Edward sat at the small wooden table. He rubbed his fingers along his jaw, watching Bella move around the kitchen. Her sweet scent filled the house and the sound of her blood pulsating under her skin was making the burn in his throat flare with the scorch of hellfire. She was facing away from him, preparing herself lunch. He looked around her kitchen, out the window that gave view of the house next door beyond the trees between the properties. He was trying to decide if he was here out of desire or necessity. Admittedly, he wasn't quite sure anymore. Edward was starting to question himself. Bella came over to the table and sat, taking a bite out of her sandwich. A worn copy of Wuthering Heights sat on the table. How many times is she going to read this? Every time they had gone to a bookstore Edward could predict exactly which books she would buy. His house had an entire library. There was more out there than the repetitive romance novels and classics, couldn't she explore different books? Pick up a mystery. Read Stephen King or browse the rest of the sections at least. It wasn't a serious issue but it bothered him, much more than it should. It just felt different being with her now. Bella's brown eyes were clouded and there as a slight tightening to her lips.

"Why can't we at least talk about this?" He almost sighed. "Edward?"

If he just sat there silently doing his best impression of a statue, would she stop or continue on this path?

"Bella, we've gone through this. I'm not taking your humanity away from you."

"It doesn't have to be you then! Alice or Car—"

"No. It's not right." Carlisle only changed them out of necessity not because he suddenly decided to start damning perfectly healthy people. He wouldn't put that on his father's conscious.

She put down the sandwich. "If I was a vampire you wouldn't . . ." Edward stopped listening. It seemed they were always having this conversation. Bella was so insistent. She wanted to become a vampire and no matter how hard he tried to explain that this was not something anyone would choose to be, that it wasn't the glamorous existence she pictured, she still wanted it. He had tried to compromise with her. She could live her life, gain some experience and perspective and in twenty or thirty years, if after that time passed she still wanted to become a vampire then they could discuss it but Bella didn't want to get any older. And it was constant. Her voice was beginning to bother him, persistent and—and annoying.

Edward sighed. "Bella I'm not discussing this again. I will not give you this."

Her cheeks flushed angrily. "Well why not?!"

"Love, I've to—"

"No! You tell me you love me. Don't you want to be with me? You'd rather let me grow old and die as a weak human than live forever as a vampire."

"Of course I would!" Edward was getting frustrated. "If you had never known what I was you would be happy living your life. Why do you want to become a killer? Inhuman and violent? Why do you hate the thing my family and I would give anything to have, what was forced upon us?" if given the chance no one would say yes to be vampires. Yes it had its advantages but they did not outweigh the burden of having that demon become a part of them. To have to beat it down every day or become monsters. She'd be leaving everything behind, her friends, her parents. She had planned it all out of course, saying she could visit them one last time and keep in touch with calls and emails. As if she could just fade from their lives. Edward had met Rene and saw Charlie on a regular basis. They loved their daughter, how could she just assume they'd leave it be, that her chief of police father would not come looking for her?

Bella looked away, tears in her eyes. He hated it when she cried.

"It's not fair. You and your family. Nolan and his sister—whatever the hell they are, they get to be happy and aren't human. I mean, how long did it take Emmett and Jasper to have sex with them? A few months maybe? We've been together longer than both of them—Anala was dead, and I'm pretty sure Emmett hasn't hesitated—and you're always trying to keep from hurting me Edward. Why do I get denied? It's my life I should be able to decide!"

He looked at her, surprised. "Is that what this is about? Bella the risk of injuring them was never lower than yours. Anala more so because Emmett is stronger than you will ever truly know. I know for a fact both of them have been hurt because of our strength." However unintended it was.

"But they were fine."

"They healed. You've seen it. They can withstand more than your body can."

"I wouldn't have to withstand anything if you bit me."

A hysterical laugh left him. They were going in the same godforsaken circle once again. Javan was right. The son of a bitch was fucking right! And by default so was Rosalie. He loved Bella. Edward knew that. But what was this feeling stirring inside of him and scratching under his skin? Edward stood, causing Bella to stop mid-rant.

"I have to go."

He was pulling out of her driveway before his name fell from her mouth completely. He knew he'd have to come back. Do it right. But for now, Edward needed to get the hell out of there. He needed to think.

Anala pressed the bag of frozen peas gingerly against her mouth. It was starting. She groaned and leaned her elbow on the counter, resting her forehead in her palm. It was too early, nearing four AM. The house was quiet, the only sound was the ticking of a clock in the living room and her occasional hisses. Anala had forgotten how uncomfortable Transitioning was, other than the growth of her wings. Her gums were painfully tender, even the feel of them pressing against the inside of her lips caused soreness to throb through them. She had the persistent urge to eat, simply to bite into something but was not physically hungry. Anala knew that would not help. The cold bag she held against her mouth wasn't doing much to ease the pain either but at least it was something. Anala groaned and petulantly shoved the fruit bowl on the marble surface off the island, forcing it to skid along the counter and clatter to the floor in her frustration. She was tired and in an irritable mood after waking from the painful throbbing in her gums. She hated this. The first time around, Anala had taken Zain's arm and bitten into it. She remembered it because she had been vexed by his insistence she get some rest, saying her Transition would be draining, and the look of utter surprise that had come across his face when she had leapt at him had been unbelievably comical. It felt like such a long time ago. The sad part was that it was, there was entire lifetimes between that moment and this one.

