When we got the airport, Edward asked me if I was ok. I just told him I was fine; the fire was only a calm burn. It was a good thing we'd hunted only a few hours earlier.
We sat at the gate waiting for our plane, we only had a few minutes until boarding. My unbeating heart broke realizing our small getaway together was done; and that I may or may not be here in a few days. Edward stood watching the planes out the large dark windows. The Airport was pretty vacant, but still, I stuck the annoying contacts in my eyes. His foot tapped rapidly, possibly too fast for a human.
His arms were crossed tightly on his chest and he scowled out the window; he was so beautiful. Now I wish I knew what he was thinking. I surveyed him just a little longer, trying to preserve him in my memory, my dead heart aching. What if this was it? Just after a few days of my new life, was I already going to lose possibly forever with him; if he wanted me. I stood from the chair I was sitting in and walked over to him swiftly. I placed my hand on his back and he visibly relaxed from my touch.
It was now or never.
"Edward," I whispered, and he turned to me, his scowl pulling into a small smile.
"I love you."
His face instantly relaxed and his lips parted from shock. "Ariya." He whispered.
I shook my head. "I have to tell you now; I don't know if we'll have time." I almost wined, wishing I could cry now. Silent, tearless sobs wracked my body and he took me into an immediate embrace. Feeling his arms around me made everything better.
He rubbed my back soothingly, and played with my hair. "We will have time; I promise."
My breathing slowed as I settled into his arms. He kissed the top of my head and sighed. "We have to go."
Just then the overhead speaker announced our plane boarding. A few people in chairs further away from us stood and walked to the gate. We waited for them to board and grabbed our things. Edward handed the woman at the desk our tickets. She eyed him a little too much for my liking. She wished him a great flight and ignored me completely. I glared daggers at her and I heard her heartrate speed up. I grinned at myself slightly as I walked past her.
We settled into first class, of course, I would have to get used to being a Cullen. It was only my second time on a plane. The first was when I was very young and we went to Michigan to visit my mother's family. I didn't remember it much.
Edward gave me the window seat, possibly so temptation was lessened. Before the flight took off, I noticed how few people were on this flight; possibly because it was so late at night. I quietly thanked god for this.
I cuddled into Edward's shoulder and shut my eyes. I wish I could sleep now; I wish I could escape and drift, relax. Edward never relaxed; he was on his phone watching the news. Alice was right, I was all over the news.
Pictures of me circulated everywhere.
"A girl by the name of Ariya Wits, 17 years old, 5 foot 3, approximately 130 pounds, dark hair with green eyes went missing a few days ago. Her car was burned but no bodies were found…."
"I thought Carlisle burned…" I whispered.
Edward shook his head, "When Vampire's burn, we turn to ash. They didn't find anything." I cringed into my seat, imagining that day over and over. I suddenly felt like a teenage runaway; missing with no evidence of my death.
Edward was right, I looked nothing like I did in my human life. I wondered if he still found me beautiful then… My skin was darker, warmer. My eyes duller, my hair had less shine to it, and less volume. Somehow, my hair was shorter then. "Our hair?"
"Grows," Edward smiled slightly. I was still trying to absorb every ounce of Vampirism. It was still all new to me, I was only a few days old technically.
"Annoyingly fast actually…we have to cut it constantly."
It made sense why mine was so long now; in reality it was only a few inches longer than I'd remembered.
I cuddled into him again and he shut his phone off sighing. It was a nonstop flight to Seattle from Salt Lake City. It would only take us 2 hours and 15 minutes. We would arrive by 11:15, and with Edwards' driving, the 3-hour 45-minute drive would probably only take 2 hours. I ran through all the data in my head, calculating.
I felt Edward's hand on my hair again. "Calm down love." He whispered, kissing my head again. I sighed; I couldn't. I felt as if any moment he was going to be ripped from my arms. I gripped him tighter.
"I can't." I whispered.
The flight took off then, I didn't bother paying any attention to the stewardess and the safety measures. If anyone were to survive this flight, it would be Edward and I.
I tried not to breath as much as I could; trying to ignore my senses was hard, but not impossible. There were no passengers around us, at least 3 rows each way. I kept my eyes squeezed shut, pretending I were asleep so no one would bother us.
The flight was fast, only two hours. I kept my eyes shut almost the entire time and breathed slowly, except when a human walked down the isle to use the restroom, Edward would whisper a heads up to me.
He held me the entire flight, occasionally smoothing my hair or rubbing my arms. It was supposed to be cold in Washington, the furthest I've ever been away from 'home' was my new one. We would have only a few hours until they would arrive. I still wasn't 100% sure who 'they' were, Edward was sparce on the details. All he told me was how they were considered our law; kings, they almost considered themselves.
