Chapter 25-Story

"Is everything ok with Phillip?" Ness asked done with her text and noticing my minute of delicateness.

"Yes he is fine. He is just at a friends house, nothing important, just normal decisions."

I wasn't really bothered by the sight of my death anymore so it wasn't hard to pretend like it wasn't anything important. I would try to work on my skills with multiple attackers. I was sure Jasper would help me, I would have to not use my gifts.

"Well I want to go practice with Jasper." Edward announced still looking at me skeptically.

We walked into the trees and stood next to Carlisle and Esme. We were waiting on Emmett and Jasper to finish, "So... Phillip spent the night last night?" Bella said breaking the silence while we waited for Edward's turn.

"Yes," I was pretending to be into the match.

"You really like him huh?" Bella must have just realized that.

"Of course I do." There wasn't any doubt with me.

"So did you guys do it?" Ness asked wide eyed.

Bella hushed Renesmee, probably because of Edward's groan at Ness's curiosity. Ness didn't notice.

"No, don't be silly. He's human, I wouldn't want to hurt him. I don't even have the experience as a human, to even attempt to give me a clue. Add a thousand times his strength, thirteen hundred years and zapping powers to that, its not something I can jump onto unprepared."

She shrugged like none of that was a problem, "So, just ask mom and dad. They did something right, I'm here and she's not dead."

"Renesmee" Bella hushed her again. I could hear Emmett and Jasper snickering, I hadn't noticed that they had stopped fighting.

"It's ok Bella." I laughed, at Edward's thoughts. He was on edge more because this had been a topic of discussion already. "Ness I love you but, this isn't something we can talk about right this moment, so please. Edward, you're up."

He reluctantly went into the trees to join Jasper and Emmett. I waited until he was in full attack mode before I spoke again. "Bella…did u get hurt…when?"

"No, I didn't." She thought about it, laughed, and amended, "Things around me did, but me, no."

I was glad that I wasn't able to get into her head. "So it's possible, to do." I said more to myself than to her.

"Of course it is." Ness said looking up from her phone again. "Jacob and the rest are on their way back." She announced.

We watched Edward and Jasper brawl, it lasted longer than I expected. Eventually they just decided to call it a draw when Alice returned with the rest of the gang.

I promised Nessie I would give the bloodsucker a chance. "Hello, Asima." Jacob said to me after wrapping his arm around Ness.

"Hello Jacob." I could hear the perplexity in my tone. I was trying to focus more on not letting it show in my face.

I looked at Seth, he was just as confused as I was. Alice must have shopped for him too, he was no longer wearing the cut off shorts and t-shirts that he normally wore. He had on a pair of acid washed blue jeans with a long sleeved sea blue buttoned up shirt, he had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the shirt open enough to expose the white ribbed tank top underneath. "Hello Seth, you look nice today." I complimented.

I didn't think it was possible for his face to glow any brighter until I complimented his clothes. "Thanks Asima."

Awkward, I didn't think a compliment would mean that much. "No problem." I directed my attention to Jasper tuning out the inner ramblings of Seth. "I'm going to go upstairs to the board and see how to pair and match people up."

"Do you need my assistance?" He asked glancing at Alice not wanting to be away from her since she was gone for most of the day.

"If you could, Alice you too." I added so he wouldn't feel the need to be pulled between the two.

"Can I come?" Seth asked looking hopeful.

I didn't want to hear his obsessed thoughts as we talked strategy, but I needed to know more about the pack's abilities. "Sure."

Esme, and Bella were watching Carlisle, Emmett, and Edward. Jacob and Ness were sitting with them. I didn't need them so we all just ran back to the house.

I looked at the board with the main problems of the Volturi and their guard. "Okay our first problem is Carlos. Jasper you are our best bet since you don't use your gifts to fight. Not to mention your fighting expertise."

Alice wrote his name beside Carlos's name and gift.

"I think that Eskarne would be the next target. Bella or you would be best since no one can get into your minds." Jasper thought aloud.

I shook my head. "Bella and I need to be shielding the others. We can't fight, it has to be someone else. We can shield someone, but we need to stay focused."

