Note: Many of you have been asking if Bella and Edward are mates. Personally, I've never liked stories where two vampires lock eyes and instantly know they're soulmates. Not only does that take the fun out of getting to know each other, but it also strips away their free will. Imagine if Bella had seen Demetri and thought, "Shit, we're mates. Now I have to spend eternity with this loser."
I prefer stories where two people have to fall in love the old-fashioned way. So, to answer your questions: yes, Bella and Edward will fall in love unconditionally, and the end result will be just as powerful as if they were mates in other stories. It'll just take some time (although not much). I hope that clears things up.
Chapter 58: Bloody Delicious
Edward had missed this more than words could express. The wind whipped across his face, cool and crisp, carrying with it the scents of the forest. He barely touched the ground as he raced through the dense trees, each step light and effortless. For the first time in nearly a century, he felt truly alive. The rhythmic sound of his feet gliding over the earth, the whisper of the wind in his ears, and the warmth of the sun on his skin—each sensation was one he thought he'd never experience again.
This... this is freedom, he thought, his lips curving into a smile. After spending decade after decade in that dark, confined cell, the open air and endless expanse before him felt like a dream. But for the first time in what seemed like forever, it wasn't. This was real. This was happening!
He glanced to his left, where Bella kept pace with him, her long hair streaming behind her like a banner caught in the breeze. She looked radiant, her smile wide and carefree as she glanced back at him, her eyes twinkling with excitement. Her joy mirrored his own, and for a moment, Edward's heart swelled with something he hadn't felt in the longest time: pure, unfiltered happiness.
When they'd first set off, Edward had wanted to push himself to the limit, to feel the full extent of his speed again. It had been so long since he'd run like this—free, unburdened by chains or stone walls—that he longed to unleash everything he had. But as his feet carried him forward, he quickly realized his pace far outstripped Bella's. He could feel the pull of his strength, urging him to race ahead, but he held back, matching his speed to hers. It wasn't a sacrifice—it was a choice. He wanted to run with her, not ahead of her.
They had decided to take a meandering path to fully enjoy the heart of Tuscany. They wouldn't be able to start their hunt for food until nightfall, still many hours away, so they had agreed to run freely, letting their feet take them wherever the landscape led. They ran further inland, weaving through vast forests and rugged hills. The scenery shifted as they moved—dark cypress trees lining narrow paths, their shadows stretching long in the midday sun. The forest floor was a blur of rich, earthy browns and deep greens, with splashes of sunlight breaking through the canopy overhead, dappling the ground in golden light. Birds flitted from branch to branch above them, their songs a distant melody as they zipped past.
Edward could smell the faint scent of wildflowers carried on the breeze—lavender, thyme, and rosemary growing wild, untouched by human hands. It mingled with the rich scent of the earth beneath their feet, creating a heady mix that filled his senses. He inhaled deeply, savoring the clean air, so different from the stagnant, musty dampness he had endured for so long. The freedom to simply breathe in the open was a gift—one he planned to enjoy at every opportunity.
As they raced through the countryside, avoiding villages and main roads, they passed vineyards with neat rows of grapevines stretching out under the sun, their leaves shimmering in the light. Occasionally, they skirted the edges of small farms, where the faint sounds of goats or the soft mooing of cows reached their ears. But they were careful, darting in and out of the trees, staying hidden from human sight.
The rolling hills of central Italy provided a perfect playground for them. One moment, they were racing up a steep incline, the ground firm beneath their feet; the next, they were sprinting down the other side, momentum carrying them faster and faster. Edward relished the changes in the terrain, each shift reminding him just how alive he felt. The sense of speed, of power, was intoxicating.
He glanced at Bella again, watching as she leapt gracefully over a fallen tree, her movements smooth and fluid. For a second, it seemed like she stayed in the air too long, and he shook his head in disbelief. It almost looked like she was flying for those few seconds. He laughed heartily, a sound that came naturally in her presence. There was something captivating about her—something that went beyond her beauty. It was the way she moved with purpose, the way her eyes sparkled with excitement. The carefree joy on her face made him want to laugh again. So many new feelings bombarded him, and he wanted to explore them all.
