fate unfolding in the palm of your hand °sam uley°

Chapter 9

Itoro watched as Rosalie and Jasper skated across the ice gracefully. Itoro and ice didn't mix, and even though they had better balance, Itoro would pass for now. Maybe they'd try to ice skate later, when it would be just them and Rosalie. Carlisle joined her on the seats, watching the vampires whizz through the humans with ease. Emmett and Alice were spinning together, and Esme was chatting away to some mums who were helping their kids with the little penguin helpers.

"You've been doing so well, Itoro," Carlisle said, and Itoro looked at him. He'd subtly put some blush on his face after Itoro pointed out that his pale face was out of place given how cold it was. The others had also added some blush to their cheeks and noses to keep up the human façade. Their inhuman beauty was jarring enough, but the lack of rosy cheeks would've been too much of an alert to the humans.

"Thanks," Itoro said, trying to ignore the way it felt condescending. He did mean well, but his choice of words were poor. After everyone praising them for so much progress, hearing the same kinds of words were starting to sound condescending. It was only their genuine tone that stopped it from being awful to listen to. "Any word from Edward?" they asked, despite the way it tugged at their stomach, made them feel guilty.

"He sends his regards. Aro sent word to me," he said, and it made Itoro's stomach churn uncomfortably. "It is worrisome that Edward is residing near Italy right now, but he has no interest in joining the Volturi,"

Itoro nodded, fingers fidgeting in her lap. "He's on a dangerous line, being near the Volturi. It's a matter of time before they take him by force."

Carlisle nodded and heaved a heavy sigh. Despite his immortal state, he somehow managed to look old. He'd never hit thirty but sometimes he looked old, and it was awful to look at him sometimes. "I know. I love him, but he needs to get through this on his own. He knows we're here waiting for him when he's ready to come home. I just hope that he's going to come back home soon."

Itoro looked away. "This is not to guilt you, Itoro," Carlisle continued, reaching over to put a hand on Itoro's. "He's immature and still a child, handling it in a way that he can. He still cares about you, and you'll still have a brother in him when he comes back. Life can be ... it can get messy sometimes, but we keep persevering. It's what we do."

A human walked up to them. "Excuse me, do you know this man?" she asked, and the wind brought her scent to Itoro's nose. She was looking at their hands, but with how stiff Itoro's entire being was, she belatedly realised she must've looked uncomfortable. Bless humans who cared for the women and went out of their way to check in on them.

"Yes?" they said, and it came out as a question. The woman sat down next to them, and Itoro couldn't stop looking. She was older – maybe Itoro's mother's age, a little bit older. She was black too, and the concern was in her face, and the unimpressed, hard look she sent Carlisle let him know she didn't trust him despite his pretty face. "He's my dumb adopted brother,"

"Hmm?" the woman said, still unimpressed.

"You know how brothers can be, right? Always up in your face and so annoying. It's a miracle we've not had a fight yet."

The woman smiled. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Sophie, ma'am. This is Carl. And you?"

"Miranda,"

"It's nice to meet you, Miranda. And thank you for being concerned, not a lot of people would do that,"

What were they getting themself into? This woman, Miranda, had a lovely smell to her, but she didn't know. All she knew was that Itoro and Carlisle were supposedly siblings, but she was defensive and protective of younger black girls hanging around too-pretty white boys. Itoro glanced to Carlisle, who smiled encouragingly. If Itoro were to look at the others, she knew that they would be offering proud, supportive looks.