Temporal Tide
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, nor any of its characters or franchises.
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Chapter 15
Bella
Hungary – 1026 A.D. – Slovakia Territory
When my senses return, I'm lying in a bed of soft moss. As usual, I'm surrounded by abundant greenery. The clean scent of nature invaded my lungs and I took a deep breath, enjoying air without the harsh chemical scent that is almost impossible to escape in modern civilization.
Nestled on the forest floor, cradled by the earth, I took a moment to process. I didn't know how to feel about what I'd just seen. Conflicting emotions whirled in my stomach and I wasn't sure how to resolve them.
How could I reconcile Tanya -the cold-blooded killer, and Tanya – the sweet, assertive, and attentive woman I was beginning to know. They should have been conflicting character traits. It shouldn't have been possible for them to exist in the same person, but I was coming to a rude awakening.
I knew Tanya had killed before, I'd seen it first hand, but I'd always assumed it was a result of self defense or the vampiric need to feed. Both of which I could understand and empathize with. This, however, was straight up murder. No way around it.
No sugar coating.
No justification.
I can't say that I liked the man who was spying on us, but I also couldn't wave away killing him. He hadn't hurt anyone, as far as I knew he wasn't a rapist or a murderer. He was just a private investigator doing his job, and Tanya snapped his neck like a twig for his troubles.
We could have just stolen his evidence, and without it he would just be another raving lunatic spewing tall tales about mythical creatures.
I couldn't hate Tanya, to a degree I understood her reasoning, but ethically I couldn't condone it. I wasn't sure what this meant for our burgeoning relationship.
With a sigh I opened my eyes.
Might as well get on with it then.
If this was anything like the other times, Tanya was sure to be nearby.
Jumping to my feet, I brushed off my jacket, t-shirt, and kakis. With all the excitement I'd been going through lately, I was surprised that they'd managed to stay intact.
A distant rumble of water echoed through the trees, and finding its source seemed like the best bet. The air felt warmer, and the flora was devoid of snow or ice, so I could only guess that it was either Spring or Summer. It was harder to tell when your diamond hard skin made you immune to the elements.
Dashing through the forest, I eventually came upon a small river, almost a creek; that flowed south from the crashing din of what could only be a waterfall. Large, slick boulders flanked it on both sides, creating a natural channel for the water.
I had to decide if I wanted to go upstream or downstream.
If only I had a coin to flip.
With a sigh I ran my hand through my hair, either way I'd probably eventually come across a settlement. Might as well pick the more interesting choice.
Jumping from rock to rock, I headed north. I barely managed to keep my balance on the slick stones, even with the help of my vampiric talents.
Sometime later, I found myself gazing upon a waterfall that roared loudly into a pool of water that fed the river. The pool itself looked deep, maybe fifteen feet, with a diameter of fifty to sixty feet. However, despite the beautiful majesty of nature I was witnessing, something else immediately arrested my attention.
Situated in the shallow end of the pool I saw two figures bathing in the water among the rocks. They were both clad only in their chemises, two piles of clothes on the nearby rock. Tanya was crouching neck deep in the water as Sasha stood behind her, gently washing her hair with soap. Scenting the air, I could tell that it contained a hint of clove.
Sasha's motions were careful and affectionate. Her expression was alight with maternal love as she finished rinsing Tatyana's hair.
I'd known intellectually that Sasha cared for Tanya, and Tanya had referred to Sasha as her 'mother', but I hadn't seen real proof of their bond until this moment. Most of my interactions with Sasha had been laden with hostility, and I'd wondered on more than one occasion why Tanya was so attached to her.
The sun peaked out from behind the clouds, and suddenly their skin was awash with light, sparking and reflecting the sun like diamonds.
I felt my throat grow tight as I looked on.
Tatyana dunked her head underwater, rinsing out the last of the soap, before lounging on a nearby rock. She didn't seem to have the motivation to pull herself completely out of the water. She was half-in half-out, waist and legs still submerged. I could hear her hum, eyes closed, as she soaked up the warming rays of the sun.
It was probably the most at peace I'd ever seen her.
My breath caught at how beautiful she was, like a nymph or a fairy, and I wondered what I was going to do.
Was it fair to treat this Tanya as I would the one in the present? I couldn't punish her for actions she had not yet taken.
Pushing my feelings down to deal with later, I continued to watch.
