A/N: Hey everyone just wanted to remind you that this is the last update for WEHB, for now. The next story to be updated will be Hardcore Bella then Healing Broken Hearts.

Chapter Twenty: Gone

"How could you just allow someone to take her?" Rosalie raged. The entre Cullen family, along with Embry and Jacob, had located into the kitchen when the others came home from the party.

Bella broke into hysterics when Edward related to them what had happened in the forest. Rosalie was livid.

Edward shot a nasty look at his blonde sister as Esme brought him a new shirt. He slid his hands into the sleeves and did each button slowly, trying to keep his cool. "As you saw by my nearly burnt clothing, whoever took her has control over fire. You may have forgotten, but our bodies are flammable. Besides, if I hadn't stayed alive you wouldn't know what happened."

"I know, I know." Rosalie fell onto the sofa and into her husband's embrace. Emmett kissed the crown of her head as she brought her hand to her mouth. "Do we have any idea who took her?"

Edward's eyes slid over to Alice, who had been standing next to a silent Renesmee. Since the car ride home she had been quiet. "Alice knows," Edward told Rosalie. "Don't you."

Alice stiffened before letting out a sigh. "The Romanian coven took her, Vlad has plans for her. What those plans are, I do not know. I can not see his decisions." Edward could tell by the hardness of her voice that bothered her. A growing number of people were learning how to outmaneuver her ability.

"Well then we have to go get her," Renesmee finally spoke up, moving away from Alice. "If we go now we can intercept them before they reach Romania."

"Who said anything about going after her?" Bella stood up and folded her arms, glancing from one family member to the next. "It is not our concern, she is a danger to our family."

Rosalie's head snapped up as she rose from her seat; eyes narrowed in Bella's direction. "I can't believe you are saying that after all the crap we did to protect you while you were human."

"The two situations are totally different," Bella dismissed. "What Rosalie forgets is that Vanessa is also a Volturi Guard. They can go save her. I'm sure that Vlad is doing this to mess with Aro's mind. Either way, we shouldn't get involved. The last few years have been peaceful. Why ruin it?"

"Being a vampire has made you heartless."

Heads turned to Embry who was standing in the doorway, hands balled into tight fists, eyes blazing with frustration and anger. "You can't feel it, but I can feel her pain. Her fear. They are going to do something terrible to her. I can feel it."

"No," Esme gasped covering her mouth. "They wouldn't kill her…would they?"

The thought ran through everyone's mind. Edward looked away and grabbed the counter. I let them take her. The concrete began to crack slightly.

Carlilse folded his hands over his knee. He knew the decision was ultimately going to fall to him. "Let us put this too a vote. All of us." He turned to Jacob and Embry. "Even you."

"All in favor of going to save Vanessa."

Rosalie's hand shot up first, followed by Rensmee, Carlisle, Embry and Edward. Alice, Jacob, Jasper, Esme and Bella kept their hands down. Rosalie turned to her husband in disbelief. "Emmett." The fighter of the group looked at his wife for a moment before shaking his head. "Sorry Rose, I'm not going to send us into a battle we can not win."

Carlisle let out a sigh and covered his face before looking at Rosalie. "I'm sorry Rosalie, I understand how you feel." He turned disapprovingly to Esme. "And I am surprised at some of you."

Esme looked away and Edward glanced into her mind. I don't want to lose anyone here. I do care for Vanessa, but if the Romanians have a fire manipulator, we are doomed.

"Cowards," Edward hissed slamming his fist into counter, shattering the top layer. "If any of you were in trouble she would risk her life to save you."

"You don't know that," Bella shot back.

"Yes, I do. She gave up herself to protect me from being killed by our attacker." Edward turned to Alice. "This all could have been avoided if you hadn't kept the vision to yourself."

"This was the best way," she said. "Vanessa was nothing but trouble for this family."

"She was a part of this family before you were!" Rosalie yelled. "And she is my friend. If the rest of you don't want to help then fine, don't. I'm going to save her."

"I'm coming with you," Renesmee announced.

Bella grabbed her daughter's arm tightly. "No you are not Renesmee, I may have let you go to that party, but I am not letting you risk your life for that woman."

"You're just a kid," Jacob added on. "Besides we have issues to talk about now."

Renesmee looked at her mother, the woman she had idolized for most of her life. Any woman who was willing to give up her life for love was brave. Love was uncertain and having the confidence to make sacrifices for it was honorable.

