A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who read my first chapter. I wanted to give a shout out to the following for leaving some nice reviews on chapter 1: Sandy2348; Goldielover; Anntastic92; Rebadams7. Thank you so much for the motivation to keep uploading! Here is chapter 2. The next one will probably be in Bella's POV. I hope you enjoy!

"I'm the lesser of two evils
Or am I, am I tricking myself nice?
If I'm a lesser of two evils
Who's this man, who's this act I hide behind?

There are two ways to skin tonight
Let's see whose road gets there faster
This is a game, no wrongs, no right
Only a winner and a loser
You and I, oh you and I
We're not that different, you and I
Oh you and I, you and I
We're not that different, you and I…"

~ Two Evils – Bastille ~

2. Lying

When I hung up the phone, I wasted little time. I was grateful that I didn't have much with me and grabbed my wallet, keys, and phone as I left the hotel room. When I arrived in the lobby, I met the eyes of the girl behind the desk.

I wonder if he needs anything. I could definitely help him. I heard her excited thoughts, but I was so focused on leaving for the airport that they barely registered with me.

"Hi there, Mr. Masen," she greeted brightly. "How is your room?" I stood at the desk in front of her and briefly contemplated lying. The room was fine, but I would no longer need it. In my haste, I tried a smile.

"It's fine," I said quickly. I glanced down at the girl's name tag. I hadn't looked at it before, but I knew now that being personable would make things easier if I was about to be a frustrating guest. Her thoughts sped up. Oh no, she thought. There must be something wrong with it. He doesn't look pleased.

"If there's anything we can do-"

"No matter – Melody," I said, using my best soothing voice. She relaxed immediately and I gave her another small smile. "Actually, I will be leaving right away. My apologies."

"Oh!" She blushed and shook her head. "I hope everything was to your liking, Mr. Masen. If there is anything wrong, I'd be happy to try and switch your room." Pity he's leaving. I wouldn't have minded helping make his stay more comfortable. A deep crimson covered her cheeks at this last thought, and I had to resist rolling my eyes. Perhaps the girl wasn't as polite as I originally thought, though her bashfulness might have suggested she wasn't used to my effect.

"I have … an emergency I need to attend to. I do realize this will be a pain. Please make sure someone can use my room if needed, and the cost will be covered under my reservation." At this, I reached into my wallet and slid a bill across to her. "And for your trouble," I added as she glanced down at the tip.

"That's not necessary, sir. I don't mind, it's no trouble at all!" Her eyes grazed up and down me. God, does this man get any better? He's still wearing those old clothes though. I hope everything is okay for him. He really doesn't need to do this. My patience was starting to wear thin. Even this pointless interaction had taken up almost two minutes of precious time to get to Washington. Damn this girl and her politeness. What was it with humans and the awkwardness of accepting money?

"I insist," I said softly, using my most compelling tone. I knew humans usually followed directions better under pressure and my eyes bore into her as I pushed the bill toward her again. For once, I was thankful for the intense blackness in my eyes.

"Well th-thank you," she stammered as she slowly accepted the cash. Her face still beamed bright pink, but I could tell she was truly thankful for the tip and intent on using it for a piece of expensive makeup she coveted. Quietly, she turned to the computer screen and quickly typed a few things. Checking me out, no doubt. When she was finished, she turned and smiled.

"Well, that should be taken care of, sir. Is there anything else?" Anything at all, she thought shyly. Get it together, Melody. He's just a nice-looking guy! I almost smirked at her misunderstanding of what I truly was, but instead I flashed the best smile I could muster under my stress.

"No, you were very helpful, Melody. Thank you."

"Of course, sir. Have a wonderful night," she said and hesitantly she added, "I hope everything will be okay." That makes two of us, I thought.

"Thank you again," I murmured and then turned to the exit. I could tell she watched me curiously as I left, her somewhat wistful eyes burning into my back. I was thankful when I finally arrived at my Audi, and I could once again be with myself. I turned the key in the ignition and sped towards the airport. As much as I cursed what I was, I had to admit that my abilities made speeding in a busy city much easier. Knowing when to slow upon the approach of a police vehicle made my journey to the airport smooth and efficient.

