She was ignored by both the Cullens and her friends. It was Alice who told Amber about what she did and the one person who she could trust with this was trying her best to stay away from her. She thinks it was for the best anyways. It was much better than having them mad at her for something she didn't fully intend.
But he saw you. Every one of them saw what you did.
Her eyes started stinging before she could have walked ten feet away from the crime scene, where he left Brian to think about what he has done. Of course, she asked Bella to talk to him, to tell him that she was sorry, to force him to talk to her. But she wouldn't. And the friendship she formed with the immortals is broken because of a simple mistake that she made. She hates herself for it, of course, but she couldn't help but think that maybe it was for the best.
Aphrodite was messing with them.
It was only Seth who withstood standing so close to her. But that was only because she was always with Lou and the young werewolf apparently imprinted on her sister like how Jacob imprinted on Renesmee. Nina envies her for having someone like Seth Clearwater as you permanent boyfriend, if not, lifetime friend. She wanted it to be as easy as that, finding someone perfect for her. But she knew that the one person who was supposed to be her imprint hates her now.
She was inside her cabin when she heard the screaming. And she winced at the tone, knowing that it was Fabian and he was in so much pain. And it was her fault. It was always her fault. Every single bad thing that happened to him was her fault.
From her window, she could see that his family was having a hard time coping with him too, Esme crying tearless sobs in Carlisle's arms. It was Rosalie who shot her a glare, shaking her head viciously at her. Edward and Bella were pacing in synchronization, as if they have done this so many times before. And Jasper was sitting down on the ground with his head in his hands, trying hard to influence and not to be influenced. Alice had her tiny arms around her mate but even she looked worried.
"We need to talk to him." Emmett finally said after two minutes silence. "We all know that he'd probably destroy the entire forest if he won't be stopped."
"He can't be convinced. We all know that. Jacob tried to, he failed. Nessie tried to, she failed." Edward sighed
"We shouldn't have let him go to her in the first place. You should have seen this Alice!" Rosalie shot an accusing look at the small pixie vampire leaning against Jasper.
"You don't understand how hard this is for me. Remember, I can't see with all these half-bloods around. It would have been easier if they weren't involved. I'm practically useless here unless you want a weather update."
It was Bella this time who spoke, "It's not your fault, Alice. But Rose is right. We shouldn't have let him talk to her in the first place. We were wrong to convince him that a relationship with her would be healthy. I should have known that this would bring him even more pain."
They convinced him to be with her, to try to be with her. And when he finally was pushed, she did a stupid thing and broke him as easily as breaking uncooked spaghetti. It was too much, too much, for her to consider. It was her fault that he was losing it. They were finally blaming the right people.
But it was only she who was to blame.
Fabian:
He walked casually towards the beach, glad that it was already sunset so he wouldn't be exposed. After his outburst a few hours ago, he just needed to gain control of his bearings and remember what was important: his family, his friends, his siblings. And he was doing his best to take that brunette out of his mind.
"You okay?" his brother asked him, standing a few feet away from him.
Fabian glanced wearily at his direction, gracefully striding to his side even through his mood. "I didn't think it would be this complicated." He answered, sitting beside him on the sand. "Plus, Nessie convinced me that I'm better off without her. I guess I'm happier when I'm talking to you guys."
"Well, I did notice that." Edward gave a small smile, "But we just want you back and smiling again. Plus, we can't risk anything. We don't know that maybe one of the Volturi's guards may see you. You have an extraordinary gift and we don't want it to fall to the wrong hands."
He was always so good in changing the subject. "How is she?" Fabian questioned the older vampire with eyes so curious that it might have looked as if he were a child asking his first question. "With Brian?"
"She's a little… guilty when she found out what happened to you." Ed sighed, "But they're together now. Nina can't really deny him."
