Disclaimer: I do not own any of Stephenie Meyer's characters – only my own.

Chapter Four: Forever's Fallen
21st of January

"Tamina, dearest, come away from the window. It's cold and you're becoming pale," Pandora–Goddess of Summertime–whispered gently and placed her summery warm touch on Tamina, reversing her pale complexion into olive and breathing heat back into Tamina's body.

Tamina remained in a trance as she gazed upon the earth from their kingdom's almighty mountains. She saw the mortal village down below, the tiny beings busily working at good pace. Her amber eyes then moved behind the spellbound gates, which hid Treya from human sight, and saw hundreds of Dovebloods practicing their magic peacefully.

They were elegant, tranquil creatures and they'd all grown used to magically wielding the earth's elements for practical chores. Tamina noticed one washing pots via generating a stream of fresh water in midair and another was drying those dishes by creating a gentle–yet sturdy–whirlwind that picked up the wet pots, ran them through the vortex of air and placed them down perfectly dry.

Some Dovebloods practiced self-defence with each other. Using torrents of light generated by the sun to make fire balls, they'd manipulate the elements to their own accord in almost a dance of battle. In Treya, peace was kept and Dovebloods would rarely quarrel. Alas, the outside world was somewhat different and there was always a battle to divide or an innocent to defend.

"Tamina?" Pandora repeated carefully, nudging Tamina's shoulder and her big sister jumped.

Tamina met Pandora's innocent, chestnut brown eyes and smiled warmly. Pandora's hair was thick, straight and ash-blonde and her skin was pale and delicate. She was also petite, slender, and a few inches shorter than the other three sisters. Pandora was considered the youngest of the Four.

All four sisters were entirely different. Antheia had skin of a moonless midnight, Pandora of vanilla ice-cream, Tamina of a rich sunset and Thalassa of polished copper. Yes, their appearances were extremely diverse and they weren't born of the same mother, though they'd called each other sisters for centuries. Antheia's origin was considered African, Pandora's European, Thalassa's Hawaiian and Tamina's Caribbean.

Alas, nothing was ever clear with the four pieces of Mother Nature.

"Oh, I'm sorry...my thoughts ran away with me again," Tamina apologised, blinking.

Pandora frowned questioningly. "Is something bothering you, sister?"

"No, of course not. You know me, Pandora; I'm always like this at wintertime. My powers go into hibernation for three months and I become tired from spring's lack of usage. I guess, I am just charging my batteries in a sense."

Pandora nodded understandingly, smiling and placing a kiss on her big sister's temple. "Very well."

Tamina sighed. "When will Antheia return home again?"

"March," Pandora replied with a bright smile. "And then you can go out into the world and start blooming the Northern Hemisphere while Thalassa will begin shedding autumn over the Southern. Only a few more weeks, Tamina."

"I miss her," Tamina whispered wearily.

"And we will all miss you when you leave, too, sister," Pandora smiled with glistening eyes.

Tamina couldn't have asked for three more beautiful soul sisters. They were all gentle and caring, with not an ounce of judgment to ever cast. And to think she would've been the wife and queen of Caius Volturi for nearly half a millennia by now. The very notion of it all made her sick! However, Tamina smiled in return. "I can visit Dusk again and see how she fairs with her newfound powers."

"Ah, yes, your descendant," Pandora nodded in recollection. "When did you last speak with her?"

"Nearly a week ago," Tamina said with a sigh. "She's been suffering terribly and I wish I could help her more. But, I fear, if I teach her too much...I won't be concentrating on my main priority, which is springtime."

"Perhaps she could help you begin spring," Pandora suggested eagerly. "You'd have help, company and be able to teach the poor thing how to defend herself a little better. I've seen her through our mirror and she seems so...helpless."

"Dusk isn't exactly helpless," Tamina countered calmly. "She's merely...overly cautious."

Pandora nodded heavy-heartedly, approaching Tamina's door and exiting her room just as quietly. "Maybe. Well, goodnight, sister. Sleep peacefully and wake me if you have any more bad dreams. I'll write them down for you."

Silence settled over Tamina's surroundings and she swiftly noticed that the sun was setting, too, casting a calm eeriness over Treya. Dovebloods were gathering their things and readying for nightfall. Some ventured into the outside world to fetch herbal supplies and others shared supper. Tamina didn't feel like joining her sisters in the woodlands, where they'd assemble and eat.

