A/N: Hello again everyone! So sorry (not actually sorry) about the cliffhanger. It was a ton of fun to write. Thank you once again for reading, following, and reviewing. I will say it every time because you guys are absolutely amazing! I always look forward to new reviews so I can see how you guys are reacting to the story and it's so incredibly wonderful to see how much you guys enjoy reading it. You're all awesome. Go have a good day guys, treat yourselves to something nice.

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Everything hurt. It hurt so much that Asteria did her best to go back to the dreamless dark she had been in. At least there she couldn't feel anything. Unfortunately she was aware of someone poking around her, pressing a finger to her pulse, shining a light in each eye. It was ridiculously annoying. Couldn't they tell she was in pain?

Whoever it was stopped, and it allowed Asteria to fall back into a deeper sleep. This time, however, she dreamed.

Humid July air. Plastic cups scattered across the ground. The bass thumping in the background as bodies swayed with it. Asteria knew what was happening by now; she looked towards the woods in search of Brigid, but couldn't find her. A voice yelled in the background to hop the fence.

A hand suddenly gripped her wrist. She tried to pull away, but it was so strong this time. Ryan was smiling and saying something she couldn't hear. They hopped the fence together and went behind the shed. There were more words, she saw his mouth moving. No sound came out. A scream filled the night air-

"Asteria, Asteria," a pair of cold hands gently gripped her shoulders. Her heart pounded in her chest as she realized she was the one that had screamed.

"You're alright now," Dr. Cullen said. "Just focus on breathing, that's it."

"There was a fire," she said shakily.

"Yes, Jasper and Alice were able to put it out without anyone noticing. It's alright now," Dr. Cullen replied calmly. It took her a second to realize they were discussing two different events. Memories of the second fire flooded into her mind. Her losing control, Alice begging her to listen, the Cullens were vampires…

Asteria jumped back from Dr. Cullen as the shock ran through her. "What happened, what am I doing here?"

"You passed out, I'm afraid. Using your gift took a lot out of you," Dr. Cullen said calmly. "Jasper and Alice handled the fire and then brought you here."

"I don't understand, you're…," Asteria trailed off.

"Vampires, it's alright," Dr. Cullen finished for her kindly. She could see just a bit of tension at the corner of his eyes, though. "Our family has a different way of surviving. We hunt animals instead."

"Vampires," Asteria said while rubbing her forehead. Her body still ached all over, but nothing hurt more than the migraine she could feel growing. Dr. Cullen handed her some aspirin that she took immediately with a glass of water.

"I'm sorry that it's a lot to take in," Dr. Cullen said.

"But why, if you don't harm humans, has your family been so interested in me," Asteria asked awkwardly. It was a weird question, and badly phrased, but she wanted to know.

Dr. Cullen sighed. "That was more of Alice's doing. Some vampires have a special ability. Alice, for instance, is able to see the future. Jasper and Edward have similar talents as well." The doctor paused for some reason and stared off at the wall for a second before shaking his head and sighing again.

Alice entered the room looking slightly remorseful. "When we first met you, I couldn't see you properly at all. If I focused hard enough I could get a blurry image, but nothing more. I wanted to know why, and it's because you have a gift as well. Although, I've never seen two unrelated gifts together."

Asteria looked at her confused. "What do you mean, 'two unrelated gifts'?"

"You've been able to block our gifts, as well as create fire. It's highly unlikely for a human to have any latent power at all; most vampires only receive them after they've been turned, and now you have several strong enough," Alice said.

Asteria gave her a look. "You don't know what I am, do you?"

"What do you mean," Dr. Cullen asked.

Asteria took a deep breath. "I'm a witch."

"That's not possible," Dr. Cullen said. "There hasn't been an actual witch in centuries, if not millennia, and that's only if you give credit to old accounts of them-,"

Asteria took a deep breath before taking off her necklace. She had guessed while he was talking that the protection spell on her pendant was what kept them from being able to use their gifts on her. Setting it on the end table next to her, she heard Alice gasp loudly.

"I can see you so much clearer," Alice exclaimed. "But how is that possible?"

Surprisingly enough, Edward made an appearance into the room. He had always avoided Asteria like the plague, and she had never liked him enough to miss his moody presence. He was like if Holden Caulfield grew up and labeled himself an "intellectual" at dinner parties.

