C.4
The Hunter
| . . . : . . . |
(_TWO DAYS PRIOR_)
He was right. Her hair against the light material was painstakingly beautiful. It matched her porcelain skin. He wondered what it would be like if he were to run his finger across it again. Perhaps, this time, on her neck. Would it be just as smooth as the skin on her wrist? If it was, how long would it withstand the pressure of his bite before it gave into him and the blood flowed?
He took a step; it was a whisper. He flinched. He couldn't. He had decided to hunt her. The decision had come to him earlier when he was pacing in front of the empty fireplace in his chambers. He had rapped the notion of killing her while she slept, but it would be easy. Too easy. He had given it up long ago when the mere brush of human flesh no longer excited him.
He took another step, convincing himself that he wanted to take a closer look at the human lying in his bed, in the borrowed clothes. The human that had smiled at him while looking in his raw eyes. The human that seemed unafraid.
He took another step. It had been too long since anyone had offered him anything but pure terror. Did the girl not know death when she saw it?
Another step. Perhaps true terror wasn't known to her. There could be explanations to why his eyes were red, and he recalled her going over excuses in her mind. None of them crossed anything supernatural.
His thighs silently grazed the edge of the bed. He wanted to touch her again, to feel the expanse of her skin under his fingers. To touch her would be to kill her, a risk he was willing to take, but didn't want. He reached out to her exposed arm to blaze cold fires across her flesh. It was torturous, knowing that he could drink her now. He could hear the faint, but sure rhythm of her body. It hummed a beautiful cadence, calling to him, beckoning him to deal her death.
He curled his fingers back even though his thirst was immense, and set fire to every vein that existed within his hardened, dead body. The hollow of his throat protested, his entire being waging a war with his mind, a war his body would lose. Edward was sure of his decision. She would run away from him tonight into the endless dark where false hope lies. The forest would conceal her for some time until her mistakes were dire.
His eyes rolled in bliss at the thought of finding her in the dark. "What wonderful secrets will you tell me, Isabella?" His voice was softer than a whisper, a ghost's breath.
He leaned over to admire her face closer. She had showered. He breathed in her scent, familiarizing himself with the girl. He could almost smell her warmth, and for a moment he thought it ridiculous.
Ever so gently, he moved a piece of hair that had fallen in her face. It was like spun silk. It would be an easy thing, to wrap it around his hand and pull her from the bed. He could bury himself in the curls, absorbing her life, her energy. He gripped the small tendril between his thumb and his index finger, and smoothed it over repeatedly. Silk.
He moved closer to her face, and whispered to himself, "What shall I keep of you?"
What ever it was, that piece of her would belong to him.
Forever.
=x=
Bella stretched her arms over her head as dawn entered her room and laid over the bed she occupied. She pointed her toes to stretch further then sat up to observe her surroundings.
It was for a brief moment where she thought her childhood dreams of being a princess had come true. The space was filled with trinkets, statues, art, vases, and elegant furniture. One particular piece stood out amongst the others; a curvy vanity with a pillowy bench.
Bella put her feet to the floor and walked across the room to get a closer look. It appeared old, but in excellent shape.
"It looks Victorian," she said softly to herself as she ran her hand along the woodwork. Her fingers dipped into the ridges of the floral pattern that encompassed the oval mirror. A white, knitted cloth lattice protected the antique from its residents.
Antique combs, brushes, and hair pins were set out neatly as if waiting to be used. She touched everything, consumed by the heirlooms set out before her. Old perfume bottles with their contents still inside sat in the corner. These pieces fascinated Bella the most. She picked them up to examine the relics trapped in time. She lifted the glass stoppers and squeezed the atomizers to expel the scents from their glass prisons.
Floral perfume from different ages wafted around her. It was nearly overwhelming but she smiled then fanned the air with a wave of her hand. She sat down on the bench to examine them further and even ran a comb through her tangled hair while she looked into the mirror.
