I ran towards the Masen's house, half following Edwards scent, half following my memory and completely annoyed.

When I had first moved to Forks I checked it out. According to the legend, no-one knew exactly where Edwards' family lived but it was in the forest somewhere. It had only taken me one night to find it in all its abandoned glory. I wondered what it would look like now even though a part of me already knew.

I raced down the driveway and up the front steps hoping they had left the door open.

They had. Lucky me.

I threw open the door and stepped inside.

"EDWARD CU-MASEN!" I yelled unnecessarily, quickly correcting my naming error. Old habits die hard, or so I've heard.

Suddenly I was surrounded by the Masen's. They were all in defensive poses and didn't look happy to see me. I think I heard Carlisle growl. I was slightly confused, they had seemed welcoming at lunch. I looked around at all of them waiting for someone to yell 'Gotcha!' but as my eyes travelled swiftly by Edward it clicked.

It had been a trap. They hadn't gotten defensive at school because it was somewhat neutral ground and the risk of exposure was too high, so they had gotten Edward to lure me here. I was a little hurt that they had felt I needed to be tricked into coming here.

"You know," I said crossing my arms, "if you wanted me to come over, you could have just asked."

I could see this shocked them, I'm not sure what they were expecting me to do but it wasn't this. Granted, if this had been any other group of vampires I would have been petrified as I crouched down to defend myself (not that I would have much hope against seven vampires) but it was the Cullens, they weren't going to hurt me. Or at least I believed that they wouldn't.

Carlisle straightened out of his crouch and scrutinised me for a moment before speaking.

"Name, age, power if you have one, and your business here," he said, no warmth in his voice. This frightened me a little, this wasn't the Carlisle I knew.

"Of course Carlisle," I smiled seeing he was a little put out that I knew his name, "I'm Marie Penn, I'm 93, I'm a shield, I was born here and now I go to school here."

As I finished speaking the women eased out of their crouches but Jasper, Emmett and Edward didn't move. I decided they would make nice statues in the castle that I suddenly had the urge to buy.

Alice giggled. I winked at her and Edward growled. I'm not sure if he was growling at me for deciding such a thing or Alice for finding it amusing. Everyone, except me and Edward looked at Alice for an explanation.

"Marie decided that Edward, Emmett and Jasper would make good statues for the castle she wants to buy," Alice explained which earned me a chorus of growls.

"Don't worry, I've just now decided that gargoyles are a much better choice, less chance of them running away," I said trying to placate them.

"When you say you were born here do you mean human born or vampire born?" Carlisle asked brining us back to the interrogation.

"Both," I answered simply.

"When were you changed?" He looked worried about something. It took me a few moments to realise he was worried about the wolves. I had grown so used to being considered their friend that I had momentarily forgotten the Cullen-La Push treaty.

"Oh, don't worry, the treaty wasn't broken, the wolves know it wasn't you because you weren't here at the time plus they got the guy who did it. Ripped him to shreds and burnt all the pieces apparently," I explained hurriedly.

"How do you know about the wolves?" Jasper asked as he straightened up which indicated to me that he no longer perceived me as a threat to his family.

"I'm good friends with Jacob the alpha" I replied honestly, "We hang out all the time."

"You associate with those dogs?" asked Emmett incredulously standing up straight as well. 6 down, 1 to go. Edward, noticing that he was the only person still crouching defensively, stood up as well. I could tell he still didn't trust me, probably something to do with him being unable to read my mind, but at least he was accepting his family's choice.

"We knew each other before I became a vampire," I shrugged, suddenly shy.

"He's the only person that I can be myself with, he's my family" I whispered.

Everyone was silent for a few moments as they processed what I had just said. It gave me time to snap out of my sudden shyness, it was weak, it was too Bella.

"Ok, if we're done, Edward I believe you have something of mine, two something's," Three if I really thought about it but let's not go there now.

Edward pretended to look confused and shook his head. Obviously the silence had given him a chance to snap out of whatever he was feeling too.

"Why don't you check your pockets?" I prompted. Two could play this game.

"Oh, you mean these?" He asked feigning ignorance as he pulled my flasks from his pockets. I could see his family's shock at his behaviour and it made me wonder.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. There were many things I would have liked to say to Edward, none of them particularly nice. Or relevant.

"Thanks," I said catching the flasks Edward tossed to me. "See you guys at school then."

I turned to leave when Esme's voice stopped me.

"Marie, wait, I know my family has been quite rude tricking you like this but let us introduce ourselves," she called, and I thought seeing Edward was hard. I just about fell apart right then and there on hearing the love and acceptance in her voice.

"There's no need," I said as I turned around.

"I already know about you all.

"Carlisle Cullen, currently Dr Carlisle Masen, you're the head of this family, your 453 years old, you're the most compassionate vampire I've ever met.

"Esme Anne Platt Evenson Cullen Masen, you're Carlisle's mate and 204 years old, you love everyone you know passionately.

"Rosalie Lillian Hale Whitlock, you're mated to Emmett, you're 184 years old and you are by far the most beautiful person I've ever seen.

"Emmett McCarty Cullen Masen, you're Rosalies mate, also 184 years old and very strong.

"Jasper Whitlock, Alice is your mate, you're 256 years old, you can feel and manipulate the emotions of those around you.

"Mary Alice Brandon Cullen Masen, mated to Jasper, 196 years old and you can see the future unless it involves the wolves.

"Edward Anthony Masen, your 198 years old and you can read the mind of everyone here except mine. You're also very fast," I smiled turning to leave again almost revelling in shocked and surprised looks on their faces. Almost, but not quite. I couldn't shake the thought that I could have been one of them. I needed to get out, now.

"Wait!" called Alice. "Why don't you stay, we can swap stories, learn more about each other?"

I stood at the door unsure of what to do. On one hand, I didn't want to be in the same room as Edward for ANY longer than I already had been.

On the other hand, it might be nice to have some vampire friends for once. Friends that I wouldn't have to leave in a few years. Friends I could visit whenever I wanted and no worry about them getting suspicious because I never ate, went out in the sun or aged. I only had one friend like that.

Jacob.

It would be nice to have a few more friends like that.

"Come on, please!" Alice begged. My resolve to leave wavered as I considered the options. As much as I desperately needed to get away from them, I wanted to stay. Alice's eyes glazed over for a moment and she grinned.

And just like that I was spending the night at the Masens.

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