Chapter 22 Decisions
When I awoke the next morning, there was plenty of light inside the tent, and even the sun was hurting my eyes. And I was sweaty, course, and Jacob light snoring in my ear, without dissolving the embrace. Extricated his head from his chest and felt feverish the next morning cold sting my cheeks numb. Jacob sighed in his sleep, unconsciously tightened his grip.
I tried to lift his head and his eyes just enough ...
"Edward Are you still there?" I asked with his mouth covered by the breastplate of Jacob.
"Yes, I'm here. Good Morning Beautiful " said the velvety voice, beyond the wall of the tent.
"Hello Edward," I said embarrassed.
Luckily Jacob had left the zipper down, leaving a 'maneuver, but the difficulties were not lacking.
fought with all my might against the force of inert Jacob.
He mumbled something, in deep sleep, and even shook his grip.
"Jake woke up, I beg you," I said quietly.
"Need a hand? If I want to wake him up, "suggested Edward, but the tone he used does not suggest anything good.
"No. I'll try again, I'll be more lucky, "I murmured, throwing a dirty look that could not see.
Sfruttai space gained by the opening of the hinge to extend a hand to his face. I did not have many alternatives, better than leave it to Edward. The
tappai nose. Jacob
I coughed in his face half suffocated, has succeeded in waking him.
"I would have preferred a more abrupt awakening," Edward muttered very quietly.
sighed.
"Oh, are you awake, Bells. Good morning, "said Jacob sprawled a smile.
"Yes, how about let me breathe? I'm dying of heat. "
"Sorry," he said with a big yawn and loosening the grip.
"Thanks," I said finally free the lungs to inflate. Then I took her face and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "By the way, good morning to you too," I added with a smile.
slipped out from the sleeping bag and stretched my muscles stiffened.
The air seemed warmer than yesterday. Fortunately, I Jacob was close all night, otherwise I would have hibernated.
'Hey, bloodsucker, "Jacob called out of the tent. "Do you know what the case is missing the clash?" He asked stretching and creaking joints of the arms and legs. "Oh, hello Seth."
He heard a faint roar and I decided to leave the tent too.
There was less snow than I thought after the fierce storm the night before. Probably had been blown away, instead of melting in the sun at that time was shining low in the southeast and the white coat came out pinching his eyes not yet accustomed to the light.
The air was still crisp, but there was absolute calm and, As the sun rose, the temperature returned to the levels of the season.
Seth Clearwater was curled up on a patch of dry pine needles, the dense shade of a fir tree with his head between his paws. His sand-colored fur was almost invisible against the backdrop of dead needles, but I noticed the reflection of snow in her eyes open.
[...] 'Alice said to Sam that should be a matter of an hour, more or less, "said Edward, impassive.
He was standing two meters away from us, we had her back and looked away, between the trees.
"Well," Jacob hissed with a look on with impatience.
"Not good for anything," I retorted angrily.
In less than an hour the battle would begin, and Jacob had no intention to miss.
Edward spun around to point your eyes to those of Jacob, not that he had opened his mouth.
"I envy your ability to do so," he hissed.
"Then you will not be sorry to leave us alone," Jacob replied annoyed. "I do not have much time, the battle is about to begin."
I looked at them both confused. "You can know what you're talking about?".
"I leave you alone," murmured Edward. "I'll be back as soon as Jacob is gone," he assured, noting my expression anguished.
"Seth, do you mind?" Asked Jacob wolf crouched. Seth jumped up on his hind legs and walked away without making a fuss. As if he knew everything already.
Edward looked back down the mountain on which we had camped, flanked by Seth. That incredible closeness surprised me.
However, I turned to Jacob with exasperated air.
"Why have you sent away? When you decide to leave him alone? ".
"I just wanted to talk to you. One thing I would tell you, and another that I'm curious to know, "he said holding my hips and leaned toward my face. "I have not had time to ask."
"And you think now?" I asked raising his eyebrows, puzzled.
"I would say it's perfect," he replied with a smile more dazzling than the sun.
I shook my head dizzy. "Okay, what do you want to start?".
"From the question," he answered immediately.
blessed I was waiting for this question. I wonder what he wanted to know so important at a time like that.
"What did you dream after I kissed the first time?". Question
incredibly easy and mindless.
