The blonde man rolled his eyes at my reaction to him. I wasn't sure if he was irritated or annoyed. Maybe he was both. I couldn't help it, though. This guy practically had the word DANGER scratched into him.
He stalked right past us, but I didn't freak out like I thought I might have.
Actually, if anything, I just started to relax as a feeling of peace floated inside of me.
Alice scolded the man, "You knew he was coming, Jasper, why didn't you put a shirt on."
He glared at me, his dark golden eyes harsh when he pointed out, "Because I don't have to."
I think I wanted to be scared of him, and the evil way he was leering at me, but I wasn't.
He sat on the arm of the couch, hissing as Emmett elbowed him in the side.
They glared at each other and Jasper demanded, "What?"
Rosalie stepped into the conversation, "You know what. You don't have to be so mean just because you're opposed to him."
Opposed to me? What did I do?
I told her they weren't going to like me!
Alice locked eyes with her husband, and I could almost taste the tension between them.
Everyone else in the room looked unsettled.
Alice won the silent battle.
The blonde man forced a smile at me and icily greeted, "It's great to meet you by the way, Leo."
For some reason I doubted that statement.
Before we could continue the awkward conversation he asked Esme hopefully, "When are Carlisle and Edward getting back."
Alice snapped sharply, "It's not going to make any difference, he's staying."
She tugged me towards the stairs and I waved goodbye to everyone as she led me up the stairs and into an airy room.
"This is a guest room, you can have it if you want."
I glanced at the bed, "I thought we don't sleep?"
She smiled, "We don't, but it's nice to have them around for other activities."
Ahh!
Did she have to get that image in my head?
I almost gagged, which only made her laugh.
"You can get settled, and look around, or whatever. I'll come and get you when we are ready for you."
She closed the door and I sat on the edge of the bed, looking around. One of the long walls was crammed with books, and the other had a closet and a desk.
I think I could get used to it.
So I figured it was best for me to stay out of sight when I heard the two men returned
from their hunting trip. However, I did open the door to hear what they were saying better.
Rosalie was growling mid-sentence, "-nly a child, how could you just want to get rid of him?"
Of course, my new enemy was the one she was talking to.
Jasper hissed, "Don't be stupid, Rosalie, for once in your life. What if Aro finds out? We'll all be in danger. Are you willing to risk loosing Emmett for some kid?"
Emmett snapped, "I can take care of myself, Jasper."
A very neutral sounding male pointed out, "If Alec gets a hold of us, we're all pretty much done for. Bella can't always be around to keep us safe."
Esme added her input, "Edward's right."
Alice demanded, "Who cares if he's right? The poor kid doesn't have anyone; it's Aro who wanted him. Would you rather send him away so he can become a tool of mass destruction?"
After a brief silence Edward asked, "He can set us on fire?"
There were several gasps and then more silence. I didn't like the silence, it never meant anything good.
After a second Esme asked, "Carlisle?"
Another male's voice, Carlisle's, gave a verdict, "He should stay with us. Alice likes him and... Well, I don't think we should set him loose. He's a very powerful child, and he'll need supervision until he is trained to control his gift."
Bella asked, "Who is going to teach him? Our powers are just here, and they just happen."
Edward offered, "Jasper had to learn how to use his."
There were several low growls before my nemesis snorted, "I won't do it. I don't want anything to do with him." A second later a door slammed suddenly and I jumped.
Carlisle offered an alternative, "We can all help him the best we can. There's nothing to worry about."
I listened to feet shuffling for a while until Bella's voice rang up the stairs.
"Leo, you can come down you know."
I carefully shuffled down the stairs and paused at the bottom.
She smiled, "I'm going to go and speak to Edward." She left, and I was alone.
I just sat there patiently, until the growling started. Curiously I peeked around a thresh-hold and into a kitchen.
Jasper was standing with his back to Alice, glaring out a window. The pixie-sized woman was pacing left to right as she ranted.
"It wouldn't kill you to help him, you know. He isn't leaving no matter how much you want him to. Why would you want him to, anyway? There's nothing wrong with him!"
After a second the man turned and grabbed his wife, pulling her against his chest gently.
He frowned and set his nose against her forehead.
Her arms wrapped around his back and she sighed, "You don't have to worry."
Jasper whimpered, "You could get hurt! You could die, Alice."
She stared up at him, "I haven't seen myself dying anytime soon."
He sounded mocking when he answered, "Things are not set in stone."
They glared at one another for quite a long time.
They looked like statues, standing perfectly still.
Alice pouted slightly and Jasper's face instantly softened. He kissed her lightly and crumbled.
"Okay, fine, I'll see what I can do for him. Are you happy now?"
I almost snickered at how easy that was for her.
I didn't though, because then they would hear me.
Alice smirked, "Immensely. Go and tell him, and try to make friends."
I scurried back to the couch and sat down just before the two of them exited the kitchen.
Alice glared sternly at me, which made me pretty damn sure she knew I had been listening. I smiled at her as she pranced away.
Jasper sat tensely beside me, tapping his foot a little bit as he turned his head to look at me. I shifted nervously as the silence stretched on.
Sighing in defeat he announced, "I'm going to help you gain control over your power. Do what I tell you, or you'll have to figure it out on your own."
I shivered and leaned away from his shadowy glare. "O-okay?"
He smiled the tiniest bit, "And don't set me on fire, because Alice will be extremely upset if you do."