A/N:All I can say is that if you dislike the route of this story, then it isn't your cup of tea and there's little I can do. I understand not many people enjoyed the last chapter, and with all honesty I didn't enjoy writing it much, but I had a minor writer's block as well as a few bad days. I'm back now, and here's the next chapter with me. Enjoy.

I do not own Twilight, or any of the characters or themes that may have been previously used in the Twilight Saga. All of these belong to the original author Stephanie Meyer.

Chapter Ten: Igniting the Inner

BPOV

The ball room, or school hall - if we were actually calling this place a school, was decorated beyond the imagination. Streams of multi-coloured paper flowed gracefully from the walls and ceiling, balloons were everywhere, and there was an array of coloured lights bouncing around the large room. It wasn't the classic lunch room though. Couples entered from the halls either side of the large stairway, which was thin at the bottom and thick towards the top. Two large speakers stood either side of the staircase and blares a range of music from pop to techno. No alternative, as usual or classic party pop songs like the Cha Cha Slide or Eh, Macarena.

As people flooded in one after another, couples or groups began taking the dance floor and grinding against each other to the bass; all wearing masks. Bree and I had picked up masks on the way, hers was feathered and shaped like miniature angel wings, whereas mine was a small cat-flicked black one. The eyeholes were large, enough to make my blazing red orbs glow in the dimmed area.

I'd spent about twenty minutes searching for the familiar strawberry blonde head of hair, and I found her eventually, leaning against a 5'11" tall, pale blonde boy with clear sea blue eyes and a baby-face. He didn't wear a mask, obviously. His skin was pale, yet had a blue-ish tint to it even in the bad lighting, but my enhanced eyes possibly had something to do with that. He grinned and wrapped his arm around her, and she tossed her curls over her shoulder and giggled loudly, holding a mask on a stick up to her face with a pout. She pissed me off.

She ignited the inner me even more.

I grit my teeth and prepare to storm over, when all of a sudden I see Edward wander in, his face emotionless with Jasper's hand on his shoulder, and four figures behind them. Two of them were cloaked in black robes, and the other two were a woman and man. The man looked astoundingly like Edward with his pale skin and red eyes, and his wife had the copper red tone to her hair that Edward flaunted himself.

I didn't have time to wander if they were related or not, because Bree clamped her hand around my arm and pointed across the room, over the mass of bodies, at Rosalie with her trademark golden waves of hair, and tight denim shorts and a crop top, contrasting majorly with Tanya's small but puffy pink tutu attire. Tanya scowled at her, but Rose merely grinned. Did they even like each other?

I nodded at Bree and we made our way forward towards them, weaving in and out of the bodies until we reached Tanya and Rose. They eyed us warily first, but then Rose broke out with a grin and nudged Tanya's arm, causing her to spill her drink she was sipping over her chest.

"Rose!" Tanya screeched loudly, and I saw Mike's eyes pop open at the look of the liquid on her breasts, and I couldn't help but chuckle along with Bree and even Rose.

"You would've done that later anyway," Rose mumbled and pointed lazily at Mike, who was still drooling over Tanya and her… sticky situation.

"What are you trying to say," Tanya growled.

Rose merely shrugged. "I'm saying if you can't attract a guy without pulling a classic cliché then you're not exactly seductive, are you?"

"Oh, and you are? Please," Tanya rolled her caramel eyes and giggled, clutching her arms around Mike's arm. I thought she wanted Edward… I looked at Bree in confusion and she shrugged.

"Succubus' can't keep to one person, Bella," Bree said.

"Excuse me?" Tanya huffed, and Rose smirked.

"If you were a real Succubus, you could handle these two on your own," Rose yawned. "And no, I'm not scared. If you actually get defeated by these mice, then I'll step in, but if you're going to be cocky you're on your own."

Tanya scrunched her eyes shut and grinded her jaw together, as she yelled after the blonde when she began walking away. "This was your God damn challenge, Rose!"

"Make it good, Tanya," Rose hollered and vanished into the mass of bodies.

