Chapter Thirteen
They seemed to talk for hours and hours on end, always more questions and more stories to be told. If Zondrea was being honest, she would say she was getting a bit bored and anxious. More than anything, she wanted to go explore the Cullen's territory, maybe even go see a bit of the small town, hiding in the dark corners, of course, and staying out of human sight.
But, she tried to be patient, answering all of Carlisle's questions, and occasionally Edwards, whom seemed to be relaxing and even taking interest in some of Zondrea's stories of her past. He paid closer attention when she started explaining the complexity of her powers.
"How does it work exactly?" Edward had asked, eyes somewhat emotionless, but Zondrea didn't miss the glimpse of curiosity.
She smiled in a friendly manner. "Well, it works a bit like yours. While, yes, I can read minds, its power is stronger than yours, but much more limited. I have to be looking at the person, or somewhat close to them and it's like hooking into their own mind, as if a live wire is attaching them to me. And I can innocently read what they're thinking, or start manipulating it and make them do, say, or think differently." She explained easily, sitting in one of the office chairs in Carlisle's study, directly across from the Carlisle, but she was turned to face Edward.
"So, could you change the way someone feels? Or just what they're experiencing in the moment?" He pushed, seeming relaxed as he very humanly leaned against the white wall.
"Well, yes I can change what they feel, but from what I've experienced with this power, their feelings will always go back with time." She answered, trying to explain it to her best ability. She hadn't had much practise with changing the feelings of others, but more so what they're thinking or doing.
"Interesting." He murmured, nodding back to Carlisle for him to take over the conversation.
They talked awhile more, now Zondrea being able to ask most of the questions, mostly centering around Forks in general and the family, asking for their stories, but finding Bella's the most interesting.
She gave Edward an odd look, "I can't even begin to fathom how you did it." She complimented him and he gave her a tight smile, but still a smile.
"Yes, it was not simple." Then he slightly narrowed his eyes in wonder. "Did you ever come across someone like that, what they call a singer?" He asked.
Zondrea looked downwards at that and felt a feeling of what was like guilt come across her because, yes, she had come across someone like that and ripped that exact person's throat out without question. She had been angry back then, almost all the time. Hating the vampire who had changed her and hating the new life she had. And, she had thought that one person was born to taunt her and make her life hell, so, she gave up, ignoring the gentleman that had been her 'singer' and killed him without a second thought.
"Yes, and it ended in death." She admitted finally, gaze switching back to Carlisle, who seemed to want to take the conversation in a new direction.
"Now, Zondrea, I know I didn't tell the family you were taking any sort of permanent stay here, but, and I'm sure Edward will agree, you're more than welcome to. I've seen the way you talk and react to things and I think you'd be a great addition to our family." He smiled, and Zondrea couldn't help, but feel gratitude at this. She had never had a real family, not even in her human life.
But, she found herself turning to Edward. "You don't think I'm a danger?" She questioned, slightly confused.
He shook his head, now serious. "No, no, I definitely do. But, I think you're more of a danger out on your own. If you have us as somewhat of an anchor, you'll feel a commitment to staying on our certain diet." He paused for a moment. "I've been inside your mind almost since you've arrived and I can tell you want to be like us, and that you do feel like this is a good choice." He finally said, and then held up a hand, "But, there are a few things." And then gestured for Carlisle to continue.
"Right now Renesmee is attending Forks High School as a sophomore and posed as Bella's cousin, because obviously she has grown too fast to be known as their daughter." Carlisle apologetically glanced at Edward quickly. "But, we think if you're going to have permanent residence, you'll need to be enrolled as well. Though, I want to give this some time. I was thinking we give sort of a 'free month trial'." He smirked at his own words. "We observe your behavior and debate if we think you're safe enough to be around that many people. Though, I think it'd be good for the human side of you." He finished, obviously waiting for Zondrea's opinion on all of this.
She actually thought it was completely brilliant. It seemed that Carlisle realized she wasn't the type to be locked away and out of the public eye. It must've been her mentioning she wasn't one to sit around and watch everything from a distance. For some odd reason, she could see herself in high school, surround by humans and observing all of their behaviors and actually having to work to analyze what and who they were without the power of her mind. She could do this, she thought happily.
"I think that's brilliant. And a month will give me enough time to spend with each of your family members. I don't want to be alone anymore." She admitted easily, knowing Edward could already clearly read this, she felt his presence in her mind, but pushed it away, ignoring the crawling sensation.
Carlisle smiled at her happily and almost...proudly and Zondrea could clearly see why him and Esme had taken over like parental figures to all of these vampires.
"Yes, and the time will hopefully change your eye color." But, Carlisle didn't sound too convinced about that, in fact, he looked worried.
"You don't think they're going to." It wasn't a question.
He sighed, "I don't and before you ask, I have no clue as to why they haven't started to dull yet. They should have, but like Bella noted before, they're even more red than when you have arrived." He frowned at that, but shook his head. "No need to worry, though, in a months time, if they have not changed, you'll simply have to wear contacts. But, we'll get to that when we get there." He smiled again and then turned to Edward.
