Lost (Paul Lahote story)

Shielding

"Hey cutie!" I squealed as Ness came running to me out of the Volvo. I picked her up and spun her around. "2 days is too long! And it's 2 in the morning. Shouldn't you be asleep?" I asked as I put her down.

"Lillian, you remember The Denali Coven right? This is Kate, Carmen, Eleazar and Tanya." Edward spoke before Ness could say anything to me.

"Nice to meet you." I reached to shake Eleazar's hand because he was closer and I did the most unreliable thing. When our hands touched he pulled back in pain. I shocked him, I had picked up Kate's power.-

"Why did I not see it before? That's very odd."

"She has the gift of absorption. Once she picks up and learns someone's gift it's as if it's her own." Edward explained.

"Magnifico." Carmen spoke. Her Spanish caught me off guard, but it's sounded so beautiful. Just looking at her beauty made me want to look at her all day.

"So when you're near someone you can tell what their gift is?" I asked a bit confused.

"How did you know that?" He asked.

"I- I don't know. I just picked up your power and I knew...excuse me."

I'm struggling. It's getting harder having to mask my scent, thoughts, and block everything and also, having to keep my heartbeat at its lowest.

"Ness, let's put you to sleep. Come." I said reaching for her hand as soon as we came back. "Edward, we're going to my house and have her first sleepover with Leah."

He nodded when he read my mind and explained Rose and Emmet should be back tonight and Carlisle and Esme should be back tomorrow.

Technically it's not a lie, she is staying over, but I also can't be seen sleeping by any of them.

I had her pack some clothes and I quickly ran off with her. Before we got to the river, I put her on my back since we were going to be jumping that and the border.

Once my we were crossed, I put her down and started walking the last 50 feet. But i stopped when I saw someone sitting in the porch steps.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him as I held on to Nessie's hand tighter while I glared.

"I just want to talk. We need-" he said getting up walking towards me but I cut him off quickly.

"No. You need to leave." And with that, he walked around us and started walking off, anguished.

"Paul. What are you doing here?" I turned to see Leah walking towards us while glaring at him.

"I was just leaving." He answered miserably while looking back at me,which caused her to glance at me.

"Come on Ness, let's get inside." I said turning away from him to enter the house.
"Why don't you change in my room and I'll get a book to read."

But by them time I came into my bedroom she was fast asleep. I didn't have to put her to sleep. So I went back into the living room where Leah was.

"I don't want to talk about."

"I didn't say anything." She defended herself while I gave her the 'seriously' face. "Lil, you need to. I'm not stupid."

"Nobody said you were." I said smiling, which earned me a slap on my arm.

"Lil, I'm being serious. I know you very well. You can fool everyone else, but not me. I know what your feeling right know. It's the same as before." when she said that I stiffened.

"You know I'm right. But here's what's bugging me. Why did you do it?"

"Leah... You don't understand. I- - was in pain. I couldn't take it. The way he snapped at me, that hurt. He didn't even let me explain. He just jumped to conclusions."