暮光之城2-new moon-11

you've forgotten them."　　I smiled and nodded as if I cared what my other friends thought.　　Charlie started to turn, but then spun back with a worried expression. "Hey, you'll study here or at Jess's,　　right?"　　"Sure, where else?"　　"Well, it's just that I want you to be careful to stay out of the woods, like I told you before."　　It took me a minute to understand, distracted as I was. "More bear trouble?"　　Charlie nodded, frowning. "We've got a missing hiker—the rangers found his camp early this morning,　　but no sign of him. There were some really big animal prints… of course those could have come later,　　smelling the food… Anyway, they're setting traps for it now."　　"Oh," I said vaguely. I wasn't really listening to his warnings; I was much more upset by the situation with　　Jacob than by the possibility of being eaten by a bear.　　I was glad that Charlie was in a hurry. He didn't wait for me to call Jessica, so I didn't have to put on that　　charade. I went through the motions of gathering my school-books on the kitchen table to pack them in　　my bag; that was probably too much, and if he hadn't been eager to hit the holes, it might have made him　　suspicious.　　I was so busy looking busy that the ferociously empty day ahead didn't really crash down on me until　　after I'd watched him drive away. It only took about two minutes of staring at the silent kitchen phone to　　decide that I wasn't staying home today. I considered my options.　　I wasn't going to call Jessica. As far as I could tell, Jessica had crossed over to the dark side.　　I could drive to La Push and get my motorcycle—an appealing thought but for one minor problem: who　　was going to drive me to the emergency room if I needed it afterward?　　Or… I already had our map and compass in the truck. I was pretty sure I understood the process well　　enough by now that I wouldn't get lost. Maybe I could eliminate two lines today, putting us ahead of　　schedule for whenever Jacob decided to honor me with his presence again. I refused to think about how　　long that might be. Or if it was going to be never.　　I felt a brief twinge of guilt as I realized how Charlie would feel about this, but I ignored it. I just couldn't　　stay in the house again today.　　A few minutes later I was on the familiar dirt road that led to nowhere in particular. I had the windows　　rolled down and I drove as fast as was healthy for my truck, trying to enjoy the wind against my face. It　　was cloudy, but almost dry—a very nice day, for Forks.　　Getting started took me longer than it would have taken Jacob. After I parked in the usual spot, I had to　　spend a good fifteen minutes studying the little needle on the compass face and the markings on the now　　worn map. When I was reasonably certain that I was following the right line of the web, I set off into the　　woods.　　The forest was full of life today, all the little creatures enjoying the momentary dryness. Somehow,　　though, even with the birds chirping and cawing, the insects buzzing noisily around my head, and the　　occasional scurry of the field mice through the shrubs, the forest seemed creepier today; it reminded me　　of my most recent nightmare. I knew it was just because I was alone, missing Jacob's carefree whistle　　and the sound of another pair of feet squishing across the damp ground.　　The sense of unease grew stronger the deeper I got into the trees. Breathing started to get more　　difficult—not because of exertion, but because I was having trouble with the stupid hole in my chest　　again. I kept my arms tight around my torso and tried to banish the ache from my thoughts. I almost　　turned around, but I hated to waste the effort I'd already expended.　　The rhythm of my footsteps started to numb my mind and my pain as I trudged on. My breathing evened　　out eventually, and I was glad I hadn't quit. I was getting better at this bushwhacking thing; I could tell I　　was faster.　　I didn't realize quite how much more efficiently I was moving. I thought I'd covered maybe four miles,　　and I wasn't even starting to look around for it yet. And then, with an abruptness that disoriented me, I　　stepped through a low arch made by two vine maples—pushing past the chest-high ferns—into the　　meadow.　　It was the same place, of that I was instantly sure. I'd never seen another clearing so symmetrical. It was　　as perfectly round as if someone had intentionally created the flawless circle, tearing out the trees but　　leaving no evidence of that violence in the waving grass. To the east, I could hear the stream bubbling　　quietly.　　