Fabian ran his hand through his hair, staring at the never ending shades of blue that was before him, the water barely reaching their spot. The sky turned into a beautiful array of colors- red, yellow, orange, and pink. Some more visible than others. He liked the sight and he knew that it would be the view where he finally realized that his life was not a tragic love story that Aphrodite wanted. He controls it, not her, and he would make sure that it will go back to the way it was, during the first month of his change.
"If I tell you that I asked the Denali Coven to come here, would you allow it?" the man beside him suddenly asked, staring intently at his face to make sure that the emotions don't overwhelm him again.
He only saw the Denali's in their thoughts so he wasn't very familiar with them. Of course, the question caught him off guard because he never really thought that Edward asked someone like Tanya to go to Camp Half-Blood where there would be a great danger of exposure. Then again, they were also trying to cover themselves so they took that as an opportunity to learn more about another culture without the fear of getting caught.
"I've always wanted to meet them." Fabian said honestly, smiling with eagerness that could match Travis Stoll when it comes to a year supply of shaving cream.
Edward nodded once before standing up, with him following his brother's lead and matching his grace easily.
Esme was pretty mad at him for leaving but she was glad that he was alright for now. Carlisle was impressed that he didn't go beyond the camp borders but maybe he just didn't want what happened before to happen again. And as Ed explained what he did to the rest, he had a silent conversation with Renesmee, thanking her for opening his eyes to the world of possibilities. Also, he apologized to Jacob for what he did and the man didn't really hold it against him.
"You can exist without her, you know." Nessie confirmed as they sat down on one of the many felled trees that Emmett and Jasper accidentally knocked over. Thankfully, Grover warned the tree spirits ahead of time and so no one got hurt in the process…. It was just after curfew and she was making an effort to stay up and talk to him before she falls asleep. She was the only person who understands him, after all. She and her father.
"I can't take her off my mind." He admitted in defeat, letting his eyes wander to the dark sky with the stars shining brightly enough to see the constellations: Aries, Pisces, Orion, and Andromeda. "As much as I try, I can't. I want to curse the vampire photographic memory but I couldn't because it's a package deal, right?"
She looked sad but nodded, placing her head on Jacob's clothed chest. "I wish that your life would be easier. You deserve it, Fabian. I can see it in your eyes that never once have you done something seriously wrong. And you try to be good all the time even when it's hard."
"If only Siobhan was here…"
They both chuckled to themselves at the joke and laughing with her and Jake has always been one of the many things he liked about being who he is now. Also, he likes making people laugh, entertaining them in the way he never did when he was human. The Son of Apollo side of him has always been there but he was just afraid of letting it show. But now, now that there was nothing restraining him from doing what he wants, he realized that maybe it would be okay to let yourself have a little fun once in a while, something he learned from being with Jacob Black.
Nina:
She saw Nessie head over to the Athena cabin where she sleeps, finally letting herself rest after the long tiring day. From the distance, she could see Jacob talking to someone before leaving him in front of the small campfire they had made for the sake of being normal.
"You should rest." Trevor, her older sibling, ordered her from his bed. "You'll need it for tomorrow."
"I know but I think I'll stay up for a while." Nina murmured loud enough for him to hear.
Trev looked outside and said a few words in Greek, not a spell but more of a rant. He already has very accurate suspicions about who the Cullens are, who Jacob and the Clearwater's are, who Renesmee is. He's been exposed to the supernatural his entire life and this wasn't the only thing he surprise him. He was just waiting for someone to confirm it and he would finally rest in peace. "You're with Brian now. You should let him go."
"I can't." she sighed, placing a hand on her chest to feel her heartbeat. It was only him who could make her hyperventilate, make her heart beat twice as fast than normal. She wanted to be with him since the moment she saw him. He was special and very kind and she would never find a guy like him in her entire life.
Maybe that was the reason why Aphrodite decided that she would mess with them instead, because there would be no chance for them to be together without her sacrificing something important. After all, her soul is the only burden in this relationship. And he would never take that away from her, even when she wanted to give it to him. Plus, she wasn't as important as Bella Swan was. What does she have that would make her immortal?
