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The Necklace	By : belladonnacullen Category: Twilight Series > Het > Alice/Jasper Views: 4635 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

Chapter List
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Alice took my hand in hers, so small, so delicate-looking, yet so strong. She placed her other hand on my shoulder, and arched her neck so that she could look into my eyes. Her every movement was graceful, like a dancer crossed with a gazelle, I’d always thought. But maybe she’d always moved more like a faerie?

I concentrated on Alice smiling up at my face, and tried not to compare her every movement to the other three little things flitting about us with inhuman fluidity.

So my mate was a faerie, or one eighth faerie, by my math. It didn’t make a lick of difference to me, of course. While I might have been overly prejudiced in my human life, in undeath I’d learned not to discriminate. At first it was on account that all humans held the same temptation, and gave the same satisfaction to one such as myself. It had taken becoming a vampire to see that they were all, one and the same, human. But my mind was opened further after meeting Alice and then the Cullens. Their kindness and civility toward me, a bloodthirsty killer, showed me that acceptance was more than that all humans being filled with drinkable blood. It meant seeing past the surface to the being inside. They looked past my scars and saw the possibility that I might have a heart, however dead and unbeating. I’d worked to do them proud ever since, to make up for my years of closed-mindedness and mirror their acceptance.

So I wouldn’t hold being part faerie against a soul, especially not my Alice. But it was more than that. It wouldn’t have mattered to me if they said Alice was half werewolf, god forbid. No matter what Alice was made of, she was mine; she completed me.

Alice scrunched her nose, scrutinizing my face. “I have no idea what you’re thinking, Jasper. How do you feel about this? About me?”

“I feel like maybe this is all magic, or maybe Maggie drugged us with that liquid, or that you’re even more exotic than I dreamed. A beautiful little one-of-a-kind creature that I’m lucky enough to call my own.”

Alice smiled up at me. A smile that lit her whole face; and lit a cold flame in my heart. “You don’t mind, or think I’m strange?”

“Are you kidding, baby? You’re strange and wonderful and amazing, and more than I deserve. But I love you, no matter what they say you are. You know that.” I bent my head and placed a hard kiss on Alice’s lips to demonstrate my point, making sure to project. Oh hell, I couldn’t project anything. But Alice’s kiss affected me just as it always did, and I lost track of my bearings and felt myself falling into the feel of her love.

“Ahem!” a little voice from below cleared its throat. “Now, I thought you were here to see Aine, not to make out!”

Chuckles echoed around Alice and I, and I fancied I could feel the rush of air as the sounds flew by my head. Alice pulled away from me and giggled a little herself. A sweet little sound, suspiciously similar to the chatter of the faeries. I gulped.

I was in love with a faerie! What would my mother have said? I dismissed that thought quickly; thanking the lord my human mother never knew what became of me. Falling for a faerie would have been the least of it all.

The little boys lined up behind Alice, hands on their hips, impatient all of the sudden. It was ironic. They’d certainly been the ones that had held us up so far. I marveled at how much they actually looked like Alice, as if they may have been distant cousins; all four of them so small, thin, long and strong. All four smiled easily at me, friendly smiles that couldn’t mask the fact that each mind was working furiously, even as they stood at ease.

I couldn’t lie to myself. I was drawn to all of them. I wasn’t sure if it was to feed, or to talk, or oddly, to touch. This desire to touch another male left me unsettled and ill at ease. But I took them at their word, and they said I could break them in two like twigs, so I took heart that Alice and I had the upper hand at the moment. However, I’d keep my guard up. I didn’t know what to expect from the court, or from their queen that they spoke of, Aine.

Alice tugged me along behind the three little faeries, smiling at me warmly. She appeared remarkably unbothered by all of this, and the only response I could think of was to smile dumbly back at her. I would have given anything to know what she was feeling, so I could give her exactly what she needed. We’d been together near sixty years, and I should have been able to suss out her emotions from the look on her face, but perhaps I’d never needed to tease out the finer points, my gift aiding me at every turn.

Alice’s eyes narrowed and her smile turned sly, then she let go of my hand and walked slightly ahead of me. I struggled to figure out the meaning in her actions like a blind man trying to match his shirt with his trousers. I was at a loss, without my ability.

