"This is awesome, man!" Raved Marina as she waved the slim pieces of thick paper in the air while she danced around her yard. "Are you sure ya' don't wanna come, Kavi?" She leaned back her head far enough see into the man's brown eyes that was standing behind her. "Naw, Can't I've got some stuff to take care of, you go" Kavi waved in a fake good-bye. "Hmm," Marina huffed at the thought of going alone. "Fine, you guys don't even like this band. I'll go alone and be a loser. Maybe I'll have a one-night-stand. Where is it anyway?" Kavi ignored the second- last comment and continued sardonically while she flew up her porch steps of the huge hotel-like house and avoided a head-on collision with a shaggy, auburn coloured wolf that was taller than her on all fours and double that when he was on his hind legs. Kavi answered the question with a humour in his voice "The quaint and picturesque town of forks" And then he added "Maybe Frankie come with ya". But Marina was gone before she heard the last bit.
Dancing into the huge clean kitchen Marina started when her mother swept silently up behind her and twirled Marina around by shoulders so that she faced her. Marina started to question her mother but before the words formed in her mouth her mother explained. "Marina, there's a family of vampire's called the Cullen's we need you to go there because they have a half-blood daughter. They would be a tremendous help to our cause, because one of, them the oldest is doctor and many of the others have powers that would be great to have on our side, so please be respectful and don't offend them."
"A vampire doctor?"Marina asked, incredulous "Alright, I was headed that way anyhow so no harm done. I'll leave right away." Her mother smiled said and "Come and see me before you leave so you can eat. Or else" She added menacingly then turned to the counter and started chopping carrots for a stew. Marina eyed her mother warily before flitting away to her room.
Anyone who knew Ayla Vervandi knew that she was not to be trifled with and that she only made threats she carried out. Even those who had only just met her felt her power, her very appearance was commanding. Alya stood at six feet tall and hair that fell to the middle of calves the colour of moonlight. Bright steel- blue eyes that shone like a predators. And for all her intimidating visage Alya had an immense capacity for kindness and was fiercely protective of those she loved.
Marina rifled through a pile of miscellaneous objects until she found her special bag that could be worn in both of her forms. In she packed an extra set of clothes, a roll of bandages and her first aid kit. She also slid her knife into its leather sheath and slipped a necklace around herself. She slipped on her pack and bounded down back to the kitchen where her mother stood with a bowl of stew that wafted enticingly over to Marina's nose. She could smell every element and spice in it; it made her mouth water, so without further ado took the bowl and stood at the counter, swallowing the stew in huge bites
"Well, mum guess I'll see you in a few days. I'll leave the truck at border and run the rest of the way and I'll call you too- as she said this she swiped a cell phone off the table. Then she headed off.
In the gravel drive Marina climbed into the shiny pick-up and drove out on the narrow dirt road, leaves and branches brushed the windows at the densest part of the forest were the trees tried to reclaim the cleared ground. Over top of the trees Marina could see the slate grey shapes of the mountains.
She drove for hours and hours noting the subtle change from mountains to foothills to prairies filled with yellow canola. Finally she reached the Canadian/American border, but instead of lining up behind the other cars she swerved off the road and drove into a stand of pines nearby. Getting out of the truck sucked in cool sweet air and then started to undress. Naked, she stuffed her clothes into her bag and put it on. There were two shoulder straps like a backpack and around her middle was a loop knot that she could undo with her teeth if necessary Marina shivered and disappeared, in her place was a great white wolf with silver and reddish markings. The wolf howled in delight and shot off like a bullet.
Marina's muscles burned when she finally slowed her vehement pace. Her wolfish form quivered revealing her as a shivering naked girl. Releasing the pack from her waist she franticly fished out her clothes and slipped them on.
The forest here was warmer and wetter. It made Marina's skin prickle after her long run and she didn't like that she had to slosh her though mucky undergrowth.
When Marina finally trudged her way through the forest she was surprised that the wood had brought her all the way to the edge of the town. She looked around at the town and let out a little sigh. "So Kavi wasn't lying." Marina said sardonically. "If you look to your left you will see the quaint and picturesque town of forks. Alrighty then I suppose I better find this vamp-."
Marina tensed, the noise she heard was faint and shrill, and it was a child's screaming. After a feverish second to find its direction she flew off her feet barley skimming the mulch underfoot, ignoring the branches tearing at her hair. She heard it again and slowed when she found it was deafeningly close.
She crept close gently brushing aside branches and leaves that obstructed her view. A vampire man stood in a small clearing in a half crouch wearing a cruel smile, his black eyes glittered with hatred. Across from him was his quarry.
A small girl with copper ringlets and wide brown eyes braced herself against a rock, her little hands curled into claws as if she was preparing to fight, a little pool of blood was forming under her right foot. The vampire by vampire standards was average looking with reddish hair and paper coloured skin. The only part of him that Marina noticed was the insignia embroidered onto his shirt. The blood red thread formed a lightning bolt that split in half the encircled a tear dropped drop of blood. Wild fury exploded in Marina's chest freezing her in place for a moment.
