Witches prefer twilight | Seth Clearwater

Chapter 12 "Alessandra"

A new month, a new day, and the same old school routine. Too bad I didn't have any new ideas for how to occupy myself. I was sitting on the windowsill of my room, staring out into the dark, dense forest. The whole family had gone hunting—just like always, nothing new. Once again, I'd been left alone, and I wasn't particularly fond of solitude.

All throughout my childhood, I spent long hours alone in a gloomy room, keeping myself entertained with books and music. Funny how not much has changed since then. If I had a driver's license, I would've gone to Port Angeles or Seattle—or at least to Forks to see Bella. Anything would've been better than staying cooped up here all day. And Edward had offered to give me a ride, but no—I had to refuse. What was I thinking? This house is enormous—was I really not going to find something to do?

I jumped down from the windowsill and headed downstairs. I had the living room, the library, and the kitchen at my disposal. Technically, I could go into any of the family's rooms if I wanted to, but out of politeness, I didn't. I sat at the piano and tried to play the first tune that came to mind—something Edward definitely wouldn't approve of—but quickly realized there was absolutely nothing for me to do in the house.

My last venture into the woods hadn't ended well. Broken bones and a ton of bruises had healed within two or three days, of course, but the memory lingered. Carlisle had asked me every two hours for three days straight: "How are you feeling?" I wasn't much of a liar, so "fine" was never my only answer. Because of my resistance to medication, Jasper tried to ease my pain by calming me emotionally, and no matter how often I told him I wasn't in pain, he refused to listen.

Edward was wracked with guilt for putting me in danger, and Rosalie kept pouring gasoline on the fire. One day, I sat Edward down and made him listen to a passionate speech from beginning to end. I told him everything—that it was my choice, that I wasn't mad at him, and that everything had turned out fine. He grunted at the end, but at least he stopped walking around with the weight of the world on his face—at least when I was around.

Today was rather chilly, so I wrapped myself in my coat and looped a scarf around my neck. The damp moss under my feet made pleasant squishing sounds; they were the only thing accompanying me on my walk. Step, step—the tops of the giant fir trees swayed in the strong wind, and my sneakers were quickly turning muddy. Alice was going to kill me when she saw them.

They wouldn't be back for five or six hours, so maybe I'd even have time to wash the shoes. I looked at the small wristwatch on my arm—and immediately tripped, landing on my knees in the mud.

"Perfect," I muttered, brushing my hair out of my face. After dusting myself off and mentally cursing tree roots, I continued forward, peering into the undergrowth. I didn't have a destination—I was just walking wherever my feet took me, soaking in the forest's energy.

The air was fresh, filled with the scents of pine, sap, and rain. Oddly enough, there were no birds—just the occasional passing car on the highway and... someone's heartbeat? Heartbeat?

I instinctively looked around—first at the ground, then up into the trees. No one there. Why was I so spooked? Maybe some lost tourist? Or someone else? I kept walking, more slowly now, listening intently to every sound.

The feeling of being watched wouldn't go away—just like in my dream. Maybe I should head back? Every instinct I had was screaming danger, but my rational mind told me it was nothing. Still, with each step, my confidence started to fade. Now I could hear breathing—and smell something strange. It wasn't human, but not vampiric either.

It was too late to turn back. I froze, ready to defend myself with every fiber of my being. I scanned the trees again. Still nothing. I pulled my hands out of my coat pockets and held them at my sides, channeling energy into my palms.

"I see you—whatever or whoever you are," I said, my voice hard and sure. I wasn't about to lose another fight in the woods.

A rustle to my right—and I instantly fired a blast at a tree trunk. Then someone dashed behind me. Another strike, and then another. Trees cracked and splintered around me, but that was the least of my concerns—what mattered was not getting caught.

For a second, the thought of the Volturi flashed through my mind, but I dismissed it immediately. Vampires had a very different scent—and no heartbeat. They couldn't fake that.

"Enough games! Come out before I end you!" I shouted, fury rising in my voice.

Laughter echoed through the trees like a taunt. The mysterious figure darted past me again, and then—I saw her. Or rather, it was her.

A woman—tall, blonde, dressed in a black cloak and jeans of the same color. But the most striking thing about her was her eyes—bright green, but not human green. Not swampy, but more like lime.

There was no mistaking her.

The woman from my nightmares stood before me, smiling radiantly.

I froze, shocked and terrified. My arms dropped helplessly to my sides.

"Sweetheart, aren't you happy to see your own aunt?" she said sweetly. "You've grown so much since our last meeting—though that's to be expected. It's been nearly fifteen years! You probably don't remember me. I'm Alessandra."