Beau sat on his bed in defeat. It was all over, he might as well accept it.
He had nothing to wear to graduation.
The mystery vamp had stolen the only acceptable shirt in his entire wardrobe.
Beau supposed it didn't really matter. There was enough to worry about these days.
He could wear his nice chinos and a pair of loafers. No one would see what was underneath the gown, anyway. He could wear any old t-shirt.
The idea was sounding better to him all the time. Maybe that was why, just an hour later, Alice showed up at his window.
"Is it really so hard to wait for me to open the front door?"
Alice had a garment bag slung over her shoulder. "I'm just passing through. I thought you might need something to wear."
Inside he found a new sport coat, a button-down shirt, and a matching tie. "Oh, great, thanks. You're a lifesaver."
Alice stood on the desk chair to help with his tie. "It's nice to get something right for a change. You don't know how irritating it is, missing things the way I have been. I feel so useless. So . . . normal."
"Isn't it the worst?"
"At least this makes up for missing your annoying thief," Alice laughed. "Now I just have to figure out what I'm not seeing in Seattle."
When she said the words that way—putting the two situations together in one sentence—it finally clicked. The elusive something that had been bothering Beau for days, the important connection he couldn't put together. It suddenly became clear.
Beau grabbed her shoulders, unable to get the words out fast enough.
"Listen, Alice, don't you see? It's the same! The one who broke in and stole my things, and the new vampires in Seattle. They're together!"
Her eyes had taken on a sharp, focused quality. "Why do you think that?"
"Remember what Edward said? About someone using the holes in your vision to keep you from seeing the newborns? You said before, the timing was too perfect. The thief didn't make contact because he knew you would see it. What are the odds that two different people not only knew enough about you to do that, but also decided to act at the same time? No way. It's one person—the same one. The one making the army is the same one who stole my scent."
Alice had been adjusting Beau's tie as he spoke. He realized she believed him when it tightened around his neck like a noose.
"You're right. Of course you're right. And when you put it that way . . . "
"A-A-Alice, the tie? You're choking me."
Alice loosened her grip, then smoothed out the wrinkles in the material. "Sorry."
"Edward had it wrong," Beau said when he could breathe again. "It was a test . . . a test to see if it would work. Our guy got in and out safely because he didn't do anything you were looking for. Like trying to kill me, for example. He didn't take my stuff to prove he found me. He stole my scent so that the others could find me."
"Oh, no."
Beau had no idea how to process the fact that someone created an army of vampires—an army eating its way through Seattle at the moment—for the express purpose of destroying him.
He reached for humor instead. It was swiftly becoming his sole coping mechanism. Humor and temper tantrums, evidently.
"Well, everyone can relax. Nobody's trying to exterminate the Cullens after all."
"If you think that one thing has changed, you're absolutely wrong. If someone wants one of us, they're going to have to go through the rest of us first."
"Thanks, Alice. At least we know what they're really after. That has to help."
"Maybe." Alice began pacing back and forth across the room.
Thud, thud—a fist hammered against his door. Beau jumped.
"Are you ready yet? We're gonna be late!"
Beau grimaced. Both Swan men hated occasions such as this one. He could hear the anxiety in Charlie's voice.
"Almost. Give me a minute."
"I have to go," Alice whispered as Charlie retreated down the stairs.
"Why?"
"Edward is coming. If he hears this . . ."
"Go, go!" Beau urged her.
Now he was happy to go to graduation. Edward couldn't go berserk in front of so many witnesses.
Beau pulled the ugly polyester gown over his head. It was foul. He looked like Big Bird.
"Please don't take pictures of me," he groaned when he saw the camera in Charlie's hand.
"Sorry, it's my God-given right as a father."
Beau reluctantly put the matching cap on and stood for Charlie to get the shot. He didn't have the diploma to pose with yet, so the session was mercifully short.
"That's a nice shirt. Is it new?"
"Alice gave it to me. I just hope I don't sweat through it."
Charlie was already red. "I know. The AC will be working overtime."