I parked the rental in the lot, knowing something would have to be done about the vehicle before it was reported missing. Such a shame. I had enjoyed this one immensely, if not for its speed than its sleek appearance. I made a mental note to inquire about getting my own, were I to stay in Washington. Would be a safe vehicle for – no. I cut my own thoughts off as I purchased a ticket and was pushed through security. These types of thoughts would not do. I was only returning to check on things. To see if Victoria really had returned and to put an end to her existence. After this, there would really be no need for my presence in Washington.

Except to just check on her. Just one little peek. My mind betrayed me and as I took my seat in the first-class cabin, I wondered if I should have just left the plane there and then. Scowling, I ripped down the window blind and sunk into my seat to avoid any streams of sunlight from nearby open windows.

I knew, deep down, that I was truly making a mistake. I had wondered how long it would have taken me to get to this point. When I left Forks, I had almost bet against myself being able to resist getting back on a plane to Washington before half a year was up. To a vampire, six months was barely any time. I knew that my brothers and sisters probably had similar bets going. I remembered suddenly when they had taken bets on whether I would have originally killed Bella. Those first few months where my darkness had - by some sick, twisted fate - crossed her lightness, I had been sure I would have failed to keep her alive. For the first time in more than eighty years, one small fragile girl was almost enough to bring me back to those dark vigilante years when I had left Carlisle and Esme. But you didn't kill her, something deep within reminded me. She still lives because you didn't kill her. I grimaced against my own mind and felt as if I could punch the seat in front of me in frustration. The monster inside exulted at the thought of going back and getting even one look – one whiff – of Bella. I clenched my fists as the plane began to ascend and my opportunity to turn around slipped from my grasp.

When the plane had landed in Seattle, I immediately dialled Alice's number. It barely rang when her bright voice answered on the other end.

"I saw you were going to call," she chirped.

"I should have known," I sighed as I made my way to the vehicle rental desk.

"How was your flight?" Alice asked.

"Fine," I muttered. "Listen, Alice, I wanted to know if you had any updates on the situation. Maybe some insight on where I should be headed first."

"I've told you I have trouble seeing Victoria." Alice's voice shifted to a darker tone. "I don't know her well enough, Edward. I'm too far away here in New York." I felt as though she was about to say something else, but I interrupted her.

"I guess I'll just have to improve my tracking skills." I knew I shouldn't have snapped, and my tone was too rough. After all, it wasn't Alice's fault her visions weren't always concrete.

"Not necessarily," she said. For a moment she was silent and then said rather quickly, "I'm already waiting for you in Seattle." I stopped walking and froze. I hadn't anticipated this – of course, how stupid of me. It was just such an Alice thing to do: appear out of nowhere.

"Surprises aren't always a good thing, Alice," I growled. I hadn't seen her in almost a year, and I hadn't mentally prepared myself to work on rekindling my relationship with my sister when I was already so focused on other things.

"They are when they involve me!" I heard her laugh lightly, blowing off my annoyance. "And I also see you're about to rent a car. Honestly, Edward. I think you may be here a while. You may as well just buy yourself something nice."

"I will destroy Victoria and then I'll be done here," I retorted. A passerby must have heard me raise my voice and shot me a terrified look. Dude chill, the human thought. Their thoughts trailed off as they got farther away. I rolled my eyes at the human, knowing full well there was nothing they could do if they were really worried for someone called Victoria.

"Sure," Alice said, and I could almost hear her rolling her eyes. "Well, you can bring your new car with you wherever else you go. I'll be there right away to pick you up." Without leaving room for me to argue, she hung up the phone and I nearly crushed the one in my hand. I sighed hard as I left the rental car line and made my way to the front doors of the airport where I stood and waited for Alice. In the meantime, I mentally began my hunt for Victoria. I sifted through the cacophony of thoughts hanging over the airport, listening for her shrill and jumpy mind. There were a few that matched this description, but these were merely humans who were nervous for their next flight.

