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Chapter 12:
3rd person POV
Prom was getting close and Athena as well as her family had fallen back into the comfort of so called 'normal' settings. Without her being anything else than a somewhat super-human. Bella Swan and Athena kept away from each other as much as possible at all times. Athena taking all of Edward's attention, which was not so popular.
Alice seemed bothered as of late. Both Edward and Athena had noticed. However, she always hid whatever she was thinking of when Edward was close enough to her thoughts, and at times, that could really get tiring, even for a vampire. The future was a blur. She remembered what Athena had said about nomads, but somehow they just followed their instincts. They did not make very many solid decisions. A little change of the wind easily distracted them and made them take splitting decisions, which made it confusing for Alice to look for them. And she was truly trying. Because when they were there, they had to fight for their territory unless they wanted a bloodbath. She knew the reason why as well, nevertheless she still kept quiet about it. Keeping up her bubbly personality as her façade.
Bella Swan was in their future as well. With red eyes. Alice was not entirely sure what that meant, or why someone had decided to change her. However, it was all Bella wanted. She wanted true beauty for eternity and she wanted to fight for Edward. It did not matter that he kept saying he did not want her, because she would stay persistent. Athena was getting unclear as well and Alice had a feeling that soon she would go through another change, though she could still see her. Just in a much more blurry way. It was almost like having bad sight.
"Bella Swan is coming our way," Rosalie said with a sigh at lunch.
"Ignore her," Edward whispered to Athena who stiffened in her seat.
"I'm trying," Athena muttered.
Bella stopped by the side of Edward that was not between Athena. Strangely enough, Emmett did not scare her. One hand was on her hip while the other helped holding her bag over her shoulder.
"Edward," Bella said sweetly and Athena nearly chocked on her drink. Making Emmett snigger.
"What?" Edward asked with a somewhat harsh tone.
"Are you planning to go to prom?"
"Yes, with my girlfriend, Athena," Edward replied and got up from his seat.
Bella's expression fell and her eyes narrowed. "I'll see you there," she added and left before Athena could bite.
Athena was growling so all the vampires could hear and they watched her carefully.
"Let me rip her throat out," she growled and Edward helped her up.
"I can't let you do that," he said with a frown.
"I can barely take her anymore," she hissed.
"Neither of us can," Rose said and glared in Bella's direction. "She puts us in danger."
"I have her up my throat," Athena groaned, as she got ready to go to next class.
"Same," Edward muttered in agreement.
Alice was fairly quiet and started to stare out in front of her. Edward frowned as he watched the vision through Alice's thoughts.
"No," Edward snarled lowly.
"It can be changed," Alice hurriedly said as she got out of her trance.
"Why?" he hissed and pulled Athena close.
"Woah," Athena exclaimed, the gesture unexpected.
"She is determined. We just need to keep her away from us," Alice said.
"Who?" Jasper asked.
"Do I need to break someone's neck?" Emmett asked and grinned.
"Idiot," Rose muttered and slapped him on his head.
"Hey, what was that for?"
"Think," was all Rose responded with.
Emmett rubbed the back of his head and felt a bit confused. I'm not sure…
Jasper shook his head hopelessly.
"Let's just go to class," Athena muttered.
The day passed without further complications and the Cullens returned home. Athena went straight to her room followed by Edward. She angrily slammed the door in his face and he hurriedly opened the room up again and entered after her. Then she closed the bathroom door behind her. Some rustling around and then a heavy sigh.
"What's wrong?" Edward asked and pressed his ear against the door.
"I have two silver rings on my eyes. What do you think it means?" Athena said on the other side and then unlocked.
The door opened and Edward saw what she meant. Around her pupils and on the edge of her irises were silver rings. Creating a mystic look. And not only her eyes. As she stood in front of him, he saw her hair changing already. Silver streaks started to appear in her hair. Almost glowing and sparkling. It was truly a beautiful sight. But that was all the noticeable changes, nothing else could give any clue as to what would happen.
He took strands of silver in his hand and showed it to Athena. Her eyes widened.
"It's not bad," Edward teased.
Athena sighed. "I guess."
"Are you going to shower?"
She nodded and he closed the door in front of him. Ignoring his urge to be in there with her. He smiled silently as her thoughts filled with songs as she stepped under the shower spray.
Hmm…maybe I should turn it some warmer?...
A scream went through the house and Athena came running out of the bathroom, panting.
"What's wrong?" Edward asked and took her in his arms, looking over her shoulder.
"Th-the shower! It steamed!" Athena shrieked.
Edward raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" he wondered aloud, let go of her, and went inside. Leaving Athena to look in after him.
It was truly steaming. Then he turned the shower off on the handle. He waved her inside and she carefully stepped in. He turned on the shower and it started to flow.
"Athena, may I test something?" he asked and she nodded yes in response. "Think of freezing the water."
"Why?" Athena wondered.
