BPOV
I opened the windows wide cranking up the air conditioning attempting to get the vampires scent from me. If my family found out what happen I'm not sure even I could stop them going after the lot of them and seeing as we were trying to remain inconspicuous that really wouldn't be such a good idea.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath smiling slightly as the scent blew out the window. Once I was completely sure that you could barely smell it I closed the windows and once again let my eyes close resting my head on headrest relaxing into the seat.
To any one passing it may have looked like I was taking a nap but I was fully alert my senses stretching out taking in every thing around me even the smallest movement of the trees swaying on the breeze and the lonely leaf blowing across the parking lot.
My mind was whirling from the revelation and my own brief encounter with the vampire. I was planning the provisions we should make tightening up security; we would defiantly need to arrange a patrol schedule, add some additional monitors on the house maybe a heat sensors if we programmed them correctly it could pick out their abnormal temperatures so we knew if one of their kind came any where near the house. I'd need Sasha's help and we'd have to do it quick have it up by nightfall at the latest no more chances.
Light footsteps caught my attention but no heartbeat and I slowly opened my eyes only to find the bronze haired boy (again a term I use loosely) walking towards a silver Volvo at the opposite end of the parking lot. I let my eyes drift shut again only to be greeted by music blaring form his direct. It's strange to think that I don't even know any of their names which means recon is in order.
Time passed quickly until I found myself listening to the music drifting from the Volvo, Clair de lune was playing and I found my self nearly relaxing following the highs and lows of the music. I was broken out of my revere by the school bell.
My eyes drifted open and I involuntarily glanced to the silver Volvo only to see his window was down and he was staring at me intently.
I glanced away waiting for my family only for them to emerge moments later. Sasha was of course talking Darnel's ear off while he smiled and nodded politely Connor was walking just behind them still looking upset (I felt bad for the kid I know he'll be punishing himself but honestly I nearly said the same thing). Max and Mixie came last both seemed to be listening intently as Max placed a protective arm on her shoulder eyes narrowed and darting around looking for any sign of trouble.
I smiled attentively as they reached the car, barely registering Sasha's words as she continued to talk about all her new friends and the shopping torture she already had planned waiting until we reached home before broaching on the big elephant in the car.
"Family meeting in the sitting room." I called out as we finally stopped in front of our 3 storey home. I told you we needed room I mean six kids living together each wanting their own room, in hindsight we were very fortunate finding this place.
Our home was very open plan. On the first floor was a large living room, kitchen and bathroom. The second floor consisted of Connor, Sasha and Mixie's room as well as the games room, each room had their own en suite to avoid arguments. The third floor consisted of Darnel, Max and my own room as well as a security room right next to my own.
It's the nicest place we have ever lived but after our start in life I felt it was okay to splash out a little especially considering we were going to stay a while, (That being the plan at least but honestly since when had anything followed my plan.)
In less than five minutes we were gathered in the living room everyone situated either on the sofa, armchairs or on the floor all eyes turned expectantly at me.
"Okay first off Sasha I need you to program the heat signature equipment to pick up any friends that may be lurking around our property. I want two alarms one with me at all times and the other to stay with who ever is on guard on the time and yes that means rotational shifts on guard duty." I could feel the groans and whines of protests about to start so I headed them off straight away.
"Hey you lot wanted to stay not me or Max so that means all the ones who voted to stay get to take tonight's shift." I shot Max a smile at this to let him know that it was for his benefit.
"Right before I go through any details of the duty roster has anyone been able to gather any Intel on them anything at all?"
"I talked to a girl in my calculus class found out their name and by the way you owe me for that it took me 20 minutes just to shut her up again" Max replied in a surly tone that made everyone laugh lightly.
"The blonde girl, blonde boy and the bloke built like a brick shit house are Rosalie, Jasper and Emmett all pretending to be seniors. Jasper and Rosalie are 'twins' under the name of Hale. The short little black haired girl is Alice while the bronze boy is Edward; both of them are juniors. Them along with the muscle man are Cullen."
I took in all the information glad to finally have a name to the faces.
"According to my source." He said cringing slightly " There 2 more an Esme and Carlisle Cullen and get this the older one is a Doctor I mean he actually works at the hospital and every thing!!" All of our mouths dropped to the floor at this I mean come on a vampire working in a hospital full of bleeding wounds. These are defiantly not your average vampires.
"I heard their all paired up except for that Edward and that they all adopted by the older ones what a laugh right adopted my ass" Sasha added smugly.
"Okay good work" I cut her off quickly. "Sasha I need you to start getting the security system working now while I get dinner, Darnel you'll be on first watch starting at twelve then Connor can take over 3 hour shifts."