"Garrett," Alice suggested, "he's tough."

"Yes, I think he will work." Jasper said mentally thinking about a match they once had.

"Emmett gets Baili." Alice wrote his name down remembering the last conversation we had.

"We need to take out the coordinator, the less organized they are the easier it will be." Jasper added looking at a Ulya's name.

"She probably won't be fighting. Who ever it is has to be able to find her, kill her quickly, and join the fight again. We will be down two fighters already with Bella and I.

"Edward of course," Alice laughed like it was obvious. "Edward is fast and since he can read people's minds he can find her in half the time."

"He need's to coordinate us as well." Jasper pointed out. "How is he going to join the fight if he is looking down at it?"

"Renesmee." I stated after a moment of thought.

"How can Nessie coordinate us?" Seth asked confused.

"She won't, Edward will through her eyes. We can put her in the trees instead. Everything she sees Edward will too, and be able to coordinate while fighting. It's a good way to get her contributing and keep her out of harms way."

"I like that," Alice agreed writing her name off in the corner of the board.

" Put Tanya with Caius." Jasper said it like it was the only option.

"Why Tanya?" I didn't think she had any special abilities.

"Caius killed Tanya and Kate's sister. She'll want him." She explained putting the name on the board. That would be enough fuel to make sure he goes down.

"Kate with Jane." Alice said writing it down.

"The rest are back." Seth announced with opened ears.

"Zafrina," I called normally listening to a wisp of air from the outside of the house heading upstairs.

"Yes Asima." Her deep voice sounded a lot more fierce. Her eyes were no longer a dark deep crimson but a bright fire.

" We are putting together a list of who should be matched with who. I need to see your coven in combat. Can you think about a time please?" I requested gently. Even though she hasn't been hostile towards me since our first encounter, and I could protect myself even if she was, she was too wild and animalistic to not have a gentle tone with.

I traced over her memories, without a doubt Zafrina was an excellent fighter. It was the quite Senna that caught my eye though. I had never heard her say more than a word yet she had such focused rage in the heat of battle. "Thank you Zafrina." I expected her to go back downstairs but instead she stayed looking at the board with Senna soon at her side.

"Put Senna with Demetri. And Zafrina with Felix." Alice hesitated and then started writing them on the board. "Senna, Demetri must be gone permanently, we need to make sure that this won't happen again." Senna quietly nodded.

Are you sure Zafrina wouldn't be best? Jasper asked me mentally.

Zafrina is good, but don't let the quietness fool you, Senna is a much better fighter. I touched his hand showing him what I had seen and he didn't question anything after that.

"We should put Kachiri with Heidi." Zafrina added in her thoughts.

Alice nodded and put Kachiri's name down.

"Stefan and Vladimir will get a kick out of taking out Aro and Marcus." Seth laughed. I heard another two wisps of air as they appeared in the doorway.

"Yes, revenge at last." Stefan's bitter laugh echoed as he walked into the room staring at the board.

"Finally," Vladimir seconded joining him.

Our strategic meeting of four was turning bigger than I expected. Kachiri joined us with Peter and Charlotte with curiosity after hearing something that would make Vladimir and Stefan laugh.

"I'll handle the sisters," Charlotte politely offered noticing the blank. Peter had no problem with her going against the three half-vampires.

"Peter should go against Santiago. They have a familiar fighting style. He will know how to avoid some of Santiago's techniques." Jasper said putting his voice back into the meeting. He too didn't like that everyone was treating it like we were casting a school play.

"Before Vladimir and Stefan do anything Rosalie needs to take out Renata." I reminded them.

"I can do that." Rosalie agreed walking in with Emmett and the rest behind her. Ugh. The rest of them looked at who they would be fighting.

"Esme and Afton." I said visualizing the entire layout in my head. No one else spoke as I visualized each decision and outcome of the layout. "Maggie with Chelsea" Alice wrote quickly as I spoke. "Carmen and Mora. Liam and Palin." I winced as I saw the outcome of that choice and quickly revised. "No Liam and Corin." Alice quickly erased and changed the name as I spoke. "Put Eliazar with Palin. Adam with Carlisle, no Amato with Carlisle, Alec with Carlisle, NO¾" Alice was feeling uneasy as she erased Carlisle's name for the third time. It was easier to brainstorm when everyone wasn't here watching. I took a deep breath. "Carlisle and Orin." exhaled in relief when I saw a better outcome. "Alistair and Adam."

