A/N: Hello! I know its been long and I'm sorry for that! Procrastination, school...a hurricane. basically all the works being thrown at me at once. Fear not! I'm getting back on track and plan to bring more content to my lovely readers. Another apology is that this chapter is shorter than I intended it to be. Blame the constant writing, erasing, and rewriting. This chapter has gone over so many revisions its utterly ridiculous. Enough of my rambling as always. Enjoy and Review!

Story: Pinky Promise

Rated: M

Parings: BellaxEdward, AlicexOCxJasper (Polyamorous), CarlislexEsme, RosaliexEmmett

Summary: Bella should have asked how to pronounce Santa when she was younger, who would've thought she made a pinkie promise with the devil herself?

Chapter 19: Practice Makes Perfect

"Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools,

that don't of the brains enough to be honest."

-Benjamin Franklin

"Darlin' are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Jasper watched as Lilith stood in backyard, the woman was tapping her foot impatiently and arms crossed. Black eyes sparkled in apprehension and excitement.

"Alice is going to kill you." Bella piped up.

Jasper turned his head to see Bella, munching idly on some chips Esme had recently bought from her latest shopping trip. The human's facial features were blank and unreadable as if she knows what's about to happen in the next few moment.

"I'll be fine, it's just a test to see how far I can travel. In and out." Lilith quipped back. She took out a leather wallet and as Jasper looked closely he could make out the numerous amounts of paper currency from different nations.

"Jasper."

Amber eyes met black. "You have the stopwatch love?"

Jasper huffed and nodded, holding up the object by it's neck strap. Lilith clapped her hands excitedly.

"Great! So once I disappear start the clock, since I'm still not fully up to snuff I might take more than a minute-don't give me that look Bella-okay so maybe five minutes tops-Jasper not you too, look I'll be fine! And back in time before Alice comes back...hopefully."

Lilith didn't give time for either Bella or Jasper to reply because in the next second she was gone. Jasper made sure to immediately press the start button on the stopwatch and made sure to count the seconds in his head as well, something to distract his worry. Counting in his head didn't work because before he knew it he was sighing and sitting down next to Bella. The smell of processed potatoes and salt assaulted his senses but he could care less.

"How are you not worried?" He found himself asking.

Bella's eyes darted to look at the blonde vampire, she was in the midst of chewing another handful of chips, so Jasper patiently waited as Bella made sure she didn't speak with her mouth full.

"Who says that I'm not?" Bella finally said. "It's a given considering what she is. What she does." she picks the crumbs from her jacket. It was the beginning of March, the blooms of spring were coming forth but being up north the cold was still brutal and could sneak its way into a warm day. "She has to go back Jazz. It's been a curse and a blessing that she's been able to stay with us to recover for so long."

"But why?" Jasper snarled. "Why is it so important for her to put herself back in danger like this?" he and Alice had discussed this issue during the late nights where Lilith was out cold. Hushed whispers and soft growls erupted between them and they would only cease when Lilith would stir or wake. Jasper sees Bella shrug a pained look on her face.

"Guilt? A sense of duty? Who knows, when I met Lilith I didn't really know, or rather, understand what she truly did. Until I became older I slowly but surely began to see the weight on her shoulders."

Jasper found himself nodding to this. He himself of all people should know this. He's also seen the signs of other stressful catalysts within his mate. Battle fatigue, being one of them. He's seen his fair share of it, both human and vampire alike. When human, it was more noticeable. The screams that woke his comrades up at night. The endless bout of awareness, jumping at the smallest noise that sounded like cannon fire.

With vampires it was different but all the same, amplified if he was honest with himself. Especially with the newborns. More irritable but subdued due to his influence. He could feal their frustration, fear, anger-Jasper shook his head, making sure to not dwell on the past. Nonetheless he understood the concept of Lilith going back, to try and reclaim her seat on the hellish throne, but he just didn't want to let her go, afraid that she would be hurt once more or not returning at all.

