Thank you all for your reviews. I'm glad you liked the chapter. Also, I was re-reading Eclipse, when I noticed that I made a mistake in chapter 10. Rosalie had two brothers, not sisters.
James. That was the name of Bella's murderer. As unreasonable as it was, it made me dislike him even more. The nomad named Laurent began to speak again.
"Are you the only coven living here?" He questioned. I could tell from his thoughts that he was nervous about being attacked.
I looked at him calmly. "As far as I'm aware." I could have told him the truth, that the closest vampire coven was in Denali, Alaska, but I wasn't feeling very charitable towards the nomads right now.
I wasn't sure what to do. Carlisle would want to meet them, but it would be safer for us if they left immediately. I closed my eyes and thought for a moment. Eventually, I decided to take them to my father. At home, it would be seven to three. Also, if it came to a fight we would be in familiar ground.
"Would you like to visit our home?" I asked. "Our coven's leader, Carlisle is always very interested to in meeting other covens." I would have said father, but I knew that the nomads would find this very odd. A family of vampires was an extremely rare, almost nonexistent, state in this world. The leader, Laurent, had noticed our amber eyes, and was already unnerved.
He hesitated a moment, and James stepped forward. "We would be interested in meeting him, as well." I saw then who the real leader was. Laurent was merely a diversion. James was the real brains behind the coven.
I smiled, baring my teeth as a warning. "Very well. I can lead the way." Our party started forward, me in in front, the nomads following, and Esme and Alice last, ready to attack at a moment's notice.
We ran, the air buzzing with tension. The trees thickened as we got closer to our house, forcing us to slow. James looked around, then gave a nasty chuckle. I used to own property around here, before I was changed. I wonder if it's still standing." I was so focused on my own thoughts, I didn't really hear him. I gave a distracted nod as we weaved through the underbrush.
When we reached the house, I said calmly, "Carlisle! We have company." Jasper was a blur of motion as he ran to Alice. He froze, as the nomads tensed for the attack. Alice crossed quickly to his side. A second later, Emmett, Rose, and Carlisle were there. James's eyes widened with fury, as he realized he had been tricked.
Carlisle smiled warmly at them, introducing himself and our family. Laurent and James eyed Rose with interest. Victoria, James's mate, was furious. Jealousy coated her thoughts like acid. Emmett clenched his fists, and Carlisle tactfully mentioned that Rose and Emmett were mates.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. The nomads were uneasy, shifting from foot to foot, clenching and unclenching their hands. James finally broke the silence. "I used to live here, when I was human," he said.
Bella's voice rang out, filled with rage and sorrow I had never heard before. "Yes, tell them about that, you murdering bastard."
James spun around, and his mouth dropped open as he saw her. It was then I caught his thoughts. They surrounded me like a dark taint. They were sadistic, cruel, and above all, evil. They caught me like a net, dragging me under.
He strolled through the little town, feeling the admiring stares following him. He glanced disdainfully at the commoners, so in superior to himself. He saw a women, a pretty young women, her eyes wide as she watched him. He winked at her suggestively, and she giggled, looking like she would swoon. He turned a corner, and caught sight of two ladies, walking down the street. One was decidedly unremarkable, but the other was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
I felt nausea. Bella.
Still short, but oh, well. There will be more soon.