A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks so much for my wonderful serial reviewers: CoppertopJ, traceybuie, fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night and BridieM! I love your support! Thank you so, so much!

Warning: Some mentions of violence in this chapter, and very unpleasant things. The action is brewing in this one, but please proceed with caution. I wanted to broach the topic of vampire diet, so... brace yourselves, okay?

Enjoy, and please review!

Chapter 15

Bella

I immediately stopped my jumbled worries on my father's state, and tried to push Alice's latest vision to the far back of my mind. It hadn't happened yet, and I couldn't afford to be even more distracted than I already was. I had a job to do.

Edward's grip around me loosened, but marginally. He was worried about me, of course, but now he could feel it without me telling him that I was and would be okay. One thing at a time, I thought, my eyes locked in his, and he nodded after a few seconds. "Call Jacob," he told me softly, gently running his knuckles on my cheek.

I nodded, pulled away from him then took out my cellphone, ignoring our family's questions to Alice, who only quipped that she had seen a probable reaction of Caius and Charlie's state. It was enough to quell any more questions, out of respect for me, and I was grateful to them for it. I needed their support, and I could feel it in their thoughts and in the air around us.

I dialed Jacob's number that Carlisle gave me, then waited. It connected after the very first ring. "Hello?"

"Jake, it's Bella," I said, not wasting time on pleasantries. My tone was serious, and we meant business. No time to lose.

"Bella," he exhaled calmly, obviously bracing himself. "So, what do we do?"

"We need you and your wolves," I said, then explained the situation to him.

He took a deep breath afterwards, then spoke calmly. "We're more than ready, Bella. We'll meet you at the Cullen house, and Jared and I will go with you. Sam will take the lead on the others, and maybe your family and friends could work out a patrolling schedule, just in case."

I shot a look at Jasper and Eleazar who nodded immediately, thoughts focusing on our defence. Maybe Caius would try to sneak past us while we were on Livius' tracks, or he was counting on the fact that I would be searching for my dad. But I wouldn't. Charlie wasn't our priority, and I had to brace myself. He wouldn't be unscathed in the end, like Edward had told me. He couldn't be my main focus in all this mess.

"Great idea, and we agree," I said, voicing the thoughts of every vampire around me. "See you in a few."

I hung up, and we started to run. Jasper, Carlisle and Eleazar were ahead of us, still talking strategy. With them, I knew we wouldn't be taken by surprise. Edward was next to me, our fingers tightly intertwined, and he wasn't about to let go for the foreseeable future. He was just listening to the conversations around us, like me. Behind us Rosalie and Heidi were talking about the latter's late mate, and I heard how important and beneficial it was for Heidi to talk about Pierre with someone who didn't belong to the Volturi. And Rosalie was a great listener, and a good shoulder to lean on. They would be all right.

Esme, Carmen, Kate and Alice were talking logistics, with food and places to crash for the wolves, and their concern about the situation. Bringing up the rear of our group, Marcus, Emmett and Garrett had taken upon themselves to reassure a still frightened Alistair and a worried Tanya that everything would be all right, and that we were smart enough to defeat Caius and all his sidekicks, even Livius. We were a tightly knit group, a real family, and I would defend it at all costs. Edward's hand tightened around mine at this thought, but his were the exact echo of mine. We wouldn't lose.

Back to the house, we convened in the living room, keeping all the doors open for when the wolves would arrive. Jasper, our undisputed general, assigned us each our task. My group, with Edward, Emmett, Alistair, Tanya – who wouldn't hear a word about separating from her mate –, Jared and Jacob would leave once the wolves were here, to find and end Livius, but discreetly. We needed stealth, because it would be easier then to sneak upon Caius, and try to rescue Charlie. I was touched that Jasper still had a small hope to save him, but Alice, Edward and I weren't keeping ours up.

Esme and Carmen, who really couldn't fight much, were to tend to everyone's needs, mainly the wolves, and be the knot of communications we needed to keep linked to everyone. They were to be called with the smallest thing to report, and would spread the word. They were listening gravely, knowing that their task wasn't glamorous but essential. And I was happy to know that our dear mother would be as far away from harm as possible. Edward agreed with me, regretting in the back of his head that I couldn't stay back with them too. I bristled at that, but willed myself to calm. I would soon have a talk with him about this.