Well know it was time for her to make a sacrifice for someone she loved. Yanking her arm away she broke away from Bella. Touching her stomach lightly, Renesmee smiled. "I love you mom, but I think I'm going to start that rebellious stage now." Going over to Rosalie she clasped the blonde's hand. "I'm going to get my friend."

Alice scoffed. "This is why I didn't tell anyone about my vision, I didn't want her," she turned to Rosalie, "dragging us into this."

Edward took a step towards Alice, but Jasper came between him. "Brother, I don't want us to start fighting over this."

Bella's arms encircled Edward's middle and her cool forehead pressed against his back. "Edward, don't go please. I'll forgive everything that has happened if you just stay here. She's not worth it."

She's not worth it. Edward thought of the moment in the forest, Vanessa's warm body in his arms and their mouths pressed together for the first time in ages. That glorious moment where she responded to his kiss, just like before, back when everything had been right. The moment before she sacrificed herself for him.

"Old habits" she said and although he couldn't really see her then, the picture of that cocky smirk on her lips appeared in his mind. Despite it all, when it came down to it, she was willing to give up her life for him.

Reaching down, Edward pried Bella's hands from around his body and turned around to face his wife. "I do not need your forgiveness." Releasing her hands he heard a pained gasp escape her lips, but he didn't turn around and instead turned to Embry. "Mutt, you are coming with us. We could use the extra muscle."

He walked over to join his daughter and Rosalie. "You may come Renesmee as long as you do as I say."

"Understood father."

Carlisle hadn't spoke, he was lost in his own memories. Long before many of the people here were apart of his family there had only been five: him, Esme, Edward, Rosalie and Vanessa. Rosalie was new then and ran out in confusion to take revenge on those who'd wronged her in life. Vanessa has been the one to return his newly made daughter to him.

Vanessa was a lot like him, both from England and both physically similar in coloring and other small features. They bonded within that short year. Walking down the streets together, people complemented him on his beautiful family and two daughters.

My daughter.

Slapping his palms against his thighs he stood up. "I'm going with you." Esme cried out sharply. "Carlisle no," she begged gripping his hand. "Please she..."

"She was a part of his family once, now I won't ask you to all come, but I will not allow her to be killed." Turning to Edward and the others. "I can get us a private plane, but we'll have to leave now, it's a long drive to were we need to be."

0o0

"The prisoner has been subdued," Stefan said, his mouth wide with glee. "She did put up quite a fight."

Vlad let out a soft chuckle at his companion; one of the few remains of the once mighty Romanian coven. Hundreds had dwindled away into three: himself, the dark haired vampire beside him and another reluctant daughter of his. Sniffing the air he could taste her presence.

"Does my little one not want to be seen?" Vlad called out into the doorway leaning back upon his dilapidated throne, which almost appeared to quiver at the weight of its owner.

After a moment, a petite hooded figure dressed in black slid into the room, her footsteps inaudible against the wooden floors. "Father," her soft voice spoke out as two tiny hands reached up and pulled the hood down. The face was of a young woman, no more than sixteen at the most.

Her face was long and slender, with bright red eyes, a small button nose that belied her age, and a freckle on her left cheek. Long strawberry blonde curls framed her face, which bore a solemn expression as her gazed flickered over to Stefan. "Pity to see you in such good health Stefan."

"Likewise my dear," he responded blow the young woman a kiss. As he opened his mouth to say something else, flames erupted on his cloak causing him to growl and stomp out the flames with his boot. "Cheeky bitch."

"Calm yourself," Vlad chastised raising up from his throne and walking towards the teenage vampire. "You did well on your mission Odette. I am very proud."

Odette looked up at her 'father' and gave him a curt nod before turning away from him, wrapping her hands around herself. "You did not give me much choice father, since you threatened me with Caius's life." Her soft voice grew sharper as she spoke. "I hope that you shall keep your word on our arrangement."

"Despite my nature I am a man of my word," he reassured her. "I have never done anything to harm you since you've become my own have I? I even allowed you to join those usurping bastards without consequence as long as you held up your promise."

"I swore never to use my powers against you and I have been true. Not to mention I have served you without fail for two thousand years." Odette's red eyes reached out to Vlad's own, but he avoided her gaze. "Father, what are you planning?"

"That is none of your concern my daughter." Folding his hands behind himself Vlad went to stand beside Stefan. "Despite your loyalty to me, I know your heart lies in Volterra."

