Alright, I am sorry! I know it's been too long! I feel bad, but I hope you forgive me. I took a much needed vacation.

This, I believe, is that chapter that everyone has been waiting for. A lot of things happen in it, and it was one of my favorite to write! I hope there isn't any name confusion, I must confess, I don't picture "Edward" and "Bella" when I write, so I might of mixed them up once or twice and not caught it in my proofread. Let me know if I did this and I will make the corrections.

I should be able to update more regularly from now on, as I will run into some more time in the near future. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read this, I plan to post the next chapter soon!

I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer!

Chapter 14

Master

The next few weeks seemed to roll by uneventfully. I was busy, very busy. I had volleyball practice three times each week, my homework, and I spent a lot time helping around the house as dad was working extra hours at work. He said that he wanted to be able to take some time off during Thanksgiving, so he needed to bank some hours.

Edward was very elusive. I was grateful for it, but it was maddening all the same. His eyes weren't heartbroken anymore, and every now and then I would catch him hovering around me, but he was always very subtle about it. My heart was aching for him. I kept pondering my dream, and I kept coming up short for an answer. I desperately wanted to figure things out so I would have no excuse not to be close to him again.

I was slowly growing familiar to the stench of wet dog in the morning and after school when suddenly it became so intense it was actually somewhat infuriating.

"My god! What IS that smell?" I spoke aloud to my sister after getting off of the bus. Emmett was out playing football and didn't come home with us.

"I really can't smell anything, Bella," Alice responded in a way that let me know she believed I smelled something, but it was beyond her ability to sense it.

"Seriously Allie, it's awful and gross and weird all at the same time."

"Why don't you ask Edward if he can smell it too? He might know what it is."

I pondered that. I would like an excuse to talk to him, even if it's over a sweaty, wet dog smell.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," I agreed casually. "At least then I will know if I am crazy or not."

"I don't think you're crazy Bella. My abilities just aren't what yours are yet," she said matter-of-a-factly. "I wish I could help more. It's frustrating to see things happen to you and know that I have to wait to experience them for myself."

I empathized with my sister. In most ways, she was far more ready for this transition then I was. I still hadn't even finished reading the Slayer book.

"I am going to hit the trails and see if I can discover what that scent is," I told her as I dropped my backpack off in the entranceway once we stepped in the house. "I will be back in time to make supper."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Alice was quick to offer.

"No, I better go alone; I don't want anything to interfere with my senses," I lied to her. I wanted to talk to Edward and I had a feeling that he was outside watching me… somewhere.

Alice was dejected slightly, but bought into it.

"Be careful Bella."

"I will Alice. See you in a bit."

I then closed the door behind me and went outside to the middle of my backyard. I inhaled a large, disgusting breath of dog filled air and tried to find out the direction the scent was coming from. When I finally detected the essence I started to follow it.

The smell was coming from the forest. I began to make my way through the thick ferns and pine trees as the scent intensified both in the air and in my mind.

An urge started to come over me. I suddenly felt like hunting. I was no longer walking through the forest, I was running. I was tracking something, and I felt my pace quicken as I got closer.

My heart was beating in my ears; my bracelet was burning around my wrist. My legs evenly soared across the floor of the forest; I was running very fast and covering a lot of ground in a very short time. Soon I would catch what I was seeking. Excitement filled my body. I was so close.

Just short of my target, I was tackled. I felt no danger. Whatever tackled me wasn't going to hurt me. I was just annoyed that I didn't sense him coming. There was only one being on the planet that could avoid my detection.

"Why did you do that?" I said to the person responsible for my tumble as he helped me up from off of the black forest floor.

"What were you going to do when you caught her?" Edward's voice was gentle. Once I was standing on my feet he held me securely in his arms. I wasn't sure if he was being affectionate or if I was being restrained to keep me from chasing what I was after.

"What? How do you know it's a her? A female?" I slowly started to come to my senses. "Do you know WHAT is out here?"

"Yes, of course. I didn't realize that you could sense her though. I should have known you were strong enough for that. I am not surprised."

