Chapter 49 – Fire
49.
EPOV
With Carlisle's support I began to relish the arrival of new vampires.
Any information they could share with us, and any gifts or abilities they could lend to us would only help in the fight. We still only had Carlisle's recollections of the makeup of the guard, but we were moving forward with our plans regardless.
The information the Chinese shared was most helpful even though the guard had changed since their last encounter we could still use what they knew to learn how they fought. Even the significant losses the Asians had suffered might be able to be avoided if we knew enough about the Romanian tactics before the fight began.
This became my job.
Whilst Carlisle had pledged his support he was unable to help in this. He'd fight beside me, but the details were too much for him. When it came time he would do as I instructed but he could not bear to be so near when those instructions were being worked out. I understood that.
Once again I was deferred to and assumed the role of leader of our coven in Carlisle's absence. The difference now was that the others looked to me as their leader knowing the reason Carlisle was absent. I was well aware that it was my daughter and her association with the wolves that had brought everybody together and it weighed heavily on my mind and my body as we continued to plan.
I'd managed to speak with almost everyone present, privately, over the preceding few days about their role and how much I appreciated their support. Not one of them mentioned – or thought about – the fact that had I not impregnated Isabella when I did none of us would be facing this fight now. I tried to be gracious and accept their support and encouragement with humility, but it was difficult. The more I was asked to do as leader the more I felt overwhelmed by the task.
This was to be the largest gathering of mature vampires, certainly in my history, but I was told that it would also be the biggest in recent history too. It would eclipse the gathering we'd held for our wedding and would far and away overtake the size of the group we'd had here for the christening.
The excitement in the house grew to fever pitch when the American nomads arrived on Tuesday evening. With the inclusion of Peter into our group our expectations and confidence grew and grew. Coupled with Jasper and Lu Hu the knowledge base was extensive and the strategy meetings became less a panicked defence meeting and more an aggressive proactive one. We had begun to map out who would stand where, who would do what and who would take responsibility for which guard member over the previous days. So when Peter arrived, surveyed our progress to date and declared it 'doable' we relaxed, slightly.
A bigger and bigger group went off to the clearing everyday for their fighting lessons and they came home a more cohesive unit each day too. I still wasn't interested in watching, or having a hand in what they were being taught, but I was pleased with the thoughts I could discern from Bella's group each day. She was doing well and so was Seth.
From what I saw from Alice and from Jasper's thoughts Bella was becoming more and more aggressive on the battle field. Since that first time she'd gotten in the middle of Seth's fight it had happened over and over, not always to protect Seth, but always when she thought someone was being overcome or was unable to protect themselves she stepped in. I was proud of that, that she was strong and had such a well defined protective instinct, but it worried me too. Could I protect her when it came down to it? Would she let me?
I was contemplating this when Randall came to stand by me at the windows in the dining room. We'd just finished our latest strategy meeting but had packed it up when Bella returned with Nessa who'd been with Renee while fight lessons were held.
"She's really something, your bird." He said as he clapped me on the back.
I hated him calling her a 'bird' but said nothing. "You aren't the first to say so." I chuckled.
"I'll bet." He too laughed, but to me it sounded sinister. It always did. "Jono says you've been growling at him for days, I thought now that I was here you'd lay off him and direct some of that my way, eh?"
"I'll see what I can do." I chuckled.
"We'll win, you know." He said quietly.
"I hope so otherwise I've condemned you all." I whispered.
He thought on that for a moment and then huffed. "Nah. Fuck that. They're assholes, both of them. We'll fight hard. I know you think I'm a shit," He chuckled when I nodded, "But I like you lot. You're shit smart and you're loyal. You've got a good thing going here. You work hard, play hard and have a cool family, roots, you know?"
I nodded knowing exactly what he meant. He was thinking about finding somewhere for himself to settle down to. I was ashamed for a split second when I hoped it wouldn't be too close to us here. "I do know. And thanks." I said as graciously as I could. "I think they're worth fighting for."
He clapped me on the back again and chuckled one last time. "They are mate, they are. That's why I'm here." He stepped away from me then and before I had a chance to dig in his head to hear it he was taunting me, "Besides, if you get your block knocked off your yummy missus will need a shoulder to cry on."
