Prologue
On special days like these, my mom treats me to Starbucks and a day's escape from the school bus. With my latte in hand, I met up with Kat in our advisory classroom, as she held the door open so I could wheel myself in. We talked about how our stress was at the boiling point and boil over today with our second WASL test of the year.
Our friend Nick walked over and, once again we entered our ongoing discussion as to why Twilight was such an awesome book. (He really didn't get the concept of it.)
Swapping turns, we explained to him that the story was about a girl named Bella Swan who falls for Edward Cullen, a vampire, and that it all takes place in Forks, Washington.
"It's kind of freaky. Forks is only a few hours drive from here." My laugh didn't quite come out right.
Nick muttered, "It's a real place?"
Kat and I nodded as if to say, duh. She continued with the explanation that being a vampire didn't automatically enroll you in the worldwide presence of Volturi, thank goodness.
"FYI: the vampire mafia in Italy..." I said. I could see the 'Oh, now it makes sense' expression fill his face. He was still a little stuck as to why there was constant conflict between Edward and Jacob Black (Bella's good friend.) We cleared that up when Kat realized Nick had missed that both Bella and the obtuse reader didn't discover Jacob's true role in the story until the second book. Werewolves and vampires – mortal enemies, Jacob being the werewolf
Kat and I both concluded neither of us would be traveling to Volterra, Italy whether the Volturi where there or not.
I was so relieved once the WASL tests were all out of the room and it was comfortable to move around and talk. Kat came over with her drawing pad and sat down on the floor next to my wheelchair, which I'd hopefully be out of in day or two.
She pushed her short brown hair behind her ear. "Hey, what do you think would happen if Jacob and Edward were in the room right this minute?"
"Everyone would be dead except you, me, and Mrs. Brown."
"Cuz we'd be the only ones who knew to flatten ourselves against the wall, or get out right away, right?"
"Yea. Anyway, so like, why would they even be here?" I asked.
"Edward liked me and Jacob imprinted on you?" We both laughed at that. Neither of us could see why Edward or Jacob would be interested in either of us; besides they were both head over heals in love with Bella. Anything is possible, I guess. Especially in our minds.
"Na," I said, "Maybe the Volturi were looking for us and Jacob or Edward didn't want any commotion or anything?"
"Yeah I guess that would work. But, why would the Volturi even be looking for us?"
She'd struck my idea on the side of the head with a rock. "We know too much or something?"
Nick walked over then and we launched back into an almost explanatory essay about Edward, Jacob and the Volturi once again. "You know what?" The barest hint of irritation laced into my voice. "I'll bring you the book tomorrow. You read it and find out for yourself what everyone is talking about."
Nick left again and Kat and I picked back up where we had left off: how we would react to meeting a Volturi. "Personally," I said, "I'd try to make them think I really had no idea who they were, or what they were talking about." I told Kat.
"If I was listening to my iPod… and Caius tapped me on the shoulder, I'd probably say, 'Go away…' He'd tap me again and I'd repeat 'Go away.' Then, while my eyes were shut listening to my iPod, I'd finally be all like, 'BITE ME!' But, then I'd open my eyes, and I'd be all like, 'O-Oh crap…Um…Yeah I didn't mean that…I swear!'"
I laughed. "I think I'd love to try and make Jane crazy. She'd be trying to make me understand that I was in real danger if I didn't shut the heck up." We both laughed for a bit then asked Mrs. Brown what she thought. She didn't seem to care too much and said speech wouldn't be necessary. She'd just leave as fast as she could.
Neither Kat, nor Mrs. Brown, or I noticed three figures slip away from their listening point at the window in the back of the room. Neither did we know that they had been observing our conversations throughout the day, let alone for the past week.
When we left for lunch we were a bit jumpy and so when we got to the elevator we looked at each other and Kat asked, "Hey what if they were waiting for us in the elevator or something?" she'd always been jumpy around elevators.
