Chapter 8

A/N: Ooh, here comes the twist everybody wanted! I had a great time writing this chapter! I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did!

Carlisle: (shoves back against the door while female screams come from the other side) "Can't you get better security in this building! The door is starting to crack!

Me: (laughs) "Just open it, then. I have an idea."

Carlisle: You have lost your mind!

Me: (gives evil smirk) "get close to the window, though. And be prepared to hang onto the ceiling like a cat. Watch this."

(Opens door. Fangirls rush in only to dive straight out the window.)

Me: (slams window shut) See? It'll take them some time to come around. They'll all be okay, of course, but it'll buy us a couple of hours of quiet."

Carlisle: (shakes head).

"Baby, you'll be fine. Don't worry," Alex reassured his nervous girlfriend.

"But...what if they know? What if I can't convince them?"

Alex wrapped his arm around his girlfriend's shoulder. Pumpkin was always terribly nervous about these things. Vampire energy was always much stronger than human energy any day. Pumpkin would fit right in. She was a shape-shifter, and right now, she was in her vampire form. Her dark blue-green eyes had turned to gold, the flawless color. With her sweet heart-shaped face, her sugary voice, and small, shapely figure, she had nothing to worry about.

He thought she was much more beautiful in her Siren form, though. He ached to see that golden skin and the beautiful sea-colored eyes again...

Alex himself was a vampire. He had adopted the vegetarian diet recently, but only because Pumpkin had convinced him to do it. His eyes had just turned golden. He vaguely wondered if her feeding from vampires was her own form of "vegetarian". He'd never asked her that, though.

Taking Pumpkin's hand, he knocked crisply on the door. It swung open after a moment. Music was spilling into the hallway from a grand piano that was stashed in there somewhere.

"Who are you?"

Rosalie, ever the hostess, answered the door.

"We're vegetarians, like you," Alex said easily, "we heard your coven was pretty big and got along pretty well."

"I think we've got plenty as it is," Rosalie said, hinting heavily that she didn't want any new members.

"Let them in, love," Emmett said, easing her away from the door.

Pumpkin shyly looked at the floor, her tiny hands clasped close to her body. Alex had his arm protectively around her. He could sense her unease from a mile away.

"....she hasn't been anywhere for the last week; it's the strangest thing..." Carlisle and Edward emerged at the top of the stairs. Carlisle bit off the end of his sentence when he saw Alex and Pumpkin.

"They want to live with us," Rosalie sighed, knowing she'd be defeated if she argued. Emmett gave her an encouraging smile and squeezed her hand.

Carlisle gestured to the "dining room" and gave them a welcoming look. They took the hint and wasted no time in getting there.

"My name is Alex, I'm two-hundred and ten. This is my mate, Pumpkin. She's a little younger than I am."

Alex leaned over and whispered "she's just come out of the newborn stage" in a mock-conspiratorial tone. Pumpkin looked extremely embarrassed, staring at her hands in her lap as she sat.

"There's nothing to be ashamed about," Carlisle said, reading her mortified expression, "we've all gone through it. I see that you're both vegetarians."

Alex laughed.

"Yeah. My precious can't stand murdering innocent people. She's so sweet."

He kissed Pumpkin on the cheek. Pumpkin looked as though she would have blushed if she'd had blood.

"Tell me about yourselves," Carlisle said, taking his 'leader tone', "where did you come from? What do you like to do?"

Alex thought for a moment.

"Both of us have actually been all over the world," he said truthfully, "but I've seen more of it than Pumpkin has. I met her on a cruise ship coming back from Greece."

It was the truth. Edward searched their minds for deception, but he could find none. Alex and Pumpkin were being very careful.

Too careful.

"Didn't you have difficulties with your skin?" Carlisle asked.

Alex grinned.

"Nope. Some colleagues and I came up with a special cream that keeps your skin from shining. It's even waterproof--lasts for about three days. We were right out there with the rest of 'em and they didn't notice a thing."

"What about eating?" Rosalie asked, searching for a way to trap them.

"Uh, well, that was kind of a pain," Alex admitted, "they wondered why so much raw meat went missing. We both spent a few hours in the bathroom afterwards...but I won't bore you with the details. Let's just say I never want to see another fish again."

