"I feel like this could cause more harm than good though, Jasper. Lucia and the others would be left almost defenceless."

We were gathered around in the living room, having a discussion about what to do next and what our game plan would be while Jasper stood on the side lines.

Well, that was until he stepped up, halting all conversations and gave us his proposal. This was to send pretty much all of us away to get some help.

Irina argued that it wasn't the best idea. "I am just saying that this can't be the only plan we can come up with, surely?" She added to her earlier statement.

With a small huff, Jasper looked down at the ground then over to me. "What's your take on this Bella? Lucia is your sister. You should have a right to decide."

Frowning, I took a look at my sister, who was staring right back at me. Did I want to lose her again? Hell no. I would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

Straightening up from my position in Rosalie's lap, I spoke softly almost too softly. "I will not let anything happen to my sister, again. I agree with Jasper's plan. It's the best one that anyone of us could come up with."

Looking ahead into Lucia's eyes, I softly murmured, "I'm ready to do whatever it takes. Unless anyone else can come up with a better plan, I say we move out as soon as possible. We only have a week here."

There was a murmur of agreement in the air. Feeling slightly nervous, I squirmed in Rosalie's lap which was unusual because I could sit still for hours, nerves or not.

This situation must have been getting to me more than I believed it was. Her smooth, marble arms tightened around me and I couldn't help but relax into the embrace and let my mind wander.

Maybe if I think hard enough, I can escape from all this bullshit.
However, a loud bang made me open my eyes to see a very upset Irina march out the room, followed closely by Sarah.

With a small cough, Carlisle stood up and looked around room. "Well then, it seems it is settled. We will break up in to groups to find people willing to come to our aid. Jasper, I assume you have ideas as to where to go?" He asked, staring at him expectantly.

With a small smile, Jasper stood up and addressed us. "Yes, I do. I already have it roughly planned out. Myself, Alice, Emmett and Catlin will go to brazil, while Amanda, Edward, Sarah and Irina- if they are willing, that is- will go to the UK and Bella, Rosalie, Tanya and Danielle will stay here; travel around the states. The rest of us will stay here too and make sure Lucia is protected. I also suggest speaking to Laura and trying to get the wolves in on this as well. Lastly, I feel like we should prepare, right now. Like Bella has already stated, we have a week to get as much help as we can, so we should all leave as soon as possible."

Turning around in Rosalie's lap, I placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Road trip babe. You know what that means, right?" I whispered, only half meaning it.

I was not going to get distracted in any way, not even by my beautiful mate. We were going there for a reason: to help my sister.

Leaning in for another kiss, I murmured against her lips, "Will you pack our stuff, please? I want to speak to Lucia."

Pulling away, she nodded her head before she lifted me up off her lap then blurred up stairs. Slowly, our family began to sweep out of the room.

I made my way towards Lucia, a smile across my face. "Hey," I said quietly, before pulling her in for a hug.

"Hey," she whispered back.

"How you holding up?" My voice cracked a little.

"I'm fine, Bella. Don't go worrying about me."

Pulling out of the hug, I looked at her in the eyes, mine full of worry. "What do you mean? How can I not worry about you? God, we've barley spent time together since you've been back. This is just so frustrating and fucking unfair. You're my sister and I love you. I just don't want to lose you again is all. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."

Sighing breathily, she pulled me back into her and whispered into my ear, "I know you would Bella. I just don't want anyone to get hurt because of me."

With a soft growl, I gripped her tighter. "No one is going to get hurt and especially not because of you. We will all be fine, do you hear me?"

Nodding her head, she murmured softly, "I love you."

As we stayed locked into the hug, I couldn't help but wonder if this was all some sort of set up. I knew it crossed everyone's mind that we were taking the advice and words of a complete stranger, who disappeared as fast as he came.

Would this be the last time I saw my sister? My mate? My family. Was we all walking to our deaths?

Closing my eyes tight, I mumbled a "love you," back before pulling away.

We both smiled at each other before I turned and headed towards the stairs where Rosalie was currently dragging down a couple of suitcases, full of our stuff.

"Do you mind and giving a hand babe?"

I knew she could handle it herself and was trying to provide me a distraction to take my mind of my worry and my sister. I smiled at her and gratefully took a suitcase.

