Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.

All plotlines, characterizations, and details in Eternally Intertwined 2.0: Blood Ties belong to the author: Bronzehyperion. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without the author's authorization. ©2011 Bronzehyperion. All rights reserved worldwide.

This is the sequel to Eternally Intertwined. I advise you to read/skim through it before you read this because otherwise most won't make sense.

This story can't exist without my BETA Litmom. Without her it would be grammar-horror.

What happened previously:

"She got away," Jasper sighed."She was fast."

"She? It's the rogue vampire that crossed the border before," I asked

Jasper nodded. "I recognized the scent from when we patrolled around the border."

"Why is she here?" I asked.

"She has a name," Edward sighed and I turned to see him look intently at Alice.

"Well who is she then?" I asked, puzzled.

"It's Sapphire," Alice said."And she's after you."

CHAPTER FIVE: WARNING; DANGER AHEAD

Sapphire Daggett was a vampire. And she was after Bella.

One out of two would have been bad enough. Two out of two was essentially a disaster.

A newborn vampire, volatile and unpredictable in behavior was roaming around Forks and she was after the woman I loved.

Alice had seen as much in a vision that had been too gruesome to actually share with Bella.

Sapphire's blood red eyes staring at me, taunting me as she sunk her teeth into Bella's soft flesh, knowing I was powerless to stop her.

I had bit back a string of growls and profanities when Alice had showed me that, vowing silently to never let it come to pass.

And if the threat of Sapphire Daggett wasn't enough, there were strong indications that she was connected to Aro Volturi.

If my family's private investigator J. Jenks was correct, Aro had either turned Sapphire himself after she'd been weakened by my attack or had let someone else do it. The details were irrelevant though; what mattered was that Sapphire was an unpredictable newborn with a powerful vampire behind her.

That's what made all of this a potential, or rather a certified, disaster.

For Bella's sake, though, I tried to be nonchalant I couldn't let her see how big of a threat Sapphire was and how things could escalate because of her presence.

Although, I was probably fooling myself if I believed Bella wouldn't be able to figure out all of that for herself.

I looked at her as she slept soundly, except for murmuring my name a few times but that wasn't unusual. I was relieved that she was at least able to get some rest. She deserved that much after the day we had.

Halfway through the night there was a light tap on the window.

Alice.

I left Bella's side, careful not to wake her as I untangled myself and went to the window. I opened it without making a sound.

Alice was waiting for me down below and I jumped from the ledge with ease.

Once my feet were on the ground, Alice gestured for me to follow her. I hesitated because I didn't want to leave Bella alone for too long or be too far away from her.

It's important, Edward, my sister urged me silently, and so I had no choice but to run after her as she took off.

Luckily she didn't go far, as she halted just behind the woods of the Swan house.

But as soon as we had both halted, I knew she had a reason for bringing me here.

Foot-steps, I gathered from her mind.

And indeed, there they were. Footsteps. Human footsteps. Well, technically.

"Who do they belong to?" I asked dumbly, knowing the answer was probably the one I didn't want to hear.

"I think they belong to Sapphire," Alice answered, confirming my suspicions.

This was bad. She had been in the area. Maybe she still was. I instantly started looking around, trying to focus on my instincts.

"She's not here right now," Alice said.

"How can you be certain? She was obviously here before without us knowing. And as a human it was hard to get a read on her."

As a human it had been hard to track Sapphire. I'd had a hard time reading her thoughts and Alice had never had any conclusive visions about her. We'd never found a clear explanation for that.

"I can't see much. It's like a whole bunch of smoke and mirrors. I can't get attuned to her," Alice nodded. "However, we would know if she was near now. There is still something like basic instinct."

"But she was here," I pointed out the obvious. "Which means she could come back."

"Possibly. Probably," Alice shrugged.

"We have to find her. Sooner rather than later. Her presence is not only a danger to Bella and her father, but also to the rest of the town, not to mention the threat she poses to us as a family and the need to stay inconspicuous."

Alice rolled her eyes, as if to say Duh, Edward.

Actually she did just that.

"I know that. Emmett and Jasper are patrolling the border on our side. Jacob is on the other side. Rosalie and Esme are checking downtown. I checked the house she lived in with her dad; it's still empty."

"And yes, we checked the out- and the inside," Alice answered before I could ask. "No one's been there except for some teens raiding the place."

"Any news on the wolves? Will they cooperate?"

