Chapter Twenty-Three: …Until Someone Gets Hurt - Mason

"How can you see into my eyes, like open doors? Leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb. Without a soul, my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold. Until you find it there and lead it back home. Wake me up inside. Call my name and save me from the dark. Bid my blood to run. Before I come undone. Save me from the nothing I've become."
- Evanescence (Bring Me to Life)

Friday, September 16, 2005

I was having fun. Which was such a sensation of genuine joy that I was almost euphoric. Although I had trouble isolating it to either interacting with new friends in an absolutely absurd activity or spending time with her. The thought made me feel guilty, despite the smile spread across my face almost involuntarily. The afternoon had been perfect, winning or losing didn't matter. Made all the better by the times I met eyes with Angela, and she caught my gaze in hers and didn't let go. I felt humbled by her, vulnerable as if I were standing naked in a storm.

Every time we were locked in that examination of each other's souls, I had to look away. Somehow afraid that giving into her would mean she was going to consume me body and soul. No one had ever held my gaze like that, and it physically hurt to look away from her. Had I fallen so far so fast? Why was I obsessed with her? I tried to pull back and rationally think about my emotions, what was causing me to find her so compelling?

I could feel a chill breeze push against me, bringing with it the familiar scent of snow. I could see the black clouds shifting to a purplish grey, as the last thunderclap signaled a shift from rain to snow. That's when Alice had her vision and issued a last-minute warning. My heart seemed to drop into my stomach, and I wanted to grab Angela and whisk her away, but there wasn't enough time.

As they emerged from the tree line, I could tell immediately that the male was a tracker, his mannerisms and posture practically screamed it. The woman on the other hand was a lot harder to read. She was obviously attached to him, but beyond that I couldn't tell. Two random vampires presented a viable threat on a normal day, but this didn't feel like a normal day. Angela was vulnerable, to them she would seem to them like a fun snack we had brought along.

I listened very closely to Angela's breathing and heart rate and found that although she was afraid, she wasn't panicked by any measure. I took a hard look in her direction and found her casting worried glances to those gathering around her for protection, and on occasion towards me. She was worried about our safety, not her own.

I briefly shut my eyes in fear and disbelief, muttering under my breath so that not even the closest of the Cullens could hear me. "Not her." It was a vow, a promise. I would keep her safe, even though I had an entire coven of vampires who were just as dedicated to her safety as I was, perhaps more so because they claimed to love her. Was I so lost in my own emotional confusion that I had momentarily forgotten they were her family first? I was still a stranger… which was something I had to rectify. I couldn't hold back, I had to try once this current threat was over. My only hope was that these two strangers would prove to be friendly after all.

The red-haired woman took point and approached calmly and confidently. Yet despite her outward confidence I could tell this wasn't her usual role. The tilt of her shoulders and tension behind her eyes gave away that she seldom acted as the spokesmen for her coven. The male obviously had absolutely no inclination towards speaking, and my guess was the friend Alice mentioned that they were looking for was their former front man or woman. I watched carefully as they took each step towards us. And step by step my nerves twisted and tensed more and more until they sat precariously on the edge of a knife. Forty feet, thirty feet, twenty feet, ten… I was almost counting their movements like a metronome.

"Good afternoon." The redhead's voice was grating, her high soprano might've been pretty if it didn't sound so forced. A natural snarl was hidden just behind her friendly smile, cemented by the look in her eyes. It made me instantly distrust her. The male hung back a little, and the way he examined us made it clear he was taking a measure of our capabilities. Whether as a precaution in case of a confrontation or as an enemy he would soon face off against, he kept his face neutral. He checked out all of the Cullen's, brushing past Angela, and eventually his eyes rested on my face and his eyebrows rose notably. Carlisle stepped forward, Esme at his side, closing the distance to stand next to me.

"Good afternoon, I hate to sound impolite but what brings you here?" Carlisle's expression was friendly but reserved, and his tone was tight yet expressive. From experience I could tell he was tense, but he didn't show it outwardly.

