1 twilight暮色-第37部分

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〃We'll　be　together　again　in　a　few　days；〃　he　said；　tightening　his　arm　
around　me。　〃Don't　forget　that　this　was　your　idea。〃　

〃It　was　the　best　idea　—　of　course　it　was　mine。〃　

His　answering　smile　was　bleak　and　disappeared　immediately。　

〃Why　did　this　happen？〃　I　asked；　my　voice　catching。　〃Why　me？〃　

He　stared　blackly　at　the　road　ahead。　〃It's　my　fault　—　I　was　a　fool　to　
expose　you　like　that。〃　The　rage　in　his　voice　was　directed　internally。　

〃That's　not　what　I　meant；〃　I　insisted。　〃I　was　there；　big　deal。　It　didn't　
bother　the　other　two。　Why　did　this　James　decide　to　kill　met　There're　
people　all　over　the　place；　why　me？〃　

He　hesitated；　thinking　before　he　answered。　

〃I　got　a　good　look　at　his　mind　tonight；〃　he　began　in　a　low　voice。　〃I'm　
not　sure　if　there's　anything　I　could　have　done　to　avoid　this；　once　he　saw　
you。　It　is　partially　your　fault。〃　His　voice　was　wry。　〃If　you　didn't　smell　
so　appallingly　luscious；　he　might　not　have　bothered。　But　when　I　defended　
you…　well；　that　made　it　a　lot　worse。　He's　not　used　to　being　thwarted；　no　
matter　how　insignificant　the　object。　He　thinks　of　himself　as　a　hunter　and　
nothing　else。　His　existence　is　consumed　with　tracking；　and　a　challenge　is　
all　he　asks　of　life。　Suddenly　we've　presented　him　with　a　beautiful　
challenge　—　a　large　clan　of　strong　fighters　all　bent　on　protecting　the　
one　vulnerable　element。　You　wouldn't　believe　how　euphoric　he　is　now。　It's　
his　favorite　game；　and　we've　just　made　it　his　most　exciting　game　ever。〃　
His　tone　was　full　of　disgust。　

He　paused　a　moment。　

〃But　if　I　had　stood　by；　he　would　have　killed　you　right　then；〃　he　said　
with　hopeless　frustration。　

〃I　thought…　I　didn't　smell　the　same　to　the　others…　as　I　do　to　you；〃　I　
said　hesitantly。　

〃You　don't。　But　that　doesn't　mean　that　you　aren't　still　a　temptation　to　
every　one　of　them。　If　you　had　appealed　to　the　tracker　—　or　any　of　them　—　
the　same　way　you　appeal　to　me；　it　would　have　meant　a　fight　right　there。〃　

I　shuddered。　

〃I　don't　think　I　have　any　choice　but　to　kill　him　now；〃　he　muttered。　
〃Carlisle　won't　like　it。〃　

I　could　hear　the　tires　cross　the　bridge；　though　I　couldn't　see　the　river　
in　the　dark。　I　knew　we　were　getting　close。　I　had　to　ask　him　now。　

〃How　can　you　kill　a　vampire？〃　

He　glanced　at　me　with　unreadable　eyes　and　his　voice　was　suddenly　harsh。　
〃The　only　way　to　be　sure　is　to　tear　him　to　shreds；　and　then　burn　the　
pieces。〃　

〃And　the　other　two　will　fight　with　him？〃　

〃The　woman　will。　I'm　not　sure　about　Laurent。　They　don't　have　a　very　
strong　bond　—　he's　only　with　them　for　convenience。　He　was　embarrassed　by　
James　in　the　meadow…〃　

〃But　James　and　the　woman　—　they'll　try　to　kill　you？〃　I　asked；　my　voice　
raw。　

〃Bella；　don't　you　dare　waste　time　worrying　about　me。　Your　only　concern　is　
keeping　yourself　safe　and　—　please；　please　—　trying　not　to　be　reckless。〃　