He palmed the stopwatch in his hand, making sure not to crush it in his tense grip. Looking down at the object he read the time. Two minutes had passed. Surely Lilith would be back in the next minute or so. They had plenty of time before Alice would suspect-

"Why are you two out here sitting on the lawn?"

Jasper released a sigh of relief as he turned his head to look at his brother. Edward was in a dark green sweater and jeans. Bella grinned up at him as he made his way over. Jasper made eye contact with the mind reader, giving him permission to look so he could catch up to speed.

"Ah." Edward stated, smirking. "Alice is going to kill you."

"That's what I said."

Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing for what seemed to be the upteenth time today. "What Alice doesn't know, won't hurt her."

Edward hummed. "I don't know about that Jasper. I'm pretty sure she saw you deciding to help out your lovely mate in this trial and she's speeding down the interstate as we speak."

Jasper muttered a string of curses and the stopwatch was crushed in his hands. "She's going to kill us." Jasper groaned.

"Who's going to kill who?"

Emmett had now joined this gathered posse, smiling widely. "Are we wrestling today? Ed, I still gotta get you back for that match in '82."

"No one is wrestling." Jasper snapped, no real ire to his voice.

"Aw." Emmett whined. His joyful attitude returned however when he saw Bella stifling a giggle at the brother's banter. "Edward cheats in wrestling Bella-bear, if it weren't for his mind reading I'd pummel him to the ground five times over."

Edward narrowed his eyes and pointed a finger at the burly vampire. "Gift or not, your body language gives away all your moves. Brain over brawn Emmett."

A growl from Emmett. reverberated throughout the backyard as if issuing a challenge. It was soon cut off by an odd scene.

Lilith appeared, seemingly out of thin air. She was shivering and soaking wet. From what the vampires could smell she decided to go swimming in an ocean. The salt water clinging to her was potent and if that didn't give it away, seaweed clung to her hair and clothes.

Jasper stared in disbelief. "How-" he started.

"M-my destination was a bit o-off," Lilith's teeth chattered and Jasper quickly stood up to take off his own jacket and put it around Lilith's shoulders. She smiled in thanks as she continued. "Hmmmm, I u-uh, landed somewhere off the coast of Spain." She pulls the jacket closer to herself. "Luckily a fishing boat was near by and I was able to get on and gather e-enough energy to get back." Lilith grins is wide, accomplishment written on her face. Jasper couldn't find the will to be mad at her wayward adventures. She was getting close to being healthy and back to normal, a great but frightening thing.

Jasper smelled Alice before she saw her blur into view. In Front of him and Lilith, his wife stood, arms crossed and a raised brow making her elfin features seem more mischievous than curious.

"Alice!" Lilith exclaimed. "My wonderful mate of mine, my sun, my love, my-"

"You practiced teleporting again didn't you?" Alice interrupted. There was no true malice or irritation radiating from her. In truth she was amused to see Jasper and Lilith flustered before her. Lilith chuckled nervously.

"Yes...but I didn't get hurt like last time! Don't worry."

Alice huffed, running a hand through her spiky hair, making it more wild than it already is. A month ago when Lilith tried this she returned on fire. It was terrifying and the fallen angel almost started a forest blaze with her trying to put out the flames on herself. Later on when she was clean of soot and the smell of sulfur, Lilith had hesitantly admitted she might of accidently summoned her self into Halema'uma'u, a rather active volcanic crater in Hawaii.

"At least you're not on fire." Alice stated.

Emmett guffawed and Jasper snorted beside Lilith, who elbowed him in the ribs with a challenging glare. "Regardless," Lilith began. "I had better control of where I ended up, even if I was a few miles off. Two more weeks should do it for me." She rubbed her eyes, clearing the salt water that was dripping from her hair.

"Are you sure you'll be ready to go back?" Alice said worriedly. The group made their way back to the house, Emmett had put Edward in a headlock and proceeded to mess up his hair. Bella was snickering beside them, enjoying watching her boyfriend get teased by his brother.

