The first thing I saw was the face of the most beautiful vampire I had ever seen. She was even better looking than him. Once I was able to pull my thoughts away from her beauty I realized she had gold eyes. Gold eyes that were now staring at me.

I tried to sit up but a different set of hand were pushing me back down. "Don't sit up," I recognized it as Kate's voice.

"Kate," I recognized the voice as Tanya's, but the face was foreign. It was the same face directly in front of me.

Kate immediately let go of me. "Sorry Tanya," Kate apologized. That was weird. What was Kate apologizing for?

"Here you go Bella." A glass was water was gently placed in my hand.

I took small sips of the water and it seemed to help. If nothing else it gave me something to do. "Bella," Tanya called softly getting my attention. I looked up. "How are you feeling?"

I shrugged. I didn't want to tell this… vampire how I felt, how I was angry she saved me when all I wanted to do was die. So I settled for the generic non-answer. "Fine."

"Tanya, perhaps we should introduce ourselves," a forth female said. How many vampires were there?

I took this moment to look around the room. My heart skipped a beat when I realized I was in a room with five vampires. To my relief they all had gold eyes. Light gold eyes to be exact. That was strange considering they were in a room with human blood. It was more blood than on my birthday and that caused six of the seven vampires to react.

"Right you are Carmen," Tanya agreed. "I'm Tanya, these are my sisters Kate and Irina," she pointed out the other two blondes, "and that woman is Carmen and her mate Eleazar. Irina's mate is currently outside. He thought it would be best to wait outside. He hasn't been on the animal diet as long as we have."

I stared at Tanya. Every so often I would glance at one of the other vampires. They were all staring at me, waiting for me to say something. "How do you know my name?" I asked. My first of many questions.

"Our… relatives, so to speak, told us about you," Irina answered. "We were fascinated by the human who could block Edward's ability."

I flinched. My nails dug into my hands and I could feel the familiar sting of an open wound. It wasn't enough to help ease the pain of my failure.

"Bella easy," Tanya said grabbing my hands. I saw a couple small drops of blood on her hands. I looked at her face. There was no sign that she even noticed the blood. Her eyes were the same light gold color that they had been minutes before. "What's wrong?"

"I can't… their names, his name," I started. I couldn't get the words out. I couldn't tell them out much pain I felt when hearing the names of the people I thought were family.

Tanya seemed to understand what I was saying. She squeezed my hand. "I understand. We won't say their names." She looked at the others and they all nodded in agreement. "Where are they?"

"They left," I whispered.

Tanya growled. "Those fools," she muttered. I almost didn't hear her. I wasn't even sure I was supposed to hear her. "Why did they leave?"

I really didn't want to talk about it but if these vampires were anything like them then they wouldn't let it go. "He didn't want me anymore," I choked out. "I wasn't good enough for him. They didn't even say goodbye," I finished with a whisper.

I don't know what I expected when I told them about what happened. A part of me thought they would realize they were right and leave as well. What I didn't expect was to hear five vampires growling, with Tanya being the loudest. Even stranger was the fact that they weren't growling at me.

"When I get ahold of him…" Tanya swore. Her eyes were pitch black.

"I'll help," Kate growled, eyes almost as dark as Tanya's. I saw a faint glow on her hands, almost like she got shocked by something.

"Now ladies," Eleazar said. "As much fun as it would be to rip off Ed…" my heart pounded in my chest, "that boy's arm. We need to be smart. We have Bella to worry about. They should be the least of our concerns right now."

Tanya's eyes faded back to gold. "You're right Eleazar," she said with a sigh. "We have much to do."

"Bella," Kate called, pulling my attention away from Tanya. "When was the last time you ate?"

I looked down and shrugged. I honestly had no idea. I had a few bites here and there when Charlie was around so he wouldn't worry about me even more. I was never hungry. The very thought of food made me feel sick.

Kate didn't question me any further so I assumed she understood. "Irina," Kate said.

Irina nodded. "We'll go get her food," Irina confirmed. She must have been talking about her and her mate, whoever he was. "She needs new clothes as well." She pointed to my clothes that were covered in blood.

"Follow her scent to her house and get her clothes," Tanya ordered. "We will clean up the blood here."

The others nodded in agreement. Carmen left the room. I wondered if they were having a quiet vampire conversation. I figured it was true as she returned moments later with a bucket and some towels.

"You don't have to do that," I protested when Carmen started scrubbing the wood floor.

I felt bad that Carmen was cleaning up my mess. On top of that I was sure the blood was not comfortable for her to be around. "Don't worry about it," Carmen said, pausing only to speak to me.

This wasn't right. They were supposed to find the blood. Now it was being washed away.

Kate handed something to Tanya. It looked like it was clothes. I hadn't even noticed Kate left the room. "You need to change as well. Go clean yourself up."

