Seth's Pov
Jacob has been unable to transform back for days now.
He managed to take down one bloodsucker—the male with the long golden hair who infiltrated our school and could camouflage himself almost completely.
Jake ripped that vampire apart. Embry hardly had to help. The pieces were few, and we had a hard time collecting all of them for the fire.
The blond, lanky woman, the Cullens called Greta, gave us the slip by entering the river between our land and Seattle.
Sam was worried she'd be back to avenge her mate if that were her partner. How she abandoned him entirely made most of us think that wasn't the case.
Jacob took it upon himself to guard the perimeter. He'd been all wolf for a long time before, so it wasn't a problem for him now.
Quil kept him company while I promised to watch over his imprint. I knew Jake would have asked if he were in the right head space.
We've heard no news from the Cullens, and no one has heard from Layla. Syd wouldn't let anyone visit, even when Emily tried to bring over some baked goods.
"Come on, man. You have to start trying to shift back. Your attendance record will go down, and I'm pretty sure you don't want to be another year behind-"
Jacob growled dismissively at Embry's lecture. Meanwhile, a black car with tinted glass wound down the side of the mountain and turned into our village.
Dusk encroached on the forest as we ran to surround the unknown vehicle. We followed it to Syd's place. Jacob lowered himself to stalk from the surrounding woods.
"Wait. We don't know if they're human," Quil snapped a warning. It was Layla and her father.
"Was she gone these past three days without us knowing?" Embry looked at me. I felt my ears go down as Jacob glowered at nothing in particular. Probably beating himself up again.
"She's alive. That's what matters." Quil coached him. Jacob snorted, guilt eating at him.
"Call if you need anything," Wren said, lightly hugging Layla. She slowly took up the main steps and stood there, waiting for the car to leave into the tunnel of bare trees.
Then Layla turned, staring out into the woods toward Jake's direction. Syd opened the front door to bring her inside.
"Your friends are worried about you. They've been by." She let out a shallow sigh with a hopeless expression.
"Please go check on her." Jacob pleaded, pacing back and forth as he tried to shift human. "You got it, boss." I ran to my house for my stash of clothes.
"We got you, Jake." Embry and Quil followed.
Embry's Pov
Syd let us in. Layla was propped up on the couch, shrowded in a blanket, staring blankly at the TV.
She was hesitant to greet us gathered by the door. Her eyes scanned all three of us while attempting a polite smile.
Who she was searching for was evident, and the disappointment was tangible when she discovered Jake missing.
"The gang is all here, " she attempted to greet us warmly. "We're here to see the war veteran," Quil laughed, breaking the ice first.
We stepped down into the living room to hug her.
"Well, take a good look. It's not much." She lightly embraced me back, tilting her hurt side away. The faint stink of a vampire lingered in her hair.
My eyes flashed to Quil, who also caught the scent as well. "Wanna tell us the story?" my question earned an elbow in the ribs from Seth.
Layla's face paled, and her blank slate was back. "That's right. I still have to stop by the sheriff's office..." Layla stammered.
"We can go with you," Seth offered. "I don't know, " she mumbled.
"What do you need? A movie, a foot rub, a back massage?" Quil teased, flopping on the couch next to her. She hit him with a throw pillow. "No way."
"Do you need a food run?" I questioned. We played along on the surface but were serious about helping out.
"No, just painkillers and sleep." Layla stood up to see us out. "Don't hesitate to reach out." Seth pressed.
"I don't need help. Thanks, guys, for stopping by. It means a lot."
Later that week
Layla's Pov
Seth came by the most frequently to check on me. "I'll call if I need anything," I reassured him again.
"You say that, but you haven't called at all, and you're not talking to anyone in or out of school." Seth frowned.
"I don't know what to say. I've been in recovery mode." He wasn't entertaining my casual dismissals anymore.
There was only one person I wanted to see, and I was so sure that he would come or at least show up at school.
But he was gone. Every day he was missing made me feel worse. What did I do wrong?
Jake promised not to leave me alone and that he would always be there for me, but where was he now?
I started questioning everything, and the reasons for his absence eluded me.
What made him run away and literally send anyone else to check on me? I was too stubborn to call and too upset to ask, though I desperately wanted to know why.
"Is there any message you want me to pass along?" Seth questioned, hinting at the elephant, not in the room.
"No. I'm good." I clipped. "Okay, then." Seth lingered. "I don't want to see him again, " I lied in frustration. I had finally broken my vow of silence over Jacob.
"I think you should go too." I was tired of Seth trying to make things right for his friend, who clearly didn't care if I died or not.
What was the point of hiding behind my passive pretenses? It would be better to push people away sooner rather than later.
If my plan with the holy water fails and Niccolo kills me anyway, then maybe my death might sting less, at least for Seth.
"Layla, that's not fair," Seth remarked. Being unable to lift my arm above my head or inhale a deep breath felt unfair, I thought, annoyed.
All I wanted was Jacob's presence, and I couldn't have that simple comfort. "How so, Seth?" I snipped.
"Maybe he has a good reason," Seth vaguely reasoned. "Oh gee whillikers, I didn't think of that." My sarcasm fell flat.
"Really, Layla?" "Tell Jake I don't want to see him again." I practically pushed him out of my bedroom. He barely moved under my attempts to get him to leave.
"Go home, Seth. I'm sorry I've wasted your time." I apologized. Seth had the best intentions; they were wasted on a lost cause like me.
