Djinn, Salem and Visions...

Nikki was walking down the street marveling in the feel of the sun on her skin. It had been a month since she woke up from what they were referring to as her 'moment' and things had been relatively normal.

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"As normal as things can be for a teenage witch in a world full of vampires," Kai would have scoffed

"She hasn't met them yet, though." MyAnna would have rolled her eyes, picking a flower up from the ground and handing it to Nikki with a sweet smile.

"Okay," Kai would have conceded, "But what about the strangers who assume she has amnesia?"

"Why do you guys always talk like I'm not standing right here?"

"Yeah, that's a bit bothersome." MyAnna would have agreed as if Nikki hadn't spoken. Causing a huff from the witch that MyAnna would have soothed with a kiss on the cheek.

"A bit?!" Kai would have groaned, "Bella literally bursts into tears whenever Nikki says she isn't a vegetarian!"

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Bella had proven to be the most difficult to deal with truthfully. She was insanely awkward. Nikki had never been a fan of her character, and she had a tendency to burst into tears when Nikki didn't live up to the expectations the girl had for her. Such as a vegetarian diet.

Between her 'change' in wardrobe, her refusal to be vegetarian and her 'newfound' love of makeup and genuine care in her appearance - it's left a noticeable distance between the swan "twins."

Phil had been right, Renee had gone back to who Nikki assumed she was before all of this started - the only time she would look more subdued is when Nikki called her 'Renee' instead of 'Mom' but that wasn't a bridge Nikki was prepared to cross with the woman so she chose to keep her distance.

It made her life easier. She left the house more, her 'ghosts' keeping her company. She hated referring to MyAnna and Kai as 'ghosts' but unfortunately that's what they were. Even though she was more than aware of that - she just couldn't bring herself to let either of them go.

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"And no one would expect you to!" Kai would have assured her.

"We'll be here as long as you want us to be," MyAnna would have nodded her finality, fingers entwined with Nikki's.

"And if I never want you to leave?"

"Then we'll never go." Kai and MyAnna would have responded simultaneously, without an ounce of hesitation.

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She remembered a song she had heard by Justin Bieber, not someone she usually took to listening too but at the time the song had resonated with her. If only she had known that she would actually be living the lyrics.

If I can't be close to you.

I'll settle for the ghost of you.

And if you can't be next to me.

Your memory is ecstasy.

Nikki spent a lot of her time exploring Phoenix, or at least as much of it as she could on foot. It was beautiful, warm and she wondered how Bella had never managed to tan. Nikki hadn't been here long and her skin had already taken on a nice sun kissed glow - but that could also have been because Nikki knew how to take care of her skin. It wasn't a reflection on Bella really, she didn't know how but Nikki had a feeling she wouldn't care to do it even if she did.

Bella was a book worm who preferred sitting in her room reading books like Romeo and Juliet than doing much else. She craved an eternal love that could survive the end of times - if only she realized Romeo and Juliet was a romantic tragedy, not something one should wish to emulate.

If Nikki cared enough about the story to get involved then she'd tell her that but all three of them had agreed it wasn't worth her time, at least not anything past saving Irina.

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"There is mostly a happy ending," Kai would have pointed out, dribbling the basketball and then shooting her shot from the three point line while MyAnna and Nikki watched from the sidelines.

"Aside from the death of Irina," Nikki would have reminded with a wince. She always hated her death, it was unfair.

"You could protect her, if that was something you wanted to do." MyAnna would have comforted from where she was leaning against Nikki. Eyes closed as she enjoyed the sun and the gentle breeze in her hair.

"Then she'd attract the attention of the Volturi," Kai would have faked a pass to absolutely no one before running and dunking. "Aro would salivate at the fucking mouth seeing a real life witch standing before him. The only witch in existence, might I add."

"I didn't say wait until the day of the battle to protect her," MyAnna would have shifted, so she was facing the two of them as Kai made her way off the court. "We would have multiple chances to find a way to protect her before then."

"Once Laurent is dead there really is no way to protect her after that. Vampires can't live without their mates. She'll die one way or another." Kai would have plopped down next to them, snatching Nikki's water bottle and taking large gulps before dumping some of it onto her sweaty head making Nikki roll her eyes.

"So what? I protect Laurent?"

"We didn't really see enough of his character to know if he was a good guy, bad guy or simply misunderstood." Kai would have pointed out, leaning back on her elbows.