I worried about Alice as I watched her gracefully amble up to the little faeries. Neither of us had expected to hear about Alice’s family from this bizarre trio. Of course, we’d spoken of her family many times before. Alice suspected it hadn’t been a happy story, but with no memory, it was hard for her to feel any pain about it. And then she’d seen her headstone. The date of her “death” matched the date on the asylum’s admittance paperwork. She’d been dead to them for ten years before her actual death. It wasn’t a vampire or overzealous psychiatric workers that had killed Alice; her parents killed her when she was ten. She’d never had a chance.

I knew that her missing memory made her feel less human than the rest of us, like she had been born vampire. And now, what did this mean? Would it make her feel even more isolated, an oddity among oddities?

Even worse, I worried what it might mean for the Volturi. Aro already wanted Alice for his own. But if he found out she was part faerie, what then? Alice saw us before Aro at the end of all of this, her hand in his as he told her he would leave our family alone. But as soon as he touched her hand, he would know. And he would want her even more. I had no doubt about that. If there was any way I could prevent that, I would, no matter what it meant for my family. We would deal with the Volturi, but Aro would never lay a hand on my Alice. He never needed to know.

I was so lost in my own thoughts, and so unused to being immune to the feelings of those around me, that I almost didn’t notice the gradual change in our surroundings. At first the scenery was eerily constant, like those landscapes in children’s bedrooms that spin around the walls as they go to sleep, like we were walking in a loop. The electric green hills rolled by, the cloudless black-blue cloudless sky was dotted with stars, the trees full of ripe berries and covered in vines, while a brook bubbled along side of us.

But now, I noticed bright orbs in the trees, lit with ghostly yellow-green light, and sparkling silver dust fell from the cloudless sky and glittered on the ground. A light breeze began to blow through the hills, without moving the leaves on the trees. It carried with it the sounds of light and intricate harp music, and the cloying smell of baked human goods.

“Ferragosto,” I heard Riodh say. “It’s changed over the years. Now for the humans, it’s all about vacationing, really. Before that it was captured and tamed by the Christians.” The little one shivered with the word Christian. “They dedicated the day to the great virgin mother, and said it was about virginity and the sinless soul.” Riodh rolled his eyes and Alice giggled.

“The Romans honored Diana on this day, her light and her chastity. But the original celebration was ours, Feriae Augusti. This is the time of year to honor fertility and ripening. In the fields, in our wombs. It’s all a variation on a theme: chastity and virginity, then fertility and motherhood - a celebration of the feminine reaching maturity and its highest power, bringing new life.”

“How do you celebrate?” Alice asked.

The faeries looked between themselves, then purposefully turned away from Alice. Donnchadh answered.

“Oh, the usual: food, music, dance, and afterwards… we celebrate… fertility.” He ended his sentence in a cough.

Alice raised her eyebrows and I smirked. What exactly was this boy of a faerie man saying?

“Are faeries… fertile?” Alice asked with an intensity I hadn’t expected.

“Absolutely.” Riodh chimed in.

“Not the baobhan sidhe, of course,” Donnchadh added matter-of-factly.

“Of course,” Alice sighed, turning to concentrate on the distant horizon. I tried to look into her eyes, to gauge her emotions. She’d never whispered a word about fertility; I’d never felt her long for anything like Rosalie or Esme had over the years. But Alice seemed suddenly wistful.

“Hey, Alice,” I hissed, trying to get her attention. She smiled back at me without meeting my gaze.

“It works differently than with humans, our fertile periods coincide with specific magical dates throughout the year. Like tonight,” Donnchadh continued, oblivious to the change in Alice’s mood.

Alice shook her head and went to stand next to the little faerie, doing her best to look engaged in his chatter. Aodhfionn dropped back to walk at my side.

I watched him concentrate on keeping in stride with me, which was mildly amusing. He was Alice’s height, and he had to dance and hop a bit to match my gait. But even as he strutted besides me like a child, Aodhfionn held his wings aloft, sharp and strong. I glanced over at the faerie and wondered at the damage my teeth might do to his glowing skin, if his blood would taste as spicy and sweet as his scent, and what, if any, danger the razor sharp edges of his wings might pose to my flesh.

Aodhfionn flashed his brown and white eyes in my direction. I looked away as if I’d been caught in some illicit act. “To gain favor with Aine, you must address her with respect, warrior. She won’t grant you the grace of her attention without deference.”

I peered down at the little man. “Excuse me?”

“Treat the queen with respect. Don’t threaten her with your words or with your growling, or your Mary Alice will leave here disappointed.” After speaking her name, the faerie’s strange eyes sought Alice ought, and I watched his body relax as she came into his line of vision. I didn’t like this faerie at all.

