Earthshine

by The.Teal.Rose

Set during New Moon, Edward is conflicted over having to leave Bella. But then he happens across someone who immediately surprises him with her energy and liveliness. A friendship develops and she begins inspiring him to accept all that he is, which leads him to question his feelings for Bella. "When you lose your heart, you should also find your soul. And we all have one."

13. The Hunt

A/N:
Hey, everyone! Thanks for all the love you've been showing this story. So so so happy that there's still followers after all this time. Love the reviews and all the reads. You're all so supportive and encouraging.

I've really been enjoying jumping back into the world of Twilight. This story has never left my mind and was one I always wanted to seriously commit to and finish. Was hit with inspiration out of nowhere and it has been sticking with me like crazy. Lol, I can't seem to stop writing. So many awesome ideas. It's a slow burn romance, so stick with me! Edward and Vitalia will realize they love each other eventually.

Earthshine

Chapter XIII

"The Hunt"

…

I wonder if this is how people always get close: They heal each other's wounds; they repair the broken skin. - Lauren Oliver

…

[Edward]

I watched as Vitalia's boots sank deep in the mud as she jumped from a fallen log. A wide grin stretched across her face and she looked over at me, winked, then continued sloshing on, doing a little dance through the muck.

I shook my head and followed, frowning down at my shoes. I couldn't remember ever wearing hiking boots before. It just wasn't my sort of thing. But we all had to play the part.

I glanced over and laughed behind my hand as I spotted Rosalie beside Emmett. She'd gone all out for this, wearing her expensive, waterproof boots and rain jacket. She'd even pulled back her hair.

Esme and Carisle chatted with Vitalia's parents and seemed to be getting along pleasantly.

With a glance to my phone, I saw that Alice had texted me. She had arrived at the Swan residence and was helping Bella prepare the dinner they had planned with Charlie. My sister had heard the man was missing having her around — during Bella's recovery in the spring, Alice had spent a lot of time over there.

Jasper had decided to stay home, not risking a potentially hazardous encounter with humans.

It hadn't taken long to arrange this trip. The Santi's were very enthusiastic and both Carlisle and Esme decided it seemed an acceptable enough idea. They took all the necessary precautions, like as consulting Alice, and were assured nothing tragic would happen.

Bella had been uneasy about it, but after I reminded her that Alice had seen nothing happening between Vitalia and I in her visions, she reluctantly let me do this. I fought down the guilt that rose for causing her to worry and focused instead on the hunt.

I repositioned the rifle slung over my shoulder. Another prop. Emmett and I had made a run to the local gun dealership for weapons and ammo. It was going to be interesting hunting game the traditional way. At least there was nothing at all appetizing about it.

I glanced to Vitalia and was relieved she didn't own a firearm. Apparently her parents were making her wait until the legal age of eighteen. The girl certainly didn't need a gun as an extra adrenaline source.

I drifted closer to the girl and she smiled at me.

"Having fun yet?" She asked.

"Well it's kind of just started, right?" I asked.

I listened to the crunching bramble beneath our feet before sighing and lowering my voice a little. "…I'm sorry about Alice. I hope she didn't frighten you too much?"

Vitalia smirked as she met my eyes. "Nothing I couldn't handle."

Other than the shaking after. That was crazy!

I saw the image of her sitting in the bathroom, hands trembling as she texted me. I hid my wince from her, once again hating that my kind was so lethal to hers. She couldn't help the basic bodily reaction to what her instincts were warning her to fear.

"I don't know what she was thinking, confronting you like that." A trace of anger entered my voice.

"She cares about you. And about Bella." She shrugged. "I get it. People get like that sometimes when they feel someone they love is being threatened." Her smirk widened. "But it wasn't her place. I'm not about to be pushed around. Not by anyone."

I smirked along with her. At least Vitalia was her own type of force to be reckoned with. Not even a seething vampire could bully her.

Maybe she wasn't
completely Bella's opposite. They were both exceptionally brave humans.

