A/N: Thanks, as always, to my reviewers!!!
Disclaimer: SM owns all.
Demetri's thoughts were rather repetitive as he spotted Edward: please don't hate us, please don't hate us, please don't hate us. He knew he and the Cullens didn't exactly have the best of relationships all things considered but he liked to think that they would appreciate his history of being extremely courteous and polite no matter what kind of situation presented itself.
"Hello Demetri." Edward greeted, his voice extremely amicable, to which Demetri raised a perfect brow.
"Edward. This is…" He began, looking at his mate.
"Anna. Yes, I know. Nice to meet you." Edward replied, extending his hand to the lovely vampire.
"It's my pleasure." Anna said, smiling brightly.
Edward moved out of the way, making room for the pair to step inside. Anna's eyes widened at the spectacular house. It really was beautiful. Demetri looked a bit uncomfortable. He hadn't been in a real house in a long time, much less the Cullens' house. Not that he had anything against them, it's just that his position had always required him to consider them enemies. They were an abomination to the vampire world in that they drank the blood of animals and associated with humans on a regular basis.
But they were also the only people that could protect him and more importantly, Anna. No, he wasn't using them. It would just take him a while to blend into their lifestyle. After centuries of living a certain way, it was going to be tough, more so for him than for Anna.
Edward quirked a brow at Demetri's thoughts but then he softened his expression. He knew he would do the same thing for Bella.
Then, Carlisle and Esme came down the stairs to greet the newcomers. Anna smiled at the pair; they reminded her of her and Demetri.
"Hello again, old friend." Carlise said to Demetri, smiling at him genuinely.
"Carlisle." Demetri replied, walking up to his friend to shake his hand. "It has been too long."
Carlisle shook his hand in return. "It certainly has."
"And you must be the lovely Anna." Esme said, a kind and caring smile on her face.
Demetri watched as Anna nodded bashfully and walked up to take Demetri's hand in hers. He loved that about her; she wanted to be near to him just as much he craved being near her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Carlisle. You, as well, Esme. Demetri has told me a lot about you all." Anna said, smiling back at the couple in front of her.
Just then, Renesmee's scent filled Anna's nostrils. "Pardon me for asking, but what is that strange smell?" she asked Esme.
And as if on cue, Renesmee descended the stairs with Alice holding her hand and all other Cullens in tow. As soon as Alice saw Anna, her own flesh and blood, she felt a strong pull to the girl. Alice skipped down the rest of the stairs and ran to hug her niece.
"Oh, Anna!" she tightened her hold on Anna, relishing the moment. She looked at Demetri and mouthed a "thank you" to him. Anna returned the hug with equal fervor.
After Alice pulled back, had she been human, tears would have been brimming her eyes. "Aunt Alice." Anna said happily.
"Just call me Alice, Sweetie. Thank goodness you're alright." Her eyes flashed to Demetri. "And thank you, Demetri, truly. I'm so happy for the two of you."
At that, Rosalie scoffed. "Of course Alice's niece would have to pick him."
Anna growled ever so slightly, her possessiveness threatening to come out again. She didn't like it when others insulted her Demetri.
Edward laughed. "I don't think you want to mess with her, Rose." He said. "She's not a human anymore."
"I could take her." She mumbled under her breath before plastering a fake smile on her face. Another life ruined, she thought to herself.
After all the introductions were made, Bella gave Demetri a pointed look with narrowed eyes and indicated at Renesmee.
"Since we do have a half-human in the house, I'd appreciate it if you could both control yourselves around Ness. And not hunt around Forks. My father is still alive and we do have human friends." Bella said as civilly as she could.
"Of course, we wouldn't dream of hurting Renesmee." Demetri confirmed, smiling at all of the Cullens. He just wanted them to stop looking at him like he was going to attack at any minute. He was done with that part of his life. He had more important things now and it wasn't like he was a killing machine. Yes, Demetri was still one of the most dangerous vampires in the world but he would no longer put those powers to use for unjustified reasons.
Why couldn't they just accept him?
"They're afraid." Edward cut in, having been reading his thoughts. "You don't exactly have the best history with us and Nessie, especially."
