Disclaimer: We do NOT own Twilight. We just enjoy fucking with Edward.

Dark Salvation

AN: Ten more chapters to go...

Edward POV


I stayed with Jasper most of the day, helping him through the conversations with the police, before Jessica called and reminded him that he had a long-standing patient that had an appointment. I really needed to go in and check on some of my own patients as well, so we parted ways in the driveway.

Something seemed…off with Jasper. Of course, killing a man might do that for you. I, myself, wasn't feeling up to par either. My phone buzzed as I drove toward the hospital. Bella. I hated lying to her. She shouldn't be lied to…but fuck, if we told her this, she'd be an accessory to murder, same as me. This way, at least she had deniability. I pulled the phone from my pocket. "Hello, love."

"How is he?" She asked softly.

I hadn't spoken to her since this morning before… "He'll make it." I said flatly.

"Carlisle told me that you two found the body…" I could hear the shiver in her voice.

"Yes…we did."

"Oh, Edward!" She was sobbing now. She had always been so sensitive. Me? I was…edging toward numb. I didn't feel sorry for his death. He was a screwed up, sadistic fucker that was going to hurt my family. Jasper said that there was some hate directed toward Emmett as well, and that, I didn't understand. Maybe I would get to the bottom of it, eventually.

"Love, I'm heading in to the hospital. I'll be there in just a few minutes to see you, alright?"

"O-okay, Edward." She said softly.

I snapped my phone shut and headed into the parking garage to my space. I had just stepped into the hospital when my phone rang again. I sighed and opened it, not even looking at the number. "Cullen." I said shortly.

"Dr. Cullen, this is Janelle, I just wanted to remind you of the appointment with the sensory deprivation tank you scheduled…"

I wracked my brain…oh, yeah, I remember. I'd scheduled that as an apology for acting like a douche to Jasper when I thought he was the one sending Bella flowers. A small shiver found its way down my spine at the thought of who it was that sent the flowers. "Thank you, Janelle, I appreciate the reminder."

"Tonight, six thirty, Dr. Cullen." She said sharply before I heard the phone disconnect. I hated the thoughts of what she'd do to me if I forgot it. It seemed that she guarded that tank like it was her baby or something.

I headed for my father's office. I had called him after we 'found' James, told him what had happened, and to look after Bella. I knew, as nervous as I was, waiting for the police to get there, if I talked to her, I'd spill my guts. She just had that hold on me. And now that the bond between us was even stronger, I really didn't know how I'd be able to lie to her about this, even if it was for her own good.

But, if the tables were turned, would she do the same for me? I certainly hope so. Though, I doubt my wonderful wife had many occasions to kill a man. I let out a little hysterical laugh at the thought and ran my fingers through my hair. The elevator doors opened and I walked down the hall to the chief of staff's office.

I didn't knock on the outer office, just opened the door. Alice was sitting there with Bella. "Edward!" Bella said, jumping up from the small sofa and all but tackling me. My arms wrapped around her and I picked her up bridal style and sat back down on the sofa, burying my nose in her familiar scent. The scent of home. The strawberries, the freesia, just…Bella.

"Are you alright?" Alice asked politely.

I nodded. "Yeah, it's…I'm okay."

"Jasper?" She asked softly.

I nodded. "He's having it tough. He's blaming himself." If only they knew. "But, I think with some TLC he'll be fine."

Alice frowned. "Oh, okay. Well, I'll just…"

Bella's hand snaked out to grab Alice's. "I'll call you, okay? Can we have dinner tonight? Comfy clothes, pizza, movie? Edward has therapy tonight…unless Jasper doesn't feel like…?"

"Actually, as a doctor, myself, I think he would benefit from sticking to the routine." I told them, not wanting to mention the tank. I would tell Bella, later, but Alice…didn't really need to know.

Alice nodded. "That…seems like it would be good for Jasper."

"He's in his office." I said quickly. "He had a patient he couldn't back out on."

She smiled at me. "Okay, thanks, Edward."

"My pleasure." I told her with a true smile. Jasper had me, but, in light of this situation, I think the more the merrier is the way to go. I thought back to Bella asking me if I would be jealous of Alice, and again, my thoughts were still 'no'. She loved him as much, and truthfully, perhaps more than I did. And that was something I could respect.

