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Disclaimer:All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.

Special thanks to Snarkymuch, Gredelina1, Arrr, Augustmoon. Verseseven and Mary-Alice-Brandon-Cullen for pre-reading this. Also to LJ Summers for her guidance.

The was pre-read by jtmd24 and beta'd by Maxipoo1024 from Sparkly Red Pen. Thank you ladies.

Chapter Three — People Are Not For Studying

Bella POV

I laughed as I gunned the engine and pulled away, leaving the empath coated in a fine layer of dust. I adored my bike; it was the closest I could get to running while remaining inconspicuous.

I had seen many inventions over the years and tended to shun them all as they came in and out of fashion. Those ghastly pocket telephones for instance, constantly beeping and ringing, interrupting life. I had no desire to be at someone's beck and call whenever they demanded; I had left that life behind long ago. One technology I did appreciate was the motorbike, more agile than a motorcar and far more exciting.

The empath was interesting. He was clearly battle hardened, and that weight fell heavily on him, but at the same time, he had a certain allure about him that transcended his physical being. I saw how carefully he tried to hide his scars. He was definitely intriguing, and I would quiz Eleazar about him when I got back. I could, of course, talk to the sisters, but I had found despite their advanced age, they had adapted to the changing times to the point that they would fit in well at a common high school. All that potential wasted.

I liked staying with Eleazar. I was almost able to relax and be myself fully. He and Carmen were the only ones that knew anything of who I truly was. To the others, I was an old friend that liked to travel. Which was half true, I was an old friend, and I truly did enjoy traveling; my life demanded it.

He had informed me upon my arrival that there was another coven in the area, though he called them 'family.' Such a quaint term, really, how desperately he clung to the remnants of humanity. There was nothing shameful about being in a coven. The bonds in my own were strong, though we did not feel the urge to christen anyone as father. No fathers for us, though I suppose there were brothers.

I pulled up at the house and gunned the engine a little for the sheer devilment of it.

Eleazar met me on the porch. He was attempting to look serious, but the twitching of his lips gave the game away.

"Did you have an enjoyable time?" he asked as I removed my helmet – an annoying but necessary part of the human charade.

"I certainly did. I met some fascinating people and bought myself a pretty bauble." I waved my hand, showing the ring I bought. "You like?"

"It's charming," he said, casting it an oblique glance. "I understand you met a member of our extended family at the sale. Gave him quite a turn in fact."

"I did?" I asked happily. "And I was barely even trying. What did the somber empath have to say about me? I like him you know. I would like to study him further."

"Isabella, people are not for studying," he said in exasperation.

"Yes, yes, I know." I waved a careless hand. "But what did he say?"

For some reason I could not fathom, it seemed vital to know how I had impacted him. I never cared before. I must be getting sentimental in my advanced years.

"Come inside and we can speak civilly," he suggested. This was another of Eleazar's new oddities, the need to emulate the humans even when we were completely alone. It seemed foolish to me. We could have this conversation standing on a glacier and be just as comfortable. I followed him into the house regardless and greeted Carmen and the sisters who were grouped around the roaring fireplace, chatting animatedly.

I flopped down into a chair, putting a hand to my brow theatrically. "Now will you tell me?" I asked with affected desperation.

"Well, we had a phone call just before your arrival, from Carlisle, the father." He caught my amused look. "The patriarch, if you prefer, of the Cullens. His son, Jasper, had come home talking of a mysterious vampire. He was so stirred by your encounter, he implored them to leave the area at once."

"I scared him that much?" I said delighted. "I barely spoke to him. He must spook easy. Not nearly as interesting as I thought. Pity really, I had hoped he had a little more spirit than that."

"Jasper does not scare easily," Eleazar said. "He is a veteran of the southern wars. So I must ask, what did you do to him?"

Jasper. Hmm, that suited him.

"To him, not a thing. I may have cheated a little at the auction. There was an irritating human trying to impress me, it became tiresome." I shrugged unconcerned.

"He mentioned your eyes," Eleazar pressed.

"What could he possibly find interesting about my eyes?" I asked innocently, feeling the sensation of pooling venom as I flashed them from gold to red.

"I wish you wouldn't do that," he said, looking away. "It is disconcerting."

"As you wish." I ceased the change, leaving them a startling red.

"Isabella," he chided.

I switched them to the gold he seemed to find more appealing. "Better?"

"Much. Now why did you expose that little parlor trick to Jasper?" he asked.

"Because he was being a bore. I challenged him in his bids and clearly forced him to spend more than he intended. I felt it was only right that I settle the debt for him. He attempted to intimidate me, and I merely pointed out that I was not a shrinking violet."

Tanya, who had been silent up to now, snorted in a most unladylike fashion.

"Shrinking violet. You? And here I was thinking Jasper had more sense than that."

"He was a disappointment, it is true. I will have to do better next time. Tell me about the rest of his coven."

