4 breaking dawn破晓-第56部分

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Jane　or　Alec　ever　have　needed　to　learn　battle　skills？　I　couldn't　imagine　petulant　little　Jane　surrendering　
her　advantage；　even　to　learn。　

If　I　was　able　to　kill　them；　what　a　difference　that　would　make。　

〃I　have　to　learn　everything。　As　much　as　you　can　possibly　cram　into　my　head　in　the　next　month；〃　I　
murmured。　

He　acted　as　if　I　hadn't　spoken。　

Who　next；　then？　I　might　as　well　have　my　plans　in　order　so　that；　if　I　did　live　past　attacking　Alec；　there　
would　be　no　hesitation　in　my　strike。　I　tried　to　think　of　another　situation　where　my　thick　skull　would　give　
me　an　advantage。　I　didn't　know　enough　about　what　the　others　did。　Obviously；　fighters　like　the　huge　Felix　
were　beyond　me。　I　could　only　try　to　give　Emmett　his　fair　fight　there。　I　didn't　know　much　about　the　rest　of　
the　Volturi　guard；　besides　Demetri___　

My　face　was　perfectly　smooth　as　I　considered　Demetri。　Without　a　doubt；　he　would　be　a　fighter。　There　
was　no　other　way　he　could　have　survived　so　long；　always　at　the　spear　point　of　any　attack。　And　he　must　
always　lead；　because　he　was　their　tracker—the　best　tracker　in　the　world；　no　doubt。　If　there　had　been　
one　better；　the　Volturi　would　have　traded　up。　Aro　didn't　surround　himself　with　second　best。　

If　Demetri　didn't　exist；　then　we　could　run。　Whoever　was　left　of　us；　in　any　case。　My　daughter；　warm　in　
my　arms。。。　Someone　could　run　with　her。　Jacob　or　Rosalie；　whoever　was　left。　

And。。。　if　Demetri　didn't　exist；　then　Alice　and　Jasper　could　be　safe　forever。　Is　that　what　Alice　had　seen？　
That　part　of　our　family　could　continue？　The　two　of　them；　at　the　very　least。　

Could　I　begrudge　her　that？　

〃Demetri。。。；〃　I　said。　

〃Demetri　is　mine；〃　Edward　said　in　a　hard；　tight　voice。　I　looked　at　him　quickly　and　saw　that　his　expression　



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had　turned　violent。　

〃Why？〃　I　whispered。　

He　didn't　answer　at　first。　We　were　to　the　river　when　he　finally　murmured；　〃For　Alice。　It's　the　only　thanks　
I　can　give　her　now　for　the　last　fifty　years。〃　

So　his　thoughts　were　in　line　with　mine。　

I　heard　Jacob's　heavy　paws　thudding　against　the　frozen　ground。　In　seconds；　he　was　pacing　beside　me；　
his　dark　eyes　focused　on　Renesmee。　

I　nodded　to　him　once；　then　returned　to　my　questions。　There　was　so　little　time。　

〃Edward；　why　do　you　think　Alice　told　us　to　ask　Eleazar　about　the　Volturi？　Has　he　been　in　Italy　recently　
or　something？　What　could　he　know？〃　

〃Eleazar　knows　everything　when　it　es　to　the　Volturi。　I　forgot　you　didn't　know。　He　used　to　be　one　of　
them。〃　

I　hissed　involuntarily。　Jacob　growled　beside　me。　

〃What？〃　I　demanded；　in　my　head　picturing　the　beautiful　darkhaired　man　at　our　wedding　wrapped　in　a　
long；　ashy　cloak。　

