chapter seventeen

The days had been long, and Este was beginning to grow more and more annoyed with everything happening. Life began to seem so robotic as she continued to go to school and act as if nothing was happening behind closed doors. So much had changed in such a short amount of time, they'd returned from being on quest after quest, adjusting to a newly normal life. Well, as normal as it could be for the demigods.

It seemed like they were never getting away from the vampires either. Settling agreements with them only solidifies some sort of understanding and friendship. Kaz was the only person who seemed to be highly against the decision to work alongside the Cullens. Este wasn't sure what his exact problem with them was, yet, she wouldn't fault him for being careful. Afterall, real vampires were something that the demigods had never encountered before.

Her room was still pretty bare, it was anything but a reflection of her personality. Este just hadn't had the time to put anything up or change anything around. There was just basic furniture making it liveable.

She was sitting on the couch in the living room, listening as her brother and Kaz talked. They'd seem to grow closer and closer lately. She made a few comments about the two being a couple here and there, yet, the closer they got Este wasn't sure if her jokes were now reality. Not that she'd ever have a problem with the two dating, she just didn't want any... candoodling under the roof. At least not while she was there.

"Ghostie," Newt's use of that god awful nickname pulled her from her thoughts, his blonde hair was all over his face as he leaned back in the chair, "Settle the debate, what's your favorite place we've lived so far?"

Este scoffed as she let her head fall back against the couch, staring at the ceiling before tilting her head to the side to gaze at her brother, "Well, I hated our first house when Mom was alive. This place is decent. A lot nicer than our home in Rhode Island."

Newt rolled his eyes, before he let out a small laugh as he seemed amused by her comment, "We had a trailer in Rhode Island."

Kaz wasted no time in practically jumping over the couch as he seemed offended, ""A NICE TRAILER!" Este put her hands over her ears as she scoffed.

Once she was sure he was no longer yelling, she dropped her hands as she seemed a little irritated, "Kaz, you think a boxcar is nice."

Newt smirked as he glanced over at Kaz, running a hand through his blonde hair, "And we are not trying to be the boxcar children."

Este scrunched her nose at the horrendous memory of the boxcar they had lived in at one point in time. She did not wish to go back to that.

"You two," Kaz pointed between the twins, his gaze lingering on Newt longer than it had on Este, "Are no fun. Whatsoever."

"Never claimed to be," Este retorted before Kaz hit her with a pillow causing her to hit him back with one.

After a few moments, there was a brief moment of calm. "I can't believe we'll turn eighteen in January," January 24, the twins would turn eighteen.  "Most demigods never even get to see 10."

"Yet we did, we are lucky. Or unlucky, because we'll continue to live and fight and await our death," Este deadpanned as she shook her head, before looking at her brother, "We had each other. As dangerous as it was, we did."

"We did," Newt agreed before he looked over at Kaz.

"We'll always have each other, and Titus," Kaz grinned at them.

    A small bit of laughter left the trio, before Este decided she was going to become a comedian and crack a few jokes.

"Hey, guys? What do you call a dog that can do magic?" Este couldn't help but ask as she smirked, leaning against her palm on the couch.

Newt popped a chip into his mouth before responding, "What?"

"A labracadabrador!" Este laughed as she grabbed the bag of chips and wriggled her fingers as if she was doing something magical.

Kaz rolled his eyes at the girl, shaking his head as he huffed, "That one was not that bad."

"See! I can make some jokes." Este winked as she pushed herself back on the couch.

"That you can," Newt ran his hands over his face as he groaned in displeasure.

The next day, Este swore that she was being dragged around the entirety of the school day. She was dressed more comfier than normal, having thrown on a hoodie and a pair of jeans before calling it a day due to how exhausted she was. She'd stayed up the entire night.

"Eurydice," Alice hummed as she appeared at the girl's side, "Why don't you sit with my family, during lunch?"

