18

Blaize POV:

The sun was just setting, and I began to head back to the house with Edward.

He had hunted with me, and somehow remained clean, not a speck of blood on his white shirt. That couldn't be said for me. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, and lick the red stain afterwards.

As we walk back at a casual pace, I still can't help thinking how different I feel. I've become a monster under my human face. Not skin. Even my skin is different. Like stone. Moving feels strange. Effortless, and smooth. Everything is foreign to me.

When I climb into the house from Edward's bedroom, he instantly hands me a pair of clothes. I inhale the cotton and denim fervently. The scent of Edward weaves in between the scents. 'Are you sure?'

Edward offers half a smile. 'I'm sure they'll fit.'

As he turns round, I slip into the clean clothes. When I'm done, I walk over to the sofa and sit down. It feels unnecessary, but my human habits take over. 'So. We talk now?'

Edward dips his head.

I begin. 'Right. I supposedly saved my family from danger, but got turned, James is dead, we have no idea where Victoria is, and for all Charlie knows, I'm safe, just doing Blaize things. Jacob thinks I'm fine. Seth thinks I'm alright. He's my mate, but a werewolf. And if I'm right, there's a treaty between us and them. Which is bad. Most of all, Bella has no idea what's happened to me.' My voice hitches. 'What am I going to tell her?'

Edward crosses to me in a single step, and, unexpectedly, pulls me into an embrace. Unlike before, he is now softer, and in some way, warm. Not hard and cold. I bury my face in his chest, unable to produce the tears that would've come. I squeeze back, until I hear a small hiss of pain.

'Blaize, you're a lot stronger than me right now, ' he reminds me gently. I instantly let go, but keep my cheek pressed against Edward.

He doesn't let me go either. 'I don't think I can understand your position, but I will do my best to empathise. I'm afraid you won't be able to see Charlie or Bella till your thirst is under control; Carlisle has contacted Bella to tell Charlie that you are on a student exchange in Spain for a year. It's for the best - so you can contact him often, but we won't be able to reveal your true identity. As for Bella, when that time comes, she can visit. If she visits anytime now, you will have to leave though. With the werewolves, it will be easier to manage your thirst around them - you'll see what I mean later. But you may have to come to an agreement with Sam about you and Seth.'

I nod, blinking the invisible tears back furiously. It's not fair. I stand up, and Edward strokes my cheek with his knuckles. 'It will get easier, I promise,' he murmurs. Never in my entire life had I thought it would become like this. I'm forehead to forehead with Edward, both breathing in each other's sweet scents, entirely grateful because he's probably the one who can sympathise the most. As my thoughts pass through his mind, he smiles sadly. 'I failed you. I failed Bella. I'm sorry.'

'Hey, at least I'm not dead dead,' I whisper.

Edward almost ignores me. 'I shouldn't have let you go in there alone. I shouldn't have even payed attention to Bella in the first place. Now it's led to this.'

My arms wrap around his waist delicately. 'Stop blaming yourself - what's done is done. I'm sad, but it's not the end. I'm grateful, too, Edward. I'm grateful, too.'