Disclaimer on first chapter

shadow dash 74: I have no intentions to stop writing about Hera's life. When I said I was planning to wrap up this story, I meant I would be starting a new one soon. I fully intend to continue the series, so there will be lots more Hera to come! Sorry for the confusion and thanks for reviewing ;)

Chapter 6 – Animal Magnetism

Edward was astounded at how the animals reacted to Hera! They'd had to leave the petting zoo early because every single creature in the enclosure flocked to the phoenix and he'd grown uncomfortable with the amount of attention this brought them from the staff and other patrons. At first he'd climbed into the enclosure with her, thinking the animals would sense the vampire in him and pull away. Unfortunately all this did was make them fear for the life of their new best friend and try to save her. If animals had a mafia, he'd no doubt they would have tried to take him out that day.

He was so glad Emmett would never see the moment he'd been head-butted in the rear end by one of the more aggressive goats. He could only pray Alice wasn't privy to that moment through her visions.

Hera had never laughed so hard.

Of course Hera thought the influx of attention was remarkable. She'd always been fascinated with wildlife, (as are most children), but this is the first time they've ever been drawn to her in such fashion! Edward was finally able to get her to agree to exit the pen with promises of face painting and a toy from the gift shop.

He had been so desperate to leave that he would have bought her anything she'd asked for at that point.

At the third exhibit they visited after the damned petting zoo, Edward discretely sniffed his mate. His thoughts were she had been sprayed by some kind of animal attracting pheromone by an evil mad scientist… or maybe Emmett. But other than the strong odor of goat, she smelled the same as always. He was at a loss.

When they reached the polar bear enclosure, he witnessed something else to add to his growing list of animal oddities. Hera obediently listened while Edward read the information from the placard before she tilted her head to the side and interrupted him.

"Why doesn't Binky like you, Edward?"

The vampire stopped reading the boring polar bear facts aloud mid-sentence when Hera asked her question. The abruptness of it caused him a moment's pause, but he looked up at the creature about which he assumed the child was speaking. The massive bear stood as closely to them as his habitat allowed and was pawing at the ground as if making an attempt to tunnel out. "Binky?"

Hera nodded. "Yeah… he doesn't like you, but you're real nice so I don't know why."

Chuckling, the vampire could come up with a dozen reasons any animal would have to dislike him… starting with his fangs. He looked around to make certain there were no people in hearing distance before crouching down next to his mate. "Well, sunshine, animals can usually tell what I am without me trying to eat them."

Hera took that in for a moment before looking confused. "How?"

Edward shrugged. "Lots of ways. Let's see… there's instinct, smell, my abnormally handsome looks…."

The child giggled and interrupted with, "Your massive ego."

The vampire stared at the five-year-old, aghast. "How do you even know what that means?!"

"I don't, but Alice told me yesterday that when I heard you say the words 'abnormally handsome looks,' that I had to interrupt you and say that." Hera was very pleased with herself for remembering. Edward could only laugh at his sister's foresight.

Never a dull moment.

"Anyway, animals have always been able to sense what I am." He glanced back at the polar bear, who hadn't moved from his spot since they arrived. "What makes you think Twinky doesn't like me?"

His intentional mangling of the name she'd given the animal had the desired results when she laughed. "Binky! And I don't know… something's telling me he just doesn't like you." She adopted a stern look and spoke to the bear. "Edward's nice, Binky!"

The animal's response was to give what appeared to be a sarcastic snort before laying down before them. Edward found himself feeling a little insulted before shaking his head at the absurdity of his thoughts.

While Edward and Hera were watching the beast, a tour guide came up to the enclosure with a group of children not much older than the phoenix beside him. "And here we have Binky the polar bear, kids," exclaimed the overly cheerful zookeeper. "He was found orphaned in the Alaska North Slope when he was only a cub. His rescuers brought him here in 1975."

Edward immediately picked the phoenix up and moved away from the group. "How did you know his name was Binky, Hera?" Reading her thoughts as she tried to formulate an answer, he was amazed that she seemed to know the answer instinctively.

She shrugged, "He just seems like a 'Binky' to me."

"Uh huh." Edward cast his gaze out into the polar bear enclosure once more. Finding what he was looking for, Edward pointed out another of the species to the little girl. "And what does that one look like to you?"

Hera scratched her head as she stared at the creature who was sleeping much farther away. "Like a 'Mimi.'"

Edward nodded and immediately waved at the zookeeper. Once he had her attention, he smiled charmingly. "I'm sorry to bother you, miss, but my little sister here was wondering what that bear's name was."

The young lady blushed at having the eyes of the handsome vampire on her and responded immediately. "Oh, it's no trouble at all! That pretty girl's name is Mimi. She was brought in when Binky grew old enough to desire a mate."

Shocked beyond belief, Edward politely thanked the human and excused himself and Hera, uncaring of the woman's disappointment at not having been asked on a date. This entire situation was… well he didn't know an exact word to describe it, but he hoped it was a good thing. As he carried Hera towards the Musk Ox exhibit he began to wonder if the animals were attracted to his mate's creature the same way they were repelled by his own.

If so, her powers were definitely getting stronger. This wasn't Hera's first trip to the zoo, and the animals certainly hadn't acted like this the last time she'd gone!

Edward opened the door for his mate, who eagerly ran inside to show everyone her cheetah face paint and stuffed polar bear, named Binky of course. Esme raised her eyebrow at him and he smiled innocently in return. He had known she wouldn't be happy with him for kidnapping Hera, but he could read in her thoughts that she didn't truly mind the whirlwind trip.

"No Emmett you can't eat me… I'm not a real cheetah," Hera exclaimed from the living room, prompting Edward to intervene.

Picking up the girl who'd run around the couch to evade her brother, he said, "I think she's had enough excitement for today Emmett." Hera stuck her tongue out at Emmett until Edward continued with, "You can eat her tomorrow."

"Uh!" Everyone laughed at the insulted look on Hera's painted face.

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