4 breaking dawn破晓-第71部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！



The　triangular　formation　of　the　ancients　finally　broke　apart　when；　with　a　racking　groan；　a　deep；　narrow　



　　　Page　421　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




fissure　opened　in　a　long　zigzag　across　the　middle　of　the　clearing。　The　earth　rocked　under　my　feet　for　a　
moment。　The　drifts　of　snow　plummeted　into　the　hole；　but　the　mist　skipped　right　across　it；　as　untouched　by　
gravity　as　it　had　been　by　wind。　

Aro　and　Caius　watched　the　opening　earth　with　wide　eyes。　Marcus　looked　in　the　same　direction　without　
emotion。　

They　didn't　speak；　they　waited；　too；　as　the　mist　approached　us。　The　wind　shrieked　louder　but　didn't　
change　the　course　of　the　mist。　Jane　was　smiling　now。　

And　then　the　mist　hit　a　wall。　

I　could　taste　it　as　soon　as　it　touched　my　shield—it　had　a　dense；　sweet；　cloying　flavor；　it　made　me　
remember　dimly　the　numbness　of　Novocain　on　my　tongue。　

The　mist　curled　upward；　seeking　a　breach；　a　weakness。　It　found　none。　The　fingers　of　searching　haze　
twisted　upward　and　around；　trying　to　find　a　way　in；　and　in　the　process　illustrating　the　astonishing　size　of　
the　protective　screen。　

There　were　gasps　on　both　sides　of　Benjamin's　gorge。　

〃Well　done；　Bella！'7Benjamin　cheered　in　a　low　voice。　

My　smile　returned。　

I　could　see　Alec's　narrowed　eyes；　doubt　on　his　face　for　the　first　time　as　his　mist　swirled　harmlessly　
around　the　edges　of　my　shield。　

And　then　I　knew　that　I　could　do　this。　Obviously；　I　would　be　the　numberone　priority；　the　first　one　to　die；　
but　as　long　as　I　held；　we　were　on　more　than　equal　footing　with　the　Volturi。　We　still　had　Benjamin　and　
Zafrina；　they　had　no　supernatural　help　at　all。　As　long　as　I　held。　

Tm　going　to　have　to　concentrate；〃　I　whispered　to　Edward。　〃When　it　es　to　hand　to　hand；　it's　going　to　
be　harder　to　keep　the　shield　around　the　right　people。〃　

〃I'll　keep　them　off　you。〃　

〃No。　You　have　to　get　to　Demetri。　Zafrina　will　keep　them　away　from　me。〃　

Zafrina　nodded　solemnly。　〃No　one　will　touch　this　young　one；〃　she　promised　Edward。　

〃I'd　go　after　Jane　and　Alec　myself；　but　I　can　do　more　good　here。〃　

〃Jane's　mine；〃　Kate　hissed。　〃She　needs　a　taste　of　her　own　medicine。〃　

〃And　Alec　owes　me　many　lives；　but　I　will　settle　for　his；〃　Vladimir　growled　from　the　other　side。　〃He's　
mine。〃　

〃I　just　want　Caius；〃　Tanya　said　evenly。　

The　others　started　divvying　up　opponents；　too；　but　they　were　quickly　interrupted。　



　　Page　422　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




Aro；　staring　calmly　at　Alec's　ineffective　mist；　finally　spoke。　

〃Before　we　vote；〃　he　began。　

I　shook　my　head　angrily。　I　was　tired　of　this　charade。　The　bloodlust　was　igniting　in　me　again；　and　I　was　
sorry　that　I　would　help　the　others　more　by　standing　still。　I　wanted　to　fight。　

〃Let　me　remind　you；〃　Aro　continued；　〃whatever　the　council's　decision；　there　need　be　no　violence　here。〃　

