The next morning dawned early and cloudy. "So why are we out here again?" Raina asked as the girls waited watching the woods around them for some sign of the Cullens.
"Easy sis, they'll be here soon enough and we can all use a little extra training with Jasper. He's the best there is at dismantling a vampire and making sure said vampire can't come back." Nikki stated removing her ponytail and fixing her hair.
"Besides, it gives us a chance to show you a little more about the Cullens and what they are capable of as a team and family. I wonder if Jake is bringing his pack too." Destiny stated as the brush behind them began to rustle a little.
Everyone turned as five giant wolves emerged from the woods their leader being a russet colored wolf. "Jake you are a brat," Nikki said grinning at Jake's bark at her. Suddenly nosed from behind, causing her to jump and causing Raina to back away eyeing the wolves. "Seth don't do that! You know I don't like being snuck up on." Nikki said swatting at Seth, who backed up with a barking laugh.
The wolves backed up, going behind the trees only to emerged again unphased, "Sorry Nikki we couldn't help messing with you." Seth said coming up to give her a hug.
"I take it you guys have heard about the trouble we're in this time." Destiny asked as she and Leah hugged.
"Yeah, Bella and Edward asked if we could come and help out." Jake said taking his turn in hugging Nikki.
"Thanks guys, we owe you." Nikki said smiling, that was when the wolves stiffened instinctively their gazes flickering toward the direction of the Cullen home to see Edward, Emmett and Jasper approaching.
Jasper stepped forward, drawing on his experience leading many of Maria's newborns as well his years as a military man in the Civil War to take charge of the situation, his demeanor calm and civilized yet there was an air of command about him. "I spent some time thinking about this and this is what I've decided is best," he said in the soft drawling tone he utilized when he wasn't of the mood to be argued with. "I will demonstrate with Emmett one example of what can happen when two vampires fight each other, as will Emmett and Edward," he silenced Emmett's groan with a cutting glare before turning toward the others again, "Afterwards I will have Nikki and Edward demonstrate some things I will explain and why is simple, Edward will have a harder time merely knowing where Nikki will be which is the case for most of us." He said slowly and sighed once, "And much as I am not fond of it," He hesitated, "In the interest of leaving the woods intact, Raina and I will be working together, and the wolves can assist as they desire; though I am going to insist until we are sure what reaction we might get that I'm the only one who works with Raina, as that's what Alice insisted before we left – in fact wouldn't leave me alone about it." He said aiming his words at Jake who nodded reluctantly, his aversion to leaving anyone with a heartbeat too near a vampire still apparent.
"It's your show not ours," Jake answered carefully choosing his words nodding to the other wolves, "If Alice insists she's got her reason even if she isn't sharing it."
"Not even with me," Jasper admitted with a nod gesturing for Edward and Emmett to begin to demonstrate the ways a vampire fought with another.
It was almost instantly obvious that the two were matched fairly evenly if not for Edward's ability to read thoughts, particularly those of his family, the match seemed to Raina to be one of ease and familiarity edged with the innate danger of what they were.
As the minutes ticked away burning precious predawn fog Jasper called time for them and Edward turned and squared off with a calm Nikki with whom the match changed to a much more delicate, dangerous dance with and about death. The wolves watched more intently the match between Edward and Nikki in fact and it was instantly apparent to Raina why – the heartbeat soft as it was to the average ear, was thudding in Edward, and Jasper and Emmett's sensitive ones luring and calling to them each and more than once Raina realized that at the last seconds Edward would back away and knew that other than a select few that would be a death blow.
"Easy Edward," Jasper warned feeling his frustration at not being able to read Nikki's moves.
Edward growled but suddenly ended up on his back. "Sorry Edward but you know not to get frustrated with me. That leads you to lose control and you guys taught me too well to expect me not to take advantage." Nikki added sitting on his chest her hands around his neck." Nikki got up and backed off heading toward her original spot. Sometime later Nikki called time and walked back toward her sweatshirt left on the ground.
"Another disadvantage you three have in a fight with a vampire is that you will eventually tire, and we will not," Jasper said as Edward let Nikki grab a drink from the ground near her sweatshirt her breath heavy as she turned to look at Jasper.
