*** This story contains some mild language, suspense, romance, and some frightening images and situations—13 and older, please.

In the Grip of Twilight

By:

Olivia Tannis Moore

Chapter Thirty Six:

Edward's Message

I waited for hours.

Anxious, I paced the floor and watched as the minute hand went round and round on my wristwatch; I was aware of every little sound coming from the hall.

It was almost midnight when Demetri returned to my room. I flung the door open and pulled him inside.

"Which news do you want first?" he teased as he went and sat in the chair. "But first, close your eyes—we can't talk here. They're listening. Elena especially."

I closed my eyes and we were surrounded by mist again, the Thames River below. Demetri reclined next to me with his hands folded behind his head.

"Is there bad news?" I asked warily. "If there is, I want it first."

He shrugged. "Let's see…Aro encourages you to start the process as soon as possible. I guess that could be bad news, depending on how you look at it. He's actually considering sending Edward home for your cooperation. Elena is trying to convince Aro that Carlisle can give Edward an anecdote—which is nearly the truth. According to Alice, Carlisle is close, thanks to the blood donation you provided. However…Edward has no intention of leaving Volterra without you. I guess that would be bad news, as well."

"He's so stubborn…" I hissed, griping the sides of my face.

"Yes, well, he had a few choice words for me when I tried to contact him. But he settled down when he realized I was only there at your request. Although he did say, and I quote, 'Tell Bella that I hope she knows what she's doing.'"

"Sounds like him," I said, smiling wistfully. I could hear Edward's annoyed voice so sharply in my mind; it made me ache with longing. "How is he doing?"

"In an eight by eight foot cell? I imagine he's bored silly. He said that everyone leaves him alone for the most part." Demetri's voice lowered, "He misses you."

My bottom lip trembled and I blinked back the tears. "Did he tell you where he hid it?"

I was still being cautious, even though I had Demetri's promise. It had occurred to me from the start that after talking to Edward he could easily find the vial himself. But what choice did I have but to trust him?

"He said it was in his room, under the loose fireplace tile. He said to be careful, that they would go berserk if they found out." Demetri paused for a moment. "Are you going to tell me what it is and what you're planning?"

"Soon," I told him. "I have to make sure it's still there. Meanwhile, I need you to contact Edward once more." I looked Demetri dead in the eyes. "Tell him to get his butt home. If Carlisle can produce a cure for the virus, it may be worth quite a bit to Aro. Tell him I said to go home and stop mucking up my plan."

Demetri raised an eyebrow. "Now there's the Isabeau that I once knew."

"What?" I wasn't sure I'd heard him right. It sounded like he'd called me another name very similar to my own.

"Nothing," he said. "Are you ready to get started on your scavenger hunt?"

***

The door to Edward's adjoining room was locked, but Demetri held both mine and Edward's door keys. I looked at him distastefully as he took the keys out of his pocket—I couldn't believe I was working so closely with my jailor.

"Oh, stop it," he huffed, as if he'd read my mind. He wiggled the key into the lock and swung the door open.

It was dark in his room. Only the dim lamplight from my own room penetrated the darkness.

It was painful to look at. His blue and grey backpack was still on the bed from when we'd arrived. I went to it and run my fingers over the strap. I wanted to take it back to my room with me; I was hungry for anything that was his.

"Bella…"

I nodded and slowly turned from the bed.

The fireplace was in front of the bed. Carved from white Italian marble, its mantelpiece was wide, and held in place with smiling cherubs on each side. I looked down, three large square tiles, the same white marble as the mantelpiece, made up the hearth. I bent and tried to find the loose tile as Edward had directed, but right away I knew the tiles were too heavy for me to move.

Demetri came up and gently steered me out of the way. He nudged each tile before pulling the middle tile up as if it were paper. Immediately my hands were searching the black recess underneath, ignoring the spider webs and the slimy wetness of the stonework. I was reaching deeper, my arms up to the elbows in the dark space, and I cursed myself for not thinking to light a candle. I began to search frantically, my heart pounding wildly in my chest, and then leaping with relief when I felt the smooth surface of the vial. I clutched it in my hands and brought it up into the semi-darkness. The golden liquid glowed through the green glass.

"Is that what I think it is?" Demetri asked. His eyes squinted as he stared at the vial.

"Probably," I replied, and then to myself, "Pure venom."

***

(Thanks for the comments and the messages sent my way. I hope this chapter clears things up for some of you. If not, go back and read the chapter where Edward and Bella catch their flight for Volterra. Thanks for reading! See you tomorrow, same time, same place. OTM)