Wicked Caster
Disclaimer: I do not own the twilight saga
Chapter 20: The Hunt
Ginger's POV
It was like cold water drizzled down my spine and then frozen upward. The atmosphere suddenly became intense, let alone the thunderstorm vanished, being replaced by a gray-like mist. Witches can connect to the elements. The relationship is balanced to a point nature would warn us if danger comes. And by my coven sisters' reaction and the Cullens heightened senses something terrible is about to happen.
Emmett grabbed Eleanor as Edward, and Alice joined everyone at the home base. Zelena came over, holding her and me close. Her aura changed to a much more protective one to a point her green eyes were literally illuminating. Alice stood, centered her hand on her temple with more of the vision.
"Alice?" Edward asked, appearing behind me.
"I couldn't see—I couldn't tell," Alice replied frantically.
"What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asked.
"They were traveling much quicker than I thought." She answered. "I can see I have the perspective wrong before."
"What changed?"
"They heard us playing, and it changed their path."
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Alice has been seeing some …visitors coming. They aren't like us – in their hunting habits, I mean." Edward explained.
"Nomads?" Zelena hissed. "Original Bloodline or Cold One?"
"Our kind," Alice confirmed.
Zelena tensed as she secured an arm around Eleanor and gave me a warning look to not cause trouble. It felt like a school drill, only instead of practice, this is the real deal. So, I nodded to comply with what she or the Cullens recommended. Edward gestured for us witches to leave.
"Let's go." He said.
"It's too late," Carlisle informed.
Edward tensed as if he heard something. Or, in this case, he just connected his thoughts to the nomad's minds. Whatever he is hearing isn't pleasant. His golden eyes darkened. I pressed a hand on his shoulder to snap him out of the mind-reading. He took an unnecessary deep breath.
"Get your hair down." He told me. "Stay very still, keep quiet, and don't move from my side, please."
Instantly Zelena, Eleanor, and I took the elastic out letting our hair fall. We also zipped up our jackets to the brim. Zelena grabbed some mud smearing the wet dirt all over her hands, followed by Eleanor.
I was about to do the same until Rosalie sneered, "Like that'll help. I can smell her from across the field."
The Cullens huddle together to keep the guard more casual than in some defensive position. My coven sisters stood next to Emmett and Jasper, behind the others. I was utterly confused as Edward took my hand.
"I shouldn't have brought you here." He apologized. "I'm so sorry."
"What are you say-"
"Just be quiet and stand behind me." He interrupted.
Knowing there was no time for argument, I nodded. We joined the others in the act of one coven in general. Hopefully, our scent wouldn't betray us with the mud and clothes. Praying to whatever deity that the nomads would suspect us witches to be vampires from the Originals. Because there is no chance, we could change our eye colors to black, gold, or worse, red. We stood there as the seconds felt like minutes for the new guests.
Barely ten seconds went by when the mist faded, exposing three people. Two men and one woman. The front man was a different character. His skin was dark, and his hair formed into dreadlocks that ran down to his shoulders and mustache. He was of medium build, showing off his muscular torso through his open jacket and walking barefoot. The man on his right had long blond hair tied behind his neck like a ponytail, and he only wore a set of dark jeans, boots, and a leather jacket. As for the woman, her orange hair was bright, almost like fire, and she was wearing a makeshift fur wrap. Their physical ages differ, but they all have the same thing in common…red eyes.
The dreadlock vampire who reminds me of Bill Marley spoke, lifting a baseball. "I believe this belongs to you."
He tossed it, which Carlisle caught with ease, not even blinking. "Thank you."
"I am Laurent." The Bill Marely impersonator said. "And this is Victoria and James."
"I'm Carlisle. This is my family." Carlisle introduced us, including us witches.
"Hello," Laurent greeted casually.
"I'm afraid your hunting activities have caused something of a mess for us," Carlisle announced.
"Our apologies." Laurent apologized. "We didn't realize the territory had been claimed."
"Yes, well, we maintain a permanent residence nearby," Carlisle said.
"Really?" Laurent replied, amused. "Well, we won't be a problem anymore. We were just passing through."
"The humans were tracking us, but we led them east," Victoria added. "You should be safe."
"Excellent," Carlisle said.
"So, could you use three more players?" Laurent asked. "Come on. Just one game."
The atmosphere held so much tension, enough to cut it with a knife. None of the Cullens express themselves openly other than Carlisle. Meanwhile, James kept eyeing the boys seeing physical competition. Though his eyes on me sent disgust. Also, Zelena held Eleanor close while Edward did the same to me. We desperately tried not to move, but it was hard, let alone breathe.
"Sure. Why not?" Carlisle choked out, clearing his throat. "A few of us were leaving. You could take their place. We'll bat first." As he tossed the ball back to them.
Victoria instantly caught it amused, her reflexes like ninja skills, literally. "I'm the one with the wicked curveball."
"Oh, well, I think we can handle that." Jasper teased.