She wants me dead, she is putting me with one of her buddies they're going to kill me. "Shut it Alistair." I warned impatient that he broke my focus and I was now blind. "Guys I am drawing a blank on the rest here. Alice can you see anything?"

She shook her head frustrated again. "No , I won't see anything until they decided that they are going to attack." She didn't like not knowing.

"Well lets get back with strategies then." Jasper suggested.

"I should take Margaux. We aren't sure how far along her visions will be and I will be able to see her choices so I would have a better advantage." Alice said writing down her name. I smiled when I saw that dot over her "i" was replaced with a smiley face.

"What about us?" Jacob asked wondering where the wolves came in.

"We are trying to take out the ones that will make it difficult first. There are about twenty-five more fighters. You will have plenty to do trust me." He was okay after that.

"I'll take Amato." Bella offered looking at the blank. Edward stiffened, Amato was also a very gifted fighter.

"No we aren't fighting unless we have to Bella we need to focus on protecting the others from the guards talents." She nodded knowing we would be more helpful shielding than fighting.

"We might need to be each others relief systems. I am still blinking out." Bella determined.

"We are going to be each others relief systems because of Carlos, not because you won't be able to do it on your own." I clarified.

"What about me? Why am I all the way in the corner?" Ness said noticing her name. "Why aren't I next to Isidora?"

"Asima thought of a special job for you." Jasper said it like he was talking to a child.

"What am I doing Asima? Picking up pieces?" I could tell by the sarcastic venom that she was upset with me.

"I'm sorry Ness…" I started apologetically, "but we needed to find a way to keep Edward in the fight, but see enough to coordinate everyone." I started explaining to everyone else Ness's job. "She is going to be Edward's eyes. We are going to put her in a high enough spot where she can watch the fight without interruption. Edward will be able to see everything she is seeing through her mind from there."

Edward and Bella liked the plan, anything that would keep Ness out of harms way was good enough for them. Everyone seemed to think it was a good plan except Ness. "I need to fight." She demanded. You promised I would learn.

"No one said that you are going to stop learning Ness. You will be prepared regardless of what your job is." I tried to pacify her.

She didn't respond. She stood next to Jacob in a huff with folded arms. Jacob tried to put his arm around her and she shook it off. "Don't be mad Nessie, you have an important job too."

"What about Bella and Asima?" Seth asked bringing us back into focus. "If they are shielding us. wouldn't they be the main people to take out first on their list?"

"I can hold them off." Edward volunteered

"No, you have to get Ulya so that she can't coordinate the other side." Jasper interrupted.

"Well after that¾" He started.

"You will be needed elsewhere." I stopped the thought. "Everyone that takes out their primary objective needs to focus on helping the others. There will be twenty-five other fighters, there are only seventeen wolves. They will be your next priority."

"But everyone will make a bee line straight for you." Emmett added like it was crazy.

"We can shield ourselves," Bella defended. She didn't want anyone worried about us.

We continued to talk over strategy. The Denali coven would be there in a day or so we would try some group coordination when they got here In a few months time the wolves would be here and we would coordinate with them as well. Everything was looking up, minus the small detail of my inevasible death. I wouldn't have to worry about that right now though, it would come eventually. I would try my best to avoid it, as long as I wasn't dooming another to take my place. Except maybe Alistair, his thoughts were pushing it.

Everyone was in a rush to work on their combat skills. I headed downstairs to follow everyone into the clearing, I had about three more hours before Phillip was expecting me. "Can I talk to you for a sec Asima?" Seth's timid voice called behind.

Please say yes. I didn't want to be mean to him. I just wanted him to stop obsessing over me. "Sure Seth, what's up?" I said walking out the back door.

Wow she said yes, ok where do I start? I love you? No too weird. I've imprinted on you? No she wouldn't understand that…

"I know what imprinting is Seth." I sighed standing in the doorway.

