Chapter Eleven: The Uninvited Guest Dilemma

Edward (POV)

"I forgive you." Bella's voice was clear and serious, she had decided.

The rest of what she said was important, but it all dropped away with those three words. I would wait for her, even if we never resumed our relationship. I would be in her life, nothing else truly mattered.

"Thank you." The gratitude in my voice was but a fraction of the joy and relief I was feeling. I had a chance to win her back, that was all I could hope for.

"This life is possible because of you. So, thank you Edward." She said with a genuine smile, and it dawned on me then that she felt good about this change. It had never occurred to me she would prefer to have this kind of life, I almost cringed at my own arrogance. Had I been so obsessed with keeping her life vaguely normal, that I had overlooked her heart? I knew I had to do something, and her birthday gift felt like the most appropriate.

"Would you like your birthday present?" I offered, hoping she would accept.

"Why not." Her grin sent a wave of pleasure through my body, a single expression of kindness from her was all I needed. I stood and led her into the house and sat at my baby grand. I closed my eyes and started to play, the melody a composition I had come up with the day of the crash when I realized I had feelings for the strange human girl I hadn't saved from a life of misery.

Everyone gathered, I could sense their minds and the pleasure they were deriving from my music. It gave me joy to know I was giving them a moment of peace. Then I finished, and I realized immediately something was wrong. Alice's mind had gone dark, a vision that was far more powerful than usual.

"Alice?" Bella's voice pulled me from Alice's mind.

"She's having a vision." Rose short explanation was more than just unhelpful. I shook my head at her, and she rolled her eyes at me. An argument for another day.

"Oh, so this is normal? For her?" Bella looked around for answers, and I could hear Carlisle calling to me.

'Something's wrong. What can you see?' Carlisle phrased the words in his mind specifically for me. I shook my head slightly at his question. Carlisle flinched, but turned it inwardly so that he could reassure Bella.

"Yes, although she is usually fully aware and able to speak when she has one. This is a bit unusual. Edward?" Carlisle turned it to me so I could try to explain. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible, the vision was broken and dark, although I could hear Bella's voice in the distance… screaming.

"I can't see her vision, but it has something to do with the visitor, he is arriving soon. There's something about him that is interfering with her ability I think." I kept my face neutral as I spoke, but I couldn't help a frown from forming.

"Holy shit. What the hell was that?" Alice said as she roused. 'Edward, did you see that?' She thought at me with a touch of panic in her internal voice.

"Hell, if I know." Bella said looking confused, worry twisting up her features.

"I'm okay, I think." Alice righted herself but kept close to Bella.

"What did you see?" Carlisle repeated this time directed at Alice.

"I'm not sure, I saw fire and death. If we don't change the course of events, we're on, then some of us will die, and I can't see how it happens." As Alice spoke Bella's phantom scream reverberated in my mind like an it was an echo chamber. I forced my eyes shut to block it out.

"You didn't see anything that would give us a clue?" Carlisle asked pulling me out of my horror. I took in a breath of relief, but then Alice actively drew on the vision again trying to see more pieces of it clearly. The scattered and fragmented images were too fast for even my vampire mind to interpret. I had to memorize them and play them back slowly to get anything even remotely comprehensible.

I started to play them through my mind as our uninvited guest arrived. I lost track of the conversation for the most part trying to decipher the images that Alice had seen. It distracted me from what seemed like a cautious but hopeful introduction. Then a few minutes after he arrived, I felt something strange, and suddenly my focus was diverted to the thoughts of everyone else in the room. Even Bella, whose mind bounced back at me just as hard as it always had.

It was strange, as though I had no control over my own gift. I turned my gift towards the stranger and found he was blocked. It was different from Bella, but nearly as frustrating. I wondered what was wrong with me if two minds could block me when none had ever been able to before.

After a while I heard Carlisle introduce me and I nodded as politely as possible, yet I found myself staring at the stranger. Trying to solve the riddle of his mind. Then he showed a glimpse of his power, and for an instant his mind opened to me. I felt immediately overwhelmed by him. He wasn't just ancient; he had no true recollection of his age although I could partially date him back at least three thousand years. He had a vast well of knowledge and nearly endless patience. He was compassionate and found joy in helping others, but most of all he was lonely. A great ache of loneliness that had a glimmer of hope that we could fill that void. Then just as quickly his mind closed back up.

"Would you like to stay a while and get to know us better?" Esme offered.

"I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome on a first visit." Mason said as he stood and made for the door.

"Can I walk you out?" I offered. He looked at me and nodded and we left the house.

"I live a few miles to the east; I'm rebuilding an abandoned house that has great bones." Mason smiled, clearly happy with his choice.

"The Westmore house, yes. It has been sitting for far too long, it's good that you found a worthy project." I said trying to ingratiate myself.

