16. Prey II
I stalked the shadows of two buildings. It was late and most residents were asleep in their homes. Not the vampire, though. Nope, I was still prowling the streets. A pale face formed out of the shadows, the thoughts were from another of my kind.
"Robert." I greeted.
"Edward," he replied. "Shall we go to somewhere more comfortable?"
I was comfortable in the darkness of this alley, but he was not speaking in those terms. "I'll follow." I said.
We snaked between several tall buildings until we reached a door in an alleyway. "Inside," he gestured with his hand. I nodded and stepped inside. There were a few other vampires there, but they didn't even look up when I entered. "Sit," Robert insisted. So I did. "Tell me about this vampire."
"Her name is Victoria," I began. There was a hiss from one of the corners. The vampire's thoughts a snarl of red rage. We both peered around our shoulders to see the vampire in question.
"You. Come," ordered Robert. The vampire, who I learned was nicknamed Arrow for his speed, sauntered forward. "Have you heard this name before?" Robert queried.
"Yes," Arrow said, his teeth mashing together.
"What does she look like?" I pressed. In his mind I saw the flaming red hair, the slight freckles on her nose and her deep crimson eyes. Arrow didn't say a word as he waited for orders from Robert who was clearly the superior around here.
"Well," Robert insisted. "Let's hear it."
"No need," I said calmly. "It's her he thinks of."
Both of their heads snapped in my direction. Normally I am not one to admit to my gift so immediately but Carlisle had told me that I could trust Robert entirely, and within that trust came his…minions.
"You can…" read minds? Robert asked.
"Yes. As surely as I know you were born in 1802 and that you are currently wondering what your enemies in Dallas are planning next. They've been attacking randomly and when you're vampires are alone."
Robert nodded, his face gaping at me. Carlisle never told me he found such a find. "We will help you find and kill this Victoria, if you will join us," he offered.
"I cannot say so at this point," I paused to make it look like I was speculating. And for a fleeting second I was. "I'll consider it."
"Now, Arrow. Tell Edward what you know about this Victoria." Robert demanded.
"She has been making friends with many of the army covens in the area, and then ratting out their strategies to others. She enjoys the bloodshed." His eyes shot nervously toward the door. "I've heard rumors of her moving toward the east. Last I heard…she was in Dallas."
"Then I think it's time we meet her," Robert said solemnly. And burn her.
"She has a gift," I jumped in. "She seems to have the power of evasion. I've been chasing her from Alaska to New Mexico. She is tricky, and even when you get close she seems to find a way around. Be careful."
Robert nodded. "Please, stay here if you wish; until we have found this Victoria."
"Thank you," I accepted even though I'd rather not. "But I must hunt first. I shall be back here before sunrise."
"I see that your eyes are gold like your creator." Robert acknowledged. "Do you keep his same diet? Or is that just chance?"
"I feed on animals."
Disgusting, thought one vampire.
…not a threat then… another vampire quickly glanced my direction and then back to what he was doing before.
And he wants him to join us for more feeding territory and he doesn't even feed on humans? Robert is kidding himself.
I pushed all their thoughts away. All I could think about was getting out of there. None of the vampires here wanted to hurt me, but I didn't want to be around them. I wanted to be alone. But, I'd never be alone because every time I closed my eyes I see Bella and her deep eyes communicating with me.
"Then I will see you back here at sunrise," Robert said as he bade me goodbye.
My car was not far from where I was at, and it was only a matter of seconds before I was turning the key in the ignition again. The many headlights glared at me accusingly, but I kept driving. Soon, I was out of town and desert like land surrounded me.
I pulled the car off the road and turn it off. It was quiet. I needed to run, like I used to when I was running away from Bella. This was no different. The ground beneath me was like caressing feathers, the dust swarming around me as I pushed myself faster. This was how it used to be, running towards Seattle, trying my best to flee the opulent blood. It never worked, what was any different about it now?
There was no difference. Except that I hurt her this time. Would she forgive me now? After everything I did? After everything I said? Would this be the end of it all?
Still, my feet pressed on. There was no effort behind the movement, but it was painful all the same. Little pieces of me lost to my ever growing despondency. I'd never felt more broken in my entire life. The emptiness was consuming, and all I could do was slide down to my knees and cry. It was not the same – not the same as a human who can release their deepest depression through their salt-watered tears. I had once tasted those tears and deep down I prayed that Bella had not been weeping over me.
A large pile of rocks was nearby and I began throwing the boulders. There was nothing to it, but I was hoping dearly this would help. Anything. All my pain was growing, I was hurting beyond anything and all I wanted to do was make it go away. Make it all stop.
