A/N – Wow…so much contempt for Vamp Mike! LOL Thanks for all the feedback!

Changedbyedward is my wonderful beta! Steph Meyer continues to awe and inspire me. Loved the new book ! The Twilight world is hers and no copyright infringement is intended! Oh and…26 days…..WOOHOO!

Chapter 33


(Edward's POV)

There would be no changing her mind. Bella may have been stubborn as a human, but she added a whole new dimension to the trait as a vampire.

We had all listened intently as the phone conversation between Carlisle and Angela played out; thankful that for the moment at least, she was still amongst the living. Our spirits immediately dampened when the vampire we all assumed was Newton swiftly and ominously relayed their demands.

Or should I say demand. There was only one thing they wanted…Bella. The instant the call ended, the arguing began. Bella was determined to save her friend, no matter what the cost. It took Jasper, Emmett and I to restrain her from leaving at that precise moment. Her newborn instincts were in overdrive and at first it was nearly impossible to even get her to listen to reason.

This was a trap. They had no plans of letting Angela go – she knew too much. It was obvious to us that Bella would have been walking into an ambush - it would have been for lack of a better term, 'a suicide mission.' Once we had convinced her of this, she hesitantly agreed to sit with us while we devised a plan to rescue Angela and take care of Victoria, once and for all.

Discussions bounced back and forth for quite awhile, each of us giving our input on the plan and then allowing Alice the time to visualize each blueprint to see if anything we had suggested would be successful. Once we had determined our best option, we retreated to our rooms to prepare and share a few moments of quiet time with our respective mates. We all had great faith in Alice; her visions had always been a strong guide for us, but we also all knew that there still remained some risk. One curveball could throw off the whole chain of events, changing the future forever.

Bella lay curled into my side, her arm draped across my chest as she drew invisible designs into the duvet cover. Her face was drawn with worry and I ached to give her some comfort but knew that she would feel this way until the battle was over and Angela was safe. Pressing my lips against her forehead, I pulled her tight against my chest, hoping that at least the embrace would ease her concern a little.

Her chin rested against my chest as she stared up into my face, her scarlet eyes glimmering with emotion. "Edward?"

"What is it, love?"

"If that really was Mike and Victoria has changed him – is there any chance he can be shown the 'vegetarian' way of life?" Her question surprised me even though it shouldn't have and I fought to keep my green dragon in check. I knew that Bella had no romantic interest in Newton and that her concerns were out of friendship, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that it bothered me.

"I don't know, Bella. You know how we have all had our struggles with this, even if it is the only way of vampire life we have known. I would like to think any vampire could change his ways, but it really is up to the individual."

"Do you think the rest of the family would be willing to try and show him this path?" Her hand caressed my cheek as she watched my face for a change in expression. "Edward, my heart belongs to you, but he was a good friend to me."

I swallowed the venom that rose to my throat as I fought to remain calm. "This 'friend' is the vampire that kidnapped Angela, Bella. This 'friend' is not the person you knew. He was sired by Victoria, and I know I do not need to remind you how heartless and cruel she can be. He has been taught her ways and may not be willing to give them up. Do not forget that deep down we are selfish, manipulative creatures."

"Edward," Bella sat up, pulling her knees into a hug. "Jasper was sired by a similar creature. Do you think that of him as well? And if Mike is so selfish and manipulative, why hasn't he killed or turned Angela already?"

"No, I don't think that of Jasper, but I do know how he struggles on a daily basis, love, and it has been decades since he left Maria. As for Angela, the only reason she is still alive, Bella, is you. They want you and believe she is the way to get to you." Sitting up, with my back against the pillows, I took Bella's hand and pulled her to me, her back resting against my chest. I pressed my lips against the skin of her neck, just below her earlobe, eliciting a small growl from deep within her chest.

"Edward, you're trying to change the subject."

"Yes love, I am. I think we have spent far too long on the subject of Mike Newton. I can find much more interesting things for us to do," I whispered as I continued my trail of kisses along her neckline.

Bella curled her body around, straddling me as she ran her hands up my biceps until her fingers curled around my neck, tangling them into my hair. Her lips met mine as she traced her tongue along my bottom lip, her cool breath whispering against my cheek. I leaned my head back as she ran her tongue against my bottom lip before drawing a line of gentle kisses down towards my Adam's apple, her mouth suckling against my skin. She rocked against my already erect member, her body snuggling closer to mine until we were cheek to cheek. I moved my hands up beneath the back of her shirt, caressing the soft skin just above her waistline.

"Edward?" Her velvet whisper sang a sultry song of seduction to me.

"Yes love?"