It was all over the morning news reports; the day's temperature had broken state records. Some were even talking about a lingering heatwave. But the clouds remained, so Edward could still attend graduation unnoticed.
Edward arrived just a few minutes later. It wasn't enough time for Beau to put on a brave face, but since they were riding in the cruiser with Charlie, Edward didn't have a chance to ask what was wrong.
Charlie had insisted on driving the boys to the ceremony: another God-given right as a father. It wasn't until they climbed into the cruiser that Beau realized he had different motivations.
Beau sat up front with Charlie; Edward sat in the backseat, behind the fiberglass divider. The implication was obvious. Beau had no doubt it was Charlie's greatest fantasy realized.
Both of them were so delighted with the spectacle that Beau chose not to intervene.
The parking lot of Forks Elementary School was nearly full. Dances and graduation were typically hosted in the gym of the high school, but that was still under construction after the Cullens torched it last spring.
It had been for a good reason, of course. Killing a crazed vampire and burning his remains kept the entire town safe, even if they didn't know it.
Beau knew the open arson case annoyed his father. Despite hours of overtime and the best efforts of state-level arson investigators, the culprits remained at large.
With a parking spot secured, Edward stepped away from the Swans for a moment on the pretense of a phone call.
Charlie turned to Beau, smiling. "Are you excited?"
Beau was watching Edward's face. "Not really."
"Beau, this is a big deal! You're graduating from high school. It's the real world for you now: college. Living on your own . . . you're not a little kid anymore."
"Pull yourself together, Swan," Beau told him, though the order was directed more to himself. He hoped Alice was prepared to think of everything but their conversation earlier that day.
"Why aren't you excited?" Charlie demanded.
"I am excited! Excited not to see Mr. Greene's face anymore."
"It's good that Alice is throwing this party. You need something to perk you up."
His words gave Beau an idea. "Maybe you could come and shut it down. You know, full lights and sirens? Somebody's likely to bring an illegal substance. Underaged drinking is bound to happen sooner or later."
"Even I'm not that square. Don't rain on everyone else's parade."
"Wow. Being the police chief's son is getting me nowhere."
Charlie hugged Beau tightly, then nudged him in the direction of the student section.
"Are you okay?" Edward asked as they wove through the crowd.
"Up front, Mr. Cullen," Mr. Varner barked before Beau could reply.
Edward kissed Beau quickly and moved to the front of the line. Alice was already there, but she barely acknowledged her brother. Her eyebrows were drawn together, as if she was concentrating very hard on something.
"Hey, Beau!"
"Hi, Jess." Beau stepped aside so she could stand in front of him.
"Isn't this amazing? I mean, it seems like we just met, and now we're graduating together. Can you believe it's over? I feel like screaming!"
"Oh, so do I."
"This is just so incredible. Do you remember your first day here? We were friends, like, right away. And now we're off to college! I'm going to miss you so much! We'll have to line up our visits home. I'm so glad you're having a party. It's perfect. Because we really haven't spent much time together in so long, and now we're all leaving . . . "
Beau was grateful for the distraction. It felt good to hear ordinary plans for the future. A future not overshadowed by a horde of vampires out for blood. His blood.
The speeches came and went. Before he knew what happened, Beau was accepting his diploma from Mr. Greene, who looked less than pleased about it.
There was cheering at the back of the gym when his name was called. Beau turned around to see Jacob and Charlie clapping and hooting. Beau could just make out the top of Billy's head at Jacob's elbow.
Then everyone was screaming and throwing their caps in the air.
And that was it. This human experience was over.
Jessica threw her arms around him. "Oh, Beau! I can't believe we're done!"
"Me neither," he said, patting her back awkwardly. "See you at the party."
A familiar arm wound around his waist. "Congratulations."
Beau tried to smile. "Thank you."
Edward smiled back, subdued. He was in no hurry for Beau to reach this particular milestone.
"You don't look like you're over the nerves yet."
"Not quite yet."
"What else is there to be nervous about? The party? If you're not enjoying it, we can go to my room."
That put a smile on his face. "I'll hold you to that."
