𝘊𝘏𝘈𝘗𝘛𝘌𝘙 𝘌𝘓𝘌𝘝𝘌𝘕

(the cursed witch, act one)

TW: This chapter contains sensitive subjects. If you have read or watched twilight, this included the scene where Bella gets harassed by the drunk men in Port Angeles. I will put a star (*) where it begins and another when it ends. Read at your own risk and take care of yourself.

"MOTHER!" NINA SHOUTED WHEN SHE WALKED INTO HER AND NATALIE'S SHARED HOME.

"Oh no," Natalie muttered as she set down her cup of tea on the coffee table to look at her daughter who had come barging into the living room, disturbing the quiet peace. "I didn't read your diary this time, I promise."

The young witch stared at her, "You read my diary?"

"I was curious," Natalie defended. "Plus, it was four years ago so it doesn't count now. What are you upset with?"

"Why have you been going down to the reservation?"

"Oh, that's what this is about," Natalie nodded, letting out a breath of relief. "They don't like to come into town to go see a doctor so they have asked me if I can go down there a couple times during the week to check in and help out."

"How do you know Sam?" Nina asked, not believing her mother's story.

"He sprained his wrist a few weeks ago."

"And Jacob?"

"Jacob? Oh, he's a sweet boy, isn't he? I met him while I was helping his father's friend, Harry. Charlie had asked me to check on him." Natalie looked at her, "What's brought all this on?"

"What about the legends?..." Nina paused, feeling crazy for her next words. "The wolves?"

Nataliie sighed softly as she patted the seat beside her. When Nina was comfortable, Natalie handed her the cup of tea she had left on the coffee table, "It's peppermint honey. You're favourite."

Taking the warm drink, she held it between her hands as she crossed her legs and faced her mother. "Is it real? Are there werewolves out there?"

"I can't say much. It's not my place. But, yes, werewolves exist."

"Is that why Sam said I should start joining you when you go there? They know about us?"

"They do. They knew your father too," Natalie admitted.

Nina felt like her world was crashing down around her. Everything she had believed in was falling apart.

"Was dad... Was he one of them?" Her voice was small, like a frightened child.

"Yes."

Nina had left shortly after her mother had delivered the shocking news. She wasn't entirely sure how to absorb the fact that her father had been a shapeshifter, let alone that shapeshifters existed.

She wasn't sure where to go. She could go back to the reservation, it was too far and she didn't want to bother Bella. So she walked silently and hoped she wouldn't get lost in the process.

It wasn't long till the rain started. Nina wasn't all that shocked by the change in weather, she had gotten used to it in the past couple months. The rain was nice, even if it was pouring down on her making her look like a drenched rat.

She had gotten a few strange looks from shopkeepers who had been watching the rain pour down as she walked past, but other than that, she hadn't seen anyone else.

She soon resorted to sitting in a small bus stop, knowing Natalie would slap her hand if she saw her out in the rain.

In her fit of shock, she hadn't even thought about asking her mother about the other side of the story Jacob had told her.

The cold ones. It was a name that sounded almost terrifying. Shapeshifters, she figured she could handle. Natalie had said they were friends with the witches, that they got along and understood one another with their earthly motives. Nina figured the cold ones weren't included in said harmony.

"You're going to get sick, you know?" A voice called out, making her roll her eyes as she looked up, meeting the sight of a familiar silver volvo.

"Didn't know you cared, Frosty."

"Oh, I don't. Natalie does though, which is why she called me to find you."

"Why'd she call you?"

"Why'd you call me Frosty?" He retorted as he got out of his car and walked toward the bus stop she was sitting in. "And why are you choosing to sit out in the rain and get a cold?"

"I don't really feel like talking." Nina wiped her eyes with her sleeve as she looked away from him. "You should– uh, you should go home, Edward."

"I don't think I should, Nina. What's going on?"

She scoffed, "Like I'd tell you."

"Maybe not right now," He shrugged. "But you will sooner or later."

She had thought she would be more frightened in his presence. But she felt as she always did; safe. It was almost like he took the pain away just by being near her. It was incredibly annoying.

"Are you gonna let me take you home or am I gonna have to carry you to my car?"