After she left, Bella said, "Edward, tell me what happened?"

I took a breath and recounted mine and Jasper's story we'd concocted. "Jasper and James had a fight because of how James acted at Mom and Dad's house. James said he wouldn't stay if that was how Jasper would treat him. So, he packed his stuff and left. I got there shortly after and found Jasper crying."

"But James was Jasper's…sub, wasn't he?" She asked the last part in a whisper.

I winced. I hadn't even thought about Bella knowing the true nature of their relationship. "Even a sub can say enough is enough, Bella." I said softly. It wasn't necessarily true, but, since he wasn't an actual slave, he could have run away. Of course, judging by the scars on Jasper's back, Master Aro would never allow it. I had the feeling once you cast your lot in with the Italy crew, you were in until they decided you were out. And that was more than likely with a bullet to your head. Or worse.

"So, how is Jasper, really, Edward?" She asked as she snuggled into me, clearly relishing the feel of me as I was of her.

"He's really shaken." I said truthfully. "And I'm going to try to talk him into making tonight about him instead of me. I…I think I'm stronger than him, mentally, right now. And that's scary."

She hugged me tighter. "Edward, Jasper has almost healed you, healed us. And you need to now heal him."

I smiled and breathed in her scent. "How is it you know exactly what to say to make me feel better?"

"I'm your wife. It's my job." She said cheekily. I swatted her bottom slightly and she giggled. But then she stopped. "I shouldn't laugh. Not after…"

I silenced her with a kiss. "I think laughter might be a good thing." I glanced at my father's door. "Where's Dad?"

"The chief of staff is currently out of the office. Meeting, I believe…"

I smiled at her, running my hand along the edge of her skirt. "Is that a fact…?"

"Edward," She chastised, but then she whimpered when I dipped my hand further down between her legs. "We can't!" She whisper-yelled.

"Tell me why." I said as I began nibbling on her ear.

"We might get caught?" I smirked. The last part of that came out as a question. I had her right where I wanted her. I moved her around so she was straddling my waist. My cock was already hard due to the fact that I didn't get a release this morning, not that I minded. Jasper came first. He needed it more than me. But now I needed to be connected to my wife.

"Please?" I asked her. I nuzzled into her neck further. "I need you."

She let out a little whine and I knew I had her. I shifted slightly, slouching down onto the couch a little bit. She bit her lip for about a half a second before she attacked my belt and undid my pants. I pulled a condom from my pocket. I had put it in there thinking I might need it for Jasper, that he might want to take his aggressions out on me before or after the police were called, but, I think I could find an even better use for it now. She eyed it and me and I said, "It will make clean up easier."

Her eyes grew wider before she smirked. "I like the way you think, Doctor Cullen."

She took the package from me and opened it, rolling the condom on me. But what she did next made me even hotter. She bent down and took my condom covered cock into her mouth, sucking just a little bit before she sat back up. I looked at her and she smiled. "Lubrication."

I ran my fingers around the edge of her panties. "Love, I don't know how to tell you this, but as wet as you are, I don't think that will be necessary."

Her mouth came down on mine roughly and I claimed it as I pulled her panties to the side and thrust into her. My hands clamped around her ass and hers grasped my shoulders. "Edward!" She cried out softly.

I bit her nipple that was straining through her shirt as I continued to rock into her, pulling her into me. "Bella…" I ground out. "Oh, love, I needed this, needed you, so badly…"

Her hands fisted in my hair. "I'm here, Edward. I'm here for you, only you."

My emotions were going haywire. I helped kill a man, I'm a murderer. I'm everything I always thought I was when Mr. Burns died. And in that moment, it hit me how I really wasn't to blame for his death, but for James', I was partially responsible. I didn't even realize that I was crying until I felt something hot run down my cheek. I tightened my grip on Bella and fucked and cried and she kept murmuring sweetly, softly into my ear, as if sensing something more was going on then I was telling her, and accepting the fact that she didn't want to know. Please, don't, Bella. Don't ask me. Don't make me lie to you any more. Please, just love me. I need your love…

I felt her body clench around me and I couldn't stave off my orgasm any longer, coming with a cry and she silenced both our moans of release by clamping her mouth to mine, her tongue wrapping around mine aggressively.

