Chapter 4:

Disclaimer: Same as Prologue

"What's the word of the day?" I asked as the store door shut behind me.

"Logorrhea," Jerry read, looking up from the dictionary he had been looking at. Frank and I had decided we would come and see the bookstore today. It had been a week since my treatment, so we were both confident-okay not extremely confident-I would be fine.

Charlie was actually fine with us going out together, as he trusted Frank. Frank had actually gotten me to eat more by daring me that he would eat if I would eat. I ate a lot and received ten bucks for eating the most food between the two of us.

We had gone with Frank a few times into town or something, and he was a nice guy. So, I decided to cash in on showing him the bookstore in Denali I had talked about.

"Logorrhea?" I asked with a furrowed brow. "What's it mean?"

"It's an excessive flow of words."

"Can't they just call it 'long-winded'?" Frank asked from next to me.

I chuckled as Jerry grinned at him. "I think that is their 'smart' way of saying long-winded. Otherwise how could we have scientists if they used the term 'long-winded' or 'loud mouth'?"

"True."

Jerry smiled and waved his hand around the store. "My store is your store, as always, Bella," he said. He gave me a smile that I returned.

"Thanks, Jerry. We'll call you if you need anything."

He nodded before Frank and I began to browse the aisles. I looked at the books excitedly as Frank scanned his eyes around the place. The bookstore was bigger than it looked, and held a decent collection of new and old stories.

"Not bad," he commented as he looked around with a hum. He jerked his chin. "I like the 'Keep Calm and-Shut Up! I'm Reading' over there."

I chuckled. "Yeah, it's…not the best, but still funny."

"I thought so."

I smiled at him as I saw a book that looked decent. I stopped walking and grabbed the book off the shelf, turning it over to read the back of it. After a second, I put it back. It didn't look incredibly interesting after the summary of a classic tragic romance that was filled with "heartbreak and revenge" when really what book didn't have that in it?

I moved to another book as he asked, "How often do you come here, exactly? Haven't you only been here for a short while?"

I nodded. "Yeah, but again I have a lot of spare time and there's no one up here that I really know besides Sylvia at Maria's, Jerry and now you. I guess I just don't really have much to do," I said, giving a small shrug.

He frowned. "I think you should be partying."

"Oh?"

He nodded. "Yeah, just go on a rebellion and break all the rules in one night." He counted them off on his fingers. "Get stupid drunk. Sneak in some crank. Have sexy with a sexy stranger. Vandalize property and BAM!" Jerry dropped his book as I jumped. Frank shot his hands out to the side. "You not only got all the stupid shit you are supposed to be doing right now done, but you also have a crazy night of memories."

I shook my head with a laugh. "I don't think Charlie would appreciate that, or that is actually a legit idea."

"So if someone-I don't know-hired a stripper and trapped you in a room with them you would…?"

"Scream bloody murder until the door opened, or I would kick said stripper in the nuts and then bang on the door and scream bloody murder until it was opened."

He ruffled my hair. "There you go, girl." He pointed at me. "Always strike a man where it hurts. And make sure that you do not show mercy when it comes to kicking his ass."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you really going to give me the talk right now?"

"No, I just wanted to test you."

I chuckled again as I set the book on the shelf. "Did I pass?" I asked teasingly, giving him a side-glance.

He shrugged. "You tell me." He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. "Did you pass?" He raised his brow questioningly.

I flicked his nose with my forefinger as I smiled. He jumped back surprised as I chuckled. "I have a group of boys back home that have taught me numerous ways to make a guy back off. I think I did pretty good," I said as my smile turned into a smirk instead.

He rubbed his nose. "Smart boys."

"In their moments."

He huffed, and looked around the store as I grabbed another book. He set his hand on my shoulder. "I'm going to go take a look at those books over there. Maybe they got some old ones I haven't seen for a while."

I nodded as he walked away and looked up quickly to see him walking to the used books section. I don't know why that made a difference, but I just smiled and shook my head.

I really did like Frank. He somehow had that amazing personality that matched a teenager's even if it was in an old guy's body. He was quite amusing company to have when it came to things such as technology or anything that had to do with my generation.

I looked at the back of the book I was browsing. I skimmed through the pages, looking at some of the story. It seemed like an option to hold open. I'd come back to it later after I had looked around a bit more. Maybe I'd find a book that would be better, or not at all.

I set it back on the shelf and turned to go further down the aisle as I heard the bell of the door jingle from a customer walking into the store. I grabbed another book as I heard Jerry say, "Hello, Tanya."

"Hello, Jerry," a woman replied. Her voice was smooth and slightly deep; like a nice high alto with a natural sultry sound. "How are you today?"

"Alright, I guess. You?"

"I'm fine, just need a small escape from Kate and her pranks for a while," she said. She gave a small chuckle at the end with Jerry.

"Let yourself escape into the bliss that is the small, not known bookstore of Denali, then," he announced. I could practically see him motioning with his arms around the store to all the aisles dramatically. I shook my head at him with a small smile.

