Hello readers. I apologize for not writing but i have been busy with stuff and i just didn't never get around to it. If you read my other stories i'll get new chapters out for them soon. Oh and there is a poll so go vote for your fav!

Chapter 5

Jesse.

How could I have let him go? I thought they were four days away—heck we all thought we had more time.

"Why," I began. Lydia beside me glanced at me curiously. "Why was Jesse wrong? He said four days, and he has never been wrong before."

"This Xavier guy was having trouble keeping up." Alice informed, her voice floated back to me. "He ran into two acquaintances who are experts at tracking. They just needed your tracks and…well you know the rest."

It must have been my imagination, but I felt my heart squeeze tightly. "Who are the trackers?"

"A male and female. The female's weak but the male—who is staying with Xavier—is the strongest." Alice said her voice solemn.

"Are they there yet?" I asked.

"No, will beat them there." Alice didn't sound so confident now. "The question is if we'll be able to pull through."

"Wait, I thought you could see the future? Can't you see if we win or not?" I demanded. Lydia shot me a look.

"I can see it, but the decisions haven't been fully decided." Alice muttered sharply. "When they decide…"

I was put on edge. Decided on what?

We suddenly came on a clearing. Two vampires—Edward and Jesse—were crouched and ready for anything. I felt so lighthearted at seeing Jesse standing there…unharmed. I had an outrageous idea of throwing my arms around him and never letting him go. Embarrassed I quickly squashed the idea.

"Jesse you're ok!" Lydia whispered ecstatic, she danced forward and hugged him. Jesse straightened slightly and hugged her back, but his eyes were alert and sharp. He smiled slightly as he glanced at me. I didn't return the smile, I felt suddenly… slightly…ticked off with him. Why was he holding Lydia so tightly?

"Where's Bella?" I asked sharply. It was annoying as both Edward's and Jesse's eyebrows rose. If it was possible my cheeks would be turning a rosy red. I had a feeling Edward knew my thoughts. A person I barely knew was reading my thoughts like I was writing it down for him. So annoying.

That's when I heard it. It was a pair of soft sounding footsteps. They were coming right toward us. Instantly, without thinking, we formed a line, facing the new comers. I noticed Bella was completely hidden from view by Edward. The look in Edward's eyes told me he really didn't want to be here…or maybe he really didn't want Bella to be here.

They appeared. The guy with bright red hair and bright crimson eyes was in front…the tracker, I thought bitterly. The man that had come up a step behind, he was dressed in black, his hair a dark golden brown, and is eyes black as the night sky. My upper lip curled back in a snarl. Xavier.

"Ariel," He greeted, his voice was like an archangel. My hands instinctly clenched into fists at his bright, charming smile. "I see you and your friends are managing well and you also befriended a coven."

"And you managed to hunt us down like dogs." I sneered.

"How could I not?" Xavier said soft, velvety smooth. I could feel my anger rising. "Kent will be—"

"SHUT UP!" I screamed at him. All eyes were one me that second, but all I could do was glare at him with murder in my eyes. How dare he…

"Did you think I came all this way to kill you Ariel?" Xavier asked, his voice lowered slightly, as his eyes scanned the vampires around me. If he fought it would have been his life and he knew it too.

"Yes, that's exactly what I thought." I said darkly.

"Heh. I have only followed you to tell the good news, after your sudden disappearance Kent has returned home." Xavier smile hardened. "He'll find you."

He turned his back toward us, but before he walked away he touched the red head man. Before I could let out a scream of horror the man was withering in pain. A cold smile played across Xavier's lips. With a meaningful glance at me and then he left.

"Let's go." Alice's was calm but I could detect a hint of horror. Edward was the first to leave towing Bella faster than Alice had said 'go'. The rest followed immediately, but I stood and watched as the vampire began to claw at himself.

"Let's go Ariel." Jesse whispered. When I didn't move, he gently spun me around and towed me along, just like Edward had done to the stunned Bella.

"Everything is going to change." I breathed.

He was back and I couldn't run from him. Just like Xavier said—he would find me and when he did he was going to kill me.

"You're staring out the window as if you're waiting for someone."

I blinked several times before I glanced over at Edward. For the first time in a long time he was without Bella. The others were hunting 'vegetarian' style, and I decided to stay and so did Edward.

"Maybe I am." I said softly, glancing out into slowly darkening yard.

"You mean Kent?" Edward asked casually, but his voice told me he knew.

He suddenly got my attention. "What do you know Edward?"

"This Kent guy pretty much runs your coven, am I right?" He took my silence to be a yes. "He vanished over seven years ago without a word to anyone. He came back briefly in the fifth year to drop you off. You were a newborn and he promised you something…"

There was no use in hiding it. I took in a deep breath…no one knew about this. Not even Jesse or Lydia. It was one dark secret I will probably never reveal to them.

"It was seven years ago and I had just turned eighteen…."