Chapter 13- Answers

By the time that I had gotten to the Cullen house it was after 1:30. Even though it took a whole hour in the dress and heels I still didn't calm down. I walked into the house without so much as a knock.

Ness was pacing back and forth in the front room where everyone else stood. She was no longer wearing her dress from homecoming. Thank goodness she's safe. She thought to herself running over to me and throwing her arms around my waist. "Oh thank goodness, I thought that something happened. Alice couldn't tell us if you were ok, you left your phone in the car, and no one knew whether or not to send someone after you or wait for you here." She was in near hysterics.

"I'm ok Ness." I said still not returning her embrace. I was too mad and I didn't want to hurt her in my lack of control.

Everyone else was staring at me too, probably noticing my shaking even though Ness still didn't seem to. She looks like she's about to phase or something. I looked over at Jacob, he wasn't wearing his suit either. He was wearing a pair of cut denim shorts and a t-shirt, his hair was still in the same tamed pony tail that he wore to the dance.

"Are you alright Asima?" Jasper asked breaking the verbal silence.

My eyes got wide at the question just as thoughts pooled into my head.

She's hurt, something hurt her. She doesn't look hurt. I bet it was the Phillip guy, if he hurt her I'll kill him, whatever hurt her I'll kill it…

"What?" I said in disbelief. Jasper thought I was talking to him. He looked at me confused. Edward knew that I wasn't so he interjected.

"Asima…Jacob came back telling us that there was a vampire in the area and that you told us to stay here until we heard from you. That was almost two hours ago. What happened?" He seemed calmed but his thoughts were with crazy with curiosity and worry.

I took a deep breath and was able to calm myself enough to form a coherent sentence even though the anger still leaked through in a shaky stern tone. "Can someone…please...explain to me why I just ran through fifty miles of trees and darkness… in a dress and heels… chasing a tracker?"

Everyone froze as I spoke the last of the words. Carlisle broke the silence " We don't know why there is a tracker here but it will help us all find out if you tell us what you saw. Did you bring back the scent?"

I took another deep breath and shook my head. "Is there enough seats for everyone in the dining room?" I asked him more relaxed.

He was confused by my question wondering why it would matter where we were as long as everyone was around to hear, but he didn't question it, "Yes there are. Let's go everyone."

We all walked into the dining room and I quickly sat at the head of the table and watched everyone else sit on the other sides. I looked at all of them as they stared at me with confused faces.

Okay, she has us all sitting here at the table, what is it? Jacob asked Edward mentally. Edward gave a slight shrug and looked back at me.

I took another deep breath before I explained. "What I am going to do is use an amplified version of Ness's gift. I haven't played with it for very long but I know that it will work better if everyone is not moving around."

Carlisle's mind was intrigued, "Okay how does this work?"

"I need all of you to hold hands. When I start the connection I need you to not panic. Keep your eyes closed, and focus on what I am showing you. It will be a little…intense when it first starts but you will be able to see, feel what I feel, smell the scents I smell etcetera. It will speed this along a lot faster. "

"Fascinating.." Edward said as he took the hands of Bella and Alice.

I watched everyone link hands and close there eyes before I grabbed hands with Carlisle and Emmett.

I wish I could be holding her hand...

I sighed, What is his problem!I asked Edward confused and frustrated.

I will explain later I promise, just continue please.

"Is everyone ready?" I asked taking another deep breath.

I listened to the mumbled yeses and closed my eyes. I decided to start at the part where I told Jacob to take Ness home and wait for me.

I replayed the memory clearly in my head. Jacob through clenched teeth and locked jaw agreeing to do so "Fine,"

"Be careful Asima," Ness was worried.

I couldn't get through the rest of the memory because someone broke the connection. I opened my eyes to see who it was. "What was that?" Ness was freaking out. "I can do that? That wasn't like a normal image it was like I was watching myself relive it. I can still smell the inside of your car."

I sighed and Emmett groaned as I dropped the my hands. "Ness honey, I know that it's a little overwhelming but you can't break the connection."

"I'm sorry it just took me by surprise." she sighed feeling everyone else's frustration.

"It's ok Nessie," Jacob soothed her.

