Chapter 7: A Dance of Truth

Disclaimer: The characters are Stephenie Meyer's characters just tweaked for my crazy mind. Except for Merana, Jared… etc. ~~ Mary Mab

~(~)~ ~(~)~ ~(~)~ Merana's point of view

"Merana stop, Mera…" Jasper shouted as I pulled him into the center of the room and out of Edward's grasp. Alice was off the bar and before Edward, as the rest of their family came closer to the kitchen. I was lucky they had such a monster kitchen cause it was getting crowded. So acting quickly I placed my hands on each side of his head and touched foreheads with him.

Everything slowly slipped away till it was just him and me. Alone in the emptiness of space I started peeling away Jasper's defenses until all I had was the original boy. The twenty something year old boy with dreams and hopes of what his future was to be. Then pulling him to the surface I whispered, "It's time to be just Jasper. The man Alice loves and the brother and son that this family looks to and love." This time when I opened my eyes I could see. Though I didn't use my power that long it was still risky that my eyesight would not return.

"Thank you Merana!" Jasper said as I leaned from him. It felt good to help him and to bring him alive again. Then very carefully I maneuvered myself out of the picture so that it was Jasper and Bella. So that they could talk without interference or barriers. But before I was completely clear I grabbed my plate.

It seemed that this was one thing Alice wanted to happen for she was pushing Edward back to the door, back to the rest of her family.

Taking a bite of my chicken I moved to the sink where I had left my glass. Putting my plate down I reached into my reserve and pulled out my bottle of emergency blood. Which I used as the finishing touch on my half glass of thirst quencher. Then very carefully I heated the fresh tarragon root in the glass so that the drink would bubble. Then blended the mixture with a quick stir to make it smooth.

"Merana what are you doing?" glancing over my shoulder I was surprised to see Jasper and Bella behind me. Though it was Jasper who spoke, they both were peeking around me to see what I was doing.

"Well I need something a little stronger" letting the drink cool I turned to face both of them, "then the traditional thirst quencher. So I added some blood that I have collected. Except blood doesn't mix will with blood crystals, so I have to heat the mixture to get a smooth rich texture. It sounds weird but when you have done this as long as I have it's just a normal thing you do." I was excepting to see them gross out (well at least one) by what I was saying. But they weren't. Bella seemed intrigued and Jasper was just full of ears, as if he could use a glass himself.

Feeling a little crowded I grabbed my plate and drink and zipped to the dining room table. Where I was able to enjoy two whole minutes to myself before Alice sat down next to me.

"How did you do that?" Alice asked looking dead at me. Though I was looking forward I was able to see and hear what she was thinking. She was trying to figure out how I got the Jasper she loves and knows to come out. For usually Jasper had a barrier up and separated himself from everyone.

"Alice I just removed the barrier and showed him that he is just enough. That there is nothing he needs to worry about." I explained looking to her.

"So you helped me is that what you think you did?" came Jasper's stern voice from behind me.

Turning in my seat I smiled my full teeth grin at him. But out of habit I kissed his nose.

"Why did you do that?" Bella asked. Edward had carried her in after most of the family had joined us. So I was surprised to hear her voice for I did not think she had joined us yet.

"It's an old habit that I carried over from when I think I was human!" I said turning in my seat. Though I had not crossed a line, both Jasper and Alice were taken back by my kiss. "When someone around me said a blunt statement I would kiss them on the nose. Instead of saying 'Right on the nose', or your correct. It was just something I did."

"Carried over from when you thought you were human. Weren't you human once?" Emmett asks sitting down at the table.

His seat was across from Alice and next to the gentleman, Esme's mate. While Esme was at the other end of the table in the other captain chair. The fair beauty that was Emmett's mate took the seat next to him and assisted Bella into the seat next to her. Leaving Edward the only one standing and that was behind Bella.

I was getting the impression that Bella was not only a member of the family she was a vital member. And everyone was worried about her safety and wellbeing. Though I did sense that there was some resistance from the fair beauty about letting Bella into the family but she did love Bella greatly and accepted her.

"Yeah a very long time ago I was considered human!" I said pulling a piece off of my chicken and eating it.

"You were considered human. How can someone be considered human?" Jasper asked seating next to me and across from Bella.

"My entire life everyone has thought they knew what I was or who I was." I wasn't sure who to look to so I just looked to my plate as I spoke. "But no one has wondered what I am capable or can do. So yes a few times I was considered human only for the fact that I was unknown to them."

