You're all so freaking fantastic, making me cry with all the love and reviews, thank you so much! I'm bouncing around kitten names, like Salem, Jinx, and Belle (for Beauty and the Beast). I've decided that I will touch on on New Moon, but I will not write the whole story. AnAnyway, please enjoy!
~Chapter Thirteen~
Climbing down off Jasper's back, I steal back his baseball cap, dropping it on my head as he takes my hand, and leads toward the field, where Rosalie and Carlisle are grasping the bat at different spots, racing to the top to see who bats first, obviously Rose wins, but Carlisle jokingly shoves her hand off the bat, replacing it with his as they laugh, Alice is on the pitcher's mound, picking up the ball, and plopping it back into her glove, eyes obviously on the future. Esme is greeting Bella and Edward, who had just arrived via Emmett's jeep, in the outfield is Emmett, swinging at the air to get pumped up for the game, causing me to bite my lip, grinning at my thought. 'You go, Emmett. Beat up that air! Show it who's boss!' A quick look at Edward, who is now doubled over in laughter at my thought, and I shake my head.
"Lily, Bella, glad you're here!" Esme wraps her arm around me as Jasper joins the others, leaving me feeling oddly empty inside. "We need an umpire and a score keeper." She says.
"She thinks we cheat!" Emmett grins.
"I know you cheat." Esme let's Bella sit on a boulder as I take the umpire's place. "Call em as you see em, Lily." Esme says as she crouches down before me, lightning strikes the air as Alice looks up, smirking.
"It's time." Edward joins Emmett in the outfield at Alice's words, it suddenly occurs to me, it's blondes against brunettes, Edward's far out in left field, Carlisle stood off to the side, Rosalie swings the bat as she approaches, getting into position before Esme and I, Jasper stands ready to take her place next, Alice stands straight, deceptively motionless, she holds the ball in both hands at her waist, and then, like a strike of lightning across the sky, her right hand flicks out, and the ball smacks into Esme's glove, who looks down at me.
"Strike One." I call, giving Rosalie a confident smile as Esme tosses the ball back to Alice's waiting hand, a tiny grin stretches across her lips for a brief second, I have never seen the pixie-like girl so serious, then her hand spins out again. This time. Rosalie swings, the bat makes it around in time to smash into the invisible ball, the crack of the impact shatters the air, thunderous, echoing in my ears from off the mountains, immediately, I understand the need for the thunderstorm, and Bella seems to too, from my glance over at her. The ball shoots like a meteor above the field, flying deep into the surrounding forest, Edward disappears after it, using this time to raise a hand to my eyes, casting a spell to improve my vision, just for the game.
"Out!" Esme cries in a clear voice, I watch as Edward springs from the fringe of the trees, ball grasped in one hand, wide grin visible to everyone, even Bella and I. Next is Jasper, who stoops down, planting a kiss on my lips in front of his whole family, Alice takes this time to pitch the ball, is smacks into Esme's glove, and I grin as he pulls back.
"Strike One." I murmur, causing his face to deadpan, then he smirks, standing to bounce the bat in one hand, knocking it against his cleats. Alice's hand whips out once more, Jasper's bat cracks against the ball as he speeds across the bases, Edward and Emmett both lunge for the ball, they connect in midair, causing the air to echo with the sound of something akin to boulders clashing, they both go down, landing on the ground, bursting out laughing as Jasper crosses home, snatching up another kiss from me as he goes. After Carlisle goes, they switch teams, but Alice remains on the pitcher's mound, causing me to realize that she's playing for both of them as the pitcher, as though that's her role.
The score continuously changes as they play, they razz each other like street ballplayers as the lead switches, much to Esme's disappointment, she'd be there to call them to order when need be. The thunder continues, but there is no rain, just as Alice had predicted, I learned by now not to ever bet against her, it's when Carlisle is up to bat, Edward catching, that Alice freezes, her eyes become unfocused as she gasps, Edward's head snaps up as he crosses to Bella's side, Jasper is beside my own in a moment, and Esme is beside her daughter. "Alice?" Esme's voice is tense, worry coloring it as well.
"I didn't see — I couldn't tell," Alice cries, all the others are gathering by this time, Jasper's arm is around my waist, back rigid as Rosalie's hand rests on my shoulder, Emmett is between Bella and I, Carlisle next to his wife.
"What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asks, his voice completely calm while still holding authority.
"They were traveling much quicker than I thought. I can see I had the wrong perspective, before- They heard us playing, and it changed their path," Alice is obviously feeling guilty as she says this, six other pairs of eyes land on Bella and I, flashing away just as quickly.
