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Chapter 12

A Challenge

"Here, let me help you," the blonde girl spoke softly to me as she walked over with a tissue in hand.

"No thanks." It was all I could force out of my mouth.

"Don't be silly honey, I'm not going to bite." I watched as a wicked smile formed across her face. She took another step closer to me. I reached out with my mind and tried to place an invisible wall in front of her. I noticed she suddenly stopped.

"What's your name?" I heard the muscular girl speak to me from across the room.

"Bella," I stuttered a little. "And your names are?"

"I'm Cristina," the blonde girl said first as she tried to take another step towards me. She was moving much slower now. "And this is my cousin Misty."

"Where are you from?" I wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. My tone was sharp.

"We moved to Quesnel over two years ago. Have you been here long, Bella?"

"I've been here a year." I retracted a step as Cristina inched closer.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters? What about your parents? Are they as tempting as you are?" Misty voice was dark and somehow luring.

I did not want to answer that question. The thought of these sinister, malicious creatures lurking after my dad, brother or sister was making me angry.

Thankfully, I didn't need to answer them, as we were interrupted by the opening of the bathroom door.

"Bella, are you OK? Edward sent us in here to check on you," Rosalie's voice had a worried tone.

"No, I'm fine, I was just finishing," I turned around and saw that Michelle had entered with Rose. Michelle was staring past me darting her eyes at the girls on the other side of the room.

"You have some interesting friends Bella," Christina's voice echoed from behind my back.

"Yes, and we don't scare easily," I was shocked at the harsh tone of Michelle's voice.

"Good, I've always liked a challenge," Misty's smile was crooked. "I can't wait to tell my brothers about you three."

"I have brothers too," Michelle's voice was threatening. She walked up to me and grabbed my wrist. "Let's get out of here Bella, you too Rose."

"Yeah, Ok," I barely spoke.

"Bella, we will be seeing you again," Misty let out a shrewd chuckle. "I look forward to it!"

The girls laughed an ugly, high-pitched laugh as Rose, Michelle and I left the washroom.

"Who were those girls?" Rosalie asked full of distaste.

"I don't know. They are from Quesnel thou," my voice was shaken. I realized that my hands were shaking too.

Michelle then let go of my wrist, but as she did I felt another arm take its now familiar place around my waist.

"Are you OK?" Edward's whisper was soft in my ear.

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"You seem rattled."

"I think I need to sit down."

His voice then entered my head.

"Do you want to go? I will take you home, or anywhere else you want."

"Should I go? I mean with those people here, is it safe for me to stay?"

"You are safe with me. Michelle and Jasper are here too."

"Then I should stay. I promised Rose…"

"Ok, but stay close to one of us. Please?"

"I won't leave your side," I looked up and half smiled at Edward. He gave me a grin back.

Edward and I sat on the loveseat for the remainder of the evening. I was half sitting on his lap, like I was earlier, and felt the smooth circles that he rubbed in my back take some of the tension away. My hands didn't stop shaking until the pizza arrived, and I finally put something in my stomach.

After eating I became engrossed in the conversations at our table. The boys had asked Edward on the availability status of his older sister (who was lingering with some other students across the room), the girls talked about movies and music groups, and together we talked about school, classes, teachers and the upcoming volleyball season. I would have all but forgotten about the intrusive visitors, but I caught Edward glancing over at Lauren's table several times. When I did I was unnerved to find that the male members of Cristina and Misty's family were often staring back.

The crowd slowly started to thin after midnight. I was getting tired and felt my head start to droop slightly. It was hard to resist the urge to lean against the strong, cool shoulder directly beside me. The boy that was stroking my back sensed my thoughts and leaned in to gently whisper in my ear.

"You're tired."

"A little. It's been a long week."

"I should take you home," his lips brushed my ear as he spoke.

I couldn't speak as low as he could, so I closed my eyes lightly for a moment and answered him with my mind.

"No, not yet."

"Why not?"

I needed to think of a good excuse to stay. I didn't want the protected feeling that Edward gave me to go away. Inside I still felt scared and he was the only thing that could shield me.

