Author's Note: Thank you very much for your reviews...they made my day!

P.S. Seth only smiled back at her because he's polite, not flirting! Um, you'll see what I'm referring to as you read...

Chapter 25

Jane

I stood still as a statue watching him run towards the huge burning flames, towards the humans...No, they were not merely humans to me anymore...and neither the enemies I had considered these particular humans to be. These people were his family and friends. And because of the way I now felt about him, I couldn't bear for them to be in danger when the Volturi came here after me.

I stifled my internal shudder as I watched him seamlessly fit into the flow and ebb of normalcy. It was something I would never be able to do, no matter how hard he tried with me. My eyes turned once again almost of their own volition towards the fire. I could remember the unbelievable pain as if it were yesterday. The sound of Alec's and my own screams. The chants of the villagers...

These past few weeks away from Volterra had not changed my outlook on life but I had unwillingly observed how happy the Cullens seemed. And painstakingly acknowledged the envy I secretly harbored of their ties to each other.

Seth may have introduced me to new...sensations and there was no denying within myself that I had grown to...care for him. But I was broken forever by that catastrophe that had marked the beginning of my existence. He was so whole, so good. He had his whole life ahead of him yet he persisted in halting everything because of me.

I allowed the unfamiliar crashing sound of the waves hitting the shore to take my attention away from the fire, staring out into the ocean beyond. I glimpsed back at Seth where he was cheerfully chatting with his friends. As if he sensed my eyes on him, he turned to look at me, his trademark grin lighting up his handsome face. I smiled slightly in return then glanced back at the ocean again.

I would be doing him a huge favour if I were to sneak off and sink into that chilled water, letting it consume me and drift me back from whence I came. But selfishly, I would never do that now. Because I wanted him so much...Like the way you wanted something that you had never aspired for, had never even known you wanted. Being with him was like experiencing a breath of fresh air after being trapped in an airless, dusty room for ages.

I sensed Bella before I saw her as she stepped out of the shadows to quietly come and stand beside me. We stood there in companionable silence for a few moments. I hardly felt any animosity towards her and the others now. Not that she and I would ever be friends or anything as far fetched as that.

Even with the vast capability of my vampire mind, all my emotions were inexorably drawn to Seth.

"He is so hot!" Someone whispered dreamily.

I looked at Bella the same moment she looked at me.

"I know right? It's such a darned shame..." Another voice, light and feminine whispered in response.

It was apparent to both of us that these whispers, meant to be confidential, were being drifted toward our vampire hearing from somewhere behind where we stood. We couldn't attach faces to the voices but it sounded like two...girls...who were not part of the party on the beach. The wind was blowing gustily in our direction so that Seth and his wolf friends even with their acute hearing would not have been able to hear the whispered words.

"Yeah. The first voice sighed. "Such a waste of a specimen like that. To be trapped with such a creature."

"You think he brought her here?"

"I guess we'll find out."

"I mean I've always known about these legends from pa, but I've never seen one. I wonder what it..she looks like?"

"Who cares? She'll just be cold...and frigid. No proper match for any of those hot guys."

In the darkness, I flinched slightly when this unknown person labeled me by the familiar nickname I had acquired from Volterra.

"And she imprinted on one of the hottest of them all." the other voice moaned plaintively.

The persons of the voices in question strolled past Bella and myself then, not seeing us at all where we stood a mere few feet away from them. They could have bounced into our still forms in the darkness.

Which might have been...unfortunate for them, I sneered silently.

Now that they were walking ahead of us, I could see them clearly.

They were two young Quileute girls, probably around seventeen or a little older. They made their way towards the others by the bonfire now. Even though it was night I could make out their features perfectly from where I stood.

One was almost as short as myself, her ebony hair held up in a ponytail. Her slim legs were bare from the thighs down in a 'clingy' dress which looked like it was really meant to be worn as a sweater. The other girl was tall and moved in a regal manner. Her midnight black hair blew loose in the wind, almost reaching to her hips. Her cream, sleeveless dress hugged her voluptuous figure which she seemed proud of as she strolled leisurely with a slightly exaggerated motion of her hips. She was undoubtedly very beautiful.

They approached the others now by the fire, walking into the midst of everyone as they were now clearing the tables. Someone shouted, "it's time to dance!" People laughingly grabbed one another, some moving about in circles, others clasping each other closely as they swayed to the music. In the sudden melee of standing people and moving feet, I lost sight of Seth where he'd been sitting. The crowd cleared a little and I saw him rising hurriedly to his feet and turning towards me as he unerringly found my gaze.