"If I may…" Anna began. "Demetri was around me while I was a human and was a perfect gentleman." She smiled, thinking back to how gentle and careful he had been with her while she was still fragile. Her eyes wandered to Edward whom she knew could see all of her memories. "He has amazing self-control and Renesmee is not in danger. If you would all just let go of the pretenses and grudges you might hold against the Volturi and see Demetri, just Demetri, you'll see that he's not that different from any of you. He is loving and considerate." She gripped Demetri's hand tighter. "We don't want to inconvenience you but they will be coming after us. Chelsea is dead and I… I messed things up, too. So if you want us to leave, we will."
Esme smiled at Anna and walked up to her, giving her a welcoming hug. "Of course you're welcome, here, Sweetie. Even if you weren't Alice's niece, you'd still be welcome." And then she turned to Demetri. "And you too, Demetri. She's right, we can't hold anything against you… you were just doing your job, nothing more." With that, Esme gave him a hug, too.
At first, he stiffened, unsure if he should trust them as kind as they were but then he softened up and hugged the Cullen's mother figure back, thankful that she was accepting of them.
"The rules for hunting still stand. No humans unless you want to venture elsewhere." Carlisle said in a fatherly tone. "But you both are welcome to stay here as long as you need to."
"Thank you, Carlisle." Demetri replied, truthfully meaning it. "It means a lot to us."
And with that, the new couple got settled in with the new family.
Anna and Demetri spent the next few days getting settled in. Surprisingly enough, Demetri had gotten along splendidly with Emmett and Jasper and they partook in various activities together. The men of the family seemed to be excited to have a new couple in the house. But of course, it escaped no one's attention that the person with whom Demetri got along with best, aside from his Anna, of course, was Carlisle.
"Demetri, a word?" Carlisle came into the family room and invited him into his office. "Have a seat."
"Your hospitality to me and Anna has been remarkably appreciated. Anna recently broke ties with her family and I know she's enjoying spending time with yours." Demetri thanked him, glad to have his old friend back.
Carlisle nodded at him. "Alice only gave us the broad scope of what happened, not the specifics. What exactly led Aro to want to kill you?"
Demetri sighed, not particularly wanting to relive this moment but it was only fair that Carlisle knew why he was potentially bringing down upon them the wrath of the Volturi. "I had left, I needed time to think… Anna followed me and attacked some humans in broad daylight. She was a day old, there was nothing to be done. When I took her to the castle, he was furious. And Caius…" He spat out the name with absolute hatred. "Caius suggested what Aro deemed a just punishment and had Chelsea strip away my ties to Anna." His breathing increased. "I nearly killed her, Carlisle. I tracked and hunted and stalked my own mate, with full intent to kill. When I found out what had happened, thanks to Heidi… I killed Chelsea and everything went back to normal. My feelings came back. I came to find her as soon as possible. But I can't help but think what would've happened if I hadn't found out. Anna would be dead right now."
"So now Aro wants revenge? For Chelsea?" Carlisle asked, hoping for the opposite.
"I don't know what he wants. All I know is that I want Anna to be safe and I will die protecting her if it comes to that." He spoke resolutely.
Carlisle nodded his head. "I understand. We will stand by you, Demetri, in any way we know how."
"Carlisle, I don't want your beautiful family to be put in danger. And this time by the cause of an old enemy." He explained, lowering his head, embarrassed.
"You're no enemy to us, Demetri. You've always been my friend. You had no choice but to do what Aro said, none of you were there of your own free will." Carlisle had a pensive look on his face. "And the others?"
Demetri's head shot up and looked at Carlisle solemnly. "They are alive… for the time being. I cannot attest to their conditions but they must be poor. Heidi, Alec, Jane, and Felix were tortured for trying to help Anna. It's all just one big mess. The only way for us to live is for Aro and Caius to die."
"You know if that can be avoided, it would be for the best." Carlisle offered. "Although… if anyone even tried anything like that with Esme, I know I'd want the same, despite my rather peaceful nature." And with that, he gave his newest "son" a heartfelt smile.
"It'll be alright, amore, you will see." Felix spoke to Heidi as he cradled her in his arms.
