Disclaimer: This story is rated T+/ M (Mature). Content may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Will most likely contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and strong language.
Layla's Pov
"In exchange for your blood," Niccolo stated as if that were the most obvious thing in the world, like giving a barista cash for a coffee.
The teacup tumbled from my hand and fell to the floor. As if enjoying my reaction, he waited.
Realizations came to me: I wasn't being injected when I woke from passing out; my blood was being drawn.
"You're a vampire," I whispered. My head felt dizzy again.
He caught my shoulders and leaned me against him and the couch. Niccolo was cold, and I hated that it comforted my sweating temples.
"I think you took too much," I whispered. "Apologies." He chuckled, stroking my hair.
"Can I ask you not to continue taking my blood? There are so many others. Why mine?" I whimpered.
"No. You're not an average person I could pull off the street. You are what we call 'la tua encante.' You're blood calls to me more than any other." He began to explain.
I shook my head, disbelieving and hoping I'd wake up elsewhere.
"We are a match. You and me, with guaranteed compatibility. Some may call it fate." Niccolo lifted my chin to meet his gaze. My eyes dripped with wetness.
"What does that mean?" Was I just doomed to die?
"It means your blood sings to me. Irresistibly." As he spoke, his nose trailed my neck. Niccolo grinned again when he noticed my shiver of fear.
"If I were a young barbarian, you would already have died. But fortune is kind to have me find you now. You are by far the most beautiful and compelling singer I've encountered." He confessed this as if captured by passion. I felt nothing but fear.
"You smell too good; your taste is so rich and satisfying. Yet, it makes me yearn for more. No, I cannot have enough." He inhaled my scent and suddenly grasped my hair, pulling my head to the side and arching my neck towards him. I gave a short scream, and he laughed, dragging a fingernail down gently instead of biting me. He inhaled there like I was a scratch-and-sniff sticker.
"Besides, you are still young. I can drink from you for a long time." Niccolo pulled back, adjusting my hair around me.
I tried not to hyperventilate by holding my breath and averting my gaze to the floor. "You're service will not go unrewarded, Layla." He explained.
"As proof of my loyalty to you, I destroyed a vampire that was hunting you tonight," Niccolo mentioned this as he did me an excellent service.
I had no words. I was oblivious to the supernatural, let alone something hunting me. My world was being flipped upside down tonight.
"Do not worry. My coven has been ordered not to harm or drink from you in any capacity." Niccolo informed me.
I nodded to show that I was listening. "They cannot disobey me with my power of compulsion, you see."
"Being my singer, I see you as an extension of myself. What's mine is yours, but I also don't disrespect myself by breaking promises either." The threat was imminent in his calmly spoken words.
What did this mean for me? I thought.
"How long do I have? Before you change your mind and kill me?" I whispered. "I don't have any plans to kill you. Only to keep you."
He let go and clapped his hands together, startling me.
"Since fate had made this arrangement so sudden for you, I will do my best to meet all your desires," Niccolo spoke excitedly like this was some star-crossed lovers arranged marriage.
Justina appeared with a large ancient book in her hands. An ink pen in hand, she began to write fluidly in a blur.
"What?" I responded. Was my fate sealed with his now? And for taking away my will, he's giving me anything else I wanted. If I did refuse this offer, would he drain me of blood and dismember me like he did with that vampire from before?
"Anything, my Bella. What do you want in return? The first of many requests, I'm sure." Niccolo questioned.
All I wanted was my freedom.
"Can I ask you not to have me killed when you're through with me?" I asked instead. "Done." Niccolo agreed much too quickly.
"I could make you forget about the supernatural, but your appointments with me would still exist." He offered, seeing the distress on my face.
I thought about that. It would be less painful and worrisome that way, right? And if this were a detailed nightmare, I wouldn't see him again.
"Although, I could also allow you to change your mind each meeting." Niccolo presumed. "Fine." I agreed.
"My friends and family," I stated, stumbling over the words. "Safe with me. What's mine is yours. What's yours is mine." He reiterated.
"Quite unselfish this one," Justina mentioned. "It's not like you to have a soft spot." Niccolo arched a brow as if that made him like me more.
"So what else? Don't be shy. Riches? Clothes? Cars? Houses?" Niccolo threw out some guesses for fun. I shook my head no. Justina stopped writing and looked between us both.
"I-I don't know what I want." I stammered.
"Tell me the deepest desire of your heart, Layla." His instruction compelled me to blurt out what I didn't want to say.
"I want to find my mother."
His expression shifted to surprise. Tears I was holding back streamed down my face. I couldn't keep her from the danger I was in now.
"I will find her." He places a cold hand over mine.
"And I want to move back to Los Angeles with her." I sniffed, wiping away tears with my free hand. He gave me the handkerchief from his suit pocket.
"It would be too inconvenient to have you far away from me. So you get one pardon in exchange for that wish."
I nodded in a sob, not knowing what a pardon from him meant either.
"You surprise me. Most people lie about what they want in order to appear humble or to mask the fact they want immortality." Niccolo stood up.
"Sign here." Justina lowered the book in front of me. I had no choice; I signed. Then she pricked my finger with the oddly shaped pen and pressed it to the page.
"Get some rest," Niccolo ordered me. "I will be back in the morning to confirm your desire to erase your memory of last night." He stepped out, and Justina shut the large book. It was far too large and seemed too heavy for the average person to carry.
"Don't think about running away. You will be found, and there will be consequences if you attempt to break the contract." Justina informed me.
"Yes," I whispered, feeling like a mouse trapped under an iron-clad paw of feline claws.
Layla's Pov
I had hardly slept. When I awoke in a foreign, overly soft canopy bed, dread swooped over me.
Sitting up too quickly made my head spin. I had a heavy decision to make.
Would I accept my fate as prey to a vampire? Or would I live under the delusion of freedom and allow the life to be sucked out of me, hoping that I don't die and that I can still live my life.