Edward　snarled　out　a　dark　laugh。　

Aro　stared　at　him　sadly。　〃It　will　be　a　regrettable　waste　to　our　kind　to　lose　any　of　you。　But　you　especially；　
young　Edward；　and　your　newborn　mate。　The　Volturi　would　be　glad　to　wele　many　of　you　into　our　
ranks。　Bella；　Benjamin；　Zafrina；　Kate。　There　are　many　choices　before　you。　Consider　them。〃　

Chelsea's　attempt　to　sway　us　fluttered　impotently　against　my　shield。　Aro's　gaze　swept　across　our　hard　
eyes；　looking　for　any　indication　of　hesitation。　From　his　expression；　he　found　none。　

I　knew　he　was　desperate　to　keep　Edward　and　me；　to　imprison　us　the　way　he　had　hoped　to　enslave　
Alice。　But　this　fight　was　too　big。　He　would　not　win　if　I　lived。　I　was　fiercely　glad　to　be　so　powerful　that　I　
left　him　no　way　not　to　kill　me。　

〃Let　us　vote；　then；〃　he　said　with　apparent　reluctance。　

Caius　spoke　with　eager　haste。　〃The　child　is　an　unknown　quantity。　There　is　no　reasonto　allow　sucha　risk　
to　exist。　It　must　be　destroyed；　along　with　all　who　protect　it。〃　He　smiled　in　expectation。　

I　fought　back　a　shriek　of　defiance　to　answer　his　cruel　smirk。　

Marcus　lifted　his　uncaring　eyes；　seeming　to　look　through　us　as　he　voted。　

〃I　see　no　immediate　danger。　The　child　is　safe　enough　for　now。　We　can　always　reevaluate　later。　Let　us　
leave　in　peace。〃　His　voice　was　even　fainter　than　his　brothers'　feathery　sighs。　

None　of　the　guard　relaxed　their　ready　positions　at　his　disagreeing　words。　Caius's　anticipatory　grin　did　
not　falter。　It　was　as　if　Marcus　hadn't　spoken　atall。　

〃I　must　make　the　deciding　vote；　it　seems；〃　Aro　mused。　

Suddenly；　Edward　stiffened　at　my　side。　〃Yes！〃　he　hissed。　

I　risked　a　glance　at　him。　His　face　glowed　with　an　expression　of　triumph　that　I　didn't　understand—it　was　
the　expression　an　angel　of　destruction　might　wear　while　the　world　burned。　Beautiful　and　terrifying。　

There　was　a　low　reaction　from　the　guard；　an　uneasy　murmur。　

〃Aro？〃　Edward　called；　nearly　shouted；　undisguised　victory　in　his　voice。　

Aro　hesitated　fora　second；　assessing　this　new　mood　warily　before　he　answered。　〃Yes；　Edward？　You　
have　something　further。。。　？〃　



　　　Page　423　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




〃Perhaps；〃　Edward　said　pleasantly；　controlling　his　unexplained　excitement。　〃First；　if　I　could　clarify　one　
point？〃　

〃Certainly；〃　Aro　said；　raising　his　eyebrows；　nothing　now　but　polite　interest　in　his　tone。　My　teeth　ground　
together；　Aro　was　never　more　dangerous　than　when　he　was　gracious。　

〃The　danger　you　foresee　from　my　daughter—this　stems　entirely　from　our　inability　to　guess　how　she　will　
develop？　That　is　the　crux　of　the　matter？〃　

〃Yes；　friend　Edward；〃　Aro　agreed。　〃If　we　could　but　be　positive。。。　be　sure　that；　as　she　grows；　she　will　be　
able　to　stay　concealed　from　the　human　world—not　endanger　the　safety　of　our　obscurity　。。。〃　He　trailed　
off；　shrugging。　

〃So；　if　we　could　only　know　for　sure；〃　Edward　suggested；　〃exactly　what　she　will　bee。。。　then　there　
would　be　no　need　for　a　council　at　all？〃　

〃If　there　was　some　way　to　be　absolutely　sure；〃　Aro　agreed；　his　feathery　voice　slightly　more　shrill。　He　
couldn't　see　where　Edward　was　leading　him。　Neither　could　I。　〃Then；　yes；　there　would　be　no　question　to　
debate。〃　

