Bloodtrance

Chapter Fourteen

Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyer, I didn't write the Twilight Series. I own the plot of 'Bloodtrance' and the characters that obviously aren't in the actual series (Karl, ahhh).

A/N: Hallo there! So yeah, I left you with quite a cliffhanger last time. Thank you all SO much with your patience if you're still with this story, I know my updates have been a LOT slow recently due to exams etc. :P This carries on from that obviously. Hope you enjoy it. Okay now THAT is the shortest author's note I've ever done. I'm quite proud of myself. I'm waffling. I'll shut up now. Enjoy. I'm really tempted to tell you what happens before you read it. Okay okay, here we go…

"BELLA! BELLA COME BACK!"

Literally only several metres behind her, mouth dripping with blood from an earlier kill, the vampire lurched out from the shadows, crouched down and ready to strike. Its eyes narrowed as it took in my Bella, and I knew she was its target.

The corners of its mouth turned into an evil smile, revealing its long sharp fangs, dripping with blood. It was as though it hadn't even noticed me at all, its eyes completely fixed on Bella, hungrily staring, ravenous and desperate. I realised with a pain of sorrow as I edged slowly towards her, that the vampire didn't have eyes for me at all, but for Bella, and only Bella.

It had come for Bella. And for Bella alone.

BPOV

Edward's look had said it all.

His eyes were wide with fear, fear for me, paused in mid-action as though he were frightened to move any closer. He opened his mouth to call me back again, but the words caught in his throat as he observed whatever was behind me in more detail. I stiffened on the spot, practically feeling a pair of deathly eyes boring into my back with a longing glare, and I could hear a faint growl, as the creature grew more and more impatient by the second. As I turned round to face the danger, I prayed in my head it would be a quick, painless death. The vampire was probably too close for either Edward or Jasper to get to me in time. My legs were shaking like mad as the creature stepped out of the shadows, its face covered with blood. It had already fed, no doubt from another human being, and now it was after me. My nose coiled in disgust, but I didn't dare move in fear that a single step would trigger my death. What was slightly frustrating was that the vampire looked quite hot; he looked about my age, give or take a few years, and his sleek, chestnut brown hair glistened as the moonlight hit him. His eyes were a cold menacing red, but I could feel the hypnotising pull whenever I looked into them. His mouth curled into a feral smile and I shuddered delicately. I wonder if they'll have anything left of me to bury after he's finished with me?

"Bella, keep calm, and don't move," Jasper's voice suddenly whispered behind me, sounding urgent, yet shaky at the same time. "If you don't move, it won't strike." I wanted to turn round and give him a 'what the fuck?' look, but my legs felt like poles, fixed deep into the ground. What did he mean 'don't move'? Of course I'm going to bloody move! There's a fucking vampire in front of me!

"Right," I could barely hear my voice when the words finally escaped my lips. "Don't move. Calm. Easy." Another soft snarl from the vampire brought my attention back to him again. My blood ran cold as his eyes bored into mine, hungry and wanting. All I needed was a signal, and then I'd run for it. I wasn't a very good sprinter-more of a long distance- and I knew that the chances of outrunning a vampire were thin, but I had to take the chances laid before me.

I gulped slowly, keeping my gaze at the vampire's chest; I already knew what they could do with their eyes. I'd felt it before. I shuddered as images of Karl flooded my memory, and how his eyes had kept my gaze, drawing me closer like a jellyfish with dazzling lights on its skin. It was then, at that moment, despite the situation I was in, that I began to wonder, why the hell it was another vampire before me, and not Karl. I would have recognised that gorgeous yet cunning face a mile away, but this one was clearly something else. I risked a glance up to his face, trying my best to avoid his eyes. His jaws were taut and smooth, as were his glossy cheeks, splattered with the blood of his previous victim. He had quite thin lips, but they were juicy red with blood, and his nose was perfectly centered and straight. He looked flawless in looks, and I would have been completely drawn in, hadn't there been any blood and menacing fangs in the picture. I guess dying in the hands of a vampire guy would have sounded cool if I hadn't seen what they could do beforehand and how terrible they really were. They were just as described in the books- monsters.

As though it were replying to my thoughts, the vampire let out a cold, ghostly chuckle, and I felt my blood almost freeze beneath my skin. Just end this now, for God's sake, kill me now.

