Edward was still drinking. How much more blood could I afford to lose before I died? As if in response, I felt the pressure release from my wrist. Edwards onyx eyes blinked at me from a foot away. He looked tortured and desperate. I knew he was struggling with the human in him. He wanted more, but he knew he had to stop. I could already feel the weakness the loss of blood had resulted in. His pained, angelic face faded from before me as my consciousness slipped away.

I didn’t know how long I was out for, but I awoke to the familiar pain in my arm. My vision was blurred, and imperfect, but I could make out Edwards cold figure laying next to me.

“There’s that fire again.” I made a weak attempt at humor.

“Bella, I’m so sorry.” He ignored my joke.

“No.” I failed to shake my head. “Thank you.”

“What can I do to make this easier for you?” His tortured face swam into focus.

“Hold my hand.” I instructed. “It burns.”

He obediently wove his fingers through mine. The cool of his skin relieved some of the discomfort, but the pain was still present. I knew that in a short time, the venom would spread and the pain would consume my entire body. I fought to conceal my agony from Edward, but he was wise enough to avoid looking at my face. He held my hand securely and pressed as much of his body as he could against mine, anticipating my pending pain as much as I was.

“I almost lost control, Bella. I was so scared.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No.”

“And now its all over.”

“Not yet.” He whispered.

“Yes, the hard part is over.”

“But not for you.”

I made a weak attempt at shrugging.

“Thank you for believing in me.” He breathed into my ear.

I smiled, and shuddered involuntarily, causing his arms to tighten around me.

“Sleep, Bella. It will be the last chance you have, and the more time you can spend sleeping, the better.”

His head rested on my chest and I gave in to a forced, fitful sleep. As I slept, Edward continued to press his ear to my chest and monitor the slowing beats of my heart until eventually, they stopped all together.