The tension drifted away and Charlie laughed loudly at my excitement. “I had no idea you and Seth were so close. What about Leah?”

“Hmmm, not so much.” I shrugged. That was an understatement the size of Texas, but he didn’t need to know just how much animosity there was between my soon-to-be step sister.

–

Edward was sitting on a log and I sat on the sandy beach leaning back against it surveying everyone. Seth, Quil, and Edward were all discussing the battle.

“I tried to get to him, but there were so many,” Quil’s usually loud voice barely registered over the wind and waves crashing against the shore.

“His death is a terrible loss.” Sam’s somber voice interrupted our conversation. “But it could have been much worse,” he whispered as he lowered himself to the ground in front of me with Emily at his side.

“I’m so sorry,” I said softly. “I wish there was some way I could’ve got us here sooner. We came as soon as Demetri filled us in.”

“It’s okay, Bella” Emily’s soothing voice rang out. “If it wasn’t for you and your family they might all be dead now. Don’t beat yourself up over what could’ve been. Everyone did the best they could.”

“I understand you lost one of your newest members,” Sam stated.

“Demetri’s mate, Heidi. He’s not taking things very well at the moment. He stayed behind. I’m not sure if he’s going to remain with us or not,” I added. “Was anyone else hurt?”

He nodded. "Nothing that hasn’t already healed, anyways."

"I’m gonna go see Leah," I said as I stood up. “Maybe I can help her.”

She was in Jacob’s bed, wounds covering almost every inch of her frail body. “Leah?” I called gently. She didn’t stir. I knelt beside her still form and placed my hands over her, searching for her aura. There was something. Almost electrical, nothing like what I felt around the vampires, but I figured I could work with it anyway. I moved my hands slowly up the length of her body receiving small shocks periodically. As I focused on the worst of her wounds the electricity arced between us and I gasped as her eyes flew open frantically. My power was flowing into her and it was healing her, but the pain of the lighting scorching through us was excruciating. I clamped my mouth shut so that I wouldn’t scream, but Leah’s shrieks were almost loud enough to crack the windows.