A/N: This chapter definitely was a bit of a challenge, trying to get the POV of Jane to feel "right". A sort of mature, yet immature thinking. Anyways, as I have stated previously, I am looking to wrap up young Bella within the next chapter or so. As always, feel free to critique my work and leave a review—I enjoy reading them.

(Posted 1/23/17)

Chapter 7: Rescued

Jane's POV

Pausing for a second, I made sure no humans were nearby before darting in between the brick alleyway. I knew I was too fast for them to see—it was nighttime as well, so their vision was essentially nonexistent—but I erred on the side of caution. Aro would not be pleased if his most trusted guard slipped up, now would he?

Patrolling the perimeter of the city was not the most exhilarating task, but it allowed me the opportunity to escape from Bella. When she first arrived, I'd thought she would've been frightened of us. However, Bella was unusual—she didn't have normal human reactions. Whereas a human instinctively avoided physical contact, she was the opposite. Bella sought physical contact—anything from a poke of her finger to a warm hug.

At first, everyone was taken aback by her apparent fearlessness, even after revealing that we were vampires. There was something about her that quickly won over the hearts of my fellow guard members. Whether it was the fact that she was Aro's descendent, had no fear of us, or her 'cute' demeanor, to quote Heidi, didn't matter to me. She was just a human. Yet, even though I scared Bella—her heartbeat would always increase a little when I was around—didn't sway her dogged determination to talk to me. A small, insignificant part of myself admired her persistence—she was stubborn. But her ability to block my gift still irritated me to no end.

Making my way home, I sighed silently and tried to ignore the now uncomfortable burn in my throat. Heidi was back already—I'd crossed her scent earlier, along with a plethora of various humans mixed in. Alec would save me one of the tastier ones. He'd better. We'd all been under strain because of Bella. Her blood was definitely above average—very floral and light, yet strong in its potency. I sighed in frustration again as venom welled in my mouth. Great. I made myself thirstier just thinking about it.

My head snapped up to the sound of a familiar, hoarse human voice—Gianna—to the west. "Princess? Where are you?" she called, sounding panicked. I frowned. Bella? Was she in trouble? Immediately, I adjusted course, turning toward the agitated voice.

I reached the empty street where Gianna stood and appeared behind her. "Gianna," I addressed calmly. Her wet, beating heart jolted into a sprint as she twirled around in surprise. I stopped breathing when her warm scent hit me. I was too thirsty for that kind of temptation. "What's the issue?" I asked impatiently, using up some of my air. I hated having to ask her for information.

"It's the princess," she gasped breathlessly. "I don't know where she went! I left for a second to get my purse, and when I came out she was gone. I—"

Anger instantly flooded my body. I stepped forward, my hands clenching into fists. "You left the princess alone?" I snarled in disbelief. What was this human thinking? Did she not know how important the princess was to Aro, to everyone? Bella was an official member of the family—and Gianna lost her. I had to resist the urge to kill her right then and there. She automatically backed away slightly and looked at the ground.

"I—" Gianna tried again.

I cut her off. "Enough. Go home and inform the others of the situation. Find me Felix and Demetri."

"Yes, Jane," she nodded obediently, then scrambled toward the plaza, a few blocks away. A surprising sense of anxiety came over me. Why? I quickly imagined Aro's reaction to finding out Bella was missing—and flinched at the thought. Yes, that had to be the reason behind my anxiety. Only that, and nothing else.

I drew a deep breath, tasting the air surrounding me. Gianna and Bella's scent were intermingled and fresh, which was reassuring, but there was a hint of something else, something different. A human's I didn't recognize. I began to follow it swiftly down another alley between a pizzeria and a gift shop. I was on the correct path—the unknown person's and Bella's scent grew stronger. I listened intently as I ran, searching for Bella's heartbeat. After a brief moment of pure sprinting, I caught it—she and another's was directly in front of me. When I spotted the princess, I slowed down and let loose a vicious snarl, glaring at the human male that held onto Bella.

