Chapter Six:

"Tracking wasn't a distraction then?" she asked after a moment. I knew she was only using this as a distraction as opposed to in actual curiosity; her heart wouldn't be beating as strongly as it were if she genuinely cared for an answer for this question.

Nevertheless, I answered honestly, explaining how my hunt for Victoria was entirely unfruitful, that I was never even on the right continent. She seemed surprised to hear that I was hunting Victoria—why, after everything I had told her thus far, I couldn't begin to assume. Her shriek of surprise nearly woke Charlie—I could hear him snoring, and though I couldn't read his mind clearly, his dreams seemed angry. I had no doubt as to the source of that anger.

I promised Bella that although I left her unprotected and failed to eradicate the source of danger from her life, I would do better this time around. Now that I knew where Victoria planned to be, it would be much simpler to locate and destroy her. Alice's visions would help find her, and Emmett and Jasper would undoubtedly be eager to join the fight. Piece of cake.

Bella didn't like the idea nearly as much. "Didn't you just promise that you weren't going to leave?" she asked. Her tone was calm, but I could sense the underlying yet rapidly rising panic. "That isn't exactly compatible with an extended tracking expedition, is it?"

I frowned. I had no intention of ever leaving her, but I also had a duty to eradicate any threats that befell her. "I will keep my promise, Bella, but Victoria"—I snarled—"is going to die. Soon."

"Let's not be hasty," she said quickly. "Maybe she's not coming back. Jake's pack probably scared her off. There's really no reason to go looking for her. Besides, I've got bigger problems than Victoria."

She wasn't lying; the werewolves were a huge impediment to her life, and, now that I'd returned, I didn't intend on letting any of them near her again.

"It's true. The werewolves are a problem," I agreed.

Bella snorted. Maybe I misunderstood… "I wasn't talking about Jacob. My problems are a lot worse than a handful of adolescent wolves getting themselves into trouble."

She never had been able to judge the danger that surrounded her. What could be more dangerous than a pack of rowdy mongrels who had no control over their temperaments?

I opened my mouth to argue, but then decided it would be just as fruitless as chasing after Victoria. Bella never agreed with me when her safety was involved; why would she start tonight? More, I did not want to waste this glorious night of our reunion on arguments, not now that she was finally seemingly convinced that I was here, I loved her, and I was staying.

Instead, I asked, "Really? Then what would be your greatest problem? That would make Victoria's returning for you seem like such an inconsequential matter in comparison?"

"How about the second greatest?" she bargained.

"All right," I agreed suspiciously.

She paused for a moment, and then, hesitantly, whispered, "There are others who are coming to look for me."

I sighed. I wasn't surprised she was worried about the Volturi. I was, however, surprised that she considered neither the Volturi and Victoria her most worrisome problems. If not the mutts, what could possibly concern her more?

"The Volturi are only the second greatest?" I asked.

"You don't seem that upset about it," she noted.

"Well, we have plenty of time to think it through. Time means something very different to them than it does to you, or even me. They count years the way you count days. I wouldn't be surprised if you were thirty before you crossed their minds again," I elaborated. Victoria, on the other hand, was an immediate threat. We knew she was in the area and actively seeking revenge. She needed to be destroyed. Soon.

Bella's face dropped. She looked aghast at the future. Was she finally beginning to sense the danger that surrounded her at every given moment, not necessarily from just the Volturi but really by all her choices?

"You don't have to be afraid," I said. She didn't, not with me around, never again. It was no easy feat for a vampire, but my way of thinking had changed drastically since finding out she was alive. Her blood, though always a glorious scent, no longer tempted me. Instead, it served as a reminder that she was here, safe in my arms—as she would be until she ordered me away—and I would never pose a danger to her again. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of others of my kind. Regardless, I would protect her from anyone that dared attempt to harm her. "I won't let them hurt you."

"While you're here," she said bitterly. Not this again!

I took her face between my hands again and glared into her eyes, emphasizing, "I will never leave you again."

"But you said thirty," she whispered morosely, tears seeping out of her eyes once again. "What? You're going to stay, but let me get all old anyway? Right."

What else did she expect me to do? "That's exactly what I'm going to do. What choice have I? I cannot be without you, but I will not destroy your soul."

"Is this really…" She trailed off.

"Yes?"

"But what about when I get so old that people think I'm your mother? Your grandmother?" She sounded disgusted.

