The Better Swan (J. Black)

Let's Dance Pretty, Blood-sucking, Rude Boy

Surprisingly, it was pretty easy to sneak passed Alice and Jasper in the lobby.

Some vampires....

I hailed a cab as Bella sat there and chewed her nails.

It was silent the entire ride to the the dance studio, both of us consumed by our thoughts.

I never got to say good-bye to the pack. Or Charlie. Then again what would I say? Hey guys I'm going on a trip to Phoenix to fight my very first vampire on a suicide mission to save my mother?

Yeeeeeaahhhh, they would lock me up and never let me out.

I internally sigh, I hope they forgive me.

The taxi stopped and Bella grabbed my hand after we paid and got out.

Bella quickly checks to see if she has the pepper spray Charlie gave her and I rolled my eyes.

We both look at each other for a minute and we share a lot of emotions that we couldn't say, but the most shared was "No matter what happens, we've got each other's back." And with a nod to each other, we walked in.

~

"Bella! Ella! Where are you?" We both hear, but to me, it sounds...like she's not here.

I glance around in confusion quickly, then I realize.

It's a trap.

"Bella!" I yell as she is already running towards the fake voice.

I have no choice but to follow her. I try to zone in on my instincts that the pack always taught me as I stay alert.

I look at where Bella is and find her in a closet where a T.V. that had mom on it was playing.

"There you are. What are you guys doing over here?"

I walk over to Bella and place my hand on her shoulder. I can hear her heart beating rapidly. "Bella. It's a trap." I finally tell her.

"Bella we need to go." I say frantically, but it's like she was glued in the spot. She was frozen in shock. We stay long enough to see it zoom in on little Bella and I.

"Everyone makes fun of me."  Little Bella states while the younger version of me holds her.

Always the protector.

"But you're a wonderful dancer." Renee tries but fails to convince little Bella.

I hear movement and turn before I hear the laughter.

I quickly push Bella behind me as he closes in. I hear Bella's sharp intake of breath and grab her hand in mine.

"Now that's my favorite part. You were a stubborn child weren't you?" James corners us and I squeeze Bella's hand tightly as his gaze moves on to me.

"And you. You were always her protector. Such a shame, really, that it would all go to waste."

I snarl at him. "Over my dead body." He smirks. "That can be arranged."

He goes to move towards me but Bella intervenes.

"She's not even here." Her voice sounds out in despair. I wonder if mom's already dead somewhere.

The thought pains me, but I need to focus on my objective.

Keep Bella safe, no matter what happens.

I then flash back to a talk Edward had with me not too long ago.

Flashback:

"What, the walking dead? Rose and I were just discussing who's better: Taylor Lautner or Harry Styles Edition." I told him as he dragged me outside.