Chapter Ten: Mortality

"You… You killed them."

Renesmee was breathless, awestruck and horrified. Eden had been possessed by an innate compulsion for self-preservation, a vicious obligation that left nothing else in her mind. Renesmee didn't see her sister before her, but something hideously ravenous. The other vampires, clearly meaning harm on them, hadn't even been given the chance to do wrong before Eden reaped their essence and condemned them beyond immortality. It was thoughtless for her, easy even, as if she had been born a cold-blooded killer. She had slain four lives and with their decapitated heads resting in the soil, she gathered wood.

"Ooh, oh lord, I can't breathe. Oh my god! Eden-Eden, you k-killed them! How… How could you just… I don't understand! You just did it! Did you even think?! Oh, oh my... Jacob! I need Jacob. Jacob! Help me! Help!"

Renesmee was frantic, her eyes fluttering and mouth parted. Eden could hear her sister's erratic heart, thumping faster than she imagined possible without exploding. Eden ignored her, needing to dispose of the bodies. She gathered enough dry wood into a small, make-shift fire pit and coaxed a flame to life. Soon enough, it ate away at the tree limbs, growing higher and hotter. She began tossing the bodies into the fire as her sister called out into the empty woods for help. Renesmee couldn't bear it anymore. With a resonating wail, she collapsed to her knees and sobbed into her hands.

"I didn't have a choice." Eden snapped through gritted teeth, not even sparing Renesmee a glance. She sniffled and met her crimson gaze indignantly, "There's always a choice, Eden."

"Is there? Enlighten me, sister, what choice did they leave? Suck you dry to the bone? Or perhaps murder us both, sure to violate our bodies somewhere in between? Oh, yes; fault me for not considering that as an option."

Renesmee frowned, her eyes welling. The moonlight shined upon her in an angelic glow, making the younger sister appear much smaller than 20 years old. Eden sighed, clarity willing away her cruel intentions.

"I will not apologize for what I did, Ren. Your life is worth more to me than a million nomads' and I will not allow anyone to ever harm you. I cannot take back my actions nor would I want to. Had I not killed them, we would be facing circumstances far worse than a few years worth of guilt over wasted life... and our time is not up yet. Especially yours."

Renesmee cried, "That's not for you to decide!"

"Who decides who lives or dies? Your God? Some holy force of nature? Grow up, Renesmee. You're far too invested in something that you know nothing about. My abilities were superior to theirs, so why not it be I who chooses their fate or ours, for that matter? I can play God if I so choose; who's to say there even is a god? The time to wake up and face life's harsh facts has come, Renesmee Carly Cullen, because reality will not wait for you." Eden said, "We must go."

The walk home was silent. Heavy were Renesmee's shoulders and the wetness on her palms made her shutter, her eyes fooling her to see blood under her fingernails. Upon reaching the house, she immediately disappeared into the bathroom. She scrubbed at her hands, steam billowing into her watery eyes. Aaron was at the forefront of her mind, his hazel eyes lit with excitement and a smile on his beautiful face. He had been her first crush, her first kiss, and her first kill. She hadn't meant to do it… Or so she thought.

Tonight had forced her to confront a situation she had tried to forget about; she knew she would never be with Aaron, she didn't have venom and her family would never turn him. She hadn't been aware of the imprint yet, but she thought he was the one. Behind her family's backs, she pursued a forbidden relationship. When he admitted that he didn't love her, she had gone reckless in an attempt to make him fall for her. She never should've gone to that human party, she never should have drank, and she never should've allowed him to take her to his room. She hadn't drained him because the bloodlust was too strong, she drained him because she had bitten him to begin with. He knew immediately, he had called her a vampire and claimed the rumors were all true, that he would expose her family. It was truly an accident, but Renesmee didn't believe in mistakes.

She had made the choice, the same choice Eden made. Kill for the sake of living.

Eden sighed, lurking at the edge of the yard. She wasn't quite prepared to face the others, she only yearned for Alec. He seemed to sense her, appearing at the back door. His eyes gleamed, filling his aura with a vibrant sunshine-yellow. There was a sweetness in his step as he walked towards her. His eagerness to be near her tickled her stomach. His arms circled her waist as he placed a chaste kiss on her cheek, but he froze. He could smell the nomads on her skin, the pungent scent of death in her hair, and the melancholy sadness on her breath.

"Rest now, my prince," Eden smiled, meeting his gaze with a reflected softness, "All is well."

He was not settled by this, "Did they-"

"I said rest now," Eden whispered, but her tone echoed insistence. Alec frowned, but her small, silky palm melted against his cheek, "I've not seen you for hours and I'm greeted with sour air? Perhaps I should find new company…"

A grin cracked his mask of concern. Her thumb stroked his cheek. He cupped his hand over hers, their gazes synchronized and mesmerizing. Alec sighed, defeated by her charm.

