A/N: My eyes are literally so tired omg. Enjoy this update! Next one will be intense, ready for a little action?
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor Twilight, they belong to their respective owners and not me.
Chapter 13 – The Vision
The sky over Forks was darkening earlier than usual, heavy clouds sitting low like they had nowhere else to be. Sam tapped the steering wheel with the edge of his thumb, eyes on the road as Jared leaned back in the passenger seat, half-asleep munching on some beef jerky.
They'd just finished up a last-minute job for a client out near the west end of town–something about a warped floorboard and a leaking pipe.
Sam had been distracted all afternoon. Ever since he called Kagome from the client's landline, she'd been lingering at the edge of his thoughts–more than usual. The family was out while he and Jared wrapped up the job, but even as they worked, his focus kept drifting.
As the sun began to dip low behind the trees, his thoughts circled back to her. He told himself he needed to trust her judgment…trust that the Cullen's wouldn't cross any lines. But his wolf bristled at the thought of her surrounded by leeches, no matter how "civil" they claimed to be.
Giving her space was the right thing to do. But it didn't make the distance any easier.
That call with her–muffled and crackling with static–had set his nerves on edge. She said she was fine, repeated it when Jared took the phone, insisted she was just tired and planned to stay home for the night.
But there was something in her voice–tight, hesitant. He didn't like it. He had to see her for himself, to make sure she was actually okay.
Jared hadn't questioned it, just nodded and followed his lead. It was what they silently agreed to do when it came to Kagome. If they had any hope of making this work with her, of getting her to know them gradually and trust them, they had to present themselves as a united front. No matter how minimal, if something felt off, the others trusted that instinct.
They turned onto the familiar street just as the last slant of gray daylight clung to the treetops. Charlie's cruiser wasn't in the driveway, which made Sam exhale through his nose, grateful. If he was still out with Billy like Jake mentioned, that gave them time. The last thing they needed was the chief getting overly curious.
As Sam pulled into the driveway, the porch light flicked on and the front door eased open with a quiet creak. Kagome stepped out slowly, tugging her light cardigan tighter around her small frame. The fabric hung off her shoulders, making her look even more delicate.
A grin broke across Jared's face the moment he saw her, a wave of relief washing over him at the sight of her soft smile. Her eyes locked onto them, and he noticed the way her shoulders eased–as if she'd been holding her breath and could finally exhale.
Jared was the first to move, pushing his door open and stepping onto the pavement with quiet urgency. Sam followed, slower, his door clicking shut behind him as his eyes stayed fixed on Kagome.
She offered them small wave. "Hey," she greeted, voice low.
Jared had every intention of pulling her into a hug–until they caught sight of her wrist. It was carefully wrapped in gauze, the edges neat but telling. She tried to tug her sleeve down, as if they wouldn't notice.
They noticed. And neither of them were happy. Least of all Sam.
"What happened?" Jared asked sharply, his voice cracking slightly as he reached for her hand, cradling it like it was the most fragile thing in the world.
Kagome hesitated mid-step, then exhaled softly and gently pulled her hand back. "It's nothing serious. I just…had a little accident, that's all," she said, trying to placate them.
"An accident? You were with the Cullen's all day," Jared snapped, his tone sharper than usual.
Kagome sighed, clearly frustrated. "Yes, but–"
"So the Cullen's did this?" Sam's tone dropped to a flat, cold edge. Too calm, too controlled.
"No–well, yes, but it wasn't their fault. Alice had a moment. She didn't mean to–"
"Alice?" Jared repeated sharply, his tone stern as he stared at her wrist with a look Kagome couldn't quite meet. "So she did this, then? Jake was right, we shouldn't have let you go over there alone."
"It's not her fault. It was just a little accident, and I'm fine. No broken bones–Carlisle even looked at it. They apologized. No harm, no foul." Kagome brushed a hand lightly against Jared's forearm trying to soothe him, and he immediately pulled her into a hug.
The tension in Jared's frame was unmistakable but he sighed with relief as he buried his face into the crook of her neck. His body trembled with restraint, and Sam could tell–he'd been seconds away from phasing.
When Jared let her go, he took her wrist gently, inspecting the gauze with a tight frown before sighing. "As long as you're really okay," he muttered, though the worry in his voice lingered.
Sam's jaw clenched, the muscle ticking. He could feel the heat building beneath his skin, simmering just under the surface. He glanced at Jared who met his eyes. The silent exchange between them was brief but clear: Not here, not now.
