September 2, 2003

"HELLO, MAYLA," Carlisle Cullen said as he widened the door. "Why don't you come on in?"

Mayla looked at the threshold of the Cullen's home and stepped inside slowly.

"It's lovely seeing you again, Carlisle," Mayla said softly. She stood in a pair of light grey six-inch heels, a black skirt coming down to mid-shin, a light grey top, and her dirty-blonde hair in a tight ponytail. The frozen-at-fifteen-year-old held herself with authority and spoke with a soft British accent.

"You as well."

Mayla looked around the house, a small smile planted on her plump lips.

"You have a lovely home." Mayla looked back at Carlisle. Carlisle nodded in thanks.

"Where's Edward?"

"He's out with Emmett and Jasper hunting," Carlisle responded. Mayla's perfect eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. "Who are Emmett and Jasper?"

"My other adoptive sons." Mayla nodded and walked further into the house.

"Who's at the door, dear?" Esme asked as she walked into the front room of the home. Esme stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Mayla. Her eyes held confusion as she looked at the vampire in front of her whose beauty rivaled Rosalie's.

"Esme, this is Mayla-"

"I'm Mayla Grace, Carlisle's first friend. It's lovely to meet you." Mayla held out her hand for Esme to shake. Esme looked from Carlisle to Mayla, before shaking the girl's hand.

"I'm Esme, Carlisle's mate."

Mayla nodded politely at Esme before turning toward Carlisle. "You scored well." She smiled before looking around the house again. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Anything."

"I need a place to stay. Just for a few days," Mayla said. Carlisle nodded. "You can stay here as long as you'd like, Mayla."

Mayla smiled softly. "Thank you, Carlisle." Mayla turned toward Esme. "I've known Carlisle for years. You've found yourself a good man." Esme smiled softly at the dirty blonde before Mayla sped out of the house saying she'll be back later.

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September 24, 2003

"CARLISLE," Rosalie said softly, knocking on his doorframe.

"Hmm?" Carlisle looked up from his book.

"What's Mayla still doing here?" Rosalie rested her hip on the doorframe, her arms crossed against her chest.

"What do you mean?"

"You said she'd be staying for a few days. It's been three weeks." Rosalie sighed.

"She's a friend, Rose. I can't just tell her to leave when she needs help," Carlisle said softly, hoping Mayla wouldn't hear.

Rosalie frowned. "I get it, you can't tell a friend to leave, but she said she'll be here for a few days!"

Carlisle sighed and stood up. "Rose, she's family to me."

"She keeps flirting with Emmett! He's just too naïve to see it."

"That's not my intent," Mayla said, standing behind Rosalie. "I can see that I'm no longer welcome. Thank you for letting me stay here. I'll get going." Mayla disappeared quickly. She could be heard downstairs saying her goodbyes, hugging each one of the Cullens.

As Mayla hugged Esme she whispered, "Thank you for welcoming me into your home with open arms."

"You're welcome. Come visit anytime you feel like," Esme replied. Mayla nodded and handed Esme a small piece of paper with her address on it.

"Bye, Mayla!" Alice said cheerfully. "I'll see you soon!" Mayla smiled softly. "I hope so."

Emmett picked Mayla up and spun her around before sitting her back down on the ground.

"Bye, Mayla." Mayla nodded at Emmett. "Goodbye, Emmett."

Mayla gave Jasper a quick hug.

"We'll miss you around here," Jasper said, his southern accent thick.

"I'll miss all of you too."

Edward stepped forward slowly. "I'm sorr-"

"Shut up and give me a hug," Mayla interrupted the bronze-haired vampire. Edward smiled and hugged Mayla. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too," Mayla said as the two pulled apart.

She looked over and saw Carlisle looking at her from the bottom of the stairs. Mayla sped forward. She ran into Carlisle hard enough to make him stumble back a step. "I'm going to miss you deeply, brother."

"I'm going to miss you too." Mayla smiled softly as she pulled back. "Take care of this family for me."

Carlisle nodded. Mayla's eyes glazed over with tears that would never fall. She hugged Carlisle one more time before she sped to the door, stopping to look at the family before she left.

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March 20, 2006

"LET'S BEHAVE OURSELVES, shall we?" Alice asked, gliding over next to Edward. "There are ladies present."

Felix and Demetri straightened, their cloaks dancing slightly in the wind.

"We're not alone," Alice reminded them. Demetri glanced over his shoulder, glancing at the small family watching them. He shook his head. "Please, Edward, let's be reasonable."

"Let's." Edward nodded. "And we'll leave quietly now, with no one the wiser."

Demetri sighed, frustrated. "At least let us discuss this privately."

