No warnings in this chapter, I hope you all enjoy :)
The bedroom Tanya lead me to was a luxurious retreat, each uniquely decorated with a harmonious mix of Slavic and Spanish elements. Richly embroidered Slavic textiles drape over four-poster beds, while Spanish-style wrought iron bed frames add a touch of Mediterranean charm. The room is filled with antique furniture, reflecting the opulence of both cultures just like the rest of the spacious mansion.
She provided spare clothes for me to change into and advised that she would order some more online given I'd be staying with them for a while at least until my newborn year was over, then if I choose to I could leave and live a nomadic live - as most vampires do. The Vampiric Law was very strict when it came to newborns and if any vampire that crosses paths with a newborn who was on their own the elder vampire must take responsibility for them and teach them the law; failure to do so would lead to the newborns death as well as any other vampire that failed to educate and control the newborn within their first year.
I did worry that my actions within my first week of being a vampire would be enough to cause issues but given I hunted in forests and no humans saw me they could easily be passed as an animal attack Tanya said there was no need to worry, Humans didn't tend to investigate deaths in forests as much as they would in a town or city. Soon after she left me along in the large room, I took my time to compose myself it was strange to have some form of my conscience back given ever since I woke up as a vampire I'd been running off nothing but instinct. Yet at the same time I remained hopeful that the Denali's would help educate me in this new life and not hide anything from me unlike the Cullens.
Once I'd washed and changed I made my way back down to the spacious living room, Tanya and Kate were engaged in conversation in a language that sounded almost Russian, where as Carman and Eleazar both had books and seemed to be contently reading, all sat round the fireplace that has a small roaring alit.
Turning and noticing my presence Tanya gave me a warm smile, "Irina has gone hunting so you will have to excuse her absence but if you wish you can still tell us more about what happened to you and we can fill her in once she returns."
"Sure I'm a guest in your home after all, I don't wish to inconvenience you guys in any way," I smiled in return taking a seat opposite to Tanya and Kate. Carman and Eleazar both closed their books and shifted their attention to the three of us as Tanya gave a soft chuckle, Kate gave her sister a small warm smile before extending it to me.
"You couldn't inconvenience us Bella, you where part of the Cullens coven thus that does make you an extended family member to us even if you are no longer fully associated to them currently," Carman spoke softly.
"Thats kind of you to say but looking back I wouldn't have said I was part of their family, more something to amuse them for the time being," I replied trying not to focus on the hurt and anger that still had its grip round my un-beating heart.
"It's strange you say that, Edward spoke very highly of you when he first met you and again when they visited a few months back," Kate remarked looking slightly confused by my comment.
"It's strange that he said that," I snorted, " Before he left he made it very clear that he didn't want anything to do with me and I didn't belong in this world dispire everything we'd been through."
"Can you tell us a little more on that Bella, it seems our cousins haven't been exactly truthful with us," Tanya asked sitting up giving me her full attention, it became clear that she was the leader of the Denali's given her tone and body language become serious.
I let out a sigh before nodding and starting from the very beginning. I explained how I met the Cullens, how Edward became obsessed with me and I him, how he saved me from death on multiple occasions, the run in with James' Coven and finally the events of my last human birthday. Each of the four vampires sat around me all shared the same look of anger.
"I knew their obsession with maintaining a human life would be their downfall," Kate muttered slouching back into the plush sofa balling her fists in an attempt to calm herself.
"It would appear so," Eleazar stated softly replying to Kate," But Bella the reason Edward could not read your mind is due to the fact that you are gifted with a mental shield or I believe you do at least. I have a gift myself where I can see the gifts in other vampires" he went on to explain.
"That would explain his obsession with you, when he first came here he did talk at length how you fascinated him, I'd just assumed it was due to you being his singer." Tanya mused looking over at her coven mates.
"His singer?" I questioned, I'd never heard of that term before. Not surprising given it seemed the Cullens weren't truthful with them either.
"A singer is a human who's blood sings to a vampire, it's almost impossible for us to resist the call of their blood." Tanya explained almost looking slightly annoyed by the fact. A dull pain took hold of my chest seeing her upset, I ignored it and tried to remain focused on the conversation.
"That would make sense, but then it does raise more questions," I sighed again relaxing slightly into the sofa.
"You and us both Bella," Tanya replied relaxing slightly herself, "But of course we can look to answer them at a later date given there are more pressing matters that need addressed first." I raised a eyebrow at her statement, "Your diet being the more important matter for one," she smiled softly.
