Chapter Twenty-Two

Bella

My heart is thumping against my chest wall while I wait for Edward to call. If he doesn't ring in the next few seconds, it will give out and I'll end up in a bed next to Dad's. When my cell does light up, I allow my favorite chords of Tamacun to fill the room before I hit reply. 'Play it cool, Bella. Play it cool, I say over to myself when I press 'answer.'

"Hello."

A failed attempt to sound unphased comes out like a squeak.

"Are you okay?" Edward asks. He's obviously picked up on the squeak.

"Definitely not okay, Edward. I'm sorry I rushed off earlier. My dad's had a heart attack. He's in the hospital now. The doctor says he's serious but should be okay after surgery."

"Holy crap, Bella. That's terrible. Has the virus caused the problem? I'm asking professionally here."

"The doctors don't know for certain yet. The paramedic said he'd seen other virus sufferers with heart issues, so maybe the bug exacerbated a problem he already had in his chest. That doesn't matter now. He's being looked after. That's all I can ask."

"Sure. You're right. You must be shocked though. Who's looking after you?"

"My friend Jake and his family. I didn't want to be left alone at home because we had a scare at the house. People here are blaming me for bringing the virus from New York which is bullshit. They sent a message tied to a brick via our window. They've caught the guy though."

"That's not good news, Bella. Has Jake's family moved in with you?"

"No, they have a cabin next to their place. I'm staying there on my own until Dad comes out of the hospital. I should be free of the virus by then."

"Does Jake live in Forks?"

My reply sits on my lips while Emmett's warning about supplying Edward with too much information about where I live comes back to me. Before I have a chance to decide whether to answer him directly, the question Edward just asked has rung a seriously loud alarm bell. This time I can't let him get away with it.

"Edward, how do you know that I live in Forks? I've never told you that. I only said I lived on the Olympic peninsula. What the hell is going on?"

"Bella, I … err"

"Yes?"

"Okay - I'll admit it. I've been internet stalking you since our conversation at the airport, only about where you live though. I don't know anything about your part of the United States so I've been reading up on what life is like on the peninsula. When I see you again, which I hope will be soon, you can tell me about your town and I'll be able to picture the forest and other localities in my mind. Yesterday I read an edition of the Peninsula Daily News online and saw the story about your Lit Teacher being arrested. Your name jumped off the screen and I presumed it was you because you told me your dad was a cop."

"O…kay," I reply. Edward's explanation is plausible. He'd been checking me out the same as I'd been doing to him. I couldn't really fault him for that. It still feels creepy though rather than flattering. If anybody but Edward had done this, I guess I'd have hung up by now.

"So what did you learn about Forks – tell me some facts about my town and I'll believe you."

Edward laughs before launching into his list.

"Okay, your nearest large town is Port Angeles. You have one high school. Your main industries are tourism and timber. The biggest employer is the correction center so your dad must be good at his job. Forks is surrounded by temperate rain forest and the fishing is spectacular."

"Anything else?"

"Err ... yes … Forks is the ancient home of the Quileute and they have their own schools."

"Very good. That's us in a nutshell. You are an A grade stalker, Edward Cullen."

"Thank you. I learned a lot. Your home sounds like a great place to live. I'd be really interested to know if you have any friends who live on the Quileute reservations."

"Yes. My best friend and Dad's best friend are Quileute. They're the nicest people."

"Good to know. So why aren't you staying with them now rather than this guy, Jake?"

(Am I hearing jealousy here? I sincerely hope so.)

"Jake is my best friend, Edward. Did you presume my best friend would be a girl?"

"I suppose so … but … does this mean you're staying on their reservation?"

Alarm bells, alarm bells.

"Why do you want to know where I'm living?"

"I'm anxious to know that you're in a safe place, Bella. The virus is making people act in a strange way – hostile even. I'm concerned that people have blamed you for the outbreak in Forks. You shouldn't be alone. You're right though. First Nation Americans are good people and I'd be relieved to know you're with them. Tell me that's where you are and I won't pry anymore. I promise."

