Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; it is the property of Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are mine. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Italics for thoughts (Edward can hear it if he's present)

Stages of forms

Tiger: first form (actual tiger)

Tigris: second form (were-tiger, like werewolves, larger than actual animal)

Taiga: third form (cat ears, tail, more tiger musculature, fur, full canines, paws)

Tigam: fourth form (half and half, humanoid form, light fur, tail, nearly full canines, paws)

Tegamen: fifth form (mostly humanoid, no fur, stripes marking the skin and claws and longer canines)

Higar: sixth form (human but with cat senses and scent, regeneration and able streak mind)

Human: seventh form (completely human)

Chapter 14

Edge of Change

Bella POV

I was lying on Edward's bed when I felt my environment change. It was slight but the tension it caused to run through me was not. Something was coming, another Tiger and it meant harm, and it meant death. Pulling away from Edward's arms I moved to look out the beautiful wall of glass and hunted for the source of death to my new clan. I would protect them with everything I had should it come to that.

"What's wrong Bella, there's nothing out there that I can see or hear?" Edward asked as he watched my eyes hunt the darkness. I was worried and was doing nothing to hide it. I could feel Edward tense and hunt the woods more thoroughly.

"Something comes." I said making no effort to continue, I did not know what only that it meant us harm and that it would only be stopped by death, ours or theirs. Finally I pulled myself away from the window and dragged Edward with me downstairs. Finding Demetri out on the patio hunting the darkness for danger knew then that I was not wrong and that this could be very bad.

"Is it us or them?" He asked, and I puzzled over his words then I remembered old laws. Clan or enemy.

"It is clan that much I can feel." I answered and for a moment longed for it to be vampires, children of the moon, spirited wolves or anything but Tigers, clan. Edward moved to the couch and held me in a circle of his arms as I tried to calm. "They mean us death, Demetri. She did not send Daniel to collect me she sent assassins to kill me." Edward tensed and held me closer to him. I pushed my face into the hollow between his neck and shoulders taking in his scent. Sweet like all vampires but musky like damp earth where new things grow.

The rest of the family stared at me as these words fell from my mouth. Shock and anger crossed their faces in different patterns. I felt a small shift of weight before I noticed that there was more. I felt an echoing it was distant and yet still clan. I was out of Edward's arms and shifted into Higar in seconds listening to that soft call.

"Who calls you Meira?" Demetri asked using my name serious and distracted.

"Daniel." I answered before I could even think. "He comes, but the others will be upon us much before he arrives to find my heart beating." I cocked my head to the side why two parties? I am not young enough to believe my mother doesn't feel my heart and my life still present. But why not forbid Daniel's return and kill me with her high guard in silence? Something had changed through my death, but what and how I was uncertain. My thoughts settled on who was sent to kill and who was sent in possible ignorance with Daniel.

"Daniel is coming back?" Edward asked as he looked at me, I could see a touch of jealousy in him but pushed it aside I had no time for unneeded jealousy.

"Sent to retrieve my remains for the pyre." I said and every one but Demetri and I flinched. "They all felt my leaving the clan and believe me dead. Only my mother knows I live and has sent others to rid her of me." Edward wrapped his arms around my waist and nuzzled my hair breathing in my sent. It was his turn to fight for calm.

"She sent people to kill you?" Emmet said eyes large but almost hopeful. "Do we get to fight them?" he asked and I smiled at him and his joy in simple pleasures.

"Those that come for death will only end in death, theirs or ours." Demetri answered with my earlier thoughts. I nodded and Emmet smiled and bumped fists with Jasper as I rolled my eyes though I took pleasure in their antics. True brothers.

"Her high guard are six strong but she would have sent the most loyal since there is a shift in the clan for Daniel to be coming also." I said and Demetri gave me sad but hopeful eyes. If the shift was a splitting of the clan with Daniel in lead it would be going to a winnable war but if it was a shift of command from my mother to one who challenged her then I would die as would those I love.

"Who?" Jasper asked and I thought of each in turn and knew that at least Kari she longed for my death greatly since I bested her in more combat as the years passed. Maia would be sent only if Renátka convinced her it was best for the whole of the clan that I was dead, possible. Case and Gabriel are her swords loyal and fiercely blinded by the desires of the queen.

"I am uncertain. Kari for certain. She has hated me always though we have managed closer ties since we have patrolled together and I became friends with her blood. Her brother Keith is mated to Maia and both are dear friends." I answered and Jasper looked confused.

"Kari has never been your friend she has hated you for most of your life. Given this chance to kill you she will do all that is needed to end you lives." Demetri said and I nodded my agreement.

