Author's note: Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers! kmddeprez1122, emma, blackcat05, and Passion Black.

In this chapter, Nessie learns who's behind the mystery in Brazil, and finds herself torn between her family and what looks like an inevitable future.


Disclaimer: The Twilight saga and all characters therein are the creation of Stephenie Meyer. No profit is being made from this fanfiction and no copyright infringement is intended.


Chapter Twelve

Headhunter

My senses returned to me as abruptly as they'd been stolen. I had no idea how long I'd been under the fuzzy cloak of Alec's anesthesia. It had been a form of torture; death could have come at any moment, no warning, no sensation. My mind spun in helpless circles until I'd wondered if they'd already killed me and I was in the void of whatever comes after life. It was awareness without sensation, it was thought without form, it was the essence of chaos.

Cut off from reality, starved for information, it was like the time the Internet had been brought down for three days by a cyber terror attack… except worse. Way, way worse.

And then, just like that, I could see and hear and smell and feel again.

The clarity was disorienting and I sat frozen for a moment, taking it all in, cataloguing what I knew.

The scents were a layered portrait of vegetation, iron-rich soil, old paint, rough metal edges, the plastic and silicon and carbon of electronics, the crackling burn of electricity… and vampire. Lots of vampire.

There was human, too, but this was tenuous and not quite defined.

I could hear soft, lyrical voices and the low hum of a generator, but nothing else.

I could see a white wall in front of me.

I sat on a metal bench.

I was alone.

Where was Nahuel? And Alec? Was I in Italy? That tracker – Demetri, I remembered his name – must have been looking for me, or perhaps for Nahuel.

Oh. What if my family had called the Volturi and asked for their help in finding me? What if Alice saw the danger from Mendel and had called upon Aro to track me down? Sure, the Cullens weren't exactly best friends with the Volturi, but Aro would never let a unique talent escape into the arms of danger. I was probably back in America and about to get a lecture.

Yet, the smell of vegetation was still foreign.

I felt a more nebulous physical ache that I couldn't quite put a finger on until I thought about Jacob. Jake. The imprinting thing affected me as much as him. I was adrift, and what had once seemed like a purposeful journey on the road of independence now felt like a terrible navigational error that left me floating in a faceless ocean.

Navigation. I checked for my cell phone but it was gone from my pocket.

How could I have been so stupid? I'd walked right into danger, thinking myself immune, assuming PeuChen91 was a human. I should have known better. The world was far more crowded with legendary creatures than one might think. Threats had a way of turning up like bad pennies.

Standing up in the tiny white room that seemed like a jail cell, I tried to reason things out. The Volturi were involved. Were they after Mendel, too? Or were they after Nahuel or me, and just happened to find us at the house? Had they taken Aylen?

Maybe my family had found the printed-out photos of the Amazon at the haunted house. They might figure I was in Brazil. Maybe they were already on their way.

There was a knock on the metal door. How typically Volturi. Above all things, they were polite.

"Come in," I said.

The door swung open. It was Demetri, the tracker, and I stepped backwards away from him.

"Do not fear me, young Cullen. I'm not here to hurt you."

"What are you here for? And where is here?"

"Come with me, please. All will be explained."

I glared, but saw no other choice. When I stepped out of the room, it was into a long open colonnade of Spanish-style arches surrounding a neglected courtyard. The white paint was peeling to reveal reddish cement underneath; weeds sprouted around the columns and a long-dry fountain rusted in the center, looking parched. Scrub trees crowded over the roof of the courtyard and I could hear none of Rio's human noises; wherever we were, it was isolated.

Demetri led me down the row. I knew better than to try running. Besides, there was every chance my family would be here soon, and that they'd asked Demetri for help in finding their runaway daughter.

My rational mind tried to find a benevolent explanation, but I couldn't explain away the deep dread that tickled the pit of my stomach.

"You can't hurt me, you know," I said to Demetri. "My family will never stand for it. Say, where is my family?"

Demetri did not reply, but glanced over his shoulder with an unreadable smile.

