Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction intended for entertainment purposes only. The characters and world belong to Stephenie Meyer, I just like playing with them.

AN: If you have already read the first story I would like to give you plenty of warning. High Tide is much darker. It has a lot of extreme and violent themes. And while I try not to make it too gory, some details need to be known. So I have rated High Tide as M.

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Panthalassa: High Tide

Chapter 4 – Movement

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The familiar scent of cinnamon and marigolds surrounded me as I sat on the couch with Emmett and Esme. Esme had handed me a cup of hot chocolate as we sat there while Alice, Edward, and Jasper paced.

Alice had seen a certifiable hoard of new born vampires, two of which Edward recognized from Alice's visions just after I'd left the family, finding Benjamin and Tia's scents in Cairo. With dogged determination they seemed to hunt the family friends, Alice seeing which decisions Benjamin and Tia would make that would cost them their lives. She had directed them to the ocean and said it was looking good that they would survive if they swam far enough away.

We were waiting for Carlisle to get home, as his shift at the hospital had ended roughly just as Alice had the vision. Benjamin had gone into the Nile, as it was the middle of the afternoon there, and we had lost contact with him. Alice kept getting visions, which caused tension in the room to rise, but it she hadn't gotten a clear vision on if they would survive. I hadn't been able to get a clear answer as to why.

"Good…" Edward sighed finally, just as I saw Carlisle blur into the living room, first to Alice and Edward, then he looked to his mate on the couch and came over.

"Is it just me," I said aloud, "Or are these new born groups really determined."

Alice gave a breathy snort and nodded enthusiastically.

"We need to do something about this," Esme said heartily, her cold arm squeezing me tighter to her side.

"Benjamin and Tia will call us when they reach Madagascar," Alice confirmed then glanced at Jasper, "That'll be in five hours."

Grumbling silently about the fact I had to leave in an hour so I could make it to Eau Claire to meet up the band and start our tour.

"Eva… I don't think-"

I cut Alice off, "I'll be fine getting my wigs and such on without you Alice. I think figuring out what's going on is far more important than helping me before my concerts."

"That will work," Edward stated with an air of satisfaction, looking at Esme.

"What-ever is going on I do not feel safe with one of my children out there unprotected," Esme said devotedly. She tucked some of my hair behind my ear and I smiled at her tilting my head as to what she had planned.

"Nessie and Jake can come along with you," Edward explained.

"Ah," was all I added to that. Of course I would like to have Ren and Jake around, it wasn't like I didn't want them there, but I doubted very much that they could provide much more protection for me if a gang of newborns were going to attack.

The only leg of the trip most of the family was edgy about was the part where I'd be in South Texas. It was rumored to be the area Maria preferred as of late, Jasper was absolutely livid when he found out I had three nights of performances in the region. Alice talked him down, but I could tell she too was nervous about it.

As for myself I was worried that if I smelled like vampires it would attract more attention than if I was normal. Now if I smelled like "dog" any vampire would probably leave me alone, which made Jasper relax a bit when Carlisle brought it to his attention.

.~.

"Okay babe, I'll let her know. Love you too," Emmett's dimple was pronounced as he smiled into the phone before hanging it up.

We were three exits away from where I was to be dropped off and meet up with the tour bus. Alice had packed all of my luggage this time and I hadn't even looked at what I would be wearing the next two months.

"Jake and Ness will be meeting you in Des Moines late tonight. Seth will join up with you in Omaha."

I nodded while I texted Ren back about keeping me updated on the Benjamin Tia situation.

"Thanks for driving me Emmett," I told him while I adjusted my bag on my shoulders, careful not to tug on the short wig Alice had help me put on just before I left.

"Be careful Eva. Send me plenty of pictures of you living the life of a rock star," he grinned.

Laughing lightly, as we both knew I was usually too tired after a performance to really go out all night, I got out of the car. The overcast chilly day was perfect weather for vampires, I thought. Some of the band came to greet me and help with my three large bags of luggage.

