Her Call

Monday, December 20, 2004

Upon waking up for the third and final time that morning, Leah Clearwater was guessing she was unwell.

There was a good chance she had caught a cold in the rain yesterday when she was walking home from work. As a kid, she would often splash in the mud puddles on chilly, rainy days with Seth, only to be scolded by her mother when they both were sniffling the next morning.

There was the possibility that she had hit her head when she zoned out last night, pausing in front of the kitchen doorway. Her father had been leaving the room and her skull had the price for her forgetfulness.

And she was definitely not ruling out the very real possibility she was on drugs.

Because her body felt like it wasn't hers. In the weak sunlight, Leah sensed a distinct change from being Leah Clearwater, human girl, to Leah Clearwater, supposed magical being.

The first time, she had felt hyper-aware of her surroundings, as if her senses were on fire. This time, it was...more. More than the scratchy sheets on her bare arms, more than the dryness of her mouth, the birds flashing past her window, her father's snow shovel hitting the ground over and over, the eggs boiling on the stove.

No. It was like she was about to burst out of her own skin.

The grass, the trees, the birds, the sun, the clouds, the snow blanketing the lawn, all seemed to combine, and buzz inside of her heart.

Leah jumped up and ran for the bathroom. She jiggled the locked door. "Seth, get out of there, I need to pee."

Under the running shower, she heard him whine, "I just got in!"

She knew that 'just got in' for her little brother often meant, at least fifteen minutes ago, with the way he spaced out singing pop songs every day.

"You're going to be late, twerp. Mom's already in the car."

"Oh, no!" A few seconds later, Seth came rushing out, shampoo still in his hair.

Leah snickered and wasted no time getting into the shower. Once the steaming hot water hit her skin, her stiff, sleep-deprived body slackened, melting in relief.

For a few minutes, all of her worries and fears faded away. She washed her hair, even. There was seldom time, anymore, it seemed to put the care into herself that she once prioritized.

The water went freezing cold. She jumped out of the way of the showerhead.

"Stupid Seth!" Leah grumbled to herself. The whole family must have each showered right before her. That was her price to pay for getting up late.

Leah leaned her conditioner-coated head over the running stream and cursed the pathetic water heater which always seemed to run out too quickly. It really wasn't a big deal, and not uncommon either, but after the day (and night) she had, small problems seemed like the end of the world.

Without a transition, the water turned scalding hot.

"Ow!" she screeched, leaping back. There must have been shower gel still on the tub floor, because she slipped immediately, and down, down she went, her hand catching on the shower curtain. Hair product splashed into her eyes, and in the burning pain, she cried out and fell to her side, right out of the tub, taking the curtain with her.

A knock on the door came. "Leah, we're leaving in five minutes," her mother said.

"Go without me," she called, struggling to untangle herself from the plastic curtain.

"Are you sick?"

"No! I'll walk."

"It's icy, be careful." After a beat, Sue's footsteps shuffled away.

A pang of guilt hit her. It was a pointless phrase, especially from someone who knew her so well. She was never careful these days.

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Leah jumped to her feet and began to pace the room. "Perhaps we're looking at this all wrong."

"Meaning?"

"We should call on her?"

"Like...a prayer?" He had the nerve to look scandalized.

"No, a message, somehow. More - 'Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope!'"

Edward gave her a dubious look. "I'm not sure that's -"

"It's Star Wars, yeesh, when's the last time you watched a movie?"

"Let's get back to work."

Leah harrumphed, muttering a sarcastic jab she didn't mean, that did not go unnoticed by the vampire, who shot her a warning look which he would never follow up on. They directed their attention to the feast before them - books, maps, and a laptop computer. They sprawled out in the living room, which Esme had removed of all its furniture, due to their belief they would not return for some time.

The ban. The threat of it loomed over their heads. They had been extremely cautious in not being seen or heard or noticed. Edward had driven forty minutes outside of town in order to procure the items they needed. Leah returned home last night at a decent hour and played the part of an obedient daughter. No one had reason to suspect anything.

If this had happened a month ago, she would have had the burden of avoiding Sam, but that was no longer an issue. She had no idea what the man was up to. Turns out, she hardly even knew the real him. Besides, he was far too busy these days, she guessed, running around with her cousin behind her back. Why? How much was the truth? What parts were lies? And did he hurt Emily? She should have exposed him for what he was months ago. But how could she have guessed he would go and claw a girl, even as an accident? Not that she should even care about Emily, who imagined herself in love -

Her pencil point snapped.

