As soon as Carlisle glimpsed my arm properly he noticed the faint scars only visible to the inhuman eye. (Damn I forgot they would see them) I heard a low growl and we reacted on instinct, in a less than a second I was back with my family standing slightly in front fully ready to send the first one flying into the nearest tree or car, Max had his lighter lit flames already spreading over his arms preparing his fist strike while the air around the Cullen's was quickly picking up speed.
Sasha was in charge of protecting the younger ones pushing them behind our human shield with a look of concentration on her face while the others were preparing to fight. We all trained in many styles of hand-to-hand combat and I knew they could hold their own in a fight.
All this happened in under a second, I was staring intently at the vampires before us each wearing a shocked expression not moving an inch.
Carlisle was the first to recover raising his hands in a submissive gesture moving slowly, I felt another wave of calm pressing upon me; which was dispelled quickly.
"We're not here to hurt you. Please we didn't come here for a fight." He seemed earnest but none of us relax our positions.
"Then why was that one growling at Bella?" Max shot at him sending death glares at Edward the flames climbing higher towards the end of his sentence. (I know so much for being discreet.)
Edward shifted slightly looking uncomfortable and looked directly into my eyes as he answered.
"I apologise please allow me a chance to explain." I nodded my head stiffly signalling him to continue not breaking eye contract with him.
He took an unnecessary breath before talking again. "I am a mind reader." Shock raced through my mind. "I saw the scars through Carlisle mind and regrettably couldn't control my anger, it was not directed at you. I swear."
I stared into his eyes for a long moment searching for something before finally accepting his answer. I let my arms fall to my sides and smiled slightly before turning my attention back to my family.
"Its okay guys relax." The air became still again and the flames disappeared. Mixie came rushing to my side grabbing my arm tightly.
"See told you" Smug little brat but fair enough she called it they weren't here to hurt us, no need to rub it in. I poked my tongue out to her before wrapping an arm around her shoulder pushing her into my side for a quick hug.
I returned my attention back to the group in front of me.
"Now it seems it's my turn to apologise, we seemed to have over reacted slightly." I smiled brightly as Mixie laughed into my side at my understatement.
Everyone seemed to visibly relax at this.
"It's understandable really." Carlisle replied kindly smiling.
"Bella" Mixie spoke in a quiet voice looking at me with heavy lidded eyes. "Can I go in now, I'm sleepy." I smiled softly at her feeling guilty for keeping her up.
"Sure sweetie, Connor will take you in I'll be up soon." I ruffled her hair lightly as Connor grabbed her hand taking her back towards the house giving me a lingering look before closing the door fully.
They watched the exchange silently, I noticed Esme smiling warmly at me and I couldn't help returning the gesture she just seemed so motherly.
"Your family is very unique." She spoke kindly.
"Truer words have yet to be spoken." I laughed lightly thinking fondly of my little tribe. "I can promise you my family wont tell anything about yours if you can promise me the same in return."
"Naturally but I was wondering if I could ask you some questions at a later date of course." I considered this briefly it seemed fair considering a kid just practically burst into flames in front of him as long as we were cautious it shouldn't be a problem to answer some of his questions. Right?
"Fine but we get to ask some in turn." Compromise is the key see and I couldn't help but be curious about then in return.
"Agreed, we should be going now. I hope to see you all soon." With that they turned to leave. Edward paused at the Volvo to look back at me thoughtfully before going in the car and turning down the driveway.
We watched them drive out of sight before turning back to the house; I was just about to follow when Max grabbed my arm. Sasha turned at the door with an enquiring glance.
"Go in Sasha we'll just be a minute." Max answered her silent question, without another word she closed the door.
We walked up the drive way to make sure none of the family would hear us.
"Bella what are you thinking? How can we trust them?" He was scared I knew it and I understood why.
"Max we have to trust them at least a little bit, they wont say anything as long as we keep our promise." I was sure they would keep their word.
"What are we meant to tell them for crying out loud for all we know they know everything about us thanks to the little mind reader of theirs." My blood ran cold I had forgotten that little detail.
"What else can we do Max? I'm tired of running as well can't we just follow the plan and try for a little bit longer it took us so long to set up our cover we can hardly just pick up and move without having to go through all that." I was pleading and I knew it.
He looked at me with sympathetic eyes knowing exactly how I felt before rubbing his troubled grey eyes with his hand breathing slowly.
"Okay"
"Thanks" I truly was grateful. "We better get inside who knows what mess is waiting for us,"
He laughed bitterly. "Race you"
"Go" I propelled my self forward with my power laughing loudly at the freedom it gave me.
"Cheat" I knew he wasn't mad I could hear the laughter in his voice as he enjoyed the speed and not having to hold back.
EPOV
I must have stood there for 10 minutes just staring at the point were she disappeared before I finally moved. I knew there was no point even pretending to concentrate so I decided to skip the last lessons of the day.
I reached the car park and was just about to walk straight to my car when I heard a heart beat steadily beating close by. I scanned the parking lot quickly never breaking from my soft stride even when I spotted her.