I shrugged. "We'd be dead before the elevator opened to let us out." We both felt like checking to make sure there wasn't anything or anyone in there, after all I was in a wheelchair at the time, I'd be out in a few days hopefully.
It was clear so we stopped being too jumpy and lasted through lunch.
But we were constantly looking over our shoulders for the whole next day because of a shrill scream we heard during lunch. But the day passed and we both arrived at school the next day without a visible scratch.
I unfortunately didn't realize why one of my legs was unusually cooler than the rest of my body. For those with paranormal senses, it meant something bad was going to happen that night. Other than that, I was in an unusual amount of pain that burned and then was gone, one more paranormal sense.
Before falling asleep that night, I decided to take a little walk in our field right outside our front yard since I'd just been relieved of the wheelchair. It was a full moon and the field was greatly lit. It was the most beautiful of places to be. It was extremely cold however. I heard rustling in the bushes. It frightened me until I saw the coyotes that were coming for their nightly drink in the pond. I'd seen them out before and it didn't frighten me when they walked within inches of me. They were almost like family since we'd moved into the neighborhood. The field we were in kinda reminded me of the clearing that Edward had taken Bella to. He had to show her why he couldn't be anywhere public when the sun was shining. He sparkled like a diamond, in the sunlight.
All of a sudden the coyotes were spooked and were gone. I turned around to look at what had bothered them. A black cloak fluttered in the breeze toward me. I shuddered at even the slightest possibility.
"Kathryn Ouellette?" A deep male voice asked. I shuttered again as a smell caught my nose. It was sweeter than anything I'd ever smelled before. I knew who it was, unfortunately.
"Who wants to know?" My father had taught me one thing of use, never show fear, especially if you can't see who you're talking to.
"My name is Aro. I believe you already knew the answer to that. I've got Jane with me so you can stop your 'I'm not scared and don't have a clue who you are' charade." I shuddered, Jane had the power to make you think you were in unbearable pain just by thinking it, I wouldn't wish her on even my worst of enemies.
It was then that I could see the figures coming toward me. I thought about running, but that would have done me in, as I would have run into one of the granite figures that now stood before me. The Volturi really had come after me, I swallowed hard.
"Then what do you want?" I asked trying to stop my voice from shaking.
Jane spoke this time, "You are someone who knows a little too much of us, and of the other vampires in the area." She scoffed, "We don't like the idea of being exposed by mere mortals, as you well guessed a few afternoons ago. And yes, we were there when you had your conversation with your friend, Katlynn, I think her name was. We've already dealt with her."
"Jane, stand down. She needs no persuasion." Aro seemed so sure, though he couldn't read my mind. He hadn't touched me as his ability required him to even see my memories. He turned and took a graceful, precautionary step toward me to avoid scaring me into running, I would assume. "You have one of two choices. You can either join our ranks after learning from the Cullen family, or we can kill you right here. You'd hardly remember our meeting, with the more humane option."
Behind him I saw Jane looking ready to burst at the seams, trying to hold herself from using her ability on me. I needed to tone down my arrogance, "I have to say, I am deeply honored that I've been given the choice, not to mention that you're here offering it to me." I meant none of my words.
"Is that a yes to joining our ranks?" Jane asked suddenly by my side. She seemed thoroughly excited if not a bit eager.
"May I request a compromise?" I asked. Jane walked away easily, not at all happy by my choice. Aro nodded for me to continue. "I would like twenty years to decide if I would join you in Volterra. If you give me twenty years, I would be more comfortable with the situation." I spoke but shook as well. Jane was becoming impatient. She whispered something to Aro worriedly.
"Very well," Aro said. He turned to walk away. Within mere seconds, Jane was beside me. I was going to hold out my arm for her but she didn't need my invitation. The next thing I knew her teeth and venom had begun sinking into my bloodstream. Soon afterward I was drowning in blackness and cold burning.