I knew she didn't want me to know she was looking out for me because she was worried I would feel babied so she had pulled a screwed up scowl on her face, as if she couldn't be bothered to carry the suitcases and was annoyed I had asked her in the first place. I loved her so much.

I played along, repressing a smile. "Well, you look like you're doing fine on your own. But if you want to be such a wimp."

I shrugged my shoulders I tightened my grip on the handle unnecessarily and moved with vampric speed into the garage and dropping it there before blurring back to the stairs.

"Rose, I imagine we will be taking the Audi Q3?"I questioned.

It made sense that we would because Tanya and Danielle were coming as well.

"Yep, we sure are. Do me a favour and dump these bags in the trunk, please," she grunted while throwing a couple of school bags at me.

"Uh, Rose, you sure there will be enough room for all our stuff, plus Tanya's and Danielle's?" I asked as she started climbing the stairs again.

"Yeah I made some improvements to the boot a few days ago so it should be fine," she informed me before vanishing up the stairs.

I swept up the bags, balancing them all in my arms I turned around to move to the garage. I knew my sister was stood behind me before I turned. A rather amused smile was across her face.

I scowled. "What, finding something funny are we?" I snapped playfully.

Personally I didn't see what was so funny about this situation I was in. Maybe it was being used in bag duty. Speeding back into the garage, I moved over to the Audi and popped the hood.

Was it weird that all the car doors were always unlocked in this house? Maybe not. We were vampires after all. No one would get away with trying to steal from us. Dumping the bag neatly into the Audi, I slammed the boot closed.

Rosalie wasn't lying. There was more than enough room for us. Moving back over to the stairs where Lucia still stood patiently, talking away to Rosalie who had her back turned to me, I walked up behind Rose and wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close.

"Great job on the boot by the way," I whispered into her ear, making sure to nip her ear lobe.

She shuddered as I hit her sensitive spot. "Thank you. Are we ready to go?" She asked, spinning around so she was face to face with me.

Peering around her, I frowned at my sister. I didn't want to leave her. "It's fine, Bella. Go. We all have a job to do now. I'll still be here when you get back, I promise."

Nodding my head at her, I offered a small smile before muttering a "stay safe" and heading deeper into the garage.

"Hey Rose, are we going to pick up Tanya and Danielle… or?" I asked.

Suddenly, a voice outside answered my question. "No need, Bella. We're already here and our stuff is already in the boot," Tanya's voice echoed from outside.

When did they do that? I was in here only a couple of minutes ago... shaking my head, I hopped into the car with Rose, who was driving. I slammed the door shut with Tanya and Danielle mimicking my movements.

We were all in as Rose started the car. "Be safe guys. Lucia, I love you!" I called as we made our way out of the garage.

I heard a few 'be safe' back and Lucia's 'love you, be safe.' Turning around so I was staring into the back seat, I smiled at Tanya and Danielle. With everything happening, it was good to get to spend some time with them.

Even if it was on an occasion like this. Clasping her hands together, Danielle let out an excited squeal. "Road trip guys! This is going to be so much fun. So, where to first Rosalie?"

Danielle started jumping and down in the back seat which caused me to smile. She was like a taller Alice. So much like a child not that she would probably not appreciate me slagging her about her height.

"I was thinking we should stick to places where we actually know people. Because no offence, but I just don't see the guys getting random vampires to help the cause of a complete stranger," Rosalie said before shrugging her shoulders.

"I know people: a group of three. Two guys and a girl. They stay in North Dakota. I also know one more person who I think will be willing to help us out. A nomad who stays in Washington most of the time. We'll leave that one until last. What about you guys?"

I shrugged at Rosalie. I didn't really know many people aside from the Cullen's and the Denali's, and of course Sarah, Danielle and Laura. There was Declan but I didn't know his current location. It had been so many years.

Danielle seemed to be the same as me because it was Tanya who spoke up. "I know a few people as well, Rosalie. Most likely Irina will give some of them a call as they stay more or less far away. I do know a handful of people who may help us out though. A group of three: they stay in the states, a man named Steven who we came across while he was hunting with his wife Rachael. Them two live in Nebraska and then another girl: Dionne, she stays in Texas. However, I really doubt we will need to trek around. I will give them a call myself and speak to them. Ir would be much easier this way and it cuts time down on how long we are going to be at certain places."

