Chapter 23 – Darius

He came into the room and surveyed the scene. Sniffing at the air, he snarled, "Viktor again." He looked at me and Edward leaning over Dr. Perry, "The human's blood should be enough to satisfy you." Carlisle pulled Dr. Perry from our grasped, "Remember who you are." The both of us stared. There was a tinge of resentfulness within me. I wanted him to suffer. The veins around my eyes showed themselves, because I also wanted blood. "Father," a young woman with long golden hair and sapphire blue eyes came into the room. She was followed by a young man with similar blue eyes. The girl stood by Darius, with the young man on her other side. Looking at the girl, her hair was as bright as the sun. In contrast, the young man's hair was as black as the night sky. The girl looked at me, then her eyes fell on Edward, "Your husband need to control themselves a little better." I glared at the lovely Daywalker. Her hair draped down to her lower back. She reminded me of Rosalie. The acid in her voice, with the lovely, sweet face. The young man took her hand, "We have to find Viktor."

Darius looked at us, standing in the debris from the fight, "Bella, where is Viktor?" My eyes narrowed, "How do you know my name?" He smiled, "You are my descendent, my child. I have been watching you for some time." His eyes fell from my face, "Keep the human alive. He may be valuable." Looking at Dr. Perry, his eyes were fixed on me. He was terrified as his heart sprinted in his chest. His breathing was restricted; choking with fear. The call of his blood was a temptation. "Edward, how do you feel?" He brushed my cheek with the back of his hand, "I'm fine. Don't bother with him." Carlisle nodded, then looked at our visitors, "Thank you." Darius leered at Carlisle, "Bella, these nightwalkers your creations, are they not?" I looked back, "If you mean, that I changed them into Daywalkers, then yes." He glared at me, "Well, you need to get them under better control." I huffed. Was he for real? Before doing anything, I pulled

Dr. Perry to the couch and compelled him to be quiet and to not move. "You cannot be serious!" I asked through my teeth. Carlisle took my hand, in an attempt to calm me, "We can handle ourselves. It was the wolf who lost control." Darius glared at Carlisle, "Because your son provoked him. We heard the whole thing. Your son knew what he was doing." Anger glinted in Carlisle's eyes, "Don't you talk about my son!" I have never seen Carlisle angry. He has always maintained a calm composure. "It seems that you have been tracking this wolf for some time. Why haven't you caught him yet?" Carlisle was getting angrier and I have never seen him like this, "And you said you were watching my daughter, then you should have known he wanted her."

Edward wrapped his arm around my body, "Why are you here?" The young man behind Darius mimicked Edward. He held the young woman to his side. "Excuse me, Darien," I looked at him, "we were only trying to find out what he knew. He knew about my family and he was suspicious of Bella. You would have done the same for Serena." Darien's dark blue eyes fell on me, "Well, that's helpful. Viktor still cannot tell us apart from the humans. Darius, Serena and I will find the beast. Bella did do some damage. I think we can finally finish him off."

Darius looked back, "Good." The young couple turned to leave, but stopped, when they were facing Emmett and Jasper. The girl hissed, "What do you want?" Emmett glared, "We're going with you." Darien scoffed, "We don't need your help." A snarl escaped from Emmett's bared teeth, "That thing tried to kill my brother and was stalking my sister." Jasper glared, "You loss your claim on his life. Viktor is ours." Edward nodded, "He headed north." I clutched at his arm, "EJ!" Before anyone could stop us, Edward and I ran out of the front door, to the big house. "Who do they think they are?" Edward took my hand, "Don't worry about them right now." We burst through the front door to find Esme, Alice and Rosalie already on full alert. Nina, Madison, EJ and Emma were sitting on the couch. "Mommy!" I dropped to my knees as EJ flew into my arms. Edward sighed in relief, "Is everything alright?" Esme was holding Nina, "Yes. He hasn't come this way." Edward patted EJ's head, "Bella, stay here. I'm going to Viktor." I stood, "Edward, no!" I wasn't about to let Edward and his brothers, I knew they would not stay out of it, face this beast alone. "Bella, I was picking Darius' mind. The only reason Viktor was after you was because he wants to kill off Darius' descendants. Viktor is the same one from the legends. He is older than Aro. There are hardly any wolves that old and Viktor is one of them."