Maybe they're undercover government agents or something crazy, Vitalia was pondering, trying to give me a sly sidelong glance. *Secret assassins. That'd explain their dangerous vibe *

I left her to her theories and my eyes traveled to the pairs around me. Rosalie was walking with Emmett and the two were laughing and flirting as usual, almost seeming unaware of their surroundings. They had such the fortunate luxury of carelessness.

I glanced to Eden and my own mother, talking excitedly over the job at the boutique. Esme was offering to design some displays for Eden. I could see how passionate they both were about their professions and I smiled. They were very alike.

Their husbands, however, couldn't be more different. My attention shifted to Diego and Carlisle, who were several paces ahead of the group. Diego was rambling about his new gun, excited to try it out for the first time.

Carlisle nodded amiably, smiling almost fondly at the eccentric man. I always found myself feeling awed by my father's natural ability to interact with human beings. It came so effortlessly. He was the picture of ease and calm. He was entirely within his element, possessing a natural charisma that helped him in almost every social situation. He was the measure by which all my greatest ambitions compared themselves.

"Hey, you two!" Rosalie pulled Emmett by the hand to join me and Vitalia. She directed her grin at the girl and released Emmett to stand beside her.

My little protegé, Rosalie was thinking. I rolled my eyes.

"I think Rose is trying to steal your friend," Emmett fell in step beside me, hands in the pockets of his jeans.

I raised a brow then looked to the girls. Vitalia matched Rosalie's grin.

"I'm so happy you guys arranged this! I was hoping to spend time with all of you again. Too bad Tex was sick though."

"Tex?" Rosalie's brows furrowed.

I chuckled. "She means Jasper."

"Ah, I see." She flipped her hair over her shoulder and nodded. "Yes, it's a shame. He's sort of a homebody anyway though."

"Yeah, he didn't seem too comfortable when I first saw him."

"Public interaction isn't his strong suit," Rosalie laughed.

"That's too bad," Vitalia clicked her tongue. "I
love spending time around people."

"I can tell," Rosalie teased. "You're good at it too. It isn't everyday Edward makes a new friend." She gave me a quick, challenging glance.

"Everyone's been saying that," Vitalia also glanced at me. "Lucky me, right?"

I suppose Vitalia
would consider meeting a dangerous, nightmarish vampire lucky. If only she knew.

They continued talking and I found myself trying to focus on them while also engaging Emmett's commentary from beside me. I noticed the way Rosalie stared at Vitalia as the girl bounced around and animatedly spoke about all the things she most enjoyed — evenings by the fire, her Halloween festival, long afternoon horseback rides, swimming in the lake, the state fair. There was envy from Rose, but there was also pure, rapt attentiveness. It seemed she was trying to live vicariously through Vitalia. Who was
really the protegé here?

I had started off doing something similar, wanting to experience and explore the girl's excitement for living. But that had changed. It had shifted into an actual connection.

I resolutely willed Rosalie's words away — her opinion on just how
well we connected.

"Woah, check it out, bro!" Emmett pointed to the mud and at the very large print there.

I tilted my head curiously as I paused with him. I wasn't aware anything that large inhabited this part of the forest.

"You think it's a bear?" My brother grinned widely. I could hear how greatly he wanted to challenge the creature.

I shook my head. "I'm not sure. Looks more…canine. But even if it
is a bear, you can't go fighting it here." I tapped his gun. "You'll have to kill it the boring way."

Emmett groaned and followed me as I continued on. I was a little more alert now, listening to the sounds of the forest as my eyes roved around. I didn't like that something this large was lingering here. The print had been fairly fresh.

We moved past Diego and Carlisle and I heard that the subject had now switched to cooking.

"You ever eat wild boar, Doc?" Diego asked.

"A few times," Carlisle answered with a secret smile. "Further south."

"Yeah, you won't find 'em here," Diego shook his head. "Shame. I can barbecue a mean slab of boar. Lots of family cookouts. It's all about applying the right rub to the meat."

"I'll take your word for it. Can't say I'm much of one for barbecuing myself. We don't make a habit of cooking in general."

I had to snicker at the image of Carlisle barbecuing, chef's apron and all.

