Sleeping Beauty

I didn't think it was possible for the temperature to actually get colder, but that was happening. I was stinging everywhere. My body was literally screaming at me as I clutched to Rosalie, hoping that she would provide some warmth. That was moronic, of course, but I couldn't help it. Thankfully though, the wind had died down and I could actually hear myself think. Not so thankfully, I could tell that Rosalie was growing annoyed with my chattering teeth. But I couldn't help it, and she knew that so she stayed quiet about it. As we walked I kept hearing Edward's words in my ear, seeing his actions…trying to read his expressions. What was he getting at? Surely he didn't want me dead. I mean, how many people actually wish death on someone. It's just not right. There had to be something there. Cautiously I looked to Rosalie and opened my mouth in an attempt to keep my teeth from chattering.

"W-w-what's Edward's d-deal?" I asked, trying desperately to keep from stuttering but failing entirely. Rosalie looked down at me and for a moment it looked as if she was proud. But that didn't seem to make any sense at all.

"Edward is very old fashioned. He believes in chivalry and kissing a girl only on the cheek until they're wed. He's also a very determined rule follower. As we've all said many times, vampires are not to consort with humans unless they're feeding. Imagine his surprise to find that his dear sister was not only attracted to a human, but a female human at that." Rosalie smirked to herself, then nodded thoughtfully.

"This is not to say that vampires aren't attracted to humans. Because we are, very much. Lust feeds on our thirst as well. It sounds terrible to say but most vampires were beautiful and in shape before they were turned. We were once human after all." She grimaced again and I pursed my lips together, trying desperately not to think about the story she'd told me, her story.

"But before you came along, it was ridiculous to fall in love with a human and keep them human. But here you are." She looked down at me and I thought for a moment that she was almost smiling. I returned what I thought I saw and Rosalie brought her arm, and subsequently me, closer to her.

"But I don't get it. It's none of his business."

"Oh but it is, Bella, just as it is mine. We are a coven, a family. It's our job to protect each other, to keep us strong enough to carry on all of these years. One slip of the tongue, sun or a pesky heartbeat can easily ruin what has been decades in the making. I don't blame him."

"Really? Then why did you come to my aid?"

"I already told you. I consider you family. If Alice wants you in the family, there's nothing much I can do but accept it."

"Oh, so you're only going along with it because of Alice?" I asked slowly. Rosalie stopped walking and I looked down to the hardened ground. At first it didn't seem plausible. I mean, Rosalie had gone through so much for me, but maybe she was just a practical person. Maybe I was just some kind of toy she liked to play with and use to piss of her family.

"I used to," Rosalie answered slowly, breaking me from my thoughts. For a moment, I thought she'd read my mind. Then she shrugged and looked down. "But now I guess I could see maybe where Alice is coming from. But that scent of yours is rather distracting."

"So, it would be okay if you changed me? It would be okay with Edward?"

Rosalie sighed, shaking her head. "I'm not going to get into that discussion with you again. Edward is complicated and spoiled and all around not worth your wasted effort."

I smiled up at her. "That's what they said about you." In spite of her best efforts, Rosalie couldn't stop the grin that snuck onto her face. She looked down rather proudly at me again and shrugged.

"I suppose you do have a point there. But don't take any of this too personally."

"Oh, right, of course not," I answered just as sarcastically as we kept walking. It was quiet then for awhile and my body had stopped stinging. In fact, it was just numb. But I kept walking somehow, most likely with Rosalie half carrying me along the way. The sky was still kind of bright despite the late hour and off in the distance it looked like there were trees. I had no idea if they really were trees or not because I had no clue if trees grew this far north. Just when I looked up to ask the question, I saw it.

It was tiny, very tiny. There looked to be one door and one window and at first glance I would have thought it a storage shed instead of a cabin. But that was it. It had to be it. Alice was in that cabin. And it was just a football field or so away. In all of my staring it suddenly became noticeable that I was pulling Rosalie along as I walked. I turned around to look back at her and saw that she was still walking, but her head was looking behind us. After some maneuvering I determined that she was glaring at something behind us. While it worried me a bit, I couldn't help but feel slightly pissed that right now, at this moment when we were so close, she decided to slow down. Suddenly, she was facing me again. I jumped at her rapid change and she smiled at me, gesturing towards the cabin.

