-- Irena's POV --
"You're certain it was her bleeding near you that caused her to become so fearful" Tanya's voice is tight as she questions me on my encounter with Isabella. I can tell my sister is as concerned as I knew she would be, it doesn't indicate anything good has occurred if my human mate is aware of vampire existence. It means she's been around vampire's before, possibly even harmed by them judging by the fear she was feeling.
"Yes I'm certain Tan, as soon as I grasped her wrist and drew her finger towards me the scent of fear increased and her heartrate skyrocketed, once I released her and stepped back she fled quicker than was normal, she was running" I replied letting my own concern shine in my tone. Emotion isn't something I usually allow control me in anyway though I've found when it comes to my Isabella I truly cannot stop the emotions I feel from showing.
"So she may know already what we are?" It was a question though none of us felt the need to respond to our coven leader as we all sat in our living room quietly, reflecting on our latest information.
"Charlie doesn't know, he has no knowledge of what we are I'm certain" Kate said at last as she looked at me.
"Whatever she knows, he doesn't or I doubt he would continuously invite me into his home where his daughter lives, nor would he encourage me to make friends with her" she continued and I found myself smiling slightly in relief and gratitude. Relief because I am glad my mates father isn't aware of us. It will make things less messy in the long run because eventually Isabella will need to be changed and the less her father is aware the better for us. Gratitude because I'm more than glad he is encouraging friendship with my sister and my mate and being so forthcoming with information about her.
"Perhaps it's time I entered the fray?" Carmen suggested as she sat beside her mate Eleazer. Carmen and Eleazer were our parental figures despite being younger in vampire years than us.
"Why you specifically Carmen?" I asked curiously.
"She may be your mate but she's a child Irena, me being a lot more maternally inclined will be less of a threat to her. We may find she's more receptive to giving me, and therefore you all, a chance if she can attach to one of us. Being the maternal figure considering her age, I would be the most likely to achieve that" she explained and I couldn't help but smile brightly as I nodded because of course. Kate had mentioned before how Isabella didn't have the best relationship with her own mother, it would make sense considering the familial bonds within this family that the maternal figure could be the one to get past Isabella's defences.
"That sounds logical, thank you Carmen. That doesn't mean the rest of us stop trying. We need answers and I do not know about the rest of you but I also want our new sister among us as soon as possible, it already feels weird that she isn't yet" Tanya said her tone starting off as its usual Covenly command before softening at the end in affection. I took a moment to simply gaze at my coven in appreciation before retiring to my room, I wanted to take some time to come up with ways in which I could see Isabella.
-- Bella's POV --
I was dreading this evening, Charlie had arranged another 'bonding night' with his team from the precinct and had asked me to participate because they had an uneven number for teams as apparently his deputy had asked to bring her cousin along.
It meant not only would I be forced to interact with Kate but there would also be an unknown vampire in my home that I would have to interact with and the thought made me cringe. It seemed that no matter what I did I truly could not escape them.
"Bells can you come help me set up?" my fathers voice pulled me out of my inner thoughts as he called up the stairs to me. With a quick glance at my reflection to make sure I didn't look too flustered and uncomfortable I made my way out of my room and down the stairs.
"Sure dad" I said, forcing a relaxed smile upon my face as I moved past him, making my way to the kitchen. I pulled down the variety of snacks and finger foods from the cupboards and the fridge. Working methodically to plate them. "Dad take these through to the living room please, I just need to get the drinks set up" I called once I had finished organising the food.
Not ten minutes later we had finished the set up and my fathers work colleagues had started arriving. Jerry, Tom, Nick and James arrived first, followed by Nicki the only other female in the precinct apart from Kate who hadn't shown up yet.
After introductions we settled in the living room as everyone began discussing the work week, their latest cases and other things that were rather boring. Though the hum of chatter, polite jokes and the jovial atmosphere did wonders on my mood. Working to relax me in a way that I hadn't felt in a long time as I engaged in conversation with Nicki on the dangers of the job.
"I mean I know my parents worry about me being on the job, I cant imagine how it feels from your perspective with it just being you and your dad" Nicki murmured quietly sensing that I wouldn't want my father to overhear this conversation, which I was grateful for. The last thing I wanted was for my father to worry about how much I worried about him.