Edward chuckled. "Not too early—Alice will kill us."
"Right, right. Where is she, by the way?"
"She ran out as soon as she had her diploma." Edward nodded in the direction of the back door. "Strangest thing."
"Yeah, she is."
"No, I mean, she was acting strange during the ceremony."
"Really?"
Edward's eyes went to Beau's face. "What do you know?"
Beau glanced over his shoulder. Charlie was making his way toward them—alone, thankfully.
"Knowing Alice, she'll probably try to keep this from you until after the party . . . "
Edward's face was ghostly white by the end. He could see that Beau's logic was sound, just as Alice had that morning.
"Congratulations!" Charlie crowed then, drawing Beau into a tight hug.
Edward still hadn't said a word. He looked like he wanted to grab Beau and make a run for it, not stopping until they were across state lines.
It didn't sound like such a bad idea.
"Jacob and Billy had to take off, did you see them?"
"Yeah, that was nice of them to come." Nice of Billy, anyway. Beau was still angry with Jacob.
"I made a reservation at the Lodge. Are you hungry?"
"Yeah," Beau lied.
Charlie reluctantly turned to Edward. "Are you joining us?"
"No, thank you," Edward said stiffly.
"Do you have plans with your parents?"
Edward was always polite, even when Charlie wasn't, so this sudden hostility surprised him.
"Yes. If you'll excuse me . . . "
"What did I say?" Charlie asked guiltily.
"Don't worry about it, Dad. So, the Lodge?"
"Let's go."
The Lodge was crowded with parents and new graduates. As the most formal restaurant in town, it was always popular for events and special occasions.
Dinner dragged. His father spent a lot of it catching up with the other diners. Many of them stopped by their table to hear Charlie's thoughts about the string of murders in Seattle. Though the crime rate in his jurisdiction was low, Beau recognized their urge to ask someone with proper training.
The conversation made Beau feel ill. A serial killer was scary enough. A ravenous horde of newborns, commanded by a mysterious general? Scarier still.
Beau pushed his burger away after a few bites. He wasn't sure he could keep it down. The amount of people milling about didn't help, either. The crush of so many bodies in one place seemed to be overpowering the restaurant's ventilation system.
"Dad, do you mind if I wait by the car? It's warm in here."
Charlie held out the keys to the cruiser. "I'll meet you out there. I want to say goodnight to the Crowleys."
It was getting dark as Beau walked into the parking lot. The air moved better out here, but not by much. He thought Alice wouldn't mind if he got out of the dressy clothes, considering the circumstances.
Beau gently laid the sport coat on the backseat of the cruiser. He was just about to loosen his tie when something moved in the shadows.
His fear turned into relief as Edward appeared out of the gloom. He pulled Beau to him without a word.
"How are you?" Beau asked when they pulled apart.
"Not so great. I have a handle on it now. I'm sorry I lost it back there."
"It was my fault, I should have waited to tell you."
Edward shook his head. "No, it's something I needed to know. I'm very sorry."
"You've got a lot on your mind. It's okay," Beau insisted.
"No, it's not. I have a tendency to . . . edit . . . information, especially when it comes to you."
Beau reached up to remove his new tie. "'Edit information'? That's an interesting way to put it."
It had the desired effect: Edward laughed.
"Okay, I withhold things because I don't want to frighten or upset you. I understand now how frustrating that can be."
Beau slung both arms around Edward's neck. "I believe this is what therapists call 'a breakthrough.'"
Edward leaned forward to kiss him again, but it was brief. "Charlie's on the way."
"I'll have him drop me at your house."
"I'll follow you there."
There was no use arguing—he was already gone.
"Beau?"
"I'm out here," Beau answered, pulling off the button-up shirt. His skin finally felt cool once he was down to the t-shirt.
"Ready to party?"
Now that he knew Edward was better, things were much easier to handle. "Ready as I'll ever be."
"You were never one for parties."
"Wonder where I got that from."
Charlie chuckled. "I wish I'd thought of doing it. Thank Alice for me, will you?"
"Of course."
