I turned the page to the book I was reading and tried to focus on the words and not the tapping of Elena’s pen. Unable to, I shut my book, “Stop that I can’t concentrate.” My best friend and business partner looked up, “I’m bored!” I sighed and went back to leaning in my chair and reading. What did she expect? This little town only had about sixty people and not everyone liked to read. But we were doing fine with money and I loved this little shop. I had bought it when I had first moved up here six months ago. I loved the cold weather and Alaska. My little sister, Bella had thought I was crazy when I had told my family of my decision to live up here. But like Bella, I couldn’t stand traveling with mom and Phil. She had moved in with dad while I had escaped north to my winter wonderland. Here I had my job in this little shop and then went home to my cozy apartment a couple of blocks down. “Why won’t someone come in?!” Elena cried as she jumped up and down in frustration. She was a very inpatient person. “Why don’t you read one of the books?” I said not taking my eyes of my page. “I hate reading and you know it,” she wined as she crumbled a piece of paper and tried to shoot it into the garbage. Chuckling I replied, “Then why do you work here?” “Because no one else appreciates my work,” Elena said throwing her paper basketball and missing. She rushed to pick it up from the floor but her hip caught on some of the boxes with new books. The books flew out as they tumbled to the floor. “Oops,” said Elena. I stood and moved to help her pick them up. Here was the real reason no one would hire her. She was a total clutz! Everything she tries to do ends up in ruin. If she tried she could even give Bella a run for her money in that department. I stood when we had all the books from the floor on the counter and was starting to put them onto the shelves when the door opened. I only turned from my work when I heard Elena gasp.

Before me stood a tall blond haired man wearing a brown leather jacket, torn jeans and a bizarre belt. He was a stranger and wearing sunglasses. Who the hell wore glasses in Alaska? He was pale and I wished I could see his eyes to know what kind of person he was. The way he stood and looking at the two of us exuded power and confidence. He was damn sexy, no doubt about it but there was something wrong with him. “I…mmm…he--, how…help…gorgeous,” stuttered Elena as she gazed at him like a starved dog and him a piece of meat. The man smiled at her embarrassing display like it happened everyday. “Can I help you sir?” I said stepping closer. He looked my way and frowned. That’s not a very good sign, I thought. “I’m looking for a book,” he said ignoring love struck Elena and moving closer to me. “You’ve come to the right place. Do you have a specific book you want?” I said, trying not to let the beautiful stranger know that his nearness affected me. He was so near that I could reach out and almost touch him. My blue eyes lifted to his face and yet again I was angry that I could not meet his eyes. My heart rate went crazy and the man’s smile came back as if he could tell the effect he had on me. Shaking myself mentally, I looked at Elena who was still standing were she had been, staring into space. “Elena?” I said jolting her out of her day dream and causing her to knock some papers over. I rolled my eyes and told her to clean it. She did but continued to stare at the stranger. “What’s your favorite?” answered the man as he brought my attention back to him. He strolled down one of the aisle making me feel a bit sad not to have him near me. “Pride and Prejudice,” I replied. He looked at me as he grabbed a book from the shelf. Smirking he walked back and leaned into me, “I’ll take it.” He seemed to inhale deeply before moving to the desk. Elena rang the book up and gave him his change; before I could blink he was gone.

I moved behind the counter and stared out the window but I knew he wouldn’t be there. That was weird, I thought. “My god was he sexy!” Elena said as she looked over my shoulder to tried to catch a glimpse of the mystery man. “He’s not there anymore,” I told her. She looked to be back to normal with the man no longer in the room. “I’m hungry; do you want something from Maggie’s?” Elena said acting as if nothing extraordinary had happened. “No thanks,” I said as I settled back into my chair and picked up my book. “Okay than. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” replied Elena as she swung her purse over her shoulder and ran out the door. I tried to read but my thoughts kept wondering to the man and his sunglasses. What was he hiding behind them?

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James POV

I ran fast through the thick forest and followed Victoria’s sent back to our camp. “Did you find any food?” asked Laurent. I shot him a cold look, “It’s a town, of course there is food.” Victoria was sitting on a rock picking her nails. “This is boring! Our food is boring they never give us a fight anymore! I want a challenge.” I smiled as I sat on the floor and stretched my long legs in front of me. Folding my arms behind my head I thought on Victoria’s words. She was right. Hunting just wasn’t fun anymore; the humans saw them, screamed and then were dead. However, things were looking brighter. At town today, I had entered the deserted bookstore set on killing both women and leaving. But when I had stepped into the shop the brunette with the striking blue eyes had seemed unaffected by my beauty and presence. In fact, the only thing that had betrayed her was her racing heart beat. What fun it was going to be to seduce her and then drain her of her blood! Yes, things were looking up.

“You bought a book?” Victoria said in disgust as she spotted it in my arms. “It’s none of your business,” I tell her annoyed that this young vampire would question me. “You were suppose to get a human,” she continued ignoring the warning in my voice. “And I will. She won’t have any place to hide by the time I’m done with her.” “Oh a challenge!” she said gleefully. Laurent asked, “What are you up to?”

Smirking, I took off the ridicules sunglasses and opened the book, “You’ll see.”

I grabbed my coat and purse from the counter and turned the lights off in the shop. Stepping out into the cold winter air, I lock the door and quickly walk down the dark street. Elena had gone home two hours ago but I had to work on a few things so agreed to lock up tonight. I shivered and pulled my coat closer to my freezing body. I walked slowly, savoring the lovely night. I felt a quiver run down my back as I turned left and past the post office. I had the oddest feeling that someone was watching me. I stopped and looked behind me, the rode was deserted and the forest next to town was dark. I turned and gasped when I ran headlong into something in front of me. Before I could fall backwards onto the cold stones, pale hands shot forward and pulled me to them. My cheek rested on a familiar brown jacket and I stood still against the man as I tried to calm my breathing. When I felt my heart rate slow I looked up and came face to face with the beautiful stranger from the bookstore earlier that day. We didn’t speak as we studied each other. He looked at me with frustration written on his face, while I looked at his strong features and noticed he wasn’t wearing sunglasses and that I could see his eyes. They were green but something about them was wrong. I couldn’t put my finger on it but they didn’t seem to fit with the rest of his character. The man cocked his head to the side and then gently released me. I stepped away from his muscular body and was surprised to feel warmer.

Odd, I thought. “You frightened me,” I said breaking the silence. “I have that affect on people,” he said as he looped his right thumb on his belt and took a step to stand closer to me. This man has no sense of a personal bubble, I thought but was surprised to find that I wasn’t as annoyed as I was telling myself. I moved away from his powerful presence and continued to walk down the street. Looking to my right I was surprised to see that he was quietly and gracefully keeping up with me, “What are you doing?” He looked up and grinned, “Can’t I walk a lovely woman safely home?” I wasn’t so sure I was quite safe with this man, he affected me the way no one else ever had. Normal, I could brush men aside and not think of them again. But this stranger didn’t seem likely to let me push him away and I didn’t really want to. He had been in my head ever since he had entered my bookstore. “What’s your name?” I asked as I stopped in front of my apartment and leaned against the brick wall. He walked boldly to stand in front of me and placed his hands on either side of my head. Leaning in he whispered into my ear, “James.”

I heart rate jumped and began to pound so loud I was sure he could hear it. Smiling knowingly, he lowered his head to my neck. I felt his cold lips caress my neck with skill. His tongue licked a trial up my neck and he used his teeth to gentle nip me. I moaned and felt his smile growagainst my skin. James then lifted his lips to captured mine. He possessed my lips with such ferocity that it left me breathless. His cold lips moved with such passion, slowly slipped his tongue into my mouth. I couldn’t hold myself back and gave in to the temptation to run my handsthrough his long, soft hair. As the kiss deepened I felt my willpower drain from me, my hands wouldn’t listen to me as they caressed his cheek and powerful back. My leg lifted and wrapped itself around one of his and I could feel the muscles and strength. My brain was screaming at me that I should stop. I didn’t know this man and something about him was dangerous. Never would I have allowed any man to do this to me on a normal day but James was different. I couldn’t resist him when he was around. Reluctantly, I pulled away from his lips and turned my head. “I have to go James,” I said in a husky voice as I turned to look into his green eyes. Two emotions fluttered across his features before he could hide them behind a impassivemask.

One was shock. The other was pain. He let me go and I stumbled a bit at the sudden lack of strength supporting me. I awkwardly picked up my purse that I had dropped and turned. Walking up the two steps to my apartment door I tried not to dwell on the fact that James would probable never talk to me again. I had hurt his male pride. I put my hand on the door handle and was about to turn it when I heard James ask, “What is your name?” I looked back to his face. He had asked that simple question in a strange voice. “Megan,” I replied. “I will see you soon Megan. Very soon,” James promised. Not knowing what to say I turned and entered my apartment. Before going up the stairs, I turned to look out the glass of the door. James was gone.

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James POV

I ran to let out my frustration. Why had I asked her name? Normal I didn’t care who I would be killing and preferred not to get too familiar with my food. But the question had slipped before I could think better of it. Megan. That was her name. My frowned deepened as I jumped over a fallen log. She was a strange one. Nothing ofmy vampire powers worked on her. She treated me like any other human. Megan had almost let herself go and I would have killed her but then she had pulled away. No one had ever been able to do that. Once under my charms they shouldn’t be able to go back. I knew Megan had felt something because her heart had pounded and she had responded to me. What was she all about? I just could not figure her out. She treated me like a man… a human man. When I had kissed her I had felt like I had before i was turned. Angrily I hit a tree with my fist and it came crashing down.

Maybe I wasn’t thinking straight because I hadn’t eaten in a while. Perhaps after dinner I would be able to figure this odd situation all out. I changed course and headed east. As I ran I took out the uncomfortable green contacts I had stole and threw them away. I would get new ones later. I arrived to Juneau and headed for a park intent on blood. I smelled a human male to my left. He was headed straight for me and I listened to his strong heart beat as he moved closer. Soon it would be no more. I wonder what Megan would say if she saw me? I growled, annoyed at my thought. She is a puny human not worth my thought. I tried to concentrate but the question kept coming back.What would Megan say if she could see me stocking one of her own kind? Her unique blue eyes kept passing in front of me; they were full of hate and disgust. I smelled my prey, two more steps and he would be mine. Pushing Megan from my mind, I prepare to leap. One more step…go!

But I couldn’t move. The man passed my hiding place and walked on whistling. I sighed. I couldn’t do it. I moved back into the forest and quickly downed a bear. After draining it of its life blood, I wiped my mouth and headed back to Megan. I didn’t run fast not wanting to return to Victoria and Laurent. My stomach and hunger were not satisfied but I felt something inside me begin to grow. Love? Compassion?

I stiffened. No, those emotions had died when I had become a vampire. I am a killer. And my blue-eyed prey better be careful.

I woke the next morning to the sound of my telephone ringing. Mumbling I lifted the warm covers and slipped out of my bed. Stumbling to the living room, I found the phone and collapsed onto the couch, “Humm.” I covered my mouth as I yawned.

“Wake up sleepy head,” said Bella from the other end. I sat up straighter, happy to hear my little sister’s voice.

“Hey! Are you crazy it’s only ten!” I told her as I brushed some crumbs off my living room table.

“I just missed you and needed someone to talk to,” she said. This was strange, normal I had to practically pull her teeth to get her to tell me her feelings.

“I missed you too,” I tell her honestly. “So what’s up in Forks?” She told me about Dad andhow the house hadn’t changed at all since our childhood and that it was a bit freaky. Then she recounted her first day.

“Well there was this boy…” she started. Ah, here was the heart of the subject.

“This boy…” I prompted.

“Well, I saw him for the first time in the lunch room and he's gorgeous. He is so strange, him and his family. They’re all just…weird. I don’t know how to explain it. Anyway, I have Bio with him, his name is Edward, and I had to sit next to him. The next thing I know he’s acting all weird and clenching his jaw,” Bella said. “And as soon as the bell rang he was out of his seat before anyone and rushed out of the room. I don’t know what I did wrong?”

“What a jerk!” I tell my depressed little sister.

“But that’s not the worst part, he tried to switch out of Biology. It’s been a few days and he hasn’t come back to school yet. I just don’t get it! Edward looked at me with such a strange expression, like he wanted to eat me or something,” Bella said. I could tell that she was sad and felt something strong for this guy. At the same time, her description of Edward reminded me of the expression that James had given me yesterday before I had gone upstairs. Like I was something he wanted to posses and overpower.

“Megan?” asked Bella.

I snapped out of my thoughts and said quickly, “It’s not you. Just give it a few days and when he comes back ask him what his deal is.”

“Yeah your right. I just can’t help thinking I’m the reason he’s out in school,” she admitted in a small voice.
“You aren’t. Look it’s Saturday go out and have some fun,” I advised her.

“Okay, so what about you? How are things in Alaska?” I had no idea how to answer that since things were odd. Ever since James had entered my shop yesterday I felt like it had marked the beginning of something, I just had no clue what it was.

“Cold and boring. You know, the usual,” I lied. We talked for another hour of unimportant things before we hanged up. I got up and stretched. I ate a bowl of cereal and then got dressed. When I was done I checked the mirror. I was wearing a green tinted pair of jeans, a funky red belt, and grayish bluish shirt. Grabbing my purse and jacket, I went out into the street. Heading to the market I again had the strange sensation that I was being watched. I ignored my instincts and continued on my way. I greeted the few people that were on the street and then entered the supermarket, glad to be out of the cold wind. I took one of the baskets stacked by the door and then went down one of the closest aisle. Looking for a brownie mix to make tonight, I grabbed a pack from the shelf. It was the last one so as soon as I took it I could see through to the next aisle. James’ lean back was to me.
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James POV

I had followed Megan to this human grocery store intent on carrying out my goal. I had entered quietly behind her and then gone to lane next to hers. It was time that she come to me, make her feel a bit safe that she could be the one to find me. I walked leisurely down the aisleand looked at the unappetizing things that the humans ate. Fruit Loops and Coco Puffs, how revolting. I looked around as if truly shopping there but kept my senses alerton Megan. I could hear the normal beat of her heart and smell her vanilla shampoo, teasing and tormenting me. I turned my back and lifted a can of beans from the nearest shelf. That was when I heard a package move and the little gasp and the words “Holy Jesus.” I smiled and continued to pay no attention to her, she would come to me. I replaced the human food and strolled towards the end of the aisle. Her scent was getting closer. Good, I thought. Again I stopped and picked up the nearest thing to me. I pretended to be absorbed in looking at the different kinds of ketchup, as I felt the unusual heat from her body next to me.

“Hey,” she said in asmall voice.

I turned, “Megan, hello. It’s good to see you.” She apprehensively clutched her basket.

“You too,” she replied. I cocked my head to the side and reached out with one of my hands to left her chin. I wanted to look into her blue eyes, “Are you okay?” She tried to duck her head by I held her chin gently, forcing her to meet my fake green eyes.

“I’m fine I just didn’t think you would want to talk to me after last night,” she said with sadness. My God! She had wanted to see me again! I was so surprised that my eyes widened and I let go of her soft chin. Megan continued to stare at me with intent blue eyes as if she could see straight to my soul--or what little I had left of it-- as I quickly put back my mask of self confidence.

“You can’t get ride of me that easily,” I told her and then took the basket from her hands. “Here let me assist you with your groceries.”

She raised one of her eyebrows and said, “Don’t you have your own shopping to do?”

I shook my head, “Nope, I’m all yours.” Megan brushed a strand of hair behind her ear as she silently accepted my offer and moved to gather the rest of the things on her list.

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Megan POV

I tried not to keep glancing at the man next to me as we walked out of the supermarket. James had helped me with my shopping and then had insisted on taking me home. He strolled down the street like he owned it, both bags of food slung over his broad shoulder. He looked beautiful, strong and masculine. Why did I always have such thoughts when I was around him? I bushed and angled my face so he wouldn’t see the color rise to my cheek.

“So what are you doing in Nanuk, Alaska?” I asked to break the silence.

He slid his keen glace to me, “Just passing through.”

“And were are you going?” I said curiously.

He shrugged, “I just go wherever I want to.”

“But don’t you have a home?”

We passed the front of Maggie’s and James stopped, “Isn’t time for you to eat?”

I looked down at my watch and saw that it was twelve, “Yeah. So?”

“Well, I would be honored if you would let me buy you lunch?” James said and without waiting for my response rapidly walked up a few steps and held the door open.

“Alright…thanks,” I said as I brushed past him and entered the pleasant little dinner. My god his body feels like it's made of stone, I thought as I nervously pushed my brown hair away from my face as James approached a pretty blond that was in charge of seating.

“Good afternoon,” he said in a silky voice. “A table for two please.” The woman’s mouth literally dropped open. Was it me, or did James have that effect on every woman? James flashed her a disarming smile and waited patiently for her to get the menus, all of which she had just knocked down. Leaving the pile on the floor, she quickly grabbed two and straightening, smiled flirtatiously at James, “Follow me.” As the blond led us to the back of the dinner I couldn’t help noticing that all the female customers were staring at James. For Christ sake, I thought angrily. You’d think they’d never seen a man! Of course no one was quiet like James, I thought as I stared at his back and perfectly shaped ass.