"Eventually we'll tire," Nikki had to agree, "But that doesn't mean we won't be taking the vampire out with us, even a mere disabling of one is a notch in our favor. Alright Jazz and Emmett let's get this over with." Nikki said as she went back to her spot. "This is only practice but remember this Raina the Volturi guard have a bad habit of attacking in twos and threes." She added as both boys began circling.
"The only way to survive an attack like that is most of the time not to be there or let one get behind you." Jasper said as Nikki pivoted to keep Emmett from getting behind her.
"They also like to play vulture and try to make you impatient enough to make the first move. It's a mistake and don't get sucked into it. Felix and Demetri are the main ones to do this but I've seen Alec and Jane try it," Nikki said as she turned again sticking her tongue out at Emmett causing him to growl and lunge at her.
"What about the three stooges?" Raina asked as Edward attacked Nikki from behind making her side step again and causing Edward and Emmett to collide.
"If you're talking about Aro, Marcus, and Caius they don't usually fight and they'll be guarded on all sides." Jasper answered taking the chance to try and attack Nikki from behind while she was engaged with Emmett and Edward.
Nikki spun just in time and jumped using Jasper as a spring board to go over him and land so she was facing all three. "The best way keep out of harm's way and get rid of a vampire is to use their attacks against them." Nikki stated turning and pinning Jasper between Edward and Emmett with her hands around his neck. Jasper backed out leaving Emmett and Edward faced off against Nikki. She dealt one blow to those two using Emmett's distraction to grab his arms and jump on him so her hands went around his neck then jumping immediately off she faced off with Edward taking him out.
"Even injured you can take a vampire out just keep in mind don't panic and then make them make the first move. "Destiny said as Emmett inched toward her only to find Destiny coiled then waited for the opportune second to take his head off, pulling back only at the very last moment to prevent actual harm to him.
"All right now," Carlisle's melodic voice flowed over the field to the gathered group, "Enough playing at being killers before someone gets hurt." He said calmly surveying the scene. Carlisle approached the field flanked by most of the remaining Cullens with the exception of Esme and Renesemee.
And the propensity was there – Emmett was notoriously stronger than he believed himself to be and frequently injured other people incidentally. Edward was teetering on frustration and that was one step toward him lashing out and harming one of the girls.
"Carlisle's right," Jasper nodded moving easily through the group separating Nikki and Edward with a hand on each of their shoulders and a firm but calm look toward Edward. "I need the space cleared for the wolves so that I can move forward toward the last tasks before we feed the troops." He said with a smile toward Nikki and Destiny, "And that I think includes the caffeine addiction."
After the demonstration with the wolves was over Jasper eyed his mate drawing her to his side then picking Alice up and smiling a small bit. "You're sure you really want me to do this." He said in a soft undertone, not bothering to hide his discomfort with the whole idea. It had little to do with teaching a human how to fight and defeat a vampire, but something about Raina set off an internal warning inside him.
Alice's head lifted to meet his golden gaze and smiled faintly nodding after a moment, "You gotta trust me, Jazz. You know I would never ask you to do something I didn't know you could do." She smiled evasively and Jasper knew there was something more that his mate wasn't telling him, but now wasn't the time to press the matter.
"You, I trust. Me not so much." Jasper murmured quietly keeping her gaze, "Not when it comes to this."
"Which is why you gotta trust me." Alice said cheerfully smiling as she bit his nose playfully, "Now put me down and stop the stalling Jazz you're burning time."
He grinned faintly at the pixyish vampire and kissed her nose making her shriek a sound that still sent a tremor up his spine chuckling as he shook his head, before setting her on her feet. "Still my favorite little monster," He muttered making her laugh as she pirouetted out of the range of the clearing field and inwardly he was surprised by the cool-headed presence around the petite woman the warm-hued eyes studying him with the appraising gaze which would have unsettled a human man in a matter of a minute.
Unafraid, that's good. That's to your advantage. Jasper thought to himself as she moved to a place of her own choosing deliberately staying standing where Alice had left him. Her approach was calm, steady and as each vampire could hear the heart rate was steady and firmly holding at a calm beat. In the light of day, even a cloudy one her hair was bright like fire and bound up in a clip of some kind keeping it from hanging into the warm amber colored eyes. This particular woman did not hold fear – something that could save her life in dealing with a vampire.