The tumbling rocks did nothing for me. A few wild dogs must have heard the noise because they were coming closer to me, growling. They didn't sense the predator from within. I didn't sense that predator, either. It was there, though, deep inside, waiting to be released. I ignored the dogs, as easily as I would ignore a fly. It was time for all my grief to end. This was doing me no good. I needed Bella. There was no life, no happiness…no joy without her.
A dog attacked and the predator emerged. I slammed it to the ground and consumed its blood. Another pounced, and another. My anger flared and I threw one of them at the others coming in my direction. They went down like pin balls. Several of them fled, the ones who didn't were dead, their blood gone from their bodies. I felt relief for a fraction of a second. Just that tiny sliver of time alleviated my need.
I could make it stop. All of it. All I had to do was return to my love…my life…my meaning. I wanted to make it stop. I would make it stop.
That was when I decided I couldn't do this anymore. That was when I decided that I would go back. That was when I decided that after Victoria, Bella would be in my life. Even if she rejected me, I'd stay in Forks just to see her every day. After Victoria, my life could resume where it had once been.
For the first time in months, I felt light on my feet, the weight no longer baring me down because it was only a matter of time until I saw her again. This would be the end of it all – all the sadness, the despair, the pain…all my suffering will be wiped away as if it never existed.
Victoria was going to suffer.
My car zoomed in and out of traffic, my lungs breathing in the city air. There was life in that air, something I hadn't noticed before. Colors were brightening, the darkness less shady. Kill Victoria, get Bella back. I'd face whatever comes our way. My brakes slowed me down only a street away from Robert Duncan's place of living.
"Edward," Robert greeted me as I pushed the door open. "I have news."
He didn't need to say it; I read it straight out of his mind like I had just picked up a news paper. "A truce lies in the balance between us and the coven in Dallas. I warned their leader of Victoria and after researching he came to the same conclusion. Vampires escorted her to the airport to ship her away." He smiled brightly at the thought and was pleased that good had come out of my visit. He was wary at first, but knew he owed Carlisle more favors than he could count. "Their sending her on a plane. To where? I am not sure."
"When?" I questioned, excitement rolling through me. Before, I wanted Victoria dead. Now, I wanted it more than my body thirsted for blood. This capture would mean I'd return to Forks, that Bella would be safe, and I'd be there to see that she stayed that way. "Where?"
Robert raised an eyebrow. "If you wish to kill her, you'd better leave now. Dallas airport."
There were no more words between us, the air rustled around the building as I sped toward my car. The alleyway was nothing more than a dark blur in my vision. This was it. This was what I had been fighting for since I left Forks. Victoria was going to be on a plane, and I'd be able to follow, or stop her before she boarded.
I didn't bother with my headlights, I could see every shape in the dark that I could in the light. It was as if someone had put a bluish tint over my vision, but the depth of it was still the same. Crystal clear, better even. Each time I shifted the gears power surged through me. The power that was screaming for me to get there, to kill her, to end it all. Her death was like a metaphor, it equaled love and hate and revenge all in one. I'd tell her that, before I rip her head off, how beautiful her death really is. How her death meant my life, my existence could recommence.
I slammed the gear shift down to accelerate my speed. Each second I hated how large this state was, how long of a drive it was for me to make it across the state. The car moved faster than my feet could take me, though, so I pressed the car to its limits, reaching speeds that I'd only dream of running. Or day dream.
The sun was beginning to peak over the horizon and I cursed the clear sky that would soon be filled with the blazing sun. Sparkle, glitter, shine…I didn't care. I had to make it. The city lights of Dallas loomed into view and I nearly rejoiced at the sight. In my head I was unlocking my memories of the maps of the US, of where the major airports were. Surely they'd ship her far away, like Australia or Africa. Maybe Madagascar. One could only hope she would be far, and not want to return if I didn't make it in time.
Then there it was…the airport, spacious and beautiful in the ever growing light. My window was down and I easily picked up the scent of vampire fresh on the air, but there was only one vampire I was looking for and her scent was burning in my nose. This was it. My prey. She was going to die.
Author's note: Ah, aren't we excited yet? Edward finally goes to the airport…which leads to many things. Many wonderful things. I know you all have been waiting patiently and I really appreciate that. This chapter is also small, but that is because I wrote it in two parts. The only reason I did that was because sometimes I just have to take a break, and sometimes I have enough to post and people beg…you crazy beggars!
On another note, there were a few replies from long ago when I said that I was not going to be writing the phone call between Rosalie and Edward because Stephenie already did it. Seems some of you still want me to write it. Well, I thought I'd give it a try, anyway. If it sucks I won't bother posting it and will direct you to her work, but maybe, just maybe I will be able to write something worthwhile.
Please Review! For those who don't have profiles and have been reviewing, thank you. I try to reply to all of my reviews but I am unable to when you don't own a fanfic account.
Disclaimer:All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephenie Meyer. Lolafalana is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of New Moon. No copyright infringement is intended.