Note from author:

I really hope you enjoy this chapter and sneak peak into a new characters mind. Leave a review and tell me what you think!

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Family Secrets Chapter 7

Isabella stood laughing as Charlie laid flat on his back staring up at the dark Arizona sky. Isabella and Charlie had started traveling and training after the Cullens had left. The pair had stumbled upon Alaric (Ric) Saltzman while in California, and the group had grown close over the past month. Charlie flipped back to his feet and threw a knife towards Ric. With ease, Ric caught the blade and smiled as he tossed it as hard as he could to Isabella. To Isabella, the knife was going in slow motion; she did a somersault and then caught the knife before landing softly on the grass. Both men stared in amazement at her, and she only shrugged her shoulders.

"Bells, that was incredible." Ric jogged over to her, and she could see a hint of worry in his eyes.

"Bells, have you been feeling ok?" Charlie took a tentative step toward her but kept his arms down at his sides.

"I feel fine, honestly! Never better." Isabella smiled as she turned from the two and raced towards the truck. "Come on; I want to get to bed before dawn."

The two men shared a worried look before jogging after the girl who blurred away from them but appeared unphased.

Kol's POV

The week since being revived was flying by, and neither Klaus or Elijah were around to have fun. Both were too busy with work or side projects while Rebekah was off playing a high schooler. The only person who knew how to have any fun was the young Cold One, Jessica. She was always pranking Klaus and her laughter the only cheer I heard this past week. I had never seen my brother so taken or gentle with any creature but with Jessica; he was like a tamed house cat.

I sighed in frustration as I pulled another book from the alcoves of Klaus' library when I heard a car pulling up the driveway. I moved over to one of the front windows and peeked out to see a silver Volvo sitting outside. I could see Jessica in the passenger's seat talking fastly to what looked like a dark brown mop of hair. Suddenly, Jessica was racing out the door, and I caught a glimpse at the driver. She had dark brown hair and even darker brown eyes, her skin was ivory, and she had a heart shaped that was apparently holding in a chuckle. Jessica reaches inside, but I pay no notice as I watch the driver of the Volvo. She starts back down the driveway but stops and reverses before hopping out of the car. I see the red tint in her hair and the way her skin glimmers slightly against the sun. I have heard that glitter lotion and perfumes were "all the rage" as Rebekah eloquently put it. The girl is grabbing a purse and putting a few items in her pocket before turning to face the house. She marvels at the house for a moment before striding up the stairs. I hear her knock using the handle, and I wait for a moment before answering.

I open the door and realize the girl is rather tall: she is 5"7 to my 5"11. She narrows her eyes at me for a moment, and I take the quick second to look her up and down. Rebekah must scoff at this girl during school hours. She is wearing a black t-shirt that says "Misfits" in white, dark blue jeans the are so skinny they look like a second skin on her, and a pair of shoes Klaus called "converses" in purple and white. I smirked at her before speaking. "Hello, how can I help you love?" I leaned forward away from the doorframe and watched as she rolled her eyes for a moment. Curious.

"Jessica forgot her purse. Can you give it to her or call her down?" Her voice is firm but smooth and soft. She smell of pomegranates and honey, an odd combination but I liked the smell oddly.

"Why should I when I barely even know the sod?" I lean against the doorframe now and give a slight huff like I am annoyed.

The girl surprises me by giving me the sweetest, nay cutest toothy smile before screaming "KLAUS!" I am still trying come out of the daze rendered by her smile when Klaus pushes me away from the door and inside the foyer. I stumble slightly but I quickly right myself and stand behind Klaus.

I note surprise on Klaus' features before he purrs "Isabella, to what do I owe this pleasure."

Isabella, where had I heard that name recently. I am trying to recall but what Isabella says makes me remember. ""Jessica forgot her purse." She tossed the bag to Klaus, and he caught it with ease. She held up a hand as Klaus began to ask questions. "Elena and her friends cornered us at school and tried to pick a fight. The witch used her power to give Jessica an aneurysm. They tried to play dirty but I play filthy." She smiled evilly, and the memories flooded me.