The question made the dark haired girl paused, seeming skeptical, "Would your family be okay with it? I don't want to intrude and.." Playing the good girl card to attempt to escape this situation.

"And everyone tells you we keep to ourselves?" Jasper asked with slight annoyance that was clearly not aimed at Este. Damn, I should've felt him too. Of course, he'd try this.

"Yeah," Este clicked her tongue as she found herself in this bland conversation and weak attempts to get her at their lunch table.

"Our family will not mind. Don't worry and as for the others don't pay any mind to them." Alice winked before she parted ways off to class.

    When lunch rolled around, Este found herself very awkwardly sitting at the Cullens table. None of them ate anything, so she didn't want to eat either, finding the situation awful. Though, Alice seemed overjoyed to have Este there. Jasper seemed just as pleased.

    So, Este had begun to sit at their table a few more times during the week. This caught the attention of quite a few other Forks High students, yet she paid them no mind. Alice managed to get Este to actually talk during lunch to members of the family, she'd let her guard down for seconds before putting it back up. Almost using it as a defensive and offensive tactic to get to know them more so they couldn't blindside her.

    Currently, she was leaning back in her chair at the table. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun with pieces hanging loose around her face. Her hands fiddled with her bracelet while she rocked a pair of distressed jeans and one of the hollister henleys she'd bought recently.

"Why don't you come by our house after school?" Alice blurted out causing Este to turn her head.

    Did she really just ask that?

Edward's head snapped over to Alice as he seemed displeased by this, "Alice.."

You know what, let's do it. Piss off Edward and gather more information on these mysteries.

"I'll have to tell Kaz and Titus and make sure Newt's fine with it," Este shrugged as she gave Edward a smug look.

"Great! It's settled then, and oh! You can ride with us," Alice clapped happily as she looked over at Jasper.

Rosalie made a face before she decided to enter a conversation. "Eurydice, how is your art project coming along?" Rosalie asked as she eyed Alice and Edward who were seemingly having a conversation without words.

"It's coming along great. It isn't finished yet but it's going well." Eurydice mumbled as she narrowed her eyes at her pitch-black fingertips, great. I love my powers. Kill me now.

Jasper went to look but she moved her hands before he could. "Is everythin' alright?"

"Yes." Este nodded as she looked at the group, speaking shortly, "I need to go see my brother, I'll see you all soon. Some sooner than others." She let out a small laugh before grabbing her belongings and leaving.

Alice watched as she left with a smile wide on her lips, "She'll complete us."

Emmett let out a groan as he joked,"Now they'll be louder than before." Dramatically putting his head in his hands.

    Este's last few classes were painful. Her hands were back to normal because she made herself use her abilities to mess with the shadows. It annoyed her how she had to use them at that moment, just because she was a little overwhelmed by not using them. A curse that would be a never ending cycle.

"I'm heading out with the Cullens," Este told Newt as they walked together, "They invited me to their house. So, before this becomes an issue, I know how to stop them. Finn won't find me there, and I can find out more about them in case we ever need to finish them."

Newt shook his head as he sighed, despite having a slight grin on his lips, "You've had this planned out, haven't you?"

"Me? I'd never plan out going to someone's house. Now shove it, Newt," She nudged him as they descended the stairs.

    Este's hand wrapped around the strap of her bookbag, her eyes glancing over the parking lot as she continued her walk as she parted ways from her brother. Her eyes catching sight of the Cullens and their vehicles, here we go. She walked carefully against the slick pavement as her converse padded against a few puddles. Her steel-blue eyes filled with different emotions that she was sure Jasper felt and that was why he'd turned to look at her. He flashed her a small smile as she gripped her bag tighter as her heart felt like it was going to stop. Este stood by Alice and Jasper, nodding at everyone in greeting. It was usual for her to be quiet, she only talked to them when needed or when she was angry and ready to put someone in their place.

Rosalie rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, "Did your brother give the all-clear?"

Este clicked her tongue, "Wouldn't be over here if he didn't. I've just got to be back before 8."