〃And　we　would　part　in　peace；　good　friends　once　again？〃　Edward　asked　with　a　hint　of　irony。　

Even　more　shrill。　〃Of　course；　my　young　friend。　Nothing　would　please　me　more。〃　

Edward　chuckled　exultantly。　〃Then　I　do　have　something　more　to　offer。〃　

Aro's　eyes　narrowed。　〃She　is　absolutely　unique。　Her　future　can　only　be　guessed　at。〃　

〃Not　absolutely　unique；〃　Edward　disagreed。　〃Rare；　certainly；　but　not　one　of　a　kind。〃　

I　fought　the　shock；　the　sudden　hope　springing　to　life；　as　it　threatened　to　distract　me。　The　sicklylooking　
mist　still　swirled　around　the　edges　of　my　shield。　And；　as　I　struggled　to　focus；　I　felt　again　the　sharp；　
stabbing　pressure　against　

my　protective　hold。　

〃Aro；　would　you　ask　Jane　to　stop　attacking　my　wife？〃　Edward　asked　courteously。　〃We　are　still　
discussing　evidence。〃　

Aro　raised　one　hand。　〃Peace；　dear　ones。　Let　us　hear　him　out。〃　

The　pressure　disappeared。　Jane　bared　her　teeth　at　me；　I　couldn't　help　grinning　back　at　her。　

〃Why　don't　you　join　us；　Alice？〃　Edward　called　loudly。　

〃Alice；〃　Esme　whispered　in　shock。　

Alice！　

Alice；　Alice；　Alice！　



　Page　424　

Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




〃Alice！〃　〃Alice！〃　other　voices　murmured　around　me。　

〃Alice；〃　Aro　breathed。　

Relief　and　violent　joy　surged　through　me。　It　took　all　my　will　to　keep　the　shield　where　it　was。　Alec's　mist　
still　tested；　seeking　a　weakness—Jane　would　see　if　I　left　any　holes。　

And　then　I　heard　them　running　through　the　forest；　flying；　closing　the　distance　as　quickly　as　they　could　
with　no　slowing　effort　at　silence。　

Both　sides　were　motionless　in　expectation。　The　Volturi　witnesses　scowled　in　fresh　confusion。　

Then　Alice　danced　into　the　clearing　from　the　southwest；　and　I　felt　like　the　bliss　of　seeing　her　face　again　
might　knock　me　off　my　feet。　Jasper　was　only　inches　behind　her；　his　sharp　eyes　fierce。　Close　after　them　
ran　three　strangers；　the　first　was　a　tall；　muscular　female　with　wild　dark　hair—obviously　Kachiri。　She　had　
the　same　elongated　limbs　and　features　as　the　other　Amazons；　even　more　pronounced　in　her　case。　

The　next　was　a　small　olivetoned　female　vampire　with　a　long　braid　of　black　hair　bobbing　against　her　
back。　Her　deep　burgundy　eyes　flitted　nervously　around　the　confrontation　before　her。　

And　the　last　was　a　young　man。。。　not　quite　as　fast　nor　quite　as　fluid　in　his　run。　His　skin　was　an　impossible　
rich；　dark　brown。　His　wary　eyes　flashed　across　the　gathering；　and　they　were　the　color　of　warm　teak。　His　
hair　was　black　and　braided；　too；　like　the　woman's；　though　not　as　long。　He　was　beautiful。　

As　he　neared　us；　a　new　sound　sent　shock　waves　through　the　watching　crowd—the　sound　of　another　
heartbeat；　accelerated　with　exertion。　

Alice　leaped　lightly　over　the　edges　of　the　dissipating　mist　that　lapped　at　my　shield　and　came　to　a　sinuous　
stop　at　Edward's　side。　I　reached　out　to　touch　her　arm；　and　so　did　Edward；　Esme；　Carlisle。　There　wasn't　
time　for　any　other　wele。　Jasper　and　the　others　followed　her　through　the　shield。　

