A/N: Thanks again to all who read, and all who review. You are my inspiration. This chapter is dedicated to Mysteryfreak for some wonderful advice they gave me. Constructive criticism is always welcome as it helps me grow as a writer. Enjoy! ~Dyxie

Too Hard To Resist

I inhaled sharply at his words, taking in a much-needed breath as I struggled to compose my thoughts into some semblance of order. I'd need all my wits about me if I was going to follow through on what needed to be done; time was of the essence. My eyes darted swiftly around the room, taking in the unfamiliar furnishings as the soft beeping of the heart monitor I was attached to momentarily filled the strained silence between Edward and I. Where was I?

Before I could ponder this question further, the door opened as several people entered the room; four I recognized from the school cafeteria, while two others were new to me. One of the strangers, a tall blonde-haired man, quickly walked over to me, his hand casually reaching for my wrist to take my pulse as he smiled reassuringly.

"How are you feeling, Bella?" he asked quietly.

I took a moment to survey the newcomers, absently noting their striking grace and beauty, as well as the characteristics they shared with Edward, and the realization quickly came to me that they were all vampires. I'd not only run into one such creature, but an entire coven of them! Only me, I thought to myself, then remembered that the vampire currently holding my wrist had asked a question. It would only be polite to answer him, so I focused my attention upon him once more.

"I'm well, thank you," I replied, my own voice a soft whisper. "Where am I?"

"You're in our home. I'm Dr. Carlisle Cullen, Edward's father, and he brought you here when you were injured."

My eyebrows rose at the word 'father', but I kept my thoughts to myself for the moment. The last thing I wanted to do was antagonize the vampires currently surrounding me. I may have the worst luck in the universe, but I was far from stupid. Being in such close proximity to what I knew to be dangerous beings was causing my nerves to rise, and my training kicked in as I began to look for possible exits and formulate a strategy to escape the room.

I started to rise from the bed, and Edward and Carlisle moved to settle me back down. At the touch of their icy hands on my arms, rational thought fled, my defenses flared, and I instinctively reacted to protect myself. My thoughts about Edward were overshadowed by my new knowledge of what these beings were, and everything within me screamed DANGER, activating every fight or flight instinct that had been drilled into me through years of endless training.

"Adra ko ma!" I screamed, and my aura flared fully around me, catching Edward and Carlisle within its power and throwing them into the others as I quickly twisted off the bed, the probes attaching me to the heart monitor tearing away from my skin as I backed against the far wall and slipped into the proper defensive stance. Edward had already seen my abilities, and had no doubt informed his coven of what he already knew, so secrecy was moot at this point.

My body painfully informed me of its still-healing status as I braced for attack, and I could only hope that it was healed enough to sustain me through whatever happened next. I quickly took stock of my energy levels and found them to be at about half; not great, but not as bad as it could have been. I'd have to make this quick, or I'd run out of energy before I'd earned my freedom.

Shock was the predominant expression on the Vampires' faces as they picked themselves up from the floor and took their own defensive stances, the males pushing the females behind them and crouching protectively in front as a few growls filled the previously peaceful room. Thoughts ran quickly through my head, possible attacks vying with my instinctive need to protect Edward despite what he was, and I'd just settled on a restraining tactic when Edward stepped in front of the others to get my full attention and I felt an unnatural calm try to settle over me. I easily fought it off, and then idly wondered if the tales of Vampires having extra abilities could possibly be true before my attention was once more drawn to Edward as he began to speak.

"Bella, please, you've nothing to fear from us. You're safe here," he softly said, one hand reaching out to me as if urging me to believe his words. His velvet voice flowed over me, but I fought its normal effect, not daring to let down my guard. I was bouncing lightly on the balls of my feet, my instincts warring with my reason as my eyes never left the crouched Vampires across the room.

"I know what you are," I spat out, my voice unconsciously reverberating with the power I'd surrounded myself in. "There is no safety with Vampires, only death."

At my words, an expression quickly flashed through Edward's eyes, almost too quickly to register. If I hadn't known better, I'd have sworn it was hurt, but that couldn't be right, so I dismissed the idea and reminded myself to stay focused on the matter at hand. Carlisle stepped up next to Edward then, his own hands extended forward, palms outward in a sign of peace.

"Bella," he calmly stated, "Edward speaks the truth. Despite what we are, we mean you no harm. We are not like others of our kind, and we have never before come across someone like you. All we wish to do is talk. No one will harm you here."

As he finished speaking, he turned to the others behind him, whispering something too low for me to hear, and they reluctantly raised from their defensive crouches, the growling that had previously rung through the room ceasing. Their actions marginally eased my own nerves, but I wasn't taking any chances, and my aura stayed fully around me as I watched them carefully for any sign of impending attack. I quickly took stock of my body, deciding that a little talk would be worth it if it meant me getting out of here without a fight, so I nodded slightly at Carlisle even while staying in my own defensive stance.

"Then talk," I said, my voice calmer than it had been, though still reverberating with the energy that continued to flow through me.