He snorted. "Hardly. That was never one of my favorite books," he said while looking at her.

She narrowed her eyes at him. He can't know what I'm thinking?

Edward nodded to her. "I can, actually."

Wordlessly Asteria grabbed her necklace off the end table and secured it back in place. "My statement stands."

"The necklace has some sort of power to it that shields her from our talents," Edward clarified for Dr. Cullen, and the rest of the Cullens that had grouped around. He glanced back at Asteria. "At least, for the most part; it's like it provides some sort of interference. Every now and then one of us can get past it, but not for long. It was driving me mad. How did you get it?"

"It's enchanted," Asteria sighed. "An old family heirloom."

"You come from a family of witches," Dr. Cullen asked.

"A very long line, yes," Asteria replied. She didn't like the amount of interest they were showing in the topic.

"I'm sure we have a lot to talk about, but maybe you should have some breakfast first," Esme said.

"Breakfast? What time is it," Asteria asked.

"It's a little after seven in the morning," Dr. Cullen responded.

"Oh hell," Asteria said. "Charlie-,"

"Never even knew you were gone. He left for the station an hour ago. We made it look like you were in bed sleeping still," Alice said.

"Thank you," Asteria said while wondering just what they did to accomplish that.

She took a quick shower before changing into some clothes Alice left sitting out for her. At least she didn't look quite like death, although if death looked like the Cullens she might wish she did. Asteria went down the stairs hesitantly; she had never had a one night stand, but imagined the 'morning after' feeling was similar.

Esme was in the kitchen already plating up a huge stack of pancakes. Carlisle was leaning against the kitchen counter deep in thought. The others were nowhere to be seen. That suited Asteria just fine; she wasn't looking for an audience.

"Thank you, Esme. It looks delicious," Asteria said while sitting down on a stool.

"It's 'Esme' again, is it," Esme asked her.

There was an awkward pause. "Sorry," Asteria said without making eye contact. "It, uh-,"

"You can relax," Carlisle said with a chuckle. "I believe my dear wife is teasing you."

Asteria let out a breathy laugh. "I suppose I deserve that," she said while looking up at Esme's grin.

"I'm very glad you're back, dear," Esme said.

"It's nice to be back," Asteria said. She hadn't given it much thought before she said the words and the truth of the statement caught her off guard. Maybe it was just finally being able to get her secret out in the open.

Breakfast was a mostly silent affair but Esme and Carlisle were at least good company. Carlisle kept to himself scribbling notes in a small journal while Esme hummed to herself and took her time cleaning up the dishes. Asteria guessed she wasn't used to having them out much.

Once Asteria had eaten, Carlisle suggested they go into the living room to discuss things. It was only mildly disconcerting to see everyone else already waiting like they were expecting them. She noticed a little bit of tension, but couldn't pinpoint exactly what the source was.

"I'm sure we have plenty to talk about, but it would be easier to find a place to start," Carlisle said with a weary sigh. His gaze flicked to Edward who nodded at something unspoken.

"Would it be more or less awkward to start with the tension in the room," Asteria asked. She figured it was better to point it out and get it over with.

"There are concerns, you understand," Carlisle started out apologetically. "Our kind have rules in place to protect us. A human learning our secret is a security risk."

"Not to mention it puts the family in a tough position," Rosalie said. It wasn't quite said with malice, but she definitely didn't look happy. Asteria's eyebrow rose before she turned back to Carlisle.

"There is a coven of vampires, considered our government or royalty, and they enforce our law. If they were to discover you know our secret it would endanger both our family and yourself," Carlisle explained uneasily.

"That argument is nonexistent," Alice shot back. "Asteria is a witch. Her secret is just as great as ours. I see no reason for that to be an issue."

"That might cause a whole different set of issues with the Volturi though," Edward responded. "Aro has always taken a special interest in the unique."

"They won't find out," Alice stated confidently.

"You'd better hope they don't," Rosalie said. "You're the one that put her in danger in the first place. We told you it wasn't a good idea, but you never listen to anyone."

"Enough," Esme said while giving them each a firm look.

