Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Sorry. This isn't really an update. I went back and changed a lot of this. The first few paragraphs are the same, though.


I threw the last of the newborns into the fire. The fight had been even easier than expected. Two of the wolves had broken legs and Jasper was absently rubbing his arm where he had been bitten as he stared at the fire. I internally rolled my eyes at him. He wouldn't have been bitten if he wasn't trying to take care of Alice as well as himself. Alice was well able to defend herself.

"They'll be here in about 7 minutes," Alice said, her smile turning into a worried frown as a vision came. I silently cursed. The Volturi were going to be making an appearance, and it would be better if Bella was with us, but 7 minutes wasn't enough time to go get her and get back. We expected to have more time. While all of us gave the clearing and surrounding woods a quick and thorough search to make sure we had gotten every piece, Carlisle gave the wolves a quick explanation and sent them home. The Volturi wouldn't honor a pact with mutts, and it would be best to keep them as uninvolved as possible.

"78 seconds."

We arranged ourselves into a loose V with Carlisle at the point. I glanced around at my family. Relieved expressions were present on everyone's faces. We were all glad this was finally over. Rosalie gave Emmett a swift kiss before falling back in place. Jasper squeezed Alice's hand before letting it drop. I felt a pang of longing. I wanted my Bella. I was ready for this to be over so I could go to her and hold her and feel her safe and happy in my arms.

Half a second later, Jane, Demitri, and Felix walked through the smoke. Demitri noted the newborn that surrendered with some surprise. Bree was curious about our lifestyle. Carlisle had offered her something different than the lifestyle she had come to loath, and she accepted.

Felix glanced at each of us, calculating how much of a threat we were. Dang, where's Bella? I wanted to have some fun. I stiffened slightly at his thoughts.

Jane wore a bored expression. She glanced at the pile of newborns from the corner of her eye. Her expression didn't change, but her mind reeled in shock. How could seven vegetarian vampires destroy so many newborns? She had obviously thought that we would get weaker by drinking animal blood.

"Did you destroy all of those newborns? Are there any left?" Jane asked, her voice emotionless.

"Yes, we did," Carlisle answered politely, "and there are no more that we know of."

"How many?"

"19," Jasper answered.

"And the creator?"

"We don't know who or where they are," Esme stated.

Felix let out a low chuckle. "Maybe I can have some fun after all."

"Where's Bella?" Demitri asked calmly, completely ignoring Felix.

"She's up north with some friends of ours hunting. We didn't want to have to worry about protecting her as well as ourselves," Alice supplied without hesitation.

Demitri nodded knowingly. He understood the added strain a newborn would add. Felix's thoughts were shadowed by disappointment. Jane, however, was skeptical.

"When was she changed?"

"About a month and a half ago," Esme answered.

"No problems yet?" Felix asked with a wicked grin.

"None yet," Carlisle answered pointedly.

Jane smirked. Then she glanced at Bree. "Why is she still alive?"

"She surrendered." Rosalie answered coolly.

"She broke the law. The Volturi don't give second chances.

"Aro, Markus, and Caius will be pleased to hear that Bella is no longer human. They'll expect to see her soon."

With that thinly veiled threat, she turned to leave. Before she went more than two feet, she glanced over her shoulder. "Felix, take care of that." Then, she continued walking, Demitri close behind her.

Felix grinned evilly and stepped closer. I closed my eyes as her screams rent the air until they were abruptly cut off.

I needed Bella. I needed to hold her in my arms, to know that she was safe.

A fresh wave of incense hit my nose, and I opened my eyes to see Felix disappear into the trees.


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