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When Laurent disappeared, Tanya got a strange feeling in her gut. She had learned long ago to rely on it. As a nomad, her instincts were sometimes the only things that kept her and Sasha safe. Laurent had been acting slightly off recently. More guarded and more quiet, so when he left with no word to her, Tanya grew concerned. When Tanya asked Irina about his disappearance, Irina seemed to have no answer, setting off even more warning bells off in her head. So Tanya did the only thing she could do, she tracked him.
She made her way through the Alaskan wilderness and down through Canada, confused to find herself nearing Forks. She finally seemed to track him to the forests outside the small town. She felt relief upon smelling his fresh scent, until another scent invaded her nostrils… blood, human blood. Laurent had broken their diet.
She found him hunched over the body of some woman, draining of her all life.
The woman wasn’t even struggling at this point. Her heart rate beginning to slow.
Tanya’s instincts kicked in, ripping him off of her.
He hissed at her, but Tanya didn’t cower. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Before he could respond, a howl could be heard in the distance. The shifter pack. They might hesitate upon seeing Tanya’s golden eyes but Laurent…
He took off before she could say another word.She could chase after him, but-
Tanya sighed, staring down at the woman. Poor girl, caught in the crossfire. She had to be a young adult. She was beautiful in a kind of girl-next-door way with her light brown hair. Tanya couldn’t help but wonder if she always looked this close to death or if it was just the venom at work.
Tanya heard another howl.
She could leave. She should leave. A newborn was not the easiest thing to deal with. The shifters would find her, and kill her. A sad end, but a clean end none the less. Her pain would be over. She could hear the woman’s heart fighting desperately against the venom.
But… Tanya picked the girl up, Tanya had always been one to trust in her instincts.
And her instincts told her to take the girl with her.
So she did, running towards the border, shifters hounding her trail the entire way, and the girl continuing her futile attempt to cling onto the human life she would soon leave behind.
Bella was hot, her veins were burning. The only soothing thing was the cold arms clutching her to their chest. Bella knew they were moving, but the pain was so blinding, for all she knew, they were falling to the center of the Earth. She felt herself being placed on a soft area. She couldn’t open her eyes, why couldn’t she open her eyes? Why couldn’t she move?
“Shh,” the woman said gently as Bella whimpered. Her back arched as another bolt of pain laced through her and a yelp was pushed through her lips as the venom crackled through her.
“Alright, alright,” the woman said, settling into the bed next to her and flipping Bella on top of her. Bella felt a bit of relief as the woman placed her face into the vampire’s cold neck. Yet, the pain still rocked her body. “It’ll be alright,” the woman whispered. She felt relief at having the… she had to be another vampire right? Whatever she was, Bella was just praying she wouldn’t move.
God, Bella felt like she was on fire. She tried to focus on anything else. The rain on the window outside, the soft fur underneath her hands, the cold hand running through her hair. Anything but the agony she could feel on a cellular level.
“My name is Tanya,” the woman said. “You’re in my home currently. You’re… changing, I guess would be the best way to state it.”
Bella wanted to tell Tanya she knew about vampires, she had dated one, for Christ’s sake, but another bolt of pain shot through her and her mouth wouldn’t work, so she just focused on Tanya’s words.
Tanya told her about being a vampire, the things Bella knew. The blood, the skin, the strength. Tanya told her of her coven. Her sisters and Tanya were turned by the same woman. An ancestor of hers. She got lonely and changed her, and then the sisters. Kate and Irina. She could feel the love in her voice as she described them. Kate was the middle-sister and the biggest trouble-maker in the coven. She had the gift of electricity and while her sisters were tired of her shocking them, it seemed the joke never got old for Kate. She liked making puns, and held a variety of jobs over the years, She and the other sister, Irina tended to get into arguments when Kate took her pranks a little too far. Irina was more of a hopeless romantic, and the baby of the family. She enjoyed working the most, having held a variety of jobs over the years. Her most recent was being a local librarian.
Tanya told her about her mother. Sasha was her name, and she had cared for the sisters until her death. She had been cunning and sarcastic. Tanya said she could make a grown man weap with her tongue alone. Despite the fact that Bella’s eyes were scrunched shut, and she had her face still in Tanya’s neck, she could sense the way the vampire smiled as she talked about the woman. It was clear she missed Sasha dearly.
Tanya told her of the Volturi, of their laws.
“They’re harsh, but fair,” Tanya said. “Their laws are their laws for a reason. Only a fool would not see they do more good then bad in this world.”
Tanya told her of the immortal children. Of Vasilii, of how Sasha got herself and the child killed because of her selfishness. There was a bitterness when she talked about it, an anger at her mother for what occurred.
“The best thing she ever did for us was to never show us him,” Tanya said. “I have no idea what I would have done if I would have had to chose between her and the Volturi.”
