LXXX. Some madman, running

We crept near the marketplace, where Andronikh was still arguing with Helen. She'd lowered her hood and drawn her veil. But with her piercing gaze, her silken hair, her regal bearing, she stood out and turned many heads. Andronikh glare hadn't changed but Helen's gaze had taken a different light as she glanced around and realised the attention she was gathering before looking back at the boy who seemed immune to her beauty.

Fire flared in her eyes—coupled with curiosity—and I realised with some surprise that she was taken… by the challenge.

"So that's how it happened," I muttered.

Edward's arm tightened around me as he drew us further back between the trees. "Remember," he began, for what had to be the umpteenth time.

"No changing the past," I said. "I'm not deaf, you know?"

"No," he said. "But you're stubborn."

"Like you aren't," I snorted. "You're—"

I stopped speaking as I caught sight of familiar bronze hair and broad shoulders. The man turned and I did a double-take.

His side profile looked almost exactly like Edward's, except his eyes were brown instead of green. There were laugh lines on the sides of his eyes and mouth. Was that whom I thought it was? Heart hammering, I reached for Edward's arm.

"Hey, do you see—"

But Edward gasped.

A spooked horse brayed loudly, rearing up on its hind legs, and the crowd was in a panic. Several people screamed, which scared the horse even more. It brayed and made a mad dash. My hands flew to my mouth as I saw Andronikh directly in its path, his uncanny green eyes wide as he stood frozen.

Edward moved.

But Helen was faster.

She leapt at Andronikh, shoving him hard. The stampeding horse raced past, cart in tow, as they landed on the side of the road in a winded heap.

I grabbed Edward and pulled him back between the trees while everyone else was busy staring at or running after the horse.

"You were saying?" I said dryly.

Edward put a hand to his forehead. "That idiot could've died," he said, his face ashen. "What would've happened if he did?"

"He didn't," I said, watching as Andronikh held out a hand to help Helen up only to have her bat it away. "He wouldn't have."

"You can't know that," Edward said.

"Well, he's alive in the future, isn't he?"

"But Bella," Edward said. "What if our interference in the past made the future what it is?"

I couldn't help my grin. "So we are going to do something?"

Edward held a hand to his forehead. "I really don't know." He glared in Andronikh's direction. Helen's hand was bleeding and he was fussing over it. "He's driving me up the wall. I hate how I have to steal this," He pulled the flashing ruby from his pocket and waved it agitatedly, "dig into his memories and travel all the way into the past to figure out what's happening. And now we're going to have to help him—just so this mess can happen all over again?"

"We're not helping him," I said. "We're helping ourselves."

"But imagine if we did nothing and he actually ended up dead," Edward said. "What's going to happen to the future?"

I frowned. "Why are you so convinced that he's going to die?"

"I mean," Edward gestured. "Look at him. He's human. No Guards, no castle, nothing. He could die of anything. Smallpox. Starvation. Some madman, running down an alley with an axe—"

"Edward," I marvelled. "Just listen to yourself."

"I know," Edward said, shaking his head. "I sound crazy. Seeing that selfish, manipulative bastard walking around all carefree and human and innocent!" He made a frustrated noise. "It's enough to make anyone crazy."

I looked at him. "Are you sure that's why you're pissed?"

Edward threw up his hands. "Obviously not," he said. "I'm pissed at him for a million other things. Like hiding the fact we had a sister, that I'm an Ancient, and that he's a damn Singer! Not to mention everything else we've had to put up with the last four thousand years!"

"Right," I nodded.

"He could've saved us all this trouble," Edward said. "He might've even been able to save your mother—if he'd just opened his mouth and said something! Why aren't you angry?"

"Because…" I rubbed my neck. "I guess it's because I don't care?"

Edward stared at me as though I'd just told him the secrets of the universe. "You know what," he said. "I should bring that horse back so that it can run him over properly."

I managed a weak smile.

"I get it, sort of. It's like what I felt when we thought the Quileutes were the ones who killed my mother," I said. "If that had been true, I would've hated them but I don't know if I could stop caring, at least a little bit. I mean, obviously it can't compare to thousands of years of um… destruction and manipulation, but yeah."

Edward sighed. "Sometimes I wonder who's the older one from the two of us."

"Obviously I am," I said. "You're like, what—an eternal highschooler?" I eyed him suspiciously. "Are you even legal?"

He grinned. "You're a brat."

"Don't steal my insults."

"Too bad," he said. "I don't see your name on it."

"I see yours though," I said innocently. "It spells… B-R-A-T."

Finally, he laughed and the sound was music to my ears.

"Anyway," I said, scanning the marketplace for bronze hair. "Don't freak out, Edward, but I think I saw your dad."


I shouldn't have updated when my next presentation is only half-done but writing was a much-needed break. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Sorry I haven't been very responsive, I've been up to my neck with deadlines. Still, thanks so much for your kind reviews, they are a joy to read and light up gloomy days in the library. Take care xx