A/N- Ok, so not only do I have 4 finals this week (joy), but I'm also helping at a conference for marine mammal strandings since I work for a marine mammal stranding group. So, I wanted to get this chapter out there. Alright, I also have some ulterior motives. First, I would like more opinions on the poll ( I think you guys know what to do). Second, I would love some more reviews! Third, I really really want to get to the next chapter. So, I'm guessing, the next chapter should be up by the end of the week, but if I get more reviews it might be up sooner. Anyway, enjoy!
Romance4ever- Ya… everyone fights, even best friends! I'm glad you liked the early update! Thanks for the review!
JoyMichelle- You'll just have to keep reading to find out! Thanks for the review!
Black Wolf-Dog- Just like FD, it's coming up! I'm glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for the review!
I was back at Ruthridge, but this time it was actually sunny at the house was clean. The walls were bright and shining in the light. The plants were all trimmed and the flowers were blooming. A few fountains were even running in various parts in the garden. Servants walked around the grounds going about their chores and never even looking up at me. I followed one servant as they walked around the ground. My throat burned with thirst and for whatever reason, the man I was following had whatever I needed to appease my thirst.
"What are you doing, my love?" A voice whispered in my ear.
James.
"I'm thirsty." I whispered. My voice seemed hypnotic almost.
"Then you should satiate your thirst."
"Hm… how?" I asked. I reached behind me and wrapped my arm around James' neck, keeping him close to me.
"You know how, love." James whispered. His lips made contact with my skin and I shivered in delight. His lips traveled up the column of my neck to my ear, where he nibbled lightly. I turned in his arms so I could face him. James' hair was pulled back and he was wearing his riding clothes. I played with the lapel of his jacket lightly with one hand while the other played with his hair.
"I want you to… show me." I whispered innocently. James growled and pulled me closer to him.
"And what would I get if I showed you?" James asked.
"Hm… I think we can think of something…" I promised. James growled lowly before releasing me and walking over to the man. He called him forward while telling all of the others to leave. The others quickly scurried away and James walked the man back over.
"You ready, love?" James asked.
"Mhm…" I purred.
James smiled up at me and pulled the man's arm up to his side. The man started to whimper and struggle, but James kept him in his place. Without ever breaking eye contact, James opened his mouth…
oOoOoOo
I fell asleep quicker than I wanted to. Apparently, neither my fever nor my body really cared what I wanted. The first time I fell asleep, I didn't have any dreams, just blackness. It was relaxing to just shut down and not have to worry about anything, dream or reality. At least… that's what I remember… blackness. I've never thought of it as calming as before, but for once, it really is.
When I woke up it was the middle of the night and I was freezing. I tried to pull up the covers up, but couldn't reach any. I groaned when I realized I must have kicked them off during the night. As I was leaning over the bed, my door creaked open and Alice stuck her head in. She looked over at me curiously and I groaned as I pushed myself back up onto the bed. Alice came over and helped me with the covers, making sure I was tucked in tight.
"Shouldn't you be asleep?" I asked as I adjusted the covers slightly.
"Shouldn't you be?" Alice replied.
"I got cold. Apparently I got hot during the night and kicked the covers off." I said.
"Your fever's been going up and down all night. Carlisle's been in here already a few times because your fever has gotten higher than he wanted." Alice explained. "Here, I brought you some tea."
"Thank you." I said as I took the tea from Alice's hands. The liquid instantly warmed my throat and stomach and I melted into the pillows.
"So, that must mean you like it, right?" Alice asked.
"Very much so. It's just perfect." I smiled.
"Good, I wasn't too sure how you'd like it." Alice said.
"Why not? Don't you have tea sometimes?" I asked.
"No, not usually." Alice frowned as she shook her head. "And Marcel makes all of the food and drinks for everyone else."
"Well then, good job." I said. I took a few more sips and continued to relax while the tea started warming me up again. "Did your father say anything about how I'm doing?"
"You're a little worse than he was hoping, but he's confident you'll be fine in a few days, a week at most."
"A week? That's longer than he said the first time." I groaned.
"But like I said, you're worse than he originally thought. I told James to bring you back before it started to rain, but he obviously didn't care." Alice snorted.
"No, he did try to get me in. I wouldn't listen and I started an argument. So then it started raining and we tried coming in and I fell so ya, you know the rest." I shrugged. "Your family really doesn't give him enough credit."
