All songs can be found on my blog: drotuno. blogspot. com (without spaces) and as always...SM owns everything.

CHAPTER 21

EDWARD

Jacob's thoughts were nothing but focused on his Anna. Carlisle finally got everyone to take a step back and relax while he got on the phone with Sam. From what I could see of Carlisle's thoughts and hear of Sam's end of the conversation, they were more than willing to come and talk about this situation.

I'd thought for a moment that I would kill that dog. Always showing up, touching my angel. Throwing him into the tree only made me want to hurt him more. When Bella had said he was hurting her, I'd lost it, my temper snapping like a dry twig.

Bella had gotten up to get something to eat while I was playing, and Alice had scared us all when she'd gasped from her place on the couch. "Bella," was all she'd said, and we'd all bolted out of the room.

My Bella had gone inside under the protective wing of Esme, and they were currently getting her something to eat. I could hear her heartbeat flying, and I could only guess that it was in reaction to my temper and Jacob's close proximity.

Jacob had moved to one of the chairs on the deck, sitting with his head in his hands. It was all I could do to not throw him against another tree. What held me back, besides what it would do to Bella, was that he had been manipulated by Victoria. We were all her victims in one way or another.

Bella came out with sandwiches on two plates, handing one to Jacob. "Here," she snapped. "No mustard." Her voice was terse, giving away that she clearly didn't want him here.

He looked up at her and said, "Thanks, Bells."

"Don't thank me. Thank Esme," she sniped. "She reminded me that you ate food, too. She has better manners than I do at the moment." She glared at him, and I had to fight off a chuckle.

She sat down in one of the chairs, and I sat on her other side, realizing she had yet to look at me since this whole thing began.

Before I could say anything, Jacob's thoughts betrayed him, and he said, "Bells, I'm sorry."

She didn't say anything; she just kept eating, stopping only to give him an angry glance.

Jasper's mind caught my attention. Bro, her emotions are all over the place, and I can't get through to her. It's like she's blocking me. It's anger, worry, lust – I don't get that one – and pure fear.

I nodded, saying to Bella, "Love, are you okay?"

Still without looking at me, she said, "Yes, I'll be fine."

Jacob's mind hit me then. Maybe she finally saw through his cold ass for the freak he is. Too bad Victoria doesn't want him dead.

"You wish, Jacob," I growled, and his head snapped to mine.

"You want to stay out of my head?" he snapped, setting the plate on the side table.

"You want to keep your thoughts civil?" I growled back, starting to stand.

"Enough," Bella yelled. "The both of you." She grabbed my shirt and pulled down. Turning to Jacob, she said, "I don't know what you're thinking, and I don't care, but stop it. All this is your fault. This is the perfect definition of karma. You've acted like an ass, and this is what you get. The only sad part is Anna. She's innocent in this, and she deserves better. And I don't even know her! If you can't behave, if you can't shut up and listen to how we can fix this, then leave and suffer your own consequences." Her lip was curled in hatred for him. "Maybe they should kill you, just to put you out of your misery..." she grumbled.

"Sorry, Bells," he muttered, finishing the rest of his sandwich in one large bite. His mind was in sync with mine when he thought, Damn, that sharp temper of hers. And fuck it if she isn't right.

"She usually is," I mumbled, trying not to smile.

Jake snorted, nodding.

Carlisle came outside and said, "Sam wants to meet here in a few hours...after sundown. They want to run a patrol through their area to see if they can catch her scent first before they come over."

Bella turned to me and said, "Can you get me out of here?" I noticed she wasn't looking me in the eye. "Just until they're supposed to be here, please?"

I nodded, kissing her head.

We stood up, and she said, "Emmett?"

He popped his head out the door.

"Don't kill him, but if he's rude in any way, tie him to a tree like the good dog I know he is." She glared at Jake, daring him to fight it.

I heard my family laugh inside the house.

"Nice, Bells," Jake mumbled, rolling his eyes.

I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me.

"Okay, little one," Emmett said, snickering. God, I love her, he thought to me, and I just nodded, smiling.

We were heading out the driveway when I asked, "Where do you want to go?"

"Charlie's," she said, sighing. "He's fishing today."

~oOo~

BELLA

We pulled into the driveway at Charlie's, and for the first time in a long time, I didn't wait for Edward to open my door. I was out of my car in a shot.

