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. ©2011-2013 Bronzehyperion. All rights reserved worldwide.

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

This story wouldn't be the same without my BETA Litmom.

CHAPTER 6: THE MONSTER WITHIN

Edward was gone. Gone to meet up with his family. His family and Garrett, Kate's former lackey- or something.

The fact my boyfriend was off to meet with some nomad vampire should have worried me, but instead, I was relieved. Relieved to be alone with my thoughts, without having to worry if Edward would sense my apprehension around him.

Now I could be alone with my inner monsters. And I wasn't just talking about the one that roared its ugly head whenever I felt silly and insecure. No, there was a new monster now, one I couldn't fight.

It was the ghostly monster of what was to come. The monster that would be awakened as soon as my heart stopped beating.

And Edward couldn't know about that monster, so it was better that we were apart for a bit, because that gave me the time to make sense of whatever was going on inside me.

I told myself I needed some time. Maybe I was driving myself crazy for no reason. Maybe these were, in fact, simple human insecurities.

Kind of like wedding jitters. Except, well, they were not wedding jitters. These were "I am trading in my human life for eternity" jitters.

So it was perfectly normal to be nervous, right?

But if I were honest with myself, I wasn't just nervous. I also WANTED to be alone. And that made me sad, because being with Edward, spending time with him and having him close had always been the best part of my days.

I had never felt like being with Edward was a burden, not even when I first learned that he was a vampire, but recently, it was easier to be alone than to be with him and having to deal with hiding my feelings.

Fear. Anxiety. Confusion.

Just to name a few.

And as if my nightmares weren't bad enough, I was now having delusions too. Delusions of me and Edward having sex. Like animals.

That actually didn't sound too bad. Except for the part where I killed him afterward So much for post-coital bliss.

The images kept playing in my head, like a bad horror movie. Edward's green eyes, pupils dilated and filled with lust. His groans, my moans. The hunger, the need.

And then, the thirst and the need to own him. To make him mine.

To penetrate him like he did me. I could feel it, even now, the delicious anxiety of staking my claim, of sinking razor sharp teeth in delicate flesh.

I shuddered.

It wasn't real, I told myself.

But there was a part of me, a part that was becoming more dominant, that wanted it to be.

So much for nerves and jitters.

So, yes. I needed time to clear my head. Time to figure out what it meant, if it meant anything at all.

I'd used to be good at this; at trying to make sense of all the mysteries in my life. My mind was pretty simple that way. And once I made up my mind about something - like say...dating a vampire, then I wouldn't change my mind again. I would stop worrying or being scared.

But this time it was different. This time, I was the monster.
Well, possibly.

I glanced at the clock.

6.00 AM.

I sighed, deciding to get up, since there was no way I was going to fall asleep for another hour.

I took a quick shower and dressed in grey skinny jeans and a black v-neck sweater. Not in the mood to fix my hair, I wrapped it into a loose bun at the nape of my neck.

I walked down the stairs and put on some black boots before turning to enter the kitchen for a quick breakfast. I wasn't hungry, but figured I needed some sustenance before school.

Plus, I had time to kill.

As long as that's all you kill, Bella.

"Shut up, subconscious," I muttered to myself.

"Oh good, you're up," a voice sounded behind me, startling me.

I jumped, startled, my hand flying to my chest as I came face to face with Rosalie.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," she smiled. It wasn't a friendly smile. It was an expression filled with disdain.

I sighed. I should have known Edward would put some sort of security detail on me.
"Good morning, Rosalie," I greeted her, to which she shrugged.

"You have 30 minutes to eat breakfast and then I am to escort you to school."
Her voice was cool, and the way she picked at her perfectly manicured fingernails told me she didn't like being here one bit.
Rosalie had never been a fan of mine.

"Is Edward going to be there?" I wondered, though I already knew the answer.

"Doubt it. He's held up at the house."

EPOV

"Where is Sapphire?" I asked icily.

The man before me, looking rough and dirty but also clearly nervous, shrugged. "I don't know."
He was speaking the truth. I could tell from reading his thoughts. He hadn't seen Sapphire since he'd been part of Kate's entourage.

