A/N: I am sorry for the delay in my updates. I just burnt out of writing and trying to keep up with the updates has been a drag. But don't worry, I intend to finish this story. So again, my apologies on my updates…

Sunburst25: It true, only wolves can imprint, but Julian didn't print on Renesemee. Well, as I read the twilight series, none of the vampires can't help it when they fell in love with their soul mate. And, it might seem like he imprinted but didn't. I know Renesemee was young when she met Julian, but she had a fondness for him (even if its at a young age) and Julian eventually return the feeling. But just to make sure it didn't sound gross, Julian fondness wasn't passionate like the other's love. He is a mere protector in Renesemee's early life until she is old enough. So, I hope that made sense and I sorry for the confusion.

Chapter 17

Death of Victoria


Mildred runs in haste towards the source of the blistering, heart-wrenching scream. Her legs move forcefully with her pants rubbing hot friction causing the fabric to rip slightly. Thankfully, her vampire gene numbs the would-be aching muscles in her legs. The throbbing of her heart, urges her forward as it calls out to Ebony. Everything in her being aches to an emotional pain as it so tempting to break down, but Mildred refuses to give up. If it's possible, tears will be streaming down her cheeks. She runs slightly faster than Luken and Paul. The smell of Victoria's scent expands, indicating she is near. Another smell invades her nostril. The smell of smoke with a hefty scent.

In the distances, Mildred's eyes see a pale figure through the gaps of branches and tree stumps. A deep low grow rumbles in her chest to the thought of Victoria harming Ebony. Besides her birth mother, Ebony is the only mother Mildred knows throughout her vampire existences. Ebony has always been the leader of clan, without her the fear of her family falling apart is at hand.

Finally, Mildred comes closer to Victoria who is aware of her and is waiting for the next attack. Her body is outline by purple smoke as the lighting shines off her back. Victoria crunches down to a fighting stance, growing menacingly. Her crimson eyes glare with a fiery, yet taunting Mildred to come forth. Nearby Victoria's bare feet, the shred remains of Ebony's frozen body being burn in red flames. The flames dance across Ebony's body forth bringing purple smoke to rise. To this sight, Mildred leaps towards Victoria with vengeances swelling in her eyes. Her body soars with the wind tugging on her clothing and hair. She reveals her teeth while pulling back her lips. Mildred clashes her body into Victoria's, forth bringing a thunderous blare. Dust ripples out, along trailing after their flying bodies. The result of their collusion, pushing Victoria body back and ascend in the air. While their nails dig into each others skins and growling at each other, their bodies come in contact with a tree stump. The compact breaks the stump along tilting the trees backwards into other trees. Bark shatters everywhere and the branches shudder to the collusion. Growls echoes out as they claw at each other.

Victoria and Mildred slam each other into tree stumps while growling. The female vampires move briskly, dodging each other's attacks. Their attacks are viscous compare to male's assault. While they continue their strikes, the blare from their colliding bodies echoes loudly. Their clothing have slashes from their teeth bites and nails. Paul soon leaps from a tree to give Mildred a hand; his eyes detect their brisk and viscous movements. He lands on his feet with a soft thud and charges forth Victoria.

Luken runs quickly to the battle scene. He body can't move as quickly as Paul and Mildred. He comes to a halt at Ebony's remains and stares in disbelief to the evidence of Ebony's death. That moment, everything went numb. His body feels heavy to the overwhelming sensation of loss. Soon, he legs give in to the pain the throbs harshly in his chest. The pains swells, calling out the tears that form a barrier over Luken's eyes. The scent of Ebony lingers on her burning flesh as it invades Luken's nostril forth bringing more pain. He inhales deeply knowing, this is the last time he'll ever see or smell Ebony. The pain swells eliciting continual growls to rumble in his chest. His hand clenches dirt in his palm along with his knuckles becoming colorless. Salty tears form a barrier over his eye, blurring his vision. It rare for any tears to form in his eyes. The tears burn his cheeks as anger and pain linger in his chest. Luken ascend to his feet and directs his head to the battle. His eyes stare through tears that blur his vision. But his ears detect the action and the collisions of vampire's bodies.

