ked at me with approval； as if he meant it as a pliment。
〃Threaten him；〃 the beautiful delusion ordered； his voice distorted with
dread。
〃He'll know it was you；〃 I whispered obediently。 〃You won't get away with
this。〃
〃And why not？〃 Laurent's smile widened。 He gazed around the small opening in
the trees。 〃The scent will
wash away with the next rain。 No one will find your body—you'll simply go
missing； like so many； many
other humans。 There's no reason for Edward to think of me； if he cares enough
to investigate。 This is
nothing personal； let me assure you； Bella。 Just thirst。〃
〃Beg；〃 my hallucination begged。
〃Please；〃 I gasped。
Laurent shook his head； his face kind。 〃Look at it this way； Bella。 You're
very lucky I was the one to find
you。〃
〃Am I？〃 I mouthed； faltering another step back。
Laurent followed； lithe and graceful。
〃Yes；〃 he assured me。 〃I'll be very quick。 You won't feel a thing； I promise。
Oh； I'll lie to Victoria about
that later； naturally； just to placate her。 But if you knew what she had
planned for you； Bella〃 He shook
his head with a slow movement； almost as if in disgust。 〃I swear you'd be
thanking me for this。〃
I stared at him in horror。
He sniffed at the breeze that blew threads of my hair in his direction。
〃Mouthwatering；〃 he repeated；
inhaling deeply。
I tensed for the spring； my eyes squinting as I cringed away； and the sound of
Edward's furious roar
echoed distantly in the back of my head。 His name burst through all the walls
I'd built to contain it。
Edward； Edward； Edward。 I was going to die。 It shouldn't matter if I th