Saving Bree Tanner
Part three.
I tried to keep my face smooth as I spoke again.
"So . . . let's go before I smell her," I suggested carefully.
"Okay," Rosalie murmured. She put her hand against the small of my back. "Esme's going to make sure no humans are around." As she spoke, I witnessed Esme running full tilt toward the forest, leaving a clear path to follow. She was back in a few minutes.
"All clear," she announced. "Rose, Bree, follow behind me."
Rosalie nodded. Esme darted toward the trees again.
With a deep, exasperated sigh, I darted after her. I controlled my speed, not wanting to be in the front just in case I smelled a human heartbeat.
When we entered the forest, I couldn't deny it's beauty. It was all bright and vibrant. I smiled.
I saw Rosalie and Esme come to an abrupt stop, and I did the same. Rosalie's eyes closed and she began to drift.
In my peripheral vision, I saw a deer dart across the grass across from us, deeper into the forest.
I watched in shock as Rosalie sprang at the deer. Her perfect lips sought out its throat and she began drinking the deer's blood.
I shuddered. Gross.
She dropped it at her feet and darted to my side. Her face was lit up with a slightly triumphant grin.
"Look," Esme said, pulling my attention away from the blonde. "Get that mountain lion there." She gestured toward the great cat slinking up a tree.
I've always been sort of an animal-lover. This was going to be difficult. I sucked in a deep breath and darted for the cat.
It bared its teeth at me and clawed the space between us. I felt its warm pulse thudding against my body, and it made my throat burn. I swallowed.
"Here goes nothing," I muttered absently, springing at the cat.
It growled ferociously at me, and my teeth crushed its vocal cords.
It almost tasted like a human. I drank its blood eagerly, not minding the tangy after taste.
The ache in my throat was muted.
I darted next to Esme. "It was actually . . . good," I admitted sheepishly. "I think I'm ready to meet her. The human girl, Bella."
Esme sucked in a sharp breath, just staring at my face.
"What?" I demanded.
"Your eyes are reddish orange now, Bree. You're becoming one of us." She smiled.
"Cool," I mumbled. "Let's go back to the house."
I darted toward their house, completely in control of myself.
Or so I'd thought.