Chapter 3: Introductions

Jasper shook my hand with slight hesitation. His eyes calculating, full of question. I applied slight pressure to his hand as I shook it, aiming to relay to him to keep the pretense of this being our first encounter.

"Likewise," he acknowledged.

"We hope you don't mind, Isabella," Alice interjected. "We invited the guys over to meet you. Edward and Emmett should be here any minute."

"The more the merrier, right?" I smiled. "I'll just take this to my room and be out shortly."

"That's all you brought with you?" Alice asked in disbelief.

"It's more spacious than it looks," I smiled.

"Let me help you with that," Jasper offered and went to lift the chest. He was unsuccessful. I was not so surprised, given the cab driver's inability to lift it. He looked at me suspiciously. I had, after all, walked in carrying that chest as if it barely weight anything.

"I'll grab a corner; you grab the other?" I proposed. I stepped around and moved to lift one end, bracing my hands underneath the chest. "On three?" He nodded in agreement.

"One, two…" We lifted the chest. I could see Jasper was struggling but slightly. Together, we brought the chest into my new chambers and set it down.

"You didn't need me to help carry this, did you?" he asked in hushed tones the moment we were out of ear shot. I shook my head. He started pacing back and forth in the room. He seemed anxious, much like the state I had left him in at the gas station.

"Do you need to sit down?" I asked.

"Yes." He moved to sit on the bed. But the moment he sat down, he stood right back up. He repeated this pattern—down, up, down, up again- three more times before he started pacing once more. He seemed unsure of his preferences.

"This does not appear to be normal behavior," I observed. "Do you need medical assistance? Should I procure Alice?"

"I do not need medical assistance," he scoffed. "I think given earlier events, freaking out is normal."

"Freaking out?" I was unfamiliar of this term.

"Surprised. Confused. Overwhelmed. Pick one." He spoke. "I'm trying my best to process what happened. You know, make sense of it? I'm known to be fairly rational, Isabella. If that is your name. I can also be open minded. And yet I can't explain whatever it was that happened earlier. For all I know you murdered those children! My girlfriend's new roommate is probably a murderer!"

"I am not a murderer." I replied, crossing my arms. "Your rational mind would not be able to fathom what truly transpired tonight. There is no rational where these events are concerned."

"These events? As in, this wasn't an isolated incident?" He asked. I stared at him blankly, not responding. You have to give me more than that." He said seriously.

"Perhaps. I can tell you one thing right now." I told him.

"And that is," he pressed.

"That we need to get back out there before any unnecessary suspicion is raised." I smiled and stepped around him, leaving the room.

It seemed during our short time away from Alice and Rose, the rest of the invited guests had arrived. I recognized Emmett right away from our earlier interaction over the mistaken apartment number. He was with Rose standing rather closely in her personal space. She did not seem to mind based on her body language and her conspicuously running a finger up and down his chest. A smirk plastered on her face.

In the kitchen stood Alice with who I would presume to be Edward. They had mentioned an Edward would be among the crowd tonight. I could not see his face. His back was to me. Though I could see he was tall and toned as far as I could tell from the attire he'd chosen. They seemed to be having a disagreement. Alice wore a displeased expression on her face and her hands were on her hips. Through the interactions between humans I had previously observed in my time in the Earth Realm, I had come to conclude this stature certainly did not represent one of satisfaction with a communication partner.

"There you are," Rose smiled as I approached. "You remember Emmett?"

"Of course, she remembers me. "Emmett winked. "I'm unforgettable, you know that Rosie."

"Keep telling yourself that," she rolled her eyes. I found their interaction interesting. From afar, one would surmise they were involved more seriously than the impression Rose was currently projecting. They seem as though they could be a match.

"Of course," I agreed. "I do remember you. Rose's match, yes?"

"He's not my match," Rose scoffed. I could see through her façade.

"I'm not sure what that means, but if it ends up with her finally admitting she's mine then hell yes I'm her match," Emmett laughed. She rolled her eyes.

"I admit nothing," she crossed her arms. "What exactly does that even mean? You mentioned the term earlier."

"It means exactly that. That the partner you are with is your match in every way. Call it soul mates. Fate is connecting you to the match who complements you in every way."

"Hear that Rosie," Emmett started. "Soul mates.

"Please, one would have to believe in that sort of thing in the first place." Rose scoffed.