Of course, if he didn't know, then he would be of no help to us. Just a liability. A nomad vampire roaming around town.

I turned to Carlisle. "This is pointless. He knows nothing."

I was ready to leave and go back to Bella. Rosalie was there now, watching over her, but knowing Rose, she was bored out of her mind and probably pissed that she had been assigned to play bodyguard to Bella, someone she didn't really like.

She was my last choice to watch Bella, but with Alice and Esme taking Angela away from a confrontation with Garrett and Jasper and Emmett needed here in case some extra muscle was necessary if Garrett'd get violent, Rosalie was the only one available, albeit grudgingly and definitely not willingly, to protect the woman I loved.

"Edward, we have to give him a chance."

My father, ever the compassionate man. He saw someone in need of help. He saw a chance of redemption. I just saw a dirty vampire with unwashed hair. A nomad, a savage. Someone used to living in the wilderness and hunting his prey.

To me, he was a problem.

"Carlisle, if he can't help us find Sapphire, then there is no reason to keep him around," I pointed out. "As for giving him a chance, you do realize what he did to Angela, right?"

"Son, I know that, but..."
"No," I interrupted him. "We can't let him go. He is a liability. He harmed Angela and there is a good chance he will hurt others. Letting him loose in Forks would be a disaster, especially given the fact Sapphire is on the loose as well."

"Wait, Sapphire is here?" Garrett asked.

"Yes." My father nodded. "Unfortunately, it would appear she's been causing some trouble in town."
"Just like Kate did a few months ago," I muttered. "You remember her?" I taunted.

"Look, I am sorry about that, really. I never wanted to cause any trouble. I just wanted to be with Kate. I loved her."

"Yeah, you said that," I pointed out coolly.

We had been doing this for hours. My father wanted to give Garrett some space so he could relax a little and feel more comfortable.
I wanted answers. But every time I pushed for them, Garrett would shut down. Jasper thought that he had some sort of post-traumatic stress syndrome and guessed that as a human, Garrett had been a soldier, just like him.

My soft spoken, empathic brother kept telling me to be patient. And he, too, was willing to consider some sort of forgiveness or redemption for Garrett.

"Kate wanted me to get Bella. Not Angela. I made a mistake..." he explained, yet again.
It didn't really sound better the third time around.

"Telling me that you wanted to take the woman I loved is really not helping me warm to you," I said.
"I just...I was blinded by Kate. And then, when everything went wrong, I decided to run."

"After hurting Jacob."
"The wolf...he came after me. As did the other two male vampires here," Garrett pointed out.

"Yes, well, you posed a threat. You still do," I said, before turning back to Carlisle. "Really, why are we still talking about this? He obviously doesn't know what's going on with Sapphire."

"But he came here for a reason. You want help, don't you?" He asked Garrett.
The nomad gave a small nod. "I am tired of running. Tired of having to hide."

"Hide?" Jasper asked in surprise.

I watched the images as they filled his head. Cloaked figures in velvet robes. They were continually hunting him.

"The Volturi."

BPOV

"I'm ready," I announced, standing in the living room entrance, watching as Rosalie flipped through the channels on Charlie's beloved plasma TV.

"Good. I would have preferred driving you to school in my own car, but Edward was all whiny about being inconspicuous, so we're taking that horrible piece of crap you call a truck." she sighed.

"Don't hate on the truck," I warned halfheartedly as I followed her outside, my bag in tow.

The ride to school started out awkward, which I'd expected. Rosalie had never been my biggest fan - understatement, and I still wasn't sure whether I should be afraid of her or not.

I tried to focus on the trees outside but they were no more than a blur because of Rosalie's driving. And after a while I couldn't take the penetrating silence anymore.

"Are you going to watch me all day?" I asked casually.

Rosalie didn't answer right away and left the silence hanging between us a little longer.

"Apparently I have to," she finally spoke acerbically.

"Well, that must have made your day," I tried to joke, hoping to diffuse some of the tension. "Since you like me so very much."

Rosalie then snorted and, although it sounded strange because she was always so very composed, the disdain still managed to seep through.

"You think I don't like you," she said, her voice flat again and almost bored.

"I know you don't like me," I said firmly. "You are quite obvious about it."

