I sat in the dark for what felt like hours, hoping and praying that Jacob would be returned to me safely. The pain of not knowing was eating away at me, knowing how useless I was and feeling like a coward for not protecting myself.
I should never have let him fight my battles. After all, I was a vampire, I could protect myself. This sudden conviction seemed to carry me out of the basement and over to the kitchen window. It was horrible. My eyes struggled to take in what I saw.
Jacob was lying on the floor, human, trying desperately to back away from Edward, who was circling his prey, relishing every moment. Jake's right leg was twisted unnaturally and his trouser leg was encrusted with blood. His eyes were opened wide in shock as he stared up pleadingly at Edward.
Edward's eyes were crimson and his mouth was twisted into a cruel snarl. I couldn't see any trace of the man I had once thought I was in love with. Snapping myself back into focus, I laid our beautiful son down gently on the sofa and ran out of the front door and shouted, hoping desperately that my terror didn't show.
"Edward," I shouted, praying that no one else had heard the tremble in my voice. "Edward, leave him alone. I'm the one you want. Fight me. Kill me." I fought the urge to turn and run, reminding myself that I was a newborn. I had a chance.
Edward cocked his head to one side, looking vaguely amused. "Or," he said, "I could just kill you both!"
With that, he sprang forward, lunging at Jacob. With no time to think, I threw myself between the two of them, baring my teeth. For a second I thought I saw Edward's eyes soften. I thought that he wouldn't attack, that he would come to his senses.
But he didn't. I felt his weight throwing me to the floor, his hands and teeth tearing at my chest. Recovering quickly, I pushed him backwards, surprised at my own strength. I jumped onto him in a frenzy, not daring to look at his face, unable to believe what I was doing to him.
As I tore at him, I caught sight of his face. I hesitated for a second, only a second, but it was long enough. Edward flung me off him at dived on top of me, ripping into my flesh. I felt as though I was being torn limb from limb. I probably was.
My eyes remained intact just long enough for me to see Jake, his leg almost healed, transform into a wolf and leap forwards, his eyes glinting angrily. I already knew that it was too late for me, but as the rest of the wolf pack materialised behind him, I felt the relief wash over me. I had saved him.