"How soon?" Carlisle asks, looking at Edward this time, a look of intense concentration crosses his face.
"Less than... five minutes. They're running — they want to play." Edward suddenly scowls.
"Can you two make it?" Carlisle asks, I see his eyes flicker at Bella and I.
"No, not carrying." Edward answers.
"The last thing we need, is them catching their scent, and starting a hunt." Jasper says.
"How many?" Esme asks, her tone is soft, I know she's trying to keep calm, to keep me calm, another memory, this time of my father, crosses my mind.
"Four." Alice answers, seeming surprised.
"Four!" Emmett scoffs. "Let them come!"
"Wait." Alice's eyes are suddenly in the present. "One of them is a Pixie, she's..." Alice's eyes widen. "It's Pandora!" Silence suddenly bursts from the group.
"Wait, there are Pixies?! Who's Pandora?" Bella asks, Alice had told me who Pandora was, the first time I went over to the house with Jasper.
"Pixies are evil, they're faeries who've been turned evil without consent, only love can change them back." I quote my grimoire. "Pandora, is Alice's mate." All eyes are on me. "Alice, once she sees you, she's going to change right back." I state, looking up at her, her eyes widen once more, and she smiles. During this time, Carlisle seems to have been deliberating, only Emmett seems undisturbed, flexing his steel bands he calls arms, the rest are now staring at Carlisle's face with anxious and nervous eyes.
"We'll continue the game," Carlisle finally decides, his voice is level. "Alice said they were simply curious." Edward and Jasper pull Esme off to the side to speak, I can't hear their words as they're speaking in hushed tones, and so quickly, their lips seem to be vibrating, I only see the light shake of her head, and the look of relief on her face, before it's decided that Jasper will catch, Edward will call as he sits with Bella, and Esme will play. The others return to the field, warily sweeping the forest with their eyes, I hear Edward speaking to Bella.
"Take your hair down." His tone is low, even, and Bella complies.
"They are others coming now?" Bella asks.
"Yes, stay very still, keep quiet, and do not move from my side." Edward says, Jasper just gives me a look that says to do the same.
"Like pulling her hair down, will help. I can smell the both from across the field." Rosalie says.
"Rosalie." Edward's tone is frustrated as he glares at his sister, nobody seems to have any energy as the game continues, with apathy now, never hitting harder than a bunt, Emmett, Carlisle, and Rosalie hover on the infield, Rosalie constantly looks between Bella and I, myself with worry, and Bella emotionlessly. I can vaguely hear Edward apologizing to Bella behind me, my mind flickering between slight fear, and the memory of my father, Carlisle, Emmett and the others turn in the same direction, hearing the sounds of passage, too faint for Bella and I to hear. They are here.
They appear one by one, from the forest edge, my magic helping my vision, ranging from a dozen meters apart, the first male into the clear falls back immediately, but something inside me stirs with unease, the other male takes the front, he's a tall, dark haired man in a manner that clearly displays who leads their pack, but something inside me tells me it's a lie. The third, being the first woman, has startling red hair filled with dirt, sticks, and leafs, she walks with cat-like grace, and the fourth, the last woman, has caramel skin, unruly black curls pulled back, and dark eyes, a sign that she's turned Pixie. They close ranks before they continue cautiously toward us, exhibiting the natural amount of respect given by predators, when they encounter a larger, unfamiliar group of their kind, as they approach, I can see how they differ from my extended family, their walk is more cat-like, a gait that seems constantly on edge, ready to shift into a crouch at any give time.
They're dressed in the ordinary gear of everyday backpackers: jeans, casual button-down shirts made of heavy, weatherproof fabric, their clothes are frayed, though, with wear, and they are each barefoot, both men have their hair cropped short, contrary wise, both women do not, though the caramel skinned one is the only one holding her's back. Their sharp eyes carefully take in Carlisle, Emmett, and Rosalie, who step guardedly forwards to meet them, without any communication seeming to pass between them, they each straighten into a more casual bearing.
The man in the front is easily the most beautiful, olive-skin beneath the usual vampire pallor, his hair is a glossy black, he's of medium build with hard muscles, though nothing next to Emmett, or even my Jasper's, he smiles an easy smile, his teeth a gleam of perfect white. The first woman is wilder, her eyes shifting restlessly between the group before her, and the loose grouping around Bella and I, her chaotic hair quivers in the slight breeze, her posture is purely that of a feline. The second male hovers behind them, though closer to the first female, slighter than the leader, his pale honeyed hair and regular features both nondescript, his eyes though, completely still, somehow seeming the most vigilant. The last female, the one with caramel skin seems antsy, her hand tapping her leg, rocking on her feet, eyes wary are they flick from Carlisle's face, then Emmett's, to Rosalie, to the ground, and back, the air she gives off is that of a captured and scared animal, desperate to be saved and released, but also submissive.