"Jacob said he would inform them. I wonder what they'll do when they find her first."

I had no doubt they'd kill Sapphire with pleasure. But they could also use her presence as a reason to pick a fight with us.

They sure were looking for one.

"If they find her, they'll kill her."

Alice shrugged. "Would that be so bad? Like you said, she poses a threat to Bella and all of us. For some reason our powers don't work on her, which means she always has an advantage. Not to mention her association with the Volturi, which makes her even more dangerous."

"I think it's best if we find her," I argued. "You know how Carlisle feels about violence and about breaking the treaty."

"We might not have a choice. If she crosses the border and stumbles across a stray dog, she'll become a chew toy, which I would have no problem with. It's hard enough as it is to stay inconspicuous. Plus, I am not thrilled about the possibility of having to fight the Volturi Guard."

"Are you still planning on going to Volterra?"

"If it's necessary, yes. But right now, we're all needed here. To protect the town, to keep the treaty in place and to protect Bella."

"I can do that," I argued.

"Maybe so, but Bella is my friend too and I won't allow her or her father to be unprotected." Alice said with a huff. "And given my recent visions about her, I'd rather stay put. I don't want that to come to pass because of Sapphire Daggett."

A familiar and unwanted vision flitted through her mind and seeped into my brain as a mental image you wish you could erase.

Sapphire attacking Bella.

And then an ashen white Bella in a casket with crying family members surrounding it.

Then the image shifted and zoomed in on my own face. Tears were staining my cheeks. There was the faint echo of a beating heart, where Bella's would remain silent forever.

"Don't!" I warned. She hadn't pestered me with those particularly cruel images for a while.

"You have to be curious as to what it means," my tiny sister insisted.

"I'm not," I growled. "So stop bothering me with it."

Alice shrugged. "Fine, whatever. You know that eventually I'll find out what it means. Anyway, I think you'd better head back up there," she pointed towards the Swan residence. "Bella gets restless without you."

I nodded and bid my sister a curt goodbye before heading back to the house.

Alice was right. I found Bella tossing and turning when I returned to her bedroom through the open window and it took a while to ease her back into a slumber.

She remained restless until morning. So much for a good night of rest.

The effects of Bella's lack of sleep showed in the morning, when I woke her up.

She was cranky, which was demonstrated in the way she was silently eating her cereal instead of asking me a load of questions about Sapphire, like she normally would.

It was kind of out of character for her, she usually wanted to know anything and everything.

I was standing by the kitchen window and gazing outside, watching the drizzle of rain making patterns on the glass, unsure of what to say. The atmosphere was tense and I felt like it wouldn't be a good idea to break it.

The only reason I opened my mouth was because of the deafening silence between us, enhanced by the acoustics of the rain drops fallen faster, splashing against the window where they made intricate patterns.

"Bella, what is wrong?"

Her spoon clanged against the bowl as she looked up. Her chocolate eyes were dull and almost lifeless. The bags underneath them illustrated her exhaustion.

"I just really didn't sleep well," she sighed before she got up to put away her barely touched cereal. She was slouching and dragging her feet, more hints of how tired she was.

"Maybe you should stay home today," I suggested. "We could say in bed all day," I tried to tease her with a wink but she barely responded.

There wasn't any reaction. Not a frown or an eye roll. Nothing.

Just the lackluster movements of someone who didn't seem to care. And Bella usually cared, so this was definitely out of character.

"What do you say?" I said with enthusiasm. "It could be fun."

Now Bella flashed me a look that indicated it wouldn't be fun at all and then she shook her head as she moved past me out of the kitchen.

"Or not," I muttered before I followed her out. Apparently we were going to school today.

The drive to school was quiet, too. Bella stared out the window while I thought of ways to cheer her up or at least get her to talk to me. But it was pointless. My brain was starting to function like that of an insecure teenage boy. I didn't want to irritate Bella with my overprotective neediness, so anything I came up with to get her to connect with me seemed silly.

I tried to ignore the silence, biting my tongue as I focused on the fact that Bella was clutching my hand tightly. At least not everything was weird between us.

When we arrived at school, I noticed the commotion instantly. Not that it was hard to miss.

There was a flock of people, standing in a circle, clearly admiring what or whomever it was standing in their midst.

I didn't need to see who it was, to know it was bad. I could hear it.

I could smell it.

"Stay in the car," I ordered Bella. "Do not get out!" I added in a growl, which was not directed at her.

