Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the intellectual property of their respective owners. The characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer and Summit Entertainment. I own nothing but my original creations and have made no profit from these stories this is merely for enjoyment purposes if asked it will be removed. I own nothing but my original creations and have made no profit from these
stories this is merely for enjoyment purposes if asked it will be removed.
Special thanks to my beta rose-bel for correcting my atrocious grammar.
Parings: Carlisle/Bella, Rosalie/Edward, Emmett/OC, Jake / Renesmee, Alice/Jasper
Shadows of Moonlight
Chapter One:
The year was 1716 a time that would later be known as the beginning of the end of the Golden Age of Piracy. A time of fear of on the high seas. The era of Black Beard and Stede Bonnet, and the search for treasure of unparalleled fortune. For me however the year of 1716 was a time was a time of both great happiness and great sorrow. On May the fifth at exactly 3:39 in the afternoon I gave birth to my first and unknowingly my last child Rebecca Alexandra Lavery. My husband Peter, Lord Lavery as he was publicly known, had been overjoyed and I could still remember the traitorous tears that streaked down his face as he held our little girl. During my pregnancy he had nearly demanded that I make quite sure that I birth an heir. Yet he had been undone by his bright green eyes staring back at him. It had taken only moments for no nonsense Lord Lavery to be wound around his daughter's pudgy fingers. Rebecca was a very content baby, a hearty eater, and an amazing sleeper, just like my father.
My life had been perfect, baring the fact that I loathed my husband, hated my title, and wished for nothing more than passage for my daughter and me to the colonies. The only thing that brought me unparalleled joy was my Rebecca. Yet If I had known what awaited me one cold January night I would have appreciated my lavish existence more. Peter had been called away to Wales on business and hoping for a quite night I had sent the servants home to their families. The only one who remained in the house besides Rebecca and I was my father Charles, who had come to watch over me while my husband was gone. At the time I had been irritated by his lack of faith in me, but it seemed he had been right after all.
With both father and Rebecca sound asleep I had gone for a walk along the gardens like I normally did when the weather was clear. The roses where just beginning to bud and the moon was a bright silver that night. Everything was peaceful aside from the hum of the crickets in the grass. I had stopped for only a moment to gaze at the sparkling water in the pond when I was suddenly in a tight painful embrace. In the pond I could see a large lean frame and in the ripples I barely made out the ruby eyes of my attacker. "Shh pet this will only burn a little." Dimly I noted his thick Irish accent before he sunk his teeth into the soft flesh of my neck. When he was done he flung me into the pond and was gone in the blink of an eye.
I had heard tales of such monsters but had never believed them. But in that moment I knew what had attacked me and what I was sure to become. Floundering I managed to crawl out of the freezing water of the pond. Using the last of the strength I possessed I drove myself into the forest that surround our estate. I had gotten my wish. I was free of Peter, I was no longer Lady Isobella, and I no longer had a duty to Peter and his business schemes, or playing Lady of the manor for the balls that I was forced to plan every winter and spring. I was free of everything that had shackled me and stripped me of the only two things I held most dear. My father would blame himself, Rebecca would never know her mother, but Peter would be fine and he would be duty bound to care for them. They would be fine.
I on the other hand would be doomed to walk the earth without my child. Finally I made it to a small clearing. Here was as good a place as any. I collapsed onto the forest floor. Twigs and mud working its way into my hair and flesh. I barely noticed as I burned. All I could see was my father's tear stained face as he searched for a body he would never find, my daughter's sweet face as she laid in her crib crying for her mother who would never come to comfort her. Lying there as I screamed at God to end my agony I could feel the blackness encroaching on my mind. Then I was in an endless whirlpool of pain.
How long I lay there trapped between worlds I never knew but when I awoke it was twilight. The pain that had coursed through my every limb was now gone. Yet nothing was as it had been. My vision had always been perfect but now kneeling on the forest floor I could truly see the world around me. The dust and dirt spores that I had once been blind to swirled on the breeze in an intricate dance. The forest around me seemed to almost blind me with it's once dulled winter colours now bright, sparkling, and vibrant. My body that had once been a little thicker around the waist than was fashionable with London's more illustrious circles was now trim. My already ill fitting night gown felt like a tent on my body. Getting to my feet I was almost floored once again by my fast reflexes. Yet I remained expertly balanced on the balls of my bare feet.
The most horrifying change however was the ungodly burn at the back of my throat. My stomach turned at the realization of the only thing that would make the feeling subside. Blood. If there was any blood remaining in my veins it turned to ice with that devastating blow. All I knew now was I could never return home. Never see my daughter or father again without risking their lives with my overwhelming hunger. I could not and would not put them at risk. As far as I was concerned Lady Isobella Lavery was gone. Yet her heart remained. I was no longer a mother and daughter. I was a hunter now by nature, but by choice I would be a protector, I would control my thirst, nothing would keep me from them. My name was Bella Heart and I was myth and nightmare. Something that went bump in the night. I was fear and living nightmare personified. I was nothing but a shadow in the moonlight.
…………………..
1799 Volterra, Italy
Volterra was beautiful this time of year. The few days between spring and summer the city seemed to glow with an ethereal beauty. A beauty that went unnoticed by mortal eyes with their poor vision. In the eighty-three years I had roamed the earth nothing could compare where beauty was concerned. Yet I loathed it. I wished for nothing more than freedom. I had long since abandoned London and those who inhabited it. My daughter was gone now, nothing but a memory remembered only by her children and loved ones. Even now, sitting on the hillside just outside the city limits, I could still see her smiling face as she stood in the gardens of her childhood home playing or reading by my pond. After twelve years of struggle I had succumbed and sought out those I held dear, a choice I would never regret. I had watched my daughter grow from a child and turn into the woman she had become. I would never forget that day in June as she awaited the carriage that would take her to the church. Or how she looked in my old ivory gown. She had been a vision of happiness as she counted down the seconds until she was wed.
