Chapter 15

THe fire burned on her arm where he cut her. Bella had tears running down her face. SHe was crying because she knew how bad this would hurt Charlie. She would never want him hurt this way knowing how he was hurting now anyway. She closed her eyes. Telling her self t obe strong she blinked away the tears. She turned her head at the sound of someone's footsteps. They had to be running. Please be Edward, she begged in her head.

It was horrific. Their lips glistened with the red liquid. Too thick to be wine, Edward knew. There was a rock slab in the center with Bella on it. Her arm was bleeding just above her wrist. His mouth went dry. Was she breathing? was he too late?

"Welcome, Detective. So nice of you to join us. We are just getting started. I didn't know you would want to watch us kill your pet here. SHe didnt seem to know she was being chaperoned this whole time. Did you enjoy seducing her? Did it fill your time well?"

"I'm not here to join. I am here to stop you."

"You," james said taking another swig from the cup and licking his lips, "are not strong enough to stop me."

"Oh you underestimate me."

"Well, it has already begun. Victoria and I will not be interrupted. Go ahead, love, you can begin on her."

"Don't touch her!"

"Don't worry little brother, i have her." Emmett called as he ran after the redhead. She sped off into the woods with him following close behind.

James showed his first show of concern now that she was out of the picture. He put the cup next to Bella on the stone slab and began to back away. He was going to try to cut and run. Edward was going to have no part in that. He took a step towards him. James was backing closer and closer to the fire that they had lit for the ritual.

"James, give up now. It will be a lesser sentence now than if i have to go after you or if you fight me."

"You think i want to rot in prison like my brother?" James spat. It was red, stained still with her blood. The sight made edward's vision blurr in anger.

He launched himself toward the bastard thinking of nothing but getting this over with and getting Bella out of there.

Bella could't stay focused. Her vision was blurring and she was naseaus from the coppery smell of her own blood. All that mattered was that Edward was there. And he would save her. She'd watched as a man as big as a building ran after victoria. Impossibly light on his feet and fast for his size. She knew she knew him from somewhere but right now she couldnt quite place it.

Then she saw a flash from the corner of her eye. James was flying at him as Edward charged. She wanted to scream but couldnt get herself to do it.

"I love you." she whispered and passed out.

She awoke to the soft beeping sound of the monitor. She was in the hospital. She opened her eyes and moved her head lef then right. "Jake?"

"Heya, Bells." HE leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "How are you felling?"

"I'm okay." She looked at the crescent shaped cut on her arm. it was sticthed up. Then she looked around some more.

"He's not here. He had to go back to Seattle."

"that makes sense. Did he tell you?"

"The man, James, He's dead. Fell into the fire. Cullen probably pushed him." Jake spit out edward's name then smirked. "I can't blame him, no matter how much i hate him."

"What about..."

"THe woman? She got away. Emmett- i think that was the brother's name- lost her in the woods. He knows those woods pretty well, too. She just seemed to disapear."

He looked at her hand in his for a moment, how small and pale it was. "I am not so sure he will be back. Bella, I could keep you safe. I love you more than you can ever know. I can give you home."

"I know Jake, i know."