"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." ― Dr. Seuss
The Cullens had only recieved a few of the guests that they'd invited, and already the space in the house was growing limited. It was a good thing that they'd gotten Edward and Bella a house when they had, because if they hadn't, some of those vampires may have been too tempted by the blood that was currently coursing Renesmee's veins.
"We've recieved no word from the Russian coven." Carlisle spoke to Eleazar, a frown on his flawless features.
"You say that like you'll actually get Ilsa to agree to you." Garrett spoke up from his position seated on a plush armchair, arms thrown lazily over the sides of the chair. "She's a stone cold bitch, to put it lightly, and she won't allow any of her coven members to join us."
"She's understanding and considerate, and only thinks of her coven's safety as I do for my own, Garrett." Carlisle replied, trying to defend Isla. "Besides, there's still Nathaniel, Sushard, Vincent, Surcin, Stalina, and Teresea."
"Sushard wouldn't have the balls to go against Isla, same with Surcin and Teresea." Garrett replied with a roll of his eyes. "Nathaniel would sta behind for Teresea. The only two that may show up are Vincent and Stalina, but they're unreliable at best."
"But they're both gifted." Eleazar pointed out.
Amun nodded in agreement as he next to the window. "Vincent has the gift of pain deprivation, and Stalina has telekinesis."
"But that doesn't mean that they'll come and help us. Some value their lives over their friends, and apparently that's their way." Garrett grumbled, angry that the Russians would run away like this.
"You're making assumptions about me that I don't appreciate very much, you know."
Four heads turned simultaneously to the window beside Amun that was now open, where a young lady stood. Dark hair tumbled down to her ribs in gentle waves, and blood red eyes peered at them from beneath thick lashes. Stalina entered the room, a smirk of amusement on her face. "You act as if I'm completely unreliable, Garrett."
"I never said that. I said that you may be unreliable." Garrett replied, holding up hands in surrender. "But, hey, I did say that you had balls. I deserve some brownie points for that one, my friend."
"If that's what helps you sleep at night, Garrett." Stalina replied, setting her bag down at her feet as she climbed fully into the room.
"You made it, Stalina." Carlisle said, standing up from behind his desk. "None of the rest of your family made it?"
Stalina shook her head sadly. "I apologize for their actions. They'd rather hide under a rock than face what they need to."
"But they're hiding because they wish to protect their family." Amun interjected. He'd never met Stalina personally before, therefore he had no idea what he was getting himself into. The brunette turned to face him, and he continued. "You're only here because you feel as if you have a moral obligation to be here."
"I'm not fighting for Carlisle's family because I feel a moral obligation to do so. Trust me, I abandoned my morals long ago. I'm fighting because I want to." The authority in her voice surprised Amun, but Carlisle smiled, as did Eleazer, and Garrett grinned in glee. The woman sure had a way of putting people into her place.
"Now, if you'll excuse me," Stalina hoisted her bag back onto her shoulders. "I believe I have some people I need to address."
"I'll show you to your room, Stalina." Carlisle offered, walking over to her. He didn't offer to take her bag. He knew she'd object and end up carrying it anyway. She was a fiercly independent girl. "Afterward, you can come and meet everyone else. Sound fair enough?"
The brunette merely nodded her head in response, following the blonde doctor out of the room. Garrett, Eleazar and Amun shared a look, Garrett and Eleazar looking amused and Amun looking far from pleased about the fact that a girl that was so much younger and shorter than him was able to tell him off like that.
Apparently everyone had either heard that they had a new visitor or they'd smelled an unfamiliar scent, because when I entered the family room, everyone was gathered there, gazing at me expectantly.
"Most of you know Stalina." Carlisle began. "But for those of you who don't... I'll introduce you." He first walked to a big, buff guy next to a petite blonde who looked like she'd just walked off of a runway. "Rosalie, Emmett, this is Stalina of the Russian coven. Stalina, these are my children, Rosalie and Emmett."
"Nice to meet you." Emmett said before I could say anything, grabbing my hand and shaking it. Because I wasn't as strong as him, I flinched at his tight grip. However, while he smirked, I merely used my power to lift his hand forcibly off of me. His eyes widened considerably at me. "Woah, how'd you do that?"
"My gift. It's telekinesis." I replied, smirking triumphantly. Sure, he had the brawn, but it appeared that I had the brain.
"That's a cool gift." Emmett mused from behind me as Carlisle moved onto a different couple. This one was a dark haired girl, a man with honey colored hair, and a little girl with a heartbeat in the middle of them.
"This is Bella, Edward..." Carlisle paused. "And Renesmee. This is their child. She grows every day."
"And she can show you." Edward spoke up, making me look at him. I felt him prying into my thoughts, but since I wasn't gifted with the same kind of psychic ability that he had, I couldn't force him out. "You just have to let her try."
I looked down at Renesmee and slowly kneeled down to her height, looking at her expectantly. What I didn't expect was for her to reach a hand out and touch my cheek. Suddenly, memories hit me like a train. Bella weak and human, giving birth to Renesmee. Renesmee growing each and every day. Irina seeing her and mistaking her for an immortal child. I was brought back to the present when Renesmee took her hand away. I shot her a grin. "You've got an amazing gift, you know that?" She smiled in response and so I rose to my full height once more. "Well, you've definitely made a believer out of me, Carlisle."
Carlisle smiled, looking a bit relieved to hear that, though I knew that he was still on edge. He came to the final family; the Egyptian coven. "This is Kebi, Amun's mate, and their son, Benjamin."
"Nice to meet you." I greeted, looking away from Kebi to glance at Benjamin. Suddenly, the world seemed to halt as a certain scent hit my nose. It was the smell of everything I loved most; the smell of spices, of smoke, and all other things combined into one. It heightened my senses and put me on edge. His eyes captured me, putting me in a dream-like trance from where I couldn't escape.
And trust me, I really didn't think I wanted to escape.
"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment." ― Sarah Dessen