"Sense her? I've smelled wet dog for weeks! I thought I was going crazy!"

Edward laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"You will see," he was smiling broadly at me.

"Wait a minute! You know it…" I then stuttered. "… I mean her?"

"Yes, I do. She is really very nice."

I felt a mild pang of jealousy take over me. I hated being jealous.

"What is she? Another shifter?"

"No. She is a werewolf."

"WHAT?"

"Relax Bella, she isn't going to hurt you."

"Then why is she hanging around here so much?" I was skeptical.

"She is trying to get used to you."

"Why? I don't even know her."

"Yes you do. You know her very well actually."

Now I was laughing.

"How does she know me?" I was curious.

"I think she would like to explain everything to you herself."

My brain was racing at a million miles per minute. I was intrigued at Edward's calm nature, and the prospect of meeting a werewolf.

"I thought that werewolves were the most dangerous when they are transformed. Is it even safe to meet her?"

"She isn't a pure-blood Bella, and she is practicing control. That's why she's been slowly spending time around you. She doesn't want to hurt you, but now that you have started to mature as a slayer she has to be more cautious."

"What do you mean MORE cautious? How much time have I spent around her before?"

"Lots," Edward's smile stretched across his face. He was amused at my ignorance. He knew that keeping me in the dark about this would bug me enormously.

"Why can't I meet her now then?" I said though I was a little frustrated. "Especially since I already know her?"

"She will come to you when she is ready. Have patience," he smiled as he moved his arm to grab my hand and started to lead me home.

"Are there a lot of werewolves around here?"

"There are some, but they don't stay close to the towns and villages, they mostly keep to themselves."

"Are they really as dangerous as the stories say that they are?"

"They can be, yes. But those that are dangerous tend to know when they are about to loose control. They then try to seclude themselves from others. They are the most selfless of the immortal creatures."

"How long have you known her? The one that I was after?"

"Since the day we met on the trails and you fainted in my arms… She saw it happen."

I suddenly remembered the beastie howl that intensified my head spinning that day. It sent chills down my spine.

"She saw me bring you home, and then she introduced herself to me while I was waiting outside."

"What? You've known that there's been a werewolf stocking me for over a month and you never said anything?"

"She hasn't been that close Bella. And she really wants to explain everything to you herself."

"Why not now? The gig is up!" I was suddenly disappointed and angry.

"When she is ready Bella, she is going back to the place where she stays now. You will meet her soon enough."

"Edward?" I lowered my voice to ask him a question. I was shy. "How long have YOU been watching me out here?"

He didn't turn to look at me when he spoke.

"Often."

"How often?"

"Lots."

"How much is lots? Edward, please? Tell me!"

"Bella, I HAVE told you. I can't stay away from you. It's my job to protect you. I am where you are."

"Oh," I said a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry; I am just trying to understand why I can't sense you as easily as everyone else."

"Because I won't let you."

"Why not?"

All of the sudden I was being wound into his arms, he locked me so tightly to his body it was almost hard to breathe. I know I should have been frightened, but all I could feel was excitement and electricity pulse through my veins.

He leaned his forehead softly against mine and slowly opened his thoughts to me.

"Because you have to call me back first."

I could smell his sweet breath in the air and it animated my senses immensely. My heart rate accelerated, and I felt warmth radiate from my necklace and bracelet.

"How come my jewelry always tingles around you?"

"You know you are cheating…"

"Cheating? How?" I cut him off.

"I shouldn't be answering your questions. That is the job of your master."

"But I thought that that was you, otherwise how can you control me? Why can I only hear your thoughts? Why do I feel like you are the only one who can protect me?"

"You're right, all of those things only a master can do for his slayer."

"So you aren't going to answer me?" I spoke aloud, a little defeated.

"Maybe," he grinned at me.

"Are you my master?"

"Only if you want me to be," his grin turned into a full out smirk. "But you have to call me back to you first."

"You're impossible!" I said a little frustrated, pushing my hands against his stone hard, muscular chest trying to free myself from his grasp.

