Bella,s POV

"Tessa came back to life?" Edward said in disbelief.

"Well-It could have been her ghost-or she could be a zombie or something." I said "That's one more fairytale that exists."

"She was walking, talking?"

"Yes-and she wasn't alone. I know for a fact that Frodo-Rain's dead boyfriend-who, if he was alive, should be a Vampyre now-and Arundhati-who is also dead and should also be a vamp if she was alive-were fledglings and were dead." I said.

"The only thing I can think of is-venom." he said "Did they look like my kind of vampire?"

"They were...pale. But it looked more ill pale than chalky." I said "Although I see what you mean...I didn't see Arundhati or Tessa die...Aelia carried them away but...i guess she could have got someone to bite them...would there have been enough time?"

"I don't know. They don't last three days when they begin to reject the change but...the venom might be able to stop the rejection." Edward mused.

"That may explain Arundhati and Tessa...I saw Frodo die...He died, as in die, in Rain's hand. Aelia didn't take him away from us half-dead." I said "And even Vampire Venom cannot raise someone from the dead."

Edward shrugged. "You said you were going to call Alice and Kian?"

"Yeah-" I said, grabbing my mobile from the table and dialling the Cullen's number, from memory.

"Hello?" It was Carlisle who answered.

"Carlisle." I said "How's Kian?"

"He's good...you Vampyre's heal at an incredible rate...faster than the werewolves..." he said.

"Could I speak to Alice?"

"Of course."

It was an instant later that Alice was on the phone. "Bella?"

"Alice...Have you seen anything about...Dead Fledglings?" I said "Or Aelia?"

"No." she said, her voice questioning my sanity "Bella...there isn't really a lot you can see about corpse's...they are still, pale, rotting things..."

"Okay...there's more to it though...I swear I saw a couple of ghosts or whatever of dead fledglings?"

"Uh-" Alice said, sounding confused.

"Keep an eye on them, will ya?" I said "Oh, by the way, can I speak to Kian."

"Yeah, sure. Before I do...Victoria's plotting something, and she's not working alone...its one of your lot..."

"What...Vampyre with a y?" I said.

"That would be them." she said "I couldn't see who...but her marks were bright...I could see them from under her hood..."

"Thanks Alice." I said, surprising myself by not feeling even slightly scared.

"Okay, I'll pass you on you Kian."

This changeover was longer. Kian sounded as he did normaly, which was a good thing, I guess.

"Isabella."

"It's Bella." I said "How's your back?"

"Cool." he said "I'm not dating Esther again."

"No-one liked her." I pointed out "I'm glad you've had an epiphany. Anyway...have you seen anything strange involving Aelia?"

"Aelia?"

"Yes...she could want you exiled because you know to much..."

"Well-" Kian began "Aelia ignored me lots after I saw her walking with a Fledgling to her car...she acted as if I didn't exist..."

"Fledgling..." I said "Did you see him or her?"

"Yeah...Thick, curly blonde hair, short, large ears, Tanned skin...he wore a lot of black. And it seemed as if he was surrounded by darkness..."

"Damn." I said "They weren't a figment of my imagination...I hate to do this but...can you stay on hold?"

"Sure."

I flitted to the records room, grabbed the disk containing information about fledgling who had rejected the change, flitted back to my apartment, put the disk into my computer, loaded it up, grabbed the phone, and went to the computer.

"Okay Kian...I'm looking. By the way...did you recognise the fledgling?"

"No." he said "Why would I-"

I searched for the date when Kian had been Exiled. And then the day before. Arundhati was the only person there.

I went back even further...a fortnight back, perhaps, I found someone who matched Kian's description...a fourth former.

"I'll e-mail you the image." I said "I may have found them...if that's the case, he's meant to be dead."

"Dead? But that's just...impossible!" he shrieked.

"You try telling her." I heard Alice say.

"Kirby Larson, a fourth former, who had the ability to send out little "Blasts of lighting", a lot like bullets or arrows. He transferred from Phoenix House of Night a month before." I said.

"Phoenix-Esther was from Phoenix. Thank god she wasn't there. She would have screamed and yelled it out and Aelia might have killed her...presuming that this was Kirby and Kirby was dead at the time." he said. "Ok, Email me the image."

"And tell Alice I'm not having delusions."

"K. See you, Bella."

He hung up, and I logged into my emails, and quickly sent the image to Kian...and Alice. I felt I had to for some reason. I don't know why...it's one of those urges. Anyway, I sent it, hoping Alice still didn't think I was mad, and checked my emails.

I had five from Jacob.

Bella,

I'm so so sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you. I don't know what got over me.

Please Forgive me.

Jake.

Bella,

Look, I was a complete moron, Ok? I shouldn't have kissed you...i just want to be friends, like before.

Jake

Isabella Marie Swan,

I hear Edwards back. I won't try and kiss you again, I promise.

Jake

Listen, Bella.

We need to talk...it would be better if we apologized face to face, since you're not answering.

Please.

Jake.

Bella!

Look, I'm sorry, ok? It hurts...a lot. I miss you being a friend. And Rain was good too. Why aren't you answering?

Please, with Edward here, I'm not going to try anything. I promise.

I just want us to be friends again.

Jake.

I frowned and ignored them. I wasn't in the mood for this...but I knew I couldn't avoid him forever...he'd come to the House of Night eventually.

Edward stood behind me, frowning. "Jacob." he growled.

"I'll deal with him another day." I sighed.

"I don't think that's your main problem." he sighed.

He held up a piece up paper. Written on it was;

They are coming. Fast.