A/N – Hi guys, sorry it's been a wee while. I could not decide how I wanted this chapter to go. This was the end result, but I'm not completely happy with it.
Let me know your thoughts.
Shirelle
X

Edward's POV

Bella looks up at me, her expression instantly worried. I open my mouth to reassure her, to tell her it would be okay, although I wasn't entirely sure of that myself when I hear my name spoken mentally.

Hello Edward. I stiffened reflexively as I realised I did not recognise the voice. I need to speak to you but I do not want to find myself being attacked by your family and friends.

My body tensed as I automatically scanned the road, looking for the source of the thought. I could not see anybody in the street who did not belong. "Edward?" Bella asked suddenly, frowning up at me. I blinked as I realised I was holding Bella so tightly my knuckles had turned white.

"I'm sorry." I murmur to her but I do not relax my grip as I continue to try and figure out where the thought had come from.

You will not find me until I am ready to show myself. The voice continued quietly. I need your word.

I growled curtly and every vampire with the exception of Alice turned to me, a look of confusion upon their faces. Alice's eyes were wide and glazed over. She was having a vision. I began to read her mind, to find out whether her vision was relevant to what I was currently experiencing when another thought distracted me.

Bloodsucker. There is someone here who shouldn't be here. This was Jacob whose fur was stood on end, growling low in his throat. Bella's eyes flickered between Jacob and me before she spoke.

"Tell me what is going on Edward. Now." Her voice was like granite.

Edward. I need your word. The mental voice was slightly louder.

"No." I growled loudly. "I will not give my word until you reveal yourself."

Have it your way then. The voice continued.

In my arms, Bella stiffened like she'd been electrocuted and I glanced down at her automatically. I watched in shock as her eyes rolled back in her head and her legs collapsed from underneath her. My vampire reflexes kicked in and I managed to stop her from falling to the ground.

"Bella?" I gasp, shaking her gently.

THUD.

The sound of bodies hitting the floor nearly caused me to drop Bella and I looked around in horror to see the rest of my family and guests were lying on the ground. The only person still standing was Jacob.

Bella! … What the HELL is going on?... How is this possible? Jacob's thoughts were a wordless jumble.

I shook Bella again, fear coursing through me. "Bella? Bella! Wake up." I gasped.

She won't wake until I tell her to. The female mental voice sounded again.

I was filled with an anger so righteous I hissed and gently lowered Bella to the ground. "When I find you I will kill you!" I roared. "How dare you attack my family and friends!"

I warned you. The voice said petulantly. It is not my fault you did not listen.

I took a deep breath before I did something stupid like rip up a lamppost and throw it at a stationary car. I turned to Jacob who was watching me with wide, horrified eyes. "Jacob. Use every single ability you have. Find the newcomer."

I don't need to Edward. Jacob said, his gaze drifting over my shoulder. She's behind you.

I whirled around and lunged forward mindlessly, hitting something invisible with a smack and falling backwards. I managed to regain my balance before I fell but the shock stopped me in my defensive attack.

My mouth dropped open when I saw the newcomer.

It was a middle-aged woman, with long brunette hair standing there, watching me warily. She was stunningly beautiful, with chocolate coloured eyes. She was slender, with a small frame, even smaller than Alice, with delicate little feet and petite hands. She was almost as beautiful as Bella but that was not why I was staring.

I was staring because she was completely and utterly human. I could hear her heartbeat from here.

"Are you ready to listen yet?" She asks quietly, her mouth a perfect heart.

I am filled with rage and attempt to blur over to the human woman but the invisible barrier holds strong and I am flung backwards once again. "How are you doing that?" I shout as I get to my feet. "You're human."

The woman smiles but it is a sad smile. "Yes." She says quietly. "And no."

Did she do this? Jacob snarls, nodding his head in the direction of Bella who was still lying on the pavement, breathing evenly.

"Yes." I murmur.

Jacob does not hesitate. He leaps towards the woman in one smooth move, like an arrow from a bow. He does not get very far, hitting the same invisible barrier as myself and he yelps as he is thrown backwards. He instantly gets to his feet, snarling at the woman.

I'm going to kill the bitch. His thoughts are murderously angry.

I study the woman. Whilst she had obviously done whatever she'd done to my family and friends she did not seem particularly hostile, even whilst Jacob and I were doing our very best to kill her. I turned my gaze to the space in front of her and caught a glimpse, just for a brief moment, of a very faint shimmer. I frowned.

"Tell me." I say, my voice deceptively calm. "How does a human come to wield a physical shield?"

She turns her chocolate brown eyes to me. "You're more perspective than I initially gave you credit for." She says softly. "And that's the question, isn't it?"

I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry I did not listen before. But you did not have to hurt my family and friends." I force myself to sound calm even though I am trembling with the effort to remain still.

"I did not hurt your family or friends." She says peacefully. "I simply made them sleep."

I automatically glanced over at Bella and a feeling of relief hit me as I noticed her lips were moving soundlessly. I pinched the bridge of my nose. Was she dreaming?

"Vampires don't sleep." I say bluntly, watching the woman intently. Her expression did not change.

You can't tell her you're a bloodsucker! Jacob snarled mentally at me.

"I think she already knew." I say coldly. "Your heartbeat suggests you are human, but your abilities do not. Which is fortunate for you since humans are not allowed to know about our world. We have rules."

The woman's expression twists into hostility. "I am quite aware of the rules your world has." Her voice was like ice. "Fortunately for me, I do not care about those rules."

You'll care about them when I rip you to shreds! Jacob threatened mentally.

"Shut up." I growled low in my throat at him and my words were mirrored by the woman. Both me and Jacob stared at her wordlessly and she had the grace to look uncomfortable.

"You can read minds." It wasn't a question.

Yes. She answers mentally.

Fuck. There's two of you.

The woman turns to glare at Jacob and I take the opportunity to try and read her mind. I'm very quickly met with resistance but not before I find what I'm looking for. "Aradia." I say triumphantly.

Her face falls. "I should probably stop underestimating you, Edward." She says dangerously.

"Yes. You probably should." My voice was equally as dangerous.

She takes a deep breath. "Look, if I wake the vampires up, can you promise you will stop them attacking me? I was serious about needing to speak with you."

Why are you so worried about them attacking you? You have a physical shield. Jacob's angry thoughts drift by me.

"That's my business." Aradia says sharply before looking at me. "Do we have a deal, Edward?"

Edward. I am startled by the sound of my name coming from a new mind. My eyes flicker behind Aradia to see Alice who is swaying unsteadily on her feet, her face grim. Distract her.

"That depends." I say slowly, as a jolt of realisation hits me. "Are you going answer my questions, starting with how you know my name?"

"Probably not." Aradia says softly.

I smile curtly at her. "Then, probably not." I say mockingly, nodding my head towards Alice. Aradia's body whips around as she tries to see where I am looking but it's too late.

Alice has already lunged for her.