CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE:

I pushed my terror back, determined to keep as clear a head as possible. It was clear that I had no choice now, but one: go to the mirrored room to meet James.

I took several deep breathes, then walked over to my go-bag, and pulled my wand out of my sleeve. I took a few moments to stare at it, to gently run my fingers over the carved wood, before placing it inside. If I brought it with me to face James, I'd be too tempted to use it. And it was twelve days, now, until I could use magic.

Anguish rolled through me, and I clenched my hands into fists. Twelve fucking days. I'd waited three months to use magic; I'd survived over two and a half months without it, while in hiding, only to die twelve fucking days before I could use it again.

I stripped out of my clothes, changing into a fresh set, more appropriate for Arizona's weather. Knee-length shorts, a V-neck singlet, and a pair of flats. I combed my hair with my fingers, before pulling it up into a ponytail, then took a long moment to calm myself the best I could, before walking into the living room.

"Is she okay?" Alice asked me, instantly, and I lied flawlessly.

"She didn't want to leave the house, but I got her to in the end. She agreed to stay in a hotel a few hours away for the next week."

"I'm glad she's safe." Alice said, with a bright smile. I shrugged, and went to make my way over to the sofa, when I paused by the table, noticing a blank page of the hotel stationery. I went over to it slowly, a plan forming in my head.

"Alice, if I write a letter to Charlie, would you get it to him?" I ask. She looks a touch confused but agrees.

"Of course, Bella." I give her a strained smile, before going into the bedroom again, and kneeling next to the little bedside table to write.

Edward, I wrote, feeling an odd sense of calm wash over me, I love you. And I am so, so sorry. James has Renée, and I know it may not work, but I have to try. Don't be angry with Alice and Jasper- if I get away from them it will be a miracle. Thank them both for me, please. They've been wonderful.

There are so many things I wish I could have told you. So many things that I wish I'd told you, a long time ago. I'm sorry I kept it from you, and even more sorry that I can never tell you face to face. But I want you to know, that I've wanted to tell you. I've wanted to tell you for so long.

If you want to learn the truth, go to Charlie. Tell him that Death Eaters took me. And tell him that I asked him to tell you everything. To explain my world to you.

I also need you to tell him that one day Luna might contact him, and if she does, I need him to tell her I love her and that I've missed her. And that she was the most wonderful best friend I could have ever asked for.

Maybe one day you'll be able to meet her. I think you'd like her. And if you do meet her, tell her about James. Tell her everything. She'll know what to do.

I love you. Forgive me.

Bella.

I folded the letter carefully, and sealed it in the envelope. Eventually Edward would find it. I knew he would. I just hoped Charlie would be able to answer any questions he had.

And I hoped Edward would forgive me from keeping it from him- what I am. A witch.

-

-

The time it took to write the letter felt like an eternity, but as I returned to Alice, I realized only a few minutes had passed. Jasper still hadn't come back, and I curled up on the couch, knotting my hands together.

I didn't want to be out here, in front of her. I was afraid that she would be able to see straight through me, but I was afraid to hide for the same reason.

Really, I would have thought I was far beyond the ability to be surprised, but I was surprised when I saw Alice bend over the desk, suddenly, gripping the edge with two hands, using enough force to splinter the wood.

"Alice?" I said, alarmed, but she didn't react. Her head was slowly rocking side to side, and her eyes were blank, dazed... I hurried to her side, reaching out automatically to touch her hand.

"Alice!" Jasper's voice whipped, and then he was right behind her, his hands curling over hers, loosening them from their grip on the table. Across the room, the door swung shut with a low click. "What is it?" he demanded. She turned her face away from me, burying it into his chest.

"Bella," she said.

"I'm right here," I replied. Her head twisted around, her eyes locking on mine, their expression still strangely blank. I realized at once that she hadn't been speaking to me, she'd been answering Jasper's question.

Understanding trickled through me, as well as a sense of acceptance. She'd seen me, with James. Most likely in the ballet studio. A wave of sympathy washed through me, and I hoped she hadn't just been forced to witness my death.

Jasper looked at me sharply, and I kept my expression carefully schooled into one of concern. His eyes were confused as they flickered swiftly between Alice's face and mine, and I cursed his ability to read emotions, while trying to make myself feel as apprehensive as possible, to convince him that nothing had changed since he'd left. "What did you see?" I asked.

Alice recovered quickly. "Nothing, really," she lied, her voice remarkably calm and convincing, "just the same room as before." Liar, I thought, but I didn't say anything, just nodded.