As they slowed for a brief moment, reaching the top of a hill, the view before them opened up, revealing the breathtaking landscape of Tuscany. Rolling fields stretched out into the distance, dotted with olive groves and ancient stone farmhouses, their terracotta roofs glowing in the sun. The sky above was a brilliant blue, the midday light casting everything in sharp, vibrant detail.
Bella stood beside him, her chest rising and falling with deep, contented breaths. She gave him a grin, her eyes sparkling as she looked out over the view. "Not bad, huh?" she said, her voice carrying the same lightness that Edward felt.
He laughed, the sound surprising even him. "Not bad at all," he agreed, his voice filled with an ease he hadn't known in a long time.
They shared a moment of quiet, simply taking in the beauty of the landscape before them. Then, with a playful glance, Bella took off again, her voice trailing behind her. "Catch me if you can!"
Edward grinned, feeling a surge of energy, and took off after her, his feet barely touching the ground as they raced together for the entire day. As darkness finally began to fall and they neared Florence, Edward's anticipation grew. He already knew—this was the best day of his long life. And what better way to cap it off than with a bloody, delicious meal.
It was close to midnight, and as Bella walked through the shadowed streets of a rundown block on the outskirts of Florence, she couldn't help but reflect on how unexpectedly perfect her day had turned out. The narrow street was lined with old, crumbling buildings, graffiti scrawled across faded walls, and the faint smell of smoke and something stale lingered in the air. Dim streetlights flickered overhead, casting uneven pools of light that barely reached the cracked pavement. In the distance, voices murmured low, and the occasional figure passed by, always with their eyes averted downward. She was quite familiar with areas like this—she had visited places like this all over the world.
Bella glanced at Edward, her lips curving into a small, satisfied smile. If someone had told her this morning, when Demetri and his goon squad had led her into the Volturi's castle, that her day would end like this—with Edward at her side—she wouldn't have believed it. The horrors she'd been pushed to commit were thankfully starting to feel like distant memories. The hours—or perhaps it hadn't even been one—of carnage had already dulled, softened by the exhilaration of the day she'd spent with Edward afterward. The countryside, the laughter, the lightness... it had all helped her focus on the present and not on what had come before. She was beyond grateful for that.
But now, her attention shifted to Edward. After almost a hundred years in that cell, he looked like a new man compared to the broken vampire she had rescued less than twelve hours ago. His golden eyes gleamed in the dim light, and there was an intensity in his expression—a hunger rooted in everything those bastards had done to him. He looked wired, buzzing with energy, moving like a predator on the verge of the hunt. Bella could feel the excitement radiating off him, a kind of anxiousness born of sheer anticipation. It was clear he could barely wait to sink his teeth into someone's throat, to finally have the meal that had been denied him for so long.
She shivered at the thought, imagining what it must have felt like to go without for so long. Just the idea made her cringe. She would have thought that what they had done to Edward would have driven him to madness, but somehow he had persevered. He had stuck to his morals and refused the easy way out. Now, nearly a century later, he would finally be rewarded for his dedication. She was so happy that she had been able to make this moment possible for him. Soon, Edward would be having his first real meal in nearly a century, and she was more than ready to join him in what she hoped would be a feast to remember.
"Okay, while we're looking for meals, I'm also going to point a few things out," Bella said, her tone light but instructive. "In big cities, you always have to keep your eyes open and be mindful of your surroundings. It's not just about avoiding people seeing you anymore—there are cameras everywhere these days. We really don't want anyone getting footage of us chowing down on some loser's neck, do we?" She smiled and gave Edward a playful nudge on the shoulder.
Edward's smile widened, and he nodded eagerly. As they continued down the streets, Bella pointed out the subtle but ever-present security cameras, mostly at intersections. "It'll be easier to point the cameras out when we move to a more upscale area," she added. "One benefit for us is that the places where we'll find someone to drink from aren't highly trafficked. Since these people are criminals, they usually find spots they know aren't under surveillance. A lot of times, the drug dealers do most of the hard work for us, finding the perfect hidden spots, which makes it easier for us to swoop in and get what we need."