Her golden eyes captured mine and for the first time ever, I saw something more than Rosalie's usual contempt for me.

"Frankly, Bella, I nothing you," she said. There was no malice in the statement, but that didn't mean it wasn't hurtful.

"You are nothing but a weak human that needs constant protection and I can't for the life of me figure out why Edward would want that kind of burden. I know I don't. I know he loves to be all emo and stuff, or poetic or whatever, but he could've been with anyone but you, a meek human."

Now it was my time to snort, which seemed to surprise Rosalie.

"What?"

"You say I mean nothing to you, but that little speech, that shows that at the very least I annoy you, which is not nothing."
Rosalie rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she dismissed my words.
I ignored that and continued. "Besides, we both know I won't be human much longer."

What happened next was like one of those slow motion movie type events. Rosalie slammed on the breaks, which, with her strength, probably meant she broke them and lucky me, almost slammed my head against the passenger window. I managed to catch myself in time however, to prevent a trip to the emergency room.

The truck came to a halt and I was somewhat relieved that I was still in one piece.

"What the hell was that?" I managed to choke out. "Are you trying to kill me?"

"You are really something else," Rosalie practically yelled. "You come into our lives, a human, causing trouble and putting an unwanted spotlight on us. And now, you want to take it even further by making that permanent? You want to become a vampire? Do you know what kind of danger that puts the entire family in?"

"I have always kept your secret," I protested. "I know you wish that Edward had never shown any interest in me, and that he didn't love me. But he does. So it can't be a surprise that we want to stay together. And there is really only one way to do that..."
I had to become a monster.

I shuddered as the images of my nightmares worked their way back into the forefront of my mind. Green. Red. Blood. Teeth.
The only way to be with Edward was to become a monster.

I peeked at Rosalie, who seemed to notice my distress, despite my best efforts to try and hide it.

"Not such a pretty future now is it," she sneered. "You may think it's easy, but it won't be. The transformation is one thing. It hurts like a bitch, but it'll pass. But knowing that you will be the same for the rest of...forever, infinity...eternity. Every day will be hell."

I knew Rosalie had a point. A part of it would be hell. I'd seen it with Angela, how she had struggled. But she had been alone.
I would have Edward.

Green. Red. Blood. Teeth. Edward's lifeless body in my arms. My brown eyes replaced by fiery red.
Okay, so maybe it would be hell.

I frowned, and tried to think of something else, but I could feel Rosalie staring, I could feel her trying to read my mind.

And she could never know those thoughts. It would only make her gloat. And then she'd tell Edward.

Who, as a result, would then never turn me.

"I think you broke my car," I said, trying to deflect. "So...I am going to walk," I pointed towards the school building in the distance.

"I can fix your car," Rosalie said dismissively. I was aware of how she enjoyed working on cars and it would be better if she fixed it instead of having to tell my dad something happened to it and then pay a large repair bill.

"Whatever," I shrugged, suddenly no longer in the mood to deal with her cattiness. I actually just wanted to get to school, to have some normalcy.

Of course, I wouldn't have that. Not today.

I noticed the red stains in the parking lot, where Mike had been attacked the day before. I scanned my surroundings to see if she...Sapphire was lurking.

"No vampires here," Rosalie muttered. "Well, besides me."

"Because it's safe, I am going to hang back," she then said. "Since I graduated last year and all. It would be weird if I was seen here."

Rosalie and Emmett were no longer at Forks High, given they had been seniors last year and had graduated with the rest of their class. It would be weird if anyone saw her here now.

I nodded and turned to walk to the entrance, when I almost bumped into Lauren.

Fake boobs, fake tan, fake hair, fake...everything - Lauren.

"Bella Swan," she sneered and for a moment I wondered what I had done to deserve the wrath of two bitches this morning.

Okay, so maybe Rosalie was the lesser evil here.

Still...

"Lauren," I greeted her quietly, hoping to move past her after that.

But no such luck.

She grabbed my arm as I started walking. Her fake purple nails clawed at the fabric of my jacket. I tried to pull away but that only made her tighten her grip.
"Not so fast," she hissed. "I want to know what your deal is."