She told her about the loneliness left behind by her mother’s death. The way her sisters and her tried using others to fill the emptiness, but it working about as well as you would expect. They would drain their lovers and leave them. Tanya explained their shift to vegetarianism, the struggle to maintain their diet. Bella was a little surprised to find herself around vegetarians again. Of course, not many vampires are named Tanya. She should have connected the dots she was the Tanya Edward had mentioned before. Tanya told Bella about Carmen and Eleazar. How they had left the Volturi for love, and loyalty to eachother. She told Bella about meeting them, and happily adding them to their family. The coven of five living in harmony, interacting with humanity only when they wished.
For almost two days straight she talked, helping get Bella’s mind of her aching body. It was only on the dawn of the third day that their solitude was interrupted.
“Tanya,” A voice said, softly, but loud enough that Bella could hear her.
“It’s just Carmen,” Tanya said, trying to soothe the tense Bella on top of her. “Yes?”
“You need to go hunt-”
“I can wait-”
“You need to go, your eyes are black, and if you are to take our guest here on a hunt with you, you need to be at your best.”
Bella could feel Tanya’s hesitance as she moved slightly. Carmen was probably right, but that didn’t mean Bella wanted Tanya to leave. Over the course of her turning she had begun to get attached to the female vampire.
“Fine,” Tanya gritted out. She managed to wiggle out from under Bella, and placed Bella down on the bed on her back.
“I’ll keep her company,” Carmen said, taking Bella’s hand, and Bella clung onto it, transmitting her aggression into squeezing Carmen’s hand as hard as possible.
It was weird to think she would soon be a vampire. She had wanted it for so long… but now… against her will… without Edward. Bella wasn’t sure what she thought.
Tanya made her way out, leaving Carmen with the woman.
Kate and Irina were waiting downstairs.
“Well?” Irina asked.
Tanya knew what Irina wanted her to say, but she couldn’t tell her that.
“I have no idea whether he’s dead or alive,” Tanya sighed.
“Did he, I mean, the girl upstairs…” Kate motioned.
Tanya nodded. “He bit her, was feeding off her when I found them. I have no idea why.”
Irina looked devastated.
“I knew this would happen,” Kate sighed.
“Not now Katrina,” Tanya said, her voice stern. Both she and Kate had discussed the idea that perhaps Irina liked Laurent a lot more then he liked her. Now, however, was not the time to rub it in a devastated Irina’s face. “We cannot track him at the moment. The wolves in Forks will be on high alert.”
“What do you think he was doing?” Kate asked, turning to Irina.
Irina paused. “He got a call from that old covenmate of his the other day… you don’t think…”
“Irina, we were very close to Forks. I mean, a stone’s throw away from one of the Cullen residences.” Tanya said.
“Maybe he was trying to find Edward’s human toy.”
“We need to talk to the Cullens,” Tanya said. “They may be in danger. I need to go hunt so I can get back to the girl.”
“Why did you save her?” Kate asked. “Are you really up to dealing with a newborn?”
Tanya huffed. “Of course I am. She’s not some animal.”
“Isn’t she?” Irina asked. “Do you remember what we were like as newborns?”
Tanya just sighed, she didn’t have the time to argue. “I will be back. One of you, please ring the-” The phone rang, and Tanya walked over to pick it up. “Hello Alice.”
“Tanya!” Alice said eagerly. “I have absolutely no idea what’s going on. But I knew you would call. Or rather, Kate would call.”
“There was an incident in Forks, our former covenmate, Laurent, changed a girl there. We believe he might have been aiming for that human toy Carlisle had mentioned before.”
“Bella?” Alice was silent for a moment. Tanya felt anxious. “I can’t see her, but I assume that’s just because she’s with the wolves.”
“What do you mean you can’t see her? Don’t you reside in Forks?”
There was a silence on the other side of the line. Tanya tried her best not to groan as loudly as possible. She glanced over at Kate who looked just as concerned as Tanya felt.
“We left Forks,” Alice said carefully.
“You left a human behind who knows the truth about us?!?” Tanya asked, nearly yelling into the phone. “How could you be so foolish?”
“Edward-”
“Of course he’s involved in this. Either have this resolved immediately, or we shall resolve it ourselves,” Tanya said sternly. “I will give you a fortnight, and then I’m informing the Volturi. My coven will not be held responsible for your idiotic actions, do you hear me?”
“Of course,” Alice said in a smaller voice. Tanya slammed the phone down onto the receiver.
“Now, I really need to hunt,” Tanya growled.
When the pain finally left Bella, all that was left was thirst. Thirst, curling at her throat. Her eyes opened to find herself in some sort of bed. That was the only way Bella could describe it. The colors in the room felt more vibrant, Bella could smell more, hear more.
And then her eyes met Tanya’s and for a moment, the world stopped. Tanya was absolutely stunning. She had blonde hair that fell in golden ringlets. It wasn’t that she was more physically attractive then any of the other vampire women Bella had met, it was the way she held herself. Tanya had an air of confidence about her as she gazed back at Bella.
