A/N: I don't own Twilight and its characters

This story is also been posted in wordpress, some of its chapters are accompanied with images (Link is in my profile page)

Lots of thanks to XxJasper'sAngelxX , she makes my story pretty :D


Chapter 29 - Countdown

Bella's POV

Looking straight ahead, still laying on my back, I can see specks of dust floating in the air, every crack and indentation in the ceiling above, even with the little lighting from the lamp on the bedside table I am able to see things as bright as day light.

Lab - dub ...

Lab - dub ...

I can hear the sound of a heartbeat, my heartbeat. I'm a vampire now. I died from the fall on the cliff, but Luca saved me. Sensing him beside me I turned to see the most beautiful man I have ever seen. I can't help but think my view of him with human eyes didn't do him justice. He was like a sculpture by Michael Angelo. Picture an angel and god at the same time.

I smiled up to him. "Hello," I said, but quickly covered my mouth slightly, surprised by my new bell like voice. I never knew that changing to a vampire like him would do anything to my voice at all.

He then gave me his most dazzling smile, leaned down and kissed me on the lips, "Welcome back my love."

Having his soft warm lips against mine ignited a heat within me and I pulled him closer, pulling him on top of me as we deepened the kiss. Emotions such as passion, love, lust and need swirled within our mating bond.

As things were getting heated we were interrupted by a loud angel like voice that came from none other than Sage, "Not being rude or anything dear brother, but we have a newborn army to kill. You can continue all the lovey dovey smoochie stuff after!"

A low growl came from him and it only spiked my lust, but I stopped myself before doing anything else. Sage was right and as soon as everything is out of the way we can all go back enjoying our life in peace.

"Oh hush brother! Are you going to get up or do you need me to drag you out of there?" She taunted. I could imagine her hands on her hips, looking at him with a scowl and tapping one of her feet.

Luca groaned in annoyance. He turned to face me, connecting his ice blue eyes with mine leaning down whispered in a husky voice, that sent pleasurable shivers down my spine, "The moment this is over I will ravish you like there is no tomorrow!"

I cupped both of his cheeks and kissed him gently. "I'm looking forward to it my love."

We both got up and I looked down at my clothing. I was wearing a white silk night dress. Walking to the closet I striped down to my underwear and gasped in surprise to see the changes in my body. The scars I had gotten from my childhood and from James were gone, there was nothing left but soft smooth skin. I also noticed there were a tattoo like shape of a swan on my shoulder. I frowned as I looked at it closer, it's made of sharp and long lines, cursive elongated lines that has a tribal design to it. I saw Luca walk up behind me from the mirrors reflection.

"That will act as a day protector from the sun," he explain as he wrapped his arms around me and started placing kisses along my neck, shoulder and back. I moaned as my flushed back came in contact with his chest and the heated trails his kisses left behind.

"Brother...if you don't stop now I promise you will regret it," Sage said from the other side of our door.

Luca let out a huff, "Fine..."

"Good, now come on!" She shouted.

I got dressed in a red blouse, skinny jeans and flat black ballet shoes. We were met outside our door by a smirking Sage.

"Immortality suits you dear sister. I'm guessing if I didn't stop my brother we wouldn't be seeing you for weeks."

Luca sent her a glare which made her stuck her tongue out at him like a five year old and their antics made me giggle.

Her smiling face turned to serious, "Now we received news about Victoria whilst you were preoccupied. We must make our way to the meeting room."

On our way to the meeting room we walked human pace so that Sage could inform us what had happened since the 'accident'. She informed us about the newborn third in command and the information they learned.

We opened the doors and were greeted by the brothers, Peter, Charlotte, Jasper, Carlisle, Alice, Edward and the top guards. There were gasps at my appearance, but I just rolled my eyes at their reactions. They greeted me with compliments about my new appearance. Not only my voice and skin had changed, but my hair became longer, and instead of plain brown it was now a hazel with tints of red and my body gained curves and became more defined.

We all took a seat at a long rectangular table with Luca at the head of the table, me on his right and Sage on his left, followed by the brothers, the Whitlock's, the Cullen's and guards on either sides.

