HUMANITY. ❪ Paul Lahote ❫ ✓

twelve

Emmett was sparring with Jasper, but Jasper beat him quickly without trying. Emmett was laying on the ground, but he jumped back up.

"Again," Emmett said.

Edward and Bella climbed out of his car as they entered into the woods.

"They're here," Edward said.

Iris perked up, smiling to herself as she smelled Paul. Emmett immediately recognized Paul. Their eyes meet and both of them knew - they wanted a rematch.

"They don't trust us enough to be in their human forms," Edward said.

"They came. That's what matters," Carlisle said. "Will you translate?"

Edward nodded.

"Jasper has experience with newborns. He'll teach us how to defeat them," Carlisle said.

"They want to know how the newborns differ from us," Edward said.

"They're a great deal stronger than us because their own human blood lingers in their tissues. Our kind is never more physically powerful than in our first several months of this life."

"Carlisle's right," said Jasper. "That's why they are created. A newborn army doesn't need thousands like a human army. And no human army could stand against them. The two most important things to remember are; first - never let them get their arms around you. They'll crush you instantly. The second - never go for the obvious kill. They'll be expecting that, and you will lose. Emmett? Don't hold back."

Emmett smirked. "Not in my nature."

Emmett charged Jasper with speed, lunging at him. Jasper easily dodged his attacks.

"Never lose focus," Jasper said. "One more thing... Never turn your back on your enemy."

Emmett lunged again with similar results, until he froze as Jasper suddenly had him from behind with his teeth an inch from Emmettt's throat. Bella was surprised by Jasper's skill, and so were the wolves.  There was an impressed rumble among the wolves.

Everyone took turns sparring with Jasper, or pairing off against each other. Iris was happily sitting on top of a boulder, watching the fights. She still hadn't fought anyone, but she didn't mind. She wasn't strong anyway.

"Now, Iris is special in a sense," Jasper said.

That piqued Paul's interest. His head tilted to the side adorably as he stared at said girl.

"As you may already know, her powers are simply that of humanity. It does her no good when fighting against their supernatural, but her heartbeat can distract the newborns. However, they will try to get her. If we go with that tactic, Iris is more prone to getting hurt or permanently dying. With her other power - "

Iris shot him a glare, not liking him calling her emotions a power.

" - sorry. Her other trait can overwhelm the newborns. As I've been told, it seems to overwhelm Embry a lot," Jasper said. "I'd like to show you what Iris can do with her power of humanity and her emotions, with no one other than Edward."

Edward stepped into the circle, while Iris gently hopped off the boulder.

She smiled at him. "No hard feelings when I beat you, brother?"

Edward scoffed. "No hard feelings when I have my teeth near your neck, sister?"

They both said, "Of course not."

The two eyed each other, no one moving. Iris did her best to keep Edward confused. She thought about butterflies and Emily's muffins and Esme's pasta and Paul.

Edward growled at her childish thoughts, while Iris giggled. It was noticeable when her skin turned even whiter - signaling that she was going back to full-vampire, but her heartbeat started again.

In her mind, Iris recited one word over and over again. Thump, thump, thump.

Suddenly, she flashed over to Edward, but he was quick like her. Edward caught her wrist and threw her back. The two were the fastest in the family. Even if Edward wasn't the strongest, Iris was the weakest when it came to strength.

Iris pushed her feelings of sorrow instead of happiness. She didn't like using that emotion, but she had to. She thought about the sad things. Bella possibly dying, Iris killing herself if Paul died, other members of their coven possibly dying.

Edward groaned, falling down to his knees. Being a mind reader was horrible for him in that sense. Her thoughts were too loud. Iris flashed over to him and kicked him off, baring her fangs near his throat.

"Focus on speed, agility, keep your opponent off guard," Jasper said. "Good job, Iris."

Iris smiled as she got off of Edward and helped him up. She sent her happiness to him. Edward gratefully smiled.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"No hard feelings," he replied.

The wolves all wanted to fight. They were itching to growl and bite a vampire. Iris eyed the pack before deciding to skip on over there.

"Can I come too?" Bella asked.

Iris nodded and held Bella's hand. "Let's go before Edward chews us out."