"The wolves have requested a meeting with us tonight." Carlisle told his family. They were all gathered in the living room with Edward's human mate Susan enjoying the afternoon.
"Yes, wolf fight." Emmett cheered.
"No, no wolf fight." Carlisle continued despite Emmett's protest. "They wish to discuss an issue that has come up. Not many details were given but it seems like there may be a vampire crossing through the area."
"Ok so that means we have a vampire to fight. Still good news." Emmett said.
"It doesn't mean we are fighting anyone. It simply means we are going to a meeting with the mutts to find out what their problem is this time." Rosalie ignored Emmet's pout. "When do we need to be there?"
"Half an hour." Carlisle told them. "Just enough time for Edward to take Susan home."
"I'll be back in time." Edward promised as he ushered Susan out of the house.
The house was quiet until Alice's phone rang. Noticing it was Eleazar she answered with confusion. "Hello?"
"Hello Alice. I had a friend call me with an interesting story that I thought you would like to hear." Eleazar's voice came over the phone.
"Everyone is here except Edward. Is it alright for them to listen or should I go somewhere private?" Alice asked.
"No, no, everyone can listen. I think it would interest them as well. It's about Death's Shadow." Eleazar told her.
Emmett cheered again. "Hell yeah we are interested. Anything to do that maniac is welcome."
Alice put the phone on speaker. Just like Emmett she was excited but held back so they wouldn't tease her again."I put you on speaker. What did you find out?"
"Well I had a friend that still lives in the castle call and tell me that there was a very public incident that she was involved in." Eleazar explained. "Apparently she was seeking an audience with Caius and Athenodora when a young vampire said some unsavory things about her."
Rosalie chuckled."I doubt that went over well."
Eleazar's laughter could be heard over the phone. "Oh no it did not. Now at all. She asked for permission from Caius to defend her honor and when he allowed her to continue she suspended the boy spread eagle in the air and proceeded to crush him slowly with an invisible force.After a while the witnesses said it looked like she had gotten bored and ripped his limbs off. She then threaten the whole training yard and promised worse retribution if anyone ever said anything about her again."
"Holy shit." Alice said causing everyone to look at her in surprise. Alice wasn't one to swear causally. Only in highly emotional situations.
Shaking her head to dislodge her shock Esme reprimanded Alice. "Language Alice."
"Sorry." Alice mumbled perking up when addressing Eleazar again. "Did you find out anything else? Is she still in Italy?"
"Well something that can't be confirmed but a few people swear they saw it." He said sounding confused. "It seems she is friends with Jane and Alec. Before she turned her attention to the boy she asked them to hold some items she had been carrying with her. When she was finished a few people said Jane was smiling brightly and said something to her in the way of praise and Death's Shadow winked in response. The twins themselves seemed happy the whole time she was there and almost preened under her attention."
"Of course the witch twins would be friends with Death's Shadow." Rosalie scoffed. "It just proves that crazy attracts crazy."
"I don't think she's crazy." Alice said defensively.
Kate's voice came over the line. "Oh boy Rosalie you shouldn't attack Alice's girlfriend's character."
Alice glared at the phone."She's not my girlfriend."
"Could have fooled us." Irina voice was heard in the background causing Kate, Rosalie and Emmett to laugh. Even Esme was fighting back a smile.
"She's not my girlfriend.I just don't think you should call people you don't know crazy." Alice told them.
Rosalie's gaze soften as she looked at Alice. "You're right Alice we shouldn't call people crazy. It's not a good word to use for anybody let alone a stranger."
"Thank you." Alice said happy that Rosalie realized they had pushed into sensitive territory.
Kate's voice filled the silence. "Ok so your girlfriend isn't crazy. She is just hella intense. Do you think she is that intense in the bedroom? Would you even be into something like that Alice?"
"What…I….you… I don't…." Alice sputtered at the thought. She was glad Edward wasn't there because of course her mind went right into X rated fantasies of a faceless woman in black robes.
"Oh my god Kate you should see her right now. I think you broke her." Emmett teased.
Carlisle came to Alice's rescue when he checked his watch. "As much fun as this has been we have a meeting to attend to."
"Have fun kids and if we find out anything else about you girlfriend we will let you know Alice." Kate told them.
