Chapter 10
"Drop your bags," Erika said as she, Ananias, and many of the Higher Guard arrived at her apartment a couple days after her first trial. "We're going to see the Cullens. Billy Black, the leader of the tribe."
"We have to consort with Werewolves?" Jane soured at this.
"Shifters," Erika corrected. "And since my mates insist you stay with me, it means you are going to abide by the same treaty that the Cullens have with the tribe. I want to be able to see my sister graduate without the fuss of the Newborns in Seattle. You can go back to monitoring them afterwards. Ananias will stay with me."
)()()()()()(
Erika had taken her motorbike to the Cullen house, not realising she had missed riding. She didn't ride much in Italy, purely because her mates didn't like it much. She contained her joyrides to a weekly session where she went not too far, and she always had her phone on her.
Her beautiful bike was a Ducati Scrambler Icon from two thousand and fifteen. When she was in Italy, she had the red panels that were previously on the bike replaced by shiny bright purple panels that matched the purple detailing on her new helmet.
After much a dishappy Erika every time any of her mates mentioned her bike or riding, Marcus gave in and brought her a beautiful black helmet with tinted visor and tiny bright purple detailings. It was more of a trimming to the helmet than anything, making sure that any rubber or anything on it was the bright purple while the rest stayed a shiny black.
When she got to the house, slowing her bike down to park it, Carlisle and Esme were standing out on the porch. She took off her helmet, revealing blonde hair instead of the two toned she had before.
She went back to the salon to have her hair professionally done. It was a beautiful light blonde with a slight white finish that showed off the very faint pastel colours that reminded her of pearls, iridescent and beautiful as the hair fell to her shoulders as it grew over the last few months since she left for Italy.
She loved this hair and the way it made her eyes pop.
"Good afternoon, Erika, everyone," Carlisle greeted with a pleasant smile. "Billy Black is already inside with some of the tribe members. I don't believe they are too comfortable around so many Vampires so we best make this quick."
"Of course," Erika said, getting off her bike and taking her helmet with her.
She wore a plain grey hoodie under a leather jacket, black skinny jeans with black boots finished the look. Practical and pleasant, Erika found that this outfit was one of her favorites but it wasn't practical in Italy where it was a lot warmer than Forks.
The guards wore what they wanted, along with their cloaks but Ananias had on a pair of seafoam green trousers with a cream coloured tunic. He liked his tunics and poet shirts.
They all walked into the house, trailing after Erika who came to greet many of the members.
Most of them were standing in the living room, the Vampires mostly on one side with Billy and other tribe members sitting. It was mostly elderly council members that sat there, along with Sam Uley and Jared Cameron behind them.
"Billy, Old Quil, good to see you both," Erika smiled as she came forward, watching as Sam Uley and Jared Cameron seemed to stiffen behind them as she approached. "I hope you both are in good health."
"We are, child, thank you," Old Quil smiled. "How has Italy been treating you?"
She sat down on the sofa across from them, the guard standing behind her or near her. "Well. It's been good. It's only been three months but I feel like I settled in well."
"I see that you have more Cold Ones with you," He said, looking at the red eyed Vampires around her. "I hope they know that there is a treaty."
"Yes, that's why we are here," She began, placing her helmet gently on the floor.
"Oh? Why?" Sam said. "You can't make us change it."
"I'm not asking you to change it," Erika said. "However I need one exception to one of the treaty rules."
"Which one?"
"With the Seattle incidents recently and the Newborns, I have to ask that one of the Vampires with me are allowed to go past the treaty line. Before you argue, Sam, it will only happen if I cross it."
"Which one would it be?" Billy asked.
Ananias raised his hand, taking a seat next to Erika. "I'm Erika's personal guard, and if she goes, I go. It's one of the rules the kings have asked to happen."
"It would only be a temporary exception, only when I am in Forks which isn't often anymore," She said. "It is for my safety and the peace of mind of my mates."
"Mates?" Jared asked.
"Similar to Imprints," Billy said back to him. "Vampires do not have a choice in it much like we do not. What about the rest of your group, Erika?"
