Chapter 4

Distraction

A/N: Hey there everybody! Moving from one house to another has been dragging me away from my keyboard, and as if that wasn't enough, my hard drive decided to destroy itself so I had to get my computer fixed!! Enough with that, and on with the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters, but I do own Kestra and this plot.

What would happen if the focus on the elusive Cullens was shifted to a young female, with a strange secret of her own? Canon pairings in AU.

Wednesday Night, Emmett's pov.

I was stunned that Kestra reacted so violently to Carlisle's syringe. I was even more shocked to see her stand up to a prowling Jasper, ready to drain Bella. The sudden roar that she let out was almost enough to startle Jasper into recognition, but too late. My little Squirt was now stuck standing over Bella with Jasper's teeth sunk into her shoulder.

Esme's pov.

Jasper's eyes brightened to an impossible light gold as he was forcefully pulled away from Bella and Kestra. Shaking his head, his eyes widened in realization of what he'd just done. I saw his jaw drop as he watched Kestra crane her neck and lick her bleeding shoulder. The angry red crescent bite mark sealed itself up and faded into another pale scar.

"What are you?" He gasped. "I am fully satisfied, and there is no possible way that could happen for the amount of blood I took from you. And your shoulder? I just can't comprehend how you did that! Oh God, what have I done?!"

Hmmmm. So sorry for nearly eating Bella and Kestra. I thought to myself.

One look at the mortified expression he wore, and the tightened grip that Alice had on his arm was enough evidence to suggest exactly how sorry he was. Ignoring us dumbfounded vampires, Kestra knelt down next to Bella, slowly as if she was wary of frightening the fragile human before her. She watched as Bella hesitantly raised a hand to touch the ferocious creature's shoulder. Her gaze was met with approval, and she carefully stroked her fingers over the fresh scar tissue; it was smooth and warm.

"I know what you are now." Bella spoke softly.

"Do you?" Questioned Kestra.

"Well? Out with it, Bella!" Hollered a rather impatient Emmett

"I don't think so. You'll just have to find out on your own." She smiled.

I have never seen a vampire satisfied so quickly, not even one who has drank their singer's blood.

And she healed so quickly; not even a werewolf can mend their wounds at that rate.

Carlisle's pov.

I must discover what type of creature Kestra is; she's certainly not human, vampire, or werewolf. Perhaps some of my older texts have something in them... Her saliva seems to have some sort of healing property and the ability to nullify venom. I will start with that and hopefully find something else that will help.

But regarding the current situation, should Bella stay the night? Until I know what to do, I am unsure as to whether it is safer for Bella to stay here or if Edward should return her home. It IS a school night, but Alice already has Charlie's approval for a "sleepover". Hmmmm...

I was pulled from my musings as Kestra retracted her wings, and Edward helped Bella up from the floor. Kestra must have healed the gash while I was distracted, as the skin was clean and unblemished. I knew from the slightly disgruntled expression he wore that he had been listening to my thoughts.

Should Bella stay the night?

There was a slight pause as he watched Alice nod and smile.

Did Kestra lick Bella's forehead? I missed it, and I was wondering what had happened. Will you inform me later?

Edward shook his head at first, and then gestured that we would speak later. I sighed and decided to send the girls to bed earlier than planned, but Esme was already on it.

"It's getting rather late for a school night. Why don't you girls settle in for the night?"

"Why do you want me to stay? I am too great a trouble for your family, why don't you see?" Kestra muttered. Clearly she was unaccustomed to being welcomed into a home and family atmosphere.

"You can take the sofa in Edward's room..." Suggested shame-faced Jasper, completely ignoring her distress.

Bella grabbed Kestra's tiny hand and led her up the stairs to Edward's quarters. I could hear my Esme already bringing out spare blankets we would never use to keep our newest guest warm.

Kestra's pov.

I watched Esme flit around the room, preparing the ebony sofa to become my bed for the night. Within a minute she was putting the duvet over my makeshift bed, and kissing my forehead goodnight. I was shocked at how affectionate she was to someone she barely knew. I noticed Edward watching my expression as he waited for Bella to finish brushing her teeth.

"Esme does not care what species you are. She sees a tiny, young, fragile-looking female, who is in desperate need for someone to love and care for her; one who was sorely deprived of this for most of her life. She wants to nurture you for as long as she possibly can." He spoke tenderly. His attention immediately shifted as Bella entered the room.

And they say that only werewolves imprint? I think not.

Bella quietly approached me and shockingly wrapped her arms around my form.

Is this what humans call an embrace? It feels sort of enjoyable; if I see Chinook again, I will introduce him to this practice.... Don't laugh at me Edward! I am very new at the whole human interaction thing. My kind is not typically welcomed, let alone touched so many times in one day!

I returned the embrace very carefully, just enough to let her know that I accepted this gesture. She pulled away and smiled softly, and it was then that I understood just why Edward was so incredibly territorial over her; one look into her chocolate eyes and you could plainly see that she was one of a kind. No other human on the face of the earth could match her innocence and capabilities of love and affection. Finally I was able to comprehend why I felt so protective over her.