We all went or separate ways Sasha upstairs to start work while Connor and Darnel went to get some rest, Mixie went to her room probably to play or try and get some peace while Max and I silently went to the kitchen to begin dinner.
I quickly prepared to the chicken while Max made the sauce to go with the curry it was ten minutes before Max finally broke the silence.
"What time do you expect them tonight then?"
Told you he was a smart cookie, just like me he knew that we should expect visitors.
"Well seeing as Mixie thinks they not here as a threat probably sooner rather than later." I had already planned for this hence why I wanted Sasha to start straight away, it would only take her a couple of hours so with any luck she would be done by dinner time if we moved slowly that is.
"What did Edward have to say to you then?" I looked at him astonished. "Come on Bella give me some credit, you did a good job at covering but I a shower would have been more effective." He smirked at me. Damn it why did I even try.
I took a deep breath before relaying the events that happened after he left in a hushed whisper making sure none of the others would hear us, as expected the silver mixing spoon he was holding was bent and his jaw clenched before I had even finished.
"What do you mean he grabbed you?" His eyes were smouldering and I could tell from his tone he was close to losing it.
"Max calm down I'm fine. I can take care of myself." I was touched at his concern for me but I was not going to be treated like a child. "Get the garlic rolls out of the freezer and start chopping some tomatoes while I clean the lettuce,"
I made sure he got the message that the conversation was over. Over the next hour and a half an hour we prepared the meal silently, he set the places as I cooked the curry adding cream to prevent it being to spicy and soon it was a cooked I placed it next to the salad and garlic bread so that again everyone could help themselves.
Less than a minute later four footsteps could be heard running down the stairs.
"Wow this looks amazing, beats a camp fire cook out any day." Darnel complemented helping himself to generous servings of the curry.
"Bit hot though, mind giving us a hand Darnel," Cool air gently cooled our food. "Thanks man" Connor said kindly.
Darnel smiled back mouth to full to reply.
"How's the system going?" I asked in between mouthfuls.
"All done, here's yours I'll keep the other one until twelve." She offered shooting me a wide smile. Passing me a small wristwatch, which I could only presume provided me with a nice loud wake up call when triggered.
"Max and me think they'll be by some time after dinner so I want everyone ready. No using 'gifts' unless absolutely necessary." I smiled as they nodded heads still bent over their plates. "Darnel, Connor I want you two to rest up, I know you can run on little sleep but it couldn't hurt." Another nod.
"Mix could you keep a listen out when they get here anything will be helpful." Mixie smiled happily and I knew how much she liked to help.
Dinner finished shortly after and everyone disappeared to various activities within the house while Max and me were left to load the dishwasher before we split up ourselves.
I checked on Mixie as I headed towards my bedroom I couldn't help but smile seeing her curled up on her beanbag at one end of the room reading contently. I was the only one able to sneak up on her thanks to my strangely silent mind.
I remember when we were still in that place that before they repressed her gifts that she used to joke saying that I must be brain dead cause she could never even get a word from my mind.
I continued along the hall hearing Mixie rifling through her walk in wardrobe and soft snore drifting out from behind Connor closed door.
I reached my room and picked out a book from my rather large collection on the south wall of my room finally settling on the classic Pride and Prejudice. I propped myself up on my pillows tucking my legs in tightly and lost myself in the simpler life of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy. I had just reached the part were Elizabeth was staying at Mr Bingley's as her sister was recovering from a bad cold when I was rudely interrupted by a rendition of Barbie Girl blaring from the wrist watch. (I was going to pay Sasha back for that.)
I sprinted down the starts knocking loudly on Connor and Darnels door making sure they were up. I heard the doors open behind me and soon my whole family were gathered in living room.
"Mixie any idea how long?" I watched as she concentrated.
"Two minutes we should probably go outside." She smiled brightly obviously confident.
"Okay form a tight circle by the front door no holes, I know they might not be here to hurt us but I'm not taking any chances." I walked quickly to the front door and stood facing the driveway hearing the cars approaching.
They stopped a good 10 feet away clearly trying not to startle us; they climbed out from their cars. The two oldest of the coven were beautiful of course, the male looking in his late twenties 6ft 2 blonde hair and the same topaz eyes that all of them seemed to have. The female was my height; she had a heart shaped face and long caramel coloured hair.
I watched them closely looking from any signs of aggression receiving one only in the form of a cold stare from Rosalie obviously trying to intimidate me which brought a little smirk to my face despite my best efforts.
They stopped two feet in front of us forming a loose line (Order right to left) Jasper, Alice, Edward, Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie and Emmett my family responded in kind Sasha, Connor Mixie, Myself, Max and Darnel. They had us out numbered but I caught the glint of Max's lighter hidden carefully behind his back.
