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Nate opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the light that slipped through a gap in the curtains. It was already late in the afternoon, and the brightness bothered him only slightly as his vision adjusted. He glanced down and found Alice sitting beside him on the bed, distracted, playing with a strand of her hair between her pale fingers.
A ray of sunlight occasionally reached her face, making her glow with an almost ethereal tint.
Nate let out a small, hoarse laugh, rubbing his eyes before looking at her.
"That's the first time I've seen you do that," he commented with a still-sleepy smile.
Alice blinked before letting go of the strand, pulling her hand back with a hint of embarrassment on her face.
"Sorry," she murmured with an apologetic smile. "I meant to close the curtains properly, but you looked so peaceful sleeping that I didn't want to wake you."
Nate sat up with a lazy yawn, stretching as he felt each muscle slowly awaken after the rest. He turned to look at her, noticing how Alice was watching him intently, her head tilted slightly.
"What is it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he pushed his hair back.
Alice smiled, amused.
"It's strange to watch people sleep," she admitted, resting her chin on her hand. "I've seen you sleep before, but only for short periods. Besides, you talk a little in your sleep."
Nate chuckled softly, letting his head fall back before looking at her again.
"Must run in the family," he commented warmly. "My dad did the same, and I caught my grandma mumbling when she fell asleep in our living room back in Forks."
Alice smiled, her golden eyes softening as the silence settled into a comfortable quiet.
"I liked watching her fall asleep," Nate continued, his voice tinged with gentle nostalgia. "Even when she snored a little."
Alice let out a light laugh, lowering her gaze before straightening up with quiet determination.
"Well, it's time to decide what we're doing next," she said as she stood up from the bed with graceful ease.
Nate nodded, running a hand through his hair.
"What do you suggest?"
"I have experience acquiring properties," Alice explained naturally. "I can handle the inheritance paperwork and processing. You'll just need to sign and accompany me, but the rest of the time you can spend deciphering the journal."
Nate looked at her, surprised, before giving a genuine smile.
"Thanks, Alice," he said sincerely. "That will help us move faster. Besides… we shouldn't go near the house for a few days, in case that vampire is connected to the break-in."
Alice nodded, her face serious.
"You're right. It's better to stay away for now."
Nate got up to take a quick shower, carrying his clothes in his hands as he listened to Alice moving around the room, organizing documents and getting her things ready with her usual quiet efficiency.
When he came out of the shower, wearing pants and holding his shirt while drying his hair with a towel, he noticed Alice glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. She quickly looked away when their gazes met.
"Something wrong?" Nate asked as he finished getting dressed.
Alice shook her head softly but stepped closer with a small smile.
"I was just thinking," she said, leaning against the wall, "if you've had any interesting dreams lately."
Nate raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Alice shrugged one shoulder.
"I don't know, you seemed really deep in your dreams last night."
Nate shook his head with a tired smile, but suddenly an idea he had been ignoring crossed his mind.
"Dreams..." he murmured to himself. Then he looked up. "Have you seen anything in your visions since we got to D.C.?"
Alice let out a soft sigh, lowering her gaze for a moment.
"You know that with you, visions change constantly," she said with a slight grimace. "At first, I saw us spending several days at the house, then going back to Forks, and I've seen us talking to people I don't recognize in different places in this city. But as always, visions with you shift so quickly that they become unreliable."
Nate sat on the bed, glancing at the journal before looking back at her.
"And about the vampire who sensed us last night? Have you seen anything?"
Alice calmly shook her head.
"I haven't had any visions of us interacting with another vampire," she admitted. "But when I try to look further ahead, weeks into the future… there's nothing. It's like a black smudge blocking what's beyond."
Nate frowned.
"Has that happened before?"
Alice fell silent, playing with a fold of her blouse.
"Not this intensely," she explained. "I once lost track of Bella when she went with you to La Push. It was similar, but not as strong. Carlisle explained it might have been because of the Quileute, though I can't say for sure since I wasn't part of the coven until years after the treaty. Also, with Billy or Jacob, I never had that problem."
Nate tilted his head, thoughtful.
"Maybe it's related to those 'spiritual warriors' they talk about," he commented, crossing his arms. "Maybe they have some way of blocking your visions."
Alice nodded, a curious glint in her golden eyes.
"Carlisle explained that the Quileute transform into huge wolves," she murmured, "but I've never witnessed one, so I don't know the true extent of their abilities. Maybe among their powers is the ability to block me."
They both fell silent for a moment, feeling the thick calm before making decisions.
"Do you think there's something like that here?" Nate asked.
Alice looked at him, thoughtful.
"I'm not sure, but this blockage is much stronger than when you went to La Push. I don't think it's the same. Also, among vampires, there are some we call 'shields' who can block certain things. There might be someone here with the ability to block my visions."
