A/N: Alright guys. I'm super sorry for making you wait sooo long for this chapter, but I wanted to get it right and I had to start over three or four times. Finally I figured out how to do it. This is the chapter that will give you all the answers you've been waiting for. I was gonna drag this over two chapters but I Figured that you guys have waited long enough. There are a lot of flash backs in this chapter. I mean a lot. Each of them are labeled with a date so pay attention I don't want you to get confused as they don't really go in chronological order. This chapter does contain violence...beware...
Last time on Blood Swan:
I heard the clicking of Aro's cane as he made his way back toward his office. Muttering curses about useless bodyguards. I knew the moment that he realized that things weren't as he left them. I could hear his footsteps stopping immediately. His breath hitched and began to come out in more labored pants. I spun around so that the back of the chair would be facing the door.
I heard each distinct creak of the hinges as he opened the door, "What in the," he started as I spun around to reveal myself. "Isabella?" He asked in a breathy voice.
"Surprised Uncle?" I asked already knowing the answer, because in his eyes was the reflection of pure fear and I loved it.
It was pure theatrics, but it was worth seeing the look on his face as he realized who I was. However as I watched his look changed. Disbelief settled over his features and it was quickly followed by a look of loving devotion that made my very skin crawl.
How dare he. There had been a time where I had trusted him. When I had loved him and held him in esteem but those times were long gone. They had died with my human life.
*~*~*~*~*BS*~*~*~*~*
Las Vegas, June 19th 1958
"Happy birthday mother." I knelt down on the grass next to the glossy stone. It had been two years since I had lost her. I sighed and placed the bouquet next to my mother's headstone. I took out my handkerchief and whipped away the layer of dirt that had formed there. I looked to my left to where my brother's final resting place was. We lost him just last year but it still felt just like yesterday. "I'll be back as soon as I can Mommy. Watch after her while I'm away, Jakey." I felt the tell tale tears forming in my eyes and I wished I hadn't used my handkerchief to clean the headstone. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked up to the sad face of my father. He offered me a handkerchief from his pocket and I used it to dab at my eyes. We stood there for a silent moment. Me on my knees and my father with his hand on me in quiet support.
"Bella it's time," he finally said in his deep baritone voice.
I sniffled but nodded my assent and rose from the ground. I brushed the dirt from my knees and took my fathers hand. He was still looking at mother's headstone. "Are you sure about this?" I asked in a quiet voice.
"Yes," he answered immediately. "I need to get you away from here princess. I can't loose you too." He reached out and cupped my cheek, running the pad of his thumb over my cheek. His eyes took on a far away look. I knew in that moment he was seeing the resemblance to my mother in my face.
I grabbed his hand and held it against my cheek. "Daddy..."
He seemed to shake himself out of his emotional state and dropped his hand from my face. The cold business like face that I had seen more often than not over the past two years overtook his expression once more. "Come now. Before we're spotted." I nodded and followed him back to the car that was waiting.
Dad opened the door and let me slide in first. I watched the scenery flash by the windows as we made our way through the town. Suddenly the car jerked to the side sending me flying into my father's lap. He deftly caught me and we braced ourselves as we were flung to and fro as our car was seemingly swerving out of control
"What's going on?" I yelled at my father.
"I'm not sure sugar," he answered right before the car took a sharp right turn and came to an abrupt stop. I looked up at my father as he pushed the intercom button to speak with our driver. "John what's going on?" He waited for a response and never received one. He pushed the button again. "John?" There was still no response from our driver.
"I don't like this." I said warily.
"Neither do I, princess." Dad said unbuckling his seat-belt and taking a second to make sure his gun was loaded. He reached for the handle but before opening the door he turned back to me. "Stay in the car."
"But daddy," I tried to argue but he cut me off quickly.
"Bella, stay in the car." His voice was stern and offered no room for argument. "Do you hear me?"
I nodded. "Yes daddy."
He reached under my chin so I would look at him in the eyes. "And Bella. If something happens to me. I want you to run. Run as fast as you can away from here."
My eyes grew large when I registered what he was saying. "But,"
"No buts Bella, swear to me."
I didn't know what to say. If something happened to him I didn't know if I'd have the will in me to run, but for him I would try. "I swear Daddy."
He looked into my eyes once more. "I love you princess."
It was torture waiting after he left the car and shut the door. I didn't hear anything for five long minutes then I heard three gun shots fire off in quick succession. Before I could think it through I opened the door. I had barely put a foot out of the car when I heard my father yell, "Bella run!"
