𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙍𝙏𝙔 𝙎𝙄𝙓
ミ★ ( bewitched, act three ) ★彡

     Lilith Bailey sat on the roof of the Cullen home observing the view in front of her several nights later. Her parents had disappeared on a trip to gather allies on a possible war that could brew; since they needed all the help they could get in the witch community if and when the high priest finally came for Lilith. The pack all had their plates full with patrol all of areas and they all thought it would be best if she stayed where she could be protected at the Cullen home. Lilith tried to get as much distance from each of them since they kept trying to reconnect with her. It was hard because all she wanted to do was reconnect with that part of her life. She missed it—and she will admit, she missed them.

     The Cullens were such a big part of her life that it was hard to just let that go and pretend that they didn't exist or that she hated them. But, they hurt her so badly and it was hard to let that go. She was constantly at war with her mind and her heart, she couldn't pick a side because she would have doubts about the side she wanted. She wanted to forgive them and move on—and let that weight off of her chest that she's been dragging around for months now—but, she's always reminded by the dark thoughts that they'd leave her again. On the other hand, if she continued the way she was, she would constantly miss the way things used to be and things she once had. The Cullens were family to her, and if she continued this way, she would lose a large chunk of her family forever this time. But, was family without a few bumps in the road, anyway?

     "What are you doing up here?" Edward asked softly from below her, causing her to flinch due to being so deep in thought. She looked down to see Edward there on the balcony below, walking towards her before climbing up onto the roof with ease and taking a seat by her left.

     She raised an eyebrow at him but didn't move or flinch away, leaving the small gap between them burning, "As much as I love the inside of your house, I needed some air and to think." She answered his question, trying not to think about how close they were. She had been feeling cooped up for days considering that everyone wouldn't leave her alone for five minutes in case she was taken; and she saw the perfect opportunity for some alone time, and she took it, "And I had a nightmare." She scowled at herself, the fresh images of her dream flashing in her mind as she pictured her running away, getting caught and getting hurt so vividly and horridly. Her heart still was incredibly higher than normal because of how bad it had been.

     Edward couldn't help but frown, "I thought the nightmares were getting better." He recalled.

     Lilith huffed, a cynical smile on her face, "They were—up until the point my world began to crash around me, and then all I can do is watch it burn."

     The vampire thought about her words for a moment before gaining the confidence to ask, "How long have you been out here anyway?" He questioned her, a hint of worry in his tone.

     She shrugged, "Maybe about half an hour." She answered him again. She then checked her watch, "Or two." She corrected herself seeing that she had just been practically daydreaming on the balcony for two hours now. If the high priest was coming, he could've taken her already, but, it seemed that something else was at play here. Nonetheless, she slightly cursed at herself for almost being the dumb girl in the horror movie that is so oblivious, and it ends up getting her killed.

     Edward had to refrain himself from getting frustrated at her, couldn't she see that he was trying to protect her? Why did she have to make it so difficult? But, Lilith was strong enough to make her own decisions and he definitely wasn't in the position to start making demands at her when he was just trying to get her to trust him, "Well, you should come inside soon then. Dakota is quite upset that you spelled her in the room—she's been making a lot of noise trying to get out and Emmett isn't doing much to help her." Edward informed her, trying to make conversation instead of getting upset.

     Dakota went wherever Lilith went, and there was no way they were going to leave the black cat unattended in the house for days, and Lilith was all the more happy to let her tag along to the Cullen home.

     At least she'd have someone she likes there.

     Lilith could just picture her cat at the doors, meowing and scratching at them trying to get out while Emmett was most likely toying with her, and she chuckled, "Yeah, well, I didn't want her to follow me up here, and then accidentally use up one of her nine lives by falling off of the roof. She's not exactly the agile type like you'd think she's supposed to be." Lilith responded. Dakota took after Lilith in the clumsiness department which was why she loved her so much.

     Edward thought about her comment for a while and he realised that he never asked how they had picked Dakota, "How did you find Dakota anyway? She never really seems to leave your side." He questioned. "Ever."

     Lilith shrugged again, "She found me. I was eight at the time and she was a little stray, she saw me and followed me everywhere for days before I eventually tried to sneak her into my home to feed her—obviously I didn't do a good job of being sneaky because my parents caught us the moment she stepped foot in the house and kicked her out. But, Dakota never gave up and she stayed."

     "She knew you were the one." Edward observed, as he took in Lilith's appearance, feeling as if he could relate. Lilith was the one to him as well.

     "Eventually my parents realised that Dakota wasn't going away anytime soon and I wasn't going to let her go either." Lilith smiled fondly of the memories of growing up with Dakota by her side and how she couldn't picture her life without her, "Plus I needed a constant friend with all of the moving."