The two vampires stared at each other. Even though I couldn't hear anything I knew they were talking. After a minute they looked away. "Fine," Tanya agreed.

I blushed as Tanya ripped off her bloodstained shirt in front of me.

"Tanya," Eleazar sighed.

Tanya smirked and left the room.

Kate and Eleazar were like statues while we waited for Tanya to return. The only noise was the sound of Carmen scrubbing the floor.

Tanya returned less than five minutes later. Her bloody clothes were in her hand. "Kate, get a fire going. We are going to need to burn all of these clothes and that couch."

"I can get the blood off the couch," Carmen told her.

"Oh I know," Tanya said with a grin. I got the feeling she was doing it to punish him, not that it was much of a punishment when he could just buy a new one.

Kate grabbed Tanya's clothes, the stack of bloody towels and left the room.

"Perhaps we should move downstairs," Eleazar suggested.

Tanya nodded. Before I could say anything Tanya scooped me up into her arms. It was oddly comforting. "I can walk," I protested weakly. I wasn't even sure if what I said was true. I still felt weak and a little dizzy.

"I'm carrying you," Tanya said. I didn't even try to protest.

She walked slower than the average human. She did it for my benefit, which was strange. He never worried about my comfort.

She sat me down on the couch. Eleazar grabbed one of the blankets on the back of the chair and tossed it to Tanya. She carefully wrapped it around me and slid down on the floor by my head.

A few minutes later Carmen came downstairs with another handful of bloody towels. She walked right past the living room and out the front door to join Kate's impromptu bonfire.

"Blood is gone," Kate announced when she came back inside with Carmen right behind her. "Now if we could keep it that way." She glared at me as she spoke.

I winced. I was not a fan of angry vampires, especially when it was directed at me. It reminded me of James when he was hunting me. I shuddered at the thought.

"Kate," Tanya warned.

"Bella," Eleazar called getting my attention. I wondered if he played peacekeeper for the sisters often. "I have a theory I would like to test, if you are willing."

"Umm," I said, unsure how to respond.

"My theory is that you are a shield," Eleazar continued. "You've heard of vampires with abilities, yes?" I nodded. "My ability is to detect abilities. It is easier for vampires but with enough focus I can also detect abilities in humans. I've heard of your ability to block… someone's gift. I would like test this shield and see if I am right."

"Okay," I said slowly. "What exactly do I have to do?"

Eleazar nodded toward Kate. "Over my dead body," Tanya hissed. She moved into a crouch in front of me.

"Tanya, I would never intentionally put Bella in danger," Eleazar said patiently. "I am almost certain Kate's gift will have no effect on her."

"Kate's gift?" I questioned.

"I can project a painful, electric-like jolt throughout my body," Kate explained. "I can control the intensity, anything from a small shock to a taser to something much more lethal. It's much like Jane's ability." Kate turned to Eleazar. "You think she's a mental shield."

"Yes," Eleazar agreed. "Tanya."

Tanya turned to face me. "It's up to you."

"Okay." It wasn't like the idea of pain bothered me. I liked the thought, not that I would ever say anything.

Kate held out her hand. I grabbed it, without a second thought, and waited.

Nothing happened.

Disappointment washed over me as I realized her ability didn't work, which meant I wouldn't be feeling the physical pain that distracted me from the emotional pain.

"You're right Eleazar," Kate announced. "I used a strong enough voltage to stop a human heart," Tanya looked ready to rip Kate's head off, "after testing a lower voltage first."

"Excellent," Eleazar said with a smile. "It means the Volturi's abilities won't affect her as well."

I remembered a conversation I had on my birthday. One of the last conversations we had before they left.

"You know about the Volturi?" Tanya asked surprised. She must have realized I didn't look confused by Eleazar's words.

"Yes," I replied with a nod. "He told me about them. They're vampire royalty."

"Did he explain our laws?" Eleazar questioned.

I shook my head. "Humans aren't supposed to know about us," Carmen explained.

"In fact if the Volturi find out you know about us, both of our covens will be killed," Kate continued.

"Kate!" Tanya glared at her.

"She deserves the truth Tanya," Kate said, unaffected by her sister's tone. "They sure as hell didn't tell her anything."

"You are right Kate. I apologize."

"You're going to turn me the? Or kill me?" I added hopeful.

Tanya turned her glare on me. "No one is killing you, including yourself. You will eventually be turned but not until you're ready. The Volturi have no reason to suspect anything."

Irina returned with an assortment of food bags and a neatly folded pair of clothes. Behind her was a familiar vampire I thought I would never see again.

"No, no, no," I muttered. My body started to shake. If the was hear it meant Victoria was nearby. I didn't fear death. I feared what Victoria would do as I knew she wanted me to suffer.

"Hello Bella," Laurent greeted softly. He stayed behind Irina. He reminded me of a little kid hiding behind their mother.

