Disclaimer: All Characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. The plot is all mine.
"We have been at this for days!"
"We need to have a little bit of patience … and faith."
"Maybe this is all just pointless – let's go home!"
Demetri raised a brow at his partner. "Not all developments happen in one night, Alec. Undesignated hours of surveillance is what's expected of us. And if we cannot take this mission seriously then we might as well retire from the Elite Guard."
Alec frowned. "I am not trivializing our duties. But …." He tilted his chin in the intended direction. " … Look at him, Demetri. Does that look like progress to you?"
"Yes." The tracker replied boldly.
"Please don't tell me you are saying that for the sake of this argument. Because I do not appreciate it when you try to prove me wrong for the benefit of proving yourself right – Women in our coven might find it adorable but I do not!"
Demetri smirked. "You don't even find it a little charming?"
Alec sniffed. "You must be confusing me with the twin who harbors besotted ideals of you."
It took a second for the shock to wear off and the revelation to sink into the Tracker's comprehension. "Jane has a crush on me?!" Demetri blanched and his voice grew an octave higher.
"What did you expect?" Alec shrugged. "Do not pretend you aren't chiseled by the Greek gods when you proudly spar sans a shirt and not have all females falling all over themselves for you." The younger immortal folded his arms across his chest.
"I never said I was ignorant to my charms. However, I didn't think your sister would be one of them." Demetri exclaimed.
"Why? … Because Jane is forever frozen in her adolescent, fifteen year old, state with endless abundance of rampaging hormones? Or is it because she is so good at her icy, heartless, damsel exterior?"
The taupe haired vampire tugged his earlobe and considered for a moment. "Both … I guess?"
Alec sighed. "Well, now you know. And so the gods help me, but if you ever tell her I told you …"
"Mum's the word." The Tracker winked.
Alec relaxed his stance at Demetri's vow and focused his gaze ahead. He frowned when he noticed the behaviors of the object of their surveillance.
"What is he doing?" The male witch-twin muttered.
Demetri tilted his head and studied their Master's unusual performance. "He seems to be … looking around?" the statement ended in a question when the Elite Tracker didn't know how else to categorize their King's mannerism.
Alec pursed his lips. "No …" he stated. "He isn't just looking around – observe the way his head is moving. One doesn't move like that when they are looking for something. They move like that when they are sniffing for something." Excitement suddenly bubbled in the young vampire.
"By the gods, you are absolutely right! He is attempting to track a scent. Why hadn't we realized this earlier?" Demetri stared in amazement, agreeing with the younger man. It made so much more sense! Especially when their Master was standing in a deserted long road with no signs of habitat or civilization near by for several miles.
"Is that what he has been doing this entire time?" Alec mused.
"It seems plausible." Demetri nodded. "It has been centuries since the need for our Master to use our natural tracking abilities. After all, our nourishment is delivered to our palace. And if our Masters were to seek someone – well, that's my specialty."
Alec narrowed his gaze. "It is almost like watching a newborn immortal first adapt to their aptitude."
"Indeed." Demetri agreed.
"I wonder … what is he looking for?" Alec pondered, asking the million-dollar question.
"Whatever he is searching he better find it soon, for it is almost close to dawn." Staring up at the sky, Demetri studied the shift in clouds. Thankfully it hasn't rained in days, which meant their clothes were safe – Not since that climactic night.
And speaking of unpredictable weather and dramatic events …
It might not have rained that night, but there was a heavy storm of tension and pressure brewing at the Cullen manor. Not even twelve hours after their return from Port Angeles several nights ago that the news of the dead bodies found at the warehouse site, in Port Angeles, reached the human authorities.
The good Doctor, being the finest medical expert in the Olympic region, was summoned to the scene to examine the 'wounds' inflected on the limbs. And it seemed the patriarch's astute gaze and vast experience could not be deluded to the fact that the bodies were ripped apart by nothing more than bare hands and unnatural brute strength. Both of which were entirely impossible feats to be committed by ordinary mortal strength alone.