I could sense Alice's wild- though well-concealed– desperation to have me out of the room, to be alone with Jasper, so she could tell him that they were going to do something wrong, that they were going to fail, and I excused myself, claiming I needed the bathroom, to give her that moment.

Once in the bedroom, I crossed over to my go-bag, and pulled out a sock I'd filled with a mixture of muggle and wizarding currency. I quickly counted out about a hundred dollars in twenty-dollar bills, and shoved them in my pocket. I then pulled my DA galleon out of my pocket, turning it over in my hands once, twice, three times, before placing it in my go-bag.

There. I was as ready for what was about to come as I'd ever be.

-

-

I was anxious to get to the airport, and was glad when we left. The car trip was strained, and I kept my gaze pointed out the window the entire time.

We got to the airport, and it turned out that for once luck was with me- then again, knowing me it was more likely just good odds. Edward's plane was landing in terminal four, the largest terminal where most flights landed- hence the good odds, so it wasn't surprising it was his. But it was the terminal I needed: the biggest, the most confusing. And there was a door on level three that would be my only chance of getting away from my bodyguards.

We parked on the fourth floor, and I led the way, for once more knowledgeable about my surroundings then they were. We took the elevator down to level three, where the passengers unloaded, and Alice and Jasper spent a long time looking at the departing flights board. I could hear them discussing the pros and cons of New York, Atlanta, Chicago... places I'd never seen, and never would see.

I waited for my opportunity, impatient, barely able to keep my toe from tapping. We sat in the long rows of chairs by the metal detectors where Jasper and Alice pretended to watch the people walking past, but really watched me. Every inch I shifted in my seat was followed by a quick glance.

I pulled the unmarked envelope out of my pocket and set it on top of Alice's black leather handbag. "My letter." I said, as she looked at me, a touch confused. She nodded, tucking it under the top flap, where Edward would find it, soon enough.

The minutes passed and Edward's arrival grew closer, until it was time. Several times Alice offered to go get breakfast with me, but I was waiting until the moment came. And now it had.

"I think I'll eat now." I said, standing up. Alice stood too.

"I'll come with you." I shook my head.

"Can Jasper come instead? I need..." I gestured to him, a smile without humor twisting on my lips, "calm. Lots of calm." Jasper stood instantly, while Alice sank back down gracefully, and walked silently beside me, his hand on the small of my back, as if he were guiding me. I walked with a purpose, lying about making my way to a specific café, before pausing suddenly, as if on a whim.

"Do you mind?" I asked Jasper, gesturing to the level three ladies bathroom, a sheepish smile on my face.

"I'll be right here." He said, obediently stepping back, releasing me.

"I'll be one moment," I lied. As soon as the door shut behind me, I was running. I remembered the time I'd gotten lost from this bathroom, long before Hogwarts (I was eight, I think), because this bathroom had two exits.

Outside the far door, it was only a short sprint to the elevator, and I ignored the stairs, dashing forwards and just making it in, squeezing between irritated passengers.

Anxiety bubbled through me, as I made my way through the airport. Alice and Jasper had probably noticed my absence by now, and it wouldn't take them long to find me, while I was inside the building. As I dashed out of the front doors, I started cursing- loudly- unable to see a cab in sight. Fuck- they'd be able to find me in a heartbeat.

And then a bright yellow taxi pulled over. I dashed inside, sliding into the seat behind the driver. I gasped out Renée's address, before shoving the handful of twenties across to him. "Please hurry," I said, and the surprised man stared at me for a moment, then started driving.

-

-

The house was empty when I walked inside, but I hadn't expected anything different. Next to the phone, a ten digit number was neatly scrawled down, and, taking a deep breath, I dialed it with fingers I was proud to say didn't even shake slightly.

It rang only once.

"Hello, Bella," that easy voice answered. "That was very quick. I'm impressed."

"Spare me the niceties, you wanker," I seethed, "is Renée safe?" There was a surprised pause, and then James answered.

"She's perfectly fine. Unless you didn't come alone, of course."

"Oh I'm alone," I snapped. His voice was amused.

"Very good. Now, do you know the ballet studio just around the corner from your home?"

"Yes. I'll be there in ten." I spat, before hanging up and throwing the phone across the room. I stood there for a moment, balling my hands into fists at my sides. I could feel magic thrumming across my shoulders, my arms, my scalp, making my hair crackle, then I spun on my heel and half jogged out of the house.

Outside the sun was hot on my skin, too bright as it bounced off the white concrete, blinding me. When I rounded the last corner, I could see the studio, looking just as I remembered it. The parking lot in front was empty, the vertical blinds in all the windows drawn.

A sudden realization struck me, and I stopped short.

This was it.

This was where I was going to die.