Once he let me go I started marching back home, but it wasn't easy in non-slayer mode. The ground was really uneven.

It wasn't long before my foot caught on the root of a large tree and sent me tumbling to the ground, but before I hit the floor of the forest I was gently scooped up by a pair of stiff, unbreakable arms. He did not help me back to my feet; instead he pulled me close to his chest and continued on the way.

"I'm impossible?" he laughed. His laugh was oddly seductive to me considering I was mad at him. "Then, my dear, what does that make you?"

"Annoyed." It was the only answer he was getting.

He laughed again at my response, and then I felt his cool lips in my hair as he tenderly kissed the top of my head.

"Alright, you win," he kissed me again. "What do you want to know?"

"My jewelry tingles a lot. Does it mean anything?"

"Your jewelry is your most important weapon. It is your lifeline. It will always warn you, excite you and protect you when needed."

"Protect me? How?"

"You haven't read any of your book yet have you?" Edward's tone was amused.

"How did you know about the book?" There was accusation in my voice.

"Alice."

"Should have known. She must have read the thing a thousand times."

"Do you want me to show you?"

"You can show me how my jewelry can protect me?"

I regretted asking, because I was suddenly standing on my own two feet and he walked several paces away from me.

"Normally I would get Jasper to show you this because he is the best with charms, but since you asked we will give it a try," he smiled gently. "Now, for the first time you do this it might be easier if you close your eyes."

I hesitantly shut my eyes.

"Bella, I want you to think of something that would make you scared or want to fight, it can be anything at all, just as long as it stirs some emotion within you."

I immediately thought of my dream. My necklace started to warm up and tingle around my neck.

"The language of your charms is French. Since you are new at this it's best if you speak in that language."

I listened as his voice surrounded the air and filled my thoughts, the vision of my dream intensified in my mind.

"Say ARME," he urged.

I didn't just say it, I commanded it.

"ARME!" I shouted.

Instantly, electricity flowed violently through my blood. It felt like my necklace was burning at over ten thousand degrees. It almost hurt, I needed to remove it. Without thinking I reached up with my right arm and tore it from my neck.

It came off too easily; I didn't even feel a tug when the clasp broke.

I heard Thomas laugh and I slowly opened my eyes.

I felt my jaw drop; my necklace was NOT in my hand. Instead there was the long crescent moon blade that resembled the picture of the "Arme" charm. It was the same blade that I saw in the training room of Edward's house, only this one was solid silver, with an edge so sharp it looked like it could split hairs if it needed too.

I slowly waved the weapon through the air. I could not believe it was real. It was so beautiful and flawless. The color of silver almost seemed to glow under the dark canopy of trees surrounding us in the forest. My blade was feather light, no more than the weight of the necklace itself. It was a part of me; my energy seemed to freely flow through it.

"That is your weapon Bella. It is very beautiful, but it is also the most dangerous weapon that has ever existed. It can cut through anything, metal, steel, werewolves, shifters and," he paused briefly looking to make eye contact with me. "… vampires. All creatures of the world will fear you when you seize your blade."

"Do all my charms work this way?" I was still dumfounded by the glorious weapon clutched between my fingers.

"Mostly, but if I was your master, I would make Jasper be the one to teach you how to use your charms. He really is the best," he winked at me.

"So, my jewelry tingles around you because it wants me to use my weapons when you are near?"

"No, it's just letting you know that an immortal is near. Haven't you felt it when you are around your sister?"

"Sort of. When I touch her necklace I feel a faint jolt in mine."

"Ah. That may be because she isn't strong enough yet." Edward walked up to me and tenderly grabbed my free hand. "What about your father?"

"Um," I prodded my memories. "Yeah actually. When he stares at me funny it happens."

"See, it's just trying to help you identify immortal creatures. When you are in the presence of an immortal you know and trust, the sensation will be faint or even non-existent or it will tie into your emotions. When you first meet an immortal, or when you get to know them and do not trust them, the sensation will be more intense."

"But the sensations vary around you…"

"Yes," he beamed back at me, apparently this didn't bother him.

