Author's note: hello lovely readers :) chapter 36 is now up. Things are going to start escalating in the story. The next few chapters need to be pieced together in a specific way so I'll be editing those today and rereading them to be sure that they're right. Reviews are more than welcome, they make my day :)

Enjoy!

"Anala!"

She turned. "Edward, I have to find—"

"It's okay! He's okay! I can hear him." He reassured. His shirt and arms were coated in dark blood but he looked mostly unharmed. Anala still felt panicked. She had to see for herself that Emmett was alright. Edward pulled her back to the others. "He's coming. Where's Nolan?"

Anala could feel her body shaking. She tried to think. "He's—I don't know, that man. . ."

Edward's hard gold eyes met hers. "What man?"

Anala ran towards where she had seen the man with the strange, familiar, eyes. It was surprisingly quiet. Moments ago there had been total chaos and now there was silence. She saw Nolan kneeling a short distance away, hunched over in the dirt, one of the men from before striding towards him quickly.

"Anala!"

"Emmett," she sighed in relief. Emmett stepped out from around a tree. His clothes were dirtied and stained with blood. Deep gauging claw marks covered his arms and throat, the pale skin looking broken and split. But he was alive.

Anala found her back against a tree as a strong hand gripped her throat firmly though not tight enough to restrict breathing. The pale skin was warm and rough. Burning violet eyes stared at her and a blade pressed to her jugular, still stained with the blood of demons. Emmett roared and rushed forward. His body suddenly flew back, slamming into a large tree, splitting the bark and causing the tree to crash to the ground. Her life hung in the balance but Anala wasn't afraid. This man was a dangerous, volatile, creature that radiated undeniable power. But he was kind. Anala knew that more than anything.

He was hers.

Anala didn't know why she suddenly thought that. She didn't own nor want to own anyone, but this man was hers somehow. He didn't move for a long moment, staring into her intensely. She was released and he stepped away. The man wiped his blade on his sleeve slowly before returning it to the sheath on his back. His hood slipped off, revealing hair so blonde it was nearly white. He pressed a hand against her chest, just over her heart. A rush of warmth flooded her system, catching her off guard. It was overwhelming, but there was no pain. She felt every breath, every heartbeat; she was suddenly aware in a way she'd never knew could be. Everything faded and she fell.

Emmett checked his girlfriend over for what seemed like the twentieth time. She was fine, just as the man promised she'd be, but she was still unconscious. The last five hours had gone from joy to utter hell in seemingly no time at all. It was no wonder Anala never spoke of her past. Fighting those . . . things had been like something from a night terror. For a moment, Emmett had wondered if he'd live through it, for a split instant he even questioned his sanity at the thought of staying, but he fought. He fought for her. Was this what it had been like for them? He couldn't even imagine what happened when they'd been caught. Like animals. The man had stopped Anala from hitting the ground as she fell but had held a blade to her throat. It didn't make sense. Who were they and why did they help? Whatever they were, they were clearly powerful. Emmett rubbed his chest. The markings ached slightly, something that had never happened before.

"Nolan."

Jasper's call went unnoticed. Nolan had awakened nearly forty five minutes ago. The first thirty seven were spent staring blankly at nothing from the couch. It had been eerie, unnerving, but Emmett decided that the slow pacing across the floor was much worse. He didn't speak, didn't look at anyone. Nolan simply paced with a dark look in his eyes and even Jasper didn't seem to be able to reach him. A scream tore through the silence and Nolan stopped pacing, facing away from them all.

Emmett was in her bedroom in a second. Anala was sitting up, a terrified expression on her face. He was there, touching her, reassuring her. Anala was staring at him and Emmett watched as emerald depths dimmed. Physically, Anala was fine, her wounds had healed surprisingly faster than usual. However, Emmett was concerned by how this had affected her. The look on her face disturbed him.

"Are you okay?" she murmured.

"I'm fine, love." The deep scratches had taken a few hours to heal. He felt fine now but they had stung terribly, like acid.

"And the others? Is everyone . . ."

"We're all okay Anala. Do you feel alright?"

"Yeah . . ." she went silent and Emmett cupped her chin, looking into her eyes.

"What is it?"

Anala pulled away and slid off the bed. "Nothing. I just . . . want to shower."

Emmett listened as the shower turned on. He could hear her heart beating in her chest and her breath rhythmically leaving her. Something was wrong, even Emmett wasn't thick enough to not notice it. The bathroom door flew open and Anala returned to him naked. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, her soft, curvy body melding against his. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Emmett held her as tightly as he dared. He could've lost her. But that wasn't why he was suddenly afraid. She was off. Anala released him and touched his face gently before pressing her warm lips against his. "I love you," she murmured.

It didn't sound the same. It sounded like goodbye.

"You're afraid." He whispered. Her eyes became sad.

"I've been afraid."

She turned and returned to the bathroom, shutting the door softly behind her.

