Disclaimer: All characters from Blade, Underworld, and Twilight belong to their respective creators. Not me. Also (I feel the need to clarify this), I don’t usually write stories that include profanity. However, in the case of these three universes, omitting the “bad words” would compromise the characters, which I’m trying my best not to do. So, that being said, there is some mild profanity in this story, and I dearly hope that doesn’t offend anyone, but it was a choice I felt I had to make. Please note the rating. Thank you.

Author’s Note: Please be aware that this fic takes place after the conclusion of Breaking Dawn, and there are spoilers everywhere. So if you haven’t read Breaking Dawn and you don’t want any surprises ruined for you, please stop here.

Sorry for the delay between updates. I’ve been really busy with some other creative endeavors and I haven’t been able to get to this. So here is the update, and it’s likely to be a little while before I update again, but I’ll do my darnedest!! Thank you to everyone who has been reviewing! You guys are really too kind!

Blood Trust
by Amos Whirly

Chapter 14: Reunion

It’s times like these that I wish this useless human body of mine wasn’t so damned fragile. Worn out. I’m hardly into my thirties and I’m worn out. But I guess it shouldn’t surprise me. This kind of work will do that to a person. I saw what it did to my father; so I shouldn’t be surprised that the same thing is happening to me.

The gray wolf (Leah, I think it was) who’s carrying me through the forest is uncomfortable to ride on. Her frame is far smaller than the other two wolves we’ve befriended, and I don’t know if she could have carried King.

Well—she could have carried him, but it wouldn’t have been pleasant for him. She probably would have been half-dragging him, and while that might have been funny to watch, I doubt it would have been good for him.

My head is still awhirl with all the information we’ve gained through our new friendship with Jacob, and I’m trying to focus all my energy on untangling the relationships between these Volturi people and the Lycans. It’s a futile attempt to ignore the pain that jolts up my spine with every Leah’s every leap.

But I welcome the pain to replace the agony of knowing I’ve let Zoe down.

The Cullens are racing through the forest near us, and I have to say I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like them. Not even me. And I’ve been hunting vampires for a long time. The difference between the Low Coven and the Cullens is startling, the way they move, the way they speak, even the way they look. They are a completely different creature, and I know without a shadow of doubt that they are undeniably the most dangerous allies we have ever had.

God help us if we piss them off.

Jacob slows ahead of us, and Leah comes to a stop behind him and sets me down. The rock she sets me on is cold compared to her blazing hot fur. I think I’m sweating.

King is shouting at Jacob about something, but I’m not really listening. The Cullens have come to a stop in front of us and are silent and unmoving.

The blonde, Rosalie, is glaring at me. Or maybe she just glares constantly. That seems to be the case. Either way she doesn’t look very happy. Dark-haired Alice moves toward her, gliding smoothly as though a simple step should look like some kind of waltz. The men, Jasper and Emmett, turn to Jacob.

Blade, standing as still as the rest of them, has turned his attention to the east. His face is hidden behind his glasses, like usual, but the set of his shoulders indicates that he hears something.

“Abby,” King says, his voice sounding loud in the silence of our company, “what the hell is going on? Why did we stop?”

I hold up my hand and try to catch Blade’s eye without flagging him down. He’s not looking at me.

Immediately, the Cullens are on guard, ready to attack, but Blade looks over his shoulder, barring his teeth.

“Wait,” he says emphatically, using the tone that brokers no arguing.

He’s barely said it before the trees rustle together with fierce intensity, and a dark figure bolts out of the shadows and lands crouched before us. Dark-skinned, long-haired, and with a mouth full of razors, Michael Corvin lets out a snarl in greeting and straightens, popping his neck as he does so.

Selene jumps out of the trees right behind him, and she is followed by two more vampires whom I have not seen before, although even I cannot deny that they both look exactly like Zoe’s friend Nessie.

I know my theory is correct instantaneously as Alice runs and throws her arms around the woman’s neck. They hold each other for a moment before Alice draws the male into the embrace as well.

Jacob has rolled into the shadows and phased back to his human form. He approaches the two new vampires meekly (I hadn’t thought someone like Jacob was capable of that), and I must admit that I’m blown away when the vampire woman (assumedly Nessie’s mother) pulls him into a fierce hug and bursts into tears. Jacob wraps her in his arms and cries with her.

