21 : Newborn Battles

LOGAN STOOD STOCK STILL BESIDE JASPER, EYES SET ON THE TREE LINE. His heart pumped hard with adrenaline and his hands shook as power surged through his veins. But he didn't charge, not yet - not until the newborns were in view.

He could hear them getting closer and his body tensed, but then he closed his eyes. And all he heard was silence.

Silence was something that came rarely in days now, but sometimes it was not a comforting sound. There were many different types of silence.

Awkward silence was the most uncomfortable, wrapping around them like a python, suffocating them until they feel as if the air around them was doing the damage instead of the serpent.

Bittersweet silence was what people would call the calm before the storm, the peace that gives you hope before it is taken away from you.

Peaceful silence was a calming sound, allowing a person to relax and think.

This was not awkward, nor bittersweet, and it was definitely not peaceful. No, this silence was smothered in anticipation. A dramatic pause before the trumpet blows, before the lion roars, before the battle begins.

Logan felt a growl rumble in his chest as the forest whispered to him - warning him of the danger that was coming. But, he still didn't move - waiting like a solid stone wall beside the Cullens.

The Fae let out a deep breath and counted back from ten in his head - raising his hands in front of him as he did so.

Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven.

He could hear the crunch of leaves in front of him.

Six, Five, Four.

Feel the wind shifting as his fingers flexed and the trees groaned.

Three, breathe, two, breathe.

Then the world went still.

One.

Logan's eyes snapped open and as soon as he saw the first newborn enter the clearing - he sprung into action with the Cullens right behind him.

The Fae threw his hands forward - and soon a wall of rock crashed into a group of newborns, distracting them long enough for the golden-eyed vampires to use their distraction to their advantage.

Logan grunted as he was knocked down and he growled as he clutched at the newborn's throat. Fae's were strong, Logan was strong, but sadly newborns were much stronger. However, Logan had a few tricks up his sleeve.

With a flex of his hand - a tree root had sprung from the ground and wrapped around the newborn's middle, pulling him away from Logan. And as soon as Logan used his abilities to fling the vampire through the air - Paul had jumped up to tear the red-eyed vampire apart.

The Fae snarled as another vampire charged at him, and he threw his foot out - nailing the vampire in the chest. The bloodsucker snarled at the raven-haired male and Logan returned it - though he smirked when he saw a familiar russet-colored wolf behind the newborn.

He jumped out of the way when Jake struck his prey and turned his attention to Alice who was running towards Embry - a newborn hot on her tail.

"Alice heads up!" He threw a hand towards the vampire and another burst of wind hit the fairy-like immortal - giving her a boost into the air as Embry tore the newborn apart.

Hearing a whine, Logan's head snapped over to Leah - who was caught between three vampires.

"Leah, duck now!" Logan called out and the she-wolf obeyed, ducking her head down as soon as Logan sent a burst of wind towards the group - momentarily knocking the newborns off of Leah. Which gave Embry and Jared enough time to assist their pack mate.

When he turned around, he narrowly dodged the swipe of a vampire - but luckily Sam was there, tearing the vampire down within a second. Logan smirked at his friend in thanks - sending the black wolf and nodding. The shifter returned it before he was back into the chaos.

As soon as he went to attack again, a rock hit him in the side of the head and he paused in the frenzy - turning to face where the object had come from.

Hiding behind the tree was a young female vampire with beautiful brown curls and olive skin. Her red eyes were wide with fear and she ducked down again.

Logan felt his heart soften and he rushed over to the girl - holding his hands up in surrender as he got closer.

"It's alright, I'm not going to hurt you." He crouched down to be at eye level with her. "What is your name?"

"Bree-Bree." She stuttered out and Logan clicked his tongue. With a flick of his wrist, a shimmering circle appeared and he nodded to it.

"Quickly, go. I will find you after everything is over - until then, stay with Kyle. Tell him I sent you." When she didn't move, Logan nudged her. "Go! Hurry!"

And with that Bree was gone and Logan turned his attention back towards the battle. There were so many newborns, so Logan made a split decision.

"Everyone get by me now!" Logan yelled and held his hands out. Slowly he raised on hand - s stone wall erupting from the ground and once he saw that none of his allies were in the way - he snapped.

Throwing out both hands - everyone jumped back when a blue fire roared from Logan's hands. The newborns didn't have time to react before they were encased in the flames.

And then as soon as the fire had come, it was gone. And nothing was left of the newborns but a pile of dust and ash.

