The piercing cold of the Alaskan air was bitter and numbing. It stung and nipped and seeped deep into Isabel's bones through the heavy jacket Alice gave her. Her knees trembled as she struggled to hold onto the just-as-freezing hand that tried to pull away.
Edward frowned at her and attempted to let go again. When she tightened her grip, instead of arguing, he only picked up his pace to the two waiting rentals sitting in the lot. The rest of Cullens quickly put the luggage in the idled trucks as the wind blew harshly at the shaking girl.
Has she ever felt so cold?
Nahuel and Charlie quickly jumped in the front and cranked up the heat while Edward helped her into the back. She expected him to go back to the other truck but climbed in after her. The door to her left also opened and the truck shook under Emmett's weight as he sandwiched her in.
Isabel barely managed to keep her eyes open until they peeled out of the airport parking lot after the others. All it took was leaning her head on Edward's jacket padded shoulder and she was out.
It was the change of terrain that woke her sometime later. The smooth road gave way to harsh bumping that rocked the truck. Low murmurs chased the sleep away and she squinted in the darkness at the soft light of the dash reflecting on Emmett's face as he leaned forward, talking to Nahuel. It took a second for her to register that she was looking up at him from the makeshift pillow she laid on. Isabel fingered the bundled up jacket and stretched her feet that laid across Emmett's lap.
Something cold grazed her cheek.
"We're almost there."
Isabel turned toward Edward. "Are we off-roading?"
The comment was meant to be sarcastic, but the twitching of Edward's lips said she was spot on. "Our cousins live a little off the map. Emmett is trying to teach Nahuel how to drive in snow."
"Yeah, he sucks." He chuckled as a low growl from the driver's seat responded. "I would've done it, but you passed out back here."
A sleepy smile spread over her lips at the thought of Emmett not wanting to wake her.
"I couldn't tell if it was the engine working hard or just your snoring."
The smile was gone. "I do not snore!"
But in the light she could see Charlie press his lips together and she whipped around to Edward who studied the snow outside the window. She scrambled to sit fully up, ignoring Emmett's teasing laugh and Edward's frown. A light in the distance caught her attention. "Is that them?"
Edward leaned forward to peer out the windshield. "Yes. That's them."
The light soon became several, and the multi-storied house was finally visible in the dark early morning to her weaker eyes. It was big and spread out, wood and metal, grandness emitting through the many large windows. The rustic cabin-like home was something straight out of a magazine.
But when they parked, no one stood at the door to greet them. "Where are they?"
"Hunting," Edward said quietly as Emmett opened the door and strutted out to the truck that pulled up next to them. "Carlisle wanted to take precautions. Alice sees them back here in twenty minutes."
"... Do they know yet? About us?" She asked, meeting Nahuel's weary glance in the rearview mirror.
"It's not something we can really explain over the phone… They know something is going on and that we need help, but about you specifically… No. We thought it best to explain in person. Alice just couldn't see what their reaction would be."
"I just hope your trust in them isn't misplaced," Nahuel said flatly and with that he and Charlie both exited the truck.
If the outside of the house was big the inside was just downright intimidating. The large open rooms and high ceilings seemed to swallow up their group of nine with ease. Like the Cullens everything was pristine from the glossy wooden floors to the perfectly dusted picture frames and art that lined the walls, but unlike the Cullens the home something was missing. Isabel couldn't quite put her finger on exactly what as she looked around herself. Whatever it was, despite the dark furnishing, the wooden floors, the soft low lights all working to make the space cozy, it didn't feel… warm.
"Would you like to sit?" Edward asked, coming up to her side with her backpack.
She eyed the beautiful tan couch that looked brand new and shook her head.
The minutes waiting for their cousins to arrive were tension filled. While Charlie paced back and forth across the living room Isabel stood stock-still, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Despite the Cullens' best efforts to try to make them feel comfortable – Esme asking if they were hungry and Alice holding out a pair of warm pajamas to change into – everything fell flat in trying to ease the nervousness that encased them. Even Nahuel seemed to be reverting to human tendencies, the tapping of his foot keeping time with her heart as he stared out the large window into the trees in the distance.
Edward lingered by her side without a word, his eyes fixed on the door.
Then, a moment later, he spoke.
"They're here."
It would be another short moment before the Cullens moved, creating a barrier between Isabel, Charlie and Nahuel and the door. Edward stood directly in front of her while Rosalie shifted closer to her right. Alice and Esme closed in on Charlie while Emmett and Carlisle took the front of the group. And while it was quite obvious that Nahuel could handle his own Jasper still situated himself to the side of the hybrid.
The door flew open.
Isabel wasn't sure what she imagined; she knew they were beautiful, that much was obvious.
What she wasn't prepared for was just how beautiful.
And how terrifying.
The woman that stood at the door with bright golden eyes and long curly strawberry hair was absolutely ethereal, but no amount of beauty could mask the unnatural paleness of her skin or the predatory stillness she stood in. It could not keep the cold chill that ran up Isabel's spine as the woman's eyes flickered from Edward to Alice, to her just behind Edward's shoulder. Instinctively, Isabel flinched closer into Edward's back and Rosalie matched her step, their arms nearly touching.
Behind the strawberry blond entered two other women who stood just as expressionless as the first woman. The shortest of the three had straight, chin-length silvery hair while the other was the tallest, pale-blonde and icy. Isabel squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to control her racing heartbeat that no doubt the vampires could hear, but the ongoing silence was too much for her to block. So she took a deep breath and glanced over Edward again.
All three women were staring right at her.
"Yes," Edward whispered and the strawberry blonde's eyes widened, "it's her."