Weak and groggy, I went to the bathroom to re-energize with a hot shower. I stayed in there until the steam became a thick fog.
I didn't want to accept the reality of my situation, but I had to decide. Brave my situation sober, Or pull the wool over my own eyes to keep myself sane.
When I returned to the room wrapped in a towel, the sitting area was set with some breakfast. My former clothes were laid out on the bed, pressed and folded. I looked around to see that I was alone, so I continued to dress quickly and comb through my hair.
Justina came back first to make sure I was decent. She saw me a fumbling mess with my hair, so she helped. She did it with ease and much quicker than I could ever attempt.
"Sit and eat. You need your strength." Justina stood for Niccolo and Vitaly, who entered the room.
"Good morning, my Bella." Niccolo cooed. His eyes were bright red, gleaming in the minor lighting of the dim, dreary morning.
I couldn't wait to forget him calling me that name or how crimson his eyes were because of my blood.
Justina opened her massive book, looking like a judge without the cowl. "Have you changed your mind? Or thought of anything else you may want?" Niccolo questioned.
"No, not this time," I answered. "Very well. No last night." Niccolo looked at the tall platinum-blond male.
Vitaly touched my temples, I braced myself. A white fog crept into my mind, eating away the memories of last night.
"You visited your father. He dropped by unannounced to pick you up because he had the time. You had dinner and stayed the night at his apartment." Vitaly instructed in my impressionable state.
He switched places with Niccolo, who looked into my eyes.
"You are to visit your father once a month, every month. If you can not physically make it here yourself, you are to call me." Niccolo instructed.
I agreed in a daze. One moment, I was in the apartment; the other, I was outside being slid into a black SUV. Justina placed my purse next to me.
"The driver will drop you off where they found you."
Jacob's Pov
I've been losing my damn mind trying to find Layla. I had picked up her phone broken on the sidewalk.
Tiffany was the last to have seen her, and her car was left unattended in the back lot behind the theater. I would have made a police report if Syd didn't have answers. When he called, he told Billie that her dad had picked her up for a quick visit.
It unsettled me to my bones to know Layla was in Seattle. Billie told me to wait until we could get an address from Syd. There was no sense running around a city in a more vulnerable human state when I needed to grab Layla and go quickly. To do that, I had to know precisely where she was.
Billie had mentioned that it might be safer for her to be away from the action while the wolves hunted the vampire dancing around our borders.
That might be true, but her phone being left on the ground like that? Not when she treated that thing like a lifeline.
With no sleep, I couldn't help but feel something was deeply wrong. I ran up and down the woods alongside the highway until someone called me in.
"She called Syd. Layla's in Port Angeles," Paul informed me through the pack mind.
"Thank Creator." I sprinted back, not too far away now. I unraveled the cord from my ankle holding my jeans together and found my stash bag in the woods behind Bob's Autoshop.
I found her walking down the street, about to enter a boardwalk cafe. "Layla!" I called out, frantically running after her.
"Jacob?" She asked in a daze. "Where have you been?" I looked her over for any signs of harm. Layla seemed completely fine, aside from looking absolutely tired.
Her answer was muffled in my chest when I hugged her. Then, a sickly, sweet stench radiated off her hair. My grip tightened, and she complained, squirming.
"Sorry, I've been so worried." I pulled back and studied her again. "I'm fine. Can we get some food? I'm like really hungry." Layla complained.
"Yeah, sure." I followed her in, keeping my hand on the small of her back, still searching for any signs of a bloodsucker.
She ordered for us both, and we sat down in a booth.
Layla seemed happily content with her breakfast sandwich while I scarfed down my food, watching her.
"What's your deal? You're staring at me like you'll never see me again." Layla questioned.
"You didn't tell anyone where you were last night, and your car was abandoned." I tried to keep the edge building in my voice, but I was peeved. I couldn't have her disappearing on me again.
"Yeah, sorry. My dad picked me up. I dropped my phone and everything." She answered. I placed the broken phone face-up on the tabletop. "I know," I answered.
"Thank you so much, Jake. I didn't mean to worry you." Layla looked up apologetically, and I felt my stiff shoulders lower.
When she reached for her phone, I placed my hand on hers.
"Please, and Layla-" I called for her attention again. "Yes?" Her tired, glassy eyes were tinted red light she had been crying.
"Can you please not leave without telling me," I pleaded.
"Sure, Jake, I'll do my best to do that," Layla confirmed, setting me more at ease when she smiled at me.
Layla's Pov
I had walked into Jacob right outside the theater when theater practice was over. It took longer than expected to make up for lost time yesterday. In that time, he had my phone screen fixed. That was generous of him, or maybe it was a part of the stipulation of not disappearing on him—either way, it gave me a sense of security.
When I drove us back to La Push, Jacob went on about weekend plans and asked more questions. It was all a blur; the fatigue from Seattle was getting to me, and I didn't have it in me to make plans with him or keep promises with EJ.
I greeted Syd, barely reaching the couch before my body gave out. "How was Wren?" Syd asked about my father. I grunted, tossing my purse on the coffee table.
"You've never been one for traveling." He chuckled.
When I woke up again, it was still dimly lit. I couldn't tell if it was twilight or dawn breaking.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty." Syd's voice echoed from the kitchen, and the smell of bacon and brewing coffee filled the air.
I passed out all afternoon and night again. I hated this. When would my body adapt already? Was I doomed to be like this on every road trip?
"You should go wash off that ungodly perfume. I know you girls like to test everything out at the mall, but-" Syd shook his head, turning on the news.
I headed upstairs to get ready for the day. Aunt Mel and Mass were first on the agenda. If I took my car, I could leave early with Iris and get a hang-out study session in.