"Just passing through, in fact we were looking for a friend of ours. I don't suppose you crossed paths with him." She was civil but her tone suggested that she was ready for any hint of antagonism.

"Perhaps, what was his name?" Carlisle smiled pleasantly, his mask hiding his inner feeling perfectly.

"Laurent, he left us to travel alone for a while. But we wanted to see if he would come back to our coven." She was leaving out details, which were frankly none of our business. But her concealment left me feeling suspicious, as if their reasons were not as pure as an attempt to find a lost friend.

"We haven't crossed paths with him. We would know, since we have a permanent residence in the area." Carlisle took a silent breath, the quality of the sigh expressed to me that he was pleased that they were just passing through.

"Permanent?" She seemed taken aback by the information, and for good reason. It was more than uncommon for our kind to settle in a single area. Our peculiarities tended to restrict our ability to blend in with human society.

"Yes, and we would request that you do not hunt while you're in our territory." He was firm but still managed to remain polite. A diplomat to a fault, but I couldn't blame him for wanting to avoid confrontation.

"Understandable, this is James and I'm Victoria. We heard your game and thought a pleasant diversion would be a nice change of pace, but if were unwelcome we'll be moving on." She said motioning to her companion, the slight deference in her voice when she said his name made it evident that he was the dominant presence in their relationship.

Carlisle raised his eyebrows and looked as if he were lost in thought for a moment. Then he turned to his family slightly, I glanced in their direction as well and for the most part they seemed neutral in expression. All except Bella who seemed utterly pained and apprehensive, likely because she feared for Angela's life and Angela who was now struggling not to appear utterly terrified.

"No, a few of us were about to head back anyway. You are more than welcome to fill in for them. Bella, Edward, Angela why don't the three of you head back to the truck. The rest of us will join you later." As he spoke, he turned fully to speak to the assembled family. Unfortunately, this drew the attention of James. His expression appeared bored, even though he seemed curious about us earlier. Then he took a closer look at the group, just as a strong gust of wind blowing in from the distant storm blew past us and caught Angela's long hair. Her human scent filled the air by me like a flare shot into a crystal-clear night sky. James reacted almost instantly, his eyes grew wide, and a sadistic smile drew up the corners of his thin lips.

"You brought a snack." He was focused intently on Angela now, bathing in her sweet aroma which was surrounding us like a blanket of warm wool. Anger filled me like an anvil of pent-up emotion, she was not going to be the prey of this worthless tracker. I felt the fire jump up to my command, but I forced it back down until it was nothing more than a ball of fury nestled deep in my chest. The golden hue of my eyes blazed, and James took an involuntary step back.

"No, she is not prey." My words betrayed my power and age, since there was no way to conceal myself because my emotional control was compromised. I could see in the periphery of my vision the family huddled protectively around Angela. But her fear seemed to have vanished, and now she was staring defiantly at the vampire and stood her ground like she was one of us. Her unexpected display took me by surprise, and I felt a rush of pride. James stepped forward slightly, it was a subtle movement but none of us missed it. I had to restrain an impulse to wrap my hands around his throat.

"James, I think we should be going." Victoria wrapped a hand around her companion's arm and began to pull him away from us. He seemed reluctant to follow her lead, and then suddenly he broke contact and rushed towards Angela. I intercepted him and knocked him twenty yards away, ripping off his outstretched hand that was reaching for her. He screamed in pain, skidding to a stop in the soft earth and then roared in frustration. He rushed at me without thought and I started to move to meet him, when a warm hand wrapped around my forearm. I felt a surge of emotions as I looked down and found it was Angela who had stopped me from attacking.

