»—— act five. breaking dawn, part two
☽⋅──NINE──third witnesses─⋅☾

The Irish clan arrived first, and convincing them turned out to be surprisingly straightforward. Siobhan, their leader, was a striking figure. Her imposing yet graceful presence commanded attention. She led with quiet confidence alongside her stern-faced mate, Liam. Both of them had long trusted the insights of their youngest coven member, Maggie.

Maggie was physically unassuming compared to her companions. Her petite frame and fiery red curls gave her a youthful appearance, but her gift—a flawless ability to detect lies—made her indispensable. When Maggie declared that Eve spoke the truth, Siobhan and Liam accepted the story without hesitation. Their faith in Maggie's ability was absolute, so much so that they didn't even require Ciel's additional demonstration before aligning themselves with Eve's cause.

But Maggie still wanted to see it for herself, interested in his power. As Ciel held her hand, showing her glimpses of his and Celeste's unique nature, Siobhan's keen eyes lingered on Eve. The coven leader wasn't just observing Eve's words or actions—something about her felt innately trustworthy. Then, Siobhan's gaze caught on the necklace around Eve's neck, just beside the Cullen crest. The charm bore a symbol Siobhan instantly recognized.

"You wear the emblem of a Celtic goddess," Siobhan remarked, her heavy accent adding weight to her words. Her tone was curious but not confrontational.

Eve glanced down at the necklace, her fingers brushing over it as if seeking reassurance. "Yes," she said, her voice soft. "I... my past is fragmented and difficult to recall. The pieces come slowly." She paused, meeting Siobhan's eyes. "From what my late sister told me, my mother may have been a fallen goddess. Before my transformation, I dreamed of a celestial woman—her hair like flames. She felt... familiar."

"Brigid?" Siobhan asked, her voice slightly awed.

Eve nodded slowly. "I can't say for certain, not yet. Carlisle and I haven't had the chance to explore it fully, with everything else happening. But the woman in my dreams—she might be my mother."

Siobhan studied Eve in silence for a moment, her expression unreadable. She didn't press further, sensing Eve's uncertainty and respect for her boundaries. Meanwhile, Maggie had finished examining the visions Ciel shared with her. Subtle as ever, she gave a small, affirming nod to Siobhan, silently confirming that Eve was telling the truth—just a second confirmation that truly was not needed.

Oddly enough, Siobhan felt as though she didn't need Maggie's assurance. From the moment they arrived, Eve's presence had exuded a quiet aura of comfort and trust. It was something Siobhan couldn't entirely explain, but it had been there nonetheless. And now, with Maggie's confirmation and her own instincts, she felt no doubt in pledging their support.

Siobhan's decision was swift and resolute. She turned to her mate, Liam, who had been quietly observing the exchange. With a slight nod, she signalled her agreement. Liam, a man of few words, didn't need any more convincing—Siobhan's judgment was enough for him.

"We will stand with you," Siobhan declared, her rich voice carrying an air of finality. "The truth is clear, and your cause is just. We'll bear witness for your children."

Eve exhaled in relief, her tense shoulders relaxing. "Thank you," she said sincerely, meeting Siobhan's eyes. "Your trust means more than I can say."

As Maggie stepped away from Ciel, she smiled faintly at Eve. "You don't lie," she said simply, her tone both kind and matter-of-fact. "That's rare."

Eve chuckled softly, appreciating Maggie's bluntness. "I try not to."

The Irish clan settled into the Cullen home with ease. Despite their imposing presence, Siobhan, Liam, and Maggie brought a sense of calm. Maggie, curious and perceptive, quickly found herself drawn to the twins, especially Ciel. His quiet confidence and Celeste's playful energy seemed to intrigue her. Ciel, in turn, warmed to Maggie's forthright nature, and soon the two were chatting like old friends.

Meanwhile, Siobhan took a moment to approach Eve privately. "The necklace," she began, her tone thoughtful. "Whether or not Brigid is your mother, the fact that you carry her symbol speaks volumes. You're connected to something greater, whether you realize it or not."

