Chapter Eleven

Bella

Darius excused himself to hunt making sure to lock me in while he was away, I wasn't sure if it was because he was worried I might run away or to keep me safe but he needn't have bothered. I decided I was as well off here as anywhere and when Jasper did contact his friend I would be here ready to pass on the message. Besides I liked Darius, he was suspicious and blunt but he was a true friend to Jasper and he was trying very hard to make my life as comfortable as possible. The fact he didn't like the Cullens did nothing to put me off, I was slowly coming round to his way of thinking. I stopped feeling sorry for myself and started to see the way they had acted in its true light. With the exception of Jasper no one had tried to stick up for me, they were all quite happy to turn their back on me and walk away despite their kindness beforehand. I got myself something hot to eat and made coffee taking my book back to the window seat but I didn't open it. Since living on the streets I had got out of the habit, books were a luxury, a heavy luxury to tote about, so I put it down and sat gazing at the view. I wondered how often Darius had sat in the same spot gazing out and perhaps thinking about his dead mate Sara. I got the feeling he lived this lonely hermit type life because he'd never moved on from her death.

Darius

Bella looked genuinely pleased to see me when I got back and for some reason that made me feel good. Why should it matter if she liked me? She was just a human girl who had strayed into our world and caused chaos although not of her own making I would grant her. Sitting there in the window with the sun shining on her hair she reminded me of Sara when I first set eyes on her. They didn't resemble each other physically but there was a way about her, her movements, the way she looked at me through her hair as she turned, all the little gestures I had loved in my Sara were here before me once more.

"Bella, I have to tell you something"

I had struggled with my conscience since speaking to Emmett, she had been in the bathroom so hadn't heard our conversation, but she deserved to know.

Bella

Darius sounded nervous and I wondered if he had heard from Jasper and not told me,

"Oh?"

"I had a phone call while you were in the shower."

I was right, he'd heard from Jasper!

"Who from? Was it Jasper?"

"No, I'd have got you if it had been him. No, this was from Emmett Cullen in Volterra."

"Emmett?"

That surprised me,

"What did he want?"

"Help, to break into the FBI database."

"Why would he do that?"

"It seems Edward asked him to do it. Edward is trying to track down the killer he believes murdered you."

"What? Why? What difference does it make now? Besides he walked away so why would he care?"

"I can't answer those questions, I can only tell you what I was told."

"What did you tell him?"

"To forget it. Tell Edward he couldn't get in and forget all about the human who was killed."

"You didn't tell him I was still alive? That I was here in Boulder?"

"No, I didn't think it was safe and I didn't think you wanted Edward knowing you were alive let alone that you were here. Was I wrong?"

"No, thank you Darius. For protecting me. I don't want Edward in my life now and it sounds like he'd be after me if he found out. If he thinks he can come back, say sorry, and pick up where he left off he's got another thing coming."

"Yeah I guessed you might think like that. Well I guess I should take a look in the FBI database just in case they get through the security although I doubt it."

"What are you looking for?"

"It's not what I'm looking for so much as what Edward would expect to find. I want to make sure its very clear that the police have marked you as a definite victim of the serial killer. I don't want any suspicion that you might be alive."

"I guess I need to thank you again."

"My pleasure Bella."

I came up behind him watching as his fingers flew over the keys with lightning speed them he was in and I saw my file, my photograph, and the forensic reports, detectives interview sheets everything about the investigation. He grunted and tapped in a few extras then logged out.

Turning our faces were close and for the first time I looked into his ruby eyes and found myself dropping into them. His voice brought me back to reality,

"I think that should do it."

I straightened up breathing fast,

"Oh right, thanks. Sorry if I was crowding you."

He smiled,

"No problem, its nice to smell a female scent in here."

"Oh right."

I couldn't string a sentence together and found my hand resting next to his on the table. His moved slightly and I felt his cool skin on mine with a jolt that ran up my arm and for a brief second I felt my long dead and ghostly heart beat, then we both jumped as the buzzer from the street door intercom interrupted us.

He tensed swinging round to look at his monitor again.

"What the fuck is he doing here?"

He cursed as the buzzer went again and hit a button,

"You're a long way from home Captain. There's no room here for your enormous ego."

"Stop fucking about and let me in before I huff and puff and blow your lair down. I know there's heavy shit going down and you know I hate to miss a party. Is he here?"

Darius didn't answer he just buzzed the newcomer through then turned back to me,

"Just a warning Bella. Don't take any notice of Peter. He has a short fuse and a foul mouth but he's a good friend of The Majors, just don't tell him I said that."

I nodded bracing myself for this uncouth monster to appear so when I saw him I was rather taken aback. He was slight, pale skinned, and red-eyed and wore a huge grin when he saw me.

"Darius you old dog. Who's your lady friend or is she a snack for later. She smells good if you feel like sharing."

"Why don't you give your mouth a rest for a change Peter. This is Bella Swan."

"Well hello Bella Swan. Allow me to introduce myself, Peter Whitlock at your service. You are a pretty thing for a human so what are you doing with this dogs ass?"

"She's a guest Peter so back off."

"You have guests? Human guests? I thought you killed them all."

"I'm looking for Jasper actually."

He turned to look at me and burst out laughing,

"Now that's a good one. I must remember it, looking for Jasper? Yeah sure."

He turned from me and spoke to Darius as if I weren't here,

"You got mega trouble headed your way my boy that's why I high tailed it here. Have you heard from the Major yet? I thought he'd be here when I got the feeling."

Before Darius could answer him the phone went again and Darius seeing the number snatched the receiver up

"Speak"

I couldn't hear the conversation but it was clear Peter could because he tensed and swore under his breath.

"I fucking knew it,"

As Darius put the receiver down Peter looked at me,

"So this is Edward's little human pet? I thought you were dead."

"Yes well rumours of my death are a little premature as you can see."

Peter was weighing Bella up and I hoped he came down in her favour or he would be a real fucking pain in the ass.

"So you survived. The girl who caused the downfall of the Cullens. You deserve a medal Bella Swan but we have bigger problems than that."

"Bella pack your things, Peter get rid of this stuff, food, everything that shows a human was here."

"What about her scent?"

"With luck they'll think I brought my meal up here. It's the best we can do"

"What's going on Darius?"

I was getting scared now,

"That was a friend in Volterra. The Volturi guard are on their way here to Boulder and my guess is they're going to visit yours truly so we need to get the hell out ASAFP."