"You're not wasting anyone's time; you are our friend, too. I know what you are going through is hard, but you can't just give up." He looked back with a stern look. "I'll be back tomorrow." Seth left.
I had to give it to him. His fortitude rivaled my stubbornness.
After mulling over our conversation last night, Seth was right about one thing: I was being unfair about some things. Emotionally imploding on myself wouldn't help my situation, and shifting blame where it wasn't necessary was cruel.
What was a human like Jacob supposed to do in a situation like that? Two vampires, one manipulated maniac with a gun and a giant wolf.
He would have gotten himself killed trying to save me. Just because he had helped me other times didn't mean Jake was obligated to take a bullet for me.
This was out of his depths, and wasn't I the one sacrificing myself for him, for those I loved?
Things would be different if he were a magical vampire slayer or some sort of werewolf.
When I saw Jake again, I would hear him out, and this afternoon, I would apologize to Seth for real this time.
He was waiting outside to take me to the precinct so I could complete my statement for the police.
That evening was still hard to discuss, but I appreciated Seth's moral support.
"Thank you, Seth. I'm sorry about yesterday I-" "Don't worry about it." He beamed.
I let him drive my car with his permit as I mentally prepared myself to give an account. I was so lost in thought Seth had to help me out when we arrived.
"One and done. Okay?" He held out his hand. "Yeah."
Seth's Pov
"I'll wait out here." I sat outside the chief's office in the row of chairs pushed up against the wall.
Layla squeezed my hand and forced a quick smile before the deputy shut the door behind them.
"Is she in there?" Jacob finally managed to shift back. "It's good to see you, man." On two legs, that is. He remained standing, staring at the closed door.
I hadn't updated him on Layla last night. He was already going through so much, and I didn't want to rock the boat further by what Layla said in the heat of the moment.
I knew Jake would come back and sort things out, eventually.
"This shouldn't take too long. I'm going to press record so you don't have to come in again, " Charlie stated. The questions were tedious.
Jacob flinched when they asked Layla to give an account of Logan's last moments in the woods.
"After Logan shot me, we ran into a...giant bear." "A bear?" The deputy questioned. "Yes, a big brown bear," Layla said.
Jacob and I exchanged a knowing glance. "Was it a grizzly?" Charlie asked. "Could be. I don't know. It happened so fast."
She was lying to cover for Jake, but why? "Next thing I knew..." Layla continued.
"Thank you for your time, Miss Moon." Mark's chair slid back, and he stopped the taping.
Layla came out of the room distracted and teary-eyed when she caught sight of Jacob.
He looked away immediately and exited before she could say anything or Charlie could finish greeting him.
"Let's go, Layla." I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "But why?" She whispered to herself.
Jacob didn't feel good enough to be in Layla's presence if he couldn't protect her. He had also done what no other wolf pack member had—taken a human life.
To protect his imprint, which was justifiable, but we were all worried about him. Layla didn't go after Jacob, and she didn't ask where he went or what he was up to.
"Can you give me a ride to the grocer? Syd and I are surviving on pantry scraps." She requested. "Sure thing." I stayed upbeat for her.
Getting out of the house for the first time in a week was a good first step for Layla.
November
Layla's Pov
He was at school the following day, Friday. A darkness now surrounded Jacob that I couldn't place.
We silently watched one another. He hovered in the background- similar to the first days we met but more intent. He kept his distance, and I held mine.
I don't know how he managed it, being stoic and mysterious while sticking out like a sore thumb.
In biology, my muscles spasmed, and a shooting pain ran up my arm. I winced and dropped my pencil.
Jacob's eyes darted to me immediately. Embry, who sat beside me instead of him, now bent down to pick it up.
I left class without a word. The painkillers were too strong to carry around in my purse, so I was obligated to visit the nurse to receive them.
The teachers didn't mind what I did these days.
I was the girl who went through something terrible; no one wanted to interfere, so I guess to them, I was invisible.
Students had only stopped and stared when I returned last week, and no one spoke of the play. I assumed it was pity, but maybe it was fear.
I looked behind me in the hall. There was still no Jacob. I remembered the days he followed me everywhere to ensure I was alright.
Where did my bright and loving sun go? Shrouded by clouds, I couldn't see. I answered my rhetorical question.
There was no way he'd be that worried about me. My throat tightened with sorrow.
Jacob's Pov
It was hard having Layla this close; self-condemnation devoured me.
The nights when I could manage sleep, I dreamt of my imprint's horrified face, but most times, Layla's screams echoed in my brain, keeping me awake.
I'd always end up pacing Syd's property or sitting on Layla's roof to watch her sleep.
I watched her leave biology. I wondered how dismayed Layla would be to find out I was the wolf haunting her nightmares and how long it would take for her to trust me again. It would take time. Time I didn't think I had.
I would feel better presenting her to the supernatural if her threat was eliminated altogether. Plus, the evidence on my side wouldn't hurt.
I imagine nothing could be as horrifying as watching someone die before your eyes.
I felt my eyes darken. I never considered vampires people, but Logan… I had to come to terms with killing.
There was nothing I wouldn't do for my imprint; the guys didn't blame me or shame me, but it wasn't something I wanted to do.
"Jake?" Embry called to me. The class had vacated the lab. I caught a glimpse of Layla leaving for the library.
