𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 - 𝐄 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗗

𝐗𝐗

𝘊𝘏𝘈𝘗𝘛𝘌𝘙 𝘛𝘞𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘠

(the cursed witch, act one)

NATALIE WAS WAITING UP FOR HER. All the house lights were on. Nina's mind was blank as she tried to think of a way to make her let her go. Whatever way she found, she knew it wasn't going to be pleasant and she dreaded every second leading up. 

Edward pulled up slowly, staying well back from the house. All three vampires were acutely alert, ramrod straight in their seats –something that normally would have made Nina self conscious enough to fix her own posture–  listening to every sound of the woods, looking through every shadow, catching every scent, searching for something out of place. The engine cut off, and Nina sat, motionless, as they continued to listen.

"He's not here," Edward said tensely. "Let's go." Emmett reached over to help her get out of the harness.

"Don't worry, Nini," He said in a low but cheerful voice. "We'll take care of things here quickly."

She felt moisture filling up her eyes as she looked at Emmett. She had just started to feel comfortable around him, and not knowing when she would see him again after that night was anguishing. She knew this was just a faint taste of the goodbyes she would have to survive in the next hour, and the thought made the tears begin to spill.

"Alice, Emmett." Edward's voice was a command. They slithered soundlessly into the darkness, instantly disappearing. Edward opened Nina's door and took her hand, then drew her into the protecting enclosure of his arm. He walked her swiftly toward the house, eyes always roving through the night.

"Fifteen minutes," He warned under his breath.

"I can do this." She sniffled. Her tears had given her an inspiration. She stopped on the porch and took hold of his face in her hands. She looked fiercely into his eyes.

"I love you," She said in a low, intense voice. "I will always love you, no matter what happens now."

"Nothing is going to happen to you, Nina," He said just as fiercely.

"Just follow the plan, okay? Keep my mom safe for me. She's not going to like me very much after this, and I want to have the chance to apologize later."

"Get inside, Nina. We have to hurry." His voice was urgent.

"One more thing," She whispered passionately. "Don't listen to another word I say tonight!" He was leaning in, and so all she had to do was stretch up on her toes to kiss his surprised, frozen lips with as much force as she was capable of. Then she turned and kicked the door open.

"Go away, Edward!" She yelled at him with a sudden amount of anger that almost shocked him, running inside and slamming the door shut in his still-shocked face.