He moved a little, twisting his body so that Isabel was no longer completely hidden. She squirmed slightly as these gorgeous creatures looked her up and down, but there was no condemnation in their glances. Only shock.
And wonder.
"Yes," Edward answered another silent question, looking back at Isabel with a soft look, "she is."
Then the strawberry blonde was standing directly in front of her. Isabel jumped, a startled gasp escaping her lips, but nothing scared her more than when the woman's hand slowly reached up toward her. Edward made no move to stop her and so Isabel tried to reign in her fear, but for the life of her could not stop her knees from trembling.
"Tanya," the taller blonde called and the woman's, Tanya's, hand stopped midway. The tall blonde was no longer looking at Isabel, but past her.
At Nahuel.
Whereas they looked upon Isabel with wonder, they now looked on with fear.
Tanya immediately fell back, a gust of wind pushing Isabel's hair back as she stood with her sisters again.
"Carlisle… what is that!?" The short haired woman hissed at the same time the pale blonde sniffed once at the air and recoiled. "He does not smell human."
"What's going on?" Tanya demanded, her eyes narrowing dangerously on the stranger in her home.
"If you could give me the benefit of the doubt for just a few minutes," Carlisle stepped forward, effectively blocking Nahuel from view. "We have something extremely difficult to explain. Something impossible to believe if you could not see it with your own eyes. Please."
"You told us you were in trouble."
"Yes, but it is not him who brings us trouble, but his father."
"Father?"
Every pair of eyes fell onto the newcomers behind the three women; a man with neatly combed black hair that fell to his collar and olive skin. The dark haired woman at his side gazed at Isabel curiously before her bright golden eyes found Nahuel as well. The two vampires instantly froze, picking up whatever it was that distinguished Nahuel as something other.
Carlisle sighed, "Eleazar, Carmen. Before I begin I want to say thank you all for letting us come here. I only told you that we were in grave danger and you did not hesitate to offer us both your home and your support. Now please, please listen to everything we have to say."
The Denali coven looked toward Tanya whose glance flickered between Nahuel, then Isabel, then back again. Finally, she settled on Edward.
"Does this danger have to do with… your mate?"
His cold hand slipped into Isabel's. "It has everything to do with her."
She pressed her lips together and nodded once.
"Tell us the danger. We'll listen."
…
Isabel doubted she'll ever get used to vampires. What she thought would take hours to explain only ended up being a few minutes. Carlisle's lips were nearly blurred at the speed he was using to speak, the room filled with what sounded like high frequency buzzing as Edward and Alice jumped in at points in the inaudible conversation. The only thing that gave Isabel a clue as to where they were in the story was the low hissing and gasps coming from the Denali coven. Every so often they would look at her with wide eyes then turn toward Nahuel with nearly bared teeth. Isabel could practically see the stress rolling off them as Tanya shook her head quickly, Eleazar now joining the buzzing chorus, his expression intense.
Silence suddenly fell in the room, leaving Isabel's ears ringing, but she couldn't dwell on it as the dark haired woman, Carmen, now stood before her. They watched each other, neither moving as throughout the room a collective breath was held. Then, like Tanya before, she reached out toward Isabel slowly. The cold touch of her fingertips was featherlight as she brushed her cheek and through her hair, almost fretting over her the way she had seen so many mothers do to their children. The way Mrs. Weber combed through Angela's hair and around her glasses. The touch was too intimate for Isabel and she swallowed hard against the lump in her throat.
But Carmen only came closer and her glassy eyes blazed with warmth.
"Milagro," she whispered.
Isabel knew enough Spanish to understand.
The corner of Edward's lips turned up.
But Eleazar didn't share their feelings.
Carmen's touch disappeared as she was pulled back, the black haired man now in front of her as he stared down Edward who moved in the same second to shield Isabel defensively. Rosalie closed in, her arms around Isabel like she was ready to whisk her away.
"This isn't a trick!" Edward growled. "You can hear her heartbeat! You can hear Nahuel! Blood runs through their veins. They were born. He is her biological family. Surely you can smell the venom in him now!"
"Nahuel is not a full vampire! These are not immortal children who are coming." Carlisle pressed and rushed to Edward's side, Emmett shadowing his movements. "None of them are! Come now, Eleazar, you must see the resemblance! Your eyes do not lie!"
At the end of his words, stood Nahuel before them all in between the two tense covens. He did not crouch or growl, nor did he lift his hands in a pleading gesture the way Carlisle did. He just stood.
The five vampires stared at him like he descended from the heavens. Or crawled from hell.
Was there really a difference at this point?
"My father intends on 'purifying' the vampire race," Nahuel said calmly. "And with it, enslaving humans for the sole purpose of breeding and food."
Isabel's stomach twisted.
"He has already destroyed covens with his children, powerful covens, and he will not stop until he destroys the volturi."
"That- that is just not possible," Eleazar shook his head.
"He killed Maria," Jasper stated and Isabel couldn't tell which of the vampires in the room gasped. "On the way over here, I contacted Peter and Charlotte. They had been watching Maria for some time now and confirmed her disappearance. They went searching and found nothing but ash."
"He is coming," Nahuel continued after some silence, "Two of his sons are already somewhere in Washington state. It won't be long before they're here, challenging you! You think you can stand against them? That any lone coven can?" He hissed. "Joham comes with the promise of offering what vampires have craved after since your species entered into existence; children. And he offers only those he has fathered. Who obey his every command; gifted, angelic creatures who are warm and grow and who are just as deadly as a full vampire. Who have all the attributes of Immortal Children and none of the mindless, earth shattering violence. How many vampires do you think will kill for them? Die for them? Has the longing for children not already been proven over and over in vampires? How many of your kind have been torn to shreds, executed and blacklisted, banished from joining other covens if they participated in the taboo of feeding off human children? When Maria faced Joham head on, she only had to look upon the child he had with him. Just once. Before she was willing to do anything if only to just hold him. And do you blame her? When they look up at you with eyes that are not blood red and call you 'mother'?" His face turned dark. "But I don't need to tell you that, do I?"