Anala sat on the bathroom floor, wrapped in a towel. They'd been found. Again. Anala had already been sure it would happen, but not this soon. Someone could've been killed. Someone would be killed. Death creeped ever closer. Anala tangled her hands into her wet hair and tugged harshly. She wanted to scream. They needed to get away, as far from this place as possible. Emmett hadn't been wrong. She was beyond afraid. This was just the beginning. How unlucky, she thought. The rogue demon she had nearly forgotten about wasn't rogue at all. If he had lived he would've reported back on their location. Since he died and never returned, that prompted more to come. Either way they were screwed and hadn't even known it until now. Tears burned behind her eyes and Anala scrubbed at them angrily before going into her bedroom. She pulled on a bra and underwear before pulling on black jeans and a simple black V-neck t-shirt. She pulled on a brown belt, grateful for some semblance of normalcy. She brushed her hair and looked to the bed where her weapon rested against the wall next to it, sheathed and unused. She wished Javan was there. She wished to hear his calm, reassuring voice and missed his solid presence.

Anala placed the sword on the bed and walked out of her bedroom and towards the stairs. Her eyes were immediately seeking her brother when she touched the floor. He was standing in the living room, facing away from her. Anala went and hugged him, glad he was in control again, that he was still there. He flinched.

"I'm so sorry." His voice was soft, ragged.

"Don't." she murmured.

He tensed. "I could've—"

Anala looked up at his face. "You didn't. Just like I said you wouldn't."

Nolan sighed. His eyes were desolate and sad. "Anala . . ."

A pang tore through her chest. "I know."

They had to leave. Either that or wait to die. Nolan ran his hands through his hair agitatedly and paced across the floor. Rosalie stood from her spot on the couch.

"Will this happen again?"

Anala looked around, seeing multiple sets of eyes, varying in shades of gold staring back at her. "Yes," she replied honestly. "Carus knows where we are now."

"Get out." Nolan had stopped pacing and was looking at the vampires. "Get out and go home."

"And then?" Emmett asked.

"And then nothing." He started pacing again. "I need to think."

Jasper was giving Nolan a calculating look. Anala bit her nail anxiously. Carlisle stepped around a couch and towards Nolan. "When are they coming back?"

"I don't know. Could be hours or days, weeks even."

Anala didn't want to find out which it'd be. She grabbed the car keys and her jacket.

"Where are you going?" Nolan asked, still pacing.

"School."

"Wait," Nolan tossed her a sheathed dagger that lay on the coffee table and Anala tucked it into her boot before walking out the door.

Anala drove into town headed towards Forks High. She had been there just yesterday, milling through the halls with Rosalie, playing Hangman in class with Emmett to curb boredom. It felt like that had been a lifetime ago. She needed to see for herself if Mike was completely under Carus's influence or not. Anala pulled into the student parking lot and into an empty space. Her head hurt and she felt strange. The shadows in the car flickered and Anala took a deep breath, focusing on settling herself. She felt . . . different somehow. It was early, students milled about casually. Anala walked towards Angela Weber and Jessica Stanley. The two looked surprised to see her in front of them but they smiled. The sudden thought of ensnaring the two girls in a shadowed web came to mind and Anala shoved it away and smiled.

"Hey Anala!" Jessica beamed as if they spoke on a frequent basis.

"Hi, have you two seen Mike?" saying his name made Anala feel sick.

Their expressions shifted. "Anala," Angela spoke. "Mike didn't come home two nights ago. Everyone's been looking for him."

"Really?"

Jessica crossed her arms over her chest. "I think he ran away. He's been all weird lately, it totally fits."

"I just hope he's okay." Angela frowned.

"Why are you looking for him?" Jessica fished.

"Oh, I just wanted to talk to him about something." She said distractedly. "I hope he's found soon. His parents must be so worried."

No one had seen Mike. Anala turned and headed back to the car. Mike had been missing for two days. He had been acting strangely as of late. She should've known there was something more to it. He staged the attack and now he'd become involved in something no one should ever be a part of. Anala wanted to kill him. She wanted to tear him to pieces slowly. The thought sent a sickening thrill through her. Anala rubbed her temple, trying to ease the insistent throbbing and strange, violent thoughts. She wondered where she and Nolan would go. Across the country? The world? Anala felt the tears she'd been fighting away return, spilling down her cheeks freely. She'd let herself believe she really could live a life here. Then, like an idiot, she fell in love with an amazing, infuriating man who had become a part of her without Anala even realizing it.

And she had nearly gotten him killed.

The pain and regret she felt wasn't for the fact that this had all happened. It was because Anala knew that if given the chance, she would've done it all over again. She hated it. It was unbelievably selfish of her. Anala wanted Emmett and his family safe. She should've stopped it. The moment she realized she was falling for Emmett, Anala should've stopped it then and there. Anala loved him, and her love would get him killed. So now she had to leave. Not just for Emmett but for his family. They were amazing people and deserved to go on without this threat hanging over their heads. It hurt. The thought of not seeing Emmett tore her chest open painfully. He would be furious of course. However, Anala would rather have Emmett hate her than dead. The locket around her neck suddenly felt ten pounds heavier.

Kill.

Anala pulled up the driveway and saw Nolan standing on the porch with Jasper, the rest of his family scattered on the lawn. The moment she turned off the car the door was pulled open and Emmett was glaring at her, his golden-yellow eyes burning like embers. "Have you lost your fucking mind?"

