Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
I half expected Kate to be sitting at the counter with a wide grin when I showed up at her store. When I opened the door, all I saw was Carmen behind the counter. Like usual, the bookstore was empty, so Carmen switching the open sign to close was probably not needed.
"We'll talk in the office where there are more comfortable seats." Carmen said as she started walking towards the back to the office.
I wonder if this is going to be a long talk. From everything I learned from Edward, which was not much, I wouldn't think being a vampire's mate is that complicated. I wouldn't think this conversation would take that long.
Carmen had me sit in the 'bosses' chair that was a lot comfier than the one I should have sat on. I guess since can't get uncomfortable, she let me have the bigger chair. Carmen closed the office door to give us more privacy; privacy from what I'm not sure though.
"So, I received a call from Tanya after the class she had with you. She asked me to explain some things to you." Carmen said, getting straight to business.
"Couldn't Tanya just wait until have her meetings to tell me?" I asked.
Her meetings shouldn't last that long. Plus, as Tanya has told me plenty of times, she doesn't care about her job or getting in trouble with it, so why not skip the meetings? Why have Carmen tell me instead of her?
"Tanya feels that I would be better at explaining the dynamics of mating." Cue my blush. I think I've been hanging around Kate too long if my mind immediately goes to the gutter with that word. "Since I've been mated for a long time with Eleazar, I have first-hand knowledge of what you two should expect. Tanya wasn't with us when we were first mated, so she has only heard of how newly mated pairs act. To be honest I'm not even sure she's met a mated pair while in their early years." Carmen said.
"Then shouldn't Tanya be here to?" I asked.
If Tanya already knows what Carmen is about to tell me, why would she not be here? I don't want to sound clingy or anything, but I like being around her, this talk is only cutting into my time with Tanya.
"Tanya felt that you would be more comfortable with her not being here. Hence why I threatened Kate to make sure she isn't here." Carmen answered.
Carmen threatened Kate to not show here? Well at least that explains why I didn't see her when I first got here. Though I wonder what Carmen threatened her with. I would like to be able to use that in the future for when Kate gets really annoying. Carmen must have predicted I would want to know, because she answered my unasked question next.
"I won't tell you what I threatened her with. I haven't even told the others. I believe Edward and Alice would be the only ones to know and that's because of their gifts. But because of their gifts I know they know how to keep secrets, so they won't tell either. What I have on Kate is something I plan to keep to myself, if too many people knew then I wouldn't be able to use it against her." Carmen said.
Okay, so it's obviously something she did… I think. That would make since. I mean, if everyone knows you did something embarrassing no one can hold it against you; but if only one person knew, they can do what Carmen is doing. Blackmailing, I never thought Carmen would do that.
"Blackmailing?" I asked.
"No, well in a way I suppose. The only negative thing that happens because of me using my knowledge against Kate is that she won't bug someone, but rather someone else. That's the only time I, as you say, blackmail her. If you want, I can call her and tell its okay to come, I'm sure she would be here as quickly as she could." Carmen said with a teasing smile.
"No, no, that's okay." I quickly said.
If we're talking about me and Tanya being mates and all that comes with it, I do without Kate being here. I guess I can also see what Tanya would think I wouldn't want her here also. Tanya may not be nearly as bad as Kate, but she still teases, and I would like to get through this conversation without my face feeling like it's about to explode from all the blood rushing to my face.
"I thought so." Carmen said with an almost arrogant smirk, but then her face with back to its natural seriousness. "First off, do you have any questions before we begin?" Carmen asked.
I'm sure I do, I just don't know what they are yet. All I know is that vampires mate for life; a vampire mating with a human is rare. I thought that also a vampire's human mate's blood sings to them, but since I'm not Edward's mate, I don't think that's true.
"Well, Edward never really told me that much." I said.
Carmen's face, for maybe a second, looked mad. That look she had made me not want to get on Carmen's bad side if ever because the look alone is a bit scary.
"The fool; the moment he believe he was your mate, which he shouldn't have in the first place, he should have told you how he would act so that you expect it. Vampires act slightly different when they are newly mated, some are more controlled than others, but still, all act different." Carmen said with a bit more harshness in her voice than I thought necessary.
"Is it really that important to know? I mean, I would definitely like to know, but you seem a little more upset that I would think you would be about Edward not telling me." I said.
I don't want her to think I'm okay with Edward not telling me, because the fact that he wouldn't clue me most of the time really annoyed me. I just don't think it's anything to really be that mad about now, since what's done is done, nothing bad happened because he didn't tell me how newly mated pairs act.