Breathing deep, I could smell Nahuel nearby. "Where's Nahuel?" I asked.

Demetri answered this time. "He will be accompanying us later."

Okay, just be cryptic then, I thought. I didn't appreciate being kept in the dark, first literally and now with information. Ignorance really bugged me.

Demetri opened another creaky metal door and ushered me into an office.

A vampire sat at a large wooden desk. He was dark-haired with skin tinged gray, and looked for all the world like a corporate businessman, dressed in a pinstripe suit with a red tie that matched his eyes.

Despite his posture at the desk, the rest of the office looked abandoned. A broken chair rested in one corner, a rusted curtain rod hung off the window, and empty file cabinets lined one wall. My eyes caught on a large wooden crucifix hanging above the vampire's head.

"Where…" I stopped, annoyed at the hitch of fear in my voice, "where are we?"

"An abandoned Catholic mission in Maranhao, Brazil," the businessman vampire said in a British accent. "Welcome. Please, sit down." He gestured at the wooden chair in front of the desk.

Businessman. It clicked. Could this be Govinda Singh, the missing British man? And if it was, did that mean Mendel was involved in this? Swallowing as I sat down, I had an awful feeling that I was in something far deeper than I knew. I had to take the initiative and get some answers. "My name is Renesmee Cullen," I said, shooting a look at Demetri. "What's your name?"

The vampire smiled pleasantly. "Govinda."

Knew it! The solving of a puzzle piece didn't diminish my feeling of dread, though. "You're British, then?" Just keep him talking, maybe he'll tell you something else useful.

"Was," said Govinda, waving a hand. "My job is here, with you. We didn't expect to see you so soon, Miss Cullen."

"So soon?"

"Never mind. I confess our astonishment at your presence here in Brazil. What are you doing here?"

"Visiting friends." I crossed my arms. "Are you with the Volturi?"

I felt Demetri shift behind me, as though he was gesturing. Govinda paused and said, "You could say I'm a contractor. Friends, you said? What friends?"

"Nahuel."

"Ah, yes, Nahuel. And the rest of your coven, where are they?"

My tiny flame of hope was snuffed out. My family had nothing to do with this. They hadn't hired the Volturi to find me. I didn't know what to say to Govinda, whether I should lie and say they were right behind me… or whether I should say I was on my own, in case my family really was on their way. I didn't want to give anyone away, but I didn't want them to hurt me… I vacillated, biting my lip. "I don't know where my family is," I said at last. "Where's Nahuel?"

"You'll see him shortly."

"That's what Demetri said. I didn't believe him. So why don't you just tell me what you're about and let's get this over with."

Govinda smiled. "Ah, Americans. Always so direct." He spread his hands on the desk as if straightening imaginary papers. "I'm here to determine your talent."

"I already know my talent, thanks, and so does the rest of the vampire world." What was with this guy? "From your bright eyes, you're not a year old to this life. If you'd been around longer, you would already know what I can do." I showed him my hands.

This time Govinda's smile was condescending. "I'm well aware that you can show others your thoughts with touch." He raised his eyebrows as though waiting for something.

I jerked my chin up. "Yes. So?"

Govinda's laugh was high, almost girlish. "And… I see that's all you know."

Huh? "What do you mean?"

"I think it bears further study. Demetri, she would make a fine candidate." Govinda sounded confident in his assessment of me. "Send the other one in."

I stared into Govinda's scarlet eyes for a long beat. I remembered reading about his disappearance… how he'd been lured away from a party by a stunning blond. The Volturi had obviously hand-picked him to become a vampire. It was no accident. But why?

Head-hunter. Govinda's human job. And what did a corporate head-hunter do? He found talent.

Govinda must be another Eleazar. The Volturi would have been desperate for another and had turned Govinda in the hope that he could do the same thing. It had worked… He could tell what a vampire's powers might be… and he'd told me that's all I know. Did he mean I could do more than I already did?

