4 breaking dawn破晓-第24部分

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〃I've　got　to　drink　it；〃　she　whispered。　She　nodded　slightly—barely　enough　energy　for　a　little　head　bob。　〃I　
can　do　that。　Practice　for　the　future；　right？〃　Her　colorless　lips　stretched　into　a　faint　grin　as　she　looked　at　
Edward。　He　didn't　smile　back。　

Rosalie　started　tapping　her　toe　impatiently。　The　sound　was　really　irritating。　I　wondered　what　she　would　
do　if　I　threw　her　through　a　wall　right　now。　

〃So；　who's　going　to　catch　me　a　grizzly　bear？〃　Bella　whispered。　

Carlisle　and　Edward　exchanged　a　quick　glance。　Rosalie　stopped　tapping。　

〃What？〃　Bella　asked。　




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〃It　will　be　a　more　effective　test　if　we　don't　cut　corners；　Bella；〃　Carlisle　said。　

〃Ifthe　fetus　is　craving　blood；〃　Edward　explained；　〃it's　not　craving　animal　blood。〃　

〃It　won't　make　a　difference　to　you；　Bella。　Don't　think　about　it；〃　Rosalie　encouraged。　

Bella's　eyes　widened。　〃Who？〃　she　breathed；　and　her　gaze　flickered　to　me。　

〃I'm　not　here　as　a　donor；　Bells；〃　I　grumbled。　〃'Sides；　it's　human　blood　that　thing's　after；　and　I　don't　think　
mine　applies—〃　

〃We　have　blood　on　hand；〃　Rosalie　told　her；　talking　over　me　before　I'd　finished；　like　I　wasn't　there。　〃For　
you—just　in　case。　Don't　worry　about　anything　at　all。　It's　going　to　be　fine。　I　have　a　good　feeling　about　this；　
Bella。　I　think　the　baby　will　be　so　much　better。〃　

Bella：s　hand　ran　across　her　stomach。　

〃Well；〃　she　rasped；　barely　audible。　〃I'm　starving；　so　I'll　bet　he　is；　too。〃　Trying　to　make　another　joke。　
〃Let's　go　for　it。　My　first　vampire　act。〃　

13。　GOOD　THING　I'VE　GOT　A　STRONG　STOMACH　

Carlisle　and　Rosalie　were　off　in　a　flash；　darting　upstairs。　I　could　hear　them　debating　whether　they　should　
warm　it　up　for　her。　Ugh。　i　wondered　what　all　houseofhorrors　stuff　they　kept　around　here。　Fridge　full　of　
blood；　check。　What　else？　Torture　chamber？　Coffin　room？　

Edward　stayed；　holding　Bella's　hand。　His　face　was　dead　again。　He　didn't　seem　to　have　the　energy　to　
keep　up　even　that　little　hint　of　hope　he'd　had　before。　They　stared　into　each　other's　eyes；　but　not　in　a　
gooey　way。　It　was　like　they　were　having　a　conversation。　Kind　of　reminded　me　of　Sam　and　Emily。　

No；　it　wasn't　gooey；　but　that　only　made　it　harder　to　watch。　

I　knew　what　it　was　like　for　Leah；　having　to　see　that　all　the　time。　Having　to　hear　it　in　Sam's　head。　Of　
course　we　all　felt　bad　for　her；　we　weren't　monsters—in　that　sense；　anyway。　But　I　guess　we'd　blamed　her　
for　how　she　handled　it。　Lashing　out　at　everyone；　trying　to　make　us　all　as　miserable　as　she　was。　

I　would　never　blame　her　again。　How　could　anyone　help　spreading　this　kind　of　misery　around？　How　
could　anyone　not　try　to　ease　some　of　the　burden　by　shoving　a　little　piece　of　it　off　on　someone　else？　

And　if　it　meant　that　I　had　to　have　a　pack；　how　could　I　blame　her　for　taking　my　freedom？　I　would　do　the　
same。　If　there　was　a　way　to　escape　this　pain；　I'd　take　it；　too。　