Unlike my wedding day that had been dreary and sombre, Rebecca's was joyous, and everything I had always wanted for her. Standing in the choir loft cloaked in shadow I watched as she became Rebecca Evans. Tears that would never fall swimming my topaz eyes. The pride and heart break I had felt that day was unparalleled. A bittersweet moment in time as my child took her first steps into her future, and then as if hearing the agonizing call of her mother's heart she had looked up into the choir loft and smiled. "Mother." She had whispered so softly that only I could here.
Sobbing tearlessly I stepped deeper into the shadows. Rebecca had confirmed a deep set hope in my heart that I never dared believe. She had always known I was there. Watching, waiting, protecting. Always painfully out of reach. She thought me an angel or a ghost. At least that is what she told her husband Jacob. He had just smiled indulgently and kissed her cheek. Oh my sweet daughter if she only knew. It was that day that made the struggle worth it. Worth gorging on deer that tasted too much like Brussels sprouts for my taste. Everything was worth the pain that I had endured. For years I watched them as their family grew. Guarded them against the monsters of the night. Until one day they were torn violently away from me.
The day I had met a member of the dreaded Volturi. The royal family of vampires had sniffed me out. The day I last saw my little girl. It was December 29th 1739 when Jane had inadvertently stumbled upon me in the woods near Rebecca's estate. She was looking for nothing more than a quick snack when she came across the secluded Evan's country estate. Easy prey for a vampire like Jane. Jane however had not known of me until it was far too late. She had been creeping, as only a vampire could, through the forest surrounding the large stone home. Enraged I had pounced with a hiss. Taking her small form down without much problem that is until the element of surprise ha1d worn off.
Existing how I did I had very little combat skills and she quickly gained the advantage. Narrowing her blood red eyes at me with a murderous yet gleeful glint in her eyes. It seemed as though she expected something to happen and when nothing did her eyes widened in surprise. I was quick rounding on her and sweeping her off her feet and face down into the dirt. How long we fought I can't recall yet I still ended up on the losing end. Throwing me backwards I crashed into a large tree sending it tumbling down to the earth with a might crash. "Explain yourself." She hissed standing over me. When I said nothing I was painfully lifted by my hair. "What is your name child?" She hissed snapping her teeth at me.
"Bella Heart." I growled pulling myself away from the pixie like vampire. She frowned and sniffed.
"You shall come with me Bella. My master will be most intrigued by you." I had been quite miffed at her order but for the safety of my daughter I would willing walk through hell's inferno. The trip to Volterra had been hellish as the monster was hungry for a human meal. A meal I had fought to protect. Three times she had caught wind of a lone human to quench her thirst and three times a fight had ensued. Each of which I was the bested by a child.
Jane, as I would later find her name to be, had conceded and pushed harder as she dragged me to her awaiting master in Volterra. The trip had taken nearly two days as I was in no great hurry to meet the leader of the Volturi. Having been so secluded I had not much in the way of knowledge of Aro and his faithful guard. I did however here of his fondness to collect those with special qualities. Upon our arrival at the castle it was dusk the crowded square was still swarming with humans. It appalled me, a fact I made known to Jane who had merely hissed in return. The heavy metal doors opened with an ear splitting screech. Latching onto my arm Jane violently yanked me inside and dragged me past a sputtering receptionist.
The doors to the lions where large, intricately carved wooden monstrosities. Standing there I could feel anxiety gnawing at my stomach. I knew the moment I was presented to the Elite of the vampiric world my existence would never be the same. All too soon the doors where flung open by Jane and I was abruptly pulled inside. Three thrones where positioned in the centre of the grand hall. In the centre was Aro, who I would soon come to look upon as my captor, Marcus and Caius flanking either side of him. Aro stood with a flourish his robes swirling around his body, his ruby eyes glittered with barely restrained glee.
"Jane, pet, who have brought to me?" Aro asked tenting his fingers he descended the three marble stairs of the throne pedestal and eyed me as if he was a drowning man and I was land. He trailed his fingers down my face and I growled and slapped his hand away. Growls and hisses at my disrespect rained down on me but Aro held up his hands quietening them. He smirked and clasped my hand in his. I watched as his face light with intrigue.
"Fascinating." He purred. "I see nothing." Aro pulled back with a smile and looked toward Jane with fatherly affection. "You have done well my pet. You have done well."
That had been nearly sixty years ago. I had been forced into the life of the guard. My only privilege was I was not forced to conform to their diet. Aro had tried to persuade me and had failed. I was forced to hear the terror filled screams of the mortals as they were blindsided. Powerless to do much anything. Yet in the sixty years I spent in Volterra I had honed my unique gift that fascinated Aro so. He called me a shield. Able to protect myself and those around me from harm. A power he greatly envied. Soon after my arrival I had become his favourite pet, much to Jane's displeasure. I was stuck in a state of eternal perfection with no real path. Standing I adjusted the black cloak of the guard. I was expected back by now, and master was never pleased when his pets were late.
Running back toward the hell I inhabited I prayed to God. I asked not for riches, possession or freedom, but a purpose. Little did I know of the new arrival at the castle. He would soon prove to be everything I had never known I needed and the one thing I had. Carlisle Cullen would give me a purpose.