Edward

"I know you don't like the…food around here as much. Its silly for you to stay around here just because I'm here. Its only a couple of days, right?" Nathan smiled – He hated the idea of me leaving him for even a couple of hours, he wasn't hiding his thoughts so there could be no doubt in my mind. Yes he hated the idea of leaving me even briefly, but he wanted more for me to go and enjoy myself. Emmett brought it up – and ever since Nathan was convinced I should go with my brothers for the weekend hunting. It did sound enjoyable –mountain lions were in excess in California at the moment – only one part made me hesitant; leaving Nathan for a prolonged period of time.

"What will you do?" I asked – paying careful attention to what thoughts popped in his head.

"Go to La Push with Angela and them, I promised earlier this week... Then just chill with Alice and Rose or something

He eventually won – just like he knew he would.

My brothers and I took advantage of the overcast weather in California, we'd been stalking around all of the forest preserves in a 150 mile radius. Even though there was an aching pang of worry from being away from him I was enjoying this time with Jasper and Emmett – it had been months since we went off like this.

Jasper finished bleeding a cougar dry – I tried to avoid his thoughts while he fed. It wasn't a secret from anyone in our family that Jasper has never fully adopted our lifestyle; and would prefer otherwise if it hadn't been for Alice. In the midst of his hunt Jasper often frequented the same fantasy, the animal in him always thirsted for it to be human blood, but the more worrisome fact was that his cognitive self had the same desire. I tried to give him privacy while he imagined these animals were human victims.

Emmett glanced at me while I remained perched on the same rock I had been for an hour while I contemplated all of the things that could go wrong in my absence.

"Chill Edward. He's fine." Emmett reminded me as if he was the one that could read thoughts.

Was he? It just took half a second and everything would be over.

"Isn't he immortal or something anyway?" Emmett asked, rolling a stone in his hand idly before crushing it into a small pile of dust.

"Not yet."

"What do you mean?" This time from Jasper – who took a seat with the two of us, artfully wiping the blood from his lips.

"I don't really understand. Carlisle and I have been looking into it more thoroughly while Nathan is gone or asleep but most of the information is terribly inaccurate, unreadable, or it just doesn't exist. From what Nathan's explained it takes some time until everything just kind of…gets pieced together."

"Has he told you what happens when everything is finished?"

I asked Nathan – and I'm not sure if he knows and isn't willing to explain to me or if he's as well.

"No. He's been dodging the subject." I added sourly

"Can't you hear his thoughts?"

"He hasn't been able to hide them from me since all of this has happened, he says its draining to keep up his illusion. He does have a penchant for avoiding anything he doesn't want to discuss, even in his thoughts."

"Would be a nice skill to have" Emmett grumbled.

"I can think of many occasions when I wished you had a similar ability." Soon after Emmett turned, Rosalie and him spent hours fornicating. It was bad enough that everyone could hear each and every sound they made; the moans, screams, and occasional wall being taken down. But both hearing and seeing the act had made it a very long decade.

"You know you enjoyed it." He grinned.

"Enjoy isn't quite the word."

Do they have sex? Emmett thought to himself.

"No."

"Never?" This time from Jasper.

"I can't trust myself to not hurt him." I sighed.

Very few things outweighed my love for Nathan, but one of those would be my need for him to be safe.

Only Nathan would find a way to make it even more difficult for me to maintain control around him, but the part that really wracked my mind was he didn't try. Just being himself was bad enough – as if being incredibly attractive and desirable in every wasn't enough, lust just hovered above his skin and followed him with his every step. This strange aura was terribly contagious, more than once have I almost been seduced by his artful attempts to lure me into sex.

Emmett tried to picture how it would work, and I couldn't help but feel as though I was intruding on something I shouldn't be…but it was me in his head right now. The thought made me wince. Jasper was very careful not to provoke any mental pictures.

"I didn't think you were interested in men, Edward." Jasper commented casually – but I could sense the hint of disapproval in his voice.

"Neither did I."

It was true. When Nathan and I first crossed paths my sexual attraction to him had been initially very… confusing. After all, I'd spent the better part of a century under the impression that I was exclusively attracted to women. I was aware there were…other options that were popularized since the 60's but never even considered them. But I figured if a woman couldn't capture my interest how could a man possibly do so?