"I wanted to see our life together," I whispered, trying to figure out where he was coming. "There were Charlie, Renee, Billy, and even Sam, and then the children with hair rincorresi blacks who were playing in the woods of La Push. Then I saw my reflection in the mirror, I was aged but very, very happy. Behind me you were there in the form of a wolf, and you seemed even older. Your coat was longer now and a faded red. " As told, the images follow one another like yourself watching a film.
There was a moment of silence, then Jacob chuckled and shook his head in disbelief.
"Wow, you're clairvoyant as your friend Alice."
"What?".
"Well, I told you that one day we would have spoken. It was one thing that came to mind was that time in your room. "
I remembered very well. The first night of the practical demonstration of Cullen.
"I discussed it last night with Sam, to see if my decision would give some problems. There was an altercation with others in the flock, but in the end Sam calmed the sea. He gave me his permission and would be assured that if the escaped all ... "he mumbled.
"Jake comes down to it. What are you trying to say? ". Jacob took a breath
and looked at me lovingly.
"When all this is over, I'll stop changing. I want to build a family with you, and more than anything else, I want to grow old by your side, "he confessed in one breath.
was enthralled, frightened, upset and kidnapped by his words.
"Jake, you can not. You ... you want to give up your immortality, your youth, your power to ... "I could not finish the sentence.
The sobbing and a thick stomach prevented me, as tears I clouded her vision.
"To be with you, Bells. I do not care all that stuff, even if you stay young, it would be a problem. I still remember your stupid obsession with the age difference, "he said making his eyes.
"I could turn me on your birthday, maybe, if I still remember how. I would carry you somewhere as a gift. There are many wonderful places you've never seen, I'll show you one for each year that appears, and in the meantime started to rise. He had said during the fire, remember? The important thing is not becoming for a long time, and one year should be sufficient, "he continued as if he was talking about this and that.
"Why? Why do you give up? "I asked in amazement.
"Because I love you, of course."
"Jake, you want to do the same thing I did to Edward?".
Jacob snorted impatiently.
"I think that they are two different things, Bella. I do not choose to turn me into a soulless stone because they are not able to pass. I resume my normal. That part of life which I was forced to resign for reasons of descent. But unlike your vampire, I can go back. Can I give up, if I want, but you want it too. If you do not wish for any reason, you must tell me. And even if your reasons make sense, which I doubt, we will discuss it until you convince, "he said firmly. Then he glanced
concentrated towards the sky, catching some sign that I escaped.
"Now I gotta go, I'm already late. In the meantime, think about it, later I'll know, "he said and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. He started to
away, but I threw at him and I clung to his arm.
"Wait, Jake!" Screamed through her tears. My voice had suddenly become hysterical.
His speech was not yet ready to be digested, and my priority at this time was different. Much, much more urgent.
Edward was gone at the moment, and I knew he'd be back. Jacob
But I had no idea, and it was enough to feel crazy, especially after what I had said.
The anxiety I had felt until then, was nothing compared to fear of these last moments.
Nothing gave me his return.
How could I even try to imagine a future so far, if I did not know anything about the one closest to me? If the immediate future scared me to death?
terror imprisoned me in a grip of steel, and crushes me.
Jake had already found a good reason for me to give up, but the uncontrollable desperation drove me to make another attempt.
"Jake, please, I beg you, do not go! Stay here, stay with me! Please, "cried imploringly.
Jake stared at me. A veil of concern
and hesitation through his eyes. He tried to compose himself immediately.
"Do not worry Bella. I'll be back, I promise. "
"No," I cried, but I broke the scream in her throat.
My legs gave way and sank to his knees in the snow, while my hands slid along the hot arm of Jacob and shook his hand.
My heart was about to burst again.
I felt as if I were sawing in two.
Jake squeezed my hand and knelt in front of me, giving me a smile of his.
"back soon, "he promised. "It 's a promise, Bella."
took my face drawn with pain, and kissed me on the lips.
I had the horrible feeling that this was the last kiss.
But I did not have the strength to counter it like this.
as I stood in shock, I barely noticed that his lips touched me.
He stared at me briefly with anxious expression. Her lips parted as about to say something, but immediately stood up and gave me back.
I saw him running away, already prey to the thrills of transformation, while I remained on my knees in the snow with one hand and the other arm's length. All that my hand could grasp, the empty air was cold.
