ISABELLA'S CHILDREN

  Isabel stood tall, her icy blue, piercing eyes scanning the porch as she gazed at her children. "Rise," she commanded, her voice rich with authority and warmth. One by one, they obeyed, unfolding from their positions like shadows taking form.

  Despite what others believed, the Denalis are not vampires. They merely wore the guise of one, a deception carefully woven into the fabric of their existence. In truth, they were succubi, demons of seduction and power, bound by blood to Isabel, their creator. Centuries ago, they had pleaded for the chance to live among humans rather than be condemned to the infernal depths of hell. She had granted them that wish, not out of obligation but because she cherished them. They were hers, and she would never force them into a life they did not desire.

  Besides, she had no intention of allowing Victor to uncover her secret—that her children were demons loyal only to her. And this, standing before her, was just five of them. Others remained scattered across the world, hidden in the shadows, awaiting her call.

  Tanya and the others stood poised, their elegant figures exuding both grace and danger. Edward, however, was paralyzed with fear. His instincts screamed at him to flee, but the moment he twitched, Kate grabbed him with an iron grip. A crackling surge of electricity danced through her fingers as she shocked him, sending his body convulsing in agony. His strangled cry barely made it past his lips before he slumped, panting.

  "I assume you were hunting this vampire, my queen?" Kate asked, her voice steady but filled with anticipation.

  Isabel stepped forward, a slow, deliberate movement that sent chills down Edward's spine. Her expression was calm, but her eyes burned with something primal. "Yes," she confirmed, her tone ced with venom. "This boy tried to kill my mate from the moment I found her."

  Gasps filled the air. Carmen pced a delicate hand over her mouth, eyes wide with shock. "You found your mate?" she whispered, as if the words themselves carried weight.

  Isabel nodded, her expression softening for just a moment. "Yes, I did."

  Edward, despite the pain coursing through his body, seethed. His lips curled into a sneer, rage igniting in his eyes. "Rosalie is a stupid bitch who needs to know her pce," he spat through clenched teeth.

  Kate sent another jolt through his body, making him writhe in pain. Isabel, however, barely reacted to his words. Instead, she merely studied him, an unsettling calm settling over her. Then, in a fsh, she moved.

  The bde in her hand glinted under the dim light, and before Edward could react, she plunged it into the side of his head. The sickening squelch of metal piercing flesh filled the air. He gasped, his body tensing as a strangled cry tried to escape his throat, but he found himself incapable of making a sound.

  Isabel leaned in, her breath warm against his ear. "You will never speak of my mate like that again," she hissed. "In fact, you will never speak again."

  A dark, malevolent energy pulsed through her, and bck veins spread across Edward's skin like cracks in gss. His eyes widened in horror as his body began to wither, crumbling into pieces. His mouth opened in a silent scream, but no sound came forth. The light in his eyes flickered, and then, in an instant, he was nothing but shattered remains.

  Kate recoiled, stepping back quickly. The pieces of Edward's corpse still twitched, his disembodied eyes rolling among the broken fragments of his former self.

  Isabel crouched, picking up the knife from the remains. She examined it curiously, tilting her head. "So, this is what happens when I use this bde," she mused. Then, with a flick of her wrist, she summoned a small fme, letting it dance in her palm before she cast it over the remains. The fire roared to life, consuming every st fragment of Edward until nothing remained but ashes.

  She sheathed the bde at her waist and turned to her children. "It's been a long time. How has life been treating you?" she asked, her voice now carrying a note of warmth.

  Tanya smiled. "We can't compin," she said, though there was an edge of sadness in her eyes.

  Isabel approached her, brushing her fingers gently against Tanya's cheek, searching for any hidden pain. Then, she moved to the others, touching each of them in turn, reaffirming their bond.

  Irina shifted slightly, hesitant. "We knew the Cullen family, but we didn't know that Rosalie is your mate," she said softly.

  Isabel let out a low chuckle. "Don't worry about that. We only met a few days ago." Her expression turned thoughtful for a moment before she refocused on her children. "May I come in? We can catch up."

  Tanya's lips curved into a knowing smile. "That won't be a problem."

  Isabel nodded. "Rosalie is asleep and safe right now. I just want to get home before she wakes up."

  With a graceful nod, Tanya gestured toward the cabin. "Then let's go."

  Together, they went inside the cabin, leaving behind only the smoldering ashes of the one who had dared to threaten Isabel's mate.