"Anala?"

She looked up and saw Rowan standing just inside the kitchen entrance, a slight grin on his lips.

What are you doing here?

I could sense your discomfort. He picked up the bowl and returned it to the counter, replacing the oranges that had rolled across the floor. "And your annoyance."

Where have you been?

Here and there. Mostly I've been stretching my wings. Anala wanted to smile but didn't have the energy. Rowan had died too, and what act was freer than flying? Of going, knowing you could go and do anything, anywhere? He was her Vayar but she had never once restricted his freedom. Anala was willing to bet he had been on a mountain somewhere. The blonde had a liking for high altitudes. A sharp pain went through her mouth and she winced.

"I never would've thought I'd have to do this again." She muttered. Once in a lifetime is usually the limit.

He came around the island and lowered the frozen peas from her mouth. Anala stared into his amethyst eyes as his fingers tenderly brushed her lip. Anala leaned towards him and inhaled. She could smell his light, sweet scent. Like apricots and spring. She touched the pale strands of his hair that felt like spun silk. She could feel the thrum under his skin, the rush of blood and life and strength. Anala took his head in her hands and pulled Rowan's mouth against her own. He stepped between her knees and his hands pressed against her lower back, pulling her closer. Pain rippled hotly through her gums before he groaned. The flavor of his lips suddenly shifted to something familiar, something she had tasted so many times before. His mouth pressed harder against hers and she parted her lips, letting that flavor spread on her taste-buds as his searching tongue met hers. Anala sensed a well-known presence and she pulled back, chest rising and falling deeply.

Rowan's lips were stained red and Anala pushed her tongue against a sharpened fang. He sucked his lip, red giving way to pink flesh. Emmett was standing in the entrance, where Rowan himself had been just a few moments earlier. He was looking at them, a strange look in his eyes. He stood tall and loomed in the opening, still as stone. He was beautiful and perfect and the hot, wild energy in him made his already dominant presence feel even more intriguing and dangerous. Anala licked her lip, tasting the blood there as she trembled at the sight of her Emmett. He was suddenly there, next to them. A pale finger touched her lip, exposing a fang. Their eyes met. Emmett leaned in and touched his lips lightly to her own, tasting the blood on them. She sighed against his mouth. Rowan's body was warm against her own and Anala took hold of his hair, pulling his head back some to expose his throat.

Her thoughts disappeared.

A moan moved through her as she felt her teeth sink into his creamy skin. The tenderness gave way to relief and she bit deeper. Anala remembered this time around. She remembered all the times before where she had tasted his blood, felt it pool in her belly and heat her from the inside out. She wasn't confused by the urge to pull him closer, to feel his skin against her own. Not this time. His blood was hot on her tongue. The texture of it, the tangy hint to the smooth, cleansing flavor; Anala knew it well. The tendrils of pure light that bonded their beings twanged deeply within them. Rowan was open to her and in turn she to him. Thoughts had ceased to pass through them, melting into sensation and energy as his essence spilled into her mouth. Anala pulled back, looking to Emmett. She reached out and took his hand, pressing it to Rowan's back as she lifted his shirt. She ran her hand down the vampire's chest and under the hem of his sweater. She moved her hand up to press it to his chest.

"Feel," she told him. Lips were moving over her skin, teeth nipped her throat before Rowan pressed his face against her neck and rubbed against her in a sign of compliance.

Anala watched Emmett's pupils dilate and his own fangs descend as she let him feel it, the energy, and the bond responding to her actions. She wanted him to, she wanted him to feel what Anala herself felt in that moment, to share it with him. Rowan lifted his head to look over to Emmett. Anala guided Rowan to face him and made an offer she herself had only made once before.

"Taste him."

Do you think he's ready?

That isn't for me to decide.

Emmett stared at her for a long moment. Anala knew what he could feel, it burned in his eyes. The energy was rising. He looked to Rowan, co8ntemplating. His red-orange eyes trailed to his throat where Anala had bitten him. Blood still leaked from the wound, sharp against his pale skin. Emmett's still frame flickered and his mouth was against his throat. Anala watched, mesmerized. Rowan's head tilted back as he sighed. His hair caught the light, making it glow like a golden halo. Emmett's powerful hand gripped the back of his neck, growling. His throat worked as he swallowed her Vayar's lifeblood. Rowan groaned lowly, touching brown curls. Anala licked the blood from her lips, feeling her lengthened teeth scrape over her tongue before they began to shrink back to normal length. Emmett pulled away, eyes dark. Her hand slipped out from beneath his sweater as he backed away.