"Well, you don't have to believe in it actually," I told her. "You can't fight fate."

"How would you even know something like that," Rose asked, curiosity peaked.

In truth, there were ways of definitely knowing this. For humans, the attraction between those matched was not one easily ignored. I'd witnessed first-hand and apprenticed the highest of warriors who handled matches in Aezarant. In no way could I begin to even pretend to lead a ritual establishing a matched pairing.

But the ability to feel, see and interpret auras of others and the realms around me was something I had mastered, among other skills. It's what I focused on in trying to complete my mission. Areas shrouded within a black aura signaled questionable activity—it indicated a darkness covered the area. With matches it was easy to tap into. It was almost as though an invisible thread weaved its way around the pairing, tying to them together as one with a red hue.

"Believe me Rose," I assured her. "It's not a feeling you would be able to ignore." I leaned in closer to her to whisper. "And if you're truly curious about you two, just let me know."

"You sound like Alice," Rose laughed nervously.

"She too believes you two to be a match?" I asked.

"I don't know if that's how she would word it," Rose answered. "But she does have feelings about things. I've learned to never bet against Alice." Interesting.

"What are talking about over here in such hushed tones?" Alice came over, sounding amused. Following her was Jasper who seemed very tense.

"Just the inevitably of Rose and I," Emmett smirked. "And never betting against of course."

"Ah," Alice smiled. "My sixth sense" She teased. I watched her more closely, trying to gauge truth to her claims.

"Don't be modest," Rose chuckled. "When have your 'feelings' ever truly been wrong?"

"I do recall my name already being listed on the agreement earlier this morning," I mused aloud.

"It's a family thing," Alice explained. "I don't know much about it other than I get it from my Grams's side of the family."

"Where is your family from?" I asked, intrigued.

"As far as I know, Washington," Alice shrugged. "I don't do those ancestry searches. Does it really matter though?"

"Only if it matters to you," I smiled.

"So far it hasn't peaked enough interest to do further digging," Alice said. "But these two, no doubt there."

"Between Alice's feeling and Isabella's 'match' theory, it's a matter of time," Emmett placed his arm around Rose. She did not shrug him off this time.

"I'll never live this soul mate thing down," she shook her head. "Thanks roomie." She smirked at me.

"What's this talk of soulmates?" A new voice entered the conversation. I saw Alice roll her eyes as soon as the new person joined our conversation.

"It's nothing, let's drop it." Rose said. Her voice firm.

"Can't blame me for being curious," the voice chuckled. "Sounded like the new roommate was a hopeless romantic with all the 'can't fight fate' talk coming from over here."

"Ignore Edward. He can be a dick sometimes." Alice told me. "Edward –this is Isabella. Isabella, this is Edward."

"Ah yes, the one who hides from his conquests." I remembered. Everyone laughed...well, almost everyone.

I finally looked at the person to whom the voice belonged to. For a moment, it felt as though time stood still as I locked eyes on the man in front of me. Intense green eyes looked back at me, trapping me in his gaze. He too seemed as taken back for a moment as I had. I felt a strong pull towards him. Edward. The pull wanted us closer. I could see, without actively trying, the red hue of a thread like cord weaving its way around the two of us.

Shit.

My eyes blinked, rapidly. I tried to shake off this feeling which quickly overcame me. This could not be. On the Earth Realm no less!

"Hopeless romantic, you say?" I said, breaking out of the trance. "Like happily ever after?" I watched them all nod their heads. Edward's gaze remained intently on me. It was as though he was trying to understand the shift which occurred. Jasper continued to look at me with calculating eyes, trying to understand earlier events and quite frankly, who and what I was. I could sense it. "Happily ever after implies matches do just that…live together happily. That's not realistic no matter where you are. Fate may have it mapped out who you should be with but humans still have free will to decide in what capacity that partnership exists."

A knock at the door startled everyone.

"Are we expecting anyone else?" Emmett asked, confused. "I thought we were all here."

"Beats me," Alice shrugged.

"I can get that," I offered. An unexpected visitor put me on alert. I went for the door knob to open the door.

"You're not going to see who it is?" Jasper asked.

"I was about to by opening the door," I told him as if it was obvious.

"The peep hole works too," he said.