Laurent laughed, clapping his hands as Victoria grin towards the challenge. Everyone smiles and laugh joining the mirth.
The tense atmosphere had slowly subsided…Jasper must be using his gift to settle the discomfort. As if the standoff had never happened, Edward turned me around slowly, gesturing we should lead. We slowly turned, about to head to the hummer, when the wind blew softly passed me and into James's direction. He caught a whiff of my scent, leaning his head back with his eyes closed. James inhaled and then exhaled, nostrils flaring as he opened his eyes. In movies, the villain holds a sadistic smile when about to torture his victim. And right now, with those hungry eyes staring at me…I became his next target.
"You brought a snack."
After saying those words, Edward pushed me behind him as he let out a growl warning. The rest of the Cullens toward Edward creates a barrier. Zelena wrapped her arms around me while Eleanor stood behind us. They acted as vampires, keeping to the act of a defensive stance baring their teeth. For a second, I would have believed that they were vampires too. That is until I realized my mentor transfigured her eyes to be black instead of green. Another breeze came from behind, blowing in our direction to them. Eleanor was close to me, glaring at the nomads.
"A human?" Laurent gawked.
"No, two." James hissed, eyeing Eleanor.
"The girls are with us," Carlisle warned. "I think it best if you leave."
Everyone was growling and hissing at one another. Waiting for the first to strike.
"I can see the game is over," Laurent noted a hint of caution. "We'll go now."
James growled, exposing his fangs and glaring at Edward. Edward did the same. If looks could kill, James would be dead or burned by now. Laurent noticed this, calling to his coven mate to follow him. James stood up from his crouching position, glaring at us as he walked back to the forest with Victoria in pursuit.
"Get the girls out of here," Carlisle ordered. "Go."
Edward nodded as he grabbed me, leading the way to the hummer. Emmett and Alice did the same with Zelena and Eleanor as we forced ourselves in the hummer quickly as possible to buckle ourselves up. I sat in the passenger seat, struggling to make the stupid thing click in. Edward tried to fasten me in, but his hand on me wasn't helping the shock.
"Okay, I've got it!" "I snapped. "I've got it!"
Edward nodded when the seatbelt clicked and went to the driver's seat. Not bothering to buckle, he jammed the key into the ignition, driving off fast.
"Are they coming after us?" Eleanor asked in the back seat.
"Listen to me," Edward said. "James is a tracker. The hunt is his obsession. I read his mind. My reaction on the field set him off. I just made this his most exciting game ever. He's never gonna stop?"
"What should we do?" I asked.
"We have to kill him," Edward answered. "Rip him apart and burn the pieces."
"Where are we going?" Zelena demanded.
"Away from Forks." He answered. "We'll get a ferry to Vancouver.-"
"No, take us back to my cabin." She ordered.
"We can't go back to the cabin." He argued. "He's just gonna trace their scents there. It's the first place he's gonna look."
"Edward, I have a magical barrier," Zelena said. "So listen, we need to keep him off track, or other people will get hurt. Take the girls to your place, and I shall meet you there. I need to get a few items."
I stared at Edward, who glared ahead at the road. Zelena has a point. James wouldn't just stay and attack straight on. If what Edward says is true, we are in an actual cat and mouse game. And worse, I had dragged Eleanor and my mentor into this.
Shit, I thought.
"Very well," Edward agreed.
"Stop the car," Zelena said.
Edward reluctantly stopped the hummer. Afterward, Zelena got out. Before I could ask what she was doing, she transmutated in a blink. Eleanor leaned forward, shutting the door then Edward drove off. I don't know what the master plan is. All I know is that we witches are in danger.
It was a Witch Hunt.
.o0o.
Back at the Cullen's house, Edward slammed the door, going around leading us girls inside. My heart was racing in trying to figure out what to do next. Once inside, Laurent and Carlisle came down the stairs. Edward froze, stopping us from moving forward. What is Laurent doing here? Shouldn't he be with his coven trying to hunt us down?
"Wait," Carlisle inserted himself between them before anything happened. "He came to warn us about James."
"I'm sorry. I'm afraid, when your boy defended her, that it would set him off. Let alone the eyes that brought you, ladies, down." Laurent explained. "This isn't my fight, and I've grown tired of his games, but he's got unparalleled senses, absolutely lethal. I've never seen anything like him in my 300 years. And the woman, Victoria, don't underestimate her. "
"Wait, you're not the leader?" Eleanor asked.
"No, the stunt earlier was a precaution," Laurent answered. "A minor trick."
His coven, of course. The show of leadership in the clearing was merely that, a show. I thought.
"I'm afraid you're going to have to make a choice," Carlisle said.
Laurent took a deep breath, "I'm intrigued by the life you've created here. But I won't get in the middle of this. I bear none of you any enmity, but I won't go against James. I think I will head north—to that clan in Denali." He then walked towards the door but stopped. "Don't underestimate James. He's every bit as comfortable in the human world as you seem to be. I'm sorry for this being unleashed here. "
And then he was gone.
