Chapter 25: What Happened to Sweet Dreams?

"Are you sure you have to leave?" I asked desperately, holding on to his arm. "You could stay here anyway. I mean, I really don't mind if you're tired of this diet." I forced back my internal cringe as I said this; it was worth it if I could make him stay.

"No, I must go," he said, stroking my neck with his chalky brown hands. "My friend needs a favor from me, and it would not be polite to keep her waiting." He sighed and shook his head infinitesimally. He looked like he wanted to leave about as much as I wanted him to go. Which was not at all.

"Come back soon," I pleaded, looking up into his now orangey-colored eyes. He smiled soothingly down at me.

"Of course, ma Cherie. I will return as soon as I can." He gave me a swift kiss on the forehead, one last tender touch on the cheek, and then he was gone.

My dear Laurent.

ZZZ

Life was miserable without him. I had gotten so used to his company that it was hard to revert back to old patterns. Of course, it wasn't completely like it used to be; I no longer wanted anything to do with our old tradition of seducing college boys. Sure, it was a little difficult to deal with – physically – but I just couldn't bear to betray my Laurent that way. Besides, he would be home soon. He was bound to walk through that door any day now, just as he promised, and we would never have to separate again. At least not for awhile.

And next time, I would insist he take me with him.

I turned my head towards the door expectantly when I heard footsteps approaching. I smiled widely, expecting Laurent to come and sweep me into his arms as I had imagined he would thousands of times in the past week.

It was Tanya and Eleazer.

My smile dimmed, but only slightly; they had been out looking for news of my friend. Perhaps they had finally heard something.

Tanya shifted her weight uncomfortably under my gaze, and Eleazer pretended to look out the window. Their eyes were troubled.

"Well?" I demanded. "What is it?"

"Irina…" Tanya hesitated, obviously not wanting to be the one to say whatever was on her mind. She looked to our mentor for support, but he said nothing. "Sister," she tried again. Then she sighed. "Irina, Laurent's not coming back." The room was deadly silent for a whole second.

"I don't understand," I whispered, staring at her dully. My voice sounded far away.

"His friend… well, she sent him off on that errand he mentioned to you a week ago. He found Bella in a meadow on his way, and I guess he lost a little self-control and started to hunt her…" I almost sighed in relief.

"Is that all? I thought Edward had moved on from her anyway. But why isn't he coming back? Did he think I'd be mad or something? He should know better than that. We talked about this before he left…" I trailed off as I met her pitying gaze.

"He didn't kill her," she said quietly. "He didn't get the chance." She paused again and I growled impatiently. What in the world was she talking about?! "He's gone, Irina. Dead. A whole pack of werewolves came and ripped him to shreds. I'm so sorry." Another long moment passed as her words very slowly clicked into my brain. Laurent was gone. Dead. Killed by werewolves. And yet Edward's little crush was still alive, even though he didn't want her anymore.

This could not be happening.

"Why did they do it?" I whimpered, my breath hitching in odd places.

"Well, they're Bella's friends, I guess. That's the only reason I can fathom." My sister shrugged, her eyes sad.

"Didn't they even stop to think that maybe, just maybe, he had a family too?" I growled, my eyes stinging with pain, sadness, and fury.

"Sister, they are nothing but children. Of course they would never consider it." Tanya made a disgusted sound in her throat. "It's as if they're only instinct is to destroy. They cannot control themselves. Still, it is not a valid excuse for the pain they have caused you." Her eyes darkened a shade. "Anyone up for a hunt?"

ZZZ

They wouldn't let me kill them. They wouldn't even let me hurt them. Even after they killed Laurent, one of our own kind, practically our family, they were still siding with the werewolves. I didn't care how much "danger" they claimed to be in, nothing would ever make me cooperate with those beasts. It was only right; if they didn't choose to help our family, I wouldn't help theirs. It didn't matter how much I cared for the Cullens. My hatred for the wolves was so much more powerful, and the pain over Laurent's death still so crisp, that nothing would change my mind.

"Irina, be reasonable," Kate chastised, giving me a reproachful look. "I know you're upset about Laurent, but we have to help them. They're our family."

"Laurent was our family too," I grumbled, not even bothering to look at her. She groaned.

"Carlisle has been our family much longer than just a few weeks."

"Since when does time have any value to you? Besides, we were destined to be together. You can't just expect me to get over it. Laurent's death will be avenged." She sighed.

"I am aware of your suffering, sister. Remember we have all felt a similar ache in our chests when mother died." I flinched. "But we would not dare retaliate against the Volturi."

"This is different," I muttered. "She broke the law, and they were just trying to protect our world. These are werewolves, ignorant, childish monsters who think they can get away with anything just because they protect humans, even though they're going to die eventually anyway." I folded my arms across my chest angrily. "And you think I don't remember the pain when mother died? I still feel it when I think about her! And now I have twice that pain!" My breath was hitching in odd places again, and my eyes were starting to sting. I looked away from my sister, silently fuming. She sighed again.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. When I didn't reply, I heard her shake her head and walk out the door, closing it gently behind her. She knew that her attempts to sway my decision were futile. It was wise of her to leave me alone.

Now I could plan my revenge. I'd have to wait until the Cullens were "out of danger." I cared for them enough that I didn't want to risk their lives over my misfortune, but those werewolves were going to pay for the life they stole. As soon as their precious little pets were done helping them with whatever situation they were in, they were going to have to face an entirely different enemy. I would avenge Laurent.

Or I would die trying.

I inhaled in a gasp and snapped my eyes open. The room was dark, covered with shadows. It wasn't the room I had been plotting in just a few moments ago. It was my bedroom, my real bedroom. This was my real life, where my boyfriend Vincent was alive and well and my life was in chaos because of the human government, not some adolescent werewolves. I still had my problems here, but it was nothing compared to the pain I had just endured.

Seriously, if I didn't figure out what was causing these dreams, I was going to go insane.

With a very loud and completely exhausted sigh, I dropped back onto my bed. I was sound asleep within minutes.