     The vampire tilted his head to the side, "How are you doing with knowing the whole truth now anyway?" He was pushing his luck, but, this was the most Lilith had spoken to him in a long time—that was a positive interaction, anyway—and he wanted to salvage this moment and make it last for as long as possible as he didn't know when the next time this would happen.

     Lilith huffed and shook her head, "I just hate how it all makes too much sense that I can't pretend that it isn't happening and it's not real." She expressed, "Sometimes I wish that I was back in my little naive bubble, but then, I realise that bubble made me oblivious. And I don't want to be oblivious." No matter how scary or daunting something may have seemed, Lilith would have to face it eventually and there would be nothing worse than facing it but having no idea what you're facing or why.

     Which is why she resented the fact that her parents hid it from her for so long. She understood that they thought they were protecting her and didn't want to terrify her as a child, but, there came a point that they should've told her so she could prepare herself—and actually have time to prepare herself, unlike how she has barely any now.

     "I keep thinking about all the different things that have happened in my life and why I thought it was weird back then, but, with knowing what I know now,  it makes sense." She continued, "Like how my parents named me Lilith. What parents name their child— who is a pure magic witch—Lilith? It literally means night monster. But, now that I know the high priest named me Lilith, and wants me to become a dark witch with him, it makes sense."

     Edward didn't say anything and let her rant, an amused look on his face as he felt like he was back in the old times where he would just listen to her rant and rant and rant until she would have to stop and catch a breath. Another thought came to Lilith's mind and she opened her mouth again, "—And the moving when I would only used my magic too much? It made me feel like I wasn't good at being secretive of my identity because I was sure that no humans watched me use magic, but now, I know that it was because the high priest was tracking my magic usage and would come find me." She turned to look at Edward to continue her rant when she caught his amused expression and she stopped, "Sorry, I'm ranting. I'll stop." She cringed.

     "No, it's okay." Edward smiled, "I like it."

     He probably didn't actually want to hear her rant at him like that about her life problems. She didn't want to open up to him that easily again either, with the possibility hanging over her head that he was going to leave once more. The first time he said he was leaving her because she was turning dark and it was suicide for him and his family to be associated with her—and that was just something he 'came up with' to hurt her feelings. But, that couldn't have come out of his mouth without him thinking about it and actually believing it.

     And now it was actually happening. There was a chance that she was turning dark and it could get them killed, so how long would it be until Edward snapped out of his phase and woke up to himself, and then left her again to save himself and his family? She chuckled at herself again, her thoughts quickly turning dark at the thought, "What is it?" Edward asked her as he noted her change of mood.

     "You were right, you know?" She whispered and peaked her head over at him to see him look confused, "I really am turning dark."

     Edward's face dropped as he was slapped across the face with the memories of that night and what he had said to her. He felt horrible about it—he still does, if he was being honest about it—and doesn't blame Lilith for not forgiving him so easily. He said awful things to her, and he was supposed to be the one who loved her unconditionally. Yet, he ran the moment things were getting tough because he wanted to take the easy way out to protect her. And she definitely paid the price for his mistakes. But, there she was, the high priest was coming after her along with an unknown enemy and she stood proudly and even decided to sacrifice herself so she could protect everyone else from whoever was coming after her.

     "Lilith... I want you to know that I didn't mean a word that I said to you that night." He told her, sadness evident in his voice, "I had make sure you hated me enough to stay away and not follow me so Victoria would think I didn't care enough about you and she would lose interest in you; so she wouldn't try to hurt you anymore."

     "Didn't work." Lilith whispered as she looked over at Edward, thinking back of the times that Victoria had been seen hanging around Forks, along with sending Laurent after her, and how she nearly attacked her in the water the day she jumped off of the cliff.

     "I know." He looked down, "And I hate that I hurt you."

     "I know." She said back. She could see that he regrets what he did and it pains him knowing he said those things, but, she was the one who those words were directed at.

     "I guess what I should really be saying to you is that I'm sorry." He looked over at her, hopeful that she would forgive him and accept his apology, "I'm sorry I said those things to you and I'm sorry I left you, and I'm sorry I broke this mate bond of ours that we created. I will forever continue to apologise if you want, but, I just need you to know that I'm sorry."

     "I know you are." She half smiled which made Edward's face drop as he got his expectations a little too high, too soon, "And I'm sorry, too." She apologised. Edward then looked at her confused as to why she was the one who was apologising, "I called you an asshole a lot of times." She admitted which made Edward chuckle, the sound of making her swoon lightly, "And I mean, a lot." She added which made him laugh harder.

     Lilith then giggled, feeling lighter already. She hadn't fully forgiven them, but, she was slowly making her way back. And it felt good. She felt good. She was glad that they had that conversation and were slowly going back to normal as it felt like a relief, and she knew it was going to stop most of the awkwardness that would happen if she continued to be stubborn considering she wouldn't be able to avoid them as much as she used to with everything going on. Lilith watched as Edward's happy smile slowly dropped into a frown as he looked like he was concentrating on something—or someone's thoughts, "What's wrong?" She asked him.

