A/N's: What a week! My laptop died and I'd just written 2000 words for this chapter and it all happened so fast I didn't have time to save it! Picture Claire standing close to a precipice with her beta talking her down! I was so upset! So my usual thanks go to Tanya, my beta, for her awesome job but also because she let me rant and was so patient waiting for me to rewrite it all over again. Saying all that poor Tanya had laptop fail too. It's not a week for technology!

I have to mention my other half Dan, not only did he buy me a new laptop but he also downloaded the Twilight original score, edited it to the part where Bella takes him to the woods and tells him "I know what you are", then trimmed it to a minute long tone, attached it to my mobile and now I have the most awesome Twilight ringtone! I never answer my calls because I just want to listen to it! :o)

Disclaimer: SM owns them all, SM owns us all, we are her minions!

Ch11 Worthy

I'd fallen into an oblivious sleep but my dreams had echoed with the crack of the whip, and each time I heard it, I recalled the sting of the cord as it connected with my spine, my flesh shredding and crying crimson tears as my pounding heart pumped my blood forth.

The memory of the last few hours went round and round in my mind until eventually the crack changed into the dull thump of bodies hitting the ground; I would wake, shaking and crying until Edward soothed me and I would find sleep, only for it all to begin again because the snapping of their necks haunted me.

Edward tried his best to comfort me, but between consciousness and sleep I felt panic. I had no idea how we would survive this or what we should do next. I wanted to flee and suggested as much to Edward.

"Let's go now, before someone comes and there's no hope for us."

"Bella, I can't – Ava –"

He didn't need to say anymore, I knew his hands were tied and I felt guilty for forgetting about her.

"You need to rest," Edward told me, so I closed my eyes and slept fitfully.

Carlisle's voice penetrated my thoughts and I awoke soon after, struggling against Edward's hold because confusion made me believe his arms were my chains. He whispered in my ear; his sweet breath intoxicated my senses and I stilled, remembering for now I'd been saved.

Carlisle stood wide-eyed and pale in the cell doorway. He gripped the bars on either side of his body and visibly shook as he took in the macabre sight before him. "Edward, what have you done?"

He eventually dragged his eyes from the guards to stare at Edward sat on the floor, cradling me against his stony chest.

"I did what I had to," Edward mumbled, his nose pressed against my ear.

"But did you have to kill them?"

Without speaking Edward stood, lifting me in his arms and cradling my head against his shoulder he turned and exposed my bare back to Carlisle and then pointed to the discarded whip lying at his feet. I shuddered as cool air brushed across my skin; the wounds were healing fast but still felt tender.

"My God," Carlisle exclaimed, stepping past the bodies to closer inspect my injuries. His hands felt warmer than Edward's but my skin felt hot, so it was Edward's cool touch I needed. "How are these healing so fast?" He looked up at Edward. "There's hardly any scarring, it's disappearing as we speak!"

"I cleansed her," Edward said.

"Cleansed her? What does that mean?"

Edward carried me over to the bunk and lay me atop the blankets. Making sure my head was cushioned under a small pile of straw, he turned back to face Carlisle. "What do you think it means?"

"Edward – are you saying you used – venom?"

Edward nodded.

"Are you mad? You'll change her!"

"And what if I do? Would that be so terrible?" Edward ran his hands through his hair and pivoted away from me. I watched him through half closed eyes as the tension in his shoulders dissipated and he hung his head.

Carlisle stepped forward and gripped Edward's arms as if to shake him, but of course even the brute strength of Carlisle was no match for Edward's physicality, so Carlisle just held onto him.

"Yes, Edward. It would be terrible. Do you even know if this is what she wants?"

"She wants me."

"And all that that entails?"

"Yes," Edward shook off Carlisle's hands and stepped back, then lowering his voice he continued, "but she won't change; not this time."

"How do you know that?"

"Because I didn't bite her, and I didn't drink. I licked the pelts on her skin. The venom was surface only. It wasn't enough to change her, just to heal her."

Carlisle dropped his hands and looked over at me, then down at the ground. They were both stood beneath the broken chains and on the floor at their feet was a small puddle of blood. Scattered drops littered the floor and I watched as Carlisle's gaze followed the path over the floor and up the wall.

"There's so much blood, Edward."

"Yes."

"How did you resist?"

"I'm stronger than you think."

"That's not true, Edward, and you know it. You have been starved for over a year and ever since you met her you have craved her blood; hers more than anyone's!"

