Trials of the Newborns
Cliff Overlooking Forks
Edward sat behind Jacob was wrapped his arms and legs wrapped around his mate. It was days like these; so simple and peaceful that made life with his wolf all the sweeter. "What are we gonna do?" The sudden question surprised Edward because his mate had been quiet in mind and in voice.
"Well first, we're going to go into town and we're getting you some new clothes. If you keep ripping them each time you phase, your father will have a conniption. Though I wouldn't complain," Edward suggested as he trailed kisses on Jacob's exposed neck.
"That's not what I mean," he lightly laughed and leaned into Edward's kisses, moaning slightly. Edward trailed up until his lips landed on Jacob's.
"You've been especially quiet today." 'Are you blocking me on purpose?'
"I do like to keep some thoughts to myself, Ed."
"What's wrong then? What has you so pensive?"
"The red head knows Bitch Swan is gone and now she's coming after you. We lost the element of surprise we had with the wolves and…I just want to run. I want to take you with me and run." Jacob tightened his hold of Edward's limbs.
"No you don't. You won't place burden on others if you can help it. You are a warrior through and through. This is not information I got from your mind. I said it because even without hearing you here," Edward tapped his head "I can still learn and know from you here," he patted his chest where his heart used to beat.
Jacob sighed. "We're actually doing this, aren't we? Fighting baby leeches. Oh, sorry!"
"Actually, that is a very accurate term for Newborns. They're so focused on blood and draining it out of whoever has it, they may as well be."
"How much blood can your dad get his hands on?"
"If I had to guess… he could get away with a few pints without arousing suspicion, but it wouldn't be as effective as fresh blood against the 'baby leeches', as you call them."
"Damn it! I thought it would work. We can't put the girls in danger. Rachel's already annoying me about these weapons made from this metal that can cut diamond."
"Tungsten Carbide." Edward became quiet, suddenly. He thought about what he saw at Jitterz that night.
"Was that Edie? What are they doing to her?" Jacob confronted Edward.
"It's one of her secrets. I don't think she knows that I know."
"It looked like they were torturing her," he growled. "Who were those monsters?"
"The one in the lab clothes was Josef Mengele. Yes, the Dr. Mengele. The other brunette was Aro and the blonde one was Caius."
"Can we kill them too? You know since we're already killing vampires."
"I wish. Their guard is the accumulation of the most uniquely weaponized vampires. The most powerful ones are Alec and Jane; twins with powers that are complete opposites, but equally deadly."
"Maybe we should avoid Italy for the next century," Jacob nervously laughed. "I have something else in mind for us." He pushed Edward to the ground and straddled his thighs. Their clothed half-erections touching.
"So, you've already made plans," he asked gripping his lover's hips and grinding them slowly against him.
Jacob moaned. "Oh yeah. We'll get married. Travel the world, meet new people, other cultures, we'll…" he stopped talking, realizing what he just said.
Their movements were stilled. "You want to get married?"
"Well, I mean, yeah…" he sat back against Edward's legs with his face as red as an apple. "I want to marry you as soon as possible. It's not uncommon you know? Sue married Harry when she was only fifteen and Becca–" Two cold lips captured his burning ones. Jacob immediately responded slipping his tongue inside the cold prison of Edward's mouth. His moans were muffled by their kiss and Edward disposed of Jacob's t-shirt. He soon worked his way to Jacob's chest. First using his fingers and then his mouth to tease the alpha's nipples. This made Mini-Jacob grow within big Jacob's pants. With Jacob's moans growing louder, Mini-Edward decided to make an appearance as well.
Edward changed their positions so that Jacob's bare back ended up on the ground. "Just so you know," he responded while removing his grey sweater, "I want to marry you too. I want forever with you." He caressed Jacob's face in his hands.
"I never said I wanted forever," Jacob smirked and Edward stalled his movements. "Forever is for tweens looking for their prince charming in the pages of some romance novel. I want always. Forever means for always. Always means at all times; on all occasions. I want you and me, Ed. Always." He pulled Edward down to plant a kiss that almost started something else, except Jacob broke it to ask, "Does this mean we're engaged?"
"No. When we are, you'll know for sure. Always…" Edward contemplated. "Did you steal that from a book?"
"Only the word. The rest is all 100 percent Grade-A Jacob. From the original himself."
"Right now I want some of the original for myself," Edward stated suggestively.
"Who am I to deny my favorite bloodsucker?"
They were within millimeters of each other when Alice interrupted them. "Aww. You two are so cute!"
"You know, I miss the days when your sister couldn't see me," Jacob groaned.
"What do you want Alice? We're a little busy here."
"Family meeting, my favorite brother."
Edward tried to see what the meeting was about, but Alice was thinking about the fall fashion line from Dior. "You know it's getting just a little annoying that everyone keeps blocking me from their minds." The trio left to the mansion.