Even with the few cameras she had pointed out, Edward's fascination was obvious. His amazement was clear, and Bella couldn't wait to show him what modern technology was really like. She knew they had a date with the mall tomorrow, as Edward needed a lot to make him look like a modern young man.
Eventually, they reached a desolate street, and when Bella inhaled deeply, she smiled as the distinct chemical scent of illicit drugs hit her senses. It was unmistakable—she knew they had reached their destination. Of course, she would let Edward take the first one, but she hoped whoever was out there had a partner for her to sink her teeth into. The thirst, which she was usually good at suppressing, had come on full force today. Talking with Edward, feeling his anticipation growing, and the thought of being denied for so long had made her hunger spike until it could no longer be ignored.
"Hold up." Bella placed a hand on Edward's arm, stopping him mid-stride. She looked toward the source of the scent, and a smile couldn't help but form on her lips. Her prayers had been answered. There, just ahead, stood two dealers engrossed in conversation—and what luck, they were conveniently positioned next to a dark alley.
Sometimes, it felt like God—or some other supreme being—had a hand in helping her out when it came to mealtime. Drug dealers just seemed to have an uncanny knack for conducting their business next to dark, abandoned alleys. Not that she was complaining.
"Take a look at those two guys over there. Do you smell anything weird about them?" she asked, glancing at Edward. They were still far enough away that the dealers wouldn't spot them lurking in the shadows, giving them plenty of time to plan their next move.
"I do. What is that? I've never smelled anything like it before," Edward said, his gaze fixed on the two men talking animatedly, their voices carrying snippets of what sounded like a heated discussion about a sports game.
Bella glanced at the dealers, her expression thoughtful. "Those guys are what we call drug dealers. And the scents you're picking up? That's a mix of several types of illicit drugs. I'm not sure what the drug scene was like for you in the late '20s, but I doubt it was anything like what it is today," she said, her eyes flicking back to Edward, curious about his perspective.
Edward inhaled deeply, letting the pungent, chemical-laced scent fill his senses. "There were drugs back then—opium, cocaine, morphine. But I never saw people openly selling them on the streets like this. It's... different."
"Yeah, it's a whole different world now," Bella replied, her tone more serious. "Drugs have become much more potent and far more destructive. The lives they destroy... it's not just the users. Families, whole communities—these guys ruin them. And that's how I justify feeding off them. They do immense harm, even if they're not the ones holding the knife or pulling the trigger. Drug dealers are murderers in their own way, just like we are." She paused, giving Edward a sidelong glance. "I hope that's enough to satisfy whatever code you've set for choosing your meals."
Edward thought for a moment, then exhaled softly, meeting her gaze. "Thank you for asking. But if it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me. You're right. I've seen enough suffering in my time, and if these two are part of the cause, I can live with that." He glanced around, double-checking for any of the cameras Bella had taught him to look for. There were none in sight, which was unsurprising in a place like this. "So... how do we do this?"
Bella was about to speak up when she hesitated. She really didn't want to admit to Edward that her usual method was promising to blow the guys and then leading them into a dark alley. She wanted him to have a good opinion of her.
As she glanced at Edward, trying to think of a new method to lure them into the alley, she saw his eyes gleaming with hunger as he stared intently at his next meal. She knew he wanted that meal—sooner rather than later. There was no time for overthinking, so she decided to improvise. "Over time, you'll develop your own strategies," she said casually, as if she totally had this all figured out. "But for now, how about we each grab one, drag them into that alley, and you can do your thing. Let's get a little closer, scope out the situation, and when we're sure the coast is clear, we'll rush in and take them out. Sound good?"
She smiled, relieved to see Edward nodding enthusiastically, eager to get on with it.
Edward could barely wait as he watched the two men from across the street, hidden in the shadows. The anticipation gnawed at him, but every time they were about to make their move, something would stop them. Twice, a car had pulled up, and one of the men had walked over, exchanged a few words, made some quick hand gestures, before the cars drove off. Each time, Edward felt his hopes rise, only for them to be dashed as the moment slipped away.
