Raizel found it hard to believe he was crying. He felt his heart beating strongly, showing its feelings for what he had just said. He touched his tears, looking at them in disbelief. "He was strong, but chose not to...".
Before Bella notice, Raizel tried to use a simple illusion to make it appear as though he stood still, watching outside through the window, while he actually removed the tears from his eyes. But he forgot that a simple illusion wouldn't work on someone with the innate talent and bloodline of a witch. Bella extended her arm towards Raizel's shoulder, attempting to calm him down, which he hadn't expected.
Even though the tears weren't his, but rather emotions still lingering in the heart of the actual Raizel, he accepted her comfort. He turned to look at her eyes and asked "Bella, have you experienced what it means to lose someone close to you?"
Bella avoided eye contact and whispered, "No."
Raizel continued, "Have you thought about what it really means to lose your dear mother, father, and your Cullens...?"
Bella gripped her arms, trying to contain her emotions. Raizel pressed on, "Edward...?"
She looked at Raizel with frustration. He then asked, "Are you aware of the rules of the Volturi?"
Bella gave him a blank expression, and Raizel explained, "Vampires shouldn't involve themselves with humans. If they do, they face death."
He stepped closer to her and said, "The more you push yourself, the closer Edward gets to you. The closer he gets to eternal sleep, the more your loved ones walk into death."
At last, Bella had enough. "No... no... no..." she muttered, taking steps back as she processed Raizel's words.
Raizel got even closer and said, "He did it for you. He did it for what you hold dear. Just try to understand him."
Bella, unwilling to hear more, said, "No, I won't..." She turned and walked out, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and denial. Raizel didn't stop her. He watched her go, understanding that she needed time to come to terms with the harsh truths since she got involved with him rather Jacob.
Once Bella had left, Raizel softly called, "Vlad." Dracula, who had returned after dealing with his revenge, had been silently standing in the corner of the room, unnoticed by Bella. Only Raizel had been aware of his presence. Vlad stepped forward, bowing and addressing Raizel, "Master."
Raizel smiled slightly, glad to see his new ally again. "It's good to see you again, Vlad."
Vlad responded respectfully, "The pleasure is mine, Master."
Raizel then said, "Vlad, could you watch over that girl for a few days?" as he walked towards the window again. He saw Bella walking back to her truck. He was certain his choice of words might not have been sufficient. He regretted getting involved with her, thinking it might have been better to let fate take its course.
Raizel continued with a mild tone, "Get rid of anyone who dares to approach her with ill intentions."
Vlad showed no reaction but smiled and said, "Yes, Master."
Raizel walked over to his sofa and took a seat, thought consumed. Vlad nodded before leaving through the window as a swarm of bats.
Outside, Bella sat in her truck, gripping the steering wheel tightly. How could she reconcile her love for Edward with the potential danger it posed to everyone she cared about? She felt torn, unsure of what her next steps should be. The more she tried to let go of Edward, the more she felt the ache of his absence. His distance only fueled her desire to have him by her side.
At last, she started the engine, unwilling to give up. As Bella drove away, Vlad followed her from a distance, unseen and undetected.
Back in the mansion, Raizel leaned back on the sofa, lost in his thoughts. He knew he had set a series of events into motion, and now, all he could do was wait and see how they unfolded.
He glanced at the book on the table. With a flick of his wrist, the book flew to his side. The title, written in Swedish, read Var Dohr.
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