It was too cold for a dress this morning, so I slipped on a comfy cashmere sweater and a pair of dark-wash jeans. I tried to dry most of my hair and curl the ends, but it was still too damp. To tame the frizz, I threw on a headband and hurried downstairs.
"Aren't you going to wait for-" Syd started. "I can't wait for Mel. I have to study with Iris in Forks later." Syd grabbed my shoulder to stop me.
"Phone charged and sound on? I don't want the La Push boys harassing me again." "Yes, Grandpa." I sighed, exasperated.
"Alright, don't be out late. Eat something. You're unusually pale." He eyed me. "Got it." I quickly agreed to get out the door.
Iris and I snuck out of Mass and fled to her house with some carry-out. I gambled grocery store sushi while she settled for a packaged chicken salad sandwich.
Her house was a quaint four-bedroom affair. Iris's mom had cool knickknacks from all her travels overseas and pictures from an extensive family tree.
Iris led me upstairs to her room, which was surprisingly pink for what I expected.
"What?" She asked. "I expected you to live in a library," I confessed, imagining EJ's room again. With that, I whipped out my phone to text him. I had forgotten again, and I hoped he would forgive me.
"Heh, I wish. I keep bothering my dad to put up my Ikea shelves, but he never has the time." Iris complained. "We could try it. I'll help you."
Or I could call Jacob. I thought to myself. He's handy, and I'm sure we'll make a bigger mess. I bit my lip. No, I couldn't ask for favors either with my new personal rule in place.
"That's okay. My cousin and Uncle are visiting next month. I make him do it to earn his keep." She kicked the boxes, collecting dust.
After her mini tour, we headed to the kitchen table downstairs to knock out homework. "Wanna take a break and look at something cool?"
"Sure." My wrist was aching from all the writing. I twisted it around to stretch it out. I followed her to an old glass hutch in a back room they used for storage.
"Sorry, this is where things tend to collect." Iris used a small iron skeleton key to release the glass doors to the top bookshelves. Tiny ones that read 'How to deal with Faeries,' 'The Difference between Fae and Faeries,' 'Full Moon Ritual Rites,' and the book she told me about- "Conroicht mace tire," Iris spoke aloud.
"The what now?" I asked. "The Celtic Werewolf book I was telling you about," Iris explained. "Oh, right. The weird one your mom has kept in the family or something."
"I was thinking about writing my October paper on it." Iris excitedly flipped it open. It was hard to think in just a couple of weeks, it would be October.
"Shoot." She whispered. "What?" I asked. "It's mostly in Gaelic. I'm rusty, so I will have to translate most of this first."
"It has some good depictions, though," I noted the ink artistry twisting around the page's edges.
"What are you girls doing in the dark?" Iris's mom had come home early. She flipped on a light we didn't consider in our snooping.
"Just checking out the old texts." Iris flipped the pages of the text, sending dust my way. I sneezed in response.
"Why don't you let me handle that? What were you looking for exactly?" She questioned. "Old legends to write a paper on."
"Hm, How about I read some? Would that be good?"
Mrs. Turstin had set the mood with a low-burning fire in the living room.
"Now, where to begin... The Faoladh or the Conroicht, our Celtic wolves. No one knows the true origins of werewolves, but many elude to spirit travels with wolves..."
"Unlike the European counterparts, The East Isles of Ireland hailed them as shepherds of men and flock alike. It is said for their protection, villagers would leave a sacrifice of sheep around the full moon; in exchange, these shifting wolves would watch over the lands from foreign invaders or nasty creatures of the night. During the day, they would return to the form of man and live as men. Since they were not fully man, the villagers made the wolf clan live privately on the outskirts of town and in the woods." Mrs. Turstin hardly skimmed the page in her storytelling to relay this. It was easy to see she almost knew it by heart.
"Further towards the mainland, another clan of wolves hailed themselves as warriors. Sons of the King of Osraige (Ossory) lived closer to the lives of wolves than man, believing it to give them more power and strength. They kept to themselves instead of bartering with sheep, preferring to hunt cattle left out in the fields. The only occasions Ossory would appear would be in times of celebration encompassed by music, ale, and women. Mainly around the fall equinox and the solstices, townswomen would go missing. The women would not be found until that same day the following year, if they were returned. Many villagers feared them for this and blamed the neighboring lands for interacting with them. The clergy were about to gather many for a major hunt to wipe out all wolves when an enemy arose—a king of bloodshed who wanted to take over all the land. He called himself Crum Cruach.
An evil dictator who terrified everyone by cutting off the heads of clansmen and drinking their blood through their decapitated necks. All in front of the courts.
He then required the firstborn of every family, no matter the age, as a sacrifice before the end of winter.
After the latest raid, the fall equinox celebration was upon the land. The villagers called the shepherd wolves to contact the Ossory. The clergy set aside their fear for the aid. Those left by a recent raid made wine, farmers set out livestock they could spare, and minstrels played music. Brave young women chose to present themselves dancing to draw the wolves in if the neighboring wolf clan failed to reach the Ossory.
The warriors came, a few dressed as men, to hear the people's plea. They had heard of the evil king and agreed to defend the land. However, they did have some conditions for the humans residing there.
Wolf killings would have to cease, particular forests would be strictly prohibited, and regular sacrifices on the full moon would be made—livestock, produce, ale, and, on occasion, a woman. In exchange, they would drive out the human army and kill the blood king.
The first battle took seven days, and many were lost. Both man and wolf. When the wolves would raid, and a blood drinker remained, they would retaliate with rage, killing many civilians. Many villages suffered loss and lay abandoned.
Meanwhile, the clergy who fled to their towers became distrustful, seeing wolf clans take over the towns devastated by war. They thought maybe the wolves had planned to wipe out both humans and blood-drinkers for their own gain. Some thought it might be better to let the monsters that looked like man rule over them.
Several months later, the war lessened to battles, and battles became mercenary hunts.
