Chapter 3

Esme was not pleased. Her mind was racing with murderous thoughts of attacking Tesla for kissing her mate, but what made it worse was that Carlisle allowed it to happen. Esme did not want to believe it, but the more she replayed the details in her mind, the more it seemed as if Carlisle reciprocated the action with the woman. She wanted to give her mate the benefit of the doubt. She knew Carlisle loved her. They were mates. However, his inability to say no to Tesla weighed heavy on Esme's mind and heart. She could hear the two of them behind her, following her back to the island, and she could not fathom how her mate could allow the woman into their home. Everyone except for Jacob, Leah, and Josh were waiting for her on the shore when she arrived. Alice, Edward, and Rosalie wore matching frowns and had their arms crossed. They looked like petulant children as they pouted on the beach and Esme tried to smile reassuringly at them.

"It will be fine," she said as she approached them, but their eyes were trained on Tesla and Carlisle. Tesla smirked at their expressions and observed her surroundings and the picturesque island.

"I was told you Cullens are friendly, but I guess your manners didn't rub off on the rest of your coven, Carlisle," said Tesla.

"I will show you some manners," declared Rosalie, but before she could take a step toward Tesla, she stopped reluctantly. Emmett looked at his wife in surprise at her lack of an outburst, but Edward knew better. He pulled Bella closer to him.

"Bella put up your shield. It seems Tesla has a power," warned Edward and Bella immediately projected her shield onto her family. Eleazar nodded as he walked onto the shore with the rest of his coven.

"Tesla is a very dangerous woman," agreed Eleazar.

"I take offense to that," said Tesla as she feigned a hurt expression, but Eleazar ignored her as he continued.

"She shouldn't even be allowed on the island. She is a menace and nothing she brings will be good news. Tesla has the power of manipulation. You cannot trust her."

"Don't listen to him. He is just an old grouch. Eleazar never could have a good time unless I encouraged him to."

"You mean manipulated me to," argued Eleazar.

"Semantics," said Tesla with a shrug of her shoulders. Edward read Tesla's mind in search of her motives.

"Your power will not work on us as long as Bella's shield is up. Tesla is used to making people do what she wants," explained Edward.

"Does that include making someone else's mate kiss her," asked Esme. Carlisle nodded and frowned at Tesla.

"Tesla, what were you thinking," questioned Carlisle and Tesla winked at him.

"Think of it as a little something for old time's sake." Esme growled at Tesla again and Zach chuckled as he whispered to Seth.

"I have never seen grandma so mad before," said Zach and Seth nodded in agreement. Tesla's eyes lit up in delight as she turned her attention to Zach.

"Who is this cutie," asked Tesla and Emmett had to wrap Rosalie in a strong embrace to stop her from pouncing.

"Don't even think about it," warned Rosalie and Tesla scoffed.

"Please, he is far too young for me, merely a boy. I can sense it through his actions. He is still a child, young and vibrant. He does have the body of a man though." Rosalie growled at Tesla and Esme planted her hands on her hips as she glared at Carlisle.

"I believe that your guest has overstayed her welcome already. Carlisle, I want her off of the island."

"Esme, my love….."

"Carlisle," warned Esme and he sighed.

"Let's hear her out before we hastily ban her from the island," reasoned Carlisle and Alice huffed.

"I don't think it would be hasty at all. All she wants is to cause trouble. Actually, scratch that, she has already caused enough. Now she wants you to get her out of it," said Alice.

"Is that true," asked Carlisle. Tesla gazed into his eyes as she walked over to him.

"I need your help," she urged. Edward shook his head as he smiled smugly at Tesla.

"Your mind games will not work on him this time," informed Edward as Bella wiggled her fingers in a taunting wave at Tesla.

"Shield, remember," added Bella and Eleazar sighed in relief.

"At least we don't have to worry about her mind tricks, but Carlisle, she shouldn't even be on the island. You remember what she is like. Do not get involved with her again. The woman is poison and always has been," advised Eleazar. Carlisle smiled kindly as he addressed Tesla.

"I am sure whatever you need you can get on your own. You have always had a way of getting what you want. I am sorry, but I cannot help you." Esme beamed with happiness as he wrapped his arms around her, but Edward's frown stayed put as Tesla spoke.

"This isn't something that I can just talk my way out of. I need your protection and you are going to give it to me. You owe me, Carlisle," reminded Tesla and Carlisle groaned.

"Tesla, you cannot seriously hold that over my head."

"I saved your life, so how I figure it, if it weren't for me, there would be no Stregoni Benefici or Carlisle Cullen, leader of the powerful Cullen Coven. You owe me a favor and you know it."

"That was a long time ago."