There were so many things coursing through me that I couldn't see straight. I was so mad at Jake for making a stupid deal with Victoria for revenge. I was scared for Anna and myself, knowing we were pawns in this whole game. And Edward...I wanted him so badly, I was shaking.

The moment I was having when he was playing guitar had multiplied tenfold during the whole fight with Jacob. The way he looked looming over Jake was impossible to get out of my head – like pure, sexual power. I thought I could fight it by not looking at him, but it was just making it all the harder. It was a side of Edward I'd never seen. He was dangerous, dark, angry...beautiful.

I went into the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, and leaned against the counter, drinking it in large gulps.

"Bella?" Edward called softly. "Will you please talk to me?"

"We can't let anything happen to her, Edward," I said, thinking about Anna. "It's not fair to her. She has no idea what she's wrapped up in." I stood still, staring at the floor.

"We won't, but you won't be used as a trade, Bella," he said, walking closer to me. "I won't have it. I can't lose you; it's not negotiable."

"I know that," I said, sighing. "I can't believe him!" I growled to myself, my hands fisting at my sides.

"Love, why won't you look at me?" Edward asked suddenly, standing in front of me. "Did I scare you? Are you angry with me?"

"No, never," I whispered, knowing my eyes were about to betray me.

His hand reached for my face, pulling my gaze up to his. He studied my face for a moment, and I saw it register with him what was wrong with me. "Oh," he said, smiling slightly. "How long have you been fighting it?" he asked.

I looked away from him. "Since before Jake came," I said, my legs shaking. "Bad timing," I mumbled.

"Bella, look at me," he said, trying to pull my gaze up.

"I can't," I admitted, my voice trembling. "I can't, Edward. It's too strong."

"Please?" he begged, his hand caressing my face.

I leaned into it, knowing it was my undoing, knowing that I couldn't fight it any longer.

I looked up into his ochre eyes, tears rolling down my face. "I need you so badly that it's painful, Edward. And I thought I could fight it. I thought it would pass."

"I don't want you to fight it. Ever," he said, pressing his forehead to mine. "I always want to know...I need to know that you want me as much as I want you."

"Always," I confessed, feeling myself being lifted onto the counter.

"I don't care about bad timing, love," he said, smiling warmly. "It's about us, always, forever. Period. Nothing else matters. Everything can wait. It's only about you and me."

His lips met mine, and I snapped. Giving him all the credit, he caught up to me quickly. Soon, all the sounds in Charlie's house were us – lips, breaths, sighs, moans. Lips and tongues collided, leaving all talking done.

My legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him to my aching center. We removed our shirts in the blink of an eye. My bra was ripped from me as I clawed at his skin desperately, never breaking from his mouth. God, he tasted good. I whimpered, trying to take his tongue in as deep as I could.

His arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me from the counter, and soon, I was lying on the kitchen table. Edward's hands were all over me, removing my jeans and tossing them to the kitchen floor so fast that I gasped. He started kissing down my neck roughly, heading for my breasts. My nipples throbbed with how hard he sucked them in.

"Edward, please, I need you inside," I groaned, my back arching off the table.

He moaned against my skin and lifted up to drop his pants to the floor.

He entered me swiftly, causing me to scream out, "God, I love you!"

Our bodies knew exactly what they were doing. It was all instinct that took over, writhing, bucking with each other. He brought my leg up over his shoulder, and I could feel every inch of him. I needed this; I needed to feel him. He kissed down my chest, marking me over my heart with a long, low growl, saying, "Mine."

His pubic bone grazed against my clit in a delicious rhythm, causing the coil in my lower region to snap violently. I cried out his name, throwing my head back, and his mouth attached to my neck, laving his tongue to my collarbone. My spasms hadn't even settled down before he rocked his hips just the right way, hitting the sweet spot inside me. I came again, gripping his shoulders and pulling his face back to mine. He came with a deep growl, sucking my tongue into his mouth and then pulling my bottom lip in, and even in the midst of our nearly-out-of-control passion, he was careful to avoid his teeth.

He held me on the table, kissing me softly. We were still connected in the most intimate of ways. I wasn't ready to let him go yet. He put his head to mine and asked, "How's that stress level now, love?"

I giggled, pulling him up with me and groaning when we separated. "Much better," I said, still laughing. "Thanks."