We arrived at 11:15 pm in Seattle airport. We exited last, Edward pretended to have trouble with his luggage, but I know it was for my sake. Once the plane was empty, he gave me a small, but hopeful, smile, and took my hand, guiding me off the plane. I held my breath past the stewardess' and kept my eyes on Edward.
Edward walked with purpose, almost too fast for a human. I pulled on his arm slowing him down, reminding him, even though we were in dire hurry, we were still in public. "Alice ordered us a car; it should be here." He pointed to a car rental sign just down the brightly lit hallway. There weren't many travelers, especially this late at night, but the ones that were here still stared.
We received many gasps and wide eyes; I was going to have to get used to this. Edward said it takes decades to get used to stares…
I sat in the nearby chair and waited for Edward. I clutched the sweatshirt he handed me on the plane, it was supposed to be snowing; I had never seen it. Of course, I didn't need the extra fabric, but a human did, and we had to blend in. It was so bizarre, having to follow standards to fitting in. Why did they choose this path, instead of the obvious? I would have to ask Carlisle…
I trailed off my bizarre thinking and felt my throat burn. I looked to Edward for support and he was dazzling the woman at the counter; of course, he didn't mean to, it was nearly impossible not to be dazzled by him. I wonder if I had that effect on people…
I wished he could read my mind now, my call for help. A man, young, maybe early twenties approached me. He was fair skinned with dark jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes. He was good looking, especially if a creature like Edward hadn't existed.
He smiled and I held my breath and stiffened, sitting up too straight. I was hoping he would get the message. "Hello," He mused, raising an eyebrow at me. My nostrils flared and I leaned back in my chair.
Just one…small…whiff…
Mistake; Edward was at my side in an instant. He glared daggers at the boy and he retreated back into his group of other young men.
I looked to Edward and he was pulling me now, a little too harshly on my arm, it would have bruised a human. I held my breath until we were nearing the doors, and no one was around. He never loosened his grip on me, and spun me and pinned me to the wall. "What are you thinking?" He growled, menacingly now. I cowered instinctively and he loosened his grip on my arm.
He sighed and stepped away, "I'm sorry. I heard his thoughts and saw you in his mind…"
I stayed cowered against the cold brick wall. I didn't want to upset him.
"You're doing amazingly well for your age…I shouldn't be so hard on you…" almost talking to himself, he ran his hand through his hair.
He took me in an embrace now and I dropped the fabric I was holding; it was in shreds. I hadn't realized the damage I had done to it in that short amount of time trying to contain myself. He sighed again, and took my hand. Once we were outside the doors, it was pitch black. Of course, I could see perfectly. White covered the entire blacktop, and I could see ice covering the ground. My breath made no fog in the air, I was just as cold as the ice. Edward led me to a dark Mercedes with deep tinted windows on the curb. He opened my door and I slid in. He put the bags into the trunk and ran quickly to his side, and slid in.
He started the car, and pulled out of the airport and quickly onto the highway, reaching an easy 123 mph without a word.
He pulled out his phone and dialed 2. She answered on the first ring.
"Alice," Edward asked, gripping the wheel.
"Dusk. Tomorrow." She answered simply, and I could hear the hint of sadness in her voice.
"Anything?"
She sighed, "I can't really tell. Its foggy, they haven't decided. I think they're waiting on evidence."
Edward blew air out of his nose in frustration and closed his eyes for a few seconds, the car never moved.
"Okay."
He hung up then. We only had mere hours before they arrived.
"Are you going to tell me now?" I asked him.
"Ariya." He groaned.
"Edward I might die in a few hours; you have to at least prepare me- "
"You're not going to die." He growled and accelerated faster into the dark highway. I was surprised to see we were the only car on it. It would only take us another half hour to get to our destination, it was a quick drive, Edward sped, of course.
I glanced at the clock and it was 12:30 am.
"You should still tell me. Even if I do survive…"
He sighed again and pinched the bridge of his nose like he had a headache, which I knew was impossible.
"The Volturi are our…law, so to speak. The biggest law we have, is to not expose who we are; which they think you will do."
I nodded silently, "How are we going to convince them that I won't?"
"I have read every single persons' mind we have come across and none of their thoughts involved the missing girl on tv; none of them have recognized you."
My brows furrowed, "Okay, that's great, but they can't read your mind to prove that…can they?"
Edward smirked then, "I have so much to teach you…" He trailed into a whisper. "Aro can see every thought we've ever had. He doesn't do it like I do…without effort, he has to be touching you."
I shivered at the thought of some ancient Vampire touching me, especially one that had an intent to kill me.
"Okay." I said simply, blinking. I tried my best to understand this. The contacts I put in a few hours ago were dissolved now; I was thankful I wouldn't have to wear them much longer.
