A note from DiNishaRob

HELLO EVERYONE! No you didn't read wrong. YES this is a Lunar Adversaries story update. After being forced to read every single review for lunar adversaries and facing dusk by my friend she forced me to not let a few dozen hateful people ruin it for the ones that loved my work - which are alot! :) Years later Facing Dusk is still getting views like it was posted yesterday. I'm pretty sure that it has been so long that most of you will need to start reading this story from scratch to recall everything, and that's fine, because I had to too. :/

With that being said I am giving you a disclaimer now. This story is DARKER than facing dusk. I will always write what I vision with no exceptions, and will not always guarantee what you may view as a happy ending. There will be times when you hate the characters actions, and there are times when you will hate me for writing it that way, and that's okay. If I don't make you feel something, I'm not doing my job as a writer.

For those that can't take the plot twists, don't read it. Feel free to choose another twilight story, there are half a million on here. Nastiness is unnecessary, and takes away from the readers that actually WANT to follow. Hopefully, you guys will welcome me back with open arms as I attempt to do my best to pull you from one of the many cliffs that this story has left you lingering on in my absence.

This chapter is from Nessie's POV. And if I recall correctly, we left her on the roof of Moscow kissing Zach and fighting the urge to hunt humans.

Enjoy :)

DiNishaRob

Chapter 17- The day after

I awoke from the feeling of annoyance that came with being watched. I was right. There sat the tiny red-headed woman who dressed me when I had first gotten here.

"Zach told me to check in on you now and then to see if you were healing any better." She explained apologetically walking to the edge of the bed to get a good look at me.

I ignored her, wondering myself about my condition. I extended my arms for my self-assessment. I was fine, the bruises and cracks, gone. I felt my shoulder and exhaled in relief when I could only feel perfectly smooth marble under my fingers. There was no pain, no dizziness, nothing.

"You seem to be all better," She smiled looking at my arms, nodding in some sort of approval, she backed away giving me space walking behind the divider. "Zach will be glad to hear it."

The way she said his name made it sound as if he were gone. "And…where is he?" I asked as casually as possible as she disappeared into the closet.

I had been here for over a week and he had never once left my side, at least not with me conscious enough to know about it. I remember it irritating me, him constantly lurking, but now that he wasn't there, and I was in a castle alone with werewolves, I wanted him here.

"Oh he's around here somewhere, him, Peter, Daniel, Ray, and Jinny all went out doing… whatever it is that they do." She answered coming back out with a folded, sage green garment. "He asked me to look after you until he returns."

"So…he's with Jinny…" I wasn't sure why that bothered me. It was most likely because he was going to kill her a few days ago if I hadn't stopped him, that and the fact that she loathes me.

The small woman, Nina, smiled. "Along with the others, yes." She went over to a drawer and pulled something out before continuing, "I wouldn't worry about that Reenie, Zach is absolutely-"

"Renesmee!" I corrected a bit harsher than I meant to, "- I prefer Renesmee." I repeated a bit softer.

Nina nodded, carefully handing me a pile of clothing while taking in my appearance, "These are for you Renesmee, and the bathroom is right behind you. A bath is already drawn for you, and I'll be just out here if you need anything."

"Thank you," I managed to get out with a nod before disappearing behind the door.

I sat the clothes on the side of the sink and glanced over my shoulder, tensing when I realized that I wasn't the only woman in here. She stared at me, equally still and tense. She was my height, and looked completely savaged. Her hair was tangled and dirty, her clothes defiled by tatters and spots of what I could only assume was blood, because her face and neck both had small smears as well. Her eyes were barbaric and dangerous.

I snarled ready to defend myself and she mirrored my movements exactly making me freeze. SHE WAS ME! I cupped my hand over my mouth getting a closer look. How did this happen?! I thought back to as much as I could remember last night.

I remembered feeling drained and hungry, long overdue for a hunt. I remembered Zach running me into downtown Moscow and waking up on a roof. Zach had wanted me to feed on humans but I had refused.

But then he worked his magic and—what did I do? I kissed Zach; no I more than kissed him… I craved him. I remembered my bite mark searing, my blood boiling, and an ache in my gut as I more than willingly let his lips discover mine. His fingers massaged the nape of my neck and mine kneaded into his shirt.