"A favor is a favor, no expiration date." Carlisle looked down and tried to shake his head, but she pleaded with him.

"Look, my life is in danger. Can you really turn your back on an old friend in need? I knew you would be different, but maybe you are not the compassionate man that I saved centuries ago." Carlisle groaned, but reluctantly nodded as Tesla smiled victoriously. Esme stormed toward the house and he winced, knowing that his mate was furious with him. Alice and Edward went after their mother, along with Carmen, while Rosalie marched over to her father.

"I hope you know what you are doing," she warned before going to the main house with Emmett, Zach, Seth, and Kaya. Jasper and Bella glanced at each other in concern and shook their heads as they went to find their mates. Tesla smiled sweetly at Carlisle and looped her arm in his.

"So, what do you say, give me the grand tour," she suggested. Carlisle pulled his arm away from hers, but hesitantly nodded as he led her to the house. Eleazar rolled his eyes as he followed the two of them and Garrett glanced at his mate.

"I don't trust that one. She is too sneaky for my liking," said Garrett and Kate smirked.

"Too manipulative, anyone with the power of influence is someone I would be cautious of. That is a dangerous power to have and obviously Eleazar doesn't trust her either," agreed Kate.

"We better keep our eyes on her. It isn't just her power. She uses her looks as well. She knows how to use her beauty to her advantage," said Tanya.

"Like we used to," giggled Kate and Tanya winked at her.

"Used to being the key words, Carlisle is a good man, but we know her type. She will use his kindness as a weakness," warned Tanya. Zafrina gave a curt nod.

"Then I suppose it is up to us to make sure she isn't able to," said Zafrina and Keegan shook his head in disbelief.

"Is there ever a dull moment with this family? Micah is right, far too much drama with this coven," laughed Keegan.

"You are just now figuring that one out," teased Benjamin with a nudge as they made their way up to the house to keep an eye on Tesla.

Tesla's eyes widened as she was led into the den of the Cullen home by Carlisle. She observed the extensive collection of antiques, artwork, and literature. The dark brown mantle held several pictures of the family and a small smile crept onto her face as she picked up a silver frame.

"This is quite some home you have, Carlisle, quite the family as well." Carlisle nodded as he smiled at the picture she was holding.

"I have been blessed with an amazing family," agreed Carlisle.

"Yes, we have," said Esme as she glided into the room and wrapped her arms possessively around her mate. Tesla giggled at the action.

"You know, Esme, you are just how I imagined Carlisle's mate would be. A timeless beauty with kind eyes...even if they are golden. However, I am surprised by your fierceness. You are quite fiery," said Tesla.

"Well what do you expect for a mate to do when someone crosses the line like you have," challenged Esme. Edward entered the room with the rest of his family and frowned at Tesla.

"Of course you know all about that, don't you Tesla? It is why you are here in the first place," revealed Edward and Tesla rolled her eyes, but did not say a word. Carlisle eyed her cautiously.

"Why exactly are you here, Tesla? You said that danger brought you to the island…."

"Uninvited," reminded Alice before Carlisle could finish. Jacob, Leah, and Josh entered the room and eyeballed Tesla as Josh sat down by Zach.

"What's going on? We got your mom's text. Who is she," asked Josh and Zach smirked.

"Remember that drama you were hoping for before the end of the summer? It looks like you are going to get it," whispered Zach and Josh snickered.

"So it is true, you do converse with wolves. Carlisle, it is bad enough that you believe in drinking from animals, but making them a part of your family is a bit much even for you," laughed Tesla and Rosalie stepped forward before Jacob or Leah could.

"Watch it," warned Rosalie.

"It seems fieriness runs in the family, which reminds me, which one of you is the firestarter? You may come in handy," questioned Tesla and Keegan's eyes lit up with blazes of fire as he grinned.

"That would be me," he answered and Tesla giggled.

"Oh Carlisle, maybe your time in Italy boded well for you after all. All of these powers in one coven, Aro would be proud….if you wouldn't have killed him that is."

"Tesla," shouted Eleazar, but she waved him off.

"Am I wrong? A firestarter, mind reader, psychic, shield, but that is just the beginning. Somehow, you managed to perfect everything that Aro obsessed about doing. No wonder you can all do so much damage, but I hear that the cutie pie with the curly blond hair is the one people fear the most. That could certainly work to my advantage. The legends of Zach Cullen have spread all over the world, including London," she said as she winked at Zach and he grinned. Rosalie nudged him and he averted his eyes from Tesla.

"I already warned you once about messing with my son," reminded Rosalie and Tesla scoffed.

"And I already told you I am not interested in the boy. He does have cute dimples though. He gets them from his father I see." Emmett held Rosalie back yet again as Jasper sent her waves of calm. Tesla laughed.

