CHAPTER ONE:
MADALENA ADAIR
THE SOUND OF FLUTTERING WINGS appeared and disappeared as quickly as it came. A petite figure with long hair stood in the middle of the forest just outside Bella Swan's house in Forks, Washington. The large black wings protruding from their back gave a shake and furrow before withdrawing themselves into the figure's bones, settling down and revealing just a smooth back.
Forks was a small town surrounded by the beauty of nature. The weather gave the air a tint of blue, as if engulfing the world around it with sorrow; and the air smelled of rain; something Madalena absolutely loved. The woman lifted her head and breathed in deeply through her nose, taking in the smell of the world around her. A large grin made its way on her face and she dusted off her black backless spaghetti strapped dress. The bottom flowed around her ankles as she walked through the forest, running her fingers through her hair as she headed straight for a white house in the distance.
Her bare feet hugged the ground of the forest like they were best friends, covering themselves in wet grass and dirt. She stepped over trees roots, running her hands against the trunks of any trees she came into contact with. Looking both ways, she crossed the road and made her way to the front door, clearing her throat before raising her fist and knocking gently.
After about a minute of waiting, Madalena raised her fist to knock again. She managed to knock once before the door opened, surprising her as she came face to face with a grieving father. She could practically feel the stress radiating off of him. He looked her up and down with his eyebrows pressed together in confusion. One became raised as he caught sight of her bare feet.
"Can I help you?" He asked in a rough voice.
Madalena smiled at him softly, "My name is Madalena Adair, you called me about Bella."
His eyes went wide, and his face lit up slightly, a hint of hope shining in his eyes. "Oh, thank god. Come in," he opened the door for her wider, allowing her to duck under his extended arm and walk in, "watch your step. I'll get you a towel for your, uh, feet."
Before Madalena could stop him, he was already walking down a hallway, opening a door, and pulling out a white towel. He walked back toward her, holding up the towel like it was an important object. Madalena took the towel as it was held out to her, "thank you," she whispered, still smiling at the man.
She sat down on the floor before the man could protect and began to wipe her feet clean. "I apologize about the mess."
"Don't worry about it, but, uh, mind if I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead." Madalena didn't look up at him as she wiped her left foot, trying to keep any dirty or grass from falling on the floor.
"Did you bring any luggage?"
At this, Madalena looked up at him. He was looking at her with a questioning glance, completely confused. She giggled like it wasn't anything new, "oh, I like traveling light. I'm sure Bella has some clothes she can lend me. If not, I can always just go buy some."
He shook his head, "There's no need for that, I'll supply anything you need." He watched as she stood up to her full length; the top of her head reached just under his chin. He gently took the towel from her hands, "I'll show you to the guest room."
He led her down a hallway to a white door before opening it and leading her inside. Surrounding the two adults was an ordinary bedroom with a bed and dresser. The walls were a gray color; unfortunately, it didn't do much to bring life to the already simple room.
"Sorry it's not much," Charlie said, scratching the back of his head.
Madalena shook her head in response, "no, no, it's perfect. I am only a guest here." She smiled up at the man who looked at her with a sheepish smile. "Would you mind me asking where Bella is?"
"She's actually out with Jacob at the moment. He's, uh, a friend of hers, and she's actually been happier since they've begun hanging out, but I'm hoping having you here would help her get closer to becoming herself again." He gave her a small smile which she returned by widening her already placed smile.
"Alright, I'll wait here. Thank you, Charlie."
"No problem, I have to head back to the station, but feel free to roam around the house and make yourself some food with anything in the kitchen."
"Will do," she smiled at Charlie one last time, "thank you."
He nodded and left the room, leaving Madalena to herself.
Her smile instantly fell from her face as soon as he was out the door. She pressed her lips together and let out a deep breath she hadn't known she had taken in. She sat and laid back on the bed, her hair falling around her head like a black crown. Resting her hands on her stomach, she placed one on top of the other. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply through her nose. Her mind becoming empty of all things except for Bella.
Madalena was looking through the eyes of Bella Swan as she ran into the arms of a shirtless Edward Cullen, blocking the sun from hitting his diamond-like skin.
"Heaven," he breathed, hugging her closely.
And then Madalena was looking through the eyes of a female, a short pixie like girl as she saw her reflection in one of the many windows of the castle. A young woman with deep red eyes and blonde hair led the pixie girl, Bella, and Edward into a throne room, two men walking behind them. One was large and broad, while the other was shorter and lean.
Three beautiful men sat on their thrones as they watched the group approach.
A man with pale skin and long black hair sighed as he stared at a struggling Edward Cullen in the arms of the large man who was holding him by the throat. "This is a sadness, if only it were your intention to give her immortality." He turned his head toward Bella and began to make his way toward her, his hand reaching out for her neck.
"Wait!" The man stopped and gave a slight snarl as the pixie girl spoke up, "Bella will be one of us, I've seen it. I'll change her myself." He backed away from the girl in question and held his hand out for the pixie girl to grab.
Moments passed in silence before the man stared in shock; eyes wide as he stared at her. Through this vision, Madalena felt as if the man was staring into her soul. "Who are you?" He demanded softly.
Madalena shot up from the bed, her chest moving up and down rapidly. She placed a hand on her chest and narrowed her eyes in confusion. She had never met that man in her entire life, yet his glance was the most powerful thing she had felt in years.