"She has a point, darling. If you choose to protect him, get a good read on him before even introducing him to Irina. That way if he is misunderstood you can help him before they meet and if he is a bad guy who will only cause her pain…" MyAnna would have trailed off with a hum

"We set his sparkly ass on fire and roast marshmallows over his corpse." Kai would have chuckled with a smirk,

"We?" Nikki would have deadpanned, while MyAnna grinned.

"You, We - same thing." Kai would have dismissed with a wave and an innocent smile.

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Thankfully, the distance made it easier for her to practice spells and nonverbal magic. It was like she had been a witch her entire life. It came almost naturally to her.

Honestly life had been just a little too easy. Nikki wasn't used to that. Before she had published her book - well she was used to a little struggle and so she was patiently - impatiently - waiting for the other shoe to drop.

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"Can't we just enjoy the simplicity of it all?" Kai would have groaned flopping face down on Nikki's bed before putting the pillow over her head.

"Who said I wasn't enjoying it?" Nikki would have questioned from where she laid on her back. One arm behind her head and the other holding MyAnna tightly against her from where the blonde had her head buried in her neck.

"We are you, my love." MyAnna would have gently reminded her, "We know what you feel."

Nikki would have sighed, "It isn't that I'm not enjoying all the quiet and all the time with both of you. I just feel like we are missing something. Something that should be so damn obvious,"

Kai would have mumbled something neither Nikki nor MyAnna could make out from where she had her face buried in the bed causing MyAnna to grab the pillow and lift while Nikki would have slapped her head.

"What did you say?" Nikki would have asked with a grin while MyAnna would have hid her laugh in Nikki's neck when Kai glared at them both.

"I said," Kai would have exaggerated her groan, "Because everything in this world seems to have a purpose…except for you,"

"Rude," MyAnna would have huffed but Nikki wouldn't have thought so.

"She kind of has a point though," Nikki would have squeezed MyAnna's waist reassuringly, "Vampires are a form of human population control,"

"What do the veggie's offer then? Decimation of the poor animal species?" Kai would have snarked earning a playful nudge from MyAnna

"And the shifters are here to hunt vampires and ensure they don't get out of control," MyAnna would have added thoughtfully,

"And the werewolves are here to be hunted into extinction by Caius's bitch ass," Kai would have teased

"But a witch and only one of them? Why am I here?" Neither of them would have answered. Because no one would have had an answer. Of course they also had no idea how much they should have appreciated the simplicity while it lasted.

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Nikki was sitting on a park bench when it happened - enjoying the gentle breeze and the warm weather. She had gone for semi casual today. A pair of form fitting leggings with a tank top and a pair of sandals. Her hair in a messy bun with sun glasses to complete the look.

It was surprisingly empty for 2 in the afternoon but she assumed kids were at school and parents were at work. She had thankfully been excused from school to recover and Phil usually went to practice around this time while Renee was at work.

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"What are you going to do when we have to go to high school?" Kai would have whined for the hundredth time. Nikki would have gotten used to her ability to turn it into a plural even though they were both aware it was only Nikki attending. It made her feel less alone

"Jump off the nearest bridge?" Nikki would have offered with a sly grin that had Kai cackling until MyAnna slapped both of them on the head and attempted to storm off.

"That isn't funny!"

Nikki would have ran after her while Kai made a 'whipped' sound behind them. Wrapping her arms around MyAnna's waist and pressing a kiss to her temple.

"You're right. I'm - "

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"Hello," A deep voice called out to her, interrupting her thought and Nikki jumped up from the bench. Her head snapping to the side with narrowed eyes. Usually she didn't have such a volatile reaction to strangers but something about his voice had the hair on her arms standing on end while the rest of her had kicked into fight or flight.

He was covered in dark black tribal style tattoos and his eyes were glowing a dark navy blue, he was taking slow steps toward her but she in no way thought it was because he didn't want to scare her. No - rather he seemed weak, not that she assumed that at all made him harmless.

"Where is it that I am?" He asked, continuing to walk toward her slowly. His fingers twitching as if he wanted to reach out and grab her. She backed up with every step he took forward keeping a respectable distance between them.

"Phoenix," Nikki answered hesitantly, only continuing when he didn't look like he understood. "Arizona," She offered instead, "Do you need help?"

Now that she looked closer, the sinking feeling she had only increased. His skin looked more like an orange that had gone bad - grayish and wrinkly while maintaining the slight orange hue - almost like he hadn't eaten in too long. His mouth was open as he took deep breaths, his nostrils flaring and eyes practically rolling back into his head.

"In fact, I do." He managed to smile at her. It was the most unnerving smile she had ever seen. "I happen to be famished. I do not know when I last indulged in a true meal and I could smell your longing from afar."