The others laughed, but Rosalie made a face. She knew that there was something wrong with these two, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Little did she know, her feelings would eventually end up being correct.

"I like chemistry and science. Engineering," he said, throwing a pointed look at Rosalie, "computers. Things that move in predictable patterns. Pumpkin's living proof that opposites attract. She likes to sing and dance and do theatrical stuff."

Pumpkin looked as though she wanted nothing more than for the floor to swallow her up.

"Where's Alice?" Edward suddenly asked.

"Where else would she be?" Emmett asked.

"Shopping," they said in unison.

"Alice will be thrilled," Emmett said sarcastically, "she'll have another Barbie Doll to play with."

Pumpkin smiled, but it was a very nervous smile.

"We'll have to vote on it," Carlisle warned them, "but I don't think you'll have much trouble. Would you like to see the house?"

Quick to make a good impression, Alex was out of his chair in a split second. Carefully pulling Pumpkin's out for her, he behaved like the perfect gentleman.

If only it were true, Pumpkin thought sadly.

Edward, sensing the momentary darkening of her mood, turned his head to look at her. Pumpkin forced herself to remember a day when she and Alex had been the perfect couple: their engagement. For the time being, Edward seemed to buy it, but she could feel his growing suspicion.

"If the others vote you in, you can stay in this room," Carlisle said, gesturing to a door, "it has a lovely view."

Alex let Pumpkin in first, then came in after her. Pumpkin stopped abruptly, staring in disbelief.

It was beautiful.....

Never had she seen such a breath-taking sight: the gentle English countryside rolled beautifully out below like a green quilt that had just been shaken. The evening was quickly approaching, the sun beginning to break through the weak afternoon clouds. Golden rays flowed into the room, highlighting everyone in their soft light. Their skin all sparkled like diamonds, casting rainbows everywhere. She sighed in contentment, hoping that this coven would let them stay.

"Alice, Bella, and Renesmee are home. It's voting time," Edward said.

"Are you all right, dear? You seem to be upset," Carlisle commented to Pumpkin. She gave him a shy smile.

He was so...handsome...

"Let's go downstairs," Alex suggested, squeezing Pumpkin's hand much harder than was necessary. She cringed a little, but did as she was told.

They did. Alice and Bella were both loaded down with shopping bags, as was Renesmee. Renesmee stopped directly in front of Pumpkin.

"Who are you?" she asked bluntly.

"We're about to get to that," Carlisle told her, "I need everyone in the dining room. Jacob, Leah, Seth, you too."

Within a few seconds, two large males and a female came in. They were the biggest humans that Pumpkin had ever seen. They towered above her, at least twice her height. The closest one to her size was Alice, the one with dark spiky hair. All three of these olive-skinned, dark-haired humans had an odd smell to them, like dogs. Pumpkin noticed that the female seemed to scowl an awful lot. She found herself on the end of that scowl and looked away quickly.

"We have some 'relations' that are interested in staying with us," Carlisle said, taking his place at the head of the table, "their names are Alex and Pumpkin. They are also vegetarians. Alex is a chemist and Pumpkin is a performer. They just arrived shortly before everyone else came home. All in favor of letting them stay at least for now raise your hand."

Jasper shrugged and raised his hand. Alice seemed to be thinking about it more, but she cautiously raised hers. Rosalie scowled and did not raise her hand, but Emmett did. Renesmee also did, but seemed reluctant. Edward did as well. Bella seemed more inviting and her hand went up quickly. Jacob, figuring a couple more wouldn't make a huge difference, raised his hand. Leah, being her usual self, did not. Seth, giving a big smile to Pumpkin because she was cute, eagerly raised his hand.

"Majority says that you stay," Carlisle said, not even needing to count the hands, "as long as the rules are followed. Alice, I believe getting them settled in is your area of expertise."

Alice had a thing for interior decorating as well as fashion. She clapped her hands together eagerly and whisked Pumpkin out of her chair.

"It's been so long since I've met somebody new! Oh, come on! I think I know just the thing!"

Pumpkin cast a questioning look over her shoulder at Alex. He gave a single nod and Pumpkin allowed herself to be led from the room.

