I do not claim any ownership of the Twilight Saga. That stroke of brilliance belongs to Stephanie Meyer. Ellie and Luke, however, are of my invention.

I hurt her, Edward. I hurt the one human that should the safest around me.

The mind-reader shook his head. "She's more worried about you than her wrist."

"She's not scared of me?"

"In her mind, there's no reason to be. She knows there's something strange about us, but the word vampire has never crossed her mind."

That's a relief. I wouldn't be able to explain anything to her. Like why I have no desire to feed on her. I shook my head.

"It's like Edward not being able to read my mind. I block mind-powers. She blocks our noses," Bella said.

"You can't smell her either? She really is strange."

Nessie lightly touched my temple. Elle's face swam in front of eyes. The memory smelled faintly of some unrecognizable herb. It was bitter and unpleasant. "See," Nessie said, "you wouldn't want to drink her blood."

I wrinkled my nose in disgust. "That's a good thing, I suppose." I just wish I knew if her scent could come back. Could I keep myself from hurting her again?

I went back to my studio apartment and began to paint. I did that when I needed time to think; I painted.

I just started a painting of the Virgin Mary praying. I was still trying to prefect her face, so I sat down and started to sketch. After about an hour, I realized who I was drawing. It was Ellie, the innocent, sleeping Ellie.

I laughed then, imagining her response.

Me as the Holy Mother? Are you kidding? You, Luke, know nothing.

I don't know why she calls me 'Luke'. Since I was changed, I've never considered shortening 'Lucas.' Maybe those first few years would have been easier. Everyone was looking for Lucas. No one would have given a second glance to Luke Smith, or Luke Johnson, Luke Davies might have even worked.

Was the secret to seeming as human as possible changing my name? None of the younger Cullens were really Cullens. Alice was really Mary Alice. Rose was Rosaline. Bella was Isabella. Nessie was Renesme. Could Lucas become Luke? I was only sixteen when I was changed. Maybe I could go with them when they moved. I could start school. I looked a lot like Rose and Jasper, maybe I could be their younger brother. The possibilities were endless.

I dialed my phone.

Alice answered. "About time you asked, Luke."

I gasped. Of course, Alice saw this coming, get a hold of yourself. "What did you call me?" I was in aw. Wow. She's good.

"Luke. As in Luke Hale. Come on, you came up with it. YES! I love it when things work out!" I could just see her dancing around the white living room. "Oh, and Ellie will love her gift."

"What? Wait, Alice, slow down. I—"

"I'm handing you over to Carlisle, okay?"

"Lucas, you might want to stay away from Ellie for awhile," the doctor said, right off. "You both need to be careful."

"Um, Carlisle, if you don't mind me asking, why?"

"Cole Winters is making this difficult. He's even trying to blame us for Ellie's disappearance. Luke?"

I nodded; then I remembered that I was on a phone. "Yes, sir?"

"Where exactly was she when you found her?"

"In the woods," I lied. "You were the first person I thought of, really, sir. I heard the stories, so I've been hanging out in Seattle for a few years. I wanted to make sure you were real."

"What would have done if you hadn't found us?"

I know exactly what I would have done, I thought. I would have changed her. "I don't know," I lied again. "Taken her to a hospital, I guess."

"Um," he said, probably hearing through the lie. "All right then. See you in a few weeks, son."

The word 'son' caught me off guard, and made me feel guilty for lying to the doctor. It felt almost as wrong as leaving Ellie so she could sleep.

"Yes, sir." I hung up, and sat down.

"This human is very beautiful."

I turned. Damn it! I got distracted. "What do you two want?"

"Same as always, Lucas," Felix said. "Come back with us."

Demetri was the one holding the drawing. "I could easily find this girl. I wonder what she tastes like."

"She doesn't smell very pleasant," I said, recalling the bitter herb smell in Nessie's memory.

Felix frowned. "Is she a wolf, then?"

"No. I can't explain her to you really. I barely know the thing." I looked at their blood red eyes. "When did you feed last?"

"With Jane and Alec back at the Rocky Mountains. A few hours ago."

"We see that it's been awhile since you've had a traditional meal."

"Where are they?" I hissed. I knew the witch twins as well as I knew these two baboons.

"Oh, your little girlfriend should be safe until I see her."

"Alec and Jane, what are they doing?"

Felix winked and I shivered. "Just checking on Cullens. Why else would they be in this neck of the woods? You're not important to anyone but us, brother."

"What will Aro say when he finds out you were here and not with Alec and Jane?"

"Hopefully, you'll be with us and you can explain."

"You don't understand," I hissed. "I have to stay here."

Felix ripped the drawing from Demetri's hand. "Does this girl have anything to do with it?"

"I promised her I could stay close by, yes. She's not in very pleasant home conditions at the present moment."

"She's only a human. How old is she, twelve?"

"Fifteen."

"She'll forget you in few years. What happened to you, brother?"

"In the words modern men our age: 'Dude, you used to be hard core.'"

I rolled my eyes. "I've changed." I looked down at their dark cloaks. "You haven't changed a bit."

"We'll make you a deal, then Lucas."

"You come with us."

"And we won't touch this girl. What was her name again?"

"I haven't told you. She would be danger if I did," I growled. "Now. Get. Out."

"Lucas, my friend, we won't kill her either way. Do think Aro would accept her instead?"

"You. Do. Not. Under. Stand. Elle is purely human. She was attacked by another human. A male. She's in no condition to become a vampire."

"Elle," Felix smirk. "What is that short for? Eleanor, Eloisa, Eliza?"

"Oh, um…" Shit. "That's none of your business."

"Oh really, brother?"

"We've always been stronger than you."

"FINE! YOU HAVE A DEAL!" I screamed. "BUT NO VOLTURI PUTS A HAND ON YO'EL WINTERS. GOT THAT?"

Author's Note:

Okay, I don't know why Felix and D finish each other's sentences, but it works! I figure since they always seemed to be mentioned together, it was normal.

AJ over and out.