He ran then, fast, out the backdoor and into the back yard. When he got to the edge of the pool house he turned back to where I stood staring, seething at him through the windows. He flipped me the bird then kept running for the river. 'Sorry Ed, didn't mean it, but the look on your face was priceless.' He was thinking as he took a running leap and then swan dived into the river.
BPOV
I heard the conversation and was prepared to step in if Edward lost his temper with Randall. When I saw Randall running I flew into the dining room thinking I'd see a crouched and defensive Edward. Instead he was doubled over barking with laughter!
I ran to him anyway and took his face between my palms. His glorious angels face looked so nice laughing, it had been so long since I'd seen him really let go.
"You heard?" He spat through his laughter.
"I did, cheeky bastard." I laughed too.
Edward wrapped me into his arms and kissed my hair, still chortling. "He is a cheeky bastard but he's got exceptional taste." He kissed me again then let me go, resting his forehead on mine. "Mine." He whispered.
"Mine." I agreed. "Come to the river and swim, please?" I asked. He was about to cry off, I could see it on his face. He'd tell me there was too much still to be done, another meeting he needed to head, another phone call to make or another trip to the Rez to meet with the elders he needed to arrange. I was scowling before he'd decided which reason he'd use. "Everyone is swimming Edward, there are no plans to make that won't wait. Please, swim with us?" I pled.
"Okay." He whispered.
I took his hand and we ran to the river. Everyone cheered when Edward arrived. There were bodies everywhere! All fully clothed and all happy, laughing and splashing with our daughter.
I let Edward's hand go as we neared the end of the jetty. I ran as fast as I could and when I hit the end of the timbered planks I pushed off using my toes and flew above the bobbing heads and then down into the murky depths of the river, fully clothed.
It was wonderfully freeing. As I made the surface there was cheering and more splashing as I was welcomed into the fray.
I turned my attention back to the jetty where Edward was taking off his watch and toeing off his shoes, while Emmett and Peter teased him about being so proper. Once he'd divested himself of his wallet, keys and cell phone he copied me, landing right in front of me and then coming back to the surface right in my face. His smile was glorious.
I flung my arms around him and kissed him soundly, so pleased he'd come for some fun.
Nessa and Seth swam to us amid the catcalls and shouts of 'get a room' and 'let him go, you don't know where he's been'. I laughed so hard when I remembered Emmett saying those exact phrases the very first time I went out with them all as a family. Edward was beaming at me, he remembered too.
"I love you Mrs Cullen." He whispered against my temple as he kissed me lightly.
"As I do you." I replied right before my daughter swam in between us and demanded our attention.
"Race us mommy!" She bellowed.
I smirked at Seth. "You think you can beat me?" I teased him.
"Easy." He shrugged.
"You've got no hope." Edward crowed. "I've tried and failed so many times." He laughed.
"Then let a real man try." Randall shouted from where he was swimming with Tanya and Maggie.
Edward growled softly but was smiling widely. "If you think you can take her on, be my guest." He swept his hand out and away from himself as if to say 'go right ahead' and I returned his smile.
We had all assumed my knack for beating Edward in swimming races was because I had been a newborn whenever we'd raced. Apparently I was just a really good swimmer. He was yet to beat me so I was eager to try my skills against others.
"Bring it." I mocked Randall who looked reluctant after Edward had given his taunt.
"I'm in." Said Seth, who swam to my side.
"Yeah, I'm in too." Called Jonathon as he too swam to my side.
Rennie was smirking as he joined us, "I shall do my best." He smiled.
"How about we just make this a whole lot more interesting?" Called Jasper.
I groaned. By now everyone knew about Jasper's love of a bet, and his impeccable win loss ratio, so I knew this was going to get messy.
"What have you got in mind brother?" Emmett asked as he too lined up.
"My moneys on you sis." Jasper winked at me as he swam further out in front of the fast filling line beside me. He turned and faced us. "A thousand a piece says she can beat every single one of you to the other side, and back. Any takers?" He winked at me again and I hoped he knew what he was doing. I hadn't swum against anyone other than the family so mine was an untested ability.
"Are you sure Jaz?" I asked.
"Never more." He said confidently. "I'm so sure I'm willing to up the ante a little. I'll cover the winnings personally and if someone does happen to beat her they'll get to choose their spot in the line up at the fight, no questions asked." He looked to Edward who seemed to think on it for a second before nodding.