"I know this!"

"So how can you stand there and tell me you resisted?"

"Because she means more to me,"

"She means more to you than what?"

"Than blood, Carlisle."

"You would starve for her?"

"I already did." Edward turned back to face me and I watched him as he walked to the bunk and sat on the edge, next to my legs. Slowly he lifted his hand and it hovered over my body. Inches from touching me, he moved it down my form, almost as though he was caressing my aura. "You don't know how long I've waited for her," he whispered. "I've been alone for so long, and then she came into my life and I have never felt anything so powerful before. Yes, I admit I'm drawn to her, body and soul, but the idea of life without her is too painful to even contemplate."

I rested my hand on his knee and could do no more. I felt too weak to answer him, too feeble to move. My skin was starting to feel clammy but the shivers wouldn't stop. I could feel the heat on my back move around my waist and climb across my ribcage; like the fingers of a flame gently licking its way over me. But the heat was only on the surface of my skin, beneath it my body was cold. I hadn't eaten in days, nor drank fresh water, and I was in shock from the lashings; it was no surprise that coupled with Edward's venom, my body was reacting. Its only defence was to fight any intruder and I was more than sure Vampire venom counted as that.

"Edward, I don't doubt that you care for her, but look around you. You have murdered for her but do you honestly think James will punish you? She will be blamed and she will suffer for this." Carlisle pointed to the morbid heap.

"Are you asking me to give her up?"

"What else can you do?"

"Two days ago I agreed with you Carlisle. I felt something with her that went far beyond my worth and I thought it was pointless because what could we possibly have together? So I went to that dungeon and I cut myself for you. I allowed you to drain me and render me lifeless, useless even. But now –"

"Now what? It's different?"

"Yes it's different! Damn it Carlisle, she cut her hand and bled for me! She fed me her blood without care or concern for her own safety. And finally someone showed me that I was worth something and I tasted in her all that is good and pure. When she raised that cup to my lips she not only gave me life, she gave me herself. She is part of me now."

"You know I'm right, Edward. You may not be able to leave but we can get Isabella out. Will you really stand in the way of that?"

"No, she's a part of me now," Edward repeated. "As I am her, I can't!"

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing." Edward shook his head and cupped my hand in his. Carlisle paused before walking over to stand beside us. He studied us both then reaching down he flicked my hair aside.

The light in the cell was bare minimum but I saw something glimmer behind Carlisle's eyes as realisation dawned. "You bit her?"

Edward moved so fast his hand was only a blur to me. He gripped Carlisle's wrist, and standing he forced Carlisle away from me. "Yes I bit her."

"But you said –"

"I said I didn't bite her today."

"Is she changing?"

"No."

"No?"

"No!"

"How can you be so sure? Look at her, she has a fever, she's semi conscious. Edward, look at her!"

Edward released Carlisle's hand and looked at me. I tried to summon the energy to tell him I was ok, that I wasn't hurting or sickening for something but the truth was I felt wretched. My body ached from shaking; inside I felt so cold but externally my skin sweated. Fighting the heat that wrapped itself around me and the combination of hot versus cold was making me nauseous.

Was I changing? Edward had said it wasn't enough when he had bitten me but was it enough now? Had I been exposed too many times? I desperately wanted to ask him but in the far recesses of my mind I knew it didn't matter and I didn't really think I was changing. I was weak, yes, but I blamed it on blood loss, malnutrition, and shock.

I wanted to answer Carlisle's earlier question but I just couldn't find the energy, so I lay there, speaking the truth only in my head.

Do you even know if this is what she wants?

She wants me.

And all that that entails?

Yes Carlisle and all that it entails. Where Edward should go, I would follow.

"She isn't changing, Carlisle."

"Why is she so hot?"

"It's the venom."

"Edward, I need answers! How do you know she isn't changing?"

"Because it wasn't enough, Carlisle, I already told you!"

There was a shuffle of feet at the open door of the cell and Edward and Carlisle spun around to see Rosalie standing there. She was barefoot, her pale blue dress hung from her frail body, dirty and creased.

She was standing stock still, her arms listless by her side, her violet eyes sweeping the room and its contents. She didn't flinch as her gaze rested on the bodies. Stepping over the threshold she walked over to the corpses, and lifting her foot she nudged Crowley's head with her toe. The morbid movement of his face as it swung from left to right and then back again with the pull of gravity bid bile to rise in my throat. I swallowed and took a deep breath, desperately trying not to vomit.

