The Fire burned deep within me, liquid fusion through my veins. I had no sense of time, or where I was. All I could focus on was the never ending pain. I tried to speak once, to my Angel, holding me in his sweet embrace, but my jaw never loosened, clenched tight like a steel trap.
It seemed like I lay there forever, immobile as stone. I felt nothing beneath me, or above me, as if I was floating on air. My eyes were open, but all I could see was the fire, raging, flaming, crackling with horror. Once in a while my brain would function, and I would wonder…is this hell? Must I pass through the bowels and pits of hell before I can be immortal? Was this my punishment for being so selfish? But the pain would writhe again, and all thoughts would be lost to the flame. It was ages before the pain subsided, the fire dwindled. I thought I had made it through, I had passed, I was on the way to my love.
But I was wrong. In a spontaneous combustion, the flames roared to life, more powerful than ever, the pain now unbearable. My fists clenched, my toes also, the nails of my hand digging into the still soft flesh of my palm. Although now, my jaw loosened, and I let out the most terrible scream I could conjure, hoping, praying that this would end. I screamed relentlessly, my throat dry and aching. But it didn't matter, it was the pain that mattered.
In between screams, moans, and whimpers, I found my lips, making them move against each other, forming words.
"Edward! Ah….Edward!" I screamed, my body arching in anguish.
"Bella? It will be over soon…hang on!" his voice so sweet, candy to my ears, though torment and sadness in his tone.
"Edward," I whimpered, "kill me Edward…please kill me, kill me!" screaming, pleading.
"Oh Bella, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry…" dry sobs, a rasping voice from beside me, his tight embrace growing stronger.
" please…Edward…it hurts." I tried to make my words sound innocent, I wanted nothing more than to die at that very moment.
"Its almost over Bella…your so strong, sweetie, I love you so much…just stay with me a little longer." he begged, his voice thick, emotions overflowing.
"I can't" I whispered.
The pain grew stronger, sending one last horrific scream from the frail body I knew. The fire flicked out, and my vision turned black.
My eyes were closed. My body felt cool…unnatural. I took a deep unnecessary breath of air. Scents swam in my head, intensified. I could smell the leather couch beneath me as if my face was planted between the cushions. I smelled the rain outside, and heard the rhythm of its uneven beat like a drum beside my ear. I heard hushed tones downstairs, the vibration of lips moving at high speeds.
Uncertain if I was dreaming, I opened my sleep dazed eyes. The sight before me brought dry sobs to my eyes, I was in Edwards room. I was safe again. Once that realization passed, I started to notice things which I had not seen before with human eyes. The colors seemed more vibrant, glowing, illuminated. Everything was lighter, brighter. I lifted up my hand to touch non existent puncture wounds at my neck, but felt only the smooth coolness of the marble of my skin.
For the first time in days, I felt my legs, and carefully set them down on the rough carpeted floor. I looked down at my body for a moment, and noticed that I was no longer wearing the gothic temptress outfit Lestat had me put on, but my old pajamas with the holes in the shirt. I smiled to myself. I am no longer under Lestats spell. I am free.
Wobbling a little, I stood. Obliviously the change had not effected my balance, great. Cautiously, I strode to the hallway, and opened the door to the outlandishly huge bathroom. I walked in, flicked on the light, and took in the person staring back at me in the mirror.
Oh my god.
She looked beautiful. Her chocolate hair was draped in waves across her back, shiny and perfect. Her features her defined, sharper. Her skin was porcelain, creamy, pale. She had a faint purple huge under her wild and bright crimson eyes. Her body was well proportioned with tight abs, and for once, an almost curvy shape. It took me a while to realize that beautiful girl was…me.
I stepped toward the mirror, outstretching my hand to touch the glass, when I lost my balance, and fell against the sink.
Yep, it's still me alright.
I shied away from the person in front of me. I may look different on the outside, attractive to my prey, but inside….it's still the klutzy, self conscience me.
But I wasn't beautiful. Not anymore. Not after what Lestat did….he broke me. Would Edward notice? Would anyone notice? What would I tell them…nothing. I couldn't tell them anything. If I told Edward what Lestat had done, he wouldn't want me anymore. I was no longer innocent. I was damaged goods. I would just have to keep it a secret, and pray that Edward wouldn't find out.
"Bella…" I heard as if there was someone standing right there next to me.
I whirled around, but there was nothing but an empty bathroom before my eyes. I realized I must have heard some of the conversation down stairs. My heart began to race as I thought of my family that I haven't seen in lord knows how long.
"Edward" I whispered. I knew he would hear.
In an instant, he was standing behind me in all his beautiful glory. The second I looked into his liquid topaz eyes, I melted into him, clinging to him tightly. Dry sobs formed in my throat, making their way out as helpless gasps.
"I..I missed you so much." I cried, my hands digging into the fabric of his shirt, never wanting to let go again. The hardness of his skin comforted me. I took a big breath of air, a delicious….sensuous smell flooding my senses, hitting me like a ton of bricks. I clung more tightly to him, remembering his smell so well, now only intensified due to my abilities.
I had not realized that Edward had been shaking and sobbing also, which took me off guard. Usually he was so composed.
He found his voice "God Bella, you have no idea how it killed me to be from you." his topaz orbs burned into my crimson ones, sending a wave of comfort through me.