"No one is mad at you Ness. It takes a lot of energy to do this and your family needs to smell everything I did, see everything I did, it's the only way to get the answers we need."

She nodded and took Jacob and Jasper's hands and closed her eyes. I grabbed Emmett's and Carlisle's and started again.

I had jus told Jacob to take Ness back and I would follow the trail.

"Fine,"

"Be careful Asima,"

I followed the scent, I could feel Emmett and Carlisle stiffen Emmett griped my hand a little lighter.

I followed it to our lockers, I continued to follow it down the halls still scanning for nearby thoughts to avoid being caught. Still following it around the school to Ness's classes and mine. It got stronger as I got to the female locker room. I retraced it to the girls locker room immediately checking the lockers contents. The same, nothing missing.

I followed out the back exit of the school and through the trees.

'What am I a damn vampire magnet?'

Who was this?

Running quicker thinking about the dance. Passing Hanover Reservoir and feeling the power.

'This vampire has a talent, he was a tracker. A very strong tracker.' Searching more franticly now.

Heading farther north. I realized I left my phone in the car and couldn't call the rest of them to tell them I was ok. Convincing myself it wouldn't help to turn back, I had no information that I could use.

Ending the trail at Dean Memorial Airport.

'Damn it all!'

They got on a plane where I couldn't follow at the time. Knowing I absorbed his talent and could find him anytime I turned around.

I let go of their hands and opened my eyes. "Who was it?" I asked looking at Emmett.

"Demetri," Edward answered in a low growl.

I scanned everyone's thoughts and knew exactly who he was.

"Wait so what does he want now? Ness?" I asked them still upset.

"I'm not sure." Carlisle admitted.

"Ok," I said backing out from under the table and standing up. "I have a vampire to catch. I'll call you when it's over." I walked out toward the living room and the front door before anyone caught up with me. Before I could get my hand on it Alice was at the door.

"What Alice," I groaned, I wanted to get out of this dress and heels and get started on the hunt.

"We need to have a plan before you go running off to Italy. Come back to the dining room, we'll come up with a plan together okay."

I followed her back and took my seat. "We can't just ignore this. He was here for a reason , and I don't know why but I don't think it was a coincidence he was in and out without being seen by Alice or me."

"I don't disagree, but we can't attack a member of the Volturi without bringing its entire wrath upon us." Carlisle added.

"We can't let him go back to Italy with whatever information that he does have." Edward argued.

"Why does everyone keep talking about Italy?" I asked frustrated.

"The Volturi live in Volterra." Esme filled in quickly.

"Well then what do we do?" Bella asked for the first time.

I found myself playing with his gifts in my head. I was able to see his direction, but that was it for now. I knew I would have no trouble finding him if I needed to. I would be watching him until he made a decision of his destination.

"Wait." I said trying to stop their back-and-forth's.

Everyone stopped talked and focused on me again. "I absorbed his gift while I was there. Right now he is heading East, but that could be anywhere. When he picks a place I will be able to tell you and you all can go from there."

Carlisle thought it over for a moment, "This sounds reasonable. Alice you will keep looking at the Volturi and Asima can keep track of Demetri, I'm sure we won't miss anything."

"I can do that Carlisle," Alice promised

"Asima, I don't want to inconvenience you, but is it possible for you to remain here until he makes a decision? Just so that everyone is close by incase we need to act immediately." Carlisle asked.

I looked down at my dress and sighed, "I will need some clothes," I looked at Alice.

She smiled and flew out of her seat. "Come on," she said as I ran up the stairs with her.

I felt better once Alice helped me out of the fitting dress.

"I'm impressed you know," Alice said looking up at me as she came back with new clothes. "you didn't rip it when you ran. It's not even torn or dirty. You have no idea what I was expecting you to look like when you came back."

I saw the mental picture in her thoughts, me with messy hair and a tattered dress barefoot. I smiled and shook my head. "I wouldn't do that. I actually like this dress."

Her eyes grew wide. "Really?"

"It took some getting use to but I like it." I pictured the good part of my night in my head. "Hey do you mind if I keep it?"

"Of course not, it was made for you. I told you." I could tell she was proud of herself.