“Here you are,” said the annoying little blond as she placed the menus as far away as possible.

“Thank you,” replied James as she moved away. James helped me into a chair and then depositing the groceries near our table, swiftly brought his chair close to mine.

When we were seated, a new blond with perfectly manicured nails greeted us, “Hi I’m Brigit and I’ll be taking care of you. What would like to drink?”

“I’ll take a coke,” I said to the waitress who wasn’t paying any attention to me.

“Make that two,” James said never taking his eyes from me.

“Okay, I’ll be right back.”

“So you never answered my question?” I reminded him when Brigit was gone.

He sighed and leaned back in his chair, “I have no home. I travel all over the world.”

“But where to you sleep? You don’t even have a backpack?” I asked confused.

“I sleep wherever I want. Hotel sometimes but me and my companions are sleeping in the woods. My things are with them,” he replied smoothly.

“I’ve never seen your friends,” I said.

“You wouldn’t have, they don’t like towns much,” James replied as he twirled the knife between his long fingers.

“Here are your drinks,” interrupted Brigit as she placed the cokes in front of us. “If you guys are ready I can take your order,” she said moving to stand close to James. I could feel my cheeks redden in anger.
“Megan?” asked James as he leaned forward to place his hand over mine. They felt cold but not unpleasant.
“I’ll have the chicken fingers,” I replied confused that I had had such a strange reaction for a man that didn’t belong to me.

“Got it…And you luv,” asked the waitress as she wrote my order down.

“Nothing for me thank you,” James said.

“If you’re not going to eat than we should just go,” I protested trying to stand.

“No,” James replied pulling me back into my seat. Turning to Brigit he said, “We’ll just have the chicken fingers.” She nodded and moved to place the order.

“So aren’t you cold outside? What about wild animals, you could get hurt?” I asked returning to our conversation. He laughed, not something I was expecting. His laughed was magnificent just like everything else about him. It wasn’t too loud or too soft, it was musical in its own way, and so pure that I could tell he didn’t do it often.

“What? What did I say?” I asked with a smile.

“Nothing,” he said when he got himself under control, “We’re not cold and as to wild beast they’re more afraid of us then we are of them.”

I sipped my drink and then asked, “What about your family?”

“All dead.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It was a long time ago,” James replied with a far away look.

“So where were you born?” I said wanting to learn more about this mysterious man.

“France.”

“France? You’re lying, you have no accent,” I said shocked.

He chuckled, “I’ve had a long time to perfect my English. I’ve learned many languages.”

I was confused by his answer. What did he mean by a long time? He looked young to me, “So how old are you?”

James expression turned dark, “Twenty-five.”

Before could I replied the waitress placed my chicken in front of me, “If you need anything elsejust tell me.”

I tore my pieces in two to let them cool and then said, “Do you want some?”

James smiled at some inner joke, “No thank you, that’s not what I tend to eat.”

“Oh, so how long are you here for?” I asked eating some fries.

“Not sure, most likely a few more days,” he said staring at me as I ate. I had to admit that his answer saddened me.

“So what do you like to do for fun?” I asked taking another sip of my coke and noticing that he hadn’t even touched his.

“I don’t know,” James replied with a confused expression. “Hunting.”

“Like killing animals with a gun?”

His eyes sparkled as he said, “Something close to that.”

“Don’t you have any normal habits?” I asked, a little weirded out by his answer.

James leaned forward. His lips were inches from mine and I was caught in his intense gaze, “There is nothing normal about me.” I couldn’t breath as he moved to close the distance between us. His lips pressed against my shocked ones. Still keeping our connection, he grabbed my chair and pulled it towards him, enabling him better access to my lips. Ignoring everyone, he continued to kiss me passionately in the dinner. I was not use to this kind of treatment from men and it excited me. James expertly made me surrender my will, allowing him to plunge his tongue to meet mine. I was about to forget all sense of propriety and move onto his lap to be closer to him, when he broke the kiss. I thankfully repressed a word of protest for ending the kiss as Brigit returned and laid the check down.

“I’ll take itwhenever you’re ready,” she said shooting me a jealous look. Obviously everyone had seen what happened. Great, I thought. It’s going to be all over town in a matter of hours.

“No, a few more minutes. I’m just getting to the good part! Yes, of course I will marry you Orlando Bloom. You are the love of my life and you are so kind--not to mention have the most beautiful tight fitting body. What?! Can you leave me a few more minutes---fine I’m awake,” she grumbled for a few minutes as she sat up and stretched like a cat.

“You can’t sleep at your job! Elena there could have been customers,” I told her trying to be serious and not laugh at her hair, which was all over the place. “It’sfour days till Christmas and there are going to be a lot of people in today.”

“Meg, you know how people in this town are. They'll wait till the last possible moment to buy their presents. We’re fine butthe next two daysare goingto be nuts!” she replied as she came around the desk and took a sip out of my coffee mug. I shook my head and looked down at some paperwork. That reminded me that I still had a few gifts I had to pick up and promised myself that I would finish shopping tonight and not wait like last year. That had been way too stressing.

“So, you and James...” Elena said as she looked at me with a smile.

“Don’t even start,” I warned her.

“Come on! You have to tell me! It’s all over town and everyone says you’re the luckiest girl and it’s true! Have you seen that man’s behind? One word--Perfection!”

“Elena!”
“What? Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed it?” She said with a sly smile as I tried to hide my red face.

“I’m not going to answer that,” I told her sitting on my chair and picking up my book.

“You have to tell me! Is he a good kisser? Are you an item?” She asked relentlessly.

“I’m trying to read,” I said ignoring her. However, before I could blink she snatched my novel from my lap. I tried to grab it but Elena held it just beyond my reach.

Groaning I gave in, “No we are not an item and don’t even ask me what we are because I have no clue.” It was true, I had no idea what to call our relationship. We had known each other for only a few days but I felt drawn to him. I wanted to be near him all the time, even now I missed him. The whole thing was ridiculous, where was it ever going to lead. He would be gone in a few days and out of my life. Maybe I was just a fling that he had in every town with a new girl. I sighed, hoping it wasn’t true. I wondered what James felt about all this, what were his intensions.

“So what about the lip locking? How is that like?” Elena asked breaking in my trail of thoughts.

“Now that I will not go into detail. All I’ll tell you is that it’s amazing,” I confide. Elena was about to protest when the door opened and a gust of wind entered into our warmly lit shop. I looked up hoping it was James. My heart pounded but for nothing. It was a false alarm, it was only Mrs. Pots. I sighed, annoyed that I was this upset at not seeing James. Turning, I plastered a fake smile on for my customer and tried not to let my thoughts wonder to James.

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James POV

I smelled the three humans before any of my companions. Laurent and Vitoria had not eaten for some days and I had only eaten the bear. After last night, Laurent had questioned me on Megan and I had told him I need a little more time to make her mine completely. Victoria had smiled gleefully and laughed. They both thought this the most entertainment they’d had in years and had made me promise to kill her in front of them. I had contained my fury behind a mask of indifference. The good thing about this was that we had gone north to hunt away from Nanuk so that it wouldn’t alarm Megan. Now we stood surrounding the unsuspecting humans ready to pounce. Laurent was fist to break from the forest and grabbed the tall man to the left of the group. Before the man had a chance to scream, Laurentripped his teeth into his neck. He began to drain him as the man struggled for a few seconds before lying still. Victoria dropped from the tree unto the man in the middle and drove him to the ground. She than broke his legs and one arm. She stood and watched as the man desperately tried to drag himself away with only one good arm. Victorialooked onwith a sadistic smile. She loved to see her prey in pain before eating them. I still stood in the forest, disgusted and for the first time seeing what we had done for hundreds of years with new eyes. In the meantime, the last man tried to run. I stepped from my hiding place right into his path. He screamed a terrible high pitched sound and turned only to be faced with Victoriawho had come to watch as I killed the man, her prey still inching himself away, tears running down his face and heart pounding wildly.

“Kill him James,” She said. Victoria had always had a fascination of watching me eat. I grabbed the man by the collar and turned him to face me. I looked into his eyes and saw terror and horror. He met my red eyes and hid his face in his hands as he burst out crying.

I knew I could not kill him.

Thinking quickly, I threw him a couple of feet into the forest and then rapidly moved to catch him before he hurt himself. Now with some distance from Victoria, I held him menacingly and bent to whisper in his ear, “If you want to live you must do what I tell you.” The man’s head lifted from his head as he stared in shock at me. I saw Victoria’s gaze on me so I quickly pushed the man into a tree, as gentle as I could without making it look fake. Then I brought his face close to mine and said quietly, “I’m going to throw you on the floor, when I bring my hand to your throat scream and struggle for a few minutes. Then play dead until we leave. Don’t scream and play along. If you ever tell anyone about us I’ll find you and finish the job, understand? You’re friends were killed by wild animals, got it?”

The man nodded and whispered in a petrified voice, “Thank you.”

I nodded and threw him to the ground. I moved to kneel over him with my back to Victoria so she wouldn’t see clearly what I was about to do. I reached into a rabbit hole in front of me and withdrew a bunny. I put my hand of the mans neck and he screamed as a leaned down and brought the bunny to my teeth. As I sucked a bit of the bunny’s blood, I took a branch and madetwo small incision on the mans neck to look like teeth marks. He struggled just like I told him and then lay still. I then stopped eating with some difficulty and squeezed blood over the man. I stayed kneeling for a few minutes and then stood. I picked up the man and threw him a few yards to land on anotherbunny hole. There, I thought as I strolled back to where Victoria was standing. That would mask the heart beat. Laurent and Victoria were relatively young vampires and wouldn’t be able to tell that one of the heart beats was human.

Victoria smiled and put her hand on my bare chest, “That was breathtaking.” I gave her a cold look and hoped she wouldn’t notice that my eyes were not as red as they should be. I walked around her curvaceous body and wiped the blood from my lips. I reached the man Victoria had broken and snapped his neck. Victoria would torment him if i didn't,at least this way he wouldn’t suffer for hours.

“You shouldn’t play with your food,” I told her as I went to join Laurent who was done eating. Victoria shrugged and knelt to drain the man. After, we ran back to the spot we had been camping at for a while. I wondered what had compelled me to save the human. I sighed as I realized why.

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Megan POV

I was walking down the street after finishing my Christmas shopping when I turned the corner and found myself next to Sanerk. Sanerk was a mystical shop owned by a Inuit woman named Tuktu. I had always had reserves about going in there since people said she was a strange women but today something was beckoning me to go inside. I quickly yanked the door open before I could change my mind and entered. The shop was dimly lit and was full of strange items. Bones, stones, paper with strange writing were spread all over. I ventured deeper in but there was no one there. I went to the nearest table and looked at the necklaces. I picked one up and examined it. It was a small round stone, whitish with black in the middle, and a beautifully crafted golden tube attached onto a black cord. As soon as I saw it I thought of James. The white representedhow good and pure he is but has had some bad things happen, the black part.

“What you have there is a special charm,” said a wise voice from behind me. I jumped and turn to see a short old woman with long white hair.

She moved next to me and took the necklace from my hand, “To my people this warns away evil spirits. It is a good choice for your man, he will need all the help he can get.”

“Ex-Excuse me?” I asked confused as to whom she was referring to.

“The Cold One who’s loyalties and beliefs you are making himquestion,” she replied calmly, meeting my eyes with her all-knowing ones.

“I don’t understand.”

“You, my child, are going down a path you cannot change. It is your destiny to change him and only than can you be together. He wants your blood. The question is, will you give it to him?” Tuktu said seriously.

“You have the wrong person madam,” I told her as I moved away, regretting ever coming in. Iwas about to turn when she grasped my hand. For an old woman she was strong and I couldn’t shake her off.

“Take this with my complements,” she said pushing the necklace I had been admiring into my hands and letting me go. I turn and head out onto the deserted street and briskly made my home. I should never have gone in there, I told myself. I brushed my hair back and wondered what the old woman had meant. Had she been talking about James? And what were Cold Ones? What the h*** is happening? I thought.

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James POV

I sat reading the book I had bought from Megan the day that I had meet her. I had just returned from hunting, I had killed two bears just to make sure I wasn’t tempted by the humans when I went back into town tomorrow. It was strange to think that I was looking forward to seeing Megan again, I missed her. I cleared my head of Megan and the hunt earlier that day and concentrated on the novel. It wasn’t bad this Pride and Prejudice, although I thought it was a bit to girly for my taste. Next time I would get Megan to recommend me one with sword fights and action. Reading reminded me of my life before becoming a vampire.

abandoned me in rage.After, I had traveled to France to see my family but they had moved on and seemed happy. I never saw them again. I traveled the world with no purpose, learning languages, mathmatics, and historyas a pastime. The most I spent in one place was in Italy for a year. Then four hundred years ago I had meet Victoria and Laurent, new vampires that needed my guidance. I helped them and they never left.

“What are you doing?” asked Victoria awakening me from my memories.

“Reading,” I told her as she sat next to me and leaned forward.

“Why don’t you put that thing down and we do something more fun?” She purred lowering my book with her hand and sat straddling me. I groaned in annoyance. Victoria had always fancied herself becoming my mate but I had no intentions of letting that happen. We had had our fun in the past but her games were tiring. Victoria began kissing my jaw and letting her hands wonder over my chest.

“Stop,” I ordered her.

“Why? We’re just getting started,” She said seductively as she pushed me onto my back. I put my hands on her stomach and pushed with not even a quarter of my strength and sent her flying. She hit a tree but managed to land gracefully on her feet. Victoria’s face was full of rage, transforming her beautiful face into a mask of danger. I was not impressed, I had gone up against worse than her. I returned her angry look with a cold one and then picked up my novel and ignored her. Victoria fumed. There was one thing worse to her than being embarrassed and that was being ignored. She started to throw rocks near me and rip trees from their roots in anger and to get attention. Laurent sighed as he gave me a look. I smiled, it was going to be a long night.

I woke the next morning to a winter wonderland. That was one of the things that I loved about living in Alaska, snow. I laughed out loud as I thought of Bella in this kind of weather, she would die. I got up and took a warm shower. I then went back into my room and rummaged through my closet to find an outfit for the day. I pulled on dark jeans and a long sleevedwhite shirt. I looked into my mirror and applied some eye shadow and lip gloss. Then I went into my small kitchen and made myself a pot of coffee, which I poured into my mug. I took a bagel and spread some cream cheese. I quickly went to put my white boots on while I downed my breakfast. I was zipping up my boots when I spotted my computer and froze. Should I look up Cold Ones? I got up and started to walk towards my computer. I stopped a few inches from it and shook my head. You’re being dumb Megan, I told myself. The old woman was crazy. I grabbed my coat, purse, and mug. I walked down the stairs and out into the perfectly white weather. I didn’t move and admired the beauty of an Alaskan winter. The trees were decorated with white flakes andhouses looked like cozy cottages with smoke curling from their chimneys.

“Admiring the snow?”asked a voice near my ear. My heart pounded as I recognized it.

“James. I missed you yesterday,” I admitted as I turned to face him. We were inches apart and somehow I felt that this was how we should always be--never more than an arms length away from each other.

“I missed you as well Megan,” he said as he brushed some of my hair away and touched my neck with his cold hands.

“Weren’t you cold in the snow last night?” I asked having been worried about it.

“No, I was fine. I don’t feel the cold,” James said continuing to look deeply into my eyes and stroking my neck.

“Oh, umm…What are you going to do today?” I asked him, distracted by his skillful touch.

“Spend it with you,” He said and bent to kiss me. His hand was on my back and his tongue made seductive circles on my lips before I parted them to allow him entrance. I was in heaven for a few minutes before he pulled back and brought his lips to my ear, “Come do something with me?”

“Yes,” I said breathlessly. Damn that man! He could make me agree to anything. “But first I have to stop by the bookstore.”

“Alright,” He took my hand into his cold one and started to move in the direction of my shop.

“Are you sure you’re not cold?” I asked. “Your hands are freezing.”

He pulled his hand from mine and brought it to his side, “Sorry, my hands are always like that. I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“I’m fine,” I told him and grabbed his hand. He looked into my eyes with a strange expression and then looked ahead. We reached the bookshop and as soon as I opened the door Elena rushed towards me, “You’re late! I thought something had happened to you, you’re never…” that was when she saw James close behind me. She raised an eyebrow and whispered, “Oh, now I see. I’d be late too if I had been you.”

I pulled her away from James’ earshot and whispered furiously, “It’s not like that. He met me outside toady.”

“Okay, if you say so.”

“I do saw so!”

“Oh God! He is so muscular. Have you touched his chest yet?”

“Elena!” I said and we both glanced at James who was looking at a book. I swore I saw a small smile on his lips.

“Well have you?”

“Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Fine but only for a few minutes. So what’s he doing here?”

“He wants to take me out for the day and I was wondering if you could handle things here?”
“Ooooo, how exciting! Yeah girl, get out of here and have fun!” she told me and dragged me back to where James was.

