A few weeks before Bella and Edward's wedding, something terrible happens in the state of Washington.  Can the Cullens protect Bella and her father from the living dead?

Rated NC-17 for Graphic violence and language.

A secret wedding, a broken treaty, a looming threat,
and an unforeseen tragedy.

Bella never realized just how hard
her life would become.

“Edward,” I cry. The sound is lighter than a whisper, hoarse, dry. As if I’m combusting, burning like paper from the inside out. But there’s still a hand there to accept me. To try and sooth me. It’s so hot now that his cool touch can’t help. He feels warm. It feels wrong.

I writhe away from him. I hear a sob, and issue one in return.

Hell. I’m in Hell? I didn’t remember dying.

Unless I died of love. The reverse of a broken heart. I had too much, so it was taken away. That would make sense. I wouldn’t even be angry. I would understand. I would understand, because it wasn’t fair. I was too blessed.
It only fit that I be punished.

"Some would say that this moment, when young Bella was first exposed to the world of vampirism, is when she had subconsciously decided the path she would walk down." Bella's life in the sprawling city of Volterra, growing up in a coven of vampires. A story of skewed morals, awkward situations, obsession, and unconditional love. Mostly canon, E/B much later.