Previously…

Nessie and Leah joined Charlie around the map.

"While everybody was laughing at my department of supernatural affairs, I've been working with the dhampirs around the world," he said. "They've been spying on the vampires. Those human drinkers have been digging up graves here, here and here. Leah, any ideas?"

Leah studied the map. "They're all ancient civilisations. The Egyptian pyramids, the Shang dynasty of China, the Indus Valley of India and the Babylonians of Iraq... They're tens of thousands of years old. Magical relics, perhaps?"

Nessie froze. "No, that's not it."

"Then what?"

She looked up them both. "The prophecy. Her blood shall sing, her blood shall strengthen, her blood shall awaken, until her power shall poison. Her blood shall awaken."

"Awaken," Leah repeated, frowning. Then she gasped. "Are you saying that there are ancient vampires slumbering in those tombs?"

"I don't see any other explanation," Nessie said. "Ancient vampires or witches or whatever else. But one thing's clear. If they're grave-digging, they don't just want the strength Bella's blood can offer. They want to wake ancient monsters."

-xx-xx-SIYS-xx-xx-

I blinked and saw the Crescent Oracle holding the vampiress by the throat. Her struggles seemed feeble in the Crescent Oracle's grip. Red eyes met blue and then she snapped the vampiress' neck like a twig. She let the limp body drop and behind her, enormous wolves emerged from the shadows. Screeching sounds echoed, hidden by their huge bodies, and then purple plumes of smoke rose into the skies, its scent sickly sweet.

The Crescent Oracle knelt in front of little Edward, who stared at the giant animals. "The wolves aren't your enemy, little one. You're safe now. Mistress Aya is coming to help."

Little Edward only stood defensively in front of his sister, his eyes filled with fear and distrust.

"Little one—" The Crescent Oracle reached out to touch him but one of the wolves snarled. She pressed her lips together, her eyes tight, and withdrew her hand, putting it to her own heart instead. "Your memories are inside you. Remember that."

The wolves began to advance—this time towards her. She spoke quickly, her voice low and urgent. "I am an Ancient. You must find me. As soon as you remember this—"

-xx-xx-SIYS-xx-xx-

"Now, Philippe and I really must be off," Edward's sister said, curling a hand around Philippe's arm and gazing disapprovingly at the new crescent-shaped scars on it—the ones he'd gotten from rescuing us in Vienna. "I believe I've promised the dhampirs I'd pay them a visit." She huffed and dragged the bewildered Philippe away, Jane and Alec close to her heels, leaving a very unhappy Felix behind with us.

I turned to Edward, dazed. "So I guess we dig your brother out?"

My mate abruptly pressed the fancy shovel into Felix's hands. "One step at a time." He still seemed unnerved by his sister's reaction. "Let's go to Helen first."

Felix paled and I remembered Philippe's burnt cloak. Helen was the flame-throwing vampiress. I swallowed. "Why don't we just look for the Crescent Oracle and fix this later?"

"Believe me, I'd love to do that," Edward said. "But I can't leave Volterra unprotected. Especially not now that I remember that Helen's sister is alive."

Felix started. "What did you say?"

"Helen's sister," Edward said grimly. "She's alive. She goes by the name of Victoria. Can you gather some of the Guards for me? We'll go to Helen at once."

-xx-xx-SIYS-xx-xx-

I tried to follow Edward but he put a hand on my shoulder. "I was just kidding about staying behind, you know."

"No, Bella," he said softly, taking my face between his hands. "If you'd been a vampire, it would've been possible. But not while you're human."

"I can help," I protested. "I have my mind-control."

"She's too far gone for that," Edward said gently. "Love, remember, if you die, we all die."

I sighed.

"Fine. Then I'll just sit here."

"Sit tight. I'll be back soon." He gave me one last kiss before he disappeared through the door.

-xx-xx-SIYS-xx-xx-

"Do you remember that girl who used to study with you in France but dropped out halfway? The one who was a huge fan of Bella's music? About this tall, brunette, drop-dead gorgeous—" Leah asked.

"Annette?" Nessie said, startled. "The violinist?"

"She's a dhampir." Carlisle didn't look surprised and Nessie blinked, wondering what she was doing in Charlie's office.

"She says the dhampirs' headquarters are in Port Angeles. She sounded worried. Said there are too few dhampir doctors and they need a neurologist they could trust—a human one." Leah looked at Nessie.


XLIX. Bloody

Nessie

"I'm so excited," Leah said, admiring herself at the floor length mirror. "Do I look like a proper doctor?" She adjusted her fake glasses and smoothed out her white coat.

"Add a couple of eye bags and look more cynical," Nessie said but she couldn't help her smile of amusement. Leah's excitement was contagious. She draped her spare stethoscope around her friend's neck. "Here."

While Leah stuck the stethoscope in her ears the wrong way round, Nessie glanced out of the window. For the first time in weeks, she felt well-rested. Jake's wolf form had been warm and toasty and sleeping underneath the stars was something she wouldn't soon forget. Let's go somewhere this weekend. She felt excited. Now that she'd open her heart to him, she found that things were getting easier.