She watched his head roll to the side. "Shouldn't they be – stiff by now?" She asked, nonchalant. Her calm disturbed me for I was starting to feel panic.

"Rigor mortis has come and gone," Carlisle explained. I didn't want to hear anymore, it was too horrid. I just wanted to close my eyes and wake in another time and place. "What are you doing here?"

"Rosalie was the one who let me out," Edward said.

"You did?" Carlisle gasped.

They both looked at her but she ignored them and came to stand by my bunk.

"Was I too late?" She whispered, looking down at me, my breathing laboured, my body still shaking.

"No," Edward replied. "Thank you, Rosalie."

I tried to turn my head slowly to look up at him and then at Rosalie. Did Edward believe Rosalie to be on our side?

Carlisle approached her, placing his hand on her back he asked. "So you believe me?"

Rosalie didn't answer at first, instead she glanced between both men and finally down at me. "I had no choice. So – what's wrong with her?"

"She needs food, water and rest," Carlisle surmised, never missing the opportunity to be Doctor.

"I can help with that," she offered.

I tried to protest but they mistook my mumblings for gratitude. I didn't want to go with her.

"How?" Carlisle asked.

"James has left, he received word from his guard about someone– I didn't pay attention to the particulars, but he won't be back till morning. I could take her upstairs –"

Edward looked down at me and I pleaded with my eyes for him to hear me. Shaking his head, he declined her offer. "I think she should stay here; James instructed she be returned to her cell. There's enough crap here for us to clean up without explaining her whereabouts too."

I sighed in relief that Edward had anticipated my fear and mistrust.

Rosalie shrugged. "Suit yourself. "

"We need to remove these bodies," Carlisle suggested.

"They are becoming rather pungent," she scoffed.

"Carlisle, do you think we could get some help to – dispose of them? Maybe even stop this from getting back to James? In fact, since they brought Bella to her cell, no one else has come in here," Edward said.

Carlisle nodded. "They must be due a guard change pretty soon. We'll have to move fast." Carlisle looked between Edward and the bodies, seriously contemplating the manoeuvre. Even in my half conscious state, I considered the idea might just work. "What about their families? Won't they be missed?" Carlisle thought.

"No," Rosalie offered. "They had no families."

"Are you sure?"

"I was married to a guard, Carlisle. I know them all and their kin. Trust me; no one will notice they're gone."

I couldn't even begin to ponder upon Rosalie's part in all this, and until I had answers from her, I didn't want to trust her.

"I'll be as quick as I can. We need some help with this."

"Carlisle," Edward called to him as he walked towards the corridor. "Be wary of whom to trust." Carlisle nodded then left.

Rosalie sat down on the edge of my bunk. She peered over my side and down at my back. "There are no marks," she mumbled.

"No," Edward agreed with her.

"Why?"

"I cleansed her." It was second time he'd said that tonight, but unlike Carlisle, Rosalie didn't question him on its meaning.

"I didn't know you could do that," she sighed.

I wanted to join in on the conversation but my strength had yet to return. I hated to be weak. I had always tried so hard to be strong; always pushing my strength and resilience forward in any of the horrendous situations I kept finding myself in. But I was only human and that meant I was fragile, and I felt little hope for the coming dawn. If this plan didn't work, it was possible I would die today and I wanted to cling to Edward, desperate to imprint any, if not all of him to memory so my last thoughts would be of him.

Rosalie and Edward didn't speak and I slept again whilst waiting for Carlisle's return.

Suddenly taking hold of my dress which was still lowered to my waist, Rosalie woke me again by tugging it up and over my chest. "I'm sorry for waking you," she said quietly, "let's give you back some dignity."

My hair had covered my half nakedness, but now that my back was no longer an open and weeping wound I could cover myself properly again. But because I didn't have the energy to lift myself and slide my arms through the sleeves, Rosalie struggled until Edward came over to help. He lifted me and Rosalie silently thanked him with a small smile then threaded the sleeves over my limp arms.

Instead of laying me back down, Edward held me against his chest, one arm encircling my waist. As he stroked my hair and held me close the panic I had felt at the idea of James punishing me for their deaths subsided briefly, and I nestled closer to his chest, seeking warmth and reassurance from his body.

