The Twilight Guild

Disclaimer – Unfortunately, I own nothing. Twilight is the property of Stephanie Meyers and I earn nothing from this endeavour to play in her world for a while.

AN – This is an idea I've had in my head for awhile now and I finally feel happy enough to put this first chapter up. This is more of the prequel to the start of the story, as you won't be seeing much more of Charlie I'm afraid but you do get the Cullen's so it's a good trade, I think. Hope you enjoy!

When Charlie Swan's daughter is threatened he will do anything and everything to protect her ... Even entrust her safety to a guild of assassins ...

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Charlie Swan was frantic, the conversation that had happened not moments ago still running through his mind. He had to get home. Get home to his life, his daughter. His only comfort right now was that they hadn't seen him. They didn't know that he knew.

Why was he a man of the law? This job that he had worked so hard most of his life to get now put it into the uttermost danger. Oh, not his life but his daughters. He had gone tonight to an apparently empty warehouse with the aim of receiving intelligence that could help put down one of the biggest crime families in the country. Oh, he had got intelligence alright.

They knew they were being investigated, knew that him and his division were getting awful close to having too much evidence on them. Evidence even their fancy, high paid crook lawyers could not get them out of. They knew they had to take action.

Why his daughter? He didn't even know why he'd asked the question, the answer being so obvious. He was the head of his division, the one in charge of all the operations. His word went. He had worked hard for his position, earned the respect of the men he worked for and men who worked for him. Anybody in the area could tell you that Charlie Swan was a man of the law.

They could also tell you that he was the most devoted father in the world. His daughter meant everything to him. After his wife was gone the only thing that mattered to him was his only child. He cared for his friends, his work and his colleagues but nothing like he cared for his daughter. She was the reason behind his every move, his reason for trying so hard. His daughter was the most amazing thing and he was desperate that he should be a father she could be proud of.

And now what had he done? He'd put her in danger. One of the worst kinds of danger. He was a cop, he knew the statistics. When the mob was out to get you they got you. It was only a matter of time. And he didn't know what they would do with her. He knew why. If they had her he'd drop the case, hell he'd clear everyone who was ever connected with that families' name. To get his daughter back, to have her safe Charlie Swan would do anything.

With a quick shake of his head he groaned. He was panicking, with good reason, but still panicking. He needed to calm down. She was still safe, they hadn't got her yet. And they weren't going to get her. With a fierce rush of parental protectiveness he sped up, anxious to get home. To make sure.

But what was he to do once he got there. He could not protect her himself, this much he knew. Oh, he was a good cop and he knew how to fight and defend but he would be no match for the men coming to get his daughter. So fight fire with fire.

The idea struck him with such suddenness he almost gasped aloud. And even though his law abiding self shuddered at the thought he knew it was the right thing to do, knew as a father it was all he could do, knew that it would keep his daughter safe. The memory of the past events flashed before his eyes, taking him back years as he placed the phone call that would help determine his daughter's fate.

It was an all out shoot out, the sound of firearms discharge in every direction. You weren't sure who was shooting at who anymore, or who was winning. At this stage it barely mattered, most would be dead or severely injured when the end finally came.

Charlie himself had been clipped by a bullet within the first moments of the fray but as it was not his shooting arm he ignored the injury. Their intelligence had been sorely lacking, the division was not prepared for this all out warfare. Squinting, he tried to see through the hazy mist that was leaking from somewhere, making it hard to see. What he did see angered him.

Several uniform clad bodies lay out in front of him, some alive and some clearly dead. And not twenty yards in front of him two of the crooks they had come to take down today were sneaking out of a side entrance, obviously carrying some of their stock with them.

Looking around Charlie knew it was just him, he could see no one else, did not have the means to communicate with anyone without giving his position away, and he would not just stand here while they so obviously escaped. Moving doubled over, to avoid being seen or further injured, he moved as quickly as he could to follow. The alley outside was little better for visual conditions but he could hear much better now and it was clear that the crooks he was following had stopped to discuss something. From their tones they thought they were safe. Wrong.

