Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape or form the owner of recognizable characters. No, I do not own Twilight or its companion (Second Life of Bree Tanner) nor do I claim ownership over them, their plot or characters. I do own characters and objects mentioned in this fic that you've never seen though. Or maybe partially own.

This is about to get a bit dark. Oh warning, Character death!

Onto more cheerful news. I've mentioned that this story has been nominated for 2014 Twific Fandom Awards under the drop everything category. I've finally managed to get my head out my ass and is now willing to ask for help with this.

Vote!

And, if you folks are interested in some character images, Story banner and a more open atmosphere to ask questions, go to Betterintexasfiction. Google is your BFF, show em some love. You'll have to join, thankfully you only need an email address. But those who aren't already a part of that site, you should check it out. Tell em I sent you…:)

Now, that character death I mentioned earlier…just don't send any minions after me because you're a diehard fan of said character. I'm not the only one on this site who's found great pleasure in maiming, mincing and eventually killing this individual. So…yeah

.-.

Chapter 10

.-.

They stood in the basement lab, which Fred used to study all things related to vampires. It was in the same building as his other, more publicly known, laboratories. However, only himself and his family where allowed access to this particular lab.

It was called the basement, but sat several floors below the actual basement. With eight floors dedicated to storage, none of the humans that frequented the building knew of it. It was a risk, having such sensitive experiments close to humans, but it was also a good cover for why Fred was always in the building.

He, 'acting on the Swans behalf', was the head supervisor of the Research faculty. The Swans would fund various scientific research projects for scientists, professors and even a few students. Thus, it was his job to familiarize himself with the comings and goings and make certain nothing illegal was being done in the labs with Swan money.

An incident had occurred a half a decade prior. A veteran scientist was working on mutagens and got a bit carried away with his research. When he used one of his research assistants to test his progress, a hailstorm of chaos followed. The assistant was hospitalized and the scientist found himself a permanent resident of a high security prison in Washington, DC.

That wasn't why Bella and Dan were standing in the ballistics testing room of the Basement. They were witnessing something revolutionary.

There was a reason Fred had been dubbed 'Mad Vampire Scientist' by most of his clan. And the mated pair were witnessing validity of that statement. He had left them in awe half a century ago when he managed to manipulate aluminum with vampire venom, creating the first weapon that could be used on vampires. He had taken to making every form of blade, knifes, swords, daggers and even a boomerang with a wicked sharp edge.

This though, was something beyond what they were capable of understanding. He had created a gun powerful enough to kill vampires. Bullets themselves would do little, unless you managed to penetrate the eyes. But what they were seeing was something more.

Bree fired several shots into the practice dummy, a gleeful smile on her face. Bella and Dan watched transfixed as the dummy, made to be almost as impervious as vampires, seemed to burst into flames from the inside out.

Fred looked pleased with himself upon seeing their expressions, "I'm a genius, I know."

"How did you do this?" Dan asked, not bothering to hide his own excitement.

"I could say it's simple, but I won't lie. Piercing vampire skin is a bitch as you well know. But we already know of a metal capable of the feint. No, the problem was finding a way to make vampires go boom when the bullet hit. Venom would act as the fuel, but a form of ignition was needed. Finding that missing something was a pain in my sparkly ass. I tried the most obvious first, hydrogen, cesium, and francium. I'll never try those again. I'm telling you, if cesium reacts so volatile against water, it's a nightmare with venom. Oh no, the baby that worked the best for this was...wait for it...magnesium."

Bella raised an elegant brow, Fred noticed her look and waved her off frantically, "Yes Belle, I know, I was an idiot for not trying that initially. Anyways, that's what I tried. Basically coated the bullets with Mg powder and we were golden. Unfortunately, we're still in the beta testing stage. We're getting problems with the bullets exploding before it hits its mark..."

"This is still remarkable Fred. Good work." Dan said appraisingly."

Bella though was tapping her chin in deep thought, "The magnesium is reacting to the aluminum and venom of the bullets. It's usually used as an igniting agent in thermite, which would explain the premature explosions."

"I've thought of that." Fred nodded, "And I'm working on a way to remedy it. Don't suggest chlorine triflouride. I really would rather this building stays intact. If I could visit my lab at our house in Colorado, I would have had this figured out by now. Testing something this unpredictable isn't safe, especially for the humans in this town."

She smiled and nodded, "Your experiments will have to wait a bit then. We're needed here in Forks. Maybe next year. We don't have a pressing need from vampire-killing guns, yet."

He nodded, his lips in a slight pout but he nodded, "So, you want your blades? I've been keeping them shiny and sharp."

