Chapter Two coming right up. *wink*
Chapter 2
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Bella
They are very beautiful, the Colorado coven, their beauties were so different it was hard not to stare. Especially the twins, Azariel and Zaax, it made even Rosalie pale in comparison.
Nessie seemed to show a strange sense of fascination towards the vampires as well, she stares unblinkingly in the twins' direction, her long curly bangs hiding her eyes, her tiny fists clutching my shoulder, and from her body positioning, I know she is reluctant to face forward.
Just as our lives were beginning to settle, with the Vultori sparing us our death sentence, 5 strange vampires were thrown out of nowhere, intruding upon our territory. They said they were the Colorado Coven, and yet, even Carlisle never heard of them. Everything about them was so foreign, from the way they talk to the way they dress; it was like out of an 1800 movie. But something about them makes you want to know them better.
Jacob growled beside me, the only one seemingly unable to trust them, hearing his voice, Nessie reached toward him.
I sighed, passing Nessie along, personally, I agree with Jacob. They are so very friendly, but there's this twitch now and then in the back of my mind, that marked them off for some reason. It was as if, they wanted to –
Maybe it was just me, so I brushed that feeling away.
As I watched Edward talk to Zaax, a smile playing at his lips, this morning's events rushed back.
"Bella, guess what!" Alice chirped, throwing herself across the room, spinning and twirling while Nessie watched wide-eyed. Still hasn't fully learned the "Alice-style of walking"
It was the first week of forever, my forever with Edward, after our fate changed on that night. Things had gone so very smoothly like a happily ever after fairy tale. It was everything I could ever have wished for, doubled.
And hence from that night, the shape-shifters and the Cullens have developed this invisible bond I'm not sure anything could ever shatter them again. Jacob seemed content to spend every minute with Nessie, even if the smell of vampires probably burned holes in his nose already. But this morning, Sam, having gotten back together with Jacob, realizing that two Alphas could actually survive together without killing one another, sent Jacob off with an errand, much to his refusal to leave Nessie.
"What," I responded wearily, though I love my sister more than anything in the world. It's hard to predict her sometimes.
She stopped then, regarded me for a moment, and stretched her face into a huge grin. Picking up a vase, she danced across the room.
"Oh come-on bella, you have to admit you liked the wardrobe I so delicately stacked"
I choked then, as if vampires could really choke. The frighteningly revealing satins stashed neatly in the cottage Esme gave for my nineteenth birthday. I remembered how Edward chuckled at my reaction, I wondered if I'd have nightmares if i hadn't been turned vampire. I truly have an idea where this conversation was going.
"Alice-
"Since I found so many ruined garments in the garbage, I just thought you might need more" her mouth twisted into an evil smirk.
I gasped, now that Emmett's out of my sex life, Alice just uncannily butted in. For the love of-
I stuttered, remembering last night, and felt the blush that would never surface.
I heard Emmett laugh a booming laugh somewhere outside.
I muttered something under my breath.
Alice eyes sparkled, and mischief was evident here. And I sensed her smile at me, the smile perfectly perfected, but it faltered bit by bit, because her breath caught at that moment, and things seemed slow motion from then on. From the corner of my eye, I saw Alice's body crumple. In that sixteenth of a second before the vase in her hand dropped, I had a sense of deja-vu, as if my nightmare was staring all over again, as if the night when Alice left us was replaying itself. I acted on a whim, I sprang up from the couch, in a fluid motion, put Nessie gently down, and saved the fallen vase before it would crash into a thousand pieces again.
"Alice!" I gasped; my heart dropped a few notches, her eyes were halfway here and halfway locked on the future, wide, filling her thin face till they seemed to overflow it. Looking into her eyes was like looking out of the grave from the inside once again. I was buried in the same terror and despair and agony of her familiar gaze.
"Edward" I cried, while holding Alice steady with my hand
In a flash, he was by my side, and I had to admit, our 25 pairs of chromosomes come handy ever so often. I can see from Edward's expression, he sensed a replay as well. His face took on a despairing look before he read what was in Alice's mind, and I was aware that the rest of the family was in the room as well, frozen, so still, just like last time.
"Edward," I choked, "is it the …."
The unspoken word was like a dreaded weight, and it settled like lead in the room.
"There's a group of vampires coming," Alice and Edward said, perfectly synchronized.
What I dread has almost been confirmed. I thought everything was going to be forever peaceful. There's a group of vampires, who else could it be but the Vultori? Have they not had enough? All the clans had left us, why didn't Alice see this earlier? Had they acquired a new skill to block somehow Alice's vision?
"But…it's not the Vultori"
-
Silence
-
It's not the Vultori
My heart seemed to beat again, though it should have long stopped since I turned Vampire.
