History
--
Before Bella had time to react, her coven was taking defensive positions around her. Heidi was barely containing her growls, and everyone else looked downright murderous.
"I'm very sorry to disturb you and your coven, it's just that this is our territory. We only wish to make sure you will not cause harm." Carlisle said, ever the diplomat.
Again, before Bella could reply, Heidi snorted.
"Oh please, Carlisle. We are not the ones who will cause harm, unlike some." Heidi replied, a thinly veiled dig at the family. Bella sighed, and watched as Carlisle's face became one of confusion.
"You seem to be familiar. Do I know you?" Carlisle asked, curious. Bella shook her head, laughing bitterly.
"Yes, I suppose I do look different now. I'm not so clumsy, and I've certainly grown over the last sixty years." Bella replied, glaring slightly. Carlisle racked his brain before recognition dawned on him. He looked back up at her, wide eyed.
"Bella? Bella Swan?" He asked, unbelieving. Bella gave him a sinister smile.
"Got it in one."
The rest of the Cullens finally spoke up, disbelief and guilt apparent on their faces. Malia growled, and their attention strayed from Bella to the vampires around her.
"Bella, how are you a vampire now? Who are these people?" Carlisle started to inquire, and Bella held up a hand to silence him.
"This is my coven. And, as for why I'm a vampire, let's just say next time make sure she's dead." Bella directed the last bit to Jasper, who looked stricken.
"No. No. No, she's- She's dead." Jasper said, and Heidi started to shake in anger. Bella placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
"Well, she is now. After I killed her in 1976." Bella started, and Jasper balked.
"How is that possible?" Rosalie spoke up, and Bella's world turned on its axis the moment she met the blonde's eyes. She stumbled back, and Rosalie had a look of sheer wonder on her face. Heidi noticed, and wrapped her arm around Bella's waist, a comforting gesture. Rosalie saw, and before she could stop herself, she growled. Heidi tried to retaliate, but Bella held on tightly to her.
"Bella, surely we can talk about this-" Started Carlisle, but this time it was Malia who growled. Bella held out her hand.
"Lottie, Garrett, take those two back to the house, I'll deal with them when we get back. Just focus on calming them down. Heidi, calm down and stand down. I'm fine, you're fine, we're both fine. Malia, stop growling, I taught you better than that." Bella commanded, leaving no room for a disagreement. Lottie went and comforted Malia, taking her hand and leading her away carefully. Garrett did the same with Cory, but not before Cory rushed over to hug Bella. She ruffled his hair and sent him off with Garrett. Heidi huffed and kept her head buried in Bella's neck.
"I owe you nothing. I have suffered greatly at your hands, whether you knew it or not. The only one I am willing to speak to at the moment is Rosalie. If I see any of you, besides her, I will kill you." Bella commanded, and Rosalie nodded. As Carlisle looked like he was about to protest, Esme smacked the back of his head.
"Yes dear, we understand. Please... If you wish to talk to us, please do." Esme said, a sad smile on her lips. Bella nodded robotically, and Heidi grabbed her hand, pulling her away slightly. Rosalie followed behind, curiosity burning in her chest.
"Bella," Heidi started.
"Yeah?"
"Sulpicia's not gonna like this." Heidi snickered, and Bella groaned.
"God, don't remind me. Caius won't stop laughing about the scene she made in the throne room." Heidi's laugh only grew, and Bella sighed. Rosalie was even more curious as to what she meant.
"So, Rosalie, we can talk once I settle my coven." Bella started, smacking Heidi's arm to stop her snickering.
"Isn't that your coven leader's job?" Rosalie started, curiously.
"It is. I'm the coven leader." Bella replied carefully. Rosalie simply nodded. She tried to keep her emotions in check, but watching Heidi act so closely with Bella was riling up her instincts to claim Bella. Rosalie instead decided to note all of Bella's scars. Scars that looks suspiciously like Jasper's.
She held on to the thought, though, recalling Bella's earlier words.
"Next time, make sure she's dead."
What did that mean?
--
As they entered the house, Rosalie didn't have any time to react as two blurs rushed towards her. She braced herself, but when the sound of crashing boulders came, it wasn't her who they collided with. Bella had her arms casually slung around the two young vampires from earlier.
"Malia, Cory, what did I tell you about slamming into me like that?" Bella sighed, as the two looked away sheepishly.