"Ah, we love to cook. If you ever find yourself in San Antonio, feel free to stop by our ranch. We'll make a whole thing of it. Barbecue you the finest pig I can find."

"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

Texas was probably one of the least likely places we would visit. Within waking hours anyway. Far too much sun. That went for most of the southern US.

There was only a light drizzle of rain, the leaves dropping with condensation overhead. It was a muggy, humid sort of day.

"Tracks," Rosalie spoke up. The group stopped and looked over as she pointed to the ground.

"Oh yeah!" Vitalia's voice was muffled as she nodded beside her. She had a handful of trail mix in her mouth. "Deer, right?"

"Looks like it." Rosalie smirked. "We'll probably find some at the stream up ahead."

"M'kay." Diego nodded. "Who wants first kill?"

I blinked and shook my head. Out of context, it didn't sound too different at all from my own family's hunting trips.

"Go for it!" Emmett motioned to Diego. "But I'm next."

"Alright," Diego shrugged before creeping deeper into the treeline.

I looked to Vitalia, who was watching where her father had disappeared with excited eyes.

Eden was smiling indulgently and my mother moved to stand beside my father. I watched as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

I know this isn't her thing, but I'm glad she's here. Her and Eden Santi seem to be getting along well. Esme hasn't made many friends… Carlisle's thoughts were gracious and he directed a smile Eden's way as he thought them.

Then the unmistakable crack of Diego's shot pierced the air. I could smell the blood from the animal soon after. He'd got one.

"Got it!" He said himself a moment later.

Vitalia cheered then raced through the trees to join him. The rest of us followed at an easier pace.

"Ooh, you got a good one." Vitalia beamed and hugged her dad tightly around the neck.

He laughed then abruptly stood. She nearly fell when he did, but recovered and piggy backed as he spun in a circle, gun hoisted in the air.

Eden strode forward and held out a hand. Diego laughed but handed her the gun.

"Let's be a
little cautious at least, huh?" The woman suggested good-naturedly.

No kidding, I was thinking.
Good grief.

Rosalie was smiling, head tilted as she crossed her arms.
That's sweet, isn't it, Edward?

I gave her an indignant look.

"Oop!" Emmett exclaimed. "Excuse me, everyone. I spy a lingerer." He rushed ahead to where a deer had been caught in the vines down by the riverbank. I supposed, in its attempt to flee the sound of the shot, it had entangled itself.

Diego stooped to let Vitalia hop down and then we watched as my brother stood a few feet away and silently raised his gun. There was silence and then a perfect kill shot that immediately collapsed the animal.

Diego clapped his hands. "Dang! That boy's no joke."

"That's Emmett," Rosalie stated proudly. "Expert hunter."

"Do you know a good butcher in town?" Eden asked Esme. "Some deer jerky sounds good."

"No, but I can look into it for you." My mother smiled kindly. "Why don't we exchange numbers?"

Carlise turned and headed to where Vitalia was trying to balance on top of a log. "How's that arm?" He asked.

"Huh?" She looked up quickly then pivoted on one foot and walked the other way. "Oh! It's great." She patted it with a grin. "You took real good care of it."

Carlisle laughed and lifted a hand. "Maybe we shouldn't open the wound up again, hm?"

She rolled her eyes before taking his hand and jumping down.

His thoughts were on more than just having to treat her again. He was trying to avoid any open display of blood for the sake of the rest of us. He was always thinking of the bigger picture.

"Have you been enjoying your time in Forks?" He asked conversationally as they moved to join the rest of us.

"Definitely! I think it's one of my favorite places so far. The bayou in Louisiana was pretty fun too though. We went there during Christmas time last year. Hunted some gators and got to see Papa Noel float down the river."

"That
is a sight," Carlisle nodded. "I've seen it myself. It's a lovely city."

And rich with history. A lot of nomadic vampires passed through there, especially in the deeper parts of the bayou. They'd drink from their victims then leave the bodies for the alligators to take care of. It was pretty seamless.

It was concerning that these reckless people found themselves in those sorts of places, but I supposed it also wasn't uncommon.