I didn't even take the time to explain to her and got out, before practically running towards the crowd.

The closer I got, the more potent the smell.

Blood.

I swallowed back the venom that threatened to coat my lips as I pushed people aside to get to the middle of the circle.

There he was. Mike Newton.

Two small piercing wounds on the side of his neck and torn away flesh, that made the bleeding that much worse.

I bit back a growl and swallowed more venom.

This was bad. Not just because I hated wasting these instincts on Mike Newton, but for more obvious reasons.

He'd been bitten by a vampire. Well, more like mauled by one. This was the work of a newborn, no doubt.

I noticed the new principal on her knees, holding a cloth against Newton's neck, hoping that would make the bleeding stop, but it was useless. The skin was ripped and the carotid artery was severed.

"He needs medical help," she said solemnly. "And fast, too"

"Mike Newton will be alright," Carlisle told us when he entered his office. Bella and I had been waiting in there since school was out to get the latest news on the teenage boy.

"He lost quite a bit of blood but we managed to stop the bleeding. A few transfusions should do the rest."

"That's good news," I said, while Bella remained quiet as she walked through the office and halted at my father's book case, absentmindedly tracing the spines of the ancient books with her delicate fingers.

"I assume it was Sapphire who did this?" Carlisle wondered.

He looked at me for confirmation and I nodded. Even though Mike had been barely conscious I had managed to depict that much from his thoughts. She had lured him away from his car for a promised make out session and the hormone-ruled boy had eagerly complied. Of course she had only used him for breakfast. He'd been lucky she was still inexperienced as a new vampire and hadn't made it further than the parking lot when the arrival of more students had distracted her long enough to drop Mike to the floor and run.

I had to admit, I wasn't entirely convinced that Sapphire hadn't been using Mike to send a message.

"So she's going to try and slaughter the town now," Bella muttered distractedly.

Thinking she was worried about her own safety I walked over to her and took her hand, brushing my lips against her knuckles.

"I won't let her hurt you," I vowed, which caused a snort to escape Bella's throat.

I was about to ask her what that meant when Carlisle's beeper went off, the shrill sound eerie in the tense silence between us.

"I have to go. I'll see you two later."

Once Carlisle left I couldn't hold it in any longer. I had to know what was wrong with Bella.

"Well?" I started, as I pried her away from the bookcase.

"Well, what?" Bella asked, and she was back to sounding lethargic, bored almost.

"What is wrong with you? You've been acting strange since this morning."

"I'm fine."

"Bella…."

"What?" She suddenly hissed. "What do you want to hear, Edward? That I'm on top of the world? Excuse me if things aren't that simple. One of my friends is a vampire. Another one is dead. Now Mike is injured. All because of Sapphire. Mostly, it's all because of me. And now there's a risk that she'll hurt you, too."

The fierceness was back and it relieved me. Anything was better than a Bella who didn't care.

"Bella, you don't have to worry…" I started.

"No, Edward. I'm the target, not them. Not you. Remember when that Garrett vampire took Angela? I bet he was probably supposed to have taken me instead. "

"But he didn't," I pointed out. "And Sapphire won't either. I won't let her."

Bella rolled her eyes. "At what cost will you protect me? Until all the kids at school are dead?" she huffed.

I frowned at her. "If that's what it takes, then yes. We can't go around protecting every individual in town."

Bella rolled her eyes. "So if you can't catch her, she is free to slaughter the town because you can't protect everyone?"

"It's not my job to protect anyone but you."

"It's a job to protect me?" Bella muttered. "Thanks, I feel special now."

"You know that's not how I meant it. Besides, in this case, I get the feeling you don't want to be special at all. So what is it, Bella? Why are you so mad? "I wondered.

She seemed a little puzzled by my question.

"I'm not mad," she said.

"You could've fooled me," I said softly.

Bella sighed deeply. "It's just a little too much. Nothing is ever normal around here. I thought Forks would be boring."

"That's what you get for dating a vampire," I murmured, not certain if I was joking or not. I tried to smile but this wasn't a laughing matter right now.

I expected Bella to correct me but she didn't. "Yes, I guess you do get that."

There was no smile or lightness in her voice either. In fact, she sounded severe, like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Like she realized how silly it was to actually be dating a vampire.

And maybe it was. Maybe I'd been asking too much of her. Maybe she finally had enough.

"I'm sorry," I told her. "I know all of this isn't easy for you."

