It's been awhile since I've updated this story. I've been working so hard on Following Fate that I've neglected this story. I had an inspiration and managed another chapter. Hope you like. Don't own Twilight.

Johona POV

So there I was, following a pair of vampires back to their lair so they could take a sample of my blood.

There were so many things wrong with that statement I didn't know where to begin. First, I was following vampires. More importantly, I was following a pair of vampires, without the intention of killing either of them. Second, I was going to allow them to take a sample of my blood. That tiny voice in my head was screaming itself hoarse right now. It was saying 'What the fuck on gods green earth are you doing! Go find your damn head, screw the fucker back on, kill the vampires like a good little shapeshifter, then move the fuck on with your life!'. Unfortunately, I was currently ignoring that little voice. I had squished it under my desire to once again be able to shift without pain.

The only thing I could find the mind power to think, at the moment, was that I really hoped the vampire doc used a needle to take the blood, not his teeth.

Just goes to show that even my unconscious self had a sick and twisted sense of humor. Not to mention that my inner voice had a bit of a potty mouth.

It only took a few minutes to get to the cabin. It was a nice place. The vampires got there about a minute before I did, so I got a chance to size them up before joining them on the porch. Something had been buggin' me since we met and I wasn't sure what it was until I saw them waiting for me...they looked human.

Usually, you could pick a vampire out of a crowd of humans easily, if you knew what to look for. Besides the red eyes and pale skin, they just didn't look right. They didn't blink enough, didn't breath enough, they stood too ridged and too still. You could just tell they didn't belong. These vamps were different. They both blinked and breathed like a human would. They also moved and fidgeted like humans who were waiting patiently. Carlisle was lightly tapping the railing of the porch, while his wife ran her fingers through her hair. They just looked like two people standing out on their deck. It wasn't until you got closer that you begin to feel the slight sense of fear everyone got from being that close to a predator. It was an unconscious thing for most people. These vamps didn't give off as much of a 'stay away' vibe as most do, but it was still there subtly under the surface.

I reached the deck, shifting back to human form next to the stairs. I used the railing as support, clenching my teeth against the burning. I kept my eyes on the vampires and once again they seems to have worried looks on their faces. It was like they had to fight not to run over and support me while the burning ran it's course. Taking a deep breath, I joined them on the deck. Carlisle ushered me towards the door.

"Please, come in. I have the supplies in my emergency kit to take a blood sample." He stepped in first, followed by his wife, as I brought up the rear. They didn't seem to mind me being at their backs or mind that I didn't trust them to be at mine. I followed them into the kitchen, taking a seat with Esme as Carlisle ran upstairs at vampire speed. He returned moments later with a small vial, a syringe, an alcohol swab, a cotton ball and a rubber band to go around my arm. It certainly looked like he knew what he was doing. He sat in front of me, preparing to start the procedure. I held up my hand.

"You and your wife will be OK with my blood being out and about, right?" I asked, looking between them. "It would be very unpleasant to have my blood be liking ringing a dinner bell."

Carlisle chuckled. "We both have very tight control. Besides, in my experience with shapeshifters, your blood will probably hold no attraction to us."

"Alrighty then. Have at me." I replied, sticking my arm out so the doc could take his blood sample. The whole process took less than a minute, so I didn't have time to change my mind. He found my vein first try and had the blood in the vial before I could even register the prick of the needle. Damn, he was good. He held the vial up to his eye, examining it closely.

"Well, its appearance looks normal." He looked up at me. "I'll need to go over to the hospital and examine it before I will know if your pain is being caused by your blood." He looked over to Esme with a concerned expression on his face. "Will you be OK here for an hour or so?" He asked.

"We'll be fine here, dear." She looked over at me. "If she wanted to kill us, I have a feeling she would have done it back in the woods. You go and see what you can discover." Esme's voice was calm and reassuring. Carlisle smiled at her, then grabbed his keys from the kitchen counter and headed out the front door. I called to him before he left.

"You are going to be careful with that blood, right?"

"Not to worry, Johona. You're secret is safe with me as long as ours is safe with you."

I sighed and nodded. He nodded back and left the house.

"Well..." Esme got up from her seat. "Would you like something to drink? Water, coffee, soda, iced tea?"

I gave her a look like she had just grown a second head. "You have refreshments in the house? That's kinda unusual for a vampire, isn't it?"

"It's true we don't eat or drink, but when you live around humans, you need to be prepared. I keep just a few things around just in case we have humans come by for some reason. It's become more of a necessity these days, since we have a half vampire and a shapeshifter in our family, so I'm use to keeping human food around anyway."

"In that case, I'll have an Iced Tea. Thank you. It surprises me that you actually live with others who are not vamps." I replied, taking the glass she offered me.

Esme nodded in understanding as she returned to her seat. "It's a long story. We are a very unique coven, that is true."

I took a sip of my tea and to my surprise, it was good. "Well, I guess since we have time, can I ask some more questions? I mean, you're the first vampires I've met like you. I'm curious."

"Certainly, dear. Ask anything."

Where to start, where to start.

"First off, you're husband said back in the woods that both of you and your coven are all animal drinkers. How many of you are there?"

Esme smiled at the mention of her coven. "There are 11 of us total in our family. All of the vampires are animal drinkers, or as we call ourselves, vegetarians. Some of us have been this way from the beginning. Like Carlisle, for example, he's never fed off a human."

I was shocked. "Really? Never? Not once, even by accident?"

"Nope, not in almost 400 years. He was turned by a vampire who was running away, so he was entirely alone when he turned. He knew what he was and was terrified he might hurt someone, so he kept away from humans. By accident he discovered that he could survive on animal blood, that he didn't have to be a monster. From that day forward, he ate animals and passed his knowledge on to every vampire he's made or who has decided to join us on their own. Of course, there have been slip ups, particularly as newborns or when first trying to switch from human to animal, but for the most part we do well at keeping to the diet."

"Why?" I asked, truly confused. "Why would a vampire want to eat only animal blood when the temptation to eat human blood has to be powerful."

Esme looked at me, confused as well.

"I mean, I know it's an ethical choice, but there has to be other reasons. I can't imagine that animal blood tastes better than human blood."

"There are other reasons." Esme tried to explain. "Having gold eyes and an ability to be around humans allows us to live in a area for 10-15 years. We can live more/less normal lives. We can contribute to society. Carlisle works at the hospital. He's been a doctor for most of his existence and finds a great deal of happiness in the work. Most of the vampires in our family were turned at a younger age, late teens to early twenties. They go to high school or college as our adoptive kids. I can volunteer for charities or restore historic buildings. We live as a family as normally as we can. Once be begin to stop looking our ages, we pick up and move to another place, with new identities. We all find it very fulfilling."

"Wow, I really don't know what to say." I was beyond astonished. "I never realized it was possible for vampires to be truly civilized around humans." I continued to look directly into her eyes. "You're being completely honest with me, too, aren't you?"

"Yes. I'm very proud of my family." She paused for a moment, then continued. "Can I ask you something?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "You've answered my questions, I might as well answer some of yours. What do you want to know?"

To Be Continued...

Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think.