"She was a girl with a mountain to climb."

-Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

Chapter 9: Denali Training Camp

A grand mansion came into view through the dense Alaskan forest. The house was even more impressive than the one I had seen back in Washington. It was reminiscent of a comfortable log cabin, but had been upscaled tremendously. The mansion was three stories tall, with stone decor and large windows that did little to save the privacy of its inhabitants, though that would hardly be a problem in an area as secluded as this.

As we neared the house, Edward slowed to a walk and I followed suit. I caught several scents as we approached, some I recognized others I didn't. I resisted the urge to put up my shield, determined to have them trust me this time around.

"Everyone is just inside." Edward said as we walked up the front door. I nodded, I knew this, he was most likely alerting the others we would be coming in.

He opened the front door and gestured for me to walk ahead of him. I stepped inside and was wary as I knew I was potentially walking into the belly of the beast, twelve vampires against just me.

The interior design was as beautiful as the outside but more elegant somehow. Before I could properly admire the beauty of it I had found myself trying not to fall over as something small slammed into me hard.

"Oh" was all I could say in surprise as I realized it was Alice hugging me.

"Isabelllla!" she exclaimed in a singsong voice, "I knew you'd be back!" she squealed before releasing me.

I said nothing and merely took in the sight of the vampires standing several feet behind Alice, watching this interaction. I took in their reactions and they ranged from amused to skeptical.

"Alice." Edward warned.

"It's ok, Edward. We're going to be best friends, I've seen it!"

I was taken aback at this welcome from Alice, but greeted her nonetheless "Hello, Alice." I wanted to be as civil as possible. "Missed me?" I quipped.

Alice smiled in response and Carlisle stepped forward from the crowd.

"Isabella," he greeted cordially "Good to see you again."

"You as well, Carlisle."

"Allow me to introduce you to our cousins," he said as several unfamiliar vampires stepped forward.

"These are the Denalis'."

A smiling and statuesque blonde haired woman, stepped forward and took over the introductions.

"I'm Tanya," she said "These are my sisters Kate and Irina." Each woman nodded in response at their names.

I wondered if they had actually been sisters for the three blonde women resembled each other a great deal. They looked similar enough to actually be blood relatives but also strikingly different somehow.

"And of course, Carmen and Eleazar." She finished alluding to the couple across the room.

The woman, Carmen, looked nothing like the three blonde sisters. She was not quite as tall with dark brown hair and a slight olive tint to the pallor of her complexion. The man, Eleazar, complimented Carmen well, his olive tint and black hair matched hers.

All of the Denalis' had varying golden hued eyes, much like the Cullens. It was a surreal thing to behold and I found myself somewhat self conscious about my own deeply scarlet eyes.

Each of them said a polite hello or welcome but it was Eleazar that walked straight up to me, his eyes analytical. This didn't help my feelings of self consciousness but I stuck my hand out assuming he meant to shake it. He took my hand and shook it slowly, the intensity of his stare made me drop my hand and take a step backwards. Nobody spoke, I'm sure my confusion was plastered on my face. Carmen came up behind Eleazar and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Explica se lo, Eleazar, la espantas." She said softly, before turning to smile at me "Sorry, he doesn't wish to offend."

I had no words, so I just stood there stupidly until Eleazar spoke up.

"I apologize, Isabella." He said the intensity in his expression dissipating "you are incredibly talented, aren't you?"

"Excuse me?" I asked, finally finding my voice.

"Eleazar can sense your gift." Edward clarified, moving to stand beside me.

"Yes, thank you." he responded to Edward, but moved his eyes back on me "a forcefield I think, but it seems to be... multifaceted. I haven't seen something like that before."

"Multifaceted?"

He only nodded, "I can't quite seem to put my finger on it, you're blocking me partially."

I remembered Edward trying to get through my shield and then admitting he couldn't hear my thoughts even when it was down.

"But I'm not trying to? I don't have it up right now."

"I believe you have two shields, so to speak, physical and mental. I would hazard a guess that you have a pretty good grip on the physical one?"

I nodded, urging him to continue. With my physical shield I could block attacks, hide my scent, even use it to strike at attackers. But this mental one? I had no ideas.

"The mental one feels… underdeveloped." He finished. I couldn't help but feel slightly offended at that.

"What do you mean?"

"It's difficult to explain. I would assume that Edward and Kate cannot use their gifts on you, but Alice and Jasper might."

