A World of Shadows

Chapter 1: Turned

This chapter is basically a preface so don't tune out because it's boring as all it's here for is to set up the rest of the plot and create some context...

DISCALAIMER: I own nothing but the plot. All the characters are owned by Stephanie Meyer not me!

Chapter song: My Immortal by Evanescence

I walked methodically just staring at the map making sure I didn't stray from the line Jake had drawn until I was there with an abruptness that disorientated me, I stepped through a low arch made by two vine maples- pushing past the chest high 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 so perfectly round as if someone had intentionally created the flawless circle, tearing out 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 wild flowers; 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 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. I felt so alone, as the feeling of abandonment I had been suppressing for so long swept over me. Alone. Yet precisely at that moment I became aware I wasn't alone. My head snapped up and my eyes instantly found a lone figure standing completely still. Inhumanly still. I only knew one creature that could be so still; statue-like. I leapt to my feet, wobbling slightly and stumbled forwards. Just before I collapsed again stone cold hands had seized my shoulders and pulled me upright again. I gazed with numb terror into a pair of red-tinged black eyes in a too familiar olive-toned face.

"Laurent!" I breathed 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. I quickly stopped my thoughts before I entered painful territory again.

"Bella." He stated, looking unsurprised at my obvious disarray both mentally and physically.

"Did Victoria ever find you?" I asked, breathless.

"Yes." He said, hesitating ever so slightly." I actually came here as a favour to her." He made a face. "She won't be happy about this."

"About what?" I said with a feeling of foreboding growing. He looked at me and smiled, showing his gleaming teeth - the expression made him look like a black-haired angel.

"About me killing you," he answered in a seductive purr. I slumped in his arms my head filling with a distracting buzz.

"She wanted to save that part for herself," he went on blithely. "She's sort of…put out with you, Bella."

"Me?" I squeaked.

He shook his head and chuckled. "I know, it seems a little backwards to me, too. But James was her mate, and your Edward killed him."