Life With An English Noble
By: Wizardtho
CHAPTER 1:
It's been six long years since that horrible day in the woods when Edward dropped me like a piece of garbage… six long years since I grew a backbone. I had to, as all three of my parents died within two months of that horrible day.
The official causes of death were listed as a home invasion/murder for Renee and Phil, along with an animal attack for Charlie, but I knew the real reason. It had Victoria written all over it... yet she didn't stop at taking them away from me. They were just an appetizer for her until she decided it was time to step up her game. The pack was relentless about protecting me, but they lost a young one in the final battle with Victoria and her newborns... on the one year anniversary of that day.
The mournful howls every night for a week afterward were my deciding factor to leave Forks. I couldn't be the cause for any more of their deaths. I already had four souls haunting my nightmares each night; I wouldn't let them sacrifice any more of their brothers in my name. They tried to get me to stay, but I had made up my mind. They knew it was no use once my mind was made up.
With the promise to keep in touch regularly, I traveled to Renee and Phil's Jacksonville estate, choosing to enroll in Jacksonville University's Fine Arts program. I got a dual Bachelors degree in Art History and Photography, then went on to get my Masters degree in Fine Arts. My portfolio the day I graduated was twice as large as any of my graduating class. My mixed media paintings -along with both my digital and film photography- caused my portfolio to end up quite large, showcasing my best finished works.
My mentor, Professor Caleb Wakefeld, was a life saver when it came down to it. Professor Wakefeld just happened to be an animal-drinking vampire... in Jacksonville, of all god damn places. No wonder he never taught any daytime classes, right? Anyhow, he never pushed for why I was doubling up, or why I was always either in the studios painting or the dark rooms developing after hours. He'd look over my finished works before saying, "Another spectacular piece, Isa. It's no wonder you're getting out of here a year early, with this talent." He'd always stay to make sure I reached my truck alright when I stayed late, refusing to leave before I pulled out onto the road safely.
Just after graduation, he asked me to join him for our weekly coffee at the cafe. It wasn't our usual day, but since the week had been busy for both of us, I smiled and agreed. Once we were both seated in the corner booth with our cappuccinos, he had asked me softly, "Isa, you know I've never pried... even when I knew you never socialized outside of class with your peers. You have immense talent in that tiny frame of yours, so I didn't want to be the cause for you withdrawing further into yourself. Have we not known each other long enough for you to trust me?"
I felt like snickering, since he obviously didn't trust me with his 'veggie vamp' secret, but that's another story. The real question was, could I trust myself alone with him while having the thoughts I did of him for all this time? Ironically, I wanted to tell him. I wanted to put the past behind me. I had worked damn hard to do so, though the nightmares still plagued me every time I slept.
I closed my eyes, settling my nerves with a deep breath, then smiled sadly while saying, "It's a long story, Professor... definitely not meant for others' ears. If you'd like to talk, let's go back to my place. I'll tell you my story… although, something a little stronger than coffee might be in order."
He nodded, "If you're ready to share, Isa, I'm ready to listen. Shall I follow you?" I agreed, then we headed out to our separate vehicles.
When we got through the property’s security gate, he followed me around to the garage, parking just behind my truck as I pulled into my spot. He was by my open truck door before the truck was off, looking at me with a contemplating expression, "Are your parents home by chance?"
I smiled sadly, "Part of the story, Professor... but no, I live here alone. Let's get the hardest part of this out of the way, up in my studio, then we can talk in the house if you're still willing." He nodded, and once my truck was turned off, I headed for the stairway hall at the end of the garage.
He followed me silently, but when I reached the top of the stairs, I turned to say slowly, "What you're about to see will come as a shock to you. I know you don't shock easily, but I'm positive this will. Whatever happens, please... please remember that I would never cause trouble." Before he could say anything, I opened my studio door, stepping aside for him to enter.
One entire wall was a tasteful mix comprising my charcoals and oils of the Cullens. Edward and Alice were more prominent on the wall than the others, but they were all there more than a few times, in more than a few familiar scenes. Tears sprung to my eyes as he entered the room, not knowing how he'd react or how I'd be able to even tell my story.
He gasped as he took in the wall. The first of my silent tears falling as his head snapped to look at me. He looked at the walls to take each picture in one at a time, then before he turned to me again, he sighed, “Oh, Isa... what did that fool boy do to you?”
I choked out shakily, "I... need to get out of here... if I have any chance of telling you everything. You need to see something else, first, though."
I trembled as I walked to the corner to pull the sheet off the four canvases. I backed away, pointing to them as I choked out, "Those four... three are my parents… the other is Seth. I'll wait for you at the bottom of the stairs. Please make sure the door is closed and the sheet replaced before you come down." He nodded slowly, then I dashed out of the room.