“You would like to help Alice, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes,” the faerie answered without taking his eyes off of her.

“Why?” I challenged.

The faerie turned to face me, exasperated. “She is one of our own,” he huffed.

“Hardly,” I scoffed.

Aodhfionn shook his head. “You have such strict definitions. The fae do not discriminate, warrior. No matter the dilution, she is faerie to us.”

“And the other two, do they want to help Alice the same way you do?”

“Her safety will always be their priority. But they aren’t as concerned as I am with how we’ve already failed her.”

“And why are you so concerned?” I questioned the boy.

“I’m a perfectionist, I suppose. I wouldn’t have forsaken her like that damned vampire did,” he said in a strained and shaky voice. His wings quivered and he held his hands in fists. He put on a good show, but I wasn’t convinced.

“I wonder, though, Aodhfionn, if you really meant to help Alice at all. Why send a vampire to help a human? Did you really think that would work?”

“If you ask the fae for help, you are in a position to take what you can get. It was not my decision to send Augustin.” He cast a withering look in Riodh’s direction, leaving no doubt who had pulled for the vampire. “Aine was in agreement, and there was nothing for me to do about it.”

“Why would they try to help like that? In a way that seemed almost destined for failure?”

“We mix things up. It’s our specialty, you might say. And we find that when you put unlikely companions together, people learn something of themselves. Augustin did. He learned there was something bigger than himself to give his life for. He’d been hiding from the Volturi for longer than you have existed, dear warrior. He spent hundreds of years trying to save his life, but he gladly gave it up after only a few months with your Mary Alice.

“We didn’t count on this, though. And by sending Augustin, we left Mary Alice to awaken to her new existence alone.” Aodhfionn’s voice became hushed. “She is remarkable, you know. Any other baobhan sidhe would have turned into a monster under those circumstances.”

“Yes, she is,” I agreed, eying the little boy-man suspiciously. “She is mine, Aodhfionn.”

He smiled at me evenly, not reacting to my swagger. “Ha. Such jealous creatures you are. Pay me no mind, warrior. I’ll leave your Mary Alice alone, no matter how beguiling I might find her.”

Within a second, I had the little faerie held against the branch of the nearest tree by his neck. His eyes glowed at me like white-hot coals, his skin gave off an ethereal white light, and his wings folded around himself protectively, their edges unexpectedly cutting into my arms. I growled at the little man, shaking him by his neck.

“Jasper! Put him down!” Footsteps ran in our direction. I didn’t take my eyes off the faerie in front of me, but the smell of wildflowers and candy let me know Alice and the other two faeries had come to Aodhfionn’s rescue.

“What did I say, warrior? Keep calm. Respect. What I said is the least of what you might hear in the land of the fae. Keep a level head if you want your wish granted.” With my hand clamped over his throat, the little faerie’s voice came out in a rough whisper. His wings fluttered, cutting deeper into my flesh. I worked to keep my look impassive. The little fiend wouldn’t see my pain.

“Jasper!” Alice tugged at my arms. I turned to her, and she was bewildered, desperate. I realized that she hadn’t seen any of it coming and she didn’t know what I was feeling. We were in unchartered territory.

I eased my grip on the faerie, who was still glowing from within, and stared evenly into his eyes. “You hear me, faerie, I will treat you and yours with respect. But I expect the same from you. If you want to help Alice like you say you do, you will be careful to respect her and I, and our relationship. She is mine. Don’t you forget it.”

I heard Alice giggling behind me. “Jasper, sweetie, put the faerie down. Don’t be ridiculous.”

Aodhfionn’s face was turned toward the ground, but he raised his eyes to look at me through long curling lashes, an uneven smile playing at his lips. I wasn’t ridiculous. This boy had better watch himself.

“Never forget that I owe you nothing, warrior. It’s Mary Alice that I serve.”

“Aodhfionn, what have you done?” Donnchadh harped. “We have no time for this. Aine! She wants us immediately. We’ve been too long.”

“Respect goes both ways, faerie.”

“Tread lightly, warrior.”

I released the little one and he floated toward the grass, bouncing gently as he touched the ground. Alice grabbed my hand. “Jasper, I can’t watch you like I usually do. We need their help. Please, for Bella and Edward, please keep your head.” But then Alice saw the glistening gashes on my arms.

