Smoke & Mirrors

Chapter 4

"...something was starting to take shape, out of magic and will. Smoke and bone."

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Vesper quickly followed the group of mismatched vampires and, as she called it, rodents into the Cullens' modern home. She had never been inside of Carlisle's home before or even met any of his family before. She felt, understandably, out of place in the middle of the strange group.

Vesper found herself more of a loner for the larger part of her life, never trying to join a new coven after her father's had fallen. Her father. Memories she had tried to repress her entire existence up til now, however the unity she saw in the Cullens' coven brought them back along with a longing for companionship.

Vesper casted her eyes down thinking about the possibility of joining a new coven and the risk. She kept her silent demeanor as she followed Carlisle along with the rest up a modern flight of stairs, past a large frame of graduation caps and family photos. As she reached the top of the stairs still at the back of the group she reached a room full of people from all over the world.

Her eyes darted back and forth across the room in sudden curiosity as she was brought from her deep thoughts. To say the least, she was greatly impressed by Carlisle's reach. Examining the new faces surrounding her she finally set her eyes on the most bizarre thing in the room; the child. She would appear to be like any ordinary child, except for one distinguished feature. Her eyes were blood red. Vesper knew exactly what she was and why she had been asked for help.

"What is this Carlisle?" Vesper asked with wide eyes and taking a step forward. A girl with a similar appearance to the child stepped out as well, however, this advance was more defensive.

"This is my grand daughter and the reason why I've asked you to come and help us. Knowing your heritage I believe you may be able to help us." Carlisle spoke with the same smile Vesper had seen many times before. He always seemed so kind, even in the worst of times. It was always comforting to her, but this time it felt like mockery after his words of reasoning. Vesper has so many questions. Questions that needed answers.

"Is she... is she what I think she is?"

"Yes. Her mother is..was a human when she was born," the defensive young woman spoke. She had since eased her tension since realizing Vesper was no threat to the child.

Vesper took a few steps around the child before  shaking her head with a look near disgust. She was shaken and truly disturbed by the sight. She knew of the damage that had been done by the birth of the child and knew what would happen if she was discovered.

"I assume you've asked me to come because the Volturi already know?" Vesper spoke with a more intense tone. Carlisle flinched slightly at the word Volturi and his usual friendly grin disappeared. "I will help you, Carlisle, but I will not be a pawn in this fight. I've already reaped the pain of this fight before."

"I understand. I could never ask you to give more than what has already been taken from you. However, you have a very powerful gift that we could use if there were to be any fight." Carlisle was now merely less than a foot from Vesper, softly speaking now. "Will you fight with us?"

Vesper was so unsure about what decision to make at this point. She was immediately brought back to the memories of her father and her old coven. The price they paid was still a fresh wound in her heart. Still fresh after hundreds of years. She was conflicted. She turned her gaze back to the child. Her demeanor was so soft and pure.

"I need time to think this over," Vesper said with sickly sweet smile flashed at the child and, what she could only assume, her mother. Suddenly she felt someone brush her shoulder again. Vesper turned, annoyed, to see the Romanian blonde.

"You need time to think this over? The Volturi are not our friends. This may be our only chance to defeat them," the Roman said while letting out a loud chuckle. Before Vesper could come out with a rebuttal Vladimir cute her off. "I think you're just afraid. I can see it in your eyes." Vesper could feel the room intensify.

"You could never understand the things I've seen. I know how this could end," Vesper mumbled with a low growl. She quickly walked past the blonde man who still had a smile on his face. She no longer considered the impact of her words to the powerful vampire as she spoke. "This is a crime punishable by death. I would know better than any of you the danger this has brought." Her back was now to the whole room.

"Is that why your eyes are blue unlike the rest of us?" The Romanian had crossed a very thick line. One he knew would push her over the edge. Vesper knew the whole room was staring at her back. She turned and looked into a mirror close to her. Her eyes were a grayish blue. They stuck out like two beams of light in the darkness and because of this she understood she stuck out in the room.

"Perhaps you could show all of us your gift Vesper," Carlisle spoke quickly to ease to tension in the room. It was a welcome ice breaker as Vesper smiled and agreed to the suggestion. With a passing side eye to Vladimir Vesper began to walk outside where she found the wolves waiting.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Sorry for the incredibly long time away! Just forgot about writing this story but I was watching Twilight the other day and just felt the inspiration to come back to this story so we're here now! :) thank you for all of the votes and sweet comments btw! <3