Edward glanced nervously between the trees and I. He gently grabbed the end of my braid and pulled out the tie that was holding it. "Glamour," he said as quietly as he could while raking his fingers through my hair. It was wild after being in the braid.

I knew immediately what he was trying to do. The vampires may have been after Alice, but she couldn't be as easily killed as I could. I wasn't like them. I was mortal. I stood out. If the strangers started asking questions, they could decide to go after me next. I could take care of myself, but I wasn't exactly itching to start a fight on purpose. I closed my eyes, remembering Rosalie's clear, white skin from earlier. I looked into Edward's topaz eyes, though I didn't particularly need a reminder about them. I had memorized them the day we had met.

Edward brought his cold lips to my forehead.

Then, we saw them. Like my vision, they emerged from the forest meters away from each other. This time, however, we were in the clearing and not the Cullen's front yard. Somehow, that made it worse. The Cullen home was comforting. The unfamiliarity of the clearing was not. I felt too exposed.

The blond man and the red-haired woman looked just as they had in my vision. They were still just as wildly beautiful, despite the shabby clothes. As they came closer together to each other, they let the dark-haired one take the lead. I furrowed my brows. He looked like their leader, but I knew he wasn't the one making the decisions.

Carlisle stepped forward to greet them with Emmett and Jasper next to him. I knew Edward wasn't going to leave my side unless he was forced. Alice did take a small step back to us, though, effectively putting the rest of her family between the three of us and the newcomers. She grabbed my hand comfortingly.

The woman was looking around crazily as if she was missing something. She looked the most reluctant of the three to be there. I was sure that if the blond had not been her mate, she wouldn't have been. She settled with tucking herself into the blond's side. His crimson eyes were calm and focused entirely on Alice.

My grip on her hand tightened. It was the first time I'd seen a vampire with red eyes. It was unnerving, to say the least.

"We thought we heard a game," began the dark-haired man with a slight French accent. "I'm Laurent. These are Victoria and James." Finally, I had names to match the faces.

"I'm Carlisle. This is my family, Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie, Esme and Alice, Edward and Emme." Carlisle was careful not to call attention to neither me nor Alice. I didn't give myself the chance to focus on the fact that he had included me in his family. Instead, I dove into James' mind.

His thought's moved much faster than anyone's I had read to this point. Flashes of images between him, Victoria, and Kumboh appeared and disappeared just as quickly. I understood fragments of coherent thoughts that I both understood and didn't: 'my only failure,' 'it will come to a hunt,' and 'blood singer' among them. And then his thoughts shifted to what he wanted to do. Horrible images of Alice dead in different ways flit around his mind. He wanted revenge for escaping him so many years ago, and he didn't want this to be easy. He liked the hunt.

I stiffened at the images. The movement was microscopic, but it brought James' eyes to mine immediately. I froze, hoping he wouldn't focus on me for too long. He lingered only a moment before returning back to his prey.

"Do you have room for a few more players?" Laurent was asking, completely oblivious to what was happening. From his thoughts, I gathered that James and Victoria used him as a safety precaution—a scapegoat for anything that might go wrong. He was as unaware of their true nature as Carlisle was. Any hope for peace was gone the moment James laid eyes on Alice.

Carlisle's tone was still friendly, albeit stiff. "We were just finishing up, but we'd certainly be interested another time. Will you be in the area for long?"

Laurent shrugged, completely at ease. "Probably not. We were originally just passing through. We haven't met company in a long time."

I could feel Jasper manipulating the tenseness of the conversation, calming the mated newcomers. Carlisle nodded knowingly. "This area is generally empty apart from us. We keep a permanent residence nearby, and there is a similar one up in Denali."

James and Victoria shared a disgusted look at that statement.

To his credit, Laurent seemed genuinely shocked by Carlisle's words. "Permanent? How?"

"Why don't you come back to our home with us? We can speak more comfortably there. In the meantime, we would appreciate it if you'd refrain from hunting in the immediate area. We have to stay inconspicuous. I'm sure you understand."

It took everything in me to let Carlisle play the peacemaker. I stopped listening to their conversation. James' thoughts were calculating now. He didn't want us to leave, but he knew there were more of us than there were of them. He was trying to decide how best to separate Alice from the rest of us; he didn't want to attack her without the numbers on his side. I rolled my eyes. It'd never happen.

The edges of my sight started to fade. My breathing quickened as I attempted to stop the oncoming vision to no avail.

I held the phone in my hands, frozen and unable to press the end button. I could hear the dial tone ringing from the speaker. Emmett was by my side.