〃Is　he　still　following？〃　

〃Yes。　He　won't　attack　the　house；　though。　Not　tonight。〃　

He　turned　off　onto　the　invisible　drive；　with　Alice　following　behind。　

We　drove　right　up　to　the　house。　The　lights　inside　were　bright；　but　they　
did　little　to　alleviate　the　blackness　of　the　encroaching　forest。　Emmett　
had　my　door　open　before　the　truck　was　stopped；　he　pulled　me　out　of　the　
seat；　tucked　me　like　a　football　into　his　vast　chest；　and　ran　me　through　
the　door。　

We　burst　into　the　large　white　room；　Edward　and　Alice　at　our　sides。　All　of　
them　were　there；　they　were　already　on　their　feet　at　the　sound　of　our　
approach。　Laurent　stood　in　their　midst。　I　could　hear　low　growls　rumble　
deep　in　Emmett's　throat　as　he　set　me　down　next　to　Edward。　

〃He's　tracking　us；〃　Edward　announced；　glaring　balefully　at　Laurent。　

Laurent's　face　was　unhappy。　〃I　was　afraid　of　that。〃　

Alice　danced　to　Jasper's　side　and　whispered　in　his　ear；　her　lips　quivered　
with　the　speed　of　her　silent　speech。　They　flew　up　the　stairs　together。　
Rosalie　watched　them；　and　then　moved　quickly　to　Emmett's　side。　Her　
beautiful　eyes　were　intense　and　—　when　they　flickered　unwillingly　to　my　
face　—　furious。　

〃What　will　he　do？〃　Carlisle　asked　Laurent　in　chilling　tones。　

〃I'm　sorry；〃　he　answered。　〃I　was　afraid；　when　your　boy　there　defended　
her；　that　it　would　set　him　off。〃　

〃Can　you　stop　him？〃　

Laurent　shook　his　head。　〃Nothing　stops　James　when　he　gets　started。〃　

〃We'll　stop　him；〃　Emmett　promised。　There　was　no　doubt　what　he　meant。　

〃You　can't　bring　him　down。　I've　never　seen　anything　like　him　in　my　three　
hundred　years。　He's　absolutely　lethal。　That's　why　I　joined　his　coven。〃　

His　coven；　I　thought；　of　course。　The　show　of　leadership　in　the　clearing　
was　merely　that；　a　show。　

Laurent　was　shaking　his　head。　He　glanced　at　me；　perplexed；　and　back　to　
Carlisle。　〃Are　you　sure　it's　worth　it？〃　

Edward's　enraged　roar　filled　the　room；　Laurent　cringed　back。　

Carlisle　looked　gravely　at　Laurent。　〃I'm　afraid　you're　going　to　have　to　
make　a　choice。〃　

Laurent　understood。　He　deliberated　for　a　moment。　His　eyes　took　in　every　
face；　and　finally　swept　the　bright　room。　

〃I'm　intrigued　by　the　life　you've　created　here。　But　I　won't　get　in　the　
middle　of　this。　I　bear　none　of　you　any　enmity；　but　I　won't　go　up　against　
James。　I　think　I　will　head　north　—　to　that　clan　in　Denali。〃　He　hesitated。　
〃Don't　underestimate　James。　He's　got　a　brilliant　mind　and　unparalleled　
senses。　He's　every　bit　as　fortable　in　the　human　world　as　you　seem　to　
be；　and　he　won't　e　at　you　head　on…　I'm　sorry　for　what's　been　unleashed　
here。　Truly　sorry。〃　He　bowed　his　head；　but　I　saw　him　flicker　another　
puzzled　look　at　me。　

〃Go　in　peace；〃　was　Carlisle's　formal　answer。　

Laurent　took　another　long　look　around　himself；　and　then　he　hurried　out　
the　door。　

The　silence　lasted　less　than　a　second。　

〃How　close？〃　Carlisle　looked　to　Edward。　

Esme　was　already　moving；　her　hand　touched　an　inconspicuous　keypad　on　the　
wall；　and　with　a　groan；　huge　metal　shutters　began　sealing　up　the　glass　
wall。　I　gaped。　

〃About　three　miles　out　past　the　river；　he's　circling　around　to　meet　up　
with　the　female。〃　