"What do you want?" Edward's voice was like a ray of light in the dark, warming my core. He sounded more in control than I did. I nervously peered up at the vampire, fearful that he had triggered the attack, but the creature had stopped staring at me, his smile faltering. I held my breath as his gleaming eyes focused on Edward and Jasper behind me, pulling a rather calm expression, as though he was not too bothered by the interruption.

At first I thought he wasn't going to reply, and I prepared for the worst, biting down on my tongue to hold in the scream that I knew was sure to follow. But then I heard a slight intake of air and watched in horror as the vampire opened his mouth and began to speak.

"You know what I want," he sneered, his voice like a cold, velvety mist, more like a whisper to my ears. I restrained a shudder, and waited for a response from Edward. Of course he wanted me, but why? God dammit I didn't even know him!

"Calm Bella," Jasper's voice whispered. It sounded closer than before. The vampire didn't even glance sideways at me, he just growled softly in warning, and I heard a sharp intake of breath as Jasper stopped in his tracks behind me. I couldn't help but let out a soft whimper.

"Shhh Bella," Jasper's voice was more urgent this time, but I knew it was over, so why wait?

"She's done nothing to you," Edward said firmly, and I could almost feel the blood boiling underneath his skin as his anger rose. "Let her go, or you die." A shiver rattled down my spine at the chillness in his voice. If they were going to attack, they would have done it already.

The vampire's deadly chuckle broke the air again, and I coiled inwards. "She's not just for me. But she's something to him, and therefore to all of us." My heart missed a beat, as I repeated those words in my head, over and over again. Karl wasn't here, but he did have something to do with it. By the sound of Jasper and Edward's gasps behind me, I could tell they understood as well. Karl was after me, and he had sent others to get me. Oh God oh god oh god...

"You sick, sick fuck," Jasper snarled behind me, and my breathing began to accelerate as I felt the tension increase around me. This was it; either run and take my chances, or die there and then.

The vampire screeched with delight at the anger in Jasper's voice. "Well you would know all about that wouldn't you?" His cruel laughter pierced at my ears, and I winced in pain.

"Well, I'll be taking her then," the vampire snarled, his voice returning back to its usual cruel tone. "And leave you to ponder over that shall I—?" The loud bang that followed was like a bomb exploding right in the centre of my ear and I screamed in agony, finally finding the will to move my hands. I clasped them over my ears just as an ear-piercing scream joined my own. A pair of hands grabbed for me and yanked me to the ground with a thud. I groaned at the impact on the ground, causing the arms to wrap around me further, shielding me from danger. I squeezed my eyes firmly shut, wanting to make a run for it more than ever, the blood-curdling scream unbearable to listen to. I can now safely say that silences are extremely terrifying and most certainly not a laugh. The sudden silence as the screams broke to a halt was both petrifying and uncomfortable; I didn't have a clue what was going on, and why the action had ceased. It was like someone had literally pressed pause and the action had stopped, the characters held at a standstill. I opened my eyes frantically, glancing around to see what had happened.

The relief that ran through me was just as overwhelming as the shock; the vampire was on the ground, now even more drenched in blood than before, except this time, it was his own. There was a massive, gaping hole on the right side of his chest, as the silver began eating away at his skin, the smoke coming off releasing a wreaking odor of his burning flesh. His eyes were wide with shock, his mouth gaped open, the fangs deadlier than ever. I didn't hesitate to follow his gaze and nearly leapt into the air with excitement as I spotted Emmett, standing on the patio area, smirking coldly, with a large, menacing-looking machine gun in his arms- actually it was quite small for a machine gun, but judging by the hole it had left in the vampire's chest, it did its job well. Edward was standing just beside me, crouched down defensively.

"I don't think so pal," Emmett sneered, and he loaded the next round from the magazine with a quick flick of his hand. Now I remember trying that before while I was at a shooting competition with friends in Texas. It hadn't been easy, which kinda proved how strong Emmett really was. My head spun round to glance at the vampire, and I jumped in fright as he was now standing and looking quite ferocious. I struggled to get up, but someone yanked me down again, and the arms wrapped around me like clamps.