It’s startling.

King again whispers in my ear. “What the hell is going on?”

I don’t answer and look at Blade, who has said nothing but looks perplexed (as perplexed as Blade can look).

With the creak of leather, Selene kneels beside me, and I wish (not for the first time) that I could move as quietly as she could.

“Are you all right?” she asks, her ice-blue eyes darkening to deep ebony.

“I’m alive,” I say. “Are those the girl’s parents?”

“Yes,” Selene says. “Edward and Bella Cullen. They’re—unique.”

“I believe you.” I indicate the other Cullens. “Those are their family. The rest of their coven. The wolves are with them too.”

“I was wondering.” Michael’s voice appears behind me so quickly that I nearly jump. (King does and falls off his rock, cursing.) “Sorry.”

“You knew they weren’t Lycans?” I ask, ignoring how much he’d startled me and pressing on to the main point. “How?”

“They didn’t smell right,” Michael says. “And besides, we’ve had a bit of a chat with Mr. Cullen.”

“”This whole thing is screwed up,” King grouses and leans his head against his rock.

I touch his shoulder, though, as Jacob comes toward me with Edward and Bella Cullen. Both of them have eyes like liquid gold. Edward Cullen has bronze hair just like the stranger who Zoe had brought home; Bella Cullen has the same face. They’re undeniably her parents. I just wonder which one of them taught her how to kill Lycans.

“Edward, Bella,” Jacob says, “this is Abigail Whistler and Hannibal King. They run the Lycan hunting group.” Jacob looks over his shoulder. “The big guy back there is Blade. He’s with them too.”

“You’ve seen our daughter,” Bella asks, her voice tremulous.

“Yes,” I say.

“She befriended the girl who lives with you,” Edward says. “A girl named Zoe?”

“Yes.”

Edward narrows his eyes at me and glances at his wife. He nods at her.

“What happened?” Bella asks.

“Lycans tracked them,” Blade speaks from behind them.

Edward and Bella turn to face him.

“The kid brought her friend home,” Blade continues. “Lycans followed them and took them.”

“Though not after one hell of a fight,” King mutters. “Your kid’s got a hell of a right hook.”

“She gets that from her uncle,” Emmett crows from some distance away.

Neither Edward nor Bella answer.

“Blade was tracking the Lycans who took them when I ran into him,” Jacob says. Jacob shifts uncomfortably and looks to Edward. “This is all my fault, Edward. I should have stayed with her.”

“Stop it, Jake.” Bella touches his arm. “You’ve done what you could. Nessie will be all right.”

“But what about Zoe?” I demand, feeling rage boil in my chest. These people are so worried about their little immortal freak, they don’t give a damn about Zoe. “Your kid’s a hybrid so of course she’ll make it. But what about Zoe?”

Low coven, high coven, highest coven—what difference does it make? Vampires are all the same. Heartless bastards with no regard for human life. I don’t care if what Jacob said about this Cullen coven is true and they don’t hunt humans. They’re still vampires, and all vampires are dangerous. None deserve to live. That’s what my father believed; that’s what I believe. If I had my way, I’d kill them all.

Edward is looking at me with a very strange expression. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was reading my mind. Michael makes a funny chuckling sound beside me and straightens, smiling at Edward.

“You should tell her,” he says. “Selene figured it out. Abby won’t be far behind.”

Edward looks at Bella again, who nods.

“Miss Whistler,” Edward says quietly, gently enough to make me think twice about him being a heartless bastard. “The Lycans who took your daughter are working alongside an ancient coven of vampires called the Volturi.”

“Zoe’s not my daughter.”

“But you think of her as though she is.”

I freeze. “How the hell do you know how I think of her?”

“The Volturi are the most powerful vampires in the world,” Edward says. “What makes them powerful is their numbers, their prestige, and the amount of coven members who possess supernatural abilities.”

“Supernatural abilities?” I ask, my stomach turning flipflops.

The rest of the Cullens are gathering around. Again I am struck by how small Alice is in comparison to the rest of them.