"You keep them here?"

He shook his head and chuckled heartily at her worried tone, "No. At our main house."

"Our main house?" She asked, "Or our main house."

"Main. Obviously." He said with a sly grin.

She smiled, taking the arm he offered, "I'll need another set. I plan on taking a traveling companion."

Bree walked through the doors separating the ballistics room and the observation room, "I hate that I can't come along. You went on a road trip less than a week ago."

"Both our absence would arouse suspicion. And you have classes." Bella teased, "But, I promise to bring back a souvenir this time."

"His fingernails will do." Bree teased in return.

.-.

Abigail watched from the window of the cottage as a car pulled into the driveway. She smiled when she saw Bella hop out of the driver's seat, a brief case in hand and strolled towards the front door. She had the door open before the older woman got there, "Good afternoon Bella. What are you doing here?" she asked with a bright smile on her face. She paused and stared at Bella for several seconds, "You look so human."

Bella smiled crookedly, "I was out on the town, so I had to look the part of Isabelle Swan."

"I'm confused." Abigail admitted, gesturing for Bella to enter.

"Our clan have prominent places in Forks, human aliases if you will. Looking more like a human helps and since we won't kill innocent animals, we had to find the next best thing."

"Oh," Abigail started, "So how did you manage the rosy skin tone?"

"Another result of Fred's tinkering. I have some for you. Charlie's giving some to Morta right now I suspect. Since he likes the spotlight so much. There are also some scent inhibitors." As she spoke, she handed Abigail a briefcase.

The girl glanced at the accessory and shrugged before popping it open, "Um, thanks."

"You're welcome. You'll need it in the coming week. We have a busy few days ahead of us."

"Er, why?"

Bella smirked and moved over to the bar. She quickly removed a bag of donated blood from the mini-fridge and popped it into the microwave to heat up. As it heated she glanced over her shoulders to address Abigail, "I'm sure you've heard that the Cullens have a wayward sheep that has strayed too far from the herd."

Abigail quirked an eyebrow, "I have."

"Well," Bella hummed as she poured the blood into two martini glass, "It appears that we might be able to act as kindly shepherds."

Abigail huffed as she took the glass Bella offered, "I'd rather not see that fucker again. Not unless I can kill the bastard."

Bella's smiled broadened, she sipped casually at her blood.

Abigail watched her for a full minute before the cogs finally moved into place, "You want to hunt him."

"I am hunting him. I just wanted to know if you're up for a road trip."

.-.

Chicago. It had been decades since he'd come to his home town. He'd never felt the need to visit his childhood home, a well-kept townhouse on Lincoln Avenue. It had been maintained throughout the centuries by himself and Carlisle. Although most of the other buildings on the street had been transformed into small businesses throughout the years, his first home remained the same. It was a chore, keeping the history intact in this part of Chicago.

All too often humans tried to gain ownership over the stretch of properties. Edward stalled all such frivolous ideas. Humans never seemed content with what was already there. He had to covertly purchase most of the properties and passed on quite a few bribes to make sure his beloved home remained the same.

Carlisle had helped greatly with his little side hobby.

Carlisle. The man who'd been his father for more than three centuries. The man who cared for him for all those years. A man who was known for his compassion.

What happened to you Carlisle?

He tried to rid himself of the despairing thoughts. But they wouldn't leave. Something had changed Carlisle. Something made the once kind, loving father he knew into the hard, cold man he remembered from three days ago. The man who basically banished him from Forks, from his home. The place he met her.

What could have changed the kind soul that was Carlisle into someone willing enough to throw him out on his own? Even when Edward had 'rebelled' in his newborn years, Carlisle had never tried to assert dominance over him in such a violent way.

The mind reader stilled as he walked into the room that was once his mother's sew room. The Masens had always been one of the elite families of Lincoln Avenue. His father known for his accomplishments as a lawyer and his mother played her part well as the lovely housewife and mother. His relationship with his father had always been strained, with the man's constant absence in their home.

He supposed that was why he had latched onto Esme and Carlisle, remembering only them as his parents. It was true what Carlisle had once said, human memories faded as the years went on for vampires. It was distressing at first, but he had managed to retain memories of his long dead mother, Elizabeth Masen.

He closed the door suddenly and moved to the family room. Slowly, he moved over to the fireplace and a sad smile formed on his downturned features. Sitting over the fireplace was an aged portrait of the influential family, the Masens. His parents were such a contrast to each other. He had maintained most of his father's looks, angular features, high cheekbones, green eyes and tall stature.

His mother though, she was a classic beauty. Her shiny bronze hair was held in a high bun with soft curls, a hairstyle that was reminiscent of the period. Her eyes were equally beautiful.