Edward's　face　was　softer　now—he　smiled　a　little。　〃Eleazar　is　a　very　gentle　person。　He　wasn't　entirely　
happy　with　

the　Volturi；　but　he　respected　the　law　and　its　need　to　be　upheld。　He　felt　he　was　working　toward　the　
greater　good。　He　doesn't　regret　his　time　with　them。　But　when　he　found　Carmen；　he　found　his　place　in　this　
world。　They　are　very　similar　people；　both　very　passionate　for　vampires。〃　He　smiled　again。　〃They　met　
Tanya　and　her　sisters；　and　they　never　looked　back。　They　are　well　suited　to　this　lifestyle。　If　they'd　never　
found　Tanya；　I　imagine　they　would　have　eventually　discovered　a　way　to　live　without　human　blood　on　their　
own。〃　

The　pictures　in　my　head　were　jarring。　I　couldn't　make　them　match　up。　A　passionate　Volturi　soldier？　

Edward　glanced　at　Jacob　and　answered　a　silent　question。　〃No；　he　wasn't　one　of　their　warriors；　so　to　
speak。　He　had　a　gift　they　found　convenient。〃　

Jacob　must　have　asked　the　obvious　followup　question。　

〃He　has　an　instinctive　feel　for　the　gifts　of　others—the　extra　abilities　that　some　vampires　have；〃　Edward　
told　him。　〃He　could　give　Aro　a　general　idea　of　what　any　given　vampire　was　capable　of　just　by　being　in　
proximity　with　him　or　her。　This　was　helpful　when　the　Volturi　went　into　battle。　He　could　warn　them　if　
someone　in　the　opposing　coven　had　a　skill　that　might　give　them　some　trouble。　That　was　rare；　it　takes　
quite　a　skill　to　even　inconvenience　the　Volturi　for　a　moment。　More　often；　the　warning　would　give　Aro　the　
chance　to　save　someone　who　might　be　useful　to　him。　Eleazar's　gift　works　even　with　humans；　to　an　extent。　
He　has　to　really　concentrate　with　humans；　though；　because　the　latent　ability　is　so　nebulous。　Aro　would　
have　him　test　the　people　who　wanted　to　join；　to　see　if　they　had　any　potential。　Aro　was　sorry　to　see　him　
go。〃　



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〃They　let　him　go？〃　I　asked。　〃Just　like　that？〃　

His　smile　was　darker　now；　a　little　twisted。　'The　Volturi　aren't　supposed　to　be　the　villains；　the　way　they　
seem　to　you。　They　are　the　foundation　of　our　peace　and　civilization。　Each　member　of　the　guard　chooses　to　
serve　them。　It's　quite　prestigious；　they　all　are　proud　to　be　there；　not　forced　to　be　there。〃　

I　scowled　at　the　ground。　

〃They're　only　alleged　to　be　heinous　and　evil　by　the　criminals；　Bella。〃　

〃We're　not　criminals。〃　

Jacob　huffed　in　agreement。　

〃They　don't　know　that。〃　

〃Do　you　really　think　we　can　make　them　stop　and　listen？〃　

Edward　hesitated　just　the　tiniest　moment　and　then　shrugged。　〃If　we　find　enough　friends　to　stand　beside　
us。　Maybe。〃　

If。　I　suddenly　felt　the　urgency　of　what　we　had　before　us　today。　Edward　and　I　both　started　to　move　
faster；　breaking　into　a　run。　Jacob　caught　up　quickly。　

〃Tanya　shouldn't　be　too　much　longer；〃　Edward　said。　〃We　need　to　be　ready。〃　

How　to　be　ready；　though？　We　arranged　and　rearranged；　thought　and　rethought。　Renesmee　in　full　view？　
Or　hidden　at　first？　Jacob　in　the　room？　Or　outside？　He'd　told　his　pack　to　stay　close　but　invisible。　Should　
he　do　the　same？　

In　the　end；　Renesmee；　Jacob—in　his　human　form　again—and　I　waited　around　the　corner　from　the　front　
door　in　the　dining　room；　sitting　at　the　big　polished　table。　Jacob　let　me　hold　Renesmee；　he　wanted　space　in　
case　he　had　to　phase　quickly。　

Though　I　was　glad　to　have　her　in　my　arms；　it　made　me　feel　useless。　It　reminded　me　that　in　a　fight　with　
mature　vampires；　I　was　no　more　than　an　easy　target；　I　didn't　need　my　hands　free。　