“Are we all settled?” He asked with a grin as he put his arm around my shoulder.

“Yes, yes we are. Have a great day and evening,” Elena said with a wide smile.

I punched her in the arm and moved out the door, “Don’t destroy our business while I’m gone.”

“You got it chef!”

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James POV

I tried not to breath in too heavily as Megan and I entered a park full of humans sledding. We had been wondering around the streets talking when she had brought up her love of Christmas and sledding. I had told her I had not sled in years, Megan had then insisted that we go since the weather was perfect for it. We had gone back to her house, where she had gone to fine her sled as I waited outside. She had returned with one and we had made our way here. Many people had had the same idea, and children and adults alikewere screaming in delight as they raced each other down the hill. Megan turned to me and smiled in happiness, her cheeks tinted in a beautiful rose color from the cold and her blue eyes sparkling. I couldn't help smiling with her and tightening my grasp on her hand. It still amazed me that she wanted totouch me, no human had done so in all my vampire life. Of course, she didn’t know what I was and might think differently if she knew the hands she held had killed. She must have noticed the dark expressionthat passed across my face because she asked, “James what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” I told her with a reassuring smile. I knew she didn’t buy it. Megan had a wayof strip away every lie and looking deep into my soul.

“Okay but if you need to talk about it I’m here,” she said with a reassuring squeeze of my hand. We found an area away from the others and began to climb. I dragged the sled behind me and easily made my way up the slop. Megan, on the other hand, kept slipping in the snow. I caught her for the third time when I said, “You know I can carry you.”

“I’m fine,” Megan puffed out. I knew she was getting frustrated but wouldn’t ask for help. Before she could protest, I lifted her into my arms.

“Whoa,” she said. One arm was supporting her back while the other her legs and I brought her close to me, wanting to feel the unusual heat of her body. Megan put one arm around my neck and placed the other on my chest, and snuggled closer.

“Thanks,” she said looking up at me with her breathtaking blue eyes. I nodded and without breaking a stride continued up the hill. I could feel the length of her fragile body and the fast beating of her heart, but the hardest thing to ignore was the alluring smell of her life blood running through her veins. I groaned as I tried to think of something else and promised myself to go hunting again tonight.

“Am I too heavy?” Megan asked, thinking that my frustration was because of her weight.

“No,” I chuckled at the thought. “You’re as light as a feather.”

We reached the top of the hill and I reluctantly set Megan back on her feet. I brought the sleigh to rest at the edge of the hill.

“Do you want to be in the front or shall I?” I asked her.

“I’ll go in the front,” Megan said and sat down. When she was comfortable, I sat behind her. My thighs pressed against hers and I put my arms around her waist and took the reins. I felt her intake of breath and heard her heart speed up. I smiled at her reaction to me and said into her ear, “Ready?”

She placed her hands on my legs to keep from falling and said, “Yes.”

I pushed and we went flying down the hill. The wind flew past us as Megan screamed in amusement. When we reached the bottom she jumped off with a huge smile, “Let’s go again!” We walked up and sled down the hill four more times before deciding that this would be the last time. At the top, we took our normal positions and I pushed us off. Intent on the joyon Megan's face,I didn’t notice the small rock in our pathuntil we hit it and went flying. I made sure not to crush Megan as we rolled in the snow before coming to a stop. Her trembling body was on top of me and she had her head buried in the crock of my neck.

“Are you alright?” I asked her, scared that she had injured herself. She lifted her head and I saw she was laughing.

“That was so much fun,” Megan said continuing to laugh. I chuckled and brushed some snow from her hair. Her laugh stopped and she stared raptly into my eyes. Megan than moaned and pressed her lips to mine. My eyes widened in shock at her daring. She pressed her body close to mine so that I could feel her heart beat as well as hear it. Megan brushed her fingertips over my cheek and then through my hair as her lips moved in a dance on mine. She then mimicked my earlier kiss and drew circles on my lips. I groaned and flipped her over as she dove her tongue into my mouth. I had but one thought, this puny human was turning me into mush. I lifted part of her shirt to caress her stomach when she flinched and broke the kiss. I looked up into her face, scared that I had hurt her.

“It’s cold,” she said with a small smile. I grinned and stood.

“Maybe we shouldn’t do this in front of so many people,” I told her helping her stand.

“Right,” Megan said and turned to try an hide her blushing face.

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Megan POV

I could not believe I had kissed him. Idiot, I thought. I slid a glance at James who was sitting next to me in the dark theater with his arm around the back of my chair. I blushed and looked backat the screen. After sledding, we had parted for an hour to get cleaned up and then had agreed to meet and see a movie. I had changed into another pair of jean and a blue turtle neck and then headed straight to the movies. James had been there when I had arrived wearing dark jeans, a black t-shirt, and black leather jacket. He looked gorgeous and when we had entered the theater he had taken his jacket off allowing me a view of his pale skin and powerful forearms. We had bought tickets to see Quantum of Solace, bought some popcorn, and had found our seats. As the theater had filled, all the women whoentered had shot longing looks at James, all of whom he had ignored. Now I sat in the dark with a sexy man next to me and women who keptturning in their seatsto catch glimpses of James. I tried not to be aware of their looks and the leg that pressed intomy thigh. His fingers were twirling a strand of my hair and I had to control myself from jumping on his lap and making out with him. I heard James sigh and all of a sudden was kissing him. We lip locked for a few seconds before he pulled away and smiled at me, “Sorry but the girls kept looking here and it was getting on my nerves.”

“No problem,” I squeaked and put my hand into the popcorn to givethem something to do. When I withdrew them, James’ handcurled aroundmine causing me to drop all the popcorn on the floor. I looked at him as he turned my hand over and began to draw on my palm. I shivered as electricity shot up my arm. His fingers lazily drew patterns and moved up to my wrist. I bit my lips so a moan wouldn’t slip out. What was with me? Every time I was near James everything became distant and unimportant. The lights came on, signaling the end of the movie. James let go of my hand and stood. My god, I thought. I had never noticed how tall he was, I barely reached his shoulder. He took my hand and we exited the movie theater. He took me home and left me on the porch after giving my hand a kiss and disappearing into the forest.

“My god! There is too much snow in this state,” Elena complained as she shakily came threw the doors and out of the cold weather. It had stated snowing in the middle of the night and so far had shown no signs of stopping.

“If you don’t like snow you shouldn’t be living in Alaska,” I told her as I straightened the books.

“Whatever,” Elena said as she took her coat off. “So how was your day off?”

“It was fine,” I told her in as normal a voice as I could master.

“Heck no,” she said in frustration as she pulled me around to face her. “You have got to tell me more than that.”

“We just went sledding and then watched a movie,” I said, walking away to fix the pillows on the sofa.

“Oh, sledding. You got all wet and cold and then he took you home and warmed you up with his gorgeous body and stripped you---”
“Elena! It wasn’t like that at all,” I said throwing a pillow at her head. Elena caught it and threw it gently back to me. I turned and patted the pillow down as I thought. If James had done any of the things Elena had just described I doubt that his body would have warmed me. It was strange but every time I touched his skin it was ice cold. Cold, I thought. Did it have something to do with the Cold Ones that Tuktu had talked about?

“Hello?” said Elena, waving her hand in front of my face.

“What?” I answered as I pushed it away from my face.

“You just kinda spaced out,” she said.

“Sorry,” I said and looked down at my hands.

“Well…On a happier note, are you going to bring James to the party?” she asked excitedly. “I’m going with Jason and he is such a hunk--but of course not as sexy as yours--and we’re thinking of matching. What do you think about that?”

“Do whatever,” I said and retreated behind the desk, shuffling through some papers. Elena was talking about the town Christmas Eve party that was held every year at the hotel. Supposedly everyone dressed in their finest and went with a date to eat and dance the night away.

“You’re such a spoil sport.”

“I am not.”

“Are So! Are you gonna ask him?”

“I don’t think he’d want to go.”

“Bull****! Ask him!” She persisted.

“Leave me alone,” I said. “I’ll ask him if I want.”

“But you have to! He---”

“Shh,” I interrupted her as the first customer of the day entered. Thank God, I thought. At least this would save me from Elena’s pestering.

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James POV

I gracefully leaped from the tree I had been sitting on, made a flip in the air and landed easily next to my prey. It ran in terror and I let it get a head start before bounding effortlessly to its side. The beautiful caribou saw me and tried to defend itself by thrusting its antlers in my direction. I evaded them and merciful ended its life. I finished my meal quickly and then went back to the tree I had jumped from and retreved my shoes and coat which I had taken off to hunt. It was still snowing but I felt nothing ofthe cold under my feet or on my bare chest. I smiled to myself as I thought of how Megan always made me feel things unlike this weather. I headed to town and entered Megan’s shop. I knew it was going to be crowded today but there were more people than I had imagined and it was uncomfortable to breath. I looked over at the counter to see Megan laughing with an old women, who was buying a book. Her beautiful dark brown hair was loose and cascading down her back. Her beautiful blue eyes sparkled with joy and life. I stopped an admired her from afar, noticing that she was just as beautiful outside as in. Her whole sprit was so pure that I ached at how unworthy I was to even be in the same room. That was when she looked up and saw me. Her eyes seem to brighten and she flashed me a shy smile that I returned before moving to a shelf. I sensed the eyes of the women in the room follow me as I walked by but was only concerned about one. It use to please me to be admired by women but now I didn’t care unless it was Megan. That woman effected me like no one had ever done inmy whole eight hundred and forty one years of life.
I picked a book that looked interesting and sat down in an arm chair. Throughout the whole day, I didn’t go anywhere and waited patiently for Megan to get off work, contentto be near her. A few daring women came and sat by me but I ignored them, or politely dissuaded any advances they thought of making. I felt Megan’s eyes on me several times and smiled when I saw her angry expression at the other females around me. By the time no one was left in the store, I had finished my book and it was dark out. I stood and moved to the counter.

“Hey,” Megan said when I placed the palm of my hands on the counter.

“Hello Megan.”

“Hey there,” said Megan’s human friend to me as she bat her eyes flirtatiously at me and then leaned over a bit, offering a clear view of her cleavage, and held out her hand.

I shook it and said, “Pleasure.”

The human seemed satisfied and dragged Megan to a corner murmuring that this would only take a second. I nodded, these humans were so dumb. I could hear a person over a mile away.

“Oh, you got yourself a keeper,” said Megan’s friend.

“Why?” Megan asked.

“Cuz I gave him an excellent view of my girls and he didn’t even peek.”

“Elena! How could you?”

“That’s not important. I’m going to leave and you ask him to the party!”

“Elena! I can’t…” Megan started and I could tell that she was scared to ask me. She glanced my way but I quickly lowered my head and played with a pencil.

“Yes you can!” said the human named Elena as she grabbed her coat and before Megan could utter another word, ran out the door. Megan didn’t know where to look at as she came back to me.

“Are you okay?” I asked moving around the counter to go stand next to her.

“I’m fine,” she said looking up at me.

“Good. Now that we’re alone I’ve wanted to do this all day,” with that said, I clasped her around the middle and effortlessly seated her on the counter before capturing her lips. She responded immediately to me, like she had been waiting for this moment too and put her hands around my neck, pulling my head closer to her. I nibbled her lush lower lip and she let a sigh escape. I was having difficulty controlling myself so I pulled back before I would hurt her. Silently, I helped to her feet and then asked, “So do you have some things to do here?”

“Yeah, just organizing and paperwork.”

“Can I help?” I asked running my hands through her hair.

“No,” Megan said as she closed her eyes at my gentle combing. “But you could keep me company.”

“Agreed,” I said and let go of her. She opened her eyes and began to organize the counter. I sat on a stool nearby and rested my long legs on the counter.

“Do you have family?” I asked.

“What?” she said looking up at me with a questioning glance.

“You learned all about me at the diner, now it’s my turn,” I replied with a grin.

“Oh, I guess that’s fair. I have a mom, dad, step dad named Phil, and a younger sister whom I’m really close to.”

“Favorite flower?”

“Red rose.”

“Favorite memory?”

I continued asked her simple and complex questions for an hour, wanting to know everything about her and her life.

“Aren’t you sick of asking me questions?” said Megan as I helped her into her jacket, having finished her work.

“Never,” I replied.

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Megan POV

I took his hand in mine and we walked down the street. I felt so happy. This man was amazing. He had spent an hour questioning me and had been fascinated and truly interested in my answers. Most men only cared about one night and couldn’t care less about the women. James was different,it was like he had been born in the medieval ages with chivalry and valor. I looked over at James an shuddered. He was wearing a light jacket when there was practically a blizzard outside.

“Aren’t you cold?” I said as my teeth chattered.

He chuckled at my question, “You always ask me that and the answer will always be the same, no.”

“You…are…insane,” I said, freezing. We reached my apartment building and I opened the door and we went into the hallway. James gave me a deep, long kiss before moving away from me, “Goodnight.”

“Wait,” I said. “If you need a place to stay, you and your friends, can bunk here. The weather is way too cold be outside tonight.”

A strangled look came across his face, “We’ll be fine.”

“Wait!” I cried again as he put his hand on the doorknob. “Umm, I was wondering if…you’d want to come to the Christmas party in town tomorrow night with…me. If you’re free of course.”

James smiled, “I’d love to Megan.”

That night I could barely sleep because of my excitement. My life was full of happiness. This contentment was because of one person…James.

James POV

I returned from the mall at Anchorage just as the sun was setting. I knew I had a few minutes before I would have to leave to pick Megan up. It was funny to think that I had gone into that shopping center with no thought of luring someone to their death but for clothes. I chuckled to myself at the ironic twist my life had turn. I was actually looking forward to this Christmas thing but mostly having time to spend with Megan. I had just put my black pants on and was fastening the belt when Victoria came around the bend.

“What do you want?” I asked impatiently. While her attention in the past had been appreciated, now it was completely unwanted.

“Just came to see you,” she purred, pressing her body to me and placing her hands on my bare chest. I pushed her hand away and donned a white shirt. Her face became pinched as she said, “You seem to be getting attached to that human chit. We’ve been here too long and wewant to move.”

“Ha!,” I laughed evilly. “Attached! No, I am just enjoying the chase. The human is a fun challenge, unlike you.”

Victoria hissed at the insult. But I ignored her and continued with an air of authority, “As for you wanting to leave, go. I’m not your keeper.”

“But…” she seemed at lost as to what to say. “We can not leave without you.”

I snorted and moved around her, dressed and ready, I didn’t want to spend unnecessary time in Victoria’s presence, “Then give me three more days.”

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Megan POV

I was freaking out. I know that I had spent most of the last days with James but this felt like it was thefirst realplaned date and I was terrified. It was seven and James would be coming in an hour. I jumped in the shower and than dried my hair, I put mousse into my hair to make it nice and full. I then put my dress on. It was a beautiful full length white gown with diamonds on the bodice. There was a strap but it kept falling so I left it there,deciding it went well. I then applied some make up and hung diamond chandelier earrings on my ear. That was when my doorbell rang. I rushed to the door and opened it to find James. I stood stunned at the sight of him in his tux, the shirt showing of his broad shoulders and muscular body, “How did you get up here without a key?” The building had a locked door to the apartments.

“You look beautiful,” he said instead of answering my question. “Just like an angel.”

I blushed and said, “Thanks.”

I ushered him inside and went back to the mirror intent on putting my hair in a bun. I was gathering my hair with my hands when James came up behind and stopped my movements. He brought my hands from my hair to my side, then brushed my hair over one shoulder. He kissed a sensitive spot on my neck and whispered, “Your hair is much more beautiful lose.” My breath caught and I leaned my head back as James brought his hand to my neck and began to caress it. We stood like this for a few seconds before he took a step back.

“Shall we go?” he said and moved to the door.

“Yes,” I put my winter coat on, since it was going to be a few blocks to the hotel where the party was being held. I stuffed my high heels in my purse and took my boots from my closet, to walk through the deep snow.

“I could carry you,” said James from the door as he observed what I was doing.

“You can’t carry me for three blocks,” I said sitting down and starting to zip up my right boot. A hand stopped me. I looked up to see James in front of me. Holy crap, I thought. How did he get to my side so fast?

“I’ll carry you,” he pronounced. I signed, resigned to his decision, he would make me agree in the end so why not just say yes now. Besides, I loved being in his arms. I put my boots to the corner and quickly slipped on my heels.

“Okay, lets go.”

I locked my door and we walked down the stairs to the lobby. There, James turned to me and lifted me effortlessly into his strong arms.

“Are you okay?” I said as I snuggled closer, wanting be as close as possible to him.

“Perfect,” he replied with a smile. He kicked open the door and stepped out into the night air. He walked confidently down the street and headed to the hotel .

After a few minutes of silence I said, “This is a great way to get around.”

“I know,” he said with a chuckle and looked down at me. “You should travel like this all the time.”

“I should,” I said and added under my breath, only if he was the one carrying me. He made a jerking movement with his head, like he had heard me and had been about to look at me but recovered. We passed Tuktu’s store and walked silently to the corner thenturned left.

