Disclaimer: The plot I own. The rest is I do not. All related themes, characters, places etc, are purely coincidental.


AN: Thanks for those who read and reviewed. :) I was inspired by Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.


I smiled as I finished reminiscing that night. Who cares about all the details, the information, the war and all? All I know is that Bella said yes.

And now that she's finished playing, I sat down beside her and kissed the finger with her engagement ring.

As long as nothing was happening yet, I had to make most of all my time with her.


Chapter 3: Black Wings

"You play so beautifully," I crooned as I kissed her hair. She looked up at me and smiled. "Thank you."

"Hey Edward, let's go take a walk. We need more wood anyway," Jasper trailed out of boredom.

I turned to Bella, "Do you mind, love?" She shook her head, "Just don't take too long."

I grinned at her and pulled her in for a kiss. Our mouths melted into each other, then she broke it off, "More of that later." She teased. "Jasper's waiting."

I sighed then headed for the door with Jasper.


Jasper and me ran to the woods. Everything was white and cold…. Dead… like we were. We gathered some wood then Jasper and I started talking.

"I'm sorry to pull you out of the house Edward." Jasper apologized.

"It's okay. You need a break from all the emotions in there. I know we're still all freaked about… well, you know…" I said condolingly.

"But at least the wedding is a welcome distraction for us, not to mention, an official welcome for Bella as part of our family." Jasper said kindly.

I smiled. "I'm sure Alice is having a ball with planning the wedding."

Jasper's eyes brightened up, "She is. She's the only one not anxious about, you know. Oh, I guess you too, Romeo."

"Yeah. I really appreciate the way you guys welcomed Bella into our family. I don't think I could've gotten her to trust me if it weren't for all of your help."

Jasper snickered, "We all know she's good for you, regardless of all the secrets we found out. She makes you happy. And you know we want you to be hap-"

At that instant Jasper and I dropped the wood and sunk into our defensive position, crouched and teeth bared. There was someone there, and reading Jasper's mind, he felt hostility from the vampire – yes – a vampire. His scent gave him away.

"Show yourself!" I growled.

Jasper and I stood our ground as we heard the stranger approach us with slow deliberate steps. Growls and snarls erupted from us. The scent was unfamiliar and was very different… we've never felt this kind of presence before… could this be one of them?

The cold north wind kept on blowing sending down a flurry of snow as the sky darkened with each passing moment. The scene was ominous. I didn't like how this felt.

I held my breath. And with one more step, there he was.

Jasper and me jumped back from astonishment at the unexpectedness of who the foreigner was.

Standing before us, clutching a bleeding arm that was instantly closing up, eyes as violet as melted amethyst glowed in perpetual intensity, raven black-cropped hair, square jaw, snow pale, tall, muscular man if you could call him a man in his twenties, wearing a gray torn collared shirt that was unbuttoned with tattered black pants and a big black bag slung on his broad shoulder was no other than someone who should have been dead for almost a century….

Standing before us, undoubtedly from Bella's drawing was Angel Gray Swan. ­Bella's older brother!

His intense yet indifferent gaze shifted to his wounded arm and we watched as blood retreated to the wound and closed up. Jasper and I could only watch with bated breaths at this unfamiliar creature before us.

He then looked up at us and smiled politely.

"Pleasant evening Mr. Edward Cullen," he said in his low bass voice with a tinge of raspiness amidst the smooth tone while he looked at me then at Jasper, "Mr. Jasper Hale." Then he looked back at me and extended a hand and I struggled to compose myself.

I returned his smile a little warily and shook his hand, "To you as well… Mr. Angel Swan…" I said as polite as I could.

He nodded and smiled more smugly then turned to do the same gesture with Jasper. Jasper like I, tried his best to act civil. We both felt that there was something very wrong about him.

I tried to read his mind but I found that he was blocking me. He didn't block me the same way as Bella could but he knew how to keep his mind silent.

He looked at me appraisingly as I did to him. He was not one of us. And that made me feel slightly uncomfortable.

I broke the awkward silence, "Never did I expect to meet you."

He laughed hollowly, "Ah. But I expected to meet you sooner or later, Edward, seeing as a wedding to my beloved sister will occur." He said casually.

I stiffened, "I see you know about that. Pardon my rudeness but have you been watching Bella? It's not that hard to assume right now."