"Why don't you get a head start?" she asked kindly. "I'll take my time out here so that you two can sort everything out."

"Are you—?

"Bella, you're wasting time," she chided almost motherly and it made me feel warm and sick at the same time. But she was also right. Alice was right there and I was just standing here. I quickly reached up and embraced her, feeling how she actually hugged me back. Then I let go and started running towards the cabin. I looked back once to see Rosalie still standing in place, watching me as I went. It made me smile and I quickened pace as much as I could as I headed towards the cabin. My movements were slow and hindered by the cold and my clothes but I could see the cabin drawing nearer. By the time I actually reached it, I leaned against the door, catching my breath and feeling the air as it rushed down my raw throat. The lights were off in the cabin and I couldn't see inside the window. But the door was unlocked and I took a deep breath as I pulled it open.

Again, darkness engulfed me. I swallowed and sifted my cell phone from my pocket. I didn't have signal but it provided me with just enough light to find my way around. There was a table with a single chair in the middle of the room and to the right was a bed. My light flashed over it and I jumped in surprise when I saw someone sitting on the bed. Their arms were down at their sides, gripping the sides of the mattress and they leaned forward just a bit, as if they were looking for something. I recognized the pale skin and spiked hair instantly and ran forward, wrapping my arms around her neck.

"Alice," I breathed into the column of her throat, hugging her tightly. She made no response to me, didn't even move in my arms and I sighed, nodding to myself as I pulled away. I shined the light on her face and noted that her eyes were pitch black, glossed over in the catatonia Rosalie had mentioned. She wasn't even breathing. It made my heart ache to see her like this but she was here, and I was here with her, and I wouldn't let her slip away so easily again. I slowly reached out and placed my hand on her cheek, rubbing it up and down.

"Alice, Alice can you hear me? I'm here, Alice. I'm here and I'm alive."

Still no response.

I leaned forward; making sure that my breath was hitting her face, and placed the inside of my wrist to her neck, hoping she'd feel the pulse. My heart was racing, and that could only help the matter. "Come on, Alice," I whispered, growing desperate as she continued to make no progress. When I lost hope in that I leaned forward and kissed her lips, praying that maybe the fairy tales were right. They weren't, and Alice stayed still as stone. I began to cry. I couldn't help it. Here I'd been, through so much for her, so close and yet so far, risking mine and everyone's life, and she wouldn't even wake up.

In a moment of anger, I reached out and grabbed the both of her stone shoulders, shaking them violently. Her marble body barely moved in response to me but I still shook her. Her head lolled back and forth just a bit and I couldn't take it anymore.

I screamed.

I screamed loudly, harshly. It made my throat hurt to scream like I did but I didn't care. I screamed as I shook her, tears running down my face and freezing to my cheeks as I tried desperately not to completely fall apart. And then I noticed something.

I noticed that Alice was no longer moving in response to my shaking. My hands were merely pushing back and forth against her, inflicting no reaction. I had put my phone up earlier but even in the dim light I could see her eyes flickering. I gasped, utterly furious at myself that I couldn't form a coherent thought at the moment. Alice's chest started to rise and fall and she lowered her head and I felt a low, guttural growl enter the room as she woke up. It frightened me, but not near enough as it should have and I stayed exactly where I was with my hands on Alice's shoulders. Suddenly, Alice's head lifted. My eyes widened and I didn't know if she saw that or not. Then, just barely, her voice carried over the silence in the cabin. It was faint, but still sweet and light and beautiful and it made my heart race just to hear it.

"Bella," she called out tentatively, "I heard you scream."

I lunged myself at her, clutching her as tightly as my weak human body would allow. The realization seemed to hit her at the same time for her arms were around me, holding me so very firmly, but not hurting me. I cried into her shoulder for a moment as she rocked us back and forth, then kissed her shoulder. Alice loosened her grip just enough for me to bring myself around. And my lips found hers and this time they were real. They were Alice's. And they fit perfectly. We ended up having to break apart because I was still crying but I didn't care so long that her arms were around me. And they never left, even as I tried to calm myself against her shoulder.