She didn't want to leave. She didn't want to go home. If she went home, that would mean she would see her mother and for the first time in her life, she really didn't want that.

He sat there for a moment, as though he were thinking it over, before he nodded softly. "We can stay here too, if you'd like. But only if you'll sit in the car with me. I don't want you getting sick."

Nina smiled slightly. It was obvious he was attempting to hide his annoyance as he held out his hand, gesturing out toward his car.

"It even has heated seats," He added.

"Your car has ass warmers? That's awesome!" Nina exclaimed, pushing past him as she practically skipped into the passenger seat.

"How do I turn this shit on? You got so many fucking buttons in this thing!" Nina shouted at him, making him laugh softly as he walked back to the driver's seat before pressing a small button near the center console.

Nina sighed softly when the seat had finally warmed after a minute or so. "If you ever turn this off I will feed you to a demon."

"What about a mermaid?" He asked in a teasing tone, making her look at him instantly. "You heard that?"

"Heard what? That you wanted to jump off a cliff and be eaten by a mermaid?"

"There were multiple mermaids. If I'm gonna die, I gotta have a damn good time doing it."

"You are by far the strangest person I've ever met."

"You..." She trailed off, unable to think of a comeback. She hadn't even realised how close they had become. Their faces were practically inches apart, so close she could feel his slow breaths hit her skin. His eyes were dark again, only a slight golden hue within them as he stared at her.

He moved forward when her eyes glanced down at his lips. "You," She started again, eyes moving up to see his again. "You have a flea in your coat."

Edward coughed as he moved back. "No, I don't."

"Yes, you do!" Nina laughed softly as she lifted her hand to pick at the grey fabric that sat comfortably on his shoulders. "See?"

"That's a piece of fluff from Rosalie's scarf."

"Why is Rosalie's scarf fluff on you?"

"I'm not going to answer that."

Rosalie and Alice had forced him to wear a feather boa for nine hours after he told them he would never tell Nina what he was. They had strongly disagreed with his opinion, both thinking it was best for him to be up front and honest. Emmett had then pointed out it would never happen as he was stuck in a never-ending phase of teen angst.

So he had been left with wearing a pink and purple feather boa and a shirt that said 'caution choking hazard' with an arrow pointing downwards. Edward refused to go outside for a few hours after that.

"I'll just ask Emmett."

"He'd never sell me out."

"If I give him twenty bucks and an egg he would... Why does he bring a bag of eggs to school every day? I get you guys are trying to be the ominous, mysterious family, but it's a little strange."

"No one's ever noticed honestly. He's brought the same thing for the past year and no one has ever commented on it."

"Now that I've noticed, is it going to be something different?"

Edward shrugged, "I don't know. But if you see him bringing an entire loaf of bread along with a toaster, you'll know."

"They should have toasters at the school. Toast is nice."

"Is it?"

"That's a dumb question."

He smiled, "Why is it a dumb question?"

"Because toast is amazing. Just because you don't eat like normal people, doesn't mean you can't just agree and move on."

"You know I can't eat?"

"I think the whole school knows you can't eat. You don't hide it very well."

"We don't?"

"Edward... your brother brings a bag of eggs to school!"

Biting his lower lip, he chuckled, "Funny, right?"

He could tell she was thinking about something. He could tell she knew. "You're afraid?" He asked quietly, unsure of the answer to come.

Nina stared at him before shaking her head a moment later. "No."

"And yet you know?"

"I do. But if you're a monster, what does that make me?"

Nina had asked Edward to take her home. She didn't feel like having a lesson in Supernatural 101 just yet and she had also come to a slight realisation – that if she stared at him any longer, she might kiss him or strangle him, either were possibilities.

Edward had agreed and drove her home without argument. He could tell she needed some time to herself and he was just happy she was choosing to have that time in the warmth of her bedroom instead of out in the rain that was slowly turning to shards of ice – however, the change in weather possibly could have been coming from her.

"I'll see you on Monday, Nina. I better not find you in another bus stop looking like a drowned, depressed panda."

"Bye, Eeyore!" She shouted as she slammed the car door loudly, rolling her eyes when she could still hear him laugh at her through the glass.

