The forest was drenched in shadow, every pine needle silenced under the weight of early evening fog. A heartbeat echoed faintly nearby—deer, no older than a fawn. Edward crouched low, a statue in motion, eyes black as coal from thirst.

He moved like mist through the trees, until—

The heartbeat vanished.

Then, the smell hit him.

Not animal. Not human.

Vampire. Female. Unknown.

He straightened slowly, his body tense but still, like a drawn bow. The fog parted.

She stood beneath a gnarled cedar, barefoot, pale as bone, her hair falling like ink over her shoulders. She smiled, faintly, as though amused to be noticed.

Edward was already picturing how fast he’d need to move if she lunged—if she made for the town.