I remembered him pulling away despite the fact that I wanted more, the only thing stronger than that want – bloodlust! "I killed two people…" I recollected, tears pricking my face. I had been taught restraint from day one, and exercised it faithfully for twenty years only to fail last night.

"What did I do?" I shrieked as low as possible with tears streaming down my face. Those men were probably someone's husbands, out having a drink before returning home. Or someone's son, or worse someone's father?! Carlisle had always taught me that from the most powerful king to the lowliest low life, life was precious and should never be taken unless in defense of one's own.

I killed those men, and it wasn't the just the fact that I could do it that scared me, but the ease in which I could. Once I got free reign and let my hunger take over I was another person. I descended on the first one, breaking his neck before the first one could even realize what happened. I was only able to drain him partially before his friend noticed, his eyes meeting mine, sobering him up before sprinting away from me in fear.

As much as it annoyed me to do so, I abandoned my first kill and caught the man in two strides, leaping against the wall to push away and sideswipe him my hand crushing his airway before my teeth sank in to finish my feed.

The efficiency in which I killed scared even me, because it was second nature almost. I was a murderer, and a good one. I took another look at myself in the mirror, dried blood still on my face. "No. This isn't me." I refused tearing the dress from me, unable to remove it fast enough.

I removed my bra and panties and plunged myself into the water, ignoring the fact that it was no longer hot. I submerged myself beneath the surface letting the water spill over the edge as I kept myself under. I watched my tangled mess of hair float up around me, along with the dried blood on my skin, tinting the water.

If I were a full vampire, I would have stayed under there forever, away from the world and having to face myself and what I did, but when my lungs starved for salvation instincts took over forcing me back up to the surface. Gasping and crying I grabbed the loofa and scrubbed at my skin wishing I had something stronger like steel wool. I washed my hair, using quick fingers to detangle it, watching debris fall out as I rinsed.

I didn't stay in the water any longer than I had to, not wanting to see the red tint of the water as a reminder of the night before. I pulled the drain and grabbed a towel to pad myself off. Once my hysterics were over the questions that came with sanity filled my head. What would happen when my family found out what I did? Would they hate me? No they'd still love me; I wouldn't be the first person to stray. They'd be disappointed, which was worse than hating me in my eyes.

Asima always told me that the reason she risked so much help save us from the Volturi fifteen years ago, was due to the fact that she viewed my family as 'more human' than the people she set out to protect. That my family was '…a symbol to how human kind should interact with the world. To love and respect each other while treasuring the lives we were given as well as the ones around us.' It was the first time she had hope in over thirteen hundred years and in one night, I tainted that entire vision. More than that, I felt like I proved to all the non-vegetarian vampires that our way doesn't work.

I slid on my panties and examined the dress. It was a baby doll dress made with sage green satin, the neckline and straps beaded with clear rhinestones. The garment really as quite pretty, I could imagine it being in my closet back home. I slid the dress over my head focused, using a brush set out for me to rake through my hair before it dried. I turned to face myself in the mirror again, this time being met by Renesmee. Confident, focused, and determined Renesmee. I didn't need to focus on what I did, otherwise I'd fall apart again, instead I needed to focus on the fact that I was better therefore more prepared to find a way back, or at least help my family to find me.

Nina didn't give me shoes, so I had no choice but to pad out barefoot. I didn't expect her to be there when I came out. "Oh, you're still here," I noticed wondering exactly how long she was there, and exactly how much she heard.

If she was in there to hear my panic she didn't give anything away. The old sheet, comforter and pillow cases were in a pile on the floor beside the bed, the drapes had been pulled back, the balcony doors open letting in fresh cool breeze to the bright room.

"Just changing the linens," She smiled putting new cases on the pillows.

I felt weird just watching her, "Here let me help," I offered grabbing the clean sheet, unfolding it so that I could lay it across the bed.

"Oh no, Zach will kill me if I let his precious Reenie do anything laboring." She laughed thrilled, shaking her head at some thought with a smile on her face.

I flash of anger flickered through me, I knew I told her to call me Renesmee. I hated the name Reenie. It took everything I had to keep a smile on my face as I floated the sheet over the bed anyway. "I don't need a chambermaid," I insisted tucking the corners of the left side.

"Oh I'm not," She corrected tucking the side on the left. "I'm just the one Zach asked to see that you were taken care of. My job is to keep you company, and see that you have everything you need."