Edward

I was angry that Carlisle hadn't given me some time alone with Bella before barging into the room with the others, but from their thoughts I could ascertain their curiosity, and there was little that could stop them when they wanted to know something. Carlisle was in full scientist-mode now that the danger to Bella had passed, and his mind was so full of questions it was hard to keep up with them. Everyone wanted answers from my Bella, and I could feel her stiffen beneath me as they entered. For the thousandth time, I wished I could read her mind.

Before I could say anything, Carlisle came over to take her pulse and asked her how she was. Despite the calm answer she gave him, I could almost feel the nervousness radiating from her, and was just about to advise Carlisle to give me some time to speak with her when she began to sit up. Both he and I instinctively moved to urge her back down and that was a mistake.

One moment we were next to Bella, and the next we were flying through the air right into the others, all of us tumbling head over heels across the floor before we could regain control of our bodies. That's when the crouching and growling started, and I could feel the situation quickly getting out of control. My first instinct was to step in front of Bella, to protect her even from my family, but I knew that if I approached her at that moment, I'd simply find myself flying through the air once more. Instead, I opted to try to talk her down from her fear, leaving Carlisle to calm the others. Now would be a good time for that calm you're famous for, Jasper, I thought to myself, and as if he'd read my mind, only moments later I felt the wave of calm cover the room.

As I spoke to Bella, I could tell she didn't believe me, and was surprised at the hurt her disbelief sent arrowing through me. I wanted nothing more than to hold her at that moment, to soothe her fears and show her in no uncertain terms that she would always be safe with me. Though I couldn't understand where these feelings had come from, or how they'd grown so strong this quickly, I'd decided to stop fighting them. Not like fighting was doing any good in the first place; they were too powerful, too instinctive to fight against, and the honest truth was, I liked the way Bella made me feel. And I loved the effect I knew I had on her, despite how she fought it.

She finally seemed to calm somewhat and agreed to talk, and I felt my hopes rise that we'd be able to get through to her. Whether she knew it or not, she needed us, and there was no way we were going to let her walk into danger alone. She was mine, now, and therefore part of our family, and we protect our own.

Carlisle seemed to choose his words carefully before asking the first question, though the question itself wasn't surprising in the least. It's the first one I would have asked, as well.

"What are you?" I could see the curiosity blazing in his eyes, and he reminded me of every scientist I'd ever seen. I couldn't help the small smirk that crossed my face as I answered, knowing there was little chance he'd understand the significance of my words.

"I'm a Keeper."

"A Keeper?" Edward repeated, "What is that?"

"I keep the Balance," I replied. I could tell by the confusion on their faces that they had no idea what I was talking about, and shook my head slightly as I debated just how much to tell them. They already knew the gist of my abilities, and that I wasn't human, and giving them some basic information wouldn't jeopardize my mission in any way. It was surprising, really, how little the beings of Earth knew about the Balance responsible for their very existence.

As I was debating with myself, Carlisle took another step forward, bringing him to Edward's side.

"Can you please elaborate on that for us? I've never heard of a Keeper, and have never run across even a reference to one in any of the archives I've visited over the years." At his words, I sighed softly, allowing my aura to fold within myself once more before taking a seat on the bed I'd just recently vacated.

Edward made to come towards me, but I quickly held up a hand to stop him. While I was willing to give them a bit of general information, I couldn't afford to allow myself to trust any of them. They were Vampires, after all, and regardless of my inexplicable feelings for Edward, I had to keep my priorities in order at all times. The mission came first.

"Stay where you are. While I don't mind answering a few questions, we're not allies, and my trust is not yours." Once again, I could have sworn hurt flashed in his eyes, but I quickly distracted myself from the thought, focusing my own as I began to explain a few basics to the Vampires now intently listening to what I had to say.

"When The Great Father created the universe, He created a Balance between all things. Light and dark, good and evil, day and night, life and death, etcetera. For everything in Creation there is a natural and necessary counterpart, both sides being perfectly in balance at all times. This Balance is literally what holds the universe together and allows life to exist, from the stars and planets to the living things and beings within them."

"My race, the Keepers, were born outside of Creation in a plane of existence known as The Hollow. We were meant to watch over Creation and ensure that the Balance was always kept; stepping in when needed, but for the most part simply observing. We were given control of the mystical energies that flow through each living thing, the same energies that hold the barriers between the planes intact."

"Many millenia passed peacefully before The Breach occurred. Perhaps it is the nature of all sentient beings to eventually want more than they have, and for some, to do the unthinkable in order to attain those desired things. Unbeknownst to most of the Keepers, a small group had been tinkering with the energies, skewing the Balance for their own ends and passing through the different planes at will without ensuring that the barriers were strengthened once more after each trip."

I paused a moment in the story to wearily run my hand down my face, not really wanting to continue as I debated how much more I could safely tell them without jeopardizing my own mission here on Earth. My body ached and I was so tired, yet the battle had only started and there was so much more to come. Where would I find the strength to do what I must? I sighed softly, speaking once more in a weary voice. All I really wanted to do was sleep for the next week and not have to think about any of this anymore.