The place wasn't nearly so stunning without the sunlight, but it was still very beautiful and serene. It was　　the wrong season for wildflowers; the ground was thick with tall grass that swayed in the light breeze like　　ripples across a lake.　　It was the same place… but it didn't hold what I had been searching for.　　The disappointment was nearly as instantaneous as the recognition. I sank down right where I was,　　kneeling there at the edge of the clearing, beginning to gasp.　　What was the point of going any farther? Nothing lingered here. Nothing more than the memories that I　　could have called back whenever I wanted to, if I was ever willing to endure the corresponding　　pain—the pain that had me now, had me cold. There was nothing special about this place without him. I　　wasn't exactly sure what I'd hoped to feel here, but the meadow was empty of atmosphere, empty of　　everything, just like everywhere else. Just like my nightmares. My head swirled dizzily.　　At least I'd come alone. I felt a rush of thankfulness as I realized that. If I'd discovered the meadow with　　Jacob… well, there was no way I could have disguised the abyss I was plunging into now. How could I　　have explained the way I was fracturing into pieces, the way I had to curl into a ball to keep the empty　　hole from tearing me apart? It was so much better that I didn't have an audience.　　And I wouldn't have to explain to anyone why I was in such a hurry to leave, either. Jacob would have　　assumed, after going to so much trouble to locate the stupid place, I would want to spend more than a　　few seconds here. But I was already trying to find the strength to get to my feet again, forcing myself out　　of the ball so that I could escape. There was too much pain in this empty place to bear—I would crawl　　away if I had to.　　How lucky that I was alone!　　Alone. I repeated the word with grim satisfaction as I wrenched myself to my feet despite the pain. At　　precisely that moment, a figure stepped out from the trees to the north, some thirty paces away.　　A dizzying array of emotions shot through me in a second. The first was surprise; I was far from any trail　　here, and I didn't expect company. Then, as my eyes focused on the motionless figure, seeing the utter　　stillness, the pallid skin, a rush of piercing hope rocked through me. I suppressed it viciously, fighting　　against the equally sharp lash of agony as my eyes continued to the face beneath the black hair, the face　　that wasn't the one I wanted to see. Next was fear; this was not the face I grieved for, but it was close　　enough for me to know that the man facing me was no stray hiker.　　And finally, in the end, recognition.　　"Laurent!" I cried in surprised pleasure.　　It was an irrational response. I probably should have stopped at fear.　　Laurent had been one of James's coven when we'd first met. He hadn't been involved with the hunt that　　followed—the hunt where I was the quarry—but that was only because he was afraid; I was protected　　by a bigger coven than his own. It would have been different if that wasn't the case—he'd had no　　compunctions, at the time, against making a meal of me. Of course, he must have changed, because he'd　　gone to Alaska to live with the other civilized coven there, the other family that refused to drink human　　blood for ethical reasons. The other family like… but I couldn't let myself think the name.　　Yes, fear would have made more sense, but all I felt was an overwhelming satisfaction. The meadow was　　a magic place again. A darker magic than I'd expected, to be sure, but magic all the same. Here was the　　connection I'd sought. The proof, however remote, that—somewhere in the same world where I lived—　　he did exist.　　It was impossible how exactly the same Laurent looked. I suppose it was very silly and human to expect　　some kind of change in the last year. But there was something… I couldn't quite put my finger on it.　　"Bella?" he asked, looking more astonished than I felt.　　"You remember." I smiled. It was ridiculous that I should be so elated because a vampire knew my　　name.　　He grinned. "I didn't expect to see you here." He strolled toward me, his expression bemused.　　"Isn't it the other way around? I do live here. I thought you'd gone to Alaska."　　