"He isn't worth it Mason." I closed my eyes for a split second then leveled a warning glare towards James as he stopped in his tracks. He seemed to mull over his chances for a moment, glancing at the hand at my feet. I frowned and picked up the amputated appendage and threw it at him. He caught it easily, and with a furious growl he glared at me, and then at the Cullens grouped behind me as if he were judging his odds. Then turned towards the forest and took off, Victoria close behind him. I had a gut feeling that this was the beginning of something far more complicated, but I kept my fears to myself.

"You're right, but I can't help feeling like we should've destroyed him." I realized it was the wrong thing to say, but I had committed to my sentiments. Angela frowned and lowered her head for a moment. "I don't want to kill him, but he could prove to be a danger to you."

"Yes, he is very much a danger and you and Angela are his targets now. He thinks this is now the most exciting hunt of his existence." Edward said, shaking his head.

"Your gift?" Carlisle asked with hope in his eyes.

"I think so, everything is still so silent, but as I focused on him ready to fight, suddenly his thoughts just came to me." Edward looked very confused, but I couldn't help but smile.

"Edward, I believe your power has evolved, you are not reading thoughts passively anymore. Which means you will no longer be always burdened with the thoughts of those around you, instead you can direct your gift at will. It will take some practice, but congratulations." I explained as much as I could, considering the danger I didn't want to take too much time before we started to prepare.

"You mean... this silence is permanent?" Edward looked and sounded elated, relief softening his bunched shoulders and constantly furrowed brow.

"Most likely, perhaps you could learn to broaden your gift to receive thoughts like you did before, but if I am correct, you will be able to do far more than just read a thought. You should be able to hold an active conversation with any mind you touch with yours." As I spoke, I kept a careful eye on the tree line, even though I doubted they would return so quickly. Still, it felt foolish to simply stand and discuss things best left for a more private setting. "Perhaps we should table this until later.

"Mason, I appreciate your defense, but in the future please consider that I abhor violence. If you wish to be a part of this family, please understand that I cannot condone the slaughter of someone who to our knowledge has committed no wrongs, especially since he has done nothing more than act on a natural impulse. If we were to act as judge, jury, and executioner then how does that make us different from the monsters we are trying to overcome inside of us?" He was only four hundred years old, and yet he was a far calmer and wiser man than me. I couldn't argue, and I didn't want to. I glanced over at Angela, and she met my eyes without hesitation. I could see gratitude in them, and something deeper that I couldn't quite gauge, as I realized she was still holding onto my arm.

"Let's go home. I think we have had far too much excitement for one afternoon. Edward, would you give Angela a ride home?" Carlisle motioned towards Edward who nodded, and the group turned back towards the cars. Edward offered Angela a hand up onto his back, but she hesitated for a moment and glanced at me with a look that could almost be described as longing. Then she blushed, released my arm and took his hand. I watched her leave and spent the next few minutes in silence as the Cullen's packed up and left. Carlisle offered me a ride, but I rejected the offer with a soft dismissal. He understood and soon I was alone.

I stood at the edge of the forest repressing the urge to chase after the monster that threatened her. I wasn't ready for the kinds of emotions swirling in my head, I knew it was foolish to consider the idea of love yet. I barely knew her, but I couldn't stop thinking about her. This mortal stranger was so selfless and strong, she embodied the virtues I had always respected. Her perceptiveness and attentiveness to even the smallest detail made her a suitable fit for immortality, and I couldn't even begin to describe her beauty.

All I knew for sure was that first, I had to make sure she was safe from this tracker. When that was resolved I would pursue her, and somehow, I would win her affections. Then we would discover how we really felt, and if she was truly the one, I had been waiting for, searching for. Had I finally paid my penance? Was my sentence finally over? Could this mortal be my soulmate? If she were, I had to wonder what game the fates were playing, and what form of cruelty would compel them to keep her away from me for thousands of years?

I took a deep breath and turned towards town, initially intending to go home for a change of clothes. I hadn't quite dressed properly for a game of baseball, and my pants were ruined. I got most of the way there, before turning almost involuntarily towards Angela's house. Catching them just as Edward pulled away. I waited, half listening to see when she would be alone. There was some consternation because of her leaving school early and went up to her room without dinner.