I sat there, spent, in every way possible as she pulled away and began to kiss my neck. "It will be okay, Edward." She slipped me out of her, readjusting her skirt and panties before she gingerly pulled the condom from me and balled it up in a Kleenex. Then, she did something else that surprised me. She dropped to her knees and licked me clean. My eyes must have been huge because she smiled again. "The mess, remember? Just wanted to return the favor."

I couldn't help the smile as I pulled her to me, knocking her off her feet and onto my lap once more. "I love you, Isabella." I said, tasting the slight flavor of my cum on her lips.

"I love you too, Edward." She laid her head on me and I pulled her all the tighter to me. I hadn't slept worth shit last night between worrying the police were going to bust down Jasper's door and half terrified that James wasn't really dead and he'd come in and kill us in our sleep.

So it was really no surprise when I was jarred awake by the sound of my father's voice… "…no surprise he's exhausted. Do you think he needs some medication?"

Bella's voice said, "No, I think he's fine, he's just…it took a lot out of him, seeing that, I'm sure. Plus, he said that Jasper was really torn up, they must have stayed up half the night talking."

"Well, I hate to say it, but good riddance. That James French was an awful young man. Neither I nor Esme was pleased when the boys made friends with him. We heard rumors about the boy, that he…did things. Not that they're wrong as an adult, but as a young boy, then teen, it was…I didn't want them to be friends, but still, though she didn't like him, Esme said we should always be nice to the boy. His home life was horrible. So, we took him in, treated him like one of ours, even if he did come from the wrong side of the tracks."

I winced and could practically hear Bella bristle. "Need I remind you, father-in-law; I came from the wrong side of the tracks? My family has nothing. And Rosalie…her parents might be rich, but she gave up all of that just so she could get away from that fuck her father was trying to marry her off to."

He sighed. "Bella…"

"Don't 'Bella' me, Carlisle."

He paused. "Forgive me. I didn't mean to insinuate…"

"Of course you didn't mean to." She blew out a breath. "I'm going out for lunch. I…when Edward wakes up, tell him I'll see him later tonight, will you?"

He didn't respond, so I assume he nodded because moments later, I heard the door shut. I opened one eye. "When will you learn not to put your foot into your mouth, Dad?" I asked him.

He looked at me sheepishly. "Edward, how much did you hear?"

"Enough to realize you acted like a snob, even if I did understand what you meant. I think Bella probably did too. This isn't something that is easy on anyone."

He looked at me, really looked at me. "How are you, son?"

I took a deep breath. "I'll live."

"And Jasper…?"

I nodded. "He's well enough." I glanced at my watch. "In fact, he should be finished with his meeting, so I think I'll see if he needs a pick me up, maybe some coffee or something."

Carlisle nodded. "I'll see you later, Edward."

I stood and stretched, thankful to see that Bella fixed my pants back after I'd dozed off. I quickly left my father's office and traveled down the path to Jasper's.

I smiled at Jessica. "Is he in?"

She nodded. She was used to seeing me now. I peeked in the half-open door. Jasper had his head on his desk. He looked so defeated. I took a deep breath. He is my master, my lover, my friend. I'll bring him back from this. "Jasper, can I come in?"

His head rose slowly and his tired eyes penetrated mine. "Hello, Edward. Of course, please come in. I'm done with patients for the day. I have some dictation to do and then I was going to head home. I think it is a good night for tequila after the morning we had."

I forced out a laugh at his attempt at humor remembering how he'd cried this morning when he tried and failed to joke. "I actually... Master, I actually have us an appointment at the tank." I moved closer to the desk. "I thought some quiet space away from all this stress would help. I had set it up last week and karma just happened to be with us when the nurse called to remind me. Normally tonight is our therapy night so I didn't see there being a problem. I know I should have asked you first, but well, I just thought it would be nice."

His head went back onto the desk, but he turned his face to me. "It's fine, darlin'. I am not really up for doing much in the line of helping you tonight but if you want to talk, I am more than happy to listen. I've gotta run home before then. I want to shower and then Detective Mauwer wanted me to check in."