Alice hushed me softly, her own voice wavering in the night as she nuzzled against me. I clawed at her back, longing to hold her tighter and yet knowing that she was barely using any strength with me at all. I kissed at her shoulder, her neck and collarbone and anywhere I could find, loving the feeling of her against me. After awhile I felt Alice shift and we were both lying on the bed. She pulled away from me, much to my disdain but I felt her hand reach into the pocket of my jacket, pulling out my cell phone. She flipped it open and the blue light filtered through the room. Alice placed it in between the two of us and I marveled at her beautiful face. She looked awe stricken at mine as well and she lifted her hand to gently caress my cheek.

"Oh, Bella, you are so beautiful," she whispered, as if she was frightened of her own voice. I laughed but did not blush as I told her the same and she smiled. "What are you doing here?" she asked slowly. I could still see the joy in her eyes, but also the concern.

"Rosalie came back, Alice." It was such a joy just to be able to say her name without my heart aching. "She came back and she told me about what happened. Alice, Edward lied." I watched as my pixie's brow furrowed and I nodded sadly. "I didn't say anything that he told you. I never wanted you to leave. I love you, Alice."

Alice's lips quivered as she formed a faint smile. Then she closed her eyes tightly and shook her head. "I'm such a fool," she mumbled, still shaking her head. I reached over, closing the cell phone as I did, and embraced her again. My lips found hers and I kissed her warmly, pleasantly surprised that she kissed me back. And I pulled away, whispering my love for her against her lips. Alice smiled and held my face in her hands.

"I love you too, Bella. And I will never, ever leave you again," she promised. There was a single nod of her head and I smiled, feeling fresh tears come to my eyes and then freeze. Alice brushed her hands across my face, feeling the ice against them and she furrowed her brow, sitting up and away from me.

"You're freezing," she said sadly as she recoiled. I shook my head and neared her again, glaring when she inched away from me.

"Alice, I've suffered months without you, endured Rosalie's death glare, travelled across the world and entered a village of non-vegetarian vampires just to see you. And now you're not going to let me hug you?"

"I…I don't want you to get too cold."

"Say, Alice, why don't you let me make a decision, okay?" I smiled at her but she knew that my words were serious and she smiled back hesitantly, falling into my arms again. I welcomed her and sighed again, breathing in the scent that never left her. "Besides, you're warm compared to this."

"I am?"

"You are." And she was. It wasn't my love talking, it was my body. And my body was telling me that she was warm, and that I should cling to her. Of course, I was okay with that. We laid there on the bed and talked for I don't know how long. I told her about Jacob and my bouts with Victoria. Alice told me exactly what Edward said, without Rosalie's bias and I was pleasantly surprised that Rosalie hadn't lied at all. For a moment I considered asking Alice about Edward in hopes that she would have some more concrete thoughts on the matter, but I didn't want him to ruin the moment. Edward, at this point, didn't even matter to me. Alice did. And she was here now. I smiled at her after a few minutes and reached out to her again, my thumb caressing the bags under her blackened eyes.

"How are you feeling?" I asked. She shrugged and inhaled deeply.

"I'm desiccated, to be honest. But I've no desire to hunt right now. I don't think we'll have to worry about that ever again."

"I was never worried."

Alice rolled her eyes and snuggled closer to me. If I was shivering or cold, I could hardly care to think about it. Alice hummed softly, whispering into my ear. "You know, when I was that lifeless droid, I didn't see anything. Everything was black around me. And I couldn't hear and didn't really feel the desire to breathe. And I wondered if this was what death was like, except for I would be without thought. I wanted to try it out and so I stopped thinking. And to be honest I thought I'd never come out of that void. Thank god you screamed."

"I wouldn't have let you stay like that," I murmured back to her, feeling her grip on me tighten.

"I know."

I sighed and looked out the window, noting that the sun was starting to rise. Just barely, but there was some light. Alice sat up and I followed suit, stretching. "Rosalie is waiting outside you said?" Alice asked. I nodded and stood from the bed to straighten my jacket. When I turned back around, Alice's eyes had glossed over. A wave of panic washed over me as I watched her. Part of me was convinced that she wouldn't wake up. That everything before was just a dream and I had merely lain with her corpse. But the other, more rational side, knew better, even if my heart rate wasn't showing it.

