PHASE ONE - BECOME A VAMPIRE

CHAPTER 1

THE BEGINNING BATTLE

"So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss."

- Sun Tzu –

A/N: My readers are really dark and all of them have a taste for blood and I love them for that. Thank you for giving it a chance and for the amazing response, so please enjoy…

I had been parked outside the large mansion for twenty – well, twenty nine minutes now. I had remained in the same position, simply nervously glancing at the large black intimidating iron gates, which were thankfully left open.

My stare then roamed over the freshly cut, spring green grass. Several perfectly trimmed trees and hedges lined each side of the large white brick mansion. The whole garden was incredibly immaculate and the Mystic Falls' afternoon sunshine left it bright and innocently beautiful.

Stepping on the pedal, I found a bit of courage to draw up the gravel driveway. In an agonizingly slow pace, the truck rolled up and I nervously glanced at the double arched windows. The curtains were drawn but I saw a flicker of movement in the downstairs one…I think.

Large white pillars awaited me at the entrance and I sighed, switching off the engine and stepping out. I hissed with a cringe with how the rusty orange truck appeared next to the ostentatious sedan.

Turning back to the house, I pushed my sunglasses to the top of my head, and found my breath hitching at the sight of the large beige double doors with one golden handle. Overcoming my apprehension, I slowly and tentatively walked up the three steps. Each one had my heart pounding and the closer I got to the doors, the more tense and nervous I grew.

Placing a hand on the wall, I laughed at myself, knowing that he had probably already heard the tires on the gravel. Regardless, I couldn't seem to find the strength to open the door to my awaiting fate.

-FLASHBACK-

It was reckless and it was insane or quoting Jacob, it was 'downright stupid!'

Seeking out the Volturi was a last resort and right now, I felt helpless, desperate and I knew that I would do anything – maybe even die trying as I searched for my revenge. Confucius had cleverly said, 'Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves'. Maybe I would come out of this with my blood being drained or my head being snapped but I would die trying.

"I have to say, did not expect your call"

Calmly and slowly, I reminded myself to take deep breaths as I strode over to him. Fear was not an option, despite how anxious the many scarlet eyes made me feel. "I didn't expecting calling you" I replied and gulped when I felt someone brush past me.

Aro regarded curiously when stepping down to my level. "What do you want?"

Those words struck me.

What did I want?

Involuntarily, my hand fell down to my stomach and the cold emptiness iced my heart as I darkly glared up at him. "Justice"

-FLASHBACK END-

After that, Aro had planned on turning me himself. So, I hated the devious gleam or the excited giggle he gave, I knew that if I stood a chance, I needed to be a match to them.

Only, things didn't turn out as planned as the story filtered through the castle and everyone soon learnt about the human/soon-to-be vamp living in the rooms.

It was the third day and second last day as a human that I was resting in my temporary chambers, when Marcus slipped in and told me that he knew. He apologised for the Cullens behaviour, surprising me before he explained that if I wanted to strike back, I should do it when they least expected it. That was when he told me about the Day Walkers.

A different species of vampires that my supposed sister couldn't see and my ex-husband couldn't read.

Anyway, from that, Marcus had helped sneak me out, knowing that Aro wouldn't be pleased. I didn't understand why he was doing that, until he revealed his hatred for the Cullens and confessed that it was because of what they did to me.

I had many questions but I didn't want to second guess the shred of silver lining given to me.

Now I was here…standing on some stranger's porch and…and that was it.

Taking another deep breath, I felt better with the strange rawness was appeased with the chilled air. Finding the strength, I brought up my trembling fist, ready to knock but stopped when the door was suddenly flung open.

A cool calm and collected voice purred and I slowly drew up my gaze, taking in the confident form at the doorway.

Dark blue jeans…white shirt under a black leather jacket…all of which accented his slim but muscular form.

Continued my path upwards and bit back a gasp at the aged and dangerously striking good looks. Gleaming sea-blue eyes blazed with an unknown emotion. Soft chocolate brown locks with oak highlights were slightly curled and pushed back. His pink lips curled into a small devilish smirk as he intensely gazed down at me, amusedly. "I got tired of waiting"

Breaking from my dazed stupor, I concentrated on untangling the confusion in my mind. "Uh hi" I stuttered, feeling my face flush but this only seemed to entertain him further.

This was it…I had to prove myself to him and hope this plan would follow through.

Rolling my shoulders back, I cleared my throat and straightened up. Only it seemed that my attempt at channelling my inner bad amused him further. "Isabella…?" he drawled out in the thick European accent laced with intrigue and delight.

"Klaus" I noted with a small nod, proud of how my voice didn't waver.

With one last glance, he stepped back and turned walking further into the house. Casting a wary glance inside, I took it as an invite and took one hesitant step inside. Before following after him. I turned to close the door and release a breath.