Carlisle started, "Shall we start?"

"Of course. Now who will speak first?" Luca asked.

Jasper's military training kicked in and his posture changed into that of a soldier and he started his report on the current situation, "As we learned from the scouts and informants Victoria is indeed building a newborn army. At this time her army is consisting on a few gifted newborns and she also acquired a mystery ally whom she spoke to on the phone on a number of occasions. Her whereabouts are still unknown, yet there are a few scents that the scouts had noticed outside the castle walls during their rounds. They tried to follow them but failed, guessing that Riley, the second in command, was one of them as his gift can cover up scents. Not long after Bella awoke Alice had a vision of her and her army in a clearing 50 miles from the city, it was sunset and that's where it had cut off. The outcome cannot be seen due to many decisions. Estimated time was 3-4 weeks tops."

Caius continued, "Since the alert of the newborns, false or not, all non duty guards had been called back and changed their diet to human blood, they also have started training."

I had been informed earlier that the Cullen's were surprised with the information that everyone had the choice of diet, I guess they didn't realised that the Volturi had changed their diets. They have the option to drink animal blood as long as they have enough control or if they aren't on duty. They also don't kill innocent people any more just the scum of the earth.

"Since we haven't got the exact date, but we have an estimate, it's safe to say that we should all try and get ready a week or two before," Sage said as she addressed everyone in the room.

I looked and see everyone nod in agreement. Sage seemed so carefree all the time that you wouldn't expect her to have a soldier side.

"I agree with my sister. The Cullen's will join all the guards for training. Based on the last attack it was a close call and we don't want it to happen again. Training will be supervised by Sage, Caius, Jasper, Peter and Charlotte," Luca informed us.

I looked over to Edward and Carlisle who had frowns of confusion on their faces. Edward spoke, "Why Sage?"

Sage shot him a glare which meant she took it as an offence. The Volturi's and Whitlock's shot him a glare radiating rage and anger, not liking him for making such a comment towards their princess or probably because all he has been doing since he got here was complain.

"In case you didn't know Eddie, Sage has more experience here than anyone in this castle, for one she's older therefore more experience and second she has faced much worse things out there than newborns and came back alive," By the end of his mini rant Luca was growling at Edward. I giggled while everyone snickered at Edward's new nickname.

Edward ignored his warning and asked, "What could possibly be worse than a newborn army?" He asked, his voice higher than usual showing his irritation.

The three brothers and some of the top guard shuddered remembering something, keeping their gazes away from Sage. I remembered the story about her sinking into the dark abyss when they had lost their family, it was a horrible time for all of them and a lot of blood and venom had been shed because of it. I saw Luca place a comforting hand on Sage, sadness, pain, longing and loss flashed across his eyes while Sage held almost the same expression, but with rage and anger at the forefront. Her eyes turned a piercing ice blue as she recalled what happened, small drops of moisture formed around her eyes. Seeing her tears I saw red, he got my sister upset.

In a flash I had him by the throat, based from his fear filled wide eyes he is seeing my vampiric nature make its way to the surfaced. None of them tried to move as I squeeze his throat, causing small cracks to appear slowly, creeping its way up to his face.

Someone placed a small delicate hand on my shoulder and somehow I knew it was Sage, "Let go sister. Don't worry he will get what's coming to him."

I turned and see her cold steel gaze directed at Edward.

Turning to face him again I let go of him making him stumble and I said, "Eddie, try and learn to shut up."

"For your information Eddie, the ones that are much worse than newborns are children of the moon. You know the ones who turns into werewolves during the full moon. They are much more stronger than newborns, they have sharp teeth and claws that could slice you like butter. Their long muscled legs enable them to move fast and their senses are heightened like a vampires. They lose all rational thoughts when they turn and only run on instincts. Instincts to destroy anyone or anything in their path who isn't in their pack. They will be unpredictable even to your mind reading ability. The shape shifters are nothing more than a pack of small puppy compared to them."

