I took one involuntary step back.

The fear that I should have initially felt after encountering Laurent alone in the meadow was starting to sink in.

His eyes…were a slight glowing red, not the brilliant amber they should have been.

The centers were almost completely black, but the red rims around the dark orbs were still apparent…which meant that his converted diet of animal blood, instead of human blood, had very recently been broken. This meant I was in a lot of trouble.

"I find Irina's lifestyle, challenging at times," He spoke softly taking a small step to the side. If I hadn't have been paying attention, I wouldn't have noticed the space between us was closing quickly. "Sometimes I cheat." His expression was unreadable. The harsh wind blew wildly around us, blocking out all other noise.

I laughed nervously, trying to keep the rising panic down. "Jasper had the same problem; he had a very hard time sticking to the C-Cullen's diet at times." I shrugged, still trying to keep the conversation light. My hands were locked to my sides; frozen in fists. I bit down on my tongue, willing myself not to scream. He continued to stare me down, willing me to make a run for it. It would be a short escape attempt either way – I was better off holding my ground and facing him head on.

Another well placed step in my direction sent me nearly into hysterics.

"Oh yes? Is that why they left you? I thought you had been some sort of pet of theirs."

I laughed humorlessly again, despite the hysteria in my chest. I suppose that I being their pet was what it looked like from outside eyes. Why else would a vampire spend as much time with a human? I was amusement. A distraction, for however short a period of time it had been. My stomach twisted in painful knots at the thought, and tears stung my eyes.

"I suppose Victoria won't be happy with what I'm about to do. But seeing as you weren't as important to the Cullens as it had seemed…I mean, for them to leave you unprotected like this..." He trailed off, shifting his stance down into a familiar crouch.

"N…no, please…" I begged. The tears I had been holding back now fell down my face freely. There would be no chance to get away and I had absolutely no chance of fighting him off.

Laurent paused for a brief second, his face held almost a reassuring smile. Almost.

"Look at it this way; you're lucky it was me who found you, instead of Victoria. She's very put out with your Edward, and her choice of your death would have been very drawn out. Revenge for her mate, you see. It will be short this way, I promise. I will drink, and then I will leave." His crouch deepened and suddenly he was airborne.

I've seen it in movies hundreds of times over, but I had never thought it would be like it in real life. Everything slowed to a mere crawl. Laurent crouched deeper, and then sprung into the air. In a blur he was suddenly at my side, his arm already on the back of my neck. His other arm grabbed around my middle and held me in an unbreakable iron grasp. He pulled my head back and I felt his cold breath on my neck.

'Short…I promise," He whispered, lowering his lips to my neck.