〃What's　the　plan？〃　

〃We'll　lead　him　off；　and　then　Jasper　and　Alice　will　run　her　south。〃　

〃And　then？〃　

Edward's　tone　was　deadly。　〃As　soon　as　Bella　is　clear；　we　hunt　him。〃　

〃I　guess　there's　no　other　choice；〃　Carlisle　agreed；　his　face　grim。　

Edward　turned　to　Rosalie。　

〃Get　her　upstairs　and　trade　clothes；〃　Edward　manded。　She　stared　back　
at　him　with　livid　disbelief。　

〃Why　should　I？〃　she　hissed。　〃What　is　she　to　me？　Except　a　menace　—　a　
danger　you've　chosen　to　inflict　on　all　of　us。〃　

I　flinched　back　from　the　venom　in　her　voice。　

〃Rose…〃　Emmett　murmured；　putting　one　hand　on　her　shoulder。　She　shook　it　
off。　

But　I　was　watching　Edward　carefully；　knowing　his　temper；　worried　about　
his　reaction。　

He　surprised　me。　He　looked　away　from　Rosalie　as　if　she　hadn't　spoken；　as　
if　she　didn't　exist。　

〃Esme？〃　he　asked　calmly。　

〃Of　course；〃　Esme　murmured。　

Esme　was　at　my　side　in　half　a　heartbeat；　swinging　me　up　easily　into　her　
arms；　and　dashing　up　the　stairs　before　I　could　gasp　in　shock。　

〃What　are　we　doing？〃　I　asked　breathlessly　as　she　set　me　down　in　a　dark　
room　somewhere　off　the　secondstory　hall。　

〃Trying　to　confuse　the　smell。　It　won't　work　for　long；　but　it　might　help　
get　you　out。〃　I　could　hear　her　clothes　falling　to　the　floor。　

〃I　don't　think　I'll　fit…〃　I　hesitated；　but　her　hands　were　abruptly　
pulling　my　shirt　over　my　head。　I　quickly　stripped　my　jeans　off　myself。　
She　handed　me　something；　it　felt　like　a　shirt。　I　struggled　to　get　my　arms　
through　the　right　holes。　As　soon　as　I　was　done　she　handed　me　her　slacks。　
I　yanked　them　on；　but　I　couldn't　get　my　feet　out；　they　were　too　long。　She　
deftly　rolled　the　hems　a　few　times　so　I　could　stand。　Somehow　she　was　
already　in　my　clothes。　She　pulled　me　back　to　the　stairs；　where　Alice　
stood；　a　small　leather　bag　in　one　hand。　They　each　grabbed　one　of　my　
elbows　and　halfcarried　me　as　they　flew　down　the　stairs。　

It　appeared　that　everything　had　been　settled　downstairs　in　our　absence。　
Edward　and　Emmett　were　ready　to　leave；　Emmett　carrying　a　heavylooking　
backpack　over　his　shoulder。　Carlisle　was　handing　something　small　to　Esme。　
He　turned　and　handed　Alice　the　same　thing　—　it　was　a　tiny　silver　cell　
phone。　

〃Esme　and　Rosalie　will　be　taking　your　truck；　Bella；〃　he　told　me　as　he　
passed。　I　nodded；　glancing　warily　at　Rosalie。　She　was　glowering　at　
Carlisle　with　a　resentful　expression。　

〃Alice；　Jasper　—　take　the　Mercedes。　You'll　need　the　dark　tint　in　the　
south。〃　

They　nodded　as　well。　

〃We're　taking　the　Jeep。〃　

I　was　surprised　to　see　that　Carlisle　intended　to　go　with　Edward。　I　
realized　suddenly；　with　a　stab　of　fear；　that　they　made　up　the　hunting　
party。　

〃Alice；〃　Carlisle　asked；　〃will　they　take　the　bait？〃　

Everyone　watched　Alice　as　she　closed　her　eyes　and　became　incredibly　still。　

Finally　her　eyes　opened。　〃He'll　track　you。　The　woman　will　follow　the　
truck。　We　should　be　able　to　leave　after　that。〃　Her　voice　was　certain。　