Deep chocolate brown.

.-.

They watched him silently. Both of them had been struck dumb when they came upon him hunting in the dead of night. What had brought them up short was the fact that there was no animals in the vicinity. Unless you counted the scum of society.

"He's hunting humans?" Abigail whispered to Bella. Both knew he couldn't hear them, but they couldn't risk him seeing them now. Not in such a populated area. They had hoped we would leave the city soon, continue travelling.

There hopes were answered when Edward received a call from the midget psychic. She had seen his decision to move east, of course, and ordered him to get to Alaska the minute he was done reminiscing. Bella had waited with bated breath for the gremlin to mention Edward's future disappearing, but alas she did not.

She grinned, wondering if any of the Cullens would be able to figure it out when she was done with the sick fuck. Without Alice's visions they would be blind. And that was something Bella could do and prided herself in the ability. All she had to do was focus on what she wanted hidden from whatever powers it was out there that give Alice her visions. With enough focus, she would blind the clairvoyant and the poor dear wouldn't even realize it.

"I wonder what dear old Carlisle would think when he sees this." Bella spoke as she pulled out a spare cellphone and started recording. She praised the humans for a second time for creating such a nifty little device. Even from the distance between the brunettes and Edward, she could see great detail. Not as much as her vampire vision but it would do.

They watched as Edward stepped out of the shadows, startling the man and his girl, who was conveniently brunette.

Abigail shifted beside her as they watched Edward kill the man first and then moved to the girl.

"We should stop this."

He stepped slowly towards the crying girl, reaching forward to touch her cheek. As if caressing a lover, he cupped her face in his hands and pressed himself up to the girl, forcing her to the wall.

Bella hissed when she heard him whispering sweet words into the girl's ears, before calling his 'Bella'.

There was no arguing as she and Abigail sprinted towards the unsuspecting pair. The girl was whimpering as Edward leaned in for a kiss, completely oblivious to Abigail and Bella.

"Edward." She hissed loudly. That got his attention. He spun quickly, caging the human behind him as if protecting her. His eyes were already turning red, but there was a hint of insanity that made Bella pause.

"You fucking twitpickle!" Abigail growled. Bella cut her off by touching her arm.

"Edward," Bella whispered sweetly, softly. She took a step towards him, ignoring his growl, "It's me, Edward. It's Bella."

Abigail watched her with wide eyes, almost as transfixed as the male. Bella moved sensually towards him, her hand moving up her chest slowly before she brushed her hair over her shoulders.

"Bella…" Edward sighed in content, his eyes drooping as he stepped away from the human. He moved towards Bella, giving Abigail enough time to flit pass him and rescue the human. Edward didn't even bat an eye as the crying girl ran from the alleyway after a firm, 'Tell no one what you say' from Abigail.

"Bella…" he reached towards her, to touch her cheek like he'd just done to the human. She moved so fast he didn't have time to come down from the haze that she had induced.

She growled angrily as she removed his head and dropped it to the ground, "Grab the rest of him."

Abigail nodded firmly. Employing every lesson the Parcae had taught her, she disassembled his body. She waited with the parts as Bella went to get the car and something to put the parts in.

.

They found the house he was vacationing in by following his scent. The moment they entered the house they knew what it was. What unsettled them was the portrait hanging over the fireplace and the small framed picture sitting on top.

"I guess we know why he found us interesting." Bella said bitterly as she stared into the brown eyes of the woman in the portrait.

Abigail shuddered beside her, "He's taking the 'love a girl like mom' to a whole other level."

"A psychotic level." Bella agreed, "Let's see if this place has a basement. If not, his old bedroom should work."

The basement proved fruitful, with soundproofing and an eerie atmosphere. Bella took out the body parts and sat them on the floor, making sure none touched.

"This is going to be fun." Bella smiled sweetly to her almost doppelganger. Abigail tried to return the smile. She felt the air thickening in the already cramp room. Taking a step back, she watched as Bella opened the large case she'd carried with her for most of the trip.

Leaning around Bella, she saw various, oddly shaped blades made of a dark metal. If she could venture a guess, those were torture devices.

Bella ran her fingers lovingly over the blades before she picked up a bizarre looking gutting hook blade. It looked like someone took a slicing knife and bent it to make a violent C curve. Part of the blade had vicious jagged edges, Abigail watched as Bella caressed the blade with a smile on her face.

"Shall we reassemble our lost sheep?" Bella asked as she carefully placed the blade back into the case.

