new moon(暮光之城-新月英文版)-第40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！


over　the　crowd；　grinned　
down　at　me；　his　lips　distended　over　a　set　of　plastic　vampire　fangs。　
The　throng　jostled　around　me；　spinning　me　the　wrong　direction。　I　was　glad　the　
clock　was　so　visible；　or　
I'd　never　keep　my　course　straight。　But　both　hands　on　the　clock　pointed　up　
toward　the　pitiless　sun；　and；　
though　I　shoved　viciously　against　the　crowd；　I　knew　I　was　too　late。　I　wasn't　
halfway　across。　I　wasn't　
going　to　make　it。　I　was　stupid　and　slow　and　human；　and　we　were　all　going　to　
die　because　of　it。　
I　hoped　Alice　would　get　out。　I　hoped　that　she　would　see　me　from　some　dark　
shadow　and　know　that　I　
had　failed；　so　she　could　go　home　to　Jasper。　
I　listened；　above　the　angry　exclamations；　trying　to　hear　the　sound　of　
discovery：　the　gasp；　maybe　the　
scream；　as　Edward　came　into　someone's　view。　
But　there　was　a　break　in　the　crowd—I　could　see　a　bubble　of　space　ahead。　I　
pushed　urgently　toward　it；　
not　realizing　till　I　bruised　my　shins　against　the　bricks　that　there　was　a　
wide；　square　fountain　set　into　the　
center　of　the　plaza。　
I　was　nearly　crying　with　relief　as　I　flung　my　leg　over　the　edge　and　ran　
through　the　knee…deep　water。　It　
sprayed　all　around　me　as　I　thrashed　my　way　across　the　pool。　Even　in　the　sun；　
the　wind　was　glacial；　and　
the　wet　made　the　cold　actually　painful。　But　the　fountain　was　very　wide；　it　let　
me　cross　the　center　of　the　
square　and　then　some　in　mere　seconds。　I　didn't　pause　when　I　hit　the　far　edge—
I　used　the　low　wall　as　a　
springboard；　throwing　myself　into　the　crowd。　
They　moved　more　readily　for　me　now；　avoiding　the　icy　water　that　splattered　
from　my　dripping　clothes　as　
I　ran。　I　glanced　up　at　the　clock　again。　
A　deep；　booming　chime　echoed　through　the　square。　It　throbbed　in　the　stones　
under　my　feet。　Children　
cried；　covering　their　ears。　And　I　started　screaming　as　I　ran。　
〃Edward！〃　I　screamed；　knowing　it　was　useless。　The　crowd　was　too　loud；　and　my　
voice　was　breathless　
with　exertion。　But　I　couldn't　stop　screaming。　
The　clock　tolled　again。　I　ran　past　a　child　in　his　mother's　arms—his　hair　was　
almost　white　in　the　dazzling　
sunlight。　A　circle　of　tall　men；　all　wearing　red　blazers；　called　out　warnings　
as　I　barreled　through　them。　The　
clock　tolled　again。　
On　the　other　side　of　the　men　in　blazers；　there　was　a　break　in　the　throng；　
space　between　the　sightseers　
who　milled　aimlessly　around　me。　My　eyes　searched　the　dark　narrow　passage　to　
the　right　of　the　wide　
square　edifice　under　the　tower。　I　couldn't　see　the　street　level—there　were　
still　too　many　people　in　the　
way。　The　clock　tolled　again。　
It　was　hard　to　see　now。　Without　the　crowd　to　break　the　wind；　it　whipped　at　my　
face　and　burned　my　
eyes。　I　couldn't　be　sure　if　that　was　the　reason　behind　my　tears；　or　if　I　was　
crying　in　defeat　as　the　clock　
tolled　again。　
A　little　family　of　four　stood　nearest　to　the　alley's　mouth。　The　two　girls　wore　
crimson　dresses；　with　
matching　ribbons　tying　their　dark　hair　back。　The　father　wasn't　tall。　It　seemed　
like　I　could　see　something　