Raising an eyebrow at Tanya, I questioned the last choice of vampire mentally. Texas, really?

"Isn't it too hot in Texas for a vampire. I'm surprised she hasn't been exposed."

Rosalie grinned at me. "You know that Jasper was from there right? So I think the woman would be fine. But seriously, I think we should make this a very quick trip. I'm thinking of a rough plan: four days to get some help. They'll be crowded cities and long miles we got to keep our shit together."

She paused as she took a turning. "There will be nine vampires we need to seek out, so I'm thinking North Dakota is the first place to go. It's the closest and we'll be there shortly. Especially at this time of night."

Rose nodded to the radio where it stated the time: 1:50 AM.

Tanya let out a murmur of agreement, "yeah, you're right Rosalie. We should get there in no time."

Driving from Washington to North Dakota was a lot of fun. Jokes were told, songs were sang with me and Rosalie doing a duet against Tanya and Danielle. It was nice and a good change.

For once, I couldn't deny that it took all our minds off of the current state of things. As the sun began to break out, I stared out of the window. I couldn't help but moan. It was raining in partnership with the day break.

Rosalie took a left and pulled into a nice little alleyway. Its cobbled road made the car bounce up and down. Taking another left, Rosalie sped up and suddenly we were making our way down a long road.

At the end of the road, I could see a house. It was there all by itself, alone and secluded. It felt kind of odd to me that a single long road went down this way to a single house that looked so old I would have said it had been standing for generations.

With the road coming to an end, Rosalie stopped the car in a neat driveway. There was as single car that was parked next to us. The car itself looked old and like it was getting worked on which made me wonder just how old these people were.

Too focused on my thoughts, I was delayed in seeing three people blur outside the house. Un-clipping my seat belt, I felt a hand grasp my own. I snapped my head around to see Rose look at me with a small smile across her face.

"Come on," she said softly, before letting go of my hand and opening the door.

Curiously, I watched as Rosalie walked up to the vampires, all of whom looked confused and wary. Trying to size them up, I took in their appearance and catalogued everything about them.

There was the girl Rosalie mentioned, she had brownish hair, red eyes and a slim body with a devilish smile across her lips. The other two were both guys who looked very alike. Biological brothers?

They both had black hair that ended just at their shoulders with red eyes and muscles that could rival Emmett's. It seemed that my guess was not at all wrong: these vampires were old.

Opening the car door, I followed behind Tanya and Danielle who stood beside Rosalie before introducing themselves. The woman was called Marsha and the men were called Dave and John. I had also guessed them correctly: they were brothers.

Taking hold of Rosalie's hand, I watched them speak to each other with fascination. "So this girl, you want us to help you protect, she is Bella's sister?" Dave said while folding his arms across his chest

"Yes, that's right. Look, I know I have no right in coming to you for help. Hell, we haven't spoken to each other in years but I-we, are desperate here. We need all the help we can get and I trust you guys. So please," Rosalie asked boldly, confident.

Unfolding his arms, the man turned away before Marsha stepped in, anger on her face. "Look, Rosalie, we can't just walk away from our life that we've built here to help yourself or these people. I'm sorry if I sound rude, but they are strangers. Why should we help you? What's the benefit for us? Because I see nothing but cons."

Taking a step back, Rose mimicked her actions, a scowl replacing her face. "What's the benefit you ask? Well Marsh, I'll tell you straight. There are no real benefits here, other than helping an innocent girl out who is being hunted down by sick vampires and all other kinds of woo-woo shit. They want her for who knows what! Look, if you help us, you will be standing up against the Volturi. We're most confident their involved in this, some way or the other."

Almost at once, the three of them jumped up, spinning around with their eyes black and lips turned up. With a hiss, Marsha spoke up, "the Volturi are involved in someway? Rosalie, you will say no more! We'll help out in anyway. However, we will need to know full details here."

Stepping forward, Tanya spoke out to them. "There isn't much time. If you would be willing to head back to our home in Forks, everything will be explained there, in full detail. You will know as much as you want too. I do hope you understand, you are not the only people who we want to join our cause."

Stepping back, she re-took Danielle's hand with a small bow of her head.

I turned towards Rosalie, holding out my hand to take hers.

"Forks, you say? We will see you there then. And Bella, don't worry. We will do our best to keep your sister safe. Goodbye."

With a last nod of her head, the trio disappeared into the house and closed the door.

