I cannot thank you guys enough for all your wonderful reviews! I regret to say this might be the last chapter until this weekend, I'll try and write when I take breaks from studying, but finals are quickly approaching. It's scary how fast this year has gone by.

It seems as if there has been some slight confusion that I thought I would clear up for anyone who might have been wondering. Bella is NOT a vampire! She never was, and never will be (at least not in my stories). I'm sorry if that's a disappointment, but I don't think it is true to Stephenie Meyer to go changing her into a vampire, since obviously the whole idea behind the story is forbidden, dangerous love. If Bella's a vampire it kind of defeats the purpose (sorry about that rant!) However, Camillus did take Bella's soul, which linked her to him, giving her all those power. That might be where the confusion stemmed from. I tried to explain it a little more clearly in this chapter. Sorry, but Bella is still human...though rather lacking in the soul department.

No Jasper yet...sorry! He'll be in the next chapter, I promise. Oh and there is a slight bit more angst in this chapter...I couldn't resist! I actually really like this chapter.

Anyways, enough talk! Enjoy!

Edward's POV

My teeth sunk into human flesh; the first time in decades. The sweet blood that filled my mouth and ran down my scorched throat was more satisfying than any form of animal. I lost myself only briefly, until Bella's frightened scream brought me back. I had to stay in control or there would be nothing to stop me from going for her next.

Something was pulling at me, trying to dislodge my hold on Camillus's draining body. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Bella tugging weakly at my arms, she looked alarmingly pale. I released Camillus's neck and tried to push Bella away; I barely touched her and she fell backwards. The familiar stony feeling of Bella's new paralysis powers began to creep through me, but it wasn't nearly as strong as before. Instead it felt like I was in a pool of tar or molasses, every move was sluggish and took great effort. Camillus made a slight gurgling noise in his throat before grunting out:

"You're killing her," his voice was laced with pain as my venom burned his blood. The binding force fell off me completely and I whipped my head around towards Bella. She was lying on the ground, pale and still. Then I understood. Camillus and Bella were linked, he controlled her mind and if he died, her mind would be lost as well. The body cannot function without the mind, without something to command its heart to beat, its lungs to take in air.

I leapt off Camillus, who placed both enormous hands over the bite-sized wound in his neck. The taste of his rich, velvety blood still lingered on my tongue, but I fought off the urge to finish what I had started.

I knew what I had to do. My years wasted serving this twisted ancient had not been completely forgotten, no matter how hard I had tried. I could remember, clear as if it had happened yesterday, the desperate cries of innocent people as they were forced into the freezing water, held under until they ceased struggling. Above all though, I remember the chanting; the loud, mesmerizing voice that boomed through the room, stopping all who were exposed.

The words were Arabic, but I had witnessed enough horrific "soul-capturings" for them to become engrained in my mind.

Quicker than Camillus could possibly stop me, I scooped Bella's limp body into my arms and headed for the familiar basin of water. Not even Camillus was skilled enough to perform the rite without liquid. I knew the water was not properly prepared, but it would make for a slightly smoother transition than the open air. Water has long been known as one of the most effective conductors in existence and it made for easier passage of the mind from one to another. In just the atmosphere it was more like harshly ripping a fragile piece of fabric, it was rarely successful without causing permanent damage.

Even in the water, without the proper preparations, there was still rick of damage, but it was a risk I was going to have to take. Either this, or Bella dies.

Camillus had followed me, which was quite amazing considering the pain he must be experiencing form my bite, and stepped into the water behind me. Before he could reach me I lowered Bella beneath the surface, so just her face broke through the water, allowing her to breathe. The words of the ritual came easily, though they sounded harsh and guttural coming from my chemically burned throat. The ancient's hands grabbed for Bella, the blood dripping from his throat stained the pool a deep, watery red and surrounded me with the delicious smell of human blood. It disgusted me how tempted I was by the smell. I faltered only briefly, but Camillus's sudden, forceful grip on Bella's limp body renewed a second strength in me and I no longer thought of blood, or temptation. All that mattered was saving Bella, saving my love.

The water began to glow brightly and I squeezed my eyes shut tightly. Too many times had I seen the damaging powers of that light. Camillus shouted something, presumably trying to counter my actions, or possibly trying to steal my mind for himself, but I was too far for his words to have much effect. I felt its intensity increase as the light shone bright red through the newly acquired blood in my eyelids. Camillus's attempts to wrench Bella's body out of my arms ceased and I heard a soft splash before something connected with my body. Only it didn't stop once it hit me, it kept going, moving through my skin, entering my muscles, bones, every part of my being. It felt as if I were sharing myself with someone else, some uninvited visitor who had decided to settle in the back of my mind. It felt almost as though I had sprouted an extra appendage from my head.

The light in front of my eyelids faded as I completed the chant at a whisper. I don't think I could have managed any louder if I had wanted too. When I was sure all the radiance from the water had faded I blinked my eyes open. Camillus was floating face down, bobbing with the slight waves from my movements, his body complete drained of blood. Desperately I wanted to run from the room, but I wasn't finished yet. I had Bella's mind and she needed it back.

The problem was, I had never witnessed Camillus give back someone's mind once he had taken it. He always just kept it until they had died, usually from exhaustion, or he killed them. I had no idea how to go about restoring Bella's conscience.

Gently I lifter her from the chilly water; her voluminous dress had absorbed quite a lot of cold moisture and I knew I had to get the dampness away from her skin. Humans truly were fragile creatures, how they survive for so long remains a mystery to me.

