CHAPTER SEVEN

ROSALIE

I woke in utter darkness.

Woke. I could not remember the last time that happened. A life of perpetual consciousness always frustrated me until this moment. I missed it now.

"H-how?" I asked the darkness.

It answered me in the smooth purr of a woman. Her voice was gravelly and imbibed with an unfamiliar accent. "They tranquilized you."

"How?" I asked, confused. "My skin is diamond hard. No one can pierce a vampire."

The shadowy figure purred, "We made the darts from my bones. They are more than strong enough to penetrate a vampire's hide."

It hit me like a brick to the face. The silhouette must be Amunet. The first vampire stood before me, and slowly turned on the lights.

I expected that I awoke in a lavish palace dungeon, in a land of fables and glamour. Instead, I stood in a chilly, dusty bedroom that looked as if it could not be older than the Oregon Trail.

"You must be Amunet," I whispered as my eyes quickly adjusted to the bright light.

The first vampire ever created was strikingly attractive. All vampires were, but she was eerily winsome. Until now, I considered myself to be the most beautiful woman alive, but perhaps I was wrong to assume that. Her fawn skin glowed, her raven hair was lush, her lips full and enticing, her dated Egyptian features rare, everything about her more beautiful than Cleopatra herself.

She was the most beautiful creature I ever witnessed until I looked into her crimson eyes and saw ice-cold malice in them.

Amunet purred smugly, "Yes. I am the first vampiress, and you ought to respect me. Your family is still alive—in a manner of speaking—I should say they are unharmed. I separated you. It is the wise choice, as I do not trust Carlisle."

I croaked, "He buried you alive."

"Yes. Am I right to assume you are part of his coven?" Amunet stepped closer to me and I breathed in her scent. Every vampire had one, and hers was that of both death and desire.

"Yes." I nervously licked my lips. "Yes, I am."

No one ever intimidated me until this very moment.

"I do not believe we have met. That is inevitable when I was locked alive in a coffin since your quaint American Revolution," said Amunet, cracking a frightening smile as she sized me up like a meal.

"I—I'm Rosalie. Rosalie Hale," was all I could make myself say. My fingers uncontrollably shook. After speaking, I chewed softly on my lower lip.

Amunet smiled like Splenda. "Welcome, Rosalie Hale."

"I've never done anything to you. Why take me?" I pleaded, crumbling against my will.

"Angelique told me about the wolf creature, and how you ran to it. She found it fascinating. I am curious, I suppose. We took Carlisle's boy—the first he turned, if my sources at the Denali Coven are correct—and his mate. That was for dramatic effect, to cause more pain to the man who suggested what they did to me. I took you because I am fascinated by that wolf creature."

"The wolf creature has a name. Bella. And she's my mate. Where is she? What did you do to her?" Strange feelings washed over me like diving into the ocean, engulfing me in the unknown.

Amunet paid my fear and confusion no mind. "Angelique had to leave her behind. She was uncertain about the wolf's capabilities and if it posed a risk to our operation. The capture of your mate was not worth the risk. We left others behind as well, since two of Angelique's companions fled."

"Right." I did not know what else to say.

Amunet's crimson eyes glinted. "They did not make it far."

"You killed them?" I whispered, knowing I was a murderer. I was, but Amunet… was worse.

The first vampire waved her hand dismissively. "Not yet. Now, Rosalie Hale, I would like for you to tell me about your wolf, perhaps over dinner."

"Dinner?" That sounded ominous.

Amunet wickedly smirked. "The feast never ends when you are one of my friends."

I managed to choke out, "Nice slogan."

"English is an unwieldy language that lacks any finesse, but I work with what I have. My native tongue is Late Egyptian, but I suppose I am most adept at Greek, Latin and French."

Charming. She was charming. It almost made sense that people wanted Amunet as a leader above someone like Aro. I was at a strange ease when she spoke, despite knowing I was in grave danger. Maybe she merely had more time to practice.

I decided to do what I thought wisest. What I thought would delay death by the hands of this woman—vampire—goddess—whatever she was. I would play along.

