A/N's: Thank's for the awesome reviews guys. You know I always reply to them but this week has seen my son poorly icky poo so I just about managed to get the chapter written but I want you all to know that I loved reading every single one of them.

AcrossTheSkyInStars is the best beta in the world! Her fantastic fic "Forgive me, please" also updates today so make sure you go on over there after reading this.

Ch17 Acquaintances

I couldn't stop my tears from falling as I watched Rosalie hold her child. She stroked her hair and every so often would pull away so she could search Ava's face and then gather her close again. Ava continued to suck on her thumb and ignored her mother's sudden erratic behaviour.

Carlisle kept his hand on my shoulder and Mary Alice went to stand by his other side; he draped his arm across her too.

"Carlisle, thank you for trusting me," I whispered so as not to disturb the reunion. "I understand that must have been hard for you."

"Isabella, when you're surrounded by mystical creatures such as Edward, and hear of the likelihood of others like and unlike him, you come to believe in the possibility of life beyond science."

"You're open minded, dad," Mary Alice chimed.

Carlisle smiled and shook his head. "I never used to be. But you did good Isabella, and how can anyone question that?"

I nodded and excused myself from the room; I needed fresh air. I stepped outside the door and watched life in the city courtyard continue around me. The market holders were selling their ware. The guards stood alert and brave at the gates and others walking atop the city walls. Children played and horses drank from the troughs as owners went about their business. It was a normal day for everyone and I felt jealous of their simplistic lives.

I strolled around the back of Carlisle's cottage and found the city wall lower beyond his gardens. One part of the fence was broken and stood gaping into the forest. The woods were practically suffocating the remaining structure and cast dark, cold shadows across the grass and the back of Carlisle's abode.

I walked towards the trees, compelled by the secrets they hid from sight. I already knew there was a strange man leaping the city walls and watching the building for something or someone, and his dog of unusual size was something else I would never forget, either. I wondered what other treasures or curses the trees kept hidden.

I recalled Carlisle's words about mystical creatures and pondered on their origin and if they were closer than we thought. The city already housed a Witch and a Vampire, was it possible there were others?

I stooped to pick up a blue flower, its colour vibrant in the afternoon sun. As I stood twirling the bloom in my hand, a movement in my peripheral caused me to spin around just in time to see a tall, dark figure duck behind a tree.

I didn't move and waited for my heart to resume a regular beat again.

There was no sound from the direction he had run to, in fact there was no sound at all; not a bird chirping nor an insect buzz. The forest was suddenly deathly silent.

I stepped forward once and heard a low growl coming from my left. It was deep and threatening and made all the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I stopped immediately but squinted into the shadows to try to ascertain what the hell was making the noise.

The growl commenced, low and animalistic, and changed tempo as I stood there shaking. It sounded urgent in its warning and I was not going to argue, I would stay completely still.

My eyes began adjusting to the dim shade, and as I focused, I realised I was staring into the yellow orbs of a wolf.

My heart literally stopped. I couldn't believe an animal as ferocious as a wolf could be so close to human living quarters and I scanned the area for a guard or anyone I could alert to its presence. There was no one. I was behind Carlisle's cottage, out of sight, possibly even out of earshot too.

I was alone.

Alone and in the sights of an angry, man-eating beast

I tried to swallow but my throat was raw. I could summon no saliva and my heart hurt as it thundered against my ribcage. I had once been told that some animals can smell fear, so I tried to breathe deeper to calm myself, hoping any scent other than fear rolled of my body.

It was useless. I was terrified.

I watched as the animal tentatively stepped forward, its giant head cocked to the side and its teeth bared, as if to re-illustrate that I should be afraid.

As the sun hits its fur I saw it was not as dark as I had first thought, but sandy coloured. Its coat was quite long and I briefly wondered what it would feel like to run my hands through it.

I had never seen a wolf before, but for a moment, I was more surprised by its colouring than its actual presence. I had always believed wolves to be dark or grey or even black, but not this creamy, almost soft looking shade. It was clean too, not a burr, leaf, branch or patch of mud anywhere on its coat.

The wolf continued towards me and I stayed frozen to the ground. Inside I wanted to scream, to let anyone, if there was anyone within hearing distance, know I needed help. I wanted to turn and run but visions of it jumping me from behind and clawing and ravaging my back, kept glued me to my spot. I stayed quiet, my inner panic rising with every step closer that it took.

