This Heart

Summary – Right from the start, Bella Cullen knew that her brand new life as a vampire would not be easy. Her friends are in danger: But from what? They know they are being watched but something is rendering Alice and Edward useless. Then the Volturi begins to get stronger. The power seems to be on their side but with the help of some unlikely characters and long lost friends, the Cullens seem to have a fighting chance in the ultimate war. Or do they?

A/N – I'm sorry that I took a long absence from Fanfiction. I am very determined to finish my stories. So it's been awhile and I have forgotten most of the plot… Help me out?

Disclaimer – I don't own Twilight.

5. Anthem of the Angels (Breaking Benjamin)

Every murder turns on a bright hot light, and a lot of people have to walk out of the shadows.
Albert Maltz

Bella's POV

"A neighbor reported that the Swan House was on fire last night, but now a new discovery was made, a shocking and horrific discovery. The human remains of five Forks teen-"

Edward set the remote down. "I was watching that." I complained.

"It's not going to change anything." Edward argued.

"I know."

We need to stop obsessing over the past. Or at least I do. It happened. No doubt about it. So why am I still sitting here, thinking about it? Any normal vampire would have gotten over it. But I haven't quite gotten the taste, or the smell, or the warmth of the human blood out of my head.

"Whatever Edward. I'm going upstairs to… pretend to sleep or something." I stomped up to the bedroom and flopped on the fluffy and unnecessary bed. I wanted to cry, but just couldn't.

"I know what you're going through…" A soft melodic voice said. I expected to sit up and see Rosalie or Esme standing there, but it was Tanya, which greatly surprised me. She had hardly talked to anyone since the death of her mother and sister, and the kidnapping of her father. She sat on the bed next to me and laughed. "A bed? Edward was always such a strange vampire."

"He used to have just a couch…"

"And then you came…"

Yeah. I'm starting to believe that me showing up wasn't a good idea. Oh, shut up brain. "I guess I changed a lot of things around here."

"Yes. You have." She smiled. "I used to believe Edward would choose me. Then he found his soul mate. I suppose that's a good thing. He was always turning me down."

Edward could have had perfect Tanya? But… But… "But you're so much prettier…" I whispered.

"Oh stop that Bella. My pretty face is nothing but a siren to the human man." She paused thoughtfully. "Bella? It isn't the end of the world."

"Forks is a small town. They will probably erect a memorial for those teenagers. The guilt…"

Tanya sighed. "Denali was an even smaller community. I have been residing there for many decades. My sisters and I have made many mistakes."

"You killed five innocent teenagers by yourself?" I retaliated.

"I was small jewelry store in a close by and populated town. It was near Christmas, and the little store was busy. I was nearly finished with my purchases when a man ran in with a gun. The cashier was the owner of the store, and the store was his pride and joy." She paused.

"He was brave and tried to talk the man down from his crime. The man didn't listen and shot the owner and a few of the customers." She sucked in a quick breath.

I could picture the scene perfectly. The man runs with the money, and the blood calls to a petite, beautiful and strawberry blonde woman.

"Of course I killed that day. I drank until I couldn't drink anymore." Tanya finished.

I didn't know what to say. "That sucks." I finally muttered.

Tanya laughed a strong and genuine laugh. "The point I'm trying to reach here, Bella, is that all vampires go through that uncontrollable newborn state. Vampires aren't completely perfect, though they are pretty darn close." She nudged me. "It's rare for a vampire to not screw up their first few years."

"Carlisle?"

"Well, he's a special case."

"I'm flattered, Tanya." I jumped at the sound of Carlisle's voice. Tanya and Carlisle both laughed at me. "Bella, Jacob is here."

"Thank you for talking to me Tanya." I smiled. "It helped."

"No problem."

I left the room smiling, but I frowned at the sight of Jacob. Every muscle on his shirtless body was tense and covered with water droplets. The rain poured outside. He was frowning and Edward looked stressed.

"What is going on?" I asked immediately. Jacob sighed and Edward pulled me close to his side.

"The red head was back today. We tracked her for hours… Her movements were sporadic, like she was trying to… confuse us. Like she was playing a game of cat and mouse." Jacob frowned. "And then she disappeared, scent and all."

My breath hitched. "So what do we do?" The room was silent after my question.

"We don't know yet…" Alice said, her golden eyes flicking through the future. "I can't make a plan without knowing what is going to happen in the future. I can see Victoria, but only glimpses… She's in Seattle."

"Well, what does this mean?" I asked. I needed some answers.

"It means we fight. The second Alice locks in a specific location, we have to be ready, and spring on them. More patrols, we can't let this stuff slip by us anymore." Jasper glanced at Kate, who had just entered. "We can't let anything or anyone slip by us."

"We are already running enough patrols." Rosalie started.

"And two close friends are dead." Carlisle said. The room echoed with silence after that statement. Kate winced and Tanya looked at her shoes. "We have to take action. This has gotten too far without our intervention."

