It's an intense time for Carlisle and Esme and fighting is a very intense and challenging thing for me to write. Please let me know how I'm going (also, any cool moves anyone should try out?)
Chapter Thirty Five: TrainingI took a slow, deliberate step forward, swallowing the venom in my mouth and trying to smile at the looming shapes before me. The leader, Sam, looked straight at me. I did the same to him.
"Welcome," I said, after an intense silence.
"Thank you," Edward replied in a voice that was not his. Sam was speaking through him, I realised. "We will watch and listen, but no more. This is the most we can ask of our self control."
"That is more than enough," I replied smoothly, hugely relieved that we wouldn't be expected to fight inter-species. That could end very badly. "My son Jasper-" I gestured to him, "- has experience in this area. He will teach us how they fight, how they are to be defeated. I'm sure you can apply this to your own hunting style."
"They are different from you?" Sam asked through Edward.
"They are all very new, only months old to this life – children, in a way. They will have no skill or strategy, only brute strength. Tonight their numbers stand at twenty – ten for us, ten for you – it shouldn't be difficult. The numbers may go down: the young ones fight amongst themselves."
A mumble passed through the wolves as they took in my words with what appeared to be enthusiasm. I sighed, wishing that I hadn't described our soon-to-be opponents as 'children'. It made what we were about to do just that much worse. I couldn't help wondering - how did it come to this?
"We are willing to take more than our share if necessary," Sam offered, snapping me out of my reverie.
"We'll see how it plays out," I replied with a smile, welcoming their offer as well as the promise of cooperation that came with it.
"Do you know when and how they'll arrive?"
"They'll come across the mountains in four days, in the late morning," I explained, relaying details Alice had given. "As they approach, Alice will help us intercept their path."
"Thank you for the information. We will watch."
One by one, the wolves lowered themselves onto their stomachs.
Jasper stepped into the space between the werewolves and I, and glanced at Edward, who nodded. Only then did he turn his back on the wolves; he was clearly uneasy about it despite Edward's assurance.
"Carlisle's right," he started. "They'll fight like children. The two most important things you'll need to remember are first; don't let them get their arms around you and second; don't go for the obvious kill. That's all they'll be prepared for. As long as you come at them from the side and keep moving, they'll be too confused to respond effectively. Emmett?" Emmett stepped out of our line wearing an enormous smile, and Jasper backed up, moving along the passage between each group.
"Okay, Emmett first. He's the best example of a newborn attack."
Emmett's eyes narrowed.
"I'll try not to break anything," he muttered. Jasper grinned at him.
"What I meant is that Emmett relies on his strength. He's very straightforward about the attack. The newborns won't be trying anything subtle, either. Just go for the easy kill, Emmett."
Even from half the family away, I heard Esme shuffle her feet anxiously as Jasper backed up further and tensed.
"Okay, Emmett – try and catch me."
Jasper was like a ghost as Emmett tried to fight him, slipping away every time. Suddenly, Emmett froze – hands still reached out for Jasper. Jasper had him from behind, teeth hovering an inch away from the base of Emmett's neck. Emmett cussed. There was a mumble of appreciation among the wolves.
Alice went next, Bella white with terror the whole time, and then Edward – I had to break up that fight before it got out of hand. Then it was my turn, and I could hear Esme whimper under her breath as I gritted my teeth and snarled at Jasper.
He flew at me as swiftly as a falcon, and I spun out of the way. He lunged again, and I dodged again. I rolled beside the third charge and sprung to my feet in time to grab him by the neck and shove my elbow between his shoulder bones, forcing him to the ground.
"Good work," he muttered as I walked away. Of course, had he actually been trying to fight me, I would have been buried in a few seconds, but this made me appreciate the complement even more. Besides, I added, if he thinks you'll be okay, then you will.
Esme's wide eyes tracked me back to my position. Rosalie went next, as fierce yet graceful as a cat. And then it was Esme's turn, and I was suddenly petrified.
She raked her fingers through her hair, scooping it up and binding it into a bun with an elastic so it didn't get in her face. Jasper crouched and snarled. Esme crouched too, growling quietly, watching Jasper's movements. I jumped when Jasper lunged and the woman before me transformed from housewife to predator. I had seen this side of Esme many times before, under all sorts of circumstances, but never could I imagine her so determinedly fighting one of the family.
Her brow creased in concentration, she blocked Jasper's arm just before it reached her neck. He tried with the other and she changed positions to block him there too. She attempted an upper cut to his chin, but it was too obvious, and Jasper was prepared. He grabbed her wrist and forced her to turn around so that her back was to him. Much to Emmett's delight, she regained control of the situation by scorpion-kicking Jasper in the groin. Needless to say, he was surprised. In less than a second, she had her teeth at his neck, and one hand wrapped around his throat. Seeing her son in such a vulnerable position, Esme's predator side faded for a moment.