Cullen Residence
The entire pack was at the house, including its newest members Brady and Collin; with the vampire population growing in Washington…well, let's just say the pack "grew to accommodate the threat". The boys still hadn't met Edie and Collin already had his reservations, thought it was more like interest in the hybrid, because of how his grandfather flinched at the mention of her name. The elders were also in attendance for some unknown reason to the pack and the family. Though it was safe to say that they were looking out for the best interest of the tribe.
'That's it. The last ones joined the pack,' Edie concluded. She slumped against the kitchen entrance from the living room. 'Hopefully they are the last ones. I don't want any more kids dying.'
Jasper usually gravitated to the most positive person in the room which was usually Alice, but these days he finds himself being pulled towards the strong emotions of his newest sister. Depression seemed to be theme with her these days and on occasion, if he inhaled deeply, he could almost smell a hint of ethanol on her breath. 'What is she consuming?' "How's Charlie doing, Edie?"
She responded lazily, "He's fine. Sue comes over to the house a lot."
"Where is she? I would think she'd be here with the rest of the elders."
"She opted for Charlie's, so Leah is stepping in her place for today. Chief Black!" The weather-worn man acknowledged his title. "Does Jacob know that you guys are here today? Do he or Edward know that you called this meeting?"
"This gathering was sudden, so no."
Edie scoffed. Jasper was perplexed at the change of emotions. 'Resentment. Maybe it has something to do with her past.' Suddenly he felt annoyance and chipper-like feeling. 'Monster must've disrupted their activities.'
Brady and Collin immediately rushed to their alpha springing him with questions about the battle. Brady was the most excited about seeing action, but Collin was more vocal. "Jake! Jake! I wanna be in the front I'll kill more vampires than anyone here! Just watch me. Those leeches won't stand a chance!"
"Slow down, pipsqueak. We'll talk about it later," Jacob dismissed the young wolf. "Dad? Why is the council here?"
"We needed to discuss tribe safety and we were going to call you, but the small vampire thought it would be better if we had the meeting here."
"Yes, but why, Alice," Edward inquired. He was still being blocked by her. "Did you see something else in our battle?"
"Let's not keep the rest waiting," replied Alice. Her face didn't give anything away. For the most part, everyone was co-mingling. The imprints were there as well, seeing as they wouldn't be kept away.
"Since we're all here with thanks to Alice," Carlisle began, "we might as well discuss our issues over the upcoming battle. Edward?"
"For those who don't know, we've recently come into new information. Since the disappearance of Isabella Swan, our opponent Victoria has changed her tactics and is now set on killing me and anyone I care about. This includes the Quileute tribe. We must discuss our battle and safety strategies."
"Why is this woman after you now," Leah wondered. "If Bitch Swan is gone, why wouldn't she search for her, somewhere else? Track her down? What's the story behind it?"
Edward is reluctant to answer, but he gains reassurance by Jacob when he feels his warm hand on top of his cold one. "I killed her mate James when we went to Phoenix to rescue Isabella. In her eyes, it was 'a mate for a mate', so Victoria went after her since she was my girlfriend at the time."
'So, we're cleaning up after the leech's mistakes,' the council's, excluding Jacob, thoughts pretty much summed up.
"Can we get on with this? I want to get to training ASAP," Emmett commented.
"We need to discuss strategy first, don't we?" Rachel spoke out, "The girls and I want to know our positions."
"You want to fight," Edie asked puzzled.
"You can't help, Rae," Paul retorted. "You're full of human blood."
"So you think we're weak," she challenged.
"You might want to choose your words wisely," Jacob jested. "She has alpha blood in her. You know she won't back down," he warned Paul then he turned to his sister, "but he's right Rachel. You, Emily, and Kim are human. You guys aren't strong enough to go against us, let alone newborn vamps."
"Maybe not, but we want to protect our home," Kim implored.
"Who's the Third Wife," Edward asked her. "I can read minds," he answered her thoughts.
"She w– she was Taha Aki's imprint. When the tribe was attacked by the mate of a Cold One they had killed earlier, she plunged a knife into herself and distracted the vampire with her spilling blood so her husband could kill the mate."
"We understand that we don't have the brute strength you all possess," Emily interjected. "We only wish to do what we can to protect you all and our people."
"We can discuss your role during the battle later," Rosalie retorted. "Right now, we need to talk about how we're going to take down the Newborns."
"I'll train them myself," said Edie. "We should also set up a blood trail for them."
"Where should we lead them," Jacob inquired.
"There's an area near the mountains," Jasper suggested. "That should provide a safe enough distance between towns. A direct line of blood would be best to lure them. We just need someone to volunteer for the target."
"I'll do it," said Edie. "We can't have the girls involved in any way if we want to keep them safe and shifter blood would only chase them away."