My deal? My deal was that some fake blonde bitch was clawing at me like an angry Chihuahua.
But I was sure that's not what she meant.

So I opted for feigning ignorance and innocence. Which was true anyway, since I had no clue what she was harping on about.

"Excuse me?"

"Jessica is dead. Angela has disappeared. Mike is injured..." she started listing our classmates.

Ah, that was what Harpie was getting at. The rapid decline of our student body. She blamed me for that. Which I suppose, indirectly, was kind of true. I wasn't personally responsible, but my hands weren't free of blood either. Still, there was no way in hell I would allow the bitch in front of me to goad me.

"I am aware of that," I said calmly. "But I don't think I understand what that has to do with me."

Lauren snorted. "It has everything to do with you. Ever since you moved here, weird things have started to happen."

I couldn't deny that. Forks had been a quiet and sleepy town before. Nothing ever happened here. But when the Cullens arrived, hoping to stay inconspicuous, and then I moved here - and that combination had awakened this place.

It had brought monsters and death. And Lauren blamed me.

Again, I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of being right. But if it meant she suspected me - something she would never be able to prove - and it would lead her away from possibly shifting her attention to the Cullens, it might be worth it.

"You think I am responsible for these events."

Lauren rolled her eyes, and for a moment I was distracted by the amount of glitter on them.
Seriously, what type of Barbie was she trying to represent?

"Duh...I don't know how you are involved, but I know you are responsible."
"I didn't hurt anyone," I said coolly.

Lauren snorted. "And I am supposed to believe that?"

"I don't particularly care what you believe, but I had nothing to do with it," I repeated. "So if you want to go on a rampage...a witch hunt, by all means. But let me warn you now...you will be disappointed."

Lauren's cold hazel eyes narrowed. "Witch hunt?" she spat.

I shrugged and attempted once again to move past her.

This time she let me go, but not before she managed to speak her mind one more time.

"Witch hunt. That's something to remember Swan," she warned, her voice low and icy. "They never end well."

I kept my composure, but just barely. Lauren may appear to be a ditzy girl, but that was a threat. Wrapped in a promise.

When I finally made it to my first class, Trig, which I hated, I should've been relieved at the welcome normalcy of school related trivialities. But the murmurs around me were not about who hooked up with whom, or whether Mr. Greyson ever had sex.

No. They were about me. About Mike. Jessica. Angela. And then back to me. Lauren continued to give me the evil eye, followed by Tyler and Eric.

It was extremely distracting and their looks and whispers followed me around until lunch, which I was forced to spend alone, due to the absence of Edward and Alice.

The only good thing, if there was any, was that the chatter about me, led the conversation away from Edward and his family. So maybe it was convenient he and his sister were absent today.

Still, it got worse as the day went on and come last period I was sick of hearing the "Bella is a witch" murmurs or the accusations that I was singlehandedly responsible for Jessica's murder, Angela's 'disappearance' and Mike's accident.

Being called a killer, veiled in the innocence of a fake cough, was starting to get annoying. And I was getting tired of being bumped into and shunned at the same time.

I had never been Miss Popular around here, but Eric and Tyler had always been nice enough. This certain change in attitude was all thanks to this little campaign.

I endured it and by the time the final bell rang, I was almost relieved to be face to face with Rosalie, who had made good on her promise to fix my truck.

"Rough day?" She smirked as she spotted me. I wasn't sure if she was trying to be nice in her own way, or if she actually relished in my misery.

"It was fine," I muttered.

"It didn't sound fine to me," she pointed out.

Of course, she had heard every word. I huffed as I got inside my truck. The passenger side, because there was no way Rosalie would let me drive.

"It's not polite to eavesdrop," I said. "But don't worry. It's me she seems to be after. Not you or your family."

I expected her to argue. But she didn't.

"Ignore Lauren," Rosalie said, before starting the truck. For a moment, the roaring sound was welcome. It drowned out the world and Rosalie's misguided advice.

She pulled out, effortlessly and without so much as a look back at the parking lot that was always difficult for me to navigate.

"Types like Lauren don't go far in life. They may think they are the Queen Bee now," Rosalie said encouragingly.

I guess at some point during the day she had decided I was worthy to have a normal conversation with. Or maybe she had been inhaling too many fumes.

