EDGE

BELLA

I slept fitfully that night, dreaming of wolves and Edward and the forest and Edward again, with enough erotic content to make me wake up rather overheated.

Luckily I had a full few days ahead, spending time with the Healers, learning from them and sharing some herb lore with them, as well as overseeing the design of their new and improved herb garden. They kept me very busy, I spent every waking moment with them and we got to know each other very well, enough for Healer Kate to unbend a little and smile and call me 'Bella'. It was good to be in the company of other Healers, I could understand why Carmen made the trip to Volterra every few months. There was a sense of community here that simply couldn't be replicated in Forks, not when it was just the two of us and no other Healers had joined us or emerged from within the community in years.

Being that busy was a godsend - there was no time to think and no way for Edward to corner me. Oh, he tried the first day, but was sent away firmly by Healer Kate who told him they needed me. I saw him leave out of the corner of my eye but did not look at him or indicate I'd seen him.

I wasn't purposely avoiding him but I wasn't complaining about having some space.

I was exhausted when I got back to my room after a third intense day and wanted nothing better than a long soak and my bed. I opened the door only to find Edward sitting on my bed, waiting, a tray of food in his hands.

"I come bearing gifts." He said smiling at me, gesturing at the tray. I closed the door and slowly turned back to him.

"Edward-"

"You're tired, I know. Go and cleanse. Then we can eat. And I will keep my hands to myself." He winked at me. I sighed.

"I'm not in the mood to talk about anything-"

"That's fine, we'll eat." He said and nodded towards the bathroom. "Go."

When I returned, feeling infinitely fresher, he had propped up pillows and was leaning against one, eyes closed. I stood there for a moment, just drinking him in and then sat down next to him, making him open his eyes and turn to look at me with a gentle smile.

"Feeling better?" I nodded. "Good. I brought some of everything and I'm starving, so let's eat." He handed me utensils and grabbed a set himself. We ate peaceably, not talking, no uncomfortable silences. When we were done, he took my utensils from me and set the tray aside, pouring me some juice from a jug I hadn't seen on the table and handing it to me before pouring one for himself and sitting down opposite me.

"You look exhausted, I should tell Healer Kate to slow down." He said softly. I smiled wearily.

"I don't think that's a concept she knows."

"It's your fault for being so competent." He teased.

"Fine, the next time a bear mauls you, I'll let you bleed out." I retorted. He laughed.

"Ah, Isabella..." His eyes were soft on me. "I never thought I'd be grateful to be attacked by a bear." I sipped from my cup, not knowing quite what to say.

"Isabella..." He hesitated. I looked at him enquiringly.

"…I'm sorry for that night. I was crazy worried for you, I reacted without thinking. Said something, did somethings I shouldn't have. You've always been clear that you wanted nothing but friendship between us. I knew that. I shouldn't have forced the issue. It's your right to decide what you want and I will respect that."

Just like that. Just like that. Damn it, how did he do it?

He had taken the wind out of my sails.

I stared at him.

"And what if I just want to stay friends?" I asked him quietly. He shrugged, a sad smile on his face.

"I'll take it, even if I don't like it. Don't get me wrong, I know we would burn up the sheets," he said and his voice was husky, his eyes darkening as he spoke, "but it's your call. Besides," he grinned, "Friendship with you is bound to be entertaining."

I looked at him steadily for a few minutes before I spoke.

"Friends, then. If you can take it." I was watching him as I said it. He nodded, no sign of aggression or disappointment, as if he'd made his peace with it. "It'll be good for my reputation, to be friends with the future Clan Leader." I said, grinning. He grinned back.

"And you have to promise not to try it on again." I said sternly. I wasn't sure I'd be resisting if he did.

"I can't promise that." He said, his eyes glinting mischievously. "I liked kissing you too much."

"Edward."

"I'm not going to promise, Isabella." He smiled as he stood up. "Get some rest." He had opened the door and was on his way out when I spoke.

