Chapter Four

The tight grip on my arm forced me up out of my seat, and I could do nothing more than allow myself to be pulled out of the classroom, the hot smell of blood choking me and pain bringing white lights to my eyes. Dizzying nausea pulsated through my body, and I had no idea if I was walking straight, or even still upright. I was distantly aware of a cold wind hitting my face, before my back was slammed against something hard. My head flew back, my skull crunching against what I identified as a brick wall behind me, only adding to the pain and confusion overcoming my senses. A cold hand pressed against my throat, forcing my head into staying up. The grip was so strong that I was lifted up, my back scraping painfully against the rough brick. I managed to look down, and into the blazing dark golden eyes of Jasper. I reached down for Iris, before I realized that I must have left the dagger – my only weapon – in my schoolbag. With the amount of blood I was losing, I knew that there was no way I could fight him off. I guess this is my punishment for letting myself slip up, the thought floated through my mind as I struggled to remain conscious. At least if I passed out, my death would be painless. Jasper's face was close to mine, and he was shaking, sucking air between his bared teeth with an angry sound. There was no Southern gentleman here.

"You vampires are all the same," I spat, but rather than sound as aggressive as I wanted it to, my voice came out weak.

The grip on my neck loosened slightly, "What did you say?"

"You heard me,"

His grip tightened unbearably, and I let out a final gasp as my throat was closed off completely. This was it, I braced myself, angry that I hadn't died fighting, like I always imagined. Angry that I'd even tried to pull this off. Of course I couldn't take the Yellow-Eyes. They were legends for a reason. If only I hadn't been so big-headed, and realized that earlier, I might still be at the Cult, with Nicholas. Nicholas. I even missed him now. I'd never expected him to come to mind in my dying moments.

Suddenly, his hand fell away and I sunk to the ground, my legs unable to support me. As my throat was released, I fought to suck air back into my lungs. Choking and spluttering, I knew that I should get up and flee, but my legs wouldn't even let me stand, let alone outrun a vampire. I was aware of Jasper above me, but he didn't speak for a few moments, as if he too was stunned by my release. Before I'd fully gotten my breath back, Jasper spoke, "Who are you? How do you know about us?"

I didn't answer him. I'd rather die. With an angry growl, Jasper grabbed my arms. I thought that he was going to throw me against the wall again, and this time carry out the act, but instead he tossed me onto his back, and began to run.

Maybe he wanted somewhere more secluded.

I could only let him carry me, with anger coursing through my veins, but nowhere to direct it. We must have travelled around a mile, and by the time Jasper slowed, I was slipping into the world of the unconscious. My eyelids, as heavy as lead, shut without my permission as Jasper slid me into his arms, with my head resting on his chest. This wasn't just angering, it was humiliating. Dying in a vampire's embrace, snuggled into his chest like a child. The environment changed around me, and from the hollow footsteps and warm, enclosed feeling, I knew that we were in a building.

"Carlisle," Jasper hollered, his voice hoarse and strained with barely contained thirst. I didn't know why he'd bothered bringing me here, unless feeding was a family occasion. Nausea grabbed my stomach at the thought of being drained by an entire coven. I felt another presence, and readied myself, but instead of pain, I felt a soft, careful hold replace Jasper's.

"She impaled herself with the stake in school. I had to bring her back here. She knows about us," He added the last part in a forced whisper,

"I see," Another voice, softer and calmer than Jasper's replied. He sounded older, and if I wasn't mistaken there was an English accent hidden under the American one. This was Carlisle, the leader of the Yellow Eyes. And I was in his arms. After that, I lost consciousness completely, and I never expected to wake up.

...

Once I'd managed to separate the dream world from the real one, and decided that I was now in the real one, I focused my returning strength into my eyelids. My eyes opened to a sight that made me immediately reach for my dagger. A blonde vampire, with disconcertingly warm and concerned golden eyes, was leant over me. When I moved, he reared away quickly, "I apologize. I didn't mean to scare you,"

I stayed on edge, realizing that I was unarmed. I attempted to make sense of my surroundings. I was among some kind of hospital equipment, but beyond that, this place was more like a converted office. Windows took the place of walls to my left and right, and the whole place smelt like wood, vampires...and clinical fluids.

"My name is Carlisle. I'm part of the Olympic Coven here in Forks. I don't mean you any harm," He said, his voice sincere, but not unkind. "My son, Jasper, brought you here to our home when you impaled the stake in your wrist. I've treated you, and you should be able to leave soon. I don't want you to feel like you're forced to stay here, but I would appreciate a little more time for your wounds to heal."

I couldn't help but betray my confusion at his words. Who were these vampires? Was it possible that they'd spent so long amongst humankind that they'd become humane?

No.

That would go against everything I'd ever been taught, and I wasn't ready for an entire reconsideration of my life.

