*** 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 Sixty Five:

For the Love of Alice

I gazed around the room before leaving to go meet the Cullens. Edward's two backpacks were still on the chair in front of the window; my suitcase was parked next to the dresser and my bathrobe was carelessly draped over the foot of the bed. It was exactly how I wanted the room to look—just as if I had stepped out and might return at any moment.

And with Thaddeus' book still wrapped within my parka, and tucked under my arm, I walked out into the hallway without bothering to lock the door behind me.

**

Aro had given the Cullens posh rooms on the other side of the castle, past the ballroom where the architecture was sleek and ultra-modern. Here, the hallways were narrower, but the many floor-to-ceiling windows between the suite doors gave the illusion of open space. If the castle were an airplane, this section would be the business class, I thought wryly.

There were only four doors lining the hallway, but I wasn't sure exactly which two belonged to the Cullens.

I paused in front of the first door and whispered, "Carlisle? Esme?"

The door across the hall from where I stood opened, and Carlisle craned his neck out into the hall. "Over here, Bella." His eyes swept the length of the hallway. "Where's Edward?"

It was as I thought; the Cullens had no idea Edward was gone. I wondered if they even knew that Elena was missing. "I'll explain a little later…we have to go below."

Carlisle ushered me into the large suite. There were no baroque fireplaces in these rooms, just the minimal furniture one would expect to find in an upscale hotel room: large bed, armoire, writing desk, sitting area.

Esme rose from her seat at the small settee in front of an entire wall of glass. "Good morning, Bella, dear," She hugged me, her arm grazing the hard edge of the wrapped book. She looked questioningly at me, but I just shook my head. "Not now," I whispered.

Emmett and Rosalie strode through the door. I gazed behind them expecting to see Jasper and Alice, but the hallway was empty.

Esme grazed her cool hand over my wrist. "Jasper and Alice should be back soon. They went sight-seeing around the castle. "

Emmett shrugged his wide shoulders. "Don't know what the fascination is with this heap of ancient rocks."

I couldn't help but grin. If Aro was listening, he knew now what Emmett thought of his beloved castle.

"Sight-seeing…hmmm. Actually, that's a really good idea," I said. "I'd love to show you guys some of the rooms in the castle."

Emmett made a sour face at me. "Are you nuts?"

"Yeah, I am," I said as I pulled the parka away from the corner of Thaddeus' book—just enough to arouse his curiosity. Then I cautioned him against asking questions by putting my finger to my lips.

"Come on, Em," Rosalie cooed. "I'd like to see these rooms that Bella's talking about…" she said looking pointedly at me and Thaddeus' book.

Carlisle leaned in and nudged the parka back a little further attempting to get a better look. But his face remained puzzled.

I held the book out to him. "I'm supposed to give it to you, anyway," I said vaguely, knowing that anyone that listened would think I was still talking about the castle tour.

"Alright, then," he said, taking the book and parka in both hands. "As soon as Alice and Jasper get back, we'll go play tourists."

Esme looked at the clock on the wall. "Carlisle…they've been gone a while. They knew we were all meeting this morning."

"Emmett and I can go look for them," Rosalie offered.

"I think we should wait just a little longer. They're probably on their way back."

As if on cue, the door opened and Jasper entered. His thoughts seemed occupied; his teeth bit at his bottom lip and he didn't appear to notice his family staring at the empty space beside him where Alice should've been.

"Where's Alice?" Rosalie was the first to ask.

Jasper's eyes grew wide as he stared at me. "She went back to the rooms to get Bella and Edward…" He looked around the large room. "Oh, no," he groaned. "I knew it." He turned to me and his tone was almost accusing. "Where is Edward?"

I shook my head and reluctantly said, "He went looking for Elena."

"Elena?" Rosalie sneered. "Why in the world would he go looking for Elena? He can't stand her. Besides, it's usually the other way around—Elena goes looking for Edward."

"She's missing," I said. "Aro sent Demetri and Edward out to look for her." It was all I was willing to say in a room where They might be listening.

Jasper ran both his hands though his blond curls in frustration. "I knew it had something to do with Edward…I just knew it. She insisted on going back to the room to talk to Edward…but she wouldn't tell me why."

"She had a vision, didn't she?" Esme said softly.

"I'm sure of it," Jasper said. "In fact, I think she had two."

***

( Thanks for reading. OTM)