He tickled my sides, causing me to squirm. "I love you, Bella," he said, pulling me to his chest.

We sat quietly for a moment, each in our own thoughts. Mine were back to the situation at hand. My distraction allowed me to think more clearly.

I went upstairs, grabbed a new bra, took a human moment, and got dressed. When I came back down, Edward had redressed, as well.

"What are we going to do, Edward?" I asked, leaning against him.

"I don't know," he said honestly. "I can't let her near you. I'll lose my mind, love." He arms wound around my body, encircling himself around me.

"What did Jake do? What was in his mind?" I asked, pulling back and looking at him.

"He apparently made a deal with Victoria right after he showed up at the bookstore," he said, brushing my hair from my face. "She found him and told him the story but edited it so that it made her sound like it was me she was after. Jake still wanted you back and said that he would help her get to me." He sighed and then said, "He tried to blow her off the last time he saw you, telling her that we were too protected. He came to apologize but was going to take you to her to bait me. When he went to see Anna this morning, Victoria was there and told him the truth. He panicked when she took Anna and didn't know where else to turn."

I sighed, feeling sorry for Jake for the first time in years. "I meant it, Edward. We can't let her get hurt. I feel responsible for her," I said. "I know I'm not, but I can't help it."

"I know, love," he said, kissing the top of my head.

I looked over at the table, and a snort escaped me.

Edward looked at me, raising an eyebrow.

Snickering, I said, "I don't think I can eat at that table with Charlie ever again."

He laughed, pulling me to him.

We took our time heading back, showing up at the same time as Sam and the pack. We pulled in and were met by Emmett and Jasper.

"Ed, they know where she is," Emmett said. "It was all I could do to hold that dog back from running to her." He frowned. "They're all here, trying to figure out what we can do for the poor girl."

Edward nodded, kissed my forehead, and then left me with Jasper.

Jasper looked at me and said, "You're feeling better." He was smiling as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

I snorted and said, "I had to get out of here. I couldn't deal with Jake in my face, knowing he was willing to sell me to Victoria." I sighed, leaning against him, and walked to the deck where everyone was sitting.

"Yeah, that's why you left," Jasper teased, chuckling.

"Shut it, you," I told him, laughing.

Seth walked over, sweeping me up in a big hug, but he looked serious. "Hey, Bells," he said, sighing. "I told you Jake was trouble."

I just shook my head at him before moving over and sitting between Edward and Alice, with Seth on the ground in front of me. Alice laid her head on my shoulder, groaning. I looked down at her and could see the frustration on her face.

"Headache?" I asked, kissing the top of her head.

She just nodded, smiling lightly. I was sure she was remembering a conversation we'd had.

Edward watched us, a slight smile on his face.

"Sam, where are they exactly?" Carlisle asked.

"Cliffside, right on the line between our two territories," he said. "There's more than one of your kind...her and another...and a human."

"She's made a friend," Jasper sneered.

The emphasis on the word "made" did not go unnoticed. Sam nodded.

Jasper looked at Jacob. "Jake, did you know that?"

"No!" Jake yelled. "I never saw anyone but her." His face was in shock.

"We think she's holed up with the girl in one of the caves down there," Sam said. "We couldn't get close without alerting her."

"We need to draw her out somehow," Emmett said, looking to Carlisle. "If we can pull her away from the girl, then we could nail her."

"She'll send her friend out first," Jasper said, and I could see his military mind working. "I guarantee he's a newborn. Any disappearances lately?"

"Yes," Carlisle said, shocking everyone. "Bella's school is missing a girl, but it's not been widely noted because she had quit classes a few weeks before she went missing. Also, the shop next to the bookstore...liquor store, I think."

I nodded.

"The owner was found dead two weeks ago."

"If only there was another way to get to her," Sam said. "I've never seen anything like it. She's never within reach."

"The only thing she wants is Bella," Jake said. "She said if she sees me come anywhere near her with anyone else but Bella, she'll kill Anna."

I sighed and felt Alice get closer to me.

Edward took my hand and said, "We'll find another way, love."

Jasper started pacing and asked, "What about using Bella's scent to draw out Victoria? Her clothes or something?" I could see that he was really thinking out loud.

"No, Jasper," Edward said. "I can't risk taking her that close. She's not bait."