"Are you and Alex mates?" Alice wanted to know.

"Yes," Pumpkin said shyly.

"How long have you been together?"

Pumpkin tried to remember what it was he'd said.

"About a hundred years. Not very long," she lied smoothly.

A sick feeling entered her stomach. Pumpkin didn't like to lie, but she knew she would have to in order to survive.

Alice had brought her back to the vacant room. She was chattering away about furniture and decorations and where things would go. Pumpkin barely heard a word that she'd said.

"Oh, I never asked you what your favorite color was," Alice said.

"Purple."

At least that was a question she could answer honestly.

Within a little while, there was a large ornate bed in one corner with purple sheer curtains around it, creating an almost nest-like feel. Gold complimented the sweet shade of lavender nicely. The bed was piled high with pillows to make it more inviting. A loveseat couch was put in front of the fireplace so that they would have a comfortable space by the fire. Sweeping velvet curtains were put up by the windows. Alice promised that there was more to come. Pumpkin was getting tired, but she knew she'd have to stay awake until Alex could cover for her.

She decided just to stay away from the beautiful bed and lie down on the couch. Within seconds, she was fast asleep.

"Edward," Alice whispered. Carlisle and Alex were talking very in-depth about the cream Alex had invented.

Edward went with Alice outside.

"Something's wrong, Edward. There's something strange about Pumpkin."

"Glad I'm not the only one who feels that," Edward said, "Alex seems kind of controlling."

"It's not just that," Alice said, "she doesn't smell like a vampire. She smells...odd. It almost reminds me of..."

"Dawn," they said at the same time.

"So...why does she look like a vampire?"

"Maybe she's a shape-shifter."

The two of them thought long and hard.

"But why would she want to come here? I wonder if Alex is making her. She seemed awfully quiet."

"Maybe we should ask Dawn," Edward suggested, "something just doesn't seem right here."

They found themselves caught between the two Sirens. Whom to trust? It was a tough decision. At least Dawn hadn't tried to hide what she was, even if she was a selfish, spoiled being.

They ran all the way up to Dawn's castle, found the door again, and entered. Wasting no time, they went straight upstairs to where they knew she would be.

Dawn was outside on the balcony. She was sitting slumped over against the stone wall. Her clothes hung very loose around her body and they could tell it had been a long time since she'd fed on energy AND human food. Some of her feathers had fallen out and were laying on the stone like wilted flower petals.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"We came to ask you a question. A few, actually," Alice said.

"Go on."

She didn't look up at them. Her breath was labored as she spoke.

"A pair of vampires came in today, but there's something off about the girl. She seems..."

Edward had ventured closer. Suddenly, Dawn's head snapped up. Hauling herself off of the stone, she circled Edward, sniffing at him. Instantly, she became angry.

"There's another Siren in MY territory!" she growled in a low, dangerous voice.

"That's what we wanted to ask you," Edward said, "she's-"

But Dawn wasn't listening. She stared off into the woods, her wings flaring.

"Dawn! Calm down! We need to know if she's good or not and why she's hiding! Dammit, Dawn, come back!"

Dawn launched herself from the balcony, wings spreading gracefully. The landing was rather rough because she was weak, but she shakily stood up.

"I gotta have something to eat..." Dawn said, shaking very hard, "I can't do a spy mission hungry and with Carlisle around."

A few minutes later, the trio happened across a group of unfortunate male hikers. Despite Dawn's gaunt and haggard appearance, they drew to her like moths to a flame. She sang them a short little tune. Within seconds, they all lay motionless on the ground and the golden sheen had returned to Dawn's skin.

"You didn't..." Edward trailed off.

"No. They'll wake up in a few hours," Dawn assured them, "they're having a nice little dream right now."

She pawed through their backpacks. Pilfering an apple, some granola bars, and a bottled water, she left the poor hikers to dream.

Once they had reached the Cullen house, Dawn was feeling much better. She shape-shifted into a vampire herself. Her eyes turned gold, which was definitely an unusual sight.

"Are you sure you'll be able to control yourself?" Edward asked.

Dawn nodded, her expression implying a slight irritation.

I'm NOT a child, Edward. And yes, I know you can hear me.

Edward smirked and let her inside.