Edward Cullen's Little Sister

Chapter 18 - The Hunt

As the three nomads appeared, my new huddled closer together and formed and arrowhead. Carlisle was at the pint and Emmett and Jasper on either side of him. They were both ready to fight; so was I but I would not leave Bella and Edward's side. Rose was behind Emmett, then Esme. Alice was behind Jasper, then Edward and Bella. I was next to Edward and Bella on the inside of the arrow.

One of the two males of the approaching vampires walked further ahead than the other, mirroring our positioning.

The male at the front was tall and dark-haired. The second male, stood to his left, was leaner ham the first though around the same height, there were a couple of inches difference, and had light brown hair. The third vampire was a woman with fiery red hair which had debris from the forest running through it. They were all beautiful and they all looked deadly. I still wasn't worried. Their walk was catlike and seemed as if they could barely resist falling into a crouch.

Carlisle took a few tentative steps forward once they were nearer, Emmett and Jasper on his heels. I twitched like I was going to join them, then realised I needed to stay with Edward and Bella. The blight brown-haired male's eyes travelled to me, after I began to move, with a curious expression on his face. Edward's eyes glanced nervously at me.

The head male took a step towards Carlisle. "We though we heard a game," he said casually. "I'm Laurent, these are Victoria and James." He motioned towards the others, still smiling.

"I'm Carlisle," he said introducing us "This is my family, Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie, Esme and Alice, Edward, Bella and Eliana." James and Victoria's eyes travelled over each of us, assessing. James's eyes lingered on Edward and I. Suddenly, a serenity flowed around us and it was only then that I noticed the intensity of the stare between Edward and James. Jasper must have sensed it. It didn't look like it helped much.

"Do you have room for a few more players?" Laurent asked.
"Actually, we were just finishing up. But we'd certainly be interested another time. Are you planning to stay in the area for long?" Carlisle asked and I heard Edward's breath catch.
"We're headed north, in fact, but we were curious to see who was in the neighborhood. We haven't run into any company in a long time." Laurent was the one that spoke again. I let out the breath, I hadn't known I was holding, in relief. So did the others.

Carlisle continued in a friendly tone. "No, this region is usually empty except for us and the occasional visitor, like yourselves."
"What's your hunting range?" Laurent asked.
"The Olympic Range here, up and down the Coast Ranges on occasion. We keep a permanent residence nearby. There's another permanent settlement like ours up near Denali." Laurent took a small step back in shock. I couldn't make s new of his reaction. I noticed Edward nod infinitesimally. The others didn't notice. I'd have to ask him what he was answering later.

"Permanent?" Laurent finally asked. "How do you manage that?"
"Why don't you come back to our home with us and we can talk comfortably? It's a rather long story." Carlisle offered. I realised this would give Edward the chance to escape with Bella.
"That sounds very interesting, and welcome. We've been on the hunt all the way down from Ontario, and we haven't had the chance to clean up in a while." Laurent's eyes ran over our cleaner and tidier appearance.
"Please don't take offense, but we'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from hunting in this immediate area. We have to stay inconspicuous, you understand," Carlisle added gently.

"Of course. We certainly won't encroach on your territory. We just ate outside of Seattle, anyway," he laughed, nonchalant as the rest of us fought the wave of disgust running through us.

I could hear Bella's heart speed up and I just prayed the nomads didn't. "We'll show you the way if you'd like to run with us – Emmett, Ellie, Alice, you can go with Edward and Bella to get the Jeep," Carlisle said casually.