My eyes met Bella's chocolate brown ones as they twisted around, facing me. Relief—instant relief—flooded them. "Jane," I heard her call out. They way she said my name reminded me of the same way she would say Felix's when she was afraid, which was often. She found safety within my presence. I suddenly realized that I loved Bella the way Felix and Demetri and Heidi—and everyone else—did, too.

Bella's POV

I felt so scared. Who was this man? And where was he taking me? "Let go," I demanded when he released his hand and grabbed my arm. I tried to get it off, but it was useless. He was too strong. Where was Gianna? Felix? Demetri? They would help me.

"Stai zitto," he said angrily. The man continued bringing us down the dark alleyway. We took a right turn when we got to the end, then a left, then a right again. I didn't know where I was anymore, and there was no one I could see—he avoided the streets. After a while, I saw the tall walls nearby. Was he trying to get out of the city?

We were traveling in another space between houses when there was a loud and angry growl. It came from behind. We turned at the same time and I saw a small person standing still, wearing a dark cloak. "Jane," I whispered in relief. I recognized the butterscotch candy hair under her hood. She looked terrifying. Her lips were bent back over her white teeth and her eyes were black. She stared at the stranger, her face enraged. Then, she smiled at him—he dropped to the ground and screamed, his hands holding onto his head. The next second, Jane was next to me, pulling me behind her. What happened? Was she using her gift?

I hugged her as hard as I could. It felt like hugging a stone statue. Jane wrapped her cold arms gently around me, making me feel safe again. "Are you alright, Princess?" she questioned, her voice worried. I just nodded and leaned my face into her hair. I took several deep breaths, inhaling her sweet odor. It smelled like peaches. It was very soothing. Tears started to fall onto my cheeks. I had tried to be brave and not to cry when the man took me, but now that Jane saved me, I couldn't stop. I wanted to wipe them away, but Jane's hard arms were blocking me—I couldn't move them at all.

The stranger on the ground groaned, and I felt Jane stiffen. "Princess?" a deep voice asked. I shifted away from Jane a little and looked up. There were two tall, cloaked men standing behind her.

I recognized them. "Felix! Demetri!" I greeted happily. My friends were here! Jane let me go and I ran over to them, hugging Demetri first.

He used his sleeves to dry my cheeks of any tears. "Don't want you to get my cloak wet," he joked before embracing me softly. "Are you alright?" I nodded again. Demetri had a nice cinnamon smell. It helped soothe me, too. He pulled away after a moment and I turned to Felix next.

I hugged him. "It's okay, Princess," he said reassuringly. He then glanced at the man who was still lying down, but not shouting anymore. "I say we break him. Right now," Felix growled. I noticed his eyes—they were bright red again, like strawberries. So was Demetri's.

Her black eyes gazed at the stranger. "No. Bring him with us," Jane replied in a low, calm tone. "Felix, you'll carry him while Demetri carries the princess."

I clutched Felix tighter and shook my head. "No." Jane raised an eyebrow and gave me a questioning look. "I want to be with Felix," I explained, blushing a little. Being held by Felix always made me feel safe. He was comforting.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. Felix will carry the princess. Demetri will carry the other human. I'll lead the way."

Both nodded and Felix picked me up and cradled me. "Close your eyes," he ordered. I did so and we began moving, but it was different from the other times when Felix had held me. His walk was still smooth, but now a strong wind blew against my face. Like we were traveling very fast. It reminded me of when Daddy would drive the car with the windows down. The whooshing sound it made was the same. "You can open your eyes now," I heard Felix murmur. I opened them, and to my surprise, we were inside the small antique store. How did we get here so quickly? Had Felix moved at vampire speed?

Gianna was sitting behind her desk. She looked sad and worried. But when she saw me, her face became relieved and happy. "Princess, you're okay," said Gianna, standing up. I smiled and nodded. It seemed like she did care about me. Maybe she could be my friend? However, Jane growled loudly at her, and Gianna sat back down onto her chair again. Her face became scared.

Why was Jane so… angry at her? "Why did you do that, Jane?" I inquired curiously.