"I know that you know, but do you understand it?" He asked leaning against the wall.

"Love at first sight, yes I understand."

"It's more to it than that. I love you Asima. The moment I saw you, everything that tied me to who I was, to this world was immediately insignificant. The pack, my family, friends, physics, gravity all are nothing now. The only thing that is holding me here is you."

I could tell from Maggie's gift that he wasn't lying. "This imprinting thing is real huh?"

"That's an understatement." He forced a small laugh trying to keep it casual.

I sighed, it really wasn't his fault. He was just as innocent as I was in this. That didn't make it any easier, "Seth, I understand that this isn't your fault and you have no control over it, but it doesn't change anything for me."

"I know, you love that Phillip guy." he said somberly. "And I don't want to get in the way of that. If you are really happy that's fine, and I can tell you are. The only thing I can do is wait it out then. He won't live forever, I can wait, then maybe one day you will learn to love me. I understand that I came at the wrong time in your life, if I had came maybe a little bit earlier I would have had a better chance or something."

I could once again tell that he was telling the truth, he was willing to let me be with Phillip. "Seth, you are a very good person. But the timing didn't matter, Phillip or no Phillip I still wouldn't have been with you." I said this as softly as possible.

"Oh.." She'll never love me… what's wrong with me? I can fix¾

"No Seth, there is nothing wrong with you. It's just…" I didn't know how to explain it, "When I lived in Arabia, I was betrothed."

"What?" He didn't understand.

"When I was twelve my father chose the person that I was intended to marry and I didn't have a choice in it. And when I became a leopard our wedding was put off until I was no longer bonded by my duty to protect. I never had a choice on what I wanted to be or who I wanted to be with. Now you imprint on me, and even though it isn't your fault, it once again would take away my choice. I won't let that happen."

He held his head down. She sees me as trying to take away her free will. "I am not trying to take away your choices. I just want you to be happy."

"I am happy Seth. I don't want you to feel like I blaming you." I amended.

"If you are happy, then I am too. I hope it works you deserve a choice after a thousand years of none." He said once again not lying.

"Thank you… for understanding."

I felt his inner torment but it didn't stop him from putting on a semi convincing smile. "No problem. If no one understands you I always will."

"Thank you for that." I hugged him. Seth was so kind and smart, yet he had this innocence about him. It made me feel like I should be protecting him from the world not causing him more pain. I honestly felt bad, but I would hurt him more keeping my feelings a secret and letting him hope and it amount to nothing.

He returned the hug. Holding me a few seconds after I dropped my arms. I didn't pull away, he was, in his own way, accepting his lack of choice. He inhaled my scent as he released me. "Thank you."

"Your welcome." I knew that he was referring to me not pulling away from him.

"Friends?" he suggested still not wanting me out of his life altogether.

"Of course, were going to be killing vamps together, I hope you didn't think you were getting away from that." I laughed. I felt better now that we had this talk. It gave me hope that this would no longer be a topic of tension. If he accepted my choice no one else should have a problem doing so.

"So are you going to the clearing?" He asked casually. He felt better too, I could tell.

I started to answer but my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID, it was Phillip. I looked at him and he knew immediately who it was. "I'll meet you in the clearing." He said running out of the doorway.

"Hello." I said picking up.

"Hey Asima, sorry to interrupt your girl time." he apologized.

"You can call me anytime, what's wrong?"

He let out a little laugh, "My little mind reader, Jason's aunt is sick, so they are heading to Vermont in a few moments to visit her. I wont be able to stay here much longer."

"Oh, that's no problem. I will be home in about an hour or so. There is as spare key in the glove compartment of my dad's Infiniti. I can meet you there when I am done."

"Really, you don't mind?"

"No of course not. Make yourself at home, I will see you when I get there."

"Okay, love you."

"I love you too, tell Jason that I hope his aunt gets well soon." I said walking out of the door.

"I will."

I ran to the clearing and Zafrina was using her talents to help Bella practice. I watched giving her my input where it was needed. By the time the hour was up she was able to successfully shield eleven before her shield flickered out.

