Usual disclaimer applies. I don't own Twilight, but that's okay, because I really do adore a dark Edward anyway.

I'd like to thank my beta Dellaterra and my pre-reader Truceover. I keep hoping one day they will send me back an email saying "This is so perfect, I have no comments." Truceover assures me that will never happen though. Oh well.

For all my readers and anyone who has continued to stick with my story, thank you. I know it's taking forever between updates, but I'm trying. In the meantime, if you like my writing, you can see my attempt to do the complete opposite and destroy the english language while on Twitter my_e_addiction.

The song I've used for this chapter is "My Curse" by The Afghan Whigs. You really have to hear it to feel it.

Xo,

E's

I followed them for several weeks. I trusted my love, but the dog's thoughts were that of, well, a dog. He wouldn't have surprised me if he attempted to smell Isabella and mount her from behind in public. She was perfect as ever and remained untainted despite this Jacob's pathetic attempts to flirt with her.

I had decided to let him live a little longer since he clearly was no threat to me. I was unsure of how my love would handle him, but since I rarely left her, I knew I could stop anything too forward. Jacob was Isabella's only friend—ever—and I hated to take everything away from her. She could enjoy this small piece of normalcy before I made my move. I would wait though. I had already waited nearly eighteen years. She already had my heart; soon enough, I would have hers as well. I was simply undecided as to whether or not it would remain caged under her lovely breasts.

As time passed, I could no longer resist her pull. The distance between us had been too great for too long. I knew her every move, heard her every breath. The filthy little pup worked to get closer to her in all ways possible. As much as I despised his involvement, I wanted my girl to be happy, and she enjoyed having someone to talk to, although he didn't have much of anything to say. The sounds that disgorged from his lips were not worthy to vibrate into the soft ellipse of her ear.

I wandered through her room after they had been in there one rainy afternoon. My restraint was as thin and delicate as an insect's wings and the boy continued to test my patience. Being in her room was the last straw. She didn't know enough to stop him when he suggested they do homework up there. He hadn't tried anything– he would be dead if he had— but he had certainly considered it. He had fantasized about it and now he was able to picture exactly where he wanted to kiss her, touch her, penetrate her.

You hurt me baby. I flinch so when you do.

Your kisses scourge me. Hyssop in your perfume.

I fingered a red blouse left carelessly on her chair. Her smell was so powerful in this small space. I had missed it so—the intoxication of it made me close my eyes and drop to my knees in supplication. It was overwhelming and delicious. I remained on my stone knees and held the fabric to my nose, inhaling deeply. The growl reverberated through my chest as I picked up on his stench hovering over her possessions.

I could have let it go this time, but the closer I got to her bed, the stronger her essence became. Here on her bed, she had allowed her body to respond to him. I knew his fantasies were just that, but this betrayal from her was beyond what I would allow.

Oh I do not fear you.

And slave I only use

As a word to describe the special way I feel, for you

I ripped the thick purple covers from her bed, then the sheets. Even her mattress reeked of him, and her body's duplicity. I didn't care what they had or had not done. I could not allow her to think this was acceptable. After I had shredded the linen, I moved on to the pillows and mattress. By the time I was finished, there were little downy feathers floating about like a wintry storm. The chaos I created in her room represented the swirling anger and confusion in my head and in my dead heart. I just couldn't understand how she could do this to me. After all these years of waiting for her, she meets some boy who shows her a spark of kindness and she's ready to spread her legs for him? It made no sense.

I was sick of playing these games with her. I had to make her understand what I had put myself through to be with her. Running my hands through my slick hair, I looked about her room. I hated that she made me lose all control like this. Now look what I've become. Well, fuck it. The dog could help her pick up this mess. After all, they were the cause of it.

All ugly thoughts are gone

I'm sure we'll all be friends

I waited for her outside the school. She took her usual route and I stayed hidden. I didn't need to read her thoughts to know that she was visibly shaken. She constantly looked around and checked over her shoulder often. She unlocked the door of her truck and pumped the clutch to make the engine turn over. A few gnawed-through wires had done the trick though. Her father wasn't a stupid man and after the episode in her room, he wouldn't easily overlook cut wires or a missing spark plug.