"I want to see so much more! Travel the world." Vitalia's hand flung out in a wave. "The Bahama's, Ireland, Saudi Arabia,
Italy. Apparently we have a lot of extended family in Italy. My great grandparents migrated here, so we haven't been in the States long. I'd love to learn more about my ancestry someday."

They stopped beside me and Carlisle smiled softly at me before directing it to Vitalia. He nodded. "I spent a good deal of time there. Beautiful country. Which part is your family from?"

"Volterra."

Carlisle's eyes widened fractionally. "Is that so?"

"Mhm! My dad's been. He and his brothers used to visit some cousins we have over there when he was young. I've been begging him to take me on a trip but he doesn't really want to go back. Something happened there, something bad." Her eyes fell. "He lost his youngest brother there."

I was curious before her thoughts filled me in. Apparently Diego's brother had gone missing and only turned up in the water canal several days later, brutally murdered. That was all Vitalia knew, but she was thinking how certain she was that there was more to it. She was remembering some of the things her father had warned her of — warnings disguised as scary stories around a campfire. He had warned her that there were creatures out there that appeared human and only came out at night. Creatures with cold skin and glowing red eyes.

Certain things started clicking into place.

When she'd met me, I had found it strange how guarded her thoughts had become when she shook my hand.

Thoughts that had settled after she noted my eyes…

And then there was Diego and the strange darkness that lurked around him. Had it just been the trauma of losing his brother or had he actually seen something? Perhaps rumors in Volterra had been passed down through the family.

I glanced at the man himself uncomfortably, watching as he tied the back legs of the young buck he'd shot.

It was fortunate he wasn't the most observant individual. But Vitalia…a deep part of her had picked up on the truth. A part that she continously explained away with her impulsive assumptions.

The Volturi were usually so careful but I supposed it made sense for some people to fall through the cracks. They allowed some sense of fear to permeate their city. Shadows and whispers, but never any evidence.

Carlise was watching me carefully and I knew what it meant. This was dangerous, spending time with these people. They were too close to it.

Perhaps it wouldn't be Bella that cut off my friendship with Vitalia, perhaps it would simply be a necessary precaution. The Volturi almost never got involved when the occasional person picked up on the truth — I would've taken much greater care with Bella if that weren't the case — but this was a little different. It wasn't just one random person whom others would label a conspiracy theorist. It was a family. A family with direct involvement.

But they'd be leaving soon, so surely the risk was still minimal?

The Quileute Tribe was the same. Jacob Black had been told similar stories, stories he'd shared with Bella. But we didn't spend extended time with that family, so there was inherently less risk involved.

My only comfort was that they didn't know all of the facts, such as the color of our eyes and the fact that we came out during the day.

I know you're always careful, Edward, Carlisle told me,
but take extra care with them. I still think she's a good friend for you, but weigh it all in your mind. The risks.

I nodded fractionally at Carlise and he looked to Vitalia again. "I'm sorry to hear that. In that case, perhaps listening to your father's advice would be worth it?"

Vitalia shrugged. "Yeah, maybe."

But in her mind, I knew that the mystery and possible danger drew her to the idea of the place more than her ancestry did.

Carlisle moved away from us and I took a step closer to Vitalia. "So…you want to travel?"

"I do," her eyes lit up. "Travel journalism, remember? I want to document the things I see."

I grinned. "I'm sure you'll be great at it."

"What'd you want to do after graduation? You going to college?"

"I might," I shrugged, not sure
what my future held. I imagined myself rather aimless without Bella. Maybe I'd continue pursuing medicine. I'd wanted it once, to be exactly like Carlisle. It seemed safe enough to mention to Vitalia. "I have some interest in becoming a doctor, like my father. Or pursuing music. I'm not sure."

"I hope you figure it out. I could see you doing either one. If you become a famous pianist, Maybe I'll see you in Vienna or something someday. That'd be cool."

I laughed. "It would be." Randomly happening upon her years from now wouldn't be the worst thing. I was still curious about who she'd grow up to be.

"Look!" A mischivous smirk crossed her face.
A snake!

