Author's note: due to some computer issues I wasn't able to update last week and I'm sorry for that. Everything should be fine now though. :)

Enjoy.

Bella carefully spread a generous amount of burn cream on her raw, blistered palm. The relief was instantaneous. The cool substance eased the hot, aching prickle of exposed flesh to a manageable throb. To anyone who asked, she had burned her hand cooking. A perfectly believable response. Rational. The truth however, was not. And it would be buried. Even though Bella herself had been there, she was still trying to process the reality of the events of the night before. She could feel hot blood slipping between her fingers, despite having long-since washed it away. The muscles in her shoulders and neck were tense, unable to relax completely. Her body could recall how it felt, her fingers around the hilt of a dagger. How perfect it felt in her hand, as if made for her. The strange place her head drifted into as something indescribable flooded her was terrible and angry but still . . . perfect. The memories were unfocused and detached yet somehow too vivid, like staring into the sun after leaving a windowless room. The only evidence left was a burn and a splitting ache in the back of her head. Beyond the bathroom door Bella could hear the muted sounds of the television but here in the closed bathroom it was quiet. The stillness was only disrupted by her soft breaths and occasional shifts. With her free hand Bella began to wrap fresh bandages around her hand. She threw out the old ones and returned the rest to the first-aid kit. Her reflection was pale, her dark brown hair not helping against the contrast. Her brown eyes were alert, yet shadows lurked around them from her lack of sleep.

Bella's heart jumped into her throat, effectively choking the building scream as her entire body reflexively flinched. She released a shaky breath and relaxed, mentally telling herself to calm down. It was only the doorbell. She hadn't slept. Rowan had left Bella in town without a word but luckily it was only a terrifying, but short ten minute walk home. Every sound had her looking around frightfully and not even the solace of her own room had provided any comfort. Each creak and shadow only increased her paranoia, making her expect to see cold sapphire eyes at any moment. Bella put the first-aid kit away and exited the bathroom. the sound of ESPN and her father getting up was followed by his shoes walking towards the door as he grumbled softly, most likely perturbed by being drawn away from his game. The door lock clicked as it was opened and Charlie's surprised voice floated up the stairs. "Anala!" Bella froze in alarm. "I didn't know you were back in town."

Her socked feet were quiet on the floor as Bella moved towards the stairs and peeked around the wall. Anala Cathari was standing in the doorway greeting her father. She could only see the top of her dark head beyond her father's shoulder but it was enough. Cold terror made the hair on her arms raise. "Yes, I was here for a while before I left for a couple weeks. I got back in a few days ago."

Bella watched her father step out of the way. "Come on in." no! No, don't invite her in! Bella was sure Nolan would not be pleased to know his sister was here and she didn't want to give him any cause to stop by.

Anala stepped inside and the door was shut behind her. She ran a hand through her long bangs but the silky hair merely slid to frame her face once more, partially obscuring her face from Bella's view. "Thank you Chief Swan. I'm sorry for showing up uninvited like this. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

He shook his head, chuckling throatily. "No, not at all! Please, call me Charlie."

She nodded. "Yes, Charlie."

"Can I get you anything? There's pizza in the kitchen if you're hungry."

"I already ate." Anala rested a hand on his arm as she smiled warmly. "And I won't be very long, Emmett's waiting for me in the car. He's been . . . in a bad mood. But thank you for the offer chai—sorry, Charlie."

Bella watched in horror as a blush stained her father's cheeks and he rubbed the back of his neck. "You're always welcome. So, what brings you by?"

"I was hoping to talk to Bella for a few minutes. Is she here?"

"Yeah, you bet." a moment later his voce rang through the house. "Bells!"

Bella stood against the wall, fear trickling down her spine. She was not ready to face her, but there was no choice here. Taking a deep breath, Bella moved to the top of the landing, looking down to the front hall. It was amazing, really. She looked perfectly fine. It was as if the night before had never been more than a strange, horrible nightmare. Anala was nothing short of lovely. It wasn't necessarily a physical beauty, not that anyone would say she was anything but. Her individual features fit together seamlessly to create an interesting manifestation of natural aestheticism. Anala's skin was a smooth pale brown, bronzed with a golden hue like honeyed caramel. With the long thick mane of silky black tresses and the uncannily vibrant emerald eyes, it was hard to place a specific origin to her heritage, which only seemed to make her exoticism not only beautiful but mysterious. The full shape of her lips were a darkened red and the soft features of her face made Anala look approachable and earthly. Her body was naturally formed in a way that seemed purposefully created to attract, covered in a close fitting black jacket and charcoal skinny jeans which made Bella feel frumpy and plain in her old sweatshirt and jeans. Independently, she was fascinating to look at. There was a lure there, but it was not caused by any physical trait the woman possessed. It was more than that. Something Bella, and anyone else, could never possess.