"As long as I have Ananias with me, I will be fine," Erika stated. "The others will help the Cullens with the Newborn incidents. I'm here for Bella's graduation and nothing more, I'm heading back to Italy afterwards."
"Aren't you going to see Micheal?" Sam asked as if she had insulted him by what she just said.
"That's why I asked for Ananias's exeption to the treaty. They all have been told to feed far away from Forks, and to try and blend in."
Old Quil nodded. "I think that will be acceptable. Ananias may cross the treaty line only if accompanied by you, Erika. Otherwise, he is not allowed. I will tell others about this. I hope you tell us in advance when you decide to visit Forks with so many Vampires with you."
"I can't assure you that I will be able to tell you in advance, but I will try," Erika said.
"Thank you,"
)()()()()()(
"I have nothing to wear!" Bella almost screamed as she came into the kitchen where Erika and Charlie sat at the table.
Erika sipped on the same burnt coffee that Charlie liked, grimacing at it before emptying it into the sink with an apologetic look sent to Charlie who shrugged.
"It's an acquired taste, I think,"
"Burnt? Yeah,"
"Snob," Charlie chuckled at her before nodding to Bella. "Go help your sister find an outfit."
Erika rolled her eyes but she still smiled as she followed Bella back to her room.
Every single piece of clothing Bella owned was thrown across her bed, even her drawers and closets were bare of anything as she tried to find an outfit.
"Please don't tell me you plan to wear the khaki skirt," Erika almost sounded like she was pleading with the gods that it wasn't true.
"What? What's wrong with it? Edward likes it," Bella said.
"Right," Erika grabbed the skirt and chucked it across the room. "You're not wearing that skirt again, it goes to your ankles and makes you look stupid. I left some clothes in the attic, didn't I?"
"I think so. What am I supposed to wear then?"
"If you're wearing a flowy maxi skirt, you have to wear a tighter top to balance it out, I'll be back in a few."
Bella just sulked around her bedroom as Erika left to get a box of clothes from the atti, bringing down the box. She looked through it, seeing a couple items that were too small for her but too revealing for Bella's likening. Erka picked out a long deep green skirt and a thin black shirt that had long sleeves and a decent neckline.
She gave them to Bella. "Put that on and show me."
She left Bella to change, knowing Bella liked her privacy. It took a minute but Bella came out of her room with a look that said she liked the outfit but wasn't quite sure yet. Making Bella sit at the desk, Erika quickly sent a brush through her brown hair and braided the bottom so it hung down Bella's neck and to her shoulders.
"Better?" Erik asked, letting the braid hand down Bella's upper back.
"Are you ready yet?" Charlie asked, knocking before Bella told him to come in. "You look nice, Bella. Finally got her to trash the khaki skirt?"
"What's wrong with that skirt?!"
Charlie gave her a look. "Bells, it's old fashioned even by my standards."
Bella huffed but smiled still, standing up to grab her yellow graduation robes. "We're ready."
)()()()()()(
As much as Erika liked a good party, this graduation party at the Cullens' was for seventeen and eighteen year old seniors, none of which were near her age. Out of any reason why she was here, it was so Ananias could party with people his own age, give or take a hundred years. Erika sat away from most of the partiers, close by so she could keep an eye on them by Charlie's request.
She drank a low alcohol beer, one that the graduating seniors had brought and bribed her with. Carlisie and Esme were at the house anyway, keeping an eye on the teens. She would have rather had something a lot stronger but it was okay for now.
The music was loud in the other room but Erika ignored it mostly. She would have rather been at home, back in Italy straight after the graduation but Alice insisted that she attend the party. When Alice was confronted on why Erika should attend, Alice said that there was a conversation that needed to be had and she needed to be there.
The party was a clear success, even if Bella was forced into a hostess position early on. The music was infectious, the lights almost hypnotic. From the way the food disappeared, that must have been good but Erika didn't eat any of it because she had lost her appetite a couple hours ago. Bodies swayed to the beat that rumbled under the soles of their feet, the party constantly on the edge of breaking into a dance.
The room was soon crowded and that was when Erika retreated into one of the backrooms.
