Hey guys! sorry its been so long I've just been so busy with school and life an all lol i went to a wedding this weekend and now i want to get married and get to go to seattle for my honeymoon! ok no i'd really just go to italy lol ok so heres ch3 hopefully more to come, my heads stuck lately. too many math classes i just wanna make edward find the z score of the area! AHH!!
I don't know how long I had slept, but I woke up feeling very different. The remnants of my dream faded, and all I could remember was that Edward had been in it. I pushed myself up off the ground only to see hands, not paws and there was a shirt draped across my back. I sat up quickly and panicked, What happened! What did he do to me! I scooted quickly away form the bars, my hands feeling strange against the cobble stones. I stared at them in awe, I thought I would be a dog for the rest of my life. Suddenly I have fingers, ten of them and toes too! I stood up on my feet, the sensation strange. I wiggled my toes against the floor and stretched my arms above my head. I was human again!
I laughed loudly, excited and blissful of my new state. I felt so light and I danced towards Edward a smile plastered on my face. I reached my arms through the bars and wrapped them around his neck, pulling him to me in a tight embrace. Whatever he'd done he'd freed me from my curse. I now had the hands I wished for to touch him with, so I did. He was tense beneath my hold and then suddenly relaxed, winding his arms around my waist. I wished there were no bars between us as clung to him with my arms.
"Thank you" I whispered in his ear, my heart beating wildly in my chest. He smelled sweet like honey, but was cold like stone.
"For what? I haven't done a thing?" he chucked lightly, not letting me go. I loved that sound, but it was even more amazing to feel his chest rumble against mine with it.
I pulled back slightly, his arms holding me tight, looking into his eyes. "What? Oh, I must be dreaming then." I could feel my face fall, and I vowed not to wake from this wonderful dream.
"I assure you, you are awake or we are both dreaming I suppose. But you can't be too comfortable dancing around naked, put on my shirt and I'll go get you something to wear."
"No! Don't go!" I clung desperately, being able to voice for the first time my dislike of his leaving. I knew I was being selfish, but I didn't want him to leave me.
He chuckled into my hair and held me tightly against him, the bars pushing against my chest as I tried to get closer to him. "I'll be back, I swear it. I'm going to get you out of here."
"No. No I can't leave here." I could hear the panic in my voice and I hoped he couldn't.
"Don't be absurd! You can't stay down here!" he said staring sternly down at me.
I pulled back, away from his embrace "I can't leave. I may not be able to get out but he can't get in…" My freedom, it was what I had dreamed of. But now I was too afraid to leave, I was vulnerable out there, he knew of this world and I didn't. I wasn't prepared to defend myself out there and that frightened me.
"Please, please trust me. I won't let him hurt you. You can't stay down here Isabella. Pl-"
"Bella."
"What?" He blinked, looking extremely confused.
"Bella, call me Bella please."
"Alright, Bella, you can't stay down here." He chuckled. "Please let me take you out of here, this is no place for you. You deserve to be outside, to sleep in a real bed, to eat when you please." He stared down at me, pleading to let him take me from here. And I found myself unable to deny him. I nodded my head and that was all it took.
Deftly he took out a key from his pocket and unocked the door of my cell. I gasped. Had he had that key the whole time! Why now!? Why couldn't he have let me out sooner!
I stared gaping as he stood where the door to my cage had once been. "I just got the key today. Don't be angry. But I couldn't let you out if you were going to eat me and ransack the city. That would have only gotten you killed." He apologized, taking a careful step into my cage his hand extended.
Briefly, I thought we could just stay here, the two of us. I didn't need anything if he was here with me. I shook away the thought, when I remembered the outdoors, forest, animals beds and baths. Again he took a tentative step towards me, stooped to pick up his shirt and slowly walked towards me. Careful and cautious he approached me. He held the shirt out to me and I suddenly became painfully aware that I was standing in front of him without a stitch on. A blush crept across my cheeks and took the shirt from him. It barely covered my butt though it would do. I started buttoning form the bottom but found them so frustrating I stopped as soon as I was decent enough. I vowed no more tops with buttons. The sleeves were too long and I rolled them up to my elbows wanting to be able to see my hands. Suddenly a thought dawned on me.
"Why were you going to leave and come back with clothes if you already had the key?" I asked as I finished with the sleeves.
"I-" he sighed and looked away. "I didn't want… I didn't want you to have to walk around naked."
