4 breaking dawn破晓-第33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！



I　started　driving　too　fast　again。　

I　saw　Sam　and　Jared；　one　on　either　side　of　the　road　like　sentinels；　as　I　raced　up　the　road　toward　Forks。　
They　were　well　hidden　in　the　thick　branches；　but　I　was　expecting　them；　and　I　knew　what　to　look　for。　I　



Page　202　

Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




nodded　as　I　blew　past　them；　not　bothering　to　wonder　what　they　made　of　my　day　trip。　

I　nodded　to　Leah　and　Seth；　too；　as　I　cruised　up　the　Cullens'　driveway。　It　was　starting　to　get　dark；　and　
the　clouds　were　thick　on　this　side　of　the　sound；　but　I　saw　their　eyes　glitter　in　the　glow　of　the　headlights。　I　
would　explain　to　them　later。　There'd　be　plenty　of　time　for　that。　

It　was　a　surprise　to　find　Edward　waiting　for　me　in　the　garage。　I　hadn't　seen　him　away　from　Bella　in　days。　
I　could　tell　from　his　face　that　nothing　bad　had　happened　to　her。　In　fact；　he　looked　more　peaceful　than　
before。　My　stomach　tightened　as　I　remembered　where　that　peace　came　from。　

It　was　too　bad　that—with　all　my　brooding—I'd　forgotten　to　wreck　the　car。　Oh　well。　I　probably　wouldn't　
have　been　able　to　stand　hurting　this　car；　anyway。　Maybe　he'd　guessed　as　much；　and　that's　why　he'd　lent　
it　to　me　in　the　first　place。　

〃A　few　things；　Jacob；〃　he　said　as　soon　as　I　cut　the　engine。　

I　took　a　deep　breath　and　held　it　for　a　minute。　Then；　slowly；　I　got　out　of　the　car　and　threw　the　keys　to　
him。　

〃Thanks　for　the　loan；〃　I　said　sourly。　Apparently；　it　would　have　to　be　repaid。　〃What　do　you　want　now？〃　

〃Firstly。。。　I　know　how　averse　you　are　to　using　your　authority　with　your　pack；　but。。。〃　

I　blinked；　astonished　that　he　would　even　dream　of　starting　in　on　this　one。　〃What？〃　

〃If　you　can't　or　won't　control　Leah；　then　I—〃　

〃Leah？〃　I　interrupted；　speaking　through　my　teeth。　〃What　happened？〃　

Edward's　face　was　hard。　〃She　came　up　to　see　why　you'd　left　so　abruptly。　I　tried　to　explain。　I　suppose　it　
might　not　have　e　out　right。〃　

〃What　did　she　do？〃　

〃She　phased　to　her　human　form　and—〃　

〃Really？〃　I　interrupted　again；　shocked　this　time。　I　couldn't　process　that。　Leah　letting　her　guard　down　right　
in　the　mouth　of　the　enemy's　lair？　

〃She　wanted　to。。。　speak　to　Bella。〃　

〃To　Bella？〃　

Edward　got　all　hissy　then。　〃I　won't　let　Bella　be　upset　like　that　again。　I　don't　care　how　justified　Leah　
thinks　she　is！　I　didn't　hurt　her—of　course　I　wouldn't—but　I'll　throw　her　out　of　the　house　if　it　happens　
again。　I'll　launch　her　right　across　the　river—〃　

〃Hold　on。　What　did　she　say？〃　None　of　this　was　making　any　sense。　

Edward　took　a　deep　breath；　posing　himself。　〃Leah　was　unnecessarily　harsh。　I'm　not　going　to　pretend　
that　I　understand　why　Bella　is　unable　to　let　go　of　you；　but　I　do　know　that　she　does　not　behave　this　way　to　



Page　203　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




hurt　you。　She　suffers　a　great　deal　over　the　pain　she's　inflicting　on　you；　and　on　me；　by　asking　you　to　stay。　
What　Leah　said　was　uncalled　for。　Bella's　been　crying—〃　