Nate stayed quiet, processing the information while looking at the journal.
"Whatever it is, it looks like it won't happen for weeks," he finally said. "We'll stick to the plan, but we'll shorten our stay. We'll leave in two weeks, whether we find something or not. I don't like that there's something out there capable of blocking you. We can't take too many risks while we're alone, and even staying here without asking your family for help is already a big risk."
Alice watched him seriously before nodding slowly, stepping closer to gently place her cold hand on his arm.
"Alright," she murmured firmly. "I think that's the least risky option."
The air in the room filled with a quiet determination as they looked at each other, ready to continue with their plan, together.
.................................
They decided it would be best to rent a vehicle while staying in D.C., making it easier to get around without relying on taxis. The afternoon was clear, with a pale sky and a sun that climbed steadily as they prepared to leave the hotel.
Alice chose her outfit carefully, mindful of the time. She wore a long, dark gray coat with a tailored fit, the hood up to cover her short hair, dark sunglasses, and leather gloves that protected every inch of exposed skin as she moved with her usual precision. Her handbag was secured over her shoulder, all the necessary documents neatly organized in folders, ready for processing.
Nate offered to handle the payment as they entered the rental agency, pulling out his wallet naturally. But before he could approach the counter, Alice raised her hand, handing her card to the clerk with a brief smile.
"Let me pay for this," she said calmly, adjusting her glove as she waited.
Nate glanced at her sideways with a crooked smile as he put his wallet back in his pocket.
"You know I can afford this, right?" he replied with a hint of amusement.
Under the shadow of her hood, Alice gave a barely perceptible smile.
"With my skill and in the Cullen family, believe me… money is something I'll never run out of," she commented with dry humor, quickly signing the receipt.
Nate let out a short laugh, shaking his head as he held the door for her on their way out to the parking lot.
"I guess I can't argue with that."
"Correct," Alice replied softly, adjusting the bag on her arm as they walked in sync toward the dark sedan assigned to them.
Cool air drifted between the buildings as Nate settled into the driver's seat, adjusting mirrors and his seatbelt with calm movements. He knew the streets of D.C. well and preferred to keep control as they headed toward the notary.
Alice settled quietly beside him, crossing one leg over the other as she pulled out her phone and began replying to messages quickly, the screen's glow reflecting off her sunglasses.
The car moved smoothly as Nate took routes he knew by heart, avoiding traffic by using side streets. He enjoyed driving, and although they didn't speak much, Alice's presence filled the space with a comfortable quiet.
At a red light, Alice stopped typing, her expression softening before she slipped her phone back into her bag.
"News?" Nate asked as he returned to the main avenue.
"Emmett, let me know he and Jasper have arrived with the Denali clan," Alice explained calmly, settling more comfortably in her seat.
"And how did it go with Laurent?" Nate asked curiously.
Alice turned slightly toward him, the hood covering most of her forehead.
"Emmett says Laurent was quite cooperative. He told them about some of Victoria's habits, though he doesn't think they'll catch her easily. But he promised to let them know if he learns anything."
Nate raised an eyebrow, allowing a small smile as he drove.
"That's more than I expected from him."
"Also," Alice continued, "it seems Laurent and Irina have started a relationship. He's settling in with the Denali clan."
Nate let out a short, amused snort.
"Anything else?"
Alice hesitated for a second before adjusting the bag on her lap.
"According to Emmett, Laurent seemed… interested in you and me becoming a couple. He assumes I'll turn you eventually and says he hopes to get along with you when that happens."
Nate tilted his head, keeping his eyes on the road while raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
"How considerate of him," he commented with contained irony.
Alice let out a slight sigh, a faint smile lingering.
"It's curious that Laurent seemed so eager to ingratiate himself with me since the moment he met me," Nate remarked, turning smoothly onto the next street.
Alice gave a small shrug under her coat.
"It's always good to have more allies," she replied naturally, though her tone had a dry undertone that made Nate smile.
The rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence, with the soft hum of the engine and the streets of D.C. sliding past as the afternoon continued to move. Occasionally, Nate would glance over to see Alice maintaining her unshakable calm while looking out the window, the reflections of the city flickering in her lenses.
They finally arrived at the notary, a light-brick building with wide windows that let in the daylight. Nate parked carefully, turning off the engine before looking at Alice.
"Ready?"
Alice adjusted her hood to cover any trace of skin before taking the bag with the documents.
"I'll handle this," she replied firmly, getting out of the car with him.
They walked toward the entrance in synchronized steps, the distant murmur of the city surrounding them as each step brought them closer to the answers they sought in a city that offered as much danger as it did promises.