A/N: Hi guys, sorry it's been a while, but life has been hectic at the moment. Here is the next installment, and i really hope it doesn't disappoint. Enjoy!

This was so not good. What was I going to do now? I can't be destined to spend eternity with a vampire, can I? I was pacing relentlessly around my coffee table, while my mind worked in a peculiar way. I was worrying and fretting about becoming mated to a vampire, whilst running through possible defence strategies, and also thinking about beginning my training, and trying to contact Azriel at the same time. I couldn't quite reach him yet, though, as I still had to train my mind so it could use it's full potential. But how could I train my mind while I was worrying about the vampire? But, then again, he looked like he wanted to murder me when his eyes went deathly black. Maybe I don't need to worry after all. I stopped pacing. Yes, that sounded plausible. His eyes looked to be full of anger and, well, I don't know what. But he definitely looked as if he were about to attack. Okay, so maybe I am over reacting with the situation. He has no interest in me that way, so I am sure I will be able to break this 'bond'. Sure. It will be fine. Azriel will return and see that there will be no other thoughts of the vampire, and that I have successfully severed the bond, right? Why wasn't I convinced?

I spent the rest of the afternoon rummaging through my memories, and smiling at some, crying at others. Others would make me flinch, whilst others would make me angry. Wars and death and destruction plagued my life, but this was me. This was what I did, and I would do it over and over again, to maintain the balance in this world. I have made human friends before, I recalled, and also remembered why I didn't chose friends that were human very often. They grew old and I didn't, which meant I had to leave them behind. I had made a few close friends, and leaving had hurt me so bad, that I hadn't had any friends in the last hundred years. I have never been friends with vampires before, so this was all new to me. The good thing about that is, I don't have to leave them behind. They are immortal, like me, so being friends with them would be easier. My mind returned to Edward. How amazing his hair looked, all dishevelled and tussled. His perfect face and bone structure, and his torso that looked to be lean and muscular below his tight top. The way he moved as he turned toward me, and then his eyes. Oh, his eyes. Such a murderous color. I hissed and shook my head vigorously to clear it. I can't think like that. I stood from my seat, and stormed out the house.

I ran with all my might through the trees and brush, angry that I had let my mind wander like that. Hadn't I just swore earlier, that there would be no bond by the time Azriel got back? If I kept thinking of Edward like that, there would be no hope for me. I pushed my body harder, and faster, and darkness began to fall by the time I was ready to slow down. I sat on a fallen tree, and stared at the sky. It was a surprisingly clear evening, and I watched the stars as they sparkled whilst they danced across the night sky. I decided that I could give my sense some training while I was here. Closing my eyes, and taking a deep breath, I pushed my sense outward. I practiced with it, making it expand and contract, and getting it to envelope the creatures that were in the forest. I knew that if I constricted my sense while like this, the creature it had surrounded would be crushed by it. I could also see details of the creature like this. I could see exactly what it was doing, and I could tell if it had any wounds. The squirrel I had currently surrounded, had a torn ear and a bite wound on it's hind leg. I knew that if I concentrated hard enough, I would be able to heal the small wounds. But that would use up too much energy, and right now, I didn't have any spare. Most of my energy had been used earlier during the transference, and then my mad sprint through the woods. It would also take time for me to be able to heal others properly.

Expanding my sense again, it gave me a 360 degree radius around me. I pushed it outward, and managed to get maybe a half mile around. I quickly pulled it back, as I was starting to weaken using it. I would need to train it little and often, so that I didn't expend too much of my energy at once. I knew it was exhausting to try and train it too quickly, but I always seemed to be impatient at regaining my sense. Well, it was part of my own defence. I would never feel completely at ease until I had it in full. I sighed. I would just need to content myself, and take my time. All things would become clear and well maintained by the time Azriel and I finish my training. Patience is a virtue that apparently passed me by. Standing and stretching, I started to walk home, desperate for a hot, soothing bath and an early night. My cell sounded that I had received a message.

A - Maeryn, where are u? I've just dropped off your car. I thought u would be home!

M - Thanks, Alice. Sorry I wasn't in when you arrived, but I've had some things to work out.

A - I'll say! What happened today?

M - I can't talk about that just now. I won't be at school for a few days either. But, I'll see you soon.

A - You can talk to me, you know. I could come back over.

M - No, Alice. Please, I just need a little time, and then I promise I will talk to you then, okay?

A - No, it's not okay, but I will respect your wishes. If only I could see u!

M - Alice!

A - Maeryn, u know I can't see u, so I can't even try to look for you. Okay just promise me if u need me, you'll call or text.