Edward glanced up from his book.

"It's just -" Leah started.

"I know, I know." He handed her a pen, and the pair continued to take notes.

This was much preferable, she thought. To scribble little details and facts in their notebooks instead of mulling over the anguish inflicted on her in the last few days. For the most part, thoughts of Sam and Emily were kept at bay, for she and Edward had been tirelessly pouring over smelly old library books and newspapers, looking for any information that would tell them how to find the fairy clan.

Though they were not getting very far.

Leah herself was on her second book, after reading Legends and Legacy of Fairies, which she had dutifully been reading with close attention, until it told her fairy blood attracted all supernatural creatures (she'd shuddered in disgust).

Meanwhile, Edward had been cross-referencing six thick books in the last hour, marking any correlation between the facts and mythology, ruling out possible theories.

"What could she possibly expect from us?" Leah pondered. She paced the enormous room to stretch her legs. "What does she think we are, hunters of the supernatural? Some kind of Mythbusters type?"

"You do possess a bizarre connection to dangerous creatures. I'd bet on you."

"It's a gift," Leah deadpanned. She leaned over Edward's work with a hand on his shoulder to make sure she didn't overbalance. Since their talk yesterday, he seemed to have taken her words to heart. In small ways, he proved that, by asking her opinion more (and considering it), by giving her space when she needed it. In short, he became less of a mother hen and more a friend. It was nice to see him relax and realize the sky wouldn't fall without him holding it up.

Oh, and since the slap, he didn't seem to be as concerned about her getting hurt, which she planned on using for maximum annoyance.

"It's nothing," Edward insisted, his pencil flying so fast across the paper now, she was sure it'd burn up or break or something. He was consumed in his research, his eyes hungrily scanning page after page.

"Oh, cool." When he turned around to look at her, she snatched the notebook away.

Leah darted into the kitchen, but he somehow passed her and blocked her path in the entryway. He held out a hand expectantly. Drat.

She bounded for the staircase too, but there he was leaning against the staircase.

Edward's expression held a hint of laughter. He was confident, proud even, that he could so easily beat her. "Give it up, Leah. I need the book."

In a last ditch effort, Leah hugged the book to her chest tightly, as if it were her saving grace. She ran to the living room, laughing, but was stopped short.

Edward knocked her over, swiping her left leg out from under her.

She would swear it didn't happen - could not have happened - if it weren't for the fact that the wind was knocked out of her lungs and she was looking up at his mischievous grin and twinkling gold eyes. She hung in midair, caught around the waist by his arm, as if in a dip. The grip on her wrist was hardly a real grip, but it doesn't change the shock that he dared to attack her at all.

"Let me go!" she ordered.

Edward complied, dropping her on her butt. He looked away, his shoulders shook with silent laughter.

Leah kicked him, just forceful enough to make her irritation known. "Who knew you still had those instincts in you?"

"If they kicked in earlier, you would not have had your little chase."

"I didn't think you'd kick me!" she huffed.

"I would not readily resort to such drastic measures."

"I wouldn't call it drastic."

"Admit it, you were scared," he declared.

"You got me good, but I got you better." She threw her body over the open journal between them.

But as she laid her head on the book, her eyes fell on words, written so uniformly they looked like typed font.

She caught "cure", "reversal", "nullify" before she pieced it together. This was what he had been working so diligently on.

Edward waited patiently beside her, the picture of calm. It only made her angrier.

"Are you kidding me?" she glared. "I thought we agreed on this, Edward."

He folded his arms. "I know we did."

"Then why are you looking up ways to take away the magic instead of how to find the fairies?" Just when she thought they were on the same page, he had to go and toss out the whole book.

"I did. I still am." He was so sure he was in the right and she probably would not be able to convince him otherwise. "I just found out more information than I expected. I thought it could be useful."

"Useful in working against me?" she rasped.

"What? No. Leah, I'm on your side. Always. I just want you to know you have more than one option," he told her.

"Another option," she repeated, tasting the words. She hadn't considered, because she didn't have the imagination to consider impossibilities. But if there were even a very small chance out of this… she knew Edward would go to the ends of the earth to find the way.

But Ella had chosen her for a reason. She gave her a gift given to so few. She saw promise in Leah.

"Too much possibility in you...An outlet to heal…If you play your cards right..."

What could that mean?

She had to know. She may have accepted this fate out of confusion, out of fear, out of despair, apathy, too. But it had not been presented to her by pure coincidence. Yes, she needed to know.