“When do you have to leave?” I asked. It had been plaguing me for the whole day. I was scared that I didn’t have much time left with him.

“In three days,” he said somberly. I laid my head against his chest sad. It was strange but I couldn’t hear his heart beat. I lifted my head frowning. I was about to lay my head back downto check if I was being crazy when James lowered me to my feet outside the hotel. I smoothed my dress and lowered my head so James wouldn’t see my confused expression. I straightened up and told myself that I wouldn’t let my imagination run away with me and ruin my evening. Of course James had a heart beat, he was a human being after all. He looked at me with a breathtaking smile and like I was the only person in the world, all my thoughts disappeared. He took hold of my hand and placed it on his arms and escorted me in.

The inside of the hotel was wonderfully decorated. There was a huge white Christmas tree in the middle as the focal point, the ceilings had papier-mâché up that looked like icicles. Everywhere there was white. The punch table was to the side along with some food. The DJ was playing some song I didn’t know and some of the teenagers and younger adults of the town were on the dance floor, children were running around, and parents were watching with happy faces. We found Elena and her date and spent some time talking to them before they went dancing. James and I then sat close together and talked. It was strange how we could talk for hours and always have something to say. James had my hand in his and had been stroking it for the last hour.

“Do you want to dance?” he asked.

I turned red and looked away before answering, “I’m not a good dancer.”

“They’re playing a slow song and I’ll help you,” James insisted and hauled me to the dance floor. He twirled me around before taking me into his arms.

“Put your hand on my shoulder,” he directed taking my right in his and putting his other on my waist drawing me near. “Now, just go with your feeling.” We swayed for a few minutes and after I got the hang of it, I let him lead me. We fit perfectly together and moved as one across the dance floor. I looked up into his face and saw his intent eyes watching me. I gave him a smile and he tightened his hold on me. I felt my heart beat faster and in that moment I felt the world stop as a realization hit me. I loved him.

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James POV

I carried Megan up the stairs to her door, ignoring her protests.

“I can walk you know,” she complained as I took two steps at a time.

“Stop your whining. I want you in my arms a bit longer.” She shut up at that remark and put her arm around my neck as a lowered her. She kept her hand around my neck and lifted her other. She came closer and pulled my head to her lips. She moaned and I couldn’t help thinking that she was the most skilled kisser I had every known and a beautiful temptation. I pressed her againstthe door and lifted our intertwined hands to rest on the wall on either side of her head.

“Get a room,” interrupted a voice. We broke apart, turning to find and old man limping to his door. He grumbled something and close his door firmly behind him. We burst out laughing and Megan unlocked her door. I entered behind her still a bit uneasy at being inside a home. I hadn’t been inside one in hundreds of years.

“Do you want to sleep on the couch tonight?” she asked unexpectedly. “I wouldn’t want you to be out in the cold.”

Instead of refusing I heard myself say, “I’d like that, thank you.” The truth was I wanted to be as near was possible to Megan in the three days I had left.

“I’ll get you your blanket and pillow. Make yourself at home,” she said and moved to a door on the left. When she was gone I wondered around the room and saw a few pictures and tones of books all over the place. I unbuttoned all of my shirt and took it off, laying it on the sofa. I saw a little Christmas tree near the couch and the kitchen was right next to the living room. I could smell the disgusting human food from here, just as I could smell the tantalizing Megan. She came back into the room and stopped in her tracks when she saw me. I heard her heart pound and it was hard to resist its patronizing sound.

“I… umm, I got your hot--blanket. I got your blanket,” she stammered and lowered her eyes. She threw me the covers, it seemed she didn’t want to come too close to me. Maybe, we were tempting to each other.

“Thanks,” I said grabbing it in mid air. I noticed she had changed her clothes into a white tank top andblue pants. She looked incredibly delectable.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, her face a light red.

“I’ll be out before you know it, I don’t want to impose on your Christmas plans.”

“I don’t have any. I’m alone, Elena is the only person I really know in town and she’s spending it with her family.”

“I could stay,” I said.

I radiant smile spread across her face, “I’d love that.”

“Goodnight,” I said.

“Goodnight James.”

I spent the night watching her sleep.

“Merry Christmas Megan,” he said with a huge grin. I opened my mouth but no words came out. He cocked his head to the side and asked. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes,” I managed to squeaked out. I looked up into his face and my heart swelled. “Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do after you let me stay here,” James replied leading me by the hand to the table. He helped me sit and then pulled and sat in his chair. We faced each other andJames said, “Dig in.” I helped myself tobit of everything and ate hungrily. I looked up and noticed that James wasn’t eating.

“Why aren’t you eating?” I asked.

“I ate before. This is for you,” he replied smoothly reclining in his chair, his eyes never leaving my face. I blushed and wondered why he never ate in front of me. Did he have some sort of phobia?

“Is it good?” he asked shyly.

“Delicious,” I replied stuffing more eggs down my throat.

“Good,” he said with a satisfied smile. “I was worried about that.”

“You should be a cook,” I commented. I studied James as I ate. He had changed his shirt since last night, it was now navy blue and the sleeves were rolled up to give me a view of his hard muscular forearms. That reminded me of last night and the sight of him shirtless. The bacon I had been chewing went down wrong and I started coughing. James was out of his chair and by my side in a flash.

He tapped my back a bit roughly and I stopped coughing, “Are you alright?”

“Fine.”

After breakfast, we did the dishes together and I got the butter out of the fridge as James looked at me, “What’s that for?”

“We’re going to bakea pielater. It’s a tradition in my family and since their not here, you’re going to help me,” I told him smiling. He grabbed my waist as I passed by and pulled me to him. My heart beat excitedly as I was enveloped in hismusky outdoor scent. He lowered his head and pressed his lips on my gently. He wasn’t giving me the passion I wanted so I took a fistful of his shirt and dragged him to me. His eyes widened but then he kissed me the way I liked it. His hands had just reached under my shirt and made contact with my aching skin when the phone rang and I jumped in surprise. James laughed at me and I hit his hard chest before turning to grab the phone.

“Hello?”

“Merry Christmas big sis!” cried Bella.

“Bells! Merry Christmas to you too.”

“How are you?” she asked. “Are you doing anything for Christmas?”

“Yeah, I have a guest over right now,” I said looking over at James, who chuckled at the innocent description of himself.

“Oh. Sorry I just wanted to say Merry Christmas, I leave you to your merry making.”

“Say hi to Dad for me,” I said. “Oh and what about that Albert kid, did you sort it out?”

“Edward, his name is Edward!”

“Whatever.”

“Yeah we’re fine, well more than fine,” she said and I could tell from her voice that she was blushing.

“So did you figure out why he was acting all weird?”

“Oh, well it was--Ouch.” I heard a bang from the other end and knew Bella had tripped and fallen. I signed knowing that she wasn’t badly hurt, thinking that that girl couldn’t spend one day without hurting herself.

“You ok?”

“Yeah I’m fine. But I got to go, I smell smoke coming from the kitchen,” she said.

“You let Dad cook?” I asked shocked. He’d burn down the house!

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

“Well go stop him. Love you.”

“Love you too, bye.”

We hung up at the same time and I turned back to James who was leaning on the kitchen counters with his hands folded across his chest. I went to him and gave him a small kiss on the cheek before taking his hand and leading him to the living room, “I have something for you.”

“What? Megan you didn’t have to,” he said tugging my hand so I would face him.

“I wanted to,” I replied leaving him for a moment andgoing to my room. I returned and handed him my wrapped gift. He tore the wrapping paper off and opened the small box to revealed the necklace I had bought from Tuktu. He looked at it then smiled at me.

“Thank you,” he said slipping it on. He reached out and caressed my cheek and neck. “No one has given me a gift in many years.”

“Well I’m glad to do it and thank you for breakfast.”

“Before we do this pie, will you dance with me?” he asked and took my hands.

“Yes,” I whispered and laid my head on his chest as me moved together around my apartment to a Christmas song. I closed my eyes, wanting to stay like this forever. Wanting James forever.

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James POV

“You peel the apples,” Megan instructed as she put her lush hair in a pony tail and put on an apron. I smiled at her command. Who would have thought a little human would be ordering one of the most powerful vampires around? I started on the apples as she began on the dough. Her hands were sure and skillful as she shaped the dough.

“Could you pass the flour?” she said. I gave her the sack making sure to touch her fingers as I passed it. Her heart leaped and I smiled. I loved having that affect on her. I went back to the apples and soon hadthem done. Megan then told me had to make the filling and she rolled out the dough. After, we combined the two and finishing the pie, put it in the oven.

“You have some flour on your nose,” I said to Megan and watched in amusementas she lifted her flour covered hand and put some where I had said.

“Where?” she asked innocently. I laughed hard as she let out a sound of outrage, figuring out what I had done.

“Well, you have some too.” She preceded to rub her hand on my face. I grabbed her around the middle and lifted her up. Megan screamed in delight and wrapped her hands around me neck.

“I never imagined that cooking could be this fun,” I told her pressing my cheek against hers.

“Usually it’s not this fun,” she said. We stood there in silence, content with just being near one another.

“Do you want to play a game?” Megan asked.

“Whatever you want.”

We went into the living room and played games of card until the pie was done. Megan got it out and then returned with two plates full of pie and ice cream. I knew I was going to have to eat this, I had a feeling she had noticed I never ate in front of her. I’d throw it up later. I took a bite of our pie and smiled at her, “Yum, it’s delicious.”

“It is,” she agreed with a smile. I forced down the dirt and tried not to gag right away. The things you do for women, I thought.

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Megan POV

I snuggled closer to James. We were on the couch, I was laying on top of him, my head rested on his chest and his arms were around me. We had a blanket over us and we were watching The Santa Clause, my favorite holiday movie. It was around eight at night and the light were off, the fire our only source of light. We spent the rest of the evening like this, I fell asleep in James arm; my heart full of love.

“My, my, aren’t we luck tonight boys,” said the man that was holding me. I looked around petrified as the man that had been following me and two others entered the ally.

“What do you want?” I said in a whisper.

“Just some fun darling. We’ve been lonely,” the leader said pushing me against a brick wall. I shivered at his words, there was no doubt at what they were about to do to me.

“Please,” I begged. “I’ll give you all my money just let me go.”

The four men laughed and the leader tightened his hold on me, “We don’t want your money sweetheart.” He brought his face to mine and I could smell the reek of alcohol on his breath. He brushed his fingers on my chin and my skin crawled as I turned my head to the side. My heart speeded up. There wasno way they were going to rape me without a fight. The leader brought his lips down on me hard, I whimpered and tried to move my face. He grasped it angrily, “Stop struggling or things will be worse for you.”

“When’s my turn?” said one of his goons.

“Later,” said the leader as his hands roamed my body. That’s it! I thought. I brought my knee up as hard as I could. The man groaned and doubled over in pain. I tore away from his loose grip and ran.

“JAMES!!” I screamed in fear. There was nothing else going through my mind but him and fear. I wanted to be away from this nightmare and in his safe arms.

“Oh no you don’t you little b****,” said one of the man as he grabbed me around my waist. I struggled trying to free myself but froze when I felt a knife on my throat.

“That’s better hellion,” the man carrying me said. He brought me in front of the leader who had recovered. His eyes were full of hate and anger. He slapped me on the cheek so hard that I fell into the snow. I put my hand against my stinging cheek and tried not to cry. The leader rolled me over onto my back and thanheld my hands over my head. I screamed but he backhanded me and pressed the knife one of his men had handed him on my skin, “Scream again and I’ll kill you.” He straddled me and I knew my dreams--if not my life--were over.

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James POV

I was walking through the forest. For once I wanted to feel human and not run as fast as I could everywhere. I was on my way to Megan. I had been unable to spend the day with her because I had been out hunting with Laurent and Victoria. I had again been unable to kill the human and had used the excuse of soon eating Megan and not wanting to ruin my appetite. The two vampires had split the last human between them and I had stood there disgusted and revolted. I was passing a small stream not far from town when the hair on my arms stood on end. I stopped and listened yet heard nothing unusual. I frowned, perhaps my senses were wrong. Nonetheless, I began to walk faster, uneasiness sweeping through me. Something was wrong. I few minutes passed before I heard my name being screamed. I broke out into a run and followed my instincts. It had been Megan, there was no doubt about it and she had sounded in distress. Iran into the sleeping town and headed straight for an ally where I could hear five hearts beating. I turned the corner and took in what I saw. There were four men. Three were watching the last man who was on top of a woman. I growled and caught the attention of all four men. I leaped over three of them and knocked the leader off Megan. I had enough time to see her terrified blue eyes, red cheeks, and tear stained face before she rolled to the side and clutched her body. I turned and flashed Megan’s attackers the most blood chilling gaze. One was carrying a knife and charged me. I easily evaded him and knocked the knife from his hand. I then twisted his hand and broke it. The man screamed and fell. I then ruthlessly stepped on his legs and broke them to make sure he wouldn’t go anywhere. The two men still standing advanced on me together. I smiled menacingly at them and croutched. I sprang when they were near and jumped over them. I then turned and smashed their heads together. They slammed to the ground, both unconscious. I looked up and saw the man I had thrown off Megan running. I caughthim easily and grabbing his throat slammed him against the nearest wall.

“If you ever touch her again, I will personally hunt you down and kill you,” I snarled. The man’s eyes were full of terror as I released him. I wanted to kill them all now but I was worried about Megan. “Go turn yourself in to the nearest police and if I hear you ran, no onewill be able toprotect you from my vengeance.” The man nodded, and then covered his head and huddled on the ground as I walked quickly to Megan. I reached her side and knelt, putting my hand on her shoulder. She flinched and hugged herself.

“It’s me Megan,” I said softly. She lifted her head at the sound of my voice. When she saw it was truly me, she launched herself into my arms with a sob.

“Shh,” I said. “It’s all over. You’re safe.” I smoothed her hair and whispered comforting words to her while I tried to tell myself not to kill the men that had done this to her. I watched the men pick themselves up and narrowed my eyes at them, reminding them where they were to go. When they were gone and Megan’s heart had slowed down, I lifted her into my arms and headed to her house. She rested her head on my chest and cuddled as close to me as possible. I opened the building door with my strength and not the keys, not wanting to disturb Megan who still had not said a word. I then entered her apartment and headed to her bedroom. I laid her gently on the bed. I noticed that her clothes were wet form the snow, “Where are your change of clothes?”

“In the closet,” she said in a small voice. I looked to where she pointed and gathered a white t-shirt and black track pants.

I came to Megan’s resting form, “I have to get you out of those wet clothes or you’ll catch a cold.”

She nodded permission and I stripped her. I tried not to notice her perfectly shaped legs or the soft swell of her breasts but failed. I managed to pull her pants on and lifted her into a sitting position to put the shirt. I put the shirt on and saw her staring at me.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Do you want to talk about it? Did they hurt you?” I asked her as she wrapped her hands around my waist and sat on my laps.

“No, they only had enough time to slap me thanks to you. I was just scared, I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I should have been there sooner.”

“I’m just glad you were there.” We stayed sitting in each others arms and then she sighed and laid down on the bed. I tucked the cover around her and said, “Do you want some tea?”

“Tea would be great,” she said. The color was coming back to her cheeks so I left her to get the water boiling. When the tea was done, I poured it into a mug and went back to her room. I helped her sit up and she drank her tea.

“How did you know?” she asked, talking about the attack.

“Instinct. For some odd reason we’re connected and I knew you were in trouble,” I replied honestly. She smiled softly and handed me the cup to put on her nightstand. She laid down againand brought the cover up to her chin. I stood to leave her to hersleep when I felt her hand pull mine.

Her blue eyes were large as she pleaded me, “Would you mind sleeping here tonight. I don’t want to be alone.”

“Don’t worry I won’t leave this house.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she blushed. “Would you sleep in my bed tonight? I need you close.”

I couldn’t believe what she was asking but I nodded, not wanting to be away from her. I took off my shirt and shoes and lifted the cover, climbing in beside her. I laid down and she moved to put one leg over mine, brought her head to lay on my shoulder, and one hand to rest on my chest.

“Thank you,” she said sleepily. I said nothing and watched over her the whole night. In those dark hours awake, I realized that I loved this little blue-eyed human.

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Megan POV

I woke the next day to an empty bed. I looked around for James and saw that he had left me a note.

Went to get breakfast --- James

I smiled remembering the feel of him in my bed. It had to have been the best sleep I had gotten ever. I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling, thinking. Last night had been both terrifying and amazing. When James had rescued me I had watched him fight off the four men. He had been graceful and done things that weren’t humanly possible. He had leaped and snapped bones as easily as a child breaks a stick. There had been a moment when I had seen his face, it had left me terrified. His lips had been pulled back in a snarl, his eyes hadpierced the man with a look of pure hatred and murder. I shivered just thinking about his gaze. The more I thought of James the more I felt like he wasn’t human. I stood and went into the living room with a determination. I took my laptop from my couch and googled ‘Cold Ones’. I found a site and read.

