Angels and Monsters

Chapter Three

New story...I'm just teeming with ideas. LOL. Anyhow, I'm just going with this story off the cuff to see where it goes in the first chapter. If it's good, I'll continue it. If not, we'll have to see. I'm delving back into the realm of vampires. But, Bella's the vamp this time. Without further ado...

Chapter Three

"Edward, I'm going to get the basket and pay the cabbie," I said, barely maintaining my control. "It looks like we're going to be here for awhile."

"Are you okay?" Edward asked as he stared at me. I was itching to get out of the apartment, desperate for some fresh, untainted air. I nodded and gestured to the cab. Edward handed me his keys and some money. I could have paid for the cab but Edward was insisting on being a gentleman. My mind was too clouded with blood for me to argue. I headed out to the street and breathed deeply as I exited the building. The scents of diesel, garbage and pollution were a welcome change from the tempting blood up in Emmett's apartment.

I walked to the cab and paid the driver as I picked up the basket. He pulled away and I sat down on the stoop. I opened my mind, trying to search for Emmett's mind. I got nothing. I heard nothing from him but he could be out of my range. I had only caught a few glimpses into his brain the night before last. It wasn't really enough for me to catch his mental 'scent.'

"Bella?" Edward murmured as he sat down next to me. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm worried about Emmett," I answered. "What if something happened to him?"

"Emmett is too big to have anything happen to him," Edward joked but his smile didn't reach his eyes. In his mind, he could imagine Emmett being killed or gravely injured. Briefly, Victoria flashed in his mind as being connected to Emmett's disappearance. But he shook it off. "The cops will be here in a few minutes. We can leave after that."

"Are you going to call Ruth?" I asked.

"Once I've talked to the police," he sighed.

"Other than the destruction in the living room, did you see anything out of place?"

"His bedroom was destroyed and there was, um, blood spattered on the floor," he said sadly. "He put up a fight."

"I'm so sorry," I whispered. This is my fault. All my fault. If I hadn't stepped in, Emmett and Edward would be living their lives and not be in danger. I'm such a fuck up. I need to leave. I can't get attached.

"Bella, I see it on your face. You're blaming yourself," Edward soothed as he wrapped his arm around my waist. "Why?"

"I don't know," I lied. Because I'm a vampire and my interest in you and your friend got him killed. "He's your friend and now he's gone. I want to do something to help."

"Just being here with me is all that I need, Bella," he said as he kissed my temple. His velvety soft lips felt divine against my skin and I wanted to feel them all over my body. Edward growled lowly as he moved his mouth from my temple to my ear. Just like I had envisioned. Crap! I'm sending him my thoughts. I slammed my mental block down and pulled away. He pouted adorably. "Why are you moving away?"

"Cops," I said as I saw the flashing lights heading our direction. Saved by the bell...Or sirens, I guess. Edward stood up and looked down the street. Two squad cars parked in front of Emmett's apartment and we headed upstairs. Knowing that there was blood in there, I walked in with my breath held. I didn't breathe for the entire time that the cops were taking Edward's statement. They asked me a few questions, but I really didn't have much to offer. The cops took our phone numbers and had us leave the crime scene. The crime scene investigation unit had arrived. They needed to scour the scene for any clues.