Raina arrived at the place of her choosing her gaze flickering around them as she stood in a deliberately chosen nondescript pose – not poised for defense or attack somewhere between the two and holding the pose her gaze catching his in a silent challenge.
Jasper, Edward's voice interrupted the staring contest in Jasper's mind quietly, I know it goes against the whole Southern thing but you've got to at least make the first move I think she could stand there all day.
Jasper lunged at Raina measuring his strength, narrowly missing her face when her hand shot out and shoved him backward with light force spinning out of his reach a blur of red hair marking her path.
"Y'know of all of your lot you're the last I'd have figured for a coward." Raina spat from the three steps away from Jasper her eyes narrowing letting the annoyance flow off of her in waves, "Come at me like you mean it – the Volturi will." She demanded putting her hands on her hips and glared at him, for a split second looking and sounding a lot like her sisters.
Jasper let his own annoyance flare back at her only to have it spun back at him twice over, "I'm not a coward you've got a damn death-wish." He snapped allowing himself the luxury of anger.
"Damn skippy straight I got one of those. Ain't nobody been big enough to indulge me it yet and I am not about to let some whiny old dust balls like the Volturi spoil my record!" Raina shot back furiously folding her arms over her chest, "Now help me damn you or get the hell off my field!" she growled at him.
"It's my field." He said beginning to circle, recognizing that the petite woman was not only practicing but also pushing him with her ability the same infernal weapon he had and was better at it he realized scowling as her body pivoted keeping him in her sights as he moved.
"Then prove it!' Raina shouted letting her voice ring in the morning quiet.
"She's not happy," Destiny said in an undertone to Nikki who nodded, "Can practically see it in the air around her."
"Oh yeah, means Jasper's probably going to end up on his ass." Nikki answered with a chuckle as Jasper lunged at her only to find himself lunging at open air and the feel of a tiny hand shoving his side so that he had to spin to keep his feet only to have the stabilizing foot taken out by a smaller one crashing him onto his back looking up at the faintly smirking face.
"Good, not good enough." She said leaning to grab his wrist to offer a support to pull himself to his feet. "You're better than this at what you're doing." She said cheerfully as she moved away letting him circle again.
Growling in frustration he looked to Alice who smiled brightly and waved at him the pure unbiased love and confidence in him coming off of her in colorful waves shoring up his defenses again as he turned toward his prey.
The heartbeat was a summons to her to end it and he let himself fall into the spell of it and began a series lunges and swipes at Raina pleased inwardly that she was quick thinking enough to avoid them when the moment each of them had dreaded and dragged their feet to delay happened incidentally.
Shit! Jasper's mind shouted as he saw the incident as it was happening, from his fingers colliding with her neck sending her off-balance then both of them reeling with the emotional and physical backlash and slap of the touch.
Jasper collapsed first fighting to clear his mind of the spiral of emotion – the pain, the anger, the fear, the whirl of mixed and tumultuous emotions, some of which were hers he guessed but also the return tenfold of his own emotions as well dropping him painfully as he rested both hands on the grass as he saw her drop almost a minute after he did her eyes watering then streaming clear tears as she fell violently backward he able to hear the snap of the plastic claw clip binding her hair out of her face freeing the deep red tendrils and revealing the white streaks through the darker strands as she rolled to a crouch shuddering as she dry heaved gasping as she fought for control over herself and her reactions again and losing the battle amid the storm of emotion.
"Raina!" Nikki's voice rose above the others as she darted over the field leaping a few feet back as Raina swiped at her with a murderous glare shuddering still with the pain from the touch.
Alice was the first at Jasper's side and she gasped with the deathly tight grip of his arms around her sides as he rolled toward her to bury his head in her shoulder. "I'm sorry." She whispered in his ear, "I couldn't tell you this had to be. Not knowing and loving you as I do, Jasper." She smiled as he shuddered a nonverbal response. "Trust me." She repeated as he managed to pull them upright, steadied by the assurance of her love for him watching as slower Raina recovered her own balance rocking a bit as she swiped at her eyes trying to stop the steady stream of tears.
"Practice over." She managed dizzily, the mark along her neck brightly red against the pale skin unsteady on her feet yet as she moved toward her stunned sisters. "And you two clowns wonder why I don't take lovers or let you two that close." She muttered to them darkly heading toward the Cullen home.