When she was younger she had wanted a vanity. It was where the beautiful women in movies sat to apply expensive cosmetics. It was princess-like in her young mind, a regal definition of being a woman. She used to imagine what she would plan or do while sitting at one.
She smiled at the memory then twisted her thick hair around her finger, playing, then allowed her natural curls to fall in her face.
A knock and voice ripped through the room. "Miss Swan, are you awake, and decent?"
She stood and quickly stepped away from the vanity. "Yes!"
The door opened and Edward filed in, followed by Emmett carrying a large silver tray.
"What's this?" Bella asked as Emmett placed it on the bench at the end of the bed.
"Breakfast," Edward said. He pointed to the variety on the plate. "Fresh strawberries, egg whites, a bagel with various condiments since we are unsure of what you like, and freshly squeezed orange juice from the garden."
Bella's mouth parted. She let out an exasperated breath. "Wow. You really know how to treat your guests. Keep this up and you'll never get rid of me." She laughed.
Edward grinned and waved his hand at Emmett, signaling him to leave. He obeyed, and Edward sat on the edge of the ruffled bed and smoothed his palm over the material.
"In part, that is what I came to talk to you about."
"About what?" she asked.
Edward's bloody eyes trained down to the bed then back at her. It was a sight that warranted getting use to. "Spending the day with me. You can imagine that I seldom receive visitors, and I enjoy company greatly. Emmett's presence only extends so far."
If there should have been hesitation to consider his request, it was not taken. "Sure."
Her mouth dropped and her eyes grew wide. She stepped toward him, closing the distance between them, remembering why she was there. How could I forget? "Have you – have you heard from them? My friends?"
Edward took air into his dead lungs, breathing her in. "I'm afraid not."
"Maybe Angela or Jessica called me," she said, panicked.
She stepped away to the opposite side of the bed and began to search vigorously for her cell phone. She searched under the bed, around the table, in her pants, and when it didn't surface she threw her hands in the air. "My phone is missing."
"Shame," Edward said rising off the mattress.
"Can I borrow your phone?"
"My home is your home. Feel free to borrow what ever you need."
"Thanks." She picked up the receiver then slammed it down. "Shit!"
"Is something wrong?" Edward asked.
Bella sighed and pushed both hands through her hair. "Yeah. I don't know their numbers. I've always had them on my contact list so I've never had to dial 'em. They change every year it seems."
"Did you leave it downstairs, and perhaps forgot about it?"
She shook her head. "No, I don't think so."
Edward walked over to her and took her hand, leading her back to the bench that held her breakfast. She sat down and sighed heavily, ridden with guilt, compelled to cry.
This is my fault.
Edward knelt in front of her and took up her hand. "Miss Swan, this may seem unorthodox, coming from someone that you don't know, but this is not your fault," he said, echoing her thoughts. "It feels that way, but guilt and hopelessness is a natural human emotion in situations such as these. I'm sure they are somewhere right now, together. Don't worry, they will turn up."
She fought the tears at his words. Was he right? "You think so?"
"I know so." He smiled falsely, but she couldn't tell the difference. He squeezed her hand then stood. "Now, I encourage you to eat, freshen up, then join me downstairs when you are ready. I'll search for your phone while I wait. Perhaps you dropped it in the hall?"
"Thank you, Mr. Cullen. I can't tell you how much your kindness means to me right now."
He opened the door then turned. "Think nothing of it." He went to walk out the door but caught himself, remembering the final nail to hammer into her coffin. "I went ahead and took the liberty of writing down the number to the police department for you. It's on your tray. You may want to give them a call soon."
Before she could answer, Edward closed the door. He made for his library situated on the first floor, gripping onto and crushing Bella's cell phone in his pocket.
It wasn't long before Bella had taken Edward's advice and called the police. She explained the situation, and where she was. He, in turn, told her they would do all they could.