When she entered the warmth of her home once again, she saw Natalie waiting on the couch; it looked as though she hadn't moved in the three hours she had been gone.

"I don't want to talk right now," Nina told her as she grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped it around her shoulders.

Natalie nodded, "That's okay. How about you have a warm shower and I'll make you some hot chocolate?"

The young witch made no act against the idea so Natalie stood and silently padded into the kitchen while Nina left to go into their small, shared bathroom to start the shower.

Despite the quick raise in temperature she felt when she entered the home, she still turned the water up to be as hot as possible.

After ten minutes of standing completely still in the burning water, she retreated back to her bedroom to find a cup of hot chocolate on her bedside table along with her favourite blanket folded neatly on the edge of her bed.

And as she laid in her bed, she had only one thing on her mind.

What does that make me?

Sunday came and went quicker than Nina had liked. She had spent the majority of the day in her bed, attempting to sleep the day away. Key word being attempted. She couldn't sleep so she really just tossed and turned for twelve hours, taking consecutive breaks for food.

Bella had picked her up that morning like she did every day. The brunette human could tell something was wrong with her witchy friend, but she chose against bringing it up. She would let Nina talk when she wanted to talk.

They were some of the first ones to school; both girls hadn't even checked the clock in their hurry to leave their homes. Bella parked and they headed toward the seldom-used picnic benches on the south side of the cafeteria. The benches were still a little damp, so Nina set out her jacket for them to sit on. Bella's homework was done so she let Nina copy off of hers while she watched the sunlight peak through the trees.

"Bella!" They heard someone call, and it sounded like Mike. While Nina focused on the trig questions she was copying, Bella looked around and realized how populated the school had become while they had been sitting.

Everyone was in t-shirts, some even in shorts though the temperature couldn't be over sixty. Mike was coming toward them in khaki shorts and a striped Rugby shirt, waving.

"Hey, Mike," Bella called, waving back, unable to be half hearted on a morning like this. He came to sit by her, the tidy spikes of his hair shining golden in the light, his grin stretching across his face. He was so delighted to see her, something that made Nina want to vomit.

"I never noticed before — your hair has red in it," He commented, catching between his fingers a strand that was fluttering in the light breeze.

"Only in the sun."

He glanced over, "Morning, Neens."

Nina didn't plan on answering, she only grunted in response as she continued to quickly scribble down the answers Bella had previously written out.

Mike laughed softly, "I'll make sure to leave Cranky Sue alone today." He looked back at Bella, "What did you do yesterday?"

"I mostly worked on my essay. And the trig homework that Neen's is copying."

Mike hit his forehead with the heel of his hand. "Oh yeah — that's due Thursday, right?"

"Um, Wednesday, I think."

"Wednesday?" He frowned. "That's not good... What are you writing yours on?"

"Whether Shakespeare's treatment of the female characters is misogynistic." He stared at Bella like she'd just spoken in pig Latin.

"I guess I'll have to get to work on that tonight," He said, deflated. "I was going to ask if you wanted to go out."

"Oh." Bella was clearly taken off guard.

Nina sighed softly as she closed the trig textbook and handed it back to Bella. Why couldn't they ever have a pleasant conversation with Mike anymore without it getting awkward?

"Alright, best be getting to class," Nina rushed her words as she stood up, pulling Bella with her. "Goodbye, Michael!"

Mike rolled his eyes, "Yeah, alright."

When Nina saw Jessica in Trig, she was bubbling with enthusiasm. She and Angela were going to Port Angeles that night to go dress shopping for the dance, and she wanted both Nina and Bella to come, too, even though they didn't need one.

Bella was indecisive. Nina didn't care. The witch honestly didn't mind Jessica and Angela, she actually enjoyed their company when Jessica wasn't obsessing over Mike and Edward and any other boy that looked in Nina and Bella's direction.

But being in Port Angeles and shopping for dresses might take her mind off the elephant floating around in her head. So Nina gave her a maybe, telling her they'd have to talk with their parents first.

She talked of nothing but the dance on the way to Spanish, continuing as if without an interruption when class finally ended, five minutes late, and they were on their way to lunch. Nina was far too lost in her own frenzy of nerves to notice much of what she said.