"For the record-"

He turned back and looked at me enquiringly.

"We wouldn't just burn up the sheets. We'd set the bloody bed on fire."

OOOOOOOOOO

"You're in a good mood, Bells." Jacob remarked as we ambled slowly through the market the next morning.

I had bumped into him on my way to the market just as he had been on his way to find me, so he'd agreed to accompany me if I had tea with him once I was done.

"Am I?" I asked, idly looking at a the wares displayed at a potter's stall.

"You know you are." Jacob grinned at me. "What's brought it on?"

Edward and our chat, I knew. More dangerous than our mutual attraction was that unerring aim he had with his words. With a few words, he had made things right, damn him.

"Nothing." I said, remembering Jacob was with me. "I just slept well and I have a morning to myself and I'm with a good friend. Of course I'm in a good mood."

He shook his head.

"Alright, don't tell me if you don't want to." He sighed. I laughed and stopped at a herb stall, looking over the various bottles and preparations on display. Nothing medicinal, it was mainly scents, cosmetic preparations and cooking related, but interesting to me nevertheless.

"...try this one, Mena," the stall owner was saying, "it smells milder and won't dry out your skin."

"What's in it?" The female was asking, as she sniffed the soap. Almost automatically I sniffed too.

"Camellia oil for the scent, solseed for moisture."

"And some peris flower oil." I added, without thinking. The stall owner stared at me, while the female looked at me in surprise.

"You have quite the nose, Ala." The stall owner said, "Few would have detected it."

"I happen to know a bit about herbs." I smiled at him. I glanced at the female. "I'd recommend that one," pointing at another soap, "especially with your allergies, the lavender oil and gardenia will be better for you."

"How did you-" The female stared at me.

"She's a magician." Jacob said solemnly as I nudged him and shook my head.

"Excuse him. Good day to you." I said as I backed out of the stall hurriedly, nearly knocking over an elderly female who had been standing right behind me. "I'm so sorry, Mena, are you alright?"

She had caught my arm to right herself and was straightening as I spoke. She inhaled and then looked at me sharply.

"Mena?" I repeated, looking her up and down, concerned she might have been hurt.

"Why are you taking aronel?" She demanded, her hand tightening on my arm.

My eyes flew to hers in shock.

What the hell?

I masked my reaction instinctively.

"You're not of our Clan, Mena." I said, gently disengaging her hand from my arm. Her accent and robes indicated she was a visitor.

"You need to stop." She said, looking at me intently.

"I don't know what you mean, Mena." I saw a group of similarly dressed folk a small distance away, searching the crowd. "I think those are your friends. Let me get them for you." I hailed one of them and they looked over, immediately looking relieved.

"Good day to you." I said, nodding at her, but she grabbed my arm again.

"Child, I know what I scented. Stop taking it, before it poisons you." I pulled my arm from her grip and walked briskly away, with Jacob following in my wake.

"What was all that about?" Jacob asked as we made our way through the crowd towards the tavern.

"I have no idea, she was rambling about something." I said, shrugging, doing my best to look merely mildly confused, rather than the massive shock I was feeling.

Who the hell was she and how on earth had she known?

Aronel was one of the two herbs in the suppressant, but it was a herb so rare that not even seasoned Healers would be able to scent it easily, especially not on someone's breath or skin. Carmen hadn't, Kate hadn't, the Elder Healers hadn't. And yet, this random stranger from another Clan had.

I was suddenly cold.

This wasn't good.

OOOOOOOOOO

The uneasiness stayed with me throughout the day and in an attempt to shake it, I sought out the gazebo near the woods, sitting looking out towards the woods quietly. The peace came eventually and I closed my eyes, just absorbing it.

Until I heard a frantic shout that made me start and look towards it.

The two Guard patrol had raised their crossbows and were looking towards the woods. I leaned forward to see what they were aiming at and an involuntary shout left my lips.

