General POV
Samael's pace on the drive back ensured they reached the Cullen house well before anyone else.
Esme was already there to greet them when they entered. Edythe had called ahead, so there was little left to explain. Nevertheless, Esme listened as Alice briefly recounted the events at school, asking only a few questions that Edythe hadn't already answered over the phone.
Esme, not feeling anxious in the way a human would, experienced emotions differently as a vampire. But there was a subtle unease due to the uncertainty of what Edward's impulsive decision might lead to.
This unease lessened somewhat as she observed Alice and Samael behaving almost normally. Seeing that neither of them seemed overly troubled, Esme felt reassured that the situation was manageable.
After a brief conversation with her, Samael mentioned that he wanted to eat before the house got crowded, and Alice followed him to the kitchen without needing to be asked.
The sounds of cooking gradually filled the house, replacing the previous quiet with the rhythmic tapping of a knife, the hiss of a pan on the stove, and the occasional clink of ceramic and metal.
Soon after, another car arrived in the driveway. Jasper and Emmett entered together, exchanged a few words, and didn't engage in much conversation. By the time the food was ready, Samael and Alice took it upstairs to her room, leaving the floor to whoever else might arrive next.
The rest of the family didn't return all at once.
Edythe and Rosalie arrived first. Samael, from Alice's room, could hear all the conversations in the house without making any effort to listen. Rosalie spoke little, but her sharp tone conveyed more than her words did. She was not only angry because Edward had exposed himself but also for risking the safety of the family. She didn't try to hide her frustration.
It was dark when the last car finally pulled into the driveway.
Carlisle and Edward entered the house quietly, making their way upstairs. Edward followed behind Carlisle, his usual focused expression replaced by a distant look. His eyes were dimmer than usual, unfocused, as if his mind was elsewhere.
The two continued through the first floor until Carlisle stopped in front of one of the rooms. Inside, the sound of two familiar voices could be heard.
A small smile appeared on Carlisle's face as he turned towards Edward.
"You haven't spoken with Samael yet, have you?"
Edward looked at him before replying, "No."
"Then let me properly introduce you."
Edward's attention refocused as Carlisle's words sank in. He listened more carefully, finally tuning into the two voices coming from the room they were outside.
Carlisle knocked before opening the door.
The room itself could easily have been mistaken for a museum or a small gallery. The Cullens' house had plenty of space, and some rooms had naturally become places where Carlisle and the others stored and displayed items collected over their long lives. This room was mostly dedicated to paintings, each from a different time period.
Alice and Samael were engrossed in a discussion in front of one. Alice stood facing it, while Samael held her gently from behind, both focused on the details of the painting.
As the door opened, they turned towards the newcomers.
"Carlisle. Edward." Alice crossed the room toward them, her eyes shifting between their faces. "Is Bella alright?"
Carlisle smiled faintly. "She is. Thanks to Edward, she wasn't hurt. She should have been home for several hours by now."
"Good," Alice replied, visibly relieved.
Edward acknowledged her with a small nod before his gaze settled on Samael, who was standing a few steps away.
From Edward's expression, it was evident he was still uncertain about Samael. He had less than a day to digest what Carlisle had told him.
"I'm glad she's safe," Samael said as he approached. His gaze settled on Edward, and a small smile appeared. "And I'm glad to finally meet the only member of Alice's family I hadn't yet had the chance to."
He extended his hand towards Edward.
Edward looked at it and hesitated for just a moment before accepting it. "Certain circumstances led me to leave town."
Their hands parted, and a small smile graced Samael's face
"I saw you leaving the school office that day," Samael said. "Honestly... your self-control is remarkable."
It was true. Samael had only come to understand exactly how remarkable it was once he'd absorbed the memories of other vampires - vampires who had lived for thousands of years surrounded by humans, whose control was legendary in its own right, yet who had still lost themselves at the moment they came close enough to their singer. But Edward had not. This was something to be admired, despite the challenges his temperament posed.
Edward's expression suddenly hardened as he asked, "Why would you say that?"
Though not raised, his tone grew sharper and defensive.
The change drew the attention of those in the house, prompting them to move closer, some out of concern and others out of curiosity.
Samael raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised by the reaction to what was meant as a genuine compliment.
"I know what a blood singer is and what it can do to a vampire," Samael replied evenly. "From everything I saw, the worst it brought out of you was irritation. Outwardly, at least." A faint smile touched his face. "That's quite impressive."
Edward's jaw clenched as he questioned, "How do you even know about singers? And how can you know she's mine?"
Before anyone could respond, Edward turned to Alice, demanding, "Did you tell him?"