"I worry for you, dove."

"I promise with all my heart that no harm came upon me."

"I worry not of physical harm, but of traumatic harm. Your heart is weak. I don't want to lose you."

Eden scrunched her face, confused, "My heart is weak? I do not understand, I'm not going anywhere."

"You were not loved, you have not known love. Humanity and compassion is what strengthens your heart, but you have been shown none. A heart is weakened by the savagery and hate of the human world. When a heart is polluted by these demons, we find the curse of vampires and that curse destroys the soul," Alec explained, his fingers caressing her cheek, "You have a beautiful soul, I do not wish to watch it die."

Eden bowed her head and pulled away from him. His hand fell.

"How old were the nomads?"

"The leader was 3."

His eyes widened, "300?"

She nodded, confused as to why Alec was suddenly so excited. He sized her and began to lift her arms, turn her wrists, inspecting every inch of the young immortal girl. He began murmuring in Italian, transitioning to Dutch, before his words were a blend of Latin and Celtic. As strange as his change in lilt, even stranger was Eden understood every word he uttered. She blinked, hearing him claim "impossible" over and over again. He backed away, excused himself and went inside. Eden was left in the still silence of the night, the wind picking up as her heart grew heavy with the realization that maybe she was too unnatural for even Alec. It dawned on her that perhaps that nomad should have been able to overpower her, kill her even, but he was nothing compared to her. Eden easily discarded him and his brothers. For the second time that night, Eden realized that maybe her abilities were beyond her and she just didn't know it.

"Edeline, please come inside."

Eden looked up and met the warm eyes of Esme. Without a word, she went inside.

"Start from the beginning: what happened?"

"W-we were going for a walk. We wanted to t-talk and we did, but then, they came out of nowhere. The trees or the bushes, I-I don't know! But they were all around us and I-I-I…" Renesmee broke down for the third time, her sobs hiccupping her words and she fell apart before she could finish her sentence. Jacob tightened his arm around her, rubbing her shoulders and offering all the support he possibly could, but the family needed to know what happened. Eden wasn't talking. Her mind was blocked and Bella had no luck getting through the barriers she put up. Edward was furious, but their last hope was Renesmee.

Carlisle sighed, rubbing his temples. Esme caressed his back, a worried curve to her brow, but as he looked up to her, she eased the stress away and smiled. He seemed to be refreshed by that simple gesture and he turned back to Renesmee. "It's okay, dear, just breathe. Take your time, there's no need to hurry."

This only made Renesmee sob harder. Edward and Bella tightened their grip on one another, distressed that they couldn't help their child. Eden remained passive on the edge of the living room, merely existing in their space rather than making her presence known. It had been well over two hours since Esme asked that she join them and tell everyone what happened, but her lips felt cold. Eden just wanted to be left alone.

"Does she need to do this right now? Can't she just show you?!" Jacob roared, growing more and more agitated with the stress Renesmee was under.

Rosalie hissed at him, "Don't you think we tried that, mutt?!"

"She's too emotional to show us what happened without seeing it herself and going into another panic attack." Jasper explained, "She needs to tell us."

"What about reading her mind then?! It's there!" Jacob was becoming impatient. Edward rolled his shoulders back, "Her thoughts are just as frantic. It's no different."

"Why don't we get the story out of her then?" Jacob snarled, jutting his chin toward Eden. "She seems pleased with herself for someone who just murdered four vamps with no regard for her own sister."

Eden felt her body go aflame before she was across the room. Suddenly, she had Jacob flat against the wall, his feet dangling in the air. A puff of dust from the cracked plaster swirled in the stale air. His esophagus felt like it was being crushed, her dainty hand was clenched around his throat and her nails were digging in to the warm, tender flesh of his jugular. The only thing he saw was red. Jacob felt as if he was being swallowed up in the blood-soaked misery of Eden's eyes and he gasped for air, terror never filling him faster than in that moment. She lowered her lips near his ear, her voice low enough for only him to hear.

"If I had no regard for my sister, she would be dead right now, you insolent shifter," she spat, "And I am quite pleased with myself, indeed, as you would be if you took out four of my kind. It is your intrinsic duty to destroy us, is it not? You've had dreams of killing Renesmee, yeah? Oh, no, don't shake your head. I see it in your subconscious, Jacob Black." His eyes grew hot with tears and he tried to fight her off, but she was stronger than any immortal he ever encountered. The family screamed at her, demanding she get off him. When they rushed towards her, their bodies slammed into an invisible force. Alice gasped and met Jasper's stunned gaze. Alec grinned at them, "No, it's not her."

