Chapter 5: The "Thrall" of it All

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight

Alice came tripping down the staircase, excited as all get out. "Edward, I've seen her. Bella is alive. She's being held in a house somewhere in the forest. I do believe it's right here in Washington."

"Are you certain?"

"Of course not, but if she ventures outside, maybe I could hazard a guess—you know, landmarks, that sort of thing.

"I did hear some running water nearby. We could scour all our hunting areas. I'll know when I see the place."

She yelled up the stairway, "Jas, get a move on, we're gonna search for Bella."

Jasper's voice rang out, "Comin', darlin'. I'll be with you directly."

I went over to the Cullens' and started sniffin' around, but the trail was ice-cold. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my favorite blonde gliding toward me. Great! I guessed she wanted to exchange insults. Instead, she musta took pity on me, 'cuz she spilled the beans.

"I don't suppose my brother told you he's out searching for Bella."

"Searching?" Geez, I thought he had her tucked away somewhere safe.

"Yes, searching. Keep up, will you. Please? The plan was for her to stay in a motel in Phoenix, but the stupid girl took off without her bodyguards, and got herself kidnapped by a nomad tracker by the name of James."

"Whaaaaat?"

"You heard correctly."

At that news, I almost fell to my knees onto the ground, my face contorted in pain.

"I told him he needed to let you in on the big secret, but he never listens to me. Oh, nooo … typical Edward. He always knows best."

My eyes were gettin' misty; I couldn't help it. Blondie saw it, and spit out, "Look, I know we don't always see eye to eye. If I want to be honest about it, we never see eye to eye. But, I am aware that you're in love with the girl too, although I can't really see the attraction. So, I just thought you should be aware of the situation."

Nearly chokin' on the words, I said, "Thanks, Blondie."

"You're welcome, Mutt. By the way, the name is Rosalie."

Pointin' to myself, I fired back, "Yeah, well, Jacob here."

I hung my head, trudging away from the mansion. What was I gonna do? My heart felt like it'd been smashed flat with a sledge hammer. How could that filthy tick let this happen? I wanted to howl 'til my throat hurt, but most of all, I wanted to rip the arrogant prick to bloody shreds. Oh right, he didn't have any blood. My anger suddenly flipped end over end landin' at Bella's doorstep. Goddammit, she knew what they were, and yet she continued to stay in their orbit like some gravity-stricken, little satellite. Okay … so, my pack and I were shapeshifters, a different kind of monster, granted, but coooome-oooon, we didn't see her as a walkin', talkin' Slurpee, for Pete's sake. I got back on my bike, and drove home, wondering all the way, what I should do next.

"Edward, we've been over every inch of this spot, and there's no sign of her," Alice huffed.

Peeling back leaves and branches of the surrounding shrubs like curtains from a window, he said, "I don't care. We'll go over every inch, again, and again, if need be."

He turned, glaring at Alice. "Instead of complaining, why don't you do something useful? Have one of your miraculous visions!"

Alice balked, folding her arms across her chest. "Why is everything always my fault? It was your idea to hide Bella in that Phoenix hotel in the first place."

"Yes, and it was your job to keep her safe, which you obviously failed to do. Now, I need some clue as to her present whereabouts. What good are your so-called visions if you don't see what I need you to see?"

Jasper stepped forward, obviously irritated with his brother. "Now, hold on there just a cotton-pickin' minute, Edward. There's no cause to speak to Alice in that way. I'd be much obliged if you held your tongue in that respect."

Patting his arm, Alice chirped, "It's okay, Jas. He's just upset."

"But it ain't alright, darlin'. He's got no right to jaw at you like that. We are all upset, true 'nuff."

"Let's go home, shower and change into clean clothes. We can start back up in the morning. How does that sound?"

Edward scowled at the little pixie. "She could be dead by then."

"I would see that, if that was the case."

"Like you've seen everything so far?"

"That's enuff, Edward. I do agree with Alice. We'll go home, directly, and hash out another plan."

Pinching the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger, Edward fired back, "God's teeth, another plan—you mean like this one?"

Jasper started to say something when Alice stopped him. "It's no use, Jas. Arguing with him isn't going to solve the problem. Can't you see he's not thinking clearly?"

Edward snarled, "At least, I'm thinking!"

With a roll of his golden eyes, Jasper relented. "Let's mosey on home, Alice. Nothin' more can be done here, and that's a fact."

Conversations in that cabin never lagged. James was especially interested in how Bella came to be at the ball game with the Cullens.

They sat before a glowing fireplace. James obviously didn't want her to catch cold. Go figure.

"So, tell me—you mentioned that the Cullen family were your friends. But—how the hell did that happen? Did you go online and google, Vampires R US?"

"For your information, they went to my high school… well, except for Carlisle and Esme.

"Carlisle is the head of the family. He's a doctor at the hospital. Esme is his wife."

"You've gotta be sh**ing me! A vampire around all that blood … The guy must be a saint."

"He is. Carlisle is very compassionate."

"I would guess so. What about the guy with the bronze-colored hair, tho'? The runner. He took off with you, like a bat outta hell. Was he your bodyguard, or what?"

"You mean, Edward. He's my boyfriend."

"Ha! That's rich."

"It happens to be true, Mr. Know it all. We're in love with each other."

"Love, what a crock ..." James cocked an eyebrow. "So you're in love with a vamp, huh? Tell me, are you sleeping with him?"