Only, I ended up gasping at the sight of the luxurious interior and a marble tiled floor. It was a large space with a spiral staircase with a gold banister. My eyebrows rose as I inspect the large crystal chandelier and how the spectrum caught in the bright fluorescent lights.

I blushed when I heard my converse squeaked against the floor. Still, he didn't seek me out so I took my guess when passing the oil paintings along the hallway. All of them unknown and untitled and mostly landscapes. A woman at the end of the dock with a weary sky; a lone snowflake with the bleary white land behind; a man dressed in a dark trench coat straying down an empty path with greyscale shadows and distorted images surrounding him.

They all conveyed isolation and dreary solitude, evoking a deep longing and empathy.

"Come along love"

At the sound of his voice, I jumped and followed the echo through another hallway, before turning into a parlour type of room.

There was an unlit fireplace with a more recognised painting above it. Picasso's Old Guitarist. It seemed like the original and I knew I shouldn't be shocked, considering the lavishness of the house. However, I couldn't help it. Yet another, forlorn and remote piece.

It was actually pretty depressing…

My dejected study of the art was interrupted with a form blocking my view. A surprised gasp left me when I realised that it wasn't Klaus.

No, he was slightly older and taller.

His features were more defined, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline. The wise hazel brown eyes acquired dark golden wisps to blaze with his curiosity. Unlike Klaus, he was more smartly dressed in a professional navy suit with a white shirt but no tie, leaving the first two buttons were undone. His brown locks were a shade darker and less curled.

He was handsome…classically handsome.

Gulping down my overwhelming feeling of being around two very attractive beings. Maybe even more than the Cold Ones…actually definitely more than them. "I wasn't exactly expecting an audience" I muttered nervously.

"Do you want my assistance or not?" Klaus asked and I whipped around, finally noticing him by the large window. Half of the streaming sun rays caused his tresses to lighten to a mocha. His other half remained shadowed as he kept his head bowed.

I took a confident step towards him and cleared my throat. "I do"

I wouldn't have come here on blind faith. Marcus had assured me that Klaus owed him so I could trust him to follow through. Then again, I suppose in retrospect, it was blind faith…There was a very big chance that he would turn me down.

"Who is this?" I questioned, feeling both interested and uneasy.

Klaus looked between us and smirked playfully, "No one of importance" he replied.

"Elijah Mikaelson"

The unknown man introduced himself and I accepted the hand that he offered. When his features softened and his eyes were filled with warmth, I couldn't help but return it. "Isabella"

"Pleasure" Elijah quirked and picked up my hand, placing a kiss onto the top. I simply arched an eyebrow, perplexed by him.

Mikaelson? Marcus mentioned that Klaus was of the Mikaelson tree. Brothers perhaps? Was that even possible for vampires?

All in all, he was nicer. Maybe Elijah would be more inclined in changing me. The thought gave me hope and an optimistic smile lifted. Only this fell when my name was called.

"Isabella…"

Whirling back to face my host, I felt my stomach sink further when he regarded me coolly. "Why are you here?" he mused calmly.

Perplexed and fearful, I began to stammer again. "Didn't Marcus explain t-"

"He did" he finally met my gaze and I watched as he fluidly strode around the room so he could take a seat on the leather armchair by the fireplace. "And now I'm asking you…" he amended.

I nervously glanced at Elijah and then back to Klaus. When I felt my nerves kick in, I clamped my hands together but then unwound my fingers. I agitatedly locked them behind my back but released them and allowed them to fall on my side.

"Go on Isabella…" Elijah encouraged me.

I swallowed down, rather loudly and nodded. "I uh…want to be a vampire" I said, feeling ridiculous as the words left my mouth. They sounded almost childish and completely bizarre.

"Why not let Marcus do it?" he wondered, placing a finger to his chin and rubbing the short beard.

"Because I didn't want to be a Cold One" I answered truthfully.

He still wouldn't let our gazes fall as he titled his head. I felt two pairs of eyes regard me with great curiosity and wonder before I heard Klaus speak again. "Why?" he asked.

My eyes darted up to Elijah had moved to stand behind his brother. He pretended to be looking at the artefacts by the fireplace but he would occasionally look towards me. His brother however didn't pay him any attention and I watched dazedly when he trailed his thumb over his bottom lip.

Judging his perceptive stare, I drew in another deep breath. "It's not appropriate for what I want" I replied.

"Immortality?" he arched an eyebrow, making me feel even more ridiculous.

I bowed my head and tried to think this through. Part of me wanted to tell him the truth and fight for a sympathy vote while the other part of me wanted to leave. I preferred the latter.

"It's a bit more than that" I muttered and I could feel both of them watching me patiently. Falling back into the cool mask, I stoned my features and tried to explain. "I need to deflect the Cold Ones powers" I offered. "I also want to walk in the sunlight" I added.