"Whatwas that?"

"It's alright," she mumbled, feeling tired and satiated. Rowan faced her and she gently guided him closer and ran her tongue over his throat, lapping up the left over blood. Already he was starting to heal. She ran her hands over his cheeks and hair and kissed his pink lips. Warmth radiated through to her and Anala let him feel her love and gratitude.

"Thank you," she said.

He touched her lips, eyes soft and glowing. "Does it still hurt?"

She shook her head and covered a yawn. He pulled her off the stool and nudged her towards the entrance. The unspoken please, rest made her smile at the memory of Zain. Another yawn left her and Anala began to sleepily climb the stairs.

Anala's fingers gripped white-blonde locks. Rowan's lips moved against fuller, darker ones. Emerald orbs looked at him as she licked blood stained lips. Emmett stared at his hands, clenched his fingers. He tasted her blood-coated lips. An electric volt was moving through his spine. Her soft moan filled the quiet as lilac eyes burned, hands pulling Anala close. He could still taste Rowan on his tongue. Emmett had to appreciate the contrast between them. Where Anala was dark, the man was light. Rowan was the aloof silent killer and Anala was his deity. Despite the danger he exuded he was devoted to none but the woman that had been before him. Emmett expected to have been angered by the sight of his lips on hers, his hands on her body and pressed so close. He was a selfish creature, after all. Emmett supposed it was due to the fact he understood the intentions behind the actions. Rowan was hers but Anala was his. A passing fantasy was one thing but the sight had not compared. It was beautiful and hot and curiously attention-grabbing. It was a strange thing, seeing her drink his blood, four fangs peeking out from behind her lips. His mate was changing and Emmett couldn't help but wonder what the outcome would be if the various differences in Nolan were anything to go by.

His marks tingled faintly. Emmett was trying to put a name to whatever it was that just happened. This hadn't been like the first time he had the blonde's blood. The first time had felt like drinking adrenaline. Lust had followed and Emmett had felt as if he were on a hunt for a moment, Rowan his willing prey. This was not like that. There had been this indescribable rush under his skin. A disorienting sense that the floor had dropped away had caused him to pull away from them. Neither Rowan nor his mate seemed phased. Hadn't they felt that? What had just happened?

Rowan sat in the stool Anala had been occupying, peeling an orange.

Calm as fucking ever.

His eyes were focused on his task and his long pale fingers made quick work of the orange skin. They split the fruit in half and set one on the counter before peeling off a naturally formed slice. Rowan must've sense his gaze because his fingers stopped halfway to his mouth and his eyes lifted to Emmett's.

"You should try calming down. Stress isn't healthy."

"I'm calm."

He chewed the bit of fruit. "That's not what your body is telling me."

"Rowan, I know you're the master of Zen and all but I can't help myself, cut me some slack. What in the hell was that?"

His head tilted. "Emmett, I'm serious, calm yourself. I'll explain it to you, you're okay."

Emmett relaxed.

"You just felt our souls connect."

"Our souls?" he asked incredulously.

"Yours, mine. . . Anala's. Do you feel it? The residual energy coursing through you?" Emmett nodded. "That's her. Her power, the tie that binds us."

Emmett could feel the power, the purity it carried. The experience had jarred him. He felt as if he were being filled to the point of overflowing, leaving him fearing his body would be lost to him. It was a decidedly scary sensation when one didn't know what was happing. Emmett closed his eyes. It flowed through his frozen veins like the powerful current of a great river and its endless channels. His own power hummed, curling around it.

This was Rowan.

This was Anala.

"But why?"

Rowan looked to the ceiling, a slight shudder moving through him. He looked to Emmett again, blinking those strange, fascinating eyes. "You are her mate. The bond of a mate runs deeper than any other. The layame bond with them instinctively. You marked Anala as yours remember?" Emmett did. He could never forget. The burning in his marks, the irrational anger and uncontrollable possessive need to make Anala his, resulting in him taking her body on the hall floor again and again and again until she went limp, shaking and moaning and covered head to toe in his scent. "Your being has recognized her as Mate. Now that she's Transitioning her own instincts react. Since my spirit is tied with hers it is tied with yours. Just as Eli and your brother with Nolan's."

"I'm not sure I understand this. What instincts? Why—"

"I'm sorry Emmett. I don't know much about customs between mates. Anala has never taken one and I am not Layame." Emmett couldn't help but feel prideful at knowing he was the only mate she's had. Mine, his demon whispered from within him. Rowan stood. "The sun will be up soon. I'll have to start my day in a few hours." Rowan was standing in front of him in the next second, eyes piercing. He pressed his hand to Emmett's chest and he could feel the other man's life force, separate from his own but interconnected somehow. He leaned up and brushed his lips against Emmett's own.

"Stay with her. She's going to need you."