Leah opened her door cautiously but smiled when she sat Kat. The smile may have dimmed somewhat when she noticed Embry, but they all ignored that.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked, only a hint of her sarcasm apparent.
"We're bored as all hell. Needed something to do. Is Seth around?" Kat asked, all in one breath. Embry growled at the connection and she laughed. Leah smiled.
"Come on in. Seth should be finished his shift any time."
Halfway through the cool afternoon, Kat's phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Kat? We need to talk to you." Alice said urgently. Kat rolled her eyes.
"Considering the note we ended on...no."
"I mean the entire pack. Everyone, and imprints probably too. We have a big problem and we need to warn you. Meet us at the Garage in an hour, please?" Kat could hear mumbling behind Alice before she hung up.
"I know you heard her. Embry, darling, tell all the wolves on duty will you, to meet me and Leah at Emily's. Leah, let's stop off at Kim's and Claire's." Both of the wolves nodded and Kat smiled grimly.
About half an hour later all the wolves and their imprints were assembled at Emily's. Kat stood in front of everyone.
"I need everyone to promise not to attack any of the vamps without direct provocation. That means and offhand comment should be ignored, seeing as we are all adults, excusing you darling," She nodded to Claire, "and you shouldn't look for excuses to attack. Okay?"
There were general mumblings agreeing. She grinned.
"Well then. Let's go."
Outside the Garage was an assembly of vampires. There were the Cullens of course, Carlisle and Esme with smiles readily on hand, Edward holding Bella in a purposely welcoming pose, Rosalie standing slightly behind Emmett, looking a mix between angry and regretful as she saw Kat and Leah, Emmett looking happy at the prospect of anything exciting. Jasper was standing with Alice next to Carlisle and Esme at the front, looking as awkward and tense as his wife. Kat rode on Embry's back, as did the other imprints. Claire seemed to be the only one having fun, Kim and Emily both sporting anxious frowns. Kat broke out into a grin when she saw Edward, which he returned. Alice leapt forward as the wolves started growling at the new vamps. Kat frowned at the few red-eyes.
"Katherine. I'm sorry about our fight, but that is so insignificant in comparison to this it isn't funny. The Volturi are coming. They worked out where you were, and it took longer than it should have, so I assume they are bringing Aro, Caius and Marcus. I'm sorry, but we are going to help you. You're one of us now." She smiled at Kat, who merely stared in horror.
"Besides, the Volturi are going down. They've been reigning too long. It's time they learnt their place." One of the Red-Eye vamps chimed in. Embry growled in agreement, causing a smile to flicker over Jasper's face.
"Can we fight together?" Another asked. Kat turned to look at Sam. He closed his eyes for a second.
Guys? What do we think? He asked.
Hell yeah! I trust the Cullens, and we need to protect Kat. Seth enthused. Edward laughed.
Yes Sam. We need to. I don't want to live in fear of them coming after us all the time. Embry added. There was a general feeling of agreement when Sam's eyes locked with Kat's and he nodded slightly. Edward stepped forward.
"Good. We need to train. Can I suggest we split into a few groups? Jasper, and Garrett can teach some of the wolves some techniques of more experienced vampires than last time we fought together. And I'm sure you have some tips to share with maybe some of our less experienced fighters? Carlisle, Rosalie, Esme, I'm sure they'll be happy to learn." Edward sent a glare to his sister at the last part and people spread apart into different groups. Kat, Claire, Kim and Emily all sat down on the grass to the side to watch when Carlisle approached.
"Katherine, Edward was telling me about this poison of yours?" He asked cautiously. She grinned.
"It's Kat. And yes, I made some form of acid I'm guessing could be used to destroy...well, anything, but it was designed with your kind in mind. Sorry but I don't trust any of you." She shrugged and he laughed good naturedly.
"I completely understand, especially considering what Edward has told me of your past."
