Chapter 6 – Edward Masen, Er… Cullen

EPOV

I was with Carlisle when the young woman was tossed to the ground by McCullough. The pop of her ankle was loud in my ears and had it not been the restraining hand of Carlisle, I would have gone to her. A low growl left me when McCullough pounced on her. For some reason, I felt drawn to the young woman… in a protective way. I shook Carlisle off but he once again stayed my actions.

"He's trying to protect her, Edward," he thought.

Turning, I faced Carlisle. "From whom?" I asked in a low voice.

McGregor and the rest of the hunting party arrived. McGregor peered down at the young woman once McCullough got up. The way he was looking at her like she was an enemy he did not know how to vanquish.

"Ah dinna troost th' lass," McGregor thought.

McGregor motioned for one of his guards. "Tak' th' lass back. Dinna lit 'er lae yer secht." he whispered. He turned to another, "Send fur th' mages."

The mages were bad news, and if McGregor was calling for them… the young woman might be put to death. Turning, I found Carlisle was gone.

"Come to Maribella's room after nightfall," he thought.

Since becoming a vampire and after a brief rebellion, I avoided humans only because I did not want to become a monster again. But this young woman seemed different than other humans. Keeping out of sight, I followed as she was carried back to the keep.

"Edward, what are you doing?" Carlisle's question entered my mind. "I told you after nightfall."

I still wasn't used to hearing the thoughts of others in my mind. Turning, I cringed to find him right behind me. How was I going to explain? I took an unneeded breath and released it. "I don't know. The young woman intrigues me."

"She is indeed a mystery. Maribella will care for her until McGregor goes to bed, then I will examine her."

I nodded. "I don't trust him, Carlisle. He sent for the mages, she could be in danger."

"Not until they arrive, and it will take a week or longer before they arrive," he remarked, looking up at the keep.

~~ B3W ~~

Slowly, I approached Maribella's room. Everything was silent inside as I lifted my hand to the door handle. I pushed the door open and froze. Carlisle was sitting with the young woman, seemingly lost in thought.

His gaze moved to me and then back to the young woman. She tossed something to him which he slipped into his pocket as he stood.

"Don't ask, Edward. I won't tell you what she gave me."

I pursued my lips but nodded.

He touched my shoulder as he left the room as if saying, "I trust you."

Taking a few steps into the room, I left the door open. This was a test… one I was self-imposing. I took a breath. Her heart was a slow staccato and she smelled divine. Venom pooled in my mouth as the beast reared its ugly, controlling head. Clinching my jaw, I swallowed hard and repeated to myself that I was in control of my hunger and that my hunger did not control me. It worked, though my mind was still clouded with the need to spill her blood. I would have to hunt when I was through speaking with her.

The young woman's back was to me. "Hello, Mistress McCullough," I started.

Her back stiffened. I briefly wondered why before continuing.

"My name is Master Cullen. You may address me as Edward if you wish."

Mistress McCullough turned to face me. Tears were in her eyes.

Without a thought, I rushed to her side. "Mistress McCullough, are you in pain?" I asked.

She bit her lip and met my eyes. "No," she answered. "And it's Bella."

Bella sucked her lip back between her teeth.

Reaching up, I freed it. "Then why the tears?" I asked, caressing her cheek with my thumb. The beast within me calming even as more venom pooled in my mouth.

She leaned into my hand and sighed. "I wish I could explain, Edward, but I cannot."

When my name left her lips, electricity coursed through me. It started where my thumb rested and radiated up my arm before filling me with a warmth I had long forgotten. Without seeking permission, I leaned forward and kissed her.

Bella responded but only briefly. She gasped, pulling back. "We cannot, Edward."

My eyes strayed to the bed. A ring was laying on the bed next to her. Reaching out, I picked it up. It couldn't be. How did my mother's ring get here? It should be in the cottage Carlisle and I was renting from McGregor.

Bella's head was down when I looked back at her. I tried to read her mind. Nothing. That was when I realized her thoughts had been strangely quiet since I entered the room. There had to be some explanation as to why she had this ring. "How did this come into your possession?" I asked, without a trace of accusation in my voice.

Bella's shoulders slumped forward. "I cannot tell you."

