"Leah Clearwater. Who'da thunk?"
Edward muttered, "Don't want to know, don't want to know," over and over, and urged me into the trees for faster travel. I was like a flying squirrel in silk and three quarters of a pair of Manolo Blahniks.
When we had almost reached the highway, we allowed ourselves to be distracted finally by the scent of a mountain lion nearby. It was not nearly as mouthwatering as—ew. Well, that solved a big problem for me. Thirst or no thirst, the scent of human blood was definitely ruined for me. Branded in my brain with Mr. Banner's leather collar and pink cowgirl boots. Just, ew.
The lion was in the trees, crouched in preparation to take its prey that snuffled in the bushes below. I glanced at Edward and he smiled at me, nodding encouragement.
I was on it before it even knew I was there, smacking into it and effortlessly pushing its enormous weight through the air, tumbling to the ground, barely feeling its panicked, frenzied teeth and claws caressing my skin, and I sank my teeth into the locus of the heat and smell and throb of its blood, meeting as little resistance as if the skin and fur were mere illusions.
The blood as I drained the lion coursed hot and wet down my burning throat, dampening but not quite quenching the desperate thirst. It was dry before I was ready and I opened my mouth to vent my frustration.
And belched hugely. I had never belched like that when I was human. Ever. No one had, that I'd ever heard. I swear, the vegetation around me flattened as the sonic wave of it ripped through. It had to be a vampire thing. Impossibly fast and strong, skin as cold as ice and pale white. And I burp like a fucking CHAMP.
Edward gurgled in disbelief.
AW SHIT. I forgot Edward was there. Of course, he probably would have heard me even if he'd stayed at home. At least I didn't blush anymore.
"…sorry about that."