Emmett, Carlisle and Alice came towards us.

"What happened?" Carlisle asked.

"He under estimated me," I said. Steve continued to glare at me. "Never underestimate a newborn vampire,"

"But… I saw you go with him,"

"You saw wrong," I said to Alice. "Just as Edward heard wrong."

"How did you know…?"

"His power," I said glaring at him once again, "Is that he can control the powers of others. He sent false images and thoughts over to you so you'd think I wanted to go with him. Too bad he didn't realize that Edward can't hear my thoughts,"

"You little," Emmett said as he started towards him.

"Em, stop," I said. Emmett stopped and looked at me. "I don't think it's fair to destroy him. I think we've done enough damage for a while,"

"What do you supposed we do with him Bella?" Carlisle asked, "I agree with you about not destroying him, but we can't let him run free to kill off the humans around us,"

"Is there any way we could… I don't know… watch him,"

"He's powerful," Edward said, "He's blocking his thoughts from me at the moment but I'm sure he's coming up with a plan to get out of this,"

"Bella," Alice said, "The only choice we have is to destroy him,"

"But like Edward said, he's powerful. How can we manage to do it? He could get out of it,"

"You have strength at the moment Bella, use it," Edward said.

"I'll help you," Emmett said cracking his knuckles.

"I don't like it,"

"But it has to be done,"

I looked at them and then back at Steve. He had his eyes closed, as if preparing himself for something. Suddenly, everything went black, and we were all on the ground.

A/N: So I think this is like the first cliffy I left… maybe, I can't remember… anyways, I thought I'd bring Steve back into the picture. I tried to make this chapter a little longer cause I noticed that like all my chapters are short and I wanted something a little better. What do you guys think happened? Do you think Steve did something? You'll have to wait to find out. Please review and it may come faster!

I hope you're all having a good valentines day… even u singles like me lol! Anyways, I hope you liked it!

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