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to
spend a good fifteen minutes studying the little needle on the pass face and the markings on the now
worn map。 When I was reasonably certain that I was following the right line of the web； I set off into the
woods。
The forest was full of life today； all the little creatures enjoying the momentary dryness。 Somehow；
though； even with the birds chirping and cawing； the insects buzzing noisily around my head； and the
occasional scurry of the field mice through the shrubs； the forest seemed creepier today； it reminded me
of my most recent nightmare。 I knew it was just because I was alone； missing Jacob's carefree whistle
and the sound of another pair of feet squishing across the damp ground。
The sense of unease grew stronger the deeper I got into the trees。 Breathing started to get more
difficult—not because of exertion； but because I was having trouble with the stupid hole in my chest
again。 I kept my arms tight around my torso and tried to banish the ache from my thoughts。 I almost
turned around； but I hated to waste the effort I'd already expended。
The rhythm of my footsteps started to numb my mind and my pain as I trudged on。 My breathing evened
out eventually； and I was glad I hadn't quit。 I was getting better at this bushwhacking thing； I could tell I
was faster。
I didn't realize quite how much more efficiently I was moving。 I thought I'd covered maybe four miles；
and I wasn't even starting to look around for it yet。 And then； with an abruptness that disoriented me； I
stepped through a low arch made by two vine maples—pushing past the chesthigh ferns—into the
meadow。
It was the same place； of that I was instantly sure。 I'd never seen another clearing so symmetrical。 It was
as perfectly round as if someone had intentionally created the flawless circle； tearing out the trees but
leaving no evidence of that violence in the waving grass。 To the east； I could hear the stream bubbling
quietly。
The place wasn't nearly so stunning without the sunlight； but it was still very beautiful and serene。 It was
the wrong season for wildflowers； the ground was thick with tall grass that swayed in the light breeze like
ripples across a lake。
It was the same place… but it didn't hold what I had been searching for。
The disappointment was nearly as instantaneous as the recognition。 I sank down right where I was；
kneeling there at the edge of the clearing； beginning to gasp。
What was the point of going any farther？ Nothing lingered here。 Nothing more than the memories that I
could have called back whenever I wanted to； if I was ever willing to endure the corresponding
pain—the pain that had me now； had me cold。 There was nothing special about this place without him。 I
wasn't exactly sure what I'd hoped to feel here； but the meadow was empty of atmosphere； empty of
everything； just like everywhere else。 Just like my nightmares。 My head swirled dizzily。
At least I'd e alone。 I felt a rush of thankfulness as I realized that。 If I'd discovered the meadow with
Jacob… well； there was no way I could have disguised the abyss I was plunging into now。 How could I
have explained the way I was fracturing into pieces； the way I had to curl into a ball to keep the empty
hole from tearing me apart？ It was so much better that I didn't have an audience。
And I wouldn't have to explain to anyone why I was in such a hurry to leave； either。 Jacob would have
assumed； after going to so much trouble to locate the stupid place； I would want to spend more than a
few seconds here。 But I was already trying to find the strength to get to my feet again； forcing myself out
of the ball so that I could escape。 There was too much pain in this empty place to bear—I would crawl
away if I had to。
How lucky that I was alone！
Alone。 I repeated the word with grim satisfaction as I wrenched myself to my feet despite the pain。 At
precisely that moment； a figure stepped out from the trees to the north； some thirty paces away。
A dizzying array of emotions shot through me in a second。 The first was surprise； I was far from any trail
here； and I didn't expect pany。 Then； as my eyes focused on the motionless figure； seeing the utter
stillness； the pallid skin； a rush of piercing hope rocked through me。 I suppressed it viciously； fighting
against the equally sharp lash of agony as my eyes continued to the face beneath the black hair； the face
that wasn't the one I wanted to see。 Next was fear； this was not the face I grieved for； but it was close
enough for me to know that the man facing me was no stray hiker。
And finally； in the end； recognition。
〃Laurent！〃 I cried in surprised pleasure。
It was an irrational response。 I probably should have stopped at fear。
Laurent had been one of James's coven when we'd first met。 He hadn't been involved with the hunt that
followed—the hunt where I was the quarry—but that was only because he was afraid； I was protected
by a bigger coven than his own。 It would have been different if that wasn't the case—he'd had no
punctions； at the time； against making a meal of me。 Of course； he must have changed； because he'd
gone to Alaska to live with the other civilized coven there； the other family that refused to drink human
blood for ethical reasons。 The other family like… but I couldn't let myself think the name。
Yes； fear would have made more sense； but all I felt was an overwhelming satisfaction。 The meadow was
a magic place again。 A darker magic than I'd expected； to be sure； but magic all the same。 Here was the
connection I'd sought。 The proof； however remote； that—somewhere in the same world where I lived—
he did exist。
It was impossible how exactly the same Laurent looked。 I suppose it was very silly and human to expect
some kind of change in the last year。 But there was something… I couldn't quite put my finger on it。
〃Bella？〃 he asked； looking more astonished than I felt。
〃You remember。〃 I smiled。 It was ridiculous that I should be so elated because a vampire knew my
name。
He grinned。 〃I didn't expect to see you here。〃 He strolled toward me； his expressio