2 new+moon新月-第43部分

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Another　agonizing　moment　passed；　and　then　Aro's　voice　broke　the　silence。　

〃Ha；　ha；　ha；〃　he　laughed；　his　head　still　bent　forward。　He　looked　up　slowly；　his　eyes　bright　with　
excitement。　〃That　was　fascinating！〃　

Alice　smiled　dryly。　〃I'm　glad　you　enjoyed　it。〃　

〃To　see　the　things　you've　seen—especially　the　ones　that　haven't　happened　yet！〃　He　shook　his　head　in　
wonder。　

〃But　that　will；〃　she　reminded　him；　voice　calm。　

〃Yes；　yes；　it's　quite　determined。　Certainly　there's　no　problem。〃　

Caius　looked　bitterly　disappointed—a　feeling　he　seemed　to　share　with　Felix　and　Jane。　

〃Aro；〃　Caius　plained。　

〃Dear　Caius；〃　Aro　smiled。　〃Do　not　fret。　Think　of　the　possibilities！　They　do　not　join　us　today；　but　we　can　
always　hope　for　the　future。　Imagine　the　joy　young　Alice　alone　would　bring　to　our　little　household…　
Besides；　I'm　so　terribly　curious　to　see　how　Bella　turns　out！〃　

Aro　seemed　convinced。　Did　he　not　realize　how　subjective　Alice's　visions　were。'　That　she　could　make　up　
her　mind　to　transform　me　today；　and　then　change　it　tomorrow？　A　million　tiny　decisions；　her　decisions　and　
so　many　others'；　too—Edward's—could　alter　her　path；　and　with　that；　the　future。　

And　would　it　really　matter　that　Alice　was　willing；　would　it　make　any　difference　if　I　did　bee　a　vampire；　
when　the　idea　was　so　repulsive　to　Edward？　If　death　was；　to　him；　a　better　alternative　than　having　me　
around　forever；　an　immortal　annoyance？　Terrified　as　I　was；　I　felt　myself　sinking　down　into　depression；　
drowning　in　it…　

〃Then　we　are　free　to　go　now？〃　Edward　asked　in　an　even　voice。　

〃Yes；　yes；〃　Aro　said　pleasantly。　〃But　please　visit　again。　It's　been　absolutely　enthralling！〃　

〃And　we　will　visit　you　as　well；〃　Caius　promised；　his　eyes　suddenly　halfclosed　like　the　heavylidded　gaze　
of　a　lizard。　〃To　be　sure　that　you　follow　through　on　your　side。　Were　I　you；　I　would　not　delay　too　long。　We　
do　not　offer　second　chances。〃　

Edward's　jaw　clenched　tight；　but　he　nodded　once。　

Caius　smirked　and　drifted　back　to　where　Marcus　still　sat；　unmoving　and　uninterested。　

Felix　groaned。　

〃Ah；　Felix。〃　Aro　smiled；　amused。　〃Heidi　will　be　here　at　any　moment。　Patience。〃　

〃Hmm。〃　Edward's　voice　had　a　new　edge　to　it。　〃In　that　case；　perhaps　we'd　better　leave　sooner　rather　than　
later。〃　

〃Yes；〃　Aro　agreed。　〃That's　a　good　idea。　Accidents　do　happen。　Please　wait　below　until　after　dark；　though；　
if　you　don't　mind。〃　

〃Of　course；〃　Edward　agreed；　while　I　cringed　at　the　thought　of　waiting　out　the　day　before　we　could　
escape。　

〃And　here；〃　Aro　added；　motioning　to　Felix　with　one　finger。　Felix　came　forward　at　once；　and　Aro　
unfastened　the　gray　cloak　the　huge　vampire　wore；　pulling　from　his　shoulders。　He　tossed　it　to　Edward。　
〃Take　this。　You're　a　little　conspicuous。〃　

Edward　put　the　long　cloak　on；　leaving　the　hood　down。　

Aro　sighed。　〃It　suits　you。〃　

Edward　chuckled；　but　broke　off　suddenly；　glancing　over　his　shoulder。　〃Thank　you；　Aro。　We'll　wait　
below。〃　