I looked over to where I heard his voice coming from. He was struggling with a young blonde man. He elbowed the man in the nose and sent him reeling. I took one last look at my father and turned to make an escape. My path was immediately blocked by a very large man. A man that I recognized very well.
"What do we have here?" He sneered. He reached for me and my instincts kicked in. I pushed the heal of my hand straight up into his nose. He staggered back slightly and I leaped around him. I didn't get far though. He was only a few steps behind me. He grabbed me by my hair and pulled me back to him. I struggled against his tight hold "Ah ah ah princess," he said as he drew a knife and pressed it into my throat. "Drop the gun Charlie."
"Alec, What are you doing?" I asked trying not to swallow to hard to avoid the knife from breaking my skin. I didn't understand. Alec was my cousin. We had been raised together.
"Shut up." He gritted out between his teeth as he pushed the knife against my throat harder. I cried out slightly in pain.
My father held the gun up toward the air in surrender. "Alec, let her go." He spoke softly as he slowly bent down to lay the fire arm on the ground. "I'll put the gun down, just let her go." The minute that the gun was on the ground two men took a hold of my father.
"Stupid old man," Alec scoffed. "Like I'd let her run off to the police. I don't think so." He ran the flat side of the blade down my cheek as if he was caressing me. The tears were pouring down my cheeks mixing with the small amount of blood as he dug the blade in. My father cried out for him to stop.
"Amun, Michel gag him and tie him to that post." The two men led my struggling father to a large exposed water pipe and tied his hands behind his back and forced another piece of cloth between his lips. Alec's breath was hot on my ear as he held me close. "It's unfortunate that she was with you, Charlie. She would have been spared, you know. My father had planned for us to marry. Keep it in the family. But now." I could feel as he took a sniff behind my hair. "Now she would never agreeable. Such a waste." He whispered the rest in my ear as he ran the hand with the knife down my body. "So young. So beautiful. So untouched." By this time his hand was hovering just above where my thighs met. "You are untouched aren't you Isabella? A good girl like you."
As his hand descended my father struggled against his bonds. "Daddy doesn't like me touching you like this?" he chuckled darkly. "Amun," he gestured for the tall dark man to step forward. As soon as he was withing a few feet Alec flung me in his direction. He caught me deftly and spun me around to face my once friend and cousin. "I just got a far more pleasing idea." I began struggling as I watched him take off his belt.
*~*~*~*~*BS*~*~*~*~*
I don't know how long we stood there staring at each other. I knew he was grappling with the fact that I was there. After all, in his mind I had been dead for twenty some years.
The years had not been that kind to my uncle. Gone was the powerful man that I had always remembered as my mother's brother. His hair that had always been thick and dark was now pure white and thin. His strong face that shared so many features with my own was creased with wrinkles and lines. I shouldn't have been that surprised he was not in his mid to late 80s, but he was so different. Yet still the same.
"My God..."
I cut him off before he could continue. "Do not speak of God to me, uncle."
*~*~*~*~*BS*~*~*~*~*
Las Vegas, June 19th 1958
I had never been very religious, but I was praying as hard as I could as I lay there on the cold ground in that ally. I felt my life source, my blood pouring from my body. Suddenly as if I had received an answer to my prayer I heard a voice at the end of the ally way.
"What's the matter, son?" The voice asked.
"Do you smell that?" A second voice asked in return. There was no verbal response that I heard. I heard the sound of footfalls getting closer to me.
I felt breath was across my face. "Dear god. Edward check the man." I felt a cool hand touch my cheek. I strained to open my heavy lids. A very handsome blonde man was leaning over me. "She's still alive," he said over his shoulder where I supposed the other man was. He rushed over and a second beautiful face came into focus. This one with reddish brown hair.
"Carlisle," the red angel said in a strangled voice. He held up one hand as if he were going to touch my cheek.
"Edward?" The blonde man, Carlisle, I assumed, said drawing the attention of Edward to him.
"You have to save her." he said firmly, as if it was a direct order, not a request. It gave me hope that maybe these men were doctors.
"Son?" Carlisle's eyes grew and Edward nodded at some unvoiced question.
"Please," I cried though my voice was quiet and strained with pain. Their eyes snapped back down to me.
"She's lost too much blood, Edward," Carlisle said sadly.
I strained to keep my eyes open.