"Actually, you just said to stop doing that because Heidi goes into freak-out mode and doesn't let you go." Cory replied, smirking. Bella's face paled, if that were possible, and Heidi quirked a brow.
"You said that, hm?" Heidi started, advancing on Bella.
"You can't say it's not true. Not that I don't appreciate you, it's just, you know-" Bella started, but Heidi's hand streaked down across Bella's head.
"Ow, fuck!" Bella yelled, and Rosalie growled.
"Cool it, Ice Queen. I'm sure with time, you'll be smacking the shit out of this idiot as well." Heidi replied, and Bella gasped in mock outrage.
"Anyways, Heidi, can you deal with those two and I'll speak with Rosalie?" Bella asked. Heidi nodded, leaning forward to press a kiss to Bella's cheek. She noticed Rosalie's hiss, and turned to wink at her.
"Don't worry, you can keep the cowgirl. There's a lot of ladies you'll probably have to fight for her, but I'm not one."
"Heidi!" Bella screeched, embarrassment clear on her face. Heidi giggled and walked back into the living room. Bella carefully turned to face Rosalie.
"I know a lot has happened, and I'm going to make some things clear before I delve further into this. I won't pass up the opportunity for a mate. Not after... Anyway, I still fucking hate your family. I won't make you choose, but there's one thing I will make you do if you decide to be with me. You cannot tell a single soul in your wannabe human coven. The Volturi know, and there's a lot of nomads out there who know me as well. I've built up quite the reputation. Anyways, if you wanna be with me, that's the price. Trust me, I'll know if you do. If you don't want this, you ought to walk right out that door now, darlin'." Bella finished. She masked her expression, but not before Rosalie could see the flash of hope in her eyes.
"I've already grown quite separate with my coven ever since we left you in Forks, actually. I... also want to give this a shot. I can tell you're not the same. Obviously, this," She gestured between herself and Bella. "Will take time. Time to get to know each other, and time to learn about each other. But, I'm willing to try. If you are, too, that is." Rosalie said, and Bella nodded.
"I'll tell you what happened, but first, I'll tell you about my gift. It's called the Devil's Deal. When someone makes a deal with me, they're forced to follow through. I, naturally, am also. But if the person who makes the deal or agrees to it attempts to break it, I no longer have to do my end of the bargain but they will have to carry theirs forever. It's pretty nifty." Bella said, and watched as Rosalie's shocked expression melded back into one of confidence.
"I will not betray you. Don't worry. But, I would like to know more about you." Rosalie said, calmly. Bella nodded, and began her tale.
"Here's the summarized version. After Undead Elmo led me out into the woods, told me that I want good enough and skipped out, I was found by a human-drinking vampire named Maria," She waited for the recognition to register for Rosalie before continuing. "Sound familiar? It should. Your twin was her long lost major. She was on his trail, 'til she came across lil' old me, left all alone in the forest. I was pissed, called her a glorified tampon, she laughed and bit me. After that," Bella stopped, and sighed. "Actually, let me show you."
Bella stripped off her shirt, showing Rosalie the numerous scars all across her body. Things that looked like someone had started to bite, and the. dragged down. She had an idea of what the scar on Bella's lip was from. The most scars were around Bella's neck.
"Maria wanted a mate. She wanted Jasper, of course, but she eventually settled for me. She tried to mold me into a little replica of Jasper. It didn't work, and after that she started to pimp me out. Made me seduce humans and bring 'em on home. It was one of those nights I met Heidi," Bella had a wistful expression on her face.
"When I got back to the warehouse, Maria could smell another vamp on me. She got pissed, and tried to make me take her as a mate. She tried and tried," Bella gestured to her neck.
"But as you can see, I didn't consent. After that, I continued to meet up with Heidi. We quickly became friends, and I confessed to her everything Maria had done. It was then we hatched the plan to help me escape. Heidi would call for reinforcements, but it was up to me to distract Maria. I offered her what she wanted. A mate. It took an hour before she grew impatient, and just as she was about to give me the third bite, Heidi and Demitri burst in. I kicked her off, and set her on fire. I watched as she burned. That all happened in 1976. After that, I stayed with the Volturi. Sulpicia... liked me a bit. I quickly became close with most of the guard and the kings and queens. In 1996, I left. I had to make a deal that I would visit every year. Sulpicia made quite the scene in the throne room before I took off," She paused, letting that information settle in for Rosalie.