"You'll be home by 8." Jasper nodded as he looked at the blue-eyed girl. "We don't want to upset older Devereaux, or do we?" He asked playfully.

"That's the most lively I think I've ever heard you talk," Este made a noise of amusement before she shook her head, "Let's not. You are not the one who has to live with him."

    Este assumed that the Cullens didn't seem so blood-thirsty around her, maybe because she smelled different than normal humans seeing as she was a demigod. She wondered how different she smelled because it seemed they weren't always reminded by her presence in a room full of people. Though, Este knew it didn't stop a worry from the inner circle. Edward was convinced Jasper would eat her, Rosalie was worried about some external force and Este being in the middle of it all, and Jasper feared he could hurt Este.

    Alice tried to play savior and repeat that everything she could see was safe and fine. She reiterated constantly that Este was in their future and not going anywhere. In a short time, despite her coldness, Este and Jasper began to get along due to their love of history. The two also shared a similar feeling of being babied by those around them.

    Este was in the backseat of Rosalie's red Mercedes-Benz CLK  Alice sat beside her as the Hale twins took the two front seats. Este remained pretty much silent as she watched the trees as they passed them.

"Eurydice, did you know that another new girl is coming in January?" Alice asked with a wide smile, bringing Este out of her silence.

"I'm not a clairvoyant, so, no. I didn't," Este retorted as she rolled her head around to pop her neck.

"I bet you will love her." Alice beamed with a bright smile. "We all will."

Este huffed as she shook her head, the vampire's enthusiasm was insane, "You love new people don't you?"

"She does," Rosalie spoke as her voice held a slight tinge of annoyance.

Este raised an eyebrow, "Is everything good, Rose?"

"Perfect," The female Hale snarked back.

Jasper decided to change the subject, "Carlisle and Esme will be happy to finally meet you. Officially, not in the way we all met back at your house."

"Least I'm not fully meeting new people," Este remarked against her palm. "You guys know how I am with people based on how I am with you."

"We know." They chorused.

    She almost felt like a normal teenager when she got out of the car when they parked in the Cullen garage. Holy cow, they've got over a dozen cars and this house is a freaking mansion. It has too many windows though. Not sure how I feel about the brightness or ambience. The home was a large, graceful house, rectangular and well-proportioned, and painted a faded white. She was dragged inside by Jasper and Alice on either side of her.

Este had assumed the worst about them despite learning to care for the two in a manner that Aphrodite would love. Holy cow, this place... Her heart kept a steady beat, she should be afraid. A house full of vampires? Should be scary. Keyword, should. She wasn't. Este eyed both of them, her eyes flickering between Alice and Jasper rapidly. Neither said a word as they let her process what had been dropped and collect her thoughts. She didn't draw her hands back like Jasper had thought she would.

"Carlisle, Esme," Este yanked herself back into the world as she greeted the two vampires.

"Eurydice," Esme pulled her in for a hug before pulling back, "You are welcome here anytime."

"Eurydice," Carlisle nodded in greeting, "Welcome to our home."
"Thanks," Este gave the pair an awkward smile as she moved back, caught off guard by Esme's affection.

    It was an odd thing to be in their home. Get little glimpses of who they were and what they were like behind the personas they portrayed.

"So," Este swallowed as she attempted to make conversation with the two vampires she was now sitting with, "Anyone got conversation starters?"

Jasper chuckled at Este's words, his golden eyes slightly amused. Alice smirked and chuckled too, shaking her head before replying to her.

"Conversation starters, huh..." Alice mused before going quiet, trying to think of something.

The blue eyed girl rolled her eyes, her usual sarcasm and fire coming out, "Uh, this is not a conversation starter. It's a loss of thought," Este snarked.

Alice let out another soft amused chuckle at Este's reply, shaking her head once more, "It got you talking, didn't it?"

Jasper's lips twitched up in a smile, eyes still amused. "I guess that's true, but it's one way to start a conversation."