"Its awful at times. It is just me and him and he's my best friend. I cannot imagine my life without him. He's been my rock since I moved in with him just before my seventeenth birthday. But as much as I worry about him constantly I'm also super proud. He's the best man I know and that's not even me simply being biased" I responded with a small smile at her. She seemed lovely and I could see why Charlie seemed to like his team so much.
"Oh please Bella, there's no way you're not biased. He's your father!!" She laughed hitting my arm playfully causing me to smirk a little as I laughed with her.
"I'll give you that, though father or not he's the best person I know despite his awful culinary skills" I laughed, gesturing over towards the dozens of snacks on the table. It was so like Charlie to buy finger foods and junk rather than cook a normal healthy meal.
"I did notice his aversion to healthy. I'm assuming the home cooked meals he comes to work with occasionally are your doing" she raised her voice a little, catching my fathers attention and I couldn't help but laugh a little harder in response to the glare he sent my way as I nodded my agreement.
"Isabella, its rude to mock your father" he chided in a serious tone though I could tell he wasn't serious. I could see the glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
"Its not my fault you can burn water" I snark back, giggling as his pout grew and his colleagues joined in on the laughter.
It was in that moment as I scanned the room that I felt the blood drain from my face, my eyes landing on Kate and the unknown vampire who looked to be of Spanish decent, she had caramel skin and long dark hair and of course her eyes were the bright gold I've come to associate with the veggie vampires of this world. The sight of her made me choke up a little, swallowing harshly I looked away before her concerned gaze could remind me any more of Esme.
I looked over at my father, catching his eyes and allowing him to see the anxiety on my face before I spoke, praying that it would be enough for him to allow me to escape for a little while until I could regain control of the onslaught of emotions I knew was on its way.
"I've just remembered I didn't respond to Renee's last email, I'm going to run up and type out a reply dad before I forget. The last thing we need is hurricane Renee on our backs" I said as calmly as I could though I did not doubt the vampires in the room would have been able to hear the slight tremor to my voice. Charlie nodded in response patting my shoulder in reassurance before he engaged the room in an explanation of who hurricane Renee was.
I ducked my head, refusing to make eye contact or look at the two vampires I could feel studying me as I made my way out of the room. Running up the stairs as fast as I could before closing my room door behind me. I couldn't believe the total lack of control I had on my own emotions. The sight of the unknown vampire appearing in my home reminding me so much of Esme threw me more than I ever thought possible.
Esme had been everything I always craved growing up in a mother. She was patient, kind, attentive and had made me feel safe. I had stupidly fooled myself into believing she actually cared for me and losing her had destroyed me. Renee my mother had never been much of a mom, she was careless, reckless and selfish. I knew she loved me but the reality was she loves herself more and therefore I was never a priority. I never got the hugs or kisses, the doting mother daughter bonding time until Esme and just as I let her in she had abandoned me.
I could feel the tears streaming down my face as I sunk down onto the edge of my bed sobbing as quietly as I could. This was all so unfair, I couldn't keep dealing with all this. It had been a month and a half since I had moved to Denali and not a single day had been vampire free in some way, whether that was my father talking about Kate, Irena showing up at the library, Kate at the house or the many many glimpses I had caught of the other blond Tanya. I felt as if they were keeping tabs on me. Watching me, trying to get close to me and it terrified me, more than I could ever rationalise. Yet no matter how hard I tried to ignore them I somehow managed to see them, sense them almost, whenever they were in my proximity.
I don't understand their interest in me, were they after the same thing the Cullen's were? Entertainment? I felt my heartrate increase as my sobs picked up in intensity, so much so I hadn't heard my door open or the vampire enter my room until the Spanish vampire from downstairs was suddenly kneeling in front of me, grasping my hands in hers.
"Oh mi Niño, you're alright" she whispered tenderly, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear and I couldn't help but sob more openly at the motherly affection. I knew I should be recoiling from her touch, keeping her far from me but in that moment of vulnerability it was impossible to do.
"My names Carmen, Isabella, its lovely to finally meet you, I've heard so much about you" she continues, soothing her hand through my hair as if it is the most natural thing in the world for her to do. Her golden eyes are alight with worry and I can see the internal battle she's fighting in not pulling me into her arms. Something I can't let her do.
I can't let myself be fooled by these vampires as I was with them. The thought of the Cullen's is enough to snap me out of my momentary lapse in judgement and I draw myself back, taking a deep breath.
