Fraein stared at Raizel.

  Raizel stared back.

  This was fiotally normal. Definitely not weird at all.

  Except it was very weird.

  For the past day, Fraein had been struggling with an unfortable realization—his master was ag… different.

  Not in a "mild mood swing" kind of way.

  More like, "What if he was secretly repced 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, Fraein 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 wao visit the Cullens.

  And Fraein had no idea why.

  "Master… Why the sudden i in the Cullens?"

  Raizel's answer was ued. "tinuous animal attacks. Don't you think it's a bit strange?"

  Fraein blinked.

  Animal attacks? That's what this was about?

  For a brief sed, he looked fused.

  Still, he tried to defend them. "Master, I doubt the Cullens have anything to do with this. They haven't ed human blood in a long time. The culprit is likely someone else."

  Raizel didn't look vinced. "At least they could have e across the culprit."

  …Fair point.

  After a moment's ption, Fraein sighed aed. "Fine. I'll take you there. But I'm letting them know first."

  Raizel nodded, already making his way outside.

  Fraein exhaled, rubbing his temple. This is going to be a bad, isn't it?

  Befetting into the car, Raizel turo him. "Is there anything else you wish to ask, Fraein?"

  Yes. Who are you and what have you doh my master?

  Instead, Fraein 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, it's case, it mostly looked like he was itg for something to punch. Rosalie, meanwhile, seemed more ahan worried, as if fate had once again spired to ruiherwise perfect evening.

  Alid Jasper sat together on the sofa, both visibly uled. Jasper was supposed to be the calming presen the room, but his own nerves betrayed him. (One job, Jasper. You had one job.)

  Edward, seated nearby, listened ily, his face locked in his usual pensive brooding mode. He couldn't ighe suspi that he already knew who the mysterious figure in Alice's vision was. Every detail she described aligned with the uling young man he had entered the night before. The memory of their brief exge with him, especially the stranger's parting words:

  "We will meet again."

  Edward didn't like it. Not o. 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, uo sit still, paced bad forth like a mother brag for bad news. Carlisle had yet to return from the hospital, whily 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 sted a sed before fading. He didn't eveo ask. He knew something was wrong.

  Esme wasted no time expining 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 mentiohat stuck with him. He just couldn't pce why.

  Ihe 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.