AN: Sorry for the lack of updates. I'm hoping it won't be another two weeks before the next one. Real life became crazy, and since real life pays my mortgage, it has to come first. Thanks for understanding.

Lots of theories about the girl. Let's see who she is!

Chapter 11

The girl tilted her head from side-to-side, as if Bella was a science experiment she couldn't quite understand.

"I'm sorry. Do I know you?" Bella asked.

"No, you don't know me," the girl replied. "But I know Edward."

Bella's heart raced in her chest. "Edward?"

"Yes. He misses you terribly."

"I . . . miss him, too," Bella said softly as she stood up from the piano bench. "Is he close?"

"I'm afraid not, but he needs you."

"He needs me? Where is he?"

"In Italy."

Bella closed her eyes. Surely he wouldn't have gone back to the Volturi.

Would he?

"Edward asked my father to put him out of his misery," the girl explained. "You must know how special Edward is. So talented and gifted. My father couldn't bear to destroy him. Edward admitted that he is in love with a mortal, and that she doesn't wish to become . . . one of us."

One of us? She's a vampire?

But that wasn't what shocked Bella the most.

"That's not true! He was the one who left me!"

The girl sadly shook her head. "He refuses to feed, and lack of . . . nutrients makes us a bit delusional."

Tears formed in Bella's eyes. "What can I do?"

"If he could see you. Just for a moment. Perhaps if he heard your voice. If he could touch you."

"You want me to go to Italy?"

The girl nodded.

None of it made sense. It was Edward who'd left her. It was Edward who wouldn't change her. Why would he tell the Volturi that she was the one to blame for his misery? And why would he go back to that awful place?

Bella took a moment to study the girl's face. There was something sweet and child-like about it, but there was something else . . . something she didn't trust.

"You haven't told me your name," Bella said.

The girl's onyx eyes flashed with anger. "And you're stalling. Do you want him to die? Why does he love you? Why does he love you, when he could have . . ."

Bella's eyes narrowed. It was all the confirmation she needed.

"Jane," she whispered.

The girl smiled wickedly.

It was a misery that could only rival the death of his family.

Two months had passed, and in all that time, he'd never ventured far from Forks. But today, he was in Northern California, gorging himself on mountain lions. He was afraid his hunting activities around Forks might cause suspicions, so he'd decided to travel south.

He'd never do it again. The anxiety of being so far away from Bella was just too much.

She was hurting, and so was he, but he wanted to give her the option he'd never had. Besides, four years was nothing more than a blink in time when you were going to live forever.

Then she would decide, and he selfishly hoped she would choose him.

Edward had just finished draining his third mountain lion when someone's thoughts shattered the silence of the forest.

Alec.

Edward shoved the animal's carcass away and leapt to his feet as the vampire appeared. He took one look at the lion's body and rolled his eyes.

"Disgusting," Alec muttered. "I will never understand why you feel the need to live this way."

They'd had this conversation too many times, so Edward didn't bother responding. If Alec was here, it wasn't to make small talk.

"What do you want, Alec?"

"Hmm. I want my sister to get over her ridiculous infatuation with you, but unfortunately, she's stubborn. I was hoping some distance would cure her of this silly crush, but you know how demanding she can be. She continues to believe that you are her mate."

"She's not mine."

Alec nodded. "As you've made clear so many times."

"Then why are you here?"

"Not by choice, I assure you. Jane demanded we find you."

"We?"

Alec nodded. "She and I tracked you from a little town in Washington. Aro insists I persuade you to come home."

"Italy is not my home," Edward replied stiffly. "Forks is my home, and it will be until Bella . . ."

Edward closed his eyes. Stupid!

"You've found your mate."

"Yes."

"I see." Alec glanced at the carcass. "And does your mate share in your hunting habits?"

"Bella is . . . undecided at this point."

It wasn't a complete lie.

"Wise of her. You should bring her to Volterra. I'm sure Aro would be thrilled to meet her. As would I. Speaking of Bella, is she hunting close by?"

It was subtle, but Edward could detect the sarcasm in Alec's voice.

"You said we tracked."

"I did."

"Where is your sister?"

Alec grinned.

No. No. No.

"I have your attention now, don't I?" Alec murmured darkly.

"Please . . . I'm begging you not to hurt her. I'll do whatever you want. Go wherever you want. Just . . .please."

Alec nodded. "Aro requests your presence."

"Fine. Just leave Bella alone."

"Ah, I'm afraid it's too late for that. I truly don't envy my sister. Traveling with a mortal can be so exhausting, but Aro insisted. All Jane will have to do is convince Bella that you are in Italy, and that you need her. . ."

Edward lunged, wrapping his hand around Alec's throat.

"If Jane hurts her, I will rip you both to shreds!"

Jane has Bella.

Bella is in Italy.

With a fierce growl, Edward tossed Alec's body down the rocky mountainside before racing through the pines.