(Last Chapter for "A Journey"! To everyone that has read this, I sincerely thank you. Eventually, there will be a sequel "A Journey: Dark Paradise" but it will have to wait. I desperately need to finish my Hunger Games story, then work on my Harry Potter story. When they are done, I will have the next chapter of the Cullens. Until then! As always: I don't own this! Enjoy!)
Edward POV
The first few months living in Forks moved by quickly. It was the same routine that we all endured for Carlisle hope of co-existing with the humans. Of blending it. Quite frankly, I was tired of blending in. I enjoyed my time in Alaska immensely and I wished to go back. I preferred the peace and quiet and that's why I rented a cabin to hide away from the voices that I constantly had to hear.
Summer in Forks was the same as I remember it. Wet, cloudy and humid. The humidity didn't bother us as much as humans, but it was still there. Once everyone, myself included, returned from their vacations; I spent my time composing music. Or at least, I tried. I would get half way done and then stop. I had half a dozen already staring at me, begging me to finish but I couldn't find the energy to do it.
I was falling. My spiral that was my life was going by faster than I wanted it too. I tried to keep myself away from the happy mated couples in the house by taking long hunting trips or spending time with Connor. Yes, I know...he's all of fourteen but what else was I supposed to do? I loved my family but I couldn't handle the images that came from them. Each of them tried to hide it the best they could-with Emmett being the exception.
Occasionally, I could feel the stares of my family. They never spoke their minds but I could see they were worried for me. Worried about how alone I was and how it was affecting me. Ana had tried to talk us into doing something outside the home, but like everyone else, I refused. I didn't want to be around humans. I didn't want to hear their petty thoughts. Or feel their stares upon me. It made me uncomfortable anyway.
Like each time Tayna showed her mind to me. The things she said she would do to me. The ways that she could 'have me'. It disturbed me. I could see the way she looked at my brothers and it made me ill every time. I never said anything. If they didn't notice it, the better off they were. The better off their mates were for not knowing. I knew one day it would come back to bite all of us. She would show her colors.
Before I knew it, another school year was upon us. I dreaded going but at least the 'new kid' feel was gone. People still stared at us, but it wasn't going to be as bad as it was when we first walked through the doors. The constant stares drove me to madness and I threatened Carlisle that I would quit, but I had the support of my siblings.
Jasper wasn't faring much better. The onslaught of human emotions, coupled with his family's and his own, wore on him. Out of all of us, he had to be the strongest one. The one that had to maintain control at all times. I think I was a bit jealous of him. He faltered occasionally when the motion was far too great. Alice and Ana took to the new school life with vigor. I think it was Ana's excitement that made the first few weeks bearable, but like all of us, that new excitement finally begun to fade.
I stressed that we needed to keep to ourselves. To ride out the last couple of years until we could ' go to college' like every parent's dream. Ana wasn't having it and she was very close to convincing Alice as well. Alice saw nothing bad happening if we integrated ourselves a bit more, but I was still hesitant. Even Henry was hesitant. It took a lot of support to make him try the high school thing once. Almost five centuries old, and he was reluctant to try this. He gave up human blood for my sister, but try to fit in like a human, was a new ballpark.
We even talked him into playing baseball. With all new things, vampires tended to be slow on the change. He watched us play but after some pushing, he tried it. For us, it was fun. Even though, he had been with us for almost two decades, it still took some getting used to us. But it was the happiest I have seen my sister.
And what kind of selfish monster didn't want to see his family happy?
Two weeks into the school year, we were sitting around the lunch table, promptly ignoring the students around us, when Alice suddenly had a vision-one that she blocked me from. Apparently she wanted to tell us.
"We're throwing a Halloween party this year!" she announced, bouncing in her seat.
"We're what?" Jasper and I asked. Ana looked just as excited but Henry seemed wary about the idea.
"We're throwing a party this year. It's going to be so much fun!" she reiterated for us.
"Who are we inviting, Alice?" I asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.
She narrowed her eyes at me but said nothing, "People from school, of course!"
"Alice, darlin' do you think that's a good idea?" Jasper asked, looking into her eyes. IT was one of those tender moments that I tried to not watch.
"Well, yes." her eyes unfocused again replaying the vision. "I don't see anything going wrong with it. I know Emmett's going to turn the forest into something haunted."
"Scaring the humans? This should be interesting…" Henry said quietly. I could see he was trying to keep a smile from forming but he was unsuccessful.
Just then, the bell rang dismissing us from the cafeteria. We all separated to our individual classes. I knew we would be discussing this when we got home. Hours seem to pass slowly when you're staring at the clock wishing it would go by faster. This was me all day today. I wanted to be out of this school but I didn't want to be at home. I knew if I wasn't home for the party talk, Alice would have my head.
School let out and I was the first to arrive at my Volvo. Alice and Jasper normally rode with me. Ana had her '56 Jaguar shipped to Forks. Ostentatious, isn't she? We were trying to lay low and she has this shipped. She told me smugly that it could be worse, she could have shipped her '76 Aston Martin V8 instead.
I gave up trying to argue with her.
When we arrived home, Alice eagerly skipped into the house and called a meeting. Esme would fill Carlisle in later. We waited patiently for Rose and Emmett to pick Connor up from school. It was weird that he was a freshman this year. Ana and I had offered to drive him, but Rose said no. Which surprised me. Come to find out, they were teaching him how to drive. As everyone was accounted for Alice sprung her vision.
