I don't own the characters, of course. Those belong to Stephanie Meyer, of course. But I can make them do my bidding!

We followed the sound of voices until we found everyone sitting in the living room. Jake was already on the couch, his demon spawn imprint already in his lap. She had grown considerably in the three years since the Volturi came to investigate her. Now she looked like she was about ten years old. And looked more like her mother now. I rolled my eyes at the thought, and spotted Edward looking at me with an amused look on his face. Get out of my head, Leech I thought, which only made his mocking smile wider. I crossed my arms across my chest and willed Jacob to find out what we needed to do, so I could at least get out of that house.

As if he could read my mind, Jacob looked up at Carlisle. "When are they supposed to be here?"

"It seems it will only be a couple of days. They made the decision to come, and immediately got on their way. From Alice's vision before we called you, it doesn't look like they expected any of you to be there. She only saw our family and theirs gathered in the meadow." Carlisle glanced at Alice, who nodded.

Jake nodded back to her, then looked at Seth and I. "Looks like we'll need to keep an eye on the meadow. We won't stay too close, though. Just in case they have their trackers with them." He turned to Seth and I. "So who's up first?"

Before I could answer, Seth jumped up from his seat, yelling, "I'm on it!' I sighed, a bit disappointed that he'd be getting out of the house sooner.

Suddenly Edward was beside me, making me jump. "You don't have to stay here. We completely understand if you're more comfortable outside the house." I turned and narrowed my eyes at him, throwing a look at him that I knew perfectly well I didn't have to stay in the house with them. I shot the same cold look to Jake, then turned to leave.

As I got further from the house, the smell finally started to subside – much to my relief. I wandered into the woods, debating phasing and taking a run, but then I decided it was nice not having anyone in my head. I wandered along the winding path, deeper into the woods than I intended to go, my mind wandering back to my nice cozy bed back in La Push and how I probably wouldn't be seeing it for a couple days.

I suddenly stopped in my tracks, the thought of my little brother patrolling on his own hitting me at the same time the awful smell did. I realized I wasn't alone as I hit the edge of a clearing. I quickly glanced behind me, then looked back across the clearing and froze.

Just inside the tree line on the other side of the clearing was a shadowy figure, completely covered with a dark, hooded robe. It drew closer to the edge of the small meadow and stopped, as if it was studying me. I don't know how long I stood there, knowing that the hooded figure was a blood-sucker, but something kept my feet planted firmly.

Finally, the figure raised its hands to the hood of the dark cloak and pushed it back. I felt my eyes widen as I recognized the face; the pale yet olive-colored skin tone; the dark hair, hitting just above the figure's shoulders; the – I felt myself shiver – crimson eyes that couldn't be missed. I realized I'd seen this leech before – three years ago, in the very same woods. He was a tracker in the Volturi guard. And he was very dangerous. Why couldn't I move? Why couldn't I go warn the others that this tracker was in the woods?

I shook my head, knowing I couldn't afford a distraction as I glanced back up at the leech standing across the clearing from me. He looked back, an amused smile on his face as he nodded in my direction and uttered two words: "She wolf."

I tensed up as he spoke, still unable to move. Come on Leah. What's WRONG with you? Move your feet and get away from this leech. You know you can't trust him. I stayed rooted where I was, still watching as he chuckled. "So you know who I am, too. Relax, she wolf. I would have killed you already if I saw fit to."

I looked into those red eyes, growling slightly as I finally found my voice again. "What's stopping you, Leech?"

The same amused smile that Edward gave me earlier crossed the leech's face. "I find you quite… interesting."

I felt a bit knocked back by the statement. Before I could stop myself, a growl rumbled up from my chest and escaped my lips. "I interest you, Leech? How so?"

The tracker took a step forward, cocking his head to the side. "I have yet to… figure that out…" He trailed off and looked down, muttering something under his breath. I couldn't make out what was said, but it sounded like he was cursing in Italian. Then he looked back up at me, his crimson eyes flashing. "Do you have a name? Or shall I continue calling you She Wolf?"

I thought for a moment, wondering if telling him my name was safe. There was just something about him that… Come on Leah… you have more sense than that. Move your ass! Get out of here! I was about to oblige my thoughts when I felt my lips parting, only one word escaping them before I clamped them shut again: "Leah…" I winced, and looked up at him, startled at the pleased look on his face.

"Well, Leah…" He stopped, and it almost seemed that the was thinking. Maybe plotting? I shook my head and watched him as he took three more steps toward me, extending his hand formally. "I'm Demetri of the Volturi coven. I believe we've… somewhat met before?"

Of course we had. I remember him standing with his family in that clearing during our first encounter with the Volturi. I looked from his hand to his face, suddenly finding him less frightening now that he was on his own. I bit my lip, my eyes not leaving his face as my hand raised up almost on its own, cautiously shaking his.

Thanks for the feedback... you guys are awesome. There will definitely be more coming!