"It is all going to be okay, Jasper. Your master said so. Just trust him on this. What he can't take care of, I will. Let me be there for you, Jasper, the way you've been here for me while I dealt with Mr. Burns's death."

I went around the desk and knelt beside him, rubbing his shoulder. He needed me to be the strong one this time. That's what a sub does. He lifts up his master when he needs it. But a friend does the same thing. "I have a patient in a half hour so I should go review the chart one more time. I'll see you tonight at six thirty, Jazz. I love you."

"I love you too." He said softly. His voice was strained.

I leaned down and kissed his temple before walking away. "See you tonight." I walked out, thinking about him. He just…I realize he did most of the actual killing of James, but…well, maybe Bella is better at comforting than I am, but I was handling this much better than Jasper was.

Perhaps it was because he'd killed before. In self defense, of course. But maybe that made a difference? He killed James in cold blood. Even I realized that. He murdered the man instead of taking him to the authorities. He could have easily showed the police proof of what he had planned for Bella, for me, but instead, he took it into his own hands. And I…I enabled him. I stopped dead in my tracks. I really did this.

My hands began to shake. I walked faster, out into the rain. I grabbed my phone, calling my brother's. "Emmett. I need to talk to you."

I met him at the bar across from the hospital. "It's a little early in the day for a drink, isn't it?" He asked me as he slid into the booth.

I held up my Coke. "Non alcoholic. I have a patient."

"And you're here?"

I blew out a breath. "Emmett, what the fuck happened between you and James?"

He paused when the waitress brought over his drink. He must have ordered it when he walked in. "What do you mean?" He asked when she walked away.

I shot him a look. "I'm not an idiot, Emmett. I've known for a while now that something happened between the two of you. I…when I was at Jasper's, I found…stuff."

His eyes grew wide. "What kind of stuff, Ed?"

I swallowed hard. "Pictures."

"Of?"

"Me…and Bella. James was stalking Bella."

"No! But, wait, why?"

"She was the one that picked him up from the airport with Jasper."

"Do the police know?" He asked, his voice dropping.

"No. I destroyed them."

He blew out a breath. "Edward, did you…?"

I shot him a look. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

He ran his hands through his curls. "Fuck, no, I don't want to know. That shit stays right where it is. I have a baby on the way."

I sighed. "I know, Em. I just…I needed to talk to someone."

"So, what? Where does that…? What does this mean?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. But what happened between you and James, Emmett? He was so angry with you. Looking back, now, I don't understand. There was no reason. It should have been me he was mad at for having Bella. Not you, and certainly not to threaten Rosalie like he did. How is she?"

"She's fine. Mom's with her. She's resting today. My orders. She's joking about it now, blaming Carlisle for opening that bottle of red wine after dinner." He smiled, but it was forced. "She's trying to play off my worry."

"Because she knows what happened between you and James when we were younger, doesn't she?"

He looked at me, surprised. "Come on, Em. It had to be when we were younger, for him to go off like that. What, did you steal his girl or something?" I laughed flatly.

"Or something," He muttered under his breath. "Look, James is dead and gone, let's leave it that way, okay? He can't hurt you, he can't hurt Bella, he can't hurt Rosalie, it's fine."

I nodded. "Okay. That's…that makes sense."

"Go, Edward. Go to your patient. And look after the Jazz man, okay, I like him. He's cool."

My eyebrow rose and he smiled. "Edward…from one bisexual to another, I know what he is to you."

My mouth fell open, but he slid from his seat. "Gotta go, talk to ya later, bro."

What the fuck just happened?

I managed to make it through the rest of the day. I had a few surgeries, checked on some patients, called Bella twice just to hear her voice, which she must have liked, because she was giggly the second time I called and I made a note to start talking to her more often throughout the day.

Six thirty rolled around and I found myself standing, waiting for Jasper. The nurse looked at me with hawk eyes. "I'm just waiting for Doctor Whitlock." I stated defiantly. She looked at me again before she picked her paperback book up and continued reading it. I recognized it. It was one Bella had read before. I think it was a vampire love story or something. I let out a snort. Why women are attracted to vampires is beyond me.