The silvered haired one hissed.
"Irina," Tanya admonished, her eyes never leaving Nahuel. They stared at each other for a moment before Tanya looked back at Isabel, searching her face. Whatever she saw must have satisfied her for her eyes quickly wandered again to her right, landing on Charlie.
And lingered.
Edward's head cocked.
Tanya's eyes fluttered and she quickly turned back to her sisters.
"It… really is possible… isn't it?" She breathed.
"Do you believe us?"
Silence.
Then-
"Yes."
"Tanya!"
"Yes," she stated again more loudly, ignoring Eleazar's shocked gasp. "Yes, I believe you. There is nothing else that fits. They smell… so different. And I can feel their warmth…"
Her coven all looked at each other, varying degrees of alarm in their faces until they slowly nodded, though Eleazar seemed the most unwilling, shifting defensively on his feet.
"Forgive me. I am unnerved."
"There is nothing to forgive, old friend," Carlisle patted his shoulder. "We understand, more than you know. And we are asking too much."
"It is not too much," Tanya fiercely stated. "Above all, you are our family and we will always answer your call. Never doubt that. Edward's mate is in danger, and those she loves, and we will stand with you now." Her eyes flickered off to Isabel's right again and dropped to the floor, her voice lowering. "Always."
The Cullens physically relaxed, their stiff shoulders sagging in a way Isabel had never seen before. Even Rosalie quietly sighed when she dropped her arms from around her waist. Isabel still shifted, feeling the weight of many eyes still on her.
"Excuse me?"
She shyly met the voice, some of her nervousness easing at the sight of Carmen's soft smile.
"Are you… hungry? Thirsty? We do not have… human food here but I would be happy to-"
"Oh no, I-I'm fine. Really. Thank you." But Carmen's lips pursed – as did Esme's – and Isabel knew that look. "I am tired though…"
"Oh, of course!" Carmen exclaimed and in a flurry of movement Isabel found herself being led toward the stairs, Esme and Alice trailing after her. "We have many guest rooms available! Please! Make yourself comfortable. Do you need anything?"
"Um, no I don't-"
"I'll draw you a bath, honey," Esme patted her back.
"I packed your favorite shampoo! And several pjs!" Alice chirped, the sight of her tiny body lugging two huge suitcases comical, or it would've been had she not been so fried. "A short sleeve, long sleeve, shorts, warmups, a night gown, a-"
"Wait, I want to come too." Rosalie called out.
And Isabel, trapped between these four women, sought out her ever present protector to save her from the madness.
Edward nearly glared as he met the eyes of his sisters.
"She needs sleep. Not a slumber party. Please, just let her go to bed."
Their faces fell but Esme quickly recovered, whispering that she'll lay everything out for her on the bed as Carmen appeared down the hall in front of an open door.
It was a plain, but cozy room and at the sight of the large bed Isabel's eyes grew heavier. She didn't even hear what exactly her host whispered but she said thanks nonetheless and somehow made it into the restroom despite her trancelike state. The heat of the water though was dangerous. It coaxed her deeper into exhaustion and it wasn't till cold hands hooked under her arm did she realize she was dozing off in the tub. Those gentle hands pulled her upright before she slipped under the steaming water and Esme silently shut off the water. With a warmed towel around her shoulders, Isabel quickly got dressed and into bed, her eyes already closed when Esme whispered goodnight.
•••
9:45 am
A note was left on the nightstand when she woke.
My love,
We have gone hunting, but we are not far. French toast is waiting for you downstairs along with coffee and Charlie's favorite- scrambled eggs and sausage. Tanya and her sisters have promised to keep you safe in the meantime until we return.
If you need me, don't hesitate to call. I have your cell phone charged in your backpack.
I'll be back so soon you won't have time to miss me. Look after my heart - I've left it with you.
EMC
After tucking the note safely in the pocket of her warmups Isabel made her way to the kitchen, pleasantly surprised by the girlish giggles coming out of the room.
"She's awake!" Kate grinned and held up a cup of coffee. "I hope you're hungry! And don't worry- Esme cooked everything."
"Unless you prefer blood," Irina smirked. "The Cullens stuffed the fridge with it."
"There is caribou, bear."
"Wolf!"
"Emmett drained a squirrel as well. For variety," Tanya added and the three women filled the room with another harmonious giggle. It was quite the different attitude from last night which was both relieving and a little alarming. Had they really been accepted so quickly?
Ah, who cares. Isabel was tired of thinking. She plastered a smile on her face at their giggles.
The vampires sat at the end of a large table, a mountain of food laid out with a pitcher of orange juice. So picturesque. So perfect.
So bizarre.
Isabel quickly looked about the room, trying to find her voice and pointed at the door.
"Did Carmen and Eleazar go out hunting too?"
"Somewhat," the pale blonde laughed. "They went into town with a whole list that Esme made to get you three situated here. I don't know if you noticed but there is no toilet paper here for you! And we were reminded how much humans need that comfort." Her face pinched.
Charlie actually snickered from behind his coffee mug, the plate in front of him picked clean. It was shocking actually to see him sitting so comfortably in the middle of these three deadly women and Isabel couldn't help but eye the familiar way they leaned toward him. Especially the strawberry blonde one.