Most people sided with the Wolve warriors because of their success in war and for the wolf clan women who had healing abilities and helpful potions to help with the devastation. Those who held influential positions before the war were blamed for succumbing to the blood-drinking king and were treated as traitorous outcasts if they were not put to death." Mrs. Turstian's eyes gleamed in the firelight, finishing the tale.
"So what happened after that?" Iris inquired. "The rest is history. I imagine the wolves would have to hold their territory or go into hiding if the clergy held a grudge." She flipped through the book slowly and fondly, gazing at the images.
"So the wolves could control their forms? They didn't need a full moon?" I asked.
"No, but the lunar seasons seem to affect some things." She shut the book and tucked it under her arm. "Does that lift the mystery for you girls?"
"Interesting. That was different from the other legends I've researched," Iris murmured. "Oh, I'm sure." Her mother went to return the old text.
The stories gave Iris and me much to think about for our upcoming assignment.
The week went on, and I felt like something crucial was missing. I tried reviewing all my bases to find the fractured pieces. I left a weekly call on my mom's cell, who hasn't answered me since our last talk at the beginning of the school year. My former nemesis and mother's friend/assistant, Bethany, promised to work something out in the upcoming months for me to visit. I did manage to get a hold of EJ, and he said not to worry. We'd see each other soon enough since it was Wednesday.
It still bothered me that I couldn't keep my word to him last week. That was something I had pride in keeping.
Jacob had recently found the stash of cash I stuffed under his pillowcase last week, which had me wondering why it took him so long to mention it.
I hated to admit that all signs pointed to the guys sneaking out at night. Tiffany might be right, and if that were the case, what were they doing, and why would Jake lie to me?
"What I left was only enough for parts, so just accept it, okay?" I assured him, attempting to laugh it off. "You're not giving me much choice, huh?" Jacob walked with me out the front steps of the school.
"Nope." The crisp fall-weathered breeze pinched my cheeks."Since you owe me...How about you come out with us tonight?" I glanced up at him through my eyelashes speculatively.
"Old Quil is setting up his telescope on the skyline for the meteor shower." Jacob offered, probing my interest. I had overheard them talking about it at lunch. This would be way past my curfew, so I would have to swing it by Syd first.
"Old Quil and Sue will be there if Syd's worried." Jacob read my mind, climbing into my car. Driving him home was becoming more of a habit.
"Have any more weird dreams?" He asked, making conversation. "No." I shook my head. There were no more dreams but plenty of foreboding and fear.
"Were you able to sell the bikes?" I questioned, switching topics. "I think I'll have a better shot in the spring," Jake answered.
"Sure, that makes sense." It's not like dirtbikes belonged on the road or in the snow.
I pulled over on the road to let him out so I could turn around and continue to Forks High.
"See you tonight." Jacob swiftly pecked my cheek and slipped out of the car.
"Hey! You don't know what Syd will say." I sputtered, flustered.
"Then I'll just come visit you." Jacob smiled and shut the passenger door.
EJ sprinted to my parked car.
I was barely out of it when he bombarded me with his tight embrace. I laughed, wrapping my arms around his neck and shoulders. He was barely taller than I was.
"Missed me?" I laughed. "Yes, sorry." EJ smiled sheepishly. When he pulled away, his nose twisted in disgust.
"What?" I asked, walking with him towards the FHS school library. "You just kind of smell like a wet dog. Not much, but still." EJ mumbled.
"This is the same sweatshirt I wore at the wolf sanctuary. I guess I need to wash it." I lifted my forearm to sniff the sleeve. It smelled a little like dirt to me, so I took it off.
"Can you come over for dinner?" EJ questioned, holding the door open for me. "Yeah, I should. Why, what did you want to talk about?" I suddenly remembered.
"It can wait." His brows bent, and his jaw tightened as if in deep thought about something. "Okay, let me know."
Book club went smoothly, and those who made it known they were required to be there perked up now that our October subjects were being chosen today. We still had one more week in September, but I could tell Iris was excited by her mother's stories and wanted to get a head start on the folklore papers for October.
"There's a lot of variety in this subject matter. So, I assigned a different monster of folklore for every week. Week one will be vampires, two werewolves, three faeries, and four any folklore you want to focus or expand on." Iris informed our group. I was surprised werewolves weren't first on her list. Maybe she wanted more time to research.
"Does this mean we finally get to watch movies?" Chad raised his hand.
Iris sighed, rolling her eyes. "Yes, but you better do more than compare the literary works of Bram Stoker." Chad shrugged, unbothered.
"No, we will not watch them in class. That's on your own time." When the unenthused teacher supervisor stood up to leave, we all gathered our things to leave.
EJ's Pov
"Who's picking us up today?" Layla asked me in the hall.
"I think it's Esme, but I'm not sure." I swung my backpack over my shoulder, almost hitting Iris's glasses off her face.
"Sorry, Iris," I immediately apologized. She muttered something disgruntled like 'Don't worry about it,' the teacher called her to the side about something.
Iris glanced back at Layla twice, and then Layla lifted her cell phone for Iris to see, probably signifying they'd talk later.
When we breached the metal doors to the outside, I was right; they decided to send Esme today. I gave her a wave and a nod.
"Do you think we could invite Iris with us sometime?" Layla questioned me. "I'll have to ask, but I don't see why not."
I've never really thought about hanging out with Iris outside of school before. For the moments I've accidentally brushed up against her, she'd been occupied with articles she'd read or judging others around her for being too juvenile or uninclined in academics. Her opinion towards me, in particular, was that I was awkward and naive at times but cute. I thought guys were supposed to be handsome, but did I know about all that stuff?
I was grateful to have Layla to myself again. Hopefully, I could find a way to pull her aside today. What I saw running through her mind the last time before she left worried me greatly.
I didn't want my first real friend, and the only friend outside of my adoptive family, to get hurt or worse. The tricky part was going to be how to approach the subject without exposing my family. It wasn't a secret I was allowed to share, and I didn't want her to be afraid to come over.