She didn't get even a second of sleep that night so she decided to break the rules and sneak out of her cabin, towards the beach where the water would surely calm her down. Surprisingly, sitting near the waves were the only two people who would talk to her other than her siblings.
Percy and Annabeth were tangled in each other's arms, breathing evenly as they watched the stars. They didn't seem to notice her but they did tense when she came closer. But she didn't notice the other people sitting beside them, almost invisible in the darkness because of their lack of movement. "Hello Nina" a smooth voice called over from where they were, feeling her presence. "Glad that you could join us."
Nina knew she should be afraid. She was the person who was hated by the predators. She should be the least bit conscious of her distance towards them. She didn't want to be killed that easily.
Alice was swiftly by her side, a small smile on her face as she practically dragged her towards the group. "I thought you can't see her coming?" Percy said, shaking his head from under Annabeth's moving hand.
"Well yes, but she is very easy to predict. And we need to do something about this little problem."
The others laughed lightly as they followed the small pixie towards the forest, making sure that no one else was following them. Nina was frozen enough to slow them down but due to the vampire's great strength, she managed to bring her along. What were they going to do to her? Will they hurt her? Will they change her?
"Where are we going?" her voice was paralyzed, dripping with fear and anticipation.
"You'll see…"
They brought her to the farthest end of the forest, revealing a small but efficient meadow that she couldn't clearly see due to her human eyesight. But she could make out six figures in the distance, three women, three men. One was more familiar than the others because it was the person she was trying most to reason with. "Fabian, what's happening?"
There was a short pause but you could see that the figures were coming closer to her, eyes glinting in the moonlight with considerate stares. "Is this her?" the one at the farthest left, beside the man Nina still loved, mused. "The one who brought you to this situation?"
"Yes" Fabian said, clearly quite bored. "She knows enough. But Tanya, are you sure you want to do this?"
"Of course, she deserves to see."
Fabian:
He took a deep breath as he stared at the woman across him, confused and scared and petrified at Tanya and his proximity. But he just smiled, concentrating hard as he showed him a very recent image, of her and Brian sitting on that bench. And with that came his explanation.
Fabian didn't want to hurt her. No, that wasn't the reason why he asked to bring her here. He wanted to show her how right Renesmee is when she said that he was happier without her, that there may be someone else who actually wanted to be with him.
When the Denali's came to Camp just a few hours ago, he noticed that Tanya was actually very beautiful and she was the only person there without a permanent companion, not like Carmen and Eleazar or Kate and Garrett. But she looked happy without anyone. He decided that it would be right to befriend her because maybe it would be those lonely aspects that would bring them together. Of course, they weren't together yet but Fabian admired her strong will and personality, her absolute beauty and kindness and intelligence.
After he showed her his current situation, she was very happy to help and they quickly planned this meeting. If he wanted to forget her, then he needed to talk to her, to say his final goodbyes because this probably would be the last time they would have a proper conversation. Carlisle wasn't very fond of the idea but supported it otherwise, seeing that there wasn't any other choice. Esme and Alice were pretty disappointed and Bella liked it better if she would just apologize but when they realized that it wasn't happening, they accepted his reasoning and went with it with enthusiasm.
"Is this her?" Tanya asked, squeezing his hand lightly. "The one who brought you to this situation?"
"Yes" he answered, looking at her and feigning boredom even when he was clearly jumping for joy on the inside. "She knows enough. But Tanya, are you sure you want to do this?"
"Of course, she deserves to see."
Fabian concentrated hard on his every memory with her, all those human times that they shared, all those times where he risked his life to save her, all those times where he thought that he was the one who made the mistake, all those times where he blamed himself for hurting her when he was the one who was most affected, all those times that kept them apart than together, and all those times where he was blamed for something he never did.
He showed her everything and made her feel the least bit guilty. He actually felt lighter than he already did, felt all the weight taken from his shoulders and given to hers. He knew that it was wrong, that he was the one who had to feel bad but he honestly didn't care about her anymore. She could moan all she wants, whine about every little thing in her life. He doesn't care. He couldn't be restrained any longer.