Just as it looked like they might finally have their chance, a woman appeared—someone Edward suspected was a lady of the night. She approached the dealers, and as their conversation played out, he feared they might start negotiating a different type of transaction right there on the street. One of the men had the nerve to proposition her, but thankfully, she declined, handing over cash for the drugs instead.
As the woman walked away, Edward felt a wave of relief. He still didn't fully understand what modern human society was like, but he was sure of one thing—he wasn't ready to witness something like that with Bella standing right next to him.
Finally, the two men were all alone, and Bella spoke quickly, her voice brimming with excitement. "Okay, I'll get the smaller one. You take the big guy." She winked at Edward with a sly smirk, her energy palpable as she whispered in a rushed voice, "Go! Go! Go!"
Edward didn't need any more encouragement. He took off, sprinting across the street with Bella right beside him, their movements in perfect synchronization. In a blur, he reached the man—a hulking figure who didn't even have time to react. In one swift motion, Edward grabbed him, lifting him off his feet effortlessly, and whisked him into the darkness of the alley. The man didn't even have time to struggle or make a sound. Edward's focus was fixed solely on the blood flowing beneath the man's skin as he held his arms in place.
His patience, long held over the past century, finally snapped. The moment they were deep in the alley, Edward could wait no longer. His hunger felt like a living entity inside him, desperate and wild. Without hesitation, he jerked the man's neck hard to the side, allowing his teeth to sink into the exposed flesh with a ferocity he couldn't remember ever having.
The moment the first gush of blood hit his tongue, it was euphoria.
The warm, thick liquid flooded his mouth, coating his tongue in richness, and Edward couldn't suppress the groan of satisfaction that escaped him. It was better than anything he could have imagined, better than any memory he had clung to from his past. The taste was electric, alive, a heady mix of sweetness that made his whole body hum with energy. His body instinctively pressed closer to the man, his grip tightening as the blood gushed into his mouth like a fountain.
Oh, God. This was perfection.
Each swallow sent waves of pleasure through him, like fire racing through his veins, awakening every dormant cell in his body. The man's heartbeat, frantic at first, began to slow as Edward drank deeply, barely needing to suck. The blood came in endless torrents, so abundant, so divine, that it was all he could do to keep from losing himself completely.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of movement—a rat scurrying away from a trash barrel nearby. It was almost comical. No more rats for me, he thought, a twisted smile forming against the man's neck even as he continued to feed. No more bitter, filthy blood from vermin. This was what he needed. The rush of warm blood continued to flow, and the rat would soon be nothing more than a distant memory—something that belonged to the darkness of his past. This—this was his future. The taste, the power it gave him, the spreading fullness in his chest—it was everything he had craved. He reveled in it, drowning in the euphoria of his meal.
Time slowed, his senses heightened, as he savored every drop of blood. The man's life ebbed away with each beat of his heart, but Edward didn't think twice about it. He could feel the man's pulse weakening beneath his grip, but still, he drank. He wanted it all, needed every last drop of life that poured from this man's veins. He hoped the flow of blood would never end, that this moment of pure, unadulterated pleasure could last forever.
But as he drank contentedly, a different noise reached his ears, cutting through the fog of his ecstasy.
Edward didn't pull his teeth from the man's neck, but as he lifted his gaze, the sight in front of him would have stolen his breath—if it weren't already occupied with the warm rush of blood filling his mouth. Bella stood not ten feet away, her eyes locked on him as she drank deeply from the man in her grasp. The sight was startling, and for a moment, all he could do was stare.
He had never seen another vampire feeding before. With Carlisle, Esme, and himself, feeding had always been a solitary ritual—private and controlled, especially since they only fed on animals. And in the few interactions with other vampires during his time alone, the idea of feeding side by side had seemed wrong. But this... this was different.
Bella looked incredible. There was something raw, almost untamed, about her as she fed—a primal beauty that sent a shiver through him. Her ruby-red eyes gleamed in the dim light, like twin stars burning with a fiery intensity, their depths so captivating that Edward felt as though he could drown in them. She wasn't just beautiful; she was magnetic, exuding an allure far beyond anything he had ever experienced.