〃Let's　go。〃　Carlisle　began　to　walk　toward　the　kitchen。　

But　Edward　was　at　my　side　at　once。　He　caught　me　up　in　his　iron　grip；　
crushing　me　to　him。　He　seemed　unaware　of　his　watching　family　as　he　pulled　
my　face　to　his；　lifting　my　feet　off　the　floor。　For　the　shortest　second；　
his　lips　were　icy　and　hard　against　mine。　Then　it　was　over。　He　set　me　
down；　still　holding　my　face；　his　glorious　eyes　burning　into　mine。　

His　eyes　went　blank；　curiously　dead；　as　he　turned　away。　

And　they　were　gone。　

We　stood　there；　the　others　looking　away　from　me　as　the　tears　streaked　
noiselessly　down　my　face。　

The　silent　moment　dragged　on；　and　then　Esme's　phone　vibrated　in　her　hand。　
It　flashed　to　her　ear。　

〃Now；〃　she　said。　Rosalie　stalked　out　the　front　door　without　another　
glance　in　my　direction；　but　Esme　touched　my　cheek　as　she　passed。　

〃Be　safe。〃　Her　whisper　lingered　behind　them　as　they　slipped　out　the　door。　
I　heard　my　truck　start　thunderously；　and　then　fade　away。　

Jasper　and　Alice　waited。　Alice's　phone　seemed　to　be　at　her　ear　before　it　
buzzed。　

〃Edward　says　the　woman　is　on　Esme's　trail。　I'll　get　the　car。〃　She　
vanished　into　the　shadows　the　way　Edward　had　gone。　

Jasper　and　I　looked　at　each　other。　He　stood　across　the　length　of　the　
entryway　from　me…　being　careful。　

〃You're　wrong；　you　know；〃　he　said　quietly。　

〃What？〃　I　gasped。　

〃I　can　feel　what　you're　feeling　now　—　and　you　are　worth　it。〃　

〃I'm　not；〃　I　mumbled。　〃If　anything　happens　to　them；　it　will　be　for　
nothing。〃　

〃You're　wrong；〃　he　repeated；　smiling　kindly　at　me。　

I　heard　nothing；　but　then　Alice　stepped　through　the　front　door　and　came　
toward　me　with　her　arms　held　out。　

〃May　I？〃　she　asked。　

〃You're　the　first　one　to　ask　permission。〃　I　smiled　wryly。　

She　lifted　me　in　her　slender　arms　as　easily　as　Emmett　had；　shielding　me　
protectively；　and　then　we　flew　out　the　door；　leaving　the　lights　bright　
behind　us。　

===========================================================================　


20。　IMPATIENCE　

When　I　woke　up　I　was　confused。　My　thoughts　were　hazy；　still　twisted　up　in　
dreams　and　nightmares；　it　took　me　longer　than　it　should　have　to　realize　
where　I　was。　

This　room　was　too　bland　to　belong　anywhere　but　in　a　hotel。　The　bedside　
lamps；　bolted　to　the　tables；　were　a　dead　giveaway；　as　were　the　long　
drapes　made　from　the　same　fabric　as　the　bedspread；　and　the　generic　
watercolor　prints　on　the　walls。　

I　tried　to　remember　how　I　got　here；　but　nothing　came　at　first。　

I　did　remember　the　sleek　black　car；　the　glass　in　the　windows　darker　than　
that　on　a　limousine。　The　engine　was　almost　silent；　though　we'd　raced　
across　the　black　freeways　at　more　than　twice　the　legal　speed。　

And　I　remembered　Alice　sitting　with　me　on　the　dark　leather　backseat。　
Somehow；　during　the　long　night；　my　head　had　ended　up　against　her　granite　
neck。　My　closeness　didn't　seem　to　bother　her　at　all；　and　her　cool；　hard　
skin　was　oddly　forting　to　me。　The　front　of　her　thin　cotton　shirt　was　
cold；　damp　with　the　tears　that　streamed　from　my　eyes　until；　red　and　sore；　
they　ran　dry。　