"Yes, well, our families never have gotten along." Alice shrugged. "I really should let you go back to sleep. You're sure you're fine, right?"
"I will be if your father says so." I said. "Have James and Laurent left already?" I knew they probably had, but I hoped they hadn't.
"They left rather quickly after you fell asleep." Alice said. She seemed smug about the fact they didn't even hesitate before disappearing from the Cullen's home.
"O… well, alright." I said.
"Carlisle will want to check up on you the next time you wake up, if that's alright?" Alice said.
"Of course." I replied before a yawn.
"Great, so I will see you later." Alice said. She took my now empty cup before walking out of the room.
As soon as Alice was gone, I pulled the covers back up to my chin before snuggling into their warmth once more. Again, it didn't take me long to fall asleep. This time however, my dream wasn't just black nothingness…
oOoOoOo
I was back in the forest, but this time the wagon was gone, as well as my horse. I could hear the wolves walking around in the trees as well. My heart rate instantly increased for I knew what was to come. The wolves would come back, change to men, taunt me, James would arrive, and I would run as they fought. For some reason though, I just didn't feel like that was what was going to happen this time. The wolves slowly emerged from the forest, surrounding me like this time, however there was a fourth wolf behind me. I gulped realizing that there wasn't even an escape route this time.
"Leech." The wolves muttered.
"W-W-What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Blood sucker." They growled.
"B-B-Blood sucker?" I asked.
"It's what you are." The leader growled. "And we're here to protect mankind from you."
"I'm a human though. I'm a normal woman!" I yelled.
"Really now? Why can't your heart beat? Why are you pale? You're just a filthy, lying bloodsucker." One growled.
"What are you talking about?" I yelled.
"We know what we need to do… Just accept it. You accepted becoming a cold one, now accept your fate." One of the wolves growled.
"C-C-Cold one?" I repeated.
"Why do you act so naïve? This is already harder than it has to be. We have to go after you… your precious husband… Bella… her fiancé… his family." They spat. "Why must you always reproduce? You spread your venom around until everyone in the world is already dead or one of you."
"What are you talking about?" I yelled.
Instead of continuing their argument, the wolves pounced. I screamed and tucked myself into a ball. I waited for the wolves to attack, but it never came. The clawing and biting that I was expecting just never came. I looked up and noticed the wolves fighting someone else. Their victim had super speed and strength, just like James. Upon a closer look, I realized it was James being attacked. Unlike last time, he wasn't winning. The wolves were all attacking different places, and as it seemed, they were completely tearing him apart. He was howling in pain, a cry that tore into my soul. He would throw one wolf off, just for the wolf to jump back on. I tried to get up, but I found myself frozen in the spot. I tried to scream, but no sounds came out. I was stuck where I stood watching the wolves tear apart the love of my life. When the wolves were done tearing apart James they turned back to me. Their muzzles were bloodied and their lips were raised up in a growl so I could see their teeth. I whimpered as they came closer, still unable to move.
oOoOoOo
"Dara!"
I was jolted awake and away from my dream. When my heart stopped racing and I found my bearings I looked around my room. Edward was looking at me curiously from the corner of the room while Carlisle and Alice were both at the side of my bed with worried expressions on their faces. When I looked back at Edward he sneered slightly before stalking out of the room.
"Dara, are you alright?" Carlisle asked.
"Um… ya. It was just a nightmare." I whispered. "It had to be just a nightmare."
"That was some nightmare then." Alice said.
"Ya, no kidding." I whispered.
"What do you remember?" Carlisle asked. "Alice is pretty good at deciphering the meanings of dreams sometimes."
"Just that there were wolves and… and James was there. They were fighting. I was trying to help, but I couldn't move. They tore James apart and I couldn't do anything. The wolves, or werewolves actually, they said something to me. They called me something, but I can't remember what. I think it might have been a few different names, actually."
"Werewolves? How do you know about werewolves?" Carlisle asked, concern and curiosity mixing in his voice.
"James told me about them." I said. "They morphed into their human forms in front of me when I fell from my horse. That's where James found me. He told me where they are and that's when this whole thing about me being in danger started. He never explained any more than that."
"Wow, you must have been pretty confused." Alice said.