"It's alright, I understand," Asteria said. "My family has an unhappy history dealing with vampires. I imagine I'd be in danger no matter what."

"You've known about vampires this whole time," Alice asked with her brows furrowed.

"Not exactly," Asteria responded. "My family has a journal they've passed down for generations. I started reading it recently and read an entry about vampires."

"So that's how you found out," Jasper nodded along.

"Yes, although being spied on from the treetops definitely added to it," Asteria said dryly.

"I told you she saw you," Rosalie glared at Alice.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Alice said. "I was just worried, and it's so frustrating not being able to see your future clearly. It's like spotty reception on a TV. I was just checking that you were safe. It's a really bad idea to be wandering around at night like that."

"Yeah, there might be monsters in the shadows," Emmett joked. "Luckily it's just been Alice, nothing terrifying."

Asteria rolled her eyes. "At least Alice was able to lurk in the shadows. I'd be surprised if you were able to sneak up on anyone." Jasper snickered while Alice stuck her tongue out at Emmett.

"Getting back to the point," Carlisle said while casting a look around at his side tracked family. "What's done is done. Asteria knows now, and we can all agree it's in everyone's best interest to keep it to ourselves."

There were several nods and a chorus of responses in agreement before it was like ice melting in the room. The serious air of the conversation was over.

"So, do you ride around on a broom," Emmett asked with fake seriousness.

Asteria had half a mind to tell him the origin of that particular rumor but decided against it at the last second to save herself some embarrassment. "You know, I used to but it was awful for my hair. Same with the conical hat."

"What exactly can you do," Edward asked.

"Magic is essentially energy with intent. Once you're able to manipulate the energy it's not hard to influence it one way or another," Asteria responded vaguely. She wasn't used to discussing magical matters and it made her hesitant.

"What do you mean by that," Alice asked.

"Things like spells, for example. Meaning is assigned to specific herbs, or colors or stones, and you can use that to focus and drive the intent of a spell," Asteria said.

"So you cast actual spells," Jasper asked. It was the most he had ever seemed interested in conversation with her, but she supposed everyone was listening intently. This was probably the most entertainment they had had in years.

"Sometimes. I don't do it very often," Asteria replied.

"Why not," Esme asked.

"I haven't been practicing for very long. In fact I'm not even sure I really want to," Asteria said. She could already feel the next question coming on and beat them to it. "I've known I was a witch for a couple of years now but didn't act on it. They say ignoring your power can sometimes make it fizzle out, and that's what I had preferred to do. Of course, sometimes it can make it harder to control too."

"You're having a hard time controlling it now," Carlisle guessed accurately.

"I was doing okay for a long time," Asteria defended herself. "It started acting up lately."

"We could help you practice it," Alice suggested excitedly. "I've learned to control my gift, and Jasper and Edward as well."

"I'm not sure about that," Asteria said. "Exactly how much experience do you have casting spells?"

"Well maybe not with that, but you've controlled objects before; you made Madison's drink explode. And you started that fire-,"

"No," Asteria cut her off more forcefully than she meant to. She noticed Jasper give her a startled look and reined it in a bit. "That's not something I'd like to repeat."

"But why," Alice argued. "It's -,"

"Alice," Jasper cut her off while shaking his head. He wrapped an arm around her.

"If there's any way we can help, we of course will," Esme said kindly while trying not to overstep.

"Thank you," Asteria said. "It's really not much, I've just been reading and studying."

"Your family's journal, you said earlier," Carlisle asked. "Would that be your book of shadows?"

"Someone knows a thing or two," Asteria commented.

"I've read some of the lore," Carlisle said. "Of course, there's so much misinformation. Astrology, palm reading…I'm sure there's plenty I've read that's false."

"Oh no, palm reading is accurate," Asteria said.

Emmett laughed. "You're joking. There's no way you can read my future from my palm."

"You don't look at someone's 'heart line' and tell them their love life," Asteria said while rolling her eyes. "That's a bunch of nonsense. Palmistry isn't about predicting the future, it's about finding a person's character. The lines aren't really important; it's the runes they make that matter."

"Read my palm," Emmett said as he stuck his hand out lightning fast in front of her. The action startled Asteria; she wasn't used to vampire speed quite yet. Esme scolded him but Asteria was quick to laugh it off. It was hard to be upset when Emmett acted like a toddler.