Cold Ones are the modern day equivalent of vampires…pale, cold skin. They have beautiful features to lure their pray…drink only blood…Inhuman strength and agility…

Everything that I read fit James characteristics perfectly. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I’m in love with a vampire, I thought.

I thought of two things. One, there was no other explanation than James being a vampire. Everything about him is inhuman and perfect. Since the moment I had met him, I had gotten the feeling of danger and now I knew why. Second, there was nodenying that no matter what James was, I loved him and always would. I didn’t care about him being a vampire and I felt no fear. How could I, when every time I was near him I felt like I was home? I would go to the ends of the world with this man, leave everything just to be at his side. As for him being a possible killer, I knew he was a good person, why else would he have saved me? I loved him and deep down I knew he felt something for me too. We were meant to be together, I knew that in my heart. We were connected, I was going to change him like Tuktu had said. The only fear I felt was that he would have to leave today. There was no way I was letting him go! I squared my shoulders and went to dress. When I came back into the living room, I was wearing a pair of light jeans and a white sweater that revealed just enough skin at the neck and sat on the couch to waiting for James to come back. I had on the Christmas Carol movie but I wasn’t watching, my mind was elsewhere. Should I tell James I knew the truth? I didn’t want to lie to him and keep this a secret. But somehow I knew that if I told him he would leave. I knew that he would think I was frightened. He wouldn’t understand that all I wanted was him. But trying to convince him would be harder then trying to get pigs to fly. I smiled, I guess I would have to seduce him.

Just as I made up my mind to try, my door opened to reveal James. Somehow now that I knew James was a vampire I saw all the things that made him different and endearing to me. He was carrying the bags with such ease, like they weighted nothing. He walked with an easily grace that almost made him look like he floated across the room. James wasn’t wearing a coat, I realized know why it was so funny when I asked him if he was cold. It didn’t bother him. The skin I could see because he was wearing a green t-shirt, was pale but looked smother than silk. His face was perfect and he was wearing a smile especially for me.

“How are you feeling?” he asked coming towards me with his confident stroll.

For a minute I didn’t know what he was talking about. Then I remembered my attempted rape. Strange that I felt fine now. James had made me forget the fright from yesterday, “I’m fine.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said sitting next to me on the couch. James than put the bags on the living room table and laid out what he had bought. He had gone to Maggie’s and gotten my favorite; a Belgian waffle and hash brown.

“Thanks,” I said and reached to get my plate. However, as I was about to grab it James moved it away from me.

“What will you give me for it?” James asked with a twinkle in his eye.

“Whatever you want but give me my food,” I said playfully and attempted to reach over him and get my waffle and hash brown. All I succeeded in doing was making it easier for James to take me in his arm and put me on his laps.

I stopped moving and tried not to make my heart beat fast. Now that I knew he was a vampire, my suspicion that he knew when he was affecting me was proven. James pulled me closer and laid his cheek against mine, “A kiss.” I nodded and he brought his lips to mine. It was a gentle kiss that fit perfectly with the moment and I sighed. I leaned back and attempted to make him come with me but he broke the kiss and cleared his throat, “You should eat your breakfast.” He knew exactly what I had wanted to do. I straightened, far from being dissuaded, and ate. James moved a bit farther from me like I was something tempting that he was trying very hard not to give in to. I looked up at him a few times knowing that something was different about him but Iunable toput my finger on it. I finished my food and stood to go to the kitchen. I moved past James, whostood and grabbed my arm.

“Megan,” he said softly looking down. “It’s not that I don’t want to but it’s impossible.”

“Why?” I replied looking at him, his head was still down.

“Because I’m not good for you.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

“Well then because I could hurt you,” James said finally looking me in the eye. My eyes widened as I figured out what was different. He had brown eyes. They fit him the way the green ones never had. Somehow I knew the green ones were contacts and that this was his real eye color.

“You barely know me.”

“I know all I need to know,” I replied. He shook his head, anguish flashed across his face and I was tempted to tell him I knew. I bite my tongue to keep from shouting it. I put the plate back on the table and put my arms around his waist, moving close to him.

“It would lead nowhere,” James said trying to convince menot to do this. I could tell that he was losing a battle inside himself and was close to giving in to me.

“You don’t know that,” I told him lifting my head and kissing his jaw line. He shut his eyes as I brought my lips to the corners of his mouth, “Let fate decide what to do with us.” He groaned almost like an animal and turned his lips to capture mine. His lips moved perfectly against mine and with the skill of a master. I broke the kiss long enough to tug his shirt off and to throw it on the ground. I ran my hand across his hard chest and felt him shudder under my fingertips. His kiss deepened and then he brought his mouth to my neck. I had no fear and moaned in passion. His hands caressed my body and soon my top joined his--although it was in pieces, James had ripped it in his hurry. I pressed myself against him and guided his lips back to mine. James hands moved to my legs and he lifted me into his arms. I wrapped my legs around him and we didn’t break apart as James walked to my bedroom.

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James POV

I couldn’t believe I hadn’t stopped it. I rolled from my back to my side and looked at Megan. She was fast asleep after our passionate lovemaking. Her heart beat was beating evenly in her slumber and she looked so peaceful. She was laying close to me and had one of her hands on my chest. How good it would be to have her always by me, I thought. Her brown hair was flowing around her,a bare shoulder could be seen and I gave into the temptation to kiss it. It felt soft, warm, and alive. Yet another reminder of the terrible thing I had just done. How could I have let this happen? I was the stronger one and I had given in. I had lied and deceived her. She knew nothing of the monster I was. I sighed, as soon as she found out she would scream and forever hate me. For some reason I couldn’t bare the thought and knew I had to leave now before I broke her heart, or have time to see her lovely smile turn into one of disgust and fear. I slipped out of her bed and put my jeans on quietly. Then I went into the living room and donned my shirt and shoes. I got a paper from Megan’s desk and wrote a quick word. I wanted to get out of there before she woke and before I lost the will to leave. I went back into her room and laid the letter on a pillow. I looked at Megan for a few minutes, memorizing her features and knowing I would never see her again but that she would be in my mind forever. I had the crazy thought of wishing I was human before snapping out of my self pity. I tore my gaze form her and grabbed my belt before moving to the window. I was a vampire and there was no use in me wishing otherwise. I leaped from the four story building and landed harmlessly on my feet. I was a monster and that was the way I should act. I ignored the shocked glances from the few people on the streets and ran into the woods.

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Megan POV

I woke to the glare of the setting sun. My eyes fluttered open, remembering all the wonderful details of James and our afternoon in bed. I smiled and moved my hand to place it on James’ chest. All it met was an empty space. I shot upward and lookedto where James should have been. I uttered a cry and my heart cracked. How could he have gone? Why? I noticed a note and picked it up with trembling hands.

My dearest Megan,

I am sorry for all the pain I am going to cause you but it is only a fraction of it should I have stayed. I am nothing like you think I am, although I wish desperately I was. There were even times when I thought I could be with you but it is fruitless. We are from two different worlds. Worlds that you wouldn’t even imagine.You have taught me more about life than anyone ever has and changed me in ways you couldn’t even comprehend. Thank you Megan. For this reason I promise you that I will never again disturb you. I am truly sorry for the atrocious deed that I committed today and for not being strong enough to stop it. In my defense, I would have to say that you could make me agree to anything. Nevertheless, I am a monster for having done it and I hope that one day you will be able to forgive me. Know that I will think of you often but I think it is best if you forget I ever existed.

James

The letter fell from my hands as I burst into tears. How could I ever forget him? He was a part of me, now and forever. I felt weak and drained. I felt like dying; myheart already had. The room was pitched into darkness as the sun set. He…was…gone.

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James POV

I sat gloomily on a rock and I stared into the water. I studied myself with the brown eyes that showed to all the nature of my diet. It defiantly wasn’t what I was use to but it fit well with my change of character and reminded me of what Megan had helped me to become. I felt a sorrow well up inside me and brought my thoughts back to my eyes. They were a dead give away to Victoria and Laurent that I wasn't eating what I normally did and proved that I had not killed Megan. I stood and ran. It took me less than five minutes to get to the next city. Since it was dark, I slipped into the sleeping neighborhood unnoticed andheaded to the hospital. I walked inside and made my way to the counter. “Excuse me, could you tell me where I’m suppose to donate blood,” I asked innocently. The women looked up and her mouth dropped. She pulled herself together and fluttered her eyelashes. I paid no attention to it, my mind only on Megan. “On the second floor, room 345,” she said too mesmerized by me to notice that it was eight o’clock, no one in their right mindwould be out at this time of night so soon after Christmas. “Thank you,” I said and went to the elevator. I entered and pressed the button with number three on it. I exited on my floor and followed the signs to the right room, not trusting my nose since their was blood everywhere. It was extremely uncomfortable and hard to keep myself from feeding. I reached the door and found it locked. When no one was in the hallway, I used my strength and forced the door open. I went straight to the cooler to the side of the room and grabbed five packs of blood. I didn’t bother to go back down the human way and jumped out the window and entered the woods unnoticed.

I went back to the stream and feed. The blood was disgusting, it was cold and had no taste. But it was filling and it did the job. When I looked at my reflection again my eyes were back to red. I snorted. It didn’t take long to go back to being a monster but time was necessary to becoming an angel.

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Megan POV

The phone rang for the third time in an hour but I didn’t move. My will to do anything was gone, all I wanted was James. I was curled up in bed my head on the pillow James had been sleeping on. I felt safer and calmer with his scent close by. A few minutes passed before my door bell rung. I knew it was Elena and that I would have to get it so I mechanically got out of bed and dressed. I was getting out of my room when I stepped on something. I cursed and looked down to find a strange figurine on the floor. I recognized it, it had been on James belt. I picked the tiny piece of James up and looked at it with sadness. It was the only thing I had left of my love. The bell rang again snapping me out of my misery and I went to open for Elena. Before she entered, I pasted a fake smile of my face, not wanting to discuss what had happened.

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James POV

I arrived to camp depressed but put on the mask of satisfaction. “You’re back,” said Victoria standing to come close to me.

“Obviously,” I said darkly.

Laurent lifted his head from examining his fingernails, “Is it done?”

“Yes,” I responded stopping near the two vampires.

“You were suppose to let us watch,” Victoria complained.

“It was private,” I said glaring at her.

“You promised to let us watch,” She insisted furiously.

I snarled angrily and Victoria backed a few paces, “I changed my mind. If you wanted fun you should have found your own human to toil with.”

“But--”

“ENOUGH,” I roared. I was exhausted from the events of the day and Victoria was making things worse. I grabbed her around the neck and brought her face close to mine. Her eyes grew round and fear flashed through them. “Do you want me to tell you everything Victoria? In the end she wasn’t satisfying and all this time I’ve wasted on an undeserving human so don’t test me unless you want to be my dinner. At least you would put up a better fight than she did.” I felt Victoria tremble and released her.

“I’m sorry my lord,” she said humbly. I groaned hating that title. It reminded me of my human days. What I wanted desperately to be again.

“What do we do now?” asked Laurent, who had been silent throughout the scene.

“We leave,” I said. They nodded and having no belongings we left immediately. I had a huge headaches from all my tangled emotions and thoughts as I ran next to the others. I felt that I was being torn apart and that I was leaving the best part of me behind. I hated this and wanted to turn back but I knew that we could never be together. The only way was for me to turn Megan and I would not do that to her. Better she remembered me as a prince charming that ran away, than the vampire who tore her life apart.

I made my way to Maggie’s for lunch slowly. It had been two days since James had disappeared. When Elena had come to visit me I had just given her the short version of the story. James had left. She had agreed to cover for me at work and had done a wonderful job at it. I had mostly spent those two days curled up in bed, miserable and thinking only of James. Then, sick of my weakness and stupidity, I had woken this morning with a change of heart. I had taken a long warm shower and left home with a better attitude. I was going to get through this even if it would take some time. Of course, however much I told myself I would be okay I knew it wasn’t true. I part of me had been torn and had left. My heart, soul, and will to live had somehow gone missing. They were with the only man I would ever care for. I knew he had left for me and I wanted to curse and scream for him to come back. This wasn’t the best thing for me. This was torture! This was hell! All I wanted to do was see his smile, hold his cold hands, and smell the woods on his skin. But it was impossible. James was gone and he had the huge advantage of being a vampire. He would be far from here by now and there was no way tofind him. The only thing I owned that proved he had not been a part of my imagination was the tiny figurine, which I had put on a bracelet that I now wore everyday.

I had arrived to work with a cheerful smile but quieter than usual. I had spent the morning in a kind of haze. I worked, moved books, made conversations with the customers but I remembered almost nothing of it. I knew I was just a mirror image of what I use to be, I was an empty shell. I sometime caught Elena looking at me with a worried expression and had tried harder to appear alright. When I had had enough of pretending I had begged Elena to be the one to get our lunch from Maggie’s, I could not stand the suffocation of the bookshop any longer. I took the long route to the diner, not wanting to go back to work. I let my feet guide me and my mind began to wander. Where was James right now? Was he thinking of me as much as I was thinking of him?

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James POV

I moved a branch out of my way as I continued to run in front of the younger vampires. We had been traveling around Canada, hunting and preying on humans. Unfortunately, my old appetite wasn’t coming back and I couldn’t bring myself todrink human blood anymore. My time with Megan had changed methat much. I still had the weakness for the blood of a human, I just didn’t have the will anymore to kill an innocent that couldn’t defend themselves against me. Besides, every time I saw Laurent or Victoria kill a person an image of Megan’s face flashes across my eyes. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be a killer anymore. Maybe I had to be a monster but I didn’t want the death of humans on my conscious anymore. I smiled despite myself. Who would have thought I would find my conscious again? I jumpedover afallen log without breaking a stride and looked at the two vampires who were know in front of me. I knew soon I was going to have to leave them. Victoria and Laurent were getting suspicious of my eating habits, so far I had told them I was full from Megan’s blood. I knew though that soon they were going to realize that I was lying. I wasn’t going to tell them about my change, they would just laugh and think me weak. They would than try to kill me for betraying our kind, I had done the same countless times to vampires that didn’t accept their nature. I had taught Laurent and Victoria this philosophy and they would feel it was their duty to kill me. I knew I could defeat them but didn’t relish the joy of killing vampires I had know for so long, they didn’t know better than what I had taught them. So I had decide during those two days of travel that I would leave them soon. It was going to be strange to be on my own again after so long but knew I could do it. The one thing I worried about was that once free of Laurent and Victoria I would try to go back to Megan. This I could not let happen. As long as she was near me she was in danger, not just of me but the many enemies I had acquired during my lifetime. I clenched my jaw and promised myself not to go to her. I knew I was doing the right thing but it didn’t prevent the small heart that I had from breaking in despair.

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Megan POV

Without my knowledge or notice I had walk right past Maggie’s and was know standing in front of Sanerk. I looked up at the shop and wondered what had lead me to it. I shook my head and retraced my steps, intent on going to Maggie’s.

“Megan,” said a voice from behind. I turned around to see Tuktu in the doorway of her shop. When I meet her eyes, she beckoned me inand step into her shop, confident that I would follow. I was wrestling with myself but finally decide to talk to her. She was, after all, the only one I could talk to about this strange situation. I opened the doorand entered the strange shop for the second time in less than a week. Tuktu was waiting for me by a small table in the corner of the store, a pot of tea and two cups were set on it.

“I knew you would be coming today, dear,” she replied to the question in my eyes. I didn’t argue with her, somehow I knew that there was something magical about this Inuit woman. “Sit, we have a lot to talk about.” I did as she asked and sat down meekly. Tuktu took her seatand began to fill the cups. When that was done, she lifteda cup to her mouth and took a sip. She leaned back looking over me. I didn’t move to take the tea and the silence stretched on. Tuktu cocked her head to the side and looked out the window, waiting for me to confide in her at my own pass.

“He’s gone,” I finally said. I was so sick with grief that it came out in a whisper.

“Yes, I know,” replied the old woman.

“But you said that I would change him.”

“And you have.”

“What about being together?” I said angrily, standing. “You said we would be together.”

“I never said that,” said Tuktu calmly, unconcerned by my burst of anger.

“Then I’ll never see him again, he really is gone forever,” I said sinking back into my seat.

“No.” That one word gave me hope and I looked up. Tuktu fixed me with an unyielding gaze, “You and the Cold One are meant to be together but I cannot tell you if it will truly happen. I see the two of you but I cannot say if it is in this life or the next.”

“Then we might only be together in death?” I asked. The woman didn’t answer, I knew I had understood correctly. “Then there’s no point.”

“Wrong. You are more powerful than you could even imagine, my child. There is something special about you. You are different from every other human on earth.”

“How?”

“Ahh, in this matter you will have to find it yourself. I will not help you,” pronounced the women setting her cup down.

“Is there anything you can tell me?” I asked.

“In your future I see mirrors and the woods. That is all I see, I’m sorry.” Tuktu said taking my hands. “But trust yourself and your instincts, they have gotten you this far and they will help you.” I nodded and stood, I had to be getting back to work.

“Thank you for your advice.”