"Em... I hadn't given it much thought," I admitted embarrassedly, had I still been human my face would have been burning a bright red.
"We've all fed from humans in the past Bella so theres no shame in if you wish to continue to do so, we can make arrangements to have blood supplied here if you do not wish to follow our way with animals." Kate replied smiling kindly.
"Most places here in Alaska have very strong communities so feeding the traditional way isn't feasible here unless you would want to run for hours to Canada or back to the States." Tanya explained further.
"I can learn your ways, I wouldn't want you to go our your way for me." I smiled softly back at the blonde sisters.
"You're our responsibility now so we don't have much choice." Irina stated in a cold harsh tone, appearing in the large archway at the entrench of the living room. Tanya shot her an annoyed look.
"I take it hunting didn't improve your mood," Tanya asked her sister in a similar cold tone. Irina narrowed her eyes at her sister.
"I wasn't hungry." she replied monotoned looking irritated by her sisters comment.
"Very well, Bella would you like to join me in a quick hunt to see if our diet is something you think you'll be able to manage?" Tanya asked shifting her attention to me almost forgetting about her sisters abrupt entrance, springing to her feet.
"Lead the way," I smiled standing with her. She smiled wider and nodded, I followed quickly behind her ignoring the glares Irina sent me as we walked past her leaving the warmth of the living room behind.
Hunting animals was much harder that I'd thought, their scents and heartbeats didn't spark the hunger or hunting drive I'd experienced with humans. I could tell Tanya found it amusing watching me struggle in locating a large herd of elk.
"It takes practice and you are still a newborn," Tanya said softly as I groaned in frustration loosing the Elks scent again. "It took Kate two years to have a successful hunt."
"That does make me feel a little better," I admitted turning to her, she walked over to me and began to sniff the air to help point me in the correct direction again, " Can I ask, what made you switch to this way of life? Kate mentioned you all used to feed of humans."
Letting out a small chuckle Tanya turned to give me her full attention, "Have you ever heard of Succubus'?" she asked.
"A beautiful demon that lours humans to their death?" I asked not sure of my answer, I'd never looked much into folklore or legends in my human life but I remember briefly seeing succubus's mentioned when I'd been looking into the legends of the Cold Ones.
"My sisters and I were the start of those legends but over time we had grown fond of some humans when it was still legal for us to interact with them non-inconspicuous, accidents would sometimes happen and dealing with their death became all too painful to deal with." She explained looking forlorn as she spoke.
"I'm sorry you had to deal with that, I can't be fine to imagine what that would have been like," I replied reaching out and gently creasing her arm. She looked up with a small smile her eyes shone with a gentle warms as if she was watching a sun rise for the first time.
"Thank you Bella that's very kind of you but it was over seven hundred years ago, we've made peace with the past." She said gently taking my hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze.
Her words caught me off guard 'over seven hundred years ago'.
"Wait how old exactly are you?" I asked not hiding my slight confusion. Carlisle was the oldest vampire I'd met and he wasn't exactly that only with being over three hundred years old.
"I'm nine hundred and eighty four years old," she replied with a hearty laugh," Kate is nine hundred and seventy and Irina is nine hundred and sixty eight." She paused to allow me to process this information as I could tell my face was a picture of surprise. "Eleazar is two hundred and eighty six and Carman two hundred and eighty five."
"Wow I guess time really doesn't matter that much to vampires," I chuckled embarrassedly feeling very out of place. It was still hard for me to believe that Tanya was over nine hundred years old, modern history didn't date back that far. Sure we had proof of life dating back millions of years but recorded history didn't come close.
"No it really doesn't," she sighed squeezing my hand again, "you do have a lot to learn about our kind and the history of our world."
"Well if your willing to teach me I'm more than willing to learn and hear more about you," I replied gently squeezing her hand, she looked at me her eyes radiated with a luminous warmth like the first rays of dawn kissing the earth. They convey a wealth of emotions with a single glance—tenderness, compassion, and a silent promise of unwavering affection.
In the moment, I experience a gentle flutter in my chest, Tanyas lingering gaze extended longer than usual, and an unexplained sense of comfort and happiness filled me sharing this moment together. Yet, it was a similar feeling to what I felt when Edward gazed at me but this time it was different.
It was something pure and beautiful. The foundations were being laid for something but what that something was I wasn't sure of but it brought me joy and I could help but smile back at the beautiful woman in front of me.