Chapter 4: Lunatics, Tempers, and Sneaking Away

Mike's POV

I was feeling slightly better, whether it was due to the beer or the praises Tyler had been singing all night, I didn't know. I still had no idea how to win over Bella though.

Suddenly, Charlie busted through the bar door.

"Help! You have to help me! He's got her locked up in the dungeon!" he yelled. I turned to face him.

"Calm down, Charlie. Who's got Bella locked up?" I asked. He shuddered.

"A vampire!" There was a lull in the chatter in the bar, and then everyone began to laugh.

"Did he have red eyes?" Eric asked.

"Yes!"

"Fangs?"

"His teeth were sharp!"

"Was he scary?"

"Yes!! Will you help me?" Charlie begged.

"Yup. We'll help you," Tyler said. I remained in my seat, watching. Tyler got up and pushed Charlie out the door into the rain. When he turned around I widened my eyes at him.

"I have a great idea," I stated, then leaned over and started whispering in his ear. He nodded vigorously throughout the whole thing. When we were done planning we went back to our drinks, grinning.

I had a plan to make Bella my wife.

Edward's POV

I paced the dining room, eying the spread of food Jasper had brought back from the village. Emmett watched me as I did this, amused.

"Hey, Master, have you thought about the girl possibly breaking the curse?" I whirled around and glared at him.

"Of course I have! I'm not stupid! But how likely is it that she—who is so beautiful—is going to fall in love with me... a killer." I ran my hand through my hair and resumed pacing.

"Well, you're certainly going to have to buck up a bit. First of all, stop pacing. Second, start controlling your temper, not to mention the bloodlust. Third, you haven't killed anyone for 16 years," Emmett reprimanded me, looking pleased with himself.

I growled slightly and almost went back to pacing before a wave of serenity hit me. I shot a glance at Jasper, who was staring off into space, seemingly oblivious to all. But I knew better. His thoughts were all centered on which emotions to channel into me during which part of dinner with Bella. I scowled. I didn't need his help.

"When is she going to get here?" I growled, overpowering Jasper's calm wave. Emmett shrugged. I stared at the wooden doors at the end of the hall. I could hear someone's thoughts approaching. 'Good, that means Bella will be here soon.'

The doors opened and Alice slipped through, looking regretful. I heard her thoughts before she voiced them.

"SHE'S WHAT????" I yelled, running straight for the stairs at vampire speed and reaching Bella's door in 30 seconds flat. I took a moment to compose myself—yeah, right—slightly and knocked on the door as hard as I could without breaking it.

"I believe I asked for you to come for dinner?" I growled through the wood.

"I'm not hungry," she retorted.

"Come eat. Humans must eat food," I objected, still growling.

"Yeah, well, I'll eat something later," she snapped.

"Oh no, you won't. You eat with me or you don't eat at all!" I yelled. I stomped away loudly, ignoring the servant's looks of astonishment and Jasper's grousing about how all the food he stole was going to be wasted.

"Blame it on her," I hissed at him. He blinked and shook his head slowly. I growled and stalked into the library, fully intending to lock myself in for the rest of the night.

Bella's POV

I had been lying curled up on the bed but not sleeping for a few hours when I realized I was quite hungry. Really hungry, actually. I didn't really want to wait for breakfast. I hesitated, thinking of what Edward had said, but then I shook it off. Who cared what he said? I could get Alice or Rosalie to get me food.

I slid off the bed and cautiously opened my door, half expecting an ambush. There wasn't one and I continued down a corridor in the direction I half-remembered a stainless steel room being in. I walked along, peering in every door until I reached it. I walked in, looking around curiously.

Alice was sitting at the table, looking as though she had been expecting me. She jumped up and walked forward to meet me when I came in.

"Hello again, Bella! Sorry about Edward, he's got quite a temper. Are you hungry?" I nodded and she gestured at the table, where there was an assortment of food. I grabbed an apple off the top of a tray of fruit and bit into it.

"Aren't you going to get into trouble?" I asked. She laughed.

"Nah, Edward's not so bad once you get to know him. I wish I had been able to convince you to have dinner with him," she sighed. I took another bite of my apple and shook my head.

"I don't want to get to know him! He took away my entire life in one day!" Alice frowned and glanced toward the doorway before answering.

"Yes, but he's really a kind soul. Just try and get to know him. For me?" I shrugged noncommittally.

"Hey, Bella! What's happening?" Emmett swaggered into the room, followed by Rosalie and Jasper.

"Oh, nothing. I'm just eating this apple," I replied, eyeing the apple. Jasper laughed slightly and Emmett glanced at Alice.

"Why didn't you offer her something nicer? Like pudding, or cake?" he said, sounding like a little kid. Alice rolled her eyes and pointed at the table.

"There's pudding and cake on the table. If she wants it, she can have it. For now, it seems she wants her apple." I nodded. Rosalie snickered and sat down next to me at the table.

Emmett leaned against the steel counter looking bored. I put down my apple and looked around.

"Um... why are you guys watching me eat?" I asked, feeling uncomfortable.

"We haven't been able to eat human food in 19 years," Jasper said, and I felt a wave of comfort come over me.

"Yeah, we miss it, even though it's majorly gross smelling now," Rosalie threw in. I nodded. I didn't really feel like asking what they did eat, so I didn't bother. Instead I looked at Emmett.

"Hey, Emmett... I'd go to bed, but I'm not really tired. Do you want to show me around the castle?" He perked up at this.

"Sure! Jasper should come too!" he added excitedly. I nodded and got up from my chair. I followed them into the hallway and half listened to Jasper describe the detailed finishing of the crown moulding.

I noticed a hidden staircase then, and began to walk towards it. In a flash, Emmett was standing in front of it.

"You can't go up there," Emmett warned me. "It's the west wing." I frowned.

"What's so special about it?" I asked.

"Edward said you can't go there, is all. C'mon, we'll show you the garden, or the library..." I hesitated at 'library'.

"You have a library?" I inquired, and he nodded vigorously, walking down the hallway after Jasper. I began to follow them but quickly darted up the stairs when they were fully turned away.

I reached the top of the stairs and was met with a sight I had never expected.

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