"Please, don't hurt me," I whispered, surprising myself by speaking out loud.

The wolf paused and cocked its head again. The growl subsided and it panted, its tongue lolling out the corner of its mouth. Its features seemed almost as though it was listening to me. The aggression was now gone. It helped calm my erratic heart rate, but only slightly.

I said it again, "Please, don't hurt me." I considered myself foolish for thinking it could understand me.

The wolf stepped closer, pressing its huge paws into the grass tenderly. This mighty animal was just as nervous being around me as I was of it. The irony didn't escape me, but I wasn't about to let down my guard.

I watched it tread around my side and then behind me, and the hairs on my neck prickled again. Its beastly head disappeared out of my line of vision and all I could see was its tail as it flicked and twitched as I waited, with baited breath, for the moment of attack.

It didn't come.

My throat felt raw from lack of saliva and I doubted I could scream even if I tried. The wolf pressed its nose to my hair and sniffed; I felt the tresses lift with its inhale and then fall gently again in exhale. The wolf's scent blew across my face and it didn't smell like an animal should. No wet dog or peat like smell from the forest floor, but a musky, sweat like scent that reminded me of man.

The wolf re-appeared in my line of vision but I kept my eyes forward, too scared to look it square in the face when it was this close to me. It was so close that, as it moved around me, I felt the sandy fur brush against my arm and tickle.

I shuddered and it briefly surprised the wolf. I looked at it quickly, unable to stop myself as it jumped back away from me and my eyes made contact with its own. They were large and slanted; a golden amber hue with its black iris, small and central.

I swallowed, and heard my voice shake as I begged the animal to move on, and find another meal tonight. "Please," I stuttered, my voice still low.

I wanted to cry.

A whistle pierced the air, and the wolf and I, startled, looked up and into the trees. A figure of a man stood in the shade of the closest tree. His stance was exactly like the one who had mounted the city walls a few days earlier; his arms by his side, his breathing steady. But I wasn't so sure it was the same person.

The wolf looked back at me then licking my hand gently, it walked over to the man and looked up at him before passing and disappearing into the forest.

I should've felt relief that the beast had gone, but my fear remained at the sight of this man watching me. He was so large in stature and I, a mere slip of a girl, had no hope of defending myself should he attack. I was so defenceless; against animals, against men. I felt a sudden surge of anger at always finding myself in a submissive predicament. I thought of my book and the powers I could learn and I longed to be able to run inside and devour the information so I could at least learn how to protect myself. And if I did make it out of here alive, I would also make sure I had a weapon with me at all times. I might be female and I may be small, but that didn't mean I had to be a victim.

I studied the stranger before me and tried to replace him with the image of the man standing in the courtyard the other night. The one who'd leapt the city wall had been clothed and his hair appeared tidier. This man was dressed only in trousers, no shirt nor shoes adorned him and his hair hung long and untied around his face.

The man stepped forward but stopped just before the light, keeping to the shadows. I tried to appear brave and squared my shoulders, standing taller and raising my head to look him in the face. I couldn't make out his features but I could see his build was immense and his hair was thick and dark.

"Ava?" He asked me. His voice was deep and had a slight drawl to it. It fitted his frame, his build. It was a voice that held your attention. He had mine.

Surprised by his question, I managed to stutter, "She's – she's ok." He didn't speak again, but nor did he move away. He stayed facing me, watching me, waiting for more. "She'll be just fine," I told him, believing this is what he wanted to hear.

I couldn't fully see him due to the shade of the trees but I suddenly had a feeling I knew who he was.

His shoulders shifted as if he'd relaxed and he nodded his head at me. Bending, he placed something in the grass, and walking backwards, he vanished into the shadows.

"Emmett!" I called out to him and stepped over to the object to pick it up. It was a small, wooden rose which had been whittled by hand. Its surface was smooth and shiny; it had been created with care and love.

I stepped closer to the trees, wanting to bring him forth again. His wife and child were metres away. Rosalie had said all along she felt he was alive. I wanted to turn and run inside and tell her she had been right.

"Emmett!" I reached the broken fence and lifted my foot to step through.

