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GEMMA IS IN A DEEP CONVERSATION WITH CARLISLE, Emmett, and Jasper. They're talking about the army and Seattle preparations. Bella enters the house and she spots them all huddled in the kitchen.
Gemma smells dog, and she grimaces but she smiles. She pecks Emmett on the lips before disappearing, her red dress disappearing in the crowd as she gives Embry a big hug. Embry chuckles. Gemma pulls away and she spots Quil.
"Hey," Quil greets.
"You, too?" Gemma asks amd the boy nods.
Gemma pulls him into a hug, too. Gemma grabs Embry's wrist and drags him to dance with her, Jessica, and Angela. Quil is quick to join until Gemma spots Alice in a vision and Jacob acting up. Gemma hurried over and she grabs Jacob's arm and she twists it behind his bad. He groans softly as he tenses.
"What's going on?" Jasper asks as he walks over.
"The decision's been made," Alice tells them as Embry and Quil walk over.
"What's going on?" Bella asks. "You're not going to Seattle?"
Everyone is now in the den with the door closed. Embry and Aquila are nearby, on guard to keep the humans inside. Bella, Alice, Gemma, Emmett, Edward, Carlisle, Jasper, and Carlisle are all gathered around with Jacob.
"How long?" Edward asks.
"They'll be here in four days," Alice replies.
"This could turn into a blood bath," Carlisle claims.
"Who's behind it?" Edward asks.
"I didn't see anyone I recognized," Alice replies. "Maybe one..."
"I know his face," Edward claims when he sees Alice's thoughts. "He's local, Riley Biers."
Bella is shaken when she hears this name. Charlie has been working the missing person's case for his parents. Karen had told her that Charlie is exhausted but won't stop working it.
"He didn't start this," Edward adds.
"Whoever did is staying out of the action," Alice claims.
"They must be playing in the blind spots of your visions," Gemma claims. "Like Victoria did when she turned me."
"Either way," Jasper chimes in, "the army is coming... and there aren't enough of us to protect the town."
"Hold up," Jacob interrupts, he is close to exploding. "What damn army?"
Carlisle amd Edward share a look. Edward shakes his no, wanting to let his hatred and jealousy get in the way of getting help.
Gemma rolls her eyes. "Newborns," she says and Edward glares ar her. "Our kind..."
"What are they after?" Embry asks his friend's coven.
"They were passing around Bella's scent," Alice replies. "A red blouse."
"They're after Bella?" Embry asks in shock.
"What the hell does this mean?" Jake asks.
"It means an ugly fight," Carlisle replies. "With lives lost."
Jacob takes this in, the weight falling upon them all. Beat, Jake turns to the two shifters that came along with him. Embry and Quil give Jacob an imperceptible nod.
"Alright," Jacob says as he turns to the vampires. "We're in."
"No," Bella declines immediately. "You'll get yourselves killed, no way."
"I wasn't asking for permission," Jacob says harshly toward her, making Gemma raise an eyebrow at Embry, who shrugs his shoulders, equally as out of the loop as she is.
"Edward..." Bella pleads.
"It means more protection for you," Edward replies, this makes Gemma smile a little.
"Jacob," Carlisle says, gaining the wolf's attention. "Do you believe Sam would agree to... an understanding?"
"As long as we get to kill some vampires," Jacob replies.
"Jasper?" Carlisle asks as he looks at the empath.
"They'll give us numbers," Jasper replies. "And the newborns won't know they even exist. That'll give us an edge."
"We'll need to coordinate," Gemma says to Carlisle, and he nods his head in agreement.
"Carlisle, they're gonna get hurt," Bella says pleadingly.
"We'll all need some training," Carlisle admits. "Fighting newborns requires knowledge that Jasper has. You're welcome to join us."
Jacob looks at Embry and Quil and then he steps closer to Carlisle. "Name the time and place." ✖️✖️✖️
Embry gives Gemma one more, real big hug outside the Cullen house. The wolves are leaving to talk to Sam about the fighting the newborn army together.
"Call me," Gemma mutters.
Embry pulls away and he smiles at his vampire friend. "I will. Be good?"
"What, me?" Gemma smirks. "Of course."
Embry rolls his eyes and he joins Jacob. Quil gives Gemma a hug, and then Jacob, before the wolves all leave. Worry fills both Gemma and Bella's faces but the worry fades from Gemma's because she knows the wolves will be okay, especially if she has anything to do with it.
Gemma squeezes Bella's shoulder before joining the party.