Logan panted softly, feeling drained and Sam came to stand beside him - keeping him steady on his feet.

"What the fuck was that?" Emmett breathed out turning to Logan. "That was fucking awesome dude!"

"I can control the elements, but fire takes the most energy. Its raw power and energy - had to control. I haven't done something like that in years." Logan explained, lightly shaking his head.

"Bella and Edward are on their way," Alice murmured softly. "They will be here soon, as will the Volturi."

"The pack needs to leave. The Volturi won't honor a truce with the werewolves." Carlisle spoke up, but the Fae shook his head - pushing off of Sam.

"They'll be fine, guys go change." Logan sent the wolves a nod and went to stand beside Jasper. Watching the tree line and then he saw them appear. (play music)

He saw him appear.

When Logan's eyes landed on Alec - anger flashed in his eyes and his chest rumbled with a growl. He had thought Alec was in Seattle, god how could he have been so stupid?! But, Jasper silenced him quickly - sending a wave of calmness over to the Fae.

"It appears you've done our work for us." Jane quipped and it took everything inside of Logan to not snap. He kept his glare on Alec though and the young immortal avoided his gaze. "Impressive. I've never seen a coven escape an assault of this magnitude intact."

"We were lucky." Carlisle muttered out, gulping when the shifters emerged to stand beside the Cullens - all scowling at the Volturi. Logan walked over to stand next to Sam, glare never wavering.

"I doubt that." The blonde hissed causing Logan to snarl ever so slightly under his breath.

"It appears we missed an entertaining fight." At Alec's words, Logan let out a cold laugh - drawing all the attention toward him.

"Oh, you fucking think." The Fae hissed before he took off to stand in front of the Volturi. "How long did you know about this "fight", Alec?" When the immortal teen didn't answer, Logan stomped his foot - causing the ground to rumble and trees to groan and creak. "HOW LONG!?"

"Logan- please, I never meant to-" But, Logan cut him off with a sharp glare.

"What Alec, never meant to hurt me? You are fucking lucky I love you, and no one got hurt. We will be having words later."

"You can't talk to him like that-" Jane began and Logan whipped towards her - eyes glowing blue and lips curled into a snarl. Roots sprouted from the ground to stand at his sides - ready to do as their master wished.

"You fucking stay out of this. I have a feeling this is all your doing and I will be telling Aro of this as well. I thought I had made it clear the Cullens, Bella, my brother, and the pack were under the protection of the Fae kingdom." The Cullens and wolves watched with wide eyes as Logan glowered at the Volturi. Gone was their friend who would joke and laugh. No, a king stood before them now.

A very pissed-off king.

"As I said, however, no one got hurt-"

"Logan!" The Fae's attention snapped towards the tree line, brows furrowing when Edward came out - looking frazzled. "Logan something happened."

"What?" He was in front of Edward in a minute. "Is it Bella, what's wrong?"

"No- no, something happened Logan - I'm sorry it's all my fault." Edward looked ready to cry if he could, shoulders heaving.

Logan's hands gripped Edward's face - worry beginning to bubble in his stomach. "Hey, calm down - what happened? Did something happen to Bella?"

"Uncle Logan!" Bella collided into his side - a crying mess and Logan froze at the blood on her arms. "Oh my god, it was terrible. There were four of them, and Seth tried, and Edward tried - and then there was blood, and Seth-" She cut herself off with a sob.

Leah stepped forward, horror on his face and Sam held onto her shoulders to keep her from collapsing. "No-not Seth..." She whimpered and Logan felt his heart break before he heard footsteps and he looked up.

Seth stepped into the clearing, a haunted look on his face. Blood painted his torso and arms, his face wet with tears, and in his arms - was something wrapped in a blanket.

"Seth!" Logan ran towards him, checking over the young shifter before his eyes fell to the heap in Seth's arms.

And icy cold horror filled his body when his gaze landed on that damn familiar necklace. The one that he remembers playing with as a toddler when she would hold him in his arms. The one that she would never take off because it was a gift from her father.

"I'm sorry, Logan." Seth whimpered as Logan hesitantly reached to pull back the blanket - hoping and praying it wasn't true. "Me and Edward tried so hard- but I failed." His hands shook as he pulled back the blanket and a screaming cry left his lips.

Staring up at him was the cold, dead, blue eyes of Astrid Gallows.

★ I am going, to be honest, I almost cried writing this. I feel sorry, but - it had to be done.

The next chapter will be even sadder and I hope you are all ready.

Love,
Drea.