She instantly felt relieved at his words and hung up the phone satisfied with her decision. But the feeling didn't last long. She still had to explain the situation to Charlie. She spent another twenty minutes pacing the room, talking to herself – working up the courage to pick up the phone once again.
It never came. She feared the call. No amount of self pep-talk was going to cure that.
"Just get it over with, Bella. Just pick up the phone and call."
Her hand trembled as she picked up the receiver and held it to her ear, preparing to punch in the number.
Silence.
No dial tone.
"What the hell? It was just working."
She pressed and released the button several times but it never yielded a tone. "Fuck." She slammed the phone into the cradle. It was a curse and a blessing that walked the same thin line.
"At least I won't have to deal with him right now," she muttered as she sifted through the drawers to find something to wear for the day, knowing she wouldn't be able to hold off the conversation forever.
=x=
Bella spent the late morning and early afternoon with Edward. She listened to him play the piano, and talk but learned nothing about him. He became guarded when she broached the subject of his childhood, playing the piano even louder and becoming lost in the music.
Emmett was on hand and continued to serve hors d'oeuvres to her on a silver serving tray. She smiled at his thoughtfulness, but gestured to her stomach hoping to let him know she was full. It was rare that she felt so much emotion toward a big man such as him - they were supposed to be tough and manly, but she still held pity and was upset that she couldn't communicate other than simple nods or hand gestures. It was too apparent that he enjoyed her company when he returned a dimpled smile that reached his brown, sparkling eyes. He knew all too well the power of a smile, and it had been a long time since he had seen one as beautiful as hers.
Smiles weren't a frequent thing around that manor, unless they came from the monster, but they were never genuine.
Edward eyed their exchange across under the wing of his large, black instrument while pounding out the remaining notes of his original composition. When he finished he pushed his fallen locks out of his face, stood, and walked to Emmett quickly. He yanked the glass pitcher from his hands then placed it on the coffee table in front of Bella. He signed to him, prepare an early dinner. Emmett recognized the wild gleam in Edward's eye, but nodded in defeat, drew back his shoulders, and headed for the kitchen. Edward's lip twitched into a sneer at his leave but dismissed it before turning to Bella who was curled up comfortably on the pillowy leather couch.
The glass that she had been sipping from all afternoon was bordering on empty. It did not escape Edward's attention.
"Would you care for more tea?"
"No, thank you," Bella said. "I really need to be leaving, anyway."
Edward was at her side on the couch in an instant leaning into her but not too close. "Stay," he whispered.
The movement startled Bella and she drew back slightly. "Mr. Cullen," she breathed, "I need to go back to my camp site. What if they're waiting for me?"
"What if they're not? What will you do then?"
Her lips parted, allowing a steady breath to slip from her body. "Wait, I guess?"
"At the very least, have dinner with me? Emmett is preparing a wonderful meal in your honor." He knew how to get her to stay. He would use her weakness against her; pity. "How would he feel if he knew you missed it on purpose?"
Her features lightened, and she sighed. "I guess I can stay a while longer."
Edward smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. In that case, I have something for you. Come."
He pulled her to his arm and they walked up the dark stairs. Bella's fingers splayed across the threads of his long-sleeved shirt. She could have swore it was the same button down shirt he had wore to dinner last night but it was his house so she didn't question it.
Edward's shoulders tightened. He knew her next question. Her steps seemed to slow with the deliberate thought.
"How did Emmett become the way that he is? Was he born like that?"
"It's a long story," he offered.
Bella smiled. "We have the rest of the day." And the rest of the night.
She liked that idea even if his eyes were strange.
"Will you settle for a dinner time story? We'll have time then."
"I suppose so."
"Good, because there is something I want to show you, something I would like for you to have."
"Have?" Bella asked as they stepped inside a room. Another elaborate chandelier lit up the room. Her hand slipped from him as she took in the new surroundings. It was twice as big as the guest room she had slept in, but was bare with the exception of a large, dark four-poster bed. Even though it was dusty it was beautiful. Floor-to-ceiling windows were decorated in heavy drapes on either side of the bed, and dark and light wood lay together to create stars inside a circle in the middle of the room.