"Well there are seven in their family." He laid heavy emphasis on the word. "You have heard of Carlisle I am sure. He visited Volterra in the 1700s. He has a mate called Esme. He changed Emmett and Rosalie, who are a mated couple, and Edward, who found his mate in Alice. She and Jasper joined the family together about fifty years ago. You will like Carlisle, I think, he is a doctor."

"A medical doctor? He actually treats humans?"

"Indeed, he has developed his self control to the point that human blood holds no temptation to him." His eyes twinkled. "You are not so unique after all."

"Pshaw," I huffed. "Be that as it may, why on earth would he choose to treat humans?"

"That is a subject best discussed with him yourself," Carmen said. "He has a very interesting take on humanity. He may even be able to convince you."

"I doubt it. So when am I going to meet the illustrious Cullens? Should I pay them a house call? Give the empath another scare?"

"Really, Isabella. His name is Jasper, not empath. You really would benefit from learning some people skills," Kate scolded.

"I have plenty of skills already thank you very much," I replied. One of the downsides of staying here was the helpful 'advice' I received from the others. If only they knew…

"Yes, I think that is half the problem." She said it more to herself than to me. "I don't think you will need to pay them a visit. I have a feeling they are on their way here already."

"Wonderful." I clapped my hands together in excitement. "I will need to hunt before they get here. Need to make my grand entrance after all."

Eleazar shook his head in amusement. He was used to my theatrics, but the others looked a little bemused. They were never sure quite what to make of me. I baffled them, which I rather enjoyed.

I flitted out the back doors and ran toward the forest. I was in the mood for bear. I relished in the freedom of running. Here, I could push myself without fear of being seen by a human. I couldn't do this at home.

I eyed the mountain enviously. I had a mad desire to see just how far I would fall if I launched myself from the peak. Tanya advised against it. Apparently, the humans had a habit of strapping ropes to themselves and attempting to climb it. Plain foolishness if you asked me, like there weren't enough ways for them to kill themselves already.

I bent my knees and launched myself into the air. I spun like a top, an elated laugh bubbled up my throat. If the empath could see me now…

I shook my head, dispelling these thoughts. I had no reason to think of him now. He hadn't even been a worthy challenge. I would have expected more fire from a southern war veteran.

I would have to inspect him further. I wanted to know what made him tick. Also, what made him abandon the natural diet and lifestyle to live as part of a 'family' when he didn't have a mate binding him. Yes, he definitely warranted further study.

I caught the scent of a bear, wet fur and heat, not remotely agreeable, but I knew the taste would be much better. I tracked it to its den, and once I had sight of it, I blocked the scent. It was not conducive to a good appetite to smell the excrement clinging to your meal's hindquarters. Humans may have a fair amount of flaws, but personal hygiene was not one of them.

It was a boar, at least 800 lbs. I was going to get a good meal today. As it saw me approaching, it rose onto its hind legs, letting out a great roar of disapproval at my invasion. That was fine. It disapproved of my presence; I disapproved of its smell. Luckily, neither of us would have to suffer long.

It towered sixteen inches above my more than respectable five foot six inches, raising its snout to the air in an attempt to add height to intimidate. I usually enjoyed sparring with my meals, but I didn't have time today. With one swift merciful twist, I broke its neck. Pressing my lips to the heat of its jugular, I sank my teeth in and gulped down the blood, eager to finish before it cooled.

When the flow ceased, I dropped it to the ground and examined my clothes. I was neat as ever, which was a blessing. I wanted to make an impression on the new coven, and if I arrived with half my dinner spilled down my front, it would spoil the effect somewhat.

Looking down at the remains of my meal, I noted how pathetic it looked now and how pretty. Its fur was a pleasing light brown, almost blond. It would compliment my eyes nicely.

Breaking a branch from a tall poplar, I fashioned a travois and began pulling it along the ground behind me. It would be faster and easier to carry it over my shoulders, but that risked dirtying myself.

I made slow progress back to the house, cursing my vanity for the effort this entailed. I comforted myself with the thought of how pretty a rug I could make with it. Of course, it would clash horribly with red, so I would need to find myself a black bear to hunt sometime soon, too. I was not much good at scenting the different animals, but perhaps one of the Cullens would be able to assist me, the empath perhaps.

Approaching the house, I noted six new scents. I thought Eleazar had said there was seven. Perhaps I had given the empath – Jasper, I reminded myself – such a scare he was unwilling to come. That would be inconvenient. How was I to examine him if he wasn't here? I inhaled deeply and caught the pleasing scent of lemon and sandalwood. He was here.

I looked down at my now slightly bedraggled looking bear and sighed. It was going to be tiresome to haul it to the coven's spacious outbuilding, but I knew Carmen would be displeased if I dragged it into the house.

An idea occurred to me, and I felt a surge of excitement. Taking a deep breath I screamed with my not inconsiderable volume.

"Eleazar!"

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Simaril x