"Good, I'll have at least one token to remember this night besides chasing vampires."

She laughed at that and started hanging up the dress and putting it back into the garment bag.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Alice had already had an after-dance outfit picked out. It was a pair of denim jeans a long fitted grey tank top with a pink off the shoulder sweater. Not something I wouldn't normally wear but Alice's style was growing on me.

"So what happened on your date?" Rosalie asked coming up into the work space with Ness.

"You know what happened. I went to the dance and ended up chasing a vampire fifty miles in a dress." I didn't understand her question.

"No... not the vampire" Alice said it like it was just a small factor, like I was talking about the punch. "What happened with Phillip?"

"Oh..." I understood and instantly smiled. "That was nice."

"It was more than nice from what I saw." Ness butted in.

"It's hard to explain.." I didn't know how to explain my date. I didn't know what was normal and what wasn't.

"You can pull eleven of us into a vampire chase but you can't describe a date? Try me." She held out her hand.

I grabbed it and closed my eyes.

"Oh! me too" Rosalie said taking my other hand.

"Me too, its my talent." Ness said grabbing Alice and Rosalie's hands.

I sighed, "Is everyone ready now?" I didn't want to do this, but at the same time I did. I wanted to relive it again. I started it with us arriving at the school.

Him walking around to the drivers side to help me out of the car without messing up my dress. I could hear the awe's from Ness and Rosalie as I took his hand and walked into the building.

We did dance after dance, I could hear me laughing, see him laughing.

I saw our hesitation as the first slow dance came. 'She seems nervous. I wonder will she freak out if I pull her closer'

Him pulling me closer. His head resting on my head. My head on his chest as I listened to his thoughts.

'Everyone is staring at us. I don't care she smells wonderful. Like sweet pea and some type of flower. I am so glad she said yes. She's the most beautiful one here.'

My own thoughts, 'Really? Was everyone staring?'

I could smell his scent like he was next to me again. Trying to separate each scent that made his aroma. The feeling of frustration when he pulled away because the slow dance was over. Us continuing to dance and ignore the stares.

I stopped at us walking out of the gymnasium. I didn't want to remember the vampire scent that ruined everything. I dimmed out the memory and opened my eyes.

"Awe, you both were so cute." Alice cried as we dropped our hands. "Nessie you and Jacob look cute too."

"Asima left out the part about him kissing her," Ness blurted out.

Alice's mouth turned into a tiny 'o' as she gasped. "Too cute."

Rosalie just laughed, "That's a good sign."

"It's just a peck, " I didn't want to read into it.

"Still a good sign, he likes you." It didn't matter what kind of a kiss it was to Alice.

For some reason I hoped she was right. Even though I knew, it was completely irrational to think that anything could come from an immortal and a human boy. A child compared to me.

"Okay, can we drop this?" I said sitting in the same chair I was forced in for over an hour to make this night even remotely possible.

"Fine," Alice said running her fingers in my hair. "I really liked the barrel curls" she added.

"I did too. Let's leave it like this for a little while longer." I suggested.

"Can you see anything on Demetri yet Asima?" Ness asked me looking at my reflection in the mirror.

"No not yet, he's still just heading east. That's all I can tell."

"Well, lets' head downstairs, we can watch a movie until something happens. No use sitting up here." I smiled at her thoughts. She wanted to be with Jacob.

"Okay, let's go." I said pushing myself up from the chair. I slid my feet into my back Chuck Tailor's and headed down the hall.

Emmett and Jasper were playing chess in the bonus room as I walked by. I didn't disrupt them from the game, I continued downstairs where only Jacob, Seth, Edward and Bella were sitting.

Ness went and squeezed between Edward and Jacob on the couch. Bella was sitting at his feet staring off into space. Seth sat on the loveseat by himself. I hesitated for a moment and decided to go sit on the floor next to Bella. Seth still made me feel uncomfortable, and I didn't want to sit next to him.

"What are we watching?" I asked crossing my legs as I sat down.

"Zombie movie," Bella said snapping back alert as she realized I was talking to her.

