Alright, I got nine, and that's close enough:) But I want ten or more for this chapter, before I update. If you do, I'll have you a LONG chapter up by Saturday. K? K.

The newcomer walked forward with lithe grace. His jet-black hair was in a messy cut that hung in his eyes, and probably wouldn't behave if he forced it to.

I could feel my heart pounding against my aching ribs, a painful reminder of my fragile humanity.

When the stranger spoke, it was a velveteen tenor's purr. "Shall I take the bitch now?" his tone was flavored with eager, impatient curiosity.

I was shaking now, and I had no idea how much longer my legs would hold me up.

Edward launched himself forward with a furious roar. "No!"

Victoria sprang toward him. Raising her hand, fingernails extended like claws, she slashed. My scream echoed off the mountains in the distance.

Then my legs buckled.

The strange vampire took my other arm, the one not currently in Laurent's possession, and pulled me against him, taking my weight. Laurent released my other arm.

I stared at Edward in horror as he reeled back. Gashes snaked down his face and across his neck. The blood he'd ingested in his earlier hunting trek welled up from the cuts, dripping down to his shirt, turning the dark blue a burgundy.

I struggled in the arms of my captor, wanting - needing - to go to Edward and be sure of his safety.

Victoria struck again as Edward started forward. This time, she clawed through his throat. The stranger had clapped his hand over my mouth, as I was now shrieking hysterically.

Emmett, who had tried to go to Edward's aid, was facing off against Laurent. He may have been much smaller, but he was agile in a way that Emmett's bulk was not.

Where was Rosalie with Carlisle and Esme? And where were Alice and Jasper? They'd been following Victoria . . . they can't have gotten that thrown off!

My captor must've gotten tired of fighting me, because he threw me over his shoulder and ran. His shoulder was jammed into my solar plexus, so screaming was out. Several minutes flew by in an instant, as did the miles flowing rapidly under his feet.

I was set down gently on a dry bed of grass in the shade. My head reeled, and the lump on my forehead was pounding. The warm sun peeked through the leaves above us. The vampire knelt in front of me and gently, but firmly, gripped my shoulders.

"I know you will find this hard to believe, but I'm on your side and don't mean any harm to you." he spoke soothingly. "My name is Nathan."

I was panting, scared. Until I met his eyes.

They were a topaz.

Wait, weren't they supposed to be red if he drinks human blood? I could only come to one conclusion:

This vampire - Nathan - is a vegetarian. So I could only believe he was telling the truth.

But I was still suspicious. "Prove it," my voice quavered.

Nathan ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. "You won't believe me,"

I crossed my arms. "My boyfriend-" I cringed inwardly at the unsuitable word. "Happens to be a vampire, has been alive for over a hundred years, and drinks animal blood instead of human blood; like the rest of his family. Why wouldn't I believe what you have to say? If I've learned anything in the past year, it's that what I thought was fantasy since I was a kid - is all real." I scowled, feeling stubborn. He'd brought me here, and I wanted an explanation. Besides, if he wasn't planning on eating me . . . I would be very bored until he decided to take me back to Edward, or Edward came for me.

A rough sigh erupted from his throat. "I met up with Victoria and Laurent randomly. I was fleeing from something I'd done in Colorado, where I'd been living, when I - messed up." Nathan stared at his hands a moment. I understood that he meant he'd attacked a human. "It was while I was hunting and a complete accident. I drink animal blood, too, you see. So you don't have to worry about your safety in my presence."

He still looked remorseful when he looked up and met my eyes. I felt a surge of sympathy toward him; it startled me.

"So anyway, I ran into them, and they must've thought I was interesting or something, because they offered their company. I'd never met another vampire before, other than the one who'd changed me and explained things, so I was quite curious." Nathan shrugged. "I've been with them for a couple of months now, wandering across the country."

Questions burned inside me, longing to be answered. "Nathan, how long have you been a vampire?"

His answer made my mouth fall open.

"A year? Two, maybe?" He raised and dropped one shoulder, an expression of concentration upon his features. "I'm not sure anymore. No more than five years, though."

No wonder he'd lost control! A very young vampire can't control himself much at all. He must be having a hard time, considering I smell 'delicious'.

It was quiet for a while. "How did you get them to trust you?" I blurted suddenly, then blushed at the question, it wasn't one I'd meant to ask. I hurried to explain when he looked puzzled. "I mean, they obviously told you about me and Edward, or you guys wouldn't have had a plan. Because you seemed to." I shut my mouth with a click as my teeth met. I really loathed when I rambled. . . . it was usually something that happened when I embarrassed myself with words. And now I was blushing.

A grin lit his face. Wow, if I didn't have Edward . . .

He was chuckling as he answered. "Well, I came upon them after hunting one day, talking about getting revenge on James' killers. I stepped on something, and they heard me. They started to tell me about how there were these heathen vampires whom had killed one of their coven, and they had to get back at them, an eye for an eye. In this case, a mate for a mate. So they told me their plan to get to you, and torture you to death, before draining you.

"But see, I have this ability to tell when people are lying. It's like a sixth sense, but it doesn't work on vampires. So they made up a plan, and we tracked you down." Nathan rushed on, "And then I saw you. I just knew that what they were telling me wasn't making sense. So when I first saw you, I could see the truth, and everything clicked into place. I knew I had to get you out of there."

A rush of gratitude joined the sympathy. "Thank you," after a moment, "Where are we?"

"Somewhere in South Dakota, I believe. Or it could be Nevada. Somewhere in that general area. But no further south than Nevada. Definitely not."

Rustling in the bracken behind us alerted us to eavesdroppers. Then, Edward and Carlisle stepped into the sunlight in the small clearing in front of us.

Edward dropped into a crouch, growling. He shot forward.

Oh, Edward wants me to tell you that if you review, in honor of Valentine's day, that he'll send you a message to your fanfiction account! (Disclaimer: I do not own Edward. I can only hope one day I can create as great a character as Edward Cullen.)