She seized my wrist and began to walk through the expansive and expensive home. The cobwebs made me wonder how many years passed before it was again inhabited. I knew not where she dragged me towards, but I kept as level-headed as possible.

"Where are we?" I asked, knowing I probably would not receive an answer.

"Near Ashland, in Oregon," Amunet calmly replied. Her voice vaguely intoxicated me, no doubt part of her false vampiric glamour. "A friend loaned us their lovely summer home. Angelique and I went to see Shakespeare in town; this place is renowned for it. We both reminisced about seeing more than one of his plays at the Globe in London."

"Wow. You've… lived a long time. You must have many remarkable stories to tell." I hoped and prayed with all of my heart that she found me nonthreatening. Perhaps my feigned interest could save my life.

"I do," casually said Amunet. "Unfortunately, I missed almost three centuries of history."

"Yet, you have millennia before that. You recall the end of the Roman Empire." I hesitated. "Did you know Cleopatra?"

Amunet laughed. "Does that matter?"

"I… there is a—a film about her I quite enjoy." My favorite movie with the lovely Elizabeth Taylor sprang to mind at an odd and inconvenient time.

"I knew of her. I lived in Rome at the time. Less sand there. I hate sand."

"But you were born in Egypt."

"That was a life I barely remember. Before I was turned… I do not know who I was. I merely know I am strong, and I am spiteful, and I am the first of my kind."

"It is admirable," I said, trying to be as genuine as possible. I knew I could not hide my fear, but I tried my best.

"I have quite a selection for your dinner."

"Am—Amunet, Amunet, you see, you… you see, I have never tasted human blood."

"Not once?"

"No. I killed a few humans who wronged me, but I never took a single taste. I am the only person I know who has lived so… chastely. I am honored by your invitation but I do not want to ruin what I… what I am so proud of."

"It is nothing to be proud of," snarled Amunet. I saw venom glistening on fangs and felt the urge to run, but my legs refused to move. I was paralyzed by my fear. "It is weakness. Let me show you strength, Rosalie Hale."

I licked my lips. This was an appropriate time to panic.

"Please," I begged as we walked into the dining room of this mortal mansion.

Three people stood, bound, bound sickeningly. I could not do this. I was stronger than this and I knew I needed to fight Amunet. But she was more powerful than I was. She could rip me apart into pieces if I refused her.

But I would. I would convince her somehow. I knew how to get what I wanted from people, and I wanted to retain my status of never tasting a drop of human blood.

"It is very rude of you to turn down my dinner with you. I could throw you in the basement like the others," snarled Amunet. "I could bury you in the backyard, helpless."

"Please," was the only word I remembered. Amunet shoved me to the three humans bound in rope. That was all it took to hold them in place.

"Rosalie Hale," said Amunet, her voice splitting into a terrifying double timbre. I shuddered against my will. "You are going to do this for me or I am going to dispose of you."

I contemplated my options, wondered what Carlisle would want me to do. They would never look at me again if I did this. If I killed to appease a thirst or bow to a monster. Yet, I also knew that my death would do no one any good.

So, I stepped forward, my head echoing with voices begging me to stop, and I leaned close to the neck of one of the humans. She begged softly but I managed to ignore her. As I felt the thunderous sound of her pulse, nausea struck me. My stomach twisted in disgust as I bared my teeth and sunk them into her neck.

I closed my eyes and knew I could not stop now. It was… tempting. It was everything Edward and Carlisle and Jasper said it was.

It was richer. More flavorful. A unique and sickeningly pleasurable taste.

The girl faded in my arms like a rag doll and I held her icy, lifeless form in my arms weakly.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to a corpse. I did not know if vampires could cry, but I felt like I wanted to break down into sobs. The sweet, enticing blood still dripped from my cold lips.

Amunet's heels clicked loudly on the wooden floor as she strode to me and grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet. I trembled in place.

"Was that so hard?" she asked softly, crimson eyes gleaming.

I wondered what mine looked like. They probably were red for the first time in my immortal undeath. For years upon years they were gold. I walked to the cracked, dusty mirror and gazed at myself. They were the color of rubies, tired, make-up smeared beneath the pallid lids. I clasped my hand over my mouth.

