Of Plans and Danger

Bella woke earlier than usual in the morning. It took her a few minutes to remember that she was at the Cullen home and Edward had left. The thought of not knowing when she'd see him again threatened to take her under. She held her pillow tight and drew on her strength to wait for his return.

A light knock at the door announced the invasion of a very hyper Alice. Once Bella had been thoroughly pampered they left for school. The end of the school year was fast approaching for seniors. Classes were about preparations for finals and graduation. Bella had talked to her mom Rene about her college dilemma and not knowing what to study. Renee had advised her to take a year off to think things through. Her father couldn't understand why she couldn't just make a choice.

Bella was thinking about this through her morning classes. She tried to avoid all thoughts of Edward. Alice kept her distracted during the classes they shared. She sat with the Cullens at lunch unaware of the shock she had sent through the school. Her usual lunch mates spent the time staring at her back.

"Bella, Mike Newton is debating whether to come over and take you back to your table" Emmett teased

"Huh?" Bella startled. For a moment she couldn't remember who Mike was.

"Mike Newton?" Emmett repeated "Geez Bella, you got it bad"

"Uh…oh, they'll survive" Bella brushed it off.

The Cullens could tell she was preoccupied and rightly guessed as to the reason. The rest of the school day flew by in a blur. Fortunately, seniors didn't have to take gym anymore in favour of study period.

Bella felt like a stranger when she arrived home. Charlie's house didn't feel like home anymore. The house was spotless and a fully cooked dinner was still warm in the oven. She made her way up the stairs to her neatly packed room. The laundry basket was empty and her cupboard was neatly packed. All her shoes were placed together in pairs. Even her rain boots and tennis shoes were newly washed. Curiosity led her to Charlie's room which she found to be equally clean. His shoes had been polished. She emailed her mom and started studying for her finals.

Charlie arrived late from work with Billy, Jake, Sam and his fiance Emily.

"Sorry didn't mention it earlier Bells, it wasn't planned" Charlie apologized

"It's okay dad, there's enough for everyone" Emily followed Bella into the kitchen to help.

"Are you sure you don't need help Bella? Sam and I were practically dragged along. Charlie boasts so much about your cooking. We absolutely had to try it." Emily explained kindly.

"Uh, no it's really okay. Please get the plates. We'll all eat in the living room."

Anna had prepared a three course meal with desert. It wasn't a first but Bella was annoyed because she had to play a gracious hostess. She preferred spending the time alone.

Emily served the first course concerned about the size of the meal. She knew how much Jake and Sam needed to eat and thought maybe Bella had not cooked enough. Along with her annoyance, Bella had a moment of sudden inspiration. She lit eight long candles and placed them in the living room switching off the main light and the TV.

"Bells-?" A shocked Charlie started

"We have guests" She simply stated and went back to the kitchen to dish the main meal.

She placed the plates on the small serving table and sat on the floor by Charlie's feet to join them. The men were happily surprised with the second serving. Conversation drifted from football, fishing, Sam's plans to join the police force and Jacob's hopes of having his own car workshop. Bella had no plans to share.

"I want to be a writer but want to explore other things first. I want to travel, visit historical places and learn about other cultures. There's just so much to do and college is not first on the list." Bella decided it was best to get this all out for Charlie. He couldn't pressure her in front of his friends.

"Wow, that's cool Bells. I told dad that college wasn't everything too." Jacob supported

"I'm not saying I won't ever go. Maybe I'll do correspondence at first. It just feels like a waste confining myself to a place I don't really want to be. I could fail the year simply because my heart isn't in it." She slyly threatened. Billy and Charlie didn't comment. Charlie wasn't happy.

"Are we all finished? There's dessert" Bella announced

"Bella maybe you should rather think about opening a restaurant. Your cooking is exceptional." Emily complimented

"Thanks, but that doesn't go well with my travelling plans." Bella smiled as she gathered all the plates to the kitchen.

She knew Charlie will bring up the topic again sooner rather than later. She had purposefully made her plans sound complicated because what she really wanted was one thing. She wanted Edward to come back and take her with him wherever he left to next. She'd gladly follow him all over the world and be happy. She escaped to her room to avoid Charlie after their guests left.

Each passing day was harder to get through for her without word from Edward. She kept to herself even in the company of her school mates or the Cullen kids. She saw Anna three times in a six day period, which helped a little. She wanted to ask Anna about Edward and when he'd return but couldn't bring herself to. She felt like she would break down from saying his name. Anna stayed close yet out of sight.

Alice dragged her to the Cullen house to bake with Esme their last day of finals. She knew Bella wasn't interested in celebrating. All left the house except for Esme and Anna.

"I miss him" Bella spoke out loud, breaking the silence in the house

"Oh Bella dear" Esme hugged her in comfort. "It'll be alright"

"No it won't. I can't think of anything else but him. Everything that I know is estranged from me. I feel like I need something to centre me. I need him and he's not here" Bella broke down in tears.