"Bella, don't."

I turned and saw Edward sitting in a low hung branch of a nearby tree. He was crouched and holding the limb with just one hand, he looked ready to jump down at a moment's notice.

"Edward!" I breathed and ran over to him. He leapt from the branch and landed right in front of me, his impact on the floor did not make a sound. He straightened his frame and towered over me and I wrapped my arms around his waist. His went across my shoulders and pulled me closer. Leaning down, he inhaled.

"Oh how I've missed you," he murmured, his hands stroking the space between my shoulder blades. I shivered; it felt so good to be touched by him again. "Your heart is beating so fast," he said.

I nodded and watched with hooded eyes as he bowed his head and captured my lips with his. He felt cold but tasted so sweet, and opening my mouth, I sucked his bottom lip into mine and kissed him with hunger. It had been merely hours since I'd last been with him but it felt like an eternity. I would never get enough of him. My heart was racing again but not with fear, this time with excitement.

"I was so scared but now I'm happy."

"I'm sorry you were scared, my love, but I would never have let anything happen to you. You have to believe that."

"Edward, were you here all along?"

"I'm never far from you." He pulled away so I could see him smile. "Are you ok?" He asked, cupping my face.

"Yes, I was a little worried for a while there." I smiled back at him, trying to convince him I was ok, as long as he was here, I was always ok. "Could you have protected me from the wolf, Edward?" I asked.

He nodded. "I stayed back so as to not alert them to my presence, but if you had needed me I would've had that wolf in my grasp before he could strike."

I shivered at the image his words invoked. I didn't want to think about the wolf preparing to pounce. "Are Vampire's faster than wolves?"

He smiled again. "We're faster than almost anything."

"But there were two of them and only one of you."

"It wouldn't have been a problem taking them both."

I smiled at his confidence. It was just as alluring as his other qualities.

"I could hear what he was thinking. I would've known his attack was coming before he'd finished deciding it."

"The wolf? You could hear the wolf? Is that even possible? He's an animal."

"Actually, he's also human."

I shook my head and stared at him. I was confused. Was Edward referring to the man whom I believed was Emmett, or was he talking about the wolf?

He stroked my cheek with his thumb and smiled as he gazed into my eyes. I forgot my confusion for a moment and sat, happy to just look at him. He was so stunning to see, and he never failed to steal my breath away.

"Human? I don't understand."

"The wolf is human, he's known as a shape shifter. Many years ago, I heard tale that the first time they shape shift, the form they choose is the form they will always take. This tribe obviously chose the wolf."

"Tribe? Shape shifters?" I shook my head in bewilderment. I had pondered the possibility of the existence of other creatures, Carlisle had even hinted at it, but to hear it as a truth was amazing. "There are more of them?" He nodded at mu questions. "Why do they change?"

"Actually, it's to protect humans."

"Really?"

Another nod.

"So if that's true, then I was never in any danger from them." I tilted my head towards Carlisle's back garden, as if to clarify whom I was referring to.

"I don't think you ever were, no, but I would never have taken that chance." He lifted my hand and kissed my palm. "Not with you."

"Edward, is it possible Emmett is also a Vampire?"

He considered my words. "Why do you ask?"

"That man, I think it was Emmett."

Edward looked down at my hands and took them in his own. He narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "That was not Emmett."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded again.

"But he asked about Ava?"

"I heard, but it wasn't him." Walking over to a small mound beneath the tree he had occupied, he tugged me with him and we sat. He let go of one of my hands and I plucked at the wild flowers from the carpet of grass at our feet.

"What's wrong my Love? Are you still afraid? I'm sorry I couldn't let you know you were safe. I should've found a way, but I'm here and you are safe."

"No, Edward." I dropped the flowers and took his hand. "It's not that. Yes, I was scared but I understand why you stayed back. It's ok, I swear." I looked down at the flowers I had picked.

He lifted my chin with his thumb. "Then what is it?"

"I honestly believed that was Emmett. I was so happy for Rosalie and Ava, but –" I shook my head and felt tears prickle my eyes. "I'm sorry it's been a very tiring day." I blinked back the tears.

"You were amazing," he murmured, kissing my nose.

"You saw?"