Damn. Forgot my Xanax. Oh God. Is there a pharmacy in this airport?

I wonder if I should text Mom one more time, just in case. It would make me feel better – oh! Did I forget my headphones? Damn. No music, then.

I probably overpacked. Yep – my suitcase is definitely over the weight limit. I knew I didn't need those four extra sweaters….

There was nothing that jumped out to me from any such immortal mind. Most were just the usual worries of a mortals whose lives depended on so many trivial things, like making sure they brought their favourite travel toothpaste. I knew it was a futile hope to find Victoria here. She had already been in Washington for a few days, and the chances that she came to a populated city like Seattle was low given her nervous path before. I would have to utilize Alice's new proximity. A sudden guilt washed over me for being so rude on the phone. I should be grateful for her help in this matter. But I didn't know how helpful she would be in deterring me from visiting Forks.

Alice pulled up in a new car she must have splurged on. The Porsche was a bright yellow and stood out among the silver and black cars parked around her. She grinned at me from the driver's side as she leaned over and opened the door.

"Actually, wait!" She held up her small hands before she left the car.

Alice tumbled into me like a freight truck. I stood my ground, but the force of her hug nearly made me stumble. I really wasn't used to the contact after a year away. I was reminded that despite her size, Alice had immense strength.

"Edward!" She cried, throwing her arms around me and squeezing. The unnecessary air in my lungs rushed out. "I know you're just as happy to see me, you just won't let yourself show it!" She beamed up at me and then thought, Edward, you look awful by the way. I feel like a shopping trip is in order!

"Alice," I muttered softly, trying to ignore her suggestion. "I wasn't expecting you." I did admit it was nice to see her. Truly, it was like breathing new air seeing my sister. But I wasn't about to let myself get carried away with the idea of reunions.

We got into her car, and she made the way to the hotel she was staying at. The one that we would now be staying at together. I looked around the interior and breathed in the ever-welcoming scent of new car.

"Now this is ostentatious," I remarked. "Yellow, Alice? Really?"

"Well, we can't all be as reserved as some people. I thought I'd live a little," she said, smiling as she waggled her eyebrows. "You'd love how fast she is," she purred as she petted the dashboard. I cocked an eyebrow at her and made a mental note to try the car out at some point. Maybe when we were finished in Washington. Just for a quick drive before I'd have to say goodbye to my favourite sister again.

Inside the hotel room, I caught Alice up to speed on my hunt for Victoria. Aside from the accurate visions she had seen of my chase, Alice needed a little bit of info on how Victoria had been erratically racing around states. Alice was intent on forcing me to take a break, insisting that she would see something if Bella's life was truly in danger. I was skeptical at this.

"You haven't seen her for almost a year," I reminded her.

"Well yes, you're right. But it's Bella, Edward." Here, I cringed at the name and the emptiness it opened in my chest. Seeing Alice had temporarily eased this pain with her surprising me. It had been so long since I had seen anyone that I cared about I had almost forgotten what it was like to be in their presence.

"I love her," Alice continued, her eyes large. "I'd see anything that was going to happen to her."

"But you've barely seen anything since-"

"Well, yes, we've been far away," she said dismissively, fluttering her hand as if to push this fact away. Alice hadn't seen much except for the event with Laurent, but she had spared me the details of what I assumed was a terrified Bella in that vision. "But I'm connected to her. So, when Laurent paid her that visit, her life was in imminent danger." I rolled my eyes at the cruelty of Alice's visions sometimes. No matter what, it would have been impossible to get to Bella in time had Laurent really descended on her. What saved her perplexed me and I wondered briefly if there was something going on in Forks we weren't aware of.

