Chapter Fifteen: The lonely God

Angela (POV)

We were halfway home and had just passed the first sign that we were only a couple of miles from the edge of Forks. Edward hadn't said a word as he drove, and I was a little confused, so I just kept silent too. He kept looking over at me until finally he slammed on the brakes and pulled a quick and dangerous U-Turn. His face twisted, angry, yet somewhere deep in his eyes there was something that looked relieved.

When we reached the house, he honked the horn twice, and the family spilled out onto the driveway. Esme and Bella were notably absent. Mason stood apart from the rest of them and was staring at Edward almost expectantly. So, it wasn't much of a surprise that when we came to a stop Edward practically flew out of the car and stopped less than three inches from Mason's face

"What did you do to me?" Edward spoke so low and dangerously that I barely heard him as I exited the car.

"I was afraid this might happen, but there are no absolutes when it comes to our kind. When I nudged your power so you could see what was wrong with Alice, it appears as though I might have pushed too hard. Your mind has shut down your gift, possibly to grow. I don't feel atrophy, so your power will likely return soon enough." There was no anger, just truth in Mason's words and expression. I quickly glanced to see Edward's reaction and I could see a quiet resignation descend over his face.

"I don't know if I should hit you or thank you. You say it might return, and I want to believe you. But this is too much, you've overstepped again." Edward still looked angry, and somehow almost thankful. I had never thought about the idea of hearing all thoughts all the time. To finally have silence after as many years as Edward had been alive. To him it must be both terrifying and liberating.

"Enjoy it while it lasts." I interjected. Edward shot me a kind look, and then turned towards Mason again.

"You've been shaking things up, changing our perceptions, and now you've nudged my powers beyond my own limitations. What do you want from us?" Edward gave him time to react, and Mason took it. He spent barely a second in thought, and I wondered how long that felt like to him, for me it felt almost instantaneous.

"I honestly don't know." He paused and looked around for a moment before continuing. "If you'll excuse me, I think I should leave now." Mason headed past Edward, a second of tension passed between them as Mason waited for Edward to block him. Edward didn't budge. A slight change in posture and shoulder position let me know that Mason was relieved he didn't have to resort to conflict. As he passed by me, he gave me a soft smile, his beautiful unusual eyes peered into mine greedily. It was almost as if he was trying to look straight into my soul. I felt naked and vulnerable, and a great desire to look away overcame me, but I resisted the urge and didn't break eye contact.

"Could I speak to you?" I touched his sleeve lightly as he was walking by me. He nodded and motioned towards the long stretch of driveway.

"What would you like to talk about?" Mason asked after a we had gotten some distance from the rest of the Cullen's who I could tell were watching us. He seemed curious, and if my imagination wasn't playing tricks on me, a little nervous.

"I can't just sit by and watch them get hurt. You saved my life, and I owe you so much right now. It's just watching you interacting with them, so far, you've evaded and pushed, it feels like you're a damaging influence on them. Please if you cannot curb your gifts, go, because they are far too good for that. Bella and Alice are like sisters to me, Esme another mother. Carlisle a teacher. Rose and Emmett are the kind of friends that will always support you no matter what. So, you better spill it, what are your intentions?" We had stopped walking and he was staring at me. It was a weird feeling having the undivided attention of a creature like Mason. So strange and old, and powerful.

"A human defending a family a vampires… There are may things in this world that are wondrous. I never thought I would encounter a human… you are a puzzling creature. I can see why they like you." He took a deep breath and looked away from me for a moment into the forest. Then looking back at the Cullen's, he continued.

"Honestly, I'm in uncharted territory here. A thousand years ago I was in a coven, and I was their leader. But I'm not sure how to exist in a family like this one, especially with danger and death on the horizon. I am loath to say that I don't even know if my presence here is the danger to them that Alice foresaw, but I feel the need to protect them, I want them to survive. I just don't know what to do." He seemed so vulnerable. This seemingly ancient monster was looking to me for advice. I felt insignificant, and I couldn't believe that anything I could say would hold the weight of experience and significance needed for this kind of question.