Jasper flipped her onto the ground and pinned her there: his knees either side of her legs, one arm holding her collar bone down and rendering both shoulders immobile. She struggled but her efforts were fruitless. She cringed away from him just a little as the compromising position played on old fears.
"Try and get up," Jasper hissed. "You can do it, Esme. You're stronger than you were then."
She shook her head. Jasper knew enough was enough. His face twisted apologetically as he let her up.
"Don't forget to keep moving," he recommended. She nodded at him, shaken, and came back to our line.
.o.o.o.
"We'll be doing this tomorrow," Jasper said once he was done with the slower, more instructive demonstrations. "Please feel welcome to observe again."
"Yes," Sam answered. "We'll be here."
"The pack thinks it would be helpful to be familiar with each of our scents so they don't make mistakes later," Edward told us, his own voice returning. "If we could hold very still, it will make it easier for them."
"Certainly," I said to Sam. "Whatever you need."
The wolves slowly moved to their feet. Bella's eyes widened, panicked, as they moved forward to mingle with us. Sam approached me first. I held up my posture with some effort as he sniffed me and winced at the vampire smell. The russet-brown wolf, next to approach me, also seemed to be quite indifferent about the whole affair, which the other wolves considered an ordeal to be endured. They whined and bore their teeth at us in irritation and indignation, while the russet one gave Bella a goofy dog-grin and left his ranks to stand not two feet away from her. Edward stared at Bella, concerned. Esme was shocked, and I was curious. The wolf brought his head down to Bella's level.
"Jacob?" she breathed, reaching out to touch the side of his face. Suddenly, Jacob licked her from chin to hairline. Every vampire in the clearing was on their toes, and the wolves watching us warily.
"Ew! Gross, Jake!" Bella whined, jumping back and slapping him. Jacob gave a bark that sounded like laughter, and as Bella wiped her face on her sleeve she was laughing too.
The corner of Esme's lips were raised in a smile, but at the same time her nose was crinkled in disgust and her eyes wide with surprise. I realised my expression was probably similar. Sam looked unhappy about the pair's exchange, and so did Edward. Jacob laughed again.
.o.o.o.
Esme:
I composed my expression for Bella's sake, but Edward didn't bother. Jacob transformed and came back into the clearing, and he and Edward had some civilised conversation that soon became less civilised. They were discussing what to do with Bella. Jasper and Alice practiced some more, and we all took turns again.
Eventually, as the sun reached higher into the sky, Edward took Bella home and we sent out scouting pairs to watch out for any possible interruptions. It just so happened that Carlisle was out on one of these scouting patrols when an idea occurred to me. An idea that my husband would certainly not agree with.
"Wait," I said, holding up a hand to stop Jasper before he attacked. "I want you to test me."
"Esme…trust me, this is a bad idea," Jasper murmured.
"No, it's not," I made an attempt at resolve. "I want to be able to fight her."
"Victoria?"
"Yes."
"Esme…" Jasper groaned. "Carlisle doesn't know about this, does he?"
"Please, Jasper. I need all the help I can get."
Jasper sighed.
"All right. Fine."
He pulled back, bore his teeth and had me on the ground before I knew what was happening.
Emmett gave a low whistle, impressed with his brother's prowess.
"Again," I said, getting back to my feet.
At least I had time to watch Jasper take me down that time.
Thump.
"Too slow, Esme," Jasper coached. "Come on."
He pulled me up and circled me for a while, then lunged. I tried to catch him in the air, but he dodged out of the way and wheeled in the other direction. I think I managed to hold up for a whole ten seconds before I was on my stomach again, leaving the earth beneath me thoroughly compacted. I groaned as I rolled to my feet.
"Again."
This time Jasper coached me through it, and we went at a very slow pace, and I won. Then we did it at vampire speed, and Jasper changed tactics, but I was there; I grabbed his arm and twisted it in its socket so he was forced to double over.
"Ha," I said, grinning. My satisfaction didn't last long: Jasper simply clicked his arm out of place and flipped me over his head. There was another click, and Carlisle was leaning over me.
"What the hell are you doing?" he demanded of me. His voice was fiery with anger.
"I have to be ready, Carlisle," I replied, determined not to sound as wounded as I felt by the pain in my husband's eyes. His flash of anger had passed; all that remained was concern for me, and agony over what might happen.
"You promised," I whispered, looking straight into those eyes like I couldn't see the concern, the fear, the love that was there. "You promised not to stand in my way."
Carlisle sighed, but backed away and let me up. We had gathered quite an audience. Jasper stood closer than the rest of the family, his eyes humbly lowered from his father's face.
"I'm sorry," he said, "I never should have-"
Carlisle held up a hand. Jasper looked up.
"Jasper," Carlisle said quietly. "Help her."