My brows creased and then I saw what she was talking about. Beneath the brush at the base of an evergreen, was a large snake. Strangely, it looked like a rattlesnake. They tended to be native to Eastern Washington, so it was likely the one here had escaped captivity somewhere.

"What are you doing?" I asked Vitalia as she stepped forward and tossed one of the bracelets on her wrist near where the snake was coiled. It hissed immediately and shook its tail, staring at its new threat menacingly.

I saw in her mind what she planned to do and immediately stepped to her side, halting her steps as I grasped her arm.

She was thinking of playing a game of speed to retrieve her bracelet.

"You aren't seriously going to walk up to it, are you?"

"Relax," she told me. "I've done this before. I just have to be quick enough." She tried to yank her arm free but I held on.

I glanced to where her parents were, but the entire group had gone on ahead to observe Emmett's kill.

"Let
go, Edward." She told me again, playful smirk vanishing as her tone took an angry edge. I could see the rebellion rise in her eyes and I firmly shook my head.

"No." I told her. "I'm not going to just stand by and watch you do something stupid." I felt my own eyes flash with determination.

She reached her other hand over to try and pry my immovable fingers away.

"Why are you being so stubborn about this?" I asked, wondering why she was choosing
now to resist my advice. I was confused why she was reacting this way.

"Why are
you?" She asked, giving up and throwing her free hand in the air. "Come on, Eddy. Live a little."

"I told you, there's a difference between embracing risks and inviting them."

"This isn't much of a risk."

"It's enough of one."

"You know what your problem is?" She told me with a shake of her head. "You take yourself and everything around you too seriously. You're so uptight about everything!"

"And you don't take it seriously enough!"

I'd never seen her angry before, and wondered what had riled her so much, until I heard the answer from her thoughts. I was triggering memories of some of the controlling behavior Derek had used against her. It explained her reaction, I supposed. I was being too forceful. I loosened my hand and debated a long second before releasing her completely.

Fine! If she wanted me to let go, I would, but I was free to make my own decisions too. I cast a glance back at her before moving swiftly forward and armed my rifle. I aimed it and fired a shot into the snake's head, watching it fall limp. I then reached down and grabbed Vitalia's bracelet before tossing it to her.

She caught it with a glare. "Wow.
You're no fun. That was low."

"Not really," I retorted as I made my way back to her. I rolled my eyes. "Life's not a
game, Vitalia. It's not about having fun all the time!"

"It's not about staying
safe either!" she threw back.

"Would you expect me to let you walk off a cliff? Or step out in front of a car?"

"This isn't the same thing."

"Pretty close."

"Why does the way I live matter so much to you?!" Vitalia asked.

My voice rose to match hers. "Because I care about you too much to stand by and watch you hurt yourself!"

She blinked, not having expected my response. For that matter, I hadn't either. But now that the words were said I knew that they were true. My tone softened as I continued.

"You're my friend," I told her. "I mean…like everyone has said, I don't make many of them, so maybe I'm doing this wrong, but…" I sighed. "Of
course the way you live matters."

I watched as the anger fizzled out of her eyes, the enraged storm of them returning to a resting sea. She sighed and lowered her gaze, kicking her boot against a rock. "..I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that. I know it matters to you. And-"

She peeked up at me, "maybe it
was stupid. When I did it before, the snake wasn't poisonous. I figured it was the same difference." She shrugged. "I
do also know life's not all fun and games, even if I'd like it to be."

She stepped close and hit my shoulder playfully with her fist. "You aren't bad at the friend thing, Eddy. I overreacted. When you grabbed me like that here…" her hand lifted to her shoulder. "It just reminded me of something else. Of…
someone else."

I already knew who that someone was. I saw Derek in her mind again. I saw the moment she was referring to, where he'd roughly grabbed her and ordered to stay away from a party she'd wanted to go to. He said the people there were a bad influence on her. That he couldn't understand why she didn't want to stay at his place with him. In the end, she'd listened. She'd stayed. And a little of her glow had dimmed.

