Chapter 21

School was abuzz with excitement over a new student who had showed up just for the exams (yeah, 'cos that's a totally normal thing to do, right?). The new student was no one else but the new vamp in town.

Angela was waiting for me at the parking lot with her lips set in a grim line watching Jessica and Lauren embarrass themselves over the new guy.

"Hey, how's the freakshow?"

I asked locking the bicycle on the row of stands and standing next to her. She rolled her eyes.

"Is it too hard for them to realize that no one moves just for exams?"

I snorted.

"You mean they actually think even without the help of dazzling?"

It was her turn to snort under her breath.

"Did you know? About the Cullens?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. I had an inkling when I first moved here and Edward confirmed it when we began dating"

A thought occurred to me.

"You didn't seem surprised when... the barking began yesterday either"

She chuckled at my attempt to refer to the werewolves of La Push (the sudden growth spurts? Apparently the work of their shape shifter genes kicking in. I knew I should have paid more attention to Jake's legends a few months back.

"I know about them. My grandpa was around last time and there's an understanding. We both want the same thing"

"Keep this place safe"

I concluded and she nodded.

"But if they step out of line..."
"Don't worry, if either species step out of line, I'm with you in keeping them in said line"

I winked at her making sure our voices went over the squealing of our classmates and walked inside the building with her only after Jasper nodded his consent on behalf of the vampires. The formerly shy and withdrawn vampire had taken a more leading role once the beach happening happened.

- - - Family Charms - - -

Leaving the school after the exam I saw Jasper in the parking law who looked ready to punch kittens and drink humans and not necessarily in that order.

"Enjoying the new addition in the family?"

He glared at me and let out an impressive string of four lettered words.

"That great huh?"

He kept glaring.

"And it's only been a day"

Yeah I'm a bitch sometimes. Deal with it.

"I. Will. Kill. Him"

"What'd he do? Go after Alice? 'Cause I think she can take him"

He glared once more. In turn I gave him my best innocent look complete with wide eyes and batting lashes.

"His emotions are all over the place. He and Emmett keep fighting to find out which one is stronger and they're ruined the house. I don't know what he's thinking but it has Edward up in arms. I am going crazy"

I winced in sympathy

"It doesn't sound pleasant at all. Why did Carlisle take him in the first place?"

"He sees the best in everyone. Even in that guy."

He spat out the word 'that'

"I'm trying to figure out what's up with him. Any insight you can give me?"
"Why?"

I sighed and sat down on the steps of the school.

"Because my father pulled the athame out of that guy waking him up. And since the cat is outta the bag now..."
"The what?"

I sighed annoyed at my slip.

"The dagger he was stabbed with. It's a witch's tool. I has a spell on it, in it, that has the result? Ability? To put him in some sort of sleep"
"Does he need a princess to kiss him to wake up?"

He joked and I flipped him the bird but with a smile on my face

"So, can you?"
"Wait, you're serious? He wasn't lying about you?"
"You're the empathic lie detector. Was he lying?"

It was Jasper's turn to sigh and sit next to me. We got to talking about my witch status and he told me some things about his past and his involvement in the Vampire war during the Civil war. We were sitting there just talking. I never realized there was a person underneath the vampirism in him, when Edward appeared behind us, his features pulled back in a scowl

"What is going on here?"

He demanded. Jasper rolled his eyes. This was the most cheek and casualness I've seen from him. What has gotten in him? Perhaps he was high on emotion.

"Doing it. Emotionally. You wouldn't know"

Jasper's knee jabbed into mine in response of my words. Edward looked ready to puke

"Relax! I'm joking"

Neither vampire changed expression. Jasper still looked mellow despite the glaring and Edward still looked like he smelled something vile. I shook my head and stood making sure my skirt covered my shorts.

"You"

I pointed to Jasper

"Call me when you know more. And you"

I turned to Edward

"Don't"