She looked between Aodhfionn and I.

He smiled back at her ruefully. “I’m sorry, Mary Alice. I plead self-defense. But I won’t do it again, if it hurts you.”

Alice wrapped her arm around my waist. “Does it hurt?”

“No, of course not,” I fibbed, nuzzling my face in her silken hair.

“Then, thank you, Aodhfionn. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t try to wound my man again.”

I couldn’t help the growl that erupted from my throat. Alice turned her face up towards mine and smirked.

“But, you know, he can protect himself,” she added. “It’s best you don’t provoke him, for your own safety.” I smiled back at Alice. Sight or no sight, she knew me, and my damned prideful nature well.

“Riodh and Donnchadh were just telling me about the celebration, Ferragosto. Remember what Maggie, asked, about, er, virgins?” Alice asked. “Ferragosto is all about virginity and womanhood. We’re asking a favor of them on this day. It could be good luck for the, um, virgins.”

“Virgin vampires need our help?” Riodh asked, giggling. “Surely you’re no virgin, Mary Alice?”

“None of your business, Riodh,” I rumbled.

The tiny pink faerie jumped and scurried, peeking out from behind Donnchadh. “He’s right. It isn’t, Riodh. Don’t be rude,” Donnchadh chastised.

“Sorry,” the little one squeaked.

“No offense taken,” Alice giggled, bending down so that she was eye level with the little fellow. He winked at her playfully and she reached out and tousled his curling golden hair. It reflected the light the way I’d seen fiber optic filaments do, almost as if the light was within the hair shaft, not glancing off of it.

I was taken aback by Alice’s easy demeanor with the little faerie. She was far too trusting for my taste. But another side of me wanted to tousle some hair myself. I looked to my right and Aodhfionn glared back at me. Not a chance there. The only one I hadn’t managed to threaten was Donnchadh, and his knees were trembling just the same.

I sighed. “Please, I’m not going to hurt any of you without cause. Let’s just get to Aine and get this over with.”

“Thanks, Jasper.” Alice stood up and pecked me on the cheek. Her kiss was cool and light and the air around her stirred like wet wildflowers. But what did it mean? Was she grateful that I’d said something, worried about taking too much time, anxious about meeting Aine? I searched her eyes, looking for a clue to her emotional state. I loved the way the amber flecks floated in molten gold, moving between the depths of her eyes, bottomless, beautiful. But they didn’t hold a clue to her feelings. At least not now.

Alice squeezed my hand. “Come on, Jazz, they’re leaving us behind.”

And indeed they were. The faeries were several yards ahead all of the sudden, walking abreast of one another, only Riodh glancing over his shoulder to see if we were coming.

“Donnchadh, you should have seen it. He just got lost in Mary Alice’s eyes. The warrior really does love her.”

“Maybe it all turned out for the best, then. Pity about Augustin, but Mary Alice seems quite happy,” Donnchadh replied.

“Yes, how lovely. See Aodhfionn, everything righted itself in the end.”

Aodhfionn only snorted and walked ahead of the other two.

*****

“It did turn out for the best, Jasper. These faeries kind of brought me to you,” Alice whispered, squeezing my hand in hers. “Be nice.”

Even without the ability to feel the calming ministrations of Alice’s emotions, my mate managed to half melt my heart with just one look. It was difficult to be angry in her presence, and I squeezed her hand back.

“Sorry, love,” I whispered back at her. “The brown one says we have to remember to be nice to the queen, to Aine. I’ll try, for you, for our family.”

Alice smiled back at me.

The air ahead of us began to stir with the coming and going of many creatures, many swift and steady heartbeats, impossibly light footsteps pattered, high-pitched voices rose and fell, and the goddamned smell of cinnamon pierced the air. I felt myself being pulled ahead irrationally, almost unwillingly, filled with a bubbling giddiness. Alice quickened her pace to catch up. “Jasper, what is it?”

I slowed my steps. “Nerves, I think,” I mumbled, looking at my feet instead of Alice, somewhat ashamed at my lie. I tried to swallow back the venom without Alice noticing. I was confused enough by my reaction to these creatures, and Alice had plenty on her mind. I didn’t need her worrying that I might eat one of the faeries. I could keep myself in check.

“Oh, Jasper, isn’t it pretty?”

In the distance I saw garlands of enormous white flowers hanging from each of the trees, lights glowing from deep within each bloom. The silver glitter covered the ground, and had drifted against the tree trunks in piles. Little lights danced through the air, darting in and out of the branches, and then soaring skyward.