I took a moment to study him. He looked different, happier. His eyes were not the crimson red that haunted my dreams. They were a strange, light amber color, like a mixture of red and gold.

"He won't hurt you," Tanya tried to assure me. "He knew you would be wary around him. It's why he stayed away until now."

"Bella," Laurent said. "I can never tell you how sorry I am for what happened with James. I hope someday I can earn your trust."

Irina didn't seem surprised by Laurent's declaration. She must have already known about James, at least some of it. Irina seemed much more focused on my clothes, which still had blood on them.

"Bella needs to get changed," Irina announced. "Then you need to eat."

Tanya got up and helped pull me off the couch. I was a little too shaky on my feet as Tanya wrapped an arm around my waist. "I'm going with you."

"Oh no," Irina disagreed, handing the bags of food to Carmen. "You are not going with Bella. I am." Tanya growled at her. "Calm down Tanya. She needs to get cleaned up. You know as well as I do that I am a better choice."

Irina wrapped an arm around my other side and took over Tanya's job of keeping me upright. She led me to the downstairs bathroom. Once inside she shut the door. She didn't bother locking it seeing as a lock wouldn't keep out a vampire.

My clothes were placed on the counter. Irina dug through the cabinets and found a washcloth. "Clothes Bella," Irina said.

Once I realized she wasn't going to turn around while I changed, I slowly stripped off my shift. I noticed her eyes darkened at the sight of my exposed body. Whether it was because of the many cuts littering my arms or the fact that my ribs were sticking out without my shirt.

"I'm sorry," I said trying to cover myself up. I didn't like the look she was giving me.

"You have nothing to apologize for," Irina said firmly. She grabbed the washcloth and washed away the blood that had soaked through my shirt. It wasn't much but it was something. "It's us that should be apologizing. Bella, if we would have known what our cousins were going to do to you."

"Cousins?" I questioned.

Irina shook her head. "That is a conversation for another day," she said.

"What happened with Tanya?" I asked since she was clearly not going to answer by other question.

"Out there?" I nodded. "Tanya needs some time to calm down. She's angry, not at you," she added quickly. "She's angry at them for what they did. She angry that they made you feel worthless and that death was your only option. When they left they took away your choice, your choice in love, life, happiness, all of it. You may not understand it or know it but Tanya, and the rest of us, will always respect for choices." She glanced at my arm. "However, we refuse to accept this choice. Death is never the answer."

I looked down. If she was trying to guilt me into staying alive it was only kind of working. "I still don't understand why you all care."

Irina sighed. "I know. You will find out eventually." That did not help in the slightest. "About Laurent…"

I wondered when she was going to bring him up. "What about him?" She dropped the washcloth in the sink and handed me a shirt. It was my favorite shirt, a University of Florida shirt Phil had sent me.

"I understand why you are afraid of him," Irina began. "But he would never hurt you. He told us about James, about how James was a tracker and had hunted you. He never wanted to be apart of that coven. He was only there out of convenience."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked as I took off my pants and tossed them aside. There wasn't a lot of blood on them but it was enough for the vampires to notice.

"Because I don't want you to stay afraid," Irina said. "You saw his eyes right?" I nodded. "You know it was his decision to wait outside, partly because of the blood but also because he didn't want to make you uncomfortable." She sat down on the edge of the bath tub.

She tossed me my favorite pair of grey sweats. I put them on as quickly as I could. "How do you all stand the blood?" I asked. "On my birthday I got a paper cut and all but one vampire had to leave the room. But there was a lot more blood this time, but not enough," I added under my breath. Irina apparently still heard because she glared at me. "Anyway, there was a lot more blood but none of you reacted."

Irina laughed. "Bella, my sisters and I are over a thousand years old," she informed me. My eyes widened at the news. "We have more control than most." I knew she meant the one vampire that was able to be in the room. "Carmen and Eleazar, they haven't been vampires as long but long enough. We all have near perfect control. Come, Carmen has food set up for you and Laurent has something he wishes to discuss."

Irina led me back to the living room. She didn't touch me this time but she was close enough in case I lost my balance.

I took a seat in the same spot I was before. Tanya seemed relieved when I came back. She took up her former spot.

The coffee table was covered in food. It seemed Irina went to every fast food place in Forks and ordered an assortment of foods including tacos, fried chicken, burgers and fries, salad and pizza. There was also some sodas, a chocolate shake, water and what looked like juice. That wasn't even close to all of it. I settled on the salad for now. Tanya was staring at me and she didn't look satisfied with just a salad so I grabbed a piece of chicken as well.

"What were you saying Laurent?" Eleazar asked once I was settled.

"While you were with Bella earlier I ran around the house," Laurent began. "While running I noticed a familiar scent but I couldn't quite place it. I followed it around town and to the high school and then back to a house that I realized was Bella's house. That's when I recognized the scent."

My stomach dropped. He didn't have to say it. I already knew. "Victoria."