The way he said it caused a shiver to run down her spine and a furrow in her brow, "I can point you to the nearest grocery store," she offered continuing to step back with every step he took.

He chuckled, low and deep in his throat. Thoroughly amused by her. "My tastes run a bit more…unique than your human delicacies."

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"Who the fuck says that?!" Kai would have panicked, grabbing Nikki in an attempt to get the young witch to run.

"We should leave," MyAnna would have agreed also grabbing Nikki from the other side."

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Before Nikki had the chance to respond to her 'ghosts', flee, or respond to the man before her - a loud and piercing wail came from somewhere above them causing her to clamp her hands down on her ears. Something as large as an eagle but as fast as a bullet swooped down and slammed into the man.

"Don't let him touch you!" A voice wailed in her mind and she whimpered from the slight pain it caused. "He's a Djinn!"

"Like a Genie?" Nikki asked aloud, watching as the man slowly climbed to his feet. His face contorted in some sort of emotion.

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"Excuse me but that does not look like Will fucking Smith," Kai would have yelled, pointing accusingly at the man or Djinn?

"Not that kind of genie!" MyAnna and Nikki would have groaned at the same time.

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"I knew I smelled the desperation of a witch," The man sighed wistfully, "There is nothing quite like the taste." He extended his hand in her direction. His eyes glowing a blue so dark it looked nearly black, and a mist began to rise off of his tattoos. "Surely, there is something that makes you so desperate, young one. Something you desire that I can provide."

"It's a trap. Don't listen to him!" The same voice spoke inside of her head, this time it was less of a shriek and more of an echo, causing only a minor ache. "He'll trap you in a hallucination and slowly feed off the blood in your body until you die."

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"So Aladdin was just a movie based on a poor boy who met a Djinn and then got trapped in a hallucination while the blood was drained from his body? Way to ruin our childhood man!" Kai would have sniffed indignantly while MyAnna and Nikki would have stared at her. A look that very clearly said 'not the fucking time!'

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Nikki shook her head to clear it - between her 'ghosts,' the voice and the Djinn she was starting to worry about her own mental health. Even if every part of her was telling her to trust the voice and get the fuck away from the Djinn. "I would prefer not to make a wish. I'm happy the way I am."

"No?" The Djinn paused, tilting his head sideways as he continued to stare at her. This time unblinking, as if trying to stare into her very soul. It caused her heart to pound in her chest. "Not even for…MyAnna?"

Nikki's eyes hardened as she recoiled away from his words, her eye twitching as her magic coursed through her. "Don't say her name," She barked at him but that seemed to be the reaction he was looking for.

"Do you not desire her? To see her again? To have a life with her? I can offer that to you and more," Clearly he was weaker than she had thought if he was attempting to coerce her instead of forcing it upon her but his words were almost enough to sway her.

It was what she wanted. More than anything. She would give up this second life to be with her again, but she needed it to be real. Not more 'ghosts' she could see and feel but never reach.

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"It's not worth your life," MyAnna would have pleaded, tears burning in her bright blue eyes. "I'm still here, even if it isn't the same. If you do this, it won't be me."

"But - "

"No," MyAnna would have interrupted her, pulling her in a desperate hug that Nikki would have returned just as desperately. "It wouldn't be me and you know it. It would look like me and feel like me but it would never be me. You'd lose what you have left of me."

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As if to reiterate the voice in her head brought her back to reality.

"It isn't real. Even if he gives that to you, it will never be real."

"I got that, thank you." She sighed dejectedly back at the voice, thoroughly convinced she was going crazy but one thing at a time - her attention settled back on the Djinn. "I don't want what you're offering, and even if I did, I can't accept."

His features hardened, a scowl taking over his face. "and here I was offering you but a gift that other's would die for."

Nikki didn't point out that they would literally die for it, and she was sure others didn't get the same choice she had been given. It was clear she had offended him and as a result part of her was screaming for her to run. To get far away from him and what he was offering - but a voice in the back of her head stopped her.

Not the voice of her 'ghosts' or even the voice she couldn't explain - no, it was more like her conscience reminding her that if she left him here he would find someone else. Someone innocent who didn't have powers to defend themselves.

"You have to kill him," The voice had become more familiar, settling softly into her mind like a friend she had merely been missing.

"What? Just like that? Isn't there a second option?" She had never killed anything before. She couldn't even kill a spider - she much preferred to let it outside, but her back hit a tree and the space between them was dwindling.

"Invidia!" With a pained grunt, the Djinn fell to his hands and knees. The muscles in his back, arms and neck so tense she could see the veins from the pain she had caused to fire into his nerve endings. Nikki actually felt bad - at least she did until with an unearthly sound he jumped to his feet and ran at her.