-- Carmen's POV --
Upon arriving at Charlie's with Kate we could hear the lively conversations taking place within long before we entered the homely living room. Kate's entire team were present, so was Charlie and the young brunette talking to Nicki is Isabella I assume. The girl who has had Irena running a breath away from mad over the past few weeks.
Glancing around I study the many pictures that are hung on the walls and lining the fire place, each one is of a little girl at various stages of growth. From new-born to teen and I can see quite clearly that these are photos of Isabella, her father obviously takes great pride in her, a thought that makes me smile. From what I've heard about the girl it makes me glad to know she has someone in her corner that loves her so much.
Not that he is the only one, our coven already adore her. Tanya, Kate and Irena are already more than protective of the girl and I know Irena is already so in love with the girl. I cannot imagine how painful it must be for Irena to have to restrain herself this way, keeping her distance from her mate when I know her instincts will be screaming for her to just take her mate and never let the human go. From the sounds of it she's relatively at ease just now, something she hasn't been around us at all according to Irena.
"She seems happy enough" I whisper to Kate, my voice too low for the humans to hear me. Kate offers me a placating smile "she hasn't noticed us yet Carm, just wait" she murmurs back and as if by will alone Isabella finally spots us. The laughter and carefree spirit she had held moments before seemed to vanish in a blink of the eye to be replaced by absolute terror at the sight of me and Kate. Oddly enough it is me she reacts most strongly too as her eyes widened in what I can only describe as recognition, longing and fear.
Within seconds I stood mesmerised, momentarily stunned as I watched the young human girl throw up barriers around her emotions, turning away from us and addressing her father. The way she let's him see her upset briefly speaks volumes to the relationship they have.
"That went exactly as I thought it would, though I am curious to what exactly you did to fluster her so much" Kate whispered as we watched the girl flee from the room as fast as she could.
"I didn't do a thing Kate, at least now I can see what you all meant about her fear of us. She has to know more than she should. Its the only explanation" I whispered back as I listened into Charlie explaining how awful Renee, Isabella's mother is, all the while we could hear Isabella sobbing in her room above us, too quiet for any of the humans to hear but with our vampire senses Kate and I could hear her clearly and the sound caused my heart to clench painfully. All it took was one look into the girls pain filled eyes for me to know that I wanted to protect her, wanted to soothe her worries and see her happy and healthy. If my knowledge of vampire bonds were correct I'd say I found a child in Isabella.
"Maybe you should go after her" Kate replied concern dancing in her eyes. I nodded before excusing myself to the toilet as an excuse to follow Isabella upstairs. I think Kate could sense my need to soothe the girl when she suggested me going to Isabella.
The sight to greet me as I entered Isabella's room only served to break my heart further. Isabella was sat on the edge of her bed, hunched up, sobbing into her hands. I could tell she was so far gone in her emotions she hadn't registered my presence so I wasn't all to concerned when she startled slightly when I crouched in front of her. Taking her hands in mine so I could see her face.
"Oh mi Niño, you're alright" I whispered tenderly, unable to filter the Spanish before I spoke the words as I felt my instincts kick in, guiding me as I subconsciously tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"My names Carmen, Isabella, its lovely to finally meet you, I've heard so much about you" I whisper, moving my left hand to the back of her head so I could gently stroke her hair in a calming motion as I continued to hold both her hands with my right. I could see the vulnerability and heartache shinning in her eyes as she gazed at me. Her pain was palpable and I found myself wondering just what had exactly happened to this darling girl to cause her so much anguish.
I continued to soothe her gently, not breaking the eye contact with her for fear she would shut me out. I needed her to see the concern I felt, the sincerity in my care for her because in all my years on this earth I knew beyond a doubt that it would be our covens only hope in getting through to Isabella.
As we sat in silence, Isabella studying my face as she worked to regain control of her emotions I could see her withdrawing from me, rebuilding her protective defences and I knew I was about to be shut out completely. Proving me right, her next words were no surprise.
"Thank you but please leave me now, I cannot do this" her voice was quiet but assertive and I inwardly sighed as I nodded and stood, squeezing her shoulder in a silent show of my care for her. As I exited her room, her voice, barely more than a whisper caused me to pause momentarily as they reached my ears.
"I can't go through that pain again".