AUTHOR'S NOTE: Who knew listening to Tyler Hilton's music could be so inspiring?! Anyway, new chapter! Enjoy.
Stephenie Meyer owns the original Cullens, I own the original characters. No copyright or slander intended. Please review!
Chapter Eleven:
"That's not me." I blurted out abruptly as my eyes darted over every single line and curve of the woman staring back at me. Her skin, of course, looked like it was made of marble, the light throwing a beautiful, yet erie glow over the alabaster surface. The skin was stretched taunt, yet gracefully over her cheekbones and jaw, highlighting the tiny curve of her nose, and pucker of pale pink lips. I refused to look into the eyes of my reflection, already knowing they would be red with lavender shadows darkening the skin underneath her long lashes. I couldn't bring myself to look into her eyes, my eyes.
"Yes it is." Edward still sounded patient as he came to stand behind me once again. I caught every single move he made as he molded his body against mine. I could easily feel his chest against my back, his arms matching mine as they wound around my tiny waist. The reflection in front of me changed and I couldn't swallow back the gasp that hissed up my throat. I still wasn't used to see him, or my family, with my new eyes. The changes, though subtle, were still clearly defined and I began to wonder if I'd ever really seen the full perfection in his face before now. I probably hadn't, but now, being able to see him standing with me knocked me breathless.
"Nuhuh." I muttered, sounding completely distracted as I continued to stare at our reflections in the mirror. I'd always thought that we looked so unbalanced whenever we stood next to each other while I was still human. I was too plain, too ordinary to deserve someone like Edward. But now I was his equal in every single way and our reflections finally mirrored that. The woman standing in front of him was completely breath-taking and I couldn't help but start to wonder how our bodies would look. That seemed to break the floodgates and wave after wave of absolute want and need momentarily washed over me. But, with a sharp gasp, I betrayed myself and looked into the eyes of the woman staring back at me. Blood red irises bore into me mercilessly, even though the expression on the woman's face was complete bewilderment. Her eyes...my eyes held me in such a powerful trance that it took Edward physically lifting my feet from the floor to pull me back to reality.
"Houston?" His tone was anxious as he set me back down in the bedroom and turned me bodily to face him. The others hovered anxiously around me, but only Alice seemed at ease with my new turn of emotions. Jasper was clearly on edge, internally warring with himself on whether or not to intervein.
I reigned my thoughts in and focused on Edward standing rigidily right in front of me. "Sorry." I breathed and looked up at him guiltily. "The eyes threw me."
His laugh was a mere breathless whisper as he pulled me against him and buried his lips in the crown of my hair. "I figured it would." He whispered into the strands and soothingly stroked my back. "They won't stay that way forever, I promise."
"I know." I started then frowned abruptly. "But...they're so red."
A collective chorus of laughter floated around us and I instantly whimpered and hid my face in Edward's chest. "I hate you all." I muttered darkly then sighed and straightened up to face him. "Okay, let's get this show on the road." I squared my shoulders and turned to face our family before Edward could completely command my attention yet again. "Who's going on the first hunt so they can laugh at me for being the only clutzy vampire in existance?"
It was eventually decided that Emmett, Esme, Jasper, and Rosalie would accompany us on my first hunting trip. Alice kept her grimaces to a minimum when I exchanged the silk dress for a pair of sturdy, dark-washed jeans and a black thermal top. My feet were finally covered in brand new sneakers and I breathed in a deep breath reflexively as I emerged from the bathroom, pulling my hair up into a high ponytail. It had surprised me when I first examined my hair, forever grown to the bottom of my ribcage. It looked shiny and healthy as it hung down my back, not nearly as dry and damaged as I'd once feared. Apparently this new life was going to make up for every single thing I'd gone through as a human.
Fear gripped me tightly as I trooped downstairs at Edward's side. They didn't have to slow their pace to match mine, I could keep up effortlessly as we crossed the house to the first level back door. That thrilled me a little, but I kept my new source of strength as tightly coiled as I could. I wanted to blend in with my family, not stand out as the uncontrollable newborn.