"So are you my babysitter or my jailor?" I asked trying to keep my tone casual.

She gave me another high giggle, "Neither, you're not a prisoner here Reenie, you're home."

"This is not my home!" I snapped unable to control the irritation.

Her small face fell, "My apologies, I forget that you don't like to be called Reenie. It's just that Zach talks about you so…" She let the thought trail off before picking up the comforter and with one jerk upward; it was floating over the bed.

I felt bad, she was so small. She reminded me of Alice in stature, but her caregiver tendencies reminded me more of Esme. My own face fell at the thought of my family, I missed them. "Why?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. "Why did Zach ask you to look over me?"

"Because I'm the only one that he trusts to do it," She answered simply putting the pillows on the bed.

"You're special to him." I noted, it wasn't a question.

She smiled unable to meet my eyes as she nodded, "I like to think so."

I sat in the free chair wondering exactly who Nina was to Zach. A longtime friend? Family member? Past lover? I blanched at the thought of the last one unsure why. I stared out over the balcony listening to her hum a song as she flittered thorough the room straightening whatever she felt needed to be straightened.

"Nina…" I started, keeping my eyes at the view from the room. "Zach told you to keep me company right?"

"Yes, he did," She answered warily putting the old linens in basket, starting to remove them from the room.

I didn't want her to go, somehow she was the only one that didn't seem guarded enough not to answer my questions, and I had a lot of questions. "Will you sit with me for a while?"

I watched her hesitate in my peripheral eventually deciding to put the basket down and join me in another seat. "Sure Ree—Renesmee"

"If I ask you something, will you answer me honestly?"

Her blue eyes were cautious as she watched me, taking time to find the best way to answer. "I will answer anything you want, except for things that Zach asks me not to tell you," her sweet voice promised.

"You're loyal to him." I accepted, trying to keep my voice even and irritation free.

She nodded, "Yes very much so. I owe him my life."

"So you've been friends for a while then?" I pressed casually.

She smiled at the thought again, her cheeks tinting pink. "Since the very first day we met." She confirmed.

"Oh." I nodded; she wasn't giving anything away voluntarily. "Does he have many confidences?"

She thought about it for a moment, "Zach has always felt that as a leader, it's best for his circle to remain small. He confides in the first four, and I guess you can say they're bonded and close in a way, but I am his right hand."

"The first four?" I asked trying to ignore the fact that she was considered the closest person to him.

She nodded, "Yes, the first four are Ray, The twins Peter and Daniel, and Jinny."

They were the ones that he attacked Jennah with, the ones that survive extinction and set out to complete his father's vision. I suppose that made sense, for them to be close, but why she over them? "Have you been with Zach and the others for long?"

"Since the very beginning," She nodded then rolled her eyes giving me a break. "I'm his sister Reenie."

Sister? No they couldn't be. They looked and acted nothing alike. "Sergei Morozov was your father too?"

She nodded, "So he told you. Yes, I am."

The minute she confirmed it, I wanted to know her story. Maybe knowing her would give me some insight into Zach and this entire mess. A thought hit me. "Wait a second, then why isn't it considered Zach and the first five instead of the first four?"

"Because I'm one of the women, I'm the main one in fact." She confided with a conspiratorial smirk, but her eyes were saddened. "I'm held to a different type of reverence."

"What are the women?" I wondered.

Her lips pressed in a hard line, probably realizing that she said something she might not be allowed to explain. "That Reenie, is a story so long it's meant for another day." She giggled at my frown. "Oh don't be so discouraged, we have plenty of time. We're going to be sisters after all, you're my brother's complement."

"Renesmee," I stressed for the umpteenth time. "And we're not going to be sisters, I'm not with Zach. Once I convince Zach to forget about me, I'm long gone and back to my real home."

She studied me for a minute, her hands folded in her lap. She shook her head disappointed in herself. "Once again I have to apologize. I keep forgetting that you still haven't given yourself to Zach. You've been resisting for what, three weeks? Your pheromones must be off the charts right now. You're easier to provoke right now."

I took what I thought back, they obviously were related, both delusional. They were both blaming any type of rejection from me on my unwillingness to let go. "What?!" I shrieked in disbelief.

