~ Chapter Nine ~
By the end of the day, the Cullen children returned with Isabella Swan in tow. Harleigh glanced up from the book he had been perusing, waiting for Carlisle to return, and scowled. Regardless of their Sire's desire to keep Miss Swan away from him, they continued to parade her before Harleigh hoping the pair would warm to the idea of having her around. They refused to realize Carlisle would only grow more likely to attack her than to keep her around.
Instead of welcoming her as Esme had done, Harleigh stood and with a welcoming nod to Rosalie made his way up the stairs and to his room. The snub was obvious and Harleigh delighted in the complaints immediately directed towards Esme by her children. Miss Swan remained quiet on the matter, eyes following Harleigh as he left.
"Keep your eyes to yourself," Rosalie hissed, noticing Isabella's focus.
"Rosalie!" Esme scolded.
The entire Cullen family stared at Rosalie in shock. Certainly, they knew Rosalie disliked Bella but never had she gone against the family's wishes regardless of how distasteful she found their desire. Now, she was openly arguing against them, choosing Harleigh over most of the family, and distancing herself from Bella.
"There was no reason for your words Rosalie!" Alice snapped, moving Bella behind her as if to protect her from the words.
"She should know better and so should you. It's obvious Carlisle doesn't want her anywhere near Harleigh and you are all ignoring his request to keep her away. Carlisle isn't going to suddenly change his mind the more you bring her here."
The group shifted uncomfortably, they knew Rosalie was correct. Alice desired to keep her human friend and the bright future she witnessed with Bella amongst them. Jasper hadn't wanted to upset his wife. While Emmett simply wanted to keep most of his family happy even though his wife was furious and disgusted with the human.
Edward shifted at their thoughts. Alice and Esme were desperate for Bella to remain in the family so much that they were blinded by it even as Edward began to have second thoughts. Frustratingly enough, Alice knew his thoughts were changing and yet she continued to push forward with Bella as his chosen mate. Before he could speak, Bella stepped forward.
"I am going to part of this family and you've known me longer. Perhaps not as long as your family, but longer than any other mortal. Why are you bonding with Harleigh over me? Harleigh will eventually leave but I will remain here. I will be family."
Rosalie sneered at the brown eyes trying to win her over. "You'll never be my family."
With barely a look at the shock on her family's face, Rosalie followed in Harleigh's steps, moving upstairs, knowing no one would dare to follow. She had grown tired. Their reluctance to admit Bella didn't fit with their family created a rift and it only grew wider. As she reached the top floor, she paused outside Harleigh's room and knocked before entering.
Harleigh barely welcomed her with a smile before she committed.
"When you and Carlisle leave Forks after this ordeal is done I would like to travel with you."
Rosalie's words gave Harleigh pause as he set down the book he'd brought upstairs. There was a determined expression upon her face mixed with a stubbornness he'd witnessed upon another. The memory it brought forth was not amongst his fondest but Rosalie's caused him to reconsider his initial response of denying her request.
"You would leave your mate behind?" He questioned.
Harleigh didn't want Rosalie to decide and regret it later causing her to be miserable. Leaving her mate behind would be difficult especially as they were on opposite sides of the Bella debate.
"It would be the hardest choice I've made since begging Carlisle to turn Emmett." Rosalie admitted. "However, Isabella Swan's presence in our lives has caused my family to change into people I barely recognize. If Emmett chooses to remain then he isn't the person I fell in love with."
Harleigh could see the emotions waring on her face and screaming through her eyes. Yet, she remained determined. Rosalie had come to accept if no one decided to make a change the family would continue this path regardless of the outcome. So, she made the decision to follow Carlisle and Harleigh.
"Your decision might not be enough to create a change the entire family will follow." Harleigh cautioned.
"I am aware of that," Rosalie snapped, "however, I refuse to allow the whims of some human to dictate our life."
"Am I not the same then? Pushing into your life and controlling the actions of Carlisle?"
Rosalie walked up to Harleigh and, minding her strength, cuffed him over the head. "Don't compare yourself to Swan. You aren't controlling Carlisle. If anything, your presence allows Carlisle to act selfishly and without thought to everyone else."
"Carlisle being selfish is a good outcome?" Harleigh questioned, with a raised brow.
"Generally, Carlisle would always place everyone's desire above his without any second thought. It's about time Carlisle made a decision for himself rather than everyone else."
Harleigh couldn't remember the last time Carlisle had allowed himself to be placed above someone else from within his family. Certainly, when they were alone Carlisle would speak about what he wanted to do. That seemed to end, however, when Edward had been introduced to their family. From there, everything had just spiralled out of control.