Edward progressed forward and entered a closet. A moment later he stepped out holding a very large, very thick garment bag.
Flashbacks of prom strewed across Bella's mind. Oh no, she thought.
She gave Edward a timid grin. "What's that?"
"Would you be opposed to formal wear?"
"Formal wear?" Dresses meant dangerous shoes. "I don't know, I'm not that graceful in heels." She chuckled to make light of the situation. It's not that she didn't like dresses, in fact she loved them, but she would much rather keep her feet flat on the ground.
However, Edward knew it wouldn't be difficult to convince her to wear the simple item. He unzipped the bag to allow the dress to fall out of its confines.
It breathed and fluffed once out of the thick plastic and Bella's eyed widened. She sighed.
"Oh, wow." She reached out to examine it, but withdrew, giving Edward a wary glance.
"It's alright," he assured her.
She picked up the train and marveled in the skirt's fluidity and the light beading on the bodice. It was regal and she dared to think, princess-like.
Edward swore he saw the pearly white reflection of the material in her eyes.
"What do you say?" he edged deeply. "Let's play dress-up for one night."
"Mr. Cullen, I don't think…"
"Shh. Don't think."
He tossed the dress on the bed, then pulled her close, gripping onto her hand and placing the other to the small of her back. Their bodies fastened – touching from torso to thigh. The new arrangement made Bella dizzy and lightheaded. It only made Edward thirsty. For a moment, he thought to kill her. Why bother going through the trouble of building her up only to tear her down? He could finish this, her, right now.
The idea was mesmerizing.
A new sickness entered his mind and possessed his body.
She wants you, he reasoned. She wants you to claim her now.
She did. He could see it in her eyes, hear it in her mind, and smell it on her skin.
The bed is here. It is how you imagined it would be. Take her and be done with it!
He took a step forward. She took a step back.
Another and then another, until they moved carelessly, slowly, across the floor as he lead her in a smooth-gated dance. The look on her face appeared to be surprise. She couldn't believe that she was actually doing this. She didn't think she could dance.
She spun out of Edward's arms at his delight then reined her back in. Her feet only tangled slightly.
"Look into my eyes – never at the floor," he said.
His body burned for her blood.
"Do you dance with all your guests?" Bella asked as she met his gaze. She trembled under his touch as they continued to move.
"I told you that I never have guests. But if I did, the answer would be no."
The bed was closer, then. He pushed her feet to move in the desired direction.
"Mr. Cullen?" She flushed as Edward contorted her body into a shallow dip. Her hair touched the mattress which would be her undoing. It was the time.
"We're past formalities." He brought her up to meet his face, inches away from hers now. The venom thickened and his teeth sharpened whether or not by his will. It was out of his control now. "Call me Edward."
Her expression, once gentle, eroded into fear. She gasped and struggle from his grip, scooping around him then backing to the door.
"Are you okay?" she asked blinking several times to try and clear the images. Perhaps she imagined it?
He was brought out of his hypnotic state by her absence and question. It's better this way. She needs to be hunted. She's not ripe, not sweltered enough, not hot enough.
His vampire nature slithered away before he turned to her. "I'm fine. My apologies."
He took up the dress and led Bella out of the room that served as his master suite. Once they were down the hall and had entered the guest room, he dropped the dress on the bed and left her in the middle of the room while he made for the door.
"I'll send Emmett for you when dinner is ready. There are shoes in that trunk. You should find everything you need in here. Don't delay in readying yourself."
He quickly closed the door, turning over the locks behind him.
Her pulse accelerating. Did she just see what she thought she saw? She pushed her hands through her hair and shook it.
It's your imagination. Chill out.
She rubbed her eyes with the heels of her palms and sighed heavily. She thought about Jessica, Angela, Eric and even Mike as she opened the trunk and dug through the shoes inside. She wondered where they were, and what they were doing. More importantly, she hoped they were okay.