“There you are” Tanya said, smiling gently at Bella. Bella smiled back at the vampire. She took Tanya’s offered hand, and allowed the other woman to help her up. “You must be thirsty. Shall we?”
Bella was out the door before she even realized what she was doing, chasing something .
She fell upon the first thing she found, an elk. She drank it like it was a slurpee from 7/11. It was only after she was drained that she stopped. She took a deep breath, meeting Tanya’s eyes.
“Hungry?” Tanya asked, raising an eyebrow.
Bella growled at her.
“Let’s go then.”
Tanya and Bella continued to hunt until Bella was full. Tanya had not encountered a newborn in awhile and had forgotten how much stronger and faster they were. She raced after Bella, deciding it would be better to coral her away from any humans at the moment until the other woman had her senses about her. Bella could choose to do as she pleased with her diet, but for now, only animals. Bella stood over her third elk carcass of the day and looked up at Tanya. “Let’s get you back to the house, we’ll get you a shower and a change of clothes, you and Irina should be around that same size,” Tanya said gently.
“Thank you, I cannot express how much this means to me, all of this,” Bella said, her voice hoarse from disuse. “I could hear you, and I’m glad you were there through… all that.”
“It was the least I could do, I know the changing process is painful,” Tanya said. “But let me properly introduce myself,” Tanya held out her hand. “Tanya, leader of the Denali coven.”
“Um, I’m Bella, Bella Swan.”
Tanya stared at her. This? This was the Bella Swan? “As in Edward’s Bella?” Why was the first thing that came out of her mouth? Why the hell would that be the identifier I used?”
“Not so much anymore,” Bella shifted. “They left Forks.”
“I know, I learned a few hours ago.”
Bella stared at Tanya. She tilted her head, her crimson red eyes scanning Tanya as if she was looking for something.
“What is it?” Tanya asked.
“Nothing, just-” Bella shook her head. “When Edward told me about you, described you to me, I assumed he was exaggerating.”
“About what?” Tanya asked, genuinely curious.
“He said you were one of the most beautiful women to have walked the Earth,” Bella said. “All vampires are gorgeous of course, but you…” Tanya felt a warmth in her chest at Bella’s words. If she was human, she’d be blushing. Bella then smiled. “Of course afterward he basically called you a whore and then described in great deal how you were ‘in love with him’ and he continues to let you down gently, which I’m guessing isn’t-”
“Edward Cullen is a man who only sees the truth when it reinforces his own ideas, his own truth.”
“Preaching to the choir,” Bella said as they trudged through the snow. “He was lying, wasn’t he, about the mating bond?”
Tanya raised an eyebrow. “Mating bond?”
“He said we were mates,” Bella said. She was looking out at the snow. “But… we weren’t were we?”
“I-I can’t properly answer that, I don’t know the relation-“
“Tanya,” God did Tanya love when she said her name. Bella turned to her and smiled. “I’ve only known you for a few days and I already know you’re trying to pull a fast one, what do you actually think?”
“I think, that if I were mates to someone like you, I could never leave you behind,” Tanya said.
“You’re a big flirt, you know that?” Bella asked. “You’ve known me for only a few hours. Most of which I spent acting like a feral animal.”
Tanya smiled. “I would like to get to know you.”
“First that shower you promised me,” Bella frowned. “I’m not as disgusted by the animal blood as I’d thought I’d be, but still.”
“We’ll get you a shower.”
“A pair of jeans would be nice.”
Kate and Irina sat in the kitchen. Carmen and Eleazar had left for their jobs and the newborn vampire had sprinted out and Tanya had chased after her.
“You’re up to something,” Kate said.
“Why do you say that?”
Kate just stared at her youngest sister.
“What?”
“You want to go after him.”
“Tanya said-”
“I know what Tanya said, we’re not talking about her, we’re discussing you, lovely sister of mine,” Kate said. “If you’re leaving, I’m coming with you, you’re not going alone.”
“Katrina-”
“End of discussion, Irina. Those mutts in Forks don’t play,” Kate said, glaring at her sister.
“Tell Tanya we’re going to Anchorage?”
“Deal.”
“So did your coven mysteriously disappear?” Bella teased.
She was sitting on the couch as Tanya paged through some papers. According to Tanya, Kate was insistent upon getting a heated pool, which meant Tanya had to find a way to build it.
“Carmen and Eleazar should be back soon, they’re at their day jobs. Kate and Irina, on the other hand, are in Anchorage, Kate is distracting her.”
“Why?”
Tanya sighed, pausing her paper inspection. She had taken off her jacket, sitting in a tank top, jeans, and black boots.
“Laurent,” Bella tensed up at that. “Irina loves him.”
“You don’t seem to like him.”
“I knew he couldn’t handle our diet,” Tanya said. “Some just don’t have the… will to do so. I don’t look down on him for it. Irina loves him more then he loves her. Sometimes that’s just the way life is.”
