After all the drama of the past couple chapters, this one is going to seem rather droll. A couple puzzle pieces find their rightful place as we continually draw closer to the end of this story. No worries though, there's still plenty ahead.

Stephenie Meyer wrote and proudly owns Twilight, but I'm proud to have written and own this story.

Happy reading...

Chapter 25 Grave Secrets and Matters of the Mind

Noah POV

Ding…dong, the doorbell chimed.

"I've got it Anna," I yelled.

Glancing at the wall clock, I sighed…9:30 a.m. Anna's nightmares last night were the worst I'd seen since she arrived. Seeing the dark circles under her eyes this morning I'd sent her back to her room to try to get some more sleep.

Peering through the peephole, I saw a woman with wild fiery red hair and a young man…Primo?

"We're not interested in any solicitations," I said as calmly as I could, cursing myself for leaving my Glock in my bedroom.

Finding that I was on the floor with the front door blasted inward, I heard a female voice that was not Anna's speaking. Where's Anna? Primo had been at the door. How did he find her? How does he know? At the sound of snarling I rushed toward Anna's room and the unknown voice. The same female from the door was standing in front of Anna. One word described the expression and aura that was emanating from her like a fog beacon…crazed.

I saw Primo behind the redhead, but there was something different with him. My instincts didn't allow me to ponder that thought for longer than a fraction of a moment. Instead, they told me that the more immediate threat was from the madwoman. Positioning myself between the intruder and Anna, one singular thought encompassed my mind…protect her. I only had time to realize that I was flying across the room before I was enveloped in darkness.

Shadow demons chased me as ran through the thick sludge. I felt their razor sharp jaws as they pierced my heels, yet I still ran. I ran because I had to save her…Anna. She was stranded on a small rocky outcropping just a few feet from me; a river of molten lava surrounded her. It was rising and I knew that before long, it would overcome her tiny refuge. Praying that the flaming red river was not too deep, I jumped in.

Nothing could hold back my screams as I felt the flesh of my body being seared from my toes to mid-waist. Slowly step by agonizing step, I walked to Anna. If I could reach her, she could stand on my shoulders and I could get her to safety. One step…two steps…the pain was inexplicable, but I trudged on. Nine…ten…almost…there…eleven…twelve…

"Noah, shh…you're safe, we're safe. You did it. You saved me. Thank you, Noah. Shh…it's okay, it will be over before you know it. We're safe now." I heard Anna's voice. Safe…safe…

Where is she? Where is Anna? I don't see her. I don't hear her. I'm in the lava river again. It's over my head now. I can't breathe. It's in my lungs now. It's burning me on the inside now as well as the outside. How am I not dead yet? Maybe I am. Please, let this end. Someone, anyone…please make this end….

"Noah, it's almost over." Who is that? I don't recognize her voice. "Can you hear me Noah? The burning will be over soon." Her voice was like none other, it was like that of an angel. Who is she and what is that marvelous smell?

"Tanya, are you sure?" Another unknown female voice asked.

"Irina, you and Laurent told me how your skin tingles when you touch. Eleazar once mentioned having a similar reaction with Carmen before they left Volterra. Unless it's something like Kate's power, I've only heard of that phenomenon occurring between mates. What else can it be? I only hope he feels it too." So the first voice belongs to Tanya and the second is Irina. Who are they? What are they talking about?

My arm twitched from a sudden electric buzzing sensation. Wait, not burning…I can feel my arms or my legs and they aren't burning. My chest though…so much pain.

"Did you see that, Rin? He felt it." The Tanya angel sounded excited.

I didn't hear anything else she said as the fire in my chest intensified beyond comprehension. My heart slowed in its rhythmic pounding and as it thumped its last beat, it was over. There was no more pain and every sense in my body suddenly overwhelmed me with my surroundings. Reflexively I opened my eyes and when I looked around the foreign room, I was encircled by strangers.

Faster than I knew it was possible, I slammed my back against the wall behind me, crouching and growling against the unknown individuals while I analyzed my situation. Standing cautiously before me were two men in a semi-protective stance in front of four women. Seeing their wariness and careful expressions at my reaction to their presence, they didn't seem to be a threat to me. Although their faces were alien to me, something about these strangers was familiar. Their skin seemed pale, yet flawlessly beautiful and their eyes…the eyes! They were like the Waggoners. What was it that Carlisle called it? Optical hypo something. These people must have the same thing.