She mistook my outrage for wanting an explanation. "You haven't figured it out yet Reenie? The connection you have with Zach isn't purely mental, it's physical too. He gave you a dose of himself, and now you're a junkie. You're going to crave and ache for him until you finally give in and get your fix. You're lucky though, from what I'm told my brother's an excellent lover." She divulged matter-of-factly.

My eyes widened and I gaped at her in shock, I couldn't find the right way to respond to her bluntness, and about a minute later I ran out of time. "Where's my girl?!" I voice exploded up the stairs.

"We're in here brother," Nina answered taking that as her cue to get up.

He was through the door in one second and by my chair in another scooping me up and swinging me around.

"Good afternoon." I greeted, taken by surprised, my feet searching for the floor.

Zach was grinning from ear to ear as he sat me on my feet again, once again knowing what I wanted without having to ask. "Good afternoon," he returned his grey eyes hungry as he took in my attire. "Well aren't you a vision."

I couldn't control my blush even if I wanted to, "Thank you."

"You're feeling better," He affirmed running his fingers up my arms, across my shoulder, and ending at the base of my collarbone, the feeling making me tingle. "I know you're feeling better, because I'm feeling better. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Well aren't you two the cutest?" Nina declared walking over to the basket she had neglected to keep me company.

"Thank you for taking care of her dear sister," He acknowledged, his eyes only on me, his voice shifting from jovial to a smoky seduction.

She threw the last of the linens into the basket and scooped it up, "That's my job." She announced. "Anything else, Zach?"

He shook his head, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear planting a kiss on my forehead, only having eyes for me. That fire returning to the pit of my stomach like when we were on the roof. "No that'll be all Nina. I'd like to ravish my girlfriend now if you don't mind."

My face flashed crimson with embarrassment and anger at his gall. Did he have any couth at all?! But despite the fact that I was angry with him that fire still involuntarily flickered. Don't leave us alone…

"Not at all," She assured amused heading out the door. "Welcome to the family Reenie." She extended closing the door behind herself.

He planted another kiss on my forehead, then another at the tip of my nose. "I missed you…" He admitted attempting to plant a kiss on my lips.

I turned my head at the last minute, giving him my cheek, "W-where did you go?"

"Reconnaissance with the others," He muttered completely uninterested. "We left way before dawn, I was anxious to get back to you."

His face was cleanly shaved, and he was wearing a pair of grey slacks, a crisp white button down opened at the chest with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. I'd be lying if I said he wasn't drool worthy, but I couldn't afford to think of him that way. "Reconnaissance? What kind of reconnaissance?" I wondered, trying to keep my tone casual, failing horribly.

"Oh the basics…" He placated, leading me backwards to the bed. "Do you really want to talk about my work right now Reenie?"

"Y-Yes..." I stuttered, the fact that he was calling me Reenie didn't even annoy me enough to break the trance he held, and before I knew it my feet were no longer on the floor, my back on the bed.

He hovered over me on his elbows kissing the nape of my neck before whispering in my ear a very seductive, "I don't believe you…"

Nina's words echoed in my mind again. "…He gave you a dose of himself, and now you're a junkie. You're going to crave and ache for him until you finally give in and get your fix…" That was the problem with his connection thing. I wasn't sure what feeling were actually my own anymore. I had to fight this. "Come on Zach…Nina just made the bed… don't be rude." I breathed, feeling my heart race as I felt his weight on me.

He stopped, propping himself up with his hands to look down at my face. He gave me an amused smirk and a cocked eyebrow, "Did you have another scene in mind?"

My mouth dropped in astonishment when I realized what he was offering. I blink rapidly trying to form words.

He chuckled at me running his fingers though my hair, "Oh Reenie, there will be plenty of time for that, though I do admire your enthusiasm. Are you always like this? Or is it the change in diet that makes you… uninhibited?"

That did it, anger flashed through me, and thankfully it was an emotion strong enough to overpower his seduction. "Get. Off. Of. Me." I hissed through gritted teeth.

He checked my eyes to see if I was serious, realizing that I was he rolled over onto his back in surrender. "Fine…"

I blurred with inhuman speed onto the balcony, putting space between us before my anger wore off. For five minutes I explored the idea of just jumping off the edge and making a run for it. Wondering how far I would get, if I would make it back, and if Zach and his friends would level the place if I were able to get there. Tears ran down my cheek when I realized that I was stuck.