"I only mean that she has been able to hide her hate in recent years better than before. It makes her more dangerous because for a moment I may hesitate." I said and Demetri smiled remembering the days he taught me to tell my trusted allies my flaws and possible mistakes.

"Good to know." Jasper stated and Carlisle seemed uneasy with this talk.

"Know that if I could talk them to another outcome I would." I said looking at the ground before them; I did not wish them to think me a blood thirsty monster.

"I do not like the idea of killing them. That is all. If you say it is necessary then I believe you." Carlisle said calmly and sincerely. I looked up at them and both nodded.

"Kari will not be stopped short of death and the other will avenge her." I said gently and sadly I hated that these deaths were needed. "It will be Maia if she believes it best for all clan. I am not sure if she would be heavy handed enough for Renátka though. Case and Gabriel are her swords; they will do anything she bids of them fair or needed."

"I believe that it will be Kari and Case they have worked closely for years and Kari's desire will feed his need to kill." Demetri stated plainly and I wish I had his confidence in this. I knew only Kari because she had never been subtle about her desire to bleed me and end my existence.

"Whether Case or not they will be skilled and have the advantage of strength. If I..." I stated cut off by the growls coming from two men of great importance to me. Edward looked at me pleading with me not to finish the sentence and Demetri just looked sick.

"I care little if they are stronger of if you have a better chance of killing them if you leave us. I will not take the risk of them working together and killing you. Daughter of my brother." Demetri stated eyeing me as if daring me to say he had no right to ask or rather demand this of me.

"I know full well that if I tried I would be buried alive, attempting to prevent this on my own." I said smiling and shaking my head. "I just wonder if they would think that you would let me. Traps are very useful if we can make them believe." Demetri smiled at me proud. "Goddess knows I would run to protect others."

"I can see it far too easily." Edward commented his hands still clasped tightly around my waist.

"I know loss. I act to prevent it not to cause fear of it." I said and got a few smiles and nods.

****

Kari POV

All these centuries with that good for nothing were going to pay off. Finally I get to kill her, and ordered by her own mother just makes it sweeter. She stole my light and I was going to take her life, it only sounded right and just to me. Gabriel ran at pace with me and I knew he really didn't care one way or another but he would feed off my high from tormenting her.

We had worked together on many projects for the queen that were distasteful to most. Personally I enjoyed most of the assignments and Gabriel seemed to do fine when I got into it. He didn't have the bloodlust that I did but he could just blank himself and go with the flow. I preferred to work with Case but on this he might steal the killing blow and I would not be denied. Gabriel's dispassion is what made him such a keen warrior, where as my passion was what made it work for me. Renátka knew that and so knew I would do much for the opportunity to kill the runt that everyone seemed to love.

When we arrived in Forks we went to the store looking for signs of her. The lack of blooded leathers, her weapons and a few other personal things told me she wouldn't be returning. Her bike was also missing, deciding to have some fun I burned down the building. It was a good message to her that we knew she was still here.

"Where next? Woods or basic scent tracking?" Gabriel asked as we watch the flames lick the sides of the building. It was a good question, she could lead us anywhere if we scent tracked her but a random hunt in the woods was foolish.

"Perhaps a quick run through town to see if there is anyone we can use to motivate her to give up." I told him and he nodded mirroring my grin. Stealing a car not to be as noticeable we began to weave through the small town. Noting the reservation by scent and the golden eyed vampires which seemed to have a bit of her scent there, probably warned them others were coming.

After a few hours it seemed that the strongest scent was coming from the Cullens which meant she had been there most recently. But was she still there or had she left by car or bike and no scent of that remained? We left the car near the woods and ran a few miles away from the house, no need from them to know were here. The scent was fresh she was still here, with these vampires.

"Why is she still here?" Gabriel asked confused and disgusted. I shrugged at his reaction noting it for later if it would come in handy.

"She broke high law to tell these vampires so she is probably afraid we'll kill them for their knowledge. She would feel guilty if she just let them die." I told him smirking at the last; it was her greatest weakness that she cared for others above her own life. It was foolish vampires are meant to be watched and killed if needed not protected.

It was the other scent mixed with the vampires that unnerved me. It smelt like Tiger but not, that could mean that Demetri was here with her. He would make things difficult but as with all vampires he was easily killed. But it might enrage her enough to fight back and win, I would leave Demetri to Gabriel in that case.

We moved back further and watched the house waiting for an opening that would save us from having their full number against us. We would have to be quick, unless Renátka wanted Daniel to know what had happened to his Meira. I think Renátka might want his hide so I don't think it'll be a problem unless he has a skilled warrior at his side.

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update but Kari kept changing her personality! R&R please!