And then, as we walked around a bend in the path, we saw them. Hundreds of them, dressed in brilliant, shimmering, gauzy fabrics that sparkled in the light, flowers and tendrils woven in their long, wild manes of hair. The fae chattered in groups of two or three, a large troupe dancing intently in a circle off to the side. Musicians were scattered throughout the gathering, playing harps, lyres, mandolins; instruments I’d only heard mention of in books. A cadre of snow-white horses with long and flowing manes was tied with golden rope to the trunk of a large alder. Then, at the edge of the gathering, under the shade of an enormous willow tree, a long, low table was set with golden platters of fruit and crystal goblets of sparkling liquid. Behind the table sat a group of regal males and females, poised and proper, keeping themselves from the crowd.

But the talking, music and dancing all stopped as Alice and I walked into the clearing. A long line of large faerie men stepped between us and the gathering, each wearing a sloping and curving deep blue helmet, and each pointing a long spear at my neck. I couldn’t help myself and chuckled a little. What did they think their spears could do to me? This seemed to anger the faerie fighters; their eyes glowed with rage, and their red lips seemed to flame, even as the sword tips trembled with their nervous shaking. I grinned at them. Their fear smelled similar to human fear, just sweeter and more endearing.

“Enough,” a singsong voice trilled, as a feminine hand pushed the line of faerie-men aside. Just as quickly as they’d materialized before us, the guards dissasembled. In their place stood a tall female with luminous white skin, glowing green eyes, and red hair that tumbled down her back like fire. Long, translucent green and sparkling wings fluttered at her back. Her brilliant green dress was draped over her shoulders, and clung to her body as it cascaded to the grass at her bare feet. This faerie wasn’t nearly as thin and angular as some of the others.

The three DinSheenK’ha fell to their knees, heads bowed. “Your grace,” they muttered, in unison. She nodded to them absently before addressing the crowd.

“Ladies and lords, this is the vampire I told you all about. The warrior that’s come with Mary Alice Brandon.” Aine stepped aside and swept her hand in our direction, as if she were presenting Alice and I as the entertainment for the evening.

The crowd murmured and circled in toward us, but kept a respectful distance. I struggled to remain calm, with so many unfamiliar eyes on me, so many crowding in on Alice and I. I wrapped my arm protectively around my mate, and had to consciously remind myself not to growl. But I couldn’t keep myself from casting a warning glance at each faerie that dared to look me in the eye.

But with each passing second my wariness turned into something else entirely. My close proximity to so many faeries was profoundly disorienting. Their scent, so overpowering, sweet and cloying had venom pooling in my mouth and strange thoughts swimming through my mind. I had to remind myself not to approach them, to stay put. I couldn’t say what I wanted from them. Blood? Perhaps. I thought I might be able to figure it out if I could get one of them alone, or many of them. The thought of being alone with many faeries had me in a near swoon. Wait, what in blazes was I thinking?

“It’s lovely to welcome you home, Mary Alice, and on such an auspicious evening. I see you’ve brought your consort.”

Alice giggled and curtsied a bit. “Yes, um… this is Jasper, my husband, my mate.”

“He’s very… imposing, Mary Alice. We’re delighted to have you both. I dare say it’s the first Ferragosto in memory that has included a vampire and one of the baobhan sidhe. As a matter of fact, your consort is the first vampire to come before us since Augustin, the vampire we sent to save your human life. What an interesting coincidence, don’t you think?”

“We were sent here by Maggie.”

“Why would Margaret send you to us? She’s never been here herself. We haven’t seen the rest of her clan in near five hundred years. Did she know you were baobhan sidhe?”

“No, not that. Our family needs help.”

“You’ve come to ask a favor of the fae?” Aine’s eyes gleamed, her face lit up with a phosphorescent glow, and she floated to within an inch of Alice. “We would gladly help.”

“Like you helped my grandmother?” Alice smirked. Leave it to my mate to work for a better deal.

Aine threw her head back and laughed, a light discordant sound, like sour wind chimes. “You cannot blame us for the actions of the tracker. Augustin did the best with what he was given: his love and his venom. And he freed you, and you’ve found a partner. What was the alternative? Rotting in a cell? You should be grateful.” While Aine’s speech began with laughter, it ended with her eyes narrowed in glowing green slits, her lips pressed together in a sneer.