But the close calls she'd had with wolves were bad. "EJ?" Layla called my name and shook my shoulder.
"Esme asked what we wanted for dinner." She explained. Esme's ember eyes flickered to me concerned. She and Rosalie had been worried about me withdrawing to myself in Layla's absence. Carsisle even removed me from school for an afternoon hunt. I was sure he wanted to help me get accustomed to feeding on animals instead of the blood bags I was accustomed to. That or he was hoping I would share what was on my mind.
Like Layla said before, it was okay not to share things until I was ready. For example, my unresolved feelings of being adopted and not encountering my birth parents or the fact I had an ability, unlike the others I lived with. With one touch, I could hear and see what someone was thinking and feeling at the moment of contact. Sometimes, that was helpful, and other times it was hurtful. I've seen glimpses of what my father and mother were like in the Cullen's eyes. I'm still gathering the pieces and placing them together.
"Doesn't matter. I'm not that hungry." I answered. "I'll let Rose have free reign again then." Esme's soft, musical laugh echoed in the cabin.
Walking up the steps to the manor, I began planning how to get Layla alone and what to say to convey my concern.
Layla fell, slipping on a wet step, and skidded her knee, ripping her jeans. "Are you alright?" Esme questioned.
I bent down to immediately help her up. Then we both smelt it. Blood.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Layla twisted to sit on the step. I moved to be with her.
Esme was no longer breathing. "I'll get my husband." She backed up, with clenched fists tremoring.
She eyed me to accompany her, but I sat defiantly beside Layla. That's when Esme grimaced and darted into the house in a blur.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I looked over at her wound, almost touching me. The red stained the material.
"Yes, it just stings. Can you help me inside so I can clean it up?" Layla placed a hand on my leg to push herself up. "No!" I grasped her, pulling her back down.
"Why not?" She looked at me, confused. I looked down at her knee, and my throat tightened and released. No overwhelming urge came to me, though my mouth did feel dry, and my teeth ached.
Carlisle and Emmet had always tried to get me to tap into that urge. The instinct that drove them to attack and drink from an animal.
But I've had no intense urge to do that. Even now, the thirst was manageable, like if your mouth was dry and you just wanted to wet it.
"Can I see?" I asked curiously. She pulled back the ripped fabric to expose the wound. Crimson gleamed and streamed slowly down her leg.
I touched the red liquid. "Ouch. EJ, that's too close." Layla mumbled. "Sorry." I rubbed the sticky mess between my fingers and sniffed it. Fascinating.
"EJ." Carlisle's tone was worrisome. "Godfather," I stated, startled when he grasped my wrist.
"Please go wash your hands inside immediately." His stern, ember eyes urged me to separate myself from Layla. With my ability, I could read that he was concerned that I would bite her if I were tempted.
"Okay." I did as he said, moving at a human pace inside. From the glass windows at the back of the house, I could see Rose and Esme running into the woods. They'd probably be there a little while until the scent of blood disappeared.
I went to the bathroom to wash my hands as Carlisle wanted. Turning on the hot water, my blood-stained fingers hovered by the soap.
I could taste it—her blood. I wonder if it would be different, fresh and warm...
Carsisle met me outside the bathroom door.
"I'm okay," I responded. "How's Layla?" I inquired.
Carsilse's expression softened, and his gaze appraised me, searching for signs of hunger or distress. When he found none, he stepped aside.
"Make your visit brief. You have a little under an hour. Esme, Emmet, and Rosalie are in the woods waiting."
"Understood." This was almost perfect if I could be alone with Layla without eavesdroppers.
This would have been the case if it weren't for my Godfather hovering in the doorways or lingering in the kitchen as we did homework and discussed our papers.
"...Vampires or werewolves." Layla's voice pulled me from my planning and caught Carsisle's attention. His ember eyes flicked up from the paperwork he took home.
"For the book club papers. Have you chosen an underlined subject or found some material you like?" She questioned, sounding uncertain about her choices as well.
"Oh, yeah. The Halloween folklore and monsters. No, I haven't." I smiled at Layla. From the thoughts and feelings I've gathered from her, she's been the most genuine.
Unlike most, Layla's thoughts were much kinder than her words, and she truly listened because she cared. It made me wonder if she'd be better suited for an ability like mine. I still don't know what to do with it yet.
'EJ's been reserved today. I hope he's okay...' Layla's thoughts whispered in my mind. I suppose I wasn't too good at physically masking my emotions.
"What about you?" I deflected. "I thought we could have a movie marathon and take notes, then pull some theological topics off the internet." She explained.
"We do have a movie room. Right, Carsisle?" I pointed out his presence because, at the moment, it hindered and annoyed me.
"Yes, feel free to use it any other night. I'm afraid we have a family meeting soon, EJ. Could you please walk Layla out?" Carsisle cut the visit short.
"She'll need a ride back to the school." I frowned. "I'm well aware. I'll be there shortly." He made his way outside to retrieve the others.
"I'm sorry, EJ, it looks like I came at a bad time." Layla sighed, gathering her things. "It's not your fault. I think something came up last minute."
I walked her to the front door. "Have you heard anything about your father?" She stopped short.
"To me directly? No." I answered. "Oh, okay." "I'm not so sure he knows about me," I confessed. Her round brown eyes held the empathy I needed.
"You can always call me." She assured me in a whisper. Layla took my hand and rubbed her thumb over the top of it, comforting me.
"Thanks, but I'd rather talk in person." I half smiled. "Gotcha. I'll see you soon, then."
"Yes." I agreed.
Layla climbed down the steps carefully and entered the black Audi, which my godfather now held open for her.
Esme's hand rested on my shoulder. "EJ, I don't think it's a good idea to have anyone over anymore."
I shirked her hand off and marched inside.