However, as the dense rain cleansed away any evidence of the guards' and their Master's presence at the slaughter sight, then it was next to impossible to prove that the red-eyed King was the individual behind the attack.
Be that as it may, it still didn't stop the golden-eyed, human mimicking charlatans, from casting a suspicious and condemning eye at their European guests.
But as Carlisle, ever the peacekeeper, pacified both sides by gaudily stating that since there was no evidence to suggest anything else but the possibility of nomads passing through the town. And inflecting unfortunate circumstances at the mortal souls, who were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Then it was unethical to cast blind blame at such esteemed and highly respected individuals such as the Volturi.
While the blonde coven leader blabbered on and on. The guards and the two Elites tried to refrain from openly guffawing at the Cullens and their patriarch's painless gullibility.
If only the little simpletons knew who really was behind the butchery.
During lunch hour, on a Tuesday, Alice Cullen sat skittishly at the table she and her siblings usually occupied.
Bouncing her wedge-covered foot on the chipped linoleum, her golden eyes stared unblinking at the canteen entrance.
Why hasn't She arrived yet?
Alice whipped her gaze to the table at the center of the large mess hall. Where Jessica, Angela, Mike, and the rest of the group usually sat. All were already in attendance with their lunches in front of them. But why wasn't Bella with them?
As much as Alice loathed it, Jessica and Angela were practically glued to Bella's hips from the first bell to the last bell that marked the end of the school day.
And Alice knew for a fact that Bella wasn't absent because she saw Her when She pulled Her truck to the usual parking space.
The little pixie was almost tempted to go and search for the auburn haired Girl. Ultimately, who was going to stop her? Not Jasper, of course, for it was his time where he needed to hunt.
And Rosalie hasn't shown up yet. So it was just Alice and Emmett for the moment.
It was now or never …
She was about to stand up when all of a sudden the cafeteria doors burst open. And to Alice's stunned surprise, Bella and Rosalie walked in together – not in a way two people could have entered together at the same time through the door by chance, which could give off the wrong impression.
Oh hell no! They were chatting! Bella was smiling, probably at something Rose said. And that was surprising in itself, as Rosalie wasn't so much an optimistic person as she was contemptuous.
The two girls stopped just in front of the canteen doors, exchanged a parting word before they went their separate ways. Bella headed to her group of friends, where Angela was saving her a seat. While Rose gracefully glided to where her husband and currently fuming pixie sister sat.
The blonde bombshell lowered herself to the seat beside her burly husband before she cast her gaze at the short-haired brunette sitting across from them.
Arching a brow, Rosalie caught the line of daggers Alice was shooting her way. "If you keep that up your face is going to get stuck that way." The blonde quipped.
"I wouldn't have to look at you this way if you hadn't betrayed me!" Alice subtly growled.
Emmett, once again, caught in the crossfire between his stubborn sister and dominant wife, kept his mouth shut. Alice was running on a short fuse, and any mention of the Girl would instantly set her off. But as irrational as she is being, things haven't escalated into a much serious matter.
Folding her arms in front of her, Rosalie scoffed. "Don't be a child, Alice. I did not betray you – betraying you would be if I had that little encounter all planned out, which I didn't, for your information. So give me the benefit of the doubt."
"What did you do? How did you get Her to talk to you? She barely casts a glace at me." Alice fired rapidly. Words fluttered so fast it was nothing more than a hum to mortal ears.
Rosalie sighed. No sense in hiding the events that led to that little encounter. "I was walking behind Her to the cafeteria. Entirely coincidental, just so you don't get any fictitious assumptions." She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at the pixie before lowering her hand and proceeding. "The clasp on Her bracelet broke as She was walking and it fell from Her wrist. She appeared devastated about it. Apparently the bracelet holds a sentimental value to Her."
Alice pressed. "And?"