Exiting the pool I laid her carefully on the floor before making my way to the wardrobe pressed against one of the stone walls of the large room. It was a new addition since I had last been her and I wasn't sure what I would find inside. Fortunately it was unlocked, but to my disappointment there wasn't much in the way of clothes. It was, however, stacked high with thick blankets. Grabbing several I returned to Bella, propping her against my chest to better remove her soggy dress.

A wave of her heavenly scent washed over me and I noticed blood was mixed in with her hair. She must have hit her head when Camillus had thrown her into the wall. I closed my eyes and steeled myself against my desire. I had resisted her several times before, I could do it again. My new found control over myself surprised me. Before I had met Bella this sort of temptation would have been the end of me. Carlisle is probably the only other Vampire I knew who had more control than this.

I was unlacing the tight cord of the corset down her back when I felt her stir slightly. Her eyes remained closed, but I could tell she was awake. She reached her hands behind her to feel mine.

"What are you doing?" she questioned.

"Your dress is wet," my voice was sounded like someone trying to saw through a rock. "You need something dry before you get sick."

"You're taking off my clothes," she sounded slightly amused.

"Lucky me," I joked. She chuckled then grew silent as I threw aside the sopping dress and wrapped her in several warm blankets, rubbing her arms briskly for added warmth. I knew she couldn't interpret any physical feelings in the state she was in, but her body would still respond to them once her mind was returned to her fully.

Camillus, his name drew venom to my mouth, had one explained to me what would happen in theory if one's soul – though I never truly believed it was the soul – was returned. I cringed at the thought of what Bella had been exposed to, she would be forced to endure all the physicality of that if I could discover how to return her mind. For now I allowed her complete access to it holding nothing back. She didn't deserve any more restrictions.

"Is he…" her voice faded nervously, her obvious fear made whatever blood was in me boil.

"Yes," I replied as soothingly as I could. "He's dead." Tears began to squeeze from Bella's closed eyes; she turned and sunk her head into my chest. My arms wrapped around her blanketed body and I let her cry, her tears soaking into my ripped shirt.

"I'm so sorry," she sobbed. I knew if it were possible tears would grace my cheeks as well.

"Don't be," I whispered, stroking her dark hair. "You did nothing wrong." She shook her head forcefully.

"I let him do that to you," her voice was thick with shame. "I just stood there and watched. I…I enjoyed it." I felt her tensing, every muscle in her body tightening with unnatural strength.

"And Jasper," her voice was horrified. "What have I done?"

"Jasper is fine," I assured her quickly before she could mentally beat herself too much. "Jacob took him back to Carlisle." Bella loosened slightly.

"Jacob?" She sounded surprised. I was just happy to distract her from her unnecessary feelings of guilt.

"He helped us find you," my obvious disdain seemed to amuse her slightly.

"He's not a bad guy you know," she mused. "This is the second time he's helped save my life." I ignored the connotations behind that comment.

"Don't be so quick to judge him," she added. Several silent moments passed, her body remained so still I wondered if she hadn't fallen asleep. I don't think I'd ever felt more exhausted in my entire life.

"Edward?" Her voice broke through the silence. "Why can't I sense anything? What happened to my powers?" I had been wondering when this question would arise.

"They were part of Camillus; he had stolen them from other gifted people. Because they were in his mind, you could access them as well," I hoped that made sense. I noticed her eyes were still firmly shut, as if she were afraid what she would find when she opened them. I remembered her blank expression she had born when she had other means of sight than simply her eyes.

"Bella, I need you to open your eyes," I instructed, slightly afraid myself. If they had been opened when the water had shone with such brilliance… Her face turned toward my voice hesitantly, but trustingly. She believed in me completely.

Then her eyes flickered open. My heart sunk as I stared at the misty gray that had settled on top of the beautiful brown I had so desperately loved.

"Something is wrong, isn't it?" Her voice was carefully controlled. "I should see your face." It wasn't a question. I prayed my voice would stay as strong as hers had.

"We'll get you to Carlisle," My voice sawed. "He'll know what to do." Delicate fingers reached up to my face, softly tracing the outlines of my features. They lingered slightly longer on the contours of my lips which I turned upward into her favorite crooked smile, for her benefit. A few diamond tears escaped down her cheeks.

"You still feel beautiful," she whispered. I raised my own hands to cup her angelic face, wiping her tears with my thumb.

"You still look beautiful," I whispered back. She smiled slightly and leaned into my shoulder, her hands moving down to feel the smooth outlines of my arms, my back, my sides. Then to my surprise Bella smiled as if she had just heard an almost-funny joke.

"You have my soul, you know," she snuggled into me. "Is it as bad as you thought?" I knew she was joking, but it still stung a bit. How she ridiculously interpreted the things I said drove me crazy. However, I didn't really want to argue with her right now.

"No," I replied. "It was never bad. However, it's about time you had it for yourself, don't you think?" She nodded, but made no move to release me from her embrace. I let her remain there for several minutes longer before gently easing my body from beneath her. Blank eyes searched desperately for where I had gone.

"Don't leave," her voice was frightened. "I don't want to be alone." Quick as lightning I stooped by her side and pressed my lips to hers, knowing I couldn't go as far as I desired; I relished in her imagined taste. She grasped me forcefully but I had to release while my control was still strong.

"I will never leave you," I whispered in her ear.

Please let me know what you think! (I might be more inclined to take more frequent study breaks:)

Thanks everyone for being such wonderful readers! I really enjoy you guys!