I gathered my book bag. She had been apprehensive around people after the incident, and I had deterred anyone who wanted the gossip.
Layla had agreed to one brief interview for the paper, stating, ' I'm fine, and the arts shouldn't be punished for something so obscure as this. Logan King was just as a victim as me. Unchecked mental illness is a danger for everyone.' I didn't believe that politically correct bullshit, and I wondered who she was placating.
And there, yet again, was nothing about the wolf or 'bear,' from what she told the police.
Why? Why protect a monster that tore apart a human life?
The Weekend
Layla's Pov
I brushed off Seth's Port Angeles plans with a lame excuse about a paper I had already finished.
Jacob still consumed my thoughts. He would be at his internship making up hours by now, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to chance running into him.
Seth understood and didn't pressure me this time, although I knew he'd probably turn up later.
I didn't like that idea either, so I drove to the port town without him anyway.
I wasn't necessarily afraid of the location of Greta's vendetta. I didn't want the sympathy or questions from locals who could recognize me—thinking about this made me feel like a coward, one thing I couldn't be. Not when I had to face a vampire and his goons with holy water soon.
I knew where to go now. I drove to the old theater to test myself.
The place was marked off with yellow tape, and the front doors were locked. I still had an extra key, so I circled to the rear.
The metal door slammed behind me, and the hallway's motion sensor lights lit the path as I passed.
I stopped at the dressing room first. Everything was left as it was from that night.
My spare cape hung on the mirror by the vanity, and the lily Jacob had given me was wilted; all the petals had dropped from the stem sticking out of the dry vase.
I gathered forgotten items and shoved them into my bag—time for the challenge.
I climbed onto the stage where it all happened. My footsteps echoed as I walked to the center, staring into the empty auditorium.
No lights were on, and I was all alone. I imagined Logan with his hood up, gun pointed at me, the people screaming.
"Ow." I heard someone stub their toe and fall over. "Seth?" I gasped. "No, just me." Daniel lifted his hand, ascending the stage.
"What are you doing here?" He nearly gave me a heart attack. "I saw you from the street." He confessed.
"Are you alright from that night?" I asked, looking left where the bullet would have hit the back wall.
We closed in on it to see if the police took the remnant as evidence.
"I'm good. Thanks to you. If you hadn't pushed me out of the way... After I was a jerk to you, too." Daniel apologized.
"Don't worry about it. It's all behind us." I tried to pluck the bullet from the wall to no avail. "Do you know who the shooter was?" He asked.
"Logan King, he was a stalker from my old school. He's been unwell for some time. My friends back home warned me, but I didn't listen." I shrugged.
"Wow, I guess weird stuff like that really happens in real life." He descended the stage for the exit. I remained in place, lost in thought.
"Hey, some old cast members are catching a movie downtown. Do you want to come?" "Maybe, yeah, sure. I have a few more things to collect."
Daniel nodded once and left. I waited for him to leave so I could hike through the woods for my final act of courage.
I counted to ten in my head before I turned to leave.
I would have screamed if it weren't for Caleb's icy fingers compressed over my mouth.
He removed his hand so I could speak. "Niccolo's orders? Does he want me now?" I frantically scanned the space. Foscari had promised to contact me this time.
"I'm on my own." Caleb defused my anxiety. "You're trapped in this now. You didn't listen to my warning, " he continued.
"Yeah, no, I didn't. I had no idea..." "No one ever does." Caleb sighed. "How did you get wrapped up in this?" I questioned, curious.
"That's a long story for another time. Listen, if you do something for me, I'll help you to the best of my ability to get you away from Niccolo."
"Can you do that?" I asked skeptically. "I don't know, but it helps to have allies in this coven. Plus, you have an advantage most vampires don't."
"What's that?" "You are what he wants." Caleb stepped closer, his crimson eyes creepily unblinking.
"I don't get it; I'm human. Niccolo can obtain whatever he wants with his power, so I don't know what you want me to do."
"What I want you to do is separate from what we will plan to do." He spoke vaguely. I looked at him, confused.
"I need you to give this letter to that address. While you are there, I would like you to steal a family picture off of the mantle."
I took the folded notebook paper from his icy grasp.
"It's so I don't forget them. Human memories are dim in comparison to how I am now." Caleb explained. Sympathy washed over me.
Caleb heard something and disappeared. The metal door slammed open and closed, and the motion lights in the hall flickered on.
Right when I was going to ask him about holy water, too. I stuffed the paper in my back pocket.
"Layla! What are you doing here?" Seth had miraculously found me. "I, uh, was grabbing my things backstage before meeting with the cast and crew for a movie."
I didn't want Seth in the middle of this. I guess it was time to leave.
"You shouldn't be here alone, Layla." Seth scolded me. "I know." I walked him out of the theater, away from the vampire.
Just because Caleb was compelled not to kill me doesn't mean anyone else was safe.
Seth joined me at the cinema. The old theater group seemed relieved I was there, and to my pleasant surprise, no one inquired about the last tragic event.
After the movie, I parted with everyone at the arcade. Before I made that move, I made sure Seth was occupied.
I had to solidify a meet-up point if I were to carry out Caleb's favor.
I rounded the corner building and cut down an alley to walk the backside of the shopping district where Seth wouldn't be inclined to find me.
"Caleb?" I whispered into the dim twilight. He jumped down from the roof and landed like a fictional superhero.
"Where do I meet you?" "The corner cafe, next Sunday." He went to leave.