Rosalie　darted　downstairs　after　a　second；　flying　through　the　room　like　a　sharp　breeze；　stirring　up　the　
burning　smell。　She　stopped　inside　the　kitchen；　and　I　heard　the　creak　of　a　cupboard　door。　

〃Noteear；　Rosalie；〃　Edward　murmured。　He　rolled　his　eyes。　

Bella　looked　curious；　but　Edward　just　shook　his　head　at　her。　

Rosalie　blew　back　through　the　room　and　disappeared　again。　




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〃This　was　your　idea？〃　Bella　whispered；　her　voice　rough　as　she　strained　to　make　it　loud　enough　for　me　to　
hear。　Forgetting　that　I　could　hear　just　fine。　I　kind　of　liked　how；　a　lot　of　the　time；　she　seemed　to　forget　that　
I　wasn't　

pletely　human。　I　moved　closer；　so　that　she　wouldn't　have　to　work　so　hard。　

〃Don't　blame　me　for　this　one。　Your　vampire　was　just　picking　snide　ments　out　of　my　head。〃　

She　smiled　a　little。　〃I　didn't　expect　to　see　you　again。〃　

〃Yeah；　me；　either；〃　I　said。　

It　felt　weird　just　standing　here；　but　the　vampires　had　shoved　all　the　furniture　out　of　the　way　for　the　
medical　setup。　I　imagined　that　it　didn't　bother　them—sitting　or　standing　didn't　make　much　difference　when　
you　were　stone。　Wouldn't　bother　me　much；　either；　except　that　I　was　so　exhausted。　

〃Edward　told　me　what　you　had　to　do。　I'm　sorry。〃　

〃S'okay。　It　was　probably　only　a　matter　of　time　till　I　snapped　over　something　Sam　wanted　me　to　do；〃　I　
lied。　

〃And　Seth；〃　she　whispered。　

〃He's　actually　happy　to　help。〃　

〃I　hate　causing　you　trouble。〃　

I　laughed　once—more　a　bark　than　a　laugh。　

She　breathed　a　faint　sigh。　〃I　guess　that's　nothing　new；　is　it？〃　

〃No；　not　really。〃　

〃You　don't　have　to　stay　and　watch　this；〃　she　said；　barely　mouthing　the　words。　

I　could　leave。　It　was　probably　a　good　idea。　But　if　I　did；　with　the　way　she　looked　right　now；　I　could　be　
missing　the　last　fifteen　minutes　of　her　life。　

〃I　don't　really　have　anywhere　else　to　go；〃　I　told　her；　trying　to　keep　the　emotion　out　of　my　voice。　〃The　
wolf　thing　is　a　lot　less　appealing　since　Leah　joined　up。〃　

〃Leah？〃　she　gasped。　

〃You　didn't　tell　her？〃　I　asked　Edward。　

He　just　shrugged　without　moving　his　eyes　from　her　face。　I　could　see　it　wasn't　very　exciting　news　to　him；　
not　something　worth　sharing　with　the　more　important　events　that　were　going　down。　

Bella　didn't　take　it　so　lightly。　It　looked　like　it　was　bad　news　to　her。　

〃Why？〃　she　breathed。　



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I　didn't　want　to　get　into　the　whole　novellength　version。　〃To　keep　an　eye　on　Seth。〃　

〃But　Leah　hates　us；〃　she　whispered。　

Us。Nice。　I　could　see　that　she　was　afraid；　though。　

〃Leah's　not　going　to　bug　anyone。〃　But　me。　〃She's　in　my　pack〃—I　grimaced　at　the　words—〃so　she　
follows　my　lead。〃　Ugh。　

Bella　didn't　look　convinced。　

〃You're　scared　of　Leah；　but　you're　best　buds　with　the　psychopath　blonde？〃　

There　was　a　low　hiss　from　the　second　floor。　Cool；　she'd　heard　me。　

Bella　frowned　at　me。　〃Don't。　Rose。。。　understands。〃　

〃Yeah；〃　i　grunted。　〃She　understands　that　you're　gonna　die　and　she　doesn't　care；　s'long　as　she　gets　her　
mutant　spawn　out　of　the　deal。〃　

