Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; only my original character Lucy

Edited by Mione Boleyn

Sixteen

After the excitement of Lucy's new gift which Edward had dubbed 'earth manipulation' Carlisle had wanted to do several tests. Lucy was reluctant at first thinking this meant lots of needles but Carlisle quickly assured her that he meant testing the strength and variety of her gift. Stil Lucy only agreed because both Emmett and Edward agreed to be in the room with her.

The process took longer than expected and Lucy found it rather greuling. At least now they knew the extent of her gift. She had the ability to make plants bloom and grow, could control the use of plants – like using vines as a weapon – and could control the movement of earth and rock. It was a pretty cool gift to have, but Carlisle warned her of what might happen if she found herself overly angry – nobody wanted an earthquake on their hands.

Carlisle stopped after Emmett commented on how tired Lucy looked. Lucy allowed herself to be led away by Edward to the comfort of her bed. As she fell asleep, Edward stayed beside her stroking her hair and thinking of how fortunate he was to have found her.

Lucy woke fully rested and to an empty bed and she frowned until she noticed a note on her bedside table, it read:

Gone hunting, back soon.

Yours, Edward.

Lucy smiled at the simplicity of the note. She didn't know how long she'd been asleep but decided she'd go out and meet him. It wasn't dangerous for her to see him hunting because she wasn't exactly human. She dressed in ripped grey skinny jeans, a white tank top and black ballet flats.

Off she sped till she reached the outskirts of the forest. She wasn't in a hurry and didn't want to run into Edward before he got a chance to hunt. She sighed as she walked through the forest and breathed deeply at the earthly smells there. With her gift for earth manipulation it made sense that she was so at home in the forest. As she walked further into the forest, she began hearing movement and loud noises. The quite suddenly a figure shot out from the trees, her flaming orange hair fanning out behind her. The woman took one look at Lucy and Lucy found herself backed against a tree with a pale arm pressed against her neck.

'Who are you?' hissed the woman.

Lucy tried to talk but the arm against her neck was restricting and she didn't want to use her newfound power. The arm against her neck let up slightly as the woman realised Lucy had no room to talk.

'Lucy,' she said strongly.

'Last name?' enquired the woman.

'No last name,' said Lucy.

'Then no one will miss you when you're gone,' growled the woman.

'Who are you?' asked Lucy.

'Someone that's just passing through. I was looking for someone but I cannot find their scent. You on the other hand smell like someone I'd rather see dead,' she hissed.

Lucy glared at her. 'I'd like to see you try,' she goaded.

'Do not make the mistake of thinking I am not dangerous,' threatened the woman, 'a girl shouldn't be wandering the woods alone,' she added.

'Who says I'm alone,' croaked Lucy, as the pressure on her neck increased.

The woman hissed at Lucy ready to end her insignificant life till she heard the unmistakable howl of a wolf, the patter of paws and the running of feet. Not wanting to be caught in the crossfire and potentially die when she shouldn't, the woman ran just as the first wolf sailed into the clearing. The red haired woman ran away and the wolves followed. Shortly after their departure, Edward arrived with Emmett, Jasper and Alice.

Edward raced over to Lucy, determinedly checking her over for injury. Lucy knew better than to tell him she was fine and remained still as he looked her over.

'What happened? Who was it? Are you ok?' asked Edward, his own panic coming forward.

'I was coming to find you but I wasn't in a hurry as I walked. She came out of nowhere and attacked me' she croaked, her throat sore.

Edward noticed the bruise pattern on her neck and hissed, 'she? What did this she look like?' he asked.

'Tall, slim, with orange hair,' said Lucy.

'Victoria,' hissed Edward.

'She was looking for Bella'.

Edward cringed slightly. 'I killed her mate last year when I was still with Bella. He was a hunter'.

'It's ok, Edward,' said Lucy comfortingly.

Edward nodded stiffly.

Lucy could see Edward was troubled so she briefly lowered the barriers blocking her mind.

Smile for me Edward she thought.

Edward was shocked at first, turning to look at her in awe and confusion.

If you are unhappy then so am I. I shall spend my life making sure you are always happy she thought.

Edward smiled. 'How are you doing that?' he asked.

Lucy returned the smile. 'My mind is only silent to you when I make it so. If I lower my barriers you can hear my thoughts'.

'You're amazing,' said Edward.

Lucy blushed as she looked around, realising that Emmett, Jasper and Alice had silently slipped away.

'I suppose I should warn you, Alice is intending on planning a rather extravagant Christmas,' said Edward.

Lucy paled considerably.

'What's wrong?' asked Edward.

'Christmas? I have to buy presents, what do people like? How much is acceptable? I don't, I've never,' said Lucy, while panicking.

'Hush Lucy,' said Edward, pulling her onto his lap, 'don't worry about anything,' he added.

'Race you home?' she asked.

However Edward was reluctant to let her go, he tightened his hold on Lucy and said, 'I'd rather carry you home'.

Who was Lucy to argue with her shining knight?

ITALY – ARO'S PRIVATE CHAMBER

Aro was furious, the report from Jane and Alec had left more fear in him than he'd like to admit. He'd spent years putting fear into his own name, establishing strict rules and a following that others would fear. He saw himself as superior to all others. There was no one that stood above him. Even his own brothers were lower on the chair and followed his every command. The Volturi kingdom he'd built up was too important to be lost now, especially not to one that had no place in this world.

Anassa Lucia, he'd hated her the first time and would hate her now. He didn't see vampirism as a curse; he saw it as a reward that what he was doing was the right thing. If Anassa Lucia had been right she would not have parted from this world.

She'd been so blind in her teachings. Not once realising that he would dispose of her once she'd served her purpose and taught him all she knew. It had worried him when he realised Caius was in love with Anassa Lucia but his brother had been easy to control and had probably forgotten all about her now. Marcus had never said much on the matter but regardless of his feelings he'd still followed his brother's lead.

Aro had always been jealous that Anassa Lucia had picked the brothers three to receive her teachings. Aro had always seen himself as the best of the three brothers and believed that he should have been entitled to all her teachings. As it was Anassa Lucia had split her teachings between the three brothers claiming that they each had strengths and weaknesses and she would teach them accordingly. This hadn't set well with Aro, who was used to people following his every command. He was unaccustomed with the word 'no' and that it was a woman that had said that word made it all the more worse. Aro was proud and big headed then, and he still was today. His view of the word was very twisted to suit his own desires and what he considered a wrong doing worth punishment was considered normal behaviour to most others.

Still this news was not good and Aro knew that Anassa Lucia wouldn't let sleeping dogs lie. Sooner or later she would come looking for revenge and he would be waiting for it. If she was going to take away all he had created it would be from his cold dead fingers and he knew he wouldn't be the one dying at the end of things.