Edward wasn't used to me being aware of his thoughts yet, so he grew embarrassed and remorseful at his wishful thinking, but he knew like me that we had to postpone our argument. And argue we would. He was still hell-bent on protecting me and trying to find ways to steer me away from the fights. Fool. I wouldn't yield about this. "We'll see," he murmured in my ear as we listened to Jasper still speaking.

"Game on, hubby," I said, making him hiss faintly in anger.

"Bella, Edward, please pay attention!" Jasper scolded us half-heartedly, then went on as the wolves arrived, their gigantic forms looming over us, tongues lolling out but eyes fierce. "Hello, Quileutes! Thank you for coming. I was just assigning everybody's task, if it's okay with you. Jacob and Jared will leave with our tracking group to find Livius, and you're allowed to burn him to a crisp."

It's strongly recommended to transform him into shish-kebab, yes, Jacob thought, and Edward repeated his words aloud. We all chuckled lightly at that.

"Right you are, Jacob," Jasper approved, eyes back to seriousness. "Esme and Carmen will stay here, make you food and prepare rooms and beds for you to sleep. They will also be the ones to call when something, anything happens, for them to relay the info. So tell everything to Jacob, so Edward can call us." The wolves nodded in unison. "Thanks. That leaves Embry, Quil, Leah, Paul, Seth and Sam from the wolves to patrol, and Carlisle, Rosalie, Alice, Marcus, Heidi, Garrett, Kate and myself from the vampires. With all of us, I think that we'll be able to patrol around Forks and La Push, and send scouts to try to find Caius' tracks until Alistair returns."

What I have gotten myself into? came from Alistair's stressed-out mind, not for the first time, and I assumed not the last. But he wasn't so regretful of having answered the plea for help of his oldest friend anymore. He truly loved Tanya, and now that they had mated, he couldn't envision his life without her anymore. So this repayed favor to Carlisle was a blessing for him in spite of the danger he was facing. And he was braver than I thought. His mind was filled with memories of fights in England in the 1400's and 1500's, when he had to defend himself against all the crazy vampires wanting to bring him into their bloodlust, outwardly defying the humans and their witch hunts.

"This works for us," Edward said, speaking for Jacob again. The two of them plus Jasper and Sam took a few minutes to form teams, and assigned them a running and/or scouting perimeter. Then Jacob and Jared came next to Edward and me, eyeing us eagerly. Shall we go, then? Jacob addressed Edward.

But it was I who answered him, wanting to let him know about my new talent. "Yes, Jake, we'll go now."

Oh great, he groaned, his eye sarcastic and making Edward snicker. You're in my head too, now?

"I'm afraid so," I shrugged with a small smirk. "So careful about what you think. Edward and I can hear you from twenty-five miles around us now, and shield you likewise."

Jacob contemplated this, stunned, appalled and enthusiastic all at once. Well, it's a little like the wolf link, I suppose, he finally decided. Useful sometimes, a pain in the ass the rest of the time. Jared and the other wolves huffed in laughter, and Edward told the vampires about Jake's doubtful sense of humour, making them laugh too. Some light conversation couldn't hurt, now that we were about to go confront our enemies, but the laughter was short. We needed to get going.

Esme and Alice hugged me tightly, ordering me to be careful, and Rosalie squeezed my hand before crashing into Emmett's arms for a heated kiss. The other vampires asked us to take care of each other, and we solemnly agreed. But when Carlisle faced us, looking anguished and worry overwhelming every single thought of his, Edward and I forgot our grudge against him. He was deeply remorseful, and that was enough for us to wipe the slate clean.

"Everything's all right, Dad," Edward said, hugging our father who told him wordlessly how sorry he was, having trusted Jane instead of us, and we forgave him with all our heart, telling him so. Carlisle simply nodded, but his thoughts settled a little, though still marred with worry for his family and friends. However his shoulders were less slumped, and he didn't look so defeated anymore.

Thank you, I heard Esme's voice in my head, and looked towards her to see her smile, genuinely thankful that we had made peace with her mate and our father.

You're welcome, Mom, I silently told her, making her smile wider and her eyes, dulled by her concern, shine a little brighter.