It was ten pm when I looked at my watch. "I am going to head home." I announced pushing myself up from my sitting position.

"Will you be returning tomorrow?" Edward asked, even though Ness's mind wanted to know. She was still mad at me.

"Yes, I will be here around four." I affirmed.

I headed home knowing that my love would be waiting for me. I pulled into my driveway and Phillip's car was there. He must have been listening for me because as soon as I turned off the car he was running to the car to greet me.

"Hello Love," he said opening the door for me when I turned off the car.

I jumped out of the car kissing him. "Hey you!" I grabbed his hand escorting him back to the house. "Are you hungry?" I asked letting his hand go to walk towards the kitchen. He followed me beside me anyway. I was going to hunt tomorrow so I wouldn't eat. The slight dry burn I felt in my throat I quickly ignored.

"No I'm fine, I ate at Jason's house." He said leaning against the counter. I looked in the fridge and grabbed only a bottle of water. Even though I knew I could drink and entire crystal spring and it would only temporary relieve the burn.

"So what is on the agenda tonight?" I asked after taking a swig of my water. It felt good and cooled my throat, but before I could put the cap back on it was dry and burning again.

"What do you want to do?" He wrapped his arms around me kissing my forehead.

I thought about it for a moment, "I want to know more about you tonight." My life was boring compared to his. The only exciting parts I couldn't tell him because he would run for the hills.

"Okay, well get your pajamas on and we can talk until you go to sleep. You look tired." He said noticing the slight darkness under my eyes.

I was running weeks without any real rest but an hour here or there, and no blood in two weeks. "Yeah, I know I look horrible." I said using my thumb and index finger to rub my eyes.

"No you are still beautiful, just a little tired."

He held my hand following me upstairs to my room. He already had his overnight bag on the floor. He pulled out a pair of pajamas while I shifted through my drawer for possibilities, he must have sensed my frustration. "Can't find anything?" He asked looking at me. "Just wear what you normally wear, sweat pants whatever, you'll be beautiful regardless."

He walked out of the room to head to the down stairs bathroom. I quickly put on a pair of shorts and a loose t-shirt. I got in bed folding my legs and covering them with the blanket waiting for him to return.

I pulled my hair from the ponytail letting it drop to my shoulders. He walked in, and sat on top of the covers leaning against the headboard. He held his arms open waiting for me to lay in them.

"Okay, now what is your first question?"

"Where are you from?…"

He answered every question I could think of to ask him. We talked about his parents, his friends, and his plans after high school. It was one in the morning and I still wasn't tired.

"Is that it?" He asked sarcastically.

"I have ran out." I admitted trying to think of more.

"Well, you have been listening to my boring life all night. Let's do something that you like to do?"

"What is that?" I asked trying to maneuver to look at him. It was an awkward twist so I only held it for a minute before putting my head back on his chest.

"We can talk about Egypt." He laughed. "Tell me a story about there."

I thought about all the stories of Egypt, but only one stuck enough for me to tell.

"How about close to there?"

"That's fine." He laughed.

"Okay, hmmm. About thirteen-hundred years ago just across from Egypt, across the Gulf of Suez, and not too south of Jordan, there was a city named Al-Hayat. This city was thriving with power, money, music, dancing, energy, and all around happiness. The king had a beautiful queen that traveled from Cairo to escape the war that was happening between Egypt and other countries from the middle east. They were trying to convert Egypt to Islamic rule.

In the midst of the fighting, despite the fact that Al-Hayat was in the middle of the feuding, the city was always unharmed. The King and Queen had five children. Four boys and a single daughter. The children grew healthy as the city thrived and the wars continued. When the little girl came close to reaching her teenage years she grew ill as well as her brothers. They were sent away to the outside of the city to live in huts used to house travelers and soldiers. The children weren't allowed visitors except for their father and a few other member of his court.

The children ran fevers for weeks, and even though they were isolated from the others in the city other teenagers were being brought into isolation with the kings children. When the fever stopped the children looked different. They were fully matured adults almost. The king held a meeting in the dining hall out side of the city. In that hall he explained how these thirty teens were special. They had a¾ magic about them."