Sasha slipped out of the water and began donning her clothes, her red gold hair hung in damp curls around her face and I had to begrudgingly admit that beauty seemed to run in Tanya's family.
"Édesem, I am leaving to meet my contact in town. Do you wish to accompany me?"
Tanya shakes her head, not even bothering to open her eyes as she does so.
"No Anya," Tatyana mumbled, "I am full and relaxed."
Clicking her tongue in amusement, Sasha bent over and placed a kiss on Tanya's forehead.
"Very well my sweet, enjoy the sunshine while you can."
With that, Sasha dashed off in a northerly direction, bounding up the cliff face near the waterfall with supernatural ease before disappearing into the distance.
After a few moments of silent observation, I quietly made my way toward the pool. The heavy crashing of the waterfall completely masked the sound of my footsteps.
As I approached, a bit of mischief occurred to me and I couldn't resist diverting to the water instead. Being as silent as possible, I slipped under the surface where the roar of the river was now just a gentle hum. Surprisingly the water was clear, and felt cool against my skin. I so rarely felt cold anymore that it was almost a shock, and I realized that the water must be just above freezing. There was no doubt It was enough to give a human hypothermia.
Slicing through the pool, I swam my way over to where Tanya was still lounging on one of the rocks. Bracing my legs against the base of the stone, I grabbed her ankles and unceremoniously jerked her into the water.
Sputtering and flailing like a ragdoll, Tatyana twisted in the water lightning fast. Her face twisted in an angry snarl as she prepared to attack. The moment she saw my face she froze, her jaw dropping into a comical 'o' of surprise.
I felt my mouth twitch with mirth, and that seemed to break the spell, because suddenly she was pushing off of the muck filled bottom and rocketing at me like a torpedo.
We collided with, if we weren't underwater, what would have been a deafening crack. Her arms slipped around my torso as she propelled us both to the surface. Tanya growled, her voice low and playful as we finally breached the water. I couldn't hold back a peel of laughter as I dunked her head back into the pool.
For several moments we play fight in the shallows; wrestling and splashing until something shifts. Tatyana's arms become softer, more pliable as she draws me into an embrace. The playful growl turns into a gentle hum against my ear. The breath catches in my throat as I push water laden hair away from my face.
We lock eyes. Our bodies so close that we're breathing the same air. I watch as Tanya's eyes flick all over my features, but her gaze lingers on my lips the longest. Her eyes have darkened from a bright ruby to the color of garnets.
Tanya slowly raised her hand and rested her fingertips upon my cheek. Her eyes darted to mine as she gauged my reaction. When I made no move to object, she traced the curve up to just below my eyes.
"Such a beautiful color." She murmurs, making eye contact with me. "Why are they different?"
Covering Tanya's hand with my own I consider if I should be truthful or not. At some point or another she obviously switched to an animal diet, but I had no idea where, when, or why. It was impossible for me to avoid affecting time. Just existing in this timeline was theoretically altering an infinite number of variables.
There was no way I could account for everything. I would do my best, but at some point, I just had to let the dice fall how they may.
"It's due to a difference in our diets." I murmured, gazing into Tatyana's blood red eyes. I paused. "Scientifically I can't really think of a reason why."
Tanya mouthed the word 'scientifically', her eyes distant and puzzled.
"I am unfamiliar with this word. What does it mean?"
I winced as I tried to remember when the scientific method became prominent, but tried my best to describe it in the most general terms.
"It's the study of the natural world. It helps us explain why things are the way they are."
Tanya hummed, only partially paying attention as she stroked my cheek.
"Isn't that what the gods are for?"
It was becoming difficult not to get distracted by the gentle way Tatyana was caressing my face.
"Um, I mean, for some people. I never really followed a faith."
Tanya hummed before speaking in a hushed voice. So soft I could barely hear her.
"I do not feel God. I do not feel him in my heart the way I'm supposed to," She trailed off, her hand twitched against my cheek.
"I see you so much more clearly now then I did when I was mortal. The flecks in your eyes, the auburn in your hair, the way your skin glistens with the water." She paused, her thumb tracing my cheekbone. "It feels divine. It feels holy and warm, the way priests said worship should feel, but I've only ever felt that way when I'm with you."
If it were still possible, my heart would have been pounding in my chest. I could tell what she wanted, I could see her hesitation. This Tanya was just as young and uncertain as I was.
In a period where a relationship between two men or women was reviled and punishable by death; defying taboo would be difficult.
Sighing to myself, I gave Tanya a guileless smile before I mischievously flicked her nose.