He laughed again, with humor this time. "Oh dear, such hostility." Then he looked at us apologetically. "My apologies, young sirs." He bowed at us unexpectedly.

Then he straightened up, bent his arm behind his shoulder and opened an eye, "I understand your suspicions of me. But I'm sure you've noticed that I… am not really one of your kind." He said slowly but with a hint of amusement.

I relaxed, "Yes. We did notice that and we did witness your… regeneration…" I said a little apprehensively.

He laughed again then raised his hands in front of him, "I have been following Bella, watching over her. But you see the complication of why I can't make any contact with her. Our kind have eyes at the back of our heads when it comes to these things."

I sighed then folded my arms across my chest. Jasper just stood still and observed. "Why come out now then? And what's with the bleeding?"

His tone changed to that of a serious one, he looked at us with his intense violet eyes again, "To shed some light on Bella's blind years."

I raised an eyebrow at him, "So you know what happened to her during those three missing years?"

He nodded, "You presume correctly." Then he smiled again, and started the evasions, "To answer your second question, I was attacked by a former comrade of mine. I had to fight him off to get to you guys. All is good though."

Jasper looked at him with shock, "You mean to say you've betrayed your kind?"

He sighed and nodded glumly, "Something of that sort. But as long as I don't start a rebellion or join your kind and fight them, no one would come after me. Our kind has always struck at the last possible minute than to risk even more exposure. The elders of our kind have ways of knowing betrayal of exposure. And if one is to come across them, you wouldn't live to tell the tale." He shuddered.

"I see you're not as paranoid as our, elders." Jasper said hesitantly.

"Ah. Yes, yes. The Volturi… " He looked amused again, then shook his head. "Our elders only strike when extremely necessary. Crossing them is something you wouldn't want to do… scary lot they are."

I broke off from his reverie and smiled kindly, "You must be tired. I'm sorry for prolonging our invite to our home. Please do come with us. I'm sure Bella would love to see you."

Jasper's eyes shot at me frantically, Are you serious? I don't trust this guy Edward! I shook my head at him and looked at our visitor's amused face.

"I see that my coming would pose…complications…" Angel said calmly. "We could postpone this arrangement for a more…. Convenient time if you wish…" he offered.

I shook my head at him, "No. Now's a good time. We would love to have you. But would it be okay if I had a word with my brother?"

He grinned, "I don't mind. I'll wait here. I won't listen in, I swear."

I nodded at him, "Wait a moment here please, thanks."

Then Jasper and me sped off for almost ten miles away from Angel and I spoke in the lowest tone I could while Jasper answered with his thoughts.

Are you crazy? Jasper thought sickly. I shook my head. I picked my words carefully, "Think of this in a military aspect. I feel your sentiments too." I said quickly.

Yes. I do feel your distrust with him. Jasper crossed his arms on his chest and thought carefully. Military aspect? Then his eyes lit up and I nodded. I see. What better way to catch a traitor than keeping him under surveillance? I get it now. Okay. Let's take him home. But you do know that if something bad happens… we might end up losing Bella… to him…

I sighed and nodded. "The hawk will hover no matter what we do. So let's at least keep the hawk within close range of the nest."

So that when the hawk strikes, the watchful snakes will move…Jasper finished the thought with a satisfied look on his face then he sighed.

I nodded once, "Let's go back." Jasper grimaced but nodded and we ran back to where Angel waited.


He was sitting on a large boulder and from the looks of it, he cleaned up. He was now wearing a light gray turtleneck sweater and a new pair of black pants.

His violet eyes brightened up from the sight of us and excitedly bounded down from the boulder he sat on.

"Are we leaving now?" He smiled in a friendly matter. Jasper's thoughts reached me and said Angel was beyond excited.

I smiled at him politely, "Yes. I'm sure you know the way."

He laughed deeply, 'I guess I do. But I never go inside a house uninvited. It's against our rules. You must always be invited in.," he laughed again.

"What happens if you do?" I asked curiously.

He squinted with his right eye, "We'll burn." He shrugged. "The great elder placed a mighty curse on our kind. Said that it was an added precaution for us. Go figure." He rolled his eyes and shrugged.