"Sam," Kagome said gently, reaching for his hand. Her fingers were soft, grounding. "I'm alright, really. Promise you won't do anything to the Cullen's? It really wasn't their fault."
Her touch eased some of the tension from his shoulders. He exhaled slowly, struggling to keep the growl in his throat at bay. Finally, when he tugged her into his arms, he finally felt like he could breathe easy again.
Jared snorted through his teeth and Kagome gave him an exasperated look. "We let you leave with one of them and you come back to us with a souvenir." he shook his head, dragging a hand down his face.
Sam was inclined to agree. "Have you eaten yet?" he asked instead, and when she shook her head he gestured toward the truck. "Come on–you promised to come over tonight for dinner."
"If I go, is the pack going to lose it when they see my wrist?" she asked bluntly.
Jared laughed, because yes–they were definitely going to flip. "Lose it? Oh, they're going to go ballistic when they see this. Might as well rip it off like a band-aid, sweetheart." His tone was light, trying to ease the tension already hanging in the air.
Kagome's shoulders drooped, and she sighed like she was resigning herself to her fate. "Alright, let me just tell Bella and lock up." She muttered something under her breath about possessive wolves and their mancave behavior, but they just chuckled.
"Jake isn't going to be happy," Jared said once she was back inside.
Sam shook his head, arms crossed. "We'll deal with it. I'm more worried about–"
"Paul," they both said in unison.
Yeah. Paul had a short fuse, and his hatred for the Cullen's ran deep–maybe even deeper than Jake's.
When Kagome returned, she'd swapped out her cardigan for a thinner one that she wore over a short plaid dress that Sam hadn't noticed before. Jared let out a low whistle, a grin stretching across his face.
Sam couldn't help the way his gaze dropped to her legs–bare, soft, and pale. He had the sudden urge to run his hands down them, to lift her up and wrap them around his waist. Damn. His thoughts went straight to the gutter. Again.
He tried–really tried–to think of anything else to bring his arousal down, but it was no use. Kagome's mere presence was enough to drive him crazy.
"Wow, where were you hiding that? Embry wasn't kidding–you look amazing," Jared said, clearly impressed.
Kagome shook her head, cheeks dusting red. "It's nothing special," she murmured.
Yeah, no. That little number was definitely something.
Sam smiled–just slightly. "C'mon, ready to face the music?" he chuckled.
Kagome only sighed and shook her head, clearly not looking forward to it.
Jared laughed and went around the truck to help her into the back. A moment later, Sam started the engine and almost sighed when her scent filled the cab. It calmed him, soothed the anger that had been simmering beneath the surface since he saw her wrist. The rage didn't vanish entirely–but it dulled, settling into something manageable.
All he wanted to do was find that pixie and tear her apart.
He could tell from the slight ripple across Jared's skin that his brother wasn't holding it together much better. His wolf was right beneath the surface, claws itching to break free.
Yeah…the others were not going to take this well.
With the imprint still so fresh, it was harder than ever not having her constantly near. The distance, the unknown–it gnawed at them.
But they had time.
They just had to give her space…and trust that she'd come to them, in her own way, in her own time.
The ride there was rather uneventful. Kagome felt more tired than anything, but she had to admit–seeing Sam and Jared made her feel a bit warm inside. Just having them nearby eased some of the tension she hadn't even realized she'd been holding in.
By the time they pulled up onto the familiar road, the gray overcast had darkened considerably, and a cold chill had set in. But Kagome knew that the moment she was surrounded by the pack and their sheer body heat, she wouldn't be complaining about the cold. Quite the opposite, in fact.
As Sam drove his truck up in front of the cabin, the door was already open, and she could see Quil and Embry horsing around on the porch while the others milled about inside. Seth popped his head out with a grin, and Quil and Embry stopped what they were doing as the truck pulled in.
Jared let out a low wolf call as he got out, then made his way to her door to help her down. It was a bit of a step, but she thanked him, enjoying the sight of his dimpled smile.
"Ready to face the music?" he told her, and she sighed.
Kagome mentally prepared herself. If there was one thing she learned about wolves–demon or no, it was that they could be very territorial.
Seth was the first to come down the steps to greet her while Jared and Sam unloaded their tools from the back of the truck.