Sleep　had　evaded　me；　my　aching　eyes　strained　open　even　though　the　night　
finally　ended　and　dawn　broke　over　a　low　peak　somewhere　in　California。　The　
gray　light；　streaking　across　the　cloudless　sky；　stung　my　eyes。　But　I　
couldn't　close　them；　when　I　did；　the　images　that　flashed　all　too　vividly；　
like　still　slides　behind　my　lids；　were　unbearable。　Charlie's　broken　
expression　—　Edward's　brutal　snarl；　teeth　bared　—　Rosalie's　resentful　
glare　—　the　keeneyed　scrutiny　of　the　tracker　—　the　dead　look　in　Edward's　
eyes　after　he　kissed　me　the　last　time…　I　couldn't　stand　to　see　them。　So　I　
fought　against　my　weariness　and　the　sun　rose　higher。　

I　was　still　awake　when　we　came　through　a　shallow　mountain　pass　and　the　
sun；　behind　us　now；　reflected　off　the　tiled　rooftops　of　the　Valley　of　the　
Sun。　I　didn't　have　enough　emotion　left　to　be　surprised　that　we'd　made　a　
threeday　journey　in　one。　I　stared　blankly　at　the　wide；　flat　expanse　laid　
out　in　front　of　me。　Phoenix　—　the　palm　trees；　the　scrubby　creosote；　the　
haphazard　lines　of　the　intersecting　freeways；　the　green　swaths　of　golf　
courses　and　turquoise　splotches　of　swimming　pools；　all　submerged　in　a　
thin　smog　and　embraced　by　the　short；　rocky　ridges　that　weren't　really　big　
enough　to　be　called　mountains。　

The　shadows　of　the　palm　trees　slanted　across　the　freeway　—　defined；　
sharper　than　I　remembered；　paler　than　they　should　be。　Nothing　could　hide　
in　these　shadows。　The　bright；　open　freeway　seemed　benign　enough。　But　I　
felt　no　relief；　no　sense　of　homeing。　

〃Which　way　to　the　airport；　Bella？〃　Jasper　had　asked；　and　I　flinched；　
though　his　voice　was　quite　soft　and　unalarming。　It　was　the　first　sound；　
besides　the　purr　of　the　car；　to　break　the　long　night's　silence。　

〃Stay　on　the　Iten；〃　I'd　answered　automatically。　〃We'll　pass　right　by　it。〃　

My　brain　had　worked　slowly　through　the　fog　of　sleep　deprivation。　

〃Are　we　flying　somewhere？〃　I'd　asked　Alice。　

〃No；　but　it's　better　to　be　close；　just　in　case。〃　

I　remembered　beginning　the　loop　around　Sky　Harbor　International…　but　not　
ending　it。　I　suppose　that　must　have　been　when　I'd　fallen　asleep。　

Though；　now　that　I'd　chased　the　memories　down；　I　did　have　a　vague　
impression　of　leaving　the　car　—　the　sun　was　just　falling　behind　the　
horizon　—　my　arm　draped　over　Alice's　shoulder　and　her　arm　firm　around　my　
waist；　dragging　me　along　as　I　stumbled　through　the　warm；　dry　shadows。　

I　had　no　memory　of　this　room。　

I　looked　at　the　digital　clock　on　the　nightstand。　The　red　numbers　claimed　
it　was　three　o'clock；　but　they　gave　no　indication　if　it　was　night　or　day。　
No　edge　of　light　escaped　the　thick　curtains；　but　the　room　was　bright　with　
the　light　from　the　lamps。　

I　rose　stiffly　and　staggered　to　the　window；　pulling　back　the　drapes。　

It　was　dark　outside。　Three　in　the　morning；　then。　My　room　looked　out　on　a　
deserted　section　of　the　freeway　and　the　new　longterm　parking　garage　for　
the　airport。　It　was　slightly　forting　to　be　able　to　pinpoint　time　and　
place。　

I　looked　down　at　myself。　I　was　still　wearing　Esme's　clothes；　and　they　
didn't　fit　very　well　at　all。　I　looked　around　the　room；　glad　when　I　
discovered　my　duffel　bag　on　top　of　the　low　dresser。　

I　wa