"Woah, woah. You're not actually thinking about this, are you, Emme?" he asked incredulously. "If you just wait for—"

I cut him off, my voice frantic and rushed. "I'm not waiting, Emmett. I can't wait. There's not enough time."

He shook his head, grabbing me harshly by the shoulders. "I'm not going to let you walk into this alone. Its suicide for a—well someone that can die. Plus I would end up joining you cause Edward would kill me."

I winced, though, from his grip or the thought of Edward, I wasn't sure. "You don't have a choice." I grabbed his hands and shoved him off of me with telekinesis. I pushed past him.

He blinked in surprise, but recovered quickly and moved to block my path again. He looked resolute.

"I don't have time for this!" I hissed at him. "Please don't make me do something I'll regret."

Emmett's expression didn't change. "Edward will be here soon," he assured me.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Emmett staggered, blinking rapidly. His eyes were unfocused. "Emme…" His voice cracked. He fell to the floor.

"I'm so sorry."

I walked into the makeshift baseball field. As I moved, the edges of my skin seemed to blur, and I left a trail of what seemed like smoke in my wake. It was as if I was burning from within and releasing the smoke with my movements. A chained necklace dripping with bones and stones sat around my neck. The effect was terrifying.

I heard something and froze, turning to the forest behind me. My eyes were completely white, inhuman.

James appeared out of the trees. "Hello, Emme." He slowly began towards me, a smirk plastered on his smug, pale face. "How good of you to meet me. Perhaps I'll make your death easier for you." His eyes flew over me, taking in my appearance. He frowned.

When I spoke, my voice was my own, but it was laced with another, deeper voice. There was a familiar accent that I still couldn't quite place. "It seems we meet again."

James' facial expression changed instantaneously. He was disbelieving. He recognized the voice. "What are you?" he murmured.

I'd never have been able to hear it without my current heightened senses. A slow smile spread across my face.

I blinked. A thrill shot through me as I recounted my vision. I knew exactly what I had to do.

I didn't have time to worry about my next step however, because, in a fraction of a second, James was crouched down, ready to attack. Edward met his crouch protectively in front of me. The hiss that came out of his mouth was nothing like the half-hearted warnings that I had heard him make before. This was different. It was feral and almost unhinged.

My eyes widened in realization. When I had gone into the vision, my glamour had faded. I looked like myself again. They knew I wasn't a vampire.

Carlisle immediately stepped forward. "She's with us."

Laurent looked incredulously between the Cullens and me. "You brought a snack?" he asked, trying to make sense of the situation. Neither Edward nor James had moved, but a growl ripped from Edward's throat at the mention of eating me. I couldn't say I enjoyed the thought either.

Laurent stepped backward at the noise, still confused.

"She's with us," Carlisle repeated, voice harder now.

"But she's human!" Laurent exclaimed, astounded.

I bristled at the assumption, but now wasn't the time to be politically correct. I stepped forward next to Edward, placing a hand on his shoulder. He remained tense and crouched, but made no move to stop me. I knew that he would prefer me to be anywhere else in the world at this moment, and now he was getting increasingly anxious as to what I would do. I looked Laurent dead in the eyes as white clouded my vision. "I'm not human. I'm just like you."

Laurent blinked slowly. "No… of course you are… I suppose I was mistaken."

James straightened faster than I could follow, red eyes narrowing on me. 'Just like the old man.' Victoria, evidently deciding that the odds were not in their favor at the moment, grabbed him by the hand. He refused to budge for only a moment. Then, they were gone before anyone could even think about making another move.

Laurent looked after them, confused. "I apologize for that. Of course you wouldn't have a human with you. I'm unsure about them, but I would still like to accept your invitation."

Carlisle stared at him, probably trying to read his trustworthiness. Edward straightened hesitantly and gave Carlisle the slightest of nods. "We'll show you the way. Jasper, Rosalie, Esme?" Carlisle called.

Edward, Emmett, and Alice flocked to my side immediately. We would not be returning to the Cullen home with the rest of them. We walked back to the edge of the forest, careful not to draw Laurent's attention back to us. The second we were in the trees and out of his view, however, Edward scooped me up and began running. I could tell he was moving faster than he normally did. I could also tell he was furious, though I wasn't sure if it was because of me or James or the situation we were in. Most likely, it was all three.

We arrived at the Cullen home in record time. Emmett's Jeep was still parked in the drive. Edward practically tossed me into the backseat. Emmett opened the opposite door at the same time. He managed to catch me before I fell out of the other side. He climbed in beside me, looking more menacing than I had ever seen him. It didn't suit him at all. Still, I was thankful for the fact that he was on our side.