"Kagome! I missed you!" he grinned, scooping her up into a hug and lifting her off the ground before spinning her around. He rubbed his face against the crook of her neck, making her giggle, before finally setting her down.
"You just saw me yesterday," she teased, but he rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, and that was hours ago. I'm glad you came over–we're making spaghetti and meatballs," he beamed. The warmth of his touch sent a familiar tingle across her skin.
Kagome still wasn't used to how freely they touched her, or how natural it felt.
"There's my favorite girl!" Quil called as he bounded down the steps. Jared had already gone inside behind Sam.
Quil wrapped her in a bear hug as Seth stepped aside, his hug just as tight as she remembered. She winced when her hand got caught between them, and her slight whine made him instantly pull back, eyes catching on the gauze around her wrist.
Just then, Kagome noticed Sam near the stove, through the open windows, speaking with Jacob in hushed whispers as they glanced back at her once or twice. Jared had taken over the stove, his shirt already off as he shook his head. From the porch, Embry frowned, leaning against the railing. Even Seth's bright smile began to dim.
"They hurt you?" Embry asked quietly, because of course he'd heard everything that was being said inside the cabin with his sensitive hearing. "Because I'd remember leaving you with a broken wrist this morning."
Kagome sighed. "No–"
"Your wrist says otherwise," Quil interrupted, and she didn't get a chance to finish before she heard Paul swearing up a storm just inside. Jacob warned him to keep his cool, but Kagome could feel his intense aura spike.
"I knew we shouldn't have let you go," Paul snapped. "So much for them being harmless."
"Paul, calm down," Sam said firmly, but the energy around them was already shifting.
Kagome didn't make it two full steps into the cabin before she was surrounded by protective wolves and their hovering hands.
Quil gently pushed up the sleeve of her cardigan, cradling her wrist like it was made of glass.
They were so careful. Their big, warm palms could wrap around her wrist with ease.
"I'm fine," she said with a sigh. "It'll heal in time."
But Paul–who she was beginning to suspect had serious anger issues–just scowled.
"Wouldn't need time to heal if it hadn't happened in the first place. I swear, when I get my hands on those leeches, I'll–"
"Paul, cut it out," Jacob warned, tone brokering for no argument as he approached her, gently cradling her wrist in his larger palms. There was a certain tone to his voice, and it seemed to silence the room immediately.
Kagome tried for a smile, carefully pulling her sleeve down. "Jake, I'm alright. Really. You're all overreacting. Accidents happen. Alice didn't mean to hurt me." She brushed her hand soothingly along his forearm. He sighed, wrapping his arms around her waist and effortlessly lifted her off the ground in a warm embrace.
Paul snorted loudly, and the tension in the room seemed to skyrocket. None of them appeared particularly happy, and Kagome briefly wondered if someone might phase right then and there. Still, despite their simmering anger, they were handling the situation better than she expected.
When Jacob finally set her down, he pressed a gentle kiss to her injured wrist that made heat crawl up her neck. "They shouldn't have gotten close enough for there to be any accidents."
Kagome gave him an exasperated look. "I'm fine, really," she insisted, avoiding their gazes, though she could feel the intense heat radiating from every one of them.
"Still too damn close," Jared muttered darkly from the kitchen.
"Yeah, I'll say. Your damn wrist is broken!" Paul scoffed, eyes blazing with anger.
"It's not broken," she repeated softly. "It's just bruised. Look, I didn't come here to get ambushed. You guys promised we'd go at my pace, remember?"
Jacob sighed heavily and took a seat at the table, her words clearly giving them pause. Paul looked away, jaw tight. Embry crossed his arms, but said nothing while Quil and Seth seemed to glance at her with understanding.
"We just don't like seeing you hurt. It feels…" Seth trailed off, voice cracking slightly.
"Feels like shit," Paul finished bluntly, taking a deep breath like he was trying to keep himself calm. "Like I need to physically make sure you're okay."
There was a course of agreements around the room, and Kagome deflated. She noted how Sam and Embry subtly shifted closer to Paul, providing enough space but clearly placing themselves between him and her.
"I get it," Kagome murmured softly, stepping closer to Jacob. Her fingers brushed against his forearm gently with her uninjured hand. "I appreciate how much you all care, but really, I'm okay. I promise."
A heavy silence settled over them, charged with emotion and unspoken concern, before gradually easing, if only a little.