"Whoa." Emmett summed up the previous fifteen minutes in a sound as they followed her in turn. "That was wild."
"Easy for you to say Emm," Jasper said unsteadily, "You didn't get the trip down acid lane like I did."
"Come on everyone, let's go into the house and find out the real damage quotient." Carlisle said calmly watching as Edward reached out and steadied Jasper as they walked toward the house.
Opening the door the first scents that met their noses were the distinct smell of Esme's cooking and the underlying tendrils of bile. "Daddy," the small voice spoke up looking between all of them raising her arms wanting to be picked up and when he indulged it Edward winced a bit.
"Yes, Nessie our guest is sick." He said running his fingers over her head, "Where did Grandma put her?"
"Guest room." The little girl said cheerfully lunging at Jake her face lighting up with glee at the sight of him.
Esme appeared her face grave but relieved, "Came in sick as a dog and upset because she got sick all over the wood floor." She shook her head, "And more because I wouldn't let her clean the mess white as a ghost what happened?" she fussed as Emmett pushed Jasper toward the couch, he in obvious discomfort.
"He touched her." Alice said simply as she looked at Esme with a faint smile, "Had to be but it'll get better." She smiled reassuringly at Esme's uneasy look.
"And why'd she come in looking like death?" Esme asked as Carlisle slipped to the guest room giving a worried look after him, even if she understood why he went there, his compassionate nature drove him to try to help even when the help was unwelcome.
"Raina's different." Nikki said coming in and giving Esme a hug, "Her gifts work differently than what ours do, and more violently. She reacts to touch the way some people act to a food allergy or something."
"That's a hell of an allergy." Edward said shaking his head, "I've never seen Jazz drop like that from anything."
"I've never seen Raina react like that either." Nikki said thoughtfully as she took the bowl of stew from Bella. "I mean we've touched her and she's never done that."
"We're family." Destiny pointed out sitting next to her, "And Rangers." She added quietly thoughtfully. "Raina is, I think thought I doubt she's used her powers since…" Nikki shuddered, "Since their prism shattered."
"Shattered?" Edward repeated after several minutes as Nikki didn't seem inclined to continue, "What do you mean by 'shattered'? he asked.
"Just what it sounds like fang-boy." Destiny said defensively, "It's broken beyond all hope and repair just what she said."
No one said much for the next hours, filtering in and out of the room until the guestroom door opened and Raina appeared out of the room padding barefoot into the living room her hair a riot of fiery tendrils around her shoulders as Esme jumped up first holding a hand out to guide the woman to the kitchen. "Come on dear let's get you at least something to drink." She said soothingly careful not to touch her skin.
"Leave it to Esme," Carlisle said exhaling a breath, and deeply relieved that his mate had known exactly what was right.
"Leave it to a mom to know exactly what she needs," Nikki agreed with a smile knowing that while Esme had never born children of her own, the nurturing gentle nature was ideal for the raw nerves her sister sported.
After about ten or fifteen minutes Raina appeared with a steaming mug in her hands curling wordlessly into the vacant chair giving her sisters a curious look in return to the stares they were giving her twisting her lips into a wry look, "I'm not going to spontaneously combust or something stop staring at me."
Nikki began giggling at the image that brought to her mind shaking her head as she scooted to sit on the arm of the chair, "Feeling better after the nap there brat-cat?" she asked using an old name she remembered their mother using from somewhere.
"Not really, but the chocolate helps." Raina replied bluntly glaring at her sister, "Leave the hair alone." She growled warningly narrowing her eyes decidedly feline-like.
"Just curious cause I almost never see it down," Nikki protested as she dodged Raina's light swipe at her over it.
"You don't see it because I don't like it." Raina replied shoving the strands out of her face again.
"What's it from, if I can ask?" Jasper asked running his fingers over Alice's arm.
Raina gave a shrug meeting his gaze steadily, "Dunno the first of them showed up one evening when I was a little girl, no one had a reason why." She answered quietly. She got up suddenly and left running out the door and not closing it.
"What was all that about?" Bella asked once the shock of her leaving past.
"Some things with Raina are sore subjects and her talking about her being little is one of them. Her father wasn't the best person in the world." Destiny said looking at Nikki.