Bree and I looked back at Tanya, who merely smiled and stood on her toes to whisper into Mike's ear. His lips popped open and his eyes rolled back into his head. He gulped, nodded and stumbled off through the crowd within seconds, Tanya then stood in front of us, her breath and chest huffing as she pierced us with a glare, but then I noticed her bones begin to crackle and shift beneath her skin, and I saw her gasp as her teeth and nails became sharper, longer. A long tongue slithered out to moisten her top lip and she smiled. Her once caramel eyes now a stunning scarlet.

As we watched her transform under our eyes, we became aware of a circle gathering around us and the music lower, and I could feel one stare out of them all on me, but I didn't look.

"You," Tanya growled, and her head snapped in Bree's direction. "You're a liar, it wasn't you! I'd know that essence from miles away…"

"Oops," Bree chuckled. "I forgot." Tanya shoved Bree to the side, and made her way towards me.

I stood a step back on shaky legs; I wasn't scared, but merely anticipated. I showed this by lowering myself into a crouch, and I smiled. Tanya, however, stormed over and snatched my mask from my face, and I didn't stop her. She dropped the mask and stumbled back. "You!"

"Nice pick, Tanya!" A male voice hooted.

Another spoke up. "You gonna make out or what?"

Tanya giggled from the attention and then looked at me. "How about it, Bella?" Hissing my name, she spoke once more. "Shall we give these guys a show?"

"I wouldn't want to catch something," I replied in a cruel tone, and for a moment I reminded myself that I wasn't Rosalie. "I'll decline that offer."

"Now ladies," The small red-headed and matching eyed woman called out. This was the first authority we'd heard in a while. "Not on school premises."

"No!" Tanya screeched. "It's about time that little bitch was put in her place!"

"We are thoroughly sorry about this, Father," A smooth and young male commented. He was cloaked, but he stepped forward into our circle. "Shall I escort the two out?"

"To hell with that," Tanya snarled and with amazing speed, she dashed forward. I stepped to the side slightly and turned mid-way as her arms stretched out for me. I gripped one and pushed her away as I pulled my body the oppositely. I twisted my body and threw her form down onto the ground. She screeched in pain as her head connected with the solid flooring, but she swung her leg for mine, and I went tumbling. I collapsed and felt her clamber on top of me, her legs kneeling on mine. She punched me repeatedly, and I managed to block a few. I felt a few harsh hits onto my cheek, nose and lip. I gripped Tanya by the neck and threw her to the side and I stumbled onto my feet. I knew I should have taken these heels off.

When I got to my feet I walked a few paces forward and turned to see Tanya, her heels kicked off as she bunched her dress up in her fists. She got close enough and twisted her body into a smooth kick, however, I gripped her ankle and placed it under my arm, and I pulled harshly until her back landed on the ground. I dropped her leg and she danced up once more, her legs and arms coming towards me like a dance, but I batted most of them off with my arms.

"Fight me!" She screeched, and I rolled my eyes and gripped her arm. I twisted her round so that she was facing away and quickly twisted on my own feet, sending one leg out in a round-house until it connected with the back of her head, and I could smell blood as the heel of my shoe connected with her cheek. Her body slumped forward and she fell onto her knees, blood pouring down her face and onto her chest, she looked over her shoulder at me and grinned. "You sneaky little cow…"

She rose slowly, her breathing heavy and her eyes wary. "So you can fight," She whispered, but everyone can hear her. "You're strong, fast, and hardly delicate in this form. What the fuck are you? You're so mousy, like a human, but then you're a demon yourself. No one, no one," She repeated, paused, and then continued. "Has made me bleed with a fucking shoe before because they never got the chance! Why you?!"

The truth was, my mother had prepared me for all sorts. Whether it was learning to control my craze or to actual combat. I never had siblings to play fight with; I had to fight my own mother. She'd either kick my ass, or I kick hers.

"That is quite enough," A soft, melodic voice chanted from under the black coat. The voice was feminine, and her figure was small. She pushed the cloak from atop of her head and I was met with the blackest of eyes I'd ever seen, which stood out against her pale skin and scraped back blonde hair. She was purely beautiful, young with child-like quality to her. She was terrifying. "Forgive us, Lord Aro, as my brother mentioned earlier." The other cloaked figure stepped forward, and dropped his cloak off entirely. He wore a black tunic, tuxedo pants and a white button up shirt. He was gorgeous, with edgy hair, his fringe poking into his green eyes slightly. He was tall, his hair a dark brown, with slightly full lips. He was angelically beautiful.

