*** 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 Three:

Week One, Day Two

Opportunity

My eyes widened. "You mean they'll try to come into the city?"

Demetri put his finger to his lips and then tapped the side of his head, indicating we should talk there.

He dropped the pen back onto the table and looked up at me. "We think that's their plan. Last night was a deliberate threat. They're trying their best to provoke our anger. And if they can create panic in the streets of our city…that's half the victory."

"So that was the disturbance on the night we arrived…the security at the gate…" I mused. "Edward picked up their scent on the way in, although I don't think he knew what was actually going on."

"I'm sure he didn't know for certain. We're used to dealing with a small group of Lycans, juveniles mostly, that like to roam the hillside and howl their discontent for our ears. The farmers find a mutilated livestock carcass from time to time, but that's usually the extent of their mischief…until now. With this new situation—this frenzied environment—their numbers are growing fast."

"Oh," I said. "They're mad that Aro didn't hand Edward over to them, I guess."

He sneered. "Don't believe that for a second. The Forgotten's death is only a convenient excuse. They want what they've always wanted: the destruction of the Volturi. Aro knew this when he allowed Edward to go home. It was never about Edward."

He looked at me hard as if he were trying to impress on me the seriousness of the matter. "Aro would love a war with the Lycans if he were sure of a victory. And that's where you come in…he's deliriously happy to have found you."

"Me?" I said, surprised. "But I thought it was a slow strengthening process…I can't be of any help in a war with the Lycans," I scoffed.

"You do grow stronger over time. But even now in this infancy stage you would tilt the odds in our favor. Aro is counting heavily on that. There's also the ancient proverb: With the fall of the Forgotten, so goes the Lycan race."

I shook my head. I didn't want to be part of a war with the Lycans. "Is that what you want, a war?" I asked him.

He sighed. "I want to protect you…my home… my way of life. I don't think you understand…just like the Cullens' are different from the Volturi, the Lycans here are older and more powerful than the ones you have back home. They're not as passive and willing to coexist with us. Their hatred runs deeper…"

"That's because there's no communication," I said, exasperated.

"Bella…" he sighed. "Haven't you listened to anything I just said?"

I glared at him. "I heard you clearly. You said Aro would love to wipe out the Lycans. He's as much an instigator as the renegade Lycans you mentioned…so tell me, who's at fault here?"

"That's my point, Bella…you can't fight Aro. If he wants a war, he'll get it."

"Hmph," I snorted.

"Look, Aro is calling for a city-wide curfew at sunset—under the guise of some sort of sewer maintenance work. I'll also need your promise that you'll stay inside the compound until this is over. I can't oversee my men and worry about you, too. Besides, last night I promised Edward I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

My head jerked up and I almost spoke out loud before catching myself. "You spoke with Edward?"

He nodded. "I was to contact him after the transformation and let him know everything went as planned. He said Carlisle thinks he has the anecdote perfected. Edward will be giving it a trial run tomorrow, along with the rest of the Cullens."

He hesitated briefly before adding, "Carlisle is almost certain that the Lycans are the carriers of the virus and that it doesn't transfer from vampire to vampire. I think Aro knew that already; he didn't seem all that concerned that Edward might be contagious—another convenient omission."

"No, he didn't seem concerned…" I agreed. "He sent Elena back with him."

"Exactly."

"Is that all Edward said?" I thought surely there was a message for me—he loved me; he missed me; something…

Demetri shrugged his shoulders. "That's about it. Edward and I don't have a lot to chit chat about, if you know what I mean."

I smirked and leaned in. "Even friendly rivals can pass along messages."

His eyebrows lifted. "Oh, for you, you mean." He shook his head. "I'm sure he meant to, but I lost the connection toward the end. It was just after the transformation and I wasn't in the best frame of mind. Sorry."

I waved away his apology and made a mental note to be present the next time. Then I remembered what I'd come to ask. "So when is my next transfusion?"

He looked at me dubiously. "In a few days. He seems to think you need the time to get over any adverse effects."

I grinned. "I feel fine…better than fine, actually."

His eyes narrowed. "Doesn't surprise me…last night, when Edward's venom entered your bloodstream, it was like a damn reunion. It's not supposed to be like that, but I guess your circumstances are unique."

I bit my bottom lip to keep from smiling.

"Nevertheless, it would be best if you kept to your room for a while and at least pretend to recover, to prevent any suspicions."

I saluted him, mockingly. "That's where I'm heading now."

He rolled his eyes and grinned. "I'll check in on you before I go out tonight."

*

I left and nearly skipped back to my room.

The Volturi would be occupied tonight…Demetri would be busy preparing his guards, so I wouldn't have to involve him…

It was the perfect opportunity to get a look at that lock on Thaddeus' bookcase.

***

(Another slight cliffy, imagine that… Also I've enabled the anonymous reviews for considerate reviewers. Thanks for reading! OTM)