Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Twilight and make no monetary gain.

A/N: I'm still here! With university, I've had a lot of homework and things to work on, so I haven't been writing as much. I know this chapter has been highly anticipated, so hopefully you enjoy!

Happy reading!

Onyx Feloric

Water lapped at the edges of the lake, its surface touched with the golden-orange hue of the setting sun. The soft sound blended in perfectly with the few birds singing in the area and the gentle rustle of the wind through the grass and trees. Had the meeting been of a more certain nature, Edward might have found more enjoyment in the beautiful scene, but, instead, he was caught up in a strange bout of restlessness. Around him, most of his family displayed their own personal movements, habits picked up in their many years, hard bodies faintly sparkling in the last light of the sun. It was rare that they were able to be out at such a dangerous time. If anyone saw them, they would be in danger, not only from the Volturi, but from humans themselves. Despite their weaknesses, it wouldn't due to forget the weapons humans had at their disposal.

Carlisle watched his son, hiding the small smile that wanted to form at the edge of his mouth. Although the situation was strange and it was impossible to believe what his sons had seen, Edward hadn't been this, well, awkward in such a long time. He seemed incredibly nervous, so much that he was apparently ignoring their thoughts. He had no doubt that if the other vampire was truly focused, he would have given his Sire a look of irritation for what was going through his mind.

It was strange this odd level of, dare he think it, attraction, Edward held. He had heard Emmett's off-handed remarks about Edward's apparent interest in the two young British men. Carlisle bit his lip. It was almost like bringing the boyfriend home to meet the parents. Next to him, Alice had a bright smile on her pixie-like face, her own golden eyes shooting knowing glances to Edward. He hadn't asked the seer what she had seen, but she had a feeling she liked what she saw. It was rare that he didn't ask Alice for her opinion, but her demeanor alone reassured him. Even with this unknown element about to enter their lives, whether for a brief moment or for the long haul, she was at apparent ease.

The sound of a stick breaking tore all their golden eyes towards the forest line.

This would be the first meeting, the very first impression he had of them. In all his years, Carlisle had learned the importance of these initial moments. They set the tone for almost all future actions and reactions between people. He had learned to read the obvious and the not so obvious. It was in body language. It was in the eyes and face. It was in the tone of voice and the words said. He would be able to determine their safety almost immediately. In the moment he took to glance at Edward, eyes straining to break through the foliage, he…missed their entrance completely.

It was if they were gone a moment, there in the next. Nothing around them moved, except a few wisps of hair in the breeze. So sudden was their appearance that his family froze still in their brief shock. It was enough, however, for Carlisle to take them in, and…

His children's description hadn't done them justice.

He had thought they were beautiful creatures, monsters of a sort designed to appeal explicitly to their prey. These men, however, held a different sort of beauty. Whereas their own was cold, theirs was warm. Their skin, while pale, held a touch of softness, belying the strength hiding beneath. Even from where they stood, many feet away, he knew he would find warmth were he to lay a hand on them.

Bright blonde hair and silver eyes, pupils widened in the darkening skies, looked at him with a bit of ice in the gaze. Emmett had described him as a cold, well, bitch. It was the only term he had said worked with the blonde's personality. He terrified the football jocks and had sent both boys and girls into tears more than once. An acidic tongue Jasper had said once. An acidic tongue indiscriminate to any and all who crossed his path, even his raven-haired 'friend'. Jadys Chorniy, standing just to the side and behind the black-haired man, seemed to have no intention of making friends in any capacity. That vitriol character clashed horribly with the man's breathtaking beauty. He had a lean, fit body with clothes that were chosen to accentuate each of his features. Long legs, slim waist, fit chest, elegant neck; each article making sure to draw attention to him. It was his eyes, however that drew the eye. Carlisle didn't think he'd ever seen such a silver color in anyone human or otherwise. They were like sword steel, polished bright and clean, giving his distrust and coldness a sharper edge than warm brown eyes ever could. Carlisle had little doubt that a look sent with those eyes, combined with white-blonde hair and arched brows could send a man running in fear. It was interesting to note, however, that despite his coldness and obvious dislike of the situation, he stood to the side and just behind the taller man in front. Carlisle let his eyes fall on that figure.

