Chapter 3:

When I came back to the real world out of my daydream, I realized that all the Cullens were staring at me in concern.

'What?' I asked and raised an eyebrow.

'We thought we might have to do something to re-wake you,' Emmett studied my face carefully.

'Well, I'm fine…' I muttered, 'Just thinking'.

The Cullens looked at each other. Sharing unspoken messages.

I suddenly had a thought, 'How and why did this Death creature make Edward bleed?' I asked, 'He was bleeding, but Vampires don't bleed. Why was that happening?'

The Cullens looked at each other, then at Carlisle, who was staring intently on a small spider making its way across the carpet.

Carlisle slowly raised his head to look at the other Cullens and me.

'From what I can guess…it turns vampires mortal at one touch of its hands but it must remain this contact for a vampire to remain so. But the creatures flesh burns and cuts as well. Like skin made of red hot blades. It can bring death and change the course of death,' Carlisle sighed, 'We need to rescue him. Although the creature needs to remain contact for Edward to say mortal. Prolonged contact will make it permanent'.

'Oh…,' I gasped, 'Well…where's this Ice Rose?'

'It's rumored to be in China. In a temple at the top of Mt Everest,' Carlisle shrugged.

'Okay…Let's go get it!' I jumped up off the couch. I started walking towards the door when I realized that the Cullen's weren't following me.

'It's not that simple…right?' I sighed.

'No, Bella, it's not. It's guarded by creatures so monstrous to make sure vampires couldn't just walk in and get it,' Carlisle explained.

'Dang it all to hell,' I muttered sitting back down on the couch.

Carlisle looked at his watch, 'It's almost night. You'd better get some sleep'.

'Okay,' I nodded and walked upstairs to Edward's room. The large king size bed took up most of the floor. Edward's music collection had grown. It now took up two walls.

One CD caught my attention. It was the most recent addition to his collection. It was a home made CD. On it, written in Edward's flowing script, was Bella's Lullaby.

A tear shone in my eye and threatened to fall. I wiped it away before it did and changed into some clothes that Alice had left for me to sleep in.

I climbed under the silky sheets of the massive bed.

Sleep came surprisingly quick.

I shut my eyes.

At first images were fuzzy and mad no sense. Pink Pegasus' and fluffy blue unicorns.

Then the dream changed. I was back in the woods from my first dream. It was exactly the same as last time.

dream

Edward stood at the end of the woods, his back facing me. He was shirtless.

I began walking towards him.

He turned a grin upon his face. The wounds from the creature's attack from the last dream remained on his perfect fair skin

'Bella!' he rushed up to me at vampire speed.

I stood still watching him.

'Edward?' I asked slowly, 'Where are you?'

Something in his eyes flickered, 'Right here with you Bella. I am here with you,' his eyes showed panic.

'Edward…just listen,' I reached up and placed my hand on his cheek, 'I don't know where you are or what's happening but I need you to realize that I need to find you not just in dream but reality. Tell me Edward…'

Edward suddenly looked fearful, 'Help me Bella. I weaken with every moment in his grasp. Get the Ice Rose'.

'I can't,' I held his ice cold hand; 'It's guarded by creatures that can hurt Vampires'.

Edward shook his head, 'I'm surprised that you haven't figured it out by now. You're not a vampire yet. They can't hurt you. They won't even sense you. You can get in and out undetected'.

'What?' I looked just beyond him to see the creature rising from the dirt.

'He's coming,' Edward whispered, 'Get to the temple. The Ice Rose is in the room of light. Be careful! Get it fast. I don't have much longer'.

'I'll find it. I promise,' I whispered.

I watched in horror as the Creature's cruel hands wrapped themselves around Edward's arms.

They pulled him harshly backwards, slicing into his flesh. Blood flowed from new wounds and half healed wounds reopened.

For the first time I heard the Creature laugh and it was a sound I would never want to hear again. A chill travelled up my spine and I could only watch as the Creature tortured Edward and his link with me was extinguished.

end of dream

I sat up with a gasp, 'Edward,' I whispered.

'What did he say?' Alice said from somewhere in the dark to my left.

I reached out to the bedside table and switched on the lamp. Alice sat stiffly in a chair watching me and waiting for me to react to the awful images in my head but I was numb and word couldn't express what I was thinking.

'Um…He said…'I took a breath, 'He said…that I can get past the guards at the temple. They will not be able to see or hear me. They only target vampires which means that they are blind to all else around them. I can get in and out with the Ice Rose while you guys wait at the bottom of the mountain'.

Emmett walked in, 'How are you going to get to the temple? Bella…to be honest you can barely go hiking without falling over let alone climb the world's highest mountain'.

I thought quickly, 'La Push!'

"What?' Alice frowned.

'Jacob. The guards only see vampires. It doesn't say anything about werewolves,' I explained, 'The Quileute pack could take me up the mountain and back down unscathed and I will have protection'.

Carlisle walked in, 'I don't like it but it might be the only way'.

I grinned, 'So you'll let me?'

Carlisle shrugged, 'Don't have much of a choice do I?'

I shook my head, 'Nope'.

'Yay,' Alice squealed, 'Hiking trip!'