"You're having bad dreams again?" A smooth, velvety voice announced himself with a curious question and emerged from the corner of Tamina's chambers. "I still reminisce the nights when I'd watch you sleep in my arms by the river. I envy your immortality. You sleep and eat and can reproduce and you do not age a day!"

Tamina recognised his Greek, vampiric accent instantly. She didn't need to glimpse his pale, distinctive features to know it was him. Nor did she have to touch his silky, snow-white, shoulder-length hair – she'd weaved her fingers through his platinum-blonde mane enough times to recall every defined detail.

"It has been a long time, Tamina," Caius smiled at his last chance of a peaceful, just life. As usual, the last flash of humanity would strike up in his motionless nature whenever he'd notice Tamina's chest rise and fall with oxygen and life and he'd marvel at her natural, olive skin which seemed iridescent within the sunset's blinding rays.

Amber met ruby when their eyes locked.

His graceful, angelic appearance of three millennia hadn't shifted an inch since Tamina last laid eyes on him. Caius's eyes had returned to blood-red, as she expected of him to do. He had no willpower against the sweet temptation of human blood. "Immortality comes with a price, some more dearer than others of course," Tamina's words were bittersweet and her expression was kind with a cruel manner. "And it has been a long time, Caius."

The Volturi king blurred towards the Doveblood queen in less than a heartbeat, clasping her delicate hands in his. Gazing down at the simple, silver, stainless band around her ring finger, Caius marvelled at how long it had been on. Against her olive skin, Tamina's wedding ring was brilliant and vividly pale...and Caius never regretted that single century of married bliss. Though they were no longer considered married, love eternally bloomed between the two ancients.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"The werewolves have declared war against our kind. We need to gather as many troops as possible. I know you have a mortal descendant who is connected to the shape-shifters. They could win us this war, Tamina. I need your help."

"You wish me to help you slaughter hundreds of men?" Tamina raised her eyebrows. "It seems the centuries of our separation have tainted your memory of me, Caius. My goal is to stop your wretched feuding with the Children of the Moon. Remember, last time-"

"This isn't like last time, Tamina!" Caius exclaimed forcefully. "Where we threaten a fearsome battle and yet not a drop of blood or ash is shed. There will be a war. Ask any being with promotions on this planet! A war is haunting our near distant futures and lives will be lost. Hundreds, Tamina, including mine."

A breath caught in Tamina's throat and her chest tightened agonisingly. Yes, the immortal couple hadn't been together in seven centuries – being apart kept them sane, but loosing each other eternally was a pain neither could handle. "What...?" She whispered, her voice broken, shards of her broken heart cascading from her eyes.

"All immortal kinds will be revealed. We will be forced to come out of hiding."

Tamina's bottom lip began to quiver and she looked away from her husband, with her mind swarming. "My dreams...the nightmares. I didn't want to believe any of it, but I should've known better. I dreamt the Volturi had fallen and you...you left me. You were killed with a Doveblood's stake, y-you all were. I don't think I'd ever woken up so terrified. Caius, this can't happen! Mortal ignorance is what keeps our world balanced."

"Persia will expose their kind! And who knows what race will follow – the Kingdom of Marilia, Tatiana's Realm, the Dragon-bloods?" Marilia was a mermaid kingdom hidden in cavernous ravines of the ocean and Tatiana's Realm was the magically veiled world of fairies. "Tamina, we vampires are not fighting for power or control. We are fighting to keep the immortals concealed. You must help us."

"I will not assist you, Caius!" Tamina snapped breathlessly. "I will, however, inform Marilia and Tatiana of Persia's decision and they will choose how to keep hidden. If the werewolves reveal themselves, it doesn't mean a war will immediately break loose. Caius, think rashly – at least try to reason with the werewolves."

"They are our sworn enemies, Tamina, and you expect us to be nice when their greatest defences are up? How irrational and naive are you, exactly?" Caius demanded incredulously and rather rhetorically.

Tamina glared into her husband's condescending eyes, looking upon her if she didn't know the first thing of battle strategies. She felt an urge to haul him away with some mystical force, perhaps crash him into the wall with a little jolt of magic to keep him in line.

That passion she'd often given into so long ago–times when she'd channel her frustration into angry outbursts of magic that could've left a human crushed–was strong in Tamina's veins and she was ready to raise her hands and let the white beams of light strike the vampire down. Alas, the peacekeeping queen decided against her defensive approach and sighed wearily. She wasn't three hundred years old anymore...