Both men appeared to be of Mediterranean descent, although not from the same country. They both shared short, black hair but their facial structure was different….French and Spanish perhaps? Two of the women were oriented directly behind the men, their eyes alternating between the men and me. The woman closest to the Spanish-looking male shared some of the same features with her black hair and skin tone. The other woman's appearance contrasted drastically with the man she stood near. Her hair was a silvery blonde and her jaw structure and build was Russian or Slovak maybe. The resemblance of the other two women to the silvery-blonde led me to believe that they were sisters. The intensity of the gaze of the strawberry blonde stirred something within me and I was confused when she broke into an unexpected smile. The third blonde stood casually to the side seemingly unperturbed by the potential conflict in the room.

"Hello Noah," one of the men spoke as he stood slowly and held his hands up in a non-threatening manner. I detected a faint Euro-Spanish accent that matched his Mediterranean features. "My name is Eleazar and this is my family and my home. We brought you here at the request of our cousin Carlisle."

"Carlisle? Where is Anna? What happened?" I blurted my questions out before my eyes grew wide and I grabbed at my throat. What happened to my voice?

"Anna is safe, Noah. She is back home with Edward." The woman closest to Eleazar responded. "I am Carmen, Eleazar's mate. I know you are probably confused and full of questions. Please sit down and we'll try to explain." She gestured to the bed.

"Come on," Tanya extended her hand to me after her family concluded explaining the shocking news of my new existence. I'm a vampire…a real vampire. "You'll be able to think more clearly after you've hunted. I will show you how."

Grasping her hand, the tingling sensation that I felt prior to waking up spread from where our skin touched and ran up my arm. Tanya's jubilant laughter caused me to look away from our hands to her face. Her dazzling smile and sparkling butterscotch eyes made me return my own smile and wish that the moment could be frozen in time. The moment was shattered when I swallowed unconsciously.

I was nine when I had my tonsils removed. The feeling in my throat when I woke up from surgery was so sore, even the cold ice cream that I was given didn't sooth the raw pain. The scorching I currently felt in my throat was a thousand times worse. Tanya explained that it was the thirst that was causing the burning sensation and that only hunting would alleviate it.

Horror filled me until Tanya clarified that we would be hunting animals and not humans. While she led me into the wood surrounding her family's house, she further described the difference between the vegetarian diet that Carlisle and her family live on with the rest of the vampire population. She laughed again when I told her the reason Carlisle had given for their eye color. Leave it to the doctor to fabricate a clinical explanation she had chortled.

Hunting was to put it simply, exhilarating. Everything about it felt so natural and Tanya even complimented me by telling me that I better at it than Laurent, but I wasn't to tell him that she said so. After draining a moose, a wolverine, a beaver and a mountain goat, I found that I preferred the beaver. For some reason, Tanya found that hilarious.

Once my thirst was sated, Tanya took me to Mount McKinley. When I balked at her suggestion to climb the mountain without equipment, her responding hysterical laughter lasted for a full two minutes before she pulled me along and showed me some of the physical advantages that vampirism offers. I admit that being able to scale the mountain without equipment was incredible. When we reached the summit, I was speechless.

Tanya watched me as I slowly circled in place and amazed at the splendor. When she began talking, she explained what she knew of the circumstances that led to my human death and birth as a vampire. Disbelief was the only feeling that coursed through me as I learned that Victoria, the crazed redhead that burst into my apartment with Primo, wanted to kill Anna due to a vendetta that she held against the Waggoners or Cullens, as she mentioned the name that the family was more commonly known by. She didn't know the details of that vendetta, but suggested that Laurent may be able to fill in some of the blanks.

Rather than spent too much time pondering how Laurent was involved, I filed that away for later. I was too preoccupied with the inconceivable concept of a vampire army, yet that's what Tanya said Victoria had created with the simple intent of killing Anna and the Waggoners. My God, Anna…Isabella…first the mafia, then an army of vampires…what other dangers have targeted her?

Trying to distract me, Tanya informed me that she was the oldest vampire in the Denali coven and the original succubus. Dropping that last bombshell succeeded in making me forget what I was thinking about before causing her to burst out laughing. She told me briefly about each of her family members and described the essentials for vampire survival, warning me of the Volturi and their laws. Her face became a bitter mask when she informed me of the consequences for breaking their laws.

I suddenly thought of Anna and froze. Anna is a human and not only knows about the existence of vampires, she lives with them. Tanya immediately picked up on the change in my demeanor and I expressed my concern for Anna's safety from both the Waggoners…Cullens and the Volturi. Tanya assured me that if Anna was in any danger from the Cullens, she wouldn't have survived as long as she has. As for the Volturi, the longer Anna remained human, the threat to her life and to any vampires associated with her increased each day.