"Very well," I sighed. Hands clasped behind my back, I glared out of the window down onto the street below. People passed by, hurrying through downtown Seattle to their next destination. Did they know the possible danger that lurked here? I thought again to the innocent man in the subway station that Victoria had slaughtered. Who would be next? I frowned, knowing full well there were other dangers that hid in alleyways and behind dark buildings in larger cities. Anyone of these people could be murdered or maimed at any moment, even if Victoria existed here. Humans were so unsuspecting, so fragile – so vulnerable. Just like Bella.

Behind me, I heard Alice flip on the TV and turned it to the local news station.

"Our best bet is to see if anyone else goes missing around here. Like the ones you described," she said. "So we will keep our eye on any news like that. Okay?"

"Fine," I muttered. I felt entirely useless. Three hours away, Bella would probably be making dinner for herself and Charlie. Assuming Charlie was home, of course, and not on a nightshift. I clenched my fists at the idea of Bella alone in her home, at risk by herself. Even with Charlie there, she would still be at risk, and so would he. I nearly sent my hand through the window when I remembered again that I had done this. I had left Bella exposed and alone. Some guardian vampire you are, I thought sourly.

As if sensing my discomfort, Alice flitted to my side and tugged my sleeve. I closed my eyes, sighed, and turned to look at her. Her eyes were a brilliant, bright amber that told me she was well satiated. I could see my black orbs glaring back at her in their reflection.

"You need to hunt," she said. I really couldn't argue with her. My throat burned and itched with dryness. I couldn't remember the last time I had drank. "And you look terrible. You need some clothes – which is why I'm here, of course." Alice said this last part in a sing-song voice and grinned at me. She flashed her credit card and waggled it at me.

"So, after a meal, I say we hit up the mall."

The hunt was well needed, and I knew Alice was relishing in the act of doing this with me. She had rounded up as many animals as she could for me, and I was grateful for the little effort I had to put in. Usually, I enjoyed the chase. But chasing seemed to be all I had done lately, and I noted how I finally felt my exhaustion and lack of blood. I gorged myself on two wolves, three deer, and a small rabbit that had unfortunately crossed my path as I finished off a deer. I hadn't realized how ravenous I would be. Usually, I left smaller prey animals alone. But this last small addition to my meal was like a well-cooked desert. Alice was enjoying herself, but only needed a small meal compared to mine. She was well fed but enjoyed a wolf alongside me. "A nice snack," she had said as she finished, and we broke out into a sprint together to head back to the city. The late August air felt nice here in the familiar, cooler climate of Washington. I felt truly refreshed upon returning.

Alice dragged me around a mall and I really wasn't aware of the things she picked out for me. I was vaguely aware of her chattering about the difference in fabrics and how they hung differently on your body; her throwing shirts up against me to check the fit and picking matching jeans. Usually, I feigned interest when I was brought along on one of her shopping sprees. But this time, I was too busy searching the thoughts and crowds of humans shopping to even notice. I used their minds to look through other passerby's thoughts, hoping to catch a glimpse of burning red hair. I felt silly, of course. I knew that Victoria would avoid a crowded arena like a busy shopping mall. But I was so desperate to figure out where the damned woman was that I obsessively looked through most people's minds, everywhere we went. I knew Alice realized I was distracted, but she chattered on anyway. Desperate to get as much out of me while she had me, no doubt. I caught her trying to hide her thoughts a few times, but she wondered when I would pull away and leave again.

When we returned to the hotel, Alice busied herself with folding our new clothes and adding them neatly to the wardrobe. She forced me out of my ratty jeans and sweater and threw them into the garbage. Then, she forced me into a pair of black jeans with a deep blue sweater.

"Ah yes," she said. "Some colour looks better on you. And it looks nice with your hair," she added, ruffling my tousled hair. I perched on the end of the end, elbows on my knees and my hands clasped, watching the news intently. Alice flitted about the room. I barely noticed.

