Chapter 12. Eluder

I feel as though my decision to leave Emmett in charge of dealing with Poseidon may have been a bit rash.

His vampire strength is no match for my brother. He has no idea what Poseidon is, only that he is an obstacle I need disposing of. Who knows what he'll attempt in order to make that happen.

Perhaps it didn't come to that.

I shake my head and focus on the road before me in an attempt to rid my mind of the concern.

Why do I care?

Why?

It bothers me to no end.

Like a gnat, tirelessly buzzing around my head.

These human type feelings continue to grow, the longer I'm here. If only I could shake them off with a brush of my hand, this trip above ground would be much less complicated.

Something I will deal with later, perhaps.

For now, the only thing that matters is that Isabella is off Poseidon's radar. Out of his grasp. Away from his fury. Who knows what he may have done had he thought for a second that she was of any importance to me. What he will do, if he ever learns of her.

The mere thought of it sends a slight wave of panic through me.

Regardless...

With the task of evading my brother accomplished, the vampire's intentions toward Isabella are what clutter my thoughts. Were my original instincts correct? Would he indeed have killed her the night we met? Or rather, would he have fallen for her forthrightness wrapped in beauty the way I have? Was she meant for him? Or did I save her from a fate unfair to the likes of her innocence?

For the first time in thousands of decades, I find I am second guessing myself more than I'd like.

And I am not a fan of it.

"You're awfully quiet," Isabella announces from the passenger seat. I've been driving for quite some time, leaving the city far behind. The dark, silent night has given me an unexpected, soothing comfort. She's been silent for most of this particular leg of the drive. Perhaps caught up in her own thoughts.

When I don't respond right away, she adds, "We didn't have to leave."

"Yes, we did." She has no idea the dangers that lurk just beyond the shadows of her world.

"I mean, Rose just got there, and she was meeting me. I feel bad."

"She's with Emmett," I assure her. "She won't be bored. Don't worry about Rose." Or Emmett. Hopefully.

I grip the steering wheel tightly. It's most likely a good thing she's not aware of the threat we escaped back at the bar. I may have survived with a few scrapes, but her… Her life may have ended before it's even had a chance to begin.

Then I would have had to murder my brother.

And then I would have had to answer to my father.

Or find a way to murder my father.

There'd be a whole thing, believe me.

"Well, I still feel bad." She shrugs. "Where are we going anyway?"

I have no idea where we're going. I know wherever it is, I want her to be with me.

"Spend the weekend with me." The words don't sound like my own even as I say them. I am well aware they are coming out of my own mouth, but I've never felt so desperate for the attention of a human before.

Ever, really.

Having it so profoundly in the forefront of my mind wears on me, constantly. It seems to wear on her as well.

"I-"

She doesn't finish her thought. Most likely because she is still debating my intentions.

"No expectations, Isabella," I promise, understanding where her thoughts must have gone. "I simply want to spend time with you away from prying eyes and curious ears." All this is true, but she still appears apprehensive. I reach across the small distance between us and take her hand in mine. For the hundredth time in just a few days, I feel the weight of her extremely fragile humanity.

"I hope you know that everything you've ever heard about me is a facade. Smoke and mirrors. There is no one on this earth to truly know me, Isabella. Not even Emmett. And that's as close as it gets, don't you think?"

She searches outside the car for an answer. "Yeah, I mean, I suppose I already knew that."

"Then what troubles you?"

She hunches her shoulders. "I don't know. Nobody really knows me either, Edward. I guess I'm not sure know how I feel about you being the first."

Honesty. It's like breathing for her. Easy. Thoughtless. It's both refreshing and agonizing. But how can I blame her for being conflicted? It's as though her subconscious is telling her, run!

"Well if I may, I-"

"And lest we forget, I do have responsibilities?" She cuts me off as though she's attempting to keep me from influencing her choices.

I let out a small, amused chuckle. Mainly because I am the king of manipulation. "Are we referring to your friends' handbags or the few hounds you also seem to call friends?"

She rolls her eyes but in a playful sort of way. "I have other obligations too, you know."

"Such as?" This, I simply must hear. And at my urging, she begins prattling off miscellaneous duties she performs throughout the week.

"Like, grocery shopping for people who can't, and once a week I teach art at the youth center. I also have a few-"

"Very admirable things to do for the needy." I'm beginning to paint a mental picture of her shrouded in angelic garments, a halo above her head. All the things humans do in hopes they will get them into the right places after they're gone.