Alice's eyes became aware again, her face was blank.
-
"Who is it then?" my voice was desperate
"The Colorado clan, 5 in all"
There was another long stretch of silence. We all looked at Carlisle expectantly, but he was just as surprised as we are.
"I've never heard of them." Carlisle said
"Nor have I" Esme said.
"That's too big a group to be missed so easily" Edward replied
"Does the Vultori know about them?"
"They must do."
"Why are they here then?"
"They are very strong" Alice frowned
"But they are friendly" Edward mused
-
There was another pause as all these settled in
-
"Why don't we go and meet them?" Emmett smacked his fists. A large crackling sounding very threatening
"Didn't Edward just say they are friendly?" I said
Emmett winked.
"I think it's a wise choice to meet them as well" Carlisle decided
Then, we all heard the padding of a familiar wolf flashing by our driveway, then the sound of him transforming back to his human body, followed by the rustling of cloth. He was very serious about the imprinting thing. Not a second was wasted.
"Jake" Nessie giggled, she heard him too
And sure enough, Jacob welcomed himself in less than a second's time
"What'd I miss" He huffed, and went straight to Nessie. His outfit ragged against his body.
Just as I was about to tell him, Nessie showed him all of it. She crawled from the sofa, dangling from his neck and giggled again, her small palm against his face while he closed his eyes, not missing one bit. And I blushed with a sudden realization about what happened before; inwardly begging Nessie would spare that certain detail where Alice and I had the conversation. But she was too innocent. I groaned, earning a curious glance from the rest of the Cullens, but a smirk from Emmett. Jacob would never let this go, a third party member in my o-so-very-private-life.
Rosalie snorted, casting a distasteful glance towards Jacob, "The dog has arrived at last, could we just get on with this."
Jacob ignored her, probably can't think of a blond joke right now.
I sighed, everything was happening pretty fast. I cast a glance to my right. And found the long black haired girl, Azariel staring intently at me. Her perfectly shaped face a bit hard not to look away, and there was something about her that can woo you senseless. Perhaps they were the prettiest coven I've seen so far. As I held her piercing red eyes, they sent a shiver down my spine. I shifted my eyes quickly, remembering her ability to command, and I shuddered.
I looked beside me, Edward was motionless as he flew beside me, he felt my gaze and gave me a smile. I stretched out my hand and felt the familiar tingling of fire run through us as we connected. I gave him a squeeze and he pecked me on my cheek. That's when I felt a second pair of eyes stare intently at me. It was Zaax, there was something about him that marked him out as a leader. I stole a glance and found him breathtakingly beautiful as well, his black hair spiked naturally just like Edward's. I would bet every girl in the City wouldn't be able to resist him. And that's when he gave me a smile, a smile dazzling just like Edward's. I forced myself to smile back, avoiding his eyes. Edward shifted uncomfortably, a low rumble in his chest; I held his hand tighter.
The rest of my family seemed at ease with the Colorado coven. Though Rosalie was a bit drawn back, she was curious as well. She and Alice were alongside Naminee, a pretty girl I find a lot like Alice. Carlisle and Esme seemed magnetic to Evalyse, I can't blame them, she was so serene and wise looking, the way she held herself was surreal it was utterly impossible.
I heard a crash, then the booming laugh of Emmett. I twisted my head and saw he and Matthew were wrestling while running at the same time. The newborn, heavy set boy, a perfect match to Emmett I find, was smirking as he threw Emmett to an oak tree, causing a thunderous roar.
"Stop it both of you." Carlisle said, "We don't want to attract attention."
The command was perhaps more immediate than I thought. Even without any specialties in Carlisle, he was to be respected.
I realized with a start that Jasper wasn't with us, and I nudged Edward.
"He's trying to get a bit more info on these guys." Edward frowned, but said nothing more.
We finally reached our house. Formal introductions were made, and the Colorado Covens settled in here, just like that. Though Azariel commanded no one to touch Nessie, I can often see the hungry looks coming from the newborn. It set my teeth clenching together.
As we learned, the Colorado Coven existed long before the Cullens. I find that a bit hard to take in, even Carlisle, having absolutely no info on them. They said they have to be kept secret, because of their special gifts. If the Vultori knew their whereabouts they could've gotten a lot more "unpleasant visits". They said they wanted to learn the Cullen's diet of surviving, as well, visit the largest vampire coven. It was unnerving that they knew so much about us, but we nothing of them.
"We wish to stick to your kind's diet" it was Zaax who spoke, "though what the process may turn out we may never know. But perhaps it could be an odd turn of events."
Carlisle looked intently at the boy, "We are very glad to help you, just like you said; maybe it could be an odd turn of events. But I have to warn you, not many vampires could withstand this kind of feeding style. And with such a large group…anyhow, I have one request."
