Prologue
My heart pounded furiously as I crashed through the thick underbrush, a dark figure gliding smoothly behind me. I hardly noticed the searing pain in my lower torso, but that was only one of my problems. My throat closed up, cutting off any air that was circulating through me. Eyes wide with terror, I thought I saw a light coming from the end of the pitch-black forest. Unwilling to go anywhere, my legs ached wearily in protest. They froze, halting me in the middle of the path that I didn't want to be on. I could hear the faint footsteps of my pursuer, slowed to a steady walk. I thought about trying to run, but instead I turned to face my follower.
I scanned my follower's face for symbol
of identification. My eyes grew even bigger
when I vaguely recognized my chaser. I backed against the trees, tripping over a tree root in the process.
Horrific memories of the near-death excursion came back and hit me like a lightning bolt to my chest. Renee, Carlisle, Emmett, Edward. The death-defying tragedy flashed vividly in front of my eyes.
I came to my senses and realized that I shouldn't be scared, I should be terrified. For there in front of me was the very thing that I knew I should run from. I tried to run but my legs were frozen with fear. Right in front of me was James.