"Why don't you and Emmett show Zondrea around the area, and inform her about the pack and the boundaries?" He suggested and Edward nodded immediately, before walking towards the down, holding it open for Zondrea.
But, she turned to Carlisle and with the most sincerity she had said, "Thank you, I can promise you, you will not regret this." And then followed Edward out, easily heading downstairs with him and following him out the front door. "Emmett seemed to have heard the last part of the conversation." He informed her, gesturing to where his adoptive brother was standing and waiting for the two of them.
"Finally," He sighed and then smiled, looking ready to take off. "Just around our borders then?" He asked Edward and got a nod in reply.
"And I believe a little hunting couldn't hurt, we can start heading north."
And that's exactly what they did, all three of them heading towards the sound of a river. They were all running and Zondrea couldn't help, but enjoy herself, feeling like a child again. Everything felt so free and new and open.
Edward was fast, she noted though, and that almost made her want to challenge him, to see who was faster. But, she held herself back, settling for just keeping pace with him, Emmett a bit behind the two.
The ventured throughout the forests surrounding the Cullen's house, and it was like Zondrea was in a trance the whole time. She'd never seen such a healthy and full forest or such lively animals, literally scattering all around. In her life, she'd only been to major city areas or dry land, never anything so lush and full of life.
They reached a cliff-like area, there was a dip in between the land and flowing, but small, river down below. She wanted to jump down to the water, or possibly the other side. But, she also wanted a better view, so she paused, and so did the boys, seeming to talk with each other as they figured she just wanted a better glance at everything.
She decided to climb a towering tree the was just on the edge of the cliff-face, using her fingers to lock into the tiny grooves in the tree and maneuvering her feet to help push herself up, till she was as high as she could get, almost to the top.
Grabbing onto the trunk, she leaned forward and let her eyes wander for miles, taking in the trees and greenery, the low sky with clouds that threatened it to rain any moment. In the distance she could see an ocean and, if she focused, could smell the salt water rolling off of it.
Without really wandering for permission, she jumped.
She aimed to cross the cliff-face, landing on the other side and breathing in deeply, only to be choked by the deep, musky scent she had smelt on Jacob earlier. Her nose wrinkled and not a second later was Emmett yelling, "Zondrea!"
And in that same moment the scent got stronger and she glanced to her right, hearing the footsteps of what would seem to be a heavy creature.
Her old instincts kicked in and she was in a crouch, teeth baring as a black wolf appeared almost out of nowhere, lip curled upwards to reveal long and sharp teeth, a deep growling coming from its throat.
The wolf had no hesitations as it shot forward, aiming to grab her arm with its mouth, and it might have easily done that if Zondrea wasn't so fast. She darted out of the way, not daring to turn her back to jump back from where she had come from.
"Sam!" Edward's voice appeared over the growling that was coming from the wolf and now Zondrea as she prepared for its next move.
And suddenly, Zondrea realized this wasn't any ordinary animal, it was a werewolf. And she was on its land.
The wolf paused now, turning its ears in the direction of his voice and waiting a moment before Edward spoke again. "Zondrea, come back over here before he decides to not act so peacefully."
She didn't need any more encouragement than that, quickly and gracefully jumping back to where the two boys stood, waiting and almost furious. Edward turned to apologize to the wolf that was still standing, facing them from across the river.
Then he was turning to Zondrea, "I know you didn't know, but next time try to be more cautious." Although his words were reasonable, his tone was biting and sarcastic.
She wanted to roll her eyes so badly, but didn't want to seem rude, though she realized that Edward could already read her thoughts, so she did it anyways, crossing her arms stubbornly. "How was I supposed to know your clan lived right next door to a pack of dogs?" Her curiosity and amazement for the creatures was completely gone, now hating them for their viciousness and smell.
He just sighed, "It's been this way since before we've made residence here, so I'd get used to it." And with that, signalled for Emmett and her to follow, seeming to want to head far away from the border.
They hunted for awhile after that incident, Zondrea laughing as Emmett found himself teasing a bear and she couldn't help, but be amazed at this as well. She had never seen such a big animal so up close before and she couldn't keep her eyes off the creature or Emmett as they taunted one another, till Emmett's hunger won over and he sunk his teeth deep into the neck of the animal, running it dry.
They eventually needed to head back, though, but Zondrea had another idea in mind. "Just as a little experiment," She started, smirking. "I'll race the two of you back." And that seemed to spark a competitive streak in them both.
And suddenly they were all running back at full speed, and Zondrea had to admit, Edward was fast, but her legs were long and she was lean, so she pushed forward, mostly keeping pace, but somewhat pulling ahead.
And as they raced and fooled around like children, she couldn't help, but feel happy for once. All thoughts of the Volturi gone from her mind.
(A/N : So, a couple things : I know I said it was gonna be an Emmett/O.C. and it is, but I'm taking my time with that, I want to get all the formalities past before I focus on them. And second, I'm not really happy with this chapter, but it's just sort of a filler chapter. I promise the next one will be much better. And another, review if you want, I'd really appreciate some feedback. New chapter probably tomorrow!)