Turning away from Caius, Tamina's mind was busy calculating the steps she'd have to take to protect her people and her sisters and her descendants. She swallowed audibly, beginning to pace the room with Caius watching her vigilantly. Her eyes were dark, filled with unease and fret.

"Don't do anything yet," She finally announced, peering up at Caius gravely. "Don't attack or kill or plunder yet. At least let us try, Caius. Let the Dovebloods try to make the Children of the Moon see sense. Queen Lira Orion is a knowledgeable woman with a family and two daughters. She'd never put her people at such risk. She wants peace...unlike her father, King Rafael. And mortal ignorance is what keeps her youngest daughter safe."

"Do as you wish, Tamina," Caius shrugged nonchalantly, giving her a knowing half-smile. "But my brothers and I will do as we see fit when the time comes. I, too, have loved ones I hope to protect," He gave her a pointed look and Tamina knew Caius was referring to her. Tamina's heart–battered and broken after so many decades of adoring and trusting and despising and separating from him–fluttered ever so slightly at the feeling Caius's protective eyes cast over her.

Dusk Malveya's POV
14th of January

Reality caught up with me once I bashed my head against the closed elevator doors from backing up too many steps. My hand shot to the elevator buttons and I pushed UP as subtly as I could, keeping my face blank of expression. The doors opened and I instantly stepped inside, relieved with eyes wide.

As soon as I tore away from our handshake, Sienna's features looked totally human again...just as I'd feared. Though, she seemed confused with my sudden display of silent caution. Did she honestly think I couldn't see what was underneath her skin-deep mask? Did she even know I was a Doveblood? Lord, I couldn't let Jacob tell her or Sienna would have me for dinner this evening!

However, those topaz orbs were etched into my mind and I couldn't make myself believe that golden eyes were capable of torture. Jacob had informed me on numerous occasions that topaz eyes meant they were vegetarian vampires and caused no harm to humans. It was red-eyed vampires that chilled me to the bone. Those icy, lustful rubies made of blood were deathly...

Alas, Sienna was a vampire that looked human and meant only one thing: she drank from human Dovebloods.

"Dusk, are you alright?" Jacob asked worriedly and frowned.

"Yeah," I blinked rapidly, swallowing down the fear in my voice. If this were the movies, people would've thought my words comical! "Yeah...I-I'm fine. I'm really, really good. I'm...I'm going to check on my mother now. Uh, it was nice to see you again, Sienna. And, Jacob...I-I..." Stating that I'd be brutally butchering him for dropping this irrevocable bombshell into our lives would've been a bit of a harsh remark, wouldn't it? "I'll talk to you when we can...talk."

A flash of severe dread sprang through Jacob's eyes and he nodded wordlessly as the elevator doors closed. Sienna smiled tightly and I returned the gracious expression, only to callously glare when the silver polished doors closed before me and I was left alone, cursing Jacob out in my thoughts.

"Dusk, what's wrong?" My mother demanded as soon as I burst into her room with a heated expression. I huffed furiously, my fists clenching and growled under my breath. I stormed towards the windowsill beside my mother's bed and slumped down next to her. Her eyes widened when she noticed how flushed and flustered I was. She clasped my hand immediately, squeezing it subtly.

"Its Jacob's birthday," I muttered with narrowed eyes, staring out of the room's window.

"His birthday today?" My mother repeated in surprise. "When did he tell you?"

"He didn't tell me," I hissed and my teeth gritted. "Sienna Swan did."

"Sienna, Zachary's half-sister," Mum's eyebrows shot up. "She's here in the hospital?"

"How do you know about her?" I exclaimed, shooting my mother a hurt expression.

"Sue talks about her all the time. I remember Sienna, yes...but she disappeared after you turned eight and I never got to thank her for taking such good care of you. Where is she now?"

Panic welled up in my eyes and my thoughts screamed 'vampire' again. "Mum, I don't think you should bother Sienna. She's...uh, changed," I blurted out desperately.

"How so? Didn't she tell you it was Jacob's birthday? I think that's a very nice gesture, Dusk," Mum smiled genuinely.

My stare became a glare and my gritted teeth tightened. Apprehension flowed as I went through acceptable excuses I could throw at my mother. If there was one thing I couldn't possibly let happen, it was letting a vampire look my family straight in the eyes. "I-I guess..." I murmured thoughtfully. "Maybe...but I just think-"

"Why is she here anyway?" Mum queried curiously. "Sue told me she moved up to Alaska with her sister, Bella, and stepbrother Seth. Is she here for a sick relation? Oh, I hope everyone's alright! Maybe I should call Sue..."