I turned my head towards my mate who was pulling away from Carlisle, and he nodded faintly, then addressed Alistair and Tanya. "Are you ready?"

"I guess so," Alistair sighed disgruntedly, but with more resolve than he was letting on. Tanya nodded, her hand firmly gipping her mate's.

Jacob and Jared looked poised to run, so I glanced at Emmett, who kissed Rosalie a last time, then nodded at us, more serious than usual. "Let's go barbecue Livius' ass."

"Keep in touch," Alice told us sternly a last time, a little subdued. She would have to isolate herself with Jasper as protection at times to be able to see without the wolves' interference, but I knew that as long as Livius lived, she wouldn't have clear visions of our future. No time to waste.

"We will," Edward promised, then took the leadership of our group, as agreed. "Let's go."

We started to run like the wind, the only sounds coming from the paws of Jacob and Jared on the forest's ground and their steady breathing, along with their heartbeats. We went back to Alistair and Tanya's clearing, where hopefully he and Jared would pick up Livius' scent, and lead us to his hiding place. Once we arrived, Jared started to sniff the ground all around the clearing, whereas Alistair simply closed his eyes, taking deep breaths then exhaling slowly. His mind was fascinating to watch. He was remembering Livius and his scent, and more specifically searching for a faint smell from some part of his brain that the tracker would latch onto, never letting go until he found his prey.

Suddenly his head jerked to the eastern side of the clearing, and he spoke calmly, his eyes narrowed in concentration. "This way." Jared, having reached the same spot, yelped in agreement, then the two of them led us away from our family, into the unknown. I was happy to have Edward by my side; he gave me courage to face the coming battle, and I needed him constantly, just like he needed me.

We kept silent during our run, even in our minds, only listening to Jared and Jacob exchanging info as we ran, and Alistair's unwavering focus on Livius. Maybe the English vampire wasn't as gifted as Demetri had been, but he was good, and I didn't doubt for one second that he would bring us where we wanted to be. Emmett was daydreaming about the fight, wishing that he were the one to kill our enemy, and Tanya simply followed her mate, set on protecting him from harm. One thing we had in common. I wouldn't let Edward be hurt in any way.

My lovely husband was equally resolute in protecting me, his fear for me almost irrational since I was a strong vampire, but I realized that in his mind, he hadn't fully grasped the fact that I was no longer human. He still saw me, in a way, as fragile, weak Bella. He knew that I was stronger than him, but when he had fallen in love with me, he had had to be careful around me, and overprotective of me. I would have to make him see that I was no longer that, and that I could defend myself. He growled in his mind at hearing this from me, and I focused back on Alistair. Now was not the time to argue, but it was inevitable. I just hoped that it wouldn't happen before the battle. We needed to be at our sharpest for this.

We ran for about three hours, veering north after a while, and crossed the border to Canada. Alistair was focused, not distracted by anything other than his tracking, only allowing Tanya's touch in a tiny part of his mind. His instincts had completely taken over, and it was even more mindblowing to watch since we passed a group of hikers – who didn't have a clue we were there – and he didn't let the scent of human blood distract him in any way, although he was thirsty. I admired his dedication.

Finally he and Jared stopped, and the wolves's hackles bristled, their teeth bared. I smelled a stronger odour, pungent and sour, and knew that we were almost there. Edward confirmed it, walking with me in tow to a hastily dug grave, with dark stains nearby. "They hunted here," he said, fury underlying his velvety voice. "Two, maybe three people are in here."

I was revolted and upset. Humans died every day and we could do nothing about it, but drinking from them and then dispose of them like any other trashpile was abhorrent to us. Even Alistair was disturbed. "We must do something," I said aloud, my voice shaking. "Those hikers... maybe they had family, who must be worried out of their mind at their disappearance."

I'll tell Sam, Jacob thought, his eyes narrowed into slits in fury. He'll phase back and call the Canadian police. They'll find them soon enough, but we have to... dig them out, carefully.

We'll have to stage an accident, Jared added unhappily. We can't let the humans think that they've been drained of their blood by some monsters.

"We can... crush their bodies under a boulder. Falling rock, at the foot of this cliff," Edward offered reluctantly, disgusted by the prospect, as he pointed at the looming cliff a hundred yards away from us. "No clear evidence."

