A/N: Many thanks to one of my beta's Pandora's Dream for editing this chapter! Happy reading. :)

"If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks.

Then, I'll follow you into the dark."

- Death Cab for Cutie

If Jasper knew she had followed Adam, he would definitely be pissed. As they had said goodbye just two days earlier, he had urged her not to take any unnecessary risks. But in her eyes, sometimes risks had to be taken in order to accomplish anything. So, if she had to blindly follow this strange vampire, then so be it.

As of now, Bella was just grateful that the "bodyguard" from earlier had stayed back at the bar. She didn't think she would have been able to stand him glaring menacingly at her for another second. It wasn't her fault his incompetence and hot-headedness had gotten himself reproached; if he wouldn't have been such a condescending asshole, maybe she wouldn't dislike him so much.

Adam had led her outside the office in the bar, and into what seemed to be a basement. Seriously? How much more similar to a horror movie could this situation get?

They walked in a stoic silence that was neither awkward nor comfortable.

"Now," he began, breaking the hush, "Drop the cryptic act. If you want to see her, then you'll have to tell me what you know."

Bella met his gaze and recited the cover story they had decided on, "I've heard that she's gathering a group of vampires together, aiming to gain power over the Volturi; I want to be a part of it."

Adam paused, contemplating her words.

"Really? And what do you have to offer? Why should you be allowed to join her cause?" Adam asked skeptically, doubting her abilities.

"I'm assuming she keeps the newborns confined in one location. Do any of them ever attempt to escape?" Seeing his affirmative nod, she continued. "I have a way to stop that from happening."

Adam waited patiently, curious to hear the girl's answer.

"I'm a shield."

"What?"

"A shield: It's basically a transparent barrier that keeps anyone from crossing through." Bella explained, mistaking his disbelief for confusion.

His brows furrowed, and he seemed to be puzzled by her response. "That's not possible."

"Clearly it is."

"No, I would have sensed a power that strong." he argued, shaking his head in refutation. It seemed Adam had a gift of his own. He could sense how powerful a vampire's ability was.

"Try me." she dared, eager to see his reaction when he discovered the truth in her statements.

With vampire speed, he grabbed the old wooden chair sitting against the wall of the room, and sent it careening towards her. Resisting the instinct to dodge it, Bella shot her shield up, causing the chair to splinter into pieces at the sudden impact. His astonished face was worth the over-dramatic moment that just occurred.

Adam approached the brunette, his hand outstretched, until the invisible barrier forced him to stop. He seemed to be concentrating on seeing or feeling the shield, and would find himself unsuccessful in that fruitless endeavor. Bella was unable to keep the pleased smirk off her features.

Then, his eyes met hers across the few feet separating them. "It's time I brought you to her."

Jasper growled lowly, stalking back towards the house. He had thought hunting would be a good way to abate his frustration and anger, but unfortunately he was wrong. Sure, his hunger was satiated, but even as he tore into his prey he had been unable to fully focus on the hunt.

Was this how Bella had felt the times she had to sit back while everyone else went off to battle? Helpless and useless? He felt trapped in a horrible nightmare where he was incapable of doing anything. His mate, his other half, his everything, was putting her life at risk for him. She was out there right now, facing numerous dangers, all to help him atone for his past mistakes, for the horrors he had committed after he was first changed.

Now fucking Jacob Black was riled up, barely able to keep a handle on his fury at discovering that Bella had gone out on her own to face Maria. If Jasper hadn't felt like shit already, he did after that phone call. The wolf had hissed out his disapproval, threatening to tear Texas apart until he found her and dragged her back to safety. Finally, his anger seemed to run its course, and he said that if Bella ran into trouble, to give him a call. Then he hung up.

And that's what led to Jasper's decision to go hunt; he really just needed to get the hell out of the house before he destroyed something. He really wasn't good with the whole sitting back and waiting thing. His whole life, he had been the fighter, the one on the frontlines. Now, his mate was laying her life on the line for him. It absolutely tore Jasper apart that he couldn't be there by her side, not as her protector, but as her comrade in battle.

Two days. Two days until he saw his mate again. They had agreed that every three days he would go to a pre-decided location and wait for Bella. If she were able to slip away without arousing suspicion, she would meet him there and update him on her progress. This way, if he didn't hear from her for a while, he could begin making plans to go in and get her out of there. He had demanded they meet every other day, but knew this would cause Maria to distrust Bella. He didn't want his protectiveness to cause a flaw in the plan. Things would go smoothly, and without a problem.

Even with the reassurance, Jasper felt a flicker of doubt and fear. His Isabella was strong. She had proven that through overcoming all the struggles in her past, but would this prove too much?

God, how could he have stood by and sent her into that place alone? If anything happened to her he would never forgive himself. He would find Maria and reign fire and vengeance upon everyone, no matter the cost…even if it were his life.

Whatever Bella expected, this was the complete opposite. When she pictured Maria's hideout, she had anticipated a dark cave or a secluded, empty building. Bella couldn't help the astonished expression that adorned her face as she surveyed the scene before her. She and Adam had ran non-stop for miles until, after getting past the vamps guarding the place, they finally were able to stop on a relatively tall hill that gave her a decent view of the surrounding area.

There was an empty field covered in rather tall stalks of wheat that would probably brush against her waist if she walked through it. Behind the field, there were acres and acres of trees. The sudden change in vegetation was strange to take in.

Directly in front of the large field was a vast plantation home. The building was painted white, and two-stories. There were tall beams that started at the floor and reached the roof. A wrap around porch was on each floor, both completing the opulent look and making the house's older age apparent. It seemed as if someone had taken this picture out of a history book and dropped it right into the present.

Bella was speechless.

Surveying her expression, Adam grinned. "Not what you expected, is it?"

"That's an understatement." she muttered, unable to take her eyes off the old building that somehow came across as dated, and yet well-kept.

Adam descended down the hill, leaving Bella where she stood. Finally, she was able to tear her gaze away from the plantation house, and followed after him.

Unbeknownst to Bella, this place hid its fair share of secrets, darker than she could have ever imagined, deep under the welcoming outward appearance. And she was about to uncover them all.

A/N: Thanks so much for reading! I love you guys! Suggestions and comments are greatly appreciated, even if it's in a PM.