WARNING:Dark themes within this chapter. Religion is touched on in this chapter, I don't mean to offend anyone and their beliefs with what is written in this chapter. They will be recurring themes throughout this fanfiction.
This was a bad idea. I thought as I watched them watch me, them assessing me, me assessing them. The three blonde stood close to one an other, the male stood in front of the smaller brunette all almost half prepared for an attack. My appearance as well wouldn't be giving the best first impressions, the clothes I still wore were ruined with blood of the humans I've killed.
"Can we help you?" Asked the blonde with long, curly, strawberry blonde hair. Her tone was thick with authority and slight annoyance? It was understandable given my sudden intrusion.
"Em… I was told about yo-" I began.
"By who newborn?" The chin-length, silvery blonde asked. Her tone sounded more annoyed than the first blondes, her eyes also narrowed at me as I felt mild shock take over me. How did she know I was a newborn so clearly?
"The Cullens," I blurted out, wincing slightly at the stinging pain that shot through my unbeaten heart. All five vampires in front of me all held the same puzzled expression.
"And they just left you to roam free?" The male vampire asked, his tone was confused his Spanish accent didn't help hide that.
"Not exactly," I signed, how the hell was I going to explain this? I can only be honest and hope they'd understand, surely being vampires they would have seen and heard of more stranger things to have occurred.
"They did not sire you?" The strawberry blonde asked, she no longer looked confused but as if she was slowly putting pieces of a puzzle together. I shook my head in response to her question, her eyes narrowed slightly.
"It was a woman called Victoria, her and her coven had a run in with the Cullens a half year ago and -"
"You are Isabella Swan!" The last pale blonde exclaimed with a smirk, looking rather proud of figuring out who I am. I couldn't stop the small whine as she called me Isabella. The other four vampires all shot her a quick side glare before turning back to me for conformation.
"Please call be Bella," I half smiled.
"We can call Carlisle and let him kn-" The strawberry blonde began, I froze in place, my mind began racing and a whirlwind of emotions crashing over me.
"No!" I snapped, the male and pale blonde, both crouch down, expecting me to attack. I tried to take a breath to calm myself but the thought of seeing them unexpectedly, was a surreal and disorienting. I felt a sudden surge of mixed emotions—nostalgia, apprehension, and a tinge of anxiety as well as anger all rolled into one overwhelming wave. A large part of me yearned to retreat in to the woods and run, to avoid the potential discomfort and unease that would occur at an encounter might bring.
"Bella?" the strawberry blonde called, her tone was soft and I could hear a hint of worry. My eyes snapped to her honey-colored eyes... they were a masterpiece spun from the warmth of amber and the richness of golden sunlight. They possess a captivating allure, akin to gazing into pools of liquid gold. Her eyes carry an enigmatic depth, filled with a soft, honeyed glow that holds an intimacy I couldn't quite understand. It was in this moment I took her in, the moment our gazes intertwined, time seemed to halt, as if the universe paused to highlight this remarkable encounter.
She was a vision, a breathtaking amalgamation of elegance and grace that momentarily stole my unneeded breath away. Her presence had an enchanting quality, captivating and bewitching in an instant. Her beauty was not merely skin deep; it was a captivating blend of ethereal charm and an inner radiance that seemed to emanate from her very being. Her features unveiled a mesmerising tapestry—a delicate symphony of symmetrical features and a soulful, kind gaze that drew me in with an irresistible pull. She softly smiled, "Why don't you come inside and you can explain what has happened? We won't involve the Cullens if you do not wish it. I'm Tanya by the way"
The other shot her a concerning look. Before they straightened out and seem to semi-relax, as if they could see and understand something I couldn't. It made sense given they'd likely been with each other for hundreds of years.
I nodded softly, "Yeah sure"
"You're not going to flip out and attack us at any point are you?" The silver hair blonde asked coldly narrowing her eyes.
"Irina!" Tanya hissed quietly back at her. Clearly annoyed by Irina's bluntness.
"She has a point Tan.." The other blonde quietly muttered leaning closer to Tanya as she did. Tanya sent a glair to the other blonde before turning her attention back to me.
"Will you Bella?" She asked smiling softly, almost as if she knew I wasn't a threat but was only asking to ease the other vampires concerns.
"I've only ever lost it around humans," I admitted looking down at the ground as guilt pooled into the pit of my stomach, " I don't want to hurt any of you or plan to."
"Hmm fine." Irina muttered before turning on her heels and heading back into the mansion.
"I'm afraid you'll need to forgive us for my sisters bluntness, she's been on edge recently," Tanya said offering a half smile, the other vampires also offered a half apologetic smile. "However, this is Kate my other sister and Eleazar and Carmen. Now shall we continue this conversation inside?"