"She's not my girlfriend." Alice yelled as she hung up on a laughing Kate.
Emmett held up his hands as Alice glared at him daring him to say otherwise. "Geeze I get it,she's not your girlfriend."
Alice huffed and headed out of the house towards the border with her family. Edward met them halfway there and the group stopped at the border to wait for the wolves. As they waited Alice thought of the new information they had learned about Death's Shadow. The woman was powerful that's for sure. To be able to hold a vampire in the air and crush him slowly without him having the ability to fight back was impressive. The fact that she did it with such ease was almost terrifying but Alice stood by what she said. She didn't think Death's Shadow was crazy.
Alice felt an odd kinship with the woman for having such a powerful gift. It made people label you as dangerous or mentally impaired. Alice knew this firsthand. Maybe Death's Shadow was the same. From what she had read in the books she had borrowed from Eleazar no-one had ever spoken directly to her. Even her relationship with the queens was just that of rumors. So no-one could actually claim to really know Death's Shadow. Alice thought maybe she should go to Italy and see if she could figure out a way to get in touch with the woman. Aro had always had such a keen interest in her maybe she could use that as an advantage to ask for a favor.
"You're thinking of turning yourself over to Aro?" Edward hissed at her causing the whole family to turn and stare at her.
Alice shook her head. "No I wasn't going to turn myself over, I was simply thinking that maybe he would be nice enough to do me the favor of getting in touch with Death's Shadow for me. There was never the thought of turning myself over."
"Alice what did I tell you about getting on Death's Shadows' radar. The woman is extremely dangerous. Not only that but owing a favor to Aro is dangerous enough in it's own right." Carlisle reminded her.
"I know that, I just was trying to think of a way to get in touch with the woman and Eleazar said she was recently in Italy." Alice told them. "I just thought maybe if she was Aro could get in touch with her for me."
"Why are you so obsessed with this woman?" Rosalie asked her voice concerned. Yes it was cute when Alice got flustered when they teased her but the lengths in which Alice seemed to be willing to go to talk to Death's Shadow was concerning.
Alice sighed. "I don't know. I just have this gut feeling that we are supposed to meet."
"Have you had any visions of her?" Carlisle asked.
"No, none at all but I just know we are meant to meet. I feel like we are supposed to be friends." Alice was getting frustrated with trying to explain herself. "I know it doesn't make any sense. I just need to meet her."
Before anyone could reply they heard the wolves coming closer. Standing in a relaxed but alert formation the Cullens watched as ten wolves stepped out of the trees. After some rustling they saw Sam the alpha walk out behind them. "Cullens we called you here today to ask you about the red eyed vampire that has been in our territory. We assume she isn't with you but we wanted to make sure before we kill her."
"We didn't know of any new vampires in the area until you told us." Carlisle said. "What does she look like?"
"She has red hair. She seems to be testing our lines as she never quite commits to an attack and always retreats before we can engage." Sam told them.
"A red head. Carlisle do you think it's Victoria?" Edward asked.
"It would make sense for her to come back for her revenge." Carlisle looked over to a confused Sam. "We believe the vampire you have seen is one named Victoria. We killed her mate and it wouldn't be unlikely she has come for revenge."
"We have to keep Susan safe." Edward's voiced was panicked.
A russet colored wolf growled at Edward making everyone on both sides tense until Sam spoke. "Jacob that's enough."
"I bet you wish Alice had met with Death's Shadow now huh Edward." Emmett murmured. " She could take care of this no problem."
"Who is Death's Shadow?" Sam asked confused.
Alice glared at Emmett. "No-one,just some vampire myth that isn't true."
Sam didn't seem convinced but decided to let it go. "Be that at as it may we wish to let you know that no mater who this vampire is you can still not pass the treaty line. I don't care if you are chasing her or not. The same goes for us. We won't come on your side. We do ask that you keep us informed of all happenings with them and we will let you know anything we find out."
"That seems agreeable." Carlisle cut off Edward's growl. "We will keep in contact with you and let you know."
After they were sure that the wolves were gone Edward angrily turned towards Carlisle. "Why did you agree to that? We need to be able to capture Victoria and we can't do that if we have to stay on our side of the line the whole time."
"I know you are upset son but we have to maintain peace with the shifters." Carlisle told him.
