Broken Love

Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT MINE! Now if you excuse me, I'm going to go curl up into a ball in a dark corner and cry. (It is recommended that you read Eternal Love first.)

Summary: Life couldn't be better for Esme, in love with Carlisle Cullen, a vampire. But when something happens, the Cullens leave unexpectedly. When danger comes again, will Carlisle return to save her? Sequel to Eternal Love.

This chapter is dedicated to Briony97, Pinetail Meryl Alice Cullen, OMECTWiLIGHTer, xtwilightxchickx, nymphadora15, StantonLover4Life, WhitlockRN, KCcrazy, SorryWe'reOpen, Anne Lynn, xFender'sGirlx, ashleyahh, twilighter97, and carj89.

Underground

Esme POV

I fell through the air silently, and then landed gently in a pair of very familiar, although no longer cold, arms. Carlisle gave a small smile. I smiled back.

Alice and Bella jumped in next, landing gracefully on their feet. I looked at Carlisle curiously. "I could've landed on my feet, just like them, you know."

He shrugged. "I wanted to catch you."

We followed Jane down the long, dark tunnel, Felix and Demetri at the rear. Then we entered a chamber with light. It was carpeted with gray linoleum, like in office buildings, and even had the fluorescent lights. A human girl sat at a desk.

Jane nodded at her. "Hello, Gianna." The girl nodded back, typing on the computer. She looked at us curiously before going back to work.

We continued trailing behind Jane as she led us down another stone hallway. Finally, she threw open the doors to a chamber. It was slightly like a basin, sinking into the ground nearer to the center, with a drain there. I cringed as faint traces of human blood flooded my head.

There were three thrones in the room, two of them occupied. One was a vampire with black hair, and the other had white hair. They all had papery skin and looked weak, if it was possible.

The black haired one stood up. "Carlisle, it's so nice to see you again! And who are your friends here with you?"

"My family. Alice, Bella, and Esme." Carlisle took my hand again. Aro watched our intertwined hands.

"I see." He stepped forward, hand extended. "Greetings, Esme."

I glanced at Alice and Bella. Bella nodded, so I took his hand. Aro frowned. "That's odd. I cannot hear your thoughts."

"That would be me." It was Bella. She smiled innocently at Aro, who looked delighted.

"Oh, so you are a mental shield! Fascinating!" His smile grew wider. "I've heard about your talented family, Carlisle, about your son who is a mind reader." He turned to Bella. "Do you mind removing your shield from your family?"

Bella nodded grudgingly. Aro took Alice's hand and gasped. "You're a psychic! And your mate is an empath. Fascinating." He turned to me. "And what you did with those flowers, that's just simply amazing." Carlisle looked confused.

"Do you mind demonstrating?" Aro asked hopefully.

I hesitated. "I don't know. I only did it the one time. I'm not sure if I can do it again."

"Please, do try."

I sighed and stared at the drain. Sunflowers began rising out of it. Aro stared at them, observing, thinking. "If only this could be controlled somehow," he murmured. His eyes lit up. "Jane, do you mind trying on Esme?"

Carlisle gasped and tried to stand in front of me, but Felix and Demetri grabbed him. A few other guards in the room restrained Alice and Bella. Aro added to Bella, "Dear, please don't use your shield. This is in the name of science."

Jane smiled serenely as she turned to look at me. I stared at her, wondering what was going to happen. Then pain a hundred times worse than the fire surrounded me.

Review if you hate Jane and/or think she's a *****.