"The rest of the shopping trip will have to be canceled. I need to call my Father. I might not survive this night." I said solemnly.

They stared at me. Wide eyed and open mouthed.

I let the phone ring.

Duncan picked up.

"Hello mo nighean dubh, I am surprised you are calling." came Duncan's soft deep voice."

"I've been challenged, Francois Soif, 9 tonight, Frobisher lane, Parking Garage." I stated calmly.

"I see, Methos and I will come to pick you up for the warm-up. Where are you at the moment?"

"I am at the Alderwood Mall with Rose and the Pixie. I am at the Sushi place." I answered.

"We will be there in a few hours. Wait there." He said in such a commanding tone I just could not help but answer. "Sir, Yes Sir." In a crisp army like tone.

Duncan chuckled. "See you soon, Bye."

I smiled. I then calmly stowed away my phone and started eating the order that had come by now.

The Girls stared at me incredulous, quite clearly asking how I could eat at such a time and also what the fuck was going on.

I swallowed and asked with an impatient tone. "Ask your questions." I huffed slightly.

"Bella what are you doing? Are you really going to fight that man? But you could die! Please let us take care of him."Alice spoke. And at the same time Rosalie remarked. "How can you eat at a time like this? Is this normal for you? Let us kick his ass…"

At this I held up a Hand to shut them both up.

"Firstly I am eating, and I am eating because going into a fight hungry will only help my opponent not me.

Second yes I fully intend to fight this man, this is the reality of my life, the reality of every Immortals life. The game is a part of us. We will fight one of us will die. Preferably him.

Thirdly You. Will. Not. Interfere.

Once a challenge is issued it is a one on one fight.

You. Will. Not. Interfere. Not only is this my fight, my fate and my life, but also I will not allow you to endanger the ones I love. " I could see their confused faces and I sighed.

"If you interfere, word will inevitably get back to the immortal community. And breaking the rules is not only heavily frowned upon but harshly dealt with in due course.

I would receive a flurry of challenges if it got out someone else fought my battles, and since I did not play by the rules they might feel they have leeway as well. And should I be too well protected, which is what I would be no doubt, they would go after the people I love. Go after my friends and acquaintances, perhaps even kidnap mortal friends and threaten dire consequences.

Also they might try and come after you, you who interfered of course they probably would not be able to kill you." At this I heard Rosalie snort and roll her eyes. I narrowed my eyes and continued and addressed her unspoken point.

"And I say probably because there are some that have command over the elements, have psychic, telepathic or telekinetic abilities. They might just be able to match you by utilizing those talents.

Even if these Immortals do not come after you, they might learn of what you are. They might learn what you are and find out 'The Secret'. And they would have a much easier time of believing than mortals these days. These people are immortal. So perhaps they would find a way in the course of time perhaps centuries to not only spread word of your existence maybe even develop a weapon to use against you. Maybe even validate your existence to the human governments. Or maybe with this weapon and the advanced Science yet to be developed they could beat you and crush you.

But also consider this, you would give away 'The Secret'. And I know the Volturi, they would kill you for doing so. They might even kill anyone that had come into contact with you and yours, or me and mine.

So please understand You! Must! Not! Interfere!

And if, as unlikely that is, if I should die rest assured my Fathers would challenge him and avenge me.

But you forget, not only am I a kick-ass fighter as you have seen in the competition. I had to hold back in the competition. If it is a life or death situation, if I find I cannot win fairly then I will use my other abilities.

I will make the air thicker around my opponent; I will make it lighter around me. I will enhance my senses. I will change the molecular structure of our surroundings or of him. I will throw knives of air toward him cutting his skin. I did it before; I even dissolved a man's bones in his body. I will use the VOICE to make him weak, or make him drop his sword. If he can fight off all that then he bloody well deserves my head." And with that last bit I returned to eating.

They looked at me stunned and after a Moment they looked at me guiltily and apologetic. Alice particularly looked at me with big eyes and an expression that said 'I did something wrong please forgive me because I sooo cute'.

I frowned and asked sternly "What did you do?"

"Well, uhm I we, uhm I sort of sentEdwardamessageandhe,theothersandthepackarecomeing!" Alice said and even though she spoke fast I understood what she had said.

I groaned. "Oh how marvelous now I have to explain things to them again in addition to getting prepared. And I have to keep you overprotective control freak of a brother from interfering. Great just great, like I don't have enough to deal with." I sighed and saw that they looked even guiltier. Good! I thought to myself, perhaps they will learn not to interfere.

The rest of the meal passed in silence, I only spoke to order desert and more to drink. I waited for them to speak. But they probably could not think of what to say.

I broke the silence finally. "Please stop it, you act like I am doomed."

"You could loose." Rose stated in a dead tone.

"Worse yet, you could win, Bella I just can't see you murder anyone." Alice added softly.

"It is highly unlike that I lose. And Alice you act like I am an innocent. Have you forgotten? I told you I have taken heads before. And I happened to be in Mannheim Germany when the epidemic of 21 broke out. I was there for the riots that followed. I killed then, too." I calmly explained.

They looked at me then at each other. Rose hesitated for a Moment and then asked "How many people have you killed? Including immortals?"

I closed my eyes, I remembered each Immortal all 23 of them. I had there quickenings hard to forget. But Mortals… I had to do some math.

I opened my eyes and looked at them. "I have taken 23 Heads." I stated bluntly. "I am unsure just how many mortals I have killed. Probably somewhere around 60 or 70, give or take a dozen, I am not sure." I honestly stated.

They looked at me shocked, it really seemed they had not considered what it meant to be my age, to lead my life.

Rosalie recovered pretty soon. "Well that is not so bad."

Alice gasped shocked. "Not so bad Bella is a murderer!" she said slightly hysteric but still very quietly lest she attract attention.

I looked at Alice with a piercing stern cold look. "Alice, my Name is Ella. Bella is dead. And if you know about the riots, you know what went on. Let me tell you the media actually understated the whole thing. It was worse, far worse. I had a choice Alice, be raped and killed. In my case over and over or FIGHT BACK!" I hissed the last words. "Don't you dare judge me Alice, don't you dare. I never judged you and your kind. So return the favor Alice Cullen or at least shut your mouth and back off."

Alice looked devastated. I felt almost sorry.

Rose on the other hand looked at me amused but also as if she approved. "I see you grew a backbone Human. Good.!"

I laughed and Rose laughed with me. Alice looked put out, pouting like the teenager she pretended to be.

Something came up on my senses. The hairs on my back rose and I looked around and I saw the whole Cullen Clan and most of the pack enter the mall.

Edward in the front barely remembering to walk human speed it seemed he looked livid.

My eyes narrowed, oh this was going to be big I could tell.

I turned around and left my thumbprint on the plate for paying the food. I gave the girls a significant look. And I walked out of the mall right through the small crowd waiting for me. The girls followed.

"Not here!" I whispered sharply knowing everyone would hear. I wrote a short text to Duncan and Methos to tell them where to find us now. I got a short text saying they would be there in 40 Minutes. Great I had to do the whole don't interfere speech again. How irksome.

We got to the my planned destination. A park that was joined with a graveyard and was holy ground I stopped an waited for everyone to get here.

When I held up my hand to silence any questions they all kept quiet except of course the overprotective control freak.

"You will not fight Bella. I will take care of this." Edward said in a final tone that said he considered the matter decided.

I narrowed my eyes at him and straightened my back. And I looked him in the eyes clearly saying 'Wanna bet?'