Chapter Twenty Three

Creature Feature

Nessie

When I awoke in the morning it was to the smell of pancakes. I opened my eyes and smiled up at the two men lying beside me, Rachel must have come in and made breakfast for the pack, that was nice of her. I snuggled deeper into the blankets listening to the sound of Jake's snoring and Nahuel's steady breathing, I loved them both so much and loved how understanding they both were.

Nahuel muttered something in his sleep and I smiled as the blanket slipped down his shoulders, I could see his face creased in a frown, I wanted him to smile in his sleep. I put his hand to my forehead and sent him a picture of us in a meadow together, he was putting flowers in my hair and we were both laughing. I let his hand slip down a little onto the back of my head. I felt Jake start to tremble and I gently put a hand on Jake's head. I was instantly plunged into a nightmare. I saw myself being killed by a vampire, it did it slowly first my arms then my legs. I released him and gently put his hand on my brow, it was hotter then usual and sweating. I sent a calming dream until Jake stopped shaking and his snores became if possible even deeper, they seemed more relaxed to me but perhaps I imagined it.

I smiled and gently placed Jake's arm back around me, I wanted to be there for them when they awoke. I sighed allowing myself to feel protected and safe with the two men that I loved. I stroked both their hair gently for a moment, they were both dark headed I felt completly at peace in that moment despite how danger was surrounding us. More particularly Jake. I smiled how sweet was it that he worried for me instead of himself, but he was the one who needed protecting not me.

I heard the door open slowly and saw Amelia under half shaded eyes, she climbed up on the bed and snuggled in between me and Jacob, almost pushing Jake off of the bed. I smiled and wrapped an arm around my child.

Mamma, I made pancakes. She said self importantly.

"Good for you, did Embry help you?" I asked and she giggled.

No, he's still asleep I did it all by myself, the dishes were there so I had everything I needed."

"You shouldn't be"" using the stove by yourself." I said.

"I'm imor-immortal I won't get hurt and if I do it won't be for long.

"Still I would prefer it if you had one of us with you."

Alright Mommy

"So was Embry displaying his interesting choice in nightwear?" I asked and she giggled.

Yes he was wearing pajamas with cowboys on them. She replied and I smiled. Nahuel's hand rose and wrapped around my middle.

"Good morning my girls." He said and I smiled.

Daddy! You're awake. She practically vaulted over me, causing Jake to fall off the bed. He hit the floor with a bump and sprang to his feet.

"Wha? Where?" He asked and I smiled.

"Sorry Jake, I don't think your bed was designed to hold three and a half people." I said and he noticed our daughter snuggled in between me and Nahuel.

"Its alright." He replied and lying back in bed he turned on his side and I smiled at him. He smiled back and gently stroked my hair.

I made pancakes. Amelia said.

"Pancakes I bet they are good." he said and she nodded. "I would like to try some if you don't mind."

No silly I made them for you and the pack.

"Thank you!" He said and I laughed silly werewolves and their love of everything and anything editable.

"Well then we should feed you and everyone else if they wake up." I said and Jake nodded, we went into the kitchen together and Jake pulled out a plate of pancakes and added syrup to them. I smiled watching him eat his food, Jake reminded me of a gigantic kid sometimes, he finished and put the plate in the dishwasher and washed up the dishes from yesterday. He then caught me watching at me and smiled grabbing me by the waist he picked me up and spun around I laughed from the lightheadedness and it felt right somehow to be in his arms. He set me down gently and I smiled at him as Alex began to cry, his cries woke the rest of the pack and Leah and I hurried over to him at the same time.

He was in the bed, tangled up in blankets and screaming his little head off. I freed him gently and Leah picked him up. "Its alright Alex what's wrong?"

"Wof." He replied and I noticed that his toy wolf was apparently gone.

"We will find it Alex." I said and looked under the bed sure enough the wolf had fallen down in the night, I gave it back to Alex and he hugged it tightly to him.

"Mamma." He said and reached out his hands, I held him and stroked his head gently.