"Oh, monsters, fun." I said sarcastically. I tried to watch the movie but it was just too unrealistic to take seriously. I wanted to do something else.

Hey are you watching this?I kept my eyes on the screen.

No, but everyone else is.

Have you been working on putting yourself into peoples minds?

Honestly no one even knows, I wanted to perfect it before I even told anyone it was possible.

Wait no one knows?

No, not until I can master it. Would you like to go practice?

I had a better idea, No let's have some fun, we can get some practice in too though. Keep a straight face.

Okay… I could hear the confusion in his thoughts.

I scanned the house until I found Emmett. He was concentrating on the next move.

Emmett, can you come here please? I tried to make the voice sound casual. Keep your face straight, Edward.

I could hear him from upstairs, "Hold on, Asima wants me, don't cheat."

He flew down the stairs and I kept my eyes on the movie. "Yeah Asima what's up?"

I gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"

He looked around, "Didn't you just call me?"

"No, I haven't said anything."

"She didn't say anything Emmett," Bella confirmed. She looked confused.

He seemed skeptical, "Ok then, my mistake." He darted back upstairs.

Ok now you try. Single out Emmett's thoughts and try to force yourself in.

Okay I will try…Nothing.

Try it just like we practiced at my house, imagine yourself talking to him.

Okay… 'Emmett'. I think I got it.

Yes you did. Now when he comes down deny. I want to see how many times he comes down before getting frustrated. If I am right you should get a lot of practice in.

"Hold on a second." Emmett sighed getting up. He ran down the stairs again. "What's up Edward?"

Edward pretended to be engrossed in the film. "Nothing, what's up?" Emmett stood there for another minute and sighed. Edward turned his head to face Emmett, "Did you need something Emmett?" He asked confused.

Emmett looked around, "Did you need something? You called me."

"No I didn't." Edward stated, "Are you feeling ok Emmett?"

Emmett didn't say anything and just ran back upstairs in a huff.

Now try it again, and this time make the sentence longer. I instructed, I could see in the side view that Edward was trying to fight a smile.

Okay… "Emmett I really need to speak with you."

I could hear Emmett upstairs, "Oh come on." He said getting up again. He was downstairs quicker this time, "What is it Edward?" he demanded.

His tone caught everyone else off guard. "No one said anything Emmett." Ness confirmed looking startled.

"Maybe you need your ears checked man." Jacob suggested.

"Maybe you just need to hunt or something," Seth suggested concerned examining his eyes. They were still golden.

"I can hear just fine and I just hunted the other day." He said folding his arms, "You guys keep calling me and I want to know why."

"Emmett, no ones said anything." I repeated more confused.

"Fine, the next time you call I'm not coming back." He stated as he headed back up the stairs.

Okay, I think we should stop the practice for tonight. Emmett's going to lose it if we keep it up.

I think you are right.

I let a small giggle slip thru my lips and I stopped it quickly. The movie was over before anyone else spoke.

"Are you getting sleepy Asima?" Ness asked me.

"No I am okay. Are you getting tired?" She was curled up next to Jacob.

"Nope," she quickly objected. "A little hungry though."

I realized I hadn't hunted in weeks, and I hadn't had human food in three days. I needed to eat something. I didn't like going to long with out eating, it's easier to fight the vampire instincts on a full stomach. "I am too for some reason."

"Would you like me to cook something?" Bella offered.

I pushed myself up effortlessly off of the floor without using my hands. "No I can do it, Ness can help me, we're the eaters anyway."

I headed towards the kitchen while Ness asked Jacob and Seth if they were hungry. She ran to the kitchen and informed me that we would be cooking for four.

"Do you know what they want?" I asked looking into the fridge.

"They'll eat anything. What do you eat?" She asked thinking about the human food that she could stomach.

"Well it's almost four. I guess that counts as breakfast time. I can eat French toast, it's pretty good." I said thinking of what I could make from what was in the fridge.

"French toast.. Never tried it before, lets do it."

We talked as I helped guide her trough making breakfast. Within twenty minutes we had a platter stacked with homemade pieces of French toast. Ness set up some plates as I walked back to tell them that the food was ready.

"It's done," I said walking into the living room. Jacob and Seth were still wide awake.