More people joined the small family in watching the group of all vampires- minus the human.

Edward's teeth ground together. "No."

Felix smiled.

"Enough," Jane said. She walked forward to make herself visible. Demetri and Felix relaxed, and so did Edward, but not for the same reason.

"Jane," Edward sighed in defeat. Alice crossed her arms across her chest.

"Follow me," Jane said.

The group started walking after the girl.

Alice and Edward made short conversation, but the Volturi guard ignored them.

After they were down on the pathway to Aro, Bella turned toward Edward. "I feel like we're being watched." Bella jumped slightly as she felt a cold hand touch her elbow for a moment.

"I don't hear anyone's thoughts," Edward said. Bella nodded. The rest of the walk was spent in silence.

Little did the Cullens and Swan know that their every move was being watched, calculated.

Eventually, they walked into the hallway close to where Aro sat waiting.

Right beside the door, stood Jane's twin brother.

"Jane," he said. Jane allowed herself to smile softly. "Alec."

The two embraced each other, kissed each other's cheeks, and leaned away.

"They send you out for one and you come back with two... and a half. Nice work," Alec said. Jane laughed musically.

"Welcome back, Edward." Alec smiled falsely. "You seem in a better mood."

"Marginally." Edward nodded. Alec chuckled. "And this is the cause of all the trouble?" Edward smiled, then froze.

"Dibs," Felix called then muttered an 'ow' as he was hit on the head from behind.

Edward turned and snarled. Felix smirked at the opportunity and beckoned the bronze-haired vampire forward.

Alice put her hand on Edward's arm. "Patience."

"Aro will be so pleased to see you again," Alec said.

"Let's not keep him waiting." Jane smirked.

The group followed the witch twins down the hallway to another door. Alec opened it and held it for everyone.

The room they stepped into was large, and round.

There was a gust of wind from beside the group.

"Jane, dear one, you've returned!" Aro cried in delight. He drifted forward. He stopped in front of Jane, held her face in his hands, and kissed her lightly on the lips before he drifted back a step.

"Yes, master." Jane smirked. "I brought him back alive, just as you wished."

The girl who stood hidden in the shadows of the room, tuned out the rest of the conversation until Marcus and Caius walked into the room. The girl followed behind, making sure that her face was hidden by the hood of the dark grey robe she wore.

"Marcus, Caius, look!" Aro exclaimed. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't that wonderful?"

Caius went to go sit on his throne, while Marcus touched Aro's palm for only a moment before he too went to sit on his throne.

The girl followed behind the two kings and settled on the floor at Marcus' feet. The girl again tuned out the conversation until her name was called.

"Mayla, dear?" Aro asked. Alice and Edward froze. The girl sitting at Marcus' feet stood up. Her dress was black and hugged the hourglass shape of the torso. She took the hood off to reveal blood-red eyes, pale skin, and dirty blonde hair, more brown than blonde. She smirked, her lips painted the same shade of red as her eyes.

"Yes, master?" she asked.

"Jane's gift does not seem to be working on Bella. Shall we see if your gift works?" Aro asked. Mayla smirked. "Of course." She glanced at Jane and the two shared a knowing smirk.

Mayla focused for a moment before she glided gracefully over to stand in front of Bella. She smirked.

In a moment, Bella dropped to the floor in agony, screaming loud enough to make everyone's ears ring. Edward was immediately at Bella's side.

"Stop!" Alice said, authority ringing in her voice.

Mayla rolled her eyes. Bella's screams quieted and she was left on the floor panting.

Mayla smirked and returned to Marcus' side. She sat down on the floor watching as the scene played out.

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June 15, 2006

"HMM," JANE HUMMED, still wrapped in the mist.

"Welcome, Jane," Edward said calmly.

The six vampires walked forward. Mayla stood next to Jane, this time wearing a black cloak, the hood covering her face.

Jane's gaze scanned over all of the Cullens before landing on the young vampire who sat just in the clearing.

"He aha ka moʻolelo o kēlā?" (What is that one's story?) Mayla pointed toward the small brunette vampire. Carlisle visibly stiffened.

"I don't understand," Jane said tonelessly toward the Olympic Coven.

"She has surrendered." Edward looked straight at Mayla.

Jane looked toward Edward. "Surrendered?"

Edward shrugged. "Carlisle gave her the option."

"There are no options for those who break the rules." Jane's face held no emotion.

"That's in your hands. As long as she was willing to halt her attack on us, I saw no need to destroy her. She was never taught," Carlisle spoke softly.

"That is irrelevant," Jane insisted coolly.

"As you wish."