He seemed to struggle with his words, which was a first. I decided to let it go, and walked towards him suddenly very aware that there were no bars between us. Only space that I quickly closed in on. I placed my palms on his bare chest and slid my hands up his shoulders and pulled him to me. He felt wonderful with out cold bars between us. It took my brain a few minutes to catch up with what I was doing but by then it was too late. His arms wound around me and I melted into him. I heard him breath in my scent as I took in his. He smelled amazing, like fresh air, honey and something all his own. I clung to him standing on my toes my cheek resting on his shoulder.
Moments passed as we stood there and then his voice rang like a soft bell. "Lets go outside." I grinned and suddenly couldn't control my energy. I wanted to run, I wanted to run until my legs gave out. I wanted to be outside and smell the fresh air. He laughed at me as I began bouncing in place stareing at the stairewell. He took my hand, leading me from my cage to the staircase I'd seen him appear from so many times.
The stairs went on forever and I wondered how it was he ever found me down there. Suddenly we entered into a dim hallway, lit by torches as we continued to ascend up and up. Soon we were walking down vast hallways and then we were outside. The sun stung my eyes and I didn't know how long it had been since I'd seen it. I held my hand over my eyes only to notice it was glittering. I jumped back to see all of my exposed skin was as was Edwards.
He looked radiant, an angel come to save me from hell. He chuckled and suddenly I remembered him telling me that the sun had this effect on vampires. I just didn't think it would happen to me. Suddenly I was painfully aware of how human I wasn't anymore. I may have looked the part but I certainly wasn't. I inhaled, a million scents flooding my nose. Fresh air, trees, grass, flowers; I was outside. Edward squeezed my hand tightly as I took in the scents around us.
"I want to run." I turned to him, pleading for him to let me. He looked around nervously. Obviously this was not something he should let me do. I pulled on his hand, willing him forward.
"Run with me. Please." I begged again, stepping back and pulling his hand with me. I dropped his hand, sending him a wicked grin. I took off, running as fast and hard as I could. I could feel the earth beneath my feet and the wind in my hair. I could smell the forest as I darted through it. I lept over a log and the next thing I knew I was running on all fours. But I didn't care, couldn't care as I took in the forest running in zig zag patterns all over the place. Suddenly I stopped, skidding to a halt. Where was Edward? I let out a loud whine, wishing for him.
Then he was beside me, standing next to me a smile wide across his face. I let out a playful bark and took off running again, hearing him close behind me.
The sun was warm against my fur as we laid out in a meadow. We had been running for hours and I hadn't been this happy in a long time. His hands ran lazily through my fur; this is how we'd spent the rest of the day after chasing each other through the forest. The sun was starting to sink down from the sky when Edward finally spoke.
"We should get back." He moved to get up, but now I had to decide. Would I go back with him? I had avoided debating this. I lost myself in his company, avoiding the real danger at hand. The real question, What now? I didn't want to go back, I wanted to run as far and as fast as I could. But what about Edward? There must be something wrong with me now. To risk staying here for him. But somehow I knew it was too late. I had to have him near me, and it was going to cost me dearly.
With a sigh I stood and stretched my legs, looking to Edward.
"You destroyed my shirt back there, so please don't decide to change back until I can get you another."
I couldn't laugh. I didn't know if I could change back, I had no idea how to control my phasing. It just sort of happened. I followed him back as my mind screamed run, run far away from here! While my heart told me follow him, stay by his side. I was torn, this had to be the dumbest thing I've ever done, walk willingly back to James. Yes I most definitely have lost it. Perhaps I was already drugged and this was some drug induced dream. His hand brushed through my fur, and it was then that it didn't matter. His touch was all that I needed. I felt a calm run through me, my body relaxing near his. I could face this, I would keep us both safe and get us out of here. Because I couldn't be anywhere else but with him, which was the utmost terrifying and thrilling thing I'd ever imagined.
All too soon the city came into view, it was night now and torches lit up the small town. It was more elaborate than the towns I was used to back home. Most of the buildings were made of brick and the roads were all cobblestone. Horse hooves clanked against them as carriages rolled through the streets. I'd never seen a big city such as this, our small town in Jamestown was nothing in comparison. I kept close to Edward as we walked towards the center of the city. I noticed people gawking, but mostly it was women at Edward. Together we easily navigated the bustling streets and through wrought iron gates into a vast castle.
There standing in the foyer was James and half a dozen more vampires including that vile one named Jane. I let out a low growl, my fur standing on end. I crouched low and angled myself between Edward and the others.
"Bella." Edward said softly, running his fingers through the fur on my neck, stepping around me and addressing the others.