I looked at Edward who was grinning smugly, he thought I could win this.
Maybe I could.
I began to get excited.
All at once there were calls of 'I'm in' and 'I'll take that bet' from all around me as every male in the area made their way back to the jetty and out onto the bank.
"Well Bell's? You willing to take this lot on?" Jasper asked as he swam to my side again. "I know you can do this, you'll kill them." He wound his arm around my waist and squeezed me tight.
"What do I get if I win?" I asked cheekily.
"Ahh, see, that's what I like about you best. You're smart. If you win, little sister, you too get to pick your place in the fight and I'll take care of the munchkin tonight so you and Eddie can, um, slip away." He winked at me and I gasped.
Edward was huffing about being called Eddie again but he didn't argue about the terms, so I agreed.
As I swam towards the bank to take my place at the starting line I called back to Jasper "You're on. If I win I want first crack at the guard."
EPOV
I put my head in my hands when she said it.
The idea that she was going to go up against the guard at all crucified me. That she was ready, willing and probably more than a little able to actually do it frightened me to my core.
I was about to call her back and shout to Jasper to pick another prize but it was too late. She was already on the bank and Jasper was already counting down to the start.
I had no doubt she'd win. And it was apparent right from when they all hit the water that she'd do it easily. I attributed my instant erection to the thought of my beautiful wife showing up every single man who was now thinking they could easily beat her.
Even as they swam they were all thinking she'd be easily beaten, that she'd fade, that she'd never be able to out stroke a man.
Nessa clung to my back as we watched her mother obliterate the field of contenders. One by one she left them behind in her wake.
They fell away from her in no particular order that I could discern. Rennie, Peter, Tu, Julian, Marcus and then Jonathon fell by her wayside. Next to go was Emmett then Lu Hu followed by Garrett.
"Go mommy go!" Nessa was squealing as Bella streaked ahead and turned for home.
Only Seth, Dieter and Randall were left in the race and by the time she was within fifty feet of where I bobbed in the water. Seth had dropped off with a curse and Dieter had given up with a loud curse in German.
Bella slapped a hand down on the edge of the jetty to mark her as finished and a full twenty seconds later Randall did the same.
I cringed when I heard what Randall planned to say after his defeat at the hands of my wife, but smiled as good naturedly as I could when he said it.
"It was worth losing just to follow her, mate." He nodded towards me and then turned to Bella. "I'd follow your ass to anywhere at any time missy." He pulled her into him and kissed her on the cheek loudly.
I didn't quite stifle the growl and it was both my wife and daughter who admonished me for it. "Oh daddy, you're silly when you growl at Randall." Ness trilled, making everyone laugh.
Bella swam to me and put her arms around my shoulders. She kicked her legs so that I had my back to the crowd as they stood on the jetty. She kissed me firmly on the lips and when she pulled away she giggled, "Don't growl baby, I've won us a babysitter for tonight and I'm going to let you take me out."
My smile was genuine after that, despite the catcalls.
BPOV
Our swimming fun had significantly reduced the tension in and around the big house. We swam for hours, only getting out of the river when night fell because Carlisle and Esme returned from the hospital and Nessa wanted her dinner and a warm bath.
Seth took the opportunity to head home for his dinner and to check in with Sam, the pack and his parents.
All the men were embarrassed to be beaten in races by me, but all the women were more than happy to tease and berate their men about it. A most pleasant afternoon had been had. More races, more teasing, and more growling from my very possessive husband.
Each time I won a race, and subsequently more money for Jasper, Edward pulled me to him with increasing urgency, his erection barely contained in his jeans. With each congratulatory kiss he increased the pressure of his lips and the strength of the embrace.
By the time Jasper arrived to babysit so we could go out we were both a panting and needy mess.
"You earned this little sister, fair and square." He slapped a thick wad of cash down onto my kitchen bench. "They won't want to take you on in a hurry again." He crowed.
I pocketed the cash and moved in to kiss his cheek. "You cleaned up." I giggled.
"I did. I plan to spend the lot on Alice though, does that redeem me and my wicked gambling ways?" He squinted adorably and I couldn't help but giggle again.
"I think we're ready to go. Thanks for this, we need a break." I told him honestly.