"They won't suffer anymore," Tanya said sympathetically, as appalled as each of us. "And their families will have closure."

"Let's do it, then," Emmett growled. "And then let's make Livius pay."

We carefully unearthed the bodies of a young couple and their son, who was around eight, I'd guess, and I wasn't the only one to fight sobs and to burn for revenge. We respectfully brought them to the base of the cliff, Edward and I listening intently for any presence in the vicinity, but we were alone. Emmett scaled the cliff in seconds, and started to dig out a large chunk of rock near the summit that would do the deed. I couldn't help myself and crouched next to the bodies, straightened their clothes, wiped out as much mud as I could and caressed the sandy hair of the small boy. They looked like they were asleep, fortunately. It would've broken my heart to see horror on their features. "Rest in peace," I murmured, still caressing the small tufts of unruly hair. "You'll never be forgotten, and your murderers won't get away with this. And we'll take care of your family, I swear."

I would see that we created a life insurance for their remaining family, and maybe scholarships for possible older siblings. My throat was dry and my eyes pricked with venom tears, but I would avenge them by annihilating Livius, then Lindsey, then Caius. No vampire would get away with this anymore.

"The Logan family, from South Dakota," Edward said, having fished out the wallets of the parents. "I have their info memorized. We'll take care of their family, love, that's a given," he told me, carefully replacing the wallets in their pockets.

I rose and took several steps back, Edward's arms around me. Jacob and Jared were whining lowly, uttering a Quileute prayer, and I watched as Tanya comfortingly rubbed her hand on a grief-stricken Alistair's back. His thoughts were chaotic, jumbled with a lot of memories of his victims, and for the very first time he could see what he had done throughout the years. Awareness of his human blood diet, and the consequences, rose in him, and he was lost in all the emotions they brought to him.

"The past is in the past, Alistair," Edward told him kindly with no judgement,as we focused on Emmett, who was almost done, his heart heavy. "What matters now is the future, and your future diet. Nobody here will throw you the first stone. Well, except maybe Jared and Bella," he added with a small smile. "Aside from the two of them, we have all killed at some point, and I myself killed and drank from many humans back in the 1920's. Nobody will judge you for that. But now you know. Humans aren't just a meal."

"True," Alistair murmured, remorse etched on his face and echoing loudly in his head. "Now I know. Never again."

I saw the resolve in his mind, and had to pat his arm lightly. He wouldn't hunt humans anymore, of that I was sure. "Good," I simply said. "That's good."

"I'll be there for you, sweetheart," Tanya said, hugging him tightly as he leaned into her embrace, seeking comfort and forgiveness. He couldn't change his past, but he could make amends. "I'll help you."

"I'm sorry I've never truly realized how awful hunting and killing humans was until now," he confessed shamefully. "I've been trying animal blood for some time now, but... I guess my heart wasn't into it that much."

I saw in his head the memory of his last human prey, an old woman who had died in her sleep in an out-of-the-way country farm, never waking up. He had been as gentle as possible so as not to make her suffer, and succeeded. Then he had thrown her body in the old well of the farm, where he had watched her family find her, sad but not surprised, since she had suffered from Alzheimer. "This farm looks old and quite decrepit," I said, wanting to nudge him in the right direction.

"I understand," he said, nodding at me and looking a little relieved. "I want them to find an old fortune in the farm, to repair it and help them."

"We'll help you," Edward suggested, and Alistair agreed, feeling a little better. He couldn't bring this old lady back to life, but he could give her heirs a small compensation for their awful loss. It wasn't enough – it would never be – but it was a step on the right path.

Jared was favorably impressed, and Jacob was eyeing Tanya sadly. He hadn't made amends to her for Irina's death, but he had been fully forgiven for it. And Tanya told him so, having noticed his remorseful stare. "I don't resent you anymore, Jacob, and neither does my family. What happened happened. It's in the past. What's important now is our future. And bring our enemies down," she added fiercely. Jacob nodded gravely, gratitude and determination on his mind.

"Ready to go in five seconds," Emmett said somberly from above us, and I raised my head. The huge rock he had carved out was about to fall, and would bury the three humans.

"Rest in peace, Logan family," Edward said, praying for their souls. "Go, Em."