My eyebrows shot up. Amazing, I thought. Their kind could impose rules and curses? They are truly a frightening breed.


When we arrived there was no hostility in the house. No doubt Alice has seen this but I knew she didn't tell anyone who was coming with us. I read her mind from the distance. I was right. She only said that we were coming with a visitor.

When I opened the door, I scanned the hallway. Carlisle came forward with Esme behind him. Emmett and Rosalie cautiously peered from the living room and slowly walked over to us. I could tell Alice and Bella were in me and Bella's room upstairs.

They were all as surprised as Jasper and I was before at the sight of the man behind us.

I made motion to introduce him, "Everyone, this is –

"Angel?" a surprised familiar voice came from the stairway. We all jerked our heads to see the owner of the voice on top of the stairway followed by my pixie like sister, Alice.

"Angel, is that… really you?" Bella said louder and even more bewilderedly.

I looked back at Angel, he was smiling at Bella and outstretched his arms. "Iz… it's me."

Bella gasped and stood frozen for a while clamping her hand to her mouth. Then she somehow relaxed a bit but she had a puzzled look hidden in her eyes.

Angel talked to her much softly now, "Hi sis, it's been a long time. I'm sorry it took eons for me to walk up to you and –."

Like lightning Bella ran in front of Angel, hesitated a bit then proceeded to hug him. Angel looked shocked but then softened his expression as he wrapped his arms around Bella.

Though I still had my doubts about him, I was happy that Bella was happy right now and I know that was also on everyone's mind.

"How did you - ? Why? Where?" Bella had a million questions when she pulled out from their embrace. Yet all she could muster where a string of phrases. I chuckled at her.

Angel held up his hands in surrender. "Hey, easy now. I'll explain everything if you could just calm down please." He cajoled. Then he laughed.

I chuckled again and placed a hand on Bella's shoulder, "He's right you know, love."

Bella scowled at me and released Angel.

Carlisle faked a cough, "Ahem. Why don't we move on to the living room so it's more comfortable? I'm Carlisle Cullen by the way." He said calmly.

Angel nodded and shook hands with Carlisle, "Pleasure to formally meet you doctor."

Carlisle blinked then composed himself as he led everyone to the living room. Angel sat on a large black leather lazy boy in the middle of the room and we all took our place on the loveseats and sofas around the room.

Bella introduced everyone and Angel nodded in recognition. There were mixed thoughts and emotions that Jasper and I felt. Only Alice wasn't surprised. She had seen this coming. I'm going to need to ask her about that.

"Angel… you're one of them… " Bella pointed out sadly.

Angel sighed, "Yes. I am. The blood of my maker still flows through my veins…"

Then he looked at Bella, "This is the reason why I can't come to you right away."

"I… see." Bella murmured.

Angel scanned everyone's faces and left mine for last, then smiled, "Everyone. I am deeply grateful that you met Bella and accepted her as part of your family, especially with a history like that of hers.

"And of course, I am extending my eternal gratitude to you Edward. Your love for her is truly remarkable. I am pleased."

"The pleasure is ours. Bella's not that hard to love." I said warmly then smiled at Bella. She returned it.

He smiled at us then sighed and changed his warm façade to that of seriousness, his piercing violet eyes glinting with the light of the fire from the fireplace.

"I know all of you are curious as to how I am here in front of you. All of you are right on both accounts, I'll give you that."

I raised my brows and paled, "You can read minds?"

He nodded, "Yes. I can see that you are very much on the defensive despite your warm welcome - I cannot blame you. But more of that later."

He leaned back and looked at Bella, "Iz…" his nickname for her, I thought. "When I went out to join the army, I was trained well and I excelled as the top soldier. Not too long, I got promoted and deployed to more challenging missions.

"I was sixteen when I left, you remember? It was five years later that I became who I am now."

He paused and looked at everyone. Satisfied with our intent listening he continued.

"I was sent to France to rescue a political figure. Everything went well. After the successful espionage that I orchestrated, I decided to take a walk and get you something."

Bella looked down and said sadly, "That was the year you were supposed to come back to us…"

Angel smiled sadly, "Yes. That was supposed to be my last mission." He sighed, "To continue, I was walking through one of the jewelry stores and I bought you this…"

He took something from his pocket; it was a red tiny velvet box. He handed it to Bella.