"I promised Rose that I would try to have a good time, I told her I would stay and have fun."

"Are you having a good time Miss Swan?" I could hear the laughter in his thoughts.

"Surprisingly, yes I am."

As I spoke I saw Edward turn his head and look towards the front door. I glanced over and was relieved when I saw that it looked like Lauren's friends were leaving.

"Bella, I need you to try something."

"OK. What?"

"Can you sense them?"

"Yes, I've sensed evil ever since they got here."

"Focus on them Bella."

"How?"

"Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Try to block everything else out, including me."

"And then what?"

"See if they are leaving town. Find out what they plan to do for the rest of the night."

"Ok, I will try."

I closed my eyes and tried to fall into the meditative trance that Auntie pressed on me so many times. Soon the conversation of my friends beside me was nothing more then faint background noise. I prodded my mind to track the people outside the hall. I felt the existence of many outside, and searched each individual until I found the group that I was looking for.

I recognized who must have been Lauren's cousins. They had the same type of aura that Lauren did, but did not stand out when compared to their five companions.

The two females in the group were disappointed. It was like they were leaving something behind. I sensed the evilness in their hearts. Then there was the leader of the group, he was calm and in control. I shivered as I felt the pure darkness of his soul. He made the first two girls look like saints. He was assuring himself of something. The fourth mind was ignorant, without any of his own thoughts. He was a puppet that mimicked his master. The last mind, to my surprise, was softer and kind. There was a sense of relief that overcame him.

My mind refocused back to Lauren's cousins. They seemed resigned, like they were headed someplace familiar and welcoming. My guess was that they were going home.

"I think they are going back to Quesnel," I thought as I retracted my concentration on the group.

"What makes you think that?"

"I can sense their feelings and emotions. The girls are disappointed, they wanted to stay but can't. Lauren's cousins have that same feeling that I get when I get to go home. My guess is that Lauren's cousins gave the others a ride here and they have no choice but to leave when they leave."

"Good."

"Not really."

"What do you mean?"

"I am positive that the leader of the group is planning on coming back. I sensed that he is much darker than all of them combined. He was planning something."

Edward stopped rubbing my back and used his hand to draw me close to him; he was trying to hold me tighter.

"Edward?"

"Yes?"

"What are they?"

"They are shifters."

"How do you know?"

"Their scent."

"How do they know what I am? Why do they suddenly seem to be after me?"

"You have a scent too."

"Really? What do I smell like?"

"You smell wonderful, fresh and edible."

My thoughts suddenly flashed to my brother and how he accused me of wearing perfume all the time.

"What do they want with me?"

"They want your power."

"I don't have any power."

I didn't even know how to be a slayer yet!

"Yes you do. You have a very great power. You just don't know how to use it."

"How will they get it from me?"

I should know better by now then to ask questions when I am curious.

"They would have to kill you."

I felt him squeeze me tighter still as he thought the words.

I pondered what he was telling me for a moment. I was starting to feel sick to my stomach. Right on cue, like he knew what I was feeling, Edward's hand resumed making smoothing circles across my back.

After several moments lost in thought Edward and I rejoined the conversation of our group as the party wound down further. Another half hour or so later Rose got up with a yawn and stretch.

"Can you take me home now Pete? I'm exhausted."

"Sure. I'm ready to go too. You guys ready?" Pete directed his question at Mark, Clayton and Angela.

"This man is danced out!" Clayton spoke as he strutted across the floor.

Angela shook her head.

"We are all piling in with you Pete?" Mark asked casually.

"Sure, that way Edward can just head out with Bells."

"Thank you Peter," Edward's voice was velvet, he turned to face me. "Ready to go?"

"Yep," I didn't want to go, but I was tired. I spun off the leather love seat and stood up. Edward's hand found its usual spot around my waist.

Once outside everyone bid each other good night, and soon Edward and I were alone and he was helping me into his car.

"Where did Michelle and Jasper go?" I asked once Edward was inside the car and we had pulled out onto the street.

"They will follow behind us."

I looked over my shoulder and saw a pair of headlights.

"I didn't know you had another vehicle."

