I waited guardedly for the stranger to arrive, feeling vulnerable and stupid to be doing this. Not even a minute passed after I could no longer hear Carlisle's footsteps before two shadows appeared in front of me. It was two women; one young, perhaps in her late twenties and the other older with silver-grey hair at the roots. Both were vampire with red eyes.
"Hello again, I apologize for earlier."
The younger one spoke, taking in the flattened grass and broken trees. She must have come to the right conclusion about what happened there.
"My name is Kali, this is my mother Nhalia. We came because you called. Your heart aches for a mate, though… I don't understand."
Her eyes roamed over me and the clearing again; with her statement hanging in the air like a question.
"It is a mate she seeks. Her need is deep, but different. "
The elderly woman spoke, taking slow deliberate steps towards me.
"The man; he is yours, right?"
She asked. I was too stumped to speak.
"Answer child, we mean you no harm." She encouraged. I nodded my head.
"Yet your heart seeks another. Are you not satisfied?"
She followed, coming to stand two feet in front of me. She seemed confused. Then I remembered Edward.
"I am satisfied and very happy. How is it I called for you? I'm confused."
I wasn't sure I could talk to them openly. Carmen's warning was fresh on my mind.
"We have ways of knowing where we are needed; and you have searched for us for sometime."
The younger woman answered, confirming my fear. Someone had caught on to what I was doing. I took in the two women. They were unkept as most nomads. Their clothes were dirty and torn with twigs and leaves in their wild hair. They couldn't be of the Volturi.
"Child, we have heard the 'call of your heart' so to speak. It is searching for a love, a partner. I must say that I share in my daughter's confusion. If you have the man, why do you still have need?"
The elder woman asked. Her eyes were curious, kind, and filled with wisdom. I guessed she was very old. It was clear that she was changed very late in her human life. The resemblance between her and her daughter was striking. She was truly her blood daughter. I briefly wondered what circumstances led to them being changed.
"I have a son who is unmated. My heart aches for him."
I answered truthfully. Something sparked in the old woman's eyes.
"A son?" I nodded.
"I understand." She nodded thoughtfully, confusing me even more.
"Do you mind?"
She held her hand open for me to take. I didn't. Instead I tightened the torn shirt around me.
"I need to see, that I may give you the answer you seek."
It took moments before I gave in. There was no hostility or aggressiveness in her; only patience while she waited for me to play along. Her fingers brushed softly along the lines of my palm and suddenly stopped.
"Oh my, you are a beautiful soul, as are all in your coven. I understand now why you carry this burden. May I see him?"
She suddenly asked.
I was at a loss, and even more confused when she touched her finger to my forehead. She smiled before taking two steps back to stand with her daughter.
"He will have his mate, I shall see to it."
I found my voice when the two turned to walk away.
"Wait! Please, what just happened?" I asked.
"I saw a mate for your son. She is human and much too young to join him now. My daughter and I will find her and prepare her for the after-life. When she is ready, we will bring her to your son."
The elderly woman replied. I was not satisfied with that.
"How do you mean prepare her?" I asked dumbly.
"We will teach her about the life she will have with him - what to expect and how to carry herself." She explained.
"Will she- will she be hurt or unhappy?"
I was suddenly concerned. Even though I wanted this for Edward, I was uncomfortable with not knowing how it was going to be achieved. The younger woman looked at me with wonder, smiling widely.
"Mother, she is truly concerned; frightened even. She cares for the human even now when she has just heard of her."
She informed her mother. I was immediately on guard, and asked how she had known.
"I have the gift to sense things. I know when one is dishonest in actions and words." She explained
"We could have met with you much earlier but I had to be sure. I have been close long enough to know that you are sincere."
My head spun at the realization that she had known about me a long time, even followed me around.
"Do not be angry with my daughter. She does what she must. We have lived long and have enemies who mean us harm. She protects us. I am the one who sent her when your calls became unbearable. I know when I am needed; in here,"
She placed her hand over her un-beating heart.
"I can also know you heart from the palm of your hand. I know your son as you do now. While I learnt about him, I also found his mate. We prepare human daughters to be mates for our kind. I know you knew this."
She eyed me suspiciously.
"Yes,"
There was no point in hiding anything from her. Both had gifts that laid me bare before them. It was a good thing I was used to living with Edward, Jasper and Alice or else I might have been put out.
"I'd like to know how you will prepare her. I'd hate for her to be hurt in any way."
"Our methods differ depending on the situation. Sometimes it is hurtful to the human. They are strong-willed weaklings and many do choose to fight us."
I cringed at the answer. Doubt clouded my mind. I didn't want Edward to have a mate who was broken or forced in any way. Rosalie had been too much to handle; even now, decades later she wasn't truly healed.
"Is she truly his mate?"
I asked a more pressing question. I wasn't sure that I wanted a bred mate anymore - not when my son deserved a true mate - someone to complete him fully.
"Yes, the one I see is his true mate. If you wish it of us we can walk away and leave her be. I cannot tell you much about her as I too must find her first."
The elderly woman answered sadly.
"No; I need to secure her, for him. May I request that you be kind to her and keep her protected until she is ours. I do not have much to bargain with, except materialistic resources. All our family's wealth is at your disposal if you can do this one thing I ask."
I was begging.
"Oh child, you are precious. When we find her we will let you know. Think of what you want, together we will decide how to proceed."
The elderly woman concluded. They were backing away from me slowly.
"May I ask why your eyes are the colour of the sun?"
The younger one asked suddenly.
"My family and I feed on the blood of animals by choice. We do not prey on humans. This is why it is important that she not be harmed in any way."
I added. Her eyes landed on the carcass of the animal Carlisle had fed on earlier and returned to me with a smile.
"We understand."
She turned around and they both disappeared just as I heard Carlisle approaching from a different direction. He was still a distance away. I wondered if the younger one knew that he was coming back. Feeling a little giddy and hopeful, I threw the shirt away from my body and leaned provocatively against a tree.
"You kept me waiting Carlisle,"
I purred as soon as he neared me. His eyes turned flat black at the sight of me and that was all the answer I needed before I pounced on him.
