didn't miss that the step
brought him closer to me。 In my head； the voice responded with a low snarl。
〃So how are things working out in Denali？ Carlisle said you were staying with
Tanya？〃 My voice was too
high。
The question made him pause。 〃I like Tanya very much；〃 he mused。 〃And her
sister Irina even more
I've never stayed in one place for so long before； and I enjoy the advantages；
the novelty of it。 But； the
restrictions are difficult I'm surprised that any of them can keep it up for
long。〃 He smiled at me
conspiratorially。 〃Sometimes I cheat。〃
I couldn't swallow。 My foot started to ease back； but I froze when his red
eyes flickered down to catch
the movement。
〃Oh；〃 I said in a faint voice。 〃Jasper has problems with that； too。〃
〃Don't move；〃 the voice whispered。 I tried to do what he instructed。 It was
hard； the instinct to take flight
was nearly uncontrollable。
〃Really？〃 Laurent seemed interested。 〃Is that why they left？〃
〃No；〃 I answered honestly。 〃Jasper is more careful at home。〃
〃Yes；〃 Laurent agreed。 〃I am； too。〃
The step forward he took now was quite deliberate。
〃Did Victoria ever find you？〃 I asked； breathless； desperate to distract him。
It was the first question that
popped into my head； and I regretted it as soon as the words were spoken。
Victoria—who had hunted
me with James； and then disappeared—was not someone I wanted to think of at
this particular moment。
But the question did stop him。
〃Yes；〃 he said； hesitating on that step。 〃I actually came here as a favor to
her。〃 He made a face。 〃She
won't be happy about this。〃
〃About