Edward came from the back of the cottage then. I had to suck in a hasty breath at the sight of him. Dark wash low slung jeans, dark blue button down with the arms rolled to his elbows. Leather cuff at his wrist, hair an unruly mess. My husband was an Adonis!
He came to where we stood and shook Jasper's hand. "Thanks for this."
Jasper tipped his head. "You are most welcome. I figured you guys could use a bit of a distraction. Been a tense time." He mumbled as Nessa came out of her room with her backpack on.
"Why do you have a bag packed sweetie? Uncle Jasper and Aunty Alice are going to look after you here." I looked to Jasper who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Nope." He said firmly. "Your husband has asked us to take care of her at the big house, so we'll just be heading up there now. You ready little lady?" He bent down to kiss Nessa on top of her head as she began to nod. "You need to come too Bell's." He began chuckling and I looked to Edward.
"Edward?" I asked.
He shook his head minutely and moved towards the front door. "You be good for your Uncle Jaz and don't let him make any bets on you." He laughed. Then he turned to me. He pulled me into his arms and with his gorgeous lopsided grin he told me that he'd be there in a few minutes and I should go with Jaz for now.
"I'll be good daddy." Nessa called as she took Jasper's hand for the short run to the big house.
Jasper held his hand out for me and with one last quick glance at Edward I took it and began to run with he and Nessa.
It was a strange way to begin a date with my husband, leaving him behind.
EPOV
She had no idea what I had planned for the evening.
I'd called Jaz and asked him to collect Nessa rather than sit for her at the cottage because I wanted the place to myself, to share with my gorgeous wife of course, for the whole evening.
We could count on one hand the number of opportunities we'd had to be alone there since we were married. I didn't for one moment regret having Nessa, but since she'd been born it was rare that Bella and I got to enjoy our home alone.
Tonight I was determined that we would.
As their thoughts began to drift away I flew around the house making my preparations. I ran to the bathroom and turned the taps on for our tub. I lit the fire in the living room and the dozens of candles on the window sills in our bedroom. I found the playlist I wanted on my iPod and turned it on low. I straightened the covers on our bed and set the overhead lights to low. When the tub was full I lit the candles around it and pulled a stack of towels from the linen closet and put them on the vanity.
Once I was happy with the way the place looked I pulled the door shut behind me and ran towards the big house to call for my date. I ran up the backyard and around the side of the house until I was standing at the front door. I rang the bell and straightened my shirt.
Carlisle answered the door, all smiles. "Good evening, sir." I told him as he reached to shake my hand.
"Good to see you Edward. Bella won't be long, come on in." He was grinning from ear to ear and his thoughts were, for the first time in a long time, jovial. 'You're going to cop some serious ribbing for this Edward.' He was laughing in his thoughts as a house full of very interested vampires turned their attention to the foyer.
They were all wondering why I had arrived via the front door and why I'd rung the bell when I could simply come in through the back door like everyone else. It was, after all, my home too.
The mental questions came so thick and fast I could only make parts of them out. In the case of the Japanese questions I could only make out certain words.
Around forty-five very nosy vampires began twittering when Bella came down the stairs. I stepped towards the bottom step and held out a hand for her as she came towards me. "You look lovely." I told her before kissing her hand.
She beamed. "Thank you Edward."
"We won't be out late Mr Cullen, I'll have her home before curfew." I chuckled softly.
Carlisle, who'd come to stand beside, began to twitter. "Yes, yes. Be sure that you do, she has school in the morning. Have a nice time you two." He laughed.
Our guests, who had remained conspicuously silent during this exchange, now all began to whisper about what they were seeing. I was sure their speculation and questions would be answered the second Bella and I were away for our 'date' so I wasted no time extracting us from the coming furore.
"Shall we?" I nodded towards the front door and led her to it. When we were through it and standing on the front porch I bent and kissed at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. "Run with me Bella." I whispered, loving the way she shivered as I did.
She squeezed my hand and then we were off, running full tilt around the side of the house and down towards the river.
As predicted the house erupted into a frenzy of questions and speculation the second we hit the yard.
I couldn't have cared less.
BPOV
It was the perfect date even if it was held in my own home. It was perfect and so was Edward.
We made love in front of the fire, in our bed and again in the tub. We spent hours devouring each other's bodies and then a few more hours just kissing, touching and whispering. It was a perfect night.