"Hell yea!" Emmett exclaimed pounding the table with his fist. "Scaring the humans!"
"Emmett!" Esme admonished, but smiled at him. "You don't see anything going wrong do you?" Esme reiterated the same questions we had earlier.
"Nope. Everything seems to be going fine. I don't see any mishaps…"
"So can I make the woods haunted?" Emmett asked, his eyes full of mischief.
"As long as you clean your mess, I don't care." Esme replied narrowing her eyes at him, but giving him a smile.
To say that Carlisle wasn't hesitant was the sum of the idea. He was perfectly confident that everyone could handle their thirst around humans. We would be sure to hunt extensively the night before. I wasn't thrilled that Carlisle indulged Alice this was. I thought it was lunacy. We didn't need to be noticed anymore than we already were. Needless to say, everyone ganged up on me and begged to say yes to the party.
A party. In our house. Full of humans.
"Edward, you know you don't have to stay for the party…." a familiar voice said. I was sitting outside, the darkness surrounding me in peace. No one was around, even the wildlife had scattered a while ago. The moon was hiding behind the drifting clouds, occasionally illuminating the back yard. I wasn't in the mood for company, but here it was.
"Yes, Ana, I know." I stressed, sighing heavily.
"We would like you too. You know, enjoy spending time with us." she said softly taking a seat beside me. Glancing briefly at her, I already knew she was telling the truth without reading into her mind. Her golden eyes stared back at me and I shook my head at her.
"It's not that…."
"Then what is it?" she asked carefully, hoping to not upset me. "Is it because we came back to Forks?"
"Some of it...but not all of it." I replied vaguely.
"What a way to spill your dark secrets there Edward…." she mused.
I shot her a dark look, but said nothing. What would she know about dark secrets? What would she know the pain of hiding a secret from everyone? I know she had lived a longer life than I, but what would she know?
"More that you think…." she said quietly refusing to look me in the eye. I gazed her wide-eyed. She hadn't read my mind, but it was like she knew what I was thinking. Sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes people have a way of reading a person. Was I that easy to read?
"It's a lot of things. Returning to school, the humans constant chatter in my mind, wondering where my mate is…"
"Ah, the crux of your intense moodiness." she replied, "Your mate."
"I know Alice has stopped looking for her."
"Most likely, but it's not her fault. If she can't see, then she can't see. Besides, I have a good feeling about next year." she confirmed happily.
I raised an eyebrow at her. Sometimes, she got a feeling and sometimes it was legit. It was rare when she felt one. Sitting in the dark with my sister was nice. She never pushed me to talk, but there was something about her that made you want to talk. Alice would push me to talk and Rose would rather have a few colorful words with me than actually listen.
I'm not sure how long we sat there, but she finally stood up and squeezed my shoulder before leaving me alone to my thoughts. I watched as the sky lightened, indicating another dawn had arrived. Another day at school for us. Mornings like this made me jealous of Rose and Emmett. They weren't punished to do the high school thing again.
Coming to my feet, I slowly walked back into the house and up to the third floor to change clothes and meet everyone downstairs to leave for school. Piling into the Volvo, if Alice or Jasper heard anything, they didn't mention it. While there weren't in secrets in this house, everyone tried to give a decorum of privacy. Maybe that's why I didn't hear anyone while Ana and I were talking.
The school day passed quickly and Alice's energy about the party was infectious. I wasn't trying to be interested, but she kept asking everyone what they wanted. I didn't know why she kept asking, she could see the party in a vision.
"Why are you asking?"
"Because, a party has so many decisions…" she complained, ignoring the stares from the humans.
"Not really it doesn't. It's a Halloween party. There will be a haunted woods. Food, music, dancing…" I said sarcastically.
"Seriously, man...you're not helping." Jasper stated glaring at me.
I couldn't help it. I didn't want any part of it. I supposed I carried the belief that if I wasn't happy then no one could be. I know I was taking my moodiness out on everyone and I know it was finally starting to get to them.
"You know this means we need to go shopping…" Ana said, not lifting her head from Henry's shoulder.
"I know! I've seen what all the girls are wearing!" Alice chirped.
Ana narrowed her eyes, "You seriously didn't look in my future, did you?"
"Of course not. You're in a picture with us.." Alice scoffed with mock hurt.
Oh that. Still after sixty years, Ana refused to let Alice check her future. It was ridiculous, but Alice agreed after some coercion. No one else had a problem letting Alice keep an eye on the future for them. What she didn't know, was that Alice looked into her future often; she just didn't tell her. Like typical sisters.
It was mid September and the sun was doing one of its rare days of showing itself to the world in this part of the country. My siblings and I were planning on being busy today. Rose and Emmett were out hunting. Alice was upstairs designing a costume for Esme who had decided to not shop for a costume; it thrilled Alice to be able to work on something new for once. Henry and Ana were at Mass in Port Angeles-where it was cloudy; then spending the rest of the day doing their monthly community work.
I was in my piano room trying to finish one of the half composed compositions that stared at me. My mind still wasn't there. I had been sitting here since the sun rose today and I had a sinking feeling I wasn't going to get anything done. I wasn't in the mood to read, or listen to music either. I wasn't in the mood for anything at all here lately.
It wasn't my family's fault that I had fallen into this 'funk' as my nephew called it. Life was without meaning anymore. I was bored, tired, and ready to hide away from the world again. We had only been in the public eye for less than a year and I was ready to run. Not back to Alaska where I would have chance encounter with Tanya, but somewhere where no one could find me. The still thought of Tanya anywhere close to me made me shudder violently.
