chapter twenty

She wasn't sure why or how everything had happened but Newt and Titus had gotten back from the house of the Ancestors after the flames engulfed it. Carlisle Cullen had kept his entire family outside while the group of teenagers were forced to clean down the stairs and the floors with bleach before they dragged the body outside, Newt used his abilities to keep the vampires from moving since Este was still in her own lifeless daze at the moment.

They dragged the body onto part of the ground where the grass had already been dead, due to that being where they often parked their cars. Este still covered in blood as the blood on her arm continued to fall, Carlisle had told her that he would be taking her to his home to make sure that her wounds would be properly stitched. Fearing that they might not have everything that they needed in the demigods home despite the demigods insisting they had ambrosia and nectar.

Titus had been the one to light the body on fire. Backing away as they watched it burn, everyone, but the twin's and vampires, held their noses at the stench of burning flesh. They watched as the boy burned in the flames that rose up into the dark sky. There was nothing behind Este's eyes, feeling no remorse for the fate that had fallen upon him. If anything, she felt as if he had too much of a merciful death. But he had an advantage on her, and she had to act fast.

There was that feeling of death that lingered. But there was no mourning that had been left behind. No one mourns the wicked. No one felt sorry for him and no one regretted what had happened. They merely regretted that they hadn't done anything sooner. The only regret the Cullens had was not being able to protect Este quicker. And all that Este could think about was how they were going to have to deal with Charlie Swan after this. She knew that they needed to say something, and the smartest way to do it without getting in trouble was to go to the station and file another harassment or endangerment claim. Maybe I shouldn't heal myself and go tell Charlie he attacked me and keep them searching for him.

"Este," Newt called his sister's name, pulling her back into reality as she began to blink, the blood loss must have put her in a daze, "Let go of them. You're only wearing yourself out more, by this rate you'll either be half ghost or on the floor in a matter of minutes," He remarked as he kept a close distance to her, "Now." She hadn't even realized she'd also been subconsciously holding the vampires in place.

Her lips felt so dry as she pulled them apart, her gaze casting to the side, "Jasper can't handle blood," She mumbled before she turned back watched the body continue to burn, but letting go of the vampires who were by their sides in a matter of seconds, "I still don't want to be a body shot, preferably," She muttered as she pressed her hand against the wound, closing her eyes tightly for a minute before opening them again, "Sorry Cowboy."

    Cowboy? I guess bloodloss is giving me a personality. Nicknames based on the geographical location of their death. Slowly, it was like every feeling Este was having was washing over her. She felt odd.

"You can't help it," His voice was rough and it was clear that he was struggling but Alice seemed to have kept him grounded, "We need to get that fixed, now."

"So you don't drain me?" She joked in a neutral tone as she pulled her arm back, watching as Alice had tried to reach for it, "Don't tempt yourself," She remarked, "Bet I look a little rough, could've used a helping hand in there. Stupid Vrykolakas overpowering vampires. Guess you aren't as good as you think, Emmett."

It seemed that everyone was amused by the jokes, Kaz shaking his head as he looked at the ground while Newt couldn't help but crack a tired grin, "Hey, we put up one hell of a fight to keep them away for as long as we did," Emmett protested as he managed a grin.

"Sure you did," Este was slowly slumping more and more against her brother, side eyeing Jasper who had lifted up the other side of her body, "No offense, but shouldn't you be the one that is as far away from me as possible?" Her words were slightly slurred. "By the way, don't give me ambrosia or nectar. I have a plan to deal with Swan."

"He won't hurt you," Alice assured despite the growing silence of Jasper seemingly causing Este more unease, "Newt, Edward can drive you to our house so that you can be there with her. We'll get her there as soon as possible."

Este wasn't sure what else was happening around her. Only feeling as she was being lifted up as her entire body tensed up despite her slowly becoming more and more tired. She struggled momentarily before she gave up and let the Texan take her wherever they were going, praying to every god that none of them let the guy who was her friend kill her. Newt definitely wouldn't let them do anything to her. Though, if something did, that would be a really weird story for Newt to tell the future people. These people really freaking confuse me.