"I'm stealing liberally from television here, but just because you've seen the future doesn't mean you can't change it. Follow your instincts and listen to your heart and you should find the right answer." I almost cringed. The words felt hollow and trite, I was inadequate for this task and I knew it. He looked at me with gentle eyes, but it was probably a mask to hide his true opinion.

"I'm not sure which to follow, my instincts or my heart, since they're pulling me in opposite directions." He wasn't laughing and he seemed to take my words seriously. I paused to process that for a moment. Then responded with what felt like the right answer.

"Then follow the one that feels more important to you. What are you really asking yourself? Can you answer that?" I said with as much compassion as I could muster. He seemed to be struggling, and I didn't want to appear flippant, or oblivious to his feelings.

"It's a matter of survival, versus something unknown and potentially frightening. I guess there isn't a choice. I've been alive and alone for so long that it feels natural for me. Yet, I would be a fool to pass up this life. I don't know if I deserve it though, I've caused so much suffering, and I've destroyed so many lives. I don't know if I'm even worthy to be a part of theirs, let alone a member of their family." He growled slightly and shook his head. "Please ignore my prattle. This isn't something you should concern yourself with." His face got hard and distant. All the emotion that was bubbling to the surface disappeared abruptly.

"Don't shut off, you were getting somewhere. Do you want to spend eternity as a lonely god, or a lifetime with love and family? If chaos and death are the price for love then personally, I would gladly pay it, but what I think isn't important. I'm just a scared little girl consorting with mythical monsters." I chuckled a little, and more than a touch of fear came though the laugh. My train of thought brought back the very real vision that Alice had of me, and it frightened me to no end to think I would soon no longer be a member of humanity. It was both exhilarating and an utterly brain numbing concept to think about.

"Mythical monsters. You know we're only mythical because the world doesn't want to see us. We've been there throughout the ages, hiding in the shadows, and humanity has noticed us. They just refuse to admit we're real. Also, you hardly seem like a scared little girl to me." He looked down at the gravel loosely scattered across the ground and kicked a large stone deep into the forest. The kick was impressive enough that I didn't hear the impact of the rock.

"I... ah... thank you. I think. You know, vampires sticking to the shadows is probably for the best. I mean I don't think people would handle it well. Individuals can be rational, but groups tend to be ruled by the mob mentality. Destroy first ask questions later. As a species that thinks it's at the top of the food chain, how would we react to the humbling knowledge that we have a natural predator? I know I'm still a little bit in shock, and I've had a fairly good experience going in. Then there are the ones who would endlessly hound you guys to be changed, and the zealots that would try to hunt you. There are too many unknowns to simply tell the world you're here. Wait, that wasn't the topic we were talking about, I got a little distracted there… sorry." I felt silly, abdicating for the rights of a vampire to remain hidden from the world. It was such a silly thing to contemplate, except that if Alice was right, I would be a vampire soon.

How could I leave my family to suffer my death? There were no words to explain the guilt I would feel over that. Unless I was dying, unless I was mortally injured and one of them rescued me. I grimaced at the morbidity of that train of thought, though I didn't have to think about it for long. Mason's started to speak again almost immediately.

"Don't be sorry, it is a very valid point of view. I've watched people for longer than I care to remember, and you're right. As individual's I respect and value humanity. As a species... there are things that I've seen committed for reasons flimsier than impulse that would set your soul on fire with rage." He looked up in the sky, with a bit of a long distant stare, as if he were trying to suppress memories he didn't want to be reliving. I tentatively reached out to touch his shoulder, and his face shifted slightly, and he closed his eyes in what looked like contentment.

"You have no idea what that means to me." He said with a smile. I withdrew my hand wondering if I stepped over a line I didn't mean to cross. He glanced at me then, and then looked down.

