February 25, 2011

Happy weekend, everyone!

The fateful moment between covens has arrived. For those of you keeping tabs on both of my stories, I'm on my way to attempt a new chapter as soon as I finish posting.

As always, enjoy!

~ evelyn-shaye

Special thanks to 7 Ace and 4mejasper, my temporary betas. You offered some wonderful insights!

Chapter Ten: Expectations

I spent the entire next day in a fog. What with the upcoming strategy meeting with Braden's coven and my somewhat awkward talks with Daddy, Momma, and Jacob about our relationship, it was difficult to focus on anything else. In fact, by the time Garet and Tamara approached me in Algebra class that morning, I had forgotten all about the confrontation in the parking lot between Daddy and Jacob that would certainly have looked out of place to those not in the know.

"So…what happened?" Tamara asked with concern. "All we saw was your brother totally chewing Jacob out before he grabbed your arm and tried to pull you away."

"Oh, that." I tried furiously to come up with a vague but satisfactory explanation. "Everything's fine. Edward just noticed that I've spent a lot of time with Jacob for having just met him, and, well, he wanted to play the overprotective brother and make sure Jake wasn't gonna try anything."

"I wish I had a brother that cared that much about me," Garet said appreciatively.

"Yeah, definitely, but I feel bad for Jacob," Tamara added worriedly. She clutched her books to her chest. "I mean, he's new to the area, which has to be intimidating enough without being confronted by one of his classmates."

Tamara had no idea how intimidating Daddy could be. "It's okay, I talked with Edward and Jacob yesterday, and everything's cool," I assured them. "It's only the third day of school, way too early to seriously consider dating anyone."

A slow smile spread across Garet's face. "You like him, don't you?" she guessed slyly.

I blushed. "Yeah, I do," I confirmed. "I mean, it's just a crush, but Jake has to be the greatest guy I've ever met." The first part was a complete lie, of course. Jacob was my soul mate, my one and only, the man I loved and was destined to love. That information seemed a bit weighty for a few freshman girls, though.

"Well, it's only freshman year. You have plenty of time to get to know him," Garet encouraged.

Tamara huffed and took a seat farther away than usual, slamming her books down on her desk.

I faced Garet with confusion. "What's with her?" I asked.

Garet sighed. "It's kinda obvious, isn't it, Nessie? Tamara likes Jacob, too," she informed me.

My eyes widened, even though I'd had my suspicions. Concern for her and jealousy for Jacob conflicted inside of me. "But, she never said anything to me. Sure, she acted like it, but why wouldn't she—"

"Because it's obvious that Jacob is interested in you, Nessie." Garet smiled sadly. "I've known Tamara since sixth grade. She might be forward, but she doesn't get in anyone's way or try to come between a couple. She cares too much for that."

"She's just met me," I protested. I was in no way inclined to let her try to win Jacob's affections, but it seemed unfair to her, and I hurt for my new friend.

Garet laid her hand on my warm arm. Like Tamara, she had expressed concern and fear for my health, but she accepted that it was just a quirk of mine. "Don't worry about it. She has no reason to be upset yet, and she knows it. Give her some time to let it out of her system."

I nodded. There was nothing I could do to reassure Tamara right this minute, and I had bigger things to worry about.

Still, at lunch time, even the guys noticed that Tamara was more subdued than she had been yesterday. Jacob wisely didn't mention what was amiss. I figured that he knew exactly what was wrong.

As we prepared our dinner that afternoon—melted roast beef sandwiches—Jake brought it up. "Is Tamara okay?"

I sighed as I wrapped a sandwich in a paper towel. "She likes you, Jacob. A lot."

He nodded. "I thought she did. Human emotions aren't that difficult for me to read."

I handed him the sandwich to stick in the microwave. "What do I do, Jake? I know exactly how to make her feel better, but I'm not willing to give you up."

Jake laughed and placed a hand on my shoulder. "There's nothing to give up, Nessie. I have absolutely no interest in Tamara and too much interest in you."

My heart warmed at his words. "But there's no rush?" I had to make sure.

"None at all," Jacob answered. "Besides, I don't think any of our classmates expect a relationship from us anytime soon."

"True that," I agreed.

We carried our sandwiches and some apple juice to our normal spots in the living room. Braden's coven was expected to arrive in just under an hour, and vampires were more punctual than any other mythological creatures I had ever met. Our family tried to not seem tense.

"It's just a strategy meeting, totally neutral," Daddy said soothingly, reading our thoughts. Jasper kept close tabs on our various and changing moods, using his talent to balance us.

