Take Me Instead
One moment the hallway was empty, the next instant the door had slammed shut and a group of red-eyed vampires had crossed the thirty feet of plush Oriental rug and surrounded us. Two were half-crouched and slowly circling, but the third stood casually in front, studying Edward and me thoughtfully. He was only a few inches taller than me, and he appeared sophisticated and polite in his dark creased slacks and white button down, his dark auburn hair perfectly coifed, save for his bare feet and bloodied irises. I stepped instinctively in front of Edward as I addressed the leader, hoping my boldness might be mistaken for authority.
"It is only me that you have come for," I intoned, forcing myself to meet the head vampire's calculating gaze. "This man does not know anything. I know why you need me to come with you, and I will do whatever I can to locate the . . . individual who brought that knowledge to me." I wish I were a better liar. It was a slim chance, but if the Volturi knew nothing of Edward's transformation, I could hope to convince them that he was a regular human who didn't need to be involved. It was important to them to stay discreet, maybe, just maybe, they would turn him loose rather than risk disappearing him.
"Turning state's evidence are you darling?" the head vampire taunted with a surprising hint of cockney lilt. I returned his stare coolly even as my hands trembled involuntarily.
"I don't owe that leech a thing," I retorted.
"Funny, you struck me as more the 'take me instead' type of damsel. Not that I think either approach is going to save your pretty little neck," he replied, leering.
I started slowly for the door, waiting for them to follow. Leave him here. The two henchmen stalked a few feet behind me. Take me instead. Just before we reached the door, I saw a silver glint out of the corner of my eye - I turned too slowly, just in time to see Edward make a silent grab at the back of the last henchman with a pocketknife in his left hand aimed toward the vampire's pale impenetrable throat.
"No! Don't Edwa—" I exclaimed, clapping both hands over my mouth too late. Too late.
Before I could even take a breath, the head vampire was across the room with his venomous teeth poised millimeters from Edward's neck. He halted at my protest. "Edward? Edward?" he questioned, glancing sharply back at me. I stayed silent and struggled to clear my face of emotion. He studied Edward's features, taking in for the first time his resemblance to the vampire he was searching for, a resemblance which was belied by his human form. "No… it's not possible," he muttered to himself.
"What?" I said with what I hoped was a smirk while panic sent all the blood rushing to my head. "I have a type."
"Bella, leave now. I will remain and take care of this situation." Edward commanded, staring steadily back at the vampire and sounding so much like his old, overprotective, invincible arrogant self that I wanted to check his pulse.
The leader shook himself violently from his reverie, further mussing his dark red hair which was already tousled by the speed with which he had crossed the room. "Everyone goes!" he barked, motioning his crew to take us both prisoner. "Quietly," he added. A cold hand covered my mouth, I felt a sharp prick on my arm followed by a burning, and a familiar darkness swallowed me.