M - Thanks Alice. X

She really could be irritating, but I still really liked her. I would be able to tell her more things after my training had finished, and hopefully she would still want to be friends with me afterward.

The following week passed relatively slowly. I had made an excuse that I had flu, so I couldn't attend school for a week or two. They seemed to buy it. I filled my days training myself, though not vigorously. Light sessions with my sense, and exercises for my body. I needed it to be fit for when Azriel returned, and I needed to get started on my sense before he returned. Only to ease myself. I didn't feel right without it working properly, so I did small five minute bursts with it, ten or twelve times a day. It was still tiring, but it was becoming easier. The in-between periods, I found myself thinking about Edward more and more. I would absently rub at my chest when my mind wandered to him, as if it hurt deep down inside. One day I actually used my sense to enter my own chest, and feel around to see if there was any damage. It was a strange sensation. I could feel every fibre of muscle and the density of my bones. I could feel all the tiny blood vessels, and bigger veins and even larger arteries. I could feel each platelet in my blood stream, and each hair follicle and skin cell as I passed through the layers. There was nothing, of course. Everything was healthy and whole, and I felt stupid for even checking in the first place.

Today, Azriel was due to arrive, but it had passed dark and there was still no sign of him, so I tried to contact him telepathically.

Azriel? Can you hear me?

Nothing. Not even a murmur. I tried again.

Azriel? It's Maeryn. Can you hear me?

Of course I can, and I already knew it was you, Maeryn.

I could hear his mental snicker, and I sighed. At least my mind was starting to work properly.

Where are you? I asked.

I am with your parents, and the librarians. We are still looking into our history. We haven't found anything about your …. predicament.

I hissed slightly. I do not have a predicament, Azriel. As I said I would do, I have broken the bond. I have not seen or spoke to either of the vampires. I absently rubbed at my chest as I lied to him.

Oh! Well that is good news! Your parents will be pleased. They weren't very joyful when I passed on the information.

Okay, so when are you arriving? I asked, in a not entirely friendly tone.

Another day or two. Your mother and I have to travel to the centre realm to collect your weapon.

I sighed. I knew they had to keep the weapon in a safe place until I was ready to receive it again, but I didn't want to wait another day or two. I was growing more and more impatient as the days drew on.

Okay. Let me know when.

Of course, Maeryn. Don't I always?

Yeah. Goodbye Azriel.

I will see you soon.

I broke the connection, and ran my hands through my hair. I didn't like to lie to Azriel, but I thought things would get easier when I was training fully. That would keep my mind away from uninvited thoughts, and I'm sure that would be all I need to forget what should be forgotten. But, thinking of what I should be forgetting, made me feel a little lonely. I decided to invite Alice and Bella over. Alice would be desperate for my story, so now would be a good a time as any. As predicted, Alice screamed with delight when I called her, but Bella unfortunately had plans with her friend Jake from the reservation. I suppose I will just have to tell my story twice, or knowing Alice, she would gladly tell my story to Bella for me. Alice said she would be over in about an hour. She wanted a slumber party, as she knew my story could take a while, and she needed to hunt first. That gave me a little time to muddle through things in my head, so that the words to my tale would come out properly.

After exactly an hour, there was a knock at my door. I smiled to myself as I opened it, and my smile vanished just as quickly. Stood on my doorstep were all the Cullen siblings. Alice, grinning from ear to ear. Jasper, who nodded and smiled. Rosalie, who smiled ever so slightly before swishing her hair over her shoulder. Emmett, who was grinning just as widely as Alice. And then there was Edward. He was smiling, but his eyes turned to black as soon as his met mine. My brow furrowed. Why was he here if he hated me so much? And why the crooked smile? He looked amazing, as he smiled at me, but I forced the thought away as soon as it entered my head.

"Alice?" I all but hissed her name.

"Hi, Maeryn. I hope you don't mind, but the others wanted to come along and hear your story, too."

Great. This was so not what I needed right now. I was trying to banish any thoughts of Edward Cullen from my head, but how could I do that now, with him right in front of me? I thought Alice would just reiterate my tale to the rest of the family when she got home. Obviously not. But, maybe this could help me. I would need to become accustomed to being around Edward, as I would see him at school, and maybe being around him more, what I felt now would become no more than friendship. Maybe it was just the initial shock of first seeing him that left me intrigued by him. Getting to know him might be a good thing. There would be nothing left for me to wonder about, if I knew him. My thoughts were confused as I gazed at him, and I found myself rubbing slightly at my chest again.

"Maeryn?" Alice prodded.