"Braden has no reason to be anything but hostile," Rosalie hissed, always the pessimist. "We're a huge coven, a possible threat even to the Volturi, and we're in their territory."

"Our hunting styles are different," Grandfather reminded her. "We don't pose a risk of exposure. Esme and I are integrating fairly well into the human business world here, and none of you are drawing unnecessary attention to your differences from your classmates." Grandmother had launched another architectural project and already had real estate agents begging her for the rights. I sensed that she already had a plan for the house, however, possibly a sort of couple's retreat like Isle Esme.

We fell into antsy silence once again. I forced myself to breathe and ignore the twisting in my stomach. I needed to eat some human food to quell my hunting instinct.

It was funny. I had never experimented before, but I would bet that if I gave up on human food entirely and hunted more often, I could survive solely on blood. Usually for a day or two after I fed, I would have no hunger for human food and a golden tint to my chocolate brown eyes like the rest of my family. Then, the color in my irises would fade, and it would be back to three square meals a day.

But I wasn't about to test my theory tonight. I didn't think that attacking the other coven would promote an alliance.

I showed this to Jacob. He smiled slowly, a fierce light in his eyes. "I'd like to attack the filthy vamps," he muttered enthusiastically.

Emmett raised his head in interest, but Daddy frowned. "Please don't give the werewolf any ideas, Renesmee," he said flatly. He still hadn't forgiven me for walking out on him yesterday. He probably wanted me to apologize, but I wouldn't cave until he did. Daddy had no right to treat Jacob that way. I hoped that Momma was able to maintain her determination and give Daddy what he deserved.

Jacob chuckled at my thoughts, as he had last night when I showed him the confrontation in the car and my accompanying emotions. He sided with Momma, of course. I was glad that whatever hardships they had faced together before I was born were over now and they were able to have a healthy friendship.

The hour passed slowly with only minor occupations to distract us. Alice sat perfectly still, searching for any event worth noting. Jasper wandered aimlessly, tasting the air around him, but taking short moments to hover behind his mate. Momma's brow furrowed as she practiced stretching her shield to different sizes and shapes. She wanted to be able to aim her shield at two people standing side by side, but only wrap around one of them, in case of an assault on one of our family members. Daddy meandered among us like Jasper, examining and analyzing thoughts. Rosalie and Emmett had left early in the hour to have some "alone time" until the meeting.

Jacob sat very close to me, constantly touching my hands, my knee, my arm, my face, anything to reassure himself that I was still there. I kept one hand gently to his neck in case I needed to alert him at a sudden notice. At the moment, little butterflies danced in his mind through my palm. Like my childhood dreams. I focused on the pretty images and the feel of his skin beneath my hand to preserve my sanity.

At exactly 5:00 P.M., the doorbell rang, echoing throughout the house. Everyone straightened a fraction of an inch. Momma's shield encompassed us like a protective dome. Grandfather motioned for us to spread out slightly, to not seem so tight-knit and thus appear more open and friendly. Rosalie and Emmett emerged from their bedroom and took their place on an empty loveseat. Jacob didn't remove his hands.

It was easier to focus on their minute actions than to allow my thoughts free reign. I feared what my mind might conjure up in this unstable climate.

Grandfather rose and swiftly crossed the room to answer the door. "Welcome," he greeted the visitors cordially.

"Carlisle Cullen," Braden's cool voice responded. "It is a pleasure to meet the famous leader of the Forks coven."

"You give us much credit," Grandfather thanked him politely. "Please, come in. My family is waiting in the living room."

"Should we stand?" I whispered to Grandmother.

"No, don't," Grandmother answered quietly. "Standing would be an offensive action to them."

"Offensive, how?" Jacob smirked.

"She means like we're preparing an attack," I muttered sarcastically.

"Oh," was all Jacob said in response.

Grandfather rounded the corner with the three vampires in tow. Immediately I was struck with fear at the command Braden carried and the harshness of his bright red eyes.

I started. Bright red? They were maroon the day we met.

Braden noticed my stare and hissed a warning. I cowered into Jacob, who wrapped a protective arm around me and growled softly.

Grandfather stepped between us and held his arms out peacefully. "Please, let there be no fear or hatred here," he pleaded gently. His demeanor and voice reminded me of a kinder version of Aro. "We are here to discuss a truce, not instigate a fight."

His words had an interesting effect on Braden. He blinked furiously, a strange reaction for a vampire. "Forgive me for being skeptical"—he twisted the word—"but we are not accustomed to forming alliances with others of our kind. Such temporary friendships often end in conflict."

"My coven is not like others of our kind, as you say," Grandfather suggested calmly.