"It's good for me too," she advises, quietly adamant… it breaks my train of thought.

"Why is that?" She constantly has me curious as to her motivations with this life.

"It reminds me that not everyone has what I have."

"Which is?"

"A decent life, for one. Money of my own, a place to call home, two working legs, the ability to drive, friends, fam-"

"Let me stop you, right there." We don't need to get into a debate over whether having family is a pro or con in this situation.

"What? Why?"

"I get it." I note I may have come across a bit harsh in my response when Isabella shrinks slightly into her seat. I don't want to appear this contemptuous for life in general. I simply don't understand how she can be so damned grateful for it when, ultimately, there is no point. All humans die. All of them. Even the very best.

Thinking that someone with as much brilliance and inner beauty as Isabella will eventually be tossed aside, into the darkness of the afterlife bothers me more than I might have expected. When I think of her light dimming in any way whatsoever, anger builds inside of me. Sadder even still, in a world made up of selfish creatures, she thinks she'll make a difference.

She won't, however. Not really.

After a few moments of thought about Isabella's responsibilities, I make a decision. "Emmett can take care of your obligations for the weekend." If he survives Poseidon that is.

"Oh, no. Edward, that's thoughtful, but-"

"Even celestial beings take a break from time to time, Isabella."

She giggles at my example. "Um, well, I mean, I have a few clients that might be taken aback by your bouncer's..."

"Presence?"

She laughs full on, now. "Yes. That's one way of putting it."

"Perhaps Rose can help him. If she's not busy."

"Rose is self-made. And wouldn't work weekends if you paid her a million dollars."

That wasn't a no.

"We'll see. I suspect she might have a soft spot for Emmett. Perhaps he can persuade her."

At that, Isabella holds her hands up in surrender. "Go for it. I'm not going to be held responsible for any physical damage he incurs while in her possession."

The image of Emmett that her warning gives me makes me smile.

"I'll take care of everything. For now, rest."

She reclines the seat and turns onto her side as best she can. She flattens her hands against each other as though she's in prayer and tucks them beneath her cheek. She yawns, but she does not close her eyes just yet. She simply watches me carefully.

I expect that at some point, she may very well see me for exactly who I am, not who I pretend to be. And when that happens, I will have to accept the consequences of my actions. Until then, I plan to enjoy the time I have with Isabella and the way she makes me feel… lighter.

Eventually her lids close and as she dreams away, I relish the scenery as I drive. There are mountains for a while. There are trees, but they thin the further I go. I become curious as to what I will find at the end of this road. In more ways than one.

Time passes but time is nothing to me. I have no idea how long it's been since the bar. I have no idea about anything other than the height of the moon and the quiet of the air. I eventually notice a salty taste to the air and a clearer view of the horizon. It is much more beautiful than the one I found from the vampire's balcony.

When the world opens up after the last, remote intersection, I pull the car to a stop in a lot that sits adjacent to a different kind of earth. I stare for a while, bewildered and amazed at all the things I have missed out on over the course of my long, depressing life. I've never seen the ocean, I realize. Not truly.

As the sun peeks over the horizon and spreads her colors across the water, I'm overcome with… content. I've seen the Styx and the abyss with their darkened soils, and murky waters, and bottomless pits full of souls who will never see the light of day again. But this…

There is an ache in my chest I cannot come to grips with. The beauty this world holds at every turn is beyond my comprehension.

"Isabella?" I whisper as I push some hair out of her face and behind her ear.

"Mmmmm?" she hums and begins to stretch.

"We're here," I tell her, wondering if she's ever been here or if, like me, she has been missing out on the charms of this world. When she opens her eyes, slowly and groggily, I'm not sure what she sees. Whatever it is, It's enough for her to feel concerned to some extent.

"Are you okay?" she asks, as though visiting my thoughts over the past couple of hours or so.

I don't know the answer to her question, overall. But here, with her, with this… with everything, I find it effortless to answer.

"I am now."

PSA: music = Bulbo by Feathered Sun

Hey, last week I was in such a frenzied state that I forgot to send big huge god sized thanks to Rob Attack for rec'ing Hades on their blog. Now I'm sorry AND thankful. That was pretty awesome. Thanks also to Sue for beta'ing even when she really doesn't have the time, and to Chrisann for her encouragement - and you for reading. Oy - and don't forget to check out what's inside Bella's head by going and reading Belladonna Cullen's "Friend of the Devil" - she's catching up!