Vampires and the King
New Arrivals
This town was very overcast this year…a major reason why the Cullen's had decided to visit. They had also heard of very strange happenings here…children who had powers and the murders of several people…all who have gone missing. Certainly, this was the dirty work of a clever vampire, and Edward was sure of it.
Most of his family followed behind him. It was nighttime of course, and they had bought a home here. They were staying in this town for a long time…the word was several vampires lived here, and they also heard that some people stay out of the light and only come out at night like they do. This was further evidence to Edward.
He thought of how Carlisle didn't want to come and how Esme had agreed. Rosalie and Emmett were firm on traveling the world and wanted nothing more to do with anything at the moment…well, that was mostly Rosalie. Emmett had grudgingly come along…he had liked the adventure that Edward was brewing up, but he had accompanied Rosalie only because he loved her so dearly…not to mention she was hot.
Alice and Jasper decided it was a fine adventure to go upon. Besides…Alice and Jasper would be needed very much. Alice thought maybe there were werewolves there too, for she could not predict anything from this town. Jasper thought his handy emotional senses would come in handy …he thought he had his handle on not killing humans down too, which helped.
Bella knew she did not have to soothe Renesme`…she had been through much worse, on the verge of dying. She missed Jacob dearly but knew he'd be fine with her father, Charlie, and the rest of his wolf pack.
"We're getting close," Edward murmured, looking at his daughter sleeping again. Nessie was nearing the age of thirteen now, and he knew that her childhood was almost up. Nessie was the strange hybrid between vampire and human, when Bella had been human of course. Edward remembered those blissful times…but now, however, he was content with the way things had turned out and pursuing new adventures was fun…not having to face any dangers was so dull compared to their battles against Victoria, their battles upon James and not to mention the Volturi.
"Edward," Alice commented.
"What?" he said irritably.
"This is a first," Jasper added.
"Tell me," he growled. He wanted to keep his eyes on his daughter.
"Well, considering you missed the exit…finally, an imperfection," Bella chuckled. Edward looked to the road signs. Indeed they had. England was so confusing now…things should never be confusing for a vampire.
Edward made a large U-turn and powered to the exit, then taking off from there. He turned to Bella, not bothering to keep his eyes on the road.
"How do you suppose we take this?" he asked.
"Well," Bella said thoughtfully, "I think we should first move into our home and seem the shy new neighbors. Our new address is Number 11, Filbert Street. I think we should roam at night, check out the city from there."
"Not bad," Jasper said.
"I'll go with it…we're almost there, Edward," Jasper pointed out.
"I know what I'm doing," Edward muttered, making Alice, Bella and Jasper grin.
Even with Alice, they were unaware they were being followed.
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Charlie settled down on his bed. He was content and almost ready to fall asleep. He remembered sadly how Benjamin had put his house up for sale and his family was now intent on moving to the other side of town. The new neighbors were to move in tonight.
"Charlie, come look, quickly," came a voice through the darkness. Charlie scrambled out of bed and to his Uncle Paton, who was in the doorway.
"What is it?" he asked.
"The new neighbors, come see," Paton beckoned, leading him down to the living room window. Charlie looked out and saw a shiny silver Volvo outside Number 11, Filbert Street. Even though Paton was married, he thought it best if Julia come live at Number 9 to make the entire building a bookstore. Charlie had abandoned his new home and had come to stay the night with his uncle. He saw several perfect figures in the darkness moving boxes in the light. In the dark though they seemed bright with their very pale skin.
"Some big hotshots," Charlie muttered.
"You don't know that," Paton pointed out. "Don't be jealous just because Benjamin moved away. You can still see him, Charlie."
"I know, I shouldn't be like this," Charlie sighed.
"I understand," Paton said.
Suddenly the tallest of them looked up. He had a spectacularly beautiful face and what seemed to be bronze colored hair and pale skin. He stared directly at Charlie and Paton.
"Quick, Charlie!" Paton closed the curtains quickly as Charlie backed up.
"How did he know?" Charlie asked.
"You have the feeling you're being watched, don't you?" Paton whispered, glancing upstairs. His wife, Julia, and step-daughter Emma were still sleeping.
"I think we should go to bed," Charlie said. Paton agreed, even though he himself usually went out at night, his bad ability to shatter lights a burden in the day. He thought of Julia upstairs. What a shock it had been when they had discovered she was a mind-reader. It provided many a possibility.
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"Alice, you can't see the future here, can you?" Edward asked, looking down from the window.
"No," Alice said, irritated.
"Hmm, well, I can read minds here," he added lazily. Alice sighed. That was all well for him, but apparently werewolves intermingled with everyone in this town…she couldn't see the future, or even theirs. Which told her they'd meet a werewolf soon.
