CHAPTER TWO Bella POV

Everyone moved, quickly, it seemed even for vampires, towards the door. Everyone apart from me. I was still recovering from Alice’s vision that had startled her- the last time it had happened the Volturi were coming to kill me and my child and the time before that the newborns were coming for me- so I was terrified on a primal level, hoping desperately she was… mistaken? I don’t know. But the sudden movements pulled me out of the fog. Edward stopped.

“Bella, please come. This is- well, you need to meet someone.” His voice, as always was gentle and filled with love but it sparkled with worry.

“Who? Why was Alice startled? What is Phoenix?” the questions spun out of my mouth but even as I spoke I was moving towards the door.

She was beautiful, even for a vampire. Cascades of wild blonde hair, interspersed with fiery red and mundane brown, creating a wild effect. Tight black jeans and a leather jacket with what looked like two swords crossed over her back- a sexier Uma Thurman in Kill Bill. The vampire- Phoenix?- removed the swords and lay them at Carlisle’s feet. As she looked up, it hit me- her eyes. They were blue. Blue. But she had to be a vampire. The glittering skin, the unnatural stillness. What was going on?

“Carlisle, I am sorry. Will you forgive me?” Too normal a voice for that face.

“There is nothing to forgive.” Carlisle was serene but little lines snaked across his forehead. “Do you need help?”

“Just a place to stay. He- he’s awake Carlisle. The Romanians, they woke him.” Her voice shook.

It was like someone pulled a string on my family- they all reacted, hissing. I had so many questions but I could feel Edward’s concentration as he focused on the words and their hidden meaning Suddenly Emmett stepped out.

“You need help. Jasper and I will come, we-“

“No.” Such power. “Just a place to stay.”

Esme spoke, “Where is Henry? He needs to be with you.” White splashed across her face, “Ares, he didn’t kill-“

“No.” More interruptions, when I needed to hear these sentences and unravel these meanings and names. Suddenly the blue eyes turned to me.

“Bella, I apologise. These Cullens- they bring out the worst in me. Especially Emmett.” Her tone was jovial but I could sense the wire of tension in the background. Suddenly Edward tensed.

“My name is Tia. I am an old friend of the Cullens.” She smiled and the blue shimmered like sapphires.

 Edward stepped in, abruptly radiating happiness. “She’s more like family. How did you know about Bella?” I waited for either of them to explain her blue eyes and the strange words but- nope. I was to be left bewildered.

“The drama with your child and the Volturi was heard even in Alba, Edward. And I am so happy for both of you. Would you mind if I joined you later for ‘dinner?’” That she knew of our evening talks around the table that we joked of as a meal disturbed me. But everyone was so comfortable. Jasper’s eyes were lit up as Alice hugged Tia and I could see Emmett and Rosalie back to their wrestling as he tried to carry her back to the house. Then I turned around and she was gone.