reaching dusk (WATTY Awards 2013)

chapter 6

n POV

I couldn't place the scent but something about this figure seemed familiar. Jacob stepped in front of me protectively, grabbing me by the arm and swinging me around behind him, but I was too worried to be careful now. I bravely pushed myself away from him and went to stand behind my family.

The cloaked figure did not advance. He stood very still in one place and had his arms crossed with both hands stuffed into the bell sleeves of his cloak. He was huge- almost bigger than Emmett- with dark hair. The cloak billowed as the wind began to pick up, and if he hadn't had the softest hint of a smile on his face he would have looked absolutely terrifying. He took in the entire environment of my family including Jacob before he finally spoke.

"Friends, I come in peace." He relaxed his arms by his side showing his clear solitude and reassignment. "It was not my intention to cause such a commotion." His tone was perfectly cavalier as smiled at everyone in our group.

Carlisle was the first to step forward sending chills down my spine. Despite his hardened features his body language was relaxed and composed. He offered the stranger his right hand. I stood motionless through the entire exchange.

"Hello Felix, he almost purred."

Felix relaxed his stance even more. He looked at Carlisle and flashed a brilliant smile letting his cloak fall towards the ground. He caught it effortlessly in one hand and took Carlisle's in the other. He was disarmingly graceful despite his massive size.

"Hello, Carlisle. Good to see you again. You look well." He replied easily.

His clothes were very inconspicuous, varying shades of gray and black, but they had the distinct fit and swagger of designer labels. He glanced around at his surroundings, finally taking in the apprehension of everyone surrounding him.

"Truly, I mean your family no harm. May I come in?" he asked.

Carlisle looked over at my father silently questioning his motives. My father nodded and straightened out of his protective stance. Carlisle's eyes were guarded yet curious as he turned to lead Felix thru the door.

"Of course, please come in," Carlisle held his arm out inviting Felix to follow.

Alice and Jasper were the first though the door followed by Carlisle. My father held his arm out keeping my mother and me behind him. I stepped up the first step onto the porch and Jacob yanked be backwards by wrist, nearly knocking me off my feet.

"No!" he whispered in my ear.

I reached out and put my palm out on his cheek to keep our conversation private.

"He doesn't recognize you....go tell Sam and the rest of the pack but keep your distance for now," I thought to him. "I'll be safe here until you get back" I instructed. "He won't try anything on his own."

He looked at me with an unfathomable stare for a long time but turned swiftly, rippling as he disappeared into the woods. It felt like half of me had been ripped away. Sadly, I turned and headed inside.

My family had gathered around the dining room table. Carlisle and Felix sat at opposite heads of the table with my father to Carlisle's right. The rest of my family paired off across from each other. I wanted to sit as well but the only open seats would have left me sitting beside Felix, so I resigned to leaning against the door frame.

"To what do we own the honor of your visit, Felix," Carlisle asked politely. "We have done nothing to anger the Volturi. I was under the impression we left on good terms after our last encounter."

"Of course," Felix answered. "The 'Volturi' have no qualms with your family."

It was clear nobody missed the emphasis on the word Volturi as he said it. My father was seething at the end of the table. Something in Felix's thoughts had set him off.