Chapter 4

A/N: FINALLY I GET SOMETHING OUT! YAY! OK NOW IF YOU WANT TO KNOW FOR NOW ON I'M GOING TO HAVE UPDATES ON MY PROFILE SO YOU'LL KNOW WHATS GOING ON. CHECK IT. YOU'LL BE ENLIGHTENED. PEACESNOWY

Chapter 4

I scowled, from the sidelines as Lydia killed a large bear. She drained the creature of his blood and stood with a pleased smile. Her pale skin sparkled as stray rays of the sun escaped the canopy of branches above us. Her bright eyes were an odd mixture of crimson and topaz. When she saw my glare, her smile faded and her eyes lost their odd glow. She gracefully walked to Jesse's side.

This was disgusting… but my throat burned for blood. I suppose I didn't matter if it was animal blood or human. I turned on my hills and started running—leaving Jesse and Lydia behind—the trees flew past with such a blur.

In seconds my senses took over, as my body prepared for a hunt. I took in short, measuring gasps at the different smells, my ears honed into sounds from far away, and my thirst became unbearably stronger. My eyes scanned before me hungrily.

A soft memorizing smell filled the air. It wasn't a human scent, not as satisfactory, but it was sweet smelling and I couldn't resist it. I changed my direction and jumped, sinking my teeth into a short furred animal. The animal struggled weakly, but I was drawing the blood so quickly he couldn't fight. The blood that ran down my throat soothed the ache. I could still feel my thirst longing for the blood it longed for.

The blood ran dry and I moved away from the animal. A large mountain lion lay motionless. I sneered, I couldn't help but think that I had actually ate from a animal.

Jesse was suddenly at my side. He didn't speak, but smoothly clasped my hand into his. My lips twitched, threatening to turn into a bitter smile. It was his way of saying that everything was going to be ok. This time though I wasn't so sure.

"Why in the world did I ever let you talk me into this?" I murmured bitterly.

"Because somewhere in your non-beating heart, you know that listening to me is a wise thing to do." He retorted, a smile appearing on his scarred, yet beautiful face.

"We have wasted a whole day feeding on animals!" I growled, exasperated. His smile widened as he dropped my hand smoothly.

"Are you starting another fight?" He asked sternly, raising an eyebrow. His odd topaz mix of crimson watched me mockingly.

"I'm serious!" I insisted brusquely.

"So am I," He said calmly, the entire teasing demeanor disappeared.

I watched him as his eyes became pleading. I sighed, my temper leaving as soon as it had came.

"All we do these days is fight." I said with a sad smile, glancing at the ground.

'Hey," He said softly, gently placing his hand under my chin lifting my face. "That's what people do when they're under pressure…also when one wants to protect the other—the very one who is always getting herself in trouble."

I opened my mouth to snap at the last comment, but something stopped me. I became speechless as his eyes blazed into mine. He was leaning in, his eyes keeping mine captive, as he inched forward.

"ARIEL! JESSE!"

Jesse froze an annoyed look came into his eyes, but it disappeared as he pulled back. He wore a smile as he turned and he was gone in a blink of a human eye. I exhaled heavily, I fully expected my heart to resurrect and start beating again.

I shook my head. Flirting I was used to but…kissing? He was close—really close. What would possess him to try and kiss me? I felt that odd fear settle in my stomach. I thought he knew…

"Ariel!"

Lydia's yell barely reached my conscious as my reeled with thoughts. My mind shied away from romance I had been hurt to badly before. No other human emotion was as strong as a vampire—the fear of falling in love.

I began to run, pushing back anything about Jesse or what his action had caused. Lydia, Jesse, Edward, and Alice stood waiting, at my arrival they started back to the Cullen's house.

I followed slower than usual my mind coming up with thoughts that would only complicate the danger we were already in. I barely noticed Lydia had slowed and was at my side patiently striding my pace.

"You are quiet." She stated in her soft voice.

"Just thinking…" I mumbled quietly.

"You want to talk about it?" She asked. I looked up at surprised at her sudden change in character, usually Lydia stayed silent and timid during harsh times. I liked it better when she was. She was more like a child that had to be protected and cared for.