She looked so peaceful in that moment simply relaxing, I could tell she wasn't asleep just enjoying the peace, I took the opportunity to try and delve into that silent mind of hers only to be greeted by silence.
I forced myself to keep moving and not approach her again I felt the shame burn in me remembering my actions. I knew I shouldn't have reacted like that but it was infuriating not knowing exactly what they were thinking, I knew they were hiding and that something had them scared but I couldn't get at the root. White rooms, metal tables and pain kept flashing through their minds.
I turned on my stereo barely paying attention to what was playing, I found my eyes unconsciously drawn to the brown eyed girls who captured my attention so easily, I was listening to her heat beat it felt almost like a lullaby that drowned out every other sound, a faint smile light her face and I registered Clair de Lune playing on my stereo, she seemed to like it which made me smile.
The bell rang soon after and I suddenly realised I had been watching her for over two hours. What was wrong with me better yet what had this girl done to me. I pulled my eyes away from her waiting for my family to leave the school.
They all arrived together with Alice shooting me a knowing glance. As we pulled away I was attacked by their thoughts all at once.
"Little help Jasper, I can't answer any questions if you're all screaming at once!!"
Jasper complied everyone apologised at once slowing down their minds so I could at least have time to comprehend them. Of course I knew really what they wanted to know but I had decided it would just be easier to tell all my family in one go.
"I've already called Carlisle Edward he's at the house waiting for us." Alice chimed in as if she was the mind reader of the family.
I loved Alice dearly even though she could be an evil little pixie at times but she always understood me and supported me, though she was never afraid to put me in my place if she felt I needed it.
"I'll explain it when I get home then so we can talk as a family." Everyone accepted that answer except Emmett of course who continued to whine at me in his mind until we finally pulled up outside our home.
I loved our home, as did we all, it was the one place we could truly relax and be ourselves without judgement or fear.
We exited my Volvo quickly running full speed towards our home entering the living room in no time at all. As expected we found Esme and Carlisle waiting for us.
"What happened?" Carlisle asked tensely I could tell for his mind that he feared the worse.
"Someone knows what we are, well 6 people to be exact." I replied dryly
How is that possible? Are you absolutely sure Edward?
I nodded swiftly and answered the question I knew that was coming next.
"The new students, we barely stepped into the cafeteria before we heard one of them whisper out Vampire." I spoke stiffly knowing how dangerous this situation was for my family. A blanket of calm washed down on us and I smiled tightly to Jasper.
"They left the cafeteria quickly so I followed them."
I relayed the events of the forest telling them how I could only get glimpses and odd words from their minds, I gave them details that I had gleaned for the thoughts of students earlier that day on how they lived alone. I told them how they seemed to have a structure all worked out within their unit and I ducked my head ashamed as I spoke about the confrontation between Bella and me ignoring all the questions bombarding my mind until I had finished.
"Your telling me you had trouble holding a girl" Emmett forced out between his laughter "God Eddie your going soft"
I growled lightly at him other wise ignoring his statement.
Were going to have to talk to them but we'll have to be carefulI nodded to Carlisle knowing he was right.
Those poor children all alone, could they have come across our kind before? What could they have been through?
I couldn't help but smile at Esme for her kind thoughts towards them knowing her words were probably true, it was the only explanation as to how they recognised us so quickly.
"We'll have to talk to them tonight, I want everyone on their best behaviour I don't want to scare them only talk understood." Carlisle gave us all a hard stare as we all nodded in the affirmative. "Edward may I talk to you?"
I followed him to the study knowing our family would be listening regardless. I closed the door behind us feigning privacy.
What did they smell like to you?"Amazing but it didn't trigger my thirst at all." My brow furrowed as I continued. "I don't understand it, honestly. Bella's scent was wonderful and I prepared myself but nothing not even an uncomfortable itch." It was almost as frustrating as her silent mind.
That's defiantly interesting and you say she was hard to restrain?"Yes, I was worried I hurt her having to grip her so tightly but it didn't even seem to phase her."
"How do you think we should approach this?" Carlisle was always a farther figure to me and it meant a lot that he valued my opinion.
"Their scared that much is clear and their hiding from something or some one so I think they would be willing to keep our secret as long as we can prove that we're not a threat to them" I chose my words carefully "They'll be expecting us tonight so I think we should take the cars and arrive in a way that lets them know we aren't trying to take them by surprise."
Carlisle beamed at me.
You seem to have a good understanding of them Edward and seem truly concerned for them. I'm very proud of you son.
I smiled at my father.
Over the next hours we planned our approach and Jasper was going to attempt to try and keep them calm. We decided to all go together so that they would be able to feel safe knowing that none of us were going to try a sneak attack.
We exited our home at 8pm taking two cars. Rosalie was angry that these children, her words not mine, was a threat to her family while the majority of my family remained calm trying to solve the mysteries of family we were about to see.
As the large house appeared in the distance we were able to make out the voices. They we already out side the house expecting us, I heard Bella's voice getting them into a structured position and I was relieved to find that she felt that we weren't here to hurt them despite my earlier actions.