"Cool." Seth said jumping up off of the loveseat.

Jacob got up slowly. Bella and Edward stayed where they were.

Man it smells good, she's gorgeous and can cook. I don't think it's possible to be more perfect.

What an odd person. I thought to myself. Edward said he would talk to me about it. I would wait for them to leave before I brought it up. Maybe it was just the way all the wolves were.

Ness sat on one side of the island already eating. Jacob quickly sat next to her. I sighed knowing that would leave me on the stool next to Seth. He was elated with that. I tried to tune out his thoughts as I ate.

I want to talk to her but what do I say? 'Hello Asima, some weather, you're the most beautiful women on the planet…'

I ate in silence until Seth finally spoke. "So Asima, Jacob said something about you being a cat."

I glanced at Jacob, Real smooth Seth, he thought to himself suddenly into his plate more than needed.

"Well no, I didn't use to be a cat. My family, and a few others had the ability to transfigure ourselves when trouble was around to protect the city." I sounded like I was giving an informative lesson as opposed to having a conversation.

"Oh, like us," he stated flatly.

"I guess you can say that." I said staring back down at my plate.

"Except instead of a wolf like you guys she turned into an Arabian Leopard." Ness added in-between bites. Either she was really hungry or she actually liked the food.

"Cool," Seth said still eating. "What types of things did your city need protection from?" I could tell that he was trying to keep me talking so I decided to just answer his questions.

"Well, you know…normal stuff, criminals things like that." I said chewing slowly. "Usually they would just see us and run away. We were huge. We still had to run the city streets at night to make sure everything was okay but we weren't really needed that much."

"Didn't get a lot of action huh?" Jacob asked smirking. He seemed to like that.

"Oh, Asima has seen action, she has killed over a hundred vampires all by herself after she left her family." Ness blurted out still oblivious to the fact I left that out on purpose.

I dropped my fork on the plate, I could feel there eyes on me. "Yeah, that too." I stated like it was something anyone could forget.

"You've killed vampires by yourself?" Jacob asked in disbelief.

"Oh yeah, its not hard for her, she's had over thirteen-hundred years to practice." She blabbered on.

"Holy crap, your over thirteen-hundred years old?" Seth gasped dropping his fork and staring at me. Jacob didn't seem phased, I had the feeling he already knew. She doesn't even have a wrinkle.

I sighed, "Ness, can we go over this story later please. I would prefer to tell it all instead of in dramatic spurts." I laughed even though I was mentally screaming. I felt like this was a need to know basis thing and I didn't know these people at all.

"Oh ok." She said still eating.

I tuned out the thoughts as I finished eating. When we were done I washed the dishes trying to clear my head as the rest of them talked.

I scrubbed the dishes until they squeaked. As I rinsed them I was finally starting to calm down, then I heard Jacob's thoughts.

Who would have thought , out of all the kids in that fancy school Nessie goes to that she would befriend a blood-sucking parasite? What are the odds of that?

My hands involuntarily tightened accidentally breaking the plate that I was drying making the pieces crash into the sink.

"What is your problem?" I yelled turning and looking at him.

"What's wrong Asima?" Ness asked confused.

"He's what's wrong." I said pointing at him.

"What did I do?" his voice was getting angry and defensive.

"I have been nothing but nice to you despite you continuing to¾" I stopped myself and closed my eyes. Control the anger Asima, shocking him won't help.

Bella was in the kitchen looking around. "What's going on?"

"I don't know," Seth said freaked out.

"I need to get out of here." I said walking towards the back door.

"Why?" Ness was still confused.

"If I don't leave I am going to zap your boyfriend Ness, so it's best I go." I stalked towards the back door but Edward blocked it.

"Wait Carlisle wants everyone to stay here," he reminded me.

"I won't go far. I'll stay in the clearing but, I can't control myself here." I stated.

He stepped aside as I ran out the back door. I could still hear Jacob in the kitchen as I ran. "I didn't even do anything? I don't know what her problem is."

The last thing I heard from the house was Edward's voice, "She can hear your mind just as clear as I can."

I headed straight for the clearing fighting to keep my feet from turning around.