ought
of him now。 Edward； I
love you。
Through my narrowed eyes； I watched as Laurent paused in the act of inhaling
and whipped his head
abruptly to the left。 I was afraid to look away from him； to follow his
glance； though he hardly needed a
distraction or any other trick to overpower me。 I was too amazed to feel
relief when he started slowly
backing away from me。
〃I don't believe it；〃 he said； his voice so low that I barely heard it。
I had to look then。 My eyes scanned the meadow； searching for the interruption
that had extended my life
by a few seconds。 At first I saw nothing； and my gaze flickered back to
Laurent。 He was retreating more
quickly now； his eyes boring into the forest。
Then I saw it； a huge black shape eased out of the trees； quiet as a shadow；
and stalked deliberately
toward the vampire。 It was enormous—as tall as a horse； but thicker； much
more muscular。 The long
muzzle grimaced； revealing a line of dagger…like incisors。 A grisly snarl
rolled out from between the teeth；
rumbling across the clearing like a prolonged crack of thunder。
The bear。 Only； it wasn't a bear at all。 Still； this gigantic black monster
had to be the creature causing all
the alarm。 From a distance； anyone would assume it was a bear。 What else could
be so vast； so
powerfully built？
I wished I were lucky enough to see it from a distance。 Instead； it padded
silently through the grass a
mere ten feet from where I stood。
〃Don't move an inch；〃 Edward's voice whispered。
I stared at the monstrous creature； my mind boggling as I tried to put a name
to it。 There wa