Chapter One

Bella

I never imagined for one moment I would find someone like Edward. Forgetting the fact he was a vampire I'd never expected to find someone so good-looking, so interesting, who liked the same things I did. Forks had turned out to be the biggest piece of luck I'd ever had. The Cullens had welcomed me after the initial shock, well all except Rosalie and I had no doubt what she thought of me. Alice, his sister had become a best friend and I finally felt I belonged somewhere, in their dangerous but exhilarating world.

Charlie was a little hesitant about Edward mainly I think because he seemed so mature for his age, well I guess he would be but I could hardly tell my Dad that my boyfriend was old enough to be his Great Grandfather or almost. I loved all the Cullens even the Ice Maiden Rose. My favourite had to be Emmett though. He was a gentle giant who treated me like a little sister and found my clumsiness hilarious. I was the floor show whenever he was around and as I knew he was watching me, I was invariably more accident prone. As he said I could trip over a single atom.

Alice was wonderful but she would insist in trying to dress me up like a life-sized Barbie doll and our dress sense was definitely at alternate ends of the universe. Sometimes though when we sat together she would go into one of her reveries and I knew she was seeing something that was still to come, something in the future, a possibility nothing more, as she was always stressing. People change their minds and that changes the future, it all sounded very nebulous to me but the Cullens relied quite heavily on it so I'd learned to trust her little remarks.

The day Edward told my father I was going to play baseball with his family caused a certain amount of consternation and a lot of laughter. Probably because my Dad knew I couldn't walk let alone run, and putting a baseball in my hand was tantamount to giving a monkey the red nuclear button! The ball could end up anywhere so I left with a certain determination not to fall flat on my face, quite an achievement for me I have to say.

They were all dressed in the correct gear and I was given a baseball cap with C on it, an honorary Cullen as Emmett said to a dismissive sniff from his partner. She flicked back her hair and looked at me with her usual disdain,

"Doubt that will help".

Esme gave her one of those looks and Rosalie walked off still muttering under her breath. Whatever I'd done it had really upset her, I'd have to ask Edward about it. The thunder started and so did the game. The crack as Emmett hit the ball was deafening and I realized why they'd had to wait for a storm to play. The banter was all very good-natured and Rose stayed away from me so life was pretty good then Alice stopped, her eyes glazing over.

"Carlisle trouble, nomads are coming. They heard our game and they're curious".

The Cullens surrounded me defensively and Edward hissed at me to keep quiet and stay back.

As I watched three figures emerged from the trees and walked rapidly towards us. There was a woman out front, tall and strikingly beautiful with flaming red hair. To her left was a taller darker skinned man with long flowing hair and a scowl. Behind them came the third, tall as the others with dusty blond untidy hair and a face devoid of all emotion. He continued to remain behind the other two as they stopped,

"We thought we heard a game. I'm Victoria and this" she gestured to the man at her side "Is Laurent".

I waited for her to introduce the third member of the party but she didn't.

"Can we join in?"

Carlisle tried to get me away with an excuse that we had to go but the wind changed direction as he spoke and blew my hair around. Laurent sniffed the air and looked at me,

"So you have a human with you? Planning on a picnic?"

Edward and Emmett both hissed and moved forward while Carlisle held his hand up.

"No, she's with us, under our protection".

"Really?" he said, his red eyes locked on my face.

The tension increased as he continued to stare but I only had eyes for the man standing to the back of them, he too was watching and there was hunger on his face, his red eyes gleaming.

"Enough" he snapped and the other two returned to their former places.

Victoria sighed, "Oh well I guess we've out stayed our welcome. Nice to meet you Carlisle, and your family."

She sneered the last word and the three of them turned. The one at the back glanced once over his shoulder before they disappeared into the gloom. I sighed with relief then noticed that none of the others had relaxed.

"Edward get her out of here now" snapped Carlisle.

He grabbed my arm and almost threw me into the truck as the others set off running in the direction of the house.

"What's going on? Why are we running?"

His face was tense and he answered through gritted teeth.

"Laurent, he's a tracker and you just set him off"

"What? What does that mean Edward?"

"He tracks people down, our reaction in defending you set him off, he wants you. We have to get you away from here now. We'll go to the house and pick up a car, It'll be faster, then I'll get you away from here".

"What? No, if he tracks me he'll end up at my house and Charlie is there. He'll kill Charlie wont he?"

He nodded, "Yes but its you I'm worried about".

I was shocked at his callousness, "No we have to save Charlie Edward".

He groaned, "We'll talk about it when we get to the house but its you he's interested in".

I was fuming by the time we got to the house. The others were getting changed and starting all the cars.

"Was that who I think it was?" Emmett asked Carlisle as he handed out cell phones.

"Yes. I'm afraid it was. I just hope he doesn't join Laurent or we'll have real trouble".

I looked from Carlisle to Emmett, "Who? What are you talking about? I have to get home, we have to save Charlie".

Carlisle looked at Edward who was shaking his head.

"OK, Bella's right. We can't just leave Chief Swan to Laurent. Rose you and Emmett go watch Charlie. Edward, Alice, you track Laurent. Esme and I will take Bella away from the danger. Here" he threw my coat to Alice. "Put this on and try to decoy Laurent away until we get Bella well away from the area".

I was confused as Edward argued about coming with me.

"Edward, you need to sort this out. Laurent will track you and he'll assume Bella's with you. It will give us a chance to get her to safety".

Edward came to me and put his arms around me pulling me into a hug.

"Don't worry Bella we will keep you safe".

"And Charlie" I said,

"Yes" he sighed "and Charlie. As soon as we get Laurent I'll come get you".

Carlisle handed me a cell phone.

"I need you to ring Charlie and ask if you can stay with us for a few days. Tell him Alice and Rose want you to go out with them shopping".

"Yeah right" sneered Rose but again she got the look, this time from Carlisle.

I rang Charlie who wasn't very keen until Esme took the phone from me and charmed her way into his affection. It was settled and we drove out of the huge garage. I watched Edward from the rear window until he was out of sight.

"Carlisle what did Emmett mean about who that was?"

He looked at Esme who shrugged before answering.

"You saw the third nomad?"

I nodded "Yes, the one who said enough, the guy at the back".

"Yes Bella the guy at the back. He's a very dangerous individual, probably the most feared vampire in our world outside of the Volturi".

"Really, why? Who is he?"

Esme turned and I could see she was scared,

"He's known as the Major, the most vicious and bloodthirsty of vampires. He's killed more humans than any other of our kind".

"He didn't look that dangerous".

"No and that's one of his advantages. We were lucky he called the others off or I doubt any of us would still be here".