"Please, Jane, Alec," A male voice as gentle as a feather caressed the air and everything turned silent. "This has been quite the entertainment, and I'd love to say thank you to those participants."

I kept my head low as I felt the coldness wash away from my body, and was replaced with an ache that almost numbed my sore body. I closed my eyes as the venom in them stung and felt the colour fade. My fangs shrunk back into my gums, and I resisted hissing aloud.

I knew my body had also transformed back to the norm, and the dress now felt too big for me. I crossed my arms and sneakily tucked my hand near my breasts to hold it up before one of them could pop out on show. Now that would be embarrassing on my half…

"To hell with that," Tanya mumbled once more and stormed off, her shoulder bumping into mine as she passes. She stormed up the staircase and down one of the balcony sides, vanishing from site a millisecond before the click of the door.

The music was turned back shortly after, but I didn't look at the figures around me. I merely weaved my way through the crowd towards the staircase, my throat raging as I gulped from that stare.

"Bella…" His voice whispered besides me, and I shuddered. I hurried my steps up the stairs, but then I tripped. I panicked but felt an arm grasp under my shoulder, one of my hands splayed out to catch my fall, the other still holding up my dress. "What the hell were you thinking?" Edward hissed.

"Edward," A voice snapped, and I looked up to see the small woman with copper red hair and scarlet eyes from earlier stare at me warmly. I half expected to be given a lecture, but she reached out and caressed my free arm. "You look just like your mother."

"Huh?" I gasped, and I looked up at Edward as he raised his eyebrow at the woman.

She chuckled, still holding and rubbing my hand. "My name is Esme Cullen, and I was once a friend of your mothers. I know a lot about you, Isabella," She explained, but then glared harshly at Edward. "Not that this one bothered to tell me. I'm only his mother."

"You're Edward's mom?" I asked, and she nodded. "You know my mom?" She nodded again. "Oh, great."

"You're just as ferocious as her in a fight, too," Esme chuckled and finally dropped my arm to place her hand on her hips and winks at me. "She got us both into a lot of trouble back in the day."

"Mother," Edward said coolly. "I need to speak to Isabella in private, and escort her back to her dorm."

"I raised you to be an absolute gentleman," She cooed and kissed Edward on the cheek, but he still stood entirely emotionless. I couldn't imagine him as a mummy's boy, unless she was just out to embarrass him. "I'll see you later."

I glared up at Edward, feeling no fear or guilt, but he didn't glare back… in fact, his eyes showed confusion and hurt. "You almost got yourself killed," He mumbled, and I shrugged. I walked off towards the doors Tanya had fled through. "You can barely walk in those shoes, Bella," He groaned.

"Well done," I snapped. "Now, any other faults to pick out on?" I halted, and stamped my way down the corridor, wobbling slightly.

"What is wrong with you?" Edward questioned, his voice empty now.

"I saw you," I whispered, my voice full of hurt. "With Tanya. Oh, Edward, how could you?! I thought you… you…" I couldn't help the tremble of my lips and the whimper in my throat. Edward rushed forward, but I held my hands up to stop him touching me, though all I wanted to do was to collapse in his arms. He looked great… he wore black, slim jeans and a red and black button-up shirt rolled up to his elbows, showing off his muscular arms.

"She came onto me, Bella," He begged. "I know that sounds terrible clichéd, at this moment but I mean it. She came out of nowhere, like a redheaded bat out of hell."

I shook my head and grinned, the tears cascading down my cheeks. "I knew you'd never have an interest for me, Edward. The only reason you're here is either my blood, which I know attracts you like a magnet, or for you feeling sorry for me."

"It was never the second," He admitted. "Yes, I've craved your blood. Hell, I've even planned to take it from you on more than one occasion."

"Then why lead me on?"