"I know, I know," Jasper said, "but it would work." Edward growled low, and Jasper gave up.

Soon, the whole group was in deep conversation, trying to come up with a way to help. Jasper and Edward were in deep debate with Carlisle. I sat, trying not to listen to anyone, but studied Edward's hand. The idea that came to me was something that I hardly thought about anymore.

"My blood," I whispered.

Alice sat up from my shoulder and looked at me. Edward stopped talking and turned my way.

"Send Jake back to her covered in it, tell her I escaped...trail it to a trap." I looked at Carlisle and asked, "Couldn't you draw it? A pint?" I asked, hating the thought of needles but hating the thought of Victoria more.

"Yes," Carlisle said. "I have everything here. Are you sure?"

I nodded.

"Damn, Bells," Emmett said. "That may just work, but..." He looked over at Edward and then Jasper. "Maybe we would have to lead them to the pack."

"Emmett," Edward said, "her blood is not an issue for me. Jasper?"

Jasper thought about it for a moment and said, "I can stay with Bella as her guard." He smiled, winking at me.

I just snorted at him, rolling my eyes. Silly Jasper still didn't trust himself.

"Me, too," Seth said. "That way I can stay in contact with the pack."

Carlisle turned to Jake and asked, "When are you supposed to get back to her?"

"Tonight," Jake said, looking lost with the whole thing.

I looked up at Edward. "Are you okay with this?"

He smiled the warmest smile and said, "As long as you're safe, absolutely." He wrapped his arm around me and kissed my head. "Are you all right with me going?" he asked quietly.

I looked around at both my families and smiled. "Between Sam and the pack and our family, I think someone will make sure you come home to me," I said, snickering.

"Our family, huh?" he asked, smiling. "Yes, love, I will always come home to you."

~oOo~

"Okay, Bella," Carlisle said, kneeling down in front of me. "I'm going to take two pints."

I flinched at the thought, causing him to chuckle.

"Here's what I want you to do. Close your eyes when I tell you, and then when it's all over, you're going to drink a glass of juice, okay?" he asked, patting my hand.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

"Okay, little one, close your eyes."

I shut them quickly. Feeling a slight pinch, I squeezed my eyes shut even tighter.

"Okay, Bella," Carlisle said. "You can open up. The needle part is over."

I peeked out with just one eye and sighed in relief. "Thanks," I said, snickering. "Are you going with them?" I asked, looking at him.

"Yes," he answered, sitting next to me. We were in his office, away from everyone else. "If there's a newborn, I want to talk to them. With Victoria as their teacher, they must be completely confused."

I looked at him, deciding he had to be the most compassionate person – vampire or human – that had ever lived.

"Wow," I said, shaking my head. "And what happens if he's not receptive to the vegetarian way of life?"

"We explain the rules," Carlisle explained. "Staying secret is a must...not that you paid much attention to that," he said, snickering.

"Definitely not," Edward said, coming into the room. He chuckled and continued, "Way too perceptive." I smirked at him, and he kissed me quickly. "Here's your juice for when you're done. You might get sleepy, too, love."

"Thanks."

"Okay, little one," Carlisle said, kneeling in front of me again. "Close your eyes again. Time to take it out."

I shut my eyes, feeling pressure on my arm, and heard Edward chuckle. "Shut it," I said, laughing. "Needles are bad news."

"All done," Carlisle said. "Sit for a few. I'm going to take this out to Jake." He took the pouches and headed out the door.

I opened my eyes and looked down to see a band-aid on my arm. I picked up the glass of orange juice that Edward had brought me and drank until it was empty. He sat down in the chair next to me, holding out his arms. I got up and crawled in his lap, burying my face in his neck.

We didn't say anything, but I knew we were both preparing for the night. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?" he asked softly.

"Mmhm. As much as I love you," I said, smiling against his skin.

He kissed my forehead, and I pulled back to look at his face. I pressed my lips softly to his, trying to pour my worry and fear into it. He wove his fingers into my hair, tracing his tongue on my bottom lip. I took him in, finding strength in the taste of him.

When our kiss broke, he held me for a few more minutes, humming my lullaby. It was comforting, and soon, I found myself drifting off.