Her lips, stained crimson, were locked onto the man's throat, and Edward couldn't tear his eyes away from the steady rhythm of her throat as she swallowed, again and again. Each movement was hypnotic, sensual in a way that stirred something deep inside him. She looked divine—like some kind of fallen angel, full of grace and danger all at once. Her body pressed tightly against the man, close and intimate, in a way that looked almost erotic. Edward couldn't help but feel a surge of envy toward the dying man, seeing Bella's chest pressed firmly against him. If he wasn't fading from existence, that man would have been the luckiest soul alive to be so close to perfection.
Bella was intoxicating. And no matter how hard he tried to suppress it, Edward's thoughts wandered into places he hadn't bothered to go in years. The way her lips looked, the way her body moved with such fluidity and control... he found himself imagining those same lips on him, imagining her mouth—her body—pressed against his in the same way. The thought of her kissing him, moving lower, slowly wrapping her lips around...
Oh, God.
Edward's eyes widened as the surge of arousal hit him like a tidal wave. The sensation was immediate, undeniable. His dick hardened like a rock almost instantly, as thoughts of Bella consumed his mind.
He shifted uncomfortably, trying to adjust his stance in a subtle attempt to hide his growing problem. But there was no hiding this—not from another vampire. He didn't know what to do. He didn't want Bella to think he was some kind of deviant. But the more he tried to control it, the more aware he became of the pressure building against his pants.
Desperately, he maneuvered the man's limp body in front of him, hoping the dead weight would conceal the very alive part of him that refused to calm down. It helped—barely. The problem, however, wasn't exactly small, and no amount of repositioning was going to make it disappear.
Damn it, think of something else! His mind scrambled, racing through anything that could help him regain control. He started thinking of the most unsexy things he could: Aro, Caius, the Volturi dungeons—anything. He averted his eyes from Bella, trying to banish the image of her lips, the way her eyes were staring into his soul... but it wasn't easy.
Finally, with some effort, his thoughts of Aro and Caius did the trick, and by the time he had drained the man completely, his body was back under control. He dropped the corpse with a relieved sigh, turning his attention back to Bella.
As Bella sank her teeth into the man's throat, a rush of warmth flooded her mouth, and she couldn't help but swallow greedily. The taste was intoxicating, but her mind wasn't fully on her meal. Instead, her thoughts were more focused on Edward. She couldn't tear her eyes away from him as he fed, and the sight of him was doing more for her than the blood from her victim.
He looked magnificent. The way he had handled the man—effortless, brutal—the physicality of it stirred something deep within her. She had, of course, noticed Edward's beauty from the moment she first laid eyes on him, but this... this was different. The raw power in his movements, the way his body seemed to command the space around him, made her stomach flutter. The way his muscles flexed as he held the man, his grip unyielding, his posture that of a predator in complete control—it was mesmerizing. He had nearly snapped the man's neck before biting in, and Bella couldn't deny the rush of heat that surged through her at the sight.
It wasn't just his physicality, though. It was the way he fed, the hunger in his eyes, the intensity in every motion—it sent a thrill through her. She couldn't help imagining what those strong hands would feel like on her, what it would be like to feel that same intensity directed toward her. Naughty thoughts flooded her mind before she could stop them, and her body responded in kind as she continued to watch him.
But as much as those thoughts teased and tempted her, Bella knew she had to push them aside—at least for now. Edward wasn't ready for anything like that, not yet. He had just regained his freedom after ninety long years of solitude. He needed time to adjust to the present, to find his footing in a world that had moved on without him. And she would give him that. She could wait. But one day... maybe soon...
She smiled to herself, her lips briefly leaving the man's throat before she quickly bit back down, sucking harder so that no blood would escape past her lips. Her mind might be racing with thoughts of Edward, but she was still a vampire, and she wasn't about to let a drop of blood go to waste.
Bella finally saw Edward's eyes turn toward her, and their gazes locked. God, he looked yummy... and not in the way his meal did. Her eyes couldn't help but travel down, appreciating the full extent of his body and...
