Chapter 38 - Destroyer

There was something wrong with me. Why did I just do that? Why did I just flat out agree to dance with Demetri?

Edward stormed off without so much as a second look at me and I made a start to go after him when I cold hand wound itself around my waist. I flinched as Demetri began to dance, guiding me with strong arms.

"I believe this dance is mine Bella," he breathed in my ear, making me shudder, with disgust and…something else. Something warm.

I swallowed down the lump in my throat and nodded. This was my fault; I had agreed to do this.

For one minute we were completely silent, my eyes staring firmly at the buttons on his shirt, counting the seconds for this to be over.

"You look ravishing tonight, Isabella."

I made no indication of acknowledging his compliment.

"So, how do you like our quaint little party?" Demetri asked me, pulling me closer to him. I snorted and retracted.

"Are you seriously trying to chit chat with me?"

Demetri chuckled, but his smile didn't reach his ruby eyes.

"Yes, is that a problem?"

"Yes it's a problem. You can't pretend like you're not trying to do, what you're trying to do," I hissed through my teeth. A smile ghosted over his lips.

"And what exactly am I trying to do?"

Without warning he spun me out and back in. Instead of reclaiming hold of my hips, he lifted me up bridal style and began to slowly turn around, gazing at me intently. I gasped and began thrashing in vain in his arms.

"Calm down, Isabella, its part of the dance."

My eyes gazed over at all the other couples in the same situation as us. Being encased by him made me feel like I had bugs crawling all over me. But I also felt…secure. Fuck. I had to get out of this situation.

"Well how fucking convenient for you."

He dropped me on my feet with a thud.

"I will not tolerate your insolence."

I laughed out loud.

"And I won't tolerate you."

Demetri looked murderous.

"Why say yes to my invitation to dance, Isabella?"

"I wanted to reason with you. I wanted to tell you to leave me alone…let me be with Edward…"

Even as I said it I knew that was only partially true. Demetri knew. It was written all over his smug as hell face. He knew I wanted to do it. For me.

"This dance is over," I spat, turning around to escape. Demetri caught my arm and tugged me back to face him, gripping me so tight I knew I'd be bruised.

"You can't fight this beautiful, I always get what I want."

I saw red. And with that I stomped my six-inch heel into his left foot with all strength I could muster. I know I didn't cause him as much pain as I would have liked, just enough to spot the momentary anguish in his eyes and for his hand to release me. And with that I fled off the dance floor without looking back.

Edward. I needed to speak to Edward.

I stumbled left and right in a blind panic. Vampires were everywhere, some indifferent me, and some staring.

Then through the crowd I saw Aro directly in front of me, Camilla on his arm, talking to two male vampires I did not recognize. He made eye contact with me, then narrowed his eyes, then looked upwards, towards the balcony. It took me a second to understand what he was getting at, but then it clicked and I returned a small smile to him before hastily making my way towards the spiral staircase. As I reached the top my eyes swept across the wrap around balcony that overlooked the main room. Nothing. No Edward. I noticed several doors on the far side however. I tried the first door, locked. The second was also locked. I began to get more frustrated. I didn't think he'd leave me this alone.

I walked towards the third and saw it was slightly ajar. I pushed it open and walked outside and bile rose to my throat. Edward was there, with a girl. A girl with no shoes. Dressed in white.I watched unable to move as his hand was tangled in her hair, and the other firmly on her hip as his mouth feasted on her neck, draining her of life. I couldn't look away. He was in fact so engrossed in his meal that he didn't even seem to know I was there.

I heard a spine-chilling crack as her neck broke, and I gasped, fighting for air. Edward's head snapped towards me, his now blood red eyes on me. Without breaking his gaze he chucked the girl over the balcony, onto the Volturi grounds. I heard a sickening thud as the corpse landed.

Edward took a measured step towards me, I mirrored his action backwards, but my back hit the door. He cocked his head carefully to the side as if contemplating a difficult puzzle. I couldn't even tell if he was in control of his bloodlust or not. That's what scared me the most. I knew he didn't want me to see him hunt for this very reason.

Without warning Edward encaged me, his arms at either side of my head, leaning against the door for support. I froze and held my breathe as his nose skimmed my jaw.

"Have you done flirting with that fuck now, Isabella?" He murmured sweetly. I felt my stomach drop. He was not even slightly in control. He was in predator mode.

"Oh sweetheart, are you not even going to answer me," he whispered, tracing his finger down my nose over my lips. I silently pleaded with him, trying to find my Edward in his eyes. He wasn't there. Tears streamed down my cheek as I struggled for what to do.

"I wasn't- I didn't flirt-"

Edward sniggered softly against my ear, his tongue gently running over the sensitive area behind me ear lobe.

"Don't lie to me, angel."

"Edward, please," I whispered, my hands reaching out to cup his face. Before I made contact with his skin, he flinched backwards and grabbed my arms and held them together with one of his hands over my head.

"Don't touch me," he hissed, his eyes flashing dangerously. My breaths were coming out in struggled pants now, my brain was going fuzzy.

"I want to explain-"

I cut off as Edwards's teeth grazed over the prominent vein in my neck.

"Mmhmm, do you know how much I want your blood right now, sweetheart?"