Jacob's hand came to rest on her waist, warm and reassuring. Sam cleared his throat, breaking the lingering tension. "Dinner's almost ready. Why don't you sit down? Let's…just try to enjoy the evening."
Paul moved stiffly to take over at the stove, his posture still tense, shoulders rigid with unresolved frustration. Kagome watched him briefly, sensing the turbulent emotions beneath his carefully controlled movements, and wondered if his anger stemmed more from worry than genuine hostility.
Jacob pulled out a chair for Kagome as Seth quickly placed a cushion down for her comfort. Jared handed her a glass of water from the kitchen and Kagome softly thanked each of them, warmed by their obvious affection despite their relentless protectiveness.
As the quiet hum of conversation slowly returned, Kagome's gaze lingered briefly on Paul's rigid back and the restrained tension lining his frame. She wondered if reaching out would ease the strain or ignite it further, but decided that now wasn't the right moment. Still, the urge to soothe him, to reassure him that she truly was safe, tugged persistently at her heart.
"Hey, are you sure you're okay?" Jacob asked softly, turning in his seat and leaning an arm on the table, his body angled toward her.
Like the others, Jacob was shirtless, wearing a pair of cut-off jeans slung low on his hips. Sam had already discarded his own shirt, disappearing into the back of the cabin. Jared had left a few moments earlier when Paul took over at the stove, likely to shower and clean up while everyone else prepared the table for dinner.
Kagome smiled gently. "I'm alright," she reassured him. Jacob seemed to accept her answer, standing up to help Paul finish preparing the spaghetti.
Before long, Sam and Jared had returned, and everyone began taking their seats around the table. This time, Quil sat next to her right, Embry to her left, and Paul across from her. Jacob sat next to Embry, with Sam beside him. Seth and Jared claimed the two remaining seats as plates were passed around.
The scene was pleasantly domestic, warming Kagome's heart as she realized how much like a family they really were.
"By the way, you look nice," Quil said warmly, looking her up and down. He ladled a generous portion of meat sauce over her noodles.
"Thank–Quil, that's too much!" she cried out, her expression dropping as he ladled so much sauce it practically drowned the noodles on her plate. "I can't finish all of this…"
Laughter erupted around the table, and Kagome shot Quil a glare, though she couldn't keep the smile off her face. Embry nudged her gently with his elbow. "I'll finish it if you can't," he offered.
"Yeah, don't sweat it. Quil eats more with his eyes than his mouth," Jacob teased, causing Quil to look positively aghast.
"As if none of you do the same!" Quil shot back, earning another round of laughter from everyone.
Kagome smiled, a giggle escaping her at their playful antics. They were comforting to be around, helping ease her nerves when they weren't busy acting like cavemen.
"You really do look nice, though," Embry added sincerely. Seth made a noise of agreement, nodding as he stuffed his mouth with food.
Even Paul muttered something about how she looked better than nice–downright sexy–which sent heat rushing to her cheeks. She thanked them softly, suddenly feeling shy beneath their attentive gazes.
By the time dinner was finished, they had settled into the living room to watch a movie. Quil picked the live action Scooby-Doo, which seemed to be his favorite. Kagome was sandwiched comfortably on the long couch between Jacob and Seth, both of whom appeared perfectly content just being there beside her. Laughter filled the room, and Kagome felt genuinely happy surrounded by the pack in this cozy setting. It felt different from being with the Cullen's–it felt more…right.
Halfway through the movie, Paul suddenly stood and headed outside. Kagome's eyes followed him curiously, sensing tension in his aura, as though he were silently wrestling with something.
Jacob gently nudged her, nodding his chin toward the door after Paul. She hesitated, but Seth offered an encouraging nod as well. Smiling gratefully, Kagome stood and quietly slipped outside, finding Paul smoking a blunt on the porch.
The smell was strong, but Paul didn't stop as his gaze flicked to her briefly. After another moment, he stubbed it out in an ashtray and exhaled a plume of smoke, leaning heavily against one of the wooden beams.
For a while, neither spoke. Finally, she heard him release a deep sigh.
"I'm sorry," Paul began, turning away as he braced his hands against the porch railing. "I don't mean to…step all over you. I just get so angry; I see red. And this imprint–it's still a lot. I'm constantly worried about you, and I hate those leeches. I don't care how domesticated they claim to be." He shook his head, dragging a weary hand down his face.
Kagome stepped closer, comforting him by placing a gentle hand over his. "It's okay. Thank you for apologizing, but I promise I'm really alright. Maybe this is still a learning curve for all of us. If you promise to try, I can do the same," she told him softly, peering up at his handsome face, catching the ghost of a smile that appeared there.
The air between them grew subtly charged, electric even, as Kagome became acutely aware of Paul, the laughter from inside fading into the background. First, she felt the tentative brush of Paul's fingers against the back of her hand; then, suddenly, his arms were around her, enveloping her tightly. A contented sigh escaped him as he held her close.
Paul's skin was hot against hers, the warmth chasing away the evening chill. She'd discarded her cardigan earlier in the living room, where wolf whistles and wandering eyes had tracked every inch of her exposed skin, leaving a pleasant tingling sensation behind.
When Paul finally pulled away, he gently tugged her toward a nearby chair and eased her onto his lap. She sat stiffly at first, startled by the unexpected action but not uncomfortable, her heart racing rapidly.
"Sorry," he murmured softly, his eyes earnest. "Can we stay like this, please?"
The vulnerability in his gaze made her melt. Kagome nodded slowly, not quite trusting her voice.
Paul wrapped his arms securely around her waist, drawing her back until she felt his face settle comfortably into the crook of her neck. Another sigh slipped from him, his breath warm against her skin. He still smelled faintly of weed, but she found she didn't seem to mind. Gradually, his breathing slowed into a steady rhythm, and she suspected he'd fallen asleep against her. The weight of his embrace heavy yet comforting, reminding her vividly of the days with the Inutaichi–when closeness was their only comfort in a world full of uncertainty.
A sharp pang of nostalgia briefly squeezed her heart, and Kagome released a quiet breath, gently rubbing soothing circles against Paul's arms as the heat of his touch enveloped her like a blanket.
They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped in the gentle silence of the night as the muffled hum of the movie from inside the cabin faded into the background.
If her days continued just like this, Kagome realized, maybe she wouldn't mind at all. It was almost…peaceful.
Edward could feel Bella's curiosity burning a hole through him. He'd only meant to stay until she fell asleep, but Bella was far more perceptive than that. She sensed something about Alice's vision that wasn't right, and he couldn't blame her worry and curiosity.
"Edward, I know you saw what happened. Why can't you tell me?" Bella asked, crossing her arms.
It wasn't that Edward didn't want to tell her; he simply didn't see how knowing would make any difference. "It's not something you need to worry about," he replied instead, but clearly that was the wrong answer. Bella rolled her eyes, throwing her hands up in frustration.
She turned toward the window, staring outside without truly looking at anything.
Bella asked him to stay tonight since he'd been spending most of his time patrolling for Victoria. He realized it had been a few days since he'd stayed the night with her, but Alice's visions demanded his attention–they needed a plan.
"We talked about this over and over," Bella said with a sigh. "You need to trust me enough to actually tell me things instead of keeping them from me because you think I'm better off not knowing, or because you're trying to protect me."
Edward felt a pang of guilt that he'd made her feel he couldn't trust her. That wasn't why he kept certain things hidden.
"You're angry with me," he began, still struggling to understand human emotions fully. "I apologize. It wasn't my intention to deliberately hide things from you. I just didn't want to burden you with matters beyond your control."
Bella made an irritated noise and stared at him exasperatedly. "Edward, we're getting married in less than a month. If we're going to make this work, you have to be open with me, even if there's nothing I can do about it. I want to know because you're my fiancé–we're in this together." She stepped closer, and Edward finally began to understand.
Carlisle had once told him relationships were about trusting someone with pieces of yourself, sharing life together through all circumstances. He'd thought he understood, but perhaps he'd missed something important.
"I'm sorry," Edward admitted quietly. "I suppose I didn't understand why you'd want to know something you can't change." He pulled her gently into his arms, and she sighed softly against him.
He guided her to the bed, and she slipped beneath the covers as daylight faded into dusk. The house was empty, Charlie had yet to come home and Kagome had gone with the wolves.
"Alice had a strange vision," Edward began carefully as Bella rested her head against his chest. "It was fragmented–like pieces were missing."
"Was it Victoria?" she asked, glancing up at him.
"Yes, she was involved, but she wasn't the focus. Do you know about the missing people and strange killings in Seattle?" Edward asked, feeling her heartbeat quicken. Bella sat up immediately. "We've been monitoring it, and these aren't random attacks or a serial killer. In Alice's visions, the missing humans were newborns."
"Newborns–as in new vampires?" Bella asked, fear crossing her features.
Edward sat up as well and took her hand. The warmth of her skin always startled him slightly, and he noticed her shiver briefly as his cool fingers brushed against hers.
"Yes, exactly. Newly turned vampires. During our first months, human blood lingers in our tissues, making us much stronger–particularly during the first year. It makes newborns volatile, nearly uncontrollable in their thirst."
Bella's frown deepened as she processed this. "So these newborns…are they coming here?" she asked cautiously.
Edward nodded slowly, considering carefully how to reveal the rest of Alice's vision. "Alice saw your death, Bella."
Bella swallowed hard, her expression wavering briefly before determination filled her eyes. She nodded resolutely, even though Edward could see the underlying fear she was desperately trying to mask. "Then we'll deal with it–together. Just tell me what we need to do."
The tension in the Cullen household settled like a heavy iron weight. No one moved. No one spoke. Alice sat rigidly on the couch, gripping her knees, golden eyes distant as she replayed the vision repeatedly. Edward's car pulled up in the driveway downstairs, his presence unmistakable as he flitted upstairs and joined them in the living room.
Edward had experienced the vision through Alice's thoughts–or at least, the fragmented pieces she could grasp.
A town drenched in blood. Bodies littering the streets. Newborn vampires–feral and mindless–tearing through Forks with wild, chaotic brutality.
At the center of it all stood Victoria.
But Alice didn't believe Victoria was behind it entirely. Yes, Victoria sought revenge for James, but she lacked the subtlety for such a strategy. The Volturi wouldn't tolerate such reckless endangerment of their secrecy. Alice suspected someone else was manipulating events from the shadows.
Esme gently rested a hand on Alice's shoulder, her features soft with concern. Carlisle stood silently by the fireplace, arms folded, deep in thought and Jasper stood nearby, absorbing the intense stress radiating from everyone.
Rosalie and Emmett stood by the window, their reflections barely visible against the darkened glass. Rosalie's mouth was pressed into a thin, tight line as she started unblinkingly outside, while Emmett's usual playfulness vanished behind a clenched jaw.
Alice's mind raced frantically, exploring countless futures, searching desperately for any scenario where disaster could be avoided. Yet she grasped only shadows–the future shifting too quickly, too fractured to clearly see.
It had to be something caused by Kagome, Alice was convinced something about her presence set it off. She spent the better part of the afternoon trying in vain not to spiral anxiously but her vision remained unclear, blocked by something inexplicable.
Alice delved once again into the vision, explaining detail for detail what happened…
Forks was bathed in moonlight, yet the distilled night was filled with the screams and cries of its victims. Shadows blurred through the streets–newborn vampires lunging at people, leaving only carnage behind. Blood pooled across pavement, splashed across abandoned cars and buildings.
And Victoria watched from the outskirts, not commanding, not controlling–just waiting.
The light drowned out, it became eerily quiet all of a sudden. No sound, no light, just an endless abyss stretching all around her.
The light returned, Alice could tell because the vision had a form now, it took shape again and this time, Bella's dead face stared up at her in a pool of her blood with Charlie nearby. It was the Swan's residence, but it was burning and the sheer heat made her marbled skin crack. Kagome was nowhere to be found, which was strange, but like all visions involving her–she was absent.
There was a strange light in one of the upstairs windows, almost like the glow of a lamp but not quite, because it was too bright to be considered something artificial. Alice reached her hand out and this time, she ran towards it, through the burning building because in her previous attempts to obtain a different ending, she'd merely set that strange glow aside with fear in her veins but the vision went dark once again before she could reach it.
Another fragmented scene, the darkness swallowed her whole. When she came to, Alice was running through a forest and crumbled to the ground, pain rolling through her. The last thing she saw was fire and the unimaginable pain that coiled through her.
And then, the vision ended abruptly and the outcome remained the same.
When she returned to herself, her hands trembled in her lap. "That's the whole vision. Every outcome is the same," she murmured. "Something is blocking me, anytime I try to think up a different ending, it's the same and always fragmented."
Edward's frown deepened but he was mostly quiet, deliberating silently.
"A newborn army," Carlisle mused calmly, though they could all sense the concern beneath it. "Victoria may have orchestrated this, but there must be someone else helping her."