If she was being honest with herself, she was terrified to see him. Not because he scared her, it was the fact that he didn't scare her. But she was also eager to see the rest of the Cullen's – to see the differences between them, her and the rest of the school population with her newfound knowledge.

When she walked through the doors of the cafeteria, she bit her lip in anticipation.

As was her routine, she glanced first toward the Cullens' table. It was empty. She breathed out softly, letting her shoulders relax as she scoured the rest of the cafeteria and saw zero perfectly dressed, possibly supernatural beings.

"You okay?" Bella asked quietly as they followed Jessica who was still babbling.

Nina nodded slowly, blinking hard before she sent her friend an almost-real smile. "I'm fine. I will be."

Placing her hand on Nina's arm, Bella smiled comfortingly at her, "I'm here if you need to talk."

The witch held her hand for a moment as she sent her a small smile.

They were late enough that everyone was already at their table. Bella avoided the empty chair next to Mike in favor of one by Angela while Nina sat next to Kit. They both vaguely noticed that Mike held the chair out politely for Jessica, and that her face lit up in response.

Kit asked a few quiet questions about the Macbeth paper, which she answered as naturally as she could while her thoughts kept spiraling downward.

She held her breath again when she walked into Biology. His seat was empty again.

Nina was glad to leave school, so she would be free to pout and mope and spiral in her anxiety before she went out that night with Jessica and company. But right after she walked in the front door as Bella drove off, Jessica called to cancel their plans.

She tried to be happy that Mike had asked her out to dinner — She knew Bella would be relieved that he finally seemed to be catching on — but her enthusiasm sounded false in her own ears. She rescheduled their shopping trip for the next night.

Natalie was home after a few short hours. She had brought dinner with her, it was from her new favourite restaurant in the town. A nice, whole in the wall, family owned italian restaurant with authentic recipes.

They sat silently as they ate, both women unsure of what to say. Natalie was the first to speak.

"How was school?"

Nina shrugged as she played with the spaghetti on her plate. "Fine. Kit and I finished that Macbeth essay on our free period."

"That's good... How are you?"

"Other than the fact that I feel like I don't even know myself, I'm fine."

"Nina– I'm sorry. I was going to tell you–"

"When, Mom?" Nina stood up from the table. "The only reason you fessed up was because I figured out 80% of it on my own. What? Would you tell me when I accidentally turned into a wolf?"

"I would have told you before..."

"When?"

Natalie sighed, setting down her fork as she looked at her daughter. "It's why I wanted to find your father, Nia. I have only met a few wolves in my past, not nearly enough to be able to explain this to you. But him? He lived through it. He would be able to guide you and teach you."

"Then why did we stop looking for him?"

"Your father became a dangerous man. He wouldn't help us. He would only cause harm to this family."

"Why? What did he do that was so bad?"

"Sam told you about the cold ones?"

"Jacob did."

"Okay... The cold ones... they have a government of sorts. Your father joined that government."

"I thought dad was a wolf?"

"He is." Natalie bit her tongue. "But he is also a cold one. He's a hybrid... just like you will be."

"If he's so like me, why can't I go see him and get his help?"

"The cold one's government is known as the Volturi, Nina. The Volturi is the most dangerous thing in this world. They kill anyone they want, burn down villages, massacure towns and your father joins them. I can only imagine what he has done since."

Nina hesitated with her next words. She was terrified to ask.

"You think he would hurt me?"

"I think he has gone crazy for power... and you, my beautiful daughter, have more power than you can even imagine."

The next day was another no show. Not a single Cullen was there. Luckily though, the day passed quickly. Nina had been able to keep her mind strayed which led to her getting an A in her trig test.

The Port Angeles scheme was back on again for that night and made all the more attractive by the fact that Mike had asked Jessica to the dance. Nina was anxious to do something different from her daily routine. So she vowed to herself that she would be in a good mood and not ruin Angela's or Jessica's enjoyment in the dress hunting.

After school, Jessica followed her and Bella home in her old white Mercury so that they could ditch their books and Bella's truck.