"Wait! Tell me, does holy water work on your kind?" Caleb's face twisted in contemplation; he tilted his head to the side.
"Actually, I don't know." Then he bolted in a blur down the alley and over a fence into a junkyard.
I backtracked toward the streetside when I ran face-first into someone. "Ow." I held my nose.
"What are you doing back here? I was on my last round. You could have waited until I was done." Seth complained.
Jacob turned down the alley we were in with a scowl. His nostrils flared, and his black eyes darkened fiercely.
I glared back at him. Jacob flinched but got the picture. "Wait." He ran down the alley in the direction of Caleb's departure.
"I dropped some change, and it rolled over here." I fibbed to Seth. "Was anyone else with you?" He questioned.
"No." I pretended to look for falsified change. "Here you go. Let's get out of here." He found a random quarter and some pennies.
"Thanks." I looked over my shoulder for Jake as Seth dragged me street side.
I'd have to finish my test of courage another day.
Saturday
Seth's Pov
"I've been waiting for an update." Jacob slowly paced outside my mom's house.
"Yeah, about that. Maybe you should talk to her now that you can manage the human part." I stated. Jake shook his head.
"Are you going to keep avoiding her like this, Jake? You don't think she's worried sick about you, too? I see the disappointment on her face every time I visit."
"I can't. I have to eliminate the threat first," Jacob denied. "Maybe that's one part of her well-being, but your black-and-white thinking is making her suffer in silence."
"She needs to heal-" "And so do you. You can either do it together, or you can both remain hurt." I lectured him.
"Listen to old sage Seth." Quil sounded in the pack's mind. "Yeah, where is all this wisdom coming from? Are you on council?" Embry snickered.
"Can it, guys." I snapped. "You're right, Seth." I had finally got through Jacob's thick head.
Jacob's Pov
I knocked on Syd's front door. "Go away, Seth!" Layla grumbled.
"Can I come in?" I asked. I let myself inside anyway.
Layla was sitting on a bar stool in the kitchen, tugging a plastic comb through her wet hair. It snagged on a knot and broke, clattering to the ground.
"Ow, Damn it," Layla sniffed. The sudden jerking movement caused her wounded shoulder to lock up.
"I got it." I reached for the broken piece on the floor before she could bend over. I set it on the counter beside her.
Layla froze, refusing to look at me. I picked up the spare brush.
"I've had lots of practice with two sisters." Layla was silent, letting me work. I think she was too stunned to see me show up here after not visiting her for so long.
Layla's Pov
"I'm sorry," Jake shattered the silence first. "I should have been there for you, and I wasn't." His throat caught, wavering with emotion.
"It's not your fault, Jake," I whispered; he gently tugged my damp hair into braids. "Please forgive me, Layla." His voice cracked.
I turned around on the stool to face him. Jacob's countenance was rugged, eyes bloodshot from tiredness and glassy, pleading with me.
"There's nothing to forgive. You're good." "Please," He begged again.
"Jacob, there is nothing you could have done." I reached up with my good arm to touch his face.
He held my hand there as if my touch was healing him. "Is there anything you need?" Jacob asked.
"Better luck," I teased. "Besides that," Jacob grumbled. "I'll be okay in four weeks, more or less." "Four weeks," He repeated.
"Can you believe the worst part of it was because of the stupid corset? I punctured my lung on stage before the whole shebang." I slid off the stool.
Jacob watched me put on some outerwear. As a gift, EJ had Esme sew my red cape into a wearable jacket.
Anyone else may think that was an insensitive thing to do, but strangely, I thought it was fitting.
"Where are you going?" "Out for some fresh air."
Jacob strode over and held me to himself, gently squeezing me harder so as not to hurt me. I let him hold me there, embracing the comfort I craved for so long.
I inhaled his musky, woodsy scent greedily. It calmed my nerves at once. The soreness in my body became an echo away.
"I love you, Layla. I'm glad you're okay." My heart swelled, and my lower lip trembled at his confession.
"Thank you." I pulled away from him and turned my head away from his kiss.
Jacob's Pov
I deserved the minor rejection. "I'll prove it, no matter how long it takes,"
Layla silently walked out the door towards the thin path leading to the river.
It wasn't good timing to confess to her, but I had to say something after almost losing her.
Before we could reach the woods, she was out of breath. "Maybe we shouldn't," I tried to deter her.
Layla pressed on and ignored my attempts to stop her. I didn't want to hurt her by being forceful, so I followed Layla to her usual spot.
"I like it here." Layla winced, sitting down. I joined her on the ground.
"What happened? I heard you saw a bear..." I picked up a rock and tossed it into the water.
"So you were eavesdropping at the station?" Layla's gaze lingered on the ripples it created.
"No, it was a wolf, but don't tell anyone. He didn't attack me or Logan for no reason. The wolf was shot in the mouth. The bullet grazed my arm instead of my body because of it." Layla explained honestly, showing off her scar.
"Weren't you terrified?" I asked. "Yes." She looked at me. The confirmation stung, but I didn't blame her.
"I couldn't tell the cops; they'd give the local hunters the okay to be out trigger-happy in these woods."
"Why would you want to protect the wolf from hunters if he...killed a person?" A lump bobbed in my throat.
"It's not his fault. The wolf was defending himself. Besides, Syd has dedicated his life to preserving wildlife, especially wolves. How could I ever paint a target on their back like that?"