With that she left the room slamming the door behind her. Everyone was glaring at Edward and Carlisle gave Edward a disappointed look.

"Our family was murdered by werewolves. While I was in my slumber she faced them along with the three brothers. They faced them alone," Luca answered the unspoken question.

Caius continued, "From the moment she learned about the death of both her parents, uncles and aunt she sank into a dark abyss that resulted in her turning off her emotions. She was so blinded by the loss, hate and revenge that it resulted her to kill most of the pack members. She painted the town red, literally. No one in the pack survived that day."

Edward grew even paler and Carlisle, Jasper, Peter and Charlotte shocked. They would never have thought an innocent child like Sage could ever have witnessed, let alone do something like that, but I guess the death of a close family member would result you to do those things. I would probably do the same thing if I were in her shoes. I can not bare the idea of losing any of my family members at all.

With everyone set with their tasks they all left the meeting room, leaving me and Luca alone. Wrapping his arms around my waist I snuggled close to his chest and breathed in his calming scent.

"Are you OK?" I asked in a quiet voice.

"Yes my love," He answered and tilted my chin up kissing me passionately on the lips.

Laca's POV

After kissing Bella I felt the need to find my sister. I couldn't sense her on the training field and I hated being separated from my mate even for a short while Like she understood what I needed she stopped and asked me to find and talk to my sister while she continued on the training field.

Thanking her I kissed her once again and dashed around the castle looking at the various spots where she may be. I expanded my senses and heard a heartbeat coming from the underground tomb where I used to reside during my slumber. Taking all the keys that the brothers had given me after I woke up I made my way to the tomb. Upon arriving I was heartbroken to see my little sister so vulnerable. There she was, weeping at the bottom of a large painting of the family that hung on a wall behind my stone coffin.

I blurred to her side and swept her up into my lap and hugged her with all my might. I cooed into her ears, "Shh... Sum hic cara sororum." (shh... dear sister I'm here)

I held her tightly, whispering comforting words to her until her tears had dried up and she only sniffled every few minutes. She stood up and composed herself, wiping the dried tears from her eyes before reaching into her pocket getting out a small burgundy box. She handed it to me and I looked at her with a perplexed expression. She smiled and motioned for me to open it.

"It's for Bella, I know you had a hard time finding one so I took the liberty of making you one."

Opening it I was at shocked and awed at the same time. It was an engagement ring. It was an oval shaped blue sapphire encased in a white gold band with a vine like design flowing around it showing its flawless complexion. I looked at her in shock.

"You made this?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yep," she answered popping the 'p'.

"I took one of the gems from mothers collection. Remember she used to collect pretty stones? Aunt had included a bag of them in the chest she given to me. You could say you inherited it from her which is true as it is from one of her collections," She shrugged before continuing, "Maybe when this is all over you can finally propose. Seriously brother I have been itching for you to pop the question..."

She never got to finish her sentence as I hugged her and thanked her over and over again. It's perfect.

"Now there is a surprise for you if she says yes, which is most likely the answer anyway. Have you seen the two of you? You're worse than the brothers and their wives, " She huffed.

"Now let's get training," Dusting off her shorts she made her way to the stairs.

I nodded as I was still speechless. I can finally propose to Bella!

"Think you can beat me brother dearest?" Sage taunted with a smirk.

I shot her a friendly glare, "Probably not, but no need to rub it in little sister.

As we both made our way to the training field we heard some cheering and shouting. On the field was Bella against Demetri. The guards formed a circle around them while the brothers, the Cullen's and the Whitlock's watched from a distance. The Cullen's eyes were big like saucers and their mouths gaping like a fish. We took our place beside them and continued to watch as my angel gracefully dodged and countered each hit and in return deliver some punches and kicks. She looked so enchanting. Her grace could rival the elves from Lord of the Rings.

"Wow...I never knew she could kick ass!" Exclaimed Emmett in awe.

"Yep, during her stay here she was so fascinated watching the guards train that she asked us to teach her some moves for self defence," Felix said as he appeared beside Emmett.


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Advance Merry Christmas everyone :D