I hated myself. I deserved to die. I deserved whatever dreadful fate Amunet planned for me. I was a sickening monster who should be burned at the stake.

Amunet stood in place, drawing my attention away from my newfound self-loathing. "Rosalie Hale, we ought to discuss your wolf now. I am very curious about your strange… mate."

I exclaimed, "I will not let you kill Bella! She is not a werewolf! She is a shifter!"

Amunet laughed. It sounded like wind chimes, as lovely as her, but deep under the surface, laced with darkness, as cruel as her.

"I would not kill a werewolf, even if she were one. I am not Aro or Carlisle. I do not stamp out powerful species like a fool. In my life, I have seen magical beasts of a thousand kinds, and they all have their uses in my eventual dominion. Bella, your mate, could be useful to me. To us."

I snarled at her impulsively. "There is no us! I am—I am not on your side."

Amunet punched the window, glass shattering and wood snapping in half from that brief second of contact. I jumped.

"Listen to me, Rosalie," she snarled, saliva or venom spraying from her beautiful full lips. "You have a destiny, a destiny I intend to help you fulfill."

I shook my head, unsure if I even heard her right. "Rosalie Hale and her special destiny? That sounds like a bad cover band."

"Funny," spat Amunet, glaring at me with a force that made me want to vanish into thin air. I never felt true fear until this moment. "Join me and find that destiny, or perish at my hand."

I did not even have to think about my answer. "I won't join you. I won't join a monster, regardless of a destiny, and regardless of my mate."

Amunet took two threatening steps forward. "What do you even know of me? What Carlisle told you? Do you fear me because I am powerful? Do you fear me because I can make you powerful?"

"I fear you because you could kill me and I want…" Speaking became a struggle, my voice constricted with emotion. "I want to live."

Amunet sneered. "No better than a mortal."

"Maybe I am no better than a mortal." My lips parted as my eyes locked onto hers. I thought for a split second that she was about to end my life in one stroke.

Yet, she remained as still as a statue. Composed, beautiful, cold, evil.

"That much is evident," she coldly said, her lips contorted into a hateful grimace.

"And I know you wouldn't seduce me—or use a pretend destiny to tempt me—or make me love you or whatever you're trying. You love Angelique, don't you?"

Amunet's eyes flashed, clearly offended to the core. "I have loved her for centuries. I waited for her for a thousand years."

"Then…" I did not know what else to say. "Then you understand that I will not help you put my mate in harm's way."

Amunet threw the decorative plates from the table in one swoop of her arm. They shattered everywhere and I flinched. "I do not want to hurt her! I would be a fool to kill her!"

"You want to use her, and that is worse." I was going to die. I knew I was going to die. I was going to die for Bella Swan and I did not care.

Never did I imagine I would feel that way about anyone.

"I think you need to cool your heels in captivity." Amunet seized me by the arms. Her fierce grip hurt, something I never felt before as a vampire. She dragged me to a basement and threw me down the stairs. I tumbled, tumbled, tumbled and looked up at two sets of glowing crimson eyes.

Red hair tickled my face as a sweet-smelling woman lifted me to my feet.

"You're the one dating that wolf freak, aren't you?" whispered the familiar voice.

I blinked several times and saw the nomads who helped kidnap my family.

"You were with James and Angelique," I said to the two dirty, subdued vampires.

"Were. I never liked the idea of working with that ancient lunatic," said the ginger woman, quite clearly referring to Amunet. "But James did, and he was the leader."

The dark skinned male vampire nodded in assent. "I tried to convince James otherwise."

"He had a knack for power trips," disdainfully remarked the woman.

The male casually tossed out, "Your mate."

The female chided, "Don't remind me."

I almost laughed, but managed to stop myself. This was no occasion for humor.

"I'm Victoria, and this is Laurent," the woman explained, gesturing loosely at the man.

"They caught you then," I whispered, my fear of Amunet and Angelique somehow growing even further. I did not know if I would get out of this one.

