Magic Shop - Paul Lahote FF

Thirty Three

"You didn't kill the child?" Cyhiraeth paces in front of me. After days of trying, I was finally able to contact her without using Paul as a tether. "You had one job, little banshee. Now, because of you, the army will come. And many of your shifters will perish."

"I know!" She pauses to narrow her eyes at me. Sighing, I run my hands through my hair and take a step closer. "Please, Cyhiraeth. Help me. I-I don't know what to do."

Cyhiraeth nods. "You can no longer kill the child. You won't be able to get close enough to do so. Which means you have to stop the Volturi, convince them not to fight."

"How do I do that?"

"You will need to help the vampire family gather witnesses. They will attest that the child brings no harm."

I furrow my brows at her. "But you wanted me to kill the child because she brings harm."

"The only harm she brings is the Volturi. I see no other future danger brought on by her." Cyhiraeth takes both my hands in hers. "Caroline, if you gather enough witnesses, things will most likely work in your favor." Most likely? "But the Volturi are small minded, they will see the witnesses as a threat and may attack because of that. You need to be careful. I am unable to see anymore. You must wait until the vampire family contacts you before gathering witnesses. The Volturi will arrive soon, so gather as much as you can. Good luck, little banshee."

She squeezes my hands before disappearing.

If only I could tell the Cullens and the pack what is going to happen. Then we could start finding witnesses. I have no clue when they will contact me, and there may not be enough time to prepare.

~~~~~~

October quickly faded into November, bringing not just a colder wind but the knowledge that the day the Volturi come grows closer and closer. The Cullens don't know yet. I can only imagine when Alice will receive a vision of what's to come.

Until then, I've been passing the time juggling my job at the drugstore and online courses from Port Angeles University. And with the lack of attention I've paid to my classes this semester I'm surprised I'm not failing any. Nonetheless, I've made sure to spend most of my free time studying and editing any and all essays until I was 100% certain they were perfect, or at least near perfect.

The rest of my free time is spent between my parents, Nova, Paul, and the rest of the pack - along with Kim and Emily of course.

Leah and Seth had finally returned home almost two weeks after the whole ordeal. And Leah finally replied to many texts, apologizing for avoiding me as well as explaining why she did what she did. I get it. If I suddenly had to spend every waking moment hearing my ex's thoughts of his new love, I would do anything to make that disappear. And if Riley, Dani, or Nova randomly decided to drop everything for something they believed in, I would follow them without a second's thought. Because I may not have any siblings or truly understand that type of bond, but those three will forever be the closest and most important people in my life. And I would do anything for them.

Jacob had returned as well. Although now an alpha of his pack, he and Sam have agreed to keep things civil and work together to keep La Push safe. However, he spends most of his time with the Cullens, since Isabella's child is his imprint and all.

November 27 is a particularly cold day. A few inches of snow cover the ground and make sure the residents of Forks remain inside.

Despite Thanksgiving being almost a week ago, our fridge still remains full of food. But I'm not really complaining seeing as there's still half a giant bowl of Mac n cheese and a pumpkin roll with my name on it. Literally. I wrote my name on the wrapper in sharpie so my dad wouldn't eat it.

"I've made my decision." My head snaps to Julian, who suddenly appears in the chair next to me. "I don't want to come back."

I push the Mac n cheese away. "What are you talking about? I almost got it figured out! All I need is-"

"All you need is for someone to die. Yeah, I know. Which is why you're not doing it." He raises his hand when I try to speak. "There's so much I wanted to do with my life, and I would love to come back, but not at the cost of another life. So, I'm staying."

A part of me knows he's right. Who would want to return to to life if it meant someone else dying?

But I can't help the way my heart clenches. The thought of Julian returning was all I had to hold on to. Now that I know he never will, all of the emotions I've been pushing back and trying to ignore come full force.

The pain in my heart intensifies, growing and growing until all I can do is collapse to my knees as I struggle to breathe. My fingers clutch the hem of my sweater, gripping tightly as my vision turns blurry.

Julian's hands on my cheeks are cold. His voice sounds staticky as he whispers to me. But I can't hear him. And just when I reach out to embrace him, he disappears.

And the pain in my heart continues.