He moved from my nose to my cheeks and murmured agreement between kisses. "I'm never far away from you." He stopped kissing me to smile. "You did a wonderful thing today, Bella. I'm so proud of you and pleased that you can finally embrace who you really are. I liked watching you." His eyes focused on my mouth. We both breathed deeply, staring at the other with passion and need; the air was thick with it, it was almost palpable.

"You liked it?" I asked, pleased that he had witnessed my first transition into the world of sorcery.

He nodded again. "You were magnificent and –" He stopped talking and swooped down to kiss my neck, his tongue darting out to taste me. I clung to his shoulders, moaning at his onslaught; too enamoured to fight him, too enraptured to resist. Not that I ever would.

"And what?" I asked him, my voice shaking as his hands caressed my arms and moved lower to hold my waist. His lips worked their way back up my throat and along my jaw till his mouth rested at the corner of mine.

"And so incredibly sexy," he moaned. I turned my face slightly and found his lips, surrendering to his kiss. His mouth owned me, moving passionately and greedily till I opened mine under his and allowed his tongue entry.

I felt consumed by him and knew if he continued to kiss me like this, I would succumb to the building fire increasing inside me. It was overwhelming to be so besotted by one man, that with just a kiss, he could reduce me this. He hadn't even touched me yet, not intimately, but already I was on fire.

"Edward," I moaned and he responded by pushing me to the floor and lowering his frame on top of me. As always, he kept his full body weight up, supported by his arms, but pushed his hips against mine. I could feel his arousal and opened my legs to wrap them around his waist; I needed to feel him closer. I needed him inside me.

"Edward," I tried again to make him understand exactly what I needed and he chuckled as his hands reached down and dragged my skirts higher. His cool fingers brushed my thighs and instead of feeling discomfort, it felt nice on my hot skin. "More," I begged him and lifted my hips up to grind against him. It was his turn to moan as he returned the motion, pressing into me too.

His hands gripped my under garments and he quickly pulled them off my body, his weight disappearing briefly but returning before I'd fully realised he'd even moved. His mouth captured mine again and his hips connected with my bare flesh. I closed my eyes and let my head roll back as I felt his erection, naked and so ready for me, push against my entrance. Edward had unbuttoned his pants but had not removed them, always considering the effect his cold skin would have on my warm body. He had kept a barrier between us; baring only what was necessary for the act we both craved. His fingers had felt good, as did his cock, but his fully naked body would chill me within minutes.

He paused as the head of his dick slid slightly inside me. I lifted my hips again and tried to urge him fully inside, I wanted to cover him and warm the cold length of him with the heat of my desire.

"Edward," I whispered. He liked it when I said his name, and so far it had worked in getting me what I wanted. "I need more," I told him.

"You're so warm." He kissed my neck, moving slowly from one side to the other. "So wet."

There was something about hearing him say such things that made me feel even more aroused, and I felt the warmth of my lust flow from between my legs. Edward felt it too, and raising his head to look at me, he slowly pushed himself inside, his eyes never breaking contact with mine.

I gasped and opened wider to allow him more access. He felt so big, so hard, and so good.

My own eyes were hooded as I watched his mouth open slightly at the wonder of filling me so deeply. He did not increase his tempo; he just pulled back out again, just as slow, just as long, then pushed back in, this time going slightly deeper .

He was killing me with his patience. I gripped at his hips and tried to pull him in faster and harder. His open mouth, and the sweet scent of his breath as it washed over my face, was hypnotising me.

I broke our eye contact, lifting my shoulders off the floor to look down to where our bodies were joined.

As Edward was raised off my top half, leaving us only connected from our hips down, I could clearly see the length of his penis as he pulled out and hovered for a second before sliding back in. To feel the motion was unbelievable, but to see it as it occurred was totally erotic and I groaned loudly at the feelings building as I witnessed Edward making love to me.

He moved faster, lowering his head to rest it against mine, and together we both watched as his body claimed me. I opened my legs wider and lifted my bottom off the floor, and this time his tempo picked up. We were both so caught up in the intensity, watching and smelling and hearing our passion. He gripped the back of my head and tugged gently till I looked up at him and he kissed me, his tongue plunging deep into my mouth and then I felt him burst inside me. It was my undoing and I gripped his hips tighter, begging him with my hands to keep the motion going as I kissed him back, just as frenzied as he'd kissed me. Suddenly I clenched around him, and I let my orgasm take me.