"Is it a problem?" I asked defensively. Jasper wouldn't be able to lie about this to me and he knew it. His golden irises eyed me apprehensively as I watched his thoughts consider the situation thoroughly. He disapproved the idea of two men together which didn't really surprise me, even in the 1800's the South was known for its intolerance. Most vampires didn't let go of their dated notions of 'right and wrong' so easily, why would Jasper be any different?

"I don't think it is…natural. But we've all noticed the differences since you've met him, and you two act just like any other couple really…he's a…well I was wrong about him. I do feel bad for you though." Jasper's tone became increasingly casual toward the end of his sentence and I knew exactly why as he grinned up at me. But asked him so Emmett wouldn't have to sit here unknowingly.

"Why's that?"

"You both know I couldn't handle it…but you seem to have some ridiculous self control that parallels Carlisle's. But if Nate could manage even half of what he did for Alice and I…" His voice trailed off while he began to reminisce about the night when Nathan cured him of those visions…

"What the hell happened anyway? You two haven't been that loud in decades"

We all laughed and exchanged stories that wouldn't have been proper in the presence of women. I told them just about everything that happened between Nathan and I when we were intimate…or lack there of. I tested the waters to see if it was something they were comfortable with, and neither of my brothers seemed to be bothered by it. It was probably safe to say that I found it more troublesome since I'd never had the opportunity or desire to share such exploits.

"Really, you have no idea. I mean…how do you even say no to someone allegedly descended from sex deities? Its hard enough just saying no when he's practically begging me, but then he does these…tricks."

Emmett and Jasper asked in unison – both of them had curiosity evident in their faces when they looked at each other grinning "Tricks?"

I lifted my head back and sighed in embarrassment, looking at the night sky, chuckling incredulously that I was about to share this sensitive information. Nathan wouldn't mind – he was completely open minded when it came to most things sexual…atleast if they involved the two of us. He told me that Sidhe culture is a lot less prudent when it comes to sex, that its something natural and required for a fulfilled life. Maybe he was right, but I still didn't see the point in risking him for something so trivial.

"Well…I'm not sure I can really explain it."

"Come on!" Emmett pressed.

"Okay. Well…the first time I lost it. Whatever he did, he had no idea he was doing it. But it provoked…both of my appetites. I didn't really think the two were so closely linked, but then again who ever expected to end up with a human…well…mostly human. Carlisle and Esme came and I eventually got it under control, but I haven't come that close to killing him since that first day.

"He exudes this aura of sexuality and lust that he can't seem to control but its just a part of him, but then when he actually concentrates…Its either the best or the worst thing in the world. I can't decide what" I laughed.

"What happens when he focuses on it?"

"Um. Its different every time. But we…practiced in Hong Kong. We managed to find a place where it was controllable. It sounds so crazy and dramatic – really." I chuckled to myself before continuing. "Really all he did was touch my arm and I thought I was going to climax. A small touch, and I swear it seemed like he was doing things other than that, atleast that's how it felt.

"But then he kissed me and it felt like, hmm…If you could think of the most euphoric, softest, most tantalizing sensation that would be it. And that tactile sense just seemed to massage me from head to toe during the kiss that lasted only a second, but I swore it felt like it lasted for hours."

"Why can't there be vampires with crazy sex powers?" Emmett sighed.

"So you really aren't going to turn him?"

"Why on earth would I do that?" I asked – trying with great difficulty to not sound aggressive.

"I don't see how else it can work really, none of us do. Its what he wants too."

"He doesn't know what he wants, he's only 18. Nathan has no idea what type of life this is."

Emmett and Jasper decided to not pursue the topic any further and fought to regain the joyous atmosphere that I'd ruined with my mood.

"But think of the sex!" Emmett laughed.

"Of course, How could I forget about the sex!?"

"Maybe I'll have to ask Nathan to do some of that heeby-jeeby stuff on Rose and I."

"That last thing you and Rose need is some sort elven Viagra."

Emmett grumbled and kicked around dirt idly but continued to consider the possibilities. I wondered if Nathan would do it for Rose and Emmett, it sounded like an extremely awkward situation to me but was willing to bet that he wouldn't be bothered by it. We continued to talk about 'guy stuff' until enough time passed when we were hungry again.

