A/N: First off, thank you to the people who are reading my story. I actually thought about deleting this or something! Glad I chose not to. I really didn't think it would even get this far, but I'm glad I did. Second off, review guys! I'm just writing. Tell me if the story needs something, because I'm open to suggestions. I'm already working on chapter 11, so I kind of can't change chapters 9 and 10. But still... I'm gonna need y'all to say something! =) Anyways...lost Author's Note. Read on, people!

BTW: I do not own the Cullens, or anyone you would recognize. Otherwise, this is an original plot.

(Eb POV) 8. I Think I Love Him

The entire Cullen family, along with Onyx, Mother, and I stood silently in a large clearing. The feelings of dread and anticipation danced among our expressions as we faced the fog. They finally approached through the mist, the swirling black cloaks in a v-formation, and the smallest one lifted the hood away from her face. Her ruby eyes traveled across us, before an angelic smile lit her face.

My mother screamed, dropping to the ground in shock. Her back arced, and her cry pierced my enhanced ears as she writhed on the ground in pain. The blonde glanced away from her and in another direction. Mom relaxed and began to pant, not that she needed the air.

"You have broken the rules, Jade," the blonde girl said in a dead voice. "Broken rules have consequences."

"It should be quick and without pain, since she hasn't even tried to defend her vile act, but I'm in the mood for torture," another guy with brown hair and red eyes said. He licked his lips in pure excitement as he tensed, but Jane held up her hand as a warning.

"Wait, Alec," she cautioned as she noticed the Cullens surrounding Jade. "I have a better idea. Felix, Demetri..."

They pounced on Emmett first, ripping him to shreds before I could even blink. Rosalie went next, her head flying off her body and bouncing in front of my feet. Her eyes stared accusingly at me, and I shuddered as they rolled back in her head before slipping closed completely. I barely registered Carlisle's blonde head being torn from his body, and Esme soon after.

Alice, Edward, and Jasper were tougher than the rest, dodging lunges and taking the offensive much faster than the Volturi. Alice slipped, however, when a vision slapped her in the face. That was all they needed before shredding her arms and incapacitating her. Jasper snarled and launched himself at Felix, but he was speedily immobilized as well. Edward whirled and tried to fight as they ganged up on him, but shortly after he was lying on the ground without arms or legs. His face displayed a fierce agony that left me yearning to be by his side, but Onyx restrained me as I unconsciously shifted forward.

"NO!" Onyx shrieked, gasping as our mother was being dismembered before our very eyes. Her gaze settled upon our faces, and she flashed a painful smile to us. Demetri piled up the pieces of my mother and friends, before pulling out a silver lighter and setting it ablaze. Felix, Demetri, and Alec gathered up the remaining Cullens in their arms, and Edward shuddered as his eyes flicked up to Felix's face.

"I'm sorry," I mouthed to him, and his head whipped around. "For everything."

"Aro has coveted these Cullens for years now, and they will be an alluring gift," Jane crooned, stroking my heart along his chest. "Do not follow us, or you will suffer the same fate." And with that they dissolved into the mist. My heart ripped in two, and I crumpled to the ground and began to bawl as my love traveled farther and farther away from his rightful place at my side.

My eyelids fluttered open, and I gasped for air. Meghan's gray eyes on the cover of The Iron King glared at me, and my gaze migrated around the room in relief. It was just a dream, I wondered dizzily in my head. It was just a dream.

It was one hell of a dream. Jasper and Alice won't stop asking me what's wrong; it's getting annoying, Onyx invaded my thoughts.

Whatever, I grumbled back. Where's Edward?

He should be in your room. I can hear his thoughts coming from there, she replied.

"Hello, Ebony," Edward greeted me, kneeling beside my bed. "How are you feeling?"

I stretched myself out, slipping off the side of the bed in the process. Edward caught me easily, and I held my breath as awareness slowly seeped in. His face was so close, and he rose gradually with me still in his grasp. I smiled at his glittering eyes, and a dazzling crooked grin crossed his face. He leaned in, and I tilted my head up to meet his lips. His lips were hard and soft at the same time, and his breath was enticing. My lips moved with his eagerly.

Heaven, I thought groggily. Undiluted heaven.

Unfortunately I did have to breathe. I dragged my lips away from his and sucked in a gulp of air. A wild grin took form before I could stop it, and he chuckled. "Wow," I whispered.

"Wow, huh? It was better than that to me," he purred. I giggled and hid my face into his chest. "I guess you are feeling better."

"I guess I am," I agreed. "So what just happened?"

"I honestly don't know, but I'm glad I experienced my first kiss with you," he told.

"It was your first kiss? Really?" I mumbled. "It was mine too."

His eyes danced with glee, and I had to laugh at the enthusiasm. "Since you're able to stand-and do other things-" I slapped his arm teasingly "would you mind accompanying me downstairs to talk to my family? We have some things to discuss."

"Sure," I agreed quickly. He offered his arm to me, and I latched mine onto it. Realization overtook my mind, and a sigh slithered out my mouth. I love him. Even though I've only known him a day, the truth has come to the light. I smiled as we descended down the stairs to his awaiting family, and confidence made me stick to Edward's side as the questioning initiated.