"Yes. That Angelique bitch is terrifying," Victoria said, bitterly frowning.

Silence.

Laurent smoothly brought up, "So, you only eat animals?"

"Yeah." I tried not to think about how that was no longer true as of today. "It's rewarding, and less messy. You should try it."

Laurent looked mildly intrigued, but Victoria just shook her head.

"I love killing too much to give it up," she casually explained, loosely waving her hand.

"I thought you just liked the taste," I mused, reflecting on my nightmarish dinner with Amunet. What I did made me feel dirty, made me hate myself, but I knew that no blood had ever tasted as good as what I experienced tonight. "The act of killing is not exclusive to vampires. Humans do it every day. In fact, I would say that murder is the truest inheritance of humanity."

Victoria stepped into the light and slowly shook her head, studying me closely. "Not poetry? Not art? Not culture? Not science? You think murder makes humans human?"

I contemplated the matter for a few seconds before admitting, "I suppose I do."

"Then it's a wonder you feel so guilty about eating them," remarked Victoria.

"I do not think highly of them," I explained in earnest, "but I also do not think my appetite matters more than their existence."

Yet, I proved not fifteen minutes ago that I thought my life mattered more than the existence of a woman who died in my arms. Died because of me. I bowed my head, ashamed.

James and Victoria did not say another word.

Neither did I.

[X]

After ages sitting in the dark basement with two nomadic vampires, Angelique strode down the stairs. She was almost as lovely as her mate. Glorious blonde hair and gleaming red eyes, her slender body without a single mark. Her lips were full and painted as scarlet as her irises.

She almost rivaled me. I thought I was better looking than her, however.

But someone more beautiful than me walked down with her. Amunet herself, fawn skin, crimson eyes, elaborately styled raven hair.

"Rosalie," said Amunet, stepping just past Angelique. I froze; Victoria and Laurent took several strides backwards into the darkest shadows. "It is time for you to watch the fate of your family. Time for my followers to see I am still capable. Time for you to realize what you can gain at my side."

I did not understand her insane ramblings about my destiny. I did not believe in destiny, or paths for people written in stone. I believed in chaos and chaos alone. Yet, she kept me alive, spared me from whatever fate she had planned for my family. Amunet's pursuit of my life sparked only confusion. Aro chased after Edward and Alice, desperate for their talents. That made sense. Initially, I believed Amunet was curious about Bella. Now, I was beginning to wonder just what she was hiding. Amunet watched me so hungrily…

She threw a skimpy white dress at me. I caught it in a swift move and held it up to my body.

"I'm not wearing this," I said with a sneer. Angelique's eyes flashed, but I feared her less than I feared Amunet. All I received from the first vampire was a patient, expectant smirk.

"You will wear it, or you will meet the same fate as Carlisle, Edward and Esme," viciously said Angelique, and I stripped down. I noticed Victoria and Laurent watching me, but I ignored it and changed, sliding out of my shoes and walking up the stairs beside Angelique.

We walked to the main foyer of the house. I did not see my coven; I saw only Amunet.

Where was my coven? I could not smell them or feel them. What if I already lost them? What if this was a lie? I saw no followers of Amunet. I learned at that moment that vampires could not cry, because I shook with false sobs, unaccompanied by tears.

My cold façade shattered into a thousand pieces.

Amunet turned to me. "My followers wait in the ballroom, as does your family."

We strode past the front door and suddenly Amunet halted, intently focused on something beyond me. Angelique furrowed her brow.

"What was that?" snapped Amunet.

"What did you hear, my love?" Angelique nervously asked in her enchanting French accent. She briefly loosened her grip on me. I wondered if it was time to escape, but fear stopped me again.

"There is someone outside," Amunet whispered. She then turned around and barked an order. "James, kindly restrain our guest of honor."

The blond vampire lunged out from behind—where I did not notice him earlier—and snatched me up from Angelique's arms. He twisted his grip fiercely into my arms. I considered breaking free; I knew I could escape him, but Amunet and Angelique scared me too much to try anything right now.