bright　in　the　shadows；　just　over　his　shoulder。　I　hurtled　toward　them；　trying　
to　see　past　the　stinging　tears。　
The　clock　tolled；　and　the　littlest　girl　clamped　her　hands　over　her　ears。　
The　older　girl；　just　waist　high　on　her　mother；　hugged　her　mother's　leg　and　
stared　into　the　shadows　behind　
them。　As　I　watched；　she　tugged　on　her　mother's　elbow　and　pointed　toward　the　
darkness。　The　clock　
tolled；　and　I　was　so　close　now。　
I　was　close　enough　to　hear　her　high…pitched　voice。　Her　father　stared　at　me　in　
surprise　as　I　bore　down　on　
them；　rasping　out　Edward's　name　over　and　over　again。　
The　older　girl　giggled　and　said　something　to　her　mother；　gesturing　toward　the　
shadows　again　impatiently。　
I　swerved　around　the　father—he　clutched　the　baby　out　of　my　way—and　sprinted　
for　the　gloomy　breach　
behind　them　as　the　clock　tolled　over　my　head。　
〃Edward；　no！〃　I　screamed；　but　my　voice　was　lost　in　the　roar　of　the　chime。　
I　could　see　him　now。　And　I　could　see　that　he　could　not　see　me。　
It　was　really　him；　no　hallucination　this　time。　And　I　realized　that　my　
delusions　were　more　flawed　than　I'd　
realized；　they'd　never　done　him　justice。　
Edward　stood；　motionless　as　a　statue；　just　a　few　feet　from　the　mouth　of　the　
alley。　His　eyes　were　closed；　
the　rings　underneath　them　deep　purple；　his　arms　relaxed　at　his　sides；　his　
palms　turned　forward。　His　
expression　was　very　peaceful；　like　he　was　dreaming　pleasant　things。　The　marble　
skin　of　his　chest　was　
bare—there　was　a　small　pile　of　white　fabric　at　his　feet。　The　light　reflecting　
from　the　pavement　of　the　
square　gleamed　dimly　from　his　skin。　
I'd　never　seen　anything　more　beautiful—even　as　I　ran；　gasping　and　screaming；　
I　could　appreciate　that。　
And　the　last　seven　months　meant　nothing。　And　his　words　in　the　forest　meant　
nothing。　And　it　did　not　
matter　if　he　did　not　want　me。　I　would　never　want　anything　but　him；　no　matter　
how　long　I　lived。　
The　clock　tolled；　and　he　took　a　large　stride　toward　the　light。　
〃No！〃　I　screamed。　〃Edward；　look　at　me！〃　
He　wasn't　listening。　He　smiled　very　slightly。　He　raised　his　foot　to　take　the　
step　that　would　put　him　directly　
in　the　path　of　the　sun。　
I　slammed　into　him　so　hard　that　the　force　would　have　hurled　me　to　the　ground　
if　his　arms　hadn't　caught　
me　and　held　me　up。　It　knocked　my　breath　out　of　me　and　snapped　my　head　back。　
His　dark　eyes　opened　slowly　as　the　clock　tolled　again。　
He　looked　down　at　me　with　quiet　surprise。　
〃Amazing；〃　he　said；　his　exquisite　voice　full　of　wonder；　slightly　amused。　
〃Carlisle　was　right。〃　
〃Edward；〃　I　tried　to　gasp；　but　my　voice　had　no　sound。　〃You've　got　to　get　back　
into　the　shadows。　You　
have　to　move！〃　
He　seemed　bemused。　His　hand　brushed　softly　against　my　cheek。　He　didn't　appear　
to　notice　that　I　was　
trying　to　force　him　back。　I　could　have　been　pushing　against　the　alley　walls　
for　all　the　progress　I　was　
making。　The　clock　tolled；　but　he　didn't　react。　
It　was　very　strange；　for　I　knew　we　were　both　in　mortal　danger。　Still；　in　that　
instant；　I　felt　well。　Whole。　I　
could　feel　my　heart　racing　in　my　chest；　the　blood　pulsing　hot　and　fast　through　