〃Goodbye；　young　friends；〃　Aro　said；　his　eyes　bright　as　he　stared　in　the　same　direction。　

〃Let's　go；〃　Edward　said；　urgent　now。　

Demetri　gestured　that　we　should　follow；　and　then　set　off　the　way　we'd　e　in；　the　only　exit　by　the　look　
of　things。　

Edward　pulled　me　swiftly　along　beside　him。　Alice　was　close　by　my　other　side；　her　face　hard。　

〃Not　fast　enough；〃　she　muttered。　

I　stared　up　at　her；　frightened；　but　she　only　seemed　chagrined。　It　was　then　that　I　first　heard　the　babble　of　
voices—loud；　rough　voices—ing　from　the　antechamber。　

〃Well　this　is　unusual；〃　a　man's　coarse　voice　boomed。　

〃So　medieval；〃　an　unpleasantly　shrill；　female　voice　gushed　back。　

A　large　crowd　was　ing　through　the　little　door；　filling　the　smaller　stone　chamber。　Demetri　motioned　for　
us　to　make　room。　We　pressed　back　against　the　cold　wall　to　let　them　pass。　

The　couple　in　front；　Americans　from　the　sound　of　them；　glanced　around　themselves　with　appraising　eyes。　

〃Wele；　guests！　Wele　to　Volterra！〃　I　could　hear　Aro　sing　from　the　big　turret　room。　

The　rest　of　them；　maybe　forty　or　more；　filed　in　after　the　couple。　Some　studied　the　setting　like　tourists。　A　
few　even　snapped　pictures。　Others　looked　confused；　as　if　the　story　that　had　led　them　to　this　room　was　
not　making　sense　anymore。　I　noticed　one　small；　dark　woman　in　particular。　Around　her　neck　was　a　
rosary；　and　she　gripped　the　cross　tightly　in　one　hand。　She　walked　more　slowly　than　the　others；　touching　
someone　now　and　then　and　asking　a　question　in　an　unfamiliar　language。　No　one　seemed　to　understand　
her；　and　her　voice　grew　more　panicked。　

Edward　pulled　my　face　against　his　chest；　but　it　was　too　late。　I　already　understood。　

As　soon　as　the　smallest　break　appeared；　Edward　pushed　me　quickly　toward　the　door。　I　could　feel　the　
horrified　expression　on　my　face；　and　the　tears　beginning　to　pool　in　my　eyes。　

The　ornate　golden　hallway　was　quiet；　empty　except　for　one　gorgeous；　statuesque　woman。　She　stared　at　
us　curiously；　me　in　particular。　

〃Wele　home；　Heidi；〃　Demetri　greeted　her　from　behind　us。　

Heidi　smiled　absently。　She　reminded　me　of　Rosalie；　though　they　looked　nothing　alike—it　was　just　that　her　
beauty；　too；　was　exceptional；　unforgettable。　I　couldn't　seem　to　look　away。　

She　was　dressed　to　emphasize　that　beauty。　Her　amazingly　long　legs；　darkened　with　tights；　were　exposed　
by　the　shortest　of　miniskirts。　Her　top　was　longsleeved　and　highnecked；　but　extremely　closefitting；　and　
constructed　of　red　vinyl。　Her　long　mahogany　hair　was　lustrous；　and　her　eyes　were　the　strangest　shade　of　
violet—a　color　that　might　result　from　bluetinted　contacts　over　red　irises。　

〃Demetri；〃　she　responded　in　a　silky　voice；　her　eyes　flickering　between　my　face　and　Edward's　gray　cloak。　

〃Nice　fishing；〃　Demetri　plimented　her；　and　I　suddenly　understood　the　attentiongrabbing　outfit　she　
wore…　she　was　not　only　the　fisherman；　but　also　the　bait。　

〃Thanks。〃　She　flashed　a　stunning　smile。　〃Aren't　you　ing？〃　

〃In　a　minute。　Save　a　few　for　me。〃　

Heidi　nodded　and　ducked　through　the　door　with　one　last　curious　look　at　me。　

Edward　set　a　pace　that　had　me　running　to　keep　up。　But　we　still　couldn't　get　through　the　ornate　door　at　
the　end　of　the　hallway　before　the　screaming　started。　

