A/N: I would like to thank my new Beta Reader, Lady Ruthven, from HisGoldenEyes. She rocks heavy metal.

Vanessa sat atop a rock watching May make laps around the forest. The look of determination in the young vampire's eyes was inspiring. However, there was no way Vanessa was going to tell her that. No matter how sweet the girl was she was still Edward's daughter.

He probably reads her mind to keep tabs on me, Vanessa thought with frown. It was sad though. There was so much to teach the girl.

Vanessa looked up at what little sky she could make out through the trees. Birds flew above the treetops, their shadows causing small moments of darkness. Everything about the area awakened her senses. The smell of pure rain reminded her of home, when the rain would fall she would sit outside the window and just bask in the smell.

May stopped running and held a hand to her chest, catching her breath. The young dhampir had been running nonstop for twenty minutes. She looked up at her governess for approval for lasting so long.

Faking a yawn Vanessa brought her hand to her mouth and gave a bored look. "Darling just a few more laps, this time remember to keep your knees up."

May gave a huff, but said nothing as she kept running, bringing her knees all the way up to her elbows.

There was a stubborn side of May that refused to give up on impressing Vanessa. Since the day she was born everyone was always impressed by her. A miracle child. Special and unique. Around Vanessa she was none of that. She was just Renesmee Cullen. For the first time in her life May had to earn the praise of another.

I won't give up. She thought ignoring the slight fatigue and pressing on into the forest. I'll make her proud of me.

Grinning Vanessa tilted her head back and enjoyed the cold breeze. Now that the girl was busy she could get lost in her memories once more.

Yorkshire, 1829

The snow cut at my skin violently. My skin froze and burn in some strange sensory paradox that made my whole body ache. Every hair on my body was standing up, but it was no use.

I thought of the Catholics who often talked of hell as some fiery prison, but looking into the snowstorm I had a new respect for the power of cold. After the emotional adrenaline rush that made me run into the blizzard had passed, I realized how stupid I was.

Besides the howling of the wind there were no other sounds and the grey clouds hid the moon from giving me any light or any hope.

I ran into the forest hoping it would shelter me, but found it offered no protection. Despite the trees, the wind was still sharp and unyielding. It was getting darker. I couldn't even see my footsteps anymore. The thin material of my dress and its sleeveless design did nothing to protect me from the elements.

Palpitations began to pound in my ears. I could hear it getting slower and slower. Fear rose up in my system with every beat as well as the determination to keep going.

As the cold took over me and night overtook the sky, a single thought ran through my mind:

I am going to die.

My fingers and toes were numb. It was hard to even walk now without my legs feeling like lead. Each shallow breath was like swallowing a needle. I wanted so badly to sleep.

One thought kept running through my head as I forced myself to walk on, I must see Edward again.

My nephew. His eyes. His smile.

Those images kept me going.

I felt my head jerk back violently. I tried to turn around, but I was stuck. My hair was caught in a branch. Cursing I wrapped my arms from my body and pulled at my locks. I winced as the motion pulled my hair hard.

Yanking hard I tripped over a loose root on the ground and landed face first in the snow.

Instead of feeling the immense cold that was there I felt strangely warm. I lifted my head slightly and saw my hand trembling violently. It started to consume my entire body.

Maybe if I stay here for a little while I'll be warm again, I thought desperately. The warmth ran over me, but the shivers didn't stop. I looked up at the sky completely drenched in clouds.

Somewhere I heard laughter. It was a familiar boyish laugh that made my heart ache.

I have to get up, I thought. For Edward.

Slowly I raised myself of the ground, the pain ripped through my body in waves. Please Yahweh. Don't let me die out here.

Then, like a beacon of hope, I could see a flicker of light a few feet away. Forcing myself to walk I drudged through the snow until I the light got brighter. I could just make out a small thatch roofed cottage. I approached the door and reached out to knock on the door. My fingers were a pale blue color. It hurt so much, like the wood was made of iron.

Maybe it is iron? I thought in a moment in delusion. Or magic? After all there are always witches in the forest who want to eat maidens.

"Coming!" a female voice called out. The voice was light and sweet, like a melody. Much to kind to be a witch, although it could be a trick.

I giggled lightly. Maybe it'll be a pretty witch? I think I wouldn't mind being eaten by a pretty witch.

