Frankenstein stared at Raizel.
Raizel stared back.
This was fine. Totally normal. Definitely not weird at all.
Except it was very weird.
For the past day, Frankenstein had been struggling with an uncomfortable realization—his master was acting… different.
Not in a "mild mood swing" kind of way.
More like, "What if he was secretly replaced by an imposter and I'm just too polite to say anything?" kind of way.
It wasn't the first time Raizel had been enigmatic, but this? This was something else.
Yet, Frankenstein said nothing. He would wait. Observe. Gather evidence. Maybe run a few sanity checks on himself.
For now, though, he had a different problem.
Raizel wanted to visit the Cullens.
And Frankenstein had no idea why.
"Master… Why the sudden interest in the Cullens?"
Raizel's answer was unexpected. "Continuous animal attacks. Don't you think it's a bit strange?"
Frankenstein blinked.
Animal attacks? That's what this was about?
For a brief second, he looked confused.
Still, he tried to defend them. "Master, I doubt the Cullens have anything to do with this. They haven't consumed human blood in a long time. The culprit is likely someone else."
Raizel didn't look convinced. "At least they could have come across the culprit."
…Fair point.
After a moment's contemplation, Frankenstein sighed and relented. "Fine. I'll take you there. But I'm letting them know first."
Raizel nodded, already making his way outside.
Frankenstein exhaled, rubbing his temple. This is going to be a bad, isn't it?
Before getting into the car, Raizel turned to him. "Is there anything else you wish to ask, Frankenstein?"
Yes. Who are you and what have you done with my master?
Instead, Frankenstein simply smiled. "No, Master."
But inwardly?
He had a lot of questions.
And he had a feeling that after today's visit, he'd have even more.
------------
Ever since Alice had that strange vision, the Cullen household had been in a collective state of unease.
Emmett and Rosalie stood off to the side, tension clear in their expressions—though, in Emmett's case, it mostly looked like he was itching for something to punch. Rosalie, meanwhile, seemed more annoyed than worried, as if fate had once again conspired to ruin her otherwise perfect evening.
Alice and Jasper sat together on the sofa, both visibly unsettled. Jasper was supposed to be the calming presence in the room, but his own nerves betrayed him. (One job, Jasper. You had one job.)
Edward, seated nearby, listened intently, his face locked in his usual pensive brooding mode. He couldn't ignore the suspicion that he already knew who the mysterious figure in Alice's vision was. Every detail she described aligned with the unsettling young man he had encountered the night before. The memory of their brief exchange with him, especially the stranger's parting words:
"We will meet again."
Edward didn't like it. Not one bit. And not just because it sounded ominous as hell, but also because it meant trouble was, once again, heading straight for his family—because why not? It's not like they ever got a break from supernatural nonsense.
Esme, unable to sit still, paced back and forth like a mother bracing for bad news. Carlisle had yet to return from the hospital, which only added to the unease.
The moment the sound of Carlisle's car reached their ears, Esme was already halfway out the door, Rosalie following at a much cooler, unimpressed pace. Carlisle stepped out of the car with his usual warm smile—but it barely lasted a second before fading. He didn't even need to ask. He knew something was wrong.
Esme wasted no time explaining Alice's vision. Carlisle listened carefully, nodding, though his mind was already running through possibilities.
First thought? Volturi. Immediate follow-up? No, that doesn't fit. No one in the Volturi matched the description. But that damn cross-shaped earring Alice mentioned? That stuck with him. He just couldn't place why.
Inside, the family finally all gathered. Then Edward, ever the harbinger of bad news, finally spoke.
"I think I know who it is."
Before anyone could press him for details, Alice suddenly straightened.
"He is here."
And just like that, the collective stress level in the room shot up.