It was late in the afternoon the following day. I arrived at the Cullens' residence, it wasn't hard to follow their scents. They need to be careful of that. If I had been an enemy things could have been dire.
The home was large, and quite obviously custom designed. A three-tiered home with a modern aesthetic. The southern side has walls made of glass exposing a view to a river and a plethora of flora and fauna.
The door was opened by one of the members of the coven. One that had not spoken to me earlier. She was petite, almost fae-like. I had known about their union since they filed for a marriage license in 1950.
Before that? The last I heard about Jasper was that he had been traveling with some old friends. A few members that escaped the night I killed Maria.
"What is your name?" The tone thrown my way said enough. She had no clue who I was. Interesting.
" Destina Plieus…I go by Fate."
She stared at me for a second. An expression of suspicion crossed. She let me past her. As I entered the home I took in sight of the human. Since my arrival, I have taken my time to understand the complex situation at hand.
Edward, the firstborn sired. He had managed to place Isabella in the sights of the Volturi. However, right now they are paying for killing James. A tracker with a long history of hunting young women and girls. He had a mate, the lovely Victoria! How quaint.
I confidently strolled to the fridge. Thankfully, I found a steak. Once unwrapped I tipped the blood into my mouth then took a large bite out of the raw meat. I stared boldly at the tv, SpongeBob was playing. I smirked at his antics with Patrick.
"That's still unsettling to see. Why are you here Fate?"
Jasper inquired with a look of disgust plastered on his face. A few choice words hung on the tip of my tongue. I chose to keep the peace. Asshole. I rolled my eyes and plainly responded.
"I pledged my allegiance to protect Isabella. I'm doing my job. I also happen to be hungry." I noticed several pairs of amber eyes pasted on us.
"What?"
My tone more aggressive than needed. Edward responded, recovering from shock quicker than the rest.
"What are you doing?"
"Eating." I took another bite of meat and intently stared into Edwards's eyes. Challenging him to question me further.
"That...the steak was meant for Bella."
"My bad, here." I placed the steak back in the foam container. It sat on the counter, leaking its juices as it resettles. I washed my hands and then pulled out my wallet. " Buy another one. Actually, get a lot of them."
"You can eat... How is it possible that you can eat food?"
A rather beefy vampire stammered in confusion. He had been the one watching SpongeBob. Emmet? I believe? He's mate to the deceptively angelic blonde hunched in the corner. She doesn't think I see the stance she's in? Attack if want too hun, I'm itching for it.
"Honestly? I have no clue. I've never been quite right when it comes to vampire means. In the past, I could go significantly longer without drinking blood.
I crave flesh mainly… I've tried other things such as dairy. That was quite the mistake. I ended up doubled over in a shower. I was placed on a mandatory diet of blood for a while in order to recover.
The taste of humans has always been divine. Although as the times moved along feeding became impractical. Too many cameras!
So, I bought blood banks instead. I supplied my region with allotments of blood depending on the coven size. The killing of humans has been all but abolished. And the ones that get caught. Well they are duly punished. "
"Punishment is death."
Jasper finished my sentence. I could still feel eyes on me as I continued to eat my steak. SpongeBob was currently annoying Squidward, a chuckle burst out as I enjoyed myself. As I pondered what Jasper said I began to wonder. How had he known?
"I'm curious as to how you would know that jasper."
"I've been doing some light reading. I found out many interesting things I'd like to discuss with you later."
"Oh, so that's where my journal went? So you're stealing my things now, hmm?"
Majority of them having 'lost' interest and went back to what they were doing. Although three eyes were still plastered on me. Edwards, Jaspers and Carlisle's. The sire to the majority housed here.
"More like borrowing. How long do you plan on staying here?"
"As long as Victoria's undead heart remains , my ass will be parked in the vicinity. Now, will someone take this money and go get what I asked for."
Jasper grabbed the wallet. I threw away the empty container, washed my hands once more, and took a seat next to Bella.
"Names Fate. You do what I say, when I say, am I clear?"
"I didn't ask for your protection." Bella seemed intimidated and uncomfortable. Scared even.
"Don't be afraid. I promise you will come to no harm. Your partner, Edward, requested my assistance with the backing of his sire. So, again. Am I clear?"
"Crystal." She crossed her arms around her chest.
