-1Edward's house was huge. A giant modern building, all glass and angles. As soon as we entered the hallway we were ambushed by a tiny girl, exquisitely beautiful and ethereal. The kind of subject I'd love to draw. I noticed a look flash across her face before she spoke.

"Hey! I'm Alice! What's your name?" she gushed at me.

"Err…I'm Cassie Blake. Bella's cousin"

"Neat. Would you like me to show you the house? Can I make you over? Bella doesn't let me" I honestly wasn't too crazy about the make over idea either but I decided to be polite for once and I nodded. She took my hand, and Bella's, then dragged us upstairs.

Edward's POV.

I had taken Bella's phone. I flipped it open and clicked on Jacob's name.

"Hey Bella! What's up?" I hated how enthusiastic he sounded.

"Guess again mutt"

"Oh, it's you Cullen. Where's Bella?"

"Don't worry, I haven't eaten her. I borrowed her phone so I could call you"

"Why?"

"You met Bella's cousin by any chance?"

"That blonde kid? Yeah. I attacked her last night. She stank"

"Same thing with me. We need to talk about this"

"You wanna meet with me?"

"Yes. This is about Bella's safety. Meet me outside my house in ten minutes"

"Why your house? Why not on the treaty line?"

"Because I'm not letting that girl out of my hearing range, and it would look rather odd if we met up on the treaty line, then left her in the car. So get over here. Now" I slammed the phone shut. I headed outside, keeping one ear focused on the girl's upstairs.

"So what do you like to do Cassie?" Alice was asking.

"Err…I like to cook…that's it"

"Oh that is crap! Cassie loves to draw and she's a great dancer. Unlike me" I frowned. I'd never heard Bella act this way around anyone. With her mother she spoke protectively, with her father she spoke responsibly. With this girl…she seemed more relaxed. It was slightly like the way she spoke to Alice but at the same time not. I sighed. There was obviously a lot Bella had never told me, or that I'd never asked.

There was a growl from the bushes and a two large wolves stepped out. One russet, one black. Jacob and Sam.

"That was a bit unnecessary Jacob. If I wanted to kill you I would have done it by now"

We don't trust you leech. This is the way you can speak to us or not at all. Your choice.

"Fine. It's about the girl. She's something different, agreed?"

Yes. She smells…strange.

"Does this make her a threat?"

Too early to say. We don't even know what she is yet. We'll wait and see.

"We need to research and we need to keep Bella safe. She insists the girl isn't dangerous, that she's known her, her entire life but Bella isn't really the greatest judge of danger"

Definitely. Ha.

"So, we divide the work?"

Agreed. You research the girl and her history. We'll look after Bella. Tomorrow they can come to La Push. When they're not there we'll send someone to keep watch at all time. She'll be safe and the girl will be guarded.

"Thank you"

This isn't for you. This is for our people.

And with that, they turned and disappeared into the bushes. I sighed and returned indoors. I went upstairs. Alice had finished with the girl and was now torturing Bella. The girl was drawing on a sketch pad, her eyes focused on Alice.

"Hey Edward!" Alice squealed, making her jump.

"Damn it" she muttered, rubbing out the mistake she'd made.

"Oh Cassie I'm sorry!"

"It's okay. I'm finished" she handed the picture to Alice with a flourish. I could see that it was a very detailed and accurate sketch of Alice, her mouth open as she laughed, her eyes sparkling. I hated to admit it but the girl had serious talent.

"Look Edward! Look at what Cassie drew! It's beautiful! And perfect!"

"It's you" I pointed out. She shrugged and laughed.

"HEY! WHERE IS EVERYONE?" shouted Emmett from downstairs. Cassie jumped. Bella grinned.

"It's Emmett! He's home!" Bella liked Emmett a lot. He was the brother she didn't have, just as Alice was supposed to be the sister she didn't have. Well, it looked like Cassie had already fulfilled that job.

"We're up here Emmett!" Alice called. I heard Emmett charging up the stairs. He bounded into the room and swept Bella into a bear hug.

"Hey Bella. I've missed you girl!" I wasn't paying attention to their exchange. My eyes were focused on Cassie. She was frozen, her body stiff, her dark eyes wide and fearful.

Wait…her eyes were silver. What the hell was wrong with her?