Eve nodded, her fingers brushing the charm again. "It's strange. I've felt... different for as long as I can remember. But this connection, whatever it is, feels distant—like a memory I can't quite reach."

Siobhan's expression softened. "Perhaps it's not a memory, but a destiny. Something that hasn't fully revealed itself yet."

Eve tilted her head, considering the possibility. "Maybe. I suppose I'll know in time."

"Trust yourself," Siobhan advised. "You have more strength than you realize. It's in your presence. People are drawn to you—not just because of your truth, but because of who you are."

Their conversation was interrupted by Celeste, who bounded into the room with Maggie close behind. "Mommy, Maggie says she can always tell when people are lying!" Celeste declared with wide eyes. "Isn't that so cool?"

Eve laughed, kneeling down to hug her daughter. "It is. And I bet Maggie is teaching you all sorts of things, isn't she?"

Celeste nodded enthusiastically before dragging Maggie away to show her something else. Siobhan smiled at the sight, a rare warmth lighting her features.

As the day wore on, the Irish clan's presence seemed to bolster the atmosphere of the Cullen household. Their quiet but unwavering support brought a sense of unity that had been sorely needed. Eve couldn't help but feel grateful—her small family was growing, one ally at a time. And with every new addition, her hope for the future grew stronger.

Liam had always been a figure of stoic silence, his words rarely spoken and his presence felt more through his unwavering support of Siobhan than through conversation. Yet, something about Eve seemed to coax more out of him. It wasn't much—just a few brief comments here and there—but for those who knew him, it was significant.

Edward, ever the observer, found it fascinating. Having interacted with the Irish Coven before, he had grown accustomed to Liam's reserved nature. His contributions were usually limited to curt nods or the occasional monosyllabic agreement, letting Siobhan do most of the talking. But here, in the presence of Eve, Liam's behaviour was subtly different.

At one point, as they stood together in the kitchen, Liam addressed Eve directly. "You've got strong instincts and powerful persuasion," he said simply, his deep voice carrying a quiet confidence. "It's good. Trust them."

Eve blinked in mild surprise but offered a small smile. "Thank you, Liam. I'll try."

It wasn't much, but Edward caught the exchange from the next room and raised a brow. Liam's willingness to speak, even briefly, was telling. It wasn't just trust—it was respect. Liam didn't give his approval lightly, and his words, however few, carried weight.

Later, as Edward joined Eve in the living room, he couldn't help but mention it. "Liam spoke to you," he said, his tone curious.

Eve glanced at him, confused. "Yes... Why?"

Edward chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You don't understand. Liam doesn't talk much. If he said something to you, it means a lot. Even I've rarely heard him string more than a few words together outside of conversations with Siobhan."

Eve considered this, her gaze thoughtful. "Maybe he just felt comfortable. They've all been very kind."

"It's more than that," Edward said. "He trusts you. And for Liam, that's not an easy thing to earn."

Eve smiled faintly, her hand brushing against the Celtic symbol on her necklace. "Well, I'm grateful. Every bit of trust and support makes this a little easier."

Edward nodded, watching as Eve's presence continued to draw people in, even those as reserved as Liam. It wasn't just her truthfulness or her calm demeanour—it was something deeper, something unspoken that seemed to resonate with everyone she encountered.

The trust Eve had earned wasn't just evident in Liam's uncharacteristic words but in the subtle shifts in the room's atmosphere whenever she was present. The Irish coven had been sceptical before they first arrived, but now, it was as if a quiet bond had settled between them. Even Maggie, who often kept to herself despite her sharp insights, had taken a liking to Eve.

That evening, as the group gathered in the living room, Siobhan and Liam sat side by side, their postures relaxed in a way that conveyed their growing sense of ease. Maggie perched on a nearby armchair, her vivid red curls framing her thoughtful expression. She had been watching Eve closely, her gift silently affirming everything Eve said.

"You know," Maggie said suddenly, her voice breaking the comfortable silence, "it's not just that you're honest. There's something else about you, something that makes people... drawn to you."