"I assume you want to talk?" I was struck by his strange mismatched human eyes that were full of mirth.

"I know you are still guarded about your life, there is no way you could explain it all in a single evening anyway. But I need to know if you are a friend. Would it be an imposition to ask a few questions?" I spoke diplomatically, choosing my words carefully. He smiled in response.

"Not at all, I can understand the need to make sure your family is safe. Please ask anything you like." He answered as if he were an open book. I wanted to believe him, but I doubted anyone as old as him could ever be fully truthful about their past.

"You never fully explained your eyes. That flash could've been a show." I didn't want to sound accusatory, but I had to see if I could catch another glimpse of his mind.

"As I said before, it is difficult to explain. My gifts allow me to alter my body to a minor extent. This lets me hide for the most part. But if I use my powers directly, my eyes shift to their natural color, which is golden like yours. I could show you if you like." I nodded with curiosity and a little apprehension.

"I will warn you it is a bit unusual; I've been called the many things in the past but the nickname 'Dragon' was always the most appropriate." He extended his hand and he turned his palm face up.

I waited for a couple of seconds until I could see his skin ripple from the center of his palm. Suddenly a flash of light jumped from the center and erupted into a golf ball sized sphere of flame that levitated a few inches from his skin. I could help the gasp from escaping my lips, I had never seen such an awesome display of power before. Staring into his eyes I was relieved to see two faintly glowing orbs of pure gold. He smiled and extinguished the flame by closing his hand.

"I hope that was sufficient. It is difficult to maintain a sphere that small. I tend to only use it when absolutely necessary." He did look momentarily weak, but for some reason his mind remained blocked when he used his power again.

"I'm lost for words; you must feel very isolated to have such a gift." His face hardened a little, and then he forced a polite smile.

"You must feel the same. Telepathy is a as much a burden as it is a gift." I stopped walking and looked at him. "We never mentioned any of us having gifts."

"No, but I can feel every gift of every vampire. Including yours, that's why I let down my guard. I appreciate your attempt to see into my mind again, but it will not happen unless I wish it." He gave me a small shrug, and I realized my game was over.

"My apologies." I offered, but he shook his head.

"None are needed. Your family is more than I could've possibly hoped for." Mason looked down slightly as he spoke, and I could see the loneliness in his expression.

"Okay, then maybe you could start by letting me know more about you." I needed to bring back information to the family but having failed reading his mind I had to be more circumspect.

"I find joy in small things that most no longer notice. My obsession is with books. I spent most of my early life listening to storytellers, watching performances and listening to musicians of every kind. Yet it was the written word that truly grabbed my interest. I remember spending countless hours in the library of Alexandria, before it fell to politics and war. I spend a great deal of time alone as you might have guessed, so I've amassed a substantial library. I have also developed a fondness for movies, it may seem passé, but to see such wonders of imagination moving with such fluidity still boggles my mind, even after close to a century. I've spent time learning nearly every trade and profession, although I haven't kept up on all the advancements." He paused for a moment before continuing.

"Medicine is one field that I've always kept on top of. To heal, especially with my enhanced senses makes it easy to blend in with nearly any culture. I've been everything from a blacksmith to a professor, a scientist and a musician. I speak hundreds of languages, a good deal of which have fallen completely out of use. It is easy to learn when you have unlimited time." He smiled wistfully, but for me the concept of immortality spread out over millennia was a little terrifying.

"I am still a little out of touch with technology though, especially the computer age. I've tried to understand the inner workings of computers. But I lost interest in the college courses I attempted. There was far too much tedium and nonsensical rules. I do love to fly however, airplanes are a passion of mine, and so are cars. I was bound to my feet or horseback for countless years, and the convenience of being able to traverse a continent in only a few days is such a luxury, albeit an ironic one. I am saddened by the shrinking of the world through the use of technology. It makes some things feel insignificant that shouldn't be." I felt reassured, he held as many interests as the rest of us did. I also hoped that he would be willing to teach us some of his knowledge.

"That definitely answers my question. I completely understand some of your the issues with modern life. I was turned during the outbreak of Spanish Influenza, and I'm still adjusting to my cell phone. Rosalie is a car aficionado; she would love to hear you feel the same as her. Emmett loves what everyone else loves, plus sports and gaming and the outdoors. Alice is ever changing, and her interests shift as often as her clothes. But she has always been into fashion and interior design. Esme is our artist, and if she invites you to view her gallery you should take her up on it. Carlisle has devoted his life to medicine, and has a level of control around humans that puts us all to shame… except for Bella. I know she loves to read, and is selfless and…"

"You love her." He guessed.

"Yes. She is my life." I said as simply as I could say it, anything else felt cluttered.

"You cannot read her because of her gift, she is a mental shield and a powerful one." I felt shock and elation. It made so much sense, but I had never heard of a defensive power that presented that clearly in a human before.