The same drive that had overcome her when she needed to find Sam kickstarted, the same need to restore, to seek, to complete her story.

When she gazed up at Edward she could see the disgruntled grimace in the corners of his mouth. He was disappointed in her and likely regretting giving in to her so much. "Do you want me to stop?"

She gave him a doubtful look.

She knew he had limits, like anyone, the parts of himself that he believed he could change, and the parts of himself that were unyielding to all suggestions. Time would only tell her what those limits were.

'Would you really, if I asked you to?'

He considered it for a second too long.

She snorted. "Yeah, I didn't think so. Keep making the notes. You're right it, it might come in handy," she said lightly.

Despite a concerning amount of building evidence of the opposite, Leah still had a brain. Or at least, she liked to think so. Covering their bases was important, even if she wouldn't change her mind.

Once they were in the car driving to the library to return the books and look for more, she couldn't help feeling a rather crushing amount of dissatisfaction. They had exhausted their resources.

"For now," Edward reminded her. "There's more to see."

She swallowed a cold remark, very much wanting to ask him when he got so optimistic about this, but she felt partially responsible for that and didn't want to hear it confirmed. So she set about distracting herself.

"How is Alice?" She wanted to believe that some point in the mayhem, she had asked him that, but more likely she forgot.

He was leaning back in his seat, one hand on the wheel."You did ask me. One again, she's great. She told me to tell you, 'Think like me.'"

"The hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Something she told you a long time ago. She thinks it's important somehow." He frowned as if concentrating hard on the road.

"I don't really remember that," she confessed. She gasped suddenly. "Hey, I thought she couldn't see my future!"

Though she had gone most of her life without knowing a trusted psychic, the idea that it was now impossible for her future to be seen unnerved her.

"No, she can't anymore, not since the fairies. But don't put too much stock in Alice's visions," he soothed.

"Anymore… What has she seen before? Of me, I mean?"

Edward scowled. "Nothing. Are you cold?"

"I'm fine. Why are you being weird?"

"Must we discuss this when we are in the midst of a magical mystery?"

"If it concerns me, yes."

He gripped the steering wheel harder. "She wanted to hide it since she knew I would hate it. But...she saw you...saving me."

Leah's heart raced. "Saving you? Me? How, when?"

"It was blurry and faded. She only saw it once, but she was oddly certain of it. Each time, someone would raise their gun to my head, and you would step in front of me."

"I die?"

"They drop the gun."

She shifted, fiddling with her too-tight seatbelt. She never would have pegged herself as a hero, and if someone told her, she'd be shielding Edward Cullen and not the other way around, she would have cracked up. But Alice seemed to believe in this frail, weakling vision. Like Ella, she saw the possibilities in her. It sent a chill down her spine.

"Alice wants me to take a bullet for you?" Leah asked. Her feelings were a little hurt. Of course, Edward was her brother. If she had to save Seth over Edward, she'd think the same. Yet vampire girl claimed many times to be her friend and had done so much for Leah. This couldn't be true.

Edward's face softened. "No, of course not. She's much more objective than I am. She thought if neither of us were hurt, you saving me was the right thing."

Leah was more perplexed than ever. Though she knew by the way he refused to look at her that there was more to the story. Something was missing.

Then she snorted. "Wait, you can't be shot, right? Why would I even risk it, when you could grab the gun and disarm the guy yourself?" The absurdity helped her to push the idea away. At least for now.

"Glad you find this funny," he snarked, making it clear he didn't.

"I don't know why you can't," she managed to get out between giggles.

"Well, your amusement is surprisingly comforting. Now I'm convinced it will never happen."

She tilted her seat back and listened to Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat playing on the radio, allowing herself to dream up new visions.

They spent the rest of the ride in amiable silence. He left her alone to her reverie in favor of his own.

Once the album had been played through, Leah stirred at the sound of Edward popping in a new CD, an indie rock band she didn't recognize. She was more of a pop and R&B person herself. It was weird to think that they'd known each other for a year but she didn't know random things like his favorite music. Of course, they'd only spent a few days together, in total.

They were on the highway now, but in front of them was a long stretch of cars as far as she could see, spanning all four lanes. There was no chance of them getting back home before dark, especially if the traffic was as bad on the way back.

"If only Alice were with us to warn us," Edward said with a wry grin.

"Who knew there were this many people in Washington? It's not even rush hour yet."

"It is the holiday season. I should've figured."

Leah wanted to care more than she did. But the warmth of the car, the moody music playing on the radio, and Edward humming along softly, all make for the perfect setting for a nap. Sure, she'd be late for dinner, but it was no loss.

