Right, this is a seriously short chapter compared to the rest but I thought that since I hadn't uploaded in a while, I should do so. I'm sorry for that by the way. I've been on Wattpad writing my new book (Bees Forgetting To Fly so you could check that out if you want to) and I've been having 'fun' studying for a while. My exam was crap so I've been thinking about that a lot too.

So here's another chapter of You Promised Me Forever. Enjoy!

Chapter Seven
A Little Bit Of Protection For My Army

My nostrils flared. My eyes narrowed. My hands clenched. My teeth took hold of my lower lip. Her fingers were trailing up my arm slowly, plucking little bits of loose thread from my t-shirt as a wide grin spread across her face. There was a niggling in the back of my mind, screaming at me to fight or run but I chose neither. Standing tall, eyes never leaving her face, I didn't dare show my discomfort. And that's what she seemed to like. The excited gleam in her eye had my nerves on edge, making my fingers twitch from their tightened fists. It was as if she had won a prize somehow, or at least that's what her ruby red eyes were telling me. Milliseconds ticked by and the subtle changes around her were made noticeable when a tall, lanky man approached her from behind. His hands took their place on her petit shoulders and he bent slightly at the knee to be closer to her height.

"Beautiful", her accent was strong, Spanish definitely or at least I think it was Spanish, "don't you think, Riley?"

The man, who must have been changed at around age eighteen, smirked down at the little woman, "Of course, but you're always so stunning to me, love".

They shared a glance. Quick but not quick enough for me not to miss. An entire conversation was passed between them without any words, their eyes told it all. Yet, I didn't truly understand any of it. His, which were black with thirst, bore down into hers and she gave him a cheeky wink before turning back to me, smiling broadly. She was shorter than me, giving me an advantage already.

Something else grabbed her attention then, "My old friends, Jasper and Peter. Long time no see, right? And look how good you look!"

It was then that I felt the tense bodies at either side of me, slightly behind as if they were flanking me. On each wrist was a hand clamped, never loosening grip at all. My rage increased. The beast inside me was roaring to be unleashed, not liking this new vampire at all. She had an extremely negative vibe about her. Something was screeching death at me. Something about her was just that. Death. (And not in the vampire way either).

"Maria", both men behind me greeted her, keeping a neutral tone but still letting disgust seep through a little.

A hiss, low and threatening, came from the table where I had been heading and my eyes instantly flashed towards the sound. Three sets of eyes were flashing between our little group and back to the other vampires sat around the booth. Rosalie, I knew, wouldn't make defensive sound in my honour and by the look on her smug face, it only cemented that thought. Garret, although he looked murderous, was speaking with too much speed for even me to hear and his attention was focused on Emmett.

Emmett?

His face was contorted into a look of pure and utter fury. Lips set into an angered snarl. Teeth grinding together. Venom coating those little, white blades. Broad shoulders stiff and set as if ready to attack. Just by looking at him, I knew his emotions would be staggering. That only caused me to feel sorry for Jasper, who would be taking the brunt of it all. Somewhere in his golden eyes, there was a glimmer of frustration and a twinge of sadness but it was mostly fury. Scared, that was what I was. Absolutely frightened.

And what Maria said next seemed to push the bear of a man overboard:

"You would be an excellent asset to my army so much potential".

A roar rumbled from his broad chest, causing most of the bar to look our way, and Emmett was storming towards us with a deathly look covering his face. Luckily, he seemed to have enough control over himself to be thundering over at a human pace but many humans were already making their way towards the door. Not that anyone else was watching the human people as their eyes were on Emmett, who had just reached us. Wrapping an arm around my waist, he practically yanked me behind him as another growl erupted from his throat. I fell against him, speaking a little at the sudden movements.

"I want him too, Riley", Maria squealed like a little girl, probably eyeing Emmett up and down. "Look at him! Strength, obviously but think of the help that would bring for us".

And for some unknown reason, I had to clench my teeth together to stop the hiss that would have escaped. Surely, it wasn't jealousy playing there, right? Or possessiveness? Why in the name of Jesus Christ would I feel possessive over someone who used to be like a brother to me? Wait- used to be? Then what was he to me now? There was no answer for it. My mind was blank.