Isabel took the coffee mug Kate offered with a small smile and sat across them at the table. As soon as she did Tanya was out of her seat and back, a hot plate of food and utensils materializing with her. Esme truly outdid herself. Was this whip cream? And cinnamon on top?
"Oh how I wish I knew what that tasted like!" Irina pouted at the elaborate french toast. "Food like this did not exist when I was human!"
Charlie's eyebrows rose. "And… how long ago would that be?"
The three women giggled again. "Charlie! Are you asking us how old we are?"
He reddened. "Um…"
"Look, sisters!" Kate gasped, leaning closer to Isabel's father with wide, sparkling eyes. "He blushes! Yet I don't smell blood!"
"We do not burn! How fascinating!"
"Truly," Tanya whispered.
The food didn't seem so appetizing anymore. Isabel set her coffee down. "I'm sorry, but do you know where Nahuel is?"
"Oh, he's upstairs on the third floor." Irina pursed her lips cheekily. "He went to check on the results of Carlisle's tests not too long ago."
This time Isabel's eyebrows raised and she blurted out toward her father, "Nahuel left you alone?" Embarrassment colored her cheeks at her brashness and she quickly checked the three women for any sign that she insulted them. But they only giggled.
Again.
"Irina may have scared him off," Kate whispered.
"I did not!"
"You did!"
"Is something wrong with the food," Tanya asked sincerely, her eyes flickering from the food to Isabel's face. She thought about lying to the vampire out of politeness, but the lack of sleep had her feeling anything but amiable.
"No, I'm just…not that hungry I guess. Rough night."
At that the three women seemed to sober, their smiles falling at the same time Charlie sighed. "Tell me about it. I didn't get a wink of sleep."
"Really? I passed out."
"I did too at first, but it didn't last. Too many nightmares."
Isabel blinked and dropped her eyes to the table.
After a moment of silence Tanya spoke.
"I can't imagine what you've been feeling since discovering all… this," she gestured between them. "I think you are very brave Isabel to stand up to this evil creature. Especially it being your own… flesh and blood."
"... I, um, I haven't really done anything…"
"No," she shook her head, "the fact that you are actively trying to change this… generational curse is defiance in itself. It takes a lot of courage to look into your lineage and confront the demons that hide there. Heaven knows we've shied away from ours…"
Isabel did not miss the way Charlie paused in taking another sip of coffee, the way he immediately focused on the sorrowful face of the beautiful woman. "Yours?"
"Our… creator," Tanya sighed as her sisters' faces became void of emotion, "had done something long ago that labeled us as a warning to our kind. Something that my sisters and I long to forget."
"What did she do?"
Tanya smiled sadly, "I will tell you…another time. For right now I believe we must insist on serving you both blood." She eyed Isabel's full plate. "Carlisle and Edward were very adamant that you both drink at least three cups this morning."
At her words, her sister Kate shot up to the fridge, pouring thick red liquid into two clear glasses and Isabel's heart picked up. "I can do that. You don't have to…" her words died at the lack of struggle in Kate. "D-does that not make you thirsty?"
Kate laughed and set the two full glasses in front of the Swans. The blood sloshed within them. "No! After we collected venom for Carlisle we went hunting again. We are perfectly full. More than that, we have been around much longer than any of the Cullens. Have been vegetarians for longer than that too!"
"I'd say our control rivals that of dear Carlisle," the silvery haired sister smirked and with a twinkle in her eye turned that devilish grin on Isabel. "We had plenty of time to get it right to enjoy both the pleasures of blood and human company."
Both swans blushed furiously when they understood just exactly what the three vampiresses snickered about. Shyness kept them rooted in place as the ethereal creatures continued on without a care if reservations.
"After so long roaming on this earth, and not many vampires to roam with, really it only made sense to want to spend time with human companions more. They are more exciting!"
"Vampire males are just so," Irina wrinkled her nose, "territorial. And hasty!It is so hard to find one that has a slow hand. Isn't that right, Tanya?"
The strawberry blonde's eyes widened and Isabel nearly missed when her gaze quickly flickered between her father and the floor.
But her sisters weren't done teasing. "And the one that finally did preferred the solace of the Alaskan mountains." Kate laughed. "But you were with Edward quite a bit out there, Tanya! You must know how he has a gentle touch, right!?"
Now Isabel's eyes flew wide open.
And she and Tanya stared at each other.
Charlie jumped up from the table, his knee banging against the edge as he fumbled to put his coffee down.
"I'm, um, going to go check on Nahuel, be right back," he quickly breathed out, practically running toward the stairs and taking them two at a time. He ignored Isabel's shocked glare and didn't even give her the courtesy of asking her to join him.
"Wonderful, it worked! Now we can really talk!" Irina clapped her hands excitedly, scooting closer to the still shocked girl who blankly watched the stiff sitting vampire. "Oh Isabel, we are just teasing! We just wanted to drive your dad away like we did Nahuel. Nothing ever happened between Tanya and your mate!"
"Nothing indeed, no matter how many times we tried to set them up." The pale blonde vampire pouted and rested her chin in the palm of her hand, "Edward is not one for casual encounters and even in our most creative plans he never surrendered!"
"He was waiting to have the moment with the one," giggled Irina, nudging Isabel with her arm.
"Which begs the question," Kate whispered and she and her sisters all leaned in toward Isabel who instinctively leaned away, "is he still waiting?"
They all squealed when her cheeks burst into flames and damn them- their giggles were infectious.
"Tell us! How is it!? We have to know!"
"Please! I've always been curious!"
"I bet he's vocal- is he!? Does he sigh!? Whisper?"