They were forced to stand back, onlookers overwhelmed with fear for Jacob. His huge form seemed weightless to her tiny frame. She didn't struggle or seem the list bit strained. Her arm was corded with thick muscles, packed beneath her creamy, slim arms. It defied all logic, but so did their very existence. Renesmee sobbed harder, furious and heartbroken. She didn't recognize her sister anymore. Alec was just beginning to see Eden and the more she revealed, the more intrigued he became. The room fell silent, except for an indistinct whisper.

Eden could taste Jacob's pathetic horror, his growing shame. The gritty, soiled taste of humiliation sat on her tongue as she described the images she saw in his mind. "Renesmee's throat is clenched between the canines you bear when wolf, her body goes limp as you crunch down. The sour blood of a vampire fills your mouth, it singes your tongue, and you cast her aside, pleased with yourself."

Jacob felt his body trying to change, but there was too much pain. She was crushing his trachea slowly, bruising his throat and her nails dug into his skin. He felt blood oozing out of fresh wounds and he felt ashamed. Ashamed to be overpowered by a baby bloodsucker, ashamed to be exposed before his future wife, and ashamed of the fat tears that rolled down his cheeks.

"Cross me again," She seethed, then dropped him. He landed with a resounding plop. "I beg you."

In a tangled pile of embarrassment and snot, Jacob continued to struggle for air. Renesmee was at his side instantly, sobbing over his body. Eden straightened her back, knowing she would not receive thanks for her actions today. Holding her head high, she started for the door.

"Not so fast," Bella said. Eden turned and met her mother's gaze. "Curious to know what happened? Fine, I will enlighten you," She raised her chin, "The nomads came upon us as they were passing through. They were going to kill us so I killed them and burned the bodies. Renesmee didn't raise a finger nor was a hair on her head harmed."

There were several beats of silence before Edward stepped beside his wife. His arm curled around her waist and the two exchanged a long look before turning to Eden again. Bella spoke again, "Thank you for protecting your sister."

Eden contained her surprise, blinking once, but saying nothing. Edward cleared his throat, "Yes, thank you," he paused. "But we intend to make it very clear that you will never subject Renesmee to such a situation ever again, understood?"

"Eden didn't subject Renesmee to any situation, Edward. It was a coincidence, a horrible coincidence, but I'm more than sure you've seen your own share of wrong-place, wrong-time scenarios, have you not? Placing all the blame on Eden is quite naïve, wouldn't you agree?"

The silence of the living room became deafening as Alec defended Eden. No one spoke, as it was clear Edward was the only one who would be allowed to speak. Bella's mouth hung open, Rosalie felt a new rush of hatred grow towards Eden, and Renesmee blinked in horror as her father bowed his head, rejecting the challenge Alec posed before him.

"So it seems I would." Edward sighed. Alec grinned, nodding, "So it seems… As it always does with you self-important, greedily-entitled Cullens. You're quite the interesting bunch, so convinced that you're the saviors and saints of the immortal race, but perhaps a peek in the mirror will show where the lot of you have some growing to do, particularly in the acceptance of your own. You owe Eden an apology, don't you?"

The room froze, hardening with resentment. None were positive whether Alec's innocent question was an order or suggestion, but his eyes gave away nothing. No one had ever experienced such an overwhelming speech of character from the elder immortal nor had they expected to in any of their lifetimes. Edward was infuriated by the suggestion. He owed Eden nothing.

Alec grew impatient, "No one said you must bow before her and kiss the girl's feet. You will apologize to her. If not for blind blame, then for the horror show you try to pass off as a solution."

Another moment passed and nothing was said. Alec took in a heavy breath and sighed, "I am far more patient than any in my clan, but do not take my patience as compassion or pity. I merely understand your sick mind, Cullen, however, Eden will receive an apology or I will rip your mate's head off and feed it to your mutt."

A roar of rebellion filled the Cullens as they all attempted to swarm Alec at once, but just as quickly, he sedated every single one. Their bodies were paralyzed. Eden watched, silent and unaffected. The Cullens all looked to her in their time of need, begging.

"Oh, my, my, my… do you see this, dove? They look to you as their last hope and yet, not a single one might swallow their pride to admit when they're wrong."

Eden frowned, "I grow weary of your games."

Alec nodded, shrugged, and left the room without another word. Eden followed him. With their motor functions back, they began to plot how to rid their home of the dangerous immortal, however, they all realized any plan they came up with was moot. Edward glanced over his shoulder, fully prepared to give Eden an indignant apology, but beyond the walls of the living room, he saw Eden in an erratic state of affairs. She was livid with Alec, looking as if she wanted to scream and cry all at the same time as she spoke calmly to him. Eden made him promise to never threaten her family again, for it would be the loss of her heart as she killed him that would be the price he must pay. Alec would never harm her and thus, he would allow her to kill him. He promised.

Edward now owed Eden not just an apology, but a thanks.