"You're a shifter too. Wouldn't it be the same?"
"I don't think so. If you don't believe me, you could test it out with the blood Carlisle has in his office," she accused. "You didn't honestly believe that I wouldn't be able to smell my own blood, did you? I was warned of your curious mind Stregone benefico."
"How do you know that name," Carlisle interrogated.
"I learned a lot in my seventy years, but that's beside the point. Wouldn't you agree that my blood is potent?"
"I have never been more tempted by a single drop in all my five hundred years," he admitted. Esme, Rosalie, and the rest were dumbstruck. Especially Edward; he'd known Carlisle longest out of all of them and the mere acknowledgement of temptation was a shock.
"There you go. Now let's get to the field."
"Our meeting isn't over yet," Alice interrupted. "We have more to discuss."
"Did their numbers grow," asked Emmett excitedly, knowing his sister most likely had a vision.
"Their numbers are at a steady pace."
"Then what has you worried," Rosalie interfered.
"I had a vision of something. Something big. It had glowing green eyes and a fearsome presence. This thing…it scared Jane. Here. I drew a picture." The creature was humanoid with glowing eyes and a monster-like aura or shadow depending on the way you looked at it.
'Is it?' Edie peeked at Alice's memory of the vision.
Edward interrupted her thoughts, "You recognize the creature?"
"It's not important right now. What is important is that we train. Let's go girls."
"Hold on. If this thing scares Jane of all vampires, it is worth further discussion."
"No, it isn't. A simple shield could scare her. If she 'fears' anything, it is only because it is something she cannot hurt."
"You seem to know much about this vampire royal family. Don't you, Ms. Ward," John Littlesea accused.
Edie inhaled deeply then exhaled. "In war, not all scars are visible Elder Littlesea. Excuse me, I'll be back in a few." She left behind her personal gust of wind.
"That girl. She never gives a straight answer," Littlesea grumbled. "We should all be wary of her actions; she is a danger to us all."
"Grandpa…," Collin began.
"Quiet, boy! I know what I'm talking about. That half-breed has put a spell on you all. How can you trust someone who says nothing of themselves? We don't even know her actual name. What's Edie short for? Edith? Edna? Eden?"
"We all have a past John Littlesea," Edward reminded him. "It is not our right to know all of hers, only to support her when she reveals it."
"Oh shut up Bloodsucker. You can read minds, so her past is all but revealed to you. Damn leeches."
"For your information, Edie allows me to read her. She'll tell me what she wants to like a normal person."
"That creature is further from a person than you are."
"How can you say that about someone of your tribe?" Edward tried maintaining his temper. Jacob's touch placated him. Though he himself was on the verge of shifting.
"I appreciate you defending my right to privacy Edward, but we have more important things to do than defend little ol' me," announced Edie upon her return. She swayed a little as she slurred her words. "Enough of this sullen crap, man. Follow me. I have presents for the imprints outside." When everyone reached the training area, they saw Edie standing next to a trunk filled with dark grey sharp weapons. "I'm sure most of you have an idea of what these weapons are made of. For those who don't know, they're made of tungsten carbide. It is a metal used to cut diamonds. In other words, a human's only defense against our kind."
"Do we get to choose which ones we want," asked Emily.
"There are plenty in here, so that you won't be limited to just one." Edie guided Emily, Kim, and Rachel to the trunk and each of them picked out one large instrument and a few small ones. As she handed them out Edie reminded the girls, "Remember you are weaker in every physical sense of the word against Newborns. Should any of them break out of the warzone and go to you guys, or to Forks, let Collin or Brady handle them first. They're made for that kind of battle.
"The same rules apply to you when it comes to battling these creatures. Always do the unexpected and since they'll be facing you, they'll never expect you to be able to fight back. Each of you will also need one of these," Edie handed each of them what looked like simple flashlights. She then demonstrated their use with the extra she had in hand. She pushed the button on the body of the tube. Metallic plates began to cover her forearm, almost reaching her elbow and fire burst through the opening at a length of at least four feet. "These are your flamethrowers."
"That's totally sick! Like something out of Iron Man or Batman," Brady exclaimed. "Can I have one?"
"Sorry Brady, I specifically designed each of them for the girls." She turned to the rest of the imprints. "Hold your devices with your dominant hand and press the button on the side. Be careful; there's a kickback." One by one the girls' forearms matched Edie's. "There are sensors on the plate; the flamethrowers will only respond to your genetic signature. As a bonus, whenever you get close to someone with a body temperature of less than thirty degrees Fahrenheit…Rosalie could you please come over here and stand next to Rachel?" Rosalie approached Rachel, but she wasn't even five feet away and large blades appeared on the apparatus. "Don't get any closer Rosalie. The blade is designed to dislodge from the sleeve and attack the coldest thing near it."
"It's like a cold-seeking missile," Kim commented.