The heat on my skin had subsided and I noticed the contrast in mine and Edward's natural body temperature and shivered. In response Edward lifted me away, his body no longer felt soothing and cool but I whimpered when he moved. I knew he was concerned but the feel of him holding me was all the comfort I needed and I would take whatever discomfort came with it just to be near him.

"No," I mumbled, finally able to find my voice. I tried to nestle closer.

"I need to get you warm," he stated.

I lifted my head and looked around the cell for my blankets, not realising I was lying on them until Edward raised me and Rosalie covered me. I shifted my arm to rest under my head and felt my hand brush cold steel. Pulling it from under the straw pillow, I recognised the knife James had given me. I had last seen it when Edward had flung it across the floor to me, from his cell.

Gripping it in my hand beneath the blankets, I replayed in my mind all that had transpired since I'd been brought here. I recalled the callous guards and the arrival of James; how he had segregated the prisoners into groups of worthy and unworthy of his attention, and I could somehow hear the echo of Lauren's cries as he'd had her dragged to the gallows.

I remembered my night with James and the moment he took my virginity. In every second of my memory recall, all I felt for him was pure hatred. I gripped the blade tighter and felt it slice my palm, but my thoughts were so jumbled, I didn't acknowledge it. The blood trickled from my hand and over the blade, and as I summoned up all my disgust for this pathetic excuse for a human being, my fingers absently rolled the blood around the handle, imbedding it into the jewels adorned there. I prayed that should Edward smell my blood, he would believe it to be residue from my back wounds and not investigate further.

I thought about the night James got sick and how I had imagined my Aunt Irina singing to me as she used to do when I was a child. Was James right? Did I possess some latent ability that waited to be honed and perfected?

Was I the one who made him sick?

If I was, maybe I could do it again. Closing my eyes, I listened to the voice of Aunt Irina in my mind. I heard her melody and hummed quietly to myself; understanding her words and concentrating on the movement of my fingers.

But what did I want to happen to him?

Of course, James's head on a platter would be a good start but in truth I didn't understand this power he claimed I had. If it was as potent as he said it was, maybe I should follow with caution. A test to see what I could do should suffice; after all, Aunt Irina had told me to be careful what you wish on others as the universe usually paid it back threefold. Possibly it was me who had wished James ill and he had suffered, and now, a day later, I was suffering and sickening too. I hadn't truly listened to her because I honestly didn't understand. I wasn't even sure if I believed in witchcraft, but what was the harm in trying?

Taking a deep breath, I caressed the knife; over the jewelled handle, down to the blade, across the Latin inscription and up again. My blood was like ink, imprinting its molecules onto the surface.

I thought of James and I imagined him injured, a gunshot? No, too fatal, too quick. I wanted him to suffer and I wanted to see if this worked. If he died whilst away from the castle, I may never know for sure if it was down to me; so no gunshot. A stab wound? Ok, I liked that idea, so I pictured him injured with a stab wound. I concentrated on that image and the words and the melody until it blurred into some sort of lullaby, and with my morbid thoughts to comfort me, I drifted off to sleep.

I didn't sleep long and awoke with a start. Glancing around me wildly I relaxed as soon as I felt Edward's arms holding me. I continued to look around the cell but my gaze faltered as it swept across the lifeless stare of the two dead guards. The way their bodies slumped over each other was unnatural and I couldn't help but stare back.

"Don't look at them," Edward hushed.

I let go of the knife and tucked it away, back under the pillow. Lifting my hands free of the blanket I studied my palm. It didn't hurt but I wanted to inspect the damage. I first looked at my left hand then took out my right and glanced at that too. There were no cuts; the blood had dried, smeared across my palm and wrists, but beneath it, my skin was smooth.

Was Edward's venom still working its magic?

I looked over at Rosalie and found her sweeping her gaze over our embrace. She looked at Edward for a long moment, then taking the small brown case from her pocket she opened it and handed the mini portrait to him.

"He has your eyes," she murmured.

Edward reached out and took the portrait from her grubby hand and watched her for a moment before scanning the image. On one side was the angelic face of her daughter, Ava, and on the other was the faded picture of her husband.

Emmett was smiling and his eyes crinkled slightly as his cheeks dimpled, just like his daughters. I could see from the artist's depiction of Emmett that his eyes were dark and friendly. I felt sadness that I would never know this man; Edward's blood, Rosalie's kin.