Before Nikki could reply a knock at the door had everyone suddenly still as statues and most of the Cullens between the door and Nikki and Destiny. "Everyone just stay calm it could be nothing more than just someone lost." Carlisle said as Nikki pushed her way to the front door despite the warning looks from the boys.
Nikki opened the door then let out a low growl of annoyance, "Is there something I can do for you Aro?" she asked her voice deadpan.
"Well it is true what Jane said. I was wondering if Carlisle was around and if I could talk to him." Aro answered.
"Yes, Carlisle's here but no you can't talk to him. We're kind of busy at the moment with other things so you'll just have to go back home and call him." Nikki said starting to shut the door.
Aro put his hand up blocking the door open. "I do believe it is my privilege to speak to Carlisle since it is his house he'll have to ask me to leave."
"Look I am trying real hard to be nice to you because it is Carlisle and Esme's house but you need to leave before you wind up a pile of ashes." Nikki said bluntly.
"Aro you'll get no satisfaction from this brat. She's got no proper upbringing though if I had raised her she would." A voice from behind Aro spoke.
"Yeah if you had raised me I'd have committed murder Camtamin." Nikki answered looking over Aro's shoulder and spotting the Phasdosian. "Aro you're keeping bad company and if I was you I'd throw that one in the trash." She added rolling her eyes in Camtamin's direction.
"Why you sorry little…" Camtamin started only to be interrupted by the door opening all the way to reveal Emmett, Jasper and Edward standing there each flanked by their mate.
"Aro, you were asked to leave and I'd suggest doing what the lady asks." Edward answered curtly.
"I must speak with Carlisle as this deals with your family and rules that were broken letting these humans know our existence." Aro answered his voice lowering into a small growl.
"Yeah, well you were told to leave if you don't I'm not going to guarantee what you'll leave in if you continue to piss her off." Jasper said his voice soft but firm.
Aro snarled but didn't say anything his eyes locking onto Nikki's. "Why are you looking at me Aro did I grow another head or something?" Nikki said her voice sarcastic and high pitched.
The elder vampire growled once shaking his head, "I say again it is my right to speak to Carlisle and my guest is not to be harmed."
"Fat chance of that," Destiny glared at him, "And we already told you we read the brochure and we're not interested in time share in eternity thank you." She said tartly glaring at Aro, "And seriously dude lose the loser 'cause he's just going to get you hurt." She said shaking her head at him.
"I highly doubt that little girl," Camtamin said chuckling once, "You two together can't hurt me."
"Maybe not but I know someone who can and will." Nikki snapped letting her anger flare outward. "And really, this is a real low even for you, consorting with vampires what're you snack or entertainment?"
"Business." Aro said smoothly as Carlisle came into view.
"I believe my guests have spoken clearly enough of the fact you are not welcome here at this time. I hardly see the purpose for your visit no law has been broken." Carlisle said firmly from his place at the back of the group of vampires.
"Now there has too been a broken law someone else knows." Jane protested scowling at Carlisle.
"Funny, I don't know to what you're referring to." Nikki replied deciding to play stupid to figure out what angle the blond vampire was going to play.
"Strange little redhead not much bigger than me." Jane protested looking pleadingly at Aro, as Camtamin growled lowly.
"About this tall," he put his hand roughly where the top of Raina's head might be, "All bad attitude and temper when a little conversation a well placed strike might be more prudent."
"Sounds about right." Jane chirped brightly smiling at him like a schoolchild hearing confirmation on her answers for class.
"Sounds like my wayward brat,"Camtamin looked to Aro, "You'd better leave that one to me."
At this Nikki began laughing, at first a chuckle then to a rolling giggling fit then after a minute needing to hold to the doorframe to keep her balance, "You couldn't keep a wet kitten in a wet paper bag if your sorry life depended on it let alone my sister. Get real." She giggled through her words thoroughly amused.
Camtamin gave an exaggerated sigh, "We'll see about that I figure by now Soleil has the bad kitten under control."
"Fat chance," Destiny said glacially calm to Nikki's giggling fit, "She'd decorate the woods with that sack of shit."
Jasper's brow quirked as the girls seemed dead set on not one of them setting foot inside the house looking to Edward speaking softly, "You hearing what I'm hearing in the woods?" he couldn't quite stop the concern from creeping into the tone.
"Yeah I'm hearing it," Edward nodded slightly, "Sounds like a roaring good fight to me."