"Does he lead!? Does he let you set the pace!? Oh he is so gentlemanly I imagine he would. Oh, but he does like control, doesn't he!"
She couldn't answer. Her body rocked against her will as she laughed and laughed and laughed. Her hands covered her burning face, her hair spilling over the table while the beautiful women begged for details.
"Will you not take pity on our lost souls?" Kate pouted. "Not even one little thing?"
Isabel finally found her breath, though had to fan herself to catch it. "Um, well," she giggled, "men who play piano are very talented, you know?"
The three sisters stared wide eyed at her before they squealed again so loud it made Isabel's ears ring. Before another rapid fire questioning session could happen though Isabel jumped out of her chair, grinning when they protested.
"No more! I have to check on Nahuel."
"But we are having such great fun with you!" Kate sighed when she shook her head. "Alright, but we must spend more time together. I am very interested in this gift you have hidden away in you."
She blinked as Irina gasped, "That's right! That's actually what we really wanted to talk to you about before we got sidetracked. We wanted to see if you were willing to do a little demonstration."
She blinked again.
The strawberry blonde came to her rescue. "Eleazar had told the Cullens after you fell asleep that he did not sense any gift in you. More than likely because you are still – mostly – human. Carlisle had said it came out after you drank an awful lot of blood."
"Y-yes…"
"Then drink!" Kate pushed the glass towards her. "I am gifted too. And from what we were told I think your gift works a lot like mine. A defensive barrier."
That breathlessness was back, but Isabel did not laugh this time. Wide eyed, she watched the smirking vampire as the underlying message soaked into her brain. Before she could react outwardly toward the very real possibility of using said gift, Kate stood, grabbing the still full plate of food.
"We'll get rid of the evidence. Check on your father and Nahuel, before Tanya rips the door off."
That didn't quite make sense but she made no comment as Tanya glared, smacking Kate's arm with a loud crack and hiss. Isabel was quick to turn on her heel to rush upstairs.
"The blood!"
And she rushed back down to grab the glasses before turning away again.
•••
How did the hot water not end in this isolated home?
It didn't matter. She was just grateful, soaking in the steaming bath until her skin pruned. It was so relaxing, so soothing that she nearly fell asleep again, but somehow managed to pull herself away. The water dripped down her legs as she wrapped herself in a fluffy towel. Maybe when she is dressed again she'll rethink her decision on joining Charlie and Nahuel upstairs in the makeshift lab, but her nose scrunched up at the thought of reading through textbook after textbook. In the guest bedroom the two men took refuge from the three teasing succubuses. There were several desks lined up against the wall, Carlisle's test samples and several tools that she didn't even know the name of arranged neatly on the surface. Nahuel and her father were sitting in lounging chairs, their noses stuffed in books, circling and making notes on the pages. Several other books had been sprawled out over the floor, highlighted and marked.
Pathophysiology of Blood Disorders
Genetics and Genomics in Medicine
They invited her to sit and research with them into the books Carlisle had brought along. But they fell silent as Isabel had shoved the glass of blood toward her dad and ran out of the room with a loud "HELL NO."
The last thing she wanted to do was homework.
A quick glance at her phone had her heaving a sigh. Not much time passed.
Edward was wrong. She already missed him.
With another sigh she walked out the restroom toward her duffel bag and searched for something to wear. She only managed to put on a fresh pair of panties when a tingling pricked up her spine. It started as a tickle, like a long strand of hair wisping against her skin.
Her fingers slowed over the laid out clothes as the sensation inched up closer and closer to her neck. Different now. Spider legs.
Multiple.
Then-
It was gone.
She sat there on the floor, waiting to feel it again.
And waited.
And waited.
And-
A brush of cold air blew from behind her, stirring the hair over her shoulders. As soon as the pricks came they were gone and she took a deep breath of the refreshing gust. It carried with it a scent that dispelled the unease in her body.
The strange pricks were forgotten.
Cold fingertips grazed the exposed flesh of her shoulders, leaving goosebumps in their wake and Isabel heaved a sigh at their touch. She instinctively leaned back against the solid body she knew to be there and those fingertips turned into strong hands that roamed along her arms. Lips found the crook of her neck and at his cold breath she shivered, extending her neck for his lips to skim over.
Then she felt his tongue.
It was a gentle caress, a barely-there lick of her skin, but it sent a jolt of electricity throughout her whole body.
It turned her sigh into a hitched gasp.
Edward gripped her waist and turned her body to face him, his half lidded golden eyes locked onto hers. He said nothing, only brushed her still damp hair back while he silently looked over her face.
When his lips finally pressed against her own again it wiped Isabel's mind clear. All she felt, all she thought, was him. She didn't even notice he had lifted her, gripping the undersides of her thighs until her ankles locked behind him, keeping him in place. But he had no intention of pulling away. That much was obvious when the soft bedding was felt against her back, but the comfort of his weight laid over her like a blanket. Her hand snaked into his hair, her nails grazing and he pulled away from her lips with a shaky breath. The towel had shimmied lower, loosened by the two bodies trying to get closer and another jolt shot through her when his thumbs found the tops of her breasts.
Somehow, her brain worked enough to wonder one thing. "Everyone…?"
"Gone," he whispered, fingering the towel now that was barely hanging. "We're alone."
Alone.
Alone.
And that was the end of her thoughts.
Isabel's hand tightened in his hair, eliciting a sharp hiss from the beautiful boy who fisted the towel, finally throwing the insulting thing to the side. His mouth descended with a rigorousness that curled her toes as he cupped her breast, his tongue curling around her own. Her other hand scrambled to the hem of his t-shirt and yanked it up, Edward only separating to toss it aside with the towel. His hands hooked back under her thighs and her chest gave a painful, exciting, lurch as he rolled her over on top of him. She could feel the strength of his fingers pressing into her skin.