"This family is too easy to rile up," teased Tesla and Esme glared at her mate.

"This is the woman you allowed into our home to disrespect our family," challenged Esme as Carlisle groaned.

"Tesla, how about you do everyone a favor and simply tell us why you are here," suggested Carlisle with a polite smile as Eleazar crossed his arms.

"Yes, the sooner you speak your piece, the better," muttered Eleazar, but Tesla ignored him.

"As you and Eleazar know, I have always had a soft spot for London, even after being born and raised in Serbia. I was turned in 1380 when I was merely twenty eight years old. I feared the plague, as did everyone in Europe, and heard the legends of a vampire that lived within my village. Instead of being afraid, like most of the humans, I saw it as an opportunity, so I approached the vampire in hopes of gaining immortality. She was shocked at my willingness to meet her, but with the plague spreading rapidly through the land, I was willing to try anything. I was able to persuade her to turn me and the two of us coexisted in the village for a time, but the territory was too small, so I took my leave. I became a nomad and ventured into London.

"I was in awe of Carlisle the first time I saw him. He was so composed and calm for a vampire. In those days, most vampires dwelled in the sewers of London. It was a filthy way to live and I preferred to stay outside of the city, only entering to hunt." Carlisle smiled as he remembered their first encounter.

"Luck was on my side the first night we met. I was trying to persuade a group of vampires to live a better life out of the sewers and among the humans in peace. I wanted them to switch to my diet, but they were not as accepting," explained Carlisle.

"You were so young and naïve thinking that all vampires wanted to live amongst humans instead of feed on them. Then too, maybe you were on to something. Your coven seems to exist just fine by your rules."

"The vampires became hostile soon after I began speaking of a new diet and they attacked me. Tesla used her power to ward them off, urging them to leave me alone."

"I saved your life," reminded Tesla and he slowly nodded.

"Yes, you did. I traveled to Italy soon after and while I stayed with the Volturi, Tesla came to visit from time to time. You never did take a liking to the area."

"Aro took too much of a liking to me. He was fascinated with my power and I knew even back then that he was an evil man. I did find a friend in Eleazar though," she teased and Eleazar huffed.

"I beg to differ," grumbled Eleazar.

"Carlisle and I lost touch over the years. I didn't believe it when I heard about the coven you created, but as your power grew, word spread, and now I need for you to return a favor. I planned on taking over some territory in London and tried to seduce a vampire that occupied it. Unfortunately, his mate did not take too kindly and things got a bit dicey." Esme smirked.

"You, crossing a line and angering a mate, I don't believe it," said Esme in mock surprise.

"It was an accident. I didn't know he had a mate."

"But you knew Carlisle did. You obviously know about our family, including the fact that I am the head of it with Carlisle, my mate."

"I just wanted to get his attention," defended Tesla with a shrug and Esme gritted her teeth.

"Try asking next time," growled Esme. Eleazar smirked at Tesla.

"You have always been one to stir up trouble, so what makes this time any different? Use your mind tricks to keep the mate away from you. Problem solved, you can go now. I am sure you can find your way home," suggested Eleazar.

"My power is limited. You of all people know that. It is fleeting, temporary at best, but the mate's rage is not. I cannot keep a person under my trance for long and the woman is not going to just let this go. Carlisle, I need your help. The woman is coming after me and so is her mate to prove his loyalty to her. I know you have won many battles and everyone in the vampire world knows how powerful your coven is. If she knew I was under your protection, she would leave me alone and…." Esme stepped toe to toe with the woman as she shook with anger and Carlisle placed his hand soothingly on her shoulder, but her eyes were trained on Tesla.

"Who do you think you are? You kiss my mate, barge into our home, provoke our family, and now you expect us to help you," shouted Esme.

"No, I expect for Carlisle to help me. You can do as you please. Whether you like it or not, I have a past with your mate. He owes me. Face it Carlisle, you have always been a man of your word and you vowed to be in my debt forever, to be there whenever I needed you. I saved your life and it is time for you to return the favor," bargained Tesla as Carlisle winced at the words. He glanced at Esme out the corner of his eye, sensing his mate's fury. As soon as he turned to plead with her, Esme stormed out of the room, causing Tesla to smile smugly.

"I guess that means I get to stay," she giggled.

"This is a temporary arrangement, Tesla. I am a man of my word and I will do what I can to make sure you are not harmed. I will call Marcus and see if he has any ideas about how to handle this situation, but if you stay here, you must respect our home and everyone in it." Tesla nodded happily.

"Thank you Carlisle. I promise to be on my best behavior, honest," said Tesla and Eleazar groaned.

"That's reassuring," mumbled Eleazar and Tesla grinned mischievously at him with a gleam in her eye.