A/N: I should have mentioned this last time: The Myth of the Succubus is actually Stephenie Meyer's idea () so all credit goes to her! I made up their powers, though. Also, some people are concerned Bella's power will be "cheesy". Don't worry, it's not totally random, and it fits her.
Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight
JAMIE
Jacob's POV
Running through the dark forest, I caught a whiff of that sickly sweet scent. It burned my nostrils and forced my paws to move faster. Oh God, I thought, don't let me be too late. I came to a strange clearing, where the smell was the strongest. A small figure with brown hair stood in the exact center of the meadow, facing away from me.
Please no…
"Jacob?" she asked, slowly turning to face me.
If I had been in my human form, I would have screamed. Instead, I howled in grief and rage. Her brown eyes were a vivid, crimson red. The normally fair skin had turned deathly pale, and I could feel the cold emanating from the lifeless stone. She was more beautiful and yet more terrible than what she should have been. Bella was dead.
"No!" I yelled, sitting straight up in bed. I took a few deep breaths, trying to remind myself that it was a nightmare. A meaningless nightmare. Though deep down, I knew that it wasn't; Bella might even now be one of them.
Don't think that, I told myself, repeating it like a mantra. I glanced at the clock; it read 2:35am. Great- there was no way I was getting any more sleep tonight.
I tried to avoid thinking about Bella, so I occupied myself with the only other subject that could hold my interest- the girl. I still did not know her name, but I couldn't stop thinking about her if I tried. And I had tried to forget about her, but I couldn't. She was beautiful to me, but I also hated her in a way. In the way that I would die for her, because she was the reason my heart continued to beat- and I hated her for it. I hated myself for it. I hated that I had no control over it. And yet… I needed to see her.
I made my decision quickly. I would just run around her house- just to make sure. Before I could think through what I was doing, I had phased and was heading towards Forks. Her uniquely exotic scent led me to her house easily- no one else in the world could smell like that.
Her house was an ordinary four-bedroom, two-story deal, painted a fading yellow. I noticed an ancient basketball hoop next to the driveway. I made a wide circle around the place a few times, telling myself that I needed to leave. I had done what I meant to do.
I paused in front of an open window on the west side of the house; her scent drifted lazily through it to perfume the air. It was fruity somehow, like oranges, but there were also traces of sand and salt and sandalwood…she smelled like summer.
Before I had time to think it through and argue with myself, I phased back and pulled on the sweats that were tied to my calf with a string. The window was open, and the jump would be easy. I landed lightly inside the room, quickly checking to make sure I hadn't been noticed.
She was sleeping, her chest rising and falling steadily. The twin bed was pushed into a corner. I had to fight a smile- her long legs had tangled up in the sheets and hung out the end of the too small bed. She looked…innocent. Sweet and beautiful, indescribably so.
Stop it, I reprimanded myself, it's not you talking. It's the stupid imprint. You love Bella. Bella.
I tore my eyes away from the sleeping girl. I focused on examining her room- who was she, anyway? I chuckled darkly- with my luck, I had imprinted on a socially retarded psychopath. So, there was nothing wrong with doing a little research, right? She had a big bookshelf, crammed with dozens and dozens of novels. I rolled my eyes; romance novels. Typical.
Her closet door stood open, so I took a surreptitious look. The clothes were plain, mostly just t-shirts and jeans, with a few dark sweatshirts thrown in. Her color of preference seemed to be blue. There was also the odd blouse or skirt, but it looked as if the girl dressed for comfort.
I looked at the white walls next. They had been mostly plastered in pictures, posters, ticket stubs, souvenirs, magazine clippings…it was a dizzying array. I studied the madness more closely and found several pictures of her laughing with friends, and a young girl who I assumed to be her sister. The posters were mostly of male musicians and movie stars- also typical.
I strolled silently over to the desk. There was the usual clutter of papers, pens, schoolwork, and various CDs. I moved closer to check out the names of the CDs, but tripped over something partially hidden beneath the desk: a grungy orange basketball. I stopped breathing and whipped my head around to make sure she was still sleeping. She continued to breathe slowly and deeply. Once more, I moved towards the desk, avoiding the ball. A note stuck out the top of her U.S. Government book. I picked it up, feeling slightly guilty, but unfolded it.