I looked down at my wrist to distract myself from his gaze. It was heavily bandaged, and on a tray on the desk beside me was a mass of bloodied towels, and a shattered stake. He must have seen me looking, "The wood was crushed on impact with your skin, and it shattered within your wrist, damaging your nerves, veins, arteries and tissues," He paused, before continuing carefully, "Jasper mentioned that you knew about us – vampires – but am I right in saying that you aren't one yourself?"

I nodded slowly, giving him the confidence to continue. I could sense the excitement in his voice as he described what he'd discovered about me.

"Your skin is undeniably strong, but more similar in texture to porcelain than a vampire's, which explains how the wood penetrated your skin and shattered. Your eyes are unusual. Tell me, do they change colour often?"

"Only with emotion," I admitted quietly. I had to make sure that I didn't give him too much information, but in the same way, I couldn't appear unfriendly. This was the greatest chance I'd get at securing a relationship with this coven. "Thank you for healing me, Carlisle."

He smiled and nodded, "It was my pleasure."

His head suddenly twitched towards the door behind him, "Jasper is here to see you. Is that alright?"

I nodded, and sat up a little, my strength returning by the moment. It unnerved me that Carlisle had left me unbound by medication or physical containment, as if he trusted an absolute stranger, who had the capacity to murder his entire family. Either that or he was safe in the ignorant knowledge that he was strong enough to hold me. Somehow, that didn't sound right, but then again, I'd been surprised so much by these vampires that I wouldn't put anything past them. Carlisle touched my hand briefly before he left, sending shock from the point of contact to my heart. I watched him leave, as Jasper crept in past him. The uncertainty of his movements, the sorrow and guilt in his eyes, the way he walked towards me slowly, as if not to frighten me, all caressed the lukewarm feelings brewing for the coven in my heart.

Wait...did I just think that!

I was looking at the enemy. An enemy who'd put me in hospital...kind of. An enemy who'd drain my blood if he had the chance. But he had had the chance, and he'd brought me here instead. This was getting stranger by the moment.

"How are you?" He asked quietly, snapping me from my reverie.

"I've been better," I answered light-heartedly,

"I'm sorry about what I did," He said, stopping a few metres from my bed.

"You should be," I smiled faintly, "But you didn't kill me,"

"If it's any consolation, I wanted to," He admitted, looking down guiltily.

"Maybe you should look that word up," I grinned, before turning a little more serious, "I'm sorry about lying to you about who I was. I guess this makes us even,"

It didn't exactly make us even, and Jasper knew it, but he stepped forward and shook the hand I offered weakly, careful not to grip my injured arm too hard or shake it too strongly. We stayed in silence for a moment, before I used the opportunity.

"Where's my schoolbag?" I asked nonchalantly.

Jasper cocked his head to one side, before letting out a confused laugh, "Morgana, are you saying that you're in a house full of vampires, and you're more worried about your schoolwork?"

"Workaholic," I admitted,

"I didn't bring it with me. As you can imagine, I was a little preoccupied. I can call Rosalie or Emmett to pick it up though,"

I thought about this for a moment, before answering, "Thank you. That would make me feel better."

He smiled, still not venturing too close to me. He pursed his lips together thoughtfully, before asking, "Morgana, what are you?"

"That's quite a forward question," I mocked jokingly, covering my utterly non-humorous thoughts. I cast my mind forward to what my answer could lead to, and deciding on the most effective for keeping me in with the Cullens, I replied, "I'm a Wicken. I've...I've lived for a long time, and I wanted to see what you were like before I made my introduction. You out of anyone should know what a curse immortality can be."

Jasper looked sorrowful, but before he could speak, Carlisle appeared at the door. "I apologize for eavesdropping, but did you say that you were a Wicken?"

Maybe it wasn't entirely by accident that I'd let him hear.

"Yes. Humans mistake us for witches, but witches are evil. Wickens are creatures of Nature. I didn't mean to intrude on your family, and I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused. I only wished to meet people like me. Immortals." I lied.

Carlisle looked sympathetic, which was slightly annoying, but his obvious interest in me was working to my advantage. "Then, Morgana, it would be my pleasure to invite you to stay with us. If that's what you want?"

I sat up in surprise, "Oh...are you sure? I wouldn't want to cause your coven any problems..."

Carlisle opened his mouth to speak, but Jasper cut him off, "She can't stay here!"

For one terrifying moment, I thought that he'd caught me out, but he looked agonizingly at Carlisle, hissing, "What if I can't control myself?"

"Son, you carried her here whilst she was bleeding. I do not wish to put you in an upsetting position, but I believe that you have the willpower to keep both of you safe." He touched his shoulder, "I'm very proud of you,"

He looked stricken, but I gave him a weak thumbs-up, "Don't worry about me. I'm stronger than I look,"

"I can see that..." Jasper murmured, glancing at the remains of the stake.

"Thank you, Carlisle." I smiled at him,

Thank you for making your death so much easier.