A Potter Secret

Quileute: A History

A group is gathered around the fire, eating hot dogs, laughing. Billy sits at the natural head of the circle. Old Quil, Quil's ancient grandfather sits on one side of him, Sue Clearwater on the other. The three council leaders. The whole pack is there; Paul, Quil, Embry, Jared, and Sam, with Emily at his side. Leah sullenly stares into the fire. Meanwhile, a young Quileute girl about Quil's age is definitely giving him the eye. Across the sand Jacob leads Bella toward roaring fires.

"You sure this is okay? I really hate being a party crasher," Bella mentions.

"Technically, you're a Council Meeting crasher. See. The Council leaders, Dad, Quil's grandpa, and Sue Clearwater. She took over for Harry when he died," Jacob explains.

"Okay, I should not be here," Bella starts, trying to get away. "I'll be okay for a couple of hours while you're here, alright? I'll just be in your house."

"You're okay. I thought- I mean, they thought it would be good for you to hear the histories. And you're not going anywhere but my side with the red head running around."

"The histories? The tribe's histories? Aren't they secret?"

"We all got a role to play. And you're a part of this. I mean, it's the first time Seth, Leah and Quil are hearing them, too. But you are the first outsider," Jacob says. "Ever."

"If I had known that, I wouldn't believe you. And would've dressed better."

"Jake," Seth says, running up. They're interrupted by a gangly-limbed boy, Seth, who trots up like a puppy. He clearly idolizes Jacob. "Hey. It's about time, you got here. Paul's been hoovering the grub. But, I saved you some burgers."

Jacob smiles and figuratively throws him a bone. "Good looking out, Bro. Bella, this is Seth Clearwater, Leah's brother. Newest member of the pack."

"Newest, bestest, brightest-" Seth starts.

"And slowest." He grabs Seth in a headlock, the two tumble to the sand. Seth laughs, absolutely loving this guy. A whistle comes from the circle. It's Sam. Seth jumps up.

"Come on. Your dad's about to start."

"Alright."

As Seth drags Jacob and Bella toward the bonfire, Billy starts. "The Quileutes have been a small tribe from the beginning. But we've always had magic in our blood. We were great spirit warriors- Shape shifters, that transform into the powerful wolf. This enabled us to scare off our enemies, and protect our tribe. One day our warriors came across a creature."

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Two Quileute warriors all in human form emerge from the trees, horrified to find a male vampire wearing the clothing of a mid-1700s Spaniard bent over two lifeless tribe girls. His eyes are blood red, feral. A terrifying image. "It looked like a man, but it was hard like stone, and cold as ice." The two warriors phase into wolves and charge the vampire. He grabs one of them, strangling it. The second wolf gets his teeth into the Vampire's neck and tears off his head. But the strangled wolf falls dead to the ground. "Our warriors' sharp teeth, finally tore it apart- But only fire would completely destroy it. They lived in fear, the Cold Man was not alone. And they were right." A beautiful vampiress in a tattered 1700's Spanish gown, moves through the Quileute village of long houses and teepees. A trail of dead bodies; tribes-people screaming. "She took her vengeance out on the village. Our elder chief, Taha Aki, was the only spirit warrior left to save the tribe, after his son was killed." Taha aki, anguished, stands over his dead son. His Third Wife, weeps inconsolably next to his body. Taha Aki spins toward the vampires and takes a running lunge at her, transforming into a great wolf. They clash! The third wife watches with horror as the Vampiress quickly gets the upper hand. "Taha Aki's Third Wife could see that he would lose." The third wife pulls out a knife and watches the vampires. "The Third Wife was no magical being, no special powers, but one- Courage." The third wife stands and screams as she gathers her thoughts. She shockingly she plunges the knife into her own heart! Blood flowers on her chest. The Vampiress catches the scent and spins toward her, ravenous. "The Third Wife's sacrifice distracted the Cold Woman, long enough for Taha Aki to destroy her. She saved the tribe." The Taha Aki-wolf leaps onto the Vampiress, tearing her apart, the wife lay dying, her expression at peace. "Over time, our enemies have disappeared. But one remains- The Cold Ones. Our magic awakens when they near. And we sense it now, we feel the threat in our blood. Something terrible is coming. And we must all be ready. All of us."

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Jacob drives down the road, Bella quiet in the seat beside him. "I didn't realize it went back that far," Bella says, fiddling with the wand still hidden in her sleeve. "I- I thought it was a genetic issue, like something in your blood keeps you from liking them."

"In a way, it is," Jacob replies. "Our ancestors mean a lot to us. Rules made by them, unless there is substantial reasoning against it. It's tradition and beliefs that have been ingrained in us Quileute's since we were children." Bella nods in understanding.

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"Seattle is in a state of terror- Police are baffled by the escalating murders and disappearances. Carlisle and Jasper watch with concern. Emmett is draped over the couch. Bella and Edward enter. "Theories range from a vicious new gang to a wildly active serial killer- Reporting live, Dawn Chubai. CNN."

"It's getting worse. We're going to have to do something," Carlisle says.

Jasper looks at him. "It takes more than one of our kind to cause the damage they're reporting. Quite a few more. They're undisciplined, conspicuous."

"Newborns," Edward realizes.

"What, like new vampires?" Bella asks.

Edward nods. "In their first few months after the change."

"That's when we're at our most uncontrollable, vicious, insane with thirst," Jasper continues.

Emmett smirks at her. "Something to look forward to."

"No one has trained these newborns, but this isn't random," Jasper says.

"Someone's creating an army," Carlisle adds.

Jasper nods, Emmett rises, enthusiastic. "Oh, now we definitely going to Seattle," Emmett says.

Bella looks at them in shock. "An Army of vampires?"

Jasper answers her. "And they've been created to fight someone."

"We're the only clan even close to Seattle," Edward reminds.

"Regardless, of who are they were may, if we don't put a stop to them, the Volturi will. I'm surprised they've let it go on this long," Carlisle mentions.

"Maybe they're behind it. In Italy, I read Aro's mind-" Edward says. "He wants me and Alice to join him. Our gifts would shore up his power. He knows we'd never choose him as long as our family is still alive. An army could solve that for him."

Bella takes this in, then says, "We can't wait two weeks for graduation; you need to change me now."

"You'd be a liability as a newborn. Unable to control your instincts. An easy target," Jasper says, trying to talk her out of it logically.

"I'm a liability in a fight. I get a cut anywhere near this fight and I'm a sudden target of everyone," Bella replies.

Carlisle puts and empathetic hand on Bella's shoulder. "There's also your father to consider. And your mother. How terrible would it be for them if you suddenly disappeared?" Carlisle asks. "We'll work it out. Maybe we can store some extra blood here just in case." Thinking about what Carlisle just said, Bella nods and plans ways to assist.

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