"Are you hungry?" Edward asked once he picked up on her thought.

"No, why are you?" she teased. "You might even have time to slip off into those woods and be back before we're even moving again." Leah gazed out of her window at the thicket to the right of their car.

"Let's not take that chance."

He seemed to be asking her a question, but she couldn't process it. Instead, she remained transfixed on the dense gathering of tall pines pressed so flush together that even in the weakened light, it was difficult to extinguish them from each other. They were scraggly from the winter storms, yet they held a quiet strength and solidarity between them. And in the distance, she admired a bit of pale blue sparkle dancing around them. Almost like a star floating in midair.

"I have to go," Leah whispered, the words startling even herself.

"What?" Edward hissed, shocked. "How can you even see that?"

But she'd already popped her car door open. She knew he would lock the doors, but she also knew he wouldn't want her scrambling around the car like a lunatic if he dared to trap her there.

Edward caught her wrist before her feet could hit the ground. "It's nothing. "

"It's something, alright, and it's getting away from us."

"Leah, please!" The strain in his voice was so confused and worried she faltered. The intensity of his gaze chipped at her resolve.

Yet a part of her knew this was inevitable. She knew in her gut she couldn't take another day of waiting. "Park on the shoulder of the road, then follow me," she instructed before taking off her seatbelt and scrambling out of the car.

As she quickly scampered off the road, Leah silently prayed the other drivers would assume she needed to pee. Her worn, thin-soled tennis shoes were not equipped to step on the ground, cluttered with thick tree roots and debris. But the plastic bottles and fast-food wrappers were soon replaced with lush undergrowth, and the scraggly excuse for woods was succeeded by clusters of strong, hearty pine trees. Never did she lose track of her floating star.

Edward was by her side in seconds. The fading sunlight shined through crisscrossing branches, producing patterns on their clothes. "This wasn't in the books," he whined.

Leah simply shook her head in astonishment. This wasn't like anything she'd read about either. Yet the sparkle seemed to call out to her, to her soul.

"What do you feel it is?" Edward asked.

Leah struggled to focus on talking to him and watching on the spark, which now seemed to grow fainter. Or was she simply lightheaded? "It's like...a signal. If they could find me, and they could find you, who's to say they haven't found us again?"

Edward's hand shot out to catch her wrist as she stumbled on a thick root. "Perhaps. One theory proposed they possessed the ability to track one another, even from great distances. It must be something similar."

She allowed him to guide her along, suddenly cautious. She hadn't given much thought as to what the fairies were able to do, what she was able to do. Ella had given her a few ideas, but there was also the implication that she was capable of so much more. To her horror, she found herself now more afraid of them than the vampires. Maybe because the danger with vampires was out in the open, and the price they had to pay was clear. What was the danger of fairies? The price they paid for being powerful?

Edward's voice brought her out of her panic. "What's that?"

Up ahead, the dancing star was no longer dancing. It was completely still, high above their heads.

"Is it human?" she whispered.

"I doubt it. I can't hear its mind."

Was that a good thing or a bad thing?

Suddenly, the star flickered, like a light switch, before brightening once again. Its light rivaled the faint sunset in the distance, white battling orange. Then it grew bigger, bigger, bigger, until Leah wasn't sure anymore how far apart or close they were.

Edward shifted in front of her, pulling her behind him. "Turn around," he mouthed to her.

But Leah held her stance.

With a flash of light, Edward was shot right in the chest, and knocked wildly into a tree.

"Edward!" Leah shielded her eyes from the brightness.

The woods were now only lit by the fading orange glow of the sun. No spark remained.

Leah wandered aimlessly, in search of the offender.

Instead, she was roughly grabbed by the arm and pushed to the side. Too roughly. She fell into a fallen branch and the wind left her lungs.

"Stay down," a disembodied voice said, but when she blinked, no one was there.

"Don't touch her!" Edward growled. He was back on his feet and charging forward.

Leah followed his path. At first glance, he was headed for thin air, just a blur in the dark.

Then she saw it. The edges of a shadow. A head, shoulders, legs. Possibly human. Likely not.

It raised a hand, either to attack or defend, but Edward was too fast. Like a tiger, he pounced on the shadow and wrestled him to the ground. The shadow resisted, instead twisting around to target Edward with kicks and punches. The two of them struggled against each other, vampire and ghost.

Leah froze in shock. The attacker's bones should've been shattered by now. "Wait -"

At the sound, Edward's head snapped up. It was but half a second, but long enough to let his opponent fully slip out of his hold.