I swear my heart stopped. I had to keep reminding myself. He won't hurt me. He would never hurt me. I just had to being him back to me.

"You're scaring me," I whispered.

Edward stepped back and let out a mirthless laugh, walking over to the balcony, looking out over it, his face turned away from me.

'Funny, you didn't seem to be scared of him."

I didn't even know what to say to that. I didn't even realize I was crying until my skin begun to tingle with the salt of my tears.

"I know I fucked up, and I'm sorry, but if we could just talk-"

"I don't wish to talk to you right now Isabella," he said, turning his head towards me, his voice was low and threatening. I gave up. . There was no reasoning with him when he was like this. I simply turned on my heel and left him outside, robotically making my way downstairs onto the main dance floor, barely taking note of my surroundings as I headed towards the door.

"Bella, stop," Aro's voice broke me out of my reverie. I spun round and saw him standing behind me, his face lacking any expression. I found myself feeling relieved to see him.

"Aro," I smiled tightly, trying my best to seem friendly despite my mood.

"Would you like to talk? Away from here?"

I nodded gratefully and followed Aro outside of the grand hall, barely keeping in stride as he led me into his office. He motioned for me to sit in an armchair opposite him and I silently complied.

"His power, it works," I muttered, staring at my hands. It was so obvious. The way I wanted to dance with him, despite my excuse, the way his touch warmed me, even through my disgust. There was no other explanation. He was evoking some kind of feeling.

Aro simply stared at me for a moment and sighed.

"I know."

"And if it works. If he makes me fall in love with him, it's reversible?"

His red eyes continued to look at me intently.

"Yes."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"If Demetri wishes."

I froze in horror. I remembered what Edward had told me.

"He wants you so badly. Aro has to restrain him."

I hissed in frustration.

"What do you know of the legends of soul mates?"

I looked up at him confused.

"Nothing."

Aro sighed and began to pace.

"Soul mates existing in an extremely powerful thing. It's an accident produced by nature. When nature creates something that powerful, something has to be made to counteract it. On the rare occasion where soul mates actually meet, something equally as strong as their bond is made. We call it the Destroyer."

I nodded, not seeing where he was going with this.

"Most soul mates don't even find each other, and its even less likely their destroyer ever comes into contact with them. However, with you and Edward…"

Suddenly the dots connected.

"Demetri is our destroyer?" I breathed, my heart almost stopping "Why? Why is the only power that doesn't affect me his?"

"Bella." I jumped and looked at the door. Edward was standing in the shadows, his fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tensed and his red eyes glowing.

"Come with me." He hissed. I gazed up at Aro, who simply looked amused suddenly.

"You knew about this," I accused Edward.

"You shouldn't be here Bella," Edward stormed in and reached out to lift me up.

"Stop." I snapped, recoiling.

Edward's eyes narrowed and a low growl rumbled in his chest. Without another word he lifted me over his shoulder.

"Edward Cullen put me down!" I yelled, banging my fists on his back. He simply ignored me and walked to the door. Once he was there he stopped.

"Aro," he acknowledged coldly. In reply, all I heard was Aro's chuckle before Edward flew out the room at vampire speed. Before I knew it I was being placed on my feet in another room. I gazed around. It was not my bedroom. It was larger and much more lavish. Edward appeared to read my mind.

"These are my quarters. You'll stay here now." He said, not even looking in my direction.

"The hell I will," I spat, pivoting towards the direction of the door. Edward was immediately blocking my path, his eyes close and his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. He took an unnecessary breath.

"Do not test me, Isabella, I am in no mood."

I laughed bitterly. That was obvious. I was fuming, I was in no frame of mind to back off.

"Or what? You'll drain me like you just did to that poor girl."

Edward's eyes opened and hurt was replaced by anger.

"You know exactly what I am, princess, don't act so righteous. You want to be one of us," he growled in my ear.

"I want you to leave me alone."

Before I knew it Edward pushed me against the pole of his four post bed, the back of my head colliding with the wood. Edward's hands were under the slit of my dress, softly rubbing the material of my underwear. My face remained expressionless but my body betrayed me. I always wanted Edward, I couldn't control it.

"You want me to stop, sweetheart? You want me to leave?"

I shook my head. My resolve was always so weak when it came to Edward.

Tears started pricking at my eyes as the whole evenings events came crushing down on me, and a sob escaped me. I grabbed onto Edward's dinner jacket and buried my face in his chest. Edward's stiffened demeanor melted as his arms encased me tightly. I was hysterical I just couldn't stop crying.

"I'm sorry-" I gulped.

"Shhh, angel," he whispered, gently rubbing the back of my neck, his touch sending goose bumps all over my body.

"But-"

"What?"

Edward pulled away, his cold mask replaced with concern as he wiped the wetness under my eyes with his thumbs.

I said it then, so quietly that I could barely hear it myself.

"Edward, I think I want him."

"I know."

There we go, that explains why Bella accepted his offer to dance, trust me that I know what I'm doing for those who were angry about that, Demetri is working his magic.

There's a little bit of dark Edward in this chapter. Will that drive Bella into Demetri's waiting arms? Who knows?

R&R! Much appreciated to those who did. Till next time xoxo