When her eyes returned to normal not a moment later, she gasped and ran out the door. I didn't even see her as she blurred past me but the minute I saw the open door I was outside, freezing and looking around for any sight of anything. I didn't have to look far and I almost ran into Alice. In fact, if I hadn't stopped in shock at what I saw, I would have run into Alice.

Just a few feet away, Rosalie was a blur on the ground, fighting with another vampire. Now that I was outside and focused I could hear their growls and snarls and the occasional hiss of pain. In the flurry of motion I saw red speckles and I gasped, my hand darting for Alice's. She held it tightly, looking on and leaning forward, then back, deciding if she could intervene. After a moment or two, the blurs stopped, and I could make out the fiery red head of Victoria. She had Rosalie pinned to the ground with her hands around her neck. I screamed and Alice's hand left mine as she darted forward. My scream had thrown Victoria off guard and Rosalie managed to get her knee up and into the redhead's chest, sending her back. The moment she was off of her, Rosalie turned and threw her hand out to Alice, stopping her in her tracks.

"Stop, Alice!" Rosalie shouted in a voice I'd never heard before. It terrified me and apparently struck a chord with Alice too, for she stood there, frozen in mid-step, staring at her sister. All this happened so quickly I was surprised I even noticed it. For the minute Rosalie told Alice to stop, she was gone, a blur again with the red tangled mass. Alice was by my side again and she held me close to her. And with her next to me I didn't feel as scared for myself. But I was aching for Rosalie. I wanted to help, I wanted Alice to help. I wanted the Cullens to come running from nowhere and spare me the agony of watching these blurs. A loud screech of pain was heard and I recognized Rosalie's voice.

"No," Alice whispered next to me and I looked up to see her eyes widening. "No," she said again, leaving my arms and running towards the two vampires. "Rosalie, no!" she shouted, loudly this time and it echoed over the nothingness, ringing in my ears as the blurring suddenly ceased.

Rosalie was on top of Victoria, a strange rusted crimson coating her chest. Victoria was struggling beneath her and I watched as Rosalie smiled the widest I'd ever seen. Even Alice in all over her superhuman speed couldn't reach them in time as Rosalie placed her hands on Victoria's neck, jerked back and tossed what was left of the redhead over her shoulder. Alice stopped short, watching as the head soared over her tiny stature. Then she fell to her knees in front of Rosalie, who looked down pithily at her before standing and examining her blouse. "Alice, do you have something to burn her with?" she asked professionally, pulling the shirt down to examine her damages. I noticed four long, deep slashes down the middle of her chest. They were healing right in front of my eyes, but it still hurt to see.

"Rosalie…Rosalie you shouldn't have done that," Alice whimpered, still looking over what was left of Victoria. "I mean, how did she even get here?"

"You know, I really didn't think to ask." Rosalie's tone was light, surprising for the words she just said and she brushed by me as she went into the cabin, looking me over and placing her hand on my shoulder. I felt its strength and chill and I shivered. Rosalie came back out of the cabin empty handed and looking rather irritated as she made her way over to her sister, who still hadn't moved.

"Do you know what you've done?" Alice asked as Rosalie stepped closer. The blonde did not answer as she took hold of Victoria's arm, pulled it off and tossed it as far as she could. "Are you listening to me? Do you know what you've done?" Alice was hysterical now and she jumped up only to have Rosalie turn around and grasp her by the shoulders.

"No, you listen to me, Alice! I've put up with a lot vexation for the past few months and that woman was on the top of my list! So forgive me, please, for killing her. Because I know you were just dying to have tea with the woman." In her shouting Rosalie had actually picked Alice up and when she finished, she gently set her back down, working on the other arm of Victoria and then her leg. Alice opened her mouth to speak again but was silenced as Rosalie shook her head.

"To answer your question: yes, I know what I've done. I'm prepared to face the consequences. You two should get out of here while you still can." I watched as Alice nodded, and then turned to me. I didn't like the expression on her face so I ran forward, careful not to spill on the sludge that had seeped out of Victoria.