There was no time to contemplate it. Demetri pointed at the door and I walked out, shooting one last look at Govinda. He steepled his hands and looked up at the ceiling.

"Do not try to leave. This place is surrounded," Demetri said. He opened another door and stood, waiting for me to enter. "In."

"My parents are going to hear about this," I muttered. The door slammed behind me. The room was darkened by thick wooden shutters covering the window; a long crack of white light split the shadows in two.

Nahuel stood in the corner, apparently unharmed. His eyes glimmered in the darkness.

I flew forward and grabbed his hand. You're all right!

"I'm all right," he agreed. "Are you?"

Yes. I sent him a recap of my conversation with Govinda so he would know what to expect. How long were we… with Alec?

Nahuel shuddered slightly. It must have gone very much against his hunter's grain to be without his senses. "I don't know. We're north of Rio now. I can smell it from the vegetation." He took a deep breath through his nose. "Aylen's not here. None of the smells are familiar."

Didn't you have more than one sister? Where are the others?

He closed his eyes. "I am not in contact with either of them. Dulce and Juanita. They… chose to follow my father closely. My father the scientist. And they are quite unashamed about their origins. Very prideful. They still are, even thought the Volturi killed our father several decades ago."

But not Aylen? I wanted to know more about my friend. After all, her cry for help had brought me to choose Brazil instead of drifting randomly.

"No. Aylen is… odd, and clever. Rather like you, I think. It is no wonder you've chosen similar occupations. She is happiest working alone, cracking some problem."

I knew that much. She was a formidable foe in Warcraft.

"She'd fallen out with my father before I ever met her. They argued all the time and finally she left. Disappeared into Rio. Made her own way."

What does she look like?

"Long black hair, blue eyes. She took after our father. Very slim, tall." Nahuel gazed down at me. "She is not so beautiful as you, I think."

I blushed and dropped his hand. No one had ever looked at me quite like that, except for – I cut off my memory. I wanted to stay in the moment. I wasn't sure how many moments I would have left.

"Nessie," said Nahuel. His voice was deep, confident, with traces of native and Latin in his accent. Although he wore a thoroughly modern shirt and jeans and trainers, he looked like he belonged in a loin cloth. Or even naked.

I blushed again.

He raised his hand and cupped my jaw. His other hand went around my waist. I didn't know what else to do, so I let him.

"You are truly an amazing beauty," he said. "Your hair, it shines like the purest bronze. Your skin… like moonlight." His thumb brushed across my cheek. "And those eyes could melt the heart of any man. Do you know these things?"

"I – I – no." I leaned into Nahuel and rested my head against his chest. It was pleasant but slightly awkward; the fit was not perfect. An unnamed longing made my heart ache. I wasn't sure what I wanted, torn between jumping away and snuggling closer.

A knock on the door interrupted us. Your turn with Govinda, I thought, and stepped away from him.

They took Nahuel for about an hour. Then Demetri was back. I was getting tired of his scent. "You again," I grumped.

Demetri was unfazed. "Come with me, please."

He led me to a large room that had been the church sanctuary. The windows were broken and the place gutted but for a few remaining pews. Another large crucifix hung on the wall at the front, a mockery of safety. A female vampire leaned up against the altar railing; she had blond hair, a long face, and a British accent as she spoke to Nahuel, who sat on the bench in front of her like an attentive student. She wore the grey cloak of the Volturi over a normal white sundress. A patch of sunlight glinted off her arm.

"Ah, Miss Cullen, please join us," she said.

Demetri dropped me off and glided away. I sat down beside Nahuel and touched his arm, for reassurance more than anything else.

Seeing the touch, the vampire smiled. "I'm called Chelsea. I'm glad you're here. I hope you weren't too alarmed by Alec's technique in getting you here. He tends to overuse his power, even when someone clearly means no harm." She smiled at us.

"That's… okay?" I said, wondering why she was being nice.

"I see you've comforted one another, so far away from your homes," Chelsea said.

She was right. I felt warm next to Nahuel, and pleasure shot up my arm when he took my hand in return.