"Magic huh?" he laughed skeptically

"Yes magic. Do you want to hear the legend or not?" I pouted.

"I'm sorry go ahead."

"Well these thirty people out of thousands in the city were magic." I waited for him to comment but it didn't happen so I continued. "They had a gift, they could turn into leopards. Their job was to protect the city from harm. They were to stay together for more weeks to prefect the changing abilities. The Eldest of the King's sons was the first to perfect it. He was put into charge of the others. He was able to change into the eight foot tall leopard with out any effort.

Within weeks they were perfected and were allowed to go home to there families. Every other week, there skin would burn telling them that danger to the city was near and they would meet outside the city, change, and fight. They were rarely needed once word got out that there were protected by large leopards.

One night about a year later the princess was going on about her business when her skin started to burn. She ran through the city knowing that she had a duty. When she got to the huts at the limits everyone was already meeting. The only four girls that were like her were confused as to what was going on. She promised that she would council with the other princes and return.

When she found her brothers they were debating on going home. It was only a group of travelers that here headed their way, not soldiers and criminal. The princess disagreed, she felt like any warning that she got from her skin burning that it should be looked into. In the end the older brother decided they would circle the city a few times and if there was no danger they would go home.

When they reached the travelers they warned them of their numbers growling and hissing. As they got closer they were able to be seen better. The six men were beautiful even though there appearances were unkempt. They found out later that they were 'Algulahs' they had only heard of them being women and a myth at that so it didn't occur to them. They attacked, they were stronger and faster than anyone they encountered. When the battle was over the four princes, the princess, and five others remained alive.

They took the head back to the King explaining what happened. The king was intrigued by the power and the abilities that these creatures held. He wanted to find a way to create more power. One of the older members of King's court advised him not to, that they were dangerous. The kind didn't listen, to blinded by greed and power. He wanted more everything, more power, more glory, more wealth than he already had. He instructed one of the healers to find a way to use the head to create more of the men they encountered.

The ten survivors were called to the hall outside the city days later. The king told them that they had found a way to turn them into better fighters. That when they were better they would be 'stronger than the Gods'. The girl didn't like the idea of being an experiment. She refused to lay on the tables like the others.

She watched the healer cut her older brothers wrist and pour in a small amount of poison. They said you could hear the screams miles into the city. The screams grew louder as the others were exposed. The girl refused to be a part of it. She tried to flee, but her father ordered the guards to hold her. From the stories it took a dozen guards to hold her down long enough to expose her to the poison. She begged the King to stop them, to help the others but he didn't comply. He just saw the special protectors as expendable pawns to glory." He was caught up in the story, I could tell because he held me tighter as I spoke.

"The screams outside the city lasted for a month before they stopped. In the end only four remained, the princess, two of the princes, and two others. Her other two brothers and the rest didn't survive. The girl was so angry that she fled from Al-Hayat without ever being heard from again. The other three stayed but months later the city was attacked by a different group of Algulahs. They failed and died, the Algulahs rampaged through the city killing and eating everyone in sight. The King fled leaving his wife and court behind to die. The King fell left with nothing, and died alone of thirst in the desert.

The survivors that made it out of the city went looking for the princess. They headed as far east as Oman and as far west as Morocco but no one ever found her…"

He was quiet for a while before he spoke. "Wow…some story?"

I let out a tired laugh. "Yep. I figured it was better than some love story of Nefertiti."

"Why did they go looking for the princess why didn't they just assume she was dead like the rest of them?" He asked curiously.

"Well, in that time, it was told that if you were bitten by a snake and survived you would have been granted immortality. The people needed a leader, and if she could survive Algul poison then she should have been more powerful than any immortal." I let out a small yawn.

"I wonder what happened to her?" He thought to himself.

"She probably found a husband and had a family and lived happily ever after." I said in a deeper yawn.

"Go to sleep honey." He said kissing my forehead.

"Good night," I said closing my eyes. I laid on my pillow so that he could dim the lights off and get under the covers as well. I felt his arm wrap over me as I nodded off into sleep.

Author's note: Alright I'm not sure if anyone is into this or not. Please review or send me a message if you are interested in reading the rest of the book. Thanks.