Another blast of light sent Edward staggering a few feet back, but he had sensed it coming and resumed an animalistic crouch.

The shadow person sped up their attacks, shooting beams of light..out of his hands.

Edward didn't hesitate, before he closed in on him, fighting against the shadow. He grabbed his arms and kicked him to his knees. The shadow reached up and wrapped his hands around Edward's throat, his palms lit blue.

A snarl ripped through Edward's lips as he kicked away at the offender, but his grip on the shadow began to slacken.

The shadow stood to his full height, squeezing Edward's throat tighter.

"Stop!" Leah shouted. She charged forward, hopped on the stranger's back, and dug her nails into his wrists, trying to get him to let go of Edward.

Both men let go of each other, each vying to get to the source of the distraction.

The sickening sound of stone hitting flesh echoed throughout the forest as Edward punched the offender in the jaw and kicked him in the chest. In shock, Leah let go, the blur of motion scaring her off. She fell backwards. So did, the shadow. He clutched his face, which she now could see was smeared with blood.

The pair crashed into each other and then the nearest tree, his arms wrapped tightly around her.

"Let me go!" she screamed, punching his flank to get free. Behind her, Edward tried to extract her, pulling her away by her sleeve.

But the shadow man groaned, slumped fully into the tree, then passed out. A weak white glow spilled from the trunk like a doorway to heaven.

All three of their bodies began to melt, then disappear into the trunk.

"Leah!" Edward yelled, trying to fight their way out.

But darkness overtook them before he could do so.

When Leah crashed through to the other side, her head hit the ground and twigs scratched her face. Snow blanketed the ground and she could feel it through her coat.

"The most wonderful time of the year, my ass," she scowled.

Edward's strong arms lifted her up and set her on her feet. She stumbled. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"No injuries. Just a little spooked." She rubbed the back of her head, willing the soreness away. At least there was no blood. A wave of nausea hit her. Now was not the time, she told herself.

Edward pursed his lips. "You never should have gotten involved."

"Sorry, no can do. If you're ever getting your ass handed to you, I'm not going to sit back and watch."

He pulled a stray leaf out of her hair. "No, I don't suppose you would," he muttered.

Riding high on his assent, Leah continued, "Don't worry. Next time I'll be sneakier. Jump from a tree."

"There won't be a next time."

Leah's gaze drifted over his shoulder, to the snowy mountaintops in the distance, so picturesque they looked straight out of a painting. Above them, the sky was tinged a pinkish hue. Here, the fir trees were coated with heavy snow, as if a blizzard had passed only hours ago. Leah turned in a slow circle, but her eyes could find no trail to lead them, no road to travel.

"We'll make it home," Edward assured her.

"Nevermind that. What are we going to do about him?"

By the tree they had fallen out of lay the Shadow. The stranger. His face was planted in the snow, and his limbs were splayed out wildly.

"Is he...alive?" Leah asked.

"I can hear his heartbeat."

"Not a vampire?"

"Not a vampire."

"Can he hear us?"

"I don't know. His mind was - is - silent. But how?..." His brow furrowed as he retreated into his mind.

Leah's mouth went dry and her stomach lurched. If the Shadow was simply playing dead and preparing for another attack or to run away, then he was dragging it out. But he wasn't defending himself earlier. There was a reason he had attacked first, a reason he was even alive.

A reason he dragged her into the tree.

She fled to his side and crouched in the snow, ignoring her now soaked jeans. "Help me get him up."

Edward grabbed the Shadow by the shoulder and turned him over. After hesitating a moment, he gingerly lifted the body up into his arms. "Hypothermia," he explained to Leah.

Even in the poor light, Leah was able to get her first real look at the stranger. He was wide and muscled, stocky, like a short version of Emmett, and practically spilling out of Edward's arms, though the vampire wouldn't drop him. The Shadow, was a man and judging by his shallow breaths and steady pulse, a seemingly human one. He had golden-brown skin, a square face, and dark, short coily hair. Leah guessed he was about her age, though he was dressed maturely, in a long dark blue coat and navy slacks.

"You should stand back," Edward instructed. "We don't want to startle him."

Leah put a few feet between herself and the two men. She fidgeted nervously as Edward jostled him.

"Wake up," the vampire breathed. His voice was all honey. "My name is Edward Cullen. We need to talk."

Leah sucked her teeth. "Like that smooth, come-hither vamp voice isn't going to freak him out. Are you seducing him or interrogating him?"