The picture of him was not as vivid as the one of Ava and as Edward brushed his thumb across the image of his nephew, I reasoned Rosalie had done the same, many, many times.

"Was he dead?" She whispered.

Edward looked up and swallowed, then nodded. "Yes," he replied.

She took the portrait from him and thumbed the face of her lost husband. "He promised me," she said quietly. "He told me he would never leave me. I've looked for him; I go to that place and I search but I can't find him." She shook her head, silent tears falling from her face. "He promised me."

"Rosalie, what did you expect to find?"

"His body at least, possibly him alive and needing help."

"I'm so sorry you feel compelled to go there."

"What else can I do?" She cried. "I love him and he promised me." Her tears continued to fall but she made no move to wipe them away. "How is it that I can still feel him?" She made a fist and pounded her chest. "I feel him all the time. Please tell me what happened," she begged.

"You already know, Rosalie. Carlisle told you."

"How do you know what he told me?" She sniffed.

"I can read your mind."

Rosalie looked up from the portrait, her mouth agape as she studied him. "Really?"

Edward nodded.

"Is this an ability that all Vampires possess?"

Edward shook his head. "No, that's just me. It is believed we take from our human life a skill or attribute and it's transformed into this superb ability in the change. Not all Vampires have one, though."

"Could you read minds as a human?"

"No," Edward said, "but I did have great instincts about people, almost as though I knew what they were thinking."

Rosalie fingered the portrait again. "I wonder what Emmett's would've been, if he'd survived."

Edward flinched at her words. It went undetected by Rosalie but I felt him tense as he held me.

"It's hard to say, what was he like as a human?" He asked her.

Rosalie smiled. "He was wonderful."

"I don't doubt that." Edward smiled too.

"He was also incredibly messy and lazy and he ate like a pig, but he was my pig and he was also gentle and caring and loyal. He took such good care of me and Ava. He was my gentle giant."

I smiled at Rosalie's words, she painted a lovely picture of this man and I knew it pained Edward that he would never know him.

"Did you know he proposed to me seven times before I accepted?"

Edward smiled at her again. He had already known that. She still didn't realise with each fleeting thought she resurrected, Edward could visualise it too. He saw what she remembered.

"I'd like to hear that story," I said, sincere.

She thumbed his portrait again, lost in her memories.

The clatter of multiple footsteps echoed down the corridor, and prising me away from him Edward stood and was at the cell door before they arrived. He growled then crouched slightly, his hands fisted and his knees bent, ready for attack.

Hale rushed in but came to a stop in front of Edward and the corpses of his fellow men. "Fuck!"

"Jasper, wait," Mary Alice ran into the foyer behind him, closely followed by Carlisle.

"What the hell happened here? What have you done?" Hale glared at Edward, unperturbed by his stance and demeanour. I considered Hale either an idiot or extremely brave.

Mary Alice grabbed his arm and pulled him aside. "Jasper, please listen to me. Edward had to kill them, they were – they were torturing Isabella."

Hale shrugged off her hand and gripped his hair in both palms. "What – where –" He couldn't even finish his sentence.

"We need to get rid of them." Carlisle stepped forward. "So you can either help us or leave."

Hale turned to glare at Carlisle. "And if I leave? What then? Your murderer will come after me too?" He pointed at Edward who relaxed his pose and lowered his arms.

"Hale, I am not a monster but I did a monstrous thing. I'm sorry for your fellow guards but I did what I had to do. I never wanted to take anyone's life." Edward appeared submissive, we needed Hale on side.

Mary Alice caressed his sleeve, trailing her hand down to his palm, and with both of hers she lifted both their hands to her face. "He did it for love, Jasper," she whispered, and as she pressed the back of his hand to her cheek, Hale looked from Edward to her. His eyes softened as hers filled with tears.

"What were you planning to do?" He asked.

"Dispose of them. We hoped no one would miss them."

"James knows all of his guards, Mary Alice, he would notice."

"Then we're doomed?" I asked, struggling to lift myself up onto my elbows. They all turned to look at me and Edward moved to my side.

"I will never let that happen," he promised.

Wanting to try my hand at convincing Hale, I managed to sit up on the bunk and looked him in the eyes. "None of us can leave here, Hale, we have too much to lose; Carlisle and Mary Alice have Esme to fight for and Edward has Ava. If we stay and James finds out about this –" I gestured to the bodies "– we will die. But if we leave, then it will be our loved ones. We are not to blame for any of this, can't you see that?"