I　tried　to　remember　Tanya；　Kate；　Carmen；　and　Eleazar　from　the　wedding。　Their　faces　were　murky　in　my　
illlit　memories。　I　only　knew　they　were　beautiful；　two　blondes　and　two　brutes。　I　couldn't　remember　if　
there　was　any　kindness　in　their　eyes。　

Edward　leaned　motionlessly　against　the　back　window　wall；　staring　toward　the　front　door。　It　didn't　look　
like　he　was　seeing　the　room　in　front　of　him。　

We　listened　to　the　cars　zooming　past　out　on　the　freeway；　none　of　them　slowing。　

Renesmee　nestled　into　my　neck；　her　hand　against　my　cheek　but　no　images　in　my　head。　She　didn't　have　
pictures　for　her　feelings　now。　

〃What　if　they　don't　like　me？〃　she　whispered；　and　all　our　eyes　flashed　to　her　face。　



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〃Of　course　they'll—；〃　Jacob　started　to　say；　but　I　silenced　him　with　a　look。　

'They　don't　understand　you；　Renesmee；　because　they've　never　met　anyone　like　you；〃　I　told　her；　not　
wanting　to　lie　to　her　with　promises　that　might　not　e　true。　〃Getting　them　to　understand　is　the　problem。〃　

She　sighed；　and　in　my　head　flashed　pictures　of　all　of　us　in　one　quick　burst。　Vampire；　human；　werewolf。　
She　fit　nowhere。　

〃You're　special；　that's　not　a　bad　thing。〃　

She　shook　her　head　in　disagreement。　She　thought　of　our　strained　faces　and　said；　〃This　is　my　fault。〃　

〃No；〃　Jacob；　Edward；　and　I　all　said　at　exactly　the　same　time；　but　before　we　could　argue　further；　we　
heard　the　sound　we'd　been　waiting　for：　the　slowing　of　an　engine　on　the　freeway；　the　tires　moving　from　
pavement　to　soft　dirt。　

Edward　darted　around　the　corner　to　stand　waiting　by　the　door。　Renesmee　hid　in　my　hair。　Jacob　and　I　
stared　at　each　other　across　the　table；　desperation　on　our　faces。　

The　car　moved　quickly　through　the　woods；　faster　than　Charlie　or　Sue　drove。　We　heard　it　pull　into　the　
meadow　and　stop　by　the　front　porch。　Four　doors　opened　and　closed。　They　didn't　speak　as　they　
approached　the　door。　Edward　opened　it　before　they　could　knock。　

〃Edward！〃　a　female　voice　enthused。　

〃Hello；　Tanya。　Kate；　Eleazar；　Carmen。〃　

Three　murmured　hellos。　

〃Carlisle　said　he　needed　to　talk　to　us　right　away；〃　the　first　voice　said；　Tanya。　I　could　hear　that　they　all　
were　still　outside。　I　imagined　Edward　in　the　doorway；　blocking　their　entrance。　〃What's　the　problem？　
Trouble　with　the　werewolves？〃　

Jacob　rolled　his　eyes。　

〃No；〃　Edward　said。　〃Our　truce　with　the　werewolves　is　stronger　than　ever。〃　

A　woman　chuckled。　

〃Aren't　you　going　to　invite　us　in？〃　Tanya　asked。　And　then　she　continued　without　waiting　for　an　answer。　
〃Where's　Carlisle？〃　

〃Carlisle　had　to　leave。〃　

There　was　a　short　silence。　

〃What's　going　on；　Edward？〃　Tanya　demanded。　

〃If　you　could　give　me　the　benefit　of　the　doubt　for　just　a　few　minutes；〃　he　answered。　〃I　have　something　
difficult　to　explain；　and　I'll　need　you　to　be　openminded　until　you　understand。〃　



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〃Is　Carlisle　all　right？〃　a　male　voice　asked　anxiously。　Eleazar。　