"Does that mean I don't trust you?"

"You know whether or not you trust me Bella," his smile broadened.

"Then why do the sensations very so much?"

"I said your blade can tie into your emotions. What else are you feeling when that happens Bella?"

My face flushed. I remembered the heat I felt whenever I was close to him. My jewelry reacted whenever I wanted to be around Edward or was excited that he was near.

"Will it always react that strongly to my feelings?" I tried to dodge his question.

"Your blade will always react strongest when pertaining to the one you seal yourself too."

"What do you mean 'seal yourself'?"

"It is part of our Calling, Bella."

"Auntie said that we had a Calling, but I don't know what that means."

"It's complicated," he sighed, a little defeated.

"Tell me."

"Each slayer has special talents, and the strongest slayers manage to find a Master that can help her enhance those particular gifts. They say that a Calling can happen when destiny intervenes and unites a slayer with her perfect Master and the two willingly choose to seal themselves to each other. They are bound by the code of the slayers and they are sealed by love. It is rare, but it produces the most powerful slayers. Master and Slayer are two that become one."

"What do you mean when you say love seals them?"

"A Master may train many slayers, but he will only seal his heart to one person. It is rare that a Master will choose another slayer, and it is even less common that he meets her in time to be the one to train her. It is the same for a slayer, she will bind herself to only one person and that person is rarely her Master. In a Calling, a Master and slayer choose each other forging a seal through mind and body. Some say that not even death can separate them."

"So, have you chosen to seal yourself to me?"

"I am not sure that I had a choice… I am not sure that I wanted one."

"You didn't have a choice?"

"I just know what my heart feels Bella, and it chose you. Perhaps it's been waiting for you. I loved you before you even existed."

Tears started to swell in my eyes. He spoke so softly, honestly. His mind was still open to me, and since I didn't trust my voice not to crack I entered his thoughts.

"Come back to me, Edward. I'm so sorry. Come back, please?"

He looked at me tenderly with his emerald eyes as he gently wiped a tear off my cheek with his cool, smooth finger. He then grabbed my hand holding my blade and moved it up to my neck.

He whispered "retourner" and I watched as the blade quickly melted back into its original form, my necklace, which hung warmly around my neck. I felt him move one hand around my arm while his other softly stroked my hair.

I just stared at him dumbfounded; I didn't know what to say.

"About time," he spoke with a smile.

"Don't leave me, Edward. I trust you! With all my heart, I trust you!" I couldn't help it, I placed my hands around his waist and buried my tear stained face into his shoulder.

I heard the low rumble of a laugh from somewhere inside his chest.

"I've never left you Bella. I was always with you. Why would I want to start leaving you now?"

"You kept hiding from me. I was searching for you!"

"I know, I felt you looking."

"It hurt when I found you. My heart kept breaking. What were you doing?"

"I needed to know how you really felt about me Bella. If a slayer refuses a Master, the Master must leave. However, the slayer must make the choice from her heart."

"So you hid from me?"

"I know that I love you Bella, I shielded my mind with that. The only way you could find me was if you realized you loved me too. If you found me, it would be because it was what you truly wanted, and I knew that I needed to stay. If you couldn't find me, then I knew that you didn't feel the same as I did and you meant it when you said that you wanted me to leave."

"I didn't mean it Edward! I never wanted you to leave. I was so scared at the things that I felt when I was around you! I didn't trust myself!" I wanted to start crying again, but I managed to maintain my composure by closing my eyes and pressing my forehead into his hard, strong shoulder.

"You were scared at that? But that was only the very beginning. I am sorry, Bella what you felt was nothing in comparison to …" his voice trailed off to match the stillness of the night air.

"To what?" I asked sheepishly as I raised my head ever so slightly.

He didn't use his voice, instead his answer flooded my mind. His hand gently lifted my chin.

"To this."

And then I FELT him. His lips were cool, gentle and smooth, placed directly on mine. His left hand moved to the small of my back and pulled me into his chest while his right hand tangled itself gently in my hair at the back of my neck. I fell into the security of his hold and suddenly became alive.

