Chapter Twenty-Seven – The Week.

Part Five.

'Oh, take hold of my heart, show me you love me, forever!'

-FireFlight, Forever.


Thursday.

Bella. P.O.V

"Yuck."

My Daughters fact twisted in disgust, nose crinkling as she watched Emmet drink from a rather large bear.

"I don't understand how they can do that."

I just shrugged, not at all interested in the matter. Though I did agree with my Daughters disgust.

We were babysitting the Cullen's as they hunted. They never usually hunted together – they'd made an exception in light of the circumstances.

I'd given them a designated area to hunt in. Far enough to spilt up slightly but close enough to hear them all.

They hadn't been happy about me handcuffing them with restrictions, though they'd accepted them.

They'd had no choice in the matter, regardless.

Edward had been the problem. He'd still been fuming about his surprise trip to Egypt and as a consequence made his opinion on the hunting matter abundantly clear.

Until I had suggested Midnight take him on another trip, which seemed to have the desired effect and shut him up.

Midnight had informed me she'd had some fun at Edward's expense. I didn't ask for details – because Edward had come back horrified.

But Midnight did tell me it involved the locals thinking Edward was some sort of sparkling demon, a cat, sand and a whole lot of bandages.

I'd just thought the threat could come in handy. I'd been right.

Midnight was bouncing next to me, impatiently. She was bored and she'd never been patient. Even in her Hunter years.

My hand instinctively settled on the top of her head, she stopped bouncing. "You're too impatient." I chided – she just rolled her eyes.

"And you're too patient." She snapped back playfully. I smirked.

"Why didn't you inherit my patients?"

Midnight huffed. "Never been patient."

I ruffled her hair slightly. "Nor will you ever be."

Midnight snorted, playful smirk on her lips. I noted it mirrored my own.

"Nope."

A twig snapped, noisily. My head snapped up in the direction of the sound.

The Cullen's were hunting animals; they wouldn't make a noisy mistake like that. Midnight read my mind.

"That was too noisy and careless to be anything but a Newborn."

I nodded in agreement.

"Bella!" Alice yelled, voice worried, warning.

"Go!" I commanded Midnight.

My Daughter nodded, wasting no time she disappeared from my side. I too took off towards where I knew Alice and Jasper were.

I knew Midnight would take care of the others. They were further away; teleportation had its perks.

I hadn't brought my gun; I didn't need to when Midnight had both of hers.

I burst through into a clearing, just in time to see Alice duck under a blow from a dark haired Newborn.

I growled at the sight; suddenly feeling protective; eyes glowing.

The Newborn Vampire I noted wasn't a Hunter. The blood-crazed eyes told me that.

The Newborn coiled back for another strike; I shot forward – grabbing Alice's arm, I pulled her into me, spinning round her body to place myself in front of her and blocking the Newborns sloppy attack.

"I'll have none of that." I growled, reaching out with my powers to find his consciousness.

And I almost cried out in pain as I was forcefully thrown out of his mind.

The Newborn grinned manically, almost like he knew what was going on. I stumbled back at the force, Alice still under my arm.

"Bella!" Alice's voice was frantic with worry as her arms reached out to steady me.

The Newborn slashed my arm with his nails – I hissed – unconsciously pulling Alice closer to me, protecting her.

Once more I reached out with my power and let out a painful hiss as I was thrown out again. Someone was blocking my power.

Someone was – successfully – blocking my power.

This wasn't possible…

Angry – I pushed Alice away from me softly, ducking under the Newborns arm and plunging my fist straight through his chest - with a crack of bone and marble.

The second Newborn – which I hadn't noticed, why hadn't I noticed – whom was fighting Jasper, howled in outrage.

Jasper, distracted by the sound was smashed in the face by a closed fist.

I felt the Newborns dead heart in my hand as it passed through his back. I smirked. The Newborn slumped forward on my arm; I pushed back on his chest, ripping him off me – the heart still clutched in my hand.

"Bella!" Alice warned, lunging forward.

I dropped the heart.

'Midnight.'

I spun on my heel quickly – sidestepping the Newborn and pushing Alice once more out of harms way.

From my peripheral vision I caught a glint of silver. Catching it I flicked my wrist and shot.

The bullet ripped through the Newborns skull - he dropped to the ground with a sloppy thud.

The first Newborn – the one without a heart – was twitching periodically on the ground - trying to regenerate.

With a snort I took aim. He stopped twitching.

I turned to Alice, whom was being helped up by Jasper. I winced. I'd pushed her harder then intended. "Are you okay?" I'd asked before I could even realize I'd thought the words.

I seemed to be asking her that a lot.

Alice just nodded, eyes on me. "I'm fine, Bella, thank you."

I nodded, shaking my head a little when I noticed I was staring. "Follow me, keep up." I commanded, reverting back to the task at hand.

They both nodded, understanding. They followed me close as I took off.

'Mid!' I called, feeling her consciousness connect with mine. 'Who do you have?'

Midnight replied almost instantly. 'Emmet, Rose and Edward.'

I took a sharp turn, changing direction. Carlisle and Esme where left.

Once more there were two Newborns. They'd seemed to have attacked us in groups. One was already dead.

Midnight got there at the same moment I did, across the clearing, swaying slightly. She looked as if she were going to pass out.