For a few short hours we were able to forget the sword that was dangling over our heads and just be together, in love. It was such a precious thing to have, a few stolen hours alone.
As the dawn crept into the cottage our fear returned, as it always did.
We put the cottage back to rights and then walked, slowly, to the big house to see Nessa and the family. I could almost guarantee that Edward was thinking exactly what I was thinking as we came to the backyard that morning. Please, please don't let that be the last time we'd have each other that way.
There was only a week until April 1st.
Our daughter ran down the stairs to greet us as we entered the living room but I could tell there were new vampires in attendance from their scent alone.
I hugged and kissed Nessa and let her show me her evening briefly before turning back into the room to see who was new.
Carlisle was at my side immediately and as soon as I spotted the four new guests I knew why. The two men were terrifying! I reached for Edward's hand subconsciously which raised a few eyebrows and made Emmett snigger.
"Don't be afraid." Edward whispered as we were brought forward to be introduced.
"Bella, Edward, this is Susan and this is Holly. They are from New Zealand and have come to help us. Ladies, this is my son Edward and my daughter and his mate Bella." Carlisle introduced us and the two women moved forward to shake first my hand then Edward's.
"Hello." I mumbled, never taking my eyes off the men.
"And this is Zuhar and Abel, from Tonga." Carlisle spoke again and again the new guests moved forward.
Edward stepped forward and held out his hand. If he shook their hand I would too. After all, they couldn't be dangerous if Carlisle had asked them into the house. Edward did shake hands with them so I too held out my hand.
The taller of the two men, Zuhar, stepped toward me and held my hand firmly in his. "Mrs Bella, I am Zuhar. Do not be alarmed. My markings are my tribal history, you have nothing to fear." He whispered this so softly, in a voice so opposite to his imposing stature I couldn't help but be calmed.
I smiled and he followed suit.
Abel, when his hand had been released from Edward's, came to me and did the same as his tribesman, taking my hand into his. "Do not be afraid. We have come to fight for your daughter and her mate." He nodded his head once, released my hand and went to stand by his coven mate.
They were formidable. Both of them. They towered over me and were covered from head to foot in black tattoos. They snaked and crisscrossed all over their bodies, over their faces and even into their hair. There were swirled designs on their lips and on the lobes of their ears. Their hair was black and wiry and despite the fact that they were vampires they had dark mahogany skin. They were big men too, solid with massive broad shoulders and huge hands like Emmett's. They scared the shit out of me.
"Show them your ink sissy." Emmett boomed from his place on the ottoman and then he began to laugh.
Edward growled at him but I smiled. "Shut up Emmett." I teased.
"I bet theirs don't do what yours does when you get hor..."
"Emmett Cullen!" Esme was berating him even before he was able to finish his sentence but the damage was done.
Abel once again stepped forward. "You have a tattoo?" He asked quite politely.
"I do." God I wished I was able to blush still. "But it's nothing like yours." I mumbled.
"If your mate would allow it I'd like to see it." Abel asked with a smile, looking to Edward for his accent or denial of the request.
Edward, for his part, simply smiled at me. I guessed that was his way of saying it was up to me. I opened the top button of my jersey and pulled it aside, revealing my meagre tattoo.
"Ahh..." Whispered Abel. "This is customary amongst white Pacific Rim women too. Brand their mates names onto their skin. It is good." He nodded simply and stepped back to stand beside Zuhar.
I sighed in relief, glad he hadn't laughed at my paltry excuse for 'ink'.
"My daddy likes to kiss it." Nessa whispered conspiratorially to the two branded men.
I cringed but Edward guffawed loudly. "Nessa, we've talked about you saying that." He admonished her good naturedly, obviously not bothered by our daughters statement. He turned then and faced the living room. He pointed a finger at Randall and snapped, "But you, you can stop thinking what you're thinking right now." I could tell he was joking around, sort of, but I didn't think Randall thought he was joking judging by the look on his face. "Come inside my new friends, tell us about your covens." Edward ushered the two new groups further into the living room and a discussion was held about Zuhar's ability to control the temperature of water.
EPOV
I didn't need to read Bella's mind to know that she had been frightened of the Tongans. They did look very fierce, it was true, but their thoughts were nothing other than friendly. I, of course, had that information available to me instantly, Bella did not.
She stuck to my side as the new arrivals began to tell us of their covens, their homes and their abilities.
