W I T C H

Edward and I decided to go hunting before we went home; my throat was aching and burning and it was getting more intolerable by the second.
Renesmee was with Jacob; visiting his father, Billy Black. Once he warmed up to her, he was crazy about her. Just like Charlie. He all but begged to see her as soon as possible.
And my dad visited regularly, and I did too.

Barely a second had passed as I thought about this; Edward smiled gently at me and then took off for the green mush of a forest. There was a huge elk running away from him, and he caught it by its antlers.

I turned my head away. No need to get more thirsty that I already was.

I shuddered. I felt his gaze on me, but I did not look at him.

He darted toward me and poked me in the ribs. "Your turn," he panted.

I stretched up on my toes to kiss his forehead, and I ran towards the forest with my eyes closed and my nostrils flaring instinctively, searching for a scent.

That was when it hit.

Of course it was human; the heartbeat was almost irrestistible. My eyes flew open and Edward was behind me, his hands gripping my shoulders tightly, as if to restrain me. I was in control of myself; and besides, the scent itself wasn't that nice.

"Edward . . . ," I said.

"Don't breathe," he cautioned.

I took a deep breath to contradict him, and even though it was a heap of ardent flames down my throat, somehow I could resist. The scent was peculiar; it was lemonish, but it was opaque and uninviting.

I felt Edward's hands tighten, and I turned around to look into his face.

"No, Edward. It's not . . . that. The scent is blowing away, anyway. It's the scent itself. It smells . . . weird. You can tell it's human, but something about it repels, you know?'

"Yes. I've noticed it, too. I know that you're almost a year old, Bella, but I still worry about you on these hunting trips." His crooked smile flashed across his face.

I touched his cheek. "You have nothing to worry about, Edward. I wouldn't hurt anybody," I promised.

He pursed his lips, and eyed me thoughtfully. Suddenly, I felt self conscious.

"What?"

"I think . . . I think she's not fully human," Edward said. "It's hard to pick up a reading on her. . . . and I don't think she's completely human."

"So, what? Like a shapeshifter?" I snorted.

"No. Something else . . . ,"

I tugged on his arm. "Let's go, then," I urged.

Edward's nose wrinkled. "Right."

Our hands were intertwined and Edward said, "I think she's seventeen, but I can't be sure."

I didn't know what to say. I settled for "oh."

"I think . . . ," Edward said, and his brow furrowed in confusion. "I think it's sort of a witch, I suppose."

I stopped running and stood still. What? Witches don't exist, right? But then again, shapeshifters, werewolves, and vampires exist. Witches were the only ones missing.

"A witch," I breathed.

"Yes. Bella, if we want to find her, we have to go now. She's getting away."

"Okay," I agreed. "I never knew they existed," I mused.

"Are you too thirsty to see her?"

"Hmmmm?" I was distracted. "Thirsty? No, no. I'm fine."

We sprinted for the dense, sweet scent.

The scent was fascinating, up close. It was so dense, so . . . cloying. It makes you feel almost numb and tired.

"Edward?"

"Yes, definitely a witch," he murmured to himself.

I stared at him blankly. Hadn't we already established that she was a witch?

"Edward," I whispered, pointing forward. "Edward, there she is."

The girl looked my age, and she was absolutely . . . stunning.

If not for her light green eyes, I would easily have mistaken her for a vampire.

Her hair was a soft chesnut, rolling in waves down to her waist. Her complexion was light caramel, and her lips were perfect. Her eyes were in the shape of perfect almonds. She was wearing a beautiful black dress, and sitting on the ground.

But that's not why I couldn't look away.

I couldn't look away because in her lap, there was a squirrel sleeping.

Alice would love her, I mused silently.

Edward took my hand we slowed to a walk towards the girl.

She looked up at us, startled. She clutched the squirrel tighter in her arms.

"Hello," Edward said in his light, musical voice.

I heard her heartbeat accelerate.

"Vampire," she said, nodding at him.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Pale skin, unusual eyes, and I can feel the coolness coming off of your bodies." She paused. "Names?"

"I'm Bella, this is my husband, Edward."

"Ah. Hello." She smiled slightly. "I'm Maple."

Maple. That's an unusual name.

Edward decided to ask. "You're a witch, correct?"

She looked shocked, but then Maple composed herself quickly.

"Yes. That's why I have this squirrel, you know. She had a badly broken leg, and she needed my help. A little grass and three rose petals do the trick." She laughed. It was a beautiful sound.

The squirrel's leg was tucked under its tail protectively, and its breathing was even. Sleeping peacefully.

"We'd like to hear more about your kind," I offered.

"Sure. I can come to your house, and we can chat."

"Okay." I blinked. "I'll have to carry you, though."

Maple clung to my back, burying her face into my shoulder. Sure, my throat burned, but I could care less about that. For God's sake, she's a witch! It's so interesting. And it would be a shame to kill her for somethingthat could be taken care of later.

In a matter of seconds, we were in front of the house, and Maple slid off my back. She was amazingly graceful for not being a vampire, and it was impressive.

"Hey, Bella! Edward," Alice trilled. She looked at Maple. "Who's this?"

"This is Maple," I said. "She's a witch."

You could tell Alice was trying to hide her shock.

"Interesting," she muttered. "Well, come in, Maple!" She grabbed her hand. "You're very pretty, by the way."

"Thank you so much," Maple said warmly. Everyone's eyes were widened with shock.

"I guess I'll tell you my histories now," Maple said.