I scowled into the darkness.

    I kept my voice as even as possible. “Tell me something — what does Tanya look like?”
    “Just like the rest of us — white skin, gold eyes,” he answered too quickly.
    “And, of course, extraordinarily beautiful.”
    I felt him shrug.
    “I suppose, to human eyes,” he said, indifferent. “You know what, though?”
    “What?” My voice was petulant.
    He put his lips right to my ear; his cold breath tickled. “I prefer brunettes.”
    “She’s a blonde. That figures.”
    “Strawberry blonde — not at all my type.”
    I thought about that for a while, trying to concentrate as his lips moved slowly along my cheek, down my
throat, and back up again. He made the circuit three times before I spoke.
    “I guess that’s okay, then,” I decided.
    “Hmm,” he whispered against my skin. “You’re quite adorable when you’re jealous. It’s surprisingly
enjoyable.”
    I scowled into the darkness.
    “It’s late,” he said again, murmuring, almost crooning now, his voice smoother than silk. “Sleep, my Bella.
Dream happy dreams. You are the only one who has ever touched my heart. It will always be yours. Sleep,
my only love.”
    He started to hum my lullaby, and I knew it was only a matter of time till I succumbed, so I closed my
eyes and snuggled closer into his chest.

                                                  9. TARGET


ALICE DROPPED ME OFF IN THE MORNING, IN KEEPING with the slumber party charade. It wouldn’t be long
until Edward showed up, officially returning from his “hiking” trip. All of the pretenses were starting to wear on
me. I wouldn’t miss this part of being human.
    Charlie peeked through the front window when he heard me slam the car door. He waved to Alice, and
then went to get the door for me.
    “Did you have fun?” Charlie asked.
    “Sure, it was great. Very . . . girlie.”
    I carried my stuff in, dumped it all at the foot of the stairs, and wandered into the kitchen to look for a
snack.
    “You’ve got a message,” Charlie called after me.