"Wouldn't you know, cowboy. You're typically as silent as a dead man. Oh wait, you technically are a dead man."

Jasper raised an eyebrow silently at Este's comment, a smirk appearing on the corner of his lips. "Now that is no way to speak to someone, ma'am."

She mimicked the way he was talking before she groaned, "Again with the ma'am, I am not fifty."

Alice chuckled at Este's words and at his response, shaking her head in amusement once more. Yeah, keep shaking your head. I bet you'll get whiplash. Can vampires even get whiplash? You know what, in my world they can.

Jasper let out a chuckle at Este's attitude, the amused look in his eyes still present. Alice giggled at Este's reaction, her own eyes full of amusement as she grinned widely.

Jasper shrugged and smirked. "Just good manners, darlin'."

    No way he just called me darlin'. The look Este gave Alice nearly caused the short haired vampire to fall over. Her blue eyes were a little wider than she usually kept them.

"I think you need to get a hold of your man," Este simply remarked as she scrunched up her nose, ignoring the slight flush of her cheeks.

Alice smirked widely at Este as she adjusted how she was sitting, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "I suppose I should, shouldn't I?"

Jasper huffed out a soft chuckle as he leaned back, a mock offended expression on his face. "Hey now, I'm right here."

"Clearly." Este retorted as she shook her head at the pair.

    At that moment, they almost seemed human. A completely normal friendship throwing around jokes, sarcasm, and snide remarks. Este knew that they weren't normal. Neither she nor the two in front of her were normal. She wouldn't let this little 'friendship session' get her away from what she knew she needed to do. Protect herself and her family, even from them. She didn't trust them yet, not fully.

Jasper chuckled in reply, his golden eyes still gleaming with amusement.

Alice spoke up, her smirk widening a bit more. "You need to work on your manners, darlin'."

"Who are you calling darling?" Este whipped her head back around as she looked at Alice, I swear if my blood keeps pumping I'm going to drain myself so I stay pale.

Alice chuckled, her smirk still fixed on her face.

Jasper let out another soft chuckle, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Clearly you, darlin'."

"'Clearly you, darlin'. Shut up," Este snarked as she crossed her arms, trying to look irritated - yet she failed miserably.

Alice laughed loudly, covering her mouth with her hand to slightly stifle the sound.

Jasper simply smirked in response, his golden eyes gleaming with a mischievous shine. "Aw, don't like what you hear, darlin'?"

"One, pixie you better speak up because I will snatch him up. Two, you," She pointed at Jasper, "are about to get strangled even if it does absolutely nothing to you."

Alice raised an eyebrow at your words, her lips twitching up in a smile. "Aww, that's cute."

"-that is a very lame response, Cullen."

Jasper simply laughed softly, shaking his head in amusement. His smirk widened as he spoke to Este. "Oh really? You think you'd be able to do anything?"

"The fact you doubt me is absolutely astonishing because have you seen me in battle? Wait, you haven't," Este huffed at her own mistake, "Say another word and I will show you what the heck this demigod can do."

    Did I really just say something as stupid as that? Jesus, I'm cringing at myself. If someone said that to me, I'd take it sexually. Newt's going to kill me if these two don't.

Alice and Jasper had both gone quiet after Este's words, both of them taking in the weight behind her statement. Jasper raised an amused eyebrow again, both of his eyes gleaming with curiosity and amusement.

He spoke up again, his tone of voice playful and mocking. "Are you suggesting that you could do something to a vampire?"

"Well, I can control you guys can't I?" Thank everything I'm a daughter of Hades, "I'd figure out how to kill you or make you my servant eventually."

Alice and Jasper were both silent for a moment as they listened to Este, both of them taking in the information.

Jasper spoke up again, his tone still slightly playful but a trace of seriousness behind his words. "You'd try to kill us or make us servants? That's some bold confidence, Eurydice."

"This bold confidence is simply factual information, so," Este clicked her tongue as she trailed off.