"Exactly."
"Truly exceptional!" Carlisle exclaimed. His eyes glowing with utter fascination. "Might I peek at you designs, purely for scientific purposes," he added.
"I destroyed them. All of them."
"But why," he questioned, nearly whined. Esme found it rather cute that her husband was unable to marvel at the wonder before them.
"This kind of technology should not be in the hands of humans, much less exist. So, when I tell you to destroy them, do so. I don't want to be responsible for our descendants musing the idea of becoming vampire hunters. It'd be foolish; they wouldn't stand a chance."
"Still, this kind of technology…"
"No, Carlisle. There are times where having the knowledge of being able to do something means questioning whether we should."
"That's very wise," said Esme. "Who taught you that?"
"My grandmother," Edie replied warmly at the mother vampire. "Any other questions?" Everyone pretty much had satisfied expressions. "Kim, Rachel, and Emily, follow me; we have much to do." The group went to an area a little further from the mansion.
The rest of the party stared at the disappearing group. "She is something isn't she," Edward commented.
"Yeah, man. I wanted one of those flamethrowers too," Jacob pouted and Edward found that to be way too adorable. 'I ain't adorable babe, I'm a killing machine,' he winked back.
'You'll be the death of me,' Edward teased.
While the couple continued their mind flirting, Esme and Carlisle approached the rest of the tribal council. "I hope you don't mind, but Carlisle and I were hoping you would join us next week for dinner."
"Thanksgiving dinner?" Billy raised an eyebrow. 'Do they expect us to put on headdresses or something?' He heard Edward and Jacob laugh in the distance. "What's so funny you two?"
"Nothing, Dad." Jacob let out his wolfy laugh.
"I'm afraid you're a couple decades too early with Carlisle," Edward commented. "Simple dress clothes will do just fine. My mother simply enjoys cooking for others. Before you ask, Sam, Sunshine already told Emily and the rest of their party and they're on board. They want to help with the preparations."
"Then I guess we're coming over for dinner," Billy accepted the invitation. "We'll leave you to train."
As the elder Quileutes left, a distance away, there was a scream. "Oh my God! Oh my God! Help! Please help," Kim screamed. Edie had a large gash across her abdomen, made from the blade Kim was using for target practice. Edie was distracted with speaking mentally with Edward and Jacob and was absent-minded when Kim's weapon thrusted inside her abdomen.
Edie let out shallow breaths. 'You aren't there anymore. You must calm yourself. You aren't there anymore. You're free. L'altra metà. Where are you? He's not here. You need to heal yourself. But it's not easy.' It was moments later that Edie regained her voice and forced herself to deal with the situation logically. She wasn't in Volterra anymore; she was in the state of Washington, far from their reach. "Kim," she slowly got up and spoke shakily. "Please calm down. You didn't do a lot of damage. See, I'm already healing." She lifted her shirt and showed them the area where the blade penetrated her skin restoring itself. Edie saw her reflection on the sharpened ends of the weapons and thankfully there was still gold in her eyes.
It was a moment later when the wolves and the vampires joined them, having heard the scream. They were trying to assess the situation, but there appeared to be none. Jared made his way to Kim's side to comfort her, "Why'd you scream? Are you hurt?"
"I-it was Edie. I stabbed her."
"I'm fine Kim. Really," Edie insisted and emphasized to the rest of the group whose eyes were trying to escape from their sockets. "You did great. Strike fast; strike often." Edie nodded to her with approval.
"Are you sure you're okay," Esme showed concern.
"Yes I am. Let's take a break. I could use a drink." She left before her question was answered and landed inside the kitchen. When the rest joined her, she stated to no one in particular, "Got anything stronger than beer?"
"No, I'm afraid," Esme responded.
"'S cool. Anyone else want one?" Sam and Paul raised their hands, though Kim's hand shot up before theirs. "Yeah, you could really use a drink girl." Edie crushed the can on her head. "Banzai! Sore wa hontōni yoi bīrudeshita!" (Woo! That was really good beer!)
"Sono nihonjinmashita ka?" Edward asked. (Was that Japanese?)
"Hai!" (Yes)
"How many languages do you speak?"
"Enough to get around." She looked at the time on her watch. "It's late. I should get home soon."
"Won't Charlie mind you smelling like a brewery?" Edward wanted to keep Edie inside the house for as much time as possible.
"Not really, he knows I like to down a few."
"Charlie knows you drink," Jacob queried with mild shock.
"Uh, yeah! Dude, the day we met we were going to go at it until you guys showed up."
"Oh yeah," Seth remembered.
"But doesn't he think you're a teenager," Emmett reminded them. "How did you convince him? Did you use your gift or something?"
"No," she responded definitively. "He thinks I'm an undercover cop working the disappearances in the area."
"How did you explain going to Forks High School?"