“You are most welcome my child. Remember, trust in yourself and in him, that is the only way you can survive.”

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James POV

We were descending a mountain, walking slowly for vampires. Laurent was a bit in front of Victoria and I and she took the opportunity to move close to me and thread her arm through mine. I tried to act like I normally would, ignoring her, when all I wanted to do was throw her down the mountain. I hated the feel of her body near mine or the smell of blood that clung to her. I wanted to feel warmth and the smell of Megan. I tried to relax my tense muscles.

“You’ve been acting strange James,” she commented.

“Really? How so?” I asked in a bored tone.

“Your tense and always quiet, thinking.”

“And what business is it of yours what I do? You, Victoria, are not my mate nor will you ever be,” I said venomously, sick of pretending. I pulled my arm from her clutches and walked faster to where Laurent was. I few seconds later Victoria moved to my side, I saw from the corner of my eyes the anger and frustration.

“Is there someone else?” she asked in a tone that spoke of murder.

“I think I’ll leave you two to discuss this alone,” said Laurent and was about to run when I put a hand of his shoulder, stopping him.

“Wait, I have to speak to the both of you,” I commanded. I then turned to Victoria and looked into her red eyes. “No there is no one but I’m sick of you thinking I belong to you. I never will so start looking for other candidates.”

“You will be mine,” Victoria persisted in a whisper. I ignored her, nothingI was saying was getting through to her.

“I’m leaving,” I said cutting straight to the point. Both the vampires eyes widened in shock, none couldutter a word. “I will stay for one last hunt and then I will go my separate way.”

“Bu-But why my lord?” said Victoria, tears in her eyes.

“There is nothing more I can teach you and it is time that I find new students,” I lied. “You need to survive by yourselves for a while without my help.”

Victoria stopped walking and threw herself on her knees in front of me, “Please Master! Whatever we have done to displease you we will change! But don’t leave!”

“We will be better,” promised Laurent also getting down on his knees.

“It is my final decision,” I pronounced walking around them and started to run leisurely down the mountain. The two vampires stood and followed me. No one spoke as we travel and soon we came to level ground in a forest. There were signs indicating there must be many humans that hiked in these parts. I looked at one and saw the word Forks. I tilted my head up to the sky and saw a flash of thunder.

I went into the kitchen and grabbed a bag of chips from my cabinet. ThenI went to sit on my couch and turned the TV on. It was Van Helsing. I cursed, did everything have to remind me of James? I switched the channel to the news, taking one of the pillows in my arms. The news were boring so my eyes and mind wondered around the room. Ever corner of my house had a memory of James in it. The kitchen, where he had cooked me breakfast; the living room, where we had watched movies and relaxed; my room… I threw the pillow in frustration and shut the TV off. It was Sunday and I had nothing to do, not that I really wanted to do anything. I’m pathetic, I thought. My mind was only on one thing these days. I was sick of being here, this whole town and apartment reminded me of him. I sighed and then an idea popped into my head. Why didn't I go to my mom’s house in Phoenix for a while? My mom would be traveling with Phil so I would have time to recuperate somewhere that didn’t make me think of James. Plus I was sick of the snow, I wanted some sun. The more I thought about it the more I thought it a good idea. I just had to get out of here for a few days. I need sun, sand, and things other than James. I stood and got my laptop. I ordered cheap tickets from Anchorage with a stop to LAX and then to Phoenix. My flight would leave in six hours so I wasted no time in getting ready, the drive to Anchorage would take at least two hours. I grabbed my cell phone and called for a cab as I rummaged through my closet for some clothes. After packing I grabbed my red coatwhich was over my chair and put it on. I then went to call Elena.

“Hello,” she answered.

“Hey Elena.”

“Megan, what’s up?”

“I was wondering if you could take care of the shop for a couple of days, I have to get out of town for a while.”

“Yeah of course I can,” Elena said in a strange voice.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing I’m just worried about you. Ever since James ditched you’ve been acting different.”

I tried not to flinch when she said his name, “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

“Yeah I know, I just have this weird feeling that you’re not coming back,” she admitted in a small voice. My eyes widened, confused and shocked.

“Don’t worry I’ll come back,” I said and hear a honk outside. “Elena I have to go. I’ll be back in a few days.”

“Okay, have a good trip.” We said goodbye and then hung up. I took my bags and went down the stairs. Was it me or had Elena been warning me about something? I shivered and climbed into the cab.

“Where to miss?” said the driver in a deep voice.

“Anchorage International Airport please,” I told the man.

“No problem,” he replied and pulled away from my apartment. I turned and looked back towards town as we entered the highway. I had the strangest feeling that I wouldn’t see it again.
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James POV

I could tell that the two were still shocked about the news of my impending departure as we continued to run through the forest. We had drifted from the marked path, not really wanting to attract human attention until we were ready. Thunder rumbled overhead as I pushed a tree out of my way. Laurent, Victoria, and I had just turned left and wereheading towards town when I heard a strange sound. I stopped and the two vampires looked backat me and stopped immediately, turning to rejoin me.

“What do you hear?” Laurent asked. I was the best hunter and hada superior hearing range so they had known that I had picked up on something. I tilted my head to the side and blocked out every other sound but the strange one. For a few seconds I heard nothing and when I was about to ignore itit came again. It sounded like something hitting something else and than a whoosh. I knew exactly what it was. A baseball game, and there was only one creature on this earth that can play that loudly and hard. Another vampire clan. Not wanting to be in the company of yet more bloodthirsty vampires, I was about to tell Laurent it had been a mistake when Victoria spoke.

“It’s a baseball game, how fun!” she said clapping her hands in childlike joy. “Let’s go play, I haven’tin so many years.”

Laurent too wanted to go, I could tell because he immediately began cracking his knuckles in preparation. I signed in defeat and we moved together towards the sound. Laurent moved a bit ahead of me and Victoria, and positioned himself in the middle. It had been our tactic to fool other vampires into believing Laurent was leader, it protected me and gave us the upper hand in some situations. We broke through the forest and entered a huge flat area perfect for a game of baseball. I looked up as we approached and saw the vampires standing close together. They seemed to have heard us coming because they waited patiently but I could detect a tremor of unease in their posture. There were eight of them, much more than normal, most vampires chose to live in small groups and not huge families. I studied them with a predatorily eye, evaluating each of them in case a fight broke out. The big burly one seemed to be the muscle of the family, he could be a problem. Also the leader, he had age and experience to help him. The little pixie haired girl also could be a threat, the more innocent you look the more dangerous you can be. The boy she was holding hands with didn’t seem to look like trouble. As for the blond and the mother of the group they were no problem. I noticed that all they’re eyes were brown--vegetarians. This was not going to be good. As Laurent greeted the leader of the family, whose name was Carlisle Cullen, I turned my gaze to the couple on the right. Themousy haired boy seemed to be hiding the brown haired girl. The girl was behind all the other vampires and looked at us in a strange way. There was something very familiar about her. When her eyes met mine she flinched at the blood red color and quickly looked away. I sniffed the air and my suspicion was correct, the girl was human. What the hell is she doing with vampires? I thought. The strange part was that none of the vampires were trying to eat her, instead they were protecting her. This was defiantly going to get complicated when my companions realized she was not of our kind. My red eyes then meet the one of the male right in front of the girl, as I heard introductions take place. I was surprised when I realized that this vampire and the human girl were something to each other. The vampire gave me a look with a mixture of confusion and frustration in them. I let my expression relax into a cold mask and turned to listen to the conversation.

“We’re sorry to say that we just finished but perhaps another time,” said Carlisle about the baseball game.

“Pity, we were so looking forward,” said Laurent.

“I’m truly sorry. Are you staying in the area long?” the mate of Carlisle asked in a kind voice.

“We are for a while, perhaps we’ll even clean up around here,” said Victoria moving to stand next to Laurent. The clan shifted a bit and the big one even let a small growl escape, they knew she had been talking about them.

I gave Victoria a warning look and then continued to study the Cullens. The one named Edward stare at me, I could tell that he knew exactly who was in charge. I gave him a dangerous smile and folded my arms across my broad chest.

“Well, I’m sorry to sound rude but we must be go--,” Carlisle never finished the sentence because a gust of wind lifted the human girl’s hair, sending a waft of strawberry straight to us. Laurent stiffened and crouched; Victoria sprang forward as if to attack. I had anticipated her reaction and grabbed her arms before she could start killing. As I pulled her back the Cullens all growled and crowded around the girl. Edward took the human’s hand and looked back at the three of us with a murderous gaze. My eyes widened recognizing that look, it had been the same one I had flashed to the men attacking Megan. This vampire was in love with the human. His gaze met mine and I saw him frown again in some sort of irritation. Knowing I had to act the part of a blood trusty monster, I pulled Victoria behind me and gave the Cullens a look of pure evil.

“You brought a snack,” I said cocking my head to the side. Edward snarled and made to lunge but the big one, Emmett, held him back.

“Bella’s with us,” said the pixie Alice, giving me a strange look as well.

“That human doesn’t have a name! She’s food, nothing more,” howled Victoria trying to push past me. As she made to move around me I gave her a hard look and she stopped.

“We don’t want to fight. Please leave now and don’t come near Forks,” said Carlisle. I looked at the two vampires to my side, we could easily take them now and their looks said that they were ready.

I shook my head and turned, “We won’t fight you…for now.” With that I gave them one last glance and turned back into the forest.

“We’ll be seeing you soon,” whispered Victoria before following me.

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Bella POV

I tried not to cry as I rushed out of the house with my father’s shocked face flashing before my eyes. I stumbled into my truck and backed out of the drive way. My heart was so sick and my vision blurred that I only felt Edward enter the truck and take the wheels, putting me gently into the passenger seat. I cried for a time but with Edward’s reassuring presence I was calm by the time we got to the Cullens home. I stayed silent as we entered the empty house and went into the garage. Everyone was gathered.

“I didn’t see three Carlisle! I only had a vision of two coming. How is that possible?” said Alice softly, Jasper’s arm around her.

“I have no idea,” Carlisle admitted.

“And I couldn’t bend his emotions,” Jasper said looking down at Alice. Edward and I entered the garage and the family fell silent. I looked around at the people I had started to see as my only family, they looked older and worried.

“Is something wrong with your powers?” I asked. They all looked at me, none wanted to say anything.

“We’re not sure,” Alice admitted turning to Edward. “Could you read the leader, James’ thoughts?”

“No,” he said quietly.

I was shocked that their powers won’t working, “So we’re defenseless?”

“Hey! We still got me,” said Emmett with a smile. Rosalie punched him in the stomach as Esme replied, “That’s not what we said dear.”

“Are powers are fine,” said Edward holding me close.

“They just don’t work on the one called James,” finished Alice.

“How is that possible?” I said bewildered. I knew Edward couldn’t read my thoughts but I was still affected by Alice and Jasper’s gifts. How could this vampire be immune to all of them?

“He could have the gift,” suggested Rosalie.

“Whatever it is, we’re in big trouble,” said Emmett taking Rosalie’s hand. There was a moment of silence as everyone reflected on the danger and the cost this was going to involve. Then Alice froze and went into a kind of trance.
Everyone’s eyes went to hers as she said, “They’re coming.”

The Cullens snapped into action. Esme and I switched clothing, then she and Rosalie went to set a false trail. Edward then walked me to the car Jasper and Alice were already in.

“You’ll be fine don’t worry,” Edward said opening the door to the back seat.

“Be careful,” I whisper giving him a kiss. I knew that one of us could die in the next few days. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Don’t fall or get run over while I’m not there,” Edward told me with a small smilebefore closing the door. Jasper immediately pressed the gasand we shot outof the garage. I turned back to see Edward, Carlisle, and Emmett plunge into the forest.

“Relax Bella,” Jasper said. I felt some of my fear wash away and I knew he was using his power.

“Just sleep Bella, you’ve had a long day,” cooed Alice. I tried to stay awake unsuccessfully. I fell asleep, the image of the red gaze the leader of the Nomads had given me running through my head.

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James POV

I could not believe I hadn’t just left before. I shouldn’t have told Victoria and Laurent that I’d stay for another hunt. Now I’m stuck hunting a family of vampires and a human girl. I didn’t want to kill anymore. I walked down the deserted high school with Victoria at my side.After we had followed the false trail the Cullens had marked, it had been too late to pick up the real one. I smiled at the genius of the vampire clan, I hadn’t been fooled in a long time. So we had gone to plan B, Laurent had distracted the clan and Victoria and I had come to the human girl’s school. If we couldn’t follow her, we would lead her to us.

I sat in the waiting area for my flight, frustrated that I had gotten here so late. My earlierplane had gotten delayed a dayin Anchorage because of snow so I had spent the night at a hotel close to the airport. The next morning, I had made my way to the airport where there was a delay of four hours before I had flown over to LAX. Now I had a three hourlayover. Bored I took out my ipod and listen to some music as I read a magazine, all the while trying not to think of James. I kept hearing his voice or feeling his cold hand brush my hair from my face. My mind just would not concentrate of the gossip of the magazine. I snapped the paper closed and roughly took the earphones out of my ear. I picked up my small suitcase and purse, heading to the restrooms. There I changed out of my sweater into a pink tank top, replaced my snow boots with pink heels, and changed into different jeans. I got out of the stall and freshened up a bit before returning to my seat. I felt a lot better and decided to call Bella, it would be good to talk to her. I tried twice before she finally answered.

“Hello.”

“Hey Bells! How are you?” I said.

“Fine--what Alice?” Bella started but then sounded as if she turned to talk to someone next to her. I didn’t hear what was being said but I heard the word ‘dangerous’.

“Bella, what is going on?” I spoke loudly to get her attention.

“Hold on--What did you say Megan?” she asked. I noticed that she sounded exhausted and frightened.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m fine.”

“You’re a horrible liar Bella. I want the truth.”

“Megan just leave me alone okay,” I heard a sniff form the other end.

“It’s the asshole Edmund, I’ll kill him!” I said thinking that the kid had broken my sister’s heart.

“Edward,” she said exasperatedly. “And he didn’t do any--Yeah I know Alice and stop trying to calm me Jasper!-- everything if fine but I have to go. Bye,” she didn’t even wait but hung up. I stared at my phone for a few seconds before lowering my hand. What is wrong with her? I wondered. I half stood to go trade my ticket for one to Washington but something stopped me. Trust myself and my instincts, Tuktu had said. I sat back down and waited anxiously for my plane to arrive.

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James POV

After retrieving Bella’s transcripts we found that she had lived in Phoenix, I knew that’s where she would be heading so with a heavy heart, Victoria and I headed south. Laurent was to stay in Forks and throw the remanding Cullens off our trail. I stole a silver Ferrari in San Francisco and we drove down to Arizona. I thought of Megan and wondered what she was doing. Was she thinking of me? Stop that, I told myself angrily. She has to forget you. I turned my mind away from her beautiful face to the current hunt. I didn’t think I would be able to save the human this time and after the deed was done I knew that her vampire lover wouldn’t stop until he had killed all three of us. As much as I wanted to leave Laurent and Victoria, it is going to be difficult with a vampire after my blood. I wanted to live a few years more to make sure Megan had settled down and was happy. I had no clue what I was going to do. I kept wondering how the couple thought they were going to survive. A vampire and a human, it didn’t work. Edward didn’t seem the kind of vampire to turn someone, especially not someone he loves. What a fool, I thought. But I’m just like him.

“You’ll take the next right,” said Victoria. I nodded, I had mostly ignored her for the ride down and I could tell it was annoying her. She lifted her perfect hand and lifted the necklace Megan had gotten me.

“Where’d you get this? I’ve never seen it on you before,” she purred stroking it.

I moved my head back to indicate I wanted her to let it go and said, “Off of the human girl’s dead body.”

“Cute,” Victoria repliedreleasing the necklace and letting her fingers run under my jacket.

Without taking my eyes off the road, Igripped her hand tightly, “I told you to stop playing games with me.”

“I can’t help it,” she said seductively. I pushed her hand away and was relived to see that we were at the house.

“Stop your teasing, we have work to do,” I got out of the of the car and without checking to see if Victoria was following, went to the door. I found it locked so I forced it open using my strength.I stepped into the little home and found myself in the living room. It had a couch and arm chair with a small table. A huge TV was on a self surrounded by books and movies. I could see the kitchen to my left and there were stairs to my right that led to the rooms on the second floor. I walked into the living room and went to shelves looking at the pictures. There was one of the human girl with a man, who must be her father and I couldn’t help the feeling that there was something familiar about the human that I was hunting. I was about to look at the next frame when Victoria’s voice distracted me.

“What should we look for?” she asked looking around in disgust, she defiantly didn’t want to be here.

“Anything that could help us,” I replied, hating my involvement in this whole business. We spent some time looking downstairs and Victoria found some videos of the human and her mother that could be perfect in tricking her into believing we had her mother, it was the only way to trap her into coming. If we had done this a few weeks back, I would have been delighted at the whole game but now all I wanted to do was run.

