“I hear voices in my mind and you're worried that you're the freak,” he laughed.”

“And you're worried, not because you're headed to meet a houseful of vampires, but because you think those vampires won't approve of you, correct?”“That's right,” I answered immediately, hiding my surprise at his casual use of the word.He shook his head. “You're incredible.”

“No, Jacob," I whimpered, fighting against the budding tears. "No, never.""You're not crying?" he demanded, his voice suddenly back to it's normal tone. He twitched impatiently in the bed.”

“His skin was a pretty colour, it made me jealous. Jacob noticed my scrutiny.What?" he asked, suddenly self-conscious."Nothing. I just hadn't realised before. Did you know, you're sort of beautiful?"Once the words slipped out, I worried that he might take my implusive observation the wrong way.But Jacob rolled his eyes. "You hit your head pretty hard, didn't you?" "I'm serious."Well, then, thanks. Sort of."I grinned. "You're sort of welcome.”

“But now you're unhappy," he pointed out."And?" I challenged. "That doesn't seem fair." He shrugged, but his eyes were still intense. I laughed without humour. "Hasn't anyone told you? Life isn't fair." "I believe I have heard that somewhere before," he agreed dryly.”

“How can I put this so that you'll believe me? You're not asleep, and you're not dead. I'm here, and I love you. I have always loved you, and I will always love you. I was thinking of you, seeing your face in my mind, every second that I was away. When I told you that I didn't want you, it was the very blackest kind of blasphemy.”

“You're my life now and I will do anything to protect you.”