~oOo~

EDWARD

Everyone's mind was yelling at me to hurry up, that they were ready to go, but I wasn't quite ready to let Bella go yet. She'd fallen asleep in my arms after Carlisle had left the room, her heartbeat comforting me, telling me that it was the reason for everything.

Victoria had to be stopped, there was no question. Bella had come up with a brilliant plan to bring her straight to all of us. Her blood was perfect – strong enough that Victoria wouldn't be able to resist.

I stood up from the chair and carried the sleeping angel in my arms to our room. I left her in her clothes, not wanting to disturb her. Pulling the covers up around her, I kissed her forehead, telling her I loved her over and over.

She'll be fine, Jasper's thoughts hit me from the doorway. Maybe she'll sleep through the whole thing and not stress over you.

He was smiling, but I knew it was the truth. She would worry about me...for me.

I nodded and headed downstairs to see what the progress was. Sam was standing next to a transformed Jake. He was larger than I'd expected, standing over six feet and twice as wide as Emmett. He was a reddish brown color, almost the color of his own skin. Sam was smearing blood around Jake's muzzle, and I could smell it from the back door. All it reminded me of was her – not bloodlust, not thirst, just my Bella. I had no draw to it at all, and deep down, I was proud that if I needed to, I could just very well change her when the time called for it.

Seth had the other bag of Bella's blood and was taking it to three young boys, telling them how to drizzle it and where. They took off through the trees, running.

Alice's mind was pure confusion as she was sitting on the deck. I looked down at her, and her thoughts hit me. Something's trying to come through, but look, she thought.

It was like watching television with rabbit ears: fuzzy. Bit and pieces would come through. Apparently, the newborn was a boy, but that's all I could make of it. I saw our house, the woods, and the cave, but it was all in flashes. Nothing could be made of it.

"How far would you need to go to clear that up?" I asked, sitting next to her.

"Too far to be any help if I saw something," she said, sighing. "I'm sorry, Edward." She leaned against me, and I wrapped an arm around my little sister, kissing the top of her head like Bella always did.

"It's okay," I said. "We can't expect you to see it all, Alice. Are you staying with Jasper?"

She nodded against my shoulder. Squeezing her one more time, I stood up and joined Rose and Emmett, who were talking to Sam.

"Okay," Sam said, "I think we're just about ready." He turned to a smaller black wolf and asked, "Is Paul set?" The wolf nodded in an un-animal like way. "I'm going to take the caves with Quil and Embry. Maybe we can get the girl above all else. Paul set up the blood trail, heading to a clearing where you guys will be. Seth will stay here, giving Jasper and Alice updates and keeping us in touch in case anything leads back here. The only ones that can hear Jake are myself and Edward, so when I hear from Jake, I'll let my pack know to relay it your way," he said, pointing to me.

Jake, who had been very quiet through this whole ordeal, finally let his thoughts hit me. Edward...if we get this done, if you get her back for me...there's nothing I won't ever do for you, I swear.

I looked at him for a moment, trying to decide what I wanted to say to him. "You know, Jake, it's not me you owe. You've done some pretty terrible things, things I swore I'd kill you for. I may have left Bella, broken her heart, but you...you tried to break her spirit, change who she was. This Anna...she'd better be worth it, and you'd better spend the rest of your life thanking God that you have her and treating her as if at any minute, she could be taken away from you." I raised my eyebrow at him.

I know, he thought. There's no excuse. She was my best friend, and I should have left it that way, but I saw everyone around me imprinting, and I wanted it. I wanted her to look at me the way she looks at you, but I have that now, and I have to get Anna back.

"Then let's get this done," I said. "You'd better take off. We'll wait for a few and follow soon after."

He nodded and trotted off into the trees.

It wasn't long before we all got the signal and took off to where we were supposed to wait for Victoria. The wolves, though potent in scent, hid extremely well in the forest brush. My family stood a little farther back, knowing our scent would be the first thing that would alert Victoria and send her running.

~oOo~

BELLA

The room was dark when I woke up, stretching. I wasn't exactly sure how I'd made it to bed, until I remembered Edward holding me in Carlisle's office.

I looked around, and the only light was coming in from the window. Moonlight lit the room in a bluish glow. I sat up, throwing back the covers, and went to look out the window. The forest was beautiful, going on forever, the river glittering like sequins.