"I don't know what they thought of you. But when you did… what you did in the kitchen…" Jasper said pointing to the kitchen. He was trying to remember what he saw. "You saw me for who I am and I saw you. All I can say is that I was amazed to see someone like you before me. I wanted so much to call you an angel or …"

"Please no, I have not yet earned either of those titles. And for them to be spoken now would destroy everything I have done to even be considered in the running for it." I said interrupting Jasper before he could say those words. But then I realized that someone else now knew as well.

"How can you be considered for that? I thought…" Edward tried to say but once again I interrupted.

"Yes Edward I am what you saw and so everyone is on the same page…" looking around the table I sent the image to everyone. An image of me in a flowing gown holding a scepter and a crown on my head. "Please no questions. I have not proven my worth as of yet."

"Wow how did you do that?" Bella uttered as she looked to Edward. This caught everyone off guard. Though I really wasn't sure why.

"I am sorry I am not allowed to use magic on you?" I asked. I wasn't sure what they would consider magic but then again I wasn't completely sure what they were capable of, just yet.

"Yes uh, well no. I think as long as you don't cause me harm, it's ok. But I thought I was impervious to others magic!" Bella stated.

So they thought that Bella was untouchable by others powers. Looking to Bella I thought, 'So is all this just in your head or everyone's?'

'How can I respond to a question when I am not even sure I heard it?' Bella thought unknowing that everyone else could hear what she was thinking.

Edward just about fainted as he went to one knee. Esme was the one who caught him. Though she too didn't even realize her thinking was also heard round the table. 'Could I have just heard Bella's thought?'

"Ok stop who is saying that?" Emmett vocalized. He being so simple minded just didn't like the thought of hearing others. And that was understandable not everyone is meant to hear the thoughts of others. But for my demonstration it was perfect.

"Well Emmett I was the first to think then Bella replied and the last thought was your mothers, Esme." everyone just stared at me while I was speaking. "I created a link to all of you and then opened the link for all to hear."

"Wait you can do that?" Edward asks leaning on the table to stare at me.

Seeing that I now had everyone's undivided attention, I decided it was time to explain what I had learned. "Edward with the correct training you could do it. Everyone at this table can also learn to communicate mentally or block. Though they will never have the strength or power that we have. But they can send and receive messages." Shifting in my seat I wondered if I should tell them what I had learned.

Looking around to be sure that I had everyone's attention I stood. They watched as I walked around the table to Esme. Seeing that they were on the same thought or page I gathered my thoughts and words. For this was a dance I was about to begin, telling them what I know and showing them the truth.

"You see I stayed to help in a little dispute and now I am here to ensure that nothing happens to anyone here." they did not believe me but none wanted me to stop. "Yes I do admit that if I had not stop that Issac might have passed by but it would not have taken him long to come back and find you all. Then and there he would decide who to keep or who needs improving. Though I am not sure if he would keep everyone but then again my uncle is fickle."

"Which brings me to why I have decided to help. Because I'm in the heart of one of the most priceless treasures there are. A strong family of enigmas. And I do mean each of you." placing my hand on Esme's chair I started. "Don't believe me then let me show you. Here sits Esme, a woman of heart and just. A woman many of you call mother. That itself makes her valuable. For I bet if she asks any one of you, you would kill for her." no one looked away or denied what I said. They just waited for me to continue.

Walking around Edward and Bella, I stopped at the beauty, who just stared at me. "Then you have this creature and no that's not an insult. It's more of a statement. Because whether you know it or not you are a Lure. The member sent in to distract, calm, or be the target when need be. It's a true gift that many strive to have in their coven. For if you can send in a distraction then you have the upper hand on whatever the case may be." at this moment I stepped between her and Emmett.

"Now what do I say about you, other then soldier." I said looking to Emmett. Which caught everyone off guard. "I don't mean like job title, I mean personality, who you are. You are always up for a fight, even if it is just for fun. You don't mind following orders and even have a sense of what to do in a pinch. Which is actually what a soldier is."

"Now a Lure and a soldier being members of the same family is just great but to learn that they are a couple is mind bogglingly. For usually a solder doesn't get attach to the Lure, the person who is risked for all others safety. That is why a Lure has always been consider the asset of a group and not a member. For you can never ask a member to die so someone else can live." looking around I could see that they have dealt with that many times. "But then again how is a soldier like Emmett even able to deal with not one not two but three seers under one roof."

Please Review. I need them to function. Please send them. ~~Mary Mab