We were all tense but felt a strange sense of calm spread through out us; I shook myself mentally refusing to let my guard down. A long minute passed silently as we appraised each other (I carefully avoided Edwards gaze), I was reluctant to speak first after all they came to visit us but finally I couldn't take it.
"I'd invite you in for drinks but something tells me we haven't got anything that would suit your particular tastes." I said smiling widely trying to down play my apprehension calming my heartbeat. (Told you sarcasm was my secret weapon)
I was shocked by a booming laughter, sneaking a glance I saw Emmett laughing loudly as Rosalie smacked him round the back off his head rolling her eyes. Carlisle and Esme even smiled. (Point one to Bella. Mental happy dance)
"I'm sorry I should introduce my family." Carlisle spoke kindly, Max snorted at the word family and I shot him a pointed glance, thankfully they ignored it although I saw Jasper's eyes tighten slightly. "This is my children Jasper, Alice, Edward, Rosalie and Emmett and my name is Carlisle and my wife Esme." Alice and Emmett waved enthusiastically, while the others inclined their heads and Esme smiled warmly at us.
I smiled back trying to be polite, they hadn't attacked us yet and I was trying to make a good impression. "Nice to meet you, my names is Bella. This is Sasha, Connor Mixie, Max and Darnel. My family." I pointed to each of them as I said their names while they all inclined their heads with Sasha and Mixie smiling widely.
"I apologise for the intrusion but my family came home with some news that I'm sure you can understand shocked us slightly." Carlisle spoke obviously the leader of the coven.
"What you mean the fact that we know your vampires." Sasha replied happily cutting straight to the point. I couldn't help but roll my eyes slightly as the vampires in front of us chuckled lightly.
"Well yes." Carlisle replied laughter still evident in his smooth voice. "I don't know how you came to the conclusion but I wanted a chance to speak to you all, were not here as a threat to you and from what my son Edward told me none of your family are trying to pose a threat to us."
I shot Edward a glare before my eyes softened and my attention returned back to Carlisle.
"We have had a run in of sorts with some of your kind before which is why we knew what your were although they didn't have your unique eye colour." I skirted over the details of the 'run in' with the James and the troop, a fact that they seemed to notice sharing knowing looks between themselves, hoping to finally understand the golden eyes.
"We don't drink human blood instead we choose to hunt animals that enables us to live amongst humans peacefully. Our eye colour seems to be a side effect of the diet." He explained staring intently into my eyes almost pleading with me to believe.
I could feel my families questioning gaze so I decided to check in with our own personal lie detector. My eyes went to Mixie who of course was expecting this and smiled widely nodding her head with the smallest movement possible.
I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding thankful that part of the mystery was solved, don't get me wrong I didn't trust them by a long shot but I knew anyone apart of the Facility that held us would not be inclined to drink animal blood.
"I can assure you we don't intend you any harm and I'm sorry for Edwards earlier actions" I saw the 4 youngest family members give me a worried look before turning their attention back to the vampires in front of us. "He was only trying to protect his family a fact with which I'm sure you can sympathise with him even though I do not condone his methods" Carlisle finished giving a stern look to his son who looked down apologetically.
I couldn't hold back the light laugh at the exchange between them; it really looked as if Edward was a naughty child being reprimanded for his behaviour. I had never seen the like of it between creatures of their kind.
Of course that earned a glare from Edward, which only widened my smile, I had to repress the urge to stick my tongue out at him.
"It's not a problem no harm done but I just want to let you know as well that we had no idea you were here, we simply just want to be left alone." The words came out harsher than intended and I gave him an apologetic smile.
"Would I be able to take a look at your wrists just to make sure he didn't unintentionally cause you harm?" I tensed at his words, they were kind enough (so far) but I wasn't sure I wanted him touching me.
The air seemed to tighten around us; I saw Max put a comforting hand on Darnels shoulder as his other hand instinctively poised his thumb ready to flip open his lighter. After a moment the air returned to normal.
"It's fine honestly." I tried to be polite but he seemed truly concerned.
"Please I'm a doctor, I wont hurt you." Carlisle's tone was sincere and I nodded without thinking.
Carlisle stepped forward leaving his family behind him waiting for me patiently to meet him in the middle, I saw Jasper tense, I could tell he was worried about the man stepping away from the main group. I could empathise.
"I'll be fine guys just stay here." I knew they would listen; it was a show of trust that needed to be established before we could move any further. So after taking a calming breath I approached Carlisle reaching my wrist out when I was close enough for him to inspect it.
He reached forward tentatively cupping my hand with his own. I didn't even flinch from the temperature of his skin having years to become accustom to it. He proceeded to lift my sleeve pushing it up my arm so he could get a proper look at it.
That's were it all went wrong.