Silly girl. Who cares what others thought? I'd spent the last century listening to others' minds, and I knew that it was best not to let society's narrow-minded views get in the way of living your life. As long as she wanted me, I would be there. It mattered little to me how she appeared physically, though I knew her glory would never diminish in my eyes.

"That doesn't mean anything to me. You will always be the most beautiful thing in my world." I did want to inform her of her options, though, because it wasn't necessary that simply because I wanted her for the rest of her life that she would want me the same. "Of course"—I couldn't get the words out without flinching—"if you outgrew me, if you wanted something more, I would understand that, Bella. I promise I wouldn't stand in your way if you wanted to leave me."

I knew there was much the human world offered that I could never. Would she one day want a husband who could love her the way a man should be able without fear of injury? Would she one day want to birth a child? I knew not the answers to these questions, but she should never feel stuck with me.

She ignored me and continued her tirade: "You do realize that I'll die eventually, right?"

"I'll follow after as soon as I can," I said solemnly, knowing a time would come when I would have to follow through with my—thankfully, this time—failed plans of seeking my demise with help from the Volturi. Although, perhaps, this time the wolves would help; after all, all I'd have to do would be walk into their territory. It would certainly be more efficient than traveling to Italy.

"That is seriously … sick," she spat.

"Bella," I tried to explain, "it's the only right way left—"

She cut me off. Her rage was evident on her face and in the way her body stiffened. "Let's just back up for a minute. You do remember the Volturi, right? I can't stay human forever. They'll kill me. Even if they don't think of me till I'm thirty, do you really think they'll forget?"

I shook my head. "No, they won't forget. But…"

"But?"

"I have a few plans." I grinned, thinking of my plan of hiding her in various locations that would be impossible for the Volturi to find. Her silent mind certainly worked in our favor here as Demetri would never be able to track her.

"And these plans," she hissed. "These plans all center around me staying human."

Why was this such an issue? Couldn't she see this was only best for her, that this would ensure her safety, longevity, and happiness? "Naturally," I said brusquely.

We glowered at each other in angry defiance of the other's desires, until Bella breathed in deeply, squared her shoulders, moved my arms off her body, and sat up. I couldn't hide the fact that her desire to be away from me hurt me. I knew that she was displeased with my decision, but I did not expect her to push me away.

"Do you want me to leave?" I asked, feigning nonchalance.

"No," she said, surprising me as always. Would I ever learn to read her mind? "I'm leaving."

"May I ask where you are going?"

"I'm going to your house," she stated as I watched her blindly fumble around her room searching for her shoes. I spotted them immediately and grabbed them in a millisecond, presenting them to her.

I contemplated her decision for a moment. My family would be thrilled to see her, but if I knew her at all, I knew she was going to discuss the topic of her immortality, and the last thing I needed was her and Alice teaming up on the matter. Alice would be only too happy to help, and I knew I needed to find a way to keep Bella away until I could speak with Alice and the rest of the family to ensure they did not give Bella any more crazy ideas.

"How did you plan to get there?"

"My truck."

"That will probably wake Charlie," I offered in a feeble attempt to deter her from leaving. Although truthfully, while I did not fear Charlie's gun, if he noticed her leave, he would know immediately where she went, and I did not want to give him any more reasons to be upset with me.

She sighed. "I know, but honestly, I'll be grounded for weeks as it is. How much more trouble can I really get in?"

"None. He'll blame me, not you."

"If you have a better idea, I'm all ears."

"Stay here," I suggested brightly, though I knew she wouldn't.

"No dice. But you go ahead and make yourself at home," she encouraged. I was happy that, at the very least, her good humor was returning.

I blocked her at the door, but this, too, did not deter her. She just turned to stare at the window, contemplating. I sighed. Was she really willing to break her bones, or at the very least twist an ankle, to visit my family this late at night?

"Okay," I sighed. "I'll give you a ride." If there was no convincing her, I might as well ensure she doesn't hurt herself.

Bella just shrugged. "Either way. But you should probably be there, too."

"And why is that?" I implored, though I knew her answer.

"Because you're extraordinarily opinionated, and I'm sure you'll want a chance to air your views."

"My views on which subject?" I asked through gritted teeth. I didn't know why I wanted to punish myself further by hearing her answer aloud.

"This isn't just about you anymore. You're not the center of the universe, you know." I knew that all too well; after all, the center of the universe—or at least of mine—was her. "If you're going to bring the Volturi down on us over something as stupid as leaving me human, then your family ought to have a say."

"A say in what?" I questioned stiffly.

"My mortality. I'm putting it to a vote."

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