“We have not hunted in a while,” Edward confessed, and I noticed his eyes were darker than I supposed they should be.

“You can’t hunt here,” I replied through gritted teeth, “Not unless you wish to hunt game as we do.”

The one who had silenced Felix answered instead, “We will do as you wish, and hunt with you once your father returns. We swear not to harm a human while we are visiting here.”

Edward glared at him, but I was grateful. I didn’t want them to cause us to have to leave Forks. The more cooperation on their part, the better. They had come here unwanted, and now they would do as asked. A fine exchange in my eyes.

Charlie wouldn’t be home for a few more hours, and my mother looked in no condition to hold polite conversation, so I did so, rather stiffly though.

Eventually I asked, “How did you know about us?”

Edward supplied me with no more but, “We have our ways.”

That sort of answer made me angry, so I smiled, but really I was going into his mind.

“I wouldn’t try it,” He whispered, his mouth barely moving. “I saw what you were doing to Felix earlier. I may not be able to read what you’re thinking, but I can guess what you’re doing.”

This infuriated me. I barely knew him, but I felt as if we had been acquaintances for years as I glared at him now. How dare he come here unwanted! No matter how beautiful and royal he was, he would not get away with intrusion here! I growled at him, crouching into position.

Immediately, the black cloaked male whose name I did not know had pounced on me. I was slammed hard into the wall, and I growled even louder in fury. My mother stood up, and soon she was growling too, no longer afraid of these stupid, stupid men.

“Miss Swan,” He addressed me politely as I remained pinned against the wall, “I really do understand what you’re feeling right now, and I must agree I would feel the same way. However, my father will not take it too kindly that you have disobeyed our orders and wishes, so if you would like to remain alive, I strongly advise you to comply. We have promised not to hunt humans on your land, and you have agreed to show us how you hunt in turn. Then we shall be on our way, and you will most likely never hear from us again. Demetri, please release her.”

He said this all politely enough, but I knew better. As Demetri freed me from his hold I shrieked, “You’re lying!” in Edward’s face and ran upstairs to my room.

Why? Why oh why did he have to be so beautiful and so absurdly evil at the same time? He seemed adequately nice, educated and well-mannered, but he was a liar, and he knew I knew that.

“Bella?” My father pushed open the door and found me lying on my floor, head in my hands. “Your mother told me what happened.”

“Where is he?” I whispered, “Where did he go?”

They have left for a time, but they will be back,” Charlie came over and took me in his arms, pulling me up into an embrace. “They’re just curious Bella. They will leave eventually.”

“You’re wrong!” I told him fiercely, my anger getting the best of me again, “He’s a liar Dad! A no good, royal liar! He wants me Dad! He was sent to get me!”

My father’s face turned to one of alarm as he looked into my eyes. “Are you sure?” He finally asked, his voice uncharacteristically nervous.