"Aro, Cais, Marcus." He said, giving a half hearted bow.
"Oh Edward. I'm so glad you've returned I was truly hoping it wouldn't come down to hunting the two of you down." Answered one with long jet black hair, all too whole heartedly.
"Sorry to have worried you." Edward replied in the same monotone he gave his greeting.
"Would you like to explain why it is that you have taken the liberty to free this creature and let it walk around my city, unrestrained." His eyes stared into Edward, demanding a reason. A reason worth me standing here and not in a cage where they seemed to think I belong. Yeah… shouldn't have come back.
"I didn't think it was our custom to keep our guests lock away in the dungeon and feeding them rabbits pumped full of calomel." Edward answered coolly, his hand still on my neck, running his fingers through my fur. It amazed me that only his touch could hold me. "And as you can see she has no issues with violence when treated properly. I'm sure you already know as I do how James has chosen to treat her. She is of great value and importance, a first for our kind and what do we do? Lock her up, beat her and poison her. Yes, I took liberties because what we have here is far too important to let waste away down there."
My heart twisted in my chest, was I only important to him for what I was not who I was? I suppose it's better than not being important at all.
"Yes, I agree." He seemed to think for a moment, deliberating greatly. "Edward please make our guest here feel at home, whatever you need. But know that should you not be able to handle your duties I will not hesitate to replace you."
I knew what he meant, and I wondered if killing James was a part of his warning. I decided not to press my luck, I was outnumbered and I'm sure there were more running through the halls, ready to attack at a moments notice.
"Thank you Aro."
"Please, go freshen up. We have guests here form America who wish to see this new creature." Suddenly Edward tensed beside me even more. Whomever had come from America did not seem to be good news. Yes things were looking up weren't they?
"We won't be long." Edward turned to leave, and I followed behind him as he led me through this maze of corridors and stairwells. Soon we were in an empty wing.
"This is where I stay. No one wants to stay near me so they all crowd into the other wings. You can pick any room you'd like. " He waved a hand down the vast hall of doorways. I walked down the hall glancing at each door, sniffing each one. Then I came to his, I could smell his scent from beneath the door. I stopped, backed up and stood in front of the door before his. I wanted them to come to me first, and hopefully leave Edward be should anything happen.
He smiled and opened the door. It was huge, it was like a small house inside. I walked into the foyer followed by a sitting room with a large fireplace. I looked around to see a large dining area with a kitchen adjacent to it. Though it seemed odd that it should have a kitchen at all.
"I'll give you the tour." He smiled warmly at me as we walked from the sitting room to a large bedroom with a towering canopy bed. There was a lavish vanity and I peered into the stunning bathroom with marble countertops and a vast footed tub. It was far more than I used to and it made me nervous after being in a bare cage for so long.
Suddenly it dawned on me, I had no hands to bathe with, only paws to track water around this place with. I had no idea how to become human again, but now that I knew I could I hoped it would be easier this time. Perhaps even something I could control.
"I'll leave you to get cleaned up. Come and get me when you are finished and I can take you back down, if you'd like." He seemed nervous, like I wouldn't want him near me. But I needed him, I knew that he was the key in my changing. The calmness he gave me I felt was key. But I didn't now how to ask that of him, at least not in this form anyway. So I did what I could. I let out a soft whine and nuzzle my head against his chest, hoping he would run his fingers through my fur.
Instantly I could feel myself relaxing under his touch. He didn't hesitate, and his fingers roamed over my matted coat. I breathed in the scent of him and thought about becoming a woman. I wished for hands to touch his skin with, an lips to kiss it with, I wished fervently to talk to him, to be a woman. Suddenly I was crouching on the ground, on my hands and knees. I stood up, elated to have hands again.
"I'm sorry, I can't seem to change without you. I'm afraid I'm far too dependant on you I'm sorry." I stuttered, utterly embarrassed and completely naked.
"Don't apologize Bella, ask anything of me and it's yours." A fire in his eyes pulled me towards him. I wanted to run my new hands through his hair, use my new lips to taste the sweetness of his mouth, but I couldn't' make anything move. I stood frozen, willing myself to do something. Anything. But I was too dazzled, dazzled by what he said to me. I still didn't know whether his interests were scientific or something more. I didn't dare hope for more, it would only hurt. So I did the only thing I could manage.
"Thank you." I said smiling as I turned to bathe. My heart heavy when I could no longer see him. Yes, it definitely hurt to hope for more.