〃Wait—Leah　was　yelling　at　Bella　about　me？〃　

He　nodded　one　sharp　nod。　〃You　were　quite　vehemently　championed。〃　

Whoa。　〃I　didn't　ask　her　to　do　that。〃　

〃I　know。〃　

I　rolled　my　eyes。　Of　course　he　knew。　He　knew　everything。　

But　that　was　really　something　about　Leah。　Who　would　have　believed　it？　Leah　walking　into　the　
bloodsuckers'　place　human　to　plain　about　how　was　being　treated。　

〃I　can't　promise　to　control　Leah；〃　I　told　him。　〃I　won't　do　that。　But　I'll　talk　to　her；　okay？　And　I　don't　think　
there'll　be　a　repeat。　Leah's　not　one　to　hold　back；　so　she　probably　got　it　all　off　her　chest　today。〃　

〃I　would　say　so。〃　

〃Anyway；　I'll　talk　to　Bella　about　it；　too。　She　doesn't　need　to　feel　bad。　This　one's　on　me。〃　

〃I　already　told　her　that。〃　

〃Of　course　you　did。　Is　she　okay？〃　

〃She's　sleeping　now。　Rose　is　with　her。〃　

So　the　psycho　was　〃Rose〃　now。　He'd　pletely　crossed　over　to　the　dark　side。　

He　ignored　that　thought；　continuing　with　a　more　plete　answer　to　my　question。　〃She's。。。　better　in　
some　ways。　Aside　from　Leah's　tirade　and　the　resulting　guilt。〃　

Better。　Because　Edward　was　hearing　the　monster　and　everything　was　all　loveydovey　now。　Fantastic。　

〃It's　a　bit　more　than　that；〃　he　murmured。　〃Now　that　I　can　make　out　the　child's　thoughts；　it's　apparent　that　
he　or　she　has　remarkably　developed　mental　facilities。　He　can　understand　us；　to　an　extent。〃　

My　mouth　fell　open。　〃Are　you　serious？〃　

〃Yes。　He　seems　to　have　a　vague　sense　of　what　hurts　her　now。　He's　trying　to　avoid　that；　as　much　as　
possible。　He。。。　loves　her。　Already。〃　

I　stared　at　Edward；　feeling　sort　of　like　my　eyes　might　pop　out　of　their　sockets。　Underneath　that　disbelief；　
I　could　see　right　away　that　this　was　the　critical　factor。　This　was　what　had　changed　Edward—that　the　
monster　had　convinced　him　of　this　love。　He　couldn't　hate　what　loved　Bella。　It　was　probably　why　he　
couldn't　hate　me；　either。　There　was　a　big　

difference；　though。　I　wasn't　killing　her。　




Page　204　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




Edward　went　on；　acting　like　he　hadn't　heard　all　that。　〃The　progress；　I　believe；　is　more　than　we'd　judged。　
When　Carlisle　returns—〃　

〃They're　not　back？〃　I　cut　in　sharply。　I　thought　of　Sam　and　Jared；　watching　the　road。　Would　they　get　
curious　as　to　what　was　going　on？　

〃Alice　and　Jasper　are。　Carlisle　sent　all　the　blood　he　was　able　to　acquire；　but　it　wasn't　as　much　as　he　was　
hoping　for—Bella　will　use　up　this　supply　in　another　day　the　way　her　appetite　has　grown。　Carlisle　stayed　
to　try　another　source。　I　don't　think　that's　necessary　now；　but　he　wants　to　be　covered　for　any　eventuality。〃　

〃Why　isn't　it　necessary？　If　she　needs　more？〃　

I　could　tell　he　was　watching　and　listening　to　my　reaction　carefully　as　he　explained。　Tm　trying　to　persuade　
Carlisle　to　deliver　the　baby　as　soon　as　he　is　back。〃　

〃What？〃　

〃The　child　seems　to　be　attempting　to　avoid　rough　movements；　but　it's　difficult。　He's　bee　too　big。　It's　
madness　to　wait；　when　he's　clearly　developed　beyond　what　Carlisle　had　guessed。　Bella's　too　fragile　to　
delay。〃　