"She could block me as a human." I asked, hoping he might have an answer.

"That's possible, unusual but possible. Do either of her parents display a similar ability to block your gift?" He asked, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Not exactly, her father is muffled. I can kind of hear him, but for a long time I thought he was dim. I never bothered to look into his mind more in depth until Bella arrived and I was desperate to find any information I could about her." I shook my head, that was more than I had told anyone about my infatuation with Isabella Swan.

"Hmm, he could be a shield as well. Maybe not as powerful." Mason smiled. "As I've said before, you have quite a family. It will be a pleasure getting to know them. But not tonight, I have a lot of work to do on my new house, and I feel that I've already overstepped into your private lives enough for one evening."

I nodded before speaking and gave him a welcoming smile. "Thank you, you're welcome anytime." I held out my hand and we shook hands firmly. Then he tipped his head and began to walk at a human's pace down our long driveway. I watched him disappear around a bend before I turned back towards the house. When I entered and closed the door, I could hear the family already in the middle of an argument.

"He could pose a threat to us, if the Volturi are looking for him. I know that's reaching but it is a possibility, he said he doesn't share their values. There is also something about him I just don't trust, and I can tell he is hiding something huge from us." Rose spoke clearly and earnestly, doing her best not to sound biased.

"Perhaps, but we don't share their values either, and the Volturi don't just hunt down our kind without a violation of the law." Carlisle looked pensive but shook his head. "We just met the man, and if he is old enough to have created Aro…"

"He is older than you think. He predates Rome." I interjected, hoping that some information would help.

"Jesus." Emmett said whistling.

"He is also into medicine, cars, and pretty much everything else. I think he means right by us. But there is something you should know. He can sense our abilities; he knows I can read minds and Alice has visions. And Bella, he explained why I cannot read yours." I looked at her and she did a double take looking at me, a look of joy crossed her face before she settled into something darker.

"There's a reason beyond being a freak of nature?" Bella said with sarcasm, but I could see genuine interest behind her expression.

"You have a defensive power, a mental shield. It is why you can block my ability. Who knows what that might extend to?" I hoped she would understand, it was an odd ability to describe.

"Aro." Carlisle suggested.

"Jane." Rosalie shuddered.

"Um… who?" Bella said in confusion.

"The Volturi. Aro can see every thought you ever had with only a touch. Jane and Alec are their most powerful enforcers." Carlisle explained. "I'll go over all of that tomorrow as planned."

"Sure." Bella nodded, although I could tell she hated being in the dark. It made our decision to turn her without telling her the truth pinch at my guilt.

"Not to change the subject, well actually staying a bit on subject, but I have a question for Bella." Alice interrupted. Bella smiled and nodded at her. "Do you think you are strong enough to resist humans?"

"I think so; I was able to stop hunting earlier. But I'm honestly not sure." Bella seemed doubtful, and caution was always a good idea, but I could see a plan forming in Alice's head that she was keeping me out of. I frowned at her, but she just waved it away with a roll of eyes.

'I'm not reckless Edward, sheesh.' She thought at me incredulously. 'Give me more credit.' I nodded and pushed it away as yet another future concern.

"Good, I was just curious. Please, let us get back to the debate about our new friend. Personally, I think we should trust him. I don't get killer vibes from him. Definitely cautious and unsure vibes, and okay that sounds a bit silly, but you get what I mean." Alice stuck out her tongue and everyone chuckled softly.

"Yeah I think he could be cool. If not I'm pretty sure I could take him." Emmett replied enthusiastically, and as always thinking of a fight first. Rose just rolled her eyes at him, but there was an underlying concern I hadn't seen on her face before. She pulled Emmett into her embrace and wrapped a possessive arm around his waist.

"Don't get ahead of yourself Emmett, and I don't think he is an enemy." Carlisle furrowed his brow. "I believe any more debate would be redundant at this point. Until we know more about him, I think we should remain cautious but receptive. Is everyone in agreement?" Everyone nodded in acceptance even Rose didn't object although her mental attitude was negative.

"Good let's table this conversation for another day." Carlisle said which ended the conversation. We all split up and everyone started towards their rooms except for Esme and Bella. I lingered in the hallway hoping Bella's reaction would be happy when she realized she had her own space, wishing I was the one that could show her. I sighed and went up to my room after a few seconds, rather than eavesdropping. I turned on Chopin and sat at my desk inspired to write a new composition inspired by the hope for a wonderful future.

Yet in the back of my mind I could still hear Bella's phantom scream echoing in the darkness.


Author's Note: Sorry about the repetition of content at the beginning of the chapter, I found there wasn't a better way to give more details about Alice's vision. I tried to keep it different, using Edward's unique perspective.

Thank you all again for reading my story and to everyone that took the time to write a review, I greatly appreciate it. Please check out my profile for updates and the release date for the next chapter.

Until next time!