Bella pasted on a smile, swallowing thickly. "Hi."

Anala's eyes met hers directly, the emerald depths darkened ever-so slightly however she smiled, even if a bit strained. She moved to the bottom of the stairs. Charlie was already edging back towards the living room, driven by the siren song of Sports Center. "I'll leave you to it."

Anala climbed the stairs, her dark blue Chucks barely making a sound on the wood. She reached to top of the stairs, expression grim. "hey." Bella led her down the hall and into her bedroom. She closed the door and leaned against it as Anala stepped inside and looked around. She turned and Bella could think of nothing to say despite her racing thoughts. A memory was one thing but confronting her, seeing the woman she had attempted to kill right in front of her took her voice. Bella tried to speak but Anala beat her to it. "Did you get home alright?"

Bella nodded jerkily. "Yes."

Silence hung between them.

"I don't think you brother would want you here."

Anala shrugged a bit. "Where I go isn't his concern. I'm not a child and I can make my own decisions."

She shifted. "Are you okay? I—I mean, considering . . ."

"Considering you tried to kill me?"

Anala was looking at her and Bella wanted to crawl out of her skin. Guilt had been eating at her. Now, in the harshly clear light of day, she faced herself, as well as the one who suffered for it. They were the only ones who knew. Who truly lived it? Bella's mind replayed it. The sharp blade sinking into supple flesh. Anala wanted to kill Bella herself. It was perfectly acceptable, for obvious reasons. Why else would she be here? Bella's mind rerouted. No. Anala looked calm and solemn, but not necessarily angry. "I'm fine now."

Still, she needed to ask. "Are you going to kill me?"

"No. no, there's been enough violence. I'm tired of it."

"If you aren't here to kill me then why did you come? I'd think you wouldn't want anything to do with me."

"I'm here for the same reason I had Rowan bring you home. I want my own answers and I wasn't going to get them while my brother was there. I think I'm owed at least that."

"I'm sorry." even as she said it Bella thought to herself 'I'm sorry' was not only inadequate, but didn't mean a damn thing when you try and kill someone. But she had to get it out before it threatened to eat her alive.

"Where did you get it Bella?"

She vaguely remembered Anala asking the same thing the night before. "The—the knife?" Anala didn't respond and Bella thought. "I don't know. Really I don't. I honestly couldn't remember . . . not having it. I couldn't picture a time without it, even though I know I've never seen it let alone how you'd even come across something like that." it didn't make sense, she knew but it was true. Bella could remember the first time she wrapped her fingers around the hilt. The rush of adrenaline and power and fury. It wasn't her, but she liked it. Then her mind caught up, putting a purpose to her utter rage and the next thing she knew Bella was on a dark porch and Anala was opening the door. Bella hadn't even thought about it. She needed it and it had felt right at the time. "All I knew was that I had it, and it was mine."

Anala nodded after a pause.

"I believe you." Bella sighed, relieved.

"The dagger. Anala shifted her weight a bit. "It's called Salem's Wrath. It is more dangerous than either of us will hopefully never know. It's toxic. The slightest cut it all it takes. The power of the blade infects its victims, killing the body slowly while destroying the mind in the process. Even as they feel the pain of death they lose control and risk hurting many around them in the process, especially if they happen to have great power already. Those who come in contact with such a deadly weapon do not die peacefully. The thing that makes it so dangerous isn't its power however. It's the cure."

"The . . . cure?"

"The blade was created long before my time, forged by a small tribe of djinn. Its creation took a month, created under the moon cycle. Not only did this blade contain the essence of the djinn who created it but it also contains the power of who it was made for. See, the dagger was a gift. It was created and presented to a powerful man who was to lead his race, as his ancestors had before him. The dagger was only meant to be wielded by its master. Salem. None but him would be able to control its power. Anyone else would be overwhelmed by it. It's seductive and strong and can kill a host that was not him. The knife was lethal, yes, but there was a cure. The blood of Salem. His blood is the only thing that could save its victim. When he died, there was no longer a cure."

Bella frowned. "Wait, if he is dead how did you get better then?"

Emerald green eyes clashed against brown. Anala was quiet for a second. "Salem was my father. Luckily Nolan is not only my twin but like our father before him, he is marked to lead our people now. His blood only worked because of that. When Salem died, his weapon was stored away for safe-keeping in our family vault. However our home has been empty for a long time after the war and it was no longer protected."