"Anything," Zaax said
"We would ask you to keep off of the humans in our territory; you may hunt anywhere that's outside this area if you aren't accustomed to our flavour."
"Of course," Zaax answered with a wave of his hand, "we already have the honour of being accepted as guests, we would do anything to welcome our stay."
Was I the only one that found his voice had a second meaning?
I excused myself, trying to sort out my jumbled thoughts. And found Edward beside me as we walked to our little cottage.
"What's wrong Bella?" his soothing voice seemed to drain all tension away
I lifted my head, eyes meeting his, and lingered for a long moment. His golden eyes were deep whirls of emotion. Looking at them made my world spin. Edward's cool hand came up and smoothed out my frown, though we are the same temperatures now, it still felt distinct. His fingers traced my cheek, my eyes, then, finally my jaw line, leaving tingly fire trails.
"Don't you find them…odd?" I sighed, finding myself unable to word my thoughts
Edward was a silent a moment, then whispered
"They are…quite odd. But they don't mean harm Bella."
I sighed, "I'm overreacting again, aren't I? I just-
"Shhhh"
Edward silenced me with a kiss, it was gentle yet firm, holding meanings and successfully soothed my worries away, I returned his kiss, eluding the last of my worries away. My love for Edward still hadn't gone away with time, but increased with each passing second, nothing can separate us, it was bonded by too many conflicts, time, underwent too many difficulties that was hard to describe. Nothing can separate us, even if the heavens and earth would crash upon us, it would do no damage; our lives were intertwined ever since the day I came to Forks. My human life would not be forgotten as well, all the moment I've spent with Edward; it was what kept me alive. He was my world, and me his. Just like the Moon around the Earth, we revolve around each other, every passing second was blissfully happy with Edward by my side, I can't survive without him, no one can separate us…no one.
Edward reluctantly broke the kiss, earning a whine from me "Carlisle is calling for me." He whispered in my ear, "Don't worry too much, Bella" The way he said my name was enough to break my restraint and I kissed him one last time before he went away.
I watched Edward disappear through the clearing and longed for his presence again. The light from the sky were shattered by the tall leafed trees. Some landed on my exposed arms, glittering, and I can't help staring once again. I was overreacting. The Colorado Coven was friendly; I was worrying my head off because of the incident with the Vultori. I sighed and strolled on; suddenly I felt an unfamiliar presence behind me. I spun around and growled, finding myself face to face with Zaax, our nose only inches away.
I backed up. Surprised. How I didn't detect his presence caught me off guard. His handsome face was stretched in a dazzling smile.
"Sorry I scared you." His velvet smooth voice seemed hypnotizing.
I looked him in the face and found his eyes, unable to look away. I answered in an unsteady voice, "What are you doing here?"
His eyes darkened, and I answered in a defensive position
He took a step closer, and my body shivered in response. His eyes…why can't I look away? My shield will repel him right? But there's a flutter in my stomach
The trees were out of shape, what's happening? The only sound was his breathing.
Where's Edward?
Why can't I push him away?
I could feel his breath on my face, but I can't move. Why? I must get away. Is he using his gift? His breath was so sweet, I couldn't control myself as I breathed more deeply, and it sends my head spinning, as my body reacted with goose bumps. Bad mistake, now I can't feel my body anymore, and i melted under his gaze. His eyes were dulled in a deep crimson red as he leaned down, as he dipped his head and -
"Zaax!" I could hear a girl hiss, Azariel? "What are you doing!"
Then everything went blank, the last thing I remembered was Zaax's confused eyes stare at me.
"Bella?"
Edward
My eyes snapped open
"Are you actually sleeping?" Edward mused.
I looked through the window, it was night already.
?
This ringing in my head was unbearable. Was I actually sleeping? I don't feel like I've slept. The last thing I remembered was watching Edward go off and then…I came back to the cottage and then I fell asleep? Right, vampires sleep whenever they want. That totally makes sense. I tried to look through my memories, but as if jumping from one bridge to another, there's a dulled image, and every time I prodded it, it hurts. Wait, now I remember. I watched Edward go off, and then came back to the cottage, read lots and lots of books, and lay on the bed, remembering myself when I was still a human, I probably was too indulged in those memories. There's something off with this, but I accepted, it was good enough; sometimes my brain is just as mysterious as a cow in a ballet dress.
All these took less than a second to sort out. And I reached up for Edward.
"I wish," I grinned and kissed him fully on the lips, this I could never get tired of.
Edward sighed, his cool breath fanning my face, his sweet breath…there was a flash of something, in the back of my mind. But I slapped it away; never ruin a moment like this.
Edward was my world. Like the Earth and Moon, we revolve around each other. We love each other; no one could separate us…
…
No one
…
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