He's finally free.
But he gripped Tanya's hand tighter with every kiss they shared, gritting his teeth over the look in his eyes after each touch from her. She was a daughter of Hecate, much more dangerous than an Aphrodite child would ever be. She could make him do anything she wants him to, make him devote his entire well-being to her. She was a witch and he hates her for that.
He almost cried. He finally hates her.
Nina had tears in her eyes when the vision ended five minutes later, horror in every single feature of her face. And he smiled triumphantly, expecting that reaction from her. "You finally understand that I don't need you anymore." He told her, his voice smooth and smug, letting every bitter feeling he had towards her go. "That my life doesn't only revolve around you. You didn't make me like you. You made me afraid of you. You may still have feelings for me but I don't anymore. And for once, I can finally say that I'm completely over you."
"Is that what all of this about?" she whispered to him, surprised.
"I needed my witnesses, you needed yours. I had to do a whole lot of convincing to bring them here but they managed to do so." Fabian gestured bluntly towards the two frozen figures hidden near two oak trees, the blonde and the redhead looking at him with all the questions that made him itch just to answer them all.
"Patricia? Amber? You know?"
"Fabian explained to us while we were going here." Trixie managed to answer, her voice rough. "He told us everything we needed to know, and then some."
And yes, he's finally happy.
Nina:
She didn't remember how she went back to her bed. She was actually praying that everything that happened was just a dream, that she didn't leave this bed last night and that Patricia and Amber were still as oblivious to the truth as everyone else is. "You okay, Nina?" Lou Ellen asked when she sat up too quickly, immediately feeling lightheaded afterwards.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"You looked a little pale there. I hoped the walk in the beach last night helped you. Did it clear your mind?"
Nina froze. So it wasn't a dream after all? "Yes." She lied, "I'm totally over him." This was another lie. How could she be over him so quickly? Especially when he was the only person that she wanted?
"Good for you." Lou looked absolutely ecstatic, hugging her tightly with every ounce of strength she could manage so early in the morning.
No one acted different. She talked to Amber about last night but she lied about not knowing anything she was talking about. It was Patricia who finally gave in, confirming all her suspicions and fears of what happened. That Fabian finally found a girl just as beautiful as he was, who would be a much better girlfriend than she will ever be.
Eddie explained to them who each and every one of the newcomers is. Tanya, the beautiful strawberry blonde who never left her ex-boyfriend's side; Kate, Tanya's sister; Garrett, the man Kate is always with; and Carmen and Eleazar. It was actually pretty easy to distinguish them but they all shared similar expressions: fear, anguish, anxiety. Nina didn't know why they were so disturbed by the fact that they were in a summer camp and she would usually hear Carlisle and Eleazar's hushed conversations over the dangers of staying too long. Of course, the head of the Cullens reassured that they would be leaving once they were ready.
This scared her. Fabian was ready to leave. Emmett and Rosalie were already growing bored. Renesmee and Jacob have much better things to do than watch people train so there would be no difference if they changed venues. Bella and Edward were already uncaring but still very much careful on who would see them. Esme will go if Carlisle would. Leah was always so uninterested. And Seth would leave as long as Lou was going with them. Nina was sure that the only reason they were here was because of Seth's imprint. They wouldn't force him because they knew how hard it would be for him. And Lou wasn't ready to go, not yet.
"Why can't they just leave Seth here, then?" she asked urgently to Eddie.
"Because they are family. Leaving Seth means leaving Leah and Jacob has to stay too, which brings Nessie with him. And Bella and Edward can't leave their child. Carlisle and Esme wouldn't feel the same when they'd go without them, already half of their family.
She was wondering how he knows so much about them. But she didn't ask, knowing well that she's going to find out sooner or later. Her patience, though, was counting on the sooner than later. "So on Lou's eighteenth birthday, they would go because she wasn't supposed to be at camp anymore?"