Bella could sympathize with that.
“Tanya!” They both heard the front door open. Carmen entered the living room and was followed by a tall and lanky male vampire. Both of the vampires had an olive-tone to their skin, curtesy of their birth country of Spain. Carmen had dark hair that fell down her shoulders. She was dressed in a sweater and jeans, giving her a sort of stay-at-home mom look. “We should get- oh you’re awake!” Carmen sped over to Bella who stood up. Bella offered her hand, but Carmen pulled her into a hug. Bella paused, but sunk into it. Carmen took a step back. “This is my mate, Eleazar.”
“Hello,” Eleazar said, going in for the handshake. “Oh, interesting.”
“Hmm?” Bella asked.
“You have a gift, you’re a shield.”
“A shield?” Bella asked.
“You block others abilities,” Eleazar explained. He took step back, wrapping an arm around Carmen’s shoulders.
“Edward couldn’t read my mind, so… that makes sense,” Bella said. “How did you know that?”
“My gift, I can sense other people’s gifts.”
“Oh?” Bella said. Wow, what a lame gift.
“Not that interesting, but useful,” Eleazar said, with a shrug.
“I think it’s interesting,” Carmen said quietly, earning her a smile and a small kiss on the forehead from Eleazar.
“Do we know what happened in Forks? Am I considered missing? Dead?” Bella asked, turning to Tanya.
Tanya glanced at Carmen who shrugged.
“I assume missing,” Eleazar said. “But Bella you know-”
“I can’t go back, probably not even supposed to be around humans at this stage” Bella said leaning back, running her face through her hands. She wanted to cry, but couldn’t. Bella always thought if Edward were to change her, she would want to fake her death. Give him some closure instead of him thinking she left him like her mother did.
“I know it’s difficult, but it’s an unfortunate part of this life,” Tanya said softly.
“Where are Kate and Irina?” Eleazar asked, sitting down.
“Anchorage,” Tanya said.
In reality, the two missing Denali sisters were in Seattle. Irina and Kate sat outside of an abandoned warehouse. Kate was smoking a cigarette, a habit she’d picked up in the seventies. 1870’s, that is. Despite the fact she didn’t need to breathe, and tobacco having neither a positive nor negative effect, it soothed her when she was anxious. And she certainly was nervous at the moment. They had tracked Laurent to the warehouse and were waiting for him to leave.
“Do you have to?” Irina asked for the third time in thirty minutes. The smell irritated Irina’s nose.
“Do you have to chase after Laurent?” Kate asked. “Gods Irina, and how do you think the girl who was turned against her will at our home will be happy to see him show up on our doorstep with you?”
“You didn’t have to come along,” Irina huffed. “Besides, who’s to say she’s staying with our coven?”
“Who’s to say Laurent is? Tanya called him an ex-covenmate.”
“Tanya would never force me to chose,” Irina said.
“You’ve asked her to chose, every single day since you and Laurent got together. You’re acting like this is his first slip-up. Ever since you started dating-”
“I really don’t care to hear what you have to say about my relationship,” Irina said.
“I’m just saying it’s a bit unfair to your covenmates to keep asking us to give him more chances,” Kate said. “None of us want to leave the lodge, you know that. And now I’ll shut up about it. Alright?”
They were silent.
“You really think Tanya will keep her?” Irina asked.
Kate paused, taking another puff of her cigarette.“Based on the way she was acting, she might do more then keep her. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re mates.”
“Oh come on Kate.”
“I’m serious!” Kate said. “She’s been with that girl her entire transformation process I bet.”
“So? Tanya was with us through ours.”
“It’s not the same.”
“How?”
“It’s just not. I can tell,” Kate said. “That woman is gonna open her eyes and,” Kate snapped. “Boom, mates.”
“That’s not how mates work Kate, you know that.”
“You don’t believe in love at first sight?” Kate asked.
“After living with you for centuries all I believe in wanting to fuck at first sight,” Irina scoffed.
“So anti-romance Irina,” Kate smirked. “Oh, here he comes.”
They watched Laurent exit the warehouse arguing with a red headed vampire.
“Showtime,” Kate said. She crushed the cigarette under her foot. “Laurent!”
The man froze, the woman beside him looked confused as they approached.
“Irina, Katrina,” Laurent said. “This is Victoria.”
“Hello,” Victoria said. She had bright red hair. Her attire reflected her nomad state.
“You left,” Irina said.
“I did.”
“And I assume you’re not coming back?”
“I have an idea, why don’t you two go solve your couple issues elsewhere and me and peppermint patty over here can chat,” Kate smiled, motioning to the two of them.
“I don’t-“
“Go,” Victoria said. “I’ll be here.”
The two of them slipped away, leaving Victoria and Kate.
Kate slipped out her box of cigarettes. “So you’re Victoria huh?”
“And you’re Katrina.”