"I'm sure everything's fine, Mum," I assured with a soft smile. "And I don't know why Swan's here, but I think you need your rest and-" I looked down at Mum's bedside table to find a thick book with the title Big Book of Baby Names. "-what is that?"

Mum followed my gaze and grinned in acknowledgment, picking up the book and placing it in her lap. "Oh, well, since I'm three months now...I decided that I should start looking for names. Your father doesn't want anything to do with it, of course, but I know I want a name decided before the baby's born."

I blinked, swallowing back the sudden fear of losing my mother again, and smiled awkwardly. What was I supposed to say? The doctors always reminded my mother that she wouldn't be able to make it by her last semester. The cancer in her lungs would be too toxic to the rest of her body. What was I supposed to say? Nothing, I decided, and went with that conclusion. But my distant, uncomfortable smile remained.

"If it is a boy, I want a biblical name like your brothers'," Mum continued. "However, if it's a girl, I want a very unusual name...like you and your sister's. Alas, I haven't been able to find anything really gripping. I want a name that describes my pregnancy and birth."

"Death, then? That's a very unusual name which explains your pregnancy well."

My mother glared crossly and snapped, "That's not funny, Dusk."

My mother's irritated, baby-blue eyes–rimmed with sadness and grief and fear–forced me to apologise for my smartass remark. I was usually a considerate person, but sometimes my stubbornness dragged me out of line. "I'm sorry, Mum...that was really mean of me. I shouldn't be so cruel to my little sibling."

Mum smiled at my gentle words and lifted her singlet top to expose her ever so slightly swollen belly. "And I'm starting to show now. A little bean bump, Dusk. See?"

Mum's statement rang true. There was a little protrusion in my mother's lower abdomen, indicating that the baby was growing well. I was thrilled to see the first signs of my little brother or sister, though it also frightened me. When tears threatened my eyelashes, I couldn't dictate whether they were tears of heartbreak or joy. "Wow, beautiful. I never noticed how amazing it is until now. There's something blooming in there."

Mum bit her lip and nodded, placing a hand at the bottom of her abdomen and laughing softly. Her fingers affectionately patted her tummy and I could see the glint of excitement in her eyes. I truly respected my mother for her strength and courage. "Hmm, Bloom. That's a nice girl's name. What do you think, Dusk?"

"Bloom is also the name of a fairy from the show Winx Club, Mum," I smirked, rolling my eyes.

"I remember that show!" Mum laughed musically. "But, hey, you share your first name with a vampire from Skulduggery Pleasant," My body tensed at that fact...no matter how fictional that supernatural series was. "Matthew loves that series, you know, he reads it religiously! Your father will have to get him the following novel soon. Though, Bloom would fit the situation. Her big sister's a bit of a fairy, right?"

I shrugged as nonchalantly as I could. "I guess you could call me a fairy. I prefer it to witch."

Mum frowned at my thoughtful expression. "I never got to ask how you're going with all of that. Being a...a Doveblood. That's what they're called, right? I never really asked your grandmother much about that stuff. To be honest, it chilled me to the bone. No one's trying to hurt you anymore, right?"

Words faltered and lies threatened my still lips. Telling Mum the truth would mean one more person to protect with anything I could muster. It was hard enough trying to keep Sarah, Joanne and Kallista alive without panicking fretfully.

"No, everything's fine," I forced a smile. "I mean, I think I just want to concentrate on helping you get better though. Sarah-Isabelle is having problems with her biological mother for the first time. And trying to settle things down with Jacob is hard when there's always something threatening to tear us apart again."

"How long have you been together?"

"Barely two weeks," I laughed half-heatedly. "But it feels like two seconds! We never get any, I don't know, real alone time."

"Two to four weeks are the hardest part. Then you go into the honeymoon period. Well, I've only had one man in my life...but that's what I've gathered from more than twenty years of marriage," Mum chuckled. "And from Aria's football flings at school."

I laughed genuinely this time, my heart not feeling so heavy. "Yeah, three weeks is her maximum with a guy. Seriously, that girl goes through guys quicker than Kim Kardashian!"