"What can we do, Doc?" Jacob asked, his eyes trained on Carlisle's eyes. "The pack has been waiting to destroy some vampires."

Carlisle sighed. "Anything yet Alice?"

"She's just walking around Seattle." Alice shook her head. "It's all nonsense." Jasper placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and took over again.

"Wait for Victoria to come to you. Alice will give you a heads up if her decisions change. For now, run patrols. And prepare yourself! This could get ugly, fast. Without the proper mental preparation…" He looked directly at me… "We don't need any more traumatized allies."

"Sounds great, see you later." And with that, Jacob headed to the door.

"Wait! Jake!" I chased after him at a human pace, but he didn't stop. "Jake?" I flew at my full speed, halting him in his path.

"What, Bella." He snapped, avoiding my red eyes.

"What is wrong, Jake?" I asked, feeling heartbroken.

He sighed. "Bella, I don't have time for this. I have to get back to Nadia."

"Please Jake… You won't even look at me… You're scaring me."

He sat on the front step of the porch, resting his forehead on his knees. The rain added fresh drops to his back, and it wasn't long before his shoulders started shaking. I sat beside him and waited. Finally he spoke. "Nadia is pregnant."

I couldn't help but gasp. Jake was frozen at sixteen. "Jake! What happened!"

"Well, duh, I knocked her up!"

"You had sex with her?"

"Bella, your being unfair. You were only 17, as I recall." I shut my mouth because he was right. I was being judgmental, and hypocritical. Jake was a good kid.

"I know… I'm sorry." I hesitated… "Do you have a plan yet?"

"Yeah. Were gonna have the baby and raise it." Jake said.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?

"Positive. I have to go. I'll… call you or talk to you some other time. Or something. Bye Bells." And with that he jumped up and took off running. I watched him until I couldn't see him, or hear him…

So Jake was having a baby. Why did I feel some pang of jealousy? I had never wanted to be a mother, but all of a sudden I wanted to have a child to hold and love. I remembered a faint human memory, the smell of chlorine and lavender, the hot tub, and Rosalie depicting to me the reason she hated vampire life so much.

I was pulled out of the fuzzy memories by the sound of ruffling leaves. I sniffed the air, and found a foreign vampire scent. I jumped up and followed the running footsteps, the rustling leaves.

I burst into a small clearing; the silence rang out. I was on high alert, try to see or hear something. It was deathly silent.

Out of nowhere, the person, or thing, I was pursuing leaped out of the brush and into the clearing. I screamed.

"Oh, it's you." He said. The voice belonged to a tall red eyed vampire I had never seen before. "My how you have grown. A lovely vampire you made." But apparently, this strange man had seen me.

"Who are you?" I asked. The man was wearing minimal clothing. He had black shoulder length dreadlocks and her was smiling.

"I am Laurent, the mate to Irina." He frowned. "May she rest peacefully."

"I don't believe you. Why didn't you come with Tanya and Kate?"

He shook his head. "I was Irina's mate but I wasn't a part of their coven."

"Tell me who you are then."

"I met Carlisle's coven almost 12 years ago. I was with Victoria and James. His coven was playing baseball and we wanted to play too. James took an interest in your blood. He wanted it. But Victoria had a better plan. We were greatly outnumbered, so she suggested we involve the Volturi."

I gasped. "You were the one!" I growled.

"No, no! Let me finish!" I calmed down a motioned for him to continue. "I was despised with James and Victoria's bloodlust. I wanted a better life. So I left them, and weeks later, ran into Carlisle. I apologized for James and Victoria, and asked him if I could join his lifestyle. He refused."

"That's not like Carlisle." I whispered.

"Are you going to keep interrupting me?"

"No." I smiled.

"Instead he told me of the Denali's… And I met Irina. But listen. I know where Eleazer is and I know that James is coming for you. I must speak with Carlisle now!"

"Uh…" That was a lot to process. "Okay, follow me."

We ran together in the darkness. It wasn't too far from our house. Edward was standing on the porch and he was by my side instantly.

"Where have you been!" He shouted. "All of a sudden you disappear!"

"I'm sorry!" He then noticed Laurent, and he pushed me behind him. Edward began growling fiercely. "Edward stop!" Laurent put his hands up in surrender.

"I mean no harm." Laurent said calmly.

"Edward!" Alice screeched!

Everything stopped at once. The snarling, the fear, the confusion. Everyone was focused at once on Alice. Her face was far away into the future and she was terrified. Her body was shaking and she was being supported by Jasper only.

Edward's eyes were also in the future. He wasn't as impacted. Suddenly he snapped into the present, and he pulled me to his side protectively. "What is going on? What does she see?" I finally asked.

"He is coming!" Alice said, her eyes darting around the forest.

"Who?" Jasper asked.

I knew the answer. Edward knew too. Laurent looked defeated.

"James."

Somewhere, off in the distance, a wolf howled into the night.

I'm sorry for taking a break. I really hope this chapter didn't disappoint you! Thank you all for being a very supportive group of readers!