"Daddy," Renesme said sleepily.
"Right here," Edward said, picking his daughter up as easily as if she were a feather.
"Edward, let's speed this up a bit," Bella said, using her lightning fast speed to pack things away.
"NO!" Edward practically shouted.
"Well, of course not now since you've shouted," Bella huffed, crossing her arms.
"That's fine, they'll just think you almost dropped something…which you easily could have done," he smiled his crooked smile.
Bella looked down. "I'm not clumsy anymore," she muttered. If she had been human she would have blushed…she still found this disturbing.
"Emmett said you could have been the world's only clumsy vampire," Jasper added, carrying a couch with Alice. He could have picked it up himself but not anymore since Edward had shouted.
"There were people from Number 9 looking in their window…they're curious," Edward said.
"Ah," Alice said knowingly.
Edward stared at her a moment, and then shook his head. Bella found this highly confusing when they did that, talking to each other with their minds.
"I've gained a job," Edward started to explain. Bella looked at him quizzically.
"Where?"
"A special school called Bloor's Academy. That's where all the unusual things are happening," Edward explained.
Renesme had quietly been listening to their conversation and then brought her hand to Edward, and she beckoned for her mother to join her stream of thoughts. Bella let Nessie touch her cold cheek.
"Oh, well, maybe sweetheart," Bella said, taking her from Edward. He smiled and helped unpack now too. Nessie had asked if Bella would be using her powers against the vampires here if they had powers.
"What if they're like Alec?" Nessie asked, wide-eyed, remembering the vampire from the Volturi with the horrible mist that could relieve anyone of their senses and leave them in blackness.
"I beat him, didn't I?" Bella asked.
"Yes, but maybe he's more powerful, Mom. Or maybe there's someone who can do something physical with their powers and they could burn us," Nessie said, knowing that the only way a vampire could die was to be burned.
"Don't be scared honey, I've gotten out of bigger messes," Bella soothed, her bright red eyes closing gently as she nestled her face into Nessie's soft bronze colored curls, kissing her head.
"You'll have to have a lot of contacts," Nessie pointed out. Bella smiled. "Not a problem."
After hours the sun was finally rising on the fine Sunday morning. Bella decided London wasn't so bad. She turned to Edward, who was sitting by the window, looking out. Thirst was creeping into her throat, but she held back. A specialty of hers.
"Edward?" Bella asked cautiously.
"I'm fine, Bella," Edward grinned, taking Bella in his arms and holding her close. He loved not having to be so gentle with her anymore. It allowed him to love her more fiercely…although she still had that tantalizing scent. It wasn't as rich without blood running in her veins anymore…but still.
"So, what kind of teacher are you? You could scholar at anything," Bella asked.
"I'm a piano teacher, of course. They said they've been without one for some time, rapid teaching changes. I decided it would be..fun, you might say. Teaching children," Edward gave a laugh. "They pay me well for it too. They must be desperate."
"Like we need it," Bella rolled her eyes.
"Indeed," Edward said, drawing her closer.
"I suppose you won't have any trouble resisting?" Bella asked him.
Edward shook his head. "No, no trouble at all, unless I find someone like you…which I highly doubt. I expect to find another vampire."
"Their voices must be really annoying," Bella commented. Edward laughed heartily, making Bella frowned.
"Trust me, if I could stand Mike, Lauren and Jessica, I can stand a couple of ordinary, British children."
Another weekend had passed and Charlie gloomily got aboard the blue school bus. Another long week at Bloor's. He did not look forward to it.
Mr. Paltry was disgusted with him. Had given up. So Bloor's had hired a new teacher, and now Charlie was being switched to piano. This made Charlie glad, for his father had taught him a lot on the piano. He should be happy.
Fidelio was waiting for him and he clapped him on the back, grinning.
"So Charlie, are we finally running out of adventures?" Fidelio asked.
"I hope so, geez," Charlie sighed.
After a long time Bloor's Academy finally came into view. Charlie and Fidelio got off the bus and stared at the tall gray walls before them. Hopeless, Charlie thought miserably.
After several minutes, they found themselves at their musical assembly. Many girls were giggling and pointing, and Charlie tried to get another glance. The new music teacher must be dorky.
But when Charlie finally got a glance at him, his jaw dropped open. That teacher was…was inhuman. Incredibly young. Beautiful. An enchanter? No, but…but not natural. This is who was teaching him?
This was insane.
He had a straight, handsome figure. He had to have six pack abs and his hair was an untidy bronze color. His skin was incredibly pale…Charlie realized he was the one who had seen him and Uncle Paton through the window that night.
