In The World of Blood And Magic

(6)

ONE YEAR AGO AT THE PIKE PLACE MARKET

Rain came down in sheets, slapping the cobblestone. Bright lights from the surrounding bars, reflecting off the wet stones. The dull thud of rock music wafted out. A bar door opened as the music briefly blasted out. A young man exited. He is Riley Biers, 22, genial, handsome, a university student full of promise.

He paused under the awning, preparing to face the rain. He slings a messenger bag over his shoulder, laden with thick school texts. He waved to his friends in the wind before heading into the downpour.

Dark, deserted, Riley made his way up to it. Suddenly, a shadow flew past him, moving at an inhuman speed. Riley paused. What was that? Unnerved, he sped his step, about to round the corner, but suddenly, something leapt over him, knocking him backwards to the ground. It moved so fast that it was only a brief shadow. Riley was now panicking.

"Who's there?" He called out.

No response. Riley bolted into a different direction. Riley ran, beetling towards the end of the street at which stood an apartment building with a brightly lit lobby and a security guard. Safety.

Waterfront

He found himself on the deserted boardwalk. Beyond the trail, black water. A dead end. He turned, realizing he's utterly alone. He searched the darkness for whatever's charging him.

"Who's there? What do you want?" He called out.

The shadow darted past him, after which he yanked his hand back.

"OH GOD!" He screamed in pain.

He gripped his hand in pain, looks at it to find a crescent pain on his palm, blood seeping out. He's been bitten. His confusion and terror turned to agony as the venom from the bite crawled up his arm. Riley dropped to his knees crying out in pain. Then he fell, writhing as the venom spreads throughout his body, changing him, killing his humanity.

His tortured screams go unheard as he slowly but painfully began his second life.... as a newborn vampire.

'Some say the world will end in fire. Some say in ice. From what I've tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor fire. But if I had to perish twice....' Bianca read as Edward kissed her hand.

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Karina's outfit

Karina's POV

Jasper and I were laying the grass as I read aloud from a book of Robert Frost poetry.

"I think I know enough of hate. To say that, for destruction, Ice is also great. And would suffice." I continued to read.

Jasper teasingly pulled the book away and moved in to kiss me. I stopped him by putting a finger between our lips.

"You know, I've got an English test. I need to focus." I reminded him.

He grinned and kissed me anyway, removing my finger. The sun briefly came out from behind the clouds, causing Jasper's skin to sparkle, making the kiss appear magical. He pulled away, smiling.

"Marry me." Jasper said.

I giggled. It isn't the first time-nor the hundredth time he asked me to marry him. It's basically a game between us.

"Nope." I joked.

"Marry me." Jasper asked again.

"Change me." I shot back.

He kissed my neck. "Okay, I will if you marry me, it's called a compromise." Jasper responded.

"It's called coercion. That's not fair. Marriage is just...a piece of paper." I retorted.

I affectionately pushed him away and got up.

"When I come from, at my age......it's the way one says 'I love you'"." Jasper reminded me.

"Where I come from, at my age, it's the way one says, 'I just got knocked up'," I replied. "And I haven't got knocked up yet."

I started to gather my jacket and books. He's suddenly right in front of me. He playfully grabbed my stuff.

"So, you worried about what people think?" Jasper asked.

"You know, it's two out of three marriages end in divorce." I explained. "And the children might be get hurt. Or we might have to lose them. My parents' divorce and my mom lost me as a result of lies."

"Well, I think you'll find the.... vampire-human divorce rate is a little lower." Jasper smirked.

We were inches apart, the game laced with our attraction.

"Just marry me." He asked again.

"Can't. Have some witch lessons to attend to." I smirked at him.

He pulled me in and kissed me.

"You'll be on time. We don't want to get them upset." Jasper easily slung me around onto his back.

Bianca's POV

I headed outside to meet up with Jacob as he kept sending me calls and texts, I don't know why. I try to start the car, nothing. I tried again, but it's dead. With a slight gust of wind, Edward was sitting next to me. I caught my breath before taking a deep breath.

"Next time a little warning, please, Edward." I spoke.

"You're going now to the reservation." Edward stated.

"Alice had a vision, didn't she?" I asked.

He smiled at me, trying to make light of it.

"Did you mess up my car?" I whined about my baby.

I pouted angrily as Edward sighed.

"You don't understand, B. The wolves." Edward tried to say but I cut him off. "The wolves won't hurt me."

"Not intentionally, but they have no self-control." Edward explained. "Jasper and Emmett don't trust them as well. Carlisle wants to make things right between us, but...."

"Edward, Jacob wants me to leave you for him. How can I stand by and let him come after me like this?" I asked. "Once we graduate, we might not see him anymore."

"I'm sorry." Edward sighed as he rubs my hand.

I climbed out of my car and slam my door shut. Edward appeared next to me.

"You'll have time to talk him out of this." Edward told me. "Just give him more time."

I nodded in sadness and headed to the house. He appeared on the stairs before I reach them.

"I'll understand if you're too upset now for me to come tonight. Just close the window." Edward told me.

I nodded as I headed inside and did the opposite. Edward jumped into my room and smiled at me as he laid down on my bed with me and cuddled with me.