The streets were dark as they drove.
Charlie was still talking about the party. "I should have hosted at our house. We could have barbecued. The weather's cooperating, for once."
"Don't worry about it. You do a lot for me. World's best Dad."
He could tell Charlie didn't quite believe it, so he kept talking.
"I'm really glad I came to live with you. I know I haven't been the best kid at times, but you . . . you knocked it out of the park."
Charlie reddened in response.
Satisfied, Beau leaned back against the passenger seat, letting the air conditioning swirl over him.
"Oh, wow."
The night's darkness was interrupted by strands of twinkle lights. The two trees shielding the driveway from the road were covered in them. In fact, the entire three mile drive was lit this way.
"She doesn't do things halfway, does she?"
"Nope, never. I feel like we're driving down the Vegas Strip."
Charlie was grinning as the cruiser pulled up to the front porch. Beau already knew the answer, but he still asked the question, if only to have one more rational person in attendance.
"Are you sure you don't want to come in?"
"Extremely sure. Have fun, kid."
Beau saluted the cruiser's brake lights as they disappeared down the drive. Then, sighing, Beau marched up the stairs to endure his party.
"Beau?"
Edward's kiss frightened him. It felt like the minutes between them were numbered.
Beau pulled away. "Let's get this shindig over with."
His acting fell short. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"I'm not worried about me."
"Why am I not surprised by that?" Edward sighed.
The boys continued into the house. The interior had been transformed into a nightclub—the kind that didn't often exist in real life, only on TV.
"Unbelievable."
"Alice will be Alice."
The maestro herself was sorting through a stack of CDs. Alice had changed into a sequined top and leather pants. Her skin was almost sparkling under the pulsing lights.
"Do you really think people will come?"
"Of course," Alice replied. "They're all dying to see the inside of the reclusive Cullens' mystery house."
He had to agree with her. Had Beau been in the shoes of human classmates, curiosity would have won out, in the end.
Carlisle and Jasper were grave as the boys explained Beau's epiphany. The latter was obviously displeased with the battle strategy against the vampire horde; the Cullens had been unable to reach anyone willing to help. Worse still, Tanya's family was no longer taking their calls.
Jasper didn't try to hide his desperation the way Edward would have. It was easy to see he didn't like gambling with stakes this high.
Beau couldn't sit on the bench, waiting and hoping for them to come home. He wouldn't.
The doorbell rang.
It was creepy. Everything was normal in seconds. Genuine smiles could be found on every vampire's face.
Alice turned the volume of the music up, then danced to get the door.
It was a Suburban-load of Beau's human friends and classmates. Beau felt the curtain rising between him and them. For the first time, Beau was part of the vampire charade.
Though the party had been billed as a joint event for Alice, Edward, and Beau, he was the most popular target for congratulations and thanks.
He thought it was because the Cullens looked slightly wrong under the party lights. The lights left the room dark and mysterious. The average human couldn't feel relaxed while standing next to someone like Emmett. Beau saw him grin at Mike Newton over the refreshments table, the red lights gleaming off his teeth. Mike took an automatic step back.
But overall, the party was a success. Alice had planned it all perfectly: infectious music, hypnotic lights, and delicious food, judging from the speed it was disappearing. Most of the junior class showed up, enjoying their new status at the top.
Beau felt like he was witnessing memories being made for the assembled humans in real time. He could see why Edward and Alice pushed him so hard to do things like this. It was a moment in time that would not come back.
Alice was almost purring—no one would ever forget this party.
Edward stayed close for much of the night, until he didn't. "Stay here, I'll be right back."
Beau stared after him, watching as he reached a dark shadow in the kitchen doorway. Edward was leaning over someone, but with all of the bodies between them, there was no way to see who it was.
"Excuse me for a minute, Jess," Beau said, cutting her off mid-story.
Edward was gone by the time he reached the kitchen, but Beau realized the dark shadow belonged to Alice.
Her face was blank. The door to the kitchen was vibrating in her tight grip.
"What is it, Alice?" Beau whispered. "What did you see?"