"How close?" Carlisle asked.
"About three miles out past the river. He's circling around to meet with the female. " Edward answered.
"What's the plan?" I asked.
"We'll lead him off, and then Jasper and Alice will run her south," Edward explained.
"Good thing I brought these," Zelena said. Everyone turned around to see Zelena enter with two duffle bags. I sighed in relief to know my mentor was safe. "The Barrier redirects him, leaving me enough time to make a fake phone call to the council that the girls would be going to Salem."
"But we're not going to Salem, are we?" Eleanor asked.
"No," Zelena said, handing Carlisle one of the duffle bags. "Carlisle, I need your coven to take my girls to New Orleans, to Miss Robichaux's Academy. I informed the headmistress. She is allowing them and your children to stay. It would be sunny, and the Casket Girls Festival would be happening, therefore the area would be crowded."
"Understood, but what about you?" Carlisle asked, leading the way to the garage.
"I'll be heading to Salem," she answered.
"No, you can't." I protested.
"Georgia, we have to split up," Zelena said. "It's my job to keep you girls safe."
We entered the garage, where everybody was packing up. As if this was some sort of spy movie, with vaults, closets, and other hidden compartments open, revealing spare clothes, money, and other things. The Volvo, red BMW, and black Mercedes were here at the ready. I stayed close to Edward, not sure what to do.
"I had fought our kind before," Jasper said to Emmett. "They're not easy to kill."
"But not impossible," Emmett replied, opening the closet filled with gear. "We'll tear them apart and burn the pieces."
Carlisle went to one of the closets, pulled out a chunk of cash, and put it in the duffle bag Zelena gave him, then into another black bag. "I don't relish the thought of killing another creature, even a sadistic one like James."
"Yet when an innocent is in danger, we do what is best," Zelena added.
"What if he kills one of us first?" Rosalie asked.
"I'm gonna run Bella and Eleanor to New Orleans," Edward said. "Can you lead the tracker away from here?"
"No, Edward," Carlisle objected. "James knows you would never leave Ginger. He'll follow you."
"And if he figures out Ginger is a Caster, he will know Eleanor is one and would go after her too," Zelena added.
"Another witch hunt," Eleanor whispered.
"I'll go with Ginger and Eleanor." Alice volunteered. "Jasper and I will drive them southwest. I'll keep her safe, Edward."
Edward looked at Alice in debate, "Can you keep your thoughts to yourself?"
"Yes," Alice assured.
"Rosalie, Esme, get them upstairs and trade clothes. So the tracker will pick up their scent." Edward said.
"Why should I?" Rosalie hissed. "What is Ginger to me? Except for a menace - a danger you've chosen to inflict on all of us!"
"Rosalie, Ginger is with Edward. She's part of this family now, and we protect our family." Carlisle said.
Rosalie stood there glaring at me with much distaste. I looked down, ashamed that I'd brought the Cullens into this mess. In the end, she huffed, knowing she couldn't argue against Carlisle. Thus, she grabbed Eleanor leading her upstairs. Esme came over and led me upstairs to her room. We exchanged clothes; I was a bit slow, taking a while, while Esme changed fast in less than three seconds. Her baseball clothes were a bit big, but I wasn't complaining. Afterward, Eleanor and I came downstairs with Esme and Rosalie.
"Esme, Rosalie, you'll be taking the Wagoneer," Zelena said, handing the keys to Esme.
"Alice and Jasper—take the Mercedes. You'll need the dark tint in the south." Carlisle instructed. "The rest of us will take the Jeep."
A hunting party, I thought.
"Alice, will they take the bait?" Carlisle asked.
Alice stood by the car in a profound daze. "He'll track you. The woman will follow the Wagoneer. We should be able to leave after that,"
Zelena walked over to Eleanor and me with a serious look. She gave both of us a hug, "Be safe and do whatever it takes."
"You too," Eleanor and I said in unison.
Our mentor nodded as she placed something in both our hands. It was an oyster shell. I was confused about what to ask her, but Alice and Jasper led us to the back of the Mercedes. I got in, staring at Edward, worried for him. After all this time, it had to be ruined by a damn vampire.
"Please be safe…." I started.
"Nothing's gonna happen," Edward assured, taking my hand. "There's seven of us, and there's two of them, and when everything's done, I'm gonna come back and get you. "
"Okay." I breathed.
"Ginger, you are my life now." He said, placing a hand on my cheek. Unable to resist, I leaned up and gave him a quick peck on the lips. That one mere moment of cold touch was a reminder there.
That was the last time I had with Edward as the days went by across the country. There were no contacts, only Alice's visions. When the cellphone rang, it was Zelena informing her whereabouts. Alice and Eleanor tried to cheer me up, but I felt depressed. Now I can familiarize what my ancestors went through during the witch trials. Being hunted down for no probable cause.
And on the long road trip, I realized I had fallen in love with Edward.
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