“Kate, please,” Kate said. She opened the half empty box and held it out to Victoria. Victoria took one and Kate pulled out her lighter. “You’re the reason Laurent went to Forks.”
Victoria didn’t respond, lighting her cigarette and taking a puff.
“So are you and Laurent…” Kate motioned.
“No,” Victoria said.
“Are you planning to stay in Seattle?”
“Perhaps.”
“Well..." Kate said. “Perhaps, you should consider moving on before the Cullens arrive back in Forks.”
“They’re coming back?”
“To change the girl and then leave again, hopefully,” Kate sighed. “I’m surprised they haven’t been killed by the Volturi yet.”
“They don’t seem afraid of the Volturi,” Victoria said.
“Yes, unfortunately Aro and Carlisle have this… thing,” Kate motioned with her hands. Even she wasn’t really sure what the two of them were these days. “Despite their stupidity, the Cullen coven is very strong. Why else do you think we keep them as Allies?”
“Because you’re both vegetarian?” Victoria asked.
“You think we put our necks on the line for people who share our diet?”
“Well when you say it like-“
“My point is,” Kate said, cutting her off. “It would be… unwise, to go against the Cullens. They have allies in all places. And no matter your plan, they will destroy you if you go up against them again.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Do you feel threatened?”
They stared at each other.
“I get the feeling you’re not a fool, Victoria, few vampires who can survive this long are. But,” Kate shrugged. “Prove me wrong by all means.”
They were silent until Irina and Laurent showed up.
“Ready to go?“ Kate asked, stomping another cigarette under her shoe.
“Yeah.”
“So is he coming?”
“Kate,” Irina said, her voice tired. “Just, let’s get going.”
“Lovely chatting with you Victoria,” Kate said. “Goodbye Laurent.”
“Goodbye Kate.”
Fifty miles outside of Seattle, Irina stopped.
Kate paused and reversed.
They stood in silence.
“I can’t go back right now.”
Kate sighed. “Irina-”
“I need time,” Irina said.
It had been awhile since Irina had a breakup such as this. When they had first started this whole thing, Irina had always been the worst at it. She just got attached really easily. She would get pouty at first when she continued to break her toys after sleeping with them. It genuinely made her upset. It was only after the first decade that she reluctantly accepted this was the only way it would work.
Irina had been the most thrilled with their diet change to animals, thrilled she could keep her little boy toys in one piece. The Denalis didn’t do anything more than a few hookups with humans. It never went farther, too much suspicion. And this Laurent incident only proved why Kate had been right in suggesting the rule to Tanya. Limited exposure meant a limited chance they’d have to deal with a mopey Irina. Ever since they put that rule in place they hadn’t had to deal with one of her breakup funks, until now. Despite what Irina would say, she tended to be the hopeless romantic of the trio. And now that was coming to bite her in the ass.
“Where will you go?” Kate asked.
Irina shrugged.
“Promise you’ll call?” Kate asked.
“I will.”
Kate hugged Irina tight. “He’s just a man, you’ll find what you’re looking for soon.”
Irina nodded, and then sped off. Kate sighed. She needed another cigarette.
Bella was sitting on the couch, desperately trying to read. She tore another page and groaned.
“Are you alright?” Tanya asked, walking over and settling down next to her.
Bella showed her the book, full of torn pages.
“Newborn strength?” Tanya asked.
Bella nodded, feeling frustrated.
“You’ll get a hang of it. You’re already progressing a lot faster then many do, you woke up only yesterday,” Tanya said. She began combing her hand through Bella’s hair. Bella sighed, closing her book, feeling a warmth in her chest as fingers scratched her scalp. “It’ll get easier.”
“Hmm,” Bella hummed, leaning into Tanya’s side. “Was it this hard for you?”
“No, but then again I didn’t have much to break. Sasha and I were nomads. We lived on the land and off the people.”
Bella felt Tanya stiffen a bit, removing herself from Bella. The front door opened.
“Hello!” a light feminine voice called.
A blonde woman entered the living room.
“Oh, there she is,” Kate said, she zoomed over and plopped down next to Bella. “I’m Kate.”
All of three of them were surprised by the growl that made it’s way out of Tanya’s mouth.
“I wasn’t planning to shock her,” Kate said, throwing up her hands in surrender.
“Where’s Irina?” Tanya asked. She sniffed the air. “And why do you smell like cigarette smoke?”
“You can’t be mad-“
“I think I can be,” Tanya said.
“We went to Seattle,” Kate said. “And we saw him and Irina needed to go.”
“Go where?” Bella asked, a sense of guilt making its way into her chest.
“Away,” Kate motioned. “She always does this after a breakup.”
“She’ll be back,” Tanya said, she offered her hand and Bella took it, looping their fingers together. “This is not your fault, if it’s anyone’s fault it’s Laurent.”
“But-”
“Tanya’s right,” Kate said. “She’ll come around.”