Craving Tanya's radiant smile, I boldly asked her for a kiss. I was rewarded with both. Parting after the best kiss of my life, I admitted that I had heard when she and Irina were talking just before I awoke. Trepidation crossed her features as she told me that although vampires may have physical relationships with various partners or companions throughout the course of their existence, they will recognize their soul mate by a tell tale tingling sensation.

"I feel it too," I said softly as I placed my hand over her still heart, earning me her biggest smile yet and a kiss that I was certain should have melted the very snow caps that we were standing on.

Some time later, we returned to the house and I was able to really see it from the outside, being too distracted by Tanya and the thought of hunting to see it before. The house was a massive three story wood chalet tucked away so far from human civilization that it was impossible to get any form of car or truck within 100 yards of the house. It looked more like a resort than a house.

When we entered the house, I saw Laurent and asked if he could to give me a tour of the interior of the house. If he was suspicious, he disguised any awareness of it well and agreed. Taking her leave, Tanya gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and told me that she wouldn't be far if I needed her.

It was probably foolish of me to assume that the house would be influenced by Hollywood's preconceived notion that all vampire dwellings were influenced by Transylvania. Instead of underground torch lit catacombs with subterranean coffins protected against the daylight, the décor throughout the house was warm with light earthy colors and accented with pieces that I guessed had been collected over centuries.

At first, Laurent spoke tonelessly as if he were a theme ride guide repeating a memorized script for the hundredth time. We passed the only room that was familiar to me in the house, my bedroom, and he paused when we arrived at a parlor a few doors away. I took the chance to ask him about Victoria. He nodded as if expecting to be asked sooner or later and we sat down while he explained how he knew Victoria and described his first meeting with the Cullens and Edward's human girlfriend, Bella.

I was frozen speechless for the second time that day by the time Laurent concluded his account. Several thoughts flashed in my mind. Isabella…Bella…"I went back to the Waggoners' house yesterday afternoon and discovered that they had just learned about Edward's ex-girlfriend getting killed"…Victoria choosing Primo as her first newborn. Holy shit! Anna is Edward's Bella and no one else knows it, even Anna.

"Tanya, can I borrow your cell? I need to make a call." I asked after concluding my discussion with Laurent.

"Noah, you've awoken to this life less than 24 hours ago. It's too dangerous to have any form of contact with humans."

"Just one call, a text actually. I promise that it will not say anything to reveal our whereabouts or existence to humans. In fact, it will make explaining my disappearance or staging my death unnecessary."

"How?" She asked doubtfully.

"Please? Trust me." I held her hands gently, feeling the electric current running between us.

"One call," she handed me a small cell.

"Thank you. I assume this is untraceable?" She nodded just before I dialed a number I never expected to use. Tanya had mentioned when we were on Mount McKinley that my human memories would begin to fade and I knew I needed to make this call before the memories were lost.

Less than thirty seconds later, I returned the phone to her, preparing to answer the questions that I knew would follow. She surprised me by clicking on a few numbers on the phone and raising the phone to her ear.

"Yes. Okay Alice. Thank you, See you in February."

"What was that?" I asked thoroughly confused.

"I'll tell you about mine if you tell me about yours." She asked knowingly, her mouth formed into a smirk.

"Uh…"

"Mmm hmm, that's what I thought. For now, we'll have our little secrets." She said as she pranced off. If she only knew, I thought as I watched her departing form.

The call I made was to a special number at the Witness Security Division of the U.S. Marshals Service headquarters, setup for marshals in the event that their identity were ever to become compromised. Once my call was completed, like the countless individuals that have been placed into witness protection, WITSEC would erase my identity and reassign my clients to other marshals. The text that I sent contained both the validation of my identity and an encrypted passcode. The passcode would enable the Chief Deputy Marshal in Arlington, access to my private and secured folder on the witness database server housing the list of all my clients. It was a standard security practice for marshals and each of their witnesses to have a unique codeword. That information would be available within this secured folder.

Without making the call, after three unsuccessful attempts to contact me following my failure to check in, my boss would have flagged me as missing in action and begun the same process. Not only would that process take longer, but it would also result in an investigation into my disappearance. Taking more proactive measures, especially after the fire and explosion that I was told destroyed my apartment, I would be presumed dead…killed in the field and no investigation would be performed.

What good would it do now to reveal an occupation that I could no longer have or her forgotten identity? How could I tell her that I was a U.S. Marshal and that the Annabelle Swanson that they know to be Edward's girlfriend…fiancé is none other than Isabella Swan? No, both are secrets best taken to the grave. I chuckled at the irony of that statement. As one of the newest members of the undead race of vampires, that's essentially what has happened with the secrets.

