superficial | twilight

26 - Egg Shells

King sulks - she's been doing that a lot lately - as Esme tucks her in again. "So are you ever going to tell me where Jacob has gone? And Carlisle? And Embry and Bella? You don't have to walk on egg shells around me."

"We aren't. They've gone to research something from the source." Esme rolls her eyes, sitting beside King on the bed.

At first King refuses to cuddle up, but eventually gives in and cuddles into Esme's side. "I don't like secrets and being kept in the dark." She grumbles.

Esme smiles small as she plays with her hair. "I know, I know. They are chasing a lead, that I promise, okay? And he'll call as soon as-"

The phone rings before Esme can even finish, and King moves faster than she ever has in her life to grab it. "Jake?" She asks urgently as Esme gives her a silent scolding look for not resting.

"Guess again." A familiar accent says gently.

King gasps, covering her mouth as her eyes instantly water. "Cai.... Cai!!!"

He gives a small chuckle, stood on the cliffs she loves. "I'm in your favourite place... I'll send you a picture, hold on."

She hears the phone ding and pulls away, smiling as she glances at the stunning scenery. "Wow... I'm jealous. Are you okay? How are you holding up?" She asks, wiping her cheeks of tears.

Caius gives a little laugh. "Kingsley, aren't I supposed to be asking those? Are you, seriously, okay? I hate not being there..." He sighs sadly.

She shrugs small and lays back, staring at the ceiling as Esme watches. "Honestly? No. Oh don't give me that look, I never lie to him." She says to Esme as she gives the girl another scolding look - she always lies and says she's fine to them. "My brother can't be near me and ran off ignoring me."

"I'm sorry for that part. I thought it was best." He sighs. Again.

King scowls. "Yeah, you thought it was. Just like-"

"Ah. Ah. Ah. Don't compare me to them. It was nothing like that. When I've seen you die as many times as I have, and I realise that I was the cause all along, that isn't so easy to handle." He says sternly.

She sighs. "I know... It wasn't your fault though. Okay?"

"I'm aware. That doesn't make it any easier, kid."

"Less of the kid, we're the same age." She sasses with a small smile.

He laughs. "Ahhh not a chance. But you are 18 in a few days... I promise to call. And I'm sending a gift home with Jacob."

King glares at Esme as she sits up, talking to them both as she responds. "He went to Greece?!"

"So did Billy. Gosh, that was a fun experience." Caius smirks bitterly.

"Why the heck did Billy go!"

"He's trying. We had a chat and I think he accepts this a lot more now. You should go a little easier on him, sister, you won't have forever with him." Caius says. Did he really just defend that man? Wow. He even shocked himself there.

King scowls deeply at that. "You leave for a few days and suddenly he's your bestie?"

"Don't be silly, King." He laughs gently.

She huffs. "Whatever. I wanted to ask you something."

"Shoot."

She bites her lip. "Change me. Why have you never tried to change me?" She whispers.

If Esme had a heart, it would be in her throat and racing 100 miles an hour. Her eyes are wide as she waits for Caius to respond. "I tried. On 3 occasions I got close enough. And I sent people another couple of times to try. You never survived the change - your heart gave out before the venom had time to work. Curses don't have loop holes, honey, I'm sorry."