"It is important to know. If you would have known I'm sure with how smart you are, you would have figured out you two weren't actually mates." Carmen said.
"What didn't he tell me?" I asked with slightly narrowed eyes.
Does that mean he knew we weren't mates? Alice already knew, yet she let me continue going out with him and let him and his family leave me. I don't know how much more betrayal I can take.
"When a vampire meets their mate in another vampire, the connection is instant. Both vampires can feel the bond between them. They instantly grow closer and crave each other's presence. It's not uncommon for newly mated pairs to always be in each-other's company." Carmen explained.
"So they're attached at the hip basically? Isn't that called the newlywed phase?" I asked.
I'm not seeing the difference of vampire mates and human couples. It seems the same to me so far, except the whole being a vampire and not technically alive thing.
"I supposes, if it were that simple. New mates in extremely emotional; they are very protective of the other and are very possessive. It's not common for one of the pair to become jealous very easily and act out on it. Newly mated pairs usually keep to themselves, away from others, until they outgrow this phase." Carmen explained.
"So, since Edward thought I was his mate, is that why it seemed like he was taking me away from my friends, my human friends, because he was jealous?" I asked.
"Well, that's a bit complicated. If he was actually your mate then, yes that would be why. I wouldn't be surprised if Tanya was planning on going on an extended vacation with you in the near future. But, Edward isn't your mate, so his actions aren't the result of that, that's just how he is. I'm sure Tanya will feel threatened by I'm guessing just Irina and Kate since they're still single. This will start to show more since you two have started to get closer." Carmen said.
So, I know I didn't realize it at the time, but Edward getting me to alienate my human friends was just because that's the way he is? Why would anyone think that's okay? Is that how people from his time did things?
"So because we aren't mates, his actions weren't influence at all by his instincts?" I asked to clarify.
"I wouldn't say that. You are his singer, he craves your blood. I'm sure on some instinctual level he wanted you all alone to himself. If that were the case though, he wouldn't have allowed his family to get so close to you. His instincts wouldn't allow his food source to be threatened to be take away so easily by another." Carmen said.
That doesn't really help clear anything up. I understand that because to him, I am the most delicious meal he could have because of my stupid blood, so he would want to keep me to himself. In a way he did, but only from humans, he let me get close to his family though.
"Why keep me only separate from humans though and not his family?" I asked.
"I could only guess that he didn't want the other humans scent to mix with yours. A human's scent is different and stronger than a vampire. While both are strong in their own rights, a human's scent ignites our thirst and a vampire's doesn't. So I'm guessing Edward wanted your scent as pure as possible so that he could enjoy it more. I'm sure he would have had a hard time explaining to his family why he would leave suddenly in the middle of the school year as well as hiding from Alice if he would have actually killed you." Carmen said.
Okay, so that's a little creepy. Edward didn't want to kill me because he thought he would get caught and in trouble. So instead he kept me away from anything that could hinder my smell too much. I wonder if that affected the way he treated Jake at all. If Edward went through all that trouble to keep his scent to himself, why leave me?
Of course, I don't actually know if what I'm saying is true. The only person that would why he did what he did would be Edward. Well, Alice knows as well. I wonder if maybe Jasper knew. He is an empath; wouldn't he be able to tell the different between the love of a regular couple and that of soul mates?
"You don't really know though do you? It's all just guessing?" I asked.
"No I don't. Our family has talked about it, but we can't come to any real conclusions without talking to Edward himself. Enough about that though, I don't know any more on the topic than what I've already told you. We are supposed to be talking about you and Tanya here." Carmen said, taking control of the conversation again.
"Sorry." I said sheepishly since I was the one that diverted the conversation. Not on purpose I might add.
"It's not a problem; I'm always more than happy to answer any questions you have. But I would rather have this conversation over as soon as possible so that we can make sure Kate doesn't decide to ignore what I said and come here." Carmen said with a smirk.
I guess Carmen didn't make sure Kate would leave us alone all day. Maybe she gave Kate a time limit to stay away? Or perhaps Kate is just so addicted to embarrassing me that she can't stay away. Whatever the reasoning for Kate possibly coming here while still talking about this mate thing, I want to make sure we avoid that from actually happening.
"Okay, so you've explained the basics of vampire's mating with vampire's, how about vampire's mating with a human?" I asked.