I turned to face Rosalie. "Well that was quick. I don't even know why they agreed. They were so against it. Anyway, that's three people that's joined our cause now and Tanya, you said you will give your contacts a call?"

I entered the car and started buckling up as I waited for her to reply.

"Come on guys, I need something here. What's going on?" I whined like a little child, making sure to pout as an added effect and knowing how Rose couldn't resist it.

With a loud huff, Rose slammed the door closed. "Look, there is something else at play here Bella. Me and Tanya have our suspicions about certain things. Something feels out of place. I mean, think about it. There was a cloaked figure who came out of no where to give us some advice, a tip if you will. Then he just vanished like that."

She enthused with a snap of her fingers. "I mean: who is he? Where did he come from?"

Shifting in my seat, I opened my mouth before closing it again because Tanya spoke as Rose started the engine.

"Bella, surely you find it a bit odd as well. I've been around for a long time and even I was confused by this thing that showed up. On top of that, me and Rose both agreed that we should hunt this person down and demand an answer from him. We need to know, Bella, it may be of use to us. Before you say anything, I can guarantee that everyone I phone will aid the cause. That much I promise."

Looking to Rose, then to Tanya, I was now positive I would burst with questions but one in particular had me on the edge of my seat. "I'm guessing you have a plan? And just when the hell did you guys have time to speak about this? AND, you must know where this person is living, to be thinking about it this much. Am I right?" I directed it towards both of them.

"Yes, Bella, you're right. We know where this person lives and we have only spoken through text message. Of course we have a plan," Tanya answered.

I raised my eyebrow. "You sound unsure."

Rosalie looked rather sheepish as she stared out of the car window, her eyes focused solely on the road. "Yeah well, our plan was pretty much walk in, talk to him, find out what he knows and see if it can help us in anyway. I know it doesn't sound great, Bella, but its the best plan we have."

I nodded my head and sat in silence, wondering how we had even got on to this conversation. One minute we were hunting down people to help and now we were going in the opposite direction.

"Where are we going then?" I all but shouted, startling Danielle which caused her to let out a surprised growl.

"We're going to Wisconsin."

"I have to ask: how exactly do you know where this man is hiding? You said it yourself: he came as fast as he went."

Tanya answered. "I had someone follow him and before you ask any more questions, Bella, I will not tell you who. I'm sorry, but it was a dear old friend of mine, doing me a favour."

With a small grumble, I crossed my arms across my chest. This was not how it's meant to be. I mean, sure, I would be lying to myself if I said I wasn't a little curious as to who that guy was.

But I never really bothered about it until now. Looking out the window, I spoke lowly to Rosalie, not wanting to disturb Danielle and Tanya who both had curled against each other. Not that they couldn't hear every word anyway.

"How long will it take for us to get to where we need to go?"

"About nine hours, love."

With a heavy groan, I popped the glove department and picked up the head phones that were lying in there. If it was going to be a long trip, I may as well listen to some music to pass the time.

Putting them in my ears, I closed my eyes and leant against the window.

Eight hours later.

Feeling a nudge on my shoulder, I opened my eyes and took out the head phones. I couldn't help but glare a little at Rose. I was enjoying listening to my music.

"What's up?"

"We're nearly there, Bella."

"What, Wisconsin?"

We couldn't be there already could we? With a small laugh, Rose shook her head. "No, Wisconsin, we're already in. I mean where he's staying."

Frowning, I pulled the headphone out of my phone before jamming them back into the glove department just as the car was getting slower. Finally, the car stopped just outside of an old forest where the leaves looked dead on the trees.

I opened my door without waiting for Rose or Tanya to say anything, already guessing that this was as far as we were going in the car.

"Right, Bella, we're going to need to use your gift. We need you to change us into humans so we don't scare him away. And no, before you ask, a lot of human backpackers roam these woods so therefore there should not be anything that could spike suspicion," Tanya stated while getting out the car.

With a small nod, I closed my eyes and concentrated before opening them again and smiling. Tanya, Danielle and Rosalie all looked human and it was kind of bizarre.

Staring at my own hands, I knew I looked human too. "Shall we be off then? I'm assuming you know the way." I directed my question towards Tanya, who started walking away from the car and upwards on a hill.

"This way."