There was a flicker of movement from the corner of my eye, and then the window opened. I turned to see a young boy – no older than me – with blond hair, standing in the frame of the window. His eyes, though I imagined they were blue when he was human, were now bright red.

"She said you would be here, even though the dog said different." His voice was higher than I'd expected, making him sound younger.

My heart was flying, seeing a vampire that was not my family. Before I could blink, he was right beside me. He wrapped one arm around me, and another covered my mouth. Picking me up, he jumped from the window into the darkness of the forest.

He ran fast, even though I struggled against his hold, but not as fast as Edward, I noted. We ran in a direction that was different than Edward had indicated they were heading. He was avoiding all of the wolves and my family.

The scent of the ocean hit me before anything else, smelling of salt and sand. The next thing I knew, I saw the flicker of fire light. I was thrown against a hard rock, landing next to another girl – Anna. She didn't move when I brushed against her.

"Bella..." I heard my name fall from the lips of the vampire I feared above all others. "So nice you could join us. See, Jake, I knew you were lying," she said, turning to the wolf who was standing at the edge of the cave. Quicker than Jake could react, she kicked him hard in the ribs, the sound echoing in the cave. I flinched at the yelp that came from him.

"Excellent job, Riley," Victoria hissed. "Now, Bella, what little trap did your friends set up for me?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I sneered.

Riley paced back and forth, staring at me, and I wondered for a quick second how long it had been since he had fed last.

"She's lying to me, Riley," Victoria whined. "Do something about it."

Riley walked over to me and backhanded me across the face. I fell to the ground with a grunt but refused to look weak to them.

I stood back up, facing the young boy still standing there. "Oh, Riley," I said, putting my hand to my now heated cheek. "Edward is so going to kick your ass."

His eyes widened when he realized I was standing my ground.

~oOo~

EDWARD

We had to have been waiting for a good two hours before all hell broke loose. Victoria never showed, but the wolves' minds went out of control.

Paul was the most controlled and clear. Holy shit, she didn't believe him, Edward! She sent that newborn to the house. He just showed up with Bella at the cave. Sam said to head his way!

"No!" I gasped, and Carlisle was at my side, asking what was wrong. "She has Bella," was all I could manage. "She sent the newborn to the house."

"Damn it!" Emmett said, shattering a nearby tree. "How the fuck did Jasper let that happen?"

"He came through the window," Jasper said, running up with Alice. "He had her before I even knew she was awake. And Alice can't see anything. Jesus, Edward, I'm sorry. Let's go. This bitch is going to die," he growled.

"That's what I'm saying!" Rose agreed.

We took off into the night, following Paul and the rest of the pack. I passed them all, following Jacob's scent. I had to get to her; there was no way I could lose her.

Paul's mind hit me again. Sam's going to move in, Edward, but he said to tell you that he can only hold her for so long. You know how she is.

~oOo~

BELLA

Riley backed away from me, leaving me to sit next to Anna. Jake limped back into the opening of the cave. He looked from me to Anna and then whined. He wanted me to check on her.

I crawled over to her, turning her face up. It looked like she had received the same blow to the face that I had, but it had knocked her out. "Anna?" I asked, brushing the hair from her face. She was beautiful...dark hair, olive skin. Her face was young and oval-shaped, with full lips.

Congrats, Jake, I thought wryly. You'd better treat her right.

Anna stirred, her eyes slowly opening. "Who are you?" she asked, looking confused.

"Bella," I said, helping her sit up.

"You're the reason behind all of this," she said, looking hurt.

I looked at Jake, who hung his head in shame. I couldn't do it to him, though he was truly the reason we were all sitting in this cave. "Yeah, I guess you could say that," I said, never taking my eyes from Jacob.

"Enough," Victoria said, but she was interrupted by loud snarls and growls. Two large wolves stepped into the cave. I instantly recognized Sam and sighed slightly.

I turned back to Anna and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think so," she said, rubbing her face.

"Hello, doggies," Victoria sneered, unaware that she could quite possibly be trapped. She started moving toward the entrance, and Jake turned on her, holding her where she stood. "Riley," she snapped. "Get her!"

Riley dove for me, grabbing my hair and pulling my head back. He was behind me, his cool breath on my neck. He smelled like dirt and rotten flowers. All the wolves paused, taking a second glance at me in Riley's hands.