We stopped our cars a good 10 feet away giving them their space. We moved slowly towards them leaving a good distance between us. I felt Jasper trying to calm them slightly as they were visibly tense but he quickly became frustrated when it wouldn't work. Rosalie was still shooting daggers at them; which irritated although I knew the reason behind it.
Bella's wit came to strong trying to relieve the tense atmosphere, which Emmett responded to loudly.
Now that girl a like.
It seemed Bella had won over Emmett already. It seemed to do the trick by prompting Carlisle to speak and introduce us. I felt Jasper tense as Max snorted when Carlisle called us family. We acknowledged our names with a nod or a smile or in Alice and Emmett's case a happy wave. Bella introduced her family in return.
Carlisle tried to delicately explain why we were here while Sasha cut straight to the point making us laugh lightly at the bluntness of her statement, I saw Bella roll her eyes obviously not surprised by her sisters out break.
Carlisle began trying to reassure them that we weren't here to case trouble mentioning my name as Bella shot me a glare I tried to return it with an apologetic look but her attention had already returned to Carlisle.
She explained that they had indeed ran into others of our kind avoiding going into details purposely and I felt the fear and a quick flash of a blonde man with red eyes flash into their minds.
Carlisle explained our lifestyle of animal blood and I watched as Bella looked meaningfully at the youngest member who was smiling widely and moved her head slightly as if confirming our story.
He explained and apologised my behaviour before looking at me sideways and I couldn't help but look down apologetically. Bella laughed lightly and I shot her a glare making her smile widely. I couldn't help the smile coming to my face at seeing the grin lighting her face.
What's that about Edward?Jasper questioned me after feeling the happiness radiating off of me.
I returned my attention to the conversation again as my father asked to inspect Bella wrists in case I caused them damage, guilt flashed through me at the thought of hurting her.
As soon as the question left his lips the air tightened around us, I saw Max putting a comforting hand on Darnel's shoulder and the air loosened again. He couldn't be the cause of it surely but it seemed the most likely explanation considering as soon as Max calmed him the air returned to normal.
Carlisle stepped forward slightly and I saw Jasper tensing ready to step in on his behalf if needed. Bella reassured her family before stepping forward I could tell through Jasper and their minds that they were worried for her.
I put all my attention on Carlisle as he lifted her sleeve and was evidence of old scarring there. I couldn't hold back the low growl that escaped my lips, it should have been to low for them to hear but they obviously did.
Faster than possible Bella was back with her family the younger ones already positioned behind Sasha while Max, Darnel and Bella, positioned slightly in front of all them, where covering them further.
The wind picked up instantly and at the same time Max became nearly covered in flames but no pain showing on his face as though he was controlling it. Bella's arms rose up and she had look of pure concentration on her face her chocolate brown hair billowed in the now roaring wind looking stunning albeit menacing.
My families mind was complete shock, Carlisle recovered first holding up his hands in surrender repeating his earlier promise of peace. Max 's mind turned deadly in fear for his family as he responded glaring coldly at me.
"Then why was that one growling at Bella?" The flames covering his arms seemed to rise in anger.
I shifted guiltily knowing it was my fault putting my family endanger like that and angering Bella. I looked directly into her eyes knowing I would have to tell her about my gift to explain my reaction trying to work out the anger that over took me when I realised some one had hurt her still not understanding the reaction myself.
"I apologise please allow me a chance to explain." She nodded her head letting me know she was listening so I took a deep breath trying to collect my courage before continuing. "I am a mind reader. I saw the scars through Carlisle mind and regrettably couldn't control my anger, it was not directed at you. I swear."
She stared into my eyes as if searching for something and I couldn't look away, after a long moment she relaxed slightly.
She looked to her family telling them it was okay and the air stilled again for the second time tonight and the flames disappeared completely. Mixie came running forwards gloating to Bella who hugged her into her side sticking her tongue out at the little girl.
My family smiled slightly at the easy interaction between the two although jealous thoughts swarmed Rosalie's mind. Bella turned back to us smiling widely.
"Now it seems it's my turn to apologise, we seemed to have over reacted slightly." Mixie laughed loudly her face pressed into Bella's side.
Everyone relaxed and calm interaction continued between our families only interrupted by a tired Mixie who wanted to go in. I was please to see that she was comfortable letting Connor and Mixie go in the house with us still there.
Esme spoke briefly in her motherly tone receiving a warm smile in return. You could tell from the way she spoke about her family that she loved them dearly just as I did my family.
Carlisle curiosity finally got the best of him and really I couldn't blame him they all seemed to be extraordinary talented people. So he couldn't help but ask if at some point could he come back to ask some question after a moment Bella agreed on the condition that she could ask her own, tit for tat which was more than reasonable.
We left quickly not wanting to make them feel uncomfortable after two of their members had already gone in leaving them more outnumbered. I couldn't go with out one last glance at Bella before climbing into my Volvo and driving away.
One thing was for certain we defiantly had a lot to talk about when we got home.
I would like to thank everyone who is read and those who are reviewing. I really do get a little thrill when I see them in my inbox . How you enjoyed this chapter.