Out of the Dark & Into the Light

Chapter 20

Chapter 20
(Crystal's POV)

I had just left my family and Bella behind to face the Volturi while I took Bree to hunt. I didn't know why the Volturi was here when they didn't even bother to step in and handle the situation themselves before the problems in Seattle escalated like they did.

Once we were further into the woods, I came to a stop. I turned and looked at Bree with a calm façade, not wanting to frighten her further.

"Okay Bree, you need to know that animal blood is not like human blood. It tastes distinctive and the hunting is a bit different. So, if you want to stay with my family and I, you'll have to withstand the taste of it. I'm not saying this to be mean, but the thing is that we have an image to maintain to the outside world, as well as a treaty with the wolves that you saw earlier and abstaining from human blood is a part of the terms." I warned her.

She looked a little put off by the thought of drinking animal blood, but didn't bother to say anything in response.

I stood to her side without touching her and gave her instructions on how to hunt. "First, close your eyes. Use your senses to feel everything around you. Use your strong sense of hearing to take in your surroundings." I told her. "There is a herd of deer about a quarter mile northeast from here. Try to pinpoint the location of the herd." I told her softly, watching her as she extended her senses

It didn't take her long to find the herd and their whereabouts, and I knew exactly when she found it by how her body tensed at their heartbeats. "I can hear them, they are close." She said to me, her eyes shooting open, revealing her now black orbs.

"Good," I nodded. "Let your instincts take over, and go for it." I told her before watching her shoot off in the direction I knew that the herd was grazing, making sure to follow closely behind her at a safe distance.

We continued on to a herd that consisted of about four deer. She took down a doe with ease and drained it dry before hurrying after the next, pouncing on it and snapping its neck before latching her mouth to its neck and drinking from it. She was a sloppy hunter, unlike the rest of my family, who were able to hunt without wasting a single drop of the red ambrosia. However, with her being so young, I could understand that our level of perfection takes practice, as well as being able to not let yourself be overtaken by the blood.

Once Bree was finished, she stood to her feet and looked over at me with blood smeared on her face as well as her clothing.

"I'm finished, and you're right by the way. That blood tasted nothing like a human's." She said with her nose slightly wrinkled and a hint of disgust in her voice.

I grinned, "I told you. Now, let's get you back to the house so that we can change your bloody clothes. Also, I need to warn you now that you're going to have to resist Bella's blood. She's Edward's mate and he will go to any length to protect her." I told her sternly, hinting around the obvious.

She gulped before grabbing my hand and letting me guide her back towards the mansion in silence, allowing Bree to think on everything that she had learned thus far.

When we arrived, I brought Bree up to the guest room that would soon become her own.

"Bree, this will be your room if you would like to stay. I'll give you time to think everything over, so you can give me your answer later. But for right now, you're going to need to take a shower and get cleaned up." I said to her. "I will also bring you some clothes and leave it on your bed. You look to be about Alice's size, so her clothes should fit nicely. If you need help getting dressed, let me know. I know that at your age, it can be difficult to handle things without destroying them. Just call me if you need me. I'll be in her room, which is just down the hall, or in my room, in the opposite direction." I told her sympathetically and left her to get cleaned up.