Suddenly, the door broke down and a hulking wolf leapt inside, her paws crushing down on the broken pile of wood.

"Bella!" I called out. James tugged me backwards.

Angelique spun around. Amunet stepped in front of her, shielding her mate from the snapping and snarling shifter.

"Well," said Angelique, glancing between Bella and I, "if it isn't Fay Wray and King Kong."

"Who?" asked Amunet in a hushed tone, narrowing her almond eyes.

"I'll—it's a movie—I'll catch you up later," Angelique hastily said, returning her focus to the werewolf who just crashed her party.

Bella bared her glistening sharp teeth.

I surveyed the possible weaknesses of James's grip.

BELLA

While Rosalie woke in the darkness, I paced on the sidewalk outside the abandoned Forks High School, waiting for Jake to arrive. Emmett drove me to the meeting place I decided upon—he and his siblings refused to let the wolves see their home—and now I was stuck, left helpless, seeking the reprieve of approaching headlights. Finally, my half-brother pulled up in my previously abandoned truck and hopped out.

Jake asked, "The leeches aren't with you, are they? They're not allowed in La Push."

"I know." I clenched my fists, already impatient. "So, just take me and I'll gather the pack."

"The pack." Jacob snorted. "You mean two guys and yourself?"

"Yeah. That pack. Hopefully you'll be part of it one day so maybe treat it with some more respect." Pause. "There's a problem."

"What kind of problem?" Jake asked as he began to drive.

I turned to face him from the passenger seat. "A rampaging ancient vampire who kidnapped my imprint problem!"

Jacob squinted at me and slowly sounded out, "Rampaging… ancient… vampire?"

"Who kidnapped my imprint!" I snapped, smashing my hand down on the dashboard.

He flinched and resumed driving. "Okay, okay. I get it. We rescue the leech."

"We rescue my imprint!" I thoughtlessly screeched, crashing my foot against the dashboard.

Jacob squeezed the steering wheel and nodded. "Okay, okay, rescue mission initiated."

As we drove, I remarked, "I always daydreamed about being a damsel in distress. I think it's kind of sexy to need saving. To be tied to a post waiting for my true love to sweep me off my feet. But I'm the one doing the rescuing this time." Pause. "Rosalie owes me one."

"Owes you one what?" Jacob asked, eyes stuck on the road.

I said in earnest, "She owes me a gallant rescue next time I'm in trouble. I can't be the only one saving the pretty girl from her doomed fate. Relationships require reciprocity."

Jake snorted. I smiled for a moment before I remembered my predicament.

"Just drive," I pleaded, and Jacob obliged.

[X]

We arrived on a familiar driveway: Billy's house. My dad's house, I supposed. We walked to the door and I knocked with trembling hands. After a few moments of waiting on the porch, I saw movement behind the door and it opened.

"Emily," I said. She stood before me, gently holding the doorknob. I saw bandages on her face and felt as if someone punched me in the gut. "I'm sorry."

"It isn't your fault," she said, but I was certain she was lying. "I forgave Sam, and I forgive you as well. I'm happy you came home."

She stepped aside, allowing Jacob and I to walk inside. Billy waited, looking uneasy.

"Bella…" He cleared his throat. "I worried you would never come back."

"I wouldn't be much of an alpha if I didn't."

"You're not just the leader of the wolf pack. You're… my daughter. I owe you… more than I gave." Billy averted his eyes.

"I had Charlie," I said, attempting to comfort him. "He's… my dad."

It only hit me after I spoke that those words might hurt Billy. If it offended him, he did not show it, and so I moved on. The clock was ticking for Rosalie.

Sam strode in, Jared a few steps behind him. I turned to Jake and shot him an inquisitive glance.

"I called them all when you texted. When the alpha summons them, I guess they come."

"We do," said Sam, his eyes downcast.

"My imprint was captured by an ancient vampire. Alice and Emmett and Jasper told me about her. Her name is Amunet and she is a threat to everyone, including La Push. She was the first vampire ever created, and she is much more powerful than any other vampire alive."

"Alive," scoffed Sam and I glared until he shut his mouth.