Edward's change in tone shocks me. He actually sounds frantic, pleading even. I suspect there's more to this than concern about my welfare. Maybe he does really like me. There can't be any other reason for him to sound like this. Emmett's warning nags at me again but what do I need to worry about? I'm safe here. Even if Edward turned up uninvited, Jake and the other boys would watch him like hawks as soon as he stepped on their land as they do with any stranger.

"Yes, I'm on the reservation, surrounded by people who will do anything to protect me. I'm very lucky to have such good friends."

I hear Edward sigh. This conversation is getting weirder by the minute.

"Thank God," he says. "How long can you stay there. I don't like the idea of you being on your own."

"I'm not twelve," I retort.

"I know that. I'd guess you're eight, possibly almost nine years older than twelve, but you're still sick and you could get sicker. I'm a doctor remember. How long have you had the virus? Five days maximum I'd guess. You still have a long way to go before it leaves your system. You're young so I'm sure you'll be fine, but don't get complacent."

"No, doctor," I reply then add, "How old are you, Edward? You look twenty-one but you act more like you're fifty-one. Do you enjoy lecturing people?"

"Only you, Bella. Look I've got to go. I'll call you again soon if that's okay?"

"Sure," I reply. "I'm not going anywhere, at least for the next week."

"Great. Then take care. I hope your dad has a good night. Bye."

"Bye," I say and the line goes dead, leaving me staring into space. Wow! That was intense.

I have much to think about after our conversation. His concern for me is either touching or worryingly creepy? By finishing the call abruptly, Edward has skilfully avoided being questioned about 1923 again. To be honest I hadn't even thought about the photograph while we were talking. I'll have plenty of time for that.

I flop onto my pillows and stare at the cobweb-covered ceiling. Those will have to be cleared before nighttime. My cell buzzes. Message from Edward.

'Good to talk to you. Stay safe. Rest – please! Speak soon, Edward.'

What I wouldn't give to know what the heck is going on in Edward Cullen's head.

Edward

I go in search of Eleazar and find him in the library with Carmen.

"We thought you'd gone," he says looking up. "What's happened?"

"I don't know if this is good news or bad news. Bella's father has had a heart attack. She's left her home to live with friends on the Quileute reservation. This is great news as they'll be able to protect her from Tanya, which is then bad news if Tanya finds out where she is and risks setting foot on Quileute land. Have you any idea how quickly these guys morph into werewolves if they sense a vampire in their vicinity?"

"No, but I would guess it would happen fast."

"That is what concerns me, Eleazar. Bella may soon be seeing evidence of the fact that the world is not the place she thinks it is."

Eleazar snaps his book shut and says in a despairing voice ...

"I suspect that ship has already sailed, Edward. If Bella is the intelligent young woman you say she is, have you considered that she may already be some way towards coming to that conclusion herself, with or without the addition of her friends turning into wolves?"

"I hope so," I respond. "That would make a future conversation with her a hell of a lot easier.

Bella

I wish I'd had the presence of mind to record my conversations with Edward. I can remember most of what he said this time though. I had the feeling when I was talking to him that every question he asked had an underlying motive. Why is he overly concerned about my safety for instance? Okay, he's a doctor, allegedly, and he's worried about my health, which is understandable. But his tone of voice ... well … I can't understand why he sounded so frantic. As he said, I'm young, with no health issues. I'm okay so far, so the chances of me getting really sick must be close to zero.

I spend the next few hours musing over his words while spring cleaning the cabin and setting up my laptop. Even if I can't pick up any free Wi-Fi, I can still use the Word program to write, which will have to do. Starting on my article about Berty would be a good use of my time here. I have some assignments to finish before the end of April, but I need access to the internet for my research. I'll have to ask Jake about that when he comes back.

By the time I've written down ideas and bullet points about Berty's article and read some more of the New York mysteries book, the time on my phone shows almost six-thirty. My stomach began to growl an hour ago. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast with Dad this morning. He hadn't eaten much of what I put in front of him either, complaining he had indigestion, which looking back could have been the first indication of his heart attack only a few hours later. I wonder then what the chances were that his heart could have given out when he wasn't at home with me. Okay, the virus probably accelerated his problem, but it would have got him eventually. The attack could have happened in his patrol car, or when he was working late at the station on his own. It's quite possible then that this virus saved his life.