She shook her head. "No. I heard them! Aro is going to scour the planet for them. The Volturi always get what they want."
Felix kissed her forehead. "I didn't know you had it in you to stand up to them. I love that about you."
She scoffed. "Look where it got us." Her eyes glazed over with fear. "Jane is a strong one. But she has a good heart, I know it hurt her to do that to us." Heidi's expression turned angry. "Felix, they made her torture her own brother!"
"I know, I know." Soothing motions made themselves present on Heidi's back. "It's terrible, I know. Something is wrong with the masters."
"Something is wrong with us! How could we have stayed after what they did to Demetri? They stripped him of his feelings for his mate. Loyalty or no loyalty, you don't just do that!" She sighed. "I had always thought of them as my fathers. I never had a real father figure in my life and when Aro took me in… I just can't believe I let them fool me for so long."
"They fooled us all." Felix smirked, despite the gravity of the situation. "You know, when Demetri and Anna first met, he protected her. Didn't let me drink her dry. They had an immediate connection. I used to think the Cullens were twisted, wrong for shying away from their nature. But now…"
"Now?" Heidi asked, eager to know his innermost thoughts.
"Now I can see that they're right. It is possible to have and be a family." Felix turned his head to face her. "I can see that, now, and I want that… with you. Once we get out of here. If we get out of here… I would love to start over with you, Heidi. Do things right away from all of this. I'm tired of being Felix, the guard, the fighter… I just want to be me."
Heidi's eyes were glistening. "Oh, Felix!" She threw her arms around him. "I would love nothing more than that. But we can't just leave Jane and Alec, they have to come with us. They stuck by us and Anna and Demetri. I love them, I really do. And I know what you mean about the Cullens. They used to disturb me, too. Carlisle was lucky- he was able to escape all of this centuries ago."
"We will make it out, Heidi. I promise you." He said truthfully.
"Or die trying." She replied.
Meanwhile, Anna had been catching up with her new mother and sisters, Bella, Alice, Rosalie, and Renesmee.
"We're so happy to have you here, Anna." Alice said happily while the rest, with the exception of Rosalie, nodded. "How's Rachel?"
Anna's face paled considerably at the mention of her mother. They hadn't exactly parted on the best of terms. "She's… she didn't understand. And she blamed Demetri for everything, so did my dad. I snapped when they started blaming him. It's not his fault, none of it is."
Yet again, Rosalie scoffed and Esme admonished her. "Now, Rose. Demetri is as much a part of this family as Anna is."
She growled. "Demetri is not a part of this family." Her eyes diverted to Anna. "And neither are you. Just because he thought you were good enough to keep around and just because you're Alice's biological niece doesn't make you a part of this family." She hissed. "Clearly, since you're in love with that sick, twisted excuse for a person, you don't know what that is."
"Rosalie!" Alice hissed at her, the evidence of Anna's discontentment visible on her sullen-looking face. "Anna, don't listen to her, it took years for her to accept Bella."
At that, Bella nodded, sympathizing with her. She knew what it was like to feel rejected by the blonde beauty. Renesmee was the one thing that had brought them together, their desire to save her life.
"You don't know him." Anna's voice was like steel, harsh and unforgiving. "You don't know what he's been through, what he suffered and gave up for me. If I ever have the chance to make it up to him, I will. I'd do anything for him and I don't care if you don't like us, Rosalie. We're not going stay here forever." Her voice faltered at Alice's unintended whimper of protest. "It's going to be hard for Aro to track Demetri and he's not a bad person at heart. Caius has poisoned his mind and it's a shame, really. Aro had the potential to be a great man. But he did things to Demetri that you wouldn't do to your worst enemy. It's killing him inside that he almost hurt me and he doesn't feel worthy of any of yours' acceptance. But when Aro does find us, we're gone, and we won't put you in harm's way. Demetri and I may not have a lot of time left so if you could try to stay civil for the sake of charity, I'd really appreciate it." And with that, Anna stormed out of the room, casting an apologetic glance at her other "family" members.