He moved as quietly as he could, getting closer as he crept forward until he could finally see their silhouettes. One had his back to him while the other tugged frantically at his hair. His eyes widened when he saw Charlie but it was too late. His partner went down hard, Charlie using the butt of his gun to knock him heavily out. He wanted to take these guys in, wanted them to be punished by the law for breaking it. He swung his other fist out but wasn't quiet quick enough, only clipping the other mans' shoulder.

He dove, crashing into Charlie's waist and sending them both crashing to the ground. They rolled for a moment, each trying to get the upper hand until Charlie ended on top. Winding his fist back he sent it crashing into the man's jaw, knocking his head to the side with the blow. As he prepared to knock him out there was a yell from behind him and he was suddenly on his back, several feet away. More of the crooks had used the side entrance to escape.

What happened next took the breath out of Charlie in complete and utter shock. Three men were advancing on him, a fourth bending down to check on their unconscious friends. But their advance stopped with a blur of blonde hair. Within seconds two of the three were on the ground, dead, necks clearly snapped. In front of the third stood what had to be one of the most gorgeous women to grace the earth. Even her face, which was set into a deadly snarl, was still somehow beautiful.

"Hello Royce; Royce King the second." Even her voice was beautiful, though her tone was deadly. The man in front of her quivered. Her scowl morphed into a sinister, yet still somehow gorgeous, smile.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of little old me? How dangerous could I be? After all, I was your fiancé; I was the most beautiful girl in town! A girl like that couldn't possibly be frightening." Yet she was, Charlie wasn't even her intended target and he was still scared.

"Rose-" Even the man's voice quivered. She shook her head fiercely, blonde hair flying side to side.

"Don't you dare!" She snarled out. "The days of my falling for your charms are over, I am not your 'lovely' anymore! Hell, I'm not even 'lovely' period, you ruined that when you ruined me! When you raped me!" Her words sent a chill through Charlie and he suddenly realized that this was something other, this situation he now found himself in had nothing to do with the corporation they had come to break up today for counterfeiting money. That didn't mean the crime was any less punishable, maybe even more so.

"You should have known, even with the little knowledge you had of me that I would not let you get away with it." If the man had not been aware of where this was heading he was now, his face taking on a mask of terror. And he even tried to run.

With a flash of blonde as the only indication that the girl had moved, there was a loud snap. It somewhat echoed in the air, followed with a gargle. This was not like the other men, whose necks this girl had clearly and neatly broken. This man was suffering and in pain as he died, with his blonde reaper standing over him watching.

Charlie didn't know what to think. His natural instincts shied away from this girl, who killed so easily. He would put up no better fight than any of the other men already dead in the alley. But his sense of duty was there, demanding that he approach this girl and take her in, she had committed no less than three murders in front of him. In front of an armed and uniformed policeman. And yet some part of him felt this was her due, that she was owed this. It seemed somewhat small in comparison to the crimes this man and perhaps his friends as well had reaped upon her.

Something suddenly clicked in Charlie's brain. Three of the men where dead, but four had come outside. Heaving himself into a sitting position Charlie gripped his gun tightly in his hand, raising it even as the scene in front of him was still registering in his mind.

"ROSE!" Charlie's gun went off as the blonde turned to face him, her eyes wide. The sound seemed to echo around the alley, even as several people rushed towards them.

And the man who had had his gun pointed at her, not more than a few yards away, slumped over; dead.

"Rose!" One of the men grabbed the blonde and crushed her to his chest, seeming to mutter incoherently against her head. The other two stood in between the couple and Charlie, looking over the scene.

"It seems we have a great deal to thank you for, officer." The oldest of the men stepped forward carefully, slowing, raising his arms to show he was unarmed. His pale skin and blonde hair glowed in the misty fog that was spreading down the alleyway. He reached forward and placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder, helping him stand.

He honestly didn't know what to think. His gut instinct was telling him that these people broke the law, that they broke it often and with a style that meant they never got caught. As an officer it was his duty to take them in, make sure they received punishment for breaking the law. But it felt wrong somehow. From the look on the man who was helping him stand face he was waiting for an answer. Honesty was usually the best policy.

"I don't know what to think." His answer seemed to somewhat amused the other man standing alongside him, also blonde.