The sound of Jake's bike in the distance breaks me out of my musings. I leap up from the table which now doubles as a desk and instantly feel dizzy. Hunger or the virus? It doesn't matter? I just hope Jake has some goodies for me.

Jake's smiling face appears at the window. I put my mask on before I open the door. On the small paved area outside are two canvas bags full of supplies – one of fruit and vegetables, the other stuffed with coffee, cookies, bread, more cookies, what looks like homemade muffins (awesome), and a bunch of daffodils.

"The vegetables, flowers, and the muffins are from Emily, Sam's girlfriend," Jake says with a grin. "She's looking forward to meeting you."

"That's nice," I reply eyeing the muffins, hoping I don't have to share. "Tell her likewise and that I'm looking forward to seeing her garden. How the heck can she grow all this stuff in the winter?"

"She has a greenhouse, but some of this she got from the store. She's put eggs in the bag. She wasn't sure whether you eat them. Some veggies do."

"I eat eggs, as long as they're not from factory hens. I guess these are from free birds?"

"Absolutely! She also said she would get you any girlie stuff if you needed it. Too much information for me but I'll text you her number. You can message her if you want to say thanks."

"I will, that's great. Thank you so much, Jake. This is amazing."

"Pleasure. Any news on Charlie?"

"He's doing okay. The doctor told me not to worry. I'll try not to. I hope he's able to call me tonight."

"That's good to know. While I'm here, do you want me to light the wood burner? The temperature will drop soon. It gets colder out here than it does in town."

"I'll do it, Jake. You shouldn't be inside."

"Yeah! That's right. Send a text if you need anything, even if it's just company. We can shout at each other from a distance."

I laugh at the image as I pick up the supplies.

"Thanks, I'll be okay tonight. I'm enjoying the time out. I'll see you in the morning."

Jake gives me his customary thumbs up and blows me a kiss before he disappears inside his cabin. The light goes on in his room and half a minute later is followed by loud music. A few seconds after that, I hear Billy yelling at him to turn the volume down.

Before I close the door, I'm confident that I'm going to enjoy living here.

I make myself a Spanish omelet and coffee, followed by one of Emily's awesome muffins. By the time I've cleaned up, lit the fire, cleared the cobwebs, checked the hut for spiders, had a shower, and dried my hair in front of the fire, the time has got to ten o'clock. I haven't heard from the hospital which is good in one way, but I had hoped to talk to Dad or at least get an update before I went to bed.

Before I turn the light out, I stick my head outside the door to look at the stars. On very dark nights the Milky Way can easily be seen over the reservation due to no pollution from street lights to spoil the view. The peninsula occasionally gets to see the Aurora during the winter months, but I'd only seen one full-on display during my time here. That happened in 2018 when Jake and I spent a freezing night in a tent at La Push, along with Sam, Quil, and about fifteen other youngsters from the reservation. I remember watching the green and yellow curtains of light float above us, folding and unfolding in mesmerizing patterns until they faded to nothing. Not long after, we watched in stunned silence as the center of our galaxy slid into view against a sparkling backdrop of millions more stars. I don't think I've ever felt so small and humble as I did that night.

No luck with the Milky Way. I have to be content with thousands of stars rather than millions. Still far more than you could ever see from Dad's house. In New York, you have to stand at the water's edge or in the middle of Central Park to see the Big Dipper because of light pollution. The pull of living in a big city has already begun to wane.

I don't sleep well, I have too much on my mind. My conversations with Edward are analyzed over and over. Dad's illness, his forthcoming surgery and aftercare trouble me, especially when I realize it will be down to me to be around while he recuperates until he's able to look after himself. The college has predicted there will be no face-to-face learning at least until May so missing the last few weeks because of family obligations shouldn't present too much of a problem. Dad's recovery comes first, even if the college insists I re-take this year. Expensive, sure. No-brainer, yes.