To watch her sister be almost pushed into a corner by three Shifters, Erika was on her feet within seconds. She easily slinked through the crowd, mostly because she had the murder look on her face that made everyone quickly get out of her face.
Jacob tried to demand that Bella explain something to him.
"Jacob, I don't know everything," Bella said, quickly catching sight of Erika coming towards her.
Erika stopped right behind them, crossing her arms as she narrowed her eyes at the Shifters. "What's going on here?"
"None of your business, Erika," Jacob snapped.
"It is when you're bothering my sister, Jacob," Erika snapped right back as he turned around to look at her. "Don't start an argument you aren't ready to finish, kid."
"Who you calling kid?"
"Jacob, you're sixteen, I'm almost twenty three," Erika laughed. "You're a kid to me."
Alice seemed to appear beside Erika, starling the Shifters quickly. "I need you and Bella."
Erika looked into Alice's eyes, seeing the sense of something serious was happening. She nodded, jutting her chin to indicate that Bella should follow.
"Not so fast," Jacob interrupted. "Tell us what's going on."
"Eh, no," Erika said.
"What? Why shouldn't we know?"
"It doesn't involve you, Jacob,"
"The hell it doesn't!" He spat. "If it involves Bella, it involves me."
"Wrong," Erika stepped closer to him, glaring like a parent would do to an unruly child. "If it involves Bella, it involves Charlie. This isn't a Shifter matter, so get your ass moving out of here. We will tell the council members if we need to, but you don't get to demand anything."
"Jacob, just leave," Bella pleaded. "Erika's right, it doesn't involve you."
Soon, Ananias joined Erika's other side.
"Everything alright, Erika?" He asked, his eyes a pretty blue colour instead of the natural red.
"Everything's fine, go back to the party," Jacob snapped. "Erika, you're not involved either so I don't see why you can know but I can't. If anything, you shouldn't even know of us, of what they or we are! You're only Human and you're letting your sister be involved with leeches? What kind of person are you when you know I'm tryna protect Bella?!"
While Jacob was a lot taller than Erika at more than six feet tall, Erika had a lot of fury hidden within her. Grabbing Jacob by his shirt collar, Erika shoved him into the wall. Regardless of how Jacob was a minor and this would be classed as assault by police, Erika did not give a shit as she got into Jacob's face with a sneer.
"Insult them, insult me, muttface," She said. "You are trying to get into adult affairs when you are barely finishing school. Stay out of affairs that don't have to do with you and I won't tell Billy that you tried to order me around like I am below you. Stop trying to be an adult and enjoy your fucking childhood. Now leave before I am forced to drag your wolf ass out of here and back to your father."
At the mention of his father, Jacob paled but still sneered at her before shoving her arms off him, bending an elbow back a tad too much as he did so. Erika just gritted her teeth at the small amount of pain, stepping back as Jacob and the other two wolves quickly left the house, slamming the door behind them. She touched her elbow, stretching her arm out a little to dull the pain before she stalked over to the empty room.
Alice closed the door after she called Jasper along with the rest of the Cullens. Ananias, Erika, and Bella were in there too.
"The decision has been made."
"You're going to Seattle?"
"No."
"They're coming here," Bella was barely able to choke the words out.
"They'll be here in four days," Alice said.
Carlisle sighed. "This will turn into a bloodbath."
"Who's behind it?" Edward asked, hooking an arm around Bella's waist so she could feel some sort of comfort.
"I didn't see anyone I recognised," Alice thought for a second. "Maybe one?"
Edward nodded. "He's local. Riley Biers. He didn't start this."
"Whoever did is staying out of the action,"
"They must be playing with the blindspots in your vision," Carlise said to Alice
"The army is coming and isn't enough of us to protect the town," Jasper said.
"Jane, Alec, Felix and Demetri are here if you need it as you know," Erika said, reaching for her phone and selecting a number. "If the army is coming here, I don't want Bella here."
"I'll take her somewhere," Edward said.
Jasper shook his head. "They'll track her down anyway."
"Please excuse me for a second," Erika said, dialing the number and escaping into the back garden quickly.
)()()()()()(
"Is everything alright, dear?" Marcus asked, concern lacing his tone. "The bond sent us fear and anxiety a moment ago."