"The disappearances are mostly teenagers, so I go where the youth goes."
"That's how you've been keeping tabs so we're not exposed," Jasper concluded.
"Yupperoo Buckaroo. See ya!" Like each time they are with Edie, they are left in the dust. Thoughts were circling the group. They wanted to ask more of the hybrid.
"Alright, I'll play Devil's Advocate," Leah announced. "Anyone else think that Littlesea was right? About us not knowing much about her?" Practically everyone silently agreed with Leah.
"We do know her," Jacob insisted. "She's the same silly and serious ray of sunshine that we know and love."
"We didn't know she was an alcoholic," Jasper interrupted.
"A few beers don't make someone an alcoholic."
"She drank before, during, and after we were together."
"It doesn't mean she needs to go to AA."
However, Sam had another point to make. "We don't even know her real name. Has she told any of you about her past?" His question was directed more at the vampires in the room.
"Her parents died when she was young and she was raised by her grandmother," Rosalie recalled. "And she was bitten by a nomad that left her as soon as he bit her."
"How does she know so much about your Volturi or whatever if she was alone all that time?"
"Everyone knows about the Volturi. She probably got her knowledge from stories from when she traveled," said Alice.
Carlisle was not convinced of that. "Then how did she know that name? No one outside our two covens and a lone few know about it. And who 'warned' her about me?"
Edward challenged, "Why do you have a vile of her blood? What were you thinking Carlisle? After all the pain she went through? You've lost her confidence in you, perhaps all of us."
"You make her sound like a kicked puppy," Paul joked. It was lost on Jacob and Edward. "Just kidding guys. It's not like she…," he observed their grim expressions further "She wasn't like abused. Right? Guys?"
"It's–"
"Esme! What are you gonna serve for dinner next week," Jacob immediately asked. "We should get a HUGE turkey. You know us wolves and our GIGANTIC appetite."
Despite the current topic of conversation, Esme animatedly tells Jacob, "I was thinking three thirty pound turkeys or we each make our own turkey. I can get three extra ovens here by Wednesday!"
"Jake, we need to know," Sam insisted.
"No, we don't," Jacob told him defiantly. "It's her story, her past. She'll tell us when she wants to."
"But Jake, her past could endanger us," Alice insisted.
"I do want to know more about her," he admitted, "but not like this. We should ask her ourselves instead of doing it behind her back."
"What makes you think that she'll give us a straight answer," Quil countered. "At one point or another, she's lied or kept something from us."
"She's Edie! Dammit," Seth bellowed. "She's always had our backs. She's allergic to human blood, she gave us blades that could slice her open, and she's helping to train us for the newborns. Why would she willingly say and do these things if she didn't care about us, if she didn't trust us?" Seth had always been the kid of the group, the most innocent and accepting, so to hear him defend her adamantly, put most of them to shame.
Before they knew it, Thanksgiving had come around and the Cullen Residence was buzzing with all sorts of smells. Everyone had been invited; the wolves, the imprints, Sue and Billy, and Charlie came too as an extended invite from Edie. The boys were mostly outside playing football and the girls were mostly in Alice's room. The "adult" men were in the living room watching a Seahawks game and the "adult" women were in the most dangerous place in the house currently, the kitchen. Sue, Emily, and Esme were currently at a death match.
Not really, but it was pretty close. Esme's three ovens had arrived that morning and all that was left was to cook the food. They all brought or were cooking their own side dishes, but the real competition was the turkey. Each woman had their own ways of cooking; each had their own traditions and of course each thought theirs was the best. It was the battle of the homemakers and the rest knew to stay out of their way.
Edie had been off doing her own thing. Although American football was appealing as well as the fashion show in Alice's room, she needed time for herself. She found herself wandering around the house until she discovered a music room with a baby grand piano in the middle of it. "Wow," she whispered.
She sat on the stool bench and grazed her fingers on the ivory keys. Edie tested out the notes and it was like things were clicking inside her head. Her fingers were working a chord. She closed her eyes and recalled a song deep in her memory.
It was a minor tune with a steady tempo. "I'm so tired of being here. Suppressed by all my childish fears. And if you have to leave, I wish that you would just leave. 'Cause your presence still lingers here and it won't leave me alone." She extended that last note. "These wounds won't–"
She sensed someone watching her. "Keep playing." It was Edward.
"I'm sorry, is this yours?" She motioned to the piano.
"I've had this with me for over a hundred years." He gazed at it thoughtfully. "My mother taught me how to play. It was the only thing I demanded Carlisle we keep."
"Do you play a lot?"
"Almost every day. How long have you been playing?"
"This is the first time I've actually touched one," she confessed.
"That's amazing."
"My father...Grandma told me my dad used to play and I've always wanted to, but it just seemed pointless to me. Playing won't bring him or my mom back to me. I didn't even know I could sing until I came here."