I continued to skim the book I was reading as I heard her thank him politely. I flipped through the pages with my thumb, looking at the words briefly on the four hundred pages that were in the book. The book was realistic-not the boring realistic, but realistic-and held some humor in it from the looks of it.

I closed the book with a nod and tucked it under my arm as I moved down the aisle, looking for another one that caught my eye. When I came to the end of the aisle, I turned to go down the next when I bumped into someone. I stumbled for a second, thrown off guard with the resistance.

"Oh," I said, partly as a grunt from the force of the collision and partly as an actual word to the person. "Sorry."

I heard a small chuckle and looked up. "No, it's fine. I should really be the one who's apologizing…"

The woman suddenly trailed off as our eyes connected, and, really, I didn't care as all I could look at was her eyes. They were golden; solid gold exactly like the Cullens' were. Her skin was pale, just like them and her beauty spoke all the volumes that her eyes and skin didn't. Her voice was smooth and silky, carrying seduction. Her blonde hair was puffed out in slight curls to accent her narrower face and accented cheekbones.

Everything about her screamed one thing: Vampire.

I swallowed, trying to gather myself from the shock that was shooting through my body in massive waves. I had two thoughts going through my mind at that moment.

One: How was it possible that I ran into another vampire here? I thought that the Cullens were the only ones I would run into in my life, or at least ones that I would engage with. I had the wolves, but that was the end of my involvement with vampires.

Two: Did she know the Cullens? Their eyes were the exact same color. Did that mean she knew them? Whoa, wait. Didn't Edward once say something about their cousins up in Denali...Shit, yes he did.

I blinked again as I forced down the urge to gulp, processing the situation as the vampire stared at me. He golden eyes took in my features intently as if memorizing me. She scanned me from head to toe, taking in my outfit, hair, eyes, legs, cheeks…everything. As she came back up, there was a small smile pulling on the corners of her lips.

I blinked at the small forming smile and snapped myself back to reality. I cleared my throat. "No," I said, giving an awkward smile in hopes to speed up the conversation. "It's really my fault. I should've paid more attention."

The woman blinked as she came back into focus. She looked up from the part of my face she had been staring at-I think my lips, I'm not sure-to my eyes. She smiled. "I do not believe it was. Shall we agree to disagree?" she asked.

I nodded. "That's acceptable."

She smiled and held out her hand for me to take. "I'm Tanya. Tanya Denali," she said. Oh, yeah, this is definitely one of the people that Edward had been talking about.

I took her cold hand in mine. It didn't feel as cold as I remembered the Cullens' hands feeling. It must have been from my lack of actual body warmth now…or the fact that I could feel the unmistakable sensation of electricity and warmth between our skin.

I felt my jaw tic slightly as I shook her hand firmly, and did my best to ignore the sparks that shot up my arm from the contact. "Bella," I replied.

She nodded, releasing my hand. Her fingers, however, seemed to make sure they grazed my skin as she pulled away. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Bella," she said, purring out my name.

I felt my jaw almost drop at the sudden purr, before I mentally kicked myself in the butt. I cleared my throat, composed myself and nodded. "You as well," I replied. I took a step to the side, indicating I was going to move on.

Tanya, however, moved with me. "How long have you been in town?" she asked, actually sounding curious. "I don't believe I have seen you around here before."

I shrugged. "We've been here for about six weeks, but we don't really live in town," I said.

She raised a brow. Her eyes held a small flicker that lasted for barely a second. "We?" she questioned.

I nodded. "My dad and I," I clarified. "We're staying in a friend's house." Well, technically my step dad's friend's house, but who was to get specific here?

She nodded. "I see," she hummed. "Are you waiting to look for a house of your own?" She cocked her head with a coy smile. "If so, I could be of service in that area."

I shook my head; possibly a little too urgently to be considered natural. "No, we're just living here temporarily." Her eyebrows immediately shot up. Her eyes widened just a little and she seemed a little taken aback for a second.

Hmm…that was interesting, I thought to myself. I don't think I have ever seen a vampire act that way before. Then again I am a giant walking huffing bag according to the Cullens, so she could just be afraid of losing her free dose of cocaine.

I brushed the thought aside as I stepped around her to continue down the aisles. Tanya immediately followed close behind. "Why are you staying here temporarily?"

I pursed my lips, stopping in front of a book. I took it off the shelf and turned it over to the back; giving myself a few seconds to think of a response. I may not have been as reserved as I had been two years ago, but that didn't mean I walked around preaching my story to random people on the street. On top of being a stranger, Tanya was a vampire and was taking too much of an interest in me for my personal liking.

The Red Alert from Star Trek was going off in my head loud and clear.

I turned the book back over after a few seconds as I answered, "There was a situation that came up."

"An emergency of some sort?"