The others turned to headed back inside and I followed after Tanya, towards the mansion. As we approach the entrance, the exterior of the mansion is adorned with intricate wooden carvings reminiscent of Slavic folk art, featuring floral patterns. The warm, earthy tones of the stucco walls evoke a Mediterranean ambiance, welcoming a world where two distinct cultures converge. Upon entering, I found myself in a vast foyer with a grand staircase adorned with ornate wooden balustrades, carved in the style of Slavic craftsmanship. The chandelier overhead boasts intricate wrought iron details, reminiscent of Spanish design, casting a warm and inviting glow throughout the space. The others moved quickly into the living room where Irina already sat on one of the sofas, the room was full of plush furniture upholstered in vibrant fabrics that reflect the rich colour palette of both Slavic and Spanish traditions. A large fireplace sat in the middle of the room, surrounded by hand-painted tiles reminiscent of traditional Spanish ceramics. The walls are adorned with Slavic tapestries, showcasing scenes of folklore and nature, creating a captivating visual narrative.
"Please sit," Tanya said gesturing to one of the sofas, Kate took up a seat next to Irina. Carman and Eleazar sat adjacent to them and she joined her sisters. Quickly sitting down I could feel all five vampires eyes on me. "So how long have you been a vampire?"
"Em… I'm not honestly sure I think four five days," I answered honestly, Eleazar and Carman shared a look of sympathy, Irina's cold mask did not falter, Kate shared a smiler look to Eleazar and Carman. Tanya seemed upset but she hid her true emotions well.
"What exactly happened?" Carman asked.
"I went out on a hike in the woods in Forks, I'd planned to take my own life but then Victoria turned me saying this is where the fun begins turning me but when I woke she wasn't there," I began thinking back to the mudded memories, given that I didn't know them very well it would be best not to mention the wolves that chases me from Forks. "I then ran from there I didn't know where I was going but I eventually found some humans and I couldn't stop myself then some part of me remembered hearing about you all and yeah now I'm here."
"What did this Victoria mean by 'the fun begins'?" Irina asked, looking slightly annoyed.
"I can only guess cause they never wanted me to be a vampire," I shrugged.
"They never wanted you to be a vampire?" Kate asked almost confused by the statement.
"Something along the lines of they'd be damning my soul for eternity," I sighed, Irina snorted rolling her eyes, Eleazar and Carman looked visibly confused as did Kate. Tanya on the other hand looked annoyed.
"They're idiots for continuing to carry those beliefs in this life," Irina said slouching back into the sofa, "The majority of beliefs the humans of this world follow where only made up as a way to control the vast majority of them, give them hope that their existence isn't meaningless. Sorry to break that to you."
"Don't be I've never believed in God or anything like that," I replied back sending her a half smile. I appreciated her honesty and felt myself relax a little. Coming here was a good decision, I could already tell they would be honest with me and provide me with the basic knowledge I would need for this new life. Irina's mask finally broke a fraction and she gave me a slightly warmer look now.
"Why did the Cullens leave?" Eleazar asked, confusion was still thick in his accented voice. A cold shiver went down my spine, I guess there's no running from this part of the conversation.
"Edward said I didn't belong in this world," I managed to say without chocking up, I grinded my teeth as I ignored the storm of emotions that rampaged inside me when ever they where mentioned.
"They must be suicidal," Kate muttered under her breath. I couldn't stop myself from looking confused at her, what did she mean by that?
"It's against the vampiric law to revel ourselves to humans, unless you plan on turning them," Tanya stated answering my unasked question.
"If I'm being honest I don't think any of them were fully honest with me to begin with, only something that amused them for a short while" I said looking down at the floor, trying to ignore the painful emotions rampaging through me.
"What makes you say that?" Carman asked.
"He could never read my mind and that always bothered him," I replied, " For the others I couldn't say why."
"He couldn't read your mind as you're gifted with a mental shield," Eleazar stated, I looked up at him again with a confused expression,"Ah forgive me I too am gifted, I posses the ability of being able to see another's gift and you have a mental shield so no one can read your mind or cast illusions on you. It's a powerful gift." He clarified.
"The others probably went along with it as he is very good at manipulating others given his gift," Kate said, sending me a look of sympathy.
"That would make sense," I muttered, I couldn't say I was surprised by Kates comment but it did make a lot of sense.
"Bella, given that you are new to this life and the reasoning behind you entering this world hasn't been inline with the laws are you willing to stay here a while so we can tell you the basics and get you accustom to this way of life?" Tanya asked sincerely, her expression was soft and caring. There was something else in her expression one I couldn't quite read.
"I'd be lying if I didn't say that is why I came here," I replied with a half smile. I couldn't help but feel slightly relieved at her offer and their understanding.
"Well come with me and I'll show you to a room you can have for your time here," She said standing up from her seat, I copied her and followed her, "I'm sure we have some unworn clothes as well you can have as I'm sure you won't want to stay in those ones," she continued sending me a half smile from over her shoulder, causing a different emotion to ignite in my chest. What that emotion was I couldn't say but it wasn't a bad emotion that much I could tell. Maybe things would be looking up for the first time in a long time.