Settling down on the sofa, I listened as Edward hummed Bella to sleep. Within a few short minutes she was blissfully unaware of the rest of the world. I on the other hand was not as fortunate. Despite how long the sofa was, I still felt unpleasantly confined and cramped.

How long has it been since I have safely slept indoors? I cannot even remember much before the lab. I long to sleep in the forest outside! Even a cave would be more normal for me....if I will ever have something considered normal in my life.

I continued to lie there, focused on slowing my breathing to simulate sleep sounds. Perhaps Edward would be too fixated on Bella to notice my insomnia. After all, I had not slept this high since Chinook stretched out and I slept on him. Four hours later I was finally lying on the carpeted floor, uncovered and spread-eagled. It seemed that my assumption about Edward was more accurate than expected. At least if he did notice he made no attempt to comment or ridicule. Finally, I could get some sleep, now that I was closer to the ground.

Carlisle's pov.

It was around two in the morning when I heard muffled breathing coming from down the hall. I couldn't help but wonder if Bella had buried herself beneath pillows again, as she is an active sleeper. I waited a few more minutes, trying to submerge myself into research on Kestra, fully expecting Edward to rectify the problem. Nothing changed. Ten more minutes crawled by and the laboured breathing continued. I contemplated walking down the hall and helping Bella myself; perhaps Edward had left the room for some inexplicable reason. Just as I arrived at the decision, Alice came into my study.

"Do you hear that?" I questioned softly.

"Yes, and Jazz is looking at the problem right now. I think you might find it interesting." The little pixie smiled.

I nodded and strode silently down the hall, meeting Jasper at Edward's ajar door. I opened it a fraction more, and peered through the darkness. There on the floor was Kestra, face down and wheezing from her nose being buried in the carpet. I noticed that the makeshift bed was back in perfect order, looking for all the world like no one had lain down there. I proceeded quietly to pick up the tiny girl, but Jasper's restraining hand prevented me. I looked back at him questioningly.

"This is the most peaceful she has been since you sent her to bed. I'm guessing that not only is she unaccustomed to sleeping in comfort indoors, but she feels safer being closer to ground level." He whispered.

"And if you touch her now it will induce nightmares and a screaming session that not even you, Jazz, and Edward combined could bring her out of, leading to her not sleeping for the next week." Alice chimed in.

You never bet against Alice. I thought quite hard about my options, and Alice's eyes clouded over into the future, trying desperately to see if I would touch Kestra or not.

"You would learn things of much value about her past, but it would also lead to her distrust and intense hatred of the entire family. The future for all of us gets cloudy after that. Carlisle, you made the right choice."

I heard her dance away, towing her mate down along the stairwell as I made my way back to the study to continue my research. I couldn't help but wonder if she really could be comfortable in such a strange position.

Edward's pov.

I barely noticed Carlisle enter and exit the room as my Bella began her sleep-talking. She sounded surprisingly happy, almost teasing as she muttered things about over-grown iguanas. What could my love possibly be dreaming about? Her heart rate suddenly spiked and she began to giggle in her dreams. My eyes widened at what she said next.

"Higher Kestra! No.....faster and higher...."

She now wore a delicate pout across her ruby lips. How I longed to kiss them.

Now don't be going there Edward! I mentally berated.

But why was she telling Kestra to go faster and higher?

Sounds like Eddie-boy's got some competition. Emmett thought loudly.

I growled low in my throat at his lewd thoughts. Only Emmett would assume sexual relations in my Bella's dreams. I heard his booming laughter as he processed my reaction. Bella stiffened in my arms, and glancing down I watched her face become troubled. She was muttering frantically in her sleep, in what seemed to be blatant fear.

"No Dad.... Just leave her alone...Jacob?! No! Don't hurt her!!"

Bella was suddenly wide awake and gasping for air in her panicked state. My dead heart broke as I saw her crystalline tears pouring over her flushed cheeks. My poor Bella.

"What's wrong love? What did you dream about?" I murmured. Her heart rate was finally returning to normal. Bella swallowed hard before she began to speak.

"I dreamed that Kestra and I were flying, but Charlie saw her and began to yell 'monster'. He shot at her as we landed and suddenly Jacob was there and he was going to hu-hurt Kestra." She hiccupped noisily.

"No one is going to harm either of you. Sleep my Bella, and know that you both are safe."

I nestled her back into my arms, relieved to already hear her falling back into slumber. I kissed the top of her head and smiled softly, humming her lullaby. It was just like my Bella to worry about others getting hurt. My thoughts suddenly turned in a different direction; Kestra did not seem strong enough to carry Bella through the sky unless....

Kestra did clue me in that this human body is not her true form. Her wings were indicative of a bat's wing, yet closer to a lizard's frill. Bella was muttering about over-grown iguanas. It suddenly hit me. She mentioned something about St. Peter probably trying to kill her. But why would a saint try to kill her?

My memory suddenly shifted to an old text filled with tales and old lore. One of them stood out from the rest; the tale of St. Peter and the Dragon.

And there you have it! Finally an update that reveals just what species Kestra is....but her past is still very much a mystery!!!!!! Review please and I'll post the next chapter.