Lilith hummed as she replied. "I am no fool Alice," she began. "I am not going to charge right in and challenge Azza right off the bat. He has too many followers and Hell under his thumb. I'm gonna have to do this the old fashion way."

Once they were in the house, Lilith led them upstairs to their room so she could shower and change.

"Old fashion way?" Jasper inquired. His mouth contorted into a frown and his brow was narrowed, showing slight confusion.

"Mhm." Lilith said as she handed Jasper's jacket back and choose a dry pair of clothes. "Guerilla tactics, resistance. Right now I'm alone in this fight and I'm going to need all the help I can get."

"We could help!" Alice quipped.

"No!"

The harsh tone that came from Lilith startled both Alice and Jasper. The clothes Lilith had were clenched tightly in her hands and her teeth were bared in a snarl. Lilith shook her head multiple times as she gathered herself.

"No…. it's too dangerous and I can't risk that. I can't risk losing you two or Bella, or this family." A watery sigh past her lips. "Not again." She whispered.

Before either of the two vampires could reach out to her in comfort, Lilith quickly made her way to the bathroom and shut the door. As they heard the water running behind the closed door, Jasper sat himself down on the edge of the bed. His hands were on his knees and tired eyes stared at his wife.

Alice seemed to hold herself, arms wrapped around her waist as she looked at the bathroom door with a frown marring her features.

If they listened closely they could hear the muffled sobs that Lilith tried to hide through the walls. Her pain tangible to each of them.

"She is afraid." Jasper finally spoke. "She is afraid and trying to hide so much pain." He gripped his blonde locks with scarred hands. "Why won't she talk to us Alice? She chooses to bottle up all these negative emotions and not to let herself grieve."

Jasper felt the bed dip beside him and Alice's petite arms wrap around him. "I don't know Jazz." She sighs. "If I could see her decisions I might've been able to help, but she blinds me which has been both an exciting and terrifying experience."

"She can't do this alone." he said. Jasper would not let one of his mates suffer any longer than need be.

"She won't." Determination graced Alice's voice. "We'll convince her, somehow."

From then on they decided to leave Lilith be to collect her own thoughts. When they came downstairs, Bella took note on the downtrodden look on Alice's face and immediately gave a look to Jasper, silently asking permission to enter their room to confront their mate. Once the 'OK' was given, the human made her way up the stairs.

As Jasper sat down on one of the living room couches, he didn't fail to notice the look Rosalie was giving him. Her eyes bore into him, as if scrutinizing or analyzing his every move and expression. It took a few minutes before the southern man became tired of the endless gaze and lifted his head to stare back at his 'twin'.

"What?" He snapped.

Rosalie simply arched a brow and crossed her legs. "You can't force her." she said,

Jasper blinked. Once. Twice. Three times. "Pardon?"

Rosalie huffed a breath as if she was annoyed about what she was about to explain to Jasper. 'You can't force her to talk about what happened in her past until she's ready."

Obviously an incredulous look gave away Jasper's reaction because the blonde beauty in front of her rolled her eyes. "You may not think it." Rosalie began. "But by reassuring her that you'll "Always be ready to listen" pushes Lilith further away from telling you what happened to her."

Jasper had opened his mouth then closed it immediately. Was that really the case? Every time it looked like Lilith would go into more detail about her past life he and Alice were always at attention ready to listen. With just one look into their eyes Lilith would backpedal and simply change subjects. Later on they would always mention that if she needed an ear they were there and Lilith would just smile and nod and say: "I know."

Jasper rubbed his forehead with his head, thinking on the matter. Rosalie sensed his distress and in a rare gesture placed a comforting hand on his knee.

