~ Nambé Reservoir, New Mexico - October 1999 ~
The trek out to the Nambé Reservoir did not take us long, as we did not follow any roads. About two miles from reservoir I picked up the thoughts of my family. At first I couldn't understand where they were until Emmett made a mental comment about Rosalie being his own mermaid. That is when I realized that they were all submerged in the reservoir. As we approached I couldn't detect any of their scents. Neither could James. Between the water barrier and the dead body, my family was well hidden.
"When you reach the reservoir, go around the back of it and go across the silt field." Jasper mentally commanded me. "Once you are across, make sure you are in front of them and call out the names of the vampires in their order behind you. We will attack at that time. The element of surprise will be with us. I want you to take out the one named Laurent."
Once the reservoir was in sight I called over to Laurent. "Your accent is French? Correct?"
"It is." He replied. He moved himself closer to me, which had been my plan in engaging him in conversation. "I am originally from Senegambia, but my family was brought to France as slaves. I guess the accent has always stayed with me."
James and Victoria were getting frustrated. Our trip had been a bit further than they expected, but both were still horny and thirsty.
"How much farther?" James asked impatiently. "I have many thirsts to quench."
"Not much farther, I promise this family will be worth it. It's just past the ridge up ahead." I answered.
Jasper thought out, "Good! Keep them talking. It's helping me triangulate their position."
"Which thirst would you like to satisfy first when we arrive? Blood or pleasure?" I asked in a voice heavy with innuendo.
"Can't we do both?" Victoria asked huskily as we crossed the silt field at the back of the reservoir.
"Jesus, Edward, to pull this off, you might actually be forced to say a naughty word." Emmett teased me from under the water. "Come on, try it out. Just say the word 'fuck" once! Please!"
I had to force myself not to smile at Emmett's teasing. However I was supposed to be playing the role of a human drinking, sexually active vampire. Maybe, just this once I would accommodate Emmett.
"Hmm, fucking while feeding sounds good to me."
"Hell yeah! Finally!" Emmett replied.
After a few more yards, Jasper nudged Alice, Rose and Emmett to let them know it was time. "Go ahead, Edward, we're ready!"
"Is that alright with you Laurent, James, and Victoria?" I called out.
Upon hearing the last name, my family and I sprung into action. As four bodies leapt from the water, I spun around and grabbed Laurent by his hair, exposing his neck to me. The simultaneous sounds of my teeth ripping through Laurent's neck and curses from James and Victoria filled the air.
Alice landed next to a stunned James and swept his legs from underneath him. While his body was still falling to the ground, Jasper grabbed James' by the ears, and using a foot on his chest as leverage, ripped James' head clear of his body. "You will never touch my Alice," Jasper roared to the severed head in his hands before discarding it.
Victoria reacted faster than James. Emmett and Rose landed on either side of her, but she jumped away before they could grab her. Emmett dove at Victoria. She sidestepped his lunge, however Rose anticipated her movement and was there to wrap her arms around her. Victoria tried to kick off the ground and escape Rose's grasp, but Emmett's hand slammed down on her shoulder, holding her in place.
"Say hello to hell, bitch!" Rose hissed before using her teeth to remove Victoria's head.
It was over in only a couple seconds, and five of us stood over the dismembered bodies of the three nomads.
"Hot damn!" Emmett's voice boomed into the night as he made a series of shadow boxing moves. "That was fun! Woo!"
Jasper wrapped his arms around Alice and kissed her repeatedly in between whispers that he would never let any one hurt her.
Rose dropped Victoria's head and approached me. "Edward, I'm sorry about…" Rose started, but I would not let her finish as I hugged her. Her thoughts told me all I needed to hear.
"Rose, anything that happened in the past should be left there. We are both different people now."
"So you can forgive me?" She asked.
"Yes, I forgave you a long time ago."
"Thank you." Rose reached up and lightly kissed my cheek for the first time ever.
"Hey! Can I get in on this action?" Emmett asked before wrapping both of us into a giant bear hug. A moment later Alice and Jasper joined in.
I started to laugh at how ridiculous this scene would appear to an outsider. Five sentimental immortals hugging in the middle New Mexico, while the remains of three other vampires littered the ground. It was a true supernatural greeting card moment.
We all let go of one another before Jasper slapped me on the shoulder. "First you say 'fuck', now you're laughing out loud like a fool. Who are you and what have you done to my brooding brother?" Jasper teased.
We all laughed at me expense and it felt good.
After we collected the bodies, we burned them to ash. As the morning sun peaked over the horizon we all decided to head north into the Rocky Mountains for some hunting and family bonding. I looked back towards the southwestern sky. Hundreds of miles away was the city of Phoenix…and my singer. I wouldn't be going back. I knew Alice would keep looking out for terrible happenings, but I had to stop my own stalker-ish visits. My presence could easily draw others of my kind towards her. Unless I was willing to stay and be a permanent protector, I needed to let her go.