10. Cold Water

I dug my toes in the sand as I watched the Quileute boys laugh and joke with each other. The waves ebbing and singing against the shore as I listened, closing my eyes and imagining the sigh of the wind through the trees.

Warm fingers brushed away loose strands of my dark hair away from my eyes as I slowly opened them. Embry was shirtless once more, along with the pack.

He brought me a soda and quickly cracked one open himself.

"You're still hungry after that heavy meal?" I asked him.

I could barely get through my spaghetti with tomato sauce and parmesan—only half done and Embry was edgy for more.

"I'm a growing boy." He winked.

He sat down on the log beside me and started to poke at the growing fire. The sun was setting. Throwing beautiful colours into the sky. There was some pink and purple. A bit of baby blue left. But the prettiest was the glowing yellow melting into the warm orange sun. It was like a painting that a love drunk painter had created, trying to remember every detail of the person he loved.

"What are you thinking?" Embry whispered.

I smiled and leaned my head against his shoulder.

"How beautiful the sky is today."

He let out a deep sigh and kissed my forehead. "It's always pretty silly."

"I know. But it's not always like this."

Embry took another swig of his soda before he threw the empty can at Quil. Quil waved his thick fist then grinned at me.

"He's going to cut your throat when you go to sleep." I joked.

"You'll keep an eye out for me."

I snorted and cracked my can open. The bubbly liquid made me more awake.

I took a look around. There were some I haven't seen before. A really beautiful Quileute girl was sitting across from the fire, her hands clenched together, and her raven black hair flipped over her shoulder. She was looking—no glaring—at Sam and Emily. She had long limbs which were built with slender muscles. If I was someone else, I would have thought she was a model. Then there was a younger boy who looked about fourteen. He was arm wrestling Quil—which is a stupid thing to do—and grinning whenever Quil pretended the kid was about to win.

Jared and his girlfriend were lost in their own little lovey-dovey world as were Sam and Emily. Paul was there, being grouchy like always. Jake was late, Embry said that we were waiting for Bella.

"So she is coming?" I asked.

"Yeah. Why?" He poked me in the ribs.

"Ouch! Stop. Well Jake and she didn't seem to be getting along."

Embry rolled his eyes and did weird gestures with his hands.

"They've been sneaking around."

"Oh. So is she bringing her boyfriend?"

I cursed my question. Not only did Bella's inhumanly gorgeous boyfriend popped in my head—making my eyes glaze over a bit no doubt—but it made Embry's face harden. He did not look sixteen.

"He's not allowed here."

I watched as his face slowly relax and stretch into a smirk.

"You like him."

It wasn't a question. I glared up at him and crossed my arms.

"Embry Call you are speaking nonsense. I haven't even met him."

Not all true. But how should he know?

"He was in the store with you when you got all drenched from that stupid trip you took."

"How do you know he was there?"

Darn it. Did I have to sound like a criminal being caught red handed?

"I saw his spankin' shiny silver Volvo."

"Aw you're jealous."

His eyes widened and I patted his shoulder sarcastically.

"There, there. You know I only go for the truckers and bikers. Because I'm a rebel."

"Ha-ha." He rolled his eyes.

Billy cleared his throat and let his deep rumbling voice take over First Beach.

Let the show begin.

Some parts I got. And most I didn't. Who were these "cold-ones" that they hate so much?

Embry nodded and growled along with the group. I just watched Emily's hand race across her note pad as she jotted everything Billy and Old Quil said. I bet her hand must be sore.

Bella was beside Jacob. Duh. I didn't think she noticed me much. She dozed in and out of the story telling.

"…then the younger brother tore great chunks out of the cold one."

Ugh. Gruesome. I focused on the fire until the light made blooming light splotches wherever I looked. I never was one for paying attention.

"…the leader was so overcome by grief over his wife's death…"

Wait the chief's wife died? When did that happen? Crap. I missed the whole thing.

I watched as Emily wiped away tears from her eyes and Jacob carrying Bella away, Jared nudging his girlfriend awake and the boy trying to get a re-match with Quil.

"You tired?" Embry wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"Yeah. Be right back. I have to go to the bathroom."

I walked along the rocky boulders and started my way up the slope as I watched Embry and the boys pack the site up. Something in the waters caught my eye on the other side of the slope. It was pale and glowing from the moonlight.

It was Riley.

My gasp came too late as I slid down the rocks and landed onto the beach. I lay awkwardly as he slowly advanced towards me.

No I'm dreaming. I'm dreaming. He can't be here. No.

"Hello Emma."

"Riley. What are you doing here?" I whispered.

"What's wrong? Didn't want me to see you with your boyfriend?" He snarled.

I could feel the cold waves of the ocean crashing against my calves. I clenched my fists against my side as he advanced again towards me.

My knees shook as the cold water rushed around them. I watched as Riley's lips slowly curved into the most sinister smirk. It happened so fast I wasn't sure if it even happened.

Water quickly pooled around and above me. His stone hard lips crushing against mine. I couldn't breathe. My fists pounded uselessly against his chest. My lungs began to burn. I turned my head reflexively and took in huge amounts of salty water into my lungs.

God he was drowning me.

I thrashed and tried to swim away. More water flowed like poison down my raw throat as I tried to find air.

I kicked against his side, trying to break free. But his arms were like iron pipes, freezing my skin against him. His face was furious as he brought it closer to mine once more.

"No!"

Air bubbles floated away from my mouth as I tried to scream. He bared his teeth and I gazed upon his pointed teeth in horror.

"Run back to your filthy dog lover."

I could hear him perfectly. No air bubbles rippling the water as he spoke. The menace and venom that layered his words cut through me.

He forced me down further before he disappeared. I kicked and waved my arms frantically as I tried to remember how to swim. My legs were slowly loosing use. I was exhausted. I couldn't tell which way I was going. The moon seemed to be hidden through layers of black. I was going to die. I was going to die here without anyone knowing. Without Embry to say goodbye to.

I took a huge intake of breath when I broke through the surface. My arms took control and I swam back to shore. Water from my lungs was coughed up onto the sand.

I was in the fetal position before someone found me half dry shivering.

"Emma! What happened?!"

I looked up at the shocked face of Embry and I flung my arms around his neck.

I heard enough of the Quileute story tonight to understand this much.

Riley…was a vampire.