"Don't be so hard on 'em." Uncle Emmet came in. "It's not like he pounced on her." He continued.
We were all headed for the meeting room, the formal dining area upstairs. Eight modern chairs, all facing each other, surround an elongated tinted glass slab of a rectangle table.
Aunt Rosalie sat in one of the chairs, tapping her foot impatiently. I refused to sit and watched the others take their places at the head of the table.
Minutes later, Carsisle entered in. The silence and tension between us eased with his diplomatic presence.
"So..." Emmet stretched out the word breaking the silence. Rosalie let out a breath she wasn't taking.
"Layla tripped and skidded her knee." Esme started the conversation. "And she was fine. Nothing happened." I stated, exasperated. I felt like they were making more of a big deal of this than it needed to be.
"Thankfully." Esme countered. "This is home to a coven of vampires, EJ." Rosalie reminded me.
"And I'm half human." I reminded her. "Layla is safe around me. I didn't feel tempted at all."
"I'm proud of you for that." Carlisle chimed in. "Not even a little?" Emmett sounded surprised.
"It's just when you were a baby, human blood was all you wanted," Rosalie said again. I shook my head no.
"Why is it that hard to believe? She's my friend. I don't want her hurt or harmed. So why would I do that?"
"You might not, but we-" Esme stared down at her hands, covered in dirt. She must have hunted in the woods at that time.
"You have years of self-control. Why can't I have one day with my friend?" I looked to Rosalie and Emmet, my adopted parents.
"I thought you wanted me to have a human life." I pleaded with them. "As much as possible," Rosalie whispered.
"Conditionally." Carlisle butted in.
"I go to school. I get good grades. I lay lower than low. I behave. All I want is to have more than just one supervised evening with my friend." I vented my frustration.
"You're doing well, but having a human here is dangerous. You have to see that." Rosalie reasoned with me.
"Mom, I don't see the issue. The incident was handled well, and if the problem is her being here. Why can't I hang out with her somewhere else?" I let my frustration color my words, and I knew when I called her mom, I usually got my way.
"You're still young, EJ," Rosalie stated gently. "So? I'm more intelligent than most kids in my grade. They get poor grades, fight, ditch class, do drugs, and still get to hang out with each other whenever they want."
"You're not like other kids," Emmett spoke up in his rare fatherly tone. "Why don't you let me go anywhere or do anything? I've never hurt anyone. I don't want to."
"It's not you so much that we're worried about," Esme interjected, reaching for Rosalie's hand.
"You're right; being half-human makes you vulnerable." Carlisle gestured for me to sit for a long explanation.
I reluctantly did at the opposite end of the table. "Our kind could get curious about our scent." He continued.
"Let them come here then." I waved a hand like that was irreverent.
"You have a heartbeat, pulsing blood, and human-colored eyes. It's possible you're not completely immortal." Rosalie responded.
It looked like Godfather was having a hard time choosing his words now.
"A vampire we do not know might wish to harm you," Esme stated with caution. That took me by surprise.
"Why would one of our kind kill me if I did nothing wrong?" I questioned. "I think we should just tell 'em." Emmett looked to their leader.
My eyes narrowed into slits glowering at them. More secrets they were keeping from me.
That made Emmett chuckle. "He looks like him when he's mad." He whispered to Rosalie, who didn't smile or look away from me.
"I know who you're talking about. My hearing is just as sensitive as yours. Fast and strong, too." I argued again.
"You're getting there." Emmett laughed.
"He might be right." Carlisle sighed. I hoped he was siding with me for once. Emmett's eyebrows lifted. "No," Rosalie spoke through her teeth.
"He should know. In case something happens," Esme whispered—Carlisle gestured for me to sit closer. I moved towards my adoptive mom, who reached out for me.
"You know of the Voultori," Godfather spoke. "Yes, you were one of them."
"I do not think that they would approve of a half-vampire entity. I'm not aware of anything like you existing before." He explained.
My heart dropped into my stomach, and my heartbeat must have altered because Rosalie wrapped herself around me.
"We've never witnessed it either, and vampire children are never allowed," Esme whispered, barely loud enough for us to hear.
"Those children and covens were destroyed," Carlisle informed me. "Would they-" I muttered.
"We don't think they will hurt you now that you've physically grown past the age limit."
"Fortunately, we have Carlisle as a negotiator with the Voltuori if they find out," Rosalie comforted me.
"It's better that if another vampire found you, one of us be present," Esme concluded.
"If I'm not supposed to exist. Why does it matter how I live if one day they do come? Why let me stay here with you if it endangers everyone?" My voice wavered with emotion.
Rosalie hugged me tighter. "You're one of us, kiddo." Emmett grinned. As usual, his easy-going nature defused the tension.
"And we will always love you. I don't care if I die tomorrow. You let me be what I always wanted to be. I'm lucky enough to be your mom." If Rose could cry, I'm sure she would be doing it now by how her face contorted and her body trembled.
"I love you too," I mumbled into her golden hair.
The meeting ended that evening with no answers and more questions. Carsilse said he'd think over my boundaries so I could have reasonable freedom, and we'd have another discussion tomorrow. Meaning, they'd probably debate this over when I was asleep or at school.
Layla's Pov
Seeing EJ for a brief period set me at ease. Maybe my dreams were just outlandish, and I was getting paranoid. When I returned from Forks, the sun was beginning to set. Syd was surprisingly okay with me stargazing with Jacob and his friends. Of course, he'd given me the chore of clearing and reorganizing the kitchen before I did, but the answer was still a yes.
I cleaned up, showered, and changed into an un-tattered pair of jeans and a warmer long-sleeved shirt and tossed my dirty sweatshirt in the hamper. Then, I swapped my sneakers for black riding boots and pulled my hair into a low half-braided ponytail that could fit under a helmet.
Jacob had persuaded me onto the back of his motorcycle again. Not that it took much convincing on my part.