"Well, I haven't explained that much about anything really, but I've told you enough. The rest I'm sure you'll learn with Tanya as you go through it yourselves. The difference, the big difference, between mating with a vampire and a human, is simply you're much more fragile." Carmen said.
I couldn't help but give her an annoyed look. That was one big issue I had with Edward. He made it seem like I was glass sometimes and did his best to limit anything I did that he deemed dangerous. He didn't even bother checking to see if what he was doing bothered me at all.
"No need to be upset, it's just the facts. Until you can fall, like you're so prone to, and not hurt anything, then you can argue your fragility to me." Carmen said with a smirk.
"I know I'm not as durable as you guys, but I'm not as fragile as some make me out to be." I said defensively.
I almost said as fragile as they make me out to be, but they haven't done that. If anything with Kate using her powers on me all the time, it just proves that they aren't about to wrap me in bubble wrap like I'm sure Edward probably thought about doing a couple times.
"Was Edward a bit overprotective for your tastes?" Carmen said with a knowing smile.
I chose not to answer because it's clear she already knows.
"I didn't mean to make you upset, but you being more fragile than Tanya will make her instincts act slightly different. She'll be more than willing to fight for you, to protect you from anything. She'll hesitate on not trying to talk to you out of doing something that could get you hurt." Carmen said.
Her choice of words immediately caught my attention. There were countless times when Edward wouldn't let me do something. It was almost like I needed his permission to do anything outside of my normal daily routine. Carmen said though, that Tanya would tell me not to do something, but rather try to talk me out of it. She said Tanya would, like what I believe a normal couple would, talk to me about her issues of whatever it is I was doing instead of giving me an order.
"So, she wouldn't just demand I not do something she doesn't like?" I asked.
"Well she could, but it would still be your choice to listen to her or not. So I'm sure she'll just try to persuade you to listen to her and not do something she doesn't want you to do." Carmen said.
Well, that's a lot different from Edward. Being Tanya's mate just seems to keep getting better and better.
"So, if I wanted to go sky diving and Tanya didn't want me to, she wouldn't stop me but let me go?" I asked to make sure.
"Of course; but if you want to go sky diving I'm sure our whole family would do our best to stop you because no offense, but you seem to be in a constant losing battle with gravity. I'm sure that at the least Tanya would go with you if you did decide to go though. Kate and Irina would probably want to tag along to see if you mess anything up with your less than graceful actions." Carmen said with a teasing smirk.
Even though I know she just insulted me several times about my clumsiness, I was still very happy to hear what she said. I would have, no… I do have a family that instead of preventing me from doing something, would actually join me. Instead of not letting me have the experience, they would just make sure I live to tell about it.
"You're not planning on sky diving are you?" Carmen asked hesitantly, like she was afraid that I actually was.
"No, I don't think I could away with doing something like that without being immortal first. I just wanted to know what Tanya would do." I answered quickly. I would definitely need immortality first before I try anything more dangerous than walking on flat surface… at least until I've mastered walking on a flat surface without tripping.
"We're about half way done with this conversation. There are only a couple more things to talk about. Some slightly more embarrassing topics to you I'm sure. So do you have any questions before we start the end of this conversation?" Carmen asked.
"Nope, I've asked them all as we went." I answered.
"Okay. So the next thing would to talk about the actually mating part of being mates, sex." Carmen said. I can tell she's trying to not smile at my obvious discomfort, which is appreciated. This is not a conversation I want to have.
"O-okay." I stuttered while failing miserable to appear both bothered about our next topic.
"All you should really know is that a newly mated vampire is, well for lack of a better term, horny. I remember having sex every chance I could get with Eleazar. I believe it has something to do with bonding with your mate and cementing the relationship, but I don't really know. That would be something Carlisle I'm sure has a whole scientific answer for." Carmen said.
"Okay, so Tanya really wants to have um, sex, with me. All… the time?" I asked.
"Correct. Because you're human, the bond will take a little a longer to affect you and it won't be as strong as it is for a vampire. Also because you're human, Tanya will most likely be more prone to just having physical contact with you all the time, if not most of the time. She'll still want sex with you, but unless you want to as well, she won't push you. A mate will never make their partner uncomfortable in any way. When you do have sex though, while you're human, I'm sure Tanya will do all she can to get you in her bed." Carmen said. If her tone wasn't so serious, I would have thought she was teasing me, but I can tell from not only her tone, but also her facial expression that she means what she told me. So I'm going out with a constantly horny vampire.
