Bella POV

8 - Romeo versus Juliet?

Drake and I gasped almost simultaneously.

"The Cullens," I murmured softly, wonderingly.

"The Cullens," Drake hissed, spitting their name out harshly. His glaring eyes focused on the vampire in the front. Edward.

Some of the family appeared behind them, then surrounded me. They were Bryon, Blaine, Ravyn, Andrew, Ken, Kura, and Shawn. In Blaine's hand was a lighter. I sighed lightly.

"You can relax," I told them, straightening from the low, defensive crouch that I had dropped into instinctively. Bryon turned his gaze from the Cullens to stare at me.

"Oh," he murmured, looking at Drake. "You forgave him?" I shrugged.

"I trust that they won't attack us, as their leader has an aversion to violence. Plus, you, Drake, and I know the Cullens well. We'd definitely win." I glanced at my brothers. "Maybe you should ask Kura and Drake."

Kura pursued his lips. "Well, they were going to attack us, but they stopped when they saw our numbers. Their threat was pretty high. They must have some pretty amazing fighters. Only the guy in the front still wants to fight." He jerked his head towards Edward.

"Drake?" Bryon asked.

"Carlisle wants to sort things out peacefully, Emmett wants a fight, but knows that they couldn't win, Esme is scared for her family, Alice is trying to read what we're going to do, but she can't because we haven't decided yet, Jasper is thinking through all the possibilities, Edward is filled with blind rage, and Rosalie is annoyed because she can hear me reading off everybody's thoughts." He laughed. Edward, in response to Rosalie's thoughts, turned to glare at Drake. Both of their eyes narrowed. Apparently, they were having a mental discussion. Or, more likely, a fight.

"Greetings," Carlisle called out. Edward turned furiously toward him, but Emmett and Jasper held him back, muttering quickly in his ear. Finally, his face became a blank mask, devoid of emotion.

"Greetings," Bryon replied, dipping his head. "What brings you to our territory?"

"Killers," Edward hissed under his breath, earning a sharp look from Carlisle.

"We were wondering if you know about a human whose name was Bella," Carlisle said.

"And what if we do?" Bryon asked softly, smiling. Edward was nearly vibrating with rage.

"We would also like to know if you killed her," Carlisle said in a much lower voice. Edward froze, listening, no doubt.

"Erm," Bryon laughed, glancing at me. "Depends on your definition of the word 'kill'." Edward's glare turned to me. His eyebrows pushed down.

She looks like Bella, but I can read her thoughts, he mused, then groaned as he heard Drake transfer it to us. Geez that guy is annoying. Drake laughed, thinking, You too. Edward rolled his eyes. My family laughed. The rest of the Cullens, unable to hear the conversation, looked around, confused.

"One of their people can read minds and send thoughts," Edward murmured. "We're kind of both in each other's heads."

"Oh," Carlisle said shortly.

"Yes, that is Bella," Bryon laughed. Carlisle started.

"Who? What?"

The family shifted so I was in the front. Carlisle gaped at me.

"Be – Bella?" he asked, eyes wide.

"Hey, Carlisle," I sang in my musical voice. Alice nearly burst into tears. In two seconds, she was in front of me. She threw her arms around me. The Cullens shifted uncomfortably.

"Alice," Carlise said in a cautioning voice. I shook my head.

"It's fine," Bryon answered for me.

"Alice," I cooed, stroking her head. "I missed you so much." Alice stepped back.

"You're so mean!" She pouted. "You had us thinking you were dead for a whole month!"

"Sorry," I grinned. "It was necessary." Looking at Drake, I thought, Can they know about our home and everything?

Through him, Bryon answered, If they promise to be our allies. I nodded. It made sense.

Can you guys do that? I'll clean up my room. Bryon frowned.

They'll be in your room? he asked.

I trust them. So should you, I said.

After some deliberation, he nodded. I darted back into the house, leaving the others to sort out the formalities.