Odette cast her head down and her hands fell to her sides as she gripped her cloak. "I have not stepped foot on Italian soil in over seven hundred years," she told him sharply. "Nor had contact with anyone there. You know that."

"You are still a liability," Stefan said speaking the words Vlad was preparing to say. "This is coven business and while you may be of Lord Vladimir's bloodline, you abandoned your kin many years ago."

Vlad took a step towards his progeny and beckoned to her with his hand. Reluctantly, but dutifully she approached her maker. Placing a cool hand on her cheek Vlad stroked the hard skin with his thumb.

"I made you a promise and I shall keep it my dear. Your Caius is safe." Smiling at the young woman he placed a gentle kiss on her temple. "You are my greatest creation." Stefan suppressed a scowl and released a sharp huff of air from his nose. "Go back to Spain. I know you hate being here."

Dropping to a low curtsy Odette grabbed his hand and kissed it softly. "I shall do as you command. Though I must ask, what are you doing to with Vanessa?"

"Hopefully get some information out of her, but if not then she will be made an example out of before being given to Stefan." The fair-haired vampire lord grinned. "He does need a new pet."

"My old one left me for a hot blooded Italian," Stefan mocked causing Odette to glare at him.

"You would do well to remember Stefan that I only swore never to harm the master. You are –how do the humans say?- fair game."

Before Stefan could retort Vlad raised his hand. "If Aro responds to my message and concedes to my demand he may have his whore back in one piece."

Odette slowly raised from the floor, a knowing frown on her youthful face. Aro was not the type of person to give in to demands. "You think Aro will save her?"

"Would Caius not do the same for you?"

"Aro and Caius are two completely different people and whilst my former lover has a pugnacious reputation, Aro is the paradigm of selfishness."

Which means I have condemned that poor girl to death.

0o0

The throne room was alit with laughter as Aro was hunched over his throne, a piece of parchment clenched in his hand and his head flung back in elation. Both Caius and Marcus looked at their leader in bewilderment at his unbecoming stature.

Jane was beside Heidi, who leaned over to the fair-haired girl. "Why is Aro in such a good mood?" Heidi asked, not bothering to keep her tone low. "Who is the note from?"

"It came from the Romanian dogs," Jane said with a grin. "Which makes me wonder why he is so happy I'd of thought he'd be livid."

Footsteps echoed in the hall and Sulpicia entered the throne room followed by the equally blonde Athenodora. Sulpicia beamed at her husband. "Darling I heard you were in the most pleasant of moods so I brought my cousin here at once to see what made you so excited."

"Against said cousin's will," Athenodora muttered with agitation.

Aro became to calm himself and sat upright once more on his throne. Slicking his hair back into place he lifted the letter up. "I have in my hand a letter from our dear Lord Vladimir ordering us to relinquish our throne and authority or Vanessa will be killed." Laughter broke out again and shock ran through the room. Sulpicia contained a smile, but inside her body was alit with satisfaction.

Alec's body became rigid. "They took Vanessa?" he asked, concern flooding his voice. "We must do something to help her."

"Oh hush boy," Aro said waving him off. "Ah, but that is not the best part. Her captor is an old friend of you dear brother," Aro mocked turning to Caius. "A Lady Crina Odette."

Caius and Athenodora heads both snapped in Aro's direction, causing the vampire to laugh more. "Yes, old man, your lovely former milk-maid mistress kidnapped my own lover. Ah, the world is filled with such delicious irony."

Athenodora lifted her head, trying to maintain a look of dignity. "I had hoped she'd met her final death long ago."

A large fist slammed down onto the arm of the throne and Caius rose up. "You will hold your tongue Athenodora or lose it. For one whose name means gifted by Athena, you lack any common sense befitting your namesake."

The fair-haired woman let out a soft gasp and covered her mouth with shame as she fled from the throne room. Caius slowly sank back into his chair, his face painted with inner thoughts. Sulpicia scoffed at her sister-cousin's immaturity and walked over to her husband. "So my love, shall you rescue that slut of yours?"

"Ah my darling Sulpicia," Aro started as he tore the letter in two. "No woman, no matter how beautiful or talented it worth this kingdom. Another woman will come as they often do. Isn't that right my Jane?"

The brunette beamed at her lord and gave a respectfully nod. "Yes my lord, there are always many who will be eager to please you." Jane felt her smile widen as Aro threw the pieces of ripped paper into the fire.