A tear escaped her eye as she pulled a pair of white heels out of the trunk then slammed it closed.
=x=
She sat at the vanity, turning her face from side to side to examine the angles of her hair. It wasn't how she always imagined it would be. She always thought she'd be happier, but this situation was ill-timed. She wiped the tears away then smoothed her palms over the light material on the fluffy skirt.
A knock resounded through the room. She stood up quickly and clanked to the door, the dress swishing and bouncing wildly around her ankles.
She stepped into the hallway, smiling at Emmett. He returned it, not wanting to be rude by keeping a straight face. He offered his arm which she graciously took. She nearly tripped but he steadied her.
She stared down at the floor while they walked in silence, noticeably embarrassed about having to clutch onto his rock-hard bicep. His skin was warm and smooth, a comparable difference to the way Edward's had felt through his clothes. He always seemed cold, and she wondered why.
They entered the dining room where Edward greeted her and took her from Emmett, who retreated through a door that led to the kitchen.
Still unsure of what she saw earlier, she couldn't find her graciousness and manners when Edward pushed her chair perfectly into position as she sat.
"You look wonderful. The dress was a perfect fit," he said straightening out his black and white suit.
"It's a little tight, but I managed to zip it up."
He sat. "You can't tell it."
"Thank you, Mr. Cullen," she said softly.
"I told you, call me Edward."
She nodded. "Sorry. You can use my first name, too."
"Bella," he said. "Beautiful. Very appropriate."
"Thank you."
Edward tapped on the table. "Dinner should be ready any moment. I hope you are hungry."
She nodded. Surprisingly, she was hungry, regardless of all the food she ate earlier. "Are you going to tell me about Emmett?"
"I told you I would." Edward sat back in his chair and crossed his leg over his knee. He pushed a finger over his bottom lip. "Where to begin? I suppose I could start with how we met. It was a couple of years back, and I hadn't been in Georgia long. I met Emmett in Gainesville, and at the time he was working as achef…" Edward glanced up at Emmett as he entered the dining room carrying one plate. "Ah, speak of the devil. Dinner is served."
Bella smiled at Emmett and picked up her fork, digging into the chicken dish she was given. "It shows. This is wonderful."
"I wouldn't know," Edward said with weighed measure. "Anyway, when I saw him, I was taken with him immediately. He was different from anyone I had ever met, and I've met a lot of people over the years. He held a certain quality that no one else has. After speaking with him, I knew that I wanted to hire him for my house, but to understand my fascination with him, you must first know me.
"You see, I'm not normal. I differ greatly from you or him. So greatly, in fact, that I am something else entirely."
Bella stopped chewing and swallowed harshly. Had she expected that moment to arise, to be given the truth that he was, in fact, some type of monster? "W—what are you?"
Edward smiled at her fear. "An illusion, a masochist, a lion in a world of lambs, a hidden nosferatu. Nothing more than a whisper among men." The name she would know was coming and he was powerless to stop it. "Vampire."
A chill crept up her spine and the grip she had been maintaining on her fork became lax and it dropped to the floor. "What?"
"That's right. A vampire; a legend of ancient folklore sitting right here in front of you."
She shook her head and laughed. She shook her finger at him. "You almost had me. Good one."
Edward did not laugh, and when Bella saw the gleam in his eye, a glint of seriousness, she stopped laughing too. What she hoped to be a joke was not.
"See, when I became what I am, I developed certain gifts which allow me to penetrate the mind of others. I found that I could read others' thoughts, learn their secrets, their desires, pin numbers, bank accounts. No one was immune to my talent."
"And me?" Bella asked.
He stared at her for a minute. "You're unsure of what to think of me. You find me cold, intriguing, attractive, charming, and as of late, frightening. You haven't thought nearly enough for your friends, and have thought more of how to bed me."
Her breath staggered and her heart quickened. He knew. He knew everything.
