Chapter 3 – Angel (Bella's POV)

It took every ounce of my control not to let out a blood-curdling shriek of unbearable agony as the pain unbelievably aggravated.

A little more time, a little more pain and this all would be over. I chanted to myself over and over. It was the only way for me to keep silent and remain still. The idea of dying was both consoling and terrifying. I allowed myself a slight relief from being freed, finally, from this kind of suffering. But this only lead me to fear whatever I was waiting for me to the other side. What if escaped the torture here, only to be punished some more on my next life? If there was –

Thud.

A deafening drum-like sound broke through my unpleasant train of thought, which should have been a good thing.

Except that I realized it was the last beat of my heart.

The burning feeling all over my body was mostly gone…except in my throat. There was still fire in my throat. But it was surprisingly easy to ignore.

I suck in a gulp of air, tasting my surroundings. It wasn't entirely peaceful, like it would have been if this were heaven. Yet it wasn't completely chaotic, either. Just somewhere precariously in between. I braced myself for whatever it was lurking

Six quiet breathings – that was all I was hearing.

One was extremely close – almost as if he were breathing me.

I ever so slowly opened my eyes…and gasp! Everything here was beautiful. Even the dust dancing and swirling around the light was attractive. Perhaps this was heaven, after all.

An angel's breathtaking face appeared in front of my eyes and confirmed my assumptions. He looked…inexplicably concerned, so intensely worried as if he was in physical pain himself, like I was merely minutes ago. I wanted to erase the anxious lines on his excruciatingly lovely face. The troubled expression just didn't belong there. But I also wanted to teach a lesson whoever it was that caused him to look apprehensive a lesson.

My blissful moment of contented silence simply staring at the beautiful creature before me was interrupted by a sharp, harsh voice.

"Do not get too close to her, Edward. She's still a newborn and she's still extremely dangerous."

Edward. So that was the name of this angel. It suits him because like him, his name was remarkable. Unforgettable.

Edward turned his head slightly to where the annoying voice came from. I wanted to grab him so I could continue staring at his perfect face. Yet I also wanted to crush to death whoever it was who was intervening with us. He didn't deserve the angel's attention. Not that I did, anyway.

I sighed quietly, frustrated, and realized I had been holding my breath since I saw the angel. I got up, surprisingly swift, and realized the angel was holding my hand. I smiled to myself and took in the scene in front of my eyes. Two heavily muscular men – one blond, the other dark-haired – were positioned protectively in front of three others – two brunettes and another blond man. In the fraction of a second it took me to comprehend this, my survival instincts were suddenly on high-alert: There was danger.

I leapt on the other side of the room, opposite the others and scanned the room. The two "protectors" were already crouched, like I was. I took one look at the blonde's determined face and the dark-haired smug expression and instantly felt…terrified. Just one of them could so easily take me down.

"Em, Jazz, that's not really necessary", the angel, who was now also my savior, said. It was amazing how everything about him was just…exceptionally adorable. Even his sweet, honey-velvet voice could earn my awe for the rest of time.

The two immediately straightened up. I remained ready o attack. Who knows when they would defy the angel's order?

"Bella." I instantly relaxed upon hearing the melodic voice of the angel directed toward me. He was slowly, deliberately walking into my direction.

Bella? I wanted to ask if I were Bella, if that was my name, if he knew me.

But all I could do was stare. He was just so beautiful; he's taking my breath away.

When he was one step away from me, he slowly lifted his hand and gently caressed me cheek.

The gesture was oddly familiar, like someone used to do that to me before, yet also disturbingly different – there was just something off about his warm touch, like it didn't belong there.

I closed my eyes and rested my face on his glorious touch. I tried to remember why this felt like déjà vu and came up with…nothing.

Perhaps I should start my questioning now.

"Edward?", I said tentatively. I still wasn't sure if that really was his name.

He smiled a wide, beautiful smile and his whole face lighted up. He was suddenly glowing and radiant.

And I suddenly wanted to kiss me.

But I need to ask him a question first.

"Do you know me?" I asked timidly. My question, even to my own ears, sounded stupid, like they were scrambled and didn't make sense.

His smile wavered infinitesimally that I wasn't sure if I just imagined it. Then he said the words that sent a shock wave through me as if I were being tasered, "Yes, I'm your husband."