Even though we were several feet apart, the searing contact his eyes made with mine caused me to inhale deeply and unconsciously lick my lips. He started moving toward me then but was intercepted by the beauty in the cream dress.

She glided to him, placing a slim hand on his chest as she craned her neck to smile up at him. He broke his gaze from me to look down at her as she smilingly whispered something to him. He smiled back at her, his lips moving in a response to what she had said to him.

I calmly observed their interaction but inside I was a seething mass of fury. I methodically told myself that this was how it was supposed to be for him. That this beautiful human girl or someone similar to her was who he truly deserved. Someone like her would be able to give and provide him with everything that I couldn't. She certainly wouldn't take from him like a parasite, feeding off his very vitality.

However these benign thoughts did nothing to unravel the intense knot of rage, anger and envy that was beginning to consume me now. Vampires were by their very nature possessive and jealous beings. And right now I was experiencing how much so I could be.

The...girl began moving rhythmically against him like the other couples around them as she laughed at...something he said?

My feet began moving first before I even hissed. Bella instantly clamped her hand on my shoulder, effectively stopping me from going any further.

"Jane, don't."

"Bella, get your hand off me." I spoke through my teeth turning to glare at her.

"Calm down, will you? You're overreacting. Look. " She gestured with her chin and I turned to look back. Seth was shaking his head in negation, gently setting the girl aside as he began to walk towards me.

Quickly I wondered if he had been aware of my reaction. How embarrassing! I turned swiftly to Bella.

"He didn't...see me reacting that way, did he?"

"Nope." Bella was trying her best to stifle her grin but I didn't care about that now. "he didn't."

"Please let's keep this between us. And don't let Edward tell him!"

"Uh, sure." Bella frowned slightly, "Your reaction is nothing to feel bad about. It's...natural for you to feel a little jealous...or a lot. I would too if that had been Edward."

Seth had almost reached us.

"Shhh! I hissed at Bella, "He'll hear you..."

"Hear what?" Seth was standing there, staring at us with a curious smile.

"Nothing!" I said hastily.

"Just...girl talk." Bella said at the same time.

"O-kay." He raised one brow quizzically but didn't pursue it further.

I didn't know exactly why I didn't want him to be aware of my jealous reaction, I just knew I would feel embarrassed somehow.

He held out his hand to me then.

"I would love to dance with my date, if she wishes to?" He said softly.

I glimpsed down at the sand my eyes lingering there before shyly looking at him again. I would have automatically refused to be among the humans...argh, his friends... in such a blatant manner but seeing him with that girl made me feel more bold. Made me feel to show everyone that he was...mine. However momentarily.

So I placed my hand in his as he smiled in elation. He gently drew me towards the other dancing couples now. I would never have thought I could be so close to a live fire and not be bothered by it in the least. But the huge bonfire nearby was now a peripheral non entity as Seth enclosed me in his warm embrace.

A woman's voice melodiously and sweetly intoned words of unrequited love and heartbreak from the large music boxes as we shifted about in each others arms. There were numerous thudding hearts around us and such a thing should have made a vampire thirsty. But I was fixated on only one furiously beating heart, it's frantic rhythm resounding through me where Seth had pressed his chest against me.

It could have been just the two of us on this fire lit beach, dancing together under the vast night sky. At this moment, I was oblivious to everyone and everything save the man before me.

Why did dancing in the arms of a Quileute wolf near a steadily blazing bonfire feel so natural? But more that than that it felt right. So good.

My hands gripping his biceps weren't enough. I reached up to caress the side of his jaw, my fingers trailing down to trace his full lower lip.

It was inconceivable that I had come here to wreak such havoc and ended up falling in love.

I blinked in alarm as that thought resounded through me. Fallen. In. Love?

"Are you alright?"

My eyes found his again as his husky voice brushed against my ear. Looking into his eyes, I was reminded harshly once again that Aro would see all my reactions to him. Would see every detail of how much he had affected me.

To hell with that.

When the time came, Aro would perhaps see how I felt about Seth. So yes, I was going to have a lot of explaining to do. I intended to make it quite clear that I belonged in the Volturi and my little dalliance would in no way impact my revered position in Volterra. I would convince him that Seth was no threat to my solid, eternal vow.

Being with him was like a much needed vacation that I ultimately deserved after having served Aro so loyally for so long. Yes, keep telling yourself that...when you know this is so much more.

I shook my head trying to dispel my ruminations.

"Jane?" Seth was looking at me questioningly.