The doorbell rang just then, hours after the last time. Alice looked up, ready to scold the fashionably late guest, before her expression settled into one of disgust.
"Who invited the werewolf?"
"Oh, shit," Beau muttered. "I forgot."
"Well, go take care of him, then. I have to talk to Carlisle."
She was gone before he could argue.
Beau walked like a zombie to the front door.
He knew Alice had seen what they'd all been waiting for, but with all of these humans around, it was unlikely she would tell the full story until the party was over.
"What are you doing here?"
It wasn't one werewolf at the door, it was three. Jacob was flanked on either side by Quil and Embry. Beau watched their eyes flickering in every direction. Embry was trembling so hard Beau wondered if he would shift right then and there.
Jacob, in direct opposition to his friends, looked breezy.
"You invited me, remember?"
Beau didn't move. "I don't want you here."
"Don't be a bad host, Beau. I brought you a graduation present and everything."
Beau left the door open and walked away. None of the Cullens were about; there was no way to bounce the party crashers without at least three vampires him up.
"Whatever it is, take it back. I have to do something."
Jacob caught up to him without any trouble. "I can't take it back. C'mon, Beau, don't pretend like I'm not here."
"I'm not," Beau said automatically. The room was full of dancing, happy humans, but no Cullen in sight. "I've got a lot on my mind right now."
Jacob took him by the arm. "Could I please have a few seconds of your undivided attention?"
"Keep your hands to yourself, Jacob."
"I'm sorry!" He said at once, holding his hands up in surrender.
Jacob glanced over his shoulder, but Quil and Embry had wandered away, eyes glued to the refreshments table. He sighed heavily.
"I really am sorry about the other day. I shouldn't have gone for it like that. It was wrong. I guess . . . I guess I deluded myself into thinking you wanted me to do it."
"Fine. Apology accepted. Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment?"
"Okay," Jacob mumbled.
He was staring at the floor now. A tiny gift bag Beau hadn't noticed was dangling loosely between his fingers.
He looked so forlorn that Beau couldn't help himself. "Is that for me?"
"You can look at it . . . later. I'll put it in your mailbox."
Beau held out his hand. Wordlessly, Jacob passed over the gift bag, but the downtrodden look remained.
Beau turned the bag upside down until something fell out. It was a set of car keys he recognized and a leather keyring he didn't.
He looked closer. A miniature version of First Beach, complete with their driftwood tree, had been carved into the leather.
"It's beautiful, Jake," Beau said, looking up in surprise. "You made this?"
"My dad taught me. He's better at it than I am."
Beau studied the landscape again. A full moon was shining over the beach. There was something underneath it—another tree? Or was it a wolf? It was hard to tell in the darkened room. He would have to study it in better lighting.
"Do you really like it?"
"Yes! It's unbelievable, Jake."
"It might make you remember me once in a while. You know how it is, out of sight, out of mind."
Beau ignored the attitude. "Thank you."
"So . . . this is one heck of a party."
"I'll say." Beau had returned to scanning the room for signs of Edward or Alice.
"Why are you so distracted?"
"It's nothing," Beau lied.
"Beau, seriously. Something's happening, isn't it?"
As though they picked up on a secret signal, Quil and Embry stopped stuffing their faces and made their way back to the other boys.
"Tell me what's going on. We want to know these things."
He was probably right; the wolves would need to be made aware of what was happening. Only Beau wasn't sure what was happening himself. Not until he found Alice.
Then he saw her, finally: Alice was descending the stairs. Her skin glowed in the purple light. She caught Beau's eye and began to move in his direction.
Jacob caught his arm again. "The psychic saw something."
"Yeah, just as you showed up."
He glanced around to make sure they were not overheard. "Is this about the bloodsucker in your room?"
"It's related."
Finally, Alice reached his side. "I need to talk to you."
Jacob threw one arm out to block their exit, bracing his hand against the wall. "Hey, not so fast."
Her voice was incredulous. "Excuse me?"
"Tell us what's going on."
Jasper appeared out of nowhere. Whatever Jacob saw in his eyes made him withdraw his arm.