She needed Demetri. He was really the only one who could understand her and it hurt her desperately when he wasn't around in her vicinity. Demetri…
She found him downstairs in the living room, sitting on the couch across from Edward, Jasper, Emmett, and Jacob. Jacob's nose scrunched when Anna entered the room, the familiar vampire sweetness of the five of them overwhelming. Demetri's sweet smell entered her nostrils and she breathed in deeply, relishing his scent. He smiled at her when her head cocked to the side lovingly, admiring her mate.
"Anna." Edward acknowledged her. "Rose doesn't mean it, she just doesn't like to see other people close to her age get stuck in this life."
"Why does everyone think I'm stuck in this life?" Anna flopped herself down on the couch and snuggled against Demetri, his arms wrapping her in a safe embrace. "I wanted it! I still want it. You understand, don't you, Edward?"
Much to her surprise, Jasper spoke up. "I know how you feel about him. It's no different than how any of us feel for our mates." He smiled, thoughts of his beautiful, wonderful, quirky Alice flashing across his mind. "It must be frustrating having people doubt your feelings but trust me, you'll grow on us. Even Jake, here."
Jake scoffed. "As if we need any more bloodsuckers, especially those filthy…" He trailed off at Anna's growl. "Well, I guess you guys aren't really part of the Volturi so you're okay in my book. Plus, Ness really likes you, Anna."
Anna smiled at the mutt. He was a really nice person, even if he did smell like a wet dog. At that, Edward laughed inwardly.
"Well, who couldn't love my Anna?" Demetri asked rhetorically and pulled her in for a sweet kiss.
Their intimate touch triggered something in Anna and her eyes glazed over, seeing, but not what was in front of her. She saw Demetri and smiled at first but soon, the smile dissipated. He was laying on the ground, crying her name incessantly, sobs escaping his lips. He cursed Aro and the day he ever met the bastard and Anna didn't quite understand. She tried approaching him but he couldn't see her, he just kept muttering her name. And then she understood.
He was mourning her. But where was she? What happened to her? A gasp escaped her lips as the smell of smoke and burning timber entered her nostrils. Fire… someone had been burned. Had she been burned? By the look on Demetri's face, she had. It soon dawned on her. She had been killed. How, when, and why was unclear but she was gone. And Aro had something to do with it. The look on Demetri's face was of pure torture… agony. I will avenge you, Anna. To the death.
"No!" she shouted, retreating from Demetri. And suddenly, everything cleared and she was back in the Cullens' living room, Demetri with his arms around her. Her heavy breathing was the only sound in the room as her mate eyed her in concern.
He touched her face softly. "Are you alright?"
Anna's eyes flashed to Edward and he looked confused but then the crease in his forehead flattened out. He knew what was going on. Anna's relationship to Alice had to have rubbed off on her new vampire self somehow… the girl could have visions, just not the typical kind that Alice had. Perhaps it was triggered by touch? He needed to talk to Alice.
"What just happened?" Anna asked Edward, her purple-gold eyes asking him for clarification.
Demetri's eyes rested on the mind-reader, as well, as he was equally worried about what had just happened. "Edward?" he asked.
"A vision." Edward stated simply.
Jasper's eyes were flickering between Anna and Edward. He could feel the waves of anxiety, terror, and fear rolling off of Anna and it was starting to unnerve him. A vision? How was that possible? And of what could the vision have been to terrify his new sister so much?
"Of what?" Demetri asked, looking at his mate pointedly, desperation written clearly on his face, at which Anna cringed, recalling the look on his face in her vision. And his promising words…
Anna shook her head and gave Edward a pointed look. "I don't remember… exactly."
Her new brother looked at her, unconvinced that this was the right course of action. "Anna, I think it's best-…"
"Edward." She said seriously. "It was nothing. Maybe it was just a glitch or something."
At that, he nodded. They would speak of the matter in private at a later time. Still, Anna could not shake the image out of her mind of her mate on the ground signing his death sentence for her sake.
Edward's eyes also reflected that pain. He didn't know exactly how, exactly when, or even why but something bad was going to happen. Glancing at the couple, their happy, exuberant mood overshadowed by the melancholy on Anna's face, he couldn't help but frown dejectedly. Yes, Edward thought. Something very bad was going to happen.