〃None　of　us　is　all　right；　Eleazar；〃　Edward　said；　and　then　he　patted　something；　maybe　Eleazar's　shoulder。　
〃But　physically；　Carlisle　is　fine。〃　

〃Physically？〃　Tanya　asked　sharply。　〃What　do　you　mean？〃　

〃I　mean　that　my　entire　family　is　in　very　grave　danger。　But　before　I　explain；　I　ask　for　your　promise。　Listen　
to　everything　I　say　before　you　react。　I　am　begging　you　to　hear　me　out。〃　

A　longer　silence　greeted　his　request。　Through　the　strained　hush；　Jacob　and　I　stared　wordlessly　at　each　
other。　His　russet　lips　paled。　

〃We're　listening；〃　Tanya　finally　said。　〃We　will　hear　it　all　before　we　judge。〃　

〃Thank　you；　Tanya；〃　Edward　said　fervently。　〃We　wouldn't　involve　you　in　this　if　we　had　any　other　
choice。〃　

Edward　moved。　We　heard　four　sets　of　footsteps　walk　through　the　doorway。　

Someone　sniffed。　〃I　knew　those　werewolves　were　involved；〃　Tanya　muttered。　

〃Yes；　and　they're　on　our　side。　Again。〃　

The　reminder　silenced　Tanya。　

〃Where's　your　Bella？〃　one　of　the　other　female　voices　asked。　〃How　is　she？〃　

〃She'll　join　us　shortly。　She's　well；　thank　you。　She's　taken　to　immortality　with　amazing　finesse。〃　

〃Tell　us　about　the　danger；　Edward；〃　Tanya　said　quietly。　〃We'll　listen；　and　we'll　be　on　your　side；　where　
we　belong。〃　

Edward　took　a　deep　breath。　〃I'd　like　you　to　witness　for　yourselves　first。　Listen—in　the　other　room。　
What　do　you　hear？〃　

It　was　quiet；　and　then　there　was　movement。　

〃Just　listen　first；　please；〃　Edward　said。　

〃A　werewolf；　I　assume。　I　can　hear　his　heart；〃　Tanya　said。　

〃What　else？〃　Edward　asked。　

There　was　a　pause。　

〃What　is　that　thrumming？〃　Kate　or　Carmen　asked。　〃Is　that。。。　some　kind　of　a　bird？〃　

〃No；　but　remember　what　you're　hearing。　Now；　what　do　you　smell？　Besides　the　werewolf。〃　




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〃Is　there　a　human　here？〃　Eleazar　whispered。　

〃No；〃　Tanya　disagreed。　〃It's　not　human。。。　but。。。　closer　to　human　than　the　rest　of　the　scents　here。　What　is　
that；　Edward？　I　don't　think　I've　ever　smelled　that　fragrance　before。〃　

〃You　most　certainly　have　not；　Tanya。　Please；　please　remember　that　this　is　something　entirely　new　to　you。　
Throw　away　your　preconceived　notions。〃　

〃I　promised　you　I　would　listen；　Edward。〃　

〃All　right；　then。　Bella？　Bring　out　Renesmee；　please。〃　

My　legs　felt　strangely　numb；　but　I　knew　that　feeling　was　all　in　my　head。　I　forced　myself　not　to　hold　back；　
not　to　move　sluggishly；　as　I　got　to　my　feet　and　walked　the　few　short　feet　to　the　corner。　The　heat　from　
Jacob's　body　flamed　close　behind　me　as　he　shadowed　my　steps。　

I　took　one　step　into　the　bigger　room　and　then　froze；　unable　to　force　myself　farther　forward。　Renesmee　
took　a　deep　breath　and　then　peeped　out　from　under　my　hair；　her　little　shoulders　tight；　expecting　a　rebuff。　

I　thought　I'd　prepared　myself　for　their　reaction。　For　accusations；　for　shouting；　for　the　motionlessness　of　
deep　stress。　

