transported into twilight with a system

chapter 7

Alice smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She moved toward the window, her gaze flicking briefly outside before returning to him. “I imagine you have more questions than I can answer in one conversation, but we can start with what’s most pressing.”

Ethan leaned back against the bed, trying to appear casual. “Let’s start with the Volturi, then. Edward mentioned they might be a problem.”

Alice’s expression darkened slightly, the levity vanishing from her features. “The Volturi are more than just a problem. They’re the ruling class of the vampire world. They enforce the laws that keep our existence hidden from humans. If they get wind of you, someone they can’t predict or understand…” She trailed off, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “It would make them nervous.”

Ethan swallowed. The idea of a powerful, ancient group of vampires being ‘nervous’ about him wasn’t exactly comforting. “So, what do we do if they come?”

Alice shook her head. “That depends. They don’t usually act without purpose, but if they perceive you as a threat or some kind of anomaly, they won’t hesitate to eliminate you. We need to figure out what they’d see when they look at you—what makes you special.”

Ethan’s pulse quickened. The system, the unreadable mind, the note—he hadn’t even fully understood his place in this world, and now it seemed others might be even more concerned. “Do you have any theories about what’s making me so... different?”

Alice gave him a searching look, as if she was trying to peer into his very soul. “Edward’s not wrong. Your mind is unlike anything we’ve encountered, which could mean a lot of things. But I have a feeling it’s tied to the system you’ve been interacting with.”

Ethan’s eyes widened slightly. “You know about the system?”

Alice’s lips quirked into a small, almost amused smile. “I don’t know exactly what it is, but I’ve seen glimpses. Flashes of you interacting with something invisible, making decisions that alter your path in ways none of us can foresee. It’s... unsettling. But it’s also why you’re still here. I’m willing to believe that whatever’s happening to you is important.”

Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. If Alice had seen parts of the system in her visions, it meant that his actions were being watched more closely than he’d realized. “And you think the Volturi will see that, too?”

Alice nodded slowly. “Yes. But we have time before they get involved. Their movements are... distant for now. But the future is always shifting.”

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. This was getting more complicated by the second. He thought about the note in his pocket again, and the way it seemed to imply he couldn’t trust anyone—not even the Cullens. He wasn’t sure if Alice was an ally or if she was being cautious for her own reasons.

Still, he needed more information. “You said you’ve seen glimpses. What else have you seen?”

Alice hesitated, her gaze shifting out the window again. “I’ve seen multiple outcomes, but most of them are unclear, fragmented. There’s only one thing I can say for certain: you’re going to have to make a choice soon. One that will change everything.”

Ethan’s breath caught. “A choice? What kind of choice?”

“I don’t know,” Alice said softly. “But it’s tied to whatever force is guiding you. The system, or something deeper. It’s as if the future is... waiting for you to decide.” She turned back to him, her expression serious. “But be careful. Choices have consequences, and in this world, one wrong move can cost you everything.”

Ethan’s mind reeled. He had been thrust into a world of vampires, ancient threats, and now an enigmatic system that was somehow tied to his survival. But the one thing he couldn’t shake was the message in his pocket, the ominous warning: Trust no one. Not yet.

Before he could ask more, a distant sound echoed through the house—a soft chime, like a bell.

Alice’s head snapped toward the door. “Carlisle,” she said, her voice suddenly tense. “He’s called a family meeting.”

“What now?” Ethan asked, his anxiety spiking.

“I’m not sure, but it’s rare for him to call us all together like this.” Alice’s golden eyes flicked back to Ethan. “Stay sharp. Something’s coming, and you’ll need to be ready.”

Without another word, Alice turned and left, leaving Ethan alone once again. His pulse raced as he stood there, trying to piece together the tangled web of secrets he was now caught in. The Cullens, the Volturi, the system—all of it was building toward something, and Ethan had the sinking feeling that his choices would soon determine more than just his own survival.

With a deep breath, he steeled himself and headed for the door.

It was time to learn what Carlisle had to say.