He stopped about ten paces away, cocking his head to the side. His face was the most beautiful face I'd　　seen in what felt like an eternity. I studied his features with a strangely greedy sense of release. Here was　　someone I didn't have to pretend for—someone who already knew everything I could never say.　　"You're right," he agreed. "I did go to Alaska. Still, I didn't expect… When I found the Cullen place　　empty, I thought they'd moved on."　　"Oh." I bit my lip as the name set the raw edges of my wound throbbing. It took me a second to　　compose myself. Laurent waited with curious eyes.　　"They did move on," I finally managed to tell him.　　"Hmm," he murmured. "I'm surprised they left you behind. Weren't you sort of a pet of theirs?" His eyes　　were innocent of any intended offense.　　I smiled wryly. "Something like that."　　"Hmm," he said, thoughtful again.　　At that precise moment, I realized why he looked the same—too much the same. After Carlisle told us　　that Laurent had stayed with Tanya's family, I'd begun to picture him, on the rare occasions that I thought　　of him at all, with the same golden eyes that the… Cullens—I forced the name out, wincing—had. That　　all good vampires had.　　I took an involuntary step back, and his curious, dark red eyes followed the movement.　　"Do they visit often?" he asked, still casual, but his weight shifted toward me.　　"Lie," the beautiful velvet voice whispered anxiously from my memory.　　I started at the sound of his voice, but it should not have surprised me. Was I nor in the worst danger　　imaginable? The motorcycle was safe as kittens next to this.　　I did what the voice said to do.　　"Now and again." I tried to make my voice light, relaxed. "The time seems longer to me, I imagine. You　　know how they get distracted…" I was beginning to babble. I had to work to shut myself up.　　"Hmm," he said again. "The house smelled like it had been vacant for a while…"　　"You must lie better than that, Bella," the voice urged.　　I tried. "I'll have to mention to Carlisle that you stopped by. He'll be sorry they missed your visit." I　　pretended to deliberate for a second. "But I probably shouldn't mention it to… Edward, I suppose—" I　　barely managed to say his name, and it twisted my expression on the way out, ruining my bluff "—he has　　such a temper… well, I'm sure you remember. He's still touchy about the whole James thing." I rolled my　　eyes and waved one hand dismissively, like it was all ancient history, but there was an edge of hysteria to　　my voice. I wondered if he would recognize what it was.　　"Is he really?" Laurent asked pleasantly… skeptically.　　I kept my reply short, so that my voice wouldn't betray my panic. "Mm-hmm."　　Laurent took a casual step to the side, gazing around at the little meadow. I 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 what?" I said eagerly, inviting him to continue. He was glaring into the trees, away from me. I　　took advantage of his diversion, taking a furtive step back.　　He looked back at me and smiled—the expression made him look like a black-haired angel.　　"About me killing you," he answered in a seductive purr.　　I staggered back another step. The frantic growling in my head made it hard to hear.　　"She wanted to save that part for herself," he went on blithely. "She's sort of… put out with you, Bella."　　"Me?" I squeaked.　　He shook his head and chuckled. "I know, it seems a little backward to me, too. But James was her　　mate, and your Edward killed him."　　Even here, on the point of death, his name tore against my unhealed wounds like a serrated edge.　　Laurent was oblivious to my reaction. "She thought it more appropriate to kill you than Edward—fair　　turnabout, mate for mate. She asked me to get the lay of the land for her, so to speak. I didn't imagine　　you would be so easy to get to. So maybe her plan was flawed—apparently it wouldn't be the revenge　　she imagined, since you must not mean very much to him if he left you here unprotected."　　Another blow, another tear through my chest.　　Laurent's weight shifted slightly, and I stumbled another step back.　　He frowned. "I suppose she'll be angry, all the same."　　"Then why not wait for her?" I choked out.　　A mischievous grin rearranged his features. "Well, you've caught me at a bad time, Bella. I didn't come　　to this place on Victoria's mission—I was hunting. I'm quite thirsty, and you do smell… simply　　mouthwatering."　　Laurent looked at me with approval, as if he meant it as a compliment.　　