"You're definitely a prodigy." Edward sat next to her a played one of his favorite pieces. A lullaby his mother used to sing. He forgot the words a long time ago, but the melody was something he would always remember. Edie leaned against him and closed her eyes and almost drifted into sleep. Edward sensed his mate at the doorway. 'Come over,' he invited.
Jacob walked slowly and purposely to sit in the other side of his imprint and found himself at peace with the scene they were creating for themselves. They heard a small click and turned around to see Alice taking a photo of them.
"Esme wanted me to tell you guys that dinner's ready." Alice skipped away.
"We should probably go," Edie removed herself from her comfortable position. She left the couple alone in the music room.
"You smelled it?"
"Yeah," Jacob admitted. "It's faint, but I definitely smell a very strong liquor from her. Should we say something?"
"After dinner."
The family was gathered around the biggest dining table Charlie had ever seen. It seated everyone and their mother! Edie sat next to him while Jacob sat on the other side of her with Edward beside him. In fact, the pack was not without a vampire near them. During the meal, the vampires would hand their food to the shifter closest to them. All the while, the homemakers were giving each other a challenger's stare. There were six turkeys and three cooks. Obviously, the vampires couldn't eat any of it, so there would be no bias on Esme, or at least that was her argument. Charlie, himself, was enjoying Sue's turkey very much.
For many intents and purposes, Charlie was the most human out of all of them. Still, he was a human police officer and he knew how to detect certain clues that others may not have. The others had smells and sounds and sure maybe a sharper sight, but Charlie observed more than they could; even with all their enhanced skills. For instance, the slight tremble in someone's hands. The shift in their demeanor and the smell of alcohol on their breath. Charlie observed the subject was about to make her quick escape and detoured her before she could get away.
"Edie, I need to talk to you," told her in low whisper.
"Uh, sure." She let herself be led to an area out of range of human ears. "What's up?"
He turned her round to face him. "Would you like to explain to me why I found twenty bottles of Everclear Grain near the cliffs? I know they're yours. They're far enough away from Forks and La Push that no one else would bother with them, but close enough to the Cullen property that you can get them without problems. None of the Rez kids can afford these and I'm sure the Cullens wouldn't get them, so tell me; what the fuck is going on?"
"I just needed a little pick-me-up," she responded without looking up.
"We have a deal. You're not allowed to drink alone and something tells me that they don't know about your little outings."
"Fine, I'll be out of your hair within the hour," she mumbled with her vision still casted downward.
Charlie grabbed her and gave her the tightest hug he could. "How many times do I have to tell you for you to get the message? We. Don't. Leave. Why can't you just talk to me? Or tell them?"
Edie hugged him back with enough force to convey her feelings without hurting him. "I can't. I've never let anyone...they can't know, Charlie," she spoke softly.
"Kiddo," he sighed. "Trust goes a long way." Then Edie started sniffing the air. "What's wrong?"
'There's someone crossing the border. Tell the pack!' She signaled Edward. 'We need help! Unknown red-eye. Repeat. Unknown red-eye.' "Charlie, we need to get back inside the house. Now!"
It was too late. "Bella?" Bella Swan had arrived.
Edie stood her ground and placed herself in front of Charlie. "Arm yourself," she whispered.
Charlie struggles to grab his flame-thrower. This is his little girl. He was the first one to hold her after the doctors. It didn't matter to him what she did. She was his baby.
"Hi Charlie." He sees her eyes are red and has a smoother quality to it; almost velvety.
"So now that you don't live here, I'm not Dad?"
"Are you telling me I can't move back?" She pouted her lips and made her eyes cartoonish big. The overall effect should have been cute and pitiful, but with her red eyes, it just made her look creepy.
Charlie remained stone-faced. 'I'd like nothing more than to have you home, but...' "Why are you here Isabella?"
"Bella! I'm Bella, not Isabella. Bella," she told him aggressively. Bella looked down at the person in front of Charlie. She sniped, "You've already replaced me? Goes to show how much you thought of me. Haven't I met you somewhere before?"
Edie growled. Charlie grabbed her by the shoulders so she would face him. "Edie, go inside the house."
"Are you kidding me? No way!"
"You will do as I say young lady. Go!" His voice boomed and Edie ran in the direction of the house. "You're wrong Bells. I love you and I was devastated when you left."
Charlie was then grabbed forcibly by the throat and held two feet in the air. "Then allow me to put you out of your misery," she snapped her mouth wide and aimed for his jugular.
Just then, Edward and his family arrived with Jacob and the pack. "Bella, stop!"
"Oh Edward, baby," she dropped Charlie on the forest floor. Edie, already in wolf form, moved to him hurriedly. "I missed you my love!" Bella wrapped her legs on his waist and started for a kiss.
