Chapter 2: The End
"I can't say I expected to see you here, but I have to say it is a great surprise," Laurent says with a coy smile, all the while walking slowly toward me.
The way he's looking at me makes me want to run away as fast as I can, but I know there would be no use in that. He could have his teeth sunk into my neck before I even completely turned around.
"Shouldn't I be the one surprised to see you? I do live here after all and I was under the impression that you moved on. To Alaska was it?" I ask him while slowly angling myself so that he stays completely in front of me at all times. He may already have the upper hand, but I don't plan on going down without a fight . . . even if a fight is completely useless.
"You're right," he agrees. "I did travel to Alaska, but I'm back now. Temporarily of course. I did make a promise to your people not to hunt on their land and I can't say that I had intended to break that promise."
I swallow harshly and take an involuntary step backward. This does not go unnoticed by Laurent. A menacing smirk quickly takes over his face.
"When I saw that the Cullen house was empty," he continues, "I assumed that they had moved on, yes?"
I give him a curt nod. His smirk grows even bigger.
"Hmm, just as I expected," he muses. "What I don't understand, though, is why they left you behind. If I remember correctly - and let's face it, we both know I do - you seemed to be very . . . important to them. So why not take you with them?"
I take only a second to panic before I quickly spew out my lie. "People were starting to get suspicious of them so they had to move on. And my dad wouldn't have taken it too lightly if I had run off with my boyfriend before I even finished high school, so we decided I'd stay behind for now. Well, at least until I've finished high school that is. They visit often though. That's actually why I'm out here today. Edward's supposed to be visiting. He should be getting here any minute now . . ." I say casually looking around as if I'm expecting him to pop out from behind the trees. Saying his name, even now that I might very well be on the brink of death, still feels like a serrated edge against my unhealed wounds.
Laurent's smile falters slightly and his eyes shift quickly to the trees surrounding us.
I send up a quick prayer that he doesn't call my bluff.
His eyes suddenly lock with mine and he once again gives me a devilish smirk. "Oh really?" he begins. "When I visited the house it smelled as if it'd been vacant for a while . . ."
I officially start to panic.
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, I chant to myself. Think, Bella, think!
"So how's Victoria?" I ask, trying for a quick change of subject. I immediately regret it. It was the first thing that popped into my head, but bringing her up - someone who had previously tried to kill me - probably wasn't my brightest idea.
"She's good," he says hesitantly. "I actually came here as a favor to her." He sighs. "She won't be very happy that I killed you."
I freeze as the words slowly sink in.
She won't be very happy that I killed you.
She won't be very happy that I killed you.
She won't be very happy that I killed you.
I knew from the beginning that this was how this encounter would most likely end for me, but actually having my thoughts confirmed . . . And the way he mentioned killing me so easily . . .
"She wanted to save that part for herself, you see," he continues. "She's sort of . . . put out with you, Bella. "
"Me?" I squeak, trying to swallow past the lump that has formed in my throat.
He chuckles and shrugs his shoulders. "I can't say that I exactly see her way of reasoning either, but I believe it's along the lines of Edward killed her mate so she wishes to kill his. Tit for tat, if you will.
"I believe she will be most upset to learn that you weren't even important enough to him to take with them. I doubt it will be the sweet revenge she imagined."
I fight to hold back the tears that so badly want to take over. Not because I'm practically on my death bed, but because knowing he doesn't want me is bad enough. Hearing others voice it is ten times worse.
"He'll know it was you," I whisper, not willing to go down without a fight. "He'll find you and dispose of you just as he did James."
He chuckles again and within a blink of an eye, he's barely an inch away from my face. I'm immobilized with fear and can't even force myself to take a step back.
"Oh I think not, dear Bella." he breathes, the sweet smell of his breath washing across my face. "He must have taken into consideration that Victoria would come after you and yet he still left you here . . . unprotected, no less."
He slowly slides his fingertips over my cheek and down my neck, his eyes following the movement. "Don't worry," he whispers. "It will be quick. You won't even feel a thing."
Edward, I love you.
And the fear suddenly disappears because all I can feel is the fire.