〃Stop　being　a　jerk；　Jacob；〃　she　whispered。　

She　looked　too　weak　to　get　mad　at。　I　tried　to　smile　instead。　〃You　say　that　like　it's　possible。〃　

Bella　tried　not　to　smile　back　for　a　second；　but　she　couldn't　help　it　in　the　end；　her　chalky　lips　pulled　up　at　
the　corners。　

And　then　Carlisle　and　the　psycho　in　question　were　there。　Carlisle　had　a　white　plastic　cup　in　his　hand　
—the　kind　with　a　lid　and　a　bendy　straw。　Oh—　not　clear；now　I　got　it。　Edward　didn't　want　Bella　to　have　
to　think　about　what　she　was　doing　any　more　than　necessary。　You　couldn't　see　what　was　in　the　cup　at　all。　
But　I　could　smell　it。　

Carlisle　hesitated；　the　hand　with　the　cup　halfextended。　Bella　eyed　it；　looking　scared　again。　

〃We　could　try　another　method；〃　Carlisle　said　quietly。　

〃No；〃　Bella　whispered。　〃No；111　try　this　first。　We　don't　have　time。。。。〃　

At　first　I　thought　she'd　finally　gotten　a　clue　and　was　worried　about　herself；　but　then　her　hand　fluttered　
feebly　against　her　stomach。　

Bellareached　out　and　took　the　cup　from　him。　Her　hand　shook　a　little；　and　I　could　hear　the　sloshing　from　
inside。　She　tried　to　prop　herself　up　on　one　elbow；　but　she　could　barely　lift　her　head。　A　whisper　of　heat　
brushed　down　my　spine　as　I　saw　how　frail　she'd　gotten　in　less　than　a　day。　

Rosalie　put　her　arm　under　Bella's　shoulders；　supporting　her　head；　too；　like　you　did　with　a　newborn。　
Blondie　was　all　about　the　babies。　

〃Thanks；〃　Bella　whispered。　Her　eyes　flickered　around　at　us。　Still　aware　enough　to　feel　selfconscious。　If　
she　wasn't　so　drained；　I'd　bet　she'd've　blushed。　



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〃Don't　mind　them；〃　Rosalie　murmured。　

It　made　me　feel　awkward。　I　should've　left　when　Bella'd　offered　the　chance。　I　didn't　belong　here；　being　
part　of　this。　I　thought　about　ducking　out；　but　then　I　realized　a　move　like　that　would　only　make　this　worse　
for　Bella—make　it　harder　for　her　to　go　through　with　it。　She'd　figure　I　was　too　disgusted　to　stay。　Which　
was　almost　true。　

Still。　While　I　wasn't　going　to　claim　responsibility　for　this　idea；　I　didn't　want　to　jinx　it；　either。　

Bella　lifted　the　cup　to　her　face　and　sniffed　at　the　end　of　the　straw。　She　flinched；　and　then　made　a　face。　

〃Bella；　sweetheart；　we　can　find　an　easier　way；〃　Edward　said；　holding　his　hand　out　for　the　cup。　

〃Plug　your　nose；〃　Rosalie　suggested。　She　glared　at　Edward's　hand　like　she　might　take　a　snap　at　it。　I　
wished　she　would。　I　bet　Edward　wouldn't　take　that　sitting　down；　and　I'd　love　to　see　Blondie　lose　a　limb。　

〃No；　that's　not　it。　It's　just　that　it—〃Bella　sucked　in　a　deep　breath。　〃It　smells　good；〃　she　admitted　in　a　tiny　
voice。　

I　swallowed　hard；　fighting　to　keep　the　disgust　off　my　face。　

〃That's　a　good　thing；〃　Rosalie　told　Bella　eagerly。　〃That　means　we're　on　the　right　track。　Give　it　a　try。〃　
Given　Blondie's　new　expression；　I　was　surprised　she　didn't　break　into　a　touchdown　dance。　