"Oh. Sorry, yes of course. Please, come in," I said, stepping to the side. They all walked past me, and Edward was the last to enter. He didn't take his eyes off me, and I found myself blush slightly, and hung my head away from his stare. I mentally cursed myself as I did it, and almost slammed the door closed.

"Please, sit down. Can I get you anything? ….. No, of course not. Sorry," I mumbled, as I took my own seat next to Alice. She grabbed me and hugged me tight.

"I've missed you all week," she squeaked. I couldn't help but smile.

"Me, too," I admitted. And I did miss her. It was nice to see her again. My eyes drifted toward Edward, and found him staring at me intently. I swallowed nervously. He looked like he wanted to pounce. Letting go of Alice, I tried to get into his mind, but quickly pulled back as there were hundreds of voices in there. It hurt my head listening to them. How could he stand that all day, every day? I would need to speak with Alice alone, and ask her why he is being so … well … aggressive. Not physically, but the way his eyes turn black every time he looks at me. He looks so angry all the time, even when he plasters a smile on his face. I shook my head slightly, and looked back to Alice.

"So," I said, sitting back in the seat. "How have you been?"

"Oh, just fine. But we're not here for small talk, Maeryn. I've been waiting for this since the first day I met you. So, please. Don't let us interrupt." She grinned almost manically, as she waited for me to begin. I rolled my eyes at her, and took a deep breath.

I started from the beginning, and told them my history, the history of my kind and what we do. I stared at my hands in my lap as I recounted old stories of my past, and what I could do with my sense. I didn't want to look at either of them as I spoke, as I didn't want to see what was in their eyes, as I spoke about how I hunted others of their kind, and other supernatural beings.

"So, that's why I can't see you?" Alice interrupted. "Because of your sense. You are blocking me?" she asked, almost incredulous.

I nodded. "Yes." I said. Unless I let you in, I thought into her mind. She gasped, and her eyes went wide and wild. Jasper suddenly rushed to her side.

"Alice? What is it?" he growled, scanning the room for whatever had caused his wife's reaction. Alice ignored him, and a huge grin spread slowly across her face.

"That was you? Did you just speak to me?"

"Yes, Alice. I can do that, or weren't you listening?" I chuckled.

"What? What did she do? What did I miss?" Emmett boomed.

"She spoke to me with her mind!" Alice squealed. "Do it again!" she demanded.

What do you want me to say? I asked her, telepathically. I rummaged a little inside her head looking for something that would prove it beyond a doubt. That's when I caught her thinking of Edward, and how this must be what he feels like when he hears others, though he heard more than one voice. I heard her thinking that Edward and I would make the perfect couple.

Alice! I hissed in her head. What the hell are you thinking?

Her smile left her face in an instant, and she looked down at the floor. "Sorry," she mumbled.

We will discuss this later, when we are alone. Right now, you need to look up and smile again. The others are becoming anxious, I thought to her, as I glanced around at the others. Edward was sitting with wide eyes, and his mouth agape. Oh, no. He would have heard that.

Edward, please close your mouth. It isn't a very attractive look, I chuckled into his mind, hoping to lighten the situation. He abruptly snapped his mouth closed, then a small smile formed on his lips.

Can you hear me, too? he asked into my mind. I nodded, and his small smile turned into a grin, and somehow, his eyes darkened even more. Curling my sense around my mind again, so as he couldn't intrude on my thoughts, I looked away from him. I needed to know why he did that. Why his eyes darkened to the point of pure hate, but yet, he smiled and seemed so friendly. Was he just putting on a show for his family? I tried to get into his mind again, but the onslaught of voices overwhelmed my head again, so I retreated.

"Guys!" Emmett groaned.

"Emmett, she can communicate with us through our minds!" Alice explained to him. He looked back at me sharply.

"Really?" he asked.

Yes. I projected to him, raising an eyebrow.

"Wow! That is so cool! Can you hear us, too? Like Edward?" he asked.

"Yes. But I can switch it off. I don't hear everyone all at once, either. I have to be concentrating on one individual at a time to communicate with them. If someone calls my name, I will hear them, or if I chose to listen to that person. But I can't hear all of you at once, until you draw my attention to you," I tried to explain, but I wasn't sure if I was doing a good job as I could see them frowning slightly, and Edward looked very confused.

"Maeryn," he said. "What exactly are you?"

Oh. That's why they all looked confused. I had told my story without exactly telling them what I am.

"Well," I began, looking out the window and noticing the sky lighten, and the sun rise over the horizon, sending spikes of light into my eyes, making them blaze.

"I am a Phoenix."