He paused, his red eyes widening. "I… I didn't intend to."

"You don't know how dazzling you are to girls, Edward," I sighed and closed my eyes, blocking the following tears. "You can have anyone you want, why would it be me?"

"I'm drawn to your blood," Edward said. "But I'm also drawn to you, and I'm unsure why. You not only smell delicious, but look it," I couldn't help but blush and drop my head low. I felt his hand come up under my chin and he tilted my head so that I had to look at him. "And not just in the appetising way." He hummed, his voice and eyes honest.

"Please don't," I sniffled. "Please don't lie… I don't mind if you don't want me, you're being honest and I can't force you into anything, which is what I'm aware of, but don't lie…"

"I'm here willingly, Bella," Edward mumbled, his voice actually sounded heartbroken, and scratchy. I looked into his eyes and saw unshed tears. "I don't know what it is, I suddenly developed this urge to protect you – even from myself. I promise I'll make it up to you, Isabella Swan."

I nodded and bit my lip. "So, you and Tanya…"

"Nothing happened," A familiar Texan accent drawled. "I would be able to sense if Edward was lying or not, though I supported his idea to take blood from you I've had a change of mind in sensing the attraction between the two of you during some moments, now as an example. You're hurt because of a misunderstanding," Jasper explained with a motion of his hand to me, and then to Edward. "He's hurt because he not only doesn't understand this form of love, but is now suffering the consequeces of his actions."

"Actions… consequences?" I stuttered, and looked up at Edward in question, and he frowned deeply. The look alone killed me.

"It was me," Jasper explained. "I attempted to convince Edward to drink from you to make himself stronger, for the upcoming fights… though I think you may be ahead of us by miles already."

I looked back at Edward, and his hands gripped his copper red hair. I heard Jasper leave and I sniffled once more to interrupt the silence before speaking, but Edward beat me to it. "You can't imagine how sorry I am, Isabella. I admit that what Jasper said was true, but it is no longer. I have no intention to… to do anything like that anymore. The only thing I will do is…"

I waited for him to continue, my eyes wide as saucers as I looked up to him. He was breathing heavily, his chest rising with each breath. I placed my hands on his arms, lowering them as he loosened the grip on his hair. He took my hands in his in front of us and looked down at them. "Your hands fit perfectly into mine, Isabella," I looked down at them and saw what he meant. He was my protector, as his strong, cold hands clasped around my weak, clammy and small ones. I looked up into his eyes and he smiled. "The only thing I will do now is fall for you even more, Bella."

"What?" I gasped and I stumbled back. His strong hands never left mine and he pulled us closer, his grip holding my body to his. His minty, cold breath fanned over my face refreshingly. I closed my eyes and whimpered in pleasure at his proximity.

"I'm unsure of how, but in some way, I have fallen for you in such a short amount of time unknowingly," He stated. "I love your scent, yes. I've been telling myself that for weeks but what about you? Your blood is like a siren to me, Bella, but even a siren cannot attract a sailor without some form of beauty. Your blood isn't beautiful, but merely appealing to the scent and taste. But you… you're beautiful, inside and out. Beauty like that, as I've discovered, can attract anything."

"You have no idea how corny this all sounds…" I smiled half-heartedly, and I felt another tear slip out. Edward reached up to wipe it away with his fingertip. He smiled crookedly down at me and caressed my cheek in his hand. His eyes danced lower towards my lips, but then they dipped even lower and widened, he scrunched his eyes shut and groaned.

I looked down self-consiously and realised my dress had slipped down, and my breasts were just half an inch from slipping out entirely to be on show. I hurriedly pulled my dress up and clasped my arms around my chest area, blushing tomato red.

"You will be the death of me," Edward hissed and I looked up to see him unfaltered, grinning, but then he turned serious. "What do you feel, Bella?"

"What do you mean?" I asked… was he asking me to describe my feelings for him? There were no words for them feelings…

He took one of my hands this time, and spread my fingers out inbetween his own. He held my hand up to his chest, where his heart would be. He looked down at me with a sad smile. "If I had a heart, it would beat for you as much as yours does for me. True or false?"