Which was quite possible for her, I'd seen it happen – surprising as it was. 'You okay?'

Midnight nodded and darted forward, tripping the Newborn before it could attack Esme and with a flick, the Newborn hit the floor, dead.

"Everyone alright?" Midnight asked, swaying heavily into a tree for support. My eyes were only for her.

"Mid…" I started, voice laced with worry. She'd never teleported that many people before. She's never had too.

Midnight waved me off. "I'm fine."

Still, I kept my eyes on her. "We need to leave." The Cullen's nodded in agreement.

Midnight pushed off the tree and fell into step beside me. I placed my arm around her shoulders and she lent into me.

'Thanks.' She smiled – I squeezed her shoulder. 'What happened?' Even her mental voice sounded tired and drained.

God she was stubborn.

'Someone was blocking my power.'

Midnight hummed, I could see she was surprised though. Not many Vampires would have that kind of power.

'This was too easy.' Midnight started. 'They wouldn't give away a trump card like that unless…'

I nodded. 'Unless they hadn't known it would work.'

'Or that wasn't their trump card.'

I let out an irritated breath. 'This just got more interesting.'

Midnight hummed, thoughts elsewhere. 'We need to tell Aro and we need to find these Vampires.'

I agreed.

'I'll call Aro to inform him. I want you to keep scanning for the Hunters – lets hope they make a mistake…'

Midnight smirked. 'Here's hoping.'


Alicia's P.O.V

I watched from a distance - eyes drawn to Midnight.

She picked off the Newborns one by one, with a natural ease and grace unlike anything I had ever seen before.

There was just something about Midnight. Something charming – something complex, intriguing – beautiful, Midnight was something else.

I sighed. My job had been to get close to Midnight, gather Intel and information on her and her Mother.

And there were ways to do that. And one of those ways was not to ask her on a date, was not to kiss her.

Granted, when I had called her, I'd had every intention of asking her more about her Mother, more about her life but when I heard her voice I'd just blurted it out.

The movie had been great though. I'd actually had fun and Midnight had been the perfect gentleman.

Holding open doors, paying and giving me her jacket when I faked being cold. I actually still had her jacket.

I'd told myself after though that it wasn't going to happen again. I wouldn't get distracted.

I'd asked her to skip school with me to watch DVD's, so I could find out information I should have when I'd asked her out.

But, I'd kissed her. I let her kiss me, I wanted her to kiss me – who am I kidding – I wanted to do more.

My lips tingled with the memory. I twitched and shut my eyes tightly, my fists clenching.

No. No. No.

I didn't feel anything for her. Nothing. I wouldn't let myself. Midnight was a means to an end. Nothing more.

I took a deep breath, yes that was all she was. A tool.

I had a job to do and I was going to do it, I was going to see it through. Even if that meant I'd have to see Midnight killed.

Because Midnight was just a fling, something for the part of herself that remembered being Human – the fake part – my feelings weren't real.

I opened my eyes. Midnight was leaning heavily into a tree, panting. I stepped forward, unconsciously; worry coursing through me at the sight.

A wind blew from behind me and I stopped in my tracks. Tyler was here. I bit the inside of my cheek.

And put on that façade of indifference and cocky attitude that was I.

"It worked." Tyler's cocky voice came from behind me.

I didn't turn around, eyes still on Midnight. I nodded.

"How's lover boy, though?"

Tyler grunted in disapproval – I smirked.

"It took a lot out of him, Isabella is strong."

I nodded; I knew that. If Midnight was so strong it was only natural that her Mother would be too.

"We should go."

I tore my eyes away from Midnight and turned to Tyler. He had his hood on, big surprise there. He stretched out his hand.

And I hesitated. Only slightly, though it was enough for me, I spared one last glance at Midnight before I took his hand.


Alice's P.O.V

I was sitting next to Midnight – watching her eyes flicker behind closed lids.

Though, apart from that tiny flicker of movement, it looked as if she were sleeping. Dreaming maybe.

She'd said she was scanning the area for Hunters. It was surreal really, that she had once been connected to a network of consciousness.

Like the Dogs – one mind.

Bella was upstairs, informing Aro of everything. I could hear them talking though I tried not to listen.

Which was more then I could say for Edward, whom I'd left in the kitchen pretty much eavesdropping on the conversation.

He seemed to be hanging on every word, I'd swear I saw drool. It was a little creepy.

Midnight sighed.

I blinked, turning my attention to her as her violet eyes flickered open. "Nothing?" I asked. Midnight shook her head.

"Nothing."

"You'll find something soon enough." I smiled. Positive thinking.

Midnight snorted. "That your second sight kicking in?" I laughed, shaking my head.

"Nope."

Midnight hummed. "On that note, have you seen anything?"

I sighed. "My visions have been a little all over the place at the moment. But no I've seen nothing of help." I felt useless.

Midnight smirked, knowingly.

"Been distracted, huh?"

I spluttered and Midnight just grinned. I playfully slapped her on the arm. "Shut up."

Midnight stretched back, "Yeah, that's not going to happen."

I could only laugh.

I had no doubt Midnight would find something. Soon enough she would. Her and Bella would protect us.

But until then, I was happy to have them around. Regardless of what had brought them here.