Chapter 168
- My wolf brushes her nuzzle affectionately against the neck of Edward's wolf before they both turn and face me. As their captivating eyes meet mine, it takes me a moment to understand what they are trying to convey, but I soon comprehend their message. Our work is done, they've fulfilled their task by guiding me across Pack lands and they are taking their leave. We've done it… We successfully scoured through the entire area and deactivated every single trap we've found. Edward joins me as we both send as much love and gratitude as we can in their direction before finally we thank them for their help and say goodbye. Then, just as suddenly as they appeared, they vanish. My heart skips a beat as a flash of fear spreads within me and I quickly search my mind for my wolf's presence. A relieved sigh escapes my lips when I find her. She's quiet and distant, as she usually is when I use my magic, but she's there. I haven't lost her.
- Suddenly, the Earth feels like it is disappearing under my feet as Edward and I are simultaneously sucked back to our physical bodies. Just as we are about to let go of the connection to the Earth, I hesitate. Although I can't hear his voice, I can feel how Edward is willing me to return, but he's disappearing from me. The traps… Even though they are deactivated, they can't be left out there, I need to remove them from the Earth.
- I can feel how tired my body is beginning to become and I know this will take a lot more out of me, especially because I'm now alone, but for some reason I just can't stop myself. I open my mind again to allow myself to get dragged deeper into my connection to the Earth so that I am able to search out every single trap with my mind. This time, I can physically feel the Earth is trying to pull me deeper and deeper. Perhaps it's because of the knowledge that Aro shared with me earlier today, but as I feel the Earth tug at me, I find it more and more difficult to concentrate on my task. The Earth's joy and calmness is slowly but surely changing into something very different. Around me I can begin to feel the vast depth of Earth's almost bottomless need for help and excruciating pain grab at my skin as it desperately begs for assistance. Panic rises within and I know I should break out of this as soon as I can, but I continue. I'm so close to completing this. The traps are moving towards where we are standing, I can feel them flying through the air, I just need to hold on a little while longer. My knees begin to buckle as the peaceful and comforting Earth is suddenly replaced by something very cold and almost feral.