How someone as ancient as she be so demented in thought? She knew I could read minds, so she let her overly sexualized mind do the 'talking' for her. Every time I was around, her I saw the most pervasive things. Some of which, I wasn't sure could even be accomplished. I wasn't sure what her obsession with me was, but I tried to keep myself far from her.
Just as I was closing my piano for the day, I saw the vision from Alice's mind pop up in my own head. The whole Denali clan was coming this late this afternoon. Lucky for Ana and Henry, they would be gone all day. Their monthly and sometimes bi-monthly community work kept them busy. I'm not sure why they did it, but I think-from gleaning from their minds; it gave them a sense of purpose and my redemption?
Pardon my language, but fuck.
I sighed and closed my piano. As I was leaving the room, I ran into Carlisle who must have just talked to Alice. Edward, did you see?
I nodded at him. Using our long time way of communication. Everyone liked using it with me when they wanted to keep a conversation private.
We won't mention Alice's party. I have a feeling they would like to join us. How are you feeling?
"I'm….here." I replied vaguely. Carlisle nodded giving me a sad look. He was unhappy for me knowing that I was drifting through time.
Placing a hand on my shoulder, he left me to my thoughts. Being like this made conversations short. It was either too much of a nuisance or too painful to talk to me. The vampire version of depression.
Taking the stairs slowly, I passed the bedrooms of all my siblings until I came to my room on the third floor. In here the sun shined brightly. The light cascading into the room. Sunbeams bouncing off the rows of CD's on the shelf. Laying on my black leather couch, I sighed and closed my eyes wishing for sleep. Sleeping I could run from my problems-if only temporarily.
The sun was starting to set when I opened my eyes again. The hum of the thoughts of my family were everywhere but they were low. I refused to listen to them when I would hear my name. It meant they were talking about me and I wasn't going to listen to their worry. But today, there was excitement that the Denali's were coming. I'm sure Rose and Emmett had whisked Connor to a friends' house for the day. I wasn't sure how long they were going to stay this time.
Normally it was for a few days to a week but Connor had school and so did we. I wasn't sure how it was going to work since the Denali's still didn't know about Connor. I'm sure we could lie and say he was a close friend of mine or Jasper's but I highly doubt they would believe that. Things usually became tricky when you involved a human in your life.
Edward, I heard Carlisle's voice. They've arrived….
I groaned quietly, but sat up anyway. If I didn't show my face, I'm sure I would be mentally assaulted by Tanya. There wasn't any use of changing my clothes but I still heard Alice telling me too. Ignoring my little sister, I opened my door and cautiously walked down the stairs to the main living room. Before my feet hit the bottom step, I felt Tanya sending pervase images. I had to close my eyes and try to block her.
Stepping into the living room, I ignored the stares of my family but took a seat close by. I would say that everyone looked good, but vampires never change their appearance. Our clothes, our speech, yes. Our physical looks, never. Tanya's eyes were already on me and I fought to shudder. How has no one ever noticed her delusions was beyond me.
I noticed everyone was there but Ana and Henry. Carlisle didn't look pleased that his whole family wasn't here but I'm sure Ana told him that they weren't returning until after dark. It would be too risky to travel with the sun shining in Forks.
Ignoring Tayna, I casually watched her as she floated around the room talking to every male that wasn't preoccupied. I saw her shamelessly try to flirt with Emmett when Rose wasn't looking. It was subtle but Emmett would never notice it. She would eventually move onto Jasper and then when Henry showed up, she would try it with him.
She was bitter that she was still unmated. I think that's why she thought she and I would be a good match. Both of were unmated and though she was interested in me, I wasn't in her. I couldn't stand her personally. I put up with her because she was family. The sky darkened immensely and I wished I had hunted earlier when Rose and Emmett were out.
A car coming up the long drive pulled me away from hiding from Tanya. Ana and Henry had returned. They would have stayed in Port Angeles for nighttime Mass, but family had arrived so they came back early. The entire room stopped hearing them come up the drive and waited until the engine stopped.
Minutes later, the door opened revealing my sister and her husband. They stopped short of their conversation which had something to do with a bake sale for something. Great, means she'll be cooking in the house again. Their hands were clasped as they look a long look around the room. I could hear in their minds they were itching to get to work and escape from this 'social gathering'.
I shook my head at her when she found my eyes, letting her know that if I was to be here, she was too. Her eyes narrowed at me, but she said nothing. Like with Alice, I could communicate silently with her. Of course, Alice and I shared visions, not non-verbal communication.
Forcing a smile on their faces, they dropped their things off before returning to us. I occasionally had someone sitting with me to keep Tanya away. I could tell she was getting desperate to be by me, but her focus was already on Henry. Ana was talking quietly with Esme about the bake sale that their church was wanting to do. I wonder why neither Alice nor Jasper picked up on Tanya's mood.
The conversation floated around me and I made the small talk as best as I could. The evening turned into nighttime and I wished I could leave. I could make the excuse to go hunting. I needed to hunt before morning anyway. No one followed me while I made my escape to hunt.
When I came down for the next morning to go to school, I learned that the Denali's would be here for three days before heading back. They were in North Cascades National Park and though to stop by to say hello. Esme must have kept them distracted long enough for Connor to leave for school because their minds didn't speak of him. Only Eleazar and Carmen had an idea about him, but they didn't know that Rose and Emmett had adopted him all those years ago.