Bella shook her head. "You don't know. You can't know what it's like because you're not human."

She said the words icily and I was taken aback by the venom in her words.

"I used to be." I pointed out.

"Yes, I know." Bella murmured. Her attention was focused elsewhere and her eyes were glazing over with something I couldn't quite decipher.

"Can you tell me what is really bothering you?" I asked softly. "I know you're mad at me for some reason and I'd like to know why."

BPOV

I wasn't going to tell him. There was no way I could tell him.

If I did, Edward would surely change his mind about turning me into a vampire. If he knew about my dreams – well nightmares actually- he wouldn't want me anymore.

I shuddered as the images played in my mind. Green eyed, human Edward, weak in my strong smooth marble arms.

Edward's blood on my lips.

Really, I couldn't tell him that.

It would be better to lie or deflect.

"Bella?"

His voice, like velvet and filled with love and understanding made me want to confide in him. I wanted nothing more but to curl up in his arms and feel his protection but my fear and exhaustion made me irritable and probably unreasonable.

This was such a strange situation. A part of me wanted to become a vampire sooner rather than later because it would be so much easier given the current situation. I wouldn't be a walking hazard anymore.

But then, when I thought of my nightmares, the dreams where I brutally killed Edward, I worried that they would come true and that for some reason Edward would be the one who'd end up getting hurt regardless.

"Bella?"

I looked up and found Edward's eyes boring into mine. I wanted to look away because I could feel that he was trying to read me and I was never more relieved he couldn't read my thoughts. I looked around, feeling uncomfortable here in Carlisle's office.

In this hospital where a classmate was fighting for his life because of me.

"Can you drive me home?"

Edward nodded and held out his hand, which I simply took, too tired to ignore the conflicted feelings that stemmed from my nightmares.

The icy touch of his skin made me shiver but it was soon replaced by the familiar tingle of the humming electricity between us. I reveled in it because I wanted to.

"I'm sorry," I murmured. "I know I've been acting mean today. I guess I get cranky without a proper night of sleep," I tried to joke.

Edward pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly which I welcomed. "I wish you would open up to me. Whatever it is that's bothering you I'm sure it's not that bad."

I wanted to snort. It was that bad. I was worried that if I was going to open up about the nightmares, Edward would never change me. And if he never changed me, I'd be an easy target for Sapphire and this vampire king in Italy, Aro, and all his lackeys.

I had no doubt hecould harm the Cullens.

If he did change me, or someone else did, I might become the same kind of uncontrollable monster Sapphire was.

"I am just really very tired," I murmured. It wasn't a lie; fighting night terror was freaking exhausting.

"The nightmares." Edward guessed as he let go of me to lead me down the hospital corridor and outside to his car.

Once we were there he looked around to make sure there was no one who'd jumped out in front of us.

Edward stood stock-still and listened. I watched as his eyes narrowed in concentration and his breathing ceased. It may have taken seconds or a minute tops until he visibly relaxed and guided me to the car.

"The coast is clear?" I guessed.

Edward nodded. "Sapphire is not here," he said as he opened the passenger door of his Volvo like the gentleman vampire he was.

Once I was safely inside he closed it and sped to the other side.

Edward got in, closed the door and started the car before pulling out with ease. He barely had to look at the road as he maneuvered us away from the hospital parking lot.

He took a deep breath and swallowed thickly before smiling a little. "It still smells like you in here."

"Is that bad for you?"

"Not really. It burns but not in a bad way. It's mostly making me want you, which I suppose is inappropriate right now," he murmured.

Sex in the Volvo? I giggled at the thought, which turned Edward's smile wider.

"Something amusing?"

"I was thinking about uh…the inappropriate things we could do in your precious pristine Volvo," I explained, blushing a little at the thought of Edward and I on the backseat, our bodies slick with sweat, well mine anyway, as our breathing intensified until we both came, screaming in pleasure.

"Really?" Edward chuckled. "Well, that sure tempts me to pull over. I do seem to recall you wanted to have your wicked way with me yesterday."

I blushed deeper, my cheeks burning as I thought of how playful this week had started out.

"Maybe…when we're at my place, we can…you can stay?"

I sounded timid which was mostly because of the way I had behaved earlier, worried Edward might reject me.

But silly me, this was Edward, and he was beaming. "I wasn't about to drop you off at the door and leave you. But, if it's not too much to ask, can we please talk first?"

His request was only fair and I really found no way to argue with him.

