Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, Stephanie Meyer does... et cetera, et cetera
I gave Edward and Alice a wry grin as they prepared to start home. "I suppose there's something around your house that I can snack on later?" I asked. Edward and Alice gave each other a swift look.
"There are a few deer herds, a couple of minutes out from the house," Edward told me, his voice guarded. It was smart to be a bit mistrustful of me, they recognised the danger I was to them. Also, they cared for the life they had here enough to subtly remind me that they don't regard humans as food.
I widened my now golden eyes, the very picture of innocence. Solemnly I put my hands out, palm up, "Never tasted human in my everlasting life," I told the two. I shot a disarming smile at them. "I swear, Scouts Honour." In spite of themselves, Alice and Edward gave a low chuckle, though still a bit edgy.
I gestured at the starry sky. "Do you think that Carlisle and Esme would be getting a bit worried by now?" I asked, carefully gauging their reactions. They were both a bit shaken with my knowledge of the 'family hierarchy'. I blithely tapped my head, turned around and started jogging away, giving them a chance to catch up. Let them wonder what abilities I have.
If I was going to travel at their speed, it was going to be a slow trip back to Forks, and I didn't even have the distraction of having to stay hidden. Instead I had to carefully regulate my speed to theirs. Still, the feeling of euphoria could take root even at slower speeds than normal for me. Soon all three of us had the expression of rapture on our face as we danced, laughing through the woods.
We reached the Cullen house, and even more so than before I appreciated the old beauty of it. Many would describe it in the same terms, but there was no other word for it: timeless. The trees allowed daylight movement; big, arching branches shaded the entire lawn, a perfect house for vampires.
Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie came out of the house, their welcoming smiles, no doubt meant for Edward and Alice, turning into frowns as they saw me walking confidently and catlike in front of the pair.
Jasper gave Carlisle a brief look, before dashing forward to Alice. I swayed lithely out of his way and looked back, smiling at the couple. Jasper was ready to risk death by the hands of an unfamiliar vampire to be with the vampire he loved. I had never had any one like that for me, and most likely never would.
I waited until Alice and Jasper were done reuniting before moving forward slowly, arms out and palms up, showing the vampires that I meant them no harm. Carlisle looked a bit surprised by this development, and also glad that I wasn't showing any signs of aggression.
As I moved forward, I saw his eyes grow thoughtful as he saw my own golden spheres. I felt Jasper send out waves of calm to all present, useless on me of course. I turned my head and gave him an amused look, letting him know that his power didn't work on me. In return, he re-appraised me. I wasn't what I looked, that was for sure. Respectfully, I stopped a few hundred metres short of the family.
One by one they started forward at the same speed that I had been travelling, arms out in the same gesture of peace as I had given. Carlisle was the first to reach me, bravely shaking my freezing hand, colder and harder than even his was. I recognised this vampire from the Volturi's minds. They're the only human-feeding vampires I have met and spared, and I only because they keep the other vampires in line. I could have killed them and taken over the job, but it would be a boring way to spend eternity. For me, killing is a hobby, not an obligation.
I politely introduced myself, "My name is Bella Swan, and it's nice to meet you all." I threw off slight lines of power, connecting to all the Cullens, bar Edward. I couldn't bear to touch him, even with my abilities. I could hear thoughts coming off of them now, but only surface thoughts. I had deducted that the comatose state could only be reached through the deep-probing. But still, I wouldn't take that risk with Edward. My entire being shied away from hurting him, or even running the risk of doing so.
Esme came up next to Carlisle and gave me a warm smile. Rosalie gave me a cool, superior look. But what Emmett did totally astounded me: unafraid, he walked right up to me and gave me a huge bear hug, pinning my arms to my sides and lifting me off the ground. My body tensed and my vampiric instincts and reflexes told me go into full attack mode, but I had good control, relaxing and letting Emmett live. I allowed him put me down on the grass. A devilish look sparked in my eyes, I gave him a quick hug in return. A bone-crushing, painful squeeze later he was on the ground, laughing and holding his waist.
The wariness that I felt disappeared, and turned to a confused but hospitable atmosphere, altered by the friendly display of playfulness. I helped Emmett to his feet before I unhurriedly skipped over to Esme and gave her a light embrace. Aware that Rosalie thought of me as a pest, I looked at her and nodded, not invading her personal space. Jasper, Alice and Edward walked up and joined the rest of their family.
I shook hands with Jasper, exchanged a smile with Alice and Edward, and then turned back to Carlisle. He offered an invitation to me. "Do you want to come inside, Bella? We may as well go in and have a seat. I have a feeling this is going to be a long night."
"I'd be delighted Dr. Carlisle. Don't worry about me; I won't hurt your family," I told him, letting him know that I knew more about him than he would expect. He took the new information in his stride and started walking towards the house.
He either trusted his children to protect him, or trusted me tremendously to turn his back. Letting the Cullens flank me, I walked with them into the house, and a night of discussion.
Next chapter we will find out more of her powers. Thanks for your reviews; they bring a beam of happiness into my day! R&R, point out errors – as always!
Ninja Spork