"Its alright Alex we found it." I told him and he nodded as the phone rang, Jake answered it.

"Hello?" He asked and then, "Carlisle?" He paused for a minute. " Yes, we know.." He trailed off. "What do you mean magical beings are gathering at your house." He said in astonishment. "I see I'll be right over and I'll get Sam's pack over there too." He said and hung up. "Apparently there are magical creatures waiting for the rest of the shape shifters to arrive in other words us." He said and the pack stared at him.

"The other shape shifters? You mean there are more?"

"Apparently now I suggest that we call Sam's and go over to the Cullens at once, I don't know about you but I hate to be kept waiting." After Jake called Sam I took the kids in my car to the house, Jake had assure me that it was faster for them to run then to find transportation. Sam and Jake both road with me and Nahuel had to climb in the back. I barely recognized my house as I approached it there were so many people, they looked ordinary from the outside but I knew that they were just as poweful as the people in my car in their own right. I stopped the car and got out at once a young man came up to me and bowed.

"You are the lady we have been waiting for." He said. "Come wis usss and we ssshale discusssss ssstrategy. I am a basssslisk, perfectly sssssafe in my human form." He said and I extended my hand.

"Half vamp." I replied. "Nessie."

"Ah yesss you would be with the half vampire delegation, they are over there." He waved his hand and I saw a group of young woman and two young men who looked to be twins. I popped the trunk and helped Nahuel get out. I walked with him over to the half vampires.

"Sisters." Nahuel said and three of the woman hugged him tightly. "These are my sisters, Abigale who you have already met, Alexandra and Ameranth." He said and I smiled.

"It is nice to meet you." I told the two and Abigale looked up from her feet.

"I am Lucian and this is my brother Gabriel, we are a sort of rogue hunting team. We take down the rogues make people happy and insure that our existence is a comfortable one. This is a strictly business job, we make more off the people here then the vampires so we support the ones who pay."

"I can't believe that your that cold hearted, we are unnatural by their standards and just because we can't be wiped out doesn't mean we shouldn't help." A red haired woman who could have almost been my daughter's older twin said.

"Grace calm down please, I am sure that Lucian was just making small talk." One of the girls said.

"I feel sorry for you, it appears that Nahuel is the only descent male in our species." Abigale said and the others laughed except for Lucian and Gabriel.

"Are you going to rain fire and brimstone upon us if we are naughty girls?" One asked practically breathless.

"My darling." A man from another group of people came over. "I am Grace's husband Michel and a warlock." He said and I looked interested.

"I've read a lot of fiction about magic." I said and everyone laughed.

"Don't believe everything you read."

"Its all complete trash that's why I love it, so how is magic done?"

"Usually it is much like your talents, a warlock or witch have the power to call upon the elements, Fire, Earth, Water, Air, Spirit, Sight, Darkness and Light." He said. "Basically if your a great sage you can manipulate those elements to do what you will. Some can even call the dead back to life although its frowned upon in most circles. I myself am a water mage, as you can tell by my clothes, the more adept the mage the more colors they can wear among their own kind. I have achieved a third level mastery which means I am working on the fourth level. Warlocks are not imortal but we get to pick the age at which we die on our commencement ceremony, I visited a diviner and she told me that I should decide on a year in the distant future. I decided on the year three thousand and fourteen as my last. The only true way to kill a wizard is with a crystal sword. I hope they don't bring those along." I smiled and then I heard the screaming coming from my car.

"Excuse me." I said and ran back to unbuckle Amelia and Alex. "Come meet your aunts." I said and took my daugthers hand and picked up Alex. Everyone stared at me as I walked with the two children and I felt like I had grown two heads. "What is the matter have you ever not seen children?" I asked them and they went back to their conversation. The half vampires continued to stare and Alex buried his face into my chest. "Its alright Alex no one here will harm you." I told him softly and he peeked before hiding his little face once more. "This is Alex, my son." I said. "And Nessie my daughter." I told them and Abigale nodded in approval I could tell she was not the mothering type.