"Stay down Bella," Jasper's voice spoke at my ear, and I was immediately calm and ceased my struggles. "Wait just a minute, then we run. You understand? Into the house. Don't look back." All I could do was nod for an answer. I was so scared that I couldn't even speak and my throat hurt every time I swallowed. The vampire snarled, no doubt hearing his every word, but instead of turning to me, wild with anger, the creature crouched down low, ready to spring- straight for Emmett. In a matter of seconds, before my lips could even open to scream, he leapt into the air, arms reaching hungrily towards Emmett, right into the trap. At that same moment, Jasper had me up on my own two feet and was pulling me by the hand towards the house. I didn't have time to cover my ears as another loud boom erupted from the gun, echoing in the sky like thunder. The vampire screamed and flew back with the force hitting him. Emmett turned and chucked something over to Jasper just as we passed him on the patio. To my disbelief, I understood why; undefeated, the vampire was up from the ground again and this time was glancing towards me, eyes full of comprehension as to what had happened. And then he was running, a blur to my eyes, straight towards us. I screamed and pried myself from Jasper's grasp just as Jasper turned for the vampire, repeatedly firing the silver gun in his hands. From Jasper's curse of frustration, I gathered that the vampire, now fuelled with fury, had dodged them all and was coming straight for me.

My muscles cried in pain as I pushed them further, running faster than I ever have before, heading for the large glass doors to the kitchen. He was there within a flash, and his hands were at my neck, lifting me above him. I struggled in his grasp, kicking out desperately. I wasn't up there for very long though; Alice appeared from the doors, running straight towards the vampire, her expression terrifying. Out of nowhere, she pulled out two long, lethal swords and raised them above her head. Almost at the same time, she leapt into the air, looking more like a ninja now, and sliced the blades down, striking the vampire's back. I heard something snap and he released me with a cry. Being used to falling, I braced myself and closed my eyes as I dropped. A pair of arms caught me before I reached the ground. I didn't have to open my eyes to know it was Edward. He smelled unbelievable. He pulled me with him across the patio and I opened my eyes just as the vampire fell to his knees on the ground before Alice, who suddenly looked deadly calm and casual, twirling the swords in her hands with impressive speed.

"Bella? Is she alright?" I recognised Esme's voice behind me and her hands were at my arm, stroking me gently.

"Give her to Rosalie, Mom," Edward ordered his mother urgently. "We need you and dad out here. He's just as strong as Karl, and we need to—" Just as he spoke, Alice was suddenly flying towards us. She only just managed to somersault and control her landing on time.

"Edward we need you out here now!" she yelled at him through clenched teeth as she got up and made towards the vampire again, swords at the ready. I glanced up at Edward just as he turned to me, taking my face in his hands. For a moment I thought he was going to kiss my lips, but then he exhaled with frustration, and his lips gently pressed on my forehead, almost as though he were apologising for the trouble I was going through. Then before I could say anything, he took something out of his mother's hand-which I recognised as the black pistol he had used before to save me-and sprinted straight towards the monster, firing the gun repeatedly. I watched in horror as Esme attempted to pull me into the safety of the house as Edward and his siblings fought the vicious vampire, who was desperately trying to surpass their barrier and head towards me. It was both exciting and terrifying to see them in action, as vampire hunters. Jasper cursed loudly as the vampire appeared out of nowhere behind him, slashing at his shoulder. Emmett was still busy with his machine gun, quite enjoying himself by the looks of it. It looked like Edward was the only one managed to get any decent aims with his gun at the moment, his eyes following the blur of speed with angry, resolute eyes. It even looked as though there was a little red glow in his eyes as he fired to kill. Before I could check whether I was going mad, Esme grabbed my shoulder and yanked me inside, her touch gentle but firm.

"Rosalie!" she yelled as she dragged me further away from the scene, closer the door behind her. "Rosalie come and attend to Bella! They need me and Carlisle ASAP!"

"I'm on it," I had never heard Carlisle's voice so deadly. I peered over Esme's shoulder just as he passed us, his expression ferocious. It was then I began to fully realise how much this family hated vampires. The perfect vampire hunter family. I shuddered slightly as Carlisle strode out into the garden, noticing the band of wrist blades around his waist. I stared out nervously, trying to make out who was who in the dark, but then Rosalie's body suddenly obscured my view as she bent down to examine me.