After glutting ourselves again, we all got ready to head back to Forks. Jasper and Emmett never liked longer trips, they hated being away from their corresponding girlfriends. And for once I understood how they felt because I had someone waiting for me…

Nathan

"Come on Nate!" Mike yelled from the explorer window, impatiently honking while I tried to find a sock that ran away from me. I ended up just getting a new pair and rushing out of the with my shoe barely on only to be greeted by yet another dreary day. I didn't mind though, it had warmed up to around 45 degrees so I wore a light spring jacket.

I opened the door and quickly scanned the very few available seats. Actually, there was only one, conveniently shoved right next to Jessica Stanley. Edward told me she still hadn't given up on her pursuit over me, I guess she had given Mike Newton an ambiguous answer to his proposal for prom in hopes that I would ask her. She smiled amorously in my direction causing me to have to fight a grimace before I squeezed in next to her. There was an echo of "Hey nate's" as I got in the car and we sped off to the beach.

"Isn't it a little cold to go surfing?" I asked curiously. As far as I knew there weren't even places to surf in Washington.

"Nah it'll be fine! The waves are going to be awesome since there is a storm coming soon." Mike explained exuberantly.

"Shocker…" I whispered under my breath.

"So how was everyone's winter holiday?" I tried making conversation – an apologetic attempt because I hadn't really spoken to most of them except in passing since Hong Kong. Much to my relief Jessica was absorbed in a conversation with Lauren about some boy in their gym class that I'd never met. I'd actually get answers from people I was interested in.

"Lots of xbox 360." Eric confessed.

"Nerd!" Mike laughed from behind the wheel.

"Don't lie, I saw you on X-box live last night Mike!"

"No idea what you're talking about."

Mike and Eric continued to argue while I took the opportunity to look out the window at the forest preserve. Ever since I came to Forks I'd been enamored with the forests of La Push reservation – at first I assumed it was just surprise – but my appreciation for the stunning green woodland hadn't faded in my months here. Angela turned around and smiled at me "So what were you doing over break? I called your house but your Aunt said that you were on vacation?"

Shit. Well ignoring the fact that I had gone anywhere was out the window.

"Yea, I went to go see my mom back in Hong Kong. What about you?"

"Oh nothing really. Ben and I went to this family reunion of mine on Oregon." She grimaced as she said it.

"Sounds thrilling!" I said with mock enthusiasm.

"It was pretty awful. My family met Ben for the first time too so we were both pretty embarrassed."

"Ah…I can relate. The whole 'meeting the parents' thing is awful."

There was a glimmer in her eye – and I knew I misspoke. Shit. I love Angela but she was really damn perceptive, it made lying to her that much more difficult. Well I wasn't technically lying to her, but I certainly wasn't telling her the truth.

Apparently she wasn't the only one who caught my statement because Jessica asked me in a careful voice, "What'd Edward do over break? None of us saw any of the Cullens over break…..Not that we usually do or anything."

I watched Mike stiffen at the mention of Edward – I noted it for future speculation but ignored it for the time being. I guess it would be best to explain what Forks thought of Edward and I at the moment.

I'm not sure how much of it was said and the rest was just from Edward's cognitive prying of most of the town, but everyone in Forks was convinced that something was out of the norm when it came to Edward and I. We were aware that we were under the spotlight most of the time in public so we maintained a safe distance, but neither of us really strained ourselves to continue with yet another façade. It was of scandalous proportions compared to most of Forks' gossip, but we could handle gossip. Both Edward and I had much bigger secrets to worry about than our sexual preferences.

I could have avoided it further, but my guess was the questions would continue until they were satisfied.

"Erm, Most of them went to Hong Kong "

I was temporarily spared from the impending interrogation as the SUV came to a slow stop. I must have been so absorbed in my rebuttal I didn't even notice us getting closer and closer to the beach. I'd never been this close to the water – actually I don't think I've been to the actual reservation before. Edward always steered quite clear from it, maybe he just didn't like the crowds…

Mike opened the window and a gust of cold air infiltrated the warm auto giving everyone a slight chill. "You're really going out there in this?" Angela asked in disbelief.