"Aro hoped we would get far enough west to see you, Carlisle. He sends his regards," Mayla spoke up. Carlisle nodded stiffly, recognizing her voice. "I would appreciate it if you would convey mine to him."

"Of course," Jane spoke for the girl.

Mayla chose to ignore the rest of the conversation until Jane tapped Mayla's hand twice.

Maya smirked at Bella. The girl clutched her head in silent pain.

"Quit," Edward said, the anger apparent in his voice. Mayla smiled innocently- though none of them could see it. "Oops. Sorry."

"Well, it appears that there's not much left for us to do. Odd," Jane said. "We're not used to being rendered unnecessary. It's too bad we missed the fight. It sounds like it would have been entertaining to watch."

"Yes," Edward agreed. "And you were so close. It's a shame you didn't arrive just half an hour earlier. Perhaps you could have fulfilled your purpose here."

Jane looked Edward in the eyes. "Yes. Quite a pity how things turned out, isn't it?"

Edward nodded once. Jane looked at the newborn again. "Felix?"

"Wait," Edward said before any harm could be done. Jane raised an eyebrow as did Mayla. "We could explain the rules to the young one. She doesn't seem unwilling to learn. She didn't know what she was doing."

"Of course," Carlisle answered. "We would certainly be prepared to take responsibility for Bree."

"We don't make exceptions," Jane said. "And we don't give second chances. It's bad for our reputation. Which reminds me..." Jane looked directly at Bella and smiled softly. "Caius will be so interested here that you're still human, Bella. Perhaps he'll decide to visit."

"The date is set." Alice stepped forward a step. "Perhaps we'll come to visit you in a few months."

Jane's smile faded. She shrugged, then turned to face Carlisle. "It was nice to meet you, Carlisle- I'd thought Aro was exaggerating. Well, until we meet again..."

Carlisle nodded, his expression one of pain.

"Take care of that, Felix," Jane said bored. "I want to go home."

"Don't watch," Edward muttered to Bella. Mayla watched as Felix ran at Bree, then tore off her head, then limbs, before throwing the disassembled body into the flame.

"Come," Jane said.

"E hele ʻoe i mua. E hopu wau iā ʻoe," (You go on ahead. I'll catch up with you.) Mayla said. Jane nodded and the five vampires disappeared in the fog.

"Carlisle," Mayla said as she dropped her hood from her head. Her dirty blonde hair was wrapped in a tight bun. She was wearing a black dress underneath her cloak, it stopped at mid-shin but had a low v-neck and black seven-inch heels. Her eyes were blood red- just as the last time Edward and Alice had seen her.

"What are you doing with them?" Rosalie asked, disgusted.

"They offered me a home when I felt unwelcome everywhere else." Mayla walked forward, toward Carlisle.

Carlisle's eyes started brimming with tears. Esme wrapped her arms around his waist and started rubbing his back soothingly.

"I'm sorry," Mayla's voice cracked. Her eyes brimmed with tears. "I'm so, so sorry."

Mayla stood in front of him in an instant. "I'm sorry."

"You could have stayed with us," Carlisle said, holding back a sob.

"I could tell I wasn't welcome." Mayla glanced at Rosalie, causing the blonde to look at her feet.

"Rosalie could've learned to accept the fact that you're family," Esme said softly. "You're still family. Please. Think about coming home."

There was a moment of silence before Mayla straightened her posture. "My home is in Volterra."

She turned and started walking in the same direction Jane and the others went.

"At least think about it," Esme called.

Mayla continued to walk away.

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December 31, 2006

THE VOLTURI GUARD emerged from the woods, moving in the same stance they always had when they confronted a coven. Mayla stood in between Marcus and Aro.

The large coven walked forward with confidence, not walking too slow, but not in a hurry.

Mayla was dressed in an older-style corset, hoop-skirt dress. It was black, stopped at her feet, and had grey roses scattered around the bottom. The dress had no sleeves, the only thing keeping the dress up being the tightness of it. She was wearing dark grey three-inch heels. Her dirty blonde hair was held in a half-up, half-down hairstyle that greatly resembled Belle from Beauty and the Beast, though it was covered by her hood. Her smirking lips were painted such a dark shade of red, they looked black, in a way. Her eyelids were covered in a light coat of eyeshadow, creating a smokey eye look.

Mayla watched as Carlisle stepped forward a few steps and spread his arms. "Aro, my old friend. It's been centuries."

There was a long moment of silence before Aro, Renata, and Mayla walked forward.

The rest of the coven started grumbling and hissing softly. Aro held one hand up toward the coven. "Peace."

He walked forward a few steps before he moved his head lightly to the side. Mayla took her hood off her head and let it rest against her back.