"So handsome, both of you," she said.

I felt a surge of excitement… although I was frightened, I was not alone. It could even be romantic, trapped with Nahuel, and we had only each other to rely upon… I would have been blind not to notice the strength of our sudden bond, forged through danger.

He glanced over at me and I saw the same heat in his eyes.

"Now," said Chelsea, her long face growing serious. "There's this matter of your missing sister, Nahuel."

Both of us sat up straight.

"Fortunately, I have good news. Aylen is alive and well. You will see her soon, if you choose."

"Choose what?" Nahuel said.

Chelsea looked at me. "Renesmee. How I remember you. The last time I saw you, you were a tiny child, at the center of conflict."

She must have been on the field with the rest of the Volturi that day, so many years ago. I didn't remember her specifically. At least she understood who I was, and I felt myself warming to her slightly, as well. It must have been the bright atmosphere in this ruined church.

Chelsea continued, "Yet you're here, independent of your coven. What happened, Renesmee? Have the Cullens allowed you to leave, just like that?"

I thought about it. They really hadn't made much effort to find me, other than nagging my cell phone. I remembered their betrayal, the secret past between Jacob and my mother, the pain I'd felt. From this distance it seemed amplified. I had no idea why I'd put up with it for so long.

I didn't need them. I could make my own decisions. The guilt over my behavior fell away. I felt freer than I ever had, more than when I was driving away, or arriving in Rio, or setting off on my task to find Aylen. I was free of my family. I was grown up.

All this happened within a few seconds, as I stared into Chelsea's eyes, which were the color of red wine.

"I've decided to go my own way for awhile," I informed Chelsea and Nahuel.

"And you, Nahuel? What of your aunt?"

He paused before responding. "She… she can do without me for awhile. If she gets too lonely, she can always find me again. Mostly I need to find my sister. I'll see her soon?"

"Yes, soon," Chelsea said. Her mouth was lifted in a tiny smile. "Renesmee, Nahuel, I'd like to make you an offer. You both could have everything you'd ever dreamed of. Renesmee, you would find independence, the sincere appreciation of your talents, the training to make you stronger and better than you ever imagined you could be. Nahuel, you would be reunited with your sister."

It sounded good, whatever it was. Why were the Volturi so bad again? Chelsea was nice and she understood what I wanted.

Chelsea said, "I'd like you to come with me to a very special place. Aylen is there already. It's a… training facility for people like you. It's full of special people. A wonderful place. You would come with me."

A most curious desire came over me. I wanted to go with Chelsea. I wanted to belong to the same thing that gave her such a serene, confident smile. I also wanted to stay with Nahuel. I felt tied to him. I didn't want to leave his side.

"Good," Chelsea said, reading our intentions in our eyes. "I'll tell Heidi – I'm not sure if you remember her, Renesmee. She's found her mate, our project leader, and she's his representative here."

"One thing, Chelsea," I said.

"Yes?"

"What is here, other than an abandoned mission?"

She smiled. "This is where we conduct interviews. I'm so happy to have you with us." She reached out her hands and clasped ours, forming a triangle. "Let's go on out to the courtyard. Heidi has arrived. We'll be running on foot to the docks at the mouth of the Amazon and then taking a hovercraft up the river."

Up the river. This rang a bell. It felt like a lifetime ago that I hacked into the French Helios spy satellite and watched it zoom in on a spot up the Amazon river, deep in the bright green trees.

My good mood was temporarily unsettled by this memory. I knew Nahuel felt it, too, but when Chelsea smiled at us again, I felt better. We held hands all the way out to the courtyard. The sun was behind the building by now, leaving the square yard in pale blue shadow.

A figure stepped out from the colonnade.

I let go of Nahuel's hand.

My heart soared and I bit back a cry.

The flat planes of his face were a sculpture of smooth stone. His eyes – wicked, sparkling, black – found me and it was this face, his face, that I knew in a sudden desperate rush. I couldn't live without him. I was whole.

Jacob.