I braved the night air, clutching his core for dear life up the steep mountain Jake sped up.
As his bike climbed, my face pressed into the image of the wolf stitched into the back of his gifted motorcycle jacket. One of his hands released the handle to grasp my leg to ensure I was still clinging to him.
Once on the skyline lookout point, he leaned his bike to the side, kicking the stand. He scooped one leg over the entire thing effortlessly. Where I still sat, popping my helmet off.
"I think the ride down will be more enjoyable," I pulled a stray hair from my mouth trapped by the helmet. "I think so, too." Jacob grinned, stacking our helmets on the handles.
Old Quil and his grandson were making final adjustments to the chunky-looking telescope on a fragile-looking tripod stand. It looked almost comically large, and I wondered if it was functional for how it looked.
Seth bounded up to us. "Hey! Good to see you guys. We'll set a bonfire up after the shower if you want-" He stopped mid-sentence, eyes catching something emerging from the darkening woods.
"Leah!" Seth ran for the tall beauty. "What do you know? How about calling your old mom first?" Sue stopped unpacking her trunk and hugged her daughter.
"That would take away the surprise." Leah's smile beamed between her angular cheeks.
It was moments like these where I wished I looked more Quiluete. Leah's thick lashes were to die for, and her bone structure was strong; mine was still trapped under some babyish flesh that had yet to melt away.
"What's up?" Everyone was greeting her now. Unable to wedge between the muscly giants, I approached the telescope. I enjoyed finding the constellations I've only read in books and noted the ones Quil pointed out.
That's when I heard the group migrate toward us.
"Who's Bella 2.0?" Leah laughed, nudging Jacob. Aside from Emily, I was the only girl here so far, so I suppose she must have been speaking about me.
"I'm hogging the telescope, aren't I?" I took a step back, feeling awkward about unintentionally eavesdropping.
"Not at all." Seth chirped, bounding up to take a look."That's Layla Moon," Embry explained, and then he whispered something in Leah's ear.
Leah faintly smiled and side-hugged Jacob, who returned the gesture.
"It's good to see." Leah's smile faded into a sad half-smirk. Jacob parted with her, returning to my side.
"This is Leah Clearwater." He introduced. "Seth's sister." I smiled, reaching out a hand.
"You must be-," Leah took my hand. She was just as warm temperature-wise as the guys, but her personality seemed prickly. Embry cleared his throat, interrupting Leah, and said something in Quielltte under his breath so low I couldn't hear.
"I was going to say Syd's granddaughter." She rolled her almond eyes at them.
"How long are you staying for?" I questioned. "Just for the meeting. Then I'm out again." Leah glanced knowingly at the guys and then back at me before greeting Emily.
"Charming as always," Quil crossed his arms; the aversion towards her in his voice was evident, but I couldn't observe a reason why.
Jacob's Pov
"Come on. We'll get a better view up there." I led Layla up the incline of a short, visible trail bending around some trees. It poked out from the ridge we were on—the perfect spot to see the landscape and sky.
She sniffed from the cold, taking my hand so as not to trip in the dark. At the top, we sat on the guard rails, looking out over La Push and the sea. The air and ocean were clear, refracting the half-moon's light overhead.
"The meteor shower is about to start." I removed the jacket I wore more as a gesture for my friends and placed it around Layla's shoulders like a blanket.
"Are you sure?" she asked excitedly, staring at the sky.
"Yes." I chuckled, enjoying the wonder on her face as tiny lights began to beam across the sky, collectively flowing and fading into oblivion. The silent anticipation for the celestial event was incredibly peaceful.
She subconsciously leaned closer to me for warmth, burrowing deeper into the bulk of the jacket.
"Wow," Layla whispered. I was too enthralled with watching her reaction than the sky. The light in her eyes was everything to me when she was this happy. Something I hadn't seen much since she'd moved here. I'd give anything to make it last.
"Oh, look!" She pointed. A white light darted across the sky in the opposite direction as the meteors. I looked up in time for the shooting star.
"You saw it too, so you have to make a wish." Layla tugged on my arm eagerly. "What are we, kids?" I chuckled at her enthusiasm.
She shushed me, closing her eyes tight and hugging my arm; I assumed to make her wish.
"Make one quickly before the magic is gone." Layla peeked an eye open to look at me. "Or maybe I'll steal your wish if you don't use it." She threatened with a mischievous grin.
"Do you want it?" If she asked, I'd carve out my heart and deliver it on a silver platter. "No, Jake. It's yours." Layla pleaded.
"Fine." I played along, pausing long enough to find something to wish for. "So what did you wish for?" She whispered.
"If I tell you, won't it not come true or something?"
"Oh, so you do know the rules." Layla giggled to herself, leaning into me. We looked back up for residual meteors trickling across the atmosphere.
Layla's Pov
"Should we head back?" Jacob asked me. We've been sitting in the dark, staring at the stars for a while now. All the meteors had faded away.
When our eyes met, a warm magnetism pulled us closer, so much so that I could feel Jake's hot breath on my cold cheeks.
I looked down timidly. My heart jumped into my throat, and I feared that it would leap out if I opened my mouth to say anything.
Jacob's hand pressed the side of my face and gently cupped my jaw to look into his eyes.
Before our eyes could meet, I caught something moving behind him.
"Jake!" I was too late to alert him. A cooler was emptied all over him. The dumped water and ice ricocheted off his body onto me, making me sputter.
The precarious, precious moment between us dissipated.
The twins laughed hysterically until Jacob released me to run after them.
"It was a bet!" Kelle answered out of fear of being caught. Jacob's long legs were gaining on them with speed.
"We lost to Joseph and-"Keme was taken down first behind the brush.
Stunned, I sat there momentarily until I realized what almost happened a second time; I think we'd come close to a kiss. I mean, I could be wrong; maybe it was just me.