"There isn't anything to talk about." I said with the most honest smile I could muster. I was surprised as she rolled her eyes.

"Ariel I'm not stupid," She snapped, to my utter disbelief her eyes flashed dangerously. "You don't think I can't grasp what this is all about? I'm not all that naïve."

She picked up her speed and caught up with the others, her long blond hair flapped behind her like a rebels flag. I slowed, shock, anger, peace, sadness, and revolution filled my body all at once. The people I loved the most, who I thought I knew more than I knew myself…they where just strangers. I didn't know their intentions anymore as if they were faces in the crowd.

"Shouldn't we prepare at least?" I asked exasperated glaring at the pixie like vampire, Alice. She sat on top the counter staring out the kitchen window, with a blank expression. For some reason I had been left alone with her—Jesse had went somewhere with Edward and Bella and Lydia was upstairs with Rosalie.

"No." She stated smoothly, calmly.

"Why?" I snapped. "Xavier isn't a new born. He is…"

My voice trembled, as my body shook. The things I saw him do were twisted, the worst way of torture. Then as they pleaded for him to spare them, he would destroy them in the slowest way possible.

"You went through a lot." Alice murmured glancing at me for the first time.

"How do you know?" I scoffed.

"Lydia opened her mind to Edward. He saw things that not even our kind could endure without screaming in torturous pain. Though she didn't show how he did it only the results" She whispered glancing back up at the window.

My hand clenched into a fist.

"Don't be mad at her….she is just not as strong at erasing every horrible thing from her mind like you." Alice said softly. "When they arrive, we might be betting more than our life's for you youngsters. I'm surprise Edward actually suggested—I didn't even see it—since he is so protective of Bella."

"How can Edward read minds?" I asked tentatively.

"We are not sure… Carlisle theorizes that maybe as human Edward was attuned to the thoughts to humans around him." Alice answered her voice became dull at the end and her face went blank again.

"Are you all right?" I inquired when her face slowly became horrified. Then the expression was gone and her face became calmer but less reserved.

"I'm fine, but Edward, Bella, and your friend Jesse are in a dangerous situation." She jumped to the ground gracefully and sidestepped me.

"What? Why?" I asked following, with slight difficulty, her blurred speed.

"Has anyone told you my talent Ariel?" She suddenly spun to face me, her golden eyes speculating.

"No." I said, taking a step back at the sudden tension in the air.

"I see the future and something bad will happen if we don't stop it." She murmured. Lydia was at my side immediately, Alice's coven was around her watching her intently.

"What did you see Alice?" Carlisle asked softly.

"We are all in danger." Alice said darkly. "The trackers caught your scent and have split up. There are three of them. One is making his way toward here, and Xavier and the other tracker is going after Jesse's scent."

"We'll be able to fight the loner off quiet easily, but Edward and Jesse can't hold off the other two without some help." Alice continued, her face turning paler than before. She turned to me desperatly. "Ariel! What was Xavier's talent?"

"He tortured." I breathed, wincing at the thought. Then fear and dread mixed in turmoil. Jesse, along with Edward and…Bella alone with Xavier.

"Yes I know that but how?" Alice asked impatiently—almost hysterical.

"He would touch you and a fire—greater than what formed us as vampires— would embed inside your skin. It would make even the strongest vampire lie in pain for days while the pain grows stronger with each passing second….until the vampire becomes insane and decides to destroy himself." I shuddered, I had been through the pain before and it was unexplainable of how much pain it was.

"Edward could avoid him, but he would need help." Alice stated.

"I'll go." Lydia chirped.

"Me too." I murmured, placing a comforting hand on Lydia's shoulder.

"Jasper and I will go also." Alice informed quickly, already out of the house. Jasper, Lydia and I followed close behind.

"Where are they?" I asked falling in step beside her.

"Edward wanted to show Jesse the baseball field." Alice murmured.

I nodded sharply, yet I was intrigued. A baseball field? Then like a slap in the face I remembered our mission. It was ironic once we were running away and now we are running toward them to fight.