Oh my! It seemed Edward had quite the situation happening... in his pants. Bella's eyes widened, thoroughly captivated by the sight. Was it her that had caused Edward's rather noticeable problem? Or was it simply the sheer euphoria of drinking human blood after so many years? She hoped it was her. A mischievous flutter of excitement rippled through her as she watched him try—and fail—to conceal the very obvious bulge straining against his pants.
Oh, Edward, don't hide it, she thought, her mind turning wicked as she admired the clear outline of his long, hard length. If only... if only it would just break through those pants. They looked old and worn... A delicious thrill ran through her at the thought, her mind wandering to the possibilities of what might happen if it just... popped out. She would have frowned—if her mouth hadn't been occupied—as she watched Edward finally maneuver his meal's body in front of him, hiding his predicament behind the clearly dead man.
Her thoughts continued to drift pleasantly, playing out fantasies she probably shouldn't have been indulging in. But before she could get too carried away, the slowing flow of blood in her mouth brought her back to reality. The man's heartbeat had faded completely, and sadly, he was tapped out. She reluctantly pulled her lips away and saw that Edward had finished as well, dropping the body of his meal unceremoniously to the ground.
She couldn't help but glance down again, hoping to catch another glimpse of his "problem," but to her disappointment, it seemed to have subsided. Drat! She almost pouted at the missed opportunity, but the sly grin that played on her lips remained. She could only hope there would be more "situations" like that in the future.
As Edward dropped the lifeless body onto the grimy ground, he straightened, stretching his shoulders and rolling his neck as a surge of renewed strength coursed through him. He couldn't help but feel invigorated, every nerve and muscle alive with energy. He hoped, though, that Bella hadn't noticed the compromising situation he'd found himself in earlier. His eyes flicked toward her, but if she had seen anything, she wasn't letting on. Instead, she wore a satisfied smile, her eyes glinting playfully.
"Feeling better?" she asked, her voice light, but there was an undercurrent of amusement beneath her words, as though she knew more than she was letting on.
Edward nodded quickly, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to appear nonchalant. "You wouldn't believe how good I feel right now. I actually feel stronger... like everything is sharper." His voice held a note of awe, as though he were rediscovering himself. He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as if testing his own strength. "And my mind feels clearer. I think the rats must have muddled my senses over the years."
He truly did feel like a new man. The fog that had clung to him during his time in the dungeon was gone—it had been so long, in fact, that he hadn't even realized it had been there. Now, it had been replaced by a sharpness, making all his senses feel more acute—the sounds of the distant city, the slight breeze against his skin, the distinct scent of blood still lingering in the air. It was as if he had been brought back to life in more ways than one. He turned his gaze back to Bella, gratitude mixing with the lingering thrill of the hunt.
"That's good to hear," Bella said with a satisfied smile. "Now, here's another lesson until we're back on our feet." She crouched down beside the man she had just drained, her fingers moving swiftly as she pulled his wallet from his back pocket. Flipping it open, she rifled through the bills, her eyebrows raising slightly. Not bad—over 400 euros. Tucking the cash into her pocket, she stood and walked over to the body of Edward's meal, performing the same search. She could feel Edward's eyes on her, watching with interest. She looked up, meeting his gaze. "I used to get money this way when I first became a vampire. We can use the cash to buy some items that we'll need." Then, with a spark of excitement in her eyes, she added, "Now, there's something else I think you'll find... fascinating."
Edward's gaze followed Bella's hands as she rummaged through the men's pockets again. He understood taking the cash—after all, money was essential—but when she pulled out a thin, black shiny rectangle, his curiosity was piqued. He had never seen anything like it before. Bella retrieved an identical object from the second man, her expression triumphant as she stood up, holding both rectangles in her hands. Edward furrowed his brow, watching her closely as she approached, the sleek objects glinting under the dim light.
"You're not going to believe this," Bella said, her voice tinged with amusement. "But these are actually incredibly important in today's society. They do a lot of things, but for us, they'll work as telephones." She extended one of the devices to Edward, her eyes twinkling as she watched him examine it.