All　the　guard　watched；　speculation　in　their　eyes；　as　the　lateers　crossed　the　invisible　border　without　
difficulty。　The　brawny　ones；　Felix　and　the　others　like　him；　focused　their　suddenly　hopeful　eyes　on　me。　
They　had　not　been　sure　of　what　my　shield　repelled；　but　it　was　clear　now　that　it　would　not　stop　a　physical　
attack。　As　soon　as　Aro　gave　the　order；　the　blitz　would　ensue；　me　the　only　object。　I　wondered　how　many　
Zafrina　would　be　able　to　blind；　and　how　much　that　would　slow　them。　Long　enough　for　Kate　and　Vladimir　
to　take　Jane　and　Alec　out　of　the　equation？　That　was　all　I　

could　ask　for。　

Edward；　despite　his　absorption　in　the　coup　he　was　directing；　stiffened　furiously　in　response　to　their　
thoughts。　He　controlled　himself　and　spoke　to　Aro　again。　

〃Alice　has　been　searching　for　her　own　witnesses　these　last　weeks；〃　he　said　to　the　ancient。　〃And　she　does　
not　e　back　emptyhanded。　Alice；　why　don't　you　introduce　the　witnesses　you've　brought？〃　

Caius　snarled。　〃The　time　for　witnesses　is　past！　Cast　your　vote；　Aro！〃　

Aro　raised　one　finger　to　silence　his　brother；　his　eyes　glued　to　Alice's　face。　




　Page　425　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




Alice　stepped　forward　lightly　and　introduced　the　strangers。　〃This　is　Huilen　and　her　nephew；　Nahuel。〃　

Hearing　her　voice。。。　it　was　like　she'd　never　left。　

Caius's　eyes　tightened　as　Alice　named　the　relationship　between　the　newers。　The　Volturi　witnesses　
hissed　amongst　themselves。　The　vampire　world　was　changing；　and　everyone　could　feel　it。　

〃Speak；　Huilen；〃　Aro　manded。　〃Give　us　the　witness　you　were　brought　to　bear。〃　

The　slight　woman　looked　to　Alice　nervously。　Alice　nodded　in　encouragement；　and　Kachiri　put　her　long　
hand　on　the　little　vampire's　shoulder。　

〃I　am　Huilen；〃　the　woman　announced　in　clear　but　strangely　accented　English。　As　she　continued；　it　was　
apparent　she　had　prepared　herself　to　tell　this　story；　that　she　had　practiced。　It　flowed　like　a　wellknown　
nursery　rhyme。　〃A　century　and　a　half　ago；　I　lived　with　my　people；　the　Mapuche。　My　sister　was　Pire。　Our　
parents　named　her　after　the　snow　on　the　mountains　because　of　her　fair　skin。　And　she　was　very　beautiful　
—too　beautiful。　She　came　to　me　one　day　in　secret　and　told　me　of　the　angel　that　found　her　in　the　woods；　
that　visited　her　by　night。　I　warned　her。〃　Huilen　shook　her　head　mournfully。　〃As　if　the　bruises　on　her　skin　
were　not　warning　enough。　I　knew　it　was　the　Libishomen　of　our　legends；　but　she　would　not　listen。　She　
was　bewitched。　

〃She　told　me　when　she　was　sure　her　dark　angel's　child　was　growing　inside　her。　I　didn't　try　to　discourage　
her　from　her　plan　to　run　away—I　knew　even　our　father　and　mother　would　agree　that　the　child　must　be　
destroyed；　Pire　with　it。　I　went　with　her　into　the　deepest　parts　of　the　forest。　She　searched　for　her　demon　
angel　but　found　nothing；　i　cared　for　her；　hunted　for　her　when　her　strength　failed。　She　ate　the　animals　raw；　
drinking　their　blood。　I　needed　no　more　confirmation　of　what　she　carried　in　her　womb。　I　hoped　to　save　
her　life　before　I　killed　the　monster。　

