AN: All characters native to the Twilight Saga belong solely to Stephenie Meyer.
LPOV
Edward, Rose, and Emmett are hanging out in the living room with Gran while I enjoy the solitary peace of a hot bath. The water cools against my skin pushing me from this respite, wrapping a towel around my torso I walk to my dresser to gather my night clothes.
A shadow flashes in the distance dark against moon's glow. The wolves circle the house. Their shadows dark splotches of movement against the forest's edge. The treaty lines have been redrawn; Edward and Carlisle have both promised that the wolves are there to help protect Gran and myself. Their reassurances do nothing to make me feel safer.
Two weeks. It's been two weeks of living under this shadow of supposably imposing doom. Every time I leave the house or want to be alone it is a game of twenty questions. Why do I want to be alone, where am I going, when will I be back? I swear sometimes taking a bath is the only privacy I get anymore! This is becoming impossible for me, I need room to think, to just breathe! But no, there is always someone there. I love Edward, I love all of them but they need to realize I need space to just be alone sometimes.
I better get back downstairs before the search party comes looking. I grab my violin from my closet where I set it almost three weeks ago. I have hardly touched it since this all began. I hate the new bow, but that's not what has caused me to abandon it. I just can't escape to play anymore. Maybe they'll just let me sit on the porch by myself for a while.
I walk as quietly as possible down the stairs fully aware that Rose, Emmett, and Edward will still hear me long before I reach the bottom. Edward sits on the couch looking a little sad; I wonder what has him upset. A small flame of guilt ignites in my heart knowing somehow that sadness is linked to me. Setting down my violin I walk over and snuggle on the couch next to him, taking his hand in mine and staring up into his eyes. He smiles lightly down at me but it does not reach his eyes which still show sadness and stress. I stretch up toward him moving to my knees to reach better and place a gentle kiss on the corner of his mouth. His smile widens immediately causing his eyes to glow briefly. My heart races with the joy his smile brings me.
"I'm going to go play on the porch for a little while." I whisper in his ear. He begins to stand presumably to accompany me, placing my hand on his shoulder I lean down to whisper again. "I want to be alone for a little while, please. I'll be right on the porch. I'll even sit right in front of the living room windows if you like." Edward seems to be struggling with this. His eyes search out Rose and Emmett before he finally agrees to let me go. I lean in kissing him on the cheek before I race out of the room with my violin in hand.
The cool night air awakens my senses as I step out onto the porch. I look toward the forest's edge trying to catch a glimpse of the huge forms I had seen from my bedroom window. The wolves are not allowed into the meadow unless there is trouble but they stay barely within the tree coverage most nights, always moving in the darkness. I pull a wicker chair over in front of the living room window and prepare my violin for playing.
I stare out into the trees as I warm up with long pulls of my bow across the bridge. The quality of sound is nothing compared to what I'm used to creating but it has an almost haunting sound in the night air. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on edge as I hear one lone wolf howl in the not so far distance. Notes dance through my mind matching tone variations with the lonely howl. I drift into music as my song joins that of the wolf.
I open my eyes suddenly noticing the absolute silence surrounding me. No sound can be heard, not a single cricket or tree frog. I stopped playing a few minutes ago and was enjoying listening to the quiet song of insects in the field; the silence now seems eery, almost malicious. My eyes dart around in the moon's reflected light, freezing upon a huge shadow just under the cover of trees directly in front of me. All fear leaves me instantly replaced by a sense of security and belonging as I gaze into the coal dark eyes of a large ebony wolf. He steps forward slightly raising his head then lowering it to the ground keeping it there as a small whimpering sound carries on the breeze toward me. Setting my bow on the seat beside me focussing on the new song I just finished playing I walk toward the animal. A strange otherworldly awareness overcomes me as I realize this could be the boy who had attacked me less than a month ago. I pause just feet away trying to reconcile the two opposing feelings battling for control. The intense fear I had for this creature's kind fights for dominance over the feelings of comfort and peace I am experiencing right now. Refusing to give into the fear I push myself forward. The soft warm fur beneath my hand feels perfect. It feels right.
"You wouldn't hurt me would you." I ask rubbing the huge wolf behind the ears. His head swings slowly to the left and right. "I'd like to be your friend." I whisper as quietly as possible making sure no one in my house will hear. The wolf pushes against my hand gently nudging me with his head.
The wolf turns his head and whimpers slightly. He backs away from me slightly. I take a step toward him wanting to stay with him for a moment more, but he lowers his head and pushes me back out into the meadow before turning and running off into the night.
