Panic grips me as the truth of Carlisle’s words finally begins to take hold.

I’m a vampire?

Oh God!

He read my mind?

All these thoughts flit through my head so fast I can scarcely grasp them. I listen intently as the conversation – in the other room, I realize, though I can hear it as if I’m right beside them – continues.

Thankfully, my secret remains just that – a secret. From the others, at least.

The need to cry builds inside me, but no tears will form.

“Shh, it’s going to be alright, sweetheart,” a soft voice chimes.