"Maybe it has something to do with how she let you get kidnapped," she answered harshly, still glaring at her. I felt bad for Gianna. It wasn't her fault. She didn't know and I didn't know that this would happen. I should have stayed with her.

I shook my head. "It's not her fault," I assured.

Jane's black eyes narrowed as she turned to face me. "And what makes you say that?"

"She didn't know someone would take me," I tried to explain.

"He wouldn't have been able to kidnap you if Gianna stayed with you like she was supposed to," she retorted.

But what if I wasn't the only person? "Maybe he would have taken Gianna, too."

Jane frowned and paused for a second. She shook her head. "Regardless of what may or may not have occurred, it is still clearly Gianna's fault that—"

"Jane," Demetri interrupted. I suddenly noticed him standing next to us and that the man was placed over his shoulders. The stranger was moving a little—he was breathing slowly. It seemed like he was sleeping.

Demetri and Jane leered at each other for a moment before Jane sighed. "Forgive me, princess. I'm a little… preoccupied." Her black eyes were apologetic as she stared at me. Was Jane angry because of Gianna? Or because since she left me, and I was put in danger? Did that mean Jane… cared about me? That she was really my friend? I hoped so. I had wanted to be her friend when we first met.

"It's okay." I smiled and patted Jane's smooth hair.

Felix cleared his throat. "Shall we? Aro will certainly be awaiting us." As we made our way to the large room, I yawned several times. Felix was still cradling me, and it was making me sleepy. But I didn't want to sleep yet. And I wanted to know why Demetri was still carrying the stranger. When Jane opened the gold doors, I saw my friends and Aro already inside. They were all standing still.

Before Felix could enter, Heidi appeared in front of us, startling me. She hugged me even though I was in Felix's arms. "Are you okay, princess?" Heidi asked with alarm.

I nodded. "Yes, Heidi," I answered calmly. It was clear that she was upset, and I didn't want to make her feel worse. I reached for her, and Heidi took me from Felix, holding me in her cold arms. I smiled and leaned against her shoulder, breathing her sweet jasmine smell. It was very relaxing.

Aro also came over to where I was. "Hello, my dear Bella," he greeted gently. He was polite like always, but his red eyes were serious. "I was informed of your disappearance when Gianna returned." He turned to look at Jane next to me. "What exactly transpired, Jane?" he asked with curiosity.

She stepped forward and held out her hand. Aro touched it briefly and immediately frowned. "Hmm," he said, his voice flat. He glanced at the man on the floor by Demetri's feet. I guessed Demetri had put him down. Aro walked to where he was lying down and picked up his wrist. "It appears he planned on kidnapping a child, then holding them ransom to the parents. The princess was the first he encountered." There were sounds of low growls and hisses that came from my friends.

"What happens now?" Felix questioned eagerly.

Aro looked thoughtful as he stood up again. "I suppose Jane has the honor of disposing this criminal that wandered into our city." Jane looked pleased while Felix groaned. He appeared to be disappointed. Why?

"Excellent," Jane spoke, smiling the biggest smile I could remember seeing. Her white teeth showed, too.

Why was she so excited? "What are you going to do?" I inquired. I peered at the man with Jane, who was starting to move—he was waking up.

Jane smirked. "I plan on biting him, letting the venom spread, and killing him before he fully changes. But I'm not sure I have the necessary restraint to just bite. If I can't control myself—" she shrugged, her black eyes… uncaring. Jane was going to kill this person? I frowned to myself. Daddy taught me bad people killed others, and good people stopped the bad. But the stranger had tried to kidnap me—he was a bad man. So was Jane a good person by killing him? If Jane didn't stop him, he might hurt other people, too. And that would be worse.

Without warning, I yawned loudly. I blushed when everyone stared at me. "Heidi, perhaps you can take Bella to her room so she may rest," Aro chuckled lightly.

"Yes, Master," she nodded. I didn't protest—I was too tired.

"G'night," I mumbled aloud. There were some more chuckles from different people, but I couldn't tell who. I rested my head onto Heidi and inhaled her smell. It made me sleepier. I yawned again and closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep.