A World Hidden

Chapter Two: Oscen Haven

Carlisle and Esme were in shock. Their mate was beautiful.

"I'm Carlisle Cullen. This is Esme, my wife and mate," Carlisle finally managed to find his voice.

Ravenna smiled and bowed to both of them as was customary a greeting.

"These are our adoptive children. Emmett and Rosalie," Carlisle gestured to the two, "Jasper and of course you know Alice. Edward and Bella. Our granddaughter Renesmee and her mate Jacob."

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you. The last time little Alice was here she was so excited to meet all of you. Come, sit and tell me about yourselves. And I will do the same. Bane, you and the others can wait outside please," Ravenna said, looking to her guards. The Cullen's took seats around the table and Ravenna sat across from them. She crossed her legs and leaned forward to the table, eager to hear about her friend's family.

"Shall we start? I admit I am rather eager to know you all. Alice has earned herself an honorable spot among us due to her helping us in a dire time. She spoke so highly of you all and she didn't even know you at that point," Ravenna said. Alice would be blushing if it was possible.

"I'm a doctor, currently at a Memphis hospital in Tennessee. I was changed in 1663. I met Edward some time later and changed him. He was dying of a human illness," Carlisle began, lacing his fingers with Esme's.

"I was next after experiencing a suicide attempt," Esme said quietly. Ravenna looked sympathetic and reached a hand out to place on Esme's arm for a moment. Sparks ignited where their skin touched and Ravenna pulled her hand back with a sharp inhale.

"Rosalie was next and then Emmett. Jasper and Alice joined us later. Edward met his wife Bella at school while she was human. They had Renesmee and Jacob imprinted on her," Carlisle said. Ravenna looked around the faces and memorized their names with their face.

"Well you know my name. I am fifty thousand years old, give or take a few decades. My oldest friend is Sapphira, the oldest dragon. She is also the last dragon from the human world. When the dragon hunts began I moved my people here. I was too late with the dragons as they had scattered across the globe to make their own way. Only Sapphira remained with me and her two clutches of eggs. Her mate was killed when he went out to hunt for her. Thus I took the eggs and Sapphira and moved them here," Ravenna said, lost in memory.

"When we came here, there wasn't a castle here like there is now. There was a village. You can still see its remains in the lower part of the city. We have grown to be very prosperous and very fortunate. Though we have had our fair share of struggles and wars. Some of the people do not like that I have had leadership for so long and many have challenged me," She said and then smirked, "Though none have won."

"I'm assuming your kind is immortal given your ages?" Bella asked.

"Yes we are immortal. But not invincible." Ravenna was lost in thought before she shook herself and stood from the table.

"Come, I'll see you are put in rooms and you can wander the city. Just don't go outside the walls without some guards. Don't want you getting lost or one of the dragons frying you because they don't know your scent," she said. The Cullens' stood and followed her out of the room. Her guard surrounded her as she exited the room.

"I'll be fine with the Cullen's. Go do what you want to," Ravenna said to her guard. They hesitated but did as she said and left, going down the hallway.

"Now that I can breathe," she said chuckling lightly, making Carlisle and Esme freeze from the sound, "Let's go and get you settled." She led them down the corridor and turned right at the end of it, going up some stairs. Once reaching the top she turned left and opened one of the doors to the right.

"Alice, you and your mate can stay in here." Ravenna moved to the door across the hall.

"Emmett, you and Rosalie in here," Ravenna said and went to the door to the rooms right.

"Edward and Bella here." A room across from that to the left of Jasper's and Alice's.

"Renesmee's room." To the left of that was Jacob's. 

"And Carlisle and Esme's," Ravenna said, opening the last set of doors in the corridor and stepping back to let the couple enter the room. 

"Thank you for your hospitality," Carlisle said holding his hand out for her to shake. She did so and felt the same sparks as when she had touched Esme. 

"Get settled and when you're ready, I'll be in my study. Ask one of my guards for me and they'll either take you to me or get me to you," Ravenna said, bowing slightly to them.

"Actually, can we talk to you?" Esme asked, putting a hand on Ravenna's arm. The sparks ignited once more.

"Of course. What can I do for you?"

"Maybe inside," Carlisle suggested, motioning with his head to the room. Ravenna nodded and the three stepped into the room, Esme shutting the doors behind them.

"These rooms are soundproof so whatever you say is just between us," Ravenna commented, turning to look at the couple. Carlisle and Esme shared a look before the woman stepped forward and took Ravenna's hands. 

"You feel the sparks do you not?" Esme asked. 

"Yes I do. I'm guessing both of you do if you are asking about it," Ravenna said. Carlisle nodded and stepped up beside his wife. 

"I've said Esme is my mate. That is true. But we both have felt that we are missing something, someone. We think you are our mate," Carlisle said. 

Ravenna froze but couldn't deny the pull she felt towards them. The first time she locked eyes on them, she had seen images flash before her eyes. Imprinting as her kind called it. She had seen the life she could have with them. 

"Ravenna?" Esme questioned in concern. 

"I'm all right. Just processing," Ravenna said, "When I first saw you two and locked eyes, I imprinted on you both." This didn't shock Carlisle and Esme much. They couldn't keep their eyes off their mate when they had first met so they had seen her freeze. Ravenna looked down and pulled her hands from Esme's. She wrapped her arms around herself.

"I have waited so long for my imprint or in this case imprints. I'm not sure how to do this," Ravenna said. 

"We'll take it slow. As slow as you want," Esme said, stepping forward to hug the older woman. Ravenna froze for a moment and then hugged her back. Carlisle hugged them both and finally, in her fifty thousand years, Ravenna felt whole.