"I don't know how you're doing it." Jasper whispered when we somehow became separated from the group. I blinked in surprise and looked up at him, stunned silent as I worked frantically to figure out what he was referring to. He grinned wryly at me and I still couldn't get over how different he looked to me now. All of the scars from his first years as a vampire shown brilliantly against his skin. But he didn't look disgusting in any way, if anything, he looked even more dangerous than he had origianlly. Like I'd needed even more of a reason to be afraid of him! "You're more controlled than any newborn I've ever come across."
"Thanks." I beamed at him brightly then felt the expression dim on my face. "I think."
He laughed at that and shook his head as Alice flittered to his side. She winked at me and I gulped in an unnecessary breath and returned to Edward's side. "Let's do this." I muttered and slid my hand into his, forcing myself to be careful as I laced my fingers through his. This was definitely going to take some getting used to.
"Just let your instincts take over. Don't be afraid of anything, I'm not leaving your side for a second."
I nodded, still holding my breath as we started out across the dark backyard. The sun hadn't even begun to rise yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time. The changes in the air were very subtle, but easy for my new nose to detect. I bristled at once and dug my heels into the ground when we reached the wide river that lined the back of the property. How was I going to get over that?!
"It's very simple." Edward announced then suddenly winked at me. He dropped my hand and took two large steps back. I watched breathlessly as his long legs broke into an easy stride. His foot hit a wide, nearly-flat boulder in the bank of the river and vaulted himself over. He disappeared almost instantly in the fringe of trees on the other side of the river and I shook my head slowly in disbelief. There definitely weren't anymore secrets between us now.
"I totally can't do that." I huffed, my eyes rolling in their sockets when Emmett snickered behind me. That seemed to spur me on, my resolve strengthening as I took two wide steps to the side then scooted back like Edward had done. Now that I had Emmett's laugh antagonizing me, I didn't think what Edward'd done looked all that difficult. The physical stuff was the most basic, I just had to keep reminding myself of that as I launched myself toward the riverbank. I nearly started laughing when I stepped onto the same rock Edward had stepped on and pushed off with no real thought into how much strength I was using. I'd given absolutely no thought to the trees I was launching myself into, but I forced that away when I noticed a branch coming closer and closer.
I didn't hold back as I reached out for the branch, laughing loudly when my body began to swing effortlessly through the air. I didn't even bother to look down and all too soon, my feet hit the ground with the tiniest of thuds. It just sounded like someone closing a door quietly behind them.
"Houston?" Edward's anxious voice found me before his eyes did. I was still laughing when he came into my line of vision, Emmett, Esme, Jasper, and Rosalie trailing him.
"Hi." I grinned and slapped my dirty hands against the thighs of my jeans. Alice had never really given clothes much thought before, I'd never seen anyone in my family wear the same thing twice. So I wasn't going to give my clothes much thought either. I'd just have to remember to bribe Alice into stocking my closet with more jeans. "How'd I do?"
The look on Edward's face was clear amusement, and awe; Emmett just looked downright irritated when he stopped in front of me. Served him right! I spared a second to jokingly stick my tongue out at him then looked up at my husband eagerly. He still looked amused, but as he continued to stare at me, he seemed to become more in awe with me. "Do you have any idea how far you launched yourself, Houston?"
I debated for a second then just shrugged. "I got over the river, but that's all I know."
"You outjumped me." He laughed and quickly pulled me to him for a hug. I laughed again and buried my face in his chest, kissing the front of his shirt before pulling away. New scents were starting to premate the air and I could smell not only the comforting perfume of my family members, but I could also smell the moss, trees, and various other greenery surrounding us. My eyes darted around to take everything in, no detail going unnoticed as other scents filled my nose. Out of the new aromas, one really stood out. It wasn't as mouthwatering as some of the other scents, but my mind unconsciously honed in on it as I tried to figure out exactly where it was coming from.
"What is that?" I murmered, afraid that my ringing voice would suddenly startle everything I was trying to quickly take in.
"I was wondering if you would catch that." Edward's voice mimiced mine and he unconsciously leaned closer toward me. "Do you know where it's coming from?"