Edward scowled.

She reached out to shake the boy's shoulder. "Listen, kid, dude. My name is Leah. We kind of need you to wake up and explain what the hell it is you want from us."

The guy stirred in Edward's arms and lifted his drooping head, mumbling, "Next round...on me…"

Leah slapped at his cheek.

"Cocoa?!" He sat up so fast he nearly fell. He was set on his feet, though Edward restricted his arms behind his back like a police officer. As he regained his awareness, he said, "You can let up. Let the both of us go, and there will be no trouble." But his command sounded more like a plea.

"Let me go? Do you think this sad sack is in charge of me?" Leah glared.

"No, that'd be your queen," the boy stated bluntly. "Miss Leah of Washington," he tacked on, somewhat gallantly. As he shifted uneasily, his coat revealed a pale blue military tunic and trousers and golden pins over his heart.

"What the -" Leah started, but her mouth went dry.

"I'm going to let go of you," Edward warned. "And if we like what you have to say, we'll keep it in mind. If not, I'll give you a five-minute headstart to get out of here. Either way, she and I are leaving together, understood?"

The Shadow-Boy-Man (Officer?) shivered, but muttered, "Deal." Edward slid in between him and Leah.

"You're one of them," Leah said, eager to cut to the chase. "You're here for me."

"Yes. The queen would like you to visit."

Though he was young, he was powerful enough to face off a vampire, and that kind of strength meant the two of them could easily be caught off guard and taken down. Were there more fairies hidden in the bushes? Edward shook his head, ever so slightly, easing her fears. But he hadn't sensed the Shadow in time, so how would he know? "Why should we believe you?" Leah asked.

Said Shadow snorted. "Ever fallen through a tree before? I'm sorry, that was rude." He kneeled down and lowered his head. "Miss Leah, my name is Troy. I am a soldier for the Cosaint Army. I was sent here to escort you to the realm. When I saw your gentleman, I thought him to be luring you into the woods for an attack. I did not know you were coupled with a vampire. I wish neither of you harm. I apologize for my presumptuous and aggressive behavior."

Leah's mouth opened and closed several times before she yelled, "We are not coupled."

"Really, that's what you're stuck on?" Edward groused.

"Oh." Troy's eyes darted around nervously. "I was truly mistaken. I meant no disrespect, miss. Please say you'll come with me. I can't afford another strike. But I can be trusted! Most of the penalties were for forgetting my uniform. And that fight at the pub was hardly a fight. Of course, these were years ago. And I remembered everything today. Uh...wait. Did either of you see a sword somewhere around here? Really shiny, this big?"

Leah eyed him curiously. Maybe the two of them could handle this guy. "I'm sorry, where exactly is this 'realm'?"

"It's here. You just can't see it. Without a little magic of course."

Here? Around them? What they'd have to do, hold onto a magic stone, and recite a chant?

But she was tired, of searching, of chasing, of fighting. Not to mention the stress that awaited her at home, especially when she returned to the rez so late tonight. And here was the likely answer she'd been looking for all along. She'd only need to trust it.

She nodded wearily. "We'll come. But we're not staying."

"Of course. But I really think Her Majesty would be more comfortable without the - the um… Is vampire still the politically correct term, or is there something more current?" Troy looked genuine to her, but not enough to convince his former adversary.

Edward's eyes flickered with a promise to pursue the fight, if prompted. "Both of us or neither of us will go with you. Your choice."

"No need for aggression."

"Your unwarranted attack caused her to get hurt in the crossfire."

"Can you even handle large crowds yet? All that blood around you? How old are you?"

"Boys, boys, let's fight nice, okay?" Leah interrupted, before Troy's curiosity led to him getting his throat ripped out. "We'll go with you, uh, Officer Troy."

The soldier smiled widely. He was actually very handsome when he wasn't a bundle of nerves. He grabbed Leah's hand (despite Edward's muttering) and pulled her towards an enormous, sturdy-looking fir. He brushed a hand against the bark, and bright white light spilled from the tree, a portal about six feet tall, and three feet wide. "This will be easier if we're touching."

Edward and Leah looked down at their already clasped hands in confusion.

"I mean, both of you touching me," Troy chided gently, taking Edward's hand. "Don't worry, after a couple of times, it's like nothing. Watch your step."

"Not this again," Leah whined.

"I'll catch you if you fall," Edward told her.

"Same to you, red," Leah smirked, feeling lighter. Then fear gave way to silence as they stepped through the glowing tree into nothingness.