“Most of the Volturi and their Guard possess extremely powerful abilities,” Bella says, kneeling in front of me. “And as much power as they possess, they want more. They are always looking for other powerful vampires to join their ranks.”

“What does that mean?” King asks, quiet for once. He’s really paying attention at least.

“The Volturi has come after our family once or twice before,” Edward says. “They want us to join them.”

“So—that means—you all have supernatural abilities.”

“Not all of us,” Bella says. “But many of us.”

Edward indicates Alice. “Alice can see the future. Jasper can control others’ emotions.” Edward sets his hand on Bella’s shoulder. “My wife is a shield and can protect herself and others from mental attacks.”

“Mental attacks?” I straighten. “Like—psychic attacks?”

“Yes,” Edward says. “I can read minds.”

Shit. So he could read my mind.
“Don’t apologize,” he says suddenly.

I feel my face growing red realizing that he is reading my mind right now.

“I wasn’t going to,” I say sharply, lifting my chin. “It simplifies things in a way. You know how I feel. And you know that you can trust us.”

“Very true,” Edward nods and glances at King. “And, yes, Renesmee has a killer right hook.”

“Your kid,” Blade says sharply. “She got powers?”

“Mental powers,” Bella says. “She can communicate with thoughts and images through touch.”

“And these Volturi people want her in their club,” I ask.

“Yes,” Edward responds. “And me. And Alice. And Bella. They are desperate for it.”

“So why did they take Zoe?” King asks.

I hold Edward’s golden gaze for a moment before I sigh. I know why. I know the reason why they took her. Maybe they hadn’t intended to do so. It likely hadn’t been the original plan. But Zoe was bait. She was bait and leverage and a hostage all rolled into one.

They were likely using her to keep Nessie quiet. And they would threaten to kill her if Nessie didn’t join them.

“You’re on the right track, Miss Whistler,” Edward whispers. “But think further. Don’t stop with Nessie.”

“What do you mean?” Jacob asks.

Edward glances up at Michael and then over his shoulder at Blade. “I believe the Volturi have discovered a force that can threaten them, the existence of a race that can challenge their power.”

“Hybrids.” I can hardly breathe.

“That’s why they have allied with the Lycans and with Selene’s old coven members,” Edward says. “They want my daughter. They want you, Michael, and you, Blade, to join their ranks.”

“The hell with that,” Blade snorts.

“Then Zoe will die,” Edward says.

“Says you.” Blade’s voice is dangerous.

Edward stands up and lifts his chin. “Yes. But if we work together, maybe we can stop them. We can get our children back.”

Jacob clenches his fists and nods. He turns around and looks to Seth and Leah who had been listening impartially.

“I want you two to go back to Forks,” he says. “Go help Dr. Carlisle and Esme.”

Seth and Leah both let out loud, discouraged whines, and Jacob crosses his arms. “No buts. Go.”

Edward set his hand on Seth’s head and smiles. “Do as he says, Seth. Take care of things at home.”

“Leah,” Bella is still kneeling, “would you be kind enough—to watch over my father?”

The gray wolf nods, and she and Seth dart into the woods.

As I watch them go, I look carefully at Bella’s face. There is something there that doesn’t look very vampirish, I have to admit. Compassion. Love. Genuine concern.

Jacob turns back to all of us. “I can pick up the trail again.”

“Already got it,” Blade says and starts running.

Jacob growls at his retreating back and looks at King who throws up his hands.

“Not again, Tanto! Come on! Geez!”

Jacob phases and gathers King in his arms and starts off running again.

“I’ll get her,” Bella says and offers me her hand. “I won’t be as warm to ride on as Leah, but I’m just as fast.” She smiles.

Edward nods, and he and his brothers take off after Blade and Jacob. Alice and Rosalie (who had remained stonily silent for the last few hours), and Michael and Selene run on ahead to catch up with Blade. I climb onto Bella’s back, and she holds me firmly as we begin to run.

Her body is cold and hard, but she is very fast. Her brown hair flies over my shoulder, and I try to keep my face out of it.

“How did my daughter look when she was at your base?” she asks.

“Fine,” I say. “She was in good form. Killed three Lycans.”