"Welcome to Seattle News 6," the news anchor said. She ruffled some papers and turned to flash a smile to the camera. "I'm your host, Sasha Patterson. Tonight, we have updates on current news stories in your area." She droned on about a late summer storm that had uprooted trees in a nearby neighbourhood a few days ago and the swarms of humans that had gone to help the family out. Normally, this might have been touching, but tonight I grew frustrated and growled at the caring humans on the screen. I jabbed my thumb into the remote and changed the channels, flicking through the other news channels. Most seemed to be reporting on mundane, redundant news stories. These day-to-day happenings might have interested a local but offered no insight for my purpose.

"Channel 38," Alice suddenly gasped, her eyes far away. She came over and fluttered uselessly over my hands for the remote. "Edward! Channel 38. Quick – murder!" She sputtered the word as quickly as she could to make me act. I quickly jabbed the number and the screen flicked to a middle-aged man, gravely reporting breaking news.

"We have breaking news tonight, folks," he said and straightened in his chair. "I apologize as we are just getting this information." He touched his earpiece and nodded before continuing, "There are reports of a string of bodies appearing in national forests across Washington. Police report they have managed to recover seven bodies, all male, in surrounding areas going as far as Olympia. We go there tonight with Officer Brandon Spratt." Yes. This was what we were waiting for.

"The cause of death at this time is unknown, but the scenes were reported to be graphic. The following clip may not be suitable for all viewers."

As the feed cut to a police officer being interviewed, gripping his vest as he spoke to the reported behind the camera. "Well, what we've seen so far is pretty awful. These men seemed to have come in contact with we think might have been a large animal." Behind him was a view of a forest and a coroner's van, stark against the emerald backdrop of trees. In the distance, two men dressed in white hazmat suits carried a body bag towards the van.

"Officer Spratt, what can you tell us about the bodies found here? Are there any similarities to the ones found near Seattle and the other areas where bodies have been recovered?" The reported extended the microphone back to the officer. He nodded and shifted his feet for a moment before answering.

"We have contacted the forensics department from Seattle, and it seems that all the bodies recovered in the last day or so have injuries that are very similar. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose these injuries right now. But we do think these incidents could be connected," he said. He took a breath and then continued, "The injuries are all consistent with a large animal attack. Whether it's a bear or somethin', we don't know for sure yet."

The interview continued in the background, and Officer Spratt started to discuss the bear safety and the importance of not going on woodland hikes without proper equipment, bear spray, or a partner.

"Edward," Alice said gravely. She looked at me, her eyes slightly frantic. "Are these – do these seem like the work of Victoria?"

"Most of the bodies I found were reported similarly," I said quietly, thinking of the various places where Victoria had left her chaos in her wake. Of course, those killed this way and left in the cities confounded police, and their idea of an animal attack never seemed to match up here. "Victoria is messy. She hunts in populated national forests, on trails. She doesn't seem to care about the mess she leaves," I growled. "The body count in such a short span of time matches up, too." I heard Alice take a sharp intake of breath.

"These are the freshest bodies," she commented. "In those parks outside of Olympia." It wasn't a question but I answered her, anyway.

"Yes, it seems so." She gripped my hand suddenly.

"Edward – Olympia. That's where-" she shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut. In her mind, I saw her sift through a memory of a few cloudy visions she had had of Bella looking at college acceptance letters, and of – I noted this with surprise – comparing them to the same letters received by Angela Weber. Olympia College was printed in bold blue letters across the top. I broke the remote in my hand, shattering it into a million tiny plastic pieces.

"Bella is going to college in Olympia," Alice breathed, her eyes far away. "If Victoria is there, then-"

"She's not safe," I hissed.

"I don't understand," Alice said, shaking her head. "I should have gotten a vision of Victoria going there." I rolled my eyes. Alice's visions were mostly uncannily accurate, but there were a few that were sometimes inaccurate, and she didn't see one for every type of situation. Of course, this would have happened in a situation this dire.

"She'll be there tomorrow," she whispered. My head snapped towards her face.

"What? Who? Victoria?"

"No, Victoria is already close enough. Bella! Bella will be there tomorrow. I believe the college semester starts soon – Jasper is signed up for some philosophy classes in New York and he starts on Monday." I grimaced. Tomorrow was Friday – which was perfect for any new college student needing the weekend to move and settle into their new place.