"I've got her, you go Mom," I heard Rosalie say, and then Esme was out there too, brandishing her own ninja-style weapons. I craned my neck round in desperation, wanting to see the action more than ever, adrenalin pumping through my veins.

"You okay Bella?" I vaguely heard her voice call me. Rosalie's warm hands took hold of my face and turned it round gently. Her deep blue eyes were glowing with concern. I honestly felt fine, after everything I'd seen, I couldn't miss this.

"Bella…you don't want to see that trust me," Rosalie told me softly, pulling me away and somehow getting me into a chair. "I know the shock you must be feeling. If you just drink this—" No she had it all wrong. I wasn't scared. I was ecstatic.

"No-no Rosalie I'm fine!" I cried, beaming widely. I watched in amusement, as her expression grew more and more confused by the second. "No…in fact I'm perfect…well maybe my ears hurt a bit…but honestly, I don't think I've ever felt so great! You're family are amazing, and I've never felt so free, so alive! You have to let me watch! Please Rosalie." Rosalie blinked in astonishment at my little monologue, and I guessed what I had said was quite a mouthful; I was probably one of the first people she didn't have to calm down after they'd been saved. They were probably too scared and shocked to even listen. I felt my heart race with excitement as the truth finally dawned on Rosalie and her expression lightened. She shook her head in pure astonishment, then bent down and grabbed a pistol from the floor by her feet. Before I could get up from my seat, her hand was at my shoulder, holding me down.

"You can watch, but please stay inside the house," she told me firmly. "That thing's here to get you and no-one else. Understood?" I didn't even hesitate to nod obediently; I just wanted to see. Rosalie suddenly smiled with such affection, that I felt my cheeks burning within seconds at looking at her.

"You are so perfect for Edward," she breathed gently, shaking her head. "Really, you are truly amazing. Stay inside, and enjoy!" She laughed and finally released me, turning and dashing for the door. I was out of my seat straight after, darting for the large window. Pressing my hands on its cool surface, I watched the fight scene between the Cullen vampire hunters and the vicious vampire. It was like being in a movie; the Cullen's now had the vampire completely surrounded, their weapons raised, Alice twirling her twin swords with tremendous speed. It was seriously like stepping into Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Great movie. Of course, there were no vampires in it, but that just added pizzazz to this one, and it was far cooler. And I had the best seat in the house. Literally.

I could hear them faintly through the thick glass; the vampire snarling angrily as the Cullens constantly fired their ammunition at him. The fact that they were barely clipping him proved how strong and fast he actually was. One moment he was in the air, and then he was behind one of them, only just missing a bite at their necks before they took a swipe at him. I put in a few "ow"s and "careful"s and "shit he's behind you"s, as they narrowly missed hitting him down. Soon I was beginning to feel like I wanted to be out there, helping them take him down…but then I remembered Rosalie's faith on me, and the last time I had tried to mess with a vampire, and thought otherwise. Jasper took a run at it, but it vanished with a blur, and was directly behind him, mouth wide open, ready to bite down. I opened my mouth to scream, but then Jasper smiled and turned the gun round in his hand, and I realised the vampire had just walked into a trap. Jasper fired three times simultaneously, and the next thing I heard was a blood-curdling scream and the vampire fell to the ground, clutching at what remained of its chest, where I was sure there would be three more holes where Jasper had shot him. The others enclosed around him in seconds, not even bothering to raise their weapons. They knew it was over. So did I.

With a surge of excitement, I attempted to wrench open the door. It didn't budge; their security had to be tight I guess. Almost as though they knew what I wanted, there was a soft click and gentle hiss, and the door released. I pushed it open and darted out towards them, my heart thumping with anticipation. They didn't look up as I approached them; the vampire on the ground had their full attention. He was breathing heavily, already no doubt trying to heal himself, but not doing very well against the silver. His head snapped up just as I stopped by Edward's shoulder, and he glared over at me, his red eyes glinting with fury. He looked truly terrifying…but helpless. There was no way he would get to me now, and he knew it. He let out a scream of fury and jumped up towards me, but within seconds, a large net encaged him, and he landed back on the ground. Emmett smiled and dropped some sort of net-throwing device by his feet, looking pretty smug as he stared down at the powerless predator.