Edward dropped her on her ass and Jacob growled at his boyfriend's ex. "Why are you back?"
"I'm here to join the family."
'No! Don't fall for it.' Edie peered at Bella's memories. 'She heard about Edward's reputation and came to nab him back.'
"Forget it Bella, you're a manipulative bitch. I have someone I love more than I could ever fathom to care about you," Edward stated.
"How did you-? Whatever. Whoever she is, I'm ten times better."
Jacob growled at her and got closer to his imprint. 'Say that to my face, Bitch Swan.'
"Would you mind calling off your puppy? Honestly, Edward, associating with mutts is beneath you."
"Ms. Swan. I believe it's best if you were on your way," Carlisle demanded diplomatically.
"Fine, but I think I'll have a snack before I go."
'Come near him and I'll tear you apart!' Edie snarled. Bella grabbed her by the fur and tossed her away.
"You smell a lot better than the rest of the litter. Maybe I'll kill you instead."
Just as Jacob was coming in for the rescue, Charlie made his stance. "I can't let you do that Sweetheart," he wheezed. Jacob was picking up Edie behind him.
"Fine," she smirked. Bella made her move for Charlie, but then Rosalie aimed for her torso to protect the human. Unfortunately, Bella's claws had already slashed his chest. Rosalie trapped Bella between her thighs and began removing her limbs. Leah wanted a piece of the action too, so she had the honor of decapitating the Newborn. The others had started spreading gasoline on a pile of logs and lit them on fire. Every bit of what used to be Isabella Swan was thrown into the fire. Thus, marked the end of Isabella Marie Swan's minute life as a vampire.
Edie morphed back into human form and went over to Charlie who was looking worse by the minute. "It's okay Charlie. It's okay. We'll make you better," she choked out. Jacob came from the house with clothes on and Edward behind him. "Don't leave Charlie please. Don't leave," she buried her face in his neck. His body was depleting itself of blood.
"I couldn't let you get hurt, Kiddo," he whispered.
"Please Charlie. You promised! Please! You're the only one, Charlie. Please." She could hear his heart pumping less and less. Everyone else could only stare as the Chief of Police slowly died, but Edie wouldn't have it.
Edward saw Edie's intentions, "Edie, no!"
She put her shield up so they couldn't stop her. "I'm sorry Charlie." She bit into her free arm and peeled the skin out so enough of her blood could spill out, but it was already healing. She used her other hand to gather her blood in her palm and spread it across the wound. It took one long minute for the venom in her blood to work; Charlie's body began to heal.
Edie's shield went down and Carlisle rushed to Charlie. "It's not enough, but if you give him more, he'll Change."
"No. I won't let him live this existence."
"Edie, we need to move him if we want to save him," Edward urged her. "You need to let go so we can take him to the hospital."
"No! If I let go, he'll leave."
"Sunshine," Jacob shook her shoulder. "We have to or he'll die and you need to put on some clothes."
Edie quickly, but reluctantly, let go and hustled to clothe herself. By the time she was done, Edward was at the wheel of Billy's pick-up and Jacob was holding Charlie in the back. She climbed onboard and they sped to the hospital.
Forks Hospital
They stopped at the Emergency Room entrance. "Somebody help please!" Edie pleaded.
A whole mess of doctors swarmed around Charlie. They spoke a bunch of medical jargon and tried to push back Edie, so they could work. Others asked her what had happened, but she refused to answer them. Instead she implored that they save him. It took the full force of Edward and Jacob to keep her from going with Charlie. "Please let me go with him," she begged Edward as she clung to his tear-soaked shirt. "Please!"
Edward pulled her tightly against him in a way that would have killed most people by the sheer force of it. "Don't cry Sunshine, please don't cry." Eventually Edie fell asleep in his arms. Edward placed her between Jacob and himself. It wasn't long until the rest of the coven arrived.
The hospital lobby was soon filled with police officers and friends of Charlie; Billy and Sue arrived as soon as they could. Jacob spent the last half hour stroking Edie's hair, soothing her like his mother used to do; softly and deliberately. Edie woke up in his arms. 'This is nice. Feels warm…' She opened her eyes slightly to see a young Quileute boy holding her. "K –Jacob? What…um have they said anything about Charlie?"
"They said he should be out of surgery in a little bit. They said he should be okay." Jacob felt Edie would appreciate the truth better than him sparing her feelings. "Ed, his family, and the pack are in Doc's office. They wanted to talk to you earlier, but I told them to wait until you woke up."
"Do you mind waiting for me a little bit," she asked –not looking directly at him. "I need to wash my face." Edie approached the sink when she entered the women's bathroom. She was puffy and red all over her face. 'I hurt everyone.' Edie reached inside the crevice of her breasts and got out a bottle of the solution. She used it then flushed it down the toilet. No matter how much her heart ached, she was still a soldier and the mission wasn't complete.