The tension broke.
Tanya scrunched her nose and leaned back out of reach of my hands. Her eyes narrowed, and I couldn't help my growing grin as I ducked out of her arms.
After a few more minutes of splashing and playfighting, I eventually pulled myself out of the water onto a large rock jutting out over the pond. I allowed myself to sprawl indulgently as the warm weather began the slow process of drying my clothes.
Tatyana leaned up onto the boulder from the water, her face a picture of warm content.
"I missed you." She said, eyes closed against the sunlight.
"I missed you too." I whispered; thinking of the cold calculation on the other Tanya's face before I faded.
"Are you staying long this time?"
I met her gaze uncertainly. I could see the fear and insecurity lurking behind her eyes, casting a pall on an otherwise lovely day. I didn't want to lie, but it hurt that I couldn't soothe her worries.
"I'm not sure. I never am. All I know, is that my gift always seems to bring me to you."
Tanya blinked; her answering smile practically glowed with happiness. Reaching up to clasp my hands, the expression on her face became more somber.
"Whatever the reason, I'm thankful for it every day."
I squeezed her hands in gratitude.
"I can't say that I regret it either, despite how frustrating it is at times. I'm not to fond of being dumped into completely unfamiliar places on a regular basis. Speaking of," I made a show of looking around the area. "Would you be able to tell me were we are? It's all forest to me."
Chuckling to herself, Tatyana gestured grandly to our surroundings.
"We're still in Hungary, Slovakian territory."
I hum in acknowledgment before looking back up and over to the waterfall.
"Where is Sasha? I thought I caught a glimpse of her running through the trees earlier. Am I going to have to worry about her anytime soon?" I decided to leave out that I'd been watching them shortly beforehand.
"Not for a while in all likelihood. She ran north to a nearby hamlet. She needed to speak with a mortal regarding some entourage passing nearby."
I blinked and cocked my head. I was definitely curious about why, but my instincts told me I might not like the answers, so I refrained from asking for now.
"Good to know, I might have to visit it later." I muttered, rubbing my forehead as I thought about how I would obtain some less obtrusive clothes.
Tilting her face to me with a curious slant, a brief smile flitted across Tanya's mouth.
"Are you hungry? We can go hunting there. Perhaps you can show me exactly what it is that you do differently."
Startled out of my thoughts, I jerked my head around to gaze at Tanya in surprise.
"Oh. No. I'm sorry I wasn't clear. I don't eat people." I stated factually.
Tanya's smile faltered into polite bewilderment.
"What do you mean? You made it very clear that despite our physical differences, we should never treat mortals like chattel."
Lightly smacking my forehead with my palm, I tried again.
"No, I mean, I don't feed on human beings. I only feed on animals. Its why my eyes are gold instead of red."
The expression of disgust that donned on her face was so comical I couldn't help but huff in amusement. It was the same semi-horrified look some people got when talking about blood sausage and meal worms.
"But why?" she asked in a strangled voice. "They smell so," Tanya made a face as she trailed off.
"Don't give me why." I said, smacking Tanya's arm. "You know why. You were once the reason why. Just because we are no longer fully human doesn't change the fact that we used to be."
It was actually pretty sobering to think about. Especially when I think back on the day I first met Edward. Looking back, if he hadn't been a 'vegetarian' I probably would be rotting in an unmarked grave right now.
"In fact; if it weren't for the self-control of a vampire like me, I would have been dead before you ever knew me."
Having experienced bloodlust as a vampire, I now had a lot more sympathy for Edward. I struggled still with regular humans, I couldn't imagine the level of willpower required to turn away from a 'singer'. Tanya seemed to blanche at my reply, and if she'd still been capable, I'm sure all the blood would have drained from her face.
Her voice, when she finally spoke, was quietly subdued. "Was your sire an animal drinker?"
Looking at her pointedly, I shook my head. "Not even slightly."
Tatyana seemed to lapse into a pensive silence.
I grimaced thinking about Victoria and the events leading up to my own transformation. It made me glad that Tanya's experience had been somewhat less traumatic, and that she'd had someone around to help her afterwards.
"Will you tell me what happened?" she finally asked, gazing into my eyes with an earnest intensity. I hesitated a moment, unsure if I should speak. Sensing my reluctance, Tanya reached out and gently caressed the back of my hand with her fingers.
"You don't have to tell me, but I would like to know you."