“Excuse me?” I pushed Alice aside and came face to face with the queen. I felt Alice clutching my hand, but I wasn’t about to let this go.

“Warrior?” Aine challenged, not backing down.

“The name is Jasper. And Alice deserves an apology. She didn’t ask for your help, and no one should be forced into giving thanks for an existence of bloodthirsty damnation. Alice has done the best with what she’s been dealt, no thanks to you or her protectors.”

A hushed silence fell over the clearing. All eyes were suddenly on the ground. All except for Aine’s eyes, which seared into my own.

“What did you say, warrior?”

“I believe you heard me, ma’am.”

“Jasper,” Alice squeaked as she tugged at my arm.

Aine backed away, laughing. “You’ve chosen well, Mary Alice. Your man is very brave. Now what can we do for the two of you?” There was a collective sigh of relief from the gathering at the Queen’s easy acceptance, and their grateful relaxation was almost palpable even without my ability.

“This is a family matter, Aine. I don’t feel comfortable discussing this in front of so many… faeries that I don’t know.”

Aine grinned at Alice like a proud parent. “Of course,” she nodded, before twirling around to face the assembled mass and clapping her hands. “I request privacy for Mary Alice, her consort and myself.”

Suddenly, one of the guards was back with his spear, fitting himself in the small space between Aine and myself, his head bowed. He had a long brown beard and powder blue eyes, and he smelled very, very good. “Please, my grace, we should stay.”

“No, no, no, my man. The DinSheenK’ha will be enough. I have a good feeling about this warrior. Have you seen his eyes?”

The guard turned, looking me in the face. What he saw there made his blue eyes pop, and he took a quick step backwards, colliding with Aine. “Sorry, my grace,” he mumbled, stepping to the side. Suddenly, every faerie present was staring at Alice and I. I bristled, my body tensed, ready to spring into action, Alice rubbed my back. “Please, baby,” she whispered, “They’re curious.”

“What does it m-mean, your grace?” the guard stammered.

“I’ve only heard tell of it, and thought it was a rumor spread by brownies. But it’s true! It means Mary Alice and this warrior have found another manner to survive.”

The crowd gasped. I saw Riodh beaming up at Alice out of the corner of my eye.

“So, given their manners, I feel confident that the DinSheenK’ha can handle them. In fact, I don’t think Aodhfionn and his men will have to act in my defense at all. If these two blood-drinkers need our help, from this point onwards they will be on their best behavior.” Aine turned to stare at Alice and I with wide and commanding eyes. “Won’t you?” she breathed.

Alice squeezed my hand. “Yes,” I managed through clenched teeth.

“Yes, your grace,” Alice replied sweetly, playing along with the unfolding scene. She was too good.

And one by one, often hand in hand, the faeries departed, taking long a curious looks at Alice and I over their shoulders as they left. After a few seconds, Alice and I were left in the glowing, flower-lit clearing with Aine and the three protectors. Aine glided to the table and took a seat, and the three little ones sat cross-legged before her on the grass. Alice and I stood our ground, holding hands.

“I’ve been quite rude,” Aine began. This is, after all, a celebration, yet I’ve offered you no libations. Please, take your pick of food, or, er, drink.”

Aine clapped her hands and two great stags and a bear were led into the clearing by a strong looking faerie dressed all in furs, a bow and arrow at his waist. Alice cast me a wary look and we shook our heads in unison. Maggie had warned us not to eat while we were here. We were getting the hang of this sightless and empathy-less existence.

“Thank you, your grace. But we’ve recently fed,” Alice smiled sweetly.

Aine waved her hand and the faerie-hunter disappeared. She turned and peered coolly down at the two of us. “Very well, then, state your business,” Aine commanded, affecting an air of boredom.

Alice peered at me speechlessly, and her eyes searched mine. For what? In the past I might have projected a feeling of acceptance and charity, but now I had no clue how I might help. She knew as much as I did in this instance. I doubted I could present our case better than she could, with her cheery demeanor and contagious smile. Besides, Alice was apparently part faerie, wouldn’t it be better coming form her?

“What?” I mouthed silently.

Alice bit her bottom lip and glanced up towards Aine.

“Do you want me to…”

Alice turned to me and smiled a little. “No, no, no, sweetie. I’ve got this,” she murmured, pecking me on the cheek before dropping my hand and turning back to Aine.