22　FLIGHT　




DEMETRI　LEFT　US　IN　THE　CHEERFULLY　OPULENT　RECEPTION　area；　where　the　woman　
Gianna　was　still　at　her　post　behind　the　polished　counter。　Bright；　harmless　music　tinkled　from　hidden　
speakers。　

〃Do　not　leave　until　dark；〃　he　warned　us。　

Edward　nodded；　and　Demetri　hurried　away。　

Gianna　did　not　seem　at　all　surprised　by　the　exchange；　though　she　did　eye　Edward's　borrowed　cloak　with　
shrewd　speculation。　

〃Are　you　all　right？〃　Edward　asked　under　his　breath；　to　low　for　the　human　woman　to　hear。　His　voice　was　
rough—if　velvet　can　be　rough—with　anxiety。　Still　stressed　by　our　situation；　I　imagined。　

〃You'd　better　make　her　sit　before　she　falls；〃　Alice　said。　〃She's　going　to　pieces。〃　

It　was　only　then　that　I　realize　I　was　shaking；　shaking　hard；　my　entire　frame　vibrating　until　my　teeth　
chattered　and　the　room　around　me　seemed　to　wobble　and　blur　in　my　eyes。　For　one　wild　second；　I　
wondered　if　this　was　how　Jacob　felt　just　before　exploding　into　a　werewolf。　

I　heard　a　sound　that　didn't　make　sense；　a　strange；　ripping　counterpart　to　the　otherwise　cheery　
background　music。　Distracted　by　the　shaking；　I　couldn't　tell　where　it　was　ing　from。　

〃Shh；　Bella；　shh；〃　Edward　said　as　he　pulled　me　to　the　sofa　farthest　away　from　the　curious　human　at　the　
desk。　

〃I　think　she's　having　hysterics。　Maybe　you　should　slap　her；〃　Alice　suggested。　

Edward　threw　a　frantic　glance　at　her。　

Then　I　understood。　Oh。　The　noise　was　me。　The　ripping　sound　was　the　sobs　ing　from　my　chest。　
That's　what　was　shaking　me。　

〃It's　all　right；　you're　safe；　it's　all　right；〃　he　chanted　again　and　again。　He　pulled　ne　onto　his　lap　and　tucked　
the　thick　wool　cloak　around　me；　protecting　me　from　his　cold　skin。　

I　knew　it　was　stupid　to　react　like　this。　Who　knew　how　much　time　I　had　to　look　at　his　race？　He　was　
saved；　and　I　was　saved；　and　he　could　leave　me　as　soon　as　we　were　free。　To　have　my　eyes　so　filled　with　
tears　that　I　could　not　see　his　features　clearly　was　wasteful—insanity。　

But；　behind　my　eyes　where　the　tears　could　not　wash　the　image　away；　I　could　still　see　the　panicked　face　
of　the　tiny　woman　with　the　rosary。　

〃All　those　people；〃　I　sobbed。　

〃I　know；〃　he　whispered。　

〃It's　so　horrible。〃　

〃Yes；　it　is。　I　wish　you　hadn't　had　to　see　that。〃　

I　rested　my　head　against　his　cold　chest；　using　the　thick　cloak　to　wipe　my　eyes。　I　took　a　few　deep　breaths；　
trying　to　calm　myself。　

〃Is　there　anything　I　can　get　you？〃　a　voice　asked　politely。　It　was　Gianna；　leaning　over　Edward's　shoulder　
with　a　look　that　was　both　concerned　and　yet　still　professional　and　detached　at　the　same　time。　It　didn't　
seem　to　bother　her　that　her　face　was　inches　from　a　hostile　vampire。　She　was　either　totally　oblivious；　or　
very　good　at　her　job。　

〃No；〃　Edward　answered　coldly。　

She　nodded；　smiled　at　me；　and　then　disappeared。　

I　waited　until　she　was　out　of　hearing　range。　〃Does　she　know　what's　going　on　here？〃　I　demanded；　my　
voice　low　and　hoarse。　I　was　getting　control　of　myself；　my　breathing　evening　out。　

