Chapter 6

DISCLAIMER: This plot is mine, the Cullens are not. Nor any other part relating to twilight.

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Edward's POV

I whipped my gaze around the tall trees. The rain was still pounding down but here in the covering of the branches I could easily ignore the falling drops. Instead I tried to pinpoint the exact place where the perfect but frightening laughter had come from. I heard it again. She was mocking me. I turned a full 360 circle not seeing any sign of the other vampire.

I could feel a change in the atmosphere. The air seemed to become weighed down with tension and anticipation. Time appeared to slow down and wait with me for her next move. I held my breath that I didn't really need. Waiting.

"Oh, Edward…" I heard her flawless voice utter in a breathy whisper. She was right at my ear and I pivoted with lightning speed only to find that she was gone again. I snarled and lowered into a defensive crouch.

"How do you know my name?" I hissed between clenched teeth. I felt her icy breath on the back of my neck and whipped around again to find no one there. Her haunting laughter bounced off the trees. I growled with frustration.

"Silly Edward…" She whispered tauntingly. I scanned the trees for any sign of her. I let my predator instincts guide me and I smelled for her distinctly vampire scent.

"Where are you?!" I shouted angrily. I didn't expect a reply. I took a step in a random direction, hoping she would jump out but not really expecting her to.

"Feeling a little unlike yourself?" She asked knowingly; her voice suddenly sounding to my right. I turned in that direction knowing she wouldn't be there. She laughed mockingly. Now it was my turn not to respond. How would she know that? Then again, her presence alone was throwing me and my family off and it probably wouldn't be difficult to guess that.

My thoughts flashed back to Bella. I had nearly lost all control with her; let the monster have its way. This new female couldn't have known that, could she?

"Edward, Edward, Edward…" The female's trilling voice scolded me. "You think too much." Not understanding, I again didn't feel the need to respond. Then I felt a hand brush along my shoulder blades and down my back. I snarled but instead of moving which I knew would cause her to leave, I stood still. She let her hand rest against the small of my back and I resisted the urge to turn.

"Hmmm, you are a fast learner." She whispered silkily. Her cool, sweet breath was on my ear and I could feel her head right next to mine. My muscles tensed and I prepared to spring. This vampire had caused enough trouble already and I was going to take her out. I lashed out and swiveled on my heel before launching myself at where she should have been.

"Not fast enough." Her voice came from above and behind me as I fell to the wet, dirt floor. I growled loud enough so that the sound caught and echoed off some of the surrounding trees. I pulled myself up off the ground in one fluid movement. I no longer felt the need to search the trees because I had a feeling she was going to remain hidden.

"What do you want?" I made my voice sound defeated and helpless, though I was far from feeling either emotion. I dropped my gaze to the ground to further the illusion that I had given up.

"Awww, Eddy doesn't want to play anymore?" She cooed in a sugary voice filled with ridicule. I didn't look up. If I wanted another chance to get close to her I would need to keep up my charade.

"Please, just leave us alone." I mumbled pitifully. Thinking fast, I let my eyes close warily. Although this decision now put me in a state of vulnerability, it was also the only way I could coax this vampire into making a move. I held my breath, anxious for her to act.

I heard her childlike giggle reverberate off of the edge of the wooded clearing. A bush rustled to my left and I could feel her standing nearby. My senses heightened with this awareness and involuntarily my muscles tensed and my hands balled into fists. A feathery hand toyed playfully with a lock of my wet hair. Still, I didn't move.

I heard her circling me although I hadn't the slightest idea as to why she was prolonging whatever it was she was going to do. Her fingers were felt lazily trailing down my arm and fought the urge to attack. Her hand caught mine and lifted it. My eyes opened but I looked away.

"Giving up?" She asked, her voice dripping with fake sadness. I could hear the pout in her voice. I felt her yearning to move into my line of vision but she refrained for reasons unbeknownst to be. I closed my eyes again, still waiting to strike.

"Do what you will to me; just leave the citizens of Forks and the rest of my family alone." I had come up with this sacrificial line on the spur of the moment. It seemed like a reasonable request that a desperate vampire would make to the enemy.

"Do what I will, huh?" Her voice trailed off thoughtfully. Her hand left mine and I felt it again, this time resting against my cheek. Anger and rage flared up inside of me. She was already so sure that I wouldn't move, so confident and cocky. What was stopping me from lashing out right then and there?

It wasn't the opportune moment and I knew it. She had to move right in front of my, where it would be harder to run off and disappear. Currently, she was at my left in such close proximity that I could feel her lack of breathing as her stomach pressed against my side.

She would move. I knew she would want to look me in the eyes eventually, if only she would do so quicker. Now, perhaps.