"Will you at least think about it? Will you speak with Carlisle?" Her question rang so sweetly as she continued her exploration of my throat with her lips and tongue. At that moment, I knew I had officially become a member of the whipped society. Nodding my assent, I pushed her to the bed - I may have agreed to her request, but I would make sure that she wouldn't have one more thought of Mike Newton for the rest of the night.


(Angela's POV)

A full day had come and gone since Mike had forced me to make the call. Once again, someone had stolen in while I was passed out and removed the farmer's corpse from my prison. I was thankful it was gone, even though in my mind I could still see his lifeless eyes staring back at me.

Standing, I felt my knees begin to buckle and I pressed my hand against the stone wall, steadying myself. I was almost out of water and food again, so I had been trying to ration the little bit that remained. I was going to have to give in and eat something however, if I had any hope of lasting.

After my simple meal of bread and water, I stood again and walked the parameter of the silo, praying I would find something to give me hope even though I had followed the same routine every day that I had been held captive.

My scheduled walk was disturbed however as the door slammed open and Mike stood in the doorway. The afternoon sun shone brightly and I gasped as it reflected off his skin, iridescent beads of color showering the walls with a rainbow. Even though I should have been terrified, the colors captured my attention so much that I barely noticed Mike's movements until I found myself whisked off my feet and draped over Mike's back. Instinctually I clasped my arms around his neck and buried my face against his shoulder, remembering the dizziness I had experienced the last time he carried me this way.

I didn't even question why I was being taken away from my prison, I had known that whatever reason I had been abducted for had everything to do with that phone call. Their need for me was over. I swallowed back the tears as I realized that my life was about to end. I would never see my family again and it broke my heart that they most likely would never even know what really happened to me. As the wind whipped through my matted hair, I recited the Lord's Prayer silently, hoping that my words would be heard and I would be looked after.

I had no idea how far we had travelled when Mike began to slow his gait and I raised my head to see that we were approaching a meadow of some kind. It was lined with trees on all sides, but very open except for a few large oaks at one end. As we approached, I saw a flash of red hair and my heart came into my throat. I had hoped that if I was indeed to die today that it would be Mike who did it. Although he was just as much a monster as Victoria, I believed that my murder would have been fairly quick at his hands.

When we reached the largest oak, he dropped me to the ground and my back slammed against the trunk with the impact. Cold hands gripped my shoulders, pulling me taught against the tree as rope wrapped around my torso in a blur, binding my arms to my sides. The ropes were so tight it was difficult to breathe and I moaned at the discomfort, instantly regretting it as the back of Victoria's hand made impact with my cheekbone.

"Cut it out, Vic!" Mike seethed as he stalked towards her. His eyes were almost black with anger and I watched in silent terror as the two of them paced around me, like lions protecting their prey. She laughed in response and shoved her hands against him.

"A little on edge are we, Michael?" She pushed him towards me. "I told you that you should have hunted before bringing her. Why don't you have a taste?" I felt my eyes widen in response to her chilling statement and turned my head to find Mike staring at me, his thirst for my blood obvious. I closed my eyes and swallowed at the lump in my throat, preparing myself for his attack.

It did not come, however. He licked his lips and stared back at her. "I can handle a little thirst, Victoria – we stick to the plan. You know where I will be."

I watched in horror as he disappeared into the forest behind us. Victoria's evil chuckle brought my eyes back to her and I watched as she moved towards me. "Oh, Angela," she purred, her tone dripping with sugar-coated venom, "we are going to have such fun together once this is over." In an instant she was beside me and I fought to hide my fear as her cold marble finger trailed down the side of my cheek in a gentle but chilling caress. "Such fun."

A noise across the field distracted her and I was relieved to see her move away from me, closer to the center of the meadow. I squinted to see what held her attention, wondering if it were possible that Dr. Cullen and his family would actually be willing to sacrifice Bella for me. None of it made sense and I feared that I would not be the only person to die today.

For a few moments it seemed as though Victoria was waiting in vain, but then I saw them in the distance as they came out of the trees. My immediate relief at seeing them, even though I was far from being free, turned to dread as I watched the Cullens move into the sunlight; the same spectacle of color I had witnessed earlier with Mike sparkling off of their skin. How could it be?

I sat entranced as they seemed to float across the field towards Victoria, completely in unison. My stomach was in knots as I fought back the bile that rose to my throat. My eyes jumped from face to face as I recognized Emmett and Rosalie and then Alice and Jasper. Alice looked towards me, offering a sad smile and I almost believed that she meant it. I remembered how she and Edward had befriended the rest of our group once Bella came into our lives. Did Bella know? No, it was impossible…wasn't it?

This whole situation was like a never-ending nightmare. A nightmare which suddenly became so much worse once the family stopped in the center of the field. A gasp escaped from my lips as I stared at the scene in front of me – it couldn't be!


End of chapter – hmm…any guesses on who Angela sees?