Following after her, we began to make our way East. We walked for ten minutes before we came to a stop. Crouching down beside a tree, we looked down upon a sight I had seen once before.

But that was on a more different matter. There was a house, a small cottage more accurately, that stood at the bottom of the hill. The building had clearly been damaged.

Tanya began to make her way down the hill and Danielle swiftly followed behind her. Looking to Rose, I could see a look that I couldn't explain that she wore across her features.

Squeezing her shoulder, I began to make my way down the hill, following the footsteps of Tanya and Danielle.

"Bella, shh," Tanya snapped at me as we came to the front of the building.

The windows were smashed in the house, looked almost deserted and there was an odd noise coming from inside the building. Stepping to the front of the building, the door was hanging off its hinges.

Walking forward slowly, following behind Tanya, we entered the cottage. The instant we stepped foot inside the building, a smell hit my nose and it made my undead stomach churn.

The cottage was small: only three rooms were visible and only one room had the odd noise coming from it. Making our way towards the source of the noise, Tanya pushed the door open quietly.

A gasp left her mouth and she disappeared from view. Startled and curious, I blurred into the room after her and was met was a sad sight. Lying on the floor of the room, was a man.

A man who had the same clothes on as the one who had visited us and gave us our warning. His face was visible and was covered with cracks paired with a deep purple mark that marred his cheek.

I knew exactly what that was. A werewolf bite. Clearly, someone else had been hunting this man down as well. Rosalie arms wrapped themselves around my waist in a very protectively way. Was she scared that I might get hurt?

"I know what that is: its a werewolf bite and it's incurable. Who did this to you?" I asked the man, I almost felt pity for him.

Choking, the man grumbled out a response, "th-they came for me t-the V-Volturi did this to me. They k-kn-ew I was in danger, they l-let this happen to -m-me."

With a small growl, Tanya stepped forward and grabbed the mans throat before shoving him up against the wall. "We have questions. Answer them and we will kill you to make it quicker. I heard being bitten by a werewolf can last for a long time, pain wise and it only gets worse."

The man made an attempt to nod his head before Tanya dropped him back onto the floor. "Why did the Volturi do this to you? Are they involved with Bella's sister in anyway? And who are you?" Danielle burst out with the questions.

The man looked at her with black eyes riddled with pain. "They d-don't like me. I-I used to be one of them and y-yes they are involved w-with Bella's s-sister. They won't interfere with the battle that will take place. C-cowards. My name is Shaun l-like I said, I am a former member of the Volturi. They came here to hunt me down, th-they sent their experiments on me," Shaun managed to choke out.

"Experiments, what do you mean? Are the Volturi planning to use whatever they are in the battle against Lucia? I know you said they wouldn't interfere, but still," Tanya spoke very fast to the dying man who shook his head furiously.

"They are unlike anything I have ever seen. I-its sick, really. Half breeds, loads of them. They are a mix of vampire and so-something e-else. I have never seen anything like them before. I think it may be human but stronger and more mutant like t-there faces... God, it was so wrong. You may be right, the Volturi will use them in the battle against Lucia, they will want to see what damage they can do in a fight."

With a heavy sigh, the man groaned. "P-please k-kill me, I-I feel s-so very weak in s-so much pain."

Staring down at the man sympathetically, Tanya gave a brief nod of her head before slamming down her foot on the mans head. There was the sound of marble breaking which echoed eerily around the cottage.

"What now?" I found myself asking in panic.

The new information that was given was sending me mental with worry. How could we fight the Volturi? The panic must have shown because Rose pulled me tighter to her body, nuzzling my hair before giving it a soft kiss.

"Now we go back home. We must tell Carlisle about this. Tanya, you phone your friends and get them to meet us there, or make their way there. This is something that needs to be discussed with EVERYONE."

She pulled me flush against her check and whispered in my ear. "On the way, maybe we should stop off at a hotel and have some privacy?" He hands grabbed my ass cheeks and gave them a gentle but erotic squeeze.

Staring wide eyed at Tanya and Danielle I saw both of them had knowing looks. Rosalie wanted to spend some private time together before heading home? Did she fear we were meeting our end, like me? This should be interesting.

AN: THANKS TO LeighJ11 FOR BENG BETA SHE'S AWESOME!

Could I have a couple of reviews guys? Id love to know what everyone is thinking about the story so far. Thanks for reading!