Alice slid into the passenger seat. Edward started the car, and we tore off down the drive. When we hit the main road, Edward pushed the engine harder than I thought it could handle.

It was silent for a moment. I wasn't sure where Edward was taking us. I didn't get a chance to look into James' mind after my vision, so he probably knew something that I did not. I began to doubt using magic in front of him, though if it had distracted him from going after Alice, I couldn't bring myself to regret it. At least she would be safe.

"Where are we going?" I asked, finally breaking the silence.

Edward ignored me, pushing the car even faster.

"Edward." My voice was stronger now with an icy edge. I didn't particularly enjoy being ignored. "What's happening?"

"We have to get you away from here. Now."

I snorted. "Absolutely not. Tell me what's going on."

"James has decided to change targets for the time being," Edward spit out.

I sucked in a breath. I wasn't exactly shocked by this, but it was no less unnerving to hear. After all, Alice was the only one to ever escape him. "Stop the car."

"No."

"Stop the car now, Edward!" I demanded, louder this time. "Running away isn't going to help anything."

"You don't know that," he hissed.

"Actually, I do." My visions played in my mind again. I didn't know why I'd been so adamant about facing James by myself. I knew it would be for a good reason. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. Something was wrong.

Edward flashed me a hard look. "It doesn't matter. I'm not letting him anywhere near him."

"It isn't up to you!" I yelled, frustrated.

"Just pull over, Edward. We need to talk this through," Alice said, sounding oddly calm.

"No!" I'd never heard him so loud before—or so angry.

I narrowed my eyes. "I don't want to make you, Edward, but I will if I have to."

He shook his head. "You don't understand, Emme. He's a tracker."

Emmett stiffened next to me. Alice's head whipped towards Edwards. I wasn't exactly sure what a tracker was, but it obviously wasn't anything good.

Edward continued. "When you went into your vision, your glamour disappeared. He knew you weren't one of us. And then when he saw me defend you like that—" Edward hit the steering wheel. A piece of it broke off, but luckily it didn't affect the car. "Tracking is his obsession. He knows you'll be a challenge, because of how I reacted and what you did. He's probably already following your scent."

The feeling in my stomach worsened a tenfold. I didn't want to be right about this. "That will lead him straight to my aunts. You would have me abandon them?" I was furious that he thought I would be okay with that.

"She's right," Alice agreed.

Edward slammed on the brakes with a groan. He screeched to a halt on the side of the highway. In our haste to leave, I had forgotten to put on my seatbelt. I would have flown forward if Emmett hadn't have had the foresight to throw an arm out in front of me. His arm was just as hard as Edward's.

"He's no match for us, Edward. He won't be able to touch her," Emmett assured his brother.

"He'll wait."

Emmett shrugged. "Then so will we."

"I have an idea," I cut in.

Edward shook his head, ignoring me entirely once again. "If we want him to stop, we'd have to kill him."

I tried again. "Then that's exactly what we're going to do."

The three of them stopped their bickering and looked at me incredulously.

"There is no 'we,' Emme," Edward stated, exasperated.

I glared at him. "I swear to the skies, Edward," I hissed, moving on from annoyed to fully angry now. "I understand that you're worried and anxious and afraid and whatever else. I am too. But if you think for one second that you get to make all the decisions in this relationship, especially something that directly affects me, then you have a big storm coming. I may not be as old as you are, but I'm not stupid. I have resources that you don't—resources that you're going to need if you want this to have a happy ending. Just because I want to help does not mean that I want to sacrifice myself." The electricity in the Jeep flickered. "I'll be damned if you think you can force me to abandon my family in order to save myself." The storm had picked up again. The rain fell heavily around us. It was entirely my doing.

The car was silent, but I wasn't finished.

"I may not know as much about vampires as you do, but I do know more about James and Victoria. I know what they've done, and I think I have an idea of what they're going to do. Most importantly, I know how we can stop them."

Edward closed his eyes, trying to calm down. I recognized the motions. It was something I had done often.

"You're right. I apologize." His voice was soft, but his eyes were determined. "You should get a say," he narrowed his eyes at me "as long as you're being reasonable."

I rolled my eyes.

"What do you know?" he finished.

I nodded, accepting his apology easily. "I saw it in my vision. It's going to come to a fight." I tried not to add in an 'I told you so.' It was true, but it wasn't anyone's fault that Carlisle wanted to try to talk to them first; it was part of what made him such a genuinely good person. I also refrained from telling him that he wouldn't be there for it. "If it wasn't about me, then it would have been about Alice. She's the only one that's ever escaped him. And there's only one person that has ever been enough to stand in his way."