"Sure." I scoffed, chucking the next rock across the river; it broke against a boulder.
The Following Wednesday
Layla's Pov
Seth managed to convince me to sit with the whole gang. Jacob sat silently next to me with Embry on the other.
Everyone was preoccupied with planning homecoming and cultivating Thanksgiving break plans. The reservation didn't celebrate colonizer day, but they took advantage of the time to spend it with friends and family.
April and Kim were planning a dress hunt, and the mention of girly things made me miss Ashely, so I pulled out my cell phone under that table to text her.
She and B had already found the perfect dresses. It made me feel behind and a little excluded. I swiped through former pictures to view last year's photo of our trio.
"Who's that?" Embry gawked at my phone. "Brianna or Ashley?" I swiped again to specify.
"Her." Embry stole my phone and cradled it like it was the most precious thing in the world.
"Hey! Give it back." I tugged on his forearm, but he was obscenely strong. I almost fell out of my chair.
This caught Jacob's attention, and he pulled me into my seat. "Earth to Embry." Quil smiled, waving a hand in front of his face.
I finally managed to take it back before the supervising teacher saw it. "What is your deal?" The whole table was looking at Embry for an answer.
"What's her name? I have to meet her." He demanded. "How about step one is getting your own phone." I held it away from him, leaning into Jacob for support.
"Right." He stood up. I rolled my eyes at him.
"And two, this is my best friend, Ashely Mendez." "Can I have her number?"
"No. Ask her yourself." "She's coming here?" Embry stated, equally frantic as he was excited.
"No, but Insta is an app anyone can use. You can gawk at her pictures all day. In private." I tucked my cell phone away.
"Okay, right. Phone." Embry ran out of the cafeteria. "Why is he being such a weirdo?" I nudged Jacob, who bit back a smile.
Quil and some of the others were beside himself with laughter. "Whatever." I picked up my tray to dump out the food I didn't eat.
Since Jacob showed no interest in the school dance and no one asked me, I guess I was on my own.
I had never shown up to the dance alone before. I'd always had my friends but no date.
I went for the girl's bathroom to freshen up when Ashely texted me back, offering to buy me a plane ticket if I wanted to join them for their dance.
April and Kim were talking at the sinks. "Do you think Jake will ask Layla out? I mean, our dinner reservations are locked in, and if they want to join us for homecoming-" Kim asked. "I'm not sure. What if the problem isn't Layla... What if Jacob's still not over Bella?" April questioned.
I listened in from the hall. "I don't know. I can't imagine Jared staying away from me long after something like that."
I let the door swing close, and I walked the long way to class with another unnecessary worry on my mind.
I was too consumed with myself and my problems lately to consider any other reason Jacob might have distanced himself.
Did this Bella girl reach out to him from whatever college she attended? Insecurity settled in as I took my seat next to Jacob in biology.
It was stupid of me not to assume other girls were also into Jake. I caught a classmate eyeing him fondly while pulling out her binder.
Then I saw Molly sitting up front, looking back at him, biting the end of her pencil. She wore obscenely low-rise jeans and a chunky belt. The straps of her red thong were visible, with a new butterfly tattoo between her back dimples.
What was that called again? Oh yeah, a tramp stamp. We locked eyes. I glared at her, and she discretely gave me the finger.
My blood boiled. I couldn't still be here if Jacob moved on from me: anyone but her.
"You okay?" Jacob asked me. "Yeah, sure." I cleared my throat and sighed.
Embry entered class late and harassed me to see Ashely's handle. Apparently, he had purchased a cheap cell phone in town when he ran out of the cafeteria earlier.
I couldn't decide if it was his desperation for my friend was endearing or concerning.
After School
Book club was on the agenda for after-hour activities.
It was a submission day, so nothing was happening besides deciding new subject matter.
I stayed long enough to earn my attendance mark, but it took me a while to convince myself what to do next.
I couldn't believe I was debating whether to break into a stranger's home for a sketchy vampire I hardly knew.
I had until Sunday, but it would be best to sneak in when people were at work, right? I bit the inside of my cheek until it bled—EJ glanced at me.
If things went south and I managed to survive Niccolo drinking me dry, wouldn't I be trapped by him eternally? My heart dropped. I would need allies I could trust.
Caleb was the only one who knew what it was like to be abducted and turned into something he didn't want to be.
Either way, I would drop off his note, but the picture of his family... I knew would be more precious to him—a favor for a favor.
"Where are you going?" EJ had followed me out without the hint of a sound. "I can't stay. I'm sorry, EJ. I have this errand to run. How about I see you this weekend?"
"Can I skip with you?" EJ grinned playfully. "I don't think that...you know what. Hurry up!" I grabbed EJ's hand and dragged him out to my car before Iris could sniff out our scheme.
This could work. EJ could be my lookout.
"What are we doing here?" he asked as I approached the written address. I triple-checked it to be sure it was the correct place.
"I have to deliver this note," I said, holding up the paper I'd been carrying around. "Why not mail it?"
"My friend asked me to do it in person," I explained, exiting the car.
"That's not all you're doing. Are you?" EJ accused me. "It's not, but I don't want you to get in trouble, so please stay here."
"If you tell me what it is, I bet I can help," he said, following me.
"We could get in big trouble if we get caught. I won't do that to you, " I said, lowering my voice as I walked up the path.