"I love you." He kissed my cheeks and his grip became tender again. I recognised the slight tightness on my skin were his hands had held me a little rougher than he intended. I didn't care that he had momentarily forgotten himself and that I may have bruises by the morrow. It didn't matter to me or even really register that in his lust induced haze, he could've broken me. I just didn't care. I was happy that I could ignite the same passion in him as he did in me, and that I was not the only person to be addicted to that ardour.

"I love you too," I whispered and we lay together, in the shade of the trees, holding each other as the evening drew nearer.

The sky was a clear blue but the sun had shifted, and as my heart rate returned to normal, I started to feel the cold air surround me. I shivered, and instead of pulling me closer, Edward moved away. I felt slightly warmer but empty with his departure from my side. He gazed over at me but I refused to meet his stare, looking anywhere except at him. I felt so guilty for making him constantly aware of our differences and I hated those differences between us.

A beautiful, tender connection like ours should be enjoyed and revelled in. We should be able to hold each other, without clothes or blankets as a barrier between our body temperatures. I wanted to be with him, totally, wholly, surrendering myself to his touch and not worrying about his desires, both physical and animalistic.

Since the moment we'd first met, Edward had fought to control himself, craving my blood, my very life force, reducing himself to an empty shell just to stay away from me, fighting to resist. But when I'd saved him, and fed him the very blood he desired, his fight hadn't ceased. For now he had to control his more manly urges, always holding back in case he hurt me.

Edward was strong, but I was weak. He was cold skinned whereas I was hot blooded. His touch could render me immobile but mine had no impact on him. I was scared these incompatibilities would force us apart.

"Bella," he said my name so quietly, but loud enough for my stupid, human and inadequate ears to hear him. I pretended I hadn't. "Bella, look at me."

I stopped plucking at the grass but didn't look up. I felt the tears I had resisted earlier, start to fall. I wanted my love to hold me close and I wanted to be able to bear it.

"I know what you're thinking," he murmured.

"I thought you couldn't read my mind," I replied petulantly.

"I know what you're thinking because your body language speaks for my mind too." I looked up at him, a question forming on my lips. "I think about the struggles we face, everyday, Bella. I wonder if we're deluded in thinking we have a future together and how could I even convince myself that a beautiful, warm and loving woman like you, could ever want to be with a monster like me."

"You're not a monster," I said quietly, shaking my head.

"But then I only have to look at you," he continued, ignoring my words, "and I know you are where I belong. My heart is yours. For the first time in over 100 years I feel alive, and that's because of you. I can't stay away from you. To do so would be like denying my life." I watched as he edged closer to me and took my hand in his. I concentrated on the chill emanating from his skin, the way it crept across my own, claiming the heat and swallowing it in its icy embrace. It was almost as though his skin was thirsty for my warmth, just as his appetite was thirsty for my blood. "No, I'm wrong, to stay away from you would like denying your life and I will never be responsible for hurting you. This is my promise."

"Edward, I love you, but I hate that you have to be so careful around me. Do you still crave my blood?"

He nodded. "It calls to me. I can't lie about that, it's like a siren's call. I'm drawn to you, your scent, the sound of your heart, but I don't just hunger you, Bella, I adore you. I can control it, even if sometimes my instinct starts to take over, I remember how important you are to me and my humanity returns. Does that make you angry?"

I laughed. "No, I'm not angry at you for being who you are, that's who I fell in love with. It does make me sad that your first thought when you see me, is your thirst, but we can't change that. Can we?"

Edward shrugged. "I have no idea." He lay back on the mound of grass and I followed suit. Through the canopy of trees overhead we could see the bright blue sky had darkened to a sapphire hue, sprinkled with dots of light. The breeze was low but the air was tinged with a frost I knew we would see as well as feel, in the morning light.

"If it wasn't Emmett, then who was he?" I asked quietly, remembering the man and the wolf.

"He was a shape shifter, that's all I know."

"Is it possible Emmett is alive?"

"No, not alive," Edward replied.

