There were more voices inside Isabella’s head than she was used to. It seemed she could hear everyone within the town. There were thoughts of breakfast and baths, getting to work in the fields or the town. Only one voice caught her attention—that of Edward. She felt that he was nearby, the bond between them aching behind her ribcage. She tried to reach out to him with her mind, but she was uncertain if such a thing were possible. He was in an alley, searching for food. It gave her the most unpleasant feeling; one of caring what happened to him more than what happened to her. She had thought the mate bond consisted of bloodlust and lust of the flesh, not endearing feelings of devotion.
She was weak. She hated to admit it because she’d always been the strong one. As far back as she could remember, since her human memories were fuzzy, she’d been feral and fierce. She had not heeded the words of her creator when he cautioned against feeding on humans and turning into a nomad. She had chosen her own path, knowing one day she would focus solely on her mate. Her skin was on the mend, but she hadn't fed since the damage had been done, making it a slow process. She was starving, she knew. The blood that should have been there to repair her body was used up with simply trying to survive in the sunlight. Her consolation was that the next fool to come and see her would find her fake compliance to be deadly—for them.
oOo
Edward woke hungry. He was tired of living his life from one blackout to the next, without even the enjoyment of drink in between. He couldn't remember when he’d last eaten or what day it was. He felt some sort of gnawing pain in his breastbone, and he rubbed at it subconsciously. He needed food. The baker recognized him when he stepped into the shop; they’d done plenty of business together over the years.
“Morning, Mr. Masen.”
“Morning, Tyler.” Edward scrubbed at his filthy face. “Mr. Black has thrown me out of my house without any money. Might you have some crust or scraps I could have?”
Tyler frowned. He’d heard rumblings of Masen being sick. He looked a little worse for wear, but not insane as they’d claimed. “I have some fresh loaves cooling. I can give you one at no charge, as a friend.”
Edward sighed in relief. “Thank you, Tyler. Bless you and your wife.”
Tyler let him wash up in the basin in the kitchen before handing him sliced bread on a wooden platter. There was butter and honey as well, a veritable feast for one as hungry as he. He thanked Tyler profusely once more before tucking into the food while he sat at the large worktable.
He pondered what to do next as he chewed the toothsome bread. Finding Isabella was maybe not a wise choice if he wanted to live. Likely, he could get a job in town and live in the men’s quarters above the general store. It was a viable option, but his skill set revolved around farming.
Tyler came into the kitchen wringing his hands on his apron. “Is it true what they’ve said?”
Edward swallowed as he looked up at him. “Is what true?”
“Well, Black and Newton say you were declared incompetent because you had a vampire in your house and she made you crazy like her.”
“I’m not crazy,” Edward said slowly. No wonder he had been dumped in the middle of the forest. “I was a tad sick and collapsed in my field. When next I woke I found myself abandoned in the middle of nowhere. I made the long walk back home last night to find Black in my house with a gun pointed at me.”
“And the . . . vampire?” Tyler whispered. His eyes were round and fearful, as though saying the word could conjure one.
Edward sighed. “I saw one, yes.”
“I heard they captured her and put her in the dungeons,” Tyler said.
“Vampires can’t be caught.” Edward laughed and took another bite, the honey a sweet and floral note on the tip of his tongue.
“They pulled her into the sun where she burned up.” Tyler became more animated as he retold the story he’d heard. “She was screaming and weakening fast, but she killed Uley, Lahote, Brady, and old Mr. Newton. Cut Michael’s arm nearly clean off. They don't know if he’ll make it.”
Edward stood and stared at Tyler. “And the vampire?”
“She’s in the cells below the jail from what I hear tell.”
Edward stuffed the remaining bread in his pocket and clapped Tyler on the shoulder. “Thank you for the information, and the food.”
“What are you going to do? Tarnation, I shoulda known you was crazy!”
Edward ignored the shouts and headed out the door and toward the jail. He wasn't even sure why, but he knew he had to save her.
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