I thought about what she liked and considered the options available. I rushed home, changed into something suitable for a relaxed setting and picked up some Italian food. As I made my way up to the roof outside her window, I felt more nervous than when I stood on the fields of Culloden with nothing but a dirk in my hand. I held my breath and heard a small, muffled sound, which I realized after a few seconds were sobs.

I hesitated, not sure if interrupting her evening was the best choice. Was it even right to call on her in such a familiar way? I closed my eyes and chuckled at my own indecisiveness. I had never behaved like this before, and it was pointless to second guess my choices. I reached over and knocked on her window very gently. There was a small audible gasp, and she came to the window and immediately smiled. Her eyes brightened upon seeing me despite being slightly puffy from tears. She opened the window and leaned against the windowsill.

"What are you doing here?" Her tone was surprised and playful, and I felt a wave of relief. I had almost expected her to be guarded or annoyed that I had showed up unannounced.

"I came to check on you, and I brought food." I pulled the bag of pasta and salads up to show her, and the smile grew even wider.

"I thought you didn't eat." The question was curious, but perhaps a little incredulous.

"Without a very long explanation, I am a little different than most of our kind." That seemed to suit her an answer. I immediately followed up, "May I come in?"

She looked around nervously, and then nodded, stepping away from the window. I pulled the screen off and set it on the roof, then stepped through the window into her room. It was decorated minimally, but she had several clear interests. The first being music, with her space for songwriting taking up a quarter of the floor.

"I'm sorry about this afternoon." I said, hoping she would understand my actions.

"How so, you didn't do anything wrong." She furrowed her brow as if she couldn't quite understand what I was apologizing for.

"I acted violently; I shouldn't have hurt him. Carlisle was right, my actions may have provoked him more than if we had just let them leave in peace." I couldn't quite meet her eyes, I felt ashamed that I had given in so easily. I reacted emotionally to the threat against her, instead of resorting to diplomacy which had suited me well for a very long time.

"Edward said the vampire thought this was the greatest hunt ever, right? So, I'm sure he was already set to come after us before you hurt him." Her counter argument was probably right.

Reluctantly I began to nod. "Perhaps." I began to feel awkward standing in front of her and looked around the room trying to think of what to say next.

"Can I ask you a question?" She sounded tentative, almost hesitant in the request. It did draw my attention completely toward her.

"Of course, anything." I said with as reassuring a smile as I could muster.

"Do you… I mean. Are you interested in…?" She trailed off and I could see her confidence fading.

"Am I interested in you?" She nodded and I felt instantly nervous. I hadn't expected it to be put out there quite so definitively. But there was no point in hiding my feelings, well perhaps not revealing the level of affection I held for her quite yet. "You stand tall when others would cower, you speak your mind when it would be easy to conceal your thoughts. You are kind and selfless, and although you find yourself stuck in an impossible situation, you've managed to hold onto your dignity and grace. I have nothing but high regard for you."

She began to blush so hard that she could barely meet my eyes, but she managed to calm herself with a deep breath. Then she captured my gaze again and gave me a sweet smile. "You said I was a beautiful creature, does that mean you think I'm... attractive?"

I wanted to reach out and touch her face but held back the impulse. "I didn't mean to imply a qualifier. You are beautiful."

I could tell she didn't quite believe me, shaking her head slightly before she was able to respond. "No one has ever said that to me before."

"Angela…" I said, ready to disagree with anyone who had told her otherwise, but when I said her name, she gasped and reached out towards me.

"What is it?" I asked in confusion as she snapped her arm back to her side.

"I don't know. Alice never said there could be someone for me too. Are you real?" Her words struck me hard, as I realized I had been so focused on my own emotional struggle that I hadn't considered that she was struggling too with our… connection.