And something else too.
Which only became more noticeable when his hands went higher to her backside where they gripped hard and moved her over him.
She gasped into his mouth. He did it again. Her head lolled to the side. Again.
She moaned.
"Bell."
"Hmm…"
"Touch me."
Her eyes flew open and she stared into his now dark caramel irises that sparkled and begged. The implications of his requests sent her heart into a fluttering mess and the slickness between her thighs seemed to increase tenfold.
He took in a deep, shuddering breath.
Slowly, so slowly, she moved over him, lower and lower. The stimulation of her breast gliding against his chest nearly made her lose her focus, but at last she made it, sitting on his legs with her face leveled there. The hammering of her heart increased as she met his eyes once again and the need, the want, that she saw in them gave her shaking hands the courage to unzip his jeans. Edward's shivering at her near touch was absolutely gratifying.
He helped her in removing the denim until he laid under her in only black boxers, completely at her mercy. What a crazy thing it was. To have this powerful being shivering beneath her hands. It burned away her nervousness as her fingers slipped under the elastic band and slid them down.
Isabel had never seen a man before. In all the movies, her dad was strict about sex scenes, fast forwarding them or watching them before to make sure they were safe. He safeguarding all internet access. Talked to her constantly about safety and consent and making himself available for any questions she may have. In sixth grade when one kid brought a playboy magazine to school she went straight to her father in distress. No, she didn't see anything. No, she was never interested in any disgusting offers the opposite sex had ever proposed to her.
But she did get curious… once… after finding a misplaced erotic novel at the public library and spending the next threw hours devouring it…
But this was better than that. It wasn't like the disgusted awkwardness of the playboy magazine or the curiosity of the novel.
No, now… now… she understood.
He was beautiful.
At his low chuckle she realized she said it out loud, but she had no time to be embarrassed. All she wanted to do was... was…
That low chuckle turned into a startled gasp followed by the most beautiful moan she had ever heard as her mouth found the tip of his most intimate area. She kept him there, getting used to the feel of him against her tongue. The temperature difference wasn't as strange as she thought it would be. And his skin was… slightly sweet. It was almost like tasting the first bite of a fruit popsicle.
Did she treat it as such?
Hmm…
"Oh fuck," he gasped, his hands flying to his face and through his hair as she moved her tongue, swirling it around. She did it again and again… and again… until his gasps turned into pants.
Then she sucked.
Her lips released with a soft pop as a low growl reached her. She eyed the way his muscles contracted, tightening and loosening in his arms, his stomach, his thighs… His hands fisted in his hair, but his eyes remained shut. She waited patiently, watching the rise and fall of his chest start to slow until his breathing seemed a little bit calmer, his fingers slowly detangling themselves from those bronze locks.
And she took him in her mouth again.
Deeper.
The growling was lost on her behind the slight strain of her jaw. She couldn't go any further without it being too uncomfortable. Would this be an issue? She could see how much of him was left, but if his heaving pants were any indication it didn't seem like he could handle any more either. Maybe if she used her hand for the rest-
"Y-yes, yes."
The raspiness of his voice sent pangs of want right through her core and her tongue moved more passionately, flattening against him, swirling around, moving up her head to the rhythm of his moans that became louder and louder.
To be clear, she had no idea what she was doing. Everything she knew was from the few romance books she picked up. From overhearing conversations in the girls restroom as she tried really hard not to pee too loudly while some girls giggled over their experiences outside the stall. But he seemed to be liking this. She must be doing okay, at least. Right?
Just as her nervousness was starting to creep back at not doing this well enough his hands suddenly flew under her arms and yanked her up to his chest. Her first reaction was confusion, then fear that maybe she did something wrong, but the spasm of his body between her legs told a different story.
It was with a burst of pride that she looked back and saw the evidence of his unraveling by her sitting in a clear pool on his stomach.
His raspy chuckle brought her out of her giddiness and she turned her grin on him and whispered, "Was it good?"
"You have no idea…"
The roughness in his voice made her eyes glaze, "I'm glad…" But before she could get lost in his once-again darkening stare she had to ask, "Why did you move me? Too much teeth?"
His laughter had her rocking on top of him, "No, it wasn't that. I just… I didn't want you near it." He grabbed the towel and she helped him wipe the clear pool off. "In case…"
She smirked. "It needs to be in me for me to get pregnant."
"I know that."
"You sure? I wouldn't be surprised given the lack of sex edu- ah!" she yelped as he flipped them over with breathtaking speed, grinning down at her. His hands grabbed hold of her black panties and with the least amount of effort she heard them rip right off.
"Are you calling me uneducated?"
"I can't be sure… that you know the difference between… an urethra and vagina…"
His grin widened as her tease became butchered by her breathlessness at his fingers roaming dangerously close to her center.
"I guess I have to prove myself to you."
And he dragged her to the edge of the bed by her ankles before throwing her thighs over his shoulder and disappearing between them.
•••
Why can't it always be like this?
So peaceful.
So comfortable.
So safe.
Will they ever get to that beautiful place they were before all this? When she was just a girl and he was just a boy and they could just be outside of Death's shadow.
She hoped so. They had to.
Her nails grazed Edward's bare chest in lazy circles, her leg thrown over his under the warmth of the electric blanket. The pure bliss she had been slowly coming down from kept her in a jelly like state, unable to move anything but her fingertips. And she didn't want to move.
She just wanted to be. With him.