Bella　shoved　the　straw　between　her　lips；　squeezed　her　eyes　shut；　and　wrinkled　her　nose。　I　could　hear　the　
blood　

slopping　around　in　the　cup　again　as　her　hand　shook。　She　sipped　at　it　for　a　second；　and　then　moaned　
quietly　with　her　eyes　still　closed。　

Edward　and　I　stepped　forward　at　the　same　time。　He　touched　her　face。　I　clenched　my　hands　behind　my　
back。　

〃Bella；　love—〃　

Tm　okay；〃　she　whispered。　She　opened　her　eyes　and　stared　up　at　him。　Her　expression　was。。。　apologetic。　
Pleading。　Scared。　〃It　tastes　good；　too。〃　

Acid　churned　in　my　stomach；　threatening　to　overflow。　I　ground　my　teeth　together。　

〃That's　good；〃　Blondie　repeated；　still　jazzed。　〃A　good　sign。〃　

Edward　just　pressed　his　hand　to　her　cheek；　curling　his　fingers　around　the　shape　of　her　fragile　bones。　

Bella　sighed　and　put　her　lips　to　the　straw　again。　She　took　a　real　pull　this　time。　The　action　wasn't　as　weak　
as　everything　else　about　her。　Like　some　instinct　was　taking　over。　

〃How's　your　stomach？　Do　you　feel　nauseated？〃　Carlisle　asked。　

Bella　shook　her　head。　〃No；　I　don't　feel　sick；〃　she　whispered。　〃There's　a　first；　eh？〃　



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Rosalie　beamed。　〃Excellent。〃　

〃I　think　it's　a　bit　early　for　that；　Rose；〃　Carlisle　murmured。　

Bella　gulped　another　mouthful　of　blood。　Then　she　flashed　a　look　at　Edward。　〃Does　this　screw　my　total？〃　
she　whispered。　〃Or　do　we　start　counting　after　I'm　a　vampire？〃　

〃No　one　is　counting；　Bella。　In　any　case；　no　one　died　for　this。〃　He　smiled　a　lifeless　smile。　〃Your　record　is　
still　clean。〃　

They'd　lost　me。　

〃I'll　explain　later；〃　Edward　said；　so　low　the　words　were　just　a　breath。　

〃What？〃　Bella　whispered。　

〃Just　talking　to　myself；〃　he　lied　smoothly。　

If　he　succeeded　with　this；　if　Bella　lived；　Edward　wasn't　going　to　be　able　to　get　away　with　so　much　when　
her　senses　were　as　sharp　as　his。　He'd　have　to　work　on　the　honesty　thing。　

Edward's　lips　twitched；　fighting　a　smile。　

Bella　chugged　a　few　more　ounces；　staring　past　us　toward　the　window。　Probably　pretending　we　weren't　
here。　Or　maybe　just　me。　No　one　else　in　this　group　would　be　disgusted　by　what　she　was　doing。　Just　the　
opposite—they　were　probably　having　a　tough　time　not　ripping　the　cup　away　from　her。　

Edward　rolled　his　eyes。　

Jeez；　how　did　anyone　stand　living　with　him？　It　was　really　too　bad　he　couldn't　hear　Bella's　thoughts。　Then　
he'd　annoy　the　crap　out　of　her；　too；　and　she'd　get　tired　of　him。　

Edward　chuckled　once。　Bella's　eyes　flicked　to　him　immediately；　and　she　halfsmiled　at　the　humor　in　his　
face。　I　would　guess　that　wasn't　something　she'd　seen　in　a　while。　

〃Something　funny？〃　she　breathed。　

〃Jacob；〃　he　answered。　

She　looked　over　with　another　weary　smile　for　me。　〃Jake's　a　crackup；〃　she　agreed。　

Great；　now　I　was　the　court　jester。　〃Bada　bing〃　I　mumbled　in　weak　rimshot　impression。　

She　smiled　again；　and　then　took　another　swig　from　the　cup。　I　flinched　when　the　straw　pulled　at　empty　
air；　making　a　loud　sucking　sound。　