Hale stayed silent, his eyes sought out each and every person in the room. Eventually he swallowed and looking back at me, he said. "He also has my brother."

None of us could speak, we just stared at Hale unable to comprehend his truth, even though we could all sympathise. "He took him as payment for a debt my father owed. We haven't seen him since."

Edward finally stepped forward and placing his hand on Hale's shoulder he pleaded. "Help us, please Jasper. And we will ensure your brother is included in our plans."

Hale studied Edward for a moment. This was the closest he had ever been to him without the safety of a baronet to protect. "His name is Peter," Hale whispered. "And I know of the perfect place to bury them."

Carlisle stepped forward and clapped Hale on the back, unable to contain his smile. It was a bizarre moment for we sat in a prison cell; a Doctor, a Vampire, a guard, two women and a possible Witch, yet our common interest made us equals.

"Do we take them to the woods?" Rosalie asked.

Hale shook his head. "There are seven new graves prepared for the executions from today. If we dig lower in two of them and dispose of – the bodies inside, the real dead will be placed on top and the decomposition won't matter because it's a grave after all. They'll never be found."

It was disgusting and sinful and vile and immoral but it was also our only choice, and that made it ideal.

"We need a barrow," Hale said and left, only to return moments later with an old wheelbarrow that had been used to cart around manure.

Without hesitation, Edward lifted the bodies into the trolley and we followed Hale outside. He stopped at the entry way that lead to the outside courtyard and made certain no one was about. Signalling the all clear, we all filed out and across the yard.

As Hale led the way, Edward pushed the barrow, and whilst Carlisle and Mary Alice helped me walk, Rosalie stayed behind, looking about her with concern.

"Rosalie, are you ok?" I asked as she stopped and gasped, staring out into the darkness surrounding the courtyard.

"I – I thought I saw – something," she mumbled, and looking away from the trees she caught up with us. "I feel like someone's watching us," she whispered and I had to agree. The hairs on the nape of my neck stood on end and fear gripped me. I was so sure I would turn around and see someone, but glancing over my shoulder, I saw only the black of night.

It seemed strange to be walking about like a free woman and to not be able to flee like I really wanted. I looked at the back of Edward's head and any thoughts of escaping disappeared.

Where Edward should go, I would follow – and all that that entailed.

We entered the woods but to my relief we didn't delve too far inside. Verging left, we came to the small graveyard that had been erected for prisoners. The castle cemetery was on the other side of town and was regal in comparison to this.

Towards the back of the enclosure was seven freshly dug graves. Edward put down the barrow and dropped into one of the pits. In a blur of speed and dirt, he cleared another two feet below the current surface and leapt up onto the verge again. Hauling Crowley onto his back, he dropped back down and buried him before we could react.

Edward did the same with the second grave and guard, and when he was done, we stood around unmoving or speaking. I felt like we should say something but they had shown me no mercy when they were alive so it was difficult thinking of the right thing to say.

I eventually stepped forward and bowing my head I spoke softly. "May you both find your worth on the other side," It seemed fitting for them as it neither suggested Heaven or Hell.

Edward bent down and kissed my forehead, keeping his hands clear of me as he was covered in mud and the decomposing residue of the dead.

We turned to leave but a low growl pierced the night, and to my surprise and horror I realised it had come from Edward. He lurched forward and crouched in front of the group. His eyes narrowed, watching the shadows ahead.

I could see nothing but it was clear someone or something was there.

Edward sniffed the air, then tilting his head as if to listen he slowly straightened and beckoned us to move on. I clung to the back of his shirt and searched the trees ahead for sight of the intruder.

"Let's go," Edward instructed.

"What is it?" I whispered.

Edward looked down at me and smiled; he made no move to touch me, ever the considerate. "Nothing, it's gone now. Let's just go."

The others didn't need telling again and we made our way to the courtyard. Hale had promised me food and water on our return and I was eager to be alone with Edward again. I needed to ask him about the figure in the shadows and why he had glanced at Rosalie and then quickly away before giving me his answer.

Nothing, it's gone now.

But before it left, what or who had it been?

End A/N's ; The voting for Summer of Smut is still open until today, so (picture puppy dog eyes) please go and vote for me while you still can! The link is on my profile. Thanks Guys xx

But don't rush off just yet; I need to hear your thoughts on the chapter. Your questions, ideas, thoughts, comments; they all inspire me. xx