"Go on, open it." Angel urged. Bella nodded and opened the red box. Inside was a silver necklace with an exquisite pendant of a white lily that had a single onyx gemstone on the base of the bud. Bella held up the necklace gingerly in front of her.

"It's pretty…" she said touched. Angel smiled gloriously, "Now it's yours. The hundred years of waiting for the owner has finally come."

Bella held it in her hand. I knew she didn't want to wear it just yet. Considering the story behind it that I was sure was going to be revealed now.

Angel looked a bit disappointed but decided to continue on, his voice had a tinge of sadness in it.

"When I went out the store, I was heading for the boat that was going to bring me home but then I noticed that I was being followed. I walked carefully, mentally noting to myself all the guns and machetes I had with me were in my reach.

"I thought about taking my stalker out right then and there with my rifle but there were too many civilians. So the plan was to lead him to a dark alley, stop and nuke him by surprise.

"Much to my surprise, what I did only made him more advantageous. For when we reached the alley, at the exact moment I stopped, my rifle disappeared from my hands and the next thing I knew I was sprawled on the floor with my right shoulder bleeding from a solitary shot. Then I saw the face of my assaulter…

"He had the most golden hair I had ever seen and he was pale beyond comparison. I could tell he was not human by the way he looked at me with those golden eyes filled with anger.

"I tried to fight him off but I found I couldn't move and he laughed darkly. I knew this was the end of me. He started sneering at me:

"Tsk. Tsk. Poor little soldier, and you have such a beautiful face too… my how many girls would cry for you… hmmm… but I suppose ladies dying for you would be consolation enough?" he cackled again. I didn't know what he meant by ladies dying for me that time, the pain in my arm was too overpowering. He noticed.

"Ah. Are we in pain? That just won't do…" he mocked some more. Then he did something I did not expect… he bit my throat and drew some blood. He stopped because my screams from before alerted my fellow soldiers who came rushing to my aid but they never got close…

Angel closed his eyes and sighed, "My attacker only grew more excited and as fast as lightning he made a gash on his palm and forced me to drink the blood that oozed from it. I had no choice but to swallow the blood with disgust. He controlled me. And in an instant a searing pain engulfed my body and I screamed from this blinding pain…"

Bella flinched and I took her hand. Angel didn't stop, "Then he made it seem that I was being burned alive to my witnesses who I don't think saw what my attacker made me drink. Then out of nowhere he threw another body in my place in that ring of fire – he was another fellow soldier who was stripped from his uniform then he took me to his house."

He placed me in a black coffin and laughed maniacally as I screamed. "It's just your body dying. It will pass soon. Give it a few minutes." He said smoothly.

"The pain and being trapped in that box was hell. Then after a few minutes, all my cuts, bruises and wounds disappeared. I was changed.

"Noticing that I had stopped thrashing and screaming, he lifted the lid of the coffin and smiled down at me."

"Ah." He said. "Welcome to the world of the half living." He said coldly. I made motion to strangle him but he overpowered me all too easily.

"Calm down little Angel. Much as you loathe me now, you're stuck the way you are. You can't be with your little sister anymore and your pathetic aunt. You're a vampire now, and of the best kind. Now be a good soldier and sit down." He said all too casually.

"Why did you do this? And I demand to know who you are!" I yelled at him.

He just laughed some more, "I am the great vampire, Apollo. And I wanted a companion, and you my little soldier, I know your potential. We would make quite a team."

I looked at him disgustingly, "You did this because you were lonely? What a selfish bastard you are." I barked at him. "I have a family to go back to but now they know I died there because of your insufferable stunt."

"Ah yes. Your sister does have potential…" he said thoughtful and I flared up then lunged at him and grabbed him by the collar. He was unfazed and looked down at me with cold blue eyes.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on my sister!" I hissed at him. He just laughed.

"I wasn't going to… yet… you're more than enough but if you wish to go then be my guest." He said maliciously. I knew from that moment on I couldn't leave Apollo. Not when he was planning to change you." Angel looked at Bella and Bella was looking very troubled right now. I wrapped an arm around Bella protectively.

"I didn't leave Apollo. I knew he was going to train me. And I would learn fast so that I could get my chance and destroy him somehow. I learned about the intricacies of our kind and yours." Angel looked at us. "Your kind isn't that inconspicuously hidden as you thought. You may be hidden from the humans but from us you are not."

