The Whispering Woods

Chapter Twenty-Four

Bella stepped back from Edward. "What did you call me?"

Edward shook his head, taking a step toward her. "Bella, what's wrong?"

"I…I'm not sure." Confused and rather anxious after everything that happened in a matter of hours, she wasn't quite ready to face it all. Not if it could mean Edward reacting badly again.

Instinct had driven her to the classroom before she knew he was in trouble earlier. More like, she knew he would be. The "knowing," as she and her father had always called it, never was more than a minute or two ahead. This time, she got the feeling at least five minutes ahead and ran toward his direction. The second she had stepped into the classroom, she realized what was happening. If he could see someone's past with a mere touch, as she suspected by the fact that he knew about her accident when she was younger, imagine what he'd see if he opened up his mind to everyone.

"Did you say I was glowing?" He looked embarrassed, rubbing his flushed cheeks. "What the hell do you mean 'glowing'?"

"I'll show you." She held out her hand, which he was quick to take into his own. His thumb sweeping across her skin, eliciting a shiver. "Focus only on me, nothing else. Tell me what you see."

"It's kind of dark, but I can make out your, uh, waist and hips." He groaned, shifting on his feet. "And a sliver of skin peeking beneath your shirt."

She rolled her eyes. "Look deeper."

"That would mean naked." He laughed when she snorted. This was what he liked between them: the ease to talk and play around. It was his fault whenever things got awkward; then again, he felt he'd been on a rollercoaster since his arrival.

He could see her hand lift to her nose to pinch the bridge of it.

"Concentrate, Edward."

"Whatever you say, Princess." He did what she asked, though ignored how she stilled at the nickname. He wasn't sure why he called her that; it felt sort of instinctual.

"Try closing your eyes, listen to my voice." She continued saying nonsensical words until he seemed to float along beside her; nothing else mattered but that moment between them. "Now slowly open your eyes."

His eyes snapped open, and immediately, he shut them, blinded by an unusual light.

"Slowly," she repeated.

It wasn't until she tried to pull her hand away from his that he finally did what she asked. His gaze focusing on her boots, then gradually, lifting to her hips. The tips of his fingers itched with the need to touch her there. Her waist curved deliciously and his mouth watered. He knew she would be ticklish in that area.

He swallowed hard when his gaze lingered too long on her chest, mesmerized by the rise and fall. It was there, just above the curve of her shirt that he noticed.

Her skin glowed. It wasn't blinding anymore, softer and more of a glimmer. His eyes rose to meet hers in confusion.

Her eyes shimmered, unlike anything he'd ever seen, too hard to explain, but beautiful and scary at the same time. Then he noticed the glow didn't only emanate from her, but swirls of it surrounded her, moving around her like a second skin.

"Look down, Edward."

He did, and dropped her hand in shock. Where she glowed a soft gold, and at times white, swirls of midnight blue surrounded him.

"What the fuck?"

AN: The "glow" they're seeing, think of it as shimmery dust particles moving around a person. It wouldn't be noticeable to many, other than those who open their mind to the possibilities and some abilities, which is why Edward didn't notice it before. Not until Bella had him focus on only her. This will prove to be a technique he will have to utilize to prevent what happened in the classroom in the future. I'm sweating a bit, I only have 9 chapters ahead, and it been difficult to write all week. No plans this weekend, so hoping I can make Starbucks my second home then, lol, no really.

Thanks to MC for your help with the chapter and to all of you that have been rec'ing this strange fic to others, I see a lot of new people, WELCOME!