Autumn's Beginning, Autumn's Breeze

Isabella~

Max pulled me close to him. As fast as my heart was beating, I half expected him to attack me. He didn't though, he just sat there, holding me.

"Why do you deserve it?" I asked quietly, looking up at his beautiful, perfect face. He looked down at me, his smile fading slightly.

Ariana

I woke with a start, and found myself looking up into Natan's eyes, I found myself utterly relieved, if I hadn't woken up to see his, or my uncles I would have been incredibuly worried. But Natan knew what he was doing.

"How do ya feel?" Natan asked

"Like crap actually," I admitted, "but at least I'm not in pain anymore. I guess thats good."

"Yeah, Davnix and the Avian are waiting downstairs for you."

"Cool," I said sitting up.

**Shameful Bella, posting twice in a row!!!**

Valentina~

I helped Natan as much as I could, as he began working on the girl. After he had finished, there was ntohing more to do, except wait for her to regain conciousness. We sat on the floor while we waited.

"Anyway," Natan continued. "Why'd you go into a pub where you knew vampires were?" he asked.

"I...I thought..." I struggled to find the words to describe what I had been feeling. "I wanted to do something about the fact that my family had been killed...I didn't know what, but I had to do something."

"But...weren't you frightened?"

"Horribly so, yes, but my mind was made up. I'm horribly stubborn sometimes."

MAx

I didn't want to tell her, to see her beauty blemished by fear and jelously. But she asked. I could evade the question for now.

"You'd much rather not know," I assured her, "but if you truly wanted to know all the horrors I could unleash on your life you'd do well to ask your aunt. The part you'd hear from me would be slightly more romantic."

I looked at her again, her beautiful perfection tainted by dissappointment. I pressed a kiss to her temple and felt somebody else's presence coming close. Alise's. Oh no, now I was in trouble.

Isabella~

I saw Aunt Alise making her way up the hill slowly, not yet in sight range of Max and myself. Max noticed her too, about five second before I did. He didn't move, seeming frozen in place.


**Curse my lack of ideas..*

Natan-

I helped Ariana out of the bed and into the living room. She glanced at my father.

"What's wrong with him? He wasn't hurt too, was he?"

"Um...no, he's fine. He's just really tired from all the fighting and healing he's done today. He'll be better by tomorrow."

Ariana looked at me with a disappointed expression but let the subject drop. I knew she would never buy my lame excuse of my father simply being tired, but she was smart enough to know not to question it further. She trusted us, just like family should, even though families weren't supposed to keep secrets...

I led her outside and met Davnix by the door.

"She'll be fine now. Just come back to see my father or I tomorrow so we can check up on it and after that you'll just need to change the bandage every day for the next two weeks. After than it should be perfectly fine." I told her and Davnix. Suddenly Riley stepped forward.

"What about the other wounded? Isabella was hurt, i think, and Alise had a few cuts."

I looked at him. "If their wounds are serious, bring them here, but if they can be handled by minors, take them to either Isabella or Gerard. They both know basics on healing and Isabella can use magic ad heal herself unless she's hurt very badly. Gerard is good with bandages, too. My father and I are too tired to use any more magic unless it's an emergency. Come see us in the morning if you're still worried about the others."

I turned to Davnix again. "And could you stop by my house and tell my mother and Leira that we'll be back later tonight?"

He nodded and i bid them farewell before shutting the door and turning around.

I started when i saw my father standing behind me.

Valentina~

I was a few steps behind Natan, but stopped when I saw his father moving from the couch. As requested earlier on, I melted into the shadows and out of sight.

It was too late, however. Nathaniel had noticed me, and was glaring at me. I had the feeling he was contemplating something quite unpleasant...I also had the feeling the unpleasantness involved me more than I wanted it to.

Natan-

"Uh...hi." i bit my lip, knowing by my father's expression that what i had read of his emotions earlier were not as accurate as i would've hoped.

"Dad, i can explain."

"Then do so."

"Well, uh, you see...ah,"

His expression darkened. I sped up my explanation.

"You, er, lost control again and, er, i had to, um, cast that spell on you so that you wouldn't, uh, hurt anyone" i said, stuttering more than ever. I wrung my hands together, a habit i had grown into. I looked down.

"Where are the others?" He asked suddenly.

I glanced up. This was not what i had been expecting. "They're, um, scattered around. Davnix, Riley, Ariana, and...Val, are all here. Leira and mom are back at the house, and i don't know where the others are."


Riley-

I wrapped my wing around Ariana again as we began walking off, providing my warmth for her. She leaned against me as we walked, a yawn more than once escaping her. I smiled and yawned, too.

Alise

I knew Max was around here somewhere. I saw him following Isabella. I made sure I grabbed my dagger before following him. If he hurt her I'd kill him. Promise or no promise.

I turned and saw them. Max looked petrafied, almost made me laugh, and Isabelle looked both dissappointed and curious. But not the least bit pale. Maybe Max wouldn't hurt her, or maybe he just hadn't had the chance yet. I was more inclined to believe the latter.