"Indeed not," Braden agreed. "It seems that you have two leaders." He indicated Daddy, who had taken his place by Momma.

"Edward and I are the oldest of our coven," Grandfather explained. "If Esme and I are otherwise occupied, he assumes the leadership position."

Braden blinked again. "Esme?" His eyes searched the room until they landed on my petite grandmother. "Please forgive me. I had forgotten about your mate," he apologized. "And how lovely she is!" He offered his hand diplomatically.

Grandmother rose demurely and took his hand. "You are too kind," she answered. She smiled at his two followers before returning her gaze to him. "Your sister, too, is very beautiful."

Leanna smiled, shedding her human guise for that of a typical vampire: pale skin, red eyes, and Braden's long raven hair. "Beauty is subjective." In seconds, she transformed once more into an almost perfect replica of Grandmother, sans the shape of her face and her figure. A number of us gasped before Leanna reassumed the features that marked her as a vampire.

Grandmother nodded, unfazed. "The vampire world is full of mysteries," she replied.

Leanna's smile wavered slightly. Ashton took her hand reassuringly. "Some that will never be fully understood," he added.

Grandmother smiled and assumed her position beside Grandfather. He wrapped his arm around her waist, subtly displaying his protectiveness toward her. "I believe that we wished to discuss division of territory," he began. "From what Edward has told me, you have claimed the woods as your hunting grounds."

Braden's eyes narrowed. A lump rose in my throat—had Grandfather made a slip by revealing that we had discussed how to address the other coven?

"Our claim extends past the woods," Braden informed him. "We do not often hunt in Westhope because the town is so small. We pick off hikers as they come along and reach into bigger cities, sometimes into Canada."

Hikers. Was that their attempt to write off the incident in the woods that Alice couldn't see? It was good information, but I hoped they didn't think we were that stupid.

Grandfather inclined his head. "Well, I don't wish to instigate an argument, but your claim doesn't give us much to work with."

For the first time, Braden smiled. "It is not our intent to divide the territory. You have proven that you are more trustworthy than most of the nomads that pass through."

I caught his choice of words: more trustworthy. Apparently he wasn't ready to give us his seal of approval yet. Jacob nodded in agreement.

"We propose to share the territory with you, provided that we maintain a hunting schedule so as not to hunt on the same days or concentrate our efforts in one area and draw attention to ourselves."

My family members all glanced at each other, obviously just as shocked as I felt but trying to maintain composure. Braden was ready to simply let us hunt? With no other stipulation than a time schedule?

Grandfather eyed him cautiously. "Your proposal is…more than reasonable," he answered. "In fact, it would be perfect for us, but I can't see how it would possibly benefit you."

I agreed with Grandfather. What advantage would this give them?

Braden laughed softly. "Carlisle, I had planned to be more subtle about it, but it is my hope that you are sincere in your offer for an alliance," he said smoothly. "We plan to remain here only to the end of high school, and it would benefit us, and you, I'm sure, to have extra protection for the next two years."

The hair rose on my neck. What game was he playing now? Just minutes earlier he told us that we were only "more trustworthy" than the nomads. He knew that we knew that they had a secret, one that he had very obviously tried to hide from us and hadn't addressed yet today.

Is he hoping to recruit us or something? We could be a powerful influence after the Volturi confrontation five years ago.

"Very good, Nessie," Daddy murmured. Momma's shield fluttered.

"Yes, I agree that a temporary alliance could bode well for all of us," Grandfather answered neutrally. He didn't emphasize temporary, but I could sense that it was implied. "Perhaps first, though, we might discuss our hunting strategies?"

"With our territory divided by a weekly schedule, I don't know that sharing strategies is entirely necessary," Braden said with some surprise.

"It's not really a strategy, per se." Grandfather smiled. "It's merely information that I believe you should know about us."

I twitched in my seat on the couch. What was Grandfather doing? Beside me, Jacob leaned forward anxiously.

Braden's eyes widened in understanding. "Well then, by all means," he offered.

Grandfather opened his arms. "We are not the normal coven of vampires," he began.

"No, you're not," Braden agreed, his voice edgy. "You harbor mutants. Not all vampires would honor such a relationship."

Jake rumbled beside me.

"Renesmee and Jacob are none of your concern," Grandfather interjected coldly. "If you ally yourselves with us, you must ally with them, as well."

Braden met his gaze with a calculating stare of his own. Eventually, he lowered his eyes. "Forgive me," he muttered. "Please, go on."

