I know, I know, I said it'd be a while, but I just had to get this one last chapter done first... it's probably the most important chapter plot-wise that I've written for this story so far. Now I'm going to have to take the rest of the week to work on other stuff, but hopefully there will be another chapter next week. Thanks to those who reviewed! Keep 'em coming!
Disclaimer in chapter two!!
(sub-disclaimer: Seth's ringtone is not mine either, props for whoever can guess which movie its from :) )
~wwsadd
New Questions
I was glad to wake up the next morning with no hint of a hangover. Sarah was not so lucky, and I tried hard not to wake her. After crawling out of my bed quietly, I slipped on the most comfortable clothes I could find, and went in search of breakfast. Padding down the hall barefoot and chilly, I hurried toward the dining hall.
The place was nearly deserted on a Saturday, which was sort of a relief. I grabbed some orange juice and plopped down at an empty table. I drank the acidic juice quickly, realizing that though I didn't have a headache, my mouth was extremely dry.
I began to wonder if everyone went home or if it was just so empty because it was too early for them to be awake after such a long night. My cell phone started ringing then, startling me out of my daze. 'Let's get down to business, to de-feat the Huns. Did they send me daugh-ters, when I asked for sons?'
I snorted, and asked myself why I let Seth pick out his own ring tone. "Talk to me." I answered cockily, trying to hide my excitement.
I heard deep chuckling on the other end of the line. "Well aren't you just so cool? I was only calling to check up on you Ness, orders from the boss-man and all that. But maybe you're too high and mighty to talk to little old me, I'll let you get back to your prestigious boarding school friends." He said, and I could hear the effort it took him not to burst out laughing in the middle of his tirade.
I giggled. "Did you really just call yourself little?" I asked, envisioning my large werewolf friend, who towered over me. Not that it was hard to do, me being 5'1 and all, but even so, little was the last word in the world that came to my mind to describe Seth Clearwater.
"Ouch. Thanks for that Nessie." He muttered, while I laughed some more. But then his previous words made their way through my brain. Maybe I wasn't as clear as I had thought.
"Jake asked you to check up on me? He can't do it himself? What, not only does he not visit anymore, but now he sends you to make his phone calls too? I think you've been demoted Seth." I said, with a small growl for good measure. I should have been happy just to know that Jake was even still alive, but apparently being around humans had shortened my patience level.
"Whoa there Renesmee, calm down. What's gotten into you?" He asked, and I could just imagine the condescending look that matched that tone.
"A few things actually, but that's not really the point." I muttered darkly.
"Wait a second, what?" Seth voice whipped through the words, he almost sounded panicked.
"Like I said, that's not really the point. And seriously Seth, it's none of your business. Tell Jake that if he isn't going to be here like he promised, then the least he can do is leave me the hell alone. I'm sick of being treated like a misbehaving child by everyone! At least my new 'boarding school' friends don't find the need to talk down to me like I'm still six years old." I said, keeping the volume low, but it was impossible to doubt that I meant every word.
Seth was growing impatient too, and I wasn't really surprised. I had never been that bad tempered with him. With Jake? All the time, but Jake understood me better. Or, at least, I thought he had. Now it was hard for me to imagine that he even cared at all.
"Well maybe we'll all stop treating you like a child when you stop acting like one." He said shortly.
"Maybe I'll stop acting like one when you stop treating me like one." I twisted his words back around childishly.
Suddenly he was laughing. Apparently he was under the impression that I was trying to be funny. "Wow Nessie, being at that school sure has… improved your social skills. Your parents will be so pleased."
I started laughing too. "Well, practice makes perfect!" I quipped.
"Okay okay, you win. But seriously, you know Jake is just doing what he thinks is best. Although he wasn't a huge fan of this whole boarding school idea. I thought he was going to tear Rosalie into pieces when he found out. Especially since you're on the other side of the country. At least Alice and Jasper moved into a house near there, right?" He asked.
I was taken by surprise at the depth of his knowledge. "Yep. They're about an hour away, just renting a place, you know, in case I royally screw up. My parents expect me home like, every other weekend though. This whole separation thing is harder on them than it is on me." I explained quietly.
After the initial rough start to the conversation, it went on pretty smoothly, with Seth teasing me about this and that, and me telling him everything I could without raising any suspicion. By the time I hung up, almost an hour had passed. I hadn't realized how homesick I really was.
In a spur of the moment decision, I decided to drive to the small house Alice and Jasper were living in for the time being. I could use some of Alice's never-ending optimism.
Instead of bothering Sarah, I thought I'd just shoot her a text message later, and let her know what was up. I headed to the parking lot, keys in one hand, cell phone in the other. I was shocked when I got there to see a man, who seemed to be in his early twenties, leaning against the passenger side.
Approaching cautiously, I tried to stay calm. "Can I help you?" I asked, trying to be polite, while trying not to let my fear show at the same time.