Klaus cursing a group of hunters but marveling over a female who was fast, lethal, and sharp-tongued. Elijah and Klaus arguing over said Hunter: Isabella Marie Swan Salvatore. Klaus thought the girl was becoming a Cold One but Elijah thought the girl was only becoming a hybrid. Both ideas had merits but now that she was here, maybe we could but one theory to the test.

I feigned a gasp of surprise, "Wait, is this the hunter?" I peeped around Klaus' shoulder and took another look at the beautiful girl.

Klaus moves outside and gestures to the girl, "Isabella, this is my younger brother Kol. Kol, meet the enchanting Isabella."

"I just go by Bella." She sent me a nod and decided to play up my charm.

"Well, just Bella, it's a pleasure to meet you." I give her a small bow and stifle a chuckle as she raises her eyebrows at me.

"Anyway, we won't be going to school again." She turned her attention onto Klaus, and I began plotting to test Klaus' theory.

I could scare her and cause her to use her abilities. I'll probably scare her when she tries to leave. False sense of security and what not. I realized I had zoned out and tried to tune into what the pair. Elijah appeared suddenly from his nap and cleared his throat to grab Bella and Klaus' attention. I noticed a hint of jealousy in my eldest brother's eyes as he saw how close the two were talking.

"It is rude to leave a guest outside." Elijah chastised before pivoting toward the kitchen and gliding away. I tried to race after him, but Klaus, and I became stuck inside the entrance door frame.

I heard Bella chuckle before starting down the steps. "I'm sorry, I have to go anyway."

"Going to hang out with the Gilbert Boy?" Klaus taunted.

The girl kept walking, and I couldn't help but notice the way her hair bounced and curled with every step. "No, training." I watched her walk to the car before turning to Klaus.

"We should test her," I whispered.

"Now? She is not one to be tested, Kol. " Klaus glared at me.

"In any normal circumstance, we would never let a hunter leave. At least not without serious injury."

"I do not wish to harm her," I say as she unlocks the door to the car, "Much."

I race forward and stop at her side. She doesn't jump, and her heartbeat does not increase. Bella simply raises an eyebrow at me. "Unfortunately darling, you're hunter, and I cannot let you leave here. Well, not alive anyway." I watch as her beautiful features darken before I feel a sharp pain in my stomach. I land against the oak tree and smile. Yes, she is quite powerful indeed. My huntress. She races forward suddenly, and I feel the sting of a blade across my cheek and down my chest. She is quick like the Cold Ones too. I feign a scream of agony when I realize she had put vervain on the knives and grab her arms. My victory smile is cut short as she slams her face into my nose and I am impressed by the girl's tenacity. She wrenched her arms away from me and was about to attack again when Klaus interfered.

"Bella, stop please." Klaus pleaded, and I began to wipe the dried blood from my chest and nose.

"You were right; she's not to be tested." I spat the blood out of my mouth and turned toward the raven-haired beauty who looked confused.

"Tested?" She mumbles quietly.

"Yeah, I wanted to see if what my brother said was true. That you were becoming a cold one." I smile towards her sheepishly.

For a moment, Bella says nothing. She stands there mute and red-faced before she explodes in a fury of anger towards Klaus. "So you were testing me? What am I to you? A test rat for your science experiments? I'm not, ok? Do you think the idea of knowing that I am becoming a monster makes me happy? DO YOU? I'm 18. I don't want to die yet." I noticed the tear break down her face as she jumps into her car and speeds away from the house.

I stood there in shock as I watched the dust settle. I didn't fight back when Klaus punched me and called me an idiot for messing with Isabella. I felt her pain. I knew what she felt. When I became a vampire, I lost the ability to do magic, and I loathed it. I drowned my sorrows in blood and alcohol for years before I learned to accept what I am: a vampire.

I have to find her. I have to make this right.

Racing through the woods, I followed her scent as fast as I could until I came to the side of the highway. She was parked off to the side near the forest, and I could hear her agonizing cry. Bella was rocking back and forth as her hands gripped her hair fiercely. I approached her car and gently opened the door. She gave a strangled voice of alarm, but I quickly pulled her into a gentle hug. She doesn't respond at first but slowly her arms move down and around my waist. I pat and stroke her hair and let her cry as much as she needs. I didn't count the time; it could have been minutes or hours that we stayed like that. All I wanted was for her to be safe and away from the dark thoughts that I knew too well.