"I just want to clear the air," Edward explained to me, as if he could read my thoughts.

I nodded, without actually agreeing.

When we arrived at my house, Edward told me to stay in the car so he could make sure Sapphire wasn't lurking somewhere and ready to attack.

Once he made sure everything was safe, Edward opened the passenger door and helped me out. He shielded me with his body as he guided me to the front door.

I unlocked it and was about to walk in, when Edward stopped me.

He told me he wanted to make sure the inside of the house was safe as well, which made sense. There was no doubt Sapphire was crafty enough to have a few tricks up her sleeve, which meant she would have no trouble getting inside.

"Close the door and go the kitchen. I'll check upstairs," Edward told me.

"Okay," I said and did what he asked.

I could hear him run up the stairs while I moved to the kitchen like I had promised. Feeling a little apprehensive at the idea of Edward finding a bloodthirsty Sapphire in my room, I busied myself by grabbing an apple and occupying my mind by staring out the window.

I wasn't even hungry, although I had barely touched my lunch earlier. I wasn't the only one. The student body wasn't in the mood to eat, talk or be playful, after what had happened with Mike.

"You're hungry," Edward muttered, pulling me from my thoughts. "I sometimes forget you need to eat," he added, muttering to himself.

"I am fine," I argued. "I can take care of myself. Well, as far as basic human needs go. When it comes to protection from psycho teenage vampire bitches I might be in trouble. I take it she's not creeping around in my house somewhere?"

Edward shook his head. "No, there's no one here but you and I."

He stared at me for a moment, scrutinizing. Then his voice grew soft. "You don't have to worry Sapphire will hurt you."

I snorted. I wasn't worried about myself. But there were other people whose well being I cared about.

"No. I am worried that she'll hurt you," I admitted.

Edward frowned at my answer and started shaking his head.

"We'll be fine. Sapphire can't hurt us. Nor you. I won't let her." He repeated what he had told me in the hospital.

I turned away from the window, looking at Edward intently to get my point across. He had to realize that the kind of danger that had headed our way was grave and that this wasn't something to be so blasé about.

I ignored the golden depths of his gaze that threatened to mesmerize me to get the words out properly. "What about that Aro and his family. If they are all so powerful, surely you can't dismiss their danger?"

"Bella…"

"NO Edward. Don't patronize me! "I hissed."I have lived in this freaky mystical world long enough to know that your judgment isn't flawless. Last year you also promised me that Sapphire and her father wouldn't do harm and look what happened…"

The floodgates had definitely opened. Just as I had tried to keep them closed.

"I guess that if I hadn't attacked her she might not have needed Aro's help in the first place." Edward muttered. "I am responsible for most of this mess. Still, and don't take this the wrong way, but you're the one who sought her out. I know why you did it and while it was stupid, was also very brave, but when we talk about judgment, I think we've both made some errors," he pointed out softly.

I averted my eyes and felt my shoulders slumping. He was right of course. "I know. I just wanted to force something, not knowing her mother was a psycho."

Edward moved closer to me and took hold of my hands. "We're going to do anything to make sure this doesn't escalate. Remember; Jacob's pack wants her gone too."

"Yes, but they'd also love to pick a fight with you," I pointed out.

"They know better than to force anything. Sapphire's presence is a distraction to them as well. They can't afford to break the treaty, they need us."

"What about those Volturi? You said they were powerful."

Edward nodded. "Yes, they are. But they also hate going through the trouble of traveling to some place to monitor a coven. Plus, having a wolf pack close by, could work to our advantage, if Aro decides to send a few of his guards."

"Are Alice and Jasper still going to Volterra?" I asked, thinking of the danger my best friend would willingly force herself into if she went to face a bunch of vampire royalty.

"Not right now. Plus, I think if we want answers, we'll need to get them from Sapphire," Edward said.

I yawned, and while it was only 6:00 PM, I really just wanted to sleep. My body and mind were equally tired.

"Are you hungry? Or do you want to lie down?" Edward asked me gently.

"I want to lie down. Will you stay?" I asked, smiling slightly.

He smiled as he picked me up bridal style and ran up the stairs. "No place I'd rather be."

Once we were in my room Edward placed me on the bed and leaned in to brush his lips against my cheek.

"Do you need a few human minutes?"

I shrugged, thinking I'd rather savor the moment. I removed my long sleeved shirt, revealing a dark purple lacy bra that Alice had picked out for me during one of her highly anticipated shopping trips I had actually dreaded.