"STOP!" I was out of the gazebo and running to them.

The two Guard turned their heads startled, but did not lower their crossbows.

"Don't shoot!" I pleaded as I reached them, "Please!"

Emerging from the woods were two feral wolves. Black, large, imposing. And one of them was limping slightly, with a splint tied by strips of cloth.

They must have followed my scent back.

"Healer, stand back." One of the Guard said firmly as the other raised the crossbow.

"NO." I said and I moved to stand in his sights. "No." I turned back to face the ferals, who had stopped about ten metres away and were regarding me steadily. "Leave them to me, please."

"We have orders-"

"I take responsibility." I said, not looking at him as I walked forward slowly. He put his hand on my arm, stopping me.

"I can't let you, Healer."

"I will take the consequences." I said, removing his fingers and continuing towards them. They hadn't moved, watching me approach with their clear eyes.

When I was three paces away, I sank to my knees in the grass and slowly held my hand out, lowering my eyes. She came forward this time, he stayed where he was. She took her time scenting me, circling me slowly, sniffing my hair, my hands, my neck. And when she was done, she stood in front of me, waiting. I raised my head and looked her in the eye. She raised her injured leg slightly. I glanced at it then. It had healed, despite my fears, healed perfectly. The wounds were scratches. If she was limping, it was because of the splint. I leaned forward to untie it, feeling her breath on my neck, her fur on my shoulder as she put her weight on me.

The splint was off in seconds and she stood on it immediately, not a limp in sight. She walked slowly back and forth, as if testing it, before she gently butted her mate and they turned to pad back towards the woods. I stayed on my knees watching until they were near the trees. They turned back to look at me for a moment and first one, then the other disappeared into the shadows.

I got to my feet, staring after them in silence for a moment, feeling more at peace than I had in the gazebo. I looked down at the splint and scraps of bloodied cloth and smiled, turning to walk back.

The two Guard were staring at me, pale, their crossbows still held to their shoulders.

OOOOOOOOOO

I half expected to have Tia or another Healer march into my room and read me the riot act as I got ready for dinner, but no-one came so I assumed the two Guard had decided not to report my second clear violation of the rules. Who would believe them anyway? Ferals were widely known to be untamable, unapproachable.

I arrived at the dining hall to see it more crowded than usual.

"Isabella." Tia saw me from a nearby table and waved me over. I made my way through to her and sat down. She leaned towards me and murmured in my ear. "The Chief Guard is looking for you. Something about you and some ferals." The look she gave me told me all I needed to know. That story had been told.

"I would have thought it'd be Healer Kate giving me a bollocking, not the Chief Guard." I said, sighing as I looked at my plate.

"He would if he knew. He's been upto his eyes with the delegation from Petralis." Tia said. "So you get off lucky. For now anyway - I don't think Chief Hayn is going to keep this one to himself."

"Petralis?" I said deliberately, trying to move the conversation away.

"Clan Petral. Healer Charis is here." Tia said in a hushed voice. My eyes widened. Charis was one of the oldest, most celebrated Healers of all the Clans. Her wisdom and knowledge were widely known, she had written most of the Healing tomes in existence. Her being here was huge.

"Healer Charis?" I whispered. "How come?" Tia looked a little uncomfortable. "What? Is it a secret or something?"

"Not exactly... We asked for her help. We, the Healers and Clan Leader, I mean." Tia said slowly.

"What with?"

"I'm afraid I can't say, Bella. I'm sorry." She looked at me apologetically. I shrugged.

"Alright. Obviously it's important."

"It is." Tia said and I left it at that.

"Where is she?" I asked craning my neck to look at the crowd. "I'd love to see the legend."

Tia looked around and then indicated with her head.

"She's over there. Talking to Kate and Joran, not far from the Clan Leader's table."

I looked over in that direction and my heart stopped.

There, talking with Healer Kate, was the elderly female I'd almost knocked down in the market.

The one who knew I was taking aronel.