Quickly and determinedly, Paul grasps Victoria's arm and harshly pulls her off of Mildred. His strength forces Victoria's body to slam into the ground. The dust beneath her body ripples out as Victoria releases a grunt. Mildred rushes to her feet and presses Victoria's other arm in the ground. Victoria struggles beneath their strength, her legs relentlessly kicks and her chest rises and falls. The vicious vampire growls in a deep tone at her two foes as they return the growl.

Mildred stares down at Victoria with deep emotion. The memories of her husband death flashes through her mind. Their wedding day, his smiles, his last words and his dead body. The emotions in her chest clenching at her heart forcing her to growl deeply. Her hand grips Victoria's arm harder as her nail dig into her frozen skin. And now, Victoria has taken Ebony. Mildred quickly leans in and digs her teeth into Victoria's neck, giving her slow torture. The screams of Victoria urge Mildred to continue her torture. The other blood the roams within Victoria from her previous meal is now dripping down Mildred's lips. Mildred remains cautious to not swallow the blood for it is tempting to find more. She quickly spits out the remaining blood in her mouth to begin ripping Victoria into shreds.

Luken approaches the three vampires with an utter disgust on his face. He watches Paul and Mildred rip her body apart. The last screams of Victoria echoes in his ears and repeats in his mind. The salty tears stain his cheeks until they look damp. The shocking feeling of loss continues to swell to brink. An eternal battle fights within him. The urge to destroy Victoria grows into a need, but knows if he had fought her. He would lose. Luken clenches his fist tightly, welcoming the piercing feeling of his nails digging into his palm. He breathes heavily fighting the urge to break down into sobs. Shame has become a close friend in his body. He regrets leaving Ebony's side to fight battle. His wants cloud his judgment and he is reward with loss. Forgiveness is something he'll never accept.

Paul and Mildred quickly collect the remains of Victoria's body and pile them together. They quickly light the body on fire as the flames starts small then consume the flesh. The orange flash dance across the flesh prompting purple smoke to rise. The thick smoke rises up to the tree, coating the branches. Paul watches the flames consume Victoria with plain expression. Then his attention is drawn to the sky is the far north. Above the trees, purple smoke rises indicating the others destroy Laurent.

Mildred approaches Ebony's burnt remains. The flesh has burnt into ashes. The flames slowly die down as the wind lightly thrust the smoke towards east. "What do we do about Ebony?" Mildred barely manages to whisper with her voice coat in emotion.

"There's nothing we can do for her now." Paul answers in a deep voice, hiding the tremble in his voice. He casts his eyes to the ground. Then his ears pick up the soft sound of feet thumping into the ground. The sound draws closer to them as the smell of the others grows strongly.

Finally, Bella, Renesemee and Julian appear from deep within the forest. Their bodies materialize through the frog with the gray vapor outlining through bodices. Bella is the first to search hastily though her family, her eyes crosses their faces with an unfathomed fear. Golden orbs notice two piles of burnt flesh that is slowly degrading to ashes. Her eyes rise up to Mildred who stares with sadness. "Ebony?"

Mildred hesitates to answer as she bites her lower lip. Her eyes shy away from Bella with sadness. The emotion in her chest swells larger especially when predicting their pain. "She's gone, Victoria destroyed her." She says barely a whisper, almost choking on the heart-wrenching emotion.

Renesemee's face immediately dreads with sorrow. Her eyes widen slightly before dropping to her gaze. Luckily Julian is there to wrap a comforting around her waist or she would have fallen to her knees. She gasps deeply follow by multiple sobs. A single tear falls heavily down her cheek; Renesemee turns into Julian's arms and rests her forehead on his shoulder.

"What happened?" Bella asks breathlessly, voice is crack under the pressure of her sorrow.

Mildred drops her gaze from Bella again and hesitantly returns her orbs back to her. "Victoria got to her and burned her unto pieces."

