nt recognize the handwriting, but it was as fancy as the rest of it. For half a second, I wondered if the bloodsucker was into gloating.

I flipped it open.

Jacob,

Im breaking the rules by sending you this. She was afraid of hurting you, and she didnt want to make you feel obligated in any way. But I know that, if things had gone the other way, I would have wanted the choice.

I promise I will take care of her, Jacob. Thank you  for her  for everything.

Edward

Jake, we only have the one table, Billy said. He was staring at my left hand.

My fingers were clamped down on the wood hard enough that it really was in danger. I loosened them one by one, concentrating on that action alone, and then clenched my hands together so I couldnt break anything.

Yeah, doesnt matter anyway, Billy muttered.

I got up from the table, shrugging out of my t-shirt as I stood. Hopefully Leah had gone home by now.

Not too late, Billy mumbled as I punched the front door out of my way.

I was running before I hit the trees, my clothes strewn out behind me like a trail of crumbs  as if I wanted to find my way back. It was almost too easy now to phase. I didnt have to think. My body already knew where I was going and, before I asked it to, it gave me what I wanted.

I had four legs now, and I was flying.

The trees blurred into a sea of black flowing around me. My muscles bunched and released in an effortless rhythm. I could run like this for days and I would not be tired. Maybe, this time, I wouldnt stop.

But I wasnt alone.

So sorry,Embry whispered in my head.

I could see through his eyes. He was far away, to the north, but he had wheeled around and was racing to join me. I growled and pushed myself faster.

Wait for us,Quil complained. He was closer, just starting out from the village.

Leave me alone,I snarled.

I could feel their worry in my head, try hard as I might to drown it in the sound of the wind and the forest. This was what I hated most  seeing myself through their eyes, worse now that their eyes were full of pity. They saw the hate, but they kept running after me.

A new voice sounded in my head.

Let him go.Sams thought was soft, but still an order. Embry and Quil slowed to a walk.

If only I could stop hearing, stop seeing what they saw. My head was so crowded, but the only way to be alone again was to be human, and I couldnt stand the pain.

Phase back,Sam directed them.Ill pick you up, Embry.

First one, then another awareness faded into silence. Only Sam was left.

Thank you,I managed to think.

Come home when you can.The words were faint, trailing off into blank emptiness as he left, too. And I was alone.

So much better. Now I could hear the faint rustle of the matted leaves beneath my toenails, the whisper of an owls wings above me, the ocean  far, far in the west  moaning against the beach. Hear this, and nothing more. Feel nothing but speed, nothing but the pull of muscle, sinew, and bone, working together in harmony as the miles disappeared behind me.

If the silence in my head lasted, I would never go back. I wouldnt be the first one to choose this form over the other. Maybe, if I ran far enough away, I would never have to hear again. . . .

I pushed my legs faster, letting Jacob Black disappear behind me.



Acknowledgments

I would be very remiss if I did not thank the many people who helped me survive the birthing of another novel:

My parents have been my rock; I dont know how anyone does this without a dads good advice and a moms shoulder to cry on.

My husband and sons have been incredibly long-sufferinganyone else would have had me committed to an asylum long ago. Thanks for keeping me around, guys.

My ElizabethElizabeth Eulberg, publicist extraordinairehas made all the difference to my sanity both on and off the road. Few people are lucky enough to work so closely with their BFF, and I am eternally grateful for the wholesomeness of cheese-loving Midwestern girls.

Jodi Reamer continues to guide my career with genius and finesse. It is very comforting to know that I am in such good hands.

It is also wonderful to have my manuscripts in the right hands. Thanks to Rebecca Davis for being so in tune with the story in my head and helping me find the best ways to express it. Thanks to Megan Tingley, first for your unwavering faith in my work, and second for polishing that work until it shines.

Everyone at Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers has taken such amazing care of my creations. I can tell it is a true labor of love for you all, and I appreciate it more than you know. Thank you Chris Murphy, Shawn Foster, Andrew Smith, Stephanie Voros, Gail Doobinin, Tina McIntyre, Ames ONeill, and the many others who have made the Twilight series a success.

I cant believe how lucky I was to discover Lori Joffs, who somehow manages to be both the fastest and the most meticulous reader at the same time. I am thrilled to have a friend and accomplice who is so insightful, talented, and patient with my whining.

Lori Joffs again, along with Laura Cristiano, Michaela Child, and Ted Joffs, for creating and maintaining the brightest star in the Twilight online universe, the Twilight Lexicon. I truly appreciate all the hard work you put into providing a happy place for my fans to hang out. Thanks also to my international friends at Crepusculo-es.com for a site so amazing it transcends the language barrier. Kudos as well to Brittany Gardeners fabulous work on the Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer MySpace Group, a fan site so large that the idea of keeping track of it boggles my mind; Brittany, you amaze me.

Katie and Audrey, Bella Penombra is a thing of beauty.

Heather, the Nexus rocks.

I cant mention all the amazing sites and their creators here,

but thank you very much to each of you.


Many thanks to my cold readers, Laura Cristiano, Michelle Vieira,

Bridget Creviston, and Kimberlee Peterson, for their invaluable input

and encouraging enthusiasm.


Every writer needs an independent bookstore for a friend;

Im so grateful for my hometown supporters at Changing Hands Bookstore

in Tempe, Arizona, and especially to Faith Hochhalter,

who has brilliant taste in literature.


I am in your debt, rock gods of Muse, for yet another inspiring album.

Thank you for continuing to create my favorite writing music.

I am also grateful to all the other bands on my playlist

who help me through the writers block, and to my new discoveries,

Ok Go, Gomez, Placebo, Blue October, and Jacks Mannequin.


Most of all, a gargantuan thank-you to all of my fans.

I firmly believe that my fans are the most attractive, intelligent,

exciting, and dedicated fans in the whole world.

I wish I could give you each a big hug and a Porsche 911 Turbo.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Copyright  2007 by Stephenie Meyer


All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.


Little, Brown and Company


Hachette Book Group USA

237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Visit our Web site atwww.lb-teens.com


First eBook Edition: September 2007


ISBN: 0-316-00816-8




Contents

Fire and Ice

PREFACE

1. ULTIMATUM

2. EVASION

3. MOTIVES

4. NATURE

5. IMPRINT

6. SWITZERLAND

7. UNHAPPY ENDING

8. TEMPER

9. TARGET

10. SCENT

11. LEGENDS

12. TIME

13. NEWBORN

14. DECLARATION

15. WAGER

16. EPOCH

17. ALLIANCE

18. INSTRUCTION

19. SELFISH

20. COMPROMISE

21. TRAILS

22. FIRE AND ICE

23. MONSTER

24. SNAP DECISION

25. MIRROR

26. ETHICS

27. NEEDS

EPILOGUE  CHOICE

Acknowledgments




About this Title


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