Chapt 7: Not More Leeches!

The sprite nodded then once and Billy returned to the front room and switched on the TV. She turned back to Jacob. 'I really must be going', she said. 'It's time for me to replenish myself, and your dad wants to talk to you.'

She kissed him then, first gently and then more deeply, and when the kiss was done and he opened his eyes again, she was gone. At his feet, there was a small bundle of wildflowers, growing right out of the floor where she had been.

He almost stepped right on it. Billy had made his way back into the kitchen. He waited silently for Jacob to say something.

Jacob cleared his throat, and smiled slyly, 'So, Dad, interesting story, I imprinted today, on a Wood Sprite, and she choose me as her mate in the same instant, right in front of Edward Cullen!' 'How was your day?'

Billy laughed. Then turned serious. 'Son,' he said, 'you are going to have your hands full with that one. According to all the stories I have ever heard, the Fae are very stubborn, and the Sprites are the worst of the lot. And quick tempers, too. Reminds me of someone I know.' He muttered.

Jacob smiled, 'See, we were made for each other!' he replied.

'Yes, I'm sure of that,' his Dad said, 'just try to remember, for you it is an annoying habit, for her, an inborn trait. Just don't try to out-stubborn her, okay?' 'If she is your imprint, you are going to have to be what she needs, and she needs a patient, gentle mate.'

Jacob blushed slightly and ran his hand through his shaggy hair, 'Jesus, Dad, do we really have to talk about this?'

The elder Black nodded gently, 'Yes, I think we do. I've seen what you've been through with Bella, and I….,' he paused and then really looked up at his son, 'I want you to be happy, Jacob, you deserve to be happy. Like me and your mom were,' tears formed at the corners of his eyes.

Jacob took his father's hand in his own, 'Love you, too, Dad.' He said softly.

The sprite left Jacob's and speed quickly back to her own territory, riding the winds. She couldn't believe that had all transpired in the course of one day. She was exhausted.

She also had some explaining to do. The animals in her current territory were not going to like her relocating. Maybe she could convince some of them to come with her. They would have to take to smaller spaces, sharing territories with the creatures of La Push, but maybe they could work something out. At least the vampires couldn't get to them there.

She walked slowly through her territory, taking it all in. She did not smell vampire tonight, thank the goddess for that. She was too tired to try to hide herself and her favorite creatures from them right now. She reached the edge of the river bank and slowly stripped out of the ridiculous clothes human nature forced her to wear. 'human nature' she thought, and she giggled to herself. Then she frowned. When was the last time she heard herself giggle?

She walked a little further along to a small cave in the hillside where the water tumbled out and stepped inside, still carrying her things. She waved a distracted hand over the entrance and it was once again shrouded in greenery.

She slowly lowered herself into the warm water of the natural hot spring and closed her weary eyes. It was two hours before she finally climbed out and went to the back of the cave. She grabbed a rich, cotton terry-cloth towel, one thing she was glad the humans had invented, and dried herself quickly. Then she put on her own clothing, a small, deep green silk shirt and brown silk skirt that barely covered her. She stretched her green wings and fluttered them a little. She left the cave for a few moments and came back with a basket of wild blackberries and some honey. She ate quickly. Then she lay down on the bed of soft hay and heather, pulled the warm, cotton comforter over her slim body, and fell fast asleep.

She awoke early the next morning to the happy sounds of birds chirping. Gentle sunlight filtered through the cave entrance. She stretched and yawned happily. She stripped again and jumped back into the water. She planned to take a quick bath, trying to compose her thoughts and plan her announcement to the creatures in this area. She wondered randomly if there was a decent cave in La Push. Then again, Jacob probably would prefer to live in a house. Maybe not, she reasoned, he was a wolf, after all. She began daydreaming about him. He was a beautiful animal. Dark brown, sultry eyes, thick, luxurious hair. And so muscular. He reminded her of a wild, dark horse. All rippling muscle. He was even hotter in his other form. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the smooth rock. She felt warm, lust slowly rising from her toes, up toward her center. She moaned softly to herself, tracing gentle circles around one pink nipple with her finger.

She shook her head then to clear it. 'You just met him yesterday!' She reminded herself. 'You have work to do today, and the bonfire tonight. Snap out of it!'

She quickly got out of the bath and dried off. She dressed again in her forest garb, leaving her wings free. She silently walked out the cave entrance and inhaled deeply. No vampires at the moment. It was sunny. They usually did hunt on such days. Maybe they were distracted by the strange human girl they kept around. Maybe she was finally making a nice meal for them, and they would not have to hunt today. Jacob said they didn't eat people, though. Anna hoped he was right. She liked the strange girl. She could hear her thoughts, and Bella was quite selfless. Always concerned for others first. Anna could not understand what the girl saw in the ice-cold mate she had chosen. Anna shuddered involuntarily. What would that be like? Cold, like ice, wrapping around you, stealing your warmth. Ugh!

Jacob was nice and toasty. Just the thing to curl up next too on rainy days and cold nights. She smiled and her mind began to wander once more.

She almost didn't notice the change in the scent in the air. Vampires! She quickly disappeared into the undergrowth and waited. The scent increased. Somehow, it seemed different from the usual Cullen scent. It was sharper, with a hint of copper to it. She decided to change tactics and flew up into a nearby tree to observe. Then she saw them. Two vampires, male and female, circling the area and talking. The male was slight of build and seemed nervous. The female was almost feral in appearance, her hair wild and full of dirt and sticks, and red as fire.

'The others are ready' the male stated. The red-head nodded.

She turned to the male and purred, "Good boy, did you get the clothes from the human girl's house?"

He nodded back, looking at her with adoration. They quickly turned south and speed out of the forest.

Anna was frozen in her perch. What was that all about? She sat still for several more moments, but it still refused to make any sense to her.

Anna was about to come down and see if she could still pick up the trail where they were going when another scent reached her. Ah, the Cullen's at last. What does a girl have to do to get away from the filthy leeches, anyway? Two more now came into view. She recognized them at least. The pretty blonde, and the bear-killer. She disliked him almost as much as she loathed Edward. The blonde was easier to tolerate, and she smelled a bit better than the others, too. Probably because she mostly hunted deer.

'They came this way, recently,' the bear-killer was saying.

'Hush', the blonde replied. 'I think I smell something.'

Anna froze again. She was sure she had covered her scent.

The blonde looked around, unsure.

'Come on!' the other whined, 'They went south.'

And the two of them speed away.

Anna stayed where she was for the next hour. 'What in the name of Hades was that all about?'