She couldn't tell me. Taking an unneeded breath and releasing it, I knelt in front of her and with my thumb and forefinger, I lifted her face until our eyes met. "Why?" It was a simple question, in my mind, and one I hoped she would answer.

Her bottom lip disappeared once again as she shook her head. "I cannot tell you," she said once more.

"Is it because you don't think I will believe you?" I asked.

Sadness filled her eyes as tears started to form again. "No."

A different tactic then. "Do you know who this ring belonged to?"

Bella closed her eyes and a few tears slipped free. "Yes. It was your mother's."

I was surprised she knew, but I didn't let it show. "How do you know it was my mother's?"

I had a feeling about how she was going to answer.

"I cannot tell you," she answered, throwing up her hands.

I ran a rough hand through my hair. Only one of my questions she answered. Why couldn't she tell me? There must be some way. "Bella," I started. "Do you know what I am?" I didn't know why I asked that.

Her head bobbed up and down, but she did not speak.

Taking hold of her hands, I noticed her nails shimmered but held no color. It was intriguing. "Tell me then… if you know," I challenged.

She was silent for the space of four or five heartbeats. "A vampire," she whispered. "And by the looks of it, you need to hunt."

A smile spread across my face at the mere fact she answered another of my questions. "And you are not afraid of me," I stated.

"No," she answered.

It was rare for someone not to be afraid of me. Carlisle, sure. He was gentle and a doctor. Only Maribella, and now, Bella was not afraid.

My hands found hers again. "Marry me," I said.

Bella's eyes registered shock. Heck, I was shocked too.

"Edward, that's not wise. I still would not be able to answer your questions."

My questions were the furthest thing from my mind. "I don't care."

She sighed. "You just met me."

"No one but you and I know that fact."

"I am only fourteen," she said, exasperated.

Bella did not look fourteen nor did she sound like any fourteen-year-old I have encountered. "Maribella is fourteen and she is to be wed in the coming months," I replied.

"I am a lowlander. We simply don't marry at fourteen," she said, glancing down at our joined hands.

Lowlander? No way. Not with the way she held herself. Poised. Elegant. Direct. Honest. Not that I knew any lowlanders. Blowing out a breath, I said, "Bella, I promise to one day marry you."

Bella swallowed. "Are you a dream?" she asked.

"No, I'm not." I lifted my left hand and caressed her cheek.

"You have to be a dream. This does not feel real," she whispered.

"Tell me this doesn't feel real." Leaning forward, I captured Bella's lips in a brief but tender kiss. "I will marry you, Bella. This is one promise I will remember."

I kissed her again, deeper than the previous one. Bella stiffened slightly before given into me and began kissing me back. I didn't give much thought to her momentary hesitation. Our kiss became heated when I wound my arms around her and drew her to me. Our instant connection was strange, and for some reason, I didn't want to lose her. Her acceptance of me made me see I wasn't a blood-craving monster. Except for the fleeting moment where I wanted to spill her blood, I haven't thought about killing her. It was amazing. Freeing. And I was serious when I promised to marry her.

The revelation shocked me. I drew back, staring at Bella while wondering what was drawing me to her. She was breathless and swayed a little. I kept my arms securely around her until I was sure she wouldn't faint. That was when I heard a noise in the hall. Our time was up.

"When we next met, I vow to win your heart," I whispered, stepping back before taking her left hand and slipping the ring on the fourth finger. "It matters little to me as to how you came to be in possession of this ring, Bella. I want you to keep it."

I blinked and Bella was gone. The door opened and I turned to see Maribella enter.

"Master Cullen, what are you doing in my chambers?" Maribella asked.

"Bella," I replied, looking at the spot where Bella had just been sitting.

"Who's Bella?"

"A dream, I believe." I felt a warm wave wash over me. "Yes, that has to be it. Forgive my intrusion," I said, walking out of the room.

"Master Cullen," Maribella said, calling me back. "You will not see her again nor remember meeting her. You are not her destiny, at least not yet. Her time has not come. My father and the mages are not ready to accept you and your kind."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, stepping back into the room.

"You will understand one day. Now go, your father is waiting. One more thing, forget her."