They went to Angela's house next, and she was waiting for them. Their excitement increased exponentially as they actually drove out of the town limits.

Jessica drove faster than most, so they made it to Port Angeles by four. Nina was almost worried about them getting pulled over with how fast she had driven. It had been a while since she'd had a girls' night out, if anything, it was probably the first she had experienced.

Whiny rock songs played through the old stereo while Jessica jabbered on about the boys they hung out with. Jessica's dinner with Mike had gone very well, and she was hoping that by Saturday night they would have progressed to the first-kiss stage.

Both Nina and Bella smiled at the thought, happy Mike had finally realized and happy to see Jessica so happy. Angela was passively happy to be going to the dance, but not really interested in Eric. Jess tried to get her to confess who her type was, but Bella interrupted with a question about dresses after a bit, to spare her. Angela threw a grateful glance her way.

Port Angeles was a beautiful little tourist trap, much more polished and quaint than Forks. But Jessica and Angela knew it well, so they didn't plan to waste time on the picturesque boardwalk by the bay. Jess drove straight to the one big department store in town, which was a few streets in from the bay area's visitor-friendly face.

The dance was billed as semi formal, and they weren't exactly sure what that meant. Both Jessica and Angela seemed surprised and almost disbelieving when Bella told them she'd never been to a dance in Phoenix.

"Didn't you ever go with a boyfriend or something?" Jessica asked dubiously as they walked through the front doors of the store.

"Really," Bella tried to convince her, not wanting to confess her dancing problems. "I've never had a boyfriend or anything close. I didn't go out much."

"Why not?" Jessica demanded.

"No one asked me," She answered honestly.

Jessica looked skeptical. "People ask you out here," She reminded her, "and you tell them no."

Nina was just happy she wasn't the one in the hot seat. Luckily, Bella seemed pretty good at making things up.

They were in the juniors' section now, scanning the racks for dress-up clothes.

"What about you, Neens?" Angela asked quietly as Nina flicked aimlessly through the dresses.

"Nope. No boyfriend. No dances."

"Ever? Why?" Jessica asked, shocked by both Bella and Nina's inexperience.

"Moved around too much. Never stuck around long enough to make anything," Nina admitted forlorn. "I did like this one guy when I was 15, though."

"Ooh. Tell us everything."

The witch laughed softly, shaking her head in amusement. "Nothing ever happened. We sat together in English class. I used to get so distracted the teacher threatened to move me to a different class."

"Never took you for boy-crazy," Bella teased.

"Shut up," Nina slapped her arm, still laughing.

The dress selection wasn't large, but both Jessica and Angela found a few things to try on.

Nina and Bella sat on a low chair just inside the dressing room, by the three-way mirror.

Jess was torn between two — one a long, basic pink sequined number, the other a knee-length electric blue with spaghetti straps. Nina encouraged her to go with the pink; she was right when she said it made her boobs look good. Angela chose a pale blue dress that draped around her tall frame nicely and brought out honey tints in her light brown hair. Both Nina and Bella complimented them both generously and helped by returning the rejects to their racks.

They headed over to shoes and accessories. While they tried things on, Nina drifted along the store, peaking through the variety of nick nacks there were to offer. She smiled slightly when she saw a mug that said 'bite me'. The irony of it was quite funny, so she held onto it as a gift for Edward when she saw him next.

"Who's that for?" Bella asked with a small giggle when Nina returned.

"Just a friend," Nina replied anonymously.

Bella grinned. She didn't even need to ask to know who it was for.

Angela had picked out a strappy pair of black heals while Jessica was in between a similar pair or a pair of bright pink.

As Angela put the shoes back in their box, Nina sat beside her. "Angela?" She looked up curiously. "Is it normal for the...Cullens" — She kept her eyes on the shoes — "to be out of school a lot?" She failed miserably in her attempt to sound nonchalant.

"Yes, when the weather is good they go backpacking all the time — even the doctor."

"They're all real outdoorsy," She told her quietly, examining her shoes, too. She didn't ask one question, let alone the hundreds that Jessica would have unleashed. Nina was beginning to really like Angela.