I was slightly shocked to hear this, but it made some sense. James could only track me if my shield was down and Edward couldn't read my thoughts but Alice could see me in the future, it was the first I was hearing about Jasper having a gift and I had only just met Kate.

"When we met in Washington," Jasper started "I thought my gift didn't work on you, like Edward's." Alice beamed up at him.

"But now?" I asked turning to look at him.

"Now, it definitely does." He said and I was hit by a wave of calm understanding. My hesitancy and confusion evaporated and a gentle serenity replaced it, my shoulders slumped slightly forward and I exhaled a long breath involuntarily.

"Woah," I gasped in surprise, bringing a hand up to clutch my chest, "that's you?"

"The best way to explain my gift is through demonstration."

I nodded and crossed my arms, he could manipulate my feelings when my physical shield was down.

"I'd like to try mine, if that's okay with you, Isabella." Kate spoke for the first time. I noticed Edward stiffen beside me.

"What is it exactly?" I asked tentatively.

"Elezear called it 'Psychic Electrokinesis'- it just means I can shock your system."

I raised my eyebrows at this, that didn't sound like a pleasant experience but I agreed nonetheless.

"I'll take it easy," she said and reached for my hand and held it gently.

Nothing happened. I looked at her expectantly.

"Are you doing it?" I asked and she nodded.

"One more try." She narrowed her eyes.

This time she grasped me by both my shoulders. I waited awkwardly.

"Nothings happening." I said after several seconds of silence.

Emmett roared in laughter "You should see your face Kate!" Rosalie slapped his arm lightly but smiled nonetheless. The rest of the Denali sisters giggled and Kate finally let me go in a huff.

"That's never happened before." She complained, looking to Eleazar.

"Like I said, incredibly talented."

"Huh," I muttered under my breath, "it's strange, I'm not doing anything."

"Finally, someone to put those guys in their place!" Emmett quipped, the non gifted vampires in the room agreed jokingly. I was just glad they didn't hate me for it.

"All but me!" Alice sang, feigning brushing dust off her shoulder "No big deal," she smirked.

"That's because you're the freakiest." Emmett goaded.

"Emmett!" Esme chided and he shrugged remorselessly with a huge grin on his face. Alice responded by sticking her tongue out at him, Jasper chuckled and rubbed her shoulder.

"Do you think Alice can see Isabella because it's not an attack? Alice sees events, she doesn't directly affect an individual." Carlisle asked Eleazar.

"That makes sense." Carmen replied, looking up at Eleazar who nodded in response.

"It seems you have quite the penchant for self preservation, Isabella." Edward commented smoothly, I looked away from him and shrugged, his compliment making me strangely uncomfortable.

"Why are we still discussing this?" Rosalie sighed in a bored tone "Aren't we supposed to be training?"

Edward glared at her and I wondered if he heard something in her thoughts that irked him. I, for one, was happy to stop talking about myself and was grateful for a turn in conversation, albeit a rude one.

"Perhaps we should? Jasper?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes, now that Isabella is here we should resume training."

"Let's move then." Emmett said clasping his hands together loudly.

Everyone moved outside and I followed.

"We've been practicing out here." Esme told me, coming to show me. Just outside the house there was a huge clearing that stretched for several miles. We ran out to the center a good mile from the Denali House, I made sure to lag behind the group.

I noted Tanya separate from her sisters and pushed her way toward Edward. She made a flirtatious comment about partnering with him for the upcoming practice and flung her thin arm around his shoulders. He didn't remove her from his side and I looked away from them, finding myself irritated at their interaction.

I placed myself in the back behind the group, we all stood in a jagged semi circle. I watched as Edward politely detached himself from Tanya and went to stand with Carlisle and Esme, an unexpected relief flooded through me.

Jasper instructed us to partner up before getting started, he would be observing for this part.

Couples were already standing near each other and paired together naturally. Carlisle and Esme, Emmett and Rosalie, and Carmen and Eleazar were pairs. This left Tanya, Kate, Irina, Alice, Edward, and myself. Tanya, ever the shameless flirt, flitted over to Edward but before she could act Alice intercepted her by linking arms with him.

"Sorry!" she chirped cheerfully and winked at Edward, he then nodded his head once at Alice, as if he were answering a silent question.

"Oh well," Tanya said with a smirk and looked around to realize that Kate and Irina had paired up. She turned to face me with a smile.

