I do not own Twilight!

Chapter 10

- - - I gripped Edward's arm. It couldn't be! Lucan can't be a vampire! Luna would hate him for the rest of her days. "You're a vampire?"

"I am" stated Lucan

I rubbed my temples. All of this was giving me a headache. A big, unwelcoming headache. "Is that why you haven't gone back home?"

"Yes. I believe it would be too much for my father to handle. It is best if he thinks I am dead" said Lucan looking away

I hesitated. "You do know that aunt Allegra…she…"

Lucan lifted his hand to stop me. "I am aware Isabella. I have mourned my mother's death and she remains unforgotten"

"Does Luna know you are a vampire?" I asked not wanting an uncomfortable silence to overwhelm us

"She did at one point." Lucan crossed his legs. "Her relapses tend to make her forget"

I felt Edward sit up straighter. "What is your consumption?"

If it were not for the situation we were in, I believe Lucan might have smirked and taunted Edward. "That is for another conversation. Is Luna attending school?"

"Yeah" I asked quickly noticing Edward's worry

"Tell Charlie that Luna relapsed and won't be attending school for a couple of days" said Lucan standing up

"Graduation is around the corner" I said wanting to keep talking to him "Luna can't afford to miss finals"

"I am sure we can work through that" Lucan was quiet for a minute or two. "Isabella do not mention my existence to Charlie or my father, please"

I nodded. "I won't"

"You will have to excuse me, I need to be with Luna" Lucan stood up and turned to me. "Rest up Isabella, you look a little pale"

I would have smiled at any other time. "Lucan, you aren't going to fight, right?"

"It all depends on what Luna wants" Lucan turned towards the stairs and disappeared

I held in a gasp. He was gone. How the hell did Lucan even do that? I turned to Edward and he was looking at the spot where Lucan had been standing with a puzzled expression. He couldn't seem to make out what we had just seen. Taking my hand he led me to the front door. "It's getting late. I should take you home"

"Edward, I don't want to go yet"

"There nothing more to wait for. Your cousin will live" said Edward pulling me towards his car

- - - Charlie believed me which I couldn't believe. My words sounded hallow even to my own ears. Edward came to pick me up. Rumors started to spread out about Luna's disappearance and I paid little attention to them. I was more worried about Jake. I wanted to know how he was holding up but when I called yesterday, no one answered.

I wasn't sure if I should go to La Push and check on him. I knew that in the end, Jacob didn't want to really hurt Luna. His anger might have gotten the better of him but I was certain that he is beating himself up for the slip up. But I also couldn't say that he was not entirely scot free. The death of my aunt made more damage to Luna than anyone could ever comprehend and to be placed with the species that killed her mother, Luna inflicted with what she had…words.

I gave out a loud sigh which got students to turn to me. I quickly looked down at my notebook and acted as though I was taking notes.

-Even though it was early, I had called Raven to see how Luna was doing. I got no answer which worried me. I decided I would call during nutrition and if I didn't get an answer by lunch, I would go to the house. I called again during lunch and this time a familiar voice answered my call.

"Rika?"

"Yes? Is that you Maribella?"

"Yeah it's me. Tell me how Luna is doing?" I asked urgently, looking around to see if any one was snooping.

"They won't let me see her but Raven says she's hanging on"

It was not a definite answer, not the answer I was looking for. I asked Rika to keep me updated on any little detail. I hung up and leaned on my locker. I felt a hand on my hand. Looking up, I found Edward looking down at me. "How is she?"

"Rika says she is hanging on. There's got to be move than that" I said running a hand through my hair

"Your cousin is strong. A fighter. I believed it takes more than that to beat her" said Edward holding me

"Maybe but how is it going to toll on her mentally and emotionally?" Edward rubbed my back and held me close and I let him. I was glad to have him here with me to comfort me. Though I think he knew that I was not going to let things rest like this.

- - - I know I should have found a way to convince Edward to take me but I couldn't accept if he said no. So today that Edward needed to go feed, I drove to school in my truck but of course I had Alice as my babysitter. I was sure it wouldn't be hard to evade her which I did with the help of Angela.

I drove as fast as I could to the same spot where Edward stopped the last time. I tried to go further but only managed to get my truck stuck. I got out of the truck and ran into the woods. Some trees or rocks looked familiar but for the most part I thought I was lost. I tried not to look around or make any turns. I heard a branch break and I whirled around. I turned again and for a second I thought I had spotted red hair.