"That's the theory."
"Does my sister know about this already?"
The blonde she was talking to sighed and nodded slightly, making her heart stop beating for the first time. She already has to live without Fabian and now she was forced to live without the only person who kept her from going insane. Why were they so cruel that they're going to take everything that she loved so easily? Why would they want her to suffer? Was this because she was receiving more than she was giving? Was this because she was being ungrateful? Was this because she never cared as long as she has someone to talk to? Were they willing to strip her off her identity while they take every single thing that she had? Were they that selfish?
Near her, he heard the low growl coming from Edward's still figure and he watched her intently, his golden eyes blazing with anger and frustration. It scared Nina to death but she knew that he wouldn't hurt her. "You should be careful on what you think, Nina." Edward whispered to her ear, making goosebumps sprout from her arms. "I'm not the only one who heard you."
And at that moment, she saw Fabian looking at her like a tiger about to pounce.
Fabian:
How dare she call his family selfish! They were the people who were generous enough to accept him in their coven with arms open wide and she dares accuse them of being selfish! And Bella was as oblivious as ever when Edward suddenly appeared by Nina's side, his lips on her ear to tell her the truth and that he wasn't the only one who was paying attention to her thoughts.
And he was angry at her again, glaring at her direction that made Tanya very confused. Jasper, sensing his frustration, was at his side in less than a second, his eyes warning him and asking him at the same time. And he showed him what she thought about their family, that they take everything away from her and never once did she think that they were accepting those who were staying away from her. It was she who was the monster, not him. He can control himself, his thoughts, but she could accuse a person so easily that she didn't even have to wait for the evidence. Fabian didn't know how he liked her before but he was obviously too blind to know her true intentions.
"She didn't." Jasper growled, showing his teeth. Even Emmett wanted to go after her, his position about to attack.
And we all knew that she would never survive that. So, even when he was beyond furious with her, he brought Carlisle's opinion into view, their murderous thoughts easily interrupted with the only peaceful one. From the distance, Edward relaxed, sprinting towards them easily. They knew that the only reason why they weren't to attack was because their father didn't want anyone hurt, anyone killed because of them.
Honestly, Fabian, how could you like someone like her? Edward thought, his mind filled with all those strategies to kill only her. She's stupid to think that we wouldn't be able to hear her.
He chuckled lightly, I was stupid. He answered simply, shaking his head at the idea of them together. Now that her mind was open to him, he realized she wasn't the person who he thought she was.
Yes, yes you were. This was Emmett now and all the traces of anger were disappearing, replaced by an amused smile. This conversation was open to everyone now and they were all stating their opinions on the brunette devil standing at least twenty feet away from them.
"What am I missing here?" Bella sighed when they all burst out laughing at the same time, Jasper finally letting them lighten up and forget that what Nina said was an insult.
Fabian concentrated hard on this one but he managed to push through Bella's shield and add her to the discussion, just for her to be aware of what was happening. Of course, she wouldn't be able to answer mentally but it was better than nothing, right?
"Wait, how did you do that?" Nessie's mother looked surprised when she heard the conversation in her head.
"Very hard concentration. Now shush, unless you want to leave early?" Bella shook her head viciously but managed a small smile, listening intently to Jacob and Emmett's mental debate on who was more intimidating. He'd rather not share who the two candidates were but it was pretty funny when they realized that the one person who couldn't be here already was.
Never have I seen anyone who could push past my wife's mind as easily as you did. Even I can't do that! Ed complained in his head, looking both amused and confused.
It is very limited, though. She can listen but her thoughts are still safe with her. Am I right, Bella?
There was nothing from her mind, just as Fabian expected.
Well, if you can do this all the time, then I don't find the reason to talk anymore. Jacob sounded a little too smug.
Don't get your hopes up, Jake, He told him. This is very hard to do.
Carlisle managed a smile at this, looking at him with a very inspired grin. You are doing great so far, son. Maybe someday, we can finally let Bella share her thoughts to us, and not only to Edward.