It seemed Zuhar was able to freeze or boil water at will. Unlike Jonathon though, Zuhar needed to actually have water to hand in order to control it. Where Jonathon could conjure water from nothing, Zuhar could use it only if it was available. Between them they could work together and this information was noted on our extensive chart. Jasper, in particular, was already thinking through scenarios where the two men could work together to protect us.
I had Bella's hand in mine while we listened. She shivered now and then but seemed to be calming the longer the two men spoke. They both had very soothing voices that did not match their appearances in the least.
Attention began to turn to the two girls from New Zealand. Susan told us that she was a lot older than Holly and that she had turned her herself around forty years ago when she tired of being alone. My thoughts turned to Carlisle and his need for a companion which had ultimately led to myself being turned.
I was a little caught up in those thoughts so had to blink rapidly in order to make sense of what I was seeing before me.
Esme screamed quite loudly and Peter leapt to his feet in front of Charlotte in a defensive pose as Holly seemed to melt away before our eyes. She shivered and shook, not unlike the way the wolves did when they phased, and then she was stood in front of the gathered crowd as her sire, Susan. There were two Susan's.
The original Susan stood where she had been, seemingly unchanged and perfectly normal. "I'm fine." She smiled at us as if it was a natural occurrence to see a clone of herself suddenly appear in front of her own eyes. I guessed, for her, it might have been.
My brain refused to comprehend it and I too slipped into a crouch, pulling Nessa back behind me and Bella beside me to better shield our daughter.
The girl who used to be Holly turned towards us and using the voice she'd had before she had begun to shiver she told me to please not panic, that this was her gift.
She shook all over again and then she stood before us as herself, Holly, once again.
"Holy shit." Esme shouted, quickly covering her mouth with her hand and gaining a loud guffaw from Emmett.
Holly beamed at the crowd of stunned vampires. "I'm a shape shifter, like your wolf friends." She stated simply.
"Holy shit." Esme said again before giggling loudly. "Can you do me next?"
Holly smiled widely, "Sure. I'd love to."
Nessa pushed my knees apart and stuck her head out between them so she could see. We were all totally silent as the tiny blonde girl shivered and shook from head to toe, seeming to fall towards the floor before standing to her full height, shaking once again and morphing into a perfect copy of Esme.
Esme gasped and reached out a tentative hand towards the clone of herself. 'Holly' stepped forward a little and put her hand in Esme's. The real Esme giggled lightly. "Holy shit." She whispered again.
"Naughty Nana-Me." Nessa giggled between my legs. "Can I be next?" She asked as Holly shook off her most recent form and returned to herself once again.
I was about to admonish Nessa for treating our guest as a party trick when Holly herself approached my daughter. She knelt down a little and took Nessa's hand into hers. I read from her thoughts what she was about to say and wished I had Alice' foresight in order to know how Nessa was going to react.
"I'm so sorry little one, I can't turn into you. I can only turn into full vampires, and you're not, are you?" Holly asked.
Bella sucked in a breath, also waiting for Nessa's reaction. I squeezed her hand more tightly and waited for Nessa to form thoughts that would become her words. I relaxed a little when she did.
"No. I'm not full vampire. I'm much more special than that. I'm half human from my mommy, half vampire from my daddy and my mate is a wolf!" She announced with a bright, clear voice.
The room erupted then. She was swept from beneath me by Holly and taken into the centre of the room to be pawed and patted and fawned over, as she usually was in any gathering.
Bella pulled me to her side and stood on tip toe. "She is the very best of us, I love you so much Edward." And with that she kissed me soundly on the lips before skipping away to join the larger group around our daughter.
Carlisle came to me then. He put a hand to my shoulder, "She is the very best of you both. Your army is growing, son." He didn't say it unkindly or in an accusatory way, it was just a simple statement of fact. I didn't miss the inflection of the 'your' at the beginning either.
"I know. Thank god." I told him before settling into a seat on the sofa to watch the goings on.
Two groups arrived together the following day. Our friends Charles, Alistair and Makenna who we knew as the European nomads had invited and travelled with a group of Turkish vampires on their very first trip to the US. The mix was as diverse as could possibly be.
I was surprised to see Alistair as he had already visited for Nessa's christening two years ago. His limit was once a century, so I was intrigued to find out why he'd deemed this trip essential.