Bella nodded slowly. She didn’t want to be the reason the sisters argued, but neither Kate nor Tanya seemed particularly worried about it.
“So you’ll be sticking around?” Kate asked.
“She will be, yes,” Tanya said. “If she wishes to stay.”
“I do,” Bella said.
“Perfect,” Tanya said. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting a newborn roam on their own anyways.”
Kate coughed and said something that suspiciously like “whipped.” but Bella didn’t pay her any attention. Tanya wanted her here.
Despite Edward’s obsession with her, she couldn’t help but feel like a nuisance. He constantly told her how much she frustrated him. How he didn’t understand her at all. Even with Jacob, Bella felt more like a pity project. Like Jacob’s father had just asked him to keep an eye on her as a favor to her father.
But with Tanya it was different. She hadn’t left her side once in the changing process, but had given her space. Only staying when Bella wished her too. And there was this connection… Bella wasn’t really sure what it was but she wanted to explore it.
“So is it true you partied with Benjamin Franklin?” Bella said, turning her attention, remembering one of the more outlandish stories the Cullens.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with the two Denalis trading stories, which is where Carmen and Eleazar found them when they returned.
The next morning, Tanya watched as Eleazar and Bella sparred. Bella needed to get her energy out and Eleazar was more then happy to help while Tanya was busy with work.
“You’re staring again,” Carmen hummed. They were sitting in Tanya’s office. Carmen was working on grading for one of the college courses she taught nearby, and Tanya was still working on the pool plans. Yet, the window right beside them gave her a welcome distraction. “Perhaps you wish to join them?”
“No, no, I need to get this done,” Tanya said.
There was a pause.
“She’s adjusting well, isn’t she?” Tanya asked.
“Very well,” Carmen said. “You can probably take her in public soon.”
“Already?” Tanya asked.
Carmen just nodded. “How did the Cullens react when you told them?”
“Told them…”
“About Bella?”
“Oh, I hadn’t yet-“ Tanya said, grabbing the phone off her desk.
“Tanya-“
“I forgot! Honestly!” Tanya said. “It’s been what… two days since she woke up?”
The phone rang and Alice Cullen picked up.
“Hello?”
“Hey Alice, remember when I told you we had a newborn?”
“Tanya this really isn’t a good time-”
“It’s Bella. Bella Swan.”
There was silence on the other end of the line.
“Alice?”
“You have Bella Swan and she’s alive?”
Alice’s voice was hoarse, and Tanya frowned as she turned to Carmen.Carmen shrugged.
“Yes, she’s a vampire. She’s outside right now actually with Eleazar. They’re-”
“We thought she was dead.”
“Ah, because of Forks, I’m sorry to have given you a freight, but we weren’t aware until she woke up.”
“Tanya, we thought she was dead.”
“And I’m sorry about that,” Tanya said, starting to feel defensive. “I’ve been kind of busy taking care of a newborn vampire.”
“Tanya, Edward has gone to Volterra to die. He feels guilty, feeling it’s his fault she’s dead.”
Tanya sighed. “And we have to stop him, don’t we.”
“I’ll get the fake documentation needed, but we need to get Bella on a plane.”
“You want me to put a newborn, on a plane?”
“We won’t make it swimming.”
“I will repeat my previous statement, Alice. You want me to put a newborn, on a plane? ”
“We can fly private.”
“Why is this being put on Bella’s shoulders? Can’t you just go and tell him?”
There was silence.
“I… I think he needs to see her?” Alice finally said. “My visions are fuzzy when it comes to Bella now. But I know if I go alone, he will definitely die.”
“You think ? You want me to rely on your thought process?”
“Meet me at the Vancouver airport.”
“Alice-”
Alice hung up and Tanya slammed the phone down, cracking it.
“Out of all the inconsiderate, idiotic-”
“Tanya.”
“They expect me to what? Drag her on a plane to a large city full of people?”
“Tanya.”
“And it’s just-” Tanya grabbed the already cracked phone and threw it, impaling it in the wall.
“You don’t have to.”
“What?” Tanya asked, turning to Carmen, who seemed as cool as a cucumber, despite the situation.
“You could just keep her here.”
“I would ruin our alliance with the Cullens,” Tanya sighed.
“What if you gave the decision to Bella?” Carmen asked. “If she says no, there’s nothing you can do about that. The Cullens would be naive to believe that we could drag a newborn on a plane against her will.”
“And if she says yes?”
“Then you’ll have to wrangle a newborn on a plane. Alice should be able to help you.”
“For all Alice knows, Bella will kill the pilot of said plane!”
“Tanya,” Carmen said, she placed her hand on Tanya’s shoulder. “It’ll be alright. I’ll pack you some carryon bags for appearance’s sake, you go talk to Bella.”
“Bella!”
Bella turned to see the blonde coven leader approaching her.
“I’ll head inside, I need a shower,” Elezar said, bumping into her before heading towards the house.
