Title: Blood on the Moon [Part 9] Series: Twilight - Type: Alternate Universe (Eclipse)
Pairing: Leeah/Jasper - Jacob/Edward Rating: 15
Summary: After a vicious attack on the pack, the Quillets and Cullens are shocked to discover the pack and coven are in mortal danger.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Twilight characters or anything from the universe of Twilight. I am just taking the characters and playing with them a while – promising to restore them whole and unblemished! Thanks to Stephanie Meyer for creating these toys for me to enjoy. Please don't take any of my playing as having any bearing on the actual books. Enjoy.
()()()()
LEEAH CLEARWATER
Jake and I were the first to witness the attack on our brothers as the muscular vampire bore down on him. Quil moved as quickly as he could, while keeping between the threat and his injured brother, but it was no use. This vampire was the predator as it tore through the dusk, claws unfurling, directed at my brother.
Sorry I couldn't stop him. Quil thought as he gritted his teeth and lunged at the only opening he could see, the vampires ribs…
I heard the cry of protest in my mind as my brothers pushed themselves faster to reach him.
But I had always been the fastest of us and I exploded into the space behind the attacker and my two comrades, catching the thing by the back of the neck and yanking it off course before time had seemed to still.
My grip slid in motion as the creature pulled back and I skidded to a halt, whirling to find my target again.
He was waiting for me in the shadows, just like a monster from the old silent films; his skin a sickly milk colour, his assessing eyes a vibrant, blood red.
I snarled. He had fed recently.
A smile twisted on thin lips as he raised a chalky finger to wave it at me as he tutted, the sound clacking between his teeth... "Bad dog," he grinned widely.
That rat-bastard! I heard Paul scream in my head, as my most volatile brother pushed himself faster, I'm going to tear him apart!
Paul, calm down and think straight. Jake ordered, Leah, we're almost there. We'll try and circle him.
I don't know Jake, I leaned to the side, watching the vampire mirror my movements; this one seems to know what he's doing... like he's trained, maybe.
I shot a quick glance to Embry and Quil, We need a voice and a doctor. Someone get the Cullens, I've got this guy for the moment.
Like hell. Paul, get to the Cullens and get Edward and Doc Fang. Jared, you're with me. Jake ordered.
Why me? Paul whined.
I need cool heads. GO!
Without further protest, Paul swerved into an arch and raced for the Cullens.
I was back in my own head, startled at how close the vampire had gotten without my noticing. Still smiling, he had shifted forward a foot, crouched, with fingers raking into the ground…
I hunched, feeling my muscles bunch and solidify, awaiting attack.
The vampire kept smiling; eyed fixed on me, waiting for my next move.
Jake beat me to it, flying out of the thicket and to my side.
In that moment, the vampire sprang; the motion becoming a blur of marble flesh, ruby eyes, razor teeth and jagged claws.
I felt Jakes muscles tense in a wave that passed through my body making us both alert and aware: we were the distraction.
From one moment to the next, Jared leapt into the fray, his great tawny paws striking at the centre of the vampires back to shove the creature forward and sprawl him upon the ground before us.
Jake and I snapped forward, each taking a shoulder and suppressing the creatures resistance as Jared settled his weight on the vampires back.
My Alpha bent his head and gave a quick sniff, whipping his head back in disgust and the sharp pain of realisation. This thing isn't from round here. He managed to spit though his thoughts. Let's end this.
And we did, with the creature snapping and hissing at us until we rent its worthless head from what remained of its body.
Jacob and Jared quickly changed then, collecting the remains and setting a stinking fire.
Somewhere in the forest we heard a cry of dismay. Jacob and Jared turned their heads and I stood to protect their human forms as footsteps grew louder.
"Jacob!" Edward cried as he reached the fire, "What did you do?"
"My job, Edward!" The taller man answered, "Killed a vampire who was hunting on our territory."
The pale man ran a hand through his bronze hair, his frenzied eyes fixed on the smoking flames that consumed our vampiric attacker.
A hand on my shoulder alerted me to Jaspers presence, though as I turned to greet him, I noticed how his eyes were also focused on the pyre.
"You have no idea," Edward muttered, almost to himself, "No idea what you have done."
Jared moved past Jacob, purposefully towering over Edward as he ground, "Killed on our turf, Cullen. Fare game," through his gritted teeth.
Jasper tensed as Carlisle entered the clearing. The good doctor breathed a moment, before locking his eyes on Quil and Embry. "You have wounded." He stated and then moved to them, asking if they were able to shift back to human.
Knowing my brothers were tended to, I shifted my gaze back to Jasper, nosing his palm to shift his fingers into my hair. I wasn't comfortable changing back to human, but still needed the contact for reassurance as Edward and Jacob continued to argue.
"You know the treaty. You stick to it!" Jacob said, moving Jared back behind him, "We don't kill you. Same goes for your guests. This one broke that agreement and hunted in Forks. Quil and Embry approached, he attacked and we defended."
Edward was still shaking his head, "You stupid, dumb animal." He intoned, slowly, "Why didn't you come for us sooner?"