In his absence the night seems colder. I turn around listening for the insects to start back up, my search for sound is left unrewarded. I rush back to the cover of Gran's porch feeling exposed, watched, and unsafe. The wolf had made me feel so safe, there is no way it was behind the feelings of foreboding I have had lately, but if not the werewolves, what is behind it? Grabbing my violin I run into the house slamming and locking the door behind me.
"Lenai, what's wrong?" Edward asks worried as he wraps his hands around my shaking body. His nose wrinkles slightly as he breathes deeply once. I feel his breath quit as his arms tighten slightly around me.
"Nothing, I just got scared." I answer.
"You smell like the wolves." he growls unhappily.
"I met one. They're friendly, he was listening to me play. When I finished I went out to him, he was like a very sweet puppy." I answer his concern trying to explain how comfortable I felt without making him angry.
"Oh Lenai," he says quietly sounding disappointed. His stance hardens as he tightens his hold on me slightly once again and standing perfectly still. "What scared you?"
"It's silly." I answer pulling back to see his face and wiping a tear away. Edward's golden eyes seemingly bore directly into my soul. I sigh unable to refuse him anything even if it is embarrassing. "Everything was just so still when he left, and so silent. There were no bugs or animal sounds, even the wind seemed to stop."
Edward walks with me in his arm back over to the couch sitting down beside me. He makes eye contact with Emmett and Rose moving his head toward the window slightly. They both get up to search outside.
"Where's Gran?" I ask.
"She went to bed about a half hour ago." Edward answers quietly.
"Isn't someone supposed to be watching her sleep?" I ask a little confused.
"Bella told us not to. She says she's not had anymore nightmares for a while and she feels like she's being baby-sat." He replies.
I know how she feels.
? POV
Curse this bloody moon trapping me under the cover of darkness provided only by these obstructive trees. Curse the bloody dogs that run in circles beneath me never aware of my presence. If only they knew what fate awaits them they would flee before me with their tails tucked between their legs. Bloody mongrels with big ideas of their own superiority.
The breeze carries a scent sweeter than all others in creation toward me. I inhale deeply tasting every nuance of her person; what a pleasure it will be when at last I am allowed to taste her, to make her mine. Not even the putrid stench of the mongrels can corrupt her fearsome aroma. Venom pools in my mouth as I leap to a tree nearer to the meadow in which she sits playing that hideous screeching instrument of torture. The painful sound makes me want to scream in agony covering my ears, yet her scent makes up double for any pain she inflicts. It will be worth the wait; I remind myself. Seven more days, it will all be done in seven more days. Aro has promised me my reward, he dares not go back on his promises. The tide has turned yet only I know it; the power no longer rests on the three dilapidated heads of government. This will be our final move, with these two no contingent of man nor beast will be able to stand against us. Unwittingly the imbecilic Volturri are writing their own demise.
The girl stops her wretched playing and sits statue still listening for the night. Her heart rate increases sending her scent even more powerfully over to me. Oh this child knows not what she is risking, I could take her now. In less than one heartbeat she could be mine; her guards in the house would never have time to act before she was gone. They would never track me; it would be so simple. The taste of her fear is heavy on my lips. I grip the tree tightly, the small branch in my hand crumbles to dust in my palm without a sound. Silently I set the branch aside admonishing myself for my careless behaviour. I do not want to alert the mongrels to my presence yet. No not yet, I have too many things planned to ruin my fun now before it's even begun.
One of the revolting noxious half-breeds is watching her just beneath me. Oh yes dog, I know you are here, and you have no clue. How'd I love to just drop down and snap your neck now; it would be so easy. Kill him and grab the girl; I could do it in under a second. The woman, no I need the woman too. Focus damn it, focus. Seven days.
Bloody stupid girl what the hell does she think she is doing! The child is approaching the beast. If he moves to attack it will ruin everything. My muscles contract as I lean in prepared to attack should this flea-bag decide to make a move. Is this child dense! She is petting this putrid piece of rotting flesh as if it were a family pet. Venom pools in my mouth its bitter taste biting my throat increasing my barely controllable thirst, pure hate races through my hardened veins turning my sight red with fury. My patience tested to its limit I devise a fall back plan, this child will be mine tonight. Now.
The dog lifts its' head sniffing slightly, his keen eyesight searching the trees surrounding us. I force myself upward melting into the upper levels of the tree unseen. Refusing to move for over a minute. My control exhibiting itself again as I hear the door of the house shutting behind my prey.
The oversized male and his bimbo blonde of a mate make their way outside obviously searching for any threat. They think they are so skilled, they overestimate their abilities sadly. They will see soon enough, they will learn the folly of their beliefs, and I will so enjoy being the instructor of their shame.