Their eyes are different too, not the gold of black I have come to expect from my family, but a deep burgundy color, disturbing and sinister, telling me that they feast on human blood, and quite recently too. The dark haired man, still smiling, steps toward Carlisle, causing me to freeze in my soulmate's arms. "We thought we heard a game," He speaks in a relaxed voice, his accent is thick, like a mix of French and Cajun. "I'm Laurent, these are Victoria, James, and Pandora." He gestures to each one as he speaks their names.
"I'm Carlisle. This is my family, Emmett, Rosalie, Esme, Alice, Edward, Bella, Jasper, and Lilith." He points us out in the group, never drawing attention to individuals, my heart aches happily when he says my name, now realizing that he feels that I am family, just as I feel they are.
"Could you use a few more players?" Laurent asks, sociably. Carlisle matches Laurent's friendly tone.
"Actually, we were just finishing up, but we'd certainly be interested another time. Are you planning to stay in the area long?" He's secretly telling them to get lost, my eyes land on Pandora, willing her to look up, to look at Alice.
"We're headed north, in fact, but we were curious to see who was in the neighborhood. We haven't run into any company in a long time." Laurent explains.
"No, this region is usually empty except for us, and the occasional visitors, like yourselves." Carlisle answers, the tense atmosphere slowly starts to subside into a casual conversation, a quick look up at my love, and his eyes are a bit yellow, so I know it is his doing.
"What is your hunting range?" Laurent inquires.
"The Olympic Range here, up and down the Coast Ranges on occasion. We keep a permanent residency nearby. There is another permanent settlement like ours up near Denali." Carlisle responds, ignoring the assumption behind the inquiry. Laurent rocks back on his heels slightly.
"Permanent? How do you manage that?" There's honest curiosity in his voice, Carlisle pauses for a moment.
"Why don't you come back to our home with us, and we can talk comfortably?" Carlisle's invitation is clearly genuine now. "It's a bit of a long story." James and Victoria exchange surprised looks at the word "home," but Laurent controls his expression better.
"That sounds interesting and very welcoming," As Laurent speaks, my eyes scan the rest of them, landing on James, his eyes narrow in on my face, and something seems to be triggered in my head, because an onslaught of memories wash over me, and before I can catch my breath, three things seem to happen at once, the wind kicks up, ruffling Bella and I's hair, causing the Edward and Jasper to stiffen, and the second male, James, suddenly whips his head back to us scrutinizing Bella and myself, his nostrils flaring. James lurches one step forwards, into a crouch, Edward bares his teeth as does Jasper, crouching in defense, a feral snarl rips from Jasper's throat, chills shoot down my spine at it.
"What is this?" Laurent demands in open surprise, neither James, nor Edward, nor Jasper relax from their aggressive stance, James feigns slightly to the side, and Edward shifts in response, Jasper backing his brother every step of the way.
"They're with us." Carlisle's firm rebuff is directed towards James, Laurent seemed to catch our scent, less powerfully than James, but awareness now dawns on his face.
"You brought snacks?" Laurent asks, his expression incredinculous as he takes an involuntary step forward, this time Edward snarls, causing Laurent to step back.
"I said they are with us." Carlisle corrects, not missing a beat with his harsh voice.
"But, they are human!" Laurent protests, the words are not at all aggressive, merely sounding astonished.
"Yes." Emmett hisses, evidently on our side, eyes on James, James extends from his crouch, his eyes diverting from Bella to me, head tilted as my heart hammers in my chest, cringing into Jasper's arms. When Laurent speaks, his tone is soothing, trying to defuse the sudden hostility in the air.
"It appears, we have a lot to learn about each other." He says.
"Indeed." Carlisle's voice is still cool, tone tight.
"But, we'd like to accept your invitation." Laurent's eyes flick toward Bella and myself, back to Carlisle. "And, of course, we will not harm the human girls. We won't hunt in your range, as I said." James glanced in disbelief and aggravation at Laurent, then exchanges another brief look with Victoria, whose eyes still flick from face to face, Carlisle measures Laurent's open expression for a moment, before he speaks.
"We will show you the way, Rosalie, Esme, Alice," He seems to struggle for a moment. "Emmett?" He seems to want to call Jasper, they gather together, blocking Bella and myself from view as they converge.