"The Newborn situation is getting worse," Erika admitted.
"Why? What is wrong?"
Erika hugged herself as she clutched the leather of her jacket around her form. "We just found out that they're after Bella. They're coming to Forks in a couple days. I wanted to ask if I could bring Bella back to Italy with me? I don't want to leave it to chance that she gets injured."
"Of course you can bring her," He said. "What about your father?"
"The Newborns won't go near the Shifters so I'll ask Billy Black to keep Dad nearby while the Cullens sort out this situation. I don't know if Edward will let Bella go alone with me though," Erika muttered. "Thinking the Volturi is corrupted and all that shit."
Marcus chuckled. "Aro mentioned that he thinks that sometimes. Perhaps bring Rosalie? She seems to be the least useful in this type of situation and she could act as a guard for Bella whilst at the castle."
"That might work," Erika said, bringing her hand up to chew on her thumb nail but never truly biting it. She dropped her hand after taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Marcus. Can you tell the others? I'll tell my dad and sort things with him before anything. I'll text you before we get on the plane. Thank you."
"It is not a problem, darling. Family matters, even to immortals,"
She hummed an agreement before ending the call.
)()()()()()(
The conversation with Charlie about Bella visiting Erika was short and sweet, luckily. Since both of them were adults now, Charlie had no problem with them leaving the country for a bit, even if Bella was given a warning that if she left Erika without a word, Charlie would ground her until she was thirty.
Erika went to Billy Black, sorting out a small strategic plan with the tribe. Allowing the Cullens and the Volturi guards onto tribe lands only in case there were Newborns. The Vampires would stay off the land until the Newborns come and only go on if there were a chance of Newborns attacking there.
Billy Black agreed to try and keep Charlie busy, to get him near Shifters so the Newborns wouldn't even try and get to them.
)()()()()()(
Ananias played a game on his phone as Erika and Bella spoke on the private plane, halfway to Italy. Rosalie looked unhappy to be there but she didn't complain as she sat against one of the couches. They both sat at the table area, Bella's hand on the table as she showed off the ring Edward gave her.
For an old ring, it was kinda beautiful with its vintage feel. Long and oval shaped, slanting rows of round stone were set into the delicate gold band, making a very fragile web around the diamonds.
"Well…"
Bella looked almost crestfallen at the tone. "You don't like it."
"Personally, I wouldn't wear it,"Erika said, sipping at the icey bottle of water. "It suits you and Edward though. I've got nothing against it and I like the diamonds."
She laughed. "Of course you like diamonds. Snob."
"Eh," She grinned, fiddling with the Volturi crest on her chest. "I've got this thing."
"I noticed," Bella said. "Is it a leader thing? I remember that Jane and the others wore a similar one, but theirs was silver."
Erika nodded. "Yeah, the kings have gold ones like mine. It's to show who is in charge to newcomers even if they aren't familiar with the Volturi. Helps keep me safe if there are guests."
"Guests? Like do other Vampires come to Italy to speak to them?"
"Yeah. Sometimes it's the whole coven and other times it's just one or two,"
"Do they still… you know…" Bella made a cutting motion with her hand across her neck, "humans?"
"Yeah, every wednesday at noon," Erika said.
Bella looked appalled. "You make it sound so… so Okay?! How can killing someone be okay?"
"And killing animals is okay?"
"Of course, they're animals!"
"And to Vampires, Humans are nothing but animals, intelligent animals but animals nonetheless," Erika shrugged. "It's something you're going to have to accept. It's not going to change regardless."
"But it isn't humane to kill them," Rosalie said.
"They're not Human,"
Ananias agreed. "We were once Human but we are no longer. Immortality comes at the piece of your morals."
)()()()()()(
The panelled walls and moss green carpets were quite the relaxer for Erika, letting her quickly realise she was back at the place she now called home.
Erika quickly walked up to the desk without a thought for the person speaking to Gianna the receptionist.
She placed one hand on the desk, leaning forward an inch to get Gianna's attention. "Are the kings free?"