I　kept　getting　my　legs　knocked　out　from　under　me。　First；　counting　on　Edward's　hatred　of　the　thing　so　
much。　Now；　I'd　realized　that　I　thought　of　those　four　days　as　a　sure　thing。　I'd　banked　on　them。　

The　endless　ocean　of　grief　that　waited　stretched　out　before　me。　

I　tried　to　catch　my　breath。　

Edward　waited。　I　stared　at　his　face　while　I　recovered；　recognizing　another　change　there。　

〃You　think　she's　going　to　make　it；〃　I　whispered。　

〃Yes。　That　was　the　other　thing　I　wanted　to　talk　to　you　about。〃　

I　couldn't　say　anything。　After　a　minute；　he　went　on。　

〃Yes；〃　he　said　again。　〃Waiting；　as　we　have　been；　for　the　child　to　be　ready；　that　was　insanely　dangerous。　
At　any　moment　it　could　have　been　too　late。　But　if　we're　proactive　about　this；　if　we　act　quickly；　I　see　no　
reason　why　it　should　not　go　well。　Knowing　the　child's　mind　is　unbelievably　helpful。　Thankfully；　Bella　and　
Rose　agree　with　me。　Now　that　I've　convinced　them　it's　safe　for　the　child　if　we　proceed；　there's　nothing　to　
keep　this　from　working。〃　

〃When　will　Carlisle　be　back？〃　I　asked；　still　whispering。　I　hadn't　got　my　breath　back　yet。　

〃By　noon　tomorrow。〃　

My　knees　buckled。　I　had　to　grab　the　car　to　hold　myself　up。　Edward　reached　out　like　he　was　offering　
support；　but　then　he　thought　better　of　it　and　dropped　his　hands。　

〃I'm　sorry；〃　he　whispered。　〃I　am　truly　sorry　for　the　pain　this　causes　you；　Jacob。　Though　you　hate　me；　I　
must　admit　that　I　don't　feel　the　same　about　you。　I　think　of　you　as　a。。。　a　brother　in　many　ways。　A　rade　



　Page　205　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




in　arms；　at　the　very　least。　I　regret　your　suffering　more　than　you　realize。　But　Bella　is　going　to　survive〃　
—when　he　said　that　his　voice　was　fierce；　even　violent—〃and　I　know　that's　what　really　matters　to　you。〃　

He　was　probably　right。　It　was　hard　to　tell。　My　head　was　spinning。　

〃So　I　hate　to　do　this　now；　while　you're　already　dealing　with　too　much；　but；　clearly；　there　is　little　time。　I　
have　to　ask　you　for　something—to　beg；　if　I　must。〃　

〃I　don't　have　anything　left；〃　I　choked　out。　

He　lifted　his　hand　again；　as　if　to　put　it　on　my　shoulder；　but　then　let　it　drop　like　before　and　sighed。　

〃I　know　how　much　you　have　given；〃　he　said　quietly。　〃But　this　is　something　you　do　have；　and　only　you。　
I'm　asking　this　of　the　true　Alpha；　Jacob。　I'm　asking　this　of　Ephraim's　heir。〃　

I　was　way　past　being　able　to　respond。　

〃I　want　your　permission　to　deviate　from　what　we　agreed　to　in　our　treaty　with　Ephraim。　I　want　you　to　
grant　us　an　exception。　I　want　your　permission　to　save　her　life。　You　know　111　do　it　anyway；　but　I　don't　
want　to　break　faith　with　you　if　there　is　any　way　to　avoid　it。　We　never　intended　to　go　back　on　our　word；　
and　we　don't　do　it　lightly　now。　I　want　your　understanding；　Jacob；　because　you　know　exactly　why　we　do　
this。　I　want　the　alliance　between　our　families　to　survive　when　this　is　over。〃　

I　tried　to　swallow。　Sam；　I　thought。　It's　Sam　you　want。　

〃No。　Sam's　authority　is　assumed。　It　belongs　to　you。　You'll　never　take　it　from　him；　but　no　one　can　
rightfully　agree　to　what　I'm　asking　except　for　you〃　