"Yes, I know. I know everything. Every minuscule thought or idea that has passed through your head from the moment you walked through my door, I have heard. You should be ashamed of yourself - wanting to sleep with a perfect stranger when you have a man waiting for you at home."
She shook her head. A flutter rose in her stomach and it turned. She felt sour and uneasy. Tears threatened to break through and further reveal her turmoil. "He's not my boyfriend."
"But you want him to be… or did."
Bella squeezed her eyes shut and a tear fell. "I'm sorry, I have to go."
She rose quickly and pushed away from the table to exit the dining room. "I hope you enjoy your dinner, and thank you for the hospitality. I've overstayed my welcome." She called over her should and wiped the moisture off her cheeks.
When Edward appeared in front of her she gasped and stumbled back. "You don't seem to understand, Bella." He took her hand and placed it under his elbow. "Come. I would like to show you something."
"No, I really have to go."
"Nonsense. We have all night, remember?"
He smiled and led her through glowing halls that seemed different now than before. The antiques made sense to Bella now. If he was what he said he was, then they were his. They might have been things that he had bought during their time.
"Everything that you see on this floor, in these halls, are mine. I couldn't bare to part with them."
"The perfume yours, too?" Her tone was harsh.
Edward chuckled. "Of course not. Those items in your room belonged to the women that I have killed over the years. I like to keep one thing from each victim as a reminder of them. What can I say? I'm nostalgic."
She stumbled. "Where are you taking me?"
"To show you my collection since you seem to hold doubt in your mind," he said, his eyes trained forward.
"What collection?"
"My most prized."
They stopped outside a pair of dark, wooden double doors. Bella contemplated on running, but Edward gripped to her tighter.
"There will be time for running soon," he said then pushed the doors open. A room containing a mountain of books streamed into Bella's sight – volumes upon volumes. Lights flickered on across the expanse, and if it weren't for what she saw between them, she would have been in awe.
There, between the tales of endless utopias, were shapes of monstrosity. Her throat strangled her breath, her feet pushed against the floor to get away, but the vampire held fast to her arm, pulling her inside with minimal effort.
"Come along, Bella. These things won't bite."
He shut the door behind them. She was trapped. No more a butterfly in the hands of a destructive boy, readying to have her wings removed.
Regardless of what he was or what he did, she held onto him tightly, pleading with herself to not fall or faint.
"You're trembling," he said, and gave her slight notice by grazing the tips of his fingers along the quivering skin at her arm. "You mustn't fear these tokens. They are not alive. No harm will come to you in this room."
He guided Bella to the far left wall, and flipped on a light that was situated inside a glass box containing his first trinket.
She gasped in horror and flinched, squeezing her eyes shut.
Edward grinned. "Ah, Governor Charles Bewittleman. The first time I ever removed a head, and the first one I ever embalmed. As you can imagine this holds a place in my heart. An accomplishment that was prize worthy. The great Governor here was, as I recall, an excellent runner. Top physical condition." Edward let out a scoff of amusement and leaned into Bella. "Well, almost."
Bella couldn't bring herself to look at the head. She trembled and whimpered. Her chest reverberated with the sobs she had been holding onto tightly. They were released as Edward led her to the next and flipped the light on to the glass case.
"Oh, God," Bella breathed. It was monstrous, unnatural, and contorted.
"This young man was a bit of a show off. He engaged in the acts of war but couldn't quite remove himself from the idea that he was not invincible. I found Private First Class Royce King on the first night of the hunt. He had stolen my garden hose, climbed up in a tree, and hanged himself with it. I must say, I didn't see that one coming. I couldn't quite get his jaw straight though," Edward pointed out and cocked his head to the side.
He led her to the next, then the next, telling her the stories of the few heads mounted on his wall in their glass containers. On another wall were various glass jars of different sizes, containing other specimens that he had taken over the years.