"Before we dispose of you," Edward suddenly spoke, his voice cold and malicious. "I suggest you tell us exactly what Karl ordered you to do." To my surprise the vampire glanced up at him, and let out a shriek of laughter, despite the situation he was in.

"Before we dispose of you?" he echoed jeeringly. "Now that's not giving me much incentive to tell you anything is it?" At that same moment, Alice stepped forwards and unsheathed her swords. She marched right up to the creature and placed the blades on either side of the vampire's neck. I heard the sizzle of burning skin as the silver made contact with the flesh. The vampire snarled dangerously, glaring over at her as though she were someone he was disgraced to lose to. Alice didn't look at all interested in his whining.

"Spill," was all she said, her expression unmerciful. The vampire didn't speak immediately, but when she pressed harder, he hissed angrily and turned back to Edward.

"We were merely saying if you didn't tell us, that we would make your death more painful," Jasper clarified frostily. I shuddered and took hold of Edward's free hand. He squeezed it gently in his own, not risking a glance behind. We waited in silence, for the vampire to speak, and I prayed for the vampire's sake that he just did as he was told.

"Karl gave us orders to go and hunt for Bella," the vampire snarled. "He gave us her scent, and told us it was important that we caught her alive. He said she was very useful and had lots of potential. He warned us about you lot-" he glared around at them furiously, but received no emotion back. "He told us to be quick, because he needed her soon-"

"Us?" Carlisle interrupted him, and all heads snapped up to stare at him. "There's more of you after her?" The vampire laughed again, but then Alice's blades pressed down in warning, and he growled in frustration.

"Of course there's more of us fool!" the vampire hissed indignantly. "He told us to all go together, but we decided to split up-"

"Because you thought you could get through us on your own did you?" Alice snorted jeeringly. The vampire's head turned slowly to face her.

"And I almost got through didn't I hunter?" he sneered tauntingly. "I almost had her. And I'm not the best, so you'd best be careful." He chuckled darkly, and I shivered at the thought that there were more out there like him, all after me. Ah hell, how did this even happen?

Edward took a sudden step forwards, and I could feel his anger surging up my arm.

"Listen vermin," Edward growled dangerously. "I suggest you run along to your friends and send them a little message from us; say the Cullen hunters are not going to give Bella off without a fight. You are an example of how dangerous we can be. If they even try to get their filthy hands on her, we will shoot them down and burn their flesh on this very ground. Do you understand that shithole?"

The vampire glared up at him with such ferocity, I wondered whether the net would hold him in- but it didn't exactly look like rope. But then I realised what Edward had just decided.

"What?" Rosalie cried incredulously, echoing my thoughts. "We're letting him go?"

"Ed, I don't think that's such a good idea," Alice disputed, her voice full of doubt at Edward's sudden decision. "If we let him go, he'll—"

"If we didn't let him go, the others wouldn't know what we are capable of," Edward alerted them. "This is to send a warning that we don't joke around." He glanced back down at the vulnerable vampire on the ground. "And make sure you show that huge gaping hole in your chest." The vampire hissed coldly at Edward's teasing tone.

"Yeah there's more where that came from," Emmett chimed in, reloading his gun as though to prove his point. Alice sighed with frustration, but nevertheless, bent down and took out a smaller dagger from a pouch at her waist. Jasper and Edward both pointed their pistols at the vampire's chest cautiously, as with one swipe of her blade, Alice released the vampire from its binding. It was up on its feet within seconds. I stiffened, as its eyes turned on me straight away, hungry and vengeful. I had seen those eyes before; Karl had pulled that very same expression when he left without me. I resisted a shudder and held my ground, trying to look unaffected by his glaring. It worked; he turned away with a snort and I relaxed my stiff composure. Edward squeezed my hand again in reassurance.

"Go on then!" Edward yelled impatiently, gesturing away towards the trees. "And don't forget to tell your friends how mean we are." The Cullens chorused with laughter and I couldn't help but smile as well. This was so fictional. It just didn't fit with science at all-but it was all happening, right before my eyes. It made me want to jump up and down with excitement, however given the circumstances I stayed put. The vampire scowled deeply, finally sensing defeat, then turned back to me, and I could feel my skin crawl as a small smile emerged on his juicy lips, and his glistening eyes had my full attention.

"Well I actually have a little message to give to little Bella here," his velvety voice made my skin crawl and I struggled to control my breathing. "Just a little message from Karl and the rest of them.."