     "Carlisle's thoughts are going crazy." He answered her, "I should go check on him." He stated as he stood up. He down at Lilith and then held out his hand, his eyes asking if she would like help down with him. Lilith hesitantly looked in between his hand and his face, thinking about whether she should take it or if she should make a point by making her way down herself.

     Without thinking twice about it, she took Edward's hand and he helped her stand before he scooped her up in his arms and Lilith couldn't help but gasp at how close their faces were and from his touch. Lilith wrapped her arms around Edward's neck, one of her hands making its way towards the hair that was at the nape of his head and running her hand through it, "Close your eyes." He murmured in her ear.

     Lilith shut her eyes tight, and without a moment's notice, she felt the stomach dropping sensation from Edward jumping off of the roof and onto the balcony beneath them. They stayed like that for a while and Lilith didn't let go, and she didn't open her eyes either. She was slightly afraid that if she opened them and Edward was that close—she might give in to temptation, and she might kiss him.

     Edward laughed lightly at how she was still holding on and slowly put her down onto her feet, the girl feeling the ground beneath her and letting go of him, but keeping her eyes shut still, "You can open them now." He told her, a smirk playing on his lips.

     One brown eye opened first, and she peaked out to see where they were before opening the other one when she realised they were just on the balcony, "Oh." She mumbled at herself.

     Edward stifled a snort before he nodded his head towards inside, "C'mon." He ushered before walking inside towards his adoptive father with Lilith following after him.

     Edward and Lilith walked into the family room of the Cullen home, while Jasper, Emmett and Carlisle all sat in front of the large TV, watching the news that was playing the new developing story, "Seattle is in a state of terror. Police are baffled by the escalating murders and disappearances. Theories range from a vicious new gang to a wildly active serial killer. Reporting live—"

     Carlisle had heard enough and switched the TV off using the remote, "It's getting worse." He sighed, "We're gonna have to do something."

     "It takes more than one of our kind to cause the damage they're reporting. Quite a few more." Jasper noted, "And they're undisciplined, conspicuous."

     "It's newborns." Edward realised, it was the only explanation that made sense as to who was behind what was happening in Seattle.

     The adoptive family all turned to Edward in realisation, knowing that he was most likely right in this case, "What, like new vampires?" Lilith questioned.

     "Exactly. That's what they are the first few months after the change." Edward confirmed with her.

     "It's when we're at our most uncontrollable." Jasper began to explain, "Vicious. Insane with thirst." Lilith couldn't help but think if that would be her if she were to ever become a vampire. She wondered if she would be able to have the same restraint as the other Cullens did. But, then again, she didn't want to be a vampire, "No one's trained these newborns, but, this isn't random." Jasper also observed, as he could tell by the patterns from the attacks, murders and disappearances—it was planned.

     "Someone's creating an army." Carlisle realised, entwining his hands together and playing with his knuckles nervously. Things were definitely not looking good for them now.

     "Well, we should definitely go to Seattle now then." Emmett pointed out as he stood up from his seat, "Take care of it now before that problem gets bigger and then we won't be able to take care of the problem here as well."

     "You want to go against an army of vampires?" Lilith questioned, her head still trying to wrap it all together.

     "They've been created to fight someone." Jasper said, looking at her with a raised eyebrow, speculating that it could possibly be her.

     "We're the only clan even close to Seattle." Edward furrowed his eyebrows, thinking that the threat was against the entire family.

     "Regardless of why they were made, if we don't put a stop to them, the Volturi will." Carlisle pointed out. His eyebrows then creased as he thought out loud, "I'm surprised they've let it go on this long."

     "Maybe they're behind it." Edward theorised and Carlisle's head snapped up to meet his adoptive son's, "In Italy, I read Aro's mind. He wants me and Alice to join him. He also wanted Lilith to join him—whether as a vampire or a witch, because he would take whatever he could get from her—but, he knows we would never choose him as long as our family's still alive."

     Jasper's jaw clenched at the thought of Alice leaving to join them, "An army could solve that for him."

     "What if it's Aro who brought the high priest here as well?" Emmett suddenly thought, "The timing fits—you go to Italy; Aro sees you, he wants you apart of his cult, he knows you wouldn't leave your family, he finds out everything about you and strikes a deal to bring the person your parents are running from to get rid of them and bring you to him."

     Lilith looked up at Edward who shrugged, "It seems plausible." He agreed with Emmett.

     "I guess that's one theory we could have under our belt." She sighed, "But, if the high priest wanted me, I doubt he would give me up to the Volturi—even if they made a deal."

     "We should just keep an open mind to the possibility." Carlisle suggested, "We'll never know what it could be that is the cause of this."

     Lilith couldn't help but groan quietly, "Why does everything have to just keep getting more and more complicated?"