He dragged me toward Victoria as I struggled uselessly against his strength. She took my hair from Riley, and now she was holding me the same way he had been. I struggled to get out of her grasp, but it didn't do me any good.

"Victoria!" The sweetest voice I'd ever heard carried through the cave. "Let her go," he growled.

"Edwa—" I tried to say, but she pulled my hair harder, cutting me off.

"Oh, Edward," she said, "when will you learn? I will have this, have her. I deserve it for the loss of my mate. You will lose yours," she said, giggling a sickening laugh.

"James didn't love you, Victoria," Edward sneered. "He only used you for your escape ability. He never thought of you as his mate."

Victoria growled, "Riley, kill him!"

"No!" I screamed, struggling again.

Sam and Jake circled Riley, nipping at him. I could see the confusion on his face, but before he even left the cave opening, Edward launched himself at him when his attention was on Jake, tossing him high in the air, only to be caught by Emmett and Jasper. There was a sickening ripping sound, along with a scream that was cut short. I saw the flicker of another fire being set, and a sweet, smoky smell hit me.

More growls and snarls joined Sam's and Jake's. I saw the entire cave opening fill with wolves and vampires. Both my families moved in, blocking the entire entrance to the cave.

I could feel the panic rising in Victoria. I looked at Edward, who was trying to inch closer.

Before anyone could react, Victoria picked me up and threw me hard against a rock jutting out from the cave wall.

I heard Edward's voice yell, "No!"

There was a snapping sound in my back before everything went dark.

~oOo~

EDWARD

"No!" I yelled just before I heard the snap of my angel's body. I couldn't move; Victoria was still standing between me and Bella.

Jake's mind washed over me. Edward, now! You go high, and I'll go low. We'll rip her in half!

I caught his eye from behind her and launched. Victoria screamed, knowing this was it. I caught her by the head and twisted. I watched as Jake caught her leg in his teeth, crushing it and ripping it away.

I landed on the other side of her, inside the cave, missing the fire by inches. Tossing Victoria's head unceremoniously into the fire, I ran to Bella.

Carlisle was already there, his face grim. His thoughts were still calm. It's her back, son. It's broken; she'll be paralyzed. But it's her lungs that are the biggest problem. They're filling with blood. I think a rib punctured one.

A sob ripped through me, wracking my body.

"Edward," Esme said, "you have to change her. You'll lose her if you don't." I could hear the fear in her voice.

All the wolves were standing around, but Sam spoke first. "No, Edward, the treaty specifically says you can't."

I growled, my body shaking violently.

Jake had changed back and was standing with Anna. "No, Sam," he stated in a rough voice. "As true Alpha, I give him permission. Go, Edward. We can't lose her. It's what she wanted. I owe you and her that and much, much more."

I saw him look down at his Anna, seeing her for the first time. She was a beautiful girl, with dark features. He looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered...like I looked at my Bella. I looked at Sam and saw him nod, knowing she wouldn't want it any other way and not being able to deny her.

Son, I'm right here, Carlisle thought to me. I won't let you go too far.

I saw her move from the corner of my eye and looked down at her. Her eyes were open, but it looked like she couldn't see me.

"Bella?" I asked, hearing my voice break.

"Edward, it hurts," she gasped, tears rolling down her face.

"I know, baby," I said, brushing the hair from her face and hearing everyone's mind leave us. They all walked out of the cave except Carlisle. "I'm right here," I said, but my mind was screaming with what I knew I would have to do.

"It's okay, Edward," she gasped. "It's time." Her eyes rolled when a wet cough wracked her little body.

I put my hand to her face, wiping the tears away.

I looked at Carlisle, and he said, "You have to. Now. Her lungs won't take much more." I could see that he was forcing himself to stay calm for me.

I looked down at my love, listening to the heartbeat that had pulled me to her from the moment she'd walked into my life. It was the sound that had kept me going, but now it was the mind, the woman that would hold me to this earth. Her shirt was slightly torn, and I saw the mark that I had left on her as we'd made love earlier that day.

I bent, kissing it softly, inhaling her scent and allowing the venom to flow freely for the first time in over two years in her presence. I kissed her lips one more time and bent to the spot above her heart.

"I love you, Bella," I said.

I bit into her, letting the blood flow into my mouth – the blood I didn't want, didn't have a taste for – and let out a dry sob against her skin.