"Perhaps, you have a point." Harleigh conceded.
Rosalie smirked. "Of course, I have a point. I'm fabulous."
Harleigh could only laugh.
x-x-x-x-x
As Carlisle pulled up the driveway, he snarled. Inside his home, and against his wishes, he could hear Isabella Swan. Her heart beat thudded against her chest, calm and relaxed, despite knowing she wasn't welcome within their home by the patriarch.
Carlisle honestly believed if she held Edward's attention Isabella didn't care who she upset. Perhaps in her mind, she assumed her change into a vampire would make everyone happy, that they would be a family as she'd witnessed before her interruption. Little did Isabella care to realise her change would not endear her towards those that disliked her personality. Instead, it would only ensure the continued separation within their family.
His children greeted Carlisle eagerly as soon as he opened the front door. A quick glance around the room revealed Harliegh and Rosalie to be missing from the group, and though this eased his worry over Harleigh it did nothing to lessen the anger Carlisle felt at having Isabella within their home.
"Is there a reason Miss Swan is here and not at home?"
"We normally bring Bella here when school is finished. This is almost more of a home for her than Charlie's house." Alice smiled.
Yet, while Alice remained bright and joyous, her siblings could tell Carlisle was furious. Jasper had immediately flinched away from Carlisle's emotions, the fury rolling off him in waves. Edward had been bombarded with thoughts and plans to remove Bella from their home, some of them being less than ideal and driven by vampiric instinct. Emmett, on the other hand, had simply seen the tense movements with which Carlisle moved and recognized the desperation of holding back from the attack.
While Bella was pleased that Alice had stood up for her, the joy immediately faded upon hearing Carlisle's growled words.
"I told you not to bring her here and within the last twenty-four hours I have not suddenly changed my mind."
"But, I always come here after school."
It was a terrible argument. Bella's words, however, had an immediate effect upon Carlisle. He straightened in height, his form rolling with the power only a patriarch could control.
Without looking at Isabella Swan, Carlisle instructed his children, "You will return Miss Swan to her home and not bring her back again."
Alice stood in protest, shielding Bella from Carlisle's anger and ready to argue in her favour. "But Carlisle, she'll be family soon enough. Can't we-"
"If you wish to spend time with Miss Swan in the future, you will do it away from this house."
"You mean away from Harleigh."
Alice's scathing remark had Carlisle clenching his fists. The verbal mention of Harleigh wasn't something Carlisle could handle in the presence of people less than welcoming of his position within their family. The pure contempt within Alice's voice wasn't something he could handle.
Yet, before Carlisle could move forward and attack, Harleigh stood by his side a hand resting against his arm. His presence calmed Carlisle enough for him to strain out the words he constantly had to repeat to the children.
"Yes, I want her away from Harleigh. Isabella is not family and so she will leave this residence and not return."
Alice sneered at Harleigh displeased that he could alter Carlisle's decision about accepting her into their family.
"Oh, stop it Alice," Rosalie snapped, as she walked down the stairs, "It's not Harleigh or Carlisle's fault that Miss Swan isn't likeable to everyone."
"I like her! Esme likes Bella! Edward loves Bella! Why can't accepting her into the family be as simple as that?"
Because of their position, Carlisle, Rosalie, and Harleigh all noticed as Edward glanced away in guilt as Alice mentioned their love. They chose not to mention it. If Edward was having second thoughts it was something he needed to work through without the help of the others. They couldn't sway his decision.
"You may enjoy having a mortal companion Alice, however, that shouldn't be a reason to consider turning her. That decision rests with Edward and you can't influence this Alice. My concern rests with Miss Swan's uncanny ability to bring unwanted trouble into our lives."
Carlisle raised his hand to ward of Alice's next argument.
"Yes, Alice, sometimes we experience trouble without inviting it in. That is unavoidable. Miss Swan, however, seeks this trouble with the supernatural. She willingly steps towards trouble despite knowing she drags people with her."
"The situation with James was an unavoidable event. It wasn't Bella's fault James felt she would be a good snack."
A normal person would have flinched at being called a snack for a vampire. Isabella Swan sat on the couch pleading with them through her brown eyes as if her sorry appearance could fix everything purely because it could sway Edward.
"Certainly, the first meeting was an unavoidable event. However, she didn't need to go and meet James alone when she knew what he wanted even if he threatened her mother. We are the vampires and more than capable of taking on a single vampire. And it didn't stop there. When we left, she willingly sought out the Shifters after she placed herself in unnecessary danger."