Seconds later, Edward was resembled, partly. His arms and legs were still in their respective garbage bags. Abigail secured him to a chair with thick chains made of the same material as Bella's blades.

"What are those made of?" She asked Bella curiously.

"Aluminum infused with venom." Bella replied easily. She wasn't paying much attention to Abigail, instead she focused on slipping on a clawed metal gauntlet on her right hand. In her left was the curved knife.

Abigail started to say something but Bella shushed her, "I like working in silence. Feel free to grab a blade of your own and carve 'em like a pumpkin."

The clawed gauntlet dug into his cheek, eliciting a scream from the panicking vampire. Bella's expression turned flat, she moved to stand behind him, grabbed his hair and pulled his head back.

Abigail cringed and looked away as Bella slowly punctured his eyeballs with her clawed fingers. She could almost feel him spasm violently. His detached limbs twitched in their baggies.

"Edward…" Bella cooed sweetly, every hint of malice she was showing in her actions didn't register with her tone. Abigail turned to gape at her and stilled.

Bella was leaning over him, their faces inches apart. And even though Bella had just tortured him, he stared up at her with wonder and awe.

"Be—Bella…" He managed to choke out, his tone laced with affection.

Bella glanced over her shoulders to smirk at Abigail, "Tell me, Edward. Why did you pick her?"

He couldn't see, not with his eyes minced in such a way, so Bella continued "Abigail…why did you pick her?"

Abigail frowned, she didn't need to hear this. She knew, after Rosalie had explained, why he had chosen her. Her resemblance to Bella wasn't something anyone could really deny. Granted they would look more alike as humans, but it was there.

She knew Bella had brown eyes like her, as well has brown hair. Before walking into this house, she would have sworn on her pinky that he'd chosen her solely for that reason. But then they saw the portrait of his mother. A shiver ran up her spine.

Edward was muttering lowly to Bella. Abigail barely made out the words before she grabbed a blade and lunched forward, burying the knife into his chest. Bella barely managed to jump out of the way.

"You picked me because I disobeyed you?"

Bella stepped back and watched her closely.

Abigail didn't pay her mind, instead she twisted the saw-tooth blade, relishing in his scream, "It's called freewill you fucking cunny-faced mongrel! Like I told you then, you aren't my fucking father."

She pulled the knife from his chest and embedded it for a second time. Third. Forth. On her tenth go, she pulled away in disgust. His chest cavity was almost collapsed in, with venom gushing from the cracked wounds.

Breathing heavily she moved further away from him, dropping the knife on the floor carelessly.

"Feel better?" Bella asked slowly. Abigail shook her head frantically, she was still glaring at the mutilated body of Edward Cullen.

He seemed to be crying now, mumbling nonsense in between calling for Bella and his mother.

Bella clucked her tongue in disinterest as she glanced at him, "I'll dispose of him. You wait for me upstairs."

Abigail didn't argue, she rushed out of the room. Bella sighed as the door slammed shut. She had actually expected the girl to have more stomach. She was a member of the Parcae clan after all. It hadn't taken much for the Swans to dig up information on the ancients. They kept to themselves, only choosing to be more open in recent centuries.

They were, as the Swans had expected, far older than the Volturi. They had stayed off the Volturi's radar due to Morta's gift. It was rumored that both his sisters possessed unfathomable powers as well, but until they saw it for themselves, the Swans decided to leave it be. There were rumours of their viciousness if any of their clan were threatened. Which was the reason behind Bella believing Abigail had witnessed a torture session or two.

No, even some old vampires never saw such things. She was sure some of the other Cullens had never seen something like this. Jasper and Carlisle probably, due to their history. Jasper himself could probably put her methods to shame and Carlisle had lived with the Volturi briefly.

"Bella."

Bella rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the soon to be pile of ash.

"I'm sorry Edward. I can't play anymore."

"It's alright love…" he rasped out.

She reared back, had he really gone insane that fast? Or maybe he was halfway there when she started.

She didn't say anything else. Careful to not introduce her scent, she torched him and his detached limbs with a small blowtorch. Keeping an extinguisher close by to contain the fire, she whistled a slow tune as he burned. He didn't scream.

.-.

They were on the road again. Abigail sat silently in the passenger seat of the hover car. Bella tapped the steering wheel absently, not sure how to remove the awkwardness from the car. She tried putting herself in the younger vampire's shoes. How had she reacted to seeing torture for the first time? Not good, that's for sure. By the time she'd found a liking to the sport she had already moved pass her unease with it.

The memory of the female vampire she had spent a week tormenting came forth in her mind. Mangypuss, as Bella kindly dubbed her, had been older than her and she'd taken a liking to Daniel. Bella was still experiencing her newborn rage at the time, even though she was on her fortieth year as a vampire.