"I don't know all the runes off the top of my head. It's just something I've seen in passing in the book. Maybe one day I'll bring it over and be able to," Asteria said. Carlisle wouldn't admit it, but she had a feeling he was hoping to take a look at it.

Asteria was very protective of her book of shadows. It was an important secret, and more importantly it was a direct line to her family. If anything ever happened to it there would be a murder. Not a gentle murder either; someone's skull was going to be used as a decorative vase. She was not keen on taking the book anywhere unprotected.

"You mentioned casting a spell or two," Esme said. "What sort of spell?"

"Just little spells here or there. General things like protection or luck," Asteria responded. "It was really just to experiment."

"Do you think they worked," Carlisle asked.

Asteria thought back to the protection spell she had made with the candle and realized with a start that she hadn't had any nightmares while the candle burned. "I suppose they did, at least the protection one did anyway."

"Really? How could you tell," Esme asked.

"Uh," Asteria stalled. She really didn't want to get into her sleeping issues with them. "I can't really explain how, it was just a feeling."

Their chat continued on until almost noon when Esme asked if Asteria wanted some lunch. Belatedly, Asteria realized she really needed to get home before Charlie found out she hadn't slept there for the night.

"I'll take you home, if that's alright with you," Alice asked her a little sheepishly.

"Yeah," Asteria replied awkwardly. "Fine by me."

The car ride was mostly silent right up until they left the Cullens' long, winding driveway. It was so awkward that Asteria had to play with the car stereo to distract from the thick tension in the car. She finally found a station playing "Perfect Places" by Lorde before the tires hit solid road and Alice broke their stalemate.

"I want to apologize," Alice started out. "I know there's a lot to apologize for, but I wanted to start with the way I've been treating you. Please let me explain?"

Asteria was quiet for a moment. So long, in fact, that Alice had to glance over at her. "Okay," she finally replied.

"It's just, ever since you started school here, I felt this weird feeling we were going to be friends, like we were connected," Alice started. "It wasn't like a premonition, I just saw you and it felt familiar. Like it was going to be natural. Then I saw how much you were struggling with things and how much you drink and I just wanted to step in. It's so dangerous, and I know it's how you've been coping but it's really dangerous. I just wanted to help. I realize now that I've overstepped greatly. I'm sorry that I've handled this so poorly and made you upset."

Asteria nodded while looking out the window and trying to find some words of her own. "I guess I should apologize as well. I really suck at these things, so please bear with me," she said. "I know that the things I do are bad for me. I went through so much so fast, and it felt like there was no one that could understand so I just bottled it up. Drinking made me feel free from all of that. I didn't have to feel bad, I didn't have to feel the constant pressure of energy around me from being a witch, I didn't have to focus on all the bad things that have happened. I know it was unstable and harmful, but it was the only way I knew how to tread water. Then you all came in and flipped everything upside down. Do you know how terrifying that is?"

"I'm so sorry," Alice said with real sympathy. "I wish you didn't have to go through that. I'm not sure if it helps, but I do get it. When I was…changed, I woke up into this new world with no knowledge of who I was or what had happened. I only knew my name was Alice, and from a vision I knew I was supposed to meet Jasper. Other than that I was terribly alone and trying to understand being a vampire and having visions of the future."

Asteria felt a new understanding for Alice. "You have no idea who you used to be?"

"None," Alice said. "It's alright, though. I'm happy with who I am now. I'm happy to be a part of this family, to love Jasper. I can't imagine living any other life before this one."

Asteria nodded while lost in thought. Forgetting everything in the past didn't seem like such a bad idea to her.

"I know there's no way to compare between our pasts, but I do believe you will find a way through this," Alice told her. "If you're this strong now with everything you're fighting through, just imagine how unstoppable you'll be when you rise above it."

Asteria grinned a bit at the thought. "What's that saying? 'Whatever doesn't kill me had better start running'?"

"That's the spirit," Alice said brightly as she pulled into Asteria's driveway. "I'll see you at school tomorrow?"

"If I see you I probably won't ignore you," Asteria said before grinning and slamming the car door shut behind her.