When Este came back to reality, she was sitting against one of the couches in what she assumed to be the Cullen home, feeling the prick of the needle against her arm as she looked over at Carlisle, "It's good you're awake, you were beginning to cause a panic."

"Just needed a little power nap," Este played it off as she let her head fall back against the couch, "Sorry that I bled out on your couch," She looked over at him before looking at the group of vampires in front of her, "I know I look delicious to you all right now but you're going to make a girl nervous with all that staring," She had a bit of bite in her tone.

"She's still her," Rosalie confirmed as she let out a small laugh, shaking her head, "Coming back with what she calls the most out of pocket jokes one can make."

"Good job not eating me, I'd give you a cookie but I don't think you like those," She nudged Newt who sat on her free side, "What the Hades happened to you?" She questioned as she noticed the expression on his face.

He looked back over at Jasper and Alice, who shared a look with him before he looked back at his sister, "Nothing. Just tired from everything that has happened today."

"You're so full of crap," Este remarked as she looked over at the two vampires, "Tell me what you told him. It had to be something absolutely insane if my brother looks like he's been smoking so much weed that he might be higher than Dionysus."

"This is going to be good," Emmett remarked as he leaned more into Rosalie who shot him a dirty look before looking forward, "What? Things are just getting interesting again."

"Why don't we leave them for a few minutes?" Esme suggested as she looked over at the rest of her children, "Let's leave Carlisle, Jasper, and Alice with Este and Newt while they talk. Okay?" The way she was trying to scurry them all off caused Este to wonder.

There were no verbal complaints but you could tell by the way some reacted that they would've rather had stayed and listened to the conversation. What in the Hades is happening? She found herself more confused as Este continued to have her gaze bounce between everyone in the room as she looked confused, what had she missed that was apparently so crazy? Crazier than normal?

There was a pregnant pause.

Alice broke the silence as she practically bounced on the balls of her feet as she explained, "Vampires live a long time," She paused before continuing "And they meet someone or someones that they are tied to. Like we are," She explained slowly, trying to make sure that Este was following, "And they are bonded forever. A mate bond."

    Este blanked momentarily. Her jaw slacking as she just stared. For a moment, she was in disbelief. Then everything started to connect. Her conversation with Persephone, the meeting from Demeter... the interference and the way her feelings had been slowly altering around them.

Este swore her neck broke with the way her head flew forward and her eyes wide, "I'm about to pass out," She startled everyone with that comment before she forced out, "I should be afraid, and I should be surprised but I am not," A breath leaving her lips, "Figured there was more to the story that I was being told. Kinda weird, good luck with my heart though. It's colder than yours," her words were falling a little short.

"Woah, woah," Newt caught his sister the moment she slumped over.

    Alice and Jasper also moved a little closer, but kept a space between them as they understood this news was definitely a big shock.

"You aren't scared?" Jasper asked as he watched her carefully, finally speaking after he had remained silent prior, "Eurydice, we could hurt you," He almost seemed snappy when saying it, causing Carlisle to look back at him.

"Not that we ever would," Alice added quickly as she looked at Newt awkwardly before grinning happily, "Jasper and I, we want nothing more than to protect you."

Este bit down as she looked at Carlisle as he stitched her arm, unsure of what else she should say, "You can't protect me. Not even my brother can, I'm as much of a danger as you both. We're all just death magnets." How did that even help? Welp.

    Este's world was spinning.

"Well doesn't that make protectin' you so much easier, ma'am," Jasper attempted to joke as Este looked back up at him as he gave her a polite grin.

Este mumbled out after a few minutes, "So the whole blood thing... Am I exempt that? I'd rather not be a body shot quite literally and seeing as he managed to not kill me...?"