My body tensed as he turned to face me again, his feral smile making the warmth of my blood stall away. The vampire's eyes glowed brightly and I was mesmerised by their power, their intensity. I couldn't look away no matter how hard I tried. I didn't want to look away. It was terrifying to feel the extent of his power. I held my breath as he opened his mouth to give me my death sentence.

"We have chosen you, our 'Diamante rossa' and will not stop till we retrieve you as our own," the vampire suddenly sounded bold and confident, and I felt a rough gush of wind bat at my face as his terrifying demeanor grew. His eyes flashed dangerously and I felt Edward stiffen beside me.

"Soon our master will be awoken," the vampire continued, his excitement growing by the second. "And the time of vampires will arise." I watched in horror, as the vampire's eyes changed to a colour almost like fire itself, bright and dangerous. I managed to take a step back in fright, just as there was a harsh hiss and sizzle, and I watched as the bits of silver slowly seeped out of the vampire's wounds, falling to the floor by his feet. Within seconds, the vampire's skin began to heal itself, the large hole filled back before my very eyes. It was like the silver had made no permanent damage at all. Oh. My. God.

The vampire snarled and he had my full, involuntary attention again. I couldn't even feel Edward attempting to break my gaze. I heard him load his gun and growl in frustration.

"Leave her alone!" I heard him yell, no doubt pointing his gun at the vampire's chest. "I swear to you asshole, I'll shoot you right in the heart!" At the sound of Edward's desperate tone, I grew more nervous and scared. I tried to turn away, but the bright red eyes had me on a fixed gaze. A single tear escaped and trickled down my cheek. I felt it rest on the tip of bottom lip, just as the vampire opened its mouth to speak again. The last thing he said ran through my veins like a deadly poison, seeking to destroy me.

"Human blood we will drink, their bones we will grind,

Until we demolish the whole of mankind."

My blood ran cold as he spoke of the end of mankind, and the doom of the human race, mixed with disgust and even hilarity at the lameness of the mantra. It was like I had been the first human to know of the end of the world as we know it. The bang as Edward shot his gun brought me to my senses. The vampire had gone, leaving a mist of smoke behind where he had stood, but I doubted that it was the result of Edward's black pistol. The Cullens were deadly silent, staring at the cloud, with mixtures of expression. What frightened me was that none of the expressions were at all pleasing; Edward looked furious, still holding his gun up where the vampire had been standing minutes before, Jasper and Alice both shared quite grave expressions, as though they had just experienced a murder, Rosalie's bright blue eyes were wide with fright, Emmett beside her looked extremely confused as he stared at the cloud before us, as though wondering how the vampire had disappeared so fast. As I glance over at Esme and Carlisle, I excepted-more like prayed- that their expressions were more encouraging, but I got the same message from them; Esme looked terrified as her eyes darted from the cloud of smoke to me, her chest heaving in and out unsteadily, Carlisle's jaws were tightly locked, and his frown was deepening by the second, no doubt recollecting the last thing the vampire had said. I just wanted someone to speak before I went mad. Finally, after a long painful silence, Edward spoke, his voice croaky.

"Inside everyone," he sounded in complete control of the situation…not. "Now."

They didn't have to be told twice, and neither did I. I dashed away as fast as my legs could go, and miraculously was the first one to the door. I wrenched it open and didn't stop running till I reached the other end of the kitchen. I slumped to the floor, resting my head against the wall behind me, sobbing uncontrollably. We will demolish the whole of mankind. Oh shit. Oh shit, oh shit, oh God help us all.

I heard someone run towards me, and a pair of hands wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me into a tight hug. I held back the sobs as I leaned forwards into the person's chest. It spelt a bit like Edward, but was not quite the same. I didn't care who it was anyway. I had just been told of a vampire invasion. I needed comfort whatever form.

"Edward," I recognised Jasper's voice as he lifted me gently into his lap, rubbing at my back. "What the hell do we do?"

"I don't have a clue at the moment Jazz," Edward sounded like he was close, pacing up and down the kitchen.

"Edward…" I groaned softly. Jasper shushed me and kissed my forehead.

"What did the creature say again?" Alice asked, and I heard her bend down beside me. I felt her warm hands at my hair, stroking gently. Any attempt at soothing was going right past me. It wasn't helping at all.