"I've been alone for a long time. I haven't been touched in such a casual way in even longer." He seemed almost embarrassed by the confession. It made me want to hug him, although that would be a bridge too far. I could see something deep inside of him that wanted to come out, to be alive again.

"I don't know if you want to talk to a human about your troubles, but if you ever need someone... I could be there for you." I couldn't quite look at him as I spoke, I wasn't used to putting myself out there like that.

"Thank you." Was his simple reply. Yet the emotion he somehow conveyed in those two words was enough. It forced me to look him in the eyes, and I found myself smiling. My heart began to beat a little faster, and I knew I was headed down a dangerous path. Yet I wasn't sure it mattered, if I was going to become a monster, I could do a heck of a lot worse than Mason as a partner. I just couldn't give in to my hormones, I had to keep a clear head. I immediately thought of something that could change the subject back to what I wanted to speak to him about in the first place.

"Not to change the subject, but I need to know. How you justified manipulating their powers, I believe you meant well but was it ultimately helpful?" I said trying to sound as impartial and serious as I could be. He examined me for a moment, and I felt humbled by the weight of his stare. After a moment of thought he shook his head but furrowed his brow in mild confusion.

"I'll completely admit that I've tapped into Edward's power and at the time it was to gain information. Then I pushed him beyond his personal limitations, but Alice I never touched her power. It didn't occur to me until just now that there is no reason for hers to change like this." I nodded because he seemed genuine, and his honesty disarmed my suspicions. The family reacted, and they all rushed over to us.

"What the hell do you mean you haven't touched my powers?" Alice said with fury in her eyes.

"I haven't. Unless for some reason my presence is affecting you. Which would be a first, it would mean your power is tied to this… reality in a way that is beyond my knowledge." Mason looked upset and was frowning deeply.

"I don't know where my visions come from, but they change based on decisions. The future is nowhere near as set as we would like to believe." Alice said with a small shrug.

"I guess fate is a fickle lover." Mason said with a small smile. "As I said before, I should go, before I can cause more harm."

"If you can amplify powers, can you explain what I could potentially do with my ability?" Edward asked, before Mason could leave. Mason frowned slightly, but nodded at Edward.

"Telepathy is a variable gift. Aro's version of it is very invasive but requires touch. Talia, a vampire who died many centuries ago could not just read the thoughts of others, but implant her own thoughts as well allowing for almost unlimited communication over as far as a mile. She was Aro's most powerful tool, until she decided she was done with the Volturi and they killed her for trying to leave them." Mason scowled, the story clearly dredging up painful memories.

"Did you know Talia well?" Carlisle asked, trying to understand the man in front of us.

"Not really, my coven mate Katherine was close to her. They were in a nomadic coven before I met Katherine, but parted ways years before." Mason clarified.

"Katherine, I've heard of a couple vampires with that name, but none were older than me." Carlisle looked confused, "Or Talia for that matter, and I lived with the Volturi for years."

"The Volturi horde secrets like they collect our kind for their guard. Katie was executed for supposed crimes after my coven disbanded. It is part of the reason I have been alone for so long." Mason scowled and shook his head in pain. "I suspect they killed her for my secret." Mason said quietly, obviously still affected by her death.

"What secret could be so important that the Volturi would break their own laws to uncover it?" Carlisle asked incredulously.

"You must understand, this isn't something I reveal lightly. I wasn't sure when, or even if I was going to reveal it to your family. It is dangerous and would alter our world forever if ever revealed enmasse. Yet, trust is important." Mason looked around the room, and then at me for a few seconds before returning his gaze towards Carlisle.

"For every gifted vampire, many have no gift at all. It makes the gifted special and valuable. Or at least that is what is known." Mason pursed his lips and waited for a reaction.

"If I grasp what you're implying; all vampires have gifts? Can that be right?" Alice asked trying to understand or clarify what Mason had said.