A tingling of electricity lights the edge of my mind on fire. OOH yes, it's time to play. Here Bella Bella, come to play. I've missed you so; this week has been far to long without our little game. Will your friend join us today?
Leaning against the tree secure in my abilities to defy petty tracking methods I relax and enjoy luring my prey. Ahh we're dreaming of the waterfall tonight. Good I can play with this, oh yes this can be very good. Bella stands at the ledge looking down over the steep drop off watching the water tumble, churn, and collide. A deep mist of water erupts from the small lake pooled at the bottom. Gradually barely noticeably I create the mist thicker, higher, less transparent, much more deadly. The expression of fear on her face fills my heart with glee I laugh loud enough for her to hear as she searches all around her looking for the cause of her horror. I will my apparition in the mist below her stretching toward her slowly. I enjoy my game too much to rush it. I can hear her increasing heart-rate from the bedroom her racing blood flow does things to my body no human could ever appreciate. A silent scream forms on her lips as she sees my shadow approaching her. Tendrils of my narcotic mist stretch around her feet lacing up her legs, freezing her in place against her will. She tries to fight. Her miniscule strength fighting against me is intoxicating. The scent of her adrenaline is pure ecstasy.
"Bella, Bella listen to my voice. Come to me." Ahh her friend is here. I thought maybe he had realized his resistance is futile; the more the merrier. He makes my game more fun. Bella's heart-rate spikes once again searching for his voice. The fear radiating off of her doubles in its' intensity. Oh, ecstacy ripples through my body in unconscionable ferocity nearly causing me to loose control of my power. Oh no you don't you little witch, I will not loose this battle; you may tease but you will not escape.
"Bella, listen to me, listen to my voice. I'm here to help; you must come to me." He pleads pathetically. Yes Bella go to him, move your feet. Oh that's right you can't, you weak pathetic excuse for a being, always too weak aren't you.
"Bella, you must run. I can't come get you! You must run!" Gods this man is pathetic you know you will come to get her just come out and play already. Come out come out where ever you are. Maybe he just needs a little more encouragement. I lift my mist further up her body. Tendrils of mist now reach up wrapping around her arms tightening around her chest squeezing just tight enough to restrict her breathing. The feel of her lungs fighting for breath under my power is invigorating, don't squeeze too tight, I forcibly remind myself, we need her. I loosen my bonds just slightly still restricting her breathing but letting her feeble heart pump freely. Her teeth clamp over her lower lip biting firmly as she gives in to her undeniable terror. A small drop of tantalizing crimson ambrosia forms on her lower lip. AHHHH. My body shakes in painful pleasure as I bind myself from moving further.
"BELLA!!" Her hero screams. Oh yes little man come out to play with me please. I so want to meet you. A flash of black and a whiff jasmine laced with clove. Ahh yes, I remember you, you can have her tonight, but not for long. Soon we will meet. Soon you will not be so lucky. I pull back letting this session end. Laying on my branch I search the sky above, no there is nothing so splendid as fear. No star above, no wonder of the earth could ever compare to the rush of terror.
EPOV
The sound of water starting covers the tune Lenai is humming. The same tune she played outside. Her music is so painfully beautiful; I wish she would play more. Tonight is the first night she has allowed me to hear her music, and she would not allow me to accompany her outside. To see her face while she plays is a pleasure I long to enjoy. Jealousy rears its' ugly head as I think about her playing for the dog out there. My Lenai petting that creature as if it were her own. I cringe thinking about her soft skin touching the matted filthy fur of such a creature.
The vibrating of my phone shocks me causing me to jump out of the chair. I answer it before the first vibration stops. "Hello." I answer before looking to see who is calling.
"Wake Bella up NOW!" Scott commands loudly. I drop the phone and run upstairs as quickly as I can.
Bella's breath is ragged, her heart rate erratic. Her face frozen in the pure terror of a silent scream. Grabbing her by her arms I yell for her, shaking her body lightly. "Bella, Bella. Wake up! Wake up now! Bella!"
Bella's eyes open slightly as her rigid body relaxes. Her eyes roll back into her head, as her body goes completely limp and her heart rate slows drastically.
Rose runs up to the bedside, Emmett crashing through the doorway behind her. I gather Bella into my arms running out the door. "I'm taking her to Carlisle. Get Lenai and bring her to the house." I command already out the front door and on the way home. Bella's limp body cradled in my arms.
AN: So what do you think?? Any theories anyone, oh please share! Ohh and I need a little help please. I need name ideas for three incredibly vile villains at least one of whom is male and one is female. Little blue button below wins you a sneak peak.