Emmett pulled a last time on the rock, which detached itself from the cliff with a rumble, then fell in a sickening motion. I averted my eyes as it fell upon the fragile human bodies, venom rising in me like bile. I tried to ignore the sounds of bones cracking, flesh squeezed and fluids spurting out. Jared turned around and vomited a few yards away, Jacob imitating him two seconds later, and we vampires weren't faring much better. Lucky us our stomachs were frozen, or I would be right next to the wolves.

"Never again," Alistair repeated more firmly after a minute, branding this most traumatic experience in the forefront of his mind. He would be a vegetarian from now on, I had zero doubt about it. "Let's go. I have some things to say to Livius before he burns."

"You can talk while I dismember him," Emmett offered, and he and Alistair bumped fists. I was impressed. Alistair was truly adapting to other people, and it was pleasant to watch. He had warmed up to our Emmett goofball, but who wouldn't? And of course, he was still holding Tanya's hand. Maybe in time the two of them would live with the other Denalis, in a century or two. Maybe.

We stayed silent after that, knowing that we were getting closer and closer. Edward and I stayed on alert, shields at the ready and mind-reading sharp. And we finally heard vampire voices, coming from the northwest of our position. "Got them," Edward said, making our group screeching to a stop.

He and I listened intently, our heads cocked, hands entwined, while Emmett called Esme to keep the others updated. Then we repeated aloud the conversation we could hear. "It's a matter of time before they find us," Edward said for Livius. "I don't know if I can suppress their talents completely, Lindsey. Maybe we'll fail."

"Caius won't be pleased with your pessimistic talk, Livius" I said for Lindsey, appalled at the vacuity of her mind. She was shallow, eager for revenge and hell-bent on rising the ladder to the top of the Volturi chain. She was by Caius' side just for her profit. I would be delighted to end her selfish little bitchy self. "You are to make them fall into your trap. Don't disappoint our master."

"Just leave already," Livius said louder, anger and contempt rising. "Don't you have your human to feed?"

"I suggested he took a nap," she purred, her visions of an emaciated and dazed Charlie making me queasy. "He's such a darling. Meek and mellow. Too bad I can't take a bite out of him."

"Just go," Livius said through Edward, who squeezed my hand in support, his overflowing love for me soothing my breaking heart. "Caius needs you with him, and we need to stay on alert."

"Yeah, yeah," Lindsey sneered, and I hated to have to repeat her words. "See you, handsome, and destroy the Cullens!"

"I will," he promised cockily, but not so self-assured inwardly. And Lindsey didn't believe he could stop us either. She knew we were powerful opponents, and only counted on her subduing my father to gain the upper hand on us. She wouldn't. I would see to it.

"Lindsey left," Edward announced, still focused on our enemies. "She's heading north."

"How many vampires are there, and how far?" Emmett asked, cracking his knuckles menacingly.

"Six, and they're twenty-four miles away from us," I said.

"Any talents worth mentioning?" Tanya inquired, her eyes smoldering in fury.

"Aside from Livius, no," Edward answered, bracing himself for the battle. He would attack, but also try to defend and protect me. I shook my head. He was so going to face my wrath after we were done. "They have small talents, mostly for hunting."

He was eyeing me with some concern, aware that I was angry at him, but like me he knew now wasn't the time to butt heads.

Six against seven, the odds are good, Jacob thought, and Edward repeated his words aloud. Jared and I will take the largest vampire we'll see.

"Livius is for me," Alistair claimed, scowling. And I didn't doubt he would make him pay.

"We'll take care of the rest," Edward decided. "Just pay attention around you. Better deal with one vampire with two of us rather than be hurt or worse trying to be heroic."

That jab was for me, and I scolded him in my head. Idiot. I have no intention to prove anything.

Just take care, love, please, he told me, kissing me too briefly, then spoke aloud. "Here we go. Good luck."

We ran in the thick forest, intent on making some vampire flesh burn into a revengeful bonfire, the dawn breaking around us. Livius wouldn't see the sun set tonight.

Here we go! I was so sad to write about the poor Logan family. But they didn't die in vain, I promise you! A nice battle coming next, and some colourful words between Bella and Edward... Who do you guess will win this argument?

Take care, and please review!