"True," I gasped and closed my eyes as he then place my own hand on top of my own chest, his own on top.

"What do you feel?" He repeated.

"Everything…" I admitted. "Edward, I can't describe it… I… I get nervous when you're near, I fear you if you're mad, I don't even know my own name when you're being all lovely and handsome and dazzling and… and… well, when you touch me I feel like there's a spark, but I'm comfortable and calm, other than the butterflies always going off in my tummy."

"Might want to get that checked out," He winked. "The sparks, the calm and comfort, are all there for me. I do not have as enhanced human reactions as you, but I'm sure I'd forget my own name and feel eruptions in my stomach if you were flaunting yourself around just for me. My precense here is for you, Bella. Also, I too feel a little flustered around you, I just don't show it. My thoughts just get a little too carried away…"

Holy hell… does that mean he imagines things?

Like, sexual things?

Holy hell…

By now, all the hurt and anger had slipped away. Here stood Edward Cullen, a full Vampire, admitting feelings which may or may not relate to love right to my face, in a corridor where anyone could just walk in, unnoticed by our heated conversation.

"Please forgive me," Edward begged, and I couldn't deny the adoration and softness in his eyes, the warmness in his smile and the devotion in his words.

"I do," I whispered and I sighed as Edward delicately pulled me into a hug. His head dipped and his nose brushed against the top of my head, and I felt him inhale, and pull me closer. I gripped my arms around him tightly, and I shuddered into his touch, not out of cold but pleasure.

Edward dipped his body low, and he placed a hand on my waist to steady me as he removed the shoes from my feet. He handed them to me once he stood me upright, and swooped me up into his arms. "Those shoes are a death trap," He chuckled and carried me down the corridor and up a flight of stairs. I would've worried about him carrying me up here, but his vice grip and steady footing reminded me of his inhuman strength.

He'd probably be able carry a truck up here…

We got to my dorm, and Edward placed me onto my feet. I pushed my door open and stood aside for Edward to step in. He stopped in the middle of my room and turned to face me. "How can I make it up to you?"

"Just keep me company," I smiled and shut my door. "I'm just going to get changed, do you mind waiting?"

"Of course not," Edward smiled in return and sat himself down in the armchair, where he belonged in this room

Though, even after everything that had gone on, I'd rather have him in my bed…

I picked up my dad's shirt and a pair of loose shorts. I went to the bathroom, wiped off my make-up, and I shrugged on the clothes. The shirt covered my shorts, and I wondered out the bathroom feeling nervous. Edward's eyes roamed my legs and he nodded in response, smiling gently. "You look beautiful whether in a very alluring dress or in an old shirt."

"It's my dad's," I said softly. "The only thing I have of him, until I actually meet him."

"You've never met him?"

I shook my head at Edward's raised eyebrow look. "He's a human, and baby half-breeds don't have the best control."

"Ah," Edward hummed. I moved to sit on the bed, but Edward reached out and placed his hand on my thigh. "Sit with me."

I widened my eyes. "On the bed…?"

He grinned and shook his head. "Too tempting," He said and pulled me by my hips towards him, he turned me and put me into his lap, my legs bent over his lap and along the arm of the armchair as I sat side-ways to him. I leant against Edward's arm, while his other rested in my lap. I nuzzled my head into Edward's neck and he hummed gently. "I've been wanting to hold you like this for a long time, Bella."

I closed my eyes and sighed, content. I felt my body ache for sleep and my I struggled to keep my eyes shut. "Why do I…" I yawned. "…Always feel sleepy when you… you're around?"

"My cold body lowers your own temperature in proximity," He began, in hushed whispers. I felt his fingers twine with my own as he continued. "The cold restricts your body from passing so much energy, therefor you feel drowsy."

"Oh…" I yawned once more.

"Sleep, youngling," He cooed, and I felt myself being tucked into my warm bed, and a blanket being draped over me.

"Stay," I whispered… and the last thing I heard was Edward's smooth voice whisper into my ear, always…

A/N: So, he finally admitted it.

What do you guys think now, hmm?

Btw, we are nowhere near the end of our adventure just yet, so review and keep reading :)

~PandaSket