Anna POV

When I woke from my accident in January, the first face I saw was Noah's. Almost like the baby chick imprints on the first face it sees, we developed a special bond. It wasn't like that shared by a parent and child and most definitely was nothing like the bond that I feel with Edward. Perhaps it was because he was the one to tell me about my parents being killed and had some knowledge of the life I had before the accident. Even if everything he knew about me came from my student information file at Cornell, to me Noah was the only link I had to my former life…the life I had before I lost my memories. He is family.

I could tell from the cautious looks on each of the pale faces that I passed as I made my way to my room that they were expecting me to break down into a blubbering mess. Only Jasper and Alice knew better. Why else would I have said what I did before he was taken away? When I saw Noah's limp body on the floor after Victoria swatted him away like a gnat, I thought he was going to die. Once Carlisle volunteered to save Noah, I knew he would survive. I would see him again. Carmen promised that she would ensure that my idea for helping him gain control would be carried out and that she would be able to keep her thoughts from Edward until they were well out of his mental hearing range before she confided in Eleazar.

Edward, my dear, sweet and infuriatingly stubborn centurion. It's only been a few hours since we had our argument. For all his years, this is one time when he is simply a scared teenager. I don't need to read his mind to know that he was thinking of the disastrous culmination to Bella's birthday party. If a single drop of blood could unhinge a mature vampire from years of abstinence, how could I expect more from a newborn...especially Primo?

I know the history that Primo and his family have with the Waggoners and I know I probably shouldn't trust him, but I do. Primo could have attacked either Noah or me when he and Victoria burst into Noah's apartment, but he didn't. He rode calmly back to the Waggoner's house while my scent permeated throughout the enclosed vehicle and never showed any sign of the uncontrolled bloodlust that newborns are supposed to have.

Primo said that he was changed at the beginning of April. If he can control himself after just five months, surely Noah would be able to do the same? Even Savina who, despite being changed less than four months ago in mid-May and struggled with her control, managed to refrain from attacking me. I think newborns can be strong enough to overcome their thirst. They only need to realize that they can and make up their minds…mind over matter. One way or another, I will make Edward see that.

"I do see," his soft voice spoke behind me. I turned around, not realizing that he'd followed me and assumed that he was still upset.

"How much did you hear?" It's been a long time since he'd listened to my thoughts.

"Just the last part. Please forgive me for the invasion and for discounting your opinions earlier," he walked timidly toward me. "When I arrived to Noah's apartment and saw Victoria there…" He spat her name through his clenched teeth and I could see the muscles in his jaw flex. "I was reminded of the time that James nearly killed Bella and was terrified that I was not going to get to you in time."

"But you did, Edward."

"Only just. If it weren't for Primo, I would have been too late. I owe it to him to give him the chance." Sadness crossed his face suddenly, confusing me.

"You were right when you were thinking of a vampire using mind over matter to overcome their thirst." He lifted my hand and inhaled deeply at my wrist. "The scent of one's singer is the strong. I've heard that the thirst from a singer's blood is ten times more intense than that of a regular human to a newborn vampire. Every moment that I'm around you, I am tempted by the sweet ambrosia of your blood. Just as I did with Bella, I made the conscious choice to be stronger than my thirst. I trust in your faith in Primo and Savina that they can to do the same."

"And Noah." I added cautiously. Edward sighed loudly with his eyes closed and his lips pressed together in a tight line. We both stood there in silence while I watched him reign in his thoughts.

"Let's see how Primo and Savina do first after a couple months." He finally said. "If they are both able to become desensitized to your blood without any…complications, we'll have the Denali's proceed with Noah."

"Thank you, Edward." I hugged him as tightly as I could, smiling.

"You're welcome, Anna. Although I admit, I was mildly coerced into changing my mind."

"Alice?" I'd learned that of the Waggoners, only Alice has ever been capable of successfully manipulating Edward.

"She threatened…well, let's just say she's anxious to plan a wedding."

"Threatened? How?"

Edward smirked mischievously. "And give you ideas for future manipulation? I don't think so."

"Hmpf…" I puffed out my lower lip and crossed my arms across my chest.

He broke out in a laugh and I couldn't help but crack a tiny smile. "Come on, love. We've got some newborns waiting on us and a wedding to plan for."

My description of Laurent is far different than Edi Gathegi, but when I read Twilight I pictured what I wrote. Also, having a more mediterranean appearance would help him fit in more with the Denali's and make the guise of a familial relationship more believable.

The text that Noah sent and all the reasoning behind that is completely made up. As a result, it may seem incredibly difficult to believe, but now you understand why Alice saw, or didn't see any questions resulting from Noah's disappearance from society.

All in all, I don't think this was one of my better chapters, but I hope you enjoyed it anyway.

Thank you for reading.