"Partners?" she asked. I shrugged and went to stand by her.

"Isabella," Jasper started "You're at a disadvantage as everyone else has lessons under their belts already."

His voice was full of authority, this is serious business to him. Training those who have enlisted to protect his mate was obviously not a task he would take lightly.

"I'm thinking we start with you."

"Alright," I said hesitantly "time to earn my stripes, then?"

Tanya stepped forward first and I walked behind her, not really eager to be in the spotlight again.

"Newborns rely on brute strength so never let them get their hands around you." Jasper said.

Tanya and I faced each other several feet away from the group. They had formed an uneven U-shape to watch us go head to head.

"Tanya," Jasper started, "you've had more training so playing newborn. Your objective is to either get your arms around her torso or neck for three seconds, fight like a newborn. Use all your strength."

"Geez," I muttered under my breath, mostly to myself, my eyes widened slightly at his statement, not fully trusting she wouldn't actually tear my head off. Tanya nodded at Jasper and smiled apologetically at me.

"And Isabella, your object is the same, don't go for the obvious kill."

I nodded and turned to face Tanya.

"No hard feelings Isabella, I apologize in advance." Tanya smiled and reached out to shake my hand.

With eleven pairs of watchful eyes on us, now is the time to prove myself to the whole group. I reached out to shake her extended hand and she grasped my own hand firmly, I looked into her face and she smirked wickedly.

She held my right hand with hers and her left arm came forward to grasp my upper arm then she pulled hard lifting me, maneuvering in such a way that she threw me over her back and onto the floor.

I gasped in surprise to find myself fallen but Tanya was quick. In an instant she was over me, one knee on the ground the other firmly on my abdomen keeping me down. Her right hand wrapped around my neck and her left grasped the top of my head. Chatter and cheers came from my left, from the rest of the group, I blocked out their presence.

Jasper began his slow count "Three...two…"

I inhaled sharply, she hadn't restrained my hands, I touched my open palm to her gut and a bright white light shot out of my hand effectively throwing her off of me and launched her approximately ten feet away.

I was on my feet immediately. Tanya stood instantly as well, she was shocked but recovered quickly and ran at me full speed. I held my ground and estimated she was about six seconds away from me.

I counted in my head: six… five… four.. three…

She was too close to stop now and at the three second mark I put both my hands up in front of me, palms facing Tanya. I allowed the familiar cooling water like sensation to flow through me and explode out of my palms in a shining light to form a dome-like shield around my person.

I saw shock cross her face before she crashed into my invisible forcefield, the impact causing her to fall over backwards. I broke my shield by closing my palms and before the ethereal rain of my shattered shield could evaporate completely I was upon her.

I assumed the same stance she had over me when I was on the floor, except one hand hovered inches over her as I produced a shield to hold her entire body on the floor and the other to grasp her neck firmly, per Jasper's instructions.

He began his count once more and Tanya struggled under my grasp. I concentrated on holding my shield firmly as Jasper finished his count. Emmett's booming voice pulled me out of my thoughts with his whooping.

I released her, stood, and Tanya was on her feet too. She let out a delighted laugh, I raised an eyebrow at her in confusion.

"You were great, Isabella! On your first try too!" She smiled genuinely and I found myself relieved to not have just made an enemy out of her.

"I tried." I shrugged "I wasn't about to let you beat me, what kind of first impression would that be?"

Tanya laughed and came to stand by my side again, and I wondered vaguely if this is what it was like to have friends.

"You see, I told you." Alice grinned knowingly, elbowing Edward and he looked at me bemusedly, I quickly looked away.

"Truly astounding." Eleazar said "Your gift is very powerful."

"Comes in handy." I shrugged, smiling slightly.

"Do you have experience fighting?" Jasper asked

"Not really, my shield does most of the work for me." I admitted.

"Good tactics, regardless."

"Thank you."

"Hey, Isabella!" Emmett shouted "how strong is that shield of yours?" He asked, mimicking the gesture I made to produce it.

"Why do you ask?" I responded,

"If I charged it fast enough, would it break?"

"I- I don't know." I pondered his question, "No one's ever really tried it."

He smiled widely.

"It's just like running into a solid wall." Tanya supplied.

"I've never met a wall I couldn't break through." Emmett bragged, flexing his large arms.

"I think you probably could, I've always thought it's only as physically strong as I am. I think it's the shock that gets you." I explained.