"Pardon me," Gianna said to the man speaking to her, making him pause so she could turn to Erika. "I believe the masters are halfway through a business meeting, though they did say that they wanted you in there as soon as you got back. They're in the third drawing room, if you'd like to join them, Mistress Erika. The masters have put Miss Swan and Miss Hale into the guest rooms right before the royal wing."
"I think I will, thanks Gianna,"
"Of course,"
Erika stepped away, letting Ananias take them to the rooms and letting Erika get redressed into something that wasn't sweatpants and a hoodie.
)()()()()()(
Erika knocked on the door three times before she opened it, coming in with a confident smile as she saw her three mates and the woman they sat with. Ducissa followed diligently behind her.
Aro sat on one side of a two seater couch of a dark toffee cream colour, Marcus was on the other side with Caius sitting in a love seat on Marcus' empty side. The woman was pretty with tanned skin and dark brown hair under a white scarf head covering with tiny flower designs on it. She had a pair of drop earrings that were set into silver and a leather and bead bracelet on her right wrist.
"Excuse us," Aro smiled at the woman who just politely smiled and nodded. He stood up and walked over to Erika who came closer after closing the door. "How was the trip? Has Bella and Rosalie settled in yet?"
"Ananias showed them where before I came here," Erika allowed Aro to take her hand, seeing his memories as he saw hers.
Aro frowned. "You did not get to see Micheal."
"No, he was busy but we did have a quick phone call,"
"And he is doing well I see,"
"Yes," Erika smiled. "And this is a business meeting, of sorts. Witch affairs. You're Anna Sallow."
"Yes, I am," The woman turned to Erika, her smile crinkling the bright red lip she had on. "And you're Mistress Erika."
"Erika will do," She said, letting Aro guide her over to Caius so she could lean on the edge of his seat arm again. She was in a two piece outfit of a satin blue colour, low cut shirt tucked into a mid thigh skirt. "Has there been any troubles in England with Witches and Vampires?"
Anna paused. "How did you know? I only told these three a minute ago."
"My gift,"
"Your gift manifested while you were Human? You must be powerful," Anna said.
"I hope so,"
Anna shook it off. "Anyway, since you're caught up, we might as well go onto the proper topic. UCOM is rising again. A couple dozen Vampires have been killed in the UK, some were close friends so I'm not happy."
"Vampires are hard to kill," Erika said. "How are Witches killing them? My knowledge of Witch Magic is limited."
"Witches started to poison some of the water supplies with vervain since it has qualities that can harm younger Vampires. Humans drink the water, not realising it has vervain in it but it is non toxic to Humans but fatal to any Vampire under a decade old."
"The younger they are, the less time they have had for their Magic to settle," Marcus said. "Vervain unsettles the Magic in Vampires, creating a weakness within us. The knowledge of this is kept hidden so governments cannot kill us off easily. The knowledge of this was kept between us and the UCOM leaders, and since they have started to go against us, it means we need to stop them entirely."
"Killing UCOM off will only result in the whole society of Witches turning against Vampires," Anna said. "You have to prove that they're actually harming Vampires before you can retaliate. Why don't you go for the dipomatic approach? Try and get some sypathy for Erika's positon in this, a Witch with Vampire SoulMates that doesn't want her people to be hurt."
"A what now?" Erika tilted her head in question, blinking a lot more suddenly.
Anxiety seemed to lick at the edge of her mind, dulling the thoughts of rational thinking and leaving her with a sense of dread for the words that would come next. Erika rubbed her poitner finger nail against her thumb, getting the sentation of pain as she realised she was getting closer to an anxiety attack of sorts.
"A Witch," Anna said. "Didn't you realise? You have a Familiar, after all. Was your attention suddenly caught by the feline? It's your Magic finding a suitable match."
"My...Magic…" Erika just froze at that before laughing. "Look. Three months, I didn't even know Vampires existed, I didn't know I had mates of all things, and until a couple weeks ago, I didn't know Witches were real either. You're suddenly telling me I'm a Witch with Vampire mates and a Familiar? This is some chosen one shit."
"I assure you, I'm not lying about this," She said reassuringly but it did nothing to Erika's state of mind.