Bright daylight wakes me properly at eight. I push the armchair outside to face east, pull my thick sweatshirt over my flannel pajamas so I can sit in the sun to drink my coffee and eat one of Emily's muffins. The grass glistens, the air sparkles, the world has been washed clean overnight. Despite the lack of sleep, I feel ... rejuvenated.

"This is heaven!" I declare to a circle of jays who are eyeing every mouthful of muffin. Mean ol' me, I don't waste one crumb, devouring every morsel of exquisitely sugary goodness with relish while I watch the reservation come to life. For a thinly populated landscape, there is a lot going on. Cars and trucks coming and going. Children out on bikes or just running for the sake of it. The faint sound of music from distant windows, and laughter - lots of laughter. The air smells of dewy grass and the remnants of last night's burned wood. Wonderful!

Jake appears on his front step and comes over.

"Morning," he shouts.

"Beautiful morning," I reply. "Are you off to the workshop now?"

"Yeah. I've got three vehicles booked in today. Sam said he'd come down and give me a hand. Have you heard from the hospital?"

"No. I'll call them later. No news is good news, isn't it?"

Jake's phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out and checks the screen. "It's Emily. Probably checking whether you need anything."

"Hey, Emily. I'm at Bella's now. She says …"

Jake stops talking. His expression alters in an instant from cheery to horrified. I can hear Emily screaming words that I presume are in the Quileute language because I can't understand what she's saying, apart from the last frantic sentence which she says in English.

'Jake, get over here, now!'

Jake stares at me – his face has crumpled, his expression is desperate. He opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out.

"What the hell's happened," I shout as I jump out of the chair. He backs away from me, shaking his head from side to side.

"I don't … understand," he whispers before he turns on his heel, runs to his bike, and roars off in the direction of the made-up road.

Edward

My dilemma now is whether to set off for Forks to rescue Bella or to rely on the Quileute to keep her safe. I've returned to my room to reflect on Eleazar's advice which is either to stay in Alaska or go back to New York. I'm wavering. Should I disregard Eleazar and Carlisle's warnings and start running to Forks now or stay put?

I try to look at my situation from an outsider's point of view, which means not focussing on my growing desire to see Bella again. The last two comments Eleazar threw at me have given me the most compelling reasons to stay away from Forks. Despite my longings, I would be a fool to ignore him.

"If Tanya has already got to Forks, and the Quileute have been adversely affected by her presence, they will smell you a mile away. If you go onto Quileute land to prevent Tanya from finding and killing Bella, this would be as good as committing suicide.

While I thought about this which, to be honest, wouldn't have stopped me, Eleazar added the killer statement.

Edward, I appreciate Bella's importance to you personally, but if Alice's vision is correct and there's a slim chance Bella could protect us all in the future, this means she is important to me too. But if disturbing the Quileute means we lose you, we'll have no chance of protecting ourselves when James makes an appearance even if Bella survives. Think about this ... if you disappear from the world and Bella's life, why would she have any interest in helping the wider vampire community? The worst-case scenario is that we lose you. Have you considered that?"

To be totally honest, I hadn't. I'd been so focused on saving Bella, primarily for my own benefit, but also in the hope that she may possibly have a gift that could aid my family and friends. This is still a long shot I know. However, I hadn't envisaged me ending up dead and Bella surviving. If that happened, would she want to have anything to do with my family? If I disappeared from her life, I would effectively be abandoning Carlisle, Esme, and all our vampire friends, to the mercy of James's assumed powers.

Eleazar's logic is right of course. Risking my life now would be reckless and pointless. While Bella stays on the Quileute reservation being protected by our deadliest enemy, she has found refuge in the safest place on planet Earth without knowing the danger she is in. Any way you look at this, that is some sort of miracle. So what do I do now? My only option is to keep in contact with Bella and pray to any deity listening to do their best to keep her alive.