"Mark my words, in a few years; she is handing out fries at a local Burger King or whatever, while you are at Harvard or something."

I snorted. I was never going to Harvard. And then, before I could even question my intuition, I realized that she wasn't being nice for my benefit, or because she felt sorry for how she acted earlier.

She was encouraging me to move away from Forks. As a human. Living the whole human experience by going off to college etcetera. Without Edward of course.

"Really, you could," Rosalie smiled. And yes, that smile seemed genuine but I was certain she had mastered the art.

"Really?" I asked innocently, biting my lip shyly for good measure. "You really think I could go to Harvard?"

"That I am THAT smart?" I added.

Rosalie nodded encouragingly. "Oh definitely."

I rolled my eyes, which made her frown.

"Then you should know I am not fooled that easily," I muttered. "You just want me away from Edward. Away from your family."

"Well, tough luck, Rosalie, because where Edward is, you'll find me too."

Rosalie didn't say another word after that. We both stayed silent during the ride to my house.

When we arrived, we both sighed a breath of relief at spotting Alice on the front porch.

"Your new babysitter is here," Rosalie muttered as she left the truck in a flash, not even sparing Alice a glance as she disappeared into the woods.

My best friend, on the other hand, bounded down the porch steps with enthusiasm and yanked open the passenger door before pulling me into a hug.

"Sorry you were stuck with Rose today," she whispered before releasing me.

"That's okay," I murmured as I stepped outside.

"How was school?" Alice wondered, as her eyes wandered, probably to make sure there were no evil new born vampires lurking.

"Fine," I muttered.

"Bella..."

I walked past her to the front door. "If you already know, don't ask me the question, Alice."

As it turned out, Alice wasn't the only one waiting for me. Inside were Angela and Jacob.

I greeted them both before dropping my backpack and pulling off my jacket.

"What's with the welcome committee?" I wondered.

Alice hopped onto the kitchen counter, to which I rolled my eyes. In reaction, she stuck out her tongue.

"Garrett," Jacob spat. "He's still at the Cullens."

He clenched one of his fists for a moment, until he flexed his fingers and started tapping them against the table top.

"He makes me uncomfortable," Angela said. She was fidgeting with her hands as well, picking at her blue knit sweater.

"That's understandable, with everything that's happened." I offered.

We spent a few moments in silence, none of us knowing what to say. We all had our own memories about what had happened before the summer.

Then Alice started tapping her foot impatiently, annoyingly, in tune with the rhythm of Jacob's finger tapping. I swear those two were more alike than they'd probably ever admit.

Angela was sitting quietly, observing her boyfriend.

"Can't we just kill the guy?" Jacob mused, breaking the silence. "Correction; blood sucker. Can't we just kill the bloodsucker?"

Angela cringed but Jacob didn't notice. I was pretty certain he didn't mean her – he didn't see her as a vampire anymore, but she probably took it personally.

"Yes, let's kill all blood suckers!" Alice suggested with an eye roll, before she started to flail around her arms. "Why don't we kill all dogs while we're at it," she yelled, as she jumped off the counter and started doing what seemed to be a cross between a dance and a seizure.

It was so ridiculous and comical to see, that soon Jacob was snorting, and then full out laughing, and even Angela cracked a smile, before she started giggling.

I, however, wondered if everyone had gone bat shit crazy.

Or maybe I was just preoccupied with the fact that I hadn't heard from Edward all day. That was very much unlike him and while I had initially welcomed a little distance because of my nightmares, I now missed him. A lot.

Especially with these silly loons here.

I stared at my phone again, but there was nothing. No message, no call. Nothing.

"He's still busy," Alice spoke softly, her ADD moment over. "I am sure he will call soon."

I snorted. "Are you telling me this as my best friend, or as a Seer?"

"Both. Edward will call. Or stop by…it's just right now…he needs to focus on Garrett."

"Need I remind anyone of what he's done to Angela? Or how he kicked my ass?" Jacob blurted out. "I get that this guy might have info on Sapphire or whatever crazy hole she crawled out of, but let's be serious. There is nothing good about him. He needs to…."

Jacob made a cutthroat sign to emphasize his point.