"Alice?" Edward guessed an undeniable smirk on his face. He liked it.

I could feel the blush creeping into my skin as I nodded. "With matching panties. Would you like to see them?"

I pretended not to see the expansion of fabric in the crotch area of Edward's dark blue jeans.

Edward leaned in and fingered my skin. "Are we okay now?" he asked. "I know there's more on your mind that you don't want to tell me right now, but please don't shut me out. You know I just want to help."

I nodded. "I know that," I smiled before pulling his head towards mine and crashing my lips to his to distract him.

Perhaps it was only seconds, or possibly minutes that had our lips nipping, sucking, taunting and taking, but I was completely lost in the sensation of Edward's mouth on mine and that indefinable scent of sunshine, meadows and Edward that filled my nostrils. If only they could bottle it up. No celebrity or fashion house would ever be able to create such a fragrance.

Edward had helped me pull off my jeans and socks and took a few moments to admire me in the dark purple matching bra and panties that Alice had forced me to buy, before he pulled the black v neck sweater he'd been wearing over his head to give me the chance to admire that perfectly sculpted chest that looked like it was made from the highest most expensive quality of marble.

I may have drooled a little.

Edward grinned as he watched me ogle and then leaned in to hover over me, teasing me with the coolness of his skin on my burning skin.

"I love you," he murmured before his lips touched my shoulder, working their way up to his favorite spot right under my ear. It tickled a little, but in the best way; I could feel this delicious tingling between my legs.

Edward moved further onto the bed until he was half on top of me. I could feel his rock hard abs against my stomach while another rock hard part of his anatomy elicited a moan from me.

"I love you, too. And I want you," I said without hesitation, pushing my heat into his erection, which caused Edward to hiss.

"Easy, Bella." He warned me. "There's no rush."

His hands trailed along my arms and then lingered on my waist before they moved up to the peaks of my breasts, which were still covered in purple lace.

My hands were bolder and headed for his jeans, leaving me to fumble with the button fly as Edward chuckled against my shoulder.

"Need help?" he whispered, before his hands replaced mine and worked swiftly. His jeans were on the floor with mine in no time.

My eyes grew large at the sight of Edward's very dominant erection; his cock fierce and proud with his arousal and need for me.

I undoubtedly drooled a little.

"You're going commando again," I whispered in awe.

Edward shrugged and climbed on top of me again; his hands had no trouble in removing the purple lace that was covering the heat between my legs.

Once I was bare down below and the electricity crackled between us, I found it hard to control myself. I wanted Edward as close as possible. I wanted to be one with him, to have him consume me. I wanted him to own me and dominate me, to show me he was stronger than me and that silly nightmares about me killing him were ridiculous because he was invincible and I was the fragile human that could break if he wasn't careful.

"I need you," I whispered in a moan, as Edward's finger plunged inside of me. But I needed more.

"Please?" I moaned.

"What do you want?" Edward's smooth velvet voice murmured. "More fingers?"

I shook my head.

"My tongue?"

I imagined him lapping up my juices with his ice cold tongue. The offer was so freaking tempting.

But it was not enough.

So I shook my head and in a bold move of pro-activeness I grabbed a hold of his smooth, riumphant looking cock and pushed it against my entrance, which was slick with my arousal.

Edward grunted a little when he realized what I wanted. "I see," he murmured. "Well, since this is your call, all I can do is oblige. Happily."

And then he pushed inside of me, making me moan at the friction it caused.

But then all went silent and something felt terribly off.

I was supposed to feel whole. And safe. And freaking turned on and wanting more.

But the moment he was fully inside of me, the moment I usually reveled in how much Edward could stretch me and how full and wonderful it felt to be one with him, I was hit with a flash of something.

It was like I was experiencing déjà vu.

Edward and I weren't in my bedroom and on my bed, making love.

We were in the back seat of Edward's Volvo, moving over the smooth slippery leather that was slick with our sweat.

We were essentially fucking like animals, groping and grunting and wanting and taking. Pushing and pounding.

There was no love lost, there was just need. Unexplainable yearning to lose ourselves in each other.

But Edward's golden eyes were different. They weren't black with desire. They were dark green and burning and hooded with lust.

As he pumped in and out of me with wild abandon and I moaned like a well trained porn star, I noticed how the confined space was filled with two fiercely beating hearts, labored breaths and the scent of sex.

