(Thomas POV)
Ahh, the last week of school is finally here. Next year is going to be interesting. Bella and I have some extra options due to the school curriculum differences between here and Phoenix. We have 4 more credits in our files because of some advanced classes we took in our last school. Bella talked the school into letting her drop Gym class all next year and use those credits for replacement so she would graduate in normal time, but I haven't decided what to do yet.
I am obviously not going to let them go to waste, but should I use them to skip a semester, graduate early, or maybe just cut out a class for the year like Bella? Decisions, decisions. Speaking of which, how soon can I move out of Charlie's to my own house without being rude about it? I am really looking forward to living in my own house, where I don't have to hide how much Edythe is around.
When I thought about Edythe, my mind went back to Prom. The way she glowed through the whole thing was a wonderful sight. She confided in me that she finally felt like she was living a life, instead of going through the motions. It was also nice to see Bella and Edward dancing together. Edward was skilled enough to make sure Bella stayed upright on the dance floor.
Even when they went out back for some intense talk, they came back still clutching each other's hands. Bella had that stubborn set to her chin again, so I knew to keep my nose out of the conversation for now. What surprised me was that Edward had a determined look in his eyes that suggested the conversation was far from over between the two.
Edythe told me she had seen Jacob there, but he must not have stuck around long because when I went looking, he was gone. I shook the thoughts from my mind as I walked down the hall and stopped to see the latest paintings from Alice, and I hanging on the wall. The last draw had been free choice. Both of us were free to choose what we wanted to paint. I went with a nice desert landscape from memories of my time in Phoenix, and Alice went with an image she remembered from her first year of memories. Hers was a building that looked like a small school or hospital surrounded by moss-covered willow trees. They were both beautiful in their opposites, though Alice's conveyed a sense of hopelessness and despair to me. Mrs. Ross even thought we had worked with each other, but we really hadn't. Our choices were purely our own. The class was an easy A+, but so were all the other classes.
My thoughts were interrupted by a couple of girls discussing the latest scandal to hit the school. It was rumored that Lauren was pregnant and would have to skip next year to have her kid. I would have brushed it off as gossip if Lauren herself hadn't come to me in desperation for Johnny's contact information.
I gave her what I had, but it turned out to be only his last known address and employer. He seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth after that. I looked no further into that, because I wanted nothing to do with it.
When I entered the lunchroom, I walked straight to the Cullen table and took my seat next to Edythe. As soon as I sat down, Emmett started to bombard me with questions.
"So, what do you have planned for this summer, Thomas? Surely you won't just stay at home with Edythe, where none of her brothers can chaperone her?"
I laughed, "I haven't decided just yet, Emmett. I do want to spend as much time with Edythe as I can, and as far as a chaperone goes… Well, that's up to Edythe as well."
That reminds me, Edythe's birthday is June 20th. Alice let me know she loved my gift, but I don't know what it is. Now I'm nervous about the gift I haven't even thought to give her yet. My usual go-to is a painting, but that doesn't feel right this time. I need something more… I don't know, just something more.
We continued to joke around and cover random topics as I stealthily cleared all the food on the table. It helped that Jasper moved faster than anyone not paying attention could see. After lunch, I went about my day as normal, and once school was over, Edythe and I drove home to Charlie's house. I was surprised to see the police chief's car in the driveway with a black sedan behind it. I parked in front of the house, behind Bella's truck. With Edward driving her everywhere, Red wasn't getting much use anymore.
My surprise was because Charlie didn't usually beat us home. Edythe must have been thinking the same thing, because she looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I just shrugged and we headed inside.
Once inside, I called out, "Hey Charlie, you are home early, and what's with the rental car behind your cruiser?"
Charlie's reply came from the kitchen, "In the kitchen, Thomas, is Edythe with you?"
"Hey, Charlie." Was Edythe's reply.
Once we entered the kitchen, my eyes were drawn to a figure sitting with his back to us. Charlie stood up and gestured toward the stranger.
"Actually, he is here to meet you. He came to the station because he wanted me to make the introductions."
The man stood up and turned to face me, also looking over Edythe at the same time.
"I am Rohan Smith. I have come from the Jivas Home, near the Langtang district in Nepal. You have reached the age where it was finally appropriate to approach you. I thought to make the introductions easier if I first met your guardian."
Edythe drew in a deep breath and brought her hand to her head. It was a familiar action I recognized from when she tried to read my mind in our first class together.
I reached for her, "Are you okay, Edythe?"
She nodded, "Yeah, just a headache like I haven't had since first meeting you. Took me by surprise."
No way she forgot and tried to look into my head. So, I assume this guy has the same protection as I do to her gift. He says he is from the same place as my dad, could he be like me?
"You said it was now appropriate to meet me. What do you mean?"
He took his time to answer as if deciding what to say. "If someone of the Tribal blood who was not brought into the Tribe by ritual before the age of 5 is found, they cannot be brought in until they have reached the age of majority."
Before I could ask for a better explanation, Charlie's radio broke the rhythm of the conversation.
[Hey, Chief, Joey and Paul are at it again. We just got a call about them fighting behind the hardware store. You want to take it, or should I send Jeff?]
Charlie grabbed the radio and replied, [I am closer. Be there in minutes.]
[You got it, Chief.]
Rohan moved to the door, "Let me get my car out of your way. I will return promptly, Mr. Raizel."
Then Charlie followed him out, but not before saying. "Listen to what he has to say, but don't take anything at face value. It's too neat, your family showing up all of a sudden. If they had your welfare in their interest, they would have reached out before now. You can trust...but verify."
Once Charlie was out the door, I turned to Edythe, "Was it the same as with me? Is he a shifter?"
She took a second to answer, "It was different, not quite as painful as with you. But more than that, I think he reached into my mind, too. It kind of felt like when Edward and I communicate."
I was a bit lost in thought as Rohan entered the open door and closed it behind him. "I would imagine you have many questions for me, Mr. Raizel. But I do not recommend that your Pishaach try to enter my mind again."
Edythe was quick to speak, "It was not a conscious choice, I can't always control it. I am sorry."
Rohan looked her directly in the eyes, "You entered with intent. I know because I took your ability and returned it. Do not lie to me again."
Edythe glanced at me and then nodded to Rohan. She looked guilty, but whether it was from looking or being caught was anyone's guess.
Rohan looked at me, "I am here to train you before taking you to Jivas Home and presenting you to your people. If you do not return with me, then you will be hunted and killed. Or you will kill those sent to hunt you and then return to Jivas Home to kill the rest there. Those are your options."