Vagabond

Training

Bella Swan

"Again!" Emmett's voice rang throughout the clearing as he leapt from the ground. His attention was stolen at the sound of my car door closing. Edward met me around the jeep and reached for my wrist, his fingers finding the wolf attached to my bracelet. I could see the curiosity and pain on his face at Jacobs gift and tried my best to quickly reassure him.

"It's a graduation present."

Before Edward could say anything I was distracted by that same beautiful, unnatural laugh. Fear flooded my brain as I made eye contact with Elsie, or Ylva as Carlisle called her, and she wiggled her fingers at me in a wave.

I silently prayed that she wouldn't use the voice again. When she commanded Edward last night her pretty voice had turned into something from a nightmare. It was deeper and sounded as if she was simultaneously speaking underwater and through a microphone, her words echoing. Luckily she didn't try to speak to me because the arrival of the pack drew everyones attention.

Elsie

Fascinating. 

In all my thousands of years of life, I had never seen anything like the creatures in front of me. They held the appearance of normal wolves however their size was that of a large horse or bear. They clearly were not children of the moon seeing as they could change at will and were in total control. It was also clear how uneasy they were around us, their mortal enemies, as the shapeshifters so dramatically call us.

The largest of them all, covered in all black fur and snarling, came to a stop at the top of the hill. The others fell in behind him except for a russet color wolf who made his way as close to Bella as he could without leaving the hill. Carlisle stepped forward and began speaking.

"Welcome." Carlisle gestured towards where Jasper and I stood side by side, "Jasper and Elsie have experience with newborns. They will teach us how to defeat them."

The wolves big heads glanced towards us and at this time they seemed to notice my blood red eyes. Immediately the shackles were raised and they moved into an offensive position. Jasper and Emmett flanked me, ready for the fight but Carlise was quick to intervene.

"Wait! Please! Elsie is a friend, she means you no harm and has agreed to honor the treaty while she stays here."

Edward translated the wolves thoughts, "She has red eyes, she cannot be trusted."

"She can, I give you my word she will not harm any innocent humans. She only hunts for those who have transgressed against others. Elsie also has a very specific skill that is required for this fight."

"What sort of skill?", Edward-Sam asked.

I stepped forward, watching as they tensed, "Let's just say that I am very...persuasive. But I promise that no harm will come to your pack or the people you protect."

Edward spoke again, "They wish to meet with you later but for now, let's get started. They want to know how the newborns differ from us."

"They're a great deal stronger than us, because their own human blood lingers in their tissues. Our kind is never more physically powerful than in our first several months of life." I answered, "Except of course for me."

I couldn't help but tease them all, playfully flipping my ponytail and winking at them. One of the wolves, female by the looks of it, with the long thin nose bristled at my actions. Jasper stepped forward to continue, falling into his role of Major easily.

"Elsie's right. That's why they are created. A newborn army doesn't need thousands like a human army. And no human army could stand against them. The two most important things to remember are, first...Never let them get their arms around you. They'll crush you instantly. The second...Never go for the obvious kill. They'll be expecting it. And you will lose. Emmett?"