I heard footsteps and a dark-skinned woman came out from house.

"C-c-c-can I co-co-me in?" I shivered.

"Of course dear," she said pulling me into the warmth of the small home. As the door closed and the cold was blocked from my body, I collapsed on the floor and everything went dark with one solitary thought

She can eat me as long as I don't wake me up.

The soft melody of Mozart's Magic Flute awoke me from my state of unconsciousness. Could smell something being cooked and my stomach made a small sound. Maybe it's me that's being cooked?

I opened my eyes and everything was blurry for a moment, but as soon as my eyes focused I was able to take in my surroundings.

I was on the floor of the humble cottage with a pillow and a few blankets placed under me to protect me from the floor. The cottage walls were decorated with various masks and paintings. One was of the Hindu goddess Kali.

Back in India a painting of her hung over my bed. Seeing it again evoked memories of Sari and her beautiful body being burned by flames as she threw herself onto her husband's body. Quickly I shook the image out my head and followed the melody to its owner.

A dark-skinned woman, who looked around my sister's age, stood by a pot mixing some concoction.

She was dressed like a gypsy in a flowing purple dress that exposed her ankles and large hooped earrings. Around her arms were a collection of gold bracelets that made a little chime as she stirred. Rouge was pained on her lips and her black hair was tied in an exotic braid that traveled down her back. Her head turned and she gave me a warm smile.

"You have awakened dear," she said softly as she approached me and kneeled to my level. "How do you feel?"

I tried to open my mouth, but no sound could escape my lips. The woman placed a cool hand on my head.

"Your throat is still ill from the cold, the soup I am making will fix that," she told me with a smile.

She went back to her pot and filled a small bowl with the warm soup. As she came closer to me I could smell the chicken and my stomach gave a small grumble. I tried to sit up but my body felt stiff and achy. The woman placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Don't get up, I will feed you," she told me softly.

Picking up a spoonful of broth she held it to my mouth and I opened my mouth to let the woman feed me. It felt strange, but nice to have someone care so much about me. It had been years since the last time my mother had taken care of me. Anytime I was sick she quickly handed my off to one of our servants.

The food tasted so good and with each scoop I felt myself feel better. As she fed me I closed my eyes and tried to listen to my heart. I couldn't hear anything, but I could feel the steady beats in my chest. I let a sigh of releaf. Once the bowl was empty she sat beside me and lifted my hand.

"Your fingers are better," she told me. "I thought I was going to have to amputate them."

I shuddered at the thought as she placed my hand back down.

"My name is Neith."

"Magdalena…" I whispered.

"Ah, you're a sinner," Neith said with a laugh.

I didn't have the energy to blush, but I felt embarrassed at that comment. My mother had always made that comment about me to the men she tried to arrange me with.

"I should be heading home," I said trying to get up.

Neith shook her head and pushed me down again. "Sorry young one, but the snow storm is still blowing hard. However, it should calm down by tomorrow."

Sighing I rested my head back against the wood. The image of my Edward's face, his eyes filled with sorrow when he watched me leave with father.

I missed him so much, I still miss him. Slowly I rose up and looked down at myself. I let out a gasp I realized that I was naked under the blanket. I pulled the sheet to me and saw my dress by the fire dying off.

Of course she couldn't have just left me with the dress, I would have gotten even sicker, but at the time I was much more of a prude.

"I have clothes for you," Neith told me with a grin. She opened a small wooden chest and produced a white skirt and blue bodice for me to wear. "Provided you don't object to the style."

"Oh. Thank you," I said as I dressed myself. I tried to get a better look of my surroundings as I slid on the clothes.

The cabin was small, but quant, and filled with a lot of personality. Neith obviously traveled quite a bit. Next to the picture of Kali were masks in the shape of Comedy and Drama. There was a Katana that hung sheathed beside the mask. I couldn't help but wonder how she got one. The Japanese hadn't allowed any outsiders into their land since 1635. I only knew of the sword through book illustrations.

Near the Katana was a large fan, in the Egyptian style, made of, what appeared to be, peacock feathers. It hung over a bookshelf that housed quite a collection. I recognized some of the names: Hugo, Moore, Shakespeare, Aristotle.

Yet one book I spotted caused a blush to rise to my cheeks. "You own the Kama Sutra?"