"We have a right to know."
A ripple of tension went through the group. Alice and Jasper stood on one side. Jacob, Quil, and Embry stood on the other. Beau, meanwhile, had unthinkingly stepped between them.
But his intervention was not necessary. Alice's face had become thoughtful.
"It's okay, Jasper. He has a point."
Jasper did not relax his position.
Beau finally asked what he'd been dying to ask her for the last ten minutes.
"What did you see, Alice?"
Alice stared at Jacob, then turned to Beau, evidently having chosen to let them hear.
"The decision has been made."
"You're going to Seattle?"
"No."
Beau felt like his legs were going to give out. "They're coming here."
Jacob, Quil, and Embry watched in silence, but all three pairs of hands were trembling.
"Yes."
"To Forks," Beau whispered.
"Yes."
"For?"
Alice nodded, understanding his question. "One carried your shirt."
"We can't let them come that far. There aren't enough of us to protect the town."
"I know." Alice was despondent. "But it doesn't matter where we stop them. There still won't be enough of us, and some of them will come here to search."
"No!"
The noise of the party overpowered Beau's shout.
"Alice, I have to go. I have to get away from here."
"That won't help. It's not like we're dealing with a tracker. They'll still come looking here first."
Beau wasn't taking no for an answer. He had the keys in his pocket. Before any of them could stop him, he strode toward the front door.
He wasn't sure how Alice and Jasper did it with so many humans around, but by the time he got to the truck, they were standing in front of it. The Quileute boys were at his heels, looking just as amazed by the vampiric parlor trick as Beau.
It was quieter out here. Beau could actually hear himself think. He knew it sounded insane, but he had no choice.
"I have to go and meet them. If they find what they're looking for, maybe they'll go away and not hurt anyone else."
"Beau—"
Jacob had thrown up his hands. "Can someone tell me what's going on here? Who or what is coming?"
Alice turned her icy gaze on him. "Our kind. Lots of them."
"Why?"
"For Beau. That's all we know."
"There are too many for you." It wasn't a question.
"We have a few advantages, my wife included," Jasper snapped. "It will be an even fight."
"No," Jacob said as a strange smile spread across his face. "It won't be even."
"Excellent!" Alice hissed.
It was the most incredible thing: Alice and Jacob were grinning at each other like former allies. Comrades.
With a start, Beau remembered that they were. The two had worked together to kill Laurent.
"Everything in my Sight just disappeared. That's inconvenient, but I'll take it."
Jacob was still beaming at her. "We'll have to coordinate. It won't be easy for us. Still, this is our job more than yours."
"I wouldn't go that far, but we need the help. We aren't going to be picky."
"Wait, wait," Beau cut in. "Hang on a second."
Alice was standing on her tiptoes. Jacob was leaning down toward her. Both of their faces were lit up in excitement. Two dark heads swiveled in Beau's direction at his words.
"You're considering this?"
"You didn't honestly think we were going to stay out of the fight?" Jacob asked.
Alice took a more soothing approach. "Separately, we could all get killed. Together—"
"It'll be no problem," Jacob finished her sentence.
Beau stalked off to the back of the truck. He and the truck bed weren't friends again yet, but it was better than listening to people he cared about plan a suicide mission. He stared up at the dark sky, fuming.
The conversation continued with enthusiasm on both sides.
"How many?" Quil asked.
"It changes—twenty-one today, but the numbers are going down."
"Why?"
"Long story. We can't talk here."
"Later tonight?"
"We're planning a strategic meeting," Jasper told him. "If you're going to fight with us, you'll need some instruction."
There was a brief silence before he spoke again.
"This will be odd. I never considered working together. It has to be a first."
"Short Stuff and I are proof of it." Jacob sounded like he was in a hurry now. "We've got to get back to Sam. What time?"
"Three o'clock, about ten miles due north of the Hoh Rainforest Ranger Station. Come at it from the west and you'll be able to follow our scent in."
Beau lurched to his feet, but by the time he reached the front of the truck, Jacob was already gone.