"Is it possible he's a Vampire then?" I was starting to recognise Edward's play with words, his avoidance at answering the question fully. When he said not alive, it was possible he was referring to his own belief that Vampires, although they existed, were the living dead.

Edward stayed quiet for a moment, staring up at the sky. I turned to my side and watched him, pillowing my head with the back of my hand.

His profile was beautiful, his forehead high and fringed with thick copper coloured hair that fell forward into his eyes at times, and when it did, my hands itched to brush it away.

His nose was strong and his lips always appeared in a permanent pout, and as my eyes settled on those very lips, I sighed at the memory of his kisses and exactly what those lips could do to me.

His silence prolonged so I decided to ask him again. "Is he?"

Edward turned, and like a mirror image of my own position, he too rested his cheek on his hands. Before he could finally answer me, he shifted his head and looked over towards Carlisle's house.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Mary Alice," he told me, "something's wrong." Standing he helped me to my feet, and thumbing my cheek softly he bent and kissed me just as Mary Alice appeared at the broken fence.

"Isabella?" Her voice carried concern and I felt dreadful for being outdoors for so long, they must've been worried about me.

"I'm so sorry," I called over to her. "I'm with Edward."

We watched her step over the boundary and into the forest and rush over to where we stood. "Edward, thank goodness you're here. It's Rosalie, she's gone."

"What do you mean she's gone?" I asked.

Mary Alice swallowed and tried to speak clearly but she was upset and it hindered her voice. "She fed Ava and then when the baby was asleep she asked me and Carlisle to take care of her. She said she had somewhere to be and we needed to take care of her. I thought she meant for a few hours so I agreed but after she left, I found this." Mary Alice held up a single sheet of paper, Edward took it and scanned the page, his ability to see in the dark aiding us as he read the note aloud.

"Mary Alice, I have to go. My daughter is safe now and I know she will live a long and happy life. I have waited a long time for the knowledge that she will be ok, that she will one day be free from the caves and be able to grow up in a warm, safe place. Isabella saved her and for that I am eternally grateful, but as much as I love my baby, my heart is with my husband. I need to go to him now and at last I can rest with him, in peace. Every day without him, is my own personal torture and I cannot endure this any longer. Please forgive me and love Ava as your own."

"What does she mean?" I asked Edward, not fully appreciating her words. "Edward, what does she mean?"

He dropped his hands to his side and looked at me. "It means she's finally accepted the fact that Emmett is dead and is going to be with him."

I didn't want to understand. My addled brain just couldn't comprehend. I knew what she was saying, I could even understand how she felt, but I just didn't want to believe that Rosalie would kill herself.

"We have to do something," Mary Alice cried.

"Where's Carlisle?" Edward asked her.

"He's gone to look for her."

"And Ava?"

"She's asleep. My father's has asked one of the nursemaids to look after her. He sent me to find Isabella."

"Let's go," Edward said and he stepped back through the fence and into Carlisle's garden. We followed him as he strode round to the front of the house and into the courtyard.

"Edward, the guards," I whispered, hurrying after him with Mary Alice next to me.

"Let them try and stop me," he replied and I felt satisfied that Edward was the right person to have looking for her.

He stopped halfway across the courtyard, heading towards the city gates, and tilting his head, he raised his hand and motioned for us to stop, as he listened to voices and information we could not hear.

His head whipped round to the left and he glared into the forest, but suddenly his face softened and he started to smile. He turned his head to the right and looked up at the church tower. It lifted high above the courtyard, its steeple almost invisible against the dark night sky.

"She's here." He pointed and Mary Alice and I looked up to see an outline of a figure standing on the roof, she stepped closer to the edge, her long blonde hair swirling around her head as the wind blew harder up there.

"Rosalie," I said and made to rush forward but Edward stopped me with his hand on my arm.

"Wait," he said and I looked up at him, wondering what on earth we should be waiting for.

"We have to stop her." Mary Alice was in agreement with me and she too stepped forward.

"Wait!" He told us again and we looked at each other then at him. Edward nodded towards the church and we stared as Rosalie teetered precariously on the very edge. She was crying and her sobs carried down on the wind to where we stood, below her.

"My love," she was saying over and over again, its repetition ringing in my ears, and I watched as she held out her arms and let her head fall back as she hesitated on the brink of jumping.