Tanya　skittered　back　four　steps；　her　strawberry　curls　quivering；　like　a　human　confronted　by　a　venomous　
snake。　Kate　jumped　back　all　the　way　to　the　front　door　and　braced　herself　against　the　wall　there。　A　
shocked　hiss　came　from　between　her　clenched　teeth。　Eleazar　threw　himself　in　front　of　Carmen　in　a　
protective　crouch。　

〃Oh　please〃　I　heard　Jacob　plain　under　his　breath。　

Edward　put　his　arm　around　Renesmee　and　me。　〃You　promised　to　listen；〃　he　reminded　them。　

〃Some　things　cannot　be　heard！〃　Tanya　exclaimed。　〃How　could　you；　Edward？　Do　you　not　know　what　
this　means？〃　

〃We　have　to　get　out　of　here；〃　Kate　said　anxiously；　her　hand　on　the　doorknob。　

〃Edward　。。。〃　Eleazar　seemed　beyond　words。　

〃Wait；〃　Edward　said；　his　voice　harder　now。　〃Remember　what　you　hear；　what　you　smell。　Renesmee　is　not　
what　you　think　she　is。〃　

〃There　are　no　exceptions　to　this　rule；　Edward；〃　Tanya　snapped　back。　

〃Tanya；〃　Edward　said　sharply；　〃you　can　hear　her　heartbeat！　Stop　and　think　about　what　that　means。〃　

〃Her　heartbeat？〃　Carmen　whispered；　peering　around　Eleazar's　shoulder。　

〃She's　not　a　full　vampire　child；〃　Edward　answered；　directing　his　attention　toward　Carmen's　less　hostile　
expression。　〃She　is　halfhuman。〃　

The　four　vampires　stared　at　him　like　he　was　speaking　a　language　none　of　them　knew。　



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〃Hear　me。〃　Edward's　voice　shifted　into　a　smooth　velvet　tone　of　persuasion。　〃Renesmee　is　one　of　a　kind。　
I　am　her　father。　Not　her　creator—her　biological　father。〃　

Tanya's　head　was　shaking；　just　a　tiny　movement。　She　didn't　seem　aware　of　it。　

〃Edward；　you　can't　expect　us　to—；〃　Eleazar　started　to　say。　

〃Tell　me　another　explanation　that　fits；　Eleazar。　You　can　feel　the　warmth　of　her　body　in　the　air。　Blood　runs　
in　her　veins；　Eleazar。　You　can　smell　it。〃　

〃How？〃　Kate　breathed。　

〃Bella　is　her　biological　mother；〃　Edward　told　her。　〃She　conceived；　carried；　and　gave　birth　to　Renesmee　
while　she　was　still　human。　It　nearly　killed　her。　I　was　hardpressed　to　get　enough　venom　into　her　heart　to　
save　her。〃　

Tve　never　heard　of　such　a　thing；〃　Eleazar　said。　His　shoulders　were　still　stiff；　his　expression　cold。　

〃Physical　relationships　between　vampires　and　humans　are　not　mon；〃　Edward　answered；　a　bit　of　dark　
humor　in　his　tone　now。　〃Human　survivors　of　such　trysts　are　even　less　mon。　Wouldn't　you　agree；　
cousins？〃　

Both　Kate　and　Tanya　scowled　at　him。　

〃e　now；　Eleazar。　Surely　you　can　see　the　resemblance。〃　

It　was　Carmen　who　responded　to　Edward's　words。　She　stepped　around　Eleazar；　ignoring　his　
halfarticulated　warning；　and　walked　carefully　to　stand　right　in　front　of　me。　She　leaned　down　slightly；　
looking　carefully　into　Renesmee's　face。　

〃You　seem　to　have　your　mother's　eyes；〃　she　said　in　a　low；　calm　voice；　〃but　your　father's　face。〃　And　then；　
as　if　she　could　not　help　herself；　she　smiled　at　Renesmee。　

Renesmee's　answering　smile　was　dazzling。　She　touched　my　face　without　looking　away　from　Carmen。　
She　imagi