Harleigh frowned as Carlisle spoke of Swan's escapades with the supernatural. Even though she was mortal, she believed she could take on vampires and shifters alike without any thought. She willingly placed herself in danger as well. Did she place herself in danger for a reason, Harleigh pondered? Glancing at Edward, he couldn't help but wonder if it wasn't a ploy to keep Edward by her side.
Alice fell quiet. All Carlisle's concerns were valid. Bella often would place herself in danger and they would always be dragged back in to help her before the mess grew. This entire situation with Victoria stemmed from their interaction with James and how they handled the situation. Yet, Alice still couldn't blame Bella.
As she couldn't find any arguments for Bella to stay, Alice enquired, "How will we protect Bella is she isn't in the house?"
"Edward manages perfectly to sneak into her room. I'm sure it will be little hardship for any of you to do the same," Rosalie sneered.
The room settled into an uncomfortable silence broken only by the breathing of the two humans in the room. Eventually, Alice took Isabella by the arm and began to guide her from the room accepting that Carlisle wouldn't allow her to remain. Edward followed behind.
Once they were inside their car and speeding toward Charlie's house did Bella speak. "I thought Carlisle liked me?"
"Carlisle accepted you, Bella, because you were what I wanted," Edward replied.
Alice gave her brother a sharp look but didn't make a comment. If Edward wanted to speak the truth to Bella, then she would allow it so long as it didn't hurt her friend.
"But then, how has he gained Rosalie's affection, but I can't?"
"Rosalie is a difficult person and her experiences in her human life have left her cautious in allowing people to see her when she feels vulnerable. Most people never get to see that side of her as it is."
"I want Rosalie to like me. I want Harleigh to like me."
Edward shook his head but refused to comment, allowing the car to fall into silence. Rosalie would never like Bella. Bella, in Rosalie's eyes, was a weak human and wouldn't amount to anything even if she was turned into a vampire. Bella just didn't have any ambition or drive to step up and take initiative.
As for Harleigh, it seemed the more he heard of Bella the more he frowned. Even if Edward couldn't hear Harleigh, he'd become accustomed at reading people's faces enough to see the dislike and disbelief Harleigh felt towards Bella. Edward couldn't say he truly blamed Harleigh either. Listening as Carlisle spoke of Bella's encounters with the supernatural just left him feeling numb.
The silence within the car continued till they arrived at Charlie's house and Bella made to step out only to stop and frown.
"Aren't you coming inside Edward?"
Though he was driving, Edward hadn't made a move to stop the car and allow Alice to take the vehicle home while moving inside with his girlfriend. Instead, he resolved he wouldn't. He needed to see what a day away from Bella would make him feel.
"Alice can watch over you tonight. I need to hear what Harleigh located the other day."
Alice narrowed her eyes and said, "Don't allow Carlisle and Harleigh to change your feelings towards Bella. She will be our family, Edward, whether they like it or nor."
Waiting until they moved inside before he reversed, Edward couldn't help but admit to himself that his feelings had already changed.
x-x-x-x-x
Harleigh watched as Carlisle relaxed the further Isabella Swan moved away from the house. If Carlisle's family continued to push the situation with Bella the result would be far worse than them leaving. Yet, no one seemed to realise this.
"I think it's time to discuss the information Harleigh gathered from the warehouse."
Carlisle's statement caught the attention of everyone within the house. While the family couldn't see eye to eye regarding Miss Swan, they at least acknowledged the Newborn Army was a significant threat.
While Carlisle, Rosalie, and Harleigh sat on one side of the room, the remainder of the family sat opposite, the divide between them obvious. Harleigh, however, wasn't deterred. He knew Carlisle had called him here for help and he would do his job with the utmost professionalism. He didn't need their acceptance.
"When I travelled into Port Angeles it was quite easy to locate your group of newborns," Harleigh began. "Entering was also rather simple. However, the divide I witnessed between the vampires within the warehouse was startling."
"Having a divide between the sire and the newborns is normal," Jasper mentioned. "Newborns have little to no control over what they decide to attack especially if they smell a human. They would be unpredictable."
Harleigh nodded. "They certainly are unpredictable but that wasn't what I meant by division. There was a large majority of newborns around the warehouse, all very agitated at being in the one location without food. Then there was a smaller group of about five. They were still newborn, but they would have been about one or two years old. While they craved blood, they weren't driven maddened by not feeding. Then there were a group of three. These were the group that spotted me and threw me to the newborns."