The same emptiness I felt inside me.
see him disappear among the trees, tore my heart, my soul and my body, two perfect halves.
began to sob, and my body shuddered as in convulsions. Surrounded by the other arm in the snow and my head slumped.
"... Jake back," I stammered through her tears while the hole in my chest threatened to close down for not re-open again.
Not even the icy hand on my shoulder Edward, helped me get out of that state.
"Bella, you'll help me and Seth," she whispered with a voice soft and reassuring. Seth whined as if to prove him right.
I lifted my face toward her, trying to find comfort in his words. "Help me? Tell me how, please, "I pleaded.
Edward smiled kindly and explained.
"Seth has to keep in touch with others in the flock, so will any time, as if he were living. I will translate his thoughts for you, so you'll know what happens from moment to moment, "he said slowly.
"Would you?" I asked with a whisper and a surge of hope.
"It's not so much," he said.
"For me it is, is vital. Thank you Edward, "I said as I helped her get up.
Edward took me staggering to sit next to Seth, who was standing on the legs and looked at me.
issued a concerned moan and leaned her head to one side.
"He's sorry see you so, "said Edward. "You're the girl of his idol, so the are a bit 'too."
Seth looked at him and coughed a laugh, nodding his big head.
"Thank you Seth, do not worry. I'm fine, "he lied.
I sat next to him to capture the heat, and Edward crouched down next to me. If nothing else, I felt protected.
I stared at the faith of Sarah, while I was turning the finger. I could not think of anything, it was as if my brain was disconnected.
"What is Jacob doing?" I asked colorless voice.
"has been transformed. It's a bit 'distracted, but Sam is helping him, "said Edward, peaceful.
"And Alice? What are you doing? ".
Edward smiled at me reassuringly. "You're worried for her. You do not have, you know. "
I shook my head. "How do I? Alice is so small, "mugugnai.
said with a laugh. "It could be a problem ... if there was someone who could take it."
Seth began to hum.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"It's just mad that touches stay here with us. He knows that he has kept away from the herd for protection. Drooling by the desire to achieve them. " I raised my face
, looking at Seth.
"Newborns are at the end of the path - it worked magic, Jasper is a genius - and have engaged in the footsteps of those who are in the clearing, therefore, as provided by Alice, you are dividing into two groups," Edward murmured, his gaze focused on something in the distance. "Sam is leading us to intercept the group ambush." He was so focused on what he was listening to use the plural of the pack.
Suddenly he looked down on me. "Breathe, Bella."
I tried to obey the request.
I tried to tune to the same steady rhythm of breath Seth for not going to hyperventilate.
"The first group entered the clearing. We can hear the noise of battle. "
I gritted my teeth.
laughed dry. "We can Emmett hear: you're having fun. "
I tried to take another breath with Seth.
"The second group is getting ready ... We do not pay attention, there have yet heard."
Edward roared.
"What?" I snapped.
"They speak of you." With one click clenched his teeth. "In theory, they should keep you away ... nice move, Leah! Hey, it's really fast, "he murmured approvingly. "One of the babies has noticed our wake, and Leah has even felled before he could change direction. Sam is helping to finish it. Paul Jacob and I took another, the rest is on the defensive now. They do not know what to do with us. Both armies Mostrami attack ... No, let it be Sam to drive, "he muttered. "Separate: do not let you look away from each other."
Seth whined.
"That's better, push them to the clearing," Edward approved. Without realizing it, his body was moved, stretched towards the same moves that he wanted to do.
I stared at him with apprehension, sinking her nails into the palms of my hands.
The sudden absence of noise was the only sign.
The deep sound of breathing and pressing Seth stopped and now in sync with him, I soon found out.
too afraid to breathe I stopped when I realized that even Edward was still like a block of ice by my side.
Oh, no. No. No.
Who was hit? Our or its ? My, they were all mine. Who I'd lost?
I did not think of any known name. But all echoed in his ears, one above the other, confused and loud.
And one stood out among all.
Edward stood with one click so fast that I noticed. The muzzle
Seth to fifteen inches from the face of Edward.
fixed with absolute concentration for a second infinity. The sun was crumbling on the skin of Edward and triggered sparks dancing on the fur of Seth. Then
Edward whispered vehemently, "Go, Seth."