"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 thought 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 was a distinctly　　canine cast to the shape of it, the way it moved. I could only think of one possibility, locked in horror as I　　was. Yet I'd never imagined that a wolf could get so big.　　Another growl rumbled in its throat, and I shuddered away from the sound.　　Laurent was backing toward the edge of the trees, and, under the freezing terror, confusion swept　　through me. Why was Laurent retreating? Granted, the wolf was monstrous in size, but it was just an　　animal. What reason would a vampire have for fearing an animal? And Laurent was afraid. His eyes were　　wide with horror, just like mine.　　As if in answer to my question, suddenly the mammoth wolf was not alone. Flanking it on either side,　　another two gigantic beasts prowled silently into the meadow. One was a deep gray, the other brown,　　neither one quite as tall as the first. The gray wolf came through the trees only a few feet from me, its　　eyes locked on Laurent.　　Before I could even react, two more wolves followed, lined up in a V, like geese flying south. Which　　meant that the rusty brown monster that shrugged through the brush last was close enough for me to　　touch.　　I gave an involuntary gasp and jumped back—which was the stupidest thing I could have done. I froze　　again, waiting for the wolves to turn on me, the much weaker of the available prey. I wished briefly that　　Laurent would get on with it and crush the wolf pack—it should be so simple for him. I guessed that,　　between the two choices before me, being eaten by wolves was almost certainly the worse option.　　The wolf closest to me, the reddish brown one, turned its head slightly at the sound of my gasp.　　The wolf's eyes were dark, nearly black. It gazed at me for a fraction of a second, the deep eyes seeming　　too intelligent for a wild animal.　　As it stared at me, I suddenly thought of Jacob—again, with gratitude. At least I'd come here alone, to　　this fairytale meadow filled with dark monsters. At least Jacob wasn't going to die, too. At least I　　wouldn't have his death on my hands.　　Then another low growl from the leader caused the russet wolf to whip his head around, back toward　　Laurent.　　Laurent was staring at the pack of monster wolves with unconcealed shock and fear. The first I could　　understand. But I was stunned when, without warning, he spun and disappeared into the trees.　　He ran away.　　The wolves were after him in a second, sprinting across the open grass with a few powerful bounds,　　snarling and snapping so loudly that my hands flew up instinctively to cover my ears. The sound faded　　with surprising swiftness once they disappeared into the woods.　　And then I was alone again.　　My knees buckled under me, and I fell onto my hands, sobs building in my throat.　　I knew I needed to leave, and leave now. How long would the wolves chase Laurent before they　　doubled back for me? Or would Laurent turn on them? Would he be the one that came looking?　　I couldn't move at first, though; my arms and legs were shaking, and I didn't know how to get back to　　my feet.　　My mind couldn't move past the fear, the horror or the confusion. I didn't understand what I'd just　　witnessed.　　A vampire should not have run from overgrown dogs like that. What good would their teeth be against　　his granite skin?　　And the wolves should have given Laurent a wide berth. Even if their extraordinary size had taught them　　to fear nothing, it still made no sense that they would pursue him. I doubted his icy marble skin would　　smell anything like food. Why would they pass up something warmblooded and weak like me to chase　　after Laurent?　　I couldn't make it add up.　　A cold breeze whipped through the meadow, swaying the grass like something was moving through it.　　I scrambled to my feet, backing away even though the wind brushed harmlessly past me. Stumbling in　　panic, I turned and ran headlong into the trees.　　The next few hours were agony. It took me three times as long to escape the trees as it had to get to the　　meadow.　　At first I paid no attention to where I was headed, focused only on what I was running from By the time I　　collected myself enough to remember the compass, I was deep in the unfamiliar and menacing forest. My　　hands were shaking so violently that I had to set the compass on the muddy ground to be able to read it.　　