"Ah, young Edward, you more so than others know of my mistrust for all things authoritarian. In this case I am sure we are united?" He asked.
I nodded soberly, "Indeed." I agreed.
"Where the Romanians are concerned my mistrust is not misplaced, my view has seen me redeemed in this, and so we fight." He bowed lowly to me and as he came up he looked me in the eye. 'This is a formidable group assembled, you should be proud. I am proud to fight for you.' He told me through his thoughts.
I wanted, so badly, to tell him not to fight for me, but I couldn't. I needed him to. I needed his assistance as much as I needed the help of every single vampire in the house and those that were still travelling to get to us in time.
"I am proud to have you here Alistair. Thank you." I said, truly humbled.
"I see you are entertaining the Germans already. Good, good, they fight like the bejesus." He chuckled and went to reacquaint himself with Dieter.
"We have new friends." Carlisle announced, effectively cutting off the conversation in the living room and the dining room. "Please welcome Alex, Busra and his mate Mehmet. They've come all the way from Turkey."
Their leader stepped slightly forward and bowed inwards, towards the gathered crowd. "I am Furkan but wish to be called Alex here in America. Alex is a good name, yes?" He beamed as everyone exclaimed what a fine name he'd chosen to 'borrow' for his visit.
I could already hear Emmett cursing, having missed his chance to make Furkan jokes. To him that name was a gold mine! I scowled in his direction but he didn't see, he was too busy trying to work out how many rhyming words he could form from the name. I had to concede he was doing quite well.
I stepped forward and offered my hand to Alex. "I am Edward and my mate Bella is there, with our daughter Nessa. It is a pleasure to meet you." I said sincerely, nodding to where Bella and Nessa sat on the edge of the ottoman while Siobhan braided Nessa's hair.
Alex was nodding wildly. "Yes, yes, you are the one we've come to help. You are Edward, yes. Our friend Alistair has told us of your mate and your child. We will fight hard for you Edward." He nodded throughout the entire speech as if he needed to punctuate how serious he and his coven were about helping us.
"I appreciate that Alex. Thank you." I told him with a nod of my own.
"Charles says your sire has a list of weaponry within the group, yes?" He asked.
I cringed at both the term sire and the word weaponry but nodded all the same. "Yes. Carlisle." I called for my father softly, knowing he'd hear. He came to where we stood talking and nodded to Alex. "Alex has something to add to our list of gifts." I said diplomatically.
Carlisle's eyes lit up at the thought of new gifts and information. "Do tell." He smiled at Alex.
"Perhaps I can show you, it would be much simpler." Without waiting for our answer he simply strode back out the front door, Carlisle and I followed without question.
We stood at the foot of the stairs but Alex continued on into the centre of the driveway. In his thoughts he was searching for a clear patch of earth, I had no idea what for.
Others began to filter outside and stood flanking us on the steps and porch as Alex readied himself for whatever it was he wanted to show us.
I was about to ask him to please begin when a massive ball of flame seemed to spring up from the ground at his feet. He used his hands to push and pull it until it was a ball about the size of a basketball. He pushed it downward so he was able to be seen above it. "I can only do it from solid ground, not sand or road tarmac. But once I have it in my hands I can make it two, I'm not sure what the English word for that is." He shrugged.
"He can clone it." I said, picking the term in Turkish out of his head. "Amazing." I whispered.
There were gasps all around and a few sighs and quite a few shocked yelps as well as we watched him pull the ball of fire into two and then again into four, placing them at his feet on the ground. He stamped three of them out with his booted foot but held the fourth in his hands.
"How long will they stay lit?" Jasper asked. I searched his head to see why this mattered and when I saw the answer I smiled. Jasper was strategising. Alex was going to be his new best friend for a while.
"Until I put them out." Alex grinned. Then he threw the ball of fire into the trees that lined the central part of the driveway. It stayed lit but did not ignite the grass, underbrush or trees. He had perfect control of it. "Or until I'm sure you're dead." He swept his hand in the fires direction and it dimmed then was gone, no trace of it remained.
He grinned again, this time it was a menacing one.
I liked Alex. A lot.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading. Please review if you have enjoyed this chapter, I would love to hear what you think. Even if you didn't like it, please let me know so I can review it and fix it.