Fingers, hearts, eyes – he took whatever he wanted if it was worth his time. Bella had never seen such horror. She felt weak as he spoke.
"I need to go," she said mindlessly.
"Stay. We have more to discuss."
"No," she swallowed. "We have nothing to talk about. I need to go…I need to find my friends."
"You'll never find them," he nearly singed.
Bella stopped her resisting at his words. "You have them, don't you?"
He grinned.
He had them. She knew he did. "Where?" Her eyes searched his, desperately, nearly crazed. "Where? You son of a bitch! Where are they?"
"They're safely stowed away until I need them, with the exception of one."
Another tear fell, and she feared the answer to her question. "Who?"
"That Mike character. I couldn't stand listening to his thoughts."
"What did you do with him?"
"He's gone," Edward answered.
"Gone! What do you mean gone?" Bella backed up.
"Meaning his game has ended."
Her knees gave out and she sunk to the floor. Her body felt unsteady, as if it were made of jelly. There was nothing to hold her up. She felt somewhat comforted that Angela and Jessica were okay, but feared for their safety.
"I called the police. They'll find you. You'll never get away with this." she said bowing to the floor, feeling sick to her stomach.
Edward stepped to her. "Don't be so foolish, Bella. Do you really think I'd give you the number to the police department? You called me on my private line."
"You can't get away with this forever."
He grinned. "Yes, I can."
"How?"
"Because I never lose. I'll walk you out." He erected her off the floor.
"You're letting me go?"
He tucked her waving arm under his elbow and led her out. "Of course. How else am I supposed to catch you unless you are first released?"
Her eyes widened as it became clear. He wanted to hunt her. "No! No, I'm not playing your game!"
He was pulling her down the hall now. "You haven't much of a choice, my dear, and since I find myself in the presence of a lady, being the distinguished gentleman that I am, you will have until midnight."
"Until midnight? For what?"
He pulled her past the dining room, and headed for the back doors of his manor. The halls were dark, bare, and smelled of old wood. Edward's eyes glimmered. "When you are released, you have until midnight to get as far away from the house as possible. At the stroke of midnight, not a minute too soon or too late, I will leave to hunt you."
The light from the setting sun lit the way around the corner and revealed a large room with bare floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides. Tangerine clouds fluffed from behind the forest that lay deep in his backyard.
"What happens if you don't find me?"
Edward opened one of the French doors, chuckling. "I told you, I never lose."
He spun her around, inches from his face and inhaled her deep into his lungs. Bella thought she heard him hum. "And I can't wait to find you," he whispered.
He let her go, leaving Bella to step outside into the warm air. The sounds of nocturnal life were already awakening and they surrounded her. She wrapped her arms around herself, knowing she was defenseless.
"Your time begins now," Edward said as he stood in the door way.
She only stared at him, looked around, then returned to him. She said nothing.
"I suggest you run," he said darkly.
She was too terrified to move, even though she knew perfectly well that he was serious.
He took a slow step to her and bared his newly emerged fangs. His face contorted into an angry mess of flesh while a growl tore through his chest. "Unless you wish to die now?"
She picked up the skirt of her fluid-like dress and started to run as fast as she could. The heels clacked against the pavement and echoed against the house.
"That's it," Edward whispered to himself, and then shouted to her, "Run! Run, little swan! The hunter comes at midnight! And he's not as generous as I!"
Bella ran past fountains and marble statues. She passed a pool, intricately bedded flowers, and fruit trees. When the cement had run its course and she hit the grass she tripped and fell to the ground. She gathered herself up again, then stripped the heels from her feet, agitated at their limitations.
She turned to look at the manor that she had left behind. She no longer saw the owner, but a wide dark figure in a lit window on the first floor. Bella wiped the mucus from her nose and turned for the tree-line that was still several yards away.
She picked up the skirt of her dress and started to run once again, leaving behind the borrowed heels in the grass. She wasn't sure what she would find in the woods, but she would take her chances.
Anything was better than the hunter.