His emerald eyes sparkled with worry. I sighed.
"I need to take a picture of the family off the mantle without asking." "Why?" "I said I can't tell you." I hissed in a whisper.
The front door opened before we reached it.
"Oh, sorry. Can I help you?" A sweet woman in her forties greeted us. She seemed preoccupied on her way somewhere.
"I have a letter for you," I abruptly held out the crumpled paper. "From who?" The woman skeptically took it from me.
"Caleb." Her eyes widened, became teary, and then frantic. "You saw my boy? Please! Come inside."
I looked at EJ, and he nodded, going along with it. Bless him.
Caleb's mother bombarded me with questions so quickly that I could hardly keep up. "Tim!" She called her husband, who came down the steps.
"I ran into him downtown. Caleb was passing through for his next gig and wanted me to give it to you."
They were in tears reading the note. I waited patiently and awkwardly as they cried over it in each other's arms.
EJ had discretely slipped into the living room. I kept my eyes from him as he made the bold move of slipping a photo from the frame.
"How long ago was it?" She lifted her head. "This past weekend downtown," I mentioned vaguely. EJ reappeared at my side.
I had to give it to him; he was slick. "Tim, get the reward money." "I don't want anything, really. I was doing a favor." I retreated to leave the house.
"I was on my way to drive a friend home," I explained, thumbing to EJ, who almost waved with the wrong hand. "Sure, sure. Sorry to keep you."
We parted quickly.
"Shit. That went easier than expected. Thanks, Bean Sprout." I sighed out of relief. "Good thing I was here, huh?" EJ grinned.
"Yes, you were perfect. I think you've been promoted to sticky fingers." I pulled off the curb. "Like Robinhood?" He asked. "Sure, sure. Like him."
"That was fun! I know we shouldn't do something like that again, but I was thinking-" EJ rambled on.
I checked out mentally, thinking about Caleb's parents' reaction to reading the letter. I had read its contents, nosy as I was, before passing it along.
'Dear Mom and Dad, I'm sorry for leaving last year in the middle of the night. I wanted to pursue my dreams and had a one-night opportunity-only type of thing. That one night of DJ-ing turned into another. I joined a band on the road, which turned into a better opportunity to get signed. I'm learning more traveling than I ever had in school. Please forgive me; I'm living, not missing, but I also don't want to be found. So don't look for me anymore. I will talk to you when I can. I love you: your son, Caleb.'
To see his parents come undone with relief and grief was difficult to witness. I wondered if Caleb's plan to provide closure to his loved ones was worth the danger it put them both in. It's not like he could see them again. It made me think if I should leave something behind if my plans don't work.
EJ shook my shoulder. "Layla!" "What?" I snapped, tearing my eyes from the road.
"I can't go to La Push. I'm not allowed." EJ insisted panicky. "Oh, right. Sorry." I wheeled around to face a frustrated Seth in the road.
He invited himself along and insisted I give EJ the grand tour. "Okay. Might as well show me around." EJ gritted his teeth and unwound himself.
EJ held onto every word Seth said as he observed everything in the village.
We didn't leave the car because EJ insisted we return to FHS before his family picked him up. I thanked Seth as he hopped out to let me drop EJ off.
"Will you be back right after, Layla?" He pressed again with the bodyguard stuff. "Yeah, why?"
"I'm sure Jake will be looking for you." Seth bounded off towards the convenience store.
EJ frowned at that as I did. I wasn't sure what to do with Jacob. It was impossible to push him away.
At the drop-off, I promised to reschedule our hangout.
I felt too exposed after our stunt this afternoon, and I wanted the safe haven of my bedroom to feel like I had somehow slid into home base.
"Okay, Then I'm taking this as collateral." EJ waved the photograph. "No! Wait. EJ, I need that!"
"Too bad. I'll give it back when you come over." He called over his shoulder. EJ ducked into Esme's car.
I grumbled as they parted from the lot. I lightly banged my head against the steering wheel until the beep startled me.
On the road again, Jacob's motorcycle appeared alongside me. He waved for me to pull over and pointed to the shoulder of the road near the skyline.
He parked first and opened my door to help me out. "Seth said you were looking for me?" I questioned. "Yeah."
He led me to a lookout point off the typical tourist spot. The sparkle of sunset made the ocean waves reflect the pink and purple sky.
"I wanted to make up for before." Jacob took two combs from a nap sack: one with wide teeth whittled and sanded from driftwood, and the other was made of carved bone.
"Wow, Jake. You didn't have to." I took it, turning the combs over.
"Why not? It's something you need. Don't tell everyone about the whalebone, though. Can't have people think our tribe is continuing with the practice."
"What?" The handle of the white bone was carved into a whale's back fin. "Did you think all those canoes were just for tourists and local fishing?"
"Thank you." His hand hovered around my waist as I watched the sunset with him. What could I leave Jacob to remember me that was as thoughtful as this?
"If you could have anything out of this life, Jake, what would it be?" I questioned him, looking out into the color-changing sky.
"Besides... you know," I added. It would be too painful to think of a future together. If he dared let me dream, I couldn't bear it.
He took my question as seriously as I meant it. I didn't have to look far; he was sitting on a boulder near where I stood, so we were at eye level.
"I've always wanted to see the world, but I haven't been able to see myself living anywhere else. It would be nice to have my own auto shop eventually. Then I'd like to settle down..." He subconsciously squeezed my waist.
