Raizel stared at the bookstore sign.
"Thunderbird and Whale Bookstore."
Huh.
Either the owner had been high when naming the place, or they were just really committed to creative branding.
To top it off, the bookstore sat alone atop a hill, as if it had been exiled by society. No other stores. No bustling streets. Just vibes.
Raizel tilted his head, mildly impressed.
How had this place not gone out of business? Who even came all the way out here to buy books? Did they rely on the occasional lost tourist like him?
No matter. He was here for a book, not an economic analysis.
With that, he stepped inside.
The store smelled like old paper, ink, and the vague hint of incense. A Native American man greeted him warmly, and Raizel, with his usual effortless grace (read: minimal effort), explained that he had called ahead about a particular book.
To his relief, the staff had already set it aside. Convenient.
After paying for it, he started flipping through the pages on his way out.
Five pages in, his eyebrow twitched.
Ten pages in, his soul left his body.
This was not what he was looking for.
He stopped walking, staring at the book as if it had personally betrayed him.
Such a drag...
Raizel sighed. Maybe he should have checked the reviews first.
Just as he was about to close the book and mourn his wasted effort, he felt a presence nearby.
He turned his head slightly—
Only to come face-to-face with Bella Swan.
Oh.
Raizel blinked.
Bella blinked back.
She looked nervous but didn't leave, which meant she had something to say.
"Um, hi," she greeted softly. Her gaze flickered between him and the book in his hands. "That book you're holding… I was actually interested in it too. Didn't expect to find someone else here looking for it."
Raizel glanced at the book, as if re-evaluating its worth.
Should he just… hand it over and let her deal with the disappointment?
He nodded casually.
Which was true. Just not this particular brand of 'mildly entertaining but ultimately useless' books.
Bella hesitated before asking, "Do you need this book?"
Ah. There it was.
Raizel, ever the gracious individual, considered her request. He had already decided the book wasn't worth his time. And if he left it on his shelf, it would just gather dust.
"I no longer need it," he said, offering the book to her. "You can borrow it if you like."
Bella's eyes widened slightly. "Oh—I mean, I can pay for it if you—"
Raizel shook his head. "It's fine. I'd rather it be of use to someone than sit untouched."
She hesitated, looking a little uncomfortable about accepting it for free. But in the end, she extended her hand and took it.
"…Thank you."
Raizel simply gave a small nod, watching as she turned to leave.
Well, that was unexpected.
Not unpleasant, just… unexpected.
He hadn't expected to meet Bella today, though, logically, it was bound to happen at some point.
Now, if he were willing, he could probably meet Edward as well.
But did he feel inclined to?
…Not really.
Or—
A thought crossed his mind.
Would it be a waste to not mess with Edward at least a little?
Raizel changed course mid-step.
Yes, he had no reason to seek out Edward.
But no reason was, in itself, a perfectly good reason.
The next second, he moved.
The world blurred around him as he crossed the distance with supernatural speed, effortlessly silent, barely visible to mortal eyes. In an instant, he arrived at an open area where Bella was—of course—already in trouble.
Ah. Naturally.
Two men were following her, their intentions less than friendly. Their overconfidence was almost inspiring in a pathetic kind of way.
Raizel sighed.
Must I do everything around here?
With an unhurried, almost lazy stride, he walked toward them.
His presence was noticed immediately.
Because, well—he wanted it to be.
The moment his eyes gleamed red in the dim light, chaos erupted.
One man recoiled so hard he tripped over his own feet. Another turned so fast he slammed into his unfortunate friend, sending them both sprawling.
Within seconds, the alley was half-empty, and those who hadn't fled outright were wisely rethinking their life choices.
Bella, still in the middle of it all, stood frozen.
She turned her gaze toward Raizel, eyes wide with astonishment, as the last of her pursuers fled.
Raizel stopped just a few feet from her.
Expression unreadable.
Completely composed.
Then, with a voice as casual as if he had just asked about the weather, he said,
"Are you okay?"
Bella, still processing, managed a hesitant, "Hmm."
Which could've meant 'yes,' 'no,' or 'what just happened and who are you really?'
She didn't get a chance to elaborate.
Because, in true dramatic fashion—
A car came rushing toward them.
Bella instinctively stepped back, her heart pounding.
Raizel?
Didn't even blink.
The car screeched to a stop mere inches from him.
The driver's door flew open, and—of course—it was Edward.
Bella's head snapped between the two of them, her apprehension evident.
Edward, on the other hand, looked…
Terrified.
Nervous.
And, most importantly—completely lost.
Raizel observed him with mild interest.
Edward's mind-reading ability?
Completely useless right now.
And he hated it.
Edward tensed, preparing to make a move—when suddenly, a voice echoed inside his head.
"Boy, you are rude."
Edward froze.
Raizel arched a brow.
Ah. So that worked.
Edward shot him a nervous glance, but quickly tried to regain composure.
"Get in the car," he instructed Bella, voice firm, trying very hard to keep unease in check.
Bella hesitated, looking back at Raizel.
Edward, however, had no time to press the issue.
Because the next second—
Raizel was too close.
Far too close.
Even Bella, who was only human, felt the shift in the air.
One moment Raizel was standing where he had been.
The next—
He was right in front of Edward.
No warning.
No sound.
Just—there.
Edward barely had time to tense, his body instinctively shifting into a defensive stance.
But Raizel?
He just smiled.
A slow, knowing smile.
Not threatening.
Not hostile.
Just… unsettling.
Then, in a voice that was entirely too casual for the situation, he said,
"We will meet again."
Edward remained rigid, unmoving, as Raizel stepped back.
He turned his gaze toward Bella once more, gave a slight wave, then—
Simply walked away.
Just like that.
No rush.
No dramatic exit.
He just… left.
And as if on cue, a sleek black car rolled into view.
Raizel got in.
Didn't look back.
Didn't acknowledge Edward's feelings.
Didn't care.
Then—
The car drove off, leaving Bella and Edward behind.
One speechless.
The other nervous.