Her father. Bella had tried to kill Anala with her dead father's poisoned dagger. This was definitely a new low. Bella had questions, countless volumes. What was she? Humans didn't sprout wings. Did djinn really exist? What djinn? How did they make such a weapon? Where was her home? What war? How had Salem died? He seemed to have been extremely powerful. She didn't ask. not only did she not have the right to question but Anala didn't look like she would elaborate and this time Bella listened to her inner voice when it told her she was better off not knowing. The guilt in her gut was chewing a hole through her intestines and Bella felt her face flush as tears gathered in the corner of her eyes.

"I didn't mean it Anala, I swe—"

"Yes. You did." she smiled slightly though it was not a happy one.

Bella shook her head, wide-eyed. "No! No you said it yourself, the blade—"

"Stop." Anala's eyes wandered for a moment before she looked back. "You meant to kill me. I saw it in your eyes. You had every intention of ending my life. I believe you are sorry for your actions, but don't say you didn't mean it. I've seen enough to recognize murder in someone's eyes. I'm sure there was a reason but I can't be objective."

As far as reasons went, Bella didn't have one. Explaining her actions was difficult, simply because when she thought of why, she couldn't come up with anything that warranted it. Bella had never been exactly friendly towards the other woman, but Anala had been nothing less than kind, which only made it worse. In the end, Bella supposed it was simple jealousy. It may have seemed juvenile but it didn't make it any less real. Everything that was supposed to be Bella's had come so effortlessly to Anala. All but fell into her lap. It seemed she was getting everything that was supposed to be hers. Charming, laid-back Emmett had become smitten with the beautiful newcomer almost instantaneously. it wasn't that Bella didn't love Edward or that she wanted Emmett as well, it was the obvious fact what she shared with Edward didn't seem like what they had or even what Jasper had with her brother, despite how much Bella loved him. The knowledge of her romantic night with him had only added to her fury. Even Rosalie, who was always cool in her presence, radiated a warmth and openness with Anala that had thrown Bella completely the first time she saw the blonde smile and converse with her so familiarly. with more time that passed, the Cullen's attentions were no longer focused on her. Even Edward was fond of them, his butterscotch eyes glowing softly whenever he spoke of something or other involving one of the two freak siblings that had just shown up in town one day. It bothered her. But then Anala had died. Bella was now ashamed to admit she had been sympathetic to the pain they felt, but mostly relieved. That is until she somehow came back. Anala somehow lived once more, and Bella had faded into the background as her relationship crumbled and ended after Edward talked with her. The rage that had stewed deep within her had run deep. Edward had left her and Jacob, her Jacob, lit up whenever he mentioned Anala Cathari. Seeing him interact with her made Bella want to scream. Yet it was all factors, not a reason. Anala had done nothing to her, nothing that justified being killed certainly.

"I was convinced it was your fault." Bella told her.

"What?"

"everything." she replied honestly. "Edward."

"I was not the problem."

Her blood began to pound harder in her veins. "I love him."

"I know. But you want immortality more."

Indignation left her speechless.

"It isn't what you think it is. It looks so glamorous on the surface doesn't it? But you are young. And there are horrors out in the supernatural world I hope you never have to know. He loves you, and he knew you didn't belong. You're human, and you have an entire life to live."

"We could have lived it together."

"You would have him watch you die? It seems so . . . tragic." Anala's voice sounded truly saddened. "Being a vampire comes with a heavy burden. He didn't want to put that on you. He couldn't. As long as he was in your life you would hold onto it."

Bella shook her head. "You're wrong. I could have convinced him to do it."

Anala said nothing, her eyes unreadable.

"I think you still blame me."

"You say that but you still don't want to get revenge?" It actually made Bella angry. Anala wasn't even angry that she had stabbed her. Why the hell not? If there was something to be angry about certainly this was it, right? It felt as if she didn't want to put the effort into even attempting to be angry. Like Bella wasn't worth it. She mentally recoiled. Even after everything she felt, her mind was still lingering on the moment she pushed that blade into the woman before her.