I glanced at my watch again. Six thirty-seven. Jasper was never late. I dialed his cell. It rang five times before it went to voicemail. "Jasper, it's Edward. I was just worried about you. You were supposed to be at the tank by now. Call me?"

I flipped through a magazine for a few more minutes and checked my watch. Six forty-three. Shit. Where is he? Did…did something happen?

My leg was twitching and I tapped my foot against the floor. My watch read six fifty-one and I stood. "Janelle, I'm sorry, I guess he's forgotten our appointment. I'll have to call back and reschedule."

She sighed. "This is valuable time, Dr. Cullen."

"I realize that, and I apologize. I'm really sorry."

"Very well. Tell Dr. Whitlock he can call me later and make it up to me."

I didn't want to know what she meant by that, so I hurried out to my car, dialing Jasper's number again and again all the way to his house. I got there and saw his car in the driveway. I gasped out a breath as I threw the car into park and ran up the steps, fearing the worst.

When I got there, nothing. Jasper was no where to be found. I stopped dead when I got to the bathroom and saw the broken mirror. It was then that I noticed several types of pills, a straight razor, as well as the hand gun I knew Jasper kept in the cabinet.

I felt fairly sick and ran back out toward the kitchen, calling his name, even though I knew he wasn't here. I saw his cell phone on the countertop and I picked it up. All the incoming calls were from me. But the outgoing calls…the last one was from late this afternoon. I dialed it without even thinking. A woman with a soft Spanish accent answered.

"Hello! My name is Edward. Jasper called this number. I'm terribly worried about him! Have you seen him?!"

She paused a moment. "Yes, I…he's here, with Eleazar."

I blew out a breath. His friend. The other Dom. "Can…can you give me directions there? I have to see him. It's important. He's…he's not right. El-Eleazar needs to know what's going on with Jasper."

She paused a moment more. "Alright. I can do that." She gave me the directions and I wrote them down on a note pad near Jasper's land-line phone. "Thank you, what was your name?"

"Carmen. I…I think it would be good if you come. I've not seen Master Jasper like that before."

I swallowed hard and snapped the phone shut. I would help him through this. I had to.

I drove like a man possessed to the address Carmen had given me. I pulled up and a small woman met me at my car. "Carmen?" I asked.

She looked down at my right hand, where Jasper's ring was shining from the dim light of the security lights around the perimeter of the yard. She nodded. "I helped bring Master J into the training room. He's a mess, Edward. Can you and Elly help him?"

"I hope so," I said softly as she led me down a pathway to a large building.

"Me too. Elly said he found Jasper with a gun…"

I cringed. After all he helped me with, helped me see that suicide wasn't the way out, he was thinking of taking his own life? That made me as mad as it did hurt that he would even consider it.

Carmen took me up to the door and said, "I'm not allowed in while 'training' is going on. I shouldn't let you in either, but I'm sure Elly would want to see you…"

"Thank you, Carmen." I said with feeling. She reached up to touch my cheek. "You are what has healed him up until now, Edward. I've heard Elly talk about you to Jasper. He…wasn't happy that Jasper chose to treat you as more of a lover than a sub, but he has accepted how much you and your love have helped Jasper."

I smiled at her. "And I'll continue to help him, to love him, as long as I live."

She nodded. "Then go." She motioned to the door and walked back, the shadows swallowing her as she headed back toward the main house.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside. It was the same room Jasper had taken me to before for one of my 'punishments'. I should have realized that this was where he had chastised me for lying to Bella and for the whole mess that had become of our lives for a few short weeks.

I looked through the room and saw them. Jasper was tied down to a large table on his back. There were clamps on his nipples and a rope was knotted around his balls and cock, effectively making a cock ring/cage that also held him down to the table so he couldn't lift his hips if he wanted to buck them.

I must have made a sound, because both their eyes came up to mine. Jasper's showed shame, horror, but Eleazar's showed only hate. "Look what you've done! Look what you did to my lovely creation! You've broken him! It's all your fault, Edward!"

I didn't hear the body come behind me until I felt strong arms clamp around me, forcing my own arms behind my back. Fuck. What now?

JPOV

The door clicked open and Eleazar turned off the machine that was sending shocks through the nipple clamps. Seth must have come back. Master would not want Seth to see him treating me. The pain makes me forget. He'll make it all go away like I need. Master Aro will take care of James and Master Eleazar will take care of me. I'm broken, he can mend me again.