As the remnants of the hostage letter burned, Aro's smile and benevolent demeanor waned slightly. This was the end of his pretty little amata but there would be others. There was only one kingdom and he would rule it. He'd let everyone around him fall before he gave even an inkling of power back into the hands of those savages.

He killed his own sister for power, and his mistress could follow suit.

0o0

It had been almost two centuries since the last time Vanessa had been bound against her will. Stefan had wrapped her hands in chains, which were held up by a hook attached to the ceiling.

A strange Viking crown had been placed atop her head and she felt groggy and weak. The chains should have broken apart with ease, but instead they dig deeper into her hard skin. Glancing around the room it was nothing but hard, cold brick. Her position in dead center kept her from climbing against the wall to unhook herself.

The crown felt tight atop her head, when the cloaked woman put it upon her. She passed out and woke here. At least she was spared having to regret her decision. Although, despite the pain vibrating throughout her body, she was glad to have done what she did.

May needed her father and Bella, for better of for worse, needed her husband. She would not rob either of them of Edward. Deep down inside, Vanessa knew that she wanted no harm to befall the stubborn vampire. At least not any harm she didn't inflict.

Licking her lips, she remembered the brief kiss they had shared in the forest. It was an unpleasant reminder of a time she was determined to snuff out.

The echo of approaching feet made her stiffen. The dungeon door opened and two vampires entered the room. One was a blond vampire wearing a gaudy looking crown on his head and another dark haired vampire who looked fidgety with excitement. The blond one came towards her.

"Do you know who I am child?"

Biting down the urge to comment on being called 'child' Vanessa shook her head and swallowed down her rampant tongue. This was no time to be cheeky.

"I am Lord Vladimir of the-"

"Romanian coven?" Vanessa asked in shock.

Vlad smirked. "I see you have heard of me."

"It's not hard to forget about the leader of the barbarian tribe of Romanian vampires." So much for not being cheeky, she mused as the blond came closer to her. Vlad reached out, despite her flinching, and stroked her cheek with the back of his knuckles. The gesture was surprisingly tender, but was followed by a heavy backhanded strike.

Vanessa screamed out in pain and her mouth hung loose. If that strike had been just a little bit harder, it would have shattered her jaw.

"Now my dear," Vlad started, "Since you know who I am, then it can be certain that you know of my hatred towards your master and leader, Aro. I have taken something of importance from him."

Vanessa let out scoff. "You think I am important? I would be flattered if that wasn't such an idiotic statement."

"Oh?" Vlad exclaimed with a curious laugh. "You do not think he will come to rescue you?"

"I know he won't come for me." The words were bitter on her tongue, but there was no denying the truth that lingered there. "The only thing Aro holds to have value is his kingdom. If you sent him a message he's probably-" She paused for a moment to keep her voice from cracking. "-it has most likely been burned."

Vlad tilted his head tauntingly and lifted Vanessa's face in his cool palms. "He wouldn't come to rescue such a beautiful maiden?" Vanessa snapped her teeth at Vlad making him step back, the clack of her teeth against each other made her jaw ache.

"You have kidnapped a woman of no value, sorry to say," she hissed. "And I am glad for it. I'd rather die than see the vampire world be put back into your hands. I've heard the stories: the blood tributes, the harems and the army of vampire children. No matter what terrible things the Volturi has done you are the worst of the worst."

Vlad chucked and shook his head from side to side slowly. "Ah you poor child," he said with amusement. "You only know the bad. Not the days of glory of being held up to the esteem of Gods."

"I don't want to be a god," she snapped.

The Romanian vampire laughed and gripped her head in his palm. "Only someone who's never known glory would say something so ridiculous."

"Just be quiet and kill me." Vanessa shook her head to try to escape Vlad's grasp, but the older vampire's grip only tightened.

Stefen came closer and looked at her, his red eyes trailing down her middle. "Spirited little thing isn't she."

Vlad chuckles. "I do admire spirit, but let us see how strong she will be when she is nothing." Both vampires took a step back away from the blonde vampire standing in front of them. Vanessa wiggled around in her chains, but to no avail she could only watch as the ruby on the crown atop Vlad's head began to glow.

"My dear," he started, "even if he will not come for you an example can still be made out of you."

The tendrils of red light grew bright, enveloping the room in its glory until nothing could be seen besides the ominous red glow.