Bella focused her attentions on Tanya who was studying her.
“Is everything alright?” Bella asked. She offered a hand, which Tanya took gently. She began examining it, tracing the lines on Bella’s palm. It was ironic. This immortal being, who had probably seen hundreds of thousands of people was studying Bella’s hand like she had never seen such a thing before. “Tanya?”
“Edward Cullen believes you’re dead,” Tanya finally said, meeting her eyes, but not letting go of her hand. “He is going to Volterra to kill himself.”
“He’s what?”
“Alice wishes for us to meet her in Vancouver, and fly to save him, she’s charting a private plane at the moment,” Tanya said. “The decision, however, is yours.”
“I…” Bella shook her head. Despite everything… “I, I can’t let him die.”
“You can though,” Tanya said. “No one would judge you for not going, at least not in this coven. It is not for you to feel guilty because of his impulsive and rash decisions.”
“We have to save him,” Bella said. Her mind made up. “Even if I hate his guts.”
Tanya sighed, but nodded. “If that’s what you wish.”
“You’ll come with me though, right?” Bella asked, clutching onto Tanya’s hand. “I-I don’t think I can go do this without you. Please.”
“Of course,” Tanya said. “We’ll have to go on foot, it’ll be fastest.”
They touched down in Volterra, and instead of stealing a car like Alice suggested, Tanya just rolled her eyes, and rented one.
So they all were forced together in one car, with Alice in the back. Tanya felt calm with Bella’s hand firmly laced in hers. She knew what the implications of that, what all the signs were but… she was pretty sure Bella would not be happy with her throwing around the word “mate.” She had to be sure. Besides, she was content with whatever this was now.
Bella squeezed her hand.
Yes, Tanya could feel happy with just this for now.
“I am sorry, you know, that we left.”
“Oh, well, thank you,” Bella said. “That means so, so, so much to me.”
Tanya pursed her lips together trying to not laugh at Bella’s dry tone.
“Come on Bella, we were best friends.”
“ Were ,” Bella said. “That’s the key word there.”
Alice was silent.
Tanya’s phone rang, and Bella let go of her hand to answer it. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Bella.”
“Is Tanya-”
“She’s driving,” Bella said. “How can I help you Kate?”
“I just wanted to let her know I heard from irina.”
“Where is he?”
“Um, France, apparently? She’s going skiing. Carmen said you two are in Volterra?”
“We’re driving there now.”
“Huh,” Kate said. “Know when you’ll be back?”
“No idea.”
“Alright, well, give my sister all my love. And look out for her, alright? I know she’s as old as dust or whatever, but she still needs someone to look after her.”
“I’ll make sure to do so,” Bella said, causing Tanya to smile.
“Bye,” Kate hung up.
“She likes you,” Tanya said.
“Really?” Bella asked, surprised.
“Oh there it is!” Alice said pointing to a crowd.
“Oh joy, a festival,” Bella said, her voice hoarse as they tried to find a place to park.
“Don’t breathe,” Tanya said. “It’ll help.”
They soon parked and got out of the car. So many humans, with so many heartbeats, it was just so… loud.
“He should be around here somewhere,” Alice said.
“There,” Tanya motioned. Edward was leaning up against a building.
There he was. He looked similar to how he looked when he left Bella. Same coppery hair, same cheekbones, and yet… there wasn’t this sense of attachment anymore. Her heart didn’t yearn for him anymore.
“Edward!” She called.
He didn’t turn. She huffed, storming towards him, Tanya and Alice in tow.
“Edward Cullen!” She called.
No response.
“Edward Masen!” She tried. That got his attention. His head snapped up, and his eyes met her.
“Bella?” he mouthed.
“Yeah asshole!” she called. “It’s me.”
His eyes lit up as they neared.
“Bella,” He gasped, reaching out to hug her, only to be stopped by a very pissed off Tanya.
“Not another step,” she growled. “What were you thinking? Endangering your coven like that?”
“I-”
“No, I don’t want to hear about it,” Tanya huffed. How dare he try to lay a hand on her mate like she was his?
“No, no,” he gasped, taking a step back. “You’re wrong.”
“What’s the matter?” Bella asked.
In the middle of all the chaos, Volturi guard members emerged.
“Tanya,” Jane said. The thirteen year old girl was dressed in the cloak of the guard, her red eyes gleaming up at Tanya as she nodded her head in greeting.
“Jane,” Tanya said. God, she could never see the other woman without thinking of Sasha and that night… and the bonfire… and the screams, God, the screams of her sisters would haunt her for all eternity.
“Making quite a ruckus,” Jane said.
“No laws have been broken,” Edward spoke up.
“No, no they haven’t, but Aro wishes to speak with you none the less.”
“We will follow,” Tanya said, before either Cullen could say anything.
“So compliant, as always,” Jane said. “And who is this?”
“Bella,” Bella said.
