2 new+moon新月-第40部分

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meant　for　cars；　shocked　people　had　to　squeeze　into　doorways　as　we　scraped　by。　We　found　another　
street　at　the　end。　The　buildings　were　taller　here；　they　leaned　together　overhead　so　that　no　sunlight　
touched　the　pavement—the　thrashing　red　flags　on　either　side　nearly　met。　The　crowd　was　thicker　here　
than　anywhere　else。　Alice　stopped　the　car。　I　had　the　door　open　before　we　were　at　a　standstill。　

She　pointed　to　where　the　street　widened　into　a　patch　of　bright　openness。　〃There—we're　at　the　southern　
end　of　the　square。　Run　straight　across；　to　the　right　of　the　clock　tower。　I'll　find　a　way　around—〃　

Her　breath　caught　suddenly；　and　when　she　spoke　again；　her　voice　was　a　hiss。　〃They're　everywhere？〃　

I　froze　in　place；　but　she　pushed　me　out　of　the　car。　〃Forget　about　them。　You　have　two　minutes。　Go；　Bella；　
go！〃　she　shouted；　climbing　out　of　the　car　as　she　spoke。　

I　didn't　pause　to　watch　Alice　melt　into　the　shadows。　I　didn't　stop　to　close　my　door　behind　me。　I　shoved　a　
heavy　woman　out　of　my　way　and　ran　flat　out；　head　down；　paying　little　attention　to　anything　but　the　
uneven　stones　beneath　my　feet。　

ing　out　of　the　dark　lane；　I　was　blinded　by　the　brilliant　sunlight　beating　down　into　the　principal　plaza。　
The　wind　whooshed　into　me；　flinging　my　hair　into　my　eyes　and　blinding　me　further。　It　was　no　wonder　that　
I　didn't　see　the　wall　of　flesh　until　I'd　smacked　into　it。　

There　was　no　pathway；　no　crevice　between　the　close　pressed　bodies。　I　pushed　against　them　furiously；　

fighting　the　hands　that　shoved　back。　I　heard　exclamations　of　irritation　and　even　pain　as　I　battled　my　way　
through；　but　none　were　in　a　language　I　understood。　The　faces　were　a　blur　of　anger　and　surprise；　
surrounded　by　the　everpresent　red。　A　blond　woman　scowled　at　me；　and　the　red　scarf　coiled　around　her　
neck　looked　like　a　gruesome　wound。　A　child；　lifted　on　a　man's　shoulders　to　see　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　kneedeep　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　highpitched　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　redblazered　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　wideeyed；　fulllipped　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　m