XXI. Too Many Demands

The world was spinning as Edward took off his coat, draping it over me as he began a fast jog towards a dim alley. "Put it on, love," he murmured, helping me as I struggled to put my arms in the sleeves. Deftly, he did the first two buttons and then shifted, both arms tightening more securely around me.

"Hold on tight."

There were a couple of drunks throwing up in the bushes but before they could see us, Edward had taken off at vampire speed. I thought I saw some heads turning but mostly, our surroundings were a blur, the speed making me feel as though I were riding a roller coaster.

A bubble of thrilled laughter erupted from me and Edward shushed me once more. "They're already trailing our scent, Bella love. We don't want them to hear us too."

But I was too excited to be quiet. "Edward," I called over the roaring wind, my hair trailing wildly.

"What is it?" His breathing was unnaturally smooth despite the running.

"How the hell can you see anything with my hair all over your face?"

He sighed—a long, weary sound—as his eyes darted to my face. "Whatever did my venom do to you?"

"I feel amazing!"

He was gradually slowing, jogging until he came to a complete halt at a quiet clearing and I looked around at the wilderness in wonder. "Are we here for a midnight picnic?"

"No." His eyes were faraway, listening to something I wasn't privy to. "They've called for help. The others will block our route and a confrontation is inevitable. Better to be found waiting than running."

I struggled to get to my feet and he put me down, watching me warily. I flopped back against the grass, feeling giddy. The grass smelled amazing, the wind felt amazing and the moon was so pretty. "I've never felt so happy," I declared. "You're so wonderful, Edward. I love you so much!"

Slowly, he sat himself down beside me, placing a cool hand on my forehead. "You're burning up."

I grinned. "And you're freezing cold. Say you love me."

His face was swimming with colours, his voice echoing oddly. "I love you."

"Say it again!"

"I love you." He leaned over me. "And I'm going to fix you, I promise."

I giggled. "Like you said in the beginning? With superglue?"

"Whatever it takes." He stilled suddenly and even though I was delirious, I felt the hair on my skin rise. As Edward pulled me up, I saw them.

Soundless like a moving shadow, they emerged from the darkness the same way as my mother's kidnapper. Amidst the colours, the scene from my childhood nightmares flashed before my eyes and suddenly, the floaty feeling in my chest became heavy. My heart had been racing since Edward's bite and I felt uncomfortably warm. I counted the vampires... one, two, three... four.

All with flaming red eyes.

Edward had moved closer to me, his body angled in a way so I was mostly shielded from the approaching nomads. I squinted at them, trying to see. The colours had faded away but my vision was swimming.

A dark-haired vampire, one who seemed to be the leader stepped forward.

"Edward," he greeted cordially, sinking into an elegant bow. "How have you been?"

The way he spoke was so at odds with the expressions of the party trailing behind him. The blond, aristocratic male glared, the red-haired female looked like she'd rather be anywhere else and the last one... He trailed behind the others, shifting his weight from one foot to another, skittish.

"If I were you, Stefan, I would take my coven and leave," Edward said. His words echoed strangely once more and I only realised I was swaying when his hand reached out, steadying me.

"I would not be so rash," Stefan replied. "Vladimir and I are Old Ones like yourself. You cannot tear through us the way you do the newborns. Or at least not without endangering your intoxicated human." His words were accented, the way he spoke and held himself from another, distant era. I would've found it fascinating if I weren't so dizzy.

A muscle twitched in Edward's jaw. "And you wish to try?"

"Not at all, Edward," Stefan said cautiously. "We wouldn't dream of crossing you—"

"Spare me your sweet tongue," Edward said, tilting his head. "I've been listening to your plans all day."

Stefan bowed once more. "Then you must realise we came here for an alliance."

"You wish to overthrow the Volturi, end the law of secrecy and enslave the humans. A ridiculous endeavour," Edward said.

"Ridiculous?" the ash-blond vampire hissed. "It is in our power!"

Stefan rested a hand on the blond's shoulder. "Relax, Vladimir." He turned back to us. "We ruled as gods for centuries before the Volturi began killing their own kind for something as trivial as exposure. Now that is ridiculous."

"Edward, don't listen to them," I said, still swaying where I stood. The heat had become unbearable and I unbuttoned his coat, letting it drop to the ground. "They're crazy. We got... things that go boom." I made a gesture with my hands. "And no more vampires... Not you or you or—"

"Hush, Bella," Edward said tightly.

"But I hate them. I hate, hate—"

"Enough," Vladimir snarled. "I'll tear your tongue out, girl! This is how low we've sunk. This is exactly why we need the Ancients! Why we need the old order! Hand over your pet, Edward, and perhaps we won't tear you apart!" His eyes flashed with rage, his fangs bared.

"The old order," Edward repeated, taking a step towards them. He was oddly calm, contemplative. "By the old order, I should have you destroyed for your disrespect to my mate."

Vladimir looked stunned, as did the other three.

"A vial," the third male said, recovering first. "We only ask for a vial of her blood."

"Ah, Laurent... A vial of my mate's blood, a promise not to interfere, and then leverage to overthrow my brother," Edward took another step. "Do your demands never end?"

"Your brother's a tyrant," Laurent said, his voice trembling as he took a step back. "He buried you."

"And I shall pay him back in full," Edward snarled. "After I'm finished with you."