“Look at this,” said Victoria excitedly holding up a photo album. She then pointed out a picture of the human girl when she was about seven in a room with mirrors, she was taking ballet classes.

“This is the perfect place to lure her to and I know the address, I found it on the fridge,” she said proudly. Victoria looked like she wanted to be petted for her detective work. I snatched the book from her and then went to get the address from the kitchen.

“This doesn’t do us any good if we don’t have her number,” I told the smug looking Victoria. She sprank from the couch she had been lunging in and handed me a folded piece of paper. I looked at it and saw a phone number written.

“How did you get this?” I asked.

“I have my ways,” she said secretively caressing my cheeks. She leaned in to kiss me but I moved to the side.

“Stop fooling around,” I growled and went to get a phone. Time for the end to begin.

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Edward POV

“What are you talking about?” I practical screamed.

“The school was ransacked,” said Esme.

“And they got a hold of Bella’s transfer papers,” continued Carlisle.

They know were Bella use to live, they both thought.

“Oh my God,” I said. The leader was the smartest and oldest vampire I had ever meet and with us unable to use our powerson him, a huge threat. He could have figured out where we sent Bella.

Relax Edward, everything will be fine, thought Esme as she gave me a motherly hug.

“I have to go,” I said determinedly but was blocked by Emmett’s huge form. I was not going to let anything happen to Bella because of me. I had heard what the female and other male had thought about when they realized that Bella was human and I’mwasn't going to let that happen.

“We're all coming,” said Carlisle giving me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.

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Bella POV

My hands shock as I recognized the voice, “Where’s my mother?”

“She’s fine,” said the calm voice of the Nomad’s leader. “And she’ll stay that way if you do what I say.”

I tried not to give this evil vampire the satisfaction of hearing me cry as I remembered my mom’s petrified voice, “I’ll do anything.”

“Good, now you’re two little friends are probably close by so say ‘I’m fine mom.’”

“I’m fine mom,” I repeated.

“Perfect, now you’ll met me at you’re old ballet studio at seven tonight. If you understand say ‘I love you too mom,’” said James in an almost kind voice.

“I love you too mom,” I said closing my eyes.

“Well then, I look forward to seeing you tonight. And if you even think of bring your little vampire boyfriend or his family than you can be sure that your mom’s life will be forfeit. Now, say ‘Bye, mom.’”

“Bye mom.” The vampire hung up and I burst into quiet tears, glad that Jasper was checking us out. After a few minutes I got myself under control and wiped the tears away. I stood and walked outside the room. I already new what I had to do, there was no way I was leaving my mom in the hands of killers. The only question was…How do I get way form the good vampires to go to the bad ones?

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James POV

I leaped off the window ledgeinto the room. The ballet studio was covered in mirrors andhad bars along the wall for students to hold on to. The door to the front entrance was to the left of me and I walked to it and unlocked it. Victoria jumped gracefully next to me.

“I’m so excited,” she said with a smile as she looked at her beautiful reflection. It was too bad she wasn’t as pretty inside.

“So am I,” I lied strolling around the room and looking for potential escape routes. Having lived so long and being trained as a knight, I always had my guard up. I paced back and forth across the studio, fiddling with my necklace. What would Megan say if she saw me right now, about to kill a young girl? Was there no way for me to avoid being a monster? I was frustrated because of the hunt and that I hadn’t feed in a few days. As soon as the girl’s blood was spilled would I go mad and feed on her? I clinched my teeth together and promised myself to keep control.

“Are you alright love?” Victoria asked moving in front of me and placing her claws on my shoulders.

I pushed her to the side causing her to stumble, “If you ever touch me again I swear I will kill you.” I said this in a deathly cold voice, looking straight into her eyes. She swallowed fearfully and nodded. I went back to pacing.

James POV

Victoria went to sitin the corner, quiet for once in her life. I paced around the room and tried not to look at my reflection in the mirrors around. I heard a noise from my right and turned my head to look at what Victoria was doing.

“What’s that?” I asked pointing to the thing she held in her hands. She smiled and walked to my side, making sure not to touch me.

“It’s a camera I got from the human’s house. I thought it would be fun to get it on tape and show her heartbroken, traitorous boyfriend when he shows up too late,” she said gleefully stroking the camera like a lover.

“Good idea,” I said and tried not to tare her eyes out. How had I never noticed how blood thirsty and evil this woman was? I leaned against one of the mirrors and folded my arms across my chest and waited for the human to arrive, she only had a few minutes left before I would ‘kill’ her mother. No sooner hadthose thoughts crossed my mind did I hear the door open. I didn’t see the human step in but I could smell her. She had a wonderful scent that tickled my nose and I immediately stopped breathing in. I hadn’t realized how hunger I was. This is going to be a problem, I thought.

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Megan POV

I closed my eyes and let the warmth of the sun wash over me. God it felt good to be warm again, too bad it didn’t warm my heart. Stop it, I thought. You’re here to enjoy yourself. I haled a yellow cab. I gave the man the address to my mom’s house and climbed into the back seat. The drive was relatively short but it gave me time to think on Bella. I was really worried about her and felt that something was terribly wrong. When the cab pulled into the drive way of the house I paid him, grabbed my things and walked to the door. I put my hand on the knob and turned it to find it unlocked, when I pushed it open, it creaked like someone had forced it.

“Hello?” I called. Of course no one answered. I put my bags on the floor and check upstairs first. Everything was normal, the beds were made, lights off, and the bedroom doors closed. I shook my head and went back downstairs, I was jumping at shadows. I went into the living room and stopped in front of the pictures displayed there. There was one of Charlie and Bella from a few years ago and right next to it was one of me and Bella last year during spring break. I smiled to seehow happy we had been, things were very different now. My stomach grumbled do I headed to the kitchen to get a snack. I had just closed the cabinet door with a bag of chips in my hands when something caught my eye. I went to the dinning room table and found that one of our photo albums was open and sitting there. There was a piece of paper over the album, hiding the pictures, with the address and number of the ballet studio. Another crumbled piece of paper also had what looked like a phone number written on it. I turned and pushed the papers off the album and saw that it was turned to the page of pictures when Bella had taken ballet classes. My heart stopped when I saw and remembered that the studio was full of mirrors. Tuktu had said something about mirrors in my future. I turned and ran out the house, not bothering to close the door or take my purse. I headed to the studio on foot not bothering to call for a cab since it was a few minutes away. My heart was pounding and I was breathing hard. My legs began to get cramps but I ignored them and kept running.

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James POV

I calmed my need to feed and watched the girl approach. I could smell the fear on her and her heart beating franticly but her outword apearence seemed calm. She was a brave little thing because she came right up to me and said, “Where’s my mother?” I turned her gently around to where Victoria had taken a TV from one of the rooms. She pressed play, showing the astonished human the tape where we had gotten her mom’s voice from.

“It was a lie,” she whispered, her eyes still on the screen.

“I’m afraid so,” I said coldly as Victoria moved closer to the human, her video camera out and rolling.

The human looked away from the screen and meet my eyes, “You bastard!”

I hit her as gentle as possible but still hard enough to make it look real and sent her flying a few feet. She whimpered but got up again. Victoria made it to her before me and gripped her around the neck and lifted her a few feet from the ground.

“I want you to beg for mercy,” she said sadistically, fire burning in her eyes. I slapped her hand angrily and she let the girl crumple to the ground.

“What did you do that for?” Victoria said annoyed, watching the girl as she choked for breath.

“We can’t kill her yet,” I improvised. “We have to make it look interesting on camera.” That said, I took it from her hands and moved to where the girl was laying. I brought the camera to her face and started to kill time, for some reason I knew that her boyfriend was not far away and I didn’t want the girl to die.

“You have a great face for camera, Bella. It is Bella isn’t it?” I said cruelly putting the camera right by her face. She tried to turn herhead but I took hold of it and turned it so it faced the camera. She gave me an angry glare but I had to do it.

“Answer the question,” Victoria yelled crouching down but not coming close to the two of us, she wanted to see me torment and kill her.

“Yes,” the human said softly. I smelled some blood on her and saw that her head was bleeding. I clinched my jaw and asked another question to kill time as much as to get my mind off the wondrous smell.

“Why did you come here?”

“Because I wasn’t going to let killers like you eat her!” she said furiously. “Did you honestly think I would save my own skin?”

“No,” I said with a smile. This Bella was a remarkable girl.

“I would of,” Victoria commented.

“We were counting on your selflessness to lure you her,” I continued ignoring Victoria. “This time your good nature has lead you to your death and for nothing.And you bought your boyfriend a death sentence as well.”

Bella looked at me with terrified eyes, the first time the had showed real fear this whole time, “What do you mean?”

“We’re going to kill him, along with the rest of his traitorous family,” laughed Victoria. Bella turned pale and turned her head away from the camera.

“And if we don’t then your murder will surly kill him,” I said softly, knowing how Edward would feel if something happened to this little human. If Megan died than I would too.

“If you hurt him…” Bella threatened turning her gaze to Victoria.

“You’ll what? Throw a girl tantrum. You are in no position to threaten me human,” Victoria spat moving closer. I shot Victoria a warning look, knowing that she had an unpredictable temper. She backed away and I turned to Bella.

“You know what I don’t understand,” I said placing my hand on her leg to put my body in between her and Victoria. I then moved the camera right up to her face to look like I did it for the film. “Is why this Edward is so attached to you?”

“You’re only a weak little human,” taunted Victoria, cocking her head to the side.

“You wouldn’t understand,”Bella said. “You blood eaters wouldn’t know the meaning of love. Edward and I have something special, something you’ll never have--AHHHH!”

Bella screamed and clutched her leg as I moved back a bit shocked at what I had just done. She had hit a nerve without knowing it and I had forgotten that I had my hand on her leg and had broken it in anger.

“Hehehe,” Victoria laughed throwing her head back. Bella rolled in agony holding her injured leg. I stood and walked away, revolted at what I had just done. As I walked to cool my self loathing, Victoria went to the Bella’s side and knelt by her. She picked her up and threw her across the room where shehit amirror. The glasses shattered and she laid a moment on the ground motionless. I ran to her side and knelt, seeing her eyes flutter open and she moaned in pain.

“Why the hell did you do that?” I growled.

“What is with you? We have to make her suffer,” Victoria said insanity written on her face.

“We can’t kill her yet,” I said in excuse and bent forward. Bella lifted herself to a sitting position and tried to move away but couldn’t because of her injuries. Cuts were all over her body and I could smell the blood and hear it calling to me. No! I screamed to myself. Resist damn it! The vampires were taking their sweet time, I thought. There was the sound of the door opening and both Victoria and I turned to see who was here. I gasped as a familiar scent-- onethat I had never expected to smell again-- rushed up my nose. Oh dear god!

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Megan POV

I calmed my breathing and slowed down as I approached the ballet studio. My heart pounded as I put my hand on the door knob and twisted it. I felt as if this was the moment of truth, had I been right in my instinct or had I been crazy.

I walked into the dimly lit ballet studio and stopped dead in my tracks. I barely noticed the female to the left as my gaze went straight to the sight of the man I loved kneeling beside my bleeding sister.

“RUN MEGAN!!” Bella managed to yell as she saw me.

I didn’t move, didn’t breath, and didn’t think.

“James,” I choked out.

I calmed my breathing and made my feet move forward. James still had not said anything but had stood and backed away from Bella. The unknown female was watching all this with a strange and confused look. She cocked her head to the side and watched me like a hawk as I walked to where Bella was.

“Run Megan!” my little sister tried to warn me again but I ignored her and moved to her side.

“Two for one,” said the beautiful redhead with a huge smile as she cracked her hands in preparation but for exactly what, I didn’t want to think about right now. I knelt down beside her and tried not to cry at the state she was in. Her head was bleeding from a large wound on the back of it, her face was covered in small cuts and I could see some more on her arms and neck. I tore a piece of my tank top and pressed it to her head to help stop the bleeding. I looked out of the corner of my eye to see the woman arguing with James, who looked paler than usual. I checkedBella's lower body and saw that her leg was bent in a strange way, broken. I bite the inside of my cheeks to keep from yelling at the woman, I knew in my heart that she was the most responsible for my sister’s pain.

“Does it hurt much?” I asked Bella.

“Megan you have to go, they're vampires,” Bella said pushing my shoulder to make me leave with the remainder of her strength.

“Don’t worry Bella,” I whispered pushing some hair out of her face.

“I’m not crazy,” she replied thinking that I thought she had hit her head too hard. “They really are, please Megan! Run now!”

“I knew she looked familiar,” James said with a chuckle, interrupting what I had been about to tell Bella. He ran his hand through his long hair and looked up at me. I bit my tongue to keep a gasp from escaping as red eyes locked with mine. “She’s your sister.”

“Yes,” I said calmly giving my sister a reassuring squeeze as she gave me a questioning look.

“You both have the same hair and nose. But it’s your spirit that shows you’re related, brave and poised until it’s about someone you love.”

“What are you doing James?” asked the female, frowning. She looked from me to him back to me, sending me a poisonous stare.

“Quiet,” said James coldly. His tone was even more frightening than if he had yelled it. The women shut her mouth and I even detected a small tremor go down her body. I knew then that James was even more dangerous than I had first thought him to be when we had first meet all those days ago.

“Why did you come here?” James said quietly from the corner of the studio. His head was down and his hands were in fists at his side.

“Because something inside me said to,” I told him staying by my little sister’s side.

“You’ve just brought yourself to your doom.”

“No because you’ll protect me.”

The woman laughed so hard that she clutched her sides, “That’s rich!”

“I know you will,” I said louder, ignoring the laughter.

“You know nothing about me,” James said emotionlessly.

“I know more than you think,” I said looking up at James. He snorted and moved towards me. Bella shielded her face in fear as I stood and put my hands on my waist.

“No you don’t,” he said grabbing me roughly by the shoulders and bring me close to his face. “You have no idea what I am.”

“I do James,” I said trying to reach and touch his face but he jerked away.

“No Megan,” he said sadly. “Everything you think I am is a lie, I truly am a vampire, a killer, a monster!”
“You’re not a monster,” I said grabbing his hand and bring it to my heart. “Would a monster have saved me from those evil men? Would a monster have made me feel alive and happy?”

“Megan,” James pleaded, closing his eyes. “We can’t be together.” He jerked his hand out of my grasp and pushed me to the side. He turned to walk away but I grabbed his hand, unwilling to have him walk away from me anymore. His reaction was lightning fast. He ripped his hand from mine and lifted me off my feet, slamming me gently to the wall, his hand around my neck. His eyes flared with anger and when he saw that he was holding me it seem to extinguish. He let me go and I crumpled to the ground and grasped my neck coughing. I looked up to see him look at his hands in disgust and shock like his reaction had been just that, second nature. Jamesstared at me with a look of pure desolation that I felt my eyes water. He lifted his head up and closed his eyes in despair.

“I knew what you were before our night together,” I admitted softly.

He eyes snapped open to meet mine in astonishment. His mouth opened and closed a few times before he could reply, “How could you have let me touch you? Do you know how many people I’ve killed before you?”

I didn’t look away from his red eyes as I said, “I don’t care what you think you are or what you were before you met me. All I care about is what you did after. Did you kill after me?” I stood and walked to where he was and cupped his cheek. I didn’t break eye contact and repeated, “James, did you kill after me?”

“No,” he confessed covering my hand with one of his. I heard a gasp from both Bella and the female as he leaned in to kiss me. I closed my eyes and sighed. I felt like I had just entered heaven after years in hell. I felt like I had just won a million dollars. I felt like I was home. His lips moved on mine and he pressed my body to his, just like I remembered. His kiss deepened and our tongues met in a familiar dance. Our souls once again whole.

We broke apart and I gave him a huge smile, “We can be together, I don’t want to leave you and I never will.”

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James POV

My soul sung in happiness and my whole body hummed at having found my true mate once again. I took Megan’s warm hand in mine and looked at the beautiful eyes that had haunted me since I had left Alaska. Never again was I going to leave her, we would be together. It was good enough that we had found each other again, the rest of the details could be figured out later. Now I just wanted to find a quiet place to show Megan just how much I had missed her.

“WHAT?!?!” shrieked Victoria bring me back to reality. She looked wild with her wide eyes staring at me and Megan, hair flying in the air. I let go of Megan and pushed her behind me and away from the female vampire.

“She’s the one from Alaska isn’t she,” Victoria yelled pointed her finger viciously at Megan.

“Calm yourself Victoria,” I told her.

“You said you killed her!”

“I lied”

“I knew something was changing in you but I did nothing.”

“Victoria--”

“She’s HUMAN! How could you like HER?”

“I don’t care about that.”

“You’ve betrayed all that you’ve ever taught me,” she said, tears rolling down her twisted face.

“I was wrong. What I taught was a lie.”

“No, it’s what you’ve become that is wrong! It’s against our nature! We are the supreme beings and these humans,” she spat. “Are food, nothing else.”

“We were once these people!”