"Let's go, Bella." Edward says, voice low and bleak, the whole time I am watching James, Jasper's grip in my elbow, dragging me away as I stumble beside him, Bella the same as me. We're instantly thrown in the Jeep, Bella in front, Jasper starts to strap me in quickly, once Edward starts to do the same.
"OKAY, I GOT IT!" Bella growls, he's suddenly on the other side, climbing into the driver's side, starting the car as Jasper and I fight over my self belt and harness.
"STOP IT! What's going on?!" I demand, struggling against Jasper's hold.
"We have to get you two out of here!" Edward barks, the Jeep spits up dirt and gravel as he speeds through the woods. "Far away!" He hits the street and speeds up.
"What? No!" Bella cries.
"Turn around! You have to take us home!" I start to fight with my buckle.
"Lily, stop!" Jasper grabs me by my wrists.
"He's a tracker!" Edward shouts. "He's obsessed with the hunt, if you go home, you'll lead him straight there, that's the first place that he'll look!"
"My dad!" Bella cries.
"My family! You have to take us back!" I fight against Jasper's grip, kicking the back of Edward's seat as hard as I can. "Take us back! We'll figure something out, lead him away!" I scream.
"Yes! I can say I want to go home, and Lily can claim she's coming to talk me into coming back, or something!" Bella cries.
"It's not a bad idea." Jasper agrees.
"You can't just kidnap us." I murmur.
"Fifteen minutes," Edward states. "Grab the first thing you touch, the FIRST thing! Both of you!" Edward drops Jasper and I off at my house, watching as Jasper carries me to the porch.
"Ready?" He asks.
"Are you?" He nods as I kick in the door, speaking up. "GOD DAMMIT, JASPER! THIS IS NOT UP FOR NEGOTIATION!" I scream, racing towards the stairs.
"Lily, darlin, let's at least talk about this!" Jasper follows, I grab the end of the banister as my family races out of the kitchen and living room, flipping around to look at him.
"WHAT IS THERE TO TALK ABOUT?!" I scream.
"Lily, lower your voice, please." He begs.
"SHE'S MY BEST FRIEND! MY BEST FRIEND, AND SHE'S OFF, GOD KNOWS WHERE, POSSIBLY LOST BECAUSE YOUR BROTHER ANF HER GOT INTO A FIGHT, AND SHE'S GOING BACK TO PHOENIX!" I snarl.
"You can't just go racing off after her!" Jasper attempts to reason.
"WATCH ME." I turn on my heel, racing up the steps as I heard Jasper "explain" what's happening to my parents, by the time I'm in my room, locking my bedroom door for added effect, he's already here, helping me by throwing stuff on my bed as I grab my duffle bag. I grab my credit card and my money, throwing it in, pulling my grimoire from my mattress as Jasper yanks my duffle bag's zipper closed. The kitten lays on my bed, exhausted. sleeping through is whole thing, as I bite my lip, worrying for it a bit.
"Rosalie is here with the BMW, I'll meet you downstairs." He murmurs, I nod as I place a kiss on his lips, before I feel his pushing irritation and worry onto me, causing me to turn, yanking my duffle bag, snatching up my laptop and charger from my desk, storming out my bedroom door.
"Lily!" Jennifer breathes, standing before my door as if she's going to knock.
"I am going to get Bella, don't try to stop me." I state.
"I-I wasn't." She placates.
"Then why are you here?" I demand.
"Here." She shoves a bag into my hands, little glass vials clink, each one filled with a golden green color. "Alice called, told me what's really going on, these will enhance your power for about an hour, the more you take, the stronger you get." I blink at here. "Please, be careful." I pull her against me, hugging her as she pauses in surprise, then hugs me back. "I'll take care of your kitten." She pushes me towards the stairs. "Now, go!" I nod, rushing down the stairs as I burst out the front door, ignoring my family's calls of my name as I climb into Rosalie's car, and we're off, starting towards the house as I cram the already full bag with my laptop and potions.
Pulling up into the garage, once we arrive, we enter the house, my hand is clasped in Jasper's as Bella and Edward enter through the front door, Laurent, Pandora, and Carlisle round as corner, when Jasper yanks me behind himself and Rosalie, Edward pushing Bella behind himself as all three hide at the menacingly. "Wait! They came to warn us." Carlisle says.
"This is our fight, just as it wasn't mine when James and Victoria turned Pandora evil, we've grown tired of his games." Laurent speaks, motioning to the now green-eyed girl, who beams softly. "James is obsessed, he will not stop at anything, and the woman, Victoria? Do not underestimate her." His voice is daunting. "I have never seen anything like them, in my 300 years, that is why I joined his coven." I realize my gut instinct had been right, causing my stomach to floor.