I awoke the next morning around 2:00 feeling completely refreshed and ready for the final portion of the writing WASL. I was disturbed by what I thought had just been a dream. I wanted to think that I'd just been sleep walking again and the crescent scar on my arm was nothing more than where I had cut myself unaware. But my gut told me otherwise, I decided to ignore it anyway.
My thoughts changed I arrived at school that morning. Mrs. Brown, Kat and I were the only ones in the classroom. I laughed to myself because that meant everyone else would have to take the writing portion of the WASL again next year. I had to wonder though… Why were they were all missing?
Another strange thing, our skin was abnormally white and we each lacked a pulse, not to mention we were all twice as gorgeous as before.
We were vampires. By whom was the easy question: The Volturi. They were the only ones that would, for whatever reason; want to do something like that. Not to mention my vague memory of our encounter.
That was when we heard a loud roar of a car engine. Seconds later, Edward and Alice Cullen showed up. Obviously being Twilight fans we gawked. Alice seemed much shorter than our imaginations. It was even more shocking seeing her at four foot nine standing next to Edward's six foot two. Not to mention that Edward was the most gorgeous thing on the planet.
Alice pulled the three of us aside. She explained how the Volturi, no surprise there, were angered that three humans had learned about them and the Cullens, and actually believed it. The Volturi were more concerned about those living in Washington State, but we were the only three that believed it was real. We were the only targets. Edward hadn't heard much of the thoughts of the Volturi other than we were the only humans that believed the Twilight series might possibly be real. We were obviously a problem if we knew and were telling people, but revealing their secrets was no longer on our top priority. We had to wonder why they had left us to live. Why hadn't they just taken the chance and killed us?
I had a few ideas of my own. Like, if we'd been found drained of blood, without even a bloodstain in the carpet the other Twilight fans might start believing. I wouldn't even want to take care of that mess. They'd have to deal with practically all the teens in the world!
Then there was the possibility that our abilities, if we had any, might be useful to them.
Then there was the far-fetched idea: maybe it had been destiny all along.
I only had trouble thinking of how the last one affected me. My grandfather used to tell me stories of our Cherokee ancestors and how they believed in spirit guides that guide you through life and appear when you need them most. When you came of age, you could shift into them. Most were wolves because it was such a treasured animal to the Cherokee nation as well as other Indian tribes.
When you could shift into the creature they called you a Spirit Walker, like Jacob Black's tribe's legend about their Spirit Warriors. My grandfather told me that Cherokee blood only showed in you if you were destined to be one of the Spirit Walkers. He also told me that he'd lost his when he married his soul mate and couldn't feel love for anyone the way he felt for her. He told me once he saw me at the age of sixteen becoming a white wolf and joining a pack of wolves around the area.
Ever since reading the Twilight series, I couldn't help but think; maybe it wasn't a story after all. Maybe that really was my destiny. If it were true, there was definitely another possibility to consider. Why had I been changed? Were they trying to avoid creating another enemy? How would it affect me if I was destined to be a werewolf?
Alice seemed to jump at my reasoning once I'd explained myself. She apparently hadn't known of my blood heritage, or hadn't thought it possible. Edward didn't seem surprised at all, but he tried to hide that he was worried. I could sense it in him, like waves of emotion he was giving off. Alice on the other hand just seemed happy to be around more people - well vampires that were female – I couldn't really blame her.
What would my future hold now? Could I even join the werewolf pack if I became one? Was this all just something to protect the world? The Volturi? All the other vampires' skins? Then, the worst of all questions: How would I control the blood cravings I now felt? Did I even feel them, living in one of Washington's most populated areas?
On the bright side, I could focus more clearly on remaining solitary while writing my first novel. I shouldn't have any trouble finding inspiration to jump-start ideas being a vampire. I still had to worry about my heritage though. What would a vampire do, whose blood was destined to run through the veins of a wolf? Not evaporate from her body.