Jane’s eyes lit up in recognition. “Oh, and you’re one of us now? I see,” she smirked at Tanya. “Quite the web, I’m sure.”
“Show us to your master,” Tanya said, a growl slipping into her voice against her will. Bella took her hand gently, as to calm her. Jane’s eyes darted to their joined hands.
“Yes, very interesting,” Jane mused. “Come along.”
They followed Jane.
Tanya felt a squeeze on her hand. Tanya turned her head to see Bella studying her quietly. Tanya squeezed her hand back, giving her a small smile. It was going to be alright.
Volterra was beautiful. If it was any other circumstances, Bella would have wanted to look around more. The three kings sat on their thrones, staring down at the three of them. The middle one, with long greasy black hair greeted them.
“Tanya my dear, what a pleasant surprise.”
“Aro,” Tanya said with a nod.
“And… oh!” Aro’s smile grew wide, and Bella began to feel uneasy. “Isabella Swan, my, my, have I heard much about you. And look at you! One of us now it seems.”
“Leave her out of it,” Edward growled. Bella frowned at him. She was a fucking vampire because of his decisions, and he chose now to be protective?
“Tanya, if I may?” Aro asked, ignoring Edward. He offered his hand. Bella remembered Tanya had mentioned this, Aro’s gift.
Tanya offered her hand.
Aro closed his eyes for a moment and hummed before opening his eyes. “Ah. I see.”
He glanced over at Bella. “Yes, interesting. Very interesting.”
“No,” Edward said, “What you believe-”
“Edward Cullen,” Aro said, his voice becoming icy compared to the tone he had used with Tanya. “I understand that you have suicidal tendencies, but believe me when I say I would take immense satisfaction in lacking you in a cell and forcing you to stay alive for the next century if you speak out of turn again. You have broken our laws, there is no doubt about it. And I’m sure Caius would love if I were to dispose of you now.”
The blonde king to Aro’s left (Bella’s right) nodded to that. He remained silent but his frustration with the situation in front of him was obvious.
“Now, it’s only out of the little respect I keep for your coven leader I do not throw you in there now. Isabella and Tanya have broken no laws. Therefore, Tanya’s claim will be respected,” Aro said. “Now, if there is nothing else Bella, Tanya, I believe that we are finished here.”
“That’s it?” Bella said, surprised.
Aro chuckled. “Yes Isabella. Edward’s issue of you being dead has obviously been resolved as here you still stand, you have been turned, albeit against your will, so there is nothing to worry about there. Although I would enjoy your presence here in Volterra, Tanya has made it quite clear you belong with her coven in the Denali mountain range. Of course if you wish for there to be an issue-”
“No, no,” Bella said quickly, taking a step towards Tanya.
“Perfect, Jane if you could escort them out? I still have a few things to iron out with the Olympic coven.”
“As you wish,” Jane said.
Tanya pulled over the car on the side of the road once they were in the country side. She turned to Bella. “Ask.”
“What?” Bella asked.
Tanya tilted her head. Instinct again. Despite how short she had known Bella, she could tell the younger woman had a question. “You wanted to ask about something Aro said.”
“He said your claim, but I don’t understand,” Bella said, her voice a bit slower then usual. As if she was choosing her words very carefully. Didn’t matter though, Tanya could already feel the nerves in her stomach. “You didn’t turn me, so you don’t have a creator’s claim, if that’s a thing. Is that a thing?”
“It can be, it’s what Carlisle has been known to use. But based on how many vampires abandon newborns after they tend them, the law has become very rare to use,” Tanya said.
“So what did he mean?”
“Ah, well,” Tanya shifted. “I guess he would be referring to the mate bond.”
Bella blinked. “I’m your mate.”
“I believe so, I mean, I think so, I’d like you to be,” Tanya said, stumbling over her words.
Bella giggled a little at that.
“It’s not funny.”
“It kind of is,” Bella smiled.
“I don’t wish for you to think I feel like I own you,” Tanya felt disgust at the very idea. “You are free to do as you wish.”
“You care about me.”
There was no question there, but Tanya answered it like it was one anyways. “Yes.”
Care was too simple for the depth of feelings Tanya had. Tanya didn’t even know if she could describe it if she put it to paper. And it had happened so quickly as well. A few weeks ago this woman meant next to nothing to her.
So she said yes, because it was the truth, even if it wasn’t the whole truth.
“And I care about you,” Bella said, causing Tanya’s chest to warm up. She hadn’t been sure, and Bella’s confirmation was more then welcome “That’s all it has to be, doesn’t it?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“For now, yes,” Bella said, her red eyes met Tanya’s golden ones. “I feel like there’s still so much I don’t know about you, about myself. So… maybe we continue like we have?”
“I can work with that,” Tanya smiled, starting the car up. “No labels for now?”
“For now,” Bella affirmed. “But I’d like to explore what this could be, if you wanted to.”
“I would.”
And with that, the two set off towards the airport.