It's　not　my　decision。　

〃It　is；　Jacob；　and　you　know　it。　Your　word　on　this　will　condemn　us　or　absolve　us。　Only　you　can　give　this　
to　me。〃　

　can't　think。　I　don't　know。　

〃We　don't　have　much　time。〃　He　glanced　back　toward　the　house。　

No；　there　was　no　time。　My　few　days　had　bee　a　few　hours。　

　don't　know。　Let　me　think。　Just　give　me　a　minute　here；　okay？　

〃Yes。〃　

I　started　walking　to　the　house；　and　he　followed。　Crazy　how　easy　it　was；　walking　through　the　dark　with　a　
vampire　right　beside　me。　It　didn't　feel　unsafe；　or　even　unfortable；　really。　It　felt　like　walking　next　to　
anybody。　Well；　anybody　who　smelled　bad。　

There　was　a　movement　in　the　brush　at　the　edge　of　the　big　lawn；　and　then　a　low　whimper。　Seth　shrugged　
through　the　ferns　and　loped　over　to　us。　

〃Hey；　kid；〃　I　muttered。　



　　　Page　206　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




He　dipped　his　head；　and　I　patted　his　shoulder。　

〃S'all　cool；〃　I　lied。　〃I'll　tell　you　about　it　later。　Sorry　to　take　off　on　you　like　that。〃　

He　grinned　at　me。　

〃Hey；　tell　your　sister　to　back　off　now；　okay？　Enough。〃　

Seth　nodded　once。　

I　shoved　against　his　shoulder　this　time。　〃Get　back　to　work。　I'll　spell　you　in　a　bit。〃　

Seth　leaned　against　me；　shoving　back；　and　then　he　galloped　into　the　trees。　

〃He　has　one　of　the　purest；　sincerest；　kindest　minds　I've　ever　heard；〃　Edward　murmured　when　he　was　
outof　sight。　〃You're　lucky　to　have　his　thoughts　to　share。〃　

〃I　know　that；〃！　grunted。　

We　started　toward　the　house；　and　both　of　our　heads　snapped　up　when　we　heard　the　sound　of　someone　
sucking　through　a　straw。　Edward　was　in　a　hurry　then。He　darted　up　the　porch　stairs　and　was　gone。　

〃Bella；　love；　Ithought　you　were　sleeping；〃　I　heard　him　say。　〃I'm　sorry；　I　wouldn't　have　left。〃　

〃Don't　worry。　Ijust　got　so　thirsty—it　woke　me　up。It's　a　good　thing　Carlisle　is　bringing　more。　This　kid　is　
going　to　need　it　when　he　gets　out　of　me。〃　

〃True。　That's　a　good　point。〃　

〃I　wonder　if　he'll　want　anything　else；〃　she　mused。　

〃I　suppose　we'll　find　out。〃　

I　walked　through　the　door。　

Alice　said；　〃Finally；〃　and　Bella's　eyes　flashed　to　me。　That　infuriating；　irresistible　smile　broke　across　her　
face　for　one　second。　Then　it　faltered；　and　her　face　fell。　Her　lips　puckered；　like　she　was　trying　not　to　cry。　

I　wanted　to　punch　Leah　right　in　her　stupid　mouth。　

〃Hey；　Bells；〃　Isaid　quickly。　〃How　ya　doing？〃　

〃I'm　fine；〃　she　said。　

〃Big　day　today；　huh？　Lots　of　new　stuff。〃　

〃You　don't　have　to　do　that；　Jacob。〃　

〃Don't　know　what　you're　talking　about；〃　I　said；　going　to　sit　on　the　arm　of　the　sofa　by　her　head。　Edward　
had　the　floor　there　already。　



　　　Page　207　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




She　gave　me　a　reproachful　look。　〃I'm　so　s—〃　she　started　to　say。　

I　pinched　her　lips　together　between　my　thumb　and　finger。　

〃Jake；〃　she　mumbled；　trying　to　pull　my　hand　away。　Her　attempt　was　so　weak　it　was　hard　to　believe　that　
she　was　really　trying。　

