what？〃 I said eagerly； inviting him to continue。 He was glaring into
the trees； away from me。 I
took advantage of his diversion； taking a furtive step back。
He looked back at me and smiled—the expression made him look like a black…
haired angel。
〃About me killing you；〃 he answered in a seductive purr。
I staggered back another step。 The frantic growling in my head made it hard to
hear。
〃She wanted to save that part for herself；〃 he went on blithely。 〃She's sort
of put out with you； Bella。〃
〃Me？〃 I squeaked。
He shook his head and chuckled。 〃I know； it seems a little backward to me；
too。 But James was her
mate； and your Edward killed him。〃
Even here； on the point of death； his name tore against my unhealed wounds
like a serrated edge。
Laurent was oblivious to my reaction。 〃She thought it more appropriate to kill
you than Edward—fair
turnabout； mate for mate。 She asked me to get the lay of the land for her； so
to speak。 I didn't imagine
you would be so easy to get to。 So maybe her plan was flawed—apparently it
wouldn't be the revenge
she imagined； since you must not mean very much to him if he left you here
unprotected。〃
Another blow； another tear through my chest。
Laurent's weight shifted slightly； and I stumbled another step back。
He frowned。 〃I suppose she'll be angry； all the same。〃
〃Then why not wait for her？〃 I choked out。
A mischievous grin rearranged his features。 〃Well； you've caught me at a bad
time； Bella。 I didn't e
to this place on Victoria's mission—I was hunting。 I'm quite thirsty； and you
do smell simply
mouthwatering。〃
Laurent loo