"What's going on? What is she talking about?" I asked out of breath as Rosalie continued to mutilate Victoria beyond recognition. Alice swallowed and closed her eyes, reaching out for my hand, which I gave to her.

"It is against the law to kill a vampire in Sangvine. They're on their way and will be here within moments to take Rosalie and us away. We need to leave. Say goodbye to Rosalie."

"I-I…what?" I didn't understand her words. I didn't want to understand the dual meaning behind Alice's even tone. I didn't…Rosalie.

"They're going to kill me, Bella," Rosalie said evenly, standing and wiping her hands on her jeans. "You and Alice need to go. Now." She glared intently at me and I watched the crease form in her brow as I shook my head.

"No," I said, crossing my arms.

"Bella, this isn't the—

"No, Alice!" I shouted, turning to her. She appeared shocked by my words but I didn't care. "We can't leave Rosalie, Alice. We can't. She didn't leave me. You can go if you want, but I can't."

"Bella, I don't want you to stay," Rosalie countered.

"Well, forgive me, Rosalie, but I don't give a shit," I answered, watching the shock of my language fill her expression. "I started this with Alice and you helped be through the middle. We will see the end out together." I took Rosalie's bloodied hand in mine and turned to Alice, extending my other hand. It took less than a second for her to take my hand and she came forward, kissing me on the cheek. Then she lifted herself on her toes and Rosalie, having done this many times before, knelt down so that Alice could kiss her cheek as well. I smiled when Rosalie copied the action to Alice and squeezed their hands tightly.

"There less than fifteen seconds away," Alice declared, looking out towards where we had come. Rosalie and I followed her eyes to make out crimson blurs coming our way and coming fast. I felt my heartbeat racing and even though I was scared and knew I was going to die, I wouldn't have had it any other way than standing here, arm in arm with my girls.

"I love you both," Alice said as the blurs circled around us.

"Ditto," said Rosalie

"Me too," I said lastly as the blurs finally stopped.

There were four of them. Large, tall, pale men dressed in crimson cloaks. Their hoods were pulled above their heads and shielded their eyes from all of us. One of them stepped around us and examined Victoria. He spoke in Russian to one of his comrades, who went over beside him. The next thing I knew, the body was up in flames. It smelled terrible but I didn't dare make a face. When they were finished the two of them came over to me. In an instant my hood was torn down and my jacket ripped away.

"Chellovyek," he said to me slowly. I watched his red eyes as they searched me. Then he leaned forward and placed his nose on the top of my head, inhaling deeply. Alice stiffened next to me but did nothing else for one of the men was standing right in front of her. Another of the guards had come over and grasped Rosalie's arm. She didn't struggle and seemed impervious to the looks he was giving her. The man over my head finished inhaling and pulled back as if he'd just snorted a drug. His eyes rolled back into his head and he exhaled grandly.

"Otleechna," he said to me, snapping his teeth as he pretended to bite. One of his comrades chuckled, causing him to turn around.

"Nikolai, dolya," he laughed, seemingly amused by all of this.

The man known as Nikolai smirked before he opened his mouth and unleashed a chain of several more things I didn't understand. When he finished he looked me in the eye and I found that any Russian that Rosalie had taught me was long since gone. Thankfully, Alice came to my aid.

"Americanskaya, ne govoreet pa-rooski," she said almost obediently and the man looked me over again. He turned to Alice and started speaking quickly to her and she answered back just as fluently. Then they turned their attentions to Rosalie who also answered their questions. One of them that hadn't spoken grabbed a hold of my arm and another took Alice's as they turned us around to face the pyre that was still burning. Nikolai came around and gestured to the flames. He said something and his face which was once amused, turned into a dark grimace that I didn't like. To my left I saw Alice open her mouth, but Rosalie stopped her from speaking by stepping forward.

"Ya," she said simply before she gestured to the two of us and spoke to him very quickly. Alice tried to intervene several times but neither Rosalie nor the guards would have any of her butting in. She looked terrified and I could only follow suit. When Rosalie finally finished the guard asked her one simple question and she nodded. Alice hung her head and Rosalie looked down sadly at her, then to me. Nikolai nodded and spoke to the guards and before I knew it, I was jerked back around and being led back to Sangvine.