"The water will be warmer." Mike said confidently – but Eric and Jessica didn't seem convinced, both exchanging a fearful look with one another before changing into their water-suit.

"You gonna come Nate?"

"Nah, I think I'll just walk around the beach."

"Want me to come with?" Angela asked as she zipped up a water-suit too, she didn't look nearly as excited as the rest of them. As much as I would have enjoyed a walk with Angela it probably wasn't the best idea alone, I should have asked Edward what he thought of people knowing about us …Of course they would ask, it was naïve of me to assume they wouldn't.

"No its fine! Go ahead." I smile encouragingly.

"Okay, don't go too far though. I really doubt we'll be swimming too long, we're gonna set up a fire after get out."

"Sounds awesome. I'll be back soon."

Angela reluctantly jogged toward the water without a surf board – presumably just to enjoy the beach after a chilling winter. Who goes to the beach while there is still snow on the ground? I could hear Jessica screaming as Mike splashed her, hopefully he would keep on distracting her.

I let the noise of their chatter fade away, allowing me to focus on the surreal scenery of the reservation.

It was surprising that that this place existed in Washington, no one had told me there were things like beaches and beautiful forests when moving here! Even though Forks was looking better than ever, I still considered it mostly as some suburban wasteland. It probably wasn't the most tactful thing to do, walking away from my friends who had invited me here despite the fact that I've neglected them lately. But really, there was no way I was swimming in late January.

The tide swooshed in and out, the repetitious sound helped me concentrate on nothing in particular as I strolled along the cool beach. I'd made enough distance so my friends were nothing but specks on the horizon– I'd have to go back soon since they surely wouldn't be swimming very long. I may not have been uncomfortable in the weather; but I had adjusted the temperature around myself accordingly, and was willing to bet it was definitely too cold for swimming.

They better not get hypothermia

I sat there worrying to myself when I jumped at a magnified vibration in the back pocket of my pants. It took me a second to realize that it wasn't some monstrous, other-worldly bug and took out my cellphone and with a deep relief saw Edward's name calling.

"Hi! You haven't left yet right? You weren't supposed to be back until tonight." I spoke a little to eagerly, even if it had been just two days… it felt like years. Ugh, I was so addicted to Edward it was pathetic.

"Is everything alright?" He sounded panicked.

"Uh, yea. Why? What's wrong?"

"Where are you?"

"The push. Edward what's going on?"

Edward wasn't easy to panic. He wouldn't be calling with such a tone on something trite and adolescent like most boyfriends… something but really be wrong.

"Alice just called me – she said your future just went blank…I…"

"Everything is okay. I promise, I'm just here with Angela and the others."

Edward sighed into the receiver for a moment before speaking again, "I'm on my way back, I want you to go home…now."

I didn't like that he was commanding me to go home like a child. I fought hard not to sound vesed at the authority in his voice "I can't. I didn't drive and we just got here."

"Fake an illness then, it isn't safe for you to be there with Alice blind like this…"

"They're going to be furious, I can't do that to them. I've been completely avoiding them lately I can already feel that I'm on thin ice. Plus…nothing is wrong, if there was something so awful I'm sure I would see—"

What I was about to say was that I was sure I would see some sort of impending doom myself, my visions have been slowly becoming more controllable. Key word slowly. Maybe I should have less faith in my visions – how could I possibly see the future if I didn't even notice two large boys, no..men standing directly infront of me.?

Until today I'd only seen Hollywood depictions of Native Americans. I knew that this was a Native American reservation but just assumed they mostly kept to themselves, and just as I was thinking earlier, Edward and I never came to La Push. Both of them towered over me which was a rare perspective being that I'm taller than most. They had to be atleast 6'5 with a frame that at first appeared skinny but I could tell there was an understated muscle. Their long silky black hair fell down passed their shoulders, one had it hung in a pony tail while they glared menacingly in my direction.

"What is it?" Edward demanded from the other line

"One sec."

I looked at my two visitors for a good five seconds hoping they would fill this awkward silence that they created. When I was confident they weren't intending on doing anything other than glare at my I finally spoke, ignoring Edward's demands from my cell phone.

"Can I help you?" I asked, the natural condescending tone rearing its ugly head.