"Charlie," giggled Olivia, who's hair was a bright purple today. Charlie almost thought that Olivia was dull compared to him.
"Olivia, is this an illusion?" Charlie asked.
"No, even I couldn't have dreamed that hunk up!" she said dreamily. "Oh Charlie, I'd give anything to be in music right now…you get him?"
"I'm in for a long semester." Charlie sighed.
Charlie walked into the piano tower, where long ago his father sat, as Mr. Pilgrim, a fantastic piano teacher who didn't know who he was. Charlie stood at the top behind a door, hearing beautiful music coming from the room.
Taking a deep breath, he walked in.
The beautiful young man was at the piano. He looked up at Charlie, positioning him in an uncomfortable stare, as his hands continued to fly over the keys at an alarming speed. Charlie seemed frozen on the spot.
"Well, sit down," he said, ending the song. He stood up from the piano and let Charlie sit. A breeze rustled through the open window, throwing Charlie's cologne on the teacher. He stiffened, standing still as a statue. Charlie stared at him quizzically and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, are you allergic to my cologne, sir?" Charlie muttered. The teacher took a large breath.
"No...no, I'm fine. Just stronger than I expected," he said, taking a seat on a large trunk by the window sill, breathing in the fresh air. He glanced toward Charlie. "Well, show me what you've got."
"I'm not very good sir, but okay." Charlie put his fingers to the keys and played his scales. When he was done he turned to the teacher, who was still looking towards the windows. Charlie noticed his eyes were a peculiar honey-gold color.
"Keep playing," the teacher commanded.
Charlie played as best as he could, knowing he was miserable at it. After half an hour, the teacher stood up and began to pace, hands folded behind his back. Charlie stopped and kept his eyes on the teacher.
"I have a lot of work to do, and my boss has told me that some of you have powers…" The teacher paused briefly. "I find it interesting, I was expecting something different."
"Different, sir?"
"Nothing for you to be concerned with," the teacher said, shaking his head. "When you play, relax your fingers, let them slide over the keys." Charlie noticed his voice was soft and wonderful, smooth and velvet. He found his fingers relaxing on the keys. "Play a scale now," the teacher said.
Charlie played, not hearing the difference.
"Do you hear it? Much better. Before you play, try finger exercises," the teacher commanded.
"Sir, I am new to the piano…I know the notes but have not been playing as long as you think," Charlie muttered.
"It's fine, you'll play well," the teacher nodded to him. Charlie's breath was taken away. He wasn't gay…but overwhelmed.
"Sir…I don't know your name," Charlie said breathlessly.
"No? Please forgive my crudeness," the teacher shook his head. "My name is Mr. Cullen."
"Sir, do you live at Number 11 Filbert Street?"
Mr. Cullen pretended to act surprised. "Why yes…ah, were you the one staring out that window?"
Charlie blushed, nodding.
"Hmm, then it seems we are neighbors," Mr. Cullen told him. Charlie shook his head now.
"No, sir. I was staying the night at my Uncle's, he is your neighbor, not me."
"Who is your Uncle?"
"Paton Yewbeam sir, and he is a very fine man."
Mr. Cullen scanned his mind and saw shattering lights.
"I presume he is. I did not catch your name," Mr. Cullen said to him.
"Sorry, sir, it seems everyone knows me, I forget," he replied. "I'm Charlie Bone."
"Wonderful, do call me Edward." Edward held out his hand. Charlie took it and gasped. It was so cold, like he was dead or something…
Edward was embarrassed. "Did I shock you?" he muttered quietly.
"Erm…yes…yes, but it's fine," Charlie assured him, rubbing his hands together. Edward was the strangest teacher he had ever met…and that was saying something at Bloor's.
"I think it's time for your English lesson," Edward told him firmly. Charlie couldn't help but wonder if Edward could read minds, for he was just thinking of English class.
"Well, it's a bit early sir," Charlie explained.
"No, no, time for freedom. If they can't catch you wandering the halls I'll write you a note," Edward told him. He pulled out a slip of paper and a pen and scribbled something. He handed it to Charlie and gently pushed him to the door. Charlie was staring at the note. Usually when someone scribbles something it isn't elegantly neat.
Edward opened the door and as Charlie took a step out he turned to face Edward's golden eyes.
"Yes?" Edward said irritably.
"Are you endowed, sir? A child of the Red King?" he asked him innocently.
Edward read Charlie's mind, trying to remember the conversations he had heard Mr. Bloor making. The Red King had something huge to do with everything, he knew it. But it was so frustrating not knowing…he scanned the other voices in the building, but no one was thinking of the Red King.