Edward just grinned. I stared at his eyes while he smiled. I noticed how they weren't as green as they usually were; there was darkness to them. Grayish black circles formed under his eyes.

"You look tired. Your eyes are darker than they normally are."

Edward laughed. "I don't get tired Bella."

"Really? But you look tired. It looks like you have bags under your eyes."

"Vampires don't sleep. We can't." His tone was accusing, like I was supposed to already know that.

"Then why are your eyes so dark? I've never noticed that before."

"It happens when I get hungry, Bella. It means I need to feed."

I felt a large lump form in my throat. I tried to swallow but couldn't. I also couldn't speak.

"Ask me Bella."

"Ask what?" I could barely choke out the words.

"Whatever it is that you are curious about."

I didn't want to ask, I didn't want to think about him "feeding" on someone.

"You need to drink blood?" My voice was barely a whisper.

"Yes." For the first time he seemed slightly uncomfortable around me.

"Where do you get the blood from?"

"We hunt in the forest. There is plenty to sustain us there."

"Wait a minute?" My thoughts were suddenly derailed. "You drink animal blood?"

"Of course," a smile formed across his face as he turned to look at me. "What did you think we fed on?"

"I just assumed…" I let my thoughts trail off as I started to picture Edward hunting a human. I shivered at the thought.

"We haven't fed on human blood in a very long time. Not since we learned that animal blood could keep us alive."

"How did you find that out?"

"A very compassionate vampire tried to convince me and some others to try it."

"Why?"

"He valued human life. He tried to do the best with what happened to him."

"So, does animal blood work the same as human blood?"

"Mostly. We are not as strong with animal blood, but the difference is minimal. The biggest distinction for someone like you would be the difference in eye color."

"What?"

"Drinking human blood turns a vampire's eye red but drinking the blood of an animal turns the eye a honey yellow, like Theresa's."

"But your eyes are green!"

"Yes. We can't be positive, but it's likely that it's because drinking animal blood keeps us closer to who we were as humans. Michelle, Jasper and I were very powerful creatures before we changed. The one true mark of that power was our deep blue eyes. Our conclusion is that our eyes only made half the transition. Yellow and blue make…"

"Green," I spoke absentmindedly as I processed what he was saying. Then a question popped into my head and I blurted it out without thinking. "How long did you feed on humans?"

"A short while. It was a very dark time in my life Bella."

"Please tell me."

"It was when we were first changed. Michelle, Jasper and I were told that it was the only way to stay alive."

"So you were told to hunt humans?"

"We had no choice so we tried to use judgment when we hunted. We found the vilest of humans to feed on. We stocked those who assaulted others, those who murdered, and those who were criminally insane."

"How long did you have to do that for?"

"Until we ran away from the group that held us," his voice was solemn.

"Somebody was holding you hostage?"

"Not exactly, but yes."

"Who can hold three vampires hostage?"

"A very large group of vampires. They call themselves the Volturi."

My mind was snapping through various images trying to picture what Edward was telling me. Anger was boiling inside me as I thought of someone controlling him and making him do things he had no desire to do.

"Bella?" His voice turned velvet in an instant. He put the car in park, we were in my driveway.

"What?"

"You have to let me protect you. Please?" He didn't turn to look at me. "You have no idea how helpless I felt tonight. If anything would ever happen to you, I couldn't forgive myself. I can protect you. I am strong enough for that."

"What if it's YOU that needs protection from ME?" I was still hesitant.

That's when he turned and unleashed his eyes on me. A slow, devious smirk crept up one side of his face and I was stunned at how irresistible he was. He gradually leaned toward me until his lips were at my ear and I felt the sensation of his cool breath down the nape of my neck.

"I am strong enough for that too," his whisper was soft enough to send shivers down my spine.

He drifted himself a few inches back towards his seat, stopping to linger when his lips were just inches away from mine. I could taste the sweetness of his breath on my tongue. A powerful surge of electricity flowed through us; we were two ends of a live wire. My necklace was charged and it was radiating heat throughout my body.

"Have a good night Miss Swan. I will be watching over you… and by the way, you look absolutely amazing tonight." The sound of his deep masculine voice sent vibrations through me. I closed my eyes to absorb the sensation. A deep quiver originated from my heart.