Max

Alise had her knife, I was dead. D E A D dead. I wanted to get up and run, but my body refused to bend to my will and run away from Isabella. "You'd best get out of here little one," I whispered in her ear.



ARiana

I found myself leaning against Riley again, but couldn't tell why. I yawned, and he yawned and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Whats so funny?" he asked.

"We're never going to stop yawning now," I said.

"When one of us falls asleep we will."

I rolled my eyes and put a little more weight on my feet and off of him, trying to make it easier for the poor guy.

Valentina~

I listened to Natan explain, although he did a rather crummy job. Not that I could blame him. His father had me nearly ready to run screaming.

"Come on Natan, we're leaving," Nathaneil stepped forward once.

"Father, I, um...really would prefer...eh...to stay here," Natan said, phrasing his request more as a question.

"I don't care. I don't want you here with this...this...Vampire!" I cringed. The word, obviously an insult in Nathaniel's opinion, stung.

"Nathaniel, sir, please don't," I pleaded, stepping toward him. He immedietly lashed out with magic, knocking me off my feet.

"Father!" Natan cried.

**Curses...I cannot win tonight. I am double posting for real this time! Last time my computer was being stupid...**

Isabella~

"You'd best get out of here little one," Max whispered, not moving an inch. I dind't either. He looked down at me curiously.

"I'm not leaving," I said simply. Apparently the tone of my voice was enough, because he did not argue.

"Get away from her!" Aunt Alise cried the moment she reached us. Max moved quickly, because Alise had her daggers. Even I was slightly frightened by that.

"Aunt Alise, calm down!" I snapped, willing myself to be strong. She turned giving me the look you only gave a truly insane woman. Fine then, let me be insane!

"Do you want to be killed, child?" she asked.

"He won't hurt me," I replied, quite certain of myself.

"How do you know?"

"I trust him!"

"A stupid mistake on your part."

"Aunt Alise, why do you hate him so much?" I asked, knowing that I would finally get the answer I wanted.

Max

Isabella was really strong willed wasn't she? When she wanted an answer she got it.

"Alise," I said calmly, "its been 300 years, I'm not the blood thirsty monster you once knew."

She laughed at me, "its been 200 years, and I know you. You haven't got near as much self control as I did, even back then."

I looked down ashamededly, she was right.

"Isabella," I whispered faintly turning towards her, wanting to say something but words suddenly failed me, I knew I had to get the hell out of dodge, but wanted to find an adequate way to say bye, "you'd do well to forget me."

I ran away.

*clicks tongue* what to do, what to do? Ah, i know.

Natan-

Val took a step toward my father. He whipped around and blasted her off her feet with magic.

"Father!" I cried. "Stop! Please!"

He turned my look at me, and i saw, to my horror, his eyes were clear. All of this was his own self, not the madness that took over his mind occasionally. I bit my lip, knowing i could cast the same spell on him again. If he was conscious and fully aware of what was going on, he would be able to fight against my magic and probably win.

"Natan, she is dangerous. You shouldn't be here with her. Vampires are unpredictable. One moment they could pledge to protect you with their lives, the next they could be sucking you dry. Do not trust them."

I shook my head. "That is your view. I do not believe that, and i have no reason to. If you're going to continue hurting us, then please, leave."

He regarded us coldly for a moment before shrugging. "Fine, but if she turns you, i don't expect to ever see you back at the house again."

"Fine."

My father vanished from the room and i walked over to Val, offering her my hand.

"Are you alright?"


Riley-

I felt Ariana lift some of her weight off of me and i glanced down. She looked back up at me and smiled. I yawned again and giggled.

Isabella~

Max ran away, leaving Aunt Alise and I alone on the hill. I watched after him, not that there was anything to see now. Alise came up behind me, as I fell to my knees. I hardly knew him, but for some reason I felt so...attached to Max. I didn't want him to be gone...ever...

"Aunt Alise, he's not a bad person!" I cried, tears flowing slowly down my face.

__________________

Valentina~

I took Natan's hand, getting slowly to my feet.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

"Yes," I replied, wrapping my arms around him. "What about you?"

"Fine." He let me go, trying to calm himself down. Sighing, I began pacing the room.

"I'm not dangerous," I murmured, more to myself than to him. I knew he was listening though. "I have full control, whether anyone else believes it or not. I WON'T hurt anyone....I WON'T suck them dry...no..." Natan grabbed my arm, trying to stop me from pacing.

Max

Just out of site I collapsed to my knees and sobbed dry tears. I knew I no longer had the ability to cry actual tears, blood red or clear. It was all I could do to not run back and steal Isabelle away from her family.



Alise

I dropped down on my knees next to Isabella and let her cry, when she calmed down I would tell her about what an evil person Max was, and how dangerous he was.

We had been sitting there a long time when I heard my husband approach, I waved for him to come over but to stay quiet, I'd need his help to keep Isabelle calm later.


Ariana

I knew I was in danger of falling asleep again, so I was glad when we walked up the walk to my house.

"I'll show you the guest room," I offered to Riley, "that is if you still want to stay."