Every few minutes I would stop to put the compass dowr and check that I was still heading northwest,　　hearing—when the sounds weren't hidden behind the frantic squelching of my footsteps—the quiet　　whisper of unseen things moving in the leaves.　　The call of a jaybird made me leap back and fall into a thick stand of young spruce, scraping up my arms　　and tangling my hair with sap. The sudden rush of a squirrel up a hemlock made me scream so loud it　　hurt my own ears.　　At last there was a break in the trees ahead. I came out onto the empty road a mile or so south of where　　I'd left the truck. Exhausted as I was, I jogged up the lane until I found it. By the time I pulled myself into　　the cab, I was sobbing again. I fiercely shoved down both stiff locks before I dug my keys out of my　　pocket. The roar of the engine was comforting and sane. It helped me control the tears as I sped as fast　　as my truck would allow toward the main highway.　　I was calmer, but still a mess when I got home. Charlie's cruiser was in the driveway—I hadn't realized　　how late it was. The sky was already dusky.　　"Bella?" Charlie asked when I slammed the front door behind me and hastily turned the locks.　　"Yeah, it's me." My voice was unsteady.　　"Where have you been?" he thundered, appearing through the kitchen doorway with an ominous　　expression.　　I hesitated. He'd probably called the Stanleys. I'd better stick to the truth.　　"I was hiking," I admitted.　　His eyes were tight. "What happened to going to Jessica's?"　　"I didn't feel like Calculus today."　　Charlie folded his arms across his chest. "I thought I asked you to stay out of the forest."　　"Yeah, I know. Don't worry, I won't do it again." I shuddered.　　Charlie seemed to really look at me for the first time. I remembered that I had spent some time on the　　forest floor today; I must be a mess.　　"What happened?" Charlie demanded.　　Again, I decided that the truth, or part of it anyway, was the best option. I was too shaken to pretend　　that I'd spent an uneventful day with the flora and fauna.　　"I saw the bear." I tried to say it calmly, but my voice was high and shaky. "It's not a bear, though—it's　　some kind of wolf. And there are five of them. A big black one, and gray, and reddish-brown…"　　Charlie's eyes grew round with horror. He strode quickly to me and grabbed the tops of my arms.　　"Are you okay?"　　My head bobbed in a weak nod.　　"Tell me what happened."　　"They didn't pay any attention to me. But aftet they were gone, I ran away and I fell down a lot."　　He let go of my shoulders and wrapped his arms around me. For a long moment, he didn't say anything.　　"Wolves," he murmured.　　"What?"　　"The rangers said the tracks were wrong for a bear—but wolves just don't get that big…"　　"These were huge."　　"How many did you say you saw?"　　"Five."　　Charlie shook his head, frowning with anxiety, He finally spoke in a tone that allowed no argument. "No　　morehiking."　　"No problem," I promised fervently.　　Charlie called the station to report what I'd seen. I fudged a little bit about where exactly I'd seen the　　wolves—claiming I'd been on the trail that led to the north. I didn't want my dad to know how deep I'd　　gone into the forest against his wishes, and, more importantly, I didn't want anyone wandering near where　　Laurent might be searching for me. The thought of it made me feel sick.　　"Are you hungry?" he asked me when he hung up the phone.　　I shook my head, though I must have been starving. I hadn't eaten all day.　　"Just tired," I told him. I turned for the stairs.　　"Hey," Charlie said, his voice suddenly suspicious again. "Didn't you say Jacob was gone for the day?"　　"That's what Billy said," I told him, confused by his question.　　He studied my expression for a minute, and seemed satisfied with what he saw there.　　"Huh."　　"Why?" I demanded. It sounded like he was implying that I'd been lying to him this morning. About　　something besides studying with Jessica.　　"Well, it's just that when I went to pick up Harry, I saw Jacob out in front of the store down there with　　some of his friends. I waved hi, but he… well, I guess I don't know if he saw me. I think maybe he was　　arguing with his friends. He looked strange, like he was upset about something. And… different. It's like　　you can watch that kid growing! He gets bigger every time I see him."　　