"What the fuck happened to him being weak?" Nikki would have tried not to panic, tensing her body and waiting for the perfect moment, hoping neither her 'ghosts' nor the voice had left her when she needed them the most. When he was close enough she dived out of the way into a somersault that immediately had her back on her feet. Ensuring her back was never to him, and she never stayed still.

"I said kill him, not piss him off." It was a clear reprimand, but at least it was a gentle one. "What you did was the equivalent of throwing a rock at a hungry bear."

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"Well excuse the fuck out of her!" Kai would have defended Nikki with her usual snark but with no one to glare at - would have glared at the Djinn as they continued to dodge his attempts.

"How was she supposed to know? Maybe next time get to the point a bit quicker." MyAnna would have agreed.

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"Don't let him touch you and Don't touch him."

"Can you try saying something helpful?" Nikki took off running, knowing very well the Djinn was following her and getting angrier at each failed attempt to grab her.

"Immobulis!" She yelled, spinning quickly and throwing her hands up. She watched in satisfaction as the Djinn fell face first, arms and legs bound by invisible bonds.

"It won't keep him down for very long," The voice warned, "Stop calling me the voice, My name is Salem."

"Okay, Salem. Can you tell me how I'm supposed to - " Nikki cut herself off, her nose scrunching in discomfort.

"Kill it?"

Nikki nodded, somehow more than aware Salem would be able to see it without her seeing him. The Djinn, having finally freed himself from her spell, stood. The blue in his eyes turning a menacing red in his anger.

"Enough of your foolish games, witch!" He roared at her, "I tire of them!" His chest was rising and falling quickly, a menacing clicking sound coming from deep in his throat as he again made his way toward her. His pace was neither slow nor fast - more lazy. He knew she had no idea how to defeat him and all he had to do was touch her once and she was his.

"The most common way is a silver blade dipped in lambs blood,"

Nikki grit her teeth in irritation, "Lets assume I don't carry one of those around in my back pocket and give me the least common way,"

"Casser les os," With a flick of her wrist the left calf of the Djinn broke, the bone sticking out at an angle causing Nikki to gag.

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"Oh my god!" Kai would have yelled out, covering her eyes with her hands. "Why would you do that?!"

MyAnna would have squeezed her eyes shut and looked away.

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"I don't know! He just kept coming! I am so sorry!" Nikki panicked, hands going to grip at her already ruined messy bun.

The Djinn stopped squirming to look at her incredulously and for some reason she could imagine Salem looking at her the same way.

"What?! I am!" Nikki snapped angrily, "You're trying to kill me but that doesn't mean I'm suddenly a sadist!"

The Djinn managed to stand on only one leg and Nikki cursed under her breath, "Casser les os!" Another flick and his right leg was broken similar to the left. A sickening crunch causing her to flinch.

***************************************

"Son of a bitch. I don't know whether to yell at you or praise you!" Kai would have dry heaved with her hands on her knees.

"Well done, my love." MyAnna would have chosen to praise even if her voice was shaky. "Maybe just ya know, end it now though, hmm?"

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Nikki jumped up and down, her hands shaking as she cringed away from the sympathetic pain she could feel in her own body. "Oh god, oh god. I never wanna hear that sound again. That was horrible."

"Set him on fire!" Salem suddenly yelled in her head and Nikki froze.

"What?!" Nikki exclaimed, staring at the Djinn in horror. "I could barely handle breaking his legs! He's still alive!"

"And you won't be if you don't!"

"But he's in…" Nikki watched in disbelief as the Djinn pushed the bone back into his leg with a pained groan, "…jured." The skin of his left leg healed before her very eyes while he moved on to do the same to the right leg.

"He has accelerated healing. He cannot be stopped without the blade in the heart, decapitation or setting him on fire."

"Yeah, lets just talk about casually beheading someone." Nikki groaned but she had no further time to consider her options. He had successfully pushed the bone back into his leg and was now working on standing. His eyes locked on hers almost as if he was mocking her.

She kept her eyes open as she swallowed hard and took a steadying breath. Determination filled her and she watched as the near black eyes switched from angry and hungry to horrified in a mere second and all she had to do was utter a single word.

"Incendia," As if a bullet had been shot the spell hit him hard. He staggered back a step before flames erupted across his body faster than he could attempt to put them out. In mere seconds it had engulfed him from head to toe. Only the sound of his panicked and pain filled cries heard in the woods.