"I still am." I replied.
"Alright, well I want you to try and get some more sleep. You slept most of the day and we're actually getting ready to settle down for the night." Carlisle said, sounding very much like the doctor he is.
"Wait, how long have I been asleep?" I asked.
"Pretty much all day." Alice said.
"Do I have to sleep some more?" I complained.
"Your body still needs to rest. It wasn't exactly peaceful for the past few hours with your nightmare. It actually took us a while to wake you up." Carlisle explained. "So, I want you to drink this tea…"
"There's a sedative in it, isn't there?" I asked.
"There is, but it should allow you to sleep some more. Hopefully without the nightmares." Carlisle said.
"Fine." I sighed. I took the cup from Carlisle and slowly sipped the tea. The sedative must have been really mixed into it because I couldn't even taste it. I drained my cup rather quickly, but almost as soon as I did I felt the sedative immediately start working. I gave the cup back to Carlisle before closing my eyes and letting sleep wash over me.
oOoOoOo
I was back in Forks, in the field behind the house. My father had just pulled all of the wheat and other food that had grown that year so the back pasture was open. I watched as a younger version of myself ran through the mounds of dirt trying to avoid my father's outstretched hands. Of course he eventually caught me and picked me up. I was giggling the whole time. My mother sat off to the side with a smile on her face as she watched us play.
"Papa, can I ride the horsy?" I asked.
"You have to ask your mother." Father said. He set med own and I instantly started running over to my mother.
"Hey mama…" I said.
"Yes dear?" She asked while she was trying suppress some laughter.
"Can I go ride the horsy with Father?" I asked. "Pretty please?"
"Hm… I'm not sure. It's not very lady like." Mother said.
"But I'm not a lady yet! I'm still a little girl! Can't little girls go riding?" I asked.
"Little girls shouldn't go riding, but I don't find a problem if you do for now." My mother said. "And I think you father knew that. Look, he's getting the horse ready for you."
I spun around and saw my father bridling one of the older mares. I squealed before running back over to him. I was jumping on the other side of the fence waiting for my father to finish bridling the mare. My father opened the fence when he was done so I could come in. He lifted me up and placed me on the horse's bareback before taking the lead and walking us around.
"Papa, I can ride on my own!" I giggled.
"Are you sure?" Father asked.
"Of course!" I giggled. Father handed me the reins and I happily accepted them. "See Papa! I can ride on my own!"
Of course, in my over eager state, I kicked the mare a bit too hard and she took off in a gallop. I instantly screamed and held onto her neck and she circled the pasture. Tears started pouring for the corners of my eyes as I held on and cried for my father. My eyes were shut so I was surprised when the mare came to a hard stop, almost throwing me in the process. When I was sure I was stopped, I opened my eyes and saw my father standing next to me.
"Are you ok, Dara?" He asked.
I just nodded my head and whimpered a bit. I looked past him to see mother standing on the other side of the fence. Father helped me off of the horse before setting me down. I clung to his arm until my mother came over. Then I walked switched to clinging to her.
"Now, did we learn a lesson here?" Mother asked.
I just nodded.
"Good, now you know why women watch and do… gentler activities while the men ride the horses." Mother said. "Are you going to want to ride the horse again."
I nodded. "I want to learn to ride… just maybe with a saddle."
"Dara!" My mother huffed.
"I like riding, just not that fast." I whispered.
"My baby girl will never learn how to be a lady." My mother cried.
"Why can't I be a lady and still ride the horse?" I asked.
My mother only cried out before turning around and clutching me to her side. I looked up at her confused before looking back at my father who was just smiling and shaking his head…
oOoOoOo
I snuggled into my pillow a little more as I sleep slowly drained away from me. I whimpered slightly and tried to fall back into my comatose state, but it just wasn't working. Then again, with all of the funky dreams I've been having, I don't think I want to go back to sleep…
"You never were one to wake up easily." Bella laughed. I opened one eye and glared at her. She was sitting next to my bed, but looking out my window.
"Where's your suitor?" I asked.
"Out with his siblings. They were off to play some game, I think they called it baseball or something like that." Bella said.
"Never heard of it." I said. I yawned as I sat up, stretching my arms over my head as well. "Please tell me I was out for less than a day this time."
"Just through the night and you were quiet this time." Bella said.