I had just used my wish for Jacob Black to be happy. I bit my lip, letting the water drip from me, not bothering to wipe it off.
I began to doubt my capability to make that wish come true. If we had kissed, then what? With the countdown of three months until I potentially return to LA, it would set us up for failure. My eyes smarted with tears at the thought of it.
In the back of my mind, I could hear Brianna cheering me on, while Ashely would've been reluctant.
"I don't know what to do," I whispered.
As I stood up, loose ice tumbled from the jacket collar. It slid down into my shirt; I hissed in response, arching my back.
With my eyes adjusted to the dark, I marched down the hill. I approached the newly built fire with everyone talking lowly amongst themselves.
"Do you really think it's a good idea to take a vote right now? I mean, we haven't spoken with them since the wedding." Seth spoke to Sam.
"When was someone going to tell me a leech was running around the area? I can help." Leah was cut off by Sam, who lifted a hand.
"Hey, Layla." Embry stood up to greet me with an awkward chuckle.
"Do you guys mind getting Jake? I think you might have to pry him off the twins." I thumbed back towards the woods.
Joseph snickered to himself. My glare cut into him, silencing him as I tremored again with the cold.
"What did you do?" Seth wrapped an arm around me to help alleviate the chills.
"Just a prank, honest." Jo lifted his hands in defense. "Yeah, well, I'm not as hot as you guys, so-" I sniffed, speaking on their body temperature.
"Since you asked so nicely, I'll grab him." Quil winked, taking to the woods to wrangle the boys in.
Sue began passing out campfire snacks while one of the guys brought out his guitar for ambiance. Embry started with an old childhood story of how he, Quil, and Jake accidentally sunk Old Quil's canoe. Seth and I were laughing about it when they returned.
Disgruntled, Jacob stepped over the log we were perched on. Seth moved over to let him in next to me.
"Sorry about that," Jacob muttered an apology to me. "Don't worry about it." My clothes were nearly as soaked as his.
"Are you okay?" I tugged on the sleeve of his wet shirt, then proceeded to take off his borrowed jacket since he may need it back.
"Oh, yeah." He stood up and removed his shirt, hanging it on a branch bheind the fire to dry.
I hoped the reflection of the flames hid the blush spreading rapidly across my cheeks. Seriously, who was that in shape? And for someone who claimed not to be in sports.
I shrugged the jacket back up and zipped it high so the collar hung loosely around my face—another barrier to hide my ogling.
Seth's goofy grin grew when witnessing this. I hoped aside from him, I could fool everyone else.
The pack of guys were entertaining. I had almost forgotten they were a gang and that I should probably open my ears for anything Tiffany might need to know.
Their casual banter and obscene stories made me laugh and smile throughout the night.
Whenever my eyes met Jacob's gaze, I couldn't help the broadening smile that spread. Because of this embarrassing reaction, I tried dodging Jacob's glances, which only seemed to encourage his advances.
Soon enough, the embers were dying out. Old Quil took another cooler of melted ice to dump over the remains. It sizzled, casting steam and smoke, blocking out the faces around us.
"Alright, it's almost midnight on a school night," Sue signaled everyone to pack up.
Jacob reluctantly recollected his shirt as I waited for him by the motorcycle. Feeling shy, I slid the helmet on as he approached.
His bright smile in the dark lit up my heart. "Excited?" He asked; hopping in his stead, he patted the back seat.
I climbed on, grasping the edges of the seat wordlessly.
"It will be fast and steep, so I need you to hold onto me, not the seat." Jacob took one of my hands off and showed me where to wrap it around his core.
A small part of me wondered if he liked me touching him like this.
When he hit the gas, jolting us forward, it pressed me into him, erasing the space between. My bobble-headed helmet clashed with the back of his.
"That's better." I barely heard Jake above the Harley's rumble.
Off we went, gliding down the mountain. Weaving around the turns, he made tighter by leaning into them. He was definitely showing off, and I was into it.
The rumbling exhilaration was intoxicating, and the wind whipping around us added to the high.
My exposed skin and damp clothes made me numb; the hot shower after this would be painful but totally worth it.
Jacob slowed his bike, thundering under the canopied tunnel of trees. The gravel drive of Moon Ranch crunched under his wheels as we began to creep toward the house. I couldn't find any signs of life that Syd was awake or waiting to lecture my tardiness do to my witching hour arrival.
I swung one leg over the other to dismount. It was the most graceful movement I've made on the bike yet, so I gave Jacob a brief curtsy when handing back the helmet.
"Impressive," He shook his head with humor, fascinating it to the bike.
"Thanks," I adjusted my helmet hair away from my face. I didn't know how to say goodbye and didn't want the night to end so soon.
"And thank you for inviting me out. I had a good time." I concluded anyway, taking a step back with an awkward nod.
"Wait." His long arm reached out and pulled me towards him. "Can I share my wish with you?" His black eyes glinted in the night.
"Are you sure about that? It might not come true if you do." I stepped toward him inquisitively. Jake gestured me closer.
I leaned in for him to whisper into my ear. "Not if I show you." His husky voice caught me off guard. He gently cradled my neck in his hand again.
In one swift movement, his burning lips were on mine. It took me a second to register what his wish had been.
Without thinking, I leaned into the kiss. My heart was hammering, and my mind yelled at my body to pull away. The mental chatter tapered off with every touch.
His hand slid from the back of my neck into my hair, gripping a fistful of curls and pressing my lips harder to his. That's when I gasped, kissing him back.
Our lips smelting together was enamoring and electrifying. What started as a quick kiss was building into something more.
Never being kissed or having kissed someone this way, my knees buckled, hitting the bike.
I gasped again, this time in pain, falling into Jake, grasping his chest for support. His arms wrapped around me firmly so that I wouldn't fall further.
I was surprised the movement didn't knock us and the bike over, but Jacob was utterly in control.