〃I　did　it；〃　she　said；　sounding　pleased。　Her　voice　was　clearer—rough；　but　not　a　whisper　for　the　first　time　
today。　〃If　I　keep　this　down；　Carlisle；　will　you　take　the　needles　out　of　me？〃　

〃As　soon　as　possible；〃　he　promised。　〃Honestly；　they　aren't　doing　that　much　good　where　they　are。〃　



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Rosalie　patted　Bella's　forehead；　and　they　exchanged　a　hopeful　glance。　

And　anyone　could　see　it—the　cup　full　of　human　blood　had　made　an　immediate　difference。　Her　color　was　
returning—there　was　a　tiny　hint　of　pink　in　her　waxy　cheeks。　Already　she　didn't　seem　to　need　Rosalie's　
support　so　much　anymore。　Her　breathing　was　easier；　and　I　would　swear　her　heartbeat　was　stronger；　
more　even。　

Everything　accelerated。　

That　ghost　of　hope　in　Edward's　eyes　had　turned　into　the　real　thing。　

〃Would　you　like　more？〃　Rosalie　pressed。　

Bella's　shoulders　slumped。　

Edward　flashed　a　glare　at　Rosalie　before　he　spoke　to　Bella。　〃You　don't　have　to　drink　more　right　away。〃　

〃Yeah；　I　know。　But。。。　I　want　to〃　she　admitted　glumly。　

Rosalie　pulled　her　thin；　sharp　fingers　through　Bella's　lank　hair。　〃You　don't　need　to　be　embarrassed　about　
that；　Bella。　Your　body　has　cravings。　We　all　understand　that。〃　Her　tone　was　soothing　at　first；　but　then　she　
added　harshly；　〃Anyone　who　doesn't　understand　shouldn't　be　here。〃　

Meant　for　me；　obviously；　but　I　wasn't　going　to　let　Blondie　get　to　me。　I　was　glad　Bella　felt　better。　So　
what　if　the　means　grossed　me　out？　It　wasn't　like　I'd　said　anything。　

Carlisle　took　the　cup　from　Bella's　hand。　〃I'll　be　right　back。〃　

Bella　stared　at　me　while　he　disappeared。　

〃Jake；　you　look　awful；〃　she　croaked。　

〃Look　who's　talking。〃　

〃Seriously—when's　the　last　time　you　slept？〃　

I　thought　about　that　for　a　second。　〃Huh。　I'm　not　actually　sure。〃　

〃Aw；　Jake。　Now　I'm　messing　with　your　health；　too。　Don't　be　stupid。〃　

I　gritted　my　teeth。　She　was　allowed　to　kill　herself　for　a　monster；　but　I　wasn't　allowed　to　miss　a　few　
nights'　sleep　to　watch　her　do　it？　

〃Get　some　rest；　please；〃　she　went　on。　〃There're　a　few　beds　upstairs—you're　wele　to　any　of　them。〃　

The　look　on　Rosalie's　face　made　it　clear　that　I　wasn't　wele　to　one　of　them。　It　made　me　wonder　what　
Sleepless　Beauty　needed　a　bed　for　anyway。　Was　she　that　possessive　of　her　props？　

〃Thanks；　Bells；　but　I'd　rather　sleep　on　the　ground。　Away　from　the　stench；　you　know。〃　




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She　grimaced。　〃Right。〃　

Carlisle　was　back　then；　and　Bella　reached　out　for　the　blood；　absentminded；　like　she　was　thinking　of　
something　else。　With　the　same　distracted　expression；　she　started　sucking　it　down。　

She　really　was　looking　better。　She　pulled　herself　forward；　being　careful　of　the　tubes；　and　scooted　into　a　
sitting　position。　Rosalie　hovered；　her　hands　ready　to　catch　Bella　if　she　sagged。　But　Bella　didn't　need　her。　
Taking　deep　breaths　in　between　swallows；　Bella　finished　the　second　cup　quickly。　

〃How　do　you　feel　now？〃　Carlisle　asked。　

〃Not　sick。　Sort　of　hungry。。。　only　I'm　not　sure　if　I'm　hungry　or　thirsty；　you　know？〃