Edward and Emmett's laughter rang throughout the home, it was clear that the others were definitely eavesdropping, "No. We are like the vegetarians of our kind, you know that. We don't drink from humans, we drink from animals. And the want to protect you managed to override the kill switch," Alice giggled, while Carlisle looked amused.

"Kill switch," Newt looked as if he was about to burst into a fit of awkward laughter seeing Este's expression, causing the girl to shoot him a firm glare before he muttered, "Sorry. Sorry, not the right context."

"Did you know that I can feel death and tell you if someone has died, the time, where, and how it happened. I can raise and control the dead and shadows. Newt can too but he can control the dead way easier but doesn't control the shadows at all really," Este muttered trying to figure out what else to say.

"You've mentioned that." Alice seemed giddy, whatever tension that had been floating from the girl being covered in blood now gone, "So that is how you seemingly appear out of nowhere."

Este nodded awkwardly as she looked down at Carlisle, watching as he continued to stitch up her wrist before he finished, "Yeah."

"You're all done," Carlisle commented as he took a wet cloth and wiped it over the wound, "All of the blood that had been on you previously is already cleaned off," He pointed towards her face as he rose to his feet, "Be careful, and I'd advise you against using your abilities until that's healed enough that it won't be affected or... whatever happens that Newt mentioned."

"Phase," Este muttered as she looked at her brother, "When my entire arm becomes transparent and ghost like that it can go through things, hurts like an absolute bitch," She rose to her feet, despite the dizziness causing everyone to jump on their toes just in case, "Chillax."

"You've scared everyone enough for the night," Newt muttered as he sighed, looking at his sister, "Everything said about all of this stays in this group. Este, your life, your decisions. I'll stand by you but nothing needs to happen now, okay?"

"Exactly what Newt said," Alice chirped in after a moment of silence, "We've waited years, and we can wait more. Just as long as you are happy and safe, we'll be happy," She gave her a soft smile.

Este looked around awkwardly as she whistled under her breath, "Well that's a good thing. I'd really like to go to sleep now, though, so... Newt, can we go home?" She questioned as she turned to look at the boy, "My brain is very scrambled. We'll go to the station later."

    But whose brain wouldn't be after everything that had happened in the day. Newt took Este back home without any complaints and the next day, they went to the police station. Opening a case and filing a report for Finn Carnehan on harassment and assault charges after making sure that no trace of him was left. Titus had taken quite a few chemicals to the ashes in the yard, destroying them completely before Kaz planted trees over the area to get rid of any suspicion.

The Cullen's remained as close to the demigods as they could. Things seemed to have been going great. As December rolled around, and the police department finally declared the tragic news that there was no sight of Finn Carnehan and pronounced him dead, Forks High held an assembly to mourn the tragedy that was the death of a beloved student. He was marked as the fifth and final victim of the Forks Slayer and crazed in his last moments, hence why they believe he attacked Este.

Este sat between Alice and Jasper on the bleachers of the gym, her gaze settled on the set up of teachers in front of them. Fake tears rolled down her cheeks as Newt sat on the row in front of her, leaning back onto his sister's knees while Kaz and Titus were on either side of him. Elyse and Elijah on Alice's side while the rest of the Cullen's were on Jaspers. Elyse and Elijah had no clue of what had gone down the night of Finn's death, but they never asked any questions.

"We are here today to remember Finn Carnehan," Mr. Banner stood at the podium as he adjusted the microphone, "A senior who was taken from us too soon along with other students who lost their lives to the Forks Slayer who remains unknown and dormant," He looked down at the paper as he adjusted his glasses, "Gone too soon. Didn't even get to graduate, what a way to go out," Este nearly choked on her fake tears trying not to laugh, "Take a moment of silence for him, and remember what a student he was."

"And a few words from his friends," One of the teachers beckoned the people who had once lived in the house with him, who also happened to be the ones to kill him, "The last people to see him alive before having to be the ones to tragically call the police upon his disappearance."

