The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

that now.

“He was trying to be everywhere at once,” the redhead told the human. “Trying to make sure Alice had nothing to do, actually.” He shook his head as he looked at the tiny blackhaired girl. “Alice doesn’t need anyone’s help.”

The vampire named Alice shot a glare at Jasper.

“Overprotective fool,” she said in her clear soprano voice.

Jasper met her stare with a half smile, seeming to forget for a second that I existed.

I could barely fight the instinct that wanted me to make use of his lapse and spring at the human girl. It would take less than an instant and then her warm blood—blood I could hear pumping through her heart—would quench the burn. She was so close— The vampire with the dark red hair met my eyes with a fierce warning glare, and I knew I would die if I tried for the girl, but the agony in my throat made me feel like I would die if I didn’t. It hurt so much that I screamed out loud in frustration.

Jasper snarled at me, and I tried to keep myself from moving, but it felt like the scent of her blood was a giant hand yanking me off the ground. I had never tried to stop myself from feeding once I had committed to a hunt. I dug my hands into the ground looking for something to hold on to but finding nothing.

Jasper leaned into a crouch, and even knowing I was two seconds from death, I couldn’t focus my thirsty thoughts.

And then Carlisle was right there, his hand on Jasper’s arm.

He looked at me with kind, calm eyes. “Have you changed your mind, young one?” he asked me. “We don’t want to destroy you,