Rushing Alice and Jasper out the door, I heard in Henry's mind that he and Ana would be skipping today to catch up on work they missed out on last night. Lucky them, but then again, not so lucky. Arriving at school, Alice kept her eyes on me but said nothing. She was trying to read me but I wasn't letting her.
School went by slowly, almost too slowly for my taste. At lunch, we sat together, but another vision crept on Alice. I wasn't paying attention but her gasp let Jasper and I know something had happened. Or will happen.
"What did you see?" Jasper asked, leaning close to her.
"Oh, my...Nothing good." she breathed. "Ana caught Tanya trying to flirt with Henry."
If my face could pale further, it would. She grabbed her phone and text Esme to let us out of school early. Five minutes later, all three of us were called to the office to go home. I don't think I've drove so fast in my life. I broke all the human speeding law that Forks had to offer. Arriving at home a few minutes later, I barely turned off the engine before sprinting into the house. I didn't even see Carlisle's car in the driveway.
Pushing the door open, chaos ensued. Rose and Esme were holding an irate Annlisse back. I could see her fingers twitching madly from my spot at the door. Her own gifts were threatening to escape. Irina and Kate were holding a smug Tanya back and Carlisle stood between them. Trying to mediate. Alice and Jasper took their place beside Emmett and Henry who was trying to calm down his mate without much success since he was feeling her emotions. Jasper was hit with her roaring anger that spread through the house.
"What happened here?" Carlisle asked the obvious question.
The hissing and growling from Ana confirmed what Alice saw, but Tanya looked at her smugly like she had enjoyed what she was doing to Ana. My sister was irate. I think I've only seen her this angry maybe once. It was truly frightening.
"That...fucking cunt was putting the moves on Henry!" Ana roared. Carlisle looked at her shocked by her words, but said nothing yet. Esme was going to have her head for this.
"Pul-leaze...he was about to start enjoying himself when you walked in." Tanya taunted. This only fueled Ana's rage.
From what I gathered from Esme, Rose, and Emmett's mind, Ana had left to pick up supplies for her baking when she arrived home, she saw that Tanya had Henry pressed up against the downstairs wall and doing her best to seduce him. Henry, being the gentleman, told her to back off and reminded her that he was mated to Annlisse. We hardly used her full name anymore.
"Tanya," Henry spoke up, his eyes black as night, "I've told you repeatedly for years that I wasn't interested in you. I am happy with Annlisse. She is my mate."
"I can give you what you need Henry…" Tanya said flippantly.
"For years!" Esme exclaimed. The truth finally coming out.
"Apparently that hussy has been flirting with all the males in this house for years! The worst it's been is on Edward." Ana hissed.
"Edward knows there's something between us, don't you Edward?" Tanya gave me a seductive smile; I kept myself from shuddering.
"No, I don't Tanya." I said firmly gazing at her.
"But Edward?!" Tanya protested weakly.
"So you mean to tell me, that this whore has been flirting with Emmett for decades now?" Rose seethed, her own anger multiplying.
I nodded at Rose who tried launching herself at Tanya but was held back by Emmett who was struggling to keep Rose in his grip. Jasper placed a firm hand on Alice, who was itching to add her own mark on Tanya's body. She understood that if Tanya had been flirting with Emmett and Henry, then she was chasing Jasper. This didn't not thrill my pixie sister.
"Tanya," Carlisle said resigned, "I think it's time for you and your family to leave. You have tried to interfere with several matings and now you've been caught…."
"It's against the law…" Jasper growled.
"Yes, it is." Eleazer agreed, looking solemnly at Tanya and the scene unfolding. I could hear the deep shame from Eleazar and Carmen. Kate was shocked that her own sister had been doing this for decades knowing that Emmett and Jasper were mated, then to do it to Henry. Irina was furious that we would be so callous to her sister. She truly believed that what Tanya had done was harmless. She was foolish to believe that Tanya was innocent.
Tanya glared angrily at us, hoping that we would change our minds about her leaving, but she met the hard gaze of seven pairs of golden eyes and two sets of black eyes. Realizing that no one was going to help her, not even her own family; she rushed from the house, slamming the door and shattering the large wall window.
Esme growled loudly as she watched her window shattered before her. I could tell she wanted to tear Tanya's hair out for that. Even Emmett, who was always breaking something, never did this. He let out a low whistle and shook his head thanking God that it wasn't him who was in trouble. The rest of the family watched in amazement and horror as Irina fled as well. Kate, much more dignified, walked out of the house with a whispered "I'm sorry…"
Eleazar and Carmen stood there, their faces saddened by the news. "Carlisle, I truly apologize for Tanya's behavior. We did not know how deep her mind ran. We did not know she was flirting with mated males." Carmen, who was silent, just nodded her head in agreement.
"I would say it's nothing, Eleazar, but this is against Ana. Tanya was after her mate today." Carlisle said sadly.
Eleazar turned to my sister, his own golden eyes watching her with remorse, "Annlisse, I am truly sorry for this."
"Please, Eleazar, don't apologize for Tanya. Sh-she knew what she was doing…" my sister said brokenly. Her words pierced the room and Henry loosened his grip on her, moaning in quiet agony. He was feeling her emotions through their bond and he was desperately trying to hide them from Jasper, who would unintentionally broadcast them.
Excusing herself, my sister left the room and walked down the hallway to a hidden doorway that led down to the basement where the lab and the workshop was. She would stay down their, hiding away, until she was ready to see everyone again. Another one of those things that she repressed from us. I took a glance at Henry and his face was in agony. Esme wrapped an arm around him and tried to give him a reassuring smile. Even Rose, who was never known for her comfort, squeezed his arm.