Again, he did the annoying thing when leaving no emotion to betray his nonchalant professionalism. "Why?"

"I'm going for someone – actually some people" I corrected and the seven profile images flashed into my memory with the words. Each one getting me angrier as the first and I could feel the tremors return and my muscles clench.

"What happened?"

Sharply whipping up to glower at him, I angrily snapped. "That's private" my attempt at making him respect me didn't seem to work. Something did flicker within his eyes but it quickly dissipated as he continued to stare at me. "They took something from me" I offered, feeling the heavy truth behind the words burden me as I bit down on my lip again.

Memories of waking up alone and feeling his ripped piece of paper burn a hole in my pocket only frustrated me. Just a reminder…

"Care to elaborate?" this time, I was surprised to find that it had been Elijah to speak up. His voice sated with the rich compelling English tones.

I shrugged and shook my head. "Not really"

"Okay"

I snapped my head up to Klaus, surprised to watch as he jumped off the seat and was about to head over to the exit. "You'll do it?" I gasped.

"First of all Isabella…" Klaus stopped and slowly turned to me. "…you cannot do this" he pointed out and my excitement and hope was diminished with his lightened tone.

Elijah noticed my disbelief and scolded him. "Brother…"

"She can't!" Klaus persisted. "I don't see the potential" he looked me over once again through narrowed eyes. "I don't" he shook his head in disappointment and I slowly came to grips with what he was trying to say. "Marcus knew what he was doing when sending you to me but speaking from experience, you don't have what it takes" he explained and I realised that he didn't think I was capable to completing the task…seeing it through.

I would just need to prove it to him.

"What? Why? What do you want me to do?" I frantically looked towards Elijah – who had been confirmed as being the brother. He however was of no help as he silently deliberated over something. "I'll do anything" I vowed but regretted the words when I caught the sly smirk.

Klaus inclined his head towards the door while his gleaming eyes met mine. "Christina…" he called and I frowned in confusion.

Heels clacked towards the room before revealing a scantily dressed woman; red dress and long blonde hair wrapped up in a bun. Her presence reminded me of my simple tee and skinny jeans. My hair was a frazzled mess as it fell down my shoulders.

Klaus approached her and blocked her from my view but I still heard his lowered whisper. "Don't move"

When he whirled back around, I gasped when presented with a silver dagger. Trepidation filled me and the air rushed out of my lungs as I felt my mouth dry. "Wh-"

He only stretched out his hand further. "Take this knife and sink it into her stomach" he ordered, gesturing towards the girl who was standing abnormally still. "Go on love" he nudged me and I jumped at the touch, disgusted and in great disbelief as I faltered back.

"What? How does this prove anything?" I stuttered, my voice breaking as I took another step away from him.

Unfortunately, he wouldn't let me get away as another step closed in on me. It wasn't long before I pressed onto the wall and he hand one hand on the wall beside me, trapping me. "You want to complete such a task? You want to get revenge on those who have wronged you? You're going to have to be ruthless and leave the pettiness of your emotions behind" he explained.

"And if I don't?" I rasped.

He grinned wickedly. "Then I won't turn you"

Once again, I shook my head in protest, taken back with the audacity of even thinking I would kill the innocent stranger. "I'm not out for blood, I'm out for revenge" I rambled, trying to move away from him but his fingers gripped my arm and pulled me back.

"In order to do that, I can guarantee that you will end up with a lot of blood on your hands" he promised with a roguish glimmer in his eyes. "Furthermore, when you say revenge and justice, what exactly does that entail?" he challenged.

"I-"

Words failed me and I bowed my head, realising I hadn't thought any of this through, which he easily caught. "You don't know" he scoffed.

"Right now, I just need to be prepared" I argued, hating how he seemed to enjoy patronising me. "I don't stand a chance against a vampire-" I tried to plead my case but he only pushed the weapon into my hands.

"Go on" he urged.

I fought against him but he continued to press the cold silver in my hand. "No!"

"Do it"

"I said no!" I growled and surprised everyone in the room, including myself when my rage drove me into digging the dagger into his chest, abruptly cutting off any other encouragements.

Only, he adrenaline rush hastily sank when he stumbled backwards and groaned when slowly pulling the knife out. Jolts of alarm and distress battled within me, only to be struck cold when he menacingly looked up to me.

"She's ready"

A/N: What did you think of this Klaus?

Just to be clear…they basically sedated her and aborted the baby. This took place after the honeymoon when she realises she's pregnant and they come back. Hope that helped clear up any confusion. Continue leaving questions and reviews. Love them all as they inspire me into writing.

Thank you all for being so wonderful and supportive. Your reviews and your follows/favourites are greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank you for nominating me in the Bloodlust Awards. Thank you again and good luck to the other authors who are friends and idols. I look up to all of them and to even be among them, it is a real honour.