Working her way closer to the girl, she collided with the vampire who sprung at the same time she did, with the breath knocked out of her she spun around in time to see the vampire leaping at her. Her hard skin protected her from some but he battered her with fierce blows he ripped the skin of her arm unleashing a flow of blood. Finally she grabbed his arm and kicked at him sending most of him flying with the exception of his hand. With a howl of pain he flung himself at Marina but this time something new burned in Marina's skin it wasn't anger or pain it was fire, pure, real fire, something she could control. With something like a relived sigh she let the power building in her loose and saw with grim satisfaction the vampire burst into flames which were soon obstructed from sight by plumes of thick purple smoke.
Staggering she sat by the little girl who hadn't moved an inch since Marina first saw her. Marina collapsed next to the child and smiled grimly in an attempt to calm her. The girl's shaking slowed and slid down to sit next to Marina. Marina taking a small risk undid her jacket and wrapped the child in it pulling her into her lap in the process. The little girl was exceptionally beautiful, with pearly skin that was too hard to be human. The little girl looked up at Marina smiled gratefully but didn't speak.
"What's your name?" she blinked slowly and answered in a high clear voice."Renesmee, who are you?"
"I am Marina Vervandi."
"Marina, who was that man who came after me?"
Marina sighed thoughtfully trying to figure out how much to tell Renesmee. She wanted hold her and tell her it was nothing to worry about. But in doing that she put Renesmee and her family risk. Marina needed to be sure this was the new half-blood Marina was sent to help. So instead of answering Renesmee's question she asked one of her down.
"Renesmee, was your mother a human?"
Renesmee looked thoughtful for a second then spoke "Jacob said Mama had to be changed when I was born so now she's like daddy."
Well that answers that. So she is the new little half-blood. Marina thought to herself. It's a good thing I came when I did. Maybe this incident will make her family more willing to join- this was when Renesmee chose to speak up wryly.
"You still haven't answered my question."
"Hmm, I will explain every to you and your parents, so you have to show me where you live"
Instead of wiggling out of the jacket and racing home like Marina thought she would Renesmee just touched Marina's cheek. Behind her eyes she saw the forest floor whizz under feet, she noted land marks that she wouldn't have otherwise noticed. The thick bush parted revealing a huge Victorian style house. The vision ended and Marina looked down at the child who looked back up at her smiling sweetly, evidently pleased with herself. Marina was surprised but not overly shocked, during the change from vampire to human certain talents that person had would be amplified to discernable gifts. It made sense that with being half vampire she might have gifts too. Half-bloods were more likely to have these gifts than just pure vampires.
She smiled back at Renesmee and stood up still holding Renesmee in her jacket "well little one we'd better be off, your parents will be worried." Renesmee placed her hand on Marina's cheek again and projected an image of two amazingly beautiful people who must be Renesmee's parents. One-the man – had hair the same colour as Renesmee's the woman was holding tightly on to the man. The next image was of Marina herself as she was now. Her clothes were torn and dirty, dried blood caked her forearm and was only half healed now. Bruises and gashes covered the rest of her body. She had a hollow-eyed look of an exhausted person. Marina was an overall mess she thought dismayed. "Ah well nothing we can do about that now can we? Renesmee nodded and Marina sped off into the forest with Renesmee bundled up in her arms.
Marina thought she had arrived quietly but the porch was filled with worried looking people all looking in her direction.
Bella's mind buzzed with worry for her little girl. When a rustling in the surrounding forest announced someone's arrival. It was a girl about sixteen or so with platinum blonde hair and grey- green eyes. She had ragged and torn clothing, skin was ragged and torn too. Her eyes drooped with exhaustion, but she smiled weakly. Bella felt her body automatically slide into a crouch, ready to pounce. Bella saw the rest of her family bend, ready to attack this intruder and defend their home. Then Bella saw it, one copper curl nestled in the folds of black cotton. White-hot rage filled Bella and she launched herself at the girl. Just before she landed she saw the girl's hair turn electric yellow before she leaped away.
Wide-eyed Marina held Renesmee close, hoping that she could calm the mother down. This was when Renesmee chose to poke her head and wiggle out of the sweater and limp her way across to hug her mother around the middle. "Mama, don't please! Marina saved me!" Immediately the woman stood up, her face smoothed to calm worry.
"Did you really save my daughter?" the rest of the family had followed behind the mother cautiously the father picked up Renesmee and held her close with one arm and draped the other around the woman pulling them both close. "Yes. I think I did." Marina held her hand out to shake unfortunately this was the hand that was ripped and was caked with blood. The woman just stood there looking at it with wide eyes. A blonde vampire stepped in with a kind smile and worried eyes. "How about you come inside and you can and Renesmee tell us what happened while Carlisle fixes your wounds." Marina nodded. "Take care of Renesmee first."