Seraph

54

As both families entered the home, the Denalis offered the Cullens seats before taking their own. Carmen had taken Serafina with herself to a sofa near the fireplace. Thankfully, no fire was lit. Otherwise, it may have been misbehaving due to Serafina's nerves. Eleazar followed Carmen. At the same time, Rosalie followed Serafina after seeing the discomfort in her eyes as they sat down.

No one spoke, and an awkward silence ensued when Rosalie couldn't take it anymore. "Why did you turn her and leave her alone?" Rosalie asked with a bit of attitude. She was hitting straight to the point, which Serafina questioned many times. Never in anger. Mainly confusion. She felt there was some connection between the sire and their sired, which may have been why the Cullens were so close. But she woke up alone. She just wondered why.

"It wasn't like that!" Eleazar immediately jumped to Carmen's defense.

"I didn't mean to!" Carmen pleaded simultaneously.

"Calm," Tanya shouted. She then looked at Rosalie and Serafina, "It wasn't like that. Please. Let them explain."

"I think that would only be fair," Carlisle agreed, looking to the two as well.

Rosalie pursed her lips, not wanting to argue but still unhappy, as she stole Serafina's hands from Carmen and pulled her toward herself on the sofa. Serafina felt much better and relaxed at a distance from her sire. Carmen frowned at the relief she saw. Eleazar held Carmen more toward himself to make her feel better too. Both mates feeling particularly protective of their loves in this uncomfortable situation.

"This should be good," Emmett muttered as he made himself more comfortable. His comment earned shoves from Edward and Jasper. Who shook their heads while mouthing to shut up.

Eleazar and Carmen both went into the story together. Interrupting each other only to bring up things they remembered from that time the other may have forgotten. They explained how the two occasionally took short trips when they needed a getaway—Spain, Russia, France, and other places to explore together. Never too long since they didn't like being away from the coven.

That particular getaway took them to Mexico. They enjoyed themselves on several beaches and traveled through the jungle to look around and explore for fun. Instead of sticking to the coast on their way back to Alaska, they decided to go through the middle of the states. Wanting to see the changes since they hardly ever visited the rest of the States.

They went through Texas but were surprised to find a reasonably large town. They did not want to deal with people, especially when it appeared to be some festival with a giant bonfire happening. They skirted the forest edges but came upon a group of people. They initially wanted to avoid them, but they overheard some unpleasant talk from one of the men and a woman's struggle. She begged them to let her 'save the others,' but the men only laughed. When they heard what the supposed leader had said about what he'd allow the others to do to her, they were disgusted and knew they couldn't let it happen.

The Denali threw concerned glances toward Serafina, not knowing about her life but suspecting what led to her death. The Cullens had different expressions: sadness and anger. The Cullens had now known about Serafina's past. They were upset for her.