A Witch Thing

2️⃣7️⃣

Elizabet turned around, her hand still on Freya's head, gently stroking her fur to calm her down. She spoke to the vampire cautiously, "My mate."

"And who is this mate of yours?" He asked, too curious to care about any privacy of hers. She sighed and held out her hand to let him see Jasper, and only Jasper, through her thoughts. Aro cautiously grabbed her hand and saw into the areas of her mind she allowed him to see.

He gasped slightly when he saw Jasper, letting go of her hand. "You would mate with a vampire? The very thing you despise?"

Elizabet fought to roll her eyes as she told him, "I don't hate vampires. And, yes, I would. I love Jasper."

Aro just watched her in curiosity, slowing back away to stand in front of his chair. "Very well, then," he told her, dismissing her. Elizabet turned back to Freya, "Time to go home."

Freya slowly agreed, taking Elizabet's live presence as enough reassurance that she was safe for now. She let out another breath, this time more calm. Elizabet allowed Freya one last dangerous growl to the Volturi kings before shrinking down to her normal size, standing at about Elizabet's knees. For a small creature, she packed a lot of power and terror in her.

Aro seemed to smile at the fox's normal size. Elizabet picked up Freya, holding her close in her arms to continue to calm and coo the fox to relax. Though, Elizabet knew she wouldn't relax until Elizabet was safe at home in New Orleans or with the Cullens.

Demetri lead Bella, Edward, Alice, and Elizabet with Freya in her arms out of the hall. As they made their way up the corridor, they see coming toward them a group of two dozen tourists lead by a vampire Elizabet assumed was Heidi.

They all stopped to let the humans pass. Elizabet and Freya knew what was going to happen to them. Elizabet looked away, unable to witness any of it and Freya watched in sorrow, a small whine coming from her.

As Heidi passed, Demetri gave a flirtatious smile, "Nice fishing, Heidi, save some for me."

Heidi smiled. She gave Bella and Elizabet a curious once-over, then continued on. She spoke to her group of humans, "This way please, stay together."

A husband and wife in their 60s carried cameras around their necks as they said to Elizabet, "Unusual tour, isn't it? That's an interesting pet you've got there."

Freya couldn't even bring herself to growl at being called a pet. She was too sad over these poor humans' fates.

"Bill, get a picture of that bust there," his wife told him.

The group was moved toward the carved double doors which swung open for them. They filed into the marble hall. Edward pulled Bella forward, but she craned her neck back as
the last of the tourists disappeared inside.

Elizabet held Freya closer to her. The familiar's ears fall against her head a she heard the screams from behind the closed doors.

Edward and Alice rushed Bella out, Elizabet too busy caring for Freya to know if Alice was trying to usher her as well. The screams got louder and louder as they filed out of the hall quicker. Freya whined sadly, brushing her paws against her face in an attempt to cover her ears and eyes.

"It's okay, Freya. You're safe, I'm safe. We'll be okay," she told her softly.

~

Elizabet and the others were finally at the airport in Italy, away from Volterra. Elizabet had Freya still wrapped in her arms, as a cat to avoid attracting attention, but no less in comfort. They boarded a plane, calming down during the ride from all of the excitement.

When they came to their first stop back in the states, Elizabet told them, "I should go back to New Orleans. I've got to talk to Romina and get back to Jasper. I'll head over as soon as I'm done."

"No need," Alice said, looking past Elizabet, "They're here."

Elizabet furrowed her brow, "What?" She turned around, seeing the love of her life standing behind her with a smile and Cole next to him.

Elizabet smiled herself, hugging Jasper tightly to her with one arm while the other was firmly wrapped around Freya. "Jasper!" She exclaimed, holding him close. He pulled her closer, an arm wrapped around her waist with the other behind her head. "I'm so glad you're okay," Jasper told her.

Cole had gone over to Alice, happy that she was okay as well. "Nicolas!" Alice greeted, happy to see him.

Elizabet could feel the wave of emotions coming off of Jasper; relieve, worry, joy. But most of all, she could feel the love he had for her surrounding her in a blanket of warmth. Elizabet let out a relieved sigh, happy to have him with her again. He told her, "Never do that to me again."

She nodded, "Okay."

He told her gently, "I love you."

She smiled again, "I love you, too."

Freya piped up from her place in her arms, "What about me, huh? I'm the one who saved her."

Elizabet rolled her eyes playfully at the familiar, "Thank you, Freya. We love you, too." She smiled her fox smile and cuddling back into Elizabet happily.

Elizabet smiled and stood on her toes, kissing Jasper happily. He kissed her back, happy she was safe. When he pulled away, he told her, "And Romina's here, too."

Elizabet looked behind Jasper where the witches were walking over to them. Celene ran over, hugging Elizabet tight, "I'm so glad you're okay! Jasper told us what happened and where you were, and then told us where you were going! We were so worried! Even Mariah was worried about you!"

She pulled away as she continued to ramble and Mariah rolled her eyes, peeling Celene out of Elizabet's arms. Eileen was next to give Elizabet a hug, Mariah eventually joining in before Celene joined in the group hug. Elizabet smiled, "Thank you, girls."

Romina stepped forward, holding her arms open, "Hello, Elizabet. Are you alright?"

She nodded, "Yes, thank you, Mother."

"Mother?" Bella asked. Elizabet had honestly forgotten they were still standing there. She told Bella, "Long story, I'll explain later." She nodded and Elizabet turned back to Romina. The grand witch told her, "I know you, Jasper, Nicolas, and Alice will be returning to Forks."

Elizabet nodded, remembering she would have to go back to Forks now that the Cullens were moving back. Romina sighed, "While I would love for you to stay in New Orleans with us, you have family that you want to return to."

Elizabet turned back to Bella, Alice, Edward, and Nicolas. Her eyes then turned to her newfound family, Mariah, Celene, and Eileen. Romina grabbed her attention again as she told Elizabet, "So, I was thinking. We have plenty of witches in New Orleans and it seems Washington is in need of a coven."

Elizabet slowly smiled as she caught onto what she meant by that. Romina shared her smile and continued, "I've decided to have Celene, Mariah, and Eileen join you in Washington to form the start of a new coven, with you as their leader."

Elizabet threw her arms around Romina in a hug, excited about the news. Then it hit her. "Wait, I'd be the leader? Why not Eileen or Mariah? Or even Celene?"

Romina laughed a little, "Elizabet, you faced off against the Volturi and lived. That's a magnificent feat. And, besides, I've found out which witch you were?"

"And what is that?"