Kane stared at the opulent hotel entrance, as he handed his keys to the valet standing near the driver's side door of his car.
Tonight was the annual fundraiser, or as Kane saw it, an event to show off who could get the biggest tax write-offs.
He had donned his usual event attire: a fitted black three-piece suit with brown leather shoes. His medium-length black hair was swept back, a few loose strands resting on his face.
Just go in, listen to them bitch and moan, find a couple places that need funding, and leave, Kane thought. It was a mantra he'd repeated for the past three years' events.
Stepping inside the Hilton, Kane followed the signs to the ballroom.
Up the main stairs, he took the first right and continued down the hallway, the soft classical music growing louder with every step.
Entering through the large double doors, Kane's eyes swept through the crowd. Men and women of all ages, dressed in their finest suits and gowns, mingled in soft conversation as the catering staff circulated, offering drinks and small snacks.
"Mr. Thornewood!" An old, yet boisterous, voice called out from the hall.
Turning his head, Kane grimaced internally before plastering on a fake smile and nodding to the portly man bounding towards him.
"Richard, it's always a pleasure to see you. The turnout's looking better than last year." Kane said softly, extending his hand.
Richard Wells was a short, chubby man who reminded Kane of a knock-off Monopoly Man. His bald head still held onto small wisps of hair, his mustache finely groomed and laid with styling gel.
He was well-known in the upper echelons of society, recognized for his 'charitable' events, always maintaining friendly relations with anyone he deemed 'helpful to the cause'.
"You flatter me!" Richard said, dabbing the sweat from his forehead. "You know how these nights go, everyone's just hoping to help out."
"I'm hoping we've got more diversity in our options tonight?" Kane questioned. The last event focused too much on larger, well-funded city hospitals, nothing that truly helped people.
Richard nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Of course. I've also invited a well-known doctor tonight; he and his family recently moved to a small town a couple of hours from Seattle. He's hoping to find more funding for renovations."
Kane let out a small smile; he had finally found someone interesting to talk to.
I might even get some knowledge on medicine tonight!
"Sounds great. Let me know when he's here. I'd love to have a chat."
-------------------------
(Forks - One week earlier)
The sound of glass shattering echoed within the large home, breaking the usual silence that shrouded it.
"Oh my God." A soft, bell-like voice whispered, her tone a mix of concern and excitement.
Alice Cullen, a small and petite woman of 4'10" with short, spiky black hair, golden eyes, and a pixie-like appearance, stared at the ground, her eyes wide with shock.
"What happened?" A male voice questioned, its southern accent adding a twang to the words.
Hearing the voice, she turned and faced her partner, Jasper Hale. A lean, tall, honey-blonde haired man with a pale complexion, he stood at their bedroom entrance, his eyes showing concern.
"Jasper... I saw something," she whispered, her voice so quiet it would be impossible to hear even if you stood next to her.
Walking into the room, Jasper grasped Alice's shoulder and guided her to the bed. Sitting down quickly, he pulled her to sit beside him.
"Is it something bad?"
"I don't know."
"Will we be in danger?"
"I don't think so."
"Do we need to move?"
"No!" Alice said, her head spinning to him as she stared into his eyes. "I — I saw someone. Someone who could be the most important person our family could ever meet."
Jasper sat in silence as Alice's words washed over him. "When you say 'someone'... you don't mean another one of our kind, do you?" His voice was low.
"He's human, but he's different."
"What, is he like the shifters in the tribe?"
"No, he's much more than that, Jas. I don't know how to explain it, but by the time we meet him properly, I don't think the Volturi could touch us," Alice mumbled, the memories of her vision swimming in her mind.
The sheer damage and destruction he could cause with his hands and feet were breathtaking and terrifying all at once. Following the vision of his sheer dominance, she saw one additional image: the Hilton hotel in Seattle, and him talking to someone very close to her.
"Jas, I think he's connected to Rose somehow."
Shaking his head, Jasper stood up and slowly paced around their large bedroom. "A human connected to our lovely sister? The world must be ending." His deep chuckle followed, the thought utterly ridiculous to him.
Letting out a huff of annoyance, Alice looked at him. "We need to make sure she goes with Carlisle." Holding up a finger, she stopped Jasper from interrupting.
"I'm not setting them up, but she needs to go. Even if it's just for them to see each other. This is important."
Watching the seriousness in Alice's eyes, something Jasper had grown accustomed to when something was truly important, he merely nodded.
"I'll follow your lead, darlin'."
-------------------------
(Present)
Kane had spent the majority of the evening mingling with some of the people he'd grown to tolerate, making small jokes or listening to them ramble about their families, businesses, or latest holidays.
Though physically present, his mind was lost in its own world.
I wonder when I should start absorbing some traits to help with my processing and mental control. I can't start stacking speed and strength if my own mind and body can't handle or process the output.
Sighing mentally, Kane continued running through his list.
Maybe an Octopus for the ability to finely control my limbs as if they had a mind of their o-
"Mr. Thornewood, there you are." A hand clasped Kane's shoulder, startling him and pulling him out of his thoughts.
Turning his head, he looked at Richard's smiling face as he gestured to the man beside him.
Stopping himself from removing Richard's hand from his shoulder, Kane looked at the other person.
Dressed in a simple grey suit, he stood a couple inches shorter than Kane, with collar-length blond hair, a well-toned, medium frame, and gentle eyes.
"This is the doctor I mentioned earlier. Mr. Thornewood, please meet Dr. Carlisle Cullen, who recently moved to the small town of Forks."
Carlisle smiled gently and extended his hand. "It's a pleasure. Richard here has told me a little about your donation requirements; I hope we can have a moment to speak?"
Kane nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes as he listened to the young doctor speak.
Cullen? Why does that name ring a bell?
Extending his hand, Kane felt Carlisle's smooth, cold skin, though he pretended to ignore the odd feeling.
[Ding!]
[Absorption Traits found.]
[Species: Vampire]
[Trait Found: Supernatural Strength, Supernatural Speed, Supernatural Durability, Supernatural Sense, Vampire Venom, Bloodlust Control.]
[Please continue to maintain physical contact for a total of 24 hours to absorb traits.]
WHAT THE FUCK?!