"Because I believe that the witch theory-"
"I get the picture," Athena interrupted, followed by another sigh.
"I'm sorry, Athena. I didn't think-"
"I know and I'm sorry as well. I just wish this would be over soon."
"I'm here for you and so is our family, remember?"
"Yeah, I do."
Edward hugged her close. "Now, about freezing the water."
"On it." Athena did close her eyes and thought of the falling water to freeze. She heard the cracking sounds and opened her eyes and saw the frozen water. She thought of it to melt again and so it started to flow.
"We should practice control," Edward said and she nodded against his chest.
"Mm, definitely." But now I want to continue my shower, if that's ok, she added a bit more with a teasing tone in her head.
"Of course," Edward responded and let go before he turned with one more look her way and closed the door behind himself. Looking down on his partly wet clothes. Oh great, now I need to change as well.
I love you, Athena thought, knowing he heard her clearly.
She hurriedly finished her shower. Not wanting any more accidents when not having her newfound powers under control.
Victoria watched her mate through their hunt with interested eyes. The hunt this time around had been rather boring. More than usual.
They came to Forks, Washington later that night. James following a certain sweet scent that lured him in. Close. The human was close.
The house was close to the tree line and James showed Victoria the girl on the inside. With a smirk, he crept closer.
Bella sat in her room. She had just finished her homework, satisfied with the result. Now she could focus on her other thoughts. Edward. Oh, how she wanted him.
She got up from her bed and watched herself in the mirror. She had even started to use makeup for his sake. But no matter what she tried, his attention kept elsewhere. She did not stand a chance as she was a measly human.
Oh yes, she had figured out of the Cullen family's secret, thanks to Jacob Black. That time he had easily believed her, however, she had not kept in touch and she hoped he got the hint. Her flirting would only be for Edward from now on. She would have him. But first, she needed a way to turn into a vampire. Oh how she wanted the beauty. Then Edward would for sure see her. Then maybe she would get his attention.
A scraping sound sounded and her head snapped to the window.
It happened so fast that she barely could understand what was happening. Suddenly she was outside in the rainy weather. Between trees.
"Well, well, well. Our next meal smells delicious," James hissed. His eyes gleaming with interest.
Bella smiled as she understood what creatures she was up against.
"You're vampires," she stated. It obviously threw off the three vampires and they all looked at her with interest and shock.
"How do you know?" Victoria said, followed by a growl.
She leapt to the ground and took hold of Bella's right leg. Then threw her into a three and she fell to the ground like a doll.
"I know," Bella started, followed by coughing. "Because there are vampires living in this town," she finished and the three vampire's eyes widened.
"So we were not wrong on the scents then," Laurent muttered and Victoria nodded.
"Shall we eat?" Victoria suggested.
"Please, please change me!" Bella pleaded.
"Are you kidding me? Such a delicious smelling blood and you want to deny us that?" James chuckled lowly in his throat. "Funny."
"I mean it. And you can all have a sip, but please change me."
"You wish to become like us?" Victoria asked with raised eyebrows.
"I do," Bella answered.
"This shall prove to be more interesting than we thought," Laurent mused.
"Indeed," James agreed.
"Aphrodite!" Gaia yelled through the temple. "Aphrodite!"
"Gaia, please lower your voice," Aphrodite scolded as she came out of the nursery.
"Oh, there you are," Gaia said and breathed out.
"I am often in there, as you should already know," Aphrodite said and frowned.
"Stop that, I prefer your cheerful mood. I miss it quite a lot," Gaia said firm, making Aphrodite sigh.
"I shall be happy again when my daughter is."
"I see. Well, there is news at last."
"What news?"
"She's on her final stage. Able to use magic. When that is over she shall live happily with her mate and you will be able to visit her again."
"That shall be a relief," Aphrodite agreed.
"I wish you all the best, Aphrodite. Until next time."
"Thank you, mother earth. I wish you the best in return. May your travels go without trouble."
Gaia nodded and left through the temple doors.
Aphrodite hugged herself and went to the fountain in the middle of the front room. Red roses surrounded it. The very symbol. She sat down on the edge and looked into the water. Silently she wished for it to show her Athena. It did. She was standing outside with Jasper and he was keeping her calm while she tried to use her newfound magic.
Her hand whisked away the image and the rings in the water made it disappear completely. She leant backwards for a moment and looked up at the ceiling in her temple. She could not see the night sky, but she could imagine the stars outside. Twinkling in the night.
She closed her eyes and behind her eyelids, she remembered another time. Another life. Her carefreeness could go the Gods on the nerves. Briefly, she wondered if that was why Zeus was punishing her. Or if it was since she actually refused him, as well as many other Gods. Though it was most likely him.
After meeting her true mate she had also stopped seeking pleasure when she felt the need and those that never got the chance never would. She was happy with giving others love and extra pleasure in their lives. It was enough. She had felt true love and without her true soulmate, she would never seek another man again.
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