"After that, I set off. Is as traveling through Egypt when I heard a woman being attacked. It was Malia. I quickly drained her attacker, and asked her if she wanted to be like me. I refused to change her without her consent. She agreed, and she was the first member of my little coven. After that, a year down the line, we met a nomad named Lottie. Lottie was older than me, so I told Malia that if she wanted to stay with me, that was fine, but I would also understand if she wanted to go off with her mate. Lottie instead decided to stay with me. She was the second one. Two years later, we come back for the annual Volturi visit. While I was hiding from Sulpicia, Heidi found me and asked to join my coven. I agreed, and she was the third. After that, Malia brought home Cory, who much like her asked to be changed after a traumatic ordeal. She said she would've done it, but was worried she wasn't strong enough. I changed him. It was, what, 2008 when we ran across Garrett? Anyways, Lottie is Garrett's biological sister. They thought that the other was dead. Turns out, Cory is Garrett's mate. It was all sunshine and rainbows after that, then boom, I move us to Seattle and I tried to visit my dad's grave." Bella finished, rushing slightly to get through her explanation. Rosalie sat, unnaturally still.
Bella noticed it, and prayed Rosalie wouldn't judge her too harshly for what she had done.
"Bella," Rosalie started, and Bella braced herself for the rejection.
"Thank you for sharing that with me. I swear I will not tell my family. Can I... Can I touch you?" Rosalie asked, nervously. Bella nodded slightly, still frozen in the chair. Rosalie slowly moved towards her, and then encased Bella in her arms. Bella had never before been so comfortable, or felt so loved. It had venom pooling in her eyes.
Rosalie pulled back slightly to get a better look at Bella. She moved her hands to cup her cheeks, and smiled at her.
"I've done some fucked up things too. I'll tell you my story soon enough. I know I wasn't nice to you when you were human. But I would never have wished that on you. I'm glad to know that I've got such a strong mate, but I'm sad to know what had made you so strong." Rosalie said, and Bella's dead heart thumped in her chest.
"Thank you, Rosalie." Bella whispered, before pulling Rosalie gently back into her arms.
--
Later, Heidi dragged Rosalie off to talk to her on her own. Rosalie fought at first, but then remembered that Heidi was Bella's best friend. She could use this as a chance to see what kind of relationship Heidi and Bella had.
"If you ever hurt Bella, I will have Demitri hunt you down and eradicate you and your filthy coven. In fact, I bet Caius would even sanction it. I will end you. Don't fuck with her, okay? I don't care what the situation is. You don't ever hurt her." Heidi said. Rosalie nodded, gathering her thoughts before replying.
"I didn't treat her well. But I've wanted a mate for so long, I can't pass this up. And Bella... She's more than I deserve. I know that. It doesn't mean I'll back out, though. We still have a long ways to go and one conversation won't fix it all, but I'm going to do my best." Rosalie finished, and Heidi gave her an appraising look.
"Fine. But, if you do anything, I don't give a fuck what it was, and she looks in pain? I'll dismember you and bury your head in the Mariana Trench." Heidi threatened, and Rosalie nodded. Heidi returned the gesture, and released her right grip on Rosalie's arm.
"Is everything okay?" Bella asked, walking by. Rosalie looked up and smiled.
"Yes, it's alright."
"Uh... okay then." Bella replied, about to walk away.
"Wait, I was wondering if you'd like to go on a date with me?" Rosalie rushed out, and Bella beamed at her.
"Sure. What time?"
"Is tomorrow at seven okay?"
"Yeah, that's fine with me. Are you gonna stay with us or head home?"
Rosalie hesitated slightly.
"Uh, actually if you don't mind, could I stay here for a bit? I don't want to deal with the pestering at home." Rosalie asked awkwardly. It had been a long, long time since Rosalie had been awkward. And shit, what did Bella even like?
Rosalie was so screwed.
———
Rosalie ended up asking Heidi what Bella enjoyed the most.
"Sex," Heidi had replied.
Rosalie ignored that and decided to ask Malia instead.
"Oh. She likes to bang chicks," Malia had also replied.
Just how often did her mate get around?
So, she decided to ask Garrett.
"Murder."
She wasn't going to dignify that with a response. So, she asked Lottie and Cory.