As soon as I was down the stairs, I threw open the double doors before bending over, gasping for air that wouldn't come. Not two seconds later, I felt a hand on my back as Professor Wakefeld knelt in front of me, whispering soothingly, "Isa, look at me. You need to breathe, Sweetheart."
He took one of my hands, placed it on his cool chest, then said, "Look into my eyes, Isa. Slow. Steady. Feel. Slow, deep breaths... there we go. Keep going... you're doing fine."
After a few minutes, I was able to breathe without his guidance, causing him to ask, “How are you feeling now?”
I let out an incredulous laugh, replying, "I just pretty much told you that I know what you are -was deeply involved in your world- yet you're asking how I feel? Jesus, I need a drink and a cigarette."
He chuckled, "There's the Isa I know. Come on, so you can show me around your house." I rolled my eyes, shook my head, then righted myself before walking across the breezeway to the side foyer.
As soon as we were in with the doors closed, I turned to press the buttons on the alarm, then walked down the hallway, saying, "The female with the taller built male... they were my mom and stepdad... Renee and Phil Dwyer."
He gasped, "I thought I recognized him. He was the major league baseball player that died during the home invasion."
I shook my head, "Not a home invasion, but that's the official story. All part of my story, but this was their house. I inherited it, plus all of their stocks, bonds, insurance policies, the savings he had started for me the day they married, along with their vacation home."
With a breath, I said hoarsely, "The other male was my father, Charlie Swan. He was police chief of a tiny town called Forks, Washington. He died exactly one month after Renee and Phil. Official story is an animal attack, but again... not what really happened, and it's part of the story. The young one, with the side picture of the tan and cream wolf? That was Seth. He... was a shifter. The dormant gene was activated when the C... Cullens moved to Forks. The pack's ancestors made a treaty with them, stating that as long as they didn't bite a human and stayed off Quileute land, they wouldn't call war."
We had reached the wet bar near the nook, so I poured myself a tall, very strong Jack and Coke. I set my purse on the counter, grabbed my cigarettes and lighter out, then walked towards the Leisure Room. Once I unlocked the door, stacking it part way back in the process, I took up residence in one of the comfy lounge chairs.
I lit my cigarette, let the stream of smoke out slowly, then said, "I hope you're ready, Professor, because I don't think I can tell this story more than once. You're the only one who will hear it in its entirety. Once I start, I'll have to get through all of it."
He nodded, sitting back before saying softly, "I have all the time in the world, Isa, as you very well know. You are welcome to as much of it as you want."
It's been six long years since that horrible day in the woods when Edward dropped me like a piece of garbage… six long years since I grew a backbone. I had to, as all three of my parents died within two months of that horrible day.
The official causes of death were listed as a home invasion/murder for Renee and Phil, along with an animal attack for Charlie, but I knew the real reason. It had Victoria written all over it... yet she didn't stop at taking them away from me. They were just an appetizer for her until she decided it was time to step up her game. The pack was relentless about protecting me, but they lost a young one in the final battle with Victoria and her newborns... on the one year anniversary of that day.
The mournful howls every night for a week afterward were my deciding factor to leave Forks. I couldn't be the cause for any more of their deaths. I already had four souls haunting my nightmares each night; I wouldn't let them sacrifice any more of their brothers in my name. They tried to get me to stay, but I had made up my mind. They knew it was no use once my mind was made up.
With the promise to keep in touch regularly, I traveled to Renee and Phil's Jacksonville estate, choosing to enroll in Jacksonville University's Fine Arts program. I got a dual Bachelors degree in Art History and Photography, then went on to get my Masters degree in Fine Arts. My portfolio the day I graduated was twice as large as any of my graduating class. My mixed media paintings -along with both my digital and film photography- caused my portfolio to end up quite large, showcasing my best finished works.
My mentor, Professor Caleb Wakefeld, was a life saver when it came down to it. Professor Wakefeld just happened to be an animal-drinking vampire... in Jacksonville, of all god damn places. No wonder he never taught any daytime classes, right? Anyhow, he never pushed for why I was doubling up, or why I was always either in the studios painting or the dark rooms developing after hours. He'd look over my finished works before saying, "Another spectacular piece, Isa. It's no wonder you're getting out of here a year early, with this talent." He'd always stay to make sure I reached my truck alright when I stayed late, refusing to leave before I pulled out onto the road safely.
Just after graduation, he asked me to join him for our weekly coffee at the cafe. It wasn't our usual day, but since the week had been busy for both of us, I smiled and agreed. Once we were both seated in the corner booth with our cappuccinos, he had asked me softly, "Isa, you know I've never pried... even when I knew you never socialized outside of class with your peers. You have immense talent in that tiny frame of yours, so I didn't want to be the cause for you withdrawing further into yourself. Have we not known each other long enough for you to trust me?"