"Carlisle doesn't like violence," Alice said. "He wants to help Garrett rehabilitate."

"Yeah, well…he doesn't deserve that," Jacob muttered. All the joking just moments earlier was gone and the atmosphere was tense again.

Maybe Angela sensed this because she suddenly rose and moved next to Jacob. Her cool hands were an antidote to his heated skin, because I noticed him shiver as she rubbed his arms. "It's fine," she said. "This…what happened to me…it wasn't entirely Garrett's fault. He was a victim of other people as much as I was."

Jacob huffed but allowed his girlfriend to sooth him. He gestured at his lap and pulled Angela down gently to sit with him.

"Bella, living room," Alice said, for which I assumed was to give Angela and Jacob some privacy.

I followed her without a word.

"So, how was school?"

I rolled my eyes. "You already asked me that."

"But you never answered," Alice sing-songed.

I sighed. "You know how school was," I said. "I am sure you had a full play by play in surround sound."

Alice huffed. "You're being difficult, Bella."

"No, I am not. You know that today was a drag. So, let's not rehash it," I said firmly.

"I'm sorry you were stuck with Rosalie. But you know Edward. He didn't want to leave you alone."

"It's fine," I said, shrugging it off.

"Are you okay?" the pixie wondered, looking me over. I knew she was trying to read me and I was thankful that she couldn't.

Or so I thought.

"Let me rephrase," she said. "Are you and Edward alright?"

"Apart from the fact there's a crazy vampire maniac on the loose?" I said dryly. "Sure. We're fine."

"If you say so," Alice hummed.

"I said so. Now, I have to do homework," I said, ending our brief conversation effectively.

EPOV

"The Volturi?"

"They have been following me," Garrett explained.

"Figures in cloaks?" Carlisle verified. "I mean, you are certain it's them?"

Garrett nodded. "I don't know what they want. I mean, I haven't broken any laws. I have remained inconspicuous."

"Except when you took a human girl from a busy prom," I deadpanned.

"You're looking for protection then?" Carlisle asked.

"I guess I am."

"You have a lot of nerve. You can't tell us anything about Sapphire and now you may have led the Volturi to us?" I hissed. "Seriously, Carlisle, how can you tolerate this?"

"You need me," Garrett pointed out. "If the Volturi come here, and they bring their guard, you know you need me. Strength in numbers and all that. I am willing to fight against them."

I looked at Jasper, who seemed thoughtful for a moment. And then he nodded.

"I'm afraid he's right. If they do come here, we are going to need all the help we can get."

BPOV

Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.

I counted the strokes of brushing my hair, but after ten I gave up and put my hairbrush down. I gathered my locks into a ponytail and decided to be done with it. Any knots would have to be dealt with in the morning.

I walked over to the window, opening it a little bit to let some fresh air in. It was chilly, but I welcomed the cool air anyway, because it felt stuffy and hot in my room.

I looked outside, watching the world below, which looked rather peaceful. But I knew looks could be deceiving, because there were all kinds of monsters out there.

Seventeen year old Harpie girls who accused me of being responsible for the hurting of her classmates, and actual seventeen year old newborn vampire girls who most likely wanted to wreak havoc. Or nomad vampires that liked to take human girls from their high school prom.

Just to name a few threats.

I shuddered, feeling restless and alone.

And suddenly, it was there. The need for safety. The need to be loved and protected.

I wanted Edward.

All day I'd been relieved that he was absent; that he wasn't around to notice something was off with me. But now, I just wanted him to be here.

I hadn't heard from him all day, except for one text message a few hours before, in which he had told me that he'd 'see me soon' .

Well, soon was turning out to be late. Very late.

Like past midnight late. It was close to 12.30 AM.

I turned and eyed my bed, knowing that tomorrow – or rather today - I'd have to get up early again. I knew I had to try and get some sleep eventually, but for now I was wide awake.

It didn't help, knowing Charlie was sleeping a few feet away. After too many days spent investigating what had happened to Mike, in addition to the earlier investigation into Jessica's death and Angela's disappearance, he'd taken a night off to sleep in his own bed, as opposed to falling asleep behind his desk at the station.

