Chapter 8

Tara's POV

Finally we arrived at the location where they would be playing baseball. "So then?" Emmett requested as he let me slide to he floor.

"Carlisle was quicker," I answered before moving away slightly. My ears managed to pick up Carlisle and Esme laughing at my answer.

"That's not fair," Emmett groaned.

"All's far in love and war Emmett, honestly," I rolled my eyes sarcastically. Rosalie laughed at him and threw a ball towards him, with the speed he caught it and she threw it I knew this was going to be no ordinary baseball game, I stood back and watched Jasper flinging the bat around in boredom whilst we waited for Edward and Bella.

"Oh can I try?" I asked running up to him, he raised his eyebrows and sighed.

"If you must," handing me the bat he began to slowly instruct me what to do, I tried and nearly knocked myself out. He thrust his arm out and too the bat from mid air, to protect my face.

"Thanks," I murmured glancing at the floor.

"Stick to the dancing," Jasper responded placing his arm round me, and then the field was filled with the rumble of Emmett's Jeep.

"They're here," Esme yelled walking towards the car. It looked like Bella and Edward had returned.

"Go with her," Jasper whispered placing a hand on my back; I followed Esme toward the Jeep as it pulled to a stop.

"Right girls," Esme placed an arm round both of our shoulders. "You're helping me Ref," she added nodding towards them all as they took their places.

"She thinks we cheat," Emmett yelled.

"I know you cheat," she answered.

"I'm thinking your probably right Esme," I smiled warmly at her as she glanced upwards at me.

"It's time" Alice yelled as the clouds hit overhead, it was then when I realised perhaps I should have asked for an umbrella.

The game was ridiculously quickly, Rosalie was first up and when the ball hit the bat there was a resounding thud which echoed across the field. "GO TEAM" both me and Bella yelled sarcastically but we both couldn't help but show some shock at the game which was unfolding.

"I've never watched Baseball before," I confided in Bella and Esme.

"Trust me, it's not all like this," Bella and Esme laughed.

The game began to progress, my attention was only distracted when I heard Esme mutter "Alice". I glanced first at Esme and then Alice, who was standing in her pitching position, trance like.

"What can you see?" Carlisle requested, I guessed Alice was having one of her visions.

"They are moving quicker than I had anticipated," Alice answered. Who was 'they'?

"Something has changed?" Jasper asked, his voice eerily close I realised he was now standing next to me, I grabbed his hand.

"They heard us playing so they altered direction to join in, 5 minutes away," Alice explained.

"We haven't time," Edward answered glancing at Jasper, I understood Jasper wanted to run me home, Edward had obviously wanted the same with Bella.

"There's three," Alice continued.

"Then let them come," Emmett announced standing his ground. Obviously Emmett didn't find their arrival threatening.

"Continue the game," Carlisle nodded.

"I'll call now Esme," Edward explained. Taking his place closer to Bella.

"I'll catch," Jasper instructed. "And Tara hold this bat, look like you're going to bat," I widened my eyes. "We won't let it get to that" Jasper smiled at me.

"Take your hair down Bella." Edward added.

"Like that'll help," Rosalie responded harshly.

"You could smell her across the field Edward." Alice added as she moved away, her smile was sympathetic with a worried edge.

"I'm so sorry," Jasper whispered moving slightly away, I gave his hand one last squeeze before we released each other.

I saw them in the distance emerge from the trees, the first was a male, he clearly led the pack, there was a female and then another male. They closed up together to form a tight pack before they approached our group. They appeared more animalistic and their clothes alone contrasted greatly to the Cullen's and then I saw it their red eyes. Their red eyes taking in the Cullen's, Carlisle approached first accompanied by Emmett and Jasper.

The first man had glossy black and olive skin, the women had vivid red hair, she seemed close to the other man whose beauty didn't astound me like other vampire's did.
The dark haired man spoke first.

"I knew we had heard a game of some kind I am Laurent, they are Victoria and James," he indicated behind him.

"I am Carlisle, and this is my family, Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie, Tara, Esme, Alice, Edward and Bella," he pointed us out in the groups within which we stood.

"Would you like a few more players?" Laurent enquired.

"I'm afraid we were just finishing but perhaps you could return to our home with us?" Carlisle asked calmly.

"We were just curious, we've had no company for some time," Laurent continued, they then exchanged some brief details about hunting ranges, I was currently taking in the appearance of Victoria who appeared to be trying to stare out Rosalie.

"There is a permanent resident like ours in Denali," Carlisle explained. That caught my attention, I wasn't aware of that, how many vampires are there in this world?

"Permanent?" Now you've got me curious." Laurent began to glance at us all individually, his eyes sweeping over me for the briefest second. I suppressed a shudder.

"We can explain at home, please come visit us." Carlisle answered politely. "Would you like to come with us? Perhaps Jasper, Tara, Edward and Bella would care to take the Jeep?" he added onto the end, now I understood we wouldn't be returning back with them. That plan could work, but it was then when a slight breeze gently swept across the field, everything changed, I sensed everyone tense, and James launched himself forward in a crouch a growl emitting from deep within him. His eyes focused on Bella.

"You bought a snack?" He roared, Edward launched himself defensively in front of Bella, everyone else also launched forward, senselessly I also crouched down mirroring the stance of Rosalie in front of me, it was singular, snack and all of the three visitor's eyes were solely upon Bella, not me. It was then when I realised it, I was wearing a combination of Rosalie and Alice's clothes, and my scent was hidden, completely hidden. Think vampire, think vampire, I kept thinking, I desperately tried to blend in.

"What a great deal we have to learn from each other."

"Certainly."

"We shall still visit your home, and the human girl shall be left alone," Laurent finished. It was over that quickly, that easily?

"Come on Bella," Edward responded moving her towards to the Jeep, Jasper joined me, placing his arm round my waist I grabbed Bella's hand, to try and pretend that was why we were walking slowly at human pace, as we approached the Jeep, Jasper slid into the back with Bella and I slid into the front with Edward who was driving.

"We shouldn't have bought either of you there," Edward murmured. "Strap her in Jasper" Edward ordered, I glanced backwards and noticed Bella struggling with the straps on her seat.

"Edward, calm! Being stressed won't help anything," I responded.

"It's alright for you, they didn't get your scent, and your thoughts weren't helping the matter back there," Edward shouted.

"ED-" Jasper began from the back.

"Shouting won't help either!" I answered calmly.

"Yes, they didn't get my scent and sorry if my thoughts were a little loud, but I was trying to minimise the damage back there."

"Where are you taking me?" Bella asked changing the subject.

"As far away as here as possible," Edward began. "He's a tracker, don't you see, what I just did back there was completely wrong, by defending you like that I began a chase, a hunt, it won't be over until he gets you…"

"Or we get him" Jasper finished.

"But Charlie, take me home Edward, we can't leave him behind," Bella pleaded.

"No!"

"Edward!" I responded harshly "He's her father" I'd lost my parents, I didn't want anyone to experience that, I'd no idea where we were going or what the plan but I knew now was that Bella was in serious danger and I had only just escaped, clearly Seth and Jacob hadn't been joking when they warned us.