The huge wolf turned and disappeared in the forest shade.
was two seconds? They seemed hours. I was terrified and sickened by the certainty that in clear something terrible had happened.
If I had not had a sudden fear of dying, I would have sacrificed as his third wife. I would have given blood to save them.
cowardly, I thought.
I had never been very attached to life, because right now should I care? As in the dream, rather than sacrifice to distract Rosalie terrible and bloodthirsty wolf from the attack on Billy, I had thrown down the silver dagger.
But something I would have done the same, I would look for a way to be able to hurt, and attract attention without having to die.
Yes, absolutely I would have done this!
I opened my mouth to ask Edward to take me, now, [...] but before I could utter the first syllable, I felt like tossing. [...]
I found myself with my back pressed against the rough side of the outcrop of rock. Edward was in front of me in a position to be recognized immediately.
My thoughts were filled with relief at the same time when I felt my stomach sink under their feet.
I misunderstood.
Relief: nothing had gone wrong in the clearing.
Horror: The critical point was near.
Edward maintained the position of defense - half crouched, arms semidistese. [...]
Something was approaching us.
"Who?" I whispered.
The words came from his teeth with a growl more intense than I expected. Too intense. Meant it was too late to hide.
We were trapped, never mind that someone will hear.
"Victoria," he said, spitting the word, turning it into an insult. "She's not alone. It has crossed my trail, follow the infants to attend: no intention to fight with them. All of a sudden he decided to look for me, sure of finding you, too. And he guessed. You were right. It's always Victoria. " The
was close enough to hear your thoughts.
I wondered how he would react if we had said that I was no longer along with Edward. In all probability, would not give anything imported.
mentally counted the last strokes of my life, while Victoria was approaching us. Edward
was a good fighter, as good as Jasper. If the company did not arrive in large, he could struggle to escape and return to his family. Edward was the fastest of all. He could do it.
I was really glad that Seth had sent away. Of course, there was could ask no one to help. Victoria chose the perfect moment to act. If nothing else, Seth was safe. When I thought of his name, I could not imagine the big wolf sleeping only clear but awkward fifteen.
The body of Edward snapped an almost imperceptible movement, which made me understand where to look. I stared at the black shadows of the forest.
It was like seeing my nightmares that I came to meet him. Two slow vampires
surfaced in the small clearing where we had camped, where tellers eyes missed nothing. Sparkled like diamonds in the sun.
I could hardly set the blond boy [...] . His eyes, however, turned a deeper red than I had ever seen, were not able to capture my own. Although it was the closest to Edward, the most immediate danger, I could not worry about it. Why
at his side, a few meters away from him, Victoria was staring at me.
Her hair turned orange-red were more than I remembered, looked like flames of fire. There was no wind, but the flame that framed his face seemed to sway gently, as if it were alive.
His eyes were thirsty for blacks.
not smiling as he did in my old dreams: he kept his lips in a straight line. There was something feline in unsettling position of his body, like a lion waiting for the jump in a crack of the vegetation.
His restless eyes and wild jumping between Edward and me, without ever dwell on him for more than half a second. He could not take my eyes from my face for longer than I I could ignore her.
radiated an almost visible tension in the air. I felt the desire and passion that the besieged and consumed. Almost as if I could read his mind, I knew what he was thinking.
had almost achieved what he wanted: that more than a year that was part the center of his existence was now very close.
My death.
His plan was as obvious as it is effective. The blond boy would attack Edward. And when he would be more distracted, Victoria would have ended.
[...] The blond boy looked at the corner of Victoria, waiting for an order.
He was young for many reasons. Judging by his eyes shining, it was not long vampire. He was strong, but also incompetent. Edward certainly knew how to fight it.
[...] pointed Victoria Edward and ordered not to mention boy to carry.
"Riley," Edward said in a tone of sweet and imploring.
The blond stood still and blinked.
"You're lying, Riley," Edward said. "Listen. You're lying as he lied to the other that die in the clearing. You know that he lied to them, which forced them to lie to you, why not return to their relief. It's so hard to believe he lied to you? ".
The confusion took hold of the face of Riley.
Edward moved to the side, a few centimeters, and Riley compensated automatically the movement supporting him.