Anna continued to bake. She was not ignoring the two women talking but respected Bella's privacy the way a maiden should. Esme rocked Bella gently until she calmed.

"You need to be strong Bella. He will return. I'm sure he thinks of you as often as you do him." Esme comforted.

Bella turned to face Anna. "Tell me Anna. Tell me everything I need to know." She wanted to hear more about Edward in hopes it would bring him closer to her.

"I'm not sure where to begin," Anna stopped working to sit opposite Bella and Esme on the other side of the table.

"Well, what do you know?" Bella asked "About him"

"Almost everything. He passed on his memories to me when he changed me"

"Do you know where he is?" Bella pressed. Her voice was sharp. She was exercising her authority over Anna without realizing it.

"He is travelling to go meet with his brothers in Africa at the house of Usha"

"His brothers?" Bella's frustration increased. She felt like the only one who didn't know anything about Edward or his whereabouts and the reasons.

Esme gasped, she wasn't sure to leave or stay. It was obvious this information had been kept from them.

Anna took a deep unnecessary breath. It was time to tell Bella the truth about who she was to her. She shared a look with Esme that signified the importance of what she was about to hear.

"Yes, Master had four brothers. He is the eldest. Three are still alive. His second was killed during the wars from the story I told you. All the brothers had their own kingdoms to rule over as master did in their time. They were all attacked by the same enemy, the new vampires of Esme's kind.

Their numbers were large and their attacks to each house strategic. This led master to believe there was a traitor amongst them. As it turns out master's brother from the house of Khrypkov in Russia has turned against his own. You'll remember I told you how master's house was defeated. He let his enemy kill his will to live and died to the world. He did this out of grief and to protect his brothers until they could identify the traitor among them.

At that time the vampire world was ruled by the Romanian coven of Esme's kind. They were soon overruled by the Volturi coven who are still in power today. The Volturi continued to keep master prisoner. Their interest in him was to preserve a part of vampire kind history and to make sure he did not build a rebellion against them.

When master's house was taken, his two youngest brothers went into hiding. Their houses too had been destroyed, their mates and children killed. It was early this year when master and I left Volterra to the Americas that his brothers learnt he was still alive. They travelled to meet with him after they sensed him. He sent me here for my safety. I need to remain hidden until he can tell them about my existence. The two younger brothers are Kira, leader of the house of Usha in Africa and Evan, leader of the house of Kevi in China and surrounding Islands including Australia. They have lived in hiding all this time, far from Italy and Russia."

Bella was stunned. Her mind couldn't process the information fast enough. She had never asked about the vampire world outside of the Cullen family. She was surprised they even had rulers.

"How do you fit in all of this?" She asked Anna

"You saw my website. Vampires don't like it when people are too curious about them, whether you find out the truth or not. The leader of the Volturi invited me to Volterra to 'do vampire research at his lab.'" Anna used air quotes.

"I learnt much more than any living person is allowed to know so I had to be killed or changed. The leader of the Volturi found no use for me but master did. He changed me and made me his first general. I am to help him rebuild his house."

Bella's brows were furrowed in deep in thought. "How did his brothers know he was alive?"

"The brothers can sense each other from anywhere in the world. When master decided to change me he allowed himself to live again. He must exert his authority over me as his keep. This is how they could sense him. All of them did including his brother in Russia"

"What will he do knowing that Edward is alive?" Bella didn't like the thought of him in danger

"He has sent out search parties to find master and the others. The first group was killed by master and his brothers. While master was here he sensed his brothers seeking him. That is why he left. It is important that he keep them ignorant of mine and your existence. I have six months to perfect my training before I can be known. You are too precious to us. We will do anything to protect you."

"When you say we-"

"Master and I"

"How am I precious to you?" Bella asked of Anna specifically

"You are my master's mate. As his general, I am to see to your safety. Because I am also female, I am your maiden too. Please understand that it was by pure accident that I found you. He had no hope of ever finding love again."

"You found me? H-how did you-?"

"I'll show you in a little while. There is something you should see in my room" Anna answered nervously.

"What happened after you found me? Did he know he'd find me here at the party?"

"I can communicate with him but only when he chooses." Anna's voice was quieter. She knew this would hurt Bella since she couldn't communicate with Edward yet.

"H-How?"

"Through the mind, telepathically. It is only possible because he is the one who changed me. I am like his 'child' for lack of a better word. My Lady, please understand that it is not safe for him to contact me often. Any of our kind will sense our connection and know about me before due time. It is for our safety."

The three sat a long time in silence. Anna was nervous of Bella's calm acceptance even as confusion reigned on her face.

"So everything you've been doing for me…is it...because you're his general and my maiden?" Bella asked

"Yes, you are my mistress. It is out of duty and reverence that I tend to you. I am also very fond of you Bella. You have been very kind to me."

Strangely, Bella understood this although she wasn't comfortable with it. She decided that she had heard enough for the day. There was too much information to sift through and she hadn't asked about the wolves yet.