Jacob led Edie to Carlisle's office and saw that everyone was there; vampires, wolves, and imprints! Rachel was in the middle of giving Paul and the rest of the wolves a piece of her and the rests' minds. "Everyone has their boyfriends fighting. Just because we don't have your gifts, doesn't mean we can't fight."
Esme then came through the crowd and drew Edie in for a comforting hug. "Oh Honey," Esme stroke Edie's red cheeks. "Charlie will be fine. Don't worry."
"Thanks Esme. I love being in your arms. It's like you were made for it. It's your gift." This statement made Esme pull the time-traveler closer to herself. The rest went on with their discussion.
"The imprints should stay behind and defend the tribe with the youngest shifters," Jacob stated.
"Are you fucking kidding me? We're not some weak damsels in distress!" Rachel retorted.
"ENOUGH! Enough with the same damn argument. Whether you like it or not, you are less than useless against the Newborns. In fact, you are a liability. I won't have my men be distracted in battle because of you. Brady and Collin will provide enough back up." Rachel just had her taste of the alpha's power. She as well as Kim and Emily backed down immediately.
A knock interrupted them. It was the surgeon who worked on Charlie. "Dr. Malcolm, is there something I can help you with," Carlisle reacted politely.
"Sorry to interrupt you Dr. Cullen, but I'm looking for the Chief's next of kin. A Miss Edie Ward," the doctor took off his surgical cap.
"Next of kin?"
"Yes. Are any of you she?"
"I'm Edie Ward," Edie answered shakily. "How was the surgery?"
"We should discuss this in private."
"Just tell me."
"We had to resuscitate him half-way through, but he's in the ICU and he's asking for you. I can take you to him if you want," he pushed his hand though his light brown hair and had a glint in his eye.
"Thank you, Dr. Malcolm."
"Call me Chuck. This way," he gave his million-dollar smile and led her away.
"Dr. Malcolm needs to learn to keep things professional," Edward sneered.
"Edie's an attractive girl, but you're right he needs to keep his mind out of the gutter," Jacob granted.
"Déjà vu!" They heard Rosalie say. "You two reminded me of my parents just now," she giggled.
Someone started knocking on Carlisle's door. That was everyone's queue to leave. The visitor left as quick as he came. That left Carlisle alone with his thoughts. 'Is it possible? No. They have no idea about the wolves as far as I know. This requires further study. What am I missing?' Carlisle went back to rounds and on the way, he stopped by the hospital lab.
The ICU; Charlie's Room
There were many machines in Charlie's section of the ICU; monitoring his heart and lungs, morphine, and whatever other medicine he needed because he had multiple internal injuries. Most of his injuries were in his abdomen, so they weren't seen because of the sheets and his gown. His head injury, however, was in plain sight. Bella cracked his skull and that is what took the most time to repair, not the collapsed lung or the punctured stomach.
Edie stood there watching him from the furthest wall trying not to get too emotional waiting for him to wake up. After a few hours, his doctors declared him healthy enough to be moved to an actual room. When Edie thought she had enough privacy, she sat down beside him. "I feel like a fucking fraud, Charlie. I came here to save the ones I love, my family. I couldn't even protect you. The man who knows everything about me," she whispered.
While gently taking his hand in hers, she continued. "Charlie, you have the biggest heart of anyone I know. Even after…even after what I did, you still took me in. Who knows? Maybe you wanted revenge or something and this is how you're doing it," she commented lightly. "You don't have to speak to me Charlie. Just wake up," her voice cracked. When he didn't respond, she continued, "I'm gonna start looking for somewhere else to stay. Esme will probably insist I stay with them or Jacob, but I can't. I need to keep my distance. Everybody I touch –everybody I connect with in some way gets hurt or dies; Dad, Kah, Grandma, Alec, Marcus, and now you. I'm not even supposed to be here." There was a pause. "I should go and start packing my things. I'm pretty sure I cried my contacts out and I threw away the amount I already had."
"I have some in my jeans," Charlie coughed. "Back pocket. Right side."
"Always prepared, huh?" She gave him a tiny smile and then buried herself on his chest. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Charlie. I'm sorry about Bella. I'm sorry this happened because of me. I promise you don't… ever have to see… my face… again," she struggled to breathe.
With whatever strength he could muster, Charlie held her close. "Our deal was we talk about everything and nobody runs. Don't ever get it in your head about moving out again." Edie tried to protest, but Charlie wouldn't have it.
Edie sniffled again, "What Charlie says goes, right?"
"What Charlie says goes." Soon, the nurses and doctors came in to do a routine check-up on him. Dr. Malcolm told them that Charlie's vitals looked superb. They wanted to keep him overnight for the next few days for observation and prescribed him medicine to keep him from bleeding out. Sue came to his room every day even after he was sent home.