I instantly started to kiss him back. The piece that was missing inside my heart was suddenly replaced. In response, I couldn't seem to get enough of him. There was no fooling my heart. It was going to win this time. It was going to make the demands. My mind either agreed or knew better then to protest.

My hands struggled to latch themselves around him, determined to make up for all the time they could have held him. My lips moved with alarming impatience, they could taste him; cool, sweet and addicting.

I felt my whole body, my whole being, want to trap him. I wasn't sure if it was because of my illogical stupidity that resulted in us being apart for longer than necessary, or because I knew deep down that I needed him. For the first time, I truly realized what I had to loose. Loosing him meant loosing everything.

I felt him gently push away from me but I would have none of it. The vampire inside of him was trying to be cautious, but I liked him exactly where he was and I loved what we were doing. He wasn't going anywhere.

I continued to lean in as he started to aggressively press against me to try to separate us. His unnatural strength wasn't a match for the power of my mind. I stopped him, focusing on the position of his body and encased him in the form that currently held me in his arms. He could not move unless I wanted him to. I wasn't going to let him move away.

Then I heard the growl. It was a warning, angry and protective.

Instead of being scared, this seemed to intensify my emotions and I shifted focus, making his arms hold me tighter while allowing me to press myself against him. I pushed myself into his thoughts while my lips aggressively tasted the smooth marble surface around his mouth.

I sensed that he was angry with me for not being more careful, but he was even angrier with himself. He knew that if he told me to stop I would have to obey. He didn't want me to stop.

He knew I was looking into his mind then, and I felt a small vibration of laughter.

"Let me go," the tone of his voice in my mind was playful.

I hated the fact that I was compelled to obey, but my mind let go of him. Once I set him free he grabbed me vigorously with his unnatural strength and I could not fight him.

"You're not the only one that can play unfair," his excitement and determination filled my head.

And then he took over. If I was aggressive before, it was nothing compared to his assault.

His arms surrounded me, and held me so tightly I found it impossible to breathe. That didn't matter because his lips moved so feverishly that I couldn't break for air even if I wanted to. Everything dissolved around us. He was all that I could feel. He was all that held me. I was right. He was everything.

"See what you started?" he accused.

He moved his attack to my neck where the combination of his cool lips and calm breath sent shivers down my spine. I loved the sensation.

I slowly opened my eyes. The world seemed to spin even though everything was completely still.

"Edward?" I was finding it hard to concentrate.

He spoke with his mind. I felt his lips move up towards my ear.

"Yes?"

"Is something wrong? I mean, I am sensing hesitation, even though you don't seem to be hesitating at all."

Regretfully, he stopped kissing me to answer my question. He moved his head up to gently place his forehead on mine.

"I am scared that I'm going to forget that you can be as fragile as a human. I don't want to hurt you just because you drive me insane."

I closed my eyes as he spoke, his breath was so sweet, the air around me filled with a sent similar to butterscotch.

"It's also hard not to BITE you, Bella. You, buy your very nature, are designed to lure me. Before I changed, I would have wanted you from the bottom of my soul. But now, I can't describe the desire inside me to have you."

I pressed into his mind then, and I could feel his confusion. He wanted to keep going; he wanted to kiss me, to hold me, to protect me. But there was this darker, yet not evil, side. I made him thirsty. Then suddenly, his thoughts disappeared.

"That's enough pressing in my head, Miss Swan. If you want to know more you'll have to learn how to break my defenses," he smirked, he knew that the challenge would frustrate me.

"Does this mean that you are going to answer all of my questions now?" I smiled hopefully.

"I will," he was still grinning. "But for now, we better get you home; I believe you have a sister that wants to know what's going on."

I sighed. "Yeah, OK. But on one condition."

"What's that?"

"Come with me."

"I am always with you."

I rolled my eyes.

"I mean come IN with me."

"Lead the way." He motioned with one hand and held mine with the other.

How am I doing? Hope you enjoyed the few twists I added to this chapter!