"Where will you go now?" Everyone looks at me in surprise.
"I will head to this Denali clan, you speak of. I am interested in learning more about your way of life." Laurent looks at Pandora, who suddenly seems to realize, this is her choice.
"Ah- uh... Alice is my mate, Laurent, and you're my friend... I want... I want to stay." Everyone is surprised by Pandora's answer. "Just," She rests a gentle hand on his arm. "forget this life, please." She begs him, he nods once, before rushing past us, pausing to look at me.
"I am sorry." He says before continuing on his way, my eyebrow furrows as Jasper pulls me into the living room, where the rest of our family joins us.
"James and Victoria are undefeatable together, but if you break them up, they won't stand a chance- Confusing him while getting these two out of town, is your best bet, it won't work long, but their scent can do the trick." Pandora states.
"I read his mind, he's obsessed, once he's committed to a hint, he's unshakable." Edward states.
"We'll have to kill him." Jasper's words cause me to freeze. "Rip him apart, and burn the pieces." Esme has already started to move; her hand touches an inconspicuous keypad on the wall, and something groans, huge metal shutters begin to seal the glass wall as I stare on surprise.
"Pandora, and I will run Bella and Lilith south." Alice speaks up.
"As soon as those two are clear, we'll flip it, turn the hunt on him." Emmett states, his arms crossed over his chest, my breathing deepens as the thought of never seeing these people, my family, again, strikes me at full force, my knees give out as I clench my hands into fists, and my world spins.
"This can't be happening! This is -this is ridiculous, I can't..." I choke out, pressing a hand to my forehead, suddenly my vision is filled with Esme's face, her hands caressing my cheeks.
"Lily, breathe. Everything is going to be alright, breathe." Her soothing voice fills my ears, before Jasper lifts my face by my chin, his eyes flashing yellow as my hyperventilation gets worse.
"Darlin, breathe, just breathe." He presses his forehead to my own, suddenly calmness crashes over me, and my breathing starts to regulate as I blink back bitter tears, pressing my palms to my eyes.
"If anything happens to you all, I'll just- I just..." My mind flickering with the worst possible scenarios, Jasper lifts me to my feet, stroking my cheek.
"Nothing is gonna happen to us." He vows.
"Rosalie, will you please trade clothes with Bella?" Edward's voice breaks our thoughts.
"Why should I?" She hisses, my eyes widen as I look at her. "What is she to me? Except a menace— a danger you've chosen to inflict on all of us, even Lily at this point." Edward acts as though he doesn't hear her.
"Esme?" He asks.
"Of course," Esme swings Bella up into her arm, carrying her from the room.
"Will you at least trade with Lilith?" Edward demands, surprising Jasper and I both, Rosalie nods as she lifts me up as Esme had done Bella, skirting around the others, and up the stairs. We're in her room, with her striping me down before I can register what's happening, she undresses, shoving her clothes in my arms as she yanks mine on, I tug on her too tight pants, forcing the too tight shirt over her head, and I watch, helpless as she pulls on my combat boots, while I slip into her cleats. She rushes us back downstairs as I feel my heart quicken, hearing Alice speak.
"The woman will follow the truck, the man will track you." She's speaking to Edward, who nods as we all move toward the garage, Jasper is at my side in a flash, Esme steps outside with Bella's keys, while Rosalie steps over to Emmett's side.
"Alice, Pandora, you'll take the Mercedes, you'll need a dark tint in the South." Carlisle says, handing Alice the keys, who immediately ducks out with Pandora to bring the car around. "We're taking the Jeep." Carlisle's gestures to Edward and Jasper's sides, surprising me at the intention to go with them. "Let's go." Everyone moves towards the kitchen, when Jasper sweeps me up in a hug, lifting me from the floor, my legs wrap around his waist, arms around his neck, face buried in his chest. Unaware of everyone watching, he leans his face down to my own, capturing my lips in his own, causing my heart to swell and ache, painful thoughts fill me at the idea of being apart like this.
"No goodbyes." I murmur as he sets me down.
"No tears." He responds, stroking my cheek, his ocher eyes burning with an intensity, tracing each feature of my face, as it to burn it into his memory.
"No I love yous." He nods.
"We'll be back together before you know it." He presses another kiss to my lips, and is suddenly gone.
Wahhh! Please don't hate me for splitting them up! I promise it'll get better! ^-^ Seriously though, you are all amazing, and beautiful, and thank you all for sticking with me so far! Two reviews equal a new chapter! Read, review, enjoy!