A trail of goosebumps followed Edward's only fingers as he grazed the side of her naked torso, nearly lulling her back to sleep, but his cocky smirk kept her just annoyed enough not to give him the satisfaction. Really. He had pushed her over the edge twice and both times it had taken him less time than it had taken her to get him off. It was a hole in her ego. He had assured her it was because he was trying so hard to be careful, trying not to move or grab her; he didn't really give himself over to the sensations completely until he was sure he wouldn't. But all his reassurances and adoring kisses could not soothe the little nagging voice that said her head game was lacking.
Damn the voice.
Practice. I just need practice.
Wasn't that after all the benefit after all of having a partner who never grew tired? A partner who never slept. Who was also powerful. And so handsome… Lying perfectly naked beneath her.
Hmm.
Actually… that's not a bad idea…
"What are you thinking about?"
Heat burst over her face as her stomach fluttered. "Nothing."
"It feels like something," he murmured, his hand drifting to rest over her burning cheeks.
"So nosy."
"I'll just assume then that nothing is going on in there." He tapped her temple, laughing when she smacked his chest. "Please? I've never wanted to know someone's thoughts so badly."
"... I was just wondering… about what we said about practice."
"Mmmhmm," he hummed.
"I'm a little surprised you wanted to do this, especially here, with everyone around."
His hand went back to grazing her side. "First, no one is around. Alice, Emmett and Rosalie are patrolling just out of my hearing range. Tanya, her sisters and Carmen took your father into town for some distraction. The others are with Nahuel as he hunts."
"Wow. How did you manage to get my dad to leave me behind?"
Edward squirmed a bit beneath her and she looked up to see a slightly embarrassed wince on his face. "Actually… He doesn't know you're here. With me. He and Nahuel think you're with Alice and Rosalie… and that I'm with Emmett." He rubbed his face as she laughed. "So when they come back later, say that you were enjoying your hike with them to the lake."
"I'm impressed!"
"So am I. I can't believe it worked." He stared wide eyed up at the ceiling, returning her grin when she fell into another fit of laughter. "Now about the practicing part… I just realized something while I was hunting."
"What's that?"
In an instant the smile on his face fell, sobering his entire expression as his stare became intense, heavy. "I realized being away from you, even to hunt, was painful. Agonizing even. I worried every second that something would happen to you and I barely managed to catch anything at all on the chance that I had to drop everything and run back. Scenario after scenario played in my head. The worst possible outcomes… and I realized that I was wasting time. That every moment with you is a moment I will never get back. I told you I wanted to go slow because I was afraid of hurting you. And I am still afraid. But I realized that I also didn't want to miss any opportunity to love you and my fear was holding me back. I trust you to tell me if something is wrong… and I trust myself to be able to pull away, because it's for you."
Her breaths were low and steady as his words sunk in, stuttering only slightly at the tightening of her throat. She blinked away the stinging in her eyes, but it was no use. The tears were already falling.
Edward watched them roll down her cheeks and caught it with his finger. "Did I upset you?"
"N-no," she swallowed. "I'm just… so relieved." He frowned. "That you're trusting yourself more."
"You deserve a man who isn't crippled with self-doubt."
The initial reaction to rebuke him, or make light of his confession, or awkwardly deny his statement got stuck in her throat and she swallowed again, pushing it down as far as it would go. "Thank you."
He smiled.
She wiped away the remaining tears. "What you said earlier about why you took so long… It really was because you were trying not to hurt me."
"Yes. Not because I didn't like it. The complete opposite." She ducked her head at his laugh. "It was just my first time… I didn't know how intense it would feel."
"Do you know what to expect now?"
"I know where I start to feel a little out of control and what helps; tuning into your heart beat or keeping my hands locked away helped bring me back down. Reminded me to be gentle."
A low throbbing started between her legs. "So… what you're saying is…" Say it, she thought. Say it! But whether it was her pounding heart or the rising arousal hitting her like a tidal wave she just couldn't find the words.
But Edward could.
He cupped her face, "I want to make love to you. This isn't at all where I wanted it to be. Or how I planned on leading up to the moment. But I want you. I want this. And I just don't want to wait anymore."
His words trailed off into a whisper so soft she strained to hear it above the rushing in her ears. His cold hand slowly made its way from her cheek to her shoulder, to the side of her breast and back up again. Their eyes didn't leave each other and she watched as his darkened right in front of her. Mesmerizing. Beautiful.
"How much time do we have?"
"Two hours," he whispered back.
And with renewed fervor Isabel threw herself over him, molding her lips to his. His arms instantly wrapped around her and the strength he held her with made her body hum. He was really holding her. Tightly.
She moaned into his mouth.
These touches, though they were not new, felt different; unguarded. Gone were the feather light touches as his fingers actually pressed into her back, his other hand holding her neck as he rolled on top of her. The delicious weight of his warmed naked body sent her nerves into overdrive. She could feel him. Really feel him.
When her legs wrapped around his waist he broke the kiss, heaving against her. His eyes remained squeezed shut while her lips made do with his cheeks, his chin, shoulder, neck. She pulled back and watched the nervousness play over his face.
"IdontthinkIshouldbeontop," he blurted out, his words so fast it was nearly incomprehensible. But when they did register, along with the uncharacteristic way he bit his lip, her eyes widened. Edward took in a deep breath. "At least for the f-first time…"
Who was this beautiful, nervous boy?
Her cheeks strained against the wide grin on her face. But despite the smile her voice was soft.
"Come here."
Edward hesitated only for a moment before slowly making his way to the head of the bed, watching Isabel climb over him. She took in their position before silently motioning him to scoot up some more till he was reclined on all the pillows. His hands held her hips firmly, her own digging into his shoulders. They reached a sort of silent stand still, watching each other, waiting for the first move. She shifted again, trying to get comfortable and stilled as he shuddered at the movement. His head fell back against the headboard with a low moan.
