Chapter 3

The long ride to the house was something Jared will never forget. He couldn't help but notice the strange things that were around him. The way Esme's eyes changed colour, how there was a buzz in the air for several minutes before stopping once more.

It wasn't just that Jared noticed, he also noticed the way the road went from bumpy to smooth after hitting the quarter mile left mark to their estate. How flashes of light blurred past them, noises faintly on the breeze he has never heard of before.

"It's okay Jared, do not be afraid." Esme spoke to him tenderly, her hand reaching out to pat his knee.

"I am surely going to die." He uttered "Of course I will be afraid."

Esme clicked her tongue and shook her head. She couldn't judge him for his misjudged words; the rumours over the years have escalated into fear. The towns' people have forgotten the family's curse and their gift to them. A better life, in a place much like this, but it wasn't where; but a when.

"Surely; you do not believe such lies those people say? The Swan and Cullen family, along with many others are all but giving you a gift." She says lightly, her eyes going back to look out the window.

Jared was confused as he listened to her words. Along with many others? Who were the others she spoke of and why did he get the feeling something big was coming, something that will change his life forever.

The illuminated glow of the lanterns came into view as they travelled up the long drive. The house was large, black and grey stone and wood. It was a style that Jared had never seen before and it made him curious. He knew the house would be very old, seeing as generations of the Swans had been here since the first settlement.

Jared's body jerks as the carriage comes to a stop, his eyes wide as he takes in the full beauty and size of the house.

People, who were dressed fancy, stood along the path and up the stairs into the house suddenly made him regret wearing the only clothes he owned.

"It is okay, come. We need to be inside before the clock strikes for the celebration." Esme told him with a cheer, the atmosphere was something spooky yet mystical as he stepped outside. He could feel something in the very depths of his bones.

Esme watched the young man with an eye of a hawk, he could feel it. The young man that Esme had personally chosen could feel their magick; feel their powers. This caused her to beam in pride while she looked over at the others. Only one other had found a person much like Jared and that was Peter Whitlock with a small statured raven haired beauty.

They all walked in silence and two by two up into the foyer. Charlie and Renee Swan stood at the top of the steps looking down on the people with welcoming smiles.

"Welcome, welcome to the celebration!" Charlie announced arms wide in welcome.

"You five have been specially picked by friends of my family, my trusted followers to attend for a reason only they can explain. The dance is about to begin!" Renee giggled out as she gestured to the large doors to the right, as her hands stopped the doors seemed to open by themselves.

On the other side it was full of people, masks covered their faces as laughter and music filled the room. Jared felt uneasy; something wasn't right but still when Esme gave him a simple shove he strode into the room.

"They care not for your clothing or colour." Esme told him, a smile on her face; eyes sparkling. "Go. Go have fun."

Jared did as such, mainly eating the food on the far side in the corner. He didn't feel right being so dirty and they being so well dressed. But it wasn't just that, it was the fact their eyes varied from Red, gold and to the eye colour of the Cullen's and the Swan's.

"Why did you choose me?" Jared asked Esme when she and Carlisle – her husband – found him in the corner alone; well what he thought was alone.

"Because Jared, you are you. You have had a hard life, between your mother and father, working and being treated as such; you are still you. You are not someone who is vindictive, cruel or everything that comes with desperation. You are a determined young man, who will do anything for Paul and work hard for everything you have." She said lightly, a sparkle in her eyes.

Isabella watched as the man, who Esme had chosen, sits alone in the corner. He was uncomfortable, scared but placed a brave front on. She felt a connection with this man, one that only her brother and sister have described; it felt like butterflies and electricity.

"Have you found a suitor yet Isabella?" Jumping slightly, she turned and scolded Peter.

"I do believe I have found my one. How are you and Char?" She asked with a smirk, Peter was her best friend and Charlotte, his wife for the past 10 years was as well.

"She is good, she misses you." He replied. Bella had been travelling time with her parents since she was seventeen, she was now 27 and still here she remained. But Bella hadn't found her one yet; she swore to never return to her time until she had found him.

"I miss her too, hopefully I can come home now." She told him with a smile, her eyes never leaving the stranger.

Peter curiously looked towards where she was and couldn't help but smile. Jared, the man Esme had chosen had a good heart, he knew that he was the right one for his friend and would love her in time – if not almost right away.

There was magic in the boy and Peter knew that when time was to come for him and Bella to return to Forks in the future, he would be a shifter. That didn't bother him much, nor would it Bella, but it would surely cause an excitement to their large family.

"Has Jasper finally found his mate?" Isabella asked softly, she was worried for her warrior.

"Yes darlin' he found a woman. She will help him heal, she will love him and vice versa." Peter replied with a smile, the girl he had found was a sprite, barely reaching his shoulders with raven black hair and the kindest blue eyes.

"Excuse me." Bella replied almost breathlessly as she made her way through the crowd causing Peter to smirk.

"You get him suga', go get him."