"Silencio!" Nikki gasped and with a fisted hand his cries cut off, but she didn't look away until he had fallen to his knees and then flat on his face. It could have been seconds, minutes or even hours but eventually the flames died and left behind only a corpse that turned into nothing more than ash before her very eyes. The Arizona wind taking them with it until the only evidence of what had transpired was a scorch mark no one would ever be able to explain.

"You did good, kid." Salem praised her, but she wasn't listening. Her stomach churned and she quickly turned and threw up the remains of her breakfast behind the nearest tree. She did that until she dry heaved - her body still wanting to react to the violence she had just witnessed and caused but nothing was left to dispel. "It'll get easier."

"Easier? Like I plan to do that again?" She wiped the back of her mouth with her hand, knowing she wanted to get back to Renee's as soon as possible so she could wash out her mouth before she leaned against the tree in exhaustion. Any energy she had left her body. She just wanted to sleep.

Her eyes snapped open when she heard a branch snap to the right of her and she jolted up, adrenaline rushing through her body immediately prepared for another fight. But the sight before her caused her to freeze.

Standing only feet away from her was a wolf as big as a bear, a bright orange wolf. The tips of his ears, tail, nose and all four of his paws were blue - but the rest of him was as bright as the flames of a fire.

"I thought this form may be easier for you," Salem kept his voice soft as he sunk onto his belly. His ears pressed flat against his head as he tried to appear as non threatening as he could so as not to spook his charge.

"I really thought I was going crazy with the disembodied voice thing," Nikki sighed after a few minutes of tense silence, the adrenaline leaving her body as quickly as it came causing her to sink onto the ground. Only just managing to sit and lean against the tree with her legs extended.

Salem whined low in his throat at seeing his charge look so defeated. He belly crawled toward her slowly until he could drop his over sized head into her lap, hoping to provide some comfort.

"You're not crazy. It's okay to be overwhelmed, this is all new for you." As he spoke he nuzzled his head into her belly, a pleased rumble leaving his chest as she absently began running her fingers through his fur.

"How can I understand you? I didn't think witches could talk to animals," She asked softly, her fingers playing with the blue fur on his ear.

"I'm your familiar. You can understand me in any form I take and I have 3 primary forms. I can choose which one to use, depending on your needs at the time."

"Familiar's help aid, guide and protect witches, right?" Nikki hadn't written her witch with a familiar, but she had seen enough wiccan shows to know.

"That's correct," Salem released a happy yip, his oversized tail thumping heavily against the ground with a 'thud, thud, thud' "Every witch has a familiar. You are the last of your kind as I am the last of mine,"

"We can be alone, together." Nikki sighed, chuckling when a large wet tongue came out to lick gently across her cheek. "What are your three forms?"

"A wolf," Salem smiled - or what she imagined was a smile, "A dog and my true form - a phoenix."

"Is there a reason you chose those two or are they just as natural as your true form?"

"A wolf is your favorite animal," He stated matter of factly, and Nikki didn't ask how he knew. "A dog because it would look suspicious if a horse sized wolf was following you around," He was right, it would.

"If a dog was following me around?"

"Emotional support animal. I go where you go, Nikki. That wasn't the only monster you're going to meet, and until we find your grimoire, you have no idea what they are or how to stop them."

"Speaking of what they are, care to explain the Djinn to me a bit?" Nikki asked, choosing to ignore the part about her experiencing more monsters for now. She would panic about that part later, no doubt about it.

"A Djinn is in fact based on a genie and contrary to what Kai believed - they are nothing like their cartoon counterpart." He said it with a chuckle and it helped alleviate any alarm Nikki felt that Salem could hear her 'ghosts' too. "With one single touch they feed off your desires, trapping you into a reality of your own making. A place where everything you want comes true,"

"Like living a life where I didn't die and MyAnna and Kai were still with me."

"Exactly. While you're trapped in the world, they keep you alive for up to ten years. Slowly draining the blood from your body and feeding off of you and it. When they finally drain you, your reality crumbles and you die both in this world and that one. If you were to die in that world - say by getting hit by a car…then you would die in real life. The only way to escape the hallucination is to kill yourself, therefore waking up in the real world but hardly anyone realizes that the life they are living isn't real."

"Or maybe they do but it's too good to give up," Nikki countered, knowing she would have been hard pressed to give up MyAnna a second time. In contrast, any MyAnna was better than none at all.

"That's actually an excellent point," Salem contemplated with his head tilted cutely.

"Wait, you're a phoenix? Like in Harry Potter? So that large eagle thing was also you?"