The man was not bad looking. He too fit the profile of 'tall dark and handsome'. He grinned though, and it was like ice shot down my spine. Something about his person seemed distinctly evil to me, and I was in no position to fight if he was more than human.
"Why don't we get in your lovely car here, and I'll explain." He said, smiling maliciously.
There was no one around, and I could tell that humans, even those of authority, would not deter this guy from getting what he wanted. I told myself to breathe, and a plan started to form in my mind. If I could make it to Alice and Jasper's… Jasper would be more than this guy's match. Jasper could beat anyone.
"Please." I said, hitting the automatic unlock button and gesturing for him to climb in. I started the ignition and kept my eyes focused on the rearview mirror. I felt like a deer walking stupidly into a Hummer's headlights, and I kept up a string of prayers that I would get out of this alive.
I was not a particularly religious person, but Carlisle had made sure that I received some basic instruction, and in times of trouble I liked to think that there was a higher power out there watching out for us. If anyone deserved divine protection, it was my family, who fought so hard to be good; every moment of every day was a struggle for them- a struggle they were winning.
As I began racing down the winding highway, I rolled down the windows to let the crisp morning air carry more oxygen to my struggling lungs. Finally I turned to my guest. "Okay, not to be rude, but what's your deal?" I asked.
The man laughed, and the sound was full of malice. I was filled with an immediate longing for my long-lost best friend. What I wouldn't do to have Jake there with me, protecting me from this mysterious new evil. "Let me introduce myself first off, I'm Chase, Chase Collins. I guess you could call me the long lost fifth Son of Ipswich." He said, a dark grin pulling his face into a twisted joke of a smile.
I gasped, and let my foot press down a little harder on the gas. I was already doing nearly a hundred miles an hour, but I knew the Porsche could go faster than that, and the sooner I got to Jasper, the better. "What do you mean? Look, I've met Caleb and the others, they seem like good people, but whatever your issue is with them, let's just leave it between you and them, alright? This isn't my fight, so is there any way to just leave me out of it? I really don't need any more trouble." I muttered, keeping my eyes fixed ahead.
Chase's harsh laugh filled the small car. "Maybe you should have told them that before they dragged you into this. Like it or not sweetheart, this just turned into your fight. I hope you're better at this game than Sarah was, although I did get a kick out of burning down Putnam Barn, with her inside. Oh the good times are just going to keep on coming." He said wickedly.
Suddenly Caleb's memories of a frightful fire made sense. As did his reluctance to let Sarah out of his sight for five minutes. This was his greatest fear, because he had let Sarah get dragged into some fight with this psycho that was currently sitting in my car, tossing out threats left and right, none of which I understood.
I sighed, "Look buddy, I really don't know what you're talking about, but I think you need some serious help. There's a name for your problem, it's called pyromania, and they have ways to fix that now." I bit out; still hoping the ignorance card might come to my rescue.
He looked surprised for a moment, and then roared with genuine laughter. "You are one of a kind Renesmee Cullen. I sincerely hope that I don't have to kill you, because that would be such a pity. Pass on the message to your new friends. Tell them the battle's back on, and I have a new target." He whispered, trailing his finger up and down my arm. Goosebumps spread all over; I almost shivered, from disgust. I didn't want any part of him touching me.
His eyes turned flat black, and he disappeared, literally, one moment he was sitting in the passenger seat, the next I was in an empty car, racing down the highway at a hundred and ten miles an hour.
I waited for the panic attack to hit. Surely with as big an emotional rollercoaster I had been on in the last couple days, one had to be coming. My life was being threatened by an unknown demonic- being. My best friend was getting on my last nerve, and my roommate along with all my new friends had just pulled me into a massive battle with god even knew how many dangers. This was not going to go over well at home.
By the time I reached the small but expensive looking house, I had decided to keep the more delicate details of my predicament to myself. I would concentrate on talking about school and about Jake. Surely I could convince Jasper that my nervousness was just fear for Jake's safety.
Knocking on the door lightly, I was unsurprised when it opened within ten seconds. Alice's face stretched into a large smile, as she jumped excitedly up and down. "Jazz!! Nessie's here!" She cried, pulling me inside and dragging me to the living room. I fell down to the white leather sofa, and Alice sat next to me quickly, bouncing up and down in anticipation.
And then I was filled with a peaceful calm, and I turned to smile at my uncle. "Hey Jasper!" I greeted him. He took a seat facing me, in the matching armchair.
"Hey Renesmee. You're sure up and about early; don't tell me you stayed in last night like a good little girl." He teased in his quiet way.
I laughed, and appreciated the irony that this was the safest thing to share with them.
"Not exactly. Okay, not at all." I smirked. "My roommate dragged me out two nights in a row. The first night we hung out at this place called Nicky's, where all the local kids go on weeknights. And last night we went down to this party at this place called the Dells. It was really neat. Sarah introduced me to a bunch of new people, and we didn't get back to
Spencer until almost three this morning." I admitted.