A genuine smile spread across my face as I stared back at him. He always elicited such...positive reactions from me. Well, most times, which was in itself quite a feat to accomplish.

"I'm more than fine." I said in answer to his earlier query.

"Would you like to go for a walk with me?"

"You mean you want to take me on a 'romantic stroll'? I said lightly, quoting his description of a date.

"That's exactly what I'm asking." His eyes smoldered as he uttered hoarsely.

My teasing smile slowly slipped away as I squirmed with the effect of his eyes on me.

"Yes. Now." I whispered.

We walked slowly along the shore our hands intertwined tightly, simply listening to the beat of the ocean against the sand. My 'ballet flats' were soaked by the salty water as it splashed against my feet but I didn't mind.

There was a half moon partly obscured by a few clouds in the dark sky. The wind whipped my long hair wildly about me as I watched at the moon. It reminded me of a tale I had read, from the numerous ones I had read in the humongous Volterra library. These tales to a human would be mythical but the Volterra library only contained meticulously kept records of real findings and facts. The tale had been about the Children of the Moon. They had no relation to Seth and his Quileute nature however. Yet I still asked teasingly,

"So your...wolf is not bound by the changes of the moon?"

"Not at all. We're not technically werewolves as the myth goes." I smiled at the seriousness in which he said this. His secret Quileute nature was a matter of immense pride to him, that much I knew.

"It's no myth though. There were real werewolves apart from your shape shifting species. Their shift was brought into motion by a full moon, as well as...other urges..."

I couldn't believe I just said that. How much forward could I be?

"I don't need any moon to feel the way I continually feel about you, Jane."

I felt my face grow warm. It was just the way he said that...

"Did you just...blush?"

"Of course not."

Yet he continued to stare with a confounding expression at my face. I touched my cheeks a bit curiously. I could feel the emotional effects of blushing but it was impossible for me to show it. Yet I had felt blood rushing to my face as if my body had done just that.

"Your..cheeks are...were...red." He placed his fingers over mine, the tips touching my skin directly. "Seems as if my blood is affecting you as well." He added.

I was silent, contemplating the meaning of such a development.

"We'll think about it later." Seth said softly drawing me to him. Just like that my worries evaporated. Our lips molded themselves to each other.

I experienced unbelievable hurt however when he tore his mouth from mine abruptly just a few moments later. I swallowed convulsively, looking away as I almost gasped at the loss of the sensation of his mouth moving against mine.

"If we don't stop now, I won't be able to control myself." He ground out, breathing harshly.

My eyes quickly darted to him again as I sighed in relief.

"I...I thought you didn't want..." I pressed my lips tightly together. I really needed to form some sort of barrier between my thoughts and what I actually said to him.

"You thought I didn't want to kiss you anymore?" He all too easily made the leap. He frowned shaking his head as his eyes bore into mine.

"Jane kissing you is just a small part of what I want to do with you." His eyes slowly roved over me. "I thought I made that quite clear but it seems I'll have to do more to convince you."

I wondered what his 'convincing' would entail.

The tip of my tongue slid out to lick my lips instinctively. Seth closed his eyes. "Please, baby don't...do that..."

"Maybe we should head back." I suggested, knowing fully well that he wouldn't want to just yet.

"No! I mean...I want to spend some more time with you. Alone..." He smiled mischievously.

"I wonder if I could out run you now?" He said musingly, one of his long fingers brushing against his lips speculatively.

"Don't get ahead of yourself." I said watching his finger caress his mouth.

"There's only one way to find out."

I raised my eyes to his, my brows raising as well at his confidence. I was centuries old and while I had not particularly used speed very often to accomplish my goals, I was still very fast. Whereas he was now experiencing a taste of this speed in his human form. Because of my...venom.

"Alright wolfman, let's see what you can do."

I released his hand, sliding off my jacket and briefly thought of ripping off the edge of my long dress but settled for tying it above my knees, figuring we would have to go back to the party. And re-appearing in a ripped dress would not do.

"Not fair." Seth complained. I glanced at him in askance.

"You..stripping like that. It'll distract me."

"I am not stripping. Are you backing out?"

"No way. Let's do this."

He went into a runner's stance. I smiled gamely. The spirited inflection of his voice was strong with excitement over the crashing waves and buffeting wind.

"On the count of three. One, two, three..."

We darted off at the same time running at an inhuman speed along the shoreline. The bonfire and voices from the party got further and further away until we couldn't hear them anymore. Just ahead the shoreline disappeared into heavy forestry. I looked at Seth and he glanced at me, nodding. We were taking this into the trees.