Salem Chuckled, "Yes like in Harry Potter - although obviously a bit different. She was relying solely on the myth and as we know the reality is hardly ever the exact same. The large eagle thing was me. I also have a human form but it's uncomfortable and I don't prefer it."

The distaste was easy to hear but Nikki was intrigued, "It would make it easier for us to communicate though. I mean, answering you aloud - people are going to start thinking I'm crazy." Nikki didn't mention she wasn't completely convinced she wasn't.

"You aren't crazy!" Salem chastised, "But you can speak to me in my head the same as I can you. It makes it easier for us, especially when we are at your school or something."

"They don't allow animals in school, Salem."

"And I repeat, emotional support animal. I go where you go. But we should practice you talking to me the way I talk to you - I'd hate for people to see you answering your dog aloud."

Nikki chuckled, "Yeah that would be bad. Okay, so I just…" She concentrated… 'I just think something and you can hear it?' She thought.

"That about sums it up," Salem chuckled. "It's easier than you're making it seem. You don't have to focus as much, just be natural. I can already hear most of your thoughts."

"Even the ones about…"

"MyAnna and Kai?" Salem asked with a comforting nuzzle, "Yeah those ones too."

Nikki waited for judgement or even a reprimand about holding things close to her chest but to her surprise, Salem only whined and curled his body further into her, shimmying so she was completely engulfed in his fur, her head and upper body resting against his side comfortingly when the first of her tears began to fall. She was overwhelmed and it all caught up to her at once.

"Be more gentle with yourself, you are doing the best you can with the situation you've been given. We're all broken in one way or another and no one can judge you on how you choose to hold your own pieces together."

****************************************

Forks, Washington. Cullen Residence.

Alice was sitting in her room at her vanity, designing a new wardrobe for herself and her sister, Rosalie when she was hit with a plethora of visions at once.

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Emmett was sitting in history class, his head in his palm as he wished he could sleep like the kid in the back of the class. He was bored. History was boring - he lived history. He didn't need to learn it.

A sliding noise caused his eyes to snap to the girl sitting beside him. She was new. Nikki Swan, one of the twins of the chief. The noise was caused by a note - 'cookie?' it asked and presented to him was a delicious looking chocolate chip cookie. He inhaled deeply and nearly choked in his confusion. The cookie didn't smell revolting or disgusting. It smelled as delicious as it looked.

He could smell the chocolate, the cookie dough and underlying hints of something like cinnamon - it caused his mouth to water in a way it hadn't in almost a hundred years. Nikki was watching him watch the cookie with an amused expression. She picked up her pen and quickly wrote under her original message.

'it wont bite,'

He couldn't help the chuckle that left him, that he turned into a fake cough when the teacher turned his attention to their table. He could see Nikki's shoulders shake subtly in his peripherals. When the teacher's attention returned to the board Emmett took his own pen and scribbled quickly beneath her own writing - 'thanks' and took the cookie.

Even if he had to throw it up later, it smelled much too good to pass up. He hesitated for only a second, thankfully Nikki had turned her attention back to where she was doodling in her notebook, and then took a rather large bite.

He nearly choked on it from surprise - it was delicious. He could actually taste it! He stared shocked at the oblivious human sitting next to him, looking from her to the cookie and back again rapidly as if that would suddenly offer an explanation on what the hell was going on.

"Mr.Cullen, has Ms.Swan done something the class should be aware of that has monopolized your attention?" All eyes turned to Emmett except the eyes of the girl herself, she had turned a subtle glare onto the teacher who was busy staring at Emmett waiting for an explanation.

"She made the best cookie I have ever had," That was only partly the truth. No one could compete with his Mama's cookies but that was simply the reality when it comes to a southern boy and his mama. He was Tennessee born and raised and damn proud of it!

Nikki's were surely the second best though. In fact she reminded him of his baby sister, Elizabeth and that caused an ache he pushed aside.

The teacher had seemed pacified by his answer, mumbling how the class should pay attention to his lesson and Emmett did return his attention to the board but not before he saw Nikki's soft and pleased smile as she slipped a tub of cookies between them - the offer clear even if it wasn't verbalized. Since she wasn't looking she didn't see the fond way Emmett looked at her before he forced himself to look away. Yeah, she was just like his Lizzie.

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Jasper was sitting in his English Class - the only seat that was vacant was the one beside him and of course, there was a new girl today. Chief Swan's twin girls - this one being the youngest. Nikki he was sure her name was, having heard the whispers about her and her twin all day. He tensed the closer she got to his desk, prepared to hold his breath and leave as quickly as possible when the lesson was over. Confident that if Alice saw him slipping at all she would find an excuse and get him out of there before he could expose them.