"Oh, Dusk, don't go cursing that on her!" Mum laughed in unison with me. "She'll never find a stable relationship at that rate. I do like Zachary, though. He's a sweet boy, very respectful and not defined by his disability. I don't want Aria going out with him, though; she'll ruin what they already have. Until Aria's mature enough to understand what love really means, I don't want her going anywhere with him romantically because...Zachary might just might be her match."

"He's quiet," I remarked and tilted my head in thought. "But I respect what he did for Aria. Asking his family for money to buy tickets to fly to Colorado all alone was very brave. There aren't many friends who will go to those lengths."

"Just imagine it – Mrs. Aria Aisha Swan. Has a good ring to it, doesn't it?"

"Mum!" I groaned, incredulous, with a roll of my eyes. "Seriously? What grade are you in? Ugh, it must be the pregnancy hormones! Is it weird for a male and female friendship to just remain platonic? Maybe they don't want to get tangled up in this relationship crap!"

My mother frowned. "Are you saying you wish you never wanted this relationship with Jacob?"

I shook my head immediately. "No, of course not! I love Jacob so much...but I just feel lost, too. There's so much he hasn't told me and I feel like he knows everything about me and...and I know nothing about him. It...It's confusing, it hurts me and that makes me feel weak. Every fibre of my being trusts him, yet sometimes I feel like running scared."

"What do you know about Jacob, sweetheart?" Mum asked quietly. "Things only about him."

I didn't need to think twice to remember habits I'd always notice about Jacob. I smiled at the memory of walking into his presence for the second time in BlackSwan's kitchen. With my arm hooked around Sarah's shoulders, I remembered meeting those midnight black eyes and that same spark threatened my untouched heart – even after knowing him a whole of ten minutes.

Mr Black's tall, manly frame was leaning against the kitchen counter as he read his paper silently – his bulky stature hidden underneath his smart, navy blue suit. He looked up from his paper, his eyes meeting mine, a spark of electricity gliding through our eye contact. He stared at me for a short moment, almost seeming to be considering his words. "She's not company, Imogene," He shrugged nonchalantly. "She's the nanny."

"He likes black coffee with a fresh newspaper in the morning. He used to drink herbal remedy tea, as weird as that sounds," Then again, Imogene had poisoned it with a strange, green gloop that mystically controlled people. I presumed Imogene forced Jacob into compliance. "He has two sisters, I think...who he rarely calls. He lost his mother when he was nine, his father when Sarah was seven and he keeps their ashes in a small, flower garden in the backyard..."

My mother nodded for me to continue, looking intrigued.

"On New Year's Eve, every year, he goes outside and sits with his parents, watching the midnight fireworks in the forest behind his property. He used to wear suits everywhere, but now he just prefers jeans and a t-shirt. And when he's frustrated or upset about something, he locks himself in his garage with the radio blaring and tinkers with his cars to clear his head. He has a habit of keeping things to himself."

Mum seemed lost in thought, frowning. Alas, before she could reply, our conversation was cut off by the clearing of a throat and the awkward knock of a door. Both my mother and I glanced up to see Dad and Jacob standing by the entrance with hesitant expressions.

"Saffron," My father beckoned Mum towards him quietly. "Love, will you come outside for a moment? The doctor wishes to examine you now."

"Who?" Mum questioned suspiciously and arched her eyebrow. "Haven't I seen Dr. Prince already?"

"Uh, no. Dr. Swan, she's visiting from Alaska, has volunteered to scan your illness. She's preparing an ultrasound now, going to take a look at the baby. Jacob was nice enough to request her presence here at the hospital and perform a sonogram, maybe a few more tests. She wants to see if she can help us in our...uh, sticky situation."

Mum sighed and placed her baby book back onto the bedside table. Rising from her bed, still frail and unstable, she let her singlet fall back over her bloated tummy and remarked, "Maurice, I know she'll say what all the others have. She'll mention high risks, statistics and end with medical recommendations that'll traumatise all of us. However, I would like to see Sienna again. It's been such a long time and Sue will get out of kick our reunion. Coming, Dusk?"

I blinked rapidly again and suddenly gripped my mother's arm, desperate to keep her distanced from the vampire. "No! Um, Mum...are you sure you're up to this? I mean, you've been doing so well and this kind of stress might be straining on your lungs and...and eventually your heart," I stammered.

Mum smiled wistfully. "Oh, Dusk, it's just a sonogram and I've learned to block out doctor's advice. But I want you to hear your sibling's heartbeat, though. Please come, honey."