my　veins　again。　My　lungs　
filled　deep　with　the　sweet　scent　that　came　off　his　skin。　It　was　like　there　had　
never　been　any　hole　in　my　
chest。　I　was　perfect—not　healed；　but　as　if　there　had　been　no　wound　in　the　
first　place。　
〃I　can't　believe　how　quick　it　was。　I　didn't　feel　a　thing—they're　very　good；〃　
he　mused；　closing　his　eyes　
again　and　pressing　his　lips　against　my　hair。　His　voice　was　like　honey　and　
velvet。　〃Death；　that　hath　
sucked　the　honey　of　thy　breath；　hath　had　no　power　yet　upon　thy　beauty；〃　he　
murmured；　and　I　
recognized　the　line　spoken　by　Romeo　in　the　tomb。　The　clock　boomed　out　its　
final　chime　〃You　smell　just　
exactly　the　same　as　always；〃　he　went　on。　〃So　maybe　this　is　hell。　I　don't　care。　
I'll　take　it。〃　
〃I'm　not　dead；〃　I　interrupted。　〃And　neither　are　you！　Please　Edward；　we　have　to　
move。　They　can't　be　far　
away！〃　
I　struggled　in　his　arms；　and　his　brow　furrowed　in　confusion。　
〃What　was　that？〃　he　asked　politely。　
〃We're　not　dead；　not　yet！　But　we　have　to　get　out　of　here　before　the　Volturi—〃　
prehension　flickered　on　his　face　as　I　spoke。　Before　I　could　finish；　he　
suddenly　yanked　me　away　
from　the　edge　of　the　shadows；　spinning　me　effortlessly　so　that　my　back　was　
tight　against　the　brick　wall；　
and　his　back　was　to　me　as　he　faced　away　into　the　alley。　His　arms　spread　wide；　
protectively；　in　front　of　
me。　
I　peeked　under　his　arm　to　see　two　dark　shapes　detach　themselves　from　the　
gloom。　
〃Greetings；　gentlemen；〃　Edward's　voice　was　calm　and　pleasant；　on　the　surface。　
〃I　don't　think　I'll　be　
requiring　your　services　today。　I　would　appreciate　it　very　much；　however；　if　
you　would　send　my　thanks　to　
your　masters。〃　
〃Shall　we　take　this　conversation　to　a　more　appropriate　venue？〃　a　smooth　voice　
whispered　menacingly。　
〃I　don't　believe　that　will　be　necessary。〃　Edward's　voice　was　harder　now。　〃I　
know　your　instructions；　Felix。　
I　haven't　broken　any　rules。〃　
〃Felix　merely　meant　to　point　out　the　proximity　of　the　sun；〃　the　other　shadow　
said　in　a　soothing　tone。　They　
were　both　concealed　within　smoky　gray　cloaks　that　reached　to　the　ground　and　
undulated　in　the　wind。　
〃Let　us　seek　better　cover。〃　
〃I'll　be　right　behind　you；〃　Edward　said　dryly。　〃Bella；　why　don't　you　go　back　
to　the　square　and　enjoy　the　
festival？〃　
〃No；　bring　the　girl；〃　the　first　shadow　said；　somehow　injecting　a　leer　into　his　
whisper。　
〃I　don't　think　so。〃　The　pretense　of　civility　disappeared。　Edward's　voice　was　
flat　and　icy。　His　weight　
shifted　infinitesimally；　and　I　could　see　that　he　was　preparing　to　fight。　
〃No。〃　I　mouthed　the　word。　
〃Shh；〃　he　murmured；　only　for　me。　
〃Felix；〃　the　second；　more　reasonable　shadow　cautioned。　〃Not　here。〃　He　turned　
to　Edward。　〃Aro　would　
simply　like　to　speak　with　you　again；　if　you　have　decided　not　to　force　our　hand　
after　all。〃　
〃Certainly；〃　Edward　agreed。　'〃But　the　girl　goes　free。〃　
〃I'm　afraid　that's　not　possible；〃　the　polite　shadow　said　regretfully。　〃We　do　
have　rules　to　obey。〃　
〃Then　I'm　afraid　that　I'll　be　unable　to　accept　Aro's　invitation；　Demetri。〃　