My eyes began tear, "He wants me. I won't let you do this. I'll find him." Edward brushed my hair, "This animal is not getting my family." I looked at EJ, "Stay here. I'll be back soon." He hugged my neck and went to Alice. Edward tried to stop me, but I walked passed him. Stepping into the night, I was about to break into a sprint, but Edward grabbed my wrist. "Where do you think you're going? I asked you to stay here with our son?" I looked back, "After what we saw tonight. I got my hands on him and now, I want to finish him off." I tried to turn away, but Edward wouldn't let me, "Bella, I'm supposed to protect you and EJ." From the day I met him, Edward has protected me, but now, he needs protection too. "Edward, I'm as strong as you are. It's your job to protect me and EJ and it's my job to protect you and EJ. I'm going with you so we can protect each other and our son." I kissed him quickly on the lips and he smiled. Taking my hand, Edward and I ran off together.

We hunted all night and we couldn't pick up his trail. "He's old, but smart." Emmett punched a tree and it fell, taking up its root, "Dammit!" Jasper stared off into the dark, "Here they come." Serena and Darien found us, "I have to admit," she smirked, "you're pretty fast. But you're right. Viktor's been around for a long time. He's learned to evade us." She sighed deeply, "Edward, stay out of my head." He blinked, "How do you know us?" She looked up at Darien. "That's her talent. She knows people and their extra abilities. That's the things about Darius' daughters. They're all talented. Serena created me, like Bella created you." His eyes fell on me, "But Bella, Darius will stop at nothing to have her." Edward pulled me into his chest and Emmett stood at my side. Serena smiled, "Don't worry, Edward. He won't take Bella away from you, just to have her on his side." She laughed once, "And I won't hurt my own sister." I scoffed, "We're not related." She smiled and stepped toward me, "Yes, we are. We're purebloods. True descendants. We are the daughters of Darius. His blood runs in our veins. And, Bella, you're a shield." A what? Was that my talent? "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You have the ability to protect your mind and the minds of other from attacks. Edward can't hear your thoughts." That wasn't a question, but I nodded in confirmation. "And, I'm guessing, before he was turned, Jasper couldn't sense your emotions, either." I looked at him, "I didn't notice. All I picked up from everyone was happiness." I bit my lip, "Wait, the night I heard you and Carlisle talking, I was very nervous and tense. You didn't feel any of that?" He shook his head, "No. You were completely hidden." Serena sniffed, "See, you're a shield. And a damn strong one. When we face the Volturi, you will be a great use to us." I scoffed, "Sorry to disappoint you, but I am not fighting the Volturi." Serena gawked at me, "You read the legends, you know the stories. Aro's time has come. After we finish with Viktor, we're gathering our family and going to Volterra." I shook my head, "It's your fight, not ours." I tugged at Edward's arm, "Let's go home. I have to send Dr. Perry home." Serena darted in front of me, "You coward. You should fight with your family." My eyes widened, "Excuse me? Who the hell do you think you are calling me a 'coward?' You expect me to participate in a fight that has nothing to do with me! A fight, until recently, I never knew about." "He killed our mother!" Taking in a deep breath, I glared at her, "My mother is alive and well. She's living her life happily, the way she deserves. I'm sorry about Cassandra, but I won't fight for that."

I walked away, taking Edward's hand. Emmett and Jasper walked silently with us. "Who do you think sent the wolves this time?" I stopped and looked back. Darien held Serena's waist, "Aro knows we still exist. Since all of us refuse to change him, he's making history repeat itself. Think about your son and your daughters." Emmett and Jasper looked at each other, then back to the duo. Darien sighed, "We have a daughter ourselves. We have to hide her until Viktor and his kind are gone. We're going to the ends of the earth to protect her. Wouldn't you do the same for your children?" Edward looked down at me, "And for our wives." I looked up, meeting his eyes. Sighing, Edward did something I didn't expect, "Come with us. We should talk with the others." Serena smiled, "Alright. Do you mind if Darius meets us there?" Emmett groaned, "Whatever, let's go."