"She's strong, she's dangerous, and we need to stop her. We need to get Rosalie back too. When an imprint is in danger… it hurts. It hurts, okay? We need to save her and we need to make sure Amunet can't threaten us anymore," I said and, to my relief, both Jared and Sam nodded.

"What do we do?" Sam asked, and I was surprised at his deference. I thought he would try to seize command yet again. Maybe Emily humbled him; maybe he just acknowledge I knew more about what happened to Rosalie today. I still doubted our rivalry was over.

"We track the scent of Rosalie and find her, wherever Amunet is keeping her," I stated, glancing between Jared and Sam. "I could've gone alone, but I know we're stronger as a pack. Amunet has a cult of followers, and she was with three other vampires when she caught the Cullens and I off guard. We're facing something big and dangerous. Are you up to it?"

Jared grinned. "It'll be the time of my life."

"This isn't a game. This is a war." I was scared out of my mind, but I forced myself to look strong and stand tall. They needed to respect me.

Jared bowed his head. Sam walked towards me.

"We're wasting time," he stated. "Let's save the leech from the worse leeches."

"Let's save my imprint from evil vampires," I corrected and he shrugged one shoulder.

"Same thing."

I grabbed his arm. "Not the same thing. By helping me, you are acknowledging that Rosalie is my imprint and she better be treated as one. I'm sorry for what happened. I'm sorry for hurting Emily. I'm sorry for running. I think about it all day every day. I feel beyond guilty. But it's not time for guilt. It's time to do what we were created to do."

Sam nodded again. He did not seem to want to exchange many words and I had no problem with that. In fact, it was somewhat of a relief.

Billy nodded towards the kitchen. "Your purse is in there. I figured you'd want to pick up your stuff."

"Yeah. I mean, I'm gonna be a wolf for the entire night at least, so I guess I'll have to grab my stuff when I get back. Maybe we can have dinner and watch a game." I hoped that expressed how I wanted to get to know him not as a vague family friend but as a father.

Emily kissed Sam fiercely. I turned away, ashamed to see the bandages that brushed against his skin. They embraced for several seconds before my pack became composed.

I bid Jacob and Billy goodbye, and Sam, Jared and I took off into the yard.

We transformed almost in perfect unison before running to the car. I grabbed Rosalie's sweater with my teeth and shared the scent with them.

The powers gifted to us by our ancestors took command.

We ran and ran through the woods.

After meeting up with Alice, Jasper and Emmett, we took off on a journey at supernatural speed.

It took us four hours to arrive on the hiking trails surrounding Crater Lake, even as vampires and shifters.

[X]

The scent emanated strongly from a huge abandoned cabin masked by the thick forest. We emerged from the hiking trails and stalked through the woods surrounding the summer mansion that must belong to a loaded family. It vaguely reminded me of the Cullen's home, but bigger and spookier.

Alice said, "Emmett and Jazz and I are going to go try to sneak in around the back. I had a vague vision about Carlisle and I think it can help us. You guys should focus on Rosalie, if you want."

I nodded at them before they dashed away to execute their own plan.

I stopped and communicated to the others with my mind.

I want you two to wait out here. Listen carefully and be prepared to jump in on the fight. I to surprise them and make them think it's just me. I'll relay tactical information through my thoughts.

The wolf versions of Sam and Jared nodded in assent.

I ran away from them, hoping they would back me up. I ran away from them, hoping that I was not about to face a huge mansion filled with powerful vampires.

It should have hurt to break down the door, when splinters shoved into my skin through my fur, but I did not feel any pain. The adrenaline rushed through my veins more fiercely than it ever had in my entire life. I could feel nothing but rage.

I drank in my surroundings. Rosalie was locked in the arms of James, Angelique stood sneering, and the dark and domineering woman by her side must be the crazy ancient vampiress Amunet. I braced myself for a fight.

"Well," said Angelique, glancing between Rosalie and I, "if it isn't Fay Wray and King Kong."

I bared my teeth, growled, and narrowed my eyes.

I was here to rescue my imprint, not to entertain evil vampires.