I fought my anger down again, hating how she'd been treated. Hating the invisible scars it had left. Hating that some of those controlling characteristics were part of me. My anxiety tended to bring it out. My need to protect the people I loved.

"…I'm sorry too then. If I'd known, I wouldn't have grabbed you that way."

"I know." She smiled.

I sighed and stepped in close before lifting my hand and running it gently down her arm, willing the invisible scars away.

"Your life is
beautiful, Vitalia. Please take care of it." My voice was low and sincere. My eyes felt soft.

Her mouth parted.
Sometimes…he really is incredible. The things he says…the way he looks at me… She took a deep breath and nodded, giving me a smile. "Thanks, Eddy. You too, you know? I hope you can find a way to feel at peace with whatever you decide."

She was referring to Bella and I felt my eyes fall. I also wished that were possible, but it didn't look like peace was something I'd be feeling anytime soon. I lowered my hand then looked to the top of the inclide as Diego rushed up from the other side.

"Hey! You guys alright? We heard the shot."

Vitalia turned and waved. "Hey, dad!" She glanced at me nervously and I heard her wonder if I was going to rat her out.

"All good here," I assured the man. "Shot a snake."

"Hey, hey." He smirked at me. "Not bad." He motioned us over and I caught Vitalia's grateful smile before we moved to join the others.

I caught the eyes of my family as we past them and I knew they'd heard everything. Carlisle and Esme gave me reassuring smiles, believing I'd been in the right, while I heard Emmett click his tongue.

You're getting in deeper with her, you know.

I glared at him then saw Rosalie smirk at me.

Glad I got to see how much you care.

Ignoring them, I glanced to where Emmett's doe was all tied and ready to go.

"Alright, Vi. You're with me!" Diego said as he held out his rifle. "I promised I'd give you a shot, so let's go find you something and we can call it a day."

"Coolio!" Vitalia exclaimed before rushing off to take the gun from her father.

I nervously watched as she walked on ahead with him, but forced myself to relax. They did this all the time when I wasn't around. Surely I had nothing to worry about. Vitalia had been right about one part of what happened a moment ago. I had no right to control how she chose to live. I had no claim to her life.

"They'll be fine," Eden came up to me, voice soothing. "She's been using a gun since she was eight."

Carlisle's phone rang and he moved away from the group to answer it, but I could still hear his conversation. It seemed there'd been an emergency at the hospital they needed him for. He told them he'd be there as fast as he could.

When he returned to the group, he informed us all of the situation. He handed me the medical kit he'd brought and Esme told him she'd head back too. The pair said their goodbyes before moving at a steady pace down the hillside. I knew they'd pick up speed once they were out of sight.

Rosalie sighed and picked a stray leaf out of her hair. I stayed next to Eden and listened to Vitalia and Diego's thoughts. Everything seemed to be going smoothly for the twenty or so moments it took them to climb the next ridge. They wandered around for a little while, searching for something the girl could shoot, but ultimately found nothing. It seemed we'd scared everything in the vicinity away already. It was a little over an hour before they decided to double back. The rest of us waited patiently by the river and my eyes had strayed to the running stream of the river. I watched the silver flow of water and wished for a moment that I could see the sun glinting over its surface.

What is that? Diego suddenly thought. The pair were maybe a half mile away. In his mind's eye I saw a large, dark creature rushing through the trees.

Was it the same one that had left the large print?

I suddenly got a bad feeling and fought to stay where I was.

I think I can get it, Vitalia thought.
Oh wait-

There was a marked silence before the crack of a shot.

My ears didn't hear a scream, but Vitalia's thoughts instantly alarmed me.

Oh no! Oh no! No, no…wh- what happened?

I took a step forward before remembering Eden. How could I explain my concern?

A strained, weak scream came then, but it was loud enough that Eden could hear it. Her eyes widened before I took off at a frustratingly human pace. I tore through the trees, while Emmett kept pace with Eden. Rosalie quickened her strides to catch up with me.

"What's going on, Edward?"

"I'm not sure. I think someone's hurt."