Alice's brows furrowed - she clearly didn't like the way her brother was speaking to her and the person she loved.
Samael ignored the question and spoke towards Carlisle instead.
"It seems the agreement was followed exactly as promised," he remarked.
"We would not break our word, Samael."
Confusion mingled with Edward's frustration as he questioned, "What are you talking about?!"
Carlisle gave a small sigh. "Let's say Samael has a way of knowing about vampires and shapeshifters more than someone in his position would normally be expected to know," he explained. "And he asked us to keep this between us."
Edward stared at Carlisle, clearly struggling to understand, "What?"
"I could have told you, Edward," Samael continued. "But I don't like the tone and the way you chose to speak to me. And I don't believe you would be able to keep that knowledge to yourself if you allow your emotions to influence you so easily."
Edward let out a humourless laugh, retorting, "My tone? Huh, what's next? Are you going to lecture me too? Just like Rosalie? Who do you think you are?!"
That was the moment Samael's expression shifted, causing a palpable change in the room.
The warmth that had been present a moment ago vanished. In its place was an eerie stillness. Samael's expression did not harden - if anything, it became more vacant, devoid of irritation, humour, or courtesy. Only his eyes flickered with a golden glow for an instant before disappearing, leaving nothing readable in his expression.
This atmosphere spread through the room without force or sound. Carlisle found himself standing a little straighter. Those gathering in the corridor froze in their tracks. Even Alice, who had never witnessed Samael in this state before, felt concerned. However, she wasn't concerned for him.
She was worried for Edward.
When Samael eventually spoke, his voice remained as composed as ever.
"No," he stated. "I won't do that."
He looked at Edward for a moment before continuing.
"To lecture you would require me to care. And at the moment, I do not."
Another silence settled between them.
"Every sentence you've spoken since you walked through that door has made that progressively less likely."
Edward's pride kept his head held high, but he offered no response. He wasn't used to being argued with in this manner. It was unfamiliar and left him with nothing to push against.
Samael did not press the issue. He simply stood where he was, posture straight, his expression no more readable than before.
It was Alice who moved.
She quietly moved to Samael's side and slipped both hands around his left arm, her fingers lightly resting on his sleeve.
"Please."
Her voice was so soft that it almost faded into the silence. She looked up at him, her expression gentle.
"Darling, don't judge too quickly." Her thumb grazed his arm gently. "It's been a difficult day. What happened at school wasn't easy for him."
Samael held Edward's gaze for another moment. Then he looked down at Alice.
The stillness gradually left his face, disappearing slowly enough for everyone in the room to notice. Warmth returned to his eyes first, followed by the faintest hint of a smile.
"Perhaps you're right."
He glanced back toward Edward and Carlisle.
"Let's save any further discussion for another time—a time when it can be more…appropriate."
Alice smiled with relief. She rose on her toes to peck his cheek before slipping her hand into his.
"Come on," she said, glancing back at the painting. "We were in the middle of something."
Samael nodded politely towards Carlisle.
"Excuse us."
Carlisle returned the nod with understanding. He placed a hand on Edward's shoulder and guided him gently out of the room. Edward left, showing the reluctance of someone who was not finished but had no ground left to stand on.
…
The house fell into an uneasy quiet.
The discomfort didn't stem from the recent argument, but from Edward's public display of his abilities earlier that day. Edward had revealed his abilities in front of an entire parking lot, and they had only been fortunate that nobody seemed to have understood what they had witnessed. However, the possibility that someone had seen too much unsettled the family. The looming threat of the Volturi couldn't be underestimated, and a single misstep could have repercussions for all.
Late into the night, Edward left the house, mentioning he needed time alone to clear his thoughts before disappearing into the forest.
Upon hearing this, Samael couldn't help but smile. He already knew where Edward was going. He also knew that, once Bella found out, she wouldn't really mind it.
Consequently, he saw no reason to worry.
Later that night, Samael and Alice announced their short trip to San Francisco the next day to the rest of the family.
Before departing, Esme found a moment to talk to Samael privately, hoping the incident with Edward wouldn't strain their relationship.
Samael assured her he wouldn't judge Edward based on their first conversation alone. Nonetheless, he made it clear he wouldn't tolerate being spoken to in such a manner again.
Esme understood. Having lived with Edward for a long time, she knew his good intentions could sometimes complicate matters due to his emotions. Even so, she also understood that this situation was different.
Shortly after, Samael informed Alice he needed to return home before morning to prepare for a meeting.
Alice, eagerly anticipating any reason to plan their trip, disappeared upstairs. About an hour later, they drove off into the dark, heading towards Samael's house.