"Billy said Jake and his friends were going up to Port Angeles to see some movies. They were probably　　just waiting for someone to meet them."　　"Oh." Charlie nodded and headed for the kitchen.　　I stood in the hall, thinking about Jacob arguing with his friends. I wondered if he had confronted Embry　　about the situation with Sam. Maybe that was the reason he'd ditched me today—if it meant he could　　sort things out with Embry, I was glad he had.　　I paused to check the locks again before I went to my room. It was a silly thing to do. What difference　　would a lock make to any of the monsters I'd seen this afternoon? I assumed the handle alone would　　stymie the wolves, not having opposable thumbs. And if Laurent came here…　　Or… Victoria.　　I lay down on my bed, but I was shaking too hard to hope for sleep. I curled into a cramped ball under　　my quilt, and faced the horrifying facts.　　There was nothing I could do. There were no precautions I could take. There was no place I could hide.　　There was no one who could help me.　　I realized, with a nauseous roll of my stomach, that the situation was worse than even that. Because all　　those facts applied to Charlie, too. My father, sleeping one room away from me, was just a hairsbreadth　　off the heart of the target that was centered on me. My scent would lead them here, whether I was here　　or not.　　The tremors rocked me until my teeth chattered.　　To calm myself, I fantasized the impossible: I imagined the big wolves catching up to Laurent in the　　woods and massacring the indestructible immortal the way they would any normal person. Despite the　　absurdity of such a vision, the idea comforted me. If the wolves got him, then he couldn't tell Victoria I　　was here all alone. If he didn't return, maybe she'd think the Cullens were still protecting me. If only the　　wolves could win such a fight…　　My good vampires were never coming back; how soothing it was to imagine that the other kind could　　also disappear.　　I squeezed my eyes tight together and waited for unconsciousness—almost eager for my nightmare to　　start. Better that than the pale, beautiful face that smiled at me now from behind my lids.　　In my imagination, Victoria's eyes were black with thirst, bright with anticipation, and her lips curled back　　from her gleaming teeth in pleasure. Her red hair was brilliant as fire; it blew chaotically around her wild　　face.　　Laurent's words repeated in my head. If you knew what she had planned for you …　　I pressed my fist against my mouth to keep from screaming.　　11. CULT　　EACH TIME THAT I OPENED MY EYES TO THE MORNING light and realized I'd lived through　　another night was a surprise to me. After the surprise wore off, my heart would start to race and my　　palms would sweat; I couldn't really breathe again until I'd gotten up and ascertained that Charlie had　　survived as well.　　I could tell he was worried—watching me jump at any loud sound, or my face suddenly go white for no　　reason that he could see. From the questions he asked now and then, he seemed to blame the change on　　Jacob's continued absence.　　The terror that was always foremost in my thoughts usually distracted me from the fact that another week　　had passed, and Jacob still hadn't called me. But when I was able to concentrate on my normal life—if　　my life was really ever normal—this upset me.　　I missed him horribly.　　It had been bad enough to be alone before I was scared silly. Now, more than ever, I yearned for his　　carefree laugh and his infectious grin. I needed the safe sanity of his homemade garage and his warm　　hand around my cold fingers.　　I'd half expected him to call on Monday. If there had been some progress with Embry, wouldn't he want　　to report it? I wanted to believe that it was worry for his friend that was occupying all his time, not that he　　was just giving up on me.　　I called him Tuesday, but no one answered. Were the phone lines still having problems? Or had Billy　　invested in caller I.D.?　　On Wednesday I called every half hour until after eleven at night, desperate to hear the warmth of　　Jacob's voice.　　Thursday I sat in my truck in front of my house—with the locks pushed down—keys in hand, for a solid　　hour. I was arguing with myself, trying to justify a quick trip to La Push, but I couldn't do it.　　I knew that Laurent had gone back to Victoria by now. If I went to La Push, I took the chance of leading　　one of them there. What if they caught up to me when Jake was nearby? As much as it hurt me, I knew it