Once on the tour bus I waved to Emmett, who was still sitting in the car waiting for me to leave. The windows were heavily tinted but I knew he could see me, even if I couldn't see him.

Once comfortable I sighed with a little anxiety building in me. Two months apart from my family had been hard before, and that was when I was mad at them. Here at the start of another two months apart from them I wondered at how much more I'd change and how they'd stay the same. The grief at that thought stayed with me until I was checking into the hotel in Des Moines that night.

.~.

Des Moines was wet and cold. Omaha was windy and sunny, but still cold. Kansas City and St Louis had the most enthusiastic crowds I'd yet seen for any of my shows. I met Garth Brooks in Memphis, and got a photograph with him. I sent it to Jasper along with another simple autograph.

By time I reached Dallas the Cullen's were playing host to a few vampire groups. Benjamin and Tia decided after their close call to come for a visit. Some of the Brazilian coven had decided to come as they had come across a small band of newborns in their territory. It seemed pretty inevitable that the Volturi were going to have to get involved. But I was told by Esme, Ren, Jake, and Jasper not to worry myself with this stress, and enjoy my time touring.

Ren and I had fun getting me ready before each performance. All three of them went to every one of my shows while they were with me. Seth had made a comment as the tour went on at how there seemed to be more and more people coming to the shows. Which Josey was ecstatic about, our phone conversations were usually us deciding what interviews I would do, what photo shoots I would do, and what venues I would play.

Alice had given me forewarning about different interviewers or magazines that would try to expose me or damage my image, but her most recent warning had been about a tour in Europe Josey had yet to talk to me about.

When the conversation happened I repeated what Alice had told me.

"I have nothing against Italy, Josey," I explained, for the thousandth time.

"Rome! Ann! Think about it. Rome and Venice! I would, of course, be on hand to help you throughout the tour," Josey's tone was breezy.

"It's a non negotiable for the moment Josey. Tell the organizers in Amsterdam I won't do Italy at this time. But use your political savvy and make it sound good."

Her response was to cluck her tongue and admit defeat, which she didn't like.

.~.

Two months away from home, back when it had been my choice as ill thought out as it was, didn't have me missing my home nearly as much as the two months away on tour. It was much harder enjoying singing to a crowd when I had to return to some hotel each night. Granted Ren, Jake and Seth did make it much more bearable. In fact if not for all the hotels and constant unpacking and packing of bags I would have thought it was some sort of couple's vacation.

Something had shifted in me since I'd found out my purpose in the Cullen's lives. It was subtle and I only could really pinpoint there was a difference when I was around Seth.

I felt stronger. I felt more self aware. Understanding that horrid things had happened to me, things that had haunted and scared me and yet I could still move on had done amazing things for my confidence. It was brought to my attention one night after a show when I went to an after party. Seth had brought it to my attention that I hadn't ducked my head or hid my eyes since I came back to the family.

Moving on from the things that had haunted me and damaged me had been a major change but yet…I didn't feel different for the most part. I did find myself thinking on things I hadn't been able to before.

Like flirting, for example. I used to think I wasn't good at it or I didn't want to do it, so I never did. According to Ren I was right at least on the abysmal skills for flirting. But when I stopped dwelling on Kevin and our companionable relationship we'd had, I could understand how much I actually craved a relationship.

However, no matter how I craved it a close intimate relationship it would be disastrous. And I knew it would be. I was wearing a mask in my singing career so when it came time to change me I would be able to walk around humans, eventually, without creating the "Elvis" effect.

It was rumored amongst the family that the Volturi had changed Elvis to see if he had an ability, and when he didn't they destroyed them. Guessing correctly that Emmett had come up with that wacky conspiracy theory earned me and Jasper a cool $5,000.

So I was just going to have to bear with the fact I was to be single for the foreseeable future.

.~.

My tiny place in Chicago had subtle changes to it when I came back. Ren, Jake and Seth had dropped me off before heading back to Wisconsin.

The décor was still grey but some lovely paintings now accented the walls, Esme's own paintings which I sleepily gazed at before turning in.