They came across her in the Caribbean, she'd laid claim over a small island and didn't take kindly to females in her territory. She then attempted to acquire Daniel, Fred and Riley.

"Fucking psycho wanted a harem…" Bella mumbled, not realizing she had spoken aloud.

Abigail scoffed and turned to her in question, "Should I know what you're talking about?"

Bella glanced at her and smiled sheepishly, "Not sure it's a story you'd want to hear right now."

"Any story will do right about now." Abigail sighed, pulling her hair forward she started braiding it.

"Well…" Bella told her. She didn't even know the name of the female, but she knew she hated the woman. It was a classic case of big fish-small pond. The female had gone unchallenged on the island for so long she lost touch with how dangerous other vampires could be.

"You're right. She's insane. She actually challenged such a large coven…" Abigail supplied at the end of the story, "So, you killed her then?"

Bella scoffed, she did more than kill her, "I had to fight Vic and Bree for her. But since she grabbed hold of Dan first, I got first go. There wasn't much left of her after. So I did a humane thing and ended her misery."

Abigail shivered, but not entirely of fright, "How long were you going to torture him?"

"Not long," Bella offered simply, "Maybe a few hours. No more than a day. Dan and I need some serious down time. We've spent most of this month either separated or on some half-ass mission."

"So why did you agree to do this?"

"Would you believe me if I said sweet justice? I wanted to be the one to end him. He partly fucked up my life and actually thought he could continue on like that."

"And why didn't you kill him sooner?"

"You ask a lot of questions." Bella grumbled.

Abigail chuckled, "No I don't. Now answer the question."

"Okay bossy. Charlie didn't want the Cullens putting us on their shit list." She wasn't going to elaborate. She couldn't trust Abigail, not yet. She was in league with four of the remaining Cullens, well maybe not in league. But she would think she owed them something.

"Somehow, Charlie doesn't strike me as someone who cares for people's opinions."

Bella scoffed, "You have no idea. Vic is the only one who can convince him that he's being an ass."

"Must be nice. Having your father with you for the rest of your existence. You didn't have to leave anyone behind."

There was a paused in the conversation before Bella decided to ask her question, "Did you have to leave someone?"

"No one important." Abigail answered slowly. She say Bella glance at her but neither said anything.

Abigail spoke first, "What do you plan to do with his ashes?"

Bella smiled eerily, "Initially I was going to send it to Alaska, seeing as he had plans to go there anyways. But I decided a good set up was in order."

"Explain."

Bella rolled her eyes and the teasing bossy tone, "I left it in an alley we found him in. Made it look like a local vampire didn't like him in their territory."

"Will the scent inhibitors cover us?"

Bella smirked, "Definitely. I took extra precaution. I doubt any of the Cullens will know he's dead anytime soon. That means you'll have to stay away from them. Jasper would smell your deceit before you can manage a lie."

Abigail nodded, knowing she was right, and side-eyed her, "Bella, why did you try to seduce him?"

Bella choked loudly and chortled, "Seduce? I was distracting him. Womanly wiles."

"Huh…yeah, womanly wiles. That was intense though. It looked like you had him hypnotized."

"I should hope so. I spent a year in the capable hands of an ancient succubus. Sometimes we need the advantage."

"I'm sorry, I thought I heard you say, ancient succubus…" Living with the Parcae made her aware of how rare finding ancients were. The Volturi had been determined in making sure they were seen as some of the oldest, strongest coven.

Bella laughed, "Yeah. She passed the thousand mark a few years ago. I'll tell you about her sometime. Maybe we can even make a trip to China. Lord knows I need a vacation."

"China?"

"Yeah. Have you ever heard of Ching Shih?"

"Er…"

"Thought so. Check your history books. She was pretty famous in the early 19th century. She had a way about her. Managed to catch the eyes of a vampire. Poor guy never stood a chance."

"You've lived an interesting life, Bella." Abigail laughed.

"Don't worry, you have centuries ahead of you to experience the world. You're still young, even for a vampire. A decade or so from now, you'll have plenty of hilarious stories to share. Oh, did I ever mention a trip to Russia in 2089?"

.-.

So yeah. Edward's dead. I killed him. Unless any of you are confused, 'You die when you're killed.' So no coming back for Mr Iwannarapeyourmind.

(Smirk)

Don't hit me, if you're an Edward fangirl. You must have realized by now that I wasn't going to go easy on him.

Also, review. They make me all fuzzy inside. Then again, that could be due to indigestion. Still, Review.

Thanks for your support!