"Oh." She let the subject drop as Jessica returned to show them the rhinestone jewelry she'd found the pink shoes she'd decided on with Bella's assistance.

They planned to go to dinner at a little Italian restaurant on the boardwalk, but the dress shopping hadn't taken as long as they'd expected. Jess and Angela were going to take their clothes back to the car and then walk down to the bay.

Bella told them she would meet them at the restaurant in an hour — she wanted to look for a bookstore. They were both willing to come with her, but she encouraged them to go have fun — they didn't know how preoccupied she could get when surrounded by books. Nina, however, had opted to stay with the Swan, knowing it was getting dark soon and not the safest to be alone. They walked off to the car chattering happily, and they headed in the direction Jess pointed out.

"What's got you acting so strangely?" Bella asked as they walked toward the bookstore.

Nina kicked a pebble, keeping her eyes downcast as she felt the cool breeze flow past her. "My dad," She admitted quietly.

"Is he back in town?" Bella asked curiously.

"God, no," Nina shook her head. "I just found something out about him... Not too sure how to feel about it."

"What? Is he like a supernatural serial killer?"

Nina was silent.

"Oh my god, is he?"

"Close enough to it."

Belle placed her hand on the witches' shoulder, "Shit, Neens. I'm sorry."

Nina swallowed hard as she shook her head again. "It's alright. I'll get over it. I was just kinda... Just kinda still had some hope for him but I guess that's all gone now."

The witch sighed softly, smiling shakily at Bella, "I... Just thought he'd help me get better, you know? Every time I use my magic, I get closer to death. At this rate, I probably won't even reach 35."

The human wrapped her arm around Nina's shoulder, pulling her into her chest for a hug. "We'll figure something out. Someone's gotta have some sort of answer."

"I don't want to die," Nina admitted, her eyes glossy as she hid her face in Bella's shoulder.

Bella waited for Nina to pull away. She wasn't sure how to react to the new knowledge she had received, let alone how to comfort the witch with a timer on her back. She had only ever known one person to die, her gran and she wasn't very close with the woman so she wasn't all that affected by the loss.

But Nina? Nina was her first real best friend. She was the first person who didn't judge her for her awkwardness, tease her klutzy acts, or the way she preferred books to real people. Nina admired it, if anything.

Bella had quite honestly fantasied on their future, they would go to college together and be roommates, they would both get married to the love of their lives and their children would go on playdates together, they would even go to the same nursing home and fuck with all the staff by doing wheel chair races through the hallways till they passed out or puked or did whatever else old people did when they over-exert themselves.

Nina pulled away after anothing fleeting moment and wiped her eyes. "Sorry," She coughed. "I just dropped a bomb on you. I just– I started and I couldn't stop. I've got no one to talk to about this and–"

"It's alright," Bella reassured her, keeping a warm and comforting hold on the witch's arm. "It's a lot, I know that now, but you can't keep that bottled up to just you and your mom. You've gotta have someone you can actually vent to without being worried about hurting your mom's feelings or scaring her... I can be that person, if you want me to be?"

Smiling, Nina nodded. "I'm sorry you had to see me cry. I promise I'm usually cooler than this."

"Oh, no. I think you're a total loser now that I've seen you show real emotions other than disgust and lust toward Granny Cullen."

Grasping dramatically, Nina slapped her arm. "I do not feel lust toward Eeyore!"

"Sure," She dragged out the letters. "So you definitely don't want another impromptu sleepover?"

"I hate you," Nina grumbled as she started walking again, looking up this time as she looked around for the book store.

"No, you don't!" Bella replied as she chased after her. "God, for someone so short, you walk so fast."

They had no trouble finding the bookstore, it was small and quaint and located on a hill which left them having to walk up a while of stairs – it was actually only about thirty, but Nina hated every step.

The windows were full of crystals, dream-catchers, and books about spiritual healing. Bella had joked about Nina getting crystals so she could give offerings to the gods in exchange for help with her magic.

While Bella searched through the isles, Nina stared out the window and watched as the sky slowly turned dark, the sun just peeking out of the horizon.

A chill went down her spine suddenly, but the sound of Bella buying her book had distracted her.

"You ready?" She asked, when Bella reached her side by the door.