"You're angry with me…" he sighed leaning into the doorway, but smart enough to keep his distance.

I made no movement to wipe my ears, not wanting him to notice that I was crying. "You're damn right I'm angry. How could you talk like that? Make a joke out of what I did?"

"What you did?" He echoed in confusion, like he didn't understand.

"I killed two people Zach." I snapped my voice breaking. "How is that nothing to you?"

"Are you crying?" He demanded coming out on the balcony, turning my body so that he could see my face. My body complied with his wishes despite the fact that I tried to look down in protest. "Oh Reenie, no." He pacified, looking like he was going to cry with me for a second. "Do you really want to know how I can act like it's nothing? Because you're my everything. You were ill, in pain, and possibly dying and if all it took was for two people to make you strong again, it's more than an even trade."

Why did he have to do that, be horrible one minute and romantic the next? His mood swings overall were giving me whiplash, and I was beginning to think that he bi-polar.

"Life is precious… we don't kill people." I chanted more to myself than to him, looking over the balcony again. He kept his hands on my shoulders, looking out with me, rubbing my arms gently to generate enough heat to keep them warm.

He let out another sigh, "Humans are a pathetic race Reenie. You have to let go of these strange ideals that they are anything other than food. Do you think that they wouldn't hesitate to kill you if they knew what you were?"

I didn't answer, he had a point. Human tended to fear what they didn't understand and channel that fear into violence. "It still doesn't make it right." I argued. "And they're not all bad, my friend for example—"

"Ah yes, Phillip right?" He droned impatiently. "Phillip the human, yes, you were friends at a point. Until he realized that your worlds could never coincide and he turned on you and Asima like you were the source of their problem. Fifteen years of friendship thrown away at the slightest inconvenience."

"That's not how it happened…" I argued. "You don't get it."

"Then enlighten me." He insisted holding me close to him.

I thought about it for a second, "He had a family, children, he couldn't risk them to hang with us anymore. Asima and I agreed it was best. Sometimes… we have to make sacrifices for the people that need it. That's what love is."

"Not in my world," He denied. "In my world love is fueled by desires and the freedom to obtain them, not restrained by sacrifice and axiom. It's like a fire that doesn't require oxygen to burn. It's the shadows in the soul coming into the light realizing that they are beautiful. Love with limits will always die or end in heartache. You can't experience love until you experience what it feels like to be free."

I had never heard him speak so passionately about anything and the more he talked the more I wanted to listen.

"Most people can only find sin in freedom, so they're scared of it, willingly trading their structure for security when in reality they will never have both because of it. Pain only leaves us when we let go my love."

Speechless, I just kept staring off over the balcony. He left behind rules, responsibility, and morals trading them for his own happiness and freedom, and if I were being honest in that moment, I envied him.

Zach disappeared back into the room giving me a moment to myself, but not a long one, returning with a jacket, draping it over my shoulders. Another piece of clothing that fit me perfectly.

"You must be a really good stalker." I smiled weakly sliding my arms into the sleeves. "Everything fits like it was tailored to me."

"You're my complement Reenie, I know you inside and out, your measurements are a trivial in comparison." He crooned down at me, a twinkle in his grey eyes.

I sighed, this was wrong, I shouldn't encourage him. I wasn't a complement, I wasn't his. I could never be his. "Zach…" I started.

His hand brushed down my arms again this time taking my hand, bringing it up to his to kiss my knuckles gently. "Come with me." He insisted cutting me off tugging me back through the doors and into the room. I think he knew what I was going to say.

"Where?" I demanded looking into the bed once again fearful.

He misunderstood my glancing and chuckled. "Don't worry; we'll have time for that later." He assured. "We're going somewhere else; I want to show you something."

I was too intrigued with the thought of a field trip to correct the misunderstanding, "Where?"

"The place where freedom starts." He answered cryptically tugging me again, but not hard enough for me to move. He wanted me to take the first step. Always me.

With a nod I followed, anything was better than being in this bedroom. "Show me freedom." I surrendered.

His face lit up as he scooped me in his arms, running with me down the stairs. We passed Jinny and Daniel walking when we reached the foyer and I buried my face into the crook of his neck to hide not just from Jinny's scowl, but Daniel's conspiratorial delight.

"We're going out!" He explained before they could ask, speeding out the front door leaving it wide open.