Edward was quick to catch up. "The demon you summoned?"

I nodded. "He knows how to fight them—he probably would have killed James the first time had he not been outnumbered. But he also knows his weakness. We might have the numbers now, but James isn't a fool. He's exceptionally good at what he does. He'll wait until he has the high ground. So, I propose that we go back to my house. I can summon Kumboh and find out what he knows. Then, we can use the knowledge to lead James into a trap."

I was lucky Jasper wasn't here to sense the guilt I was feeling. I wasn't lying when I told Edward that I didn't plan on being a martyr—I knew my plan would work. It wasn't technically self-sacrificing if you didn't die. Hopefully, this wouldn't blow up in my face—although I supposed that if it did, I wouldn't be around to face the consequences of my actions. The thought didn't comfort me.

Edward was obviously skeptical, but Emmett looked impressed. "That's not a bad idea, actually."

Alice was scanning the future. "I don't see him attacking all of us, Edward. He's smarter than that. I think Emme is right."

I relaxed in relief I didn't realize I'd been tense. Since I hadn't officially decided anything, Alice couldn't see what I was planning.

Edward let out a defeated but accepting sigh before throwing the Jeep back into drive and sharply turning the car back towards town.

I looked at Alice. "Will I have enough time to summon Kumboh before James arrives?"

Her eyes grew unfocused. When she tuned back in, she looked wary. "He's going to be at your house. He wants to learn more about you before he makes any decisions."

I thought it over. James couldn't know that I was summoning Kumboh to learn his weaknesses. "I think you should go to your family, Edward."

His reaction was immediate. "I'm not leaving you."

"Just listen," I snapped. "I'll give Alice a potion that will make her look like me. The two of you will go back to your house. You'll be with your family. James wouldn't dare attack all of you, and he won't bother staying at my place either because he'll think I'm going with you."

"I'm not going to leave you unprotected," he insisted, though I could hear the hesitation in his voice.

"Emmett will stay with me. And I'll have my aunts. Then when I get the information, all I have to do is call you. You and your family can lead him on a wild goose chase that leads to his demise. I won't be in harm's way, and I can keep an eye on my aunts. It's a win for everyone." I silently pleaded that Emmett wouldn't object to playing babysitter. I think he liked me well enough that he didn't mind because he didn't say anything.

Edward pressed his eyes shut.

"I think it'll work, Edward," Alice whispered.

He looked pained, but he didn't have to think about it long. "Fine," he agreed reluctantly. "But if anything—anything—goes wrong, I'm coming for you. I mean it. And I know how much magic you've used tonight. If you push yourself too hard or put yourself in harm's way, I will personally hold you responsible."

I grinned half-heartedly, thinking immediately about all my instances of magical depletion and the Port Angeles incident. "I've never put myself in harm's way a day in my life."

Edward evidently remembered as well. He snorted.

We sped back in silence until Alice let out a small gasp. Edward looked to her sharply, horror drawing across his normally lovely features.

I felt nauseous.

Alice turned back to me, her face miserable. "I'm so sorry, Emme—it was a split decision, and I didn't see it… I didn't know…" She trailed off, looking towards the future again.

We pulled in front of my house, climbing quickly out of the car and dashing into the house.

Aunt Isolde was waiting on the front porch.

I leaped from the Jeep as soon as it stopped, rushing up to her. The others kept pace with me, but I didn't notice them. Instead, I saw my aunt's ashen and slack face. I knew what had happened. I had to ask anyway. "Blair?"

Isolde shook her head lamely, lips pressed together in a thin line. "I don't know. It happened too fast. The crystals didn't react," she mumbled.

I let myself worry for one moment more before focusing on the hot fury that began to burn through my veins. I would curse this vampire when I got my hands on him. I didn't know if it was painful for vampires to die or not, but I was sure I would figure out a way to make it happen for him. James would be eternally sorry that he had ever come in contact with me—I would make sure of it.

"Emme?" I heard Edward say softly.

He had grabbed my hand. I focused on his skin on mine. I realized I was shaking.

"Is she in shock?" Alice asked, clearly worried.

I shook my head. "No. I'm fine. This changes nothing."

Alice furrowed her brow. "But—"

I interrupted her. "No. You take the potion and go after James and Blair. Get her back. I'll stay and do what I can from here. We need to talk to Kumboh. If we don't, I don't think we'll be able to get him to face us anytime soon. And by then it would be too late."

The Cullens exchanged looks with each other. I ignored it.

Isolde led us into the kitchen without a word. She rummaged in the potion cupboard for a moment before holding out a bottle to Alice.

