Chapter Six

Truths

Edward only hesitated a moment before scooping Hermione into his arms and running to his car at Vampire Speed. He was driving away in five minutes towards his home.

He pulled sharply into the drive and stopped the car. He rushed round to Hermione's side and dragged her into the house. He was shocked to see the Pack was there as well as his family and Bella. The pack were sat on one side of the room and the Cullens on the other side, Bella was in the middle.

"I saw you coming. It's time to explain to Hermione." Alice explained, upon seeing Edward's confused look. Edward nodded. He led Hermione to the sofa that Bella sat on, Jacob by her side, and pushed her softly onto it. He then took the seat next to her.

Everyone turned to face Hermione. "How did you know we were Vampires?" Carlisle began. "It was easy, if you know the signs. The unusual beauty, the eye colours that change, not eating or drinking, the absence during sunny days and, most important, my instincts screaming at me to stay away from you." Hermione replied with a casual shrug.

"And just how do you know?" Rosalie asked, her voice and posture cold and threatening. "My past. I'd rather not talk about it. It's painful." Hermione replied, looking away sadly.

Jacob cleared his throat uneasily. "I guess it's our turn now." He announced, rubbing the back of his neck. Hermione looked at him, curiously. "Oh, what's with you, then?" She asked. "We're werewolves." Jacob announced.

"No you're not." Hermione stated. Sam snorted. "I think we know what we are." He snapped. Hermione shook her head. "I'm friends with a werewolf. You are not one. The full moon was last night; if you were a werewolf you'd be feeling sick and as tired as anything. Plus, while the Vampires are cold, you are too warm. Werewolves are normal temperature." She explained.

Quill cocked his head to one side. "You're right. If we're not Werewolves, then what are we?" He asked. "Just wolves. Shape shifters." Carlisle told them. Hermione nodded. "That's a new one. Tell me about your kind. I'm intrigued." She smiled.

"We can turn into wolves whenever we want, but a powerful emotion, such as anger or sadness, can trigger the change." Jacob explained. "We get this gift, if you will, through our families. Every time a coven of vampires turn up, our gift is activated. Every once in a while, a wolf like us will 'imprint' on someone. They will be our life long mates. I imprinted on Bella." Jacob concluded.

Hermione grinned. "Awesome. Bells, you're life is so interesting! I thought mine was…interesting." Hermione's voice died slowly away, sadness filling her eyes and pain filling her face. She looked away and when she looked back, her face was calm with no hint of the previous pain or grief.

"In the two months I have spent here, I still haven't met your parents. Now, tell me all about yourselves. What order you were turned and by whom." Hermione said to Edward, a grin on her face.

The pack decided to leave, seeing as they weren't needed and couldn't stand the scent of the vampire clan any longer than necessary.

"Ok, I was born to a priest of a small parish. When I was turned, I was helping him along with others to track down and kill the red eyed demons of the night. One night, I was cornered by a male. Before I could stake him, believing it to kill the vampire, he bit me. It was an awful pain for days." Carlisle began, running a hand through his hair. "I have never tasted human blood. Only animal." Hermione smiled.

"I was turned next." Edward said, taking Hermione's hand. "I was dying of Spanish Influenza. My mother begged Carlisle to save me, so he did, the only way he knew how. I was bitten. I am ashamed to admit, that I have tasted human blood numerous times. Guilt consumes me now. I'm a monster." He told her, looking away. Hermione put her hand on his cheek. "It doesn't matter what you did in the past, it's the now that counts, Edward. It's good that you feel guilty. It shows that, though you are immortal, you are still human." She said firmly.

Esme beamed, her eyes full of gratitude towards the young witch and with love for Edward. "I was turned after Edward. I had just lost my baby and, full of grief, tried to kill myself." She began, her voice soft and like honey. "Carlisle found me at the hospital and turned me. Years later, we fell in love and married." Esme entwined her hand with Carlisle's, her loving eyes moving from Edward to her husband.

"I'm not telling mine." Rosalie snapped. Emmett rolled his eyes. "Skip Rose's story. She doesn't want to tell. After Rose was turned, I was turned. Rose found me when she was hunting. I was attacked by a bear, maybe that's why it's my favourite snack, and was dying. Rosalie found me and brought me to Carlisle. He gave me a hickey and here I am!" Emmett explained. Hermione and Bella giggled while the others rolled their eyes at Emmett's description of the bite.

"Oh, my turn!" Alice squealed. "I don't remember my human life or who turned me. Only darkness. Then I woke up from the transformation and found out I was a vampire. I did drink human blood once, and then had animal blood. I soon discovered I could see the future. Eddie forgot to mention he can read minds and Jasper can sense and control emotions." She explained rapidly. Bella looked bewildered, while Hermione nodded, understanding it all.

"You actually got that?" Bella gaped. "Trust me, my boyfriend had two older brothers who were twins, you get used to it." Hermione replied, laughing. Her good mood vanished with memories.

"I was turned during the civil war by a vampire named Maria. She was creating an army of newborns to fight in the vampire wars." Jasper began, pausing to see if Hermione knew what he was talking about. She nodded and he continued. "Alice found me and converted my diet to animals. Alice saw us meeting the family and we tracked them. We finally met them and here we all are today."

Hermione reclined in her seat. "Are you okay with this?" Edward asked. Hermione nodded. "Why not? I've met weirder." She replied. Edward shook his head. "You Swan women are weird." He muttered. Hermione laughed and hugged him. "But you love us really!" She teased, winking at Bella.