"Join me." She whispered seductively. I grinded my teeth together, internally cringing at the very thought.

"Join you in what?" I questioned, although I had a feeling I knew what the answer would be. She moved around me so she was at my right now, her hand making a trail along my shoulder blades.

"Join me in creating a coven. The most powerful coven in the world. Or an army, perhaps." She let her voice fade as if contemplating the thought. "You will be my mate, of course." She said matter-of-factly and I could all but see the coy smile playing on her lips. My eyes shot open and went wide with a sort of shock at how quickly she had assumed this notion. My whole body stiffened and I gritted my teeth to stifle a vicious snarl.

"Never." I hissed under my breath. Although I was acting defeated and submissive, I couldn't help but object. Again, my mind flashed to Bella. What would she be doing right now? How is she handling my disappearance?

The female's hand left my cheek and she growled, letting up her act of teasing humor. "Do not oppose me." She snarled and moved around so she was in front of me. I waited and watched her. Her blood red eyes looked up to meet mine and held them in a challenging gaze. Her slender arms were crossed over her chest and she stood there menacingly.

I sighed and relaxed my posture causing her to do the same. She looked me over and the smile returned to her flawless face. The smile, however, did not reach her eyes. She stepped towards me with that smug smile still in place. Her hands twined around my waist, bring her body close to mine.

"There's a good boy" she said, bringing her mouth to my neck. "It's time for you to meet the others" she added with a whisper.

Bella's POV

It seemed like such a long time since I was at my own home. Carlisle drove and we reached my street in a short amount of time. I held in all my emotions and hoped not to look like I had been crying. I glanced out the window with a pathetic hope that I'd see Edward sprinting along the car, trying to catch up. I saw nothing but the nauseating green trees and dark grey sky. For some reason, this made me even sadder and I sighed audibly.

"It's going to be okay, Bella. You'll see." Carlisle whispered comfortingly. I turned to look at him. A small smile was on his face but he didn't look happy in the least. In fact, he looked really upset.

"I guess." I answered with a smile of my own. I didn't want to make him hurt any more than he already was. He brought the Volvo to a stop in front of my house and cut the motor. Emmett's jeep rolled to a stop behind us and I pivoted in my seat to look at them.

Emmett's friendly grin gazed back at me and I wanted to smile too but couldn't bring my lips into anything more than the pathetic, sad smirk I was already wearing. The back door opened and Alice jumped out gracefully. Jasper followed calmly and took her small hand in his as soon as they were both out of the vehicle. Rosalie and Emmett shared a look. He got out but she didn't.

I looked at Carlisle one more time before opening the passenger door of Edward's silver car and joining the three vampires on my lawn. Alice instantly bounced to my side, dragging Jasper along with her. Her free arm moved to give me a hug. Then she gave Jasper a pointed look with a smile. He returned the grin and released Alice's hand.

Both her slim arms were thrown around my waist in a bone crushing that was almost as painful as Emmett's. "Oh, Bella!" Alice shrieked. "What's wrong?" She pulled back to look at my face.

"I must look horrible, huh?" I asked, voicing my thoughts. I wiped at my eyes which were probably bloodshot and tired looking. Alice's careful hand ran through my hair and through some snarls.

"Just a little." Alice said honestly. Over her shoulder, I saw Jasper smirk.

"Why are we at Charlie's?" Emmett asked. His booming voice sounded exceptionally loud in the quiet yard. The rain was letting up, but a nasty, biting wind blew around causing me to shiver.

By this time, Carlisle was out of the Volvo and had walked over to join us on the lawn. "Bella has decided—" Carlisle started but I interrupted.

"I'm going home." I looked in the direction of the front door. The lights were on in the windows and I could picture Charlie sitting dazedly in front of the television, not watching anything in particular.

"You are leaving?" Jasper's soothing voice was careful and soft. I just nodded. Alice let her arms drop and her face fell into a pout. Her lower lip quivered, at once making me feel guilty.

"Alice…" Both Carlisle and Jasper said at the same time. Jasper's hands came to rest on Alice's thin shoulders, comfortingly. She pivoted to face him and threw herself into his arms.

"Oh, Jazz." Alice whispered. I looked away from their intimate moment and met Emmett's dark gaze. He had been uncharacteristically quiet since getting out of the car.

"I guess this is goodbye then." Emmett said in a soft monotone. He looked down at his hands which were folded.

"Emmett, I'll still be in touch." I stepped towards him and put my hand on his arm. "Don't be so dramatic." His eyes moved to meet mine again and, this time, when a smile played upon his lips I couldn't help but return the gesture.

"You'll call?" He asked, his voice regaining strength.