But it wasn't safe here. He was better off far away from this house, which was ultimately a target for monsters like Sapphire and Garrett.

I knew Alice was lurking about and perhaps some of Jacob's pack were close by, but it was easier when I only had to worry about myself, instead of having to worry about my dad as well.

I closed the window and went to lie down, hoping that if I stared at the ceiling long enough, I would simply fall asleep.

Eventually, after keeping my eyes focused on the off white paint for what felt like a long time, my eyelids were starting to grow heavy.

"Bella?"

I woke up with a start, my legs tangled in my sheets. I was dazed and disoriented. I must've fallen asleep after all...

"I didn't mean to startle you."

"Edward?" I asked

"It's me," he said soothingly. "I'm sorry I didn't get here earlier. I was held up."

I blinked a few times and tried to smile. I was happy to see him, of course, but being in my bedroom, in the dark, felt too much like déjà vu. And when I tried to sit up, and thus lean away from Edward, he instantly noticed.

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head, hoping to clear it a bit. I was being ridiculous and allowed the dreams to control me way too much.

"It's nothing," I smiled. "I just fell asleep and didn't expect you here."

"Like I said, I got held up," Edward explained. "Garrett claims he'd being hunted by the Volturi and, well…my dad has this idea we owe him protection or something. You know how he gets when he has a project."

"O...kay, is that a smart thing to do? I mean, we can't trust this guy, right?"

"We can't. But Carlisle and Jasper seem to believe that if Garrett is speaking the truth and he is being hunted by the Volturi, there's a good chance they might come here. And if they do...we'd need someone like Garrett on our side, just in case..."

"Just in case, what?"

Edward sighed. "In case it comes to a fight."

I frowned. "Will it? Come to a fight?"

Edward remained silent for a few moments - very long moments, until he finally shook his head. "I doubt it. But to be on the safe side, Carlisle and Jasper want Garrett on our side. So Carlisle hopes to teach him our way of living."

"Will that even work?" I wondered.

"I have strong reservations, given what Garrett did to Angela and Jacob, but I suppose Carlisle always wants to see the best in people….or monsters."

"Case in point?" I said, gesturing towards Edward.

He grinned. "I suppose. "

He leaned in and brushed some stray hairs from my face "I missed you today."

"I missed you, too," I murmured as I leaned into his touch. "School was a drag."

"Something about a witch hunt?" Edward wondered. "Alice showed me," he explained before I could ask.

"It's nothing," I shrugged. "Just Lauren being ridiculous. Will you be back tomorrow? Or does Carlisle need help with this Garrett rehabilitation thing?"

"I am not sure what his concrete plans for Garrett are. It kind of depends on Angela, too. I can imagine she would feel highly uncomfortable around him."

"Understatement," I snorted.

"Indeed. And Jacob will undoubtedly be pissed too."

I nodded. "Oh, he is. Very much so. Like 'I wanna kill some bloodsuckers' - mad"

"Bella, we need to talk," Edward suddenly spoke.

I sighed. I had heard these words before. And last time we were going to talk I had fallen asleep well before we'd even started.
Not to mention the pesky nightmare that had followed.

"Edward, it's the middle of the night," I pointed out. I knew I was buying time with the only thing I could bargain with.
My humanity.

"I need sleep," I told him.

Edward nodded. "True. You do. Although I see what you are so conveniently doing here. Playing on your humanity, that's a first." he chuckled to himself.

"I AM human," I muttered. There was a time when I had hated that part about myself, the weakness, fragility. But now, I wasn't so keen on trading that in for immortality. Not if the consequences were so incredibly bad.

"Yes, you are," Edward agreed. "Though not for long," he whispered gently, his breath washing over me.

It made me shiver, and not in the good way. It sounded ominous for some reason.

Of course, my reaction didn't go unnoticed. Edward was so attuned to me that this was something he instantly noticed.

"What's wrong?" he frowned, but then, before I could answer, he leaned back, his eyes wide with shock.

"You are afraid," he spoke, stunned. "You are afraid…

Of me."

It's been a looooong time (hangs head in shame).

Thank you if you're still here. And welcome if you want to give this a shot.

Next two chapters are done and will be up soon :)

Happy weekend!