"Are you?" I replied. We stared at each other for several seconds. I had to confess how I was feeling, but I couldn't outright tell her that she was starting to become the center of my world. It was too quick, too oppressive. A weight that she did not deserve to be pressed onto her shoulders. "I like you, and after so long I cannot believe I am standing here in front of you." I could feel the weight of her presence pressing into me like I was molded from soft clay.

"The last guy who said he liked me I brushed off because I couldn't think about him like that. I had this massive crush on him, and he disappointed me so completely that I never thought I could find someone again. I know I'm young, and that kind of thing is heightened by my age. Yet here you are, an ancient immortal monster standing in my room asking me… what are you asking me?" She tilted her head, the curiosity and fear on her face competing for dominance over her expression.

I couldn't lie, but I couldn't figure out how to tell her the whole truth. "I honestly don't know. My feelings are confusing, but I want to know you better. Could we sit and talk for a while?"

She started to nod, and then looked towards her door. "Not here. Give me a minute." She moved over to her door and cracked it. Then closed it and locked the door. "We're good, they were pissed, and I know they won't check on me until morning. I assume we can get out of here?"

"Where would you like to go?" I smiled and looked at her expectantly.

"Um, your place? Oh, that sounded bad." She winced and blushed slightly. It took me a second, but I realized that sounded like a preposition for intimacy, so I chuckled in turn.

I shook my head and spoke through my laughter. "Not at all." I calmed down and shrugged at the suggestion. "My house is fine; however, I must warn you, I don't have functioning heat or furniture yet. I do have an industrial construction heater, some very nice pillows and a Japanese style floor table where we could eat."

"That works." She looked down at herself, still wearing the clothes she was wearing at the game. Then I held out my hand and pulled her onto my back, before taking off through the window and leaping off the roof into a section of darkened grass between her house and her neighbor. I heard her grunt slightly and checked on her. She motioned with her chin to keep going. Ten minutes later we were at my house, and she immediately sat on the pillow that Rosalie had occupied the night before. I spread out the food, which was thankfully still warm.

"Oooo, I love this stuff. Mom never lets me have the full fat versions." Her eyes went wide as I pulled out meat lasagna, chicken alfredo and a couple of salads.

I nodded and gathered a small plate of food for myself while she scooped up some of each dish onto her own paper plate and cracked open the styrofoam container with her salad. "Nutrition is complicated. I've found that those that espouse certain absolutes are just as misguided as the ones that indulge to excess."

"Like my mom." She said before taking the first bite of lasagna. She chewed and swallowed before continuing. "She is not just a health food nut; she practically forces us to be vegan. Personally, I like a bit of meat lasagna from time to time."

"That should be a choice, I suppose she is trying to impart smart decision making when it comes to food." I wanted to give her mother the benefit of the doubt, but it was clear she had some kind of agenda she was forcing upon her children.

"I'm pretty sure all it's doing is pushing me towards fast food." Angela said before taking another giant forkful of pasta and laughing around it.

"Yes, I can see that argument as well. Restriction often breeds desire. Take something away…" I started, attempting a bit of food. I hadn't had solid human food in a very long time, and I was surprised how good it tasted.

"And you just want it more." She finished my thought by giving me a meaningful look. I wasn't sure what she was implying, but I got the impression of loneliness. Was it possible she felt what I felt? That she was as lonely as I was?

I didn't really know how to react to that information, so I continued with the present conversation. "Dairy and meat are not necessarily great for human consumption. But almost nothing is dangerous in moderation."

"Exactly, I mean I plan to eat too much of this, but I don't do this every day. Plus, I'm probably not gonna be human for too much longer. Might as well enjoy it." She gave a strange, disturbed chuckle as a dark look crossed her eyes.

I examined her expression as her smile faltered and she stabbed at her food. "Is that what you want? Because If it is within my power, I will not allow anyone to make that decision for you. I believe that it must be your choice."

She looked up at me, this time examining me. "My choice. You mean that?"