〃That's　just　fine；〃　Felix　purred。　My　eyes　were　adjusting　to　the　deep　shade；　
and　I　could　see　that　Felix　was　
very　big；　tall　and　thick　through　the　shoulders。　His　size　reminded　me　of　
Emmett。　
〃Aro　will　be　disappointed；〃　Demetri　sighed。　
〃I'm　sure　he'll　survive　the　letdown；〃　Edward　replied。　
Felix　and　Demetri　stole　closer　toward　the　mouth　of　the　alley；　spreading　out　
slightly　so　they　could　e　at　
Edward　from　two　sides。　They　meant　to　force　him　deeper　into　the　alley；　to　avoid　
a　scene。　No　reflected　
light　found　access　to　their　skin；　they　were　safe　inside　their　cloaks。　
Edward　didn't　move　an　inch。　He　was　dooming　himself　by　protecting　me。　
Abruptly；　Edward's　head　whipped　around；　toward　the　darkness　of　the　winding　
alley；　and　Demetri　and　
Felix　did　the　same；　in　response　to　some　sound　or　movement　too　subtle　for　my　
senses。　
〃Let's　behave　ourselves；　shall　we？〃　a　lilting　voice　suggested。　〃There　are　
ladies　present。〃　
Alice　tripped　lightly　to　Edward's　side；　her　stance　casual。　There　was　no　hint　
of　any　underlying　tension。　She　
looked　so　tiny；　so　fragile。　Her　little　arms　swung　like　a　child's。　
Yet　Demetri　and　Felix　both　straightened　up；　their　cloaks　swirling　slightly　as　
a　gust　of　wind　funneled　
through　the　alley。　Felix's　face　soured。　Apparently；　they　didn't　like　even　
numbers。　
〃We're　not　alone；〃　she　reminded　them。　
Demetri　glanced　over　his　shoulder。　A　few　yards　into　the　square；　the　little　
family；　with　the　girls　in　their　red　
dresses；　was　watching　us。　The　mother　was　speaking　urgently　to　her　husband；　her　
eyes　on　the　five　of　us。　
She　looked　away　when　Demetri　met　her　gaze。　The　man　walked　a　few　steps　farther　
into　the　plaza；　and　
tapped　one　of　the　red…blazered　men　on　the　shoulder。　
Demetri　shook　his　head。　〃Please；　Edward；　let's　be　reasonable；〃　he　said。　
〃Let's；〃　Edward　agreed。　〃And　we'll　leave　quietly　now；　with　no　one　the　wiser。〃　
Demetri　sighed　in　frustration。　〃At　least　let　us　discuss　this　more　privately。〃　
Six　men　in　red　now　joined　the　family　as　they　watched　us　with　anxious　
expressions。　I　was　very　conscious　
of　Edward's　protective　stance　in　front　of　me—sure　that　this　was　what　caused　
their　alarm。　I　wanted　to　
scream　to　them　to　run。　
Edward's　teeth　came　together　audibly。　〃No。〃　
Felix　smiled。　
〃Enough。〃　
The　voice　was　high；　reedy；　and　n　came　from　behind　us。　
I　peeked　under　Edward's　other　arm　to　see　a　small；　dark　shape　ing　toward　us。　
By　the　way　the　edges　
billowed；　I　knew　it　would　be　another　one　of　them。　Who　else？　
At　first　I　thought　it　was　a　young　boy。　The　newer　was　as　tiny　as　Alice；　with　
lank；　pale　brown　hair　
trimmed　short。　The　body　under　the　cloak—which　was　darker；　almost　black—was　
slim　and　androgynous。　
But　the　face　was　too　pretty　for　a　boy。　The　wide…eyed；　full…lipped　face　would　
make　a　Botticelli　angel　look　
like　a　gargoyle。　Even　allowing　for　the　dull　crimson　irises。　
Her　size　was　so　insignificant　that　the　reaction　to　her　appearance　confused　me。　
Felix　and　Demetri　relaxed　
immediately；　stepping　back　from　their　offensive　positions　to　blend　again　with　
the　shadows　of　the　
overhanging　walls。　