Anguish, for there is nothing else I could call that sound, alerted me that it was not Seth. Searching through the fog, I opened my eyes, meeting the only ones I both wanted to see and detested seeing me this way.

"Don't look at me! Go away!" I shouted behind the ball gag but it came out unintelligible. I didn't want his pity. I want him to remember me strong. Come on, Elly, make him leave. Just piece me together enough to go home and smile. I can be his master one last day and then Master Aro will come take me back to Italy. Let me leave him with a fond memory, not a broken master being punished.

Eleazar looked down at me, his face twisting into a demonic visage. "Look what you've done! Look what you did to my lovely creation! You've broken him! It's all your fault, Edward!"

I returned my gaze to Edward who was now being held by... Felix? No, no, Jasper. That's not right. The pain is getting to you. I blinked and refocused my eyes, the bulky form of Seth holding Edward's arms behind his back. Not my Edward. "Let him go!" My roar came out as a loud groan when Eleazar amped up the charge again.

I arched my back to try and escape the pain, but it followed my every movement. Fire flooded my veins as Eleazar leaned down and bit the outside edge of my hip, his finger nails raking at my flesh. "You look so beautiful like this, my little Jasper. Edward, don't you see? He was made for this life in a way you never were. He can accept anything I do to him, except tolerate you watching him. He's embarrassed for you to see him that way."

Eleazar came back to my chest, squeezing the rubber tips of the clamps to release them. I closed my eyes as more pain erupted in my pectorals, blood and sensation rushing to the surface. This is my retribution to James. I will not scream out no matter the cost. He didn't scream when I killed him, I won't scream now. I deserve this for listening to James' voice. Edward needs me. I can't end my own pain and hurt him more.

"Don't worry, Buster. Edward will be too busy to watch what I do to you. Seth, strip our guest and tie him to the cross. Twenty lashes, to start with, should soften him up."

"No!" I thrashed on the table, pulling at my cuffs to break free.

Eleazar lovingly stroked my face. "I'll be as gentle as he deserves. I know he can take it, but can you? You've coddled him, Jasper. Does he truly wear your ring or do you wear his?"

Edward's form was blurred by my tears. I watched as Edward gritted his teeth, not making a sound while Seth hastily undressed him. I couldn't make out his face and could not turn my face to wipe my eyes against my upper arm.

"Now you finally cry for what you have done!? It takes me threatening to whip your precious little Edward before I can break you? Should I remove the gag so I can hear your pitiful pleas?"

Eleazar reached behind me and popped free the clasp holding the gag. I tried to push it forward with my tongue but was too weak. Eleazar drew a line with his fingertip down my cock, up my stomach and chest, over the line of my throat to the gag and slowly removed it. I worked my jaw, relieving the pain in the muscles from being held open so long.

My eyes shifted to watch Edward, my tears still blurring my vision. I could tell that Seth was binding him facing me so that I could see Edward's face through the punishment. Eleazar roughly blotted my eyes with his tie, the silk feeling rough against my skin from the brutal swipes.

"Seth, I want you to kneel in front of our guest and lick his cock and balls until they are completely wet with your saliva."

"Yes, Master."

"No, Eleazar! Leave Edward alone. He's not yours!"

"Tut tut, my dear Jasper. You haven't a say right now in what I do to anyone. If Edward wants you released any time soon, you'll be silent and Edward will accept whatever I give him."

Edward's chin lifted haughtily, his eyes filled with a cold green glow. He was pissed. Seth's tongue lapped at Edward's balls, I could see Edward fighting the sensation. His cock lengthened only slightly, still remaining soft against his thigh.

"Pleasure him, Seth. Make it good so that Jasper knows what he would have missed out on had I not taken him out of the bathroom. Edward, did you know that I found your master standing in his bathroom surrounded by broken glass? Did you know that this isn't the first time he's killed in cold blood? You are in love with murderer."

The back of Seth's head blocked my view and I watched as Edward bit his lip, eyes now locked on mine. Just pretend it is Bella or me, Edward. Don't look at Seth, just keep your eyes on me. His head inclined slightly before returning to the original position. It was as if he'd heard my thoughts.