"You should always look first," Alice said, agreeing with Jasper. "If you're here alone, you can't just open to door to anyone." I looked at the door, looking for this peephole they mentioned. I'd never of this. I figured it would appease them and give peace of mind to follow this cautionary step. I looked through this peephole once I found it. I saw a female standing outside the door while long blong hair coming down to her breasts in waves. She wore a short skirt—too short—and a tight fitting shirt.

"Anyone expecting a half-naked female?" I asked. Emmett laughed and Edward's face turned pale.

"I'm not here," he said, running to the doors which led to the balcony.

"I've got this Isabella," Alice moved to the door, shaking her head. "You would think they would learn by now!" I stepped aside to let her answer the door.

"Lauren," Alice acknowledged. Something was off with the smile on her face. It appeared forced.

"Edward here?" this woman, Lauren, asked. There was no acknowledged greeting. She clearly was ill mannered.

"Hello to you too," Alice muttered. "He doesn't live here Lauren, why would he be here?"

"He usually hides out here, doesn't he?" she rolled her eyes. "I'm sure he's here."

"As you can see, he is not," I added, stepping closer to Alice. Lauren glared at me, her eyes looking me up and down, sizing me up.

"Oh cute," Lauren said sarcastically. "A new daily flavor. I want to see him, go fetch him for me."

"She's not a dog," I said, standing in front of Alice now. If I needed to take her down I would gladly do so. I was unable to explain the feeling which overcame me at the idea of trying to get anywhere near Edward, especially dressed the way she was. "If he wanted to speak with you, I'm sure he knows how to get ahold of you. As you see, he is not here. So I suggest you leave."

"Or what." Lauren challenged.

"I don't think you want to find out," I stared at her, unwavering.

"Ok," Jasper rushed over. "Lauren, we'll let Edward know you were looking for him, ok? Bye!" He shut the door before she could respond and locked it behind her. He turned back to look at us.

"Why'd you go and do that!" Emmett complained. "That was about to get interesting!"

"You're such a pervert!" Rose scoffed, shaking his arm off her and going into the kitchen to get another drink.

"As interesting as it would have been, thanks for that Isabella," Alice said. "It's getting old dealing with them coming around here looking for him." She went to get herself a drink as well.

"You spoiled their fun," I told Jasper, amused.

"Something tells me you meant it when you said she didn't want to find out," he shook his head. "If you can mystically make children disappear, I can't begin to imagine what you are capable of in combat." I couldn't help but laugh. There was truth in his words.

"They weren't children." I said quietly. "I would never hurt an innocent." He stared at me intently.

"No," he seemed to agree. "No, I can tell that you wouldn't. Come on, let's join the others." I followed in suit.

"Someone want to tell Edward that Lauren came knocking?" Emmett asked.

"Is she gone?" I heard his voice quietly come from where the balcony was. The top of his head peaking up from his hiding spot. He was trying to get a visual while trying to remain hidden. He looked ridiculous. I went over to the door leading out to the balcony, shaking my head. He ducked down, taking my non-verbal cue that she was still hanging around.

I stepped out and went over to the railing. I did not dare look at him. Though every fiber of my being could feel his presence nearby. I looked up to the sky. Part of me wondered of the happenings back home. I was not met with a clear sky. Too many buildings surrounded us in this city. It was one thing of home I truly missed. My mountain.

"You can relax," I told him. "She's gone. Lauren."

"Oh thank god," he let out a sigh of relief. "You got rid of her" he asked, surprised.

"It was a team effort," I chuckled. He came to stand next to me, resting his arms on the railing and looked up.

"It is nice to meet you Isabella," he said. "I'm sorry about earlier. I was only teasing."

"I gathered," I replied. "No apologizes needed."

"How about a thank you," he offered. I looked down to the street –anywhere but at him.

"Thank you for what?" I asked.

"For helping a complete stranger try to dodge a complete pain in the ass?" he laughed.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," I answered.

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused. Finally, I looked at him. My breath caught, momentarily. The thread returned, wanting to bring us even closer than we were.

"Your hiding place—as they put it—sucks," I told him and nudged my head downward. He followed the motion and looked down to the street, much like I had a moment ago. There stood, glaring at the both of us, was an angry Lauren with her hands on her hips. "I think she found you."

"Fuck." He muttered. His words mirrored my thoughts but for different reasons. I was fucked. I needed to complete my mission. Immediately.