“She is capable, but—killing isn’t something she enjoys.” Bella sighs. “She’s a gentle child. Edward and I are blessed to have her.” She looks over her shoulder at me. “Don’t worry. We’ll help you get Zoe back.”

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. This woman is a vampire, but—I believe her. I believe that she really will help us, that she really cares, and that she really understands what I’m feeling right now. I mean, if she couldn’t, then who could?

“Zoe’s mother was murdered by a vampire,” I say. “I couldn’t save her mother. But—I will save Zoe. Even if it kills me.”

“It won’t. We won’t let that happen.” Bella nods. “There would be no point to that. To save your daughter only to have her lose you?”

“She’s not my daughter.”

“Yes, she is.”

I can’t contain a rueful laugh in the back of Bella’s shoulder. “Who knew being a parent was this hard?”

“Our parents did.”

She was right on that count. “You mentioned your father. Is he a vampire too?”

“No,” she says. “My father is still human. He—doesn’t quite know what I’ve become, but he knows I’m special. And he knows Renesmee is more special than I am.” She glances back at me again. “What about your father?”

“He’s dead. He died a long time ago.”

“Vampires?”

“No. The FBI.”

Bella’s grip on my body intensifies.

“It’s ironic,” I say. “He was killed by the very people he had been trying to protect.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. He went out fighting. He was always fighting.” I sigh and close my eyes and wonder how exactly I got so soft that I would talk about things like this with a suck head. “My father never wanted this life for me. I always knew that. But—I’ve never understood it until now.”

“Zoe.”

“Yes. I—want her to grow up. To have a family. A life outside of vampires and Lycans and wolves and all this blood and gore, but I don’t think it’s possible. This is all she knows.”

“Some children will never have a normal life,” Bella says. “It’s the same with Renesmee.”

“Can I ask you how old she is?”

I feel Bella laugh. “You won’t believe me.”

I wait.

“She’s a little over three and a half years old.”

She’s right. I don’t believe her. “Three and a half?”

“She ages very quickly. Carrying her nearly killed me, since I was still human at the time. She’ll stop aging when she reaches about seven years of age.” She chuckles again. “So if you want to talk to someone who didn’t have a normal childhood, Nessie is a good one to consider.”

“No wonder they became friends.”

“Yes. No wonder.”

As we sprint through the woods, trailing after the pack of vampires ahead of us, I allow myself to relax against Bella’s back, forcing myself to believe that she and her family truly mean us good. But no matter how much I may like her and no matter how much good they may do us, I cannot stop myself from distrusting them. Zoe is too precious to trust to anyone else but me. I force myself to believe that we’re going to make it in time, that we’ll find a solution to stand up against the Volturi and win, that everything can go back to the way it was.

I hope it’s true. I’ve never been an idealist, but now I wish I could at least believe the lies I’m spouting to myself.

Bella lands roughly on a patch of ground and jars my broken body against her spine. It hurts, and she mutters a soft apology.

Again, I find myself thinking of my father and wondering what he would say to me if he were still alive. Would he be proud of the woman I have become? Would he be angry that I am still endangering myself in this way? Likely he would just call me a young fool, pour himself a glass of whiskey, and lapse into stories about the good old days of hunting suck heads—the good old days when they actually stayed down after you staked them.

I have no illusions. The battle that lies before us is going to be the worst we’ve ever fought. King and I are still injured. The enemies have a hostage. We’re outnumbered, outclassed, and will probably out maneuvered too. There isn’t much hope for us to win.

A rustle in the trees to our right causes me to look over.

Bella dashes past a tree where Blade had stopped. From the corner of my eye, I watch him wait until we’re past before he starts moving again, rapidly through the woods.

I highly doubt that he was waiting behind to make sure I was all right. Blade’s not sentimental like that. But at the same time, I remind myself that I’m not alone. Blade thinks we can win. So maybe we can.

I clutch Bella’s shirt in my hands.

I know we can. We will win. And no one will ever take Zoe from me again.

As we run through the forest, Bella touches my hand, the one that has grasped her shirt. For a brief moment, I wonder if she is as telepathic as her husband before I remember that we share one quality that no one else in our three rag-tag teams could understand.

We are both mothers.