With eyes narrowed, she spouted, "That's none of your business."

"I'm making it my business, doll."

"I don't have to answer that."

"Your silence speaks volumes."

"A lot you know. Edward is a perfect gentleman, unlike some people."

Shrugging, he continued, "Hey, I never said I was a gentleman. But then again, I never let a great opportunity slip through my fingers like your boyfriend. What a loser."

He laughed and walked about the room. "So, he didn't take a nip from you, even though you smell so heavenly, and didn't mess you either. Another saint!"

The vampire came up beside her on the couch. "Speaking of taking a nip..." He grasped her shoulders, and with his face close to her neck, began lapping his tongue up and down her throat, like he did before, thoroughly savoring the taste.

She pulled away. "Stop that!"

"You know, if you'd quit acting so uptight, you might find this enjoyable, dollface."

She turned to him now, angry. "That's another thing—don't call me dollface, or babydoll, or any of your cute little nicknames. The name's Bella."

His eyes widened. "Wooh, you have quite a temper, don't you?"

"Yes, and I'm tired of playing your little game. If you're going to kill me, then do it."

Nodding, he placed one finger on his chin. "Maybe later. Hmn … Victoria has a red-hot temper too. Must be the hair, huh? But you know what? It looks better on you. You're like this weak, little kitten that thinks she's a freakin' tiger. It's actually fun to watch."

"I'm glad you find this so entertaining."

The rat grinned at her, his perfect white teeth gleaming in the firelight. "Me too, dollface."

The subject changed, thankfully. James knew a lot about a myriad of subjects—even more so than Edward. The time passed, night fell, and miraculously, she was still alive and kicking.

Bella slept unmolested in the vampires' lair that night. The next morning, the dining room table was set for one, a breakfast fit for a queen spread out on a clean white tablecloth—Belgian waffles, topped with whipped cream and strawberry sauce, coddled eggs, and fresh juice. Bella walked out of the bedroom, following the aroma. James sat at the table, smiling wistfully at her. The look on his face had her almost charmed—almost. She had to remember that he was a vampire, and she was his snack. Gah—she wished he would just get it over with. It being her own personal sword of Damocles hanging over her head.

"Did you sleep well, Bella," he asked in a seductive voice.

"Yes, considering you're going to suck the life out of me at any given moment."

James chuckled at that, then added, "Let's not worry about that now, huh? I just want you to feel comfortable around me."

"Why?"

"Because I find that I enjoy your company. What's so surprising about that?"

Bella sat in a chair beside him. "I don't believe Victoria shares your opinion."

Drumming his fingers on the table top, he commented, "Pfft! Victoria … That woman has been so whiny lately. It's getting on my nerves. It's nice to have someone else to talk to for a change. I must admit, you're very well-read for such a young human. Miss Vicki won't even pick up a book, unless it's filled with pictures, preferably about make-up or fashion. Yeah, she's a real bibliophile."

"Gosh, she sounds like Alice."

"Is that the petite miss I spotted at the ball game?"

"The very one, but I doubt that Alice would pal around with her. The red eyes are a deal-breaker in the friendship department."

"I can't see Victoria flitting about the forest like a wood nymph, chasing after animals for supper either." He laughed at the idea.

Bella assayed her surroundings. "Where is Victoria, anyway?"

"Ah—she's out roaming the hill, still cooling off. She's not exactly pleased with me right now."

"I can imagine."

He leaned close to Bella, and whispered in her ear, "I think she's jealous of you—well, that is, you and me together, doll."

Sitting up straight in his seat, James said, "You haven't touched your food yet. Go ahead, eat up. I made all this for you."

"You can cook?"

"Can I cook? Why I was one of the chefs in the White House when Martin Van Buren was president. That was all before I was turned."

The fork had just returned to her plate, and she swallowed a piece of waffle. "So, you traded DC for Washington State?"

James rested his chin on both fists, staring at her. "I've actually toured all of the states, but Washington lends itself well to an alternative human, more than any other. You know—extensive cloud cover, plenty of trails for unwary hikers …"

Probably a poor choice of words on his part, because Bella stiffened, and he didn't like it at all. He had to do something about that. He wasn't particularly patient, but he'd at least wait until she polished off the meal.

As she put her glass down on the table after draining the last sip, James stood over her and lifted Bella to her feet. He tipped up her head to face him. "Look at me, dollface. Look deep into my eyes, and say these words; I'm in love with you, James."

"No, I don't want to."

James shook his head, urging her. "Yes, you do."

"Yes, I do."

"Now, once again, look in my eyes."

She tried to avoid gazing into those onyx orbs, but somehow she couldn't. It was like there was a steel cable drawing her into their depths. She was drowning in them and lost all will of her own.

The helpless girl repeated his words, "I'm in love with you, James."

The vampire coaxed, "I'll never leave you. You're my whole world."

Each syllable easily slipped from her tongue.

Releasing her, James remarked, "There … now do you want me to kiss you?"

"Gosh, is the sky blue?"

"Alright then, come and get it, baby."

Bella flung herself into his arms, their lips met, and the tingles traveled down her spine. Oh, James, she thought, how did I ever think Edward was the one?

He'd better watch it, James was enjoying this way too much. With her soft form in his embrace, he might have to change her, and keep her for always—the hell with Victoria. And speaking of, he sensed her presence at that moment outside the window. It was evident that she'd seen them in the clinch, but so what? Let her stew in her own venom.