"That's not something we have time for right now, Emmett." Edward pinched the bridge of his nose, apparently as annoyed at this shield talk as Rosalie had been.

With that Jasper redirected us back to training. Each pair took turns and Jasper would offer helpful advice and input.

He said things like "Don't turn your back on your opponent." and "They're stronger than you so you have to be smarter." and "Come at them from the side, confuse them."

It was interesting to see each individual's fighting style, I decided that they were all proficient fighters probably due to the lessons Jasper had already given them.

The most interesting fight by far was the one between Edward and Alice. It seemed to be more a battle of wits between the two, or more accurately a battle of gifts. Tanya explained to me that each was determined to prove their gift was the most useful. Alice could see which moves Edward would make against her a second before he made them but Edward could see her thoughts and know how she would retaliate. There were a lot of quick movements and dodging, I doubted this is how the real thing would happen. They behaved like actual siblings with their taunting and teasing I could see why Carlisle had introduced them as a family.

This was nothing like the tense coven dynamic I had known. Here there was love and respect for each other, with James he could've ripped my head without a second thought.

I pondered this as Edward and Alice's endless fight continued. It seemed to be a game to them and eventually Jasper called it to be a draw. Emmett called them both cheaters.

"We don't cheat any more than you, Emmett." Alice called back.

"Whatever, you both fight dirty." He scoffed.

She grinned at him in response.

"You can't fault us for using our gifts any more than we can fault you for using your full strength." Edward added.

Emmett seemed to consider this argument only to quickly reject it.

"Whatever, Kate doesn't zap everyone when she fights."

"That's true." Kate agreed "but Edward and Alice don't really have a way to turn it off, do they?"

"I think we can all just agree that some of us have greater advantages." Tanya said

"Naturally, that makes for an unfair fight," Irina said, speaking up for the first time, "Which will be in our favor when we meet the newborns."

Everyone made some comment in agreement to that effect. We continued with our training, this time each pair spread out and we practiced without an audience. After the third time I knocked Tanya down easily with my shield she grew annoyed and brought back the argument that it is not fair to her. I conceded and agreed to fight without the help of my shield and it was harder than I'd imagined it would be. She took me down easily enough, proving my gift was what gave me the upper hand in our practices.

"Sorry," she shrugged, holding out a hand to help me up, which I took reluctantly "At least you're learning."

I stood and dusted the dirt off my clothes, trying to hide my embarrassment. I looked around at the pseudo vampire training camp and caught Edward's eye. He shot me a sympathetic smile from across the field and I was humiliated that he'd witnessed my failure, I frowned and looked back at Tanya. She seemed to notice this tiny exchange and quirked an eyebrow at me, I ignored her and got back on topic.

"Whatever," I said "Let's go again."

The rest of our training I was able to take Tanya down only once without my shield, but I had a sneaking suspicion she might've thrown that round. I think she took pity on me when Jasper began to hover over us and give only me instructions. I tried not to let my humiliation show too much in my face.

After what felt like an eternity they decided to wrap up the training for the day. I was relieved, as the person with the least practice I kept getting knocked down. It didn't escape my notice that my clothes were dirtier than the rest.

As everyone started to clear out Emmett stopped me.

"Hey Isabella." He stood right in front of me and blocked my path back to the house. "I have a question for you." He grinned.

I noted Alice, Jasper, and Rosalie had stayed behind and where now watching our interaction.

"Shoot."

Edward who was furthest from the group headed back to the house but closest to us turned around. He had exasperation all over his face and he pinched the bridge of his nose before coming back to join those of us still in the clearing. This seemed to interest Tanya too, she took notice and followed Edward back.

"You know your shield?" Emmett asked, pulling me away from my observations of his brother. I folded my arms and raised my eyebrows at him in response, so he clarified. "I want to see if I can break it."

"Excuse me?"

Tanya, Alice, and Rosalie laughed when he finally made his request. I turned to see the whole group behind us, watching.

"Will you let me try?" He asked again, excitement in his voice.

I wanted to say no and run past him, maybe shove him with my shield as I went. However, I did want them to trust me and really what harm would this do?

I pulled a deep breath "Fine."

Alice cheered and clapped, the rest of the crowd looked amused. The exceptions were Tanya and Edward who looked merely skeptical, somehow Edward's eyes made me nervous so I looked away.

"Alright Isabella, let's do this."