I　shook　my　head。　〃You　can　talk　when　you're　not　being　stupid。〃　

〃Fine；I　won't　say　it；〃　it　sounded　like　she　mumbled。　

I　pulled　my　hand　away。　

〃Sorry！〃　she　finished　quickly；　and　then　grinned。　

I　rolledmy　eyes　and　then　smiled　back　at　her。　

When　I　stared　into　her　eyes；　I　saw　everything　that　I'd　been　looking　for　in　the　park。　

Tomorrow；　she'd　be　someone　else。　But　hopefully　alive；　and　that　was　what　counted；　right？　She'd　look　at　
me　with　the　same　eyes；　sort　of。　Smile　with　the　same　lips；　almost。　She'd　still　know　me　better　than　anyone　
who　didn't　havefull　access　to　the　inside　of　my　head。　

Leah　might　be　an　interesting　panion；　maybe　even　a　true　friend—someone　who　would　stand　up　for　
me。　But　

she　wasn't　my　best　friend　the　way　thatBella　was。　Aside　from　the　impossible　love　I　felt　for　Bella；　there　
was　also　that　other　bond；　and　it　ran　bone　deep。　

Tomorrow；　she'd　be　my　enemy。　Or　she'd　be　myally。　And；　apparently；　that　distinction　was　up　to　me。　

I　sighed。　

Fine！I　thought；　giving　up　the　very　last　thing　i　had　to　give。　It　made　me　feel　hollow。　Go　ahead。　Save　her。　
As　Ephraim's　heir；　you　have　my　permission；　my　word；　that　this　will　not　violate　the　treaty。　The　
others　will　just　have　to　blame　me。　You　were　right—　they　can't　deny　that　it's　my　right　to　agree　to　
this。　

'Thank　you。〃　Edward's　whisper　was　low　enough　that　Bella　didn't　hear　anything。　But　the　words　were　so　
fervent　that；　from　the　corner　of　my　eye；　I　saw　the　other　vampires　turning　to　stare。　

〃So；〃Bella　asked；　working　to　be　casual。　〃How　was　your　day？〃　

〃Great。　Went　for　a　drive。　Hung　out　in　the　park。〃　

〃Sounds　nice。〃　

〃Sure；　sure。〃　

Suddenly；　she　made　a　face。　〃Rose？〃　she　asked。　



　　　Page　208　

　　　Generatedby　ABC　Amber　LIT　Converter；　：。processtext。abclit。html　




I　heard　Blondie　chuckle。　〃Again？〃　

〃I　think　I've　drunk　two　gallons　in　the　last　hour；〃　Bella　explained。　

Edward　and　I　both　got　out　of　the　way　while　Rosalie　came　to　lift　Bella　from　the　couch　and　take　her　to　the　
bathroom。　

〃Can　I　walk？〃　Bella　asked。　〃My　legs　are　so　stiff。〃　

〃Are　you　sure？〃　Edward　asked。　

〃Rose'llcatch　me　if　I　trip　over　my　feet。　Which　could　happen　pretty　easily；　since　I　can't　see　them。〃　

Rosalie　set　Bellacarefully　on　her　feet；　keeping　her　hands　right　atBella's　shoulders。　Bella　stretched　her　
arms　out　in　front　of　her；　wincing　a　little。　

〃That　feels　good；〃　she　sighed。　〃Ugh；　but　I'm　huge。〃　

She　really　was。　Her　stomach　was　its　own　continent。　

〃One　more　day；〃　she　said；　and　patted　her　stomach。　

I　couldn't　help　the　pain　that　shot　through　me　in　a　sudden；　stabbing　burst；　but　I　tried　to　keep　it　off　my　
face。　I　could　hide　it　for　one　more　day；　right？　

〃All　righty；　then。　Whoops—oh；　no！〃　

The　cup　Bella　had　left　on　the　sofa　tumbled　to　one　side；　the　dark　red　blood　spilling　out　onto　the　pale　
fabric。　

Automatically；　though　three　other　hands　beat　her　there；　Bella　bent　over；　reaching　out　to　catch　it。　

There　was　the　strangest；　muffled　ripping　sound　from　the　center　of　her　body。　

〃Oh！〃　she