She shifted again, eyeing the arch of his neck.
"Ah…"
Her hips moved on their own now, slow and deliberate, only feeling the body beneath her in this new way. The sensations made her eyes roll back, her quiet sighs filling the room along with his quickened pants. His hands tightened, or flinched, and she gasped at the sharp jolt of pain from the movement.
Immediately, his hands were gone.
"I'm sorry! I'm-"
"Shhh, I'm alright," she whispered and cupped his panicked face. The twinge of discomfort was gone as soon as it came and she slowly started to move her hips again. "All better."
"I-"
"I know," she kissed his lips, "we're okay. You're okay. Here," her hands reached for his wrists and she pulled them over his head, locking his hands on the headboard they leaned on. She tightened her hold on his wrists, "How's this?"
His face pinched a little, "B-better."
"Talk to me. Tell me what you feel."
"I…I-" his words cut off. Only a moan answered her as she changed the motion of her hips. The muscles in his arms flexed, but Isabel couldn't admire them the way she wanted. She was transfixed by the way Edward's lips slightly parted, how his eyes squeezed when she glided over him, how his breathing shuddered.
Beautiful.
After a moment the tension in his muscles relaxed, and he finally managed to whisper that it felt good. That was her cue, she decided, that he wasn't as overwhelmed. They could progress now.
Isabel needed to be the one to take this step, for both of them. Maybe this was what gave her the confidence to reach down to his hard length and position him without an ounce of shyness. Maybe it was the lustful fog that muddled her thought process and she simply could not even think about blushing out of embarrassment. She only wanted him. She wanted this.
She hovered.
Both their chests now heaved, in equal parts anticipation and equanimity. Their eyes leveled and the clarity she saw in those caramel hues was unlike anything she had ever seen. He wanted her. He wanted this.
And he was ready.
Slowly, so painstakingly slow, she descended.
The pressure she expected was there, but it wasn't painful. Uncomfortable, yes. So she stilled, getting use to what little of him was in her. He stilled too, a statue beneath her before she took another tiny bit in. Waited. Then some more.
The statue moved, muscles flexing against her, his cold breath fanning harshly on her cheek as she winced at a particularly sensitive moment. It was like going up a steep hill, an inner burning telling her this was far enough, but knowing she wasn't even at the top. Her hands tightened around his wrists with a soft gasp when Edward seemed to move almost unthinkingly, lifting his hips to her. It was too much at once, nearing on painful, but it was what she needed to finally reach the top and over the hill. The slight sting was overshadowed by the beautiful boy's sharp intake of breath, released in a guttural groan that twisted her insides. She leaned her forehead against his until the stinging dulled and then she slowly began to rock.
It was strange. There was so much to feel. First it was the temperature and though he was warm-er, she could still feel the coolness of him inside. Though after a moment it seemed to change, taking her heat for his own, until they were the same.
The fullness was incredible. The friction made her toes curl. She felt everything everywhere and her hands shook on his wrist.
At first it was with a steadiness that she moved with, a calm motion to feel, get used to, and explore all these new sensations. Still with a level head. Still with some semblance of control. But that friction… It wasn't enough. She was realizing this. There had to be more. She wanted more.
And so her hips moved faster. Her body arched. Gliding over the beautiful boy whose melodic voice urged her on in her ear. The friction slowly turned into a pressure, a wonderful pressure, but the wrong move and what would build would slowly fall until she found it again.
It was imperative now. It was all she could think of. The pressure was growing after discovering that if she pressed against him just right while riding him the sweet spot would be stimulated. It made her mouth fall open and she latched onto his neck with an intensity that was purely instinctual. A deep growl rumbled through the boy and the vibrations had her mewling out loud.
But it was when his hips moved to meet her own that she really cried out. It felt so different. So right. This was what she needed. They had to keep going. The slight pain of the force he used was not enough for her to ask him to slow. Damn the pain. It was worth it. For this.
"More, more!"
He listened to her, not stopping. Please don't stop. She going to, she was-
The pressure exploded.
She was barely coherent enough to notice that his hands flew to her backside and lifted her up roughly off him as he too met his release. All she could do was sag against him, her arms holding on tightly around his neck as their pants echoed through the room while his hands held her away from his intimate area before he fumbled quickly for the towel and sprawled it over his lap. When he sat her down on top of him, their breathing was steadier, but their limbs shook.
Edward kissed her flushed cheeks and whispered, "I love you."
"I… love… you."
He chuckled, smoothing down her tangled hair. "Did I hurt you?"
Her body stretched a little and she winced. "A little bit. Sore… Sensitive."
"I got a little carried away."
She giggled. Is this was being drunk felt like? "I know. I liked it."
"Just 'liked'?" She laughed again and he rolled his eyes before glancing over his shoulder. "I'll have to buy Tanya a new bed frame."
She followed his gaze and was shocked to see the imprints of his hands embedded in the wood, a large crack running down the middle.
"Hmm." She frowned. "I didn't hear that. Again."
"You seem to be extraordinarily unobservant when your attention is otherwise involved." The smirk on his face faltered slightly. "Did you really only just like it?"
The laugh that bubbled out of her wiped the smirk completely off his face and she grabbed his pouting face in between her hands. "No! I loved it. It was amazing." She kissed his lips. "Thank you."
"... You know, we still have time…"
"... We do, huh?"
And she squealed when he scooped her up in his arms, dashing them both into the shower.
And yes, I did use that line from Breaking Dawn. Several actually. Did you catch them?