Grandfather straightened almost imperceptibly. "Perhaps you have noticed the unique golden color of our eyes," he continued. When Braden didn't answer, Grandfather said, "We know of only one other coven with the same…well, not anomaly, but difference." He laughed.

"The reason that our eyes are not the bright red of a normal vampire is due directly to our hunting style."

Braden looked up with interest then. I crossed my fingers behind my back, praying silently that Grandfather would deliver the news well and that Brady would respond accordingly.

Grandfather breathed in deeply. "We do not drink the blood of humans. We feed solely on animals."

Braden and Leanna nearly flew back in shock. Obviously, this was not the answer they were expecting.

What we didn't expect, however, was Ashton's reaction. He stepped forward quickly, not quite in front of Braden, and began to speak enthusiastically. "That's brilliant!" he exclaimed. Jake and I jumped. "To be able to abstain completely from human blood is a challenge that I doubt none other of our kind has ever attempted, besides – of course – the coven you mentioned. I would guess that the absence of human blood makes changes other than the color of your eyes." Ashton watched Grandfather expectantly.

Grandfather recovered himself to answer. "Yes, you're quite right. Animal blood does alter the typical vampire state," he confirmed. His eyes brightened, as they always did whenever he discussed anything scientific. "Animal blood somewhat dilutes the territorial and offensive instinct, making us more civilized. It allows us to develop deeper, more human relationships, although it doesn't diminish the qualities that are enhanced in the vampire state or the passion between mates."

"Then the inherent qualities are still there, merely subdued?" Ashton asked.

"It's not exactly that," Grandfather countered. "Abstaining from human blood takes away the wild, blood-driven side of vampires. As you three have proven, it doesn't take an alternative like animal blood to ignore the thirst and coexist with humans, but it certainly decreases the temptation."

Braden moved forward again, causing Ashton to immediately defer to him, though the light was still in his eyes. "I suppose, then, that it would also stand to reason that your coven is physically weaker without human blood sustaining you." His voice was calm, but there was a hint of delight at his realization.

Momma growled, releasing some of her pent-up, newborn tension. Alice closed her eyes and shook slightly as she frantically searched the future. Jasper experimented with the room but kept a firm hold on Alice's arms. I curled slightly behind Jacob, whose body was setting off heat waves as he kept his form in check but also prepared for a possible fight.

Daddy slowly left Momma's side—probably afraid to leave his mate unprotected—and spoke warily. "A human can survive on only vegetables and still retain their strength. They do so for the same reason we do: to respect the lives other creatures. The difference in physical prowess is minimal." Emmett flexed dangerously.

Braden's face fell but he forced a laugh. "So you're all like vampire vegetarians!" he joked. Ashton and Leanna giggled behind him.

Grandfather's mouth twitched. "Indeed, that's what we often call ourselves to those who do not understand our lifestyle."

Braden nodded. "It seems that this arrangement will be easier than we previously imagined," he said, returning to the original matter. "You plan to hunt in the woods and wilderness areas, while we hunt more in town and the near outskirts."

"We will, of course, not ask you to restrict your hunting grounds," Grandfather added complacently. "Human vegetarians do not force their lifestyle upon their companions or else shun them. If hunting hikers will help to keep you inconspicuous, we will not argue."

Jacob growled beside me, but there was nothing he could do. We were allied with them now, however temporarily. Drinking human blood was the existence of a vampire.

Braden smiled. "Your willingness is helpful to us. Perhaps now, though, you and I may discuss the scheduling matter alone?" he suggested. "My coven is antsy and wishes to return home."

Grandfather acknowledged Ashton and Leanna with a nod. "Of course, you may go as you please," he replied. The two of them joined hands and flitted out the door, into the night.

Grandfather and Braden took a seat in the living room to continue their discussion further while everyone else moved out to give them the illusion of privacy. Only Momma remained in view to continue to shield Grandfather. Apparently, she was still mistrusting of Braden.

I, however, felt exhausted after the ordeal. I showed Jacob that I wanted to sleep, so he walked with me to my bedroom. After quickly changing in my closet, I climbed into bed and burrowed under my covers. Jacob tucked the blankets firmly around me.

I assumed that he would leave after that, but instead, he surprised me. He motioned for me to slide over so he could join me, keeping his body on top of the blankets.

"Jake?" I asked uncertainly.

"You were scared," he said with concern. He turned onto his stomach and laid his arm across me in a loose but warm embrace. "You don't need to be scared anymore," he murmured.

My heart soared inside me. Even though Jacob must have been furious with Braden and the implications from our meeting, he worried more that I was afraid. His priority was trying to care for me.

I nestled into my bed and fell asleep to the soothing sound of Jake's breathing.