"Wait," Jacob intervened abruptly and my father shot him a threatening look. "I mean, uh, I just need to talk to Dusk for a moment. Then, sure, she can go with you. It's a bit urgent."

I gave Jacob a cold look, my hot anger returned and I said through gritted teeth, "There's nothing to talk about."

"You listen to me, Black-" Dad began angrily, only to have my composed mother place a hand on his chest and smile pleasantly.

Interrupting him, Mum said: "Now, now, Maurice. If Dusk's boyfriend needs to talk with her, then let him. I'm sure it's important and it'll only take a moment, right?"

Jacob nodded immediately. "Of course, Mrs. Malveya. I won't take up too much of her time at all."

"Oh, good," Mum smiled graciously with a Mona Lisa disposition shadowing her real thoughts and clasped Dad's hand, leading my fuming father out of the hospital room and down the hall silently.

Jacob sighed in relief, closing his eyes and seeming to compose himself in merely a moment. Discretely shutting the door once my parents left, Jacob opened his eyes and peered at me from across the room. I stood up and was irritably glaring at him with the volcano of a mood.

"Dusk, let me explain," He began with a surrendering gesture.

"Explain what?" I exploded, suddenly furious and overwhelmed with impulsive emotions.

"Look, I asked Sienna to come because she's a doctor and a damn good one."

"And she's a vampire, Jacob!" I added, throwing my head back. "You invited a vampire into Forks when you know the last thing I want to do is drag my family into our mess. And you do just that because she's a doctor?"

Jacob stepped forward a few paces. "Dusk, I promise, the last I want to do is bring your family into everything that's happening. But Sienna Swan is an amazing person with phenomenal gifts. I asked her to come because...because your mother is on death-row and I only know one person who might actually cure her without using any sort of magic. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"I don't want a vampire going anywhere near my family!" I bit back.

"Even if she saves your mother from death?" Jacob's voice rose noticeably. "I tell now, Dusk, if I could've asked a vampire to save my mother from that car crash when I was nine, I would have done it in less than a second! Sienna is a good person – she's...she's actually remarkable. She never wanted to be a monster and she's not. She's not a monster and I've just realised that recently. Dusk, Sienna can help your mother and she said she'd try even harder for us. Just give her a chance, please?"

The sting of jealousy in my heart was hard to ignore when I saw Jacob's eyes soften dreamily at the mention of Swan. "But she drinks Doveblood, Jacob. Doesn't that...worry you? She's killed innocent people for a mere mask of humanity! Does that matter to you? Or is seeing your long lost friend more important?" I didn't mean to be harsh, but the sharp note in my tone was hard to ignore.

"Dusk, what are talking about? Sienna is in the Cullen Clan, which means she's a vegetarian...drinks only animal blood, remember? She didn't even know witches existed until I explained Dovebloods and Dragon-bloods. She doesn't know the affects of drinking it, either."

I gaped at him, puzzled. "Then...then why does she look human? When I shook her hand, like always, I saw the vampirism underneath."

"Oh...well, being a Doveblood must mean you can cut through her visual illusions. I never notice her vampirism anymore. It helps with talking to her, you know? She's getting really good at shielding herself."

"Illusions?" I repeated bewilderedly.

"Sienna has a special, mental gift...like her sister, Bella. Very rare in the vampire world. She can cast different facial illusions over herself and pretend to be someone else. It's amazing, actually. Most of the time she looks like herself...except she portrays herself as the Sienna before she was changed into a vampire. She doesn't enjoy being a leech and appearing human is her only escape, I guess. The Cullens are really supportive but..." He trailed off, averting his gaze.

I suddenly felt like a terrible fool. I bit my lip, sensing the urge to apologise to Sienna for my standoffish behaviour. Flashing back to the kind and sweet Sienna of my past, I decided that she wouldn't be capable of such treachery. Sienna was a good person, yes, and wanting to appear human made sense in the vampire world now.

Come to think of it, maybe that's why some vampires drank Doveblood. Not only to camouflage themselves in the human world, but to also revive the memories of not being a monster. Looking into the mirror and seeing an ordinary person may pose as some kind of hope or reassurance that they weren't actually the devil reincarnate.

"Did you honestly think I'd let a Doveblood drinking vampire come within even a foot of you without ripping his head off, Dusk?" Jacob smirked.

"That'd be impossible, Jacob," I tsked with a raised eyebrow, "You wouldn't know the difference between a human and vampire. What if you ripped off the wrong head?"

