As soon as the phone rang Billy hurried to answer it. He was in the kitchen fixing up some leftovers for lunch. Pushing his wheelchair, he made it just as the fourth ring started. "Black residence."
When he heard the too-perfect voice for only the second time in his life he drew in a sharp breath. After the Cullen Coven Sire finished speaking, Billy asked a couple of questions to make sure of some details and then he hung up with no thought of social niceties.
Sitting back into the chair that his diabetes had confined him to, he thought for a while and made a plan. He first called his friend Harry Clearwater, then Sam Uley, and the oldest of the elders, Quill Ateara III. Telling them all the same thing. "Meeting at the Tribal Hall asap."
Rolling his wheelchair out of the house, his hunger forgotten. He wheeled himself to the main road not even sparing a glance at the truck in the driveway because of the difficulty getting in and out for such a short distance. He didn't take his usual joy as he coasted downhill, at times much faster than was considered safe in his wheelchair. The only one to beat him to the Hall was the new Shifter Sam Uley. By tribal standards he should be the next chief, however, Sam has refused it until Jacob makes his transition and can voice his opinion. So, for now, Billy kept that title as empty as it was for a non-shifter.
"We need to look at the records from back in Ephraim's time. I am looking for the name Eleraim, and any information on her. Quill is the Oldest of us, but he can't be expected to remember everything. How are you coping Sam?"
"The anger is getting more under control every day, but it is still a constant struggle. Leah is asking questions, but I keep evading them. How will I know if she is the one I have imprinted on? The legends are vague on that part. For all I know, I already have, and I am just hurting her needlessly by not telling her what's going on with me. Her cousin Emily is coming to town in a few weeks, so hopefully that will help her. She is angry a lot lately, and I can't blame her."
Sam spoke respectfully to a man he looked up to as a father figure to pattern himself after. His own father ran away from the pressure of being a husband and father, so was obviously not a good role model.
As they finished speaking, Harry Clearwater and Quill Ateara came through the doors. When everyone was together Billy went over his phone call with Carlisle Cullen.
"I do remember something about a Squaw being exiled in those times, but not the specifics," Quill said.
Harry looked up, "That's a very offensive term there Quill."
"I meant it that way. I remember something about her being part of a scandal. My father wouldn't even speak her name."
The group waited as Sam brought out all the written history from the back room that had survived from those times. Some missionaries taught a few members of the Tribe to read and write. The elders of the time let many of their histories be written down but banned anything of the powers they harbored in their blood.
After an hour of searching, Harry called out, "I have something here."
The others gathered around Harry to hear what he had found.
"Very interesting, listen to this. 'Chief Ephraim Black was considered one of the greatest Chiefs in the Tribe's lore, but his legacy was marred by his sister Elaraim, born moments before him.' Hmm, whoever wrote this didn't use proper spelling, only sounding words out so it may be a bit inaccurate."
"But it says that she somehow brought dishonor to the tribesmen of the time, it is all very vague. I had no clue your grandfather had a twin sister Billy." Harry looked over at his friend.
"I didn't know either, my father never spoke of her. What could she have done to be banished, being the Chief's older sister."
"Let's see, there is a bit more here, but it's hard to make out." Harry stood and went to the window for more light. "Ephraim's shame came from refusing to acknowledge the banishment, so it had to be carried out by the council of elders. It was a subject of anger whenever brought up. That is the end of the page."
The men sat together lost in thought.
The silence is broken by Sam, "So it is possible, that this Thomas is related to the tribe?"
Old Quill sounded a sharp rebuke. "NO, if he is related to the banished one, then he is nothing to the Tribe."
Sam looked over, "But Elder, if he has the potential to be a Wolf Warrior can we not accept him back into the Tribe? If what the Cold One says is true, then he is closer to shifting than even Jared."
"Once one is banished, then that line is cut, root and stem. The council banished her for a reason and anything to do with her line has nothing to do with the Tribe. That is a law from the first days." Old Quill said stubbornly.
"He may not have anything to do with the Tribe, but he is blood. As a man I will never let happen to another, what happened to me. To awaken alone, with no clue what is going on, thinking you have gone mad! No one can imagine the despair of that. None but me!" Sam stood up and stormed angrily out of the Hall.
Billy sighed at the stance Sam had taken, "Hey Harry, how about you send me some of your fish fry? I just remembered there is a Hockey game on tomorrow night and my TV is about to go on the fritz. I think I will have Jacob run me to Charlie's house to watch it." He quickly wheeled out of the hall and shouted, "Hey Sam, how about you help push me up to my house? Don't leave a poor old cripple to work that hard on an empty stomach."
Harry looked around the Hall, "Great Quill, now we have to put all this back ourselves."
-(POV Edythe)-
Edythe raged at the lack of speed of this big red monster she was driving. Running her thoughts through ways of improving the truck to something impressive by today's standards. She wasn't even half done by the time she pulled the truck into the driveway of the Swan house. Maybe I can bring up the project to Rosalie, she loves working on vehicles.
After jumping out, I walked to the door and knocked. I heard Bella on the phone. "Mom, we are fine. I have been telling you for hours that there is nothing to worry about. Look I need to go someone is at the door." She then hung up the phone and started moving to the door. But in what I am coming to understand as normal for the girl, she hit the sofa with her foot and nearly fell to the ground. After a minute, she rights herself and I hear her walk the rest of the way to the door and ask, "Who is it?"
"It's Edythe Bella, I am here to drop off your truck."
Bella opens the door quickly, "Oh my God, I am so grateful you brought it back, I really didn't want to walk tomorrow." She took the key I was offering.
"Do you want to come in Edythe? I can wake Thomas up for you."
"No thanks, my family is waiting for me. We have a family meeting planned for today."
Bella pokes her head out and sees Edward in his car, then quickly pulls her head back in the doorway. "Thanks again Edythe, I will see you at school tomorrow."
"See you then, Bella." I wave as I turn and walk to the car waiting for me. Once I climbed in, Edward hit the gas and we were out of town within minutes.
Edythe can instantly tell that Rosalie is furious at Edward for potentially exposing us. But she doesn't see the big deal.
Alice has her 'searching the visions' face on and from the look of Edward, he is reading just as much as Alice is seeing. As we pulled down our drive, Edward parked next to Carlisle's Mercedes. Good thing he is here, Edythe thought, this silence was going to explode once they got to the table.
Everyone went straight to the dining room.
The room was, of course, never used for its intended purpose. But it was furnished with a long oval, mahogany table surrounded by chairs. We were scrupulous about having all the correct props in place.
Carlisle liked to use it as a conference room.
In a group with such strong and differing personalities, sometimes it was necessary to discuss things in a calm, seated manner.
I had a feeling that the setting was not going to help much today.
Carlisle sat in his usual seat at the eastern head of the table. Esme was beside him-they held hands on top of the table.
Esme's eyes were on Edward, their golden depths full of concern. Her mind was full of only one thought. Stay, keep the family together.
I had my mind open and was doing just as much reading as Edward was, though I could only read one person at a time. I needed to know where this was going.