Edward took the object from her, turning it over in his hands as he tried to make sense of it. The smooth, glossy surface felt foreign, with only a small symbol—what appeared to be an apple—on one side, but beyond that, it was completely devoid of buttons or wires. How could this possibly be a telephone? He inspected it from every angle, searching for something familiar, but nothing about it made sense. Looking up at Bella, perplexed, he asked, "Where are the wires? Really, where's... everything?" His voice was tinged with disbelief. The idea that this tiny, sleek object could replace the telephones he remembered seemed impossible, but he had to trust Bella's words.
"Everything's wireless now," Bella said casually, watching with amusement as Edward fiddled with the iPhone. "I'm sure you can read up on the technical stuff quicker than I could explain it. Honestly, I'd probably just confuse you since I'm not exactly sure how it all works either. But in this era, people don't need to know how things work—they just do." She shrugged, a wry smile curling her lips. "Though I guess that doesn't say much for today's educational system."
She turned her attention to the two bodies, knowing they'd need to be dealt with. "We'll get you a lighter soon, so you can handle this yourself, but in the meantime..."
Edward was still listening, soaking in everything Bella said, when something strange caught his eye. His brow furrowed, and his eyes widened as he saw the bodies begin to move. Oh god, were they still alive? Panic rose briefly in his chest, but he quickly realized the truth—they were still dead. And yet, they were rising off the ground, floating as if suspended by invisible strings. His breath hitched. How is this happening?
He stood, utterly mesmerized, as the bodies floated to a nearby garbage can, where they started to fold themselves up unnaturally before being lowered into the can, like puppets. It was the most bizarre sight he had ever seen—like the bodies were being manipulated by some unseen force. The only possible explanation was Bella. She must be... Oh god! His mind raced, trying to make sense of it all, struggling to keep up as, in an instant, the bodies burst into flames.
But these weren't ordinary flames. They were impossibly bright, burning hotter than anything Edward had ever witnessed, yet they stayed confined within the garbage can, almost as if Bella controlled not just the fire's ignition but the very space they occupied. The air inside the can shimmered with heat, the flames flickering and twisting with unnatural intensity, but no embers, smoke, or heat escaped beyond the contained space. In less than a minute, the bodies were reduced to nothing but fine, gray dust, swirling in the night breeze.
Edward stood rooted to the spot, his mind struggling to process what he had just witnessed. Every trace of the men had vanished, as though they had never existed. He turned to Bella, his mouth slightly open, but no words came. He could only stare in sheer astonishment.
Bella broke him out of his daze with a playful wag of her eyebrows, her smile lighting up her face. The gesture was enough to shake Edward from his stunned silence, and after a moment, he finally managed to speak. "I guess I understand now how the Volturi could be defeated... and where they went. That was truly incredible, Bella."
Bella smiled, shrugging slightly. "Thanks. I usually only use that to get rid of my meals. Ending the Volturi was the first time I tried it on other vampires. It was... quite effective." Being around Edward was surprisingly relaxing, and she found herself enjoying his company—there was something refreshing about being around a vampire who hadn't grown jaded with the world.
Giving him a quick once-over, she knew this was the perfect moment to bring up what she wanted to do with their newfound fortune. "I've been thinking, how about tomorrow we use the money we just got to pick up some things for you? It's always best for vampires to blend in around humans, and no offense, but you kind of stick out wearing what you are. How long have you been wearing that outfit? Are those the clothes you had on when you were captured?"
Edward glanced down at his worn clothes, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, these are what I was wearing the night I was captured in 1929. I figured pretty early on that I'd have to be careful with them. Who knew if the Volturi would ever give me replacements?"
Bella smirked. "Yeah, it would've been just awful if I'd found you in that cell all alone in your birthday suit," she teased, throwing in a playful wink.