I looked through Vitalia's eyes and saw her shaking set of hands before she lifted her gaze to where her father was lying on the forest floor, blood seeping around him.

"It's Diego," I muttered. I glanced to Rosalie. "There's a lot of blood. You should stay behind with Emmett."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine."

I risked moving a little faster and as I neared them, I could smell the scent of Diego's blood, though the scent was almost muted. Despite the quantity, it didn't stir me in the slightest. Was this what Carlisle meant when he said he hardly noticed its scent anymore? Had my exposure to the onslaught of Bella been some sort of crash course?

I didn't dwell on the observation long and instead turned my mind to the things I'd learned in medical school. I saw Vitalia, kneeling at her father's feet in shock, her face white and horror struck.

"Daddy?" She was saying beneath her breath. "Daddy?! I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry…"

I knelt at Diego's side and saw he was unconscious. I glanced up and noted Emmett had stopped a long way back. Rosalie approached with Eden, but remained several yards away as the other woman rushed forward.

There's so much of it, Rosalie was thinking as her eyes scanned the blood.

Eden fell at the man's other side and took his hand in hers.

"What happened?" She asked. "Vi? Are you okay?"

She frantically looked to her daughter and the girl struggled to get her words out, sobs trying to escape.

"I-I don't know what happened. I don't know. We saw something over there in the trees. I went to fire at it but the bullet jammed or something. I turned to ask dad and-and-…" tears fell down her cheeks and she covered her mouth with her hand.

I examined Diego quickly, eyes traveling to his leg, where the gaping wound was.

I grimaced. It looked like it had hit his femoral artery. His blood pressure had dropped, his heart rate was skyrocketing and he was bleeding out fast. It'd already taken me around two minutes to run here, so we didn't have much time left.

"Here, I quickly handed Eden my phone. "Call my father. Speed dial 2."

I looked past her to Rosalie, knowing there needed to be some excuse to explain why she and my brother were hanging back. "Rose! You and Emmett go back to the stream and gather all of our belongings. Be ready to flag down a helicopter."

Rosalie nodded then disappeared into the trees.

I applied a great amount of pressure to the wound with my hand, stopping up the puncture then used my knee to apply a heavy amount where his leg bent at the hip, effectively halting blood flow to the artery.

"Hello?" Carlise's voice came on the line.

Eden put it on speaker phone and set it between us.

"Carisle," I spoke evenly. "Diego's been shot. Femoral artery. Applying pressure. We'll need medical transport as soon as possible and a blood transfusion. Anything else I can do while we wait?"

Carlisle spoke to me in his professional, calm voice as he assessed the situation.

"Is the bullet still in his leg?"

I carefully removed my hand and saw no sign of the bullet. To confirm, I analyzed the trajectory of the shot then spotted it embedded in a spruce several yards ahead. "No. It went straight through."

"What's his blood type?"

Eden leaned forward. "AB negative."

"I'll prepare the transfusion. We'll get him lifted out of there. Where are you?"

"Half a mile North of where you left us."

"Got it. Hang tight. I'll have a room set up and we can treat him right away. Keep applying pressure. If you're able to safely remove your hand from the wound site, go ahead and apply alcohol to disinfect it. I have some in my medical bag.

"Got it."

There was a pause. "…are you alright, Edward?"

"I'm good."

"Alright, see you soon."

Eden hung up and I glanced at her. I watched as she closed her eyes, holding Diego's hand tightly between hers. She was muttering fervent prayers under her breath and seemed to be holding herself together as best she could.

I examined Diego's face and noted how white it was. His breathing was faint. "Hold on a little longer," I ordered under my breath. I hoped he hadn't lost more blood than we could replenish.

My eyes shifted to where Vitalia was still kneeling. Some of her father's blood had splattered onto her — arteries tended to deliver a lot of spray when severed — and she was quietly sobbing.

Her thoughts were a jumble of shock and guilt. I wanted to offer her much more comfort than I was able to give while occupied trying to keep her father alive.

I knew better than anyone how intense self-blame could be. Being responsible for hurting someone I loved, even if accidental, was the absolute worst feeling in existence. I ached for the girl.

