Chapter 3: Vampire Kisses

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight

Edward wanted to kick himself. Why did he tell Charlie he hadn't seen Bella? He could have lied, and said she was with Alice. But then, would Bella's father want to talk with either of them? God's teeth, his heart was heavy, and his brain strained to the limit, considering what should be done. Was that inane game of baseball worth it? When he really thought about it, he had to admit, he had been showing off, flaunting his superhuman prowess. And now that little prideful exhibition caused all this pain and heartache. Would his sweetheart forever be on the run from that James fellow because of his own thoughtless actions?

He stepped over to his piano, and seated himself on the wooden stool. It was his only solace. He played for a very long time.

Esme came down the stairs from her bedroom, and walked up behind him, placing her hand on his shoulder in sympathy. "You couldn't have known he would be there, Edward. Not even Alice could have predicted it. We all love Bella, and wish to protect her, but I'm sure this will all pass very soon. She'll be safe, you'll see."

Edward turned away from the piano, and patted Esme's hand. "Thank you, Esme. I sincerely hope you're correct in that assumption."

She smiled at him, and nodded, then went about her usual routine of cleaning the floors and dusting the furniture.

My body was vibrating at a thousand RPMs; I was that angry. I knew that filthy tick had something to do with her disappearance, no two ways about it. I seethed for a long time, and then before I was ready to blow, I hopped on my bike and high-tailed it to the Cullens' crypt.

Esme opened the door to their dungeon. Damn, she was so nice, and I was not in the mood for polite, especially when I was not feeling very nice myself. Let's face it, I was ready to spout off at Mr. Sparky. "Oh … hi, Mrs. Cullen. Is Edward home?"

"Why, yes. I'll tell him you're here."

Cullen silently snuck up beside her. "No need, Esme. I heard him. What do you want, mutt?"

She looked shocked. "Now, Edward, don't be rude."

Shrugging, I blurted, "No sweat, Mrs. Cullen. I can give as good as I get."

Esme gestured for me to step into their house. "Well, won't you at least come in?"

"No thanks. I'm more comfortable where I am right now." Besides, the stench inside would kill me. It was bad enough seepin' out the door. Sh**, my nose will be burning for hours.

"If you say so." She gave Eddie-boy a stern look. "Edward, behave yourself."

I dove into the task at hand, stepping up nose to nose with him. "All right, where is she? Bells was on her way to see you the last time she left my place. What have you done with her? Did you kill her?"

"How dare you insinuate such a thing. Of course not … as to where I've hidden her, I dare not tell you."

"You won't, huh? I'll make sure you won't talk at all then—ever! It's kinda hard to talk when your shoulders are missin' your head."

"You don't understand."

"So what? Okay, forget it. Maybe Blondie will spill the beans. She hates it here as much as I do."

With my nose pinched shut, I poked my head past the tick, and thru' the doorway. "Hey, Blondie, you in there? Come on out and show your face. I gotta talk to you."

Edward turned his head, and shouted. "Rose, you stay out of it!"

Looking straight at me, he began, "Just stop, and I'll tell you."

The lousy bloodsucker went over all that happened with the other—and I might add, worse bloodsuckers.

"Are you tellin' me Bella is being chased by a red-eyed tracker?"

"Isn't that essentially what I just said?"

"I don't believe this. Are you nuts? Why would you risk her life like that?"

"It was foolish on my part. I never supposed that there would be nomads in the vicinity. I take full responsibility for what happened."

"Responsibility? Listen up, Dracula, if anything happens to her, I'll be doin' the chasing—after you. You are gonna fix this, or I'll make good on my promise. And don't you forget it!"

I turned on my heel, and got on my bike, leaving the lousy tick on the doorstep, frowning.

Damn, the heat was still coursing through me, and wouldn't leave 'til I found Bella, safe and sound. That filthy leech better have eyes behind his head, 'cuz he knows I'll be right on his tail from now on.

I got home, stowed the bike in the Taj, and took off running, wolf fashion.

Alice was beaming. "I'd never seen that movie before. Wasn't that great?"

Rolling his eyes, Jasper replied, "I still say that Anne Rice woman don't know beans about Vampires. Maybe I could give the l'il lady some pointers. And feedin' off poodles? Why, criminy sakes, that wouldn't fill the likes of a skeeter."

"Oh, Jas, it's just a movie, not reality."

"Well, I think she should do her homework afore she flaps her jaws about somethin' she knows nothin' about."

"All right, Major Whitlock, I surrender." Alice looked at the clock. "It's kind of late for Bella to be napping, don't you think? Maybe I should go check on her."

