VISITORS

Isabella appeared in the middle of her living room and sighed deeply. She had just met her mate, and a sharp pain echoed in her heart. She knew there was nothing she could do until the mate bond was consummated.

"For a powerful warrior demon, you should be more aware of your surroundings," a voice said from the shadows.

Isabella smirked and turned her head slightly. "I knew you were there the moment I appeared, Mother. And I also knew you weren't a threat."

"Is that so?" Lilith replied, uncloaking herself. She stepped forward and hugged her daughter tightly. "How have you been, child?"

"I'm doing well," Isabella replied softly, returning the hug. She had missed her mother dearly.

After a moment, Lilith pulled back and gently lifted Isabella's chin, studying her face. "Hmm, there's something different about you."

Isabella arched a brow. "Well, I did wash and curl my hair this morning."

Lilith sighed and smiled knowingly. "You found your mate. After only a week here, no less. You wasted no time, did you?"

Isabella shrugged and brushed off imaginary dust from her shoulder. "That's how I roll."

Lilith laughed, pride shining in her eyes. "Tell me about her."

Isabella hesitated. "How did you know it's a her?"

Lilith smirked. "You're my daughter. I've known you liked women since you were five."

"Five? Mother, how could you possibly know that when I was so young?"

"Never mind that," Lilith said with a wave of her hand. "Tell me about her."

Isabella sighed. "Her name is Rosalie Hale. She's a vampire—a vegetarian, if you can believe it. She feeds on animals. She loves cars, and hiking, just like me."

"Wait." Lilith raised a hand, her eyes narrowing. "She's a vampire? And she feeds on animals?"

"Yes, and yes. I've already told her that her diet will eventually kill her."

"And?"

"She said she'll think about it," Isabella replied with a shrug.

Lilith took Isabella's hand, squeezing it affectionately. "You must convince her, dear. If she dies, you know what will happen."

"I do, Mother. Don't worry. She's smart; she'll make the right choice."

Lilith sighed in relief but added, "I can talk to her if—"

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"No, no, no," Isabella interrupted, raising a hand. "Your talks always involve 'showing' things, and they never end well."

Lilith smirked. "It's the only way to ensure you don't forget my lessons."

"Trust me, Mother," Isabella said, shuddering slightly. "I will never forget."

"Good." Lilith smiled. "But please, let me know if she needs help."

"I will." Isabella said. "And don't tell anyone about her."

"Not even father."

"Especially him," Isabella said darkly.

Lilith nodded. "I promise. He loves you, you know."

"Really? I must've missed that when he sent an army to kill me for saving an innocent human."

Lilith sighed. "You're right. No one will hear about Rosalie from me."

Isabella eyed her mother suspiciously. "From you. Does anyone else know I'm here?"

"No, child. I made sure of that."

"Good. Because if I see any of my brothers, I will kill them."

"Lilith sighed again. "I know. But…"

"But what?"

"Andell is looking for you."

Isabella smirked. "Oh? How's his hand? Did it grow back?"

Lilith shook her head. "It's still growing."

"Damnit!"

"Isabella!"

"He deserved it."

"Damned fool, doesn't know how to pick his battle or to win one" Isabella muttered.

Lilith let out a heavy sigh.

"I have no regrets," Isabella said with a shrug.

Lilith turned to the window, watching the trees sway gently in the breeze. "I just wish all of you could get along," she murmured.

Isabella sighed. "Mother, I think you're forgetting—we're demons."

Lilith chuckled. "So true. But you get along with Amelia."

"Well, yes," Isabella admitted. "My sister is something, isn't she?"

Lilith turned back to face Isabella, a fond smile on her lips. "Yes, she is. I miss her."

"I missed her too, " Isabella smiled.

"Do you know where she is?"

Before Lilith could reply, Isabella suddenly unsheathed her sword and blocked an attack aimed at her head. With a swift kick, she sent the assailant flying through the door, shattering it into splinters.

Lilith drew her own sword but stopped short when she saw who it was. "Andell," she said, exasperated, resheathing her weapon as she followed Isabella outside.

Isabella pressed her sword against Andell's throat. "You owe me a new door, brother. Why bother trying? I'm the best fighter."

"No, you're not!" Andell snapped, his fangs bared in frustration. "I would've won if you hadn't cut off my arm!" He gestured to his slowly regenerating limb, his red skin glistening in the sunlight. His long black horns pointed skyward as he shook his head in anger.

"That's no excuse. You're a demon. You're supposed to be able to fight until your last breath." Isabella pressed her blade harder against his throat, piercing his skin slightly.

"Isabella, don't kill your brother," Lilith said with a weary sigh.

"He's not my brother," Isabella retorted coldly. "I'm beginning to think I'm not part of this family at all."

"You are right about that." Andell sneered.

"Andell," Lilith said firmly, "go home."

"I'm not leaving until she pays for what she's done!" Andell growled, retrieving his fallen sword.

"She'll kill you if you persist," Lilith warned.

"I will not lose to an halfling," Andell sneered.

"What?"

"That's what you are—a halfling. Why do you think none of us, except Amelia, can stand you?"

Isabella turned to Lilith, her eyes narrowing. "What is he talking about, Mother?"

"I will—"

Andell seized the distraction and attacked again. But Isabella was ready, sidestepping his strike and severing his other hand with a clean sweep of her blade.

"You bitch!" Andell roared, black blood spurting from his wound.

"Now You have two hands to grow back." Isabella smiled evily.

"I'm going to kill you." Andell toook a stepped towards Isabella.

"With what?" Isabella raise a brow.

"Go home, Andell. This fight is over," Lilith said, her voice sharp with annoyance.

"You love her more than us!" Andell shouted. "Mark my words, Mother. I will find a way to kill your favorite child." With that, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Isabella resheathed her sword. "Now that the nuisance is gone, what did he mean by 'halfling'?"

Lilith cursed under her breath, reluctant to reveal the truth. Finally, she stepped closer and took Isabella's hands, squeezing them gently. "Victor isn't your father."

"What?" Isabella asked, stunned.

"In fact," Lilith continued hesitantly, "you don't have a father."

"What?" Isabella's confusion deepened.

"You have another mother."

"Well, damn," Isabella said, her shock giving way to bemusement. "I Didn't see that coming."