Anala frowned. "I told you, that isn't why I'm here. Will it really make a difference? It happened. The 'why' is irrelevant and I honestly don't care. I want the killing to stop. I didn't do it for you only. If I had done nothing then your parents would have to suffer through that loss. You would be dead and whatever future you would have would disappear. I did it for your parents and friends. For Edward. For me. I don't want to have that on my conscious. There's no benefit to it, only pain." Anala took a step forward, her eyes burning with something much more sinister than the anger Bella had been finally expecting. "I may have saved you Bella but we both know I could have done it. My brother and I have suffered in ways you will never be able to comprehend. I've watched him fight our entire lives to keep going, for the both of us. We are all we have left of a family we will never know. I lost everything. I died. I lost my home. And Emmett. The pain I put him through . . . after everything I went through to get here, to them, I was not going to let you take that from me."

The reality of what Bella had done had more consequences than she had originally anticipated. Anala had been stabbed, with her father's weapon no less. But she had lost people she loved, and they suffered too. Nolan was her brother and she had attempted to take her from him for the second time. Edward most likely hated her. The rest of his family too, no doubt. Emmett would have lost Anala. She had only seen him once before he had suddenly left town after Anala's death. It had been like looking at a completely different person. Emmett was always jovial, grinning and joking and genuine. Despite whatever Bella felt towards Anala she could not deny that he loved her. Emmett didn't hide his emotions and his feelings towards Anala was not difficult to see. She wanted to apologize to the large vampire but Bella was sure he would have a few choice words to say. Or he would inflict bodily harm.

"Emmett must not be very happy."

"He isn't. He didn't want me to come but still insisted on driving Me." her eyes saddened slightly as they looked to the window. "He didn't say a word the whole way here. Not one." Anala looked to her. "Do you know what the worse part of all of this is? It's not that you tried to kill me or that I had to fight my brother. It was supposed to be a good day. What was supposed to be a happy memory is now tainted. There's no changing that."

The guilty weight on Bella had significantly increased since Anala's arrival.

She unbuttoned her jacket, revealing the scooped neckline of her white cotton shirt. Anala reached inside and produce a long feather. It was about ten inches long, the plume a pallid blue that glinted as the light caught it. It was stained with dark red. What was interesting was the feather itself. Instead of soft and supple, it was solid. The crystalized feather looked like it had been frozen. It was beautiful. Anala held it out and Bella reached out and took it carefully. She was surprised by how light it was.

"A feather?"

She nodded. "Nolan plucked it with his own hand. That is his blood too. You don't know it, but what you did is unforgivable in his eyes. Anyone else would be dead. I stopped him yes, and you're free to continue your life, of course. This feather serves as a reminder, and a warning. It is to be taken seriously. If you try to do something like this again Bella there is no saving you. I will not be able to stop him."

The feather suddenly felt much heavier. Ironically enough, Bella had always favored Nolan over his sister. He was funny and nice. He radiated a cool, easy aura and Jasper was crazy about him, the usually stoic vampire transforming around the other man. However Bella faced her own mortality at his hands. Nolan wanted to kill her and was not going to hesitate to do so. Bella had awakened on the floor, horrified. When she turned to leave she realized Javan stood behind her. She had never been alone with the handsome vampire. He said nothing as he stared down at her with consuming red eyes, merely moved around her to the living room. Nolan had been standing on the lawn looking at her and like an unassuming rabbit she had gone right towards a predator. his eyes usually sparkled, but the piercing ice-blue depths held no kindness or warmth. Nolan's eyes were wonderful, Bella had never seen them from so close up, but they were colder than death and left a desolate feeling deep in her soul. She was inferior to him and they both knew her life was at its end. Bella knew he would have watched her die and thought nothing of it. He dropped her through the air without hesitation; had wrapped his hand around her throat hard and purposefully with every intention of pulling the life from her lungs. Bella didn't want to give him any excuse to visit her. She nodded. "I understand."

Anala sighed. "Try and put this behind you. You can do anything. There's nothing tying you to this place. You don't have to live in the shadows. Go to college. Or don't. Meet people and travel and live. You have the option. Figure out what you really want. My life isn't whatever you think it is, and sometimes I wish I had met Emmett later rather than sooner but the past catches up eventually, right? This is your clean slate. Take it. For your own sake."

Bella couldn't help but ask. "Does Edward . . . hate me?"

"I don't know. Between us, I think he's still in shock."

Bella stared at the feather and tears filled her eyes. "I'm so sorry Anala."

"I don't want your apology. I hope you understand why I can't forgive this. I'm not angry I just . . ." Anala trailed off and shook her head. "Never mind." she smiled slightly. "I should go."

Anala moved around her and paused as she opened the door. She turned, meeting her gaze. "Take care of yourself Bella."

She was then walking out of the room and making her way down the hall. Bella had the thought that would be the last time she saw Anala.