"But, Jasper's going to be well again soon. You're going to take him home and then stay far away from your Master. I'll be your master now, Edward. Our master, Aro, will be here soon enough and he's taking Jasper with him back to Italy."

Eleazar had given me a mild sedative, making me miss out on his phone call to Master Aro. That I'd been discussed worried me to no end. Yet, in the forefront of my mind were the tears running down Edward's cheeks. This wasn't how I wanted him to find out.

"Yes, Edward. Your beloved master is so fucked up, because he had to protect you, that he'd rather go back to Italy than stay here with you."

No, no, he can't do this. "No! That's not it at all! Edward, don't listen to him."

Eleazar turned and cuffed me in the jaw. "I didn't give you permission to talk, slave. Yes, Jasper, you'll be going back as a slave until you've worked off the money James would have brought in. Even then, you've been stripped of your title Master Trainer. You'll be a sub and work your way to the top once again, Jasper, if you can even make it through the slave training."

"My Jasper is a willful boy and doesn't do well with being told what to do." Eleazar came over to me and fisted my hair until my head was propped backwards, my chin jutting in the air.

"I'll break him again and get him pieced back together. He'll be good as new again, no thanks to you."

His eyes returned to Edward who was biting his lip so hard that a faint line of blood grew across it. "Just let it happen." I mouthed to him while Eleazar was moving to the wall. Edward nodded and soon began to subtly pump his hips to Seth's mouth. "I love you." I mouthed my words again.

"I love you too." I read his lips and the faint light in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry."

Edward shook his head, mouthing 'no', just before he came down Seth's throat with a soft moan. Even in his despair and worry for me, Edward looked like an angel hanging upon the cross. His hair fell forward onto his forehead that was coated in a light sheen of sweat. Edward's lips were bloodied and pulled back in a snarl as Eleazar walked over with another set of clamps.

Eleazar circled Edward's nipples until they beaded and then pinched and tugged before applying the clamp on each side. Closing my eyes against the discomfort I saw on his face, I replayed the earlier events with Eleazar in my mind.

He'd walked into the bathroom while I sat on the floor, surrounded by broken glass. He took the handgun from me and set it down after verifying it was empty. Visibly checking for any wounds, Eleazar then offered me a hand to my feet and took my clothes off of me. He walked me to the shower and shoved me roughly inside so that I fell down on the tile, silently crying. I was too tired to make a sound.

My Elly stripped and climbed into the shower with me, lifting me up again and holding me upright beneath the spray. He'd whispered that I had cuts from the shattered glass and then bent me over to wash my hair, letting the water rinse out a few stray shards.

It was when he walked me back to my bedroom and began pulling out clothing that his face hardened. I'd heard the chirp of his cellphone but had not overheard any conversation, so I assumed it was just a voicemail or text. Eleazar slapped me across the face, the blow knocking me off my bed to the floor. He'd kicked me in the hip, the bone bruising from the force.

"You lying sack of shit! The cause of death was a blow to the head, not drowning. You know, and I know, that James was too strong to be killed that easily by a fall. Tell us the truth and Master may go easy on you."

I broke down like a baby in his arms. Eleazar sat on the floor beside me holding me as I sobbed and spilled everything from the day I realized that I was in love with Edward through my hallucinations. I told him about what I'd found and that James had threatened everyone I love. I had to protect them. I had to stop the monster by becoming one.

He dressed me simply in comfortable clothes that he could just pull on and off of me, and was gentle as he half carried me to the car. Eleazar had to help me buckle the belt, I was shaking too hard with my sobs to find the clip. That was when I felt the slight scratch of the needle.

I awoke trussed up in knots that Sakura would have scolded Eleazar for. They were not made properly and my weight was not distributed equally. But, they did do their job. His first words were that Master Aro understood but was displeased. I would be punished severely once we returned to Italy but I would not be killed. My feelings on that had been mixed until I looked into Edward's eyes. He loved me and I needed to fight for him. One day, I'd be well enough to look him in the eye and deserve his love. I can no longer offer him the salvation that was within our reach. But I can get well for him, Edward will be my dark salvation.