Authors note; this is the end. I'm very pleased with it although it does leave certain things undisclosed, such as the fact that Jasper was the one throughout Bella's childhood who left her gifts and mended her broken things. I find it more realistic like this because not all is discovered in real life, its never that neat. I have mixed vampire law a bit, I'm into my Vampire Diaries fad at the moment and I've used some of their abilities in this story, such as the mind compulsion.
Beta'd by Frannie, remaining mistakes mine.
The cold night air hit my face with scents unknown and exciting. I felt unlike myself, free, exultant, and powerful. Every single cell in my body seemed to be exploding with power. I felt at one with the universe, with Jasper, and with myself.
He was beside me, holding my hand, our fingers interlaced. I was bursting with the need to feed—it was no longer a casual thought tinged with disgust; it was a compulsion. Dressed comfortably all in black, my hair flowing freely down my spine - I was a different person. The old me had preferred color, muted, but present. Now I wanted to blend into the night so I could slake my thirst without scaring away my prey. There was safety in the darkness; it was our habitat.
For a moment, we stood poised on the ledge of the attic window of my small house before Jasper tugged me over the edge. I almost screamed; old habits die hard. The speed of my transformation from human to vampire had been dizzying, which left a large amount of residual human reactions in its wake. A wide smile of wonder broke across my face as we dropped gracefully to the street below. Everything seemed to be in slow motion, effortless. The moon was smaller than two nights before, her light muted and yet brilliant to my eyes. It revealed each and every detail in perfect clarity.
"Come, we must leave the suburbs in order to feed. The alleys of the city center are perfect for hunting." Jasper smiled at me; it was cocky, pleased, and proud. He loved watching me acclimated to my new life, and his admiration filled me with joy.
I nodded, too overcome to speak. He knew; he always did.
He'd spent the last two hours worshipping my body as I spiraled through my last minutes of the transition. He admired my newly defined curves and milky white skin. The physical changes were subtle but there. I'd always been lithe with curves in all the places men approved of, now I was voluptuous, sensual, with ethereal grace. My hair was thicker, and it fell just right without me trying to make it so. My nails and fangs were my personal favorite.
My fingernails were now as hard as tempered glass. They were claws more than nails; they had grown rapidly and then stopped miraculously, just as my fangs had. They were weapons and one of the many reasons I felt invincible. Any fear I'd felt at these changes had been obliterated as the final hours completed the transition from human to immortal. None of that mattered anymore; I had no interest in human problems, even those that had been my own.
I watched Jasper with pride, he was a man who inspired blind devotion, and he was mine. His physical perfection was dazzling, and I knew I'd never grow tired of his male beauty. My bond with him was stronger than ever; I was linked to him on a cellular level unknown to mere mortals. It was exhilarating and binding. Forever had new meaning.
Jasper pulled me into a run, and instantly, we were flying faster than I'd ever thought possible. It took no effort at all, my limbs moving with ease at speeds no mortal could match.
This was perfect! The beauty of the world and us in it set my heart on fire.
Jasper encouraged me to stalk my prey, playing with her until I went in for the kill. He taught me the ways of our kind—we had an arsenal of weapons at our disposal. We could wipe a human's memory with a form of hypnosis. We were literally able to compel our victims into silence and get them to forget everything if we wished to leave them alive.
I expected to feel something for my prey, pity perhaps, but I was surprised to discover that was not the case. There was no remorse, no compassion, nothing but the most dangerous hunger. I enjoyed the sensation of my fangs lengthening, the rush of saliva in my mouth, and then the flow of sweet, hot blood down my parched throat. I tried to leave her alive. But this was not to be. I was mesmerized by the sluggish plod of her heart as I drained its life force. I felt every heartbeat in each swallow. Jasper watched me, arousal in the depths of his pitch-black gaze as he lounged casually beside us, propped up against an adjacent doorway. The now lifeless girl fell from my arms and flopped to the ground. I savored the sweet rush of euphoria, which rushed through my body as her blood warmed me from the inside out.
"I killed her," I said softly, licking my lips and then wiping them on my sleeve. Thank god for black clothes.
Jasper smirked at me. "Yes, you did. But it doesn't matter. I killed every one of the humans I hunted in the early days. We are a predatory species, darlin'; we rarely leave them alive."
I believed him.
I was still unsatisfied. "I need more." I heard myself say, my voice husky, sultry, and somewhat unfamiliar.
Jasper grinned at me, his eyes alight with joy. "You're a new vampire, Bella; of course, you need more!"
I returned his smile, biting my lower lip playfully until my fangs punctured my skin. Jasper's eyes darkened as he pulled me close to him for a kiss.
Instant heat ignited between us, causing a sensation so sweet that we both moaned.
"We have much to do tonight; come, let us feed you, and then we must free your old friend."
I nodded, not really caring about Jacob's fate.
Jasper stroked my face reverently, his fingers sliding over my skin with teasing, almost nonexistent pressure.
I turned my face and kissed his fingers.
Oh, I could do this forever.
"So can I." He mused.
Jasper released Jacob just as he'd promised. I stayed clear of the entire process but observed from afar. Jasper used compulsion to wipe Jacob's mind.
"Bella left town; it's for her own good. She's happy." Jasper told him, "She won't be coming back."
I turned away, disinterested.
With my permission, Jasper did the same to my father and Jessica. They all now believed I'd left town and that I was happy, far away. It was better this way; no one would look for me, miss me, or indeed think of me.
We watched from the uppermost parapet as Jessica was reunited with Jacob. They hugged, and we could hear them talk about me and my sudden exit from the city. An irresistible job offer in a faraway country, she explained to him. I smiled; it was as it should be. I turned away to face Jasper. There was a small smile on his lips too.
"Nice touch," I said, holding my hand out to take his.
"I thought so." He replied. "Shall we leave?"
I nodded. There was nothing left for me here.
"Are you ready?" He pulled me closer, using our connection to feel my true emotions.
It was a multifaceted question.
Yes, I was ready.
Ready to leave my old life behind.
Ready to begin my eternity with him.
Oh, so ready.