"I don't know," Edward finally said, slamming the door in Charlie's face.
Charlie stood there, frozen on the spot. Finally he made his way downstairs, thinking of the peculiar Mr. Cullen.
The night was steady and dark, as Paton Yewbeam strode outside. It had been ages since he had a moonlit walk in the streets, being married and all.
He thought of little Emma, his step-niece. Technically a step-daughter since she had been in the care of Julia, but Emma had always been her niece, so it only seemed right.
Paton thought longingly how he never had children. And he couldn't, either. He and Julia were much too old for that, in fact he was nearing fifty years old. 1951, when he was born. Amazing how time flew.
On the other street, Paton glanced a figure…walking in the moonlight, and was it stalking him? Paton quickened his pace, looking at the ground firmly, but for once keeping to the lights. If that thing wanted to get at him he would need some light bulbs to shatter for self defense. It'd been ages since anything exciting had gone on.
Turning the corner he bumped into something rock hard, and heard them gasp. Stars followed Paton's gaze, everything popping and flashing before him. He heard a tinkle and shower of glass.
"Mom…"
"No, I want to see if he's okay," came a firm voice.
Paton finally recovered and when he opened his eyes, he found a startling, beautiful young woman. No older than nineteen, no of course not. She had a teenage girl with her though…the girl had called her Mom? There was something logical, of course. Maybe the girl was mentally ill…but the girl was strikingly beautiful too. The woman had bright red eyes and dark brown hair with a pale face. The girl was kind of pale, but had deep milk chocolate eyes and bronze colored curls.
"Are you okay, sir?" The woman said it in a pinched voice, like she was restraining herself.
Paton shook his head. No, he was a married man.
"Yes, I believe so," Paton got up, a shower of glass coming off him. He cursed lowly, and took off his reading glasses, which were scratched again. At least he wasn't blind now. The glasses had saved him plenty of times.
"I take it you make moonlit walks regular?" the woman asked him.
"On an occasion," Paton replied.
"Mom…" said the girl, also sounding pinched.
"Nessie, hush," the girl said.
"Your…your daughter?" Paton asked, completely confused. The woman hesitated for a brief second and then shook her head. "My niece."
"That makes sense," Paton said quietly.
"Interesting how that light bulb shattered," she commented, looking to the sparking wires above them. Paton blushed and nodded.
"I'm Bella Sw-Cullen," Bella said, holding out a gloved hand. She still had trouble introducing herself as a Cullen. She didn't feel as perfect as they were. Paton smelled fabulous, and she longed to attack him. But Bella restrained, and she noticed that Renesme was restrained also.
"Paton Yewbeam," Paton shook her gloved hand, which even gloved was cold. It was a warm night.
"This is my d-niece, Renesme Cullen," Bella said, introducing him to her daughter. Paton shook her also gloved hand.
"Nice to meet you both, though if I might ask, why would you and a young girl be wandering the street alone at night?" Paton asked Bella.
"Oh…well…" Bella was lost for words. Renesme touched her mother's cheek, giving Bella her thoughts.
Bella sighed. "Alright honey." Paton was getting more and more confused, and finally he decided that they were endowed, they must be.
"We aren't your normal type, and Nessie is my daughter, and I wouldn't normally outright share this with you," Bella said darkly. "Where do you live?"
"Number 9, Filbert Street," Paton answered.
"We are neighbors then, this is good," Bella nodded. "First before I share anything I need to know any secrets you keep back."
Paton sighed. Well, if she was endowed, she would understand…though not all the endowed knew about the Red King. So Paton explained everything about the Red King and they found themselves walking through the streets.
"I am endowed," Paton finally said sadly, "I am a power booster, however, and I find it extremely hard to control myself around light bulbs…I thought I was being stalked tonight. I take it you and your daughter are also endowed?"
"Not exactly," Nessie said, and she touched Paton's hand. He noticed she wasn't gloved now.
Paton gasped as suddenly a million different thoughts and feelings and senses entered his mind, of people flying through a rainy forest breathtakingly fast, of the street they were on now except through her thoughts…
"Okay, Nessie, enough," Bella commanded. Nessie let go and Paton was back in his own thoughts again.
"Oh my Lord," Paton exclaimed quietly.
"If that wasn't shock enough," Bella said under her breath, even though Paton heard her.
"No, please tell me. This is fascinating," Paton begged.
"Are you sure?" Bella asked, imagining Paton running down the street, screaming. No, he didn't seem like that sort of man. Nessie tugged on Bella's arm, nodding.
"Okay, but I'm sure you won't like it," Bella sighed, turning to Paton, who straightened, ready for anything.