Alice nodded slowly. "She's involved, but she's not pulling the strings."
"Then who is?" Emmett demanded, voice taut.
"Who else?" Rosalie replied coldly. "It must be the Volturi. At the end of your vision, you mentioned pain coiling through you, like it just suddenly happened–that could only mean Jane is somehow involved in this, right?"
Edward exchanged a meaningful glance with Carlisle. It made too much sense to Alice. The Volturi were calculated, deliberate. If they were involved, their actions would have purpose beyond simple destruction. They wouldn't have allowed the newborns to act so senselessly.
"Are they trying to eliminate us?" Esme asked worriedly.
Edward shook his head. "If they wanted us gone, they'd act directly."
"They have Jane and Alec–why would they need to play mind games," Jasper agreed, narrowing his eyes as he crossed his arms. He was thinking, strategizing.
Alice shared a look with Edward. They knew, a sinking part of her always knew.
"They want us. Alice and I–as well as Bella." His voice was steady, firm with certainty.
A tense silence filled the room as they realized he was right. The Volturi had expressed clear interest in Alice's and Edward's abilities for a decade now, and Bella…
"They know Bella will be changed eventually," Carlisle murmured, catching Edward's implication. "If she manifests as a shield like I suspect–"
"They'll want her, too," Jasper finished grimly.
Edward nodded slowly. "In Italy, I read Aro's mind. He knows we'll never willingly leave this family. But if circumstances force our hand–"
"They'll seize the opportunity," Rosalie replied instead.
Esme seemed noticeably worried, and Alice placed a comforting hand over hers.
"We'll need to prepare," Jasper stated decisively. "If an army is coming, we need a solid plan."
"We'll need help," Esme softly added, eyes flicking toward Edward, voicing everyone's unspoken thought: the wolves.
Alice didn't like it, wolves weren't good company to keep. And they were likely very unhappy with her behavior as she'd sent their mate home with a bruise. She still felt bad about that and made a note to send her a care package as an apology.
Jacob and his pack wouldn't like it, but grudges meant nothing compared to survival. And they were already devoted to Kagome so her safety meant more to them if the intense imprint Edward witnessed was anything to go by.
Alice stared blankly, eyes unseeing, but deeply troubled.
"Alice? There's something else weighing on your mind," Edward asked quietly.
She could feel the weighted gaze of her family, and their presence comforted her even after all these years.
"I just…I don't understand how my visions can suddenly just cut off like that. One moment I'm watching the scene unfold around me and then it cuts off, it's just dark in this one millisecond of time and then the scene is different. I've never had visions just abruptly cut out like that, like seeing…nothing. It's…" she trailed off, trying to find the right word.
"Disconcerting," Edward supplied, and she met his gaze, unease clear in her eyes. "You believe Kagome might be the cause?" he said after.
Alice shrugged, shaking her head. "I really don't know if she's connected or not, but the timing of it all feels too convenient. I've never had something like this happen."
"It might be a gift she's manifesting," Rosalie stated, putting into words what they were all likely thinking.
"Perhaps," Edward answered carefully. "There's definitely something unusual about her."
Alice agreed softly. "She feels…different. I sensed it immediately."
Carlisle seemed to consider something before saying, "If Kagome is manifesting a gift or may even be aware of it, then it could explain why Alice's visions and Edward, why your ability to read minds–are both being blocked. The Swan's have a remarkable shield ability even as humans."
"It's possible it's something in their bloodline but Kagome…there's something else. Something more." Edward seemed thoughtful as he continued, "But in all honesty, that's the least of my concerns compared to the army that we know is coming. Esme is right, we'll need help."
"Then we need the wolves," Emmett stated reluctantly.
"They'll provide the numbers and an advantage–the newborns will be repulsed by their scent. But we'll all require training," Jasper concluded gravely, the finality settling heavily among them.
Alice shifted anxiously, comforted by Jasper's reassuring presence. Her inability to foresee exactly how this ended scared her and she needed her husband more than anything.
"How long do we have?" Carlisle asked gently.
Alice glanced toward Edward, communicating silently.
"Until the snow sticks to the ground," Edward replied.
"And Victoria?" Rosalie pressed.
"She's undecided, but I'm tracking her closely," Alice assured them, though Kagome's unknown role remained unsettling.
An army was coming, and they needed to be ready for the storm.