CHAPTER NINETEEN.
( an eerie illusion. )

  "WHY DON'T YOU EVER SIT WITH ME?" Bella complained as both she and Shadow rounded the front of her truck to meet each other. It was morning now and the pair had just arrived at school.

  Shadow laughed as she hooked her arm through her younger cousin's. She didn't answer, thinking it over as they made for the entrance. She was endeared that Bella wanted to spend time with her.

  "I don't know, I never thought to ask," she finally admitted, her smile sheepish.

Bella was immediately confused, "Why would you need to ask?"

  Shadow gave the brunette a sympathetic smile. Her cousin was clearly unaware of the glares that Jessica Stanley had recently taken to pinning Shadow with. At first, she figured maybe it was because of the Cullen's.

However, Jessica hardly paid attention to them. Save for Edward, of course. Which, personally, Shadow didn't understand. The boy had the emotional range of a teaspoon, except when it came to interacting with the ginger Swan.

  Though, even then, their interactions only ever had two settings; annoying and ultra-annoying.

  So, Shadow dug deeper. It didn't take her long to discover that it was actually because she had swiped the spot of 'best essay' from Jessica in their shared English class. Apparently Jessica had a competitive streak and thus, Shadow had started a battle she had no intention of fighting.

So, when it came to hanging out with Bella's friends, Shadow wasn't exactly comfortable with being around Jessica. But, as she looked at her cousin, the elder Swan knew she would suck it up. Just for her.

With determination, Shadow nodded. "We can sit together today," she replied, deflecting the question. It wouldn't hurt for her to take time away from the Cullen's, especially after the previous night with Jasper.

Bella didn't seem to notice the way Shadow's thoughts drifted off. "Alright, I'll see you at lunch," Bella told her, both Swan's parting ways for class.

Shadow tried to reign in her thoughts. Every time she thought about that kiss, it both thrilled and confused her. The fear had been so sudden, but Shadow was sure it wasn't on account of her lack of trust in Jasper. She knew he wouldn't hurt her.

It was that vision. The idea of dying in agony from that venom. His kiss had triggered it and as a result; Shadow had ruined the moment completely.

It made her feel like a total idiot. There was no way she hadn't offended him. Shadow mustered up her courage and promised herself to find Jasper after class. She had to explain.

Or just kiss him again to prove her fearlessness, either option worked.

→

Walking out of her History class, Shadow Swan felt like a corpse. A dead girl walking. Which, in a manner of speaking, was true.

Jasper watched her curiously as she stiffly joined him by his locker. "I failed, I totally failed. I completely blanked on that quiz," she complained to him, making an emphasis of the way she collapsed against the wall.

She was thankful that she'd found the Hale boy so quickly in the crowd of students. Her promise hadn't went forgotten, but it was lunch time now. There were other important matters to attend.

Jasper chuckled, wrapping his arm around her for support. Shadow welcomed the gesture with an appreciative hum. "I won't be sitting with you at lunch today, Bella misses me," she told him.

Jasper nodded in response. Unable to help herself, Shadow rose an eyebrow. For some reason, a small part of her had expected protest.

"Yeah, well I think Edward needs a break," he explained with a grin.

Shadow couldn't help but scoff. "He brings it onto himself! He glances over at Bella every five seconds, did he really expect me not to notice?"

Her insistence drew another laugh from the blond at her side. Jasper pushed open the cafeteria door. As both he and Shadow entered, neither paid much attention to the muttering that quickly fell over the tables.

"So, are we going to talk about last night?" Came Jasper's soft voice at her ear.

"I don't know, are we?" Shadow's smile was coy. She was grateful he had brought it up, but some light teasing never hurt.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jasper asked, eyeing her carefully. He didn't seem insulted.

Shadow shrugged as she gathered her lunch. "You just have a tendency to get weird about us, that's all."

"Us?"

Shadow blushed. The warmth spread from her cheeks, to the tips of her ears. "Shut up," was the only reply she could think of.

  "I'll see you later," she called over her shoulder. Shadow was eager to make her exit. She wasn't quite as ready to talk about the night before as she thought she was. But, a repeat of it... that she wouldn't mind.

Shadow smiled at the sight of Bella, who grinned and waved her over. Shadow noted the immediate glower on Jessica's expression. There was a blush on Eric's cheeks, too.

  Shadow resisted the urge to smirk in Jessica's face, settling for an amused smile instead. "I hope it's okay for me to join you," she said, sitting between Bella and Angela.

The latter grinned. "Of course! We missed you," Angela quickly replied, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

  Shadow doubted that 'we' included Jessica.

Still, she refused to let it ruin her mood. It had been so long since she'd last hung out with Bella and her friends. Shadow had met the group during a night out at the local restaurant. They approached the Swan's with welcoming smiles and Shadow had to admit, she'd been nervous at first. She wanted to make a good impression.