Bella held up her new book, waving it slightly with a grin. "Yep."

Walking out of the store, Nina grabbed the book. "Sense and Sensibility? Sounds boring."

The human grabbed it out of her hands. "It's a classic," She defended.

"Doesn't mean it's any good," Nina grinned. "Sounds like a title for soft porn."

"Nina!" Bella slapped her arm, blushing brightly under the street lights.

* TW STARTS NOW

They walked slowly through a short alleyway, hoping to cut through back to the main street when Nina saw two men stop at the entrance and begin to walk toward them. She grabbed Bella's arm and quickly turned them around to go through another part of the alley.

"Follow me. Stay quiet and don't let go," Nina instructed when she heard their footsteps get closer.

Bella's breathing was harsh and Nina could practically hear how scared she was with the laboured breaths.

They were in a parking lot behind the bookstore now and more men had appeared. There were five now. Nina could smell the scent of alcohol and weed, it was leaking off their clothing.

"Hey! Where you running to?" A man called out from behind them. Bella looked back, grasping Nina's arm tighter.

"It's gonna be okay," Nina reassured her, though she was more so reassuring herself.

"There they are," Another called. This one was in front of them. He looked about 40 and held a case of beers in his hand. He had two more guys by his side.

They all seemed to be friends, greeting each other quickly before their attention moved back to Bella and Nina who were practically shaking.

"Look who we just found."

"What's up, girl?" A guy asked, and Nina felt his hand creep down her back.

Nina tried to walk away from him, but she only walked into another. His hands went to rest high on her waist, his thumbs practically on the underwire of her bra. Nina gulped.

"Where are you going?" He asked, his grip tightening. Nina was sure she was going to be bruised after, if there even would be an after.

"Come get a drink with us," Another said, this time to Bella.

"Don't touch her," Nina warned them. "Let her go. I'll have a drink with you."

"You think you can take us all?" One whispered in her ear, his hands dipping down to her thighs.

Bella had been pulled away from her. That was Nina's breaking point.

She grabbed the man in front of hers shoulders, gripping hard as she yanked her knee up, hitting him in the spot that made him drop instantly. The one behind her, grabbed her, wrapping his arm around her neck.

She grabbed his arm, pulling at it. He was going to choke her to the point of becoming unconscious if she didn't do anything.

Her hands lit up slowly, the burning sensation was almost unbearable, but she fought against it. She didn't care if this shaved off a few more years of her life. She couldn't let this happen to Bella.

The flames came quick, quicker than she had expected and more powerful than she had ever created. The man that had grabbed her, fell to the ground screaming in pain, but it soon fell quiet.

She ignored his charred body as she stepped over it, her hands glowing in fire as she walked toward Bella and the three men surrounding her.

"Walk away," She warned them.

They turned to look at her and the flames grew brighter. She threw a ball of fire in their direction, making them scream before they all took off in a sprint, just as a car swerved into the hidden parking lot.

* TW ENDS NOW

Nina ignored the car as she ran over to Bella, who was shaking with tears running down her face. "Hey," She spoke softly, slowing down as she approached the girl, flames dying down to nothing as she held out her hand. "It's just me. They're gone."

Bella instantly rushed into her arms, holding onto her tightly, unable to let go.

Nina glanced forward and saw the car park before a familiar figure walked out. It was Edward, she could tell even in the dim lighting. He walked over the charred body like it was nothing, not even reacting as he walked toward them.

"Are you alright?" He asked, staying a safe four foot distance away when he saw Bella's body flinch at the male voice.

The witch shook her head no. Her eyes were full of tears, but she was holding them at bay, knowing Bella needed her more.

She was going to pass out soon, she could feel it; the exhaustion from the excessive amount of magic. It wasn't painful now, though. The cold that emanated from Edward's body seemed to calm the fiery flood of pain.

"Bella, it's Edward. I'm not going to hurt you. You need to get in the car though," Edward spoke suddenly when he saw Nina's eyes flicker closed for a moment, her stance faltering.

The human nodded, wiping her nose as she slowly retreated from Nina.

"I'll be there in a minute," Nina reassured. "No one's going to hurt you now."