Carlisle, the leader. Even without delving in his thoughts I could tell. Those gears were turning. He gazed at me as if he would like to dissect me. Discover what makes me so different from them. I don't pretend to not know I'm something…different.
Who knows? Maybe it's my magic? Maybe it's my genes? For all I know, maybe it's Maybelline. Science hasn't exactly caught up enough to know why I'm this way.
"I'd appreciate the stare's to be kept to a minimum. I'm not a sideshow attraction."
"I apologize." Carlisle left the room.
The others warily moved about the house trying to soothe their nerves. I could feel Edward trying to enter my thoughts.
*That too. Keep that to a minimum!*
His mind felt like water. It was easy for me to flow in and out of his thoughts. Those bushy caterpillar's for eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Jasper claims that you are dangerous."
I got up from the couch. They were boring me. I decided to walk around. I found my way into Jaspers office. let's see what's in here? Don't judge, it's fair game, he started it.
He must keep the spicier things elsewhere. Most of it was just menial files. I turned my nose up at finding another graduation cap. Poor thing. I couldn't help but laugh.
I grew tired of his office. I noticed his scent is most strong in the room across from it. That must be where they share quarters. Where he lays with her. Mary Alice Brandon.
Before leaving his room I ran into that very lady. She was just a few inches shorter than me. Much smaller in frame. White… as I tallied the differences. I began to realize he got as far away from me as possible.
At least in looks that is. Jasper and I were never abusive towards one another. Oh, No! We were abusive towards everyone else. We enjoyed the killing. The pillaging of war. I ignored the feeling in my nether regions.
"I'm watching you."
"I'd expect nothing less. Excuse me."
They all were territorial, but she especially… doesn't surprise me. I wandered around the home. Stopping by to check each room and its layout. I didn't care if people were in the room or not. The last was Edwards.
Bella's scent was strongest in there. Makes sense. Carlisle cornered me. He stood looming in the doorway, his eyes scanning. Oh, he's waiting to see if I'll attack. I acknowledged him cordially. I had been noting how large a music collection Edward acquired. When he entered the room and shut the door.
"I'd like to speak with you."
"That's fine with me."
"Jasper has never spoke of you before. He had plenty to say when you exposed yourself the other day. My son warned me about letting you roam free. Why?"
"That's complex. Jasper and I have a history. What he expects from me, is based on a version of that no longer exists. However, he was right in warning you. I'm… dangerous. Luckily, I'm here for one thing only. To behead Victoria. Once I've completed my mission, as I told him. I'll be gone. "
"When were you changed?"
"A few months after Jasper was turned. Maria, Nettie, and Lucy had blown through town. Again. Hunting and feeding. He laid his eyes on me and it was over. He feasted from my veins and I've never been the same since. "
"Your life before?"
"The child of an escaped slave. Anything else?"
"I apologize for my behavior earlier. You are the strangest creature I've laid my eyes on. You seem human, yet immortal. You feast on blood, yet can eat. Do you process food as well?"
"Are you happy with your child's choice of mate? A human? It seems odd. A coven of vampires consorting with food."
"We're vegetarian."
"Does that make it any less strange? Your child has endangered your coven on more than one occasion for the sake of entertainment. I'd kill her and be done with it. However, you have chosen to go toe to toe with the Volturi instead. Why?"
"My son has chosen her as his partner. She's family."
"You see how we're both odd? You a vampire that goes against your nature and me? Whatever I am. It is what it is. "
"I see. I have much more learning to do. I apologize once again for my ignorance. Will you be staying here for the time being? "
"I can. If that is something you're offering?"
"Absolutely. Um, will you be needing anything else?"
"Yes. A room to sleep. And yes, I do utilize the bathroom. Excuse me."
I left the room, the bathroom wasn't hard to find. Once finished I made my way back downstairs. Jasper had come back already. The fridge now overflowing with bloody meats.
"Thank you, Whitlock. "
I took out a steak and found some sides. I whipped up a meal for the human. I found a few seasonings in the cabinets. I hooked Bella up with some cracked pepper and garlic buttered sweet corn, hand mashed sweet potatoes with a caramel and brown sugar sauce, French-style green beans, medium steak with mushrooms and herbs served with an extra sweet tea to drink.
"Something smells delicious."
