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BACK IN FORKS, THE AIR FELT CALM AGAIN AT LEAST FOR A MOMENT. Renesmee's laughter rang out softly as she reached up and placed her tiny hand against Benjamin's cheek. In response, Benjamin smiled and lifted his hand, summoning a swirl of wind that danced around her like a living ribbon. The child's eyes sparkled with wonder as sparks of water and dust shimmered in the sunlight.
Jasper and I stood beside Bella and Edward, watching.
"Benjamin can influence the elements," Edward explained quietly, pride and awe lacing his voice.
I couldn't take my eyes off Benjamin his control, his grace. The way the earth itself seemed to listen.
Jasper leaned closer, smirking as he noticed how entranced I was. "And here I thought I was the impressive one," he teased.
Bella laughed lightly. "Yeah, and I just got stuck with super self-control."
Before I could reply, a sudden rush of sound cut through the clearing movement, fast and fluid, closing in from the trees. We all turned just as two figures appeared, emerging from the shadows like spirits.
"Who are they?" I asked, instinctively stepping closer to Jasper.
"Senna and Zafrina," Edward said. "From the Amazon."
Bella and Edward led Renesmee forward while Jasper and I followed closely behind. The two newcomers moved with quiet confidence ancient, primal. Their presence meant our message had traveled far beyond what we'd hoped. Even the most distant covens had heard our plea.
While others searched for witnesses closer to home, Carlisle's reach extended across continents. One by one, allies began to gather.
The Cullen home soon became a haven or a refuge. Covens from every corner arrived, their eyes reflecting centuries of stories and scars. Carlisle's old friends from Ireland came first, followed by nomads that Emmett and Rosalie convinced to help. Their loyalty was fierce, though their thirst made things... complicated.
And then came Peter the unpredictable one. Jasper's old war brother.
As the house filled with strangers, Jacob stood near the edge of the room, scanning every face. "Lot of red eyes in here," he muttered.
"They agreed not to hunt in the area," I said softly.
"But they'll hunt somewhere," he replied, his tone dry but protective.
I lowered my gaze, unable to argue.
The tension in Forks thickened as more vampires stepped foot on the Cullens' land and with each arrival, more of the Quileute wolves turned, their instincts forcing them to defend their home.
When Carlisle and Esme finally returned, hope flickered through the room.
"How many came?" Carlisle asked.
"Eighteen," Edward said with a faint smile. "You have some good friends."
Esme's expression softened. "And Alice?" she asked, glancing between me and Bella.
We both shook our heads. Esme sighed, pulling us both into her arms.
Before the warmth of that moment could settle, a voice cut through the room gruff, distant.
"We'll all be on Aro's list now. Centuries on the run. That's what you've brought me. Some friend, Carlisle."
Alistair.
"Come meet everyone," Carlisle said with gentle patience.
"I told you, if it comes to a fight, I won't stand against the Volturi," Alistair replied, already turning away.
"It won't come to that," Carlisle assured him.
Alistair didn't answer. He simply said, "I'll be in the attic," and leapt effortlessly onto the roof, vanishing from sight.
I frowned.
"He's not a people person," Esme murmured, almost fondly.
We had opened our home to eighteen vampires each with gifts, each with tempers and fears of their own. Zafrina, the Amazonian, had the power to twist perception to make you see whatever she wanted.
She lifted her hand, and suddenly Jasper and Edward were staring out at a lush green forest that wasn't there.
"If I weren't holding your waist right now," Jasper said, tightening his arm around me, "I'd swear this was real."
"I know," Edward agreed, still mesmerized.
"I don't see anything," Bella and I said in unison.
Eleazar watched us carefully. "Edward, you didn't tell me your wife is a shield. Or Delilah, for that matter."
"A shield?" Bella and I echoed.
Edward and Jasper exchanged a look and then realization dawned on both of them.
"It's a defensive talent," Eleazar explained.
Jasper turned toward me, wonder in his expression. "It's why Edward couldn't read your mind, even before you were turned. Why Aro couldn't. Why I couldn't feel your emotions."
Eleazar nodded. "You both have a very powerful gift."
Kate smirked, grabbing both my and Bella's hands. "Oh, yeah. They're shields, all right. Should've put them on their asses."
"Or maybe your voltage has been exaggerated," Garrett teased.
Kate arched a brow. "Maybe it only works on the weak."
"Garrett, I wouldn't—" Carlisle began.
But Garrett had already touched her hand. A surge of electricity threw him backward, landing him flat on the floor.
"You are an amazing woman," he said breathlessly, grinning up at her.
A laugh escaped me. "Aww!"
Everyone turned toward me with amused smiles.
"What?" I said, shrugging. "I love love."
Jasper chuckled beside me, the sound low and warm.
AUTHOR'S NOTE !!
What do you guys want to see from Jasper and Delilah?