She cursed softly under her breath and tried the key again. The lot was nearly empty as she looked around for help, or for a culprit. I watched as she dropped her chin to her chest in defeat. She got out and slammed the heavy door with a resounding thud. I looked up as if surprised by her presence, and set my book down on the damp, mildewed picnic table.

"Oh," she gasped softly as she realized she wasn't alone.

"Hello. Car trouble?" I struggled to keep my eagerness in check and attempted to come off as casual. My body was screaming to be closer to her, to touch her blood-warmed skin, but my brain was hazed in a wispy fog. Even at this distance, her powers calmed my mind and helped to quiet the world.

"Um, yes?" She seemed uneasy with my random appearance and I'd be damned if I scared my wounded little bird away now that she had spoken to me. "You don't go to school here," she stated bluntly.

"Ah, no. But after hours it's quiet here at the school and I like the peace." I held my book up for her to see.

"Charles Dickens?" She looked at me incredulously. "You're reading that?"

"Yes?" Now it was my turn to be confused.

"It's just that I haven't met a whole lot of boys who are into the classics." With her hands on her hips, she went from defiant and bold to embarrassed and self-conscious. "Not that I know a whole lot of boys."

"I'm not your average man I suppose." I would separate myself from those children she had been exposed to previously.

I'll try to break your back

You'll try to make amends

"Hmm," she mused. "I should go call my dad." She nodded back toward the school.

"You don't have a cell phone? I doubt anyone will be in there now." I pointed toward the staff lot that was now empty. Quite a school—three-thirty hit and everyone cleared out. Whatever happened to dedication? Of course, I didn't mind. This had been my plan all along.

"Oh, uh, it was recently, um, damaged." My love began rocking on her toes, a sure sign of her nerves.

"I'm sorry. You're welcome to use mine." I held it out to her.

"I guess that would be okay."

She reached for the phone without getting too close to me. Apparently she did have some sense of self-preservation after all. I willed her closer. I was desperate to touch her, for her to touch me. I just wanted a small connection—to feel human again for just a moment. It had been so very long since I first discovered her. I had shut myself off from all feeling. I was too proud and too stupid to admit that I needed someone. Being around the rest of the Cullens had made me will my heart into submission.

I had attempted to do the same around Isabella, but it was of no use. If she wouldn't have me, it would end me. As the seconds ticked by, I knew our first meeting was nearly over. She was telling her father that it would be alright, that it was only a short walk home. I couldn't have picked a better day. I looked up to see the grey sky with ominous weather blowing in our direction. The clouds were pregnant with rain, and common sense would tell Isabella that a walk would be dangerous and simply stupid.

"Thank you," my pretty angel breathed out. She was staring up at the sky, squinting at the distance.

"Did I hear correctly? You have to walk home?"

Baby steps for my nervous kitten.

"Yeah. My father is working, but it's fine. So thanks again for letting me use your phone. Um…maybe I'll see you around."

The moment was slipping away and panic bubbled up in my chest. I suppressed the fear of her walking away from me and stood up quickly.

"It looks like it will rain any moment. I can give you a ride somewhere…if you'd like." I nodded in the direction of my car.

"Oh, no thanks. It's not far."

She hitched her bag over her shoulder and turned to leave me.

"Are you sure? I don't mind at all."

She attempted to smile but something about it looked wrong. It wasn't the same one I had seen her give the boy.

"Thanks again," she called over her shoulder. She gave me a slight wave and picked up speed.

And there's blood on my teeth
When I bite my tongue to speak

There was nothing left to say for now. I wanted to tear her throat out before she could speak so callously to me again. But I maintained my composure and decided that she would be allowed another chance to make the right decision.

Zip me down, kiss me there
I can smile now, you won't find out

Ever