Wait… Carmen said while I'm human. So does she expect me to have sex with Tanya before I'm changed? Edward said that's not possible. Should I be concerned that the first think that comes to my mind is the fact that Tanya can't have sex with me rather than she is going to?
"Edward said a vampire can't get intimate with humans because we're too fragile." I said, allowing my confusion to show in my voice.
"I can guarantee that you being human will have absolutely no impact on whether or not Tanya will have sex with you. Granted she won't be able to completely let herself go because she can hurt you, but she can still have pleasurable sex with you." Carmen said.
So really the only difference about me being a human is that Tanya will be more protective of me; but not to the point of not letting me do what I want to do like Edward. That explains why she got so hostile about Sarah, though I hope Tanya doesn't do anything to her.
"The mate connection you two have will grow, and if you aren't turned yet, you will want to have sex with her and Tanya would never refuse you." Carmen said.
"Okay, so I think the gist of all this is that Tanya is just going to be very protective right?" I asked.
"And also slightly possessive, but you will be to when you are eventually turned. When you get turned it will be like you are a newly mated vampire and Tanya will just go along with the ride because it means more sex for her. This phase doesn't last that long, it varies from couple to couple; but I'm sure when you get turned you two will go on another extended vacation." Carmen said.
At least I get two long vacations out of this right? Two long vacations with Tanya, I can't think of anything else I would enjoy more than that.
"Thank you Carmen, I can see where this would get awkward with Kate and Tanya both." I said since I'm assuming this conversation is over.
"It's no problem, I'm glad I can help. Although, I think my help has ran out." Carmen said.
"Why's that?" I asked giving her a confused look.
"Well, Kate arrived within hearing range a few minutes ago. She called Tanya and she'll be here in about a half hour or so. Kate said she would keep you company and since our conversation about mating is over, I can't keep her away." Carmen said.
"Oh." I said, getting slightly nervous for what Kate might do.
As that thought went through my mind Kate made her appearance in the office. The door opened to show a very serious looking Kate. She sat down in the only other available seat next to Carmen, folded her arms onto the desk in front of her and gave me a serious look.
"Now that Carmen is done with her conversation, I believe as your big sister, it's only fair that I have this conversation with you." Kate said in all her seriousness.
"A conversation about what?" I asked nervously.
I quickly glanced over to Carmen to see if she could give me any hints about what Kate might be talking about, but she looked as clueless as me.
"I should also tell you that Irina wanted to be here, but she had to hunt. Someone kept her from hunting earlier today, so she has to now." Kate said, avoiding answering my question.
"A conversation about what Kate?" I asked with slightly more force this time.
"Well, my dear sister, I happen to know you are a virgin since I know Edward was your first everything and he's too much of a prude to have sex." Kate said, her lips smirking for a little bit before her face slipped back into the serious mask she was wearing.
I felt my face pale a little at what she said. I can only imagine where Kate is going to take this. First off, it's a little unnerving that she knows that I'm a virgin, but the fact that she's now bringing it up makes me a little afraid.
"Um." Was the only word I could get out of my mouth.
"So, with your lack of experience and my simple amazingness at everything I do, I decided to help you." Kate said in a still very serious tone.
Now my imagination is going wild. If it wasn't for the fact that Carmen is still here and I know she will stop Kate if she goes too far (which I bet she will eventually), I would be trying my best to get away.
"Um… okay?" I said, more like questioned.
"So, Bella, I decided to give you a crash course in sex education and what exactly you need to do to ravish Tanya in bed." Kate said her personality finally coming out.
She said everything so fast that I was barely able to catch it all. The fact that I'm sure Kate has every intention of having this conversation with me caused my face to go bright red. I do not want to be talking about this with anyone… except Tanya for obvious reasons.
"Kate!" Carmen yelled in a scolding tone but it seemed to have no effect on Kate.
Great, a half hour of this until Tanya comes to save me. I'm not sure I'll survive.
A/N: Next chapter: The whole Bella being blackmailed thing will be dealt with.
So I don't remember exactly when in the school year Bella had started to 'get better' from hanging out with Jake. I know I wrote this so that when she started to hang out with him she then moved here as the start of the story. But for the purpose of my story I'm making the school year have maybe a month left, if that. Just so you guys know.
Also, the Cullen's will be showing up during the summer and it's not a surprise visit the Denali's will know with plenty of time before they come.
Victoria will also make her appearance during the summer and be dealt with then also.