Bella nestled into my arms, resting her head on my chest. She sighed, but it was not a sigh of contentment. It was one of grief.

I gently titled up her chin and saw the immense sadness in her eyes.

“What is it, Bella? Are you afraid? Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll be just fine. It’s really a blessing that you’re not hungry. That’s our curse, you know.”

She hid her face back into my chest, her dark hair tickling my nose.

“No,” she said, her words coming out muffled. “I’m not scared, not really. I’m just – sad. I miss Charlie. I wish I could visit him.”

I stroked her hair, wishing I could ease her sorrow. Perhaps I was wrong in saying that hunger was our curse.

“You can visit Charlie, you know.”

She lifted her head and pointed to her face, which had always been pale, but was now almost preternaturally fair.

“Looking like this?”

“You know what I’ve learned in the past century or so? Humans have the amazing capability of being incredibly imperceptive.”

Bella snorted. “You obviously don’t know Charlie.”