* * * Option Two: No Barriers Between Them * * *

Familiar

Having just breached the ward's boundary, suddenly the screams of the crowd have become loud and chaotic as many of the humans trip over each other and otherwise scramble in panic – to get further away from him.

But that's hardly important next to Javier's fast-moving presence thrice appearing within inches of Edward as he obliviously circles the pen at vampire speed, intending to run straight out of it. Though the angered newborn cannot see or smell them, any potential that the illusion might not hold, has Edward's shoulders and stance remaining extremely tense. He had been able to exit, after all. And there's no denying that history has proven him to be… a human-drinking creature.

So at what point does the illusory warding make that distinction?

Honestly, the only qualifying difference between them and him – especially when it comes to the young woman who hasn't fed yet (wouldn't that have rendered her able to see?) – is that he probably doesn't have any human blood left in his system. Thank heaven for that! It's been a year, since James. The fact that this is just a theory, however, makes the integrity of the vampire warding seem incredibly tenuous. Let alone to those that don't know any of these details. No wonder they're so terrified of me. Of course they are.

To make matters worse, suddenly Angela and Ben can understand everything the newborn is saying. Even more than the surprise of the crowd beyond the ward – this is what is impeding their progress. There's no hiding the truth from their ears when it automatically translates into English.

Bella, he worries even more urgently, how are you feeling?

While she remains gently – and really very patiently – encouraging both friends to keep moving forward in their alarm, her handhold slowly guiding his backward-facing progress in order to stay with them in his vigilance, she doesn't have occasion to see him casually pick up the small sample of dry soil in his hand. Anyone who does, thinks it seems an odd thing for him to do… especially as most of it sifts right back out through his fingers. None of them know him well enough to recognize the subsequent flutter of his fingers at 3 separate moments for what they are, for the messages they were the impetus to deliver. I'm sure Bella would have recognized something, had she been looking… that is, if I haven't made her too afraid to notice. I'm so very sorry.

Since apparently the champions had been stationed at four corners of the corral (each initially nearest the vampire they were linked to in the challenge), as Bella leads them straight out toward the secluded area behind the tent – naturally Edward emerges rather close to where the mortally shocked and now extremely vulnerable underage wizard is standing. Though feeling more than a little angry about the lethal danger he's only just realized members of the wizarding world are behind, Edward is pleased to note that at least the young man assigned to them has done nothing to deserve his ire. Harry didn't even willingly enter the tournament, though he is bound to it as much as they. For this reason, Edward is not going to take issue with whatever he may privately overhear. Let him see what he will see. At least the whole crowd is not privy to it any longer. The only other human within close enough range to hear them – or now see them in this secluded spot – has retreated into the confines of the medical tent by the time they come to a stop beside it.

Finally in a place where he can turn his back on the other vampires (who thankfully remain unable to see, hear, or smell them) to address the needs of his party, unfortunately Edward can only anticipate vainly trying to calm them all down the moment he turns to face them… and they get a clear view of every feature he has that matches the fearful beings behind him. It had been bad enough, in Ben and Angela's stunted thoughts, seeing the shredded body parts strewn around his fight before he got the fire started, while they were unable to know for sure whose they even were. They hadn't yet gotten so far as to process what the rest of it really meant – that he had killed the man, by tearing him apart. Bloodlessly, and far too swiftly. Instead, it was the fear of each newborn's feral red eyes that stuck with them the most – alongside the predatory thirst they wildly displayed – that froze them in their tracks. Made them feel like prey… helpless and vulnerable. It had been this, finally in combination with the newborn's rant – that effectively told them what he is.

How much difference can it have made that Bella already knew? It's one thing to theoretically understand his nature, but a wholly other thing to undeniably witness. He's afraid to see that difference in her eyes.

The moment Edward visibly relaxes enough to turn his back to the corralled vampires, and his worried eyes meet hers – she launches herself at him. Catching her automatically in his shock, taking a natural step back to do it gently, her warm lips on his communicate the last thing he was expecting to hear: that there is no difference; that nothing really has changed. She must have gotten over whatever fears she harbored during the conversations that followed, because this connection is simply full of relief, and joy. An unexpectedly passionate reassurance he can absolutely feel to reciprocate.

As their welcoming kiss turns into a willing string of kisses up and down the length of her jaw – incidentally comforting Angela and Ben with the familiar notion as it alarms and confuses the only wizard who can see them doing it – finally Edward rests his forehead against hers and pauses to ask: "You're not… afraid of me?"

Bella's answer comes between more kisses of his throat and jaw. "Why would I be?"

It's remarkably difficult for him to answer this while basking in the pleasure of her lips. "I just…" killed a man, in front of you. He sighs. "It's not as if I didn't just give every other human here quite a significant scare."

Bella nods and hums, pulling back to look him in the eye. "And how about the part where you tell us what would have happened if you didn't?"

His grim frown tells it all.

"That's what I thought," she surmises. "It's not as if we didn't see what happened to her. Give yourself some credit. Besides… I Love You," she finishes, kissing him again.

Hugging her cherishingly close, his response is warmly affectionate. "Compliments just don't come any better than that."