If he's going to keep these silent conversations up, he has to practice. But, then again, he has forever to do that.
Nina:
She heard strange voices as she walked towards the arena to train. It wasn't Fabian this time but another, someone more sinister, more powerful. At first, it was pretty easy to ignore but as time passes, the voices grew louder and more intimidating. She wished that she wasn't the Chosen One, that someone else would be carrying her burden. But she is the person who has to do this, for the sake of herself and her friends.
"Senkhara?" she asked in a hushed voice, making sure that Amber didn't hear her. "Is that you?"
No, Nina. I am Isis, the Egyptian goddess of magic. You have gained favor with me, Chosen One and I will grant you one wish. Nina didn't trust the voice. It was too… innocent for an all powerful deity. She wished that Fabian was here to help her. He was the only reason as to why she was alive today.
"Any wish?"
Of course.
She thought of the many things she wanted. She wanted to be with Fabian again. She wanted to be able to live forever with him. She wanted to be the person he wanted her to be. She wanted him even when she knew that she couldn't get him. "I wish that every single Egyptian spirit would just leave me alone. That I am still the Chosen One but my deed has been done so you couldn't bother me or any of my friends anymore. I wish that I could live a normal life as a demigod daughter of Hecate." She needed to be specific. If not, they would find a loophole and make her wish something she never wanted in her life.
Very well said, child. And for that, I will grant your spoken wish. Your title as the Chosen One has been lifted and no Egyptian spirit will bother you or any of your friends. I swear to this. Isis spoke with such clarity, with such compliance that it made Nina want to take back her wish and ask for something else, something that would benefit her more. But you would also have to sacrifice one thing for it to be granted. I will give you one day to choose and choose wisely because all will be taken away from you if you ever defy me.
The voice disappeared as abruptly as it came and the last statement stuck with her until she was in the safety of her cabin. Nina Martin has to make a single sacrifice, to let go of something important to her for her wish to come true. Of course, she wanted to be free from the burden of Egypt but she also wanted everything she still has. "Let go of him." Lacy, a good friend from the Aphrodite Cabin mused after Nina told her the entire story, with the remaining Sibuna gang beside her.
"What if he wants to get back together?"
"Nina, he has Tanya! He hates you now, remember? After you called his family selfish. He's mad at you. He's no good for you." Patricia could have slapped her for all she cares. Those words stung as much as her eyes. And as of that moment, she was doing her best not to result to tears once again.
"I can let go of something else, something with lesser value. What if Isis takes him? Kills him? I wouldn't be able to live with myself."
Amber looked considerate for a moment, "You need to give something important, something you know you can't live without. If it would be Fabian, you won't be able to talk to him anymore."
"What I know is that the gods, even the most powerful ones, couldn't mess with the lives of other immortals. Maybe, when you like him again and when he likes you too, then you could always ask Carlisle to change you."
"No, he would be totally against that idea. Even when I'm already like him, he won't talk to me for another century or so."
"How about the memory of your Gran? I mean, sure she's gone but she always made you want to do your best." It was Jerome who suggested this and she was especially glad that he did. Her grandmother has always been the only important thing in her life before she went to Anubis house. She could move from country to country and she won't care as long as she was there with her. And sacrificing her to Isis was the most painful thing she has ever done to her. But Fabian was the priority here.
"Wait, if it was Fabian that I choose, I wouldn't be able to speak a single word to him, right?" Nina asked the people around her, "But Mara said that Isis wouldn't be able to hurt him because he's immortal now."
"Yes but where is this going, Nina?"
She thought about it for a few minutes. "I'm going to sacrifice him instead!" she exclaimed with a smile. "After all, I'm only not gonna be able to talk to him. We can find another way of communication."
"No, that's not it, Nins. You're going to forget him entirely. Your memory will be wiped clean of his existence."
She didn't want to forget him but she didn't want to forget Gran either.
But she made a decision and she only hoped that it is right.
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