I felt my heart speed up. Another branch broke and dead leaves fell to the ground. This was not good. I had forgotten about Victoria. She was still running around between Forks and La Push trying to kill me. There was a loud whizzing sound in the air and a light breeze hit my face. Moving my hair away from my face, I looked up to keep walking but abruptly stopped myself. A few feet away was the young woman that had helped Luna out. She had seemed close to Lucan now that I remembered.

"You are Luna's cousin, right?"

The words came out on their own. "Yeah, I am"

"You shouldn't be alone in these woods. They don't seem safe. Come on, I'll take you to the house. It is where you were heading, right?" She smiled

"Yes. I would appreciate it" I took her hand as she helped me get over a rock and then a large branch. "How is Luna?"

"Mostly sleeping. Only wakes up to eat or go to the bathroom. She'll get better with time."

I felt instant relive. Luna would be okay. I just hoped that she wouldn't demand retribution from Lucan against Jacob. If I could speak with her maybe I could compromise something with her that is if I could find her awake. There was a clearing. Unlike Edward's home, no concrete covered the ground in front of the large mansion, just mowed grass. There were no cars in front or to the side of the two story mansion. If it weren't for the fact that the house looked clean and no greenery covered, I would think it was abandoned. Walking inside, the young woman took off her boots. She motioned for my shoes and I plucked them off.

She walked ahead and I followed. The inside of the house was more spaced. Less decorative objects occupied space but it still looked magnificent. I was taken to the living room which now had a long single sofa that curved and two tables in the middle. The curtain that had been hanging from the ceiling was now against the tall windows. The curtain had been covering a stair case that had a small living room at the top to the right while more stairs where to the left.

She motioned for me to sit. "Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you" I said and remembered that I hadn't introduced myself. "I am Isabella Swan"

She shook my hand. "Pyrena Swan"

I looked at her puzzled and she smiled. Before I could ask her about her last name, she turned her gaze towards the stairs. I turned as well and found Rika coming down the stairs. "Maribella, you're here!"

"Hey Rika" I greeted as she came and hugged but then she started shaking. She looked at me with her eyes watering up. "Why would Jacob hurt Luna like that?"

I patted her head. "They fought and it got out of hand."

"Still, it gives him no right to hurt her." She cried. I looked up and Pyrena was gone. Was she able to do the same as Lucan? Disappear? After composing herself, Rika pulled me to sit on the sofa with her. She crossed her legs and turned to face me. "Luna is sleeping that's what Raven said"

"Do you know when she'll be well again?" I asked

"Knowing Luna, she'll be up and about soon enough" smirked Rika "She likes being in bed one or two days but then she gets anxious."

"When can I see her?" I wanted to see her with my own eyes to know how she really was. It was not that I didn't trust Rika or Raven but they were keeping it all too secretive. I don't like things being secretive because it only meant more trouble than anything else. "I just want to see her for a couple of minutes if possible"

"Well…you would have to talk to Lucan. He's been on edge about letting any one see her."

"Where is he? I want to talk to him then" I said suppressing the urge to stand up and go look for him. I just want to speed things up. Alice must have already noticed that I was no longer in school and was probably searching for me. If she hasn't already know where I am then she was bound to get Edward to search for me. If he didn't already know that I was 'missing'.

"I think he is resting. He's been up all night keeping an eye on Luna"

He must be exhausted. Would he really mind if I went to see Luna without his authorization?

"You can see her Isabella. No need to conspire a break in." I looked over at the stairs and found Lucan standing with Pyrena by his side. He motioned for me to come and follow him. We walked and made several turns which only got me confused and knew that I was going to get lost if I tried to go back to the living room.

We stopped in one of many wooden doors and Lucan gave a light knock. He slowly opened the door and peeked inside. Pyrena nudged me forward. I walked inside and found her on a large bed cuddled by pillows and bed sheets. There was a cloth covering her forehead. I turned to Lucan for an explanation.

"She has a light fever. It will pass soon enough." He answered as he pulled a chair for me to sit on. "If she wakes don't stress her out. It will only deteriorate her health."

Lucan walked out of the room but I was sure that there was some one outside the door. I could see a shadow and Luna's health seemed to be the most important thing at the moment. I took her right hand and ran my thumb over her fingers. I really didn't know what to do and I had never seen her like this.

"Luna I know that it's my fault you are here. I should have talked to Jake about my relationship with Edward." I squeezed her hand. "Please don't ask Lucan to hurt Jake. You were both hurt by the other and I know that Jake stepped out of line when he attacked you. I know that he will make it up to you."

I hoped that she was at least able to listen to me.

- - - Pyrena's ear twitched and she turned to look up at Lucan. "I'll take care of him"

"I will be close by." Said Lucan walking back to his sister's room.