Alice stepped forward and took it without hesitation. She uncorked the bottle.

"Wait."

The small girl looked at me, confused. "Are you sure you're okay with this? You'll look like me. James will be after you again."

"She's right, Al. Are you sure you can handle it?"

Alice's lips curled back into the most ferocious snarls I'd heard from a vampire yet. It sent shivers down my spine. No one questioned her again.

She downed the contents of the bottle in one gulp. It took a moment, but her features slowly began to remold into mine. Her black hair grew longer and lighter into a shade of dark brown. Her round face became oval. Her eyes shifted from golden to butterscotch. Her frame became taller—curvier. She breathed deeply, steadying herself.

I'd prepared the potion myself as part of my trial, but I'd never tried it or seen it work myself. I was only glad it worked on vampires.

Finally, an exact double was standing in the kitchen.

Emmett broke the silence. "This is so weird. We're already weird and this is weird."

Alice's butterscotch eyes shifted to me. She pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. "I'm sorry about pulling you into this," she mumbled in my voice. "It's my fault."

I pulled away, shaking my head. "It's definitely mine, but even if it wasn't, you'd be worth it."

She smiled a smile that was entirely too familiar.

Edward gave me a significant look, taking me into his arms. He placed a kiss on my forehead. "It'll be okay. We'll get her back. Call us when you find out what the demon knows."

I nodded, holding onto him for just a moment longer than I had intended. Finally, I stepped away. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but I didn't know anything. Magic was as unpredictable as life. I didn't know if I would see Edward again. I just had to try my hardest to make sure that we both had someone to come back to. I already knew he would be doing the same.

Edward took Alice's—my—hand in his. Then they were gone.

I glanced at Isolde. She had taken a sunk into the chair in the corner. Isolde and Blair were twins; their connection was potent, even for witches. I couldn't imagine what she must be going through, and I could feel some of it with my empathy. I had to get Blair back, for both of our sakes. We would have to work fast.

"Everything is set up in the study," Isolde muttered. Her voice was lifeless. "We—" she took a shaky breath. "I can't help you…"

Of course she couldn't, the way her emotions were going at the moment. Even all the strength of a Septe couldn't stop you from the raw feelings when someone you loved was in danger.

"You don't have to worry about me," I assured her. "I can do this."

I led Emmett out of the kitchen and across the house to the study. I could tell he wanted to ask me something, but was holding back. "What is it?"

He gave me a look. "How did she know?"

"She just did. They both probably did," I shrugged. "My aunts are basically my version of Alice, but much more cryptic."

He nodded, a look of understanding dawning across his features.

When we arrived in the study, I noticed that the room was set up for invocation, but also that the vincula mortis was on the desk, ready for use. I made my way to it and clasped it around my neck immediately. The necklace was made of heavy, crisscrossing gold chains. Hanging from it in various spots were five bones. When I had first learned about the necklace from the Council when I lived in Salem, I had assumed they were a mix of human and witch bones. Now, though, I knew better. Living in Forks and learning through my aunts, the Cullens, and even Jacob Black had opened my eyes to a much bigger world than I had ever imagined. The five bones were from each of the five creatures of Earth: human, witch, vampire, shape-shifter, and werewolf. The necklace was also beaded with various small stones that would help with the containment of spirits—celestite, crystal and smoky quartz, onyx, and kyanite to name a few.

The necklace was heavier than I imagined it would be. The weight of what I was about to do was heavier. I brushed it off. I knew what might happen, but what might not happen was much more frightening.

I knelt next to the circle. Everyone I cared about had been brought into this. This wasn't Blair's fight. It wasn't even Edward's or Alice's or any of the other Cullen's. It wasn't even mine.

It was Kumboh's. And I was going to give him the chance to finish what he started.

I turned back to Emmett, who was watching me intently. "You ready to summon a demon?"

A/N:

Heyyy all... remember me?

I am so sorry for how long you had to wait for this. I have no excuse other than the fact that IT WAS SO HARD TO DO. I must have written this damn chapter at least 7 times, unsure of where to take it, before finally giving up. So I took a week off. Then tonight, I had the PERFECT idea that fixed everything that was wrong and took this chapter where I wanted it to go lol. Funny how things work out. Thank you to everyone who continued to read/follow/review/favorite in my absence. You're the only reason I didn't throw my computer out the window :)

Anyway, I hope that this is worth the wait. I didn't edit it as much as I usually do because I was sick of looking at it, so please let me know if there are any mistakes that I didn't notice. I hope the next update will be sooner, but I am reluctant to end this story so I'm really dragging my feet haha. We're soooo close though!

Until next time!