"Yes. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your point of view, most never develop that latent gift into something useful. However, I can help draw out that ability to the surface so that any vampire can learn their unique gift." He had broken eye contact and was looking at the sky again.

"I'm sorry, but could you run me over with that again?" Emmett spoke up, he seemed excited.

"Your family is special, but more than I originally conveyed. All of you have unique and special talents. I would love to have the opportunity to work with you all to uncover them. Plus, if Alice's vision is true then it might tip the scales in our favor. It's a secret I've kept for a long time, primarily from the Volturi. If they knew what I do about our kind they would be ruling the world." There was no evasion or heightened drama, just a casual exposition of information. I looked to the rest of the family, this time there was shock and confusion, and in a couple of cases a little bit of anger. But none of it was directed towards Mason.

It took a few seconds to sink in, but Emmett almost jumped up for joy. He did shout, "WOOHOO!" Rosalie rolled her eyes but looked at Mason again.

"Really, you can hardly expect me to believe that you mean all of us have powers, even me?" Rosalie spoke up. Mason looked at her for a moment, and then chuckled to himself for a couple of seconds.

"I'm not sure if it's what you want to hear." Mason said with a small shrug.

"Dazzle me." Rosalie said with biting sarcasm.

"Your will is powerful, harnessed you could learn to inspire and dominate others to do your bidding." Mason sighed slightly; it was clear to me at least, that he was showing his hand far earlier than he was ready for.

"Not really dazzled, your saying I can do the classic vampire mind control trick. How would that help in a fight?" Rosalie said with more than a little venom in her voice.

"With practice you wouldn't even need to raise a hand, you could simply stop your opponent before they could throw their first punch. You could mesmerize a room to believe you were a giant dragon, or even disappear from their sight. You could inspire someone to change their way of life by altering a fundamental ideal. You could even compel someone to commit suicide. The applications of domination are as endless as your imagination. It's a very powerful gift, but it does take a long time to refine." Rosalie's eyes were wide, clearly thrown by the information.

"Excuse me." Rosalie said, running into the house without another word or even a look back at the family. Everyone stood in silence for what felt like minutes, until finally Carlisle broke the tension by clearing his throat.

"As much as I would love to hear a rundown or our gifts, I feel that given tonight's events now would not be the best time. Mason perhaps you should leave for now, a few hours away so that we can have a family discussion?" Carlisle smiled at Mason, who nodded thoughtfully.

"Not at all. Thank you again for your hospitality." Without another word he was gone, I stared at the forest where he disappeared into the tree line for a few seconds trying to push down my feelings. I wasn't sure if I was just attracted to the mystery of a man so ancient that he could casually refer to a time a thousand years before I was born, or if there was something more. Eventually I turned towards Carlisle.

"Let's all adjourn to the house. We have much to discuss." Carlisle turned to lead the group inside.

"Um, I'm not a member of your family." I said feeling out of place.

"Yes, you are dear." Carlisle just held out a hand for me. I looked at his hand and felt my mind race over the implications of accepting his offer. I felt my body start to tremble, as I pushed down the fear threatening to overwhelm me. I shut my eyes and took deep breath, and when I opened them, I took a step forward clasping Carlisle's hand tightly. I felt a small tear form in her left eye, and in the next instant I found Alice holding my other hand smiling at me broadly.

"I guess this means you've accepted my vision?" Alice looked at me with love. I looked back at her and tried to smile but couldn't' help the sadness from coming through.

"I've accepted that I love every one of you, and I could think of a much worse fate then spending eternity with this family. If that means giving up my life and becoming a vampire, so be it. I'll have to find a way to do it and keep my parents from pain. I won't subject them to dealing with my death." It was more of a desperate need, and I could tell they understood.

"We'll figure it out. I promise." Carlisle said as we walked inside to figure out as a family what to do with more drama and terror than I could even begin to wrap my head around.