I felt venom well in my eyes before I blinked it away.
"It's not a happy story." I whispered, closing my hand around hers.
"Neither is mine." She remarked, smiling faintly. I paused to collect my thoughts.
"When I was human," I started slowly, "I fell in love with a vampire. He was dark, brooding, and handsome. He loved music and books, and completely swept me off my feet. I thought we were in love."
An expression of realization and resigned heartbreak was slowly seeping into Tatyana's features, but she continued to hold my hand. In fact, her fingers seemed to tighten ever so slightly.
"But then one day, after we had faced a great foe together, he abandoned me." Tanya's eyes widened, and her mouth opened incredulously. "I was devastated. It took me nearly a year to recover from the heartbreak, but eventually I began putting my life back together." I halted briefly at the piercing gaze I was getting from Tanya.
"Unfortunately, the enemy we had dealt with had a mate, and she came back for me. I had no one to protect me. She tortured me briefly, but my pain didn't really start in earnest until I felt her venom course through my veins. My gift is the only thing that saved me from death when my heart stopped. I've been transporting back and forth ever since."
Wearing a thoughtful expression, Tanya pushed off of the stone and began to backstroke through the water with supernatural ease. I suddenly remembered teaching a young Tanya how to swim for the first time, and couldn't help my brief huff of laughter. Sitting up and sitting cross-legged on the stone, I turned to watch her swim.
"You've gotten good at that." I comment, nodding at her as she glided across the pond.
With a smirk and a sly glance, Tanya began making her way back through the current. "Many things about me have changed since I was a youngling. My skill as a swimmer, least among them."
Swimming up to my boulder, Tanya pulled herself halfway out of the water; arms locked as she leaned into my space. The water clung to her skin like refracted diamonds, Tanyas red-gold hair clung to her neck and shoulders like seaweed, every part of her was beautiful and otherworldly. She could have easily been mistaken for a mermaid.
My breath caught as her face came closer, her nose skimming past my cheek. As Tanya pulled away, she did nothing to hide the expression of deep longing etched across her face. I felt my heart twist with pain just seeing it.
Shyly, I reached out to touch Tatyana's cheek. We locked eyes. Tanya seemed to freeze as I slowly closed the gap and lightly kissed her lips.
There was a sharp intake of breath, a moment of absolute stillness; before Tanya surged toward me. Flinging her whole body forward in her eagerness to reciprocate. Her lips were just the same, full and smooth and perfect.
As Tanya curved into me, pulling herself more fully out of the water, her entire weight came to bear on the rock beneath her.
I heard a sharp crack, and felt the stone beneath Tanya's hands crumble under the pressure, dumping her back into the pool. As she fell, her chin caught on the ledge, taking another chunk off and nearly toppling me off my precarious perch.
For one heart stopping second, I forgot that Tanya was a vampire, and had a horrifying moment of certainty that she had just inadvertently killed herself.
I leaned forward to peer into the water, and spied Tatyana lying at the bottom of the pond. She had an arm thrown over her face, apparently mortified from what had just happened.
Laughter erupted from my lips as the hilarity of the situation finally hit me, not a polite or soft chuckle, but the full-bodied kind I hadn't had since before - since before the Cullen's left.
Tanya surfaced as I sat clutching my sides, pouting slightly at my mirth, but I could only shake my head as I continued to chuckle.
Sighing loudly, Tanya rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide the curve of affection in her mouth.
When I finally calmed down enough, Tanya drifted close once more, before crooking her finger at me. Her head tilted up, as if requesting another kiss, her eyes dark and ardent.
Breathing out with a smile, I dipped toward her, only for her hand to seize the front of my shirt. Before I had a moment to register her movement, she yanked me forward, over her head and face first into the pool behind her.
Thrashing to the surface, I glared with false ire at Tanya; who merely smirked.
Growling slightly, I swam back to the edge and clambered gracelessly out. Shaking the water from my clothes, I began wringing the water from my hair when I glanced back over at Tanya.
Making deliberate eye contact, a slow mischievous smile spread across her features before she lifted her hand out of the water - and crooked her finger at me.
Through narrowed eyes, I did the only thing any reasonable person could.
I stuck my tongue out at her.
Tanyas renewed laughter was music to my ears. My attention was so completely captivated, that I completely missed the ghostly whisper of footsteps behind me.
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A/N: I'm not sure how i feel about this chapter, but i figured i should just post it before i 2nd guessed myself to death.