"Fair words, Carlisle," he said softly, though everyone heard him. "They seem out of place, considering the army you've assembled to kill me and to kill my dear ones."

Carlisle shook his head and placed his right arm in front of him. "You have but to touch my hands to know that was never my intent."

Mayla rolled her eyes, crossed her arms over her chest, and ignored the scene in front of her. She stood and closed her eyes, wanting to go back to Volterra.

Mayla opened her eyes and still reacted to what was going on, though she didn't pay attention- she could ask Jane to inform her later.

Mayla watched as Renesmee walked forward with Bella, Emmett, and a wolf following her. Mayla started to smirk, getting ready to use the copy of Jane's ability, but she stopped when Aro shook his head softly. Mayla frowned and pouted.

"Felix, Demetri, Mayla," Aro called. The three walked forward, Mayla standing next to Edward.

When they reached the middle of the field, Edward immediately made his way over to Bella.

After Aro had met Renesmee, Mayla leaned down to the girl's level, ignoring the wolf's growl.

"Hi, sweetie. My name is Mayla. Yours is Renesmee?" Mayla asked, taking Renesmee's hand into her own. Renesmee nodded.

"Well, you're very pretty." Mayla smiled softly at the girl.

"You are too," Renesmee said softly. She took her hand out of Mayla's and placed it on her face.

She gasped softly as Renesmee showed her the first memory of the dirty blonde.

Mayla smiled as Renesmee took her hand down from the vampire's cheek.

"Magnifico," Mayla muttered. She stood up.

"Do you want to hurt my family?" Renesmee asked. Mayla glanced at Maggie standing in the group of witnesses for the Cullens. She thought for a moment.

"Certain people. But not your immediate family," Mayla said softly.

"Who do you want to hurt?" Renesmee asked, cowering into her mother.

Mayla glanced at Stephan and Vladimir. "Well, they're not part of your family." She looked back at Renesmee. "But they hurt me very bad a few decades ago." She stepped back before zoning out again.

"Aro, would you ask Jane to stop attacking my wife?" Edward asked.

"I could do it instead." Mayla shrugged when Aro shook his head.

"We are still discussing evidence."

Aro raised a hand. "Peace, dear ones. Let us hear him out."

Jane bared her teeth at Bella.

"Why don't you join us, Alice?" Edward called.

"Alice," Esme whispered in shock.

"Alice?" Mayla muttered.

"Alice," the Cullen's group muttered.

"Alice," Aro breathed.

Soon, Alice emerged from the woods into the clearing, Jasper only inches behind her.

From behind the two followed three vampires, one of which Mayla recognized.

One was a female, she had dark hair. She looked similar to the Amazon Coven that stood across from the Volturi. Kachiri.

The second, female, was small with olive-toned skin. She had a long braid of black hair that rested against her back. Her blood-red eyes flitted around nervously.

Third was a young man. His skin was dark, his eyes a warm teak color. His hair was dark and braided, just a little shorter than the woman's.

As the boy walked toward the field, the vampires could hear his heartbeat. Alice stepped over Alec's almost invisible mist and stopped in front of Aro, Mayla, Renata, Felix, Demetri, Bella, Renesmee, Edward, and the wolf. Mayla glanced at Jasper, her eyes became sad, she hadn't seen him in better circumstances in so long.

Bella, Edward, Carlisle, and Esme held one of their hands out in silent greeting. Mayla nodded softly at the pixie.

Mayla focused for a moment, changing to her copied version of Edward's telepathy. She heard that the wolf's name was Jacob, Renesmee was scared, Edward was confident in Bella but worried for Renesmee's safety, Alice had confidence in a vision she had, and in the boy, she brought- Nahuel, Nahuel was nervous, as was his... aunt, Huilen, Jasper was holding onto his faith in Alice, and Bella... Bella was thinking about if an attack were to happen if Zafrina would be able to blind the vampires long enough for Kate and Vladimir to take out Jane, Alec, and Mayla.

She arched an eyebrow before softly touching Aro's hand for a moment. Then, she quickly switched to Bella's shield that would protect her mind from Edward.

"Alice has been searching for her own witnesses these last few weeks," Edward said. "And she does not come back empty-handed. Alice, why don't you introduce the witnesses you've brought."

Caius snarled. "The time for witnesses is past! Cast your vote, Aro, Mayla!"

Aro raised a finger to silence Caius, his eyes glued on Alice. Mayla shifted uncomfortably as she felt Caius' eyes on her.

She turned around and walked to him.

"Caius, you know nothing and I mean nothing piques my interest, but this, this has intrigued me," Mayla said softly. She took off her cloak and handed it to Renata. She turned around and walked back to Aro's side, her skirt swooshing in the process. 