"You could say that." I thumbed through the pages, not really reading it like I usually would from the pair of golden eyes watching me intently. Her gaze was making my skin itch from the attention and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up-and not particularly in a good way.

"How long will you be staying?"

I shrugged, keeping my nose buried in the book. "It depends. It might be a few months, or it could be a year. We aren't very sure, yet," I explained.

She hummed, seeming to make a mental note to herself. I set the book back on the shelf and began to browse again. Tanya, again, followed. "Have you enjoyed your time here?"

I nodded. "Things are different up here, but it is nice. I've met a few people that I get along with and will show me around the town and city," I said with a small shrug.

I could sense another question coming, so I quickly intervened with one of my own, "Have you lived here long?"

There, I heard a small chuckle. I mentally took that as a "yes" for way longer than she was about to tell me. "You could say that," she smiled. "I have lived here with my family for several years now."

I nodded. "So family as in blood family or married family?" I asked, looking at her over my shoulder. I was genuinely interested in how many vampires were in Denali. It would give me a better idea what to be prepared for.

"My sisters and our two cousins," she explained. "Kate, Irina and I have always been close. Our cousins Carmen and Eleazer are very close family to us. They've stayed with the three of us for a while now."

I nodded. So, she had two sisters and a pair that was probably mated or related to each other in her coven. That was a good head count of five vampires total that I could run into in this town. "That's nice," I commented. "I wish I had a sister. Then I wouldn't have had to do all the work." I gave a small snort at that.

"Your parents work you on the chores?"

I shrugged. "My parents divorced soon after they had me. My mom was kind of…Well, she was a good Mom, but she was a little too dependent on other people sometimes."

"I see."

I nodded. "Yeah, but it wasn't bad. I knew how to do a lot of things really well when I grew up, and that includes cooking," I smiled slightly.

She nodded again, leaning against the shelf of books as I stopped to look at another one. I took it down and began to thumb through the pages as she asked, "So are you in college?"

I paused for a second, a little surprised by the sudden question. I then shook my head. "No, I got my GED when I was eighteen. I haven't really had time for school for the past few years."

"Work?"

I shook my head. "Family issues." That was close enough.

"I see," she said again. "Are-?"

"Yes!" I snapped my head up at the sudden outburst of Frank. He walked around the corner triumphantly and held up a book. "I told you they would have it, Bella."

I furrowed my brow. "You didn't say what book, you just said 'a book,'" I pointed out, placing the book in my hands back on the shelf.

He shrugged. "Still the same thing," he said as he walked forward to join us. He flickered his eyes behind me to Tanya. "Hello, the name's Frank." He extended his hand towards her.

She took it. "Tanya," she replied.

He smiled, throwing his arm over my shoulder. "I see you've met my girlfriend here," he said. He gave me a smile as I rolled my eyes.

"Girlfriend?" Tanya asked, raising her brow. She didn't look like she knew whether to believe it or not. She looked at me for the answer to her mental question.

I responded by giving him a small nudge in the ribs from my elbow. "The one of many you have, Frank," I teased back.

He smiled and shrugged with smirk. "I can't help it if I'm a ladies' man. They just come running in for me, I tell you," he said. "And you are not an exception to that." He reached up with his free hand and ruffled my hair, making me duck.

Tanya chuckled a little. I ran my hand over my head and glared at Frank as he smirked at me. He didn't really seem to care that I was glaring daggers at him at all since he asked, "Did you get what you needed? Charlie will 'whoop my ass' if I bring you home 'late' if we don't 'contact' him first." He made sure to use air quotes with dramatic eye rolls for his point.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Yeah, I'm ready," I said. I looked back at Tanya whom had yet to stop looking at me since we first ran into each other. "It was nice meeting you, Tanya."

The blonde woman nodded, standing up straighter at the usual polite farewells. "You as well, Bella, Frank," she said, giving us both nods as she smiled at me. "I'll see you around?" If I hadn't known any better, I would think she was actually hoping to for a new friend-in this case huffing bag with legs.

I gave a small nod. "Maybe," I said. "It is a small town after all."

She smiled at me brightly and nodded as Frank and I started to head for the desk. "I can't wait," she said, giving me a small wink at the end that made my body tense.

Jerry checked out our books-to which Frank paid for against all of my protests-and then we left the store. I glanced back through the window and saw Tanya smiling as she talked excitedly on the phone near the aisle I had first run into her. She was practically bouncing up and down in her spot as she grinned down at the floor.

"She was hot for you."

I snapped my head to Frank as he jerked me out of my thoughts. I furrowed my brow. "Huh?" I asked.

He jerked his head towards the building. "Tanya, she was practically melting on the spot for you. Didn't you notice?" he asked, raising a brow.

I shook my head, feeling a light blush begin to paint the tops of my cheek bones. I ran my finger through my hair in a half 'c' as I tucked a lock behind my ear. "I don't think she was," I said.

He hummed. "Right…" The smirk on his lips made me flinch inwardly.