    Titus, Newt, Este, Kaz, Elyse, and Elijah were now standing in front of the entire student body.

Titus was the first one to take the microphone, looking back at the others who continued to fake their sorrows, "Finn was what everyone wanted to be. He was smart, somewhat athletic and most of all, unbothered by everything. Always listened to us talk about what happened to be bothering us through the days of our lives where he had nothing go on. He will be missed, as will our therapy sessions. Even if he needed therapy for getting violent with females."

"He had been my best friend since sixth grade. He was always there for me. At every game, every time I had troubles with a girl, anything. He always had the answers and now? I can't say that I can even see an answer without him. He was the map that we all needed," Elijah was the next to speak as he remained looking at the floor, "It's never going to be the same without him and I'm going to miss my best friend."

Kaz was the next to take a step to the microphone, patting Elijah's back as he looked terribly miserable, "Finn Carhenhan. Sometimes I wondered how the heck that kid kept coming up with the things he did. Whether it was games that he wanted the entire group to play or if it was some sort of music genre he swore he found on the internet. It's been quiet without him, like no one knows what to say or how to act. I can still see him at the bottom of those stairs calling us down." Damn Kaz, don't bring that memory up. He died there.

Kaz and Este shared a look as he backed away, the girl faking more tears as Elyse adjusted the microphone so that she could speak, placing her hands on the podium as she sniffled loudly, "Finn was my wingman. He was the one who came to me when he had problems with love and he always heard about how Elijah and I were. He was the one who got us together, I can't even go back to the house without seeing him standing there and waiting..." She started sobbing and was pulled back into the boy's arms.

"Well I'll be dazzled, never thought that I'd be up here having to talk about the death of my friend. And I don't plan on being up here again. Hold your loved ones tight and don't take them for granted. You never know what part of them might not make it back," Newt pulled away from his sister as he now spoke at the podium, Este partially wondered what lie he was going to say, knowing he hated Finn with every fiber of his being, "Finn Carnehan was a man that no one else could ever be," Was the opening sentence as Newt stood there, his bad leg shaking in the slightest, "I have no words, nothing can change what happened and there will always be a piece of him with all of us." in the trees.

Titus made a face as he switched off with Newt as Este grabbed her brother's arm, the younger boy returning to the podium, "Finn once told me, 'Titus, if you don't grow a pair to talk to people then you'll remain lonely forever' and I can say he was right about that. It made me come out of my shell and look at where I am now? With these people, I wouldn't have the family that I do without him. And I couldn't thank him enough for it," despite the fact he tried to kill this family.

Este was the last one to go, swallowed thickly as she stood at the podium. Images of his dead body and their last interaction flashing through her head as her guard fell down, "Finn once told me that..." I can't lie about this idiot, he freaking hurt me and I hope he rots in hell, "He once told me that we could plant a memory garden. That the ones who left us, never truly would leave. That we would never go back, and he would always be there to reach for us...he was an absolute liar and a douchebag," Everyone was caught off guard by her change, "He got violent with me. I've got the scars to prove it - so despite us being friends, that changed before he died. So rot in Hell."

    There were a few gasps of surprise as Este's statement as she moved back to her brother, one actual tear slipped down her cheek as she rested back onto Newt who was trying not to laugh. Her brother held her close as they all made their way back to their seats.

"Well, thank you guys for that lovely farewell," Mr. Banner stammered over his words.

"You let your walls down for a minute," was the first thing that Este was greeted with as the Cullen's and the demigods all stood together by their vehicles, "I could read your mind," Edward commented as he looked at her with a frown.

"I'll see you two on Sunday, movies," was the only thing that Este said as she looked away from the vampires, disappearing into the car as her eyes remained forward.

The shame that would forever reside with Este, even as he was dead and gone and buried. He haunted her thoughts and her fears and she cursed him for it. Finn had aimed for her heart, but went for blood. It's all so casually cruel in the name of being honest. Finn gave me something that haunts me. The power to kill.