"But one day, he managed to slip past me. I was still weak by then. Yet I managed to follow him. I grew alarmed when he was headed to our house Izzy. When I arrived there I ran as fast as I could to attack him. But I was already too late."

"Angel, I don't understand… Apollo is from your kind… and I'm… not…" Bella pointed out in a small voice.

"Izzy, it wasn't only me who was too late. It was also Apollo. I knew you would think Apollo was the one who changed you but he wasn't."

"Who then?" I said impatiently. And Angel looked at all of us grimly.

"When I arrived, I was able to attack him as he was about to jump into your window Izzy. When I had him by the collar he quickly pushed me off and raged at me:

"You fool! Now it's really too late! I was here to save your sister!" He hissed and I immediately jumped to your window and stared in shock as I saw him, your maker bit you. I was really too late."

"W-who was it?" Bella asked nervously.

"He was Xerxes. Apollo's twin brother."

We all gasped. "So this brother of him, he was one of us?" I asked in aghast.

Angel's eyes narrowed into slits, "Yes. He is one of you." Angel corrected, "He was changed the same time as Apollo, only by different parents. A result of a marriage of our kind and yours that went to hell."

"So he is still alive…" I muttered angrily.

"Yes. And Izzy," Angel looked at Bella who was trembling right now. "I was the one you caught a glimpse of who pulled Xerxes of off you."

"I… I knew it was you… but still why didn't you come for me?" Bella asked, looking more confused than enlightened.

"Like I said, our elders found out about this and decided that you Isabella, being one of your kind… cannot know the secrets of my kind… and I was forbidden to make any kind of contact with you. If I did, we'd both get killed and I already lost you once. I didn't want you to go through another hell…" Angel explained.

Bella stood up angrily and I tried to restrain her but she shrugged me off, "But then I would've died with you and joined mom and dad!" she yelled at him.

Angel rose but remained calm, "What did you expect me to do? Watch you be dismembered and burned? Or have you watch me turn to stone under the blasted sun?"

"That's better than letting me live my life alone…" Bella whispered then sank down to her seat and into me. I wrapped my arms around her. She was sobbing.

Angel looked at her apologetically, "I was going to come to you, I swear it Izzy! I was only being cautious. I had to plan it very well. But you see, if what happened the night you were changed was revealed to both sides, a war would erupt. Elders of both sides know about your abilities Isabella. And you meeting Sebastian made things even more complicated."

"Why is that?" Bella said as she found her voice again.

"Sebastian was a great friend of Apollo's. And Apollo's mother is one of our elders. If word came out that you shared your knowledge right then and there, you would be culled. I had to go to them and make an appeal. It was a good thing Apollo helped me convince them to spare you."

"But what about now? Both you and I have said to much…" Bella asked worriedly.

"There's nothing to worry about. I came to you now to tell you that a truce has been made between our elders and your Volturi. As long as the treaty stands, no one from both sides can harm the other."

"What are the agreements in this treaty?" Carlisle asked.

"There is only one. Just never reveal the secrets and existence of both races to humans."

"Is it really that simple?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes." Angel nodded.

"So we're still free to fight with your kind and vice versa?"

"Yes. But for the same reason that you kill your own kind. May it be because of territories or grudges? It doesn't matter as long as a reason stands. The important thing is, we don't have to be afraid of revealing ourselves now to your kind without facing the consequences of death."

"I see… so just the exposure then?"

"Yes. That's about it."

"But what about superiority?" Jasper quelled.

Angel shook his head, "Both sides agreed that there is no need to have an epic battle between the immortals over that. You see age made everyone wiser. War is what mortals do that makes them so pathetic. And what good will it bring? We are immortals. The war would go on and on and then what?"

"I see." I agreed but said it all too unconvincingly.

"I understand that you're not as convinced. I am too. Amidst the treaty and all, both sides are out in the hunt recruiting subtlety just in case."

"Angel?"

"Yes sis?"

"What happened to me during those three years that I passed out?" Bella asked meekly but with resolve in her eyes. I looked at Angel, I was also eager to know.

"Isabella. Those three years, well, don't you remember… denying your thirst back then?" Angel said hesitantly.

