*** 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 Forty One:

Week One, Day Two:

Freedom!

When I woke, I was back in my room, tucked beneath the covers of the bed. It wasn't quite dawn and the grayish-yellow light barely illuminated the room. I sat up, disoriented, trying to piece together what had happened last night. It felt like a dream: the cavern, Edward's venom streaking through my veins…

Cautiously, my hand went up to my throat. There was no soreness, no puncture wounds; it was as if I'd imagined it all. I was supposed to be in some amount of discomfort from my blood combating the venom, yet I felt no different than yesterday morning or the morning before that…which led me to the thought that maybe the transformation hadn't worked.

I closed my eyes and tried to remember what had happened after Edward's human memories had played out in the hospital room, but my mind went blank.

I turned to swing my legs over the side of the bed and froze. On the bedside table was a crystal vase filled with white lilies. I wondered who they were from. Aro? Demetri? Their scent wafted heavily in the air, flooding my nose and making me gag.

I stood, intent on taking the pungent flowers to the bathroom where their scent wouldn't be so overpowering. But as soon as I lifted the vase, it shattered in my hands. The water gushed in all directions, soaking my feet, legs and arms. I stared disbelieving at the mess, before noticing with shock that several crystal shards were embedded in my palms like miniature daggers. I watched, panic-stricken, as my blood began to flow in thin red rivets to the broken stems and bruised white pedals splayed over my bare feet below.

Dazed, I stepped back from the destruction. I held my hands out in front of me, trying not to look at my hands as I turned to bolt into the bathroom.

But then…Plink. Plink. Plink.

And I looked down to see the jagged pieces of glass bounce against the floor. My blood, bright red and gleaming wet, still coated the fallen shards. Slowly, I lifted my hands up to view the wounds, but they were all but closed now, disappearing before my very eyes as if magic. And then, it occurred to me…my palms didn't sting from the cuts. I'd felt the sensation of the bursting glass, the shards buried in my hand, but not the slightest bit of pain.

I hurried into the bathroom and turned on the faucet, running the water over my palms where the blood still dried.

And when I'd rubbed away the remaining stain of blood, my palms were miraculously smooth.

In awe, I looked up into the mirror. I thought I saw a certain glint in my dark eyes, but I couldn't be certain whether it was my transformation or the excitement of learning that the process had worked. My mouth did seem fuller; there was a sensuous curve to my lips that I was sure hadn't been there before. I leaned into the mirror searching my face with a slow deliberation. My skin had taken a softer, porcelain quality, my cheekbones more pronounced. In whole, my face was more ethereal and delicate in appearance. It was still my reflection staring back from the mirror, but in the another sense, it wasn't…it was as if I looked at myself through the most transparent of veils, soft-focused, but still magical enough that you would never be able to pinpoint exactly what made it that way.

Then, I remembered something else. Something I'd been curious about since learning of the peculiar mesh of vampire and human called a Reformer.

I strode back to the bedroom and went to the window where the sunlight was just beginning to angle and penetrate the room. I pushed my sleeve up and held my arm up to the light.

Not the slightest sparkle. The marble-white, gauzy texture was a little unusual, but my skin could easily pass as human.

I sighed. Even with the complications of having the vampires' sun-dazzling skin, I had wanted it.

But I wasn't displeased with the results the transformation had given me. I began testing my new abilities with child-like wonder. I went to the center of the room and jumped to see if I could touch the ceiling, only to smack my head against it, and laugh as I exceeded my expectations. I threw myself into a breathtaking spin…and marveled when I didn't become dizzy or fall. I ran the distance of the room in a flash as if it were merely a thought completed.

I did all this and didn't tire. But by now the room had taken on a new feel as I stared at its four walls. It now felt more like a prison than ever before, my confinement unbearable as I flexed my new talents. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I wished for the millionth time that Edward was here to share in my new experiences. My loneliness was the only hindrance to my excitement.

I thought for a moment, and then closed my eyes, conjuring Edward's image in my mind. Can you hear me? I waited for an endless moment, listening and hoping to hear his voice in my head. But there was only a strange low buzz, like static, or the sound of a dead telephone line.

Disappointed, I opened my eyes. He was probably too far away to hear me, I reasoned. I comforted myself with the thought that maybe later, as my skills grew stronger, he would hear me and answer.

The walls of the room were becoming stifling.

I closed my eyes again and thought of Demetri, his open and smiling face looking down on me. Will you come to my room?

This time the silence was crisp. I knew he listened; I felt his presence as surely as I had during the change. But for whatever reason, he didn't answer me, or even acknowledge my request. The silence hung in the air until it grated on my nerves and I broke the connection off. I leapt from the bed and went to the door, clasping the doorknob. I would leave the room one way or another…but when I went to wrench the knob from the door, it gave way easily.

I had not been locked in.

***

( Huge Thanks to firenaxox of the Not So Human After All, Twilight Community and animallover0109 of The Unknowns, Twilight Community for adding In the Grip of Twilight, and to everyone who has reviewed and/or added me to their Favorites' List and Alert List—I continue to be amazed… OTM)