"Have a couple of kids. Billie wants grandkids so bad. Between you and me, he's hoping one of my sisters slips up soon."
I smiled. "That's so Billie. All the fun but none of the responsibility." "What about you?" I should have expected his uno reverse response, but I didn't have an answer.
I only asked to set Jacob up for the life he wanted before I threw away mine.
"I don't know. I'm taking things day by day." Jacob heard the tremor in my voice, and I turned away to hide the fearful look on my face.
"It will be okay, Layla." He couldn't comfort me. My breathing became erratic, like I was having a panic attack. "Layla?"
"It's just my side. I've walked around too much today." I held my core, walking back to the car, unsure what was wrong with me.
"Take deep, slow breaths." Jacob followed me, but it wasn't helping. I sat in the car, lightheaded, pressing my palms to my forehead.
Later that night, I ran inside and upstairs to my bathroom alone. I felt weird. Wrong.
Not clammy or like I was going to hurl, but like my nerves were unwinding physically.
"Layla?" I heard Syd call for me. I locked the bathroom door and looked into the mirror, but there was no reflection. I screamed out in surprised horror.
Syd banged on the door. I looked again, and my reflection returned. "What is it?!" He asked. "I-I saw a spider. It was huge." I stammered the fib.
"Okay, do you need me to get it?" I opened the door. "Sure, take a look." I marched to my room and slammed the door.
What was wrong with me? Was seeing things apart of being a vampire's familiar? I lay in bed until I felt somewhat okay.
While the vampire was on my mind, I texted Niccolo a list of my demands.
He said I could have anything within his power, right? I could use his evil ability for Jacob's good.
I'd have to wait and see if the vampire would comply or if I asked too much.
In the meantime, I journaled until I fell asleep.
My dream was odd; it took place in another place and time.
I was in the woods again, but these woods weren't the same as the ones here in La Push or Forks. The roots of these trees were exposed, twisted, and many like snakes at my feet. I ran with urgency alone in the fog. Wolf howls, piercing snarls, and hissing ripped the air like a war zone. Then I heard my mom call my name. "Layla?!" "Mom?" I sprinted through the fog, weaving around the trees for the sound. "Mom!" I cried out, hearing the scarier ripping sounds close in as well.
Lily found me. "Oh, thank God," I gripped her forearms. "You have to let me go, " she said, slipping from my grip.
"No! Why? Where are you going?" She pushed me into the crevice of a hallowed tree. "Wait for Rowan. You can trust him. He's one of us."
Lily took a step back, surveying the woods behind her. "Please, tell me what's going on." "I love you. He will keep you safe."
With that, my mom was gone. The light of day darkened into nightfall, and I sat in the cold dirt, afraid for what felt like forever.
"There you are, my night sky." A hand reached down into the tree. He bent down to greet me; a silver chained necklace swayed; attached was a ring, Celtic swirls shaped into the form of a wolf.
When I looked up, I could only see the lower half of his face. A would have been a long, straight nose that looked newly broken, a crooked smile that wasn't trustworthy... but something was there pulling me to him. As I reached for his hand, and he grasped mine, I woke up.
Taking a deep breath, I scribbled the dream down and wiped away the drool I had left on the corner page.
Saturday morning, I woke before the sun had risen. I failed an attempt to shut the window that was sending a chill into the bedroom.
My cell phone lit up in the dark. Niccolo had responded. 'It will be done.' He confirmed.
The holy water was running late in the post, but I supposed making sure my extensive requests were followed through was important enough for a visit.
'I'll come to you now,' I texted him again, immediately deleting the conversation. I had snuck past Syd and left without a sound.
I'd arrive in Seattle around 8 am, and if I didn't stay long, I could return around one in the afternoon.
My engine hummed to life, and I made my move.
"La tu en cante." Niccolo eagerly greeted me, kissing my cheek and inhaling my scent.
After pleasantries, I waltz by him, looking for the setup to sifen my blood. There was no IV stand. "I have to wait three more weeks, my Bella."
"Why?" I questioned. "Justina pointed out your human recovery time; after your accident, I am more than willing to wait."
Niccolo led me to an area with a prepared breakfast. I was surprised he would still host when he couldn't drink from me.
"You don't eat food?" I questioned, sitting down. "Only blood." I felt awkward eating alone, but I did anyway.
"I went ahead and put in a query on the land you wanted purchased." "When can I receive it?" "By law, you would have to wait until you are eighteen." I frowned.
Jacob was seventeen until January, and I was sixteen until next July. "Can you entrust it to a friend?" "I could entrust it to your grandfather until then."
"Okay." I had swindled Niccolo into thinking my grandfather wanted his own auto shop. It would be built over the run-down, abandoned gas station I was almost abducted at my first weeks here. That place was far enough from the competition and close enough to the city where ordering car parts and gaining business wouldn't be difficult for Jacob.
"And." Niccolo lifted a wide designer purse and opened it to show the stacks of bills inside. It felt like a spy movie. I reached out to flip through a bundle.
"You approve?" Niccolo smirked. "Yes." I smiled, placing it back down.
"The rest is on this card. I will add to the account per visit." He handed me a black weighted card.
Despite this vampire sucking the life out of me, I suddenly felt guilty for asking so much.
"My dad may have some money in my joint account for the building process-"
"I don't need anything besides the sweet nectar in your veins," Niccolo said, standing up to take a call.