"Nice to meet you, there is a place to put the children your aunt Rosalie I believe is watching over them." Grace said and Amelia smiled.

Puppies? She asked me and I laughed.

"Their best friend is a shapeshifter who can turn into a wolf." I told them and they stared at her, everyone did.

Hello. The thought sounded shy not at all like my girl normally. I'm Amelia, I like pancakes and dress up. They continued to stare at my daughter.

"Your making her uncomfortable she's only three days old give her some space." That got them staring more then ever. "Where are the children?"

"I will take you I need to check on my Zachary anyway." Michel said and I nodded he led me through the people and we came to a multicolored tent. "The flyers brought that with them, they make their money preforming in circuses and one had bought a tent, they even have a family circus and they have normal lifespans." He practically spat out the word in contempt, one of those types thinking that he was so much better because he would live for a thousand more years. I took my two into the tent and was awed by the noise of it, in the middle of it looking ecstatic was Rosalie, and I had to admit this was like her dream, nearly a hundred little ones to watch, most were under ten but some older children sulked in the corner. I was glad that I looked like an adult, I would hate knowing what was going on and not being a part of it.

Stay with me Mamma.

"I will until you meet some friends sound fair enough?" I asked and she nodded, I took her over to where some people who looked to be about her age were playing.

"Are you a minder?" A little boy asked my daughter. "I'm a kitty cat or at least I will be when I tran- transfomy. That's what my Pappa says." I smiled at the little lad.

"A young shapeshifter? You'll be interested in Sammy she can transform as well, into a wolf."

"She can do it now?"

"Yes." I replied not willing to go into details when the boy started to cry.

"I want to transfomy." He said and I put my arms around him.

"And you will one day, you'll be the best kitty cat ever."

"I know." He replied and picked up the ball again. "Play with me?" He asked and my daughter sat down smiling passing the ball back and fourth the children sat down in a circle. I smiled at seeing them play their game and knew that it was safe to leave as far as Amelia was consurned. I still had to get Alex settled and he hadn't yet reliced my shirt.

"Its alright little man." I smiled seeing Michel talking with a one year old boy seriously, a little flame danced.

"Now Zachy, how many times do I have to tell you not to practice magic without me or someone else." The child smiled up at his father and sucked his thumb. "Well when you understand what I say we are going to have a talk Mr." I laughed before putting Alex in with Zachery and two other children who seemed to be under a year.

"He understands just fine, he just can't speak yet, how old is he?"

"Nine months." He replied looking fondly at his son.

"Everyone id a bit different, Alex was talking at two days but he doesn't say much. I think this little man is holding back his words until he can say them right. Am I right Zachery?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Daddy." He said and hugged Michel's knees, he smiled at his son.

"He spoke, thank you." Michel said and I shrugged.

"Children need to be encouraged, don't reprimand him when he does something wrong explain why it was the wrong action to him. I think he will talk more once he knows its alright to make a few mistakes with the language." I said and Michel nodded.

"Your a great mother, and I thank you but magic can get out of control easily and I don't want my son to make mistakes."

"Instead of criticizing him see how perfect the flower is." I replied and he smiled.

"You've been practicing behind my back scallywag, its a wonderful daisy."

"Its happy." His son agreed and Michel smiled.

"Yes, it is." He said and I felt myself smiling as well, I was interested I had to admit and wondered how many of the myths of diffrent cultures were in fact true. I went over to the teenagers and sat down with them.

"My name is Nessie." I said to them.

"Nessie? That'sss an interessssting name, I am Balzar of the basssilisks fourteen months this week." I smiled at him and bowed.

"It is an honor to meet you, I am seven years old." I said and smiled. "My daughter is a few days and her cousin is the same age." They stared at my little girl.

"What are you?" A pretty girl asked. "I'm a flyer, this is my Dad's tent we age the same as humans."

"Half vampire, I'm this age for all time now. I suppose that its a fast grow and then a slow go." I said and they laughed.

"I age rapidly as well, although I get to choosssse where to sssstop aging." He said.