"Actually, you'll have to call me. I don't want to interrupt while you are kicking some new vampire butt." I said with a smirk. Emmett returned with a full blown smile.

"Okay, I guess this isn't a goodbye then." He stated surely.

"Just a small goodbye. I might not hear from you guys that often." I glanced around at the three others in the lawn as well as Rosalie, who was waiting in the jeep. Before I had time to return my gaze to the strong vampire in front of me, he had me caught up in a bear hug.

"See ya then, Bells." Emmett said, releasing me at last.

"Yeah, see ya, too." I said keeping a smile on face. However, my voice broke on the last word and I had to look away from the caring faces of the Cullens. I trembled as a chilled wind ripped at my soaked form. I felt an icy hand, which nearly matched the temperature of the wind, on my shoulder.

I looked to see which of the Cullens I had left to make a tearful goodbye to and saw Jasper's serene face. He didn't say anything but shrugged off the thick raincoat he was wearing. It was wet and I didn't expect it to be that helpful. I took it from his waiting hand and pulled it on over my drenched outfit.

I was shocked by the warmth and protection the coat provided against the harsh weather. I felt tears dripping down my face and hoped they were undistinguishable from the raindrops that ran along my cheeks.

"Thanks, Jasper." I said quietly, not trusting my voice not to break if I said it any louder. Jasper said nothing, but nodded. His frosty hand moved to squeeze my shoulder reassuringly. I placed my hand on his for a moment, and then turned to walk in the direction of my house.

Alice danced up alongside of me and took my hand in hers. Together we walked to the door and I knocked somberly. Alice rolled her eyes and pounded on the door with vigor. She looked up at my face and tightened her grip on my hand.

"It's all going to end well." She said. As surely as she might have thought she said this, I could hear the underlying tones of uncertainly and fear in her delicate voice. Before I could confront her, the door swung open to show Charlie's smiling face.

"Bella, you're back! I was beginning to think you had decided to live over at the Cullens." Charlie said, jokingly. Even so, he scanned the cluster of Cullens still out in the yard searching for one face, I guessed.

"Edward is…is" My voice faded as I couldn't think of an excuse.

"Helping Esme with the housework. That sweet boy volunteered. Isn't that kind of him?" Alice said perkily with a dazzling grin in Charlie's direction.

"Why yes, of course." Charlie muttered, stunned. I had to give it to Alice. She was an expert liar and even made my dad think just a fraction higher of Edward in the process.

"Would you and your family like to come in and dry off? It's a pretty nasty storm out there." Charlie offered. Alice shook her head no, sending drops of rain off of short hair.

"We were just heading home. Goodbye, Bella. I hope you had a wonderful time at our slumber party!" Alice chirped, bringing me back into her arms for a hug.

"Sure I did. It's just great to be home." I hope neither Alice nor Charlie noticed that I was lying through my teeth.

"It's great to have you home, Bells. I've been ordering way too much delivery pizza without my personal cook," Charlie responded. "It was really nice seeing you again, Alice. Tell Dr. Cullen that I say hi, would you?"

"Of course Chief Swan." Alice flashed Charlie another brilliant smile.

"Please," he said, returning the gesture, "call me Charlie." Alice's trilling laugh was loud and happy, reminding me of brighter days.

"Okay then, see you later Charlie, Bella." Alice said with a wave, looking at each of us in turn. Then she skipped over to Jasper and intertwined her fingers with his. I looked at each of them one last time before stepping into my safe, warm, home.

"Have fun?" Charlie asked, following me into the house.

"Yeah. Tons." I responded mechanically. I glanced in the kitchen and saw several boxes of delivery pizza and some Chinese food containers strewn on the countertops.

"Want me to take care of that?" I offered with a gesture at the leftover mess.

"Oh, well, don't you want to get dressed in something dry? Maybe take a shower?" Charlie asked, trying to fulfill the role of caring dad.

"It's fine. I'll do that later. Right now, I can't even see the counter." I said accusingly.

"Sorry about that. I'm not all that handy without you here, Bella." He responded guiltily. I smirked at him and felt for the first time in a while, a bit of genuine humor color my mood.

"It's alright dad, really. Go back to watching—" I glanced at the TV to see what was on, "—Entertainment Tonight reruns. Seriously?" I snorted with laughter.

"Bella, I was bored. Don't mock me." Charlie said teasingly. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. Moving into the disaster zone that was the kitchen, I grabbed a large garbage bag and began filing it with the remains of fast food.

Charlie relaxed in the other room; and, he turned the channel to some old western movie. I heard the gunshots and yelled threats of some shootout as I took care of the boxes. It was good to be home.

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