〃Yes。　She　knows　everything；〃　Edward　told　me。　

〃Does　she　know　they're　going　to　kill　her　someday？〃　

〃She's　knows　it's　a　possibility；〃　he　said。　

That　surprised　me。　

Edward's　face　was　hard　to　read。　〃She's　hoping　they'll　decide　to　keep　her。〃　

I　felt　the　blood　leave　my　face。　〃She　wants　to　be　one　of　them？〃　

He　nodded　once；　his　eyes　sharp　on　my　face；　watching　my　reaction。　

I　shuddered。　〃How　can　she　want　that？〃　I　whispered；　more　to　myself　than　really　looking　for　an　answer。　
〃How　can　she　watch　those　people　file　through　to　that　hideous　room　and　want　to　be　a　part　of　that？〃　

Edward　didn't　answer。　His　expression　twisted　in　response　to　something　I'd　said。　

As　I　stared　at　his　too　beautiful　face；　trying　to　understand　the　change；　it　suddenly　struck　me　that　I　was　
really　here；　in　Edward's　arms；　however　fleetingly；　and　that　we　were　not—at　this　exact　moment—about　to　
be　killed。　

〃Oh；　Edward；〃　I　cried；　and　I　was　sobbing　again。　It　was　such　a　stupid　reaction。　The　tears　were　too　thick　
for　me　to　see　his　face　again；　and　that　was　inexcusable。　I　only　had　until　sunset　for　sure。　Like　a　fairy　tale　
again；　with　deadlines　that　ended　the　magic。　

〃What's　wrong？〃　he　asked；　still　anxious；　rubbing　my　back　with　gentle　pats。　

I　wrapped　my　arms　around　his　neck—what　was　the　worst　he　could　do？　Just　push　me　away—and　
hugged　myself　closer　to　him。　〃Is　it　really　sick　for　me　to　be　happy　right　now？〃　I　asked。　My　voice　broke　
twice。　

He　didn't　push　me　away。　He　pulled　me　tight　against　his　icehard　chest；　so　tight　it　was　hard　to　breathe；　
even　with　my　lungs　securely　intact。　〃I　know　exactly　what　you　mean；〃　he　whispered。　〃But　we　have　lots　of　
reasons　to　be　happy。　For　one；　we're　alive。〃　

〃Yes；〃　I　agreed。　〃That's　a　good　one。〃　

〃And　together；〃　he　breathed。　His　breath　was　so　sweet　it　made　my　head　swim。　

I　just　nodded；　sure　that　he　did　not　place　the　same　weight　on　that　consideration　as　I　did。　

〃And；　with　any　luck；　we'll　still　be　alive　tomorrow。〃　

〃Hopefully；〃　I　said　uneasily。　

〃The　outlook　is　quite　good；〃　Alice　assured　me。　She'd　been　so　quiet；　I'd　almost　forgotten　her　presence。　
〃I'll　see　Jasper　in　less　than　twentyfour　hours；〃　she　added　in　a　satisfied　tone。　

Lucky　Alice。　She　could　trust　her　future。　

I　couldn't　keep　my　eyes　off　of　Edward's　face　for　long。　I　stared　at　him；　wishing　more　than　anything　that　the　
future　would　never　happen。　That　this　moment　would　last　forever；　or；　if　it　couldn't；　that　I　would　stop　
existing　when　it　did。　

Edward　stared　right　back　at　me；　his　dark　eyes　soft；　and　it　was　easy　to　pretend　that　he　felt　the　same　way。　
So　that's　what　I　did。　I　pretended；　to　make　the　moment　sweeter。　

His　fingertips　traced　the　circles　under　my　eyes。　〃You　look　so　tired。〃　

〃And　you　look　thirsty；〃　I　whispered　back；　studying　the　purple　bruises　under　his　black　irises。　

He　shrugged。　〃It's　nothing。〃　

〃Are　you　sure？　I　could　sit　with　Alice；〃　I　offered；　unwilling；　I'd　rather　he　killed　me　now　than　move　one　inch　
from　where　I　was。　