Angela was the first to befriend her— beyond the Cullens, of course.

"I missed you, too," Shadow admitted, softening up. She couldn't help but feel guilty for not having hung out with them more. But, between her business with the Cullens and discovering her newfound banshee status, Shadow simply didn't have the time.

It wasn't like she'd come to Forks searching for the prospect of friends in the first place, either.

Still, it felt like befriending this group was an inevitable fate. Though, it wasn't one Shadow found burdening. In fact, she was thankful for them. Spending so much time with an unfamiliar world could be maddening and chaotic. To have even the smallest dose of normality would go be good for her.

Or, so Shadow hoped.

"Alright, guys. LaPush, tomorrow. Who's in?" Eric interjected, drawing the attention back towards himself. He was looking at Shadow eagerly.

The Swan girls looked at each other, thinking it over. Shadow knew that LaPush Beach was on the Quiluete reservation. But, considering this weeks forecast, she wasn't sure if the trip would be worth it.

Shadow quickly disregarded that thought. Of course it would be. She wanted normal and if this was her getting it, Shadow Swan was going to take it. Miserable weather and all.

She smiled, leaning forwards as she drew a french fry from her tray. "We're in," she quickly agreed.

"I guess you have my answer," Bella added, but she didn't seem annoyed with Shadow's decision. "I'll be right back, I'm just going to grab an apple."

Shadow grinned at her cousin's back as she left the table. The group delved back into conversation. Shadow interrupted whenever she had questions about the beach, but it didn't take long to notice the quiet that fell upon them when Mike suddenly stopped talking.

Shadow lowered her fork, confused. She followed the Newton boy's stare towards the lunch cart, where both Bella and Edward stood. Her body immediately tensed.

Somehow, seeing him actually talking to her instead of staring from across the room set off a different reaction in Shadow. One she didn't like. The thought of Bella finding out about what the Cullen's were and what she was made her blood run cold.

This world that Shadow Swan was now a part of was not one Bella belonged in.

She thought Edward had known that; that he would respect it. What was he trying to do? Shadow forced herself to look away, but the discomfort stayed with her. So did the anger.

When Bella finally returned, Shadow did her best to keep from asking about the conversation. Shadow would get answers, regardless of if it came from her cousin or Edward Cullen. Her curiosity could wait.

When the bell rang to end lunch, Shadow was the first to stand. Anticipation made her nervous, but she couldn't put it off any longer. She had to know what Edward's intentions were, and what she could do to stop it.

Shadow did her best to smile and said her goodbyes. She looked towards to the Cullen table, just as Edward got up to leave. She made sure Bella had left before she made her way towards him, stepping in front of Edward near the disposal bins.

"Edward," Shadow said, drawing his attention towards her. He stacked his tray before turning. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

She could tell by his pursed lip that they both knew it wasn't a request he could deny. Edward nodded and they waited patiently for the lunch room to empty.

When only a handful of students were left, Shadow finally spoke. "I'm fully aware that I'm completely incapable of being able to tell you what to do," she said, letting out a huff. "But, for the sake of Bella's safety, I want you to stay away from her."

Even as she said it, without a waver to her voice, Shadow felt foolish. Edward was a vampire. His strength was beyond any man. She may have been a banshee, but she was still a regular mortal. What could she possibly hope to do to stop him?

Anything— everything.

This was her family. The only part of it she had left. Edward had to understand that. He wasn't unreasonable, he wouldn't brush aside her concerns simply because she was weaker than him. The Cullen's had never treated her like that before. He'd listen to her.

He had to.

"I trust you not to hurt her," she told him, truthful because she did trust him. "But, I can't put that same trust in anyone else, especially not anyone in our world."

Shadow hesitated, feeling at a loss for how to articulate the concerns she had. "Bella and Charlie are all I have left," she tried to explain, "I can't lose them to something I could've prevented."

She looked at him then, meeting his gaze. "And if that means keeping you away from Bella, then I'm sorry," she spoke softly. "But I'll do whatever it takes."

Shadow searched his expression for some kind of response. When Edward looked away, she felt her heart drop into her stomach. It was clear that she'd missed something because all she could see in his face was guilt.

"I'm sorry, Shadow, but she's already wary," he said, not unkindly. "I don't regret what I did to save both of you, but if she's half as smart as you are..."

The compliment was lost on Shadow. She knew what he meant; Bella was going to find out, sooner or later. It didn't matter what they'd done to deflect her suspicions. It hadn't worked.

Shadow couldn't find it in herself to believe the sincerity of his apology. Edward was intrigued by her younger cousin, that much was obvious. He could say that he wanted to save them both in that parking lot, but she knew better.

The only reason Shadow was still standing was because Bella had been there, too. Shadow didn't want to think of it as a possibility. But, if the pull between her and Jasper could exist, why couldn't the same be said for anyone else?