"I say the hell with the shifters. We don't need those mutts involved when we have all this muscle backing us." Emmett flexed his bicep and kissed it.
Rosalie smacked him upside the head. "Why did you mention Death's Shadow in front of the wolves?Not taking into account that we don't even know the woman just the name Death's Shadow doesn't bring about thoughts of peace and working together."
Emmett shrugged sheepishly. "I don't know it just came out. It's not like it's a bad idea. I mean if Alice could get ahold of her then I'm sure she could come and take care of Victoria no problem."
"Death's Shadow is not going to come to Forks to take care of a single vampire Emmett. Hell I don't think she would come out here for an army of vampires." Rosalie said.
"Can we get off the topic of Death's Shadow for a minute?" Edward huffed as the group started making their way back to the house. "We need to worry about Victoria going after my mate."
"Alice have you had any visions concerning Victoria?" Carlisle asked.
Alice shook her head. "No, I get a glimpse here or there but nothing concrete. She is either running on pure emotions or she is deliberately not making decisions."
"That's not very helpful." Emmett held up his hand when Alice glared at him. "Man what is it with you glaring at me today? I didn't mean any harm just pointing out the obvious."
"Yeah well why don't you keep your mouth shut for five minutes so we can actually made a plan." Alice said angrily.
Rosalie growled as she stood in front of Emmett. "I don't know what your problem is but don't take it out on Emmett. He doesn't deserve it."
Esme stepped between her children. "Alright why don't we all take a breather. Emotions are running high. Everyone get in the house and we can plan what needs to be done."
Alice shot Emmett one last glare and ran towards the house. She made sure to take a seat next to Jasper as she had a feeling she would need him to help with her emotions. She smiled gratefully to him as she felt a wave of calm spread throughout her body. Jasper simply nodded in response and addressed the rest of the family now all gathered around the room. "If it is just Victoria I don't want everyone thinking this is going to be easy. From what the wolves said she is testing the border and has already figured out that they can't come here and we can't go there."
"I think we have to guard Susan 24/7." Edward said. "She is the most vulnerable out of all of us and the perfect target for Victoria's revenge as she is my mate."
"Now we have to body guard the human." Rosalie complained. "Can't she just stay here so we don't have to be creepy like you are and watch her while she sleeps?"
"That's not a bad idea actually." Edward said. "Alice can you work out a way for Susan to stay with us for a few days?"
"Yeah I can figure out what will work best." Alice was already flipping through scenarios.
"It seems we have the start of a plan. I am going to go hunt and then go back to Susan's. I'll see you tomorrow." With that Edward left.
"So Alice what are you going to do about Death's Shadow?" Emmett once again held up his hands when Alice glared at him. "I wasn't trying to mess with you. I genuinely want to know. If you were considering calling Aro then I want to know what your plan is."
Alice sighed as she noticed everyone looking at her with various looks of concern on their faces. "It was just a thought. I don't even know if she is still in Italy anymore and who knows if Aro could even help. You wouldn't have any kind of in with the queens would you Carlisle?"
"Unfortunately not many can say they have any kind of relationship with the queens. It's not that they are kept away from everyone they simply chose to only interact on a personal level with very few. That's why I find the rumor they are close to Death's Shadow so unbelievable. None of them are known for being very social." Carlisle shrugged apologetically.
"That's ok, I didn't really think you had a way of helping me get in touch with her. I wish I could reach out to Jane or Alec. If Jane talked to her then I have no doubt they are friendly." Alice said.
"Yeah Jane never smiles. If she did while talking to Death's Shadow than they have to know each other." Emmett agreed. "Well she smiles but it's more of a creepy smile promising you instant death. She never smiles nicely at anyone plus the fact that she trusted the two of them to hold her stuff while she tortured someone proves they at least have some of her trust."
"I think what I am going to do is focus on Victoria for now. Finding Death's Shadow comes second to making sure she doesn't harm any of us or Susan." Alice told them. At the murmurs of agreement she stood and made her way to her bedroom. She climbed around the books on her bed and resumed the spot she was in when she was researching Death's Shadow. Like she told her family Alice just knew she had to meet the woman. How to do that she didn't know but she was going to keep trying until she figured it out.