Chapter Twelve

Five years later

I sat in the penthouse suite of the Hotel Carlyle, 35 East 76th Street, surrounded by new clothes which I had strewn about the place like pieces of tissue paper. I had chosen the name of the hotel for its nostalgic link with Carlisle Cullen, and also for its link with Thomas Carlyle. Carlyle had been a historical philosopher who campaigned against the 'effete aristocracy'; that is, the rich people who didn't do anything for themselves. I liked this. It gave me a sense of righteousness in the world.

It had been five years since I had walked out of Jacob's house. Since then I had been all over America and Europe: Russia, Portugal, France, Spain, Texas, Maryland, Alaska, Tennessee... but all the travelling had reminded me too much of the days running from Edward. I finally stopped in New York, and had waited for him ever since.

The hotel had a spa, fitness centre, restaurant, room service, limousine service... all the mod cons. The sheets were silk, the TV was a 108 inch plasma. My penthouse suite was about the size of my old London house, all on one floor. The one difference was that it was much more lavish, there was room service, and it was much, much more expensive. It was very unlike my old homes.

Jack had returned from her little hunting trip. Lottie, Jeni, Verity and I regarded her with disapproval.

"You look a state." Lottie said it coldly. "What have you been doing?"

Jack smiled. "Only going out for a little snack. And I met some nice people along the way; they may be able to help us out of this," she looked around, "this hell-hole of a place."

Jeni, Verity and I stiffened. The abandoned warehouse we had found was the closest thing we had had to a home for a very long time. We had made it homely in the last few months: there were shawls over the damp in the walls, and what little money we had found lying in the streets we had used to buy small bits of wood to cover up the holes in the walls. We may have been cold-hearted vampires, but we liked to live as cosily as we could.

"We're not moving," snarled Verity. "You can't make us."

"Oh can't I?" Jack smiled again, baring her sharp white fangs but keeping her face smooth, with no trace of humour. "You'll see."

And Jack had killed Lottie, Verity and Jeni. Ripped their heads off while they fought her and the other vampires she had 'recruited'.

I often hungered for company now. Just to be able to run with someone, to hunt with them, to talk to them.... I wanted James. He had always been there for me, and now....

I walked back into the room as a porter knocked on the door.

"Come in," I called.

As the door swung open, I realised I had made a terrible mistake.

It was Edward.

Dear all,

Yes I am back! But not for long as I have mock GCSEs very soon...

Apologies for the very short chapter. I am trying to get this story finished after loads of you emailed in to ask me to do more! I am working on the end now.

Be back soon,
Xanthemj