I had a dream that night of my mum. She was riding a giant bicycle and kept saying "Stop the war". She looked exactly how I remembered her and I couldn't understand why she was ignoring me.

Waking up from that confusing dream I snuggled into my bed, glad to not have to get ready for a concert or interview. Tucking my legs to my chest my tiny apartment had a slight flavor of loneliness. It felt like a haunted place. But it was a bittersweet haunting with the ghosts of positive things clinging to the walls.

I grew up here. In the sense that I became independent and found out that my own two feet could carry me places as long as I stopped dwelling on a path I hadn't taken. I fell in love here, and realized how painful and glorious it could be. Small amounts of tight sadness rippled through me when I remembered how I used to wake up next to Kevin.

When noon rolled around I was bored and turned on the news station.

Depressing news about the wars going on, and if I hadn't just toured the Midwest and seen the "Support our Troops" posters and ads everywhere, it would seem so far away. There was live streaming of the Viet-Thai-Laos cluster war that was constantly teetering on the edge of nuclear war. It made me sick to watch so I decided to go see what Rigby was up to.

I played with the cuffs on my jacket as I walked a slightly chilly spring day to 42, the slushie wet snow made the familiar sounds as cars ran over it, and I looked into to bike stores window as I passed.

Stopping mid step I turned to look at the man I saw reflected in the window.

A young man, who initially reminded me of a Quileute, was leaning against a large red jeep. He had dark satin black hair pulled into a stubby pony tail. Sun glasses hid his eyes from mine, but inside I felt the thrill of knowing he was watching me.

It was like he was pulling me to him, although I kept my feet firmly planted on the sidewalk across from him.

He gestured for me to come to him, it looked so friendly and light. I couldn't feel any danger from him, just a curious interest in this rather handsome looking man, standing there looking as if he had been waiting for me.

My foot shifted and I turned to cross the empty street to walk to him.

Then the lights flashed, causing me to stumble forward.

It hadn't hurt as much as the time in Yellowstone, but I couldn't compare it to the other times because, frankly, I couldn't remember them well enough to.

The mysterious stranger tilted his head when I paused again and narrowed my eyes at him. The sun was blazing brightly on the chilled afternoon, and he wasn't sparkling. But my original thought of how he looked like a Quileute made sense. He had a similar sheen to his skin like Ren had on bright sunny days.

"Hi Nahuel," I timidly smiled and befuddledly waved at him.

The brilliant smile he wore after I waved at him had my smile growing.

My phone rang, startling me out of my observation of Nahuel. I picked up the call and watched as he casually strode over to me.

"We are around the block in the alley, the test was successful," Edwards voice met me.

"That was a test?" I asked skeptically as I eyed Nahuel when he stepped up next to me.

"We thought it best not to tell you in advance. If you are interested at all in meeting Benjamin or Tia they are interested in meeting you."

Forgetting for the moment that Edward was within hearing range I blurted out the first thing I thought when he mentioned it being a test, "You can throw hot guys at me anytime as part of a test Edward."

Nahuel chuckled, and covered his mouth with a fist when I made a wincing grimace like smile.

After I hung up with Edward, I turned to the only male hybrid known to exist and gawked at him.

I couldn't be sure if it was the fact he was part vampire and they could easily seduce any pray, but a part of me was ready and willing to follow him anywhere, and he hadn't said a single word yet. He didn't have the foreboding chill activating stillness that even my family had, no matter how hard they tried.

"So, you could sense that I was a threat?" he asked, his dark brown eyes twinkling with mischief. He had an accent, tilted with what I wasn't sure, but I knew I liked it.

"Oh, I think any girl looking at you could sense you were a threat…" mentally I added to their panties. I smiled knowing Edward had heard that.

"It's a pleasure to meet the newest Cullen," he stuck out his tan yet delicately shimmering hand.

I put my hand in his and shook, he had the softest skin and I knew I was becoming a total pile of goo, I had never in my life felt like this. Or at least this instantly for a man.

"I was going for some tea… would you like to join me?" I asked, surprising myself.

A thick black eyebrow lifted.

