Chapter Ten

There was something...strange about this stranger, Emmett couldn't help, but thinking. She had appeared completely out of nowhere, one moment he was hunting, trying to quench the dull fire in his throat, and then suddenly she was there, breathing in his scent from the doe he had drank from not even a minute earlier.

He had gone defensive straight away, of course, getting territorial with a different vampire being on their land, especially with Renesmee being partially human and all, he didn't want to risk his adoptive brother's child being at risk.

So, without a second thought, he had approached her, making himself as intimidating as possible and trying not to flinch at the burgundy color of her eyes. He was surprised, though, to see her so relaxed and almost...excited upon seeing him. He was in even more shock as she spoke with a European accent, British to be exact.

Emmett had immediately picked up that she was not only clever, but sarcastic as well, pulling her lip back in a menacing sneer when he had tried to attack her when she didn't answer his question right away.

Although, he wasn't really going to hurt her. He had just been planning on holding her down till Edward would hear his warning thoughts and come with the help of Carlisle.

But, for some reason, he couldn't help, but trust her intentions. She seemed genuine when she had told her short story to him, the amusement and excitement in her eyes made everything seem believable.

But, now as they were walking, well more like running technically, to the house, he couldn't help, but think that he might have just made a mistake. It wasn't his decision to bring a complete stranger back home, especially not a vampire one who seemed to have a liking for human blood.

As they got closer, he slowed down, grabbing the girl, Zondrea's, arm tightly and pulling her to an immediate stop. He could see that she wasn't about to fight him on this, but she did look slightly defensive and shook her arm out of his grip, obviously not used to being handled or told what to do.

"Wait," He ordered, though, slightly enjoying himself as he gave this nomad orders. It was sort of amusing to see her try not to pout at being told what to do.

He tried to make his internal voice loud, shouting for Edward to hear his thoughts, knowing he was only a mile away from the home, and his brother shouldn't have any problem hearing him...or the newcomer's thoughts.

It was like clockwork. One moment they were alone, Emmett signaling for Edward to come with Carlisle and then next moment they were there, along with two extras, Bella and Jasper. The younger three seemed to appear more hostile, Bella glaring in a protective way, obviously thinking of her daughter.

"Emmett, who is this?" Carlisle questioned immediately, looking at him with curious eyes and Emmett couldn't help, but feel embarrassed by his reckless decision now.

"A nomad from a town in England, apparently. I found her a couple miles away while I was hunting. She says she's curious about our family." He didn't use the word coven, hating the technical term, because they were more than that, they were actually like a family.

Edward seemed to stiffen immediately, glaring at the girl who was dead silent, but seemed ecstatic. "She's not safe." Edward growled through clenched teeth. And no one reacted fast enough to stop him from slamming Zondrea against the nearest tree, holding her by her throat.

"Edward," Carlisle almost seemed to gasp in shock.

"Don't," He warned, seeming to shove the girl further into the bark. "She's not safe." He stressed again, and Emmett turned to look at Zondrea now. She was giving Edward a look that was halfway between shock and a glare. She wasn't struggling, though, she let herself be held without fighting, figuring it'd only make things worse.

"What do you mean?" Bella asked, concern and anger dripping in her voice as her eyes never left Zondrea.

"She didn't come from England, she came from the Volturi." He hissed, glaring accusingly at her. Zondrea looked uncomfortable now, eyes casting shamingly downwards for a moment.

"But, I thought they agreed to leave us-" Bella started, moving past Jasper to be closer to Edward.

"She didn't come on their orders, she left them, well, more escaped them. Right?" Edward questioned.

Zondrea sighed, "That is correct."

Carlisle seemed the most confused. "Edward, please let her go." He tried to order, but there wasn't much hope in his tone.

"No, Carlisle, you don't understand. She was part of the volturi for a reason, she's powerful." And at those words Emmett felt a wave of calm pass over him and immediately knew Bella was putting her shield around the four of them, protecting them from whatever it was this girl could do.