"Edward. There is only one option," Carlisle stated softly. His eyes looking at Edward once again. "But if I don't act soon it will be too late." Edward's gaze held mine and I wondered if he heard what Carlisle had said. "Edward!" He yelled.
Edward looked at him with a grim nod. "Do it, hurry."
I wondered what they were talking about. If they couldn't save me, would they kill me? My eyes closed preparing for the inevitable. Then there was more pain. These men weren't angels. They were simply new, different attackers. Why they had talked of saving me when all that they were going to do was stab me again. I opened my eyes in shock briefly.
"I'm so sorry," Edward said lightly cupping my cheek before my world went black.
*~*~*~*~*BS*~*~*~*~*
Aro took a slow step toward me his hand outstretched. "Isabella?" he asked again uncertain. As if he wasn't sure that I was there or a figment of his imagination.
The look in his eyes was like taking a punch in the gut. He gazed at me in pure amazement and wonder. I could do nothing but match his stare, with one of cold calculation. Had he imagined me here before? Had his guilty conscious cooked up my image or even that of my mother to stand in front of him and haunt him?
"How are you..." he started.
"Alive?" I cut him off, spitting out the word sarcastically. A smile curved my lips as I walked toward the older man. "I'm not."
*~*~*~*~*BS*~*~*~*~*
between June 19 and June 22, 1958
The pain was bewildering. Exactly that. I was bewildered.
I couldn't understand I couldn't make sense of what was happening. Wasn't I supposed to be dead? In death I should feel no pain, not more pain. Unless...unless this was hell. There could be no mistaking this feeling. I was burning. I was burning alive. Why I was sent here I did not know. My father had no doubt done unspeakable things but not once had I ever hurt a living soul. Would god condemn my for the actions of one that I loved? Surely not. He was forgiving wasn't he? My body tried to reject the pain and I was sucked again and again into a blackness that cut out whole seconds or maybe even minutes of the agony. But the blackness never stayed for too long. I squirmed and screamed but not matter how much I tried I could not escape it.
Cool hands held me in the flames, swept lightly over my brow and down my arms. Soothing words came from my personal tortures. Assuring me that it would soon be over.
Then there was a wetness at my lips. I fought against it instinctively. Were they poisoning me now as well? A small amount slipped down my throat. It was the sweetest tasting liquid that I had ever drank before. I immediately wanted more and because of that I tried to spit it back up.
"You need to drink, beautiful. Drink." a velvet voice spoke softly, encouragingly. and drink I did. The cool liquid squelched the flames in me, but it was only a momentary respite because then the burning grew. Rose and peaked and rose again until it surpassed anything I've ever felt. I pulled away roughly. A scream rose in my throat but never escaped my lips.
I felt the pulse behind the fire raging now in my chest. I arched my back and twisted upward as the pain grew. The pulse doubling or even tripling in speed. Each new beat seemingly more painful than before. Finally the remarkable happened, like I was being doused with a hose, my body started to cool. The flame retreated from my extremities slowly. The intensity in my heart and behind my eyes grew to impossible temperatures. I begged then. Begged for death. Begged for it to all stop. Then almost as suddenly as the flame had started it disappeared. I opened my eyes for the first time in what felt like years.
My eyes immediately met green ones. I sat up and tried to pull away. "Who are you? Where am I?" I asked urgently. He held up a hand in a gesture that seemed to say that he meant me no harm. He looked oddly familiar. But I couldn't place him. I looked around me. I was in a small bedroom. There was little on the walls, and there were boxes in the corner. On the far side there was a refrigerator and a counter, as well as a sink.
The man spoke slowly as if worried about frighting me. "I know that you're disoriented, but everything is okay."
Okay? Was it even possible to be okay after what I went through? "How can I be okay? I was just on fire for..."
"Three days," he finished for me.
"Three days?" I squeaked out.
"Yes," he answered very simply sitting on the edge of the bed.
I looked down at myself. I looked almost as I had before, if anything I looked slightly thinner, my muscles were more defined. "How am I even alive?" I asked in disbelief.
"You aren't."
My eyes snapped back from my arms to the man sitting on my bed. He said it so simply that it caught me off guard. "I'm...I'm dead?"
"Not exactly," he hedged.
My brow furrowed. "I don't understand." Weren't there only two options. Alive and dead.
"You're a -" he stopped mid sentence glancing up at me with an unsure look in his eyes. "You're a vampire."