Hey Girl,
I'm so excited for the concert. I can't believe you got tickets! Ugh I hate math- it's so boring! Anyways, did you hear about Maddie and Joel? Drama, much? I'll talk to you about it after school. See you later, Jamie!
XOXO,
Hayden
Jamie. Her name was Jamie. It fit her- girly, not completely unheard of, but also memorable.
I halted my thoughts. What did it matter if she had a name? I shouldn't care- Jamie was not important to me, she was important to the werewolf in me. Besides, this note proved how childish and insipid she was, it proved she was just another ordinary human teenager.
Human. Jamie was human, and Bella was… shut up! I commanded my brain. My hand trembled, and I carefully replaced the note, swallowing my anger. This girl- Jamie- should not have any power over me.
I didn't care about her- and I would prove it. I loved Bella, and Bella only. My werewolf side could imprint all it wanted. It didn't control me.
The next morning passed in a haze of tiredness. I didn't know why Sam still insisted on making us go to school. What was the point? If I had to be a werewolf for the rest of my torturously long life, surely I shouldn't have to go to high school, too?
"You look like hell, Jake," Paul commented as he sat down for lunch, carefully balancing six or seven slices of pizza and three bagels.
"You don't look so great yourself," I growled at him.
He smirked. "I was on patrol last night, I have an excuse to be tired. What's yours? More nightmares about your girlfr-"
"Shut up!" I roared, causing several lunch tables to look over.
"Cool it, Paul," Quil warned. Paul just snorted and shoved a slice of pizza into his mouth. Sometimes I really despised him.
I spent the rest of lunch in an annoyed silence. Jared, Quil, Embry and even little Seth shot worried looks my way the rest of the day. I wished they would stop; I didn't need their pity. Of course they knew all about the stupid imprint. They all kept telling me not to fight it- what did they know? Their imprints were fine. They didn't resent it. Well, I reminded myself, all except for one. Sam. He didn't resent the imprint exactly. Emily was the love of his life. But I knew, I would always know, the regret he feels about Leah. Sam hadn't wanted to imprint at first. Sam kept telling me that soon I would give in to it as he had. It was inevitable.
The thought made me pound my fist on the lunch table, drawing several more anxious glances. I was sick of it. I decided to skip the rest of the day. To hell with Sam.
I got in my old VW Rabbit and drove out of the student lot. The guys could walk home, for all I cared. Serves them right for treating me like some stupid, stubborn kid. I would live my own life.
I drove through the empty streets of La Push, soon leaving them behind altogether. I had no idea where I was going, and was startled to see Forks High School flash by my window. I stepped on the gas; she was the last person I wanted to see right now.
Murphy's law: What can go wrong, will. And God, or Karma, was kicking my ass. Of course I saw her. Jamie was walking in the direction of her house with a shorter, blond girl. I tried to avert my eyes and ignore her, but I couldn't. Once again, my body reacted against my will. My foot eased off the gas, allowing my eyes to look at her properly. Her blonde friend noticed me and gave me a strange look. I probably looked like some creepy rapist, tailing girls on their way home from school.
The blond girl tapped Jamie on the shoulder, who turned around to look at me. I saw confusion, recognition, shock, and…happiness in her bluish eyes. Her full lips parted slightly in surprise, and she watched me expectantly. Why would she care about me? She wasn't supposed to know me! I hadn't anticipated that she would remember.
I snapped back to my senses and took off as fast as the car would go. The tires squealed against the pavement, and looking back in the mirror I saw Jamie. She looked hurt and bewildered.
I had to stifle the urge to run back to her and erase the sadness from her face- that was not my job. The only person I would ever care about was Bella. Curse this stupid, average girl for existing! For being in Forks! I hated what she had done to me. I hated her.
A/N: Yes, a shorter chapter. Yes, the next one will be longer and from Bella's POV…you will get some answers. Oh and yes, I would love some reviews : .