"That's what terrifies me the most. The fact that–while with all my gifts and heightened senses and mighty strengths–I'm in love with the one woman who can make my performance on the task of protecting mankind imperfect. Your blood can trick my kind. We can miss them now, you know. It'll catch on–drinking Doveblood, I mean–and soon we shape-shifters will be useless. You'll be in the worst kind of danger yet and I won't be able to protect you anymore. Appearing inhuman is their biggest fault and now that's gone."

The weakness in Jacob's words was strong and his vulnerability made me sad. I frowned and closed the space between us, reaching up to stroke his cheeks. Jacob's eyes closed at the sensation of my gentle touch on his skin and he breathed in soothingly. "Jacob?" I whispered softly, beckoning him from his wistful trance and his eyes fluttered open. "You never seemed worried about my protection before we found out about each other."

"There was no reason to," He sighed. "You were so normal, so human. I thought there was nothing to be afraid of. Its Sarah-Isabelle, her safety has always been my main priority. Vampires know I have a daughter and I've hunted down a lot of leeches in my time, crumbling a lot of partnerships. The mates of whom I've killed have always wanted their revenge on me and their only option worth destroying is Sarah. I know what you are now...and so do my enemies. I mean, I have a kid who's the lost princess of some ancient empire and my imprint is one of the last mortals of her kind! I wonder how long I have...with both of you nowadays."

I was glad Jacob shared this with me, for the sense of understanding settled in my heart and I smiled fondly. "I, too, am supposed to protect innocents. And so are you, Jacob. We were both born to do that. Finding each other was destiny's gift to us for our sacrifices. We can be scared about losing each other, but that can't stop us from living our lives. We just have to go back to doing our jobs as stably as we can. Now, why didn't you tell me it was your birthday today? We could've done something nice."

Jacob averted my gaze again, swallowing audibly. "I don't know..." He trailed off.

"Yes, you do," I insisted. "And I want to know why. Does something about this bother you?"

"No," He shook his head. "I just...you've been so consumed with worry about your mother and her baby and Sarah-Isabelle and the dangers lurking in the future for her...and even your own magic. I guess, I just decided it'd be best if I kept something so pointless to myself. Save you even more stress. I mean, age is just a number."

"How is celebrating your life stressful and pointless, Jacob?" I demanded, wide-eyed.

"I don't age, Dusk. Not while I still phase anyway," He stated solemnly. "I've been twenty-five-years-old for eight years now."

I was jolted with surprise. "Well...at least I won't have to worry about people thinking you look too old for me."

"I'm mentally thirty-three," He rolled his eyes.

I sighed wearily, saddened by my realisation. "I wish you didn't come to Forks with me now. I had a feeling this'd be a bad idea. You're missing your birthday with your daughter! I'm sure Sarah misses you," I covered my face with my hands shamefully. "Ugh...I am the most horrible, selfish imprint-"

"Dusk, please don't do this," Jacob pleaded, bringing my face up from my hands.

"I am!" I groaned. "It's bad enough I didn't even know your date of birth. Do you know mine?"

"26th of November," He replied instantly.

"See, exactly. My middle name?"

"Agraciana. Do you know mine?"

"Ephraim," I smiled proudly. "I do know some things about you."

"There's not much to know about me actually. I'm really very plain," He smirked.

"Oh, yes...definitely. In an Alpha shape-shifting, extraordinary car inventing, bizarre double imprinting, undercover princess parenting sort of way," I countered with sarcastic grin. "But...I-I'm sorry I never asked you about your birthday," I whispered calmly. "And I'm sorry I overreacted about Sienna earlier. I've been a feel wreck lately."

Jacob smiled down at me, pulling me to his chest. In his eyes, there was nothing to forgive. "Honestly, Dusk, we haven't been given any real time to get to know each other perfectly. I wanted to know every single detail about your life as soon as I met you, but I knew I'd have to wait and see what you tell me within your own time. Maybe we just need to keep on waiting."

Jacob is right, I realised.

"Happy birthday then," I uttered before pressing my tender lips to his and smiling into the kiss.

He thumb caressed my neck, feeling my drumming pulse beneath his touch, and his lips responded delightfully fast. Everything I ever really wanted was right there in front of me. I hummed elatedly into the soft, pleasant kiss. My eyes were shut tight, though the scorching colour of love flies past my eyelids in shades of red.

