Chapter 7:

Edward

Leaving the chess piece for my little mouse to find was an idea that came to me while I was discussing Bella with Alice. She chided me multiple times that interfering in the lives of humans was a mistake. I'm not interfering with Bella's life, though. I'm playing a game. And the small chess piece is a reminder that she is the pawn in that game.

I didn't intend to spend the night watching her sleep, but I couldn't resist after smelling her sweet fear upon her finding my gift. Her soft snores were a beautiful symphony keeping time with the rise and fall of her chest. The motion was something my chest no longer needed to do, unless I was keeping up appearances in the presence of humans. I sat in the darkness of her room admiring her, thinking of what she would taste like. What her screams would sound like before they melt into moans. Just before the sun broke the horizon, I left through the window, not bothering to close it. A second reminder that her shadow is always with her.

I had watched from the tree line as Jacob picked her up. The venom boiling in my veins, watching her give him the hug and smile that should be reserved for only me. It was easy enough to run alongside the truck and still stay hidden in the darkness of tree cover. But frustrating that I couldn't pick up Jacob's thoughts from the distance.

Now I sit across from the little coffee shop in downtown Forks, that she apparently is working at. From what I've researched and pulled out of Forks resident's minds, she doesn't need this job. Her father arranged for her to get it on principle because he thinks she might spend too much time alone. I chuckle to myself at the thought. He doesn't know that Bella is never alone now.

I watch her go through the mundane motions required in the barista role. Maybe she cares about the wishes of her father, but maybe she craves the companionship of someone other than the ghosts in the manor. My little mouse is such a delightful mystery. I can't wait to unravel her.

I've also never seen a more awkward human being in my life, as a human or a vampire. But it's strangely endearing and fuels my lust for her, as if it wasn't already a fire raging inside of me. I wonder what her perfect pink lips would feel like pressed against my cold skin. Her warmth radiating through me and melting all the pieces that had hardened with time.

Another barista, Jessica, is the only other coworker Bella has today and apparently Jessica is just barely masking an old resentment at what seems like entirely petty reasons. I can't get a good read on Bella though, and I'm getting agitated. Jessica's thoughts must be so loud they drown out my little mouse entirely.

A thick covering of grey clouds hides the sun, making it unusually dark this afternoon. The breeze makes my black hoodie, with the hood pulled up to cover most of my face, not so out of place. If Bella looked across the street now, she might see someone enjoying a walk downtown, or maybe she'd see me for exactly who I am. A monster stalking its prey out in the open.

The chime of my cell phone pulls my concentration away from the view of the two girls trying to work together amidst the palpable tension. Alice's name flashes on the screen and I answer, even though I already know what she's about to say.

"E, what the actual fuck are you doing right now?" She trills down the line. "Jasper said he saw you downtown and you've been sitting there for hours."

"Guilty," I chuckle. A smirk pulling at the corner of my mouth. "Alice, you can see every decision as I make it. I'm not sure why you insist on calling me to tell me something that I already know."

"I'm not calling to chastize your pastime, Edward. I'm calling to tell you someone's been in Bella's house while you've both been gone."

Rage engulfs me. The venom is an inferno inside my body, sizzling through every vein at the thought of someone else stalking Bella. Someone else taking part in my game uninvited.

"Send Emmett," I state coldly and hang up the phone. I need her house combed thoroughly for any clues about the mystery visitor. Normally, it's a job I'd do myself, but that would mean leaving Bella unprotected. A potentially fatal mistake if this visitor is who we've been tracking.

Through the cafe window, Bella laughs stiffly at something a customer is saying. I could crush his windpipe just for making her feel uncomfortable, but that would draw too much attention. I'm not ready to show Bella how possessive I can be just yet. In time, she'll see. I'll remove my facade when she's less likely to skitter off, even though I love the chase.

Until then, I'll wait and watch.