"There wasn't the time," Jacob's lip curled, "and we didn't need you."
There was something more to this. Something that wasn't making sense. I butted Jaspers thigh and whined.
Warm amber eyes looked to mine and softened, "I am glad to see you. But Edward is correct. What has been done here cannot be undone. We are, Cullens and Quilletts, both in danger."
Man, these bloodsuckers can be infuriatingly cryptic! Edward stifled a laugh as I butted Jasper again, harder...
"The victim-"Jasper began, immediately rephrasing, "the one you rightfully killed. He was Demitri." The name was said with weight, something which meant little to my brothers and I. Jasper caught the lack of appreciation in the name and explained. "One of the Volturi."
All about us fell silent. There was only the crackling lick of flame and vague whispers of breath that came from Embry as the doctor bandaged his leg...
The Volturi? Jasper had whispered the name with reverence. I groaned, Don't tell me we have killed some weird-ass, vampire uber-lord or something.
"After a fashion." Edward answered, catching everyone by surprise.
"What?" Jake snapped, waspishly.
"I was answering Leah." The vampire replied, equally railed.
All eyes turned to me. There was no way I was about to shift back into my human form and have an audience… so I whined a little, focusing my eyes on Edward.
"She was asking why the Volturi are so important." Edward said, "And who they have managed to kill that would upset them."
"The Volturi could be considered as enforcers of the law," Doctor Cullen moved forward, bracing a wounded Quil on his side, "They maintain order and keep our… condition from the world of the humans."
"Which is why most of them don't know that the things that go bump-in-the-night actually exist and have teeth." Paul said, entering the clearing to provide my brothers with clothes.
Carlisle shifted Quil's weight so he could lean against a tree and clothe himself, casting a worried glance back to Embry. "They'll be alright." He told Jacob, eyes flicking between his patients.
"They will be." Jasper confirmed. "For now. But what of Alec?"
All the werewolves tensed.
Carlisle froze, not breathing or moving for a long moment before nodding imperceptivity and looking up to the gathered werewolves. "We have a visitor."
My brothers exploded into expletives and outrage at his words, Jacob alone remained silent, glaring at Edward who returned the ferocity like an emotional mirror.
I was aware that Paul held a thin dress in one of his hands, which he was shaking in the air as he yelled about treaties and threatened retribution.
Carlisle seemed still throughout the onslaught, waiting for the fire to cool before making any comments. How he managed to remain so calm in the face of such madness was beyond me. I found I admired him. Perhaps I always had admired these Cullens. I could appreciate the difficulty of being a demon and yet trying to be good and carve a peaceful existence for yourself.
Eventually I grew weary and concluded that I wanted to join the argument, so loped forward and caught the dress from Paul's flailing grip in my teeth before disappearing into a dense part of the bush.
The night had descended, cloudless and still, a large waxing moon hanging overhead. The cursing and shouting of my brothers behind me rang in the air as I concentrated on pulling my muscles back to human form. The shimmer left an almost musk-like scent behind as I moved to cover my naked form from the breeze.
Gone for less than two minutes and I found the company of werewolves and vampires much as I had left them, Jacob shooting me an exasperated look and rolling his eyes before stepping forward.
"Look. The treaty still applies." He told our brethren, making them fall into a begrudging silence. Then he turned to Carlisle, "Can you tell us what they are here for?"
Carlisle was still again, though this did not fool Jacob. My Alpha swung round and glared to his former friend, "Edward. What is this about?"
"They had come to see if it was true…" the vampire faltered, "They wanted to know if Bella was dead."
"Why?" Jake demanded, "Don't tell me they actually cared."
The derisive snorts that sounded from the pack-members, myself included, only served to highlight Jacobs prejudice as Edward glowered, "No. If she were still alive… still human, they were intending to act."
A snarl sounded and Carlisle placed a calming hand on Jake's shoulder. "It is of no matter, as they found no reason to attack…" he drifted off as his eyes fell on the smouldering ashes, "until now."
"We can handle a few bloodsuckers." Paul said, puffing out his chest.
I saw Jasper shaking his head, "These aren't nomads." He said, "They are almost military in their training."
"We're not asking you to fight with us, leech." Paul hissed.
"Hey." I heard myself shout, "Back off."
"Come on Leah. We don't need them telling us we can't handle it."
I sneered, "You'd be dangerous if you used your brain, Paul. Jasper was trying to tell you something." Then I took my place beside Jasper, reaching out to take his hand, "Go on."
"There isn't an option at the moment; the worst threat is Alec." Then his sharp eyes cut to Edward, who nodded grimly.
"We must go, now, Carlisle. Before Alec suspects anything."
The Doctor agreed, "Make sure to be gentle with him, his bones are still knitting together and he lost a lot of blood." He told Jacob, pointing to Embry, "He needs rest and sustenance. I will check on him in a few hours."
Jacob scowled, "What's with the rush? What will this Alec guy do?"
"We'll deal with Alec." Edward said, a darkly grim expression clouding his features.