"Vitalia," I said quietly. "Look at me."

This was a strange position for me to be in. It was nearly always the other way around for me. I felt guilt very strongly and it was always the people around me trying to be reassuring. Now here I was, on the other side of it, desperately wishing I could take the pain away from her. Wishing she could know how little she was to blame.

The girl squeezed her eyes shut a long moment before finally lifting them to me. She tried to wipe her face as she blinked. She took a stuttering breath before speaking.

"I almost k-" she took another breath then whispered in a raspy voice. "I almost killed my
dad, Eddy."

"It was an accident," I told her.

"Come here, baby." Eden spoke then.

I glanced over and saw the woman motioning a hand to her daughter.

The girl didn't move at first, but then unsteadily scooted around her dad to kneel beside her mom. She leaned against her and closed her eyes, the sobs starting again. Eden wrapped both arms around her, holding tight.

"It will be okay." She murmured, stroking Vitalia's hair. "It's all going to be okay."

It's going to be alright, Edward. I promise. It's all going to be alright, you'll see.

My eyes fell as my human mother's words filled my head. Every now and then, a memory would surface, though only ever vaguely. I couldn't even remember the sound of her voice. But she had been with me as I was dying, battling severe influenza herself. She had been desperately trying to comfort and assure me.

I took a deep breath, then opened Carlisle's medical bag, removing gauze and alcohol. I moved my hand away from the bullet wound while pushing down harder with my knee over the top of the artery to keep the blood from escaping.

I poured a generous amount of the disinfectant into the wound, then onto the gauze, which I pressed over the puncture. I grabbed several more pieces of the gauze and layered them over the wound before wrapping it all very tightly with surgical tape. That would, at least, keep enough pressure over the bullet hole.

Listening to the man's heart, it had grown rapid but weak, and his blood pressure was dangerously lower. My fear now was that Diego was going into shock.

I looked to his legs, feeling it would be best to elevate them. I hated to interrupt Eden and Vitalia, but I didn't have much choice.

"Eden," I started calmly. "Do you think you can grab one of those branches and drag it over here so we can lift his feet."

The woman smoothed a hand over Vitalia a final time before nodding and standing to do as I directed. She moved the branch over then lifted her husband's feet over it. I took off my rain jacket and draped it over the man, hoping my coldness wouldn't prove the effort useless. Eden took off hers and draped it over him too. Vitalia roughly wiped her eyes then came to sit beside me.

"Can I do anything?"

I met her eyes and tried to think of a way she could assist. I knew it would help her to feel useful. "Can you look in my father's bag for anything that could help keep him warm? I also want to check his heart rate and blood pressure." The medical team would need the exact numbers when they arrived.

She nodded and rummaged around a moment as I sighed and looked to my hands, which were covered in Diego's blood. I wasn't used to this. To being so close to human blood and not feeling tempted. I considered Carlisle again and all the times I'd envied his control. I'd been so focused on my constant struggle to maintain control with Bella, that I hadn't considered all the ways that struggle would impact the other areas of my life. It was like an ongoing trial by fire, by which I was emerging stronger. Unfortunately I was still a great danger to the one person whose blood I wished I
was immune too. It had never even fractionally lessened in intensity.

"Here," Vitalia said quietly. "Is this what you need?" She held up a finger monitor.

"Yes," I answered, taking it from her and placing it on Diego's finger, watching the heart rate climb as the blood pressure read as low as I'd suspected.

"There were these too." She held up hand warmers.

"Those will work," I answered. "We can put them over his chest. Focus on keeping that area warm."

She numbly did as instructed then sat back and tried to breathe evenly. I reached a hand over and covered hers with it.

She glanced down but didn't look at me. I said nothing, only sat with her as she continued to process what had happened.

A moment later, we heard the unmistakable whir of a helicopter. It wouldn't be long now. Diego's fate would soon rest in the far more capable hands of my father.

As I waited, I glanced to where the large creature had been moving through the trees. I picked up on a very foul scent coming faintly from that direction. It seemed familiar, somehow, but I couldn't place it.