"Do you really paralyze people with your eyes?" I asked him and he shrugged.

"In snake form yes, in my human form no, apparently the humans forgot to mention our transformation for the most part. Although in some Hindu legions we are portrayed somewhat properly."

"The levitation legons come from my family." The girl said. "My name is Mariah."

"Nice to meet you." I smiled at her and she smiled in reply. "Well I don't know about many half vampire legions, I assure you that I won't bite however and my fangs are non existent."

"Its the vampire's fault we are here, Dad says, I'm a Lepord." She said. "The rival clans are the tigers and lions. We are all shapeshifters."

"I know some shapeshifters, they turn into wolves, they also have this thing sort of love at first sight."

"You mean the Impression?" She asked me and I nodded she smiled. "I am not impressed I had hoped to find my mate here." I was startled by the abrupt tone of her voice. "And move in with him, I am tired of being in my father's pride and being a good little kitty." I shrugged it was their issue not mine. "I want to fight not be treated like a baby."

"So do I." A young man agreed and I smiled when I saw his green clothing and smiled.

"A warlock?" I asked and he nodded a slight woman sat to his right.

"Warren." He said and he held his hand, I shook it.

"I am an elf, my father took away my bow and there is no wine to drink." She said and I smiled at her. "We make the best elderberry wine, we had an author stumble on our incampment once so if you want a true account of the elves read the Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings, we were tired of being confused with leprechauns. Which are by the way mythical, just some elves that liked gold a bit too much a while back."

"I've read the hobbit, so what clan are you from?" I asked her and she smiled.

"Silly I live in trees therefore I am a tree elf, there are the water elves as well as the air elves, we have our cities. Atlantis is very beautiful although only elves can visit the other terrrortories uninvited." I nodded it would make sense otherwise their places would be discovered already.

"Do you know whist?" Warren asked and I nodded and he got out a pack of cards we played together for a time, before Jacob came in.

"The meeting is about to start Nessie." I nodded and folded up my cards.

"I need to go but I'll tell you what happens if your parents don't."

"Thank you." Warren said as Jacob led me away.

"Half of Sam's pack imprinted on the cat people, its funny I suppose cat's and dogs can like each other. They are discussing gifts and so forth, apparently the man to be married is to give a gift that he made with his own hands or the hands of one of his pride mates to the father of the bride."

"I like the cat people they seem nice, at least Mariah was." He smiled at me as we walked to the group who were arguing.

"We don't know how to make weapons." Seth was saying.

"Then what token can you make the gifting is a great part of our culture. The man is given the woman in exchange for a gift." One of the other men said. I smiled and bowed to them.

"Perhaps I could be of assistance, maybe they could carve something my own imprint is adept at wood carving." She said and everyone stared at her.

"That's a great idea Nessie, I make animal charms mostly, just to help time spent between patrols and time with Nessie." He said and I felt him place as hand on my shoulders.

"So you would be willing to teach our future sons."

"Yes although I don't think now is the time to be talking of trinkets." Jacob said. "More of strategy." The cats hissed but then looked at their feet.

"Perhaps you are right, we got caught up in the Impression of our daughters."

"At least Aden won't be thinking of how hot we are." Fredric was smirking at his pack brother and Sam whacked him on the head.

"You really need to learn how to conduct yourself with honor or at least respect for your pride members at the meeting." Sam said to him and Fredric looked down holding the hand of a beautiful raven haired girl.

"Its alright I love your brashness, although you should not mock one of your family." She said and Fredric smiled again putting an arm around her, she sighed and put her head to his chest.

"You are so beautiful." Fredric said and gently stroked her hair, I felt myself smiling at them both. There was something so simply pure about imprinting whatever it was called. I suppose that it was a shape shifter thing.

"Please I know its hard for you to focus but you must." Jacob said to them and they nodded.

"We will try to do so." I was surprised that it was getting on towards evening when someone struck a bell and we met together in the field. A warlock made a simple staff and smiled at everyone.