Erika rubbed her trembling hands down her face, shaking them in front of her like she was saying no. "I just got off of an eleven hour flight. I've not got the mental capacity or the alcohol consumption for this right now."
She stood and strode over to the door within seconds, wanting to get out of there before her chest decided she didn't need the air she was trying to breath in.
Instead of breaking down there and then, she held it in like a hurricane in a breaking glass jar, one tiny jostle away from completely cracking out.
)()()()()()(
Finding one of the few places that she found safety in, Erika made her way to the balcony in the hidden area of the library.
She paced the length of the balcony, clenching and unclenching her hands, flicking and waving them around as a way to get out the extra energy that otherwise would be put into crying her confused emotions out.
Why was she rememering her mother's death all of a sudden?
Each new shiver brought back a memory she didn't want to remember, one that flashed across her eyes like an awful nightmare that refused to leave her alone. She bit the insdie of her cheek to somehow quench the need to do, see, feel anything but the anxiety and panic that was building inside her stomach.
Her heart beat increaased quickly, she checked her smartwatch and could literally see it increase with each passing second.
It was like static replaced her thoughts, only the images of a bloody mouth and red eyes forming words she couldn't quite distinguish flashing across her mind.
She was Human. It was simply that and nothing else. She couldn't be a Witch.
She couldn't be.
Her father was Human.
Her mother was Human…
Why was the Vampire that killed her mother mouthing those words? Words too close to looking like it said Witch. Young Witch. Untapped powers…
Erika's chest seized, tightening uncontrolablly as the full memory came back to her like a bullet train. The quiet city made too much noise, her heart that pumped blood through her system sounded like a drum in her ear, rushing and bubbling enough that it made it worse.
Lights were too bright so Erika went into the main part of the library, somewhere where she knew there was barely any artifical light and hardly any sound. She paced before the fireplace, letting the light flames and crackles help ground herself. She ran her hands through her hair, grabbing onto it when it became too much but she never stopped pacing.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five
Six.
Seven.
Turn.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Get control.
Maintain control.
Have it.
Never let go.
Erika allowed tears to drip of their own accord as she ontinued to pace, slowly and gradually letting her process what she had seen, what she heard, remembered, expierenced.
There was a ringing in her ear, hot flashes and cold shivers going down her back, and a cold hand clamped onto her wrist as she chewed on her nails.
She flinched and almost jolted out of Marcus' grip, fearful eyes showing off the still shedding tears.
To get words out of her dry mouth, she had to pause and get a heavy breath in. Air weighed like a ton of cement, thick and heavy in her throat and tasted like ash.
"Don't. Touch. Me."
She was used to having panic and anxiety attacks by herself, getting over them by herself, acting like she never had them so others didn't see her weakness, her lack of control.
She tried to snatch her wrist from his grip but he held on strong, not enough to hurt her, never.
"I am sorry, Erika," He almost mumbled before envolping the female in his arms, using his strength to keep her in his hug and preventing her from hurting herself mentally or physically. "Calm down. Take a deep breath for me and concentrate on me. Only on me, not the memories. Listen to me and breath out slowly, take your time and relax."
He watched as Erika responded to his display of Domiantion, something he knew Erika would be angry about but he would deal with that later. Even if Marcus had not expierenced a panic or anxiety attack himself, he had seen other Humans go through it over the years. Sometimes it lasted only a few mintues, and other times it could last days without a person realising.
She could scream and yell and swear as much as she wanted at him later, but now he wanted to make sure she was alright.
Erika relaxed into his arms, letting him tuck her under his chin like she was something to protect and cherise. She sniffled as the final tears stopped and dried on her skin, making her rub them away gently.
"I hate you."
Marcus knew she didn't aim it at him, but rather at the memories.
She stayed in his arms for a while longer, wanting the comfort but she knew she didn't deserve it. She hadn't done anything to warrent this type of care.
Erika had to shake off those thoughts, the ones that were conditioned into her by her ex.
If fate decided she deserved this, she wasn't going against it.
She wrapped her arms around Marcus, tucking her face into the crook of his neck and shoulder. His hands went up until one held the back of her neck, a place she usually hated but allowed this once, and the other went around her lower back to bring her closer.
"Thank you."