Alice giggled. "Well aren't you little miss popular? Tell me more about this party! What did you wear?" She asked enthusiastically.
I described my outfit in detail, and Sarah's for good measure. After getting Alice's blessing on that, it was time for the unavoidable. Jasper quirked an eyebrow. "Was there drinking at this party?" He asked, immediately taking on the role of parent. Growing up it was more like I'd had four dads and three moms. All of the guys treated me like their daughter, as did Esme and Rosalie. Alice was content to be my coconspirator, for which I was grateful.
I tried to look remorseful. "Honestly? Yes." I answered.
Alice too gave me a stern look. "And…?"
I sighed. "And alcohol has strange affects on vampires." I said, with a hesitant grin.
Alice started laughing while Jasper groaned. "Your dad is going to flip his lid." Alice managed to gasp between giggles.
"Well, I was kind of hoping we could maybe not tell him?" I asked.
Jasper shook his head. "Fine by me. He's bound to find out sooner or later, but no need to bring down the wrath that is Edward any sooner than strictly necessary. Probably not your brightest idea though Ness."
"I won't make a habit of it, I promise. I was just curious." I said, defending my actions though I somewhat regretted them.
A short while later, Alice abruptly stood up. She had her car keys in her hand. "I'm running into town, its lunch time and we have absolutely nothing fit for human consumption in this place." She sang, dancing out to the driveway.
I was grateful for her thoughtfulness, but not because I was particularly hungry. I wanted to talk to Jasper without Alice there. Besides Emmett, she was my favorite relative, but there was something I need to ask Jasper, and I needed it to stay between us.
Jasper was never one for words, and we sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes after we heard Alice race off. Finally I got up my courage. "Uncle Jasper?" I asked hesitantly. He looked up quickly, catching my nervousness in my voice and radiating from my body.
"Everything okay Ness?" He asked quietly.
"Oh, yeah, of course. I just was wondering, there are some old legends at Spencer, and I was curious if there was any… you know, truth behind them." I said, determined not to let on that I was pretty sure there was some serious dark magic at my school, and that I was in way over my head.
He chuckled. Jasper was not one for the spotlight, but he knew more about the myths and legends of this country than anyone I'd ever met. He'd been around since the Civil War, back when Carlisle was still in Europe. He was the supreme authority on American magic.
"Do you have a particular myth in mind, or am I going to have to guess?" He asked jokingly.
I tried to smile. "I guess they call themselves the Sons of Ipswich?" I said slowly.
"Ah. Yes. I know their story. It dates back hundreds of years, before this country was even a country. There were five of them, by the names of Putnam, Danvers, Perry, Garwin, and Simms. They formed a Covenant of silence to protect their magic. They were supposed to be the supernatural protectors of New England, and they did a fairly good job until the witch craze hit in Salem.
"John Putnam turned traitor and betrayed his 'brothers' as they referred to each other. He was killed, effectively ending the fifth bloodline. After that they were never the same. They had to hide their magic, and its perverse affects became harder and harder for them to handle. Now they are said to just be faint reflections of their ancestors, although their powers are still said to pack quite a punch." He finished his little narrative, and laughed when he saw the enthralled look on my face.
Suddenly everything fell into place. Chase was somehow a descendent of John Putnam, traitor. He wanted revenge on the others. "What do you mean, perverse affects?" I asked curiously.
"When they turn eighteen, they 'ascend'." Jasper explained, making little quote marks in the air with his fingers. "They reach full potential with their Power. Basically they can make anything they want happen, in the blink of an eye. The downside is that it's incredibly addicting, and once they start using, it's hard for them to stop. The Power basically wears their bodies out at triple the speed of a normal person's. The more they use, the faster they age. It's a nasty business, they almost all die before they hit fifty, some before they hit thirty." He said darkly.
Fear seized my heart. My friends were only going to make it to thirty? Fifty if they were lucky? There was something seriously wrong with that in my mind; I was used to the thought of eternity. "Wow. That's one heck of an intense story Jasper. You should totally tell it at dinner parties." I teased, ready to change the subject before he could ask about my inexplicable interest.
Jasper laughed too, and then Alice was back, bringing way more food than I would ever be able to eat by myself. The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, and by twilight I was ready to head back to school. "We'll update your parents, and don't worry; we'll leave out the good stuff!" Alice said, pecking me lightly on the cheek as I turned to make my way to my car.
I waved to them both before driving off, and I turned up my favorite C.D., half afraid that Chase was going to reappear, and knowing exactly how scared I should be if he chose to do so. I was no match for the lost Son of Ipswich.
I sighed with relief when I made it back to the parking lot, and I made my way as quickly as I could to my room, not slowing my pace until I reached the door. I heard voices inside, too many for it to just be Sarah and Tyler. For now I needed some time to think through everything Jasper had told me, and to reflect on Chase's threat before I brought up anything to my new friends. I resolved to keep my mouth shut about my new knowledge, and my new questions would just have to wait.