Carlisle growled but at a sharp look from Harleigh fell quiet.
"Three vampires were old enough to not crave blood. They controlled the newborns and made sure they didn't leave the warehouse. These three are who we must be wary of. They aren't with Victoria because she is their sire. I believe they have joined her because they enjoy creating destruction. They enjoy taking human lives."
"We must take care of the newborns first," Jasper instructed, "these other vampires have enough mind not to just wildly seek out humans for food. Their focus will be on Bella so while we have that we should destroy them."
Everyone readily agreed. The newborns would rush towards Isabella and the group could focus on dispatching the newborns with ease. Then they could take care of the older newborns and keep the town safe.
"How are they so focused on Bella?" Edward asked as he entered the room.
Esme's frown revealed her disappointment that Edward hadn't remained with Bella. No one else dared to bring it up. They could see Edward wanted to focus on the battle at hand and not his romance with the mortal girl.
"While I was there, I noticed they had a pile of clothing in the middle of the warehouse, most likely they belong to Isabella. I'd assume the warehouse would be filled with Isabella's scent which, with the addition of feeding, would force the newborns to associate Miss Swan's scent with food."
"That's good news," Jasper commented.
"Jasper, don't be so insensitive!" Esme scolded, throwing a glance towards Edward.
Jasper didn't apologize, instead he threw an annoyed glance at Edward, before continuing. "If the newborns learn to associate Bella's scent with food then even with other humans around they will still prefer to target Bella. The inhabitants of Forks will be kept safe as long as the fight takes place outside of town."
Carlisle nodded, thankful the facts allowed them to ascertain the newborns direction. "We need to inform the Shifters. We will need everyone to keep the battle focused on Miss Swan and away from spilling into Forks."
"What about the Volturri?" Emmett asked.
Everything they knew about the Volturri led them to believe that in this situation, the Volturri would offer their aid and dispatch of the newborns as well as aid with Victoria.
"No, we will not seek aid from the Volturri. Not only would it be against the wishes of the Shifters, but we would find ourselves with the need to immediately flee."
Carlisle glanced around the room making sure his family understood this was not a term they would be negotiating on. The Volturri could never be brought into this situation. He didn't speak again until they nodded their agreement.
"Good, then we need to speak with the Shifter pack and update them on the situation before we proceed."
x-x-x-x-x
Upon their travels, Carlisle and Harleigh had ventured through many countries yet none compared to Italy. There was something within the city Carlisle felt drawn to. Whether he felt drawn to the narrow streets with towering terra cotta buildings or the tantalizing scent of the ocean breeze, Carlisle enjoyed wandering the streets while Harleigh slept.
Yet, on his wanderings he realized he was being followed every time he stepped out. Thankfully, they kept to themselves during the day but at night they followed Carlisle around thinking they were being stealthy and he was tired of it.
"Why are you stalking me?"
"Do you not know about us?"
The voice from the darkness sounded very young. Carlisle frowned. He certainly hadn't been expecting a youth when he spoke out.
"Should I know who you are just by being followed around Italy?"
"You are newborn. Where is your sire?"
The young vampire stepped out of the darkness along with two others. Carlisle took note that the two younger ones appeared to be siblings while the third was older and stood behind the pair.
"My sire attacked me in retribution for my father's witch hunts. He turned me, so my father would have a monster for a son. My sire fled immediately after infecting me and I fled as soon as I realized what had occurred."
Carlisle felt wary of mentioning Harleigh to these other vampires. They certainly hadn't mentioned him before and he wasn't certain they would welcome his companion if they weren't a vampire. Even worse, their curiosity of Harleigh and Carlisle's bond could mean they might never be permitted to leave. They had lived through enough with Carlisle's father and they wouldn't be through that again.
"Perhaps you should visit our home, we can speak about what it means to be a vampire as obviously you know very little."
Carlisle realized they were speaking about his eye colour. The amber of Carlisle's eyes contrasted against the red of the vampires before him. Even if Carlisle was reluctant to leave with these people, he knew any information he could achieve from these people would offer insight into a normal vampiric life.
With an uncertain nod, Carlisle allowed himself to be guided through the city streets, twisting and turning down roads he couldn't name and finally into a building he didn't recognize. The location held an eerie quiet. Within these walls Carlisle couldn't hear the constant pulse of the human heart, or the whisper of the winds; he couldn't smell the ocean or the freshly baked foods within the markets.
This place, it was devoid of all life and Carlisle instantly vowed never to return.