"It's yours, eat." I fixed the plate for her and cleaned up while she ate.
"Do you have a gift? I know that some vampires have gifts. Sorry, if I'm invading. "
"Relax. You aren't the only one that's curious about me. Yes, I have many. You weren't around during my initial meeting with the coven."
With a flick of my hand, the sponge moved on its own. Soon multiple items began moving about cleaning up the house. The scene resembled the one from fantasia.
Despite the origins of Mickey Mouse, he was a favorite of mine. The newer version, not the racist iteration.
The entire house sparkled as if it had been spit-shined. With a snap the items froze mid-air, they weren't the only thing. Everyone but Bella was frozen, she walked around and waved her hand in front of her partners face.
"How did you do that?"
"I stopped time. "
"Are they aware?"
"No. Even vampires are susceptible to times thievery."
"He can't read my mind. Many other vampires can't use their gifts on me either."Her voice trailed off as if she was stuck in a memory.
"You have a mental shield. I've sensed it, it's quite intricate the way it's weaved around your brain."
"Wait? You can..."
Yes. Your mind has been wide open to me for some time. It took me maybe five minutes to bypass it. You're awfully peculiar.*
"Oh my god! I can hear you! What else can you do?"
Bella's face lit up with shock and excitement. She even bounced up and down… is she alright?
"That's enough for now."
I snapped my finger and time resumed. Everything that had been suspended now moved. Items dropped to the floor. The Cullens resumed what they had been doing with no recollection that minutes had technically passed. Well, except for one person, Edward.
"How did you move so quickly Bella?"
She was sitting at the counter when time froze. He was deeply confused and actively trying to remember if she had moved at all.
"I apologize, I indulged Bella by showing my talents. I froze time. "
"She did more than that. Fate told me I have a mental shield, that's why you can't read my thoughts. She was able to!"
Bella admitted the truth, this got me a few looks from Carlisle and Edward.
"You can read her mind?"
In response, I just smirked. Snapped my fingers. All the fallen items on the floor and returned to their rightful places.
"I'll be back. If I'm to be staying I have a few things to do before moving my things."
"You're staying? As in here, here?" Jasper's voice rose in pitch. He wasn't happy but there was something else coloring his tone.
"Carlisle offered. It would make things much easier if I stayed here. "
"Carlisle, I don't think that's a good idea," Esme spoke. She was his wife. Her story had been the saddest of them all. Abused in her marriage, lost her son, and attempted suicide.
"We can discuss this as a family. "
The members of the Olympic coven put it to a vote. It must be how they decide a lot of things, they all assembled in the kitchen. Rosalie, the third member of the coven was in favor of my staying.
I'm not sure if she truly thinks it's a good idea, or if she just likes to rock the boat. Her mate. Emmet, I believe he was the one that was mauled by a bear? He had been hunting and was the unfortunate recipient of nature's rage. He was against my staying.
"Sorry. I have nothing against you, but you're a stranger and many members of my family are against this.. so." he truthfully admitted.
"That's more than alright."
Jasper, Edward, and Esme stood with Emmet and his vote. Carlisle was for my stay. Surprisingly so was Alice. Her vote had made more than a few eyebrows raise. Bella was given the ability to vote as well, she too was for. The votes were tied.
"Well, what now?"
"We could have a tie-breaker?"
"You mean like a coin toss?"
This coven is quite confusing. it's almost unheard of to feed on animals. Let alone keeping humans, long term that is. Now they play games to deal with issues? Jasper has truly gone to the other extreme.
"No, more like arm wrestling. How strong are you?" Emmet flexes his muscles and smirked.
"Cool, but I choose Whitlock as my opponent. "
"Scared pussy cat?" Emmet taunted me playfully.
"No. I think it will be more interesting. Think about it?"
"Alright."
I made sure the counter wouldn't break by spelling it and placed my arm down. Jasper got himself prepared. Once our hands clasped the game was on. Our eyes met and we didn't break contact until a winner was found. He put up a good fight, for a near minute we struggled for dominance but finally, he submitted. His hand smacked into the counter bouncing off the rubberized texture.
"I'll get my things."
"A room will be prepared for you. "
Mary watched my every move as I prepared to leave. Why did she agree to my stay? What was she up to? As long as she stays out of my way everything will be fine. I hope!