"Speak, Huilen," Aro said. "Give us the witness you were brought to bear."

The woman looked at Alice and the pixie-like vampire nodded in encouragement.

"I am Huilen," the woman said with accented English, though it was understandable. "A century and a half ago, I lived with my people, the Mapuche. My sister was Pire. Our parents named her after the snow on the mountains because of her fair skin. And she was beautiful- too beautiful. She came to me one day in secret and told me of the angel that found her in the woods, that visited her by night. I warned her." The woman shook her head. "As if the bruises on her skin were not warning enough. I knew it was the Libishomen of our legends, but she would not listen. She was bewitched.

"She told me when she was sure her dark angel's child was growing inside her. I didn't try to discourage her from her plan to run away- I knew father and mother would agree that the child must be destroyed, Pire with it. I went with her into the deepest part of the forest. She searched for her demon angel but found nothing. I cared for her, hunted for her when her strength failed. She ate the animals raw, drinking their blood. I needed no more confirmation of what she carried in her womb. I hoped to save her life before I killed the monster.

"But she loved the child inside her. She called him Nahuel, after the jungle cat, when he grew strong and broke her bones- and loved him still.

"I could not save her. The child ripped free of her, and she died quickly, begging all the while, begging all the whole that I would care for Nahuel. Her dying wish- and I agreed.

"He bit me, though, when I tried to lift him from her body. I crawled away into the jungle to die. I didn't get far- the pain was too much. But he found me; the newborn child struggled through the underbrush to my side and waited for me. When the pain ended, he was curled against my side, sleeping.

"I cared for him until he was able to hunt for himself. We hunted the villages around our forest, staying to ourselves. We have never come so far from our home, but Nahuel wished to see the child here."

Huilen nodded and hid partially behind Kachiri.

Mayla pursed her lips.

"Nahuel," Mayla tried the name out. "you are one hundred and fifty years old?"

"Give it take a decade," he responded. "We don't keep track."

"And you reached maturity at what age?"

"About seven years after my birth, more or less, I was full grown."

"You have not changed since then?" Mayla stepped forward, her dress swaying in the process.

Nahuel shrugged. "Not that I've noticed." Jacob shuttered in excitement.

"And your diet?" Mayla continued to question.

"Mostly blood, but some human food too. I can survive on either."

Mayla nodded, stepped back, and zoned out.

"Brother," Aro said. "There appears to be no danger. This is an unusual development, but I see no threat. These half-vampire children are much like us, it appears"

"Is that your vote?" Caius demanded. Aro nodded. "It is."

Caius turned toward Mayla.

"I see no harm in letting the child live. For, if we did kill her, we would have to kill the other. And the sisters. I don't see why we should put ourselves through all that trouble... or risk our lives," Mayla said softly. "I do not see a reason to fight. I do not even see a reason to fear. She seems capable of keeping the secret. And the other has kept the secret for years." Mayla turned to look at Carlisle.

"And this Joham? This immortal so fond of experimentation?" Caius asked.

"Perhaps we should speak with him," Aro agreed. Mayla nodded in agreement.

"Stop Joham if you will. But leave my sisters be. They are innocent."

Mayla nodded. "Of course."

Aro smiled and turned to his guard.

"Dear ones. We do not fight today." The guard nodded in unison and straightened out of their ready positions. The mist Alec had created disappeared quickly.

Aro turned to the Cullens smiling, as did Mayla. Caius looked enraged- though the anger was directed inward. Marcus stood, bored. Mayla looked between Carlisle and Jasper. The guard stayed in position, ready to leave at their masters' command.

The Volturi witnesses disappeared quickly.

Aro held his hands out toward the Cullens apologetically.

"I'm so glad this could end without violence," Aro said sweetly. "My friend, Carlisle- how pleased I am to call you friend again! I hope there are no hard feelings. I know you understand the strict burden that our duty places on our shoulders."

"Leave in peace, Aro," Carlisle said stiffly. "Please remember that we still have our anonymity to protect here, and keep your guard from hunting in this region." Carlisle refused to look Mayla in the eye, even when she spoke up, "Of course, Carlisle. I am sorry to earn your disapproval, my dear friend. Perhaps, in time, you will forgive me."

"Perhaps in time, if you prove a friend to us again," Carlisle said coldly.

Mayla's bottom lip trembled, and she sped out of the clearing- faster than any of the Cullens could see clearly. They could hear her sobs as she ran back to Volterra.

Though, none of them knew that those sobs would haunt them for the rest of their dead lives.

A/N: Not me working on last-minute stuff for this even though I feel like absolute crap rn...