Then the two vampires were gone.
"I'll be back soon." Jasper was telling me as he wriggled his hand from my grasp. "Take care."
Then he was gone too.
()()()
"Jeeze, Leah. You want to slow down there?"
I looked up to Embry, who was brandishing a cleaned rib at me as I finished my rack and began on my buffalo wings.
"Hungry." I said around the flavoured meat as I continued to devour every edible scrap.
"I gathered that." My brother laughed and tossed his finished rib away before reaching for another.
It was good to see the colour return to his skin as he warmed and healed. I had wrapped him in a blanket and he sat, cocooned on the sofa, a pizza in one hand and a rib in the other.
"Haven't eaten all day." I said, reaching for the soda. "And I forgot how good this all tastes."
"Yep. There's nothing like Pappa's pizzeria, La Push to give you a hankering for home." He smiled. "Think I can move now."
As I snatched another buffalo wing from the plate, my free hand shot out to shove him back into the sofa. "Doc said to rest." I said, eating more chicken.
Disgruntled, Embry settled back. "Damned leech."
"He's a doctor and he knows what's best."
"Not him," Embry said, a look of surprise on his face, "I have no beef with the Cullens… except their sudden, immediate proximity…"
I glared over my chicken at him and he rushed, "No. I meant that Demitri character. He has to go and break my bones!" Embry then sobered, moving forward conspiratorially, "I'll tell you one thing though Leah… he was strong. And I don't mean, normal vampire. He was single-minded. I mean, there was no way to shake him. If it hadn't been for you…" He trailed off…
I knew what he was meaning. Embry was trying to say that one vampire nearly took out two of my brothers. And if Demitri was typical for the Volturi, we may not stand a chance if they launched an attack.
My stomach flipped. "I feel sick." I mumbled.
"Yeah," Embry exhaled, allowing the silent implications to weigh heavily in the air.
A burst of acid air screamed up my nostrils, swirling the already nauseous feeling up another bite as I clutched my suddenly flip-flopping stomach.
"Leah," Jasper said, entering the house and moving to me.
"May we enter, Embry?" Doctor Cullen asked, hanging by the door.
"Sure, come in Doc." Embry called cheerily, "Though, I think Leah might need your attention more than I do."
"Leah," Jasper said gently, "you're looking quite queasy."
"I'm alright." I said, not really feeling it but determined not to show weakness. I cleared the space, moving the suddenly off-putting food to the side table while Carlisle inspected Embry's wounds.
The sight of my brothers crisp, dried blood caused my stomach to vault and I turned into Jaspers arms for support.
Somewhere in the background, I heard Embry laugh, "Man, Leah. You've never been such a wimp when it comes to blood before."
I ignored him. It was nice here; dark. Buried in Jaspers cold chest, the smooth ice cooling my burning skin… something wasn't right.
Carlisle was talking to Embry, pleased with his healing, though not too impressed with his diet. Embry was laughing and replied that he wasn't too keen on the good doctors' food choice either… I listened to the stillness of Jaspers heart, trying to calm my traitorous body.
Swallowing back the feeling, I looked up. "So? What's the news on the Volturi."
The smile on Jaspers rose lips faded, "We handled it." He told me flatly.
What was that supposed to mean? I pushed away slightly, levelling my look.
Jasper reacted to my heightened emotion, teasing the edges of my irritation with calming thoughts. "Trust me."
"I do." I said and meant it. "But if this Volturi are the threat that you seem to think they are, I want to know how you 'handled it'."
Jasper shook his head, I knew what he was thinking; that I wouldn't let it drop… he was right.
"Jazz," Carlisle soothed from across the room. "They have a right to know."
Jasper hesitated a moment too long, so I brought him back to the moment by delivering a sharp jab to his abdomen. I instantly regretted the move as his breath washed over me, flipping my stomach. I drove my nails into his hard skin in an effort to stay upright.
No one had noticed the moment and Jasper took a great breath, "We met Alec back at the house. Rose and Esme were keeping him entertained. He asked after Demitri and we explained his… transgression."
I huffed, as did Embry, but Jasper continued, "He threatened that the Volturi would return and decimate your tribe."
My body went rigid.
"There was no choice." Jasper said, almost sorrowful. "I moved to counter him, but it was too late. Alec was an exceptional member of the Volturi guard. He had an ability to incapacitate his prey by removing their sight, sound, smell… all senses needed to do battle."
"Then how..?" I croaked.
"It was Rose." Carlisle picked up the question, glancing curiously at me as I turned in Jaspers arms. "She was further away from the rest of us. While Alec's gift was crippling, it was not quick. She struck him down and we disposed of what remained."
"What now?" I asked, feeling a quiver run through my body.
"Alec had a sister." Jasper said.
"Jane." Carlisle supplied, paling at the name.
"If the Volturi hear he died at our hand, then she will undoubtedly come."
The obvious question hung in the air as the ground swayed beneath me.
I closed my eyes; "And then?"
"Then we fight." Jasper said and from one moment to the next, I promptly threw up.
()()()