Bella suddenly looked very uncomfortable and I grew more concerned.

"Izzy… okay let's drop my nickname for you… Bella?" Angel pressed.

Bella just looked down, embarrassed.

"Bella, what is Angel talking about?" I asked her softly but with sternness.

Bella looked up at me then at Angel. Angel sighed and continued.

"If you won't tell them Bells, I will."

"You see, during those thirty years. Bella." Angel looked disapprovingly at Bella, "Bella never drank From the moment you were changed, not a drop of blood touched your lips.."

I looked at Bella with horror. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again.

"Thirty years, Bella? Thirty years?" I glared at her. No wonder she gets tired easily. Her body was making up for all those years.

Bella hung her head in shame and my anger vanished and was replaced with guilt – almost. Then I sighed and softened my expression. "That must've been a hard thirty years of thirst, Bella…"

She nodded. "It was hard but I didn't want to… be a monster…" she murmured slowly.

"So I was right. That the cause was not as grave as we thought to believe." Esme said.

"Hear this now Bella, I crossed all the lines to save you." Angel said glumly. "It wasn't fun. When I saw you pass out I took care of you for three years forcing blood down your throat. Then when I noticed that you were about to wake up, I took you back to Chicago. I had to take you away as far away from Europe as possible. It was the first place I could think of."

"Then I left and boy, did the elders have a field day with me!" Angel said gruffly.

Bella looked guilty, "I'm sorry. It was foolish but I only did that in hopes of dying… nothing else worked… and the more I denied my thirst…. the more I felt weaker and weaker… I figured this might work…"

Angel softened his gaze at Bella, "I know, I know. It's okay, it happened. It's done." Angel consoled.

But there was something missing. "After that, that's when you decided to satiate your thirst, Bella?" I asked her.

She thought deeply, "I didn't know that I had fed while I was asleep… but at that time… I just felt the urge to drink…. It was uncontrollable, this thirst! I knew I had to stop denying myself, I was still alive after all… I figured I really couldn't die…"

"Um…" Angel started.

We turned to him. He looked uneasy, "Sorry. That was my fault. Bells when you passed out, well, I have the power of suggestion to incapacitated people or vampires for that matter. You could say I planted the seed…heh…"

Bella glared at him then sighed, "All's well… I suppose…"

Angel tried to shift the mood, "Now enough about the past. What's done is done, I always say. And you young lady forgot to invite a certain someone to a certain event that's going to happen…" he said slyly, but it felt eerily evasive for him. I'm still not convinced with him. But it's better to play a long for now. I heard from Alice's mind that she saw Angel telling Bella that he can't read my mind. This was good.

Bella looked surprised but happy then shy all of a sudden, "Oh right… you would know… so um… Angel I would love it if you would give me away for my wedding with Edward…"

Angel's amethyst eyes glowed with pride, "I would love too dear sister." Then he looked at me. "Me and you need to spend time together then, my dearest brother-in-law."

I sighed and continued to play along, "Anytime."

After that, we were all engaged in conversation with the newcomer. He explained and showed some of the things that Bella mentioned their kind could do.

Everyone thought about how wonderful the timing was for Angel's arrival. Even Jasper dropped his defenses for the time being. He too was absorbed with this new creature's capacities.

But deep down, I wasn't convinced. The timing is too precise. I didn't trust him. Not one bit. But for Bella's sake, I couldn't say anything.

All I could do is keep an eye out.

I stared at the black haired guest who was engulfed in an atmosphere of curiosity and fascination. He was well received by his audience, especially from the one who mattered most – Bella.

I hope from the deepest recesses of my existence that I was wrong. For the only one that stands to being the one who'll hurt the most was Bella.

Bella, my fiancée…

Bella who is due to be married to me on the 8th of December here in Alaska…

I swear that nothing – nothing­ can take Away Bella from me. I swear it.


AN: How will the appearance of Bella's long lost supposed to be dead brother affect the family? Now that brother dear's giving away Bella at her and Edward's wedding, how would Edward's suspicions fit in? The timing is perfect. but for whom? Stay tuned. I'll try to update as soon as I can.

Do read White Lilies before reading this so that you'll understand it better. Reviews and critiques are very much welcome. Tell me if you want more and I'll update sooner. Thanks!