〃Don't　be　ridiculous。〃　He　sighed；　his　sweet　breath　caressed　my　face。　〃I've　never　been　in　better　control　of　
that　side　of　my　nature　than　right　now。〃　

I　had　a　million　questions　for　him。　One　of　them　bubbled　to　my　lips　now；　but　I　held　my　tongue。　I　didn't　
want　to　ruin　the　moment；　as　imperfect　as　it　was；　here　in　this　room　that　made　me　sick；　under　the　eyes　of　
the　wouldbe　monster。　

Here　in　his　arms；　it　was　so　easy　to　fantasize　that　he　wanted　me。　I　didn't　want　to　think　about　his　
motivations　now—about　whether　he　acted　this　way　to　keep　me　calm　while　we　were　still　in　danger；　or　if　
he　just　felt　guilty　for　where　we　were　and　relieved　that　he　wasn't　responsible　for　my　death。　Maybe　the　time　
apart　had　been　enough　that　I　didn't　bore　him　for　the　moment。　But　it　didn't　matter。　I　was　so　much　happier　
pretending。　

I　lay　quiet　in　his　arms；　rememorizing　his　face；　pretending…　

He　stared　at　my　face　like　he　was　doing　the　same；　while　he　and　Alice　discussed　how　to　get　home。　Their　
voices　were　so　quick　and　low　that　I　knew　Gianna　couldn't　understand。　I　missed　half　of　it　myself。　It　
sounded　like　more　theft　would　be　involved；　though。　I　wondered　idly　if　the　yellow　Porsche　had　made　it　
back　to　its　owner　yet。　

〃What　was　all　that　talk　about　singers？〃　Alice　asked　at　one　point。　

〃La　tua　cantante；〃　Edward　said。　His　voice　made　the　words　into　music。　

〃Yes；　that；〃　Alice　said；　and　I　concentrated　for　a　moment。　I'd　wondered　about　that；　too；　at　the　time。　

I　felt　Edward　shrug　around　me。　〃They　have　a　name　for　someone　who　smells　the　way　Bella　does　to　me。　
They　call　her　my　singer—because　her　blood　sings　for　me。〃　

Alice　laughed。　

I　was　tired　enough　to　sleep；　but　I　fought　against　the　weariness。　I　wasn't　going　to　miss　a　second　of　the　time　
I　had　with　him。　Now　and　then；　as　he　talked　with　Alice；　he　would　lean　down　suddenly　and　kiss　me—his　
glasssmooth　lips　brushing　against　my　hair；　my　forehead；　the　tip　of　my　nose。　Each　time　it　was　like　an　
electric　shock　to　my　long　dormant　heart。　The　sound　of　its　beating　seemed　to　fill　the　entire　room。　

It　was　heaven—right　smack　in　the　middle　of　hell。　

I　lost　track　of　the　time　pletely。　So　when　Edward's　arms　tightened　around　me；　and　both　he　and　Alice　
looked　to　the　back　of　the　room　with　wary　eyes；　I　panicked。　I　cringed　into　Edward's　chest　as　Alec—his　
eyes　now　a　vivid　ruby；　but　still　spotless　in　his　light　gray　suit　despite　the　afternoon　meal—walked　through　
the　double　doors。　

It　was　good　news。　

〃You're　free　to　leave　now；〃　Alec　told　us；　his　tone　so　warm　you'd　think　we　were　all　lifelong　friends。　〃We　
ask　that　you　don't　linger　in　the　city。〃　

Edward　made　no　answering　pretence；　his　voice　was　ice　cold。　〃That　won't　be　a　problem。〃　

Alec　smiled；　nodded；　and　disappeared　again。　

〃Follow　the　right　hallway　around　the　corner　to　the　first　set　of　elevators；〃　Gianna　told　us　as　Edward　helped　
me　to　my　feet。　〃The　lobby　is　two　floors　down；　and　exits　to　the　street。　Goodbye；　now；〃　she　added　
pleasantly。　I　wondered　if　her　petence　would　be　enough　to　save　her。　

Alice　shot　her　a　dark　look。　

I　was　relieved　there　was　another　way　out；　I　wasn't　sure