〃But　she　loved　the　child　inside　her。　She　called　him　Nahuel；　after　the　jungle　cat；　when　he　grew　strong　and　
broke　her　bones—and　loved　him　still。　

〃I　could　not　save　her。　The　child　ripped　his　way　free　of　her；　and　she　died　quickly；　begging　all　the　while　
that　I　would　care　for　her　Nahuel。　Her　dying　wish—and　I　agreed。　

〃He　bit　me；　though；　when　I　tried　to　lift　him　from　her　body。　I　crawled　away　into　the　jungle　to　die。　I　didn't　
get　far—the　pain　was　too　much。　But　he　found　me；　the　newborn　child　struggled　through　the　underbrush　to　
my　side　and　waited　for　me。　When　the　pain　ended；　he　was　curled　against　my　side；　sleeping。　

〃I　cared　for　him　until　he　was　able　to　hunt　for　himself。　We　hunted　the　villages　around　our　forest；　staying　to　
ourselves。　We　have　never　e　so　far　from　our　home；　but　Nahuel　wished　to　see　the　child　here。〃　

Huilen　bowed　her　head　when　she　was　finished　and　moved　back　so　she　was　partially　hidden　behind　
Kachiri。　

Aro's　lips　were　pursed。　He　stared　at　the　darkskinned　youth。　

〃Nahuel；　you　are　one　hundred　and　fifty　years　old？〃　he　questioned。　

〃Give　or　take　a　decade；〃　he　answered　in　a　clear；　beautifully　warm　voice。　His　accent　was　barely　
noticeable。　〃We　don't　keep　track。〃　




　　Page　426　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




〃And　you　reached　maturity　at　what　age？〃　

〃About　seven　years　after　my　birth；　more　or　less；　I　was　full　grown。〃　

〃You　have　not　changed　since　then？〃　

Nahuel　shrugged。　〃Not　that　I've　noticed。〃　

I　felt　a　shudder　tremble　through　Jacob's　body。　I　didn't　want　to　think　about　this　yet。　I　would　wait　till　the　
danger　was　past　and　I　could　concentrate。　

〃And　your　diet？〃　Aro　pressed；　seeming　interested　in　spite　of　himself。　

〃Mostly　blood；　but　some　human　food；　too。　I　can　survive　on　either。〃　

〃You　were　able　to　create　an　immortal？〃　As　Aro　gestured　to　Huilen；　his　voice　was　abruptly　intense。　I　
refocused　on　my　shield；　perhaps　he　was　seeking　a　new　excuse。　

〃Yes；　but　none　of　the　rest　can。〃　

A　shocked　murmur　ran　through　all　three　groups。　

Aro's　eyebrows　shot　up。　〃The　rest？〃　

〃My　sisters。〃　Nahuel　shrugged　again。　

Aro　stared　wildly　for　a　moment　before　posing　his　face。　

〃Perhaps　you　would　tell　us　the　rest　of　your　story；　for　there　seems　to　be　more。〃　

Nahuel　frowned。　

〃My　father　came　looking　for　me　a　few　years　after　my　mother's　death。〃　His　handsome　face　distorted　
slightly。　〃He　was　pleased　to　find　me。〃　Nahuel's　tone　suggested　the　feeling　was　not　mutual。　〃He　had　two　
daughters；　but　no　sons。　He　expected　me　to　join　him；　as　my　sisters　had。　

〃He　was　surprised　I　was　not　alone。　My　sisters　are　not　venomous；　but　whether　that's　due　to　gender　or　a　
random　chance。。。　who　knows？　I　already　had　my　family　with　Huilen；　and　I　was　not　interested*—he　
twisted　the　word—〃in　making　a　change。　I　see　him　from　time　to　time。　I　have　a　new　sister；　she　reached　
maturity　about　ten　years　back。〃　

〃Your　father's　name？〃　Caius　asked　through　gritted　teeth。　

〃Joham；〃　Nahuel　answered。　〃He　considers　himself　a　scientist。　H