15

Blaize POV:

I can sense that Bella is in danger, long before she charges into the house. I rush downstairs to meet her. In that one second our eyes lock, I know exactly what happened. 'You're not leaving,' I tell her firmly. 'We have the same scent. I'll go. You stay here.' She opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off. 'Dad. You need to tell dad not to be worried. Make up a story or something. I love you.'

Then I fling open the door, and charge towards Edward's car. The look in his eyes tells me that he heard our exchange. 'Go,' I snap, and Edward's foot slams onto the pedal. 'Right...' I breathe through my mouth. 'What the hell happened?' Edward starts talking without a break. Shadows flash by, and suddenly a dark figure springs up beside the window. I stifle a scream, and Edward grabs my hands, almost crushing them. 'It's Emmett.' I try to calm my racing heart.

As we pull into the familiar drive, I've just undone my seat belt when Edward opens the door and drags me inside their garage. I spot Laurent sat by Carlisle exchanging words. '... absolutely lethal,' Laurent was saying. 'I've never seen anything like him in my three hundred years. That's why I joined his coven.'

'He's tracking us,' Edward interrupts, glaring at Laurent.

'I was afraid of that,' he replies unhappily. 'I'm sorry, but when you defended your girl, it set him off.'

He hasn't realised that we're twins.

Laurent stands up to depart. 'I'm truly sorry for what has been unleashed here. I think I will head North, to that clan in Denali.' As he reaches the door, he looks back at us over his shoulder. 'A word of warning. Don't underestimate the woman, Victoria. She's every bit cunning as James.'

The moment he steps out of the door, Carlisle asks Edward. 'Where is he?'

'About three miles past the river. He's circling to meet Victoria.'

'What's the plan?'

'We lead him off then Alice and I will run Blaize South. Once she's clear, we'll hunt them.' Edward looks at Rosalie. 'Trade clothes with her. Confuse the scent. It may not work for long, but it'll give us time.'

'Just once. Just this once,' she mutters. 'You're lucky I like you.'

'Thank you, Rose,' I say. She chucks me over her shoulder and takes me to her room. In the dark, I start taking off my clothes, and Rosalie hands me hers. As I pull on the leather jacket, she grabs my hand, and tows me downstairs, already in my clothes.

*

One hour later, Edward, Alice and I are seated in a shabby hotel room. Well, Alice and I are on the sofa. Edward is pacing up and down the room. I don't know what we're waiting for - I suspect a phone call from Carlisle or some clue to James' or Victoria's whereabouts.

Two things happen at exactly the same time.

Edward darts for the phone a millisecond before it rings, and Alice suddenly gasps. I don't know who to focus on, but seeing as Alice is right next to me, I lean on her shoulder. On the desk is a blank piece of paper, slowly depicting something as the pencil flashes about. When the last line falls into place, Alice puts down the pencil.

'Edward?' she asks.

'They've lost track of Victoria.'

Alice glances at the drawing. My heart gives a funny jolt. After giving me a long look, she breathes, 'James is heading here. Do you recognise the place?'

To my utter dismay, I nod slowly. 'That was Bella's ballet studio.'

The phone rings again, but this time it's mine. I run to pick it up, and see that it's my mom. I press accept, and say, 'Mom?'

'Bella? Bella?' Her frantic voice fills the speaker, and my heart starts racing. If he did anything to her... And then a male voice takes her place smoothly, cutting out any traces of noise from Mom. 'Be careful not to say anything until I tell you to.'

The voice was unfamiliar and unexpected. But I knew this was James. I suddenly accentuate my breathing to cover the pad of noise as my index finger taps the speaker button. James' voice fills the room, and Edward and Alice instantly freeze. Not that they weren't already frozen. Still breathing loudly, I give them an almost imperceptible shake of my head, telling them not to move.

The voice speaks quickly. 'Now, I don't need to hurt your mother, so please do exactly as I say, and she'll be fine. Now repeat after me: No, mom, stay where you are.' I pinch myself, and tears well, as I say, 'No, mom, please stay where you are,' in a sniffy voice.

'I can see this is going to be difficult,' the voice purrs. 'Why don't you walk into another room so your face doesn't ruin everything?' I walk towards Edward, and point to the door. He silently, wordlessly, packs what little belongings we brought and stands by the door waiting. 'There now, are you alone? Just answer yes or no.'

'Yes.'

'But they can still hear you, I'm sure.'

'Yes.' Hell, yes.

'Alright then. I'm going to need you to do something for me, okay? Can you get away from your friends? Yes is trust me, mom, and if no? I hope we don't need to go there.'

Edward mouths trust me, mom. 'Trust me, mom,' I whisper.

'Good. Then, you know where to find me. Say: Bye, mom, stay safe. I love you.'

'Bye, mom, stay safe. I love you.' I choke out. Then the call ends. I let out a long sigh. 'I deserve an Oscar for that, don't I?'

Alice smiles grimly. 'Let's go.'