"I would much rather drink you."

Goddamn chills went up my back and I felt my body start to tingle.

"You'll settle for the tea, Nahuel," Ren stated frankly suddenly appearing next to him. I blinked with embarrassment looking at her as she crossed her arms and stared at the other hybrid.

Nahuel laughed loudly and nodded. He winked at me as the three of us started toward 42 again.

"Daddy thought you might need some rescuing," Ren nudged me as we walked. Nahuel, was keeping up walking behind us, and I felt like I could feel his eyes on me.

.~.

It was completely embarrassing how attracted to Nahuel I had become, and how quickly.

When Carlisle explained to me later that night while we were alone in the main house how he was much more a predator than Nessie. It was because she hunts animals with her family, he hunts with his aunt and kills humans. Which according to Carlisle makes a difference in the aura they exude, Nahuel naturally taps into the vampire allure while being able to completely keep people at ease as he looks and feels more human.

I didn't get to spend a lot of time around the main house while I was on a break from touring, but what little time I did I had the debatable pleasure of meeting Benjamin, Tia and Huilien.

It was a trial on my instincts not to cower away in fear of them when I happened to be in the same room. The human eating guests did not stay along as I was sure they were aware of my aversion to them.

Nahuel, after our first encounter was much more reserved and curious. When I saw them off at the skinny hours before dawn at the beginning of the week he hugged me, cracking my back in the process, and unmistakably took a deep sniff of my hair.

The overall feeling of my break was a bit too rushed for my tastes. When Alice wasn't dragging me around shopping, Jasper and Edward would help me practice the new songs I was going to record in the fall. Rose even dragged me to her garage space to do what I assumed was bond. I think she felt it necessary to do, kind of to prove a point to me as well as herself, that I was part of the family. Emmett and I had a total of four hours to play video games and billiards, which I kept my previous record of the last time we played and lost splendidly to him. I lost every single game, and he even had the gall to claim I wasn't trying, I think it only made matters worse because he thought I wasn't trying when I would have sold my bike just to beat him once.

"You know, Nahuel is single, in case you wanted to… you know," Emmett started up while he fidgeted with the consol remote after our final match.

"Aww my big brother is trying to hook me up!" I smiled insincerely.

"I can even give you tips too-"

"You certainly will do no such thing Emmett!" Esme yelled from upstairs.

Smirking at him I tilted my head in challenge.

"I just want to see you happy," he added merrily.

"And you think having Nahuel bring me pleasure with your tactics is going to make me happy?"

Esme was in front of me in a flash glaring at Emmett.

"Oh Hi mum!" I said quickly, trying to deflate her anger by using her title.

"Emmett this isn't a topic you should be having with your sister."

"Exactly," Jasper quipped coming in from the back door; I saw Alice's spiky black hair before she danced around him. "You should be teaching about proper precautions."

Joking with Emmett about sex was all well and good, it was decent fun in my opinion, but when Jasper got in on it, it usually sent the vibe into the realm of awkward for me. It probably had something to do with that fact I always thought of Jasper as a southern gentleman, and Emmett as some hillbilly stud.

Esme's idea to put a stop the conversation, which teetered on the edge of indecency, was to have me help her start my last dinner in the house.

That was one more thing I didn't fully understand until it was brought to my attention. When I had moved in with the Cullen's it had been their fourth year living in Reedsburg. Now they were on their sixth and Edward had given the family the warning that people were just starting to talk. I didn't realize what it meant to have to pack up and leave everything behind.

They would be moving to Maine in August, which left four months but during those months I would be away on tour again this time an extended tour of North and South America. I supposed once I left and was on the road I would be able to grieve for the only place I could truly call my home. I had been moved around so much I completely repelled the idea of moving yet again. But as I was reminded by Alice, this was how life was for them. Seth, at least for the time being was moving with them, though I had briefly talked about it with him and he wasn't sure if he'd move there immediately with the rest of the family.

I understood though, more than I think the others realized, that home was just a place where you felt the most at peace, and my home would always be where ever they were.

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