A few minutes went by and we pulled off the highway. It was dark, but I could still see perfectly. The green woods intertwined with each other and hung over the dark road.
I could tell I would like this place. I enjoyed the rain, not so much the gloom. At least I couldn't feel the mugginess anymore, being drowned by its depth.
We pulled into a long winding drive after a while, its tall oaks and overgrown ferns covered the drive; I'm sure Esme would already be on it; cleaning it up and making it home. She had such a great style; I couldn't wait to see our new home, for the short time I was still here…
We pulled up to an enormous house. It was modern, dark and light wood with orange tints cove Windows covered almost every inch, and looked over a river. Bushes, ferns and trees covered the mossy land surrounding the area. "Wow." I whispered.
As we pulled in, Edward opened the garage door and parked perfectly in between a few other equally as impressive cars. I assumed we weren't keeping this one as it was a rental, I'm sure Edward would get something a bit more ostentatious.
We exited the car, and Edward was already at the door of the garage, bags in hand. I knew I was a Vampire, and my abilities…but he was so much faster than me, and I wasn't used to this yet.
Edward took my hand and opened the door. We were greeted by Esme and Carlisle, I blinked at their beauty. It was only a few days since I've seen them however, it still struck me.
The house was almost empty, of course. They had just gotten here a few days ago. There were stray boxes and a few pieces of furniture, but I'm sure the moving company would take a week moving across the country.
Esme took me into a hug, and it was strange having a mother figure again. I hadn't had one in a very long time. I hugged her back, welcoming it.
She offered a small smile, given the circumstances. Carlisle and Edward were having a silent conversation, something he said they did a lot. "Go explore," Esme pushed. I smiled back at her and crossed my arms a crossed my chest, walking diligently through the open space. It was enormous, and beautiful. Edward stayed behind to talk to them, and I walked up the stairs. The second floor was mostly empty too. The perfect wooden floors were shined to perfection, and led to a couple different rooms. The first door on my left was open. It looked to be Carlisle's office. His books were strewn on the floor; no desk yet.
A cross was hung in the center of two empty book shelves. I pursed my lips; I didn't know Vampires were religious. I had religious beliefs before this life…maybe I should ask Carlisle about his…
I continued on and identified Rosalie and Emmett's' room. I took the next set of stairs and found Alice and Jaspers, Esme and Carlisle's and a few empty rooms.
I just realized I didn't know if Edward and I would share a room…or if we would have separate ones. There were certainly enough to go around in this home…but I wanted to share with him, I realized. I wanted to have his CD's next to whatever possessions I would acquire; if I lived.
I stood in an empty room at the end of the long hallway. It was covered in giant windows that reached the floor and ceiling. It was long, and narrow. There was a small balcony that led from a giant glass door. I walked to the door and opened it. The fresh wet air hit my face. The green moss covering the trees smelled almost welcoming. It was still dark and I could hear the woodsy creatures; the crickets, the owls.
I heard Edward approaching the room, and I spun around to see him leaning against the door. He smiled his perfectly crooked smile, crossing his arms. "Is this one yours then?"
I frowned, just mine? He noticed. His smile faded and he walked towards me, taking my hand. We both stood on the small balcony now, the river and crickets in the background. "You need to have some faith in me; you're going to be ok. I know how the Volturi work-"
"That's not what I'm upset about."
He gave me a quizzical look, then sighed, brushing my hair over my shoulder. "How frustrated I am…"
"Well, I can't read your mind either so…"
He laughed now, "You haven't done it for 90 or so years and suddenly can't."
"Very true."
"What's got you upset love, aside from the obvious?"
I sighed now and he put his forehead to mine. "You said…this is my room."
"Mhmm…" He breathed, kissing my forehead, temple, neck.
I shivered at his touch, "You're not going to be with me?" I whispered.
He stopped and looked at me surprised. "You want to share a room?"
I stared at him, wasn't it obvious.
"I feel like…I'm falling for you faster than you're falling for me." I admitted reluctantly.
He smiled again and took me in his arms. I laid my head on his chest. "Ariya…I didn't tell you I loved you at the airport because…it wasn't the right time."
I closed my eyes in frustration and listened to his even breaths.
"It doesn't make it any less true." He murmured against my hair.
I released him and looked into his golden eyes. A perfect smile spread across his face and he took my face in his hands. He gently rubbed my face with his thumbs and kissed my forehead.
"I love you Ariya."
Warmth spread through me like no other; hearing him say those words. It felt like static between us now; pulling us together.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his lips to mine. His smooth lips glided against mine, soft and sweet. I crushed my body to his, and his hands settled on my lower back. I leaned into him, parting my lips wanting more and he stiffened.
Someone cleared their throat and I didn't even notice their arrival.
"I thought I felt something in here."