What did my sister and mother know?
I was so wrapped in watching the scene unfold that I didn't realize that Eleazar and Carmen had left. They would be returning back to Denali for who knows how long. No one had an issue with them, just Tanya. I was even appalled at Irina's actions. No one understood them better than I because I could read her mind.
The room had begun to empty when I finally came back to my own mind. Shrugging, I walked up the stairs to my room. Carlisle was in his office, Alice was in her room and Emmett was outside throwing a football with his son. Jasper and Henry had disappeared outside. But where was Rose and Esme? Clearing my mind, I could faintly hear them in the basement talking with Ana. When we moved back, Esme had soundproofed the ceiling of the basement. It kept the noise from upstairs to a minimal so Ana and Henry could work.
Turning on the music, I let the classical sounds of dead composers float through my room. Maybe it would help drown out what happened earlier. I knew that Tanya's actions would finally be caught but I had a sinking feeling that it wasn't over. She was thrilled for the hunt of the seduction. It ignited something in her.
Edward… I heard my father's voice in my head. Can you come to my office?
Getting up, I walked out of my room and down the stairs to Carlisle's office. Opening the door, he ushered me in. Taking a seat after closing the door, he gave me a resigned smile. Is what Ana said about Tanya, true?
"It is. She's been flirting with all the males in the family; myself included. It wouldn't have been so bad, but the images she sends me…" I trailed off knowing he would understand my meaning.
How have we missed this?
"She's quite subtle. Only doing it when the girls are distracted and one of the guys are alone. I don't know what she says to them; quite frankly I don't want to know."
He sighed heavily and shook his head. He truly thought the best of Tanya and the Denali Clan. We had been friends with them for years and he never thought any of them could stoop so low to try and come between a mated pair. What about Irina and Kate? What do they think of this?
"Irina believes that what Tanya has done is harmless. It's in their 'nature'. She wasn't happy that we were so callous toward Tanya. Kate was furious that her sister would do this. It's different to tempt married human man, but a mated vampire-it's inexcusable."
It might be a long time before Tanya is welcomed back here. I don't think she has an issue with Eleazar or Carmen. Maybe not even Kate. his voice was indescribably sad.
"I know. I always enjoyed Eleazar's company as do you and I know Esme loves having Carmen around."
He sighed again and forced himself to think of other things. We sat in his office for several hours talking before Esme, who kept her mind shut off from me, knocked on the door and playful demanded her mate back. I was all too happy to acquiesce to my mother. I wanted to ask her what she knew about Ana's past, but I had a feeling I wouldn't get anything from her.
The next few weeks passed quietly-well almost quietly. Alice still saw a vision of her party and Ana threw herself into it trying to help where she could. She did wind up baking in the house that ran most of us out that day. She grumbled the whole time about us leaving her. Only Esme, stayed close and helped out. Rose, even helped ice a cake. Since the day that Tanya had shown her true colors, Rose and Esme had stayed close to my sister. Henry stayed even closer. Whatever had been said, triggered something and they were all determined to help her move past it.
The night of the party was upon us and Alice, the mini party dictator was ordering everyone around and I wished the night was already over. Finally, the decorations were to her liking and the haunted woods were finalized. Escaping back to my room, with strict instructions to dress appropriately, I sat down on my couch and looked out the window. Emmett had truly outdone himself. He had hired men to come help scare the humans and the entire area was a scarefest.
Throwing on my baseball jersey, I figured this was 'appropriate' enough for someone who didn't want to have this insane party. Leaving my room, I came down the stairs meeting with the other guys. Carlisle was working that night but he went as a 'doctor' as a joke. Esme was dressed from her own time.
Emmett was truly frightening. Fake blood and deep gashes covered his body. Alice and Rose must have worked on him for ages. Jasper, ironically, dressed as a Confederate soldier and Henry, a mobster?
The girls descended the stairs and I shook my head at how they were all coordinated. Rose, with the exception. I had a feeling that she wouldn't dare have her own features 'scarred' for a night of horror. She was doing something interesting. She looked like a scantily clad biker. Emmett growled pulling her close to him and kissing her soundly on the mouth.
Alice was a miniature female version of Jasper's costume. It was perfect for her. It was a deep burgundy color that showed a bit of skin on her arms and neck. From what I could tell, it looked to be close to authentic. No one but Ana would have that dress in her closet.
Ana came down the stairs last, she was also dressed in burgundy. It was a flapper style dress that was probably altered for a slight modern look. Much the same to Alice's dress. A favorite deep color of Henry's. He growled and pulled her close to him, much like Emmett, and soundly kissed her. This dress, like Alice's, looked authentic. This was one of those times, I truly felt left out.
Carlisle left soon after and the party commenced. The cars slowly pulled up to the house and an assortment of party-goers arrived. Alice turned on the music and Emmett disappeared with the crew that had arrived earlier. I couldn't leave, but I could stay out of the way. So I did. I watched the party go on and could hear the screams of the humans who passed through our 'haunted woods' the house was jammed pack with people who had never seen the house.
My family understood why I kept to myself and didn't push me to join them. I mostly stayed outside and had my fill of laughter from the screaming humans. Emmett's mind was hilarious to listen too and it kept me entertained. Soon, the party begun to wind down and everyone started leaving. Esme demanded that the house be cleaned before we all scattered. Everyone nodded reluctantly but we hurried, with vampire speed, and it was back in order in no time.
