Everyone had been so engrossed in the details Jasper had been relaying to Eleazar about the wolves that no one had noticed Alice go into one of her trances. When her vision ended she couldn't contain her gasp.
Jasper was at her side in an instant, "What is it Alice, what's wrong?"
Everyone's attention was now on Alice.
"Something has happened. Carlisle, I'm not sure but I think Edward may have done something." Alice looked panic stricken.
"What do you mean Edward may have done something? Alice, what did you see?" Carlisle and Jasper were both staring at her.
"Did he bite someone?" Tanya joked.
"No, no, he didn't bite anyone but I think that he may have exposed us. Carlisle, I'm not sure, but it looked like he threatened the shop keeper right in front of everyone."
"What exactly did you see Alice?"
"Edward and Esme were in town doing some shopping and the man behind the counter was looking at Esme and Edward turned on him. I don't think he liked what the man was thinking because he was just standing there with his head down not looking at anyone and then he just glared at him. Esme finished paying for the groceries and exchanged niceties with the store clerk and then they were leaving when Edward stopped in his tracks. He sent Esme to go wait outside and he stalked back to the counter and the man was just cowering looking like he was scared to death and then he put some eggs on the counter and backed up against the wall telling Edward there was no charge. Then Edward just left the store and everyone was staring at him. He did make a point of telling the man that Esme was his mother though."
"Is that it? Is that everything?" Carlisle had to know if his mate was safe.
"No, there was one more thing. It was strange really; I've never had it happen before."
"What is it Alice?" Jasper was used to her visions, but not her having something out of the ordinary happen with them.
"There was a part of my vision that was just blank. I've been in that store with Esme a few times and I know where everything is, but there was a blank spot over by where the side window is. Everything else was exactly where I know it to be, the townspeople that are typically there and then just a blank right in the middle of it."
Eleazar walked slowly towards Alice looking at her carefully. He was scrutinizing her and slowly circling around her as if he was evaluating something very rare and of great value.
"Carlisle," Eleazar began, "you didn't tell me you had a see r. Alice, what kind of visions do you see?"
"Eleazar, it's not what you think, she only gets flashes and cannot control it," Carlisle was immediately aware of what Eleazar was after. When he was with the Volturri he used to help the brothers find those with gifts that would add value to the guard.
"I only get glimpses of the future. They just come at random, like Carlisle said, but if its someone I know it's easier for me to see them." Alice was wary of telling Eleazar too much after seeing Carlisle's reaction to his question. It hadn't struck her as being odd, most reacted in a similar way to her visions, if they didn't think she was completely crazy at least.
"I don't think Edward would have done something to jeopardize us, not without good reason any way. What concerns me is this unusual blind spot you say you've never had happen before. Is there anything that you haven't been able to see in the past?" Carlisle was beginning to contemplate cutting their trip short. He knew that Esme could handle herself sufficiently among the humans, and if it came to it, the others would help protect her.
"No, never. I mean, if I've had a vision, the image in my mind has always been complete. I've never had blank spots in my visions before." Alice wasn't as apprehensive answering Carlisle's questions. owIi
"Hmmm, maybe we should finish up with our business regarding the wolves and come back to your vision in a little while. Do you think you can try to see Edward and Esme again Alice?" Carlisle wanted to be sure they were alright, but they still hadn't gotten the answers they came for and he didn't want to leave without them unless it was completely unavoidable.
"I'll try Carlisle, but I can't promise you anything," Alice could tell that Carlisle was worried, but she would do what she could to help alleviate his concerns.
Back on the Res….
"Chief Black, there's something I need to tell you!"
Chief Black looked at the hysterical woman that had just burst into his home. She was more of a girl really, not really old enough for him to consider a woman but old enough that the young men in his tribe would be taking notice of her. "What is it Kayla? What is so important that you think you can just storm into my home without even knocking on my door?"
A/N Thanks for those of you who are still reading. Please REVIEW and let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions/questions/comments I would welcome them all. I admit that this was a short update, busy with the back to school stuff with my kid and life in general. I am struggling with the Denali story line, any suggestions would be welcome to break up the writers block. I have a couple of later chapters that are ready to go, but it isn't time for them yet in the story, although I am getting close to wrapping things up. I admit that my motivation to overcome the writers block is fading and I am tempted to just skip ahead to the chapter I have ready to go, but don't think it would be fair to those of you who have stuck with me this long/far. I currently foresee needing roughly 4 or 5 more chapters written to get to the one that has been ready and waiting for a couple of weeks now, and only one or two more after that to wrap things up. Let me know what you think!