"Thank you for being truthful, we know this is an unusual situation you find yourself in and it shows you character that you meet such a situation and rise above it." His words left Charlie somewhat swelling with pride. He could handle this type of situation well.

"So what happens now?" He asked, knowing somehow that things were about to change.

"That would be up to you." The elder replied, stepping away from him now he could stand on his own. "You have saved my daughter's life, we are in debt to you, it is your decision as to where we go from now." And Charlie was suddenly very aware of the fours gazes on him. But what to do?

As a man of the law the path was clear, the law had been broken and those who committed the crime should be punished. So why was he hesitating? Again, he didn't know. A few things were starting to make sense though.

"You're assassins." He stated boldly, knowing he was right. It was in their stances, the way they held themselves. In their eyes. Plus the girl had moved so quickly, efficiently...

"Yes." No more of an answer was needed but the man continued. "My name is Carlisle Cullen; I am the head of a guild of assassins, made up mostly of members of my family." Charlie nodded, having no idea how else to respond. They were still waiting for him.

He should inform them of their impending arrest and yet, he couldn't do it. He could be dead by now. They could simply kill him and leave. There was nothing holding them here except this debt they had to him for saving one of their own. They had honour. And that was what decided him.

He opened his mouth but couldn't quite make himself say the words. It went against most of what he believed in so he simple shook his head, knowing they'd understand. And they did, their stances relaxing and the girl even attempting a small smile that was still beautiful even though it was weak.

"We cannot thank you enough, we owe you a great debt." Carlisle stated, reaching within his pocket and producing a small card. "If you are ever in need of anything, just call. We settle our debts." Charlie accepted the card with a nod, looking down to the simple stationary that held contact details he doubted he would ever use. By the time he looked up again, they were gone.

He shook his head at the memory, hoping they still held firm to their beliefs. Was he really going to do this? Was he really going to put his only daughter into the care of a guild of assassins? Yes, because they could protect her. Protect her far better than he could.

Pulling up to his home he hurried inside, careful not to look too out of the ordinary. They could be watching the house already, preparing to make a move. He hoped not, all he needed was a little time to get his daughter out, to get her away.

He paused as he entered his daughter's room, at the sight of her asleep with her hair fanned across the pillow. She was like a jewel, a precious gem that must be protected. With a sigh of regret for having to wake her, especially with such news, he leaned forward to shake her shoulder.

"Bella." She turned, mumbling in her sleep. "Bella, you need to wake up." She stirred again, eyes slowly blinking open.

"Dad?"

"Bells, you need to get up and get dressed, quick as you can. Dress in something comfy to travel in."

"Dad? What-"

"I'll explain everything on the way, Bells promise, but you need to get moving. We need to leave as quickly as possible." She nodded, quickly throwing the covers off of herself and swinging her legs off the bed. "Oh, and pack a small overnight bag."

Satisfied she was moving and following his instructions Charlie left and entered his own bedroom, striding quickly over to his wardrobe, opening and pushing the contents to one side before reaching up.

When he'd first joined the division he'd heard stories of what could happen to the good guys if the bad guys ever wanted to track them down. Sometimes people, even whole families, had to just disappear. And that took funds, equipment. You had to be prepared.

So, like in the movies Charlie had set up a secret vault in the corner of his wardrobe. They said such things were usually put in places of significance to their owners. Anyone who knew Charlie could say for certainty that his appearance was never one of his top concerns. His wardrobe did, however, hold his uniform and so was a place of importance for Charlie. It would not seem so to a stranger. Not that it mattered now, he was emptying it all for Bella. Anything to keep her safe.

They met on the landing, each with a small bag in their hands. Charlie nodded, leading the way to the car and quickly joining the familiar road. His phone buzzed, signalling a received text, the content of which making him sigh. This would work. This had to work.

"Dad?" His daughter's voice was quiet but held an undertone. She wanted an explanation of his actions and her stubborn streak meant he'd only be able to tell her the truth. He sighed again, he would have to tell her. Maybe it was better if she did know but he'd prefer that she didn't. There was only so much he could do. Well, she did want to know...

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AN – Hope you liked and please let me know what you think! Should have the next update in a few days, if you're interested!