"I'm not a complete heartless bitch, Alice – I walked up to her and offered to fix it. She was appreciative, although She didn't accept my offer at first. But I was adamant. It seemed that fixing the bracelet was much more crucial."
"She gave it to you? I want to see it." The little pixie demanded.
"Would it kill you to say 'please'?" Rosalie sneered, lifting her chin up.
"Please, I want to see it."
Although it didn't sound much like a polite request, the blond vampire produced the item from her pocket and dropped it in her sister' anxiously awaiting open palm.
The bracelet was a thin, almost fragile, gold chain with a little diamond stud in the middle. It wasn't much to look at for a jewelry enthusiast such as Alice. But if it held such value to Bella for it to defect then someone She held dear probably gifted it to Her.
Suddenly, the little pixie's lips began to stretch into a wide smile. For it would seem 'fortune favors the bold', and in her petite grasp sat the greatest fortune she could ask for.
Later that day, Bella parked her truck into her home's driveway. It was a little after twilight. As she first drove directly from school to the police station to see Charlie and bring him lunch from his favorite diner.
Charlie was working unimaginable hours on a case. And much to Bella's chagrin, he refused to share the details on this case that has been keeping him away from home until past midnight. Bella couldn't help smirking at Charlie's excuse that he didn't want his 'babygirl' to be worried. While he kissed her on the head and told her to head home, and promised he would be back in time for dinner that night.
She could see that Charlie was already up to his elbows in work. And the fact that he mentioned he was working with Dr. Cullen practically flustered Bella, sending a shiver down her spine from asking any further questions.
It wasn't because of the good Doctor, per se. It was more to do with the fact that it reminded Bella of the Doctor's shorthaired daughter, and how she was looking at Bella that same day at school in a way that was not settling well with the Swan girl.
The petite girl had a wide grin on her face that would rival a Cheshire cat. And even when Bella tried not to look directly at her during the classes they shared, she could still feel the Cullen girl's gaze burning into her.
Shaking off that shuddering feeling, Bella walked up the steps to the front door of her home.
Suddenly, she paused mid-step as she ascended the porch. It was weird, but she could swear she was getting that same feeling of having eyes on her back as she was walking. It was like an itch she couldn't scratch. And when she pulled into the driveway, there wasn't a presence other than her own within the vicinity. They didn't have neighbors living directly next to them. And the only people that passed by their house were driving in vehicles. Which was a scarce occurrence.
The itch wouldn't go away, it would seem. And when she mustered all her will to turn around and meet the gaze that was staring at her, she froze in shock. Her mouth forming an 'O' shape as her eyes took in the sight of the person standing on the evergreen lawn, within the darkness of night, facing her house.
Heart beating, breath quickening, Bella swallowed, attempting to moisten her suddenly drying mouth before she spoke: "Oh – its you." She breathed out. Her voice coming out in a whisper. But unbeknownst to her, the man standing across from her heard it clearly.
This was a mistake. He shouldn't even be here. Marcus turned around and was about to leave.
"Wait! Please don't go." Bella rushed down the steps of her home's porch.
She stopped instantly when the man turned around to face her once more. She dared not approach him further, but she was slightly relieved he didn't appear to be departing as he seemed a second ago.
Marcus should have left. But the desperate tone in Her voice made him stop.
He tilted his head as she studied her form up-close. Well, closer than he was since the first time he saw her.
Bella flinched. Obviously not expecting him to stay, nor was she expecting him to stare at her in a manner so probing. Like she was something he was not accustomed to seeing on a regular basis.
For a few long seconds there was silence, as the man didn't appear to speak. Bella, for many days since that night in Port Angeles, has been thinking of what to say to the man that saved her life if she ever saw him again.
But now that he truly was here, it would seem that her carefully rehearsed words escaped her memory. She nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her cheeks blooming red and hot.
Marcus could taste the sweet fragrance of Her blood, as it was more enhanced without the dilution of rain. But unlike any other scenario where one of his kind either fled or pounced. He remained rooted in his place.