"Just as everything in Creation exists in a delicate Balance, so do the planes themselves. If a Breach occurs and is left untended for too long, the planes will begin to merge, destroying the Balance. Most planes are benign, containing no threat to the others even should a barrier temporarily fall. But others... others are filled with horrors that are beyond your worst imaginings, and of course, it was a barrier to such a plane that was breached. The beings who live there, the Trentolaran, are the source of Earth's legends of demons, a few seen by humans when they managed to escape to this plane before being hunted down and destroyed by us."

"At first, we weren't worried, as a Breach is a fairly simple thing to repair once its presence is made known to us. However, the Keepers who had caused it had so twisted the mystical energies that fixing the breach became a very complicated and time-consuming event, allowing many Trentolaran to escape to other planes before it could be sealed. While we were focused on that, the Keepers deliberately created a Breach to another plane as well, containing the deadly Hunters, one of whom attacked Edward and I in that clearing. Even more of them managed to escape before we could seal that breach. We attempted to hunt and destroy the rogue Trentolaran and Hunters, but the other Keepers came to their aid and a great battle took place within The Hollow."

I turned away then, pausing once more as I walked to the window and stared out, though the images in my mind weren't of the trees and greenery surrounding the house, but of the horrors I'd witnessed in that battle. Tears filled my eyes and my throat felt as if it were closing as I tried to draw in air and calm myself. I cleared my throat harshly, continuing to gaze unseeing out the window as I again took up the story, my voice now barely audible and choked with tears.

"It wasn't a battle so much as a massacre. Never before had an enemy infiltrated The Hollow, and we were caught completely by surprise. Our best warriors fell all too quickly, the Hunters' dark swords cutting them down all around us, and we all would have died if not for the actions of the Elders. They gathered those of us who were left into the Great Tree and my Tuan bound it with her own life-force, protecting us within its confines even as our enemies were repelled. There were so few of us left."

My words were cut off by the emotion clogging my throat, and a moment later I felt a hand gently fall upon my shoulder, gripping it softly. Instinctively, I flinched away from it, caught up in the memories of my last day in The Hollow, but it quickly fell once more and I found myself pulled into the comforting embrace of Edward. His cold arms wrapped tightly around me, filling me with a soothing warmth despite their chill, and I couldn't resist the lure of the comfort he was offering. My feelings were in turmoil, and while I knew I should keep my distance from him, everything within me was screaming for me to get as close as possible, that safety could be found within his arms. I was so tired of fighting against these feelings, and it was just too hard to resist anymore.

I sighed softly as I let my forehead rest against his chest, my own arms rising to wrap around his waist as I leaned against him, drawing strength where my own was sorely lacking at the moment. I felt the gentle brush of his lips against the top of my head as his chest began to vibrate with a soft purr beneath my head. While part of me was shocked to hear a Vampire purring, I couldn't keep myself from softening against him, absently nuzzling my forehead back and forth as I allowed the sound of it to soothe my ragged nerves.

Edward

As Bella began speaking, questions were running through our minds, but all of us were too afraid to interrupt in case she stopped talking. I was awed at the story and at the power she seemed to wield so easily, listening to every word that fell from her mouth with a growing sense of wonder. The things she must have seen!

Then she began telling us about the battle, and as I watched her reflection in the window, I could see the tears welling in her eyes, hear the pain in her voice as she recounted what had happened. I knew the wisest course of action would be to keep my distance from her right now, she was still leery of trusting us at all, but there was no way I could stay away from her when she was in such emotional pain. Not while everything in my body was screaming at me to go to her, comfort her, that she needed me.

I could feel her initial resistance as I wrapped my arms around her, but I held her tightly to me, refusing to relinquish my hold when she was in need. I could feel her inner turmoil and instinctively began to purr, hoping that would help to soothe her where words would not. It was an odd feeling, as I'd never purred before; it was something Vampires only did for their mates because it was such an intimate thing to share with someone.

After a few moments, I was glad I had, as I could feel her slowly relaxing against me, and I gentled my hold. I lifted one hand, stroking it slowly through her hair as I closed my eyes, savoring the feel of her in my arms and enjoying that I was able to give her what she needed right now. I lost myself in her scent for countless minutes until a loud gasp brought me back to the present and my eyes flew open to find myself standing within Bella's golden aura. It was pulsing gently in time with her heartbeat, fully encompassing us both as we stood there together, and my body stiffened slightly in shock at the sight.

I heard a gasp and then felt Edward stiffen against me. Almost afraid of what I would see, I slowly raised my head and looked around, then felt shock jolt through me at what I saw. I'd lost conscious control of my aura and it had flared brightly around me for a distance of several feet, but that wasn't what shocked the hell out of me. Edward was standing within my aura! That was impossible! It should have thrown him away from me immediately as it flared up because we weren't...

Wait. NO! It couldn't be! Could it? Was he...?

A/N: I've particularly enjoyed stories where the author allowed the readers to take part in them, so I'm going to do the same thing with this one. I'm currently working on the next Hunter who will appear in the story. If you have an idea for an interesting way they could go after Bella, tell me in a PM or review. If I use your idea, you'll get to describe and name them, as well as receive credit for the idea in my author's note of that chapter. ~ Dyxie