I nodded at him and assumed my ready stance. I straightened myself, I settled my legs shoulder width apart and pulled back my shoulders allowing my hands to come up at chest height and point outward. I spread my palms and allowed the energy to flow through me and my protective shield to wash over me. The silvery forcefield created a bubble around me and faded into invisibility.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Ready." He called back, flexing his enormous muscles.

He took off with frightening speed only to crash unceremoniously with my shield a mere seconds later. Everybody laughed, but Emmett would not be deterred. He stood and placed a hand on the spot where he had crashed.

"Feels like a wall," he mused.

"Like I said," Tanya added.

I looked over at the small crowd to my right, I supposed Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, Edward, and Tanya found watching Emmett was more interesting than television. They all had amused looks on their faces, but I couldn't watch them and concentrate especially not when Tanya was giggling and running her hand down Edward's arm. I tore my eyes away and faced Emmett again.

"What happens if I punch it?"

"Try it." I shrugged.

So he did, he pulled his arm back and his fist collided against my shield. I smirked when my shield held up.

"Again," he demanded with determination. I nodded in agreement.

He punched several times and I was slightly shocked and very proud that my shield was holding up. It was pretty funny to watch Emmett's growing frustration and I feigned a yawn after several minutes of failed attempts.

"Ready to give up?" I taunted.

"No, I have an idea." He smiled widely "Jasper, Edward come help me."

I raised my eyebrows in alarm.

"Three against one? That's fair." I deadpanned.

"Relax, we're not going to hurt you. Don't be such a baby." He teased. "Coming or what?" He asked, turning to his brothers. Jasper looked to Alice who simply shrugged her shoulders in response. Edward, who had moved away from Tanya, simply responded with,

"I don't think so."

Emmett rolled his eyes "Whatever, Edward. You're no fun. Jasper?"

Jasper shot Edward an apologetic look but approached us nonetheless.

Emmett's gigantic smile returned at the sight of this.

"I'm thinking we both charge it at the same time, it has to break."

"Go for it."

They both ran back several feet to gain some momentum and in the same instant charged me. The combined strength of the two brothers caused a reaction I hadn't ever experienced, the impact seemed to cause my shield to shake and reverberate. Tension flooded through my shield and through my very bones. My entire frame felt impossibly tight, like if my bones wanted to shatter and I gasped in surprise. On impact my shield glowed momentarily white and though it did not break they were able to push it and subsequently me several inches backwards. I stumbled slightly but held my ground.

"Rosie! Did you see that?" Emmett called excitedly, punching his hand in the air.

Both men were knocked down by the impact but Jasper stood first and extended his hand to help his brother up, he accepted it and stood quickly. Emmett puffed up his chest proudly and slapped Jasper's back in thanks. Rosalie smiled softly at him and Alice and Tanya applauded, Edward's curious face was watching me when I caught his eye.

I sucked in a breath and closed my palms and dropped my arms, breaking my shield allowing it to fall into a million white pieces and evaporate into nothing around me.

"Hey, why'd you do that?" Emmett groaned, all the excitement from moments before gone.

"Aw, Bella! It's all in fun!" Alice cried.

"I didn't like that." I crossed my arms and shifted my weight to each leg nervously "it felt strange." I frowned.

I had never tested my shield like this, not even James really cared to understand the extent that my gift protected me. I'd always assumed that my shield was a manifestation of my own strength, it made sense it would falter under two vampires but it didn't like it. I had never had anyone actively try and break it from the outside, so I was unsettled.

"Has that never happened before?" Edward asked. I was unnerved at his ability to read my face though he could not read my thoughts.

"No." I admitted bitterly, kicking the dirt at my feet "It hasn't."

"Do you think if it had been three of us it would've broken?" Jasper asked curiously.

"Potentially, two was definitely pushing it."

"Let's try it out." Emmett suggested clapping his hands together, I raised my brow and shook my head.

"Maybe we should call it a day?" Tanya offered.

"I think that's best." Edward agreed and I nodded.

"Come Isabella," Tanya stretched out her hand, "I'll show you to a guest room."

I followed her and the Cullens lagged behind us. Emmett was still complaining about not being able to continue and Alice and Edward were telling him to give it a rest. Jasper and Rosalie bet a large sum of money on this debacle. Jasper bet I wouldn't let him try again as there is no real point to it and Rosalie bet Emmett's constant pestering would yield results. I rolled my eyes at this, trying to think of a way I could make sure they both lose.

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