I've been trying to imagine what could be happening in Forks right now. Has Tanya got there yet? Two thousand miles of dense forests, glaciers, towns, and cities lie between Denali and Forks. The terrain would be difficult – even for vampires. If she followed the highway as I would, I estimate she could be there by nightfall. The weather for tomorrow in Forks is forecast to be bright and sunny. Unusual for the Northwest in March. Great for spotting vampires though and for curtailing their progress.

Could Alice foresee what the outcome will be? There's danger here. She said she would only tell me the future if any of us were in jeopardy. I have a good reason to ask the obvious question. 'Can you see Bella's obituary in the Peninsula Daily News over the next few days?'

I call her. She answers straight away.

"Took your time," she says smarmily. Jasper's belligerent attitude is rubbing off on her. I don't like it.

"Believe it or not I've been busy. I still am, so I haven't got time for bullshit. If you know what will happen to Bella in the next few days, you've got to tell me now."

"How far have you got?"

"I'm still in Alaska."

"Why the hell aren't you on your way to Forks, Edward?"

"You mean you don't know? I thought you knew everything."

"Don't be sarcastic, brother of mine. I presumed you'd be off like a shot when I told you to protect Bella."

"Protect her from what and from whom, Alice. You speaking her name out loud has put her in actual danger. I told you Tanya overheard you say her name. She's on her way to Forks to kill her in revenge for me telling her there would never be anything between us."

Alice scoffs. "Don't you put the blame for that on me, Edward."

"I'm not. You weren't to know she was in the room when you called. I'm telling you exactly what happened."

"So why aren't you on your way to rescue Bella as well as protect her?"

"Long story, but Bella's moved onto the Quileute reservation. If Tanya sets foot on their land, or even if the Quileute gets a whiff of her, it will set off their werewolf instincts. If anyone is in danger, it's Tanya. So tell me what you know? I need help here."

"Crap, Edward. You really do pick them, don't you? Of all the girls in the world, you fall for one who has some power over us and who also hangs out with werewolves. Unbelievable."

"I agree. I'm a magnet for trouble. Doesn't matter now. What have you got?"

"I've seen very brief images of Bella in New York, in the future. My guess is she'll go back to college in September."

I groan with relief, even though Alice has been wrong in the past.

"Have you seen James anywhere?" I ask.

"No. I'd tell you if I had. Well, I'd tell Carlisle first and then you. What else have I seen? Let me think."

"Tanya? Can you see her future?"

"I haven't looked. Leave that with me."

"What about my future?"

"You know I can't tell you that, apart from I've seen you with Bella but not in New York City. There's a farm, ranch, whatever, and animals, and a house. It's not Liam's place though. I know what his farm looks like."

"A farm?"

"Yes … a farm. There are trees close to the house. Maples. It's sunny. The leaves are lightly tinged with red and orange which means you'll be there very early in the Fall. September maybe."

"Anything else?"

"Nothing ... well nothing that will help you, or I feel obliged to tell you. You know my rules, Edward."

"Yeah yeah," I growl. "Anybody would think you don't like me."

"I don't like you, Edward ... I love you, in a familial way of course. I promise if I see danger ahead I will tell you."

"Thanks," I say. "So any words of advice for me?"

"Not to do with Bella or Tanya. Carlisle though is floundering in New York. You're a doctor, Edward. Carlisle has been good to you, and very patient. For once in your life do something for him. Get your ass back to New York and help him. I suspect Bella will stay with her father for a while so you don't have to worry about being too close to her until then. Carlisle needs you, but he's too proud to ask you for help again. If you don't, I won't feel inclined to help you when you really need my help."

Alice couldn't have hurt me more if she'd stuck a knife in me and twisted it. Carlisle has asked for my help many times in the past but I've always found an excuse to say no. He'd asked me twice in the last month. Both times I said I'd think about it, in the full knowledge I had no intention of becoming involved. Laziness is a serious flaw in my character, but this time, not the only reason I've run away from responsibility.

Memories of losing my mother to the Spanish 'Flu are still raw, even though she died over a hundred years ago. Maybe this is because I'm still seventeen in some respects. A child, a minor, a juvenile, even though I've been on the earth for 119 years, almost. Alice had brought me back down with a bang. I knew what I had to do.

