*** This story contains some mild language, suspense, romance, and some frightening images and situations—13 and older, please.

In the Grip of Twilight

By:

Olivia Tannis Moore

Chapter Fifty Two

Week One, Night Two

The Forgotten Legend

Muriel pursed her lips, and for a split second her eyes blazed a fiery-gold. "We don't work that way," she said as her hand snaked out and caught my wrist. "We are still the protectors of man. That even includes you, Half-ling. To kill you would make us no better than Them."

Demetri growled low, his eyes going from Muriel's hand around my wrist, to her face. It's alright, I told him. I'd offended her, and she'd offended Demetri. In this mixed company it was bound to happen often.

"I know of the other legend," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "The legend of The Forgotten." And then, I repeated the old adage: "When The Forgotten falls, so goes the Lycan race." My voice almost trembled. "Do you know who was responsible for The Forgotten's death?"

She immediately released my wrist and snickered. "Only a vampire could've told you that legend—another half-truth," she said, ignoring my last question. "From the ashes of The Old Forgotten, the New will rise, and lead the races to peace," she recited.

Her eyes grew soft as she stared at me. "I happen to believe that's you, Isabella Swan—you, my New Reformer, are the balance between us all. The Forgotten, in his ancient wisdom, knew this was to happen. No one is born with the blood of a Reformer. That creature you encountered in the forest that night, that Dark Angel we call The Forgotten, he passed it to you. He's the one that brought the virus, but not without the cure, which is within you."

Demetri immediately rose from his chair and glared down at Muriel. "Dark Angel? What are you saying?"

"Demetri!" I said aloud.

But Muriel didn't flinch. "You've been kept ignorant for much too long, Captain. Not every Dark Angel fed in gluttony on the human race. The Forgotten renounced drinking the blood of man. He covered his shimmering body with fur… he ripped the wings from his own back…and from those wings he made Us. So, when I speak of races, brother, I speak only of two…angels and humans."

Demetri slowly sat back in his chair, his face a mask of conflicting emotions.

My own mind was racing. I replayed that night in the forest when The Forgotten had crouched over me…he had sniffed me…and what? Found me worthy? And then I recalled Carlisle's discovery that the Lycans and the vampires carried the same DNA. Carlisle's science had unintentionally confirmed the legend, which probably made it very dangerous for the Cullens as far as the Volturi were concerned.

"It's all in Thaddeus' book," Muriel told me. "…and something more…but I'll let you find that out for yourself."

"You read the book?" I asked.

She shrugged her thin shoulders. "I already knew what Thaddeus had written. It's the vampires that have forgotten—and it is the Volturi that don't want them to remember."

She then looked out the small window into the forest. "You'll need to go back now…not much time left before they realize you're gone."

My heart leapt when I realized she was telling me that the Volturi didn't know I was missing yet.

She stood and turned to Demetri. Taking his hand in her own, she said, "I know it was hard to listen to what I had to say here tonight… But I made no mistake…you have a good, decent heart, Captain, or else I would have never allowed you to come to my home. Go back and translate the book for Isabella—and leave nothing out."

Demetri leaned in and kissed Muriel's smooth brown cheek. "I promise."

Her smile was motherly when hugged me to her. "One more thing, Half-ling," she said in my ear, affectionately. "It's time for the lamb to call the lion to her. In fact, you should call the whole Pride. And when Edward comes, you tell him that Muriel wants to meet him."

***

(Surprised? I'm sure a lot of you are deliriously happy that Edward and the Cullens are coming to Volterra next week (my next week—not week 2 of the story) Thanks for your patience in waiting for Edward to return. Have a wonderful weekend! …and thanks for reading. Love ya! OTM)