Retreating to my room, I ignored the sounds coming from my siblings rooms. Connor was spending the night with a friend so Emmett and Rose had their cottage to themselves tonight. Thank God for small favors. They were the worst out of everyone. Putting headphones over my ears, I drowned them out for a few hours.
School wasn't till Monday and we spent a long weekend hunting. Or at least, everyone but Ana and Henry. They were dedicated to going to church every Sunday. Carlisle, being raised Protestant, approved of their going, but had a few 'objections'-which he never voiced. Ana and Henry were raised Catholic and the Protestants had issues with Catholics for decades, if not centuries.
The school week rolled around once more and the party was the talk of the school for nearly two weeks after. Most people asked if we were going to throw another party. I hoped not, but Alice said that the future always changed. Thanksgiving came and went and it was one of those times we hardly saw Ana and Henry. Even Rose and Esme joined in this year for charity work. Sometimes, the vampires in this house worried me. So involved into playing human, they were dedicated to helping. I was quite good at playing human, but only for appearances sake.
Christmas was coming and you could tell by the mounting excitement that was coming from Alice. She was all over the place. This was her favorite holiday. Besides her human birthday. She began decorating the house as soon as December started. Christmas music played almost non-stop. Either classical or traditional Christmas music. The shopping was enough to make a vampire hide away in a cave until it was over, but I did my best to buy things without Alice seeing. The only one that she didn't peek with was Ana. Of course, Ana had threatened to send Alice's gift to donations if she peeked.
It was enough to keep the min hyperactive elf sized dictator in line. This made Jasper and Emmett hysterical that someone could make Alice listen.
The morning of Christmas came quickly. When I came downstairs, I was greeted with a huge pile of presents. Looks like my family out did themselves this year. I shook my head in amazement. Taking a seat at my piano, I begin to play Christmas tunes that Alice instructed me to play for a while before we opened gifts. The soft sounds of the notes floated through the house and we could hear Ana singing quietly in the original translations. She was truly a weird vampire sometimes.
Once the mini dictator arranged the gifts to everyone, we opened our gifts and each thanked one another for them. My pile was my normal stuff, with a few interesting things thrown in. Like this year, I recieved an old recording of my favorite song as a human. It touched me that someone would give me such a sentimental gift. The only gift I didn't receive was from Ana.
She must be waiting for everyone to finish before it was her turn. She had something big to give everyone but she kept blocking me out. In her lap was a large mahogany box that held something dear to her.
"Annlisse Cullen Brendon! Where is your gift?" Alice glowered at her sister, but Ana smiled at her serenely.
Opening the box, after a few intensive stares, she pulled two small boxes out. Getting a closer look it was filled with small boxes and two long boxes. I looked at her but said nothing. Holding the boxes in her hands, she handed them to Henry who gave them to Carlisle and Esme. "Please don't open until I give out all the gifts.." she said, taking the next two out. Henry handed them to Rose and Emmett, who stared at them curiously.
She continued this for Jasper and Alice, then myself and Henry. I looked at my box. It was small and had my full initials on it. But she wasn't done. Handing me one of the long boxes and one to Jasper, she closed the bo.
"YOu can open them now." she said. Eagerly, everyone opened their boxes and gasps filled the room.
"What are these, Ana?" Carlisle asked, confused.
Ana raised her hand and showed her ring off. It was the same ring that she wore to protect her from the sun's rays. The ones that kept us locked inside the house when the sun shined. Lest we be noticed by humans.
"When did these come in?" Esme asked. "I never saw a box being sent here."
"I picked it up at a UPS store in Seattle." Ana said sheepishly. "I didn't need prying eyes."
It was silver ring, with a blue stone in the center. It wasn't over huge but you could feel its impact on you even before you put it on your finger. There wasn't anything fancy to it. The only difference to it was that the girls rings were much more feminine. Slipping mine on, I felt a surge of power rush over me. An invisible curtain draped itself over my body. I looked at everyone and apparently the felt the same thing. I knew this would work since it's been working for Ana for decades.
"What's in the other boxes?" Alice asked curiously.
I had forgotten that Jasper and I received an extra gift. Opening it, it was a necklace with an red orange stone attached to it. I picked it up to examine it. I wasn't sure what it was and I never noticed that I couldn't hear everyone's thoughts. Jasper, doing the same, examined his. His was the same chain with a turquoise and black stone entwined.
"Edward, the stone that you have is called the carnelian. It's to help you block the thoughts of others. It's why you can't hear us right now. No one is blocking you." She explained simply to me. Turning to Jasper, "Jasper, yours is a mix of the amazonite-which helps balance emotions and hematite-which helps to align, balance, ground, and to reduce energy overload. You won't completely block everyone but it will help you."
This was a relief. Slipping the necklace on, I couldn't hear anyone but taking it off, I could hear my family's thoughts buzzing in my head. Giving her a smile, I finally felt some relief. Watching Jasper, I saw he felt relief for the first time since he was changed.
"Why now?" Rose asked, playing with her ring.
"Remember how I said these gifts take years and a ridiculous amount of money?" she said. Everyone nodded at her. "Well I put in the order for everyone when Jasper and Alice came to us in the fifties. I ordered Henry's after we mated."
"You mean, that every ring took almost sixty years?" Carlisle asked, astonished.