"Oh, she likes music, and skating too. She loved that during the 70s, or at least that's what she told me. Whenever Maria would allow her, she'd go and skate. She liked to show-off." Lottie had replied. Cory had nodded along excitedly.
"Finally! The whole castle could hear it when she and Sulpicia would screw. It was starting to get annoying, and we always had to replace the marble fixtures they broke. I'm so glad she found her mate." Cory said, oblivious to Lottie's annoyed look.
"Ignore him. Those days are behind her now that she's found you. A lot of victims cope with being overly sexual, and some cannot endure the idea of being physically intimate with another after such an assault. Heidi could tell you more, but she's not your biggest fan." Lottie said, and reality crashed down on Rosalie.
What Bella had with Maria might've started off consensual, it obviously did not continue in the same light. Rosalie thought of the events that led her to vampirism.
She wanted to treat Bella much better. She wanted to be better. She would eventually ask Bella more about how things with Maria were, but even though they were mates she figured she should still wait until Bella trusts her more.
————
Bella was quite distraught. She went from hating the Cullens to loving one in a single moment. How can she make peace with this? With such extreme, and painful memories?
Yes, Rosalie had never lured Bella into a false sense of security. she had made it clear from the beginning she didn't agree with Edward's choice to drag Bella into this, so it was perhaps easier on Bella that it was Rosalie she had been mated to. But, would this mean forced communication between her coven and the Cullen coven? Rosalie still views them as family, after all.
She'd have to talk to Rosalie about that. Her time with Maria taught her a lot. It made her into an observer. She observed and she conquered. She took note of the small things. Now, she was going to apply that to her mate. She wanted to know everything she could about Rosalie. She needed to, especially if she were to go about finding a way to avoid the Cullens without getting Rosalie caught in between.
Of course, she could always ask Heidi for help. As much as Heidi dislikes Rosalie, Bella knows that if she were to ask Heidi would not hesitate to help her. It was one of the many things about Heidi that she loved. Her loyalty.
Bella hoped Rosalie would understand why she was so close to Heidi, because she doesn't think she'd be able to give that up. Heidi has been there for her for decades. She needed Heidi. But, now that she's met Rosalie again, she needs her too. She hopes they'll both understand that.
-———-
When there's a knock on the door, she knows who it is. Jasper Whitlock, and Mary Alice Brandon. So, she does what any mature seventy-eight year old would do.
She opens the window and chucks a rock at them.
"What the fuck?" Alice cried. Bella snickered. The rest of her coven was alerted to the noise, and gathered in the living room. Heidi got up to open the door.
"What?"
Bella heard Alice take an unnecessary breath.
"We would like to speak with Bella, and make sure Rosalie is okay."
Heidi snorted.
"And I would like to dismember you both and set you on fire. We all want what we can't have."
Jasper speaks up this time.
"I... want to talk about Maria."
"Tough shit. It's none of your business."
Alice growled.
"Well what do you know? If anyone deserves to know it's Jasper!" Alice cried, outraged. Jasper attempted to calm her down, but the moment Bella stepped closer Jasper gasped, falling to his knees.
"What's wrong, Major?"
"Your... anger..." He muttered. Bella smiled coldly at them.
"Leave. You have no right."
Alice frowned at the scene.
"Can we at least see Rosalie?" Alice asked, hopeful.
Rosalie called down from the stairs before Bella could reply.
"I'm fine. Go away." Rosalie yelled from upstairs, and Bella smiled.
"Well, you heard her. Leave."
Jasper grabbed Alice and took off.
Bella smiled, and Rosalie came downstairs. Bella beamed at her, and Rosalie feared she would be the first vampire to blush. Malia and Garrett snickered, and Heidi looked unimpressed. Until Bella directed her smile at Heidi, who melted immediately at her gaze.
Heidi gently pulled Bella into a hug.
"I thought I told you to stop doing that." Heidi grumbled.
"I can't help it if I smile!" Bella cried.
"I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Heidi. Keep the lady killer away." Rosalie spoke up, and Lottie smiled softly at them before directing her attention back to her mate.
Rosalie wondered if her mate and Heidi had something, once. The logical side told her no, but her more emotional and volatile side demanded answers. Even if she didn't deserve it. Adding that insecurity to her worry over the date tomorrow, Rosalie was a ticking time bomb.
She just hoped it would be everything Bella wanted.