Anala blinked. "Not that I know of."

Anala stepped out of the car and Emmett growled, a sound she secretly loved usually, but what now seemed loud and grating against her eardrums and caused the pain in her head to spike. "Where the hell were you going to go? Did you think I would just let you leave like that?"

Anala sighed and looked to Alice. The seer couldn't help it, Anala knew that, but she wished she hadn't seen them leaving town even before even she knew where they were going. "We can't stay here." She explained simply.

"So you were just going to leave?"

"Yes!" she said, frustrated. "I want you to live! We're being hunted. Fucking hunted, Emmett! I don't want that for you, or your family." She should've known better than to assume he'd think this through.

"I told you I would help you. I made my choice."

Anala looked away. "Your choice was wrong." She murmured.

"Why?"

Because you're risking your life. Because I don't want you in anymore danger. Because I'm not worth you getting yourself killed. Anala pushed a hand through her hair. She didn't know what to tell him. Emmett's eyes were hard, his large body tense as he stepped towards her. "Why, Anala?"

"Because you love me." And his love could get him murdered.

Emmett's expression shifted and his eyes clouded in thought. Anala wanted to reach out and touch him. To kiss him and not have to think about anything, but she forced her hands to stay at her sides. Emmett smiled, something Anala wasn't expecting. "That's not why." He said. "It's because you love me."

"I don't want you to be a part of this."

Emmett sighed harshly. "I am already a part of this! I'm not going to just walk away because of one night."

"It's not just one night. It'll go on until we're dead or caught. Why would you want to live like that? I'm trying to help you."

"I don't want your help. I just want you to stop pushing me away. Leave if you want, but I'm coming with you."

Anala rejected the thought immediately. "No you won't."

A dark eyebrow raised. "Are you going to try and stop me?"

Anala crossed her arms over her chest. "You're really going to follow me around and end up getting killed?"

"Why are you so sure I'll die?"

"I'm not. You're more than capable of taking care of yourself. But last night was child's play, we were unprepared. To Carus, your life is meaningless. You're just in the way. I'd rather not get you killed."

"No." Emmett shook his head. "No, there's more to this. What aren't you telling me?"

Her jaw clenched as she walked towards the house. "There's nothing."

Emmett gripped her arm and pulled her around. Anala glared up at him, more frustrated with herself than him. "I don't believe you."

Anala pulled her arm out of his grasp and began walking again. Carlisle stopped her as she reached the stairs. His warm eyes were worried and lines appeared on his smooth forehead. "Anala, we want to help." He was sincere and Anala appreciated it, but it only served to upset her further.

"You're putting your family at risk for something you should just be walking away from. I don't want to leave Carlisle, this isn't what l wanted. I won't watch you all go through something like that."

"You and Nolan are family too. I've always kept my family safe because they are what is most important to me. I won't sit idle while you and your brother are attacked. I won't allow it."

"And if someone dies? Are you willing to possibly lose someone you love for what is nothing more than a game? Us, running like we have and finding us, it's a game to Carus. Could you look me in the eye and say that wouldn't change how you see us?" Anala could tell the man didn't expect her to say that. He stared down at her for a moment, eyes flickering with different emotions. He was always willing to help. Carlisle was one of the kindest people she had ever met. Anala wasn't willing to destroy that in him. Soft, angry whispers echoed in her ears as the pain in her head worsened. Anala gripped her head and gasped.

Chaos. The world around her moved too fast and too slowly. Bodies lay on the ornate floors, blood staining everything. A large hand was wrapped around her forearm, pulling her forward swiftly through flame and smoke. Her home was burning to the ground. She'd walked these very halls most of her life and it would soon be completely gone. She looked up to the large cloaked form that pulled her quickly down the corridor.

"We must go!" came the deep, urgent tone.

"No."

"It is no—"

"I am going to find my brother. Go, find the others. I will be fine." She pulled away from him and returned the way they'd been going. She grasped the talisman that hung around her neck. For a moment, hesitation and fear stopped her. If she did this, there was no going back. She yanked hard and watched the necklace slip through her fingers and land on the bloodied floor. She strode forward, towards howls and inhuman screams and the smell of blood. Black blanketed the walls and floors as dark power surged through her.

Kill.

Kill them all.

Suffer—

"Stop! Anala!"

Anala lowered her hands from her head. Carlisle kneeled on the ground, shaking as if he were cold. Black spidery lines had appeared underneath the pale skin around his eyes, Esme and Edward knelt with the blonde as the others stared at her. Shock and horror stopped the breath in her chest. She began reaching out before she recoiled. "I don't . . . I'm so sorry!"

Anala could hear her brother calling to her as she ran. Tears blurred her vision, distorting the trees and foliage into blurs of green and brown. Anala didn't know what had happened. She wasn't even sure what had prompted that reaction. She felt ashamed and guilty at what she'd done to Carlisle, but more so because she had liked it. A part of her had been thrilled. She had reached into him and let the shadows around his soul grow like weeds. Something stirred inside of her.

"Anala, wait!"

She kept running.