While Bella walked back to Edward's silver Volvo, he quickly moved to gently grab her elbows. "I'm sorry," He whispered when he felt her flinch.

"It's okay," She murmured, eyes closing again. "I'm really glad you're here, stalker."

He pulled her closer just as she passed out, letting her fall gently into his arms. "I wish I came sooner," He sighed, picking her up bridal style as he sent a downward glance at the body, pursing his lips at the sight.

He held her up easily as he grabbed his phone and sent a quick text to Rosalie, before readjusting her in his arms and walking her back to his car. Edward placed her gently in the back seat, minding her head and making sure she looked decently comfortable in the small backseat, attempting to buckle her in so she would be somewhat safe before moving to sit in the driver's seat.

Glancing over at Bella, he breathed out softly. "Are you alright, Bella?" He asked as he started the car, putting the heat on high when he saw her shivering.

"I wanna see Charlie," She told him, voice still shaky.

"I'll take you there," He promised, glancing back at Nina in the rearview mirror. "I'm going to take her to my father."

Bella nodded in agreement. She knew Nina had taken the brute of it.

"Distract me, please," He ordered her.

"I'm sorry, what?"

He exhaled sharply. "Just prattle about something unimportant until I calm down," He clarified, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, driving with his freehand.

"Um." She wracked her brain for something trivial. "Kit asked me how he should ask out Nina to the dance and I told him to serenade her with the marching band because I knew she would hate it–"

"Not about Kit."

"Oh. Um, I had a math test today and everyone flunked it but me and I didn't even study. Mike got like a 4 out of 100 and that was the second highest grade. Sometimes I think he doesn't have a brain, like there are no thoughts, just static. Not even elevator music. It might even just be the occasional beep when it's time for meals."

He was still squeezing his eyes closed, but the corner of his mouth twitched. Edward sighed, and finally opened his eyes.

"Better?"

"Not really."

She waited, but he didn't speak again. He leaned his head back against the seat, staring at the red illuminating light. His face was rigid.

"What's wrong?" Her voice came out in a whisper.

"Sometimes I have a problem with my temper, Bella." He was whispering, too, and as he stared into the rearview mirror, his eyes narrowed into slits. "But it wouldn't be helpful for me to turn around and hunt down those..." He didn't finish his sentence, looking away, struggling for a moment to control his anger again. "At least," He continued, "That's what I'm trying to convince myself."

"Oh." The word seemed inadequate, but she couldn't think of a better response. He had practically admitted to wanting to murder those men, not that she felt much different about the situation. "You really like her, don't you?" She asked, seeing his eyes continually flicker between the road and the mirror facing the sleeping girl in the back.

"More than I should," He admitted when the light turned green.

"Jessica and Angela will be worried," She murmured. "We were supposed to meet them."

"Text them. Tell them your dad came to pick you up and Nina came with you."

"Okay," Bella agreed instantly, picking through her pockets and grabbing her phone.

While she sent the text, Edward drove quickly through the streets. Luckily, it wasn't very busy so the only thing slowing them down was the occasional red light. Though Edward seemed to go by a different motto, yellow didn't mean slow down, it meant speed up.

"There's chocolate in the console. I started keeping it in there when Nina almost fainted after blood typing. The, uh... the sugar will help you feel better."

"How would Nina feel if she knew that?"

"She'd probably call me a loser," Edward smiled slightly.

"Yeah, she would," Bella agreed as she took some of the chocolate. It was stocked with all of the witch's favourites. "She likes you too. Sometimes. Sometimes I think she might throw you into the moon."

"I'd probably deserve that."

Edward had dropped Bella off at the police station. Her father's car had still been parked in the lot and he made sure to walk her inside, knowing Nina would smack him if he didn't.

Returning back to the car, he sat down.

Carlisle had been there too. There was an animal attack that left a local dead in their fishing boat.

The blonde man stood by the window, glancing inside and seeing the sleeping witch. "Is she alright?" He asked.

Edward shook his head. "I'm gonna take her home. Are you able to take a look at her? She's not in the best shape right now." The words hurt to say.

Carlisle nodded instantly. "I'll drive behind you."