"The star sapphire can only be found in Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar etc. You have to dig for these and they are very hard to find. They are ridiculously pricey. One carat is priced at over $200. The bigger, the more money you pay. The Carnelian is found in India, Brazil etc. Hematite is found in Brazil, England, Italy. And the Amazonite, strangely enough, is found in Colorado. But remember, people have to dig for these gemstones." she explained to us. Suddenly, I felt like I was in school, but this was much more interesting.
"So that means, we can do the normal human stuff without the sun reflecting off us?" Emmett asked.
"Yep. Have fun playing around…" she said setting the box down. I remember her talking about them a long time ago. How Carlisle noticed it when they first met. She barely explained it to him then but now she was freely giving us all one and telling us what they do. Like Rose asked, why now, but I had a feeling there was more to it than just making the rings and digging for stones.
You're right, Edward. The stones are imbued with magic. It's something I would NEVER tell Henry. His aversion to all magicks is reflected on our religion. That's why it takes so long. Each ring has to be specially made, then imbued with magic that only a shaman can do. I've had my ring since the late 18th century and the cost of it was far cheaper. I don't know how they make them, I never asked, so please don't make a mention of it to Henry. I heard her explain in my mind.
That's why. Magic. If we existed, why not magic? I know this isn't a Harry Potter kind of magic but something different. My curious mind almost wanted to explore this kind of magic to see what was used, but her tone pushed me away from it. Only I would know anything about the rings.
We spent the rest of Christmas break actually spending time with each other. Surprisingly, no one was leaving. No trips to a major city to ring in the New Year. When I asked, they claimed they wished to stay here and hunt. Emmett was the one that rounded a hunting trip for a couple of days while Connor was spending the night with a friend. We would be in Mount Rainier for a couple of days.
Once we reached it, I took a breath letting all the scents of the forest surround me. Here, in the woods, I felt peace. It was similar to playing my piano. I could lose myself and if I was alone, I could truly be at peace. The gifts that Ana gave us worked wonders. We were finally able to move about the world without being noticed. Like Jasper, I wore my amulet as often as possible. But only when I was in public or in less than a week, at school.
I was curious how it would hold up in a building full of teenagers. Would I be able to block all of them or just specific groups at a time. I tried to ask, but Ana didn't have the information I needed. She said that I would have to test that out. Just as Jasper would have too. My once stringent brother seemed much more relaxed around us. He didn't have to fight the almost constant bloodlust that came from each member of the family.
Of course, Alice and Rose would take full advantage of shopping in the daytime when the sun was shining. Alice already had major plans to go to LA during the summer months. You could imagine the trips that Emmett was planning for the summer. He had a wild idea that we all could go to Venice Beach, but everyone vetoed the idea. Vampires with pale skin surrounded by humans. The rings worked fine keeping us from being noticed in sunlight, it wasn't a hunger suppressor.
Scanning the woods, I watched as my family disappeared in twos. Esme and Carlisle wanted to stay behind for me, but I pushed them away. I would be hunting mountain lion today. We had heard Emmett whine all the way here that all bears were in hibernation. Knowing him, he would try to wake one up, just to fight it before killing it.
It was a two day trip. I suppose you could call it our late Christmas dinner. I shook my head hearing the cheers of Emmett finding a bear in hibernation. Sprinting, I bypassed them and ran for several miles before I finally picked up the scent of mountain lion. Tracking it for another mile, I was finally able to corner it. In one felled swoop, I had it pinned beneath me. Biting down, the warm blood rushed down my throat instantly soothing the everlasting burn. It wouldn't take it away but it was enough.
Dropping the animal, I sensed another one nearby. Tracking it, I left him just like the one before. I already felt better. Carnivore always tasted better than herbivore to me. Maybe it's a preference like humans deciding what drink they preferred. Collapsing into a sitting position, I closed my eyes and just let myself be. No one was around. My depressive mood lately was taking a toil on me and I knew my family was suffering for it. I tried hiding it as best as I could.
My phone buzzed a few minutes later, breaking my silence. It was Alice telling me that everyone was gathering back up. Closing my phone, I stood up, brushed my pants off and raced back toward my family who were waiting for me. We stayed there another day before heading back to Forks. School was starting on Monday and I wanted to be full fed to ready to avoid my classmates. I was eager, for once, to try the amulet out to see if it worked like I wished it would.
The week rolled by and I discovered that the amulet worked just fine. I didn't completely tune everyone out but it left a buzz in my mind. Like a white noise that I could learn to ignore. The relief was evident in me. Jasper was having similar results. Though, Alice promised that things would be fine for us.
After the events with Tanya, who we haven't heard from since, I was hoping things would finally become uneventful. We still skipped school on the sunny days, just to keep up pretense. Those days were nice to escape the monotony of school life. Music was finally coming back to me. In pieces. Very small pieces. I was able to finish one of the compositions that I was working on last year.
Eleazar had called Carlisle once since October and from what I overheard, Tanya wasn't speaking to any of them. He was worried about her, but wouldn't say much more. Apparently, she was still thinking that there was something between us. I shuddered to think of what she was thinking and how her reaction would be when I couldn't read her mind anymore.
It was two weeks after the new term started and I had, for the first time in a long time, lost track of time. I had been inside my mind composing something new and actually writing it down. Perfect vampire memory and all, and I still wrote them down. Glancing at the clock, I realized I had twenty minutes to be at school. I wonder why my siblings never called my attention. Rushing upstairs, I stripped down and pulled the amulet off. Laying it down on the sink, I climbed in the shower and was done in minutes.