"We're going to get through this," she said determinedly.

"Of course," Leah said as she patted her hair down.

"Do you remember what we're going to say? We're—"

"We're going in together and I let you do all the talking. If they ask me something I don't know, I'll excuse myself and say I really need to go to the bathroom." Leah said. "Don't worry, I can handle myself."

Nessie had no doubt she could. She was more worried about herself. She took Leah's stethoscope and turned it around. "The earpieces point forward."

"Right." Leah grinned. "Ready?"

"Let's do this."

Bella

Neither Leah nor Nessie were picking up. I thought about calling Carlisle but felt too guilty about the way I'd left, especially after he'd risked trying to turn me. And I wondered if it was a good idea to tell them the truth at all, considering how close they were to the Quileute. If the Elders found out that ending me meant ending all vampires…

You have the power to end them, my child. It is why we protect you so fiercely.

I looked at the phone contemplatively. The Oracle had said the wolves weren't our enemy. But if the wolves weren't our enemy and the vampires were misinformed, who was?

The ten vials of blood gleamed on the dresser. My blood looked like any other. The veins on my arms looked no different than anyone else's. I stretched out my fingers, looking at the scars, both crescent and surgical. I suddenly ached for a piano. A concert hall. Music.

What were my ancestors thinking, creating vampires? In what world were freakishly strong blood-drinkers a good idea?

A knock on the door made me start.

The only way to Philippe's room was through Ariadnh's. Who would dare enter her chambers?

I grabbed the Swiss knife, the pounding of my heart no doubt loud and clear to whoever was outside. "Who's there?"

"It's me. Marcus."

I relaxed, but only slightly. Marcus's eyes weren't red but they weren't gold either.

"Can I come in?"

I hesitated. He'd called me a snack but then again he was Ariadnh's mate. And he could've just snuck in. Or smashed the door open.

"Yeah," I said, hoping I wasn't making a mistake.

The door swung open and I gripped the knife more tightly in my hand. Marcus stood at the doorway, shabby tunic and all, a small, yellowing page in his hand. "Where's Edward?"

"With Helen."

Marcus's brows furrowed, the movement making him look even more wizened. "He's gone down to the maze?"

"He can't possibly let Andronikh out without Helen's help."

"No, you've got it wrong." Marcus sighed. "He can't let Helen out without Andronikh's help." He shook his head. "Oh, that troublemaker."

I crossed my arms. "I thought you said you were bored."

Marcus sighed again. "I meant Andronikh-level trouble, not Helen-level trouble. She'll burn down the castle. Again. It took me decades to fix everything the last time, including all the burnt limbs. Did you notice the bald Guards? No? I learnt to mend hair just this year, there are still two or three bald Guards and fourteen without eyebrows. Ah, Edward, Edward…"

He strode in, examining one of the vials with interest, and I looked at him in disbelief. He seemed more troubled about the work he'd have to do than the castle or the flame-throwing.

"Aren't you going to help?"

"Well, now I have to," Marcus put the vial down and seated himself on Philippe's bed, his movements unhurried, almost lazy. Ariadnh's mate seemed the opposite of her—calm to the point of lethargy. "How bothersome. I suppose this will have to wait…" He pocketed the paper and reached underneath Philippe's bed, pulling out a satchel. "Catch."

I caught it and when I blinked, he was at the door. "Put the vials inside, Isabella. Let's go down to the crypt, get Andronikh and then we can rescue your silly mate."

I looked at him skittishly. "Do I have to come?"

Marcus shrugged. "You can stay. I'm not sure if I can stop Andronikh on my own though. But don't worry, whatever happens, we can always find Edward and put him back together again."

He began to saunter away as that sank in. Find Edward? Put him back together again? What?

"Wait! And what do you expect me to do?"

Marcus gave me a wry smile. "Bargain." He nodded at the satchel. "The elixir of sanity. His mate for yours. Are you coming?"

I stayed where I was. "Are you sure you can't help Edward on your own? What about all the Guards?"

Marcus rubbed his chin. "Someone has to walk into the fire and make her stop. It's certainly not impossible," he said contemplatively, trailing away as though considering the idea for the first time.

My stomach dropped. That someone was going to be Edward if we didn't hurry. I couldn't imagine Felix willingly risking his neck for anyone. And the chances of Edward making her stop versus the chances of her own mate...

I looked at the satchel and began to stuff the vials inside. "Fine. This better bloody work."

"It will," Marcus agreed, amiable as ever. "Bloodily."


Hey guys, I'm so sorry for the late update, real life got to me. I'm still really busy and flying to Africa soon for a project but I thought I should write something. I thought many times about putting this on official hiatus but I'm worried I'd lose all momentum that way. I really want to finish this story! Thank you for all the much-needed PMs and little nudges, if you're still reading this, you're amazing! Hope to update again soon xxx