I felt like snickering, since he obviously didn't trust me with his 'veggie vamp' secret, but that's another story. The real question was, could I trust myself alone with him while having the thoughts I did of him for all this time? Ironically, I wanted to tell him. I wanted to put the past behind me. I had worked damn hard to do so, though the nightmares still plagued me every time I slept.
I closed my eyes, settling my nerves with a deep breath, then smiled sadly while saying, "It's a long story, Professor... definitely not meant for others' ears. If you'd like to talk, let's go back to my place. I'll tell you my story… although, something a little stronger than coffee might be in order."
He nodded, "If you're ready to share, Isa, I'm ready to listen. Shall I follow you?" I agreed, then we headed out to our separate vehicles.
When we got through the property’s security gate, he followed me around to the garage, parking just behind my truck as I pulled into my spot. He was by my open truck door before the truck was off, looking at me with a contemplating expression, "Are your parents home by chance?"
I smiled sadly, "Part of the story, Professor... but no, I live here alone. Let's get the hardest part of this out of the way, up in my studio, then we can talk in the house if you're still willing." He nodded, and once my truck was turned off, I headed for the stairway hall at the end of the garage.
He followed me silently, but when I reached the top of the stairs, I turned to say slowly, "What you're about to see will come as a shock to you. I know you don't shock easily, but I'm positive this will. Whatever happens, please... please remember that I would never cause trouble." Before he could say anything, I opened my studio door, stepping aside for him to enter.
One entire wall was a tasteful mix comprising my charcoals and oils of the Cullens. Edward and Alice were more prominent on the wall than the others, but they were all there more than a few times, in more than a few familiar scenes. Tears sprung to my eyes as he entered the room, not knowing how he'd react or how I'd be able to even tell my story.
He gasped as he took in the wall. The first of my silent tears falling as his head snapped to look at me. He looked at the walls to take each picture in one at a time, then before he turned to me again, he sighed, “Oh, Isa... what did that fool boy do to you?”
I choked out shakily, "I... need to get out of here... if I have any chance of telling you everything. You need to see something else, first, though."
I trembled as I walked to the corner to pull the sheet off the four canvases. I backed away, pointing to them as I choked out, "Those four... three are my parents… the other is Seth. I'll wait for you at the bottom of the stairs. Please make sure the door is closed and the sheet replaced before you come down." He nodded slowly, then I dashed out of the room.
As soon as I was down the stairs, I threw open the double doors before bending over, gasping for air that wouldn't come. Not two seconds later, I felt a hand on my back as Professor Wakefeld knelt in front of me, whispering soothingly, "Isa, look at me. You need to breathe, Sweetheart."
He took one of my hands, placed it on his cool chest, then said, "Look into my eyes, Isa. Slow. Steady. Feel. Slow, deep breaths... there we go. Keep going... you're doing fine."
After a few minutes, I was able to breathe without his guidance, causing him to ask, “How are you feeling now?”
I let out an incredulous laugh, replying, "I just pretty much told you that I know what you are -was deeply involved in your world- yet you're asking how I feel? Jesus, I need a drink and a cigarette."
He chuckled, "There's the Isa I know. Come on, so you can show me around your house." I rolled my eyes, shook my head, then righted myself before walking across the breezeway to the side foyer.
As soon as we were in with the doors closed, I turned to press the buttons on the alarm, then walked down the hallway, saying, "The female with the taller built male... they were my mom and stepdad... Renee and Phil Dwyer."
He gasped, "I thought I recognized him. He was the major league baseball player that died during the home invasion."
I shook my head, "Not a home invasion, but that's the official story. All part of my story, but this was their house. I inherited it, plus all of their stocks, bonds, insurance policies, the savings he had started for me the day they married, along with their vacation home."
With a breath, I said hoarsely, "The other male was my father, Charlie Swan. He was police chief of a tiny town called Forks, Washington. He died exactly one month after Renee and Phil. Official story is an animal attack, but again... not what really happened, and it's part of the story. The young one, with the side picture of the tan and cream wolf? That was Seth. He... was a shifter. The dormant gene was activated when the C... Cullens moved to Forks. The pack's ancestors made a treaty with them, stating that as long as they didn't bite a human and stayed off Quileute land, they wouldn't call war."
We had reached the wet bar near the nook, so I poured myself a tall, very strong Jack and Coke. I set my purse on the counter, grabbed my cigarettes and lighter out, then walked towards the Leisure Room. Once I unlocked the door, stacking it part way back in the process, I took up residence in one of the comfy lounge chairs.
I lit my cigarette, let the stream of smoke out slowly, then said, "I hope you're ready, Professor, because I don't think I can tell this story more than once. You're the only one who will hear it in its entirety. Once I start, I'll have to get through all of it."
He nodded, sitting back before saying softly, "I have all the time in the world, Isa, as you very well know. You are welcome to as much of it as you want."