"wha-ah!" My question was cut off by my scream of pain. I doubled over at its strength. My stomach clenched and my throat burned. As if that wasn't bad enough there was a severe pain coming from my mouth. I brought my hand up to cup where the pain was the worst and when I drew back there was blood in my hand.
The man sprung into action immediately busying himself with something on the other side of the room at exceedingly fast speeds. He returned to my side with a Styrofoam glass. He poked a straw in the top. "I know it's hard but I need you to trust me." I looked at him in confusion as I felt inside my mouth and felt two very sharp teeth that weren't there before. "Do you trust me?" he asked again.
I gave him a withering look. "Don't take this the wrong way, but not really." My sarcasm was undercut by another scream of pain.
"Please, just drink this." He handed me the glass and I looked at it doubtfully for a second.
Another crippling pain seized my stomach. He reached out and stopped me from dropping the cup.
"Drink." He held it up to my mouth. "It will stop the pain."
Really what choice did I have? I took the straw in between my lips and sucked. Whatever it was in the glass was the consistency of a slightly melted milkshake. It tasted so good and it cooled the flames in my throat amazingly. As I continued to drink I felt the sharp teeth retract back into my gums and the cramping in my stomach disappeared. I had an idea of what it was, but I decided that I wouldn't think about it.
"Thank you." I murmured as I finished the glass. I handed it back to him.
"Would you like some more?" He asked. His voice and his eyes concerned. He was probably waiting for me to freak out.
"No." I assured him. I unfolded my self and relaxed my posture. "I think I'm..." I couldn't finish, slightly unsure what was the right adjective to use. "Is it strange if I say that I'm fine? I mean. I'm confused, but I feel fine. Physically."
He smiled crookedly. It wasn't a sinister smile like some might think. It was more shy and timid. "No. It's not strange. I understand. And I'll answer any questions that you have."
"How do I know you? Your face...it seems familiar but at the same time I can't place it. It's like I'm remembering things that are foggy. Does that even make sense?"
"That's because their your human memories. Your new brain is trying to recall them but your heightened senses now make them seem unclear."
"So I do know you." The thought made me relax slightly.
"Not exactly." he said quickly. Seeing me tense he continued. "My...well my father and I found you."
"You found me?"
"Yes...May I know your name?"
"Bella Swan."
"Bella." He said my name like it was a prayer. "I wish we could have met under different circumstances. My name is Edward Cullen." Suddenly his demeanor changed. He came closer to me and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I hate to do this, but I need to ask. Do you remember what happened?"
*~*~*~*~*BS*~*~*~*~*
"Do you remember what happened, Uncle? I do. I've relived it for the last 20 years. Do you remember how your own son ordered for your men to rape and leave me for dead?"
To his credit Aro did actually look pained as I spit the accusations. "That wasn't supposed to...I was furious with Alec, Isabella." She could hear the anger seeping through his voice. He took a step closer. He was getting too close for her comfort, but she tried to ignore her fight or flight instint. "{I loved both you and your mother. Nothing was supposed to happen to either of you."
"But somehow it did...didn't it? You're actions killed my mother and then your greed killed the rest of us."
Aro had the nerve to scoff, "Your father made many enemies in this business, tt was one of his deals gone wrong that killed your mother. Not me. Him."
"No." I answered angerly.
Aro answered just as harshly. "He had to pay. I had to make him pay for what he did to my sister."
"You're lying," I snarled through clenched teeth.
"No Isabella I am not. He pissed off the wrong people and they made my sister pay for his mistakes."
"You orchestrated it!" I shouted standing from the chair and stalking toward him. "You sold him out to the highest bidder and it came to bite you back in the ass! You don't get to lay blame."
"I never harmed a hair on Renee's head!"
I slowly began to advance on him. He began walking backwards at my advance. "You didn't have to. You never had to get your hands dirty. Everyone always did it for you, didn't they?"
"When your mother started seeing Charles she knew what she was getting herself into. She went in with eyes wide open. But he made a promise to us all to protect her and he failed his duty the day that she died."
"His duty? And what of your duty! He trusted you. Above everyone else he trusted you. You betrayed him."
"He betrayed me!" Aro shouted back trying to defend himself.
"Is that what you've been telling yourself all these years? So you could sit here in my family's home and not feel as guilty?" the back of his knees finally hit the chair and he sat heavily.
"That isn't true," he strangled out.
"Oh so it is just a complete coincidence that after his death you were there to swoop in and take over? Do not lie to me Uncle. I have had time to find out every little tidbit about you."
