Title: Chains of the Heart

Author: Erik-in-CT

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to Stephanie Meyer or Marvel Comics, and not myself.

Silence filled the moonlit forest around the two pale figures, even the ever-present buzzing of insects amongst the foliage having been silenced. It was as if nature itself was aware of the deadly, unearthly presence in its midst. The whisper of leaves rustling as the couple swept past was the only noise that could be heard. Dark eyes met, silently conferring before sliding away from each other. The thrill of the hunt was exhilarating. With a swiftness that was impossible to see, the lithe figure of one of the pair swept past the damp trees, darting into the clearing where a large doe was grazing near a pond. She barely had time to react to the danger she suddenly sensed before she was taken down, black eyes losing their light in mere moments.

It's never enough, the red-haired woan mused as she looked down at the fallen deer, the gaping tear across its throat showing nothing of the lifes fluid as it should have done. Instead that essence stained the lips of the predator, who silently thanked the animal for her life. Then her attention was diverted as she heard movement beside her, and she crouched automatically into a defensive stance.

"Very nice Virginia," her bronze-haired partner said as she rose from her crouch. Reaching out a pale hand, he gently trailed his fingers across her blood stained lips before drawing them back and flicking his tongue over them. She half smiled at him, scarlet eyes following the movements of his hand with a hungry expression. "You know," he continued as he watched her, "you might just rival Carlisle with your compassion. I don't think he even thanks the animal he takes. At least not quite as passionately as you."

"It seems right," she replied as she turned away from the fallen animal, walking at a more normal speed across the small clearing. Winter's chill was just beginning to settle in, though she didn't feel the cold as she used to, despite the lightness of her clothing. It had only been a handful of months, six actually, since she had joined her new family, but Virginia (sometimes known as "Pepper") Potts was beginning to get used to her new life. Reaching the edge of the pond, she gazed down into the dark water, looking at her reflection. So different, and yet the same. Skin that had been pale before had become even more so. And her strawberry hair had only become more vibrant since the change. But it was the eyes that still bothered her. Lingering somewhere between scarlet and dark gold, they were immensely different than the green she was used to see gazing out at her from her reflection.

She watched as the mirror image of her companion appeared beside her. "Edward," she said, "does it ever stop?" She turned her eyes from the water to face him. "The constant burning for...for blood?" She had suffered the aching thirst nonstop it had seemed, sometimes she was able to push it to the back of her thoughts when she concentrated on other things, but it was difficult.

"It will calm down," he told her, memories of his own first few months as a vampire allowing him to empathize with her. "It's hard now, but it will become easier with time."

"So you keep telling me," she replied with a sigh. Then she banished the lingering fears and worries from her thoughts. "I think I'm ready to go home," she said, turning and dashing across the clearing and into the forest. After a moment, she heard Edward running along beside her as they made their way back to the large mountain home the family had taken up residence in.

Author's Notes:

It's not much, just a short introduction chapter. Are we all ready for another rollercoaster ride of fun and excitement with our favorite vampires and superheros?

We'll shoot for updates once a week (more if I feel so inclined and have time to write). However, I'm working on two stories at the same time (this one, and my NaNoWriMo submission), so I'm probably going to stick to the once a week schedule.

I look forward to sharing this (hopefully) great sequel to "Protect My Heart" with all my readers, and can't wait to hear your feedback and reviews!

Love you all! Until next week!

Erik