"I'm surprised you've waited this long to ask. I did say anything."
I silently completed breakfast, waiting for the coven leader to return. I wondered if I should do something for myself while I was here.
What did I want? I wrapped my cold fingers around the hot tea before me.
"The one hundred and eighty-two acres are solidified. I'll pay the deed today and compel the estate manager to sign it off tomorrow."
I choke on my tea. "I thought it was only ten acres." "I don't do simple gestures."
That's right, I provoked him over the phone about how unimpressed I was about the flowers before the accident.
"Thank you." "Anything else?" He purred. "Not unless you can help me heal faster or book me a one-way ticket to LA so I can say goodbye to my friends."
"I'm not fond of you being farther than this." He kissed the top of my hand for the scent. "I thought as much." I watched the sun peak over the buildings.
"You don't have to hide from the sun?" I questioned. "No."
"Then why do legends say-" "There is another reason we avoid the sun. It makes us look...otherworldly." Just as Niccolo said, Justina walked past the glaring sunbeam; her exposed skin shimmered like diamonds, or someone had dipped her in highlighter makeup. The sparkles vanished when she stepped into the shadows.
Justina showed me to the birdcage-windowed bedroom that was supposed to be mine. She had tailored it to be more modern in my absence.
The old rustic Renaissance varnishings were replaced with a round canopied bed flooded with pillows like a nest. The wardrobe lined the back wall; every other door was mirrored.
I didn't know why this vampire was in love with so my reflective surfaces. Then I caught Niccolo admiring his own reflection. Great, a low-key narcissist.
I double-took at his reflection and gawked at him. His devilish smile spread.
Despite my dread and fear of him, he was considered a conventionally attractive Italian man.
"Myth, " he said, referring to the reflection. "Photos, too?" I blurted out. Justina smiled humorously, and Niccolo chuckled.
"I'm going into the city," I announced. I didn't like becoming familiar with these vampires.
I thought evidence of a shopping trip might go well for whoever asked in La Push.
On the way out of the penthouse, I ran into Caleb, awaiting orders from Greta, who naturally glared at me. I gave him a sharp, wordless nod only he could interpret.
To my dismay, Niccolo joined Justina and I. I only intended to grab a few winter wardrobe necessities and thermal sheets for the poorly insulated bedroom when Niccolo started to be extravagant again. My mid-day was shot.
Justina piled many bags in the trunk of the car. All the walking made me lightheaded; I staggered, holding onto the vehicle. My nerves rippled open again.
"I think we're full." Justina slammed the trunk and circled the car once as if she didn't see me. On her second rotation, she stopped next to me. "Are you well?"
"Too much walking," I gasped. Niccolo left the store with a stack of blue boxes and passed them off to Justina.
He carried me into the back of his vehicle. "Lie down," he said.
I did as he compelled, lying on his lap. His icy fingers covered my forehead, stroking stray hairs from my face.
It took me a while to convince Niccolo to let me go. I didn't think he would enjoy my company much when he couldn't eat me.
When I succeeded, I drove straight to the Cullen's manor to pick up the picture I had to pass off to Caleb.
EJ seemed relieved to see me. Rosalie and Esme greeted me before passing me off to Carlisle, who wanted to do a full check-in on my injuries. This took the majority of the afternoon. Esme and Rosalie whispered between each other before speaking to me again. Then, I started noticing things, vampire things. Attributes about them that I wrote off as being a part of the Cullen family, but were they a coven? Their cold, fair skin and stunning features, but the only difference was their eyes. Bright amber, not crimson.
I shook my head, remembering how Rosalie had eaten with EJ and me. I must be losing it. EJ brought me to his room afterward.
"Sorry." He passed me the photograph, which I tucked away carefully. "It's okay." I sat on the plush carpet with him.
"There's something I've wanted to tell you, Layla, but I'm unsure how." EJ placed his hand over mine, and I suddenly worried about the direction of this conversation.
With commotion downstairs and a dispute getting louder and closer, the bedroom door flung open. A short, willow girl with spiky black hair barged in.
"Aunt Alice!" EJ bounded up to greet her. Behind her appeared a tall blond with wild, windblown hair. "Oh, you have company." He spoke in a southern draw.
"That's what I was trying to say, Jasper!" Rosalie yelled from downstairs. "I had a vision, and I came bearing gifts!" Alice trilled, hugging her nephew.
"For the life of me, I couldn't get your measurements right, Layla. So I need you to try this on." Alice nudged Jasper, who held up the formal wear wrapped up tight.
Beyond puzzled, I looked to EJ, who explained, "I was going to invite you to the homecoming dance next weekend, as friends. I told Alice she could help."
"Oh, sure. Thanks for planning the Halloween party; it was a hit." I thanked her. "Always a pleasure."
Jasper shoved a suit towards EJ for Rosalie to pin. I was dragged to the bathroom for dress adjustments.
Alice fluttered around me like a quick bumble bee humming as she precisely pinned.
When I heard my phone buzzing from my purse, I knew my time was up, and I was eager to leave the Cullen's place so they could privately greet their extended family.
"See you next week." EJ frowned in displeasure when he walked me out.
"There was something else I wanted to show you, but it will have to wait." He whispered seriously. "Just tell me now." I never felt I had enough time with him.
"I can't, but please be careful. Stay out of the woods, and don't go out at night." EJ closed my door and stepped back.