"Alice is getting the same talk over there with Em." Rosalie gestured her head towards the kitchen where Emmett and Alice were speaking quickly and quietly as if not to disturb he and Rosalie's own conversation. Emmett's large hands were placed on Alice's shoulders. If it were anyone else looking at them, one might be afraid that the large man was crushing the tiny woman in front of him. However the look on both Alice and Emmett's face is what said it all. Emmett's was of understanding and maturity. While Alice's was contemplating and pained. Jasper turned back to look at Rosalie, her gaze now softened and less harsh than it was a few moments ago.

"Emmett knows what you two are going through."

Jasper felt himself stiffen as realization swept through him, of course, how could he be so blind. Rosalie and Emmett of all people should know how trauma works. How long one partner can take to open up to the other. He felt Rosalie squeeze his knee in reassurance before standing up.

"Let her come to you." Rosalie said and Jasper watched as she walked towards her mate who was giving Alice a bear hug. Seeing her come his way Emmett grinned fondly and set Alice down, who was giving Rose a small smile. Jasper watched as the mated pair held hands and made their way outside. He would follow Rosalie's advice and hope for the best. He hoped that Lilith would come to them soon, for the weight that was placed on Lilith's shoulders was too much to bear alone.

"Come visit Jake with me in La Push."

Bella was sitting on the floor of the triad's room, not wanting to invade their personal space. Lilith was putting on a hoodie, fresh, clean, and dry from her shower.

"And why-" Lilith's voice was muffled as she put on the article of clothing. "Would I do that?"

"Because you love me?"

"Try again."

Bella rolled her eyes and gave Lilith a different reason. "Because you need to get out of this house. Breath some fresh air."

Black eyes stared blankly at the human on the floor. "Bella...I was just in the middle of the ocean not two hours ago. That's some pretty fresh air."

"No." Bella said firmly. "That was for work, a purpose, a goal. You need to let loose and have some fun."

"And your version of having fun is hanging out with a group of horny teenagers. You know Jake has a massive crush on you right?"

Bella buries her head into her hands and sighs irritably, Lilith was being impossible. "I know...but that's not the point!" Bella quickly stood up and strode over to Lilith, poking her in the chest. "You need a break from the vampires, don't deny it! Hell sometimes I need a break from Edward once in awhile."

They both found themselves chuckling at the joke. After a few thoughtful moments and succumbing to the puppy eyes Bella possessed, Lilith gave in.

"Fine." She sighed. "But if any of those mutts push my buttons I'm burning them to a crisp." To prove her point Lilith snapped her fingers and a flame the size you would see on a lighter appeared on her thumb.

"Yeah yeah." Bella waved her hand. "If one decides annoy the 'Great and Powerful Lilith', be prepared for her to burn you alive or devourer your soul."

"I know what sarcasm sounds like young lady." Hopefully the agreement she made with Bella wasn't a mistake.

'This was a mistake why did I agree to this?'

The air was thick with tension in Jake's house. Lilith stared at Jake and Jake stared at Lilith, while Bella was obviously picking the next movie they could watch from the dvd stack next to the T.V. It had been like this Bella dragged Lilith to the rez for some R&R, apparently she didn't tell Jake about her tag along so then began the awkward conversations and whispered prayers Jake mumbled when Lilith wasn't looking.

Now it was just tense silence, the two figures ever unmoving, Lilith found that she had quite enough and decided to ice break the awkwardness.

"So….you're a giant wolf." she drawled.

The Quileute boy narrowed his eyes at Lilith.

"And you're a demon." Jacob drawled.

"In the flesh." she responded.

"Do you possess people?"

Lilith found herself snorting and shook her head. "Only to those who annoy me. Do you howl at the moon?"

Jacob growled and crosses his arms, huffing. "No, we can voluntarily change at any time. Our shift doesn't depend on the moon."

"You didn't answer my question."

"What?"

"Do. You. Howl. At. The. Moon?"

"N-no of course not!"

"You stuttered, that's a common sign that someone is lying."

"I am not-"

"Hey!"