Jasper stayed out of her way. The bedroom reeked of Bella's sweet scent; he had to be cautious.

"Jas!" Alice shouted. "She's gone. How could she be gone?"

In an instant, Jasper was by her side, his arms in a tight embrace around her. "Calm yerself, darlin', what's done is done, but we'll find her. She cain't have gone far on foot."

"Wait, let me see if I can figure out where she went." Alice's eyes glazed over, as she visualized Bella's location. "It's a ballet studio. I see it. Oh, god, the tracker is in the building. Let's hurry."

As they raced out the door, Alice phoned her brother. "He has her, Edward. I don't know how, but we're on our way."

God's teeth, how could he protect her when she had little regard for her own life? He wanted to tear both siblings apart for their carelessness. Screams of anguish spurted from his mouth even as he zipped along at top speed. He had to get there: he had to save her from James' clutches.

The ballet studio was straight ahead. Bella quickened her step as she neared it. The studio was deserted, well, except for the vampire and his hostage, her mother. She took a large gulp of air to calm herself, and walked through the front door, her eyes searching the room for a glimpse of Renee.

She heard, "Bella… Baby, so good of you to come. I've been on pins and needles waiting for your arrival. It was pretty lonely here, just me and this video tape."

James stepped out of the shadows, the tape waving in his hand.

Her mouth dropped open. "You mean, this was all a trick to get me here?"

"Oh, come on, sweetie, I'm a tracker; a good one, but even I have some limitations. Lucky for me, I found this tape on your shelf at home. The scent on the plastic is long past evaporated, and I can't follow a scent I haven't smelled before. You on the other hand—" His head lifted as if in ecstasy. "You filled me with… that … sweet … fragrance." He laughed. "You literally led me by the nose. Excuse the pun."

He approached her slowly, sniffing the air. "How could that Cullen guy resist you?"

In but a few seconds, he had pinned her to the wall, nuzzling the side of her throat with his nose. Stepping back a bit, he said, "I gotta hand it to you, sister, you got guts, I'll give you that."

With quavering voice, she tearfully said, "I only came here because I thought you had my mother."

"I KNOW! Great plan, huh? But still …"

James fingered the blouse she was wearing, then, never letting go of her shoulders, began licking the surrounding skin. He closed his eyes. "Hmmmn, heavenly."

Bella turned her head away in revulsion. "Just kill me and get it over with."

"What? Where's the fun in that? I can't end this so quickly, after all, you did lead me on a merry chase. Think of it as foreplay." He licked his tongue in a long trail down her neck and to her shoulder. "Oh, baby, you taste so delicious. Gordon Ramsey has nothing on you, Bella. Such a sweet treat. I could eat you with a spoon, and savor every freakin' morsel. I'm salivating just thinking about it."

Bella huffed in his face. "Well, get on with it, then. What are you waiting for?"

Lifting her chin with his index finger, and with his onyx eyes boring through hers, he murmured, "Are you in such a hurry to die?"

"No, I just—"

"Shh, shh." He leaned down lower, his lips touching her, as he traveled the expanse of her exposed skin. Bella shivered with each cold kiss.

Suddenly, he started, his head jerked up, alert. "It seems your escorts are on the way. I hate to almost eat and run, but I must, and you're coming with me, doll. It's rude to leave an uneaten meal behind, especially when it's come with such a dear price."

James scooped Bella up, hoisted her over his shoulder, and flew out the rear door, not even glancing back to see if their pursuers were in sight.

Edward arrived at the studio, but he was too late. Alice was in an agitated state, and what followed, exacerbated her feelings.

It was all Jasper could do to manage their emotions, considering his own were also out of control.

Flailing his arms above his head, Edward shouted, "How could you let this happen, Alice? You lost her to that monster. I trusted the two of you. Why in heaven's name would you take your eyes off of her? You knew what was at stake. James is a tracker; what about that fact don't you understand? I'll never forgive you for this—either of you."

Jasper looked at his brother, eyes narrowed. "Now hold your horses there, Edward. Bella took it upon herself to slip away from us. I'm not makin' any excuses, but she was bound and determined to git to that ballet studio. Now, I'd be much obliged if instead of jawin' about it, we should be on our way directly, to catch him up."

Glancing at Alice, Edward replied, "Agreed. What about it, Alice, any clue as to where they were headed?"

"I'm sorry, it's not Bella's decisions, so I'm drawing a blank."

"Well, let's follow the scent, then. Alice, you get her things, and follow us in the car as much as possible."

Jasper patted Edward's arm. "We will find her, Edward, or my name isn't Whitlock."