"You're right. I did want a larger part of your father's business. I was tired of taking a back seat to Charles in every aspect. Even our father liked him more than me, his own flesh and blood."
*~*~*~*~*BS*~*~*~*~*
Unknown location. Aug 13, 1958
Blood. I tried not to think about the fact that I was drinking blood out of a plastic cup, through a straw like it was milkshake from the diner. I really didn't want to think about where it had come from. Or the fact that it tasted good. Edward said I was going through my denial faze. He said it was natural. That most newborns went through the same thing, but the fact that I was still feeding was a good sign. When he had gone through it he started starving himself. Although I really didn't have much of a choice. Edward and his family were wonderful but very pushy. I was watched nearly all of the time. His sister Rosalie and I had become fast friends when she and I found out our stories were similar.
My vampire brain tried to dredge up the memories from my foggy human existence. Edward said that the more that I thought about things the easier it will be to remember them as time goes on. He didn't understand why I didn't just try to forget those last few memories I have from my human life but both Rose and I knew that it was better if I did remember. It gave me something to focus on.
I was so confused when I awoke. My body was making demands of me that I never felt before. I was hungry but not for food. It was for some unknown substance to me. As soon as my hunger pains disappeared I had freaked out. It had taken both Edward and Carlisle to both restrain and calm me. I then began my Vampire Education. My crash course in vampire history and protocol.
Edward taught me how to be a vampire. How to control my urges, how to hunt (both human and animals), and how to handle my crazy emotions. Recently I was starting to realize that there was a special bond between us. He didn't touch me often, but when he did it was as if my skin was on fire. I longed to be in his presence above all of the others. It almost hurt to be apart from him for long.
*~*~*~*~*BS*~*~*~*~*
"I never would have hurt my sister! Never." Aro protested.
His cries went in one ear and out the other. I knew the truth. "Pardon me if I don't believe you."
"You can believe what you liked but I loved your mother. And I loved you. Renee was wild, and flighty, but caring. You were all the best parts of your mother. Smart, beautiful, loving, good. I didn't want to taint you with this... this world." He waved his arms around the office and I let out an indigent snort. That one noise seemed to upset him. "You were supposed to join my family, Isabella. I was supposed to be able to take you away so you would never even know all of this existed. That was the plan. If your father hadn't refused the offer of engagement I made on behalf of Alec..."
"He wasn't the one that refused. I did." I said once again stunning him into momentary silence.
*~*~*~*~*BS*~*~*~*~*
Las Vegas. January 15, 1958
I headed down the hall on the first floor toward papa's office. I knew that he was in a meeting and I didn't want to interrupt but mamma said it was urgent. I decided that I would just wait just down the hall in the library till I saw the men leave and then go and fetch father. After about a half hour I saw a dozen or so men walk past the door. I was about to open the door that adjoined to the office when I heard someone clear his throat, "Charlie, can I talk to you for just a moment."
"Of course Aro."
I dropped my hand from the door knob leaving it only cracked. "Renee told me a little of your conversation with her the other day and I'd like to offer you an alternative."
I know that I shouldn't be listening in on my father's personal meetings but I couldn't help myself. My uncle had my attention and I wanted to know what they were talking about.
"Really?"
"Yes. I'd like to offer Alec to be Bella's fiance."
I had to cover my mouth with my hand to stifle the gasp that threatened to escape my mouth.
"I see," my fathers voice was uncomfortably stiff. I knew that the topic was making him uncomfortable as well. "The final decision of course would lie with Isabella."
Your damn right it would lie with me. I thought.
"Of course." Uncle Aro, quickly agreed. "However I'm sure she could be swayed to his favor, given the chance."
I think not. There is no way that I would be enticed into marring that selfish pig Alec. To my horror my father replied with a, "I shall think about it Aro."
Aro exited through the door to the hallway. I opened the library door and stepped in as soon as he closed the door. "No." I simply stated.
My father sighed, "How long were you listening Isabella?"
"Long enough. I won't do it father. I will not marry that...that...man that I have to call my cousin."
He chuckled and pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly."I never thought you would, my sweet girl."
"Then why..."
"Because your uncle has some tendencies that I must keep in check. Angering him would not be wise. You learn later in life that you must pick your battles. Starting an argument with Aro would only lead to more trouble. I do not want to upset your mother by having a disagreement with her one and only brother. I'm not particularly fond of sleeping on the couch."
I looked up at him and giggled. "I love you father."