Eve looked up, startled by the unexpected comment. "Drawn to me?" she repeated, her brow furrowing slightly.

Maggie nodded, her gaze unwavering. "It's not just the truth I sense. It's like... you make people feel safe. Like they can let their guard down."

Siobhan smiled faintly, her eyes studying Eve with the same quiet intensity. "She's right," she said, her Irish lilt gentle but firm. "There's a presence about you, Eve. A calmness, an openness. It's rare, especially among our kind."

Eve's mind raced, and she glanced down at her hands. "I don't know what to say. I've never thought of myself that way."

"You don't have to," Siobhan replied. "It's just who you are. And it's why we trust you."

Liam, who had been silent for most of the evening, finally spoke. "It's why we'll stand with you," he said simply, his voice steady and resolute.

Eve looked at him, her surprise evident. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice laced with sincerity. "It means more than I can say."

The room fell into a companionable quiet again, the kind of silence that spoke of unspoken understanding and mutual respect. Edward, observing from the corner, marvelled at how Eve had managed to bridge the gap between herself and the Irish coven so effortlessly.

Later that night, as Eve sat by the window in her room, she found herself reflecting on the day. The weight of the coming days was heavy, but knowing she had earned the trust and support of yet another coven gave her a sense of hope. She traced the symbol on her necklace, thinking of her mother, of the unknown ties to a goddess she barely remembered but somehow felt connected to. Perhaps that connection was part of what made her who she was—a bridge, a peacemaker, someone others could rely on.

And for the first time in a while, she allowed herself to believe that they might just stand a chance.

Eve decided to wander through the house. Her quiet footsteps led her to where the Denali clan was seated with Eleanor. They were engrossed in conversation, their voices warm and friendly as they got to know Eve's daughter. Despite travelling together earlier, there had been little time for proper introductions, and now they seemed genuinely interested in learning about Eleanor. Eve lingered in the doorway for a moment, smiling softly at how easily Eleanor seemed to hold her own in the conversation.

Continuing her exploration, Eve found Maggie sitting on the floor with the twins. Ciel was eagerly showing her his favourite toys while Celeste excitedly explained each one's significance. Maggie's laughter rang out, her usual guarded demeanour softened by the twins' enthusiasm. The sight brought a brief sense of peace to Eve.

She moved on, finding Siobhan and Liam engaged in a quiet conversation with Edward in the corner of the living room. Their discussion was light and casual, a stark contrast to the weighty decisions and tense moments that had filled the past few days. Eve didn't interrupt, letting them enjoy the rare reprieve.

Finally, she made her way outside, where Seth was sitting alone on the staircase, his shoulders slightly hunched as he gazed out into the fading light. Eve approached quietly and took a seat beside him. He glanced at her and offered a small smile.

"Don't get me wrong," Seth began, his tone thoughtful, "I'm glad there are people here who are willing to stand as witnesses for the twins. It means they'll be safe. But... it's tough, you know?"

Eve turned her gaze toward him, sensing there was more to his words. "Eleanor mentioned that Jacob said there's a new Quileute who turned," she said gently, giving him space to elaborate.

Seth sighed and nodded. "Yeah. And if more of..." He trailed off, his eyes flickering toward the house, clearly hesitant to say the word "vampires." His pause spoke volumes, and Eve understood the weight behind it. She nodded in silent acknowledgement, not pressing him further.

For a while, they both sat quietly, the evening air cool against their skin. Eve tilted her head back to look at the sky, the stars just beginning to peek through the twilight. It was a rare moment of calm, but the undercurrent of tension was impossible to ignore.

"Things are changing," Seth murmured, almost to himself. "Faster than anyone expected."

Eve glanced at him, her voice quiet but firm. "Change is hard, but it can lead to something better. We just have to make sure we're ready for it."

Seth gave a small nod, his expression thoughtful. They didn't speak again after that, letting the silence stretch between them, a shared understanding bridging the gap.