"That Cullen on the other line?"

How the hell did these strangers know I was talking to Edward? Did gossip really travel as far as the reservation in a small town like this?

"Yes. Why?"

"You've passed the boundary, you know what this means." The guy with the pony tail said through gritted teeth – he was clenching and unclenching his hands so fiercely the veins fought to break through the skin.

"What line? I'm just here with my friends dude"

Edward was practically screaming into the receiver so I brought it back up to my ear – officially annoyed between these weird guys interrogating me and his impatient demeanor.

"What is it?" I hissed.

"Run. Run as fast as you possibly can to the border. Go south. Go now Nate!" He used 'nate.' That probably wasn't a good sign.

"The bord…" I started to ask.

"No questions. Just go, Alice will pick you up once you're close enough."

"You broke the treaty. You're all in deep shit now. Free game." He clasped his hands together and laughed.

"Finally we get some leeches. I'm sick of running around doing nothing."

Edward was right. They looked at me like I was some sort of contest, I could read the eagerness all over their bodies. They were just two human boys so I wasn't exactly worried…I may not be a trained fighter or anything but I'm definitely stronger, faster, and smarter than these two thugs. Why was Edward so overprotective of such a small threat?

But they kept on talking about some sort of treaty and boundary lines…At first I just thought they were either mistaken or completely insane but then what Edward said flashed through my memory. Run as fast as you possibly can to the border.

I was slowly growing accustomed to keeping my shields open so the visions come and go freely without censure, they've been less aggressive as long as I didn't try to fight them. I hadn't tried to drink any human's blood lately atleast, point for me.

What the hell were these guys doing? Something just seemed off about the entire situation, I couldn't help but notice a certain sense of danger even though on the surface it appeared to be no more than the beginnings of some high-school brawl.

I glanced toward the forest in the direction that I would run and had to suppress a groan. How the hell was I going to explain this to my friends. My eyes scanned through the green brushes and went deep into the dense opening of thousands of moss-covered trees where there was an animal…

A wolf. I think?

It was fucking huge.

Perhaps if I saw it standing alone the perspective wouldn't be nearly as shocking, but the thing looked bigger than your average horse. The wolf's expression….if they could have such a thing…seemed tranquil while I watched the honey colored eyes examined me carefully before looking toward the two boys in front of me. I glanced at the boys infront of me for less than a second before turning back toward the wolf but it was gone.

Too many weird things were happening. I would definitely have to follow Edward's advice and get the hell out of here. It would be a far run to the Cullens' house – a minimum of 10 miles. I'd never really attempted long distance running so I wasn't sure if my lungs were more Sidhe or human. Guess we're about to find out.

"Peace." I grinned looking up at the two guys while they looked at eachother with bewildered eyes.

So this was going to be something new. Something I'd learned recently was I wasn't nearly as human as I'd originally thought, but my own mental boundaries had been holding me back. Now that most of those self impose walls were broken down thanks to this new-found confidence it seemed like nothing was impossible.

I covered myself in the 'shine' that my mother describes. This was different than the cosmetic adjustments I was accustomed to exploiting, it felt like a short breeze dancing over my skin. This felt more like an oozing sensation trailing down from my head all the way to my toes. I had no intention of becoming invisible – as far as I was aware that seemed much more like a sci-fi fantasy novel than how things were in reality. But with this I was confident that anyone who began to look even remotely in my direction would have a sudden and irrational interest to look elsewhere. Who needed to be invisible when no one looked in your direction?

One more thing. The two people that I really needed to distract were looking straight at me. Fey magic works a lot differently than people think it works in the movies. A little bit of dust and I got whatever I want, as convenient as that fantasy was, was exactly that…fantasy. They were looking straight into my eyes so no matter what I did I couldn't escape them, no magic would confuse them until I could get them to look elsewhere – then I could disappear. All that I needed was a couple second head start.