Vibrant green eyes stared at them through black bangs and they were absolutely stunning. In all his years, he'd seen few such emeralds, lit from behind and shimmering in the intensity of their color, sought after by those few who could afford such luxury. They were as cold as those jewels. Disconnected, Alice had worriedly explained. Something in Onyx Feloric was distant from the world around him. Only Jadys seemed to pull him back down to earth. When he was there, Emmett had muttered, he was impossible to miss and his appearance alone led to that impression. He was taller than his blonde companion, his body a bit more bulky, but not overly so. The tattoos on his arm and the piercings on his body gave him a definite edge. Carlisle had little doubt that the man could handle himself, even if he hadn't had his boys' firsthand observations. It was in the stance of his body, muscles loose and ready to move at any moment. When his own golden eyes met those vibrant jeweled orbs, he felt what Edward had whispered softly to him during their brief conversation in his office.

I was afraid.

Jadys' red eyes sent that thrill of alarm down my spine. I-I don't think I've ever truly felt that in this life.

And Onyx…His bloodied eyes were just as dangerous.

It was as if I was prey.

Carlisle could see it within those depths. Those green eyes were completely at ease, so confident that there was no danger to them. The blonde seemed a bit more on edge than his companion, but the coven leader could not scent any true fear. Around him, he took note of his family, their own gold eyes taking in all the details they could and no doubt they felt and saw the same things. Just ahead of them, Edward watched the pair, his eyes riveted entirely upon them.

Carlisle wasn't sure what this meeting would bring, but Alice's knowing glances, Jasper's silent approval was more than what he needed. He took a small breath and stepped forward slowly, hand extended in greeting. "I'm Carlisle Cullen."

The blonde stiffened, silver eyes darting to his companion as the raven stepped forward, his steps sure and firm. "Onyx Feloric. This is Jadys Chorniy."

As he shook hands with the enigmatic British youth, Carlisle felt warmth and life pulsing beneath his fingertip, but it seemed slower, more distant. His sons were correct…there was no way they were completely human. "It's a pleasure to meet you, especially under such…odd circumstances."

A brief smirk flickered across Onyx's face before fading in that solid, unaffected mask as he stepped back. Carlisle ignored the expression and turned slightly to gesture to his family. "I know you know our children, but I do not believe you've met my wife, Esme."

Esme came forward and extended her own hand, her own usually warm smile slightly dimmed in the uncertainty of the situation. "It's lovely to meet you. Our children have told us much about you."

To her brief shock, Feloric bowed over the hand, laying a delicate kiss upon her marble skin. "Pleasure." Onyx looked up, green eyes sparking in the final few rays of the sinking sun. "I apologize for our tardiness. I was…" Here the dark-haired man glanced to the side at his blonde companion. "…distracted."

The blonde scowled a bit deeper, but remained quiet.

Carlisle hid the wider smile that threatened to show. From Emmett's teasing, he had deduced that the pair were openly amorous with each other. "Of course. I thank you for coming to speak with us." The older vampire nodded to his family. "I believe there are some things that we need to get out in to the open." He watched as the blonde shifted just slightly, angling himself a fraction of a motion closer to the other man. "I ask you to forgive us for intruding on your privacy, but you must understand our concern."

Onyx nodded only slightly. "Indeed. For a large coven of vampires such as yourselves, I can only applaud your drive to attain some sense of normalcy."

Even though the Cullen's knew that the two British men had some ideas of what they were, hearing those words, spoken so frankly, brought their subtle movements to a halt. Carlisle nodded stiffly. "And we take that very seriously."

"Such control you must all have," the British man spoke lowly. "Others of your kind I have come across were not so accommodating."

Edward tilted his head to the side minutely as Carlisle spoke. "Of our kind?"

Jadys snorted and crossed his arms. The Cullen children instantly recognized the stance and tone. "Did you really think you were the only ones out there? That evolution would manifest only one of your kind?" Jadys rolled his eyes. "Foolish, muggles."