Edward　dropped　his　arms　and　relaxed　his　position　as　well—but　in　defeat。　
〃Jane；〃　he　sighed　in　recognition　and　resignation。　
Alice　folded　her　arms　across　her　chest；　her　expression　impassive。　
〃Follow　me；〃　Jane　spoke　again；　her　childish　voice　a　monotone。　She　turned　her　
back　on　us　and　drifted　
silently　into　the　dark。　
Felix　gestured　for　us　to　go　first；　smirking。　
Alice　walked　after　the　little　Jane　at　once。　Edward　wrapped　his　arm　around　my　
waist　and　pulled　me　along　
beside　her。　The　alley　angled　slightly　downward　as　it　narrowed。　I　looked　up　at　
him　with　frantic　questions　
in　my　eyes；　but　he　just　shook　his　head。　Though　I　couldn't　hear　the　others　
behind　us；　I　was　sure　they　were　
there。　
〃Well；　Alice；〃　Edward　said　conversationally　as　we　walked。　〃I　suppose　I　
shouldn't　be　surprised　to　see　you　
here。〃　
〃It　was　my　mistake；〃　Alice　answered　in　the　same　tone。　〃It　was　my　job　to　set　it　
right。〃　
〃What　happened？〃　His　voice　was　polite；　as　if　he　were　barely　interested。　I　
imagined　this　was　due　to　the　
listening　ears　behind　us。　
〃It's　a　long　story。〃　Alice's　eyes　flickered　toward　me　and　away。　〃In　summary；　
she　did　jump　off　a　cliff；　but　
she　wasn't　trying　to　kill　herself。　Bella's　all　about　the　extreme　sports　these　
days。〃　
I　flushed　and　turned　my　eyes　straight　ahead；　looking　after　the　dark　shadow　
that　I　could　no　longer　see。　I　
could　imagine　what　he　was　hearing　in　Alice's　thoughts　now。　Near…drownings；　
stalking　vampires；　
werewolf　friends　
〃Hm；〃　Edward　said　curtly；　and　the　casual　tone　of　his　voice　was　gone。　
There　was　a　loose　curve　to　the　alley；　still　slanting　downward；　so　I　didn't　see　
the　squared…off　dead　end　
ing　until　we　reached　the　flat；　windowless；　brick　face。　The　little　one　
called　Jane　was　nowhere　to　be　
seen。　
Alice　didn't　hesitate；　didn't　break　pace　as　she　strode　toward　the　wall。　Then；　
with　easy　grace；　she　slid　
down　an　open　hole　in　the　street。　
It　looked　like　a　drain；　sunk　into　the　lowest　point　of　the　paving。　I　hadn't　
noticed　it　until　Alice　disappeared；　
but　the　grate　was　halfway　pushed　aside。　The　hole　was　small；　and　black。　
I　balked。　
〃It's　all　right；　Bella；〃　Edward　said　in　a　low　voice。　〃Alice　will　catch　you。〃　
I　eyed　the　hole　doubtfully。　I　imagine　he　would　have　gone　first；　if　Demetri　and　
Felix　hadn't　been　waiting；　
smug　and　silent；　behind　us。　
I　crouched　down；　swinging　my　legs　into　the　narrow　gap。　
〃Alice？〃　I　whispered；　voice　trembling。　
〃I'm　right　here；　Bella；〃　she　reassured　me。　Her　voice　came　from　too　far　below　
to　make　me　feel　better。　
Edward　took　my　wrists—his　hands　felt　like　stones　in　winter—and　lowered　me　
into　the　blackness。　
〃Ready？〃　he　asked。　
〃Drop　her；〃　Alice　called。　
I　closed　my　eyes　so　I　couldn't　see　the　darkness；　scrunching　them　together　in　
terror；　clamping　my　mouth　
shut　so　I　wouldn't　scream。　Edward　let　me　fall。　
It　was　silent　and　short。　The　air　whipped　past　me　for　just　half　a　second；　and　
then；　with　a　huff　as　I　exhaled；　
Alice's　waiting　arms　caught　me。　
I　was　going　to　have　bruises；　her　arms　were　very　hard。　She　stood　me　upright。　
It　was　dim；　but　not　black　at　the　bottom。　The　light　from　the　hole　above