“Look what she’s done to you,” Victoria exclaimed throwing her hands in the air. “You were the great tracker James and now you’re just her lap dog!”
“Victoria, get a hold of yourself,” I said scared at the tone of voice she was using. I had been with her long enough to judge her moods and this was not looking good. Victoria usually was easy to handle but when she got worked up she could be dangerous. I wasn’t worried about me but there was Megan and her injured sister to think about.

“You disappoint me James. We would have been good together,” she said with a faraway voice.

“Victoria,” I warned. “Don’t do anything that you’ll regret.”

“I won’t,” she replied and lunged. I dived in the direction she was headed and knocked her in midair away from Bella. I heard Megan’s scream of terror but then concentrated on Victoria. We rolled on the floor both fighting for dominance. Victoria scratched and clawed at my neck and face, as I nocked her from me. Instead of attacking me like I thought she would, she went straight for Bella who had no where to go. Megan started to run for her sister but she was too far away. Victoria was at Bella’s side and lifted her arm to her poisonous teeth. I made it just in time, hitting Victoria right in the side and pushing her away from Bella before she could sink her teeth into her warm skin.

Victoria laid motionless on the floor, defeated. Megan stayed where she was and looked at me with relieved eyes. I gave her a smile and put my hand on Bella to make sure that she was alright, she flinched and tried to back away. I couldn’t really blame her.

I heard a growl and lifted my head to see some of the Cullens jump down from the window. I stood and was immediately pushed into the mirrors by a pissed Edward.

“If you’ve hurt her I’ll kill you,” he said his expression making it clear that he wasn’t joking. He then let me go into the custody of Emmett and moved to Bella’s side, giving Megan a brief curious glance.

“Listen you’ve---,” I started to explain.

“Shut up,” said Emmett putting pressure on my neck. It wasn’t uncomfortable but I wasn’t use to being a prisoner.

“LOOK OUT,” Bella screamed. My eyes jerked away from Emmett and focused on the scene playing out before me in slow motion. When everyone had been distracted by the arrival of the Cullens, Victoria had awakened from her unconsciousness. She had ripped one of the bars that had been on the wall that the ballerinas used for practice and was darting with purpose towards Megan. I yanked Emmett’s hold off me and ran to Megan screaming in horror at what was about to happen. Two of the Cullens also realized what was happening but it was too late. I was too far and had no way to stop it.

Victoria plunged the bar into the back of Megan and it came out on the other side. She than backed away with a gleam of triumph in her eyes. I saw Megan’s eyes look to me and widen as she put her hand to her stomach and held them up to find blood. She closed her eyes and drop to her knees before falling to the ground. I screamed her name and paid no attention to the tempting smell of blood.

“Alice, get Jasper out of here,” I heard the distant voice of Carlisle. My gaze went straight to the murderess, who was attempting to escape. I gripped her foot and pulled her back into the studio as she tried to climb out the window.

“James,” she said quietly. I could feel her trembling and she wouldn’t meet my eyes, “Please, have mercy.”

I shook my head in loathing, “Why should I give you something you’ve never shown to anyone?” I lifted her head so she could see the hatred in my eyes before her death and then ripped her head off her body. She had no time to scream. I tossed the body and head to the side knowing that the Cullens would take care of it and rushed to Megan’s side.

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Megan POV

Pain. That was the only thing running through my head. I felt like my body had been torn apart or like I had been run over by a bus. My vision was getting dark and I couldn’t see my surroundings very well. I was losing conscious and I tried to fight it because I knew that if I closed my eyes I would never open them again. I was fighting a useless battle when I felt myself being lifted into a pair of arms.

“Megan, please look at me,” said my love's voice. My eye lids fluttered open and I tried to smile but those muscles weren’t working.

“James,” I managed to say softly.

“I’m here Megan. Don’t worry you’ll be fine,” he lied. He did I good job of it too but I could see the truth in his eyes. I tried to take his hands but my body seemed to have stopped responding.

“I want to hold your hand,” I told him. He nodded tears rolling down his beautiful, strong face. I felt his hand take mine and he brought it up to kiss it. I looked down at the bar stickingfrom my body and tried not to faint.

“Can we take this out?” I asked. James looked to his right where Carlisle was sitting. The doctor shook his head. The Cullens all knew that I was dying and had given James and I a moment. I could see that Bella was crying in the arms of a brown haired teenager and I guessed that it was the famous Edward.

“Damn, it’s real uncomfortable,” I said trying to lighten the mood. James cracked the most pitiful smilethat I had to laugh which cause me to cough up some blood.

“Don’t laugh Megan,” James said brushing the blood from the corner of my lip.

“How can you stand the smell of my blood?” I asked faintly.

He chuckled, “Feeding on you is the last thing on my mind right know.”

“I don’t think I have much time,” I said. I could no longer feel his hand in mine. “My blood is yours, take it if you want.”

“Never,” James chocked out, kissing me softly on the lips. I really wanted to feel his lips one last time but I couldn’t. I cursed in my mind as black spots started to appear in my vision. God is cruel, I thought. I just wanted to memorize his features one last time before I died.

“I love you,” I said not wanting to die before telling him. James said something but I never heard it as blackness engulfed me.

Bella POV

I opened my eyes to find lights above me and the whitest ceiling I had ever seen. I had no idea where I was and was completely disoriented.

“Oh Bella, your awake,” said a female voice. I turned my head and blinked a few times to make sure I was seeing right.

“Mom?”

“Honey, how many times do I have to tell you to watch where your going?” Renee said with a smile leaning in to give me a kiss on the cheek. “Do you remember what happened?”

“No,” I said spotting Edward pretending to sleep in a chair.

“You fell down the stairs and threw a window,” she explained butcaught my wondering eye. “That boy hasn’t left your side.” Fell? I thought looking down at my self. I saw scratches on my arms and one of my legs was in a cast. I gasped as the memories flooded back to me.

Killer vampires. Pain. Red eyes. James kissing my sister. Megan bleeding in the arms of the vampire. I covered my mouth in horror and tried to keep a cry from bursting out.

“Honey are you okay?” my mom said her eyebrows netted together in worry. No, I wanted to scream. But how could I tell my mother that her daughter might be dead?

“Could you--Could you get me some McDonald?” I invented. I had to get her out of the room so I could talk to Edward.

“Sure,” my mom said confused. She stood and grabbed her purse which was hanging from the back of the chair she had been sitting in. “I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time,” I called as she closed the door. The door had just clicked close when Edward was beside me on my bed.

“My sister?” I asked. Edward looked down and took my hand in his cold one.

“I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean you’re not sure?”

“After you fainted, James took off with her body. Emmett and Alice tried to catch him but he was too fast,” he replied.

“Was she dead?”

“She had a faint heart beat,” he said looking into my eyes. “Bella you can’t get your hopes up, he could have feed on her.”

“No,” I said. “I think they were in love.”

“What?” Edward said looking at me intently.

“Before you got there they kissed and…he saved me,” I said quietly. Edward squeezed my hand to encourage me to continue. I told him everything, from the horrible moment I realized I had been tricked, to James breaking my leg, Megan arriving and looking shocked but not scared, the strange kiss, and James saving me from Victoria twice.

“I can’t believe this,” Edward said running his hand threw his hair.

“She almost injected her venom in me.”

“Why did he do it?”

“Because he loves my sister. Didn’t you see how he was holding her or his anger when killing Victoria?”

“My God,” Edward said. “He did love her. And she loved him, that explains it!”

“Explains what?” I said lost.

“James doesn’t have the gift, your sister does.”

“Huh?”

“When I walked into the room I felt an energy come from her, just like you I couldn’t read her mind and Alice had no idea that she was going to be there. It’s you sister, she is the one with the gift. Somehow she can block powers from working on her and I think because she loved James so muchshe protected him from us using our powers on him.”

We remained in silence and thought over what we had just discovered. This was just crazy!

“What happened to Victoria?” I asked to break the silence. It was something that had been bothering me and I knew that she wasn’t dead until she was burned.

“Emmett, Jasper, and Carlisle took care of her. She’s all ashes now. She won’t ever hurt you again,” he said taking me in his arms. I felt protected and safe and I started to cry, my big sister was gone and I had no idea what to do.

“Shh, you’ll be fine,” Edward cooed.

“I just can’t believe she’s dead,” I cried.

“I’m here Bella, don’t worry.”

“What am I suppose to tell my mom?” I sniffled looking up at him.

“We’ll think of something,” he said, patting my hair. I closed my eyes and thought of all the things that had happened.

My sister had fallen for a killer vampire and in the end had changed him.

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Megan POV

I was dead. There was no other explanation. I felt light and free, the pain was no longer there. It wasn’t as bad as I had expected. But I kept thinking of James and of never seeing him again, was that suppose to happen? I thought you forgot everything and are happy when you died. I could see the light and I thought for sure that it must be God. My eyes fluttered open and I was shocked to see that ‘the light’ everyone always talks about looked a lot like the sun. I brought my arm up to shield my eyes from the sun and jumped when I spotted my arm. It was sparkling! This is the weirdest heaven ever, I thought. I sat up and saw everything with fresh new eyes. I was somewhere sunny and sandy, like some sort of desert. I could hear everything perfectly like it had been turned up at least ten times louder. I could hear the slithering of a snake and the drip drop of water to my right. And the smells were heightened. I could smell the dry grass and the mud on a cougar's coat. Definitely the weirdest heaven ever, I thought. I turned my head to the right and unbelievingly saw James sitting beside me. Shit, I thought. I love this heaven.

“How are you feeling Megan?” James asked softly, looking at me with brown eyes.

“I’m not dead?” I asked stupidly instead of answering his question.

“No,” he said smiling but then it disappeared. “I turned you.”

I studied him and saw that he was sparkling too. I stood and moved to the stream that was next to where I was sitting. I gasped as I saw my reflection. I looked like a supermodel, like everything about my features had been perfected. My skin was pale, my hair looked like it had been brushed a millions times it was so shiny. My eyes surprisingly were still blue but I had a strange yet attractive bag under my eye.

“I’m sorry Megan but I didn’t want to lose you,” James whispered as I tilted my head to the side and say two small holes on my neck.

“Thank you,” I said. His head snapped up.

“What?”

“You don’t think I would have asked you to turn me at some point?” I asked. “This way we can be together.” I walked to his side and wrapped my arms around his waist and put my head on his chest.

“But I’ve taken your life away,” he whispered.

“No, you’ve give it to me,” I said bringing his lips to mine. We kissed deeply for a few minutes before breaking apart.

“Did you mean what you said?” he asked. “About loving me?”

“Yes,” I said smiling. “I love you James.”

He grinned and kissed me hard before pulling back and whispering in my ear, “And I love you Megan.”

He pulled me to the ground and we spent the remainder of the sunlit hours in the sand, showing each other the depth of our love.

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James POV

“How long wasI asleep for?” Megan asked. We were walking hand in hand looking for some food in a leisurely fashion, not in any hurry to find it but just happy to be in each others company. We had been walking for some time and were now in Northern Utah, traveling in a forest.

“A week,” I answered. “Your transformation took a while.”

“Are my eyes suppose to be blue? All the other vampires have brownor red eyes.”

“That depends on their diet,” I explained to the beautiful new vampire. “Your eyes turn red if you eat humans and they’re brown if you eat animals. I really have no idea why yours are blue but I love it, they are one of my favorite features of yours.” She smiled as I lifted her over a fallen log. I knew she could jump it but I loved touching her when I could.

“And what were some of the other features that you liked?” she asked her beautiful hair blowing in the wind.

“Your hair, the warmth of your skin and the beat of your heart,” I said.

“And will you still love me without them,” Megan asked seriously.

“Well, at least you still have your hair,” I said teasingly.

“Hey,” she said smiling and giving me a playful hit on the shoulder. She than stopped and spotted a cougar to our left.

“What do I do?” she asked looking over to me. I could see the hunger in her eyes.

“Don’t think about it, just act. Your instincts will take over,” I advised her. She nodded her head and let her instinct flow through her. She crouched and moved forward silently. The cougar never hearing or suspecting a thing. She cocked her head to the side and pounced, going straight for the neck. She looked beautiful, like a real huntress. The animal struggled for a few seconds and than lay still as Megan ate her first meal as a vampire. When she was done she came back to my side.

“You have a little something,” I said pointing to her mouth.

“Where?” Megan asked. I leaned in an licked the drop of blood from the corner of her mouth.

“There. So, what did you think?” I asked.

“It wasn’t a cheeseburger but it was delicious,” she said taking my hand. “Now lets do one together.” We found a huge bear a few miles away and without words surrounded it and downed it together. We were perfectly in sync that the animal felt no pain. We ate our meal together and full, started off again. We ran together for a while and when we found a stream decided to take a break to swim for a bit. We stripped and then dived into the cool water. Megan discovered the strange sensation of not needing to breath and spent a delightful hour enthralled by the underwater life.

“This is extraordinary,” she said putting her arms around my neck and pushing her tempting body against mine.

“Yes it is,” I said not at all thinking of her new skill.

“James!” she said outraged.

“What?” I asked innocently kissing her neck and making her moan. I was about to begin nibbling her ear when I smelled something.

“Shit,” I swore pulling Megan out of the water.

“What’s wrong?” she asked me as she pulled on hershirt.

“Humans,” I answered. I took her hand and was about to dash out of the clearing but it was too late. Megan froze and I held her shoulders tightly so she wouldn’t do anything that she would later regret. There were two men, they seemed to be lumberjacks on there way home after a long day. They were unaware of the danger in the woods. I waited for Megan to go crazy and try to kill the humans but it never came. The two men continued on their way and Megan had not moved an inch the whole time. When they were gone I released Megan and stared at her in bewilderment, “Why did you not attack them?”

“I don’t now,” she said frowning. “They had a different scent than the animals. For some reason the humans smell good to me but not the eating kind. It’s like they’re a pretty rose in the garden. Nice odor but I wouldn’t want to eat a rose.”

“That’s amazing,” I told her. “Most new borns go crazy at the smell of human blood.”

“Well I’m not the typical new born,” she said with a smirk, turning to run into the forest. I grinned and chased after her laughing.

I approached the Cullens home silently but knew that they could smell me. James stayed by the bushes but still in view. Edward was in the process of helping my sister in a car. I looked over her, amazed that they had convinced her to go to prom. She looked beautiful and when she looked up her mouth dropped open.

“I was going to say how beautiful you look but now you just look like a deer caught in the headlights,” I teased moving forward.

“Megan!” Bella cried in joy and tried to run towards me but was held back by Edward.

Is he crazy!? Bring a new born in front of a human?

“Relax Edward, I’m not going to eat her. I’m a very unique new born,” I said answering his thoughts. His eyes went as round as saucers and I laughed. “I’m still getting use to being a vampire and we haven’t figured out everything that I can do yet.” Bella detached herself from her boyfriend and hurried as fast as she could towards me with her broken leg. I hugged her for a while and she began to cry.

“Oh Bella. Hush darling. Everything is fine,” I said holding her face between my palms.

“I thought you were dead. But it turns out that you got what I want,” she said looking back at Edward.

“Don’t worry about it. Time will tell,” I told her with a smile.

“You look gorgeous by the way.”

“Why thank you. You know what I can’t believe, is how this Edward got you to agree to go to prom.”

“Well they tricked me,” Bella said flashing Edward a pissed look. I chuckled.

“It is nice to finally meet the famous Edward without any killer vampires around,” I said.

That depends, thought Edward looking at James who hadn’t approached.

“Hey, watch it,” I said with a smile as he blushed.

“Sorry, I’m not use to people knowing my thoughts,” Edward replied.

“No problem,” I said turning back to Bella. “Bella, I came here to say goodbye.”

“What? Why? Where are you going?” she said.

“Me and James are going to travel east and set up a home somewhere,” I told her.

“But you can stay here,” Bella exclaimed.

“I’m afraid that I would not be welcomed,” said James coming to stand next to me. I noticed that Bella had moved back a bit and that Edward’s jaw twitched. “And we want to be together.” I took his hand in encouragement. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry. I know that you won’t believe this but I didn’t mean to break your leg. You probably won’t be able to forgive me for a few years but I hope that one day you’ll be able to. I owe you and I intend to pay you back one day.” That said he gave Bella a nod and then backed away, not needing an answer to his statement. I gave James a loving smile and then turned my head back to Bella.

“Don’t worry Bella, I’ll be fine and I know you will, that’s the only reason I’m okay with this whole thing,” I said.

“And what I’m I suppose to tell mom and dad?” Bella asked stubbornly.

“Whatever you want but make it good,” I said giving her a hug. “Oh and could you call someone about my apartment in Alaska and the bookstore. Tell them a good story too.”

Bella smiled as a small tear escaped, “I’ll miss you.”

“So will I Bells. But know that I’m happy like I know that you are,” I said glancing at the love of my life. The mate of my soul. She nodded unable to saw anything. I gave her a final hug before moving back to where James was. I took his hand and we ran into the forest.

“Are you sure about this?” James asked worried as we ran.

“Yes, we are meant to be together and I’m not leaving,” I told him. He stopped and whirled me around. His hands snaked around my waist and pulled me close.

“Good,” he said as he pulled me close, the sun setting behind us.