The thought of Bella seeing him naked ignited something deep inside Edward—far more intense than he could have anticipated. For crying out loud... his pants were getting uncomfortably tight again, the scene playing out vividly in his mind. It was almost unsettling how easily she stirred these feelings in him—he'd never been like this before. A rough cough broke from his throat, an attempt to dispel both the rising heat in his body and the thoughts racing through his head. Bella, thankfully, hadn't seemed to notice his growing predicament.
Finally regaining his composure, Edward shifted his attention back to her, only to realize she'd been talking the whole time. Her lips, however, held a slight smirk—a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes that suggested maybe, just maybe, she'd noticed more than he'd hoped.
"...what I figured." Bella's voice held a playful edge as she studied Edward's worn clothes. "Let's get you something new to wear. I know vampires aren't exactly bothered by what we wear, but I'd bet you'd enjoy looking down and seeing something different for a change, right?"
Edward's enthusiastic nod brought a grin to her lips. "Good," she continued, her eyes gleaming. "How about tomorrow we find a mall? I'm sure Florence has some nice ones. I think your mind's going to be blown when you see what shopping is like now."
The idea intrigued him—he had no idea what a mall was, but he was eager to learn more about the modern world. "Yes, I'd like that very much."
"Perfect." Bella tilted her head, wondering how Edward's thirst was. He looked like he was satisfied, but it was best to ask. She knew she liked to chow down on several when she finally decided to feed. "Now, I'm good, but are you still hungry? We could find you someone else if you need more."
Edward considered the lingering thirst inside him. He still wanted blood, but it wasn't as pressing as it had been earlier. "I think I'm good for now. Maybe tomorrow night. It's strange—my mind says I'd like more, but my body feels like it's adjusted to not needing as much blood, and it's good right now."
Bella nodded knowingly. "Yeah, I get that. Sometimes I have to remind myself to feed just so the need doesn't hit me at an... inconvenient time." Her eyes scanned the alleyway briefly. Satisfied that nothing seemed amiss, she turned her attention back to Edward.
"I think we're done here," she said with a smile. "How about we find a place that's open? Maybe a coffee shop, and I can show you some of the features on your new phone. I think you're going to love it."
Edward nodded, a content smile tugging at his lips as he stepped aside, letting Bella leave the alley first. As they walked along the dimly lit streets, the world around him seemed crisper, sharper now that his thirst was sated. Every sound, every scent felt heightened. Even the cool breeze brushing against his skin seemed more vivid. Before long, though, he began to hear a peculiar squeaking noise accompanying each step he took, and when he glanced down, he couldn't help but chuckle at the state of his shoes. "I think it's a good thing we're planning on getting new clothes for me sooner rather than later. That run today put more stress on them than anything has in the past century—especially my shoes. I can feel them coming apart at the seams." He flexed his feet slightly, noticing the soles had begun to separate. "Sadly, I didn't do much moving in that cell."
Bella glanced over, her smile widening as she watched Edward's playful expression while he studied his shoes. It was good to see him like this—carefree, no longer weighed down by the horrors of his past. "Well, I'd say a new pair of running sneakers should be perfect for you," she said, giving him a sideways glance. "And who knows, they might even make you faster... if that's even possible. You know, I don't think I've ever met a vampire who could run as fast as you."
Edward chuckled again, the sound rumbling softly as they continued down the quiet street, the faint hum of the city surrounding them.
Bella's eyes twinkled as a mischievous thought flickered to life, and her grin widened. "You know," she began, her voice light, "maybe at some point, you could race someone I know." She could already picture Seth back in Forks, stuffed into that ridiculous clown suit she'd made for his wolf form. She'd spent way too much time getting that suit just right to let it go to waste, hanging in her closet back in Phoenix. Bella was certain she'd never beat Seth in a race, but with Edward... why not bring in a ringer.
Her playful grin lingered as her mind wandered, imagining the look on Seth's wolfy face when Edward inevitably left him in the dust...
I hope you enjoyed reading about Bella and Edward's first meal together. I'm excited to explore more of them getting to know each other on this first day since everything is so new and different for Edward right now. You'll start seeing their chemistry build more and more, as it's clear they're both into each other. As always, comments are welcome and I'm happy to answer any questions—just don't expect any real spoilers about what's coming next!