Pyrena walked down to the living room and sat down. It only took three minutes for the trespasser to arrive to their home. She cleared her throat and watched the young man come in. "You do know that you are trespassing on private property?"

"Where is Bella?" asked Edward. He knew that she had been in this room but her scent seemed to go in different directions after the stairs. "I know she is here"

Pyrena ignored his questions. "Even worse you come in uninvited."

Edward turned his attention back to the woman. She was taller than Bella and her figure more like a model of one too many magazines. "I apologize but I would like to see Bella"

"At least you know when to apologize, a tad late but accepted. Now stop your commotion, she'll be down in a bit." She pointed at the sofa. "Take a seat. There is something I want to speak to you about."

Reluctantly Edward sat down but his gaze kept going back to the stairs. "What do you wish to speak about?"

"Isabella was walking on the woods on her own when I spotted her. There was also a red hair woman after her. A vampire to be precise."

"Victoria" Edward fisted his hand. "She is been after Bella since I killed her mate who was trying to kill Bella"

"Why haven't you killed that woman? She is a menace to this town."

Edward raised an eyebrow towards the woman. "How did you get away unharmed?"

Pyrena smirked. "I shot her and no, not with a gun"

He looked at her with a puzzled look and watched as she pointed towards the stairs. Turning to face them, Edward found Bella and Rika walking down the stairs. He reached for her and inspected every single detail of her. Finding no injuries on her, he pressed his lips on her temple.

- - - I got worried when Lucan came back quickly to inform me that Edward was here. I gave Luna a small good bye before walking back with Rika. If it wasn't for her I would have never made it back to the living room. It reminded me more of a ball room with its marble floors and wide space.

Edward came up to me and looked me over. I whispered to him that I was fine, not to worry. His kissed my head. I squeezed his hand. I knew that I was going to get lectured by him later today. Yet, my running off would give me leverage to get him to bring me here whenever I wanted to.

We sat down again but I didn't know what for if there was no reason for us to stay. I had seen my cousin. I was about to announce our leaving but Pyrena's actions put me to a pause. I had seen something move in her hair and then her head whipped into the direction of the front door. A knocked echoed through the mansion and then the door opened. We saw Alice come in with Jasper and Emmett.

"Did I miss the memo on the Vamp get together?" said Pyrena sighing "It's one thing having one charge in here like it's the end of the world but to have four of you…"

Alice turned to Jasper and found him concentrating. Minutes after he looked back at Alice and lightly shook his head. I turned to look at Edward and found him scowling at the ground. That's when it dawned at me that Jasper and Edward were testing out their powers on Pyrena. From the looks, no one was getting the results they were expecting.

"Ma'am we apologize. We were concerned for our brother and Bella." Jasper spoke quickly after receiving another look from Pyrena

"Such a charmer" smiled Pyrena "You are forgiven, take a seat."

There was a small groan and I looked over to the stairs as did every one else. Lucan was walking down the steps. He messed up Rika's hair and she slapped his hand away. He walked up to Pyrena and wrapped a possessive arm around her waist. Pyrena smirked. They looked at each other and Lucan relaxed.

"Why are there so many vampires?" asked Lucan

"All friends of Isabella" answered Pyrena

Lucan turned to me. "Do you only know and fraternize with Vampires, Isabella?"

"We wish" said Alice

I intervened. "Lucan this is Alice, Jasper and Emmett they are Edward's brothers and sister"

"I am Lucan Swan and my wife Pyrena" Lucan introduced himself "Isabella's cousin and Luna's older brother"

I turned to look back at Pyrena and she smirked. "You have your answer, right?"

I nodded. "You are married to Lucan"

"You are a vampire like us but your eyes are not like ours, what's up with that?" asked Emmett looking him up and down

"The Vampire who turned me was not the average vampire" answered Lucan not giving them a specific answer

"Could it be because of your eating habits?" asked Alice

Lucan got a glint in his eyes and Pyrena smirked. "It could be that then again it could not"

Another cryptic answer which got Emmett pissed. He glared at the couple and was ready to mouth off. Seconds later, he turned to Jasper. He had been calmed down by him. I knew this was getting us no where. I tapped Edward's leg and stood up. I turned to Lucan. "Please keep me inform of her well being"

"I will call you personally if there is any major change in her health" promised Lucan "Keep yourself safe Isabella"

I smiled. "I'll try"

"Don't trip on your own feet or the nearest trashcan." Smirked Lucan

"It was once Lucan. It won't happen again" I said defensibly

"I doubt it"

I laughed and he gave me a single wave.

I know nothing major really happened at the end of this chapter. In the next chapter Bella, the Cullen's, the Wolf Pack and Luna's group will clash…uh, I meant they'll meet!

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