Prologue

Prologue

The only thing I could hear was the soft thump-thump of my heart. I was sure he could hear it too.

I supposed I should've been terrified, seeing as I was about to die. Strangely, though, I was calm. Edward's face swam in my mind, as perfect as ever, his eyes as dark as night. "Hold on, Bella," he seemed to be saying. "You're almost there."

The killer shifted slightly before me, sizing up my emotions. I steeled myself for the pain I knew was about to come, the inevitable. I thought of Edward, of Alice, of Carlisle – would they think I had made the right choice? Would they cry tearless sobs over my grave? No, I told myself. This is the only way. The only way you can save them.

"I've looked forward to this for so long," he said, licking his lips slightly. "Your death, that is. I must have pictured it a million times in my head, but somehow, it pales in comparison to the actual sight of you, so cold and afraid, helpless. Your boyfriend's not around to save you now, is he?"

I couldn't stop the whimper that escaped from my lips. Will it hurt? I wondered childishly, and then pushed the thought away. He phased then, morphing into the hideous monster that had haunted my dreams for so long.

"Say goodbye, Bella…." the werewolf whispered softly.

And suddenly, for one brief, heavenly moment, Edward was beside me, holding my hand in his own icy one. I reached for him instinctively.

There was pain.

And then there was nothing.