Currently out of sight, but definitely not out mind, a few things brewing within the noisy crowd behind them are promptly calling for Edward's attention. Sigh. First of all, is that a small group is being gathered to warily approach the fearsomely uncontained thirstiest undead vampire… consisting of the Deputy Headmistress, the Potions Master, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and a few called-in representatives from the Ministry of Magic (whomever they can manage to find brave enough to stand in)… in lieu of the judges actually behind it all, who can't leave their seats. Naturally, these are unable to abandon their posts while the tournament remains unfinished, because every champion requires equal treatment. How convenient.

Only one among them would come to greet him if he could: the headmaster of the hosting school, who is desperately concerned for the welfare of everyone present – even as he remains shockingly impressed with what he's seen thus far. He had been against this approach to the tournament from the beginning, and this result proves why in a way he could never have anticipated. As a precaution, he'd arranged for an ancient trio of lion shapeshifters to stand by (as well as learn whatever they could), just in case. The astonished brothers had desperately shot out of their seats the moment humans had arrived in the pen… then much more calmly and purposefully bolted away at Edward's exit from it… and Albus hopes it won't be necessary for them to interfere. A clever charm distantly placed upon the glasses of the most vulnerable champion nearest them, is now allowing him to see and hear whatever the turn of Harry's head aims it at. So now, Albus is observing them as easily as he can observe all of the official contenders.

Prior to that, he'd nearly sent a magical patronus to welcome them himself, though he didn't wish to risk startling Edward with magic they might feel threatened by. He already has more than enough reason to be upset with us, and Harry is right there on the front line! We cannot expect a second chance to do this right. However, neither can I interfere with Harry's task. All this has the headmaster feeling supremely torn as to what's going to be the safest plan for everyone involved, alongside how best to embrace the incredible potential this presents. Exactly how was he able to leave the pen? Is he going to be inclined to attack? The whole thing uncomfortably has him in a very precarious position. Immediately next to him, others are simply looking to make use of the soonest possible opportunity – to summon the vampire away.

Surprisingly, the three Lionheart brothers (as they think of themselves) – who have inconspicuously found new vantage points much closer in – are the same ones he briefly crossed paths with in the Atlanta airport last month on the way home from Volterra. As such, they are as thoroughly shocked to see him – with the same girl! – as they are still trying to decipher the compelling mystery of Alice's golden eyes. His starkly different behavior makes them wonder now if his would be colored the same, had he not been thirsty both times they met. Perhaps this will finally help them understand the treasured prophecy which guides them on their quest. "…Only a golden vampire would spare me." Interesting. Aside from this, they would rather not reveal their vampire-fighting capabilities to the greater wizarding world, if they can avoid it. Most shapeshifters, native to the protections of magical society, have evolved nothing of the sort… and they'd like to not become infamously singled out. Keeping a low profile has served them well over the decades (always giving them the element of surprise in a fight), and here they clearly have an advantage in numbers… but in light of these exceptionally unique circumstances: they harbor no plans to interfere unless they have to.

The official 'welcoming party', on the other hand, is going to be here in a few minutes.

"Alright," Edward loosens his embrace on Bella as he turns toward Angela and Ben, all the while keeping hold of her hand. "Before their delegation gets here, you both have a choice to make. Each of you needs to be aware that these people are quite capable of calling me away again, to an unknown location at any moment, as easily as they brought us here in the first place. However, you would only go with me if you were connected by skin contact as we all were when we arrived."

Bella makes a motion to squeeze his hand extra firmly, indicating her choice in a show of solidarity. Edward smiles at her.

"Of ongoing concern," he continues, "is that they have no concept as to how much danger they have put you in, or how badly that could be compounded were we to separate before those issues are resolved. While I believe these people would endeavor to get you home without harm if left to their own devices, the fact that they've put you into a more lasting peril than they even understand – means they won't be inclined to fix it. And so the choice is whether to put your trust in me, or in them. I will do everything I can to negate that danger, but if I am called away… I won't be able to do that."

Tentatively, Angela's hand inches toward Bella's. Amidst all this terrifying chaos – she, at least, remains invitingly unchanged… and Edward still sounds like the friend they've known.

"You should also know, however, that if I were called away – it would not be to a healthy place for you. Thankfully, the chances of them doing this are much lower while any of you might tag along… and I'm not going to be without Bella. The choice is up to you," he finishes gently.

At this point Angela does bravely take hold of Bella's hand (already holding onto Ben's), though her thoughts in doing this still reflect a significant degree of nervousness. Understandably, from not having really processed everything she's seen. Ben's thoughts show similar hesitation as she does so, as he's been frighteningly unable to reconcile the whole situation with the concern he feels for Angela and himself. "Ben," Edward helpfully reminds him in a soft voice, "I'm still the same person today as I was yesterday."

His head only nods jerkily in response.

Sigh.

Within the pen, immediately following his clandestine exchange with Edward, the Chinese Master turns to promptly and silently go cover the deceased and clearly ravaged dead human girl modestly. It's a matter of respect. He similarly suspects that Edward would have been inclined to do the same thing, if he hadn't been on more urgent protection duty.

Not having anything handy to cover her with as he approaches, solemnly he speaks out into the air, trusting that he will be heard. "I would like a blanket," he clearly states. Very promptly a blanket appears in the air beside him – as if blown in by the non-existent wind – and he proceeds to cover her with it, as well as straighten her limbs respectfully, so she can rest as peacefully as he has the ability to offer.

{A/N: Just so you know: A Lion's View of New Moon is the not-yet-written inserted scene referenced here, that will perhaps get tacked on after the end of this storyette. Their tale will also come out much more completely in Song of Joy. :) }