Chapter 8

Alexander's P.O.V

Night had descended on Forks. The population of less than 5,000 were tucked up in their warm beds.

Nighttime brought out the fear of the unknown in human hearts. Creaks and rustles became terrifying things lurking in the darkness.

I smiled to myself. In Forks at least, there was some truth to that.

Unlike most, I didn't fear the night. I could see clear as day in the darkness and if some nightmare truly came bursting through the bushes I had a thousand ways to make it regret it's choice to rear it's ugly head.

Unfortunately not everyone was like me.

My parents. They were kind and loving, barely capable of hurting a fly.

To a vampire they were also a delicious snack.

For their protection I had layered numerous enchantments on our house. Runes of: burning, freezing, blindness, fatigue, just to name a few.

Thanks to the generous sacrifice of several deer and a few locks of hair I had also cast a spell of disillusionment on my parents.

The spell was active 24/7. Under its effects they became inconspicuous and quickly forgotten.

Only a newborn in their extreme bloodlust would choose them as a victim.

Living in Forks was also a big benefit to their safety. The Quileutes would never allow a nomad to hunt so close to their territory.

Plus, as was often the case with small towns, very little happened in Forks. Charlie was chief of police and the biggest case he'd dealt with was a missing child. The child had been found the next day wandering the woods. He'd had a rough night and would probably never go camping again but no physical harm had been done.

Forks was a tiny speck on the map. The forests were thick and the leaves were green but after 16 years they were beginning to lose their allure.

'There's more out there.'

The world was vast and as a Foundation-Establishment cultivator I had a lifespan of 200 years. I couldn't spend them all here in Forks, wishing I was someplace else.

I had to explore. I had to see the world.

Were vampires and shapeshifters truly the only magical beings to exist?

In corners of the world untouched by humanity who was to say there wasn't something else, something we couldn't imagine!

The Great Devil Scripture suppressed emotions like lust and greed. It did nothing to weaken my ambition.

'He's here.'

I could feel a presence drawing closer. It was moving forwards at an unthinkable speed.

Relying on my physical body alone I was no match for the being's agility.

True to the books Edward was especially quick amongst his kind.

Just like his immense speed Edward's senses were also sharper than any human's. It only took seconds for him to smell my scent.

I could imagine what was going through his brain.

He would be confused; it was the dead of night, I had no reason to be wandering around town. The news of several gruesome animal attacks was circulating everywhere, only an idiot or a wannabe hero would be walking around at night.

I had carefully picked my position. If he wanted to get past me he would have to show himself.

"Alexander?"

The show began.

Looking up from my phone I pretended to be surprised, "Edward, is that you?"

He stepped slowly out of the shadows, "Yeah, it's me."

We stood at the edge of the road, far enough away that the nearby houses wouldn't hear our conversation.

The only light was provided by a flickering streetlight.

"What are you doing here?" He asked questioningly.

I smiled, "Just doing my duty."

My response made him hesitate. I could tell that he was reading my thoughts.

It must've shocked him to discover I was only thinking about a mouth full of sharp teeth.

Edward took a step closer. Perhaps if he still ate or breathed I would've smelled what he had for dinner, "And what is your duty?"

The innocent smile on my face didn't falter, "Protecting our town of course."

Edward eyed me warily. His guard was up. He knew something wasn't right.

I continued, "You must've heard about the accident at school right, Bella's lucky. She's a good friend, I would've hated for her to get hurt."

Edward's eyes narrowed. The aura of a predator pressed down on my shoulders.

His lips were turned outwards in a snarl, "Yes. Bella's a good friend to me also."

The Great Devil Scripture circulated furiously under the pressure. My cultivation was rapidly soaring towards the peak of the first stage.

"We've got that history midterm tomorrow right Edward, the past truly was different wasn't it?"

Edward's eyes glowered at me in the darkness. A growl escaped his lips.

I acted like his murderous gaze and savage expression weren't there at all, "You'd better go, a good night's sleep is important after all."

Edward took another step closer. His face was millimeters away from mine.

"Yeah. I guess so." He snarled.

His eyes darted to the house behind me. There was a light on in the window of the top floor.

The shadow of a slender silhouette moved across the curtains. Then the light switched off.

"See you tomorrow Edward!"

Satisfaction swelled in my heart as Edward turned away angrily.

The forests rustled as he stormed back in the direction he had came.

I looked back up to the window.

'Friends look after friends.'

So far things had largely followed their scripted course. This allowed me to use my knowledge of the plot to my advantage.

However I wasn't going to be a bystander.

If I wanted to change something I wouldn't hesitate to take action. And today I had.