He tweaked my nose playfully before kissing me on the forehead. "I love you too Isabella. For forever and a day"
*~*~*~*~*BS*~*~*~*~*
"I could never have loved Alec as anything more than a cousin. And even that was a strained relationship. He was manipulative and cruel even as a child. Though I suppose those are traits that you valued." I paused glancing quickly at the clock to see how much time I had left. I didn't know why I was even talking to him. I wasn't going to get the answers that I wanted from him. It was time to bring this to an end so I dropped the biggest bomb. "Though he did make the most entertaining to kill." I said with a satisfying smirk.
It was the truth. I had relished in killing my sadistic cousin probably more than I should have. It was no less than he deserved. I had more determined after I found out that he was the one that carried out the hit on my brother. The bastard had tortured him before he died and so I repaid the favor. I found out that they had to use dental records to identify the body by the time I was done.
"What?" Was my uncle's shocked question.
"You heard me." I said as I walked closer to him.
"You're the one that's been killing my men?"
I sat down on the edge of the desk in front of him. Leaning in close as if I were sharing a secret with him. "How ironic...that good, loving little Bella Swan would become the infamous killing machine only known as the Blood Swan."
I had the satisfaction of seeing him blanch then. He swallowed hard before he could formulate any words. "You're...but that would mean that you're a..." he didn't finish the statement but he didn't need to. I had an idea that Aro would know who I had become, no I knew he knew.
"A what, Uncle?" I taunted.
"How..."
I reached into my boot and pulled out a sharp knife. "How did I manage to kill all those men?" I asked as I ran a finger along the blade. Aro's eyes followed my movements obviously nervous at this turn of events. "Well a few well placed killing sprees, a few faulty gas leaks, the rest is quite simple really. All your men have certain things in common. They all love their cigarettes, their booze, the idea of a cheep thrill, and a quick fuck. All I had to do was become their dream woman. Whether that meant I was the girl that got off on being the other woman for one night or the one that was into the more domineering men, it didn't take long to figure out and with a little research things just fell into place. After all the ones who remembered me were gone it was much easier. I didn't have to stay hidden as much. For a little while I had a mole inside your organization, but he had passed his usefulness after I killed off the under bosses. But you kept rebuilding. So we decided to go for the head of the snake." I pointed the weapon at his throat. "Honestly, I'm a little disappointed. It was far too easy to get in here today. Surely you knew that someone was coming for you eventually. You even knew that it was something not of this world."
He swallowed nervously, "What do you mean?"
"Now let's not play coy. I know that you know what the Blood Swan is. I want you to say it." I commanded. When he didn't say anything I reiterated. "Say it out loud."
"A Vampire." It was a strangled whisper.
"And who made me this way?" I moved the knife to lay flat along his cheek.
"I...I don't know."
With a flick of my wrist I sliced open his cheek. "Yes you do."
"I swear I don't."
I tried to control the urge to turn but the smell of his blood was too much. I could feel my fangs rip through my gums and the pain as my eyes changed colors. "You are who made me this way!" He closed his eyes and turned away from me. "Look at me!" I demanded getting right up into his face. He opened his eyes and met my red ones. "This is all your fault."
"Isabella, please..." his plea dropped off as I grabbed his throat in a hold that I knew was cutting off his air supply. I lifted him easily from the chair and pinned him against the wall.
I had waited for twenty years to hear him begging for his life. It had been my sole purpose for existing since I turned. But the sense of vindication, of gratification that I had hoped to be there at the sound escaped me. I was still no closer to finding out what happened with my father. All Aro had fed me were contradictions to what I knew to be facts. What would be a worse fate dying today or spending the rest of his life in prison? He was nothing but a sad, scared old man. He was no better than the others scum that I had killed before him. But he was different. He was family. He grip loosened and he slid to the floor with a thud.
"Bella..." Edward's voice at the door cut through my haze of anger. "Alice called. She saw you decide. We need to leave."
I headed to the door where Edward met me and took my hand leading me away from my past and toward my future.
When the FBI came to raid the home all the found were several guards dead and Aro lying unconcious with a calling card tucked in his pocket. It had a black swan, a red lipstick mark and one word printed on it...
FIN
Endnotes: for those of you that don't know FIN means finished in french. So just like the Blood Swan's work is done so is mine. This story is now complete. I'm sad to let this story go. It was refreshing to write a kick ass Bella for a change. I hope you liked my little step into AU vampire fiction. Please leave me love! Tell me if you liked the end? Or if you wish it would have been different?