Bella was annoyed. That was clear to the other three people in the room. What wasn't clear was the reason why. As far as they were concerned there was nothing to be worried about but Bella clearly felt differently.
"Did it occur to either if you that it might cause problems if two teenagers crossed several state borders without clearing it with someone? There are going to be people looking for you now!" Bella said in a deadly calm tone. Looking at the two brothers who had arrived a half hour before.
Despite only being fifteen, David often reminded her of Carlise. Though David was both younger and shorter, he still had more compassion than Bella often thought possible. David stood only 5' at full height but no one ever commented on it. If it wasn't for the fact that David had dark-redish brown hair and Carlise had blonde and the fact that as far as she knew Vampires couldn't have children she would be convinced that David was Carlise's son. David even wanted to be a doctor one day though he conceded that being a vet might be more helpful.
His brother however, was very different from his brother. Red hair that simply didn't look natural but, by some bizarre miracle, actually was looked more akin to blood than actual hair and its placement only helped the illusion. The eyes sometimes seemed to glow a menacing silver, when they didn't look like steel of course. That didn't even cover the look in them. While David's eyes held nothing but warmth, Kevin's eyes held nothing but contempt. He believed himself far more superior than everyone else. Everyone was beneath him even his brother. It wasn't uncommon for Bella to have to enforce her domanace over him despite the fact that he was only 14. She worried one day he might go on a killing spree and so kept him on a tight leash whenever possible.
The two of them were orphans and blood related. It was extremely rare to find siblings of her kind. They all considered each other family but still, there was a reason her species was nearly extinct. It made her hesitant to risk any of them and dwindle their numbers further. But the two had been reckless. She only had two real rules in her pride the first was not to draw unnecessary attention. Because the brothers were in the system it would be a little while before they were reported missing. Particularly because their current foster home barely even noticed they were there. It would buy them some time but she wondered if it would be enough. She had money now but it wouldn't be enough to get her out of this mess if it amounted to something.
"Relax, they don't even know we're gone yet." Kevin scoffed. David and Bella both glared at him in response. Nick refused to get involved. If Bella asked him to intervene he would but not until then.
"Yet." Bella repeated. "Yet! Do you understand that if you're caught in my house I could get into serious trouble? Then what?"
"I know Kevin isn't helping and I know we put you in a bad position but we just need to be close to the pride. We were several states away. What if something had happened? We'd be too far to help." David pitched in.
"What do you expect to happen in Forks?"
Nick asked in a bored tone.
David looked a bit embarrassed now. "I heard about the Cullens. Heard they were coming back."
Bella frowned. Had everyone heard about it but her? "How did you find that out?"
"Nick told us." Kevin answered when it seemed like David wouldn't.
Bella shifted her gaze to Nick. Had he waited to tell her? Did he think so little of her that he believed she couldn't handle it?
"There's a month left of Summer vacation." Bella finally said after a few minutes silence. "I'll make a few calls, see if I can do anything to fix this mess with you two. Until then stay off anyone's radar and don't bring attention to yourselves." Then she headed upstairs, leaving the boys in the living room.
She distracted herself with various plans she needed to work on. One being that Charlie's house wasn't big enough anymore. It was fine for her and Nick but to add two more, she need a bigger place if David and Kevin were going to stay with her for any degree of permanence. A place away from prying neighbors would be nice too. The problem was that she didn't have the money for that kind of thing. Charlie's savings and life insurance meant she could keep the house and could afford a new car for both herself and Nick but feeding four active Changelings was expensive and they would have to supplement by actively hunting to eat as it was.
It was the last week of July the boys should be heading back to school at the end of August but none of them were sure if they'd be able to handle it. Bella no longer had school and wouldn't be there to make sure they kept calm and in control. The brothers were relatively new to this life, their first shift having happened halfway through the last school year. This meant they needed to repeat the grade because they hadn't returned. It would bring a lot of teasing if the other kids found out but delaying their return would only make the situation worse.
Bella could feel the beginnings of a headache forming behind her forehead and rubbed at it angrily. She was stuck. She didn't have any answers to solve any of her problems and that didn't even start on the problems involving the Cullens or the mutts. She wished she never discovered the others sometimes. She could look after herself just fine but adding others made things complicated. She didn't want to but she might have to reach out to her grandfather if she couldn't come up with any solutions.
First things first, solving the problem David and Kevin has created. She wasn't entirely sure who to call first to start fixing it but calling Charlie's lawyer seemed like a good first step.
The Cullens pulled into their driveway in Forks within minutes of each other. All except one. Edward's car never came instead he had headed straight for Bella's. None of them were very pleased with this. The agreement had been they would go back and discuss the situation when they had more information. Now Edward might destroy their chances before they had even begun.
Edward meanwhile had just pulled up to Bella's home and was getting ready to get out of the car. His Bella would forgive him for sure.