Bella releases a quick breath of despair while hearing her daughter sob heavier to the images that are forming in her head. The soft whisper of Julian as he attempts to calm her down. Bella shakily approaches her son who back is towards her. Slowly, Bella wraps a protective arm around his shoulder but Luken refuses to acknowledge her attempts. Soon, Bella eyes widen slightly, "What about the other one, Ashlyn?"

"Don't worry about her." Paul snaps. He turns in place to face Bella with an unreadable expression until his furrows his eyebrows. His orbs are tensely staring into Bella almost warning, "Don't go looking for her." The tone in his voice is sharp and harsh, just like when they first met. Bella stares back, almost afraid to say anything.

"What do we do now?" Mildred asks, voice beckoning for an answer while secretly hoping her family doesn't fall apart. She looks up to Paul for the answer.

"We give Ebony a proper burial." Paul brings with emotionless voice, eyes staring into Mildred. "She deserves it, we'll contact other vampires to come and pay their respect for her. In town we'll contact Gregory who will help us." Paul finishes with an ending tone before turning in place to run into the forest with Mildred on her tail. Bella watches with sore eyes as the two vampires disappear into the forest.

"Who is Gregory?" Bella asks in a soft tone that trembles to the emotion that is swelling in her chest. She desperately tries to stay strong for her children. Maternally, Bella wraps her free arm around Luken's chest to embrace him, even when he refuses to acknowledge her. Despite her son's stubbornness, Bella pulls herself close to his back and pour her motherly love on him.

"Gregory is another vampire, living southern Montana in Gardiner. He can get in contact with other vampires. Mildred and Paul will be back soon." Julian replies in a low voice. His arms wrap protectively around Renesemee with one of his hand gently brushing through her hair. Renesemee digs her face into Julian's shoulder with her cold tears staining a small spot on his shirt. Her chest heaves greatly as her sobs slowly die down. "We should head back to the house." Julian speaks up with a light tremble in his voice. Although, he remains strong and connect for Renesemee sake, Julian pain throbs. No doubt he suffers the most due to Ebony's death. Gently, Julian sweeps up Renesemee into his arm for she is in no condition to move.

Bella grabs Luken's hand and softly tugs on him to snap Luken out of his thoughts. Soon, he looks at her with a questioning look. His face is still and emotionless but his eyes tell a different story. Bella notices the wetness in his eyes as she aches to cast away his pain. She gives him a small smile with great effort before Bella directs Luken to the house.

The four arrive quickly at the house as Julian gently places Renesemee on the couch. Renesemee keeps her head dip with her shoulders slouching. Her orbs are casting down with a tear sliding down her cheeks. A comforting arm wraps around Renesemee as Julian pulls Renesemee to his chest and cradles her. He leans his cheek on her hair, inhaling her scent. A sharp lump is becoming difficult for Julian to swallow down as his mind wallows on the loss.

Bella and Luken walk into the sitting room as Bella forces Luken sit with the family. Luken desperately wants to be alone with his emotions but with his mother's will, he follows her into the sitting room. Luken sits next to his mother with their bodies forming a dent into the cushion. Even though Luken wants some space between himself and his mother, Luken sits close to her and holds her hand.

Sadness pregnant itself in the room, not a single sound dares to break the silence. They feel each other's company and each thinks upon the death of Ebony. Julian lifts his eyes up to Bella while mentally contemplating on an issue that he has push off for a long time. But with Ebony's departure from her existence, he knows she deserve to have her story out in the open. "Bella?' Julian says in a quiet tone with a hint of hesitation lingering in his voice. Bella meets his gaze with a questioning look that is sore for her own pain. "I want to finish what I've started." He concludes with the same tone, receiving a confuse look from Bella. "I was afraid to fight, but eventually I went off to war with the southern….."

To be continued

The next chapter you'll more about Julian and Ebony's past. I hope I made the battle with both coven was interesting, I tired add as much action as I can….anyways so for the delay and I'll have the next chapter up soon.

Oh, I should let you know that this fic is coming to an end soon.