In my closet, I grabbed the first thing my hands touched and threw them on. There were times I was grateful for vampire speed. I could get around a lot faster than humans and save time. Other times, being what I am was a burden. A burden, that to this day, I still didn't want. Like Rose, I detested this half-life. I felt incomplete.
Halfway to the high school, I laughed realizing I was rushing to school. I had been in numerous high schools in my ninety years. Instinct told me to skip, but I was determined to keep the facade going. It was for Carlisle and Esme. Not myself. There were times, I did things for others and not for myself. Maybe I needed another trip. I had my home in Chicago that I could stay at. The hunting was horrible in the cities but it would do. Just thinking about it, brought warmth to me. I had my childhood home back in my possession.
Parking, I stepped out my Volvo and growled when the onslaught of human minds hit me all at once. Damn it, in my hurry, I had forgotten my amulet. I turned and glanced at my car, it was too late to rush back to the house and grab it. I would have to endure today. I couldn't even skip out if I wanted. Unless I called Esme and had her call me out.
Having my mind protected for almost a month now, the sounds of humans in my head was overwhelming. I was spoiled, I knew it, but it helped my own peace of mind. Walking into the school, I sensed Alice and Jasper close by. Finding them a few minutes later, I narrowed my eyes and jerked on Alice's arm. Jasper growled in warning, I instantly let go.
"You could have told me that you guys were leaving.." I seethed, closing my eyes.
"We tried. Several times, but Alice said that you wouldn't hear us." Jasper defended them.
"It's true. You were so far gone that even Emmett could get your attention." Alice added, looking at me curiously. I winced hearing someone shout in their head. "What's wrong?"
"I forgot my amulet this morning. In my hurry, I left it on the sink of my bathroom. Now I can hear everyone again. It's enough to give me a headache."
"We don't get headaches…" Jasper said confused.
"Yea, well, I might be the first one to do so." I snapped. "Who's this new girl everyone is talking about?"
"Don't know. This means that everyone will finally stop staring at us for a while. Or at least until the new kid smell has left." Jasper replied ignoring my attitude. Alice didn't look at me. I knew she was hiding something from me because she was translating the Bill of Rights in Chinese.
The bell rang loudly and I sighed. "I'll see you two later…" I turned and left for my first class. Slipping in, I took my seat and closed my eyes. I had the urge to lay my head down on the desk, but that would cause questions. I didn't want to draw more attention to myself.
Class rolled by slowly. The only time I had a tiny bit of peace was when the teacher was talking and most students paid attention, taking notes instead of thinking. There were a few that kept their minds busy. Most was about the new girl that had arrived this morning. It's all the boys talked about. I briefly saw her in Mike Newton's mind but it wasn't enough to give me a full picture. The next two classes were the same. Semi quiet except for a few wandering minds.
Meeting my siblings in the cafeteria, I nodded toward Henry and Ana who were discussing a plot for his book. Alice and Jasper were cozying to each other. Alice was still avoiding me, but occasionally I caught her eyeing Ana who returned her gaze and nodded. Something was going on.
I could hear the thoughts around me and none were so loud as Mike Newton. The insipid asinine boy that couldn't get a girlfriend to save his life. He thought he had charm and smooth moves. I laughed to myself. If only he really knew how to get a girl's attention. Just then, I heard my sibling's name. Then mine.
Looking around the cafeteria, I spotted Jessica Stanley sitting with the new girl. When she brushed her hair from her face, her scent plowed me over like a freight train. It was….mouthwatering. Gripping the table tightly, I strained against standing up, walking over to her and seducing her away from the room. Then having my way with her throat. My body was taut and I refused to look at my siblings who had stopped talking to each other.
"Edward, don't get up.."
"Don't breathe, please."
"You know you got this. You're in control, you know you are."
"Think of something else, I know she's tempting, but it's not worth it."
The encouraging words of my siblings helped only slightly. Gripping my hair, I tugged viciously on the strands hoping the pain would distract me. I heard them talking again. About my family and how the 'children' dated one another, but myself. Jessica Stanley's mind was bitter that I had turned her down.
The bell rang and I was out of the cafeteria in minutes. As fast as I was allowing myself to go without calling attention to myself. I wanted out of for the day. It didn't help that I hadn't hunted much since our return from Mount Rainier. I was heading to biology where I would be safe from the temptation..
My luck is about as tragic as a flower dying in the sunlight.
Sitting in my seat, alone, I was waiting for class to start when she walked in. Catching her scent again, I gripped the table before me tightly. I held my breath. I did everything I could to not leap over my desk and whisk her out of here. Just as my luck would have it, she was to sit beside me. The teacher thought I would be best to have her caught up for the few weeks she had missed. No chance in hell.
I tried to ignore her, but she would occasionally glance my way. Play with her hair then hide her face from me. I knew she was beautiful. The dark locks with auburn highlights, the brown doe eyes that any man could fall into and stare for days. Forgetting everything in life just to waste away.
My control was amazing. It had to be. Almost a century old, I had to be in control, but having her sit beside me was testing that. Is this what it's like to want to give into temptation? Real temptation. Nothing like chasing down the vile creatures of the earth and killing them. I wanted out of this room. I wanted to be as far away from her as possible. I ignored the constant buzzing of my phone knowing that it was Alice or Ana trying to give me the encouragement they thought I needed.
The bell finally rang and I swiftly stood up to leave the room. Hell had come to my life and it was in the form of Isabella Swan.