"Human blood we will drink…"

"Their bones we will grind…"

"Until we demolish the whole of mankind," I finished for them, my voice barely a whisper. I couldn't believe this was happening. I had been having such a good time; dancing with Edward, holding him tightly, having the time of my life with himself and his family. Why did the vampire have to arrive in the picture and ruin my day?

"That's the lamest, most dramatic saying I've-" Emmett began, rolling his eyes, but was cut off by a look from Jasper.

"Edward," Jasper called him urgently just as I began with renewed sobs of anguish. I wasn't one to cry for the lightest reasons. This was big. I had the right to cry. Edward's luscious smell consumed me as he took me in his arms, pulling me off the floor from Jasper's arms. I hadn't wanted him to carry me; I just wanted his arms around me. I struggled to get back on my own feet but his hold was strong. He walked with me in his arms, over to his parents.

"Do you think it's safe to take her home like this?" he asked them, and I moaned softly. No no no, don't leave me on my own.

"Well, I don't know Edward," Esme sounded unsure and worried as she peered down at me. Her hands were at my cheeks, caressing soothingly. "You heard what the creature said. Are really prepared to leave her alone for one second."

Edward hesitated, and his arms tightened around me. "No. Definitely not. But her family will be wondering where on earth she had gotten to." Huh, well he got that right. My dad would call the FBI!

"Edward," I said meekly, looking up at his angelic face. He peered down at me straight away, his green eyes anxious. I smiled weakly to try and look encouraging. "Could you put me down please?" That was the second time Edward hesitated within a few minutes. He slowly set me down on my feet, but didn't release me completely, keeping an arm around my waist.

"Edward, we have to keep her here," Alice spoke firmly, and the she was in front of him, looking at me with a mirroring worried expression to her brother. "She's not safe anywhere else."

"Alice, Edward is right," Jasper intervened, grasping her shoulder. "She is safer with her family. And we can still keep watch."

Now they had to watch me- protect the helpless lamb from the wolves. I was being hunted by the very creatures unknown to most humans on the planet. What did 'Diamante rossa' mean anyway?

As though she could read my mind, Alice repeated my question aloud.

"What the hell did he mean anyway by Bella being their 'Diamante rossa'?"

Edward tensed and I felt his breathing accelerate. He knew exactly what it meant, and given his reaction, it wasn't good. I held my breath, waiting for the worst.

"They've chosen her to be their sacrifice," Edward hissed through clenched teeth. "He called her their chosen 'Red Diamond' which to them is the highest valued jewel of all, which isn't a good thing. They're going offer her as a sacrifice in attempt to revive their master." His words were like bullets in my head. Sacrifice. Well fuck.

I was too numb and shocked to notice all pairs of eyes turn on me anxiously; I had my own troubles to think about. I was a chosen jewel, valued by vampires. I was to be their sacrifice; they were going to spill my blood for the benefit of their master. Demolish the whole of mankind…

My vision clouded suddenly and my body finally reached its limit. I felt my knees buckle and only just heard Edward's cry as I plunged into darkness and silence.

PREVIEW FOR NEXT CHAPTER

"Bella, for fuck sake, tell us what's going on!"

"You've been gone for hours!"

"Guys I'm not in the mood for talking right now."

"The hell you're not!"

"Mom's been worried sick!"

"Jacob went out to look for you."

"What…NO, TELL JACOB TO GET BACK RIGHT NOW!"

"He left an hour ago!"

"What the…Tanya his bike is still outside. He never left."

…

"Edward where are you?"

"Bella?"

"Edward! Jacob's gone!"

"Bella you can't be here."

"What? I-"

"Oh hello."

"Edward…who the fuck is this?"

Fun Fun Fun. And now exams are over I'll try and update this AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. :P Thanks for the fantastic reviews guys. Love y'all for your support, AND, of course, your incredible patience between chapters. Hope you liked the preview… now please, review!

Ness's Note: I'd just like to say, seriously people, those who stick with this story are amazing, so thankyou SO MUCH. Just to prove how grateful I am, I'm currently putting this up at 2am when I have to leave for a holiday later today and have tones of last minute packing to do… I really wanted to get this chapter out for you people.. so I hope you enjoyed it!