When I slowly reopened my eyes I was saddened to find him sitting back in his seat. The smile he wore was devastating.

I heard a short tap at my window. I shook my head in an effort to shake the sensations that were overwhelming me. I reluctantly opened the door and reached for Theresa's outstretched hand as she helped me climb out of the car.

"Thank you, Theresa. Did you and Alice have a good time?" I asked, still a little dizzy.

"Yes we did," she smiled as she realized how dazed I seemed to be. "Did you and Edward?"

I felt my cheeks fill with heat and turn read. Her smile widened.

"Yeah, it was great."

"I'm glad… Have a good night Bella."

She then let go of my hand and climbed into the car.

"Yeah, you too," I leaned down to look at the driver. "Good night Edward."

"Good night Bella," he was still grinning.

Then Theresa's car door slammed shut and I waved as the car slowly backed down my driveway. Once they were out of sight I lingered for a moment before heading back into the house. I was immediately greeted by my sister.

"BELLA! GUESS WHAT!" Alice was hopping at the bit to tell me something.

"Ok. What?"

"Theresa is a vampire!"

"You noticed that too, huh?" This was old news to me.

"I can't believe it! I thought they were all supposed to be bad!"

"They can still be dangerous Allie. How did you find out?"

"I picked up on all the signs. She never eats anything, her skin is cold, and at school when one of the window props in our play was about to fall on a student she got in the way shielded the kid. The window shattered on top of them, but she didn't have a scratch on her. No one else seemed to notice that she was completely unhurt, but I did."

"And from that you concluded with certainty that she was a vampire?"

"No. I just had a hunch"

"Then what convinced you?"

"I asked her tonight... She told me."

"And you weren't scared?" It was maddening how Alice didn't seem to care at all about the dangers that came with being around a vampire!

"No. Why should I be?"

"Because she could hurt you!"

"Why would she do that?"

I stopped. I couldn't think of an answer. I knew that all of the Cullen's could hurt me and my family, but I never stopped to think of why they would want to do that. After all, just because you can hurt something or someone, doesn't mean you will.

"They don't drink human blood Bella. They hunt animals. She told me that." Alice seemed to want to assure me.

"I know," I recalled the conversation that Edward and I had in the car.

"Dad said that we are not supposed to tell Emmett yet. We have to keep it a secret for a while. I don't see the point. He's going to find out pretty soon anyway…"

"Good night Alice," I interrupted her. I really needed to go to bed.

"Awh! But there is so much stuff she told me that I want to tell you!"

"Tomorrow Allie. Kay? I've had a really long day."

"Fine," she grumbled. "Good night."

I went to my room and peeled off my clothes and put on my pj's. I then went to the washroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. Within five minutes I crawled into bed and buried myself under the covers.

I was very tired but my mind was very active. I started to think about the events of the evening. The thought of the shape shifters and what they wanted from me was still unnerving. Edward promised to protect me. He promised that he would be close. I wondered how he was going to do that.

I lightly closed my eyes and searched for him. There was nothing. I could sense my sister still pouting at the computer, my brother watching TV and my father reading a book in his study. I felt a pang of loneliness without my personal protective shield being close to me.

My mind kept racing when, for whatever reason, it flashed to something that Michelle told me while we were playing volleyball. "Let yourself feel for him Bella…" I closed my eyes and started to think of Edward. This time I didn't just think of him, I tried to deal with all the emotions and thoughts that flooded my head when I thought of him.

My heart instantly started aching. I've never experienced such a longing for someone before. I needed him. I loved him. He was the other half of my whole.

Immediately after I realized this, Edward suddenly appeared in my thoughts. He was just outside my yard on the edge of the forest hidden amongst the shadows. I knew he felt me touch him with my mind. I sensed a smile form across his face.

I totally hate nagging for reviews, but this story seriously hasn't received any in several chapters! Is anyone out there? How do you like it?

Oh, and if you want some good reads check out "Quothme". All of her work is crazy addictive. I am currently reading "Glitch". It's great stuff. Look it up. Seriously. I dare you.