His arms tightened around my curves, almost lifting me off the ground, and my lips reacted fiercely. I wasn't skinny and nothing about my figure was bony or thin. My mother called my body shape soft when she hugged me: supple and kindly. Admittedly, I was soft – my figure was defined and I'd never noticed how much someone could enjoy the feel of a woman's curves until I felt Jacob's arms around me, roaming my figure hungrily, as if he yearned to feel the tender skin underneath.

Alas, every blissful moment must end – some more painfully than others of course. This moment, unfortunately, ended painfully. Or rather, it ended with a sharp ache that lashed through my brain and caused a cry to erupt from my lips. I broke away from Jacob as the throbbing proceeded and threw my head back, pressing fingers to my left temple.

"Dusk?" Jacob arms tightened around my torso and the world blurred before us and, suddenly, we were thrown into a much colder climate. The abrupt change in temperature made me shiver and cling to Jacob for warmth. He held me closely and I heard the unexpected sound of a wolf's growl in his chest.

"What just h-h-happened?" I demanded of no one in particular, my teeth already beginning to chatter.

"Hello, Dusk. Sorry to interrupt the love-fest. I know you get hardly any time alone nowadays. It must be frustrating for such a young couple," An excruciatingly familiar voice chimed behind me and I spun around with wide-eyes.

There she elegantly stood: stunning in her bear fur coat, chic cashmere dress and blood-red lipstick. Her raven hair fell in long, thick locks and her emerald eyes shone like jewels in the ocean. Her perfectly shaped eyes were, too, as cold as ice...as well as the gates to a cruel demon's paradise. Her smile was stone–as if forged by a blacksmith–and her own shadow seemed to cackle at my fear.

Her hand rose into the air and made a graceful, mystical gesture that shot a sharp, green electricity out from her fingers like thunder and lightning. Imogene's powers hissed, as if the snakelike bolts of magic were alive and longing to devour. The green electricity lashed out and clawed along the ground rabidly.

I staggered forward–pressing myself in front of Jacob, gaping down at the green electricity–and found the Nepalese amulet's onyx and opal jewels were gleaming brightly. Onyx and opal, I recalled, were protective gemstones that stopped negative auras from attacking. Of course Imogene's aura was negative, what more could it be?

Raising my hand in defence of her attack, streaming colours of the sunset cascaded from my fingertips and made a circle of transparent gold around Jacob and me. The light was bright in my eyes and Jacob seemed as stunned as I was to have reacted so quickly. Even Imogene–as controlling and manipulative as she was–looked taken aback by my circle of defence.

Her flaming, green snakes of evil cowered and leapt away from my light in hasty terror. I felt Jacob tense behind me, his chest tight with anticipation. A protective arm slipped around my waist and I felt him pull me closer. He even seemed terrified of my magic, as well as Imogene's.

What the hell is she of all people doing here?

As if reading my mind, Jacob's lips lowered to my ear and he murmured carefully, "And maybe I invited Imogene to Forks as well. Okay, maybe I think we should talk to her. Maybe make a deal. If Sienna can't cure your mother, maybe Imogene is our last resort. Maybe you should calm your powers and let her speak. Dusk...?" Jacob's voice grew timid and something fearsome enveloped my powers.

Maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe – that's all there is now! There was nothing definite...nothing really decided in my life apart from the present actions we all committed. Anger boiled, crackling hot, and surfaced to my hands as my bubble of heavenly light transpired into fierce, devilish flames. The blaze that circled us rapidly grew higher as my fist–the one baring my charmed, Nepalese bangle–clenched and my eyes narrowed.

While defending us from Imogene, the fire still polluted the air with something more than toxic gas and smoke. It polluted the atmosphere with my anger: the overwhelming sense of distrust and dread. And I felt Jacob choking breathlessly from my internal pain. Good, I decided. He'd been keeping things from me and I didn't feel like being open-minded. Asking Imogene Brooklyn to come to Forks was deadly – not only for my family, but was the entire city.

A/N: Don, don, don...what do you think about the unpleasant visit to the happy couple?

Thank you for your supportive reviews, I wouldn't be able to do it without you:D I'm sorry I haven't update in almost three weeks...but end of year schoolwork is horrendous to the state of mind. I'd actually finished this chapter two weeks ago...but didn't have the mental strength to edit and post.

Oh...and who else saw BDPT2 last month! I did, it is the most AMAZING movie yet:D The special effects are astounding and everyone's acting has evolved.