"Get to the car," I snapped, standing up and already flying to the door. Alice stood and looked at me, her eyes wide. Alice knew I meant to leave for

"Edward, I don't think you get it."

"Get what?" I snapped. Alice frowned.

"Bella will be there. She will be in Olympia. You are planning to go to Olympia." I rounded on her and glared. She had said this like I was a young child who couldn't understand a simple concept. Of course, I knew the decision I was about to make would land me in the same city as Bella. I hadn't been remotely close to where she lived in almost a year, and now I would occupy the same city as she in less than a few hours.

"Yes, and?" I tried to hold my voice steady as I tried to form a steel resolve with myself. My next words were more to convince myself than Alice, "I will go there, destroy Victoria, and leave. Bella will be safe. And then we will leave."

"Edward, you can't know you won't-"

"Yes, I do know," I almost yelled. Alice was taken aback by my voice. I tried to soften it a bit as I looked at my sister. "I do know. I will leave. Because I am just as dangerous as Victoria." Just one little peek. To make sure she's safe, my mind whispered. My monster inside tried to lure me into the idea of seeing Bella to know she was safe. I tried to push this urge down into the depths of my mind. It pushed back.

"I don't see that happening," she whispered. I stared at Alice.

"Then – then look at something else," I sputtered, the words sounding stupid in my own ears. I will leave. I will leave. I will leave. I chanted the words in my head, willing it into existence, into Alice's visions. This outcome had to exist. I would make sure it did.

"I can't see it," she whispered again, hanging her head. "Edward, you know you've barely lasted this long." I sucked in a deep, useless breath at her words. At her truth. I knew this deep down. I knew that stalking Victoria at first had merely been a distraction, a ruse to keep myself focused on anything but going back to Forks. Even as I acknowledged this, I stupidly tried to believe otherwise. Truthfully, I knew that I had even perhaps deluded myself into thinking I was tracking Victoria. For a moment, I entertained the idea that her trail was as fake as the illusions of Bella I frequently saw. Is this why I had been so unsuccessful? Was it because I had only thought I was following Victoria, but in reality, I was chasing my own mind? I shook my head.

No.

These bodies in Olympia had to be the work of Victoria. She had to be out there. Looking for Bella – to get at me. She had to be. Otherwise, I had no excuse to go back. Bella wouldn't be in immediate danger, and I wouldn't have the excuse to be near her. To be her guardian vampire.

"You're wrong," I said to Alice, lying to her. I knew she knew this, too. "I don't – I don't care," I whispered. The next words burned my throat as I said them, "I just want to destroy Victoria. After that, I don't care." I turned the door handle and opened the door. I stepped into the hallway and heard Alice follow behind me. I could tell the words hurt her almost as much as they ripped through my chest. But I also knew she thought I was still lying.

"I won't hold you to that," she whispered.

We walked silently, at a painful human pace, to the car from the hotel. As we started our drive down the now darkened highway towards Olympia, I only stared straight ahead as Alice drove. She tried to disguise her thoughts from me, and I could tell she was angry at me.

The hours passed by painfully slow, and as we drove past the rows of forest ascending into Olympia, I trained my eyes on any flashes of red in the forest on either side of us.

There was none.

As we entered the city, I felt the acute feeling of failure in my chest. Tomorrow, Bella would be here, and so would I. I had put myself in position to occupy the same space as she again. And once again, I posed a threat to her life. Much the same as the redheaded monster who I so confidently assumed hid in the woods, awaiting Bella's arrival – much like I did, deep down.

Inside, my monster rejoiced.

A/N: Thank you! I would greatly appreciate knowing what you thought of this chapter, and I promise to upload again soon. I know this one came out a week apart from the first one, but I will try my best to upload each Wednesday and Sunday from now on.

Thank you for being wonderful and reading my story, my lovelies! Next up: Bella's POV.