"Stay away", Emmett snarled, his shaky arms creating a barrier around me, "from her".

"Oh! Possessive much!" Maria giggled, "Is she your mate?"

The hiss that came from the table must have answered her question because when I peeked under Emmett's arm, I noticed Maria's face stretching into a smile of fake innocence. My eyes narrowed, feeling something biting at my insides like it was warning me. Not being one to go against my gut, I ducked down underneath his arm and stood partly in front of but mostly to his left.

Sneering slightly, "Emmett's Rosalie's mate and I'm a… Loner? Yeah, let's go with that. And why would we", I wiggled a finger between Emmett and I, "want to join your army? From what I have heard, you've destroyed many lives, families and towns. I don't plan on being a part of any of that".

Then her face changed. From nice to nasty in a second. Gone was the innocent smile and in its place was a scowl that could send any human running for the hills within minutes. Riley, the man behind her, glared at me over her shoulder and his eyes were slowly but surely fading into black. His teeth gleamed with venom as a wicked smile crossed his features, showing me that he would attack. If I were a dog, my hackles would be up by now.

"You should speak to me with respect, child, because with age comes maturity and with maturity come the right to punish those younger and lower than yourself", Maria scolded, pointing an accusing finger at my face. "If my good old friends here weren't around you would be burning to ash by now".

The sudden urge to bite that index finger off was niggling at my insides but I ignored it, keeping my sneer in place. It wasn't surprising to notice that Rosalie was slowly making her way towards us, cracking her knuckles like a piano player would do. Her face told me everything. The hate. The anger. The annoyance. The grief. The possessiveness. Everything. She was quick to latch herself on to Emmett's arm, completely ignoring me as she narrowed her eyes in on Maria.

"He's mine".

Two words. And a burning sensation was quickly turning my heart into a shell of what it had been. Two words. And I felt like I was dying the most horrible death. Two words. And I didn't understand my reaction to them at all.

"Maria, darlin', we don't want any problems, hun", Peter drawled lazily. "We're here for trainin'. That's all. Bella needs to learn a lil' more before anythin' serious happens".

It was like his words only strengthened her plans for me as she scooted by Emmett, who looked tense and frozen as Rosalie practically scrubbed her scent into him. Paranoid much? But I glanced away from them, watching as Maria trailed a hand over Jasper's chest then Peter's before resting the tips of her fingers on my shoulder, lightly tapping them in a quick beat. I could hear the fabric being scratched by her nails, catching on the material every few taps. Irritation swept through me.

"Such a fine specimen", Riley mumbled, his eyes tracing down my body. "You have such taste, Maria".

"Thank you, darlin'".

He seemed to like her praise but his eyes never left me. That worried me quite a bit. What was with that guy?

The increasing volume of a thumping heart caught my attention then, and I watched as a woman in hardly any clothes strode towards us. Her hair was pinned away from her face, pencils threaded through the strands like some kind of design. She looked a little sluttish. With the mini, leather skirt and the tight shirt that probably had more buttons undone than done up. As she moved closer to our group, the scent of her blood became more pronounce. Drugs and alcohol, not a safe mix, but they were there. Tainting her blood.

Trying to sound 'sexy', she smirked at us (mostly the guys), "Hey, ma boss was wonderin' if you lot are gonna be sittin' or leavin' 'cos he don't like the standin' folk. Takes up too much space, yeah?"

Jasper frowned, "We'll be leavin', right guys?"

The rest of us, minus Riley and Maria, nodded. We didn't want to be here any longer than we had to and five minutes was enough for me. For a training night, it had been a lot more. With Maria and her army, Riley and his freaky stare, Rosalie and her growing hate then with Emmett and his weird protection.

Talk about having so much fun! Yeah, maybe in another century...

So, it's short but did anyone expect it to be Maria? No? I won the challenge! Ha ha ha ha haaaa...

Oh and I'm still looking for a banner of sorts. Anyone with ideas, PM me please. It must include Emmett and Bella (obviously) and that's about it. Of course, the title too!

And can you please tell me what you think because I have a feeling that REVIEW button hasn't been getting pressed enough, people! But Thanks for Reading.