“We’re here because Aro wants to break our family apart, any way he can,” Alice stated in a commanding voice. Suddenly I knew what she’d been so hesitant about. It was hard to just hear those words spoken aloud, but to come out and say it to a stranger. It was terrifying because it was true. Neither of us had uttered as much even to one another, although we both knew it in our own way.

With mention of Aro, Aine’s placid face turned evil. Alice shuddered, but continued. “He is using our brother, Edward, and his new wife as an excuse.”

Aine’s interest was piqued. Her eyes went wide and she half stood to her feet. “Edward?”

“Yes, Edward.”

“James’ killer?”

“Umm, yes. Edward killed James.”

“Edward is your brother, your clan-mate, Mary Alice?”

“Yes. Edward Cullen.”

“Interesting. James killed Augustin, and Edward killed James. Edward did what these three were never able to do: avenge Augustin’s death." Three pairs of wings fluttered nervously. Three pairs of eyes looked toward the ground. "James took advantage of his consort Victoria and her powers, and always got away from us.”

“The way I see it, you owe Edward a favor or two,” I offered with a bit too much bluster. Alice kicked my shin.

Aine cleared her throat, but chose not to respond to my statement. “Please continue, Mary Alice. This is all very intriguing.”

"Sure, you see, Aro promised to give Edward until the end of the year to turn Bella.”

“To turn her into a vampire?” Aine asked, more disbelieving as the story continued. “Why would a human want… that?” she nearly spat. I suppressed a growl.

“Bella and Edward are in love. Aro is using this relationship as an excuse to break us. He gave us his word that they have until the end of the year, but one of his coven, Jane…”

“Yes, Jane and I are acquainted,” Aine cut in. “We crossed paths in 1509 in Britain. It’s a shame her and her brother didn’t accept my offer at the time. Instead they keep such questionable company these days.” Aine gazed off into the air as if she were watching her memory in the branches of the trees.

“Right, Jane doesn’t like Bella. Bella is the only one she’s met that is immune to her powers. I’ve seen that she will convince Aro to come after Bella before the year is up. We’re not ready to battle the Volturi, Aine. My family would be murdered. We need your help.”

For the first time since we’d entered this strange clearing, Aine looked genuinely concerned.

“Yes, my dear, you do. And who would have dreamed that you had three protectors here that are charged with your safety, as well as a brother to whom we owe a debt. You are in the right place.”

I didn’t need my powers to feel the relief coming off Alice in waves. She smiled at Aine, and then at me, and threw her arms around me in a spontaneous hug. “See, Jasper, it’s going to be okay,” she whispered before showering my face with quick kisses. I had a sneaking suspicion it wouldn’t be as easy as all that.

*****

“However, tonight is reserved for festivity and celebration. You will have to present your case to the Saelie Court, to see what can be done, and no faerie court will convene tonight. I’m afraid you must spend the night in the Sidhe. We can convene court in the morning, at first mist.”

Riodh jumped to his feet, bursting with excitement. “And they can join in celebration!”

Aodhfionn looked at Alice brightly. I balled my hands into fists. Again, I didn’t need my powers…

“I’m sorry little Riodh, but the celebration would not be the same with the warrior vampire lurking about. Aodhfionn, please show our guests to comfortable quarters where they can pass the night in peace. Mary Alice, Warrior, I believe this night will pass faster than you think. Please, put your minds at ease. We are bound to help. A decision will be made in the morning as to how.”

With those words, Aine waved her hand, dismissing us, and turned away. I thought I heard the light sound of her off key laughter as she walked into the shadows. My stomach turned uneasily. The other two little ones were quickly on their feet.

“I’m so glad you get to stay Mary Alice,” Riodh gushed.

Aodhfionn nodded to Alice. “As am I. I would be pleased to hear how you’ve passed the time since Augustin’s death. I’ve often wondered what became of you.” With those words my stomach turned again, uncomfortably, painfully. It was an unusual feeling, bubbling, clenching… Before I knew what was happening I was on my knees and bitter, black fluid was spewing from my mouth all over Aodhfionn.

“A vampire’s digestive tract is a very delicate thing, really,” stated Donnchadh flatly.

Alice was kneeling at my side. “Oh, Jasper, love, are you okay? It’s awful, isn’t it?”

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, and looked up at Aodhfionn, glowering down at me, his legs drenched in stinking fluid. “It wasn’t as bad as all that, Alice.”

Happy New Year, guys!
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The Necklace