Neith picked up the book, which was held together by string and the will of Yahweh, and ran her long finger across the cover. The cover was just plan paper with a drawing of a man and woman involved in a sexual act. There was a dreamy sort of look in her eyes. I blushed harder as I saw her finger slid over the nude man.

"Never have I read a book that so deeply delved into the intimate passion of humans," she said softly. "Well there was the Marquis de Sade..."

"The Marquis de Sade?" I exclaimed offended that she would even mention that sinner's name. "He was a sodomite who spoke of nothing except rampant sexy! Rape, sadomasochism, bestiality and necrophilia, the perverseness is just disturbing."

"Your innocence is charming, Magdalena," she teased.

"It's not a matter of innocence. It's a matter of respecting yourself and your body!" I yelled back offended by her comment.

Laughter erupted from Neith's lips and she shook her head. "Perhaps I have a better understanding of physical love? Although, I will say that the Kama Sutra is much deeper than Justine or Juliette. It's about understanding a spiritual bond during the act of love, in place of a mere physical release."

I scoffed at that statement as I thought of my mother and sister. All they had ever done was lie on their backs and pop out children. My sister had nothing but horror stories about her first time. Sex was for procreation and nothing else. Especially not some silly spiritual bond.

Sex is for procreation and nothing? Hard to believe I actually thought those things at a time.

Neith placed a gently hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about it dear, one day you will know the beauty of intimacy and the desire to express it."

Neith's touch was cool, but it still invoked a warm feeling within me. I didn't usually get that feeling with people often, but this woman was so kind and sweet. She saved me from an icy grave, fed me and clothed me. That was more than most people did for me.

I looked up at the strange woman curiously. "Why are you helping me like this?" I asked. "You're a gypsy, don't you hate me?

She gave a slight shrug. "You are a young woman who was about to die outside my door. Why would I let you die because of such a silly ideas? Besides, I'm more of a nomad than a gypsy."

Biting my lip I looked at the book in her hand. I couldn't admit that I was curious about the details and tales within. During my time in India, many of our servants could gather around and read passages. Mother and Mary would always pull me away before I could hear anything.

"Well, what exactly is intimacy?" I asked looking off into the distance, trying to hide my blush from Neith.

Neith smiled knowingly and opened the book. "Intimacy is when you feel at peace with someone. When just being around them fills you with a warm sense of belonging…"

"Are we done now?" May asked snapping Vanessa out of her daze.

Looking at the young dhampir and her exhausted state Vanessa nodded slowly. "No problem kiddo," she told May. "Go wash up and we can continue on Monday."

"Monday?" May asked. "Why not tomorrow?"

"I'm Jewish darling, Friday is my day off," Vanessa declared. "Don't worry I'll be sure to work you extra hard on Monday."

The girl let out an annoyed groan before nodding. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"What are you going to do about Embry?"

Vanessa rolled her eyes and looked at Renesmee. "There is nothing to be done. I am not interested in dating a shifter."

"But he's your soul mate."

"I don't need a soul mate. Particularly one that I don't get to choose," Vanessa declared. "I already have someone I love."

"You do?"

Vanessa thought of Aro and a smile slid across her face. Through him she had discovered exactly what Neith had meant about intimacy.

When she was with him everything was okay, everything made sense. Even when they weren't having sex, they could just be together and everything was peaceful.

I just wish I knew if he feels the same way.

"Nessa?" May asked as she saw the smile on Vanessa's face.

The blonde just waved her off. "Don't worry about my love life kiddo. I've got it all under control."

May pouted her lip as she heading back to the house. Smiling Vanessa folded her arms and leaned back.

Thinking about the relationship between her and May brought back all the nice memories of Neith and her.

"Neith," she said softly, "my Ima."

"Vladimir," Stefan announced. "I have good news. One of Aro's pets is on the loose."

Vladimir snarled at the sound of Aro's name and his hands gripped the edge of this throne tightly. "Since when does Aro care about his toys?"

"Oh, this is a special toy according to our sources," Stefan said with a smile. "This is his chief courtesan and, according to some, his fiancée to be."

"Interesting…"

Hope you guys enjoyed that. The next two chapters will be flashbacks. I think I should get them out soon so that the plot can move quicker and people can find out the back story of Edward and Vanessa.

Thanks for reading and reviews are always welcome.