It had been hours since we had began on our trek through the forest and the sky was pitch black by the time we had stopped moving. I looked around intently, noting the large trees that seemed to bend nervously in the wind above our heads.
"We're here." Wesley spoke as he turned to look at both Andrew and I, his eyes glowing softly within the darkness. I looked at my brother who stood several feet from me and noticed his eyes too were glowing.
"Here?" I asked, stepping forward to stand directly next to Wesley's large form as I eyed the dark-barren clearing. "I don't see anything."
"Just wait." He whispered just loud enough for me to hear as his warm-calloused hand brushed by mine. I shivered in response, wondering what he was thinking.
"Why can't I hear your mind?" I whispered back, still watching the overgrown landscape before us. He looked down at me as his glowing eyes finally began to dissipate and soften.
"I have a gift too." He mused as I watched his tight frown begin to tug up at the edges.
"A gift?" I replied softly, looking up at him in surprise.
"Most of us immortals have one, but there are some that don't." He answered as my brother came up to stand next to us, his movements steady and quiet.
"What is your gift?" I asked, my mind starting to wander.
"Let me show you." He whispered slipping his large hand around mine. His touch was warm and gentle, his skin slightly rough but tolerable.
At first I didn't feel or hear anything, my mind was completely blank. I watched him intently as he turned to completely face me and slip his right hand around my left. His eyes began to glow again, dimly at first and then began to gain momentum. Suddenly I felt sparks in my hand, I looked down in awe. The soft pulsating electricity started to radiate up my arm and then continued up over my entire body like wildfire. It wasn't painful in the least, but the shock of it at first was quite exhilarating.
Sudden images plagued my mind, causing a mix of emotions to detain me. I stood completely still as the young handsome stranger's thoughts came to me in a rapid current.
The moon was high in the starless sky as he gripped my hand tightly in his. He stood motionless next to me as he watched the brightly lit windowed house that sat amidst the large redwood trees.
"Vampires", I heard him whisper under his breath as I turned to look at the unfamiliar house in the distance.
He looked at me idly, his clear blue eyes beginning to glow as he stepped cautiously in front of me in protection. I looked up as a sudden noise broke the silent night. I could feel Wesley's' grip tighten around my hand as unexpected movement caused my focus to move to the porch of the house. At first I didn't see a thing, but then I saw a human form standing within the darkness, watching us.
"Edward." I murmured into the darkness, my dead heart feeling as if it would begin to beat again as I stepped forward.
"That is no human Catherine." He whispered to me gently, his voice angry as he pushed me back.
"Wes, please." I replied irately, as I tried to push past his masculine build. "It's Edward."
"Catherine, no." He answered now calmly, his eyes glowing softly within the darkness.
"I don't you need your protection." I whimpered looking up at his handsome face.
"He's a vampire." He hissed, eyeing the house quickly. "Can't you smell him?!"
I looked towards the white house in the distance as I inhaled the air deeply. A sweet-sickly perfume entered my nostrils, causing me to almost double over. I stepped unwillingly closer still, my motives unknown as I pushed past Wesley's outstretched arm and began to run forward. I stopped short a few feet from the porch steps and gazed up nervously. At first glance I didn't see a thing, as my eyes doubled back across the house I finally saw what I was looking for.
"Not human", I breathed in surprise as I stared the pale-skinned stranger in the face.
His once riveting emerald eyes were no more, but a rather unique color of spun gold that seemed to reflect the moonlight and his skin was an eerie white. The only thing that seemed even remotely familiar was his hair, a reddish-copper that now seemed closer to brown in the lightless sky. My breathing stopped short as my mouth dropped and I began to step back cautiously. I could sense the danger before he even reacted and began to run back as fast as I could.
My body suddenly jolted and Wesley's vision finally faded, bringing me back to reality. I looked up, seeing Wesley still standing before me; his hands still around mine.
"Edward." I whispered softly, pulling my hands from his as I turned away to look into the darkness.
"What did you see?" Wesley asked as my brother and he looked at me intently.
"Vampire." I replied sadly, still looking into the pitch-black night.
"Edward Masen." My brother breathed under his breath.
"How do you know about him?" I hissed, turning on me heel to face them.
"I can see things too remember?" Andrew replied softly, his eyes calm as he touched my shoulder.
"Is he one of them?" I asked as I looked up at him, sadness in my eyes.
"Yes." He whispered just loud enough for me to hear.
"Is he looking for me?" I asked, my eyes lighting up slightly.
"No." Andrew answered as I looked at Wesley.
"Why not?" I asked, feeling the tears radiating behind my eyes as I watched Wesley intently push his dirty-blonde hair out of his eyes.
"He doesn't remember Catherine." Andrew replied, still watching me. I turned back to look at him as a single tear of blood ran down my cheek.
"Why—" I whispered, looking back at Wesley who's face was soft and striking in the dim-light.
"I'm not sure." Andrew answered, shrugging his shoulders. "I wonder if it happened because of the venom."
"Venom." I repeated as I looked down at my feet.
"Your venom." Andrew continued gently as I looked back up at him.
"How could my venom erase all of his memories?" I asked, my voice shaking.
"Not all of his memories Cat." He replied. "Just the ones of you."
I stared at my brother for a long time, the alien world silent around us as the wheels in my head began turning. I looked down at my shaking hands.
I did this to him, I thought.
"I have a theory." Wesley spoke up suddenly as my eyes shifted to his face. "Your venom is composed of two immortals. When you bit this Edward Masen fellow, his body must have rebelled you; his mind must have done the same."
I turned from them, looking into the darkness as my dead heart seemed to ache in my chest. I felt like dying, but sadly I was already dead. I would have to live for all eternity without my Edward, knowing I was the cause of it all.
How could I have done this, I thought grimly. I'm such a fool.
I felt my legs moving, before I even had time to think. The world had begun to spin around me as my thoughts started to darken. I could hear my brother and Wesley arguing behind me as they watched me run into the trees. But I didn't listen, I just wanted to cry and wallow in my ruin. My shoulders began to shake uncontrollably as my tears began to run rampid down my face. I looked up at the night sky as my eyes glassed over. I wanted so terribly to scream, let all of my pain escape me. But no amount of sadness or anger, even revenge could solve this lost piece of the puzzle. I closed my eyes, trying to visualize his face.
"I'm sorry." I heard Wesley whisper from behind me, causing me to turn around angrily. The trees were dark around us as he stepped closer. Taking a deep breath, I realized my brother wasn't with him.
"I'm a monster." I whispered, my dark tears still rolling down my face as I looked at him.
"No." He replied gently, brushing my tears from my cheeks as the iridescent moon finally emerged from behind the clouds.
I looked at him in awe, finally seeing him for the first time within the light. His build was muscular, yet lean and his height was towering well over six feet. His face was beyond angelic, with its angular jaw and full lips. His nose was straight and came to a soft point and his sapphire eyes seemed to suck me into their hold. He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen and I looked down at my feet to keep from blushing, if it were even possible.
"I am your protector now." He whispered as I looked back up at him, his eyes beginning to smolder. "I have the gift of the shield. I promise that you'll be safe."
I could still feel my tears as my sadness began to emerge once more; somehow it was as if he could sense it. He pulled me close to him, his arms wrapping gently around my waist and back. My head fell to his chest where no sound or movement escaped from beneath his skin. His scent was sweet, yet soft. I could feel his chin atop my head as he spoke.
"You're safe now Catherine Lancaster." He whispered into the night as I closed my eyes and sank deep into his assuring arms.