More specifically, for Edward Cullen and Bella Swan.

Shadow's glare was sharp. "Then the least you could do is prevent it for her sake," she spoke coldly, unable to keep the ice from her tone. The Swan girl turned on her heel, clinging to the last few fragments of her composure as she walked away.

She was failing to protect her family all over again.

→

  Swinging Bella's keys around her finger, Shadow made her way towards her cousin's rusty, orange truck.

  She had some free time before school ended, considering her last class lined up with her spare study period. So, Shadow had decided to spend it outside, in the comfort of Bella's hideous little vehicle. She'd considered going to the library, but decided against it after recalling the couple shamelessly making out between the book shelves.

  Shadow shuddered at the memory as she stepped into the parking lot. She lost her focus on the keys and winced as they went flying from her hands. The ginger watched as they slid beneath Bella's truck.

  The Swan girl was immediately irritated. The morning rain was still fresh on the pavement, with small puddles patterned all along the lot. There was no way she was getting on her hands and knees to pick those keys up.

  Shadow crossed her arms over her chest, huffing as she looked around the empty lot. A cold chill ran the length of her back and, though she knew it was just the weather, she couldn't help but feel a thrill of anxiety shoot through her. It felt a little bit like fear.

  After a couple minutes of standing in the cold, Shadow gave up. She was being stupid. There would be no one else to witness her embarrassment, but she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Shadow sighed, kneeling to the ground with her lip curled in repulsion. The asphalt was damp and the Swan girl knew that her jeans weren't going to survive. At least, not without Shadow breaking out her mother's old cleaning tricks.

  Pulling her hair back, Shadow felt beneath the truck. She didn't bother to look, figuring the keys couldn't have slid too far under. But, when her efforts proved fruitless, the Swan girl furrowed her brow in confusion.

  Just as she peeked underneath the vehicle, her arm stretched further and her fingers finally wrapped around the object of interest.

  Shadow froze then, body tensing as she realized that someone was standing just on the other side of Bella's truck. The unease she felt before now turned to cold, hard fear. She didn't want to look away from her hand, or the keys she now had wrapped in her fingers.

However, her eyes were moving of their own accord. They locked onto the bare feet that stood there, pointed directly towards her. They were still and un-moving, with skin so fair that not even the dirt could mask it.

Even from her viewpoint, Shadow could clearly see the porcelain-like smoothness she was all-too familiar with. This was no human standing before her. It was upon that realization that Shadow fully lost it.

  She let out a shrill screech, flying back from the car with the keys still clasped in her hand. Shadow fell against the ground, feeling the sharp edges of metal digging into her skin as she landed on her palms. In what seemed like literal seconds, Jasper was by her side.

  She jumped at his sudden appearance, but was quick to cling to him as she realized who it was. He lifted her to her feet, eyes full of concern as he gave her a once over. Shadow knew he was searching for any sign of injury, but she couldn't find her voice to tell him that she was fine.

  Shadow looked over Jasper's shoulder, gaze glued to where she'd sworn she saw someone only a few moments before. But, if anyone had been there, they'd long since fled. If someone had even been there at all.

  Shadow inhaled a deep breath, refusing to believe it was a mere figment of her imagination. She'd never experienced such vivid hallucinations before. She was so sure that whoever had been standing there was real. There was simply no other explanation.

  The Swan girl looked at Jasper, searching his eyes for any sign of alarm. His concern was clear as day, but if he noticed any other presence, he didn't show it. How could he have missed it?

  "Are you okay?" Jasper asked and, with the question, Shadow realized that of course he wouldn't think to look for an external threat. He was only concerned about her.

  Finding her voice, Shadow nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just—" she hesitated, struggling to explain. Her vision wasn't exactly the most viable source, at least, not anymore.

  Upon discovering her newfound abilities, Shadow realized that flash-images in her conscious could play tricks on her mind; make her see things that weren't exactly there, but would be soon.

  Shadow licked her lips and shook her head. Now convinced that it was truly nothing, she forced a smile. "I just thought I saw something, it was probably a bird." The lie felt somehow bitter on her tongue, but she swallowed down the guilt and picked up her forgotten keys.

Jasper seemed unconvinced. He took her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. He was gentle, in the way he always was when he held her close.

Shadow felt herself relax with his touch. She held his eyes, her hand clinging to his jacket, seeking out an anchor. The contact made the fear flee her body. There was nothing to be uncertain about when he was there.

"Thank you," she found herself saying.

"Always," he told her, bringing her close, so that he could press his lips to her cheek.

Edited 02/18/2016 @12:38 PM
Edited 10/01/2018 @3:52 AM

AUTHORS NOTE: I figured you all deserved a quicker update for the next chapter. I'm very serious about finishing these stories because I love Shadow Swan so dearly.