Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the shiznit and it all belongs to her.

AN: I apologize in advance—it really isn't my intention to end every chapter in a cliffie—it just seems to keep happening, however. I think writing Olivier just puts me in a sadistic mood, and I can't help it.

Thank you for your reviews! They really keep me motivated.

Also, I know I'm always looking for good fanfiction to read, so I thought I'd share. If you're looking for some really good smut to read, check out Bittersweet Symphony on my Favs page. So gooood.

Chapter 22 – Suffer No Fools

I started when I saw the message alert on my phone. The message was from Alyssa.

I clicked to open the message.

Dearest Renesmee-

Alyssa has been so gracious
as to join me for dinner,
but I'd much rather have you.
Please disengage
from your family,
and then kindly call
when you are alone.
Call from a new phone.
If any follow, the girl dies.
Looking forward to it.
-O.

And then I saw the picture.

Alyssa's pale eyes were stretched in horror as Olivier's lips pressed against her jaw. My stomach rolled. Bile rose in my throat. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't. I realized he would never stop. He would go to any length. He would kill her without blinking an eye. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't, because I needed to save her.

I acted without thinking. I threw my phone and the envelope into the hedge, and I ran. The delivery truck had just started to pull down the road. I silently hopped onto the back bumper, easily balancing myself. Given the banging and sputtering of the truck's engine, I didn't think my family heard me, but I kept my eyes on the villa as the truck pulled over the crest of the hill. The front door did not open. The truck roared even louder as it sped down the hill, careening slightly as it rounded the end of the drive. The villa completely disappeared from view, and the truck continued into the woods.

I knew I needed to cover my scent, but I had no time. They would realize my absence soon. My overactive brain considered multiple plans as the truck drove ahead. Hot-wiring a car, hitchhiking, hailing a cab, public transportation, but then the scenery changed as the truck made an impromptu turn. Even with no moon visible in the night sky, the St. Lawrence Bay shimmered, a beacon.

I knew what I had to do. Water would cover my scent completely—and it would hide me from Alice. I jumped from the back of the truck, landing easily on the guardrail. I took a deep breath at the edge of the river bluff. There was no turning back now. I swung my arms back, before springing into the air and flying toward the black-blue expanse. When I hit the water, I did not slow but dove into the depths and kept swimming.

I pulled myself out of the Bay several miles down. There was a 24-hour truck stop just off the Bay here. Keeping myself under the cover of the pines, I ran to the phone booth at the edge of the parking lot. I plugged in a few coins and dialed Alyssa's number.

The phone rang once before it clicked.

"Are you alone, dear one?"

I almost hissed.

"I'm alone. They didn't see me leave. Let her go. Leave her in a safe place. I'll come on my own," I sputtered out in a single breath.

He laughed lightly. "Do really take me for a fool? Your family is trying to hunt me down at this moment—not that they're having much success—but you must know that I'm not letting your little comrade loose until I have you securely in my arms."

My breath caught in my throat.

"Promise me you won't touch her."

"Oh," he cackled. "I don't intend her any harm—that is, unless you're late or you bring friends. I don't tolerate tardiness, and I don't share."

"I told you that I am alone. I won't be late. Do not touch her. Where are you?"

"Hush, Renesmee," he shushed. "I am the one asking the questions. Now, where are you?" he demanded smoothly.

"On the south side of the Bay by the new pier."

"Hmmm. Perfect. Very perfect. Listen carefully, Nessa. The sweet pulse of your little friend depends on it. You will head north. Swim until you reach the Twin Sisters. You know where that is?"

"Yes."

"You will wait on the smaller of the two, facing north. You will get a signal and then you will come."

"Signal? I don't understand," I gasped.

"Oh, but you will. You didn't think I would make it easy, did you?"

I said nothing.

"We'll be waiting," he cooed.

The line clicked.

And again, I was in the water.

My thoughts were entirely devoted to figuring out this situation. I just needed to get Alyssa away. I just had no idea how to do it. I knew that my only choice was to face this head on. Olivier was too good at managing things from afar. I had to close in. I had to find a way to beat him.

Though I didn't feel the effects of the cold, I could sense the temperature dropping as I swam farther north. Swimming became more difficult. The bank was completely frozen on this side, and I had to swim under long swaths of ice. I still need to come up for air, and it slowed me down.

I reached the Twin Sisters after what seemed like an eternity. The ice was thick around the islands, so I had to pull myself up on the edge. I ran across the ice to the smaller of the two islands. Besides a few boulders and some scraggly pines, it wasn't much of an island. There was no sign or scent of Olivier.

I shook myself off quickly, trying to get the water out of my hair and my clothes before they froze.

I scanned the horizon looking for whatever signal Olivier had mentioned.

Then, I saw it.

Three flashes of light. They shone from the lighthouse on the cliff.

The lighthouse had a perfect view for almost miles around. Crap. I stomped, making the ice shudder and crack under my feet.

I stilled, then, because I realized he could see my reaction now, even if I couldn't see him.

I imagined him laughing hysterically.

There was no point in delaying. I glided across the ice to the cliff at the edge of the river. I began to climb.

The wind blew madly at the top of the cliff.

The front door of the lighthouse hung open, slamming and creaking as the wind smacked it back and forth.

I moved carefully toward the lighthouse, taking in my surroundings. I could see the flickering remnants of the lamps at the very top. The flickers of orange light gave a horrible complement to the black night. I could also smell both Alyssa and Olivier. Alyssa's smell was strongest. She smelled of fear—and anguish. My chest pained. I had done this to her.

I carefully made my way into the stone antechamber. It was bare and empty except for a lone ladder. I could make out a hatch in the low ceiling above it.

I leapt to the top of the ladder in single jump. I carefully pushed up on the hatch to reveal a well-lit room above.

I was about to pull myself up when two cold hands grabbed and yanked me into the room.

Olivier slammed me against the wall and pressed his body into mine.

Over his shoulder, I stared into the eyes of Alyssa, huddled between empty crates in the corner. I looked intently into her eyes, trying to convey to her that I was here for her, trying to tell her that I was her friend, trying to apologize in some pathetic way.

She stared back blankly. She was in shock.

Having secured my arms behind my back, Olivier pushed his face against mine, blocking Alyssa from my view. His crimson eyes bore into mine, less than an inch away.

"You came," he declared haughtily, and then his cold mouth forced itself over mine.

* * *