I covered their eyes and senses with my 'metaphysical hands' so to speak, something that would have taken an impossible amount of concentration a month ago. It was just like breathing that I could confuse these humans senses…while I stood there I had a sudden surge of pity for them. Humans were so defenseless…

"Look." I pointed in a random direction to the side where I'd seen the wolf. Any direction would have worked really as long as it took their eyes off of me. As I said it I heard my voice sound like wind chimes playing on a spring day – it was an oddly natural sound, and yet it seemed so unfamiliar and beautiful I was enamored by my own sound. To be fair it wasn't really my voice speaking – but as if I amplified the…gusto…. Of my own voice a hundred fold. These humans had no choice but to look away – the curiosity would eat at them within seconds.

They fell for it. And I was gone.

In the short second they were distracted I was already ten feet away and running at a pace that shocked even myself. I could hear them arguing while they looked in my direction for a brief moment before moving onto the next direction – they couldn't hear, see, or smell me. My entire existence had disappeared from their perception for now, but I knew this wouldn't hold. It was just a guess, but probably only ten seconds. That was more than enough time to make it under the guise of the thick wood at the speed I was moving.

My legs carried me at an inhuman speed with absolutely no effort, even less than walking had been. I couldn't understand this change but I didn't really try to at the time – the adrenaline was pumping in my veins at an undetermined pace that forced me to focus only on the task at hand. Getting the hell back to the Cullens'.

My eyes couldn't make out all of the details of my surroundings at the speed I was running, the only thing that kept me from colliding head-on into some massive oak was my instincts. I allowed myself to be completely free from thought and reason and let my body carry me throughout the forest. I laughed exuberantly at this change. There was a sound to the trees…there were laughing with me. The goddess was following my every step right now – I said a small prayer of thanks and continued to run.

I couldn't judge how fast I was running but it didn't seem human. Maybe twenty to thirty miles an hour, but the only time I'd gone that fast was in a car…the surroundings seem quite different when you're free from the metal prison. This was a freedom I had never felt before. A rather large root was in my way and before I even processed everything my legs ducked and threw myself eight feet into the air before continuing my sprint through the brush.

Logic was telling me that I could stop running – that there was no possible danger that could have chased me, except for well…a vampire. But the vampires were my friends.

I'd already given myself in to my instincts though and they were ringing with a sense of danger that surrounded me. I wasn't blessed with well attuned hearing so I ran blindly through the forest hoping that I was making it in the right direction. Branches protruded from the trees randomly like, little wooden daggers that would have cut anyone else moving at a reckless speed but they seemed to never be closer than a centimeter of my skin.

Edward was calling.

There was no sign of it – but I grasped the little phone out of my back pocket just in time for it to start buzzing away.

"Edward." I smiled.

"You'll be at Alice in a minute or so, just keep in the same direction." His voice was guarded.

"What's wrong?"

"Just worried, that's all."

Lies. It was as if someone whispered into my ear but I couldn't be bothered it. I shoved it away for later…right now I just needed to know one thing.

"I love you."

"As I love you. Wait for me at my house…my heart is still with you."

I smiled and whispered "Always." But he had already hung up.

It took only a couple of seconds before I noticed Emmett's white jeep stationed at a treeless section of the forest with Alice's tiny frame leaned up against it. I could tell my speed slowed to a human pace until I was inched from her. I wasn't even out of breath…

"What were you doing?" She scolded.

"Uh…nothing? I just went to the beach with some friends. What's with all of this?" I motioned toward the car.

"You disappeared from my sight Nate. It was just like you didn't exist anymore."

"There are a lot of reasons that could have happened Alice…Things have been changing with me, maybe they're throwing off your visions… I'm the one that should be asking questions."

"Why's that?" She asked while getting in the car as I mirrored her movement before we went zooming off into the forest.

"Because you're all acting really damn shady. Edward calls me all freaked out, these two guys pop up out of nowhere ready to fight me. Then Edward tells me to run to a boundary? What the hell is going on?"

I started clicking away furiously at my phone while waiting for Alice to answer my questions. Knowing Alice, I was probably in for quite a wait…all of the Cullens had a habit of just not answering my questions rather than lying.

'I'm with Alice now. When will you be home?' I texted Edward before continuing my pursuit of answers.

"Well?"

"We should wait until Edward gets back."

"No. I just ran like 8 miles from my friends, without warning them, just on some paranoid suspicion that I was in danger. I want to know."

My phone buzzed and I checked it 'I'll be home when you get there.'

"Fine. It can wait." I grumbled in defeat.