Edward's cheeks were flushed with pink specks that awakened my thirst, making my gums ache and my throat burn.

His movements became frantic and there was no doubt he was close. So was I.

But mixed in with the need, there was a feeling I couldn't entirely decipher. It wasn't pleasant like the building friction of our bodies being melted together.

It wasn't good.

It was bad.

Dangerous.

I knew what would happen as soon as Edward would spill himself inside of me; what would happen as soon as my walls would clamp down and milk him completely.

I knew what would happen and I couldn't stop it.

So when the euphoria hit and Edward grunted out my name and I felt the explosion inside of me, I was ready to claw my skin off. This wasn't real. We were in my room and not in the Volvo and this was tender and loving and not the making of a porn movie.

But that wasn't what freaked me out. That would've been easy. And a little naughty, kinky enough to be worthy of a repeat.

I worried about the moment, right this moment, where green-eyed human Edward collapsed on my naked chest, his neck half exposed to my true needs.

My teeth ached with thirst and my body craved and yearned where it should have been spent and sated.

I could hear it being pumped around. I could smell it, taste it.

Edward's blood.

I would never be able to stop taking.

I leaned in, stroking the spot I wanted to claim.

"Bella?"

Edward's voice was faint and as I looked down, I saw him looking up at me, his green eyes questioning.

"Your eyes."

My eyes? Or his?

The panic of not being able to determine what was real and what wasn't, suffocated me.

I needed space. It wasn't safe here. Edward couldn't protect me.

Because he wasn't safe here.

From me.

I was the danger.

"Get off of me!" I demanded, pushing against him, wanting him to get away from me.

But he wouldn't budge and I got frustrated. I pushed more and then, just when I was about to give into my needs, my hands were no longer pushing against soft human flesh.

I almost wanted to cry in relief when I felt them touch something rock hard. Marble. '

The scenery changed and the Volvo was gone.

The green eyes were gone too; replaced with the golden depths I was so familiar with.

We were in my room and a worried looking Edward was hovering over me.

"Bella?"

I looked him over and he was frowning, seemingly confused about my behavior, which I could understand. A sudden feeling of insecurity swept over me and I wanted to pull at the covers to hide my naked flesh but there was no need; I was tucked in securely and I was wearing yoga pants and a t-shirt, my usual sleeping attire.

Edward was fully dressed as well,

Now I was the one confused. I was fully clothed, where I had been mostly naked before and my room was dark with only the light of the moon filtering in, when it had been around twilight earlier.

I turned my head to the left to check the time. The clock read 12.00 AM.

Midnight?

How did it get to be midnight?

"I….how long…was I asleep?" I croaked, wondering what had happened between Edward carrying me upstairs, the foreplay and my obvious nightmare. Had I fallen asleep during sex?

That would be so embarrassing.

But Edward's answer went beyond that. It was disturbing.

"You fell asleep in the Volvo on the way home from the hospital. I carried you upstairs and stayed with you until you started thrashing around just now, telling someone to get off of you."

"I fell asleep in the Volvo?" I whispered in shock. "So we never talked?"

"Talked? Talked about what?"

"About…I….never mind..."

"Bella, what is going on?"

That's what I wanted to know.

I was trying to come up with a logical answer, averting my eyes from Edwards's intense gaze to gather my thoughts.

I was relieved when Edward's phone started to ring. That bought me a little more time.

Edward spoke rapidly, which meant I could barely keep up with what he was saying. It didn't matter anyway; I was too busy thinking about how I must have lost my mind.

I could have sworn I was awake long enough to wait in the kitchen as Edward had made sure the house was safe, how we had talked and cleared the air. How we had teased and played.

He'd been inside of me, like I had practically begged him. I had felt it.

Until everything turned into a nightmare.

But was that all it had been? A nightmare? The entire night?

"Bella?"

I hadn't noticed that Edward had hung up when I felt the bed dip under his weight and he looked at me, his concern for me replaced with a whole new type of look.

A combination of anger and determination.

"That was Alice. We have a guest. Well, if you use the term lightly."

"Who is it?" I asked, curiosity momentarily overruling my worries.

"Garrett. He's at the house."

First off, I apologize for taking so long to update. There is no excuse for it. I hope to return to updating regularly form now on. Thank you to those who've stuck around and welcome to new readers!

Special shout out to my BETA Litmom, who knows way more about grammar than me. Thank you!

Happy weekend in advance!