Kat frowned. It's bad enough that you read my mind Ed, why must you destroy my privacy further?
"Sorry Kat!" Edward called from the other side of the clearing. Emily looked at her oddly and was about to ask her about her past when Emmett appeared holding a completely different red eye in a headlock.
"Hey Kat. Carlisle, this guy was wandering around, and no-one is claiming him."
Carlisle looked into the other vamp's eyes. "You've fed recently." He said quietly.
The vamp snarled. "Some kid from Forks in the woods. What's it to you?"
Carlisle turned to Kat and the red eye licked his lips. She grinned viciously.
"Embry? Have you got a sample of my latest concoction?" She asked with a laugh in her voice. The red eye looked around and shivered when Embry and Edward walked over.
"He says he hasn't and gives me permission to run you home to collect some." Edward said smoothly. Kat stroked Embry's head.
"Are you faster or something? Why you?" She asked. Edward smiled.
"I am slightly faster than the average wolf or vampire, but he does need to practise some more." Embry nodded and licked Kat's hand before running off.
Kat grinned and jumped into Edward's outstretched arms with another laugh.
"I just hope Bella doesn't get too mad at me." He admitted before starting to run.
Sitting in Edward's arms while he ran was almost completely different to sitting on Embry's back. The speed was similar, but on Embry it was like riding an extremely fast horse, whereas with Edward, it was like...the closest comparison was being a passenger in a race car, only faster. It was less comfortable for Kat, but she was too busy talking to Edward to notice.
"So...how fast are you?" She asked.
He laughed. "We've never measured exactly. We probably should."
"Definitely. I want to compare. Do energy drinks work on you to make you faster?"
Another laugh. "Not at all."
"Am I particularly amusing to you?"
"Definitely. We're here." He let her down gently in front of her house. She ran in, disregarding the idea that he could go through her stuff. By the time she collected all she wanted to, Edward was leaning against her kitchen counter holding Narele's prototype for a remote controlled gun. She blushed.
"That's Narele's. Actually, good idea." Kat gave her armful to Edward and went into the weapons cache part of the house. She grabbed a random collection of weapons, only pausing to think of the other imprints and to grab more for them. When she was ready, she grabbed a massive box and filled it up before letting Edward pick her up again.
Embry paced as he waited for Kat and Edward to return. She ran to him with a big smile and started to unload the box. He had a feeling this would be a long couple of days. Kat turned to the vamps.
"Could you all spit in this bucket? Thanks."
She went back to sorting the tools into four piles. The vamps stared at each other, but with Edward's nod and amused grin, they complied.
Kat smiled at the bucket, which seemed to be slowly thinning.
"That would be the venom's acidic properties." Carlisle commented. She nodded.
"Could you pass me the pile of bullets? Maybe a handful at a time." He smiled at her and passed them before she'd finished her sentence.
"Thanks. You know what? Just drop them in the venom. Don't splash yourself. I'll be back." Kat stood and left Carlisle to his new job. He wondered how he'd been roped into doing a menial task for a human. He never wanted to kill or even hurt a human but he generally liked to stay away from them as much as possible. That was part of why he was so rich. He never really donated to charity. Sure, if he passed a busker or a homeless person he might throw some change but he hadn't given any substantial amount to anyone in particular. He looked at the laughing imprints. Maybe he needed to spend more time with humans, see why he was sustaining. Edward had the right idea sometimes.
"Thanks Dad." He heard his son laugh. Kat was good to have around while Bella was in her newborn stage. Edward hadn't laughed this much in ages.
"Sorry about the wait Carlisle. I got you some gloves." Kat handed him a pair of thick black gloves. He slipped them on.
"Now you won't get scarring from the venom." She smiled brightly as he continued to put the bullets in the bucket. She slipped on heavy duty gloves of her own and slipped her hand in, taking handfuls of bullets out and laying them on the sheets of paper she set out. This was the start of a long job, Carlisle guessed.