"Welcome to the meeting, we will discuss battle tactics." He said and raised the staff. "We use staffs to be able to communicate if you have an opinion raise your hand and the person will pass the staff to you if you wish to speak, we need a plan." I raised my hand for Nahuel it was passed to me.

"Nahuel suggested that we form in a circular pattern, woman and children in the inner circle, by that I mean the ones who are not warriors. Warriors on the outside, that was when it was Jacob's pack and my family. We could form many circles now and put parents and children closer to the center, mates or partners, or married couples whatever you wish to call them should be close together, it will make it easier for everyone to focus." I said and a tall man raised his hand I threw him the staff and he caught it easily.

"We could lie in ambush, it is easy for us to climb trees and shoot down arrows to distract the vampires, although they will not be seriously harmed unless we put fire into the mix."

"We could create a ring of fire and air and control it, fire is the easiest element to control and it is eager to obey us, air is one of the harder ones but I am sure that the air robed warlocks could defend us." I saw Jacob raise his hand and the man passed him the staff.

"I believe that it would be easier if we had rotations, tents inside the inner circle where we can sleep, vampires are tireless, also if the vampires cannot get in they will only exhaust the warlocks and witches. Better to have several bonfires burning." Everyone nodded at the wisdom of this.

"That is a good idea, now we need to organize a hunting party." An elf said. "We need enough food to feed us all."

"We should take care of our own! Not have to worry about getting food for others." A cat shape shifter said.

"Not all need to eat as much as we do my soul." Charles said and a chuckle made its way through the crowd. "We should put the plan into action at once, we don't know when the vampires will arrive." They nodded determined.

"We have a small gift with animals, we can call them to us." Another elf said. "We should use the forest around here, trees can be your friends especially when using battle tatics. A tree can take the place of a warrior."

"That is a good idea and there is not enough room to not use the trees." Someone said and everyone glared at him they had agreed upon using the staff, the person blushed looking down. "I am sorry for my brashness."

"It is alright Lauren you are young, newly among the warriors." An older man said and stood up, the warlock returned the staff to the earth, literally it became buried within moments. The flyers levitated and the children streamed out of the tent. One hung back and drifted down to talk with Nessie.

"You have faced the vampires before and know the forest where can we set our tent?"

"It would be different in the air."

"I will carry you, you are light and it would be an easy enough thing." He said and I nodded.

"I will show you although usually I run." I reply and feel myself being lifted into the air, the rest of the family had gathered around the tent and were lifting it , I remembered running through the forest to my personal large meadow, I pointed down and the flyers seeing it nodded and put the tent down taking me back.

"Children and parents come with me." I said and started to run at a normal human run. "Can everyone keep up if I go faster?" I asked and got no response so I increased my speed running to the tent. I already saw the fires burning in the forest as I ran by, flyers were glimpsed in the sky, telling the warlocks where to place the fires. I smiled holding Amelia as Nahuel and Jacob ran beside me holding the other children.

"Some of the pack has gone to retrieve their imprints." Jacob said gasping. "We will be scattered throughout to take advantage of our bonds." I nodded and stopped only when I saw the tent. "We are going to go on the night watch tonight, my pack as a whole." I smiled at him and put Amelia in the tent she was holding her wolf tightly as was Alex.

"Be safe." I told him and wrapped my arms around him kissing him, I heard a few whistles from the people around me and let Jake go again. There was enough room in the tent for all of us to sleep as well as the warriors that did not draw night watch. Nahuel stood up and I knew how shy he was around other people.

"I have a gift to influence people with my songs, would you mind too much if I sung us to sleep?" He asked. No one objected so he softly sang taps.

"Fading light dims the sight
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun
From the hills, from the lake, from the sky
All is well, safely rest;
We are nigh.

Then goodnight, peaceful night;
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright.
We are near, do not fear,
Friend, goodnight." He finished his song and laid down next to me, it was reassuring to be so close to him with our children to either side of me. I sighed and let myself drift into sleep.

AN: I will not be able to write for several days, as I am going camping with my school, most probably updates will become less frequent.