Half Moon

Viola VII

Next to me, Alice suddenly went rigid. Her eyes flew shut and she stopped breathing.

A few seconds later her eyes flew open again and she glanced hecticaly around the room.

"Alice?" I asked hesitantly.

She started as if she didn't know I had been there the entire time.

"I need to talk to Carlisle." She said.

I nodded and together we raced towards the Big House at full speed. We arrived within seconds.

"Carlisle! Chiron!" I called as soon as we were through the door.

Both men were seated around the kitchen table playing poker or something. They looked up as Alice and I stormed in.

"What's wrong Alice?" My father said worriedly.

"I had a vision." She said finally, "About Lamina."

°°°

Soon enough my entire family and what looked like half the camp was gathered around the table, looking expectantly at Alice. I noticed Ace, his bitchy girlfriend and the kid who had told Ace and me to kiss standing at the back.

"I had a vision," Alice began, "Lamina is beginning her march towards your camp. Right now they're in the north of Florida."

"Florida? What the fuck would vampires want in Florida, of all places?" Ace said loudly.

"Language!" Chiron said exasperatedly.

"Hey Viola, do your folks like to sunbathe?" The blonde kid from earlier asked.

"Shut up blondie." I grumbled, and turned back to Alice.

My sister rolled her eyes and continued, "They planned to move towards Arizona, I'm not sure why though. But after that they wanted to head north."

"Seattle is to the north." Edward said.

"They want to recruit us." I realized.

"Bella." Edward whispered.

"We won't let them get that far. Don't worry, Edward. Bella will be fine." Alice said reassuringly, "We must meet them at the Grand Canyon. That's where we will have our last stand."

I shuddered. "Please don't phrase it that way."

Alice shrugged.

"What are we going to do?" Ace asked, "None of us know how to kill vampires, and there are only 8 of you."

"7." Edward said solemnly, "I cant risk them getting past you. I need to protect Bella and the baby."

"Alright, now what?" Blondie asked.

"If the future wills it to be so, we must meet them at the Grand Canyon. There is no other way." Chiron said somberly.

°°°

After that uplifting meeting in the great house I went outside for a walk. My throat was burning from being stuck in a room with a bunch of mortals. I would have to go hunting tomorrow, before something happened.

I walked along the forests edge, replaying the conversation I had with Alice a while back. I was still completely smitten by the blue haired son of Hades, but he seemed to be avoiding me for the past two weeks. I took a deep breath, the cool night air was somewhat soothing to my burning throat.

In the distance, my eyes fell onto two people sitting on the docks of the lake. Quietly, I crept closer, but there was nowhere for me to hide. At any moment the two, who I had identified as Ace and Kara could look over and see me. The only place I could hide was a large tree, whose branches hung over the dock.

I pulled the image of a crow into my mind. Soon I was on one of the tree branches, in crow form of course, listening in on their conversation.

"I love you, I have always loved you, and I will always love you" I head Ace say, and my heart sank.

He was going to propose. I had seen it many times before. I had been alive during enough wars to see that. Before going to battle young men would propose to their sweethearts at any chance they got. I was about to spread my wings and fly away, I couldn't witness this happening, but then Ace spoke again.

"But I don't think I'm in love with you anymore."

I was stunned. He wasn't proposing. He was doing the exact opposite. My dead heart did a summersault, and I immediately regretted feeling so happy. Yes, I had a chance with him now. Yes Kara was out of the picture. Still I should not take pleasure in other people's pain. That was a lesson that Carlisle had taught me form the very beginning.

Kara was silent for a few seconds then she got up. "I agree." She said coldly and began walking away.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if Ace would like my company. Then I made up my mind and flew down into the shadows before turning back. I took a deep breath, and walked into the open.

"So, how was My breakup speech?" He asked after I sat down.

I was stunned, "How did you know?"

"You still have a black in your hair." He pointed out.

Slowly, he reached out and pulled it out.

"So, you got anybody special?" He asked.

I thought for a moment. "Well, there is somebody I have feeling for. Although I'm not sure he feels the same way."

"I'm sure he does. I mean, he'd have to be crazy not to, look at you. You're the whole package, beautiful, smart, you can fight decently." Ace said quietly.

If I could have blushed, I would have. Instead I just looked down and cleared my throat.

"Why did you break up with Kara?" I asked cautiously, not wanting to ruin what we had going so far.

"I like someone else." He said simply, refusing to meet my eyes.

It felt like a stab to my chest, but I needed to pull myself together. Alice was always great in sitiuatoons like this, so I did what she would do.

"Ooh, really? Who?" I asked, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"I think you know." He whispered.

He looked up at me, and I understood. He began to lean in and instinctively I copied him. As we met in the middle I shut my eyes. Kissing Ace was the greatest feeling in the world. A feeling that I never thought I would be able to experience. Never would I want to forget this moment. The moment my world fell into place.

~Nothing Left To Lose

Note: I apologize for the cheesiness.