TOGETHER [P. LAHOTE]

[11]

So I'm trying to update as much as I can because I'll be gone for like the next two to three weeks, but yay for a double update!

"They'll be here in four days," Alice spoke, her eyes following Carlisle's movements, who finally sat down. "This could turn into a bloodbath."

Skylar was sitting beside Embry, her own eyes glancing around the vampires in the room. The landed on Edward as he turned to speak to Alice. "Who's behind it?"

"I didn't see anyone I recognized. Maybe one," she trailed off, thinking of the face. Edward eyes snapped downwards. "I know his face. He's local. Riley Biers. He didn't start this."

Alice shook her head. "Whoever did is staying out the action."

"They must be playing with the blind spots in your vision," Carlisle concluded.

Jasper finally spoke out. "Either way, the army is coming and there aren't enough of us to protect the town."

"Hold up," Jake exclaimed. "What damn army?"

Carlisle answered. "Newborns. Our kind."

"What are they after?"

"They were passing around Bella's scent," Alice said. "A red blouse."

Embry glanced at Skylar. "Wait... Just Bella's shirt? So does that mean that Skylar is safe?"

"I only saw them with Bella's stuff," Alice answered, her own face falling in confusion. "And he left her alone in when he broke into the house. I don't know why he hasn't attacked Skylar, but I don't think he's after her."

"So they're after Bella?" Jacob asked. "What the hell does this mean?"

"It means an ugly fight. With lives lost."

He looked back at Skylar, then at Embry and Quil, before turning back towards Carlisle. "All right. We're in."

"No," Bella butted in. "You'd get yourselves killed. No way."

"I wasn't asking for permission."

Seeing that Bella was about to argue, Skylar stood up. "Bella, think! You're in danger, like serious danger. Someone built an army to end you. And if what they're saying is true, we need all the help we can get to protect you! If the wolves want to help, then let them."

"Jacob, do you believe Sam would agree to an understanding?" Carlisle asked.

He nodded. "As long as we get to kill some vampires."

"Jasper?"

The said man glanced at his adoptive father. "They'll give us the numbers. Newborns won't know they even exist. That'll give us an edge." Standing up, Carlisle nodded. "We'll need to coordinate."

Bella stood up as well. "Carlisle, they're gonna get hurt."

"We'll all need some training. Fighting newborns requires knowledge that Jasper has. You're welcome to join us."

"All right," Jake agreed. "Name the time and place."

Bella walked to stand beside him. "Jake, you don't know what you're getting yourself into."

"Bella, this is what we do. You should be happy. Look at us, working together. You are the one who wanted us to get along. Remember?"

♦♦♦

Skylar sat on the ground, amused, as Jasper threw Emmett backwards, making the larger vampire grunt as he landed on his back. Jumping up, he twisted around to face his brother. "Again!"