"I love you, Riley." The Edward's soft voice was seductive, almost hypnotic. "Do not you ever loved. His real name is James Love, and you are nothing but an instrument in his hands. "
In the name of James, a grimace grin discovered between the lips of Victoria.
not take his eyes from mine.
The Vampire threw a desperate look at her, but Edward continue to talk with a sweet voice attracted his attention again.
"He knows I'll kill you, Riley. She wants you to die, in so stop with this play. Yes, you noticed, right? Have you read the doubts in his eyes, suspected of that tone in his false promises. Did he ever wanted. Every kiss, every caress, it was a lie. "
Edward moved on again, a few centimeters to the boy, a few inches farther away from me.
Victoria pointed gaze to the space between us. She would take less than a second to kill me ... as soon as he had the slightest margin of possibilities.
[...] "The liar is he, Riley," said Victoria, and stood with his mouth wide open, shocked by the sound of his voice. "I have already spoken their mind tricks. I love you, you know. "
His voice was not strong and wild cat roar that I
associated with that face and that posture. It was delicate, high-pitched, tinkling a child soprano. The kind of voice that usually goes hand in hand with curly blonde hair and chewing-gum pink. It was absurd that came out from his teeth bared and glistening. Riley
clenched his jaw and held her shoulders. His eyes emptied of confusion and suspicion. Of all the thoughts. Collected, prepared to attack.
Victoria's body seemed to tremble with tension. His fingers were already claws, waiting for Edward to go away one inch from me.
The growl did not come from any of them. A huge dark shape and flew to the center of the clearing and Riley fell to the ground.
"No," Victoria cried, her voice shrill and childish disbelief.
At five feet from me, a huge wolf was in tatters the blond vampire. Something white and hard rock bounced off my feet.
Me I walked away, disgusted.
Victoria did not deign to glance at the boy who had just declared their love. His eyes were always on me, full of a malaise so fierce as to make it seem in confusion.
"No," he repeated, through clenched teeth, while Edward was approaching, blocking the road.
Riley was raised, seemed bent and disjointed, but surprisingly failed to give a kick against the shoulder of Seth. I heard the bone crack. Seth drew back and began walking in circles, limping. Riley had his arms extended, ready, despite the apparent loss of a piece of hand ...
A few meters away from that battle, Edward and Victoria were dancing.
From breast Edward proven a dark laugh.
"If I told you that Bella is not mine anymore and sees it as a lie, you had a great mistake. My dear Victoria, "he hissed.
For a moment I read the wonder in the eyes of thirsty vampire.
Camera and Edward watching me with a hint of actual confusion.
"It is with the wolves now. Did you know that this is just a form they must assume in times like these? In reality, they are human, and Bella is one of them. No longer with me, "Edward continued.
Victoria's face becomes unbalanced, and opened his eyes and mouth.
But it takes less than a beating of my heart back together, and his voice ringing with a delightful laugh as threatening.
"Do you think that changes anything? You are here with you, this shows that there is still some connection. Unless, you do not care to see it die, "he said.
"Of course I care, and I know that nothing will change. I just wanted to keep you informed, "said Edward soft, as if he was playing with her.
Victoria stopped laughing, while my eyes soaked disappointment Riley stared at her.
"Victoria ... what are you saying? "whispered the blonde vampire. Victoria
clenched his teeth, but did not answer.
He had betrayed herself.
"You got Riley. We made a bloodthirsty monster to avenge the death of the man she loved. To send you to die and kill a simple man who has no guilt. But to be loved by me. Why was I, James to kill her, "revealed Edward, aprofittando the moment.
Riley's eyes were burning for revenge, shouting death of its creator.
In that same short time the dance stopped abruptly. Then everything happened fast, not been able to rearrange the sequence of events. I tried to reconstruct it mentally.
Riley lashed out against Victoria, Seth lunged forward with the strength of a steel ball, a gaping maw the mutilated body of Riley. Victoria is distracted by the sudden attack of the partner. And
Edward took advantage. With
grabbed the cat jumped on the burning flames of her hair and pinned.
Edward put his mouth on the neck, graceful as a caress. The noise of the shrill Seth cover any other noise, so there was no other sound to emphasize the violence of that image. It seemed almost kissing them.
Yet the fiery tangle of hair was no longer attached to the body. The restless waves of orange fell to the ground and bounced once before rolling into the trees.
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