Chapter 3
All thoughts of Charlie Swan left Bella's mind as she bit into the soft flesh of an unlucky camper, letting the gush of blood soothe her burning throat.
Suddenly, Laurent froze, listening. "Someone's coming."
Bella strained her ears. Soon, she could hear it too. It was moving fast – far faster than any human or animal. Fast like her and Laurent. Like vampires. But it was huge. Too big to be a vampire. Or – wait – no, maybe there were multiple.
"We should go," Laurent murmured, already halfway out the tent. Bella followed immediately, sensing danger in his tone.
They only made it a few feet before the others reached them. There were three of them, pale as ghosts in the moonlight. Two women and one man. Like Laurent, they were each enchantingly beautiful. All of them had striking golden eyes.
Recognizing that a confrontation was imminent, Laurent drew himself up straight and smiled.
"Greetings, friends. I was not aware there were others in this area. It appears we have interrupted your hunt."
Bella's gaze flicked to him. He was lying, but why?
"You cannot hunt here." The male vampire spoke first, with a barely-detectable drawl.
"Our apologies. We have travelled long from the south, and we were thirsty," Laurent demurred, "forgive our imposition."
The woman with soft curled hair stepped forward. She looked older than the others, and Bella thought her golden eyes seemed sad and kind. "We were drawn by the humans' cries. I'm afraid we do not abide the killing of humans on our territory. Please leave at once."
"I am curious," said Laurent, "Are you the coven I have heard about? That which subsists on the blood of animals alone?"
The third vampire, a small, birdlike woman with short hair, stepped forward. "We are. To us, all human life is sacred. It's a way of life we could share with you, if you choose."
"Your offer is kind," Laurent replied, flashing his white teeth in another smile. "But alas I find—"
"Then you cannot stay." the male vampire interrupted forcefully, glaring through locks of blond hair, "You must leave here."
There was a brief pause. Then Laurent dipped his head.
"We will leave at once. It will not happen again." He gestured for Bella to follow him. As she did so, the small female vampire followed her with piercing golden eyes. Bella could not read her expression.
As they ran through the pines, Bella considered the three vampires. She was intrigued by them. The quiet man with a hard edge, the soft, sad-eyed woman, and the mysterious third vampire who had seemed to take a particular interest in her.
"Are there really vampires who only drink animal blood?" she asked, once they were far out of earshot.
"Some try," said Laurent, "few are successful. Most find that the allure of human blood is…compelling."
"Have you tried it? Hunting only animals?"
"Yes." he replied, "However the meal is not… satisfactory."
Bella thought back on her hunts. She knew that the humans she had hunted had had families, connections, lives. All of them were Charlie Swans to somebody. But the desire to drink, when it came, was all-consuming. She had never considered hunting animals instead. Even the thought of abstaining from human blood seemed impossible. And yet, these three she had met in the woods were able to do it.
"Interesting indeed," Laurent was murmuring.
"What's interesting?" Bella asked.
"The Cullens are the coven I have been seeking." he said, "There are others besides the three we met tonight. Their leader is of…particular interest to the Volturi. But I had not expected to find a Gifted one among them."
"Who?"
"The male is an empath. You must have felt his influence. He imposed on us the desire to leave."
"I didn't feel anything," said Bella, slightly bewildered, "you mean he can change people's emotions?"
Laurent shook his head. "Change is perhaps too strong of a word. He can influence them. It is not difficult to detect, but very hard to ignore."
Bella stayed silent. She hadn't noticed her emotions being influenced, but Laurent had clearly experienced some effect.
There was a long pause before he turned to her. "You say you did not feel his power?"
She thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I didn't feel any different at all. I think I could easily have stayed there."
"Curious…"
Laurent seemed contemplative. Bella waited for him to speak.
"There are some vampires who are gifted with the ability to resist others' gifts." He explained slowly, "we refer to them as 'shields.'"
Bella raised an eyebrow. "Do you think that's what happened to me?"
It was an enchanting thought, to be immune to the influence of the powers that other vampires possessed.
"Perhaps..." Laurent replied, "It's uncommon, but certainly not unheard of."
Then he said softly, "In fact, it may be a very powerful tool indeed…"
After what Bella judged to be about fifteen minutes, Laurent brought them to a stop.
"We should be far enough from the Cullen's territory," he said, "we will stay here for now."
They were on the crest of a tall hill, a small mountain really. In the valley below, Bella could make out the lights of a small town. Beyond that lay the ocean.
"Is that Forks?" she asked. She had read the name on the side of Charlie Swan's car. 'FORKS POLICE' and underneath, 'To Protect and To Serve'.
But Laurent shook his head. "Forks is too close to the Cullens. According to my contact there is a Native community in this area. The Quileute Tribe. I expect that is the town of La Push."
It was late, but even so she made out the occasional twinkling of headlights through La Push. Bella imagined the Quileute residents, asleep in their beds, or awake in their living rooms watching TV, or driving through the town late at night.
Laurent interrupted her thoughts. "You seemed to take an interest in the Cullens."
Bella faced him. "Well, yes. They're the first vampires I've met besides you," she explained.
"Are you curious about their vegetarian lifestyle?"
"I suppose," Bella admitted.
"They offered to teach. It might be good for you to…experience their ways." He paused, but when she didn't reply he continued. "You showed maturity and restraint during your last hunt. You learn quickly. Perhaps you are ready to branch out."
Bella narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. She hadn't forgotten why they had come north in the first place. "You want me to spy for you. So you can report to the Volturi and earn their good graces."
Laurent flashed his smile. "You are no fool, Bella. But I ask only for information."
"What kind of information?"
"Simple things. Details about each member of the coven. Who they are, their interests, what their schedules are like, if there are others who are Gifted…that sort of thing."
"Why should I do that?" Bella challenged, "You said yourself I'm mature enough to branch out. Why shouldn't I go to them of my own accord? Why should I be beholden to you?"
Laurent leaned back. "I had hoped," he said slowly, "that the simple loyalty of a newborn to her creator would be enough. However, I see that I was wrong to expect so much of you, though the task I am asking of you is…harmless."
There was a pause before he continued. "You are no fool, Bella, but neither am I. When you abandoned your last hunt I admit, I was impressed. But as I thought about it more, I realized a remarkable coincidence. I heard that police officer's name mentioned, as I am sure you did. How curious that you share a surname with the human you chose to spare."
"Where are you going with this, Laurent?" Bella snapped.
"I don't know who Charlie Swan is to you," he replied, "Your human father perhaps. To me he was no one. Now I think he may be my next meal."
Bella scowled. "I take your point," she said, furious that she could be manipulated so easily. "Fine, I'll spy on the Cullens for you."
"A wise decision." said Laurent.
Bella wanted to punch the smirk off his face, but she resisted the urge. She rested her chin on her knees, sulking. In the valley, a faint chorus of howls rose up through the night air.
"Coyotes." Bella murmued. Although she did not feel the cold, she couldn't suppress a shiver.
Laurent shook his head. "No. Wolves."
A/N: thanks for sticking with the story! I appreciate you, reader! Stay tuned