Lilith and Jacob brought ceased their banter and brought their attention to Bella. The only human in the room was standing arms crossed, an amused look on her face as if she enjoyed the bickering her two friends were doing.

"I'm glad that you two are getting along and becoming friends."

"We're not friends." They both said at the same time. Bella rolled her eyes in disbelief.

"Yeah yeah, and I'm Bon Jovi."she retorted.

While Lilith snickered Jacob raised a brow in confusion. Bella laughed at their reaction and proceeded to start the movie, some Disney animated film with mermaids, if Lilith recalled. She would always think that Bella was too old to be watching this type of stuff but she would always respond that you can't beat the classics.

It was halfway through the movie that Jacob sat up abruptly, the boy was snoring pretty decently before he was startled by the ringing of his cell phone.

"What?" Jacob droned, his voice still drowsy from his short nap. "What?!' Bella and Lilith stared at Jacob as he quickly stood up and started pacing. "Now?" he asked. As he paused his pace he stared directly at Bella. "Yeah, yeah I got it-Sam! I got it." he hung up his cell phone. Now visibly frustrated Jacob ran a hand through his cropped hair.

"Jake?" Bella called her friends name worriedly.

Jacob pinched the bridge of his nose his expression seeming pained as if he didn't want to explain the conversation that happened over the phone.

"Look Bella, just...just don't freak out."

"When you tell me not to freak out Jake, I completely ignore that statement and freak out. Do you know who I'm best friends with?" Bella stated.

"It's true." Lilith quipped.

Jacob threw up his hands in the air. "Fine! So for the past few months the pack and I have been picking up the scents of leeches. No, not your leeches, they know not to break the treaty."

"Wait, wait." Lilith held up an ebony hand in the universal gesture for 'stop'. "Isn't it normal for other type of vampires to fly by washington. They're called nomads."

Jacob crossed his arms, to anyone else the large male would've been intimidating. He shook his head. "That's what we thought at first, but everyone has a specific scent. Bella for example smells like chocolate and the forest. You," he points to Lilith. "Smell like ash and sulfur." He wrinkles his nose. "Your smell is almost as bad as the leeches."

"Gee thanks."

"Anyway," Jacob continued. "We didn't think it was much until we started to notice that the scent of the leeches came close to your house Bells."

Bella grimaced and scrunched her nose.

"Wait, are you saying I'm being stalked? By who?"

Jacob shrugged. "We don't know the scent is different every time, like they're scouting for something. What's weird is that their also near Lilith's house too."

Lilith narrowed her eyes at this. "Hm, so what was the call about?"

"Sam and the pack caught one of the bloodsuckers. He was about to feed on some wayward hiker."

"Do you know what he looks like? His name at least? You know from your pack mentality thing?" Lilith gestures wildly around her head.

Jacob looks incredulously at the woman for a short moment, before huffing and nodding his head. Closing his eyes, the wolf shifter was silent for a moment, processing his thoughts. One minute turned to five minutes, five minutes to ten. Lilith was close to getting up from the couch and slapping to boy awake. Her plan however, fell short when Jacob opened his eyes and gave the answer they were waiting for.

"His name was Laurent."

Codex Entry: The Scholar

The handwriting in this entry is similar to 'The Blacksmith'. One could say that it is by the same person.

They call her Antoinette the Wise. They call her stunning and gorgeous, but her wisdom transcends her beauty alone. When I saw her in the Archives sorting the tomes and scrolls of ancient knowledge I couldn't help but take my eyes off her. I spoke to her while she aided me, searching for a scroll on battle formations. She was witty and cunning, the challenge that was evident in her eyes when I questioned her on theories was humorous and thoughtful... To think! Two life changing meetings that happened to me in a matter of moments. First the blacksmith and now the scholar! Do you know what that means? We are an eternal trinity! It is surreal to finally find the ones you will spend the rest of your eternal life with, but I am grateful and I hope that sooner than later, we will all be together.