Nikki hovered by the desk and he heard her mumble something that was so low even he didn't hear it - if he was paying just a bit closer attention and not trying to ignore the scents of blood around him, he would have but when she sat down a rush of calm overcame him that had his body nearly collapsing in a relaxed position against the back of his chair.

He imagined that was how people felt when he used his gift on others, was this girl an empath, like himself? He hesitantly took a deep breathe and was immediately engulfed with the scent of Jasmine, Lavender and Cinnamon. It only further relaxed him, and the constant ache and burn in his throat was immediately soothed. It was the first time in almost 150 years that he hadn't felt as if he was swallowing acid and he gladly spent the entire class simply breathing in her scent.

He even used his own gift to soothe some of the sadness and longing he could feel coming off the girl - he smiled when he saw her tense form, relax. At least they could help each other.

All too soon the bell was ringing and he dreaded being away from the comfort she offered him. He slowly gathered his supplies but his eyes looked up when he saw her linger by her own seat. She was smiling gently at him, kindly as if she knew something he didn't and he couldn't help but return the smile.

"I hope you don't mind," She started, reaching into her bag and pulling out a scarf. It was see through and a mixture of a reddish purple. "but I think this would look perfect with your outfit,"

She didn't wait for him to respond. She instead, reached forward and wrapped it stylishly around his neck. He noticed he hadn't even tensed when she came closer. He felt no ache or desire to drain her at all. When she pulled back she studied him before she hummed and nodded to herself. He ignored the whispers surrounding them - feeling a sudden need to defend the girl from the people who were already assuming she was trying to make a move on him.

"Perfect. I hope your girlfriend likes it," She smiled again and with a simple wave she was gone. He was left staring in stunned silence at where she had been standing. Glancing down at himself, he realized it did match his outfit and Alice would in fact approve. Her scent hung heavily on scarf and with each breath, it kept the ache in his throat at bay. He went to his next class with a relaxed smile on his face for the first time in decades.

*********************************************

"Okay, have you heard this one?" Nikki asked, sitting gently in Rosalie's lap where the blonde huffed but simply re-positioned herself so Nikki was sitting a bit more comfortably.

"Another pick up line?" Emmett asked eyeing the two in amusement,

"Smoking is hazardous to your health, and baby you're killing me." Nikki kept her voice low and slightly husky, attempting a smoldering look but her smirk betrayed her.

Emmett, Alice and Jasper immediately laughed while Rosalie rolled her eyes with a chuckle. "Alright, I've never heard that one. It was good." Rosalie conceded, and her laugh was more genuine when Nikki looked smug.

"Hell yeah, you're welcome, Rosie." The brunette winked before making her way back to her own table stealing Jasper's juice as she went. "Feel free to keep it for the future, Emmett." She called over her shoulder as she went.

"Are you and Rosalie, dating?" Mike Newton asked in a jealous tone causing her to nearly spit out the juice she had just taken a sip of just as she sat down.

"I'm sorry?" She asked, glancing at Rosalie seeing the blonde glaring at the boy while the rest of the Cullens just looked baffled. Except for Emmett who looked as if he was picturing it.

"It's just - " He trailed off, unsure how to explain. "I mean…"

"It's just you guys are very close," Angela offered hesitantly, "and we just noticed that no one can really tell whether you're dating, just friends or involved in some three way relationship with Emmett."

"If people don't assume you and your best friend are having a secret lesbian love affair…is she really your best friend?" Nikki shrugged and took a bite of her lunch, leaving the kids at the table stunned while Alice giggled. Jasper smirked in amusement. Edward scowled. Rosalie tried to fight her grin - she had a reputation to protect after all and Nikki was already making her smile way too much at school. Emmett guffawed unabashedly.

***********************************************

"Nik." Emmett called in a hushed whisper from his seat in Math on the end, with Rosalie in the middle and Nikki on the other end. "Nik!"

She continued to ignore him, much to Rosalie's amusement and the big bear type man huffed. Balling up a piece of paper and throwing it at her. He had already been calling her for ten minutes! "Nikki, I'm bored." He whined, giving her his best puppy eyed look.

"Emmett," Nikki glared at him with no real heat, "I will fuck Rosalie if you don't let me take notes! I suck at math!" She hissed before she turned back to her notes, leaving both Rosalie and Emmett to stare at her.

Emmett looked between the two of them in intrigue and exasperation.

Rosalie sighed with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. She swore between Nikki and Emmett her eyes were just going to get stuck like that. "If it was going to be anyone it would be her." She shrugged and affectionately tapped her husband on the cheek before she turned back to her own unneeded notes.