"Jadys." Onyx's voice was low, but firm, drawing a sharp look from the blonde and a curled lip. Verdant eyes glanced to the side, their edges sharp.

Carlisle did his best to ignore the volatile blonde. He could definitely see what the children had described. There seemed little tolerance for ignorance in the slighter Brit. "You seem to have us at a disadvantage. You are aware of our kind, yet in all my years I do not appear to have heard of yours."

"Yeah. What are you?" Emmett's booming voice broke through the tense silence.

Next to him, Rosalie elbowed him in the side and hissed.

Alice simply smiled and Jasper rolled his eyes. Their burly brother had no subtly.

Onyx let a smirk slide on to his lips before parting them in a smile. Before their very eyes, two razor-sharp white fangs seemed to descend. "Isn't it obvious?"

Edward watched those fangs, his bronze eyes wide in shock. Even though he had seen those dangerous teeth tearing in to pale flesh, it was still impossible to believe. Gleaming white, they were almost obscene. For just a moment, he envisioned them sinking into his own marble skin, breaking past that nigh impenetrable surface. Would the…vampire, find blood in his veins, or would there only be dust? Unthinkably, he shivered, and it wasn't from fear. No. It was intrigue. For some reason, the thought of those teeth piercing him was…fascinating.

Across the way, Onyx hid the expression of lust that wanted to break through. He saw Edward's body shudder as soon as he bared his fangs. He'd seen the look of awe that day in the woods, his own bloodlust-tainted eyes boring through the trees to crash into those copper orbs. Since that moment in the cafeteria when he'd felt that hard body against his and touched that hand, he'd felt a growing craving for the smaller vampire. There was something about Edward that drew him, something about the entire family that drew him. During his time as a vampire, however brief, his instincts had sharpened and he trusted them absolutely. He wasn't sure why he felt that way, but he had never been led astray in this life.

Alice squealed quietly. "You're a vampire!" She bounced in her spot, the perfect picture of her bright, usual self.

Jadys smirked, his own fangs reflecting the moonlight. "Whatever gave you the impression?"

Onyx rolled his eyes at his companion before nodding. "Yes."

Carlisle looked at the two Brits with a sense of amazement. Even though it was confirmed, the fangs an impossible give away, his mind raced with questions. Did the Volturi know? How was their biology different from his own? Did they possess venom? How did they walk in the light? Why was their skin so different from their own?

Onyx listened to the coven leader's errant thoughts, an amused grin slipping onto his face. "Think of us similar to Bram Stoker's novel, minus a few particulars."

Emmett guffawed. "So, Chorniy's your bride?"

The blonde snarled and took a step forward, but Onyx barred his way, sending an exasperated look at his companion. "No. Recall, I said minus a few particulars." Onyx lowered his head slightly, looking through his unruly black bangs as the massive vampire. "Besides, I don't think Jadys would bother attending to my every need." He gave the man a fond look. "It's the other way around, I think."

The blonde slipped a quick grin, but scowled quickly at the fond look passed his way. "Idiot." He mumbled it under his breath, but all the vampire heard it clearly.

Carlisle smiled, but knew he would need to tread cautiously. "Forgive me, but I have so many questions. Are there more like you?"

Here, those green eyes shuttered, the open light that had begun to grow, shutting down. "Not many." The blonde touched his arm. "And those that do exist do so unobtrusively. I doubt your Volturi have any true knowledge of our existence." A dark grin touched his lips. "Apart from nightmares, that is."

Esme shivered at that tone. Nightmares, the man spoke. "What do you mean?"

Feloric looked up.

Carlisle took a small step back.

Verdant green eyes glowed from beneath those black locks. A wayward breeze picked up around them. Behind Feloric, Chorniy's silver eyes began to glow, a smirk falling onto his face. "There's a reason why so few of our kind exist." Feloric raised a hand, palm facing up. Pale light began to pool in that hand, forming in to a ball. "Do you believe in magic?"

A/N: What do you think?