"You're right. I must go back. What you don't know is that Bella's father had a heart attack a few hours ago. If the Quileute are able to protect her from Tanya, she'll be staying in Forks until he recovers. I doubt whether East 46th Street will see her for months. If I turn my attention to helping Carlisle, will you watch over her from a distance?"

"I will, I promise," Alice says. "To tell you the truth, what I've seen of her I like. I can understand the attraction, Edward. But be careful. Humans have short lives."

"I know," I reply and disconnect.

Before I give myself a chance to talk myself out of doing this, I message Carlisle.

'If you have a spare white coat, get it ready for me. I'm coming back to New York.'

Bella

The first day without Jake goes by slowly. I sit by my window or out on the grass waiting for the sound of his bike. Nothing. I know something serious has happened because Billy hasn't ventured out the door to smoke his pipe all day. I alternately walk and run around the hut just to get some exercise, but not venturing more than ten feet from the walls. I feel exhausted after each circuit. The virus still has a hold on me.

The reservation is deathly quiet, as though every cabin has been abandoned. No vehicles come and go. No children are playing outside. Even the dogs stay by their cabins. The only sign of life? Wisps of smoke escaping from the chimneys of two out of the seven cabins I can see from my door.

I give up waiting for the hospital to call and ring them myself. The same receptionist answers and gives me all the information I need. Dad had a good night. He's very disoriented because of the drugs he's been given. When he's awake enough to take a call, she'll let me know. The doctors will be doing their rounds this afternoon, so it will be after their visit probably.

Dad doesn't call. When I speak to the doctor in the evening, he says Dad would probably be out of it for another twenty-four hours. I wasn't to worry. As if?

Jake doesn't come back that night. When I wake in the morning, I look for his bike. It isn't there. I start to panic then. What the hell has happened? I can't concentrate enough to write. I give up several attempts to read. Absorbing words proves impossible. I make an omelet for lunch but don't eat much of it. I call Jake's number many times. It rings and rings. I'm anxious about Dad but this is different. I know now what being sick with worry feels like.

I can't even face calling Edward. I would sound like a babbling fool.

Even though I don't feel hungry, at about six in the evening I decide to force-feed myself some toast. I'd found an unopened jar of strawberry jelly in the cupboard so some of that will find a good home in my stomach tonight. While I'm waiting for the bread slices to pop out of the toaster, a strange howling noise breaks the silence. I rush to the window expecting to see a pack of dogs fighting close to the cabin. There's no sign of dogs or any other animal nearby. I cautiously open the door and step outside so I can listen. As soon as my bare feet step on the grass I'm aware that something strange is happening in the outside world. There are no other sounds to be heard. No wind in the grass. No birds in the sky. No people. No vehicles. No nothing. It's like Mother Nature has hit the mute button so she can listen to the strange cries which appear to be emanating from the forest, the closest edge of which I'd estimate to be at least a quarter of a mile away.

While I'm staring at the wall of trees, a searing pain shoots through my head. My hands automatically clamp against my temples. My knees go from under me and I collapse onto them on the grass where I automatically cover my eyes with my forearm. I presume this is the start of a migraine attack, which isn't surprising considering the stress I've been under lately. There are no flashing lights though and the pain reminds me more of what I'd felt in the airport with Edward. The sweet smell of grass assaults my nostrils and the pain begins to melt away. When only the aftershock remains, I venture to open one eye and look towards the forest. As the howling gets louder, I know without a doubt that whatever caused the initial pain is being generated by whatever is happening behind the treeline.

Before I have a chance to scramble to my feet, I hear Billy shouting at me.

"Get inside, Bella. Lock your door, now!"

The howling has gotten louder. I'm not an expert in local wildlife, but I'm able to pick out more than one animal. The noise they are making sounds like nothing I've ever heard before. Other-worldly. Ethereal. Supernatural even. Maybe I'm imagining this, but I am sure I can hear voices inside the howls. My skin prickles and I shudder with fear. This ... is ... not ... normal.