"Was I really that loud?" I asked.
"I thought someone was trying to kill you when I first heard you screaming." Bella said.
"Almost…" I whispered. The dream started to feel like it had happened months ago, but I still remembered the scene of James being ripped apart and my heart breaking.
"You want to talk about?" Bella asked.
"No, not really." I sighed. "So what's with Edward anyway? He glared at me before walking out of my room when I woke up from my nightmare."
"I don't know. He doesn't like James and he wasn't very happy when they left." Bella said.
"Ya, I heard James and Laurent left rather quickly." I sighed.
"They did, but if it makes you feel any better, Edward almost dragged them out himself." Bella said.
"Ya, they don't get along very well, do they?" I said with a smile.
"No, not really." Bella agreed.
"Can you help me out of this bed? I need to go pee really badly." I said.
"I would guess you do." Bella laughed. She stood up and helped me up.
As soon as I stood up, I nearly collapsed. Luckily, Bella was there to hold me up. She walked me over to the door to my room where she was able to stop a servant to help us. As I went to the bathroom, the servant had a bath drawn up. Bella was once more by my side helping me into the bath and washing my hair as I relaxed in the warm water. We spent quite a while in silence. I almost fell asleep again with Bella washing my hair and massaging it as she did so. Bella brought me back to the world of the living as the water started to get cold.
"Do you think I could possibly relax somewhere other than my room?" I asked after Bella helped me get back into real clothes.
"I don't know." Bella said. "You're still pretty weak."
"I promise I won't go running off. I just want to sit somewhere else." I said. Bella looked at me carefully before sighing and calling a servant to help her.
We walked down the stairs and over to the sitting room that had large windows facing the lake and forest. I smiled at the servant who placed a blanket over me before settling in to watch the world go by outside. I might not be able to be a part of it, but I would be able to watch it at least. The clouds were rather dark and angry and I'm surprised the Cullen clan decided to go out today to play baseball, whatever that is. As we watched, servants brought tea to keep us warm. Eventually, small raindrops started to fall. They turned into bigger drops, but nothing as bad as the other day. Bella and I nearly jumped when a clash of thunder erupted from the forest.
"Holy crap, that was loud." I said.
"It sounded close…" Bella muttered. "I hope Edward comes back soon."
"He'll be fine, don't worry." I said. "Bella, I need your help."
"With what?" Bella asked.
"Something's different about James, Laurent, and the Cullens. I'm sure you've noticed their cold skin?"
"Edward said it was slow circulation."
"Bella, no one is that cold from slow circulation." I said. "They're also very, very fast. James ran with me and I couldn't even see the trees or anything. It was just a blur."
"So he's a fast runner?"
"And their eyes… no one has eyes blood red or golden in color." I said.
"What are you trying to say, Dara? So they're different, who cares?" Bella said.
"Bella, they aren't human." I said.
"Right… are the wolves that have been lurking in the forest can change into men." Bella said.
"They can. They're called werewolves. They were what scared Chase and Justin's horse away before surrounding me. I think they were going to kill me if James didn't show up." I said. "And before you say it's not possible… they changed in front of me. I watched them turn from wolf to man and back to wolf."
"Dara… that's not possible." Bella said.
"Well, it is apparently. Then there are the Cullens, James, and Laurent. James keeps telling me I'm in danger, but won't let me go. I think we're in danger just being with them!"
"Why would we be in danger with them?" Bella asked.
"I don't know, but James said he'd tell me if I guessed right. I just need to do some research and I was hoping you'd help me."
"We'd need to go to the Cullens library and then after that we'd need to go to a bookstore and see if there's anything there." Bella said.
"Well, we have a place to start I guess." I said.
"Dara, are you sure they some sort of supernatural being?" Bella asked.
"Not with the Cullens, but there's still something telling me there is. When it comes to James… yes, I'm sure because he's let some things slip, both physically and verbally."
"I think you're still sick, but fine, I'll help you." Bella sighed.
"Thank you Bella." I smiled. "You want to get started today or tomorrow?"
"How about tomorrow. That way you'll be a bit stronger."
"You sure you'd be able to stay away from Edward for that long?" I asked.
"Very funny." Bella smiled. We laughed for a bit before turning our attention back to the outside world.
A/N- Just a reminder: Go and vote on the poll and review! Thanks!
