By the time they reached the reservation, the sun was hanging low in the sky. Bella’s eyes widened in alarm as a large group of shadows gathered around the van once they were parked in Jacob’s driveway. Even as the shadows crept closer and closer, Jacob and Billy continued to stay silent. Their relatively slight frowns seemed to deepen and light creases appeared on their foreheads.

“They’ve requested us to meet on the beach.” Billy informed gravely.

As Jacob exited the van and helped wheel Billy out, Bella warily observed the shadows as she too stepped out of the van. Her face paled as she studied the shadows and discovered that she recognized the grim faces surrounding her. The faces of Ember, Quil, Kim, Emily, and Bella’s once beloved friends glowed in a variety of anger, fear, and curiosity.

Bella shyly hung her head low and fixated her gaze upon her feet as she followed Jacob. A minute later, they reached a brilliantly lit campfire with bone-bleached benches. As Jacob and Billy sat down next to each other, the curious gazes of the Council quietly studied her still figure.

“Sit.” Billy commanded in a slightly impatient tone.

After taking a seat, she anxiously continued to stare at her slightly worn out sneakers. The rest of the council now averted their gazes from Bella to Old Quil Ateara.

“I imagine that you already know why you are here Isabella. Is that correct?”

“Yes, sir.” Intimidated, she thought it best to take on a polite and formal speech around the Council.

“First of all, do you have an explanation of why you seem to be familiar with our ancient legends? If you are as familiar with our past as Jacob and Sam informed us, you would know that our secrets mustn’t be shared with anyone outside of the tribe, except for life long partners, correct?”

What should I tell him?

Bella’s heart began to pound loudly in her chest. Would they believe that I know all about their past based on a dream? As the seconds uncomfortably passed by, she decided that it would be best if she stuck to the truth. Who knows what would happen if she did tell them a lie? No, even if she wanted to lie to them, she didn’t have the heart to go through it.