After Edward dropped me off at home, he proceeded to Bella's home, dropping her off next. As I entered my house, the familiar sound of the crackling fireplace greeted me, its warmth enveloping the surroundings. With a gentle click, I closed the front door behind me, the latch securing the entrance. The hallway stretched invitingly before me, leading to the heart of the house. Navigating through the hallway, I turned to the right and passed through the archway into the living room. The ambience was serene, illuminated by the soft glow of the fire dancing in the hearth.

"Where were you?" Grams' voice cut through the air, drawing my attention to her figure seated comfortably in an armchair by the fireplace. I met her inquisitive gaze, noticing the gentle light reflecting off her reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of her nose. A book lay open in her lap, to her enjoying a good book.

"Bella needed me," I responded, crossing the room to plant a brief kiss on my Grandma's cheek before settling onto the plush couch. As I sank into its embrace, I couldn't help but appreciate the softness of the cushions beneath me, a comforting reminder of the warmth and familiarity of home.

"Was it related to that vampire?" Her gaze bore into me as if she could decipher my thoughts with uncanny accuracy. I offered a simple nod in acknowledgement, confirming her suspicions, particularly regarding Victoria.

"That's another problem," I admitted sheepishly, studying her reaction briefly. However, she remained silent, prompting me to elaborate further. "Edward picked up this scent that belongs to another vampire in Bella's house, and they're unsure of who it is," I explained. It wasn't lost on me that my grandmother was well aware of the Cullens' vampiric nature, likely possessing this knowledge long before I did. "So, I've decided to stay with her until this thing is over and to make sure she's safe," I declared with conviction. Despite my firm tone, my grandmother couldn't suppress a wide smile of approval.

"Just like your mother," Grams replied, catching me off guard for a moment. "She was incredibly selfless, always prioritising others' needs above her own." She couldn't suppress the warmth of her smile as memories of her daughter—my mother—flooded her thoughts in a positive light.

"And I must have inherited my beauty from you," I quipped, eliciting a chuckle from her.

"What are you after?" She countered with a hearty laugh, fully aware of my jest. We shared laughter, the room enveloped in a sense of warmth and joy. "Charlotte, please be careful," her tone shifted to one of seriousness, compelling me to take her words seriously. "I won't lose you," she affirmed with love and protectiveness in her voice.

"You won't, Grams," I attempted to reassure her, conveying my ability to look after myself with a reassuring smile. Pausing for a moment, I let my previous words sink in before continuing, "Want to know something?" I asked, locking eyes with my grandmother as she arched an eyebrow in curiosity. "I told the Cullens I was a witch." A radiant smile adorned my face, akin to a shining star brimming with light and joy. "I had to. I needed to make sure I could protect Bella without fearing what they might do," I explained, expressing my reluctance to cast a spell and risk them becoming unsettled by my actions.

"And they were accepting?" Grams inquired as if she anticipated a different reaction from a family of vampires.

"Of course," I replied promptly. "I'll begin from the very start," I chuckled softly, lifting my feet to rest comfortably on the couch as I fixed my gaze on her. With a deep breath, I delved into a detailed account of the events, recounting each moment with precision. I spared no detail as I narrated what had transpired, including the encounter with Emmett afterwards. I explained how their concern for my safety stemmed from the potency and allure of our blood to Victoria, painting a vivid picture of the situation for her.

My Grandma had always embodied understanding and compassion, qualities that shone through as she absorbed the extent of what they were prepared to do for me. I could see her internalising their commitment, resonating deeply with her own willingness to sacrifice for my well-being. She had always been the other person in my life whom I knew would lay down her life for me. Yet now, witnessing the Cullens' readiness to defend me as if I were their own family, it added a new layer of support and protection to my existence.

.....................

The following day dawned, and I meticulously packed a bag, ensuring it contained not only clothes but also my Grimoire. I couldn't shake the feeling that I might need it for protection or to cast a spell against Victoria or the mysterious male stranger. After bidding farewell to my Grandma, emphasizing the importance of her safety and urging her to avoid venturing out after dark, she reassured me of her ability to defend herself—a sentiment I didn't doubt for a moment.

With our goodbyes exchanged, I stepped outside to find Alice waiting for me in her car. As I approached the passenger side, I glanced back at the porch to see my Grams waving me off. Returning her gesture with a smile, I felt a sense of reassurance knowing she was just a phone call away if I needed her.

With one final wave, I opened the car door and settled into the supple leather seat before closing it behind me. With a deft manoeuvre, Alice accelerated down the road, our destination set for Bella's house.

Once there, Bella filled me in on her day with Jacob, recounting how she had shared the events of the vampire's intrusion into her room and subsequent disappearance. Jacob had investigated her house, picking up the scent of the unfamiliar vampire, a scent he wouldn't soon forget. I informed the Cullens that my Grams would remain secure as long as she remained in the house. However, they insisted on dropping by unnoticed while they went hunting, just to ensure everything was alright.

Bella and I spent the entire day chatting and gossiping, seamlessly transitioning from daylight to the enveloping darkness of night. Charlie didn't mind me staying at Bella's for a few days; in fact, he seemed rather pleased with the arrangement, preferring my company over Edward's. I couldn't help but chuckle at his apparent disdain for the boy.