"I really don't know how to thank you for saving my life." She gripped her soft pale hands tightly together.
Her eyes were cast to the ground. A shame, because she had the most dashing shade of brown he had ever seen. And brown was usually a boring color but not on her.
Almost as though she heard his thought, she looked up. His earlier testament instantly was validated.
She smiled demurely. "My name is Isabella – but people call me Bella. I m-mean .. I p-prefer Bella!" she was nervous.
She was shy, she was naïve, she was young, and she was a child. Bella was many things Marcus had realized. But what urged him to not flee was the fact that she wasn't petrified of him.
And she should be, rightly so. Even with her weak humanly sight, even amid the darkness of night, even as they stood facing each other absent the strength of light. The girl could plainly see that the creature that stood before her had bright red demonic eyes. And yet, she did not exhibit the natural reaction of someone in her position should. How strange.
If she displayed fear, then Marcus would have justification to kill her. In any mental state, he knew that the discovery of their kind was unquestionable.
In the distance, Marcus heard the sound of an engine. A vehicle. Someone was headed this way. He should really leave now. He didn't want to. He wasn't ready. But the fact that he had exposed his presence to one human, whom he was allowing to live, was more than enough. And he still didn't know if he could expect that this human girl would not speak about their encounter to anyone.
The engine sound was approaching rapidly. He had to leave. Even if the girl asked him not to, staying was out of the question.
This time he turned around and slowly walked toward the direction he came from. Silently expressing his departure when words failed him.
He expected the girl to call after him again. But he didn't expect her to say what she said next: "If you live nearby please visit when you can. I would really like to see you again."
Marcus nearly stopped in his tracks. Such a bold little girl she was. Asking a strange man to come visit her. In her home. For all she knew he could be a criminal, a murderer. But Marcus was much worse! She was essentially inviting a monster.
I would really like to see you again – Her words echoed in his mind as he slowly departed into the woods. He didn't want to reveal more of their abilities to the little girl.
She was so stupid and naïve. And if Marcus has any common sense he would either never return, or he should kill her, for the sake of preventing the discovery of the vampire race.
After a few moments, it appeared to the girl's eyes she was alone. But Marcus remained hidden in the tree line as he observed the aforementioned vehicle slowly approach the dainty white house.
An older man in a uniform stepped out of the car.
"Dad? I thought you wouldn't be home until dinner time." The girl was bemused.
"I know. But after seeing you pouting as you left, I realized that maybe I should spend more time at home." The man replied.
"I wasn't pouting!" The girl huffed as she placed her hands on her hips, pouting the same pout she was currently denying.
"Whatever you say, kiddo." Her father gruffly chuckled.
He wrapped his arm around his daughter's shoulder and they walked into the house together. From within the house they continued the conversation.
"Anything interesting happen today?" Her father inquired.
"Other than Mike trying to impress Jessica today during P.E. class but ending up with a dodge ball to the face. Not really."
"How did he get a dodge ball to the face?"
"Maybe he should have paid more attention when I threw it at him instead of ogling Jessica." The girl muttered.
Her father laughed. "I didn't know you had such a good aim, Bells"
The girl mumbled. "I was trying to hit his leg."
She continued her banter with her father. But it became a droned out sound in the back of his head as Marcus stood there, staring at the little white house. He felt something he hadn't experienced in a long time – Wonder.
A parent is the most trusted confidant in any child's life. Yet this girl did not speak about him to her father. Despite how unearthly and strange he may have appeared. She did not even attempt to drop a hint on the knowledge of his existence.
If Marcus did not find purpose to see the girl again, then her bizarre action cemented his verdict.
But before he did that, Marcus had to do something else first.
He had to ensure that the two Elite guards following his every move kept their own silence on his agenda before his next attempt to see the girl.
A/N: So sorry for the long wait to update this story. I got two kittens back in March and they are proving to be a real handful. They have grown up since then but I haven't realized they have taken up much of my writing time. But I think I'm starting to balance my writing hours during my free time again.