I nodded, "absolutely. As much as I would like you around for the next millennia, I would not want you to suffer a life of regret and depression."

She took a few bites of food, almost finishing her plate, before finally looking up at me. "Do you think I would be… never mind. It's a silly question."

"Do I think you would be a good fit as an immortal?" She nodded. "It is difficult to know until it actually happens, but two things I know for sure. You are strong of will and very intelligent. I believe you have patience and the right temperament to survive the rigors of such a long life. Perhaps even enjoy watching the changes to society and technology."

"I'll admit it would be neat to live long enough to go out into space." She had a sad faraway look on her face, and I wondered if maybe this was all too much. It had to be difficult navigating one life, but to contemplate a hundred lives must've felt impossible.

"Yes, that would be a dream come true for me as well." I looked up and out a nearby window, only to be treated with a grey cloud ceiling instead of a sky full of stars. I pictured stepping out onto an alien planet for the first time, taking in a world that I did not know.

"Then it's a date, if I'm around in a hundred years we'll go to space together." She said, startling me out of my imagination.

I looked at her and gave her a hopeful smile. "I hope we'll have a date sooner than that."

"Isn't this a date?" I looked at the mostly eaten food scattered across the table, and realized she was right. I hadn't set that kind of expectation and here I was having a intimate romantic meal with her.

"I…" Felt buoyant and could help the smile from spreading fully across my face. "Would you like this to be a date?"

"Yeah, I think I do." She blushed, her smile making me feel a bit lightheaded.

"Is there anything else you would like to do tonight? Personally, for our next date, I would like to do something more formal, if you would like there to be a next time." I didn't want to presume, but she immediately began to nod.

"Did you have something in mind?" She wiped her mouth and set the napkin on the empty plate. The food was only half gone but things had gone better than I had hoped.

"Sky's the limit. Well, I guess depending on how far you want to push your absence from home." I said with a small shrug. If she wanted, I would take her on a world tour that would last weeks.

"Should we worry about those two vampires from earlier?" I felt my mouth open in frustration; I had totally forgotten about the two nomads. I shook my head at the question, I didn't want her to be concerned. I would protect her no matter the cost.

"Yes, but I do not want you to worry." I tried to convey how serious I was about her safety, but she just lowered her head.

"It's selfish of me to put you all in danger. I should… should I be turned?" She was asking the right question, but I didn't want to hear it. I immediately shook my head and reached out to touch her shoulder. She didn't flinch from my touch, instead she almost leaned into my hand for support. It was clear the idea terrified her, but she was ready if I felt it was necessary.

"Again, that is up to you. We will protect you at all costs." I said adding the Cullens, who I knew would do anything to protect her as well.

She sighed and shook her head once, as if clearing her thoughts, and then motioned with her eyes towards the table. "This was nice, and I want to do it again. But I think I should get back."

"Of course." We both stood and stared at each other awkwardly. Then I reached out my hand and pulled her up onto my back. Taking off towards her house a bit slower than before. I wanted more time with her, but I could only delay so long. After a somewhat leisurely run I made it up onto the roof and she ducked into her room. Leaning out as I grabbed the screen.

"Goodnight." She said with a small blush. I crouched down and hesitated, I wasn't sure a kiss was the right move. So, I held out my hand, which immediately felt stupid.

As she took my hand I replied, "Goodnight, Angela. I'll see you soon."

Author's Notes:

Originally this chapter ended with Angela leaving with Edward. I wanted to do more with the situation, and eventually realized I needed more of Mason and Angela interacting. Mason has very strong feelings already, but he's had a year to think and develop them. Angela on the other hand doesn't know what she's feeling yet, coupled with the terrifying truth of the life he is essentially offering and she isn't having an easy time. Note that the group isn't immediately running, which honestly never made sense to me, especially when Laurent decided to leave in the original.

Next Chapter: Knock, Knock

Thank you for reading!