Yet, the room Carlisle was finally led to appeared ancient further amplified by the three thrones at the very back of the room. The vampires seated there were dressed in a finery Carlisle had only ever heard mentioned in books.
Curiously, the elder vampire Carlisle had travelled here with walked forward and placed his hand upon the centre vampires hand and waited for a nod before he walked back to the side of the room, joining a contingent of other vampires' present.
"Welcome, Carlisle Cullen, come forward and let me delve into your thoughts."
The hand was held out to him, yet Carlisle didn't move.
"Do I not get an introduction?" Carlisle questioned. "Or, perhaps you have grown accustomed to not needing such a common curtesy."
The surrounding vampires released a hiss of displeasure, but Carlisle stood his ground. Certainly, the brash words were something Harleigh would have been likely to say if he were present. However, Carlisle wasn't going to let this slide regardless of Harleigh's influence.
"How intriguing," the centre vampire chuckled, "and of course, forgive me, I am being rude to our guest. My name is Aro, and this is Marcus and Caius. Now, take my hand."
Sensing, this time wasn't a suggestion Carlisle walked forward and placed his hand upon Aro's. He felt nothing as Aro rifled through his head, saw nothing as Aro watched his memories. All Carlisle could do was hope Aro saw nothing of Harleigh or their time together.
"How interesting, a vampire that doesn't crave the blood of a human."
Murmurs echoed through the room. Carlisle didn't comment, not willing to speak if it meant having Harleigh brought up. He was amazed Harleigh hadn't already been mentioned especially because Aro went through his mind. But, as they were slowly learning, the bond between Carlisle and Harleigh changed everything normal as a witch and a vampire.
"How do you feed if not on humans?"
"I have found certain animals to be appetizing. Most of my learning has been trial and error," Carlisle admitted.
The group laughed humourlessly.
"Eating an animal, how human," the little girl laughed.
"Now Jane, do not be rude to our guest. We cannot judge Carlisle on his lifestyle choices."
Jane nodded, keeping her head low to avoid anyone seeing how unrepentant she was of her words.
"What is it you seek?" Carlisle questioned.
Even though these vampires lived as true vampires, Carlisle found them to be despicable. He wanted to race back to Harleigh and flee far from these vampires as possible. But he needed to make sure they would never follow.
Aro appraised Carlisle before speaking, "Our group finds those worthy of being gift with immortality. If they are strong and show potential in their mortal life, they get an invitation to join us. Sometimes, however, we must step in and take matters into our own hands."
Carlisle frowned. Aro never mentioned what happened to those humans who decided against being turned, however, Carlisle could hazard a guess given vampires were a myth.
"You, Carlisle, are something special." Aro smiled. "Your mind is different to others I have touched. Noticeably, there are areas within your mind I cannot reach, memories I cannot touch. Do you know why that is, Carlisle?"
"I am afraid you would know more than I on this subject. I have always thought myself fairly ordinary otherwise."
The modesty would have to cover his uncertainty regarding Harleigh and their bond because despite their bond and his diet, Carlisle presented as an ordinary vampire with no other talent. Yet, Aro could still sense his uncertainty with the situation.
"Do you not wish to be here, Carlisle?"
"I have enjoyed travelling, even if I am restricted to wondering at night. I do not wish to settle down just yet," Carlisle admitted.
Marcus nodded, easily accepting this as truth. Caius remained cold towards Carlisle, not even bothered to look in Carlisle's direction. Aro still seemed unconvinced.
"If you leave, Carlisle, what would you do? Would you turn other vampires, allow them to share in your diet? Would you lead them against us, take control, rule as leader of the vampires?"
Carlisle frowned, uncertain as to where this was headed. "I have no desire to turn anyone, however, I cannot say I wouldn't turn anyone in the future. But, I know for certain, I have no desire to rule over anything. I want to learn, I want to explore, and for now that is enough."
Eventually, Aro nodded his acceptance, and gestured for the doors to be opened. "Very well, you may leave, Carlisle Cullen, but know, should you wish to return, you are always welcome."
Carlisle left without uttering any other word. He didn't trust himself to speak and wonder his fate should he have chosen to be difficult. He needed to get back to Harleigh and speak on what he had learnt. Then, they would leave the city… and though Italy was beautiful, he would never return.
After a long hiatus I have returned. 2017 has been a year of loss and misfortune (probably say more in a tumblr post after xmas). However, I should be able to spend more time writing after the holidays which I'm excited about doing. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
~MidnightEmber