Emmett's jaw nearly touched the ground from how far it had dropped while his brain short circuited.

**********************************************

"Did you get it?" Nikki asked as she slid into the seat next to Alice during art. Alice whose face was torn between a scowl and a pout.

"No, they were sold out." Her voice came out in a whine, "I was going to get a flight to Italy and everything,"

"I thought you'd say that," Nikki sighed sympathetically before pulling out her bag. Opening it and pulling out a large box and setting it in front of Alice.

Alice whose breath caught in her throat, "is that..?"

"One Alexander McQueen pink ruffled mini dress for One Alice Cullen," Nikki smiled sweetly, and then grabbed a much smaller sandwich bag out of her back pack. "and as requested, some sugar for my sugar."

Alice didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she saw the Chocolate chip cookies placed on top of the box that contained the very dress sold out in over 15 different stores. The noise that came out of her throat was a mixture of the two sounds, "How on earth did you get it?"

"It's all about who you know, Ali Cat."

***********************************************

"My name is Ms.Denali and I will be your new English teacher," Tanya informed the class as she sat on her desk, legs extended and crossed at the ankle and her arms crossed over her chest.

Her eyes connected with Nikki and Nikki's breath caught in her throat. Heart hammering in her chest. Tanya's eyes darkened several shades when Nikki's breathing came out faster. It was only a cough from Jasper - too low for the students to hear - that snapped Tanya out of her mate induced haze.

Tanya could feel Nikki's eyes on her while she taught the class and had to fight her instincts. She wanted her mate, she wanted to go to her. Talk to her. Hold her but she couldn't. Not in school, maybe not at all. Nikki wasn't involved in the vampire life like Bella was - she had no idea of the secrets her closest friends possessed.

She knew when Alice told her that her mate was here that she should have listened but she had been hesitant to get her hopes up. Tanya didn't hold the same reservations as Edward did - she wanted her mate and had waited much too long to deny herself but she wouldn't force her life on the girl. If she found out about vampires on her own and wanted to be changed then she would honor her wish. If she wanted to die as humans do … well, Tanya would cross that bridge when she came to it.

"Read chapter three silently and answer the ten multiple choice questions at the end," With no one watching it was easier for her to watch Nikki. How she rolled her pen between her fingers. Her brow slightly furrowed in her concentration. Her tongue peaking out of her mouth or how she gently chewed on her lower lip. She was driving Tanya insane and the worst part was, that Nikki had no idea what she was doing to her. Tanya could only imagine what would happen when the girl was aware of the effect she had on her.

She couldn't stop herself from going to her, pretending to check over the students work as she went to not be suspicious. Jasper smirked at her and she rolled her eyes when she stopped behind Nikki's desk. The human didn't look like she was aware of Tanya's presence but her sharp intake of breath betrayed her. Tanya kept her movements so the human could see them, leaning in the space between Jasper and Nikki to feign checking her mates work when in reality she just wanted to be closer to her.

"You're already done," She breathed in surprise, her mouth dropping open subconsciously when green eyes pinned her to the spot. She could practically taste the girl on her tongue.

"I'm a quick study," Nikki breathed in response with a slight smirk and Tanya's breath stuttered at the double entendre. She heard Jasper's noise of amusement, much too low for the rest and saw the way Nikki's eyes dropped to her lips. Her cheeky little mate had done that on purpose. Two could play that game.

Tanya leaned closer so her fingers skimmed her mate's bare thigh - Nikki's figure covered in a complimentary red dress - and let her breath linger on her mate's skin while she whispered in her ear, "And I'm an excellent teacher,"

She left her mate stunned a smug smirk on her lips when she heard Nikki's whispered, "Im too gay for this,"

Jasper turned an amused grin onto Nikki who scoffed, "I'll seduce your girlfriend, Jazzy. Eyes forward,"

Jasper chuckled, Nikki was always threatening them by saying she'd seduce their girlfriends and it was even more amusing when Alice and Rosalie actively considered it and agreed with the human. Emmett thought it was hot and he found it hilarious. Edward was the only one with an issue.

Tanya growled playfully at Jasper too low for Nikki or the students to hear, "Eyes forward Jasper, She's only allowed to seduce me."

"Yes, Ma'am." He drawled in his southern dialect thoroughly amused by the situation.

****************************************

When Alice finally snapped out of her visions, she released a squeal that caused Jasper to sigh in relief. She had been stuck in her visions for awhile now and Jasper had begun to worry - the only thing that kept his concern at bay was the excitement, humor, and fondness he could feel radiating off his mate.

"Family meeting!"