Biting and Scratching

The Visitors

One by one the vampires emerged from the forest, first a male, then a female, then another male.
They were spaced apart but moved closer upon seeing the Cullen family.
It was hard to stop my heart from beating out of control but I managed, I squeezed Rose's hand as tight as I could and took slow, deep breaths.

The leader, a man with olive-toned skin and glossy-black hair, smiled and stepped closer to Carlisle. "We thought we heard a game." He said, far more relaxed than the situation allowed him the right to be. "I'm Laurent, these are Victoria and James."
The vampires behind him smirked at their introduction, red human-drinking eyes glowing dangerously.
"I'm Carlisle." Carlisle replied, "This is my family, Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie and Juliet, Esme and Alice, Edward and Bella." He pointed us out in groups, deliberately not calling attention to anyone in particular.

"Do you have room for a few more players?" Laurent asked politely.
Carlisle matched the stranger's friendly tone. "Actually, we were just finishing up. But we'd certainly be interested in another time. Are you planning to stay in the area for long?"
"We're headed north," Laurent told us, "but we were curious to see who was in the neighborhood. We haven't run into any company in a long time."
"No, this region is usually empty except for us and the occasional visitor, like yourselves."

The tense air slowly eased into a normal conversation, and a quick glance to Jasper explained why that was.
"What's your hunting range?" Laurent asked.
Carlisle answered tersely, "the Olympic Range here, up and down the Coast Ranges on occasion. We keep a permanent residence nearby and there's another permanent settlement like ours up near Denali."
Lauren looked impressed. "Permanent? How do you manage that?"
Carlisle smiled honestly. "Why don't you come back to our home with us and we can talk comfortably?" He offered, "it's a rather long story."

James and Victoria looked at each other with surprise when Carlisle mentioned their home, but Laurent's expression remained schooled.
"That sounds very interesting, and welcome." He smiled. "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." He looked almost jealous at the Cullen's refined and clean appearance.

Carlisle nodded, but spoke carefully. "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."
"Of course," Laurent nodded. "We certainly won't encroach on your territory. We just ate outside of Seattle anyway." He laughed and a feeling of disgust crawled its way throughout my body.
I kept my face neutral, but from the small circles Rose gave my hand, I think she could sense my discomfort.

"We'll show you the way if you'd like to run with us; Emmett and Rose, you can go with Edward, Bella, and Juliet to the Jeep." He added like an afterthought. Well done Carlisle.

It was almost too perfect, Rose nodded and we started to walk away, and then the breeze ran smoothly past me.
"Shit." I hissed.
And in an instant, everyone moved.
James lurched into a crouch and Edward bared his teeth in defense, a feral snarl ripping from his throat. Rose held her arms wide in front of her and kept her eyes on the redhead.

"What's this?" Laurent asked, eyes wide and looking at us in surprise. No one moved and everyone was clearly on edge.

"They are with us." Carlisle's terse tone was clearly towards James.
"You brought a snack." Laurent's eyes dawned with clarity, taking a step forward now that our human smell became clearer.
"Stay there." Rose snarled, crouching a bit lower.
Laurent stepped back.
"I said they're with us." Carlisle repeated in a harsh, protective voice.
"But they're human!" Lauren said incredulously.
"Yes," Emmett said smoothly, his shoulders puffed out more than normal. "And they are with us."
Lauren chuckled, seeming amused as he talked in a soothing tone. "It appears we have a lot to learn from each other."
"Indeed." Carlisle's voice remained cool, wary.
"But we would like to accept your invitation." Laurent looked to me and Bella with gleeful amusement. "And we will not harm the girls, of course. As I said, we won't hunt in your range."