"So," I started, with both of us seated on her bed. She was positioned at the top, her legs crossed, while I sat at the bottom, mirroring her posture, facing each other. "I did happen to pack a certain spell book," I revealed, raising my eyebrows briefly. She looked surprised, having never seen it before. "If you want, you can take a look," I suggested, throwing the idea out to her.

"Yes," she eagerly responded, eager to unlock the book's secrets. I chuckled before leaning over the edge of the bed, reaching into my open bag to retrieve the leather-bound book. I gripped it tightly before pulling back into my original position.

"So, apparently, this was created by my mother for me, before I can get the family one," I explained, passing the book over to Bella. She gingerly accepted it, handling it delicately as if she feared she might be unfit to hold it or that she might inadvertently tear its pages while flipping through them.

"Wait, there are two?" Bella questioned, redirecting her gaze to lock eyes with me.

"I only found out a few days ago," I started. "Apparently, the family grimoire is passed down from mother to daughter upon her eighteenth birthday. But I have no idea what's in it." I remarked, speculating that the family grimoire likely contains spells and rituals similar to the ones found in this one. "Open it," I state, encouraging her to open the book to read.

Bella took a moment to exhale before delicately opening the cover of the book. The sound of the spine creaking filled the room as she slowly revealed the contents within. With each page turn, the crisp, discoloured pages of the Grimoire fluttered under her fingertips, her eyes scanning the text with curiosity. As she continued, I couldn't help but notice that the handwriting was unmistakably my mother's—elegant and flowing, adding a personal touch to each incantation and instruction. The instructions were in English, but the spells themselves were written in a language that took me quite a while to grasp.

"There's so much in here," Bella exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment. "I don't know what half of these do," Bella remarked, her eyes momentarily lifting from the pages to meet mine. It felt as if I were back in school on show and tell day.

"There are recipes for potions, herbal knowledge, rituals, spells—every page is filled," I explained, as there was no single page in that book without a piece of information on it.

"Do you know much about witches?" Bella inquired, raising an eyebrow with curiosity.

"My Grams told me that witches could be found in every corner of the world, each practising different types of magic," I recounted, echoing the tale my Grandma had shared with me. "But as their numbers and power grew, the Volturi felt threatened by their influence. So, they initiated a witch hunt," my jaw tightened, the memory still igniting a fire within me. "Centuries of persecution and death. They had endured enough, so witches from all corners of the world gathered to confront the Volturi, but it didn't end well," my tone saddened as my gaze drifted from Bella for a moment. "A handful managed to flee and hide. They stopped practising witchcraft and refrained from passing down their knowledge... But my ancestors refused to lose hope," I said with a smile, reflecting on their courage. "They continued to teach their daughters the ways of the craft, and each generation passed it on. Until it reached me," I continued, admiring the resilience of my ancestors who dared to hope and refused to succumb to the fear of the Volturi.

"Do you think anyone else survived? Or possess what you have?" Bella's questions rolled out softly, her tone gentle, as if she were careful not to upset me.

"I want to believe, but I doubt it," I replied solemnly. "Just me and my Grams. The last two witches on Earth," my words trailed off into the air, my voice barely audible, weighted with solemnity. It was a sombre realisation to contemplate. A once-flourishing race, deeply connected to nature, is now reduced to just two individuals amidst the ashes and flames of their history.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," Bella responded quickly, noticing my gloomy expression. Despite her apology, I forced a smile and redirected my gaze to her.

"Don't apologise," I declared. "It's not your fault. I actually appreciate having someone else to talk to about it besides my Grams," I chuckled, watching as Bella responded with a thin smile. The air was filled with silence for a moment. "Pick a spell, any spell," I exclaimed hastily, adopting the demeanour of a game show host, with Bella as the contestant. Bella flustered under the pressure, her fingers flicking hastily through the pages of the book as I chuckled at her sudden flurry of activity.

While Bella searched for a spell, I slipped off the bed and made my way to her bedroom window. Peering out below, my gaze fell upon the treeline where Alice and Emmett stood, dressed in black attire, keeping watch while the others hunted to replenish their strength.

Even from this distance, I noticed Emmett's gaze locking onto me, unmistakably seeing me with clarity. With a warm smile, I offered a small wave to him, though I didn't expect him to reciprocate, as I could only make out his silhouette from this distance.

"When do they change shifts?" I asked, cocking my head over my shoulder to glance at Bella, who raised her head in response.

"Any moment," she replied, briefly checking the clock in her room. I turned my attention back to Alice and Emmett, just as I heard the springs of the bed creaking under Bella's weight as she rose. Her footsteps echoed in my ears as she approached. As she appeared at my side, I noticed Emmett and Alice spinning around to fade further into the bushes. Slowly, as if watching a predator, they backed away. They were replaced by two wolves, now standing watch over Bella and me.

We exchanged a glance, knowing they didn't see eye to eye, but for our sake, they were making an effort. And I couldn't fault them for it. I caught Emmett's gaze as he and Alice paused at a safe distance from the wolves. A fleeting smile exchanged between us, his gaze lingering for what felt like an eternity, before both of them dashed off in a blur, moving too swiftly for my eyes to follow.

A wave of something seemed to quicken the rhythm of my heart, its beats resonating with an intensity I had never experienced before. A flood of emotions surged through me, leaving me momentarily breathless. I felt a warmth spreading through me, accompanied by an inexplicable sense of joy that seemed to radiate from within. A smile formed on my lips, uninvited but undeniable, as I found myself lost in the mere thought of him.

Was I truly falling for a vampire?

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