I bit down on my cold, impenetrable lip and started to look around again. I couldn't answer him, which was weird and a little unsettling. Knowing full well that he could keep up, I only answered by streaking off through the trees. I did exactly as he'd suggested, letting my senses guide me as I pushed my body toward the source of the scent that had intruded on my thoughts. The trees crowded around me comfortingly, reminding me of the dim memories I had when Edward would run through the same scene with me on his back. I'd wondered how he could have run so effortlessly through the forest without the fear of running into anything. Now that I was the one running through full speed, I understood completely. There was so much space in my mind to take everything in and think about everything else. I reached the source of the scent all too soon, stopping easily before I fully emerged in the wide space. A small group of deer stood grazing in the open space, looking completely at ease. I barely noticed Edward when he came up beside me, my entire focus on the animals in front of me.
I had to admit that the smell of their blood pounding vibrantly in their veins wasn't the most appealing thing I could have ever smelled. But there was a tingle to their melodic pulse. The fire in my throat ignited powerfully and a low growl easily built up in my chest.
"Don't think about it." A chill tore through me at Edward's whispered words of encouragement and, just as he'd mentioned, I didn't. There was absolutely no thought or second guess when my body slid into a predatory crouch. It took literally no thought at all as I pounced on the closest deer, easily overpowering him as I hurled us both to the ground. The power of my thirst completely overtook me then and I wasted no time in burying my new, razor-sharp teeth into the skin covering the exact point of pressure. Blood filled my mouth instantly and I drank greedily.
Everyone was watching me when I drained the deer and climbed to my feet. My hands and the knees of my jeans were caked in dirt, the blood I'd gotten on my shirt all but invisible thanks to the dark color. But I could only imagine how I looked to my audience.
"What?" I muttered, knowing they could easily hear me and wiped my hands on the thighs of my jeans. Edward's expression surprised me the most, awed amusement once again contorting his features as he kicked aside his own prey and smoothly glided over to me.
"That was..." He trailed off with a small shake of his head and pulled me up against him. I wound an arm around his waist and looked down at the corpse of my first victim. "I honestly didn't know what to expect when I saw you hunt for the first time."
"Did I do okay?" I wondered aloud, looking up at him curiously as the others joined us. All traces of humor were wiped clean from Emmett's features and I felt a smug thrill of victory at that.
"Better than okay." Edward appraised and kissed my temple then stepped back. "Are you still thirsty?"
I took an internal inventory and nodded instantly. "Are there anymore around?"
"See for yourself." He goaded, a bright grin on his face as he completely let me go so that I could concentrate. Hmm, guess he'd already noticed that he was still my biggest distraction. I had to concentrate now, but luck seemed to be on my side when I caught a scent that was more familiar to me now.
In no time at all, this time the prey being elk, more blood flowed down my throat and when I stood for the last time, I felt almost sloshy. The ache in my throat was now the dull tickle it'd been when I woke up and I wasn't as fearful of my new life as I'd once been. We all reassembled and Esme grinned warmly at me as she stood on one side, Edward on my other.
"Have you had enough?" She asked in her flawless voice, coiling an arm around me as she waited for my answer.
Thinking about it for a minute, I nodded then reached out and slid my hand into Edward's. It was a little tough to be so reigned in with my strength after letting it flow through me with no restraints. But the switch was easier now than it'd been before. Another thing that threw me slightly. "Let's go home."
Everyone began to move at once with my declaration, Edward easily falling into step beside me as we ran through the woods toward the house. We were halfway home when a new, completely unfamiliar scent assaulted my senses and concentration. I couldn't think as I broke from my family abruptly and tore through the greenery toward the source. I had no idea what smelled so intoxicating to me, all I knew was that I had to have whatever was causing this delicious aroma.
"No!" A primal snarl ripped through the air directly behind me and my legs pumped even more furiously to put more distance between me and the sound. It was illogical, of course, and had I been able to think clearly, I would've known exactly what was going on. But I couldn't think or even let myself register everything going on around me. One second I was racing toward that inviting scent and the next, I was being hurled to the ground with a sickening thud.