It was even more exhilarating weaving in and out between the huge trees as we beat a furious path through the woods. Night creatures screeched and howled upset at our playful intrusion into their domain.

I was surprised at how well he kept up with me in his human form.

Then he did it again.

I ran straight into him where he had deliberately placed himself before me. His sturdy arms immediately went around me, closing me tightly to him.

"I guess...you win?" I said hesitantly. His face was very sober as he regarded me now.

"There's a cliff falling away to the ocean just ahead of us. I..I should have known better than for us to race in the forest like this."

I shrugged. "So what if I had run off?" His protectiveness was a bit sweet but he underestimated my resilience. "That wouldn't hurt me Seth. Unless you could be injured if you dived off..."

He scoffed lightly, "No. I've been diving off these cliffs since I started phasing."

"Then you just spoiled some good fun!" I smiled at him playfully but he continued to look at me seriously, his expression filled with dread and a hint of confusion.

"You mean if you dived in the water you wouldn't..." He trailed off shaking his head slightly.

"I wouldn't what?"

Then I realized what this was about. He thought if I jumped off the cliff and went into the ocean that I would keep swimming. Away from here. Away from him.

A few weeks ago I might have done just that. But now a tidal wave couldn't keep me away from him right now. The only thing that would effectively make me leave is when the Volturi came for me.

"No, I wouldn't swim away. I'm past trying to escape...all I can do right now is...wait."

"You know when they're coming, don't you." He didn't phrase it as a question.

I took a deep breath. He deserved to know.

"They were supposed to be here a week ago. But...I don't know what's keeping them."

"What do they want?"

"Seth...I can't tell you more. If I do it's like I would be killing you myself. The less you know, the better. If my...master were to find out that you knew this much..."

"Wait, wait, wait! Your master?"

"Yes! The one who created me and whose orders I follow." Except this time, I added silently. At least my mind filter seemed to be working now.

"You're not a slave to anyone!"

I couldn't comprehend his outrage. Aro as my master, as my guide in this life was something I had always willingly resigned myself to. I could not have navigated my long existence without the numerous duties and missions that Aro had implemented. I viewed it as a sort of rigid discipline.

"I can't wait for them to come here." Seth's voice was rife with aggression as he said this and a chill made its way down my spine at the menace in his tone.

"Seth, there's nothing you or even I for that matter, can do. The Volturi's power is incalculable...don't try anything foolish. You'll only get yourself killed!"

Seth chuckled mirthlessly. "I didn't see that happening the last time. We'll all stand against them! The Cullens and the wolf packs. And there're allies who would as well. Your Volturi should be the ones who don't try anything foolish, Jane." He said softly, the quiet tone of his voice not diminishing the horrific picture he painted.

"We'll kill them all if we have to!" He added not an ounce of fear in his voice.

"You can't! Besides even if by some miracle you could get past the guard, if you ever touch my brother, I'd hate you forever!" I whispered, my eyes boring his with a mounting menace of my own.

The steely glint in his eyes cleared as his expression softened. "Your brother?"

"You don't know anything about me at all." I said coldly to him now, turning away from him.

"But I want to. Everything."

I resolutely kept silent, my arms rigidly folded across my chest vainly trying to ignore his husky voice.

His warm breaths were falling just against the side of my exposed neck as he stood behind me, his body touching mine. The dark forest mimicked my silence as we stood there in the thick undergrowth.

His large hands lightly grasped my hips from where he stood behind me.

"Don't touch me!" I seethed venomously.

His hands fell off right away.

"Jane, please don't be mad at me. I...got carried away. I just want to understand more about you...to know everything about you."

I wanted to remain angry but the damndest thing of all was that I wanted to talk to him, too. About my past, even about the forbidden Volturi. Though that was the one subject that seemed to always cause a rift between us. Talking about this would do no good.

Slowly turning to face him again I was appalled to see the anguish stamped on his face. Because he couldn't bear for me to be mad at him. I sighed. We were hopeless, him and I.

Then something occurred to me. If I were to let him know of the deeds I had committed, well some of them anyway because there was no way I could recount them all in one night, then that knowledge might deter his ardor for me. When he heard first hand what I was capable of, he would then know how I truly was...and perhaps it would make the break easier for him ...when it was time for me to leave.

There was nothing that would make it easier for me, though.

He uncannily seemed to sense my weakening resolve to confide in him.

"There's a spot not too far from here...right on the cliff. We can sit there. If you'd like..."