For a moment, as her gown lifted and danced in the wind, and her hair fanned out around her head, she looked like an angel, awaiting salvation. But this angel was about to fall from grace, and although I didn't understand Edward's hesitation, I trusted him, so I too waited with baited breath.

The wind died down for one second and Rosalie took a deep breath, then leaning forward, she let her body weight carry her over and down.

"Rosalie!" I screamed and ran forward but as I watched her body tumble quickly towards the pavement, a flash of white flew through the trees and into the air and Rosalie was no longer falling down but was swept up and over to the right. The blur landed on the ground next to the church, and I suddenly realised it was a man.

He stood straight and turned to face us, Rosalie lying in his arms. She was unconscious as she had fainted.

He looked away from us and down at her, then lowering his head he sniffed at her skin. With a tenderness I had only ever witnessed in Edward, he kissed her on the lips and held her close to his chest.

He was tall and well built; his white shirt was ripped at the sleeves but this only accented his huge arms and torso. He ended the kiss and Rosalie opened her eyes. She stared up at him for a moment, then slowly raised her hand and caressed his cheek.

"Emmett?" She whispered. "Am I in heaven?"

"No baby, I am," he replied kissing her again as though she were his very life.

Both he and Edward looked over towards the city gates. The sudden noise of numerous horse hoofs beating the ground sounded in the distance and as if on cue, the gates were pulled open from the outside. We watched as James and his army entered the courtyard. Emmett nodded once at Edward and then disappeared with his wife, over the wall and into the forest.

"Edward, you have to go," I urged him but he stood his ground.

James halted his horse before us and looked between Edward and me. "Edward." He smiled as he dismounted.

I was so afraid of him, but he showed no fear when it came to Edward. As I heard the noise of his men surround us and the cold, hard, pointed end of a bayonet rest against my throat, I realised he had no reason to fear him when he had the upper hand. I hated him. He never hesitated to use me in his games.

"I could kill you before your men even saw me move," Edward growled.

"I have no doubt," James laughed, "but before you do, let me introduce you to someone I think you might want to meet."

James faced the carriage that had followed the men on horseback, and gestured with his hand to a guard to open the door.

Hale appeared at Mary Alice's side at that moment and gripping her arm he whispered to her. "Go now, Mary Alice, if you love me at all. Go home now!"

"But Jasper –" She started to object but Hale hooked his weapon over his shoulder and grabbed both her arms so she faced him.

Without saying another word he pulled her to his chest and kissed her. For merely a moment, Mary Alice was too shocked to respond, but just as she melted into his kiss, he broke apart and told her again.

"Go now, I beg you."

Mary Alice nodded, and glancing at me with an apology in her eyes, she scurried through the crowd and ran home. I was not mad at her; if I was able to I would've run home too, into the safety of my father's arms. I envied her.

I felt a hand touch mine, and looking down, I saw it was Edward. The October night air had dropped so low now, my hand felt no warmer than his and I had never been so glad to be cold before.

We both looked at each other and then towards the carriage as James announced his guest.

"Isabella, meet Laurent. He will be visiting with us for a while." He turned to face us. "Edward, I believe you already know him."

I watched as a man with skin so dark, and hair long and twisted in some sort of circular strand, step from the carriage and smile at us. He wore a blood red blazer with a stark white shirt; the frills embellished down the front poked out around the blazers lapels.

He stopped directly in front of us. "I hear you've been looking for me," he addressed Edward.

"Edward, do you know him?" I asked, squeezing his hand.

He nodded. "Bella, this is Laurent; my creator."

End A/N's: Spellbound has reached the final round of voting in the Faithful Shipper Awards for the following categories:

Fiction you most wish was in the spotlight
Best AU
Best banner - made by inside_the_disarray
Character you most love to hate - James
Best Lemon ch2
Best Secondary character AU – James

The link is on my FFN profile and voting is open now until 13th Oct. The winners will be annoucewd Oct 18th. If you truly feel Spellbound and James are worthy of your votes, please go and vote. Spellbound needs you!

My one shot entry "last request" for the Love of Jasper contest also needs help. There are two rounds of voting and mine is up right now. The community can be found on FFN under "Love of Jasper contest". If you haven't read my entry yet, then why the hell not?

Emmett wants to hear how happy you are xx