"What's happening?" I yell back at Billy.

"Wolves," he replies. "They might come out of the forest. Don't let them pick up your scent."

I do as Billy says - I get up, run inside and slam the door. After turning the lock, I drag the armchair over and wedge the high back against the handle. From the safety of my window, I watch Billy turn his wheelchair and disappear inside the cabin.

My head is still aching from the lightning bolt that shot through it. My eyes though are clear. In fact, they are super-clear. The forest looks closer from inside the cabin than when I was standing outside. Every blade of grass between the trees and my door seems more defined. The colors are brighter, almost like the glass in the window has turned the scene into high definition. I keep watch on the forest, searching for any evidence of the wolf pack emerging, but as I stare at the black void under the trees, the source of the howls becomes clear to me. I'm initially confused because I can't make out whether what I'm seeing is real, or whether the images are only pictures in my mind.

Giant wolves are chasing a shape through the trees. At first, I can't make out what the shape is. It looks human-size compared to the tree trunks, but the shape is blurred because it moves so fast. Its behavior though is definitely not human and the brief glimpses of bright blue are not the color of any animal I've seen in the forest before. The shape leaps upward and springs from tree to tree, keeping its body upright before dropping to the ground. I sense the shape is attempting to reach the daylight beyond the perimeter but the wolves block its progress and give chase until it springs up into the trees and tries again. The shape's movements are fluid which means it's impossible to make out its form until it starts to ascend the tallest tree in the visible forest, the crown of which reaches far above the rest of the canopy.

The howling ceases abruptly. The wolves have surrounded the base of the tree. Their hackles rise and their lips curl as they snap at one another. I sense they are waiting for a command. Who from though?

I follow the shape through the tree's branches until it becomes visible when it breaks through the dense foliage. It takes me a few seconds to register what I'm seeing and even then I'm not ready to believe my eyes.

Clinging to the top branches of what I'm sure is a Sitka spruce, is a stunningly beautiful woman wearing a tight-fitting blue dress with a silver belt around her slim waist. Abundant blonde curls hang loose and flow down her back. Her wide golden eyes are so bright I can't help but gasp in surprise at the intensity of the color which can only be described as other-worldly. It is at this moment that I know without question that those eyes are searching for me. Her mind becomes open to mine and I cry out when her goal becomes clear. She has come to the reservation to find and kill me. She's envisioning ripping me to pieces and will exult in my demise.

I sense her realizing my presence and feel her recoil in shock that I'm aware of her. She knows I'm watching her. I hold her in my own gaze with no intention of blinking. Where this inner strength has come from at this critical moment, I have no idea.

Hate rolls towards me in waves. I fling the hate back at her. I sense her confusion that she and I have a connection and feel her fury that I'm able to defend myself by accessing her thoughts. This is followed almost instantly by despair as the force that is radiating from me begins to crush her will. I'm burning with determination. She burns too, but from the inside. The mental battle continues until her spirit fails. Her scorching eyes slowly dim until they roll back into her head. She has accepted I have the superior power and that she has no choice but to capitulate. I hear her speak words which are followed by a scream as she lets go of the tree. Her body crashes through the branches until it hits the ground where she tries to stand but the wolves are waiting for her. The sickening sound of yelps and growls fills the air as they rip her body apart. I watch until the bitter end.

Exulted but exhausted, I take a step backward and collapse on the bed.

Thirteen hours later, I'm woken by the sound of Jake banging his fists on my door.

Way to go, Bella!

Edward said to Eleazar that Bella was gifted. I doubt whether even he realizes how gifted she is. Where has Bella's power come from? What will she think has happened when she wakes up, and will the wolves know that she was the one who caused Tanya to fall. More importantly, how is Bella going to deal with the knowledge that she effectively contributed to Tanya's death.

Jake has got a lot of questions for Bella. The journey from the ferry to Forks now explains the significance of the smell on her clothes. He's going to want some answers.

Another very bumpy chapter on Saturday. Have a great week.

Joan x