Ember ↠ Paul Lahote ✓

23

𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆
we know a little about a lot of things which makes us dangerous.

FROM THE EDGE of the forest, eight giant wolves skulk into view, as wary and on edge as the Cullens and Clary and her friends are.

Clary's eyes immediately latch onto Paul's dark silver wolf as he approaches her, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. He nudges her in the side with his massive head.

Seth moves over to Lizzie, standing beside her as a brown wolf.

Embry and Leah exit the trees, standing behind Hope and Josie in their wolf forms as well.

"They don't trust us enough to be in their human forms," Edward says, reading the minds of the wolves.

"They came. That's what matters," Carlisle says softly, smiling. "Will you translate?" He asks Edward, who nods. Carlisle slowly moves towards the pack, and Sam, the biggest wolf, steps forward. "Jasper has experience with newborns. He'll teach us how to defeat them."

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

"They're a great deal stronger than us because their own human blood lingers in their tissue. Our kind is never more physically powerful than in our first several months of life." Carlisle then nods to Jasper to take over.

"Carlisle's right," Jasper starts, nodding. "That's why they're 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." He turns his attention to his adoptive brother. "Emmett? Don't hold back."

Emmett smirks. "Not in my nature."

He charges at Jasper with impossible speed, but Jasper's like a literal blur. He lunges several times, his big arms only grasping at air.

"Never lose focus," Jasper stops long enough to say. "One more thing... never turn your back on your enemy."

As Emmett lunges again with the same result, he suddenly freezes, Jasper behind him with his teeth inches from Emmett's throat.

Clary hums, impressed, as the wolves rumble in surprise.

Each Cullen takes a turn sparring with Jasper or pairs off against each other. Their figures are mere blurs, creating a violent but extraordinary dance.

Alice and Jasper spar—spinning and twisting around each other.

Jasper launches at his mate, but her eyes glaze over, predicting his movements before he makes them and easily counteracting.

The pixie-haired vampire disappears from sight for a moment before dropping out of nowhere and landing on Jasper's back, pressing a kiss to his neck. "Gotcha."

Edward and Carlisle go up against each other, but the former can read the latter's mind, thus giving him the advantage.

He twirls out of Carlisle's reach before slamming into him, delivering a body blow.

"Focus on speed, agility... Keep your opponent off guard..." Jasper continues. "Use their momentum against them."

Clary grins when the area falls into a short silence. "Jasper," she calls, smirking at the blonde vampire, who raises an eyebrow in inquiry. "Fight me."

"No thanks, m'am," Jasper replies, shaking his head.

Clary narrows her eyes. "What did I say to you all those weeks ago?"

Jasper's lips twitch upwards slightly. "To not call you m'am."

"That's right." Clary nods before twisting her wrist, making Jasper fly to the side and hit a nearby tree so hard it shakes on the spot, almost tipping over.

Lizzie can't help but laugh loudly. "You shouldn't say no to her. And you definitely shouldn't underestimate her." She smirks, a mischievous glint in her blue eyes. "Or any of us, for that matter."

Jasper stands, dusting himself off. "Alright," he murmurs, facing Clary, who raises her arms in a 'come at me' stance.

He blurs towards the redhead, but she easily mutters a spell under her breath before jumping and flipping over him, landing gracefully behind him.

She uses her werewolf strength to grab the vampire and flip him onto his back, making him grunt in surprise.

"I've been trained by my adoptive dad, as well as a former vampire, a hybrid, and Hope's uncle Marcel," Clary speaks, giving Jasper a hand to his feet. "I've been fighting for my life longer than I can remember, so I know a thing or two. I guess it makes me a little dangerous, but prepared for things like this." She looks over at her three best friends. "All four of us know how to fight. We've been trained to fight those who think they're greater than us, so I know we'll be able to take those newborns without even practising."

Lizzie smirks, her right arm looped with Josie's. "We aren't like you guys." She gestures vaguely to the Cullens. "We aren't fast, and we aren't made of marble, but we're siphoners and hybrids who don't take crap from anyone."

Paul and Seth both howl softly, almost in pride and acknowledgment of their imprints' skills.

"Trust us," Josie says. "And let us teach you a few things so that we can all survive whatever happens."