Carlisle now seemed interested, "Powerful as in?"

"She can do what I can do, read minds, but it's more than that, she can hook herself to them and control another person, vampire or human." Edward spat out.

Emmett know felt completely and utterly ashamed and guilty, hanging his head for a moment to escape Jasper's accusing stare.

"Edward, please let the girl go, so she can at least explain herself." Carlisle tried again. "Bella will make sure nothing happens." The fair-haired man looked at Bella for approval and received a tight nod.

It took a moment, but Edward finally released Zondrea, backing away only slightly and looking ready to pounce any moment.

She looked slightly shaken and more than uncomfortable. But, she seemed to collect herself, standing up straight and turning to speak directly with Carlisle. "What this man said is true, I was a part of the Volturi and I do have the powers to manipulate minds, but you have to understand-" Her voice was almost pleading now, "my intentions are good. I left for a reason, I don't want to be a part of that life anymore. I was there for far too long, I should have never agreed to join their ranks, but I had to escape because I'm sure as well as know, the Volturi was not going to just let someone like me go." She didn't sound cocky about her abilities, just factual. Emmett couldn't help, but pay strict attention to her every word, finding her accent almost soothing.

"And, I already know what this one," She gestured to Edward, "is worried about. I've taken care of my tracks, I've used my abilities on one of the leaders and retracked his mind to think I had just disappeared and he had simply let it happen. He doesn't remember anything of my leaving, just that he had let it happen."

"How did you come upon our name?" Carlisle questioned, seeming just as interested in her story as Emmett.

She smirked now, "Your name is quite popular among the Volturi. Your clan seems to be known for your abilities and the half-blooded child."

Uh-oh, Emmett thought right as she mentioned Renesmee.

Edward growled under his breath and Bella visibly stiffened again, glaring at Zondrea. She seemed to have noticed that atmosphere becoming tenser and looked to both the parents, her eyes settling on Bella with interest. "You're the mother," She noted, not seeming to care that she was stepping her boundaries.

Bella didn't answer, she just continued to glare. "She can't stay," Edward sneered, looking pointedly at Carlisle.

But, he didn't seem to be listening. He seemed to be deep in thought, and Emmett was almost worried about Zondrea taking control of his mind to influence his decision, but decided against it, Bella would have known if Zondrea was trying to push past her shield.

"But, why come to us?" Carlisle finally spoke, seeming to pretend the others were gone and it was just him and Zondrea.

She sighed deeply know, and Emmett didn't miss the deep longing and sadness that flashed in those red eyes. "I've been alone for far too long, Carlisle, the Volturi might seem like a family, but it is just the opposite. We are all alone there and I've become tired of their games. It seemed like a dream at first, that such powerful beings wanted me, but now it's become a nightmare, one I wish to never go back to. I've come to you because I was stupidly curious about everything this coven holds and I wish to learn from all of you." She finished and even Emmett was slightly moved by her words, though, he was still almost siding with Edward on this, despite his own curiosity.

Carlisle seemed to be searching Zondrea's face for any indication that what she was saying was a lie and looked to Edward for a second opinion. But, the he just shook his head tightly, signaling that she wasn't lying.

"Very well then, Zondrea, I'd like you to come with me, I want to hear more about your way of life and teach you a little of our own. Bella?" Carlisle asked, turning to the girl. "Would you mind coming with us?" No one protested against that, knowing Carlisle needed her for a shield.

The three disappeared back into the forest, the way Emmett and her had come. And, even though he knew it was stupid of him, he couldn't help, but continue watching at they walked away, still curious about her.

"You should've torn her apart while you still could." Jasper spoke from his side in a low whisper, so the three couldn't possibly hear.

Edward nodded from ahead of him. "Despite Carlisle's good intentions, this isn't going to end well."

(A/N : So, uh, yea I'm back into writing this fic again and I've missed it so fucking much. I decided to switch the POV's for this chapter and I might do it in a few more. But, hope you all enjoy! Hopefully I'll stick with the story this time)